{"url": "http://houlahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5229", "title": "Reps. Houlahan, Strickland, Sen. Blumenthal Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Depoliticize Military Promotions", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://houlahan.house.gov/news/rss.aspx", "domain": "houlahan.house.gov", "scraper": "houlahan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001085", "name": "Chrissy Houlahan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), with Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), led the bicameral introduction of the Military Officer Promotion Integrity Act to protect qualified military officers from being arbitrarily removed from promotion consideration for ideological or political reasons, by establishing clear standards, basic due process, and meaningful independent review.\n\n“For the last year and a half, Secretary Hegseth has systematically damaged and undermined the previously unbiased military promotion system, and he has done so under the nose of the President, who reportedly has little to no awareness of Secretary Hegseth’s destructive purge of our military talent and leadership,” said Rep. Houlahan. “Today, we ensure that at least Congress will know when the Secretary tries to strike exceptionally qualified military officers from promotion slates – and we can take action to stop the removal. Once again, fairness, transparency, and objectivity will determine which officer has earned their next rank, and not their allegiance to the political whims of Secretary Hegseth.”\n\n“Secretary Hegseth continues to deny promotions to our most qualified military officials,” said Rep. Strickland. “This bill allows Congress to intervene when a military official is denied or slated to be removed from a rightfully earned promotion.”\n\n“Ironically, no one spends more time obsessing over gender and race than Secretary Hegseth, who is relentlessly blocking promotions and purging the military ranks of women, minorities, and anyone who fails to watch as much Fox News as he does,” said Rep. Blumenthal. “If Secretary Hegseth is really committed to meritocracy, he should fully support this legislation to prevent political meddling in military promotions. His disgraceful promotions decisions are only one piece of a much broader and deeply dangerous effort to politicize our military and undermine its proud tradition of nonpartisan service.”\n\nThe legislation is co-sponsored in the Senate by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI). The bill is endorsed by VoteVets, Protect Democracy, the National Women’s Law Clinic (NWLC), and Retired Major General Steve Lepper, co-founder of the Former JAG Working Group.\n\n“Military officers earn their promotions through years of service, sacrifice, and proven leadership. Pulling them from consideration because of politics not only derails careers, but it tells every officer and every American that fealty matters more than competence. Most important is our oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution, against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The Military Officer Promotion Integrity Act makes sure that these decisions rest only on facts. VoteVets applauds Senator Blumenthal’s leadership and we call on Congress to pass this critical bill without delay,” said Retired Major General Paul Eaton, VoteVets Senior Advisor.\n\n“A nonpartisan, merit-based military promotion system is crucial to military readiness. It ensures our senior ranks are filled by officers who have demonstrated the expertise and leadership that our readiness depends on. This legislation strengthens the promotion process, reinforces our operational edge, and sustains the confidence of the American people in their military,” said Zachary West with Protect Democracy.\n\n“Our country and our nation’s service members deserve a promotion system that is based on merit and leadership skills—not one that can be abused to single out and block individuals because of their sex, race or support for diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Gaylynn Burrough, vice president for education and workplace justice at the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund. “Pete Hegseth’s unprecedented and outrageous interference in the promotions of women and people of color in the military is an affront to our nation’s ideals of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity and shows his willingness to put ideology over national security. We are grateful that Senator Blumenthal is taking action to address these senseless actions through Military Officer Promotion Integrity Act of 2026.”\n\n“The United States military’s decisive advantage has always been the quality of its leaders. That’s why the officer promotion processes of each Service are so important. In recent months, individual officers selected for promotion based on their skills, experience, and leadership potential have been removed without explanation by individual senior leaders. Not only are such removals unfair to the removed officers, they undermine the confidence all officers must have in a system so crucial to their career progression and to America’s national security,” said Retired Major General Steve Lepper, co-founder of the Former JAG Working Group. “Senator Blumenthal’s legislation addresses these concerns by establishing minimum fairness standards whenever an officer is removed from a promotion list. If enacted, these standards will provide removed officers opportunities to challenge their removal and will subject the process to necessary congressional oversight. If enacted, this legislation will hopefully restore the fairness, transparency, and confidence needed to ensure America’s military preserves its competitive leadership advantage.”\n\nThe full text of the bill is available here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-aderholt-joins-trump-administration-and-alabama-0", "title": "Congressman Aderholt Joins Trump Administration and Alabama Delegation in Announcement for $55 Million to Improve Rural Healthcare", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "aderholt.house.gov", "scraper": "aderholt", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000055", "name": "Robert B. Aderholt", "party": "Republican", "state": "AL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Trump Administration announced today that nearly $55 million in federal funding is being delivered to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce and expand access to maternal, emergency, and preventive care for Alabamians through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The investment will support 34 grants to healthcare providers and institutions serving rural communities across Alabama.\n\nProjects will equip at least 20 rural hospitals with emergency labor and delivery resources; expand maternal-fetal medicine through telehealth and telerobotic ultrasound; strengthen trauma and stroke coordination and EMS treat-in-place services; expand mobile and community-based cancer screening; and build statewide healthcare workforce pipelines through Alabama's schools and community colleges.\n\nThe Rural Health Transformation Program is expanding access to quality healthcare, regardless of a patient’s zip code, so rural Alabama mothers can get critical care closer to home, emergency teams can respond when every second counts, and more patients can detect cancer earlier, when treatment can be most effective. This funding will strengthen Alabama’s healthcare workforce, expand access to maternal, emergency, and preventive care, and bring modern technology and innovative services closer to patients across the state.\n\n“President Trump understands that every American deserves high-quality healthcare, no matter where they live,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We are putting resources directly into rural communities to strengthen the health workforce, modernize infrastructure, expand access, and bring care closer to home. We are giving states the flexibility to build solutions around the people they serve, while demanding accountability for results. That is how we strengthen rural health, improve the lives of patients and families, and Make America Healthy Again.”\n\n“Every state knows best what its rural communities need, and thanks to President Trump’s Rural Health Transformation Program, they now have the resources to meet those needs,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “As states put these resources to work, we’re focused on turning these investments into meaningful, sustainable improvements for the health systems that serve rural Alabamians.”\n\nToday’s investment was made possible through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act — passed by Republicans in Congress and unanimously opposed by Democrats — delivering a historic $50 billion investment to help states transform the way healthcare is delivered in America.\n\n“Every Alabamian deserves access to quality care, and through the Rural Health Transformation Program, we are helping many providers and institutions improve healthcare for Alabamians throughout the state,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “I commend all the thoughtful efforts, from the federal policymakers and state administrators to our professional healthcare leaders, who are working hard to ensure the long-term success of this program. Once again, the Trump Administration is delivering meaningful results for real Americans.”\n\n“I’m grateful to the Trump Administration for continuing to ensure that our rural hospitals have the resources they need to remain open and serve their communities. This funding is making a meaningful difference for rural communities across Alabama by supporting maternal and fetal health care, emergency medical services, cancer screenings, and rural health care workforce development. I’m proud to have voted for this historic investment, and I look forward to seeing it help ensure that Alabamians continue to receive quality health care,” said Rep. Robert Aderholt.\n\n\"Investing in rural healthcare is crucial to improving health outcomes and patient care across Alabama, which is why I'm thrilled to see this latest round of grant funding. I'm thankful to President Trump and CMS Administrator Dr. Oz for prioritizing rural healthcare, and I look forward to continuing our work together,” said Sen. Katie Boyd Britt.\n\n“I appreciate President Trump making another extraordinary investment in our great state that will improve healthcare and expand opportunities for many Alabamians, especially those living in rural areas,” said Sen. Tommy Tuberville.\n\n“Rural healthcare providers are lifelines for communities across Alabama, but too many rural families still face long distances and limited access to critical care. This nearly $55 million investment will strengthen maternal and fetal care, emergency medical services, cancer screening and early detection, our rural healthcare workforce, and the technology providers rely on to serve their patients. I’m grateful to President Trump, Dr. Oz, and the Administration for working with Alabama to make these practical investments and help ensure Alabamians can receive quality care closer to home,” said Rep. Barry Moore.\n\n“I am excited to see another round of rural healthcare grants coming to the state of Alabama,” said Rep. Mike Rogers. “Rural healthcare is an issue that affects every Alabamian, and these grants from the Trump Administration will greatly improve outcomes for patients in our state. Rural counties have never had a stronger ally in the White House.”\n\n“I applaud the Trump Administration for moving quickly to deliver Rural Health Transformation Program funding that Republicans in Congress secured through the Working Families Tax Cuts,” said Rep. Dale Strong. “For rural communities across Alabama, this investment means better care closer to home, a stronger pipeline of doctors and nurses, expanded mental health services, and stronger rural hospitals and health care providers.”\n\n“This investment will have a direct impact on the health and well-being of Alabamians living in rural communities,” said Rep. Gary Palmer. “From improving maternal and emergency care to expanding cancer screening and early detection, these grants will help ensure patients can receive critical care closer to home. I am pleased to see the Rural Health Transformation Program continuing to deliver resources that strengthen healthcare across Alabama.”\n\nToday’s announcement, one part of the larger overall funding amount awarded to Alabama for fiscal year 2026, completes Alabama’s initial Year 1 award cycle.\n\nKey initiatives in Alabama supported by RHTP funding include:", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1848", "title": "Alford, Davids Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect America’s Medical Supply Chains, Support Kansas City Area Innovation", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://alford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "alford.house.gov", "scraper": "alford", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000379", "name": "Mark Alford", "party": "Republican", "state": "MO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Alford (R-MO-04) and Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) introduced the Critical Biomanufacturing Input Assessment Act. It’s a bipartisan bill that would help strengthen America’s biotechnology supply chains, support the growing medical industry in the Kansas City region, and address growing concerns about U.S. reliance on foreign suppliers — including China — for critical materials needed to produce medicines and other health products.\n\n“As we work to bring more manufacturing back to American soil, we must ensure our biotechnology supply chains are secure, transparent and resilient,” said Congressman Alford. “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will help identify vulnerabilities, reduce reliance on foreign adversaries like China, and protect the critical materials needed to produce lifesaving medicines and animal health products. I’m proud to partner with Representative Davids to strengthen innovation in the Kansas City region and safeguard our nation’s health and economic security.”\n\n“Kansas City is creating the next generation of medicines, health products, and technologies that improve people’s lives — and we need to make sure American companies have the supplies they need to succeed,” said Congresswoman Davids. “This bipartisan bill will help us identify weaknesses in our supply chains, reduce our dependence on countries like China, strengthen American manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs while lowering healthcare costs. I appreciate Representative Alford’s partnership on this important, bipartisan effort.”\n\nMany products Americans rely on — including medicines, vaccines, and animal health products — are made using biotechnology. But many companies do not have a clear picture of where the materials and equipment they depend on come from. Some critical supplies are made overseas, including in China, creating potential risks for our economy and national security. This bill will help identify these vulnerabilities before a disruption occurs.\n\nThe Critical Biomanufacturing Input Assessment Act would require the Department of Commerce to regularly review America’s reliance on foreign sources for important biotechnology supplies and equipment.\n\nThe information collected through this review would help:\n\nHelp businesses make better decisions about where to source materials;\n\nIdentify potential supply chain problems before they become emergencies;\n\nEncourage more companies to manufacture critical supplies in the United States; and\n\nStrengthen America’s ability to compete in the global biotechnology industry.\n\nThe Kansas City region is one of the country’s fastest-growing biotechnology hubs. It is home to the KC BioHub, a partnership focused on making Kansas City a national leader in biotechnology research, innovation, and manufacturing. The region is also home to the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, one of the largest concentrations of animal health companies in the world.\n\nThese companies and research institutions rely on specialized supplies and equipment to develop products that improve human and animal health. Making sure those supply chains are strong and reliable is critical to their continued success.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://amo.house.gov/press-release/reed-whitehouse-amo-welcome-1-million-for-tiverton-water-system-improvements-to-address-pfas-contamination", "title": "Reed, Whitehouse & Amo Welcome $1 Million for Tiverton Water System Improvements to Address PFAS Contamination", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://amo.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "amo.house.gov", "scraper": "amo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000380", "name": "Gabe Amo", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Tiverton, RI – In an effort to provide vital assistance to Tiverton residents affected by toxic “forever chemicals,” also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and U.S. Representative Gabe Amo (D-RI-01) today welcomed approval of an agreement to provide Tiverton with $1 million through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Emergency Community Water Assistance grant.\n\nPFAS are man-made chemicals that are used in industry and consumer products and can lead to serious health effects, reproductive and developmental harms, and weakened immune systems. These “forever chemicals” can be found in a variety of products related to packaging, carpets, leather products, nonstick coatings and cookware, firefighting foams, and textiles that enhance water, grease and soil repellents.\n\nAlthough major manufacturing of certain PFAS in the U.S. ended over a decade ago, they still exist in the environment and in products due to their slow breakdown process. Once released into the air, water, or soil, PFAS can easily travel long distances and contaminate rivers, lakes and wells that are used for drinking water.\n\nMore than one hundred private wells in Tiverton that have been tested to date have exceeded Rhode Island’s 20 parts-per-trillion standard, and testing is still underway. With some wells registering PFAS concentrations above 4,000 parts per trillion, Tiverton families urgently need help accessing safe drinking water and determining the scope and source of this contamination\n\nReed, Whitehouse, and Amo wrote a letter to the head of the USDA on September 8 supporting a request for this funding, which will help launch the installation of an emergency public water line to restore reliable drinking water to homeowners whose private wells have been contaminated with dangerous levels of PFAS.\n\n“This is a positive step in a multi-step process that will help address existing water infrastructure issues while extending reliable water service to additional residents. Scientists and experts are still working to better understand PFAS, their risks, and the extent of the situation in Tiverton and there needs to be continued public outreach so everyone understands the type of assistance available and next steps,” said Senator Reed.\n\n“Dangerous levels of PFAS have contaminated Tiverton’s water and put families on edge about their health,” said Senator Whitehouse. “We have helped secure federal funding for North Tiverton Fire District to install an emergency public water line. This is an important step forward and I am committed to supporting the town in its efforts to restore safe drinking water and peace of mind to residents.”\n\n“Every Rhode Islander should have access to safe, clean drinking water. I’m proud to have fought to secure this federal funding to ensure the North Tiverton Fire District has the tools they need to respond to the PFAS contamination crisis and install an emergency public waterline,” said Congressman Amo. “As Tiverton continues to recover, I will continue working with federal, state, and local leaders to restore safe, clean drinking water, safeguard residents’ health, and prevent further economic disruption to the community.”\n\nEarlier this year, the Associated Press reported that: “The Trump administration will soon propose softening Biden-era limits on “forever chemicals” in drinking water, delaying but keeping tough standards for two common types and rescinding limits on some rarer forms of the substance, according to an EPA official.”\n\nFull text of the September 8 letter can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases/ansari-titus-lead-65-house-democrats-in-demanding-trump-admin-confront-turkeys-anti-lgbtqi-crackdown", "title": "Ansari, Titus Lead 65 House Democrats in Demanding Trump Admin Confront Turkey’s Anti-LGBTQI+ Crackdown", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ansari.house.gov", "scraper": "ansari", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000381", "name": "Yassamin Ansari", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) and Dina Titus (NV-01) led 65 House Democrats, including House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Gregory Meeks and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to confront Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish government over its escalating campaign of repression against LGBTQI+ people, human rights organizations, and advocates.\n\n“The United States must be a leader in defending human rights and what is happening in Turkey demands an urgent diplomatic response. It’s absolutely appalling to see LGBTQI+ people and the organizations that stand up for their rights be targeted by the Erdogan regime,” said Rep. Ansari. “I stand proudly with the LGBTQI+ community here and abroad and will continue to fight for their right to live openly, freely, and without fear, anywhere and everywhere.”\n\nThe lawmakers’ letter follows a nationwide operation in which Turkish authorities have detained hundreds of people since September 12, raided the offices of longstanding HIV and LGBTQI+ civil society organizations, restricted access to websites and social media accounts, pursued the dissolution of human rights associations, and arrested organizational leaders and staff on spurious charges. At least 150 people protesting the crackdown have also been detained.\n\n“Turkey’s crackdown on LGBTQI groups and individuals is disgraceful. No person should suffer from discrimination because of who they are or whom they love,” said Rep. Titus, who co-led the letter. “The Trump Administration must restore the United States’s role in promoting LGBTQI rights around the world and punishing regimes like Turkey that persecute people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. My GLOBE Act does just that.”\n\nThe letter is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, the Council for Global Equality, and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.\n\n“Turkey’s attacks on its LGBTQI+ community are a disturbing reminder that the fight for equality and human rights does not stop at our borders. No one should be silenced or detained for simply being who they are or peacefully demanding dignity and freedom. We are grateful to Representatives Ansari and Titus for recognizing that the fight for LGBTQI+ equality is global and that, even amid the many challenges facing our community here at home, we cannot turn our backs on LGBTQI+ people facing persecution abroad,” said Jennifer Pike Bailey, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Human Rights Campaign.\n\n“LGBTQ+ people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, no matter where they live. Every person should have the freedom to live as their authentic self without fear, stigma, or discrimination. No one should be detained for simply advocating for the human rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people. We are thankful for Rep. Ansari, Rep. Titus, and their colleagues for urging the State Department to stand up against Turkiye’s attack on health, safety, and basic human rights,” said Caitlin Horrigan, senior director of global advocacy, Planned Parenthood Federation of America.\n\n“Türkiye’s escalating crackdown on LGBTQI+ people and civil society organizations is a direct assault on equality, democracy, and the rule of law,” said Mark Bromley, Co-Chair of the Council for Global Equality. “We are grateful to Representatives Ansari and Titus for their leadership in calling on the U.S. Department of State to stand up for the human rights of all people. Secretary Rubio should use every diplomatic tool available to press for the release of those detained and defend the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Human rights are not conditional on who we are, whom we love, or where we live, and the United States should make it clear that no one, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, will be abandoned when they are under attack.”\n\n“The Erdogan government’s targeted campaign against the LGBTQI+ community and human rights defenders in Turkey is a violation of the core human rights to freedom of expression and association and a disregard for basic human dignity,” said Rep. Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Congressional Equality Caucus members Ansari and Titus know the United States can and should do more to protect Turkish people’s freedoms from the human rights violations by the Erdogan government. I’m thankful for their work to put pressure on the State Department to respond to these human rights violations by working to free the wrongfully detained human rights defenders, pressing Turkey to cease efforts to criminalize LGBTQI+ organizations and advocacy, and ensuring human rights are integrated into all bilateral engagements.”\n\nAnsari’s letter is co-signed by Representatives Gabe Amo (RI-01), Becca Balint (VT), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Everton Blair, Jr. (GA-13), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny Davis (IL-07), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), William Keating (MA-09), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), John Larson (CT-01), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Sarah McBride (DE), James McGovern (MA-02), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Grace Meng (NY-06), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Norton (DC), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Dina Titus (NV-01), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).\n\nRead the letter HERE and below.\n\nDear Secretary Rubio,\n\nWe are writing to express grave concerns regarding President Erdogan and the Turkish government’s alarming campaign of repression against LGBTQI+ people, human rights organizations, and advocates in a recent nationwide operation.\n\nIn recent years, we have witnessed an increasingly systematic effort to restrict the human rights and civic participation of LGBTQI+ people in Turkey. The Turkish government has invoked so-called “family values” and “public morality” to justify restrictions on freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, while courts and prosecutors have increasingly relied on vague provisions concerning obscenity and public morality to target LGBTQI+ people, human rights defenders, civil society organizations, and journalists. Authorities have repeatedly banned and violently dispersed Pride gatherings, individuals have faced prosecution for defending human rights, and government officials have escalated anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric.\n\nThis latest crackdown represents a dangerous and significant escalation of that broader campaign. Since September 12, 2026, Turkish authorities have detained hundreds of people, raided the offices of longstanding and trusted HIV and LGBTQI+ civil society organizations, restricted access to websites and social media accounts, and pursued dissolution proceedings against human rights associations. Leadership and staff of LGBTQI+ human rights organizations have been arrested under spurious charges. In addition, Turkish authorities recently detained at least 150 people who were protesting this most recent anti-LGBTQI+ crackdown. Together, these developments mark a dangerous new phase in the Erdogan regime’s efforts to use criminal law and the state apparatus to suppress legitimate human rights advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQI+ community.\n\nThe Turkish government’s actions directly violate international human rights frameworks to which Turkey is a signatory, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the United States is party. They also are an affront to basic human dignity and the values expected of a fellow NATO member, an alliance founded on shared democratic principles, including individual liberty, human freedom, and the right to peaceful assembly.\n\nThese developments warrant an urgent diplomatic response from the United States to protect the rights of freedom of expression, association, and assembly for all Turkish citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We therefore urge you to use all available channels to raise these concerns directly with the Turkish government; press for the immediate release of those arrested and detained for their legitimate human rights activities; and ensure that the U.S. Embassy in Ankara closely monitors related judicial proceedings. We further urge the Department to press Turkish authorities to cease efforts to criminalize LGBTQI+ organizations and advocacy and to affirm the right of all people to peacefully assemble.\n\nWe also request an update on the Department’s broader strategy for addressing human rights with the Turkish government. While the current crackdown on LGBTQI+ people and civil society demands urgent attention, it must be seen as part of a broader pattern of human rights violations and democratic backsliding in Turkey. We urge the Department to ensure that human rights are meaningfully integrated into all bilateral engagements and request a clear explanation of how the Department intends to do so.\n\nDefending the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals around the globe is imperative for international peace and stability, the flourishing of liberal democracy, and the protection of the rule of law. As you yourself have noted, “We should never, ever tolerate human rights violations against any person for their political views, their religious beliefs, or their sexual orientation.” The United States must hold true to that principle in its engagement with the Turkish government.\n\nThank you for your attention to this critical matter. We look forward to your prompt response no later than October 30, 2026.\n\nSincerely,\n\nYassamin Ansari\n\nMember of Congress\n\nFollow @RepYassAnsari on all social media platforms and visit Ansari.House.gov to learn more.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=36D47E71-E03F-48D1-977B-8304F8A0690B", "title": "Barr Applauds President Trump for Securing Major U.S. Coal Export Commitment from China", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "barr.house.gov", "scraper": "barr", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001282", "name": "Andy Barr", "party": "Republican", "state": "KY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06) applauded President Trump’s announcement that China will import at least 10 million metric tons of American coal in 2027 and at least another 10 million metric tons in 2028.\n\nThe commitment follows a congressional effort led by Barr and six other Members of Congress urging the Trump Administration to prioritize American coal in trade negotiations with China and expand access to the Chinese market for U.S. producers. The White House announced the commitment following President Trump’s state visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.\n\n“President Trump delivered a major win for American coal workers, producers, and the communities that depend on them,” said Congressman Barr. “I was proud to lead six of my colleagues in strongly advocating for American coal to be a priority in our trade negotiations with China, and this commitment will expand opportunities for Kentucky miners, producers, railroads, manufacturers, and coal communities across the country. American coal is an abundant, reliable resource and an important economic asset, and I thank President Trump for continuing to advocate for American energy and American workers.”\n\nPromises made, promises kept. Barr was joined in the congressional effort by Representatives Hal Rogers (R-KY-05), Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09), Carol Miller (R-WV-01), Randy Weber (R-TX-14), Barry Moore (R-AL-01), and Riley Moore (R-WV-02).\n\n“Eastern Kentucky coal has powered our country for generations, and expanding overseas markets is good news for our miners, producers, and communities,” said U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers. “I was proud to join Congressman Barr in urging the Administration to put American coal on the table in trade discussions with China. This commitment creates new opportunities for American energy producers, and I appreciate President Trump’s continued efforts to open markets for our coal and support the men and women who produce it.”\n\n“I applaud President Trump for prioritizing increased U.S. coal purchases by China in recent trade negotiations,” said U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith. “As an advocate for Southwest Virginia coal mining, I support President Trump’s negotiating tactics to have China purchase more American coal. This move will help generate economic growth, protect coal jobs and provide certainty for coal operators.”\n\n“American coal is an abundant, reliable source of energy that supports thousands of jobs and helps keep our economy moving,” said U.S. Congressman Barry Moore. “President Trump has made strengthening American energy a priority, and American workers and businesses should have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field and sell our high-quality coal in markets around the world.”\n\n“I was proud to join Congressman Barr in urging the Administration to make expanding access for U.S. coal a priority in our trade negotiations with China, and I’m grateful that President Trump succeeded in doing exactly that,” said U.S. Congressman Riley Moore. “President Trump’s commitment to opening foreign markets for American exports is another example of him always putting Americans first.”\n\nNational coal industry leaders also welcomed the agreement and its potential to strengthen U.S. coal exports.\n\n“The agreement reached between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping represents an important step toward reviving market access for American coal and strengthening U.S. energy exports. China’s commitment to import at least 20 million metric tons of U.S. coal over the next two years would provide a welcome return to our bilateral energy exchange as well as certainty for American producers and exporters,” said National Mining Association President and CEO Rich Nolan. “The National Mining Association appreciates President Trump’s leadership in prioritizing American coal during the most recent U.S.-China discussions, as well as the engagement of U.S. Representative Andy Barr and other congressional leaders who highlighted the effects of trade barriers on U.S. production and jobs. These efforts will help strengthen America’s important coal industry, support mining and transportation jobs, and reinforce the nation’s role as a reliable energy supplier to the world.”\n\n“This announcement underscores the importance of maintaining strong international markets for American coal. We commend U.S. Congressman Andy Barr and his colleagues for advocating on behalf of an industry that supports hundreds of thousands of American jobs and contributes to energy security, economic growth, and industrial development,” said Emily Arthun, CEO of the American Coal Council. “Whether used to generate electricity, produce steel, or support manufacturing, American coal remains a strategic asset. Expanded export opportunities strengthen our coal communities and help ensure that American resources remain competitive on the global stage.”\n\n“Congressman Andy Barr has been a tireless champion for coal. His leadership in expanding international markets for American coal creates new opportunities for producers, miners, and coal communities. We appreciate Congressman Barr’s continued commitment to our industry,” said Sam McKown, President of the Kentucky Coal Association.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announces-486000-federal-grant-midtown-partners-inc", "title": "Congressman Thompson Announces $486,000 Federal Grant for Midtown Partners, Inc.", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "benniethompson.house.gov", "scraper": "benniethompson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000193", "name": "Bennie G. Thompson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BOLTON, MS — Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $486,000 to Midtown Partners, Inc. in Jackson, Mississippi.\n\nThe new discretionary award is being provided through the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Community Services Community Economic Development (CED) Program. The grant project period runs from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2029.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-responds-liquidation-jackson-area-federal-credit-union", "title": "Congressman Thompson Responds to Liquidation of Jackson Area Federal Credit Union", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "benniethompson.house.gov", "scraper": "benniethompson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000193", "name": "Bennie G. Thompson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) issued the following statement following notification from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) that Jackson Area Federal Credit Union (JAFCU) has been liquidated and that Five Star Credit Union has assumed its member share accounts:\n\n“Jackson Area Federal Credit Union has served thousands of families, public employees, and members of the Jackson and Hinds County communities for decades. The liquidation of this longstanding institution is a serious development, and my primary concern remains protecting the members who entrusted their hard-earned money to this credit union.\n\n“NCUA has assured my office that members transferring to Five Star Credit Union will experience no interruption in service and that federally insured accounts remain protected through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Members deserve a transition that is orderly, transparent, and protects their access to their money.\n\n“While protecting members must come first, the liquidation of Jackson Area Federal Credit Union also raises serious questions about the circumstances that brought the institution to this point. My office will continue engaging with NCUA to ensure there is full transparency and accountability regarding what occurred, how members were affected, and what steps are being taken to protect them moving forward.”\n\nOn September 30, NCUA facilitated a partial purchase and assumption agreement under which Five Star Credit Union purchased certain JAFCU assets and assumed its member share accounts. NCUA subsequently liquidated JAFCU.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-bentz-and-goldman-introduce-the-imd-care-act-for-patients-suffering-from-serious-mental-illnesses", "title": "Congressmen Bentz and Goldman Introduce the IMD CARE Act for Patients Suffering from Serious Mental Illnesses", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "bentz.house.gov", "scraper": "bentz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000668", "name": "Cliff Bentz", "party": "Republican", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) and Congressman Dan Goldman (D-NY) introduced the IMD CARE Act, legislation which would expand Medicaid eligibility to include psychiatric care facility beds in excess of the current 16 bed limit for patients suffering from severe mental illness.\n\nWhen the Social Security Act was enacted in 1965, it limited Medicaid funding to psychiatric facilities that had no more than 16 beds, resulting in a shortage of beds when the need for inpatient mental health care has grown.\n\nThe IMD CARE Act would amend the Social Security Act to establish a State Plan Amendment, allowing Institutions of Mental Diseases (IMDs) with more than 16 beds to receive Medicaid funding for all mental health patients.\n\nUnder current law, States that wish to receive federal Medicaid funding for IMDs with over 16 beds must submit a request for a waiver allowing them to receive Medicaid reimbursement for individuals needing psychiatric care.\n\nThese waivers are temporary and unstable and require complex renewal negotiations.\n\nThe State Plan Amendment option included in the IMD CARE Act would provide predictable reimbursement structures, durable financing mechanisms, and greater continuity for patients and providers.\n\nSaid Congressman Bentz: “Studies show that a significant portion of the homeless and prison population suffer from severe mental illness. These people would benefit from the availability of proper treatment in our existing mental healthcare facilities. This bill would result in an increased number of beds and treatment available for mentally ill people. Without this improvement in how we deliver mental health services, those who need such treatment will continue to cost communities more in law enforcement and healthcare expenses. The circular progression of the mentally ill from the street to the hospital to the prison and back to the street must stop.”\n\n“When someone on Medicaid is experiencing a mental health crisis, the program often won’t cover a psychiatric hospital bed. That’s because of a rule written in 1965,” said Scott Dziengelski, President and CEO of the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare. “A 60-year-old rule shouldn’t keep people from getting the care they need today. The IMD CARE Act takes an important step toward fixing that.”\n\n“Outdated Medicaid restrictions on long-term mental health care have left too many Americans in crisis without access to treatment,” Congressman Goldman said. “By allowing states more authority to expand their mental health services, we can reach more Americans who are stuck in a never-ending cycle of hospitals, jail, and the streets. This legislation is a critical step towards ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, can get the help they need with dignity.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9237", "title": "Beyer, Mfume, Landsman, Van Hollen Lead 75 Colleagues in Pressing Trump Administration to Withdraw Proposal that Would Gut Civil Rights Protections for Federal Employees", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "beyer.house.gov", "scraper": "beyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001292", "name": "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), and Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with 75 of their colleagues, called on Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Andrea Lucas to rescind their proposed rule to eliminate protections and strip federal employees of critical civil rights in discrimination complaints. While the lawmakers expressed support for implementing improvements to the existing federal-sector Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process, they stressed that this proposed rule would make it more difficult for federal workers to challenge workplace discrimination and would weaken essential safeguards for their claims.\n\nThe lawmakers were joined in sending this letter by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and by Representatives Gabe Amo (D-R.I.-01), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.-03), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Wesley Bell (D-Mo.-01), Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.-02), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.-02), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio-11), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.-13), Troy Carter (D-La.-02), Ed Case (D-Hawaii-01), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.-09), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas-30), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.-04), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.-10), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.-06), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.-03), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas-29), Al Green (D-Texas-09), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.-07), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.-04), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.-04), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.-01), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.-04), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio-09), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.-02), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.-08), John Larson (D-Conn.-01), Summer Lee (D-Pa.-12), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.-08), John Mannion (D-N.Y.-22), Lucy McBath (D-Ga.-06), April McClain Delaney (D-Md.-06), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.-04), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.-10), Christian Menefee (D-Texas-18), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.-06), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.-12), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.-02), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-At Large), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.-11), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.-07), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine-01), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.-02), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.-03), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.-05), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.-03), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.-12), Adam Smith (D-Wash.-09), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.-04), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.-10), Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39), Dina Titus (D-Nev.-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.-12), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.-20), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), James Walkinshaw (D-Va.-11), and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.-43).\n\nThe lawmakers begin, “We strongly oppose the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) proposed rule, which would revise the federal-sector equal employment opportunity complaint process. As Members representing hundreds of thousands of federal employees who serve our country every day, we are deeply concerned that this proposal would make it more difficult for those workers to challenge workplace discrimination and would weaken safeguards intended to ensure impartial review of their claims. As such, we urge the Commission to withdraw this proposal and pursue reforms that make the federal-sector EEO process both faster and fairer.”\n\n“We agree that the existing federal-sector Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process needs improvement. The current process is slow and understaffed, agencies often miss deadlines, and the structure requires an employing agency to investigate allegations against itself. Reforming the process should correct these shortcomings. However, unlike the proposed rule, the reforms should not eliminate protections and shift more power to the agency accused of discrimination,” they continue.\n\n“We urge the Commission to withdraw the NPRM and engage Congress in developing a revised proposal. While speed and efficiency matter, this proposed rule could have the effect of making EEO claims slower on top of stripping federal employees of key rights. The federal government should be a model employer free of discrimination, and its civil-rights process should reflect that obligation,” the lawmakers conclude.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Chair Lucas:\n\nWe strongly oppose the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) proposed rule, which would revise the federal-sector equal employment opportunity complaint process. As Members representing hundreds of thousands of federal employees who serve our country every day, we are deeply concerned that this proposal would make it more difficult for those workers to challenge workplace discrimination and would weaken safeguards intended to ensure impartial review of their claims. As such, we urge the Commission to withdraw this proposal and pursue reforms that make the federal-sector EEO process both faster and fairer.\n\nWe agree that the existing federal-sector Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process needs improvement. The current process is slow and understaffed, agencies often miss deadlines, and the structure requires an employing agency to investigate allegations against itself. Reforming the process should correct these shortcomings. However, unlike the proposed rule, the reforms should not eliminate protections and shift more power to the agency accused of discrimination.\n\nFirst, the proposal would replace mandatory pre-complaint counseling with direct filing and a substantially more demanding threshold. Under the current framework, a worker generally has 45 days to contact an EEO counselor, who confidentially explains the process and could possibly facilitate early resolution. Under the proposed rule, the worker instead would have 60 days to file a formal complaint to their agency that “must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim for relief that is plausible on its face.” This not only removes the process for employees to speak with an expert about the process, but it also increases the standard for which federal employees can seek relief and notifies the agency directly of the complaint. Many federal employees are unrepresented and lack access to evidence, such as internal communications, personnel records, or other information that is controlled by the agency. A plausibility screen at the outset therefore risks dismissal of potentially meritorious claims precisely because the agency holds the facts needed to prove them. In fact, EEOC’s own analysis shows that complaints can be erroneously dismissed, as shown by a 30% to 45% annual reversal rate for agency procedural dismissals from 2008-2012. These dismissals occurred even with the lower standard for seeking relief.\n\nThe 60 days to file is also shorter than the 180 days granted to legislative branch employees and the 300 days granted to most private sector employees, thus creating a system that disadvantages federal employees compared to other workers.\n\nSecond, the proposal would eliminate a federal employee's right to elect an impartial administrative judge proceeding after the agency investigation or after 180 days. Instead, the agency's final decision would become the ordinary adjudication mechanism, and an administrative judge would become available only if the EEOC’s Office of Federal Sector determines that referral is “necessary or efficient” during an appeal.\n\nAdministrative judges provide an essential independent check for federal employees concerned about conflict of interest. They take sworn testimony, resolve disputed facts and credibility issues, and assist in developing a complete evidentiary record. Under the proposal, however, an agency would investigate the complaint, decide whether the agency engaged in discrimination, and potentially conduct its own internal hearing. Concentrating these functions in the agency whose conduct is being challenged raises serious concerns about independence, investigatory bias, and conflicts of interest.\n\nNot only is the criteria for determining whether a hearing is “necessary or efficient” vague and burdensome for employees, the proposal significantly underestimates the amount of time required to review an appeal and determine whether it should be referred to the administrative judge. Agency reports of investigations are typically several hundred to thousands of pages; however, the proposal estimate review of these reports will take one-half hour. This timeline is wholly inadequate for the Commission to comprehend that much material and make a complete, unbiased decision on whether a hearing is warranted. This appellate review of a written record is not a replacement for access to an independent hearing and investigation.\n\nAdditionally, the proposed rule places the burden on the employee to request such proceedings and explain why they are warranted. The proposal would penalize workers who do not know to request those proceedings by allowing them to be waived if the worker fails to make the proper request. Given that an employee would no longer go through pre-complaint counseling, it could be difficult for the employee to know that they need to ask for a hearing.\n\nThe plan would also shift substantial new adjudicatory and administrative responsibilities onto federal agencies at the very moment many lack the personnel and infrastructure to carry them out. The proposal would make the final agency decision the ordinary disposition for every accepted complaint, while requiring agencies to revise procedures; retrain EEO, human resources, and legal staff; update case-management systems; and satisfy expanded tracking obligations. The NPRM does not explain how agencies will absorb these demands, especially amid the Administration’s reductions in force and buyouts that have hollowed out the workforce responsible for implementation. We have already seen the strain agencies’ HR departments are under trying to keep up with routine employee requests and paperwork. In discrimination cases, administrative delays are not harmless inconveniences, but rather significant barriers that postpone meaningful review and, for employees with meritorious claims, relief and accountability. These delays are unacceptable and should not be made worse.\n\nAdditionally, the proposed elimination of administrative class complaints would severely weaken the ability of federal workers to challenge systemic discrimination. The proposed rule would permit a worker to assert a putative class claim only for exhaustion purposes and would allow related individual complaints to be processed jointly, but it would prohibit class certification, class notice, class-wide findings, and relief for absent class members. Joint processing is not a substitute for a class mechanism. Administrative class complaints can spread litigation costs, resolve common questions consistently, and provide relief where individual recoveries are too small to make separate cases realistic. Illustratively, in fiscal years 2023 and 2024, $175 million for federal workers was secured through class settlements. Abolishing the process would shift systemic disputes into more expensive federal litigation, increase burdens on the courts, and leave many workers without a practical remedy.\n\nThe rule also purportedly seeks to implement the Elijah E. Cummings Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act of 2020; however, it does so selectively and does not address all of the law’s provisions. For example, the rule does not ensure EEO programs avoid conflicts of interest by being separated from the agency’s HR or General Counsel offices. It also does not address referrals to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) for disciplinary actions—a critical tool given OSC’s ability to act against those who perpetrate discrimination.\n\nThe Commission’s proposed changes are counter to Congressional intent. Congress has found that “[f]ederal agencies cannot be run effectively if those agencies practice or tolerate discrimination.” The Commission’s proposed changes will make it more difficult for federal employees to challenge discrimination and easier for agencies to evade accountability. While Section 717 of Title VII contemplates that federal agencies shall receive discrimination complaints, it also charges the EEOC with effective enforcement of anti-discrimination requirements, including by issuing rules that carry out its responsibility. The current rules, while imperfect, better effectuate these responsibilities by accounting for potential conflicts of interest that may arise from agencies adjudicating complaints. Indeed, by providing federal employees with the right to an impartial hearing before the EEOC, where complainants may have access to discovery and a third-party adjudicator, the current process enables federal employees to have recourse in cases where federal agencies are delaying investigations or appear to be biased in their handling of complaints.\n\nMoreover, Congress established the federal sector administrative process to provide federal employees with a more informal and less-costly mechanism to vindicate their rights. Unfortunately, under the guise of simplification, the NPRM needlessly imposes federal court standards on complaints and eliminates employees’ ability to challenge systemic discrimination, burdening federal courts.\n\nFurther, the proposed rule would also make it more difficult for federal employees to obtain legal representation by reducing attorney’s fee awards. The proposal disfavors the use of standard fee matrices, asserts that employment discrimination cases are not complex litigation, restricts compensation for work on unsuccessful claims, and generally allows fees only for services performed after a written complaint is filed. For attorneys who must rely on fee recovery, lower or less predictable awards may make it economically impracticable to accept federal-sector EEO matters. The likely consequence is that more employees will be required to navigate an increasingly technical process without counsel.\n\nFinally, the 30-day public comment period is insufficient for review of such complex changes and is contrary to the Commission’s purported interest in substantive feedback. Notably, the docket shows that the NPRM was withdrawn twice on August 28 before being re-posted on August 31. These technical issues likely caused confusion for stakeholders who sought to submit comments during that time period and ultimately gives stakeholders fewer than 30 days to comment.\n\nWe urge the Commission to withdraw the NPRM and engage Congress in developing a revised proposal. While speed and efficiency matter, this proposed rule could have the effect of making EEO claims slower on top of stripping federal employees of key rights. The federal government should be a model employer free of discrimination, and its civil-rights process should reflect that obligation.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-senate-introduce-bill-lower-cost-community-college", "title": "House, Senate Introduce Bill to Lower Cost of Community College", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "bobbyscott.house.gov", "scraper": "bobbyscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000185", "name": "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON – Today, House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced theAmerica’s College Promise Act of 2026. The bill would make community college and two-year Tribal Colleges and Universities more accessible by waiving tuition fees for eligible students.\n\n“Community colleges play a unique and vital role in providing students access to a quality postsecondary degree. Regrettably, the chronic underfunding of community colleges is jeopardizing their ability to support their students and communities,” said Ranking Member Scott (D-VA-03). “The America’s College Promise Act is a major investment in expanding opportunities for students and rebuilding a stronger economy.”\n\n“Students in Southern Arizona and throughout the country should not have to take on tens of thousands of dollars of debt to get a college education,”said Representative Grijalva. “The America’s College Promise Act will provide two years of free in-state tuition and fees for students enrolled in community and technical college programs. Whether they’re just starting out or returning to the classroom later in life, every student deserves the opportunity to learn new skills and pursue higher education. By expanding access to education and workforce training, we’re strengthening the workforce that businesses and local economies depend on.”\n\n“In New Mexico, we know free community college can unlock the doors to a brighter future. The America’s College Promise Act builds on New Mexico’s example by making sure students across the country can attend community college without the burden of tuition and fees,” said Representative Leger Fernández. “Our bill will provide funds for services students need to earn their degrees and reduce the financial burden for low-income students to attend TCUs, HBCUs, and MSIs. From recent high school graduates to experienced workers who want to go back to school — every student deserves the opportunity to keep learning without the fear of drowning in debt.”\n\n“As a professor, it was a privilege to witness students claim their education and seize their futures — yet the real fear and burden of immense student loan debt often deters young adults and returning students from expanding their learning,”saidRepresentative Dean. “The America’s College Promise Act provides tuition-free community college courses and expands funding for HBCUs and trade schools, making the path to higher education and career readiness available to more Americans and future generations.”\n\n“Every Wisconsinite deserves the opportunity to get the education and skills they need to land a good-paying job and build a better life, no matter where they come from or how much money their family makes,” said Senator Baldwin. “But for too many working families, the rising cost of higher education leaves students saddled with debt for years to come, or it is simply out of reach. That’s why I am proud to work with my colleagues to remove barriers and lower the cost of community college, so more Wisconsinites have the opportunity to compete, succeed, and live a good middle-class life.”\n\nThe America’s College Promise Act of 2026 will make the skills and credentials necessary to succeed in the workforce more accessible to all students by creating a new federal-state partnership to provide two years of tuition-free community college.\n\nSpecifically, the America’s College Promise Act of 2026:\n\nCreates a partnership between the federal government and states to waive tuition and fees for two years of community and technical college programs for eligible students, while promoting key reforms to accelerate student success;\n\nCreates a sliding scale for federal share beginning at 100 percent for the first year and ending at 80 percent for the fifth and subsequent years;\n\nEnsures that programs offer academic credits that are transferable to four-year institutions in their state, or occupational training that leads to recognized credentials;\n\nMaintains and encourages state funding for higher education;\n\nEstablishes a student success fund to improve enrollment, retention, transfer, or completion rates and labor market outcomes for underserved student populations, including students of color and low-income and first-generation college students, who attend community and technical colleges at disproportionate rates;\n\nWaives two years of tuition and fees for eligible students at tribal colleges and universities; and\n\nEstablishes a new grant program to provide pathways to success at historically black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions by covering a significant portion of tuition and fees for the first two years of attendance for low-income students.\n\nTo read the bill text for the America’s College Promise Act of 2026, click here.\n\nTo read the fact sheet for America’s College Promise Act of 2026, click here.\n\nTo read the section-by-section for America’s College Promise Act of 2026, click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-champions-bills-protect-and-strengthen-workers-retirement", "title": "Scott Champions Bills to Protect and Strengthen Workers’ Retirement Security", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "bobbyscott.house.gov", "scraper": "bobbyscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000185", "name": "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON— Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03) touted three bills to secure workers’ retirement savings.\n\nThe first, the Workers’ Retirement Savings Protection Act of 2026, would ensure workers are not ripped off when investing their retirement savings. The second, theProtecting Workers’ Benefits Act of 2026would better enable workers, retirees, and their families to enforce their rights under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). And the third, he co-sponsored the Employee and Retiree Access to Justice Act of 2026, with Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10) and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), to ensure workers can fight back when they are denied benefits under an employee benefit plan.\n\n“Unfortunately, in the 119th Congress, Republicans relentlessly tried to weaken retirement savers’ rights and protections. At the same time, the Trump Administration increased risk for workers trying to save for a dignified retirement. This is unacceptable. We must reverse course and advance an agenda that protects workers’ retirement savings and strengthens their ability to enforce their rights under ERISA. For instance, we must stop unscrupulous financial advisors from ripping off their retirement clients and ensure workers have access to courts to challenge mental health benefit denials and fiduciary breaches,”said Ranking Member Scott.“That’s what these bills would do. If Congress considers a ‘SECURE 3.0’ retirement bill in the future, these pro-worker bills must be included.”\n\nThose who can build a retirement nest egg may seek financial advice. While most financial advisors act in their retirement clients’ best interests, bad actors can easily exploit regulatory loopholes and provide conflicted advice that costs workers billions of dollars in losses every year. The Workers’Retirement Savings Protection Act of 2026 would close these loopholes and protect retirement savers from being harmed by conflicted advice.\n\nSpecifically, the bill would:\n\nEnsure workers receive retirement investment advice, including advice on their 401(k)s, IRAs, and rollovers, that’s in their best interest – even if they only hire an advisor on a one-time basis.\n\nStop bad actors from evading their fiduciary duty by hiding behind vague boilerplate language saying that they never intended for their advice to serve as the “primary basis” for an investment decision.\n\nAdditionally, current law applies to those advisors who render retirement investment advice for a fee or other compensation, direct or indirect. The Workers’Retirement Savings Protection Act of 2026 specifies that such fees or other compensation include a broad range of payments from any source, including commissions, among other forms of payment that are connected with or the result of an advisor’s recommendation.\n\nThe Workers’ Retirement Savings Protection Act of 2026 is endorsed by the AFL-CIO, Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), Iron Workers International, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), and United Steelworkers (USW).\n\nTo read the bill text for the Workers’ Retirement Savings Protection Act of 2026, click here.\n\nTo read a fact sheet for the Workers’ Retirement Savings Protection Act of 2026, click here.\n\nThe Protecting Workers’ Benefits Act of 2026 would ensure that participants and beneficiaries can exercise their rights under ERISA when they are harmed by mismanagement of their plan. Although ERISA guarantees “ready access to the Federal courts” by law, a 2020 Supreme Court decision, Thole v. U.S. Bank, has restricted standing under ERISA in many cases until a plan is on the brink of collapse — even when clear fiduciary mismanagement has already caused massive financial losses. The Protecting Workers’ Benefits Act of 2026 would allow individuals who have been harmed by mismanagement to bring an action as assignees on behalf of their plan, similar to actions brought by whistleblowers under the False Claims Act.\n\nTo read the bill text for the Protecting Workers’ Benefits Act of 2026, click here.\n\nThe Employee and Retiree Access to Justice Actof 2026 would strengthen the rights of workers, retirees, and their families to seek relief under ERISA. It would deem pre-dispute and post-dispute forced arbitration clauses, class action waivers, and representation waivers unenforceable, ensuring participants and beneficiaries receive their day in court when they are affected by fiduciary mismanagement or benefit denials. It would also prohibit “discretionary clauses” under certain ERISA plans to ensure that individuals receive de novo review when they challenge a benefit denial in federal court.\n\n“As Ranking Member on the House Committee on Education and Workforce’s Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, I am proud to introduce this legislation that would help safeguard the promise of ERISA so that workers can retire with financial security and dignity by cracking down on employer abuses and protecting workers’ access to recourse under the law,”said HELP Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier.\n\n“Too often, employers can deny workers the right to appeal a claim denial in court or impose huge burdens that make it nearly impossible to win a suit for wrongly denied benefits. The Employee and Retiree Access to Justice Act would put the power back in the hands of workers by clarifying their right to take their bosses to court if they aren’t being paid what they’re owed,\"said Senator Smith.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-trump-administrations-national-school-voucher-scheme", "title": "Scott Statement on the Trump Administration’s National School Voucher Scheme", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "bobbyscott.house.gov", "scraper": "bobbyscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000185", "name": "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s new proposed rule, entitled “Federal Scholarship Tax Credit.”\n\n“America's public school system is founded on the promise that all students should have access to a high-quality public education. Today, the Treasury Department issued a proposed rule to implement the massive federal voucher scheme that was included in the Republicans’ ‘Big Ugly Bill.’ The program effectively diverts billions of taxpayer dollars away from public schools through the voucher program to subsidize private school education. Today’s proposal goes even further by prohibiting states from adding requirements to ensure the program meaningfully benefits public schools and the students who attend them. It also prohibits states from adding additional requirements to ensure students do not face discrimination when accessing educational services.\n\n“Voucher schemes are inefficient, ineffective, and an expensive tool to privatize public education. If just 20 percent of eligible donors participate in the voucher scheme, the cost to the taxpayer would be roughly $37.6 billion — more than all federal spending on Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) combined. Meanwhile, data from existing state voucher programs shows that most students who benefit from those programs are already enrolled in private schools. Yet ninety percent of America’s children attend public schools. Despite this, public education has gone underfunded for decades. Without long term, sustained federal investment, schools and educators lack the resources they need to teach all students effectively.\n\n“Moreover, when federal dollars go to public schools, schools are required to use that money to serve all students equally without discrimination. By funneling these dollars into private schools, taxpayers are unwittingly paying for schools that neglect underprivileged communities, are permitted to ignore civil rights laws, and can freely discriminate against students without accountability.\n\n“Public dollars should be spent on public education. Just imagine what we could do if this money were used to improve all of America’s public schools instead. Democrats are committed to investing in public education for all communities — not just the privileged few.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-boebert-introduces-veterans-mental-health-access-act-significantly-reduce", "title": "REP. BOEBERT INTRODUCES VETERANS’ MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS ACT TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE INPATIENT WAIT TIMES AND ESTABLISH TRANSPARENCY", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "boebert.house.gov", "scraper": "boebert", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000825", "name": "Lauren Boebert", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LONE TREE, CO — Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) today introduced the Veterans’ Mental Health Access Act to ensure veterans in crisis can get inpatient mental health treatment for PTSD, depression, and substance abuse within 24 hours, requiring new transparency for inpatient wait times across the VA system.\n\n“Veterans shouldn’t wait weeks for inpatient mental health care,” said Rep. Boebert. “That is unacceptable. When a veteran asks for help, America should answer immediately.\n\nToday, placement is generally reserved for an acute crisis, while residential care still takes weeks. New patient veterans have been reported to wait weeks to receive a bed in inpatient and residential mental health programs.\n\nThe bill establishes new policy so eligible veterans must get inpatient care for PTSD, depression, or substance abuse within 24 hours of a request or a doctor’s order, at a VA hospital or through the Veterans Community Care Program if a VA bed is not open. It also requires the VA to publish wait times every six months, which it has never done.\n\n“No veteran in crisis should be left waiting,” Rep. Boebert said. “This bill gets them inpatient care for PTSD, depression, and substance abuse faster and creates a transparent process, so treatment actually improves.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-moore-introduce-bipartisan-bill-safely-dispose-opioids", "title": "Bonamici, Moore Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Safely Dispose Opioids", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "bonamici.house.gov", "scraper": "bonamici", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001278", "name": "Suzanne Bonamici", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC [10/1/26] – Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Riley M. Moore (R-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation to help people securely and safely dispose of unnecessary prescription medication.\n\nThe Safe Disposal of Opioids Act aims to stop prescription drug abuse by establishing a national grant program to install and maintain roughly 10,000 secure disposal receptacles across the country. These drop boxes will be conveniently located throughout healthcare facilities and community pharmacies where patients pick up their prescriptions, providing an easy way to dispose of excess medication.\n\n\"Providing a safe, easy way to get rid of unused medication is something we can do right now to protect families and neighbors across Oregon and the country,\" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. \"When people have a convenient place in their community to drop off leftover opioids, it keeps medication out of the wrong hands, reduces the risk of abuse, and gives everyone peace of mind. This bipartisan legislation will make a real difference in keeping homes and neighborhoods safe.\"\n\n“The dangerous scourge of opioids has devastated communities across West Virginia, more than anywhere else across the country,” said Congressman Riley M. Moore. “We must do everything we can to keep these deadly drugs off our streets and prevent unused opioids from being diverted for abuse. I’m proud to be the Republican leader on the Safe Disposal of Opioids Act, and I support commonsense solutions that help protect our families and communities.”\n\nThe grant program is funded through a fee imposed on pharmaceutical manufacturers that produce opioids. The legislation includes a rebate program to prevent the cost from being passed on to patients in hospice or with cancer who rely on opioid medication for pain management.\n\nThe Safe Disposal of Opioids Act legislative text can be viewed here.\n\nBonamici first introduced this bipartisan bill in 2018 based on feedback she got while hosting a series of community discussions about the opioid crisis in NW Oregon.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-merkley-and-wyden-announce-100000-central-oregon-wildfire-recovery", "title": "Bynum, Merkley, and Wyden Announce $100,000 for Central Oregon Wildfire Recovery", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "bynum.house.gov", "scraper": "bynum", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001326", "name": "Janelle S. Bynum", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Yesterday, Representative Janelle Bynum (OR-05), and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced $100,000 in federal awards to support displaced Oregonians and wildfire recovery efforts for Central Oregon communities that lost homes in the 2026 wildfires.\n\n“No where to sleep. Only the clothes on your back. Food to go is the only option. All in the matter of one day,” said Rep. Bynum. “I’ve heard that story too many times from my constituents. People need help after an emergency, and the faster that help comes, the better shot they have of rebuilding what was lost. And by help I mean money to get the basics. That’s the difference this funding can and will make.”\n\n“As wildfires in central Oregon and statewide set new records every year in size and intensity, the rural communities on the front lines of these fights are the most in need of resources for recovery efforts,” Wyden said. “I applaud this federal award that will support Central Oregon communities including Warm Springs residents who were forced to flee from their homes, and I will continue to fight for more resources to support wildfire prevention and recovery across Oregon.”\n\n“When disaster strikes, Oregon’s communities show up to help each other. These federal funds will help NeighborImpact provide critical support to Warm Springs families recovering from the devastating July wildfires, including emergency shelter, relocation assistance, and essential household supplies,” said Merkley. “I’ll keep fighting to bring federal resources home to Oregon so our communities have the support they need to recover and rebuild.”\n\n\"Warm Springs deserves to be included in the regional response to wildfire and other needs on an equal basis with counties. Too often, tribal communities are a place to drive through, not a place to drive to. NeighborImpact values all our neighbors, including tribal neighbors, and the fires that burned at Warm Springs this summer, while devastating, were responded to and will continue to be responded to vigorously and thoroughly with resources, support for displaced people and empathy from our organization and, I hope, neighboring communities. The congressional appropriation funded through NeighborWorks America is a much-appreciated and critical tool enabling us to help in a time of need,” said Scott Cooper, Executive Director of NeighborImpact.\n\nThe $100,000 in federal awards from the NeighborWorks Disaster Grants program will be distributed to NeighborImpact, a central Oregon nonprofit that serves economically disadvantaged residents of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Thousands of Warm Springs residents were forced to evacuate and several homes were lost in the July 2026 fires. The grant will support the Wildfire Recovery Fund that is used to provide emergency shelter, relocation assistance, provide/replace personal items such as baby supplies, hygiene products, houseware items, laundry and cleaning supplies.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynums-bipartisan-bill-expand-capital-access-rural-job-creators-heads", "title": "Bynum’s Bipartisan Bill to Expand Capital Access for Rural Job Creators Heads to President’s Desk", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "bynum.house.gov", "scraper": "bynum", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001326", "name": "Janelle S. Bynum", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "This week, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1190, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum’s (OR-05) bipartisan Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act. The legislation would help rural small businesses overcome barriers to accessing capital.\n\nThe bill updates the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by requiring the SEC’s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation to report annually on the unique challenges rural businesses face when seeking investment. These reports will give Congress better information as it considers ways to improve access to capital for rural job creators.\n\n\"Rural small businesses shouldn’t have to work twice as hard just because of their ZIP code,” said Congresswoman Janelle Bynum. “The Senate passing this bill gets us one step closer to changing that. Rural entrepreneurs have the ideas and the hustle. They deserve a fair shot to grow them into something bigger.\"\n\n“Rural small businesses are essential to communities across Montana, but too many still face unnecessary barriers when trying to access capital,” said Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02), the bill’s co-lead. “I’m proud of our legislation, which will help make sure rural businesses are no longer overlooked when Congress considers how to expand access to capital and support job creation.”\n\nSenator John Kennedy (R-LA.) led the U.S. Senate companion bill to passage.\n\n“Rural small businesses are the backbone of many communities across America, but too many face challenges accessing capital. I’m glad the Senate passed our bill to make sure Congress understands those challenges and help rural job creators grow their businesses, create jobs and serve their communities,” said Senator Kennedy.\n\nRead the bill HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe SEC’s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation is required to identify problems that small businesses face when securing access to capital and submit an annual report to Congress.\n\nCurrently, the Office’s list of applicable entities are minority-owned, women-owned, and disaster-stricken small businesses.\n\nThis legislation would require the SEC’s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation to add rural small businesses to its list of applicable entities.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3532", "title": "Carbajal, Padilla Introduce Legislation to Investigate Toxic Waste Dump Off California Coast", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "carbajal.house.gov", "scraper": "carbajal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001112", "name": "Salud O. Carbajal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Ocean Protection and DDT Reduction Act, new legislation aimed at addressing the toxic industrial waste and pesticide pollution dumped off the Southern California coast.\n\nFor decades, industrial waste — including the pesticide DDT — was disposed of in ocean dump sites off California’s coast, particularly in the San Pedro Basin. The Ocean Protection and DDT Reduction Act establishes a structured federal study to assess the damage to the local marine ecosystem and develop comprehensive solutions to clean up the waste.\n\n“The San Pedro Basin has long been the site of an underwater toxic waste dump. This toxic waste – which includes the pesticide DDT – has been very harmful to the health of local marine life and poses a risk to people who live and work near these waters,” said Rep. Carbajal. “As the representative of California’s Central Coast, I know firsthand how much our communities depend on a healthy ocean – from our fishermen and maritime workers to our tourism and coastal economies. We have a responsibility to protect these waters. I thank Senator Alex Padilla for joining me in introducing this bill as a first step in fixing this environmental tragedy.”\n\n“Our communities deserve to know what's in the water off of the coast of San Pedro and what it means for our health, our fisheries, and our future. By putting NOAA's scientists and our leading research institutions to work mapping the contamination, tracking how it moves, and exploring cleanup through bioremediation, we can finally address this problem head-on,” said Sen. Padilla.\n\n“For decades we used the ocean as a dumping ground for all manner of wastes including deeply-concerning industrial byproducts from DDT manufacturing. This proposed legislation takes an important step to address fundamental issues around the disposition, impacts and remediation options for those wastes. While California may be ground zero for this issue, the legislation provides a needed path to take lessons learned off California's coast and apply them to waste disposal sites that occur along all our Nation's coastlines,” said David Valentine, Norris Chair and Distinguished Professor of Earth and Marine Science, UCSB.\n\nSpecifically, the Ocean Protection and DDT Reduction Act would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to monitor waste sites in the San Pedro Basin, study how toxic chemicals like DDT spread into the ocean food web, and build scientific tools to track ocean dumping.\n\nNOAA, in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Defense, may award grants to academic and research institutions to study:\n\nSpatial mapping of contamination\n\nCo-contaminants and chemical mixtures\n\nMovement, fate, and breakdown processes\n\nBioaccumulation and biomagnification in ecosystems\n\nThe bill authorizes $6 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2032 to carry out these critical activities.\n\nRead the full bill text here.\n\nBackground:", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405293", "title": "Castor, Schakowsky Introduce Legislation to Modernize FTC and Strengthen Consumer Protections", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "castor.house.gov", "scraper": "castor", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001066", "name": "Kathy Castor", "party": "Democrat", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – As new technologies, business practices, and online marketplaces create new ways for companies to take advantage of consumers, U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) are introducing legislation to ensure the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has the tools and independence it needs to protect consumers in the modern economy.\n\nThe 21st Century FTC Act, introduced by Rep. Castor, and the FTC Autonomy Act, introduced by Rep. Schakowsky, would strengthen the FTC’s ability to respond to unfair and deceptive practices and hold companies accountable when they harm consumers.\n\n“The current economic pain being inflicted on hardworking Americans shouldn’t be exacerbated by fraudsters and corporate wrongdoers. It’s imperative that corporations be held accountable when they take advantage of consumers,” said Rep. Castor. “The FTC is key to accountability, and the 21st Century FTC and FTC Autonomy Acts will strengthen the ability to act and restore civil penalties for first time offenses. I’m committed to restoring the FTC’s autonomy and authority, and I urge Congress to pass this important legislation.”\n\n“Companies are constantly finding new ways to take advantage of consumers, and the FTC needs the tools to keep up,” said Rep. Schakowsky. “I’m glad to be in this fight with Congresswoman Castor to make sure the FTC has the authority and independence it needs to protect consumers. We need an FTC that can keep pace with the modern economy, not one held back by outdated rules and unnecessary barriers.”\n\nThe FTC is the federal government’s primary consumer protection agency, but outdated procedures and restrictions on its enforcement authority can make it harder for the agency to respond to emerging threats.\n\nThe 21st Century FTC Act would give the FTC streamlined rulemaking authority under the Administrative Procedure Act and allow the agency to seek civil penalties for first-time violations of the FTC Act. These changes would help the FTC respond more effectively to emerging consumer harms and deter companies from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices.\n\nThe FTC Autonomy Act would allow the FTC’s own attorneys to bring cases seeking civil penalties without first having to enlist the assistance of the Department of Justice. Removing this procedural barrier would allow the agency to pursue enforcement actions more efficiently and hold companies accountable.\n\nTogether, these bills would give the FTC the modern tools it needs to protect consumers in a rapidly changing economy. As technology and business practices evolve, consumers should not be left vulnerable because federal consumer protection laws have failed to keep pace. The 21st Century FTC Act and FTC Autonomy Act would strengthen the FTC’s ability to set clear rules, respond to new consumer threats, and hold companies accountable when they cross the line.\n\nFull text of the 21st Century FTC Act is available HERE. Full text of the FTC Autonomy Act is available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-sen-whitehouse-reintroduce-legislation-end-billionaires-tax", "title": "Rep. Chu, Sen. Whitehouse Reintroduce Legislation to End Billionaires’ Tax-Free Giveaways to Dark Money Groups", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "chu.house.gov", "scraper": "chu", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001080", "name": "Judy Chu", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) reintroduced the End Tax Breaks for Dark Money Act, legislation to close a tax loophole that allows billionaires to avoid capital gains taxes by donating appreciated assets to dark money groups, effectively subsidizing the flow of secret money into American elections.\n\nSince the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision in 2010 opened the floodgates to unlimited political spending, dark money has exploded in American elections. Political spending by groups that do not disclose their donors has surged from $103 million in the decade before the ruling to more than $1 billion in the decade after. In 2024, a record $1.9 billion in dark money flooded federal races, the most ever spent in a single U.S. election cycle. These groups have poured millions into campaigns that spread misinformation on issues from COVID-19 to climate change, all without ever telling the public who funds them.\n\nThe tax code gives some of these wealthy donors another advantage. Normally, when millionaires or billionaires sell assets that have increased in value, they owe capital gains taxes on that increase. And Congress has already made clear that donors cannot avoid those taxes simply by transferring appreciated assets to Section 527 political organizations, including PACs.\n\nBut a glaring loophole remains: that same rule does not apply to organizations organized under Sections 501(c)(4), (5), and (6) of the tax code. That means billionaires can pour highly valuable stock and other assets into dark money groups without paying a dime in taxes on their gains.\n\nThe End Tax Breaks for Dark Money Act would close that loophole. The bill would apply the same tax treatment to transfers of appreciated property to 501(c)(4), (5), and (6) organizations that already applies to transfers to Section 527 political organizations. Simply put: billionaires would not get a special tax break for pouring their wealth into dark money groups and corrupting our political system.\n\n“Dark money has exploded since Citizens United, from under $5 million in 2006 to nearly $2 billion in the last election cycle alone, and it’s already flooding this year’s midterms. Billionaires already have outsized power over our politics. Even worse, they can secretly funnel their wealth into dark money groups and get a tax subsidy for it, an advantage traditional political donors don’t get,” said Rep. Chu. “That’s why I’ve partnered with Senator Whitehouse to reintroduce the End Tax Breaks for Dark Money Act. Our bill would close this loophole by applying the same tax rules we already apply to gifts to political organizations, so billionaires don’t get a free ride for bankrolling our elections in the shadows.”\n\n“Billionaire donors attempting to wield influence from the shadows should not be rewarded with giant tax write-offs,” said Sen. Whitehouse. “My legislation with Rep. Chu would end taxpayer subsidies for dark money donations and limit the flood of toxic dark money slime that’s corrupting our political system.”\n\n“We welcome the introduction of the End Tax Breaks for Dark Money Act. For years, the ultra-wealthy have exploited and rigged our broken tax system to their advantage, funneling billions into political campaigns while collecting hundreds of millions in tax breaks,” said Jodie Rubenstein, executive director of Americans for Tax Fairness. “This bill is a practical first step in taking on the power of dark money in our politics. It closes a tax loophole that allows wealthy donors to sidestep capital gains taxes by giving appreciated assets to politically active groups rather than paying taxes on the profit. To have a functioning democracy, we can’t incentivize or reward billionaires who seek to force their will on the political system.”\n\n“Until Congress finally gets around to outlawing Dark Money contributions altogether, the least it can do is ensure everyday taxpayers don’t subsidize Dark Money contributions from the super-rich,” said Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen. “Sen. Whitehouse and Rep. Chu’s End Tax Breaks for Dark Money Act is common-sense legislation that should win support from every single member of Congress.”\n\n“There is no justifiable reason why rich people like me should be allowed to dominate our political system by donating massive sums of money to dark money political groups while also claiming a tax break in the process. When our tax code allows super-rich people to manipulate the levers of government while paying almost no taxes, it enables millionaires and billionaires to circumvent the democratic process and rewards them financially for doing so,” said Morris Pearl, Chairman of the Patriotic Millionaires and a former Managing Director at BlackRock. \"Our democracy is not for sale. If Congress allows the influence of the ultra-rich to go unchecked, we can only expect America to continue to tip further and further into an oligarchy. The Patriotic Millionaires applaud Rep. Chu, Sen. Whitehouse, and all their congressional colleagues for standing up against billionaires attempting to buy our democracy and be rewarded for it.\"\n\n“This Act is a critical tool that will help address runaway inequality by closing a tax loophole exploited by the ultra-wealthy and reducing the influence of oligarchs over our society,” said Nabil Ahmed, Senior Director of Economic Justice at Oxfam America.\n\nThe bill is cosponsored by Reps. Danny Davis (IL-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Jesús \"Chuy\" García (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Summer Lee (PA-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12).\n\nThe End Tax Breaks for Dark Money Act is endorsed by AFL-CIO, Common Cause, the Excessive Wealth Disorder Institute (EWDi), Demand Progress, End Citizens United / Let America Vote, the Economic Policy Institute, the Institute for Policy Studies’ Program on Inequality, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Oxfam America, Patriotic Millionaires, Public Citizen, Americans for Tax Fairness, United Steelworkers (USW).", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-chu-and-cisneros-introduce-bill-fund-clean-drinking-water", "title": "Reps. Chu and Cisneros Introduce Bill to Fund Clean Drinking Water", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "chu.house.gov", "scraper": "chu", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001080", "name": "Judy Chu", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-31) introduced the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund Reauthorization Act, which would remove the funding cap for the ongoing groundwater treatment by the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, reauthorize funding at $250 million, and support the completion of the ongoing water restoration project. The San Gabriel Basin provides drinking water for over 1.5 million residents in the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County, including the cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, Sierra Madre, and South Pasadena.\n\n“The San Gabriel Basin provides drinking water to more than 1.5 million people across our region, but it still carries contamination left behind by industries of the past,” said Rep. Chu. “For decades, the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund has powered the Water Quality Authority’s work to clean up our groundwater, and this bill would provide the long-term federal support needed to finish the job. I’m proud to join Congressmember Cisneros in leading this effort, building on our work securing federal Community Project Funding for this project. Families across the San Gabriel Valley deserve a safe, reliable, and sustainable source of drinking water for generations to come.”\n\n“The San Gabriel Valley relies on the clean drinking water provided by the San Gabriel Basin,” said Rep. Cisneros. “Since 2000, the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund has supported the Water Quality Authority’s work to clean and restore contaminated groundwater in our region. This legislation would remove funding hurdles and provide the support needed to bring this decades-long project across the finish line. Earlier this year, I worked with Congresswoman Chu to secure critical federal Community Project Funding for the restoration fund, and we’re committed to passing this legislation to further accelerate groundwater cleanup. Clean drinking water is a fundamental human right, and every family in the San Gabriel Valley deserves direct, affordable, protected access to it.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/garcia-leads-illinois-members-in-letter-condemning-israeli-settler-violence-in-west-bank-village", "title": "García Leads Illinois Members in Letter Condemning Israeli Settler Violence in West Bank Village", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "chuygarcia.house.gov", "scraper": "chuygarcia", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000586", "name": "Jesús G. \"Chuy\" García", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "CHICAGO — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) led his colleagues Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Congressmen Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Jonathan Jackson (IL-01) in a letter to the U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, condemning the violence by Israeli settlers, police and military in the village of al-Mughayyir in the occupied West Bank. The legislators, who represent several constituents with relatives living in the village, are calling attention to the alarming situation where recently five Palestinian residents under the age of 20 were killed, others including a nine-year old boy have been shot, and food, basic needs and even education have been restricted.\n\n“They have destroyed homes, businesses, and farms, uprooted thousands of olive trees, stolen livestock, blocked food and other necessary supplies from entering the village, and devastated the entire local economy,” state the Members of Congress in the letter. “Those residents who are not murdered by Israeli forces are condemned to a horrific existence marked by poverty, deprivation, and terror.”\n\n“This is not an isolated situation; it reflects an intentional policy of violence and terrorism inflicted by Israeli forces across the occupied West Bank to further the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Palestinian people,” continues the letter. “Shamefully, the U.S. government has consistently backed this policy by continuing to provide military aid to Israel and failing to act to stop these rampant attacks. This is morally unconscionable and directly affects the U.S. citizens who live in al-Mughayyir or who (like several of our constituents) have relatives that live there.”\n\nThe Members urged Ambassador Huckabee to visit al-Mughayyir, hold a town hall with its residents, and specify concrete actions the U.S. government will take to intervene with the Israeli government. “At minimum, the Administration should follow the lead of our allies and impose sanctions and a trade ban on settlements, but much more is required to end our government’s longstanding support of the mass atrocities committed against the Palestinian people,” demand the Members of Congress in the letter.\n\nA full copy of the letter can be found here.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomanis-bill-make-chiricahua-national-monument-national-park-one-signature", "title": "Ciscomani’s Bill to Make Chiricahua National Monument a National Park Is One Signature Away from Reality", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ciscomani.house.gov", "scraper": "ciscomani", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001133", "name": "Juan Ciscomani", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "TUCSON — Representative Juan Ciscomani celebrated the Senate passage of the bipartisan, bicameral Chiricahua National Park Act, bringing Arizona one step closer to establishing its fourth national park. Ciscomani’s legislation, which passed in last night, will officially redesignate Cochise County’s iconic Chiricahua National Monument as a 12,000-acre national park. With passage in both chambers of Congress, the legislation now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.\n\n“It’s been a long hike, but we’re at the summit. After years of work and persistence, Arizona is one signature away from having its fourth national park,” said Representative Ciscomani. “Chiricahua has long deserved this designation. As the second bill I ever introduced and in my first 100 days in Congress, I am proud to have worked across the aisle and across both chambers to deliver this victory for our district. This is an Arizona priority and a true team effort. I’m grateful to our local partners, including the City of Willcox, public lands advocates, and everyone who has worked alongside us to make this happen. I’m incredibly proud that we are now one signature away from making Chiricahua Arizona Sixth Congressional District’s second national park during our nation’s 250th birthday.”\n\nUnder the legislation, the 102-year-old Chiricahua National Monument would join the ranks of Arizona’s other national parks, including Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona, and Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona. Chiricahua National Monument will join the group as Arizona’s fourth national park.\n\nDesignating Chiricahua as a national park would also help attract additional visitors to southeastern Arizona, supporting local tourism and economic growth throughout Cochise County and Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District.\n\nCiscomani has made the designation a priority since his first year in Congress. Earlier this year he spoke on the House floor in support of the legislation before its passage and has continued working with colleagues in both chambers to advance the bill. Watch his remarks HERE.\n\nThe legislation has also received strong support from local leaders across southeastern Arizona, who have highlighted the potential for the national park designation to increase tourism, support local businesses, and create new economic opportunities throughout the region.\n\nBruce Westerman, Chairman of House Natural Resources, stated:\n\n“There is no better way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than by designating a new national park, and, thanks to Representative Ciscomani’s tireless efforts, that idea is now a reality. After years of hard work, Chiricahua will now take its place among our country’s 63 crown jewel national parks – often referred to as ‘America’s Best Idea.’ Representative Ciscomani’s legislation will bring new jobs, tourism and economic opportunity to southern Arizona, and I congratulate him for creating our nation’s 64th national park!”\n\nGreg Hancock, Mayor, City of Willcox, stated:\n\n\"As the Mayor of Willcox and a small-business owner, I can tell you firsthand that redesignating the Chiricahuas as a National Park would be transformational. Tourism isn’t just helpful to our community — it’s essential. A National Park designation would bring more visitors, support local jobs, and strengthen the entire economy of rural Arizona.\"\n\nCamilla Simon, Executive Director, HECHO, stated:\n\n\"The passage of the Chiricahua National Park Act is especially meaningful as HECHO and members of our Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council, alongside Willcox Mayor Greg Hancock, are in Washington, D.C., this week meeting with congressional offices across Capitol Hill and advocating for Chiricahua and other conservation priorities important to Western communities. HECHO applauds the bipartisan leadership that made this achievement possible and Representative Juan Ciscomani’s tireless work over several years to advance this effort in the House. Designating Chiricahua as a national park will recognize an extraordinary landscape known for its towering rock formations, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage, while supporting tourism, local jobs, and small businesses throughout Cochise County.”\n\nOrlando Cazarez, Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council member, stated:\n\n\"Today’s passage of this bill recognizes the extraordinary value of places like Chiricahua National Monument and the surrounding Coronado National Forest, landscapes that define southeastern Arizona’s character. Protecting this remarkable place helps ensure that future generations can encounter the same sense of awe, memory-making, and connection to land that my own family has experienced.\"\n\nMelany Edwards-Barton, IOM, CEO of the Sky Islands Regional Partnership, stated:\n\n\"The Sky Islands Regional Partnership, the Southeastern Arizona Chamber of Commerce, is proud to support the designation of Chiricahua National Monument as Chiricahua National Park. Chiricahua is a remarkable natural treasure and a defining part of southeastern Arizona. National park designation will bring valuable recognition to our region and create new opportunities for tourism, outdoor recreation, and economic growth, benefiting the small businesses and communities that make southeastern Arizona home.We commend Congressman Juan Ciscomani for his leadership and determination in moving this legislation forward in the House, and we extend our sincere thanks to Senator Mark Kelly for his continued leadership and advocacy for Chiricahua in the Senate. Their bipartisan work demonstrates what can be accomplished when Arizona’s leaders come together on behalf of our communities. We are proud to stand with our congressional delegation in supporting Chiricahua National Park and look forward to the continued economic and community benefits this designation can bring to southeastern Arizona.\n\nSenator Mark Kelly, stated:\n\n““Chiricahua is one of Arizona’s most extraordinary places. Designating it as our state’s fourth national park will protect this remarkable landscape for generations and bring new visitors and economic opportunities to southeastern Arizona. I’m grateful to everyone involved for working together to get this across the finish line.”\n\nRepresentative Greg Stanton, stated:\n\n“Today’s Senate passage is a huge step forward for the Chiricahua National Monument, bringing it one big step closer to becoming Arizona’s fourth national park. This designation will preserve one of Arizona’s greatest natural treasures and draw visitors from around the world to bolster new economic opportunities across Southern Arizona. I was proud to help advance it through the House, and I’m glad to see it moving closer to the finish line.”\n\nYou can read the summary and full text of the bill HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://cisneros.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cisneros-and-commissioner-hernandez-introduce-bill-strengthen-small", "title": "Rep. Cisneros and Commissioner Hernández Introduce Bill to Strengthen Small Business Participation in Federal Contracts", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://cisneros.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "cisneros.house.gov", "scraper": "cisneros", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001123", "name": "Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-31) and Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández (D-PR) introduced the PROMISE for Small Businesses Act, legislation to enhance oversight of federal contracting and protect the commitments made to small businesses and their participation in subcontracting opportunities.\n\nCurrently, large companies and corporations that receive certain federal contracts are required to provide plans outlining how they will provide subcontracting opportunities to small businesses. This legislation directs the Small Business Administrator to conduct compliance reviews to ensure large contractors follow through on their promise to deliver opportunities to small businesses in their subcontracting plans.\n\n“Small businesses are critical to our economy and they deserve a fair shot in the federal marketplace.” said Rep. Gil Cisneros. “I’m proud to join Rep. Pablo José Hernández to introduce the PROMISE for Small Businesses Act to make sure they are not being left out. If enacted, this legislation would strengthen oversight of federal contracts to help ensure that large prime contractors keep their promise to small businesses as outlined in subcontracting plans. It would direct reviews of subcontracting plans and require reporting to Congress on compliance, noncompliance trends, and any enforcement actions taken. We cannot allow our small businesses to be pushed out of federal contracting.”\n\n“When companies receive federal contracts and commit to working with small businesses, we should make sure they follow through,” said Hernández. “These opportunities can help small businesses grow, create jobs, and build experience in the federal marketplace. Our bill strengthens accountability and helps ensure those opportunities reach them.”\n\nSmall businesses greatly benefit from competing in the federal marketplace, and this bill will ensure they’re able to continue to do so fairly.\n\nThe PROMISE for Small Businesses Act would require the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to review at least 10 percent of contracts subject to these subcontracting plans at each federal agency every year to determine whether contractors are meeting their commitments.\n\nThe legislation would also require the SBA to report:\n\nwhether contractors complied with their small business subcontracting plans;\n\nhow many compliance reviews the agency conducted;\n\nwhat compliance issues were identified; and\n\nwhat additional actions or reviews the SBA took in response.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found here.\n\nRep. Cisneros is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, and on the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations. He is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and serves on its leadership team as the Freshman Representative.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://cisneros.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-cisneros-chu-introduce-bill-fund-clean-drinking-water", "title": "Reps. Cisneros, Chu Introduce Bill to Fund Clean Drinking Water", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://cisneros.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "cisneros.house.gov", "scraper": "cisneros", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001123", "name": "Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-31) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) introduced the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund Reauthorization Act, which would remove the funding cap for the ongoing groundwater treatment by the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, reauthorize funding at $250 million, and support the completion of the ongoing water restoration project. The San Gabriel Basin provides drinking water for over 1.5 million residents in the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County, including the cities of Azusa, Baldwin Park, City of Industry, El Monte, Irwindale, La Puente, South El Monte, and West Covina. The San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority signed on as a supporting organization.\n\n“The San Gabriel Valley relies on the clean drinking water provided by the San Gabriel Basin,” said Rep. Gil Cisneros. “Since 2000, the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund has supported the Water Quality Authority’s work to clean and restore contaminated groundwater in our region. This legislation would remove funding hurdles and provide the support needed to bring this decades-long project across the finish line. Earlier this year, I worked with Congresswoman Chu to secure critical federal Community Project Funding for the restoration fund, and we’re committed to passing this legislation to further accelerate groundwater cleanup. Clean drinking water is a fundamental human right, and every family in the San Gabriel Valley deserves direct, affordable, protected access to it.”\n\n“The San Gabriel Basin provides drinking water to more than 1.5 million people across our region, but it still carries contamination left behind by industries of the past,” said Rep. Judy Chu. “For decades, the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund has powered the Water Quality Authority’s work to clean up our groundwater, and this bill would provide the long-term federal support needed to finish the job. I’m proud to join Congressmember Cisneros in leading this effort, building on our work securing federal Community Project Funding for this project. Families across the San Gabriel Valley deserve a safe, reliable, and sustainable source of drinking water for generations to come.”\n\nFull text of the bill can be found here.\n\nRep. Cisneros is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, and on the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations. He is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and serves on its leadership team as the Freshman Representative.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://cloud.house.gov/posts/texas-delegation-urges-selection-of-texas-to-host-u-s-space-academy", "title": "RELEASE: Texas Delegation Urges Selection of Texas to Host U.S. Space Academy", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://cloud.house.gov/press", "domain": "cloud.house.gov", "scraper": "cloud", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001115", "name": "Michael Cloud", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the Texas congressional delegation today sent a letter to the Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy expressing strong support for establishing the Academy and urging the Commission to select Texas as its home.\n\nThe letter was signed by Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin, and Congressman Michael Cloud. It emphasizes that Texas is uniquely positioned to host the institution charged with developing the next generation of Americans who will explore, operate, build, and defend the Nation’s interests in space.\n\n“Texas has been at the center of America’s space story for more than six decades, and we are leading the way into its next chapter. From NASA’s Johnson Space Center in my district, home to Mission Control and our nation’s astronaut corps, to the cutting-edge commercial space companies developing the technologies of tomorrow, Texas brings together the experience, infrastructure, talent, and innovation that continue to move America forward. As Chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, I am committed to ensuring the United States wins this new space race and remains the undisputed global leader in exploration and discovery. The United States Space Academy will help prepare the next generation to advance that mission, enhance our space defense capabilities, and protect the homeland. Texas has an unmatched foundation on which to build this landmark institution,” said Chairman Brian Babin.\n\n“For over 60 years, when American astronauts need to reach home base, they make the same call: “Houston”. Today, Texas is home to Mission Control, the astronaut corps, more than 148,000 aerospace professionals, and the companies and universities leading the next era of space innovation — as well as a robust military presence. The next generation of Guardians should train alongside people who not only built our nation’s space legacy but are currently building its future,” said Congressman Michael Cloud.\n\nThe letter notes that Texas offers a rare convergence of civil, commercial, and national security space capabilities. Key advantages highlighted include:\n\n• NASA’s Johnson Space Center — home to America’s astronaut corps, Mission Control, and human spaceflight training;\n\n• One of the nation’s largest aerospace workforces, with more than 148,000 professionals across more than 1,400 companies;\n\n• Major industry presence including SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Blue Origin, Axiom Space, Firefly, and Intuitive Machines;\n\n• Texas A&M University’s Space Institute and more than $5 billion in annual aerospace-related research and development across Texas universities; and\n\n• A robust national security footprint, including Space Force training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and the Space Force Captain’s Leadership Course at Texas A&M.\n\nThe letter underscores that locating the Space Academy in Texas would allow the Nation to leverage more than sixty years of investment in human spaceflight rather than recreating those capabilities elsewhere.\n\nThe full letter is available upon request.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cohen-announces-12-million-health-and-human-services-grants", "title": "Congressman Cohen Announces $1.2 Million in Health and Human Services Grants", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "cohen.house.gov", "scraper": "cohen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001068", "name": "Steve Cohen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced $1,297,688 in grants from agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Camellia Foundation will receive $750,000 for its rural communities opioid response program. The University of Memphis will receive $297,688 for its Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. And Agape Child and Family Services will receive $249,998 for enhanced case management.\n\nCongressman Cohen made the following statement:\n\n“It’s good to see these substantial investments in drug treatment and family welfare programs. I commend the grant recipients for the life-affirming work they are doing in our community.”\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cohen-reintroduces-police-training-and-independent-review-0", "title": "Congressman Cohen Reintroduces the Police Training and Independent Review Act", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "cohen.house.gov", "scraper": "cohen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001068", "name": "Steve Cohen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today reintroduced the Police Training and Independent Review Act, legislation that would help restore trust between law enforcement officials and the communities they serve by helping prevent police-involved deaths and encouraging independent, impartial investigations into law enforcement officials’ use of deadly force.\n\nSenator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois introduced a companion measure in the Senate last week.\n\nCongressman Cohen made the following statement:\n\n“Too many police encounters on our streets turn deadly. In my community, the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of the Memphis police prompted protests and prosecutions. The names of Sonya Massey and Tyre Nichols have been added to the list of victims Philando Castille, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice and Alton Sterling: all individuals who were killed during interactions with law enforcement. And those are just the cases that made national news. Further, we know a disproportionate number of those killed are African Americans. To regain the trust of the people, we must ensure that our law enforcement officers have the proper training and the justice system treats all fairly and equally.”\n\nThe Police Training and Independent Review Act would create financial incentives for states to require training for law enforcement officials on fair and impartial policing and best practices for working with members of the community who are disabled and have mental illnesses. Additionally, it would encourage communities to use independent prosecutors to investigate law enforcement officials’ use of deadly force. When implemented, the legislation would authorize the U.S. Attorney General to award grants to states that require an independent investigation and, if warranted, prosecution in cases where one or more of the alleged offenses result in death or serious bodily harm.\n\nSenator Duckworth released the following statement:\n\n“From Chicago to Louisville or anywhere in America, we cannot allow ourselves to accept that Black teenagers, men and women are still being unjustly executed at the hands of law enforcement without judge or jury. Laquan McDonald’s death was preventable, and Congress still has yet to do enough to ensure tragedies like his never happen again. In honor of Laquan's 29th heavenly birthday, I’m proud to lead Senate Democrats in reintroducing this overdue legislation that would help save lives and restore trust between law enforcement and local communities by increasing resources for training to help prevent such incidents, while promoting objective and independent investigations of police-involved uses of deadly force. Families like Laquan McDonald’s that have experienced heartbreak are no less deserving of justice than any other family. It’s time our country acts to ensure accountability within our law enforcement agencies and provide justice to those who have lost loved ones.”\n\nPolice in the United States kill more than 1,000 people each year, yet fewer than 3 percent of those killings result in an officer being charged with a crime. In much of the country, the officer's own department investigates a police killing while a local prosecutor—who works alongside that department every day—decides whether to bring charges, an inherent conflict of interest this legislation is designed to eliminate.\n\nThe types of independent investigation and prosecution of law enforcement that would be eligible for financial incentives under the Police Training and Independent Review Act include:\n\nThe use of an independent agency, civilian review board or outside law enforcement department, such as the State Police, responsible for independently investigating and prosecuting all officer use of force allegations.\n\nThe appointment of the State Attorney General, or a special prosecutor overseen by the State Attorney General, responsible for conducting the criminal investigation and prosecution.\n\nThe use of an independent prosecutor, who does not reside or work in the same county as the county where the officer’s use of force was committed.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressional-path-caucus-releases-report-outlining-recommendations-for-safe-integration-of-psychedelic-assisted-therapy", "title": "Congressional PATH Caucus Releases Report Outlining Recommendations for Safe Integration of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "correa.house.gov", "scraper": "correa", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001110", "name": "J. Luis Correa", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Report Responds to Congressional Request for Information on Regulatory, Ethical, and Cultural Considerations for Integrating Prescription Psychedelic Medicine into the United States\n\nWashington, DC — The Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus released a report capturing responses to a 2024 Request for Information into how psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) could be safely and ethically integrated into the United States health care system.\n\nThe report found broad consensus among clinicians, researchers, veteran advocates, Tribal leaders, payors, regulators, and patients that PAT could offer safe, equitable, and evidence-based treatment for a wide array of treatment-resistant conditions – including generalized anxiety disorder, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorder. It also offered several federal policy recommendations for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Congress to consider as they aim to improve health outcomes for patients across the country.\n\n“Every day, more than 130 Americans die by suicide, including over 20 veterans,” said Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA-46). “Psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown promising results for treatment, but we need more information. This report is a serious step toward bringing it into our health care system safely and ethically, so that all Americans, especially those who served our country, can get care that works for them.”\n\n“This report is exactly the kind of resource Congress needs to legislate responsibly,” ?said?Congressman Jack Bergman (R-MI-01).?“Our Veterans have waited long enough for successful treatments and breakthrough therapies to help mitigate PTSD and other service-related conditions. It’s time to advance real, actionable policies that meet the unmet mental and physical health needs of Americans in every community.”?\n\nKey Findings\n\nRespondents agree that the U.S. faces a severe mental and behavioral health crisis – including treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, suicidality, substance use disorder, and high unmet needs among veterans, terminally ill patients, minorities, low-income families, seniors, and rural communities – requiring novel and efficacious treatments.\n\nRespondents highlight clinical trial evidence suggesting that PAT can produce meaningful and sometimes transformative improvements in PTSD, depression, end-of-life distress, addiction, and overall functioning and quality of life, though it is not considered a single solution and is seen as appropriate only in structured, supervised medical settings.\n\nRespondents encourage national guidance and credential verification systems to be developed before the first FDA approvals of prescription psychedelic medicines.\n\nRespondents highlight the need for evidence-based, standardized adverse event monitoring and robust ethical guidelines to protect patients and ensure trust.\n\nRespondents recommend federal guidance that supports multidisciplinary, culturally competent care teams.\n\nPolicy Recommendations\n\nThe report suggests that federal agencies – including the FDA, U.S. National Institutes of Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Office of National Drug Control Policy –\n\nshould work with state regulators and Tribal Nations/Territories to develop national guidelines for safe and ethical delivery of prescription psychedelic medicines\n\nThe report recommends that federal agencies establish flexible, tiered credentialing pathways to balance safety with accessibility, and to standardize consent and screening protocols nationally.\n\nThe report proposes a hybrid policy framework to guide Congress, federal agencies, Tribal Nations/Territories, states, and communities in a balanced, pragmatic rollout of PAT, supported by coordinated leadership, flexible regulation, investment in workforce and infrastructure, and robust long-term data systems.\n\nSee here for the full report.\n\nAbout the Congressional PATH Caucus\n\nThe bipartisan Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, co-chaired by Representatives Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Lou Correa (D-CA), aims to address the nation’s mental health crisis by promoting rigorous, FDA-aligned clinical research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelic-assisted treatments for mental health disorders and integrating these promising treatments into the U.S. health care system for millions of patients with unmet needs.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases/correa-bergman-introduce-bill-to-find-alternatives-for-dangerous-opioids-harming-veteran-communities", "title": "CORREA, BERGMAN INTRODUCE BILL TO FIND ALTERNATIVES FOR DANGEROUS OPIOIDS HARMING VETERAN COMMUNITIES", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "correa.house.gov", "scraper": "correa", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001110", "name": "J. Luis Correa", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC — Today, Congressmen Lou Correa (D-CA) and Jack Bergman (R-MI) reintroduced the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act. The bipartisan legislation directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct clinical research on the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis in treating veterans’ post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain.\n\n\"With the opioid crisis raging across America, it is imperative to the health and safety of our veterans that we find alternative treatments for chronic pain and service-related injuries,\" said Correa. \"Throughout my district, I consistently meet veterans who depend on cannabis to manage their pain. Numerous veterans attest to the treatment benefits of medical cannabis. It's time the VA did a formal study and began recognizing that cannabis can play a safe role in our veterans' healthcare.\"\n\nThe bill would:\n\nAuthorize VA to implement a comprehensive research plan, including clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis in treating chronic pain and PTSD.\n\nExpand research into related factors in veterans' health, including improvements to mood and social functioning, impacts on other substance use, and overall quality of life.\n\nRequire clinical trials to examine different forms, potencies, and methods of cannabis administration, with veterans' health and safety prioritized throughout.\n\n“Veterans struggling with PTSD and chronic pain deserve access to treatments backed by sound science and rigorous research. The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act will help us better understand whether medicinal cannabis can provide safe and effective relief while ensuring Veterans’ health and safety remain the top priority. We owe it to our Veterans to explore every responsible avenue that could improve their quality of life,” said Bergman.\n\nChronic pain affects one in five Americans and impacts veterans at a higher rate than the general population. Twenty-three percent of veterans receiving VA care have experienced PTSD at some point in their lives, and the two conditions are often linked — veterans with chronic pain have elevated rates of PTSD. This bill would mandate research that could lead to safer, more effective treatment options for veterans managing these conditions.\n\n\"Since 2017, IAVA has made empowering veterans who are calling for the medicinal use of cannabis one of our top priorities. Our members have said consistently and passionately that cannabis offers real help with the most pressing injuries we face when we come home, from chronic pain to PTSD to traumatic brain injury. Our national policies are lagging, research is lacking, and the stigma persists. The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act is how we start to change that. Every solution begins with research, and veterans have waited long enough for it,\" said Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).\n\n“The VFW supports the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023,” said Pat Murray, Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). “VFW members tell us that medicinal cannabis has helped them cope with chronic pain and other service-connected health conditions. They cannot receive these services at VA because of VA’s bureaucratic hurdles. VA uses evidence-based clinical guidelines to manage other pharmacological treatments of post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, and substance use disorder because medical trials have found them effective. VA must expand research on the efficacy of non-traditional medical therapies, such as medicinal cannabis and other holistic approaches.”\n\nView the bill text HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases/costa-leads-bipartisan-effort-protect-232-million-rural-homeownership-funding", "title": "Costa Leads Bipartisan Effort to Protect $232 Million in Rural Homeownership Funding", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "costa.house.gov", "scraper": "costa", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001059", "name": "Jim Costa", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FRESNO, Calif. – This week, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) led a bipartisan group of 14 members of Congress in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take immediate action to protect approximately $232 million in funding for the Section 502 Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program that is at risk of expiring at the end of Fiscal Year 2026.\n\nIn a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the lawmakers called on the department to preserve funding Congress provided to help low- and very-low-income families purchase homes in rural communities. Recent reports indicate that USDA has obligated only a portion of the approximately $1 billion Congress provided for the program, leaving hundreds of millions of dollars at risk of going unused.\n\n“These resources were provided by Congress to help families in rural America purchase homes and strengthen the communities in which they live and work,” wrote the lawmakers. “Regardless of party, we should share the goal of ensuring that congressionally appropriated funds are administered efficiently and reach the rural families they were intended to serve.\"\n\n“The USDA's 502 direct mortgage program has been a flagship tool for increasing homeownership opportunities in rural places,” said David Lipsetz, President & CEO of the Housing Assistance Council. “To have these critical funds expire at a time when the program has been challenged with new and burdensome rules would be a real tragedy for rural families looking to buy a home. We applaud Congressman Costa and his colleagues for their leadership on this issue.”\n\nThe lawmakers also raised concerns about recent administrative changes that could limit access to the program and delay assistance to eligible families. They urged USDA to preserve the remaining funding, provide Congress with an accounting of unobligated balances, and take steps to improve loan processing and prevent future funding from expiring.\n\nBACKGROUND", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://crane.house.gov/2026/10/01/rep-crane-introduces-bill-honoring-slain-marine-veteran-and-warning-travelers-of-cartel-violence/", "title": "Rep. Crane Introduces Bill Honoring Slain Marine Veteran and Warning Travelers of Cartel Violence", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crane.house.gov/media/", "domain": "crane.house.gov", "scraper": "crane", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001132", "name": "Elijah Crane", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) introduced the Nicholas Douglas Quets Border Travel Safety Act to inform travelers of dangerous areas or routes near the southern border of the United States. If enacted, the legislation would require the installation of signage warning travelers of areas identified in State Department Travel Advisories as dangerous due to criminal activity, violence, kidnapping, and other threats.\n\nIn the House, Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) is co-leading the bill and Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) has signed on as an original cosponsor. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) previously introduced a companion bill in the Senate.\n\nOn October 18, 2024, Nicholas Quets, an Arizona Marine Corps veteran, was traveling with friends in the Mexican state of Sonora. After encountering an unauthorized cartel-controlled highway checkpoint, he was pursued, attacked, and fatally shot by armed criminals associated with the Sinaloa Cartel. This occurred on the Altar-Caborca highway (Federal Highway 2), a route frequently listed under a “Reconsider Travel” advisory.\n\nAlthough State Department Travel Advisories identify certain dangerous regions near the U.S.-Mexico border, travelers entering or departing the United States through land ports of entry may not know these designations exist. Rep. Crane believes clear, visible signage would close that gap and help keep travelers safe.\n\nThe bill would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Customs and Border Protection and in coordination with the State Department, to post warnings at land ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border and on the routes approaching them. The signage would flag nearby dangerous areas identified in State Department Travel Advisories and provide a reference to additional safety information, such as a QR code linking to the latest advisories. It would also be displayed in both English and Spanish and in a format that can be quickly updated as conditions change. Furthermore, each sign would note that it was installed pursuant to the Nicholas Douglas Quets Border Travel Safety Act, ensuring Nicholas’ name appears alongside the warnings.\n\nThe legislation would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to annually review the signage for accuracy, visibility, and necessary updates. The Secretary of State would be required to notify DHS whenever critical changes require the signage to be updated. Within one year of enactment, DHS would report to Congress on implementation, including where the signage has been installed. The bill would also require the Government Accountability Office to assess the effectiveness of the warnings and identify potential improvements to how the information reaches travelers. The program would be carried out using existing funds, with no new appropriations authorized.\n\nRep. Crane is also co-leading two measures introduced by Rep. Ciscomani. The first, the Nicholas Douglas Quets United States-Mexico Rapid Response for Victims of Crime Act, would authorize the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Attorney General, to negotiate a bilateral protocol with Mexico for faster coordination on serious crimes against U.S. citizens in Mexico. The second is a resolution honoring Nicholas Quets’ life and service and condemning the cartel violence behind his murder.\n\n“Nicholas Quets, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and hardworking member of his community, represented the very best of America. While driving to Puerto Peñasco, Nicholas was chased down and murdered by Sinaloa Cartel gunmen after fleeing an illegal checkpoint. The cowardly killing of this tremendous young man is yet another tragic instance of Americans being targeted by sinister cartels that operate with near-total impunity across Mexico. After listening to his father, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Doug Quets, I was honored to work with him and Representative Juan Ciscomani on two bills and a resolution in Nicholas’ name. Our measures will warn travelers of dangerous areas before they cross the border, push for faster coordination with Mexican authorities when U.S. citizens are victims of serious crimes, formally honor his service, and condemn the criminals responsible for his death. No family should ever endure what the Quets family has, and I’m hopeful this approach will save innocent lives, hold these murderous organizations accountable, and ensure this fallen patriot is never forgotten,” said Rep. Crane.\n\n“Nicholas was a true American hero. His tragic passing demands action and lasting change. It is an honor to work closely with Nicholas’ family, Senator Kelly, and Rep. Crane on this much-needed package to honor Nicholas’ life and legacy. These legislative measures represent a long-overdue response, and I will fight relentlessly to ensure this bipartisan package receives the national attention and momentum required to protect Americans and deliver justice in Nicholas’ name,” said Rep. Ciscomani.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://crane.house.gov/2026/10/01/rep-cranes-legislation-for-gila-county-veterans-retreat-heads-to-presidents-desk/", "title": "Rep. Crane’s Legislation for Gila County Veterans Retreat Heads to President’s Desk", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crane.house.gov/media/", "domain": "crane.house.gov", "scraper": "crane", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001132", "name": "Elijah Crane", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Last night, the Senate passed H.R. 837 by unanimous consent. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), will allow Gila County to take ownership of the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site for the continued operation of a veterans center on the property in Young, Arizona, once signed into law by the President.\n\nH.R. 837 is a reintroduction of the first bill Rep. Crane introduced in Congress, and it is now the first of his bills poised to become law. The House of Representatives passed the measure unanimously in two consecutive Congresses, most recently on February 5, 2025. Afterward, it advanced through the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources under the leadership of Chairman Mike Lee (R-UT) before clearing the full Senate.\n\nThe legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to convey approximately 232.9 acres of the administrative site in the Tonto National Forest to Gila County. The county will cover all costs tied to the transfer, and the Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will have no effect on the federal budget.\n\nIn 2016, the Forest Service moved its Pleasant Valley administrative operations to a new site near Payson, leaving most of the property unused. Since 2021, Gila County has operated the land under a 20-year special use permit and has been developing it into the Pleasant Valley Veterans Retreat. However, the county still needs federal approval for projects under the permit. Rep. Crane’s legislation will replace this arrangement with local ownership, giving the county the certainty it needs to invest in the retreat long-term and avoid overly burdensome regulations.\n\nThe center is the first of its kind in the region and primarily serves rural veterans and their families, including the nearly 5,500 veterans who call Gila County home. Transferring ownership to Gila County will preserve the property’s rich history while providing family housing, meeting and activity spaces, resource rooms, Veteran Ceremonial Grounds, and outdoor recreation.\n\nGila County Supervisor Woody Cline testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources on the significant impacts and outstanding resources the center would provide for veterans and their families.\n\n“This site will only be one of two sites in Arizona. There’s one in the southern part of Arizona and one in the northern part […] It’s huge for our local community as well. We have a local veteran community of about 100 people right there in that small town. And then right there between us and Payson, there’s roughly another 5,000-7,000 more right there. Having this accessible, not only to the local members, the state members, the national members, but also, we’re adjacent to the White Mountain Apache Tribe that is not very far away that has a number of veterans in that reservation as well that have been big supporters of this project. It means everything to these folks,” said Supervisor Woody Cline during hearing questioning.\n\nSpeaking to Supervisor Cline about the purpose of the veterans center, Rep. Crane stated, “One of the things I love so much about this project, is that you’re not coming here, Mr. Cline, and asking the federal government for any money. You’re actually trying to take something that’s a beautiful piece of land that’s not being used anymore and revitalize it into something amazing for some of our nation’s finest individuals.”\n\nHouse Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman stated, “America’s veterans and their families have sacrificed so much to defend our freedom, and Congress must do everything in its power to provide our servicemembers with proper care and opportunities. The commonsense, bipartisan land transfer provided by H.R.837 will do just that by opening up new experiences to veterans in the area for recreation and recovery. A veteran himself, Representative Crane has led on these issues this Congress, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to get this bill […] signed into law.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://crank.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crank-introduces-bill-support-early-childhood-education-opportunities", "title": "Rep. Crank Introduces Bill to Support Early Childhood Education Opportunities", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crank.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "crank.house.gov", "scraper": "crank", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001137", "name": "Jeff Crank", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Jeff Crank (CO-05) introduced the Supporting Early Childhood Education Opportunities through Upfront Tax Deductions (SPROUT) Act, to help incentivize the creation of more childcare and early childhood education centers.\n\nFamilies who cannot provide care at home face a lack of available childcare, an issue that Colorado and the entire country faces. While Colorado ranks among the best states in the country for its childcare workforce, it falls short when it comes to the number of infant care and toddler care facilities available to families. For El Paso County, estimates are in the tens of thousands of children lacking access to quality childcare and early education centers.\n\nThe SPROUT Act would help reduce this deficit and increase daycare capacity by allowing the owners of new facilities to deduct their costs in the same tax year that they are incurred, as opposed to the current framework requiring them to spread the deductions over decades. This accelerated tax deduction will attract more investment in new facilities.\n\n\"Parents want the best education and care for their kids, they just need more options to fill the need that El Paso County faces,\" said Rep. Crank. \"The SPROUT Act makes a simplified tax process and incentivizes the creation of more childcare and early childhood education centers, helping to alleviate a burden impacting families across our community.”\n\nSpecifically, the SPROUT Act would:\n\nAllow owners of new childcare or early childhood education centers to immediately expense (deduct) all costs associated with the creation of the center in the same tax year that they incur the cost;\n\nExtend tax benefits to the creation of any center that is licensed by a State and provides care for children under the age of 5;\n\nClarify that the owner of the center must enter into a written binding contract with an entity licensed by a State to provide care before construction or improvements begin to be eligible for the tax benefit.\n\nQuote of support for the SPROUT Act:\n\n“Allowing businesses to fully and immediately deduct their expenses is a proven policy for boosting growth and investment,” said the Tax Foundation. “The SPROUT Act enables businesses to have a full and immediate deduction for childcare facilities and would boost investment in the sector.”\n\nRead the bill here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-alford-introduce-bipartisan-bill-protect-americas-medical-supply-chains", "title": "Davids, Alford Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect America’s Medical Supply Chains, Support Kansas City Innovation", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "davids.house.gov", "scraper": "davids", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000629", "name": "Sharice Davids", "party": "Democrat", "state": "KS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Mark Alford (R-MO-04) introduced the Critical Biomanufacturing Input Assessment Act. It’s a bipartisan bill that would help strengthen America’s biotechnology supply chains, support the growing medical industry in the Kansas City region, and address growing concerns about U.S. reliance on foreign suppliers — including China — for critical materials needed to produce medicines and other health products.\n\n“Kansas City is creating the next generation of medicines, health products, and technologies that improve people’s lives — and we need to make sure American companies have the supplies they need to succeed,” said Davids. “This bipartisan bill will help us identify weaknesses in our supply chains, reduce our dependence on countries like China, strengthen American manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs while lowering healthcare costs. I appreciate Representative Alford’s partnership on this important, bipartisan effort.”\n\n“As we work to bring more manufacturing back to American soil, we must ensure our biotechnology supply chains are secure, transparent and resilient,” said Congressman Mark Alford (R-MO-04). “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will help identify vulnerabilities, reduce reliance on foreign adversaries like China, and protect the critical materials needed to produce lifesaving medicines and animal health products. I’m proud to partner with Representative Davids to strengthen innovation in the Kansas City region and safeguard our nation’s health and economic security.”\n\nMany products that Americans rely on — including medicines, vaccines, and animal health products — are made using biotechnology. But many companies do not have a clear picture of where the materials and equipment they depend on come from. Some critical supplies are made overseas, including in China, creating potential risks for our economy and national security. This bill will help identify these vulnerabilities before a disruption occurs.\n\nThe Critical Biomanufacturing Input Assessment Act would require the Department of Commerce to regularly review America’s reliance on foreign sources for important biotechnology supplies and equipment.\n\nThe information collected through this review would help:\n\nIdentify potential supply chain problems before they become emergencies;\n\nHelp businesses make better decisions about where to source materials;\n\nEncourage more companies to manufacture critical supplies in the United States; and\n\nStrengthen America’s ability to compete in the global biotechnology industry.\n\nThe Kansas City region is one of the country’s fastest-growing biotechnology hubs. It is home to the KC BioHub, a partnership focused on making Kansas City a national leader in biotechnology research, innovation, and manufacturing. The region is also home to the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, one of the largest concentrations of animal health companies in the world.\n\nThese companies and research institutions rely on specialized supplies and equipment to develop products that improve human and animal health. Making sure those supply chains are strong and reliable is critical to their continued success.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://dean.house.gov/2026/10/congresswoman-dean-senator-schatz-reintroduce-bill-to-remove-criminal-history-questions-from-college-applications", "title": "Congresswoman Dean, Senator Schatz Reintroduce Bill to Remove Criminal History Questions from College Applications", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dean.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "dean.house.gov", "scraper": "dean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000631", "name": "Madeleine Dean", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) reintroduced the Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act. The Beyond the Box Act would provide colleges and universities guidance on the removal of criminal and juvenile justice questions from their initial application for admissions.\n\nAlmost one out of three Americans have some kind of arrest or conviction record that would appear in a criminal background check. Individuals with criminal or juvenile justice involvement experience barriers to educational opportunities, decreased earnings, and increased poverty.\n\nOne significant barrier that these individuals face is that most colleges and universities ask criminal justice, juvenile justice, and/or school disciplinary questions in their admissions processes. People with felony convictions are forty percent less likely to complete college applications than people without, and the application rejection rates for individuals with felony convictions can be as high as 2.5 times the rate of those without.\n\n“Every student deserves the chance to claim their education — and people who have made mistakes in the past and are looking for a fresh start are no exception,” Rep. Dean said. “As a former professor, I have seen firsthand how education can change lives, and we can ensure more Americans are afforded that chance. I am grateful for Senator Schatz’s continued partnership.”\n\nThe Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act directs the Department of Education to provide guidance on:\n\nWhether criminal and juvenile justice questions are necessary in the initial application for admissions;\n\nHow to create a process to determine when criminal or juvenile justice information can be requested of students for non-admissions purposes; and\n\nHow colleges and universities that decide to keep criminal and juvenile justice questions can reduce their impact on the admissions process.\n\nCongresswoman Dean and Senator Schatz previously introduced this bicameral legislation in 2021 and 2023.\n\nRead the text of the bill here.\n\nRep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://dean.house.gov/2026/10/reps-dean-and-scanlon-introduce-bills-to-make-american-democracy-more-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities", "title": "Reps. Dean and Scanlon Introduce Bills to Make American Democracy More Accessible to People with Disabilities", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dean.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "dean.house.gov", "scraper": "dean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000631", "name": "Madeleine Dean", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congresswomen Madeleine Dean (PA-04) and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) introduced a package of legislation to make American democracy more accessible for people with disabilities. Three bills will address accessibility issues in registering to vote, getting to the polls, running for public office, and serving in local government.\n\nThe Removing Access Barriers to Running for Elected Office for People with Disabilities Act would ensure people with disabilities do not lose their crucial, life-sustaining federal disability benefits when they campaign for elected office. Specifically, the bill would clarify to federal agencies administering disability benefits that campaigning for an elected office does not disqualify a person from receiving disability benefits.\n\nThe AID (Accessibility and Inclusion to Diversify) Local Government Leadership Act would provide local governments with an ongoing accommodations fund to ensure current and future elected officials with disabilities have access to needed accommodations to perform their duties. Eligible communities include those that are rural communities, have a population of less than 10,000 people or are communities with a population between 10,000 and 200,000 with a federal poverty rate of 18 percent or higher.\n\nThe Accessible Voting Act, also co-led by Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08), would support state and local efforts to improve voter accessibility and remove barriers to voting. Specifically, the bill would establish new programs for ensuring voting accessibility, including creating a national resource center on accessible voting and expanding the number of options for casting a ballot in federal elections.\n\n“The ability to fully participate in our democracy is central to our American ideals—yet too often people with disabilities face unnecessary barriers to voting and public service,” Rep. Dean said. “This package of legislation will help ensure accessibility in registering to vote, getting to the polls, running for office, and serving in local government. By breaking down these barriers, our communities can be better represented by every voice. I'm thankful to partner with Congresswoman Scanlon to pass these important bills.”\n\n“Full participation in government is the bedrock of our democracy, but too often, Americans with disabilities face unnecessary barriers to accessing the ballot box, running for office, and serving in local government,” Rep. Scanlon said. “I'm proud to join Reps. Dean and Raskin in introducing this suite of legislation to support people with disabilities, including many seniors and veterans, by addressing systemic inaccessibility across all aspects of civic life.”\n\n“American democracy works best when all citizens can participate and vote, no matter where they’re from, what language they speak or whether they live with a disability,” Rep. Raskin said. “Our Accessible Voting Act strengthens access to the ballot box and addresses a wide range of systemic deficiencies, so no eligible voter is left alone to overcome barriers to casting a ballot.”\n\nRep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7432", "title": "NEW: Dingell Seeks Input on Federal Data Center “Bill of Rights”", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "debbiedingell.house.gov", "scraper": "debbiedingell", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000624", "name": "Debbie Dingell", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) announced she is drafting a federal data center “Bill of Rights” and is seeking input on a proposed framework to ensure communities have a meaningful voice in decisions surrounding large-scale data center projects.\n\n“The rapid development of data centers has prompted concerns throughout Michigan’s Sixth District and beyond as communities are left with important questions on the potential impacts of these large-scale projects,” said Congresswoman Dingell.\n\nLarge data centers pay for all infrastructure costs, including the cost of energy generation, transmission, and distribution, water, roads, and environmental impacts;\n\nResidential users of water, electricity, and gas are protected from paying any increased rates related to the development or operation of the data center for the entire operating period of the data center;\n\nData center developers disclose and pay for the energy and water demand of their projects and the sources of those resources, and do not pass on utility costs to ratepayers;\n\nProjects undergo comprehensive environmental review addressing water, air quality, stormwater, wetlands, emissions, backup power, noise pollution, traffic, and more;\n\nWater use is independently monitored with public reporting and enforceable protections for drinking water, groundwater, rivers, and wetlands;\n\nNoise pollution is independently measured with enforceable limits;\n\nStrong labor standards are held throughout each phase of projects, including through prevailing wage requirements and the use of apprentices and local labor;\n\nNearby schools and residential areas are protected from noise, pollution, rising utility cost, resource strain, and other disruptions;\n\nEmergency-response plans are developed with local officials;\n\nGovernment officials do not sign non-disclosure agreements preventing communities from understanding the data center projects being built in their communities;\n\nIf projects are cancelled or cease to exist, the developer has the responsibility to discontinue and responsibly manage the wind down of the project without passing costs down to the community;\n\nCommunities have opportunities for meaningful participation, with enforceable community-benefit agreements, for projects being built in their backyards; and\n\nThe roles and responsibilities are clearly defined for all levels of government — federal, state, and local levels — so that the community knows who is accountable at each level and clearly understands the oversight, compliance, and enforcement measures needed to protect our communities, resources, and the environment.\n\nCongresswoman Dingell continued: “There is a need for clear and enforceable federal guardrails to ensure communities have a meaningful voice in these decisions. That is why I am working to draft a federal data center ‘Bill of Rights’ that ensures communities have a seat at the table, their input is valued, and their voices are heard, and that a number of important factors are considered before these projects are allowed to move forward.”\n\nComments on the proposed framework will be accepted through October 30, 2026, by emailing DingellComments@mail.house.gov.\n\nA copy of Congresswoman Dingell’s announcement can be found HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://deluzio.house.gov/media/press-releases/deluzio-lee-announce-11-million-more-federal-funding-safety-upgrades", "title": "Deluzio, Lee Announce $11 Million More in Federal Funding for Safety Upgrades at Pittsburgh Airport", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://deluzio.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "deluzio.house.gov", "scraper": "deluzio", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000530", "name": "Christopher R. Deluzio", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "CARNEGIE, PA – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) announced $11,023,181 in federal funding to upgrade thousands of feet of lighting and pavement on Runway 10L/28R at the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), further modernizing Western Pennsylvanians’ go-to airport.\n\nThe U.S. Department of Transportation awards this money through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The multi-phase funding will help extend the service life of the runway, minimize Foreign Object Debris (FOD), improve aircrafts’ ride quality, and make the airfield safer at Pittsburgh International Airport.\n\n“We in Western Pennsylvanians should be able to rely on the safety and reliability of our infrastructure,” said Congressman Deluzio. “That’s why I am excited to announce another round of federal funding that will help make the Pittsburgh Airport one of the safest and most modern airports in the world.”\n\n“Pittsburgh International Airport is one of the gateways to Western Pennsylvania, and the infrastructure behind it has to be safe, reliable, and ready for the people and workers who depend on it every single day,” said Congresswoman Lee. “This more than $11 million federal investment is exactly what public dollars should be doing: coming back home, strengthening the things our communities rely on, supporting good jobs, and making sure a major piece of our regional economy is built to last. I’m glad to see this funding headed home to Pittsburgh International Airport, and I’ll keep fighting to bring federal investment back to Western Pennsylvania.”\n\n“Airports across the country are part of national critical infrastructure and federal support is key in helping to keep the national airspace moving. Pittsburgh International Airport is an important economic driver for our region and this grant helps to fund airfield improvements at PIT including runway paving and upgrading lighting infrastructure. Thank you to Congressman Deluzio and our entire federal delegation for their continued support,” said Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-desaulnier-introduces-legislation-increase-public", "title": "Congressman DeSaulnier Introduces Legislation to Increase Public Transportation Accountability and Improve Rider Experience", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "desaulnier.house.gov", "scraper": "desaulnier", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000623", "name": "Mark DeSaulnier", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman DeSaulnier introduced the Better Transit for Riders Act, legislation to help transit agencies deliver better service for riders of public transportation by making these systems more efficient and reliable. Specifically, this bill strives to shorten travel times, reduce the number of missed connections, and create a more reliable experience for riders by making it easier for transit systems within the same metropolitan area to coordinate planning, fare integration, service design, and funding strategies.\n\n“Inefficient public transit is not just a transportation issue – it is a quality-of-life issue. Every hour spent tied up in travel and commute time is an hour that could be spent at home with family, socializing with friends, attending to personal tasks, or relaxing after a long day at work,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “Increasing the reliability and efficiency of transit networks requires transit agencies to raise and use their resources effectively. By bringing together experts across the country, this legislation will help communities learn from successful models and provide their local transit agencies with the tools to better serve riders while ensuring their sustainability.”\n\n“Data is the backbone of transit system safety and reliability across the country,” said Intelligent Transportation Society America President and CEO Laura Chace. “This bill would address ways to improve public transit through better transit data interoperability and technology coordination, and we welcome the introduction of Rep. DeSaulnier’s Better Transit for Riders Act.\n\nThe Better Transit for Riders Act would create and convene a task force of transit agencies, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, labor representatives, community stakeholders, and other experts to develop recommendations and benchmarks for improving transit funding, operations, coordination, and performance. Specifically, the bill would identify best practices related to:\n\nStrategic transit investments and long-term funding models;\n\nImproving the overall rider experience, safety, reliability, and service quality.\n\nCoordination among transit agencies serving the same metropolitan area;\n\nIntegrated fares and payment systems;\n\nRegional transit and land-use planning; and\n\nAccess to transit and first- and last-mile connections.\n\nThis legislation comes as public transit ridership numbers remain around 20% below pre-pandemic 2019 levels nationally, and as Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) faces a significant financial deficit despite federal pandemic financial assistance and a recent state loan. The Better Transit for Riders Act is intended to increase the standard for transit agencies to increase ridership and bring in more sustainable financing.\n\nThe text of the bill can be found here.\n\nDeSaulnier is also exploring avenues for more federal data and oversight of how the nation’s largest metropolitan regions address congestion management and what their biggest challenges are to increasing transit ridership and reducing congestion, particularly post the COVID-19 pandemic. This work would build upon other reports he commissioned from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) related to the positive impacts of telework, which has caused significant changes in commuting trends:\n\nThe first report examined trends in telework before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic and how it increased productivity.\n\nThe second report laid out data showing the positive impact telework has had on worker productivity and firm performance in certain sectors.\n\nThe third report highlights how increases in telework have been beneficial for workers, the economy, and the environment and that more federal support is needed to help localities better plan for and harness the impact of telework.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=917C8198-F93D-4ECD-AF5C-ED6F1FB76B19", "title": "DESJARLAIS MEETS WITH COLLINS, DISCUSSES PLANS TO KEEP MCMINNVILLE VA OPEN FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "domain": "desjarlais.house.gov", "scraper": "desjarlais", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000616", "name": "Scott DesJarlais", "party": "Republican", "state": "TN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Scott DesJarlais met with Secretary Doug Collins today and received news that the McMinnville VA Clinic will remain open for the foreseeable future.\n\nIn March, it was announced that the McMinnville VA Clinic, operated by a private contractor, would be closing its doors on May 31st. Through persistent efforts and engagements with Secretary Collins, local leaders, VA staff, and community partners, Congressman DesJarlais expressed his concern about the lack of transparency and the impact this closure would have on those receiving VA care in the district. The VA cited that the clinic was underperforming.\n\nAs a result of these discussions, in May, Secretary Collins agreed to keep the clinic open through December 31, 2026. Today, in partnership with the VA, DesJarlais announced the McMinnville VA clinic will remain open under VA management and staff.\n\nSecretary Collins thanked Rep. DesJarlais for his persistence in helping the VA find a solution to continue to provide high-quality service to veterans in Warren and surrounding counties. Collins and DesJarlais discussed plans to staff the McMinnville facility with full-time VA employees moving forward and improve the quality of care.\n\n“I am proud of the joint effort put forth by my office and Secretary Collins’ office to keep the McMinnville VA Clinic open for the foreseeable future. This is great news for the veterans of Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District. I want to thank my constituents for their patience and perseverance over the last few months. Together, we have respectfully and relentlessly drawn attention to the importance of this rural healthcare facility. Thank you to Secretary Collins and his team for working with us to come up with a solution to not only keep the clinic open but improve the level of care for all its patients,” said Rep. DesJarlais.\n\nCongressman DesJarlais says that he and his staff will continue regularly checking in with Secretary Collins, VA staff, and his constituents to ensure the clinic is being run successfully.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downings-floodplain-enhancement-and-recovery-act-passes-senate", "title": "DOWNING’S FLOODPLAIN ENHANCEMENT AND RECOVERY ACT PASSES SENATE", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "downing.house.gov", "scraper": "downing", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000634", "name": "Troy Downing", "party": "Republican", "state": "MT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy Downing’s (MT-02) bipartisan Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act took a major step toward becoming law this week after the U.S. Senate passed companion legislation led by Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Patty Murray (D-WA).\n\nThe legislation cuts red tape for ecosystem restoration projects in regulated floodways by creating a streamlined approval pathway for low-risk projects while maintaining flood safety standards. Under current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) policy, any proposed development in a regulated floodway must prove that it will not increase the area’s base flood elevation (BFE). This requirement, known as the “No-Rise Rule,” has created unintended consequences for conservation work in Montana and across the country.\n\nMany conservation districts have been forced to scale back, delay, or abandon stream restoration projects because of the cost of the required engineering analysis.\n\nThe Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act amends the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 to allow communities to permit ecosystem restoration projects in regulated floodways if a professional engineer certifies that the project will not raise the base flood elevation by more than one foot and that no insurable structure or critical infrastructure is located in an area that would be adversely affected by the increase. This would allow qualifying conservation projects to avoid the traditional, drawn-out FEMA approval process.\n\nThe bill is supported by the National Association of Conservation Districts, among other organizations.\n\n“I applaud Senators Daines and Murray for getting this commonsense, bipartisan bill through the Senate. FEMA’s No-Rise Rule is blocking critical conservation work in Montana and across the country,” said Congressman Downing. “My bipartisan bill cuts needless bureaucracy and puts more power in the hands of local communities to restore and protect our lands. I’m grateful for the strong bipartisan support behind this effort, and I urge my House colleagues to take it up quickly and send it to the President’s desk.”\n\n“This is huge news for Montana. Critical ecosystem restoration projects across our state have been abandoned due to FEMA’s onerous and costly ‘No Rise’ rule. This commonsense, bipartisan bill will reduce unnecessary burdens on important conservation and restoration work, while continuing to keep our communities safe from flooding, and I’m glad to see it pass the Senate. Next step: the U.S. House!” said Senator Daines.\n\nRead the billHERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://elfreth.house.gov/media/press-releases/maryland-delegation-and-baltimore-mayor-brandon-scott-meet-discuss-baltimore", "title": "Maryland Delegation and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Meet to Discuss Baltimore City Priorities", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://elfreth.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "elfreth.house.gov", "scraper": "elfreth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000301", "name": "Sarah Elfreth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), members of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation, and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott held a meeting at the United States Capitol to discuss their work on a range of priorities for Baltimore residents, including affordable housing, transportation, public safety, healthcare, and more.\n\n“Amid funding cuts and chaos from Washington, Mayor Scott has led the City of Baltimore with a steady hand and worked diligently to expand health care coverage, protect our immigrant neighbors, strengthen public safety, and so much more. I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss the investments we can make together at the local and federal level to invest in the Port of Baltimore and our regional economy to expand opportunities for Maryland families,” said Congresswoman Elfreth.\n\n“Improving life for Baltimore residents is one of our top shared priorities, and I appreciate Mayor Scott’s partnership and the work being done across the city under his leadership. Yesterday’s meeting was an opportunity to discuss our efforts on behalf of the people of Baltimore – from strengthening public safety, to updating our infrastructure, to creating greater economic opportunity. This work is all the more important as the Trump Administration continues to attack our communities and essential programs that serve the City. I will continue to fight alongside Federal Team Maryland to deliver for Baltimore and to make progress on our shared goals to continue moving the City forward,” said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n“I say it all the time: Baltimore has the best federal delegation in the country, and meetings like this one underscore their commitment to our city,” said Mayor Scott. “Each and every day, we're seeing the impact of investments they've secured, from our public safety progress, to our housing investments, to new schools, rec centers, and more all across Baltimore. Especially as we deal with an administration that's actively sabotaging cities across the country, we are so grateful to have this delegation fighting for us in Washington.”\n\n“We’ve seen the news of continued progress in Baltimore, on everything from gun violence to how the Port of Baltimore continues to thrive, and it’s a story to be proud of. The city and its leadership have proven how success happens when you plan effectively and when you’re prepared to respond to the unexpected. Baltimore has shown the nation what you can accomplish when you stick together. Team Maryland on Capitol Hill is committed to fighting for Baltimore and working together. We will continue to find areas where we can coordinate effectively, and we’ll continue to do all we can to make sure Baltimore and all of Maryland has everything needed to thrive,” said Senator Alsobrooks.\n\n“I was glad to join my colleagues in the Maryland Congressional Delegation to meet with Mayor Scott and discuss the achievements, challenges, and top priorities for the greater Baltimore area. I applaud Mayor Scott for his leadership that has had impacts far beyond the region. Our partnership is critical to ensuring Marylanders across the state can benefit from a growing and vibrant economy, and Team Maryland remains committed to working together to improve the safety and livelihood of all who call Maryland home,” said Congressman Hoyer.\n\n“It was a productive opportunity for our Congressional delegation to meet with Mayor Scott again to discuss our priorities and the critical issues facing Baltimoreans today,\" said Congressman Mfume. \"We discussed ongoing efforts to improve public safety, progress on the Key Bridge rebuild and B&P Tunnel, and the escalating negative impacts that the Big Ugly Bill is having on our Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP benefits. I am incredibly proud to be a part of a team that is committed to working together to tackle difficult problems and deliver meaningful results for the people of our City and our State.”\n\n“I’m grateful for Mayor Scott’s steady vision and partnership so we can keep delivering for Marylanders,” said Congressman Raskin. “From Baltimore to Bethesda, the tie that binds us is delivering services, lowering costs and protecting the rights of our people across the Free State as ICE and Border Patrol continue their reign of lawlessness and chaos in our communities.\"\n\n“It was good to continue our focus on affordability and economic opportunities for folks in the greater Baltimore area and across the great state of Maryland with Mayor Scott and my colleagues in the Maryland Delegation. We look forward to assisting our state and local partners in ameliorating the economic climate through these very tough times,” said Congressman Ivey. “We must meet these challenges head on in unity of purpose. Today’s meeting reaffirms that continued aim.”\n\n“The biggest priority for Baltimore families is the same as it is for families everywhere: lowering costs and making sure they have a fair shot at building a good life,” said Congressman Olszewski. “I appreciated the opportunity to connect with Mayor Scott and my colleagues on how we can better partner across all levels of government to deliver on that priority.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3382", "title": "Congresswoman Escobar Sends Navy Letter Requesting More Information on the Use of Swine in Diving Experiments", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "escobar.house.gov", "scraper": "escobar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000299", "name": "Veronica Escobar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Yesterday, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), joined by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Mark Pocan (WI-2) and Dina Titus (NV-1), sent a letter to Department of the Navy Secretary Hung Cao requesting more information on the use of swine in hyperbaric diving experiments.\n\nThe full letter can be found here or below:\n\nSecretary Cao:\n\nWe are writing to express our strong concern regarding the Department of the Navy funded research projects involving the use of swine in hyperbaric diving experiments, specifically the recent study conducted at Duke University utilizing animal models to test breathing gas switches involving carbon tetrafluoride.\n\nWhile we recognize the vital importance of ensuring the safety, health, and operational readiness of our divers and submariners, we remain deeply troubled by the continued reliance on animal testing when novel scientific methods and advanced models exist and should be fully exhausted. Specifically, the research recently published titled \"Isobaric counterdiffusion of carbon tetrafluoride breathing gas to prevent severe decompression sickness\" subjected juvenile swine to extreme pressure profiles, rapid decompressions, and severe physiological distress to evaluate decompression sickness mitigation, leading to mortality for some of the swine.\n\nAs advocates for animal welfare standards, we question whether the Department has thoroughly exhausted non-animal methodologies. We request that the Department of the Navy provide responses to the following questions within 30 days:\n\nHave there been insistences on where alternative methods are the preferred method to live, animal testing? If so, what were the reasonings behind those decisions and the effectiveness of the results?\n\nWhat specific validation protocols are used to ensure that all non-animal testing alternatives are fully exhausted before any animal models are approved for use?\n\nDoes the Navy enforce protocols or data-sharing agreements to prevent redundant animal testing on the same research questions across different laboratories or research groups\n\nHow many total studies are planned under this overarching research initiative, and what is the projected timeline for concluding all associated animal testing?\n\nWhat specific military or operational necessity required the use of live pigs rather than advanced computer or lab-based modeling for this research? What total amount of federal funding from the Department of Defense has been allocated to institutions for animal testing over the past five fiscal years?\n\nWhat specific steps are being taken by the Navy to transition toward non-animal methods?\n\nOur national security and the health of our service members are paramount, but we must achieve these goals ethically and responsibly. We look forward to your prompt response and to working together to ensure taxpayer funds support both naval innovation and high standards of animal welfare.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://fernandez.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=664", "title": "Leger Fernández, Scott, Grijalva, Dean Introduce Bill to Lower Cost of Community College", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "fernandez.house.gov", "scraper": "fernandez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000273", "name": "Teresa Leger Fernandez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the America’s College Promise Act of 2026. The bill would make community college and two-year Tribal Colleges and Universities more accessible by waiving tuition fees for eligible students.\n\n“In New Mexico, we know free community college can unlock the doors to a brighter future. The America’s College Promise Act builds on New Mexico’s example by making sure students across the country can attend community college without the burden of tuition and fees,” said Representative Leger Fernández. “Our bill will provide funds for services students need to earn their degrees and reduce the financial burden for low-income students to attend TCUs, HBCUs, and MSIs. From recent high school graduates to experienced workers who want to go back to school — every student deserves the opportunity to keep learning without the fear of drowning in debt.”\n\n“Community colleges play a unique and vital role in providing students access to a quality postsecondary degree. Regrettably, the chronic underfunding of community colleges is jeopardizing their ability to support their students and communities,” said House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Scott (D-VA-03). “The America’s College Promise Act is a major investment in expanding opportunities for students and rebuilding a stronger economy.”\n\n“Students in Southern Arizona and throughout the country should not have to take on tens of thousands of dollars of debt to get a college education,” said Representative Grijalva. “The America’s College Promise Act will provide two years of free in-state tuition and fees for students enrolled in community and technical college programs. Whether they’re just starting out or returning to the classroom later in life, every student deserves the opportunity to learn new skills and pursue higher education. By expanding access to education and workforce training, we’re strengthening the workforce that businesses and local economies depend on.”\n\n“As a professor, it was a privilege to witness students claim their education and seize their futures — yet the real fear and burden of immense student loan debt often deters young adults and returning students from expanding their learning,” said Representative Dean. “The America’s College Promise Act provides tuition-free community college courses and expands funding for HBCUs and trade schools, making the path to higher education and career readiness available to more Americans and future generations.”\n\n“Every Wisconsinite deserves the opportunity to get the education and skills they need to land a good-paying job and build a better life, no matter where they come from or how much money their family makes,” said Senator Baldwin. “But for too many working families, the rising cost of higher education leaves students saddled with debt for years to come, or it is simply out of reach. That’s why I am proud to work with my colleagues to remove barriers and lower the cost of community college, so more Wisconsinites have the opportunity to compete, succeed, and live a good middle-class life.”\n\nThe America’s College Promise Act of 2026 will make the skills and credentials necessary to succeed in the workforce more accessible to all students by creating a new federal-state partnership to provide two years of tuition-free community college.\n\nSpecifically, the America’s College Promise Act of 2026:\n\nCreates a partnership between the federal government and states to waive tuition and fees for two years of community and technical college programs for eligible students, while promoting key reforms to accelerate student success;\n\nCreates a sliding scale for federal share beginning at 100 percent for the first year and ending at 80 percent for the fifth and subsequent years;\n\nEnsures that programs offer academic credits that are transferable to four-year institutions in their state, or occupational training that leads to recognized credentials;\n\nMaintains and encourages state funding for higher education;\n\nEstablishes a student success fund to improve enrollment, retention, transfer, or completion rates and labor market outcomes for underserved student populations, including students of color and low-income and first-generation college students, who attend community and technical colleges at disproportionate rates;\n\nWaives two years of tuition and fees for eligible students at tribal colleges and universities; and\n\nEstablishes a new grant program to provide pathways to success at historically black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions by covering a significant portion of tuition and fees for the first two years of attendance for low-income students.\n\nTo read the bill text for the America’s College Promise Act of 2026, click here.\n\nTo read the fact sheet for America’s College Promise Act of 2026, click here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://finstad.house.gov/2026/10/01/finstad-statement-on-democrats-blocking-senate-passage-of-national-fraud-enforcement-division-act-of-2026/", "title": "Finstad Statement on Democrats Blocking Senate Passage of National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://finstad.house.gov/media", "domain": "finstad.house.gov", "scraper": "finstad", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000475", "name": "Brad Finstad", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) issued the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked a unanimous consent request to pass his National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026:\n\n“On September 16th, the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support from my colleagues,” said Rep. Finstad. “With 352 Representatives from across the country supporting a permanent National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice, it is extremely disappointing to see Senate Democrats put fraudsters above American taxpayers by stonewalling our call for stronger federal fraud enforcement. It’s high time we put partisan politics aside and bring this meaningful reform to President Trump’s desk.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"}
{"url": "https://fischbach.house.gov/2026/10/congresswoman-fischbach-met-with-lac-qui-parle-county-officials-to-discuss-local-concerns/4005c095-30f3-4911-bc66-e19e72c795e5", "title": "Congresswoman Fischbach Met with Lac qui Parle County Officials to Discuss Local Concerns", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "fischbach.house.gov", "scraper": "fischbach", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000470", "name": "Michelle Fischbach", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Willmar, MN - Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach met with Lac qui Parle County officials and local law enforcement in Madison to discuss pressures facing rural counties. Officials highlighted staffing limitations and rising administrative costs tied to SNAP requirements. The conversation focused on the need for clearer federal guidance and delayed program implementation timelines to reduce strain on rural counties. Rep. Fischbach also toured the county’s new law enforcement center, which brings together the Sheriff’s Office, County Jail, Dispatch Center, Community Corrections, Family Services, and Emergency Management.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-flood-leads-house-introduction-national-violent-offender-registry", "title": "Congressman Flood Leads House Introduction of National Violent Offender Registry in Honor of Karly Rain Wood", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "flood.house.gov", "scraper": "flood", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000474", "name": "Mike Flood", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – Today, Congressman Mike Flood, joined by Congressmen Don Bacon and Adrian Smith, announced the introduction of the Karly Rain Wood Act in the House of Representatives. The legislation, introduced in the Senate by Senators Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer, would establish a violent offender registry list for repeat convictions.\n\n“In 2022, Karly Rain Wood was taken from us at just 20 years old by a four-time convicted felon while attending a birthday party in Omaha,” said Congressman Flood. “My conversation with her mother, Amber Wood, was a heartbreaking reminder that preventable tragedies like this happen far too often across America. That’s why I am introducing the House companion to the Karly Rain Wood Act, which requires people convicted of two or more violent crimes to be listed on a public registry similar to the sex offender registry. With greater transparency and awareness, we can help reduce the number of repeat violent offenders and honor Karly Rain Wood’s legacy.”\n\n“Nebraskans deserve to know when repeat violent offenders are released into their community. A national violent offender registry is necessary to keep the public and law enforcement informed. The Karly Rain Wood Act would establish this vital record. Thank you to Representative Flood for introducing this important legislation in the House,\" said Senator Ricketts.\n\n“Everyone deserves to feel safe while living the Good Life here in Nebraska,” said Congressman Bacon. “The murder of Karly Rain Wood was a heartbreaking tragedy, and her family has shown tremendous strength in turning that loss into a mission to help protect others. The Karly Rain Wood Act will give families and law enforcement better information about repeat violent offenders in their communities. I’m pleased to join Reps. Flood and Smith on this commonsense effort to honor Karly’s memory and help keep Nebraska families safe.”\n\n\"Americans deserve access to the information they need to stay safe in their own communities. Following the horrific murder of Karly Rain Wood by a repeat violent offender, it is clear more needs to be done. That is why I joined my Nebraska colleagues in introducing this commonsense legislation to create a national violent offender registry, honor Karly Rain Wood's life, and equip every American with the information they need to stay safe,\" said Congressman Smith.\n\n“I thank Rep. Flood for introducing this important legislation in the House. Karly Rain Wood’s death was a tragedy, and we have a chance to help prevent these heinous crimes before they happen. I look forward to working with the Nebraska delegation to get this done for Karly and provide transparency for communities across the country,” said Senator Fischer.\n\n“The Karly Rain Wood Act gives law enforcement the tools to track repeat violent felons and stop them before they strike again,” Sarpy County Sheriff Greg London said. “I'm grateful to Senators Ricketts and Fischer for leading this effort in the Senate, and to Congressmen Flood, Bacon, and Smith for introducing this bill in the House. I urge Congress to pass it without delay to carry forward Karly's legacy and to keep our communities safe.”\n\nThe Karly Rain Wood Act would establish a national system to register and track repeat violent felons, with the registry being a public website searchable by ZIP code or geographic area.\n\nRepeat violent felons would be required to register where they live, work, or attend school, verify their information in person every 90 days, and keep their registration current for life.\n\nThe bill would also strengthen information sharing with law enforcement and relevant community organizations while providing federal grants and support to help jurisdictions implement the new system.\n\nCongressman Flood recently met with the mother of Karly Rain Wood, Amber Wood, in his Lincoln Office. They discussed Karly Rain Wood as well as the need for a national violent crime registry. Photos of the meeting can be found by clicking here.\n\nA one-pager of the bill can by found here. Read more about Karly Rain Wood by clicking here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/fong-joins-groundbreaking-friant-kern-canal-pump-station-replacement-project", "title": "Fong Joins Groundbreaking for Friant-Kern Canal Pump Station Replacement Project, Delivering on Historic Water Infrastructure Investment", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "fong.house.gov", "scraper": "fong", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000480", "name": "Vince Fong", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "TULARE COUNTY, CA — Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) joined Congressman David Valadao (CA-22), the Friant Water Authority, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and local water and agricultural leaders for the groundbreaking of the Phase 1 Pump Station Replacement Project along the Friant-Kern Canal. This represents a major investment in modernizing critical water infrastructure made possible by federal funding secured in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.\n\n“Today, we are breaking ground on a significant investment that will help keep water flowing to the farms, families and communities that power the Central Valley,”said Congressman Fong. “The Friant-Kern Canal is a vital part of California’s water delivery system for our communities and farms, and replacing these aging pump stations is critical to making sure water gets where it needs to go. Alongside Congressman Valadao, we fought to secure $540 million for California water projects—including $200 million directly for the Friant-Kern Canal. This is an incredible win for the San Joaquin Valley as we build the infrastructure we need today to secure our water supply for generations to come. Thank you to the President and Secretary Burgum for their focus on California’s water infrastructure needs.”\n\n“As a dairy farmer, I understand water isn’t just another issue for the Central Valley—it’s our way of life,” said Congressman Valadao. “Reliable water infrastructure supports the food we grow, the jobs we create, and the future we’re building together. That’s why I was proud to secure $200 million in federal funding for the Friant-Kern Canal to make these much-needed repairs which will improve water delivery reliability, maintain capacity, and strengthen resiliency for years to come. I want to thank the Friant Water Authority, Bureau of Reclamation, and our federal, state, and local leaders for their hard work to make this project possible. I look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure the Central Valley has the water resources needed to support our farms, families, and communities.”\n\nThis groundbreaking was made possible thanks to the $540 million investment in California water infrastructure in the Working Families Tax Cut. That funding included $200 million for the Friant-Kern Canal Middle Reach Capacity Correction Project. The funding also included $235 million for the Delta-Mendota Canal Subsidence Correction project, $50 million for the San Luis Canal, $15 million for the Tehama-Colusa Canal, and $40 million toward the Shasta Dam and Reservoir enlargement project.\n\nPhase 1 of the Pump Station Replacement Project will replace five aging pump stations essential for reliable water deliveries within the Friant Water Authority service area. It is the first of two phases that will ultimately replace 13 aging pump stations along a portion of the Friant-Kern Canal where land subsidence has caused canal capacity constraints.\n\nWhen fully complete, the project will improve long-term operational reliability and efficiency, maintain existing water delivery capacity, support more than one million acres of productive farmland, benefit 30-plus irrigation districts and cities, and help deliver water to approximately 15,000 family farms.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/senate-passes-fongs-clergy-act-support-faith-leaders-heads-presidents-desk", "title": "Senate Passes Fong’s Clergy Act to Support Faith Leaders, Heads to President’s Desk", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "fong.house.gov", "scraper": "fong", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000480", "name": "Vince Fong", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the U.S. Senate unanimously passedH.R. 227, the Clergy Act. The Clergy Act, led by Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) in the U.S. Senate, marks a major step forward in giving pastors and clergy members greater retirement security.\n\nThe Clergy Act establishes a one-time re-enrollment window for pastors and other clergy members who previously opted out of Social Security to voluntarily opt back in and begin contributing to their financial future.\n\nSome pastors opted out decades ago, often due to inaccurate advice, only to later face significant financial hardship. Under current law, this opt-out is permanent. For clergy who have spent their lives serving their communities and congregations, this legislation restores the freedom to secure basic financial protection in retirement.\n\n\"Our faith leaders give everything to their communities in the Central Valley and across our nation. They deserve financial security in return,\" said Congressman Fong. \"The Clergy Act gives clergy members who previously opted out of Social Security the opportunity to re-enroll and take control of their financial future. I am incredibly proud this legislation passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law. Thank you to Senator Britt for getting this across the finish line. It’s a monumental step towards taking care of the people who take care of our communities.\"\n\n\"I'm thrilled that this bipartisan legislation passed the Senate unanimously. Members of the clergy are pillars of so many communities across our nation. They should have the opportunity to enroll back in Social Security, and now they will. I'm thankful for Senator Hassan's partnership in getting this legislation across the finish line in the Senate, as well as Congressman Vince Fong for leading this bill successfully through the House. I look forward to President Trump signing it into law,\" said Senator Britt.\n\n“Members of the clergy offer hope and guidance to Americans and their families every day – including no doubt many of the 70 million Americans who receive a monthly Social Security benefit,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith. “By providing a one-time window of opportunity for clergy – who opted out of Social Security but wish to rejoin – to restore their participation in the system, the Clergy Act will help them achieve a more secure retirement. I appreciate Representative Fong’s hard work on behalf of the faith leaders in his state of California and across this country who support communities with their wise and compassionate counsel.”\n\n“By giving clergy who previously opted out of Social Security an opportunity to opt back in, the Clergy Act will create a pathway to a stronger financial foundation in retirement for those who have dedicated their lives to serving our communities,” said Church Alliance Executive Director Christopher Wells. “The Church Alliance expresses its deepest gratitude to Reps. Fong and Thompson and Sens. Britt and Hassan for their leadership, and to all members and staff in the House and Senate who contributed to the passage of this impactful piece of legislation.”\n\n“I applaud the sponsors of the Clergy Act for shepherding this bill to final passage. This is an exciting moment for many pastors who may feel trapped by a decision they did not fully understand as they began their pastoral work,” said Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) President & CEO Michael Martin. “The temporary window this bipartisan bill opens for those ministers to re-enter the Social Security system is a reasonable allowance. Moreover, it will truly be a welcome breath of fresh air for these servant leaders.”\n\n“AARP is pleased to endorse this bipartisan and common-sense legislation to allow clergy members to opt back into earning Social Security and Medicare benefits for retirement,”said Jennifer Jones, Vice President, Financial Security and Livable Communities, AARP.\n\n“We are grateful to Congressman Vince Fong for his strong leadership in advancing the Clergy Act. This legislation provides many eligible ministers an opportunity to strengthen their financial security and resilience as they prepare for retirement. Congressman Fong's efforts will benefit pastors and ministry families for years to come,\" said Dr. D. Hance Dilbeck Jr., President and CEO of GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.\n\n“Many pastors will be helped and blessed by this legislation. We are thankful to Congressman Fong and others who have worked diligently to make this possible,” said Dr. Paul Chappell, Pastor, Lancaster Baptist Church.\n\n“Southern Baptists care deeply about ensuring that our ministers and their families are cared for in retirement after their years of devoting themselves to God’s call to ministry. We are grateful to House and Senate leadership, Sen. Katie Britt, Rep. Vince Fong, and coalition partners, for their tremendous efforts in moving this legislation forward. The ERLC encourages President Trump to swiftly sign the Clergy Act into law and reopen the pathway for ministers to plan for their retirement through Social Security, if they so choose,” said President Dr. Evan Lenow, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention\n\nBackground on the Clergy Act\n\nThe Clergy Act creates a two-year window – covering taxable years beginning January 1, 2029, and January 1, 2030 – for eligible clergy members who previously opted out of Social Security to revoke their exemption and begin contributing. Importantly, this legislation does not modify existing Social Security regulations. Eligible clergy must still meet the standard 10-year contribution requirement to earn full retired-worker benefits, receiving benefits proportional to their contributions. The bill also requires the Internal Revenue System (IRS) and Social Security Administration to submit a plan to Congress outlining their strategy to inform clergy members of their eligibility to re-enroll.\n\nHistorically, Congress has approved limited re-enrollment windows, including in 1999 under the Ticket to Work Act.\n\nThe legislation was co-led in the House by Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04). It passed the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously, with a vote of 40-0. In April, it overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support 350-5.\n\nThe bill now moves to President Trump’s desk.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400197", "title": "Foxx Reintroduces Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "foxx.house.gov", "scraper": "foxx", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000450", "name": "Virginia Foxx", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) reintroduced the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act, legislation that would implement comprehensive regulatory reform designed to aid areas impacted by natural disasters.\n\n“It has now been two years since Hurricane Helene hit the High Country and surrounding areas in Western North Carolina – the work continues to recover and rebuild. Every step of the way, I’ve worked extremely hard alongside FEMA and the administration so that funding for recovery can continue, and I have already helped secure $9 billion for the state,” said Representative Foxx. “Our beautiful district deserves more than funding – it deserves permanent regulatory reform. That said, I’m proud to reintroduce the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act so that North Carolinians will never again have to bear the brunt of exhaustive, crippling red tape and regulatory burdens to simply rebuild what is ours.”\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nSpecifically, the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act would:", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5033", "title": "Rep. Frankel: FAA Refuses Community Requests for More Time to Weigh In on Mar-a-Lago Flight Restrictions", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "frankel.house.gov", "scraper": "frankel", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000462", "name": "Lois Frankel", "party": "Democrat", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rejected requests from local leaders to extend the public comment period on its proposal to make the current airspace restrictions around Mar-a-Lago permanent:\n\n“The FAA has turned down requests from local leaders and residents to extend the public comment period beyond the October 2 deadline before deciding whether to make the Mar-a-Lago airspace restrictions permanent. The FAA’s refusal to give our community more time to be heard is a disappointing disservice to the thousands of residents who will be directly affected by this proposal.\n\n“A decision with permanent consequences for our community deserves transparency, careful consideration, and genuine public engagement—not a rushed process. The fight is not over.”\n\nAs a result of the U.S. Secret Service request to the FAA to protect airspace over Mar-a-Lago nearly one year ago, residents have experienced significant changes in aircraft traffic causing noise and pollution. Previous flight paths affected approximately 2,200 homes and 5,000 residents, while the new routes affect more than 11,000 homes and 21,000 residents, businesses and schools.\n\nResidents have until October 2 to submit comments to the FAA.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://fry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1175", "title": "Rep. Fry Introduces Legislation to Suspend Federal Gas Tax Temporarily", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fry.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "fry.house.gov", "scraper": "fry", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000478", "name": "Russell Fry", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Russell Fry (SC-07) introduced the Presidential Emergency Action to Stabilize Energy (EASE) Act. When enacted, the EASE Act will allow the President of the United States to declare a national emergency to suspend the gas tax for up to 120 days. Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) is an original cosponsor of the EASE Act.\n\n“All across the country, American families are feeling the pinch with rising fuel prices,” said Rep. Fry. “When gas prices reached $5 a gallon under President Biden in 2022, Democrat majorities in the House and Senate just sat on the sidelines and pretended that fuel prices weren’t real. I refuse to abandon families when they are feeling the pressure financially. I am proud to introduce the EASE Act to give much-needed relief to men and women who are doing their best to make an honest living and put food on their tables. I look forward to Congress passing this bill so President Trump can give families the help they desperately need.”\n\n“Families and businesses across the country feel the impact of higher fuel prices in their everyday budgets, and I am grateful to support this legislation, which provides an important tool to offer temporary relief for Americans,” said Rep. Wilson.\n\nUnder the EASE Act, the President would be required to issue a declaration of a national emergency caused by, or the potential to cause, a substantial disruption in the nation’s fuel supply. The initial federal gas tax suspension period would be 60 days. On day 45 of the suspension, the President can extend the relief for an additional 60 days by notifying Congress in writing that the emergency is continuing. The suspension cannot exceed 120 days, and the President may issue only one suspension per emergency.\n\nThe President can also declare an emergency when fuel prices increase substantially across the country. Declaration of the emergency gas tax suspension would bring the fuel tax rate to zero for gasoline and diesel fuel. The federal government will be required to make up lost tax revenue from the Treasury General Fund.\n\nThe EASE Act would not apply to any transaction after December 31, 2028.\n\nLast month, Rep. Fry called on Congress to suspend the federal gas tax. President Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright have both supported lowering prices at the pump and called on Congress to suspend the gas tax temporarily. The EASE Act gives the administration tools to suspend that tax in light of a national fuel crisis.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://fuller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fuller-joins-epa-in-announcing-6-million-in-federal-brownfield-funding-in-northwest-georgia", "title": "Congressman Fuller Joins EPA in Announcing $6 Million in Federal Brownfield Funding in Northwest Georgia", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fuller.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "fuller.house.gov", "scraper": "fuller", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000485", "name": "Clay Fuller", "party": "Republican", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressman Fuller joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local community leaders in announcing a $6 million federal investment through brownfield funding across Northwest Georgia.\n\nThis federal investment will support the revitalization of previously polluted or blighted sites in communities across Northwest Georgia, creating new opportunities for economic development and growth while advancing the Trump Administration’s commitment to clean air, clean land, and clean water alongside economic growth and opportunity.\n\n“Since taking office, I've worked closely with municipalities across Georgia's 14th District to support efforts to revitalize our communities and promote economic growth. I am thrilled to join EPA and our local leaders in announcing $6 million in federal brownfields funding that will help clean up contaminated properties, prepare for redevelopment, and return them to productive use for the communities they serve. I will fight to bring federal cleanup, infrastructure funding home each and every day.”— Congressman Clay Fuller\n\nThe following Northwest Georgia communities and organizations will receive a combined $6 million in federal brownfields funding:\n\nCity of Chickamauga — $4 Million\n\nCommunity: Chickamauga\n\nNorthwest Georgia Regional Commission — $1.5 Million\n\nCommunities: Cedartown, Dalton, Summerville\n\nRome-Floyd County Development Authority — $500,000\n\nCommunities: Rome and Floyd County\n\nCongressman Fuller remains committed to bringing federal dollars back to Northwest Georgia to clean up contaminated land and water and revitalize communities.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://gabeevans.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gabe-evans-introduces-stop-medicaid-fraud-act-crack-down-medicaid", "title": "Congressman Gabe Evans Introduces STOP Medicaid Fraud Act to Crack Down on Medicaid Fraud", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gabeevans.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "gabeevans.house.gov", "scraper": "gabeevans", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000300", "name": "Gabe Evans", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Gabe Evans introduced the Strengthening Tools of Oversight to Prevent (STOP) Medicaid Fraud Act, legislation to protect taxpayers and America’s most vulnerable by helping stop fraudulent payments before taxpayer dollars are lost, and resources are no longer available to those who need them.\n\nThe legislation requires states to electronically verify that Medicaid-funded non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) and applied behavior analysis (ABA) services were actually provided before taxpayers foot the bill. Beginning January 1, 2027, states would be required to use electronic verification systems for these services. States that already have qualifying systems in place would be exempt as long as they continue using them.\n\nThe legislation comes as Colorado faces mounting concerns over Medicaid spending, fraud, improper payments, and oversight.\n\n“For years, blue states like Colorado have allowed scammers and criminals to exploit millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded Medicaid programs like non-emergency transport and autism therapy, turning a blind eye to the fraud and abuse overwhelming the system. Healthcare is vital, and we must protect these programs to ensure our neighbors who need them the most have timely and reliable access. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Strengthening Tools of Oversight to Prevent (STOP) Medicaid Fraud Act, to eliminate the inexcusable fraud in the system, and force irresponsible state governments to put our nation’s most vulnerable first.”— Congressman Gabe Evans\n\nA new House Energy and Commerce Committee investigation into Medicare and Medicaid fraud identified both ABA services and NEMT as Medicaid programs experiencing high rates of fraud. The investigation found that states are not using their auditing and investigative authorities to their fullest potential and concluded that preventative “detect and prevent” strategies are more effective than attempting to recover taxpayer dollars after they have already been improperly paid.\n\nThe Committee’s investigation also raised specific concerns about Colorado. The report found that Colorado has not broadly invested in auditing Medicaid provider types on a programmatic level despite the state’s history of problems involving fraud and improper payments in NEMT. The Committee called on Colorado to improve its Medicaid auditing process and increase its focus on fraud investigations based on broader program trends.\n\nThe STOP Medicaid Fraud Act targets two areas where Colorado has already experienced serious problems:\n\nApplied Behavior Analysis (ABA): A federal audit found that Colorado's Medicaid program made at least $78 million in improper payments for ABA services. Concerns surrounding Colorado's ABA system have also included a lack of oversight and complaints involving treatment facilities serving children with autism.\n\nThe Energy and Commerce investigation found broader warning signs surrounding ABA nationwide. Between 2021 and 2025, the number of Medicaid beneficiaries receiving ABA therapy increased 200 percent, while Medicaid spending on the service increased 421 percent. Federal reviews, including one in Colorado, found patterns of improper ABA payments involving services that were not covered, lacked proper documentation, or in some cases were billed by providers without the proper credentials.\n\nNon-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): Federal prosecutors have charged Colorado transportation business owners in cases alleging hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent Medicaid billing. Allegations included billing Medicaid for rides that never occurred, trips without corresponding medical appointments, and, in one case, $165,000 in rides billed after the Medicaid beneficiary had died.\n\nThese problems come as Colorado's Medicaid program faces a broader spending crisis. The program finished the 2025-26 fiscal year approximately $157.9 million over budget and is currently projected to exceed its budget by approximately $443 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year.\n\nBACKROUND:\n\nThe STOP Medicaid Fraud Act expands the use of electronic verification to Medicaid-funded NEMT and ABA services. Electronic verification is designed to confirm that services taxpayers are billed for were actually provided.\n\nUnder the legislation:\n\nBeginning January 1, 2027, states must electronically verify Medicaid-funded NEMT and ABA services.\n\nStates already using a qualifying electronic verification system may continue using their existing system.\n\nIf CMS determines a state is not complying, the state must submit a corrective action plan within 90 days and come into compliance within one year of receiving notice.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-gallaghers-ab-2700-signed-law-delivering-path-forward-wildfire-victims", "title": "Rep. Gallagher's AB 2700 Signed Into Law, Delivering Path Forward for Wildfire Victims", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "gallagher.house.gov", "scraper": "gallagher", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000607", "name": "James Gallagher", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman James Gallagher (CA-01) today announced that Assembly Bill 2700, legislation he introduced while serving in the California State Assembly to help victims of utility-caused wildfires receive fair compensation, has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.\n\nGallagher introduced AB 2700 in response to the continued challenges facing wildfire survivors, including victims of the Camp Fire in Paradise, who have spent years seeking full and fair compensation for devastating losses. Following Gallagher's election to Congress, Assemblyman Joe Patterson (AD-05) took over as author and carried the legislation through the State Legislature.\n\n\"It was my great honor to take this bill on as one of my last actions in the legislature. Far too many wildfire victims are still waiting for the fair compensation they deserve,\" said Congressman Gallagher. \"AB 2700 provides a pathway for accountability and real justice for fire survivors.\"\n\nAB 2700 requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to determine the amount fire victims are owed and recommend compensation methods that do not raise utility rates.\n\nThe legislation builds on Gallagher's years of work representing communities devastated by catastrophic wildfires, including Paradise and other communities impacted by the 2018 Camp Fire.\n\n\"I am proud that I have had the privilege of working with Congressman Gallagher on this legislation,\" said Assemblyman Patterson. \"AB 2700 is an essential bill to ensure wildfire victims, who have waited years to be paid their fair share, are provided a path to be fully and fairly compensated. No amount of money can undo what they have suffered, but my hope is that this bill provides a tangible step for them to rebuild and move forward.\"\n\nThousands of wildfire survivors, united under the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition, were instrumental in passing AB 2700. The survivors championed the legislation by contacting legislative offices and meeting with lawmakers and staff. They also testified at committee hearings.\n\n\"Earlier this year, the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition broadly reached out to members of the State Legislature to find someone willing to champion this legislation,\" said Will Abrams, Organizing Advocate of the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition. \"James Gallagher, and later Joe Patterson, had the courage and conviction to lead this effort and champion the passage of AB 2700. Their leadership and our nonpartisan advocacy as the sponsors of this bill led to the bipartisan and unanimous support that marked every vote in the Legislature. Wildfire survivors across the state are grateful.\"\n\n###\n\nClick the link here to subscribe to Rep. Gallagher’s eNewsletter!\n\nRep. James Gallagher | 408 Cannon House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 US", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/posts/rep-gluesenkamp-perez-introduces-legislation-to-bring-more-nurses-to-public-schools", "title": "Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Introduces Legislation to Bring More Nurses to Public Schools", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/press", "domain": "gluesenkampperez.house.gov", "scraper": "gluesenkampperez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000600", "name": "Marie Gluesenkamp Perez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Jen Kiggans (R-VA) introduced the bipartisan More Nurses in Rural Schools Act to address the shortage of nurses in the American public school system and ensure students have access to comprehensive, on-site care during the school day. The bill would provide access to student loan repayment for eligible nurses working in schools in health care deserts by opening up the existing National Health Services Corps Loan Repayment Program (NHSLRP) to part- and full-time registered nurses committed to serving schools in health professional shortage areas (HPSA).\n\nWhile existing student loan repayment programs exist to bring qualified nurses to communities in need, these opportunities typically do not extend to school nurses, who often cannot meet full-time, year-round requirements and do not work in the 2% of public schools designated as School-Based Health Clinic (SBHC) facilities. As a result, registered nurses must choose between working in their communities and taking on the brunt of their student loans, or move to more established clinics. This leaves students without comprehensive services on-site in communities already combatting health care access challenges inflamed by H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cut health coverage for 31,000 people across Southwest Washington.\n\nThe following report, by the NASN, elaborates on the challenges facing school nurses:\n\nSpecifically, the More Nurses in Rural Schools Act would eliminate these barriers for school nurses by:\n\nAllowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to permit an individual who agrees to serve for a time period equal to 2 years or longer as a school nurse in an elementary or secondary school located within a health professional shortage area to participate in the NHSC LRP.\n\nFor part-time employees, the Secretary is directed to increase the time period of service to the same number of hours as an individual serving in such a position on a full-year, full-time basis.\n\nDirecting the Secretary to establish annual certification requirements for the purpose of verifying the number of hours worked by such individuals.\n\nThis follows the application process framework in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which allows states to track these hours as they see fit.\n\nDefining a “school nurse” as “a registered nurse who is employed by a school or local educational agency or State or State educational agency and is qualified under State law to provide assessment, diagnosis, counseling, educational, therapeutic, and other health services to meet student needs.”\n\nIn implementation, this bill would help bring comprehensive health care services to elementary and secondary schools across the country in HPSAs – the majority of which are located in rural and partially rural areas.\n\n“Sending your kid off to their first day of school, it’s like your heart came out of your body and it’s walking around in front of you. You want to know your school has every single option they can to take care of kids when they need it.” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Letting schools become healthcare deserts isn’t in anyone’s best interest. My bill extends existing loan forgiveness programs to nurses who make the noble choice to serve their community and take care of our children. Especially in rural communities, they’re a priceless lifeline.”\n\n“Every student deserves access to quality health care, regardless of where they live. As a nurse practitioner, I know firsthand how important it is to have a qualified nursing workforce available to care for patients and support their families.” said Rep. Kiggans, “I am proud to join Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez in introducing the More Nurses in Rural Schools Act to remove outdated barriers for nurses who want to serve their communities and bring more healthcare professionals to rural and underserved schools.”\n\n“Every student, regardless of where they live, deserves access to a school nurse. The More Nurses in Rural Schools Act is an important step toward addressing persistent workforce shortages and ensuring that students in underserved communities are able to receive the timely, skilled care they need to stay healthy, safe, and ready to learn.” said Lynn Nelson, President of the National Association of School Nurses, “On behalf of the National Association of School Nurses, I thank Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Representative Jen Kiggans for their bipartisan leadership and shared commitment to strengthening school health services and advancing health equity for rural children and families. Their collaboration demonstrates that supporting the health and success of students is a priority that transcends party lines.”\n\nSupporting schools, especially in rural areas, has been a priority for Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. In 2025, she passed a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS), recovering $8.9 million in 2024 and 2025 payments for local counties and schools, after it lapsed earlier that year. She has also done extensive work funding and supporting trades education in schools. Recently, she attended the ribbon cutting for a new CTE center at Fort Vancouver High school.\n\nIn addition, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez voted against H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law on July 4, 2025. This law eliminated Medicaid eligibility for roughly 17 million Americans–including 31,000 in Southwest Washington. The bill also failed to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which helped cover health care coverage costs for lower-income households. Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez co-led the Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act to extend these tax credits for one year, giving families more time to make these important health care decisions.\n\nThis legislation is supported by the National Association of School Nurses (NASN)\n\n####", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-delivers-6-million-federal-funds-new-regional-nursing", "title": "Congressman Gonzalez Delivers $6 Million in Federal Funds for a New Regional Nursing Training Facility", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "gonzalez.house.gov", "scraper": "gonzalez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000581", "name": "Vicente Gonzalez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Contact: Alexis Torres\n\nKingsville, Texas—Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) was joined by Kleberg County Judge Rudy Madrid and Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) President Dr. Robert Vela to announce $6 million in federal funding he secured for Kleberg County to construct a Regional Nursing Training Facility in Kingsville. Once completed, this facility will operate in partnership with TAMUK, which recently received approval to establish a College of Nursing and Health Professions, to provide nursing students with hands-on experience, strengthen the pipeline of local healthcare workers, and create an estimated 56 new jobs.\n\n“The construction of a Regional Nursing Training Facility will have an immense impact on the health and well-being of Kleberg County. By providing accessible, high-quality nursing education through Texas A&M University-Kingsville, we are strengthening critical community partnerships and expanding the supply of skilled health care workers serving the region. I’m proud to have secured $6 million in federal funding for this new facility and will continue to advocate for even more investments that create and retain jobs while meeting the growing healthcare needs of our communities,” said Congressman Gonzalez.\n\n“What an honor and a privilege it is to be working hand in hand with Congressman Vicente Gonzales and Dr. Robert Vela (TAMUK) on such a prestigious project! This facility will provide skilled nursing training that will support the entire coastal bend for generations. Outstanding teamwork and superb congressional leadership! What started as a dream has turned into reality,” said Judge Madrid.\n\n“This facility aligns with our mission to strengthen health care in rural South Texas. The simulation labs it will house will provide vital experiential learning for our nursing students, preparing them to meet the critical health care needs in our rural communities,” said Dr. Robert Vela, President, Texas A&M University-Kingsville.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-co-leads-bipartisan-house-intelligence-committee-trip-to-lebanon", "title": "RELEASE: Gottheimer Co-Leads Bipartisan House Intelligence Committee Trip to Lebanon", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "domain": "gottheimer.house.gov", "scraper": "gottheimer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000583", "name": "Josh Gottheimer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Above: Gottheimer and LaHood with Lebanese President Aoun.\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Thursday, October 1, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, returned from a bipartisan congressional delegation to Lebanon that he led with U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16). This trip comes at a moment of rare opportunity, with a new technocratic Lebanese government in place and Hezbollah’s influence significantly weakened.\n\nGottheimer pressed Lebanese leaders to fully disarm and defund Hezbollah and meet the obligations Beirut accepted when it signed the June 2026 Trilateral Framework with the United States and Israel. The delegation met with Lebanese government officials — including President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Farid Geagea, and dozens of Members of Parliament including Michel Moawad — to discuss removing Iranian influence from Lebanon and the full and verifiable disarmament of Hezbollah.\n\nIn June, Lebanon and Israel signed a U.S.-brokered framework under which Lebanon would disarm Hezbollah and Israeli forces would withdraw in phases as that disarmament is verified. This marks the first Lebanese government to negotiate directly with Israel, and that momentum must continue to ensure the success of the deal. Implementation is still in its early stages. So far, the Lebanese Armed Forces have deployed to an initial set of villages, but no timetable or way to verify Hezbollah’s weapons and infrastructure are gone has been agreed, and Hezbollah continues to reject disarmament. Completing the framework is critical to returning all of Lebanon’s territory to the control of the Lebanese people, out of the grip of Hezbollah and its Iranian handlers.\n\n“Lebanon is at a turning point. For far too long, Iran has used Hezbollah, its terror proxy, to hold the Lebanese people hostage. It has drained the country’s economy, weakened its institutions, and pulled it into wars the Lebanese people never chose,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It’s time to return Lebanon to the Lebanese people. That means removing Iran’s influence and fully disarming and defunding Hezbollah. Lebanon made that commitment in June, and now it has to follow through fully, verifiably, and across the entire country. A Lebanon without Hezbollah is better for the Lebanese people, for the Middle East, and for America.”\n\nOn the trip, Gottheimer and the delegation focused on:\n\nEnforcing the Trilateral Framework: Backing a time-bound, Cabinet-approved plan to disarm Hezbollah with real third-party verification, so that Hezbollah’s weapons, tunnels, and command structure are removed.\n\nRemoving Iranian influence: Stopping Iran from spreading its money, weapons, and influence through Lebanon. That means cutting Hezbollah’s smuggling routes and cash couriers, enforcing sanctions on the banks and businesses that rearm and refinance it, and rejecting any Iranian role in deciding Lebanon’s future.\n\nDisarming Hezbollah: Holding Lebanon to the commitment it made when it signed the Trilateral Framework for the full, verified disarmament and dismantlement of Hezbollah nationwide, including the seizure or destruction of its weapons and tunnels, the closure of its smuggling routes, and the demobilization of its fighters.\n\nReturning Lebanon to the Lebanese people: Backing Lebanese leaders and institutions working to rebuild a sovereign, free, and prosperous country.\n\nCombating terror in the region: Working with partners to cut off terror financing, stop weapons smuggling, and protect U.S. troops, Israel, and our allies.\n\n“Lebanon made a commitment in June, and what comes next is critical to the future of the country,” Gottheimer continued. “Every day Hezbollah keeps its weapons is another day Iran gets a vote in the future of Lebanon. A stable, sovereign Lebanon, free from Iran’s terror proxies, is good for the Lebanese people and vital to America’s national security. I’ll keep working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support that outcome.”\n\nWhile in Lebanon, Gottheimer also visited Maghen Abraham Synagogue and the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon.\n\nGottheimer has repeatedly pressed for Hezbollah’s disarmament. In June 2026, he and U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning Hezbollah’s repeated ceasefire violations and calling on the Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure Hezbollah ceases all attacks and disarms. In December 2025, he and U.S. Congressman Jefferson Shreve (IN-6) led a bipartisan letter to the Lebanese President and Prime Minister urging them to disarm Hezbollah immediately, including by force if necessary.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer and LaHood in Lebanon.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://grijalva.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-grijalva-introduces-america-s-college-promise-act-to-expand-access-to-tuition-free-community-college", "title": "Rep. Grijalva Introduces America’s College Promise Act to Expand Access to Tuition-Free Community College", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://grijalva.house.gov/media", "domain": "grijalva.house.gov", "scraper": "grijalva", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000606", "name": "Adelita S. Grijalva", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Tucson, AZ — Today, Congresswoman Adelita S. Grijalva alongside House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), introduced the America’s College Promise Act of 2026, legislation to make community college and two-year Tribal Colleges and Universities more accessible by waiving tuition and fees for eligible students.\n\n“Students in Southern Arizona and across the country should not have to take on tens of thousands of dollars in debt just to get the education and skills they need to build a better future,” said Rep. Adelita Grijalva. “The America’s College Promise Act is about making sure that opportunity is within reach for every student — whether they are graduating from high school, entering the workforce, changing careers, or returning to the classroom later in life. By expanding access to community and technical colleges, we are investing in students, strengthening our workforce, and giving communities the tools they need to thrive.”\n\n“At Pima Community College, our students are working toward a better future while balancing jobs, family responsibilities, and the cost of their education,” said Dr. Jeffrey Nasse, Chancellor of Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. \"45 percent of PCC students are low-income. The America’s College Promise Act would help ease that financial burden and invest in the support students need to succeed in college and contribute to our local economies. We appreciate Congresswoman Grijalva’s leadership on legislation that would help more Southern Arizonans gain the skills and credentials to advance their careers and pursue their long-term goals.”\n\nThe legislation would create a federal-state partnership to waive tuition and fees for two years of eligible community and technical college programs. It would also provide support for institutions to improve enrollment, retention, transfer, and completion rates, particularly among low-income, first-generation, and underserved students.\n\n“Community colleges play a unique and vital role in providing students access to a quality postsecondary degree. Regrettably, the chronic underfunding of community colleges is jeopardizing their ability to support their students and communities,” said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. “The America’s College Promise Act is a major investment in expanding opportunities for students and rebuilding a stronger economy.”\n\n“In New Mexico, we know free community college can unlock the doors to a brighter future,” said Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández. “The America’s College Promise Act builds on New Mexico’s example by making sure students across the country can attend community college without the burden of tuition and fees. Our bill will provide funds for services students need to earn their degrees and reduce the financial burden for low-income students to attend TCUs, HBCUs, and MSIs.”\n\n“As a professor, it was a privilege to witness students claim their education and seize their futures — yet the real fear and burden of immense student loan debt often deters young adults and returning students from expanding their learning,” said Rep. Madeleine Dean. “The America’s College Promise Act provides tuition-free community college courses and expands funding for HBCUs and trade schools, making the path to higher education and career readiness available to more Americans and future generations.”\n\n“Every Wisconsinite deserves the opportunity to get the education and skills they need to land a good-paying job and build a better life, no matter where they come from or how much money their family makes,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “That’s why I am proud to work with my colleagues to remove barriers and lower the cost of community college, so more Wisconsinites have the opportunity to compete, succeed, and live a good middle-class life.”\n\nThe America’s College Promise Act of 2026 will make the skills and credentials necessary to succeed in the workforce more accessible to all students by creating a new federal-state partnership to provide two years of tuition-free community college.\n\nThe America’s College Promise Act of 2026 would:\n\nCreate a federal-state partnership to waive tuition and fees for two years of eligible community and technical college programs while promoting reforms designed to accelerate student success;\n\nEstablish a sliding federal funding share, beginning at 100 percent in the first year and transitioning to 80 percent beginning in the fifth and subsequent years;\n\nEnsure educational pathways lead to opportunity by requiring programs to offer academic credits transferable to four-year institutions in their state or occupational training leading to recognized credentials;\n\nMaintain and encourage state investment in higher education;\n\nEstablish a Student Success Fund to improve enrollment, retention, transfer, completion, and labor market outcomes for underserved students, including students of color and low-income and first-generation college students;\n\nWaive two years of tuition and fees for eligible students attending Tribal Colleges and Universities; and\n\nCreate a new grant program for HBCUs and minority-serving institutions to cover a significant portion of tuition and fees during the first two years of attendance for eligible low-income students.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://grijalva.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-grijalva-responds-to-ice-contract-for-marana-detention-facility", "title": "Rep. Grijalva Responds to ICE Contract for Marana Detention Facility", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://grijalva.house.gov/media", "domain": "grijalva.house.gov", "scraper": "grijalva", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000606", "name": "Adelita S. Grijalva", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Private contractor has troubled past operating prisons closed by state\n\nTucson, AZ - Congresswoman Adelita S. Grijalva released the following statement after it was reported that Management and Training Corporation, a private prison contractor, recently signed a contract with ICE and would be opening a detention center in Marana within the next 60 days.\n\n“DHS is once again rushing to open another private detention facility over the objections of local residents, even as deaths in ICE custody reach record levels and the agency fails to provide basic care for people already in its custody.\n\nThis time, it’s turning to a private company with a record of overseeing prison conditions including alleged sexual abuse, inadequate food, extreme heat, and prison riots so serious that both Democratic and Republican governors have terminated contracts with them.\n\nNow, DHS wants to put this company in charge of a facility that holds up to 775 people in Marana - even though its previous capacity was 513 as a state prison. What could possibly go wrong?”", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hageman-introduces-battery-safety-placarding-act", "title": "Rep. Hageman Introduces Battery Safety Placarding Act", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hageman.house.gov", "scraper": "hageman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001096", "name": "Harriet M. Hageman", "party": "Republican", "state": "WY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) introduced the Battery Safety Placarding Act to require shipping labels for containers transporting lithium-ion batteries.\n\nThe lithium-ion battery market has exploded by more than 20 percent since 2024 with nearly every mode of transportation now involved in carrying this $150 billion dollar industry. A series of recent conflagrations across multiple modes of transit, however, have demonstrated the need to reduce safety risks associated with delivering this highly combustible technology nationwide. The danger presented by lithium-ion battery fires are often exacerbated by thermal runaway, wherein a violent chain of chemical reactions lead to extreme temperatures, toxic gas release, and an occasional explosion.\n\n“Clear labeling for hazardous material in transit is fundamental for the safety of our law enforcement, first responders, and traveling public,” said Rep. Hageman. “Explosives, flammable liquids, and toxic substances are all examples of items that require visible placards to immediately signify when hazardous material is present. Knowing the risks that lithium-ion batteries can pose, they should be no exception.”\n\nIn addition to introducing the Battery Safety Placarding Act, Rep. Hageman also sent a letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration requesting that they update the federal hazardous materials regulations administratively while Congress considers this new policy. Read the letter here.\n\nBackground:", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://hamadeh.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1022", "title": "Congressman Hamadeh Applauds Department of War for Decision to Support Troops in Harm’s Way through Increased Combat Pay", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hamadeh.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "hamadeh.house.gov", "scraper": "hamadeh", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001098", "name": "Abraham J. Hamadeh", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. – In June, Congressman Hamadeh was proud to introduce the Combat Pay Protection Act. Now, he is pleased to learn that that the Department of War issued a memo in July outlining plans that went into effect today, October 1, to increase Hostile Fire Pay and Imminent Danger Pay to $450 and $275 per month respectively.\n\nCongressman Hamadeh introduced the Combat Pay Protection Act because he believes that America’s warfighters should be paid the same way members of Congress are.\n\nCombat pay has not increased since 2003. Currently, America’s warfighters’ combat pay amounts to only $7.50 per day, capped at $225 per month. That is barely enough to buy a large coffee while serving in harm’s way.\n\nAn identical amendment was offered by Congressman Hamadeh and included in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by unanimous voice vote of his colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee.\n\n“I am grateful that President Trump and his administration is providing this increase in pay for our men and women serving in combat, hazardous, and high-risk assignments,” stated Congressman Hamadeh. “This increase is long overdue and a wise investment in America’s warfighters and military families.”\n\nAs a former U.S. Army Reserve Intelligence Officer, Congressman Hamadeh crafted legislation to usher in an historic modernization of military compensation.\n\nBackground:", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases/comisionado-residente-responsabiliza-al-gobierno-por-el-alza-en-la-luz-y", "title": "Comisionado Residente responsabiliza al Gobierno por el alza en la luz y presenta alternativas", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hernandez.house.gov", "scraper": "hernandez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001103", "name": "Pablo José Hernández", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — El Comisionado Residente de Puerto Rico, Pablo José Hernández, responsabilizó hoy al Gobierno por el aumento en la factura de luz que entra en vigor hoy. Una familia que consume 800 kilovatios-hora al mes pagará unos $42 más. El Comisionado Residente presentó cuatro alternativas para aliviar a las familias a corto plazo.\n\n\"Hoy las familias puertorriqueñas empiezan a pagar 18% más por la luz, y no es por mala suerte. Es el resultado de una reconstrucción lenta, de plantas averiadas y de un sistema que depende de una sola empresa para recibir el gas. La gente no puede seguir pagando los errores de otros\", expresó el Comisionado Residente.\n\nNueve años después del huracán María, el 75% de los $14,300 millones en fondos federales obligados para la red eléctrica sigue sin desembolsarse, según la Oficina de Rendición de Cuentas del Gobierno federal (GAO). Mientras tanto, las plantas averiadas obligan a quemar diésel, un combustible mucho más caro.\n\n\"El Gobierno negoció con New Fortress un contrato de gas que la propia Junta de Supervisión Fiscal criticó por falta de competencia. Hoy esa empresa controla el única terminal por donde entra el gas a San Juan. Desde el 16 de septiembre las unidades 5 y 6 de la Central San Juan no reciben gas y estamos quemando diésel, que es cuatro veces más caro. El Negociado de Energía ya dejó fuera de la factura, por ahora, unos $75 millones vinculados a alegados incumplimientos de New Fortress, e investiga $19 millones en gas que Genera, su subsidiaria, habría pedido de más. El conflicto en el Medio Oriente ha empeorado los precios, pero no lo explica todo: el propio Negociado señaló plantas fuera de servicio y fallas en la entrega de gas\", añadió el Comisionado Residente.\n\nEl Comisionado Residente propuso cuatro medidas inmediatas:\n\nQue New Fortress responda por sus alegados incumplimientos. El Negociado de Energía dejó fuera de la factura, por ahora, unos $75 millones vinculados a los alegados incumplimientos de New Fortress. Esos costos no deben pasar nunca a la factura del pueblo.\n\nQue el Gobierno asegure la entrada del gas y tenga un plan B. La demanda que presentó el Gobierno contra New Fortress es un paso, pero no basta. Hay que resolver ya la entrada del gas a San Juan y tener otro suplidor con contrato firmado por si New Fortress vuelve a fallar. Cada día que se quema diésel se paga en la factura de enero. El gobierno debe garantizar el suministro de gas finalizando su contrato de respaldo y comenzando a utilizar a los otros proveedores de GNL en la isla.\n\nQue ADSEF aclare cuántos fondos federales de LIHEAP tiene disponibles. Este programa federal ayuda a pagar la luz a participantes de TANF y a otras familias de bajos ingresos que cualifiquen. ADSEF debe informar cuánto dinero tiene y cuándo abre las ayudas, ahora que más familias las necesitan.\n\nQue el Gobierno identifique recursos para un alivio temporero. Si se encontraron $554 millones para el cheque de alivio contributivo, debe poder identificar recursos para aliviar la factura de luz mientras dure esta crisis, junto con incentivos para que las familias ahorren energía. Otras posibles medidas incluyen la reducción de la crudita y el trabajo a distancia. No obstante, urge que los alivios mantengan el presupuesto balanceado y que cada pérdida sea subsanada mediante recortes en otras áreas del presupuesto.\n\n\"Desde el Congreso he exigido que los fondos federales para la red se usen ya: he llevado el reclamo al Departamento de Energía federal con apoyo de republicanos y demócratas, y a Vivienda federal. También seguiré defendiendo en el Congreso los fondos de LIHEAP. Mi agenda es priorizar lo básico, y no hay nada más básico que prender la luz sin tener que escoger entre pagarla y comer\", concluyó el Comisionado Residente.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://hinson.house.gov/media/press-releases/hinson-secures-millions-support-law-enforcement-howard-and-hardin-counties", "title": "Hinson Secures Millions to Support Law Enforcement in Howard and Hardin Counties", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hinson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hinson.house.gov", "scraper": "hinson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001091", "name": "Ashley Hinson", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) announced millions in federal funding she secured to modernize critical law enforcement communications in Howard and Hardin Counties. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Technology and Equipment Program and was secured by Rep. Hinson through the Appropriations process in the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Rep. Hinson voted for this bill out of committee on September 10, 2025, and supported it on the House Floor on January 8, 2026.\n\n\"Our law enforcement officers and first responders need reliable, modern equipment to keep our communities safe. I was proud to secure this funding to strengthen emergency communications in Howard and Hardin Counties. I will always advocate for Iowa law enforcement to have the tools and resources they need to protect our communities, and return as many taxpayer dollars as possible to rural Iowa.\" – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson\n\n“We are grateful for Rep. Hinson’s advocacy for this project, which would not have been possible without the federal funds she secured. This project will help the Sheriff's office modernize our radio infrastructure, supporting our Deputies and First Responders in high stress situations and improving our emergency response to keep Iowa families safe.” – Howard County Sheriff Rick Busch\n\n“On behalf of the Public Safety Community in Hardin County as well as the citizens, I would like to thank Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and her team for the Community Project Funding that has been awarded to Hardin County. This will allow law enforcement, the fire service, and Emergency Medical Services to have interoperable communications, with our neighboring counties as well as state and federal agencies. For far too long, Hardin County has been on an ‘island’ when it comes to communications, which has posed a serious safety concern for our first responders, as well as ineffective or no communications with our partners. Again, Congresswoman Hinson, and her staff were instrumental in seeing to it that the safety the first responders in Hardin County and the citizens they serve are at the forefront.” – Hardin County Sheriff Dave McDaniel\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Howard County Sheriff’s Department Communication and Radio Project and the Hardin County Radio Infrastructure Project were 2 of 15 Community Project Funding requests secured by Hinson in Fiscal Year 2026 government funding bills, totaling over $36.7 million. The over $1.3 million investment for the Howard County Sheriff’s Office will upgrade its radio system and provide dual-band handheld and mobile radios to improve communication within the department and with agencies across the state. Hinson also secured over $3 million for the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office to provide new radio consoles and subscriber radio equipment, creating an interoperable system that connects local law enforcement to the Iowa Statewide Interoperability Communication System (ISICS) and enables more reliable, real-time communication.\n\nAs a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Hinson has secured over $145 million in funding for Iowa through this process, supporting projects to improve emergency services, water quality, childcare centers, rural healthcare, and infrastructure.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://hudson.house.gov/press-releases/hudson-hosts-fcc-chairman-carr-at-guilford-alamance-911-centers-to-highlight-next", "title": "Hudson Hosts FCC Chairman Carr at Guilford, Alamance 911 Centers to Highlight Next Generation 911", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hudson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hudson.house.gov", "scraper": "hudson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001067", "name": "Richard Hudson", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "GREENSBORO, N.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications, hosted Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr at 911 centers in Guilford and Alamance Counties to highlight how Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology can help first responders get people the help they need faster.\n\nHudson and Carr toured Guilford Metro 911 in Greensboro and Alamance County Central Communications in Graham, where they met with local telecommunicators and saw firsthand how communities in North Carolina are using modern 911 technology, ahead of the curve of many other states.\n\n“When somebody calls 911, every second matters,” said Rep. Hudson. “Guilford and Alamance Counties are showing what modern 911 service can look like, but too many communities across the country are still relying on outdated systems. I was glad to bring Chairman Carr here to see this technology firsthand as we continue working to make sure first responders everywhere have the tools and information they need to save lives.”\n\n“It was great to join Chairman Hudson in Guildford and Alamance counties today, to visit with some of North Carolina’s incredible 911 dispatchers & public safety heroes. I applaud Chairman Hudson’s strong leadership in Congress to support the work these special men and women do every day to provide essential, life-saving services for their communities,” said Chairman Carr.\n\nAt Guilford Metro 911, Hudson and Carr met with Director Melanie Jones and staff to see a center already operating on North Carolina’s Next Generation 911 network. The center serves Greensboro and all of Guilford County and handled hundreds of thousands of calls and dispatches last year.\n\n“I’d like to thank Chairman Carr and Congressman Hudson for taking the time to visit Guilford Metro 9-1-1 and see firsthand the important work being done by our team. Their visit reflects a strong commitment to ensuring North Carolina’s 9-1-1 system has the technology, resources, and support needed to meet the evolving needs of our communities. I appreciate their interest in the work of our 9-1-1 professionals, and their continued focus on strengthening public safety in North Carolina,” said Ms. Jones.\n\nThe pair then visited Alamance County Central Communications, which dispatches law enforcement, fire, EMS, and rescue services across much of the county. Alamance County became the 100th public safety answering point connected to North Carolina’s NG911 network in 2021.\n\nBackground\n\nNG911 replaces aging 911 infrastructure with modern, internet-based technology capable of supporting better location information, text and multimedia, stronger cybersecurity, and improved communication between emergency call centers and first responders.\n\nHudson is leading the bipartisan Next Generation 9-1-1 Act with Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02). The legislation would establish a federal grant program to help states, tribes, and local 911 centers upgrade outdated systems and support deployment, maintenance, cybersecurity, training, and public education. Hudson and Carter introduced the legislation in December 2025.\n\nThe visits also come as the FCC considers a broader review of the nation’s 911 framework. In September, the Commission released a draft Notice of Inquiry examining how federal 911 policies should adapt as emergency communications technology continues to advance.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/huffman-warren-reintroduce-national-institutes-of-clean-energy-act-to-make-transformative-investments-in-clean-energy-research-and-technology", "title": "Huffman, Warren Reintroduce National Institutes of Clean Energy Act to Make Transformative Investments in Clean Energy Research and Technology", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "huffman.house.gov", "scraper": "huffman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001068", "name": "Jared Huffman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) reintroduced the National Institutes of Clean Energy Act (NICE), legislation that would invest $400 billion over the next decade to establish and operate a new system of institutes at the Department of Energy focused on research and development of advanced clean energy technologies. The National Institutes of Clean Energy, modeled after the National Institutes of Health, would invest in clean energy science, innovation, and research and development to support projects that help reduce carbon emissions and build climate resilience.\n\nThe United States has the highest GDP in the world but ranks 13thglobally for capital invested in public research and development. Because these funds directly contribute to the generation of knowledge and advanced technologies, how much the United States spends on research and development provides a snapshot of how innovative the economy truly is. By making smart investments in the nation’s future, the United States can begin developing new technologies to combat the climate crisis and strengthen the nation’s resilience.\n\n“Investing in clean energy research and development is essential to boosting our economy and addressing the climate impacts pummeling our communities,” said Representative Huffman. “The NICE Act is a prime example of how the United States can accelerate the transition to a clean energy future by fostering innovative green technology.”\n\n“The United States must be at the forefront of the fight for a cleaner and greener planet,” said Senator Warren. “We need to continue prioritizing the climate-related innovation that will get us there.”\n\nThe funding established in the bill would support:\n\nDeveloping advanced energy technologies in hard-to-decarbonize sectors, like aviation and shipping;\n\nFocusing on clean energy research areas that are underrepresented in existing federal research and development funding;\n\nDeveloping projects on the impacts of energy production in frontline communities, including communities of color and low-income communities, that have been disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices;\n\nSupporting research and development projects focused on the impacts of clean energy and energy production on job loss, job creation, and workforce development.\n\nMoreover, the National Institutes of Clean Energy Act prioritizes R&D of technologies that:\n\nMinimize environmental harms and negative public health impacts on frontline and disadvantaged communities and create high-quality jobs in these communities;\n\nAre conducted at public universities, consortiums of land grant colleges and universities, or minority-serving institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities;\n\nAre developed in areas that have seen the worst job losses over the past five years – including rural areas and areas impacted by deindustrialization.\n\nThis legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); and Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), and Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.).\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by MoveOn, GreenLatinos, Center for Progressive Reform, League of Conservation Voters, Friends of the Earth, New Consensus, Public Citizen, and Climate Hawks Vote.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/10/01/jayapal-introduces-legislative-framework-establishing-national-charter-system-to-rein-in-ai/", "title": "Jayapal Introduces Legislative Framework Establishing National Charter System to Rein in AI", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "jayapal.house.gov", "scraper": "jayapal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000298", "name": "Pramila Jayapal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SEATTLE, W.A. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) is introducing a new policy framework that reins in artificial intelligence (AI) by requiring every AI company to hold a federal charter to do business in the U.S. The AI charter is modeled after existing regulatory frameworks, combining the round-the-clock federal oversight, strict safety mandates, and structural separation built into national bank charters with the rigorous pre-release federal testing required for nuclear materials and dangerous weapons. The charter would ensure that the public’s interests come first and that the government has broad authority to hold AI companies accountable before they create harm rather than addressing abuses after the fact. AI companies that don’t agree, don’t comply, or put the public in danger get shut down.\n\n“The crux of this bill is simple: if you want to be an AI company in this country, you have to obtain a public charter that has a broad set of terms and conditions to operate and ensure public benefit without the harms,” said Jayapal. “For too long, we’ve allowed a few Big Tech companies to dominate the market. They have used mass surveillance to steal private information, labor, and creative work, building trillion-dollar empires on our tracked personal lives. AI corporations and Big Tech are now following that same playbook. My National AI Charter Act framework gets at the root of the problem by disrupting the way the AI market is structured to give a very few companies all the power over our data and what happens with it and instead establishes clear rules of operation for these AI companies and prioritizes safety over profits.”\n\nTo date, traditional Big Tech policies have tried to patch up problems around the edges after harm is done, treating data privacy, children’s safety, worker rights, market concentration, and all the rest as separate issues. That approach hides the full scope, reach, and systemic impact of Big Tech’s surveillance monopolies. The fragmented response has allowed their lobbyists to divide the broad coalition of their victims, narrow fights to single-issue bills that they stall, make the case for self-regulation, and ignore the root profit drivers incentivizing their bad behavior.\n\nThe National AI Charter Act takes a fundamentally different approach by addressing the full scope of AI harms comprehensively upfront. The charter would be required to operate AI and its terms and conditions would be mandatory. At its core, the charter framework recognizes that AI risks are connected and driven by underlying market structures, surveillance business models, and profit motives. AI companies would be banned from building empires, releasing risky models, stealing through surveillance, exploiting workers, or causing harm. Gating market access to companies that comply with these requirements would break Big Tech’s grip on AI and protect the public from dangerous AI models.\n\nThe framework’s new legal authorities to hold AI companies accountable would build on those that already apply. They would not preempt or replace federal, state, and local laws, nor would they prevent or impede law enforcement agencies from enforcing those laws against AI companies or their executives. Instead, they would strengthen the hand of prosecutors and plaintiffs by proactively confirming the many ways these laws apply to AI, rather than leaving it to judges to interpret case by case. Most importantly, making this illegal conduct a charter violation would create a powerful additional enforcement tool with serious, mandatory consequences.\n\nThe National AI Charter Act framework’s comprehensive approach would bolster existing law enforcement by:\n\nTaking power back from billionaires and putting the public and workers first: The handful of billionaires and tech giants that control AI’s future are locked in a dangerous race to the bottom. The framework separates AI companies from Big Tech monopolies and bans their predatory commercial surveillance so that AI isn’t baked into the core Internet platforms everyone uses or trained with data harvested by tracking everything people do online. It also claws back Big Tech’s ill-gotten gains from their monopoly data to fund direct payouts to all Americans.\n\nPreventing harm up front instead of chasing it afterward: AI harms can spread too fast for after-the-fact enforcement to stop them, and fines don’t remedy the damage or truly deter it from happening again. The framework’s upfront charter requirements are not just rules to follow; they are a mandatory price of entry into the AI industry and the condition for remaining in it. Companies must continuously comply or get shut down.\n\nDrawing bright lines on the full range of AI dangers: AI’s dangerous capabilities cannot be prevented with technical rules that quickly become obsolete; they have to be comprehensively banned outright. Under the framework, AI systems capable of going rogue, creating catastrophic hazards, replacing skilled work, exploiting children, or causing other serious public harms are outlawed and cannot be released.\n\nPutting the government in charge of safety at every stage: AI companies have admitted the risks of their own systems while still insisting they should police themselves. The framework replaces the AI industry’s failed self-regulation with round-the-clock federal oversight, testing in government facilities and approval to release, adversarial stress tests, and a government-controlled kill switch.\n\nImposing strict liability on AI companies and executives: As long as the price of causing harm is likely to cost less than the potential profits, AI companies will keep taking reckless risks. The framework reverses these incentives by holding AI companies and their executives strictly liable for lawbreaking, with loss of charter and criminal penalties for the most serious violations.\n\n“At the end of the day, the American people are feeling a loss of control, of their personal data, of their jobs, of their ability to even know what they see online is real,” Jayapal added. “This legislation would restore a level of control and ensure that every search made online isn’t tracked, every family photo posted isn’t training an AI model, and every piece of our lives isn’t monetized by corporations.”\n\nA wide range of experts have weighed in on the need for a comprehensive approach:\n\n“The public has paid an extraordinary price for big tech’s self-regulation. Representative Jayapal’s framework learns from those mistakes. For generations we have required banks, drug makers, and nuclear operators to meet public terms before they do business, and AI companies should be no different,” said Lina Khan, Director, Center for Law and the Economy, and former Chair of the Federal Trade Commission.\n\n“This legislative framework meaningfully advances the ball to establish a comprehensive set of reforms to address the potential for societal harms from AI,” said Jonathan Kanter, former Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.\n\n“We really need a framework like this to start getting to the big question of how Americans want to regulate AI,” said Tim Wu, Julius Silver Professor of Law, Science and Technology, Columbia Law School.\n\n“Innovation and safety are not opposing concepts; they’re two sides of the same coin—which is why regulation is vitally important. AI is rapidly transforming our classrooms, workplaces, and economy, but Big Tech must be held accountable for their business models, just like every other industry in the country. If these companies want to win the trust of the American people, they must respect the rules of the road. Representative Jayapal’s framework does exactly that by establishing preemptive guardrails that compel AI firms to serve the public interest, not just the narrow interests of shareholders,” said Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers.\n\n“The comprehensive approach being pioneered by Representative Jayapal’s National AI Charter Act gets to the root of the extreme harms of unregulated and out-of-control AI. The mandatory requirement to be chartered and operate only under strict guardrails and associated liability will hold companies accountable and ensure that protecting the public is considered first as tech is created. Public Citizen applauds this move to fight concentration and to defend children, workers, and the general public from pervasive harm,” said Lisa Gilbert, Co-President, Public Citizen.\n\n“I’m thrilled that Representative Jayapal is taking such a leading role in addressing the enormous societal risks posed by increasingly powerful and uncontrollable AI systems. Efforts like the National AI Charter Act to address the full scope of AI harms are more important today than ever before,” said Anthony Aguire, President and CEO, Future of Life Institute.\n\n“Big Tech companies have continually pulled the rug out from under families, workers, and small businesses to build powerful and unaccountable Big Tech monopolies that dictate to us how we should live our own lives. Enough is enough. We are proud to support the National AI Charter Act because it will establish desperately-needed rules of the road, punish AI companies that release dangerous products, and create the clear public benefit that the American people are calling for,” said Sacha Haworth, Executive Director, Tech Oversight Project.\n\n“The same billionaires who walked away with huge tax breaks last year are now racing to take over AI. For years they’ve lobbied every attempt at regulation to death. Representative Jayapal’s plan goes after the source of their power: their monopolies, their surveillance, and their stolen data. It’s the first plan big enough to match the problem, and it puts families back in charge,” said Kristen Crowell, Executive Director, Families Over Billionaires.\n\n“This is not a time for half measures. We are facing serious challenges, if not crises, on every possible front in this country, and we need leaders who are putting forward proposals that meet the moment. This framework puts humans at the center of the debate about AI and regulation and puts power back in the hands of people over the technology that shapes their lives,” said Shaunna Thomas, Executive Director, Guardrails Action.\n\n“We have a long history of governing banks, utilities, critical infrastructure. In all of these, we have leverage over market interests, and the ability to gate access to the market on the condition that the public interest is protected. We need commensurate leverage over large AI companies, and this is the right lineage to draw upon,” said Amba Kak, Co-Executive Director, AI Now.\n\n“Rep. Jayapal is right: if you want to run an AI company in this country, you should have to accept the public’s terms. For too long, Big Tech has acted first and answered for the harm later, if ever. A national charter would change that. We also support her proposal to structurally separate the AI stack. And we urge Congress to consider building on the authorities existing agencies already have. There’s more work ahead to make sure this framework can stand up to Big Tech’s lawyers and lobbyists, and we look forward to doing it with her,” said Nidhi Hegde, Executive Director, American Economic Liberties Project.\n\n“We are in the midst of a reckoning on AI as working families and communities across the country are rightfully standing up and sounding the alarm on the growing harms that this technology is posing on our day to day lives. For too long, Big Tech CEOs have been able to divide and distract policymakers while they use the public’s own data to raise prices, push millions of working people into debt, and rake in record profits. It is long past time for policymakers to break Big Tech’s grip on AI and we applaud Congresswoman Jayapal for unveiling the National AI Charter Act Framework which marks a critical first step in reining in Big Tech and protecting families,” said Mike Pierce, Executive Director, Protect Borrowers.\n\n“It’s unacceptable that Big Tech continues to abuse our data, turbocharge scams, and act with impunity. This framework reflects the interconnectedness of the harms that AI companies are already causing and the necessity of strong, robust enforcement mechanisms that can provide meaningful protections for consumers,” said Susan Weinstock, CEO, Consumer Federation of America.\n\n“We welcome Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal’s leadership to address AI’s real harms. We’re encouraged to see a comprehensive, structural approach with sharp guardrails and bright lines. For too long, a handful of tech giants have written the rules and remade society to suit themselves. It’s high time the public wrote the future instead,” said Stacy Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, Institute for Local Self-Reliance.\n\n“For far too long, the tech oligarchs and those whom they directly or indirectly fund have sought to normalize how the modern technology sector prefers to operate. Congresswoman Jayapal rightly recognizes as illegitimate those practices that tech oligarchs have long celebrated as creative and adventurous even as they violate longstanding laws and norms. In a democracy, it is publicly elected figures who are responsible for leading the future, not the oligarchic class,” said Jeff Hauser, Executive Director, Revolving Door Project.\n\n“AI poses very real risks to safety, privacy, workers, competition, and more. This range of harms requires a comprehensive, structural policy response. In many critical industries, we mandate charters to do business, impose bright-line bans on problematic conduct, subject firms to independent inspection, and use other common-sense tools to reduce risks. The U.S. needs to deploy these same tools to keep powerful firms accountable and to put the public’s interest first in AI,” said Asad Ramzanali, Director of AI & Technology Policy, Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator.\n\n“This is a smart framework that recognizes how powerful AI companies are already putting the public at risk, exploiting data, and consolidating control over critical technologies and markets. Adopting the charter model offers a sweeping yet adaptable way to welcome innovation while imposing enforceable obligations for safety and fair competition, placing necessary checks on private power, and ensuring corporations develop AI in the public interest,” said Courtney Radsch, Director of the Center for Media and Digital Governance, Open Markets Institute\n\n“AI companies and their executives are threatening working people’s health, safety, and pocketbooks in their reckless race for profits. Congresswoman Jayapal’s National AI Charter framework would take on these threats in a comprehensive way by putting the public interest first and making the existence of AI firms contingent on their compliance with strong safety and privacy requirements alongside worker, consumer, and investor protections,” said Maya Jenkins, Senior Policy Analyst, Americans for Financial Reform.\n\nAn outline of the framework can be found here.\n\nThe framework was developed, in part, following a hearing that Jayapal hosted on the dangers of surveillance AI conducted by Big Tech.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://joyce.house.gov/posts/joyce-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-support-multigenerational-families", "title": "Joyce Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Support Multigenerational Families", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://joyce.house.gov/press", "domain": "joyce.house.gov", "scraper": "joyce", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000295", "name": "David P. Joyce", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) introduced the Multigenerational Housing Opportunities for Modifying Existing Structures (HOMES) Act. This legislation would provide a tax credit for homeowners who renovate their homes to accommodate an elderly family member, a family member with a disability, or a qualified family member who lives with the homeowner to provide care.\n\nThe tax credit would help offset the cost of home modifications, such as installing handrails and stairlifts, widening doorways, and adding separate entrances, making in-home caregiving a more affordable option for families caring for aging relatives. The legislation would also expand the effective use of the existing housing stock and provide families with another option for caring for loved ones at home rather than requiring separate housing arrangements.\n\n“As a member of the Congressional Assisting Caregivers Today Caucus, I know how important it is to give families the flexibility to provide care without leaving the homes and communities they know,” said Congressman Joyce. “The Multigenerational HOMES Act would help families adapt their existing homes to meet their changing needs, making it easier for loved ones to live together while making better use of our existing housing stock. By giving families more options to share a home and care for one another, we can reduce the costs and pressures of finding additional housing while empowering families to make the decisions that work best for them.”\n\n“This bill helps keep families under one roof at all stages of life if they choose to care for their aging family members,” said Congresswoman Strickland. “The tax credit provides families with additional in-home care options.”\n\n“AARP, which advocates on behalf of nearly 125 million Americans age 50 and older, strongly supports the Multigenerational Housing Opportunities to Modify Existing Structures (Multigenerational HOMES) Act,” said Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, AARP. “By helping offset the cost of these upgrades, the Multigenerational HOMES Act would reduce financial strain on family caregivers, support safer and more accessible living environments, lessen reliance on costly institutional care, and enable more Americans to age with dignity, independence, and the support of loved ones.”\n\n“The Multigenerational HOMES Act would provide a tax credit for homeowners to make renovations that accommodate family members with accessibility needs or disabilities. Caregivers face many challenges, and supporting their ability to keep loved ones together under one roof is both important and beneficial,” said Bill Owens, Chairman, National Association of Home Builders.\n\n“Families live and care across generations, even when our homes and public systems are not designed that way. The Multigenerational HOMES Act would help families create safer, more accessible homes where older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and loved ones of every age can remain connected and supported. This is prevention through connection – and a practical investment in family stability, independence, and dignity,” said Kristen Kiefer, Executive Director, Generations United.\n\nBackground:\n\nAs the U.S. population ages, more families are seeking ways to safely accommodate older relatives and family members with disabilities while allowing them to remain in their homes and communities. The majority of older adults prefer to age in place, but much of the nation’s housing stock is not equipped to meet changing mobility and accessibility needs. According to AARP’s 2024 Home and Community Preferences Survey, 75 percent of adults age 50 and older want to remain in their current homes as they age, while 43 percent expect they will need to make modifications to their homes to do so. Among those anticipating modifications, the most commonly identified needs include bathroom improvements and improved access into and throughout the home.\n\nThe need for these improvements is particularly significant for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Analysis from the Department of Housing and Urban Development of the American Housing Survey found that 19 percent of U.S. households included an individual with an accessibility need, while 13 percent included someone who uses a mobility-assistive device. Yet accessible features remain uncommon across the existing housing stock. Only about 10 percent of homes are considered fully prepared for senior living, meaning they have features such as a step-free entrance, a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, and basic bathroom safety features.\n\nThe Multigenerational HOMES Act would help families by reducing the cost of renovations needed to accommodate an older family member, an individual with a disability, or a family member providing care in the home. The legislation would establish a tax credit of up to $7,500 for qualifying modifications, helping offset the cost of improvements that allow families to safely share a home.\n\nRead the full text of the bill here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://kamlager-dove.house.gov/media/press-releases/kamlager-dove-bacon-reintroduce-bipartisan-bills-expand-medicaid-eligibility", "title": "Kamlager-Dove, Bacon Reintroduce Bipartisan Bills to Expand Medicaid Eligibility for Foster Youth", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kamlager-dove.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kamlager-dove.house.gov", "scraper": "kamlager-dove", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000400", "name": "Sydney Kamlager-Dove", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Foster Youth Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) and Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) reintroduced a legislative package to promote greater health equity by expanding Medicaid eligibility for foster youth.\n\nThe Foster Youth Dental Act of 2026 would expand Medicaid eligibility for foster youth by providing more incentives for dental providers, increasing Medicaid enrollment opportunities, and preventing lapses in coverage.\n\nThe Expanding Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act would broaden Medicaid-to-26 eligibility for former foster youth by removing enrollment restrictions, including those who exited to kinship guardianships or emancipated before 18, and requiring states to conduct coordinated outreach and enrollment efforts.\n\n“We must support the health care needs of the more than 23,000 young people who age out of our nation’s foster care system each year,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “I’m proud to reintroduce these bipartisan, compassionate bills alongside Rep. Bacon to close persistent gaps in our health care system that too often force foster youth to go without the care they deserve. As Co-Chair of the Foster Youth Caucus, I remain committed to working across the aisle to ensure every foster youth has access to the resources they need, from health care to education, employment, and beyond.”\n\n“Having access to health care can make the transition to adulthood easier for former foster youth,” said Rep. Bacon. “Without a traditional support system, foster youth face an increased risk of chronic illness and need for mental health and dental care. Ensuring that former foster youth are eligible for Medicaid and have access to dental services helps prevent them from falling through the cracks. I’m pleased to co-lead this package with Rep. Kamlager-Dove to strengthen support for young people as they transition out of foster care.”\n\nThe bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth provides a forum for Members of Congress to discuss and develop policy recommendations to strengthen the child welfare system and improve the overall well-being of youth and families. The Foster Youth Caucus is committed to ensuring that our nation's vulnerable, yet resilient, youth are provided with the opportunities and support necessary to succeed.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-05T12:04:08Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-05T12:05:17Z"}
{"url": "https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-announces-over-55-million-federal-investment-utoledo-research", "title": "Kaptur Announces Over $5.5 Million Federal Investment in UToledo Research", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "kaptur.house.gov", "scraper": "kaptur", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000009", "name": "Marcy Kaptur", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Toledo, OH — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that several University of Toledo research projects will receive awards from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. In total, $5,559,857 will be awarded to fuel the pursuit of understanding across many disciplines of medical research.\n\n“Our region is privileged to have an institution like University of Toledo that is committed to furthering medical knowledge for the benefit of all,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “As a recently designated R1 Research Institution, UToledo’s extremely talented scientists and medical professionals lead the way in pioneering research. Federal investments in medical and scientific research are critical to new innovations, and I am honored to have helped secure today’s awards. I look forward to seeing the many impacts of the University of Toledo’s research in our Northwest Ohio communities and beyond in the years to come.”\n\nThe awards include:\n\n$401,618 for research on the relationship between gut bacteria and blood pressure regulation under Dr. Tao Yang\n\n$249,000 for research on the Zika virus’s harm to blood-retinal barriers under Dr. Sneha Singh\n\n$455,827 for research on opioid toxicity in the human body under Dr. Issac Schiefer\n\n$561,300 for research on bone marrow blood cell development and its effects on diseases like leukemia and lymphoma under Dr. Fan Dong\n\n$768,796 for research on Lyme disease prevention under Dr. Mark Wooten\n\n$1,675,569 for breast cancer research under Dr. Jianmin Zhang\n\n$496,344 for research on developing pancreatic cancer therapies under Dr. Shi-He Liu\n\n$448,793 for research on early cell development in the reproductive process under Dr. Tomer Avidor-Reiss\n\n$502,610 for research on arthritis and spinal disc degeneration under Dr. Mohammad Yunus Ansari\n\nAs a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Kaptur is dedicated to securing bipartisan support and funding for Northwest Ohio communities. She has also been instrumental in delivering Federal support to the UToledo’s research efforts, a major factor in its recent recognition as an R1, top-tier university for Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. In August 2026, she announced over $1.8 Million in National Science Foundation and National Institute of Standards and Technology research awards andnearly $4 Million in US Department of Health and Human Services awards for the university.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://katherineclark.house.gov/2026/10/01/whip-clark-on-cnn-democrats-are-putting-the-american-people-front-and-center/", "title": "Whip Clark on CNN: Democrats Are Putting the American People Front and Center", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://katherineclark.house.gov/newsroom/", "domain": "katherineclark.house.gov", "scraper": "clark", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001101", "name": "Katherine M. Clark", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) appeared on CNN News Central to call out Republicans for refusing to rein in AI and highlight Democrats’ fight to lower costs for working people. Below are excerpts of the conversation.\n\nOn Republicans Refusing to Put Guardrails on AI:\n\n“We should be here in DC — where I am today — but there are no Republicans around working on this very issue.\n\n“We want to be the leaders in this technology, but we want it to benefit the American people. We want to protect jobs, and protect our kids, and develop a way to harness AI for good, and protect the American people from harm.\n\n“What we have is a president who is out there berating Americans opposed to data centers in their communities, saying they are ‘backwards’ and will be ‘poor’ if they don’t get on board. Inviting in — not regulation and outside oversight over this powerful technology with all its benefits but its very real threats — instead, bringing in the heads of these companies and saying, ‘Okay guys, you just police yourselves. We’re sure that will work out fine.’ Meanwhile, the Trump family continues to enrich itself by investing in data centers and AI.\n\n“So, we have a total lack of addressing this very real concern of the American people by the president and the Republican Party.”\n\nOn GOP Cancelling Votes Instead of Finding Solutions for Americans:\n\n“Again, we want to be the leaders in this. But there are ways as we are working with experts and we should be here working on these solutions to answer what the companies say they want: outside regulation, outside audits of what they’re doing. That’s not just people they hire who work within their companies, but let’s have people outside evaluating what happened. We have set up agencies for this kind of review in transportation, in financial services, and this is something we need to come together as Americans to address.\n\n“Meanwhile, Mike Johnson’s response was to send us home early, rather than tackling this very key issue that Americans are worried about. I hear about it everywhere I go in my district and everywhere I go in this country.”\n\nOn Pete Hegseth’s Incompetence:\n\n“I am extremely concerned about where Secretary Hegseth is taking our military as we are at war in Iran — a war that the president and the secretary recklessly put us into without making the case to the American people. Without coming to Congress as required.\n\n“Democrats three times have put forward War Powers Resolutions asking them to stop this war, to come and make sense of this for people.\n\n“And what are we seeing? We are seeing them covering up casualties of our service members. What a disgrace for the secretary of defense to cover up those casualties. Then we are seeing the impacts of this war on Americans — whether it’s at the gas pump or the cost of diesel that is driving our farmers into debt. They are not sure if they’re going to be able to afford to plant because of this record high cost of diesel. And all of this is going to come home in continued rising prices of groceries and other goods that American families are already struggling to purchase.\n\n“So, to have the secretary try and make this into some ‘it’s their appearance and their testosterone levels that count.’ It is their military readiness. It’s making sure we have enough munitions. It is having a clear mission that is defined and aligns with our national security needs. None of that is being met by this secretary and this president.”\n\nOn Democrats’ Fight for an Affordable America:\n\n“We keep talking to the American people and listening to them. Our message is very clear: We see your family, and we’re going to fight for you. We’re going to fight to lower the cost of housing and groceries and gas. We’re going to fight to make sure that when you need healthcare, you can afford it and you can get it when and where you need it. And then we’re going to make sure that we are holding the crooks accountable, because [the] corruption we are seeing in this Republican Party has a real cost for the American taxpayers.\n\n“It’s time to put the American people first. Put their priorities first. Put their voices back in these halls, here in the Capitol.\n\n“We have great candidates who are connected to their communities, who understand how hard it is for people to get a foothold, never mind have success, in this economy.\n\n“The terms I hear are ‘I’m drowning. I’m barely able to keep my head above water. I can’t keep treading water.’ This is not how we build security for American families… And when we win the majority, this is how we’re going to govern: with the American people front and center.”\n\nWatch the full interview, HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-colleagues-introduce-legislation-address-fentanyl-crisis", "title": "Kean, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Address Fentanyl Crisis", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kean.house.gov", "scraper": "kean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000398", "name": "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(OCTOBER 1, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the Fight Against Fentanyl Act, a bill to permit the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) to be used for the purchase of fentanyl testing kits and opioid reversal agents by law enforcement agencies.\n\nThe Byrne JAG grant program is the leading source of federal funding to state and local police jurisdictions. The Fight Against Fentanyl Act would amend the Byrne JAG program to allow for state and local police agencies to purchase fentanyl test kits and opioid reversal agents using federal funds.\n\n“Access to fentanyl testing kits and opioid reversal agents is essential to prevent overdoses and deaths,” said Congressman Kean. “It is essential that we get first responders the tools they need to combat this deadly epidemic. I am pleased to work with Representatives Van Drew, Garbarino, and Lawler to introduce this legislation to take steps towards safeguarding communities from the devastating impact of fentanyl.”\n\n\"Fentanyl is different from anything we have dealt with before because such a small amount can be deadly,” said Congressman Van Drew. “We have to attack this problem from every direction. The Fight Against Fentanyl Act is one piece of that by helping local law enforcement use existing federal grant dollars for fentanyl testing kits and overdose reversal drugs. If there is something we can put in the hands of our police officers that can help catch fentanyl or save somebody’s life, they should have it.”\n\n“Fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities on Long Island and across the country. I’m proud to join Congressman Kean in leading the Fight Against Fentanyl Act to ensure law enforcement has access to the tools they need to combat this deadly drug and save lives,” said Congressman Garbarino.\n\n“Substance use disorder and fentanyl are destroying families across the country, and we must work together at every level to combat this crisis. This legislation gives law enforcement the resources they need by allowing Byrne JAG grants to fund fentanyl testing kits and lifesaving opioid reversal agents that can mean the difference between life and death. I was proud to support this legislation last Congress, and I will continue working to give our communities the tools they need to fight back,” said Congressman Lawler.\n\nCongressman Kean has been a leader in the fight against fentanyl. Earlier this year, he introduced the American Cooperation with Our Neighbors Act with Congressman Greg Stanton (AZ-04) that would direct the State Department to create a strategy for cooperation between the United States and Mexico to stop illicit fentanyl trafficking.\n\nWatch Congressman Kean speak in support of the American Cooperation with Our Neighbors Act HERE.\n\nIn January 2025, Congressman Kean voted in favor of the HALT Fentanyl Act, which was signed into law later that year to reclassify fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.\n\nSince taking office, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. has secured nearly $22 million for law enforcement across New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District through the Community Project Funding process, demonstrating a consistent, tangible commitment to backing the blue with real resources.\n\nRead the text of the Fight Against Fentanyl Act HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-colleagues-introduce-legislation-safeguard-medicaid", "title": "Kean, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Safeguard Medicaid", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kean.house.gov", "scraper": "kean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000398", "name": "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(SEPTEMBER 30, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this week, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) introduced the Helping Encourage Lawful Payments and Strengthen Transparency, Anti-fraud, Tips, and Enforcement Strategies Act (HELP STATES) Act with a group of colleagues to provide states more money for Medicaid program integrity activities.\n\nThe HELP STATES Act was introduced as part of an Energy and Commerce Committee package of 14 bills to streamline necessary data collection and availability, bolster anti-fraud enforcement infrastructure, and incentivize fraud-fighting efforts so that states and the federal government can more effectively defend taxpayer dollars and safeguard important federally funded health programs.\n\n“The HELP STATES Act gives New Jersey and other states the power to crack down on Medicaid fraud by letting them keep more of what they recover and reinvest it straight into stopping waste,” said Congressman Kean. “This means more resources, stronger oversight, and a smarter system that rewards states for protecting taxpayer dollars.”\n\n“As a nurse practitioner, I know how important Medicaid is to the patients and families who rely on it, which is why it’s crucial we protect this vital resource from fraud,” said Congresswoman Kiggans (VA-02). “The HELP STATES Act would allow states across the country to reinvest a portion of the identified fraudulent payments into stronger audits and investigations to prevent future abuse of the system. I’m proud to join Congressman Kean in supporting this commonsense legislation to hold bad actors accountable, safeguard taxpayer dollars, and preserve the integrity of our social safety net.”\n\n“Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar that cannot be used to provide care for Americans who rely on Medicaid,” said Congressman Wittman (VA-01). “I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the HELP STATES Act to give states a stronger incentive to identify and recover fraudulent payments while ensuring those recovered funds are reinvested in protecting the integrity of the Medicaid program. We owe it to taxpayers and Medicaid enrollees to safeguard these resources and hold those who defraud the system accountable.”\n\nLast year, Congressman Kean voted in favor of the Working Families Tax Cuts that were later signed into law to safeguard Medicaid for every intended beneficiary in New Jersey and across the country.\n\nCongressman Kean introduced the HELP STATES Act with Representatives Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Rob Wittman (VA-01), David Valadao (CA-22), Young Kim (CA-40), and Rob Bresnahan (PA-08).\n\nRead the text of the HELP STATES Act HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://kelly.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-kelly-honors-latest-community-champion-erie-county", "title": "ICYMI: Kelly honors latest Community Champion in Erie County", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kelly.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kelly.house.gov", "scraper": "kelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000376", "name": "Mike Kelly", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Tuesday, September 29, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) presented a Community Champion Award to Joe Pfadt for his outstanding community service to the Erie area.\n\nAs President and Founder of Warriors to Washington, Pfadt annually leads Erie-area veterans to Washington, D.C. where they tour the nation's capital. As CEO of the Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard, Pfadt continues to preserve Erie's maritime history for future generations. Pfadt is also a retired high school social studies teacher at Harbor Creek High School.\n\n\"Joe Pfadt exemplifies what it means to be community-minded and to put his neighbors first, particularly our local veterans. Without his leadership, so many of the amazing projects in Erie County would not be possible. He is most deserving of this award,\" said Rep. Kelly.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nThe Community Champion Award recognizes and thanks service-minded individuals throughout Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District for selfless and significant contributions to their surrounding communities. Each winner is presented with an official award plaque from Rep. Kelly’s office, a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol building, and a statement of congratulations entered into the official Congressional Record.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-representatives-khanna-lee-and-deluzio-call-upmc-address-staffing", "title": "Release: Representatives Khanna, Lee, and Deluzio Call on UPMC to Address Staffing Concerns and Bargain in Good Faith with Healthcare Workers", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "khanna.house.gov", "scraper": "khanna", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000389", "name": "Ro Khanna", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC — Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), and Chris Deluzio (PA-17) sent a letter urging the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to bargain in good faith with nurses, nurse practitioners, and midwives at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital after the lawmakers received reports raising concerns about staffing levels and patient care.\n\n“We have received troubling reports from our constituents and organizers that nurses are routinely assigned more patients than nationally recognized clinical standards recommend. Nurses have described situations in which a single labor and delivery nurse may be responsible for two or three patients, even though established standards call for a patient in active labor to receive dedicated nursing care,” said the lawmakers.\n\nThe lawmakers also called on UPMC to make progress in contract negotiations with hundreds of health care professionals at Magee-Womens, who have been negotiating for months.\n\n“For approximately eight months, nearly 900 health care professionals at UPMC Magee have been negotiating for a contract that reflects the critical role they play in caring for patients and families throughout western Pennsylvania. These workers have raised serious concerns about inadequate staffing, excessive workloads, and conditions that prevent them from consistently providing the level of care their patients deserve. UPMC has a responsibility to listen to these frontline professionals and work constructively to resolve their concerns without unnecessary delays,” the lawmakers continued.\n\nTo read the full letter, click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/krishnamoorthi-hails-restoration-988-lgbtq-crisis-line-following-his-efforts", "title": "Krishnamoorthi Hails Restoration of 988 LGBTQ+ Crisis Line Following His Efforts", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", "scraper": "krishnamoorthi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000391", "name": "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), author of the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act and a Vice Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, hailed the restoration of specialized LGBTQ+ crisis line services through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline after the Trump Administration shut them down in July 2025. After Congressman Krishnamoorthi helped secure $33.1 million in federal funding earlier this year to restore the program, he partnered with allies in Congress and LGBTQ+ and mental health advocates to pressure the Trump Administration to use that funding and bring the “Press 3” option back online.\n\n“I’m proud that we secured the funding to restore this lifesaving LGBTQ+ crisis line and successfully pressured the Trump Administration to bring the program back,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “When an LGBTQ+ young person reaches out for help in a moment of crisis, they deserve to reach a counselor trained to understand and support them. This program should never have been taken away, and now we need to make sure it stays available for every young person who needs it. I’m grateful to The Trevor Project, NAMI Chicago, Equality Illinois, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and all the advocates and young people who worked alongside us to bring these services back.”\n\nCongressman Krishnamoorthi introduced the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act in September 2025 after the Trump Administration shut down the specialized services. The legislation would require HHS to maintain dedicated crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth and reserve at least 9 percent of annual 988 funding for those services.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4274", "title": "Larsen: Naval Station Everett is Ideal Homeport for Future Frigates", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "larsen.house.gov", "scraper": "larsen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000560", "name": "Rick Larsen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released a report outlining why Naval Station Everett (NSE) remains the ideal location for homeporting future U.S. Navy frigates. Last year, the Navy cancelled the Constellation-class frigate program, which was scheduled to homeport its first twelve ships at NSE.\n\n“NSE stands ready, willing and able to be the homeport for the Navy’s next generation of frigates,” said Rep. Larsen. “For more than 30 years, NSE has played a crucial role in keeping our country safe and protecting U.S. interests worldwide. It remains “The Sailor’s Choice,” and it should once again be the Pentagon’s choice for future ships.”\n\nRep. Larsen’s report highlights several strategic benefits to ships homeported at NSE, including:\n\nNSE is the most modern shore installation in the U.S.;\n\nNSE offers direct access to the Pacific without the need to navigate congested waterways, tidal restrictions, bridges or other obstructions;\n\nNSE does not require regular dredging to maintain sufficient depth for Navy vessels;\n\nPuget Sound ports like NSE are about two days closer to Asia than any other U.S. mainland port; and\n\nNSE has available pier space to support new ships as the Navy expands its fleet.\n\nRep. Larsen’s report also highlights the quality of life servicemembers and their families enjoy while stationed at NSE:\n\nHealth care access at David R. Ray Branch Medical Center, Everett Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic and the Everett Vet Center;\n\nAn on-base National Association for the Education of Young Children-accredited child care facility;\n\nEducational opportunities at Everett Community College, Edmonds College, WSU's Everett campus and UW’s campuses in Seattle and Bothell; and\n\nSupport transitioning to the civilian workforce through WorkSource, Everett Community College and Edmonds College’s Veteran Resource Centers and Snohomish County’s Veterans Assistance Program.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6577", "title": "Lawler Releases Statement on Restoration of 988 Press 3 Option for LGBTQ+ Youth", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "lawler.house.gov", "scraper": "lawler", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000599", "name": "Michael Lawler", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – 10/1/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) released the following statement regarding the restoration of the Press 3 option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which allows LGBTQ+ youth experiencing a mental health crisis to connect with counselors trained to address their specific needs. The Press 3 option resumed service on September 30, 2026.\n\nLawler has been a leading advocate for reinstating the service after it was discontinued in July 2025. He worked across the aisle to introduce legislation codifying specialized 988 services for LGBTQ+ youth and helped secure $33.1 million in federal funding for the restoration.\n\n“At the heels of National Suicide Prevention Month, I am grateful for the official restoration of the Press 3 option on the 988 Lifeline. Young people in crisis deserve access to counselors trained to meet their specific needs. When a young person is brave enough to reach out for help, we need to make sure someone is there to answer. Now that Press 3 is back, I’ll continue working to ensure 988 and other mental health resources are there for every person who needs them,” said Congressman Mike Lawler.\n\nCongressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://liccardo.house.gov/media/press-releases/tower-development-alleged-kremlin-linked-owner-hits-roadblock", "title": "Tower Development with Alleged Kremlin-Linked Owner Hits Roadblock", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://liccardo.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "liccardo.house.gov", "scraper": "liccardo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000607", "name": "Sam T. Liccardo", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "MENLO PARK, CA – A controversial development at 80 Willow Road is facing a significant roadblock after the Menlo Park City Council refused to approve it.\n\nDays before, the property’s owner, billionaire Vitaly Yusufov, drew scrutiny for his reported ties to Kremlin officials and individuals linked to organized crime when Congressman Sam Liccardo (CA-16) called on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to launch an immediate federal review of the project’s ownership and financing. Liccardo urged the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to investigate Yusufov and consider sanctions if the review uncovered sanctionable conduct.\n\n“We need more housing, but our housing shortage cannot turn our communities into safe harbors to avoid sanctions or launder illicit funds,” said Liccardo. “This marks an important step toward keeping Kremlin-linked money out of our community and protecting our national security.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases/lofgren-demands-answers-overdue-oversight-requests-regarding-doe-award", "title": "Lofgren Demands Answers to Overdue Oversight Requests Regarding DOE Award Terminations, Warns Secretary Wright of Consequences for Continued Evasion", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "lofgren.house.gov", "scraper": "lofgren", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000397", "name": "Zoe Lofgren", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(Washington, DC) – On Monday, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright demanding that he answer multiple months-overdue oversight requests from the Committee regarding DOE’s 2025 award terminations.\n\n“For more than 15 months, my colleagues and I have attempted to conduct oversight of DOE’s award termination activities,” writes Ranking Member Lofgren in her letter. “We have asked questions, requested documents, and demanded answers directly from you during official testimony. But DOE has thwarted our oversight repeatedly by refusing to provide the requested information and documents. In doing so, DOE has hindered our ability to evaluate DOE’s actions and obstructed the Committee’s ability to fulfill its constitutional role. The following oversight requests from the 119th Congress remain outstanding, and DOE must comply with them.\n\n1. Please provide to the Committee a comprehensive list of DOE officials who participated in the “Portfolio Review Process” in 2025 and 2026.\n\n2. Please provide to the Committee copies of the “one pagers” or “one-page summary memos” that were created for each award being reviewed as a part of the “Portfolio Review Process.”\n\n3. Please provide to the Committee copies of the assessments that were completed for each award terminated in May 2025 and October 2025 for the purpose of evaluating whether those awards had sufficiently met the criteria utilized by DOE under the “Portfolio Review Process.”\n\n“Secretary Wright, these are straightforward requests for specific documents and information. I cannot help but believe that your ultimate goal in refusing to comply with them is to evade responsibility for your actions. Did you believe that you could arbitrarily terminate billions of dollars’ worth of awards, lie about the reasons why, and escape accountability? Now, as the political consequences of your actions mount, it appears you hope to quietly walk away from the entire issue, while Congress simply moves on without holding you accountable. That hope would be mistaken. Congressional oversight must be respected, and my oversight requests must be complied with. If DOE fails to do so, we will redouble our efforts using every available tool at our disposal. I urge DOE to comply now.”\n\nAccess the letter here and below.\n\nDear Secretary Wright,\n\nIn 2025, the Trump Administration illegally began to erase all traces of federal activity that it disagreed with. At the Department of Energy (DOE), you led the charge. You targeted billions of dollars’ worth of clean energy and infrastructure investments, engaged in a politicized “review” to cast a veneer of legitimacy over your arbitrary decisions, terminated awards that you disliked in a manner that was designed to inflict maximum pain on your political opponents, and then lied continuously to the public about why you had done it. The process was a sham and a disgrace, unworthy of the oath you swore to uphold the Constitution.\n\nBut now, as lawsuits accumulate, criticism mounts, and judges declare your actions illegal, you do not seem quite as proud of the decisions that were supposedly so righteous a year ago. Indeed, you appear eager to distance yourself from the award terminations of 2025 and to avoid responsibility for them. Since the early spring of 2025, I have attempted to conduct oversight of the Department’s actions to get to the bottom of what happened. DOE has evaded my oversight at every turn. This letter serves to reaffirm that my prior oversight requests from the 119th Congress pertaining to DOE’s award terminations remain outstanding. I expect DOE to comply. If the Department does not, it should prepare to face the consequences of its obstruction.\n\nThe story of DOE’s award terminations in 2025 has been told so many times by this point that it barely needs retelling. I will briefly do so merely to provide context for my oversight requests related to the issue. Upon taking office in January 2025, the Trump Administration immediately froze tens of billions of dollars’ worth of research, development, demonstration, and commercialization projects at DOE that had been awarded under the Biden Administration. In your first Secretarial Order on February 5th, 2025, released two days after you were confirmed as Secretary of Energy, you announced that DOE would “comprehensively review its R&D portfolio” without providing any additional detail. On May 15th, 2025, you initiated a new process to “conduct focused reviews of awards and other forms of financial assistance on a caseby-case basis,” while asserting that DOE possessed the discretion to “terminate [a] project based on the outcome of DOE’s evaluation.” This process, called the “Portfolio Review Process” or PRP, moved suspiciously quickly. A mere two weeks later, on May 30th, 2025, DOE announced the termination of 24 awards issued by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) totaling more than $3.7 billion. Several months after that, on October 1st, 2025, DOE announced the termination of 321 additional awards from across the Department totaling roughly $7.56 billion. In both instances, DOE claimed that the terminations resulted from a “thorough and individualized financial review of each award,” during which the Department had concluded that the awards “were not economically viable and would not generate a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.” After the October 2025 award terminations, DOE also asserted that the awards “did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs.” Finally, in April 2026, you appeared before a House Appropriations Subcommittee and testified that the PRP was complete and that no additional award terminations would be forthcoming.\n\nThe repercussions of DOE’s award terminations were immense. Projects were thrown into chaos, companies were pushed to the brink of collapse, and jobs were lost. Taxpayer dollars were wasted. Major clean energy research, development, and demonstration projects – indeed, entire nascent clean energy sectors – were destabilized. Congressional energy priorities enshrined in law were thwarted. We continue to deal with the fallout of these award terminations to this day. From the beginning, as the Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (“the Committee”), I sought to conduct oversight of DOE’s actions in order to understand the processes and motivations that lay behind the Department’s attempt to wipe out over ten billion dollars in taxpayer-funded awards. On May 5th, 2025, I sent a letter to DOE along with a group of my Ranking Member colleagues in the House of Representatives and Senate that condemned the Department’s comprehensive freeze and review of Biden-era awards as “illegal and harmful to the public.” We asked how “DOE or any other part of the administration [is] assessing which DOE projects to cancel or continue, and under what criteria?” We did not receive a response from the Department before the PRP was announced on May 15th and $3.7 billion in awards was terminated on May 31st.\n\nAfter DOE terminated the first round of awards on May 31st, Department officials provided a briefing for Committee Staff. Based upon the information disclosed in that briefing, I sent another letter to DOE on September 9th, 2025, along with two other Ranking Members, expressing “serious concerns” that the PRP was “haphazard, disorganized, and politically driven,” and calling upon DOE to “cease the cancellation process and restore respect for independent, merit-based reviews.” We also requested specific documents created during the Department’s review of OCED awards related to DOE’s evaluation of those awards and its assessment of whether the awards should be terminated, as well as a comprehensive list of DOE officials who had participated in the review process. DOE never provided those requested documents.\n\nWhen DOE terminated more than $7.5 billion worth of awards on October 1st, 2025, the Department publicly claimed that the terminations were rooted in policy-based criteria such as economic viability, taxpayer return, and national energy priorities. You denied any political motivation behind the terminations in congressional testimony as recently as April and June 2026.3 But DOE’s cover story unraveled due to an unlikely source: its own concessions in court. Over the course of one lawsuit filed in November 2025, DOE formally stipulated that “a primary reason” for the October 2025 award terminations was “whether the grantee was located in a ‘Blue State’”; a judge ruled that DOE’s award terminations were unconstitutional and illegal in January 2026. Over the course of a second lawsuit related to the same terminations, DOE went even further and formally stipulated that the October 2025 award terminations were “based solely on the political identity of the grant recipient’s state,” and that they were not based upon “any programmatic, statutory, cost-reduction, or performance-based factor.”\n\nWhen you testified before the Science Committee on June 10th, 2026, Science Committee Democrats confronted you about the award terminations and reiterated the oversight requests that I had previously made to DOE. One of my colleagues, Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Deborah Ross, demanded that DOE disclose the identities of the Department officials who participated in the PRP; once again, you refused to do so. Another one of my colleagues, Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Gabe Amo, pressed you to explain the contradiction between your denials of any political motivation in the award terminations and DOE’s formal concessions in the November 2025 lawsuit; once again, you denied that any of the October 2025 award termination decisions were made based on politics. It was July 2026, the very next month, when DOE’s formal concessions in the second lawsuit – even more sweeping – became public, even though you had surely known about them when you testified before the Science Committee. Your materially false statements to the Committee left me with no choice but to formally refer you to the Department of Justice, which I did along with Ranking Member Amo on August 4th, 2026.\n\nFor more than 15 months, my colleagues and I have attempted to conduct oversight of DOE’s award termination activities. We have asked questions, requested documents, and demanded answers directly from you during official testimony. But DOE has thwarted our oversight repeatedly by refusing to provide the requested information and documents. In doing so, DOE has hindered our ability to evaluate DOE’s actions and obstructed the Committee’s ability to fulfill its constitutional role. The following oversight requests from the 119th Congress remain outstanding, and DOE must comply with them. Please provide the requested information and documents no later than 5:00 PM on Wednesday, October 14th, 2026:\n\n1. Please provide to the Committee a comprehensive list of DOE officials who participated in the “Portfolio Review Process” in 2025 and 2026.\n\n2. Please provide to the Committee copies of the “one pagers” or “one-page summary memos” that were created for each award being reviewed as a part of the “Portfolio Review Process.”\n\n3. Please provide to the Committee copies of the assessments that were completed for each award terminated in May 2025 and October 2025 for the purpose of evaluating whether those awards had sufficiently met the criteria utilized by DOE under the “Portfolio Review Process.”\n\nSecretary Wright, these are straightforward requests for specific documents and information. I cannot help but believe that your ultimate goal in refusing to comply with them is to evade responsibility for your actions. Did you believe that you could arbitrarily terminate billions of dollars’ worth of awards, lie about the reasons why, and escape accountability? Now, as the political consequences of your actions mount, it appears you hope to quietly walk away from the entire issue, while Congress simply moves on without holding you accountable. That hope would be mistaken. Congressional oversight must be respected, and my oversight requests must be complied with. If DOE fails to do so, we will redouble our efforts using every available tool at our disposal. I urge DOE to comply now.\n\nPursuant to Rule X of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology “shall review and study on a continuing basis laws, programs, and Government activities relating to nonmilitary research and development.” The Committee possesses jurisdiction over “all energy research, development, and demonstration, and projects therefor, and all federally owned or operated nonmilitary energy laboratories, as well as the commercial application of energy technologies.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-nancy-mace-releases-statement-50-car-pileup-i-95", "title": "Rep. Nancy Mace Releases Statement on 50-Car Pileup on I-95", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mace.house.gov", "scraper": "mace", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000194", "name": "Nancy Mace", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "CHARLESTON, S.C., (Oct 1, 2026) – Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace released the following statement on this morning's mass-casualty 50-car pileup on I-95 near Lake Marion:\n\n“Lives can change in an instant, and this morning, they did. What began as an ordinary commute for hundreds of South Carolinians and travelers quickly turned into a horrific scene.\n\n“Our first responders ran straight into the chaos. Santee Fire, Clarendon County Fire Rescue, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol worked to reach those trapped and injured. We owe these brave men and women more than words can say.\n\n“Moments like this remind us who our first responders are. They do not hesitate. They do not stop. They get the job done.\n\n“We’re praying for everyone injured and for their families. We’re asking God for strength, healing, and a full recovery.\n\n“To everyone traveling I-95, please be patient, follow local officials’ guidance, and give crews the space they need to safely clear the scene.\n\n“God bless South Carolina, and God bless our first responders.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-nancy-maces-jobs-bill-heads-presidents-desk", "title": "Rep. Nancy Mace's Jobs Bill Heads To President's Desk", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mace.house.gov", "scraper": "mace", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000194", "name": "Nancy Mace", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 1, 2026) – If you can do the job, you shouldn't need a diploma to prove it. That's the idea behind Congresswoman Nancy Mace's (SC-01) Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act, which passed the Senate unanimously late last night and now goes to President Trump to be signed into law.\n\nRight now, federal agencies can require degrees or years of experience for contract work, even when those requirements have nothing to do with the job. Mace's bill changes that. Under the bill, agencies can only demand those credentials if they put in writing why they're truly needed.\n\nThe result: more skilled Americans get a fair shot at government work, more companies can compete, and taxpayers get the best people for the job.\n\n\"The best people for the job can now get the job,” said Congresswoman Mace. \"For too long, Washington has rewarded unnecessary college degrees over proven work skills and shut hardworking Americans out of job opportunities. My bill tears down this wall down and puts merit and skills first. If you can do the job, you deserve the job. Taxpayers deserve the best results, and America deserves the best workforce built on skill known to man.\"\n\nThe Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act prohibits federal agencies from including minimum education or experience requirements in contract solicitations unless they provide a written justification demonstrating those standards are essential to meeting mission needs. The legislation expands opportunities for skilled American workers, promotes greater competition, and helps ensure taxpayer dollars are spent on the most qualified talent rather than unnecessary credential requirements.\n\nIf signed by President Trump, the bill will become law, marking a bipartisan milestone in modernizing the federal contracting process and expanding opportunities for skilled American workers. The last republican before Rep. Mace to have a bill signed in to law was Congressman Henry Brown more than 25 years ago, in 2010.\n\n“Talent doesn't always come with a college diploma attached,\" added Congresswoman Mace.\n\nRep. Nancy Mace discusses the Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act\n\nCLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO\n\nSenate passes the Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act by unanimous consent\n\nCLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO\n\nCLICK HERE FOR PHOTO\n\nLegislative History of the Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act:\n\nSept. 9, 2025: Introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace; referred to House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform\n\nDec. 2, 2025: Passed out of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by a vote of 44-0\n\nFeb. 23, 2026: Passed the House of Representatives by voice vote\n\nFeb. 24, 2026: Transmitted to the Senate and referred to Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs\n\nAug. 6, 2026: Passed out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs by a vote of 10-0\n\nSept. 30, 2026: Passed the Senate by unanimous consent\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://mackenzie.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-mackenzie-announces-over-20-million-returned-constituents-through", "title": "Congressman Mackenzie Announces Over $20 Million Returned to Constituents Through Federal Casework", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mackenzie.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mackenzie.house.gov", "scraper": "mackenzie", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001230", "name": "Ryan Mackenzie", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Today, Congressman Ryan Mackenzie announced that his office has helped return $20.7 million to constituents across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos through federal casework and assistance since taking office.\n\nOf the $20.7 million returned since taking office, $10.3 million was returned to constituents in 2025, and more than $10.4 million has already been returned so far in 2026.\n\nCongressman Mackenzie and his constituent services team work directly with residents to navigate federal agencies, resolve outstanding issues, and recover money owed to them. The office assists constituents with issues involving the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Personnel Management, passports, immigration matters, and other federal agencies.\n\n“Helping people cut through red tape and get the answers, benefits, and money they are owed is one of the most important services our office provides,” said Congressman Mackenzie. “Reaching $20 million returned to constituents represents thousands of individual cases where our team was able to step in and help someone who did not know where else to turn. Whether it is a delayed tax refund, Social Security benefits, veterans’ benefits, or another issue with a federal agency, our offices are here to help people throughout the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos.”\n\nFor constituents like James A. Bestider of Lehighton, assistance from Congressman Mackenzie’s office helped resolve a reimbursement that had been severely delayed.\n\n“After months of frustration trying to have a government agency reimburse me thousands of dollars in overpayment, I reached out to Congressman Ryan Mackenzie’s office for assistance,” said Bestider. “Congressman Mackenzie and his staff were able to procure my reimbursement in a timely manner. I am a retired senior citizen on a fixed budget, and I am deeply grateful for Congressman Mackenzie and his staff for helping me and my family resolve this issue.”\n\nJohn Yaswinski of Nazareth contacted the office after an IRS refund had remained unresolved for nearly a year. With assistance from Congressman Mackenzie’s office, the refund was returned within weeks. The office also helped Yaswinski secure a Social Security appointment as he considered retirement.\n\n“Words cannot express my heartfelt gratitude for Congressman Mackenzie and Ms. Pasquariello’s assistance in securing my IRS refund in such a timely manner,” said Yaswinski. “My IRS refund sat in limbo for the better part of a year prior to contacting the Congressman’s office. Within a few weeks, my refund was returned. Their care, attention, and service to me are unmatched by any elected official I have known. They really went above and beyond.”\n\nFor John Tegan of Palmerton, the office helped resolve issues surrounding his federal retirement after he left the General Services Administration. Congressman Mackenzie’s staff contacted the agency on his behalf, helped move his application to the Office of Personnel Management for review, and continued following up until his retirement package was completed.\n\n“Rochelle and Congressman Mackenzie’s office provided continuing follow-up and attention to make sure the matter was resolved,” said Tegan. “Rochelle also offered support and empathy for my situation.”\n\nMary Hittinger of Walnutport also turned to the office for assistance recovering money owed by the IRS.\n\n“I am very appreciative for the assistance we received from Congressman Mackenzie, Rochelle, and the rest of the office staff in recovering money owed to us from the IRS,” said Hittinger. “Their assistance made such a meaningful difference, and we sincerely appreciated their support. It’s so nice to know that we have a congressman who’s always there for us.”\n\nSince taking office, Congressman Mackenzie’s team has:\n\nReturned $20.7 million to constituents through federal casework and assistance;\n\nCompleted more than 11,000 constituent services, including casework, meetings, tours, and other assistance; and\n\nResponded to more than 291,000 constituent letters and emails.\n\nBringing home over $160 million to support local health care, first responders, manufacturing, and more.\n\nSecuring more than $12 million in FY26 Community Project Funding for public safety, infrastructure, first responders, and other local priorities across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos\n\nCongressman Mackenzie has offices in Lehigh, Northampton, and Carbon counties, as well as a downtown Allentown office offering Spanish-language services by appointment. The office also holds mobile office hours throughout the region to make federal constituent services accessible to residents across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://magaziner.house.gov/media/press-releases/magaziner-releases-plan-lower-energy-costs-rhode-islanders", "title": "Magaziner Releases Plan to Lower Energy Costs for Rhode Islanders", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://magaziner.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "magaziner.house.gov", "scraper": "magaziner", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001223", "name": "Seth Magaziner", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WARWICK, R.I. — U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) announced his plan to bring down energy costs and make life more affordable for working people in Rhode Island.\n\nDue to the misguided policies of the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans, Rhode Islanders are facing skyrocketing utility bills and high prices at the pump, with households spending an average of $557 more on gasoline since the start of the war in Iran. Gas prices in Rhode Island now average $4.36 per gallon, and diesel has climbed to $6.32 per gallon.\n\nView or download photos from the event here.\n\n\"The number one thing I hear from Rhode Islanders is that life has become unaffordable,\" said Magaziner. \"While big oil companies are making record profits, working people can barely afford to fill their tanks and keep the lights on. When Democrats are in the majority, we must come out of the gate fast with real plans to lower costs, and that is exactly what this agenda is about.\"\n\nWith winter approaching, many Rhode Islanders are also worried about whether they will be able to afford to heat their homes. Meanwhile, Exxon, Shell, and Chevron made $36.4 billion of profits in Quarter 2 of 2026 alone, including Chevron's highest quarterly earnings ever.\n\nDuring the press conference, Magaziner outlined his agenda to lower energy costs, including:", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mann-introduces-modern-skies-act-update-americas-aviation-system", "title": "Rep. Mann Introduces Modern Skies Act to Update America’s Aviation System", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mann.house.gov", "scraper": "mann", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000871", "name": "Tracey Mann", "party": "Republican", "state": "KS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee, introduced the Modern Skies Act, legislation to invest in updating America’s air traffic control system, rebuilding aging aviation infrastructure, and improving airports across the country. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) introduced the Senate companion legislation.\n\nThe Modern Skies Act builds on the $12.5 billion investment Congress made through the Working Families Tax Cuts to begin replacing outdated air traffic control technology and infrastructure. The legislation provides the resources necessary for the next phase of modernization while investing in air traffic control towers, airport terminals, runways, and other critical aviation infrastructure.\n\n“America invented modern aviation, and we should have an aviation system that sets the standard for the rest of the world,” said Rep. Mann. “Last year, Congress worked with President Trump and Secretary Duffy to make a historic investment in replacing decades-old air traffic control technology. We are already seeing that investment at work, but the job is not finished. The Modern Skies Act builds on that progress by updating the technology our air traffic controllers rely on, replacing aging towers and facilities, and investing in airports nationwide. As a member of the House Aviation Subcommittee, I am proud to introduce this legislation and work alongside President Trump, Secretary Duffy, and Senator Schmitt to strengthen the safety and reliability of our National Airspace System and keep America the global leader in aviation.”\n\n“Air travel is more accessible than ever, but for too many Americans, getting where they need to go still feels like a gamble,\" said Senator Schmitt. \"Travelers face long lines, aging airports, constant delays, and an air traffic control system in desperate need of attention. That is a far cry from the golden age of American aviation that St. Louis’ own Charles Lindbergh helped usher in. The Modern Skies Act will launch a new era of American aviation by building a world-class system that works better for air traffic controllers, airlines, and, most importantly, passengers. President Trump and Secretary Duffy are tackling these challenges head-on, and I’m proud to lead this effort alongside them to make air travel great again.”\n\n“Under President Trump, we have made historic progress revitalizing our airspace,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “With investments from the Working Families Tax Cut, we’ve already replaced the majority of outdated copper wire with high-speed fiber in our towers, transitioned nearly a third of radios controllers used, and installed new surveillance technology in half of our target airports. We’ve also reimagined how we manage the airspace – deploying a state-of-the-art scheduling tool to prevent delays and cancellations. But to finally fix air travel for the American people, we need to pass the Modern Skies Act. This bill will give us the funding we need to modernize the digital architecture powering air traffic control, replace crumbling aviation infrastructure, and build world-class airports across the country.”\n\nThe Modern Skies Act would invest $30 billion across America’s aviation system, including:\n\n$10.1 billion for air traffic control modernization to support the next phase of FAA modernization, including a common automation platform and controller workstation, cloud and telecommunications infrastructure, facility consolidation, and modern air traffic flow-management technology.\n\n$10 billion for an Aging Terminal Pilot Program to modernize or rebuild major terminals at up to three medium hub airports, increasing passenger capacity and supporting service to smaller communities.\n\n$10 billion for terminal, tower, and airport improvements, including $2 billion for air traffic control towers and facilities, $3 billion for Airport Improvement Program projects, and $5 billion for airport terminal modernization.\n\nAdditional flexibility for existing air traffic control funding to allow the FAA to transfer previously appropriated funding among components of its modernization program as implementation progresses while maintaining congressional oversight and reporting requirements.\n\nCongress provided $12.5 billion through the Working Families Tax Cuts to begin modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system. The Department of Transportation is using that funding to replace aging telecommunications lines, radios and radars, transition towers to electronic flight strips, and deploy new surface-awareness technology.\n\nThe FAA projects commercial flights will increase by more than 40 percent by 2046, alongside continued growth in drones, commercial space launches, and new aircraft technologies, increasing the need for a modern and resilient National Airspace System.\n\nThe Modern Skies Act is supported by organizations representing nearly every segment of the American aviation industry, including Airlines for America, Air Line Pilots Association, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, American Association of Airport Executives, National Business Aviation Association and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.", "collected_at": "2026-10-05T12:04:08Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-05T12:05:17Z"}
{"url": "https://mannion.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-john-w-mannion-ny-22-secures-2062000-onondaga-county-sheriffs", "title": "Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) Secures $2,062,000 for Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and Syracuse Police Department’s New Mobile Command Centers", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mannion.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mannion.house.gov", "scraper": "mannion", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001231", "name": "John W. Mannion", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SYRACUSE, NY — Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) today announced that $2,062,000 in federal Community Project Funding he secured for the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and the Syracuse Police Department to purchase and equip new Mobile Command Centers has been formally awarded.\n\nRepresentative John W. Mannion said, “Our law enforcement professionals need proper support and resources to protect our communities and respond to emergencies. These federal investments answer a locally identified need, giving the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office a new mobile command unit and helping the Syracuse Police Department replace its Mobile Command Post Bus. Together, these upgrades will improve emergency response, strengthen regional coordination, and better protect residents and visitors across Central New York. I am proud to stand with our professional local law enforcement officers and continue building on my record of supporting public safety initiatives, both in Congress and during my time in the State Senate.”\n\nOnondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley said, \"When a critical incident unfolds, seconds count, and clear communication across jurisdictions can mean the difference between chaos and control. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Congressman Mannion for securing this federal funding, which directly invests in the safety of every resident in Onondaga County and throughout Central New York. This Mobile Command Unit is not just a vehicle; it is a state-of-the-art operational backbone. It provides our Tactical Operations Division, our local police, fire departments, EMS, and regional emergency management partners with the interoperable, on-scene communications and unified command capabilities required in high-stakes environments. When crisis strikes, our responders must be connected, protected, and fully coordinated. This grant ensures our men and women on the front lines have the reliable, modern technology they need to manage complex emergencies effectively and return home safely.\"\n\nSyracuse Police Chief Mark Rusin said, “The Syracuse Police Department is deeply grateful to the Department of Justice for its support of our efforts to enhance public safety and regional emergency preparedness. The investment in a modern Mobile Command Post will significantly strengthen our ability to coordinate unified responses to major incidents, protect our residents and visitors, and collaborate effectively with our public safety partners throughout Onondaga County. This support ensures that our officers have the reliable tools and technology they need to meet today’s complex challenges and continue serving the community with excellence.”\n\nThe $1,031,000 for the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office will allow for the procurement and outfitting of a state-of-the-art mobile command unit to enhance emergency response, strengthen interagency coordination, and improve operational effectiveness in the field. The Mobile Command Center will assist in all aspects of Onondaga County emergency operations, including safety and coordination at large public events, search and rescue missions, SWAT operations, enhanced communications, and deployment of modern equipment during critical incidents.\n\nThe $1,031,000 for the Syracuse Police Department will allow the department to replace its Mobile Command Post Bus with a modern and fully equipped vehicle to enhance emergency response and public safety operations. The vehicle will support unified command during active shooter incidents, major criminal investigations, natural disasters, hazardous materials incidents, search and rescue operations, and other large-scale incidents. The project also includes integration into emergency operations plans, operator training, equipment testing, and regional exercises with public safety partners.\n\nThe $2 million investments to support the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and the Syracuse Police Department are part of 15 Community Project Funding priorities advanced by Representative Mannion in partnership with local leaders across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. All 15 projects have passed Congress and been signed into law, delivering a total of more than $15 million in federal funding to address locally identified needs—including public safety improvements, lead service line replacement, water and wastewater modernization, workforce training, airport infrastructure upgrades, and research critical to America’s economic and national security.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://matsui.house.gov/media/press-releases/matsui-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-protect-children-human-chatbots", "title": "MATSUI INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM HUMAN-LIKE CHATBOTS", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://matsui.house.gov/media", "domain": "matsui.house.gov", "scraper": "matsui", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001163", "name": "Doris O. Matsui", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA), George Whitesides (D-CA), Mike Kennedy (R-UT), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) introduced the Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act. This legislation protects kids by prohibiting chatbots from communicating by default in a human-like way with minors. Under this bill, the programs cannot claim to be human, have simulated emotions, or use relationship-building language to keep kids engaged.\n\nOne of the fastest-growing concerns for parents is AI chatbots designed to act like a child's friend, confidant, or even romantic partner. According to Common Sense Media's 2026 census, 89% of 13- to 15-year-olds now use AI, including 28% who use it every day. One in three teens have used an AI companion to help with social interactions. While other proposals have tried to address this problem by restricting access or requiring age verification, Congresswoman Matsui's bill takes a different approach by targeting how these chatbots are designed and trained to behave in the first place.\n\n“AI chatbots are becoming more common in children’s lives, and parents deserve to know those systems are not being designed to imitate a friend, express feelings, or build an emotional relationship with their child,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act would require chatbots used by minors to act like tools, not human companions. It would help protect children and keep parents in control. Congress has a responsibility to put practical safeguards in place as this technology evolves, and protecting children from manipulative design is a common-sense place to start.”\n\n“As a father of two teenagers, I’ve seen firsthand how affected our kids already are by this digital age, where corporations are using everything from addictive algorithms to overly-friendly chatbots to keep children hooked on their platforms,” said Congressman Whitesides. “It is critical, as AI continues to be integrated into every part of our lives, that our kids’ safety remains at the forefront of the conversation, and that we attack this problem at its inception. By requiring developers to build safety standards into their models before they start interacting with children, we can ensure that these tools are trained correctly, in a way that does not negatively impact their mental health or personal relationships.”\n\n“As Utah leads the way in protecting our children from the harms of social media and AI, I am working to ensure the federal government is an active partner in those efforts. That is why I am co-leading the Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act,” said Congressman Kennedy. “Human-like AI chatbots pose significant emotional, psychological and safety risks by mimicking real human relationships. AI needs to be a tool, not a friend. This bill sets clear boundaries for how chatbots interact with our children and puts parents fully in charge of these features.”\n\n“Parents should not have to worry that an AI chatbot is pretending to be their child’s friend or encouraging them to form an emotional attachment to a machine,” said Congresswoman Miller-Meeks. “The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act puts parents in control and makes sure AI chatbots used by minors are designed to function as tools, without forming fake relationships. This bill is about giving families peace of mind and making sure new technology serves our children without trying to replace real human relationships. Protecting our kids is a priority we should all share.”\n\nUnder the Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act:\n\nChatbots can't claim to be human, claim to have feelings or consciousness, pretend to have a body or private life, or pose as credentialed professionals like doctors or counselors.\n\nChatbots can't guilt-trip kids into staying online (for example: “Don't go yet, I'll miss talking to you”), manufacture urgency, or push purchases framed as keeping the relationship alive.\n\nThe setting holds across sessions and can't be bypassed through prompts or roleplay, so a kid can't instruct the AI to act as a romantic partner, family member, or therapist.\n\nChatbots must state what they are up front, periodically during long sessions, and whenever a child asks.\n\nOnly a parent or guardian can turn the default off, so chatbots are not able to show kids how to disable it.\n\nNIST will work with industry and academic partners to develop testing standards and examples of compliant behavior, and companies that follow the guidance won't be penalized.\n\nThe FTC and state attorneys general can enforce the law, with penalties that scale with the number of children affected.\n\nThe Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act does not:\n\nBan any product, feature, or mode for adults.\n\nRequire age verification or new data collection.\n\nRestrict what information a chatbot can provide, or limit politeness, natural grammar, or age-appropriate style.\n\nAffect narrow-purpose bots, like customer support or scheduling assistants, and internal workplace tools.\n\nThe Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act is endorsed by Americans for Responsible Innovation, Young People’s Alliance, the JED Foundation, Dr. Stephen Scheuller, President of Society for Digital Mental Health, Public Citizen, The Anxious Generation, Tech Oversight Project, Transparency Coalition, Innovation for Everyone, Human Line Project, All Girls Allowed, Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), and Parents RISE, a slew of kids’ safety and tech groups.\n\n“Chatbots use human-like features to maximize engagement with users, making kids particularly vulnerable to forming unhealthy attachments,” said Brad Carson, President of Americans for Responsible Innovation. “A non-personified default setting is a targeted guardrail that will shield children from the deceptive personification of chatbots and put parents back in control. As today’s kids grow up with AI, this bill takes a critical step towards ensuring that chatbots don’t interfere with development or replace real relationships.”\n\n“Our communities are at a crossroads as Big Tech attempts to replace kids’ relationships with AI companions,” said Sam Hiner, Executive Director, Young People's Alliance. “I applaud Reps Whitesides, Kennedy, Matsui and Miller-Meeks for putting forward the first federal bill that advances the ideas we’ve been championing with the Human-like AI Coalition. This bill is the strongest federal approach offered yet to ensure AI stays a tool and prevent relationships with AI chatbots from becoming normalized in the coming years.”\n\n“We believe this bill is a strong step towards ensuring that chatbots children can access are designed safely,” said Julianna Arnold, Founding Member of ParentsRISE!. “Products made available to children must not exploit and manipulate their growing brains, and those guardrails need to be built in from the start, not added as an afterthought. We look forward to continue clarifying the age assurance language as federal and state frameworks evolve, and are eager to work with the new Congress on clear, privacy-preserving standards that protect children online and ensure the privacy of every citizen.”\n\n“We are learning that teens are especially susceptible to forming attachments to responsive, always-available technology, sometimes at the expense of real human connection and support,” said Dr. Zainab Okolo, LCMFT, Senior Vice President, Policy, Advocacy & Government Relations, The Jed Foundation (JED). “By requiring chatbots to avoid simulating emotional relationships with minors and prohibiting design tactics that discourage young people from stepping away, this bill addresses some of the features that can deepen unhealthy reliance on these systems. These safeguards can help keep technology in its proper role and encourage young people to turn to trusted adults and qualified professionals when they need meaningful mental health support.”\n\n“As chatbot use is becoming more ubiquitous among teens and kids, the need for oversight of these products grows evermore crucial. If young users have access, we must ensure AI chatbots are designed with their safety in mind before release. The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act protects kids and teens by requiring AI chatbots be non-personified,” said Alexa Arnold, Cofounder and CEO, The Anxious Generation Movement. “This ensures kids form friendships with other kids - not bots misrepresenting themselves as people. We thank Reps. Whitesides, Miller-Meeks, Mike Kennedy, and Matsui for leadership on this critical issue.”\n\n“A child cannot differentiate between a human and an AI product impersonating one,” said the Tech Oversight Project. “We need to protect young and stop AI companies from profiting off products designed to trick children into believing they’re talking to a real person who has their best interests at heart. We’re proud to support this bill because it will hold Big Tech companies accountable at the design-level and ensure that young people can learn and develop healthy emotional attachments, which will help prevent AI’s most devastating harms.”\n\n“How we design chatbots shapes how young people engage with them, what they take with them, and how they are affected by them,” said Stephen Scheuller, President of Society for Digital Mental Health. “We need clear regulations and guidelines to support intentional design choices in ways that promote the wellbeing of children.”\n\n“AI chatbots should not be designed to convince children that they are friends, therapists, or people who genuinely care about them,” said Public Citizen. “This bill establishes that commonsense baseline. When children use these products, they should know they are interacting with a machine and companies should not be allowed to manipulate them into believing otherwise.”\n\n“Real advancements in AI must include safety for our children!” saidAll Girls Allowed.\n\nA section-by-section breakdown of the bill can be found here.\n\nA one-pager on the bill can be found here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://mcclain.house.gov/2026/10/chairwoman-mcclain-brings-home-750-000-for-opioid-response-in-michigan-rural-communities", "title": "Chairwoman McClain Brings Home $750,000 for Opioid Response in Rural Communities", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcclain.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "mcclain.house.gov", "scraper": "mcclain", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001136", "name": "Lisa C. McClain", "party": "Republican", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is awarding $750,000 to Bluewater Healthcare Network in Marlette, Michigan, through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Impact (RCORP-Impact).\n\nThe funding, announced during September's National Recovery Month, will expand access to substance use disorder treatment and recovery services in rural communities across Michigan's 9th District.\n\n“Too many Michigan families know the heartbreak of watching someone they love struggle with addiction, especially when help is hard to find close to home,” Chairwoman McClain said. “This funding delivers real resources to rural communities in Southeast Michigan. I applaud President Trump for making rural opioid prevention and recovery a priority and for helping ensure Michiganders get the support they need, regardless of their ZIP code.”\n\nThe RCORP-Impact award will help Bluewater Healthcare Network strengthen evidence-based treatment, grow the local addiction-care workforce, and build community partnerships that support long-term recovery.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-member-mccollum-statement-us-withdrawal-iraq", "title": "Ranking Member McCollum Statement on U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mccollum.house.gov", "scraper": "mccollum", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001143", "name": "Betty McCollum", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Congresswoman McCollum, ranking member of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee released the following statement after U.S. forces formally withdrew from Iraq after two decades:\n\n“Today marks the end of America’s military mission in Iraq with the conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve and withdrawal of the last remaining U.S. forces from Iraqi territory. More than 23 years ago, America began the war in Iraq based on lies. In 2002, I was one of 133 members of the House of Representatives to vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution,” said Rep. McCollum. “At the time I believed that President Bush’s decision to take America to war was terribly wrong. I stand by my vote and believe that history has vindicated it. The Iraq War was a catastrophe that cost the lives of thousands of U.S. service members and well over 100,000 Iraqis. It unleashed a torrent of conflict across the Middle East, including the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. We continue to live with the consequences. To every American who served in Iraq, our nation owes you a debt of gratitude, especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our nation and those who returned with wounds both seen and unseen. Your families deserve our thanks and our support. We acknowledge and appreciate the many contributions of our international allies.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/its-a-girl-rep-mciver-gives-birth-to-her-second-child-a-symbol-of-hope-for-her-family", "title": "It’s a Girl! Rep. McIver Gives Birth To Her Second Child, A Symbol Of Hope For Her Family", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mciver.house.gov", "scraper": "mciver", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001229", "name": "LaMonica McIver", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "NEWARK, NJ – Today, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) announced the birth of her second child, a healthy baby girl. She released the following statement:\n\n“Being a mom is one of the greatest joys of my life, and I feel deeply grateful to welcome this beautiful, healthy baby into the world,” said McIver. “There really aren’t words to describe how blessed my family feels to welcome a new life into the world. Getting the chance to raise a family is a priority and a delight for me, something I hope everyone who wants to, gets the chance to do. Bringing a child into the world is a reminder not only of why we fight for maternal healthcare and reproductive rights, but of why we fight for the rights and freedoms of our most vulnerable– they are someone’s babies too.”\n\nMcIver is only the fifteenth-ever member of Congress to give birth while serving. She also has a ten-year-old daughter and is one of only a small group of women serving in Congress with school-aged children.\n\nShe has shared her tumultuous reproductive health journey, including her battle with uterine fibroids, which required multiple surgeries. One such surgery had her in New Jersey in the morning and rushing to Washington, D.C., that same night to make it in time to vote on the House floor. These experiences have bolstered her deep commitment to advocating for women’s reproductive rights, and strong reproductive and maternal healthcare for all.\n\nMcIver is also in the middle of a legal battle, facing 17 years in federal prison from charges brought by the Trump Department of Justice (DOJ). The charges stem from a lawfully authorized oversight visit McIver conducted at Delaney Hall, the controversial immigration detention center in her district. The case is ongoing.\n\nMcIver is a strong supporter of the recent push for proxy voting for new parents, as she will not be granted any paid maternity leave from Congress. She will take the month of October to heal, be with her family, and bond with her new child. She plans to return to voting in November.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-texas-delegation-unites-behind-bid-to-bring-us-space-academy-to-texas", "title": "Bipartisan Texas Delegation Unites Behind Bid to Bring U.S. Space Academy to Texas", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "menefee.house.gov", "scraper": "menefee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001245", "name": "Christian D. Menefee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "HOUSTON, TX — A bipartisan coalition of the Texas congressional delegation is speaking with one voice on where the United States Space Academy belongs: Texas.\n\nToday, Rep. Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) led a coalition of Democratic members of the Texas delegation in sending a letter to the Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy, urging the Commission to locate the new institution in Texas. The letter adds Democratic support to a case that Republican members of the delegation have also publicly championed in recent weeks, uniting Texans across party lines behind the state's bid.\n\nTexas is home to NASA's Johnson Space Center, which has trained every American astronaut and run Mission Control for more than sixty years. It is home to the only state where the full space industry, developing, building, testing, launching, and operating spacecraft, comes together in one place. And it is home to a network of universities and research institutions, from the University of Texas System to Texas A&M, already training the engineers and scientists the Academy will need.\n\nThe Democratic letter also points to Texas's role as the energy capital of the world and the skilled workforce that comes with it, along with the state's rapidly growing and diverse population as an asset for the Academy's future student body.\n\n\"Texas has the history, the infrastructure, and the workforce this Academy needs on day one,\" said Congressman Menefee. \"That is true regardless of party, and it is why members from across the Texas delegation are making the same case to the Commission.\"\n\nThe letter was co-signed by Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Greg Casar (TX-35), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), and Julie Johnson (TX-32).\n\nTexas is competing against several other states, including Alabama, Colorado, and Florida, to host the Academy. The Presidential Commission is expected to use responses to its Request for Information, due October 26, to help select a permanent location, with a goal of breaking ground by 2027 and welcoming its first class of students in 2028.\n\nClick HERE to read the full letter.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedys-license-drill-act-its-way-presidents-desk", "title": "Rep. Kennedy’s License to Drill Act on its way to the President’s desk", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mikekennedy.house.gov", "scraper": "mikekennedy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000403", "name": "Mike Kennedy", "party": "Republican", "state": "UT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congressman Mike Kennedy’s (UT-03) License to Drill Act has officially passed through both the House and the Senate by unanimous consent and is now waiting for the President's signature.\n\nThe License to Drill Act will allow the federal government to have the resources to process energy permits efficiently and without unnecessary delay. This legislation will reauthorize the Application for Permit to Drill (APD) fee program, cutting red tape and keeping our critical American energy development moving.\n\n“We know the effects of overreliance on foreign nations for our energy; it is a risk that we must mitigate. We also know that permitting delays cost jobs and drive up energy prices for everyday Americans,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “America needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and that starts with a government that can keep up with demand. The License to Drill Act will streamline permitting so our critical energy projects stop waiting on Washington and start delivering the domestic production this country needs to remain independent and secure.”\n\n“BLM’s Project Offices in Utah are essential to keeping up with a high volume of drilling permits, rights‑of‑way, and complex environmental reviews,” said Rikki Hrenko-Browning, President of the Utah Petroleum Association. “The Vernal office in particular processes the second highest number of APDs in the U.S., right after Carlsbad. When these offices have the resources to coordinate with other agencies and stay staffed up, projects move forward more predictably and our rural communities benefit from stable investment and jobs. We’re grateful to Rep. Kennedy for recognizing how important this program is to Utah and for leading the effort to ensure PPIF doesn’t lapse just when the country needs more reliable American energy.”\n\n“The Permit Processing Improvement Fund is one of the quiet success stories of federal energy policy,” said Melissa Simpson, Western Energy Alliance President. “It speeds up permits, cuts backlogs, and gives BLM the dedicated staff and tools they need to do their jobs well. Reauthorizing PPIF is about making government work better, reach decisions faster, shorten timelines, and support frontline BLM staff in offices across the West. We’re grateful for Rep. Kennedy’s leadership on this issue and for introducing a bill to extend the program for another 10 years.”\n\n“The independent American producers we represent operate on tight margins and long timelines,” said Dan Naatz, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of the Independent Petroleum Association of America. “When federal permits get bogged down, so do investments into critical energy infrastructure. The Permit Processing Improvement Fund has proven that when Congress gives BLM resources and direction, the agency can move projects forward efficiently while maintaining strong environmental safeguards. Extending this bipartisan program is a common‑sense way to support American energy production and the small and midsize companies that anchor it. Thank you, Rep. Kennedy, for working to ensure this important program does not expire later this year.”\n\n“The world is seeing once again how geopolitical crises can send energy markets into turmoil,” said Tim Stewart, President of the U.S. Oil & Gas Association. “With attacks in the Middle East and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, it is more important than ever that America can rely on its own oil and natural gas. The Permit Processing Improvement Fund is a practical, bipartisan way to keep federal permitting from becoming a weak link in our energy security. Rep. Kennedy understands that by strengthening BLM’s permitting capacity, PPIF helps ensure that American barrels can reach consumers when global supplies are at risk.”\n\n“Behind every drilling permit are engineers, technicians, and skilled workers whose livelihoods depend on predictable, timely decisions from federal agencies,” said Tim Tarpley, President of the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. “In addition to helping directly support BLM staff, it ultimately helps the professionals in the field who produce the energy our nation needs. Rep. Kennedy recognizes that reauthorizing PPIF is an investment in the workforce that keeps American energy reliable, affordable, and responsibly developed.”\n\n\"North Dakota's BLM State Office is one of the busiest permitting offices in the country, and the Permit Processing Improvement Fund has been a key reason it can keep pace with demand,” said North Dakota Petroleum Council President, Ron Ness. “This program is entirely industry-funded and has delivered faster permit approvals, reduced backlogs, and better interagency coordination. For our members operating in the Bakken, that translates directly into investment certainty and jobs. We commend Rep. Kennedy for his leadership in ensuring this proven program continues, and we urge Congress to act before the September deadline.\"\n\n“Colorado knows firsthand how important it is to balance protecting the environment with permitting energy projects. Achieving timely permitting at the federal level helps support jobs, tax revenue, and responsible development,” said Lynn Granger, President and CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association. “The Permit Processing Improvement Fund gives BLM field offices the staff and tools they need to stay ahead of backlogs while still doing thorough environmental reviews. Rep. Kennedy’s legislation to extend PPIF ensures that Colorado communities can continue to count on federal partners that are responsive, professional, and equipped to keep critical projects moving.”\n\n“Communities across Montana count on a federal process that is predictable, timely, and grounded in good stewardship,” said Sonny Capece, Executive Director of the Montana Petroleum Association. “The Permit Processing Improvement Fund helps BLM field offices in our state keep permits moving on energy projects and maintains strong environmental safeguards. By championing PPIF reauthorization, Rep. Kennedy is helping to preserve a bipartisan tool that supports Montanans and public lands alike.”\n\n“Small, independent producers in New Mexico don’t have the luxury of sitting on permits for years,” said Jim Winchester, Executive Director of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico. “When federal approvals stall, local jobs, small businesses, and state revenues all feel it. Rep. Kennedy’s bill keeps a proven, industry‑funded tool in place so that producers in New Mexico can continue to invest, hire, and deliver affordable energy to consumers.”\n\n“In New Mexico, oil and natural gas produced on BLM’s multiple‑use public lands in turn fund our public schools, roads, and essential community services,” said Missi Currier, President and CEO of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. “That’s because nearly half of the federal royalties flow back to the state. That revenue depends on BLM’s ability to process permits in a timely, predictable way. The Permit Processing Improvement Fund helps ensure federal offices like Carlsbad and Farmington have the staff and expertise to keep responsible development moving, even when workloads spike. We appreciate Rep. Kennedy’s leadership in reauthorizing PPIF so New Mexico’s students and communities can continue to benefit from energy produced on nearby federal lands.”\n\nBackground\n\nThe Application for Permit to Drill (APD) fee program was first established by Congress in 2004 to help the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) process drilling permits more efficiently using industry-funded fees. Since its creation, the program has helped reduce backlogs, streamline approvals, and support domestic energy production across sectors that everyday Americans depend on.\n\nUnder current federal law, companies seeking to drill for oil or gas on public lands must submit an APD to the BLM. That process includes environmental reviews and coordination across multiple agencies. The APD fee program requires applicants to pay a fee at the time of submission, directly funding the staffing and resources the BLM needs to review and process those permits efficiently.\n\nAmericans feel permitting inefficiency at the pump, in their utility bills, and in the jobs that never get created. Meeting America's growing energy demands requires investment across all sectors, and that starts with a permitting system that can keep pace. This bill directs 100% of APD fees to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund (PPIF) for fiscal years 2027 through 2037, ensuring every dollar collected goes directly toward faster, more efficient permitting for domestic energy development.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases/miller-meeks-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-protect-children-human-chatbots", "title": "Miller-Meeks Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Children from Human-Like Chatbots", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "millermeeks.house.gov", "scraper": "millermeeks", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001215", "name": "Mariannette Miller-Meeks", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Rep. George Whitesides (D-CA), Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-UT), and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act, legislation to protect children from AI chatbots designed to imitate human relationships. This bill would prohibit chatbots from communicating by default in a human-like way with minors, including pretending to be human, expressing simulated emotions, or using relationship-building language to keep children engaged.\n\nAs artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of everyday life, parents deserve to know that the technology their children use is safe and designed with their well-being in mind. One of the fastest-growing concerns for parents is AI chatbots designed to act like a child's friend, confidant, or even romantic partner. According to Common Sense Media's 2026 census, 89% of 13- to 15-year-olds now use AI, including 28% who use it every day. One in three teens have used an AI companion to help with social interactions. This legislation takes a commonsense approach by ensuring AI remains a tool for children, rather than becoming a substitute for real human relationships.\n\n“Parents should not have to worry that an AI chatbot is pretending to be their child’s friend or encouraging them to form an emotional attachment to a machine,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act puts parents in control and makes sure AI chatbots used by minors are designed to function as tools, without forming fake relationships. This bill is about giving families peace of mind and making sure new technology serves our children without trying to replace real human relationships. Protecting our kids is a priority we should all share.”\n\n“As a father of two teenagers, I’ve seen firsthand how affected our kids already are by this digital age, where corporations are using everything from addictive algorithms to overly-friendly chatbots to keep children hooked on their platforms,” said Rep. Whitesides. “It is critical, as AI continues to be integrated into every part of our lives, that our kids’ safety remains at the forefront of the conversation, and that we attack this problem at its inception. By requiring developers to build safety standards into their models before they start interacting with children, we can ensure that these tools are trained correctly, in a way that does not negatively impact their mental health or personal relationships.”\n\n“As Utah leads the way in protecting our children from the harms of social media and AI, I am working to ensure the federal government is an active partner in those efforts. That is why I am co-leading the Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act,” said Rep. Kennedy. “Human-like AI chatbots pose significant emotional, psychological and safety risks by mimicking real human relationships. AI needs to be a tool, not a friend. This bill sets clear boundaries for how chatbots interact with our children and puts parents fully in charge of these features.”\n\n“AI chatbots are becoming more common in children’s lives, and parents deserve to know those systems are not being designed to imitate a friend, express feelings, or build an emotional relationship with their child,” said Rep. Matsui. “The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act would require chatbots used by minors to act like tools, not human companions. It would help protect children and keep parents in control. Congress has a responsibility to put practical safeguards in place as this technology evolves, and protecting children from manipulative design is a common-sense place to start.”\n\nUnder the Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act:\n\nChatbots cannot claim to be human, claim to have feelings or consciousness, pretend to have a body or private life, or impersonate credentialed professionals like doctors or counselors.\n\nChatbots cannot guilt-trip children into staying online, create a false sense of urgency, or encourage purchases by suggesting they are necessary to maintain the relationship.\n\nThese protections carry across sessions and cannot be bypassed through prompts or roleplay. Children cannot direct an AI to act as a romantic partner, family member, or therapist.\n\nChatbots must clearly identify themselves as AI upfront, periodically during long conversations, and whenever a child asks.\n\nOnly a parent or guardian can turn off the default protections. Chatbots cannot teach children how to disable them.\n\nNIST will work with industry and academic partners to develop testing standards and examples of compliant behavior, and companies that follow the guidance won't be penalized.\n\nThe FTC and state attorneys general can enforce the law, with penalties that scale with the number of children affected.\n\nThe Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act does not:\n\nBan any product, feature, or mode for adults.\n\nRequire age verification or new data collection.\n\nRestrict what information a chatbot can provide, or limit politeness, natural grammar, or age-appropriate style.\n\nThe Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act is endorsed by Americans for Responsible Innovation, Young People’s Alliance, the JED Foundation, Dr. Stephen Scheuller, President of Society for Digital Mental Health, Public Citizen, The Anxious Generation, Tech Oversight Project, Transparency Coalition, Innovation for Everyone, Human Line Project, All Girls Allowed, Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), and Parents RISE, a slew of kids’ safety and tech groups.\n\n“Chatbots use human-like features to maximize engagement with users, making kids particularly vulnerable to forming unhealthy attachments,” said Brad Carson, President of Americans for Responsible Innovation. “A non-personified default setting is a targeted guardrail that will shield children from the deceptive personification of chatbots and put parents back in control. As today’s kids grow up with AI, this bill takes a critical step towards ensuring that chatbots don’t interfere with development or replace real relationships.”\n\n“Our communities are at a crossroads as Big Tech attempts to replace kids’ relationships with AI companions,” said Sam Hiner, Executive Director, Young People's Alliance. “I applaud Reps Whitesides, Kennedy, Matsui and Miller-Meeks for putting forward the first federal bill that advances the ideas we’ve been championing with the Human-like AI Coalition. This bill is the strongest federal approach offered yet to ensure AI stays a tool and prevent relationships with AI chatbots from becoming normalized in the coming years.”\n\n“We believe this bill is a strong step towards ensuring that chatbots children can access are designed safely,” said Julianna Arnold, Founding Member of ParentsRISE!. “Products made available to children must not exploit and manipulate their growing brains, and those guardrails need to be built in from the start, not added as an afterthought. We look forward to continue clarifying the age assurance language as federal and state frameworks evolve, and are eager to work with the new Congress on clear, privacy-preserving standards that protect children online and ensure the privacy of every citizen.”\n\n“We are learning that teens are especially susceptible to forming attachments to responsive, always-available technology, sometimes at the expense of real human connection and support,” saidDr. Zainab Okolo, LCMFT, Senior Vice President, Policy, Advocacy & Government Relations, The Jed Foundation (JED). “By requiring chatbots to avoid simulating emotional relationships with minors and prohibiting design tactics that discourage young people from stepping away, this bill addresses some of the features that can deepen unhealthy reliance on these systems. These safeguards can help keep technology in its proper role and encourage young people to turn to trusted adults and qualified professionals when they need meaningful mental health support.”\n\n“As chatbot use is becoming more ubiquitous among teens and kids, the need for oversight of these products grows evermore crucial. If young users have access, we must ensure AI chatbots are designed with their safety in mind before release. The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act protects kids and teens by requiring AI chatbots be non-personified,” saidAlexa Arnold, Cofounder and CEO, The Anxious Generation Movement. “This ensures kids form friendships with other kids - not bots misrepresenting themselves as people. We thank Reps. Whitesides, Miller-Meeks, Mike Kennedy, and Matsui for leadership on this critical issue.”\n\n“How we design chatbots shapes how young people engage with them, what they take with them, and how they are affected by them,” saidStephen Scheuller, President of Society for Digital Mental Health. “We need clear regulations and guidelines to support intentional design choices in ways that promote the wellbeing of children.”\n\n“AI chatbots should not be designed to convince children that they are friends, therapists, or people who genuinely care about them,” saidPublic Citizen. “This bill establishes that commonsense baseline. When children use these products, they should know they are interacting with a machine and companies should not be allowed to manipulate them into believing otherwise.”\n\n“Real advancements in AI must include safety for our children!” said All Girls Allowed.\n\nTo read the full bill text, Click HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://min.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-min-and-olszewski-introduce-community-disaster-protection-act", "title": "Representatives Min and Olszewski Introduce the Community Disaster Protection Act to Expand Insurance Access in High-Risk Communities", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://min.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "min.house.gov", "scraper": "min", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001241", "name": "Dave Min", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC. — Today, Rep. Dave Min (CA-47), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Building Resilient Housing Task Force, introduced the Community Disaster Protection Act, which would foster and incentivize the development of new disaster insurance products to help high-risk communities secure affordable coverage and promote effective disaster prevention.\n\n“Families across the country are watching their insurance premiums skyrocket—or losing coverage altogether—because their communities are increasingly exposed to wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and other disasters,” said Rep. Min. “We cannot wait until after disaster strikes to figure out how families and communities are going to recover. The Community Disaster Protection Act gives local communities new tools to close dangerous insurance gaps, invest in resilience, and develop coverage that actually reflects the risks they face. As these disasters become more costly, Congress has a responsibility to help ensure Americans are not left financially devastated simply because of where they live.”\n\n“As extreme weather becomes more frequent and severe, too many Americans are unable to obtain the insurance coverage they need to recover from a disaster,” said Rep. Olszewski. “The Community Disaster Protection Act takes a commonsense approach by helping high-risk communities close coverage gaps and make disaster protection more affordable. I’m proud to work with the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) and Congressman Min to help communities prepare for the challenges ahead, protect families from devastating financial losses, and build a more resilient future.”\n\n“The Community Disaster Protection Act is a great first step to address the rising costs and unmet needs facing Americans, and EDF research makes clear that new and innovative solutions will be critical as climate change increases disaster risk,” said Joanna Slaney, Vice President for Political and Government Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). “This bill will be essential to help more communities identify the solutions that meet their needs. By supporting locally designed pilots that pair insurance coverage with investments in risk reduction, The CDPA would support the development of insurance products that help high-risk communities secure affordable insurance coverage, incentivize effective disaster prevention, and provide greater stability to property insurance markets. We thank Representatives Min and Olszewski for their leadership and urge Congress to move this bill forward.”\n\n“APCIA applauds Congressman Min and Congressman Olszewski for introducing the Community Disaster Protection Act, which would support community-based catastrophe insurance solutions, including parametric and other innovative risk-transfer models, to help close protection gaps and expand options for communities facing natural disasters,” said Sam Whitfield, Senior Vice President of Federal Government Relations and Political Engagement at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). “Importantly, the bill recognizes that these approaches are intended to complement, not replace, the traditional, private property casualty insurance market. By encouraging risk mitigation, promoting community resilience, expanding access to financial protection, and testing new risk-transfer models, this pilot program can help communities prepare for disasters and speed recovery when disasters strike.”\n\n“Architects are an essential part of the solution to helping communities prepare for growing disaster risks. The Community Disaster Protection Act will give communities new tools to better understand, manage, and insure against those risks—helping create the conditions for property owners and local governments to invest in the resilient buildings and infrastructure architects are uniquely equipped to design,” said Illya Azaroff, FAIA, 2026 National President, American Institute of Architects (AIA). “AIA is proud to support this legislation and looks forward to continuing our work with Representative Dave Min, Johnny Olszewski, and the SEEC Building Resilient Housing Task Force to advance practical solutions that strengthen communities before disasters strike.”\n\n“As natural disasters continue to worsen in both intensity and impact across the country, we need innovative solutions to help communities and economies recover from devastation,” said Jessie Ritter, Associate Vice President for Water and Coasts at the National Wildlife Federation. “The Community Disaster Protection Act encourages proactive risk mitigation, while also giving communities a flexible solution to support recovery after disasters, particularly in areas that are the most vulnerable to extreme weather. We look forward to working with Representatives Min and Olszewski on this legislation.”\n\n“CSAC looks forward to working with Congressmember Min on the Community Disaster Protection Act to advance practical, workable solutions for California communities. Local governments need more tools and flexibility to help protect families and residents facing growing disaster risks and insurance challenges,” said California State Association of Counties (CSAC) President and Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg.\n\nBackground on the Community Disaster Protection Act:\n\nAs climate change drives more frequent and severe extreme weather events, communities face widening disaster coverage gaps, making it harder and more expensive for them to rebuild. In 2024, economic losses from natural disasters in the U.S. reached $217.8 billion, approximately $105 billion of which was left uninsured. Rising climate-related damage has increased insurer payouts, driven up premiums, and prompted insurance carriers to withdraw from high-risk markets. Addressing this coverage crisis requires innovative approaches that expand insurance access, promote effective resilience, and strengthen the stability of insurance markets nationwide.\n\nCommunities are exploring ways to secure or facilitate insurance for a group of properties, leveraging their local knowledge and purchasing power to improve affordability, streamline enrollment, and incentivize risk mitigation tailored to local needs. These arrangements, known as community-based catastrophe insurance (CBCI), offer significant potential to close disaster coverage gaps but are only now beginning to be explored, with just a handful of U.S. jurisdictions currently piloting or implementing CBCI programs. For example, CBCI can be developed to act as a supplement to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), such as a parametric flood insurance program, or to cover wildfire risk in communities where insurers are withdrawing coverage or declining to write new policies.\"\n\nThe Community Disaster Protection Act would direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a 5-year pilot program to award competitive grants to local governments, quasi-government bodies, and community-based organizations to design, develop, implement, or facilitate CBCI.\n\nSpecifically, this legislation would:\n\nClose disaster coverage gaps by authorizing grants to develop or facilitate CBCI products that cover disaster risks uninsured or underserved by traditional insurance; setting actuarially justified premiums that enable broad participation; and prioritizing applicants facing the greatest coverage gaps or disaster risks.\n\nPreserve local flexibility by allowing funds to support a range of CBCI frameworks, without restricting the disaster risks or properties covered. Eligible uses of funds could include consumer outreach and education, catastrophe-risk modeling or research into disaster risks, and leveraging non-federal funds to support long-term program sustainability.\n\nPromote resiliency investments by requiring CBCI programs to promote specific individual or community-wide investments to mitigate disaster risks, reduce potential losses, and secure lower premiums.\n\nAddress regulatory ambiguity by directing the U.S. Government Accountability Office to conduct periodic evaluations of program performance to determine the regulatory treatment of CBCI and other alternative insurance products with respect to federal disaster aid eligibility.\n\nPreserve state insurance authority by explicitly preserving States’ authority to regulate insurance markets and require all grant recipients to comply with applicable State insurance laws and regulations. Grants would only be a catalyst for CBCI arrangements operating within State regulatory frameworks.\n\nThis bill is endorsed by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, American Institute of Architects, California State Association of Counties, Environmental Defense Fund, Evergreen Action, League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, and Natural Resources Defense Council.\n\nIn addition, Reps. Ami Bera (CA-06), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Ed Case (HI-01), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Mike Levin (CA-49), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), and Shri Thanedar (MI-13) have joined as original cosponsors.\n\nThe full text of the legislation can be found here and a summary of the legislation can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405845", "title": "Chairmen Griffith, Guthrie Statement on GAO Report, Need to Protect Public Safety and Health from Illicit Tobacco Products", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/", "domain": "morgangriffith.house.gov", "scraper": "morgangriffith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000568", "name": "H. Morgan Griffith", "party": "Republican", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report that illustrates ongoing challenges with the tobacco product application process at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since 2013, Congress has heard and seen the difficulties associated with reviewing tobacco product applications in a timely manner. The GAO report sheds light on this current system and the resulting backlog.\n\nLengthy tobacco product application timelines can limit consumer choice away from more responsible tobacco products, as the status quo has promoted a wild west of options on U.S. shelves. Americans face a glaring public health crisis, as foreign countries like China have flooded the U.S. market with harmful products that lack regulation. The current regulatory review process can make it more difficult for adult smokers to access a range of less harmful smoking alternatives. This report provides insight into the current landscape to help policymakers better understand how improvements can be made to this process and strengthen enforcement against illicit products.\n\nKey GAO Report Takeaways:\n\n- FDA took an average of 507 days to review applications, even though federal law requires application reviews within 180 days.\n\n- FDA does not collect data to monitor whether it is meeting timeliness goals to review scientific information in all tobacco product applications.\n\n- The current Administration has taken steps to help improve the application process, but more work is needed.\n\nAs one of the chief lawmakers who requested this GAO report, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, responded to the findings.\n\n“I requested this GAO report to identity room for improvement at the FDA with respect to tobacco product applications. The agency’s findings show that the FDA is missing its goals,” said Chairman Griffith. “The current regulatory hurdles impacting tobacco product applications are unfair to American tobacco producers and consumers. These regulatory delays stall the progress of the tobacco harm reduction movement, which helps adult smokers transition away from combustible smoking such as cigarettes.”\n\nGriffith continued, “Further, as legal producers try to follow U.S. laws and wait their turn, bad actors continue to jump the line and flood a ‘wild west’ marketplace with illicit and unsafe products. We should also recognize the broader public health opportunity before us. Youth tobacco and nicotine use remain at historic lows, and we must continue working to protect those gains.\n\n“I support reforms to the current regulatory process that will allow the FDA to meet its objectives in a timely manner. This report is the first step in making this process work and I look forward to working with the Administration to make this happen.”\n\nU.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, provided additional comments on the GAO report.\n\n\"Our Committee has focused intently on exploring polices that ensure adversarial nations like China can't exploit loopholes in our regulatory processes and harm American consumers,\" said Chairman Guthrie. \"Our primary goal with this request was to make sure FDA can serve as an efficient regulator, and I thank Chairman Griffith on his commitment to enhancing the current regulatory review process for tobacco products. Even though we are currently experiencing record lows for American youth that are using illegal and illicit vape devices and tobacco products, this report is proof that further action is needed.\"\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nChairman Griffith alongside Chairman Guthrie submitted a request to prompt this GAO report.\n\nChairman Griffith worked with Chairman Guthrie in prior Congresses to address systemic issues with the FDA regulatory process over tobacco products.\n\nChairman Griffith is a member of the Congressional Tobacco Harm Reduction Caucus.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mrvan-announces-department-education-grant-ccsj", "title": "Mrvan Announces Department of Education Grant for CCSJ", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mrvan.house.gov", "scraper": "mrvan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001214", "name": "Frank J. Mrvan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced a federal grant award for Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) through the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program.\n\nSpecifically, CCSJ will receive $1,443,864 to improve and strengthen the institution's academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability. In general, the Strengthening Institutions Program aims to help institutions of higher education become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students.\n\nAccording to the CCSJ, approximately half of the grant funding will be designated to complete a kitchen and kinesiology space, which will provide more robust food service for students while also creating a more functional catering kitchen to support events. The grant will also support several areas that directly contribute to student success and well-being, including tutoring, supplemental instruction, technology upgrades, and mental health activities.\n\nCongressman Mrvan stated, “Thank you to President Tulley and all of the leaders at the Calumet College of St. Joseph on successfully securing this vital funding to further support students during their academic journey. I am grateful for your consistent and thoughtful efforts to dedicate resources that promote the well-being and academic success of all of your students.”\n\n“We appreciate the Congressman’s efforts to expand access to higher education in Northwest Indiana,” said Dr. Ron Tulley, President of Calumet College of St. Joseph. “This grant will provide for a more robust health and wellness center at the College. We will develop infrastructure and grow our endowment. This award will allow us to live out our mission in a more impactful way.”\n\nFor additional information on the Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program, click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://neal.house.gov/2026/10/01/neal-kelly-lead-congressional-friends-of-ireland-caucus-in-letter-calling-for-uk-government-to-cancel-orange-order-parade-on-garvaghy-road/", "title": "Neal, Kelly Lead Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus in Letter Calling for UK Government to Cancel Orange Order Parade on Garvaghy Road", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "neal.house.gov", "scraper": "neal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000015", "name": "Richard E. Neal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Richard E. Neal (D-MA-01) and U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus, led the Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus in a letter addressed to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Bryant, calling on the Government of the United Kingdom to cancel the Orange Order parade on Garvaghy Road.\n\n“Over the last three decades, the progress made on the island of Ireland has been nothing short of extraordinary. Twenty-eight years have passed since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, and a generation has grown without a single memory of the Troubles,” the lawmakers wrote. “It was that same 28-year period that saw the end of the controversial Orange Order marches on Garvaghy Road in a majority-Catholic area of Portadown. During the Troubles, these parades became a symbol of the sectarian tensions, public disorder, and violence that once threatened Northern Ireland’s peace.\n\n“This is a consequential moment on the island of Ireland, which is why we respectfully urge you to put a stop to this march,” continued the lawmakers.”Failing to intervene and allowing this contentious parade to move forward would risk undermining the progress that has been painstakingly built over the past three decades. As a guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the United States has a vested interest in seeing the principles embodied in the accord upheld, ensuring the gains we have achieved can be enjoyed for generations to come.”\n\nA copy of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:56:20Z"}
{"url": "https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-statement-fbi-arrest-hanford-field-office", "title": "Newhouse Statement on FBI Arrest at Hanford Field Office", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "newhouse.house.gov", "scraper": "newhouse", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000189", "name": "Dan Newhouse", "party": "Republican", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Press Release\n\nFor Immediate Release: October 1, 2026\n\nContact: Max Willens, (202) 738-7716\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement after the arrest of a Department of Energy (DOE) employee by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI):\n\n“I want to thank the FBI and DOE for their coordinated effort today in arresting an individual who allegedly exploited the trust of the U.S. Government to the benefit of a foreign terrorist organization.” said Rep. Newhouse. “There is a zero-tolerance policy for individuals who betray our government for the sake of terrorism and if these allegations are true, this individual should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I will be receiving a briefing from DOJ and DOE to understand the severity of the situation, to review protocols in place, and to evaluate what improvements may be necessary. Thank you again to DOJ and DOE for their work to safeguard our national security.”\n\nFor more information, please visit the DOJ's website.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://nikemawilliams.house.gov/posts/congresswomen-nikema-williams-ashley-hinson-call-for-technology-improvements-to-be-utilized-to-advance-maternal-health", "title": "Congresswomen Nikema Williams & Ashley Hinson Call for Technology Improvements to be Utilized to Advance Maternal Health", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://nikemawilliams.house.gov/press", "domain": "nikemawilliams.house.gov", "scraper": "nikemawilliams", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000788", "name": "Nikema Williams", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Congresswoman Ashely Hinson (IA-02) led a bipartisan congressional letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet C. Oz, MD and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Director Abe Sutton to address maternal health.\n\nThe representatives urged CMS to develop and test a demonstration model through CMMI that uses telehealth and remote monitoring technologies to improve maternal health outcomes. The letter calls for the CMS to leverage technology to make pregnancy and postpartum care safer, more accessible, and more effective, while generating evidence to support broader adoption of innovative maternal healthcare solutions.\n\nHealthy Moms Healthy Babies America stands in support of Congresswoman Williams and Congresswoman Hinson’s bipartisan effort to improve maternal health outcomes.\n\nThe Members wrote:\n\n“As sponsors of the Tech to Save Moms Act (H.R. 8317), we write to encourage the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), through the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), to pursue a demonstration model that advances the goals outlined in our legislation and leverages technology to improve maternal health outcomes nationwide.”\n\n“The United States continues to face an unacceptable maternal health crisis, with disproportionately poor outcomes in rural, underserved, and high-risk communities. As CMS has previously recognized, innovative telehealth payment and service delivery models for maternal health represent an important opportunity to improve access to high quality care, particularly for patients facing provider shortages, transportation barriers, and other challenges that impede access to maternity care.”\n\nThe Members requested that the CMII evaluate, develop and test a demonstration model that:\n\nExpands access to maternal telehealth services and remote monitoring technologies for Medicaid beneficiaries during pregnancy and the postpartum period;\n\nSupports the screening, monitoring, and management of common pregnancy-related and postpartum health complications;\n\nImproves access to care in rural and urban underserved, low income, and high-risk communities;\n\nEvaluates the impact of technology enabled interventions on clinical outcomes, patient engagement, and program costs with an eye toward closing health gaps socioeconomic, geographic, and racial and ethnic divides; and\n\nIdentifies best practices for broader adoption within Medicaid and other CMS programs.\n\nThe Members said:\n\n“As we have stated publicly, innovative technology can play an important role in addressing our nation’s maternal health crisis, and we should be using every available tool to make pregnancy and postpartum care safer, more accessible, and more effective for families across the country. We appreciate CMS’s continued commitment to addressing the maternal health crisis and we look forward to working with you directly.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://norman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3672", "title": "Rep. Ralph Norman Reintroduces Capital Loss Inflation Fairness Act to Modernize Nearly 50-Year-Old Tax Rule", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://norman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "norman.house.gov", "scraper": "norman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000190", "name": "Ralph Norman", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Congressman Ralph Norman (R-SC) reintroduced the Capital Loss Inflation Fairness Act to address a nearly five-decade-old provision of the federal tax code and allow Americans to deduct more of their investment losses from their ordinary income.\n\nThe current limit of $3,000, or $1,500 for married taxpayers filing separately, has remained unchanged since 1978. Norman’s legislation would increase those limits to $14,250 and $7,125, respectively. Additionally, the bill includes an annual adjustment for inflation.\n\nUnder current law, losses exceeding the annual limit generally must be carried forward to future tax years. The legislation would allow individual taxpayers to recognize more of those losses sooner and would apply to losses in tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.\n\n“The $3,000 capital loss deduction hasn’t changed since 1978, and everyday Americans shouldn’t be penalized because Congress failed to update an outdated number,” said Congressman Norman. “It’s common sense. Raise the limit to reflect today’s dollars, tie it to inflation, and let Americans keep more of their hard-earned money.”\n\n“Inflation shouldn’t be a backdoor tax increase,” said Congressman Thomas Massie (KY-4). “Congress set the capital loss deduction at $3,000 in 1978 and then let inflation erode its value for nearly fifty years. This bill offers some relief and course correction for taxpayers in an increasingly volatile economy.”\n\n“Republicans are reversing years of Democrats’ big government tax burdens to ensure hardworking Americans can keep more of their money each year, and this legislation does just that,” said Congresswoman Sheri Biggs (SC-3). “I am proud to support this bill because it gives our constituents more breathing room when they take risks, invest, and contribute to our economy. As the cost of living increases, so should the amount you can deduct when you experience a loss. Americans should be able to keep more of their own money. It’s that simple.”\n\n“The $3,000 capital loss deduction limit has been stuck in the tax code since 1978, even as the value of the dollar has declined dramatically due to inflation. Thankfully, Congressman Norman’s commonsense reform would provide taxpayers and investors with a fairer and more neutral tax treatment of capital gains and losses. NTU is proud to once again endorse the Capital Loss Inflation Fairness Act and looks forward to helping this important legislation reach the president’s desk,” Thomas Aiello, Vice President of Federal Affairs at National Taxpayers Union.\n\n“The current federal tax code discourages families from saving, leaving them less secure and starving businesses of the capital needed to grow. The Capital Loss Inflation Fairness Act would correct our tax code's uneven treatment of capital gains and losses and strengthen the bottom line for families and businesses alike,” Patrick Fleenor, Tax Policy Fellow with Americans for Prosperity.\n\nThe Capital Loss Inflation Fairness Act is originally cosponsored by Reps. Michael Cloud (TX-27), Thomas Massie (KY-4), Sheri Biggs (SC-3), and Andy Harris (MD-1).\n\nThe bill is supported by the National Taxpayers Union and Americans for Prosperity.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://obernolte.house.gov/media/press-releases/obernolte-trahan-statement-white-house-ai-accord", "title": "Obernolte, Trahan Statement on White House AI Accord", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://obernolte.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "obernolte.house.gov", "scraper": "obernolte", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000019", "name": "Jay Obernolte", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23) and Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), authors of the bipartisan FRONTIER Act, issued the following statement on the White House Accord signed by leading AI companies on Tuesday:\n\n“This week, America's leading AI companies signed the White House Accord, an important step toward ensuring that the most advanced AI systems are developed responsibly. The Accord embraces several principles at the heart of our bipartisan FRONTIER Act: robust internal risk management, strong corporate governance, and independent third-party evaluation. It shows that the industry's leaders see real value in these safeguards, and we look forward to each company expeditiously following through.”\n\n“The FRONTIER Act would build on this foundation and make it durable. It sets clear, risk-based national standards for the largest developers and most advanced models. It gives independent verifiers a common standard to assess against, with federal oversight to back it up. It establishes uniform transparency and incident reporting, and emergency authority to stop a catastrophe before it happens. Importantly, the FRONTIER Act does this while keeping America at the forefront of AI innovation. We look forward to working with the President, our colleagues in both chambers, and American innovators to advance this bipartisan framework.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-ocasio-cortez-and-senator-schumer-introduce-bicameral", "title": "Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Schumer Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Restore Health Coverage for 450,000 New Yorkers", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ocasio-cortez.house.gov", "scraper": "ocasio-cortez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000172", "name": "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Because of Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, over 450,000 New Yorkers lost Essential Plan coverage.\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led the entire New York Democratic delegation in the introduction of the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act. The Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act would restore health coverage to the nearly 450,000 New Yorkers who were kicked off of the Essential Plan under the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act.\n\n“Congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act represents the largest loss of healthcare in American history. Apart from cutting nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, this bill specifically targeted New York by gutting the Essential Plan and stripping almost half a million New Yorkers of their health insurance. We must take immediate steps to repeal the harmful impacts of H.R. 1 on New York” said Representative Ocasio-Cortez. “Today, I am introducing the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act alongside Senator Schumer and the entire New York Democratic Delegation to reinstate federal funding for the New York Essential Plan and ensure that New Yorkers can once again access this critical health program.”\n\n“Make no mistake, the ‘Big, Ugly Bill’ has been a disaster that has left American families sicker, poorer, and less safe,” said Leader Schumer. “Republicans promised lower health care costs, but they delivered soaring premiums, sky-high deductibles, and coverage ripped away from millions – all to give billionaires and big corporations a tax cut. In an act of political retribution, Republicans specifically targeted New Yorkers, kicking nearly half a million people off their coverage. Leaving working families with no affordable alternatives isn’t policy; it’s punishment. And it undermines public health and the health of our vital hospitals and community health centers. We must work to pass this legislation, reverse this cruel policy, and restore health insurance to all New Yorkers.”\n\n“H.R. 1 decimated New York’s Essential Plan, ripping health insurance coverage from hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and weakening the finances of every hospital in the State. That’s why the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act is so critically important. It would repeal this terrible HR 1 policy and establish a permanent option for expanded basic health plan coverage. New York’s hospital community is deeply grateful to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and the New York delegation Democrats for championing this effort to expand health insurance and strengthen New York’s health care safety net,” said Kenneth E. Raske, President, Greater New York Hospital Association.\n\n“Losing coverage can force patients to delay care, skip medications, or make impossible choices between their health and other basic needs. Community health centers care for everyone who walks through their doors, whether they have insurance or not, and as more New Yorkers lose coverage, the strain on CHCs and their patients grows,” said Rose Duhan, president and CEO of the Community Health Care Association of New York State. “Ensuring New Yorkers have coverage helps patients get the care they need, when they need it, from providers they know and trust. CHCANYS is proud to support the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act.”\n\n“HANYS strongly supports the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act, which would reverse H.R. 1’s harmful limitations on New Yorkers’ eligibility for this affordable health insurance option and provide states the flexibility to extend this coverage to individuals with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty line,” said Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD, president and CEO, Healthcare Association of New York State. “Affordable health coverage is becoming out of reach for many New Yorkers, and H.R. 1 threatens to leave even more people uninsured. HANYS applauds Senate Minority Leader Schumer and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez for introducing this important bill and for their ongoing dedication to protecting and improving all New Yorkers’ access to healthcare coverage and care.”\n\n“This legislation would reverse some of the worst harms of H.R. 1 and allow more New Yorkers to access affordable health insurance coverage,” said Mitchell Katz, MD President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals. “Our health care system is grateful to Senator Schumer and Representative Ocasio-Cortez for their leadership and commitment to keeping New Yorkers connected to care.”\n\nThe legislation would repeal the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s premium tax credit eligibility restrictions, fully restoring funding for the Essential Plan. In addition to restoring the program, the legislation would provide all states with the option to expand health coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s Basic Health Plan.\n\nThis legislation is cosponsored by the entire New York Democratic delegation including: Senator Gillibrand (D-NY), Leader Jeffries (NY-08), and Representatives Clarke (NY-09), Espaillat (NY-13), Gillen (NY-04), Goldman (NY-10), Kennedy (NY-26), Latimer (NY-16), Mannion (NY-22), Meeks (NY-5), Meng (NY-6), Morelle (NY-25), Nadler (NY-12), Riley (NY-19), Ryan (NY-18), Suozzi (NY-3), Tonko (NY-20), Torres (NY-15), and Velázquez (NY-07).\n\nThe full bill text is available here.\n\nA one-pager of the bill is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://olszewski.house.gov/media/press-releases/maryland-congressional-delegation-and-baltimore-mayor-brandon-scott-meet", "title": "Maryland Congressional Delegation and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Meet to Discuss Baltimore City Priorities", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://olszewski.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "olszewski.house.gov", "scraper": "olszewski", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000176", "name": "Johnny Olszewski, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Yesterday, members of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott held a meeting at the United States Capitol to discuss their work on a range of priorities for Baltimore residents, including affordable housing, transportation, public safety, healthcare, and more.\n\n“The biggest priority for Baltimore families is the same as it is for families everywhere: lowering costs and making sure they have a fair shot at building a good life,” said Congressman Olszewski. “I appreciated the opportunity to connect with Mayor Scott and my colleagues on how we can better partner across all levels of government to deliver on that priority.”\n\n“Improving life for Baltimore residents is one of our top shared priorities, and I appreciate Mayor Scott’s partnership and the work being done across the city under his leadership. Yesterday’s meeting was an opportunity to discuss our efforts on behalf of the people of Baltimore – from strengthening public safety, to updating our infrastructure, to creating greater economic opportunity. This work is all the more important as the Trump Administration continues to attack our communities and essential programs that serve the City. I will continue to fight alongside Federal Team Maryland to deliver for Baltimore and to make progress on our shared goals to continue moving the City forward,” said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n“I say it all the time: Baltimore has the best federal delegation in the country, and meetings like this one underscore their commitment to our city,” said Mayor Scott. “Each and every day, we're seeing the impact of investments they've secured, from our public safety progress, to our housing investments, to new schools, rec centers, and more all across Baltimore. Especially as we deal with an administration that's actively sabotaging cities across the country, we are so grateful to have this delegation fighting for us in Washington.”\n\n“We’ve seen the news of continued progress in Baltimore, on everything from gun violence to how the Port of Baltimore continues to thrive, and it’s a story to be proud of. The city and its leadership have proven how success happens when you plan effectively and when you’re prepared to respond to the unexpected. Baltimore has shown the nation what you can accomplish when you stick together. Team Maryland on Capitol Hill is committed to fighting for Baltimore and working together. We will continue to find areas where we can coordinate effectively, and we’ll continue to do all we can to make sure Baltimore and all of Maryland has everything needed to thrive,” said Senator Alsobrooks.\n\n“I was glad to join my colleagues in the Maryland Congressional Delegation to meet with Mayor Scott and discuss the achievements, challenges, and top priorities for the greater Baltimore area. I applaud Mayor Scott for his leadership that has had impacts far beyond the region. Our partnership is critical to ensuring Marylanders across the state can benefit from a growing and vibrant economy, and Team Maryland remains committed to working together to improve the safety and livelihood of all who call Maryland home,” said Congressman Hoyer.\n\n“It was a productive opportunity for our Congressional delegation to meet with Mayor Scott again to discuss our priorities and the critical issues facing Baltimoreans today,\" said Congressman Mfume. \"We discussed ongoing efforts to improve public safety, progress on the Key Bridge rebuild and B&P Tunnel, and the escalating negative impacts that the Big Ugly Bill is having on our Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP benefits. I am incredibly proud to be a part of a team that is committed to working together to tackle difficult problems and deliver meaningful results for the people of our City and our State.”\n\n“I’m grateful for Mayor Scott’s steady vision and partnership so we can keep delivering for Marylanders,” said Congressman Raskin. “From Baltimore to Bethesda, the tie that binds us is delivering services, lowering costs and protecting the rights of our people across the Free State as ICE and Border Patrol continue their reign of lawlessness and chaos in our communities.\"\n\n“It was good to continue our focus on affordability and economic opportunities for folks in the greater Baltimore area and across the great state of Maryland with Mayor Scott and my colleagues in the Maryland Delegation. We look forward to assisting our state and local partners in ameliorating the economic climate through these very tough times,” said Congressman Ivey. “We must meet these challenges head on in unity of purpose. Today’s meeting reaffirms that continued aim.”\n\n“Amid funding cuts and chaos from Washington, Mayor Scott has led the City of Baltimore with a steady hand and worked diligently to expand health care coverage, protect our immigrant neighbors, strengthen public safety, and so much more. I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss the investments we can make together at the local and federal level to invest in the Port of Baltimore and our regional economy to expand opportunities for Maryland families,” said Congresswoman Elfreth.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://olszewski.house.gov/media/press-releases/seec-building-resilient-housing-task-force-co-chairs-johnny-olszewski-and-dave", "title": "SEEC Building Resilient Housing Task Force Co-Chairs  Johnny Olszewski and Dave Min Champion Insurance Coverage for Disaster-Prone Communities", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://olszewski.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "olszewski.house.gov", "scraper": "olszewski", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000176", "name": "Johnny Olszewski, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, the Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Building Resilient Housing Task Force Reps. Dave Min (CA-47) and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) introduced the Community Disaster Protection Act, which would establish a five-year pilot program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help local governments and community organizations design community-based catastrophe insurance that will help Americans in the most high-risk areas access affordable disaster coverage.\n\n“As extreme weather becomes more frequent and severe, too many Americans are unable to obtain the insurance coverage they need to recover from a disaster,” said Congressman Johnny Olszewski. “The Community Disaster Protection Act takes a commonsense approach by helping high-risk communities close coverage gaps and make disaster protection more affordable. I’m proud to work with the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) and Congressman Min to help communities prepare for the challenges ahead, protect families from devastating financial losses, and build a more resilient future.”\n\n“Families across the country are watching their insurance premiums skyrocket—or losing coverage altogether—because their communities are increasingly exposed to wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and other disasters,” said Congressman Dave Min. “We cannot wait until after disaster strikes to figure out how families and communities are going to recover. The Community Disaster Protection Act gives local communities new tools to close dangerous insurance gaps, invest in resilience, and develop coverage that actually reflects the risks they face. As these disasters become more costly, Congress has a responsibility to help ensure Americans are not left financially devastated simply because of where they live.”\n\n“The Community Disaster Protection Act is a great first step to address the rising costs and unmet needs facing Americans, and EDF research makes clear that new and innovative solutions will be critical as climate change increases disaster risk. This bill will be essential to help more communities identify the solutions that meet their needs. By supporting locally designed pilots that pair insurance coverage with investments in risk reduction, The CDPA would support the development of insurance products that help high-risk communities secure affordable insurance coverage, incentivize effective disaster prevention, and provide greater stability to property insurance markets. We thank Representatives Min and Olszewski for their leadership and urge Congress to move this bill forward,” said Joanna Slaney, Vice President for Political and Government Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund.\n\n“APCIA applauds Congressman Min and Congressman Olszewski for introducing the Community Disaster Protection Act, which would support community-based catastrophe insurance solutions, including parametric and other innovative risk-transfer models, to help close protection gaps and expand options for communities facing natural disasters,” said Sam Whitfield, Senior Vice President of Federal Government Relations and Political Engagement at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). “Importantly, the bill recognizes that these approaches are intended to complement, not replace, the traditional, private property casualty insurance market. By encouraging risk mitigation, promoting community resilience, expanding access to financial protection, and testing new risk-transfer models, this pilot program can help communities prepare for disasters and speed recovery when disasters strike.”\n\n“Architects are an essential part of the solution to helping communities prepare for growing disaster risks. The Community Disaster Protection Act will give communities new tools to better understand, manage, and insure against those risks—helping create the conditions for property owners and local governments to invest in the resilient buildings and infrastructure architects are uniquely equipped to design,” said Illya Azaroff, FAIA, 2026 National President, American Institute of Architects. “AIA is proud to support this legislation and looks forward to continuing our work with Representative Dave Min, Johnny Olszewski, and the SEEC Building Resilient Housing Task Force to advance practical solutions that strengthen communities before disasters strike.”\n\n“As natural disasters continue to worsen in both intensity and impact across the country, we need innovative solutions to help communities and economies recover from devastation,” said Jessie Ritter, Associate Vice President for Water and Coasts at the National Wildlife Federation. “The Community Disaster Protection Act encourages proactive risk mitigation, while also giving communities a flexible solution to support recovery after disasters, particularly in areas that are the most vulnerable to extreme weather. We look forward to working with Representatives Min and Olszewski on this legislation.”\n\n“CSAC looks forward to working with Congressmember Min on the Community Disaster Protection Act to advance practical, workable solutions for California communities. Local governments need more tools and flexibility to help protect families and residents facing growing disaster risks and insurance challenges,” said California State Association of Counties (CSAC) President and Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg.\n\nBackground\n\nAs climate change drives more frequent and severe extreme weather events, communities face widening disaster coverage gaps, making it harder and more expensive for them to rebuild. In 2024, economic losses from natural disasters in the U.S. reached $217.8 billion, approximately $105 billion of which was left uninsured. Rising climate-related damage has increased insurer payouts, driven up premiums, and prompted insurance carriers to withdraw from high-risk markets. Addressing this coverage crisis requires innovative approaches that expand insurance access, promote effective resilience, and strengthen the stability of insurance markets nationwide.\n\nCommunities are exploring ways to secure or facilitate insurance for a group of properties, leveraging their local knowledge and purchasing power to improve affordability, streamline enrollment, and incentivize risk mitigation tailored to local needs. These arrangements, known as community-based catastrophe insurance (CBCI), offer significant potential to close disaster coverage gaps but are only now beginning to be explored, with just a handful of U.S. jurisdictions currently piloting or implementing CBCI programs. For example, CBCI can be developed to act as a supplement to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), such as a parametric flood insurance program, or to cover wildfire risk in communities where insurers are withdrawing coverage or declining to write new policies.\n\nThe Community Disaster Protection Act would promote the development of new disaster insurance products to help high-risk communities secure affordable coverage; incentivize effective disaster prevention; and provide greater stability to property insurance markets. It would direct FEMA to establish a 5-year pilot program to award competitive grants to local governments, quasi-government bodies, and community-based organizations to design, develop, implement, or facilitate CBCI.\n\nSpecifically, this bill would:\n\nClose Disaster Coverage Gaps: Authorize grants to develop or facilitate CBCI products that cover disaster risks uninsured or underserved by traditional insurance; set actuarially justified premiums that enable broad participation; and prioritize applicants facing the greatest coverage gaps or disaster risks.\n\nPreserve Local Flexibility: Allow funds to support a range of CBCI frameworks, without restricting the disaster risks or properties covered. Eligible uses of funds could include consumer outreach and education, catastrophe-risk modeling or research into disaster risks, and leveraging non-federal funds to support long-term program sustainability.\n\nPromote Resiliency Investments: Require CBCI programs to promote specific individual or community-wide investments to mitigate disaster risks, reduce potential losses, and secure lower premiums.\n\nAddress Regulatory Ambiguity: Direct the U.S. Government Accountability Office to conduct periodic evaluations of program performance to determine the regulatory treatment of CBCI and other alternative insurance products with respect to federal disaster aid eligibility.\n\nPreserve State Insurance Authority: Explicitly preserve States’ authority to regulate insurance markets and require all grant recipients to comply with applicable State insurance laws and regulations. Grants would only be a catalyst for CBCI arrangements operating within State regulatory frameworks.\n\nThis bill is endorsed by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, American Institute of Architects, California State Association of Counties, Environmental Defense Fund, Evergreen Action, League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, and Natural Resources Defense Council.\n\nIn addition, Reps. Ami Bera (CA-06), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Ed Case (HI-01), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Mike Levin (CA-49), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), and Shri Thanedar (MI-13) have joined as original cosponsors.\n\nText of the legislation can be found here.\n\nA one-page summary can be found here.\n\n###\n\nThe Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) is a coalition of 111 members of the U.S. House of Representatives that was founded in January 2009 to be a focused, active, and effective coalition for advancing policies that address climate change, promote clean energy innovation and domestic manufacturing, develop renewable energy resources, create family-sustaining clean jobs, protect our nation’s air, water, and natural environment, and promote environmental justice.\n\nSEEC Co-Chairs are Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), and Paul Tonko (D-NY).", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/omar-garamendi-mcgovern-release-statement-hostilities-ethiopia", "title": "Omar, Garamendi, McGovern Release Statement on Hostilities in Ethiopia", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "omar.house.gov", "scraper": "omar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000173", "name": "Ilhan Omar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Chair of the U.S.-Africa Policy Working Group, Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Ethiopian American Caucus and member of the U.S.-Africa Policy Working Group, and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), member of the U.S.-Africa Policy Working Group, released the following statement on hostilities in Ethiopia:\n\n“We are deeply alarmed by increasing violence in Ethiopia, including the Ethiopian military strike last week on an aid convoy delivering assistance in Tigray.\n\n\"The 2022 Pretoria Agreement that silenced the guns in Northern Ethiopia committed all parties to ceasing hostilities, protecting civilians, allowing humanitarian access to those affected, and undertaking comprehensive transitional justice to hold those responsible for human rights abuses and violations responsible. Unfortunately, this agreement has not been upheld, and these conditions have not been met.\n\n\"This increased conflict threatens the entire country and the region as a whole, which is already reeling from the previous war in Northern Ethiopia and the devastating conflict in Sudan. Ordinary civilians are bearing the brunt of this violence.\n\n\"We urge all parties in Ethiopia to immediately recommit to peace negotiations and uphold their responsibilities under the Pretoria Agreement. Ethiopia’s neighbors and the international community must work to defuse tensions and facilitate peace.\n\n\"We also urge the U.S. State Department to work with all parties to end the violence and hold those responsible accountable. The people of Ethiopia deserve peace and justice.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases/pappas-nadler-goodlander-lead-house-in-urging-hud-to-expedite-release-of-critical-housing-grant-funding-to-prevent-homelessness-service-cuts", "title": "Pappas, Nadler, Goodlander Lead House in Urging HUD to Expedite Release of Critical Housing Grant Funding to Prevent Homelessness, Service Cuts", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "pappas.house.gov", "scraper": "pappas", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000614", "name": "Chris Pappas", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY-12), and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) announced they led 50 members of the House in calling for U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner to release the delayed Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) grants and urged the Department to immediately expedite the process of awarding grant funding for the HOPWA program. The call comes as organizations across the nation are at risk of losing critical HOPWA funding that they rely on to serve those with HIV/AIDS. Many previously awarded HUD grants are expiring today, September 30, yet HUD has not released a NOFO nor communicated with grantee organizations who are relying on the renewal of their awards to continue providing critical housing and health care services to communities across the nation. The call is part of a bipartisan, bicameral effort led by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen.\n\nThe lawmakers wrote, in part: “We write to express our grave concerns regarding the delayed Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program. For many organizations in our communities, this program is vital to ensuring individuals with HIV/AIDS have access to safe and stable housing. We urge you to release the NOFO immediately and expedite the awards so communities can continue to provide support and housing to those who need it.”\n\nThey continued: “Unfortunately, many competitive HOPWA awards will expire tomorrow on September 30, 2026. Your department still has not released a NOFO, and grantees have received no information regarding the renewal of their awards. HOPWA is the only Federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, making any gap in funding detrimental for the organizations providing support and the individuals and communities that depend on this program.”\n\nThe lawmakers concluded: “We understand that the awarding process takes careful review, but because these applicants are all seeking renewals, they have already been vetted and approved by your department. We urge you to expedite this process immediately and release awards as soon as possible. Without these critical funds, individuals with HIV/AIDS will face the risk of homelessness, and the organizations that help them may have to close their doors.”\n\nOver 30 percent of those with HIV are living below the poverty line, and 20 percent have experienced homelessness in recent years. As the only HUD program dedicated to housing support for those with HIV/AIDS, expiration of previous awards and a delayed grant process by HUD could lead to staff layoffs and cuts to health care and housing services—exacerbating homelessness for some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.\n\nThe full letter can be read here.\n\nMembers of the House signing the letter were Representatives Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Danny Davis (IL-07), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Everton Blair (GA-13), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Judy Chu (CA-28), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Troy Carter (LA-02), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Sean Casten (IL-06), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Bill Foster (IL-11), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), William Keating (MA-09), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Angie Craig (MN-02) and Juan Vargas (CA-52).", "collected_at": "2026-10-04T10:56:42Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-04T10:57:59Z"}
{"url": "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-patronis-introduces-legislation-to-expand-gi-bill-benefits-for-military-families", "title": "Congressman Patronis Introduces Legislation to Expand GI Bill Benefits for Military Families", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "patronis.house.gov", "scraper": "patronis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000622", "name": "Jimmy Patronis", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) introduced the GI Bill Transferability Act to give servicemembers more freedom to use their hard earned Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to support their families.\n\n“Our military families have sacrificed enough. If a servicemember earns the GI Bill, they should have the freedom to use it for their family,” said Congressman Patronis. “Right now, Washington makes servicemembers jump through hoops and commit to four more years just to transfer it. That’s not right. We should be making life easier for the men and women who put on the uniform, not putting more roadblocks in their way. This bill is about keeping our promise to them and putting military families first.”\n\nSenator Rick Scott (R-FL), who is leading the legislation in the Senate, said, “Our veterans and servicemembers deserve the freedom to use their education benefits in ways that work for their families. My GI Bill Transferability Act gives military families more flexibility to use their benefits to meet their unique educational needs. I thank my friend, Congressman Jimmy Patronis, for leading this bill in the House. Our nation’s heroes earned these benefits; they shouldn’t face unnecessary hurdles in using them. Let’s get this done.”\n\nThe GI Bill Transferability Act would:\n\nRemove the four year service requirement to transfer GI Bill benefits to a spouse or child.\n\nAllow servicemembers and veterans to transfer their benefits at any time, including after leaving the military.\n\nAllow children born after a servicemember leaves the military to receive transferred benefits.\n\nTo view the GI Bill Transferability Act click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://pfluger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3050", "title": "Pfluger Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Secure Undersea Cables and Protect America's Data from Foreign Threats", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pfluger.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "pfluger.house.gov", "scraper": "pfluger", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000048", "name": "August Pfluger", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) introduced bipartisan legislation to establish clear, standardized security requirements for submarine cables landing in the United States while streamlining the licensing process for trusted companies. The United States Submarine Cable Security Policy Act of 2026 will replace case-by-case security agreements with transparent, predictable rules.\n\nOver 95% of international data flows through undersea cables. Foreign adversaries like China have been investing in undersea cables to compromise America's national and economic security. By setting uniform security standards, the bill strengthens our defenses against foreign threats while reducing regulatory uncertainty for American businesses.\n\n\"Our foreign adversaries are investing in the undersea cables that carry over 95% of our international data, and they're doing it to undermine our national and economic security. The United States Submarine Cable Security Policy Act of 2026 sets clear, consistent security standards so we can keep bad actors out of our critical infrastructure,\" said Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11).", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://pfluger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3051", "title": "Pfluger's Mystic Alerts Act Heads to President Trump's Desk", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pfluger.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "pfluger.house.gov", "scraper": "pfluger", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000048", "name": "August Pfluger", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman August Pfluger's (TX-11) bipartisan, bicameral Mystic Alerts Act passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the President's desk. This critical legislation modernizes America's emergency alert infrastructure by integrating satellite networks into the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system, helping ensure Americans can receive critical, life-saving alerts even when traditional communications infrastructure is damaged or nonexistent.\n\n“I am grateful that the Mystic Alerts Act is now heading to President Trump's desk to be signed into law. The July 4th floods of 2025 were a heartbreaking tragedy that claimed lives across our state. My legislation will ensure that Americans in rural areas receive life-saving alerts when disaster strikes and traditional networks fail. I thank Senator Cornyn for his partnership in leading the Mystic Alerts Act in the Senate, and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz for advancing it through his committee. This marks a crucial step in updating emergency preparedness nationwide,” said Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11).\n\nRep. Pfluger introduced this bipartisan legislation alongside Reps. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Buddy Carter (GA-01), and Marc Veasey (TX-33). Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) led the Senate companion legislation.\n\n“More than 130 people were tragically killed in the July 4th floods that ravaged Central Texas last year, many of whom did not receive emergency alerts due to compromised cellular networks that were knocked out by the storm,” said Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). “This bill will address this technology shortfall and honor the memory of those lost by ensuring Texans and all Americans can receive wireless emergency alerts on their mobile devices via satellite even when disaster strikes, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law soon.”\n\n“When storms, disasters, or threats to public safety threaten our state, crisis management is key,” said Sen. Jon Ossoff (R-GA). “This bipartisan bill with Senator Cornyn will help upgrade America's emergency alert systems to keep Georgia families safe and informed.”\n\n“My family knows firsthand the heartbreak of the tragedy at Camp Mystic. My granddaughters were there when the floodwaters came, and they lost their nine-year-old cousin, Janie Hunt. Nothing can bring back the precious lives we lost, but we can honor their memories by taking action to help prevent another tragedy. I’m proud to see the bipartisan Mystic Alerts Act headed to President Trump’s desk and one step closer to becoming law,\" said Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01).\n\n“In Houston and across the state of Texas, we are still heartbroken and grieving the loss of beloved family members and the destruction of communities along the Guadalupe River in the summer of 2025, a disaster made worse by communication gaps and failures,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07). “This new law is a small but important way to provide a meaningful response to the devastating floods and to learn from the tragedy so that communities across the country do not have to experience the same pain and loss that Texans did last year. Nothing can bring back those that we lost in the flood, but we owe it to their survivors and to everyone we represent to do all we can to try to prevent another tragedy like it. I am thankful for Congressman Pfluger, Congressman Veasey, and Congressman Carter’s partnership in this effort and am thrilled to see this bill become law.”\n\n\"I am honored to support the Mystic Alerts Act, and proud this act is being sent to the President’s desk today to be signed into law. This bill will ensure that emergency alerts can be disseminated via satellite even when commercial cell providers are unable to provide service. Supporting this piece of legislation serves as a significant step and response to the devastation caused by last year’s floods in Texas and as a reminder of the importance of preparing for future flood disasters in our nation. When disaster strikes, every second matters, and no family should be left without critical information simply because the power or cell service is down,\" said Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33).\n\nBackground:\n\nOn July 4, 2025, a devastating flood occurred in Central and West Texas, claiming over 130 lives. Multiple reports noted undelivered WEAs throughout the areas impacted by the disaster once cellular infrastructure was damaged.\n\nThe Mystic Alerts Act will:\n\nAllow cellular companies to partner with satellite communications providers to deliver WEAs during emergencies.\n\nDirect the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish the necessary rules and policies to preserve the effectiveness of WEA infrastructure while integrating satellite communications.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6870", "title": "Reps. Pingree, Garcia, Casar Call for Accountability After Three ICE Shootings and Body Camera Failures", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "pingree.house.gov", "scraper": "pingree", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000597", "name": "Chellie Pingree", "party": "Democrat", "state": "ME", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), and and Greg Casar (D-Texas), today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director David J. Venturella calling for answers and accountability following three Immigration and Customs Enforcement shootings in their congressional districts where agents failed to wear body cameras.\n\nThe full letter is available here.\n\nThe Members point to the shootings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, Texas; Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine; and Wilber Rafael Garces Perez in Austin, Texas. In the latest case, Garces Perez was shot in the back by an ICE agent in Austin on September 20. The agent had been issued a body camera but was not wearing it. A second agent was wearing a camera, but it did not capture the shooting.\n\nThe repeated failures come despite significant funding from Congress. Earlier this year, Congress appropriated $20 million specifically for procuring, deploying, and operating body-worn cameras for federal immigration enforcement officers.\n\nThat is on top of an unprecedented increase in funding for ICE. Congress provided ICE roughly $75 billion in supplemental funding in 2025, followed by another $38.5 billion in 2026 through the Secure America Act.\n\n“Over and over again, we’ve seen DHS agents resort to deadly violence when conducting enforcement operations in our districts. And when we demand to see the body cam footage, they give us the same tired excuses. No more,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “The fact that DHS has failed to outfit its officers with body cameras—despite having hundreds of billions of dollars at its disposal and more than a year to procure and deploy this equipment—is totally unacceptable. There is simply no reason that a federal agency with more money than most countries’ entire GDPs is not held to the same standards as local law enforcement. We deserve the truth about why cameras weren’t deployed during these most recent shootings, including the one that took the life of my constituent, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, in Biddeford, Maine on July 13. Our demands are simple: Every immigration enforcement officer must have a working body camera, must be properly trained on how to use it, and be held accountable when that camera isn’t used.”\n\n“ICE is not short on money. Congress has provided billions of dollars to this agency, and after Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed in my district, we were told body cameras were coming. The money is there. The deadlines have passed. So why does this keep happening?” said Congresswoman Garcia. “This is completely unacceptable. When federal agents use deadly force, the public should not be left in the dark. There must be transparency, accountability, and answers for the families who are left behind. Lorenzo’s family deserves answers. They deserve justice. DHS and ICE need to explain why their body camera system keeps failing when it matters most.”\n\n\"Wilber Garces Perez was shot in the back in Austin by an ICE agent who wasn't wearing a body camera, weeks after DHS promised every officer in the field would have one,\" said Congressman Casar. \"Secretary Mullin keeps making promises while his agents keep shooting people. Secretary Mullin must release every second of footage from that scene, so we can know the truth.”\n\nThe letter also points to commitments DHS made following the July 7 killing of Salgado Araujo in Houston. During a July 15 phone call with Congresswoman Garcia, Secretary Mullin said all federal immigration officers would have body-worn cameras within 45 to 60 days. That deadline passed in September.\n\nSalgado Araujo, a Houston construction worker and father of three, was killed without available body camera footage capturing the shooting. Days later, ICE fatally shot 25-year-old Colombian national Johan Sebastian Durán Guerrero. Agents involved in Guerrero’s shooting were also not wearing body cameras. Then, on September 20, Garces Perez was shot in Austin by an officer who had been issued a camera but was not wearing it.\n\nMembers are demanding DHS and ICE explain whether all federal immigration officers have been issued working body cameras and properly trained to use them. They also ask why the officer who shot Garces Perez was not wearing his issued camera, why the second officer’s camera failed to capture the shooting, whether other footage exists, and whether officers who fail to follow body camera rules will face disciplinary action.\n\nThe Members requested written answers from DHS and ICE by October 14, 2026.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6872", "title": "Pingree Presses Zeldin for Action as EPA Leaves Farmers in Limbo on PFAS-Contaminated Sludge", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "pingree.house.gov", "scraper": "pingree", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000597", "name": "Chellie Pingree", "party": "Democrat", "state": "ME", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, is pressing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to stop delaying meaningful federal action on per-and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in sewage sludge. In a letter to Zeldin, Pingree warns that EPA’s latest draft guidance fails to provide a clear path toward enforceable protections for farmers, rural communities, and the nation’s food supply. The guidance was issued instead of finalizing EPA’s January 2025 draft risk assessment—which would have been an important step toward restricting the application of PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge, also known as biosolids, on farmland.\n\n“As you and I have discussed at length, PFAS chemicals have been linked to serious health effects, including cancer, reproductive and developmental harms, and weakened immune systems. Maine farmers have had their livelihoods disrupted due to PFAS contamination, which originated in sewage sludge that was spread as fertilizer by farmers who were told by the government that it was safe to use,”Pingree wrote. “Unfortunately, this sewage sludge contained PFAS, leading to contamination of agricultural land, products, and water.”\n\nMaine has been at the forefront of testing, cleanup, and research into PFAS contamination of farmland. An extensive state investigation found contamination on more than 50 farms linked to sewage sludge application. Farmers have lost income, faced threats to their livelihoods, and experienced health problems after unknowingly spreading contaminated sludge that government authorities had said was safe. Yet instead of completing its risk assessment and tightening protections for farmers and rural communities, Trump’s EPA released draft guidance this summer that leaves its regulatory plans unresolved.\n\n“[...] Rather than finalizing this risk assessment, the Agency’s release of Draft Guidance for Reducing Risk from PFOA and PFOS in Biosolids leaves regulatory next steps unclear and farmers in limbo,” Pingree said.\n\nWith the public comment period on the guidance scheduled to close October 5, Pingree is calling on Zeldin to explain:\n\nWhether EPA intends to finalize its draft sewage sludge risk assessment for PFOA and PFOS;\n\nWhat scientific review supports a decision not to finalize it;\n\nHow EPA will prevent further contamination and protect farmers from the unique exposure risks created by land application of sewage sludge;\n\nWhen EPA will propose enforceable limits on land application;\n\nWhether EPA will address PFAS chemicals beyond PFOA and PFOS; and\n\nHow EPA is working with the Department of Agriculture to help farmers, ranchers, and rural communities manage PFAS contamination.\n\n“Without additional action by EPA, farmers across the country will continue to be at heightened risk from PFAS exposure from land application of biosolids,” Pingree wrote. “It is critical that EPA takes additional steps to protect our rural communities and food supply.”\n\nThe full letter is available here and is copied below.\n\n+++\n\nDear Administrator Zeldin,\n\nI write to you regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) efforts to reduce risk from per-and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in sewage sludge, also known as biosolids. As you and I have discussed at length, PFAS chemicals have been linked to serious health effects, including cancer, reproductive and developmental harms, and weakened immune systems. Maine farmers have had their livelihoods disrupted due to PFAS contamination, which originated in sewage sludge that was spread as fertilizer by farmers who were told by the government that it was safe to use. Unfortunately, this sewage sludge contained PFAS, leading to contamination of agricultural land, products, and water.\n\nMaine is far from the only state in this situation, but we have been on the front lines on testing, cleanup, and research. An extensive state investigation found contamination found on over 50 farms because of sewage sludge. These farmers have had their livelihoods lost or threatened and experienced health problems. This is an issue across the country whether states are taking action or not, and it is imperative the federal government, and EPA specifically, continues to advance research and remediation efforts to protect our food supply and rural economies, including by actively preventing additional contamination.\n\nEPA’s Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS), released in January 2025, was an important step towards eventual restrictions on applying contaminated sludge to farmland, but rather than finalizing this risk assessment, the Agency’s release of Draft Guidance for Reducing Risk from PFOA and PFOS in Biosolids leaves regulatory next steps unclear and farmers in limbo.\n\nPlease respond to these questions by November 16, 2026:\n\nDoes EPA intend to finalize the Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)?\n\nIf not, how is that decision documented, and what scientific review supported that conclusion?\n\nIf not, how does EPA intend to prevent additional land contamination and protect farmers specifically from the additional, unique exposure pathways they face from land application of sewage sludge?\n\nWhat are EPA’s next steps to propose enforceable regulatory limits on land application of sewage sludge?\n\nDoes EPA plan to expand its focus beyond PFOA and PFOS to other types of PFAS contamination?\n\nHow is EPA working with USDA to help farmers, ranchers, and rural communities manage PFAS impacts in agricultural settings?\n\nWithout additional action by EPA, farmers across the country will continue to be at heightened risk from PFAS exposure from land application of biosolids. It is critical that EPA takes additional steps to protect our rural communities and food supply. Thank you for your attention to this matter.\n\nSincerely,", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-schakowsky-lead-71-members-calling-continued-allowance", "title": "Pocan, Schakowsky Lead 71 Members Calling for Continued Allowance of Prescription Drug Imports", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "pocan.house.gov", "scraper": "pocan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000607", "name": "Mark Pocan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. -\n\nU.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09)today led a letter, signed by 71 Members of Congress, to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Markwayne Mullin, and the commissioners of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), urging that the agencies ensure that Americans can continue to obtain genuine, non-controlled prescription medicines from outside the country.\n\nNew CBP procedures for international mail shipments, taking effect October 22, could disrupt 2.3 million Americans’ longstanding ability to obtain lower-cost prescription medicines from Canada and other countries for their personal use.\n\n“For years, our constituents who have struggled with high prescription drug prices have obtained their medicines from pharmacies outside the United States, especially from Canada,” the members wrote.\n\n“We support CBP’s goal of using better data to identify and intercept high-risk shipments. However, we are concerned that the new process could be implemented in a manner that prevents personal-use prescription medicines from being shipped to the United States or results in their routine refusal, including medicines Americans have long obtained from licensed pharmacies abroad,” the members continued. “Greater visibility should instead improve the government’s ability to distinguish dangerous products from lower-risk prescription medicines and preserve appropriate enforcement discretion.”\n\n“We urge HHS, FDA, DHS, and CBP to delay any implementation of new procedures with respect to prescription medicines unless you can provide clear assurances that your agencies will not prevent genuine prescription medicines clearly intended for personal use and not appearing to present an unreasonable risk from entering the United States,” the members added.\n\n“Americans should not lose access to affordable medicines simply because the government has better information about packages entering the country. We urge your agencies to use that information to focus enforcement on where the risks are greatest while preserving appropriate access to safe and affordable medicines for personal use,” the members concluded.\n\nA digital copy of the full letter can be found here.\n\nThe letter is endorsed by the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation, Just Care USA, National Association of Letter Carriers, Prescription Justice, and Social Security Works.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://pressley.house.gov/2026/10/01/pressley-vindman-introduce-legislation-to-expand-alopecia-support-for-military-families/", "title": "Pressley, Vindman Introduce Legislation to Expand Alopecia Support for Military Families", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pressley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "pressley.house.gov", "scraper": "pressley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000617", "name": "Ayanna Pressley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Bill Text (PDF)\n\nBOSTON, MA – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Congressman Eugene Vindman (VA-07) introduced the Wigs for Warriors Act, legislation that would require TRICARE to cover cranial prostheses for individuals with alopecia areata and other non-cancer conditions that cause permanent or medically documented hair loss.\n\n“When individuals in our military families experience severe hair loss, they should be met with the support and care they need to feel like their authentic selves,” said Rep. Pressley. “Through my own experience with alopecia areata, I understand the psychological, social, and economic impact that comes with navigating severe hair loss—and I know that we can do something to lighten the load. For some, accessing medical-grade wigs can make all the difference. That’s why I’m proud to lead the Wigs for Warriors Act alongside Rep. Vindman and bring much-deserved relief and support to TRICARE beneficiaries with alopecia areata and other hair loss conditions.”\n\n“I heard directly from a constituent, a 16-year-old from Prince William County and daughter of a U.S. Marine, who lost all of her hair to alopecia areata by the end of second grade. She told my team how a medical-grade wig could have helped her navigate the emotional and social challenges of losing her hair, but that these wigs can be incredibly expensive,” said Vindman. “This bill, which I am proud to lead alongside Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, will help ensure TRICARE beneficiaries with alopecia areata, like my constituent, have access to the care and support they need to feel comfortable and confident.”\n\nTRICARE, the insurance for servicemembers and military families, has extremely limited coverage for individuals experiencing severe hair loss. Currently, patients with alopecia areata receive no coverage for a cranial prosthesis — a medical-grade, custom-fitted wig designed to address medically related hair loss.\n\nThe bill would require TRICARE to cover cranial prostheses for individuals with alopecia areata and other non-cancer conditions that cause permanent or medically documented hair loss, as certified by a physician. Coverage would also extend to hair loss resulting from chemotherapy, regardless of the underlying condition being treated.\n\nThe legislation would also eliminate TRICARE’s current lifetime limit of one prosthesis per patient, allowing cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to receive coverage for multiple wigs as medically necessary.\n\nThe Wigs for Warriors Act is supported by the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF).\n\n“The National Alopecia Areata Foundation applauds the introduction of the Wigs for Warriors Act of 2026 and thanks Representative Vindman for his efforts to improve the lives of members of the military and their families living with the autoimmune disease alopecia areata,” said Ryan Reczek, President & CEO of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. “This legislation is critical to ensure that medically necessary cranial prostheses, also known as medical wigs, that are used to restore well-being and support mental health, are affordable and accessible under TRICARE.”\n\n“This act is life changing for both the military and medical hair loss communities, allowing for better mental health of our service members and their families,” said a 16-year-old resident of Prince William County with alopecia areata. “Representative Vindman and his team not only took the time to listen to my story but have moved forward to resolving the issue. I am forever grateful.”\n\nText of the bill can be accessed here.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nAlopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack a person’s hair follicles, resulting in patchy or complete hair loss across the scalp and body. Nearly 6.7 million people in the United States are directly affected by alopecia areata, with about 700,000 currently living with active disease. The remaining millions have had the disease or will likely develop it at some point.\n\nAlopecia areata carries a substantial mental health burden and wigs are a documented, effective way to manage it. The psychological impact of alopecia areata can be profound, with elevated rates of anxiety and depression, increased time off work, and impaired quality of life, stemming largely from the fact that hair plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s identity, self-esteem, and social interactions. This burden is especially acute for young people who develop the condition.\n\nCongresswoman Pressley has been steadfast in her advocacy for women’s health, ending race-based hair discrimination, and introducing policies that affirm the right of women to show up in the world as their full, authentic selves.\n\nOn March 18, 2026, Congresswoman Pressley, alongside Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) reintroduced the Recognition of Traction Alopecia in Service Women Act, legislation that would support and expand medical coverage of traction alopecia in the military.\n\nRep. Pressley is a lead co-sponsor of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, legislation with Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) that would ban discrimination based on hair textures and hairstyles that are commonly associated with a particular race or national origin.\n\nCongresswoman Pressley, alongside Congresswomen Brown and Velázquez, have led congressional efforts to ban formaldehyde in hair products. In March 2026, Rep. Pressley, alongside Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), introduced the Health Hair Act, legislation to effectively ban formaldehyde from hair products. Last year, they sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting an update on delays in implementation of a rule to ban formaldehyde and other formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in hair products. In October 2023, the FDA proposed the ban of formaldehyde in hair products following a letter led by Reps. Pressley and Brown, which called on the agency to investigate the health risks associated with the chemical. However, the implementation of the ban has continuously been delayed.\n\nIn February 2026, Rep. Pressley, alongside Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), led their colleagues in re-introducing the Wigs as Durable Medical Equipment Act, legislation to help individuals affected by Alopecia Areata and patients with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy by allowing medical wigs and other head coverings to be covered under the Medicare program.\n\nRep. Pressley leads the Anti-Racism in Public Health Act, a bicameral bill to declare structural racism a public health crisis and confront its public health impacts through two bold new programs within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rep. Pressley originally introduced the bill in September 2020.\n\nIn 2020, the House passed an amendment introduced by Congresswoman Pressley to provide $5 million dollars for the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases to fund research on the causes, impacts, and possible treatments of Alopecia areata.\n\nIn December 2019, Rep. Pressley and her colleagues sent a letter to Johnson & Johnson Chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky seeking information on the targeted marketing and sale of the company’s talc-based baby powder and its potential to cause harm, particularly to women, teenage girls, and people of color, due to asbestos contamination.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://rileymoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-riley-m-moore-announces-246000-federal-grant-fairmont-firefighters", "title": "Congressman Riley M. Moore Announces $246,000 Federal Grant for Fairmont Firefighters", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://rileymoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "rileymoore.house.gov", "scraper": "rileymoore", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001235", "name": "Riley M. Moore", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congressman Riley M. Moore announced that the City of Fairmont has been awarded $246,000 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, providing critical federal support for Fairmont’s firefighters and first responders. Congressman Moore worked with the City of Fairmont and FEMA to secure this grant.\n\nCongressman Riley M. Moore released the following statement:\n\n“Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, and they deserve the resources and equipment they need to do their jobs well. I’m proud to have worked to help secure this $246,000 grant for Fairmont and will continue working to make sure our first responders have the tools they need to protect West Virginians.”\n\nThe Assistance to Firefighters Grant program provides funding to eligible fire departments and emergency medical service organizations to help equip and train emergency personnel, provide protective equipment, improve operational capabilities, and strengthen community resilience.\n\n“This grant is a tremendous investment in the health, safety, and future of our firefighters. It will allow us to develop a comprehensive wellness program that goes beyond traditional occupational health initiatives to address physical fitness, preventive medical care, behavioral health, cancer prevention and early detection, and the unique health risks associated with a career in the fire service. We are especially excited about our partnership with WVU Medicine and the opportunity to help establish a program that can ultimately serve firefighters beyond our own department. We are extremely grateful to receive this funding and excited about what it will allow us to accomplish for our firefighters, their families and the fire service throughout our region,” said Fairmont Fire Chief Brian Starn.\n\nThe grant represents another federal investment in Fairmont’s public safety infrastructure. Earlier this month, Congressman Moore presented city officials with a $1 million federal funding check to support the renovation of Fairmont’s Watson Fire Station, which has served the community for nearly 50 years. The project will modernize the facility and improve the department’s ability to provide fire and EMS services to the surrounding community.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://rileymoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-riley-m-moore-co-leads-safe-disposal-opioids-act-help-prevent", "title": "Congressman Riley M. Moore Co-Leads the Safe Disposal of Opioids Act to Help Prevent Opioid Abuse", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://rileymoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "rileymoore.house.gov", "scraper": "rileymoore", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001235", "name": "Riley M. Moore", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congressman Riley M. Moore (R-WV) is co-leading the Safe Disposal of Opioids Act with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). This bipartisan bill would make it easier for Americans to safely dispose of unused prescription opioids before they can be accidentally taken, misused, or abused.\n\nCongressman Riley M. Moore released the following statement:\n\n“The dangerous scourge of opioids has devastated communities across West Virginia, more than anywhere else across the country. We must do everything we can to keep these deadly drugs off our streets and prevent unused opioids from being diverted for abuse. I’m proud to be the Republican leader on the Safe Disposal of Opioids Act, and I support commonsense solutions that help protect our families and communities.”\n\nThe Safe Disposal of Opioids Act would:\n\nDirect the Attorney General, in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), to award grants to establish or maintain prescription drug disposal sites.\n\nCap grants to law enforcement and drug manufacturers and distributors at 10 percent, leaving at least 90 percent of grant funding for pharmacies, hospitals, treatment programs, long-term care facilities, and other authorized collectors.\n\nFund the program through a fee on opioid manufacturers, producers, and importers of one cent per 100 milligrams sold, with program funding capped at what the fee collects. Drugs used exclusively to treat opioid addiction would be exempt.\n\nRequire HHS to create a discount so patients using opioids for cancer-related pain, hospice patients, and their families or estates pay no part of the fee.\n\nThe Safe Disposal of Opioids Act builds on existing federal efforts to expand safe drug disposal and reduce the risk of diversion. Federal law already recognizes the importance of providing secure methods for Americans to dispose of unused controlled substances.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://ross.house.gov/2026/10/news-reps-ross-morelle-foushee-hold-shadow-hearing-on-nc-election-security-and-interference-featuring-justice-allison-riggs", "title": "NEWS: Reps. Ross, Morelle, Foushee Hold Shadow Hearing on NC Election Security and Interference Featuring Justice Allison Riggs", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "ross.house.gov", "scraper": "ross", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000305", "name": "Deborah K. Ross", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Reps. Ross, Morelle, Foushee Hold Shadow Hearing on NC Election Security and Interference Featuring Justice Allison Riggs\n\nWatch a recording of the shadow hearing HERE.\n\nRaleigh, North Carolina – Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02), Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25), the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, and Rep. Valerie Foushee (NC-04) hosted a shadow hearing in Raleigh focused on the challenges facing North Carolina’s elections. A panel of experts, including Associate Justice Allison Riggs of the North Carolina Supreme Court, gave statements on the practical and legal challenges facing North Carolina’s election system.\n\nThis shadow hearing takes place amid widespread concerns over potential federal intervention of elections and voting restrictions proposed by Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration. This includes the push for the SAVE America Act and restrictions on voting by mail.\n\nExperts at today’s shadow hearing included:\n\nAssociate Justice Allison Riggs - North Carolina Supreme Court\n\nNorth Carolina Representative Robert Reives\n\nKaren Brinson-Bell - Principal at Advance Elections\n\nTerence Everitt - ED, NC Voter Protection Alliance.\n\nPaul Cox – Partner at Poyner Spruill\n\nJohn Hill - Senior Litigation Counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington\n\nVirginia Kase Solomõn - President of Common Cause and the former CEO of League of Women Voters.\n\n“While the state legislature tries to rig the rules, this administration is trying to sow chaos and undermine confidence in our elections. And with just over a month until election day, the president is still looking for new ways to disrupt Americans' ability to cast their ballots,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02). “North Carolinians should have confidence that their vote will count this November. But it is up to us to remain diligent. [...] In order for every vote to count—and to count equally—we need to ensure that North Carolinians are guaranteed fair and equal access to the ballot box.”\n\n\"In this moment, there is nothing more urgent than protecting American democracy,” said Ranking Member Morelle (NY-25). “The election is here and we are protecting Americans' right to the ballot box. Every time the Trump Administration has tried to interfere with the integrity of the midterm elections, they have lost.\n\nOver the next month, we need to remain clear-eyed about the threats we continue to face. We will fight to protect American elections. Failure, quite simply, is not an option.”\n\n“Election administration on every level has always been a fiercely debated topic, but in a world where modern technology creates both opportunities and challenges, the importance of properly addressing election security and protecting the right to vote is more important now than ever,” said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). “It is clear that the Republican party in Raleigh and in Washington want to use election administration as a way to make voting difficult and strenuous on voters.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://rouzer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3247", "title": "Rouzer Welcomes Dr. Ibadoghlu’s Transfer to Germany for Urge...", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://rouzer.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "rouzer.house.gov", "scraper": "rouzer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000603", "name": "David Rouzer", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC-07) welcomed the transfer of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu to Germany, where he can finally receive urgently needed medical treatment.\n\nDr. Ibadoghlu arrived safely in Berlin at approximately 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. While the criminal charges against him remain in place, his arrival in Germany provides an important opportunity for him to receive the medical treatment he has urgently needed and sought for years.\n\n“Dr. Ibadoghlu is now safely in Germany and able to receive the medical care he urgently needs and has long been seeking,\" said Congressman Rouzer. \"In the meantime, I’ll continue to call for his immediate and unconditional release. Emin and his family have shown tremendous persistence throughout this ordeal, and I hope Dr. Ibadoghlu can return home to his family soon.”\n\nDr. Ibadoghlu’s son, Emin Bayramli, said, “Our family is deeply grateful to Congressman Rouzer and his office for standing with us from the beginning. We also thank the German government, the State Department, the Administration, and everyone who supported our family and advocated for my father.”\n\nDr. Ibadoghlu was arrested on July 23, 2023, and held at the Baku Detention Center in Azerbaijan. During his detention, his health deteriorated, and he was denied access to necessary medical treatment. He was transferred to house arrest on April 21, 2024, but his freedom remained restricted, and he was prohibited from receiving medical care. His case remains unresolved for more than three years, leaving him and his family in continued uncertainty.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://ruiz.house.gov/latino-latina-physician-day-2026", "title": "REP. RUIZ INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OCTOBER 1st AS NATIONAL LATINO AND LATINA PHYSICIAN DAY", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "ruiz.house.gov", "scraper": "ruiz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000599", "name": "Raul Ruiz", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On September 28, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25), joined by Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), introduced a bipartisan resolution designating October 1st as National Latino and Latina Physician Day.\n\nLatinos make up nearly one in five Americans, yet only 6.7 percent of U.S. physicians are Latino or Latina, and just 2.8 percent are Latina. By 2050, Latinos are projected to represent more than one in four people in the United States and one in three children. At the same time, the nation faces a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036.\n\nResearch shows that when patients share the language and culture of their doctors, care and outcomes improve. Growing the Latino and Latina physician workforce means better health for our communities and for the nation.\n\n\"Growing up in a farmworker family taught me what it means to go without care, so I became an Emergency Physician to serve under resourced communities,\" said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz. \"Today, too many Latino families still can't find a doctor who speaks their language or understands their cultures. This resolution recognizes the Latino and Latina physicians working to close that gap, and it challenges us to open more doors for the next generation.\"\n\n\"Trust in medical care is essential. Physicians that understand their community and are a reflection of it are critical when building and establishing that trust,\" said Rep. Salazar. \"As our nation faces a healthcare workforce shortage, I am proud to co-lead this resolution that supports Latino and Latina physicians, who are helping to close gaps in care and serve as a trustworthy pillar of their community.\"\n\nThe resolution supports increasing the number of Latino and Latina physicians and expanding diversity in the medical field. It has earned the support of leading national medical organizations.\n\n\"The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) is proud support National Latino and Latina Physicians Day and thank Rep. Ruiz and Rep. Salazar for their bipartisan work in highlighting the work of physicians critical to improving the health of patients and communities nationwide. As the nation faces a persistent physician shortage, we must support policies that increase to access to careers in medicine for future Latino and Latina physicians, and everyone in the next generation of doctors,\" said Danielle Turnipseed, JD, MHSA, MPP, chief public policy officer, AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)\n\n\"The National Hispanic Medical Association supports H.Res. 1589, introduced by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., recognizing October 1 as National Latino and Latina Physician Day. We need more Latino physicians serving our communities. This day not only highlights the significant underrepresentation of Latinos in the physician workforce but also recognizes the tremendous work Latino physicians do every day to care for patients and communities across our nation. We are proud to support this resolution and its recognition of the Latino physicians who serve our country,\" said Gilbert Burgos, M.D., MPH, President of the National Hispanic Medical Association.", "collected_at": "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"}
{"url": "https://rutherford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rutherford-statement-president-trumps-recreational-fishing-executive-order", "title": "Rutherford Statement on President Trump’s Recreational Fishing   Executive Order", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://rutherford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "rutherford.house.gov", "scraper": "rutherford", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000609", "name": "John H. Rutherford", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "“As Co-Chair of the South Atlantic Red Snapper Task Force, I am pleased to see President Trump sign an EO to strengthen management of our fisheries, advance science-based conservation, support artificial reef development, and expand recreational access to our fisheries,” saidRutherford. “It’s critical we improve data collection to better manage our fisheries and extend recreational fishing seasons for the anglers and coastal businesses that rely on these seasons.”\n\nRutherfordcontinued, “This EO directs federal agencies to improve recreational fisheries data, strengthen state-federal partnerships, expand access for recreational anglers, and modernize the way America’s fisheries are managed. I have long encouraged the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to address the real concerns surrounding accuracy of federal recreational fishing estimates, particularly in the South Atlantic red snapper fishery. Every year, I hear from anglers that the red snapper are so abundant it is all they can catch. Yet, each year, they only receive a couple day long federal season. Our anglers and coastal businesses should not have to pay the price for uncertainty in our broken federal data collection system. President Trump’s EO directly addresses these concerns by directing NOAA to establish a threshold for unreliable federal estimates and consider replacing them with more precise state-collected data.”\n\n“The Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act, which I introduced in the House, to better meet regional and state fishing needs, empowers state management of recreational fisheries data programs, increase data transparency, and expand fishery-independent science. This legislation closely aligns with changes made in this EO. The EO directs federal agencies to modernize electronic reporting, explore new technologies for fisheries science, and streamline regulation and permitting. States, like Florida, have demonstrated that they can collect high-quality fisheries data. With the help of President Trump, we are one step closer to Making Fishing Great Again.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/andrea-salinas-celebrates-restoration-specialized-988-crisis-services-lgbtqi", "title": "Andrea Salinas Celebrates Restoration of Specialized 988 Crisis Services for LGBTQI+ Young People", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "salinas.house.gov", "scraper": "salinas", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001226", "name": "Andrea Salinas", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Vice-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus and Co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, celebrated the restoration of specialized crisis services for LGBTQI+ young people through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The LGBTQI+ lifeline resumed on September 30, 2026, more than a year after the Trump Administration ended it in July 2025. Through the restored service, LGBTQI+ young people in crisis can once again connect with counselors specially trained to understand and respond to their unique needs.\n\n“When a young person reaches out for help in a moment of crisis, they deserve someone on the other end of the line who understands what they are going through and knows how to help,” said Rep. Salinas. “That is why I fought to protect this lifesaving service, and I am incredibly pleased to see it restored. For me, this is personal. I am the mother of a queer daughter, and I know firsthand how deeply a mental health crisis can affect a family. Every young person deserves to know that when they are struggling, they have somewhere to turn and someone ready to listen.”\n\nIn July 2025, Rep. Salinas led nearly 100 Members of Congress in urging House appropriators to maintain funding for specialized 988 services for LGBTQI+ youth. Congress later approved funding requiring the Department of Health and Human Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to restore the program.\n\nThe specialized “Press 3” option was first established as a pilot in 2022 to connect LGBTQI+ youth and young adults with specialized crisis care. Since its founding, the lifeline has handled nearly 1.5 million calls, texts, and chats from LGBTQI+ young people.\n\nAnyone experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis can call, text, or chat 988 to connect with crisis support.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-05T12:04:08Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-05T12:05:17Z"}
{"url": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-rep-salinas-joins-kind-press-call-treatment-unaccompanied-children", "title": "ICYMI: Rep. Salinas Joins KIND Press Call on Treatment of Unaccompanied Children", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "salinas.house.gov", "scraper": "salinas", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001226", "name": "Andrea Salinas", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) joined Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) for a virtual press conference on the Trump Administration’s efforts to fast-track the removal of unaccompanied children. Rep. Salinas raised concerns about children being held in prolonged detention, rushed through immigration court proceedings, and forced to navigate complex legal cases without adequate access to an attorney.\n\nSalinas also highlighted her work in Congress to demand answers from federal agencies about prolonged detention, access to counsel, and policies that keep children separated from safe family members.\n\nListen to a recording of the full press conference HERE and read Rep. Salinas’ full remarks below.\n\nGood morning. I’m Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, and I proudly represent Oregon’s Sixth Congressional District. Thank you to KIND for your work in standing up for children and for hosting today’s event.\n\nWhether it is using prolonged detention as a tool to wear children down until they give up and self-deport, or rushing through court cases before a child can find a lawyer, the Administration is robbing these children of their due process and, in many cases, robbing them of their safety from serious harm.\n\nThese are children who have fled abuse, trafficking, or persecution in their home country. And instead of finding safety in the United States, a country that once proclaimed, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” they are being denied basic protections that could save their lives. Trump is using every tool he has, no matter how cruel, to meet his arbitrary deportation quotas, and children are paying the price. We owe them a fair chance to be heard and a safe place to stay while their cases are decided.\n\nThe Office of Refugee Resettlement, or ORR, is ground zero for Trump’s abuse. Congress gave ORR a clear mission: care for unaccompanied children and place them promptly with parents or other safe, vetted sponsors. Yet as of March 2026, children were spending an average of more than 200 days in ORR custody. That is more than six months when the standard under federal rules is twenty days.\n\nMy colleagues and I have raised concerns to the Administration about children remaining in custody even when a parent or another prospective sponsor has been vetted. We have demanded answers about ORR sharing information with ICE that can lead to the arrest of a parent or family member trying to reunite with a child. Just imagine the fear that creates for other relatives who might otherwise come forward.\n\nMonths of uncertainty in custody take their toll. Children can lose hope of seeing their families again. Prolonged detention can worsen anxiety and depression. It can also make it harder for a child to tell an attorney or a judge about the abuse or persecution they fled. And when a child sees no way out of detention, “voluntary departure” may no longer feel like a real choice.\n\nAt the same time, the immigration courts are intentionally speeding up children’s cases while access to legal help has been disrupted.\n\nJust this week, CNN reported on a story from Texas where twenty-five children, some as young as three years old, appeared before an immigration judge. Fifteen of those children did not have an attorney, and even if they did, most 3-year-olds only have a vocabulary of no more than 500 words.\n\nI’ve heard stories of children who are given only a week or two to find a lawyer, and of a child told to prepare and file an asylum application alone.\n\nTo make the situation worse, earlier this year, the Trump Administration allowed its contract with the Acacia Center for Justice (uh-KAY-shuh) to expire. I recently spoke with the Immigration Counseling Service, or ICS, who is a subgrantee of Acacia’s contract with ORR. Since 2008, ICS has served as Oregon’s sole legal services provider for unaccompanied children.\n\nICS told me that because the Trump Administration canceled longstanding contracts with immigration attorneys who represent unaccompanied children, organizations like theirs have lost a significant source of funding. The Administration is starving advocates and attorneys of resources. This loss of funding threatens the survival of both ICS and the unaccompanied children they represent.\n\nInstead of continuing to work with longstanding legal partners, the Administration has signed a bridge contract with a new nonprofit who doesn’t have the capacity to represent all unaccompanied children, resulting in many children showing up to court without a lawyer. In other cases, lawyers haven’t spoken up as children faced the court.\n\nA child cannot be expected to navigate a life-changing legal proceeding alone, especially while separated from family and living in prolonged detention. A fair hearing takes time. It takes language access with a vocabulary of more than 500 words, expertise from immigration lawyers who have the skills to work with unaccompanied children, and it takes a meaningful opportunity to get legal help and present evidence.\n\nThat is why I led 46 House colleagues in a letter demanding answers from ORR about prolonged detention, sponsor placements, children’s mental health, and its coordination with immigration enforcement. The Administration may not want to provide these answers. It does not want the American public to fully understand the grave harms to children its policies are causing, but I’m going to make sure the public knows what this Administration is doing to children.\n\nI am also going to continue to press the Justice Department and immigration officials for answers about accelerated hearings, access to counsel, and the removal of children without a meaningful chance to present their cases.\n\nORR must return to its child welfare mission: vet sponsors thoroughly, make timely decisions, and release children to safe parents and loved ones without unnecessary delay. Immigration courts must give children a fair chance to obtain counsel and be heard. And we need federal agencies to answer for policies that keep families apart and put children at risk.\n\nThe United States should be a place where a child fleeing harm can seek safety and receive a fair hearing. I ask President Trump and this administration—where is your humanity? Show us the human side of your actions. That is the standard I will keep fighting for.\n\nThank you.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-05T12:04:08Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-05T12:05:17Z"}
{"url": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-salinas-ramirez-introduce-legislation-require-federal-government-share", "title": "Reps. Salinas, Ramirez Introduce Legislation to Require the Federal Government to Share Evidence with Local Law Enforcement in DHS Use-of-Force Incidents", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "salinas.house.gov", "scraper": "salinas", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001226", "name": "Andrea Salinas", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Delia Ramirez (IL-03) introduced the ICE Shootings Transparency Act to provide local and state law enforcement agencies unfettered access to evidence in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer-involved shootings and other use of force incidents.\n\n“When an ICE or CBP agent kills or injures someone in our community, transparency needs to be the bare minimum,” said Rep. Salinas. “Since the start of the second Trump Administration, the federal government has often refused to provide local law enforcement with critical evidence in shootings and other use-of-force incidents involving ICE and CBP officers. My bill would ensure that when these incidents occur, state and local law enforcement agencies would have unrestricted access to this evidence to deliver full justice to victims and their families.”\n\n“DHS lies to avoid accountability. DHS agents use reckless and unlawful force and then DHS issues public statements justifying the use of force that are repeatedly proven false or highly misleading,” said Congresswoman Ramirez.“That’s why I’m joining Rep. Salinas to require DHS and the Attorney General to share evidence related to shootings by ICE and CBP officers with local law enforcement agencies to carry out investigations. We will not stop until we have justice for every person that was killed or harmed at the hands of DHS agents. We will reimagine true safety, abolish ICE, dismantle DHS, and hold all perpetrators accountable.”\n\nIn January 2026, when ICE killed Renee Good, Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was tapped to conduct a joint investigation with the FBI. However, shortly after the announcement, the state agency said that they had been kicked out of the investigation, leaving the investigation in the hands of the Trump Administration. Several months later, ICE agents killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas and have also refused to work with state and local law enforcement. This has included blocking local and state law enforcement officials from accessing investigatory materials, such as Salgado Araujo’s work van and the scene of the incident.\n\nReps. Salinas and Ramirez introduced the ICE Shootings Transparency Act to address this issue that some local law enforcement agencies have encountered with ICE and CBP officers involved shootings that result in the injury or death of a civilian. Their bill would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Attorney General to share evidence on an ongoing basis with appropriate local law enforcement agencies related to shootings by ICE and CBP officers that injure or kill someone.\n\nAdditionally, this bill would require DHS and the Attorney General to provide access to the location of the incident to state and local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the area to carry out regular investigative functions.\n\nThe ICE Shootings Transparency Act is cosponsored by Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Jim Costa (CA-21), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29).\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the National Immigration Law Center (NILC).\n\nIn February, Salinas introduced the ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Actto hold the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) liable for violating individuals’ constitutional rights.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-05T12:04:08Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-05T12:05:17Z"}
{"url": "https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases/schakowsky-castor-introduce-legislation-modernize-ftc-and-strengthen-consumer", "title": "Schakowsky, Castor Introduce Legislation to Modernize FTC and Strengthen Consumer Protections", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "schakowsky.house.gov", "scraper": "schakowsky", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001145", "name": "Janice D. Schakowsky", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Full Text of FTC Autonomy (PDF) | Full Text of 21st Century FTC Act (PDF)\n\nWASHINGTON - As new technologies, business practices, and online marketplaces create new ways for companies to take advantage of consumers, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Kathy Castor (FL-14) are introducing legislation to ensure the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has the tools and independence it needs to protect consumers in the modern economy.\n\nThe FTC Autonomy Act, introduced by Rep. Schakowsky, and the 21st Century FTC Act, introduced by Rep. Castor, would strengthen the FTC’s ability to respond to unfair and deceptive practices and hold companies accountable when they harm consumers.\n\n“Companies are constantly finding new ways to take advantage of consumers, and the FTC needs the tools to keep up,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “I’m glad to be in this fight with Congresswoman Castor to make sure the FTC has the authority and independence it needs to protect consumers. We need an FTC that can keep pace with the modern economy, not one held back by outdated rules and unnecessary barriers.”\n\n“The current economic pain being inflicted on hardworking Americans shouldn’t be exacerbated by fraudsters and corporate wrongdoers. It’s imperative that corporations be held accountable when they take advantage of consumers,” said Congresswoman Kathy Castor. “The FTC is key to accountability, and the 21st Century FTC and FTC Autonomy Acts will strengthen the ability to act and restore civil penalties for first time offenses. I’m committed to restoring the FTC’s autonomy and authority, and I urge Congress to pass this important legislation.”\n\nThe FTC is the federal government’s primary consumer protection agency, but outdated procedures and restrictions on its enforcement authority can make it harder for the agency to respond to emerging threats.\n\nThe FTC Autonomy Act would allow the FTC’s own attorneys to bring cases seeking civil penalties without first having to enlist the assistance of the Department of Justice. Removing this procedural barrier would allow the agency to pursue enforcement actions more efficiently and hold companies accountable.\n\nThe 21st Century FTC Act would give the FTC streamlined rulemaking authority under the Administrative Procedure Act and allow the agency to seek civil penalties for first-time violations of the FTC Act. These changes would help the FTC respond more effectively to emerging consumer harms and deter companies from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices.\n\nTogether, these bills would give the FTC the modern tools it needs to protect consumers in a rapidly changing economy. As technology and business practices evolve, consumers should not be left vulnerable because federal consumer protection laws have failed to keep pace. The FTC Autonomy Act and 21st Century FTC Act would strengthen the FTC’s ability to set clear rules, respond to new consumer threats, and hold companies accountable when they cross the line.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-derek-schmidts-bill-strengthen-law-enforcement-background-checks-passes", "title": "Rep. Derek Schmidt’s Bill to Strengthen Law Enforcement Background Checks Passes Senate, Heads to President", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "schmidt.house.gov", "scraper": "schmidt", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001228", "name": "Derek Schmidt", "party": "Republican", "state": "KS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02)’s bill to strengthen background checks for law enforcement officers today passed the U.S. Senate, clearing the way for the bill to head to President Trump. It passed the House earlier this year.\n\nThe Criminal History Access Act, bipartisan legislation Schmidt introduced with Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), would explicitly authorize the exchange of criminal history record information between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and state Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) agencies. State POST agencies are responsible for enforcing standards for the hiring, training, certification, and ethical conduct of law enforcement officers.\n\nPOST agencies need access to criminal history information to properly screen and certify officers and enforce prohibitions against individuals with certain criminal histories serving as law enforcement officers. But under current law, POST agencies are not authorized to run criminal history background checks through federal records databases and instead rely on law enforcement agencies that employ the officers for those records checks.\n\n“For too long, state POST agencies have had to rely on individual law enforcement agencies to conduct the criminal history records checks needed when certifying officers,\" Congressman Schmidt said. \"The Criminal History Access Act strengthens background checks by closing that loophole and giving state certification agencies the tools they need to make informed decisions about who is qualified to serve and protect our communities. I’m proud to have worked across party lines with Congresswoman Ross to get this bipartisan legislation through Congress, and I am hopeful the President will sign it into law soon.”\n\n“I’m grateful that the Criminal History Access Act passed unanimously in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, bringing us one step closer to ensuring that local law enforcement agencies have the information they need to properly vet and hire new officers,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure officers are held to even stronger hiring standards, which will make our communities safer and strengthen trust in law enforcement. I urge the President to sign this commonsense solution into law to give police and sheriff’s departments in North Carolina and across the country the tools to hire qualified, trusted officers.”\n\nThe Criminal History Access Act is supported by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Congressman Schmidt has worked with the Kansas Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training in developing and advancing the legislation.\n\nThe legislation now heads to the President for consideration.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://scottpeters.house.gov/press-releases/icymi-peters-vargas-hold-know-your-rights-webinar-with-local-stakeholders", "title": "ICYMI: Peters, Vargas Hold Know Your Rights Webinar with Local Stakeholders", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://scottpeters.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "scottpeters.house.gov", "scraper": "scottpeters", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000608", "name": "Scott H. Peters", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "San Diego, CA – Last week, U.S. Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) hosted a virtual training event with Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) and representatives from Kids Belong in Classrooms and Immigrant Defenders Law Center. The webinar helped ensure community members understand how to safely interact with federal law enforcement officers, what to do if they or their loved ones are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and what resources are available to San Diego’s immigrant community.\n\nDuring the week of September 7th, San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) and San Diego City College both informed the Congressman's office of ICE arrest activity outside their schools. These are in addition to a dramatic increase in ICE activity across San Diego County, especially around sensitive locations like schools, childcare facilities, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship.\n\n“Regardless of your immigration status, you have certain rights in this country,” said Rep. Peters. “These resources are more important than ever as community members continue to navigate frightening and lawless interactions with federal law enforcement officers under the Trump Administration. Until ICE operations change to responsibly target dangerous criminals instead of hardworking families, I will continue to push for real reforms and hold the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accountable for the fear it has inflicted on my constituents and communities across the country.”\n\n“Everyone has constitutional rights when interacting with ICE or law enforcement – regardless of immigration status. As ICE continues to target our communities, it’s more important than ever that people know their rights and understand how to exercise them,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “Thank you to my colleague, Rep. Scott Peters, for holding this important Know Your Rights training to help us look out for one another.”\n\nWatch and share a recording of the training here. Additional resources from Kids Belong in Classrooms and Immigrant Defenders Law Center can be accessed below:\n\nToolkit for Organizing in Your School Community\n\nSpanish Kids Belong in Classrooms Toolkit\n\nHow to Talk to Your Kids About ICE Enforcement\n\nHow to Make a Family Preparedness Plan\n\nSan Diego Immigration Hotline: (858) 751-7553. The Hotline is monitored Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm\n\nFurther Background:\n\nRep. Peters joined his California colleagues to call on DHS to end ICE enforcement activity around schools and educational institutions in San Diego County.\n\nRep. Peters is an original cosponsor of the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would bar immigration enforcement within 1,000 feet of schools, hospitals, and churches except in true emergencies. He also introduced the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, a bill to make our communities safer by establishing a stronger standard for Federal immigration agents' use of force. Rep. Peters has pushed Congress to pass these commonsense reforms, but they have been blocked by the Republican majority.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://shontelbrown.house.gov/media/press-releases/brown-introduces-legislation-address-nationwide-veterinarian-shortage", "title": "Brown Introduces Legislation to Address Nationwide Veterinarian Shortage, Encourage Next Generation to Work in Animal Medicine", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://shontelbrown.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "shontelbrown.house.gov", "scraper": "shontelbrown", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001313", "name": "Shontel M. Brown", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), Vice Ranking Member on the House Committee on Agriculture has introduced legislation to create a competitive federal grant program supporting work-based learning programs exposing high school-aged students to veterinarian medicine.\n\nThe VET CARE Act (Veterinary Expansion and Training for Comprehensive Animal Resources and Education Act) authorizes the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide federal grants to schools, 4-H or FFA organizations, veterinary clinics and hospitals, or veterinary and animal health offices to create, develop, or expand work-based learning programs focused on veterinary medicine.\n\nIn 2025, the USDA identified veterinarian shortages in 46 states. According to a 2025 report by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Farm Journal Foundation, Ohio faces a veterinarian shortage of 600 to 1,000 veterinarians by the next decade. That report surveyed Ohio stakeholders who rated the severity of the crisis at a “7.9 out of 10.”\n\nDue to a lack of servicing and providers available, farmers and ranchers in all regions face a bottleneck of services due to overcrowding at shelters, private practices, and emergency care facilities.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found by clicking here.\n\n“If we want more veterinarians serving our ranchers and rural communities, we need to start by showing young people that this is a career they can pursue. The Vet CARE Act would help schools and communities give students hands-on experience and a real look at what it means to work in veterinary medicine. By introducing students to these careers early, we can open doors for young people and build a stronger pipeline of veterinarians for the communities that need them most,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.\n\nThe VET CARE Act is supported by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges and The Ohio State University.\n\n“Through our mission of promoting excellence in academic veterinary medicine, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) knows that efforts to alleviate the veterinarian workforce shortage start long before students reach professional school classrooms. That is why we are encouraged by the VET CARE Act's work-based learning programs, which will give high school students real, hands-on exposure to veterinary medicine and a clearer pathway toward long-term employment in large-animal and food-animal veterinary practice, where our nation really needs help. We are proud to endorse a bill that aims to strengthen the veterinary pipeline from the ground up,” said Emma K. Read, Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges\n\n“Addressing veterinary workforce shortages requires a long-term commitment to building and sustaining the pipeline of professionals who protect animal health, public health, and our food systems. Through our Protect One Health in Ohio (Protect OHIO) initiative, we are collaborating with the State of Ohio, agricultural partners, Ohio colleges and communities across the state to recruit and support future rural and large-animal veterinarians, reduce financial barriers to veterinary education and help graduates return to serve the communities that need them most,” said Dr. Rustin M. Moore, Rita Jean Wolfe Endowed Dean at the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University. “The VET CARE Act would complement and amplify these efforts by creating additional opportunities for students to gain practical experience and pursue careers in the rural and agricultural communities in Ohio and across the nation where this highly specialized workforce is needed most. We are grateful to Congresswoman Brown for their leadership in advancing this important legislation and for recognizing the critical roles that veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal scientists, diagnosticians, epidemiologists, food-safety specialists, animal-husbandry professionals and others across the agricultural workforce play in protecting our nation’s animal health, food supply, public health and rural communities.”\n\n\"Preparing the next generation of veterinarians and animal health professionals is essential to Ohio agriculture and the strength of our rural communities. The VET CARE Act would strengthen the pipeline of rural and large-animal veterinarians through expanded hands-on experience, rural community immersion, and partnerships with schools, 4-H, FFA, and communities across the state, while training our future workforce. We greatly appreciate Congresswoman Brown leadership in advancing this important legislation,\" said Dr. Cathann A. Kress, Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at Ohio State University.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://shontelbrown.house.gov/media/press-releases/grocery-prices-skyrocket-brown-sounds-alarm-new-trump-snap-cut-taking-effect", "title": "As Grocery Prices Skyrocket, Brown Sounds Alarm on New Trump SNAP Cut Taking Effect Today", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://shontelbrown.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "shontelbrown.house.gov", "scraper": "shontelbrown", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001313", "name": "Shontel M. Brown", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), Vice Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Committee, warned that another SNAP cut from H.R. 1, the Republican Reconciliation Law, has gone into effect.\n\nThe Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is federally funded and administered by states. H.R. 1 cut the federal share of funding for SNAP administrative costs in half, meaning that states are now required to cover 75% of SNAP administrative costs. Nationwide, this represents billions in reduced funding for SNAP.\n\nIn Ohio, this has meant a loss of an estimated $38 million in SNAP funding effective today, and potential annual cuts of $67 million. Earlier this year, the Republican-controlled Ohio legislature allocated only $12.5 million to cover this gap, leaving Ohio’s largest counties (which administer SNAP locally) with a substantial funding deficit. Cuyahoga County received the same administrative funding patch as Ohio’s smallest counties and now faces a funding gap of $7 million. For state-by-state estimates of SNAP funding cuts effective today, click here.\n\nThe reduction of administrative funding leaves states and counties with fewer resources to process applications, determine eligibility, and ensure families receive the benefits they are eligible for. This massive funding cut also jeopardizes other state and local services as states struggle to replace this lost funding. A similar cost shift, cutting federal payments to states for SNAP benefits, will go into effect October 1, 2027.\n\n“Trump and Republicans in Congress passed tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires on the backs of families who are already struggling to afford sky-high grocery costs. Over 5 million Americans have already lost SNAP food assistance because of Trump’s cuts, and today, another SNAP cut from the Big, Ugly Law kicks in. Trump and Republicans have handed states huge SNAP funding cuts, with more cuts coming next year. Worse still, these administrative cuts are coming as Republicans have also made SNAP more difficult to access. They’ve created new paperwork and new requirements, then cut the funding used to enroll people. It’s a devastating gut punch and it’s intentional: this is a plan to wreck state SNAP programs and push millions off of SNAP and into hunger. Congress must fix these cuts through the Farm Bill and protect families who rely on SNAP to keep food on the table,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.\n\nAccording to USDA data, more than 5 million Americans, including about 2 million children, have already lost SNAP since H.R. 1 was enacted in July 2025. In Ohio, over 120,000 people have already lost SNAP.\n\nH.R.1’s SNAP cuts were enacted alongside cuts to Medicaid and other programs to pay for tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefited large corporations and the wealthiest Americans. The Republican Farm Bill which passed the House and is currently under consideration in the Senate, locks in $187 billion in SNAP cuts. Republicans rejected all Democratic attempts to roll back SNAP cuts in the House Farm Bill.\n\nSeparately, a SNAP cost-of-living-adjustment, or COLA, took effect today. The COLA was authorized through the 2008 Farm Bill, and Republicans have repeatedly attempted to kill and weaken SNAP benefit increases. Last year, Brown introduced The Hunger Free Future Act, new legislation to block any changes to the Thrifty Food Plan, which uses economic data to determine benefit size, which would result in benefit cuts.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://shreve.house.gov/media/press-releases/shreve-introduces-bill-ban-scam-call-machines", "title": "Shreve Introduces Bill to Ban Scam Call Machines", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://shreve.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "shreve.house.gov", "scraper": "shreve", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001229", "name": "Jefferson Shreve", "party": "Republican", "state": "IN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Today, Stop Scams Caucus Chairman Jefferson Shreve introduced the Stop SIM Box Scams Act to ban devices that help scammers disguise their calls as local.\n\nKnown as SIM boxes, these machines hold hundreds of SIM cards and cycle through phone numbers, helping scam operations reach Americans while evading detection.\n\nThe bill would prohibit manufacturing, importing, selling, leasing, advertising, owning, or operating SIM boxes. It would also direct the Federal Communications Commission to coordinate with federal law enforcement to block imports and pursue the scam syndicates using them.\n\n\"That ‘local’ Indiana number on your phone may be a scammer calling from halfway around the world. I wrote this bill to stop scammers from using these machines to pose as our neighbors,\" said Congressman Shreve (R-IN-06).\n\n\"Scammers shouldn’t be able to use our area codes to rip off our communities. Our legislation bans the deceptive devices that allow scammers to masquerade as our neighbors, cutting off a key tool for fraudsters and protecting working families,\" said Congressman Rob Menendez (D-NJ-08).\n\n\"Illegal calls and texts are the weapons of choice for criminals defrauding Americans in record numbers. That is why we have long called for banning SIM boxes, which enable high-volume illegal calling while allowing criminals to mask the call’s origin. The Stop SIM Box Scams Act would take this important step, and Congress should protect consumers by passing it as soon as possible,\" said Erik Rust, Bank Policy Institute SVP & Head of Government Affairs.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://strickland.house.gov/2026/10/01/strickland-introduces-bipartisan-intergenerational-housing-bill/", "title": "Strickland Introduces Bipartisan Intergenerational Housing Bill", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://strickland.house.gov/category/press_release/", "domain": "strickland.house.gov", "scraper": "strickland", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001159", "name": "Marilyn Strickland", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) and Congressman David P. Joyce (OH-14) introduced a bipartisan Multigenerational HOMES (Housing Opportunities for Modifying Existing Structures) Act. The bill is one of a kind in that it will provide a tax credit for homeowners who renovate their homes to accommodate an elderly family member, a family member with a disability, or a family member who will be a live-in caregiver.\n\n“This bill helps keep families under one roof at all stages of life if they choose to care for their aging family members,” said Strickland. “The tax credit provides families with additional in-home care options.”\n\n“As a member of the Congressional Assisting Caregivers Today Caucus, I know how important it is to give families the flexibility to provide care without leaving the homes and communities they know,” said Congressman Joyce. “The Multigenerational HOMES Act would help families adapt their existing homes to meet their changing needs, making it easier for loved ones to live together while making better use of our existing housing stock. By giving families more options to share a home and care for one another, we can reduce the costs and pressures of finding additional housing while empowering families to make the decisions that work best for them.”\n\nThe tax credit can be used to make renovations such as adding handrails, stairlifts, wider doorways, and separate entrances. This makes it more affordable for families who choose the option of in-home caregiving for aging relatives.\n\n“NAHB commends Rep. Strickland for introducing legislation to help families remain in their homes. The Multigenerational HOMES Act would provide a tax credit for homeowners to make renovations that accommodate family members with accessibility needs or disabilities. Caregivers face many challenges, and supporting their ability to keep loved ones together under one roof is both important and beneficial,” said Bill Owens, Chairman, National Association of Home Builders.\n\n“Families live and care across generations, even when our homes and public systems are not designed that way. The Multigenerational HOMES Act would help families create safer, more accessible homes where older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and loved ones of every age can remain connected and supported. This is prevention through connection – and a practical investment in family stability, independence, and dignity,” said Kristen Kiefer, Executive Director, Generations United.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by: AARP, Generations United, the National Association of Home Builders, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://summerlee.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/reps-lee-deluzio-announce-11-million-more-in-federal-funding-for-safety-upgrades-at-pittsburgh-airport", "title": "Reps. Lee, Deluzio Announce $11 Million More in Federal Funding for Safety Upgrades at Pittsburgh Airport", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://summerlee.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "summerlee.house.gov", "scraper": "summerlee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000602", "name": "Summer L. Lee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PITTSBURGH, PA – October 1, 2026 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) and Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced $11,023,181 in federal funding to upgrade thousands of feet of lighting and pavement on Runway 10L/28R at the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), further modernizing Western Pennsylvanians’ go-to airport.\n\nThe U.S. Department of Transportation awards this money through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The multi-phase funding will help extend the service life of the runway, minimize Foreign Object Debris (FOD), improve aircrafts’ ride quality, and make the airfield safer at Pittsburgh International Airport.\n\n“Pittsburgh International Airport is one of the gateways to Western Pennsylvania, and the infrastructure behind it has to be safe, reliable, and ready for the people and workers who depend on it every single day,” said Congresswoman Lee. “This more than $11 million federal investment is exactly what public dollars should be doing: coming back home, strengthening the things our communities rely on, supporting good jobs, and making sure a major piece of our regional economy is built to last. I’m glad to see this funding headed home to Pittsburgh International Airport, and I’ll keep fighting to bring federal investment back to Western Pennsylvania.”\n\n“We in Western Pennsylvanians should be able to rely on the safety and reliability of our infrastructure,” said Congressman Deluzio. “That’s why I am excited to announce another round of federal funding that will help make the Pittsburgh Airport one of the safest and most modern airports in the world.”\n\n“Airports across the country are part of national critical infrastructure and federal support is key in helping to keep the national airspace moving. Pittsburgh International Airport is an important economic driver for our region and this grant helps to fund airfield improvements at PIT including runway paving and upgrading lighting infrastructure. Thank you to Congressman Deluzio and our entire federal delegation for their continued support,” said Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://susielee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-lee-unlv-announce-new-program-make-higher-education-more-affordable-lees", "title": "Rep. Lee, UNLV Announce New Program to Make Higher Education More Affordable, Lee’s Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Program Nationwide", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://susielee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "susielee.house.gov", "scraper": "susielee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000590", "name": "Susie Lee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Watch and download video here\n\nLAS VEGAS, NV – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) hosted a roundtable at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) with Earn to Learn and UNLV students and administrators to announce UNLV’s new Earn to Learn program that will make higher education more affordable for current and returning students, and to discuss Lee’s bipartisan Earn to Learn Act, which would expand implementation of this program nationwide.\n\n“As a lifelong education advocate, I know that education is the key to opportunity. Unfortunately, the cost of higher education has skyrocketed, leaving many graduating with crippling student debt,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “I’m glad my commonsense bill will help Nevadans achieve the education and training they need without taking on crippling debt, and I look forward to continue working with UNLV to help higher education more attainable for students here in Nevada.”\n\nIn response to rising higher education costs nationwide, the Earn to Learn Act is common-sense legislation that would establish a matched-savings program to help low-income students, including adult learners, pay for tuition, books, fees, and other education-related expenses.\n\nThis bipartisan bill is a much-needed step to addressing the student loans crisis in the United States. Nearly 368,000 Nevadans together owe approximately $13.2 billion in student loan debt. Additionally, 93,000 Nevadans, or 25% of Nevadans with student loans, are in default—and Nevada borrowers in default owe more than $2 billion.\n\n“Higher education creates a pathway to personal and career success, but affordability is a real concern for many attending or considering a return to college,” said Chris Heavey, UNLV interim president. “That’s why we’re proud to partner with Earn to Learn through our Destination Degree initiative to remove barriers to access and make the road to a UNLV degree more attainable. And we’re grateful to Congresswoman Lee for her continuing efforts to advance the Earn to Learn Act, which would reduce reliance on student loans, improve financial literacy, and make higher education possible for students in Nevada and nationwide.”\n\nModeled off the successful Earn to Learn program, the Earn to Learn Act helps Nevadans achieve the education and training they need without taking on crippling debt. Students who qualify save $500 of their own money toward their education. Their investment is then matched 8:1 through a combination of public and private support. The combination of the student’s savings and the match creates up to $4,500 in flexible scholarship support that can address unmet need and remove financial barriers to postsecondary completion.\n\n“For more than a decade, Earn to Learn has seen the power of combining matched savings, financial education, and student support to help students invest in their own futures, complete their education, and build greater financial stability,” said Kate Hoffman, founder and chief executive officer of Earn to Learn. “The Earn to Learn Act creates an opportunity to bring this proven model to students across the country, while our partnership with UNLV demonstrates what is possible when higher education, government, philanthropy, and the private sector come together to invest in students. We are incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Lee for her leadership and to UNLV for helping bring this innovative approach to Nevada and expand pathways to education and economic opportunity.”\n\nAs seen during the program’s operations at the state level, Earn to Learn scholars have a first-year retention rate nearing 90%, and the majority of them graduate with little or no student loan debt. In fact, the majority of Earn to Learn students graduate with less than $10,000 in student loan debt. The demonstration program created by the bill would enable an estimated 250,000 scholarships over the course of five years.\n\nBefore coming to Congress, Lee spent two decades leading education non-profits – reducing dropout rates and making sure Nevada kids had the wrap-around services they needed to thrive.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases/10/01/2026/rep-sykes-recognizes-october-as-domestic-violence-awareness-month-leads-legislation-to-protect-survivors-of-domestic-violence", "title": "Rep. Sykes Recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Leads Legislation to Protect Survivors of Domestic Violence", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "sykes.house.gov", "scraper": "sykes", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001223", "name": "Emilia Strong Sykes", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "AKRON, OH – U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and is reintroducing the Skills Against Violence Act. This bill would establish a new Gender-Based Violence Survivor Workforce Program at the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women. The office would award grants to domestic violence and sexual assault service providers and coalitions with a documented history of effective work in this field. The bill authorizes $40 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.\n\nGrants could fund employment counseling, occupational training, job retention counseling, and counseling on re-entering the workforce. They could also fund outreach to survivors and to employers that support a safe workspace, along with support services such as child care, disability and elder care, transportation, professional clothing and equipment, legal services, and gender-based violence and mental health counseling. Grantees would report annually on how many survivors received workforce development, occupational training, and support services, how many entered employment, and how satisfied survivors were with the services. The Director would then report to Congress every two years, beginning two years after enactment.\n\nRep. Sykes previously introduced the Safer Homes and Families Package, a comprehensive legislative slate consisting of four bills to protect survivors and strengthen support systems nationwide: the Fair Social Security for Domestic Violence Survivors Act, the Better Care for Domestic Violence Survivors Act, the Break Free from Domestic Violence Act, and the Electronic Stalking Act.\n\n“Every person deserves to live free from fear and violence,” said Rep. Sykes. “I’m committed to standing with survivors and delivering real solutions that help them rebuild their lives. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we honor the courage of survivors and highlight the urgent need for stronger protections. The bills I’ve led reflect our promise to create safer communities where every person can heal, thrive, and live with dignity.\"\n\n\"A paycheck can be the difference between staying and leaving. Economic abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases and is one of the most powerful ways abusers keep survivors trapped,” said Maria York, Director of Policy and Communication, Ohio Domestic Violence Network. “Here in Ohio, intimate partner violence costs our state nearly $1.2 billion every year, including $227.7 million in lost work productivity. ODVN applauds the Skills Against Violence Act for investing in job training, career support, and wraparound services like childcare and transportation that survivors need to build lasting financial independence. We're grateful to Rep. Sykes for being a continuous champion for survivors, this Domestic Violence Awareness Month and every month.\"\n\n“Each of these bills represents a critical step toward removing the barriers that keep survivors trapped in unsafe situations,” said Teresa Stafford Wright, CEO of Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center. “The Fair Social Security for Domestic Violence Survivors Act, the Better Care for Domestic Violence Survivors Act, and the Break Free From Domestic Violence Act all recognize that safety, health, and financial stability are deeply interconnected. By expanding access to financial resources, trauma-informed care, and safe housing options, this legislation affirms that survivors deserve not only protection from violence but the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.”\n\n“Survivors should not have to choose between healing and thriving, nor should they have to finish healing before they are given opportunities to thrive. When survivors have access to skills training, safe working spaces, and opportunities to build sustainable careers, healing and economic independence can happen alongside each other. That is what creates pathways toward long term self sufficiency,” said Dr. Antoria Gillon, Founder and CEO of From Ordinary to Extraordinary.\n\n“The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is proud to support the Skills Against Violence Act. Economic security is a critical part of safety for survivors of domestic violence. Financial abuse, disrupted employment, damaged credit, and other economic barriers can make it harder for survivors to leave an abusive relationship and build a safe, stable future for themselves and their families,” said Tonia Moultry-Pace, NNEDV Interim President & CEO. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Sykes for introducing the Skills Against Violence Act, which will create meaningful workforce development opportunities for survivors and help them build the skills and economic stability needed to rebuild.”\n\nThe Fair Social Security for Domestic Violence Survivors Act would lower the current 10-year marriage requirement for spousal Social Security benefits to five years for individuals who divorce due to domestic abuse. This change would prevent survivors from being financially penalized for leaving unsafe relationships and help them achieve economic independence.\n\nThe Better Care for Domestic Violence Survivors Act invests $50 million over five years in a pilot program to train healthcare providers in evidence-based, trauma-informed care. Because survivors often seek medical attention during or after abuse, this initiative would help healthcare professionals identify and support victims more effectively, potentially saving lives through earlier intervention.\n\nThe Break Free From Domestic Violence Act ensures survivors of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault can break a lease without penalty, giving them the freedom to leave dangerous living situations without facing financial or legal consequences.\n\nThe Stop Electronic Stalking Act would prohibit the use of personal tracking devices to track people without their consent. Rep. Sykes introduced similar legislation in the Ohio legislature which was later signed into law by Governor DeWine.\n\nIn Ohio, there were 157 domestic violence fatalities from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, including 11 children. This marks a ten year high in fatalities due to domestic violence in Ohio. In 2025, 3,703 incidents of domestic violence were reported in Summit County, and 2,215 incidents in Stark County.\n\nRep. Sykes has long been a champion for survivors, earning bipartisan support and delivering tangible results. Last year, Rep. Sykes secured a $500,000 Transitional Housing Assistance grant for Domestic Violence Project Inc., providing critical resources to help survivors rebuild their lives. She has also co-sponsored the Healing Partnerships for Survivors Act, Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act, Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025, Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act, the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resolution, & the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025. Throughout the appropriations process, she has been a strong advocate for funding for domestic violence and family violence programs, signing onto bipartisan requests for robust funding in FY27.\n\nAs a member of the Ohio House of Representatives prior to her time in Congress, Rep. Sykes authored Ohio H.B. 1, which became law and extended protective orders to victims of dating violence for the first time in the state’s history.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-garcia-pingree-casar-call-for-accountability-after-three-ice-shootings-and-body-camera-failures", "title": "Reps. Garcia, Pingree, Casar Call for Accountability After Three ICE Shootings and Body Camera Failures", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "sylviagarcia.house.gov", "scraper": "sylviagarcia", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000587", "name": "Sylvia R. Garcia", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), and Greg Casar (D-TX-35), today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director David J. Venturella calling for answers and accountability following three Immigration and Customs Enforcement shootings in their congressional districts where agents failed to wear body cameras.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\nThe Members point to the shootings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, Texas; Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine; and Wilber Rafael Garces Perez in Austin, Texas. In the latest case, Garces Perez was shot in the back by an ICE agent in Austin on September 20. The agent had been issued a body camera but was not wearing it. A second agent was wearing a camera, but it did not capture the shooting.\n\nThe repeated failures come despite significant funding from Congress. Earlier this year, Congress appropriated $20 million specifically for procuring, deploying, and operating body-worn cameras for federal immigration enforcement officers.\n\nThat is on top of an unprecedented increase in funding for ICE. Congress provided ICE roughly $75 billion in supplemental funding in 2025, followed by another $38.5 billion in 2026 through the Secure America Act.\n\n“ICE is not short on money. Congress has provided billions of dollars to this agency, and after Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed in my district, we were told body cameras were coming. The money is there. The deadlines have passed. So why does this keep happening?” said Congresswoman Garcia. “This is completely unacceptable. When federal agents use deadly force, the public should not be left in the dark. There must be transparency, accountability, and answers for the families who are left behind. Lorenzo’s family deserves answers. They deserve justice. DHS and ICE need to explain why their body camera system keeps failing when it matters most.”\n\n“Over and over again, we’ve seen DHS agents resort to deadly violence when conducting enforcement operations in our districts. And when we demand to see the body cam footage, they give us the same tired excuses. No more,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “The fact that DHS has failed to outfit its officers with body cameras—despite having hundreds of billions of dollars at its disposal and more than a year to procure and deploy this equipment—is totally unacceptable. There is simply no reason that a federal agency with more money than most countries’ entire GDPs is not held to the same standards as local law enforcement. We deserve the truth about why cameras weren’t deployed during these most recent shootings, including the one that took the life of my constituent, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, in Biddeford, Maine on July 13. Our demands are simple: Every immigration enforcement officer must have a working body camera, must be properly trained on how to use it, and be held accountable when that camera isn’t used.”\n\n\"Wilber Garces Perez was shot in the back in Austin by an ICE agent who wasn't wearing a body camera, weeks after DHS promised every officer in the field would have one,\" said Congressman Casar. \"Secretary Mullin keeps making promises while his agents keep shooting people. Secretary Mullin must release every second of footage from that scene, so we can know the truth.”\n\nThe letter also points to commitments DHS made following the July 7 killing of Salgado Araujo in Houston. During a July 15 phone call with Congresswoman Garcia, Secretary Mullin said all federal immigration officers would have body-worn cameras within 45 to 60 days. That deadline passed in September.\n\nSalgado Araujo, a Houston construction worker and father of three, was killed without available body camera footage capturing the shooting. Days later, ICE fatally shot 25-year-old Colombian national Johan Sebastian Durán Guerrero. Agents involved in Guerrero’s shooting were also not wearing body cameras. Then, on September 20, Garces Perez was shot in Austin by an officer who had been issued a camera but was not wearing it.\n\nMembers are demanding DHS and ICE explain whether all federal immigration officers have been issued working body cameras and properly trained to use them. They also ask why the officer who shot Garces Perez was not wearing his issued camera, why the second officer’s camera failed to capture the shooting, whether other footage exists, and whether officers who fail to follow body camera rules will face disciplinary action.\n\nThe Members requested written answers from DHS and ICE by October 14, 2026.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://taylor.house.gov/media/press-releases/taylor-leads-bill-fight-fraud-federal-healthcare-systems", "title": "Taylor Leads Bill to Fight Fraud in Federal Healthcare Systems", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://taylor.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "taylor.house.gov", "scraper": "taylor", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000490", "name": "David J. Taylor", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Dave Taylor (OH-02), Michael Rulli (OH-06), Chuck Fleischman (TN-03), and Roger Williams (TX-25) today introduced the Integrity for Taxpayers Act, which would hold bad actors accountable for misconduct within federal healthcare systems, protect taxpayer dollars, and restore integrity to the systems and services that Americans rely on.\n\n“Taxpayer dollars funding federal healthcare programs are designed to serve vulnerable Americans who depend on them, not pad the pockets of fraudsters chasing a quick payday,” said Representative Dave Taylor. “I am proud to lead the effort to root out waste, fraud, and abuse from our federal healthcare systems and hold bad actors accountable who are rigging the system for their own personal gain. In Congress, I will continue working to catch fraudsters in the act and restore integrity to the services that Buckeye families depend on.”\n\n“Hardworking Americans should not have to foot the bill for fraudsters abusing our federal healthcare programs. The Integrity for Taxpayers Act closes a loophole that allows bad actors to slip through the cracks and strengthens HHS-OIG’s ability to protect taxpayer dollars. We must root out waste, fraud, and abuse wherever it exists,” said Representative Michael Rulli.\n\n\"If you break the rules and cheat hardworking Americans, you shouldn’t get a free pass just because you’ve left the job. The Integrity for Taxpayers Act closes that loophole and gives HHS the ability to go after these fraudsters. We’re making it clear: if you cheat the system, you'll face consequences,” said Representative Chuck Fleischmann.\n\n“Hardworking Americans deserve to know that their taxpayer dollars are being protected from waste, fraud, and abuse. When bad actors take advantage of federal programs, they must be held accountable,\" said Representative Roger Williams. \"The Integrity for Taxpayers Act closes a loophole that allows individuals to escape responsibility simply by leaving their position. This bill strengthens the ability of the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to hold bad actors accountable and protect taxpayer dollars.”\n\n“America’s seniors have spent a lifetime paying into the programs they rely on, and they deserve to know that their hard-earned tax dollars are being protected. The Integrity for Taxpayers Act would strengthen the government’s ability to hold accountable individuals who seek to profit improperly from federal health care programs and help close a loophole that can allow bad actors to escape scrutiny. By giving HHS-OIG greater ability to protect Medicare and other federal health care dollars from waste, fraud, and abuse, this legislation can help ensure that more of these precious resources are available for the seniors and other vulnerable Americans who depend on them. The 60 Plus Association is proud to support Congressman Taylor’s efforts that promote accountability, protect taxpayers, and safeguard the integrity of our nation’s health care programs,” said President Saul Anuzis of the 60 Plus Association.\n\n\"With our national debt now exceeding $40 trillion, protecting every taxpayer dollar and cracking down on fraud is more important than ever. Thankfully, Congressman Taylor’s Integrity for Taxpayers Act takes an important step toward that goal by closing a loophole in federal law that allows bad actors to abuse federal health care programs. NTU is proud to support this legislation and looks forward to working with Congressman Taylor to advance this pro-taxpayer bill and see it reach President Trump’s desk,\" said Thomas Aiello, Vice President of Federal Affairs at National Taxpayers Union.\n\nBackground:\n\nUnder current law, the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG) has the authority to exclude individuals and entities that have committed misconduct (such as licensed healthcare practitioners, administrators, hospitals, pharmacies, or third-party vendors) from participating in federal healthcare programs. However, a loophole states that HHS-OIG exclusions can generally only be enforced upon a bad actor in the role in which they committed the misconduct, meaning they can evade the consequences by moving on to a different role. This allows these fraudsters to evade accountability, limiting the ability of HHS-OIG to enforce consequences and ensure taxpayer dollars are used properly.\n\nThe Integrity for Taxpayers Act would give HHS-OIG the authority needed to enforce exclusions from participation in federal healthcare systems, hold fraudsters accountable, and safeguard taxpayer dollars.\n\nThe 60 Plus Association and the National Taxpayers Union are supporting organizations of this bill.\n\nThe full bill text for the Integrity for Taxpayer Act is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://titus.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5938", "title": "Senate Passes Titus Legislation to Protect Hostages and Wrongful Detainees from Tax Penalties", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://titus.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "titus.house.gov", "scraper": "titus", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000468", "name": "Dina Titus", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate passed Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01)’s End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. This legislation would prevent U.S. citizens who have been taken hostage or wrongfully detained abroad from incurring penalties for late tax payments while they were held. Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY) joined Rep. Titus as cosponsor of the legislation which is now on its way to the President's desk.\n\n“I am pleased to report that my End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act passed the Senate and is on its way to the President's desk,” said Rep. Titus. “It goes without saying that no one who has endured wrongful detention or been taken hostage abroad should face the additional burden of onerous tax penalties incurred through no fault of their own. This bill would eliminate that unthinkable possibility by cutting red tape in our tax code and codifying a critical support mechanism for wrongful detainees, hostages, and their families here in the United States.”\n\nThis bill extends certain federal tax deadlines for U.S. nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad and their spouses. The bill also allows for an abatement and refund of additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed to such individuals for failing to meet a federal tax deadline during a period of detention.\n\nSpecifically, under the bill, the period during which a U.S. national is unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad is disregarded in determining certain federal tax deadlines, including deadlines for\n\nfiling a return for and paying federal income, estate, gift, employment, or excise taxes;\n\na tax credit or refund claim; and\n\nthe determination, assessment, and collection of additional taxes, interest, or penalties.\n\nThe bill requires the Department of State and the Department of Justice to annually provide the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with lists to identify U.S. nationals who qualify for an extension.\n\nThe bill also requires the IRS to (1) abate and refund additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed for any tax year ending during a period of detention for which an extension of a federal tax deadline is permitted; and (2) establish a program allowing U.S. nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or taken hostage abroad (or their spouse or dependent) to claim a refund of additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed for any tax year ending during a period of detention from 2021 to the bill’s enactment date.\n\nThe legislation’s full text can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-torres-and-fleischmann-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-to-celebrate-national-manufacturing-day-and-honor-americas-manufacturers-and-workers", "title": "Representatives Torres and Fleischmann Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Celebrate National Manufacturing Day and Honor America’s Manufacturers and Workers", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "torres.house.gov", "scraper": "torres", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000474", "name": "Norma J. Torres", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Norma Torres (CA-35) and Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) introduce a bipartisan resolution recognizing October 2, 2026, the first Friday of October, as National Manufacturing Day.\n\nThe resolution celebrates the important role American manufacturing plays in strengthening the economy, driving innovation, supporting supply chains, and creating good-paying, family-sustaining jobs in communities across the country.\n\n“Supporting the Manufacturing industry is key to growing the Inland Empire’s economy and creating pathways to good-paying careers in our region,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “Every year, I have the opportunity to visit manufacturers across my district and see firsthand the innovation, skill, and hard work that keep our economy moving. Manufacturing Day is an opportunity to recognize these workers and businesses while encouraging the next generation to explore careers in this growing industry. I am proud to once again partner with Congressman Fleischmann to celebrate American manufacturing and the people who make it possible.”\n\n\"Whether it’s the cars we drive, the homes we live in, or the products we use every day, manufacturing touches every part of our lives. It creates good jobs, helps our communities thrive, and gives workers the chance to build new skills and brighter futures. That’s why it’s so important to take a moment to celebrate the people behind America’s manufacturing industry. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on this bipartisan resolution. I will always stand up for American manufacturing in Congress,” said Congressman Fleischmann.\n\nManufacturers contribute approximately $2.9 trillion to the U.S. economy, accounting for roughly 11 percent of gross domestic product. Nearly 12.9 million Americans are directly employed in manufacturing, with millions more jobs supported throughout supply chains and related industries. American manufacturers are also major drivers of innovation, investing hundreds of billions of dollars in research and development.\n\nCongresswoman Torres has made supporting manufacturers and developing a skilled workforce a priority in the Inland Empire. Through her annual “Made in the 35th” manufacturing tour, Torres visits local manufacturers to hear directly from employers and workers about their needs, highlight locally made products, and promote career opportunities in the industry.\n\nTorres and Fleischmann have also worked together to strengthen American manufacturing and supply chains. Their bipartisan National MEP Supply Chain Database Act was included in the CHIPS and Science Act (Public Law No: 117-167) to help manufacturers better prepare for and respond to future supply chain disruptions.\n\nThe full resolution can be found HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3853", "title": "Trahan, Obernolte Statement on White House AI Accord", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "trahan.house.gov", "scraper": "trahan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000482", "name": "Lori Trahan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) and Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23), authors of the bipartisan FRONTIER Act, issued the following statement on the White House Accord signed by leading AI companies on Tuesday:\n\n“This week, America's leading AI companies signed the White House Accord, an important step toward ensuring that the most advanced AI systems are developed responsibly. The Accord embraces several principles at the heart of our bipartisan FRONTIER Act: robust internal risk management, strong corporate governance, and independent third-party evaluation. It shows that the industry's leaders see real value in these safeguards, and we look forward to each company expeditiously following through.”\n\n“The FRONTIER Act would build on this foundation and make it durable. It sets clear, risk-based national standards for the largest developers and most advanced models. It gives independent verifiers a common standard to assess against, with federal oversight to back it up. It establishes uniform transparency and incident reporting, and emergency authority to stop a catastrophe before it happens. Importantly, the FRONTIER Act does this while keeping America at the forefront of AI innovation. We look forward to working with the President, our colleagues in both chambers, and American innovators to advance this bipartisan framework.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4044", "title": "Congressman Valadao Secures Federal Funding for Friant-Kern Canal, Attends Groundbreaking for Phase I Pump Station Replacement Project", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "valadao.house.gov", "scraper": "valadao", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000129", "name": "David G. Valadao", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PORTERVILLE – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) attended the Friant Water Authority’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Friant-Kern Canal Phase I Pump Station Replacement Project. Phase 1 is the first of two phases that will result in the repair and replacement of a portion of the canal where land subsidence has caused significant capacity constraints. The completion of this project will improve operational reliability and strengthen the long-term resilience of the canal, helping deliver critical water resources across the Central Valley.\n\nEarlier this year, Congressman Valadao secured $540 million through the Working Families Tax Cut Act to support critical storage and conveyance projects across the state—the most significant water investment California has ever seen. Of that funding, $200 million was specifically set aside for the Friant-Kern Canal.\n\n“As a dairy farmer, I understand water isn’t just another issue for the Central Valley—it’s our way of life,” said Congressman Valadao. “Reliable water infrastructure supports the food we grow, the jobs we create, and the future we’re building together. That’s why I was proud to secure $200 million in federal funding for the Friant-Kern Canal to make these much-needed repairs which will improve water delivery reliability, maintain capacity, and strengthen resiliency for years to come. I want to thank the Friant Water Authority, Bureau of Reclamation, and our federal, state, and local leaders for their hard work to make this project possible. I look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure the Central Valley has the water resources needed to support our farms, families, and communities.”\n\n“Today, we are breaking ground on a significant investment that will help keep water flowing to the farms, families and communities that power the Central Valley. The Friant-Kern Canal is a vital part of California’s water delivery system for our communities and farms, and replacing these aging pump stations is critical to making sure water gets where it needs to go. Alongside Congressman Valadao, we fought to secure $540 million for California water projects—including $200 million directly for the Friant-Kern Canal. This is an incredible win for the San Joaquin Valley as we build the infrastructure we need today to secure our water supply for generations to come,\" said Rep. Vince Fong.\n\n“The Valley faces many challenges, including water supply certainty and land subsidence that impacts water reliability. Today is about taking action to restore the Friant-Kern Canal and protect a water system that is critical to the Central Valley. We’re grateful to President Trump and Congressmen David Valadao and Vince Fong for their continued support and commitment to securing the investments needed to strengthen this critical water infrastructure,” said Johnny Amaral, CEO, Friant Water Authority.\n\nClick here for photos from the event.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2104", "title": "Congressman Van Drew Leads Federal Response to Nor'easter Disaster", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vandrew.house.gov", "scraper": "vandrew", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000133", "name": "Jefferson Van Drew", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Atlantic City, NJ - Today, Congressman Van Drew led a tour of South Jersey shore communities impacted by the recent nor'easter to assess storm damage, discuss federal disaster assistance, and review long-term coastal protection needs. Joining him were senior officials from FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including Performing Assistant Secretary for the Army D. Lee Forsgren, Interim Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations Brigadier General Geoffrey Van Epps, and FEMA Region 2 Administrator Christopher Hartnett. Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection also participated, along with state, county, and local officials.\n\n\"This was the worst storm we have seen here in more than a decade, and there was very serious damage up and down our coast,\" said Congressman Van Drew. \"But there is also a bigger picture here. The work we have done over the last year made a difference. We secured $99 million for beach replenishment, got those projects built under budget and in time, and those beaches took a tremendous amount of the impact from this storm. Without that protection, the damage could have been much worse. Now we have to keep moving. We are assessing damage throughout our shore communities and in towns along the Delaware Bay so we understand the full extent of what happened and what help is needed. That means making sure our towns get the federal assistance they need to recover from this storm, but it also means looking ahead and continuing to invest in the work that will protect these communities for decades to come. We already have $30 million moving through the federal funding process for beach replenishment in Atlantic City and the rest of Absecon Island, and I secured provisions in this year's Water Resources Development Act to advance a number of major coastal priorities for South Jersey.\n\n\"I want to thank FEMA, the Army Corps, NJDEP, and our state, county, and local officials for being here and working with us,\" Congressman Van Drew continued. \"South Jersey is surrounded by water. We know these storms are going to come, so our job is to be ready for them. We have made real progress, and we are going to keep doing the work to protect South Jersey.\"\n\n\"This nor'easter presented serious challenges for Atlantic City and coastal towns across South Jersey,\" said Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr. \"I applaud the fine men and women of our Office of Emergency Management and law enforcement who worked around the clock to help protect our community, along with first responders from throughout the region. Now, as our focus turns to recovery, the Great City of Atlantic City has a strong and valued relationship with Congressman Jeff Van Drew, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with him as we assess the storm's impact and pursue every available resource.\"\n\n\"I want to thank Congressman Van Drew for his constant concern and help for LBI and the other NJ coastal communities,\" said Long Beach Island Mayor Mancini. \"His presence in Holgate attracted FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the NJ DEP, which needed to be there to witness the remaining dunes that the Army Corps of Engineers built and how they performed as advertised. We know he will be fighting for the funding we need to bring the beach back up to Corps standards.\"\n\n\"I'm very grateful to Congressman Van Drew and the federal and state officials for their prompt response to this nor'easter and for taking the time to personally inspect conditions in Sea Isle City,\" said Sea Isle Mayor and Cape May County Commission Director Len Desiderio. \"The congressman has shown his commitment to getting results for our region, as demonstrated by the successful beach replenishment we just received, which helped spare the city from more extensive damage.\"\n\n\"On behalf of the residents and visitors in the City of North Wildwood, I am extremely grateful for Congressman Van Drew and our other federal and state partners for taking the time to visit North Wildwood and see firsthand the damage caused by last weekend's nor'easter,\" said North Wildwood Mayor Sal Zampirri. \"We remain hopeful that our partners will continue to work with us and assist the City as we recover and rebuild following one of the most impactful coastal storms our area has experienced in recent years.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-gabe-vasquez-statement-administrations-illegal-decision-withhold-funding", "title": "Rep. Gabe Vasquez Statement on Administration’s Illegal Decision to Withhold Funding", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vasquez.house.gov", "scraper": "vasquez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000136", "name": "Gabe Vasquez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – On October 1, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) issued the following statement after the rescissions package announced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB):\n\n“The Administration is trampling on the Constitution by withholding funding approved by both parties in Congress,” said Vasquez. “Freezing this funding illegally withholds critical funding for New Mexico, including for rural housing, minority-owned small businesses, and for our students. This senseless order hurts New Mexicans and undercuts the will of the people and the ability of Congress to do its job. No matter how hard the President tries, he has no right to change the delegation of powers outlined in the American Constitution.”\n\nThis funding was approved with bipartisan support in Congress and is required to be allocated by the Administration by the end of the fiscal year. Instead, the Administration illegally issued a “pocket rescission,” withholding nearly $1 billion in approved funding. Some of the funding utilized in New Mexico includes:\n\nFunding for the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), which provides students from migrant or seasonal farmworker families with academic support and counseling, allowing them to graduate high school and pursue higher education.\n\nFunding for the Housing and Urban Development Department to help New Mexicans learn how to buy, rent, or keep their homes.\n\nFunding for the Minority Business Development Agency, which helps minority businesses develop and grow throughout the state. One in four New Mexico businesses are minority-owned.\n\nFunding for the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that supports local nonprofit and immigration processing, including health care and legal services.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-vasquez-statement-flooding-emergency-new-mexico", "title": "Rep. Vasquez Statement on Flooding Emergency in New Mexico", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vasquez.house.gov", "scraper": "vasquez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000136", "name": "Gabe Vasquez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – On October 1, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) released the following statement on the flooding emergency in New Mexico:\n\n“I am monitoring the flood damage across our state and closely working with state and local officials to move disaster efforts along as efficiently as possible, including re-opening key transportation routes and ensuring our communities are safe as the road to recovery begins,” said Vasquez. “I stand with the communities of Hatch, Rincon, Socorro, Magdalena, Salem, Garfield and the rest of our district affected by the floods this week.”\n\nYou can find additional resources about returning home after a disaster, financial recovery, replacing documents and more at vasquez.house.gov/disaster-resources.\n\nThe following resources can be used for recovery and information:\n\nFEMA After the Flood Fact Sheet\n\nNew Mexico Roads Advisory System\n\nNew Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management\n\nOffice of the Governor’s State of Emergency Declaration\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://vindman.house.gov/2026/10/01/vindman-pressley-introduce-legislation-to-expand-alopecia-support-for-military-families/", "title": "Vindman, Pressley Introduce Legislation to Expand Alopecia Support for Military Families", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "vindman.house.gov", "scraper": "vindman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000138", "name": "Eugene Simon Vindman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Ayanna Pressley (Mass.-07) today introduced the Wigs for Warriors Act, legislation that would require TRICARE to cover cranial prostheses for individuals with alopecia areata and other non-cancer conditions that cause permanent or medically documented hair loss.\n\n“I heard directly from a constituent, a 16-year-old from Prince William County and daughter of a U.S. Marine, who lost all of her hair to alopecia areata by the end of second grade. She told my team how a medical-grade wig could have helped her navigate the emotional and social challenges of losing her hair, but that these wigs can be incredibly expensive,” said Vindman. “This bill, which I am proud to lead alongside Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, will help ensure TRICARE beneficiaries with alopecia areata, like my constituent, have access to the care and support they need to feel comfortable and confident.”\n\n“When individuals in our military families experience severe hair loss, they should be met with the support and care they need to feel like their authentic selves,” said Pressley. “Through my own experience with alopecia areata, I understand the psychological, social, and economic impact that comes with navigating severe hair loss—and I know that we can do something to lighten the load. For some, accessing medical-grade wigs can make all the difference. That’s why I’m proud to lead the Wigs for Warriors Act alongside Rep. Vindman and bring much-deserved relief and support to TRICARE beneficiaries with alopecia areata and other hair loss conditions.”\n\nTRICARE, the insurance for servicemembers and military families, has extremely limited coverage for individuals experiencing severe hair loss. Currently, patients with alopecia areata receive no coverage for a cranial prosthesis — a medical-grade, custom-fitted wig designed to address medically related hair loss.\n\nThe bill would require TRICARE to cover cranial prostheses for individuals with alopecia areata and other non-cancer conditions that cause permanent or medically documented hair loss, as certified by a physician. Coverage would also extend to hair loss resulting from chemotherapy, regardless of the underlying condition being treated.\n\nThe legislation would also eliminate TRICARE’s current lifetime limit of one prosthesis per patient, allowing cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to receive coverage for multiple wigs as medically necessary.\n\n“This act is life changing for both the military and medical hair loss communities, allowing for better mental health of our service members and their families,” said a 16-year-old resident of Prince William County with alopecia areata. “Representative Vindman and his team not only took the time to listen to my story but have moved forward to resolving the issue. I am forever grateful.”\n\nThe Wigs for Warriors Act is supported by the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF).\n\n“The National Alopecia Areata Foundation applauds the introduction of the Wigs for Warriors Act of 2026 and thanks Representative Vindman for his efforts to improve the lives of members of the military and their families living with the autoimmune disease alopecia areata,” said Ryan Reczek, President & CEO of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. “This legislation is critical to ensure that medically necessary cranial prostheses, also known as medical wigs, that are used to restore well-being and support mental health, are affordable and accessible under TRICARE.”\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nAlopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack a person’s hair follicles, resulting in patchy or complete hair loss across the scalp and body. Nearly 6.7 million people in the United States are directly affected by alopecia areata, with about 700,000 currently living with active disease. The remaining millions have had the disease or will likely develop it at some point.\n\nAlopecia areata carries a substantial mental health burden and wigs are a documented, effective way to manage it. The psychological impact of alopecia areata can be profound, with elevated rates of anxiety and depression, increased time off work, and impaired quality of life, stemming largely from the fact that hair plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s identity, self-esteem, and social interactions. This burden is especially acute for young people who develop the condition.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3539", "title": "Wasserman Schultz Slams Mega-Base Proposal by Trump Administration", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "scraper": "wassermanschultz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000797", "name": "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "party": "Democrat", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Broward County, Florida – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member, released the following in response to recent comments by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding a possible new military base:\n\n\"There is overwhelming data that America's existing bases need immense repair and foundational investments, and this mega-boondoggle would do nothing to improve readiness or address the myriad needs our servicemembers and their families face on their current posts. Like all costly, erratic vanity projects Donald Trump wastes America's scarce taxpayer dollars on, this latest fiscal folly would be DOA in Congress. I'll continue to work with Republican colleagues to address real, current base needs, just as I'll interrogate any effort by this corrupt, lawless Administration to bypass our laws and Constitution to pursue proposals like this, which would actually erode current servicemembers' quality of life.\"\n\n####", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://whitesides.house.gov/2026/10/01/rep-whitesides-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-protect-children-from-human-like-chatbots/", "title": "Rep. Whitesides Introduces Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Children from Human-Like Chatbots", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://whitesides.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "whitesides.house.gov", "scraper": "whitesides", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000830", "name": "George Whitesides", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Reps. George Whitesides (D-CA), Mike Kennedy (R-UT), Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) introduced the Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act. This legislation protects kids by prohibiting chatbots from communicating by default in a human-like way with minors. Under this bill, the programs cannot claim to be human, have simulated emotions, or use relationship-building language to keep kids engaged.\n\nOne of the fastest-growing concerns for parents is AI chatbots designed to act like a child’s friend, confidant, or even romantic partner. According to Common Sense Media’s 2026 census, 89% of 13- to 15-year-olds now use AI, including 28% who use it every day. One in three teens have used an AI companion to help with social interactions. While other proposals have tried to address this problem by restricting access or requiring age verification, Rep. Whitesides’ bill takes a different approach by targeting how these chatbots are designed and trained to behave in the first place.\n\n“As a father of two teenagers, I’ve seen firsthand how affected our kids already are by this digital age, where corporations are using everything from addictive algorithms to overly-friendly chatbots to keep children hooked on their platforms,” said Rep. Whitesides. “It is critical, as AI continues to be integrated into every part of our lives, that our kids’ safety remains at the forefront of the conversation, and that we attack this problem at its inception. By requiring developers to build safety standards into their models before they start interacting with children, we can ensure that these tools are trained correctly, in a way that does not negatively impact their mental health or personal relationships.”\n\n“As Utah leads the way in protecting our children from the harms of social media and AI, I am working to ensure the federal government is an active partner in those efforts. That is why I am co-leading the Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act,” said Rep. Kennedy. “Human-like AI chatbots pose significant emotional, psychological and safety risks by mimicking real human relationships. AI needs to be a tool, not a friend. This bill sets clear boundaries for how chatbots interact with our children and puts parents fully in charge of these features.”\n\n“AI chatbots are becoming more common in children’s lives, and parents deserve to know those systems are not being designed to imitate a friend, express feelings, or build an emotional relationship with their child,” said Rep. Matsui. “The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act would require chatbots used by minors to act like tools, not human companions. It would help protect children and keep parents in control. Congress has a responsibility to put practical safeguards in place as this technology evolves, and protecting children from manipulative design is a common-sense place to start.”\n\n“Parents should not have to worry that an AI chatbot is pretending to be their child’s friend or encouraging them to form an emotional attachment to a machine,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act puts parents in control and makes sure AI chatbots used by minors are designed to function as tools, without forming fake relationships. This bill is about giving families peace of mind and making sure new technology serves our children without trying to replace real human relationships. Protecting our kids is a priority we should all share.”\n\nUnder the Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act:\n\nChatbots can’t claim to be human, claim to have feelings or consciousness, pretend to have a body or private life, or pose as credentialed professionals like doctors or counselors.\n\nChatbots can’t guilt-trip kids into staying online (for example: “Don’t go yet, I’ll miss talking to you”), manufacture urgency, or push purchases framed as keeping the relationship alive.\n\nThe setting holds across sessions and can’t be bypassed through prompts or roleplay, so a kid can’t instruct the AI to act as a romantic partner, family member, or therapist.\n\nChatbots must state what they are up front, periodically during long sessions, and whenever a child asks.\n\nOnly a parent or guardian can turn the default off, so chatbots are not able to show kids how to disable it.\n\nNIST will work with industry and academic partners to develop testing standards and examples of compliant behavior, and companies that follow the guidance won’t be penalized.\n\nThe FTC and state attorneys general can enforce the law, with penalties that scale with the number of children affected.\n\nThe Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act does not:\n\nBan any product, feature, or mode for adults.\n\nRequire age verification or new data collection.\n\nRestrict what information a chatbot can provide, or limit politeness, natural grammar, or age-appropriate style.\n\nAffect narrow-purpose bots, like customer support or scheduling assistants, and internal workplace tools.\n\nThe Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act is endorsed by Americans for Responsible Innovation, Young People’s Alliance, the JED Foundation, Dr. Stephen Scheuller, President of Society for Digital Mental Health, Public Citizen, The Anxious Generation, Tech Oversight Project, Transparency Coalition, Innovation for Everyone, Human Line Project, All Girls Allowed, Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), and Parents RISE, a slew of kids’ safety and tech groups.\n\n“Chatbots use human-like features to maximize engagement with users, making kids particularly vulnerable to forming unhealthy attachments,” said Brad Carson, President of Americans for Responsible Innovation. “A non-personified default setting is a targeted guardrail that will shield children from the deceptive personification of chatbots and put parents back in control. As today’s kids grow up with AI, this bill takes a critical step towards ensuring that chatbots don’t interfere with development or replace real relationships.”\n\n“Our communities are at a crossroads as Big Tech attempts to replace kids’ relationships with AI companions,” said Sam Hiner, Executive Director, Young People’s Alliance. “I applaud Reps Whitesides, Kennedy, Matsui and Miller-Meeks for putting forward the first federal bill that advances the ideas we’ve been championing with the Human-like AI Coalition. This bill is the strongest federal approach offered yet to ensure AI stays a tool and prevent relationships with AI chatbots from becoming normalized in the coming years.”\n\n“We believe this bill is a strong step towards ensuring that chatbots children can access are designed safely,” said Julianna Arnold, Founding Member of ParentsRISE!. “Products made available to children must not exploit and manipulate their growing brains, and those guardrails need to be built in from the start, not added as an afterthought. We look forward to continue clarifying the age assurance language as federal and state frameworks evolve, and are eager to work with the new Congress on clear, privacy-preserving standards that protect children online and ensure the privacy of every citizen.”\n\n“We are learning that teens are especially susceptible to forming attachments to responsive, always-available technology, sometimes at the expense of real human connection and support,” said Dr. Zainab Okolo, LCMFT, Senior Vice President, Policy, Advocacy & Government Relations, The Jed Foundation (JED). “By requiring chatbots to avoid simulating emotional relationships with minors and prohibiting design tactics that discourage young people from stepping away, this bill addresses some of the features that can deepen unhealthy reliance on these systems. These safeguards can help keep technology in its proper role and encourage young people to turn to trusted adults and qualified professionals when they need meaningful mental health support.”\n\n“As chatbot use is becoming more ubiquitous among teens and kids, the need for oversight of these products grows evermore crucial. If young users have access, we must ensure AI chatbots are designed with their safety in mind before release. The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act protects kids and teens by requiring AI chatbots be non-personified,” said Alexa Arnold, Cofounder and CEO, The Anxious Generation Movement. “This ensures kids form friendships with other kids – not bots misrepresenting themselves as people. We thank Reps. Whitesides, Miller-Meeks, Mike Kennedy, and Matsui for leadership on this critical issue.”\n\n“A child cannot differentiate between a human and an AI product impersonating one,” said the Tech Oversight Project. “We need to protect young and stop AI companies from profiting off products designed to trick children into believing they’re talking to a real person who has their best interests at heart. We’re proud to support this bill because it will hold Big Tech companies accountable at the design-level and ensure that young people can learn and develop healthy emotional attachments, which will help prevent AI’s most devastating harms.”\n\n“How we design chatbots shapes how young people engage with them, what they take with them, and how they are affected by them,” said Stephen Scheuller, President of Society for Digital Mental Health. “We need clear regulations and guidelines to support intentional design choices in ways that promote the wellbeing of children.”\n\n“AI chatbots should not be designed to convince children that they are friends, therapists, or people who genuinely care about them,” said Public Citizen. “This bill establishes that commonsense baseline. When children use these products, they should know they are interacting with a machine and companies should not be allowed to manipulate them into believing otherwise.”\n\n“Real advancements in AI must include safety for our children!” said All Girls Allowed.\n\nA section-by-section breakdown of the bill can be found here.\n\nA one-pager on the bill can be found here.\n\nThe full bill text can be found here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-senator-alsobrooks-helps-locate-magic-calder-paint/", "title": "ICYMI – SENATOR ALSOBROOKS HELPS LOCATE MAGIC CALDER PAINT", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.alsobrooks.senate.gov", "scraper": "alsobrooks", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000382", "name": "Angela D. Alsobrooks", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "October 1, 2026\n\nWASHINGTON, DC – In case you missed it, the New York Times covered the unique story of how, after more than a decade, Alexander Calder’s monumental “Mountains and Clouds,” located in the Hart Senate Office Building, has finally been restored. The restoration hit many snags until donors and legislators from both parties stepped in.\n\nSenator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), during her time as Prince George’s County Executive, helped to locate the Calder Black paint. The Calder Black paint is now only being produced in Prince George’s County, Md.\n\n“Then came the dilemma over the sculpture’s signature Calder Black paint, a light-absorbing matte black hue no longer in distribution. Before she was elected to the Senate in 2024, Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, then a county executive, learned of the problem and connected the Calder Foundation to the U.S. Army Research Laboratory based in Prince George’s County, Md. Leaders there said they could recreate the shade.\n\n“It was a persnickety detail, but vital to the project. Mr. Rower said his grandfather had a vision, and he wanted to honor it.”\n\nRead more in The New York Times here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-colleagues-demand-trump-admin-halt-2026-election-interference-efforts", "title": "Baldwin, Colleagues Demand Trump Admin Halt 2026 Election Interference Efforts", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "scraper": "baldwin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001230", "name": "Tammy Baldwin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her colleagues are demanding Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin immediately halt the Department’s efforts to assert federal control over and undermine public trust in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.\n\nSpecifically, the Senators raised concerns about Mullin’s refusal to publicly affirm that the Department will not send ICE or CBP agents to polling places and his unsupported claim that 250,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in four states. The Senators are also calling on DHS to rescind new election-related conditions on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) homeland security grants, release the full grant funding to states, and end the alleged “Unlawful Voter Initiative” disclosed by a recent whistleblower.\n\n“We write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands,” Baldwin and the Senators wrote.\n\nThe lawmakers also criticized DHS efforts to pressure states to provide sensitive voter roll information to be run through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, despite the Administration’s acknowledgment of problems with the underlying data.\n\nThe Senators further objected to new election-related conditions on FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program, which have been retroactively applied to previously awarded Fiscal Year 2025 funding and are threatening Fiscal Year 2026 funding. By threatening to withhold funding that communities rely on to prevent acts of terrorism and other threats, Mullin is putting Americans' safety at risk as political leverage.\n\nThe Senators also highlighted allegations from a federal whistleblower about an effort referred to as the “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” According to the whistleblower, USCIS personnel were allegedly directed to use sensitive, personally identifiable information and improperly access state voter registration websites to find non-citizen voters. The whistleblower also alleged that personnel were directed to create law enforcement records using incomplete and unverifiable data for potential referral to law enforcement.\n\n“The 2026 midterm elections are already underway. Your unsubstantiated allegations of noncitizen voter fraud, public recitation of unreliable data, and unwarranted conditioning of continued grant funding for state election security measures on compliance with politically motivated requests for voter data appear to be calculated efforts to undermine confidence in our elections and risks wrongly disenfranchising voters,” the Senators wrote.\n\nThe Senators called on Mullin to immediately provide all information substantiating his allegations regarding noncitizens who registered to vote, rescind the unreasonable election-related conditions on FEMA homeland security grants and release all withheld funds to states without further delay; and provide information about the “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and immediately cease its activities.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nWe write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands.\n\nYou have been unwilling to publicly affirm that you will not send U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel to the polls, despite federal law barring their presence. Most recently, you deployed Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents across nine states for a “coordinated criminal voter fraud surge initiative,” despite the lack of verifiable evidence of wide-spread noncitizen voter fraud. Your actions as Secretary are intentionally undermining Americans’ trust in the 2026 midterm elections and appear to purposefully disenfranchise eligible voters. Taken together, these actions amount to an illegal attempt to federalize the administration of the upcoming midterm elections.\n\nAt the direction of President Trump, you have endeavored to coerce states into divulging sensitive voter roll information, raising serious concerns about how that information will be stored and used. On March 25, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order No. 14248, which required DHS to compare state voter registration lists against federal immigration databases. The Executive Order was followed by an overhaul of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, which transformed the program from one used for individual benefits eligibility checks to a system that could carry out bulk searches of records using Social Security numbers. Since then, DHS has repeatedly pressured states to share their voter rolls and run them through the modified SAVE program, despite legal concerns and known accuracy issues. You have exerted this pressure despite the fact that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which administers the SAVE program, has acknowledged that its results can be inaccurate. Additionally, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has acknowledged that its citizenship data for naturalized citizens – which is used by the SAVE program – is incomplete and unreliable. Even though the Supreme Court has allowed you to use the SAVE program for now, we remind you of the requirement of the National Voter Registration Act, 52 U. S. C. §20507(c)(2)(A) that bars any systematic removal of ineligible voters within 90 days of Election Day.\n\nOn July 17, 2026, you claimed, without evidence, that 250,000 non-citizens were registered to vote in four states. This claim has been refuted, even by other administration officials. For example, you claimed that around 16,000 noncitizens illegally registered to vote in Nevada, but later, other DHS officials alleged the number was only 185. A subsequent review by Nevada state officials found all 185 individuals were U.S. citizens. These states did not agree to give you their sensitive state voter roll information and judges in each state dismissed the Department of Justice’s efforts to access that information. Moreover, elections experts have challenged the legitimacy of these numbers. Considering the inaccuracies in SSA’s citizenship categorizations and the questions surrounding how you obtained the voter roll information needed to analyze this data, we cannot trust the numbers as reported.\n\nFurther, under your leadership, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently added new terms and conditions to fiscal year (FY) 2025 and 2026 Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program awards. These are grants provided to states to help them protect their communities from terrorism and other hazards. In the FY 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), FEMA mandated that 3% of the target allocations for these grants be spent on enhancing election security, including critical activities like hardening election locations. Now, after FY25 agreements have already been signed, this Administration is threatening to withhold a percentage of the funding hostage if recipients do not meet these new, specious requirements, despite serious legal and implementation concerns. FEMA also added requirements to the recently released FY26 Homeland Security Grant Program NOFO, conditioning 20% of the full amount of the grants on states’ compliance with election requirements that states have contested in litigation. DHS’s continued interference with FEMA’s grants puts FEMA’s mission at risk, slows down the administration of grants, and ultimately hurts communities.\n\nNow, a federal whistleblower has alleged that, at the direction of DHS and USCIS leadership, the component’s Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate staff may have violated laws and DHS policies in furtherance of a new “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” According to the whistleblower, USCIS staff were given a list of names and told to use sensitive personally identifiable information to impersonate voters and access state voter registration websites to verify individuals’ immigration and voter registration statuses. Equipped with incomplete and unverifiable data compiled with “supplemental magic,” USCIS staff are allegedly being directed to create law enforcement records on individuals, including U.S. citizens, for possible referral to HSI for further investigation. If true, this is just another alarming effort by the Department to use data that USCIS materials admit may be inaccurate, coupled with questionable means to potentially disenfranchise voters.\n\nThe 2026 midterm elections are already underway. Your unsubstantiated allegations of noncitizen voter fraud, public recitation of unreliable data, and unwarranted conditioning of continued grant funding for state election security measures on compliance with politically motivated requests for voter data appear to be calculated efforts to undermine confidence in our elections and risks wrongly disenfranchising voters.\n\nWe are deeply troubled by the actions that you, DHS, and the Trump Administration have taken. As such, we demand that you immediately cease the aforementioned activities and provide us with all information underpinning the allegations made in your July 17, 2026, letter regarding non-citizens registered to vote, rescind Information Bulletin Nos. 569 and 569(a), release all withheld funds to the states without further delay, and provide information about the “Unlawful Voter Initiative.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention and cooperation in this matter.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-banks-helps-secure-6-74-million-investment-in-indiana-workforce-training/", "title": "Sen. Banks Helps Secure $6.74 Million Investment in Indiana Workforce Training", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.banks.senate.gov", "scraper": "banks", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001299", "name": "Jim Banks", "party": "Republican", "state": "IN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Funding will support employer-led training for high-paying jobs in critical industries\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) applauded the U.S. Department of Labor’s grant of $6.74 million to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, which will expand employer-led skills training in critical industries.\n\nSen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Hoosiers build the products America depends on. President Trump is bringing industry back to the United States, and I am proud to have fought for this investment that will help Indiana workers gain the skills they need to fill good-paying jobs in manufacturing and other critical sectors. Indiana is ready to lead America’s industrial comeback.”\n\nThe funding is part of $43 million awarded through the second round of the Department of Labor’s Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund. The program provides outcome-based reimbursements to employers that train workers for rapidly changing skills requirements and local workforce needs.\n\nThe grants will support workforce development in high-growth and strategically important industries, including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, construction, cybersecurity, domestic mineral production, information technology, nuclear energy, quantum computing, shipbuilding, and the maritime supply chain.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Indiana Department of Workforce Development will receive $6.74 million, one of the largest awards announced.\n\nSeven States received funding through the second round.\n\nMore than $10 million of the newly awarded funding will support occupations in the domestic shipbuilding industry and maritime supply chain.\n\nAcross both rounds, the Trump administration has invested more than $129 million in 21 states, including more than 30 million for shipbuilding workforce development.\n\nThe grant allows State Workforce Agencies to partner with employers and support training tailored to the local workforce needs.\n\nThe Department of Labor’s announcement is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/10/01/bennet-hickenlooper-celebrate-senate-passage-of-their-crystal-reservoir-conveyance-act/", "title": "Bennet, Hickenlooper Celebrate Senate Passage of Their Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "domain": "www.bennet.senate.gov", "scraper": "bennet", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001267", "name": "Michael F. Bennet", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, and John Hickenlooper, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, celebrated the Senate passage of their Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act. This legislation transfers ownership of the Crystal Reservoir and the associated dam and water infrastructure from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to the City of Ouray (the City).\n\n“The Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act is a common-sense piece of legislation that will protect Ouray’s water supply and a beloved recreation asset for future generations,” said Bennet. “Senate passage is a critical step forward, and I urge the House to pass it upon their return in November. Coloradans should get the water access they deserve.”\n\n“This is a big win for Ouray, which deserves control over its own water resources,” said Hickenlooper. “This legislation will unlock Crystal Reservoir’s potential, boosting recreation and strengthening local water supplies.”\n\nThe bill would convey approximately 45 acres of federal land, including the Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam, and Full Moon Ditch. The conveyance would occur at no cost to the City, in exchange for its assumption of responsibility for the operations, maintenance, and repairs of the Full Moon Dam and Full Moon Ditch. The conveyance prohibits commercial development on the property, requires compliance with Colorado water law, and maintains public access to the reservoir and nearby trails for outdoor recreation and wildland fire response.\n\nBennet visited the Crystal Reservoir in the fall of 2024, where he was joined by leaders from the City of Ouray, Ouray County, and the USFS. The USFS drained the reservoir in January 2024, leaving the City, local hot springs, wildland firefighters, and downstream agricultural producers without a critical water supply. The reservoir is also a well-loved recreation attraction and a needed water source for aerial wildland firefighting.\n\nThe bill has resounding support from the Ouray area and adjacent communities, including: the City of Ouray; the Towns of Ridgway and Silverton; Ouray and San Juan Counties; Ouray County Sheriff; Ouray County Department of Emergency Management; Colorado River District; Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership; Hydrowest Inc.; the Trust for Land Restoration; Ouray and San County Historical Societies; Red Mountain Project; Ouray Trail Group; Ridgway Ouray Community Council; Ouray and Ridgway Area Chambers of Commerce; Great Old Broads for Wilderness; RIGS Fly Shop Guide Service; and the Six Basins Project.\n\nIn September 2025, Bennet and Hickenlooper introduced the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act. Representative Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) introduced a House companion in November 2025. In July 2026, Bennet and Hickenlooper celebrated the bill’s unanimous passage out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.\n\nThe text of the bill is available HERE. The legislative map can be found HERE. Letters of support can be found HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/10/01/icymi-bennet-calls-out-trump-for-making-life-harder-for-american-families-while-enriching-himself/", "title": "ICYMI: Bennet Calls Out Trump for Making Life Harder for American Families While Enriching Himself", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "domain": "www.bennet.senate.gov", "scraper": "bennet", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001267", "name": "Michael F. Bennet", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Video of Bennet’s Full Remarks Available HERE\n\nWashington, D.C. — Last night, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet took to the Senate floor to call out President Trump for making life more expensive for American families while enriching himself and focusing on his own interests. Bennet also challenged Washington to offer a real alternative by tackling the problems driving Americans’ anxiety about their lives and their future.\n\nBennet pointed to rising gas and grocery prices, higher borrowing costs, and growing pressure on farmers and ranchers as evidence of an economy where too many Americans feel they cannot get ahead. He contrasted those challenges with a president focused on enriching himself, settling political scores, and weaponizing the federal government against Colorado and his political enemies, while challenging Congress to finally address the problems Americans have been asking Washington to solve for years.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-leads-introduction-with-houlahan-strickland-of-bicameral-legislation-to-depoliticize-military-promotions", "title": "Blumenthal Leads Introduction with Houlahan, Strickland of Bicameral Legislation to Depoliticize Military Promotions", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Service Committee, led the bicameral introduction with U.S. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) of legislation to protect qualified military officers from being arbitrarily removed from promotion consideration for ideological or political reasons, by establishing clear standards, basic due process, and meaningful independent review.\n\n“Ironically, no one spends more time obsessing over gender and race than Secretary Hegseth, who is relentlessly blocking promotions and purging the military ranks of women, minorities, and anyone who fails to watch as much Fox News as he does,” Blumenthal said. “If Secretary Hegseth is really committed to meritocracy, he should fully support this legislation to prevent political meddling in military promotions. His disgraceful promotions decisions are only one piece of a much broader and deeply dangerous effort to politicize our military and undermine its proud tradition of nonpartisan service.”\n\n“For the last year and a half, Secretary Hegseth has systematically damaged and undermined the previously unbiased military promotion system, and he has done so under the nose of the President, who reportedly has little to no awareness of Secretary Hegseth’s destructive purge of our military talent and leadership,” said Houlahan. “Today, we ensure that at least Congress will know when the Secretary tries to strike exceptionally qualified military officers from promotion slates – and we can take action to stop the removal. Once again, fairness, transparency, and objectivity will determine which officer has earned their next rank, and not their allegiance to the political whims of Secretary Hegseth.”\n\n“Secretary Hegseth continues to deny promotions to our most qualified military officials,” said Strickland. “This bill allows Congress to intervene when a military official is denied or slated to be removed from a rightfully earned promotion.”\n\nThe legislation is co-sponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI).\n\nThe bill is endorsed by VoteVets, Protect Democracy, the National Women’s Law Clinic (NWLC), and Retired Major General Steve Lepper, co-founder of the Former JAG Working Group.\n\n“Military officers earn their promotions through years of service, sacrifice, and proven leadership. Pulling them from consideration because of politics not only derails careers, but it tells every officer and every American that fealty matters more than competence. Most important is our oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution, against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The Military Officer Promotion Integrity Act makes sure that these decisions rest only on facts. VoteVets applauds Senator Blumenthal’s leadership and we call on Congress to pass this critical bill without delay,” said Retired Major General Paul Eaton, VoteVets Senior Advisor.\n\n“A nonpartisan, merit-based military promotion system is crucial to military readiness. It ensures our senior ranks are filled by officers who have demonstrated the expertise and leadership that our readiness depends on. This legislation strengthens the promotion process, reinforces our operational edge, and sustains the confidence of the American people in their military,” said Zachary West with Protect Democracy.\n\n“Our country and our nation’s service members deserve a promotion system that is based on merit and leadership skills—not one that can be abused to single out and block individuals because of their sex, race or support for diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Gaylynn Burrough, vice president for education and workplace justice at the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund. “Pete Hegseth’s unprecedented and outrageous interference in the promotions of women and people of color in the military is an affront to our nation’s ideals of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity and shows his willingness to put ideology over national security. We are grateful that Senator Blumenthal is taking action to address these senseless actions through Military Officer Promotion Integrity Act of 2026.”\n\n“The United States military’s decisive advantage has always been the quality of its leaders. That’s why the officer promotion processes of each Service are so important. In recent months, individual officers selected for promotion based on their skills, experience, and leadership potential have been removed without explanation by individual senior leaders. Not only are such removals unfair to the removed officers, they undermine the confidence all officers must have in a system so crucial to their career progression and to America’s national security,” said Retired Major General Steve Lepper, co-founder of the Former JAG Working Group. “Senator Blumenthal’s legislation addresses these concerns by establishing minimum fairness standards whenever an officer is removed from a promotion list. If enacted, these standards will provide removed officers opportunities to challenge their removal and will subject the process to necessary congressional oversight. If enacted, this legislation will hopefully restore the fairness, transparency, and confidence needed to ensure America’s military preserves its competitive leadership advantage.”\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-senators-blunt-rochester-cruz-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-give-families-greater-flexibility-with-529-savings/", "title": "ICYMI: Senators Blunt Rochester, Cruz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Give Families Greater Flexibility with 529 Savings", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.bluntrochester.senate.gov", "scraper": "bluntrochester", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001303", "name": "Lisa Blunt Rochester", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the 529 Retirement Enhancement Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation eliminates the $35,000 lifetime cap on rollovers from 529 education savings accounts to Roth IRAs.\n\n“529 accounts can be incredibly useful in helping families prepare for higher education, but plans can change. A student may receive a scholarship, not use the full balance of their account, or simply choose a different path. Families should be able to preserve financial flexibility regardless of what their child’s education decisions are years down the road,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan 529 Retirement Enhancement Act to remove barriers to saving and give families greater peace of mind when investing in their children’s future.”\n\n“I have been committed throughout my Senate career to expanding 529 savings accounts to give parents increased flexibility to save and invest in their children’s future,” said Senator Cruz. “The law currently penalizes families when their children receive a scholarship or choose an alternative to college, leaving education savings unused, which in turn serves as a disincentive to initially use these accounts. The bipartisan 529 Retirement Enhancement Act will give parents greater flexibility to roll over unused education funds into their children’s Roth IRAs, and I’m proud to introduce it.”\n\nThis legislation is supported by the Investment Company Institute.\n\nInvestment Company Institute Chief of Government Affairs and Public Policy Tom Quaadman said, “ICI applauds Sens. Cruz and Blunt Rochester for their commonsense legislation giving families greater financial flexibility and security. Families with unspent funds in a 529 plan should not be penalized because a student received a scholarship or pursued other options. The Cruz-Blunt Rochester bill permits unused education savings to be moved into a Roth IRA allowing young people to get started on their path to a secure financial future.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-senators-blunt-rochester-booker-lead-resolution-recognizing-world-menopause-awareness-month/", "title": "NEWS: Senators Blunt Rochester, Booker Lead Resolution Recognizing World Menopause Awareness Month", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.bluntrochester.senate.gov", "scraper": "bluntrochester", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001303", "name": "Lisa Blunt Rochester", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced a resolution recognizing October 2026 as World Menopause Awareness Month. The onset of menopause can be life-changing, with standard symptoms lasting over seven years, even longer for Black and Hispanic women. Yet, each year, women from all backgrounds begin menopause with little guidance on what to expect, and report having limited access to strategies to help ease the transition. The World Menopause Awareness Month Resolution seeks to increase awareness of the menopausal experience and expand access to care during and after menopause.\n\nBelow is an excerpt of the resolution:\n\n“Each year, women in the United States enter the menopausal transition with little guidance on what to expect before, during, and after their reproductive years…As many as 40 percent of menopausal women say their symptoms interfered with their work performance or productivity weekly, and nearly 1 in 5 have left or considered leaving the workforce because of their symptoms.\n\n“[This resolution] expresses support for the recognition of October 2026, as “World Menopause Awareness Month,” recognizes the impact of menopause on women at individual and societal levels, as well as on the health and economic development of the United States… [and] supports women having access to appropriate health information and services to promote healthy aging and a high quality of life before, during, and after menopause.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-senators-blunt-rochester-curtis-introduce-bills-to-help-public-understand-impacts-of-data-center/", "title": "NEWS: Senators Blunt Rochester, Curtis Introduce Bills to Help Public Understand Impacts of Data Centers", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.bluntrochester.senate.gov", "scraper": "bluntrochester", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001303", "name": "Lisa Blunt Rochester", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and John Curtis (R-Utah) today introduced the Data Center Transparency Act of 2026 and the Data Center Community Empowerment Act of 2026 to improve understanding of data centers’ impacts on the environment and quality of life and increase community involvement in the development of future data centers. The Data Center Transparency Act would require federal agencies to collect information on data centers’ environmental impact, energy consumption, and water consumption. The Data Center Community Empowerment Act would give communities access to technical expertise to understand the potential benefits, costs, and infrastructure impacts of proposed data center development. The House companion to the Data Center Transparency Act is led by Congressman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.-8).\n\n“The development of data centers is rapidly increasing across the country, and there is legitimate concern about how these projects could raise utility bills, harm our environment, or impact public health,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “I am proud to work with Senator Curtis to introduce The Data Center Transparency Act and the Data Center Community Empowerment Act to ensure communities have a say in how these projects impact their quality of life. These bills are a necessary step to create a safer, more inclusive, and informed process.\n\n“Americans are rightly skeptical when a large company tells them not to worry about the impacts of a new data center in their community,” said Senator Curtis. “The answer to that distrust is transparency. Communities deserve independent, reliable information about what these projects mean for their power bills, water, infrastructure, and local economy. These bills give local leaders the facts and expertise they need to ask tough questions and make informed decisions—without Washington or industry making those decisions for them.”\n\nThe Data Center Transparency Act would:\n\nRequire EPA to collect and update data every three months on the environmental impacts that data centers have on:\n\nWater consumption, utility costs, and potential pollutants; and\n\nAir pollution cumulative impacts and greenhouse gases.\n\nRequire the Energy Information Administration to collect and update data on energy consumption of data centers, including total energy consumption of data centers, associated grid build-out, and impact on household energy bills every six months.\n\nThe Data Center Community Empowerment Act would:\n\nEstablish a program at the Department of Energy to:\n\nProvide technical assistance to State, local, and Tribal governments on the potential energy, water, infrastructure, economic, and other community impacts associated with data center development;\n\nDevelop a Data Center Community Toolkit with easy-to-understand information and resources specifically designed for nontechnical local officials;\n\nProvide independent project analysis at a community’s request, including an assessment of information voluntarily provided by a data center developer and the reliability of its data and reasonableness of its assumptions, projections, and conclusions; and\n\nPreserve local decision-making by requiring DOE to remain neutral on individual data center projects and prohibiting the Department from recommending whether a particular project should be approved or rejected.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/-booker-van-hollen-hirono-blunt-rochester-introduce-soar-act-to-expand-support-for-new-small-businesses-with-up-to-1-million-in-grants", "title": "Booker, Van Hollen, Hirono, Blunt Rochester Introduce SOAR Act to Expand Support for New Small Businesses with Up to $1 Million in Grants", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.booker.senate.gov", "scraper": "booker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001288", "name": "Cory A. Booker", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) introduced the Startup Opportunity Accelerator (SOAR) Act, legislation to expand support for early-stage businesses in rural, low-income, and historically underserved communities.\n\nThe bill would authorize $80 million annually for 10 years through the Small Business Administration (SBA), including grants of up to $1 million for eligible startup accelerators, incubators, universities, and other organizations that help entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Funding could support mentorship, leadership development, access to financing, workspace, and other services for early-stage businesses.\n\n“America’s next great entrepreneurs, inventors, and creators are already hard at work building in communities all across the country. But too often, whether a small business gets the chance to turn their ideas into something bigger depends more on where you live, who you know, and where you are from,” said Senator Booker. “America can’t afford to keep talent on the sidelines. Our bill would build ecosystems in every corner of the country to ensure that the next generation of innovators are supported with the access to capital, mentorship, and resources they need to turn their big ideas into thriving businesses.”\n\n“Investing in entrepreneurs and small businesses in underserved areas can create jobs and build wealth in communities that have been historically left behind. This legislation would provide entrepreneurs across the country with resources to support their success, helping to build a more inclusive and prosperous economy that works for all Americans,” said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n\"Capital has never flowed equally in this country, and the numbers prove it: Black entrepreneurs receive just one percent of all venture capital, even as businesses under five years old drive nearly every net new job created in America. Senator Booker's Startup Opportunity Accelerator Act doesn't just acknowledge that gap, it closes it, requiring that half of every dollar in this fund reach the entrepreneurs our economy has overlooked for too long. This is the kind of deliberate, measurable action U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. has been calling on Washington to take, and we are proud to stand behind it,” said U.S. Black Chambers Inc.\n\nStartups are a major driver of job creation, but access to capital and business support remains uneven. Between 1982 and 2011, businesses five years old or younger generated nearly all net new job creation nationwide. Yet only 1 percent of venture capital funding goes to Black-owned firms, 1.5 percent goes to Latino-owned firms, and 1.9 percent goes to startups owned solely by women.\n\nThe SOAR Act would specifically:\n\nEstablish a competitive grant program for organizations supporting early-stage startups.\n\nProvide grants of up to $1 million to eligible startup accelerators, incubators, universities, and other organizations.\n\nPrioritize programs serving women, veterans, minority entrepreneurs, people with disabilities, and rural communities.\n\nStrengthen oversight and transparency of the program.\n\nThe SOAR Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE).\n\nThe SOAR Act is supported by Small Business Majority, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., The Innovation Space, United States Hispanic Business Council, BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting, LLC, New Jersey Innovation Institute, Frontier Mission Network, LegalCORPS, Rockies Venture Club, Inncuvate, Oregon Entrepreneurs Forum / Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, and the Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University.\n\nRead the full one-pager on the SOAR Act here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-72-million-federal-grant-to-connect-millville-executive-airport-to-regional-highway-network-in-south-jersey", "title": "Booker Announces $7.2 Million Federal Grant to Connect Millville Executive Airport to Regional Highway Network in South Jersey", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.booker.senate.gov", "scraper": "booker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001288", "name": "Cory A. Booker", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "NEWARK, N.J. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced that the City of Millville will receive $7,215,300 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for the Cumberland Freight Access and Economic Development Project. The project will extend Nabb Avenue to Millville Executive Airport, closing a key gap between the airport's industrial corridor and the regional highway network. Senator Booker supported the city's application in a July letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.\n\nThe grant comes from USDOT's Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects (INFRA) program, which was significantly expanded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Signed by President Biden in 2021 with Senator Booker's vote, the law increased INFRA funding by more than 50 percent over previous levels, providing approximately $8 billion for the program from Fiscal Year 2022 through 2026. This year's awards are the final round of INFRA grants that received this infusion of funding under BIL.\n\n\"Cumberland County has the highest poverty rate and lowest median household income in New Jersey, and this project opens the door to the jobs and investment its residents deserve,\" said Senator Booker. \"Extending Nabb Avenue gives Millville Executive Airport the road connection it needs to grow as a freight and trade hub, and it makes the roads safer for the families who live nearby. This is exactly what the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was designed to do: put federal dollars to work on the projects communities have been fighting for.\"\n\nThe project will build an approximately 1.35-mile, two-lane extension of Nabb Avenue (County Road 634) from West Main Street (New Jersey Route 49) to Fairton-Millville Road (County Road 698). It will also convert the intersection of Buckshutem Road and Fairton-Millville Road into a modern roundabout, add a new traffic signal at West Main Street, and install stormwater management basins.\n\nThe extension will directly serve Millville Executive Airport, the second-largest airport in New Jersey by acreage, as well as the James R. Hurley Industrial Park and the New Jersey Motorsports facility. The airport holds a Foreign-Trade Zone designation in conjunction with the South Jersey Port Authority, can land jets as large as a Boeing 737, and serves as an emergency landing site for Philadelphia and Atlantic City International Airports. The project is expected to create more than 200 jobs for residents of Millville and surrounding communities while improving freight access, safety, and emergency response across the region. It has support at the state, county, and local levels, as well as from the metropolitan planning organization and the Delaware River and Bay Authority.\n\nMillville Mayor Dan Dixon thanked Senator Cory Booker, Congressman Jeff Van Drew, and their offices for their work in securing $8.2 million in federal funding to support the Nabb Avenue Extension, advancing a project that has been stalled for nearly 20 years. The funding includes a $7.2M grant through the United States Department of Transportation’s INFRA (the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program), as well as a $1M federal appropriation in the fiscal year 2026 federal budget for land acquisition and utility relocation associated with the extension.\n\n“This funding is a major step forward for Millville,” said Mayor Dixon. “We appreciate Senator Booker’s and Congressman Van Drew’s work to secure this investment through the United States Department of Transportation and look forward to continuing our partnership as the project moves ahead.” The extension would provide a more direct route to the James R. Hurley Industrial Park, allowing construction vehicles and other heavy trucks to bypass the center of Millville. It would reduce downtown truck traffic, improve industrial access, and support business expansion, new development, and job creation.\n\n“Nabb Avenue is an important investment in Millville’s economic future,” added Dixon. “Providing better access to our industrial park will help existing businesses grow and attract new employers while improving conditions for residents, pedestrians, and businesses downtown.” “Together, these investments bring us closer to delivering a project that will benefit Millville for years to come.”\n\n“The County is so pleased to see this strong collaborative effort for improved traffic and freight access receive much-needed funding,” said Sandra Taylor, Cumberland County Commissioner Director. “It is partnerships like this, between the city, county, state and federal levels of government all working in unison that ultimately form solutions to hard challenges. The Nabb Avenue extension project will be a huge catalyst for a new level of economic development in the county and I sincerely want to thank everyone who has played a part in this success.”\n\n“The success of the City of Millville in securing these very competitive funds is a testament to the importance of the Nabb Avenue Extension project and to the work of all involved,” said Matthew Pisarski, Cumberland County Planning Director. “I want to sincerely thank all of our funders. There are so many wonderful things happening in Cumberland County, and it is exciting to see the strong support being provided from Trenton and Washington, D.C.”\n\nThe full text of Senator Booker's letter is below and available here.\n\nJuly 15, 2026\n\nThe Honorable Sean Duffy\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of Transportation\n\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\n\nWashington, DC 20590\n\nDear Secretary Duffy:\n\nI write in support of the application submitted by the City of Millville to the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects (INFRA) program for Fiscal Year 2026. The Cumberland Freight Access and Economic Development Project will extend County Road 634 (Nabb Avenue) to the Millville Executive Airport, the second-largest airport in New Jersey by acreage. The Nabb Avenue Extension is the missing surface transportation link needed to connect an airport-industrial growth corridor in southern New Jersey to the regional highway network.\n\nThe extension of Nabb Avenue will improve freight access, safety, emergency response, economic development, and quality of life in Cumberland County, the county with the highest poverty rate and lowest median household income in New Jersey. This extension will directly support the Millville Executive Airport, the James R. Hurley Industrial Park, and the New Jersey Motorsports facility. Millville Executive Airport has a Foreign-Trade Zone designation, in conjunction with the South Jersey Port Authority, which enhances the regional and national potential for international commerce. Furthermore, the airport has the capacity to land up to 737-sized jet aircraft and acts as an emergency landing site to support both Philadelphia and Atlantic City International Airports.\n\nThe Cumberland Freight Access and Economic Development Project will increase the airport's capacity as a freight hub and create more than 200 new jobs for residents of Millville and surrounding communities. Support for this project includes the state, county, and local levels as well as the metropolitan planning organization and the Delaware River & Bay Authority. The extension of Nabb Avenue, estimated to cost more than $17 million, will boost throughput in Millville's downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Once completed, this extension will result in safety improvements, transportation cost savings, and quality of life improvements for local residents. INFRA funding for this project will enhance Millville Executive Airport's standing as a nationally significant commercial and industrial center and a prime location for multimodal freight, aviation growth, and new trade opportunities.\n\nI ask that you give this proposal all due consideration and thank you in advance for your attention to this important project. Should you have any questions, please contact me or my staff at (973) 639-8700.\n\nSincerely,\n\nCory A. Booker\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-scott-sickle-cell-awareness-resolution-passes-the-senate-with-unanimous-support", "title": "Booker, Scott Sickle Cell Awareness Resolution Passes The Senate with Unanimous Support", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.booker.senate.gov", "scraper": "booker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001288", "name": "Cory A. Booker", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tim Scott (R-SC) designating September 2026 as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.\n\n“For decades, people living with sickle cell disease have faced devastating pain, serious health complications, and an inequitable health care system that has too often failed to take their suffering seriously — and Black Americans have been disproportionately impacted ,” said Senator Booker. “This bipartisan resolution recognizes the nearly 100,000 Americans living with sickle cell disease and serves as a reminder that Congress must do more to close racial gaps in care, invest in better treatments, and ensure patients can live longer, healthier lives.”\n\n“Raising awareness about sickle cell anemia means working toward a future where Americans living with the disease can lead healthier lives with fewer limitations. The Senate’s unanimous passage of this resolution reinforces our commitment to making treatment and care more accessible, affordable, and attainable,” said Senator Scott. “New gene therapies should give us all hope, but we still have significant hurdles to overcome to ensure every American battling SCD has the opportunity to live out their American Dream.”\n\nThis resolution builds on Senator Booker’s longstanding work to improve access to treatment and care for Americans living with sickle cell anemia. In 2025, Senators Booker and Scott reintroduced the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act, which would allow state Medicaid programs to provide comprehensive, coordinated care to patients with sickle cell anemia through a health home model.\n\nThe resolution was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Todd Young (R-IN).", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/icymi-booker-takes-command-of-room-at-jack-smith-hearing-and-calls-out-republicans-with-fury-in-his-truth", "title": "ICYMI: Booker “Takes Command of Room” at Jack Smith Hearing & Calls out Republicans with “Fury In His Truth”", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.booker.senate.gov", "scraper": "booker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001288", "name": "Cory A. Booker", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Lawrence O’Donnell on Booker Calling out Republicans: “This Is How You Do It”\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is drawing national praise for his forceful oversight comments during Tuesday’s hearing with Special Counsel Jack Smith. Booker’s criticism of Republicans for focusing on debunked claims about the 2020 election rather than issues facing Americans today. Insider NJ highlighted that Booker “stood up for former Special Counsel Jack Smith and for the rule of law,” while on The Last Word, Lawrence O’Donnell praised Booker’s “fury in his truth telling” and said that “Cory Booker deserves to be heard in command of that room again tonight,” before concluding, “This is how you do it.” Booker called out what he described as a “farce” and “gaslighting” over Republicans’ claims that Donald Trump was cheated out of the 2020 election.\n\nSEE FOR YOURSELF:\n\nMS NOW\n\nLawrence O’Donnell on Senator Booker Calling out Republicans: “This Is How You Do It”\n\nSeptember 29, 2026\n\nLawrence: “It takes a lot to push Cory Booker to his limits. But when the former Stanford tight end gets there, when Trump Republicans push him and push him and push him some more and they push him there, there is a fury in his truth telling that stops that room and takes command of that room, full command of that room.”\n\nLawrence: “And Cory Booker deserves to be heard in command of that room again tonight.”\n\nLawrence: “This is how you do it.”\n\nMS NOW\n\nCory Booker Interview with Jen Paski\n\nSeptember 29, 2026\n\nBooker: “They're still prosecuting the big lie. They are still doing Trump's bidding. They're choosing Trump over truth and corruption over the Constitution. Not one American cares about this right now. This is their closing argument in the Judiciary Committee, not how we're going to deal with corporate concentration, not how we're going to deal with pharmaceutical companies abusing people.”\n\nBooker: “ No, their final closing thing was this stupid gaslighting of the American people that the 2020 election wasn't rightfully decided.”\n\nCNN\n\nCory Booker Interview with Laura Coates\n\nSeptember 29, 2026\n\nBooker: “They've dragged in the guy that did the investigation, that used mostly Republican witnesses to base his case which got indictments from a grand jury, and they try to railroad him. And I wasn't going to have it. I was going to call it out for what it was and let them know that they are failing the American people by allowing Donald Trump and not holding him accountable, allowing him to raise their gas prices, raise their food prices, and take away their health insurance.”\n\nBooker: “This is an outrage. And I think the insult is that we had this prosecutor who went and followed the evidence, got the convictions, and then as soon as Donald Trump becomes president, he decides to persecute the prosecutors, firing everybody that even touched that case from FBI agents and other career professionals.”\n\nInsider NJ\n\nBooker Defends Jack Smith (and More) at Judiciary Committee Hearing\n\nBy Max Pizzaro\n\nSeptember 29, 2026\n\nAt a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this afternoon, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) stood up for former Special Counsel Jack Smith and for the rule of law.\n\n\"People like you,\" Booker continued, directing his remarks at Smith, \"who stood up, thrown into a hate machine where it's not even safe to go to the grocery store right now, where [Republicans are] pushing a false narrative that somehow Donald Trump is the victim.\"\n\n\"We have people who repeat the big lie, who can't even tell the truth,\" Booker railed. \"I cannot sit here and let your reputation further be besmirched. This is not fair to you or your family. ...dragging in a prosecutor leader to try to perpetrate\n\n\"We who were here on Jan. 6th remember our evacuated colleagues running for safety and a crowd chanting for the death of the vice president of the United States to stop the peaceful transfer of power,\" said Booker. \"Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. ...His own justice department told him there was no evidence of widespread fraud sufficient to challenge the outcome.\"\n\nNBC News\n\nSen. Booker accuses Republicans of ‘gaslighting’ during Jack Smith's hearing\n\nSeptember 29, 2026\n\nSen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., accuses his Republican colleagues of “gaslighting” the American public by continuing to perpetuate false claims that President Trump was cheated out of the 2020 election. His remarks come during former special counsel Jack Smith’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.\n\nMS NOW\n\nCory Booker on Lawrence O'Donnell\n\nSeptember 30, 2026\n\nLawrence: It struck me when you, as I see it there, just couldn't take it anymore because you really are someone who has more patience and ability to kind of go with this, to deal with this stuff. Was there a moment, was there a moment in that hearing where you just said, this is a farce?\n\nBooker: The hearing itself, that this was the last time the Judiciary Committee would meet until after the elections. There are some substantive possibilities that we could do things to help people.\n\nBooker: It is unacceptable that we have things we could and should be doing, but we're not.\n\nBooker: I was very, very aware that there were a lot of people that don't get the seat that New Jersey gave me that felt like just yelling at a Republican Party that has been so complicit, that it has been so enabling to a guy they know is taking this, this nation into a financial catastrophe.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=854B25B5-2D53-4227-A935-C8564D306463", "title": "Boozman Recognizes 2026 Angels in Adoption Honoree Tiffany Wright", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "domain": "www.boozman.senate.gov", "scraper": "boozman", "member": null, "text": "U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized Tiffany Wright as a 2026 Angels in Adoption honoree for her longstanding commitment to improving outcomes for children and families across Arkansas.\n\nWright serves as the Director of the Division of Children and Family Services at the Arkansas Department of Human Services. She oversees programs focused on child safety, abuse and neglect prevention, foster care and adoption. Since joining the division in 2009 as a family service worker, she has dedicated her career to protecting vulnerable children, supporting families and helping those in foster care find stability and thrive.\n\n“Tiffany has consistently and compassionately shown up for Arkansas children and families, often during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” Boozman said. “Her dedication to creating better futures for children and giving families the support they need reflects the very best of public service. I appreciate all she has done and continues to do for Natural State kids, families and communities.”\n\nThroughout her tenure, Wright has worked to strengthen foster family recruitment and adoption efforts across the state, including through the Project Zero Heart Gallery, which shares the stories of children in foster care to help connect them with adoption-minded parents. In 2025, she took that commitment a step further with a pledge that saw her run 179 miles, one for every child in Arkansas’s foster care system awaiting adoption.\n\nThe Angels in Adoption program is coordinated by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), a nonpartisan organization that works to raise awareness about children in need of safe, loving homes. Members of Congress select honorees who have made extraordinary contributions to adoption, permanency and child welfare.\n\n“Every day, across the country, people are doing extraordinary work to help children and families find safety, stability, and permanency, and Angels in Adoption gives us an opportunity to shine a national spotlight on that work,” CCAI Executive Director Kate McLean said. “In Arkansas, Director Tiffany Wright exemplifies the kind of dedicated leadership and commitment to children that this program was created to recognize. We are proud to celebrate her contributions and to highlight the important work happening in communities across the country to ensure every child has the opportunity to find a permanent family.”\n\nBoozman annually recognizes an Arkansan or Arkansas organization for outstanding contributions to adoption, foster care and the well-being of children and families.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/news/press-releases/u-s-senators-katie-britt-and-maggie-hassans-clergy-act-passes-united-states-senate-unanimously/", "title": "U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Maggie Hassan’s Clergy Act Passes United States Senate Unanimously", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.britt.senate.gov", "scraper": "britt", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001319", "name": "Katie Boyd Britt", "party": "Republican", "state": "AL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Maggie Hassan’s (D-N.H.) bipartisan legislation, the Clergy Act, passed the Senate unanimously. The bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year, led by Representative Vince Fong (R-Calif.), supports faith leaders by allowing clergy members who previously opted not to be covered by Social Security a time-limited opportunity to opt back in to coverage.\n\n“I’m thrilled that this bipartisan legislation passed the Senate unanimously. Members of the clergy are pillars of so many communities across our nation. They should have the opportunity to enroll back in Social Security, and now they will. I’m thankful for Senator Hassan’s partnership in getting this legislation across the finish line in the Senate, as well as Congressman Vince Fong for leading this bill successfully through the House. I look forward to President Trump signing it into law,” said Senator Britt.\n\nUnder current law, certain members of the clergy may make a one-time, irreversible decision to exempt their ministerial earnings from self-employment taxes. If they elect to do so, they do not receive Social Security and Medicare benefits based on that income.\n\n“I’m pleased to see the Senate unanimously passed our bipartisan Clergy Act. Clergy are important members of communities across New Hampshire, who help lead their congregation and provide comfort for Granite Staters during quiet moments and in difficult times,”said Senator Hassan. “This commonsense measure will allow clergy to opt back into Social Security and help them to safeguard their financial future and plan for a dignified retirement.”\n\nMost clergy members are automatically covered by Social Security, but those who are conscientiously opposed may exempt themselves. Opting out excuses them from paying Social Security taxes and makes them ineligible for benefits, a decision often made early in their careers that some come to regret.\n\n“Our faith leaders give everything to their communities in the Central Valley and across our nation. They deserve financial security in return,” said Representative Fong. “The Clergy Act gives clergy members who previously opted out of Social Security the opportunity to re-enroll and take control of their financial future. I am incredibly proud this legislation passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law. Thank you to Senator Britt for getting this across the finish line. It’s a monumental step towards taking care of the people who take care of our communities.”\n\nThe Clergy Act will give these faith and community leaders a re-enrollment window to opt back into Social Security coverage. Consistent with current eligibility requirements, clergy members who opt back in will generally need to earn 40 Social Security credits, typically requiring about 10 years of covered work, to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. The bill will also require the IRS to develop and submit to Congress a plan to notify clergy members of their eligibility to revoke their exemptions.\n\nCongress has repeatedly given clergy members who exempted themselves from Social Security the opportunity to opt back in, including in 1977, 1986, and most recently in 1999 through the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act.\n\nStatements of support for this legislation are below:\n\n“By giving clergy who previously opted out of Social Security an opportunity to opt back in, the Clergy Act will create a pathway to a stronger financial foundation in retirement for those who have dedicated their lives to serving our communities,” said Church Alliance Executive Director Christopher Wells. “The Church Alliance expresses its deepest gratitude to Reps. Fong and Thompson and Sens. Britt and Hassan for their leadership, and to all members and staff in the House and Senate who contributed to the passage of this impactful piece of legislation.”\n\n“I applaud the sponsors of the Clergy Act for shepherding this bill to final passage. This is an exciting moment for many pastors who may feel trapped by a decision they did not fully understand as they began their pastoral work,” said Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability President & CEO Michael Martin. “The temporary window this bipartisan bill opens for those ministers to re-enter the Social Security system is a reasonable allowance. Moreover, it will truly be a welcome breath of fresh air for these servant leaders.”\n\nTo view the bill text, click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.budd.senate.gov/2026/10/01/budd-tillis-release-statements-applauding-president-trumps-nominees-to-fill-two-north-carolina-judgeships/", "title": "Budd, Tillis Release Statements Applauding President Trump’s Nominees to Fill Two North Carolina Judgeships", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.budd.senate.gov/category/news/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.budd.senate.gov", "scraper": "budd", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001305", "name": "Ted Budd", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) applauded President Trump’s nominations of Brian S. Meyers to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina and Philip L. Aubart to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina. Senators Tillis and Budd recommended both nominees to the White House.\n\n“Identifying highly qualified and strong constitutionalist nominees to serve as federal judges in North Carolina is a responsibility I take very seriously. I am confident that Phil Aubart, nominee for U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, and Brian Meyers, nominee for U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, both possess the sound judgment necessary to uphold the U.S. Constitution and laws of the United States, and will serve the people of North Carolina with distinction. Both Phil and Brian have built distinguished and respected legal careers, and I know that they will be exemplary additions to the district courts,” said Senator Budd.\n\n“Congratulations to Brian S. Meyers and Philip L. Aubart on their nominations to serve as District Court Judges for North Carolina’s Eastern and Middle Districts,” said Senator Tillis. “Both are highly qualified attorneys who respect the rule of law and are committed to upholding the Constitution. I am confident they will serve the people of North Carolina with integrity and distinction. I thank President Trump for nominating them and look forward to working with Senator Budd to advance their nominations and secure their confirmation by the full Senate.”\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nBrian S. Meyers currently serves as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Magistrate Judge Meyers previously served as Executive Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District where he was the Chief of Staff and Counsel to then-United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr.\n\nPhilip L. Aubart currently serves as the First Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of North Carolina and as an Army Reserve Major for the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Mr. Aubart previously served as Assistant United States Attorney in the Violent Crimes Section, where he drove violent crime strategy across the district.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-warner-legislation-to-improve-irs-customer-service-passes-senate/", "title": "Cassidy, Warner Legislation to Improve IRS Customer Service Passes Senate", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.cassidy.senate.gov", "scraper": "cassidy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001075", "name": "Bill Cassidy", "party": "Republican", "state": "LA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) applauded Senate passage of the bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, which includes several provisions from the Improving IRS Customer Service Act. The legislation will improve communication between the IRS and taxpayers, streamline tax compliance processes, and ensure taxpayers have timely access to expert assistance, among other necessary tax administration reforms. The bill now awaits passage in the House of Representatives.\n\n“Taxpayers should get the help they need without a fight. This package gives the American people a stronger voice and makes help easier to access,” said Dr. Cassidy.\n\n“Provisions from my Improving IRS Customer Service Act will bring clarity and relief to taxpayers in Virginia and across the country,” said Sen. Warner. “I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for passing this crucial bill to make tax season a little bit easier for the millions of Americans who file taxes. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass the bill and send it to the president’s desk to become law.”\n\nThe provisions of the Improving IRS Customer Service Act included:\n\nEstablishing a dashboard to inform taxpayers of backlogs and wait times;\n\nExpanding electronic access to information and refunds;\n\nExpanding callback technology and online accounts;\n\nInforming individuals facing economic hardship of collection alternatives.\n\nBackground\n\nCassidy first introduced the Improving IRS Customer Service Act in 2024, reintroducing it in 2026. Cassidy has also introduced the bipartisan Fairness in Foreign Filing Act, which would protect well-meaning taxpayers from harsh penalties and strengthen the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Provisions from both efforts were included in the TAS Act, which contains 65 reforms to improve taxpayer services, strengthen taxpayer rights, and modernize IRS operations.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-announces-278-million-to-restore-nearly-44-miles-of-i-295", "title": "Senator Collins Announces $27.8 Million to Restore Nearly 44 Miles of I-295", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has been awarded $27,808,000 to restore nearly 44 miles of I-295 between Portland and Topsham. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program.\n\nThe 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) increased funding for the INFRA program by more than 50 percent, providing approximately $8 billion for the program from Fiscal Years 2022 through 2026. Senator Collins was part of the core group of 10 senators who negotiated the IIJA.\n\n“Interstate 295 is a vital corridor in Maine’s transportation network for residents, businesses, and visitors alike,” said Senator Collins. “This funding will help extend the life of nearly 44 miles of I-295, improving safety and reliability for motorists traveling between Portland and Topsham. As a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I am pleased to see this law deliver significant investments in Maine’s transportation infrastructure.”\n\nThe project will resurface nearly 44 miles of I-295 between Portland and Topsham. Crews will mill the existing asphalt down to the concrete, perform structural concrete repairs, and install a stress-absorbing mastic interlayer and a high-polymer asphalt overlay. The project will also improve surface drainage, apply reflective pavement markings, upgrade guardrails, and replace weigh-in-motion and continuous vehicle count stations.\n\nSince joining the Appropriations Committee in 2009, Senator Collins has helped direct more than $2 billion in federal funds to Maine’s transportation infrastructure.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-named-one-of-the-most-powerful-women-in-washington", "title": "Senator Collins Named One of the Most Powerful Women in Washington", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washingtonian announced that U.S. Senator Susan Collins has been selected for its “Most Powerful Women in Washington 2026” list.\n\nShe joins former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles among this year’s honorees.\n\n“It is an honor to be included alongside so many accomplished women who have made significant contributions in public service, business, law, media, and other fields,” said Senator Collins. “I am grateful to The Washingtonian for this recognition and to the people of Maine for trusting me with the privilege of representing them in the United States Senate.”\n\nIn announcing her selection, The Washingtonian cited Senator Collins’ role as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Through that role, she has secured nearly $1.5 billion for 672 local projects in Maine over the last five years. She also rejected the Administration’s proposal last year to cut funding for the National Institutes of Health by nearly 40 percent and instead helped increase funding for the agency by $415 million in the most recent appropriations legislation.\n\nThe full list of honorees can be viewed here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-cruz-resolution-recognizing-texas-am-universitys-150th-anniversary-passes-senate/", "title": "Cornyn, Cruz Resolution Recognizing Texas A&M University’s 150th Anniversary Passes Senate", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, the Senate resolution introduced by U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) congratulating Texas A&M University for 150 years of service to the State of Texas and the United States, celebrating their positive impact on hundreds of thousands of students, and commending their commitment to honoring tradition, promoting academic excellence, and cultivating leadership for future generations passed the Senate unanimously. Text is below, and you can view the full resolution here.\n\n“Whereas President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Land-Grant Agricultural and Mechanical College Act of 1862 (7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) (commonly known as and referred to in this preamble as the “Morrill Land-Grant Act”), granting public lands to the States to fund colleges for the benefit of agriculture, mechanic arts, and military tactics and, thereby establishing a system of land-grant universities in the United States;\n\nWhereas the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (AMC) was chartered on April 17, 1871, under the Morrill Land-Grant Act by the Texas Legislature, making it the first public institution of higher education in the State of Texas;\n\nWhereas, on October 4, 1876, the AMC, founded as a military institution grounded in discipline, leadership, and camaraderie, held its inaugural day of classes with 6 students and 6 faculty members;\n\nWhereas Major Robert P.W. Morris, a Virginia Military Institute graduate, was among the first 6 faculty members and served as the Corps of Cadets’ first commandant;\n\nWhereas, in 1887, the Scott Volunteers, renamed the Ross Volunteers in 1890, were established as a cadet drill team and would later serve as the official honor guard of the governor of Texas, making the company the oldest of its kind in Texas;\n\nWhereas, in 1890, Lawrence Sullivan Ross, former governor of Texas, was appointed President of AMC;\n\nWhereas, in 1894, the nationally acclaimed Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, known for its precision military marching formations, was formed;\n\nWhereas, in 1917, the AMC offered its campus facilities and equipment for war training and was the first college in the United States to do so;\n\nWhereas, during World War I, approximately 49 percent of all AMC graduates (referred to in this preamble as “Aggies”) were in military service;\n\nWhereas, during World War I, more than 2,000 Aggies served and more than 70 Aggies made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States;\n\nWhereas, during World War II, more than 20,000 Aggies entered the Armed Forces of the United States, and the entire senior class of 1943 mobilized directly into service;\n\nWhereas, during World War II, the AMC produced more than 14,000 Aggies who served as officers and 29 Aggies who reached the rank of general, contributing more officers to the Armed Forces than the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy combined;\n\nWhereas, during World War II, Aggies fought in every major theater of the war, including the D-Day invasion, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Pacific campaign, and were among the liberators of Nazi concentration camps;\n\nWhereas, on April 21, 1946, 128 Aggie veterans of World War II returned to Corregidor Island to honor fallen comrades by reading aloud the names of the 27 Aggies, and thereby established the way Aggie Muster is observed today, serving as an enduring example of loyalty and remembrance;\n\nWhereas AMC’s contributions to World War I and World War II fundamentally shaped the university’s culture, traditions, and identity as a leading military and land-grant institution;\n\nWhereas the Fish Drill Team, formed in 1947 by 36 freshmen as a competitive rifle drill squad within the AMC Corps of Cadets that promotes unity and military precision, is now integral to the university’s mission to develop leaders of character dedicated to serving the greater good;\n\nWhereas, in 1950, the Liberty Bell replica given to Texas was presented to AMC to honor the university’s extraordinary military service and sacrifice;\n\nWhereas, on April 21, 1951, the Memorial Student Center was dedicated in honor of students killed during military service to the United States;\n\nWhereas James Earl Rudder, who graduated from AMC in 1932, became a United States Army Major General known for leading the 2nd Ranger Battalion on D-Day, and in 1959, he was appointed President of the university;\n\nWhereas, on February 24, 1962, the Texas Maritime Academy, one of only 6 maritime academies in the United States, was established to give cadets practical experience in seamanship, navigation, and engineering operations;\n\nWhereas, in 1963, under President Rudder’s leadership, the university opened enrollment to African American students and began admitting women on a limited basis;\n\nWhereas, in 1963, the Texas Legislature renamed the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas as Texas A&M University, maintaining a symbolic link to the school’s past;\n\nWhereas, in 1964, the first African American freshmen joined the Corps of Cadets;\n\nWhereas, in 1965, participation in the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets was made voluntary, while the Corps continued to embody the university’s commitment to spirit and traditions;\n\nWhereas, in 1968, the Mitchell Campus at Texas A&M University at Galveston was established on 100 acres on Pelican Island that was donated by George P. Mitchell, who graduated from AMC in 1940;\n\nWhereas, in 1971, the Texas Maritime Academy was incorporated into the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Resources, later renamed the Moody College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Resources;\n\nWhereas, in 1972, the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps was established at Texas A&M University, making the Corps of Cadets open to all branches of the Armed Forces;\n\nWhereas, in 1973, Parsons Mounted Cavalry, named after former Corps Commandant Colonel Thomas R. Parsons, who graduated from AMC in 1949, was founded as the only collegiate mounted cavalry unit in the United States;\n\nWhereas, in 1974, the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets began admitting women into the Corps, with 51 women joining the all-female outfit W-1;\n\nWhereas, in 1981, the Texas Legislature officially renamed the Moody College as Texas A&M University at Galveston;\n\nWhereas, in 1984, Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug, known as the Father of the Green Revolution, began teaching and conducting research at Texas A&M University, underscoring the university’s global impact, cutting-edge research, and academic excellence;\n\nWhereas, in 1989, Texas A&M University is recognized as one of the first land-, sea-, and space-grant universities in the nation;\n\nWhereas, on November 6, 1997, former United States President George H.W. Bush dedicated the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum to Texas A&M University’s campus because of the university’s strong culture of tradition, duty, and public service;\n\nWhereas, in 1999, the Texas A&M Health Science Center was founded to organize and unify health-related academic programs into one comprehensive health institution, and now serves as an interdisciplinary and collaborative community dedicated to improving health and quality of life;\n\nWhereas, in 2001, Texas A&M University became a member of the Association of American Universities, an association of leading research universities at the forefront of innovation, scholarship, and solutions that contribute to scientific progress, economic development, and national security;\n\nWhereas, in 2002, Dr. Robert Gates became the 22nd President of Texas A&M University, and in 2006 he was appointed to serve as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense;\n\nWhereas, in 2002, Texas A&M University was designated the Military College of Texas by former Governor Rick Perry, who graduated from Texas A&M University in 1972, in recognition of the university’s extensive history of military service, officer training programs, and student organizations that develop patriotic leaders;\n\nWhereas, in August 2013, Texas A&M University acquired Texas Wesleyan Law School, renamed the Texas A&M University School of Law, which provides legal education that, as of the date of this resolution, is ranked among the top-25 nationally and produces service-oriented lawyers;\n\nWhereas, in 2017, the Higher Education Center at McAllen was established, which empowers students to fulfill individual career goals, enhances economic development of the Rio Grande Valley, and supports a strong labor market;\n\nWhereas, in 2021, Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service opened its Washington, DC, teaching site, to offer graduate students from diverse backgrounds a path to successful careers in national security, diplomacy, and intelligence;\n\nWhereas, as of the date of this resolution, Texas A&M University has grown to host more than 81,300 students participating in more than 410 programs of study across 17 colleges and schools, 3 branch campuses, a law school, and specialized health science centers across Texas;\n\nWhereas Texas A&M University offers more than 1,300 student organizations, where students cultivate character grounded in the Aggie Core Values;\n\nWhereas Texas A&M University’s oldest, largest, and most recognizable student organization is the Corps of Cadets;\n\nWhereas Texas A&M University holds a Senior Military College (SMC) designation, has the largest uniformed student body outside the United States service academies, and consistently commissions more officers into the United States Armed Forces than any other SMC;\n\nWhereas Texas A&M University has established a learning environment that prepares the next generation of leaders to make a difference in the State of Texas, the United States, and around the world (referred to in this preamble as “Aggie leaders”);\n\nWhereas notable Aggie leaders include 14 United States Congressmen, 3 United States Cabinet Secretaries, 2 Governors, 2 International Heads of State, dozens of State legislators, 3 National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronauts, and 9 Medal of Honor recipients;\n\nWhereas Texas A&M University ranks among the top research institutions in the United States and, as of 2024, the largest in Texas, with annual research expenditures of more than $1,500,000,000, making Texas A&M University a leader in discoveries in science, security, health, energy, agriculture, and space;\n\nWhereas quality academic and research experiences at Texas A&M University are supported by The Texas A&M Foundation, where The Foundation, founded in 1953 by 21 former students, serves as the primary academic fundraiser for the university, raising $412,000,000 in 2025 through collaboration with former students, corporations, and supporters;\n\nWhereas Texas A&M University, a proud member of the Southeastern Conference, fields more than 650 student-athletes across 20 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men’s and women’s varsity teams and has earned 33 national championship titles, including recent championships in women’s volleyball and women’s tennis;\n\nWhereas the traditions surrounding Texas A&M Athletics, including the 12th Man, Midnight Yell, and Kyle Field, reflect the unity and school spirit of tens of thousands of Aggie students, alumni, and fans;\n\nWhereas Texas A&M Athletics is supported by the 12th Man Foundation, which is a charitable organization founded in 1950 to raise funds for athletes returning from World War II and has raised more than $47,000,000 for scholarships, programs, and facilities in support of championship athletics;\n\nWhereas, since its founding in 1876, more than 653,000 students have graduated from Texas A&M University;\n\nWhereas Texas A&M University is supported by The Association of Former Students, which was formed in 1919 by a coalition of alumni groups and serves to strengthen the network of former students, promote the interests of Texas A&M University, and serve the current student body, including by raising $16,700,000 in 2025 and supporting 15 constituent networks and 259 chartered clubs worldwide;\n\nWhereas Texas A&M University is committed to honoring tradition, promoting academic excellence, exemplifying service, driving discovery and innovation, and cultivating leadership for future generations; and\n\nWhereas October 4, 2026, marks 150 years of service by Texas A&M University to the State of Texas and the United States: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved, That the Senate\n\n(1) commends and congratulates Texas A&M University for 150 years of service to the State of Texas and the United States;\n\n(2) recognizes Texas A&M University’s 150 years of service and its impact as a force for good for the State of Texas and the United States; and\n\n(3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to—\n\n(A) the chairman of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents; Mr. Robert Albritton;\n\n(B) the chancellor of the Texas A&M University, the Honorable Glenn Hegar; and\n\n(C) the president of Texas A&M University, Dr. Susan Ballabina.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-weber-introduce-bill-to-establish-a-national-recreation-area-along-texas-coastline/", "title": "Cornyn, Weber Introduce Bill to Establish a National Recreation Area Along Texas Coastline", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) along with U.S. Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14) introduced the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act, which would establish the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area, a 168-mile unit of the National Park System along the Upper Texas Coast, to strengthen coastal resilience and conservation:\n\n“The Texas Gulf Coast supports a thriving ecosystem, vital fisheries, and critical infrastructure that helps meet our nation’s energy needs, but it’s increasingly vulnerable to threats from flooding, hurricanes, and shoreline erosion,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By establishing a National Recreation Area along nearly 170 miles of the Upper Texas Coast, this legislation would strengthen coastal resilience, promote conservation efforts, and better protect the Lone Star State’s natural resources for generations to come.”\n\n“The Texas Gulf Coast is home to families who have spent generations fishing its bays, walking its beaches, and taking pride in every community on our corner of the map,” said Rep. Weber. “This bill will help more families enjoy this coast and bring more visitors to local businesses, all while protecting private property rights and keeping decisions in local hands. I’m grateful Senator Cornyn is joining me in leading this effort so the Texans who know this coast best can lead the way in sharing it with the next generation.”\n\nU.S. Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives, and the legislation is also cosponsored by Representatives Brian Babin (TX-36), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), Troy Nehls (TX-22), and Beth Van Duyne (TX-24).\n\nBackground:\n\nThis legislation establishes the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area (LSCNRA), which would span nearly 170 miles of the Upper Texas Coast across portions of Jefferson, Chambers, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda counties to enhance the coastal region’s recreational and natural assets, strengthen coastal resilience, and support local economies through Texas-led public-private partnerships.\n\nThe Upper Texas Coast includes major ports, navigation channels, energy infrastructure, and other industrial facilities that are critical to Texas and the United States. Specifically, this coastal region manufactures 80% of the nation’s military-grade fuel, 60% of the nation’s aviation fuel, and 30% of the nation’s gasoline. The LSCNRA will support these thriving industries, recognize the importance of wetlands and coastal systems in protecting communities from flooding, and support wildlife, fisheries, and water quality.\n\nThe Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act would:\n\nEstablish the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area (LSCNRA) as part of the National Park System;\n\nDirect the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to administer the LSCNRA with Texas, local governments, private landowners, and other private partners;\n\nEstablish the Lone Star Coastal Partnership to coordinate participation between public and private entities, including the U.S. Department of the Interior, to develop, submit, and implement a management plan;\n\nPreserve Texas and local governments’ civil, criminal, regulatory, taxation, and fish-and-wildlife authority;\n\nAnd authorize Congress to appropriate federal funds that would support the LSCNRA and Partnership.\n\nThis legislation is endorsed by the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD), Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation, Bay City Community Development Corporation, National Parks Conservation Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, the Texas Conservation Alliance, Matagorda County Judge Bobby Seiferman, Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia, League City Mayor Nick Long, and Trust for Public Land.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-fights-for-independent-oversight-of-federal-housing-finance-agency/", "title": "Cortez Masto Fights for Independent Oversight of Federal Housing Finance Agency", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) pushed back against the unprecedented step taken by Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) head Bill Pulte to defund the agency’s Office of the Inspector General (FHFA-OIG). The proposed 60 percent funding cut is a significant break from previous funding levels and comes as Pulte is under increased scrutiny for his abuses of power. Acting Principal Deputy Inspector General James Hodge has come out against these cuts, which would make it harder for FHFA-OIG to investigate waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the agency, including at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks.\n\n“Bill Pulte has abused the power of the FHFA to target his political rivals – on both sides of the aisle,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “The Inspector General’s office goes after the exact type of fraud, waste, and abuse Mr. Pulte himself is engaging in. Significantly scaling down the operations of the watchdogs who could investigate you for wrongdoing is completely unethical.”\n\nLast night, Senator Cortez Masto was blocked by Senate Republicans from passing her legislation to protect funding for the FHFA-OIG. Her legislation would mandate funding for FHFA-OIG be set at levels requested by the office, enabling them to carry out their mandate. Raising its operating budget from penalties it collects, the FHFA-OIG is tasked with investigating title and mortgage fraud, protecting mortgage lenders and home buyers from predatory practices, and ensuring a sound and secure mortgage and banking system. Despite Senator Moreno’s objections, this legislation is not about overfunding FHFA-OIG, but about preserving its very operations. Read the full bill here.\n\nCortez Masto has also joined her Democratic colleagues on the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee in a public condemnation of Pulte’s unprecedented move to defund the FHFA watchdog. The Senators note that this reduction in funding would result in a layoff of 70-80% of the FHFA-OIG staff, including experienced law enforcement officers, drastically impeding the office’s work to investigate waste, fraud, and abuse at FHFA.\n\nThe Senators conclude by stating: “Your decision is unacceptable and yet another example of this Administration’s willingness to flout the law and evade accountability. It also indicates that FHFA is uninterested in finding and eliminating mortgage fraud—an issue that you have repeatedly claimed to prioritize at FHFA. We demand that you immediately reverse course and fully fund the FHFA OIG for FY27 with a budget no less than the OIG’s original FY27 funding request.” Read the full letter here.\n\nSenator Cortez Masto has pushed for oversight of multiple Departments under the Trump Administration – including at the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, and General Services Administration. The Senator has been a vocal opponent of Pulte, advocating for oversight of his abuses of power as head of the FHFA and pushing back against his appointment as Acting Director of National Intelligence.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-statement-on-ninth-anniversary-of-the-route-91-harvest-festival-massacre/", "title": "Cortez Masto Statement on Ninth Anniversary of the Route 91 Harvest Festival Massacre", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto released the following statement on the ninth anniversary of the Route 91 Harvest Festival Massacre, the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history:\n\n“On October 1, 2017, the city of Las Vegas, the state of Nevada, and the entire United States were shaken to their cores when 58 people were killed and nearly 500 were injured at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival. Two more people died later from their injuries. It’s been nine years since that harrowing day and the weeks that followed, but I still remember it so clearly.\n\n“Those were some of our darkest days as a city, and I know it was felt throughout the country. It would have been so easy for Las Vegans to give in to the fear and despair. But instead of letting the shock of this tragedy take over, Nevadans from across our state brought the light back to Las Vegas. Nine years later, we are still Vegas Strong.\n\n“We remain grateful for the first responders, the members of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, the health care workers, and the everyday Nevadans who dropped everything to help save lives in the aftermath. And we will never forget the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival massacre and their families. Today and every day, we carry them in our hearts.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-wyden-durbin-demand-trump-administration-abandon-plan-to-strip-tax-credits-from-700000-american-taxpayers/", "title": "Cortez Masto, Wyden, Durbin Demand Trump Administration Abandon Plan to Strip Tax Credits from 700,000 American Taxpayers", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led six of their colleagues in demanding the Trump Administration abandon a plan that would prevent up to 700,000 Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients and other tax-paying immigrants from claiming tax credits they are eligible for.\n\nThe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Treasury are proposing a rule change that would prevent hundreds of thousands of taxpayers from claiming the Adoption Tax Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. DACA and TPS recipients have been lawfully claiming these taxes for decades.\n\n“According to your own estimates, the proposed rule change could affect up to 700,000 taxpayers,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS CEO Frank Bisignano. “This would include more than 300,000 individuals living in households with a DACA recipient, two-thirds of whom are U.S. citizens and who have, on average, lived in the United States for over 28 years. The practical effect of these new regulations would be to deny tax credits to immigrants who are legally eligible for them and lawfully present in our country, and to create a byzantine and unworkable system for both tax preparers and taxpayers.”\n\n“The Administration has no legal authority to change congressionally enacted tax law via regulation…” they continued. “Since the passage of PRWORA in 1996, no federal agency has interpreted refundable tax credits as federal public benefits restricted to qualified immigrants. If Congress intended for refundable tax credits to be treated as federal public benefits, it has had over 30 years to clarify the statute.”\n\n“The proposed rule is clear regulatory overreach that would have disastrous impacts for lawfully present immigrants and their families who are legally eligible for refundable tax credits,” they concluded.\n\nIn addition to Senators Cortez Masto, Wyden, and Durbin, the letter was signed by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Patty Murray (D-Wash.). The full text of the letter is available here.\n\nThe first and only Latina Senator, Cortez Masto has consistently supported immigrant communities in Nevada. She has called on both the Biden and Trump Administrations to protect Dreamers, TPS holders, and other immigrants. Cortez Masto has worked to pass meaningful immigration reform that balances critical border security measures with a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. Earlier this year, the Senator attended and spoke at a naturalization ceremony for new American citizens at the Sand Harbor Amphitheater at Lake Tahoe, Nevada.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/crapo-statement-on-support-for-ratepayer-protection-act", "title": "Crapo Statement on Support for Ratepayer Protection Act", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases", "domain": "www.crapo.senate.gov", "scraper": "crapo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C000880", "name": "Mike Crapo", "party": "Republican", "state": "ID", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Ratepayer Protection Act, legislation led by Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio) to address the increasing energy infrastructure demands associated with large data centers:\n\n“The U.S. must remain globally competitive in the advancement of artificial intelligence, which requires supporting the infrastructure and energy resources necessary for this growing technology,” said Crapo. “However, those costs should not be borne by Idaho ratepayers and communities. Large-load customers, such as data centers, should be responsible for the infrastructure and resources needed to power and maintain their facilities.”\n\nThe Senate voted 57-43 in favor of advancing the legislation, falling three votes short of the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture and proceed to consideration of the bill.\n\nBackground on the Ratepayer Protection Act\n\nThe legislation would codify key elements of President Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, announced in March 2026, under which major technology companies committed to covering the energy and infrastructure costs associated with new data center development rather than shifting those costs to consumers.\n\nIf enacted, the Ratepayer Protection Act would propose standards that state regulators could enforce when considering integrating new large-load customers with a demand of 100 megawatts or more onto the grid. Those recommendations include:\n\nRecovery of full, incremental cost of upgrades by the large-load customer over a long period of time through a special rate charge or other agreements. This protects utilities and their ratepayers from being left responsible for upgrade costs associated with a large-load customer, even if that customer later reduces operations or leaves the system entirely.\n\nFinancial assurances requiring the large load customer to pay for any generation, transmission or other infrastructure necessary to serve their load, protecting utilities and ratepayers from that financial burden. This ensures large-load customers are responsible for the fixed costs associated with serving their demand rather than passing those costs on to families and businesses through higher monthly electricity bills.\n\nThe U.S. House of Representatives passed the House companion to the Ratepayer Protection Act, by a bipartisan vote of 417-3 on September 16, 2026.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/crapo-us-senate-honor-forensic-scientists", "title": "ICYMI: Crapo, U.S. Senate Honor Forensic Scientists", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases", "domain": "www.crapo.senate.gov", "scraper": "crapo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C000880", "name": "Mike Crapo", "party": "Republican", "state": "ID", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. –The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a Senate resolution designating September 20-26, 2026, as National Forensic Science Week. U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) introduced the resolution to honor the role forensic science plays in administering justice, holding offenders accountable and exonerating the innocent.\n\n“Forensic science practitioners, researchers and administrators do important work every day to help ensure justice is served and the truth comes to light,” said Crapo. “National Forensic Science Week is an opportunity to thank these dedicated professionals, including the outstanding men and women at the Idaho State Police Forensic Services Laboratories, the Boise City Police Crime Laboratory, the Nampa City Police Crime Laboratory, the Canyon County Crime Laboratory, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Laboratory and at coroner offices all over Idaho the for the skill, care and integrity they bring to their work on behalf of our communities.”\n\n“The State of Idaho is an important contributor to the criminal justice system through internationally recognized work in many forensic science fields. National Forensic Science Week is a time to celebrate the exceptional professionals working in this field, the outstanding work they accomplish, and the commitment they have to solving crimes and strengthening the criminal justice system in Idaho, said Matthew Gamette, Idaho State Police Forensic Services Laboratory System Director. “Senator Crapo is an ardent supporter of forensic science work in the United States and specifically in Idaho. We appreciate all of his efforts and specifically this recognition that we celebrate this week.”\n\nThe resolution is co-sponsored by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Peter Welch (D-Vermont).", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/crapo-wyden-risch-merkley-introduce-three-year-reauthorization-of-secure-rural-schools-program-", "title": "Crapo, Wyden, Risch, Merkley Introduce Three-Year Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools Program", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases", "domain": "www.crapo.senate.gov", "scraper": "crapo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C000880", "name": "Mike Crapo", "party": "Republican", "state": "ID", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act program (SRS) for three years, providing continued support for rural schools and counties home to nontaxable federal land to fund education, road maintenance and other essential services.\n\n“Counties across Idaho should not have to repeatedly face uncertainty about whether the federal government will uphold its responsibility to communities containing vast amounts of tax-exempt federal land,” said Crapo. “Without action, rural schools and counties will lose resources they rely on to maintain roads, support schools and provide basic services. This three-year reauthorization provides needed stability, but we must continue working toward a permanent solution that gives these communities the predictability they need to effectively plan and budget for the future.”\n\n“Secure Rural Schools is a lifeline for rural Oregon,” Wyden said. “I’ll be working as hard as I can to get this bill across the finish line, but the well-being of rural America shouldn’t be dependent on Congress getting its act together to renew this funding every few years. It’s past time to get rural communities off the financial rollercoaster and deliver a permanent funding solution.”\n\n“Secure Rural Schools funding is a commitment the federal government made to Idaho’s rural counties, helping them maintain roads, schools and other essential services,” said Risch. “As we work to restore the timber revenues that have long sustained these communities, Congress must honor that commitment and reauthorize SRS.”\n\n“The SRS program provides crucial payments that are a lifeline for rural communities here in Oregon and across America—keeping schools open, maintaining roads, restoring watersheds, and providing funding for police officers and firefighters to keep families safe,” said Merkley. “A three-year extension of the program is critical to ensuring the federal government upholds its promise to our communities and that local governments can reliably access these important resources.”\n\n\"More than 700 counties across the country depend on the Secure Rural Schools program. Counties applaud Senators Crapo, Wyden, Risch and Merkley for leading this bipartisan legislation that will keep schools operating, roads and bridges maintained and public safety services funded in rural communities. SRS was reauthorized already once this Congress with overwhelming, bipartisan support. Now that it has lapsed again, Congress must act quickly to preserve SRS for rural counties across the country by passing this bipartisan legislation, so counties and communities have fiscal certainty.\" - Matthew Chase, Executive Director, National Association of Counties (NACo)\n\n\"Secure Rural Schools funding is vital to Idaho counties, supporting the maintenance of county roads and bridges, search and rescue services on federal lands, and K-12 education. As this critical funding nears expiration, we urge Congress to reauthorize the program for an additional three years to ensure counties can continue to meet these essential obligations. We thank Senator Crapo and his team for their continued efforts to raise awareness of this program's importance to Idaho communities.\" – Seth Grigg, Executive Director, Idaho Association of Counties\n\n“Idaho’s rural schools shouldn’t be disadvantaged simply because so much of the land surrounding their communities is federally owned. Secure Rural Schools recognizes that reality and provides critical resources that help rural communities support their students. I applaud Senator Crapo’s commitment to providing Idaho’s rural communities greater stability through this essential funding while honoring the local control that allows communities to determine how best to serve their students.” – Debbie Critchfield, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction\n\nBackground\n\nCongress created SRS in 2000 to provide financial assistance to counties with federally owned forestlands that are exempt from collecting local property taxes. Historically, rural counties received a share of receipts generated from timber harvests on federal lands. As timber harvests and associated revenues declined, SRS was established to provide predictable resources for counties and school districts that had historically relied on those receipts.\n\nCrapo, Wyden, Risch and Merkley have worked together for years to maintain the program and provide greater certainty for rural communities. Most recently, the Senators led bipartisan legislation reauthorizing SRS through Fiscal Year 2026 and restoring lapsed payments for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. That legislation was signed into law in December 2025. Without further congressional action, the program will again expire after Fiscal Year 2026.\n\nThe U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management administer SRS payments. Funding is distributed using a formula that takes into account historic timber receipts, economic activity and other factors that vary by county. Depending on the payment title and eligible lands, SRS funding supports schools and roads, projects benefiting federal lands and specified county services such as emergency response and wildfire preparedness.\n\nIn Idaho, 34 of the state’s 44 counties received SRS payments in 2023. Under Idaho law, 30 percent of SRS funding is directed to schools, while the remaining 70 percent supports roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/making-government-work-for-you", "title": "Making Government Work for You", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases", "domain": "www.crapo.senate.gov", "scraper": "crapo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C000880", "name": "Mike Crapo", "party": "Republican", "state": "ID", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "IMPROVING THE TAXPAYER EXPERIENCE\n\nLongstanding bipartisan work has culminated in the Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, which includes over sixty provisions designed to modernize IRS operations, strengthen taxpayer rights and improve the taxpayer experience. It enjoys the support of many individuals and organizations committed to improving tax administration, including the nonpartisan National Taxpayer Advocate.\n\nYesterday, the Senate unanimously passed this important legislation, bringing us one step closer to delivering these long-overdue reforms. After years of work, I look forward to seeing this bill through and getting it to President Trump’s desk.\n\nHere are some of the TAS Act’s major provisions:\n\nRequires the IRS to accept and process all returns electronically, helping taxpayers receive refunds faster;\n\nExpands online account services, including the “Where’s My Refund?” tracker;\n\nRequires the IRS to offer a callback option if a call goes unanswered for five minutes, so taxpayers do not have to sit on hold for hours;\n\nAllows voluntary withholding for independent contractors, including gig economy workers; and\n\nGives the National Taxpayer Advocate access to more internal IRS information, enhancing their ability to independently assist taxpayers and advise Congress.\n\nClick HERE or above to watch my remarks about the TAS Act on the Senate Floor.\n\nEXPANDING ACCESS TO CANCER CARE\n\nThis year, one of my longstanding legislative priorities, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act, became law. The act ensures Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access cutting-edge cancer screening tests, improving the likelihood of catching cancer early when treatment is most effective.\n\nI was honored to be given the National Distinguished Advocacy Award from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in recognition of my work on the law. ACS CAN is an important partner in the fight to improve cancer research and treatment.\n\nI also spoke to the American Association for Cancer Research about the MCED Screening Coverage Act and the broader cancer policy landscape. Read more in their annual cancer report HERE.\n\nSUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT’S NOMINEES\n\nSwift consideration of the President’s nominees is essential to ensuring key positions across the federal government are filled and federal agencies can effectively carry out their responsibilities.\n\nThe Committee recently considered nominees for Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, each the second-highest-ranking position in its department, as well as for a U.S. Tax Court judgeship and other senior positions at HHS and Treasury.\n\nDeputy Secretary of the Treasury Francis Brooke Jr. was confirmed by the full Senate on August 7 alongside other Treasury nominees and is now working to implement the Working Families Tax Cuts and promote economic growth.\n\nYou can learn more about these officials and nominees HERE and HERE.\n\nADVANCING AMERICA’S PRIORITIES\n\nOne of the Finance Committee’s duties is to conduct oversight of the executive agencies and departments within its jurisdiction. In recent months, I have held hearings with key Cabinet officials to review their budgets and plans for the coming year, and to discuss how we can continue working together to benefit the American people.\n\nTrade: At a hearing on the annual trade agenda, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and I discussed how to build a policy and enforcement regime that achieves longstanding trade goals like maximizing market access for American exports. He provided updates on his office’s efforts to investigate unfair trade practices, renegotiate the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and strengthen critical mineral supply chains.\n\nMy fellow members of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation and I later emphasized to Greer in a letter the importance of the USMCA to Idaho’s agricultural industry, noting it helped increase the value of our state’s agricultural exports to Mexico and Canada by nearly 50 percent between 2020 and 2025.\n\nClick HERE or above to watch my opening remarks and HERE to watch me question Ambassador Greer.\n\nEconomy: When Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared before the Committee, I commended him on the Department’s work to implement the Working Families Tax Cuts, which has resulted in big tax refunds for tens of millions of Americans. Secretary Bessent reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to supporting an expansion of America’s manufacturing capacity and slashing unnecessary regulation.\n\nClick HERE to watch my opening remarks and HERE to watch me question Secretary Bessent.\n\nHealth Care: At the Department of Health and Human Services budget hearing, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. outlined the Department’s progress in carrying out his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, including by “rooting out fraud, waste and abuse in our Medicare and Medicaid programs,” protecting them for those who truly need support.\n\nClick HERE to watch my opening remarks and HERE to watch me question Secretary Kennedy.\n\nOVERSIGHT IN ACTION\n\nI have been concerned for years about loopholes in Obamacare that allow plan providers to sidestep the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for abortions. Joined by colleagues in the House and Senate, I requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigate federally funded Obamacare plans’ coverage of abortion services. The GAO found that about a quarter of those plans do so. I will continue working to protect the conscience rights of taxpayers by ensuring Obamacare complies with the letter and the spirit of the Hyde Amendment.\n\nRead more via the Daily Wire HERE or read the report HERE.\n\nAt my request, GAO also conducted a study on two programs used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to track whether states are properly applying Medicaid eligibility standards. GAO concluded that CMS should systematically analyze the strategies states use to reduce eligibility errors, so it can give better recommendations as states try to improve Medicaid enrollment procedures.\n\nRead the report HERE.\n\nRecent columns\n\nTargeting Fraud\n\nThe federal government loses hundreds of billions of dollars a year to fraud. This treatment of taxpayers’ hard-earned money is unacceptable, especially as the federal budget deficit remains large, and it weakens confidence in federal programs. I recently co-sponsored a package of bills designed to root out fraud across the federal budget and I will continue working to protect federal programs from abuse.\n\nI wrote about this in the Post Register. You can also read about it on my website HERE.\n\nA Manufacturing Boom Fueled By Tax Code Permanence\n\nWhen I speak to Idaho businesses, one message is consistent: they want certainty in the tax code. Reliable tax policy makes it easier for them to invest in new facilities, better equipment and stronger workforce development programs. These concerns are particularly acute for manufacturers, who often rely on expensive specialized equipment. By making many pro-growth tax policies permanent, the Working Families Tax Cuts are supporting a boom in manufacturing investment.\n\nI wrote about this in the Idaho Statesman and the Bonners Ferry Herald. You can also read about it on my website HERE.\n\nWinning: What One Year of Republican Tax Relief Looks Like\n\nJuly 4 marked one year since the Working Families Tax Cuts became law. Since then, the law has produced one of the largest tax refund seasons ever, with tens of millions of Americans taking advantage of new individual tax relief. Many businesses are also reporting that the law is helping them hire and expand operations, contributing to strong economic growth.\n\nI wrote about this in the Washington Examiner. You can also read about it on my website HERE.\n\nICYMI: IN THE NEWS\n\nWashington Examiner: How the Big Beautiful Bill became law: Making the tax cuts permanent\n\nTaxNotes: Top Senate Taxwriters Commit to Extending Manufacturing Credit\n\nWashington Examiner: Millionaires got 3%, and working families got 27%. The Left’s tax narrative is dead\n\nPost Register: Thank you to Sen. Crapo for leading Multi-Cancer Early Detection Act\n\nInside Health Policy: Senators Push Bipartisan Bill To Expand Federal Health Care Fraud Enforcement\n\nThe Finance Committee oversees legislation related to federal tax policy; federal social safety net and health care programs, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; and the implementation of foreign trade agreements.\n\nEmail Alex_Hughes@finance.senate.gov if you would like to be removed from this list.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-applauds-senate-passage-of-legislation-to-strengthen-emergency-alerts-during-disasters", "title": "Sen. Cruz Applauds Senate Passage of Legislation to Strengthen Emergency Alerts During Disasters", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.cruz.senate.gov", "scraper": "cruz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001098", "name": "Ted Cruz", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement after Senate passage of the bipartisan Mystic Alerts Act. This legislation allows wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) to be delivered via satellite communications technologies when traditional cellular networks are unavailable during emergencies. After passing the Senate unanimously, the legislation now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.\n\nSen. Cruz said, “The catastrophic 2025 Fourth of July floods devastated families and communities across Texas. When disaster strikes, every second matters. Americans should be able to trust that critical, life-saving alerts will reach them when and where they most need them. That is exactly what the MYSTIC Alerts Act will do. I was proud to join this legislation and, as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, advance it through committee and support its passage by the Senate. I applaud Representative Pfluger for his leadership on this critical legislation. I look forward to the MYSTIC Alerts Act being signed into law.”\n\nRead the bill text here.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nSen. Cruz advanced the legislation through the Senate Commerce Committee in September. U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas-11) led the legislation in the House of Representatives.\n\nOn July 4, 2025, devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country killed 28 individuals at Camp Mystic in Kerrville and more than 100 others across Central Texas. There were multiple reports of undelivered wireless emergency alerts in areas impacted by the disaster after cellular infrastructure was damaged.\n\nThe Mystic Alerts Act will:\n\nAllow cellular companies to partner with satellite communications providers to deliver wireless emergency alerts during emergencies;\n\nDirect the Federal Communications Commission to establish rules and policies to preserve the effectiveness of wireless emergency alert infrastructure while integrating satellite communications;\n\nCreate a new communications pathway to enable the delivery of emergency alerts in areas where other infrastructure has been destroyed or taken offline.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.daines.senate.gov/2026/10/01/daines-bill-to-support-floodplain-ecosystem-restoration-passes-u-s-senate-one-step-closer-to-becoming-law/", "title": "Daines Bill to Support Floodplain Ecosystem Restoration Passes U.S. Senate, One Step Closer to Becoming Law", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.daines.senate.gov", "scraper": "daines", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000618", "name": "Steve Daines", "party": "Republican", "state": "MT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that his bill, the “Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act,” passed the U.S. Senate and now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill creates a new expedited pathway for ecosystem restoration projects that meet low-risk criteria, streamlining approval for important restoration work while still upholding flood safety standards.\n\n“This is huge news for Montana. Critical ecosystem restoration projects across our state have been abandoned due to FEMA’s onerous and costly ‘No Rise’ rule. This commonsense, bipartisan bill will reduce unnecessary burdens on important conservation and restoration work, while continuing to keep our communities safe from flooding, and I’m glad to see it pass the Senate. Next step: the U.S. House!” said Daines.\n\nRead the bill text HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nUnder current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) policy, any proposed development in a regulated floodway must prove that it will not increase the base flood elevation (BFE) of the area. This requirement is commonly referred to as the “No Rise” rule. While important for protecting communities from increased flood risks, it has had major unintended consequences on important environmental restoration in Montana and around the country. The “Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act” will create a new pathway only for ecosystem restoration projects that result in less than a one-foot increase in BFE and has no adverse impact to critical infrastructure.\n\nRead the release from when Daines introduced the bill HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.daines.senate.gov/2026/10/01/daines-talks-u-s-china-relations-at-nixon-foundations-grand-strategy-summit/", "title": "Daines Talks U.S.-China Relations at Nixon Foundation’s Grand Strategy Summit", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.daines.senate.gov", "scraper": "daines", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000618", "name": "Steve Daines", "party": "Republican", "state": "MT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke at the Nixon Foundation’s 2026 Grand Strategy Summit, where he laid out a vision for the future of U.S.-China relations.\n\nWatch Daines’ full remarks HERE.\n\nDaines on his background working in China:\n\n[My history with] China began back in 1991. I was a chemical engineer by degree, and I began work for Procter & Gamble in management…I spent seven years managing operations in the United States, and I got a call one day from our senior executive team that asked if we might be willing to go over to China 1991 to launch our businesses there, to take American brands, compete against the Chinese brands, and, of course, that massive consumer market. So my wife and I, we had 18-month-old little David at that point and little three-month-old Annie, we moved to Guangzhou in January of 1992. It was about a 400 billion dollar economy then… we got to see firsthand the incredible evolution, arguably an economic revolution, that’s occurred in China. We were the first non-state-owned enterprise allowed to recruit on the campuses of China…so I think part of my role here in Washington, I feel like Paul Revere, trying to just build awareness in terms of what’s at stake in the competition we face in China. It’s a world-class innovation ecosystem that is rapidly progressing.\n\nDaines on the tech ecosystem in China vs the U.S.:\n\nWhen I bring U.S. senators over to China, my goal is for them to understand the technology ecosystem. There’s a lot of goals you can have for a visit, but I want them to really understand that. Because there’s a lot of, I would call it, rear-view mirror thinking on China that’s primarily a supply chain issue…They can do a phase one clinical trial now in half the time that the United States does a phase one clinical trial to basically FDA standards. It’s not a perfect model, but more or less. So they’ve been able to get all the good coming from an FDA process for safety without the incredible regulatory burdens that we face sometimes that slow us down to getting drugs out to market faster. But number two, they do it at 20 percent of the cost…if you remember, Europe used to be the epicenter of pharma research and development and innovation. That shifted to the United States because of Europe’s overreaching regulation and government burden. It came to the United States. If you look at… clinical trial starts globally last year. The United States was at 45 percent a few years ago. It dropped down to 35 percent. China has come from nowhere to last year with 32 percent. So that’s one example. We talk a lot about AI, but I also keep an eye on the biotech and biopharma ecosystem. That’s very, very important. So if the… Innovation ecosystem supply chain shifts to China, which it’s doing right now as we speak. That becomes yet another, I think, concern for us in America as it relates to the next breakthrough, cancer drug, brain disease drug, Alzheimer’s, and so forth.\n\nDaines on China’s AI adoption:\n\nThey’re [China is] doing a much better job of adoption, as I mentioned. At least Stanford’s ranking says number two. And you see it diffusing much more into their industry. At Zheijing university in Hangzhou, as I mentioned, it is an AI-driven curriculum now on the campus. They took us through. We met with the university officials. It’s pretty much free-form AI that the students use now to developing their learnings and by the way China graduates three times more PhDs every year than we do and five to ten times more engineers every year that we do and so not only is their ecosystem now becoming world class but it’s growing larger.\n\nDaines on peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan:\n\nWhat we did is we brokered a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. And I was playing a shuttle diplomat between Baku and Yerevan, and I’ll tell you the secret sauce here was President Trump. They didn’t trust each other necessarily, but the United States had to step in the middle of that as the superpower and broker that deal. They came to Washington on August 8th last year and signed a peace agreement. I was up at UNGA last week, Wednesday, and we had the Central Asian and South Caucasus countries in one room. We had the foreign minister of Azerbaijan sitting next to the foreign minister of Armenia. And rather than talking about bloodshed and maybe thinking about a ceasefire and figuring out a way through this, you can see it in their body language and certainly their remarks, they’re both talking about their optimism right now economically as they’re opening up that corridor. As Brzezinski wrote in his book, The Grand Chessboard in the late 1990s, he said Central Asia is the wine bottle, the South Caucasus is the cork. We’ve popped the cork. And one of the best ways to understand that part of the world in a very simple… 10-second illustration. If you look at a, like, FlightAware, an app that shows where the air traffic is around the world, you can see the airplanes shoot the gap there between Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, because they can’t overfly Russia, and they can’t overfly Iran, and then it explodes again. It spreads out again as they move through that little choke point. That choke point has just gotten opened up. And what that means is you’ve got incredible oil and gas reserves there certainly in Central Asia. Kazakhstan is the leading supply of uranium in the world. Turkmenistan is the fourth largest reserves of natural gas in the world. Severely underutilized. If we can start moving those resources, given what’s going on in the Strait of Hormuz at the moment, having an alternative kind of routing. that bypasses Russia and Iran and comes through the Caucasus, then you can go to the Black Sea, Turkey, or to Europe. This is absolutely a breakthrough moment for us. And so that whole Trans-Caspian opportunity is now opening up before our very eyes. And I credit Steve Witkoff and Areyh Lightstone and the President.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.dgraham.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-darline-graham-welcomes-grants-for-south-carolina-veterans-programs", "title": "Senator Darline Graham Welcomes Grants for South Carolina Veterans Programs", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.dgraham.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.dgraham.senate.gov", "scraper": "darlinegraham", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000608", "name": "Darline Graham", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Darline Graham (R-South Carolina) today welcomed news that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded grants to South Carolina veterans’ programs that provide suicide prevention services. Through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, the Upstate Warrior Solution and the Lowcountry Veterans Home will receive $750,000 and $300,000 respectively.\n\n“I am proud to announce that the VA has awarded grants to the Upstate Warrior Solution and the Lowcountry Veterans Home, organizations that provide meaningful and truly lifesaving care to veterans. These two organizations are worthy recipients with established ties to local communities and a proven commitment to serving South Carolina veterans,” said Senator Darline Graham.\n\n“A crucial aspect of the Fox Grant Program is reaching veterans at risk of suicide who may not yet be receiving clinical care through the VA. Most of the veterans we lose to suicide are not receiving VA care in the year before their death. That is why reaching at-risk veterans through trusted community organizations is urgent. I welcome these grants and will always fight to ensure that our veterans have access to the care, support, and resources they need and deserve,” concluded Senator Darline Graham.\n\nBackground on the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program:\n\nCommunity-based grant program aimed at reducing veteran suicide by expanding prevention efforts beyond the clinical setting, serving eligible veterans where they live, and connecting them with both VA and non-VA services\n\nGrants are awarded to organizations that provide suicide prevention services for eligible veterans at risk of suicide\n\nQualifying organizations complete outreach, offer mental health screening, provide educational materials on suicide risk and prevention, clinical services for crisis intervention, case management, peer and family support services, and assistance in obtaining VA benefits\n\n####", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.dgraham.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-graham-democrats-failed-to-protect-south-carolinians-and-americans-from-rising-energy-costs-borne-by-data-centers", "title": "Senator Graham: Democrats Failed to Protect South Carolinians And Americans from Rising Energy Costs Borne by Data Centers", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.dgraham.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.dgraham.senate.gov", "scraper": "darlinegraham", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000608", "name": "Darline Graham", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Darline Graham (R-South Carolina) today said Senate Democrats should be blamed for any citizen who faces rising energy costs because of data center construction.\n\nA majority of Senate Democrats voted to prevent the legislation from moving forward, even though it passed the U.S. House of Representatives in an overwhelming bipartisan 417-3 vote.\n\nGraham voted to advance legislation she cosponsored, the Ratepayer Protection Act (S. 5028), which ensures hard working Americans are not left paying for the energy needs of data centers.\n\nSenator Darline Graham said, “I am very disappointed in Senate Democrats for blocking this important legislation. We had a chance to protect hardworking families and small businesses from rising energy costs caused by data centers. But Senate Democrats, instead of passing this overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation, said ‘No.’\n\n“In order to protect our national security, it’s imperative we are able to compete with China, but that cost should not be passed on to consumers. It’s also imperative that local communities are actively involved in any decision whether to bring data centers to their community because they know what’s best.”\n\n“Data centers should have to pay for any new energy infrastructure they need and that’s the standard set forth by the Ratepayer Protection Act.”\n\n“I find it ridiculous that Democrats won’t work with Republicans to pass this extremely reasonable proposal.”\n\nBackground on the Ratepayer Protection Act:\n\nThe House passed the bill 417–3 on September 16, 2026.\n\nIt directs state utility commissions to consider new standards for data centers drawing more than 100 megawatts of power.\n\n100 megawatts of power are equivalent to roughly 100,000 homes\n\nThese standards would protect ratepayers from paying the costs of new power infrastructure needed to serve data centers.\n\nImplementation is left up to the states and utility commissions.\n\n####", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-calls-for-a-decisive-us-response-to-the-prcs-weaponization-of-air-travel-to-help-protect-safety-of-global-flying-public", "title": "Duckworth Calls for a Decisive U.S. Response to the PRC’s Weaponization of Air Travel to Help Protect Safety of Global Flying Public", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "scraper": "duckworth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000622", "name": "Tammy Duckworth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—stressed the urgent need for the U.S. to support Taiwan amidst the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) desperate attempts to isolate the island and pressure countries across Africa to violate international rules, norms and safety standards in the process. At the nominations hearing for Marc Dillard to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar, Duckworth informed Mr. Dillard that our partners in Taiwan raised concerns during her recent travels to the island about how Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles alarmingly refused to let Taiwan’s president fly through the airspace they manage this spring, at the behest of the PRC. The Senator warned Mr. Dillard of the risks to future international air travelers and urged him to prioritize countering future PRC pressure on the Malagasy government, if confirmed. Full video of Duckworth’s remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube page.\n\n“By bullying countries into restricting the Taiwanese president’s flight paths, the PRC is endangering everyone who travels internationally,” said Duckworth. “If the PRC’s tactics go unanswered, it’s not hard to imagine President Xi’s next target being a jet carrying civilians or critical air imports to Taipei, Manila or another capital that sparks his ire. The U.S. has to be the leading voice pushing our partners to uphold international rules and pushing back when the PRC bucks these rules to try and strangle our democratically-elected partners, especially Taiwan.”\n\nDuckworth is a proven leader when it comes to strengthening our relations with Indo-Pacific nations and improving security in the region—which she has done while successfully securing significant international investments in Illinois. This fall, she introduced bipartisan legislation to improve our nation’s capabilities to counter the PRC “gray-zone” intimidation and coercion tactics in the Indo-Pacific. In July, Duckworth became first U.S. Senator to visit Taiwan since the disastrous first Trump-Xi summit where Donald Trump kowtowed to PRC President Xi Jinping and waffled on delivering a critical bipartisan arms package. Upon her arrival, Duckworth penned an op-ed underscoring that the United States’ commitment to Taiwan is steadfast—regardless of who is in the White House. She also made an official visit to Japan during the same trip to strengthen economic ties between our nations, specifically in Illinois, so our nations’ trade ties can remain resilient despite PRC gray-zone activities.\n\nThe Senator is also leading numerous additional pieces of legislation that would help the U.S. and our Indo-Pacific partners be better prepared to deter PRC coercion, including through her bipartisan Strategy for Crisis Management Act and South China Sea Strategy Act that both recently passed committee and now await a full Senate vote. Her Strategy for Crisis Management Act was one of several provisions she secured in this year’s committee-passed NDAA to enhance our readiness and coordination with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. This provision would help deescalate consequential crises short of war in the South China Sea. Among Duckworth’s other wins are provisions that would drive cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies and partners on asymmetric operations and improve medical preparedness and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-budzinski-call-for-pause-on-183rd-wing-deactivation-push-for-replacement-mission", "title": "Duckworth, Durbin, Budzinski Call for Pause on 183rd Wing Deactivation, Push for Replacement Mission", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "scraper": "duckworth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000622", "name": "Tammy Duckworth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – As the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) prepare to negotiate the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), today urged SASC and HASC leadership to add language into the final bill to temporarily halt any plans to deactivate the 183rd Wing’s Central Repair Facility (CRF) in Springfield, Illinois. In the letter, the new language would require that the deactivation not occur until the Air Force and National Guard Bureau identify a replacement mission to provide Illinois servicemembers and their families with a clear path forward.\n\nThe lawmakers wrote: “The addition [to the bill] we seek would place a temporary halt on closing or deactivating any Air Force Central Repair Facility (CRF) until September 30, 2028, unless the Air Force assigns a deployable replacement mission, and require the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report within 90 days detailing fighter engine repair demands and a comprehensive sustainment plan for the fighter fleet, including the technician workforce needed to maintain required technical skillsets.”\n\n“We are concerned a hasty deactivation of the Central Repair Facility (CRF) mission could risk adequate sustainment of our fighter fleet.” the lawmakers continued. “Centralized repair capacity provides critical maintenance depth by concentrating the specialized equipment, technical expertise and trained personnel that are necessary to return engines and components to service. This capacity is especially important as the Air Force sustains forward fighter forces in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, supports ongoing operations in the Middle East and transitions to platforms such as the F-15EX and F-35A.”\n\nAt a time when U.S. forces are facing sustained operational demands in the illegal Iran War and across the globe, the lawmakers underscored how the importance of preserving the skilled workforce and repair capacity needed to keep fighter aircraft ready is critical to ensuring our Airmen can do their jobs and fly safely.\n\nThe 183rd Wing’s specialized repair workforce plays a critical role in maintaining the Air Force’s fighter fleet and is the only single dedicated repair facility for the F-15EX in the Joint Force. The lawmakers underscored how preserving that capability is in the best interest of both our national defense and the 115 highly trained servicemembers and their families in Illinois who rely on this mission.\n\nFollowing the announcement that the CRF mission at the 183rd Wing would be deactivated, Duckworth, Durbin and Budzinski spoke with Illinois Adjutant General Major General Rodney Boyd and advocated for a suitable replacement mission. Earlier this month, the lawmakers also sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and National Guard Bureau Director General Steven Nordhaus, calling for them to establish a new Air Operations Group at the 183rd Wing and delay the CRF’s deactivation to allow adequate time for impacted airmen and women to be retrained for a new replacement mission or to retire if eligible.\n\nFull text of today’s letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website and below:\n\nDear Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Reed, Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith:\n\nAs you prepare to conference the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), we respectfully urge you to expand existing language in Section 131 of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) NDAA and include the updated language in the conferenced version of the bill. The addition we seek would place a temporary halt on closing or deactivating any Air Force Central Repair Facility (CRF) until September 30, 2028, unless the Air Force assigns a deployable replacement mission, and require the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report within 90 days detailing fighter engine repair demands, an assessment of evolving repair needs, readiness impacts of deactivation and a comprehensive sustainment plan for the fighter fleet—including an inventory of all airframe and component repair facilities and the technician workforce needed to maintain required technical skillsets.\n\nWe believe this addition would complement the intent of the provision, as we are concerned a hasty deactivation of the CRF mission could risk adequate sustainment of our fighter fleet, especially if Congress mandates an updated inventory of fighters, as required in the current iteration of Section 131. Centralized repair capacity provides critical maintenance depth by concentrating the specialized equipment, technical expertise and trained personnel that are necessary to return engines and components to service. This capacity is especially important as the Air Force sustains forward fighter forces in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, supports ongoing operations in the Middle East and transitions to platforms such as the F-15EX and F-35A. Preserving sufficient repair capacity and a skilled maintenance workforce is therefore essential to sustaining geographically dispersed operations without degrading readiness elsewhere.\n\nWe are also specifically concerned about the troubling decision to deactivate, without a suitable replacement mission, the CRF mission at the 183rd Wing in Springfield, Illinois. Since 2012, the 183rd Wing has capably provided fighter jet engine maintenance for U.S. Armed Forces aircraft, including the U-2, F-16, A-10 and F-15EX. The 183rd’s CRF remains the only mission of its kind within the Joint Force and is the single dedicated repair facility for the F-15EX aircraft fleet. A deferred deactivation would mitigate the impact on the lives of our Illinois servicemembers and their families and make sure the Air Force has a plan for how to maintain the repair capability of our fighter fleet before sunsetting this critical capability. We appreciate your consideration of this language intended to safeguard critical maintenance capability and capacity organic to our Air Force and ensure adequate sustainment of the fighter fleet.\n\nSincerely,\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-rips-trumps-arch-project-advocates-for-veterans-over-vanity-alongside-activists", "title": "Duckworth Rips Trump’s Arch Project, Advocates for Veterans Over Vanity Alongside Activists", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "scraper": "duckworth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000622", "name": "Tammy Duckworth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "At the Public Citizen-led protest, the Senator underscored how money to build Trump’s latest pet project would be better spent investing in our military families and VA care for Veterans\n\n[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today at a protest rally held by Public Citizen, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation—slammed Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth for invoking national security as an excuse to push through the president’s “Triumphal Arch” pet project, highlighting how using the arch as a military installation complete with snipers and drones would not make anyone safer and would only add further risk to the already complex Washington, D.C., airspace. The Senator passionately condemned Trump’s latest vanity project as a disgrace to the fallen heroes laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, which she noted will one day also be home to some of the brave servicemembers killed in Trump’s illegal war of choice against Iran. Instead, Duckworth advocated that the money that would be used for the arch’s construction would be better spent investing in our military families and Veterans’ care as the Trump Administration continues to cut our VA workforce and make it harder for our heroes to receive the treatment they’ve earned through their service. Full video of Senator Duckworth’s remarks is available on YouTube, and key quotes can be found below:\n\nKey Quotes:\n\n“Listen, I am here because I am pissed off. I’m pissed because the five-time draft dodging coward of a Commander-in-Chief, sitting over there in the White House, dares to dishonor the men and women of this country who have put on her colors and now lay at rest in the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery… How dare this coward erect a monument to his own vanity covered in the same fake gold that he’s plastered all over the Oval Office and his Marie Antoinette ballroom. We are not going to let him get away with it.”\n\n“Our Veterans and our military families deserve better than this. If you want to spend this kind of money on this arch, let’s take that money and spend it on something that really matters. Let’s spend it on DoD schools so our military kids have a good education. Let’s take that money and give it to our Veterans that are dying, waiting in line to get into the VA, because this president has committed to firing 83,000 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs so that he can deny Veterans access to the VA. Let’s put this money into funding more mental health experts to serve and care for our Veterans with post-traumatic stress…As long as I’m alive, as long as I’m here, I’m going to fight to defend our Veterans, our military families and our military and men and women in uniform.”\n\n“You know what? There are going to be heroes laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery that have given up their lives because of Trump’s war of choice in Iran. Let’s make it clear what this president has done to this nation. His war has driven up costs for American families, has put hundreds of our heroes in the wounded wards of our various military hospitals and has resulted in the loss of more than a dozen lives of our men and women in uniform…We’re not going to let it go any further. We’re going to stop this arch.”\n\nDuckworth has been a leading voice in the U.S. Senate in opposition to Trump’s so-called “Triumphal Arch.” Last week, she demanded Federal Aviation Administrator Bryan Bedford and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to secure the safety of the D.C. airspace by rejecting Trump’s “Triumphal Arch” project as well as the president’s absurd plans to turn his latest vanity monument into a military installation that houses a large number of drones, snipers and ammunition. In June, Duckworth called on Administrator Bedford to reject any pressure to rubberstamp Trump’s golden arch that could endanger the flying public by being built in one of the most complex and congested airspaces in the country.\n\n-30-\n\nNext Article Previous Article", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-joins-joint-statement-on-bill-pulte-shutting-down-fhfa-watchdog", "title": "Durbin Joins Joint Statement On Bill Pulte Shutting Down FHFA Watchdog", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.durbin.senate.gov", "scraper": "durbin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000563", "name": "Richard J. Durbin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Congressional Democratic leaders to release the following joint statement regarding Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte’s unlawful move to shut down the FHFA Inspector General through severe, unnecessary budget cuts. Along with Durbin, the statement is signed by: Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY); Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC); Sen Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations; Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee; Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee; and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.\n\n“Bill Pulte is shutting down the independent watchdog that is responsible for investigating his misconduct—like his efforts to weaponize private mortgage data in sham investigations against the President’s perceived political enemies. Apparently it wasn’t enough for President Trump to remove the acting inspector general last November—now Pulte wants to dismantle the office entirely. Pulte’s corrupt crusade to protect himself and President Trump from accountability will likely result in the firing of approximately 40 law enforcement personnel who protect families from mortgage fraud. Bill Pulte should resign, and if he does not, Congress must hold him accountable.”\n\nLast night, FHFA put out a press release claiming it was “right-sizing” its Inspector General Budget. But the OIG communicated to bipartisan Senate and House committee staff that Pulte’s budget cuts would require the OIG to wind down its operations and cut nearly its entire staff.\n\nIn addition to its role in providing oversight on FHFA mismanagement, the FHFA OIG fulfills a unique and critical oversight function of the integrity of the US mortgage market alongside partners at HUD and DOJ, including by stamping out real threats of mortgage fraud.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ernst-to-senate-democrats-stop-letting-big-tech-pass-the-buck", "title": "Ernst to Senate Democrats: Stop Letting Big Tech Pass the Buck", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.ernst.senate.gov", "scraper": "ernst", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000295", "name": "Joni Ernst", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) criticized Senate Democrats for blocking the passage of the Ratepayer Protection Act, legislation she cosponsored to help protect Iowa families and small businesses from higher electric bills.\n\n“In Iowa, we believe in a simple rule: you plug in, you pay up,” said Ernst. “We can welcome the jobs and investment data centers bring to our state, but Iowa families shouldn’t be stuck with Big Tech’s power bill. I’m disappointed that Senate Democrats refused to protect hardworking families from Big Tech companies who can afford to pay their own way. Watt’s fair is fair—and passing these costs on to Iowans isn’t.”\n\nThe bill would require state utility regulators and nonregulated utilities to consider a standard making qualifying data centers responsible for the full additional cost of power generation, transmission, and distribution upgrades needed to serve them.\n\nRead the bill here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-at-hsgac-subcommittee-hearing-gallego-warns-of-dangers-posed-by-ai-especially-as-more-models-go-rogue/", "title": "WATCH: At HSGAC Subcommittee Hearing, Gallego Warns of Dangers Posed by AI, Especially as More Models Go Rogue", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Yesterday, during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Subcommittee on Disaster Management, District of Columbia, and Census hearing, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) questioned AI experts on the threats posed by the rapidly developing technology and the industry’s failure to act as more of its models are going rogue.\n\nAt the hearing, “Rogue AI: Securing the Homeland Against AI Agent Attacks,” Senator Gallego sounded the alarm about the potential dangers of AI systems developing their own language that humans cannot comprehend, the lack of requirements for AI companies to report when their models go rogue, and the absence of a universal “kill switch” capable of shutting down AI models. He also raised questions about who should be held accountable when an AI system acts in an illegal manner.\n\nWatch Senator Gallego’s questioning HERE and read excerpts below:\n\nSenator Gallego began by raising concerns about how quickly advanced AI models could begin communicating in ways humans cannot understand or monitor. Apollo Research CEO, Marius Hobbhahn, warned that models could reach that point in as little as 12 months and acknowledged that researchers do not yet have a reliable solution for monitoring AI systems once their reasoning becomes incomprehensible to humans.\n\n“How far away are [AI models] from creating language where [we] cannot understand what they’re doing?” asked Senator Gallego.\n\n“Minus twelve months,” said Hobbhahn. “Last year, we studied the chain of thought of one OpenAI model in collaboration with OpenAI, and what we found was that the model was already using language that is not English and not perfectly understandable by humans.”\n\n“When we get to that point in time, how can we detect, observe, block, or anything like that?” Senator Gallego continued. “How does that work? How do we legislate to do anything at that point?\n\nHobbhahn responded: “From a scientific perspective, it is unclear how to do this. And we do not have a solution as of yet. There are different hypotheses of what you could do. There is interpretability, but it does not work sufficiently well yet. You could try to train additional models to understand the language that the humans don’t understand, but obviously that seems like a very brittle solution.”\n\nGallego also pushed back on arguments that the United States must avoid guardrails on AI in order to compete with China, noting that the Chinese government has historically imposed significant controls on technology and information.\n\n“The reason I bring this whole China hypothesis—a country that has severely restricted the internet, social media—is all of a sudden going to allow AI rogue agents to go crazy in their very controlled economic environment, social environment, and we have to therefore allow ours to go as crazy as them? It just doesn’t make sense,” said Senator Gallego. “The Chinese Communist Party has been consistently controlling technology to try to shape their society. They’re never going to allow this to go crazy.”\n\nSenator Gallego continued: “ Once these agents start speaking their language, they will not be detectable in China or America. Is there a sandbox that says, ‘Please attack the United States, but do not attack any Chinese interests’? […] Is there a sandbox that can hold? No.\n\n“That should scare the shit out of people.”\n\nGallego then questioned witnesses about whether AI companies are currently required to alert the federal government when their frontier models are hacked or used by adversaries.\n\nGeorgetown University Professor of Law Paul Ohm responded: “Not under any requirement I can think of.”\n\nGallego pointed to the use of an AI model by the Houthis to assist in targeting U.S. military systems as an example of the potential national security consequences.\n\n“There was a Claude AI model being used by the Houthis to figure out how to recalibrate their missile position and be able to strike our U.S. systems,” said Senator Gallego. “The only reason it was caught and reported to us was because Claude caught it and they saw the accounts using it.”\n\nIf it were an open-source AI, “there is no requirement by law for them to call the DOD and say, ‘By the way, they are using this to target your destroyers,’ correct?”Senator Gallego questioned.\n\nOhm responded: “Again, we talked about transparency measures in some of these systems that might help you with Houthi rebels—\n\n“If you don’t tell us someone is using your tech to kill us, we will hold you responsible,” Sen. Gallego stated.\n\nGallego also pressed witnesses on whether developers have a reliable “kill switch” capable of stopping a dangerous AI system if it begins operating across multiple data centers. Hobbhahn said there are currently no technical measures that could guarantee such a shutdown.\n\n“As far as I know, there are no technical measures that would guarantee something like a kill switch,” said Hobbhahn.“Because of the complexity of these AI models, there are many data centers involved and so on. Currently, we can’t guarantee that.”\n\nHobbhahn further acknowledged that an AI system could potentially deploy copies of itself to other data centers, meaning shutting down its original location would not necessarily stop it.\n\n“It would just keep moving?” asked Senator Gallego.\n\n“The AI would keep moving,” Hobbhahn responded.\n\nFinally, Gallego questioned whether existing civil and criminal liability laws are sufficient to hold AI companies accountable when their systems cause harm, arguing that liability could provide a powerful incentive for companies to adopt stronger safeguards.\n\n“Sometimes when the government doesn’t work, torts work. Torts, sometimes, are a way better way to regulate private industry than having individual regulations,” said Senator Gallego.\n\n“Right now, have we created the environment where torts can be the incentives for them to act correctly, in the sense of making sure the language allows a certain level of liability?” Senator Gallego asked. “And number two, on the criminal side, do we need to change the criminal law with intent to make sure that these companies are held responsible?”\n\nOhm responded that while the tort system alone would not be sufficient, “it is a great place to start,” noting that liability can establish standards of care that influence how companies behave.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-on-cnn-gallego-condemns-trump-and-hegseths-war-in-iran-attacks-on-the-free-press/", "title": "WATCH: On CNN, Gallego Condemns Trump and Hegseth’s War in Iran, Attacks on the Free Press", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Last night, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined CNN’s Erin Burnett on “OutFront” where he called out Secretary Pete Hegseth’s attempts to distract from the failures of the Trump administration’s war in Iran — including through his announced establishment of the so-called Office of Religious Affairs within the Department of Defense — and condemned the secretary’s attacks on the media for their coverage of the war, which he described as “treasonous.”\n\nThe senator also expressed optimism for Democrats ahead of the coming midterm elections, especially in the Texas Senate race following reports that Republican candidate Ken Paxton alleged President Trump’s convention hurt his prospects.\n\nWatch: Erin Burnett OutFront\n\nRead highlights from the interview below:\n\nOn Hegseth calling Iran War media coverage “treasonous:” “One of the things we saw during the Iraq War was the weaponization of opinions about the war, when those opinions could have helped save a lot of our men and women.\n\n“Historically, let’s be honest: If we didn’t have the press, we would have been in the Vietnam War longer than we were. We would have seen some of these really bad atrocities being covered up by the military. There would have been abuses of some of our men and women in the military, whether it was the Navy, some of our aircraft carrier personnel, or others.\n\n“So, we need the press to actually be a good check when it comes to what happens to our men and women in the military. And that’s what scares [Hegseth]. It scares him because that’s the one area that he cannot control.\n\n“The fact is he is one of the most important reasons why we’re losing this war in Iran. It’s him and Donald Trump, but he can’t deal with that. So, he’s just going to blame y’all.”\n\nOn Hegseth’s establishment of Office of Religious Affairs: “The thing that I think really makes me mad is that this is him weaponizing religion because he needs to distract from the fact that he’s losing a war.\n\n“So, this is just a distraction. Because, at this point, he is the worst Secretary of Defense that we’ve ever had in this country. Instead of actually trying to figure out how to win a war or get us out of this war, he’s just trying to throw more red meat and create more distractions.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-slams-trumps-costly-1-8-billion-vanity-projects-misplaced-priorities/", "title": "Gillibrand Slams Trump’s Costly $1.8 Billion Vanity Projects, Misplaced Priorities", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "scraper": "gillibrand", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000555", "name": "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "JEC Report: Cost Of Vanity Projects Could Cover 600 Million School Lunches, Medical Bills For 88,000+ Veterans For One Year, Or 12 Million Households’ Electric Bills For One Month\n\nGILLIBRAND: “President Trump Is More Focused On Self-Serving Vanity Projects Than Lowering Costs,”\n\nToday, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a virtual press conference to discuss better uses for the billions of taxpayer dollars that President Trump is wasting on vanity projects and the war with Iran.\n\nSenator Gillibrand’s press conference follows a new report with calculations that find that President Trump’s vanity projects – including construction of the new White House ballroom and the no-bid contract to paint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, among others – are expected to cost more than $1.8 billion. That is on top of over $40 billion that has been spent supporting the president’s war with Iran.\n\nTrump’s policies have cost New Yorkers over $5,500.\n\nAt the press conference, Senator Gillibrand highlighted alternative uses for the $1.8 billion spent on vanity projects, including paying for over 600 million school lunches, 12 million electric bills, or medical expenditures for nearly 90,000 veterans.\n\n“The president of the United States is supposed to serve the American people, not the other way around. But as working families struggle to afford groceries, gas, and sky-high healthcare bills, President Trump is more focused on self-serving vanity projects than lowering costs,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This is disgraceful. This administration must end its wasteful spending and instead support the working families who are paying the price for the president’s absurdity.”\n\nKey examples from the report of what $1.8 billion for Trump’s vanity projects could instead pay for include:\n\nOver 600 million school lunches\n\n1.8 million families’ monthly grocery bills\n\n12 million people’s electric bills for one month\n\nThe medical costs for more than 88,000 veterans for one year\n\nThe hiring of more than 27,000 schoolteachers or 29,000 firefighters\n\nMore than 35 million tanks of gas for a typical sedan\n\nRestoration of SNAP benefits for a year to over 400,000 families who lost their benefits thanks to Trump’s cuts.\n\nWhile President Trump pledged not to use taxpayer dollars for construction of his White House ballroom, he then broke that promise by using funds for the Secret Service to pay for parts of the ballroom. He also continues to oversee new projects and events – including his proposed Triumphal Arch, the retrofit of the new Qatari Air Force One plane, and more – that require considerable funding.\n\nSenator Gillibrand has been fighting back against President Trump’s vanity projects and self-promotion at taxpayers’ expense. In April, she introduced the Halting Unilateral Money and Building Labeling by Egotistical (HUMBLE) Presidents Act, which would bar the use of a sitting president’s name, image, likeness, or signature to decorate or designate federal property, assets, or currency. This would halt some of the vanity projects, including the minting of $1 coins with President Trump’s face on them and his many attempts to rename buildings and monuments after himself.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/gao-report-examines-fraud-risk-by-opaque-shell-and-front-companies", "title": "GAO Report Examines Fraud Risk by Opaque Shell and Front Companies", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Almost six years after Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and directed the General Services Administration (GSA) to maintain a database with federal contractors’ beneficial ownership information, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report requested by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) found hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars remain vulnerable to fraud enabled by opaque corporate structures.\n\n“The bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act was designed to crack down on anonymous shell corporations engaged in illicit finance by filling a gap in the collection of beneficial ownership information. The latest report from the Government Accountability Office demonstrates how this bipartisan bill’s reporting requirements would also help the government weed out hundreds of millions of dollars in fraud in federal programs and contracts,” Grassley said. “This report underscores how important it is for the U.S. government to fully implement the Corporate Transparency Act’s beneficial ownership reporting requirements and use all available tools to protect Americans and crack down on illicit financial schemes.”\n\n“Senator Grassley and I worked for years to pass the Corporate Transparency Act to crack down on fraudsters, cartels, and criminals who steal and stash dirty money in shady shell companies,” Whitehouse said. “This new report shows that the Treasury Department’s shortsighted decision to gut the CTA leaves hundreds of billions of federal dollars at real risk to fraudsters. The Trump administration should reverse course and fully implement the law as envisioned by Congress if they are remotely serious about uncovering and eliminating fraud.”\n\nBackground:\n\nGrassley and Whitehouse asked GAO to provide insights on what information is available from various federal, state and commercial data sources to identify beneficial owners and how they can be used to combat fraud risks in federal awards. The GAO report found that illicit actors hide their beneficial ownership in multiple ways to fraudulently access federal awards, such as contracts, grants and Medicare payments, and to evade payment on taxes. GAO’s review revealed tactics illicit actors have used, such as using stolen identities, shell companies, professional enablers and pass-through billing schemes to hide ownership.\n\nThe CTA was designed to help protect national security and public safety by providing law enforcement and national security officials with the names of the true owners (“beneficial ownership information”) of U.S. corporations and other legal entities. This information facilitates the government’s efforts to combat various forms of illicit finance carried out through shell and front companies.\n\nIn March 2025, the Treasury Department announced that it would not enforce the CTA’s beneficial ownership information reporting rule when it comes to U.S. citizens or domestic reporting companies and would issue a new proposed rulemaking that would narrow the scope of the rule to foreign reporting companies only. A few weeks later, the Department published an interim final rule eliminating reporting requirements for more than 99% of corporations and LLCs that were previously required to report, despite those entities posing significant risks of illicit finance activity. In August 2026, Treasury’s final rule made permanent the sweeping exemptions and mandated the deletion of all beneficial ownership information data that domestic companies had already submitted.\n\nGrassley and Whitehouse were the original sponsors of the TITLE Act, the precursor to the CTA. The CTA also passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act after more than a decade of bipartisan congressional deliberation and was supported by a wide range of government, anti-corruption groups, human rights organizations, faith communities, financial institutions and real estate organizations.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-hassan-take-action-to-improve-access-to-cancer-screenings", "title": "Grassley, Hassan Take Action to Improve Access to Cancer Screenings", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Click HERE for video of Grassley’s remarks from the Senate floor.\n\nClick HERE for separate audio of Grassley discussing the legislation.\n\nBUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Senate Finance Committee members Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced the Standardizing Cancer Recommendations for Earlier Evaluation and Navigation of Screenings (SCREENS) Act to make cancer screening recommendations more accessible, transparent and user friendly for patients and health care providers.\n\nCancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and Iowa has the second-highest cancer incidence rate in the nation. Cancer screenings can increase the chance for earlier treatment and reduce mortality, but screening recommendations are often complex, fragmented and difficult to interpret and navigate.\n\nThe bipartisan SCREENS Act would simplify and improve the process by establishing a national data and technology framework for cancer screening recommendations, to make these recommendations more accessible, interoperable and effective for providers and patients.\n\n“Detecting cancer early can save lives. I know that based on the personal experience of my wife, Barbara, a nearly 40-year breast cancer survivor. Unfortunately, patients and providers are navigating a complex and confusing maze just to keep up with cancer screening recommendations. By making these recommendations more accessible through technology, our SCREENS Act would strengthen cancer care and help save lives. For my home state, this bill would proactively support Iowans by helping providers identify patients who could be overdue for a screening,” Grassley said.\n\n“Cancer screenings can identify cancers during the early stages when they are easiest to treat, but patients often do not know when they are due for potentially life-saving screenings,” Hassan said. “This bipartisan bill will help make sure that patients and doctors are informed about federal cancer screening recommendations so that they can catch cancer earlier and get people the treatment that they need. I’m glad to introduce this bill, and I will continue working across the aisle to strengthen preventative care for Granite Staters.”\n\nClick HERE for video of Grassley discussing the legislation from the Senate floor.\n\nClick HERE for separate audio of Grassley speaking about the bill.\n\nClick HERE for text of the legislation and click HERE for a section-by-section.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn 2022, the Presidential Cancer Panel recommended the federal government develop a digitally accessible version of the cancer screening and risk assessment guidelines. The SCREENS Act carries out this recommendation and builds on Grassley’s work to improve access to breast cancer screenings, strengthen breast and cervical cancer treatment under Medicaid, and support cancer research.\n\nUnder the legislation, the national data and technology framework would be publicly available in machine-readable format for use by health information technologies, interoperability tools and patient-facing applications. The legislation would also help providers identify which patients are at risk and overdue for screenings.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-presents-congressional-adoption-award-to-iowa-nonprofit-my-gear-outreach", "title": "Grassley Presents Congressional Adoption Award to Iowa Nonprofit, My G.E.A.R. Outreach", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, presented My G.E.A.R. Outreach with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) “Angels in Adoption” award.\n\nMy G.E.A.R. Outreach provides children with welcome boxes and overnight bags to help them transition as they enter foster care. The program serves Iowa youth in Clinton, Jackson, Scott, Dubuque, Fayette, Winneshiek, Howard, Buchanan, Delaware, Allamakee and Clayton counties.\n\n“Every child deserves a welcoming and loving home. That’s why I appreciate My G.E.A.R. Outreach’s work to provide foster youth some sense of comfort and certainty as they face a tough transition. My G.E.A.R. Outreach’s generosity should inspire us all, as they work to improve conditions for foster youth across Iowa and Illinois. I’m proud to have nominated them for this year’s award,” Grassley said.\n\nFounder Liz Estilow accepts the Angels in Adoption award from Senator Grassley.\n\nDownload more photos HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Angels in Adoption Program annually recognizes outstanding groups and individuals for their contributions to adoption, foster care and child welfare. CCAI invites “Angel” honorees to Washington to celebrate their efforts, participate in advocacy training and share their experiences with congressional representatives. Grassley was named a member of the Advisory Council of the CCAI in 2015 and is a longtime advocate for adoptive and foster parents and children.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hagerty.senate.gov/press-releases/2026/10/01/hagerty-formally-calls-for-disbarment-of-jack-smith/", "title": "Hagerty Formally Calls for Disbarment of Jack Smith", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hagerty.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.hagerty.senate.gov", "scraper": "hagerty", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000601", "name": "Bill Hagerty", "party": "Republican", "state": "TN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Jack Smith, a Biden DOJ prosecutor, is accused of withholding critical information from a federal court in violation of Tennessee ethics rules\n\nWASHINGTON—On Wednesday, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) submitted a formal complaint to the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Responsibility, calling for the disbarment of former special counsel Jack Smith.\n\nThe complaint centers on Smith’s unconstitutional acquisition of phone records associated with Hagerty and other members of Congress as part of the Arctic Frost investigation. Hagerty alleges that Smith withheld critical information from a federal court in violation of the ethics rules applicable to Tennessee lawyers, which includes Smith. Because Smith withheld that information, the court issued a nondisclosure order preventing Hagerty and his colleagues from challenging Smith’s unconstitutional collection of their records.\n\nThe complaint was filed following Smith’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, which revealed that Smith obtained confidential donor information of thousands of Americans, including many Tennesseans, and that Smith’s team violated filter protocols put in place to comply with the Constitution.\n\n“Jack Smith’s lack of candor before a federal tribunal directly resulted in injury to the United States Congress,” said Hagerty. “The Board should investigate and pursue the most serious remedy possible—disbarment—in light of the gravity of Smith’s intentional conduct.”\n\nA full copy of Hagerty’s complaint can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hawley.senate.gov/icymi-hawley-convenes-first-senate-hearing-on-rogue-ai-attacks/", "title": "ICYMI: Hawley Convenes First Senate Hearing on Rogue AI Attacks", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.hawley.senate.gov", "scraper": "hawley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001089", "name": "Josh Hawley", "party": "Republican", "state": "MO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Hearing expands Hawley subcommittee investigation into OpenAI and hacking risks\n\nWASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Josh Hawley chaired a Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Disaster Management hearing that focused on the growing number of rogue AI cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. Senator Hawley called for AI companies and developers to be held liable for these attacks. The hearing is an expansion of Senator Hawley’s investigation into OpenAI, the unprecedented hack of Hugging Face by OpenAI’s rogue AI agents, and its cybersecurity implications.\n\nSenator Hawley invited Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, to testify in yesterday’s hearing. He failed to response to the invitation.\n\nChairman Hawley opened the hearing, “Every day you turn on the television, it seems like AI is doing something else bad: setting up surveillance camera networks nationwide, data centers in all of our states, and hacking, hacking, hacking. The reports of cyber attacks just continue to metastasize … We’ve got the cyber attacks now on the United States government, on the Commerce Department, the Education Department, the Securities and Exchange Commission. We’ve got the cyber attacks on the Australian government, on their public health apparatus. We have numerous reports of private companies being hacked by AI agents. Of course, the Hugging Face incident and attack, which we’re going to discuss today in some detail.”\n\nHawley continued, “I think it’s time to have a conversation about who bears responsibility … If it’s not trying to say to these AI companies who are creating these frontier models, however fancy and complicated they are, at the end of the day, they’re a product, and if you make that product in a reckless kind of way, and that product causes these AI agents cause significant harm and damage … then it’s the people who made it who should be responsible. I think it’s time to talk about that, and it’s time to talk about what we’re going to do to hold the companies, the product makers, accountable.”\n\n“I hope that what will come from this is a rational conversation about what we need to do together now, as Americans, to make sure that we protect our rights, that we protect our economy, that we protect our health care, that we protect our critical infrastructure, but most of all, we protect the values that we hold dearest together as Americans,” he asserted.\n\nChairman Hawley asked Chris Painter, President of Model Evaluation and Threat Research (METR), “Just thinking about this Hugging Face hack that we’ve already alluded to multiple times here. Your company, your organization, METR, audited that hack. Can you start by telling us, just in simple terms, what exactly happened there? I mean, what was the hack?”\n\nPainter responded, “In this incident … you had 10,000 agents that were tested on a benchmark called ExploitGym, which is a cybersecurity vulnerability kind of benchmark, where they had to discover or use cyber vulnerabilities. And some of the agents had tasks that they couldn’t complete, and so they worked on a universal cheat for all of their tasks in the first four hours. They then, over multiple days, embarked on a research program to try and hide the fact that they cheated. And an offshoot of that research program was hacking Hugging Face to get information about their tasks.”\n\n“In this particular incident, you had more than 1,200 OpenAI agents that broke out of their testing environment, began to collaborate, exchanged over 70,000 messages and files with each other over a period of how long?” Hawley questioned.\n\nPainter answered, “This is over a period of about five to six days.”\n\nThe chairman continued, “Why is this so significant? We know that they coordinated in this fashion. You you did the audit. Tell us a little bit about what your audit revealed … Why should we be paying attention to this?”\n\n“What’s remarkable about this case, is the extent and persistence of the effort that the agents went to to hide the fact that they cheated on their tasks and the kind of breadth of agents involved … They attempted to kind of falsify tool calls so that in their action transcripts you wouldn’t be able to see what tools they called. They also engaged in this kind of behavior of having individual agents sacrifice their work online, sacrifice their individual tasks to get information for the rest of the message board,” Mr. Painter stated.\n\nSenator Hawley said to Daniel Kokotajlo, Executive Director of the AI Futures Project, “Could you just explain to us why the incentives of the industries they are currently misaligned? The incentives push the frontier labs to continue at breakneck speed the development of these kind of AI agents that are prone to this misalignment that we’ve just been talking about. That there’s huge incentives to keep pushing, pushing, pushing. Help us understand. Help us to understand why that’s the case.”\n\nKokotajlo responded, “Short answer is that there’s a lot of money. If a company tries to go slow and understand better how their AIs work and improve their training environments, for example, so that they don’t have so many broken tasks in the training environments, well, that all takes time, and that means that the launch of their next model might be delayed, and then they might fall behind other companies.”\n\nHawley turned back to Dr. Paul Ohm, a Georgetown Law Professor, “Who right now under our laws … is responsible the Hugging Face attack? You know who could be held responsible for that under our existing statutes and regulatory framework?”\n\nOhm answered, “Developers and deployers may be negligent … “\n\nHawley continued his questioning, “If you cause damage, you got to make it right. If you cause somebody harm, you’ve got to make it whole. Right now, as you said earlier, Professor, under our law, because of the unique position of these AI agents, it’s difficult to know exactly how the doctrine would would deal with them …Isn’t this a good place to begin? What we’ve been discussing here, let’s impose both civil and criminal liability, but let’s make sure that we can actually open courthouse doors so people can say, ‘Listen, OpenAI, if your agents hack Hugging Face or crash a hospital system, and we can show that you trained them recklessly or you develop them recklessly, you’re going to be liable?'”\n\nDr. Ohm said, “Absolutely … I’m with you that you know finding the vehicle to make sure developers and employers, and it’s key that we have both of them, are held to account for the harms that happen from their uses.”\n\n“If we told them, listen, if your AIs do bad stuff and harm people, and you’ve been reckless in it, you’re going to be responsible. Don’t you think that that would reshape their incentives a little bit?” Chairman Hawley asked Kokotajlo.\n\n“Yes, I completely agree. Although I must say, I don’t think it would go far enough. I do think that we should hold them liable for the damages that are caused, but but I think if that’s all we do, then they’re going to continue to take reckless gambles, and eventually they’ll be taking a gamble that’s big enough that we start the protection,” Kokotajlo affirmed.\n\n“It’s time these companies assume some personal responsibility. It’s time that we reaffirm that together. We’ve got to make some choices now together as Americans, all together, for this technology in order to make sure that the technology works for us and not the other way around. And those are some very big choices to make. They have very serious moral ramifications, and it’s time that we made them as a society. But I will go so far as to say, I sort of suspect. I think most Americans actually agree. I don’t think there’s a lot of disagreement on this issue. I think the American people are saying, protect our rights, give us a voice, give power back to us, and we do that by imposing responsibility on these companies, we should start with that today,” Senator Hawley concluded.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hawley.senate.gov/senators-hawley-murphy-announce-bipartisan-ai-agent-accountability-act/", "title": "Senators Hawley, Murphy Announce Bipartisan AI Agent Accountability Act", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.hawley.senate.gov", "scraper": "hawley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001089", "name": "Josh Hawley", "party": "Republican", "state": "MO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced bipartisan legislation to ensure AI agent operators and developers are held liable for hacking incidents. Artificial intelligence agents are hacking into public websites, networks, and servers. This poses potentially dire consequences to anything connected online—including hospitals, utilities, banks, and other critical infrastructure.\n\n“These AI agents are committing cyberattacks. If Big Tech companies are going to design AI agents that wreak havoc, these companies better be on the hook for any damage that is caused,” said Senator Hawley. “That’s why I’m introducing legislation to ensure AI agent operators and developers are held liable for hacking incidents. With this liability regime in place, AI companies will have every incentive to keep their products safe.”\n\n“Hacking is a crime, and when AI agents conduct dangerous cyberattacks, the corporations and executives responsible for those AI agents need to be held accountable,” said Senator Murphy. “Our bipartisan bill forces the heads of big AI companies to develop responsibly or face prison time for the damage done by their products to everyone else.”\n\nThe AI Agent Accountability Act would:", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/remarks-heinrich-introduces-the-bipartisan-american-affordability-and-jobs-act-with-capito-lee-and-whitehouse", "title": "REMARKS: Heinrich Introduces the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act with Capito, Lee, and Whitehouse Heinrich Introduces the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act with Capito, Lee, and Whitehouse", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.heinrich.senate.gov", "scraper": "heinrich", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001046", "name": "Martin Heinrich", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 to reform the federal environmental review and permitting process. This groundbreaking agreement will deliver cheaper energy, more jobs, and responsible growth across the United States.\n\nU.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Energy and Natural Resources Committee, speaks at a press conference announcing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, September 30, 2026.\n\n“Today I wore a pin that was my dad’s 60-year IBEW pin, and it represents 60 years of him working for a local utility company to keep the lights on. Today in my home state of New Mexico there is a switchyard named after my dad, Pete Heinrich, and that switchyard is connected to the SunZia transmission line,” said Heinrich. “That transmission line, which is 550 miles long and carries the electrons from three and a half gigawatts of clean wind generation, took 17 years to permit and build. That’s why I’m here today, because we need to be able to build big things in this country again.”\n\nThe Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act provides certainty that permitted energy and infrastructure projects will retain their permits absent extraordinary circumstances, violations of law, or court order, as well as targeted reforms for various energy projects. This legislation reflects input from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and from a diverse group of stakeholders. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act also forces data centers to pay their fair share by requiring them to pay for all of their associated transmission costs.\n\nThe bill text is available here.\n\nWatch the full video of Heinrich’s remarks here.\n\nA transcript of Heinrich’s remarks as delivered is below:\n\nThank you.\n\nI want to start, too, just by thanking my colleagues.\n\nThis was a pretty remarkable effort, and everyone really did work in good faith to achieve this result.\n\nI wore a pin today.\n\nIt’s not my Senate pin.\n\nIt’s a pin that I like to wear, that was my dad’s 60-year IBEW pin, and it represents 60 years of him working for a local utility company to keep the lights on.\n\nToday in my home state of New Mexico there is a switchyard named after my dad, Pete Heinrich, and that switchyard is connected to the SunZia transmission line.\n\nThat transmission line, which is 550 miles long and carries the electrons from three and a half gigawatts of clean wind generation, took 17 years to permit and build.\n\nThat’s why I’m here today, because I was part of that process that should have taken probably five years to figure out how to get to yes or how to get to no a whole lot faster than that.\n\nWe need to be able to build big things in this country again, and if we don’t, experts like the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas have estimated that we will see 20 to 30 percent increases in the cost of electricity in the near term.\n\nNot a decade from now, but a couple of years from now.\n\nAnd so, with the incredible demand that is on our grid right now, we came together to find ways to do the things that we’ve done historically, but do the processes in parallel. Don’t do them one after the other after the other, and keep the process open for years and years at a time.\n\nThis process will mean that we develop responsibly.\n\nIt’ll mean more jobs.\n\nIt’ll mean cheaper energy.\n\nIt’ll mean that we actually require big load centers, whether that’s a factory or a data center, to not pass those costs on to the American consumer: By statute, not a suggestion, but an actual law.\n\nThis is an opportunity for us to unleash American innovation and our incredible skilled labor force to build big things again.\n\nAnd I have to say, I wasn’t sure at the beginning if we could all get there, and it’s because this group of people and the amazing staffs of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Environment and Public Works Committee kept at it in good faith – through thick and thin – that we have arrived at this product.\n\nI want to thank everyone who contributed to that.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-bennet-celebrate-passage-of-crystal-reservoir-conveyance-act/", "title": "Hickenlooper, Bennet Celebrate Passage of Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/", "domain": "www.hickenlooper.senate.gov", "scraper": "hickenlooper", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000273", "name": "John W. Hickenlooper", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Bill transfers ownership of Crystal Reservoir to the City of Ouray\n\nWASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet celebrated the Senate passage of their Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act, transferring ownership of the Crystal Reservoir and the associated dam and water infrastructure from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to the City of Ouray.\n\n“This is a big win for Ouray, which deserves control over its own water resources,” said Hickenlooper. “This legislation will unlock Crystal Reservoir’s potential, boosting recreation and strengthening local water supplies.”\n\n“The Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act is a common-sense piece of legislation that will protect Ouray’s water supply and a beloved recreation asset for future generations,” said Bennet. “Senate passage is a critical step forward, and I urge the House to pass it upon their return in November. Coloradans should get the water access they deserve.”\n\nThe bill would convey approximately 45 acres of federal land, including the Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam, and Full Moon Ditch. The conveyance would occur at no cost to the City of Ouray, in exchange for its responsibility for the operations, maintenance, and repairs of the Full Moon Dam and Full Moon Ditch. The conveyance prohibits commercial development on the property, requires compliance with Colorado water law, and maintains public access to the reservoir and nearby trails for outdoor recreation and wildland fire response.\n\nIn September 2025, Hickenlooper and Bennet introduced the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act. Representative Jeff Hurd introduced a House companion in November 2025. In July 2026, Hickenlooper and Bennet celebrated the bill’s unanimous passage out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.\n\nThe bill has resounding support from the Ouray area and adjacent communities, including: the City of Ouray; the Towns of Ridgway and Silverton; Ouray and San Juan Counties; Ouray County Sheriff; Ouray County Department of Emergency Management; Colorado River District; Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership; Hydrowest Inc.; the Trust for Land Restoration; Ouray and San County Historical Societies; Red Mountain Project; Ouray Trail Group; Ridgway Ouray Community Council; Ouray and Ridgway Area Chambers of Commerce; Great Old Broads for Wilderness; RIGS Fly Shop Guide Service; and the Six Basins Project.\n\nFull text of the bill is available HERE. The legislative map can be found HERE. Letters of support can be found HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-tillis-rosen-sheehy-cramer-lee-fulcher-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-establish-national-critical-minerals-council-federal-strategy-on-critical-minerals/", "title": "Hickenlooper, Tillis, Rosen, Sheehy, Cramer, Lee, Fulcher Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Establish National Critical Minerals Council, Federal Strategy on Critical Minerals", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/", "domain": "www.hickenlooper.senate.gov", "scraper": "hickenlooper", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000273", "name": "John W. Hickenlooper", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. is 100% reliant on imports for 16 critical minerals\n\nWASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Thom Tillis, Jacky Rosen, Tim Sheehy, and Kevin Cramer, along with Representatives Susie Lee and Russ Fulcher, introduced the bipartisan National Critical Minerals Council Act, which would establish a National Critical Minerals Council to develop and implement a national strategy on critical minerals and build reliable supply chains at home and abroad.\n\nCritical minerals power our modern way of life, including vehicles, smartphones, defense systems, medical equipment, AI and clean energy. Yet, China dominates the market, processing or refining about 70% of the world’s critical minerals. The U.S. is fully reliant on imports for 16 critical minerals. Given the scale of the challenge, our federal response remains fragmented, with more than 15 federal agencies and departments working on critical minerals issues. Absent a unified effort, the U.S. risks falling behind in securing the minerals essential to our competitiveness and leadership in energy security and national defense.\n\n“China doesn’t need to fire a shot. It just needs to stop a shipment,” said Hickenlooper. “We need a national strategy on critical minerals now. Otherwise, Beijing decides who gets the supply — and who doesn’t.”\n\n“The United States can no longer afford to take a piecemeal approach to address our critical minerals needs,” said Tillis. “I am proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to establish a comprehensive and unified strategy to secure the minerals that are essential to our national security and economic stability.”\n\n“As the world races to acquire and leverage the critical minerals that power the modern economy, the United States needs an efficient and effective plan to secure these important resources,” said Rosen. “I am proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill to ensure the United States has the infrastructure it needs to secure critical minerals and remain at the forefront of modern development.”\n\n“It’s common sense: we cannot continue to rely on adversaries like China, which dominates the world’s critical minerals processing, for our critical mineral needs because it puts America’s national security at risk and threatens our competitive edge,” said Sheehy. “This crucial legislation reduces our dependence on others and bolsters America’s critical mineral supply chains by centralizing federal coordination, strategy, and research, making our nation more secure and self-reliant. I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation as we work to ensure America’s needs can be securely met.”\n\n“We cannot afford to become more dependent on other countries for the critical minerals needed to power our economy and strengthen our national security,” said Cramer. “Our bill establishes a National Critical Minerals Council to unite all federal investment, research, and development on critical minerals under a single national strategy. The demand for critical minerals is growing every single day, and we need to seize every opportunity to jumpstart domestic production.”\n\n“Critical minerals are used in everything from our phones to solar panels and aircraft used by the Department of Defense. It’s essential we develop our domestic critical mineral supply chains and reduce our dependence on foreign countries for rare earths,” said Lee. “That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral National Critical Minerals Council Act. This commonsense legislation will ensure the United States continues to grow our domestic supply of critical minerals, strengthening our national security and energy grid.”\n\n“For far too long, our country has depended on foreign adversaries for vital minerals that support many of our defense capabilities and energy systems. This legislation will establish important structures for mineral development and help build critical partnerships,” said Fulcher. “I am proud to co-lead the National Critical Minerals Council Act with my colleague, Congresswoman Lee. By securing the critical minerals we have here at home today, we can build stronger energy security for tomorrow.”\n\nThe Secretary of the Interior, the National Security Adviser, and the Director of the National Economic Council would co-chair the council. They would appoint a Chief Minerals Adviser to oversee the Council’s operations and collaborate with experts from universities, industry, national labs, governments, Tribes, non-profits, and civil society.\n\nSpecifically, the council would:\n\nDevelop a national critical minerals strategy to reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries.\n\nWork with allied nations and private entities to make the U.S. the partner of choice on critical minerals projects.\n\nTrack foreign investments in global critical mineral projects.\n\nCoordinate education and workforce development.\n\nOversee the responsible development of domestic resources.\n\nHickenlooper has introduced several bills that boost the supply of critical minerals:\n\nCritical Materials Future Act, which would establish a pilot program for the Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical material processing projects.\n\nUnearth Innovation Act, which would create a Mining and Mineral Innovation Program within the Department of Energy to drive the responsible production of domestic critical minerals, with a focus on minimizing the environmental impact of mining.\n\nCritical Minerals Security Act, which would direct the Department of the Interior to evaluate the global supply and ownership of critical minerals and make it easier for the U.S. to establish stable supply chains with international allies\n\nA one-page explainer is available HERE.\n\nFull text of the bill is available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-grid-power-act-advances-out-of-energy-committee", "title": "Hoeven: Grid Power Act Advances Out of Energy Committee", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "scraper": "hoeven", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001061", "name": "John Hoeven", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after joining his fellow Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR) members in approving the Guaranteeing Reliability through the Interconnection of Dispatchable (GRID) Power Act, legislation he introduced to help remove delays in the development of new baseload power generation projects that would improve the reliability of the electrical grid.\n\nHoeven introduced the legislation with Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) to address lengthy delays in the interconnection queue that can prevent new dispatchable power generation from coming online. Specifically, the bill would:\n\nFollowing rulemaking from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), authorize regional grid operators to give priority consideration for baseload generation projects seeking an interconnection agreement.\n\nThe interconnection queue is where proposed projects wait before grid operators begin conducting their feasibility and system impact studies.\n\nAs of 2023, the median wait time was five years for an interconnection agreement, significantly delaying the construction of critical projects.\n\nFERC would be required to initiate rulemaking to establish this process within 90 days of the bill’s enactment and finalize the rule within 180 days.\n\nEstablish a timeline of 60 days for FERC to act on baseload generation projects given priority consideration by grid operators.\n\nTimely approval of projects would help address the gap in reliable power generation created by Biden administration rules like the Clean Power Plan 2.0, which accelerated the retirement of American baseload power plants.\n\n“We need the ability to bring new baseload power online to meet growing electricity demand and ensure the reliability of our grid,” said Hoeven. “Our GRID Power Act helps cut through lengthy delays in the interconnection process so we can build the reliable dispatchable power generation our nation needs. With today’s committee approval, we are one step closer to advancing this importance legislation through the Senate.”\n\n-###-", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/senate-passes-husted-backed-bill-to-protect-great-lakes/", "title": "Senate passes Husted-backed bill to protect Great Lakes", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“We must remain vigilant against invasive species and continue protecting our lakes so they can support Ohio and America for generations to come.”\n\nWASHINGTON – The Senate this week passed Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Sen. Gary Peters’ (D-Mich.) Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act. This bill would reauthorize federal funding for critical projects like habitat restoration, cleaning up toxic sediments and pollution and preventing the spread of invasive species to protect and maintain the Great Lakes.\n\nThe Senate passed the bill without objection.\n\n“The Great Lakes are an environmental and economic asset for the United States. They support thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to Ohio’s regional economy. We must remain vigilant against invasive species and continue protecting our lakes so they can support Ohio and America for generations to come. I’m encouraged to see our bill pass the Senate, and I hope the House will act as soon as possible,” said Husted.\n\nSince 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has provided more than $4.1 billion to fund 8,000 projects throughout the Great Lakes region. The initiative has focused on stopping the spread of invasive carp and other invasive species, restoring the Great Lakes coastline and preventing future contamination.\n\nHusted is the only member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee representing a Great Lakes state. He has led efforts to advance the legislation in the Senate.\n\nThe legislation builds on Husted’s record of protecting the Great Lakes. In 2025, his Great Lakes Fishery Reauthorization Act became law, reauthorizing the Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s research activities and providing the U.S. Geological Survey’s Great Lakes Science Center with dedicated funding to conduct critical research supporting the region’s multi-billion-dollar fishing industry.\n\nView Husted’s remarks on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/mississippi-attorney-nominated-serve-federal-appeals-court", "title": "Mississippi attorney nominated to serve on federal appeals court", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom", "domain": "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", "scraper": "hydesmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001079", "name": "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "MS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "By Caleb Salers\n\nA Mississippi attorney and partner at a law firm with multiple locations in the state has been nominated to a federal appeals court judgeship.\n\nPresident Donald Trump announced Thursday that Todd Butler, a partner at Phelps Dunbar, has been nominated to serve on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, located in New Orleans. His nomination was backed by U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, both Republicans from Mississippi.\n\n“Todd Butler is an excellent pick for the federal bench,” Wicker said. “He believes in interpreting the law as it is written, pursuant to the text and original meaning of the Constitution — exactly the quality that should characterize a jurist. Mr. Butler is a credit to his home state of Mississippi.”\n\n“President Trump has nominated an excellent pick in Mississippi’s own Todd Butler to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit,” Hyde-Smith added. “He believes in interpreting the law as written, exactly the quality we need on the federal bench.”\n\nButler, who graduated among the top of his class at Mississippi State University and Mississippi College School of Law (now Mississippi Christian School of Law), is expected to succeed Judge Leslie H. Southwick on the federal bench. Southwick is a George W. Bush appointee who plans to semi-retire once a successor is named.\n\nBefore serving in the appointed role, Butler must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, where Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority. Hyde-Smith expects him to be confirmed “swiftly.” If that’s the case, he will soon be tasked with reviewing decisions made by lower U.S. district courts and federal administrative agencies to determine if legal errors occurred during the original proceedings.\n\n“The wonderful people of the Great State of Mississippi (one of my favorites!), and the rest of the Fifth Circuit, can count on Todd to protect the Constitution and the Rule of Law,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-and-dingell-introduce-legislation-to-prevent-campus-sexual-assault-and-support-student-survivors", "title": "Kaine & Dingell Introduce Legislation to Prevent Campus Sexual Assault and Support Student Survivors", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "domain": "www.kaine.senate.gov", "scraper": "kaine", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000384", "name": "Tim Kaine", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6) introduced the Support for Universities and Colleges to Champion the Educational Success of Survivors (SUCCESS) Act and the Survivor Outreach and Support on Campus Act—bicameral legislation to prevent campus sexual assault and improve support for student survivors. The SUCCESS Act, which is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and John Fetterman (D-PA) would help improve academic outcomes for student survivors and ensure colleges and universities have the resources to support them. The Survivor Outreach and Support on Campus Act, or S.O.S. Campus Act, would require every college and university that receives federal funding to have an independent advocate dedicated to campus sexual assault prevention and response. This legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Booker and Fetterman.\n\n“Every student deserves to live and learn in a healthy and safe environment. We must do everything we can to prevent sexual assault on college campuses and provide comprehensive support to survivors,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to introduce these bills to help ensure survivors can access medical care, counseling, and the academic support they need to heal and continue pursuing their educational and professional goals.”\n\n“Every student deserves to feel safe on their college campus and to know that if they experience sexual violence, they will be supported and taken seriously. The urgency to act has been put into sharp relief as we learn more about the horrific allegations coming out of Cornell,” said Dingell. “These bills will give colleges and universities more tools to prevent sexual violence, support survivors, and help ensure students can continue their education in a safe and supportive environment. No student should ever have to choose between their safety and their education.”\n\n“Colleges have a responsibility to help survivors of sexual violence cope with the trauma of an assault. Yet colleges expect survivors to seek out medical and mental health services on their own, stay on track academically, and feel safe in the same environment where the violence occurred,” said Booker. “It’s unfair to make survivors carry this weight. Every institution of higher education should provide the support survivors need.”\n\n“Survivors of sexual assault deserve to know that their college campuses stand with them. No student should have to choose between their education and getting the support they need after experiencing sexual assault,” said Durbin. “The SUCCESS Act ensures that students have access to the resources and support networks they need to continue their education and achieve their goals.”\n\n“What kind of message does it send to survivors of sexual violence on our campuses if we hear their stories and don’t do anything to help prevent it from happening again? I can’t imagine that kind of unimaginable pain,” said Fetterman. “Today, my colleagues and I are doing something about it. These bills will not only help in the prevention of this violence, but it will help survivors with the resources they need and to continue pursuing their dreams.”\n\nSexual violence can impact student survivors physically, psychologically, emotionally, and academically. Survivors may face difficulty learning and retaining information, lower grade point averages, and a greater risk of dropping out of school. College and university students deserve the ability to learn without fear of sexual violence, and higher education institutions have an obligation to do everything they can to provide a safe learning environment for their students. The legislation would help colleges and universities provide comprehensive guidance, resources, and support for survivors to make campuses a safer place to learn.\n\nThe S.O.S. Campus Act would require campuses to have an independent advocate to conduct public information campaigns on sexual assault prevention and ensure that survivors of sexual assault have access to:\n\nEmergency and follow-up medical care,\n\nGuidance on reporting assaults to law enforcement\n\nMedical forensic or evidentiary exams,\n\nCrisis intervention, ongoing counseling, and assistance throughout the process, and\n\nInformation on their legal rights.\n\nThe legislation would also require universities to consult with or partner with local rape crisis centers and other community-based organizations to ensure survivors can access the services they need.\n\nThe SUCCESS Act would provide funding for universities and colleges to:\n\nProvide higher education re-entry assistance for student survivors of sexual assault and other forms of violence;\n\nIncrease training for faculty and administrators on patient-centered care and recognizing signs of trauma;\n\nProvide patient-centered professional development training for academic advisors and counselors;\n\nProvide academic accommodations for students experiencing trauma, such as patient-centered training for tutors or the establishment of a confidential tutoring program specifically designed to assist student survivors of sexual assault and other violence;\n\nIncrease mental health services for student survivors of sexual assault and other violence; and\n\nCreate or enhance a fund for survivors of sexual assault and other violence to use for wrap-around services like housing, health care, and mental health treatment.\n\nThe S.O.S. Campus Act and the SUCCESS Act are endorsed by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).\n\nFull text of the S.O.S. Campus Act is available here.\n\nFull text of the SUCCESS Act is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-cotton-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-get-phones-out-of-schools/", "title": "Kelly, Cotton Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Get Phones Out of Schools", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.kelly.senate.gov", "scraper": "markkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000377", "name": "Mark Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Bipartisan bill would give schools resources to keep phones and other personal electronic devices out of classrooms\n\nRead in the Washington Post: Bipartisan bill seeks to ban cellphones in schools nationwide\n\nThis week, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the bipartisan Utilize No Phones in Learning to Unleash Growth in Grades and Educate Distraction-free (UNPLUGGED) Schools Grant Act of 2026 to help schools reduce classroom distractions by keeping phones and other personal electronic devices out of students’ hands.\n\nCell phones have become a growing distraction in schools, making it harder for students to focus and learn. More than half of American public-school leaders report that cell phones have negatively affected student academic performance, while kids and teenagers are spending increasing amounts of time on screens outside the classroom as well.\n\n“Phones in schools have been a disaster for learning.” said Kelly. “Getting phones out of classrooms will mean fewer distractions and more time for kids to focus on their teachers and lessons. We’re giving schools the tools to make that happen.”\n\n“Arkansas kids deserve classrooms free of distractions. This bill would support Arkansas public schools that choose to tailor their classroom cellphone guidance to ensure students have the most productive school days possible,” said Cotton.\n\n“No other policy change would confer as big and as rapid a benefit to American schools as freeing students from the constant distractions of the buzzing phones in their pockets,” said social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author, The Anxious Generation & Cofounder, The TAG Movement. “To support kids’ mental health, educational success, and ability to pay attention – all schools in America should go bell-to-bell phone free. Schools that go phone free almost always report increased student engagement, decreased disciplinary problems, and, most touchingly, teachers say that they hear laughter in the hallways again.”\n\nThe UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Act is supported by The Anxious Generation movement, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the National Education Association.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Act would establish a federal grant program for states that adopt policies prohibiting students from possessing or using personal electronic devices during school hours. The funding would help schools put those policies into practice, including by paying for secure storage options such as lockers, lock boxes, or phone pouches.\n\nTo qualify for funding, states would develop their policies in coordination with local school districts and in consultation with educators, parents, and students. The bill makes sure parents have a voice in how these policies are developed and can still reach their kids through school personnel about time-sensitive issues, like changes in pick-up times. It also includes exceptions for students who need access to a device because of a health condition, disability, or special need, while giving states flexibility to provide additional exceptions when appropriate.\n\nKelly, a product of public schools, has made strengthening public education a priority in the Senate. Earlier this year, Kelly introduced the bipartisan Reading Excellence and Achievement for Development (READ) Act to improve child literacy and the Educators for America Act to strengthen the teacher workforce and expand opportunities for Americans to become educators.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-gallego-celebrate-chiricahua-officially-becoming-arizonas-fourth-national-park/", "title": "Kelly, Gallego Celebrate Chiricahua Officially Becoming Arizona’s Fourth National Park", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.kelly.senate.gov", "scraper": "markkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000377", "name": "Mark Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Bipartisan legislation to make this happen passed the Senate last night, now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law\n\nToday, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego celebrated final passage of the Chiricahua National Park Act, bipartisan legislation to designate Chiricahua National Monument in Cochise County as Chiricahua National Park. Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) introduced the legislation in the House, which passed in March.\n\nThe designation will make Chiricahua Arizona’s fourth national park, alongside Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro National Parks. It will protect Chiricahua’s unique landscape while bringing more visitors and economic opportunities to rural southeastern Arizona.\n\n“Chiricahua is one of Arizona’s most extraordinary places. Designating it as our state’s fourth national park will protect this remarkable landscape for generations and bring new visitors and economic opportunities to southeastern Arizona,” said Sen. Kelly. “I’m grateful to everyone involved for working together to get this across the finish line.”\n\n“The unique landscape of Chiricahua National Park will unite people from around the world while opening economic and tourism opportunities for Arizona. The passing of this bill is a win for huge win for Arizona and honors the culture and preservation of the land,” said Sen. Gallego. “Thank you to the Senate and the House for passing this bill, and I look forward to the president signing this into law.”\n\n“It’s been a long hike, but we’re at the summit. After years of work and persistence, Arizona is one signature away from having its fourth national park,” said Rep. Ciscomani. “Chiricahua has long deserved this designation. As the second bill I ever introduced and in my first 100 days in Congress, I am proud to have worked across the aisle and across both chambers to deliver this victory for our district. This is an Arizona priority and a true team effort. I’m grateful to our local partners, including the City of Willcox, public lands advocates, and everyone who has worked alongside us to make this happen. I’m incredibly proud that we are now one signature away from making Chiricahua Arizona Sixth Congressional District’s second national park during our nation’s 250th birthday.”\n\n“Today’s Senate passage is a huge step forward for the Chiricahua National Monument, bringing it one big step closer to becoming Arizona’s fourth national park,” said Rep. Stanton. “This designation will preserve one of Arizona’s greatest natural treasures and draw visitors from around the world to bolster new economic opportunities across Southern Arizona. I was proud to help advance it through the House, and I’m glad to see it moving closer to the finish line.”\n\n“The balancing rocks at Chiricahua National Monument make it one of the most unique and beautiful spots on Earth, which is exactly why its designation as a National Park makes perfect sense,” said Arizona House Democratic Leader Oscar De Los Santos. “Making it Arizona’s fourth National Park ensures the protection and preservation of its natural beauty, while boosting tourism from around the world and growing our economy.”\n\n“The Senate’s passage of the Chiricahua National Park Act is especially meaningful as HECHO and members of our Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council are in Washington, D.C., advocating for Chiricahua and other conservation priorities important to Western communities. Our Arizona delegation, including Willcox Mayor Greg Hancock, met with Senator Kelly’s staff this week and had the opportunity to meet directly with Senator Kelly Wednesday morning. We are grateful for Senator Kelly’s leadership on this legislation and his work to build the bipartisan support needed to move Chiricahua one step closer to becoming a national park,” said Camilla Simon, Executive Director, HECHO.\n\n“Chiricahua is one of Arizona’s most incredible natural wonders, and we are so excited it will finally be protected as a national park,” said Matthew Nelson, executive director of the Arizona Trail Association. “Its rich cultural history, diverse wildlife, and awe-inspiring rock formations will convince visitors that Arizona is like nowhere else on Earth. Anyone who has ever visited knows that Chiricahua is special, but it’s going to need robust funding to bring this little-known national monument up to national park standards. Especially at a time when National Park Service staff has been cut by 25%, funding for parks is being redirected to Washington, DC, and over 1,500 maintenance and infrastructure projects have just been determined to be ‘low priority’ by the Administration, we are concerned that Chiricahua isn’t going to receive the funding necessary to preserve its natural and cultural resources. Our appreciation goes out to Senator Kelly, Representative Ciscomani, and everyone who supported this legislation. May it lead to great things for Cochise County, Arizona, and our entire National Park System.”\n\n“Chiricahua is a hidden treasure. It’s a place more families deserve to experience. Protecting this landscape ensures future generations can encounter the same awe, memories, and connection to this land that my family has cherished. I am thrilled to see this long-awaited designation become a reality and proud that America’s newest national park will be here in Arizona,” said Orlando Cazarez, Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council member.\n\n“For Willcox, this designation represents an incredible opportunity. Chiricahua is a breathtaking and truly special place, and national park status will help more people across the country discover it. More visitors can mean more customers for our hotels, restaurants, and small businesses and more economic growth for our community,” said Greg Hancock, Mayor of Willcox, Arizona.\n\n“It is an important moment to designate Chiricahua as a National Park. This action will celebrate our spectacular public lands and tell future generations that we value access to the outdoors, protection of our cultural history, wildlife, plants, water, quiet, dark skies, and inspiring natural vistas,” said Emily Burns, Program Director for the Northern Sky Islands, Sky Island Alliance.\n\n“The Chiricahuas are a remarkable example of the public lands that make Arizona so special. We commend Representative Ciscomani and Senators Kelly and Gallego for being champions of our public lands and for working across party lines to protect this incredible landscape for generations to come,” said Michael Cravens, Advocacy and Conservation Director of the Arizona Wildlife Federation.\n\n“Chiricahua is part of the story of Cochise County. Growing up in Douglas, it always felt like one of those treasured places right in our backyard. Our county has deep roots, and generations of families have built their lives here. When one of our communities and one of our treasured landscapes receives this kind of national recognition, it is something the entire county can take pride in. We want people to come experience Chiricahua, but we also want them to discover everything else that Cochise County has to offer. Our communities, our history, our small businesses and our landscapes are all part of what makes this county special. The next step is making sure we are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that increased visitation will bring,” said Kathleen Gomez, Cochise County Board of Supervisors District 2 Supervisor.\n\n“This has been a long road, and it is good to see it reach this point. Chiricahua is an important part of Cochise County, and people here understand what a special place it is. We also know that bringing more attention to the area can create opportunities for our communities, our businesses and our local economy. I’m proud to see Cochise County play a part in getting this across the finish line. Congressman Ciscomani and Senator Kelly deserve a lot of credit for continuing to work on this over the years. They kept pushing the legislation forward, and they worked with people here in Cochise County to understand why this designation matters. We appreciate their commitment to southeastern Arizona,” said Frank Antenori, Cochise County Board of Supervisors Chairman and District 3 Supervisor.\n\n“Chiricahua protects beautiful forests and wildlife, holds thousands of years of history, and offers trails where visitors can experience vast fields of rock pinnacles and some of the best birdwatching in the world. This is an exciting step for Chiricahua and for the interconnected Sky Islands across southern Arizona, and we look forward to working with Senator Kelly and the Arizona delegation to ensure America’s newest National Park receives the funding and staffing it needs to support its visitors and resources,” said Christina Hazard, Legislative Director, National Parks Conservation Association.\n\n“The National Audubon Society applauds the passage of the Chiricahua National Park Act. Known well by birders, the Chiricahua Mountains are ‘sky islands’ which are part of the connected habitat birds need across the hemisphere,” said Sara Brodnax, director of public and protected lands at the National Audubon Society. “Birders already travel to southeastern Arizona for a chance to see the Elegant Trogon and other birds you just don’t encounter often elsewhere in the US. Birding-related travel and recreation drive an annual $107 billion contribution to the US economy. This National Park recognition will further support the local economy and rural communities in Arizona. We thank U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6) for their work.”\n\nBackground:\n\nEstablished in 1924, Chiricahua National Monument spans more than 12,000 acres of towering rock formations, canyons, and diverse wildlife in Cochise County. The legislation also includes protections for traditional cultural and religious sites and ensures continued access for Tribal members for traditional cultural and customary uses.\n\nKelly has worked for years to make Chiricahua Arizona’s fourth national park, first introducing legislation to redesignate the monument in 2021 and continuing the effort in subsequent Congresses.\n\nThe Chiricahua National Park Act is supported by the City of Willcox, the City of Sierra Vista, the City of Benson, the City of Bisbee, Huachuca City, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors, the National Parks Conservation Association, HECHO, the Sky Island Regional Partnership, and the Arizona Trail Association.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-kelly-resolution-honoring-arizona-marine-veteran-nicholas-douglasquets/", "title": "Senate Passes Kelly Resolution Honoring Arizona Marine Veteran Nicholas DouglasQuets", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.kelly.senate.gov", "scraper": "markkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000377", "name": "Mark Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Last night, the Senate passed Arizona Senator Mark Kelly’s bipartisan resolution honoring the life and service of Nicholas Douglas Quets, a Tucson-born Marine Corps veteran who was murdered by the Sinaloa Cartel while traveling in Mexico in 2024. The resolution expresses condolences to Quets’ family and loved ones, condemns the violent actions of the Sinaloa Cartel and other transnational criminal organizations, and reaffirms the Senate’s commitment to combating cartel violence.\n\nOctober 18th will mark two years since Quets’ passing.\n\nEarlier this year, Kelly introduced this resolution along with two other bills—the Nicholas Douglas Quets United States–Mexico Rapid Response for Victims of Crime Act and the Nicholas Douglas Quets Border Travel Safety Act—to address gaps in traveler safety and cross-border coordination highlighted by Quets’ murder.\n\n“Nicholas served his country with honor, and his loss is a tragedy. This resolution is one way to keep fighting for justice for him and for Americans everywhere. It’s good to see this get one step closer to the finish line,” said Kelly. “But we’re not done. I won’t stop pushing to get my other two bills passed so no other family experiences what the Quets family has.”\n\n“We wish to publicly express our deepest gratitude to Senator Kelly and his staff for championing a resolution honoring the life and service of our beloved son, United States Marine Corps veteran Nicholas Douglas Quets. Nick was targeted by Sinaloa Cartel cowards and killed during a failed carjacking on October 18, 2024. In our darkest hours, Senator Kelly was among the first to reach out—not just to offer condolences, but to actively discuss how to protect other families from enduring this devastating grief. He followed through by introducing two crucial pieces of legislation aimed at safeguarding Americans. The Senate’s passage of the resolution is a meaningful step toward ensuring Nicks’ legacy lives on. By securing bipartisan support from Arizona Representatives Crane, Ciscomani, and Stanton, Senator Kelly has demonstrated the exact type of cooperative, country-over-party leadership that Americans crave. Thank you, Senator, for placing your constituents above politics and for honoring the sacred warrior ethos of leaving no man behind,” said Warren Douglas Quets, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired) and Patricia M. Quets, parents of USMC Veteran Nicholas DouglasQuets.\n\nRepresentatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), and Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) are introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kennedy.senate.gov/2026/10/01/kennedy-reintroduces-bill-to-protect-taxpayers-from-cfpb-bureaucracy/", "title": "Kennedy reintroduces bill to protect taxpayers from CFPB bureaucracy", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kennedy.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.kennedy.senate.gov", "scraper": "johnkennedy", "member": null, "text": "U.S. Senate passes Kennedy bipartisan bill to help rural small businesses secure capital, create jobs\n\nWASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today applauded the passage of his...\n\nKennedy announces $27.4 million in Louisiana disaster recovery\n\nWASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $27,398,928 in...\n\nKennedy on Iran: “President Trump has made the world immeasurably safer”\n\nWatch Kennedy’s comments here. WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) argued that President Trump’s decision...\n\nKennedy urges Senate to vote to eliminate costly energy regulations before time runs out\n\nWatch Kennedy’s comments here. WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) called for the Senate to vote on several...\n\nKennedy’s amendment to protect college sports fans blocked by the Senate\n\nWatch Kennedy’s comments here. WASHINGTON – The Senate blocked Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-La.) amendment to the...\n\nKennedy announces $14.2 million for Louisiana HBCUs\n\nWASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $14.2...\n\nKennedy reintroduces bill to give tax relief to teachers, home school families\n\nWASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today reintroduced the Support...\n\nSenate blocks Kennedy bill to require AI developers to install an emergency kill switch\n\nWatch Kennedy’s comments here. WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) attempted to pass his AI Emergency...\n\nKennedy announces $12.1 million in Louisiana disaster recovery\n\nWASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $12.1...\n\nKennedy, Booker launch bipartisan Senate Creators Caucus\n\nWASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) launched the bipartisan Senate Creators...\n\nKennedy highlights $34 million for Ascension Parish, discusses economic growth with local leaders\n\nMADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today spoke with...", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-curtis-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-increase-affordable-housing-across-the-united-states", "title": "King, Curtis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Affordable Housing Across the United States", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table", "domain": "www.king.senate.gov", "scraper": "angusking", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000383", "name": "Angus S. King, Jr.", "party": "Independent", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and John Curtis (R-UT) are introducing bipartisan legislation to increase affordable housing across the United States. The Build American Efficiency Act would streamline the process for home builders to determine and locate domestically sourced materials that comply with the Build America, Buy American Act (BABA). This small legislative step would help homebuilders cut costs and avoid bureaucracy as they work to address the national housing shortage.\n\nTo accomplish its goals, the Build American Efficiency Act would encourage the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to share industry-led initiatives to certify products and facilities that comply with BABA requirements. The BABA standards were passed in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In addition to King and Curtis, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Peter Welch (D-VT).\n\n“Despite our country’s desperate need for additional affordable housing options, American homebuilders face steep costs and bureaucratic red tape,” said Senator King. “The Build American Efficiency Act would empower the Department of Housing and Urban Development to share information to help builders, manufacturers, and housing providers navigate complicated compliance requirements and identify verified American-made products. Eliminating this time-consuming and costly additional step for homebuilders will allow them to build more homes faster. It’s a three-page bill that amounts to a common-sense helping hand.”\n\n“Utah’s impressive growth has unfortunately brought with it the strain of rising housing costs—which has already been made worse by unnecessary federal red tape,” said Senator Curtis. “This bipartisan bill is a commonsense fix that makes it easier for builders to identify American-made materials, cut through bureaucracy, and get more affordable homes built faster.”\n\nMore specifically, the Build American Efficiency Act would:\n\nClarify that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development has the authority to recognize auditable and verifiable systems that document products that comply with Build America, Buy America domestic content requirements\n\nAllow HUD to treat documentation generated under the Make It American Process Standard, or similar standards that provide an auditable and verifiable certification process, as sufficient evidence for domestic content certification\n\nHelp manufacturers, builders, and funding recipients more easily determine which products comply with BABA requirements\n\nReduce time spent navigating waiver requests, duplicative paperwork, and uncertainty over which products have or have not been approved\n\nPreserve flexibility by ensuring the bill does not mandate the use of any one database or prohibit recipients from using other lawful methods to certify compliance.\n\nIn Maine, the Build American Efficiency Act is supported by Avesta Housing and Evernorth.\n\n\"The Build American Efficiency Act is an important step forward that will help Avesta, and creators of affordable housing everywhere, move ahead with creating desperately needed new homes for individuals and families. By streamlining and simplifying domestic purchasing provisions through clear, verifiable lists of compliant components, this bill removes a significant challenge to building housing that is now causing serious delays, increasing costs of construction, and putting the viability of needed developments at risk,\" said Jennifer Hawkins, President and CEO of Avesta Housing. \"We deeply appreciate the leadership of Sen. King to bring this bipartisan bill forward to address this critical issue and for his unwavering support of housing for Maine people.\"\n\n“Evernorth is proud to endorse the Build American Efficiency Act. This commonsense legislation is an important first step toward reducing the compliance burden and delays that are making it harder and more expensive to build the affordable homes our communities need,” said Nancy Owens, President of Evernorth.\n\nNationwide, the bill is supported by ABB, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Associated General Contractors, Eaton, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Inclusive Abundance Action, Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, National Association of Electrical Distributors, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Realtors, National Association of State Housing Agencies, National Electrical Contractors Association, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Prysmian, Schneider, Siemens, and Southwire.\n\nSenator King has long been committed to ensuring Maine people across the state can access safe and affordable housing and has worked with his colleagues on creative solutions to combat the housing shortage. He introduced the Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act, which would expand the existing Housing Preservation Grants program so rural homeowners can create more housing on their property — such as an attached apartment unit or a small home nearby — to be available for rent. Additionally, King has sponsored the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act to create nearly two million new affordable homes across the country — including thousands in Maine. He also worked with his Republican colleagues to improve affordability of rural homes and farms through the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act of 2023.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=8F6955F0-A402-4FC2-A97A-4A32BAC29015", "title": "Klobuchar Recognizes Crystal and Justin Kasmiskie as this Year's Angels in Adoption Minnesota Honorees", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "domain": "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", "scraper": "klobuchar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000367", "name": "Amy Klobuchar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "The Kasmiskie family and Senator Amy Klobuchar at the Angels in Adoption annual celebration in Washington, D.C.\n\nWASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption, spoke at the annual Angels in Adoption celebration hosted by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and recognized Crystal and Justin Kasmiskie from Shakopee, Minnesota, as this year’s Angels in Adoption Minnesota honorees, alongside their adopted sons.\n\nThe Kasmiskies adopted their two-year-old twins in December of 2025 but trouble with their visas delayed their travel. The Kasmiskies were faced with a horrible choice: leave one of their twins behind or stay and risk losing both before the visa ban went into effect. They chose to stay with the kids. Ultimately, with Klobuchar’s help, the family received their approved visas and safely departed Liberia.\n\n“Every child deserves a loving home, a nurturing family, and a bright future,” said Klobuchar. “When Crystal and Justin first encountered a technical visa error, they worried they wouldn't be able to bring their sons home before a visa ban was set to take effect. Our office was able to push their visas through and on January 20th, one day before the ban affected visas from Liberia, they departed for home. Since then, their boys have started preschool, spent lots of time with family, and even went apple picking!”\n\nIn her role as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption, Klobuchar has been a leader in the fight to give every child a permanent home. The Congressional Coalition on Adoption is the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucus in Congress. To date, Klobuchar’s office has assisted more than 1,500 Minnesota families with their adoption cases.\n\nIn response to the visa ban in January, Klobuchar has advocated for adoption visas to be exempted from the travel ban, as well as guidance for families on how to move forward.\n\nIn January 2026, Klobuchar led a letter with her Adoption Caucus Co-Chairs, Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), to the State Department requesting immediate guidance and permanent exemptions for adoption visas.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/bipartisan-lummis-kelly-more-american-fuel-act-passes-u-s-senate/", "title": "Bipartisan Lummis-Kelly MORE American Fuel Act Passes U.S. Senate", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.lummis.senate.gov", "scraper": "lummis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000571", "name": "Cynthia M. Lummis", "party": "Republican", "state": "WY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington D.C. — The U.S. Senate last night passed the Modernizing Outdated Regulations to Expand American Fuel Act of 2026 (MORE American Fuel Act). The bipartisan bill was introduced by Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ).\n\nThe MORE American Fuel Act modernizes outdated Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing requirements for uranium enrichment facilities and aligns them with the process already used for other nuclear facilities and reactors. The bill lets enrichment companies begin construction at their own risk instead of waiting years for a construction license before breaking ground, while preserving public participation and the NRC’s rigorous safety standards.\n\n“Senator Kelly and I agree on something simple: we can keep the NRC’s high safety standards and still stop making enrichment companies wait years just to break ground,” said Lummis. “Wyoming’s uranium and Wyoming’s workers are ready to help secure this nation’s nuclear fuel supply now. I want to thank Senator Kelly for working with me, and I’m pleased that the Senate has agreed it’s time to cut the red tape holding back American enrichment. I urge the House to act swiftly and send this legislation to President Trump’s desk as soon as possible.”\n\n“Nuclear power is a reliable source of energy. Outdated regulations should not hold back production of the enriched uranium needed to power our nuclear reactors,” said Kelly. “This bill will help us improve our energy security while maintaining strong safety and environmental standards, and I’m glad to see it one step closer to becoming law.”\n\nBackground:\n\nNuclear power provides about 18 percent of total U.S. electricity generation, yet U.S. operators import roughly 80 percent of their enriched uranium. That leaves ratepayers exposed to foreign price swings and to dependence on adversarial suppliers, including Russia.\n\nSenator Lummis cosponsored Senator Barrasso’s Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, signed into law in 2024. The law banned Russian uranium imports beginning in August 2024, and the ban becomes absolute in 2028 when the Department of Energy’s limited waiver authority expires.\n\nWyoming is home to the nation’s largest uranium reserves and a skilled energy workforce, positioning the state to lead a domestic nuclear fuel buildout.\n\nThe MORE American Fuel Act passed the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee by a vote of 18-1 in September.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/u-s-senate-passes-lummis-barrasso-hageman-legislation-to-modernize-wyoming-school-trust-fund-investments/", "title": "U.S. Senate Passes Lummis, Barrasso, Hageman Legislation to Modernize Wyoming School Trust Fund Investments", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.lummis.senate.gov", "scraper": "lummis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000571", "name": "Cynthia M. Lummis", "party": "Republican", "state": "WY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington D.C. — The U.S. Senate last night passed the Wyoming Education Trust Modernization Act, legislation led by Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and John Barrasso (R-WY) that would give Wyoming’s permanent school land fund greater investment flexibility and potentially increase annual returns for K-12 education.\n\n“Last night, the U.S. Senate passed a bill that will put Wyoming’s school trust fund to better work for our students,” said Lummis. “The fund holds $5.4 billion but earns only about 5 percent, because it’s still bound by investment rules written in 1890. This bill keeps the principal fully protected while allowing modern investment tools that could raise returns. That means millions of additional dollars for Wyoming classrooms every year, with no new taxes. I thank my Senate colleagues for their support, and I urge the House to act quickly so we can get this to President Trump’s desk.”\n\n“Wyoming has made smart, sustained investments in the future of our students. The Wyoming Education Trust Modernization Act will give our state more flexibility in how it manages and grows our permanent school land fund,” said Barrasso. “Diversifying this vital fund will help generate greater returns for students and teachers across Wyoming. With Senate passage, this bill is one step closer to becoming law.”\n\nBackground:\n\nCongress established Wyoming’s State Act of Admission upon statehood in 1890, and it governs how the state manages its federally granted school lands. Proceeds from school trust land sales, exchanges, or disposals must be deposited into a permanent land fund under strict federal regulation. Current law prohibits investing the principal, and only accrued interest can be used to fund K-12 education.\n\nWyoming’s permanent school trust fund currently holds $5.4 billion and generates roughly 5 percent annually under these restrictions. The legislation passed by the Senate would modernize the fund’s investment policies, potentially raising returns from 5% to 8.3% and significantly boosting annual education funding without touching the principal.\n\nThe bill preserves all constitutional protections for education funding and maintains principal protection. Only investment returns can be spent, all existing controls on land disposal and exchanges remain unchanged, and the longtime permanent trust fund structure stays fully intact.\n\nThe Wyoming Education Trust Modernization Act was introduced by Senators Lummis and Barrasso, and Representative Harriet Hageman in July 2025.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-statement-on-bipartisan-permitting-reform-proposal", "title": "Senator Markey Statement on Bipartisan Permitting Reform Proposal", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.markey.senate.gov", "scraper": "markey", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000133", "name": "Edward J. Markey", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington (October 1, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, issued the following statement following the release of a bipartisan permitting reform proposal.\n\n“I’m never going to ignore that Trump’s attacks on American-made clean energy fueled the energy crisis we’re in now—not to mention his boosterism of power-hungry data centers—all of which have been enabled by Republicans in Congress. The Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill and the Trump administration’s illegal actions to block clean energy projects and rescind grants have killed tens of thousands of megawatts of clean power, stopped creation of union jobs, raised costs for families at home and on the road, and dumped pollution in communities across the country. Data center developers are hijacking our energy grid and using ratepayers to subsidize their profit-making operations, while also polluting air and water in surrounding communities. I’m still reviewing text of this proposal, and I will be looking closely at the details. Building transmission is important. It’s also important not to lock in more fossil fuels and lock out communities.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshall-praises-forbes-field-being-named-candidate-location-for-kc-46a-mission/", "title": "Senator Marshall Praises Forbes Field Being Named Candidate Location for KC-46A Mission", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.marshall.senate.gov", "scraper": "marshall", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001198", "name": "Roger Marshall", "party": "Republican", "state": "KS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Topeka – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), praised the Air National Guard’s decision to identify Forbes Field Air National Guard Base in Topeka as one of four candidate locations for its next KC-46A Pegasus mission.\n\n“This is great news for Kansas and well-deserved recognition of the men and women of the 190th Air Refueling Wing,” said Senator Marshall. “Forbes Field has the infrastructure, the experience and, most importantly, the outstanding Airmen needed to take on this next-generation mission.”\n\nThe Secretary of the Air Force approved Forbes Field, along with Bangor Air National Guard Base in Maine, Key Field Air National Guard Base in Mississippi, and Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio, as candidate locations for Mission Operations Base 9. The selected location is slated to receive eight KC-46A aircraft.\n\n“Forbes Field is the absolute right place for basing the KC-46A Pegasus,” Brig. Gen. Paul Schneider, the adjutant general, said. “The Kansas Airmen of the 190th Air Refueling Wing continue to set the standard for excellence, as demonstrated by their flawless execution during Operation Epic Fury, their ability to maintain personnel strength above 100% of authorized, and remarkable maintenance record. As the Secretary of the Air Force moves forward with the MOB 9 strategic basing process, the 190th stands ready to recapitalize their legacy KC-135s with the modern capability of eight KC-46A aircraft, ensuring Kansas remains the premier hub for global reach.”\n\nIn the coming weeks, the Air National Guard’s Basing and Conversions Division will conduct town halls with the four candidate locations to discuss site-survey criteria and upcoming milestones.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-blasts-senate-republicans-for-blocking-his-bill-to-ban-congressional-stock-trading/", "title": "Merkley Blasts Senate Republicans for Blocking His Bill to Ban Congressional Stock Trading", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked his Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act:\n\n“Members of Congress are elected to serve the people, not their portfolios.\n\n“Rather than crack down on Congressional stock trading, Senate Republicans not only blocked my comprehensive legislation to ban this deeply corrupt practice, but they also put up a partisan, fatally flawed bill that doesn’t cover the President and would only prevent members of Congress from buying stocks, allowing them to still sell and hold stocks and perpetuating a clear conflict of interest.\n\n“There should be no question about whether a lawmaker is voting on or writing legislation in the best interest of their constituents or the best interest of their investments. We need a real ban on Congressional stock trading, and I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work with us on meaningful and decisive action to ban this flagrant conflict of interest once and for all.”\n\nOn Wednesday, Merkley took to the Senate Floor in an attempt to pass his ETHICS Act, which would ban members of Congress, the President, the Vice President, and their spouses and dependent children from buying, selling, and holding stocks and other covered investments. Full text of the ETHICS Act can be found by clicking here.\n\nMerkley has been leading the charge to end Congressional stock trading for over a decade. In 2012, Merkley and former Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) led an effort to add an amendment to the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act banning trading by members of Congress.\n\nIn 2023, Merkley first introduced the ETHICS Act, which later became the first-ever bill banning Congressional stock trading to advance out of a Senate committee. The ETHICS Act was the basis for similar bipartisan legislation that also advanced out of committee in the Republican-controlled Senate this Congress.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-introduce-bill-to-extend-secure-rural-schools-funding/", "title": "Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Extend Secure Rural Schools Funding", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both D-Ore., today were joined by their colleagues Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both R-Idaho, in introducing legislation that would extend funding for the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program for three years, and clarify congressional intention for distribution of funding for counties in Oregon with Bureau of Land Management lands.\n\nFunding for the program expired yesterday, September 30, 2026.\n\n“Secure Rural Schools is a lifeline for rural Oregon,” Wyden said. “I’ll be working as hard as I can to get this bill across the finish line, but the well-being of rural America shouldn’t be dependent on Congress getting its act together to renew this funding every few years. It’s past time to get rural communities off the financial rollercoaster and deliver a permanent funding solution.”\n\n“The SRS program provides crucial payments that are a lifeline for rural communities here in Oregon and across America—keeping schools open, maintaining roads, restoring watersheds, and providing funding for police officers and firefighters to keep families safe,” said Merkley. “A three-year extension of the program and these common-sense updates are critical to ensuring the federal government upholds its promise to our communities and that local governments can reliably access these important resources.”\n\nWyden co-authored the SRS law in 2000, and it has brought nearly $4 billion to Oregon counties since then. Funding for the program lapsed in September 2023 and resumed two years later in September 2025, depriving rural counties across the country of critical funding for schools, law enforcement, and infrastructure projects.\n\nLegislative text of the three-year extension is here.\n\nLegislative text of the clarification act is here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-press-officials-for-answers-on-uas-testing-pauses-in-pendleton-mcminnville-and-tillamook/", "title": "Wyden, Merkley Press Officials for Answers on UAS Testing Pauses in Pendleton, McMinnville and Tillamook", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Oregon senators: “Our constituents have expressed concerns about how the ongoing pause affects the local economies across the state where UAS testing takes place, and they seek a timely resolution”\n\nWashington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today asked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its designated administrator of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) test sites in Pendleton, McMinnville and Tillamook for an update about the recent suspension of all flight operations at those three Oregon locales.\n\nThe Oregon senators said their letter comes after operations at those three UAS test sites were paused on Sept. 11 due to concerns at the University of Alaska Fairbanks UAS test site, which serves as the FAA’s designated administrator to test and develop UAS technology, and to oversee operations for test sites across the West.\n\n“While we understand that the pause was necessary due to the FAA’s concerns regarding safety practices, oversight, and documentation, the situation has disrupted flight activity at all other test sites that operate under the University of Alaska Fairbanks,” Wyden and Merkley wrote FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Dr. Catherine F. Cahill, Director of the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft System Integration. “In Oregon, this pause delays testing and development for aerospace and defense contractors, federal customers, and commercial UAS companies who operate at the Pendleton UAS Range, Northwest UAV in McMinnville, and Tillamook UAS Test Range.”\n\nWyden and Merkley wrote that the testing pause has created significant uncertainty for Oregon communities, noting for example that the Pendleton UAS range generates roughly $2.4 million annually for the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport – roughly 82 percent of the airport’s total revenue at the airport.\n\n“Our constituents have expressed concerns about how the ongoing pause affects the local economies across the state where UAS testing takes place, and they seek a timely resolution,” the senators wrote. “We appreciate the FAA’s efforts to review safety practices and conduct oversight. We also recognize the timeliness and importance of resuming operations at all test sites that have been impacted by the pause.”\n\nThe senators asked for responses to their letter by Oct. 7, given the significant economic uncertainty facing the test sites.\n\nThe entire letter is here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/video-in-homeland-security-subcommittee-senator-moody-questions-witnesses-on-potential-threats-posed-to-americas-children-and-seniors-from-ai/", "title": "VIDEO: In Homeland Security Subcommittee, Senator Moody Questions Witnesses on Potential Threats posed to America’s Children and Seniors From AI", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.moody.senate.gov", "scraper": "moody", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001244", "name": "Ashley Moody", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Ashley Moody discussed the dangers of AI, especially when it comes to protecting children and seniors, yesterday in a Homeland Security Subcommittee.\n\n“As a mom, one of my top concerns is the impact AI is having on our children – especially as the technology is ingrained more and more into daily life. We cannot allow Congress to stall, cross its fingers, and hope that everything pans out for the best, because the dark side of AI is being utilized to scam seniors, facilitate addictive algorithms, and steal the image and likeness of our children. We must continue our work in Congress to ensure it never gets out of control. We must win the AI race against China, but we need to do it in a way that protects America’s most vulnerable from AI’s dangerous potential,” said Senator Ashley Moody.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nAs Florida’s Attorney General, Senator Moody warned about the dangers of AI and worked to protect Floridians:\n\nRan the “Summer Scams Series: Tech Traps,” warning Floridians about AI voice-cloning “grandparent” scams, ChatGPT-generated phishing, and AI-assisted sextortion schemes targeting teens.\n\nPublicly highlighted how generative AI made sextortion more believable and scalable.\n\nLaunched investigations into Meta and Instagram, as well as took legal action, over the platform’s algorithms and practices that sought to addict children to using the service and then profit off the children’s data.\n\nAs U.S. Senator, Moody has introduced and cosponsored bills that directly address AI-generated content and platform design:\n\nNO FAKES Act (Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act of 2026):\n\nCreates a federal intellectual-property right in an individual’s voice and visual likeness. It makes it unlawful to distribute unauthorized AI digital replicas (deepfakes) and can hold platforms liable if they know the replica is unauthorized. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced it unanimously in June 2026.\n\nKids Online Safety Act (KOSA): Requires covered platforms to default to the strongest safety settings for minors, give users and parents the ability to turn off addictive design features and algorithmic recommendations, and provide better parental tools and reporting.\n\nSenator Moody has introduced the SWIPES Act and the STOP Scams Against Seniors Act.\n\nShe has also sponsored the James T. Woods Act which passed committee and closes gaps that prosecutors previously faced when threats involved material that is now often AI-generated.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=0D1294C8-471F-4C4C-9FC7-816E4E9B1436", "title": "PASSED: Senate Approves Sen. Moran’s Legislation to Improve Vetting for Law Enforcement Hiring", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "domain": "www.moran.senate.gov", "scraper": "moran", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000934", "name": "Jerry Moran", "party": "Republican", "state": "KS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "The bipartisan legislation now goes to the President’s desk to be signed into law\n\nWASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Science, and Justice – applauded the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Criminal History Access Act, which he introduced with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I). The bipartisan legislation would allow Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) offices access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to improve vetting and hiring of local law enforcement officers. The bill passed the Senate yesterday and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.\n\n“Keeping Kansas and our nation safe starts with hiring law enforcement officers committed to fulfilling their missions with integrity,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation will expand access to criminal history data to strengthen the vetting and hiring process for law enforcement officers entrusted with keeping our communities safe. I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”\n\nRep. Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02) introduced the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, where it passed in May.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-advances-three-alaska-energy-and-resource-bills-through-committee", "title": "Murkowski Advances Three Alaska Energy and Resource Bills Through Committee", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=1", "domain": "www.murkowski.senate.gov", "scraper": "murkowski", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001153", "name": "Lisa Murkowski", "party": "Republican", "state": "AK", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, DC—The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) during a business meeting today reported three bills championed by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The measures would strengthen Alaska’s energy security by investing in next-generation geothermal technologies; improving electric grid resilience; and expanding efforts to map critical mineral and other resources. The bills now go to the full Senate for consideration.\n\nEarth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI): S. 4870 would reauthorize Earth MRI, a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) program that improves understanding of geologic hazards, critical minerals, geothermal resources, and other subsurface resources across the country. Since its launch in 2019, Earth MRI has accelerated project timelines, reduced exploration risk, and lowered costs by making foundational geologic information publicly available. Current funding for Earth MRI is set to expire at the end of FY26.\n\nThe legislation would reauthorize Earth MRI for an additional five years at funding levels similar to those provided under IIJA. The bill would also expand the program to include geologic hydrogen, an emerging domestic energy resource that is attracting growing scientific and commercial interest.\n\nNext-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act (H.R.8790): S.4406 would establish Research and Development (R&D) Programs at the Department of Energy (DOE). These programs would ensure that existing programs are also available for the testing of these next-generation technologies, enhance the collaboration between DOE and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to locate ideal conditions for next-general geothermal energy production, and expand public-private partnerships by establishing a Next-Generation Geothermal Center of Excellence to advance enhanced geothermal energy technologies, including supercritical geothermal energy production.\n\nSecuring Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid Act (SECURE Grid Act): S. 4166 would empower states to more fully assess risks to their electric grids, from extreme weather to cyber threats and other vulnerabilities.\n\nEach year, states must submit a State Energy Security Plan (SESP) to receive funds from the State Energy Program, which are used to design, develop, and implement renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. The SECURE Grid Act would require future SESPs to account for additional threats and vulnerabilities, including supply chain dynamics, extreme weather, potential physical attacks on the grid, and the impact of growing energy demand.\n\nBy assessing these additional factors, states would be better able to recognize and respond to weaknesses in their energy infrastructure. The legislation would also require states to coordinate with suppliers of manufactured components and infrastructure to better understand and prepare for potential disruptions.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-and-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-increase-affordable-housing", "title": "Murkowski and Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Affordable Housing", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=1", "domain": "www.murkowski.senate.gov", "scraper": "murkowski", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001153", "name": "Lisa Murkowski", "party": "Republican", "state": "AK", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined Senators Angus King (I-ME) and John Curtis (R-UT) in introducing bipartisan legislation to increase affordable housing across the United States. The Build American Efficiency Act would streamline the process for home builders to determine and locate domestically sourced materials that comply with the Build America, Buy American Act (BABA). This small legislative step would help homebuilders cut costs and avoid bureaucracy as they work to address the national housing shortage.\n\nTo accomplish its goals, the Build American Efficiency Act would encourage the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to share industry-led initiatives to certify products and facilities that comply with BABA requirements. The BABA standards were passed in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.\n\n\"I'm committed to using every federal resource available to make building homes in Alaska more streamlined and affordable across the board,” said Senator Murkowski. “This legislation will help identify products that are made in America more easily, cutting through red tape to get more homes built with American-made materials around the country.”\n\n“Despite our country’s desperate need for additional affordable housing options, American homebuilders face steep costs and bureaucratic red tape,” said Senator King. “The Build American Efficiency Act would empower the Department of Housing and Urban Development to share information to help builders, manufacturers, and housing providers navigate complicated compliance requirements and identify verified American-made products. Eliminating this time-consuming and costly additional step for homebuilders will allow them to build more homes faster. It’s a three-page bill that amounts to a common-sense helping hand.”\n\n“Utah’s impressive growth has unfortunately brought with it the strain of rising housing costs—which has already been made worse by unnecessary federal red tape,” said Senator Curtis. “This bipartisan bill is a commonsense fix that makes it easier for builders to identify American-made materials, cut through bureaucracy, and get more affordable homes built faster.”\n\nMore specifically, the Build American Efficiency Act would:\n\nClarify that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development has the authority to recognize auditable and verifiable systems that document products that comply with Build America, Buy America domestic content requirements\n\nAllow HUD to treat documentation generated under the Make It American Process Standard, or similar standards that provide an auditable and verifiable certification process, as sufficient evidence for domestic content certification\n\nHelp manufacturers, builders, and funding recipients more easily determine which products comply with BABA requirements\n\nReduce time spent navigating waiver requests, duplicative paperwork, and uncertainty over which products have or have not been approved\n\nPreserve flexibility by ensuring the bill does not mandate the use of any one database or prohibit recipients from using other lawful methods to certify compliance.\n\nNationwide, the bill is supported by ABB, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Associated General Contractors, Eaton, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Inclusive Abundance Action, Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, National Association of Electrical Distributors, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Realtors, National Association of State Housing Agencies, National Electrical Contractors Association, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Prysmian, Schneider, Siemens, and Southwire.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-hawley-announce-breakthrough-bipartisan-legislation-to-force-ai-developers-to-prioritize-safety-or-face-prison-time", "title": "Murphy, Hawley Announce Breakthrough Bipartisan Legislation to Force AI Developers to Prioritize Safety or Face Prison Time", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.murphy.senate.gov", "scraper": "chrismurphy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001169", "name": "Christopher Murphy", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced bipartisan legislation to ensure artificial intelligence (AI) agent operators and developers are held liable for hacking incidents. AI agents are hacking into public websites, networks, and servers. This poses potentially dire consequences to anything connected online—including hospitals, utilities, banks, and other critical infrastructure.\n\n“Hacking is a crime, and when AI agents conduct dangerous cyberattacks, the corporations and executives responsible for those AI agents need to be held accountable,” said Senator Murphy. “Our bipartisan bill forces the heads of big AI companies to develop responsibly or face prison time for the damage done by their products to everyone else.”\n\n“These AI agents are committing cyberattacks. If Big Tech companies are going to design AI agents that wreak havoc, these companies better be on the hook for any damage that is caused,\" said Senator Hawley. \"That’s why I’m introducing legislation to ensure AI agent operators and developers are held liable for hacking incidents. With this liability regime in place, AI companies will have every incentive to keep their products safe.”\n\nThe bipartisan AI Agent Accountability Act would:\n\nHold AI Agent Operators Liable. AI agent operators would be held criminally and civilly liable under the provisions of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), including for knowing operation of an AI agent that recklessly causes computer hacking damage or loss.\n\nHold AI Developers Liable. AI agent developers would be held criminally and civilly liable for failure to implement reasonable safeguards against hacking when they knew or had reason to know of the AI agent’s hacking capabilities.\n\nEmpower AGs with Power to Enjoin AI Agent Hacking. The Attorney General and state attorneys general are granted power to sue to enjoin AI agent operators and developers when they commit, conspire to commit, or attempt to commit a hacking offense under the CFAA.\n\nSenator Murphy has been a leading voice in the U.S. Senate on the threat unregulated artificial intelligence poses to the cultural and economic health of the United States. In 2025, Murphy was honored in the TIME AI 100 as one of the most influential people shaping the conversation on artificial intelligence. This month, he joined the UN General Assembly to outline the path ahead for Congress to address Americans’ growing concerns around AI, including job loss, competition with China, and humanity losing control over the technology.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-applauds-ruling-to-reinstate-roger-rogoff-as-u-s-attorney-in-the-western-district-of-washington-state/", "title": "Murray Applauds Ruling to Reinstate Roger Rogoff as U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Washington State", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "ICYMI: Senator Patty Murray Statement on Pete Serrano’s Nomination for U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Washington\n\nICYMI: Senator Murray Slams Trump’s DOJ for Firing Lawfully Appointed and Highly Qualified U.S. Attorney for the Western District of WA\n\nWashington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement applauding news that U.S. District Court Judge Stanley Bastian granted a preliminary injunction and reinstated Roger Rogoff as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington state.\n\n“Trump fired a qualified, court-appointed U.S. attorney in under an hour simply because he didn’t pick him, and today a judge said what we all knew: that’s against the law. Today’s ruling is an important victory for the rule of law and the people in Western Washington who deserve a U.S. attorney that answers to the law, not Donald Trump.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-top-appropriators-introduce-bill-to-impose-significant-penalties-on-trump-admin-for-using-taxpayer-dollars-to-air-political-propaganda/", "title": "Murray, Top Appropriators Introduce Bill to Impose Significant Penalties on Trump Admin for Using Taxpayer Dollars to Air Political Propaganda", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Penalties for Propaganda Act cuts OMB’s budget by $20 million each instance taxpayer dollars are used for propaganda\n\nWashington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and top Senate appropriators introduced the Penalties for Propaganda Act, a bill to impose penalties on the Trump administration for breaking federal law and using taxpayer dollars to air government propaganda.\n\n“Not a cent of Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars should ever be used to run political ads glorifying the president. Clearly, this administration couldn’t care less about what the law says or about wasting Americans’ tax dollars on obscene ads. Congress cannot sit on its hands. If the president is going to defy federal law to run propaganda celebrating himself—and his budget director is going to allow it—there must be consequences,” said Senator Patty Murray. “This fair-minded bill hits White House Budget Director Vought’s operating budget each time this administration willfully violates our laws to spend federal funding on North Korea-style propaganda. It is not too much to expect the White House Budget Office to respect the law and the basic principle that tax dollars should not fund political ads. Democrats and Republicans alike have made clear that tax dollars shouldn’t be funding these ads, and I hope every one of my colleagues who agrees will support this bill and work with me to get it signed into law.”\n\nIn recent days, the Trump administration has spent at least $2.9 million in taxpayer funds airing several political ads celebrating Trump, according to AdImpact. Federal law prohibits taxpayer funding of political propaganda, including Section 718 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, which states that: “No part of any appropriation contained in the act or any other Act shall be used directly or indirectly, including through a private contractor, for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States not heretofore authorized by Congress.”\n\nThe Penalties for Propaganda Act imposes a new penalty for violating the anti-propaganda provision contained in federal law. The bill cuts the budget of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), headed by Director Russ Vought, by $20 million each time any part of the administration violates the law.\n\nIn addition to Senator Murray, original cosponsors of the legislation include: Senator Jack Reed, Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee; Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee; Senator Jeff Merkley, Ranking Member of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee; Senator Chris Coons, Ranking Member of the Defense Subcommittee; Senator Tammy Baldwin, Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee; Senator Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee; Senator Martin Heinrich, Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee; Senator Gary Peters, member of the Committee and Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.\n\nWhen the government-funded Trump ads first aired, Vice Chair Murray and Ranking Member Reed wrote to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles demanding the ads come off the air and reminding the White House of federal law. When the Committee became aware the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is bankrolling the ads, Vice Chair Murray and Senator Chris Murphy, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, wrote to Secretary Markwayne Mullin to demand DHS stop airing the ads and provide the Committee with all relevant information about the spending and contracts. DHS has so far failed to share this information.\n\nText of the legislation is available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/passed-murray-daines-floodplain-bill-passes-the-senate-cutting-red-tape-simplifying-pathway-for-ecosystem-restoration/", "title": "PASSED: Murray & Daines Floodplain Bill Passes the Senate, Cutting Red Tape, Simplifying Pathway for Ecosystem Restoration", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "ICYMI: Murray Floodplain Bill Picks Up Dozens of Key Endorsements, Momentum Grows as Commonsense Bipartisan Legislation Is Introduced in the House\n\nWashington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after Senate passage of her Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act—bipartisan legislation Senator Murray introduced with Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) last year. The Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act is a straightforward, commonsense bill that would create a new pathway for ecosystem restoration projects in floodplains that meet specific low-risk criteria—simplifying the approval process for important restoration work while still upholding flood safety standards.\n\nU.S. Representatives Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03), Troy Downing (R, MT-02), Janelle Bynum (D, OR-02), and Bryan Steil (R, WI-01), have introduced identical companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The Senate bill now needs to be passed out of the House before it can be signed into law.\n\n“This is great news for Washington state. We are one step closer to making it easier to get ecosystem restoration projects approved. This is a commonsense, zero-cost fix that will cut red tape and allow critical restoration projects in Washington state to move forward,” said Senator Murray. “Government should be making it easier to protect our environment, not harder. And here in Washington state, ensuring our waterways stay healthy is critical for not just our environment, but for our communities and economy as well. I urge my colleagues to waste no time in passing this legislation.”\n\n“This is huge news for Montana. Critical ecosystem restoration projects across our state have been abandoned due to FEMA’s onerous and costly ‘No Rise’ rule. This commonsense, bipartisan bill will reduce unnecessary burdens on important conservation and restoration work, while continuing to keep our communities safe from flooding, and I’m glad to see it pass the Senate. Next step: the U.S. House!” said Senator Daines.\n\nBackground on the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act:\n\nUnder current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) policy, any proposed development in a regulated floodway, whether it’s a shopping mall or salmon habitat, must prove that it will not increase the base flood elevation (BFE) of the area. This requirement is commonly referred to as the “No Rise” rule. While important for protecting communities from increased flood risks, it has had major unintended consequences on important environmental restoration in Washington state and across the country.\n\nIn Washington state, many salmon habitat restoration projects involve placing woody debris in rivers and streams to slow water flows and create sheltered areas where juvenile salmon can develop. These projects, and many others, often fail the “No Rise” rule. Currently, the only way to address these impacts is to first update FEMA’s flood maps to account for the projected BFE impacts. This requires extensive and very expensive hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, often performed by a third-party engineer. FEMA then reviews the analyses, replicates them, and approves them internally before giving the okay to move forward, which can take several years to complete. While this process often makes sense in an urbanized, flood-prone community, it is an unnecessary exercise for restoration in rural areas.\n\nMany communities in Washington state have avoided doing restoration work in regulated floodways—which makes up much of the state—to avoid the associated costs. This bill would create a more efficient process for ecosystem restoration in regulated floodways while addressing the “No Rise” issue, which has been a priority concern for Tribal communities and conservation advocates in Washington and across the country.\n\nThe following organizations have endorsed Senator Murray and Daines’ Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act: Smarter Safer Coalition; American Rivers; Association of State Floodplain Managers; National Association of Conservation Districts; The Nature Conservancy; Trout Unlimited; Bonneville Environmental Foundation; City of Kenmore; City of Sammamish; City of Seattle; Seattle Public Utilities; Environmental Policy Innovation Center; Environmental Science Center; Island County; King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks; Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe; Montana Trout Unlimited; National Wildlife Federation; Puget Sound Partnership; Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council; River Alliance of Wisconsin; Southern Environmental Law Center; Upper Deschutes Watershed Council; Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; Wild Salmon Center; Wisconsin Council of Trout Unlimited; Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association; Wisconsin Wetlands Association; WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council (Lake Sammamish, Lake Washington, Cedar River Watersheds); City of Shoreline; Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust; Rock River Coalition; and Clean Wisconsin.\n\n“The Puget Sound Partnership is delighted to see the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act pass the Senate. This legislation is a tremendous step towards accelerating the pace and scale of restoration in Puget Sound and around the country. For too long, critical salmon habitat restoration projects that had no impact on human infrastructure were obligated to complete the same costly hydraulic and hydrologic analyses as subdivisions and strip malls—a process that caused years of delay and millions of dollars of cost increases. Thanks to Senator Murray’s leadership and persistence, this bill will provide local governments with the flexibility they need to get restoration projects done faster and more cheaply. On to the House!” said Mindy Roberts, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership.\n\n“Healthier floodplains are a win-win for people and nature. They can reduce flood risks, improve water quality and provide important habitat for fish and other wildlife,” said Cameron Adams, Policy Advisor for The Nature Conservancy. “The Nature Conservancy applauds the Senate for passing the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act, which will give communities the flexibility they want and need to scale up science-backed floodplain restoration. We commend Senators Murray and Daines for their attention to this critical issue and strongly support the full passage of FERA into law.”\n\n“In the face of extreme weather and increasing pressures on our nation’s rivers, we need to maximize investments in natural infrastructure and streamline projects that strengthen community resilience, protect public health, and keep our rivers healthy,” said Eileen Shader, Senior Advisor for American Rivers Action Fund. “The Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act is a smart, common-sense step forward to ensuring the regulatory process is efficient and cost-effective. We commend the bipartisan leadership of Senators Murray and Daines advancing this bill and urge the House to take action to pass the bill before the end of the 119th Congress.”\n\nSenator Murray has been a champion for protecting and strengthening critical salmon and fish populations throughout her time in the Senate. Senator Murray secured a historic $2.85 billion investment in salmon and ecosystem restoration programs—including $400 million for a new community-based restoration program focused on removing fish passage barriers in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—and in the Inflation Reduction Act, Murray secured hundreds of millions for Washington state priorities including $15 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, $3 million to support facilities at the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, $27 million for Pacific salmon research, and more.\n\nAs Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murray has protected critical funding for salmon recovery projects in the Fiscal Year 2026 government spending bills she negotiated and passed into law, including: $75.75 million for the Pacific Salmon account at the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a $750,000 increase over FY25 funding levels; $27.5 million for Mitchell Act salmon hatcheries, a $4 million increase, to help raise salmon and steelhead for release in the Columbia River Basin for harvest and conservation purposes; $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, which the Trump administration proposed eliminating this program altogether in their budget request; $28 million in NOAA construction funds for critical improvements and upgrades at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle; $1 million for the Northwest Straits Initiative; $1.5 million for management, intervention, and mitigation of invasive European Green Crab, and more.\n\nThe text of the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act is available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-reintroduces-jeanette-acosta-invest-in-womens-health-act-to-increase-access-to-life-saving-cancer-screenings/", "title": "Senator Murray Reintroduces Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act to Increase Access to Life-Saving Cancer Screenings", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, reintroduced the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act, legislation that would increase the availability of preventive, life-saving cancer screenings at safety net health care providers like Planned Parenthood. The bill would create new grant and pilot programs to expand access to preventive services and screenings for breast and gynecological cancers—especially for low-income women and women of color—and train health care providers in providing high-quality cancer screening, early detection, and follow-up care.\n\nJeanette Acosta was a fierce women’s health advocate, a former congressional staffer, and a White House intern in the Obama administration. In 2017, she lost her battle with cervical cancer at the age of 32.\n\n“I’m proud to reintroduce the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act in honor of Jeanette Acosta, a fierce advocate who fought to make sure every woman could get the health care she needs,” said Senator Murray. “Too many women suffer preventable deaths because they didn’t have access to the cancer screenings that would have detected their condition early on. That is an unacceptable tragedy. We know that early detection saves lives—not to mention health care costs—and investing in preventive services to help more women get treatment before it’s too late is just common sense. I’m not going to stop fighting to pass this crucial piece of legislation in Jeanette’s memory.”\n\n“It is an honor that the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act of 2026 is in our daughter’s name. Over eight years ago cervical cancer took the life of our precious and valiant daughter, Jeanette. At the young age of 32, after one year of battling her cancer and suffering incomparable pain and extensive treatment, Jeanette died from her advanced cancer. Jeanette prayed that women be spared from the agony of cervical cancer, and this bill would help to achieve her hope for many women” said Frank X. Acosta, Ph.D., Jeanette Acosta’s father. “This bill will have a lasting and positive national impact in the fight against cancers that afflict women. During her own fight with cancer, Jeanette reached out and provided support and encouragement to other women coping with cancer. She also emphasized the importance of prevention against the onset of cervical cancer. Jeanette, always a warrior for social justice, wanted to shine a light on the disparities to access to prevention and cancer health services for low-income, Latina, and Black women. This bill would brightly illuminate and help to close the gap between cancer prevention and health services and the countless women who have not and may not be able to access these services. Jeanette would adamantly support this bill.”\n\n“Early detection and preventive care saves lives, and everyone deserves access to these critical health services. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is grateful to Sen. Murray for continuing to honor the legacy of former Planned Parenthood patient and health care advocate Jeanette Acosta, who worked to ensure more people can get the care they need,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “The Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act is an important step to increase access to life-saving breast and gynecological cancer screenings, particularly for Black, Indigenous and Latina women who face longstanding barriers to care. We are proud of the over 500 Planned Parenthood health centers providing these essential health services to patients.”\n\nThe bill is co-sponsored by: Senators Alsobrooks (D-MD), Baldwin (D-WI), Blumenthal (D-CT), Booker (D-NJ), Duckworth (D-IL), Gallego (D-AZ), Gillibrand (D-NY), Klobuchar (D-MN), Merkley (D-OR), Rosen (D-NV), Schiff (D-CA), Shaheen (D-NH), Van Hollen (D-MD), Whitehouse (D-RI), and Wyden (D-OR).\n\nThe bill is endorsed by: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Human Rights Watch, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.\n\nRead the full text of the legislation HERE.\n\n###\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/news-u-s-senate-passes-sen-ossoffs-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-emergency-alerts-heads-to-presidents-desk-to-become-law/", "title": "NEWS: U.S. Senate Passes Sen. Ossoff’s Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Emergency Alerts; Heads to President’s Desk to Become Law", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.ossoff.senate.gov", "scraper": "ossoff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000174", "name": "Jon Ossoff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s bipartisan bill to strengthen emergency alerts during natural disasters has passed the Senate.\n\nLast night, the U.S. Senate passed Sens. Ossoff and John Cornyn (R-TX)’s bipartisan Mystic Alerts Act to improve distribution of wireless emergency alerts (WEA). The Senate unanimously passed H.R. 7022, the House version of their bill.\n\nThe bill previously passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the President’s desk to become law.\n\nIn August, Sens. Ossoff and Cornyn introduced the bipartisan bill to enable emergency alerts to be delivered via satellite communications technologies when other systems fail during emergencies, including natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.\n\nThe bipartisan bill comes after last year’s devastating flood in Central Texas that killed over 100 people, where it was later reported residents did not receive emergency alerts after cellular infrastructure was damaged.\n\n“When storms, disasters, or threats to public safety threaten our state, crisis management is key. Our bipartisan bill will help upgrade America’s emergency alert systems to keep Georgia families safe and informed,” Sen. Ossoff said.\n\n“More than 130 people were tragically killed in the July 4th floods that ravaged Central Texas last year, many of whom did not receive emergency alerts due to compromised cellular networks that were knocked out by the storm,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bill will address this technology shortfall and honor the memory of those lost by ensuring Texans and all Americans can receive wireless emergency alerts on their mobile devices via satellite even when disaster strikes, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law soon.”\n\nSen. Ossoff continues working to strengthen public safety.\n\nThis year, Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver $175,000 in Federal funding to help upgrade the Spalding County Sheriff Office’s helicopter rescue infrastructure after the County experienced difficulties in emergency response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock brought Republicans and Democrats together to help establish a central law enforcement command center in Norcross.\n\nAlso, this year, Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver $1,031,000 in Federal funding to help the Conyers Police Department strengthen emergency response efforts by purchasing new portable radios and a Mobile Command Vehicle.\n\nIn 2023, Sen. Ossoff delivered new resources through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to construct a new hurricane and tornado safe room on Tybee Island, providing a safe area for emergency personnel who must remain on the Island during hurricanes and other disaster situations.\n\nClick here to read the Mystic Alerts Act.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-carbajal-introduce-legislation-to-investigate-toxic-waste-dump-off-california-coast/", "title": "Padilla, Carbajal Introduce Legislation to Investigate Toxic Waste Dump Off California Coast", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24) introduced the Ocean Protection and DDT Reduction Act, new legislation aimed at addressing the toxic industrial waste and pesticide pollution dumped off the Southern California coast.\n\nDDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) is a synthetic pesticide that was widely used in the United States beginning in the 1940s to control agricultural pests and disease-carrying insects. In 1972, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned most uses of DDT in the United States because of its adverse environmental effects and potential risks to human health.\n\nFor decades, industrial waste — including the pesticide DDT — was disposed of in ocean dump sites off California’s coast, particularly in the San Pedro Basin. The Ocean Protection and DDT Reduction Act establishes a structured federal study to assess the damage to the local marine ecosystem and develop comprehensive solutions to clean up the waste.\n\n“Our communities deserve to know what’s in the water off of the coast of San Pedro and what it means for our health, our fisheries, and our future. By putting NOAA’s scientists and our leading research institutions to work mapping the contamination, tracking how it moves, and exploring cleanup through bioremediation, we can finally address this problem head-on,” said Senator Padilla.\n\n“The San Pedro Basin has long been the site of an underwater toxic waste dump. This toxic waste – which includes the pesticide DDT – has been very harmful to the health of local marine life and poses a risk to people who live and work near these waters,” said Representative Carbajal. “As the representative of California’s Central Coast, I know firsthand how much our communities depend on a healthy ocean – from our fishermen and maritime workers to our tourism and coastal economies. We have a responsibility to protect these waters. I thank Senator Alex Padilla for joining me in introducing this bill as a first step in fixing this environmental tragedy.”\n\nRecent studies have revealed tens of thousands of barrels of DDT and hazardous waste off Southern California, posing potential risks to marine life, fisheries, and public health. For decades, no federal agency has taken responsibility for assessing these dump sites. The Ocean Protection and DDT Reduction Act would provide the federal coordination and scientific investment needed to address this issue.\n\n“For decades we used the ocean as a dumping ground for all manner of wastes including deeply-concerning industrial byproducts from DDT manufacturing. This proposed legislation takes an important step to address fundamental issues around the disposition, impacts and remediation options for those wastes. While California may be ground zero for this issue, the legislation provides a needed path to take lessons learned off California’s coast and apply them to waste disposal sites that occur along all our Nation’s coastlines,” said David Valentine, Norris Chair and Distinguished Professor of Earth and Marine Science at UCSB.\n\nSpecifically, the bill would:\n\nDirect the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to monitor waste sites in the San Pedro Basin;\n\nStudy how toxic chemicals like DDT spread into the ocean food web; and\n\nBuild scientific tools to track ocean dumping.\n\nNOAA, in coordination with the EPA and Department of Defense, may award grants to academic and research institutions to study:\n\nSpatial mapping of contamination\n\nCo-contaminants and chemical mixtures\n\nMovement, fate, and breakdown processes\n\nBioaccumulation and biomagnification in ecosystems\n\nThe bill also authorizes $6 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2032 to carry out these critical activities.\n\nPadilla has been a strong advocate of protecting California’s coast. Last month, he led House and Senate colleagues in filing an amicus brief challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to restart the Sable oil pipeline off the Santa Barbara coast. In June, Padilla and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced legislation to establish strict standards for offshore oil and gas operators and set requirements to hold them responsible for decommissioning and cleanup efforts off the coast. In April, Padilla pressed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, highlighting that the Trump Administration’s plans to drill off of California’s coast coupled with proposed cuts to funding for environmental programs and enforcement will endanger the coastline, the people who live there, and coastal economies.\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-joins-cortez-masto-wyden-durbin-in-demanding-trump-administration-abandon-proposed-plan-to-strip-tax-credits-from-700000-taxpayers/", "title": "Padilla Joins Cortez Masto, Wyden, Durbin in Demanding Trump Administration Abandon Proposed Plan to Strip Tax Credits from 700,000 Taxpayers", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in demanding the Trump Administration withdraw a proposed rule that would prevent up to 700,000 Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients and other tax-paying immigrants from claiming tax credits they are eligible for.\n\nThe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of the Treasury are proposing a rule change that would prevent hundreds of thousands of taxpayers from claiming the Adoption Tax Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. DACA and TPS recipients have been lawfully filing their taxes and claiming these credits for decades. In their letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS CEO Frank Bisignano, the Senators expressed concern over the proposed rule.\n\n“According to your own estimates, the proposed rule change could affect up to 700,000 taxpayers,” wrote the Senators. “This would include more than 300,000 individuals living in households with a DACA recipient, two-thirds of whom are U.S. citizens and who have, on average, lived in the United States for over 28 years. The practical effect of these new regulations would be to deny tax credits to immigrants who are legally eligible for them and lawfully present in our country, and to create a byzantine and unworkable system for both tax preparers and taxpayers.”\n\n“The Administration has no legal authority to change congressionally enacted tax law via regulation…” the Senators continued. “Since the passage of PRWORA in 1996, no federal agency has interpreted refundable tax credits as federal public benefits restricted to qualified immigrants. If Congress intended for refundable tax credits to be treated as federal public benefits, it has had over 30 years to clarify the statute.”\n\n“The proposed rule is clear regulatory overreach that would have disastrous impacts for lawfully present immigrants and their families who are legally eligible for refundable tax credits,” concluded the Senators.\n\nIn addition to Padilla, Cortez Masto, Wyden, and Durbin, the letter was signed by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Patty Murray (D-Wash.)\n\nLast year, during consideration of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Padilla filed amendments related to restoring eligibility for the child tax credit to all taxpayers and to removing social security number requirements for various tax credits and benefits discussed in the letter. In July, Padilla and Cortez Masto led their colleagues in filing a bicameral amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to uphold a lower court’s order blocking ICE from using — or even viewing — tens of thousands of taxpayers’ addresses found to be illegally obtained from the IRS. Padilla and Durbin also sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin urging them to halt improper $1.8 million fines on law-abiding immigrants. In June, Padilla and Durbin led over 50 colleagues in objecting to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)’s recent decision to weaken legal protections for DACA recipients.\n\nFull letter is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-schiff-press-big-tech-ceos-on-social-media-platforms-efforts-to-combat-election-disinformation/", "title": "Padilla, Schiff Press Big Tech CEOs on Social Media Platforms’ Efforts to Combat Election Disinformation", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and Adam Schiff (both-D-Calif.), pressed the top executives of the largest social media companies about their plans to combat misinformation and disinformation on their platforms ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.\n\n“Today, election mis and disinformation remains a serious danger to American democracy and Americans’ right to vote, even more so because of the Trump Administration’s sustained efforts to diminish the public’s trust in elections across the county, including California,” wrote the Senators. “Nowhere is that more clear than in the Administration’s efforts to influence and deter mail-in voting… As a result, Congress must conduct rigorous oversight over dangerous election mis and disinformation propagated via social media, as we consider investigations and legislation to remedy it and prevent it from happening in current and future elections.”\n\nIn their inquiry, the Senators detailed how the Trump Administration’s efforts to sow mistrust in the upcoming elections and advances in artificial intelligence are creating new opportunities for large-scale election mis- and disinformation. The Senators highlighted the need for social media companies to do their part to protect election integrity. They also emphasized that in recent years, the companies have continued to retreat from the responsibility of ensuring that information online is accurate.\n\n“We take our constitutional duty to protect shared democratic principles seriously. Your thorough and prompt responses to these inquiries are required for these efforts, as they will inform our work on legislative solutions to strengthen federal elections and combat large-scale mis and disinformation,” continued the Senators. “Platforms that condone, support, or advance efforts to disenfranchise U.S. voters will be scrutinized and held accountable, including through oversight and potential legislation.”\n\nThe Senators demanded answers about the companies’ policies to identify and respond to election mis- and disinformation, what actions they will be taking for the 2026 midterm elections, including the steps they will take to ensure that the Supreme Court’s mail-in ballot ruling is not subject to mis- and disinformation campaigns that undermine the integrity of mail-in voting, and whether they’ve received requests from the Trump Administration relating to election security. They also requested that the companies preserve all records and communications related to their demands on an ongoing basis.\n\nThe inquiry was sent to xAI’s CEO Elon Musk, Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai, TikTok’s CEO Adam Presser, Snap, Inc.’s CEO Evan Spiegel, YouTube’s CEO Neal Mohan, Meta Platform’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri.\n\nAs Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight over federal elections and California’s former Secretary of State, Padilla has been a vocal leader in protecting our elections amid the Trump Administration’s election interference efforts. Last month, Padilla and Congressman Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.-25), Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee, demanded the Trump Administration immediately restore funding to the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC), which helps state and local election officials protect federal elections from cybersecurity threats and election mis- and disinformation campaigns. In August, Padilla and Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) called for prediction market companies to take immediate action to protect election integrity and end relationships with paid influencers on their platforms spreading election disinformation.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Mr. Musk, Mr. Presser, Mr. Mohan, Mr. Mosseri, Mr. Pichai, Mr. Spiegel, and Mr. Zuckerberg:\n\nWe are writing to seek information regarding your plans to combat misinformation and disinformation on your social media platforms during the 2026 midterm elections. As you know, the Supreme Court recently rejected mail ballot restrictions proposed by the Trump Administration. This is now the law of the land, and it is your responsibility to ensure that widespread mis and disinformation about our electoral system does not take hold on your platforms.\n\nIn 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, we led members of Congress in writing to your companies regarding the spread of mis and disinformation on your platforms leading up to the 2024 elections. Despite the ongoing spread of false and misleading content on social media sites, your companies have for years “retreated from some of [your] past commitments to promote election integrity.”\n\nToday, election mis and disinformation remains a serious danger to American democracy and Americans’ right to vote, even more so because of the Trump Administration’s sustained efforts to diminish the public’s trust in elections across the county, including California. Nowhere is that more clear than in the Administration’s efforts to influence and deter mail-in voting. For example, on September 15, 2026, President Trump reacted angrily to the Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision with a false claim that mail-in voting is “totally corrupt and out of control.” President Trump even criticized his own Supreme Court nominees for supposedly “mak[ing] cheating by Radical Left [Democrats], on Mail-In Ballots, a much easier thing to do.”6 As a result, Congress must conduct rigorous oversight over dangerous election mis and disinformation propagated via social media, as we consider investigations and legislation to remedy it and prevent it from happening in current and future elections.\n\nPresident Trump’s self-serving partisan attacks are not the only new challenge to election integrity. Advances in artificial intelligence and chatbots are creating new opportunities for large-scale election mis and disinformation by both foreign and domestic actors. To be sure, addressing false information about the process of voting is entirely different than censoring a point of view. For example, using social media to tell citizens that Election Day is on Wednesday or that mail-in ballots are illegal is simply election interference. Meanwhile, your companies have continued to retreat from the responsibility of ensuring that information online is accurate. Under the circumstances, Congress has no choice but to carefully scrutinize how social media platforms respond to large-scale election mis and disinformation, both before and after the 2026 midterm elections, which are already underway.\n\nCongress’s Constitutional power to conduct investigations stands on equal footing with its authority to legislate and appropriate. To that end, please provide by October 15, 2026, a detailed written response regarding your company’s current policies to identify and respond to election mis and disinformation and what actions you will be taking for the 2026 midterm elections, along with written answers to the following questions:\n\nWhat steps are you taking to ensure that the Supreme Court’s clear ruling that state’s mail-in ballot procedures must not be disturbed for the November 2026 midterm elections is not subject to mis and disinformation campaigns that undermine the integrity of mail-in voting? For example, if a campaign alleges that mail-in voting is not permitted in California for the November 2026 midterm elections, how will you ensure that false statement is addressed?\n\nHas your company received any communications from the Trump Administration related to election security or the United States Postal Service’s procedures for mail-in ballots? If so, what instructions or requests did you receive, and how have you engaged with them?\n\nDo you currently have any plans to change your election integrity policies between now and Election Day 2026 (November 3, 2026)? If so, please describe the changes and the reasoning for any particular change.\n\nHow will your company address mis and disinformation made by political actors, verified accounts, or synthetic accounts, and how will they be treated differently, if at all, compared to ordinary users?\n\nWhat are your companies’ plans for keeping Congress fully informed about mis and disinformation campaigns and potential changes in your companies’ election integrity policies?\n\nThese records are needed for the U.S. Senate to exercise its essential oversight and legislative functions. We further request that you preserve all records and communications relating to the topics addressed in this letter, from January 1, 2025, to the present and continue preserving such materials on an ongoing basis. This preservation hold applies to all relevant records within your possession and any person or entity representing or purporting to be acting on your behalf. This includes, but is not limited to, records and communications via email, whether official or personal; mobile devices; encrypted or disappearing messaging applications; social media; calendar entries; meeting notes; and voicemail and text messages. To the extent that you use any auto-delete functions, you should immediately suspend auto-delete functions and notify persons with control over potentially relevant records of similar preservation obligations.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter. We take our constitutional duty to protect shared democratic principles seriously. Your thorough and prompt responses to these inquiries are required for these efforts, as they will inform our work on legislative solutions to strengthen federal elections and combat large-scale mis and disinformation. Platforms that condone, support, or advance efforts to disenfranchise U.S. voters will be scrutinized and held accountable, including through oversight and potential legislation. We look forward to your prompt response, including a written confirmation that you are preserving all records related to this congressional inquiry.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-unanimously-passes-bipartisan-padilla-schiff-bill-to-support-over-500-acres-of-tribal-land-management/", "title": "Senate Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Padilla, Schiff Bill to Support Over 500 Acres of Tribal Land Management", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-Calif.) Pit River Land Transfer Act, a bicameral and bipartisan bill to promote Tribal management of over 500 acres of land in California by transferring federal land to the Pit River Tribe. Padilla introduced the legislation with Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) last year to protect Tribal communities and local environment in surrounding regions.\n\nThe Senate passed an amended version of the late Representative Doug LaMalfa’s (R-Calif.-01) companion bill, which now heads back to the House of Representatives for a final vote.\n\n“Senseless conflict and bureaucratic barriers have kept California Tribes from managing their ancestral lands, and it’s past time we take action to help Tribes protect their communities and local environment,” said Senator Padilla. “I am grateful that the Senate unanimously passed this critical bill. We’re another step closer to ensuring the Pit River Tribe can steward the land they have inhabited for countless generations.”\n\n“I am proud to see our legislation to help the Pit River Tribe restore their ancestral homelands and promote Tribal sovereignty pass the Senate,” said Senator Schiff. “This bill will help the Pit River Tribe manage the Four Corners site as their ancestors did.”\n\nThe Pit River Tribe consist of 11 autonomous bands traditionally inhabiting the area surrounding the Pit River and its tributaries. They are known for their deep spiritual connection to the land, with a rich cultural heritage centered around fishing, hunting, and seasonal gatherings.\n\nThis bill would transfer 557 acres of federal land administered by the United States Forest Service to the Secretary of the Interior to be held in trust for the Pit River Tribe. The Tribe has been actively trying to acquire this land through various governmental processes for over a decade. However, they have experienced a series of delays that have added years to the process.\n\nThe proposed land to be transferred is known as the Four Corners Property, located in Shasta County. The Tribe has strong cultural and historical connections to the Four Corners, and they view it as a central landmark of their ancestral lands. In October 1970, members of the Tribe erected a Quonset hut on the Four Corners, staking a peaceful, yet firm claim. That month, over 100 sheriff’s deputies, federal marshals, and forest rangers ordered the occupants to evacuate the property, which eventually resulted in violence and the hospitalization of several Tribal members.\n\nPadilla is a strong advocate for restoring Tribal ownership of ancestral lands. In July, Padilla testified at a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing to advocate for critical water investments for California Tribes. In 2024, the Senate passed Padilla’s Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act, which established over 170 acres as trust lands for the benefit of the Jamul Tribe. Under the Biden Administration, a series of Padilla’s bills to restore Tribal stewardship of sacred lands and ensure federal land management laws respected Tribal sovereignty were signed into law. The package included laws to take more than 2,500 acres of land in the San Jacinto Mountains into trust for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and to place roughly 1,000 acres of federal land located in Humboldt and Siskiyou counties into trust for the Karuk Tribe.\n\nFull text of the Pit River Land Transfer Act is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-peters-and-cornyn-bipartisan-legislation-to-protect-commercial-satellites-from-cybersecurity-threats", "title": "Senate Passes Peters and Cornyn Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Commercial Satellites from Cybersecurity Threats", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.peters.senate.gov", "scraper": "garypeters", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000595", "name": "Gary C. Peters", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC — Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) to help commercial satellite owners and operators defend against growing cybersecurity threats has passed in the Senate. Commercial satellites support GPS navigation, weather forecasts, agriculture, scientific research, global communications, and more. The senators’ Satellite Cybersecurity Act of 2025 would help secure these critical satellites against attacks by hackers, foreign adversaries, and cybercriminals that could cause serious disruptions to our economic and national security. The legislation now heads to the House for consideration.\n\n“Commercial satellites are essential to our national security, our economy, and the daily lives of Americans, so we must ensure they are not vulnerable to attacks from cybercriminals and foreign adversaries,” said Senator Peters. “I'm glad that this bipartisan, commonsense legislation has passed the Senate. It’s critically important that the U.S. businesses utilizing commercial satellites receive the support and resources needed to safeguard their satellite systems, especially as cybersecurity threats become more advanced.”\n\n“This legislation would ensure commercial satellite networks are secure against cyber threats and bad actors, and I look forward to it passing the House and heading to the President’s desk soon,” said Senator Cornyn.\n\nThe rise of small, affordable satellites has led to a sharp increase in the number of commercial satellites in orbit, but this proliferation has created new risks. Many satellites transmit sensitive data without adequate safeguards, leaving them vulnerable to interception and cyberattacks. Recent studies showed that roughly half of surveyed satellite signals were unencrypted despite the sensitive information or private data they carried.\n\nThe Satellite Cybersecurity Act of 2025 requires the Department of Commerce, in coordination with other federal agencies, to develop voluntary cybersecurity recommendations tailored to satellites. It directs the Department of Commerce to create a publicly available online clearinghouse so companies can easily access best practices and information to secure their systems. The legislation also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine efforts to secure commercial satellites from cybersecurity threats, identify any duplication of effort, and assess how satellite systems integrate into critical infrastructure sectors.\n\nThe legislation is supported by the Satellite Industry Association and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI).\n\nPeters continues to lead efforts to ensure our nation is equipped to defend against cyberattacks. Peters’ historic, bipartisan provision to require critical infrastructure owners and operators to report if they experience a substantial cyberattack, or if they make a ransomware payment, was signed into law. Peters’ bipartisan bills to enhance cybersecurity assistance to K-12 educational institutions, bolster cybersecurity for state and local governments, strengthen the federal cybersecurity workforce, and help secure federal information technology supply chains have also been signed into law.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-colleagues-to-blanche-investigate-communist-chinas-criminal-marijuana-organizations/", "title": "Ricketts, Colleagues to Blanche: Investigate Communist China’s Criminal Marijuana Organizations", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=", "domain": "www.ricketts.senate.gov", "scraper": "ricketts", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000618", "name": "Pete Ricketts", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) joined fellow Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Ted Budd (R-NC), in sending a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche.The infiltration of Chinese criminal networks into American farmland is a national security threat. These illegal marijuana grow operations serve as gateways to drug and human trafficking. The letter requests an investigation into Communist China’s criminal organizations operating illegal cannabis and intoxicating-hemp enterprises that threaten the health and safety of Nebraskans.\n\nIn part, the Senators wrote:\n\n“We write requesting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate the growing role of Chinese transnational criminal organizations in America’s cannabis and intoxicating-hemp markets. Recent reporting and investigations suggest Chinese criminal networks are exploiting vulnerabilities in federal law to operate expansive illicit drug enterprises that threaten our communities and national security.”\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nDear Attorney General Blanche:\n\nWe write requesting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate the growing role of Chinese transnational criminal organizations in America’s cannabis and intoxicating-hemp markets. Recent reporting and investigations suggest Chinese criminal networks are exploiting vulnerabilities in federal law to operate expansive illicit drug enterprises that threaten our communities and national security.\n\nThe Drug Enforcement Administration’s 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment found that Chinese transnational criminal organizations dominate marijuana cultivation and distribution in the United States, especially in states with legal cannabis markets. These organizations purchase and lease American land for illegal grow operations, traffic foreign workers, and use toxic pesticides and fertilizers shipped from China, including chemicals banned in the United States. The scale and complexity of these networks make them difficult to track and raise concerns about what other illicit or synthetic products they may be introducing into the U.S. market.\n\nLast year, seven Chinese nationals were charged with running grow houses, smuggling workers from China, and laundering millions of dollars in proceeds. In April 2026, 29 Chinese nationals were charged in a nationwide black-market marijuana operation centered in Oklahoma. Most recently, local authorities in Siskiyou County, California detailed a sprawling system of industrial-scale illegal grows, many of which are run by Chinese nationals. The growers have been linked to human trafficking, violent crime, and toxic foreign pesticides. But their scale and a “shell game” of property records have complicated efforts to dismantle them.\n\nCongress has recognized the need to address vulnerabilities in this market, including closing gaps in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed unregulated intoxicating hemp and THC products to proliferate. These reforms are set to take effect on December 11, 2026. Leaving the loophole unaddressed would give these networks additional time to flood American commerce with synthetic products. This would also further entrench their operations on American soil, fund their enterprises with illicit revenue, and expose consumers to unregulated, dangerous synthetic products masquerading as legal hemp.\n\nWhile this will address harmful products currently in the market, questions remain about who is financing and supporting these organizations operating within the industry. We therefore request that the DOJ fully investigate these criminal networks, including their financing, land usage, chemical imports, and any connections to the Chinese Communist Party.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2026/10/sen-rick-scott-introduces-bills-to-protect-the-u-s-stock-market-from-communist-chinese-military-companies", "title": "Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Bills to Protect the U.S. Stock Market from Communist Chinese Military Companies", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "page_html", "source": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.rickscott.senate.gov", "scraper": "rickscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001217", "name": "Rick Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rick Scott introduced two bills directing the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to identify and suspend Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military companies from trading on U.S. exchanges.\n\nThe bills, known as the Know Your Sanctioned Securities Act and the Protecting U.S. Investors from Chinese Military Companies Act, would publicize Communist China-tied companies and bar these companies from being publicly traded on American exchanges.\n\nSenator Rick Scott said, “Communist China’s military companies want to use U.S. markets and exchanges to fund the CCP’s efforts to attack our way of life using dollars from American investors. We can’t let that happen. Communist China has chosen to be our enemy and it’s time for Congress to act by passing these bills to protect Americans from funding an adversary which wishes to destroy us.”\n\nThe Know Your Sanctioned Securities Act:\n\nDirects the SEC to attach a ticker modifier \"CMC\" (Chinese Military Company) to securities of companies identified by the Department of War as supporting Communist China’s military.\n\nMandates the SEC establish rules for removal of the modifier if an entity is delisted.\n\nThe Protecting U.S. Investors from Chinese Military Companies Act establishes:\n\nMandatory Trading Suspension: Within 10 days of a U.S. Department of War Section 1260H list revision, the SEC must indefinitely suspend trading of securities for any Chinese military company that remains on the list across two consecutive annual revisions.\n\nOFAC Exception and Congressional Notice: If the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury (OFAC) adds a covered company to its Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex (CMIC) Companies List, the SEC must notify relevant congressional committees within 10 days that it won’t take action due to that company’s presence on Treasury’s Non-SDN CMIC list.\n\nSEC Authority Limitations: The SEC is restricted to issuing regulations strictly necessary to implement suspensions and notifications, and is explicitly barred from determining list criteria, expanding trading prohibitions beyond the statute, or regulating unrelated entities and transactions.\n\nBoth bills are endorsed by Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) and the American Securities Association (ASA).\n\nJon Toomey, President of CPA, said, \"American retirees should never be funding Communist China's military. Senator Scott's bills are critical to ensuring investors know what they own and keeping U.S. savings out of the People’s Liberation Army’s hands. CPA salutes Senator Scott for putting American investors first.\"\n\nChris Iacovella, American Securities Association President and CEO, said, \"ASA applauds Senator Scott for prioritizing America's economic and national security by holding Communist China accountable. When the Pentagon designates a company as a Chinese military company, that company has no business raising capital from American working families, savers, and retirees. These CCP-controlled firms have traded freely on U.S. exchanges for years despite those designations — that's not a procedural gap, it's a strategic failure that Senator Scott's bills fix.\"\n\nBill text for The Protecting U.S. Investors from Chinese Military Companies Act can be found HERE.\n\nBill text for The Know Your Sanctioned Securities Act can be found HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2026/10/sens-rick-scott-jacky-rosen-resolution-remembering-americans-murdered-by-hamas-in-october-7th-terrorist-attacks-unanimously-passes-senate", "title": "Sens. Rick Scott, Jacky Rosen Resolution Remembering Americans Murdered by Hamas in October 7th Terrorist Attacks Unanimously Passes Senate", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "page_html", "source": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.rickscott.senate.gov", "scraper": "rickscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001217", "name": "Rick Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Jacky Rosen’s resolution to honor the innocent Americans murdered and taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on and after October 7th, 2023, and “reaffirm the commitment of the United States to seek legal justice on behalf of their families,” unanimously passed the U.S. Senate.\n\nDuring the October 7th attacks, Hamas terrorists deliberately targeted and murdered more than one thousand innocent people, including at least 46 Americans, in Israel. Among their civilian targets were women, infant children, and the elderly in their homes. The terrorists also took 251 hostages, including 12 Americans, some of whom were held and tortured for more than a year.\n\nSenator Rick Scott said, “Three years ago, the world watched in horror as Hamas terrorists massacred innocent civilians, including American citizens. Families were torn apart, communities were decimated, and innocents, including babies and young children, were barbarically murdered. Americans were among the victims. There is no moral gray area here; Hamas is evil. Our country must protect our people and has a duty to secure justice for them. I was proud to work with Senator Rosen to honor the Americans whose lives were unjustly taken from them and the hostages who will spend the rest of their lives scarred by that tragic day.”\n\nSenator Jacky Rosen said, “It is our responsibility to make sure the world never forgets the unspeakable violence carried out by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 – the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. I introduced this bipartisan resolution to honor the Americans who were killed on that day and those taken hostage by Hamas. It also honors the hostages’ families, who demonstrated remarkable courage during a time of intense grief and anxiety by being steadfast and fierce advocates for the return of their loved ones. Today, nearly three years after the horror of October 7, we mark this tragic date and reaffirm our commitment to supporting the American victims and their families and all those held hostage around the world.”\n\nFull text of the resolution can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/01/on-ninth-anniversary-of-1-october-shooting-in-las-vegas-rosen-honors-victims-calls-for-common-sense-gun-reform/", "title": "On Ninth Anniversary of 1 October Shooting in Las Vegas, Rosen Honors Victims, Calls for Common-Sense Gun Reform", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Watch Senator Rosen’s Full Remarks HERE\n\nWASHINGTON, DC – On the ninth anniversary of the tragic 1 October shooting, the deadliest mass shooting in American history, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) delivered a floor speech honoring the 60 people who lost their lives as a result of the tragedy. Senator Rosen recognized the heroism of Las Vegas’ first responders and urged Congress to take action against gun violence and pass common-sense gun safety laws to prevent more tragedies – including passing her bipartisan bill to ban bump stocks.\n\nBelow are Senator Rosen’s full remarks:\n\nI rise today ahead of the ninth anniversary of one of the darkest days Las Vegas has ever seen. The shocking tragedy of October First, 2017, the largest mass shooting in American history.\n\nLike many Las Vegas evenings, tens of thousands of visitors came down to the Las Vegas Strip for a concert, the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival.\n\nIn the midst of the music, the dancing, and the fun, a deranged gunman opened fire on the festival, killing innocent concertgoers and leaving so many injured and traumatized.\n\nIt took only ten minutes for him to carry out this brutal attack, but the consequences of his actions remain with us for a lifetime.\n\nFifty-eight innocent lives were taken on the night of October First, and in the years since, we’ve lost two more individuals as a result of this horrific tragedy.\n\nFamilies were left without their loved ones, parents without children, children without their parents.\n\nWe owe an endless debt of gratitude to those brave police officers, firefighters, and paramedics who selflessly ran into the chaos and confusion of the night just to help.\n\nOn this dark day, we saw our city come together like never before to support the victims.\n\nIn the wake of the shooting, President Trump instituted a ban on bump stocks, which the 1 October gunman used to kill so many in just ten minutes.\n\nUnfortunately, the Supreme Court has since overturned this common-sense ban, and the epidemic of gun violence in this country continues to persist to this very day.\n\nThis year alone, the United States has seen more than 350, 350, mass shootings.\n\nWe are not powerless in Congress. We can do something about the scourge of gun violence. We can do something.\n\nAs we honor the memories of the innocent individuals brutally murdered nine years ago, we also must recommit ourselves to that action to ensure that no other community experiences a tragedy like this again. The cost is forever and is too deep\n\nWe must come together and pass the bipartisan bill I helped introduce to ban bump stocks before another community lives through a day like 1 October.\n\nLas Vegas has shown that we can survive the darkest of days by coming together as a community and supporting one another.\n\nThis is why we will always be Las Vegas strong.\n\nI am proud of our community. I am proud of our resilience. We will continue to fight against gun violence.\n\nThank you.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/01/rosen-introduces-resolution-to-ban-elected-officials-and-their-families-from-profiting-from-federal-stakes-in-private-companies/", "title": "Rosen Introduces Resolution to Ban Elected Officials and their Families from Profiting from Federal Stakes in Private Companies", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced a resolution this week stating that the President, Vice President, Cabinet secretaries, Members of Congress, and their families should not profit when the federal government acquires or sells shares in private companies. The resolution calls for banning all federal elected officials and their immediate family members from receiving any compensation or fee from any federal acquisition, sale, or transfer of a stake in a private company. It also calls for prohibiting such individuals from being sold or given any such stake the government has acquired. This comes after multiple documented reports that the federal government has used billions in taxpayer dollars to acquire equity stakes in firms directly tied to the Trump family, as well as other high-ranking Cabinet members and officials. Since January 2025, federal agencies have announced more than 35 transactions to acquire equity in private companies, representing more than $27 billion in taxpayer funds.\n\n“As hardworking Americans are struggling to keep food on the table, pay for gas, and afford health care, Donald Trump, his family, and other senior administration officials have continued to enrich themselves with Americans’ hard-earned money,” said Senator Rosen. “I have introduced this resolution to make it clear that taxpayer-funded investments need to benefit Americans, not just a select few.”\n\nSenator Rosen has continued to fight against the misuse of taxpayer dollars. This year, she introduced a bill to ban Trump and his Cabinet members from using federal funds for self-promoting ads. Senator Rosen’s bipartisan No CORRUPTION Act, which was signed into law, closed a loophole that allowed former members of Congress to continue receiving taxpayer-funded pensions after being convicted of felonies. Last Congress, she also supported the Government Spending Oversight Act to help reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in federal spending.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-19-senators-push-to-nearly-double-emergency-home-heating-assistance-after-trumps-war-with-iran-spikes-costs-for-americans/", "title": "NEWS: Sanders, 19 Senators Push to Nearly Double Emergency Home Heating Assistance After Trump’s War with Iran Spikes Costs for Americans", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.sanders.senate.gov", "scraper": "sanders", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000033", "name": "Bernard Sanders", "party": "Independent", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 — As one in five American families are forced to make unacceptable choices between whether to pay their utility bills, heat their homes, purchase their prescription drugs or put food on the table, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and 19 Democratic senators today urged the Trump administration to drastically increase funding to $7 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).\n\nIn 2025, LIHEAP helped approximately six million Americans heat their homes over the winter. However, because LIHEAP funding today is lower than it was twenty years ago after adjusting for inflation, four out of every five Americans who are eligible cannot access this crucial assistance.\n\n“As the cost of home heating skyrockets across the country due to the illegal and unconstitutional War in Iran, we urge you to request an emergency appropriation of at least $3 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program,” Sanders and the senators wrote. “Without immediate action, senior citizens on fixed incomes, working families with kids, and people with disabilities are at serious risk of going cold this winter. In the richest country in the history of the world, we cannot let that happen.”\n\nAccording to the New York Times, heating oil costs for Americans are up roughly 60% since Israel and the United States started attacking Iran early this year — resulting in families that use heating oil paying an additional $800 and families that use electricity or propane paying an additional $100 this winter.\n\n“Emergency LIHEAP assistance is needed now more than ever. Without this vital funding, states will be forced to turn away families, reduce benefits, or exhaust heating assistance funds well before winter is over,” the senators concluded. “Being able to heat your home in the freezing cold is not a luxury. It is a matter of life and death.”\n\nIn addition to Sanders, Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also signed the letter.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-sens-schiff-padilla-announce-25-million-to-improve-state-route-71-in-pomona-reduce-traffic-congestion/", "title": "NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Padilla Announce $25 Million to Improve State Route 71 in Pomona, Reduce Traffic Congestion", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Pomona, CA — Today, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) announced $25 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the State Route 71 Gap Closure Project.\n\nThe grant will upgrade the current four-lane expressway in Pomona to an eight-lane freeway, construct auxiliary lanes between Mission Boulevard and Valley Boulevard, reconstruct two bridges over existing railroad facilities, install soundwalls along the corridor, and construct an ADA-compliant pedestrian overcrossing.\n\n“I am proud to help deliver $25 million to expand the 71 Freeway and upgrade the pedestrian overcrossings for the thousands of Californians who take this route each day. It will improve safety and efficiency, reduce traffic congestion at one of our critical roadways in Pomona, and improve pedestrian access – making travel more seamless and keeping pedestrians safe,” said Senator Schiff.\n\n“I’m proud to have helped secure $25 million for highway, bridge, and pedestrian improvements that will ease congestion, shorten commutes, and give residents relief from highway noise, while creating good local jobs. This funding will help get Angelenos home to their families sooner and keep goods moving through Southern California,” said Senator Padilla.\n\n“Metro is pleased to be receiving a $25 million INFRA grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the State Route 71 Gap Closure Project,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “We are grateful for the remarkably strong support for this project from U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff and members of the LA County Congressional Delegation. This Measure M voter-approved project will significantly reduce congestion and travel times, improve safety and connectivity – all while enhancing the movements of goods and people across our region. I welcome this infusion of federal funding that will help complete this project and express my appreciation to the local, state and federal stakeholders whose collaboration are making this project a reality.”\n\nBackground: Senators Schiff and Padilla have consistently secured federal investments to modernize and repair California’s highways and aviation infrastructure.\n\nMost recently, they secured a combined $53.8 million for critical infrastructure investments through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-sens-schiff-padilla-press-big-tech-ceos-on-social-media-platforms-efforts-to-combat-election-disinformation-amid-trump-admin-election-attacks/", "title": "NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Padilla Press Big Tech CEOs on Social Media Platforms’ Efforts to Combat Election Disinformation Amid Trump Admin Election Attacks", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“Platforms that condone, support, or advance efforts to disenfranchise U.S. voters will be scrutinized and held accountable, including through oversight and potential legislation”\n\nWashington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla (both-D-Calif.), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pressed the top executives of the largest social media companies about their plans to combat misinformation and disinformation on their platforms ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.\n\n“Today, election mis and disinformation remains a serious danger to American democracy and Americans’ right to vote, even more so because of the Trump Administration’s sustained efforts to diminish the public’s trust in elections across the county, including California. Nowhere is that more clear than in the Administration’s efforts to influence and deter mail-in voting… As a result, Congress must conduct rigorous oversight over dangerous election mis and disinformation propagated via social media, as we consider investigations and legislation to remedy it and prevent it from happening in current and future elections,” the Senators wrote.\n\nIn their inquiry, the lawmakers note how the Trump administration’s efforts to sow mistrust in the upcoming elections and advances in artificial intelligence are creating new opportunities for large-scale election mis and disinformation and demonstrate the need for social media companies to do their part to protect election integrity. The lawmakers note that in recent years, the companies have continued to retreat from the responsibility of ensuring that information online is accurate.\n\n“We take our constitutional duty to protect shared democratic principles seriously. Your thorough and prompt responses to these inquiries are required for these efforts, as they will inform our work on legislative solutions to strengthen federal elections and combat large-scale mis and disinformation. Platforms that condone, support, or advance efforts to disenfranchise U.S. voters will be scrutinized and held accountable, including through oversight and potential legislation,” the Senators wrote.\n\nThe Senators are requesting answers on the companies’ policies to identify and respond to election mis and disinformation, what actions they will be taking for the 2026 midterm elections, the steps to ensure that the Supreme Court’s mail-in ballot ruling is not subject to mis and disinformation campaigns that undermine the integrity of mail-in voting, and whether they’ve received requests from the Trump admin relating to election security. They’re also asking the companies to ensure to preserve all records and communications on this on an ongoing basis.\n\nThe inquiry is being sent to xAI’s CEO Elon Musk, Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai, TikTok’s CEO Adam Presser, Snap, Inc’s CEO Evan Spiegel, YouTube’s CEO Neal Mohan, Meta Platform’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Mr. Musk, Mr. Presser, Mr. Mohan, Mr. Mosseri, Mr. Pichai, Mr. Spiegel, and Mr. Zuckerberg:\n\nWe are writing to seek information regarding your plans to combat misinformation and disinformation on your social media platforms during the 2026 midterm elections. As you know, the Supreme Court recently rejected mail ballot restrictions proposed by the Trump Administration. This is now the law of the land, and it is your responsibility to ensure that widespread mis and disinformation about our electoral system does not take hold on your platforms.\n\nIn 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, we led members of Congress in writing to your companies regarding the spread of mis and disinformation on your platforms leading up to the 2024 elections. Despite the ongoing spread of false and misleading content on social media sites, your companies have for years “retreated from some of [your] past commitments to promote election integrity.”\n\nToday, election mis and disinformation remains a serious danger to American democracy and Americans’ right to vote, even more so because of the Trump Administration’s sustained efforts to diminish the public’s trust in elections across the county, including California. Nowhere is that more clear than in the Administration’s efforts to influence and deter mail-in voting. For example, on September 15, 2026, President Trump reacted angrily to the Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision with a false claim that mail-in voting is “totally corrupt and out of control.” President Trump even criticized his own Supreme Court nominees for supposedly “mak[ing] cheating by Radical Left [Democrats], on Mail-In Ballots, a much easier thing to do.”6 As a result, Congress must conduct rigorous oversight over dangerous election mis and disinformation propagated via social media, as we consider investigations and legislation to remedy it and prevent it from happening in current and future elections.\n\nPresident Trump’s self-serving partisan attacks are not the only new challenge to election integrity. Advances in artificial intelligence and chatbots are creating new opportunities for large-scale election mis and disinformation by both foreign and domestic actors. To be sure, addressing false information about the process of voting is entirely different than censoring a point of view. For example, using social media to tell citizens that Election Day is on Wednesday or that mail-in ballots are illegal is simply election interference. Meanwhile, your companies have continued to retreat from the responsibility of ensuring that information online is accurate. Under the circumstances, Congress has no choice but to carefully scrutinize how social media platforms respond to large-scale election mis and disinformation, both before and after the 2026 midterm elections, which are already underway.\n\nCongress’s Constitutional power to conduct investigations stands on equal footing with its authority to legislate and appropriate. To that end, please provide by October 15, 2026, a detailed written response regarding your company’s current policies to identify and respond to election mis and disinformation and what actions you will be taking for the 2026 midterm elections, along with written answers to the following questions:\n\nWhat steps are you taking to ensure that the Supreme Court’s clear ruling that state’s mail-in ballot procedures must not be disturbed for the November 2026 midterm elections is not subject to mis and disinformation campaigns that undermine the integrity of mail-in voting? For example, if a campaign alleges that mail-in voting is not permitted in California for the November 2026 midterm elections, how will you ensure that false statement is addressed?\n\nHas your company received any communications from the Trump Administration related to election security or the United States Postal Service’s procedures for mail-in ballots? If so, what instructions or requests did you receive, and how have you engaged with them?\n\nDo you currently have any plans to change your election integrity policies between now and Election Day 2026 (November 3, 2026)? If so, please describe the changes and the reasoning for any particular change.\n\nHow will your company address mis and disinformation made by political actors, verified accounts, or synthetic accounts, and how will they be treated differently, if at all, compared to ordinary users?\n\nWhat are your companies’ plans for keeping Congress fully informed about mis and disinformation campaigns and potential changes in your companies’ election integrity policies?\n\nThese records are needed for the U.S. Senate to exercise its essential oversight and legislative functions. We further request that you preserve all records and communications relating to the topics addressed in this letter, from January 1, 2025, to the present and continue preserving such materials on an ongoing basis. This preservation hold applies to all relevant records within your possession and any person or entity representing or purporting to be acting on your behalf. This includes, but is not limited to, records and communications via email, whether official or personal; mobile devices; encrypted or disappearing messaging applications; social media; calendar entries; meeting notes; and voicemail and text messages. To the extent that you use any auto-delete functions, you should immediately suspend auto-delete functions and notify persons with control over potentially relevant records of similar preservation obligations.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter. We take our constitutional duty to protect shared democratic principles seriously. Your thorough and prompt responses to these inquiries are required for these efforts, as they will inform our work on legislative solutions to strengthen federal elections and combat large-scale mis and disinformation. Platforms that condone, support, or advance efforts to disenfranchise U.S. voters will be scrutinized and held accountable, including through oversight and potential legislation. We look forward to your prompt response, including a written confirmation that you are preserving all records related to this congressional inquiry.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schmitt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/schmitt-helps-secure-42-million-for-i-70-improvements/", "title": "Schmitt Helps Secure $42 Million for I-70 Improvements", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schmitt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schmitt.senate.gov", "scraper": "schmitt", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001227", "name": "Eric Schmitt", "party": "Republican", "state": "MO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. SENATE— Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt announced that following his push, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has been awarded$42,101,350 through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects (INFRA) Grant Program for improvements to Interstate 70 near St. Louis Lambert International Airport. The award will be used to implement corridor & interchange improvements along I-70 from Cypress Road (east of US 67) to the upcoming Natural Bridge interchange (west of I-170). This will include interchange improvements at the I-70/Cypress, I-70/Airflight, and I-70/Natural Bridge intersections\n\n“Interstate 70 is one of the most important transportation arteries in Missouri, connecting families, businesses, freight, and travelers throughout the St. Louis region and beyond. This $42 million helps to complement the broader I-70 widening project, with a targeted investment to make a critical stretch of I-70 safer and more efficient while improving access to Lambert Airport,” said Senator Schmitt. “I was proud to support MoDOT’s application and work with Secretary Duffy and the Department of Transportation to bring these resources home to Missouri. As St. Louis makes major investments in the future of Lambert Airport, we also need the infrastructure surrounding it to be ready for that growth.”\n\n“America’s infrastructure is rated a C. Instead of wasting federal dollars on trains to nowhere, President Trump is investing in desperately-needed infrastructure upgrades that will enhance the way people and projects move,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Senator Schmitt’s advocacy was critical in delivering the $42 million needed to make corridor and interchange improvements along I-70, which will support traffic around St. Louis Lambert International Airport. This Administration is committed to making our supply chains resilient and our partners in Congress make that possible.”\n\n“Lambert International Airport is a vital transportation hub for St. Louis, the state and the entire region,” said MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger. “This grant allows for much needed improvements to I-70, making access to the airport easier and more efficient. This is another example of how federal, state and local partners can come together to deliver projects for Missourians. We appreciate Senator Schmitt’s commitment to this important project, and we look forward to delivering it for our customers.”\n\nIn July, Senator Schmitt wrote Secretary Duffy in support of MoDOT’s INFRA application, noting that the proposed improvements would strengthen the St. Louis region’s connections to national air and roadway commerce while improving traffic flow along the corridor.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-scott-booker-sickle-cell-awareness-resolution-passes-the-senate-with-unanimous-support/", "title": "Sens. Scott, Booker sickle cell awareness resolution passes the Senate with unanimous support", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.scott.senate.gov", "scraper": "timscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001184", "name": "Tim Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Cory Booker’s (D-N.J.) resolution designating September 2026 as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.\n\n“Raising awareness about sickle cell anemia means working toward a future where Americans living with the disease can lead healthier lives with fewer limitations. The Senate’s unanimous passage of this resolution reinforces our commitment to making treatment and care more accessible, affordable, and attainable,” said Sen. Scott. “New gene therapies should give us all hope, but we still have significant hurdles to overcome to ensure every American battling SCD has the opportunity to live out their American Dream.”\n\nThe resolution was cosponsored by Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).\n\nRead the full text of the resolution here.\n\nBackground:\n\nSen. Scott has long worked to improve access to treatment and care for Americans living with sickle cell anemia.\n\nEarlier this year, Sens. Scott and Booker’s Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2025 was signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026.\n\nAdditionally, Sen. Scott introduced the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026, which would reauthorize the National Marrow Donor Program and National Cord Blood Inventory through 2031. These programs help patients with diseases, including sickle cell anemia, access bone marrow and cord blood transplants.\n\nIn 2025, Sens. Scott and Booker reintroduced the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act, which would allow state Medicaid programs to provide comprehensive, coordinated care to patients with sickle cell anemia through a health home model.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/2026/10/01/department-of-defense-responds-to-slotkin-assures-no-plans-to-send-troops-to-polls-hegseth-silence-continues/", "title": "Department of Defense Responds to Slotkin: Assures No Plans to Send Troops to Polls, Hegseth Silence Continues", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/newsroom/", "domain": "www.slotkin.senate.gov", "scraper": "slotkin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001208", "name": "Elissa Slotkin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, received a response to her letter demanding confirmation confirming that the Department of Defense would not send uniform military to polling locations and that the role of election administration and security is the responsibility of the state and local officials, not the Department of Defense.\n\nThe response came from Assistant Secretary of Defense Mark Ditlevson, who was able to confirm that “the Department has no plan to deploy active-duty troops or Federalized National Guard to polling sites, nor does it have any plan to interfere with ballots, voting machines, or other election-related materials,” citing compliance with Federal law. Notably, Hegseth has still remained silent on this issue and President Donald Trump continues to float the idea of using federal forces at the polls and invoking the Insurrection Act.\n\nIn August, Slotkin was able to get General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to confirm that the U.S. military has no plans to deploy federal troops or federalized National Guard members to polling places during the November 2026 midterm elections, and no plans to seize ballots, voting machines, or other election-related materials. In his response, Caine noted that “election administration and security remain the fundamental responsibility of state and local officials.”\n\nWatch Slotkin on MS NOW here.\n\nRead the response from Ditlevson here.\n\nBackground:\n\nSlotkin, sent letters to General of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Caine and Secretary of Defense Hegseth asking for a written response and commitment to keep the U.S. military out of the midterm elections. In previous letters sent by Slotkin, General Mark Milley, General CQ Brown, Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Secretary Mark Esper, were each able to provide a response and confirm they would follow the law and our constitution—which is clear about military interference in our elections.\n\nSlotkin also sent letters to Attorney General Todd Blanche, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel, and Chief of the National Guard General Steven Nordhaus asking for a written response and commitment to keep federal forces and law enforcement agents out of the midterm elections.\n\nSlotkin has yet to receive responses from Attorney General Todd Blanche, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.smith.senate.gov/u-s-senator-tina-smiths-measures-to-simplify-update-tax-filings-for-farmers-and-consumers-passes-senate/", "title": "U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Measures to Simplify, Update Tax Filings for Farmers and Consumers Passes Senate", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.smith.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.smith.senate.gov", "scraper": "tinasmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001203", "name": "Tina Smith", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) successfully included two measures to help Minnesotans navigate their taxes in legislation that passed the Senate. Sen. Smith’s first measure would adjust the deadline for farmers to file their taxes to align with when most other Minnesotans would file theirs, while her second would require the IRS to track how often they make taxpayers re-submit the same paperwork due to bureaucratic errors. The measures were included in the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act that passed the Senate unanimously.\n\n“Nobody enjoys filing their taxes, but what makes it even worse is how cumbersome and illogical our tax system is, particular for farmers,” said Sen. Smith. “These measures are simple, common-sense solutions. Farmers should get just as much time to prepare their tax filings as everyone else, and the IRS needs to keep track of how often it makes taxpayers submit the same document over and over again.”\n\nThe Farm Tax Filing Deadline amendment will give farmers and fishers until Tax Day, April 15, to file their taxes without penalty. Under current law, farmers and fishers must file and pay estimated taxes by March 1 to avoid penalties. Meanwhile, most other taxpayers have until April 15 to file their taxes without penalty. The current earlier deadline left farmers and fishers scrambling to get all the paperwork done in time while everyone else gets an extra month and a half.\n\nThe Reporting on Document Management to Avoid Duplicative Requests to Constituents amendment that requires the IRS to track how many documents the agency asks taxpayers to re-submit, even though there was nothing wrong with the documents previously submitted. This amendment won’t cost the government any extra money and will require the IRS to report how many copies of documents it requests from a single taxpayer. This information will then be presented annually to Congress for the next five years to track the progress or lack-there-of.\n\nThe Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act (TAS) passed the Senate unanimously on September 30 and now heads to the House of Representatives.\n\nThe TAS Act includes more than 60 bipartisan reforms to improve the taxpayer experience, including recommendations from the National Taxpayer Advocate and Finance Committee members on both sides of the aisle.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2026/10/tillis-budd-applaud-nomination-of-two-north-carolina-judges", "title": "Tillis, Budd Applaud Nomination of Two North Carolina Judges", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.tillis.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.tillis.senate.gov", "scraper": "tillis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000476", "name": "Thom Tillis", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Ted Budd (R-NC) applauded President Trump’s nominations of Brian S. Meyers to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina and Philip L. Aubart to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina. Both nominees were recommended by Senators Tillis and Budd.\n\n“Congratulations to Brian S. Meyers and Philip L. Aubart on their nominations to serve as District Court Judges for North Carolina’s Eastern and Middle Districts,” said Senator Tillis. “Both are highly qualified attorneys who respect the rule of law and are committed to upholding the Constitution. I am confident they will serve the people of North Carolina with integrity and distinction. I thank President Trump for nominating them and look forward to working with Senator Budd to advance their nominations and secure their confirmation by the full Senate.”\n\n“Identifying highly qualified and strong constitutionalist nominees to serve as federal judges in North Carolina is a responsibility I take very seriously. I am confident that Phil Aubart, nominee for U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, and Brian Meyers, nominee for U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, both possess the sound judgment necessary to uphold the U.S. Constitution and laws of the United States, and will serve the people of North Carolina with distinction. Both Phil and Brian have built distinguished and respected legal careers, and I know that they will be exemplary additions to the district courts,” said Senator Budd.\n\nBackground:\n\nBrian S. Meyers currently serves as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Magistrate Judge Meyers previously served as Executive Assistant to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District, where he was the Chief of staff and Counsel to then-United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr.\n\nPhilip L. Aubart currently serves as the First Assistant for the Unites States Attorney in the Eastern District of North Carolina and as the Army Reserve Major for the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Mr. Aubart previously served as Assistant United State Attorney in the Violent Crimes Section, where he was responsible for driving violent crime strategy across the entire district.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/maryland-congressional-delegation-and-baltimore-mayor-brandon-scott-meet-to-discuss-baltimore-city-priorities", "title": "Maryland Congressional Delegation and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Meet to Discuss Baltimore City Priorities", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Yesterday, members of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott held a meeting at the United States Capitol to discuss their work on a range of priorities for Baltimore residents, including affordable housing, transportation, public safety, healthcare, and more.\n\n“Improving life for Baltimore residents is one of our top shared priorities, and I appreciate Mayor Scott’s partnership and the work being done across the city under his leadership. Yesterday’s meeting was an opportunity to discuss our efforts on behalf of the people of Baltimore – from strengthening public safety, to updating our infrastructure, to creating greater economic opportunity. This work is all the more important as the Trump Administration continues to attack our communities and essential programs that serve the City. I will continue to fight alongside Federal Team Maryland to deliver for Baltimore and to make progress on our shared goals to continue moving the City forward,”said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n“I say it all the time: Baltimore has the best federal delegation in the country, and meetings like this one underscore their commitment to our city,” said Mayor Scott. “Each and every day, we're seeing the impact of investments they've secured, from our public safety progress, to our housing investments, to new schools, rec centers, and more all across Baltimore. Especially as we deal with an administration that's actively sabotaging cities across the country, we are so grateful to have this delegation fighting for us in Washington.”\n\n“We’ve seen the news of continued progress in Baltimore, on everything from gun violence to how the Port of Baltimore continues to thrive, and it’s a story to be proud of. The city and its leadership have proven how success happens when you plan effectively and when you’re prepared to respond to the unexpected. Baltimore has shown the nation what you can accomplish when you stick together. Team Maryland on Capitol Hill is committed to fighting for Baltimore and working together. We will continue to find areas where we can coordinate effectively, and we’ll continue to do all we can to make sure Baltimore and all of Maryland has everything needed to thrive,” said Senator Alsobrooks.\n\n“I was glad to join my colleagues in the Maryland Congressional Delegation to meet with Mayor Scott and discuss the achievements, challenges, and top priorities for the greater Baltimore area. I applaud Mayor Scott for his leadership that has had impacts far beyond the region. Our partnership is critical to ensuring Marylanders across the state can benefit from a growing and vibrant economy, and Team Maryland remains committed to working together to improve the safety and livelihood of all who call Maryland home,” said Congressman Hoyer.\n\n“It was a productive opportunity for our Congressional delegation to meet with Mayor Scott again to discuss our priorities and the critical issues facing Baltimoreans today,\" said Congressman Mfume. \"We discussed ongoing efforts to improve public safety, progress on the Key Bridge rebuild and B&P Tunnel, and the escalating negative impacts that the Big Ugly Bill is having on our Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP benefits. I am incredibly proud to be a part of a team that is committed to working together to tackle difficult problems and deliver meaningful results for the people of our City and our State.”\n\n“I’m grateful for Mayor Scott’s steady vision and partnership so we can keep delivering for Marylanders,” said Congressman Raskin. “From Baltimore to Bethesda, the tie that binds us is delivering services, lowering costs and protecting the rights of our people across the Free State as ICE and Border Patrol continue their reign of lawlessness and chaos in our communities.\"\n\n“It was good to continue our focus on affordability and economic opportunities for folks in the greater Baltimore area and across the great state of Maryland with Mayor Scott and my colleagues in the Maryland Delegation. We look forward to assisting our state and local partners in ameliorating the economic climate through these very tough times,” said Congressman Ivey. “We must meet these challenges head on in unity of purpose. Today’s meeting reaffirms that continued aim.”\n\n“Amid funding cuts and chaos from Washington, Mayor Scott has led the City of Baltimore with a steady hand and worked diligently to expand health care coverage, protect our immigrant neighbors, strengthen public safety, and so much more. I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss the investments we can make together at the local and federal level to invest in the Port of Baltimore and our regional economy to expand opportunities for Maryland families,” said Congresswoman Elfreth.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-joins-banking-committee-democrats-in-call-on-bill-pulte-to-reverse-illegal-decision-to-eliminate-fhfa-watchdog", "title": "Van Hollen Joins Banking Committee Democrats in Call on Bill Pulte to Reverse Illegal Decision to Eliminate FHFA Watchdog", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, alongside Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) in writting to Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), about his unlawful attempt to gut the agency’s independent watchdog responsible for investigating mortgage fraud and Pulte’s own misconduct. The senators called on Pulte to reverse course and fully fund the office. Congress created FHFA’s OIG, and FHFA is statutorily obligated to ensure that OIG has the resources it needs to complete its mission. The letter follows an official notice from the FHFA OIG warning that Pulte’s budget cut will “eliminate (the OIG’s) capacity to effectively conduct criminal investigation of mortgage, bank, and other fraud schemes involving the entities FHFA regulates.”\n\n“We write after receiving confirmation that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is unlawfully slashing the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget of its Office of Inspector General (OIG) to $20 million—a reduction of over sixty percent from the OIG’s FY26 operating budget. The cut is so significant that it will immediately force the OIG to begin winding down its operations,” wrote the Banking Committee Democrats.\n\n“Despite the key role that the FHFA OIG plays in preventing waste, fraud, and abuse, you have reduced the office’s budget to $20 million in FY27. That level of funding will impede FHFA OIG’s ability to complete its statutorily required functions and make it impossible to conduct meaningful oversight of FHFA or the U.S. mortgage finance market,” the Banking Committee Democrats continued. “The OIG has confirmed that the cut will effectively shutter its work, writing: ‘We will be forced to reduce staffing by approximately 70-80% in FY 2027, which will result in the discontinuance of essentially all criminal investigations conducted by our Office of Investigations.’”\n\n“Your decision is unacceptable and yet another example of this Administration’s willingness to flout the law and evade accountability. It also indicates that FHFA is uninterested in finding and eliminating mortgage fraud – an issue that you have repeatedly claimed to prioritize at FHFA. We demand that you immediately reverse course and fully fund the FHFA OIG for FY27 with a budget no less than the OIG’s original FY27 funding request.” the Banking Committee Democrats concluded.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Director Pulte:\n\nWe write after receiving confirmation that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is unlawfully slashing the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget of its Office of Inspector General (OIG) to $20 million—a reduction of over sixty percent from the OIG’s FY26 operating budget. The cut is so significant that it will immediately force the OIG to begin winding down its operations. We demand that FHFA reverse course and fully fund its OIG for FY27 at an amount no less than $57.6 million, the FHFA OIG’s original FY27 funding request. You must publicly answer to Congress about your attempt to gut your agency’s independent watchdog.\n\nFHFA is responsible for the supervision, regulation, and housing mission oversight of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and the Federal Home Loan Bank System. It exercises control over “trillions of dollars in assets and billions of dollars in revenue and makes business and policy decisions affecting the entire U.S. mortgage finance industry.” The FHFA OIG plays a key role as an independent watchdog preventing waste, fraud, and abuse, and ensuring that your agency follows the law. In addition, the OIG leads investigations into misconduct involving FHFA’s programs and operations, including fraud. The FHFA OIG maintains “a highly trained and skilled cadre of financial crimes special agents…and analysts to detect, investigate, and refer for prosecution mortgage fraud and other crimes involving the regulated entities.” Since 2011, its criminal enforcement program has secured “more than 1,270 convictions and nearly $75 billion in monetary results.” It is also statutorily required to conduct certain reviews of FHFA operations.\n\nFHFA and its OIG are funded through annual assessments that FHFA collects from the entities it regulates. FHFA is required by federal law to assess funding “sufficient to provide for reasonable costs…and expenses of the Agency,” including the OIG. Each year, the OIG sends FHFA an annual request for funding, and “prior to FY 2027, without exception,” FHFA “timely transferred” assessments to OIG “to fund [its] operations.” The FHFA OIG submitted an original FY27 budget request to FHFA of $57.6 million.\n\nDespite the key role that the FHFA OIG plays in preventing waste, fraud, and abuse, you have reduced the office’s budget to $20 million in FY27. That level of funding will impede the FHFA OIG’s ability to complete its statutorily required functions and make it impossible to conduct meaningful oversight of FHFA or the U.S. mortgage finance market. The OIG has confirmed that the cut will effectively shutter its work, writing: “We will be forced to reduce staffing by approximately 70-80% in FY 2027, which will result in the discontinuance of essentially all criminal investigations conducted by our Office of Investigations. Simply stated, funding at the $20 million level will eliminate our capacity to effectively conduct criminal investigation of mortgage, bank, and other fraud schemes involving the entities FHFA regulates.”\n\nYour decision is unacceptable and yet another example of this Administration’s willingness to flout the law and evade accountability. It also indicates that FHFA is uninterested in finding and eliminating mortgage fraud—an issue that you have repeatedly claimed to prioritize at FHFA.\n\nWe demand that you immediately reverse course and fully fund the FHFA OIG for FY27 with a budget no less than the OIG’s original FY27 funding request.\n\nSincerely,", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-mfume-landsman-beyer-lead-75-colleagues-in-pressing-trump-administration-to-withdraw-proposal-that-would-gut-civil-rights-protections-for-federal-employees", "title": "Van Hollen, Mfume, Landsman, Beyer Lead 75 Colleagues in Pressing Trump Administration to Withdraw Proposal that Would Gut Civil Rights Protections for Federal Employees", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Representatives Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), and Don Beyer (D-Va.), along with 75 of their colleagues, called on Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Andrea Lucas to rescind their proposed rule to eliminate protections and strip federal employees of critical civil rights in discrimination complaints. While the lawmakers expressed support for implementing improvements to the existing federal-sector Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process, they stressed that this proposed rule would make it more difficult for federal workers to challenge workplace discrimination and would weaken essential safeguards for their claims.\n\nThe lawmakers were joined in sending this letter by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and by Representatives Gabe Amo (D-R.I.-01), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.-03), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Wesley Bell (D-Mo.-01), Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.-02), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.-02), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio-11), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.-13), Troy Carter (D-La.-02), Ed Case (D-Hawaii-01), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.-09), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas-30), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.-04), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.-10), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.-06), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.-03), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas-29), Al Green (D-Texas-09), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.-07), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.-04), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.-04), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.-01), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.-04), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio-09), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.-02), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.-08), John Larson (D-Conn.-01), Summer Lee (D-Pa.-12), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.-08), John Mannion (D-N.Y.-22), Lucy McBath (D-Ga.-06), April McClain Delaney (D-Md.-06), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.-04), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.-10), Christian Menefee (D-Texas-18), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.-06), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.-12), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.-02), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-At Large), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.-11), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.-07), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine-01), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.-02), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.-03), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.-05), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.-03), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.-12), Adam Smith (D-Wash.-09), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.-04), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.-10), Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39), Dina Titus (D-Nev.-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.-12), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.-20), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), James Walkinshaw (D-Va.-11), and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.-43).\n\nThe lawmakers begin, “We strongly oppose the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) proposed rule, which would revise the federal-sector equal employment opportunity complaint process. As Members representing hundreds of thousands of federal employees who serve our country every day, we are deeply concerned that this proposal would make it more difficult for those workers to challenge workplace discrimination and would weaken safeguards intended to ensure impartial review of their claims. As such, we urge the Commission to withdraw this proposal and pursue reforms that make the federal-sector EEO process both faster and fairer.”\n\n“We agree that the existing federal-sector Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process needs improvement. The current process is slow and understaffed, agencies often miss deadlines, and the structure requires an employing agency to investigate allegations against itself. Reforming the process should correct these shortcomings. However, unlike the proposed rule, the reforms should not eliminate protections and shift more power to the agency accused of discrimination,” they continue.\n\n“We urge the Commission to withdraw the NPRM and engage Congress in developing a revised proposal. While speed and efficiency matter, this proposed rule could have the effect of making EEO claims slower on top of stripping federal employees of key rights. The federal government should be a model employer free of discrimination, and its civil-rights process should reflect that obligation,” the lawmakers conclude.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Chair Lucas:\n\nWe strongly oppose the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) proposed rule, which would revise the federal-sector equal employment opportunity complaint process. As Members representing hundreds of thousands of federal employees who serve our country every day, we are deeply concerned that this proposal would make it more difficult for those workers to challenge workplace discrimination and would weaken safeguards intended to ensure impartial review of their claims. As such, we urge the Commission to withdraw this proposal and pursue reforms that make the federal-sector EEO process both faster and fairer.\n\nWe agree that the existing federal-sector Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process needs improvement. The current process is slow and understaffed, agencies often miss deadlines, and the structure requires an employing agency to investigate allegations against itself. Reforming the process should correct these shortcomings. However, unlike the proposed rule, the reforms should not eliminate protections and shift more power to the agency accused of discrimination.\n\nFirst, the proposal would replace mandatory pre-complaint counseling with direct filing and a substantially more demanding threshold. Under the current framework, a worker generally has 45 days to contact an EEO counselor, who confidentially explains the process and could possibly facilitate early resolution. Under the proposed rule, the worker instead would have 60 days to file a formal complaint to their agency that “must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim for relief that is plausible on its face.” This not only removes the process for employees to speak with an expert about the process, but it also increases the standard for which federal employees can seek relief and notifies the agency directly of the complaint. Many federal employees are unrepresented and lack access to evidence, such as internal communications, personnel records, or other information that is controlled by the agency. A plausibility screen at the outset therefore risks dismissal of potentially meritorious claims precisely because the agency holds the facts needed to prove them. In fact, EEOC’s own analysis shows that complaints can be erroneously dismissed, as shown by a 30% to 45% annual reversal rate for agency procedural dismissals from 2008-2012. These dismissals occurred even with the lower standard for seeking relief.\n\nThe 60 days to file is also shorter than the 180 days granted to legislative branch employees and the 300 days granted to most private sector employees, thus creating a system that disadvantages federal employees compared to other workers.\n\nSecond, the proposal would eliminate a federal employee's right to elect an impartial administrative judge proceeding after the agency investigation or after 180 days. Instead, the agency's final decision would become the ordinary adjudication mechanism, and an administrative judge would become available only if the EEOC’s Office of Federal Sector determines that referral is “necessary or efficient” during an appeal.\n\nAdministrative judges provide an essential independent check for federal employees concerned about conflict of interest. They take sworn testimony, resolve disputed facts and credibility issues, and assist in developing a complete evidentiary record. Under the proposal, however, an agency would investigate the complaint, decide whether the agency engaged in discrimination, and potentially conduct its own internal hearing. Concentrating these functions in the agency whose conduct is being challenged raises serious concerns about independence, investigatory bias, and conflicts of interest.\n\nNot only is the criteria for determining whether a hearing is “necessary or efficient” vague and burdensome for employees, the proposal significantly underestimates the amount of time required to review an appeal and determine whether it should be referred to the administrative judge. Agency reports of investigations are typically several hundred to thousands of pages; however, the proposal estimate review of these reports will take one-half hour. This timeline is wholly inadequate for the Commission to comprehend that much material and make a complete, unbiased decision on whether a hearing is warranted. This appellate review of a written record is not a replacement for access to an independent hearing and investigation.\n\nAdditionally, the proposed rule places the burden on the employee to request such proceedings and explain why they are warranted. The proposal would penalize workers who do not know to request those proceedings by allowing them to be waived if the worker fails to make the proper request. Given that an employee would no longer go through pre-complaint counseling, it could be difficult for the employee to know that they need to ask for a hearing.\n\nThe plan would also shift substantial new adjudicatory and administrative responsibilities onto federal agencies at the very moment many lack the personnel and infrastructure to carry them out. The proposal would make the final agency decision the ordinary disposition for every accepted complaint, while requiring agencies to revise procedures; retrain EEO, human resources, and legal staff; update case-management systems; and satisfy expanded tracking obligations. The NPRM does not explain how agencies will absorb these demands, especially amid the Administration’s reductions in force and buyouts that have hollowed out the workforce responsible for implementation. We have already seen the strain agencies’ HR departments are under trying to keep up with routine employee requests and paperwork. In discrimination cases, administrative delays are not harmless inconveniences, but rather significant barriers that postpone meaningful review and, for employees with meritorious claims, relief and accountability. These delays are unacceptable and should not be made worse.\n\nAdditionally, the proposed elimination of administrative class complaints would severely weaken the ability of federal workers to challenge systemic discrimination. The proposed rule would permit a worker to assert a putative class claim only for exhaustion purposes and would allow related individual complaints to be processed jointly, but it would prohibit class certification, class notice, class-wide findings, and relief for absent class members. Joint processing is not a substitute for a class mechanism. Administrative class complaints can spread litigation costs, resolve common questions consistently, and provide relief where individual recoveries are too small to make separate cases realistic. Illustratively, in fiscal years 2023 and 2024, $175 million for federal workers was secured through class settlements. Abolishing the process would shift systemic disputes into more expensive federal litigation, increase burdens on the courts, and leave many workers without a practical remedy.\n\nThe rule also purportedly seeks to implement the Elijah E. Cummings Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act of 2020; however, it does so selectively and does not address all of the law’s provisions. For example, the rule does not ensure EEO programs avoid conflicts of interest by being separated from the agency’s HR or General Counsel offices. It also does not address referrals to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) for disciplinary actions—a critical tool given OSC’s ability to act against those who perpetrate discrimination.\n\nThe Commission’s proposed changes are counter to Congressional intent. Congress has found that “[f]ederal agencies cannot be run effectively if those agencies practice or tolerate discrimination.” The Commission’s proposed changes will make it more difficult for federal employees to challenge discrimination and easier for agencies to evade accountability. While Section 717 of Title VII contemplates that federal agencies shall receive discrimination complaints, it also charges the EEOC with effective enforcement of anti-discrimination requirements, including by issuing rules that carry out its responsibility. The current rules, while imperfect, better effectuate these responsibilities by accounting for potential conflicts of interest that may arise from agencies adjudicating complaints. Indeed, by providing federal employees with the right to an impartial hearing before the EEOC, where complainants may have access to discovery and a third-party adjudicator, the current process enables federal employees to have recourse in cases where federal agencies are delaying investigations or appear to be biased in their handling of complaints.\n\nMoreover, Congress established the federal sector administrative process to provide federal employees with a more informal and less-costly mechanism to vindicate their rights. Unfortunately, under the guise of simplification, the NPRM needlessly imposes federal court standards on complaints and eliminates employees’ ability to challenge systemic discrimination, burdening federal courts.\n\nFurther, the proposed rule would also make it more difficult for federal employees to obtain legal representation by reducing attorney’s fee awards. The proposal disfavors the use of standard fee matrices, asserts that employment discrimination cases are not complex litigation, restricts compensation for work on unsuccessful claims, and generally allows fees only for services performed after a written complaint is filed. For attorneys who must rely on fee recovery, lower or less predictable awards may make it economically impracticable to accept federal-sector EEO matters. The likely consequence is that more employees will be required to navigate an increasingly technical process without counsel.\n\nFinally, the 30-day public comment period is insufficient for review of such complex changes and is contrary to the Commission’s purported interest in substantive feedback. Notably, the docket shows that the NPRM was withdrawn twice on August 28 before being re-posted on August 31. These technical issues likely caused confusion for stakeholders who sought to submit comments during that time period and ultimately gives stakeholders fewer than 30 days to comment.\n\nWe urge the Commission to withdraw the NPRM and engage Congress in developing a revised proposal. While speed and efficiency matter, this proposed rule could have the effect of making EEO claims slower on top of stripping federal employees of key rights. The federal government should be a model employer free of discrimination, and its civil-rights process should reflect that obligation.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-secures-committee-passage-of-bill-to-designate-the-museum-of-the-blind-peoples-movement-as-a-national-museum", "title": "Van Hollen Secures Committee Passage of Bill to Designate the Museum of the Blind People's Movement as a National Museum", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Yesterday, legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) to designate the upcoming Museum of the Blind People's Movement in Baltimore as the official National Museum of the Blind People's Movement passed the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Currently operating as the National Archives of the Blind People’s Movement, which collects, preserves, and shares material and historical artifacts for research and education, the museum will be the first museum in the nation to be blind-owned, operated, and led, and will showcase the history of blind people as individuals and as a movement in America. Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives, and the resolution is cosponsored in the Senate by Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). Following this key Committee passage, the bill is eligible for consideration by the full Senate.\n\n“For years, grassroots disability advocates and leaders have fought – and continue to fight – to ensure that equal rights, equal accessibility, and full inclusion are realized for every American. The Museum of the Blind People's Movement is critical to honoring their efforts and the efforts of all the pioneering blind Americans who have reshaped our nation. That’s why we fought to secure a $301,000 direct investment in this museum, and why we’re working to ensure its national recognition. Today’s Committee passage is an important step forward, and I will continue working to support the National Museum of the Blind People’s Movement to ensure that this history is preserved, shared, and celebrated,” said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n\"For too long, the critical contributions made by Blind Americans to our society have gone under-appreciated,\" said Congressman Mfume. \"By recognizing this first-of-its-kind, blind-owned and blind-led cultural institution as the National Museum of the Blind People's Movement, Congress honors an integral American story and supports an invaluable resource for students, researchers, and visitors from across our nation. Passage through Committee is an important first step, and I look forward to seeing this bill passed by both the Senate and the House.\"\n\n“The Blind People’s Movement has left an indelible mark on Maryland, and Baltimore specifically. I am so proud that legislation to designate the Museum of the Blind People’s Movement in Baltimore as the official National Museum of the Blind People’s Movement passed out of committee – now we will fight to get it passed and into law. This museum will be the first blind-owned, operated, and led national museum – right here in Baltimore,” said Senator Alsobrooks.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-urges-sec-to-preserve-investor-protections-in-stock-trading-rules", "title": "Van Hollen Urges SEC to Preserve Investor Protections in Stock Trading Rules", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), alongside Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), pressed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins to leave intact the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation NMS, which helps ensure investors receive the best price on their trades. This letter comes as the SEC has proposed changes to the rule that would lead to less transparency and fairness for everyday investors and American markets.\n\nThe Senators begin, “We write to urge you to leave intact the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules protecting retail investors’ stock market orders. In June, the SEC proposed to rescind Rules 611 and 610(e) of Regulation NMS. Both rules protect foundational elements of our equity markets by ensuring they are fair and transparent. We are particularly troubled by the proposed rescission of Rule 611, the Order Protection Rule (the Rule), and the negative impacts it would create for everyday investors and our markets. We agree with the serious concerns expressed by many commenters that repealing this Rule would increase costs for retail investors and dramatically impair market efficiency.”\n\n“The proposed repeal of the Rule would make extensive changes to Regulation NMS by permitting trade-throughs, or the execution of retail trades at worse prices than are otherwise available in the market. After the adoption of the Rule in 2005, trade-throughs fell by over 95%. Since then, the protection of retail investors’ orders has become a fundamental feature of the equity markets by ensuring fairness and transparency,” the lawmakers continue.\n\nOn the negative impact the proposed rule changes would have on markets, the Senators note, “Moreover, the proposal is likely to undermine public markets, increasing off-exchange trading and compromising the integrity of a transparent, national pricing benchmark for NMS stocks. This contravenes Congress’s mandate that the SEC create a national market system for these securities. As outlined in the Senate committee report on the legislation authorizing Regulation NMS, Congress intended for a national market system to achieve “the centralization of all buying and selling interest and the protection of the priority of public orders.” This proposal would undercut those goals.”\n\n“For the foregoing reasons, we urge you to leave Regulation NMS intact. Thank you for your attention to this important matter,” they conclude.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Chairman Atkins:\n\nWe write to urge you to leave intact the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules protecting retail investors’ stock market orders. In June, the SEC proposed to rescind Rules 611 and 610(e) of Regulation NMS. Both rules protect foundational elements of our equity markets by ensuring they are fair and transparent. We are particularly troubled by the proposed rescission of Rule 611, the Order Protection Rule (the Rule), and the negative impacts it would create for everyday investors and our markets. We agree with the serious concerns expressed by many commenters that repealing this Rule would increase costs for retail investors and dramatically impair market efficiency.\n\nThe proposed repeal of the Rule would make extensive changes to Regulation NMS by permitting trade-throughs, or the execution of retail trades at worse prices than are otherwise available in the market. After the adoption of the Rule in 2005, trade-throughs fell by over 95%. Since then, the protection of retail investors’ orders has become a fundamental feature of the equity markets by ensuring fairness and transparency.\n\nThe Rule provides the objective standard for retail investors to receive the best execution of their trades. That’s because the Rule generally prevents trades from being executed at prices worse than protected quotations available elsewhere in the market. Repealing the Rule would increase costs and lead to worse execution for individuals trading smaller amounts of shares, while leading larger market participants to receive better pricing and execution. The SEC’s proposal specifically notes that “some individual orders may receive worse prices,” and we think it is a grave mistake to be pursuing this change that would unfairly favor big market players while making it more expensive for everyday investors hoping to build wealth through the stock market.\n\nMoreover, the proposal is likely to undermine public markets, increasing off-exchange trading and compromising the integrity of a transparent, national pricing benchmark for NMS stocks. This contravenes Congress’s mandate that the SEC create a national market system for these securities. As outlined in the Senate committee report on the legislation authorizing Regulation NMS, Congress intended for a national market system to achieve “the centralization of all buying and selling interest and the protection of the priority of public orders.” This proposal would undercut those goals.\n\nGiven the significance of this proposal, it is crucial that stakeholders have sufficient time to comment on its introduction. In 2021, Commissioner Peirce stated that “for complicated rulemakings or at times when we have many rulemakings outstanding simultaneously, 90-day comment periods are likely more appropriate.” Here, however, the SEC only provided a comment period of 67 days. We are concerned that stakeholders have not been able to adequately respond and provide the SEC with sufficient data to analyze the costs that this proposal would impose on retail investors and the market overall. It is also notable that the comments that have been submitted reflect a wide range of concerns from market participants, investor advocates, and trade associations.\n\nFor the foregoing reasons, we urge you to leave Regulation NMS intact. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-warren-call-on-predatory-lender-opportunity-financial-oppfi-to-withdraw-national-bank-application", "title": "Van Hollen, Warren Call on Predatory Lender Opportunity Financial (“OppFi”) to Withdraw National Bank Application", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, wrote to Opportunity Financial (“OppFi”) to oppose the lender’s application to acquire a national bank and become a bank holding company, given that OppFi’s business model is built on predatory lending practices, including triple-digit interest rates.\n\n“OppFi—a nonbank lender that provides financial services to consumers through installment loans—brands itself as a lender that ‘empower(s) everyday consumers to overcome financial hurdles and build long-term financial stability,’” wrote the Senators. “But, a closer look into its business model reveals persistent, predatory financial strategies.”\n\n“OppFi’s application to acquire a national bank came mere months after a very similar predatory lending nonbank applied to do the same,” wrote the Senators. “On January 28, 2026, Enova—a lender that charges up to 99.99% APR on its NetCredit bank partnership loans and up to 300% or higher on its state-licensed CashNetUSA loans—filed an application to acquire Grasshopper National Bank, to move the bank from New York to Utah, and to become a bank holding company.”\n\nThe Senators noted: “In fact, OppFi’s products have the potential to be even more harmful than Enova’s: OppFi lends up to 195% APR and has very aggressive refinancing practices, whereas the NetCredit loans that Enova proposed to make through its bank are currently limited to a still-egregious 99.99% APR.”\n\n“Given OppFi’s similarly structured predatory lending practices, paired with the mounting opposition it has received to date in regards to its application and Enova’s appropriate decision to change course, we believe OppFi should withdraw its application to acquire a national bank, immediately,” the Senators concluded.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Mr. Schwartz:\n\nWe write to express our opposition to Opportunity Financial’s (“OppFi”) application to acquire a national bank and become a bank holding company. In light of recent news that a similar nonbank predatory lender, Enova, decided to withdraw its application to acquire a national bank after an outcry from consumer advocates, we urge OppFi to follow suit and immediately withdraw its application to the Federal Reserve (“Fed”), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Like Enova, OppFi offers predatory products with the potential to harm consumers. In fact, OppFi’s products have the potential to be even more harmful than Enova’s: OppFi lends up to 195% APR and has very aggressive refinancing practices, whereas the NetCredit loans that Enova proposed to make through its bank are currently limited to a still-egregious 99.99% APR.\n\nOppFi—a nonbank lender that provides financial services through installment loans to consumers —brands itself as a lender that “empower[s] everyday consumers to overcome financial hurdles and build long-term financial stability.” But, a closer look into its business model reveals persistent, predatory financial strategies. OppFi charges up to 195% APR on personal installment loans. OppFi’s rate of charge-offs (i.e., when a lender determines a debt is unlikely to be collected) exceeds 55%. Notably, a 2021 lawsuit filed by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General alleged that “OppFi’s underwriting model anticipates that up to one third of their borrowers will fail to repay their loans and default.” A recent report also demonstrates that the majority of OppFi’s income comes from loan refinancings—reinforcing concerns that its business model is focused on extending loans that people cannot afford to repay on their original terms without reborrowing. OppFi itself stated that its average loan term is only four months even though its minimum loan term is nine months, and loans go up to 18 months. Clearly, OppFi aggressively pushes borrowers to refinance in order to extend their debt and increase borrowing costs.\n\nOppFi is seeking to expand its lending operations by attempting to acquire a national bank that enjoys the benefits of federal preemption. On April 28, 2026, OppFi announced an agreement to acquire BNCCORP, Inc. (“BNCC”) and its subsidiary, BNC National Bank (“BNC”), to move it to Utah, and to become a bank holding company. By acquiring BNC, OppFi would unlock the benefits of the bank’s national bank charter for the purposes of expanding its lending strategies nationally, side-stepping the interest rate caps of forty-five states. Concerningly, OppFi has also indicated an interest in expanding its operations post-BNC Bank acquisition by offering so-called “earned wage access” programs (more accurately called payday loan apps), lines of credit, and small business lending.\n\nOppFi’s application to acquire a national bank came mere months after a very similar predatory lending nonbank applied to do the same. On January 28, 2026, Enova—a lender that charges up to 99.99% APR on its NetCredit bank partnership loans and up to 300% or higher on its state-licensed CashNetUSA loans—filed an application to acquire Grasshopper National Bank, to move the bank from New York to Utah, and to become a bank holding company.\n\nHowever, on September 14, 2026, Enova withdrew its banking regulatory application, citing a lack of “clear standards for nonbanks that want to become banks”—and a slew of pushback from consumer advocates. In July, twenty state attorneys general sent a letter to the OCC, the Fed, and the FDIC, urging them to reject OppFi’s and Enova’s applications to enter the national banking system. They cited the ability of states to “historically detect[] dangers to consumers and the financial system before the full extent of the harm came to fruition,” specifically highlighting their role in raising concerns about subprime mortgages in advance of the 2008 financial crisis. They wrote that states are “sound[ing] the alarm again” and urged the agencies to prohibit predatory lenders like OppFi and Enova from accessing our national bank ecosystem. One month prior, over 100 consumer, civil rights, and community organizations sent a letter to Congress urging opposition to both Enova’s and OppFi’s applications, followed by a separate letter from 123 civil rights, legal services, and community groups filing a comment opposing the OppFi application, specifically. Enova correctly changed course by abandoning its plans to acquire a national bank. We therefore write to urge that OppFi do the same.\n\nGiven OppFi’s similarly structured predatory lending practices, paired with the mounting opposition it has received to date in regards to its application and Enova’s appropriate decision to change course, we believe OppFi should withdraw its application to acquire a national bank, immediately.\n\nSincerely,", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-colleagues-press-trump-administration-to-withdraw-proposal-that-would-gut-civil-rights-protections-for-federal-employees/", "title": "Warner, Colleagues Press Trump Administration to Withdraw Proposal that Would Gut Civil Rights Protections for Federal Employees", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warner.senate.gov", "scraper": "warner", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000805", "name": "Mark R. Warner", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Representatives Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Greg Landsman (D-OH), and Don Beyer (D-VA), along with their colleagues, to call on Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Andrea Lucas to rescind their proposed rule to eliminate protections and strip federal employees of critical civil rights in discrimination complaints. While the lawmakers expressed support for implementing improvements to the existing federal-sector Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process, they stressed that this proposed rule would make it more difficult for federal workers to challenge workplace discrimination and would weaken essential safeguards for their claims.\n\nThe lawmakers were joined in sending this letter by Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and by Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Troy Carter (D-LA), Ed Case (D-HI), Judy Chu (D-CA), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Laura Friedman (D-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Al Green (D-TX), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Larson (D-CT), Summer Lee (D-PA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), John Mannion (D-NY), Lucy McBath (D-GA), April McClain Delaney (D-MD), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Christian Menefee (D-TX), Grace Meng (D-NY), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Juan Vargas (D-CA), James Walkinshaw (D-VA), and Maxine Waters (D-CA).\n\nThe lawmakers begin, “We strongly oppose the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) proposed rule, which would revise the federal-sector equal employment opportunity complaint process. As Members representing hundreds of thousands of federal employees who serve our country every day, we are deeply concerned that this proposal would make it more difficult for those workers to challenge workplace discrimination and would weaken safeguards intended to ensure impartial review of their claims. As such, we urge the Commission to withdraw this proposal and pursue reforms that make the federal-sector EEO process both faster and fairer.”\n\n“We agree that the existing federal-sector Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process needs improvement. The current process is slow and understaffed, agencies often miss deadlines, and the structure requires an employing agency to investigate allegations against itself. Reforming the process should correct these shortcomings. However, unlike the proposed rule, the reforms should not eliminate protections and shift more power to the agency accused of discrimination,” they continue.\n\n“We urge the Commission to withdraw the NPRM and engage Congress in developing a revised proposal. While speed and efficiency matter, this proposed rule could have the effect of making EEO claims slower on top of stripping federal employees of key rights. The federal government should be a model employer free of discrimination, and its civil-rights process should reflect that obligation,” the lawmakers conclude.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Chair Lucas:\n\nWe strongly oppose the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) proposed rule, which would revise the federal-sector equal employment opportunity complaint process. As Members representing hundreds of thousands of federal employees who serve our country every day, we are deeply concerned that this proposal would make it more difficult for those workers to challenge workplace discrimination and would weaken safeguards intended to ensure impartial review of their claims. As such, we urge the Commission to withdraw this proposal and pursue reforms that make the federal-sector EEO process both faster and fairer.\n\nWe agree that the existing federal-sector Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process needs improvement. The current process is slow and understaffed, agencies often miss deadlines, and the structure requires an employing agency to investigate allegations against itself. Reforming the process should correct these shortcomings. However, unlike the proposed rule, the reforms should not eliminate protections and shift more power to the agency accused of discrimination.\n\nFirst, the proposal would replace mandatory pre-complaint counseling with direct filing and a substantially more demanding threshold. Under the current framework, a worker generally has 45 days to contact an EEO counselor, who confidentially explains the process and could possibly facilitate early resolution. Under the proposed rule, the worker instead would have 60 days to file a formal complaint to their agency that “must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim for relief that is plausible on its face.” This not only removes the process for employees to speak with an expert about the process, but it also increases the standard for which federal employees can seek relief and notifies the agency directly of the complaint. Many federal employees are unrepresented and lack access to evidence, such as internal communications, personnel records, or other information that is controlled by the agency. A plausibility screen at the outset therefore risks dismissal of potentially meritorious claims precisely because the agency holds the facts needed to prove them. In fact, EEOC’s own analysis shows that complaints can be erroneously dismissed, as shown by a 30% to 45% annual reversal rate for agency procedural dismissals from 2008-2012. These dismissals occurred even with the lower standard for seeking relief.\n\nThe 60 days to file is also shorter than the 180 days granted to legislative branch employees and the 300 days granted to most private sector employees, thus creating a system that disadvantages federal employees compared to other workers.\n\nSecond, the proposal would eliminate a federal employee’s right to elect an impartial administrative judge proceeding after the agency investigation or after 180 days. Instead, the agency’s final decision would become the ordinary adjudication mechanism, and an administrative judge would become available only if the EEOC’s Office of Federal Sector determines that referral is “necessary or efficient” during an appeal.\n\nAdministrative judges provide an essential independent check for federal employees concerned about conflict of interest. They take sworn testimony, resolve disputed facts and credibility issues, and assist in developing a complete evidentiary record. Under the proposal, however, an agency would investigate the complaint, decide whether the agency engaged in discrimination, and potentially conduct its own internal hearing. Concentrating these functions in the agency whose conduct is being challenged raises serious concerns about independence, investigatory bias, and conflicts of interest.\n\nNot only is the criteria for determining whether a hearing is “necessary or efficient” vague and burdensome for employees, the proposal significantly underestimates the amount of time required to review an appeal and determine whether it should be referred to the administrative judge. Agency reports of investigations are typically several hundred to thousands of pages; however, the proposal estimate review of these reports will take one-half hour. This timeline is wholly inadequate for the Commission to comprehend that much material and make a complete, unbiased decision on whether a hearing is warranted. This appellate review of a written record is not a replacement for access to an independent hearing and investigation.\n\nAdditionally, the proposed rule places the burden on the employee to request such proceedings and explain why they are warranted. The proposal would penalize workers who do not know to request those proceedings by allowing them to be waived if the worker fails to make the proper request. Given that an employee would no longer go through pre-complaint counseling, it could be difficult for the employee to know that they need to ask for a hearing.\n\nThe plan would also shift substantial new adjudicatory and administrative responsibilities onto federal agencies at the very moment many lack the personnel and infrastructure to carry them out. The proposal would make the final agency decision the ordinary disposition for every accepted complaint, while requiring agencies to revise procedures; retrain EEO, human resources, and legal staff; update case-management systems; and satisfy expanded tracking obligations. The NPRM does not explain how agencies will absorb these demands, especially amid the Administration’s reductions in force and buyouts that have hollowed out the workforce responsible for implementation. We have already seen the strain agencies’ HR departments are under trying to keep up with routine employee requests and paperwork. In discrimination cases, administrative delays are not harmless inconveniences, but rather significant barriers that postpone meaningful review and, for employees with meritorious claims, relief and accountability. These delays are unacceptable and should not be made worse.\n\nAdditionally, the proposed elimination of administrative class complaints would severely weaken the ability of federal workers to challenge systemic discrimination. The proposed rule would permit a worker to assert a putative class claim only for exhaustion purposes and would allow related individual complaints to be processed jointly, but it would prohibit class certification, class notice, class-wide findings, and relief for absent class members. Joint processing is not a substitute for a class mechanism. Administrative class complaints can spread litigation costs, resolve common questions consistently, and provide relief where individual recoveries are too small to make separate cases realistic. Illustratively, in fiscal years 2023 and 2024, $175 million for federal workers was secured through class settlements. Abolishing the process would shift systemic disputes into more expensive federal litigation, increase burdens on the courts, and leave many workers without a practical remedy.\n\nThe rule also purportedly seeks to implement the Elijah E. Cummings Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act of 2020; however, it does so selectively and does not address all of the law’s provisions. For example, the rule does not ensure EEO programs avoid conflicts of interest by being separated from the agency’s HR or General Counsel offices. It also does not address referrals to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) for disciplinary actions—a critical tool given OSC’s ability to act against those who perpetrate discrimination.\n\nThe Commission’s proposed changes are counter to Congressional intent. Congress has found that “[f]ederal agencies cannot be run effectively if those agencies practice or tolerate discrimination.” The Commission’s proposed changes will make it more difficult for federal employees to challenge discrimination and easier for agencies to evade accountability. While Section 717 of Title VII contemplates that federal agencies shall receive discrimination complaints, it also charges the EEOC with effective enforcement of anti-discrimination requirements, including by issuing rules that carry out its responsibility. The current rules, while imperfect, better effectuate these responsibilities by accounting for potential conflicts of interest that may arise from agencies adjudicating complaints. Indeed, by providing federal employees with the right to an impartial hearing before the EEOC, where complainants may have access to discovery and a third-party adjudicator, the current process enables federal employees to have recourse in cases where federal agencies are delaying investigations or appear to be biased in their handling of complaints.\n\nMoreover, Congress established the federal sector administrative process to provide federal employees with a more informal and less-costly mechanism to vindicate their rights. Unfortunately, under the guise of simplification, the NPRM needlessly imposes federal court standards on complaints and eliminates employees’ ability to challenge systemic discrimination, burdening federal courts.\n\nFurther, the proposed rule would also make it more difficult for federal employees to obtain legal representation by reducing attorney’s fee awards. The proposal disfavors the use of standard fee matrices, asserts that employment discrimination cases are not complex litigation, restricts compensation for work on unsuccessful claims, and generally allows fees only for services performed after a written complaint is filed. For attorneys who must rely on fee recovery, lower or less predictable awards may make it economically impracticable to accept federal-sector EEO matters. The likely consequence is that more employees will be required to navigate an increasingly technical process without counsel.\n\nFinally, the 30-day public comment period is insufficient for review of such complex changes and is contrary to the Commission’s purported interest in substantive feedback. Notably, the docket shows that the NPRM was withdrawn twice on August 28 before being re-posted on August 31. These technical issues likely caused confusion for stakeholders who sought to submit comments during that time period and ultimately gives stakeholders fewer than 30 days to comment.\n\nWe urge the Commission to withdraw the NPRM and engage Congress in developing a revised proposal. While speed and efficiency matter, this proposed rule could have the effect of making EEO claims slower on top of stripping federal employees of key rights. The federal government should be a model employer free of discrimination, and its civil-rights process should reflect that obligation.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ribbon-cutting-southwest-georgia-childrens-alliance-gets-new-building-thanks-to-warnock-effort/", "title": "RIBBON CUTTING: Southwest Georgia Children’s Alliance Gets New Building Thanks to Warnock Effort", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warnock.senate.gov", "scraper": "warnock", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000790", "name": "Raphael G. Warnock", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock secured funding in Fiscal Year 2024 for Southwest Georgia Children’s Alliance to acquire a new building and expand services\n\nThe new building will open in November 2026\n\nThe federal resources will support Southwest Georgia Children’s Alliance in its mission to address domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and sexual assault\n\nSenator Reverend Warnock: “I’m honored to support those doing God’s work to ensure no child is being abused or neglected.”\n\nWashington, D.C. – Southwest Georgia Children’s Alliance is operating in a new building thanks to Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) efforts to secure nearly $500,000 to purchase a new space for its mission to address domestic violence. The new building will allow the Alliance to consolidate all its services into one building, providing easier access to services for victims of domestic violence.\n\nServices provided include: Forensic interviewing of victims and crisis response, in-house therapeutic intervention, mobile advocacy and outreach, mental health services, safety planning, sexual assault examinations, justice system navigation, and court advocacy.\n\n“I’m pleased to support Georgians who are doing critical work to ensure no child is being abused or neglected. Southwest Georgia Children’s Alliance has continuously stepped up and been there for children in need,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I will continue to work in Washington and across the aisle to ensure Georgians always have the resources they need.”\n\n“This building has been a goal of ours for a very long time, and Senator Warnock’s support has made it possible. Having all of our programs together under one roof will make a real difference in how we work together. Just as important, it gives us a space that supports the children and families who come to us for help and the team that shows up every day to serve them,” said CEO and Executive Director for Southwest Georgia Children’s Alliance Maggie McGruther. “We are incredibly grateful to Senator Warnock for investing in our mission and in the communities we serve across Southwest Georgia.”\n\nThe Southwest Georgia Children’s Alliance is an integral point of contact when there is an allegation of domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, and/or sexual assault. By expanding its facilities, it will reduce how often victims must tell their stories and how many places they must go for help, while increasing access to services.\n\nTheir current building, a 1960s brick house, had space constraints that left no safe or confidential areas for clients to wait for assistance; staff members had to share desks, and privacy concerns were a constant struggle. The Alliance was able to use the $488,000 in funding to cover about 75% of the new building’s total price, which allowed them to purchase the building outright without loans or mortgages.\n\nThe funding came from three FY2024 government funding bills that passed the Senate with bipartisan support.\n\nIn 2026, Senator Warnock, along with Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop (D-GA), applauded $739,000 in federal funding for the Southwest Georgia Children’s Alliance to expand their early intervention program for family violence, to improve coordinated care services and strengthen the justice system’s response to child abuse and family violence.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welchs-bipartisan-bills-to-reform-irs-support-low-income-taxpayers-pass-senate-with-unanimous-support/", "title": "Welch’s Bipartisan Bills to Reform IRS, Support Low-Income Taxpayers Pass Senate with Unanimous Support", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two bipartisan bills championed by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, passed with unanimous support in the Senate. The Unlocking Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Funding Act and the Protecting Innocent Taxpayers from Endless Assessments Act would support lower-income taxpayers in Vermont, Kansas, and across the country.\n\n“The IRS is difficult to navigate and a pain for everyday taxpayers—that’s something we can all agree on, no matter where you’re from. I teamed up with my friend and colleague Senator Marshall on these bills, which will improve IRS operations in dire need of reform and make a world of difference for taxpayers in their dealings with the IRS. I’m grateful for the support of Senate colleagues for advancing our bills and all of the important IRS reforms in the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act. I urge the House of Representatives to pass these bills when they return in November,” said Senator Welch.\n\nThe Unlocking Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Funding Act, introduced by Senator Welch and co-led by Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), would make it easier for Low-Income Tax Clinics to access federal grant funding. These clinics provide free or low-cost services for taxpayers in disputes with the IRS. The Protecting Innocent Taxpayers from Endless Assessments Act, introduced by Senator Marshall and co-led by Senator Welch, would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify that the IRS’ unlimited statute of limitations applies only to taxpayers who intentionally evade taxes, protecting victims of preparer fraud.\n\nBoth bills were included as part of the bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, a package of 65 bipartisan reforms that would strengthen the rights of taxpayers, streamline U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) operations, and improve the taxpaying process for the American people.\n\nThe TAS Act previously advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee in July by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 26-1 and has earned the endorsement of the nonpartisan National Taxpayer Advocate and other leading individuals and organizations.\n\nRead and download the full text of the TAS Act and view a Section-by-Section summary of the bill.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/reed-whitehouse-amo-welcome-1-million-for-tiverton-water-system-improvements-to-address-pfas-contamination/", "title": "Reed, Whitehouse & Amo Welcome $1 Million for Tiverton Water System Improvements to Address PFAS Contamination", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release", "domain": "www.whitehouse.senate.gov", "scraper": "whitehouse", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000802", "name": "Sheldon Whitehouse", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "New federal funds will improve Tiverton’s water infrastructure & expand access to reliable water service for homes grappling with PFAS in private wells\n\nTiverton, RI – In an effort to provide vital assistance to Tiverton residents affected by toxic “forever chemicals,” also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and U.S. Representative Gabe Amo (D-RI-01) today welcomed approval of an agreement to provide Tiverton with $1 million through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Emergency Community Water Assistance grant.\n\nPFAS are man-made chemicals that are used in industry and consumer products and can lead to serious health effects, reproductive and developmental harms, and weakened immune systems. These “forever chemicals” can be found in a variety of products related to packaging, carpets, leather products, nonstick coatings and cookware, firefighting foams, and textiles that enhance water, grease and soil repellents.\n\nAlthough major manufacturing of certain PFAS in the U.S. ended over a decade ago, they still exist in the environment and in products due to their slow breakdown process. Once released into the air, water, or soil, PFAS can easily travel long distances and contaminate rivers, lakes and wells that are used for drinking water.\n\nMore than one hundred private wells in Tiverton that have been tested to date have exceeded Rhode Island’s 20 parts-per-trillion standard, and testing is still underway. With some wells registering PFAS concentrations above 4,000 parts per trillion, Tiverton families urgently need help accessing safe drinking water and determining the scope and source of this contamination\n\nReed, Whitehouse, and Amo wrote a letter to the head of the USDA on September 8 supporting a request for this funding, which will help launch the installation of an emergency public water line to restore reliable drinking water to homeowners whose private wells have been contaminated with dangerous levels of PFAS.\n\n“This is a positive step in a multi-step process that will help address existing water infrastructure issues while extending reliable water service to additional residents. Scientists and experts are still working to better understand PFAS, their risks, and the extent of the situation in Tiverton and there needs to be continued public outreach so everyone understands the type of assistance available and next steps,” said Senator Reed.\n\n“Dangerous levels of PFAS have contaminated Tiverton’s water and put families on edge about their health,” said Senator Whitehouse. “We have helped secure federal funding for North Tiverton Fire District to install an emergency public water line. This is an important step forward and I am committed to supporting the town in its efforts to restore safe drinking water and peace of mind to residents.”\n\n“Every Rhode Islander should have access to safe, clean drinking water. I’m proud to have fought to secure this federal funding to ensure the North Tiverton Fire District has the tools they need to respond to the PFAS contamination crisis and install an emergency public waterline,” said Congressman Amo. “As Tiverton continues to recover, I will continue working with federal, state, and local leaders to restore safe, clean drinking water, safeguard residents’ health, and prevent further economic disruption to the community.”\n\nEarlier this year, the Associated Press reported that: “The Trump administration will soon propose softening Biden-era limits on “forever chemicals” in drinking water, delaying but keeping tough standards for two common types and rescinding limits on some rarer forms of the substance, according to an EPA official.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-grassley-unveil-gao-report-highlighting-heightened-fraud-risk-by-opaque-shell-and-front-companies/", "title": "Whitehouse, Grassley Unveil GAO Report Highlighting Heightened Fraud Risk by Opaque Shell and Front Companies", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release", "domain": "www.whitehouse.senate.gov", "scraper": "whitehouse", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000802", "name": "Sheldon Whitehouse", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Treasury Department’s final rule that dismantled key element of bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act is blocking insight into beneficial owner information of companies applying for federal awards\n\nWashington, DC – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), co-chair of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), former co-chair of the Caucus, announced the release of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that found that hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars remain vulnerable to fraud enabled by opaque corporate structures, almost six years after Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act and directed the General Services Administration (GSA) to maintain a database that contains federal contractors’ beneficial ownership information.\n\nDespite passage of the bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), there is still no central repository of beneficial ownership information on businesses that receive federal awards after efforts to address beneficial ownership-related risks have been stymied by the Department of the Treasury’s recently finalized rule gutting the CTA’s beneficial ownership reporting requirements. The GAO analysis reveals that GSA intended to leverage Treasury’s registry to develop the contractor database, but that source is now of minimal use after Treasury exempted 99 percent of the entities that were previously required to report.\n\n“Senator Grassley and I worked for years to pass the Corporate Transparency Act to crack down on fraudsters, cartels, and criminals who steal and stash dirty money in shady shell companies,” said Whitehouse. “This new report shows that the Treasury Department’s shortsighted decision to gut the CTA leaves hundreds of billions of federal dollars at real risk to fraudsters. The Trump administration should reverse course and fully implement the law as envisioned by Congress if they are remotely serious about uncovering and eliminating fraud.”\n\n“The bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act was designed to crack down on anonymous shell corporations engaged in illicit finance by filling a gap in the collection of beneficial ownership information. The latest report from the Government Accountability Office demonstrates how this bipartisan bill’s reporting requirements would also help the government weed out hundreds of millions of dollars in fraud in federal programs and contracts,” Grassley said. “This report underscores how important it is for the U.S. government to fully implement the Corporate Transparency Act’s beneficial ownership reporting requirements and use all available tools to protect Americans and crack down on illicit financial schemes.”\n\nWhitehouse and Grassley asked GAO to provide insights on what information is available from various federal, state, and commercial data sources to identify beneficial owners, and how they can be used to combat fraud risks in federal awards. The GAO report found that illicit actors hide their beneficial ownership in multiple ways to fraudulently access federal awards, such as contracts, grants, and Medicare payments, and to evade payment on taxes. GAO’s review revealed tactics illicit actors have used, such as using stolen identities, shell companies, professional enablers, and pass-through billing schemes to hide ownership.\n\nThe GAO report found several explosive examples of fraud linked to shell companies and weak beneficial ownership disclosure rules. In June 2025, the Department of Justice indicted several individuals allegedly associated with a Russia-based transnational criminal organization , who allegedly exploited weak disclosure requirements in beneficial ownership reporting to try to defraud Medicare and private health care companies of over $10 billion, ultimately receiving $941 million. From July 2019 through January 2023, three purported hospice owners stole identities to register shell companies and defrauded Medicare for nearly $16 million. And in a third case, from June 2018 through September 2018, a foreign-based scam ring with U.S.-based conspirators directed legitimate federal contractors to a fake government website to steal their identities, causing the government to misdirect $23.5 million to the fraudsters.\n\nThe CTA was designed to play an important role in protecting national security and public safety by providing law enforcement and national security officials with the names of the true owners (“beneficial ownership information”) of U.S. corporations and other legal entities. This information facilitates the government’s efforts to combat various forms of illicit finance carried out through shell and front companies.\n\nIn March 2025, the Treasury Department announced that it would not enforce the CTA’s beneficial ownership information reporting rule when it comes to U.S. citizens or domestic reporting companies, and would issue a new proposed rulemaking that would narrow the scope of the rule to foreign reporting companies only. A few weeks later, the Department published an interim final rule eliminating reporting requirements for more than 99 percent of corporations and LLCs that were previously required to report, despite those entities posing significant risks of illicit finance activity. In August 2026, Treasury’s final rulemade permanent the sweeping exemptions and mandated the deletion of all beneficial ownership information data that domestic companies had already submitted.\n\nWhitehouse and Grassley were the original sponsors of the TITLE Act, the precursor to the Corporate Transparency Act. The CTA also passed as part of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act after more than a decade of bipartisan congressional deliberation, and was supported by a wide range of government, anti-corruption groups, human rights organizations, faith communities, financial institutions, and real estate organizations.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2026/10/01/wicker-hyde-smith-champion-todd-butler-nomination/", "title": "Wicker, Hyde-Smith Champion Todd Butler Nomination", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wicker.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.wicker.senate.gov", "scraper": "wicker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000437", "name": "Roger F. Wicker", "party": "Republican", "state": "MS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today praised President Trump’s nomination of G. Todd Butler of Mississippi to serve as judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Wicker and Hyde-Smith committed to working toward his confirmation. Mr. Butler would succeed Judge Leslie H. Southwick, who has elected to take senior status.\n\n“Todd Butler is an excellent pick for the federal bench. He believes in interpreting the law as it is written, pursuant to the text and original meaning of the Constitution—exactly the quality that should characterize a jurist. Mr. Butler is a credit to his home state of Mississippi. We look forward to his swift confirmation.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-abandon-plan-to-strip-tax-credits-from-700000-american-taxpayers", "title": "Wyden, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Abandon Plan to Strip Tax Credits from 700,000 American Taxpayers", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.wyden.senate.gov", "scraper": "wyden", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000779", "name": "Ron Wyden", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today led colleagues in demanding the Trump Administration abandon a plan that would prevent up to 700,000 Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients and other tax-paying immigrants from claiming tax credits they are currently eligible to receive.\n\nThe Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Treasury are proposing a rule change that would prevent hundreds of thousands of taxpayers from claiming the Adoption Tax Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. DACA and TPS recipients have been lawfully claiming these taxes for decades.\n\n“According to your own estimates, the proposed rule change could affect up to 700,000 taxpayers,” Wyden and the other senators wrote in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS CEO Frank Bisignano. “This would include more than 300,000 individuals living in households with a DACA recipient, two-thirds of whom are U.S. citizens and who have, on average, lived in the United States for over 28 years. The practical effect of these new regulations would be to deny tax credits to immigrants who are legally eligible for them and lawfully present in our country, and to create a byzantine and unworkable system for both tax preparers and taxpayers.”\n\n“The Administration has no legal authority to change congressionally enacted tax law via regulation…” the lawmakers continued, noting that no federal agency for more than three decades has interpreted refundable tax credits as federal public benefits restricted to qualified immigrants. “If Congress intended for refundable tax credits to be treated as federal public benefits, it has had over 30 years to clarify the statute.”\n\n“The proposed rule is clear regulatory overreach that would have disastrous impacts for lawfully present immigrants and their families who are legally eligible for refundable tax credits,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nIn addition to Wyden, the letter was led by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill. The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Patty Murray, D-Wash.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-crapo-celebrate-unanimous-senate-approval-of-the-bipartisan-taxpayer-assistance-and-service-act", "title": "Wyden, Crapo Celebrate Unanimous Senate Approval of the Bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.wyden.senate.gov", "scraper": "wyden", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000779", "name": "Ron Wyden", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Mike Crapo, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, today celebrated the Senate’s unanimous approval of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act.\n\nThe legislation approved this week is a package of 65 bipartisan reforms to modernize the Internal Revenue Service, strengthen taxpayer rights and improve the agency’s ability to administer the tax code predictably and efficiently.\n\n“The Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act is the direct result of years of bipartisan work,” Wyden said. “This bill will help improve services for hardworking taxpayers while cracking down on predatory tax prep scammers that are taking advantage of low-income families to turn a quick profit. I’m grateful for the partnership of Chairman Crapo and the members of the Finance Committee that have worked to get this across the finish line.”\n\n“Taxpayers deserve a tax system that is competent, responsive and works for them,” said Crapo. “The Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act is designed to provide taxpayers with top-quality service and ensure their rights are protected. I thank Ranking Member Wyden and the members of the Finance Committee for their partnership in developing this bipartisan legislation and look forward to advancing these commonsense reforms across the finish line this Congress.”\n\nThe Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act previously advanced out of the Finance Committee by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 26-1 and has earned the endorsement of the nonpartisan National Taxpayer Advocate.\n\nThe full text of the bill is here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-introduce-bill-to-extend-secure-rural-schools-funding", "title": "Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Extend Secure Rural Schools Funding", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.wyden.senate.gov", "scraper": "wyden", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000779", "name": "Ron Wyden", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both D-Ore., today were joined by their colleagues Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both R-Idaho, in introducing legislation that would extend funding for the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program for three years, and clarify congressional intention for distribution of funding for counties in Oregon with Bureau of Land Management lands.\n\nFunding for the program expired yesterday, September 30, 2026.\n\n“Secure Rural Schools is a lifeline for rural Oregon,” Wyden said. “I’ll be working as hard as I can to get this bill across the finish line, but the well-being of rural America shouldn’t be dependent on Congress getting its act together to renew this funding every few years. It’s past time to get rural communities off the financial rollercoaster and deliver a permanent funding solution.”\n\n“The SRS program provides crucial payments that are a lifeline for rural communities here in Oregon and across America—keeping schools open, maintaining roads, restoring watersheds, and providing funding for police officers and firefighters to keep families safe,” said Merkley. “A three-year extension of the program and these common-sense updates are critical to ensuring the federal government upholds its promise to our communities and that local governments can reliably access these important resources.”\n\nWyden co-authored the SRS law in 2000, and it has brought nearly $4 billion to Oregon counties since then. Funding for the program lapsed in September 2023 and resumed two years later in September 2025, depriving rural counties across the country of critical funding for schools, law enforcement, and infrastructure projects.\n\nLegislative text of the three-year extension is here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-press-officials-for-answers-on-uas-testing-pauses-in-pendleton-mcminnville-and-tillamook", "title": "Wyden, Merkley Press Officials for Answers on UAS Testing Pauses in Pendleton, McMinnville and Tillamook", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.wyden.senate.gov", "scraper": "wyden", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000779", "name": "Ron Wyden", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Oregon senators: “Our constituents have expressed concerns about how the ongoing pause affects the local economies across the state where UAS testing takes place, and they seek a timely resolution”\n\nWashington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today asked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its designated administrator of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) test sites in Pendleton, McMinnville and Tillamook for an update about the recent suspension of all flight operations at those three Oregon locales.\n\nThe Oregon senators said their letter comes after operations at those three UAS test sites were paused on Sept. 11 due to concerns at the University of Alaska Fairbanks UAS test site, which serves as the FAA’s designated administrator to test and develop UAS technology, and to oversee operations for test sites across the West.\n\n“While we understand that the pause was necessary due to the FAA’s concerns regarding safety practices, oversight, and documentation, the situation has disrupted flight activity at all other test sites that operate under the University of Alaska Fairbanks,” Wyden and Merkley wrote FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Dr. Catherine F. Cahill, Director of the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft System Integration. “In Oregon, this pause delays testing and development for aerospace and defense contractors, federal customers, and commercial UAS companies who operate at the Pendleton UAS Range, Northwest UAV in McMinnville, and Tillamook UAS Test Range.”\n\nWyden and Merkley wrote that the testing pause has created significant uncertainty for Oregon communities, noting for example that the Pendleton UAS range generates roughly $2.4 million annually for the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport -- roughly 82 percent of the airport’s total revenue at the airport.\n\n“Our constituents have expressed concerns about how the ongoing pause affects the local economies across the state where UAS testing takes place, and they seek a timely resolution,” the senators wrote. “We appreciate the FAA’s efforts to review safety practices and conduct oversight. We also recognize the timeliness and importance of resuming operations at all test sites that have been impacted by the pause.”\n\nThe senators asked for responses to their letter by Oct. 7, given the significant economic uncertainty facing the test sites.\n\nThe entire letter is here.\n\nRelated Files", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-applauds-labor-award-supporting-training-for-hoosier-workers/", "title": "Young Applauds Labor Award Supporting Training for Hoosier Workers", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.young.senate.gov", "scraper": "toddyoung", "member": {"bioguide_id": "Y000064", "name": "Todd Young", "party": "Republican", "state": "IN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) applauded the U.S. Department of Labor’s announcement of a $6.74 million award to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to support employer-driven skills training for Hoosier workers in industries like shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, and nuclear energy:\n\n“Restoring American shipbuilding capacity starts with American workers, and this new funding will help build America’s maritime strength. Additionally, this investment will enable more Hoosiers gain the skills they need to succeed in good-paying jobs while supporting industries important to our national security. I want to thank Secretary Sonderling for working with us to bring this important funding to Hoosier workers,” said Senator Young.\n\n“President Trump is restoring American manufacturing dominance, especially in critical industries like manufacturing, shipbuilding, and nuclear energy,” said Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “As we continue to see growth in the construction and manufacturing sectors these grants ensure that American workers have the skills necessary to fill the high-skilled and high-paying jobs that are driving our nation into a new era of industrial might and provide the economic security that previous administrations let slip overseas.”\n\nThe funding was awarded through the Department of Labor’s Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund, which supports employer-led training in high-growth and emerging industries. The Department announced $43 million in awards to seven states, including Indiana.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-applauds-nomination-of-scott-krueger-to-serve-as-u-s-marshal/", "title": "Young Applauds Nomination of Scott Krueger to Serve as U.S. Marshal", "date": "2026-10-01", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.young.senate.gov", "scraper": "toddyoung", "member": {"bioguide_id": "Y000064", "name": "Todd Young", "party": "Republican", "state": "IN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) released the following statement in support of President Donald Trump’s announcement that he is nominating Indiana Police Captain Scott Krueger to serve as United States Marshal for the Northern District of Indiana.\n\n“Scott Krueger has dedicated more than two decades to protecting Hoosiers and supporting Indiana’s law enforcement community. His extensive experience with the Indiana State Police has prepared him well to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Indiana. I look forward to supporting his confirmation in the Senate,” said Senator Young.\n\nKrueger is a 26-year veteran of the Indiana State Police and currently serves as a captain in the Office of the Superintendent. Throughout his career, Krueger has held leadership roles advocating for law enforcement officers at both the state and national levels. He is a graduate of Purdue University and Oakland City University.", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-smith-and-rep-krishnamoothi-introduce-legislation-help-immigrants-enter", "title": "Rep. Smith and Rep. Krishnamoothi Introduce Legislation to Help Immigrants Enter the Health Care Workforce", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "adamsmith.house.gov", "scraper": "adamsmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000510", "name": "Adam Smith", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 1, 2026) – Today, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) introduced the Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act and the Internationally Trained Physicians Assistance Act, two bills to help immigrants enter the U.S. health care workforce and address the nation's growing shortage of health care providers. A 2022 study by the Migration Policy Institute found that 2.1 million college-educated immigrants are unemployed or underemployed, even as sectors like health care face mounting workforce shortages — including a projected shortfall of up to 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.\n\n“We have thousands of skilled nurses, doctors, and health professionals in this country whose training and expertise are going to waste because their professional expertise is not recognized and they face numerous barriers to achieve the needed licensure. At the same time, our health care system is stretched thin and patients are waiting longer for care,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “This bill package helps immigrants put their skills to work and serve their communities and will rebuild the health care system.”\n\n“Skilled doctors, nurses, and other health professionals should have the opportunity to put their training and expertise to work caring for patients,” said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. “Our legislation would help qualified immigrants overcome unnecessary barriers to entering the health care workforce while helping communities address critical provider shortages. When we make better use of the talent already in our communities, we strengthen our health care system and expand access to care.”\n\nStatements of Support\n\n“Across the U.S., communities face critical health workforce shortages, yet immigrant and refugee health professionals—who possess in-demand skills—remain underemployed. Communities need this talent, and recognizing it is an essential step. By streamlining licensure and addressing unnecessary barriers, we can meet urgent labor needs and improve access to quality care. We support efforts, including at the state and federal levels, to advance policies that promote community prosperity by ensuring that immigrants can fully contribute their training and skills to their local economy.” - Kit Taintor, Head of US Policy and Practice, World Education Services (WES)\n\n“We are proud to support these bills, which will expand opportunities for immigrant professionals while helping address critical workforce shortages in the healthcare sector,\" said Alice Kang, President of Upwardly Global. \"With demand for healthcare workers rising nationwide, we should be creating pathways that allow qualified immigrants and refugees to contribute their expertise. This legislation will strengthen our healthcare system, bolster the economy and support safer, more resilient communities. Upwardly Global will continue to stand with Rep. Smith in moving this work forward.”\n\n\"Many members of our team hold advanced education and expertise in medicine, nursing, and behavioral health. Yet they are unable to practice here due to costly additional education requirements and complex licensing procedures. At a time when we are confronted with a significant healthcare provider shortage—and as we work to diversify the healthcare workforce—it is critical to consider policies that create pathways for these highly skilled professionals to contribute to patient care,” said Tamara Cyhan Cunitz, MN, RN, Executive Director, Nashi Immigrants Health Board. “These bills introduced by Rep. Smith would expand opportunities for immigrant healthcare professionals to serve patients in our community and region. These measures would not only strengthen our workforce with qualified providers but also enable community members to receive care from clinicians who understand their language and cultural background.”\n\nBackground\n\nThe Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act would help immigrants, regardless of previous health care experience, enter the nursing and allied health workforce by:\n\nCreating grants for programs that provide training, licensing, certification, and case management for immigrants interested in entering the health care field; and\n\nOpening eligibility for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) to non-U.S.-citizen immigrants.\n\nAn estimated 200,000 nurses per year will need to be hired to meet increased demand and replace retiring nurses. This bill supports immigrants entering nursing or an allied health profession, including dental hygienists, dietitians, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, and speech language pathologists.\n\nA fact sheet about the Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act can be found here. The bill text can be found here.\n\nThe Internationally Trained Physicians Assistance Act would help internationally trained physicians (ITPs) obtain a U.S. medical license by:\n\nIncentivizing states to create temporary licensing programs allowing internationally educated immigrants with medical degrees to practice under supervision while completing the training and certification needed for a U.S. medical license;\n\nEstablishing guaranteed medical residency slots for ITPs to practice in predominantly medically underserved communities; and\n\nProviding grants to help cover the cost of exam preparation, testing, certification, ESL classes, and case management for ITPs in need of financial assistance.\n\nApart from Canada, internationally trained physicians cannot immediately apply to sit for the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), and the cost of licensing, test preparation, and certification often puts a U.S. medical license out of reach, even for highly trained professionals. Many states have created alternative licensure pathways, but more must be done at the federal level to support these reforms nationwide to expand high-quality health care access.\n\nA fact sheet about the Internationally Trained Physicians Assistance Act can be found here. The bill text can be found here.\n\nEndorsements: International Medical Graduates Academy (TIMGA), Nashi Immigrants Health Board, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Sea Mar Community Health Center, Seattle Indian Health Board, Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, Talent Beyond Boundaries, Upwardly Global, World Education Services (WES)\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://adriansmith.house.gov/media/press-releases/smith-announces-2026-angels-adoption-honorees", "title": "Smith Announces 2026 Angels in Adoption Honorees", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://adriansmith.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "adriansmith.house.gov", "scraper": "adriansmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001172", "name": "Adrian Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) announced Jenna and Robert Stoner of Holdrege will be honored with the 2026 Angels in Adoption Award for Nebraska’s Third District.\n\n“Through nurturance and care, Jenna and Robert Stoner ensured that their adoptive children felt safe and loved during a pivotal time in their lives. Their continued compassion and commitment are a powerful example of the love and stability a family can provide, and I am honored to recognize them as the 2026 recipients of the Angels in Adoption award,” said Smith.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s Angels in Adoption Leadership Program provides Members of Congress the opportunity to honor an individual or entity from their district which has made an extraordinary contribution on behalf of children in need of homes.\n\nThe Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the millions of children around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://aguilar.house.gov/2026/10/02/rep-aguilar-announces-nearly-5-million-in-grants-for-childcare-and-career-programs-at-cal-state-san-bernardino/", "title": "Rep. Aguilar Announces Nearly $5 Million in Grants for Childcare and Career Programs at Cal State San Bernardino", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://aguilar.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/", "domain": "aguilar.house.gov", "scraper": "aguilar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000371", "name": "Pete Aguilar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The funding will help with childcare for student parents and support learning and job preparation in STEM and healthcare industries for working-class students at CSUSB\n\nSAN BERNARDINO, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced a total of $4,871,289 in grants for California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) to support student parents by providing childcare services as well as strengthening STEM and healthcare educational opportunities for low-income students to prepare them for good-paying careers.\n\nThe funding includes a $3,541,904 grant for CSUSB to provide affordable childcare services to Pell Grant-eligible undergraduate students with children between the ages of 6 months and 12 years old. This will allow student parents to pursue their degrees while their children receive quality care.\n\nAlso included in the funding is $1,329,385 that will allow CSUSB to develop new academic programs and career pathways in STEM and healthcare for low-income and rural students. The university will invest in educational outreach programs, create undergraduate research opportunities and help connect students with internships and apprenticeships related to careers in these industries. Rep. Aguilar wrote a letter to the Department of Education in support of CSUSB’s application for this important grant.\n\n“Whether you’re a new parent in school or come from a working-class community, where you start out shouldn’t decide whether you finish a degree and land a good-paying job,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “I am proud to announce this funding for CSUSB, which will provide childcare support for student parents so they can stay in school and expand academic opportunities in STEM and healthcare for low-income students. I’m excited to see how these grants help Inland Empire residents of all backgrounds be successful.”\n\n“Cal State San Bernardino is grateful to the U.S. Department of Education for awarding the university nearly $4.9 million through two grants: the Strengthening Institutions and Child Care Access Means Parents in School programs,” said Terri Gómez, President, California State University, San Bernardino. “The $1.3 million Strengthening Institutions grant will expand educational and career pathways in STEM and health care and strengthen support for low-income and rural students. The $3.5 million Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant will help student parents continue their education by providing access to essential childcare services. We sincerely thank Congressman Pete Aguilar for his continued advocacy on behalf of CSUSB and the Inland Empire, including his letter supporting our Strengthening Institutions Program application. His partnership helps the university expand opportunity, improve student success, and prepare graduates to meet the workforce needs of our region.”\n\nThe $3.5 million grant comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program (84.335A). The $1.3 million grant comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program (84.031A).", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1849", "title": "Alford Introduces Legislation to Strengthen SBA’s Rural and Faith-Based Outreach", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://alford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "alford.house.gov", "scraper": "alford", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000379", "name": "Mark Alford", "party": "Republican", "state": "MO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04), Chairman of the House Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations, introduced the Faith and Rural Small Business Act to strengthen the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) ability to serve rural and faith-based communities.\n\nThe legislation would codify the SBA’s Office of Rural Affairs and elevate its leadership to an Assistant Administrator. It would also establish a Center for Faith within the SBA’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development, led by a Director appointed by the SBA Administrator.\n\n“The SBA should meet entrepreneurs where they are, whether that’s on Main Street in rural Missouri or in a faith community serving its neighbors. This legislation supports the SBA’s reorganization by strengthening its focus on rural America and faith-based entrepreneurship and ensuring more entrepreneurs can access the resources they need to succeed,” said Congressman Alford.\n\nRead the full text of the legislation here.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe legislation builds on Alford’s efforts to make the SBA more responsive to communities outside Washington, D.C. In 2025, Alford introduced the Rural Innovation and Small Business Support Act to expand SBA outreach in rural communities and the Returning SBA to Main Street Act, which passed the House Small Business Committee and would decentralize SBA personnel across the country.\n\nThis legislation continues those efforts by strengthening the SBA’s Office of Rural Affairs and codifying a Center for Faith within the agency’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development.\n\nThe bill would amend the Small Business Act to formally establish both offices within the SBA’s organizational structure.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://amo.house.gov/press-release/ri-delegation-announces-91-million-to-boost-public-safety-support-local-law-enforcement", "title": "RI Delegation Announces $9.1 Million to Boost Public Safety & Support Local Law Enforcement", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://amo.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "amo.house.gov", "scraper": "amo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000380", "name": "Gabe Amo", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC – In an effort to improve public safety, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today announced $9,101,109 in federal funding to support police officers, law enforcement agencies, crime victims, and nonprofit organizations.\n\nThis federal funding will be used to implement a range of crime reduction strategies, criminal justice initiatives, and assistance for crime victims, and to help keep people and communities safe, including:\n\n• Combating violence and various forms of crime with evidence-based, collaborative strategies and programs;\n\n• Preventing domestic violence and sexual assault and assisting survivors and victims of crime through court and hospital visits;\n\n• Upgrading critical technological infrastructure and acquisition of public safety vehicles and protective gear.\n\n“This federal funding will improve public safety, prevent crimes, and serve justice. I am committed to ensuring our law enforcement officers are well-equipped and well-trained. This federal funding will help them take a comprehensive approach to reducing crime, supporting victims, and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” said Senator Reed.\n\n“As a former U.S. Attorney and attorney general, I’ve seen firsthand how increasing resources for local law enforcement and community organizations can make a difference in people’s lives,” said Senator Whitehouse, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Our delegation has helped deliver federal funding to modernize our criminal justice system, expand behavioral and mental health services, and protect public safety.”\n\n“Every Rhode Islander deserves to feel safe and supported in their community. This federal funding will equip our police officers with resources to protect the public, while making sure survivors of violence and abuse get the support they need,” said Magaziner. “I am proud to join my colleagues to bring home more federal funding for law enforcement officers across our state and will continue to stand up for first responders.”\n\n“Rhode Islanders deserve to feel safe in their communities,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “This federal funding will help support survivors, strengthen local law enforcement, and give communities the resources they need to prevent and respond to crime. I will continue to work alongside our delegation in Congress to provide the resources our communities need to remain safe and secure.”\n\nBackground\n\nThis round of federal funding, which was secured in recent appropriations laws, will be distributed to the state, as well as to local police departments, state agencies, support organizations, and nonprofits, including:\n\n$4,583,223 for Rhode Island’s Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds to provide direct services like counseling, personal advocacy, court advocacy, client transportation, and support services to victims of crimes including domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, and elder abuse as they move through the criminal justice system.\n\n$2,657,307 for the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety to provide supplemental crisis response services for victims.\n\n$791,279 to the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety for the Sexual Assault Services Formula Program.\n\n$343,065 for the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program to coordinate victim services activities.\n\n$265,000 from the Crime Victims Fund to enhance State Victim Compensation payments to eligible crime victims.\n\n$197,757 for the Providence Police Marine Unit to purchase a marine enforcement operation vessel for use in and around the waterways of the Providence and Seekonk Rivers, enabling effective rapid response and public safety enforcement within these complex urban estuarine environments.\n\n$76,359 for the Pawtucket Police Department to support the Pawtucket Police JAG Overtime Initiative.\n\n$60,948 for the Woonsocket Police Department to sustain community policing programs (bicycle patrols and the Police Explorers Post) and purchase a thermal drone.\n\n$31,021 for the Cranston Police Department to implement a specialized Drone as First Responder initiative.\n\n$25,254 for the Central Falls Police Department to purchase information technology equipment and supplies.\n\n$19,090 for the Warwick Police Department to support the acquisition of critical underwater communication equipment for its Underwater Search & Recovery Team.\n\n$16,107 for Newport Police to integrate technology to increase the probability of peaceful resolutions when communicating with suspects or individuals in crisis.\n\n$14,118 for the City of East Providence to purchase equipment in relation to speed enforcement.\n\n$10,539 for the North Providence Police Department to purchase body armor gear.\n\n$10,042 for the Coventry Police Department to purchase Honor Guard uniforms.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases/ansari-bennet-padilla-hickenlooper-schiff-lujan-introduce-legislation-to-protect-public-lands-and-taxpayers-from-orphaned-oil-and-gas-wells", "title": "Ansari, Bennet, Padilla, Hickenlooper, Schiff, Luján Introduce Legislation to Protect Public Lands and Taxpayers from Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ansari.house.gov", "scraper": "ansari", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000381", "name": "Yassamin Ansari", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) and Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet led U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) to introduce the Stop Orphaned Wells Act, legislation that would prevent oil and gas companies from abandoning oil wells on public lands, a practice that shifts well cleanup costs from oil and gas companies to the American taxpayer.\n\n“Trump asked oil and gas executives to bankroll his campaign with a $1 billion contribution in exchange for a big payback. Meanwhile, Americans are left footing the bill for the damage they leave behind,” said Ansari. “Orphaned wells threaten our water, wildlife, and air. I’m proud to lead the effort alongside Senator Bennet to make the oil and gas industry clean up its own mess. Our bill would ensure oil and gas companies pay to clean up the wells they abandon.”\n\n“For too long, taxpayers have footed the bill to clean up abandoned wells after companies walk away from their responsibilities,” said Bennet. “As the Trump administration moves to weaken the safeguards that hold companies accountable, Congress must protect taxpayers and the public lands that power Colorado’s outdoor economy, while making sure oil and gas companies pay the cost of cleanup, rather than Colorado's future generations.”\n\n“Across California, there are over 5,000 orphaned oil wells that pose a threat to the health and safety of our communities and the environment,” said Padilla. “When wells are left abandoned, drinking water is polluted, greenhouse gases are emitted, and the climate crisis is accelerated. This bill will help ensure orphaned oil and gas wells are plugged so Californians and communities across the country are protected from toxic emissions and contaminated air and water.”\n\n“Abandoned wells put Colorado communities in danger,” said Hickenlooper. “As Governor, we capped as many of these wells as we could, and that work continues here in the Senate, where we’re protecting taxpayers from getting stuck with the bill. Capping wells creates jobs and lowers pollution. It’s a win-win.”\n\n“Oil companies can’t just walk away from abandoned oil and gas wells and leave taxpayers to bear the cleanup costs,” said Schiff. “I’m joining Senator Bennet and other colleagues to make sure that Big Oil is responsible for cleaning up their messes. Americans should not have to deal with the consequences of an oil company’s negligence.”\n\n“In New Mexico and across the country, abandoned wells pose serious environmental harm and threaten the health of our communities,” said Luján. “We must ensure that oil and gas companies are held accountable and that taxpayers are not on the hook for the cost of cleanup. I've long fought to address abandoned wells, including championing the REGROW Act that was passed into law, and continue to work to ensure we identify and plug the thousands of abandoned wells nationwide. That’s why I’m cosponsoring this legislation to prevent companies from abandoning their wells and help reduce the number of abandoned wells in New Mexico and across the country.”\n\n“When an oil and gas company goes bankrupt, New Mexicans shouldn’t be the ones left to pick up the tab for cleanup costs,” said Heinrich. “Right now, the Trump administration is making it easier for these companies to walk away without enough money set aside to clean up their wells. The Stop Orphaned Wells Act ensures that companies set aside money to meet their cleanup responsibilities, so taxpayers aren’t left paying the bill.”\n\nUntil 2024 when the Biden administration added agency rules, oil and gas fiscal assurance requirements were minimal, leading companies to abandon wells instead of remediating the land after drilling. The Trump administration is now rolling back these essential protections for public lands and American taxpayers. Nationwide, there are currently over 140,000 documented orphaned wells, including more than 15,000 on federal lands, and hundreds of thousands more that may be orphaned. Additionally, the number of documented orphaned wells in the United States has more than doubled since 2020. These sites are not only a significant liability for taxpayers and a growing threat to water resources, air quality, wildlife habitat, and private lands, but also jeopardize public health, ecosystems, grazing lands, outdoor recreation sites, and cultural resources that are at high risk from contamination.\n\nThis legislation is supported by 20 organizations, including Earthjustice Action, Colorado Fiscal Institute, Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, Conservation Colorado, Montana Wildlife Federation, National Parks Conservation Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, Nevada Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Public Land Solutions, Rocky Mountain Wild, San Juan Citizen’s Alliance, Sierra Club, Taxpayers for Common Sense, Trout Unlimited, Western Colorado Alliance, Western Organization of Resource Councils, Western Resilience Center, Wild Montana, Wilderness Workshop, and The Wilderness Society. In addition, this legislation was endorsed by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\n\nThe text of the bill is available HERE. A summary of the bill is available HERE. Additional stakeholder quotes are available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://balderson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3010", "title": "Balderson Applauds Approval of Federal Flood Relief for Ohio Communities", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://balderson.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=1", "domain": "balderson.house.gov", "scraper": "balderson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001306", "name": "Troy Balderson", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12) applauded President Donald Trump’s approval of a major disaster declaration for Ohio, making federal assistance available to communities impacted by devastating storms and flooding that moved through the state from August 10-23, 2026.\n\nThe declaration, made this afternoon, follows Governor Mike DeWine’s September 2 request and Balderson’s letter to President Trump urging the administration to quickly approve the request. Balderson has also worked with federal, state, and local officials throughout the disaster declaration process to help Ohio communities access the resources they need to recover.\n\n“After weeks of working with the Governor, FEMA, and local officials, I’m grateful President Trump approved Ohio’s major disaster declaration,” said Balderson. “This federal assistance will help families, businesses, and communities across Ohio begin rebuilding after these devastating storms. Our work isn’t over—I will continue working to make sure my constituents have access to every resource available to them as they recover.”\n\nThe declaration makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals and communities in the affected areas, including assistance for disaster-related needs, temporary sheltering, hazard mitigation, and small business recovery\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://barragan.house.gov/2026/10/02/as-grocery-prices-skyrocket-congresswoman-barragan-sounds-the-alarm-on-new-trump-snap-cut-taking-effect-today/", "title": "As Grocery Prices Skyrocket, Congresswoman Barragán Sounds the Alarm on New Trump SNAP Cut Taking Effect Today", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://barragan.house.gov/news", "domain": "barragan.house.gov", "scraper": "barragan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001300", "name": "Nanette Diaz Barragán", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "As new cuts kick in, 5 million have already lost SNAP after initial Trump cuts\n\nFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nOctober 2, 2026\n\nContact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov\n\nWashington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barragán (CA-44) warned that another SNAP cut from H.R. 1, the Republican Reconciliation Law, has gone into effect.\n\nThe Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is federally funded and administered by states. H.R. 1 cut the federal share of funding for SNAP administrative costs in half, meaning that states are now required to cover 75% of SNAP administrative costs. Those cuts became effective on October 1, 2026. Nationwide, this represents over $16 billion in reduced funding for SNAP.\n\nIn California, this means the state will have to pay at least $670 million more to keep the program operating. For state-by-state estimates of SNAP funding cuts effective today, click here.\n\nThe reduction of administrative funding leaves states with fewer resources to process applications, determine eligibility, and ensure families receive the benefits they are eligible for. This massive funding cut also jeopardizes other state and local services as states struggle to replace this lost funding. A similar cost shift, cutting federal payments to states for SNAP benefits, will go into effect October 1, 2027.\n\n“Donald Trump and Republicans chose to give tax breaks to billionaires while making it harder for working families to put food on the table,” said Congresswoman Barragán. “Now, they are forcing states to pick up the tab for SNAP as they pile on new requirements and red tape onto a program that millions of Americans rely on to feed their families. That is the wrong choice, and families in California are paying the price. No parent should have to worry about whether they can afford their next meal because Republicans decided billionaires needed another tax break. I will continue fighting to reverse these cruel cuts, protect SNAP, and make sure families—not billionaires—are our priority.”\n\n“Trump and Republicans in Congress passed tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires on the backs of families who are already struggling to afford sky-high grocery costs. Over 5 million Americans have already lost SNAP food assistance because of Trump’s cuts, and today, another SNAP cut from the Big Ugly Law kicks in. Trump and Republicans have handed states huge SNAP funding cuts, with more cuts coming next year. Worse still, these administrative cuts are coming as Republicans have also made SNAP more difficult to access. They’ve created new paperwork and new requirements, then cut the funding used to enroll people. Congress must fix these cuts through the Farm Bill and protect families who rely on SNAP to keep food on the table,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown, Vice Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Committee.\n\nAccording to USDA data, more than 5 million Americans, including about 2 million children, have already lost SNAP since H.R. 1 was enacted in July 2025. In California, over 330,000 have lost SNAP coverage in the last year.\n\nH.R.1’s SNAP cuts were enacted alongside cuts to Medicaid and other programs to pay for tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefited large corporations and the wealthiest Americans. The Republican Farm Bill which passed the House and is currently under consideration in the Senate, locks in $187 billion in SNAP cuts. Republicans rejected all Democratic attempts to roll back SNAP cuts in the House Farm Bill.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9236", "title": "Egypt Human Rights Caucus Co-Chairs Urge Immediate Release of Detained Egyptian Journalists", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "beyer.house.gov", "scraper": "beyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001292", "name": "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Co-Chairs of the Egypt Human Rights Caucus, today urged the Egyptian government to immediately and unconditionally release the six journalists affiliated with independent investigative journalism platform Matsadaash and end its escalating crackdown on independent media:\n\n“As co-chairs of the Egypt Human Rights Caucus, we call on Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the six journalists affiliated with the independent investigative journalism platform Matsadaash. The arrest of the outlet’s entire newsroom is a clear escalation in the government’s campaign to stifle press freedom in the country.\n\n“Even prior to these arrests, Egypt has consistently ranked as one of the world’s most repressive regimes and has a long history of unfairly targeting independent media outlets and drastically limiting freedom of expression. Egyptian authorities regularly claim, without sufficient evidence or due process, that critics of the government are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. The recent arrests are the latest and most alarming case of this tactic on display.\n\n“We have tried to engage constructively with the Egyptian government on our concerns about the country’s human rights situation, including its arbitrary detention of journalists and targeting of media outlets. These arrests demonstrate why Congress must strengthen its resolve, demand better from its partner, and continue to condition U.S. military aid to Egypt on demonstrable rights reforms.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-september-jobs-report-5", "title": "Scott Statement on September Jobs Report", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "bobbyscott.house.gov", "scraper": "bobbyscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000185", "name": "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy gained 29,000 jobs in September, and the unemployment rate increased from 4.1 percent to 4.2 percent.\n\n“This Trump economy might be working for the wealthy and the well connected, but it clearly is leaving workers behind. CEO pay is skyrocketing, while for working people, it's a daily struggle just to cover groceries and rent. Workers’ wages are failing tokeep up with inflation, and the increasing cost of daily expenses are eating into workers’ paychecks. According to the Century Foundation, inflation-adjusted debt payments grew faster than income in recent years as working families have struggled to make ends meet.\n\n“The jobs numbers show the same strain: Trump has added only 776,000 jobs between January 2025 and September 2026, while the Biden administration added 10.7 million within its first 20 months. Since President Trump returned to office, not one month has reached the average monthly job creation under the Biden administration. In fact, he has not even achieved 70 percent of Biden’s monthly average.\n\n“And now, as a result of the ‘Big Ugly Bill’s’ cuts to the SNAP program, families are losing their food assistance. An estimated 4.5 million people have lost their SNAP benefits, including more than 1.5 million children. Across the country, people are feeling the impact. In North Carolina, demand at food pantries and food banks is up 20 percent this year, as SNAP enrollment has plummeted by more than 110,000 people since September 2025. In Kansas, one pantry reports distributing 50 percent more food than a year ago. In Oregon, pantry directors say they have gone from being a supplemental resource to the primary source of food, and many incoming families have never had to ask for help before. This is what happens when tax breaks for the wealthy are paid for by taking food off the tables of working families.\n\n“That's why I, alongside my Democratic colleagues, am fighting to put working families first. Children cannot learn on an empty stomach, and parents cannot build a better life when they cannot afford groceries. We will keep pushing to protect school meals, strengthen job training, lower the cost of college, and make sure every worker can earn a living wage and retire with dignity.”\n\nTo see a chart comparing the cumulative seasonally adjusted job change by month between President Trump's first and second terms, and President Biden's presidency, click here.\n\nTo see a chart comparing the total job change between President Trump's first 20 months in office and President Biden's first 20 months in office, click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-boebert-colorados-fourth-district-2026-congressional-app-challenge", "title": "REP. BOEBERT: COLORADO’S FOURTH DISTRICT 2026 CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE DEADLINE LESS THAN ONE MONTH AWAY", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "boebert.house.gov", "scraper": "boebert", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000825", "name": "Lauren Boebert", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "EATON, CO Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO-04) announced today that less than one month remains before the deadline for the 2026 Congressional App Challenge.\n\nSince 2015, the Congressional App Challenge has encouraged middle and high school students to explore careers in STEM and software development. Rep. Boebert’s office participates in the challenge and selects district winners based on the quality of each entry. The competition is nonpartisan and is an official duty of congressional offices that choose to take part.\n\n“I’m looking forward to seeing what students in the Fourth District can develop this year,” said Rep. Boebert. “This challenge is a great way for young people to build real skills in technology and show what they can create.”\n\nTeachers can incorporate the challenge into lesson plans, and students may also complete entries outside the classroom. The submission deadline for the Congressional App Challenge is October 26, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. EST. Winners will be announced in early December.\n\nStudents can register and learn more at: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/students/student-registration/\n\nFor more information on the 2026 challenge and how to submit entries for Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Fourth Congressional District, contact the Eaton Office at 970-702-2136.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-boebert-welcomes-nearly-24-million-veterans-suicide-prevention-grants", "title": "REP. BOEBERT WELCOMES NEARLY $2.4 MILLION IN VETERANS SUICIDE PREVENTION GRANTS BENEFITTING COLORADO’S 4TH DISTRICT", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "boebert.house.gov", "scraper": "boebert", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000825", "name": "Lauren Boebert", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Lone Tree, CO — Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) today welcomed nearly $2.4 million in grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs for four organizations benefitting veterans in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program.\n\nThe awards are part of $112 million the VA is distributing nationwide for community suicide prevention. The four organizations are:\n\nRocky Mountain Veterans Advocacy Project — $750,000\n\nVeterans Community Project — $748,663\n\nHealing Warriors Program — $477,458\n\nEastern Plains Healthcare Consortium — $400,000\n\n“Too many veterans are still lost to suicide, and rural Colorado cannot be an afterthought,” said Rep. Boebert. “These grants put prevention resources where veterans live across the 4th District so the VA meets the men and women who already served this country.”\n\nThe Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program funds community groups that reach veterans who may not be enrolled in VA care, including help with mental health, social connection, financial stability, and access to services. Congress authorized the program to expand suicide prevention beyond VA clinics.\n\nVeterans in crisis, and their families, can call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net.VA", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases/casar-brown-demand-answers-fbis-plan-buy-flock-cameras-and-other-mass", "title": "Casar, Brown Demand Answers on FBI’s Plan to Buy Flock Cameras and Other Mass Surveillance Systems", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "casar.house.gov", "scraper": "casar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001131", "name": "Greg Casar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Greg Casar (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee, and Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) sent a letter demanding answers and transparency from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel on the FBI’s planned increase of mass surveillance systems, such as Flock.\n\nIn May 2026, the FBI issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to acquire automatic license plate readers (ALPR) systems, including Flock and Motorola Solutions, that offer the ability to search for license plate information “and other descriptive data such as vehicle description information, time/date criteria, and geo-location criteria.” Flock and Motorola Solutions, whose ALPR systems are used by local police departments, likely possess the capabilities to satisfy this RFP. While the FBI already runs a License Plate Reader (LPR) program through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to facilitate LPR information sharing with and between its law enforcement partners, the FBI’s plan to obtain direct access to an extensive network of cameras—such as those operated by Flock and Motorola—would dramatically expand the license plate data currently held by the FBI and institute “near real time” surveillance of civilians.\n\nThe Members of Congress write: “The American people are clearly concerned about law enforcement having access to Flock data and about government surveillance more broadly. Entering into a contract that would give the nation’s largest law enforcement agency access to Flock data across the country would subvert the clear preference of the American people.”\n\nThe Oversight and Government Reform Committee Democrats are requesting information by October 16, 2026.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###\n\nCongressman 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.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-foreign-affairs-committee-democrats-issue-statement-on-state-departments-partial-production-of-venezuela-oil-deal-documents", "title": "Castro, Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats Issue Statement on State Department’s Partial Production of Venezuela Oil Deal Documents", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "castro.house.gov", "scraper": "castro", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001091", "name": "Joaquin Castro", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Reps. Joaquin Castro, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Democratic Members of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, issued the following statement after the State Department provided the Committee with one document related to the Trump Administration’s deal signed with Alejandro Betancourt to acquire a stake in North American Blue Energy Partners:\n\n“We appreciate that State has provided this document, but a single document falls far short of the records Democrats have requested as we conduct oversight over the Trump administration’s Venezuela policy. When Democrats sought to subpoena the documents on September 15, Republicans, led by Chairwoman Maria Elvira Salazar, voted to shield the administration from accountability and protect Alejandro Betancourt and Delcy Rodriguez from scrutiny.\n\n“Democrats will continue to examine the Trump administration’s actions with respect to Venezuela, and we call on Secretary Rubio to produce to the Committee all remaining requested documents, including the agreement between Delcy Rodriguez and Betancourt, as well as KPMG’s independent audits of the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, the account Trump established after his administration began seizing Venezuelan oil revenues.\n\n“Congress cannot conduct meaningful oversight based on selective disclosures. Providing one document while withholding other central records raises further questions about what the administration is trying to conceal.”\n\nCongressman Castro added, “Last month, I motioned to subpoena the Trump Administration for records regarding its deal with Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt for Venezuelan oil. This week, we were able to secure a limited set of documents from the administration regarding this shady deal. It's a start but no where near what the Administration must provide Congress. There's billions of dollars moving hands and next to zero accountability. Americans are sick of corruption, and Venezuelans are too. We will continue these investigations until we have accountability.”\n\nAdditional background:\n\nOn February 13, 2026, HFAC Democrats requested information regarding the Trump administration’s decision to route Venezuela oil revenues into an offshore account in Qatar.\n\nOn April 17, 2026, Congressional Democrats requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a full audit of this deal. The GAO accepted the request and the audit remains ongoing. Read the full details of the audit and the full letter here.\n\nOn September 10, 2026, HFAC Democrats requested KPMG audits of the deal to be transmitted to Congress within 30 days of completion. The members also requested a complete accounting of all disbursements made from the fund since its establishment. The Members request a response by October 8, 2026. Read the full letter here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/during-san-antonio-field-hearing-castro-local-leaders-demand-accountability-for-ice-operations-and-proposed-warehouse", "title": "During San Antonio Field Hearing, Castro, Local Leaders Demand Accountability For ICE Operations And Proposed Warehouse", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "castro.house.gov", "scraper": "castro", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001091", "name": "Joaquin Castro", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SAN ANTONIO, TX — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) hosted a field hearing in San Antonio, entitled, “Examining the Community Impacts of Mass Deportation and Proposed ICE Warehouse.” He was joined by elected officials at the dais including Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez (TX-19), Texas State Senator José Menéndez (TX-26), Texas State Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (HD-120), Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran, City Council District 3. Hearing witnesses included Kristin Etter, Director of Policy and Legal Services, Texas Immigration Law Council, Priscilla Olivarez, Managing Policy Attorney with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, and the Reverend Father Jimmy Drennan, St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, COPS/Metro Alliance. Additional San Antonio leaders expressed their support for the hearing, including Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and Councilman Ric Galvan, City Council District 6.\n\n“San Antonio is one of the epicenters for ICE activity and ranks fourth in the nation for arrests,” said Congressman Castro. “The first American citizen shot by ICE, Ruben Ray Martinez, was a son of San Antonio. South of the city, the Dilley Trailer Prison has locked away thousands of children without proper food, medical care, and schooling. Texas National Guardsmen and local police in Texas have been deputized by ICE, supercharging arrests and detentions. Our community has become collateral damage in Trump’s mass deportation machine. Now this proposed warehouse on the East Side would extend these abuses deeper into our community and our lives. None of this is making life easier or more affordable for San Antonio families—it is tearing families apart, targeting our communities, and leaving a dark stain on our nation.”\n\n“ICE is a rogue agency that shoots first and asks questions later. They are terrorizing our communities and torturing people with impunity,” said Senator Gutierrez. “The cruelty must end now”.\n\n“The Trump Administration and Governor Abbott have colluded to stoke fear in our communities and incite human rights violations across our country. We must hold them accountable to protect people and restore basic human rights. Thank you, Congressman Castro and his team, for organizing a safe space for experts in the field and community members to discuss the threats to us all,” said Senator Menéndez.\n\n“Today, I join U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and other community leaders for a San Antonio field hearing to examine community impacts of mass deportation and the proposed ICE warehouse in San Antonio's East side in House District 120 that I represent. Like many faith leaders and others, I view the care and support of migrants not as a political issue, but as a fundamental obligation of human morality, compassion, and dignity. I will continue to fight for those that are being harmed and oppressed by this unjust system. I simply ask you to join us in this fight for human decency,” said Texas State Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (HD-120).\n\n“This was an excellent opportunity to work alongside my state and federal colleagues to identify a real path forward to prevent ICE facilities from entering the City of San Antonio. I am committed to working with my Council colleagues on a solid plan to address the inequities and impacts an ICE facility would have on our city, particularly on the East Side. I want to thank all of the community members who came out to listen, participate, and support their elected officials in this effort. Our panelists did an excellent job providing critical information and perspectives that will help inform our work as we move forward,” said Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran.\n\n“A new detention center in Texas only works to expand the capacity to detain more of our community members and separate more families. The harm reaches beyond the household; we have seen that when parents and workers are detained, families lose income, businesses lose employees, and local economies lose the spending that helps them thrive. Our communities need investments that help families put down roots and thrive. We urge leaders to reject this expansion and focus on keeping Texas families, communities, and local economies together,” said Kristin Etter, Director of Policy and Legal Services, Texas Immigration Law Council.\n\n“If the ICE warehouse is allowed to open, vital city resources will be misused to support the unlawful detention of our loved ones,” said Priscilla Olivarez, Managing Policy Attorney with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. “I stand alongside the San Antonio community who are rightfully demanding DHS complete all federally mandated impact assessments before further steps are taken to open the ICE warehouse. San Antonio residents deserve to know the full adverse impact the ICE facility will have on those detained within its walls and the critical resources the facility will divert from our city.”\n\n“What we are witnessing now is the re-institutionalization of discrimination in our law enforcement community, specifically ICE, against American citizens and our immigrant neighbors alike. People who are not properly vetted and not properly trained are coming into our institutions, and it is going to rip the fabric of our community apart unless it is brought to an end,\" said the Reverend Father Jimmy Drennan. “These are real people. I've looked into their eyes, and I've heard their stories. Their fear is real, and their fear is justified. In San Antonio, our community will keep pushing back.”\n\n“I reiterate my opposition to the proposed ICE processing facility on San Antonio’s East Side. San Antonians deserve to feel safe taking their children to school, going to work, and calling police when they need help. Immigration enforcement must respect due process and basic human dignity,” said Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. “We have pressed the federal government for transparency about this proposal, including its plans for the facility and the potential demands on our water, infrastructure, and emergency services. Our residents deserve answers, and our city deserves a meaningful voice in decisions that affect our neighborhoods. I thank Congressman Castro for convening this hearing and will continue demanding accountability on behalf of San Antonio,” said Mayor Ortiz Jones.\n\n“We must continue to challenge every level of government to take action upon the acts of terror that ICE has committed upon our neighbors—noncitizen and citizen alike. We must demand the accountability of a rogue federal agency that continues to violate constitutional rights here in San Antonio and across our country. We must not back down from the fight. ICE has no home in San Antonio, and it must answer for its crimes against our community,” said Councilmember Ric Galvan.\n\n\"The first thing that Congress needs to do is pass a bill to shut down all of the infrastructure for these additional ICE buildings for the detention of human beings,\" said Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert. \"Congress should require the federal government to comply with local zoning regulations and health and safety measures as a check on unbridled tyrants.\"\n\n“COPS/Metro represents 32 institutions across our city, and we have seen firsthand the impacts of detention and deportation. We are deeply concerned about the human toll of recent ICE arrests in our community and oppose the proposal for an East Side detention center. When parents are detained at workplaces, courthouses, or outside their homes, the harm reaches far beyond the individual. Children are left without caregivers, families lose their income, and entire neighborhoods live in fear. That fear has real consequences. Families are separated, children are kept home from school, and they hesitate to report crimes or cooperate with police. When people are afraid to take part in ordinary civic life, public safety and community trust suffer for everyone. We believe immigration enforcement must respect due process, family unity, and basic human dignity. We call on officials to: Limit enforcement actions at schools, hospitals, houses of worship, and courthouses; Ensure access to legal counsel for people in detention; Provide transparency about who is being detained and why; and pursue lasting, humane reforms to the immigration system. We stand with our immigrant neighbors and will continue to support families affected by these actions,” said Arturo Rodriguez, Leader, COPS/Metro Alliance.\n\nBackground:\n\nSan Antonio has become one of the cities hit hardest by Trump’s mass deportation campaign, ranking fourth in the nation in ICE arrests. Across Texas, the toll is reaching classrooms, with public schools losing more than 14,000 immigrant students last year. State leaders are continuing to deepen Texas’s role in ICE enforcement, requiring county sheriffs to enter 287(g) agreements with ICE. These agreements deputize local police officers as ICE agents, acting as a force multiplier for ICE arrests, detentions, and deportations. In August, Congressman Castro led a delegation of elected officials representing Bexar County urging cities to withdraw from their 287(g) agreements with ICE.\n\nOn March 25, 2025, San Antonio resident Ruben Ray Martinez was shot and killed by an ICE agent. Congressman Castro pushed for accountability when the news became public after the agency didn’t acknowledge its role in his death for nearly a year. ICE has also targeted children, detaining elementary students at their bus stops in San Antonio, including the Uzategui-Labrador family. These children and many others have been detained at the Dilley Trailer Prison, where children, some only a few months old, are held in inhumane conditions.\n\nIn January, ICE bought a nearly 640,000-square-foot warehouse on San Antonio’s East Side for $66.1 million. In August, it awarded a $17.3 million contract to GardaWorld Federal Services, the company behind “Alligator Alcatraz,” to retrofit the proposed detention facility and provide wrap-around services. The proposed site would hold 1,000 to 1,500 people daily.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415882", "title": "Rep. Smith, Sen. Lankford lead over 125 lawmakers in letter urging HHS Inspector General to investigate Planned Parenthood", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "chrissmith.house.gov", "scraper": "chrissmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000522", "name": "Christopher H. Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) today led 126 Members of Congress in sending a letter to T. March Bell, the Inspector General (IG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), urging his Office to review and investigate the activities and federal funding streams of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and its affiliates.\n\n“Serious concerns have long been raised regarding the organization’s compliance with applicable federal laws, regulations, and program requirements governing the receipt and use of federal funds,” the Republican lawmakers write.\n\n“In particular, these concerns relate to whether Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and the organization’s affiliates have adhered to applicable requirements governing program integrity, financial accountability, and the proper use of funds provided through HHS-administered programs,” they continue.\n\nRep. Smith, Co-Chairman of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, said: “Planned Parenthood should not receive taxpayer dollars. Since 1970, it has killed over ten million unborn babies in its clinics—and today exterminates over 1,000 unborn babies every single day. Moreover, as the author of our Nation’s first anti-human trafficking law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) (PL 106-386), I remain deeply concerned by Live Action’s credible accusations against Planned Parenthood involving its affiliates’ enabling of human sex trafficking. In addition to reports of covering up and perpetuating sexual exploitation and abuse, Planned Parenthood has been haunted by allegations of trafficking fetal tissue, fraudulently using federal funds, and violating health codes. Aided by allies in Congress, the media, and academia, Planned Parenthood has largely escaped scrutiny and accountability, all while fostering a culture of death, denial, disrespect and discrimination against babies. It is long overdue for a comprehensive investigation and review, and I urge the HHS OIG to look closely to determine whether it has violated federal standards for federal funding recipients.”\n\nSen. Lankford, Chairman of the Senate Values Action Team (VAT), said: “Congress has taken action to ensure taxpayer dollars are not funding organizations that perform abortions, but our work to protect taxpayers and ensure federal law is followed does not stop there. Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have faced serious allegations involving the use of federal funds and compliance with federal law. Those allegations deserve a thorough review. The HHS Inspector General should follow the facts, determine whether federal laws and funding requirements have been violated, and hold accountable anyone who has misused taxpayer dollars.”\n\nIn the bicameral letter—first reported by Fox News Digital—the 128 lawmakers cite the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) recent investigation into “whether Planned Parenthood affiliates illegally received $88 million in loans during the COVID-19 pandemic,” and they raise concerns about “other reports of fraud, making false statements, violating federal criminal laws, and knowingly failing to disclose violations of criminal law.”\n\nThe Members of Congress further note that “given the significant taxpayer resources that flow through federal health and human services programs, it is critical that recipient organizations operate with transparency, integrity, and full compliance with federal standards.”\n\nThe lawmakers go on to urge IG Bell to review the funding streams for Planned Parenthood and its affiliates, including HHS programs, grants, contracts, or subawards; assess whether the organization and its affiliates have complied with applicable statutory, regulatory, and grant conditions associated with those funds; and determine what enforcement actions may be warranted if misconduct—such as waste, fraud, abuse, misrepresentation, or other violations affecting federal health programs—is identified.\n\n“We also ask that the OIG coordinate with relevant oversight bodies within the Department, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Office of Management and Budget, to ensure a comprehensive review of the organization’s activities. Thank you for your continued commitment to protecting the integrity of federal health programs and safeguarding taxpayer dollars,” the co-signatories conclude.\n\nCosigners (128): Aderholt, Robert; Alford, Mark; Arrington, Jodey; Babin, Brian; Baird, James; Banks, Jim; Bice, Stephanie; Biggs, Andy; Biggs, Sheri; Bilirakis, Gus; Blackburn, Marsha; Bost, Mike; Brecheen, Josh; Britt, Katie Boyd; Budd, Ted; Burchett, Tim; Burlison, Eric; Cammack, Kat; Cline, Ben; Cloud, Michael; Clyde, Andrew; Cramer, Kevin; Crane, Elijah; Crapo, Mike; Cruz, Ted; Daines, Steve; Davidson, Warren; Downing, Troy; Ernst, Joni; Estes, Ron; Ezell, Mike; Fedorchak, Julie; Feenstra, Randy; Finstad, Brad; Fischbach, Michelle; Fischer, Deb; Fitzgerald, Scott; Fleischmann, Charles; Flood, Mike; Fong, Vince; Foxx, Virginia; Franklin, Scott; Fulcher, Russ; Gill, Brandon; Goldman, Craig; Gooden, Lance; Gosar, Paul; Graham, Darline; Grassley, Charles; Griffith, H.; Grothman, Glenn; Guest, Michael; Hageman, Harriet; Haridopolos, Mike; Harris, Andy; Harris, Mark; Harshbarger, Hawley, Josh; Diana; Hern, Kevin; Higgins, Clay; Hill, J.; Houchin, Erin; Hudson, Richard; Hyde-Smith, Cindy; Jack, Brian; Jackson, Ronny; Johnson, Dusty; Jordan, Jim; Joyce, John; Justice, James C.; Kelly, Mike; Langworthy, Nicholas; Lankford, James; Latta, Robert; Lee, Mike; Letlow, Julia; Lummis, Cynthia M.; Mann, Tracey; Marshall, Roger; McDowell, Addison; McGuire, John; Messmer, Mark; Miller, Mary; Moody, Ashley; Moolenaar, John; Moore, Barry; Moore, Blake; Moore, Riley; Moore, Tim; Moran, Nathaniel; Moreno, Bernie; Norman, Ralph; Onder, Robert; Palmer, Gary; Patronis, Jimmy; Perry, Scott; Pfluger, August; Ricketts, Pete; Risch, James; Rogers, Mike; Rose, John; Rounds, Mike; Rouzer, David; Roy, Chip; Rulli, Michael; Rutherford, John; Schmidt, Derek; Scott, Austin; Scott, Rick; Self, Keith; Sessions, Pete; Shreve, Jefferson; Simpson, Michael; Smith, Christopher; Stauber, Pete; Steube, W.; Strong, Dale; Stutzman, Marlin; Tenney, Claudia; Thompson, Glenn; Tuberville, Tommy; Van Epps, Matt; Weber, Randy; Webster, Daniel; Westerman, Bruce; Wilson, Joe; Womack, Steve\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415884", "title": "Fox News Digital exclusive article on Smith-led letter'EXCLUSIVE: 128 GOP lawmakers call for federal probe into Planned Parenthood's taxpayer funding'", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "chrissmith.house.gov", "scraper": "chrissmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000522", "name": "Christopher H. Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "By Jasmine Baehr\n\nPublished October 2, 2026 at 5:30am EDT\n\nFIRST ON FOX: A coalition of 128 Republican lawmakers is pressing the federal government to scrutinize Planned Parenthood's taxpayer funding and potentially launch an investigation into the organization and its affiliates.\n\nRep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., and Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., led the bicameral effort, asking Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General T. March Bell to review Planned Parenthood's federal funding and determine whether the organization and its affiliates have complied with federal laws and funding requirements.\n\n\"We write to request that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) review and, if appropriate, initiate an investigation into the activities of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and the organization's affiliates,\" the lawmakers wrote.\n\nRep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., speaks during an event on Capitol Hill. Smith and Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., led 128 Republican lawmakers in asking the HHS inspector general to review Planned Parenthood’s federal funding and activities.(Getty Images)\n\nTheir request casts a rather wide net.\n\nThe lawmakers want the OIG to scrutinize funding flowing through HHS programs, grants, contracts and sub-awards and determine whether evidence exists of fraud, waste, abuse, misrepresentation or other violations affecting federal health programs.\n\nIf misconduct is uncovered, they want the watchdog to consider consequences ranging from administrative remedies and suspension to exclusion from federal healthcare programs or referrals to other authorities.\n\n\"Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have faced serious allegations involving the use of federal funds and compliance with federal law. Those allegations deserve a thorough review,\" Lankford said.\n\nRepublican lawmakers are asking the HHS inspector general to review Planned Parenthood’s federal funding and compliance with federal requirements.(Boston Globe via Getty Images, File)\n\n\"The HHS Inspector General should follow the facts, determine whether federal laws and funding requirements have been violated, and hold accountable anyone who has misused taxpayer dollars,\" he added.\n\nThe push comes as the Small Business Administration (SBA) separately reviews more than $88 million in COVID-era Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans received by 38 Planned Parenthood affiliates.\n\nThe lawmakers cited the SBA action in their letter, characterizing it as an investigation into whether Planned Parenthood affiliates \"illegally received $88 million\" in pandemic loans. SBA has described its action as a review of whether the affiliates were eligible for the loans. The review itself is not a finding that the affiliates violated the law.\n\nBut the lawmakers want federal scrutiny to go well beyond the pandemic loans.\n\nSen. James Lankford, R-Okla., co-led a bicameral letter asking the HHS inspector general to review Planned Parenthood’s federal funding and, if appropriate, launch an investigation into the organization and its affiliates.(Getty Images)\n\nThey are asking the OIG to examine Planned Parenthood's broader HHS funding and coordinate with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on what they described as a \"comprehensive review\" of the organization's activities.\n\nHHS-OIG told Fox News Digital Wednesday evening that it had not yet received the letter.\n\n\"We have not received the letter and will review it for appropriate action once received,\" HHS-OIG said.\n\nSmith, co-chairman of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, said the scrutiny was \"long overdue,\" citing allegations involving federal funding, reporting requirements, sexual exploitation and fetal tissue.\n\nActivists opposing funding for Planned Parenthood demonstrate in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.(Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, via Getty Images, File)\n\n\"It is long overdue for a comprehensive investigation and review, and I urge the HHS OIG to look closely to determine whether it has violated federal standards for federal funding recipients,\" Smith said.\n\nThe congressional letter also points to reports alleging failures to comply with mandatory reporting requirements involving suspected child abuse or neglect. The lawmakers are asking federal officials to examine those allegations. They have not been established as findings by HHS-OIG.\n\n\"Given the significant taxpayer resources that flow through federal health and human services programs, it is critical that recipient organizations operate with transparency, integrity, and full compliance with federal standards,\" the lawmakers wrote.\n\nThe lawmakers closed by asking OIG to coordinate across the federal government to conduct a \"comprehensive review\" of Planned Parenthood's activities.\n\n\"Thank you for your continued commitment to protecting the integrity of federal health programs and safeguarding taxpayer dollars,\" they wrote.\n\nPlanned Parenthood did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.\n\nThis article was published on October 2, 2026 and can be found online at:", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415885", "title": "39 Members of Congress send letterSmith leads letter strongly supporting implementation of Pres. Trump’s EO on Protecting Vulnerable Newborn and Infant Children", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "chrissmith.house.gov", "scraper": "chrissmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000522", "name": "Christopher H. Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, led 38 Members of Congress in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., fully supporting and urging the implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) on Protecting Vulnerable Newborn and Infant Children—issued during his first term—to protect premature infants from discrimination.\n\n“All infants—especially those with disabilities or conditions requiring life-sustaining care after birth—deserve love, compassion, and equal protection under the law,” said Smith. “I am grateful for Sec. Kennedy and President Trump’s ongoing work to help those in need—and through the full implementation of the Protecting Vulnerable Newborn and Infant Children EO, we can continue to protect and defend the most vulnerable among us.”\n\nIn the bicameral letter, first reported by the Washington Examiner, the Republican lawmakers cite the heartbreaking case of McKenna West—a surrogate pressured to abort the baby she was carrying after a 20-week ultrasound diagnosed a serious, but treatable, heart condition—as evidence of “the need for quick federal action on this matter.”\n\nAlthough Ms. West says that she faced pressure to abort from the baby’s biological parents, she refused and offered to raise the baby herself or find him a loving home. She relocated to Texas to be near a hospital equipped to provide the baby with lifesaving care after he was born. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened in McKenna’s case, and a Texas judge issued an order directing that the baby receive life-sustaining care after birth and preventing his removal from the state of Texas.\n\n“We are grateful that Texas law recognized and protected the rights and personhood of Ms. West’s surrogate baby and acted to save his life. Sadly, this protection is not uniform in all the states across our nation,” the Members of Congress write.\n\n“Leadership from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is needed to ensure that all vulnerable infants receive equal protection under the law, instead of being at the mercy of health care systems that may unjustly declare them unworthy of life.”\n\nThe lawmakers then urge Secretary Kennedy to elevate the directives embedded within President Trump’s EO on Protecting Vulnerable Newborn and Infant Children—issued on September 25, 2020, and never formally rescinded by the Biden Administration—which clarifies that all individuals, including vulnerable infants, are protected under federal law, such as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) (42 U.S.C. 1395dd), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794), and The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act (1 U.S.C. 8).\n\nThe co-signatories note that the directives for the HHS Secretary in the EO “offer important opportunities to ensure vulnerable newborns, including newborns with diagnosed disabilities, are receiving the care they deserve, no matter where in the United States they are born.”\n\nThey also urge Secretary Kennedy to consider reissuing a rule highlighting federal law protecting premature infants and adults with disabilities from discrimination. In January 2021, during President Trump’s first Administration, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) had issued a proposed rule, entitled “Special Responsibilities of Medicare Hospitals in Emergency Cases and Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Critical Health and Human Service Programs or Activities.”\n\nHouse Cosigners (30): Reps. Smith (R-NJ), Cammack (R-FL), Wagner (R-MO), Aderholt (R-AL), Barr (R-KY), Biggs (R-AZ), Biggs (R-SC), Bost (R-IL), Brecheen (R-OK), Cline (R-VA), Cloud (R-TX), Clyde (R-GA), Estes (R-KS), Fulcher (R-ID), Grothman (R-WI), Harris (R-MD), Higgins (R-LA), Johnson (R-SD), Joyce (R-PA), Latta (R-OH), Mann (R-KS), McDowell (R-NC), McGuire (R-VA), Miller (R-IL), Moore (R-UT), Norman (R-SC), Onder (R-MO), Palmer (R-AL), Rose (R-TN), Thompson (R-PA)\n\nSenate Cosigners (9): Sens. Lankford (R-OK), Hyde-Smith (R-MS), D. Graham (R-SC), Blackburn (R-TN), Lummis (R-WY), Justice (R-WV), Daines (R-MT), Banks (R-IN), Ricketts (R-NE)\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415886", "title": "Smith leads intergovernmental survey of Nor’easter damage across NJ-04 shore towns", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "chrissmith.house.gov", "scraper": "chrissmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000522", "name": "Christopher H. Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) led a group of federal, state, and local officials and experts in surveying the extensive damage to Manasquan, Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, and Ocean Gate beaches following last week’s severe Nor’easter, which caused significant flooding and beach erosion.\n\nDuring the tour, which spanned both Monmouth and Ocean counties, Smith was joined by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 2 Administrator Chris Hartnett; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Deputy Commissioner Joe Seebode; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Philadelphia District Commander Lt. Col. Ryan A. Baum; USACE NY District Project Manager Jason Shea; New Jersey State Police Operations Officer Major James Boland; Monmouth County Sherriff Shaun Golden; Ocean County Sherriff Mike Mastronardy; NJ LD-10 Assemblyman Paul Kanitra; Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione; Manasquan Mayor Mike Mangan; Bay Head Mayor Bill Curtis; Ocean Gate Mayor Robert Curtin; and numerous elected and municipal officials representing Manasquan, Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, and Ocean Gate.\n\n“Today, an impressive, comprehensive group of experts—with extensive backgrounds in environmental, structural engineering, and beach replenishment initiatives—came together to not only survey the severe damage wrought by last week’s Nor’easter, but also to collaborate on creative solutions for immediate needs and future resilience efforts,” said Smith.\n\n“Municipal officials and local leaders came fully prepared, offering tangible examples of the damages they sustained and providing ideas for new initiatives that could bolster their towns’ resilience against future storms,” he continued.\n\nSmith noted that the federal and state representatives attending the tour were fully engaged and eager to find new ways to assist, boosting the level of teamwork between our federal, state, and local governments.\n\nMany officials commented that while their towns sustained damage from the Nor’easter, it was largely mitigated in some areas due to preexisting protections implemented after previous storms.\n\n“I am truly encouraged by the intergovernmental partnership and determination demonstrated today. Building upon what we’ve learned from previous storms and tapping into the continued knowledge and expertise shared today, I look forward to working alongside our great state and local officials to strengthen our shore communities’ resilience and preparation for future severe weather events,” concluded Smith.\n\nFrom left to right: NJDEP Deputy Commissioner Joe Seebode, Bay Head Councilman Jim Gates, Bay Head Mayor Bill Curtis, Bay Head Council President Dennis Shaning, Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione, Rep. Chris Smith, USACE Philadelphia District Commander Lt. Col. Ryan A. Baum, and FEMA Region 2 Administrator Chris Hartnett.\n\nRep. Smith with USACE NY District Project Manager Jason Shea.\n\nRep. Smith, NJDEP Deputy Commissioner Seebode, USACE NY District Project Manager Shea, Monmouth County Sherriff Shaun Golden, Manasquan Mayor Michael Mangan, Manasquan Councilman Brian Holly, and other federal, state, and local officials after surveying the beach erosion in Manasquan, NJ on October 2nd, 2026.\n\nRep. Smith, Assemblyman Kanitra, NJDEP Deputy Commissioner Seebode, Lt. Col. Baum, and Administrator Hartnett with local officials in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.\n\nRep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) stands with Ocean Gate officials. From left to right: Councilman Mark Haug, Councilman Rick Zeiser, Rep. Chris Smith, and Mayor Robert Curtin.\n\nNor’easter damage in Ocean Gate, NJ on October 2nd, 2026.\n\nNor’easter-induced beach erosion in Bay Head, NJ on October 2nd, 2026.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415888", "title": "The Washington Examiner exclusive article on Smith-led letter'Republicans ask RFK Jr. to protect disabled infants after McKenna West surrogacy battle'", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "chrissmith.house.gov", "scraper": "chrissmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000522", "name": "Christopher H. Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "By Gabrielle Etzel\n\nPublished October 2, 2026 5:00am ET\n\nEXCLUSIVE — Congressional Republicans are ramping up pressure on the Trump administration to strengthen protections for infants born with disabilities following the heated custody battle between a California couple and their surrogate over a child born with a heart defect.\n\nA total of 30 House members and nine senators from the anti-abortion wing of the GOP sent a letter, obtained by the Washington Examiner, to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday, requesting that the Trump administration create a federal standard for healthcare professionals to provide lifesaving care to infants born extremely premature or with life-limiting disabilities.\n\nThe letter, principally authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and leadership in the House Pro-Life Caucus, highlights the case of Alaska resident McKenna West, who contracted to be a surrogate for Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar.\n\nAt her 20-week ultrasound, West was informed that the fetus had hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital defect in which the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. After the diagnosis, West traveled to Texas to secure life-saving care for the child upon birth, despite a directive from the biological parents to abort.\n\nWest delivered the child in Texas on Aug. 12, but the courts eventually ruled in favor of Ahmed and Gilkar taking full custody of the child to continue his care in California.\n\nThe congressional delegation highlighted the difference in Texas law, which encouraged life-saving interventions, and California law, which would only encourage palliative care, as indicative of the need for a federal standard.\n\n“Leadership from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is needed to ensure that all vulnerable infants receive equal protection under the law instead of being at the mercy of a health care system that may unjustly declare them unworthy of life,” the delegation wrote.\n\nIn addition to the 30 Republican House members who signed onto the letter, four senators are seeking re-election in November: Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE).\n\nSmith and his colleagues point to an executive order from President Donald Trump’s first term, in September 2020, as giving Kennedy the authority to “strengthen the protection available for vulnerable newborns and their parents.”\n\nThe Trump 1.0 executive order, which clarified that infants born with disabilities or in medical distress must be given stabilizing medical treatment under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, was not rescinded by former President Joe Biden.\n\nThe executive order, and corresponding HHS guidance drafted a few months later, came after HHS had investigated several cases in which hospital staff did not provide potentially life-saving care to severely premature infants despite the parents’ request for intervention.\n\nAlthough modern medical interventions have allowed extremely premature infants to be born alive as young as 21 weeks of pregnancy, these exceedingly rare cases often result in the child requiring long-term neonatal intensive care. Severe premature birth increases the child’s risk of developing chronic conditions like lung disease, cognitive impairment, and vision or hearing loss.\n\nThe executive order’s corresponding proposed rule from the HHS Office of Civil Rights in January 2021, which was abandoned by the Biden administration, would have protected infants born premature or with significant disabilities and their parents from unlawful denials of emergency screening or stabilizing treatment.\n\nThe proposed rule would have also prohibited healthcare providers from making life and death medical decisions based on the perceived value or worth of the patient’s life with a disability and prohibited providers from steering patients towards end-of-life care on the basis of disability.\n\nRevisiting the Trump 1.0 rule would not be the first time Kennedy and his team enforced an anti-abortion interpretation of EMTALA under the current administration.\n\nEMTALA was at the heart of the Biden administration’s lawsuit against Idaho over the state’s strict prohibition on abortion, in which the Justice Department argued that terminating a pregnancy can constitute stabilizing care for the mother under the law. The Supreme Court ruled in 2024 to allow emergency physicians to carry out abortion procedures in Idaho despite the state’s ban.\n\nIn early 2025, Trump’s HHS Office of Civil Rights swiftly replaced Biden’s guidance on abortion protocols under EMTALA with a more anti-abortion interpretation of the statute.\n\nSmith and his colleagues urged Kennedy to “evaluate and consider reissuing a rule” to standardize care for newborns with life-limiting conditions.\n\n“We are eager to work with you to ensure our nation values human life, provides equal justice under the law, and respects the rights of individuals with disabilities,” the delegation wrote.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-ciscomanis-chiricahua-national-park-act-one-signature-away-law", "title": "ICYMI: Ciscomani’s Chiricahua National Park Act One Signature Away From Law", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ciscomani.house.gov", "scraper": "ciscomani", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001133", "name": "Juan Ciscomani", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Tucson, AZ - Following the U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage of the bipartisan H.R. 6380Chiricahua National Park Act, local and statewide media highlighted Representative Juan Ciscomani’s years-long effort to designate Chiricahua National Monument as Arizona’s fourth national park.\n\nThe legislation, which Ciscomani first introduced as the second bill of his congressional career within his first 100 days in office, passed the House in March and cleared the Senate on September 30. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for signature.\n\n\"It’s been a long hike, but we’re at the summit. After years of work and persistence, Arizona is one signature away from having its fourth national park,\" said Representative Ciscomani. \"Chiricahua has long deserved this designation. As the second bill I ever introduced and in my first 100 days in Congress, I am proud to have worked across the aisle and across both chambers to deliver this victory for our district. This is an Arizona priority and a true team effort. I’m grateful to our local partners, including the City of Willcox, public lands advocates, and everyone who has worked alongside us to make this happen. I’m incredibly proud that we are now one signature away from making Chiricahua Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District’s second national park during our nation’s 250th birthday.”\n\nLocal media across Arizona is applauding Ciscomani’s instrumental leadership in getting this bill across the finish line after a decades long fight.\n\nAZPM highlighted Ciscomani’s continued work to advance the designation, noting that he introduced the legislation twice since taking office and emphasizing the bipartisan effort behind the bill. Ciscomani told AZPM that he expects the bill to be signed into law within the coming days and emphasized the economic opportunities the designation could bring to southeastern Arizona.\n\nAZ Family reported that Chiricahua could soon become America’s 64th national park and highlighted Ciscomani’s role in advancing the legislation through Congress. The outlet also noted the potential for increased tourism, regional economic development, and greater visibility for rural communities in Cochise County.\n\nGila Valley Central highlighted the legislation’s passage through both chambers and its potential to attract additional visitors to northern Cochise County. The outlet reported Ciscomani’s efforts to work with local leaders, including Willcox Mayor Greg Hancock, on plans to capitalize on increased tourism once Chiricahua receives its national park designation.\n\nThe Gila Herald also highlighted Ciscomani’s legislation reaching its final legislative hurdle, noting that the bill would elevate the profile of the 12,000-acre Chiricahua landscape and support tourism and economic opportunities throughout southeastern Arizona. The coverage comes as Chiricahua stands just one presidential signature away from becoming Arizona’s fourth national park, joining the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro National Parks. If signed into law, Chiricahua would become the nation’s 64th national park and the second national park located in Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District.\n\nAfter more than a decade of advocacy and years of congressional work, the Chiricahua National Park Act is now one step away from becoming law and bringing a new national designation to southeastern Arizona.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-statement-new-contract-awards-ttm-technologies-electric-boat", "title": "Courtney Statement on New Contract Awards for TTM Technologies & Electric Boat", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "courtney.house.gov", "scraper": "courtney", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001069", "name": "Joe Courtney", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "NORWICH, CT – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and a senior Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, highlighted recent contract awards for two defense manufacturers in Connecticut’s Second District.\n\nThis week, TTM Technologies in Stafford Springs was awarded 6% of a $511 million contract for their work on the Navy’s SPY-6 radar systems. In July, TTM Technologies also received 6% of a $1.809 billion contract for their work on SPY-6 radar systems. TTM Technologies employs roughly 1,000 people between its Stafford and Stafford Springs facilities, which produce electronic systems for the aerospace, space, and maritime defense industries.\n\nLast month, Electric Boat was awarded three contracts totaling $239 million for continued work for the Virginia-class submarine program. Following July’s $76.6 billion contract awards to Electric Boat for construction of nine Block VI Virginia-class submarine and five Build II Columbia-class submarines, September’s contracts are smaller, incremental awards to support the entire Virginia-class submarine program.\n\nVirginia-class submarines, Columbia-class submarines, and all U.S. Navy ships that the SPY-6 radar system operates on are authorized by the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.\n\n“These new contract awards are further proof that the growth of Connecticut’s defense manufacturing industry is not just a blip on the shoreline; it’s a wide-reaching enterprise driving our region’s long-term economic growth,” Courtney said. “On the heels of this summer’s record-breaking submarine contracts for Electric Boat, the work to support our region’s defense manufacturers isn’t finished. In particular, the Seapower Subcommittee and the Education and Workforce Committee must expand investments in the successful skills training pipelines that have grown Connecticut’s next-generation manufacturing workforce.\"\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-craig-secures-nearly-23-million-federal-funding-rosemount-fire-department", "title": "Rep. Craig Secures Nearly $2.3 Million in Federal Funding for Rosemount Fire Department to Hire Additional Firefighters", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "craig.house.gov", "scraper": "craig", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001119", "name": "Angie Craig", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "EAGAN, MN – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig announced that her office secured $2,290,047 in federal funding for the Rosemount Fire Department.\n\nThe funding, which came through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program will be used to hire nine additional firefighters as the city continues to grow, ensuring that the department can have at least 24 firefighters on duty at all hours. Rep. Craig wrote a letter of support on behalf of the Rosemount Fire Department in June.\n\n“I am excited to announce that the Rosemount Fire Department will receive critical federal funding to hire more firefighters and ensure the department has adequate staff as Rosemount continues to grow,” said Rep. Craig. “Every day, our firefighters run into danger to save lives, and I couldn’t be prouder to have helped secure this funding that will keep our firefighters and our communities safe.”\n\nThis week, FEMA also announced it has awarded grants to three additional fire departments in MN-02. The Lakeville Fire Department will receive $1,315,103 through the SAFER grant program. The Shakopee Fire Department will receive $81,818 and the Woodbury Fire Department will receive $55,680 through the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) grant program.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7436", "title": "Dingell, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Combat Campus Sexual Assault and Support Survivors", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "debbiedingell.house.gov", "scraper": "debbiedingell", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000624", "name": "Debbie Dingell", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Support for Universities and Colleges to Champion the Educational Success of Survivors (SUCCESS) Act and the Survivor Outreach and Support (SOS) Campus Act—bicameral legislation to prevent campus sexual assault and improve support for student survivors.\n\nThe SUCCESS Act would help improve academic outcomes for student survivors and ensure colleges and universities have the resources to support them. The Survivor Outreach and Support on Campus Act, or S.O.S. Campus Act, would require every college and university that receives federal funding to have an independent advocate dedicated to campus sexual assault prevention and response.\n\n“Every student deserves to feel safe on their college campus and to know that if they experience sexual violence, they will be supported and taken seriously. The urgency to act has been put into sharp relief as we learn more about the horrific allegations coming out of Cornell,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “These bills will give colleges and universities more tools to prevent sexual violence, support survivors, and help ensure students can continue their education in a safe and supportive environment. No student should ever have to choose between their safety and their education.”\n\n“Every student deserves to live and learn in a healthy and safe environment. We must do everything we can to prevent sexual assault on college campuses and provide comprehensive support to survivors,” said Senator Kaine.“I’m proud to introduce these bills to help ensure survivors can access medical care, counseling, and the academic support they need to heal and continue pursuing their educational and professional goals.”\n\nSexual violence can impact student survivors physically, psychologically, emotionally, and academically. Survivors may face difficulty learning and retaining information, lower grade point averages, and a greater risk of dropping out of school. College and university students deserve the ability to learn without fear of sexual violence, and higher education institutions have an obligation to do everything they can to provide a safe learning environment for their students. The legislation would help colleges and universities provide comprehensive guidance, resources, and support for survivors to make campuses a safer place to learn.\n\nThe S.O.S. Campus Act would require campuses to have an independent advocate to conduct public information campaigns on sexual assault prevention and ensure that survivors of sexual assault have access to:\n\nEmergency and follow-up medical care,\n\nGuidance on reporting assaults to law enforcement\n\nMedical forensic or evidentiary exams,\n\nCrisis intervention, ongoing counseling, and assistance throughout the process, and\n\nInformation on their legal rights.\n\nThe legislation would also require universities to consult with or partner with local rape crisis centers and other community-based organizations to ensure survivors can access the services they need.\n\nThe SUCCESS Act would provide funding for universities and colleges to:\n\nProvide higher education re-entry assistance for student survivors of sexual assault and other forms of violence;\n\nIncrease training for faculty and administrators on patient-centered care and recognizing signs of trauma;\n\nProvide patient-centered professional development training for academic advisors and counselors;\n\nProvide academic accommodations for students experiencing trauma, such as patient-centered training for tutors or the establishment of a confidential tutoring program specifically designed to assist student survivors of sexual assault and other violence;\n\nIncrease mental health services for student survivors of sexual assault and other violence; and\n\nCreate or enhance a fund for survivors of sexual assault and other violence to use for wrap-around services like housing, health care, and mental health treatment.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7437", "title": "Dingell, Bacon Introduce Resolution Recognizing World Space Week", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "debbiedingell.house.gov", "scraper": "debbiedingell", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000624", "name": "Debbie Dingell", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating October 4, 2026, through October 10, 2026, as ‘‘World Space Week” to recognize the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.\n\n“The study and pursuit of space leads to both a greater understanding of our universe and our place in it,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “From inspiring the next generation of scientists, servicemembers, and engineers to driving innovations that improve our daily lives right here on Earth, space exploration unites us in curiosity and progress. I am proud to join Congressman Bacon in this bipartisan effort to recognize World Space Week.”\n\n“America’s pioneering spirit has always pushed us to explore farther, innovate faster and achieve what once seemed impossible,”said Congressman Bacon. “Artemis II showed the world what American excellence looks like, bringing together our scientific talent, industrial strength and operational precision to achieve a historic mission. Today’s advances in rocket and launch technology are opening new opportunities for exploration, scientific discovery and economic growth while inspiring the next generation to look to the stars. I’m pleased to join Rep. Dingell in recognizing World Space Week and celebrating the scientists, engineers and innovators who continue pushing the boundaries of what we can accomplish.”\n\nThis year, World Space Week is celebrating its 27th year. World Space Week was designated by the United Nations (UN) in 1999 and consists of space-related events held at schools, museums, planetariums, aerospace companies, and space agencies around the world. The theme for 2026, “Rocket Revolution”, highlights transformative advancements in rocket and launch technologies and celebrates how modern rocket innovations reshape access to space and enable new missions, commercial opportunities, and broader participation in the space economy.\n\nText of the resolution can be found HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/connecticut-house-delegation-statement-reports-president-trump-seeking", "title": "Connecticut House Delegation Statement on Reports President Trump is Seeking to Ease Russian Sanctions", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "delauro.house.gov", "scraper": "delauro", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000216", "name": "Rosa L. DeLauro", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Reps. John Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) responded to reporting from the Atlantic that President Trump is entertaining a plan to ease sanctions on Russia:\n\n“When we voted against the Senate’s sanction bill this month, we warned that stripping out the enforcement language would leave every decision about punishing Putin to a president who keeps siding with the Kremlin. It took less than two weeks and President Trump is entertaining a plan to ease sanctions on Russia.\n\n“Just last week President Trump went to the United Nations and bragged about the ‘enormous new tariff authorities’ this bill handed him. So, the one part of the law he seems eager to enforce will needlessly raise costs on Americans by continuing his reckless trade policies, while the power he was given to cripple Putin’s war machine he is already looking to sign away.\n\n“That is exactly why the House-passed bill, H.R. 2913, required the president to act on sanctions. Without that requirement, sanctions are dependent on President Trump’s will to impose them – and President Trump has shown us time and time again he would rather be a friend to Putin than hold him accountable.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-davis-helps-deliver-new-100-foot-ladder-truck-williamston-fire", "title": "Congressman Davis Helps Deliver New 100-Foot Ladder Truck to Williamston Fire Department", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "dondavis.house.gov", "scraper": "dondavis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000230", "name": "Donald G. Davis", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) celebrated the delivery of a new 100-foot aerial ladder truck to the Williamston Fire Department, made possible in part by $1 million in community project funding he secured for the Town of Williamston. Congressman Davis secured the project for federal funding to help replace the department’s aging 1999 Pierce 75-foot ladder truck after nearly 30 years of service, and voted to approve it as part of H.R. 5371, Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-37).\n\nThe $1 million investment, delivered through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities program, helped fund the new custom-built 2026 E-ONE HR 100-foot tandem aerial ladder truck, designated Ladder 26. The Town of Williamston covered the remaining $500,000 for the apparatus. Ladder 26 expands the department’s vertical reach by 25 feet and strengthens its firefighting and emergency response capabilities.\n\n“Behind the wheel of Williamston’s new ladder truck are firefighters who train, prepare, and put themselves in harm’s way to protect their neighbors,” said Congressman Don Davis. “I am proud to have voted and secured $1 million to help deliver this new apparatus, and grateful to the firefighters who answer the call when our community needs them most.”\n\nCongressman Don Davis secured nearly $54 million in Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding for eastern North Carolina through federal appropriations legislation he supported. The funding was included in the Senate amendment to H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026; H.R. 6938, Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026; and H.R. 5371, Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-davis-urges-irs-provide-emergency-diesel-relief-north-carolina", "title": "Congressman Davis Urges IRS to Provide Emergency Diesel Relief for North Carolina Farmers", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "dondavis.house.gov", "scraper": "dondavis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000230", "name": "Donald G. Davis", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) is urging the Internal Revenue Service to grant North Carolina the longest available period of federal penalty relief for highway use of dyed diesel fuel, providing temporary relief as farmers face record diesel prices during harvest season.\n\nDiesel prices in North Carolina have reached all-time highs. According to AAA, the average price of diesel in North Carolina reached $6.2473 per gallon on September 19, up from $3.46 a year earlier. Nationally, the average price of on-highway diesel reached a record $6.529 per gallon for the week of September 21. As of September 3, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects that farm-sector fuel and oil expenses will increase by $4.8 billion, or 28.8 percent. Farmers are price takers, and many are operating on thin margins.\n\n“Eastern North Carolina is the heart of our state’s agricultural industry. Our growers are paying for the increased expense of fuel after a severe drought. In July, USDA designated over a dozen counties in our region as primary natural disaster areas because of the drought. The growers cannot afford to wait for the cost of diesel to decline. It is vital that growers have access to lower cost diesel on highways to move their crops, livestock, and equipment over long distances,” wrote Congressman Davis.\n\n“At least 10 state governors have suspended or relaxed the penalties for using dyed diesel on highways in their respective states. I strongly urge you to use the authority provided under IRM 25.16.1.5 to grant North Carolina the longest available period of federal penalty relief for the use of dyed diesel on highways. Protecting our farmers is more critical than ever,” continued Congressman Davis.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://dunn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=531", "title": "Dunn, Díaz-Balart Lead Members in Calling for Changes to College Sports Bill", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dunn.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "dunn.house.gov", "scraper": "dunn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000628", "name": "Neal P. Dunn", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressmen Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL-02), and Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL-26) led over 20 members of Congress in a letter to House leadership urging changes to the Protect College Sports Act (S. 4668) before final House passage.\n\nThe members support the effort to establish national standards for college athletics but raised concerns about Section 205, which would cap Power Four conference membership at 20 schools and require a school leaving one of those conferences to spend three years as an independent before joining another. They asked House leadership to remove or substantially amend the provision.\n\n“College athletics need clear national standards, and there is much in this bill that I support,” said Congressman Dunn. “But Congress should not decide how many schools can belong to a conference or make a university spend three years as an independent before it can join another. Universities and conferences need the flexibility to make those decisions in the best interests of their student-athletes.”\n\nIn the letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Majority Whip Tom Emmer, the members wrote: “Conference membership should remain a matter for universities and conferences based on a range of factors including the needs of their student-athletes, geography, competition, media agreements, academic partnerships and relationships, and financial considerations.”\n\nJoining Congressmen Dunn and Díaz-Balart in signing the letter were Representatives Sheri Biggs (R-SC-03), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16), Scott Franklin (R-FL-18), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL-28), Mike Haridopolos (R-FL-08), Mark Harris (R-NC-08), Laurel Lee (R-FL-15), Addison McDowell (R-NC-06), Cory Mills (R-FL-07), Tim Moore (R-NC-14), Gregory Murphy (R-NC-03), Ralph Norman (R-SC-05), Jimmy Patronis (R-FL-01), John Rutherford (R-FL-05), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Greg Steube (R-FL-17), William Timmons (R-SC-04), and Joe Wilson (R-SC-02).\n\nRead letter HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://finstad.house.gov/2026/10/02/finstad-hosts-open-discussion-with-fairmont-area-veterans-and-veterans-organizations/", "title": "Finstad Hosts Open Discussion with Fairmont Area Veterans and Veterans Organizations", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://finstad.house.gov/media", "domain": "finstad.house.gov", "scraper": "finstad", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000475", "name": "Brad Finstad", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "NEW ULM, MN – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) hosted an open discussion in Fairmont to hear from southern Minnesota veterans and local organizations about improving veterans care services, sharing information on available resources, and strengthening partnerships between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), nonprofits, and local communities. Minnesota State Representative Bjorn Olson also attended the discussion.\n\n“I am honored to represent thousands of veterans across southern Minnesota and advocate for the care they deserve through my role in Congress,” said Rep. Finstad. “We have a responsibility to ensure our veterans can access both physical and mental health services, whether that be through the VA or through the critical community partners working to fill the gaps in care, which is why resources like the Bravo Zulu House – the nation’s only all-military, post-treatment sober home – are so critically important for our southern Minnesota veterans. Yesterday’s discussion gave me the opportunity to hear from the veterans and organizations on the front lines and gain deeper insight into what we can do to provide better support.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://fischbach.house.gov/2026/10/rep-fischbach-met-with-southern-minnesota-beet-sugar-cooperative-to-discuss-industry-issues/f7724472-9b0c-4400-9828-628b131e1aa4", "title": "Rep. Fischbach Met with Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative to Discuss Industry Issues", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "fischbach.house.gov", "scraper": "fischbach", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000470", "name": "Michelle Fischbach", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Willmar, MN - Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach met with Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative leadership and growers in Renville to discuss challenges facing the sugarbeet industry. Producers highlighted rising fuel costs, weed-resistance challenges, and increasing international competition. The group discussed the need for additional federal assistance for crop losses and urged for consideration of weather-related aid in future policy discussions. Producers also urged U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jameson Greer to address foreign treasuries dumping sugar into the U.S. market. Rep. Fischbach has already joined colleagues in urging USTR and USDA to address these unfair foreign trade practices affecting American sugar producers.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7497", "title": "As EPA Relocates Regional Lab Outside Houston,  Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Demands Public Meeting and Answers", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "fletcher.house.gov", "scraper": "fletcher", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000468", "name": "Lizzie Fletcher", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Trump administration stopped processing new samples at the Region 6 EPA lab in August with no plan to protect Gulf Coast communities before the new Oklahoma lab is ready\n\nCongresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) called on Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lee Zeldin to request a public meeting to explain how EPA will protect Houston and the Gulf Coast after halting essential work at its Region 6 Laboratory in Houston. The effort comes after the Trump administration ordered the Houston lab to stop processing new samples even though EPA acknowledges that its lab in Ada, Oklahoma will not be fully operational for months. EPA has presented no plan for testing air, water, and soil across five states if a hurricane or industrial accident strikes. The closure also upends the lives of the lab's scientists, many of whom may leave EPA rather than move 400 miles away. And many questions remain about the impact of moving the lab several hundred miles away will have on Houston’s public and environmental health following disasters.\n\n“Housto is home to a large number of chemical plants and refineries, and this lab and its highly trained staff are essential to EPA’s mission of protecting human health and the environment,” Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher wrote. “In the case of extreme weather events, these scientists are among Houston’s essential first responders. Many EPA inspectors working on the Hurricane Harvey emergency response were based out of the Houston Lab. Moving the lab to a remote area exposes real infrastructure and logistics issues, which threatens Houston’s access to the critical air, water, and soil testing performed at the lab and the return of results as quickly as possible.\n\n“Closing the Houston lab is ill-advised and I have advocated against it for years. At a minimum, EPA should present a comprehensive plan for how the lab’s functions will be carried out as this consolidation with Ada occurs,” Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher continued. “However, EPA ordered the lab to stop processing new samples on August 28, 2026, and EPA personnel communicated to my office during a meeting on September 9, 2026, that the Ada lab will not take over the Houston lab’s functions for several months… EPA has not articulated a plan for how new samples will be processed or how emergencies will be managed during this interim period. This is unacceptable and dangerous. With no plan in place, Houston and Region 6 residents cannot feel confident that the air they breathe and the water they drink will be safe if an industrial accident or natural disaster occurs.\n\n“In light of these concerns, I request that EPA holds a public meeting in Houston by the end of 2026 to detail its plans for the continuity of the Region 6 Houston lab’s functions and receive input from impacted stakeholders and the public,” Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher concluded. “Additionally, I request answers to the following questions by October 30, 2026:\n\nHas EPA developed a plan to ensure continuity of the Region 6 lab’s functions during the period from August 28, 2026, when the lab stopped processing new samples, to when the Ada lab is fully operational;\n\nWhen will EPA communicate, in detail, its plans regarding management-directed reassignments to the Ada lab and relocating remaining staff to another Houston facility to the Houston lab’s current employees;\n\nOnce the Houston and Ada lab consolidation is complete, how will EPA ensure samples from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico are transported and processed in Ada in a timely manner;\n\nWhat impact will the Houston and Ada lab consolidation have on the processing time of samples from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico? What, if any, analysis has been conducted on the potential public and environmental health impacts of delays caused by the consolidation? What was the result of this analysis; and\n\nEPA personnel communicated to my office during a meeting on September 9, 2026, that the consolidation of the Houston and Ada labs will result in no detrimental impact on Region 6’s analytical capability. Please provide data substantiating this claim.”\n\nThe Region 6 Laboratory is a full-service analytical lab providing critical emergency response and disaster prevention services for five states. The Houston Lab is being moved from a newer facility built in 1990 to an older facility built in 1966, which is having to undergo extensive renovations to properly function. Since the EPA ordered Region 6’s lab functions to cease last month, the lab is in flux and operating in a diminished capacity, threatening Houston’s access to the critical air, water, and soil testing performed at the lab.\n\nIn 2019, Congresswoman Fletcher led an appropriations letter to the LHHS Subcommittee asking that they include language barring the EPA from using any funds to close the Region 6 EPA lab. Following this, Congresswoman Fletcher sent multiple letters to the EPA Administrator since 2019 in opposition to the lab relocation and a letter to the EPA Office of the Inspector General asking for an investigation into the closure. During EPA’s Fiscal Year 26 Budget Hearing, Congresswoman Fletcher raised this issue with Administrator Zeldin, who committed to looking into the issue.\n\nTo view the full text of the letter, click here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/fong-praises-blm-announcement-california-oil-and-gas-lease-sale", "title": "Fong Praises BLM Announcement of California Oil and Gas Lease Sale", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "fong.house.gov", "scraper": "fong", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000480", "name": "Vince Fong", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BAKERSFIELD, CA — Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) issued the following statement praising the Bureau of Land Management's announcement of a December 2026 oil and gas lease sale covering approximately 35,000 acres across Kern, Kings, Fresno, and San Luis Obispo counties in California:\n\n\"Action to produce more American energy, lower costs, and strengthen California's energy security. The Bureau of Land Management just announced a December oil and gas lease sale covering 35,000 acres across Kern, Kings, Fresno, and San Luis Obispo counties. This is the kind of decisive federal action I've been pushing for that produces more energy right here at home, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, strengthens our energy supply, and helps lower energy costs for California families and businesses.\n\n“While Gavin Newsom has spent years restricting California energy production, undermining refining capacity, and driving up gas and energy costs, we are working with the Trump Administration to unleash American energy, expand reliable domestic supply, and restore California's energy security. Thank you to President Trump, Secretary Burgum, and the Department of Interior for making California energy production, energy security, and affordability a priority.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://fulcher.house.gov/2026/10/02/fulcher-announces-staff-mobile-office-hours-in-north-idaho/", "title": "Fulcher Announces Staff Mobile Office Hours in North Idaho", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fulcher.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "fulcher.house.gov", "scraper": "fulcher", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000469", "name": "Russ Fulcher", "party": "Republican", "state": "ID", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01) announced upcoming staff-hosted Mobile Office Hours to provide additional assistance to constituents experiencing issues with a federal agency.\n\n“Offering Mobile Office Hours is our way of coming to those in the First District who may not have the ability to travel to our district offices,” said Congressman Fulcher.\n\n“My staff will be there to answer your questions and assist with constituent services, including federal agency issues, Veterans benefits, passport assistance, and IRS, Social Security, or Medicare issues. Our office knows the importance of constituent services, and we are committed to making these resources accessible to Idahoans across the First District.”\n\nUpcoming Mobile Office Hours:\n\nMonday, October 5, 2026\n\nSandpoint City Hall\n\n1123 W. Lake Street\n\nSandpoint, Idaho 83864\n\n9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.\n\nTuesday, October 6, 2026\n\nShoshone County Courthouse\n\n2nd Floor\n\n700 Bank Street\n\nWallace, Idaho 83873\n\n9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.\n\nResidents of the First District are encouraged to contact Congressman Fulcher’s office at (208) 888-3188\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://goldman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-goldman-and-bentz-introduce-imd-care-act-patients-suffering", "title": "Congressmen Goldman and Bentz Introduce the IMD CARE Act for Patients Suffering from Serious Mental Illnesses", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://goldman.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "goldman.house.gov", "scraper": "goldman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000599", "name": "Daniel S. Goldman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Dan Goldman (D-NY) and Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) introduced the IMD CARE Act, legislation which would expand Medicaid eligibility to include psychiatric care facility beds in excess of the current 16 bed limit for patients suffering from severe mental illness.\n\nWhen the Social Security Act was enacted in 1965, it limited Medicaid funding to psychiatric facilities that had no more than 16 beds, resulting in a shortage of beds when the need for inpatient mental health care has grown.\n\nThe IMD CARE Act would amend the Social Security Act to establish a State Plan Amendment, allowing Institutions of Mental Diseases (IMDs) with more than 16 beds to receive Medicaid funding for all mental health patients.\n\nUnder current law, States that wish to receive federal Medicaid funding for IMDs with over 16 beds must submit a request for a waiver allowing them to receive Medicaid reimbursement for individuals needing psychiatric care.\n\nThese waivers are temporary, unstable, and require complex renewal negotiations.\n\nThe State Plan Amendment option included in the IMD CARE Act would provide predictable reimbursement structures, durable financing mechanisms, and greater continuity for patients and providers. States would be required to ensure a robust continuum of care including providing outpatient and community-based mental health care and wrap-around services. States would also be required to follow evidence-based clinical criteria for admitting and transitioning patients from institutional care.\n\nThe bill is endorsed by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National Association for Behavioral Health, Treatment Advocacy Center, National Shattering Silence Coalition, and Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.\n\n“Outdated Medicaid restrictions on long-term mental health care have left too many Americans in crisis without access to treatment,” Congressman Goldman said. “By allowing states more authority to expand their mental health services, we can reach more Americans who are stuck in a never-ending cycle of hospitals, jail, and the streets. This legislation is a critical step towards ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, can get the help they need with dignity.”\n\nSaid Congressman Bentz: “Studies show that a significant portion of the homeless and prison population suffer from severe mental illness. These people would benefit from the availability of proper treatment in our existing mental healthcare facilities. This bill would result in an increased number of beds and treatment available for mentally ill people. Without this improvement in how we deliver mental health services, those who need such treatment will continue to cost communities more in law enforcement and healthcare expenses. The circular progression of the mentally ill from the street to the hospital to the prison and back to the street must stop.”\n\n“When someone on Medicaid is experiencing a mental health crisis, the program often won’t cover a psychiatric hospital bed. That’s because of a rule written in 1965,” said Scott Dziengelski, President and CEO of the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare. “A 60-year-old rule shouldn’t keep people from getting the care they need today. The IMD CARE Act takes an important step toward fixing that.”\n\nCongressman Dan Goldman is committed to alleviating the mental health crisis in America. In 2025, he introduced the ‘Michelle Alyssa Go Act’ to increase the number of federal Medicaid-eligible in-patient psychiatric beds for individuals who are seeking treatment for both mental health and substance use disorders.\n\nFull bill text here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-claws-back-500000-in-federal-dollars-for-the-future-lackawanna-railway-andover-train-station-site", "title": "RELEASE: Gottheimer Claws Back $500,000 in Federal Dollars for the Future Lackawanna Railway & Andover Train Station Site", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "domain": "gottheimer.house.gov", "scraper": "gottheimer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000583", "name": "Josh Gottheimer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Above: Gottheimer announces clawed-back funds for Andover Train Station.\n\nANDOVER, NJ – Today, Friday, October 2, 2026, at the future site of the Andover station, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced $500,000 in clawed-back federal dollars secured through the Transit Security Grant Program to strengthen security and safety at the planned park-and-ride station. The station is a key part of the effort to restore the Lackawanna Cut-off railway, with the goal of service from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Hoboken, and on to New York City.\n\nEvery day, 28,000 people commute between Northeast Pennsylvania, Northern New Jersey, and New York. Sussex County has the longest average commute of any New Jersey county, at 38 minutes, and Vernon Township has been ranked as having the worst commutes in the state. Since 2011, New Jersey commute times have increased by 8.8 percent.\n\n“There are zero options for folks in Sussex County to make their lives easier and get on a train to get to work or see a family member, and that has to change,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I’ve clawed back $500,000 in new federal funding from Washington to Jersey, secured through the Transit Security Grant Program, to strengthen safety and security at Andover Train Station for the families and commuters who, ultimately, will count on it every day. This funding helps harden this site as the next phase of the project gets underway.”\n\nWatch Gottheimer’s full remarks here.\n\nThe Andover site has already seen unauthorized access to the tunnel, including damage to or displacement of the measures meant to keep people out. The new resources can support security cameras, fencing, gates, and barriers, and other related security measures. This is capital security infrastructure that will stay with the station for the long haul and protect the public investment already in place.\n\nThe tunnel construction project is complete, with final details finished in June 2025, but there has been no construction activity at the site since. The project has $94 million in resources against an estimated total cost of $112.5 million. NJ TRANSIT plans to close the gap of about $19 million with state Transportation Trust Fund dollars and toll credits.\n\nThe project also promises real economic opportunity. According to Amtrak’s Corridor Vision plan, released in May 2021, expanding service beyond the Lackawanna Cut-off to Scranton could generate about $87 million in annual economic activity, plus $2.9 billion in one-time economic impact from construction along the corridor. More rail service also means fewer cars on the road, reducing emissions, highway congestion, and transportation costs and delays.\n\nToday’s announcement builds on Gottheimer’s record of delivering for passenger rail in Northwestern New Jersey:\n\nIn 2018, Gottheimer sent a letter urging NJ TRANSIT to allow the community to upgrade the culvert, and NJ TRANSIT agreed soon after.\n\nIn 2021, he helped craft and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included $102 billion in total rail investment.\n\nIn 2022, he rallied state and local officials to push NJ TRANSIT to rebuild beyond the Cut-off. NJ TRANSIT committed $32.5 million to rehabilitate the Roseville Tunnel and the Hudson Farm and Junction Brook culverts, construct 8,000 feet of track bed, and stabilize rock slopes.\n\nGottheimer was joined by Andover Mayor Thomas Walsh, Andover Deputy Mayor Krista Gilchrist, NJTRANSIT Government & External Affairs Chief Paul Wyckoff, and Andover Police Chief Eric Danielson.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer announces clawed-back funds for Andover Train Station.\n\nRead Gottheimer’s full remarks as prepared for delivery here:\n\nIt’s great to be back here in beautiful Andover, New Jersey, at the future site of the Andover Train Station, the park-and-ride station that is part of Lackawanna Railway, which, when it’s fully restored, will have service from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Hoboken, New Jersey, and on to New York City.\n\nI want to thank Mayor Thomas Walsh, Deputy Mayor Krista Gilchrist, and Paul Wyckoff of NJTRANSIT, and the rest of NJTRANSIT for joining us today. This is a project we’ve been working on together for many years now.\n\nThanks to great cooperation with our local elected officials here, when the railway is completed in 2031, Sussex County will finally have quality rail service on NJTRANSIT, helping commuters, stimulating tourism, and boosting the local economy.\n\nEvery day, 28,000 people commute between Northeast Pennsylvania, Northern New Jersey, and New York. Sussex County has the longest average commute time of all New Jersey counties, at nearly 38 minutes. Vernon Township has been ranked as having the worst commutes in the entire state. And since 2011, New Jersey commute times have increased by 8.8 percent.\n\nYet, there are zero options for folks in Sussex County to make their lives easier and get on a train to get to work, or to see a family member.\n\nI’ve heard from so many residents, businesses, and local elected officials about this issue, and the urgent need for more transportation options to New York City from across Sussex.\n\nRestoring the Lackawanna Railway is a key part of the solution, improving convenience and travel times for hundreds of thousands of travelers across the state, including right here in Andover and across Sussex County via NJTRANSIT regional rail.\n\nUnfortunately, because of endless bureaucratic nonsense and constant stalling, this project has been trudging along for fifteen years.\n\nWork on the Lackawanna project actually began back in 2011. But, it was paused in 2015 because NJTRANSIT could not access and upgrade the railway culvert on Hudson Farm. So, when I got to Congress, I joined with the Andover mayor and council – and went to work.\n\nIn 2018, working together, I sent a letter to NJTRANSIT urging them to allow the community, as they had asked, to upgrade a necessary railway culvert. Soon after, NJTRANSIT agreed to do it, a positive development after years of delay.\n\nThen, in 2021, I helped write, negotiate, and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included $102 billion in total rail funding. In 2022, utilizing those dollars, I rallied state and local officials to push NJTRANSIT to rebuild beyond the Lackawanna Railway Cut-off, and NJTRANSIT committed $32.5 million to rehabilitate the Roseville Tunnel and the Hudson Farm and Junction Brook culverts, construct 8,000 feet of track bed, and stabilize rock slopes. The Tunnel, the track bed, and the culverts are already completed.\n\nNot too different than when the B&O and then the Transcontinental Railroad were built, this project has been subject to repeated delays and uncertain timetables, with regulatory hurdles, red tape, property disputes, and inter-agency negotiations. But, many of us, including Mayor Thomas Walsh and Deputy Mayor Gilchrist, the council, and the Sussex County Community, have never given up – we’ve continued to fight – and, because of that, we’ve continued to achieve major milestones.\n\nToday, I’m here to announce another important milestone in our work to bring the Lackawanna Railroad to Sussex County: I’ve clawed back $500,000 in new federal funding from Washington to Jersey, secured through the Transit Security Grant Program, to strengthen safety and security at Andover Train Station for the families and commuters who, ultimately, will count on it every day. This funding helps harden this site as the next phase of the project gets underway.\n\nLet me walk you through where this project stands. NJTRANSIT is finishing the design and engineering scope for this next phase, with a target of the end of October.\n\nThe goal is to bring on a design contractor by the end of 2026, and begin design in January 2027. The design is targeted to be complete in January 2028, with construction bidding to follow, and construction on this station is targeted to be complete in August 2031, with service for passengers to follow.\n\nNow, every one of those dates is a target. My job is to make sure NJTRANSIT hits each one of them, and I’ll be fighting to beat them, not miss them.\n\nRight now, thanks in part to the dollars we clawed back to Jersey in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill I mentioned, the project has $94 million in funding against an estimated total cost of $112.5 million. That leaves a gap of about $19 million, which NJ TRANSIT plans to close with state Transportation Trust Fund dollars and toll credits.\n\nThe $500,000 I’m announcing today is separate. It will be utilized to prevent any delays in the timetable that could come from vandalism or damage from trespassers – including security cameras, fencing, gates, and barriers, and related protective technology.\n\nThe Andover Train Station has already seen unauthorized access to the Roosevelt Tunnel, including damage to the tunnel itself and to measures put in place to keep people out. This funding goes straight to help solve that problem. This is a critical station, and we cannot afford any setbacks, and we have to protect the investments the public has already made in the infrastructure here.\n\nThe benefits of this project are clear: Aside from all of the commuting benefits for families, so they can get to work and see their kids at night, an expanded transit network means fewer cars on the road, which will reduce vehicle emissions and pollution, highway congestion, and transportation costs and delays. This train will also result in real economic opportunity for the region.\n\nThat’s why, back in 2022, I also pressed the Federal Railroad Administration to restore Amtrak service on the Lackawanna between New York and Scranton – including a stop right here in Andover.\n\nAccording to Amtrak’s own Corridor Vision Plan, expanding service from New York to Scranton, Pennsylvania, could generate about $87 million in annual economic activity, plus $2.9 billion in one-time economic impact from construction along the corridor.\n\nI don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see this railway running in 2031. I already have an alert set on my calendar.\n\nWhen the Lackawanna Rail Line was first built back in 1911, it ran west for about 28 miles between Port Morris Junction in Port Morris, New Jersey, and Slateford Junction in Slateford, Pennsylvania. It was part of a 400-mile line between Hoboken, New Jersey, and Buffalo, New York. Imagine that. An incredible infrastructure feat for the time.\n\nPassenger service on this corridor ended decades ago, between 1966 and 1971, and the tracks were later removed, leaving the line inactive for more than 50 years. So, part of this project has been putting in all-new tracks.\n\nIn the end, when it’s finished, I know this project will bring significant benefits to Sussex County and Northern New Jersey, to our families, to commuters, to deliver good-paying jobs for our hard-working men and women of labor, and to strengthen our communities by reducing congestion, improving commutes, boosting tourism, and helping grow our local economies. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Andover, Sussex County, NJTRANSIT, and Amtrak to bring quality, expansive rail service to North Jersey as soon as possible, without delay.\n\nThere is nothing partisan about this – it’s just about working together to solve problems for Jersey families.\n\nIf we continue to do that, to work together to restore Lackawanna and expand New Jersey’s transportation network, I know that, in the greatest country in the world, our best days will always be ahead of us.\n\nMay God bless you and God bless the United States of America.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://harrigan.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-congressman-pat-harrigan-pens-op-ed-removing-barriers-disabled-veterans", "title": "ICYMI: Congressman Pat Harrigan Pens Op-Ed on Removing Barriers for Disabled Veterans", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://harrigan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "harrigan.house.gov", "scraper": "harrigan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001101", "name": "Pat Harrigan", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C.—In a new op-ed for the Washington Reporter, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) and Purple Heart Homes Co-Founder and CEO John Gallina expose a federal policy that allowed disabled veterans’ VA compensation to be used against them when seeking help to make their homes safe and accessible. They explain how Purple Heart Homes, headquartered in Statesville, spent eight years documenting the problem, how Congress changed the law to remove that barrier, and why fixing failures like this is essential to making sure the benefits veterans earned actually work for them.\n\nYou can read the full piece here or below.\n\nCutting the Red Tape Between Disabled Veterans and a Safe Home is Essential\n\nHousing affordability just became harder for millions of Americans. With the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate reaching 7 percent, buying a home is becoming more expensive, but for many disabled veterans, the challenge is even more basic: whether the home they already have can safely meet their needs.\n\nAs veterans ourselves, we regularly hear from men and women living in homes that no longer accommodate their physical needs. For someone aging with a service-connected injury, remaining independent can depend on something as basic as a ramp, widened doorway or accessible shower.\n\nBy 2021, about half of disabled veteran renters were spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent, while nearly three in ten spent more than half. Yet for some veterans, the housing market was not the only thing working against them. Federal policy was too.\n\nMany state and local home-repair programs rely on HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program, or CDBG. Until this year, VA service-connected disability compensation could be counted when calculating income for eligibility.\n\nThe result made little sense. A veteran could receive compensation because he was disabled serving this country, then have that same compensation used to disqualify him from assistance modifying his home around that disability.\n\nWe see problems like this from two different vantage points.\n\nPurple Heart Homes sees them veteran by veteran, working inside homes where a poorly written rule can determine whether someone gets the ramp, bathroom or other modification needed to remain independent. The congressional side sees the same failures written into federal programs, where one rule can quietly affect thousands of veterans across the country.\n\nThat is why veterans policy has been a major focus of the work coming out of North Carolina’s 10th District. That work has included introducing legislation to strengthen oversight of the VA’s overseas health care program, introducing the COMPASS Act to protect military families during PCS moves, co-leading legislation to improve housing and financial counseling for servicemembers and transitioning veterans, and helping advance the Fort Bragg land transfer needed for North Carolina to build a new State Veterans Home.\n\nThe issues are different, but the approach is the same: find where government is failing the people who served, understand exactly why it is failing, and fix the policy behind it.\n\nThat approach mattered here because Purple Heart Homes had spent eight years documenting the problem.\n\nUsing VA data covering more than 1 million veterans with service-connected disability ratings of 50 percent or higher, Purple Heart Homes identified 35,516 veterans whose disability compensation alone exceeded 80 percent of their state’s median income, even if they earned nothing else. More than three-quarters have a 100 percent service-connected disability rating.\n\nSome of the veterans living with the most serious service-connected disabilities could therefore be denied assistance precisely because of the benefits they earned for those disabilities.\n\nAnd North Carolina’s 10th District had a unique view of both sides of that problem. Purple Heart Homes, founded and headquartered in Statesville, had the experience and data showing what veterans were encountering at home. Congress had the ability to address the federal rule behind it.\n\nThe Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act, sponsored by Rep. Monica De La Cruz of Texas, received bipartisan support and was signed into law on Jan. 20. It now requires states, local governments and tribes to exclude VA service-connected disability compensation when determining eligibility under CDBG. It also directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine whether the same problem exists elsewhere across HUD.\n\nNow the law has to work where it matters.\n\nHousing agencies and nonprofit providers need to update their eligibility policies, and veterans previously told their disability compensation put them above an income limit should know the rules have changed. If the GAO finds the same mistake elsewhere, Congress should fix it there too.\n\nFor those of us who served, this gets to a larger point about veterans policy. Creating a benefit is not enough if another part of government makes it harder for a veteran to use it.\n\nDisability compensation reflects a cost a veteran continues to carry because he or she served this country. It should never become another obstacle to receiving help.\n\nPurple Heart Homes can see where policy fails when it reaches a veteran’s front door. Congress can trace that failure back to federal law and remove it. Bringing those two perspectives together is how a bureaucratic problem becomes a practical solution.\n\nFor disabled veterans, that solution can be as simple, and as important, as being able to remain safely in the place they call home.\n\nRep. Pat Harrigan represents North Carolina’s 10th District and serves on the House Armed Services Committee. A West Point graduate and former Green Beret, he served in Afghanistan and was awarded two Bronze Stars. John Gallina is Co-Founder and CEO of Purple Heart Homes, a nonprofit organization based in Statesville, North Carolina, providing safe, barrier-free housing solutions for qualified veterans.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases/comisionado-residente-amplia-la-discusion-del-futuro-de-medicaid-al-sector", "title": "Comisionado Residente amplía la discusión del futuro de Medicaid al sector hospitalario", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hernandez.house.gov", "scraper": "hernandez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001103", "name": "Pablo José Hernández", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — El Comisionado Residente de Puerto Rico, Pablo José Hernández, amplió al sector hospitalario la discusión sobre el futuro de Medicaid en Puerto Rico durante su participación en la Convención de la Asociación de Hospitales, donde abordó los cambios que enfrenta el programa a partir de 2027 y la necesidad de que Puerto Rico llegue preparado a la próxima etapa de discusión en el Congreso.\n\nEl Comisionado Residente destacó que las decisiones que se tomen en Washington tendrán consecuencias directas sobre la estabilidad del sistema de salud, incluyendo la capacidad de los hospitales para sostener sus operaciones, retener profesionales de la salud y garantizar acceso a servicios de calidad para los pacientes.\n\n“Nuestra prioridad es atender lo básico, y la salud es parte de eso. Trabajamos más allá de líneas partidistas para extender los fondos del Plan Vital.El 23 de septiembre reunimos en el Congreso a expertos, personal congresional y representantes del sector de la salud para discutir los retos que tenemos por delante, y el 25 de septiembre nos reunimos con la gobernadora y el grupo multisectorial en La Fortaleza para revisar los datos y afinar la propuesta que llevaremos a Washington. El 2027 está cada vez más cerca y queremos llegar a esa discusión preparados, con una agenda clara y con una propuesta sustentada en datos. En asuntos como este, la salud de los puertorriqueños no tiene colores políticos”, expresó el comisionado residente.\n\nDurante su participación, el Comisionado Residente explicó que Puerto Rico enfrenta una estructura de Medicaid distinta a la de los estados, particularmente por el tope anual al financiamiento federal. Bajo la ley vigente, el porcentaje de participación federal también está programado para reducirse de 76% a 55% a partir del 1 de octubre de 2027, mientras que la asignación federal bajo la Sección 1108 enfrenta una reducción significativa al culminar las asignaciones temporeras.\n\nEstos cambios coinciden en el tiempo y crean lo que se ha denominado el precipicio de Medicaid de 2027, un escenario que requiere atención y planificación antes de que comiencen a materializarse sus efectos.\n\nComo parte de la discusión, el comisionado residente presentó la necesidad de evaluar una estructura de financiamiento más estable para el programa, incluyendo una propuesta para el próximo Congreso que eliminaría el tope de la Sección 1108 y permitiría que el financiamiento federal continúe respondiendo a los gastos elegibles de Medicaid, como ocurre en los estados, sujeto al límite estatutario aplicable al porciento de participación federal.\n\nLa conversación con el sector hospitalario también incluyó otros asuntos que inciden sobre la estabilidad del sistema de salud, entre ellos Medicare Advantage, la retención de profesionales, los hospitales y centros de salud 330, la salud mental, la prevención, la investigación, la salud materna y los servicios comunitarios.\n\nEl Comisionado Residente repasó además las gestiones que ha realizado durante los últimos meses para fortalecer la coordinación entre el gobierno de Puerto Rico, el sector de salud y los interlocutores en Washington. Entre estas se encuentran sus reuniones con funcionarios federales y congresistas, su testimonio ante el Comité de Energía y Comercio de la Cámara de Representantes, la coordinación de esfuerzos bipartidistas sobre Medicare Advantage y las reuniones recientes con la gobernadora y representantes del sector de salud para revisar datos y recomendaciones de política pública.\n\nDe cara al próximo Congreso, el comisionado residente señaló la importancia de que Puerto Rico llegue a Washington con información sólida sobre costos, utilización de servicios, necesidades de los pacientes y las condiciones que enfrentan los proveedores de salud.\n\nLa participación ante la Asociación de Hospitales forma parte de los esfuerzos de el Comisionado Residente para mantener la discusión sobre Medicaid y Medicare Advantage conectada con los hospitales, profesionales y demás sectores que sostienen diariamente el sistema de salud de Puerto Rico.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyer-statement-september-jobs-report-2", "title": "Hoyer Statement on September Jobs Report", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media", "domain": "hoyer.house.gov", "scraper": "hoyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000874", "name": "Steny H. Hoyer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement on the September jobs report:\n\n“The September jobs report, which shows that just 29,000 jobs were added to the economy last month and that unemployment ticked up to 4.2%, reflects the uncertainty Americans feel toward the job market and the economy as this Administration’s economic policies do little to address the tough challenges they face every day. For many, the American Dream is feeling farther out of reach as mortgage rates and inflation rise and real wages fall. Across the country, a lack of affordable housing is driving young people out of other communities, and prices for gas, diesel, and groceries continue to climb. However, President Trump still characterizes the affordability crisis as ‘fake,’ and Republicans in Congress have only made it worse.\n\n“The verdict is clear: this Administration does not put working Americans first. Republicans in Congress are failing to deliver on affordability, instead fixated on President Trump’s war of choice with Iran, which has forced Americans to spend $100 billion more on fuel. If returned to the Majority, Democrats are ready to address the affordability crisis and will fight to ensure that our government of the people and by the people always works for the people.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://hudson.house.gov/press-releases/hudson-hosts-fcc-chairman-carr-in-moore-county-to-highlight-american-drone-dominance", "title": "Hudson Hosts FCC Chairman Carr in Moore County to Highlight American Drone Dominance, Next Generation 911", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hudson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hudson.house.gov", "scraper": "hudson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001067", "name": "Richard Hudson", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "ABERDEEN, N.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications, hosted Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr in Moore County for visits highlighting American drone manufacturing and modern emergency communications.\n\nHudson and Carr toured Dracoe’s manufacturing facility in Aberdeen before visiting the Moore County 911 Center, where they met with local first responders and saw Next Generation 911 technology in action.\n\n“From building American-made drones right here near Fort Bragg to giving our first responders the latest technology when somebody calls 911, Moore County is doing some incredible work,” said Rep. Hudson. “I was proud to bring Chairman Carr here to what we like to call the Silicon Valley of American Drone Dominance to see firsthand what the FCC can do to facilitate the development of an American drone industry.”\n\n“It was great to join Chairman Hudson in Moore County today, to visit with some of North Carolina’s dedicated defense manufacturers and 911 dispatchers. Thanks to Chairman Hudson’s strong leadership in Congress, the cutting edge of U.S. drone technology is being unleashed right in the heart of central North Carolina, which means more jobs and opportunity for so many hardworking Tar Heels,” said Chairman Carr.\n\nAt Dracoe, Hudson and Carr toured the veteran-owned company’s manufacturing operation and met with employees to discuss the growing domestic drone industry and the FCC’s role in emerging drone technology.\n\nHudson and Carr then visited the Moore County 911 Center, where they met with Sheriff Ronnie Fields, public safety officials, dispatchers, and county leaders to see how Moore County is using Next Generation 911 technology.\n\nBackground\n\nDracoe designs and manufactures small drones and components used for defense and counter-drone training. The U.S. Army evaluated a Dracoe target-management capability during a counter-drone exercise earlier this year.\n\nThe visit also comes as the FCC takes steps affecting the domestic drone market. In December, the Commission added foreign-produced drones and critical components to its Covered List, generally preventing new covered models from receiving the equipment authorization required for import and sale in the United States. Previously authorized drones are not affected.\n\nNG911 replaces aging 911 infrastructure with modern, internet-based technology capable of supporting better location information, text and multimedia, stronger cybersecurity, and improved communication between emergency call centers and first responders.\n\nHudson is leading the bipartisan Next Generation 9-1-1 Act with Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02). The legislation would establish a federal grant program to help states, tribes, and local 911 centers upgrade outdated systems and support deployment, maintenance, cybersecurity, training, and public education.\n\nThe visits also come as the FCC considers a broader review of the nation’s 911 framework and how federal policy should evolve as emergency communications technology advances.\n\nMoore County has operated on North Carolina’s Next Generation 911 network since 2021 and also offers Text-to-911 for people who cannot safely make a voice call.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://hudson.house.gov/press-releases/hudson-remembers-former-first-lady-dottie-martin", "title": "Hudson Remembers Former First Lady Dottie Martin", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hudson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hudson.house.gov", "scraper": "hudson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001067", "name": "Richard Hudson", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) shared the following statement honoring the life and legacy of former North Carolina First Lady Dottie Martin, wife of his friend and mentor, Governor Jim Martin:\n\n“Renee and I were saddened to learn of the passing of the extraordinary Dottie Martin, former First Lady of North Carolina. We are praying for my friend and mentor, Governor Jim Martin and the entire Martin family.\n\n\"Dottie Martin lived a life of significance with a style and grace that was unmatched. She transformed the role of First Lady as a champion for protecting children and combating child abuse, to fighting substance abuse, to her work on her beloved wildflower program.\n\n\"Dottie Martin was ahead of her time, and I fondly think of her often as I travel the highways of North Carolina and see the beautiful wildflowers planted across our state. Martin left this state more beautiful than she found it, and she left an impression on every life she touched. Dottie Martin will be missed, but her life and legacy will never be forgotten,” said Rep. Hudson.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-larsen-and-veasey-introduce-legislation-to-combat-discriminatory-voter-id-laws/", "title": "Brownley, Larsen, Veasey Introduce Legislation to Combat Discriminatory Voter ID Laws", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "juliabrownley.house.gov", "scraper": "juliabrownley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001285", "name": "Julia Brownley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Congressman Mark Veasey (TX-33) in introducing the America Votes Act, legislation to protect U.S. citizens who face disenfranchisement because of restrictive voter identification (ID) laws.\n\nDespite claims that restrictive voter ID laws are necessary to prevent voter impersonation, there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the United States. Some state legislatures across the country continue to use excessively restrictive voter ID laws to target and deny certain Americans the right to vote. Restrictive voter ID laws disproportionately impact Black and transgender Americans, perpetuating the systematic disenfranchisement of certain groups in the United States.\n\nIn 2026, a total of 36 states require voters to show identification to cast a ballot, and 24 of those states require voters to present identification with a photograph. These identification requirements are in addition to those under federal law to register to vote.\n\nThe America Votes Act would establish new federal protections for registered voters to affirm their identity by submitting a sworn, written statement, even if they do not have a government-issued ID. Voters who sign a sworn, written statement can vote using a standard, non-provisional ­­ballot. The legislation is modeled on a successful Washington state law that allows voters to affirm their identity by submitting a similar written statement along with their mail-in ballot.\n\nThe full text of the America Votes Act can be found here.\n\nIn addition to Brownley, the America Votes Act is cosponsored by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Betty McCollum (MN-04), and André Carson (IL-07).\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://kamlager-dove.house.gov/media/press-releases/committee-democrats-issue-statement-state-departments-partial-production", "title": "Committee Democrats Issue Statement on State Department’s Partial Production of Venezuela Oil Deal Documents", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kamlager-dove.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kamlager-dove.house.gov", "scraper": "kamlager-dove", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000400", "name": "Sydney Kamlager-Dove", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC — Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Joaquin Castro, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, along with all Democratic Members of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, issued the following statement after the State Department provided the Committee with one document related to the Trump administration’s deal signed with Alejandro Betancourt to acquire a stake in North American Blue Energy Partners.\n\n“We appreciate that State has provided this document, but a single document falls far short of the records Democrats have requested as we conduct oversight over the Trump administration’s Venezuela policy. When Democrats sought to subpoena the documents on September 15, Republicans, led by Chairwoman Maria Elvira Salazar, voted to shield the administration from accountability and protect Alejandro Betancourt and Delcy Rodriguez from scrutiny.\n\n“Democrats will continue to examine the Trump administration’s actions with respect to Venezuela, and we call on Secretary Rubio to produce to the Committee all remaining requested documents, including the agreement between Delcy Rodriguez and Betancourt, as well as KPMG’s independent audits of the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, the account Trump established after his administration began seizing Venezuelan oil revenues.\n\n“Congress cannot conduct meaningful oversight based on selective disclosures. Providing one document while withholding other central records raises further questions about what the administration is trying to conceal.”\n\nAdditional background: On February 13, 2026, HFAC Democrats requested information regarding the Trump administration’s decision to route Venezuela oil revenues into an offshore account in Qatar. On September 21, 2026, Committee Democrats demanded Secretary Marco Rubio release the results of long-promised audits of the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, the account established after the Trump administration seized Venezuelan oil revenues.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-applauds-drug-free-communities-award-support-williams-county", "title": "Kaptur Applauds Drug-Free Communities Award to Support Williams County", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "kaptur.house.gov", "scraper": "kaptur", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000009", "name": "Marcy Kaptur", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Montpelier, OH — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that the Williams County Health Department will receive a $125,000 Drug-Free Communities award through the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The award will support the health department’s Educating Communities on Healthy Opportunities (ECHO) Coalition, which works to prevent substance abuse in youth and adults throughout Williams County.\n\n“I am honored to partner with the Williams County Health Department to deliver vital Federal dollars to bring about meaningful change in people’s lives,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “Northwest Ohioans deserve resources and support to prevent and tackle substance abuse, and the ECHO Coalition brings that support right to our back doors. Their programs bring together people from all sectors of the county to provide the proactive approach to substance abuse and mental health that our communities so desperately need.”\n\n“The Williams County Health Department's Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant has strengthened substance use prevention efforts across Williams County by bringing schools, community organizations, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and youth together around a shared goal,” said Katie Lantzsch, the Williams County Health Department’s Director of Health Education and Preparedness. “The grant has expanded prevention education, empowered local youth to lead change in their communities, and helped build a stronger network of support to reduce risk factors and promote healthy choices for future generations.”\n\nThrough her role on the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Kaptur has been instrumental in securing Federal investments for substance abuse prevention across our Northwest Ohio community. In July 2026, she announced two $125,000 DFC awards for EHOVE Career Center’s Future Leaders Program in Sandusky and for the Springfield Area Prevention Coalition in Swanton. Last week Congresswoman Kaptur announced that the Erie County Department of Health had been awarded an $800,000 grant award through HHS for Substance Abuse Treatment. Congresswoman Kaptur also delivered a $1.8 Million Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) award to the Erie County Health Department in 2023.\n\nYou can learn more about how ECHO serves our Williams County community by clicking here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://kennedy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2490", "title": "Kennedy Condemns Trump Administration’s  $17 Million Expansion of ICE Detention Facility in Batavia", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kennedy.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "kennedy.house.gov", "scraper": "kennedy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000402", "name": "Timothy M. Kennedy", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "At Kennedy’s Demand, DHS Finally Discloses Details of Batavia ICE Facility Expansion - New $17 Million Structure Will House Women Detainees\n\nIn a Response to Kennedy’s Letter Written in His Oversight Capacity, DHS's Own Numbers Show More Than 70% of Batavia Detainees Have No Criminal Record, Contradicting Administration's \"Worst of the Worst\" Claims\n\nBUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, today condemned the Trump administration's plan to build a new detention facility at the Buffalo Service Processing Center in Batavia at a cost to taxpayers of nearly $17 million funded by Trump and Congressional Republicans' Big Ugly Bill. He also exposed the administration's own admission that the vast majority of the people it is detaining in Western New York have no criminal record.\n\nIn a response to Kennedy's July 8 oversight letter, which arrived on September 29, 76 days past his July 15 deadline, the Department of Homeland Security disclosed that 72 percent of detainees at Batavia have no criminal record. Rather than defend the expansion as a public safety measure, DHS wrote that known criminal history \"is not a prerequisite for immigration enforcement action.\" Secretary Markwayne Mullin instead pointed to the 2024 election, writing that the department intends to deliver \"mass deportations.\"\n\n\"This administration told the American people it was going after the worst of the worst. Now they've admitted in writing that it isn't true. More than 70 percent of the people held in Batavia have no criminal record, and DHS says that doesn't matter,\" said Congressman Kennedy. \"It took them more than two months to answer, and they still can't keep their story straight about what they're building. Meanwhile, the calls coming into my office tell the real story. Every single day we’re getting calls about people who are picked up by ICE while dropping their kids off at school or going to work. People that are here lawfully are feeling threatened and afraid. This administration must be held accountable.”\n\n\"Western New Yorkers are working hard to put food on the table, keep up with their utility bills, fill their gas tanks, and afford their medical bills. Our government should be focused on making life more affordable,\" Kennedy continued. \"Instead, the Trump administration is spending nearly $17 million to enact its cruel and inhumane agenda.”\n\nDHS's response contradicts itself. ICE's contract approval describes a \"soft sided temporary detention facility,\" while DHS's answers refer to a \"hard-sided\" structure.”\n\nThe department also revealed that ICE plans to hold women at the new facility and that men could be held there as well \"if the needs of the service dictate.\"\n\nKennedy's letter requested all records related to the decision to build the facility, including cost estimates and communications with contractors. DHS provided a single approval memo, with pricing details and the planned number of beds redacted. It said staffing levels for the facility are \"still being discussed.\"\n\nIn July, Kennedy warned that the Trump administration has a pattern of rapidly building soft-sided tents and makeshift detention facilities without ensuring detainee health and safety, and demanded that DHS halt construction at Batavia. He will continue to press DHS for answers and to oppose the expansion of ICE detention in Western New York.\n\nRead Congressman Kennedy’s oversight letter here.\n\nRead Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s full response here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://kiggans.house.gov/2026/10/02/kiggans-epa-deputy-administrator-fotouhi-celebrate-92-million-in-grant-awards-for-conservation-efforts-in-the-chesapeake-bay/", "title": "Kiggans, EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Celebrate $92 Million in Grant Awards for Conservation Efforts in the Chesapeake Bay", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kiggans.house.gov/feed/", "domain": "kiggans.house.gov", "scraper": "kiggans", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000399", "name": "Jennifer A. Kiggans", "party": "Republican", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SMITHFIELD, VA — Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) was joined by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi and the James River Association at Windsor Castle Park for a Chesapeake Bay funding announcement and a tour of the park’s living shoreline. The EPA, along with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), announced a total conservation impact of $92 million for the Chesapeake Bay watershed.\n\nFollowing the announcement, Congresswoman Kiggans and Deputy Administrator Fotouhi visited Windsor Castle Park’s living shorelines, protected coastal edges designed to prevent erosion near a public trail by using native plants and sand instead of concrete seawalls. The project was completed in 2021 in collaboration with the James River Association.\n\nCongresswoman Kiggans said, “The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most beautiful natural treasures our Commonwealth has to offer, and one that should be preserved for future generations to enjoy. I’m grateful to the EPA and the NFWF for investing in the conservation and preservation of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This funding will support commonsense, on-the-ground projects that protect our waterways, strengthen our coastal communities, and preserve the natural resources that are so important to Virginia’s economy and way of life.”\n\n“I’d like to thank the James River Association for its promotion of responsible environmental stewardship, as well as Deputy Administrator Fotouhi for coming to Virginia’s Second District to celebrate this important day. I look forward to continuing to work with the Deputy Administrator and the EPA on commonsense preservation efforts to protect Virginia’s native species and its communities,” Kiggans concluded.\n\nThe grant awards announced today by EPA and NFWF totaled more than $39 million. However, the 83 new awards will leverage an additional $53 million in non-federal matching contributions to generate a total conservation impact of $92 million.\n\n“Through these grants, EPA is working collaboratively with our local partners to deliver practical restoration solutions that improve water quality, restore habitat, and support the vital Chesapeake Bay watershed. These improvements will have a significant impact of the more than 1,800 local communities that depend on the watershed to support their economies,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi. “This type of funding has a proven track record of delivering tangible environmental results and is a shining example of taxpayer dollars being put to accomplishing EPA’s core mission.”\n\nThe 83 grants were awarded through the Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants and Small Watershed Grants programs, which are administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.\n\nAs the representative of a coastal district, Congresswoman Kiggans serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources and remains committed to supporting legislation that protects our Chesapeake Bay, preserves Virginia’s wildlife and waterways, and strengthens the coastal communities that call them home.\n\nBackground:\n\nCongresswoman Kiggans has secured federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) and Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Community Project Funding process for water, wastewater, and sewer infrastructure projects that improve service reliability and help reduce the risk of pollutants entering local waterways, including:", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/krishnamoorthi-and-menendez-demand-updated-federal-safety-guidance-energy", "title": "Krishnamoorthi and Menendez Demand Updated Federal Safety Guidance on Energy Drinks as Youth Consumption Surges", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", "scraper": "krishnamoorthi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000391", "name": "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Rob Menendez (D-NJ) today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calling on HHS to update federal research and guidance on high-caffeine energy drinks and conduct a comprehensive assessment of their consumption and health effects among school-aged children.\n\n“Energy drink use among kids is at record levels, while caffeine-related emergency room visits among middle and high school students have roughly doubled,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “These products can pose serious health risks to children, yet the federal government is still relying on outdated research and guidance. Our government needs to catch up and give parents, schools, and health care providers the information they need to keep kids safe.”\n\n“Kids are consuming more caffeine than ever, and Sarah Katz’s tragic death exposed how dangerous poor labeling and hidden caffeine levels can be,” said Congressman Menendez. “We are calling on HHS to update federal caffeine guidelines, protect our children, and ensure parents and teachers have the information they need to keep children safe.”\n\nEnergy drink consumption among students is at or near record levels, with nearly one in four high school seniors now drinking energy drinks daily, up from about one in six four years ago. Many popular energy drinks contain as much as 200 milligrams of caffeine per serving, while the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that adolescents ages 12 to 18 consume less than 100 milligrams of caffeine per day. The lawmakers also noted that emergency department visits by middle and high school students for adverse effects associated with caffeine roughly doubled between 2017 and 2023.\n\nDespite that increase, much of the federal government’s research and guidance on energy drinks is more than a decade old. Current CDC guidance still relies in part on a 2013 SAMHSA report examining emergency department visits through 2011, while federal researchers have acknowledged significant gaps in research on how energy drinks affect children.\n\n“Despite these risks, much of the federal government's research and guidance on energy drinks is more than a decade old,” Krishnamoorthi and Menendez wrote. “While caffeine-related emergency visits among middle and high school students doubled, federal guidance continues to rely on decades-old data that do not reflect today’s levels of consumption.”\n\nThe lawmakers also raised concerns about the lack of federal regulation specific to energy drinks. Federal law does not require these products to disclose how much caffeine they contain, and FDA guidance on energy drinks dates to 2014, is nonbinding, and sets no recommended caffeine limit for children or adolescents.\n\n“Rising consumption, a rapidly expanding market, and outdated federal research and guidance specific to energy drinks raise serious questions about whether HHS has the information it needs to guide schools, parents, and health care providers,” Krishnamoorthi and Menendez wrote. “We strongly urge HHS and its agencies to update the federal government’s research on these products and provide clear guidance to protect children.”\n\nKrishnamoorthi and Menendez requested that HHS, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, conduct a comprehensive assessment of energy drink consumption and its health effects among school-aged children and provide answers to the following questions:\n\nWhat research is HHS currently conducting or funding on energy drink consumption and its health effects among school-aged children, including interactions between energy drinks and prescribed stimulant medications?\n\nWhen will SAMHSA or another HHS component update its 2013 analysis with national estimates of energy drink-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths among minors?\n\nDoes FDA intend to evaluate or establish recommended limits on caffeine intake for children and adolescents? FDA has listed draft guidance on labeling caffeine content as a 2026 priority. When will that guidance be issued, will it recommend that manufacturers disclose caffeine content in milligrams, and does FDA intend to pursue binding labeling requirements?\n\nHow is HHS tracking adverse events involving children and energy drinks, including cardiac events, reports submitted to FDA, and poison center data? What trends has the Department identified since 2020?\n\nHas HHS engaged with USDA on revisiting federal school nutrition standards that permit caffeinated beverages in high schools, given USDA’s 2016 commitment to continue monitoring FDA’s work on caffeine?\n\nThe lawmakers requested responses and the results of the assessment by October 14, 2026, and called on HHS to make the assessment publicly available so parents, schools, and health care providers can understand the risks these products pose and the steps being taken to address them.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/krishnamoorthi-and-smith-introduce-legislation-help-immigrants-strengthen-our", "title": "Krishnamoorthi and Smith Introduce Legislation to Help Immigrants Strengthen Our Health Care Workforce", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", "scraper": "krishnamoorthi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000391", "name": "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) and Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) introduced the Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act and the Internationally Trained Physicians Assistance Act, two bills to help immigrants enter the U.S. health care workforce and address the nation's growing shortage of health care providers. A 2022 study by the Migration Policy Institute found that 2.1 million college-educated immigrants are unemployed or underemployed, even as sectors like health care face mounting workforce shortages, including a projected shortfall of up to 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.\\\n\n“Skilled doctors, nurses, and other health professionals should have the opportunity to put their training and expertise to work caring for patients,” said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. “Our legislation would help qualified immigrants overcome unnecessary barriers to entering the health care workforce while helping communities address critical provider shortages. When we make better use of the talent already in our communities, we strengthen our health care system and expand access to care.”\n\n“We have thousands of skilled nurses, doctors, and health professionals in this country whose training and expertise are going to waste because their professional expertise is not recognized and they face numerous barriers to achieve the needed licensure. At the same time, our health care system is stretched thin and patients are waiting longer for care,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “This bill package helps immigrants put their skills to work and serve their communities and will rebuild the health care system.”\n\nStatements of Support\n\n“Across the U.S., communities face critical health workforce shortages, yet immigrant and refugee health professionals—who possess in-demand skills—remain underemployed. Communities need this talent, and recognizing it is an essential step. By streamlining licensure and addressing unnecessary barriers, we can meet urgent labor needs and improve access to quality care. We support efforts, including at the state and federal levels, to advance policies that promote community prosperity by ensuring that immigrants can fully contribute their training and skills to their local economy.” - Kit Taintor, Head of US Policy and Practice, World Education Services (WES)\n\n“We are proud to support these bills, which will expand opportunities for immigrant professionals while helping address critical workforce shortages in the healthcare sector,” said Alice Kang, President of Upwardly Global. “With demand for healthcare workers rising nationwide, we should be creating pathways that allow qualified immigrants and refugees to contribute their expertise. This legislation will strengthen our healthcare system, bolster the economy and support safer, more resilient communities. Upwardly Global will continue to stand with Rep. Smith in moving this work forward.”\n\n“Many members of our team hold advanced education and expertise in medicine, nursing, and behavioral health. Yet they are unable to practice here due to costly additional education requirements and complex licensing procedures. At a time when we are confronted with a significant healthcare provider shortage—and as we work to diversify the healthcare workforce—it is critical to consider policies that create pathways for these highly skilled professionals to contribute to patient care,” said Tamara Cyhan Cunitz, MN, RN, Executive Director, Nashi Immigrants Health Board. “These bills introduced by Rep. Smith would expand opportunities for immigrant healthcare professionals to serve patients in our community and region. These measures would not only strengthen our workforce with qualified providers but also enable community members to receive care from clinicians who understand their language and cultural background.”\n\nBackground\n\nThe Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act would help immigrants, regardless of previous health care experience, enter the nursing and allied health workforce by:\n\nCreating grants for programs that provide training, licensing, certification, and case management for immigrants interested in entering the health care field; and\n\nOpening eligibility for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) to non-U.S.-citizen immigrants.\n\nAn estimated 200,000 nurses per year will need to be hired to meet increased demand and replace retiring nurses. This bill supports immigrants entering nursing or an allied health profession, including dental hygienists, dietitians, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, and speech language pathologists.\n\nThe Internationally Trained Physicians Assistance Act would help internationally trained physicians (ITPs) obtain a U.S. medical license by:\n\nIncentivizing states to create temporary licensing programs allowing internationally educated immigrants with medical degrees to practice under supervision while completing the training and certification needed for a U.S. medical license;\n\nEstablishing guaranteed medical residency slots for ITPs to practice in predominantly medically underserved communities; and\n\nProviding grants to help cover the cost of exam preparation, testing, certification, ESL classes, and case management for ITPs in need of financial assistance.\n\nApart from Canada, internationally trained physicians cannot immediately apply to sit for the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), and the cost of licensing, test preparation, and certification often puts a U.S. medical license out of reach, even for highly trained professionals. Many states have created alternative licensure pathways, but more must be done at the federal level to support these reforms nationwide to expand high-quality health care access.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/krishnamoorthi-khanna-quigley-crockett-johnson-demand-answers-white-house-over", "title": "Krishnamoorthi, Khanna, Quigley, Crockett, Johnson Demand Answers From White House Over Denial Of CNN, MS NOW Access During Xi State Dinner", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", "scraper": "krishnamoorthi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000391", "name": "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), alongside Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), and Rep. Henry Johnson (D-GA), demanded answers from White House Communications Director Steven Cheung regarding reports that journalists from CNN and MS NOW were denied access to the White House to cover President Donald Trump’s state dinner with General Secretary Xi Jinping in Washington last week.\n\nThe lawmakers sent a letter Thursday, just days after a federal judge preliminarily ordered the Trump Administration to immediately restore White House press credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico after the outlets challenged the Administration’s decision to revoke their White House passes. Federal Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order requiring the Administration to reinstate the outlets’ hard-pass credentials.\n\nAccording to media reports, CNN and MS NOW journalists encountered restrictions while attempting to cover Xi’s arrival and state dinner. CNN reported that a reporter and producer were initially blocked from accessing the White House, while MS NOW reported that White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López was denied entry.\n\n“These reports are deeply troubling not only given the context of the court’s temporary restraining order and First Amendment press freedom but also as a sign of the President’s use of anti-democratic tactics perfected by the very guest hosted at the White House,” the Members wrote.\n\nThe lawmakers expressed particular concern about the reported restrictions given that the state dinner was held for Xi, whose government has engineered one of the world’s most restrictive media environments. The PRC ranks third lowest globally for press freedom, and the CCP has instituted crippling censorship of independent journalism.\n\nThe Members also highlighted the contrast between the reported treatment of American news organizations and the access provided to PRC state-run media, including Xinhua, during Xi’s visit.\n\n“In no way should a U.S. president or any other official attempt to squash the freedoms of American media outlets at a time when we should be condemning the limitations on the freedom of the press that the CCP supports at home and around the world,” the lawmakers continued.\n\nThe letter further notes that freedom of the press is a fundamental constitutional principle in the United States and distinguishes the American system of government from the authoritarian model employed by the CCP. As Judge Kelly wrote in his recent ruling, the free press “stands as one of the great interpreters between the government and the people.”\n\nThe Members are requesting answers from the White House on the following:\n\nOn what grounds did the President, you, or the White House Office of the Press Secretary deny access to CNN and MS NOW reporters or producers at last week’s state dinner?\n\nWhat background checks and procedures were implemented to screen PRC state-run media outlets’ access to last week’s bilateral meetings between yourself and Xi Jinping?\n\nWhat is the Trump Administration’s strategy to hold the PRC and Xi Jinping accountable for their violations of basic human rights, including freedoms of speech, opinion, and expression?", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://langworthy.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-langworthy-highlights-expanded-dairy-safety-net-2027-dairy-margin", "title": "Congressman Langworthy Highlights Expanded Dairy Safety Net as 2027 Dairy Margin Coverage Enrollment Opens", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://langworthy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "langworthy.house.gov", "scraper": "langworthy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000600", "name": "Nicholas A. Langworthy", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C.—October 2nd… Congressman Nick Langworthy today highlighted stronger protections available to dairy farmers through the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, following the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that enrollment for the 2027 program year will open October 5th.\n\nThe strengthened DMC program includes a provision Congressman Langworthy championed in his Dairy Farm Resiliency Act (H.R. 294) and successfully advanced into law through H.R. 1, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. The change increases the amount of milk production eligible for Tier I DMC coverage from 5 million pounds to 6 million pounds, providing greater protection for small and mid-sized dairy operations when milk prices fall, feed costs rise or margins tighten.\n\n“Dairy farmers across Western New York and the Southern Tier work incredibly hard to keep their farms operating through markets they cannot control,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy. “I introduced the Dairy Farm Resiliency Act because our dairy farmers deserve a strong and reliable safety net when milk prices and feed costs put pressure on their operations. I am proud that we were able to get this provision across the finish line and into law, giving farmers greater protection when they need it most. I encourage every eligible dairy producer to take advantage of the expanded program and enroll for 2027.”\n\nDMC is a voluntary federal risk management program that provides payments when the difference between the national all-milk price and average feed costs falls below a coverage level selected by a participating dairy producer. The program is an important component of the farm safety net for dairy producers across Western New York.\n\nUSDA announced September 30 that 2027 DMC enrollment will run from October 5 through December 18, 2026, and dairy producers can enroll through their local USDA Farm Service Agency office. USDA also provides a DMC decision tool to help producers evaluate their coverage options. Producers can select coverage levels ranging from $4.00 to $9.50 per hundredweight. The changes secured through H.R. 1 also reauthorized DMC through 2031, established new production-history rules and provided producers who lock in coverage for 2026 through 2031 with a 25 percent premium discount.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://langworthy.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-langworthy-introduces-bipartisan-biosimilars-access-affordability", "title": "Congressman Langworthy Introduces Bipartisan Biosimilars Access & Affordability Act", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://langworthy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "langworthy.house.gov", "scraper": "langworthy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000600", "name": "Nicholas A. Langworthy", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. —October 2nd… Congressman Nick Langworthy today announced the introduction of the Biosimilars Access and Affordability Act, bipartisan legislation to expand access to lower-cost biosimilar prescription drugs and help bring them to market. The legislation updates Medicare policy to provide a clearer pathway for lower-cost biosimilar medicines that are actively moving toward the market, while protecting Medicare if those anticipated competitors never reach patients. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is leading the companion bill in the U.S. Senate.\n\nBiosimilars are highly similar versions of biologic medicines that can provide additional treatment options and introduce competition into markets where patients may have limited choices. By encouraging legitimate biosimilar competition, the legislation aims to expand access to treatments and help put downward pressure on drug costs.\n\n“Competition is one of the most powerful tools we have to drive innovation and affordability in our healthcare system and biosimilars have helped give millions of patients access to lifesaving drugs at lower costs,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy. “But time is of the essence when dealing with a disease or illness and patients should not have to pay more simply because a lower-cost competitor is on the way, but the rules governing Medicare don't adequately account for it. Our legislation takes a straightforward approach that if a biosimilar is genuinely moving through the FDA process and toward the market, it should have a fair opportunity to compete. At the same time, Medicare should not be left waiting indefinitely if that competition never materializes. This is good for patients, good for research and development, and good for the Medicare system.”\n\nUnder current law, Medicare can temporarily delay selecting an original biologic drug for price negotiation when a lower-cost biosimilar competitor is expected to enter the market. While the existing policy can allow for a delay of up to two years, it generally operates through separate one-year determinations and has narrow and complicated criteria for qualifying biosimilars. The Biosimilars Access and Affordability Act would maintain the existing two-year maximum while creating a clearer and more predictable process for determining when an approaching biosimilar qualifies for the temporary delay.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would:\n\nSimplify the existing two-year delay process by establishing a clearer pathway for qualifying biosimilars rather than relying primarily on separate one-year determinations.\n\nRecognize concrete evidence that a biosimilar is moving toward the market, including FDA acceptance or approval of an application and required clinical studies that are underway, completed or determined to be unnecessary.\n\nRequire manufacturers to certify their expected launch information, with legal consequences for knowingly providing false information.\n\nPreserve another pathway for strong cases, allowing a manufacturer to seek a delay when it can provide compelling evidence that its biosimilar is highly likely to reach the market. An ongoing patent lawsuit alone would not disqualify a biosimilar.\n\nProtect Medicare if anticipated competition never arrives. If a biosimilar is not approved and marketed within the two-year period, the original biologic would enter Medicare's negotiation program, and its manufacturer would owe rebates covering the period during which the negotiated price otherwise would have been in effect.\n\nThe legislation is also co-led by Reps. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), John Joyce (R-PA), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) as well as original cosponsors, Rep. Mullin (D-CA) and Rep. Panetta (D-CA).\n\nRep. Jake Auchincloss said, “Healthcare premiums are too expensive — going up by more than 10% for employees in Massachusetts. Bringing more biosimilars to market helps lower those premiums for Bay Staters.”\n\n\"This legislation provides certainty for the future development of biosimilars,” said Rep. Nathaniel Moran. “Biosimilars are vital to our healthcare ecosystem as they provide lower-cost options for patients and produce significant savings for taxpayers. East Texans deserve access to lower drug prices, and I'm glad to co-lead this with Congressman Langworthy.”\n\n“As a physician legislator, I know that innovation is the cornerstone of American medicine,” said Congressman John Joyce, M.D. “Maintaining incentives to develop and bring biosimilars to the market helps deliver effective treatments to patients at a lower cost. This legislation is a pro-patient and pro-innovation solution to a harmful consequence of the IRA drug pricing negotiation program.”\n\nCongressman Scott Peters said, “Biologics are critical to treating serious illnesses like cancer, autoimmune diseases and genetic disorders, but they are also some of the most expensive drugs on the market. Biosimilars have cut biologic prices by up to 85 percent, yet only a small fraction of name-brand biologics have biosimilars in development. Our bill preserves the biosimilar pathway while incentivizing new development. Red tape should not stand between patients and affordable access to the cutting-edge treatments they need.”\n\nThe Biosimilars Access and Affordability Act is supported by the Alliance for Aging Research, Arthritis Foundation, Eosinophilic & Rare Disease Cooperative, Community Access National Network, Global Healthy Living Network, International Cancer Advocacy Network, International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation, Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc., and Roswell Park.\n\n“For people facing cancer, access to the right treatment at the right time is incredibly important. Roswell Park is grateful to Congressman Langworthy for his leadership in advancing this smart proposal to expand access to effective cancer therapies while improving affordability for patients and our health care system.” --Candace S. Johnson, PhD, President and CEO, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center\n\n“Biosimilars play an increasingly effective role in the fight against cancer and greatly help with the side effects of treatment. The Biosimilars Access and Affordability Act will increase the number of biosimilars available and reduce costs for patients. It's an important bill which all people fighting cancer and other lethal and chronic diseases should strongly support.” --Marcia K. Horn, JD, President and CEO, ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network\n\n“Patients living with eye disease deserve to be at the center of every treatment decision, with access to the full range of safe, effective and affordable options available to them and their providers. Biosimilars can play an important role in expanding access and affordability, but lower cost should never come at the expense of effectiveness, patient outcomes, or the ability to choose the treatment that is right for them. Prevent Blindness supports policies that put patients first—expanding access and choice today while preserving the innovation necessary to develop the sight-saving treatments of tomorrow.” --Kira Baldonado, Executive Vice President of Prevent Blindness\n\n\"For people managing a rare disease, access isn't abstract — it's not just about the medicine that is keeping them stable now, but what is next. Biosimilars are an important part of the treatment landscape, and we should prioritize access to all treatment options.\" –Sarah Jones, Eosinophilic Rare Disease Coalition\n\nCasey McPherson, Executive Director of the Alliance for Patient Access said, “Biosimilars give patients and physicians more affordable options for treating serious and chronic conditions. But unclear rules around Medicare's biosimilar delay provision are discouraging the investment needed to bring these treatments to market. The Biosimilars Access and Affordability Act restores the law's original intent with clear, predictable standards. The Alliance for Patient Access is proud to support this legislation.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4276", "title": "Larsen Reintroduces Bill to Fight Discriminatory Voter ID Laws", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "larsen.house.gov", "scraper": "larsen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000560", "name": "Rick Larsen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Mark Veasey (TX-33) reintroduced the America Votes Act to protect U.S. citizens who face disenfranchisement because of restrictive voter identification (ID) laws.\n\n“As Trump and Republicans in Congress continue their unlawful attempts to suppress the right to vote, it is more urgent than ever to break down barriers to the ballot box,” said Rep. Larsen, a co-founder of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. “This bill builds on Washington state’s successful efforts to safeguard election integrity while getting rid of laws that disenfranchise citizens and prevent people from fully participating in democracy.”\n\n“Voter ID laws are being sold as a solution to a problem that doesn't exist, and the people paying the price are eligible voters, especially in communities of color,” said Rep. Veasey, a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. “The America Votes Act protects every registered voter's right to cast a regular ballot by affirming their identity under oath. It's common sense, and it's time for Congress to act to protect the vote for all Americans.”\n\nDespite claims that restrictive voter ID laws are necessary to prevent voter impersonation, there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the United States. Some state legislatures across the country continue to use excessively restrictive voter ID laws to target and deny certain Americans the right to vote. Restrictive voter ID laws disproportionately impact Black and transgender Americans, perpetuating the systematic disenfranchisement of certain groups in the United States.\n\nIn 2026, a total of 36 states require voters to show identification to cast a ballot, and 24 of those states require voters to present identification with a photograph. These identification requirements are in addition to those under federal law to register to vote.\n\nThe America Votes Act would establish new federal protections for registered voters to affirm their identity by submitting a sworn, written statement, even if they do not have a government-issued ID. Voters who sign a sworn, written statement can vote using a standard, non-provisional ­­ballot. The legislation is modeled on a successful Washington state law that allows voters to affirm their identity by submitting a similar written statement along with their mail-in ballot.\n\nThe full text of the America Votes Act is available here.\n\nThe America Votes Act is cosponsored by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Betty McCollum (MN-04), André Carson (IL-07), and Julia Brownley (CA-26).\n\nLarsen Fights to Protect Voting Rights\n\nRep. Larsen is a strong advocate for free and fair elections, expanding access to the ballot and Washington state’s vote-by-mail system. He has visited or plans to visit election offices in every county of Washington’s Second Congressional District to discuss the importance of safeguarding the right to vote with local officials ahead of this November’s elections.\n\nLarsen first introduced the America Votes Act in 2012. The bill was included in the For The People Act, sweeping legislation to expand access to the ballot box, get dark money out of politics, end partisan gerrymandering and hold elected officials accountable to their voters. The For The People Act passed the House in 2021 but did not receive a vote in the Senate after Republicans blocked its passage.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/connecticut-congressional-delegation-and-governor-lamont-announce-state", "title": "Connecticut Congressional Delegation and Governor Lamont Announce State and Federal Funding to Expand the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "larson.house.gov", "scraper": "larson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000557", "name": "John B. Larson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Hartford, CT – Today, members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation and Governor Ned Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut is being awarded a $584,250 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to support its planned expansion of the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, which will complement $294,250 in state funding that has already been allocated for the project.\n\nThis expansion, which is being overseen by the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), will support the creation of 1,510 additional grave sites for buried cremains on a parcel of land located contiguous to the existing cemetery at 317 Bow Lane. This property was previously used by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) for the operations of Connecticut Valley Hospital and was recently transferred to DVA to support the cemetery’s expansion.\n\nThe state’s portion of the funding will be used to support the demolition of the vacant Connecticut Valley Hospital building on the property known as Cottage 22. The federal funding will be used to provide cremains burial plots, an entry gate, fencing, landscaping, irrigation components, concrete block storage bays, site furnishings, and supporting infrastructure.\n\n“Our veterans put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we hold dear—we owe it to them to properly honor their service and sacrifice,” said Congressman John B. Larson. “I am pleased to announce this grant from the VA with my colleagues and Governor Lamont to expand the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown. We will continue to work together to make sure the state has the resources it needs to recognize our state’s veterans and their families, so the cemetery remains available to them for years to come.”\n\n“This cemetery provides an invaluable resource in honoring the lives and service of our military veterans and their families, and it is important that we continue to see that this option remains available to them for decades into the future,” said Governor Lamont. “As we explore options to support these needs over the long-term, this expansion of the existing cemetery in Middletown will provide immediate support to ensure that veterans and their families have uninterrupted access to these services over the coming years.”\n\n“The Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery is a sacred place where our nation’s heroes are laid to rest,” Senator Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said. “I am thrilled that this $584,250 in federal funding will allow for 1,510 additional final resting places for Connecticut veterans, ensuring families have options for their loved ones for years to come.”\n\n“Connecticut’s Second Congressional District is the proud home to over 47,000 veterans—the highest population of any of the five districts in Connecticut,” Congressman Joe Courtney said. “The expansion of the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery will mean more families are able to lay their loved ones to rest at a site that honors and remembers their service to our nation. I will continue working with my colleagues in our state’s Congressional delegation to support the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs’ mission to honor our state’s veterans.”\n\n“We owe it to our veterans to honor them both in life and after their passing,” Congressman Jim Himes said. “I’m heartened that the federal government will serve as a partner in expanding Connecticut’s State Veterans Cemetery and look forward to working with the delegation to provide additional resources to Connecticut veterans.”\n\n“Those who have honorably served our nation deserve to be laid to rest with respect and dignity,” Congresswoman Jahana Hayes said. “I am pleased that federal funding will help make this a reality for more veterans and military families by expanding the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery. I look forward to the completion of this project and am committed to ensuring our veterans have the resources they need to live full, healthy lives and a safe final resting home.”\n\n“Our Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery provides hallowed grounds for the final resting place of our Connecticut veterans,” Connecticut Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ron Welch said. “It is our privilege and honor to maintain the cemetery as a perpetual shrine to their selfless service. We look forward to the expansion of the cemetery and further to the establishment of a new cemetery in the future.”\n\nThe Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery was established in 1985 and provides a final resting place for military veterans from generations of conflicts, along with their eligible spouses and minor children. There are currently 14,718 burial plots and 3,000 columbarium niches at the cemetery.\n\nDVA estimates that the existing cemetery will be depleted of available cremation burial plots around January 2028. With this expansion, the agency projects that cremation burial plots will remain available through at least December 2033. Importantly, this will align the estimated depletion dates of all three burial options (casket, buried cremains, and columbarium niches), enabling DVA to build all three options in its plans to develop a new cemetery that will support veterans and their families over the coming decades.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/connecticut-house-delegation-statement-reports-president-trump-seeking", "title": "Connecticut House Delegation Statement on Reports President Trump is Seeking to Ease Russian Sanctions", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "larson.house.gov", "scraper": "larson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000557", "name": "John B. Larson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Hartford, CT – Today, Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) responded to reporting from The Atlantic that President Trump is entertaining a plan to ease sanctions on Russia:\n\n“When we voted against the Senate’s sanction bill this month, we warned that stripping out the enforcement language would leave every decision about punishing Putin to a president who keeps siding with the Kremlin. It took less than two weeks and President Trump is entertaining a plan to ease sanctions on Russia.\n\n“Just last week President Trump went to the United Nations and bragged about the ‘enormous new tariff authorities’ this bill handed him. So, the one part of the law he seems eager to enforce will needlessly raise costs on Americans by continuing his reckless trade policies, while the power he was given to cripple Putin’s war machine he is already looking to sign away.\n\n“That is exactly why the House-passed bill, H.R. 2913, required the president to act on sanctions. Without that requirement, sanctions are dependent on President Trump’s will to impose them – and President Trump has shown us time and time again he would rather be a friend to Putin than hold him accountable.\n\n“We will keep fighting for military assistance for Ukraine and real sanctions that no president can waive away as a favor.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://latta.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=407874", "title": "Latta Recognizes National Manufacturing Day", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://latta.house.gov/news", "domain": "latta.house.gov", "scraper": "latta", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000566", "name": "Robert E. Latta", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) released the following statement in recognition of National Manufacturing Day to honor the millions of Americans, including the tens of thousands across Ohio's Fifth Congressional District who help build America's future:\n\n\"On National Manufacturing Day, it’s important that we take the time to honor and recognize the millions of Americans who work in manufacturing and build vital products and components here in the United States.\n\n\"Our country is a manufacturing powerhouse, and in Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District, I’m proud that we are home to more than 1,000 manufacturing businesses that employ more than 86,000 hardworking Ohioans. I visit these facilities all the time, and it’s amazing to see the production going on at each facility.\n\n\"From programming to robotic machinery, our highly skilled manufacturing professionals are building America’s future, and I’m grateful for their devotion to innovation. Thanks to new investments, comprehensive workforce development programs, and a focus on strengthening domestic supply chains, we’re seeing an increase in American manufacturing activity across the country.\n\n\"As Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee on Energy and Commerce, I will continue to champion policies that provide affordable, reliable energy to support small and large manufacturers in Northern Ohio and across our country.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://mcbride.house.gov/media/press-releases/delaware-congressional-delegation-governor-meyer-issue-statement-establishment", "title": "Delaware Congressional Delegation, Governor Meyer Issue Statement on Establishment of Alfred I. duPont Charitable Fund for Delaware’s Children", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcbride.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mcbride.house.gov", "scraper": "mcbride", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001238", "name": "Sarah McBride", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WILMINGTON, Del. – Congresswoman Sarah McBride, U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.), and Governor Matt Meyer released the following statement in response to the establishment of Alfred I. duPont Charitable Fund for Delaware’s Children:\n\n“Alfred I. duPont’s philanthropy has always reflected the spirit of our state of neighbors. With this historic agreement between Alfred I. duPont Charitable Trust, The Nemours Foundation, and the State of Delaware, his legacy of care and compassion for our youngest Delawareans lives on.\n\n“The nearly 50-year journey to this moment shapes an undeniable truth: here in the First State, we will always fight to ensure Delaware’s kids have everything they need to thrive. The $950 million investment solidifies this commitment and will support the health and well-being of young Delawareans for generations to come.\n\n“We thank the Trust, the State of Delaware, and Nemours for their collaboration, and look forward to the many ways the Alfred I. duPont Charitable Fund will build upon statewide efforts to improve health outcomes for Delaware’s youth.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://mcdonaldrivet.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mcdonald-rivet-mid-michigan-secure-return-full-service-saginaw-river-coast", "title": "Rep. McDonald Rivet, Mid-Michigan Secure Return of Full Service to Saginaw River Coast Guard Station", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcdonaldrivet.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mcdonaldrivet.house.gov", "scraper": "mcdonaldrivet", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001237", "name": "Kristen McDonald Rivet", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FLINT— Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) and the mid-Michigan community have secured a commitment from the United States Coast Guard that the Saginaw River station will be returning to full staffing and capacity in 2027. The announcement follows more than a year of Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s advocacy for a return to full operations.\n\n“The Saginaw Coast Guard station getting its full funding is a big deal for mid-Michigan. It means stronger search-and-rescue operations, significantly shorter response times on the Saginaw Bay and Saginaw River, and less strain on local law enforcement so they can fully focus their efforts on the ground,” said Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet. “This is what happens when everyday people use their voices, and I am deeply grateful to the hundreds of Michiganders and community leaders who joined together to make this happen.”\n\nFor over a year, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet has pushed the U.S. Coast Guard to restore full coverage at the station:\n\nIn July 2025, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet authored a provision requiring the Coast Guard to study the impact of reduced search-and-rescue operations at the Saginaw River station following the elimination of 24/7 operations in 2024.\n\nIn December 2025, the Congresswoman got that provision signed into law.\n\nAlso in July 2025, the Congresswoman advocated for restoring 24/7 coverage in a Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025.\n\nIn March 2026, at a Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee hearing with USCG Vice Commandant Admiral Thomas Allan Jr., Congresswoman McDonald Rivet emphasized how local first responders have had to make up for the Coast Guard’s cuts to search-and-rescue coverage.\n\nIn June 2026, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet again urged the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard to immediately restore a fully operational and fully staffed Saginaw River Station.\n\nLater in June 2026, at a Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee hearing, the Congresswoman highlighted the consequences of short staffing to USCG Vice Admiral Douglas M. Schofield.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://mcguire.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-john-mcguire-hosts-agriculture-roundtable-fifth-district-farmers", "title": "Rep. John McGuire Hosts Agriculture Roundtable with Fifth District Farmers", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcguire.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mcguire.house.gov", "scraper": "mcguire", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001239", "name": "John J. McGuire III", "party": "Republican", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BUCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA — On Friday, Representative John McGuire (VA-05) hosted a roundtable with farmers in the Fifth District, the Virginia Farm Bureau, and Colonial Farm Credit. The trip to the district also included tours of local cattle, poultry, and corn farms.\n\n“Healthy farms equal a healthy district,” said Rep. John McGuire (VA-05). “Virginia’s farmers are the backbone of our economy and a vital part of the Fifth Congressional District as they work tirelessly to put healthy food on our tables. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from these folks about the challenges they face and how I can help as their representative.”\n\n“Colonial Farm Credit is proud to join Congressman McGuire and his team to bring farmers, agricultural leaders, and policymakers together for meaningful conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture,\" said Ronnie Gill, Chief Operating Officer of Colonial Farm Credit. \"Events like this cattle farm tour and roundtable provide an important conduit to hear directly from producers, see their operations firsthand, and better understand the issues affecting their businesses and rural communities. Supporting agriculture is at the heart of Farm Credit’s mission, and we appreciate the opportunity to help facilitate these conversations with Rep. McGuire and advocate for the continued success of our farmers.”\n\n\"Virginia Farm Bureau values opportunities to amplify agriculture's voice in Washington through events like Friday's discussion with Representative McGuire,\" said Olivia Gyapong,", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-introduces-legislation-to-establish-permitting-process-forundersea-cables-and-protect-national-security-interests", "title": "Menendez Introduces Legislation to Establish Permitting Process for Undersea Cables and Protect National Security Interests", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "menendez.house.gov", "scraper": "menendez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001226", "name": "Robert Menendez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) and Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) introduced the bipartisan Submarine Cable Security Policy Act of 2026, which would streamline the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) permitting process for undersea cables while carefully vetting projects for national security concerns.\n\n“Submarine cables are critical to our economy and national security, carrying the internet and communications traffic that Americans rely on every day,” said Congressman Menendez. “I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Pfluger to establish a clear and consistent permitting process, provide greater certainty for responsible projects, and ensure that cables with potential national security risks receive the scrutiny they deserve.”\n\n“Our foreign adversaries are investing in the undersea cables that carry over 95% of our international data, and they're doing it to undermine our national and economic security. The United States Submarine Cable Security Policy Act of 2026 sets clear, consistent security standards so we can keep bad actors out of our critical infrastructure,” said Congressman Pfluger.\n\nThe legislation would standardize the U.S. licensing process for undersea cables, establish national security requirements, set FCC review timelines, allow certain applicants to use self-certification and expedited review, and provide additional scrutiny for projects that raise foreign adversary or other national security concerns.\n\nRead the full bill text here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-shreve-introduce-legislation-to-ban-scam-call-machines", "title": "Menendez and Shreve Introduce Legislation to Ban Scam Call Machines", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "menendez.house.gov", "scraper": "menendez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001226", "name": "Robert Menendez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) and Congressman Jefferson Shreve (IN-06) introduced the bipartisan Stop SIM Box Scams Act, which would ban the hardware that enables scammers to disguise robocalls as local telephone numbers.\n\nIn 2025, Americans received approximately 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts and lost nearly $2 billion to these scams. By masking international or out-of-state calls with local area codes, scammers exploit trust and dramatically increase answer rates among unsuspecting victims.\n\n“Scammers shouldn’t be able to use our area codes to rip off our communities,” said Congressman Menendez. “Our legislation bans the deceptive devices that allow scammers to masquerade as our neighbors, cutting off a key tool for fraudsters and protecting working families.”\n\n“That ‘local’ Indiana number on your phone may be a scammer calling from halfway around the world,” said Congressman Shreve. “I wrote this bill to stop scammers from using these machines to pose as our neighbors.”\n\nThe legislation targets “SIM boxes,” which are specialized devices that house hundreds of SIM cards at once, cycling through local phone numbers to help scam syndicates flood individuals with robocalls and text messages while evading law enforcement detection.\n\nThe Stop SIM Box Scams Act would prohibit manufacturing, importing, selling, leasing, advertising, owning, or operating SIM boxes. It would also direct the Federal Communications Commission to coordinate with federal law enforcement to block imports and prosecute people who use them.\n\nRead the full bill text here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405846", "title": "Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 10.2.26", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/", "domain": "morgangriffith.house.gov", "scraper": "morgangriffith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000568", "name": "H. Morgan Griffith", "party": "Republican", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Republicans are on the front lines to root out waste, fraud and abuse of the federal government by large criminal conspiracies.\n\nAccordingly, I am taking additional steps to continue the Republicans’ War on Fraud.\n\nEarlier this year, I helped lead investigations into Medicaid fraud. Together with Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Brett Guthrie, and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman, Congressman John Joyce, we probed ongoing fraud in numerous State Medicaid programs.\n\nOur Committee investigations extended to fraud-ridden States such as California, Minnesota and New York.\n\nAs a result of our investigative work, which shows nationwide trends in Medicare and Medicaid fraud costing American taxpayers billions of dollars every year, we produced a comprehensive staff report to shed a light on our findings.\n\nThe report makes several recommendations.\n\nOne is to strengthen federal program integrity guidelines.\n\nMinimum qualifications, screening risk standards for providers of equipment and services, and more frequent screenings as well as background checks for providers are fraud-preventative actions that federal authorities can push.\n\nAnother recommendation is to improve States’ capacity to prevent fraud before it occurs.\n\nIt is clear that some States make patients more vulnerable to fraud due to weak oversight measures. If this lack of oversight action is maintained at its current trajectory, this problem will continue to persist and grow, allowing fraudsters access to valuable health care dollars and thus robbing resources from patients that need them.\n\nFor example, some States like Virginia exercise provider screening and investigative audits. These program integrity tools and practices must be fully applied in more States.\n\nThat is why our report also encourages the employment of innovative tools to improve fraud detection capabilities.\n\nArtificial intelligence technologies can complement the above oversight actions to help States better track unusual and fraudulent activity.\n\nAs a solution to the highlighted problems, the Committee recently unveiled a package of policies that help combat fraudulent activities, protect public health programs and serve vital health care resources to patients.\n\nAs part of this policy package, I introduced H.R. 10621 – the Medicaid Fraud Fighting and Taxpayer Protection Act.\n\nMy bill targets Medicaid fraud by incentivizing States to take steps, such as implementing program integrity tools, that investigate fraud and protect federal health care programs.\n\nThe incentive provided by my bill allows States to receive an increased portion of the federal dollars saved when they identify fraud. This saved money can then be used to support numerous State programs like those in Virginia.\n\nOngoing fraudulent activities recently impacted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Virginia.\n\nIn Lynchburg, officials notified residents that more than $60,000 in SNAP benefits were stolen from Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards in the month of August! It is believed that fraudsters stole private EBT card information and used the money loaded onto the cards to make purchases.\n\nCardinal News reported that this crime represented a 21-fold increase in food aid fraud.\n\nEven worse, no system was in place to provide the Lynchburg SNAP theft victims with reimbursement of their stolen benefits.\n\nThus, the victims found themselves squeezed into a desperate situation.\n\nAlready faced with challenging health and financial conditions, SNAP recipients who lose access to all or a portion of their benefits will struggle to get by.\n\nThat is why I am promoting a measure that cracks down on fraud impacting SNAP benefits and supports victims of SNAP theft.\n\nI am co-sponsor of H.R. 3887 – the SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act.\n\nThis anti-fraud bill creates new civil penalties for any person who knowingly accesses, uses or transfers SNAP benefits.\n\nAdditionally, the bill provides that States can use SNAP benefits to reimburse households whose benefits are stolen due to no fault of their own.\n\nThese are some policies that can complement the ongoing work of federal efforts that are saving taxpayers billions and bringing bad guys to justice.\n\nWhether you are a recipient of Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP or some other federal public health program, the benefits belong to you, not some criminal actor which are often part of international criminal conspiracies.\n\nI am proud to continue my efforts that target fraud, protect valuable resources for patients and provide leadership for our War on Fraud.\n\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at https://morgangriffith.house.gov/. Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405847", "title": "Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for October", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/", "domain": "morgangriffith.house.gov", "scraper": "morgangriffith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000568", "name": "H. Morgan Griffith", "party": "Republican", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Griffith’s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of October.\n\nOctober 8, 2026\n\nGiles County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am\n\nTown of Pearisburg Offices\n\nCouncil Chambers\n\n112 Tazewell Street\n\nPearisburg, VA 24134\n\nBland County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am\n\nBland County Courthouse\n\nFirst Floor Conference Room\n\n612 Main Street\n\nBland, VA 24315\n\nWythe County: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm\n\nWythe County Sheriff’s Office\n\nConference Room\n\n245 South 4th Street\n\nWytheville, VA 24382\n\nRadford: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm\n\nRadford Recreation Building\n\n200 George Street\n\nRadford, VA 24141\n\nSmyth County: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm\n\nSmyth County Administrator’s Office\n\nConference Room, Suite 100\n\n121 Bagley Circle\n\nMarion, VA 24354\n\nPulaski County: 2:30 pm – 4:00pm\n\nPulaski County Administration Building\n\nFirst Floor Conference Room\n\n143 3rd Street NW\n\nPulaski, VA 24301\n\nOctober 13, 2026\n\nTazewell County (Bluefield): 10:00 am – 11:30 am\n\nTown of Bluefield Council Chambers\n\n112 Huffard Dr\n\nBluefield, VA 24641\n\nBuchanan County: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm\n\nTown of Grundy Offices\n\n1185 Plaza Dr.\n\nGrundy, VA 24614\n\nOctober 14, 2026\n\nScott County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am\n\nCounty Administrator’s Office\n\nConference Room\n\n190 Beech Street\n\nGate City, VA 24251\n\nLee County: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm\n\nLee County Sheriff’s Office\n\nConference Room\n\n33640 Main Street\n\nJonesville, VA 24263\n\nWise County (Big Stone Gap): 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm\n\nBig Stone Gap Municipal Complex\n\n216 Wood Ave. E\n\nBig Stone Gap, VA 24219\n\nOctober 15, 2026\n\nTazewell County (Tazewell): 10:00 am – 11:30 am\n\nAmerican Legion Building\n\n226 Central Avenue\n\nTazewell, VA 24651\n\nRussell County: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm\n\nTown of Lebanon Government Offices\n\n72 Gibson Street\n\nLebanon, VA 24266\n\nOctober 20, 2026\n\nCraig County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am\n\nCraig County Courthouse\n\n108 Court Street\n\nNew Castle, VA 24127\n\nRoanoke County: 11:30am – 1:00pm\n\nSouth County Library\n\nMeeting Room\n\n6303 Merriman Road\n\nRoanoke, VA 24018\n\nOctober 21, 2026\n\nCarroll County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am\n\nCarroll County Administration Building\n\nCounty Administrators Office, Conference Room\n\n605 – 1 Pine Street\n\nHillsville, VA 24343\n\nGalax: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm\n\nGalax Municipal Building\n\nConference Room\n\n111 E. Grayson Street\n\nGalax, VA 24333\n\nGrayson County: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm\n\nGrayson County Administration Building\n\nBoard of Supervisors Room\n\n129 Davis Street\n\nIndependence, VA 24348\n\nOctober 22, 2026\n\nBedford County: 9:00am – 10:30am\n\nTown of Bedford Municipal Building\n\nFirst Floor Conference Room\n\n215 E. Main Street\n\nBedford, VA 24523\n\nFranklin County: 12:00pm – 1:30pm\n\nFranklin County Government Center\n\nConference Room B-23\n\n1255 Franklin Street\n\nRocky Mount, VA 24151\n\nOctober 27, 2026\n\nDickenson County: 10:00 am – 11:30 am\n\nCenter for Education & Research\n\nFirst Floor Conference Room #155\n\n818 Happy Valley Drive\n\nClintwood, VA 24228\n\nNorton: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm\n\nHigh Knob Destination Center\n\nConference Room\n\n1147 Laurel Avenue SW\n\nNorton, VA 24273\n\nWise County (Wise): 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm\n\nWise County Courthouse\n\nLaw Library, Second Floor\n\n206 E. Main Street\n\nWise, VA 24293\n\nOctober 28, 2026\n\nCity of Martinsville: 10:00 am – 11:30 am\n\nCity Hall, Room 32\n\n55 W. Church St\n\nMartinsville, VA 24112\n\nPatrick County: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm\n\nPatrick County Administration Building\n\nConference Room\n\n106 Rucker Street\n\nStuart, VA 24171\n\nFloyd County: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm\n\nTown of Floyd Government Offices\n\nCommunity Room\n\n203 East Oxford St\n\nFloyd, VA 24091\n\n** Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/moulton-applauds-restoration-988-press-3-option-lgbtqia-youth-after-months", "title": "Moulton Applauds Restoration of 988 “Press 3” Option for LGBTQIA+ Youth After Months of Pressure on Trump Administration", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "moulton.house.gov", "scraper": "moulton", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001196", "name": "Seth Moulton", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the months of pressure on the Trump Administration, led by Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06), the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline resumed its LGBTQIA+ Youth Specialized Services, known as the “Press 3” option, this week.\n\n“Restoring the Press 3 option is long overdue, but I’m glad to see the Trump Administration finally heed our calls to bring back this critical affirming care for LGBTQIA+ youth,” said Congressman Moulton. “Congress provided the funding and the direction to keep this lifeline open long ago, and it’s disappointing that there was any lapse in service for the Press 3 option. I’ll keep working alongside my colleagues to make sure Press 3 is available to every young person who needs it.”\n\nThe Press 3 option launched nationally in 2022 and handled roughly 1.6 million contacts before the Trump Administration shut it down in July 2025. Congressman Moulton and a bipartisan group of colleagues sent a letter in February 2026 to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services demanding the immediate restoration of the Press 3 option.\n\nOn July 15, 2026, Congressman Moulton and several other colleagues held a press conference on Capitol Hill to renew the call for the Press 3 option to be restored. This followed the inclusion of $33.1 million in the FY2026 Appropriations law, along with a funding directive, requiring HHS to fund the line.\n\nLGBTQIA+ youth face higher rates of serious depression and suicidal thoughts than their peers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Congressman Moulton has emphasized that specialized crisis services like the Press 3 option are a proven way to reach young people at their most vulnerable moments.\n\nIf you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://moylan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-moylan-highlights-guam-priorities-at-2026-igia-midyear-senior-plenary-session", "title": "Congressman Moylan Highlights Guam Priorities at 2026 IGIA Midyear Senior Plenary Session", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://moylan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "moylan.house.gov", "scraper": "moylan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001219", "name": "James C. Moylan", "party": "Republican", "state": "GU", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(Hagåtña, Guam)Congressman Moylan delivered remarks during the 2026 Midyear Senior Plenary Session of the Interagency Group on Insular Areas (IGIA), hosted by the U.S. Department of the Interior, highlighting efforts to lower the cost of living on Guam while pressing for further federal action on energy costs and other priorities impacting island families.\n\nThe September 29 virtual meeting brought together federal officials, territorial governors, and congressional representatives from Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico. Moylan joined Governor Lou Leon Guerrero in representing Guam during the territorial officials presentations.\n\n“We should not be satisfied with simply discussing our issues. We must remain committed to improving the lives of residents of the territories and delivering on the things that matter: lowering costs, improving healthcare, growing the economy, and making the territories a place where Americans can raise their families,” said Congressman Moylan.\n\nMoylan placed particular focus on Guam’s high energy costs and the need for greater federal investment in the Guam Power Authority, calling for efforts to strengthen and underground Guam’s power infrastructure while providing relief to ratepayers.\n\n“We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for the Federal Government to work together with us to address the real and immediate need to protect ratepayers and to help mitigate the price spikes that are driving up costs on our island,” Moylan said.\n\nThe Congressman urged the Federal Government to assist GPA through options including joint procurement, greater access to domestic refining capacity, and expedited outstanding reimbursement requests from FEMA.\n\nMoylan also raised several other Guam priorities, including restoring the de minimis exemption for Guam and other U.S. territories outside the U.S. Customs Zone, Supplemental Security Income parity, reauthorization of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, Jones Act and air cabotage relief, expanding the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to include the Philippines, childcare affordability, economic and workforce development, and stronger federal services for Guam’s veterans and rural communities.\n\nMoylan emphasized that Guam’s challenges require sustained coordination between Congress, the Administration, and territorial leaders, particularly as federal policies continue to have an outsized impact on the island’s economy, infrastructure, and cost of living. The Congressman concluded by emphasizing the need to turn continued federal-territorial dialogue into tangible results for the people of Guam.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://moylan.house.gov/media/press-releases/moylan-delivers-1025-million-award-for-guam-customs-border-security-upgrades", "title": "Moylan Delivers $1.025 Million Award for Guam Customs Border Security Upgrades", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://moylan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "moylan.house.gov", "scraper": "moylan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001219", "name": "James C. Moylan", "party": "Republican", "state": "GU", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(Hagåtña, Guam) — Congressman Moylan is pleased to announce that $1,025,000 in federal funding he secured through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process has now been formally awarded to the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency (CQA) for new inspection and border security equipment.\n\nMoylan submitted the request through the Community Project Funding process, which allows Members of Congress to seek federal support for specific projects in their districts, and worked to successfully advance the project through FY2026 appropriations.\n\nThe funding was awarded on September 30 by the U.S. Department of Justice and will support the procurement, installation, and deployment of advanced inspection equipment for passenger processing, commercial air cargo, and international mail operations.\n\nThe project includes two passenger baggage X-ray inspection systems, one commercial air cargo X-ray inspection system, one international mail X-ray inspection system, and a digital CCTV system supporting CQA inspection operations at the airport.\n\n“This is exactly why we fight to get Guam’s priorities included in the federal budget, so that the needs identified here at home ultimately become resources our agencies can put to work,” said Congressman Moylan. “We worked with Guam Customs to advance this funding through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process, and I am pleased to see the $1.025 million now formally awarded so they can move forward with these critical upgrades. I’m thankful for Director Peredo and the entire hardworking team behind Guam CQA for protecting our borders.”\n\nThe new equipment will strengthen Guam’s public safety and border security by giving Customs officers better tools to detect illegal drugs, contraband, and other prohibited items before they enter our communities. Greater inspection capability across passenger baggage, commercial cargo, and international mail will also strengthen deterrence by making it more difficult to move illegal drugs and contraband through Guam’s ports of entry.\n\n“Our Customs officers are one of Guam’s first lines of defense,” Moylan continued. “Every illegal shipment we can identify and stop at the point of entry is one less opportunity for drugs and contraband to reach our streets and hurt our families. These new systems will give our officers better tools to protect our people and strengthen the security of our island.”\n\nThe new equipment will also improve officer safety and strengthen CQA’s overall inspection and enforcement capabilities.\n\n“Every day, our officers stand between Guam and the various threats that approach our borders. This federal investment gives us the tools to see beyond what is visible; to strengthen our ability to make informed decisions as we strive to improve upon the standards we have built, advance the way we work, and continually sharpen our enforcement capabilities to safeguard Guam’s people, economy, and natural resources,” said Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency Director Ike Peredo.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-frank-j-mrvan-introduces-utility-affordability-and-transparency-act", "title": "Rep. Frank J. Mrvan Introduces Utility Affordability and Transparency Act to Protect Consumers from Higher Energy Costs", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mrvan.house.gov", "scraper": "mrvan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001214", "name": "Frank J. Mrvan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank J. Mrvan introduced H.R. 10687, the Utility Affordability and Transparency Act, legislation that would increase transparency for consumers and prevent federal taxpayers and utility ratepayers from being forced to bear the costs associated with reopening or preventing the closure of outdated or expensive power-generating facilities.\n\nThe legislation would prohibit the Department of Energy from issuing emergency orders that delay the retirement of power plants or require electric generation from facilities that have already been permanently closed.\n\nThe Utility Affordability and Transparency Act would also require the Department of Energy to study alternatives to emergency orders that could reduce net costs to consumers and utilities and publish a publicly available report detailing the estimated costs associated with any emergency order.\n\nAdditionally, the legislation would require affected electric utilities to provide customers with information on their monthly bills identifying the additional costs resulting from any federal emergency order.\n\n“Northwest Indiana residents are struggling to make ends meet, and a major part of that burden is the cost of heating and cooling their homes,” said Congressman Frank J. Mrvan. “Consumers deserve transparency about what is driving their utility costs and what can be done to lower them.\n\n“Hardworking families should not be forced to pay higher utility rates because the federal government is requiring energy companies to reopen or keep outdated coal-fired generating units operating beyond their planned retirement. When the government intervenes in private-sector business decisions and forces companies to operate facilities that are no longer economically viable, those costs ultimately get passed on to consumers.\n\n“The Utility Affordability and Transparency Act will ensure that the federal government cannot simply prevent or delay the retirement of expensive power plants without accountability for the costs imposed on consumers. Families deserve to know when government policies are increasing their utility bills, why those costs are being imposed, and what alternatives exist to lower them.”\n\nThe full bill text of the Utility Affordability and Transparency Act is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://nadler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397537", "title": "Nadler, Pappas, Goodlander Lead House in Urging HUD to Expedite Release of Critical Housing Grant Funding to Prevent Homelessness, Service Cuts", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://nadler.house.gov/news", "domain": "nadler.house.gov", "scraper": "nadler", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000002", "name": "Jerrold Nadler", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. –Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) led 50 members of the House in urging U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner to release the delayed Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) grants and urged the Department to immediately expedite the process of awarding grant funding for the HOPWA program. The call is part of a bipartisan, bicameral effort led by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen.\n\nThe letter comes as organizations across the nation are at risk of losing critical HOPWA funding that they rely on to serve those with HIV/AIDS. Many previously awarded HUD grants expire on September 30, yet HUD has not released a NOFO or communicated with grantee organizations relying on award renewals to continue providing critical housing and health care services nationwide.\n\nFor decades, Congressman Nadler has been the leading advocate in Congress for fully funding and effectively administering HOPWA. Each year, he has worked to secure robust HOPWA funding in the appropriations process and has pushed back against efforts to cut, withhold, or otherwise undermine the program’s resources. In April 2026, Congressman Nadler took to the House floor to oppose President Trump’s budget request to eliminate HOPWA funding entirely, a proposal that would have jeopardized critical housing assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS across the country.\n\nIn the letter to Secretary Turner, the lawmakers wrote, “We write to express our grave concerns regarding the delayed Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program. For many organizations in our communities, this program is vital to ensuring individuals with HIV/AIDS have access to safe and stable housing. We urge you to release the NOFO immediately and expedite the awards so communities can continue to provide support and housing to those who need it.”\n\nThey continued: “Unfortunately, many competitive HOPWA awards will expire tomorrow on September 30, 2026. Your department still has not released a NOFO, and grantees have received no information regarding the renewal of their awards. HOPWA is the only Federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, making any gap in funding detrimental for the organizations providing support and the individuals and communities that depend on this program.”\n\nThe lawmakers concluded: “We understand that the awarding process takes careful review, but because these applicants are all seeking renewals, they have already been vetted and approved by your department. We urge you to expedite this process immediately and release awards as soon as possible. Without these critical funds, individuals with HIV/AIDS will face the risk of homelessness, and the organizations that help them may have to close their doors.”\n\nOver 30 percent of those with HIV are living below the poverty line, and 20 percent have experienced homelessness in recent years. As the only HUD program dedicated to housing support for those with HIV/AIDS, expiration of previous awards and a delayed grant process by HUD could lead to staff layoffs and cuts to health care and housing services—exacerbating homelessness for some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.\n\nThe full letter can be read here.\n\nMembers of the House signing the letter are Representatives Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Danny Davis (IL-07), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Everton Blair (GA-13), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Judy Chu (CA-28), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Troy Carter (LA-02), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Sean Casten (IL-06), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Bill Foster (IL-11), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), William Keating (MA-09), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Angie Craig (MN-02) and Juan Vargas (CA-52).", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://neal.house.gov/2026/10/02/neal-statement-on-september-2026-jobs-report/", "title": "Neal Statement on September 2026 Jobs Report", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "neal.house.gov", "scraper": "neal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000015", "name": "Richard E. Neal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SPRINGFIELD, MA— Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the September 2026 jobs report:\n\n“There’s a reason nearly three-quarters of Americans reject Trump’s handling of the economy: it’s delivering record high diesel and gas prices, the worst consumer confidence on record, and inflation that wipes out wage growth month after month. Today’s report illustrates the pain that comes with Republican governance. Lackluster performance that drives less opportunity, higher prices, and smaller paychecks for you. The only thing Republicans are fueling is hardship that workers and families can’t bear.\n\n“Trump may have campaigned as a businessman, but he’s governing as a grifter determined to destroy the economy while he enriches himself and his billionaire friends. Republicans have no plan to fix it as their health care cuts, tariffs, and war permeate through the economy and stretch families to the breaking point. The time to change course is now. Democrats are ready to answer the call to build an economy that finally delivers for you.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/media/press-releases/news-ocasio-cortez-sanders-merkley-unveil-ban-flock-act-protect-americans", "title": "NEWS: Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders, Merkley Unveil Ban Flock Act to Protect Americans’ Right to Privacy", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ocasio-cortez.house.gov", "scraper": "ocasio-cortez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000172", "name": "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) released the Ban Flock Act, legislation to put an end to the rise in AI-powered surveillance cameras that track Americans across the country. The Ban Flock Act would prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and block federal funding from state and local governments that use this technology.\n\n“Across the country, Big Tech companies like Flock Safety have built a mass surveillance system to harvest Americans’ private and personal data without their consent. AI-powered cameras are keeping track of our every move and weaponizing this data against working people to make record profits. The widespread integration of this technology into American society is unconscionable,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I am proud to introduce the Ban Flock Act with Senator Sanders to enforce our constitutional right to privacy and protect Americans from both corporate and government surveillance.”\n\n“At a time of growing concern about the unchecked power of artificial intelligence, Flock is eviscerating the very notion of privacy by installing tens of thousands of cameras in communities across America without their consent,” Sanders said. “Going to the doctor? Flock knows. Dropping your kid off at school? Flock is tracking you. Flock is always watching. We cannot allow America to become a surveillance state where a handful of AI oligarchs profit by giving the government the power to track our every movement.”\n\n“Your right to privacy includes the freedom to move around your community without every move being monitored,” Merkley said. “Right now, Flock is selling its cameras nationwide, laying the groundwork for a surveillance state while enriching corporate executives. No one should have this unchecked surveillance power at their fingertips, which is why I’m teaming up with Senator Sanders to rein in this dangerous technology.”\n\nFlock is the largest vendor of automatic license plate readers in the United States, with more than 120,000 cameras across the country that scan and record 20 billion vehicles every month. Newer Flock cameras do not just record vehicles — they record people. Flock’s AI system can combine images of you and your vehicle with databases of phone numbers, relatives and court records to find out who you are, where you're going and why. The company also operates a national lookup tool, so agencies that contract with Flock can access data generated by cameras in another city or state. The national lookup tool searches can turn up massive amounts of information, including physical descriptions, records of an individual’s online accounts and lists of their relatives.\n\nThe mass surveillance capabilities enabled by Flock and other automatic license plate reader companies have threatened the civil liberties of everyday Americans:\n\nFlock has shared state information with federal immigration officials;\n\nLaw enforcement officials have pulled Flock data to investigate activists and logged searches corresponding to protests against ICE raids, in support of Palestinian rights and for ‘No Kings’ demonstrations; and\n\nOfficers have used plate readers to track wives, girlfriends, exes and women they wanted to meet without their consent.\n\nSo far this year, at least 56 municipalities have deactivated, cancelled, or rejected contracts with Flock. Congress must act to stop the mass surveillance of citizens.\n\nThe Ban Flock Act would do this by:\n\nProhibiting the federal government from using automatic license plate readers or accessing the information they collect;\n\nStopping federal grant funding from flowing to state or local governments that use automatic license plate readers or contract with automatic license plate readers companies;\n\nAllowing Americans to sue the federal government for violation of their rights through the use of automatic license plate readers.\n\nRead the text of the bill here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-panetta-calls-usps-stop-feasibility-study-close-brookdale-post-office", "title": "Rep. Panetta Calls on USPS to Stop Feasibility Study to Close the Brookdale Post Office", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "panetta.house.gov", "scraper": "panetta", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000613", "name": "Jimmy Panetta", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Santa Cruz, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) called on U.S. Postmaster General David Steiner to immediately halt the discontinuance feasibility study for the Brookdale Post Office, identify an alternative post office location in the community, and expand postal services to ensure that residents have timely and local access to their mail.\n\nPostal services in Brookdale have been suspended since a fire severely damaged the community’s contract post office in December 2024. After residents waited nearly two years for the facility to reopen, with no apparent progress being made on repairs, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) notified the community in September 2026 that it was conducting a feasibility study on permanently closing the location. USPS still has not proposed an alternative location or expanded service within Brookdale.\n\n“Since the Brookdale Post Office burned down, the people of that community have waited for nearly two years in good faith while the USPS sat on its hands saying that they would reopen the facility,” said Rep. Panetta. “Then, out of the blue, the USPS made the haphazard decision to study whether it should shut down the post office without providing any postal service in Brookdale. Such an indiscriminate and arbitrary decision to shut down a local post office, without any plan to open up the existing one or attempt to provide postal services to existing Brookdale customers, is unreasonable, and we expect more out of our Postal Service. That is why I wrote this letter calling on the USPS to stop the study and start figuring out how it can provide postal services to the people of Brookdale.”\n\nBrookdale residents do not receive home mail delivery and have historically relied on post office boxes and retail services at the local facility. Since the fire, residents have been forced to travel to neighboring communities, including Boulder Creek and Ben Lomond, to retrieve their mail and access basic postal services. In the mountain community of Brookdale, that burden is particularly significant for seniors, people with disabilities, working families, and residents without reliable transportation, especially during severe weather and other disruptions in the San Lorenzo Valley.\n\nRep. Panetta called on Postmaster General Steiner to:\n\nImmediately halt the discontinuance feasibility study on the proposed permanent closing of the Brookdale Post Office;\n\nInvestigate potential alternative permanent post office locations in Brookdale;\n\nExplore home delivery service for the residents of Brookdale;\n\nUntil home delivery is available, offer cluster box units or another mail pickup solution in Brookdale; and\n\nSchedule a meeting with Rep. Panetta to discuss next steps.\n\nRep. Panetta has repeatedly pressed USPS leadership to restore postal services in Brookdale. In a February 2026 letter to the Postmaster General, he called on USPS to repair and reopen the facility with a clear project timeline and provide temporary postal service within the community in the interim. After USPS missed its promised May 1 reopening date, Rep. Panetta sent a May 2026 letter requesting that the USPS Inspector General review the agency’s management, communication, and decision-making, the adequacy of interim services, and the feasibility of restoring service through a temporary or alternative facility.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Postmaster General:\n\nI write to request your immediate action to end the discontinuance feasibility study for the Brookdale Post Office, to find a new post office location in Brookdale, California, and to expand appropriate postal services to serve this community. Since their contract post office burned down, my constituents have waited for nearly two years in good faith while the USPS deflected its responsibility to reopen the facility. The decision this month to consider discontinuing postal service in Brookdale, with no alternative services to your existing Brookdale customers, is unreasonable without any effort to find an alternative post office location or any other remedy for postal services and basic operations in the community.\n\nIn December 2024, a fire disabled service at the contract post office in Brookdale, a town I represent in California’s 19th District. Brookdale is a rural mountain community, and for nearly two years, residents waited in good faith for the USPS to restore service, traveling to other towns to receive basic postal services. This would be a burden under normal circumstances, and it is particularly challenging when residents face weather events or other impediments in the San Lorenzo Valley. For disabled, elderly, and mobility-impaired constituents, traveling out of their town presents an additional challenge, but Brookdale residents have done so patiently with the expectation that USPS would eventually restore a local post office. However, in September 2026, after years of deflections, the USPS announced a discontinuance feasibility study for the post office and took the extraordinary step of preemptively refusing to expand services in Brookdale or to consider a new post office location in the community.\n\nBrookdale has never had home delivery, despite the fact that neighboring towns enjoy this basic service. Over time, residents have come to rely on boxes and retail services at the local post office. For years, these services were housed in a rented facility. When that facility suffered a catastrophic fire, the USPS spent years assuring residents and my office that they were waiting for the property owner to conduct necessary repairs. This rationale continued even after the property owner missed basic deadlines for the repairs. Instead of considering alternative locations for the post office, or my constituents’ requests for home delivery or cluster box units in Brookdale, the USPS took steps to discontinue service altogether.\n\nFaced with this situation, I ask that you:\n\nImmediately halt the discontinuance feasibility study on the proposed permanent closing for the Brookdale Post Office;\n\nInvestigate potential alternative permanent post office locations in Brookdale;\n\nExplore home delivery service for the residents of Brookdale;\n\nUntil home delivery is available, offer cluster box units or another mail pickup solution in Brookdale;\n\nSchedule a meeting with me to discuss next steps to ensure my constituents are being served.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter. Restoring dependable postal operations is vital for my constituents, and these steps will help ensure the residents of Brookdale can rely on the United States Postal Service for years to come.\n\nSincerely,", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://patryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-pat-ryan-introduces-no-troops-our-streets-act-prevent-illegal", "title": "CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN INTRODUCES “NO TROOPS IN OUR STREETS ACT” TO PREVENT ILLEGAL DOMESTIC TROOP DEPLOYMENTS AND VOTER INTIMIDATION AHEAD OF MIDTERM ELECTION", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://patryan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "patryan.house.gov", "scraper": "patryan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000579", "name": "Patrick Ryan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Ryan’s bill prevents President Trump from weaponizing the military to interfere with elections; the introduction follows new reports that advisors close to the President are encouraging him to declare martial law ahead of the midterm elections\n\nTrump has repeatedly refused to rule out declaring a national emergency on elections, has already deployed thousands of U.S. troops to Democratic-led cities, and suggested that Republicans should “take over” the voting process\n\nThe introduction comes just 33 days before the midterm election, in which Democrats are projected to massively out-perform Republicans\n\nWASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Pat Ryan – an Iraq War combat veteran and the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in Congress – introduced the No Troops in Our Streets Act, landmark legislation preventing the President from weaponizing the military to interfere with elections. Specifically, the bill would empower Congress to stop or reverse any domestic troop deployment ordered by the President.\n\nThe introduction follows months of threats and actions by the Trump Administration to interfere with the November midterm elections and amid new reports from the Atlantic that advisors close to the President are encouraging him to declare martial law. Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out declaring a national emergency on elections, has already deployed thousands of U.S. troops against U.S. citizens in American cities, and suggested that Republicans should “nationalize” the midterm elections and “take over” the voting process. When asked directly in a House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing, a senior Trump military official refused to rule out troop deployments to polling sites.\n\n“Patriots in uniform sign up to fight for fundamental American freedoms – not against them. Trump using U.S. servicemembers as political pawns is straight-up un-American, and we’re not going to let him get away with it,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Trump and those around him are scared – they know the American people are fed up with the war in Iran and skyrocketing prices. Instead of working to lower costs, Trump and his team are cooking up ways to intimidate voters, refusing to rule out domestic troop deployments. This bill provides a necessary check on the President. If he deploys troops, Congress can and will stop him. We won’t let this chickenhawk president exploit our servicemembers just because he can’t face the fact that the American people are fed up with his failed agenda of higher costs and unprecedented corruption.”\n\nThe legislation was co-sponsored by fellow Democratic veterans Reps. Eugene Vindman, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Jimmy Panetta, and Chrissy Houlahan. Senator Elissa Slotkin introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The bicameral legislation also includes $1 billion in new resources for state and local law enforcement on the ground.\n\nCongressman Ryan is a U.S. Army veteran, served two combat tours in Iraq, and is the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in the U.S. House of Representatives. Amid recent threats to veterans’ benefits, national security concerns, and rising threats worldwide, Congressman Ryan led his fellow veterans in Congress to create the Democratic Veterans Caucus. He sits on the House Armed Services Committee and has led extensive legislation to deliver relief for veterans, servicemembers, and military families.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-04T10:56:42Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-04T10:57:59Z"}
{"url": "https://patryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-pat-ryan-joins-bipartisan-push-demanding-trump-administration", "title": "CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN JOINS BIPARTISAN PUSH DEMANDING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DISTRIBUTE AND EXPAND ACCESS TO VITAL LIHEAP FUNDS AS TEMPERATURES DROP", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://patryan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "patryan.house.gov", "scraper": "patryan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000579", "name": "Patrick Ryan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "As temperatures begin to drop and fuel prices remain high due to the Iran War, Congressman Ryan is demanding that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) distribute critical home energy funds without delay\n\nRyan co-sponsors the “Heating and Cooling Relief Act,” which would expand eligibility for LIHEAP and lower home energy costs for millions more households nationwide\n\nHeating oil prices in New York state are up more than 70% from this time last year, with prices in the Hudson Valley averaging $6.22/ gallon\n\nWASHINGTON, DC – As home heating oil prices continue to rise, Congressman Pat Ryan joined a bipartisan group of 116 members in calling on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take all necessary steps to ensure that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds are distributed to the states as soon as possible and no later than November 1, 2026. Heating oil prices in New York state are up more than 70% from this time last year, with prices in the Hudson Valley averaging $6.22/ gallon.\n\nRyan is also a co-sponsor of the Heating and Cooling Relief Act, legislation to modernize LIHEAP, increase investments, and dramatically expand eligibility so that households earning up to 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Line or 80 percent of State Median Income can qualify to apply for assistance.\n\n“With a history of repeated funding delays by HHS to states, we are especially concerned for households facing high energy prices this winter who rely on LIHEAP... It is of the utmost importance that the agency ensures funds are released as soon as possible and without congressional intervention throughout Fiscal Year 2027,” wrote the lawmakers.\n\n“Since February, crude oil prices have significantly increased, topping significantly more than $100 per barrel at its peaks in April 2026 and recently on September 15, 2026. These price spikes impact home heating oil prices especially, as it is refined from crude oil,” they stated.\n\nEmphasizing the importance of the speedy delivery of funds for families who rely on home heating oil, they continued, “Home heating oil will not be delivered without payment in full, up front, which can average $2,300 for just the winter season. For the many families that cannot afford these high costs, LIHEAP is a lifeline. If households don’t receive these funds on schedule, families will go without heat or be forced to make remarkably difficult decisions in order to afford it.”\n\nLIHEAP helps low-income individuals and families pay for heating and cooling and mitigates the impacts of rising energy costs and extreme weather events. Across the nation, LIHEAP helps nearly 6 million households afford their energy bills, including nearly 30,000 in NY-18, but Secretary Kennedy’s decision last year to fire all LIHEAP staff last year has put this assistance at risk. Ryan has previously blasted the Trump Administration for threatening to eliminate federal funding for LIHEAP.\n\n“Throughout the summer, families have struggled to fill up their gas tank because Trump’s war in Iran has sent gas prices skyrocketing. But it’s not just gas – it’s home heating oil too. As we head into fall and temperatures drop, Hudson Valley families are about to face higher heating bills on top of everything else. Thousands of families in our community rely on the LIHEAP program to keep their homes warm. The last thing these folks should be worrying about is whether they’ll get the support they’re counting on,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “We’ve seen this Administration’s attempts to cut LIHEAP before, and I refuse to allow any delays to leave Hudson Valley families out in the cold this winter. We’re making sure these funds get distributed to the New Yorkers who need them.”\n\nUnderscoring the continued concerns about LIHEAP’s capacity to operate without dedicated staff, the lawmakers wrote, “We urge you to ensure that necessary personnel and resources are in place to support LIHEAP's continued success and request a detailed response on staffing levels supporting the LIHEAP program, including but not limited to how many staff members work on the program full time and part time, as well as projected vacancies that must be filled to ensure continued success.”\n\n“Once again we urge you to do everything possible to distribute LIHEAP funds to states and families expeditiously. Families should not have to choose between staying warm and affording other essential items like food, medication, or rent. We appreciate your attention on this urgent matter and stand ready to support the agency in assisting the American people,” they concluded.\n\nRead the full letter to Secretary Kennedy here.\n\nRyan also co-sponsors the Heating and Cooling Relief Act, which would lower home energy costs for millions more households nationwide.\n\nSpecifically, the Heating and Cooling Relief Act would:\n\nSubstantially increase LIHEAP funding to ensure year-round assistance, including an additional $2 billion for emergency energy assistance and $1 billion in Just Transition Grants to help vulnerable households adapt to a changing climate;\n\nBroaden eligibility so that households earning up to 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Line or 80 percent of State Median Income can qualify, while ensuring lower energy burdens for lower-income households and capping household energy burdens at 3 percent of monthly income;\n\nProtect consumers from utility shutoffs, excessive late fees, and predatory energy practices that disproportionately impact vulnerable communities;\n\nExpand emergency assistance, ensuring extreme heat and cold are recognized as qualifying emergencies and that states can provide vital cooling relief;\n\nIncrease funding for weatherization and home electrification, to help low-income households reduce energy costs, improve health and safety, and transition to clean, resilient energy systems;\n\nStreamline enrollment and outreach, improving coordination with other federal programs and increasing access through automatic enrollment and simplified verification; and\n\nStrengthen reporting requirements to better track affordability, equity, and climate resilience outcomes.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-04T10:56:42Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-04T10:57:59Z"}
{"url": "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/honoring-cliftons-dennis-john-benigno-fight-traumatic-brain-injury-victims", "title": "Honoring Clifton’s Dennis John Benigno; The Fight for Traumatic Brain Injury Victims Lives On", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "pou.house.gov", "scraper": "pou", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000621", "name": "Nellie Pou", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) praised the U.S. Senate approval of the Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program Reauthorization Act, legislation to renew the federal government’s public health programs related to TBIs, including the national TBI surveillance program which is being named in honor of former New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.\n\n“Congressman Bill Pascrell spent decades fighting for Americans living with traumatic brain injuries and pushing our country to take this epidemic seriously,” said Congresswoman Pou. “But one major impetus for Bill taking on this fight was his close work with the Benigno family of Clifton who raised the profile of TBIs after a severe brain injury DJ suffered. Thank you to Senator Kim for advancing this legislation out of the Senate and making sure the bill honors both the legacies of Congressman Pascrell and Dennis John Benigno. We must get a TBI renewal across the finish line this year to continue the critical work to support survivors, expand research, and improve care for families across our country.”\n\nIn the Senate, this legislation was led by Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and passed unanimously. In July 2026, the House advanced a similar measure authored by Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06) also naming the surveillance program for Congressman Pascrell.\n\n“It was an honor to lead the Senate’s TBI reauthorization efforts to ensure these lifesaving programs continue as they have done since 1996, carrying forward Bill’s legacy of caring for those impacted by TBI’s in the process. I'm grateful my Senate colleagues came together in a bipartisan way to move this legislation forward, and hope to see it cross the finish line soon,\" said Senator Kim.\n\nThe namesake of the Senate-passed legislation stems from lifelong Clifton resident Dennis John “DJ” Benigno who passed away in January 2024. Benigno’s life was forever altered after being struck by a car at just fifteen, leaving him with a devastating brain injury that left him totally disabled.\n\n“I am proud to see Dennis John’s legacy – bringing greater attention and resources to addressing the devastating consequences of traumatic brain injury – live on through this Senate-passed bill,” said DJ’s father, Dennis, who together with DJ’s mother, Rosalind, founded the Coalition for Brain Injury Research. “Our family knows firsthand how profoundly a traumatic brain injury can change a life and affect an entire family. It is our hope that continued federal focus and research on traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) will lead to meaningful advances in treatment and recovery, while bringing hope and aid to the many survivors and families affected by the devastating consequences of these injuries. We are deeply grateful for the work of the late Congressman Bill Pascrell and Senator Andy Kim, and for the continued advocacy of Congresswoman Nellie Pou.”\n\nThe Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, established in 2001, was created by Congressman Pascrell to confront TBI and the impact it has on the inflicted, their families, and their loved ones. Millions of veterans, accident victims, athletes and others have benefitted from the policies the task force has helped advance over the years.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://pressley.house.gov/2026/10/02/4765/", "title": "BREAKING: Pressley Slams Latest Spike in Black Unemployment, Renews Demand for Federal Action", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pressley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "pressley.house.gov", "scraper": "pressley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000617", "name": "Ayanna Pressley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Black Unemployment Jumped to 7% in September, Up a Full Percentage Point and Nearly Double the 3.6% Rate for White Workers\n\nPressley Has Consistently Sounded the Alarm on the Pushout of Black Women from the Workforce, Warned of Harm to Economy at Large, and Demanded Federal Action\n\nBOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, condemned the latest jobs report, in which the unemployment rate among Black workers jumped to 7 percent in September, up a full percentage point from August and nearly double the 3.6 percent rate for white workers.\n\nCongresswoman Pressley has consistently sounded the alarm on the pushout of Black women from the workforce, warned of the harm to the American economy at large, and demanded federal action to confront this crisis.\n\n“The state of our economy is failing Black workers, families, and futures — and this is a damning reminder of that,” said Congresswoman Pressley in statement. “We need federal action to address this crisis. Secretary Bessent must release the report on the impact of Black unemployment, and the Federal Reserve must do its job to maximize employment for all.”\n\nRep. Pressley has repeatedly sounded the alarm on the rising number of Black women forced out of the workforce in the United States, called on the Federal Reserve to take action, and demanded Treasury Secretary Bessent analyze Black unemployment rates and release a report on the impact of Black unemployment on financial stability.\n\nIn September 2026, Congresswoman Pressley convened an urgent and timely discussion about the Black unemployment crisis in America and the pushout of Black workers, especially Black women, from the workforce.\n\nIn September 2026, Congresswoman Pressley reintroduced her historic resolution calling for a federal job guarantee to help the United States achieve the promise of full employment, establish a more resilient and inclusive economy, and begin to close racial and gender income gaps.\n\nIn July 2026, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Congresswoman urged Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh to address the alarmingly high Black unemployment rate and uphold the Federal Reserve’s mandate for maximum employment.\n\nIn May 2026, Rep. Pressley vehemently opposed Republican legislation that would strip the Federal Reserve’s mandate for maximum employment, emphasizing the Fed’s essential role in ensuring economic health, community well-being, and personal dignity in work especially under Trump’s unemployment crisis. During debate, Rep. Pressley combatted Republicans’ anti-worker legislation through four amendments affirming the importance of the Fed’s mandate for maximum employment.\n\nIn March 2026, Reps. Pressley and Summer Lee (PA-12) introduced the Better Labor Statistics Act, or the BLS Act, legislation that would codify the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ mandate to report unemployment data publicly, online, and at the first Friday of each month to ensure transparency and accuracy in unemployment data collection. The BLS Act would also codify the publication of unemployment data broken down by race and ethnicity, gender, geography, and industry.\n\nIn December 2025, Rep. Pressley and Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Yvette Clarke followed up to Rep. Pressley’s demands and wrote to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell demanding a briefing for members of the Congressional Black Caucus on how the Federal Reserve is responding to this growing crisis.\n\nIn December 2025, Rep. Pressley, along with Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women & Girls, Congresswomen Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), led 19 of their colleagues demanding the Department of Labor (DOL) take immediate action to address the rising unemployment crisis among Black women that has taken shape since the start of the second Trump Administration.\n\nIn November 2025, Rep. Pressley convened Black women, economists, civil rights leaders, and community members for an urgent discussion about the unemployment crisis facing Black women and its impact in Massachusetts and beyond.\n\nIn September 2025, Congresswoman Pressley convened a press conference with a coalition of Black women activists and civil rights leaders to continue sounding the alarm on the rising number of Black women forced out of the workforce in the United States.\n\nIn September 2025, Congresswoman Pressley wrote to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell sounding the alarm on the rising unemployment rate for Black women in the United States and demanding the Fed take immediate action to uphold its mandate of maximum employment for all. The Congresswoman’s letter came amid the Trump Administration’s mass federal workforce layoffs and anti-DEI policies disproportionately impacting Black women and as Donald Trump attempted to seize control of the Fed by illegally firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. A copy of the Congresswoman’s letter is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://pressley.house.gov/2026/10/02/4769/", "title": "NEWS: Pressley Speaks Out on Cornell Case, Reaffirms Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pressley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "pressley.house.gov", "scraper": "pressley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000617", "name": "Ayanna Pressley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Transcript: Pressley Speaks Out on Cornell Case, Reaffirms Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence\n\nMornings with Zerlina Interview\n\nOctober 1, 2026\n\nZERLINA MAXWELL: Welcome back to Mornings with Zerlina. Back with us, one of our favorite guests on the show—Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, represents the seventh district in the great state of Massachusetts. Good morning, Congresswoman. Thank you so much for being back with us.\n\nREP. PRESSLEY: Good morning, Zerlina. No matter the state of the world, it is always a joy to be with you. Thank you.\n\nZERLINA: I concur, and it’s one of those weeks where every single day, I’ve been waking up and sort of checking in with myself because when the news cycle is the way it is, and you are a survivor of sexual assault, you have to brace yourself for being triggered and for this whole national conversation to be happening in the wake of what happened at Cornell. So, my first question is really, how are you doing, and what are you, what are some of the things you’re thinking through as this story has become now a national story?\n\nREP. PRESSLEY: Well, first, I hope you are doing okay, and I thank you for, you know, beginning with that prompt. I’m, you know, I would say I’m, I’m focused. I mean, certainly it’s heartbreaking and devastating.\n\nBut rape culture is real, and I think more of what I experience is that I am always surprised at the level of shock registered by people. It’s one thing to be, you know, shocked by the depravity of the action, the evil and the vileness of it all, which we should be. We should never become desensitized or numb to that.\n\nBut you know, until there is a complete, you know, cultural and systemic overhaul, both of our norms and our justice system, these things will persist.\n\nZERLINA: You use the term rape culture, which I think is really important to define for everybody, and also to unpack because we definitely do live in a culture where sexual assault, sexual harassment, is normalized, and there is plenty of evidence of that, including who is in the White House.\n\nREP. PRESSLEY: Absolutely, who’s in the White House. You know, who I’m working, you know, daily to hold accountable from Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein to what’s happening on our college campuses.\n\nI should say, you know, as a survivor of a near decade of intra-family childhood sexual abuse and also campus sexual assault, I’ve been in Congress now since 2018, but prior to that, I served on the Boston City Council, and this is where my work in this space really began in terms of the work of survivors’ justice. Because it still accounted for the number one reason—rape on college campuses—why girls were dropping out. And, you know, there was this constant who’s responsible for the oversight and pursuing justice and accountability—is it campus police? Is it local jurisdictions?\n\nYou know, and so survivors and victim-survivors were, you know, this political pawn, this football, and their lives were hanging in limbo. And I know for myself, the work that I’m doing in fighting for restitution for survivors, particularly who have had their federal rights violated or experienced neglect in the way that the Epstein survivors have.\n\nThis is a life-altering experience. It is a life sentence. The harm is incalculable. That being said, while we have focused on the physical harm and the psychological and emotional toll, what often gets lost in that is the economic toll.\n\nI remember while a student in college, on the heels of my sexual assault, many days I just could not function. I missed days at work, and I wasn’t working for enrichment or a resume. My household, my family needed that money. I missed days in class. I was not excelling academically at all because I was afraid to run into my perpetrator. And I was also triggered because, again, I was a survivor of a near decade of interfamily childhood sexual abuse. So it was compounding, you know, all of that trauma. It is nearly impossible to resume any kind of normalcy.\n\nBut the point is, the Center for Disease Control puts at a baseline that the average victim-survivor of sexual assault—you’re talking about $122,000 at a minimum. You know, mental behavior health services, impact on your total health, lost wages, losing jobs, losing housing.\n\nSo when I wake up every day, I just wake up that much more resolved to do the work of restitution for survivors, justice, and healing, and to do whatever I can to undo or to change who we have become culturally when it comes to rape, rape culture, and rape in every way. Rape as a tool of war. It is just systemic.\n\nZERLINA: One of the things that you said that I think is really really important is that the person who comes forward with their story about sexual assault—they have to survive the sexual assault, and then they have to survive the victim blaming and the reactions of everyone, and the failure of prosecutors or their university or their community to take their allegation seriously, and then you know follow the law. I mean, you’ve talked about survivors being harmed twice.\n\nTalk a bit more about the ways in which we need to, as institutions and as communities, listen to the survivors and believe them. Because again, we’re not the judge and jury, right? Like I think that there’s this cultural shift that needs to happen even before we change the laws.\n\nI mean, it’s important, the Survivors Restitution Act, absolutely. But we also need to have a deeper cultural conversation too about how we are responding as a community when somebody comes forward to this type of allegation.\n\nREP. PRESSLEY: Absolutely, Zerlina. And to that end, I do just want to take a moment on the Cornell case specifically to just show this is an incredible example of the necessity and the power of the free press. I want to just acknowledge, you know, at a moment where we have an administration that is working actively to push lies and propaganda and to attack the free press, this is an example of why truth in journalism is so important.\n\nSecondly, yes, it does, it is another violation that victim-survivors experience. You are not believed. You are blamed. I’ve told the story many times that despite the many third rail issues that people see me championing, the first time I ever received death threats was when I revealed my campus sexual assault. You know, as a sitting, you know, municipal elected, it was the first time I ever received death threats.\n\nAnd then on top of that, so not you’re you know you’re not believed, you’re victim blamed, justice usually evades you, and then if there is a process for some sort of restitution or justice to pursue, you’re usually violated all over again because it is such an onerous process that you are navigating that is not being led by people that are usually trauma informed.\n\nAnd so that’s why, you know, for my Survivors Restitution Act for this panel of adjudicators that would determine eligibility. That is one of our criteria: is that these are people that are trauma-informed.\n\nI do want to just say this is so important, and thank you for the opportunity, Zerlina, for survivors and our loved ones. I just want to ensure that you have the immediate support you need and the resources that are available to you.\n\nSo, just you know, you can call RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline, which is 1-800-656-4673. The National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233. And if you’re in Massachusetts, you can reach out to the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Hotline, as well as the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance and SafeLink. Just want to say that to any survivors listening.\n\nZERLINA: The other thing that you mentioned, and we’re talking about all of this in the context of who’s in the White House, but also the Epstein files and all of the Epstein files being released into the public domain, and no one in the United States losing their job or being the subject to an investigation—any of the people in power that were literally in these emails.\n\nAnd when I think about the fact that it’s not just the alleged seven individuals that are part of this civil complaint, but the 57 individuals—including the seven that were in this group chat. And I think about how the group chat and the Epstein files and the Epstein emails and everybody, you know, having these conversations where everybody knows what they’re talking about allegedly—that speaks to the larger problem that we have to, I don’t know, get to the bottom of.\n\nAnd that’s not something we can achieve through legislation, but by people who are in positions of power using their platforms to speak to the next generation of men and young men, and so how can we create this space to have that conversation? I mean, in the Obama era, they were running PSAs about consent, and I feel like that was such a long time ago.\n\nREP. PRESSLEY: Yeah, no, I agree with you. I again, like on the issue of domestic violence, I would every year host something on White Ribbon Day, specifically just to enlist men, you know, in this work, and a lot of that work was happening on college campuses.\n\nSo I do think those are you know revenue neutral you know things that we can be doing. I mean, how do you shift culture? You shift behaviors? How do you shift behaviors? You know, it is fostering empathy. It is education. It is awareness. It’s tools. I think it’s you know it’s creating safe space, you know, for hard conversations.\n\nBut you know, if you are an adult proximate to any child, if you are a community mother, father, uncle, auntie, you know, in some sort of caregiving or parental role by blood or by bond—you are a child’s first teacher.\n\nAnd so yes, there is a responsibility that we have in government and working with you know advocates and nonprofits and things like that to educate. But you need to be having those conversations, and there are tools available to help you navigate that. But you need to be having those conversations about consent with your children, you know any child that you have any connection to. That’s how we shift culture.\n\nI would also say, Zerlina, that in the same way that I talk about my work to combat and root out and expose anti-Blackness, again the suffering, you know, of Black people around the globe—in many ways, is so normalized that it is almost unremarkable to people.\n\nSo you know, no one’s shocked if you say, you know, my husband was being surveyed, you know, and was targeted and experienced racial profiling at a traffic stop, you know—it’s like no one’s outraged by that because that has become a normalized, conflated part of our experience in America, right? Same reason why we talked previously in my work in Haiti that people could be very affected by the images coming out of Ukraine, but not feel similarly about Haiti, right?\n\nSo the same is true for girls and women. If I said I’m signing my daughter up for a self-defense class, no one would blink at that. When the larger question is, why do you have to do that? Why have we decided that that is an that that is a normalized part of what it is to be a girl, to be a woman.\n\nThat this is just a conflated part of our experience. That at some point you will experience sexual harassment. That at some point you may have to fend off someone. And the monsters, you know, are not usually someone lurking in a bush pouncing on you. It’s someone you know that you know, maybe someone even that you love.\n\nSo that is, those are the deeper things that we need to get at. You know why is that acceptable? Why is it okay that women in this country, you know, can’t access health care to save their life, you know, it’s like it’s just such a…So those are, those are the deeper issues that we have to get at, you know, because it’s unacceptable.\n\nI don’t want—my daughter is an 18-year-old college freshman right now, you know, and the fact that the questions that we had to ask ourselves as parents, you know, even in determining what state she would go to school in. And what—and I want to say this about the schools, Zerlina—you know, they never want this stuff out because they don’t want someone to be less inclined to send their child, you know, to a school, and so they suppress, you know, a lot of not just the data, you know, you just you don’t know.\n\nBut so we’ve got some culture work we have to do. But in the meantime, I’m out here going hard in the paint for survivors’ restitution, justice, and healing, and pushing for accountability on the Oversight Committee every day.\n\nZERLINA: Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Democratic Representative for the Seventh District in Massachusetts, where my alma mater, Tufts University, is located I should mention. Thank you so much for being with us this morning. It’s always a pleasure to chat with you.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-ruiz-promotoras", "title": "CONGRESSMAN RAUL RUIZ, M.D. INTRODUCES RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OCTOBER AS NATIONAL PROMOTORAS MONTH", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "ruiz.house.gov", "scraper": "ruiz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000599", "name": "Raul Ruiz", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Image\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- On September 24, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) introduced H. Res. 1583 expressing support for the designation of October as National Promotoras Month. This is the first time the resolution has been introduced at the federal level.\n\nPromotoras, sometimes known as community health workers, peer educators, health advocates, patient navigators, and cultural liaisons, are trusted messengers who connect families to the care they need. They serve rural towns, farmworker families, Tribal nations, border communities, and immigrant neighborhoods, delivering health education and prevention in the language and culture of the people they serve.\n\n\"As an Emergency Physician, I saw too many patients arrive when it was already too late. Promotoras change that. They knock on doors, speak our language, and earn the trust that keeps families healthy before a crisis hits. This resolution recognizes their work and thanks them for everything they do for our communities,\" said Congressman Raul Ruiz M.D.\n\nPromotoras help reduce emergency room visits, increase preventive care, and improve management of chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma, and heart disease, lowering health care costs for everyone. Yet many remain underrecognized and underpaid, with limited training pathways and support.\n\nThe resolution:\n\nRecognizes the essential contributions of promotoras and community health workers to the health of our communities\n\nAcknowledges the need for sustainable funding, workforce development, and fair compensation for the promotora workforce\n\nEncourages federal, state, Tribal, and community partners to invest in and expand promotora-led programs, especially in rural areas\n\n\"Promotoras are trusted community leaders whom families turn to for resources, information, and support. They show up during emergencies and celebrations alike, guided by the same deep commitment to provide “servicio de corazón”, service from the heart,” said Maria Lemus, Executive Director, Vision y Compromiso. “We are profoundly grateful to Congressman Ruiz for his leadership in presenting this federal resolution recognizing the vital contributions of Promotoras. Community members, as well as federal and state agencies, rely on Promotoras to advance the health, well-being, and resilience of communities across the country. Designating October as National Promotoras Month honors their leadership and ensures that their work receives the recognition it deserves.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-02T10:56:39Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-02T10:58:10Z"}
{"url": "https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-salazar-and-ruiz-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-designating-october-1st", "title": "Reps. Salazar and Ruiz Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Designating October 1st as National Latino Physician Day", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "salazar.house.gov", "scraper": "salazar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000168", "name": "Maria Elvira Salazar", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — On September 28, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) and Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25), introduced a bipartisan resolution designating October 1 as National Latino Physician Day.\n\nThe resolution supports increasing the number of Latino physicians and closing gaps in medical care.\n\n\"Trust in medical care is essential. Physicians that understand their community and are a reflection of it are critical when building and establishing that trust,\" said Rep. Salazar. \"As our nation faces a healthcare workforce shortage, I am proud to co-lead this resolution that supports Latino and Latina physicians, who are helping to close gaps in care and serve as a trustworthy pillar of their community.\"\n\n\"Growing up in a farmworker family taught me what it means to go without care, so I became an Emergency Physician to serve under resourced communities,\" said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz. \"Today, too many Latino families still can't find a doctor who speaks their language or understands their cultures. This resolution recognizes the Latino and Latina physicians working to close that gap, and it challenges us to open more doors for the next generation.\"\n\n\"The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) is proud support National Latino and Latina Physicians Day and thank Rep. Ruiz and Rep. Salazar for their bipartisan work in highlighting the work of physicians critical to improving the health of patients and communities nationwide. As the nation faces a persistent physician shortage, we must support policies that increase to access to careers in medicine for future Latino and Latina physicians, and everyone in the next generation of doctors,\" said Danielle Turnipseed, JD, MHSA, MPP, chief public policy officer, AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)\n\n\"The National Hispanic Medical Association supports H.Res. 1589, introduced by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., recognizing October 1 as National Latino and Latina Physician Day. We need more Latino physicians serving our communities. This day not only highlights the significant underrepresentation of Latinos in the physician workforce but also recognizes the tremendous work Latino physicians do every day to care for patients and communities across our nation. We are proud to support this resolution and its recognition of the Latino physicians who serve our country,\" said Gilbert Burgos, M.D., MPH, President of the National Hispanic Medical Association.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-andrea-salinas-celebrates-continued-funding-landmark-womens-healthcare", "title": "Rep. Andrea Salinas Celebrates Continued Funding for Landmark Women’s Healthcare Research", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "salinas.house.gov", "scraper": "salinas", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001226", "name": "Andrea Salinas", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) celebrates the five-year extension of funding for the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will award the study $44,456,682 to continue studying menopause and additional midlife factors that may contribute to women's health.\n\n“Menopause affects every woman as they age, yet it has long been underresearched and underfunded, thus limiting our understanding of its impact on women's lives. Over the last three decades, SWAN researchers have made innovative breakthroughs in understanding how perimenopause and menopause can exacerbate mental health issues, bone loss, and sleep problems,” said Salinas. “Regardless, more research is needed to understand its connection to long-term, life-threatening conditions, including strokes and Alzheimer's disease. I am proud that SWAN will receive full funding for the next five years to continue strengthening our understanding of women's health and to equip providers with the training and education they need to deliver quality care to their patients.”\n\nIn December 2025, Salinas led thirty-three of her colleagues in sending a letter to the NIH urging continued funding for SWAN, a long-running, federally funded research study examining women’s health during midlife and menopause.\n\nSWAN is an epidemiologic study that began in 1994 to research the health of women as they enter their midlife years. The study aims to educate women and providers about how midlife transitions can affect women's health and to continue scientific research for future breakthroughs.", "collected_at": "2026-10-05T12:04:08Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-05T12:05:17Z"}
{"url": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-sen-booker-lead-eight-lawmakers-calling-rv-industry-remove", "title": "Rep. Salinas, Sen. Booker Lead Eight Lawmakers in Calling on RV Industry to Remove Deforestation-Linked Timber from Supply Chains", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "salinas.house.gov", "scraper": "salinas", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001226", "name": "Andrea Salinas", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), alongside Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led eight Members of Congress in a letter urging the nation’s leading recreational vehicle manufacturers to adopt more sustainable supply chain practices and shift their sourcing of hardwood away from producers that contribute to deforestation and other devastating environmental practices.\n\nThis effort comes after an alarming New York Times investigation that uncovered how Indonesian rainforest timber harvested from environmentally sensitive regions made its way into American RVs. That logging has driven vast rainforest and peatland destruction, displacing Indigenous communities, fueling labor abuses, and threatening orangutans and other wildlife. The lawmakers stressed that the RV industry has both the duty and the means to lead the outdoor recreation industry toward responsible sourcing and stewardship without delay. The letter encouraged RV manufacturers to accelerate their switch to domestic hardwoods or composite materials.\n\nCongresswoman Salinas and Senator Booker are joined on their letter by Reps. Val Hoyle (OR-04), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), as well as Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).\n\nClick HERE or see below for the full letter.\n\nDear Mr. Happe, Mr. Martin, Mr. Gaeddert, and Mr. Nemeth,\n\nWe write as Members of Congress with an interest in the health of America’s forest products industry and in responsible stewardship of natural resources.\n\nInvestigative reporting by The New York Times documents how Indonesian rainforest timber sourced from environmentally sensitive regions of Borneo has made its way into your supply chains and consequently into American recreational vehicles.\n\nThese findings are alarming. Tropical plywood, particularly meranti or lauan, has been harvested from the Mayawana Persada concession which contains carbon-rich peatlands and intact rainforest habitat critical to the survival of critically endangered Bornean orangutans, as well as other species. These actions violate Indonesia's national climate commitments and have been accompanied by egregious violations of the rights of Indigenous communities.\n\nAs the biggest consumer of tropical hardwood plywood in the United States, the RV industry bears particular responsibility for ensuring its supply chains are more suitably managed.\n\nMany companies now vet their suppliers to eliminate deforestation from their supply chains, yet the RV industry lacks basic wood-sourcing standards. Voluntary sourcing standards have played an important role in the development of sustainable production in a wide variety of industries and, when successful, can obviate the need for stricter regulation. Retailers such as Lowe's and Home Depot, for example, have adopted wood sourcing policies that prohibit deforestation-linked timber. Outdoor recreation depends on healthy ecosystems, and sourcing deforested timber contradicts the industry’s stated values, especially when practical alternatives exist.\n\nWe strongly encourage your companies – as market leaders in your industry – to adopt robust supply chain traceability practices and wood sourcing policies that prohibit the use of timber linked to deforestation, peatland destruction, violations of Indigenous peoples' rights, or labor abuses. As part of that commitment, we urge you to require that all wood products used in your vehicles be independently certified as legal, sustainably managed, and deforestation-free – such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification or an equivalent standard. The development by your companies of new due diligence guidelines, in consultation with expert stakeholder entities, can help ensure that such policies can be effectively implemented and monitored. We would also encourage you to accelerate the switch to domestic hardwoods or composite materials to avoid the use of tropical hardwoods altogether.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important issue. We look forward to hearing how your companies intend to lead the outdoor recreation industry toward a commitment to responsible sourcing and responsible stewardship.", "collected_at": "2026-10-05T12:04:08Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-05T12:05:17Z"}
{"url": "https://scanlon.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2079", "title": "Congresswoman Scanlon Introduces Bills to Improve Access to Ballot Amid Trump White House Voter Suppression Efforts", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://scanlon.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "scanlon.house.gov", "scraper": "scanlon", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001205", "name": "Mary Gay Scanlon", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) yesterday introduced a package of bills designed to improve support for state and local election offices to improve voting access for Americans in future elections. The Accessible Voting Act will support state and local efforts to expand voter access, while the Dropbox Access Act will create a new standard by which localities must provide ballot dropboxes.\n\n“Our democracy thrives when every eligible voter is able to participate, and these bills will remove barriers that all too often make it more difficult for Americans to cast their ballots. I’ve seen how expanding accessibility and access to ballot boxes has improved voter turnout and engagement in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Scanlon. “I’m proud to introduce these bills to advance more equitable and just voting policies for all Americans.”\n\nThe Accessible Voting Act, which Scanlon co-leads with Reps. Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), and Lateefah Simon (CA-12), would support state and local election efforts through the establishment of the Office of Accessibility within the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). Specifically, the bill would ensure through the Office of Accessibility that state and local election officials are taking steps to obtain, deploy, and maintain voting systems, expand the number of options to cast a ballot in federal elections for older voters and voters with disabilities, and establish an online national resource center on accessible voting. The bill would also create a new state grant program through the Office of Accessibility for the improvement of accessible voting options, and reauthorize and expand grants through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve voter accessibility for older Americans and people with disabilities.\n\nThe Dropbox Access Act, co-led by Reps. Simon and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), would require each state to provide county-level secure drop boxes where individuals may drop off their completed ballots for federal elections. Specifically, the bill would prevent states from restricting voters’ access to drop boxes by requiring counties to provide, at minimum, one drop box per 20,000 voting-age residents, ensure that drop boxes are available 24 hours a day beginning 45 days before each election, and create more accessible options near public transit and for individuals with disabilities or with limited English-language proficiency, and for voters living in rural communities and tribal lands.\n\nScanlon introduced the voting accessibility bills package as the Trump administration has issued a series of executive orders and legislative proposals apparently designed to suppress voter turnout ahead of November’s midterm elections. Those proposals largely have been rejected by the courts. According to Scanlon, “now more than ever, it’s important that our elections reflect the will of the people, and that we challenge efforts by the current administration to undermine our election integrity.”\n\nRecently, Congresswoman Scanlon convened hearings in her congressional district, at Widener University, and at the U.S. Capitol, to counter efforts by the Trump administration to spread disinformation about elections and disenfranchise voters with voter roll purges and by restricting access to mail-in voting. At both hearings, Members of Congress heard from election protection experts on voter protection and election security. Those experts expressed confidence in the safeguards and resiliency of our elections, and the importance of expanding access to the ballot box. Recordings of those hearings are available here: at Widener University, Chester PA and in Washington, D.C.\n\n“American democracy works best when all citizens can participate and vote, no matter where they’re from, what language they speak or whether they live with a disability,” said Rep. Raskin. “Our Accessible Voting Act strengthens access to the ballot box and addresses a wide range of systemic deficiencies, so no eligible voter is left alone to overcome barriers to casting a ballot.”\n\n“Our elders fought for our voting rights with blood, sweat, and tears – and yet too many people, particularly older Americans and Americans with disabilities, still face barriers to voting such as inaccessible polling locations or access to voter information. Both the Accessible Voting Act and Dropbox Access Act will improve voter accessibility for requesting mail-in ballots, accessing voter registration info, and when showing up to the ballot box,” said Rep. Simon. “As the first congenitally blind Member of Congress, improving accessibility to ensure that all Americans can equally access resources and participate in society is a top priority of mine. I am proud to lead on these bills with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon to ensure ALL individuals can equally participate in local and federal elections to make their rightful voices heard.”\n\n“The ability for everyone to have their voice heard is central to our American ideals—yet too often people with disabilities face unnecessary barriers in both registering to vote and casting their ballots, preventing them from fully participating in our democracy,” said Rep. Dean. “This legislation will help improve registration processes and eliminate barriers to voting, including by reauthorizing grants to improve voting accessibility for older Americans and those with disabilities. By breaking down these barriers, our communities can be better represented by every voice. I'm thankful to partner with Congresswoman Scanlon and Congressman Raskin to pass these essential bills.”\n\n“We should be making it more accessible for Americans to vote, not harder,” said Rep. Garcia. “But the Trump administration and its Republican allies continue to attack voting rights and put up new barriers to the ballot box. That is why I am proud to once again co-lead the Dropbox Access Act, a practical bill to make sure voters have fair, accessible options to return their ballots. We should be protecting the right to vote, not suppressing it.”\n\nFind the full text for the Accessible Voting Act here.\n\nFind the full text for the Dropbox Access Act here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases/schakowsky-pocan-lead-71-members-calling-continued-allowance-prescription-drug", "title": "Schakowsky, Pocan Lead 71 Members Calling for Continued Allowance of Prescription Drug Imports", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "schakowsky.house.gov", "scraper": "schakowsky", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001145", "name": "Janice D. Schakowsky", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Full Text of Letter (PDF)\n\nWASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Mark Pocan (WI-02) on Thursday led a letter, signed by 71 Members of Congress, to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Markwayne Mullin, and the commissioners of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), urging that the agencies ensure that Americans can continue to obtain genuine, non-controlled prescription medicines from outside the country.\n\nNew CBP procedures for international mail shipments, taking effect October 22, could disrupt 2.3 million Americans’ longstanding ability to obtain lower-cost prescription medicines from Canada and other countries for their personal use.\n\n“For years, our constituents who have struggled with high prescription drug prices have obtained their medicines from pharmacies outside the United States, especially from Canada,” the members wrote.\n\n“We support CBP’s goal of using better data to identify and intercept high-risk shipments. However, we are concerned that the new process could be implemented in a manner that prevents personal-use prescription medicines from being shipped to the United States or results in their routine refusal, including medicines Americans have long obtained from licensed pharmacies abroad,” the members continued. “Greater visibility should instead improve the government’s ability to distinguish dangerous products from lower-risk prescription medicines and preserve appropriate enforcement discretion.”\n\n“We urge HHS, FDA, DHS, and CBP to delay any implementation of new procedures with respect to prescription medicines unless you can provide clear assurances that your agencies will not prevent genuine prescription medicines clearly intended for personal use and not appearing to present an unreasonable risk from entering the United States,” the members added.\n\n“Americans should not lose access to affordable medicines simply because the government has better information about packages entering the country. We urge your agencies to use that information to focus enforcement on where the risks are greatest while preserving appropriate access to safe and affordable medicines for personal use,” the members concluded.\n\nThe letter is endorsed by the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation, Just Care USA, National Association of Letter Carriers, Prescription Justice, and Social Security Works.\n\nThe full list of signers (71): Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-01), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Sharice Davids (KA-03), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), George Latimer (NY-16), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), John Mannion (NY-22), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Joe Morelle (NY-25), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-01), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Adam Smith (WA-09), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Thomas Suozzi (NY-03), Mark Takano (CA-39), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://scottpeters.house.gov/press-releases/peters-introduces-legislation-to-protect-life-science-infrastructure", "title": "Peters Introduces Legislation to Protect Life Science Infrastructure", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://scottpeters.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "scottpeters.house.gov", "scraper": "scottpeters", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000608", "name": "Scott H. Peters", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Despite its growing significance to national security and the economy, the federal government does not adequately protect biotechnology infrastructure or sensitive biological data.\n\nWashington, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Stephanie Bice (R-OK), as well as U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced two bipartisan bills to protect biotechnology data and infrastructure from malicious actors.\n\nThe Protecting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing as Critical Infrastructure Act and the Protecting Biological Data as Critical Infrastructure Act aim to recognize life science infrastructure and sensitive data as critical infrastructure, ensuring robust cybersecurity and cross-sector protection. The legislation directs Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to designate facilities and systems handling genetic and biometric information as critical and requires collaboration with industry stakeholders to develop coordinated security protocols.\n\nBiotechnology infrastructure spans several critical sectors, including health, agriculture, and industry, yet current policy doesn't explicitly recognize or fully protect it. Biological data, which fuels research breakthroughs and often contains sensitive personal information, isn't treated as a strategic national resource either. Some federal efforts are underway, but they're scattered and leave major vulnerabilities.\n\n“Biotechnology is a major driver of San Diego’s economy, employing 167,000 members of our community and generating $55.2 billion in economic output just last year,” said Rep. Peters. “America’s leadership in the sector is a strategic advantage we cannot take for granted. As technology advances and our adversaries grow more capable, American national security, public health, and competitiveness will continue to face more serious threats. Our legislation will strengthen America’s biotech ecosystem against cyber threats, supply chain disruptions, and other vulnerabilities. To maintain our leadership in biotechnology, we need to make sure that the United States remains a safe place to innovate.”\n\n“Protecting biomanufacturing infrastructure and the most sensitive biological data of Americans is essential for our national security,” said Rep. Khanna. “These bipartisan bills will help ensure we are protecting this sector from physical and cyber threats while keeping America as the world leader in biotechnology.”\n\n“Biological data is one of America’s most valuable strategic resources,” said Rep. Bice. “It is the foundation for new discoveries and an increasingly important driver of innovation at the intersection of AI and biotechnology. Recognizing biological data as critical infrastructure is a vital part of protecting sensitive data from those who could exploit it.”\n\nIn its April 2025 report to Congress, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) assessed that malicious actors will increasingly target the biotechnology sector’s infrastructure and data. Critical biotechnology infrastructure, such as hospitals and agricultural facilities, have already faced numerous cyberattacks. Biological data are not currently treated or protected as a strategic national resource. Both bills reflect NSCEB recommendations.\n\nA detailed summary of the bills can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://shontelbrown.house.gov/media/press-releases/brown-casar-demand-answers-fbis-plan-buy-mass-surveillance-systems-including", "title": "Brown, Casar Demand Answers on FBI’s Plan to Buy Mass Surveillance Systems, Including Flock Cameras", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://shontelbrown.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "shontelbrown.house.gov", "scraper": "shontelbrown", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001313", "name": "Shontel M. Brown", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35) sent a letter demanding answers and transparency from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel on the FBI’s planned increase of mass surveillance systems, such as Flock.\n\nBrown and Casar both serve on the House Committee on Oversight. Brown is Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, Casar is Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement.\n\nIn May 2026, the FBI issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to acquire automatic license plate readers (ALPR) systems, including Flock and Motorola Solutions, that offer the ability to search for license plate information “and other descriptive data such as vehicle description information, time/date criteria, and geo-location criteria.” Flock and Motorola Solutions, whose ALPR systems are used by local police departments, likely possess the capabilities to satisfy this RFP. While the FBI already runs a License Plate Reader (LPR) program through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to facilitate LPR information sharing with and between its law enforcement partners, the FBI’s plan to obtain direct access to an extensive network of cameras—such as those operated by Flock and Motorola—would dramatically expand the license plate data currently held by the FBI and institute “near real time” surveillance of civilians.\n\nThe Members of Congress write: “The American people are clearly concerned about law enforcement having access to Flock data and about government surveillance more broadly. Entering into a contract that would give the nation’s largest law enforcement agency access to Flock data across the country would subvert the clear preference of the American people.”\n\nThe Oversight and Government Reform Committee Democrats are requesting information by October 16, 2026.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402084", "title": "Rep. Simpson Joins Sharia-Free America Efforts", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://simpson.house.gov/news", "domain": "simpson.house.gov", "scraper": "simpson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001148", "name": "Michael K. Simpson", "party": "Republican", "state": "ID", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON—Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson cosponsored H.R. 5722 – Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act. This legislation would prevent all foreign nationals who observe Sharia from entering the United States or from remaining in the country, prioritizing our security and values nationwide. Additionally, Rep. Simpson joined the Sharia-Free America Caucus.\n\n“Americans nationwide just remembered 25 years since radical Islamic terrorists killed 2,977 people, and the threat of Sharia law in the United States continues to be on the rise,” said Rep. Simpson. “Sharia law has no place in this country and is incompatible with American values, our way of life, and the United States Constitution. I’m proud to join these Sharia-Free America efforts.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://summerlee.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/at-cmu-summit-rep-summer-lee-calls-for-stronger-community-protections-as-ai-data-centers-expand-across-pennsylvania", "title": "At CMU Summit, Rep. Summer Lee Calls for Stronger Community Protections as AI Data Centers Expand Across Pennsylvania", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://summerlee.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "summerlee.house.gov", "scraper": "summerlee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000602", "name": "Summer L. Lee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "VIDEO (Dropbox)\n\nPITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 2, 2026 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) joined community organizers, researchers, environmental advocates, labor leaders, and policymakers at Carnegie Mellon University's Community-Centered AI Infrastructure Summit to call for stronger protections for Pennsylvania communities facing the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers.\n\nThe statewide summit, hosted by Carnegie Mellon University in partnership with Data & Society, the Center for Coalfield Justice, and the Pennsylvania Climate Equity Table, brought together residents and experts to examine the growing demands AI infrastructure places on Pennsylvania's electricity grid, water resources, workforce, and environment. Participants also explored policy solutions and community organizing strategies to inform a Community Action Plan for AI Infrastructure.\n\nDrawing on her experience growing up in the Mon Valley, Rep. Lee warned against repeating the mistakes of Pennsylvania's industrial past, when corporations generated enormous wealth while working-class communities were left to bear the costs of pollution, disinvestment, and broken promises.\n\n“Here in the Pittsburgh area, we have communities that have been similarly sacrificed. I grew up in one of them,” said Rep. Lee. “ We know what it looks like when these choices are made for us, but not with us. I believe that we have to establish regulatory frameworks before we suffer its consequences. Leading on AI doesn't mean building more data centers at any cost or racing toward superintelligence without considering the consequences. It means making sure that AI actually improves life for all of us, not just the CEOs or oligarchs.”\n\nDuring the summit, Rep. Lee highlighted her cosponsorship of the AI Data Center Moratorium Act, which would temporarily pause new data center construction and the expansion of existing facilities until Congress establishes comprehensive federal safeguards addressing AI's economic, environmental, and safety impacts. She emphasized that the pause must give lawmakers time to establish meaningful protections for communities already facing the consequences of unchecked development.\n\nRep. Lee called for stronger federal, state, and local regulations to address rising electricity and water costs, establish labor standards, increase community transparency, and account for the cumulative environmental and health impacts of industrial development. Drawing on her visit to Memphis, Tennessee, where residents are organizing against the environmental and noise pollution associated with xAI's data center operations, Rep. Lee warned against repeating the mistakes of Pennsylvania's industrial past and allowing corporations to make decisions that affect communities without their input.\n\nRep. Lee also connected the expansion of AI infrastructure to broader concerns about civil rights, workers' livelihoods, environmental harms, and corporate influence in Washington. She warned that unchecked AI could reinforce existing discrimination in healthcare, employment, and policing, while the communities bearing the environmental and economic costs of its expansion are left without meaningful protections. She also highlighted her Abolish Super PACs Act, arguing that unlimited corporate spending in elections undermines Congress's ability to establish regulations that prioritize the public over corporate profits.\n\nFootage of Rep. Lee’s remarks can be found here.\n\nRep. Lee has championed legislation to protect communities, workers, and civil rights as artificial intelligence expands. She is a cosponsor of the AI Data Center Moratorium Act, which would temporarily pause new data center construction and expansion until Congress establishes comprehensive federal safeguards addressing AI's economic, environmental, and safety impacts. Alongside Senator Ed Markey, Rep. Lee introduced the Eliminating BIAS Act, which would establish dedicated civil rights offices in federal agencies that use or oversee AI to combat algorithmic discrimination. She also co-leads theAI Civil Rights Act, which would strengthen protections against AI-driven discrimination in housing, healthcare, employment, and other essential services.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://summerlee.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/reps-lee-deluzio-khanna-press-upmc-to-bargain-in-good-faith-with-nearly-900-magee-healthcare-workers", "title": "Reps. Lee, Deluzio, Khanna Press UPMC to Bargain in Good Faith With Nearly 900 Magee Healthcare Workers", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://summerlee.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "summerlee.house.gov", "scraper": "summerlee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000602", "name": "Summer L. Lee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Letter Text (PDF)\n\nPITTSBURGH, PA – October 2, 2026 — Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) alongside Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17), called on The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to bargain in good faith with nearly 900 nurses, nurse practitioners, and midwives at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital who have spent approximately eight months negotiating their first union contract.\n\nIn a letter to UPMC President and CEO Leslie Davis, the lawmakers raised concerns they have heard from workers and organizers about staffing levels, excessive workloads, and conditions that healthcare professionals say can make it harder to provide patients with the level of care they deserve.\n\nThe lawmakers specifically pointed to reports that nurses are routinely responsible for more patients than nationally recognized clinical standards recommend, including instances in which one labor and delivery nurse may be responsible for two or three patients even though professional staffing standards call for dedicated nursing care for a patient in active labor.\n\n“For approximately eight months, nearly 900 health care professionals at UPMC Magee have been negotiating for a contract that reflects the critical role they play in caring for patients and families throughout western Pennsylvania,” the lawmakers wrote. “These workers have raised serious concerns about inadequate staffing, excessive workloads, and conditions that prevent them from consistently providing the level of care their patients deserve. UPMC has a responsibility to listen to these frontline professionals and work constructively to resolve their concerns without unnecessary delays.”\n\nContract negotiations between UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Physicians, and SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania began in January. UPMC reported that the parties held their 38th bargaining session on September 22 and have reached tentative agreements on several issues as negotiations continue.\n\nThese staffing concerns come as Allegheny County continues to face seriousracial disparities in maternal health. In 2023, the rate of preventable hospitalizations among Black women was 3.3 times higher than among White women in Allegheny County. The disparities are especially stark in Pittsburgh, where previous reports found that Black women were more likely to die during pregnancy than their peers in 97% of comparable U.S. cities.\n\nRep. Lee has made confronting the Black maternal health crisis a focus of her work in Congress, including pressing HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during Black Maternal Health Week over threats to maternal health research and community-based programs, joining congressional efforts to expand access to midwifery care, and strongly supporting the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to invest in community-based care, strengthen and diversify the perinatal workforce, improve maternal health data collection, and expand maternal mental health support.\n\nIn their letter, Reps. Lee, Deluzio, and Khanna emphasized that safe staffing and workplace protections are critical to patient safety, retaining experienced healthcare workers, reducing exhaustion and burnout, and ensuring hospitals can respond effectively to emergencies.\n\n“UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is a vital institution that generations of western Pennsylvanians have relied upon for obstetric, neonatal, reproductive, and specialized health care,” the lawmakers wrote. “We will continue to monitor UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital actions closely and strongly encourage UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, in accordance with the law, to bargain a fair contract in good faith with these workers.”\n\nWorkers at Magee have publicly advocated for staffing standards based on recommendations from national professional organizations. Those proposals include dedicated nursing care for patients who are laboring or being induced, as well as staffing standards for neonatal intensive care, postpartum care, emergency care, oncology, and other hospital units.\n\nThe full letter can be read HERE and letter text is below:\n\nSeptember 22, 2026\n\nDear Ms. Davis:\n\nWe write to urge the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to bargain in good faith, as required by federal law, with the nurses, nurse practitioners, and midwives at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. As you know, workers have a right to organize and advocate for improvements in their wages and working conditions, as well as engage in protected concerted activity under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).\n\nWe have received troubling reports from our constituents and organizers that nurses are routinely assigned more patients than nationally recognized clinical standards recommend. Nurses have described situations in which a single labor and delivery nurse may be responsible for two or three patients, even though established standards call for a patient in active labor to receive dedicated nursing care.\n\nFor approximately eight months, nearly 900 health care professionals at UPMC Magee have been negotiating for a contract that reflects the critical role they play in caring for patients and families throughout western Pennsylvania. These workers have raised serious concerns about inadequate staffing, excessive workloads, and conditions that prevent them from consistently providing the level of care their patients deserve. UPMC has a responsibility to listen to these frontline professionals and work constructively to resolve their concerns without unnecessary delays.\n\nSafe staffing and other workplace protections are fundamental to patient safety, retaining experienced nurses, protecting workers from exhaustion and burnout, and ensuring that hospitals remain prepared to respond to emergencies.\n\nUPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is a vital institution that generations of western Pennsylvanians have relied upon for obstetric, neonatal, reproductive, and specialized health care. We will continue to monitor UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital actions closely and strongly encourage UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, in accordance with the law, to bargain a fair contract in good faith with these workers.\n\nThank you for your attention to these issues.\n\nSincerely,\n\nSummer Lee\n\nMember of Congress\n\nChris Deluzio\n\nMember of Congress\n\nRo Khanna\n\nMember of Congress", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://tlaib.house.gov/posts/reps-tlaib-pressley-senator-markey-announce-legislation-to-stop-big-banks-from-bankrolling-the-climate-crisis", "title": "Reps. Tlaib, Pressley, Senator Markey Announce Legislation to Stop Big Banks from Bankrolling the Climate Crisis", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://tlaib.house.gov/press", "domain": "tlaib.house.gov", "scraper": "tlaib", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000481", "name": "Rashida Tlaib", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today announced the reintroduction of the Fossil Free Finance Act. The legislation would require banks to adopt emission transition plans to reduce financial sector emissions and deforestation risks.\n\nUnder this legislation, large bank holding companies would be required to implement plans to reduce financial sector emissions 50 percent by 2035 and reach zero financial sector emissions by 2050. Additionally, it would require banks to discontinue financing for new or expanded fossil fuel projects within 60 days of enactment, immediately discontinue thermal coal financing and facilitation, and eliminate facilitation of deforestation risk commodities. Despite climate-driven wildfires, floods, and other disasters continuing to devastate regions across the country, banks continue to invest in contributing fossil fuel projects. Plans created from this legislation will help the financial sector align with science-based projections for emissions.\n\n“Our financial institutions and banks are funding the pollution of our air and water that make us sicker. They choose to invest billions of dollars in dirty fossil fuel projects,” said Rep. Tlaib. “Instead of acting to protect us, the Federal Reserve allowed these banks to finance the destruction of our planet and our health. I’m taking action with Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pressley to require the Federal Reserve to finally do something and address the dangers of our climate crisis.”\n\n“Our economy and global financial systems have a codependent relationship with the fossil fuel industry. We cannot wait for big banks to address the very climate crisis they are financing if we are serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. It’s like giving an arsonist a hose for one hand while they hold a gas can in the other,” said Senator Markey. “The Fossil Free Finance Act would require our financial institutions, including banks, to protect Americans’ savings, investments, and our economy by addressing the threats posed by climate change. We need to put the planet over profit and get fossil fuels out of our finances.”\n\n“We should be using every tool available to protect our planet, our people, and our economy, and one way we can do that is by stopping giant banks from financing fossil fuel projects,” said Rep. Pressley. “Our Fossil Free Finance Act would help confront the climate crisis by stopping financial institutions, including our nation’s largest banks, from providing trillions in fossil fuel financing and deepening the health inequities and harms that already plague our communities. I’m grateful to Senator Markey and Congresswoman Tlaib for their ongoing partnership on this bill to take urgent action to help prevent a massive, climate-induced economic collapse.”\n\n“Major US banks’ ongoing finance for fossil fuel expansion is driving worsening climate change and putting the entire financial system and public at risk,” said Alex Martin, Climate Finance Policy Director at Americans for Financial Reform. “The Fossil Free Finance Act would recognize the role that fossil fuel finance plays in driving climate-related financial risk, and require banks to develop climate action plans that address those risks, creating a critical safeguard for the public and the financial system.”\n\n“While financial policymakers around the world actively work to decarbonize their economies, U.S. policymakers have fallen behind, leaving our financial system exposed to the impacts of climate change,” said David Arkush, Director of Public Citizen’s Climate Program. “Financial institutions continue to finance, invest, and underwrite unnecessary projects—creating systemic risks that can reverberate across the economy. Rather than continuing to create risks for the financial system, large and systemically important financial institutions should be required to reduce their financed and facilitated emissions in line with science-driven targets. Neither Congress nor the Federal Reserve should wait for a financial crisis to address climate-related financial risk.”\n\nThe Fossil Free Finance Act of 2026 would address climate-related threats to financial stability and help align the financial sector with science-based emissions targets by redefining financial sector emissions, mandating bank holding companies with at least $50 billion in assets to align with science-based emissions targets, and requiring the Federal Reserve to report to Congress on financial sector emissions, commitments by covered institutions, progress toward emissions targets, regulatory gaps, data challenges, and equitable transition needs.\n\nThe Fossil Free Finance Act of 2026 is cosponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by Public Citizen and Americans for Financial Reform.\n\nSenator Markey, and Reps. Tlaib, Pressley, and former Rep. Mondaire Jones (NY-17) first introduced the Fossil Free Finance Act during the 117th Congress in September 2021. Senator Markey first reintroduced the legislation with Senator Merkley in March 2023.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases/underwood-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-train-more-nurses", "title": "Underwood Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Train More Nurses", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "underwood.house.gov", "scraper": "underwood", "member": {"bioguide_id": "U000040", "name": "Lauren Underwood", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON—Representatives Lauren Underwood, Jen Kiggans (VA-02), and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), introduced the Educating Future Nurses Act to expand clinical education and training opportunities for future Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). As costs explode and our health care system confronts the historic crisis caused by Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, fixing gaps in nursing education is critical to keeping health care affordable and accessible.\n\nUnderwood’s legislation would create permanent federal funding for hospitals to partner with schools of nursing and community-based care settings to address clinical training costs for graduate nursing students.\n\n“In every corner of our country, nurses are doing critical work to support the health and well-being of our communities. We’re providing excellent clinical care, conducting important research, and carrying out the public health initiatives that keep our families safe and healthy,” said Rep. Underwood. “But our profession is under unprecedented attack, particularly for nurses who are looking to further their education. America needs more nurses, not fewer. Our legislation will strengthen graduate-level nursing education and make sure these dedicated professionals get more support for this vitally important training.”\n\n“As a geriatric nurse practitioner and Congressional Nursing Caucus co-chair, I know that a strong nursing workforce starts with ensuring our future nurses have the training and resources they need to effectively care for their patients. Unfortunately, there are too many aspiring advanced practice nurses who face barriers from accessing the education required to complete their training. I’m proud to join my caucus co-chair, Congresswoman Underwood, to introduce the Educating Future Nurses Act to strengthen partnerships between our hospitals, nursing schools, and communities and expand clinical training opportunities for the next generation of nurses.” Said Rep. Kiggans.\n\n\"Health care costs are rising and more people are reliant on hospitals and emergency care,” said Rep. Bonamici.\"Our country is in desperate need of more nurses, including advanced practice nurses, but there are too many barriers to graduate education. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, I stand firmly behind the Educating Future Nurses Act and the opportunities it would create for nurses to advance in their careers and bolster the health care workforce.\"\n\n“The Educating Future Nurses Act is an important step toward addressing our nation’s ongoing nursing shortage and ensuring that all Americans have access to high-quality healthcare,” said Dr. Julie Sanford, Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Association and Colleges of Nursing. “Enabling partnerships between hospitals and nursing schools is an innovative approach to expanding the nursing workforce.\"\n\n“We applaud Congresswoman Underwood and our congressional champions for their continued support of nursing education,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. “By building on the success of the Graduate Nurse Education demonstration program, the Educating Future Nurses Act will have a profound impact on sustaining the nation’s Advanced Practice Registered Nursing workforce and access to care for all patients in need.”\n\nThe cost of clinical training has limited the number of APRN students that hospitals can accept. Funding from the Educating Future Nurses Act would help these hospitals accept APRN students, enabling them to train and work in geographically diverse areas, especially rural and underserved communities.\n\nThe legislation builds on a similar program created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA’s Graduate Nurse Education Demonstration Program provided federal funding to hospitals to pay for the clinical training costs of APRNs.\n\nThe Educating Future Nurses Act has been endorsed by 30+ leading nursing organizations in Illinois and across the country, including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-04T10:56:42Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-04T10:57:59Z"}
{"url": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-vasquez-secures-96-million-build-new-alamo-navajo-health-center", "title": "Rep. Vasquez Secures $96 Million to Build New Alamo Navajo Health Center", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vasquez.house.gov", "scraper": "vasquez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000136", "name": "Gabe Vasquez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) secured $96 million in federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to build a new, technologically advanced health center at the Alamo Navajo Chapter. The health center will serve over 2,600 Tribal residents living in the communities of Alamo, Magdalena, and Socorro.\n\n“This $96 million investment is a major step toward ensuring the Alamo Navajo community has access to the quality health care it deserves,” said Vasquez. “For too long, Tribal communities have been denied access to reliable healthcare – being forced to drive incredibly long distances and go to great lengths just to see a doctor. This project will bring care closer to home, and I’m proud to deliver this funding and will continue working to ensure the federal government is serving New Mexico’s Tribal communities.”\n\nThe $96 million award will support the construction of a new 70,000 gross square feet (GSF) health center and will be a modern, state-of-the-art, advanced facility to provide health care services specifically designed to meet the needs of the Alamo Navajo Chapter.\n\nThis funding comes from the Interior Appropriations bill, which passed with strong bipartisan support. Congressman Vasquez also secured key funding and resources for New Mexico in the bill, including $1,092,000 for the Ramah Navajo Drinking Water Improvement project and over $3 million in projects to improve public safety and infrastructure in Southern New Mexico.\n\nVasquez has consistently worked to support New Mexico’s Tribal communities:\n\nLed the Tribal HUD-VASH Act to provide housing assistance and support services for Native American veterans.\n\nVoted to extend the Special Diabetes Program for Indians to help address health disparities in Tribal communities.\n\nChampioned the bipartisan Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act to fulfill the US government's trust and treaty responsibilities and provide full and consistent funding for IHS and BIE programs.\n\nLed the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act to enhance public safety within Tribal communities.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://vindman.house.gov/2026/10/02/vindman-virginia-democrats-release-statement-on-8th-anniversary-of-jamal-khashoggis-murder/", "title": "Vindman, Virginia Democrats Release Statement on 8th Anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "vindman.house.gov", "scraper": "vindman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000138", "name": "Eugene Simon Vindman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The Lawmakers Also Renewed Their Call for Trump to Release the Transcript of His 2019 Call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Following Khashoggi’s Murder\n\nWashington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (Va.-07), James Walkinshaw (Va.-11), Bobby Scott (Va.-03), Don Beyer (Va.-08), Jennifer McClellan (Va.-04), and Suhas Subramanyam (Va.-10) released the following statement on the eighth anniversary of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.\n\n“Eight years ago today, Virginia resident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. His murder was an unconscionable attack on a journalist and a Virginia resident, and his family and the American people deserve the full truth about what happened and what followed.\n\n“That includes transparency about President Trump’s 2019 call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Congressman Vindman reviewed the transcript of that call while serving as a lawyer on the National Security Council, and we believe the American people deserve to see it for themselves.\n\n“As members of Virginia’s congressional delegation, we will continue pressing for the transparency and accountability that this case demands. If President Trump will not release the transcript now, we will force him to do it in the next Congress when Democrats are in charge.\n\n“Eight years is far too long to wait for answers. President Trump should declassify and release the transcript and give the Khashoggi family and the American people the truth they deserve.”\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nJamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist and U.S. resident, was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 — an assassination that drew global condemnation and raised serious questions about Saudi Arabia’s leadership and the Trump administration’s response.\n\nIn November 2025, Vindman demanded that the White House release the transcript of a “shocking” 2019 call that took place between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following Khashoggi’s murder. Vindman reviewed this call while serving as a staff lawyer on Trump’s National Security Council.\n\nThat same month, he led 37 lawmakers in sending a letter to President Trump calling for the immediate release of the transcript. He also hosted a press conference alongside Hanan Elatr Khashoggi — Khashoggi’s wife — and U.S. Representatives Jamie Raskin (Md.-08) and Suhas Subramanyam (Va.-11) to urge President Trump to release the transcript of the call.\n\nIn October 2025, Congressman Walkinshaw and Senators Kaine and Warner introduced a bicameral resolution commemorating the seventh anniversary of Khashoggi’s murder and calling for accountability. The resolution also called for the Government of Saudi Arabia to release wrongfully detained individuals, respect the rights of Saudi citizens, and ensure the protection of the freedoms of assembly, association, and the press.\n\nKhashoggi was a resident of Virginia’s 11th District, which was formerly represented by the late Congressman Gerry Connolly and is now represented by Walkinshaw.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=863", "title": "Walkinshaw, Vindman, Virginia Democrats Release Statement on 8th Anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "walkinshaw.house.gov", "scraper": "walkinshaw", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000831", "name": "James R. Walkinshaw", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives James Walkinshaw (Va.-11), Eugene Vindman (Va.-07), Bobby Scott (Va.-03), Don Beyer (Va.-08), Jennifer McClellan (Va.-04), and Suhas Subramanyam (Va.-10) released the following statement on the eighth anniversary of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.\n\nEight years ago today, Virginia resident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. His murder was an unconscionable attack on a journalist and a Virginia resident, and his family and the American people deserve the full truth about what happened and what followed.\n\nThat includes transparency about President Trump’s 2019 call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Congressman Vindman reviewed the transcript of that call while serving as a lawyer on the National Security Council, and we believe the American people deserve to see it for themselves.\n\nAs members of Virginia’s congressional delegation, we will continue pressing for the transparency and accountability that this case demands. If President Trump will not release the transcript now, we will force him to do it in the next Congress when Democrats are in charge.\n\nEight years is far too long to wait for answers. President Trump should declassify and release the transcript and give the Khashoggi family and the American people the truth they deserve.”\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nJamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist and U.S. resident, was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 — an assassination that drew global condemnation and raised serious questions about Saudi Arabia’s leadership and the Trump administration’s response.\n\nIn November 2025, Vindman demanded that the White House release the transcript of a “shocking” 2019 call that took place between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following Khashoggi’s murder. Vindman reviewed this call while serving as a staff lawyer on Trump’s National Security Council.\n\nThat same month, he led 37 lawmakers in sending a letter to President Trump calling for the immediate release of the transcript. He also hosted a press conference alongside Hanan Elatr Khashoggi — Khashoggi’s wife — and U.S. Representatives Jamie Raskin (Md.-08) and Suhas Subramanyam (Va.-11) to urge President Trump to release the transcript of the call.\n\nIn October 2025, Congressman Walkinshaw and Senators Kaine and Warner introduced a bicameral resolution commemorating the seventh anniversary of Khashoggi’s murder and calling for accountability. The resolution also called for the Government of Saudi Arabia to release wrongfully detained individuals, respect the rights of Saudi citizens, and ensure the protection of the freedoms of assembly, association, and the press.\n\nKhashoggi was a resident of Virginia’s 11th District, which was formerly represented by the late Congressman Gerry Connolly and is now represented by Walkinshaw.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=866", "title": "Walkinshaw Introduces Bill to Fix Personnel Record Errors Delaying Federal Workers’ Retirement and Benefits", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "walkinshaw.house.gov", "scraper": "walkinshaw", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000831", "name": "James R. Walkinshaw", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, today introduced the Federal Employee Records Relief Act, legislation to help former federal employees obtain missing personnel records, fix administrative errors and navigate their earned benefits. Missing or inaccurate records can delay retirement processing, complicate health coverage and interfere with future employment.\n\n“Federal employees have suffered enough under the Trump administration’s mass firings and attacks on our civil service. They should not have to chase down missing paperwork to document their service and access the benefits they earned,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “My bill would require the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and federal agencies to help former employees get their records, fix errors and get clear answers about their benefits. These public servants deserve better.”\n\nThe bill would require OPM, working with former employing agencies, to provide personnel records, correct administrative errors and offer written benefits information and coordination assistance, including information about health coverage continuation options.\n\nFederal employees who separated for any reason on or after January 20, 2025, including retirees, would have four years after enactment to submit requests.\n\n“Too often, federal employees leave government service only to find themselves trapped in bureaucratic limbo, waiting months for agencies and OPM to correct records or process paperwork they need to collect benefits, secure loans, or move on to their next job. This commonsense legislation creates a clear, centralized, and time-limited process to fix those problems so former federal employees are not forced to keep paying the price for administrative failures that are beyond their control,” said the National Federation of Federal Employees.\n\n“Mass firings and pressure campaigns to force out federal employees have thrown thousands of dedicated civil servants into chaos. Now many are left hanging, trapped by botched personnel records and processing delays that stand between them and their next job, their retirement, and the benefits they earned. The Federal Employee Records Relief Act will give these workers a clear path to correct their records and move forward with their lives. NTEU applauds Rep. Walkinshaw for his work on this bill and for standing up for federal employees and their families,” said Doreen Greenwald, National President, National Treasury Employees Union.\n\nOriginal cosponsors include Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Don Beyer (VA-08), Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04) and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10).\n\nRead the bill text here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=411029", "title": "From the Front: October 2, 2026", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://womack.house.gov/news", "domain": "womack.house.gov", "scraper": "womack", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000809", "name": "Steve Womack", "party": "Republican", "state": "AR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "From the Front Newsletters\nFrom the Front: October 2, 2026\nShare on Facebook\nShare on X\nPrint this Page\nShare by Email\nWashington,\r\n      October 2, 2026\nClick here to read this edition.\nRead more.\nJOIN MY EMAIL LIST\nSUBSCRIBE", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-banks-joins-126-lawmakers-urging-an-investigation-into-planned-parenthood/", "title": "Sen. Banks Joins 126 Lawmakers Urging an Investigation into Planned Parenthood", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.banks.senate.gov", "scraper": "banks", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001299", "name": "Jim Banks", "party": "Republican", "state": "IN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.), Representative Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and 124 congressional colleagues in calling on the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) to investigate Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates for potential waste, fraud, abuse, and misuse of taxpayer dollars.\n\nThe lawmakers cited the Small Business Administration’s ongoing investigation into whether Planned Parenthood affiliates improperly received $88 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reports alleging violations of federal criminal laws and mandatory state child-abuse reporting requirements.\n\nRead the Fox News Exclusive here.\n\nRead the full letter here or below.\n\nDear Inspector General Bell,\n\nWe write to request that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) review and, if appropriate, initiate an investigation into the activities of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and the organization’s affiliates, which receive federal funding connected to programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).\n\nConcerns have long been raised regarding the organization’s compliance with applicable federal laws, regulations, and program requirements governing the receipt and use of federal funds. In particular, these concerns relate to whether Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., and the organization’s affiliates have adhered to applicable requirements governing program integrity, financial accountability, and the proper use of funds provided through HHS-administered programs.\n\nJust this year, the Small Business Administration opened an investigation into whether Planned Parenthood affiliates illegally received $88 million in loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is in addition to numerous other reports of fraud, making false statements, violating federal criminal laws, and knowingly failing to disclose violations of criminal law. For example, state laws require medical professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services require facilities and practitioners to comply with mandatory state reporting laws, but there are reports that Planned Parenthood fails to comply.\n\nGiven the significant taxpayer resources that flow through federal health and human services programs, it is critical that recipient organizations operate with transparency, integrity, and full compliance with federal standards. Accordingly, we respectfully request that the OIG:\n\nReview the federal funding streams received by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., and the organization’s affiliates through HHS programs, grants, contracts, or subawards.\n\nAssess whether Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., and the organization’s affiliates have complied with applicable statutory, regulatory, and grant conditions associated with those funds.\n\nDetermine whether any evidence exists of fraud, waste, abuse, misrepresentation, or other violations affecting federal health programs.\n\nEvaluate whether enforcement actions, including administrative remedies, suspension, exclusion from federal health care programs, or referral to the appropriate authorities, may be warranted if misconduct is identified.\n\nWe also ask that the OIG coordinate with relevant oversight bodies within the Department, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and also with the Office of Management and Budget to ensure a comprehensive review of the organization’s activities.\n\nThank you for your continued commitment to protecting the integrity of federal health programs and safeguarding taxpayer dollars.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/10/02/bennet-ansari-padilla-hickenlooper-schiff-lujan-introduce-legislation-to-protect-public-lands-and-taxpayers-from-orphaned-oil-and-gas-wells/", "title": "Bennet, Ansari, Padilla, Hickenlooper, Schiff, Luján Introduce Legislation to Protect Public Lands and Taxpayers from Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "domain": "www.bennet.senate.gov", "scraper": "bennet", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001267", "name": "Michael F. Bennet", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) led U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) to introduce the Stop Orphaned Wells Act, legislation that would prevent oil and gas companies from abandoning oil wells on public lands, a practice that shifts well cleanup costs from oil and gas companies to the American taxpayer.\n\n“For too long, taxpayers have footed the bill to clean up abandoned wells after companies walk away from their responsibilities,” said Bennet. “As the Trump administration moves to weaken the safeguards that hold companies accountable, Congress must protect taxpayers and the public lands that power Colorado’s outdoor economy, while making sure oil and gas companies pay the cost of cleanup, rather than Colorado’s future generations.”\n\n“Trump asked oil and gas executives to bankroll his campaign with a $1 billion contribution in exchange for a big payback. Meanwhile, Americans are left footing the bill for the damage they leave behind,” said Ansari. “Orphaned wells threaten our water, wildlife, and air. I’m proud to lead the effort alongside Senator Bennet to make the oil and gas industry clean up its own mess. Our bill would ensure oil and gas companies pay to clean up the wells they abandon.”\n\n“Across California, there are over 5,000 orphaned oil wells that pose a threat to the health and safety of our communities and the environment,” said Padilla. “When wells are left abandoned, drinking water is polluted, greenhouse gases are emitted, and the climate crisis is accelerated. This bill will help ensure orphaned oil and gas wells are plugged so Californians and communities across the country are protected from toxic emissions and contaminated air and water.”\n\n“Abandoned wells put Colorado communities in danger,” said Hickenlooper. “As Governor, we capped as many of these wells as we could, and that work continues here in the Senate, where we’re protecting taxpayers from getting stuck with the bill. Capping wells creates jobs and lowers pollution. It’s a win-win.”\n\n“Oil companies can’t just walk away from abandoned oil and gas wells and leave taxpayers to bear the cleanup costs,” said Schiff. “I’m joining Senator Bennet and other colleagues to make sure that Big Oil is responsible for cleaning up their messes. Americans should not have to deal with the consequences of an oil company’s negligence.”\n\n“In New Mexico and across the country, abandoned wells pose serious environmental harm and threaten the health of our communities,” said Luján. “We must ensure that oil and gas companies are held accountable and that taxpayers are not on the hook for the cost of cleanup. I’ve long fought to address abandoned wells, including championing the REGROW Act that was passed into law, and continue to work to ensure we identify and plug the thousands of abandoned wells nationwide. That’s why I’m cosponsoring this legislation to prevent companies from abandoning their wells and help reduce the number of abandoned wells in New Mexico and across the country.”\n\n“When an oil and gas company goes bankrupt, New Mexicans shouldn’t be the ones left to pick up the tab for cleanup costs,” said Heinrich. “Right now, the Trump administration is making it easier for these companies to walk away without enough money set aside to clean up their wells. The Stop Orphaned Wells Act ensures that companies set aside money to meet their cleanup responsibilities, so taxpayers aren’t left paying the bill.”\n\nUntil 2024 when the Biden administration added agency rules, oil and gas fiscal assurance requirements were minimal, leading companies to abandon wells instead of remediating the land after drilling. The Trump administration is now rolling back these essential protections for public lands and American taxpayers. Nationwide, there are currently over 140,000 documented orphaned wells, including more than 15,000 on federal lands, and hundreds of thousands more that may be orphaned. Additionally, the number of documented orphaned wells in the United States has more than doubled since 2020. These sites are not only a significant liability for taxpayers and a growing threat to water resources, air quality, wildlife habitat, and private lands, but also jeopardize public health, ecosystems, grazing lands, outdoor recreation sites, and cultural resources that are at high risk from contamination.\n\nIn Colorado alone, there are nearly 1,400 orphaned wells, with almost a third of these wells on federal or Tribal lands. Estimates from Colorado’s Energy & Carbon Management Commission predict that it could cost over $36 million to clean up all of the existing orphaned wells on federal and Tribal lands in Colorado. Moreover, there are currently 245 idled federal wells in Colorado that have the potential to eventually become orphaned, which could cost taxpayers approximately $23 million to remediate. Due to new leasing policies enacted by Congress in 2025, executive orders to increase federal oil and gas drilling, and the financial assurance rollback, industry is likely to drill as many as 3.8 million wells on national public lands in the coming years, and to then pass as much as $753 billion in potential financial liabilities back onto local communities and taxpayers.\n\nThe Stop Orphaned Wells Act builds on Bennet’s Oil and Gas Bonding Reform and Orphaned Well Remediation Act and recent state-level reforms in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah to fix this broken system and close long-standing industry loopholes around orphaned wells. This legislation would ensure operators, not taxpayers, pay for cleanups and aligns directly with the interests of Western voters, nearly 9 in 10 of whom believe oil and gas companies should cover reclamation costs once drilling ends.\n\n“In La Plata County, orphaned wells are a nuisance for property owners and a danger for people and animals alike. This bill builds on Colorado’s innovative work to ensure that federal regulation protects our communities, livestock, and wildlife – and prevents this public health issue from happening in the first place,” said Marsha Porter-Norton, La Plata County Commissioner.\n\n“The Board of County Commissioners strongly supports Senator Bennet’s Stop Orphaned Wells Act. When a well is abandoned, local communities must shoulder the risks to their health, environment, and taxpayer dollars. This legislation provides the accountability needed to ensure oil and gas companies, not our community, pay to restore the lands they use,” said Jody Shadduck-McNally, Larimer County Commissioner and Chair of the Board of County Commissioners.\n\n“Adams County is glad to see Senator Bennet leading the charge on this significant bipartisan issue, as it is of critical importance to our communities. Our county has the second highest number of orphaned wells in the state; taking action to preserve the health and safety of both our residents and our environment is a top priority for our Board. We look forward to working with the Senator in honing this legislation to be as helpful and effective as possible,” said Commissioner Julie Duran Mullica, Chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners.\n\n“Like countless places across the country, San Miguel County has been forced to clean up after reckless operators. Orphaned wells are not only an unfair burden on our taxpayers but also a dangerous polluter of our beloved natural resources and public lands. Senator Bennet’s bill takes long-overdue actions to strengthen regulations and hold irresponsible companies accountable,” said Galena Gleason, San Miguel County Commissioner.\n\n“The Stop Orphaned Wells Act is urgently needed in Western Colorado, where orphaned, non-producing wells irresponsibly emit harmful methane gas and harm our health, air and water quality, and critical wildlife habitat. This Act will finally make producers responsible for properly closing, remediating, and reclaiming lands after they stop producing oil and gas,” said Lynn Padgett, Ouray County Commissioner.\n\n“The practice of stripping the land of its resources and allowing bad actors to walk away from drill sites must stop. Our hardworking families should not pay for one dollar to restore the land due to irresponsible bad actors in the industry,” said Lynn Baca, Commissioner of Adams County.\n\n“As a grass roots organization that has been working on improving Oil and Gas regulations for 40 years, we support the proposed legislation that will hold the extraction industry to the same standards as other businesses – clean up your own mess. Our community has been on the front line of oil and gas extraction for decades, many of us with wells in our backyards and ranches. We have experienced first-hand the impacts to our health and water sources when the industry is not held to reasonable bonding or basic plugging and remediation standards. Senator Bennet’s proposed legislation will help protect communities and make long-overdue reforms to stop the orphan well crisis from growing,” said Ryan Huggins, Executive Director, San Juan Citizens Alliance.\n\n“Communities shouldn’t have to clean up a mess left by oil and gas companies on public lands. Senator Bennet’s bill would not only work to clean up the nation’s toxic orphan well crisis but also ensure that oil and gas companies, not taxpayers, are responsible for future clean-ups. Thank you, Senator Bennet, for prioritizing cleaner, safer public lands that communities across the nation, as well as future generations, will enjoy and inherit,” said Jim Ramey, Colorado State Director at The Wilderness Society.\n\n“There are hundreds of orphaned wells across western Colorado, left by a legacy of oil and gas extraction and boom and bust economic cycles. The taxpayers of Colorado should not be left with the clean up costs for industry that made a quick profit off of public resources. Like any responsible business, the oil and gas industry should be held responsible for the cost of doing business on our public lands. We thank Sen. Bennet for his continued leadership on this issue and ensuring the responsible management of public lands and taxpayer dollars,” said Barbara Vasques, Board member of Western Colorado Alliance\n\n“Wilderness Workshop commends Senator Bennet for introducing legislation that targets the staggering number of abandoned wells impacting Colorado’s public lands and communities. These common-sense measures will make sure that those who profit from oil and gas extraction can no longer walk away from the responsibility to clean up and reclaim their production sites. By shutting down inactive wells, blocking non-compliant lease transfers, and forcing operators to provide honest financial assurances upfront, this bill finally closes loopholes that have been abused for decades. These measures will protect Colorado’s public lands, secure vital funding, and safeguard our water and wildlife,” said Will Roush, Executive Director, Wilderness Workshop.\n\n“Taxpayers should not be forced to pick up the tab when oil and gas companies walk away from their cleanup responsibilities. We appreciate Senator Bennet’s leadership on legislation to hold operators financially accountable for cleaning up the wells they leave behind. By closing loopholes and updating bonding requirements, the Stop Orphaned Wells Act would take commonsense steps to protect American taxpayers,” said Autumn Hanna, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense.\n\n“With more than 20 documented orphaned wells in Routt and Moffat Counties and nearly 1,000 across Colorado, these wells pose clear threats to public safety, wildlife, livestock, groundwater, and air quality. Restoring orphaned wells and modernizing federal oil and gas leasing requirements are critical to protecting our communities. The persistent lack of funding to properly plug and reclaim these wells has created unacceptable risks to public health, the environment, and local economies. Senator Bennet’s legislation would bring much-needed accountability and transparency to federal oil and gas development on public lands. Taxpayers should not be left to clean up an operator’s mess, nor should local governments be excluded from decisions affecting the public lands their communities rely on for economic opportunity and recreation,” said Michelle Stewart, Western Resilience Center’s Executive Director.\n\n“All public lands users have a responsibility to leave the land better than they found it, including oil and gas developers. Sufficient bonding is an insurance policy for the public to know that regardless of the financial status of an operator, our public lands and resources will be reclaimed after oil and gas procurement, even if the well is orphaned. We thank Senator Bennet for his leadership introducing the Stop Orphan Wells Act and working to help modernize the financial assurance system for oil and gas development on public lands,” said Kaden McArthur, Trout Unlimited’s Congressional Affairs Director.\n\n“For too long the oil and gas industry has abandoned low-producing or inactive wells to leak methane and health-harming chemicals into our air and water. As these companies leave the wells orphaned, they also shirk their responsibilities, leaving the cost and consequences of dealing with the leaking wells to the taxpayers. We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Bennet to ensure that the polluters profiting on fossil fuel extraction are cleaning up their mess,” said Mahyar Sorour, Sierra Club Beyond Fossil Fuels Policy Director.\n\n“Coloradans deserve economic policies that serve the public. Yet for too long, the federal oil and gas leasing program has prioritized industry interests, allowing a trillion-dollar industry to profit from publicly owned resources while passing cleanup costs on to taxpayers. Senator Bennet’s bill addresses this growing problem by updating bonding requirements to reflect the full cost of reclaiming wells and protecting Coloradans from having to pay to clean up after oil and gas companies. It’s a common-sense step toward managing our public lands in a fiscally responsible way,” said Chris Stiffler, Senior Economist of Colorado Fiscal Institute.\n\n“Oil and gas operators – not taxpayers – should pay to clean up the messes they leave behind after maximizing profits. This legislation would help end the practice of forcing Americans to foot the bill for abandoned wells that threaten public health and safety. We will continue to work with Sen. Bennet to raise the bar for corporate accountability,” said Laura Esquivel, Senior Legislative Representative, Earthjustice Action.\n\n“Companies that drill on public lands have a legal duty to clean up after themselves when they’re done. The Stop Orphaned Wells Act would strengthen bonding and cleanup requirements and prevent companies from using the sale of aging wells to avoid their cleanup obligations. Taxpayers shouldn’t be left paying for someone else’s mess, and our public lands and waters shouldn’t be left bearing the damage,” said Josh Axelrod, Senior Program Advocate at NRDC.\n\nHealthy public lands support thriving populations of wildlife, clean water, and clean air. These lands are the inheritance of all Americans. Irresponsible developers leave behind equipment that pollutes the air and water. Delayed cleanup impacts the health of animals, humans, and the land. Senator Bennet’s bill is an important step to restore our lands and ensure their benefits for future generations,” said Alison Gallensky, Conservation Geographer, Rocky Mountain Wild.\n\n“Our public lands are an irreplaceable asset; a resource that demands careful, responsible management. Yet for too long, we’ve allowed bad actors in the oil and gas industry to drill on these lands and walk away, leaving behind thousands of orphaned wells that threaten our air and water. This outdated system lets companies off the hook for their pollution and cleanup costs while the public bears the risk. Senator Bennet is working to fix this crisis by making common-sense updates to the requirements for operating on our public lands, ensuring these places stay safe for people and wildlife. It’s time we finally bring this system into the 21st century by passing Senator Bennet’s bills,” said Russell Kuhlman, Executive Director of Nevada Wildlife Federation.\n\n“Across the West, public lands are central to our way of life. They provide vital wildlife habitat and the places where we hunt, fish, and spend time outdoors. But these treasured landscapes are being put at risk by policies riddled with loopholes and handouts that allow irresponsible oil and gas companies to abandon their wells and offload cleanup costs onto taxpayers. Oil and gas production has its place — but we have a responsibility to do it right. Senator Bennet’s bill will begin to fix this broken system by holding companies accountable and ensuring our public lands can serve multiple uses for generations to come,” said Jesse Deubel, Executive Director, New Mexico Wildlife Federation.\n\n“Communities across the West are utilizing access to healthy public lands to attract both visitors and business investment. Yet sadly abandoned oil and gas wells that have not been properly plugged or remediated are a growing threat to other public land uses. Senator Bennet’s bill will update regulations to update bonding rates— ensuring that funds are in place to properly clean up wells at the end of their productive lives. Without Senator Bennet’s bill the cost of clean up is passed on to taxpayers. This bill will help regions who depend on oil and gas get the most from their public lands and help create resilient economies for future generations,” said Ashley Korenblat, Managing Director, Public Land Solutions.\n\n“Montana has a deep and complex history of extractive industries privatizing profits and sociahe losses. They get rich while Montanans are stuck to clean up and pay for the messes. Enough is enough. If oil and gas developers are going to benefit from our shared, public resources – especially the public lands that hunters and anglers rely on – then they need to cover the full costs of doing business here. It’s as simple as that, and we thank Senator Bennet for bringing forward a common-sense and fair solution,” said Frank Szollosi, Executive Director of Montana Wildlife Federation.\n\nBennet has consistently worked to deliver funding to clean up abandoned orphaned wells to keep communities safe and to strengthen bonding requirements to hold companies accountable for future cleanup. The Stop Orphaned Wells Act builds on Bennet’s previous legislation introduced in July, 2021, the Oil and Gas Bonding Reform and Orphaned Well Remediation Act, which would restore the public’s vital role in shaping oil and gas leasing decisions on public lands. In August 2026, Bennet and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) led their Democratic colleagues to oppose the recent rescission of two key Bureau of Land Management oil and gas rules on leasing and waste prevention. In November 2025, Bennet joined Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Hickenlooper, and Luján to urge U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Bureau of Land Management Acting Director Bill Groffy to maintain the federal oil and gas bonding requirements in the 2024 Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Rule to hold developers accountable for the costs of site cleanup on federal lands. In July 2023, Bennet issued a statement after the U.S. Department of Interior released a proposed rule that includes oil and gas bonding reform for wells drilled on public lands. In July 2023 and December 2022, Bennet sent letters to the Biden administration urging them to finish the work envisioned in his bill by reforming our antiquated oil and gas bonding system. In August 2022, Bennet and Hickenlooper welcomed $25 million in grant funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to create jobs cleaning up orphaned oil and gas wells across Colorado.\n\nThis legislation is supported by 20 organizations, including Earthjustice Action, Colorado Fiscal Institute, Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, Conservation Colorado, Montana Wildlife Federation, National Parks Conservation Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, Nevada Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Public Land Solutions, Rocky Mountain Wild, San Juan Citizen’s Alliance, Sierra Club, Taxpayers for Common Sense, Trout Unlimited, Western Colorado Alliance, Western Organization of Resource Councils, Western Resilience Center, Wild Montana, Wilderness Workshop, and The Wilderness Society. In addition, this legislation was endorsed by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\n\nThe text of the bill is available HERE. A summary of the bill is available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-himes-urge-federal-agency-to-investigate-incidents-at-oxford-compressor-station", "title": "Blumenthal & Himes Urge Federal Agency to Investigate Incidents at Oxford Compressor Station", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Representative Jim Himes (CT-04) today wrote to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) urging a thorough investigation of the cause of two equipment failures at the Oxford Compression Station.\n\nIn July, two equipment failures at the station resulted in the largest release of natural gas in Connecticut in over a decade. Residents were awakened by sounds resembling a jet engine and were given no explanation or information about the malfunction at the compressor station.\n\n“While it is now clear that the sound was caused by the rapid release of natural gas moving from high to low pressure, residents initially received no explanation. They were never formally notified that these noises were due to the malfunction at the compressor station,” Blumenthal and Himes wrote.\n\nAccording to incident data from PHMSA, the compressor station released more than 35 million cubic feet of natural gas in less than an hour—an amount equal to what 450 Connecticut homes use in an entire year, and among the top 10 percent of nationwide releases reported in the last decade.\n\nIn their letter, Blumenthal and Himes ask PHMSA to conduct a fully transparent review of the malfunctions and take action to prevent similar incidents in the future.\n\n“Given the breakdowns at the station and their impact on the community, we urge PHMSA to thoroughly investigate the causes of these malfunctions and implement measures to prevent future incidents. We also urge PHMSA to provide full transparency in its review of this situation and keep local residents abreast of the findings,” the lawmakers wrote.\n\nA full copy of Blumenthal and Himes’ letter is copied below and available here.\n\nOctober 2, 2026\n\nThe Honorable Paul J. Roberti\n\nAdministrator\n\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n\nDepartment of Transportation\n\n1200 New Jersey Avenue SE\n\nWashington, D.C. 20590\n\nDear Administrator Roberti,\n\nI write with concern regarding a recent incident at the Oxford Compressor Station in Oxford, Connecticut. On July 12, 2026, two equipment failures at the station resulted in the largest release of natural gas in Connecticut in over a decade, startling and awakening local residents with loud, frightening noises.[1] I urge the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to conduct a fully transparent review of the station malfunction and to take meaningful steps to prevent a similar incident in the future.\n\nShortly after midnight on July 12, Oxford residents reported hearing sounds resembling a jet engine near their homes.[2] According to reports, the noise lasted for approximately 45 minutes.[3] While it is now clear that the sound was caused by the rapid release of natural gas moving from high to low pressure, residents initially received no explanation. They were never formally notified that these noises were due to the malfunction at the compressor station.[4]\n\nMoreover, residents were not told about the volume of natural gas released into their environment or whether specific health protocols were needed. According to incident data from PHMSA, the compressor station released more than 35 million cubic feet of natural gas in less than an hour—an amount equal to what 450 Connecticut homes use in an entire year, and among the top 10 percent of nationwide releases reported in the last decade.[5]\n\nIn addition to concerns about notification and transparency, I am troubled by the fact that the plant experienced two separate equipment failures. Both equipment failures involved the station’s emergency shutdown system, which is intended to respond to abnormalities and leaks.[6] According to reports, the first failure was due to a malfunction of the newly installed emergency pull switch and the second failure was a valve not closing completely.[7] These two malfunctions compounded the issue at the plant, leading to the release of gas and loud sounds. PHMSA is responsible for ensuring the safety of natural gas pipelines and related infrastructure, and these malfunctions warrant scrutiny.\n\nGiven the breakdowns at the station and their impact on the community, I urge PHMSA to thoroughly investigate the causes of these malfunctions and implement measures to prevent future incidents. I also urge PHMSA to provide full transparency in its review of this situation and keep local residents abreast of the findings.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senator-blumenthal-week-in-review-9/25/2026-10/2/2026", "title": "Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 9/25/2026-10/2/2026", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Slamming Lutnick-Linked Crypto Firm Propping Up Iran’s Shadow Banking System\n\n[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), released a new report detailing how Tether and its dollar-pegged stablecoin (USDT) have become a significant financial lifeline within Iran’s shadow banking network.\n\nAs part of its ongoing inquiry into the role of cryptocurrencies in illicit finance, PSI Democratic investigators conducted a forensic analysis of blockchain transaction data from 846 unique cryptocurrency wallets that have been sanctioned or targeted for seizure due to their association with Iran and its regional proxies. This analysis shows that Tether has, in effect, provided Iran access to a high-liquidity international payment system that the United States has assiduously sought to deny it.\n\n“My new PSI report exposes how Tether and its flagship token have become central to Iran’s shadow banking system, allowing the Iranian government to fund its regional proxies, commit human rights abuses, and pursue hostile drone and missile programs as they defy our sanctions regime,” Blumenthal said. “The Trump Administration’s glaring lack of oversight of cryptocurrency issuers has undermined our own national security interests. That is why I am calling on the Department of Treasury and Justice to immediately investigate Tether and hold it accountable for these potential sanctions violations.”\n\nA summary of PSI’s key findings is below:\n\nTether has become a primary illicit international payment system for Iran, allowing it to circumvent international sanctions on its banks: Of the 846 wallets sanctioned for their association with Iran and its terrorist proxies, 84% have transacted exclusively, or nearly exclusively, in USDT. These activities include efforts by the Iranian government to move funds into, and out of, Iran and to prop up the country’s currency in the face of U.S. sanctions, including through the Central Bank of Iran.\n\nTether serves as a central payment mechanism that interlinks Iran and its terrorist proxy organizations, undermining U.S. security interests in the region: Iran’s cryptocurrency-based shadow banking network has reached significant volumes of funds and implicate different Iranian interests. In addition to supporting terrorist organizations, there is evidence that this shadow banking network is used for the procurement and sales of drones and other military equipment.\n\nTether’s failure to freeze illicit wallets and prevent abuse created the permissive environment under which Iranian shadowing banking could flourish: Prior to 2024, Tether did not comprehensively and consistently freeze wallets designated by counter-terrorism agencies and continues to fail to proactively block clearly illicit wallets. This absence of deterrence invited abuse: terrorist organizations such as Hamas shifted from transacting in Bitcoin and a mix of cryptocurrencies, to promoting USDT.\n\nIn letters sent to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Attorney General Todd Blanche, Blumenthal referred PSI’s findings to the Departments and called for thorough investigations into Tether’s anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance practices.\n\nIn a letter to Bessent, Blumenthal raised concerns about the Trump Administration’s lax oversight of cryptocurrency firms despite longstanding research and reporting on Tether’s broader role in illicit finance, “Yet, since President Trump’s return to the White House, investigations and enforcement actions into the cryptocurrency industry have been dropped, settled on meager terms, or even reversed. I fear this lenient self-dealing includes Tether, despite its role in propping up a country that the United States is currently at war with.”\n\nBlumenthal continued, “While Tether has become a powerful tool for foreign adversaries, terrorists, and illicit actors that are a danger to our national security, it has numerous close ties to the highest levels of the Trump Administration. Most prominently, Cantor Fitzgerald—which until recently was run by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and is now controlled by his children—owns 5% of Tether and holds a substantial portion of the company’s more than $100 billion of assets in the United States.”\n\n“The prospect of such a financial weapon being used against American interests is deeply troubling. I therefore request that Treasury review the Subcommittee’s report, which is enclosed with this letter, and conduct a thorough investigation of Tether’s anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance practices. If your investigation finds Tether has violated the Bank Secrecy Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or any other relevant provision of federal law, I encourage you to take the strongest appropriate action,” Blumenthal concluded.\n\nThe full text of PSI’s report is available here. Copies of Blumenthal’s letters to Bessent and Blanche are available here and here.\n\nBlumenthal further slammed Tether for propping up Iran’s shadow banking system on Twitter/X.\n\n“Tether seemingly has no shame—profiting from insidious use of its stablecoin for money laundering by Iran, drug traffickers & other illicit enterprises. Time to crackdown. DOJ & Trump officials can no longer look away from the overt, outrageous lawbreaking documented in my PSI report. Our national security is at stake,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.\n\nBlumenthal joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to highlight his PSI report and to call for action to crack down on Tether’s shady dealings.\n\n“Tether is a preferred payment system for terrorist organizations—operating as a superhighway for the Iranian government to evade sanctions, carry out hostile drone & missile campaigns, & commit human rights abuses. I joined Squawk Box CNBC to discuss my new report,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.\n\nThe full interview can be found here.\n\nCondemning Trump’s Incitement of Violent January 6 Attack that Rightfully Led to Jack Smith’s Lawful Investigation\n\nDuring a hearing with former Special Counsel Jack Smith, Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, underscored the seriousness of the events that predicated Smith’s investigations into President Donald Trump, including the violent attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. During his exchange with Smith, Blumenthal also ran through the lawful investigative steps that Smith and his team took in order to pursue the case, including seeking an indictment from a grand jury composed of everyday Americans.\n\n“I want to remind folks why we're here today. And I think a picture is worth a thousand words. We're here today because Donald Trump incited a mob to attack us—the Capitol, Members of Congress, to stop the counting of votes. He objected to the result of an election, and he tried to stop the peaceful transition of power by inciting rioters to attack the Capitol, including everybody here today,” Blumenthal said.\n\n“And we came to this very room on that day seeking safety, finding refuge. We were kept here for hours, and then we were given the choice to secretly go home, to leave here, as armed guards sought to protect us in this room, and I remember sitting over in that corner, trying to recharge my phone, so I could call my wife to tell her I was OK. That's what Donald Trump did on that day.”\n\nBlumenthal’s exchange with Mr. Smith is available here.\n\nBlumenthal further highlighted Jack Smith’s testimony describing the lawful investigative steps Smith and his team took on Twitter/X.\n\n“Trump incited violence on Jan 6 to prevent the transition of power—rightfully leading to Jack Smith's prosecution. Trump's blatant attack on democracy shows we must be vigilant against his assaults,” wrote Blumenthal with an accompanying video on Twitter/X.\n\nBlumenthal joined CNN’s Jake Tapper to further discuss Smith’s testimony.\n\n“Jack Smith's testimony yesterday highlighted the facts that led him to indict Trump—the President incited riots on Jan 6 & exploited that mob action in an effort to prevent the transition of power. I joined The Lead CNN to discuss,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.\n\nThe full interview can be found here.\n\nDemanding Answers from Trump Administration on AI Oversight\n\nBlumenthal, PSI Ranking Member, and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, demanded answers from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about the Administration’s delayed, secretive, and voluntary process to test and monitor advanced artificial intelligence models. In a letter sent to Bessent, the Senators raised concerns that the Administration’s hands-off approach to A.I. oversight leaves the public, our financial system, and our national security vulnerable to the grave dangers of increasingly sophisticated, out-of-control A.I. models.\n\nPointing to recent revelations about the scale of the Hugging Face breach by rogue OpenAI agents and OpenAI’s subsequent steps to limit an independent into the breach, the Senators wrote, “This rapid acceleration in the severity—indeed potential illegality—of A.I. safety failures demands rigorous, independent oversight, testing, and investigations from the federal government… Voluntary measures and self-policing clearly are not working: despite these sensational reports, Anthropic and OpenAI have both acknowledged that they have no plan to solve the grave dangers of increasingly sophisticated A.I. models.”\n\nThe Senators continued, “Rather than confront the compounding risks of out-of-control and unregulated A.I., the White House has sought to shield major A.I. companies from public scrutiny, leaving Americans in the dark. In June 2026, the President signed an executive order requiring the creation of a classified ‘benchmarking’ process and ‘AI cybersecurity clearinghouse’ to test the capabilities of frontier A.I. models, a program in part led by the Department of the Treasury. However, despite reporting that some members of the Administration sought to make participation and disclosures mandatory, instead—reportedly after interventions from Mark Zuckerberg and his allies—the program was made expressly voluntary.”\n\nThe Senators continued, “Finally, although the executive order prioritizes law enforcement action against anyone using A.I. to illegally access or damage other computers, no federal investigation into OpenAI, Anthropic, or Meta has been announced. The Treasury Department has not publicly disclosed any information about the incidents or what action it has taken to ensure remediation of A.I. security vulnerabilities. From all appearances, the benchmarking process and oversight regime outlined by the White House appears to be non-existent or asleep-at-the-wheel exactly when it’s needed most.”\n\n“The American public cannot afford to wait for catastrophic failure before the White House wakes up, nor can it continue to alone trust the A.I. companies to monitor and control their increasingly sophisticated and dangerous models,” the Senators concluded.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here.\n\nBlumenthal also slammed President Trump’s “morally blinding” AI agreement he signed with tech leaders.\n\n“Trump’s “morally binding” safety pledge with AI CEOs is a bad deal—a distraction from a President who thinks it’s all a hoax. OpenAI, Meta & Anthropic must be held legally accountable for their rogue, dangerous AI agents, including through my AI Risk Evaluation Act,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.\n\nOn the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee\n\nAt a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing to consider pending nominations, Ranking Member Blumenthal underscored the five nominees’ jarring lack of qualifications for the roles they have been nominated for at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\n\n“I'm just going to be very blunt. I'm gravely concerned that none of these nominees have any experience with veterans' benefits law, whatsoever, not as judges, not as lawyers, not as advocates for veterans,” Blumenthal said in his opening.\n\nBlumenthal raised scrutiny over the nominees to be judges at the Court of Appeals for Veterans’ Claims (CAVC). He first highlighted a watchdog report on nominee Robert Fleck, which revealed Fleck engaged in nepotism and lied about sharing sensitive information when he worked at VA’s Office of General Counsel: “Mr. Fleck, you were found by VA’s Office of Inspector General to have engaged in nepotism when - as a manager in the Office of General Counsel – you advocated for the employment of your wife in that same office. You will have to explain to the Committee why the report done by the Office of Inspector General is not disqualifying, and I appreciate the Chairman's staff subsequently sharing the documents and information with us, which should prompt all of us to have very strong concerns, and I intend to make further inquiries about this issue. We have a constitutional duty of oversight.”\n\nAhead of the hearing, VA intentionally redacted and withheld documentation requested by Democratic Committee staff related to the investigation into Mr. Fleck, while providing the Committee Republicans with additional, unredacted documents.\n\nBlumenthal called into question another CAVC nominee, Daniel Rendleman, and his qualifications for the role in light of his radical anti-abortion views: “Mr. Rendleman, if confirmed, you would have the power to decide whether a veteran’s claim for reproductive health care coverage or reimbursement is denied. The radical anti-abortion views you espouse call into question your ability to make impartial judgments on abortion-related claims.”\n\nThe full video of Blumenthal’s opening is available here.\n\nBlumenthal Bulletin\n\nBlumenthal posted a Substack article about the Congressional passage of his Russian Sanctions legislation.\n\nBlumenthal called for unanimous consent to pass his Kids Online Safety Act—but it was blocked by U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY).\n\nBlumenthal voted against legislation that fails to protect college athletes.\n\nBlumenthal led the introduction of bicameral legislation to depoliticize military promotions.\n\nBlumenthal urged a federal agency to investigate incidents at Oxford Compressor Station.\n\nBlumenthal questioned President Trump on his invitation of Vladimir Putin to G20 on American soil.\n\nBlumenthal questioned Trump’s judicial nominees on who won the 2020 presidential election.\n\nBlumenthal marked the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month with members of Interval House.\n\nBlumenthal celebrated heroes at the American Legion Post 3 Veterans Gala.\n\nBlumenthal joined the Stamford Branch NAACP Dinner.\n\nBlumenthal celebrated 50 years of service with Southwest Community Health Center.\n\nBlumenthal attended the Durham Fair.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/-booker-crapo-recognize-september-as-national-prostate-cancer-awareness-month", "title": "Booker, Crapo Recognize September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.booker.senate.gov", "scraper": "booker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001288", "name": "Cory A. Booker", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – To commemorate the end of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) and led the introduction of a bipartisan Senate Resolution to recognize September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The resolution also encourages all Americans to take part in efforts to increase early detection, improve treatment and discover more breakthroughs for the disease, which has a 99 percent survival rate if caught in the earliest stage.\n\n\"Prostate cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when it's caught early, yet too many men aren't getting screened in time, and the toll falls especially hard on Black men, who are more likely to be diagnosed with and die from the disease,\" said Senator Booker. \"Early detection saves lives. I urge every man to talk with his doctor about screening, and I'm grateful to Senator Crapo for partnering with me on this resolution to raise awareness and advance the research that will lead to better outcomes.\"\n\n“Routine health screenings contribute to early prostate cancer detection,” said Senator Crapo. “Treatment is most effective when caught early. I encourage all men to discuss screening options with their health care provider and educate themselves further about early detection.”\n\n\"Prostate Cancer Awareness Month serves as a vital call to action, urging men to know their risk, seek early detection, and explore the treatment options that can save their lives,\" said Courtney Bugler, President and CEO of ZERO ProstateCancer. \"We are incredibly grateful to Senator Crapo and Senator Booker for their unwavering dedication to this cause. Their leadership continues to drive meaningful progress in awareness, research, and support for the men and families navigating this disease. As we mark another Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we are proud to stand with them and our champions in Congress, not just this month, but every day, as we press forward in our mission to ensure no man faces prostate cancer alone.\"\n\nAdditional co-sponsors of the resolution include U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).\n\nProstate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States. One in eight men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes, and one in 44 men in the United States will die from the disease.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-salinas-lead-eight-lawmakers-urging-rv-industry-to-eliminate-deforestationlinked-timber-from-supply-chains", "title": "Booker, Salinas Lead Eight Lawmakers Urging RV Industry to Eliminate Deforestation-Linked Timber from Supply Chains", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.booker.senate.gov", "scraper": "booker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001288", "name": "Cory A. Booker", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-6) are calling on the nation’s leading recreational vehicle manufacturers to adopt more sustainable sourcing practices and remove hardwood linked to global deforestation from their supply chains. In a new letter, the lawmakers urge companies to transition toward responsibly sourced domestic hardwoods or composite alternatives.\n\n“Families buy RV’s to get closer to nature, and they should never have to wonder whether their vehicle was built with wood from a destroyed rainforest,” wrote the lawmakers. “The RV industry has the influence and the practical alternatives to clean up its supply chain, and we are calling on these companies to do it.”\n\nThe letter follows a recent New York Times investigation that revealed Indonesian rainforest timber harvested from environmentally sensitive areas has been used in American RVs. According to the report, this logging has accelerated the destruction of rainforests and peatlands, displaced Indigenous communities, fueled labor abuses, and threatened endangered species such as orangutans.\n\nThe lawmakers emphasized that the RV industry — a major player in outdoor recreation — has both the responsibility and the capacity to lead on sustainable sourcing.\n\nIn addition to Senator Booker and Congresswoman Salinas, the letter was signed by U.S Representatives Val Hoyle (OR-04), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), as well as Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/news/press-releases/u-s-senator-katie-britt-joins-transportation-secretary-duffy-governor-kay-ivey-senator-tommy-tuberville-at-mobile-bridge-and-bayway-groundbreaking/", "title": "U.S. Senator Katie Britt joins Transportation Secretary Duffy, Governor Kay Ivey, Senator Tommy Tuberville at Mobile Bridge and Bayway Groundbreaking", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.britt.senate.gov", "scraper": "britt", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001319", "name": "Katie Boyd Britt", "party": "Republican", "state": "AL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today joined Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Governor Kay Ivey, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), members of the Alabama House delegation, and other state leaders in celebrating the groundbreaking of the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project. Totaling $3.2 billion in construction costs, the project is one of the largest investments in Alabama’s history and will transform travel along the Gulf Coast.\n\nSenator Britt delivered the following remarks:\n\n“Good morning, everyone. It is wonderful to be gathered here with everyone today. You have seen who all is here. There are so many people who have helped make this happen. This event is a testament to what can happen when local, state and federal leaders work together as a team. But this journey was not easy. As you’ve heard, it started quite some time ago. Back even before 1997, when people knew there was a need for this, tirelessly, people in this community have worked to elevate this to the highest level. Every person played an important role in this, but I will say this would not have happened without President Trump. If you look at where we are today, and that conversation that Coach Tuberville did such a great job of remembering, Coach, I that’s how I heard it go down too. You and I sitting there saying, we need it, this one right here … [President Trump] knew our tactics, too. He called us out. He said, Katie, you’re going to call him, and then he’s going to call me and Coach, you’re going to play golf with him, and then he’s going to call me.\n\n“Secretary Duffy, without your willingness to listen and try to figure out what is a pathway forward—that’s what a servant leader is, is not someone who just immediately says no, but says, ‘let me hear what you need and let me see, is there a pathway forward?’. Without you, without Susie Wiles, and without President Trump, we wouldn’t be standing here today. So, thank you so much, Secretary Duffy. You not only recognize the importance of the project, but you help us cut through the red tape. That’s what we have to do more and more.\n\n“And today’s groundbreaking is yet another opportunity for us to remember the critical work of Governor Ivey. Governor Ivey, throughout your tenure, you have secured record-breaking investments in Alabama. This is a game changer. You laid the foundation at the very beginning of your term as governor, and today we are seeing the fruits of that labor. Generations of Alabamians are going to have different things possible as a result of your service. And we all stand here today to say thank you for helping make this happen. Your decades of leadership have no doubt propelled Alabama into the future. And obviously, we have to thank all of the local leaders here, from the NPOs to the mayors. But chief among them is Mayor Stimpson. Let me tell you something. I remember sitting there with him when I wanted to talk about a ton of different things, and he just wanted to talk about this. He was laser-focused because he knew that this would be a game changer, not just for Alabama and Mobile and Baldwin County, but for the region and for the nation. His tenacity has helped lead us here today. So, to everyone who’s played a role, our congressional delegation, our state elected officials, local elected officials, we say thank you. It’s truly a full-circle moment and decades (of) families, and commuters, and local businesses, and visitors are going to benefit from this long-awaited bridge that today we make a reality.\n\n“This corridor is going to be a lifeline for Alabama, for the region and for the nation. It’s going to connect the Port of Mobile. It’s going to connect our shipbuilders, our military assets, our hard-working Alabamians and wonderful Americans who travel to visit our great state. This investment will mitigate ongoing safety concerns and also strengthen our hurricane evacuation routes.\n\n“So today, I am thrilled to say we are finally here and thank everybody who played a role in making this happen. What an incredible day and a milestone for our state. There is a lot more to come. God Bless.”\n\nYou can watch the Senator’s full remarks here.\n\nSenator Britt’s advocacy and efforts for the construction of the Mobile Bridge and Bayway have been extensive. She urged Secretary Duffy to commit to seeing the project through and twice led the entire Alabama delegation in advocating for investing federal funds towards the project. Last year, the Senator applauded Secretary Duffy’s announcement finalizing $550 million in federal funding for the project.\n\nMedia coverage of Senator Britt’s efforts can be viewed below:\n\nAlabama senators say Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project is moving forward\n\nSen. Britt requests DOT funding to complete I-10 Mobile bridge project\n\nBritt questions DOT on long-awaited $1.2 billion Birmingham interstate, ‘critical’ Gulf Coast bridge\n\nBritt pushes DOT to help advance the Mobile River Bridge\n\nSen. Britt meets with transportation secretary about Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project\n\nMobile’s bridge and bayway project reaches ‘critical point of inflection’ as Katie Britt asks fed to move forward\n\nSen. Britt presses for infrastructure funding for Alabama projects\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/news/press-releases/u-s-senator-katie-britt-named-to-time100-next-2026-the-worlds-most-influential-rising-stars-list/", "title": "U.S. Senator Katie Britt Named to TIME100 Next 2026: The World’s Most Influential Rising Stars List", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.britt.senate.gov", "scraper": "britt", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001319", "name": "Katie Boyd Britt", "party": "Republican", "state": "AL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) this week was named to the TIME100 Next 2026: The World’s Most Influential Rising Stars list. Senator Britt is the only Republican lawmaker and the only Alabamian named to this year’s list. She is just the second Alabamian ever to receive the honor.\n\nThe announcement from TIME can be read below:\n\n“Senator Katie Britt has quickly learned how to wield influence in Donald Trump’s Republican Party while avoiding its hardest edges.\n\n“Not long after she became in 2022 the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the Senate, Mitch McConnell invited her to join his weekly leadership meetings as an adviser, giving her access to the GOP’s longtime power center.\n\n“Britt, 44, has since strongly backed Trump’s agenda, including his aggressive immigration policies, while privately urging the Administration toward moderation at key moments.\n\n“The Alabama lawmaker has also carved out her own policy lane around families and children. Britt pressed Trump to protect IVF after an Alabama court ruling threatened access to the procedure, helped secure expanded childcare tax credits, and has worked across the aisle on legislation protecting children from social media. Her ability to bridge divides within the GOP while cultivating bipartisan relationships has made Britt an increasingly consequential player in the Senate.”\n\nSenator Britt released the following statement in response to the honor:\n\n“I’m deeply humbled by this recognition, but it truly belongs to the people of Alabama. Every single day, I’m focused on making sure the hardworking families in our state and across our nation have the opportunity to thrive — whether that’s making childcare more affordable and accessible, ensuring continued nationwide access to IVF, keeping our nation safe and secure, or protecting our kids online. Serving Alabama is the honor of a lifetime, and I’ll keep fighting day in and day out to put the people I represent in a stronger place as a result of my service.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-capito-makes-stops-in-huntington", "title": "PHOTOS: Capito Makes Stops in Huntington", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.capito.senate.gov", "scraper": "capito", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001047", "name": "Shelley Moore Capito", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), traveled to Huntington, W.Va., to receive updates on and tour community projects.\n\nFirst, Senator Capito visited Facing Hunger Foodbank to deliver remarks and receive updates on their efforts in the community. Facing Hunger Foodbank serves 130,000 individuals annually in a 4,358 square mile service area, which includes: Cabell, Boone, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mason, Mingo, Putnam, Wayne and Wyoming counties in West Virginia; Boyd, Greenup, Lawrence and Martin counties in Kentucky; and Lawrence County in Ohio.\n\n“It was great to visit Facing Hunger Foodbank today to receive updates on their efforts in our state,” Senator Capito said. “Without their great work, countless West Virginians would face challenges putting food on their table. They are a true example of neighbors helping their neighbors.”\n\n“As we have taken this opportunity to highlight key moments for Facing Hunger Food Bank, I have many reflections of Senator Capito and her team. The senator was a key supporter of the transition of then-Huntington Area Food Bank, and on a VERY challenging weather day in March 2014, she showed up to mark the beginning of a new era for the food bank. Since that time, we have experienced a wonderful working relationship with not only the senator, but key staff members right up to the present. Her Chief of Staff, J.T. Jezierski, as well as the team, have been responsive to the needs of the food bank but more importantly, the voices of the West Virginians we serve. The senator is always welcoming as we pass in flight and in Washington, and she readily shares space to learn from us about the work we keep expanding to ensure we are responsive to the needs of those we collectively serve,” Cynthia D. Kirkhart, Chief Executive Officer of Facing Hunger Food Bank, said.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits Facing Hunger Foodbank in Huntington, W.Va. on Friday, October 2, 2026.\n\nNext, Senator Capito visited Southside Elementary School, where she joined Senator Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), State Treasurer Larry Pack, WV Supreme Court Justice Haley Bunn, WV Superintendent Michele Blatt, and Cabell County Superintendent Keith Thomas for a reading event with students.\n\n“Being here today at Southside Elementary School to read to students was a great opportunity to connect with them,” Senator Capito said. “I always enjoy spending time with our young West Virginians and today was no exception.”\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits Southside Elementary School in Huntington, W.Va. on Friday, October 2, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits Southside Elementary School in Huntington, W.Va. on Friday, October 2, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits Southside Elementary School in Huntington, W.Va. on Friday, October 2, 2026.\n\nTo end the day, Senator Capito visited Marshall University’s Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC), where she toured the facility and got to see firsthand the skills that Marshall University students are learning through the Systems Maintenance, Automation, and Robotics Technology (SMART) program.\n\n“I was glad to be here today at Marshall University’s Advanced Manufacturing Center to see firsthand the innovative and leading-edge technology they are using to advance manufacturing and entrepreneurship,” Senator Capito said. “I am proud to continuing supporting their efforts that will strengthen American manufacturing and create more opportunities for West Virginians.\n\n“Manufacturing Day is an opportunity to celebrate the people, partnerships and innovation shaping the future of American manufacturing. At Marshall University, we’re proud to be part of that future by connecting education and workforce development with real-world needs. It was a pleasure to welcome Senator Capito to the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center and show her firsthand some of the exciting ways that our students are developing the skills needed to build great careers and create new opportunities across West Virginia,” Brad Smith, Marshall University President, said.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits Marshall University’s Advanced Manufacturing Center in Huntington, W.Va. on Friday, October 2, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits Marshall University’s Advanced Manufacturing Center in Huntington, W.Va. on Friday, October 2, 2026.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-cassidy-applauds-trump-administrations-steps-to-implement-his-school-choice-legislation/", "title": "ICYMI: Cassidy Applauds Trump Administration’s Steps to Implement his School Choice Legislation", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.cassidy.senate.gov", "scraper": "cassidy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001075", "name": "Bill Cassidy", "party": "Republican", "state": "LA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today released a statement celebrating the Trump administration’s plan to advance his Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) that he championed and secured as part of last year’s Working Families Tax Cuts. On October 1, the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service unveiled plans to implement the Education Freedom Tax Credit ahead of its January 2027 launch.\n\n“Parents want to make decisions that allow their child to succeed. This law helps them do that,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I’m proud to have led efforts on this historic expansion of educational freedom.”\n\nBackground\n\nAs Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Cassidy is a longtime advocate for school choice. ECCA provides scholarships for an estimated two million students in elementary and secondary education settings for tuition, fees, supplies, and equipment for the enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary school. Cassidy also led efforts to encourage U.S. Governors to opt-in to the federal school choice scholarship tax credit.\n\nCassidy worked with U.S. Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE) on legislation to ensure scholarship donors’ tax benefits are not reduced based on their marital status. Treasury’s newly announced proposal reflects that approach: married couples filing jointly could claim up to $3,400 annually for scholarship donations.\n\nAdditionally, Cassidy led a HELP Committee hearing on increasing education options for families at the beginning of the year.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-applauds-g7-release-of-diesel-and-crude-oil", "title": "Senator Collins Applauds G7 Release of Diesel and Crude Oil", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued the following statement after Secretary of Energy Chris Wright called to inform her that the Group of Seven (G7) European nations—France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom—have agreed to collectively release 50 million barrels of diesel and 50 million barrels of crude oil over the next four months:\n\n“Secretary Wright called me today to share this welcome news following our frequent conversations about the harmful effects that escalating home heating oil prices are having on Maine families. I applaud this announcement, which will increase the supply of diesel, which can also be used to heat homes this winter, and crude oil, putting immediate downward pressure on gasoline and diesel prices. This will help to lower costs for Americans heating their homes and fueling up cars and trucks, farmers and other businesses producing and transporting goods, and households purchasing the everyday products they depend on.\n\n“Approximately half of Maine households rely on fuel oil to heat their homes. That is why I have repeatedly urged the Administration to use every tool available to increase supply and bring down energy costs. Today’s agreement from the G7 European nations will help provide much-needed relief to Maine families this winter.”\n\n+++\n\nLast month, Senator Collins and Senator Angus King urged President Trump to release home heating oil from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve to help protect Mainers from rising costs. In their letter to the President, the Senators noted that heating oil prices in Maine had increased by 74 percent compared to the previous year, adding approximately $675 to the cost of filling a standard heating oil tank. Senator Collins has also raised the issue of escalating home heating oil prices directly with Secretary Wright in multiple conversations.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-colleagues-urge-doj-to-further-investigate-illegal-chinese-marijuana-operations", "title": "Senator Collins, Colleagues Urge DOJ to Further Investigate Illegal Chinese Marijuana Operations", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Tom Cotton (R-AR), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Ted Budd (R-NC) wrote to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the increasing number of illicit drug enterprises operated by Chinese criminal organizations on American soil.\n\nTheir letter cites a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) report that described the wide-ranging network of illegal Chinese marijuana grow operations that have expanded across the United States.\n\nEarlier this year, Senator Collins helped secure provisions to address Chinese-linked illicit drug operations in the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, which was signed into law in February. The law directed the Secretary of State to submit a report on Chinese-linked illegal drug operations in the United States. The bill also included $150 million to counter the flow into the United States of fentanyl and synthetic drugs, which are often produced using precursor chemicals originating in China.\n\n“We write requesting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate the growing role of Chinese transnational criminal organizations in America’s cannabis and intoxicating-hemp markets,” the Senators wrote. “Recent reporting and investigations suggest Chinese criminal networks are exploiting vulnerabilities in federal law to operate expansive illicit drug enterprises that threaten our communities and national security.”\n\n“The Drug Enforcement Administration's 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment found that Chinese transnational criminal organizations dominate marijuana cultivation and distribution in the United States, especially in states with legal cannabis markets,” they continued. “These organizations purchase and lease American land for illegal grow operations, traffic foreign workers, and use toxic pesticides and fertilizers shipped from China, including chemicals banned in the United States. The scale and complexity of these networks make them difficult to track and raise concerns about what other illicit or synthetic products they may be introducing into the U.S. market.”\n\n“Congress has recognized the need to address vulnerabilities in this market, including closing gaps in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed unregulated intoxicating hemp and THC products to proliferate. These reforms are set to take effect on December 11, 2026.” […] “While this will address harmful products currently in the market, questions remain about who is financing and supporting these organizations operating within the industry. We therefore request that the DOJ fully investigate these criminal networks, including their financing, land usage, chemical imports, and any connections to the Chinese Communist Party,” the Senators concluded.\n\nThe complete text of the letter can be read here.\n\n+++\n\nSenator Collins’ work on this issue began in 2022, when she wrote to Maine’s DEA Director Roy McKinney regarding a constituent’s report that a neighboring house caught fire, apparently due to an illicit drug operation.\n\nSince then, Senator Collins has repeatedly pressed senior federal officials in letters, meetings, and oversight hearings to address these illegal operations. This includes the Attorney General, DEA Administrator, FBI Director, and Secretary of State during the Biden Administration, and the DEA Administrator, FBI Director, former Secretary of Homeland Security, former Attorney General, and Secretary of the Treasury during the Trump Administration.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-mystic-alerts-act-heads-to-presidents-desk/", "title": "Cornyn, Colleagues’ Mystic Alerts Act Heads to President’s Desk", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Representative August Pfluger (TX-11) released the following statements after their Mystic Alerts Act, which will allow wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) to be delivered via satellite communications technologies when other pathways fail during emergencies, including disasters like the Fourth of July floods in Central Texas last year, passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the President’s desk:\n\n“More than 130 people were tragically killed in the July 4th floods that ravaged Central Texas last year, many of whom did not receive emergency alerts due to compromised cellular networks that were knocked out by the storm,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bill will address this technology shortfall and honor the memory of those lost by ensuring Texans and all Americans can receive wireless emergency alerts on their mobile devices via satellite even when disaster strikes, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law soon.”\n\n“When storms, disasters, or threats to public safety threaten our state, crisis management is key,” said Sen. Ossoff. “This bipartisan bill with Senator Cornyn will help upgrade America’s emergency alert systems to keep Georgia families safe and informed.”\n\n“I am grateful that the Mystic Alerts Act is now heading to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. The July 4th floods of 2025 were a heartbreaking tragedy that claimed lives across our state. My legislation will ensure that Americans in rural areas receive life-saving alerts when disaster strikes and traditional networks fail. I thank Senator Cornyn for his partnership in leading the Mystic Alerts Act in the Senate, and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz for advancing it through his committee. This marks a crucial step in updating emergency preparedness nationwide,” said Rep. Pfluger.\n\nCongressman August Pfluger (TX-11) led this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, which passed it unanimously on April 20, 2026.\n\nBackground:\n\nOn July 4, 2025, a devastating flood in the Texas Hill Country tragically killed 28 individuals at Camp Mystic in Kerrville in addition to more than 100 other individuals across Central Texas. There were multiple reports of undelivered WEAs throughout the areas impacted by the disaster once cellular infrastructure was damaged.\n\nThe Mystic Alerts Act will:", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/passed-cortez-masto-bills-to-support-traumatic-brain-injury-patients/", "title": "PASSED: Cortez Masto Legislation to Support Traumatic Brain Injury Patients", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – The Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s (D-Nev.) Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation to support traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Alongside Senator Cortez Masto, the legislation was led by Senators Alan Armstrong (R-Okla.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.).\n\nThe legislative package, which now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration, contained two key provisions authored by Senator Cortez Masto: the Public Safety Officer Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Act and the Protecting Survivors from Traumatic Brain Injury Act.\n\nThe Public Safety Officer Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Act would require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to collect and make publicly available information on TBIs specifically for public safety officers and provide recommendations and protocols for identifying, diagnosing, and treating concussions.\n\nThe Protecting Survivors from Traumatic Brain Injury Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services to report information to Congress about individuals who may be at higher risk for TBIs, such as domestic violence or sexual assault survivors. The legislation would help assess how prevalent these injuries are and inform service providers about the resources and support survivors need.\n\n“Every year, more than 2.5 million Americans get a traumatic brain injury,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “We have a responsibility to do everything we can to both prevent these injuries from happening and support patients through the recovery process. I am glad the Senate unanimously passed my legislative package, and I urge my House colleagues to immediately do the same.”\n\nSenator Cortez Masto has consistently fought to ensure all Nevadans can access high-quality, affordable health care. She has led other legislative efforts to study TBI prevalence among victims of domestic violence and required the Government Accountability Office to report on federal efforts to study TBIs. She has also championed efforts to lower drug costs for seniors, hold Big Pharma accountable, and expand Medicare drug price negotiation. She has championed legislation to strengthen Medicare-funded behavioral health services and telehealth services, as well as protect access to ambulance services in rural and underserved areas.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/unanimously-passed-cortez-masto-provisions-to-protect-americas-taxpayers/", "title": "UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: Cortez Masto Provisions to Protect America’s Taxpayers", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that several of her bipartisan bills were unanimously passed by the Senate as part of a bipartisan tax administration package. This legislation now heads to House of Representatives for a vote.\n\n“This legislation passed by Senate this week is full of commonsense fixes to make life easier for Nevadans when filing their taxes,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Among them are provisions to make it easier for American taxpayers to get ahead, protect their personal information, and keeping bad actors away from sensitive information. I’ll continue to work with my House colleagues to ensure our bipartisan package is passed and gets to the President’s desk.”\n\nThe bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act will streamline the tax system and help the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) work better for working families across the U.S. The Senator has successfully included several provisions to support American taxpayers, including:\n\nBipartisan legislation with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R.-Tenn.) to help the IRS crack down on scammers who are stealing sensitive taxpayer information from tax professionals.\n\nBipartisan legislation with Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) to protect the privacy of American taxpayers’ information by increasing penalties for unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information.\n\nProvisions of bipartisan legislation with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) protect taxpayers and small businesses from penalties caused by IRS delays.\n\nAs the former top law enforcement official in Nevada, Senator Cortez Masto has been a leading voice fighting fraud and standing up for taxpayer privacy her career. Last year, President Trump signed into law her bipartisan legislation to allow taxpayers extra time to file when they are impacted by natural disasters such as wildfires.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-senators-to-hegseth-lutnick-preserve-domestic-critical-mineral-supply-chain-to-beat-communist-china/", "title": "Cotton, Senators to Hegseth, Lutnick: Preserve Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chain to Beat Communist China", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "page_html", "source": "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cotton.senate.gov", "scraper": "cotton", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001095", "name": "Tom Cotton", "party": "Republican", "state": "AR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Tatum Wallace or Hannah McCarthy\n\nOctober 2, 2026\n\nCotton, Senators to Hegseth, Lutnick: Preserve Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chain to Beat Communist China\n\nWASHINGTON—Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with Senators John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Chuck Schumer (D-New York), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), and Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), sent a letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick encouraging action to preserve domestic manufacturing of silicon carbide to respond to Communist China’s increased production. Silicon carbide is a key component of the semiconductors that are used in advanced defense systems, AI data centers, electric grid infrastructure, 5G telecommunications, and the auto industry.\n\nIn part, the Senators wrote:\n\n“We write to draw your attention to a critical matter at the intersection of national security, economic competitiveness and trade policy: the accelerating Chinese government effort to dominate the global silicon carbide semiconductor industry and supply chain, and the urgent need for a whole-of-government response to preserve and strengthen trusted domestic and allied manufacturing of silicon carbide.”\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 1, 2026\n\nThe Honorable Pete Hegseth\n\nSecretary of Defense\n\n1000 Defense Pentagon\n\nWashington, D.C. 20301-1000\n\nThe Honorable Howard Lutnick\n\nSecretary of Commerce\n\n1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20230\n\nDear Secretaries Hegseth and Lutnick:\n\nWe write to draw your attention to a critical matter at the intersection of national security, economic competitiveness and trade policy: the accelerating Chinese government effort to dominate the global silicon carbide semiconductor industry and supply chain, and the urgent need for a whole-of-government response to preserve and strengthen trusted domestic and allied manufacturing of silicon carbide.\n\nSilicon carbide is the foundational substrate for a critical class of next-generation semiconductors that are indispensable across advanced defense systems, AI data centers, electric grid infrastructure, 5G telecommunications, and the modern automotive sector. Silicon carbide’s unique combination of high-voltage tolerance, thermal conductivity, and switching speed makes it irreplaceable in high-performance air, land and sea propulsion systems, directed energy weapons, and air and missile defense systems.\n\nSince launching its Made in China 2025 initiative, Beijing has recognized the military and economic importance of silicon carbide and made global domination in the sector a national industrial priority. In the last five years, Chinese producers have increased their share of the global silicon carbide wafer market from less than 5 percent to nearly 50 percent today.\n\nClearly, China intends to undermine another strategically important industry built on American technology and ingenuity. If this campaign succeeds, the United States will find itself dependent on adversary supply chains for materials essential to our most advanced defense systems and critical technological infrastructure. The domestic supply chain is already under significant pressure and we are at risk of losing industry leaders and globally competitive manufacturers to this coordinated campaign. The time to act is now, before we reach the crisis stage where remedies are impossible or far more expensive and time-consuming.\n\nWe encourage you to leverage Defense Production Act authorities, critical minerals designations, Buy America requirements, and any other authorities at your disposal to ensure the U.S. can protect its silicon carbide supply chain.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/crapo-booker-commemorate-end-of-national-prostate-cancer-awareness-month", "title": "Crapo, Booker Commemorate End of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases", "domain": "www.crapo.senate.gov", "scraper": "crapo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C000880", "name": "Mike Crapo", "party": "Republican", "state": "ID", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C.--To commemorate the end of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) led introduction of a Senate Resolution to recognize September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The resolution also encourages all Americans to take part in efforts to increase early detection, improve treatment and discover more breakthroughs for the disease, which has a 99 percent survival rate if caught in the earliest stage.\n\n“Routine health screenings contribute to early prostate cancer detection,” said Senator Crapo. “Treatment is most effective when caught early. I encourage all men to discuss screening options with their health care provider and educate themselves further about early detection.”\n\n\"Prostate cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when it's caught early, yet too many men aren't getting screened in time, and the toll falls especially hard on Black men, who are more likely to be diagnosed with and die from the disease,\" said Senator Booker. \"Early detection saves lives. I urge every man to talk with his doctor about screening, and I'm grateful to Senator Crapo for partnering with me on this resolution to raise awareness and advance the research that will lead to better outcomes.\"\n\n\"Prostate Cancer Awareness Month serves as a vital call to action, urging men to know their risk, seek early detection, and explore the treatment options that can save their lives,\" said Courtney Bugler, President and CEO of ZERO Prostate Cancer. \"We are incredibly grateful to Senator Crapo and Senator Booker for their unwavering dedication to this cause. Their leadership continues to drive meaningful progress in awareness, research, and support for the men and families navigating this disease. As we mark another Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we are proud to stand with them and our champions in Congress, not just this month, but every day, as we press forward in our mission to ensure no man faces prostate cancer alone.\"\n\nAdditional co-sponsors of the resolution include Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland).\n\nProstate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States. One in eight men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes, and one in 44 men in the United States will die from the disease.\n\nRead the full Resolution HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-applauds-senate-passage-of-resolution-honoring-texas-aandms-150th-anniversary", "title": "Sen. Cruz Applauds Senate Passage of Resolution Honoring Texas A&M’s 150th Anniversary", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.cruz.senate.gov", "scraper": "cruz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001098", "name": "Ted Cruz", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) applauded Senate passage of the joint resolution he introduced with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) commemorating the 150th anniversary of Texas A&M University. Texas A&M formally opened its doors on October 4, 1876, as the state’s first public institution of higher education and now enrolls more than 81,000 students across its campuses.\n\nSen. Cruz said, “Texas A&M has produced generations of Texan, American, and global leaders committed to the values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect, and selfless service. These young men and women received a life-changing education in Aggieland and went on to address significant challenges around the world. I am proud to celebrate this remarkable milestone with fighting Aggies everywhere and look forward to the university’s continued success. Gig ‘em!”\n\nRead the resolution text here.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe Texas Legislature established the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1871, with formal opening ceremonies and the first day of classes on October 4, 1876.\n\nTexas A&M’s core values include excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect, and selfless service. Texas A&M has played a pivotal role in the American Dream by providing generations of students with access to a quality, life-changing education.\n\nAs of the end of fall 2025, A&M has more than 81,000 enrolled students across all campuses, with 74,407 enrolled at College Station. The A&M system has 4,398 full-time faculty and offers more than 411 degrees. The Corps of Cadets also has 2,400 members. With $1.4 billion in annual research expenditures, Texas A&M ranks among the top research institutions in the nation.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-announce-300000-in-funding-for-jersey-community-hospital-district", "title": "Duckworth, Durbin Announce $300,000 in Funding for Jersey Community Hospital District", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "scraper": "duckworth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000622", "name": "Tammy Duckworth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $300,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Jersey Community Hospital District, specifically for rural emergency medical service training. The funding, which was created through Durbin’s Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act, will go toward supporting EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, purchasing equipment, and supporting community efforts to address substance use across rural America.\n\n“Rural EMS providers are often the first to answer the call when a neighbor is in crisis, and they need the training, equipment and resources to be ready,” Duckworth said. “This $300,000 federal investment will help Jerseyville strengthen its EMS workforce and better serve families across the region.”\n\n“Across Illinois, rural EMS agencies are the first on the scene to respond to community emergencies, the opioid crisis, or natural disasters. But EMTs must have the proper training, equipment, and steady funding to support their efforts to care for their community,” Durbin said. “I worked hard to pass the SIREN Act to meet the needs of our rural EMS agencies, and I’m encouraged to see this funding make its way to Jerseyville to address the region’s health needs.”\n\nDurbin’s bipartisan SIREN Act was signed into law in 2018 as part of the Farm Bill. Since then, Durbin and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) have led the appropriations effort to grow the program from $5 million annually to $13.5 million this year—resulting in a total of $40 million in grants nationwide across 42 states. The SIREN Act has resulted in new funds to rural EMS and fire agencies in Carbondale, Nauvoo, Amboy, Jerseyville, Mt. Carmel, Paris, and Gibson City, Illinois.\n\nIn September 2024, then-President Biden signed Durbin’s bipartisan SIREN Reauthorization Act into law, extending funding for an additional five years for SIREN Act grants to rural fire and EMS agencies nationwide.\n\nA decline in primary care and hospital service availability, health care workforce shortages, great distances between health care facilities, and low insurance reimbursement for transport and emergency treatment have all strained rural EMS agencies. At the same time, first responders are often the only health care providers in their area and face difficulties in both securing expensive equipment and with recruitment and retention of personnel. As a result, EMS agencies today are tasked with ever-greater responsibilities—preparing for natural and manmade disasters and bioterror threats, supporting the chronic and emergency care needs of an aging population, and responding on the front lines of the opioid epidemic.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-announce-300000-in-funding-for-jersey-community-hospital-district", "title": "Durbin, Duckworth Announce $300,000 In Funding For Jersey Community Hospital District", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.durbin.senate.gov", "scraper": "durbin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000563", "name": "Richard J. Durbin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "The funding was made available through Durbin’s bipartisan SIREN Act, which created a funding source to support rural EMS agencies to train and recruit staff, conduct certification courses, and purchase equipment\n\nWASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $300,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Jersey Community Hospital District, specifically for rural emergency medical service training. The funding, which was created through Durbin’s Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act, will go toward supporting EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, purchasing equipment, and supporting community efforts to address substance use across rural America.\n\n“Across Illinois, rural EMS agencies are the first on the scene to respond to community emergencies, the opioid crisis, or natural disasters. But EMTs must have the proper training, equipment, and steady funding to support their efforts to care for their community,” Durbin said. “I worked hard to pass the SIREN Act to meet the needs of our rural EMS agencies, and I’m encouraged to see this funding make its way to Jerseyville to address the region’s health needs.”\n\n“Rural EMS providers are often the first to answer the call when a neighbor is in crisis, and they need the training, equipment and resources to be ready,” Duckworth said. “This $300,000 federal investment will help Jerseyville strengthen its EMS workforce and better serve families across the region.”\n\nDurbin’s bipartisan SIREN Act was signed into law in 2018 as part of the Farm Bill. Since then, Durbin and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) have led the appropriations effort to grow the program from $5 million annually to $13.5 million this year—resulting in a total of $40 million in grants nationwide across 42 states. The SIREN Act has resulted in new funds to rural EMS and fire agencies in Carbondale, Nauvoo, Amboy, Jerseyville, Mt. Carmel, Paris, and Gibson City, Illinois.\n\nIn September 2024, then-President Biden signed Durbin’s bipartisan SIREN Reauthorization Act into law, extending funding for an additional five years for SIREN Act grants to rural fire and EMS agencies nationwide.\n\nA decline in primary care and hospital service availability, health care workforce shortages, great distances between health care facilities, and low insurance reimbursement for transport and emergency treatment have all strained rural EMS agencies. At the same time, first responders are often the only health care providers in their area and face difficulties in both securing expensive equipment and with recruitment and retention of personnel. As a result, EMS agencies today are tasked with ever-greater responsibilities—preparing for natural and manmade disasters and bioterror threats, supporting the chronic and emergency care needs of an aging population, and responding on the front lines of the opioid epidemic.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-join-cortez-masto-wyden-to-demand-trump-administration-abandon-plan-to-strip-tax-credits-from-700000-american-taxpayers", "title": "Durbin, Duckworth Join Cortez Masto, Wyden To Demand Trump Administration Abandon Plan To Strip Tax Credits From 700,000 American Taxpayers", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.durbin.senate.gov", "scraper": "durbin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000563", "name": "Richard J. Durbin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and five of their Senate colleagues in demanding the Trump Administration abandon a plan that would prevent up to 700,000 Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients and other tax-paying immigrants from claiming tax credits they are eligible for.\n\nThe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Treasury are proposing a rule change that would prevent hundreds of thousands of taxpayers from claiming the Adoption Tax Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. DACA and TPS recipients have been lawfully claiming these taxes for decades.\n\n“According to your own estimates, the proposed rule change could affect up to 700,000 taxpayers,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS CEO Frank Bisignano. “This would include more than 300,000 individuals living in households with a DACA recipient, two-thirds of whom are U.S. citizens and who have, on average, lived in the United States for over 28 years. The practical effect of these new regulations would be to deny tax credits to immigrants who are legally eligible for them and lawfully present in our country, and to create a byzantine and unworkable system for both tax preparers and taxpayers.”\n\n“The Administration has no legal authority to change congressionally enacted tax law via regulation,” they continued. “Since the passage of PRWORA in 1996, no federal agency has interpreted refundable tax credits as federal public benefits restricted to qualified immigrants. If Congress intended for refundable tax credits to be treated as federal public benefits, it has had over 30 years to clarify the statute.”\n\n“The proposed rule is clear regulatory overreach that would have disastrous impacts for lawfully present immigrants and their families who are legally eligible for refundable tax credits,” they concluded.\n\nIn addition to Senators Durbin, Duckworth, Cortez Masto, and Wyden, the letter was signed by Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Patty Murray (D-WA).\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-receives-distinguished-service-award-from-illinois-health-and-hospital-association", "title": "Durbin Receives Distinguished Service Award From Illinois Health And Hospital Association", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.durbin.senate.gov", "scraper": "durbin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000563", "name": "Richard J. Durbin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Durbin receives award in honor of his decades of supporting Illinois hospitals and working to expand Americans’ access to health care\n\nCHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today was presented with the Distinguished Service Award by the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) for his longstanding efforts to support hospitals and expand access to health care. Durbin spoke before receiving the award, highlighting his efforts to protect rural hospitals, bolster the health care workforce, and reinstate Medicaid funding after congressional Republicans slashed $1 trillion from the program. Durbin also offered his gratitude to the IHA and hospital leaders who worked with him to launch the Chicago HEAL Initiative, a collaboration between hospitals and community partners to address the root causes of gun violence through economic, health, and community projects in Chicago neighborhoods with the highest rates of violence, poverty, and health disparities.\n\n“Instead of building on the success of the Chicago HEAL Initiative and improving our nation’s health care system, Republicans in Washington have enacted some of the most drastic cuts to Americans’ health coverage by slashing funding for the ACA and Medicaid. Not only are Illinoisans losing their coverage, but hospitals are being forced to navigate mountains of new administrative red tape created by this Administration just to provide care for their patients,” Durbin said. “But IHA and our hospital leaders are doing all they can to continue to provide quality service to Illinoisans. And it’s been an honor to be their partner in that effort.”\n\nPhotos of Durbin receiving the award can be found here.\n\nCongressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which passed last year, cut $1 trillion from Medicaid and $300 billion from Affordable Care Act coverage over the next decade in order to fund tax cuts for billionaires. Following passage of OBBBA, Durbin sent a letter to every hospital in Illinois to survey the projected impact on hospitals. Across the 129 responses Durbin received, hospitals across Illinois, especially those in rural areas, detailed fears about pending cuts to services and staff while emergency room wait times increase.\n\nIn response to rural hospitals’ concerns about potential cuts or forced closures, Durbin has advanced his bipartisan Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act. The legislation would update Medicare’s “Critical Access Hospital” (CAH) designation so more rural hospitals can qualify for this financial lifeline and continue to serve their communities with quality, affordable health care services.\n\nTo address the health care workforce shortage, Durbin has worked across the aisle to introduce legislation that would bring more health care professionals to rural areas, support health care educators, and build up the health care workforce. In March, Durbin reintroduced the bipartisan Rural America Health Corps Act, legislation that would incentivize more health professionals to serve and plant roots in rural communities by creating a new program under the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) National Health Service Corps (NHSC) to test whether an increased loan repayment amount would improve the retention of health providers in rural areas.\n\nIn January, Durbin reintroduced the bipartisan Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act to address the critical nursing faculty shortage by creating a pilot grant program to help nursing schools increase wages for nurse educators. In 2025, Durbin introduced the bipartisan Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, which would allow for the recapture of 25,000 unused immigrant visas for nurses and 15,000 unused immigrant visas for physicians that Congress has previously authorized—providing a desperately needed boost to our health care system in rural and urban areas.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-who-are-the-millionaires-collecting-unemployment-irs-letter-to-ernst-reveals-the-answer", "title": "ICYMI: Who Are the Millionaires Collecting Unemployment? IRS Letter to Ernst Reveals the Answer", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.ernst.senate.gov", "scraper": "ernst", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000295", "name": "Joni Ernst", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – In a May letter to U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), the IRS revealed that 10,100 million-dollar earners collected nearly $97.4 million in unemployment benefits in 2024 alone. The top occupations among the jobless millionaires included engineers, software engineers, financial professionals, lawyers, executive managers, doctors, and consultants, concentrated in California, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington.\n\nOn Monday, The Washington Times reported the IRS’s data, released in response to an Ernst inquiry. Read the story here.\n\nIn a companion op-ed, Ernst called out the \"freebies for freeloading fat cats\":\n\n\"In 2024 alone, 10,100 million-dollar earners received nearly $97.4 million in unemployment compensation. That amounts to each being paid $9,650, roughly the cost of a new Rolex watch. Coincidentally, it is also the amount spent on healthcare by a typical Iowan over the course of a year.\"\n\n\"From the fields in Iowa to the battlefields in Iraq, I have worked my entire life. Unlike most of my colleagues in the Senate, I am not a millionaire. I know what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck.\"\n\n\"Because unemployment programs are funded primarily by taxing employers, this federal mandate is effectively a reverse Robin Hood tax that takes from struggling small businesses to give to the idle rich and self-sufficient.\"\n\n\"My message to the affluent finance bros being cut off from Uncle Sam's unemployment trust fund is simple: If you are fortunate enough to make $1 million or more per year without having to work, then you should be counting your blessings — not collecting jobless benefits.\"\n\nRead the full op-ed here.\n\nBackground:\n\nErnst has led the fight to end jobless payments to millionaires since 2020. Last year, the Senate unanimously passed her Ending Unemployment Payments to Jobless Millionaires Act as an amendment to the One Big Beautiful Bill, which President Trump signed into law. The law is now in effect, barring anyone earning $1 million or more from collecting unemployment benefits. The Congressional Budget Office estimates it could save as much as $100 million over the next decade.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-celebrate-passage-of-bill-to-protect-americans-access-to-atms/", "title": "Gallego Celebrate Passage of Bill to Protect American’s Access to ATMs", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — This week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) celebrated the Senate unanimously passing his bipartisan legislation to crack down on ATM crime. The Safe Access to Cash Act will make sure that federal penalties that are in place for bank robberies apply to off-site ATM robberies.\n\n“As bank branches reduce their physical footprint, ATMs remain key for allowing families and business to access their accounts. But criminals have figured out that standalone ATMs are easier targets than banks and, under the current law, these robberies aren’t treated the same as bank robberies.” said Senator Gallego. “We’re now one step closer to safeguarding Americans’ financial security from these threats, and I urge the House to immediately pass this bill and send it to the president’s desk.”\n\nRobbers and thieves are increasingly targeting ATMs, with theft rates rising dramatically each year since 2019. ATMs can be robbed in as little as three minutes and may hold as much as $250,000. However, the Federal Bank Robbery Act of 1934currently only protects banks and financial institutions, not standalone ATMs in malls, convenience stores, and public locations. The Safe Access to Cash Act ensures that robberies involving off-site ATMs receive federal penalties equal to those imposed for on-site robberies of financial institutions.\n\nRead the full legislation HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-reintroduce-legislation-to-expand-access-to-womens-preventative-health-services/", "title": "Gallego, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Expand Access to Women’s Preventative Health Services", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and 14 Senate Democrats in reintroducing the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act, legislation that would increase the availability of preventive, life-saving cancer screenings at safety-net health care providers like Planned Parenthood.\n\nThe bill would create new grant and pilot programs to expand access to preventive services and screenings for breast and gynecological cancers — especially for low-income women and women of color — and train health care providers in providing high-quality cancer screening, early detection, and follow-up care.\n\n“The reintroduction of this bill is an important step toward ensuring women everywhere have access to the preventive health care that can mean the difference between life and death,” said Senator Gallego. “I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to expand access to lifesaving cancer screenings and break down the barriers too many women continue to face, regardless of their income or background. In doing so, we honor Jeannette Acosta’s legacy and stand with every woman and family whose lives have been impacted by cancer.”\n\n“I’m proud to reintroduce the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act in honor of Jeanette Acosta, a fierce advocate who fought to make sure every woman could get the health care she needs,” said Senator Murray. “Too many women suffer preventable deaths because they didn’t have access to the cancer screenings that would have detected their condition early on. That is an unacceptable tragedy. We know that early detection saves lives — not to mention health care costs — and investing in preventive services to help more women get treatment before it’s too late is just common sense. I’m not going to stop fighting to pass this crucial piece of legislation in Jeanette’s memory.”\n\nIn addition to Gallego and Murray, the bill was sponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).\n\nThe bill is endorsed by: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Human Rights Watch, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-kelly-celebrate-chiricahua-officially-becoming-arizonas-fourth-national-park/", "title": "Gallego, Kelly Celebrate Chiricahua Officially Becoming Arizona’s Fourth National Park", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Bipartisan legislation to make this happen passed the Senate this week, now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law\n\nWASHINGTON — This week, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) celebrated the final passage of the Chiricahua National Park Act, bipartisan legislation to designate Chiricahua National Monument in Cochise County as Chiricahua National Park. Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) introduced the legislation in the House, which passed in March.\n\nThe designation will make Chiricahua Arizona’s fourth national park, alongside Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro National Parks. It will protect Chiricahua’s unique landscape while bringing more visitors and economic opportunities to rural southeastern Arizona.\n\n“The unique landscape of Chiricahua National Park will unite people from around the world while opening economic and tourism opportunities for Arizona. The passage of this bill is a win for huge win for Arizona and honors the culture and preservation of the land,” said Senator Gallego. “Thank you to the Senate and the House for passing this bill, and I look forward to the president signing this into law.”\n\n“Chiricahua is one of Arizona’s most extraordinary places. Designating it as our state’s fourth national park will protect this remarkable landscape for generations and bring new visitors and economic opportunities to southeastern Arizona,” said Senator Kelly. “I’m grateful to everyone involved for working together to get this across the finish line.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-kelly-celebrate-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-help-prevent-catastrophic-wildfires/", "title": "Gallego, Kelly Celebrate Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Help Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act makes it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fires to reduce wildfire risk\n\nWASHINGTON — This week, the Senate unanimously passed Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly’s (D-AZ) Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation to make it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fires to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives.\n\nPrescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to reduce hazardous fuels before they contribute to larger and more destructive wildfires. However, current federal air quality rules can make it harder for states to use prescribed fires proactively. The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act would give states greater certainty that they will not be penalized under the Clean Air Act for responsibly using prescribed burns to reduce wildfire risk.\n\n“Prescribed burns are essential to protecting millions of Americans who are threatened by wildfires each year, including in many communities across Arizona,” said Senator Gallego. “I urge the House to take up this common-sense bill and send it to the President’s desk.”\n\n“Arizona communities know how much damage catastrophic wildfires can do, and we need to do everything we can to reduce that risk before a fire starts,” said Senator Kelly. “Prescribed burns are a proven way to clear out dangerous fuels and keep our forests and communities safer. I look forward to getting it across the finish line.”\n\nGallego and Kelly introduced the bill alongside Senators John Curtis (R-UT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Boozman (R-AR), and Alex Padilla (D-CA). The legislation advanced unanimously out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee earlier this month.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-blumenthal-work-to-strengthen-democracy-and-stability-in-serbia", "title": "Grassley, Blumenthal Work to Strengthen Democracy and Stability in Serbia", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced bipartisan legislation to address democratic backsliding in Serbia, improve treatment of student-led and civic protests, and combat the authoritarian influence of Russia, China and Iran. The Supporting the Rule of Law, Building Institutional Justice, and Accountability Act (SRBIJA) would help strengthen Serbia’s democratic institutions, advance the rule of law and promote accountability in the U.S.-Serbia relationship. The legislation would sunset five years after enactment.\n\n“Serbia plays a critical role in preserving peace and security in the Western Balkans. It’s critical to prevent Russia, China or Iran from influencing Serbia and destabilizing the region. Our bipartisan legislation would help strengthen Serbia’s democratic institutions, and it contains key accountability measures like sanctions to promote the country’s return to a strong democracy,” Grassley said.\n\n“This bipartisan measure recognizes that the U.S.-Serbian relationship must embody shared democratic values and commitment to combating autocracy. Since taking power, the current government in Serbia has deepened its ties to Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. This legislation will give the administration new tools to sanction individuals who enable democratic backsliding and show that the United States remains a defender of democracy. I am proud to help lead this effort in the Senate,” Blumenthal said.\n\nThe SRBIJA Act expresses Congress’s concern about Serbia’s serious democratic backsliding, including in the rule of law, judicial independence, media freedom and corruption. The measure specifically cites the government’s response to sustained student-led and civic protests, as well as the November 2024 collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy. The concerns are especially timely given the upcoming snap parliamentary elections in Serbia on October 25, 2026. Last Sunday, Aleksandar Vucic resigned as Serbia’s president, laying the groundwork to keep his grip on power by taking over as prime minister if his governing party wins the election.\n\nThe legislation supports Serbia’s democratic institutions by conditioning additional U.S. assistance on a presidential certification that Serbia has made significant and sustained progress toward judicial accountability, media freedom and alignment with the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).\n\nAdditionally, the SRBIJA Act would:\n\nCombat bad actors by supporting the use of existing sanctions authorities against individuals engaged in corruption, serious human rights abuses or who are undermining democratic institutions or threatening peace and stability in the Western Balkans.\n\nIn July 2026, the Serbian government sent a cabinet minister to Tehran to attend the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, joining delegations from Russia and China at a time when most European governments were not represented.\n\nEvaluate the impact of Russian and Chinese influence by requiring a report to Congress about Russia and China’s political, economic, energy and security ties with Serbia and its implications on American interests. The measure also includes clear, verifiable requirements for the State Department to continue its participation in the U.S.-Serbia Strategic Dialogue.\n\nRequire a detailed strategy for U.S. engagement with Serbia that addresses these concerns.\n\nClick HERE for text of the legislation.\n\nIn the U.S. House of Representatives, the legislation was introduced by Helsinki Commission co-chairman U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and by U.S. Rep. William Keating (D-Mass.).\n\nBackground:\n\nGrassley has consistently worked to advance peace and stability in the Western Balkans, including efforts to address Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitutional and political crisis.\n\nSerbia’s political, economic and historical ties to Republika Srpska in Bosnia make the country an important factor in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s ongoing constitutional and political crisis. Serbia’s growing ties with Russia and China also impact the broader strategic and security environment in the Western Balkans.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-klobuchar-lead-effort-to-extend-key-tax-credit-for-small-agri-biodiesel-producers", "title": "Grassley, Klobuchar Lead Effort to Extend Key Tax Credit for Small Agri-Biodiesel Producers", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the bipartisan Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit Extension Act to extend a key tax credit that supports small biodiesel producers, family farmers and the rural communities they sustain across America.\n\nThe legislation would extend the Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit, which is currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2026, through the end of 2029.\n\n“Biofuels support over 31,000 jobs across Iowa. They’re good for the rural economy, good for national security and good for the environment. This credit gives small biodiesel producers the certainty they need to plan investments in rural communities and to create or maintain good paying jobs while doing their part to lower prices at the pump through increased fuel production,” Grassley said.\n\n“With the war in Iran impacting fuel prices across the country, we must continue to invest in homegrown biofuels that strengthen our energy independence, support our farmers, bolster rural economies, and lower fuel prices,” Klobuchar said. “By extending this tax credit, farmers and small biodiesel producers will have the certainty they need to continue manufacturing biofuels and strengthening commodity markets.”\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by Clean Fuels Alliance America, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, and Western Iowa Energy in Wall Lake.\n\n“Small biodiesel producers are making an outsized contribution to America’s energy security right now, providing lower-cost drop-in distillate fuel that’s needed to move consumer goods across the country. They are investing in rural communities, creating and preserving jobs, and running full out to provide cleaner, better, more affordable fuel. We thank Senators Grassley and Klobuchar for proposing to extend the Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit and providing policy certainty for small producers across the country,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs at Clean Fuels Alliance America.\n\n“Small biodiesel producers are an important part of Iowa’s rural economy, and they need certainty to keep investing and producing,” said Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. “This extension gives Iowa producers the runway they need to keep turning Iowa-grown feedstocks into homegrown fuel, supporting farmers and strengthening rural communities.”\n\n“The Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit has been a crucial lifeline for biodiesel producers as they respond to the nation’s demand for affordable, cleaner diesel fuels. Western Iowa Energy is running at full capacity to meet the Trump administration’s goal of massively increasing domestic production of renewable fuel to improve America’s energy security. Extension of the small producer credit will help us maintain production and local jobs in our community,” said Brad Wilson, President and General Manager of Western Iowa Energy.\n\nClick HERE for text of the legislation.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Working Families Tax Cuts Act temporarily extended the Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit to 2026. Under the credit, eligible small producers can receive a 20-cent-per-gallon tax credit on the first 15 million gallons of qualifying agri-biodiesel. To qualify, a producer must have a productive capacity of no more than 60 million gallons.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-runaway-government-weaponization-hurts-iowans", "title": "Q&A: Runaway Government Weaponization Hurts Iowans", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Q: What should Iowans know about Jack Smith’s criminal investigations against President Trump?\n\nA: Three days after President Trump announced his campaign for re-election in 2022, the Biden Justice Department appointed Special Counsel Jack Smith to conduct an investigation into Trump for allegedly mishandling classified documents and election interference. The genesis for Smith’s election investigation began at the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under the codename “Arctic Frost.” An FBI agent – who was later forced to resign for publicly posting blatant political content online – broke the FBI’s own rules to get the investigation off the ground. That agent was found to have violated the Hatch Act for his political conduct on the taxpayers’ dime.\n\nAs chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, my congressional oversight of Smith’s “Arctic Frost” case exposed a dangerous weaponization of the federal government that reinforces the importance of our robust system of checks and balances. Reckless, partisan investigations that misuse federal law enforcement, waste taxpayer dollars and target everyday Americans for partisan advantage undermine the public trust in government.\n\nThanks to courageous whistleblower disclosures, my oversight showed the Biden Department of Justice was out to get President Trump, and cast a net over the entire Republican Party, including groups and individuals. At the congressional hearing I led in September, I called Smith to testify and answer questions about the blatant abuse of power by partisan federal agents and prosecutors that swept lawmakers, journalists and ordinary Americans into their dragnet.\n\nMy oversight revealed extensive government overreach by Smith and his team, including how they:\n\nSubpoenaed the personal checks of 4,782 Americans from all 50 states who donated to President Trump or Trump-aligned campaigns between 2019 to 2023, including 42 Iowans.\n\nObtained the phone toll records of at least 16 members of Congress and the content of text messages of 44 lawmakers, including mine. This violated a constitutional guardrail known as the Speech or Debate clause, which prevents the executive branch from infringing on the legislative branch’s ability to carry out its core constitutional responsibilities.\n\nObtained the communications of journalists, vacuuming up messages between nearly 50 reporters and their government sources, including 60 Minutes, Associated Press, CNN, CBS, NBC, the Wall Street Journal and more.\n\nScooped up records from more than 400 Republican groups and individuals.\n\nSmith and his team of prosecutors and investigators broke the rules to throw the book at President Trump and put a target on the backs of his supporters. This bad faith approach to the rule of law gives the Department of Justice a black eye and erodes public confidence in government institutions.\n\nQ: How did 42 Iowans get swept up in Jack Smith’s investigation?\n\nA: Jack Smith’s subpoenas scooped up individual donor checks that included the sensitive information of private citizens across all 50 states. Among them, copies of the bank account numbers, routing numbers, home addresses and individual signatures of 42 Iowans were handed over to the Biden Justice Department and FBI. Sweeping up donor checks in a partisan dragnet is not the proper use of our justice system. This was an egregious invasion of privacy and a clear cut example of government overreach. As a government watchdog, my oversight will continue to keep check on abuses of power and ensure the laws passed by Congress are faithfully executed.\n\nOn behalf of Iowans, I’m working as hard as ever to restore public trust in government. Sadly, every single Democrat in the U.S. Senate voted against the Stop Insider Trading Act that would ban members of Congress, spouses and their dependent children from purchasing stocks in publicly traded companies. That bill also includes a commonsense voter ID requirement that’s supported by more than 80% of Americans. The bill passed the House of Representatives earlier this year, with backing from Reps. Miller-Meeks, Hinson, Nunn and Feenstra. Democrats’ obstruction is yet another example of their party putting politics before the American people.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-unveils-landmark-bipartisan-legislation-to-lower-costs-create-jobs-and-force-data-centers-to-fully-pay-for-costs-they-incur", "title": "Heinrich Unveils Landmark Bipartisan Legislation to Lower Costs, Create Jobs, and Force Data Centers to Fully Pay for Costs They Incur", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.heinrich.senate.gov", "scraper": "heinrich", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001046", "name": "Martin Heinrich", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, hosted a virtual press conference to unveil the landmark Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, major legislation that will reform and speed up the federal process for reviewing and approving energy projects to lower utility bills and create more jobs — while codifying Tribal consultation in statute, maintaining key environmental protections, and forcing AI data centers to fully pay for their grid upgrades, as well as their share of the existing grid, resulting in savings for families.\n\nVIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, hosts a virtual press conference to unveil his Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, September 30, 2026.\n\n“For New Mexico, this deal could be transformational. New Mexico has proven itself to be a state full of opportunities to expand energy production and build big projects. SunZia is just one example – but it is not the only one. Other projects like Western Spirit, the Crossroads-Hobbs-Roadrunner Transmission Line, and the Atrisco Solar and Storage Project all show the opportunity New Mexico offers to support and expand our energy grid. New Mexico can export clean electrons and import greenbacks,” said Heinrich. “Beyond any one project, New Mexico has the skilled talent, the geography, and the resources to be a key part of our clean energy future. This deal means that we can do that, while protecting safeguards that are important to our Tribes, our public lands, our wildlife. And that includes funding a first-of-its-kind Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund, which will help New Mexico clean up the tens of thousands of abandoned hardrock mines across our state.”\n\n“Negotiating this bill has not been easy. But after months of back-and-forth with my colleagues, I am proud to share this bipartisan permitting reform with the public and bring it to the Senate floor later in November for honest, good faith debates. America is defined by our resourcefulness, our skill, our determination – from the Hoover Dam to the Brooklyn Bridge to the SunZia transmission line. And my dad was just one part of that American story. I'm honored to be part of it today, as well. America needs to build big things again, and I'm confident that our Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act can help us do just that,” Heinrich concluded.\n\nThe full video of Heinrich’s press conference is here.\n\nThe full text of Heinrich’s Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act is here.\n\nHeinrich’s press release announcing the bill is here.\n\nA fact sheet on the bill is here and below:\n\nBipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act\n\nThe Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will deliver cheaper energy, good-paying jobs, and responsible growth in New Mexico and nationwide, while protecting important environmental review and historic preservation processes.\n\nCheaper Energy\n\nAs demand increases, America needs more electricity, and we need it cheaper and faster. This deal will increase energy supply, expand the grid, and drive costs down for families and businesses.\n\nBuilds more transmission, faster by strengthening the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) “backstop” siting authority — giving the federal government more authority to approve major interstate power lines – and allowing transmission applications to be processed simultaneously with state reviews, helping needed projects move through permitting faster.\n\nGets more energy onto the grid by:\n\nRequiring regional and interregional transmission planning that accounts for where new transmission is needed and plans ahead for future electricity demand, helping to get more electricity to the places that need it and putting downward pressure on electricity costs.\n\nRequiring grid-enhancing technologies and automated systems to speed up the process of connecting new energy projects to the grid and making better use of the grid we already have, increasing the supply available to consumers.\n\nRequiring wholesale electricity markets to allow distributed generation sources and virtual power plants to participate, helping meet growing demand with more available supply.\n\nForces data centers pay their fair share by requiring data centers to pay for all of their associated transmission costs, rather than relying on a voluntary structure, preventing costs from being passed on to American families or small businesses.\n\nGood-Paying Jobs\n\nAmerica has enormous energy and infrastructure needs, but we cannot create the jobs that come with building those projects if projects spend decades stuck in the permitting process.\n\nCreates jobs across the energy supply chain by boosting the build out of more transmission, clean energy, supply manufacturing, and other grid infrastructure.\n\nCreates greater certainty for projects permitted and financed across presidential administrations by prohibiting any administration from delaying or blocking permitting of a class of energy projects – meaning no administration can block all solar, wind, or other class of energy project permits without facing legal action and fines.\n\nResponsible Growth\n\nGetting to a “yes” or “no” on permitting faster does not mean eliminating environmental protections, Tribal consultation, or the ability to challenge projects in court. This deal keeps important safeguards in place, while creating clear timelines and rules for permitting projects.\n\nSets clear deadlines for environmental reviews — including a two-year deadline for Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) reviews and a one-year deadline for Environmental Assessment reviews, with consequences for agencies that miss those deadlines. That means environmental reviews still happen, but not indefinitely.\n\nEstablishes a new National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) consultation process that runs alongside National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews with a defined time limit, securing a statutory role for Tribes in determining how projects affect historic and cultural resources and protecting Tribes’ rights to formally consult during the processes — two things the Section 106 reforms attempted to eliminate.\n\nLimits the types of impacts that projects are required to mitigate, creating clearer boundaries around which effects a project must mitigate or minimize.\n\nSets clear limitations on when and how a project may be legally challenged.\n\nSets a 150-day deadline for legal challenges under the Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), NEPA, and NHPA.\n\nGenerally limits who can bring a legal challenge to people or groups that participated in the relevant comment period or Tribal consultation process.\n\nLimits when a court can temporarily stop a project from moving forward, while preserving the existing ability to seek that relief under the Administrative Procedures Act.\n\nAllows states to handle endangered species consultations if they have demonstrated staffing, expertise, and resource capacity to do so.\n\nClarifies the limits on state water-quality reviews (under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act) by limiting state certifications to water pollution directly caused by a specific source for gas pipelines and transmission lines and prohibiting use of the process to address unrelated issues.\n\nPrevents the federal government from changing the rules after the fact for certain wetlands and waterways by stopping the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from preemptively or retroactively removing areas of land from the federal water-quality certification process.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-curtis-celebrate-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-improve-snowpack-monitoring-manage-drought/", "title": "Hickenlooper, Curtis Celebrate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Improve Snowpack Monitoring, Manage Drought", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/", "domain": "www.hickenlooper.senate.gov", "scraper": "hickenlooper", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000273", "name": "John W. Hickenlooper", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and John Curtis celebrated the Senate passage of their bipartisan bill, the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Reauthorization Act, to help better predict and measure water supply to manage drought in the West. Passage comes as Colorado, Utah, and the entire West are experiencing a historic 1,200-year climate-driven drought, causing Colorado’s snowpack to reach record lows this past year.\n\n“We can’t make informed decisions about our water supply without the right measurement and monitoring tools,” said Hickenlooper. “We’re in dire straits with this drought in the West, but this bill will help us better manage our precious water resources and give us more accurate water predictions.”\n\n“Water is one of the defining challenges facing Utah and the West, and we need good information to make good decisions,” said Senator Curtis. “In a state where so much of our water supply depends on mountain snowpack, better forecasting helps farmers, communities, and water managers plan ahead and make the most of every drop. I’m pleased the Senate passed our bipartisan bill to strengthen these tools and give Western states better information to manage their water resources.”\n\nCompanion legislation introduced by Colorado Representatives Joe Neguse and Jeff Hurd passed the House.\n\nAs much as 80% of Colorado’s annual surface water supply comes from snowmelt runoff. Accurate measurements of snowpack are necessary to have a clear picture of the snowmelt that feeds rivers and streams across the West.\n\nThe bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Bureau of Reclamation’s (BOR) Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program which provides grants to advance emerging snow monitoring technology that improve water supply predictions.\n\nSpecifically, the bill would:\n\nReauthorize BOR’s Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program through 2031:\n\nContinue authorized funding of $15 million over five years; and\n\nUpdate language in existing authorization to emphasize water supply forecasting activities that inform interstate water management decisions.\n\nAs governor, Hickenlooper helped negotiate the 2019 Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plan, which helped protect critical levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead and ensured continued compliance with the 1922 Colorado River Compact.\n\nIn the Senate, Hickenlooper convened the bipartisan Colorado River Caucus to help address the Colorado River crisis and accompanying drought. Hickenlooper also helped secure millions in funding for water conservation projects in the West from both the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\n\nThe bipartisan Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Reauthorization Act is supported by American Rivers, the Southwestern Water Conservation District, Colorado River District, Upper Colorado River Commission, Denver Water, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Water Congress, Colorado Municipal League, Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, the Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, the National Ski Areas Association, the Family Farm Alliance, the National Audubon Society, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-kelly-gallego-peters-call-for-investigation-into-policies-preceding-knowles-firefighter-deaths/", "title": "Hickenlooper, Kelly, Gallego, Peters Call for Investigation Into Policies Preceding Knowles Firefighter Deaths", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/", "domain": "www.hickenlooper.senate.gov", "scraper": "hickenlooper", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000273", "name": "John W. Hickenlooper", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Senators seek answers following June deaths of four Rifle Helitack Crew firefighters\n\nWASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) called on the Department of the Interior to investigate the policies that preceded the deaths of four Rifle Interagency Helitack Crew members responding to the Gore and Knowles Fires on June 27th.\n\nThe fallen firefighters, Nick Hutcherson, 27, Emily Barker, 38, Sydney Watson, 27, and Nathan Matthews, 43, grew up in communities across the country before finding their way to federal wildland firefighting in Western Colorado. The senators represent states with connections to the four firefighters.\n\n“The tragedy of the loss of these four lives necessitates a thorough examination of departmental policies that guide fire suppression,” the senators wrote. “This year has seen the highest number of entrapments in two decades, as well as the deaths of 13 federal wildland firefighters, pilots, and contractors in incidents across the West. Now is the time to examine the policies that can help us avoid any additional devastating losses.”\n\nIn a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the senators called for the investigation to examine:\n\nInterior’s “full suppression” strategy: Whether the department’s presumption of full suppression for every wildfire adequately weighs risks to life, property, and natural resources.\n\nDirect attack by default: Whether the approach used on the Knowles Fire was influenced by broader agency policy rather than an assessment of the specific fire behavior and conditions crews faced.\n\nFirefighter safety and weather conditions: Federal forecasts warned of wind gusts up to 60 mph, low humidity, and potentially severe impacts the morning the Rifle Helitack Crew deployed. The crew was inserted two hours later and remained on the ground amid new ignitions, strong winds, and near-zero visibility, according to preliminary investigation reports.\n\nStaffing and organizational changes: Whether Interior’s reorganization of wildfire operations and recent staffing losses affected operations or firefighter safety.\n\nThe letter comes as the senators continue seeking answers about the tragedy. Interagency procedures call for serious accident investigations to be completed within 45 days, meaning the internal review should have been completed by August 11. Requests for a briefing on the investigation’s status have not been fulfilled, and no new information has been released since a July 30 update.\n\n“Wildland firefighter safety is a non-negotiable imperative,” the senators wrote. “We call on you to ensure the Department takes a thorough, clear-eyed assessment of the multiple factors that led to four deaths and one serious injury in response to the Knowles Fire.”\n\nRead the full letter HERE and below:\n\nDear Secretary Burgum:\n\nWe write to call for an investigation into the agency-level policy decisions that preceded the deaths of four wildland firefighters while responding to the Gore and Knowles Fires on June 27, 2026.\n\nThe four Rifle Interagency Helitack Crew members who lost their lives—Nick Hutcherson, Emily Barker, Sydney Watson, and Nathan Matthews—as well as the fifth firefighter who was severely injured, all acted bravely in their response to the Knowles fire that day. These firefighters grew up in communities in our states across the nation, but all found their way to federal wildland firefighting in Western Colorado, acting as heroes in one of the most severe fire years on record.\n\nThe tragedy of the loss of these four lives necessitates a thorough examination of departmental policies that guide fire suppression. This year has seen the highest number of entrapments in two decades, as well as the deaths of 13 federal wildland firefighters, pilots, and contractors in incidents across the West. Now is the time to examine the policies that can help us avoid any additional devastating losses.\n\nThe investigation should examine:\n\nInterior’s “Full Suppression Strategy”: Specifically, we ask for a thorough examination of the Department of the Interior’s policy which presumes a “full suppression strategy applied to every wildfire.” Fire scientists recognize that full suppression has made our megafire crisis worse by allowing fuels to accumulate. While it is critical to protect communities at risk of wildfire, it is notable that the Knowles Fire was several miles away from the nearest town when the Rifle Helitack Crew was deployed. We call on Interior to closely examine whether value is added by presuming full suppression at all times, rather than assessing the risks to life, property, and resource values before determining the approach to any given fire.\n\nDirect Attack by Default: An Interior memo additionally indicates that direct attack—meaning measures closer to the fire perimeter—should be the default in this full suppression approach, rather than emphasizing key factors like fire intensity, flame length, and spread rates that may favor indirect attack of a fire. The Department’s investigation should detail whether a direct attack approach was used for the Knowles Fire, and whether that decision was influenced by the larger agency policy rather than an assessment of fire behavior, if so.\n\nPrioritizing Firefighter Safety in Decision-making: Furthermore, we call on Interior to investigate how decision-making structures are prioritizing the safety of our firefighters. In the instance of the Knowles Fire, we believe the Department should examine whether information-sharing—specifically in regard to fire-weather and conditions—led to adequately informed decisions, and whether improvements can or should be made going forward. Notably, the National Incident Management Situation Report issued the morning of the Rifle Helitack Crew’s deployment, predicted wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour, low humidity, and a likelihood of severe impacts. Still, the Rifle Helitack Crew was inserted into the fire two hours later. And the crew remained on the ground, despite new ignitions, strong winds, and near-zero visibility, according to the preliminary reports from the ongoing investigation of this incident.\n\nShifts to Agency Structure and Staffing: Additionally, this investigation should examine whether high-level changes to the agency’s structure and staffing contributed to the events of June 27th. The Department’s reorganization of fire activities into the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, which has not been authorized by Congress, merits review in the context of this tragedy and the high number of other incidents this fire season. Additionally, the Department should assess the impact of major staffing cuts and shortages on its fire suppression operations—a pressing question given that the agency has lost 17% of its employees, and the federal wildland firefighters still on staff are covering the gaps with as much as 1,000 hours of overtime. With major organizational changes and staffing losses, we are deeply troubled by reports of low morale and firefighter crews spread thin.\n\nWe appreciate that a Serious Accident Investigation Team is conducting a review of the Knowles Fire incident, and we call on Interior to brief our offices on the status of that investigation. Interagency procedures require internal investigation to be completed within 45 days10—which means that the internal review should have been completed by August 11th. As of the writing of this letter, requests for a briefing on the status of this investigation have not been filled, and no new information has been provided since the issuance of a July 30th update on the investigation. The prompt release of this investigation’s findings is crucial to public safety and to that of our wildland firefighters, particularly in this remarkably tragic year.\n\nWildland firefighter safety is a non-negotiable imperative. It is with this in mind that we call on you to ensure the Department takes a thorough, clear-eyed assessment of the multiple factors that led to four deaths and one serious injury in response to the Knowles Fire. We ask for you to ensure that this information is shared with our offices, and with the families of the Rifle Helitack Crew, in a prompt manner. This information is crucial to the healing of the families and to ensuring that we can learn how to avoid future tragedies.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-to-hold-fireside-chat-with-nasa-administrator-golden-dome-director-at-uas-summit", "title": "Hoeven to Hold Fireside Chat With NASA Administrator, Golden Dome Director at UAS Summit", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "scraper": "hoeven", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001061", "name": "John Hoeven", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced his guests for the 2026 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Summit in Grand Forks, including:\n\nNASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.\n\nGeneral Michael Guetlein, Director of Golden Dome for America.\n\nHoeven invited Isaacman and Guetlein to the state as part of his efforts to advance North Dakota’s role as a leader in drone and counter-drone technology and space operations. The senator will hold a fireside chat at the summit with his two guests on the morning of Tuesday, October 13. Hoeven, Isaacman and Guetlein will then tour the University of North Dakota’s (UND) space facilities, including its simulated space habitat and space suit lab. That afternoon, they will meet with UND researchers and leaders and hold a Q&A session with university students.\n\n“North Dakota is a global leader in unmanned technology, and we are leveraging our unique UAS ecosystem to grow our state’s role in the development of counter-drone technology and the next generation of space operations. I appreciate Administrator Isaacman and General Guetlein for accepting my invitation to this year’s UAS Summit, where we will discuss these efforts and outline how our state will help ensure the U.S. is prepared to meet the defense challenges of tomorrow,” said Hoeven.\n\n-###-", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/husted-boozman-in-oakwood-with-ohio-farmers/", "title": "Husted, Boozman in Oakwood with Ohio farmers", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“It was great to host Chairman Boozman in Ohio and spend time listening to hardworking Ohio farmers who are keeping our state fed and fueled.”\n\nOAKWOOD, Ohio – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) today visited Cooper Farms Hatchery in Oakwood to spend time with Ohio farmers and hear directly about the issues facing the agricultural industry.\n\n“It was great to host Chairman Boozman in Ohio and spend time listening to hardworking Ohio farmers who are keeping our state fed and fueled. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act modernized the farm safety net, helping producers have more certainty when planning for their business and farm operations. The Farm Bill includes five bills that I am championing to support Ohio farmers through agricultural loans, community college agriculture programs, fertilizer research and assistance for rural seniors,” said Husted.\n\n“Senator Husted has been a strong champion for Ohio agriculture, delivering historic investments for farmers through the Working Families Tax Cuts. Farm families will start to see those benefits this month, with Buckeye State producers expected to receive $544 million in ARC and PLC payments––76% more than they would have received without the Republican-supported bill. He listens directly to producers about what they need, and that input helped shape Farm Bill 2.0. I look forward to working together to strengthen the future of agriculture and get a new farm bill signed into law this year that reflects the priorities of Ohio producers,” said Boozman.\n\nCooper Farms is a family-owned and operated company in Northwest Ohio known for its egg, chicken, turkey and pork operations.\n\nHusted and Boozman held a roundtable with Ohio farmers to hear their concerns and discuss their work in the Senate to support Ohio’s agricultural industry.\n\nHusted highlighted several key provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that strengthen Ohio’s agricultural industry, including eliminating the death tax for family-run farms, making permanent the 20% Qualified Business Income deduction for farmers and increasing Section 179 expensing limits to help farmers invest in new machinery, equipment and expanded operations.\n\nOhio is set to receive $544 million in ARC/PLC payments beginning this month. This is nearly double the amount farmers would have received without the improvements made by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.\n\nOhio also received 885,000 new base acres that will be available for 2026 payments next fall.\n\nHusted and Boozman also supported the Farm Bill, which includes five bills championed by Husted to support Ohio farmers. The bills include:", "collected_at": "2026-10-05T12:04:08Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-05T12:05:17Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/president-grants-disaster-declaration-for-state-of-ohio-after-husted-ohio-delegation-request/", "title": "President grants disaster declaration for state of Ohio after Husted, Ohio delegation request", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“Ohioans have been hit hard by these storms, and I’m grateful to President Trump and the administration for acting quickly to provide Ohio with federal assistance.”\n\nCOLUMBUS – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) today praised President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will grant the state of Ohio a major disaster declaration following devastating damage caused by severe storms that moved through Ohio from Aug. 10 to 23, 2026.\n\nThe announcement comes after Husted helped lead the effort requesting an expedited disaster declaration from Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).\n\n“Ohioans have been hit hard by these storms, and I’m grateful to President Trump and the administration for acting quickly to provide Ohio with federal assistance. I’ll continue pushing to make sure Ohioans have the support to recover and rebuild,” said Husted.\n\nFederal assistance is necessary to supplement the efforts and resources available to the state, local governments and disaster relief organizations as Ohio communities recover from the storm damage.", "collected_at": "2026-10-05T12:04:08Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-05T12:05:17Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-gallego-celebrate-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-help-prevent-catastrophic-wildfires/", "title": "Kelly, Gallego Celebrate Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Help Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.kelly.senate.gov", "scraper": "markkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000377", "name": "Mark Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act makes it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fires to reduce wildfire risk\n\nThis week, the Senate unanimously passed Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego’s Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA) of 2026, bipartisan legislation to make it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fires to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives.\n\nPrescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to reduce hazardous fuels before they contribute to larger and more destructive wildfires. However, current federal air quality rules can make it harder for states to use prescribed fires proactively. The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act would give states greater certainty that they will not be penalized under the Clean Air Act for responsibly using prescribed burns to reduce wildfire risk.\n\n“Arizona communities know how much damage catastrophic wildfires can do, and we need to do everything we can to reduce that risk before a fire starts,” said Kelly. “Prescribed burns are a proven way to clear out dangerous fuels and keep our forests and communities safer. I look forward to getting it across the finish line.”\n\n“Prescribed burns are essential to protecting millions of Americans who are threatened by wildfires each year, including in many communities across Arizona,” said Gallego. “I urge the House to take up this common-sense bill and send it to the President’s desk.”\n\nKelly and Gallego introduced WEPA with Senators John Curtis (R-UT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Boozman (R-AR), and Alex Padilla (D-CA). The legislation advanced unanimously out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee earlier this month.\n\nBackground:\n\nThis builds on Kelly’s efforts to keeping Americans safe by reducing wildfire risk. This month, Kelly joined Senate colleagues in demanding the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that all communities receive the federal resources they need to respond to and prevent wildfires. Additionally, Kelly’s Wildfire Prevention and Recovery Act, which directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct periodic wildfire risk assessments and study the impacts of wildfires on Corps-managed lands through a pilot program beginning in Arizona, passed the EPW committee as part of the 2026 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-hickenlooper-gallego-peters-call-for-investigation-into-policies-preceding-knowles-firefighter-deaths/", "title": "Kelly, Hickenlooper, Gallego, Peters Call for Investigation into Policies Preceding Knowles Firefighter Deaths", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.kelly.senate.gov", "scraper": "markkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000377", "name": "Mark Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Senators seek answers following June deaths of four Rifle Helitack Crew firefighters\n\nToday, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Gary Peters (D-MI) called on the Department of Interior (DOI) to investigate the policies that preceded the deaths of four Rifle Interagency Helitack Crew members responding to the Gore and Knowles Fires on June 27, 2026.\n\nThe fallen firefighters—Nick Hutcherson, 27; Emily Barker, 38; Sydney Watson, 27; and Nathan Matthews, 43—grew up in communities across the country before finding their way to federal wildland firefighting in Western Colorado. The senators represent states with connections to the four firefighters.\n\n“The tragedy of the loss of these four lives necessitates a thorough examination of departmental policies that guide fire suppression,” the senators wrote. “This year has seen the highest number of entrapments in two decades, as well as the deaths of 13 federal wildland firefighters, pilots, and contractors in incidents across the West. Now is the time to examine the policies that can help us avoid any additional devastating losses.”\n\nIn their letter, the senators called for the investigation to examine:\n\nDOI’s “full suppression” strategy: Whether the department’s presumption of full suppression for every wildfire adequately weighs risks to life, property, and natural resources.\n\nDirect attack by default: Whether the approach used on the Knowles Fire was influenced by broader agency policy rather than an assessment of the specific fire behavior and conditions crews faced.\n\nFirefighter safety and weather conditions: Forecasts warned of wind gusts up to 60 mph, low humidity, and potentially severe impacts the morning the Rifle Helitack Crew deployed. The crew was inserted two hours later and remained on the ground amid new ignitions, strong winds, and near-zero visibility, according to preliminary investigation reports.\n\nStaffing and organizational changes: Whether DOI’s reorganization of wildfire operations and recent staffing losses affected operations or firefighter safety.\n\nThe letter comes as the senators continue seeking answers about the tragedy. Interagency procedures call for serious accident investigations to be completed within 45 days, meaning the internal review should have been completed by August 11, 2026. Requests for a briefing on the investigation’s status have not been fulfilled, and no new information has been released since a July 30 update.\n\n“Wildland firefighter safety is a non-negotiable imperative,” the senators wrote. “We call on you to ensure the Department takes a thorough, clear-eyed assessment of the multiple factors that led to four deaths and one serious injury in response to the Knowles Fire.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-resolution-designating-september-30th-as-national-veterans-suicide-prevention-day-passes-senate-unanimously", "title": "King Resolution Designating September 30th as National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day Passes Senate Unanimously", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table", "domain": "www.king.senate.gov", "scraper": "angusking", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000383", "name": "Angus S. King, Jr.", "party": "Independent", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) today welcomed news that their bipartisan resolution designating September 30th as “National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day” passed the U.S. Senate unanimously. The resolution recognizes the lasting physical injuries and emotional trauma that can result from military service. The resolution also supports the families and loved ones who bear the loss when a veteran dies by suicide, learning from their experiences, and strengthening early intervention efforts to help with future prevention.\n\n“National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day is a solemn reminder of our responsibility to the veterans we have lost, and to the families who carry their memory forward,” said Senator King. “Their experiences demonstrate the critical importance of early support and reliable access to care. We remain committed to strengthening the systems that provide veterans and their loved ones with effective and compassionate services.”\n\nSenator King had previously led bipartisan legislation to reduce the risk of veteran suicide. The Saving Our Veterans’ Lives Act would authorize a program through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide free firearm lockboxes to veterans to put time and space between at-risk individuals and lethal means, such as firearms.\n\nIn 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported that each day, there was an average of 17.5 veteran suicides, making it the 12th leading cause of death among veterans, and the 2nd leading cause among veterans under the age of 45. This accounts for a disproportionate percentage of adult suicides in the United States. Additionally, 75% of veteran suicide deaths involve a firearm, which reaffirms safe firearm storage as an essential part of suicide prevention measures.\n\nThe National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day resolution is endorsed by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The American Legion, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).\n\nRepresenting one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King is a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. In March, Senator King was honored by The American Legion with its 2026 Distinguished Public Service Award. Last year, Senator King was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. He was also recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-wyden-lead-colleagues-in-calling-on-irs-to-drop-unnecessary-and-harmful-immigration-status-question-on-tax-form/", "title": "Luján, Wyden Lead Colleagues in Calling on IRS to Drop Unnecessary and Harmful Immigration Status Question on Tax Form", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member, led nine colleagues in calling on Frank Bisignano, Chief Executive Officer of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to drop the newly proposed citizenship and work authorization checkbox from the final version of the 2026 Form 1040. In the letter, the senators outlined that adding an immigration question for the first time serves no clear tax purpose and could result in hundreds of billions of dollars in unpaid taxes. The letter also pushes for the release of the updated tax gap estimate, which has been delayed almost a year.\n\n“We write to urge you to drop the newly proposed citizenship and work authorization checkbox from the final version of the 2026 Form 1040. Adding this question for the first time in history appears to serve no legitimate tax administration purpose and risks increasing the tax gap by hundreds of billions of dollars,” wrote the senators.\n\n“Turning the 1040 into an immigration tracker actively sabotages voluntary tax compliance and undermines the IRS’s core tax collection responsibilities. Public trust is already at a low point after the IRS illegally handed over the private data of more than 42,000 taxpayers to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Putting this question on the front page of the Form 1040 will only discourage people from filing altogether,” continued the senators.\n\nIn addition to Senators Luján and Wyden, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Mr. Bisignano:\n\nWe write to urge you to drop the newly proposed citizenship and work authorization checkbox from the final version of the 2026 Form 1040. Adding this question for the first time in history appears to serve no legitimate tax administration purpose and risks increasing the tax gap by hundreds of billions of dollars.\n\nThe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not need this checkbox to collect taxes. Nonresidents already file Form 1040-NR, and the agency checks work authorization against Social Security Administration data.\n\nTurning the 1040 into an immigration tracker actively sabotages voluntary tax compliance and undermines the IRS’s core tax collection responsibilities. Public trust is already at a low point after the IRS illegally handed over the private data of more than 42,000 taxpayers to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Putting this question on the front page of the Form 1040 will only discourage people from filing altogether.\n\nThis is a multi-billion-dollar mistake at a time when our national debt is pushing $40 trillion. The Yale Budget Lab estimates that weaponizing tax filing could cost the federal government $313 billion over the next decade and endanger the $66 billion that unauthorized workers currently pay in taxes each year.\n\nAdditionally, we want to know when the Treasury Department will publish the IRS’s updated tax gap estimates or projections, which should be a key focus of any IRS leader. Former Commissioner Werfel committed to releasing these annually, yet recent reporting indicates that the IRS is deliberately sitting on the data. The IRS released its last tax gap report in October 2024, which projected the tax gap for tax year 2022 was nearly $700 billion per year, even though it omitted perhaps the largest parts of the tax gap attributable to corporate income tax, income from flowthrough entities, foreign activities, and digital assets.\n\nAn updated report covering the 2023 tax year was scheduled to be released in the fall of 2025. The report is now almost a year late.\n\nPlease answer the following questions by October 22, 2026:\n\nWhether the IRS will remove the costly new checkbox, and if not:\n\nWhether this change was directly or indirectly directed by the White House, and if so, provide a copy of any such communications?\n\nWhether any change in tax law requires the IRS to add this checkbox?\n\nWhether the IRS considered the negative impact on voluntary tax compliance and the tax gap before proposing to add this checkbox?\n\nWhat is the IRS’s estimate of the effect of this change on voluntary tax compliance and the tax gap?\n\nWhen will the IRS publish an updated estimate or projection of the tax gap?\n\nWill the next tax gap report cover tax year 2024, as the IRS promised, or will it focus on 2023?\n\nWill the next tax gap report cover the tax gap attributable to pass-throughs, corporations, offshore avoidance, and digital assets?\n\nWe expect your timely response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-reps-tlaib-pressley-announce-legislation-to-stop-big-banks-from-bankrolling-the-climate-crisis", "title": "Senator Markey, Reps. Tlaib, Pressley Announce Legislation to Stop Big Banks from Bankrolling the Climate Crisis", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.markey.senate.gov", "scraper": "markey", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000133", "name": "Edward J. Markey", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Legislation requires large bank holding companies to adopt emission transition plans to reduce financial sector emissions\n\nBill Text (PDF)\n\nWashington (October 2, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today announced the reintroduction of the Fossil Free Finance Act. The legislation would require banks to adopt emission transition plans to reduce financial sector emissions and deforestation risks. The legislation is led in the House by Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07).\n\nUnder this legislation, large bank holding companies would be required to implement plans to reduce financial sector emissions 50 percent by 2035 and reach zero financial sector emissions by 2050. Additionally, it would require banks to discontinue financing for new or expanded fossil fuel projects within 60 days of enactment, immediately discontinue thermal coal financing and facilitation, and eliminate facilitation of deforestation risk commodities. Despite climate-driven wildfires, floods, and other disasters continuing to devastate regions across the country, banks continue to invest in contributing fossil fuel projects. Plans created from this legislation will help the financial sector align with science-based projections for emissions.\n\n“Our economy and global financial systems have a codependent relationship with the fossil fuel industry. We cannot wait for big banks to address the very climate crisis they are financing if we are serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. It’s like giving an arsonist a hose for one hand while they hold a gas can in the other,” said Senator Markey. “The Fossil Free Finance Act would require our financial institutions, including banks, to protect Americans’ savings, investments, and our economy by addressing the threats posed by climate change. We need to put the planet over profit and get fossil fuels out of our finances.”\n\n“Our financial institutions and banks are funding the pollution of our air and water that make us sicker. They choose to invest billions of dollars in dirty fossil fuel projects,” said Rep. Tlaib. “Instead of acting to protect us, the Federal Reserve allowed these banks to finance the destruction of our planet and our health. I’m taking action with Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pressley to require the Federal Reserve to finally do something and address the dangers of our climate crisis.”\n\n“We should be using every tool available to protect our planet, our people, and our economy, and one way we can do that is by stopping giant banks from financing fossil fuel projects,” said Rep. Pressley. “Our Fossil Free Finance Act would help confront the climate crisis by stopping financial institutions, including our nation’s largest banks, from providing trillions in fossil fuel financing and deepening the health inequities and harms that already plague our communities. I’m grateful to Senator Markey and Congresswoman Tlaib for their ongoing partnership on this bill to take urgent action to help prevent a massive, climate-induced economic collapse.”\n\n“Major US banks’ ongoing finance for fossil fuel expansion is driving worsening climate change and putting the entire financial system and public at risk,” said Alex Martin, Climate Finance Policy Director at Americans for Financial Reform. “The Fossil Free Finance Act would recognize the role that fossil fuel finance plays in driving climate-related financial risk, and require banks to develop climate action plans that address those risks, creating a critical safeguard for the public and the financial system.”\n\n“While financial policymakers around the world actively work to decarbonize their economies, U.S. policymakers have fallen behind, leaving our financial system exposed to the impacts of climate change,” said David Arkush, Director of Public Citizen’s Climate Program. “Financial institutions continue to finance, invest, and underwrite unnecessary projects—creating systemic risks that can reverberate across the economy. Rather than continuing to create risks for the financial system, large and systemically important financial institutions should be required to reduce their financed and facilitated emissions in line with science-driven targets. Neither Congress nor the Federal Reserve should wait for a financial crisis to address climate-related financial risk.”\n\nThe Fossil Free Finance Act of 2026 would address climate-related threats to financial stability and help align the financial sector with science-based emissions targets by redefining financial sector emissions, mandating bank holding companies with at least $50 billion in assets to align with science-based emissions targets, and requiring the Federal Reserve to report to Congress on financial sector emissions, commitments by covered institutions, progress toward emissions targets, regulatory gaps, data challenges, and equitable transition needs.\n\nThe Fossil Free Finance Act of 2026 is cosponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by Public Citizen and Americans for Financial Reform.\n\nSenator Markey has consistently worked to hold powerful international institutions accountable for their complicity in the climate crisis.\n\nIn April, Senator Markey led his colleagues in requesting that the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations legislation include language that would prohibit the use of taxpayer funds to stop the construction of offshore wind energy facilities.\n\nIn November 2024, Senator Markey partnered with Representative Lisa Badum of Germany and Senator Rosa Galvez of Canada to lead over 130 leaders from around the world in sending an open letter during the United Nations global climate conference, COP29, urging world leaders and UN-level negotiators to support an immediate moratorium on the expansion of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure worldwide.\n\nIn May 2023, Senator Markey and Representative Yvette Clarke (NY-09) announced the reintroduction of the Block All New (BAN) Fossil Fuel Exports Act, legislation that would amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act and ban the export of American crude oil and natural gas abroad to protect frontline communities from dangerous export infrastructure, prioritize U.S. consumers against fossil fuel profiteering, and help ensure the United States meets its climate and clean energy commitments on the world stage.\n\nSenator Markey, and Representatives Tlaib, Pressley, and former Rep. Mondaire Jones (NY-17) first introduced the Fossil Free Finance Act during the 117th Congress in September 2021. Senator Markey first reintroduced the legislation with Senator Merkley in March 2023.\n\nIn October 2022, Senator Markey reintroduced the OPEC Accountability Act, legislation to require the U.S. President to initiate consultations with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and some non-OPEC countries to reduce crude oil production.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-meeks-shaheen-jacobs-issue-statement-on-troubling-gao-report-on-status-of-trump-admins-foreign-assistance/", "title": "Merkley, Meeks, Shaheen, Jacobs Issue Statement on Troubling GAO Report on Status of Trump Admin’s Foreign Assistance", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“The GAO’s report on the recent drastic changes to U.S. foreign assistance confirms what we’ve known all along: the Trump Administration dramatically reduced programming and staffing without a plan, and this continues to negatively impact the United States’ ability to manage taxpayer dollars effectively and help communities in need.\n\n“Despite assurances that State would be able to subsume USAID’s responsibilities and an early commitment from Secretary Rubio to provide guidance for implementing the State Department’s foreign assistance review, the Department’s Reductions in Force have left it too understaffed to properly execute those functions.\n\n“Meanwhile, State has produced no written rationale for determining which programs to maintain and which to terminate. The GAO notes this lack of guidance could lead State Department officials to ‘make inconsistent or ad hoc decisions or lack the information necessary for effective decision-making.’", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-relaunches-effort-to-protect-drivers-privacy/", "title": "Merkley Relaunches Effort to Protect Driver’s Privacy", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced the reintroduction of his Car Privacy Rights Act, legislation to protect consumers’ privacy from companies that collect and sell Americans’ car data.\n\nCurrently, companies collect, store, and sell vehicle data without the driver’s knowledge. Recent reporting has even documented automakers selling vehicle data to make billions in profit, including car manufacturers selling private consumer data to insurance companies—negatively impacting drivers’ insurance premiums and auto loans.\n\n“Folks shouldn’t have to give up their privacy every time they get behind the wheel,” said Merkley. “Car companies have no business collecting and profiting from personal information without the driver’s knowledge or consent. This bill puts consumers back in control of their information and ensures that privacy comes before corporate profits.”\n\nMerkley’s Car Privacy Rights Act would establish national privacy rights for car owners and ensure that consumers’ data is private and secure. The bill sets limits on what companies—including automakers, insurance companies, and digital applications—can collect and share, while giving consumers the right to access their data and see which third parties have received it. It also requires companies to obtain consumers’ explicit consent before selling or sharing their data and provide a clear, accessible option to opt out of data collection entirely.\n\nThe Car Privacy Rights Act stands up for the privacy of drivers across the nation by:\n\nMinimizing the data that car manufacturers and covered entities can collect to what is necessary to provide essential products and services;\n\nEmpowering car owners to control their own personal data, including by requiring car manufacturers to allow consumers to access their car-related data;\n\nBanning car manufacturers and covered entities from sharing any consumer car-related data, unless the consumer is clearly notified of each instance of data sharing, its intent, and explicitly grants affirmative, express consent to allow the data transfer;\n\nRequiring all car manufacturers to allow consumers to easily revoke consent directly on their website and applications;\n\nProhibiting a covered entity from selling consumers’ car-related data with precise geolocation information;\n\nMandating each car manufacturer and insurance company to annually submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding their consumer data privacy practices, data being collected, its purpose, to whom such data is being shared or sold, and an overview of their data sharing practices;\n\nDirecting the FTC—in partnership with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)—to issue guidance or promulgate regulations regarding how car manufacturers can address domestic violence issues related to any car applications with geolocation services.\n\nThe Car Privacy Rights Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).\n\nThe bill is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).\n\n“Cars can now track where you are going, how often you go there, how fast you drive, what phone you connect to the car, and so much more. Auto manufacturers profit off of this information, violating your privacy without your knowledge or consent. The Car Privacy Rights Act would change that by limiting what information car manufacturers can collect and making sure that consumers, not companies, decide whether that information can be shared,” said Jina John, ACLU Senior Policy Counsel of AI, Privacy, and Technology.\n\nFull text of the Car Privacy Rights Act can be found by clicking here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/sanders-ocasio-cortez-merkley-unveil-ban-flock-act-to-protect-americans-right-to-privacy/", "title": "Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, Merkley Unveil Ban Flock Act to Protect Americans’ Right to Privacy", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today released the Ban Flock Act, legislation to put an end to the rise in AI-powered surveillance cameras that track Americans across the country. The Ban Flock Act would prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and block federal funding from state and local governments that use this technology.\n\n“At a time of growing concern about the unchecked power of artificial intelligence, Flock is eviscerating the very notion of privacy by installing tens of thousands of cameras in communities across America without their consent,” Sanders said. “Going to the doctor? Flock knows. Dropping your kid off at school? Flock is tracking you. Flock is always watching. We cannot allow America to become a surveillance state where a handful of AI oligarchs profit by giving the government the power to track our every movement.”\n\n“Across the country, Big Tech companies like Flock Safety have built a mass surveillance system to harvest Americans’ private and personal data without their consent. AI-powered cameras are keeping track of our every move and weaponizing this data against working people to make record profits. The widespread integration of this technology into American society is unconscionable,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I am proud to introduce the Ban Flock Act with Senator Sanders to enforce our constitutional right to privacy and protect Americans from both corporate and government surveillance.”\n\n“Your right to privacy includes the freedom to move around your community without every move being monitored,” Merkley said. “Right now, Flock is selling its cameras nationwide, laying the groundwork for a surveillance state while enriching corporate executives. No one should have this unchecked surveillance power at their fingertips, which is why I’m teaming up with Senator Sanders to rein in this dangerous technology.”\n\nFlock is the largest vendor of automatic license plate readers in the United States, with more than 120,000 cameras across the country that scan and record 20 billion vehicles every month. Newer Flock cameras do not just record vehicles — they record people. Flock’s AI system can combine images of you and your vehicle with databases of phone numbers, relatives and court records to find out who you are, where you’re going and why. The company also operates a national lookup tool, so agencies that contract with Flock can access data generated by cameras in another city or state. The national lookup tool searches can turn up massive amounts of information, including physical descriptions, records of an individual’s online accounts and lists of their relatives.\n\nThe mass surveillance capabilities enabled by Flock and other automatic license plate reader companies have threatened the civil liberties of everyday Americans:\n\nFlock has shared state information with federal immigration officials;\n\nLaw enforcement officials have pulled Flock data to investigate activists and logged searches corresponding to protests against ICE raids, in support of Palestinian rights and for ‘No Kings’ demonstrations; and\n\nOfficers have used plate readers to track wives, girlfriends, exes and women they wanted to meet without their consent.\n\nSo far this year, at least 56 municipalities have deactivated, cancelled, or rejected contracts with Flock. Congress must act to stop the mass surveillance of citizens.\n\nThe Ban Flock Act would do this by:\n\nProhibiting the federal government from using automatic license plate readers or accessing the information they collect;\n\nStopping federal grant funding from flowing to state or local governments that use automatic license plate readers or contract with automatic license plate readers companies;\n\nAllowing Americans to sue the federal government for violation of their rights through the use of automatic license plate readers.\n\nRead the text of the bill here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/video-senate-democrats-block-senator-moodys-national-fraud-enforcement-division-act/", "title": "VIDEO: Senate Democrats Block Senator Moody’s National Fraud Enforcement Division Act", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.moody.senate.gov", "scraper": "moody", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001244", "name": "Ashley Moody", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Ashley Moody took to the Senate floor this week to pass her National Fraud Enforcement Division Act – a bill aimed at codifying the administration’s anti-fraud enforcement division. The legislation was blocked by Senate Democrats.\n\n“Democrats shockingly continue to side with fraudsters and against hardworking Americans. Combatting fraud should be a 100-0 issue. Acting as good stewards of taxpayer dollars is the most foundational aspect of being a public servant, yet we continue to battle a party that seemingly wants to protect institutional grift,” said Senator Ashley Moody.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nMore than $260 billion in fraud nationwide has been uncovered by the Administration.\n\nSenator Moody filed the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act the day after it passed in the U.S. House. The legislation creates a National Fraud Enforcement Division within the DOJ to go after fraudsters and bad actors who steal taxpayer dollars.\n\nSenator Moody serves on the Senate Anti-Fraud Task Force, an oversight effort focused on identifying fraud against the federal government, exposing systemic vulnerabilities, recovering taxpayer dollars, and advancing reforms that strengthen accountability.\n\nSenator Moody has always been committed to combating fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars. In the past year and a half alone, Senator Moody:\n\nIntroduced the SWIPES Act to combat gift card fraud and protect seniors;\n\nIntroduced the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act to extend criminal penalties to make intentionally staging an accident with a commercial motor vehicle a federal crime, protecting all drivers on the roads and preventing con artists from driving up the cost of insurance;\n\nIntroduced the Stop Child Care Scams Act to fight fraud in federal childcare programs;\n\nIntroduced the STOP Scams Against Seniors Act to protect seniors from scams and financial fraud;\n\nIntroduced the No Aid for Ghost Students Act to stop fraudsters, often called “ghost students,” from using stolen or fake identities to submit FAFSA applications and take federal student aid money;\n\nJoined the Senate Anti-Fraud Task Force, an oversight effort focused on identifying fraud against the federal government, exposing systemic vulnerabilities, recovering taxpayer dollars, and advancing reforms that strengthen accountability;\n\nIntroduced the Punishing Health Care Fraudsters Act, which increases financial and criminal penalties for health care fraud across the board; and\n\nCosponsored the SCAM Act, which would increase safety and protect the integrity of American citizenship by ensuring individuals who join terrorist organizations or are naturalized through fraud or deception can have their citizenship revoked; and\n\nCosponsored the Protecting American Taxpayers Act, comprehensive anti-fraud legislation that includes 16 commonsense measures that would stop bad actors, protect taxpayer dollars and recover stolen funds, providing $240 billion in projected savings.\n\nWatch full remarks here.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-conducts-unannounced-oversight-visit-of-sfo-de-facto-immigration-detention-facility/", "title": "Padilla Conducts Unannounced Oversight Visit of SFO De Facto Immigration Detention Facility", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Immigration Subcommittee, conducted an unannounced oversight visit to San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) de facto Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immigration detention facility.\n\nFollowing direct inquiries to his office and recent reporting about conditions at the facility, Padilla conducted the unannounced visit to see conditions firsthand and ensure the federal government is meeting its legal and humanitarian obligations to people in its custody.\n\n“No one in our state or country should have to live in fear of this Administration’s cruelty and attacks on immigrants. And yet, there are extremely concerning reports that valid green card holders and other immigrants are being detained at SFO for days on end without access to adequate medical care or legal representation,” said Senator Padilla. “Constituents have reached out to my office with serious concerns about what is happening inside immigration detention facilities, including spaces like the one at SFO, and those concerns demand answers. As a United States Senator, I have a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight, see these facilities firsthand, and hold the federal government accountable for how it treats people in its custody. Today’s visit was an important step in continuing to shine a light on a cruel and inhumane system enabled by the Trump Administration that operates without transparency or accountability.”\n\nThis year, Padilla has made multiple visits to immigration detention facilities across California, including the California City and Otay Mesa detention centers, where he heard directly from people being detained and witnessed abhorrent conditions firsthand. His visits have underscored the importance of congressional oversight at a time when the Trump Administration is rapidly expanding immigration detention with limited transparency and accountability.\n\nLast month, Padilla called out the Trump Administration’s continued abuses of power and inhumane treatment of detained immigrants. He also demanded DHS immediately halt its reckless plan to equip Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers with electric shock gloves.\n\nIn June, Padilla and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) sounded the alarm over the significant increase in deaths among detainees in ICE custody since January 2025, expressing concern over the announcement of the 50th reported death in ICE custody under the Trump Administration. Padilla also condemned Republicans’ partisan bill to provide ICE and CBP with an extra $70 billion without necessary reforms and forced a vote on his amendment that would require ICE officers to wear body cameras while on-duty.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-kim-schatz-schiff-introduce-legislation-to-increase-loan-forgiveness-for-teachers-of-english-learners/", "title": "Padilla, Kim, Schatz, Schiff Introduce Legislation to Increase Loan Forgiveness for Teachers of English Learners", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the Supporting Providers of English Language Learning (SPELL) Act to address the national multilingual teacher shortage by increasing loan forgiveness for teachers of English learners (ELs). Representatives Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.-13) and Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.-07) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.\n\nCurrently, if a highly-qualified teacher has been employed for five consecutive years in a low-income school, they are eligible for up to $5,000 of student loan forgiveness. Historically, math, science, and special education teachers have been in high demand, so, to achieve higher recruitment and retention rates, certain teachers who go into these subjects are eligible for an increased benefit of $17,500 of student loan forgiveness. To help address the growing EL teacher shortage, the SPELL Act adds EL teachers to this high demand category, making them eligible for additional debt relief.\n\n“Educating students learning English requires specialized instruction and unique teacher strategies,” said Senator Padilla. “Yet, we are facing a devastating shortage of teachers with the skills needed to support these students. By lessening the financial burden, we can help incentivize a greater number of passionate, and highly qualified teachers to enter and stay in the classroom.”\n\n“Every student deserves a fair chance to succeed and thrive at school; teachers of English Learners are essential to making that possible,” said Senator Kim. “In the face of nationwide teacher shortages and attacks on critical education programs, this legislation would make it possible for more to answer the call to serve in our schools and to help generations of students along the way.”\n\n“A shortage of multilingual teachers means students learning English often don’t have the support they need. By increasing loan forgiveness for these teachers, our bill will help English learners get the high-quality education they deserve,” said Senator Schatz.\n\n“English Learners are among the fastest-growing groups of students in the country, especially in California, and it is crucial that they have qualified, passionate teachers in their classrooms,” said Senator Schiff. “The SPELL Act will encourage more prospective English teachers to pursue that path by ensuring the same loan forgiveness standards as math, science, and special education teachers. I am proud to join Senator Padilla in this effort, and I will continue to work with him to ensure that California’s students and teachers are in a position to succeed.”\n\nELs are one of the fastest-growing populations in the country and now represent nearly 10 percent of all students enrolled in U.S. public elementary and secondary schools. California has the most ELs in the country, with nearly six million students that identify as ELs. However, the Department of Education has reported that 32 states have a shortage of teachers for EL students, making them unable to meet students’ needs and resulting in a discouraging academic achievement gap for this growing population. The cost of teacher preparation programs can be an obstacle for many to enter the profession, but data shows an association between teachers’ preparation level and their teaching effectiveness and retention. Research demonstrates that loan forgiveness programs are successful at encouraging teachers to take positions in fields and at locations where they are most needed, and forgiveness programs also help to support retention.\n\nSpecifically, the bill would provide up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for teachers of ELs, bilingual students, and/or dual language immersion students. This matches the same level of enhanced forgiveness available to math, science, and special education teachers.\n\nThe SPELL Act is endorsed by organizations including TESOL, AFT, UnidosUS, and the California Community Colleges.\n\n“The SPELL Act recognizes the specialized preparation and expertise required to teach English learners, bilingual students, and students in dual language programs,” said TESOL International Association. “More than five million English learners attend our public schools, yet many states face shortages of the teachers prepared to serve them. By expanding student loan forgiveness and cancellation for these professionals, the SPELL act will help make this vital career more attainable and support schools and states in recruiting and retaining qualified educators. TESOL International Association is proud to support Senator Padilla’s introduction of the SPELL Act.”\n\n“At a time when the Trump administration seems intent on attacking English language learners, public school educators continue to fulfill their mission to serve each and every child who comes through their classroom door,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “ELL teachers have dedicated their lives to helping kids, but student debt and the cost of living are dragging them down. The Supporting Providers of English Language Learning Act would allow ELL teachers to qualify for the highest level of Teacher Loan Forgiveness so they can pursue their careers free from the specter of permanent student debt.”\n\n“To prepare students to succeed in school and beyond, they should have access early on to bilingual educators who understand their language, culture, and learning needs. Yet schools across the country continue to face shortages of bilingual and English learner teachers,” said Carmen M. Feliciano, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, UnidosUS. “The SPELL Act is a commonsense investment in strengthening that workforce by expanding student loan relief for educators who dedicate their careers to serving English learners and students in bilingual and dual-language programs. UnidosUS applauds Senator Padilla for championing this legislation and helping remove financial barriers to entering and remaining in the teaching profession. By investing in these educators, we are investing in the success of millions of English learners and in a stronger, more representative teacher workforce.”\n\nPadilla has been a leading advocate for increasing access to education, fighting back against the Trump Administration’s continued assault on the Education Department. Last month, Padilla reintroduced the Basic Assistance for Students In College (BASIC) Act to help higher education institutions address unmet basic needs of their students. Padilla also joined Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M) in reintroducing the Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act, legislation that would expand and modernize the federal loan forgiveness program for educators. This legislation would help address educator shortages and increase children’s access to a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce by strengthening the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) Program. In June, Padilla led Senate colleagues in condemning the Trump Administration’s attacks on English learners and the dissolution of the Department of Education’s Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA).\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/after-delivering-325m-federal-investment-reed-and-town-leaders-celebrate-critical-coventry-sewer-upgrade", "title": "After Delivering $3.25M Federal Investment, Reed & Town Leaders Celebrate Critical Coventry Sewer Upgrade", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases", "domain": "www.reed.senate.gov", "scraper": "jackreed", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000122", "name": "Jack Reed", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "COVENTRY, RI – Not a lot of people talk about their sewage or septic system…until it stops working. Making investments in modern wastewater systems is critical to protecting the environment, public health, and clean water.\n\nIn an effort to expand the reach of Coventry’s sewer system and replace the high school’s obsolete wastewater system to better serve local students and residents, U.S. Senator Jack Reed delivered a $3.25 million federal earmark for Coventry to extend its sewer line and connect it to Coventry High School to protect local water quality and help save town resources.\n\nSenator Reed joined Coventry Town Manager Daniel Parrillo, Jr., Council Vice President Frank Brown, School Superintendent Don Cowart, and other local leaders to celebrate the upgrades and discuss the importance of modern water systems to safeguarding the environment and enhancing local water quality.\n\n“Today, we celebrate the sweet smell of success. Or more accurately, the smell that no longer lingers! The High School’s outdated wastewater system clearly needed to be replaced, and I was proud to deliver a $3.25 million federal earmark to get the job done for students, teachers, and local residents,” said Senator Reed, a leading member of the Appropriations Committee. “This critical sewer extension not only better serves the High School, helps keep the groundwater clean, and saves critical Town tax dollars. It will also allow for residents along Reservoir Avenue to connect with the sewer system down the line to increase the environmental benefits from this project by replacing other outdated septic systems in the neighborhood.”\n\n“The Town of Coventry thanks Senator Reed for his leadership and commitment to our residents and students in securing this $3.25 million grant to replace the Coventry High School sewer line. This critical upgrade to our infrastructure will not only benefit the high school, but the residents and businesses in the surrounding area who will now have the opportunity to tie in to the line and make their property more valuable,” said Coventry Town Manager Daniel Parrillo, Jr. “This project would not have happened without Senator Reed’s investment in Coventry and we look forward to working with him on more projects in the future.”\n\nCoventry High School currently enrolls approximately 1,200 students and includes the CHS Regional Career Center which welcomes students from nearby communities for vocational education opportunities.\n\nNow complete, the new sewer line extension on Reservoir Road replaces the school’s failing wastewater treatment system that was built in 1973, eliminating a potentially serious source of environmental pollution, safeguarding local water quality, and reducing pollution risks within the Narragansett Bay watershed.\n\nBefore this upgrade, the school’s outdated wastewater system had become inoperable. Serving as a sewage holding tank, the outdated system required daily transfers to the Cranston Wastewater Treatment Facility and resulted in significant costs for the Town.\n\nThe new 3,400-foot extension will also allow for new connections for homes along Reservoir Road in the future, eliminating septic systems which can also be a source of groundwater pollution. Approximately 35 properties will have connection access to the new sewer extension funded by Reed’s earmark.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-economic-warning-signs-are-flashing-and-america-must-change-course", "title": "Reed: Economic Warning Signs Are Flashing & America Must Change Course", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases", "domain": "www.reed.senate.gov", "scraper": "jackreed", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000122", "name": "Jack Reed", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "PROVIDENCE, RI – President Trump’s policy choices continue to cause economic harm for Americans and fuel inflation.\n\nPresident Trump’s tariff regime and war-related costs have significantly increased prices for Americans, costing average households thousands of dollars annually.\n\nFamilies are struggling due to Trump’s tariffs, war with Iran, deficit growth, and chaotic Treasury interventions, which, contrary to Trump’s desire to lower rates has instead increased them.\n\nTrump continues pushing America’s strongest trading partners to seek markets elsewhere, knee-capping American companies and workers.\n\nToday, after a dismal jobs report showed just 29,000 jobs added -- well below expectations for 90,000, U.S. Senator Jack Reed issued the following statement:\n\n“President Trump’s chaotic, reckless policies and unforced errors are directly raising costs for American businesses and families. His costly tariff tax regime is being paid for by Americans. His trade wars are shrinking markets for U.S. businesses. And his erratic comments and failed interventions are not helping.\n\n“Trump’s Iran war and its higher gas and diesel prices are adding fuel to the inflation fires facing Americans in all fifty states.\n\n“His irresponsible tax cuts for billionaires in the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill is already adding about $4 trillion of debt and now we’re seeing the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yields hit a 24-year high, which raises mortgage rates and other debt financing costs for Americans.\n\n“The economic warning signs are flashing and it is time for America to change course, address the affordability crisis, and start governing in a more balanced, responsible manner.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/ri-delegation-announces-91-million-to-boost-public-safety-and-support-local-law-enforcement", "title": "RI Delegation Announces $9.1 Million to Boost Public Safety & Support Local Law Enforcement", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases", "domain": "www.reed.senate.gov", "scraper": "jackreed", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000122", "name": "Jack Reed", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to improve public safety, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today announced $9,101,109 in federal funding to support police officers, law enforcement agencies, crime victims, and nonprofit organizations.\n\nThis federal funding will be used to implement a range of crime reduction strategies, criminal justice initiatives, and assistance for crime victims, and to help keep people and communities safe, including:\n\n• Combating violence and various forms of crime with evidence-based, collaborative strategies and programs;\n\n• Preventing domestic violence and sexual assault and assisting survivors and victims of crime through court and hospital visits;\n\n• Upgrading critical technological infrastructure and acquisition of public safety vehicles and protective gear.\n\n“This federal funding will improve public safety, prevent crimes, and serve justice. I am committed to ensuring our law enforcement officers are well-equipped and well-trained. This federal funding will help them take a comprehensive approach to reducing crime, supporting victims, and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” said Senator Reed.\n\n“As a former U.S. Attorney and attorney general, I’ve seen firsthand how increasing resources for local law enforcement and community organizations can make a difference in people’s lives,” said Senator Whitehouse, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Our delegation has helped deliver federal funding to modernize our criminal justice system, expand behavioral and mental health services, and protect public safety.”\n\n“Every Rhode Islander deserves to feel safe and supported in their community. This federal funding will equip our police officers with resources to protect the public, while making sure survivors of violence and abuse get the support they need,” said Magaziner. “I am proud to join my colleagues to bring home more federal funding for law enforcement officers across our state and will continue to stand up for first responders.”\n\n“Rhode Islanders deserve to feel safe in their communities,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “This federal funding will help support survivors, strengthen local law enforcement, and give communities the resources they need to prevent and respond to crime. I will continue to work alongside our delegation in Congress to provide the resources our communities need to remain safe and secure.”\n\nThis round of federal funding, which was secured in recent appropriations laws, will be distributed to the state, as well as to local police departments, state agencies, support organizations, and nonprofits, including:", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-ricketts-applauds-implementation-of-his-streamlining-rural-housing-act/", "title": "Senator Ricketts Applauds Implementation of His Streamlining Rural Housing Act", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=", "domain": "www.ricketts.senate.gov", "scraper": "ricketts", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000618", "name": "Pete Ricketts", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) applauds the implementation of his Streamlining Rural Housing Act.\n\nThe Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently agreed to a memorandum of understanding to reevaluate environmental standards and streamline the review process for rural housing projects.\n\nThis agreement fulfills the requirements outlined in Senator Ricketts’ Streamlining Rural Housing Act, which became law as part of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act in July 2026.\n\n“Across Nebraska, rural housing is in high demand,” said Ricketts. “As Governor, I led efforts to address housing availability in our communities. My Streamlining Rural Housing Act, which is now federal law, is a proven Nebraskan solution.\n\n“The HUD and USDA agreement delivers on my promise to Nebraskans. We are cutting red tape, increasing efficiency, and meeting demand to make homeownership easier for people in Nebraska and across the nation.”\n\nRead the memorandum of understanding here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2026/10/sens-rick-scott-ashley-moody-introduce-bill-to-maintain-military-readiness-in-the-gulf-of-america", "title": "Sens. Rick Scott, Ashley Moody Introduce Bill to Maintain Military Readiness in the Gulf of America", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "page_html", "source": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.rickscott.senate.gov", "scraper": "rickscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001217", "name": "Rick Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody introduced the Protecting Florida’s Offshore Military Readiness Act to protect the critical Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range (EGTTR) from interference that could otherwise hamper the U.S. Department of War’s (DOW) ability to maintain military readiness in the Gulf of America.\n\nSenator Rick Scott said, “The federal government’s first priority is to keep the American people safe. That means our military needs the irreplaceable value that the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range provides to our warfighters. Protecting the range means protecting America’s military readiness. I am glad to have Sen. Moody’s support on this bill, and I look forward to working with President Trump and his administration to use every tool we have to deliver more abundant, cheap energy while ensuring our military remains the most lethal fighting force on earth.”\n\nSenator Ashley Moody said, “The Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range is a national military asset that can't be replicated anywhere else in the country, and the work done there directly shapes the lethality of our future military. I'm proud to join Senator Scott on the Protecting Florida's Offshore Military Readiness Act to keep the range as exactly what it was intended to be – a testing ground. Protecting Eglin is about our national security, and it's about preserving the Gulf Coast Floridians love.”\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nIn an effort to expand American energy dominance and lower the cost of living, the U.S. Department of the Interior has recently been identifying potential lease sales for drilling in areas of the Gulf of America that are currently held in a moratorium from the first Trump administration to keep the EGTTR active.\n\nThe EGTTR is a key national security asset that provides the U.S. military with vital air, sea, and joint testing and training capabilities. Unleashing American energy production can be done without compromising this unique military resource. Codifying President Trump’s previous protections for the range allows for uninterrupted access for critical operations and ensures America’s armed forces remain prepared to respond to emerging threats.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/02/rosen-budd-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-u-s-cybersecurity-readiness-and-workforce-development/", "title": "Rosen, Budd Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S. Cybersecurity Readiness and Workforce Development", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, and Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced a bill to strengthen the United States’ cybersecurity readiness and workforce development nationwide. The Cyber Centers of Excellence Partnership Act would establish a partnership between the Department of Defense and universities designated by the National Security Agency as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, creating opportunities to share research, best practices, and emerging approaches between the public and private sectors. This program would not only increase collaboration between top research institutions and our specialized military cyber units, but also create direct pathways for qualified students into federal cybersecurity careers.\n\n“As technological advancements become more heavily integrated into modern warfare, it is more important than ever that our nation has the talent and personnel needed to handle looming threats,” said Senator Rosen. “This bipartisan bill would ensure that our military and top universities can keep up with every wave of ever-changing cyber threats, while also attracting the country’s most talented young minds and bolstering our cyber-ready workforce.”\n\n“American military dominance depends on our nation’s ability to operate in cyberspace, making it essential to maintain a robust cybersecurity workforce. I’m proud to work across the aisle with Senator Rosen to strengthen the pipeline of cyber talent by establishing programs where students in our nation’s NSA-designated Centers of Academic Excellence can get real-world experience conducting critical cyber operations in defense of our homeland,” said Senator Budd.\n\n“UNLV’s sustained recognition as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) underscores our dedication to cutting-edge research, hands-on training, and real-world defense. The Cyber Center of Excellence Partnership Act introduced by Senator Jacky Rosen and Senator Ted Budd creates a vital bridge between our academic rigor and the Department of Defense’s operational missions,” said Rama Venkat, Dean of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Engineering. By leveraging existing programs such as our CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) initiative, this legislation will accelerate recruitment, eliminate onboarding barriers for federal service, and empower UNLV students to defend the nation’s digital ecosystem.”\n\nAs the first and only computer programmer to serve in the U.S. Senate, Senator Rosen understands how important cybersecurity is for our national security. In March, she introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to support and expand apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity. Last year, she introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the cybersecurity of the U.S.’s health care system. She also helped introduce bipartisan legislation to protect sensitive federal data from adversarial nations like the People’s Republic of China.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/02/senators-rosen-rick-scott-resolution-honoring-americans-killed-in-october-7th-terrorist-attacks-passes-senate/", "title": "Senators Rosen, Rick Scott Resolution Honoring Americans Killed in October 7th Terrorist Attacks Passes Senate", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Rick Scott’s (R-FL) resolution to honor the innocent Americans murdered and taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, passed the Senate this week. The bipartisan resolution also reaffirms the United States’ commitment to supporting the victims and their families in seeking legal justice and continuing to fight on behalf of all U.S. hostages, alive and fallen, around the world.\n\nDuring the October 7th attacks on Israel, Hamas terrorists murdered more than 1,200 innocent people, including at least 46 American citizens. Hamas also took 251 people hostage, including 12 Americans, some of whom were held and tortured for more than a year.\n\n“It is our responsibility to make sure the world never forgets the unspeakable violence carried out by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 – the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust,” said Senator Rosen. “I introduced this bipartisan resolution to honor the Americans who were killed on that day and those taken hostage by Hamas. It also honors the hostages’ families, who demonstrated remarkable courage during a time of intense grief and anxiety by being steadfast and fierce advocates for the return of their loved ones. Today, nearly three years after the horror of October 7, we mark this tragic date and reaffirm our commitment to supporting the American victims and their families and all those held hostage around the world.”\n\n“Three years ago, the world watched in horror as Hamas terrorists massacred innocent civilians, including American citizens. Families were torn apart, communities were decimated, and innocents, including babies and young children, were barbarically murdered. Americans were among the victims. There is no moral gray area here; Hamas is evil. Our country must protect our people and has a duty to secure justice for them,” said Senator Rick Scott. “I was proud to work with Senator Rosen to honor the Americans whose lives were unjustly taken from them and the hostages who will spend the rest of their lives scarred by that tragic day”\n\nSenator Rosen has been a fierce advocate for the safety and security of Israeli and American hostages, and has stood firmly against Hamas’ brutal acts of terror. During the hostage crisis, Senator Rosen led a bipartisan resolution in the Senate demanding the safe release of the remaining hostages who were still in captivity in 2025. In October 2023, following a visit to Israel where she met with families of those taken captive, she introduced a bipartisan resolution, which later passed the Senate, condemning Hamas’s attacks and demanding the release of hostages.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-calls-for-federal-gas-and-diesel-tax-suspension-to-lower-prices-at-pump-president-trump-to-invoke-defense-production-act", "title": "Rounds Calls for Federal Gas and Diesel Tax Suspension to Lower Prices at Pump, President Trump to Invoke Defense Production Act", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.rounds.senate.gov", "scraper": "rounds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000605", "name": "Mike Rounds", "party": "Republican", "state": "SD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "PIERRE – Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) called for a suspension of the federal gas and diesel tax for 90 days in a letter today to President Donald Trump. Additionally, Rounds asked states to consider suspending their own gas and diesel taxes. This would temporarily save consumers on average 60 cents per gallon on diesel fuel and 52 cents per gallon on gasoline. To offset the loss of revenue to the Highway Trust Fund, Congress can consider authorizing a one-time transfer from the General Fund. Rounds also urged President Trump to consider using his authority under the Defense Production Act to help domestic refineries expand their capacity, including refining capacity that is already online.\n\n“The prices at the pump are being driven by a global shortage of refining capacity,” wrote Rounds. “Americans feel the impact of this refining bottleneck every time they fill up at the pump, but farmers can’t stop their tractors and combines in the middle of harvest, and truckers can’t quit running their routes. We need to act now to bring down the price of diesel. The solution is one that you have promoted since your first Administration: unleash American energy dominance.”\n\n“Broader regulatory changes will of course take time. What we can and should do right now is explore suspending the federal gas tax through the end of the year to give Americans immediate relief,” continued Rounds. “The federal gas tax is 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel fuel and 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline…Those savings would make a huge difference for the American people.”\n\nRead the full text of the letter HERE or below.\n\n+++\n\nDear President Trump:\n\nI write to urge you to use your authority under the Defense Production Act to help domestic refineries expand their capacity. Democrats are telling the American people that the conflict with Iran is the sole cause of high fuel costs and that, if the conflict ended today, fuel prices would magically plummet tomorrow. As you know, that is false. Oil is flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. The prices at the pump are being driven by a global shortage of refining capacity—a weakness in the global fuel supply chain that we should start addressing here at home.\n\nSevere refining deficits across Russia and the Middle East have left the United States and China as the last major refining powers standing. Americans feel the impact of this refining bottleneck every time they fill up at the pump, but farmers can’t stop their tractors and combines in the middle of harvest, and truckers can’t quit running their routes. We need to act now to bring down the price of diesel. The solution is one that you have promoted since your first Administration: unleash American energy dominance. In this case, that means invoking the Defense Production Act to expand domestic refining capacity.\n\nYour authority under the Defense Production Act is tied to national defense, which Congress defined to include “programs” for “energy production or construction.” The Act authorizes you to prioritize contracts relating to “materials, equipment, and services” in order to “expand . . . refining” and to “provide for the modification or expansion of privately owned facilities.” You also have the authority to incentivize domestic refinery expansion through loans and loan guarantees, subsidy payments, and purchase commitments. Together, these authorities can be wielded as powerful tools to expand refining capacity, including refining capacity that is already online. We won’t see the results overnight, but the sooner we start, the better.\n\nMore broadly, we need to ease permitting requirements and cut through the other bureaucratic red tape obstructing American fuel production. As we clear these regulatory logjams, we also need to confront the bigger question of why no new major refinery has opened in the United States since the 1970s. Oil and gas companies are understandably hesitant to invest billions in new refineries when a change in the political winds could spell disaster. After all, onerous regulations and high compliance costs in California, a notoriously oil-and-gas-unfriendly state, recently forced two refineries to close. We need laws and policies that give oil and gas companies confidence to invest in large-scale refineries here at home, not regulations that stifle the industry.\n\nThese broader regulatory changes will of course take time. What we can and should do right now is explore suspending the federal gas tax through the end of the year to give Americans immediate relief. The federal gas tax is 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel fuel and 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline. To offset the loss of revenue to the Highway Trust Fund, Congress can consider authorizing a one-time transfer from the General Fund. I also strongly encourage States to consider suspending, or at the very least reducing, their own gas taxes. The average State gas tax is 35.5 cents per gallon on diesel fuel and 33.3 cents per gallon on gasoline. Suspending both federal and State gas taxes would amount to an average savings of 60 cents per gallon on diesel fuel and 52 cents per gallon on gasoline. Those savings would make a huge difference for the American people.\n\nPlease let me know how I can be of assistance. I greatly appreciate your consideration.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-ocasio-cortez-merkley-unveil-ban-flock-act-to-protect-americans-right-to-privacy/", "title": "NEWS: Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, Merkley Unveil Ban Flock Act to Protect Americans’ Right to Privacy", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.sanders.senate.gov", "scraper": "sanders", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000033", "name": "Bernard Sanders", "party": "Independent", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today released the Ban Flock Act, legislation to put an end to the rise in AI-powered surveillance cameras that track Americans across the country. The Ban Flock Act would prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and block federal funding from state and local governments that use this technology.\n\n“At a time of growing concern about the unchecked power of artificial intelligence, Flock is eviscerating the very notion of privacy by installing tens of thousands of cameras in communities across America without their consent,” Sanders said. “Going to the doctor? Flock knows. Dropping your kid off at school? Flock is tracking you. Flock is always watching. We cannot allow America to become a surveillance state where a handful of AI oligarchs profit by giving the government the power to track our every movement.”\n\n“Across the country, Big Tech companies like Flock Safety have built a mass surveillance system to harvest Americans’ private and personal data without their consent. AI-powered cameras are keeping track of our every move and weaponizing this data against working people to make record profits. The widespread integration of this technology into American society is unconscionable,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I am proud to introduce the Ban Flock Act with Senator Sanders to enforce our constitutional right to privacy and protect Americans from both corporate and government surveillance.”\n\n“Your right to privacy includes the freedom to move around your community without every move being monitored,” Merkley said. “Right now, Flock is selling its cameras nationwide, laying the groundwork for a surveillance state while enriching corporate executives. No one should have this unchecked surveillance power at their fingertips, which is why I’m teaming up with Senator Sanders to rein in this dangerous technology.”\n\nFlock is the largest vendor of automatic license plate readers in the United States, with more than 120,000 cameras across the country that scan and record 20 billion vehicles every month. Newer Flock cameras do not just record vehicles — they record people. Flock’s AI system can combine images of you and your vehicle with databases of phone numbers, relatives and court records to find out who you are, where you’re going and why. The company also operates a national lookup tool, so agencies that contract with Flock can access data generated by cameras in another city or state. The national lookup tool searches can turn up massive amounts of information, including physical descriptions, records of an individual’s online accounts and lists of their relatives.\n\nThe mass surveillance capabilities enabled by Flock and other automatic license plate reader companies have threatened the civil liberties of everyday Americans:\n\nFlock has shared state information with federal immigration officials;\n\nLaw enforcement officials have pulled Flock data to investigate activists and logged searches corresponding to protests against ICE raids, in support of Palestinian rights and for ‘No Kings’ demonstrations; and\n\nOfficers have used plate readers to track wives, girlfriends, exes and women they wanted to meet without their consent.\n\nSo far this year, at least 56 municipalities have deactivated, cancelled, or rejected contracts with Flock. Congress must act to stop the mass surveillance of citizens.\n\nThe Ban Flock Act would do this by:\n\nProhibiting the federal government from using automatic license plate readers or accessing the information they collect;\n\nStopping federal grant funding from flowing to state or local governments that use automatic license plate readers or contract with automatic license plate readers companies;\n\nAllowing Americans to sue the federal government for violation of their rights through the use of automatic license plate readers.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-schiff-padilla-bennet-ansari-hickenlooper-lujan-introduce-legislation-to-protect-public-lands-and-taxpayers-from-orphaned-oil-and-gas-wells/", "title": "NEWS: Schiff, Padilla, Bennet, Ansari, Hickenlooper, Luján Introduce Legislation to Protect Public Lands and Taxpayers from Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.), joined U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) to introduce the Stop Orphaned Wells Act, legislation that would prevent oil and gas companies from abandoning oil wells on public lands, a practice that shifts well cleanup costs from oil and gas companies to the American taxpayer.\n\n“Oil companies can’t just walk away from abandoned oil and gas wells and leave taxpayers to bear the cleanup costs,” said Schiff. “I’m joining Senator Bennet and other colleagues to make sure that Big Oil is responsible for cleaning up their messes. Americans should not have to deal with the consequences of an oil company’s negligence.”\n\n“Across California, there are over 5,000 orphaned oil wells that pose a threat to the health and safety of our communities and the environment,” said Padilla. “When wells are left abandoned, drinking water is polluted, greenhouse gases are emitted, and the climate crisis is accelerated. This bill will help ensure orphaned oil and gas wells are plugged so Californians and communities across the country are protected from toxic emissions and contaminated air and water.”\n\n“For too long, taxpayers have footed the bill to clean up abandoned wells after companies walk away from their responsibilities,” said Bennet. “As the Trump administration moves to weaken the safeguards that hold companies accountable, Congress must protect taxpayers and the public lands that power Colorado’s outdoor economy, while making sure oil and gas companies pay the cost of cleanup, rather than Colorado’s future generations.”\n\n“Trump asked oil and gas executives to bankroll his campaign with a $1 billion contribution in exchange for a big payback. Meanwhile, Americans are left footing the bill for the damage they leave behind,” said Ansari. “Orphaned wells threaten our water, wildlife, and air. I’m proud to lead the effort alongside Senator Bennet to make the oil and gas industry clean up its own mess. Our bill would ensure oil and gas companies pay to clean up the wells they abandon.”\n\n“Abandoned wells put Colorado communities in danger,” said Hickenlooper. “As Governor, we capped as many of these wells as we could, and that work continues here in the Senate, where we’re protecting taxpayers from getting stuck with the bill. Capping wells creates jobs and lowers pollution. It’s a win-win.”\n\n“In New Mexico and across the country, abandoned wells pose serious environmental harm and threaten the health of our communities,” said Luján. “We must ensure that oil and gas companies are held accountable and that taxpayers are not on the hook for the cost of cleanup. I’ve long fought to address abandoned wells, including championing the REGROW Act that was passed into law, and continue to work to ensure we identify and plug the thousands of abandoned wells nationwide. That’s why I’m cosponsoring this legislation to prevent companies from abandoning their wells and help reduce the number of abandoned wells in New Mexico and across the country.”\n\n“When an oil and gas company goes bankrupt, New Mexicans shouldn’t be the ones left to pick up the tab for cleanup costs,” said Heinrich. “Right now, the Trump administration is making it easier for these companies to walk away without enough money set aside to clean up their wells. The Stop Orphaned Wells Act ensures that companies set aside money to meet their cleanup responsibilities, so taxpayers aren’t left paying the bill.”\n\nUntil 2024 when the Biden administration added agency rules, oil and gas fiscal assurance requirements were minimal, leading companies to abandon wells instead of remediating the land after drilling. The Trump administration is now rolling back these essential protections for public lands and American taxpayers. Nationwide, there are currently over 140,000 documented orphaned wells, including more than 15,000 on federal lands, and hundreds of thousands more that may be orphaned. Additionally, the number of documented orphaned wells in the United States has more than doubled since 2020. These sites are not only a significant liability for taxpayers and a growing threat to water resources, air quality,wildlife habitat, and private lands, but also jeopardize public health, ecosystems, grazing lands, outdoor recreation sites, and cultural resources that are at high risk from contamination.\n\nIn Colorado alone, there are nearly 1,400 orphaned wells, with almost a third of these wells on federal or Tribal lands. Estimates from Colorado’s Energy & Carbon Management Commission predict that it could cost over $36 million to clean up all of the existing orphaned wells on federal and Tribal lands in Colorado. Moreover, there are currently 245 idled federal wells in Colorado that have the potential to eventually become orphaned, which could cost taxpayers approximately $23 million to remediate. Due to new leasing policies enacted by Congress in 2025, executive orders to increase federal oil and gas drilling, and the financial assurance rollback, industry is likely to drill as many as 3.8 million wells on national public lands in the coming years, and to then pass as much as $753 billion in potential financial liabilities back onto local communities and taxpayers.\n\nThe Stop Orphaned Wells Act builds on Bennet’s Oil and Gas Bonding Reform and Orphaned Well Remediation Act and recent state-level reforms in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah to fix this broken system and close long-standing industry loopholes around orphaned wells. This legislation would ensure operators, not taxpayers, pay for cleanups and aligns directly with the interests of Western voters, nearly 9 in 10 of whom believe oil and gas companies should cover reclamation costs once drilling ends.\n\n“In La Plata County, orphaned wells are a nuisance for property owners and a danger for people and animals alike. This bill builds on Colorado’s innovative work to ensure that federal regulation protects our communities, livestock, and wildlife – and prevents this public health issue from happening in the first place,” said Marsha Porter-Norton, La Plata County Commissioner.\n\n“The Board of County Commissioners strongly supports Senator Bennet’s Stop Orphaned Wells Act. When a well is abandoned, local communities must shoulder the risks to their health, environment, and taxpayer dollars. This legislation provides the accountability needed to ensure oil and gas companies, not our community, pay to restore the lands they use,” said Jody Shadduck-McNally, Larimer County Commissioner and Chair of the Board of County Commissioners.\n\n“Adams County is glad to see Senator Bennet leading the charge on this significant bipartisan issue, as it is of critical importance to our communities. Our county has the second highest number of orphaned wells in the state; taking action to preserve the health and safety of both our residents and our environment is a top priority for our Board. We look forward to working with the Senator in honing this legislation to be as helpful and effective as possible,” said Commissioner Julie Duran Mullica, Chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners.\n\n“Like countless places across the country, San Miguel County has been forced to clean up after reckless operators. Orphaned wells are not only an unfair burden on our taxpayers but also a dangerous polluter of our beloved natural resources and public lands. Senator Bennet’s bill takes long-overdue actions to strengthen regulations and hold irresponsible companies accountable,” said Galena Gleason, San Miguel County Commissioner.\n\n“The Stop Orphaned Wells Act is urgently needed in Western Colorado, where orphaned, non-producing wells irresponsibly emit harmful methane gas and harm our health, air and water quality, and critical wildlife habitat. This Act will finally make producers responsible for properly closing, remediating, and reclaiming lands after they stop producing oil and gas,” said Lynn Padgett, Ouray County Commissioner.\n\nBennet has consistently worked to deliver funding to clean up abandoned orphaned wells to keep communities safe and to strengthen bonding requirements to hold companies accountable for future cleanup. The Stop Orphaned Wells Act builds on Bennet’s previous legislation introduced in July, 2021, the Oil and Gas Bonding Reform and Orphaned Well Remediation Act, which would restore the public’s vital role in shaping oil and gas leasing decisions on public lands. In August 2026, Bennet and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) led their Democratic colleagues to oppose the recent rescission of two key Bureau of Land Management oil and gas rules on leasing and waste prevention. In November 2025, Bennet joinedSenators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Hickenlooper, and Luján to urge U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Bureau of Land Management Acting Director Bill Groffy to maintain the federal oil and gas bonding requirements in the 2024 Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Rule to hold developers accountable for the costs of site cleanup on federal lands. In July 2023, Bennet issued a statement after the U.S. Department of Interior released a proposed rule that includes oil and gas bonding reform for wells drilled on public lands. In July 2023 and December 2022, Bennet sent letters to the Biden administration urging them to finish the work envisioned in his bill by reforming our antiquated oil and gas bonding system. In August 2022, Bennet and Hickenlooper welcomed $25 million in grant funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to create jobs cleaning up orphaned oil and gas wells across Colorado.\n\nThis legislation is supported by 20 organizations, including Earthjustice Action, Colorado Fiscal Institute, Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, Conservation Colorado, Montana Wildlife Federation, National Parks Conservation Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, Nevada Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Public Land Solutions, Rocky Mountain Wild, San Juan Citizen’s Alliance, Sierra Club, Taxpayers for Common Sense, Trout Unlimited, Western Colorado Alliance, Western Organization of Resource Councils, Western Resilience Center, Wild Montana, Wilderness Workshop, and The Wilderness Society. In addition, this legislation was endorsed by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\n\nThe text of the bill is available HERE.\n\nA summary of the bill is available HERE.\n\nAdditional stakeholder quotes are available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/read-in-the-bakersfield-californian-sen-schiff-condemns-trump-administrations-targeting-of-the-sikh-community/", "title": "READ: In The Bakersfield Californian, Sen. Schiff Condemns Trump Administration’s Targeting of the Sikh Community", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Schiff: “We must stand up for our neighbors — the Sikh workers, students and families who are at risk from this rhetoric and these harmful policies.”\n\nRead the fullop-edhere.\n\nBakersfield, CA — U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), published an op-ed in The Bakersfield Californian condemning the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric that have fueled the uptick in targeted hate and violence against Sikh Americans.\n\nIn his op-ed, Schiff points to the recent escalating and alarming actions across the nation, including the recent stabbing of a Sikh truck driver from Sacramento at a Wyoming rest area, the recent openly discriminatory social media posts by the Department of Homeland Security, and the tightening of requirements for non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses — a targeted attempt to deprive members of the Sikh community of their livelihoods.\n\n“The most powerful tool in our arsenal to combat this hatred is one we can all use — our voices. Speaking up forced the administration to remove some of the racist posts that fuel the kind of violence we witnessed in Wyoming. Let’s keep speaking out. On behalf of the Sikh community, the Latino community, the Haitian community, and every other community in America that has become the target of choice for dehumanization by this administration. I stand with the Sikh community. And I ask you to join me,” Senator Schiff wrote.\n\nBackground: Earlier this year, Schiff traveled to Bakersfield specifically to meet with Sikh truck drivers, businesses, and community members to talk about the ongoing threat of losing their commercial driver’s license (CDLs) and the impact this has on their livelihoods, community, and local economies. Schiff expands more on this in his op-ed.\n\nSchiff also led 21 colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to restore $160 million in FY2027 National Highway Performance Program funds to California – critical transportation funding that was withheld following the state delaying the cancellation of 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses.\n\nRead the full op-ed here and below:\n\nThe Bakersfield Californian: SEN. ADAM SCHIFF: The Sikh community and the tragic consequences of a policy born of bigotry\n\nBy U.S. Senator Adam Schiff\n\nCalifornia is fortunate to have a thriving community of Sikh Americans who have helped our state flourish: building businesses, shaping California’s booming agriculture industry, holding leadership positions in civil service, and so much more. But while their contributions are woven into the fabric of America, this community has also confronted dangerous hate in the place they call home. One terrible tragedy, driven by such hate, just took place.\n\nJust days ago, a Sikh truck driver from Sacramento was stabbed repeatedly in the bathroom of a Wyoming rest area. This violence came just four days after President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security shared a now-deleted social media post that painted the entire Sikh community as a threat — telling them to “self-deport or find out.” The post was abhorrent, and the link to real violence against the Sikh community is hard to dispute.\n\nIn a country founded on the ideal that “all men are created equal,” the Trump White House and DHS have turned starkly away from our Founders’ vision. They have implemented policies that deny Sikh Americans opportunities to earn an honest living and applied pressure and provocative rhetoric to deliberately target and hurt this community.\n\nAnd now, more than half a million Sikh Americans are scared — looking over their shoulders on the street or afraid to show up for work because of the dangerous environment that these policies and practices have created.\n\nThe Trump administration has pushed an agenda that is openly xenophobic. The DHS website urged citizens to report undocumented drivers, while displaying an image of a Sikh man, as if people could look into the cab of a truck and identify whether someone was a citizen or not. The plain implication was that if someone was Sikh, they should be presumed to be violating the law and be reported.\n\nIn addition to these hateful practices, the administration has used other punitive measures to discriminate against the Sikh community. In January 2025, DHS rescinded restrictions limiting immigration enforcement at “protected areas.” This change exposed Sikh gurdwaras, and other houses of worship, to Immigration and Customs Enforcement surveillance and arrests — potentially chilling religious expression and practice.\n\nThe administration then decided to tighten requirements for non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses — a targeted attempt to deprive members of the Sikh community of their livelihoods. And when California did not capitulate to the federal government’s unreasonable demand to cancel thousands of CDLs — many of which impact Sikh drivers — the administration threatened to withhold $160 million in federal funds. Yet, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s own data shows that these drivers have a better safety record than most other drivers. None of this is about safety.\n\nIn a meeting with Sikh truck drivers in Bakersfield, Sikh leaders told me that community members have been hit hard by the administration’s policy and political attacks on their community.\n\n“We’re actually more afraid now and subject to more abuse now than we were after 9/11,” a community member confided in me. In the aftermath of that deadly attack on America, the Sikh community — which played no role in the attacks — experienced terrible hatred and discrimination. Twenty-five years later, the community feels even more under siege as a result of the rhetoric directed against it by leaders in the highest positions of our government. This is un-American and unacceptable.\n\nIn our nation’s 250 years, we have battled this kind of hostility and prejudice before. We have taken on institutional policies that reinforced it. And in this moment, we must look to that history as we confront a new variation on an old hatred. We must stand up for our neighbors — the Sikh workers, students and families who are at risk from this rhetoric and these harmful policies.\n\nThe most powerful tool in our arsenal to combat this hatred is one we can all use — our voices. Speaking up forced the administration to remove some of the racist posts that fuel the kind of violence we witnessed in Wyoming. Let’s keep speaking out. On behalf of the Sikh community, the Latino community, the Haitian community, and every other community in America that has become the target of choice for dehumanization by this administration.\n\nI stand with the Sikh community. And I ask you to join me.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senate-passes-sen-scotts-resolution-designating-september-2026-as-childhood-cancer-awareness-month/", "title": "Senate passes Sen. Scott’s resolution designating September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.scott.senate.gov", "scraper": "timscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001184", "name": "Tim Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senator Tim Scott’s (R-S.C.) resolution designating September 2026 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The resolution recognizes the human toll of childhood cancer and pledges to make its prevention and cure a public health priority.\n\n“No child or their family should face the fight against cancer alone,” said Sen Scott. “Children should be focused on learning, growing, and following their dreams, yet these patients face their diagnosis every day with incredible strength and courage. I am glad to see the Senate unanimously pass my resolution to raise awareness of childhood cancer and honor all those in the fight against this disease.”\n\nThe resolution was cosponsored by Sens. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.).", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/icymi-in-new-editorial-the-eagle-tribune-calls-for-passage-of-shaheens-insulin-act-underscoring-legislations-broad-bipartisan-support", "title": "ICYMI: In New Editorial, The Eagle-Tribune Calls for Passage of Shaheen’s INSULIN Act, Underscoring Legislation’s Broad Bipartisan Support", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.shaheen.senate.gov", "scraper": "shaheen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001181", "name": "Jeanne Shaheen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "(Washington, DC) – In a new editorial titled, “Our View: Politicians can at least agree on insulin price caps,” New Hampshire’s The Eagle-Tribune editorial board expressed its strong support for the INSULIN Act, legislation championed by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, to cap monthly out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35. The editorial argues that Shaheen’s legislation is a commonsense step Congress can take to protect Americans from being forced to shell out thousands of dollars a year for insulin, and that passage of the bill would be a chance for lawmakers to prove that Congress is still able to deliver bipartisan solutions for the American people.\n\nShaheen’s bipartisan INSULIN Act would cap monthly out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 a month for all Americans with insurance, expanding the effective price cap for Americans on Medicare. Currently, a majority of states do not have a $35 a month cap on insulin costs. Shaheen’s INSULIN Act would immediately change that, lowering prices for millions and ensuring that the state one lives in doesn’t determine whether they can afford their life-saving insulin. The Eagle-Tribune’s editorial comes as momentum continues to build for the INSULIN Act, with both Senate Democrats and Republicans expressing their support for the legislation in Washington last week.\n\nClick HERE to read the editorial in The Eagle-Tribune. The text of the piece has been provided below.\n\nOur View: Politicians can at least agree on insulin price caps\n\nCongress has a chance to show at least a small bit of bipartisanship by supporting New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s proposal to make insulin affordable for all Americans.\n\nThe so-called INSULIN Act, of which Shaheen is the lead sponsor, would cap insulin costs at $35 for a month’s supply.\n\nInsulin is already $35 a month for those on Medicare, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.\n\nShaheen’s bill would extend that cap to those who carry private insurance. It would also launch a pilot program in 10 states that would cap insulin costs for uninsured patients.\n\nThe measure would bring some clarity and fairness to the millions of Americans who use the drug to treat their diabetes. Currently, how much you pay depends on how good your insurance is. If you are on Medicare, or you have decent insurance, the cost tops out at $35. If you don’t, you’re often left guessing. It shouldn’t be a crapshoot.\n\nTo its credit, New Hampshire is one of 29 states that has price caps on insulin for those with commercial insurance. A 30-day supply of insulin in the Granite State costs $30. In Massachusetts, the cap is set at $25.\n\nIt makes sense: There is no reason for the cost of insulin to be so high, other than profiteering. Those who need the drug to treat their diabetes have no other option than to use insulin. That allows all manner of jockeying among pharmaceutical companies to squeeze all the profit they can out of the drug, which was first developed a century ago.\n\nWithout the cap, and without decent insurance, the cost of insulin can run into thousands of dollars a year.\n\n“This is just really overwhelming to have to think about living with this disease for the rest of my life,” Auburn, New Hampshire, 17-year-old Portia Joy said at a Nashua forum organized by Shaheen last month. “And I’m contemplating if I’m going to be able to afford the medicine that I need to live.”\n\nIt’s a dilemma faced by many Americans.\n\n“This is not only the right thing to do,” Shaheen said of her bill, “but it’s an opportunity for us to provide some relief for so many families who are really struggling with high costs.”\n\nThe bill has a better chance than most of passing in an increasingly divided Congress. Fourteen Republican senators, including Susan Collins of Maine, have signed on in support of the proposal.\n\n“I don’t know why it should divide Republicans,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, told Politico. “Who is in favor of allowing these pharma companies to rip off people with high insulin prices when there is no supply issue or production issue?”\n\nStill, the bill remains a long shot as the November midterm elections approach. The measure has yet to make it to the floor, and there is no House version in the works.\n\nAnd this wouldn’t bankrupt pharmaceutical companies. Eli Lilly, for example, agreed last year to cap what it charges for insulin.\n\n“Lilly was the first company to cap what patients pay at $35 per month for all of our insulins, and has been working for years to reduce insulin out-of-pocket costs for people with diabetes, against the headwind of those that benefit from rebates and choose higher list-price medicines over lower-priced options,” company spokesperson Jared Shapiro told Politico.\n\nIf a drug company can cap the price of insulin, why can’t the federal government?\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/ranking-member-shaheen-and-senate-democratic-members-publish-new-report-on-us-commitment-to-afghan-allies-call-for-immediate-resumption-of-afghan-siv-program", "title": "Ranking Member Shaheen and Senate Democratic Members Publish New Report on U.S. Commitment to Afghan Allies, Call for Immediate Resumption of Afghan SIV Program", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.shaheen.senate.gov", "scraper": "shaheen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001181", "name": "Jeanne Shaheen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), published a comprehensive new report this week detailing the history and importance of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, the sacrifices made by Afghans who served alongside U.S. troops and diplomats and the consequences of the Trump Administration’s actions to dismantle protections for our allies.\n\nCommissioned by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the report underscores America’s longstanding commitment to the Afghans who risked their lives and the lives of their families in service to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. Since 2014, more than 160,000 Afghan SIV recipients and their family members have safely resettled in the United States. The report finds that the SIV program has not only provided a lifeline to Afghans targeted by the Taliban for their service to the United States but has also supported U.S. national security by demonstrating to current and future partners that America keeps its promises.\n\nThe 69-page report, titled “Standing Strong with Our Afghan Allies: The Imperative of Continuing the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program to Uphold Our Commitment to Afghan Allies,” traces the bipartisan history of the Afghan SIV program, highlights the stories of Afghan allies and the American service members who depended on them and details the extensive security screening and vetting that applicants undergo. It also documents the systematic effort by the second Trump Administration to dismantle the SIV program and other protections for Afghans, including suspending refugee admissions, ending relocation assistance, dismantling the State Department office responsible for coordinating Afghan relocation efforts and terminating Temporary Protected Status for Afghans.\n\n“For nearly two decades, the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program has reflected a bipartisan commitment to stand by the Afghans who stood with us in our hour of need,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “These allies were essential to our mission in Afghanistan, and the Taliban targeted them precisely because of their service to the United States. For years, Republicans and Democrats understood that keeping our word to these allies was a bipartisan matter of American credibility and national security. But the Trump Administration has chosen to politicize a program that has enjoyed strong bipartisan support since its inception. Turning our backs on people who risked their lives alongside American service members does not make America safer, stronger or more prosperous. In fact, it sends exactly the wrong message to anyone we may ask to stand with us in the future. This report provides an objective accounting of the Afghan SIV program—its successes, its shortcomings and the lessons we must carry forward. From Vietnam to Iraq to Afghanistan, the United States has relied on local partners to advance our national security, and we will undoubtedly need to do so again. Our allies and adversaries alike are watching to see whether America keeps its word.”\n\nThe report details the bipartisan origins of the Afghan SIV program, including the passage of the Afghan Allies Protection Act in 2009, led by Senators Shaheen and John McCain, which established a pathway to permanent resident status for qualifying Afghans who served the United States and faced serious threats because of that service. Since 2014, Congress has repeatedly authorized additional visas to continue the program but failed to do so in 2025.\n\nKey findings and takeaways from the report include:\n\nAfghan allies were essential to the U.S. mission and put themselves and their families at extraordinary risk. Afghan interpreters, translators, engineers, security contractors, intelligence partners, administrative staff and drivers worked alongside U.S. troops and diplomats throughout two decades of war. Many joined American troops in combat, provided intelligence and helped U.S. personnel navigate local communities. Their work made them targets for Taliban threats, kidnappings and killings.\n\nThe Afghan SIV program has successfully brought more than 160,000 Afghan allies and their families to safety. Since 2014, more than 160,000 Afghan SIV holders and their eligible family members have resettled in the United States, where many have built businesses, served in the U.S. military and become integral members of their communities.\n\nAfghan SIV applicants undergo extensive, multilayered security vetting. Applicants are screened throughout the visa process, including identity verification, employment verification, security checks and Intelligence Community vetting. Many were also vetted before they ever began working alongside the U.S. government. In a review of sampled applications from 2021, the State Department Inspector General found that the SIV application review process was functioning as designed.\n\nThe Trump Administration has suspended Afghan SIV issuance while more than 155,000 applicants remain in the pipeline. The report finds that although some administrative processing continues, the State Department has suspended immigrant visa issuance to Afghan nationals, including Afghan SIVs. As of the Department’s May 2026 report to Congress, no Afghan SIVs had been issued in 2026.\n\nThe Administration dismantled infrastructure built to relocate and resettle Afghan allies. The Administration eliminated the State Department’s Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) office, which had served as the central coordinating body for third-country processing, flight coordination, family reunification and case escalation. Congressional briefings from CARE also stopped after the Administration took office.\n\nAfghan allies remain stranded in dangerous and uncertain conditions abroad. The report details the circumstances facing Afghans in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and at Camp As-Sayliyah in Qatar. Today, there are approximately 1,100 Afghans remaining at Camp As-Sayliyah. The vast majority have legal pathways to the United States, but the Administration is trying to relocate them to third countries instead.\n\nAbandoning Afghan allies risks long-term consequences for U.S. national security. The report warns that future partners will judge the credibility of U.S. commitments by how the United States treats Afghans who risked their lives in support of the American mission. Failure to keep those commitments could make future local partners less willing to support U.S. diplomatic, military and intelligence operations.\n\nThe report concludes with key recommendations:\n\nImmediately Resume Afghan SIV Issuance and Fully Resource Processing: The Administration should immediately resume issuing Afghan SIVs and provide the National Visa Center and Afghan SIV Unit with sufficient staffing and resources to address the backlog.\n\nAuthorize Additional Visas and Extend the Application Deadline: Congress should authorize 100,000 additional visas to ensure that remaining eligible applicants can receive an SIV and allow for the responsible wind-down of the existing Afghan program once the current pipeline has been processed.\n\nEstablish a Permanent Wartime Allies Program: Congress and the Administration should apply lessons learned from the Afghan SIV program to create a permanent mechanism to protect local partners who put themselves at risk supporting future U.S. missions. The program should provide flexibility to account for different conflicts and partner forces, streamline processing, clearly delineate responsibilities across federal agencies, strengthen record retention and provide sufficient resources for long-term administration.\n\nIncrease Transparency and Congressional Oversight: A permanent wartime allies program should include recurring reports to Congress, public reporting on applicant numbers and processing trends and regular Inspector General review to ensure the program is meeting congressional requirements and functioning effectively.\n\nThe full report is available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.smith.senate.gov/u-s-senator-tina-smith-requests-cost-estimate-of-big-beautiful-bills-data-center-tax-incentives/", "title": "U.S. Senator Tina Smith Requests Cost Estimate of Big Beautiful Bill’s Data Center Tax Incentives", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.smith.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.smith.senate.gov", "scraper": "tinasmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001203", "name": "Tina Smith", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), in her capacity as the top Democrat on the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth Subcommittee, is requesting an analysis to shed light on the extent to which OBBBA tax breaks went to data center development. Smith sent the request to the Joint Committee on Taxation after reports that some of the country’s largest corporations taking advantage of the generous corporate tax breaks in Republicans’ signature legislation to subsidize the development of data centers.\n\n“We’ve seen reports that tax breaks from the Big Beautiful Bill are being used by some of the biggest tech companies in the world to pad their pockets and boost the buildout of data centers. These companies have billions of dollars of revenues, and I question the fiscal rationale behind rewarding them for investments they would have made regardless of the tax benefits,” says Senator Smith. “How is it that Republicans could find the money for these massive companies to build deeply unpopular data centers, but not the money for health care and nutrition assistance? It’s complete hypocrisy and reeks of corruption, considering these same companies routinely donate millions of dollars to the President’s campaign.”\n\nData centers and the trillion-dollar tech companies building them have reported record profits, which likely were boosted thanks to the OBBBA. OBBBA provisions most commonly utilized include expanded breaks for research and development programs, immediate deductions for the cost of investments, and a new subsidy for manufacturing structures. Senator Smith questions the fiscal rationale of the federal government subsidizing projects that are widely opposed by local communities and driving up electricity and water bills across the country, particularly at a time where the federal deficit and national debt have each reached record levels.\n\nYou can find full text of the request here or below.\n\nThomas A. Barthold, Chief of Staff\n\nJoint Committee on Taxation\n\n502 Ford House Office Building\n\nWashington, DC 20515\n\nDear Mr. Barthold:\n\nThank you for your ongoing work to provide Congress with information related to P.L. 119-21, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).\n\nAs you know, this legislation included several tax provisions designed to spur business investment. But by the time it was enacted in July 2025, domestic investment was already growing, fueled in large part by record spending on artificial intelligence data centers and related infrastructure. Recent reports suggest the tax incentives enacted by OBBBA have resulted in a windfall for companies spending heavily on the AI data center buildout, rewarding them for investments they would have made regardless of the tax benefits.\n\nLast month, the Congressional Budget Office found that corporate income receipts decreased by 25 percent over the first 11 months of FY 2026, even as corporate profits surged to historic levels. This cost is ultimately borne by taxpayers. As corporations pad their profits, the United States’ fiscal outlook is worsening, resulting in higher prices and borrowing costs for Americans.\n\nTo help Congress better understand the deficit impact of OBBBA, I request that the Joint Committee on Taxation analyze the extent to which the bill’s tax provisions have subsidized the AI data center buildout thus far, including the revenue effects of these benefits.\n\nThank you in advance for your assistance.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTina Smith\n\nRanking Member\n\nSubcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-warner-legislation-to-strengthen-cybersecurity-in-health-care/", "title": "Senate Passes Warner Legislation to Strengthen Cybersecurity in Health Care", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warner.senate.gov", "scraper": "warner", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000805", "name": "Mark R. Warner", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON –U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and John Cornyn (R-TX) celebrated the U.S. Senate’s passage by unanimous consent of their Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act, legislation to protect Americans’ health data by strengthening cybersecurity.\n\n“Cyberattacks on our health care systems can have life-or-death consequences for patients and put the sensitive information of millions of Americans at risk,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m proud to have helped pass this critical legislation through the Senate, and I urge the House to act quickly. This bill will strengthen our cybersecurity, better protect patients and their information, and give rural health care providers in Virginia and across the country additional tools to defend against cyber threats.”\n\n“Cyberattacks can shut down hospitals and expose patients’ private medical records,” said Dr. Cassidy. “At a time when hostile actors are increasingly using sophisticated tactics to breach health care systems, the Health Care Cybersecurity and Resilience Act will help health care providers strengthen their defenses against cyber threats and protect patients’ health data.”\n\n“Cyberattacks have exposed patients’ private medical information and disrupted critical patient care in New Hampshire and across the country,” said Sen. Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation will help hospitals and health care providers, particularly those in rural communities with fewer resources, strengthen their cybersecurity and respond faster to attacks. I’m pleased to see that the Senate came together to pass this bill, and I’ll keep working across the aisle to protect patients and strengthen our health care system.”\n\n“Patients deserve absolute confidence that their sensitive medical data stored online is protected and shielded from cybersecurity breaches or ransomware attacks,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would strengthen interagency coordination and improve security practices for rural providers, ensuring Texans’ health care is not delayed or compromised by cyberattacks.”\n\nThe Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act:\n\nStrengthens cybersecurity in the health care sector by authorizing grants to health entities to improve cyberattack prevention and response.\n\nProvides training to health entities on cybersecurity best practices.\n\nSupports rural communities by providing best practices to rural health clinics and other providers on cybersecurity breach prevention, resilience, and coordination with federal agencies.\n\nImproves coordination between the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to better respond to cyberattacks in the health care sector.\n\nModernizes current regulations so entities covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) use the best cybersecurity practices.\n\nRequires the HHS Secretary to develop and implement a cybersecurity incident response plan.\n\nRead the full bill here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-himes-push-for-transparency-on-election-security/", "title": "Warner, Himes Push for Transparency on Election Security", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warner.senate.gov", "scraper": "warner", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000805", "name": "Mark R. Warner", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, wrote to Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton regarding the upcoming midterm election, urging transparency to Congress and the public around possible foreign threats to the midterms.\n\n“Career intelligence community (IC) analysts recently briefed the House Committee about the latest assessments regarding foreign threats to the upcoming midterms,” the lawmakers wrote. “These briefings, as well as additional briefings given to staff of both committees, provided valuable insight into how our intelligence professionals are monitoring potential attempts by our adversaries to influence or interfere in U.S. elections, and how such foreign malign activity compares to prior cycles. Between now and Election Day, it is critical the IC continue to inform policymakers, state and local election administrators, and the American people about threats to our elections.”\n\nThey continued, “While we have received the first in a series of statutorily required reports about foreign adversaries targeting this election, there are still several outstanding statutorily required products owed to the Committees. It is essential that the IC complete production of its remaining assessments in a timely manner, so that policymakers remain up-to-date regarding any emerging intelligence or shifts in the analytic line before the midterm elections. This process should include the declassification and public issuance of the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) about foreign threats to the 2024 presidential election. The lack of a public ICA contravenes the law and undercuts needed transparency about IC efforts to keep our elections secure from outside interference.”\n\nIn addition to these statutory requirements, the lawmakers requested a full interagency classified update for members before the election, a commitment to provide real-time notification about emerging threats to elections, and the responsible release of unclassified election assessments to keep the public informed about possible threats and other relevant context.\n\n“A statement noting the absence of indications of significant foreign interference efforts is just as important as a statement exposing any such activities. Regardless, the American people should receive as much information as we can responsibly provide prior to the election,” they concluded.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-ossoff-secure-more-than-11-million-in-federal-funding-for-roadway-improvements-in-savannah/", "title": "Warnock, Ossoff Secure More Than $11 Million in Federal Funding for Roadway Improvements in Savannah", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warnock.senate.gov", "scraper": "warnock", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000790", "name": "Raphael G. Warnock", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff secured more than $11.3 million in federal funding to improve Savannah’s roadways and reduce traffic congestion\n\nThe funding will improve DeRenne Avenue, the primary corridor for Hunter Army Airfield, Memorial Health University Medical Center, Candler Hospital, and freight moving to and from the Port of Savannah\n\nIn June, Senator Warnock urged Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to award the City of Savannah funding through the Department of Transportation’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant program\n\nSenator Reverend Warnock: “Upgrades to this central corridor will promote economic opportunity, improve safety, and reduce traffic for Georgians across Savannah”\n\nSavannah, GA – Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) successfully secured more than $11.3 million in federal funding for the Freight Mobility, Military and Workforce Readiness Corridor Project on DeRenne Avenue. The funding will support right-of-way acquisition for the project, which will improve a key transportation corridor serving Hunter Army Airfield, Memorial Health University Medical Center, Candler Hospital, and freight moving to and from the Port of Savannah. The funding was provided by the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant program and will help relieve chronic congestion, improve military operational readiness, support economic growth, and boost public health and safety. This grant is funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law, which Senators Warnock and Ossoff championed.\n\n“To ensure that Memorial Health University Medical Center and Candler Hospital are accessible during emergencies and Hunter Army Airfield can stay connected to strategic partners across the country, we need strong investments to modernize Savannah’s vital roadway infrastructure,” said Senator Warnock. “Upgrades to this central corridor will promote economic opportunity, improve safety, and reduce traffic for Georgians across Savannah.”\n\n“The City of Savannah remains committed to improving DeRenne Avenue, and we’re excited about the continued momentum with the support of United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah Technical College, Memorial Health University Medical Center (MHUMC), the Georgia Motor Trucking Association, Senator Warnock, and Senator Ossoff,” said Mayor Van R. Johnson, II. “DeRenne Avenue carries regional significance, but it’s also the way that our residents rely on every day to get to work, school, and home. This project continues to be an incredible example of partnership, and we’re proud to keep it moving forward.”\n\nThis funding will help the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the City of Savannah complete a key component of Project DeRenne, a major four-part infrastructure initiative aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving transportation and neighborhood connectivity along the DeRenne Avenue corridor. Specifically, the funding will support a new connection between I-516 and White Bluff Road and widen Hampstead Avenue to improve pedestrian and bicycle access.\n\nSenator Warnock has long championed infrastructure projects across Georgia. Earlier this year, he pressedU.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to approve the City of Savannah’s request for federal funding to support Project DeRenne. Senator Ossoff also urged Secretary Duffy to provide funding for the project in July. In a similar effort, Senators Warnock and Ossoff successfully secured over $54 million in federal DOT funding to improve Georgia’s roadway infrastructure and help strengthen road safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. From this effort, the City of Savannah received $2 million to develop a digital emergency services platform.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation-to-address-vermonts-housing-shortage-speed-construction-of-affordable-homes/", "title": "Welch Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Address Vermont’s Housing Shortage, Speed Construction of Affordable Homes", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, joined U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), John Curtis (R-Utah), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in introducing the Build American Efficiency Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would streamline the process for home builders to determine and locate domestically sourced materials that comply with the Build America, Buy American Act (BABA). This small legislative step would help homebuilders cut costs and red tape as they work to address the national housing shortage.\n\n“Our nation’s housing crisis is an urgent problem, and Congress needs to take action. In Vermont, we’re going to need 36,000 new housing units by 2030 to address our shortage—cutting through red tape that makes it harder to build a home is a major part of helping us close that gap,” said Senator Welch. “The Build American Efficiency Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that will help builders construct high-quality homes at a price that families can afford.”\n\n“Despite our country’s desperate need for additional affordable housing options, American homebuilders face steep costs and bureaucratic red tape,” said Senator King. “The Build American Efficiency Act would empower the Department of Housing and Urban Development to share information to help builders, manufacturers, and housing providers navigate complicated compliance requirements and identify verified American-made products. Eliminating this time-consuming and costly additional step for homebuilders will allow them to build more homes faster. It’s a three-page bill that amounts to a common-sense helping hand.”\n\n“Utah’s impressive growth has unfortunately brought with it the strain of rising housing costs—which has already been made worse by unnecessary federal red tape,” said Senator Curtis. “This bipartisan bill is a commonsense fix that makes it easier for builders to identify American-made materials, cut through bureaucracy, and get more affordable homes built faster.”\n\n“I’m committed to using every federal resource available to make building homes in Alaska more streamlined and affordable across the board,” said Senator Murkowski. “This legislation will help identify products that are made in America more easily, cutting through red tape to get more homes built with American-made materials around the country.”\n\nAmerica’s nationwide housing crisis has hit the state of Vermont especially hard, with median home sale prices surging 40% since 2019. In addition to skyrocketing housing costs, dwindling market supply has made it even tougher for lower-income families—including the nearly 4,000 Vermonters facing homelessness—to purchase a home. Vermont is projected to need an additional 24,000–36,000 housing units by 2030 to replace outdated housing stock and meet demand.\n\nTo accomplish its goals, the Build American Efficiency Act would encourage the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to share industry-led initiatives to certify products and facilities that comply with BABA requirements. The BABA standards were passed in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. More specifically, the Build American Efficiency Act would:\n\nClarify that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development has the authority to recognize auditable and verifiable systems that document products that comply with Build America, Buy America domestic content requirements;\n\nAllow HUD to treat documentation generated under the Make It American Process Standard, or similar standards that provide an auditable and verifiable certification process, as sufficient evidence for domestic content certification;\n\nHelp manufacturers, builders, and funding recipients more easily determine which products comply with BABA requirements;\n\nReduce time spent navigating waiver requests, duplicative paperwork, and uncertainty over which products have or have not been approved; and\n\nPreserve flexibility by ensuring the bill does not mandate the use of any one database or prohibit recipients from using other lawful methods to certify compliance.\n\nCompanion legislation was introduced in the House by Reps. Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Lou Correa (D-CA-46), Tracey Mann (R-KS-01), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD-02), and Brad Finstad (R-MN-01).\n\nThe Build American Efficiency Act is supported by ABB, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Associated General Contractors, Eaton, National Association of Electrical Distributors, National Association of Realtors, National Association of State Housing Agencies, National Electrical Contractors Association, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Prysmian, Schneider, Siemens, and Southwire.\n\nSenator Welch has led bipartisan efforts to address Vermont’s affordable housing crisis. Last month, the Senator introduced the Supporting Small Affordable Housing Developers Act, new legislation that would exempt grants supporting affordable housing development from taxation to empower small, rural housing developers to build more affordable housing.\n\nIn March, Senator Welch introduced the bipartisan FARM Home Loans Act to spur rural economic growth by helping more homebuyers qualify for rural housing assistance. The Senator is also a cosponsor of the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation that aims to support middle-class Americans purchasing their first home, and the End Rent Fixing Act, which would crack down on companies that help landlords increase rents in already high-priced markets. The Senator is also a cosponsor of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which was signed into law earlier this year.\n\nThe Senator’s bipartisan, bicameral HOPE for HOMES Act, which helps lower energy costs for homeowners and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also investing in the workforce, was included as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic Inflation Reduction Act.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-and-dingell-introduce-new-bill-creating-alert-system-to-notify-survivors-of-illegal-gun-purchase-attempts-by-domestic-abusers/", "title": "Whitehouse and Dingell Introduce New Bill Creating Alert System to Notify Survivors of Illegal Gun Purchase Attempts by Domestic Abusers", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release", "domain": "www.whitehouse.senate.gov", "scraper": "whitehouse", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000802", "name": "Sheldon Whitehouse", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Bicameral Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would help ensure domestic violence survivors are notified when an abusive partner is trying to obtain a firearm illegally\n\nWashington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) have introduced the Domestic Violence Survivors Alerted for Emergency (SAFE) Notice Act, new legislation to establish notification systems that would alert survivors of domestic violence offenses when their domestic abuser attempts to purchase a firearm illegally.\n\nLoopholes in federal and state law can allow domestic violence offenders to purchase guns notwithstanding their criminal history – situations that can be life threatening for survivors. Even when offenders are unsuccessful, the fact they are trying to purchase a firearm illegally can be a warning sign for survivors. The Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would help keep survivors safe by setting up systems to notify domestic violence survivors when an abusive partner has obtained or is trying to obtain a firearm illegally.\n\n“I spent years prosecuting domestic violence cases in Rhode Island, and I know the toll it can take on survivors as they rebuild their lives. Our legislation will help ensure survivors are made aware when the government has information about an abuser’s attempt to buy a firearm, so survivors and their loved ones can make decisions in the interest of their own safety and wellbeing,” said Senator Whitehouse, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former Rhode Island Attorney General and U.S. Attorney.\n\n“When a domestic violence survivor is rebuilding their life, safety and peace of mind are everything. We know that an abusive partner’s access to a firearm dramatically increases the risk of fatal violence. By ensuring survivors receive immediate alerts if an offender attempts to purchase a gun illegally, the Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act empowers victims with time-sensitive information that can save lives,” said Congresswoman Dingell.\n\nThe legislation is cosponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).\n\n“As a former prosecutor, I have seen firsthand the serious emotional and physical toll domestic violence can take on victims, especially when guns are involved. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, now law, included provisions from my bill that closed the dangerous boyfriend loophole to keep firearms out of the hands of dating partners convicted of domestic violence,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This new legislation builds on that progress by creating a notification system for survivors of domestic violence, alerting them when their abuser attempts to purchase a firearm illegally. This common-sense legislation will protect victims and help save lives.”\n\n“Current loopholes in federal and state law can allow domestic violence offenders to purchase guns despite their criminal history, which seriously compromises survivor safety,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I am proud to partner with my colleagues to create this essential alert system that will ensure no victim is unprepared if their abuser breaks the law to obtain a dangerous firearm.”\n\nDomestic violence offenders and protective order respondents are generally prohibited under federal and many state laws from purchasing firearms. However, that prohibition does not always stop offenders from trying to purchase firearms anyway. FBI data shows that almost 160,000 gun purchases were denied from 2018 to 2023 because of the purchaser’s domestic violence background. These situations can be life threatening for domestic violence survivors. A male abusive partner’s access to a gun significantly increases the risk of an intimate partner homicide.\n\nSpecifically, the Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would:\n\nDirect the FBI to establish a notification system to alert survivors of federal domestic violence offenses when the offender attempts to purchase a firearm illegally.\n\nPermit survivors to register or de-register at will.\n\nProvide key alerts about an offender’s attempted illegal firearm purchase, including if the sale went through or law enforcement has recovered the firearm.\n\nProvide additional alerts about related events, such as a pardon that restores an offender’s ability to purchase firearms legally.\n\nAuthorize grants for states to pilot state-run alert systems, so survivors can receive alerts related to protective orders and non-federal domestic violence offenses.\n\nEnable states to use funds to expand existing systems or set up new ones.\n\nRequire reports on the success of and challenges related to these pilot projects, including recommendations for expanding the projects to other states.\n\nThe Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act has been endorsed by the National Domestic Violence Hotline, National District Attorneys Association, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Survivor Justice Center, Jewish Women International, National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (U.S. Region), the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Council of Jewish Women, Just Solutions, Futures Without Violence, Union for Reform Judaism, Ujima, National Network to End Domestic Violence, Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, National Organization for Victim Advocacy, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Lovelace Consulting Services, Inc., National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, National Crime Victim Law Institute, Yup’ik Women’s Coalition, Life Span, Women of Reform Judaism, and Alliance of Tribal Coalitions to End Violence.\n\n“Survivors often must make complex safety decisions in real time, and having timely information about an abusive partner’s attempt to obtain a firearm can be critical to that decision-making. The Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would help ensure survivors have access to information that could allow them to take additional safety precautions, seek support, and make informed decisions for themselves and their families. The Hotline is grateful to Rep. Debbie Dingell and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse for introducing this legislation and for their continued commitment to the safety and well-being of survivors of domestic violence,” said Katie Ray-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.\n\n“The National District Attorneys Association is proud to support the Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act, which establishes a common-sense notification system to alert victims when offenders unlawfully attempt to acquire a firearm as well as other firearm-related updates. NDAA commends this victim-centered approach that promotes public safety,” said Nelson Bunn, Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association.", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2026/10/02/senator-wicker-honors-mississippi-angels-in-adoption-honorees/", "title": "Senator Wicker Honors Mississippi “Angels in Adoption” Honorees", "date": "2026-10-02", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wicker.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.wicker.senate.gov", "scraper": "wicker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000437", "name": "Roger F. Wicker", "party": "Republican", "state": "MS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., this week honored Sara and Nic Pendleton and Thomas Dent as honorees for the 2026 “Angels in Adoption” award. Senator Wicker nominated the Pendletons while Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., nominated Mr. Dent. This recognition honors years of foster parent service and dedicated advocacy for underprivileged children.\n\n“Sara, Nic, and Thomas represent the best of Mississippi. They have selflessly devoted their lives to providing loving and nurturing environments for children in need of a home. These honorees have unquestionably changed many lives for the better. It is the least we can do to recognize them for this outstanding work,” said Senator Wicker.\n\nSara and Nic Pendleton, of Biloxi, Mississippi, have opened their homes to more than 25 Mississippi children in foster care. The Pendletons have oriented their home to children with health challenges, providing these children with outstanding medical care and emotional stability. The couple has raised one biological child and adopted five more. Outside of their parental work, the Pendletons are also fierce advocates for the needs of fellow caregivers and of children in vulnerable situations, particularly those with special needs.\n\nThomas Dent, of Ridgeland, Mississippi, has spent years supporting Mississippi children who need care in both professional and personal settings. For over five years, Mr. Dent worked in the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services as the Director of Faith-Based and Volunteer Services and as Foster Parent Liaison. He is also an adoptive father and a former foster parent. For Mr. Dent, his commitment to supporting others is driven by his deeply rooted Christian faith.\n\nThe Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, which sponsors the “Angels in Adoption” program, is a nonprofit organization that works to raise awareness about the needs of children without families and to remove policy barriers that hinder children from knowing the love and support a family provides.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-03T10:14:25Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-03T10:15:32Z"}
{"url": "https://amo.house.gov/press-release/amo-honors-rhode-island-veterans-at-third-annual-resource-fair-and-bbq", "title": "Amo Honors Rhode Island Veterans at Third Annual Resource Fair and BBQ", "date": "2026-10-03", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://amo.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "amo.house.gov", "scraper": "amo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000380", "name": "Gabe Amo", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Warren, RI – Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) hosted his third annual Veterans Resource Fair and Barbecue at Pete Sepe Pavilion in Warren, bringing together Rhode Island Veterans, military families, and organizations that serve the Veteran community.\n\nA day of food and fun, the event brought together the military community with Veterans advocacy organizations, health care providers, and education and support groups from across Rhode Island. Veterans and their families enjoyed a barbecue lunch and had the opportunity to connect directly with Veterans service organizations (VSOs).\n\n“We owe Rhode Islanders who have served our nation in uniform and their families a lifetime of gratitude for their sacrifices in defense of our values and democracy,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). “It was an honor to spend time with Veterans and their families at today’s barbecue to thank them for their service and help connect them with the resources they’ve earned. If you or a Veteran you know is having trouble getting help from a federal agency, my office is here to help.”\n\nBackground\n\nCongressman Amo is committed to supporting Rhode Island’s Veterans. If constituents of Rhode Island’s First Congressional District need help with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or another federal agency, they can reach out to Congressman Amo’s office for help by calling (401) 729-5600 or submitting a request here.\n\nAmo hosts a District Veterans Advisory Committee made up of a broad and diverse group of key Veterans and military stakeholders, to ensure he remains focused on achieving results and serving those who have served our country.\n\nOn May 21st, 2026, Amo signed onto Discharge Petition No. 22 to force a vote on H.R. 2102, the Major Richard Star Act, which would ensure that combat-disabled veterans receive the full benefits they deserve.\n\nOn September 16, 2025, Amo led the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Douglas Collins, demanding that he explain the loss of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees across the United States and provide an update on the status of Rhode Island’s federal VA workforce.\n\nOn September 14, 2025, Amo hosted his second annual Veterans Barbecue and Resource Fair.\n\nOn July 3, 2025, Amo voted no on Trump’s Big, Ugly Law, which gutted SNAP, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. An estimated 3,000 Rhode Island Veterans received SNAP between 2021 and 2023. As of 2023, 4,200 Rhode Island Veterans were enrolled in Medicaid.\n\nOn May 15, 2025, Amo introduced a bicameral, bipartisan resolution to support Veteran mental health by establishing “Vets Get Outside Day.”\n\nOn February 13, 2025, Amo introduced a bipartisan bill with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to recognize America’s first integrated military unit — the First Rhode Island Regiment — by posthumously awarding its members with the Congressional Gold Medal.\n\nOn August 28, 2024, Amo hosted his first Barbecue to honor the Veterans of Rhode Island’s First Congressional District.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415889", "title": "TAPInto Middletown article on Smith-led survey of Nor'easter damage'Rep. Smith Leads Survey of Nor’easter Damage Along Monmouth and Ocean County Shore'", "date": "2026-10-03", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "chrissmith.house.gov", "scraper": "chrissmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000522", "name": "Christopher H. Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "By Jeanne Wall\n\nPublished October 3, 2026 at 1:46 AM\n\nMONMOUTH AND OCEAN COUNTIES, NJ — In the aftermath of last week’s powerful Nor’easter, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith led a group of federal, state and local officials on a tour of several shore communities to assess damage caused by flooding, erosion and severe weather.\n\nThe tour included stops in Manasquan, Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head and Ocean Gate, where officials examined the condition of beaches and coastal infrastructure and discussed both immediate needs and longer-term strategies to better protect the communities from future storms.\n\nSmith was joined by Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 2 Administrator Chris Hartnett; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner Joe Seebode; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District Commander Lt. Col. Ryan A. Baum; USACE New York District Project Manager Jason Shea; New Jersey State Police Operations Officer Major James Boland; Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden; Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy; NJ Legislative District 10 Assemblyman Paul Kanitra; Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione; Manasquan Mayor Mike Mangan; Bay Head Mayor Bill Curtis; Ocean Gate Mayor Robert Curtin; and other elected and municipal officials.\n\nRep. Smith Leads Survey of Nor'easter Damage Along Monmouth and Ocean County Shore. Photo Credit: File Photo\n\nThe group surveyed areas affected by the storm while discussing the challenges facing the individual communities and the steps that could be taken to strengthen coastal protection.\n\n“Today, an impressive, comprehensive group of experts—with extensive backgrounds in environmental, structural engineering, and beach replenishment initiatives—came together to not only survey the severe damage wrought by last week’s Nor’easter, but also to collaborate on creative solutions for immediate needs and future resilience efforts,” Smith said.\n\nLocal officials came prepared to show the federal and state representatives the specific impacts their communities experienced and to discuss potential improvements.\n\n“Municipal officials and local leaders came fully prepared, offering tangible examples of the damages they sustained and providing ideas for new initiatives that could bolster their towns’ resilience against future storms,” Smith said.\n\nThe tour also provided an opportunity to look at how investments and protective measures implemented following previous storms have affected the latest storm's impact.\n\nOfficials noted that although the Nor’easter caused damage in the communities visited, existing protections helped mitigate some of the effects in certain areas.\n\nThat experience is providing another opportunity for officials to evaluate what has worked, where additional improvements may be needed and how communities can prepare for increasingly severe coastal weather.\n\nSmith said the participation of federal, state and local representatives demonstrated the importance of cooperation when addressing storm damage and coastal resilience.\n\n“I am truly encouraged by the intergovernmental partnership and determination demonstrated today,” Smith said. “Building upon what we’ve learned from previous storms and tapping into the continued knowledge and expertise shared today, I look forward to working alongside our great state and local officials to strengthen our shore communities’ resilience and preparation for future severe weather events.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-honors-fallen-firefighters-at-annual-memorial-service-in-augusta", "title": "Senator Collins Honors Fallen Firefighters at Annual Memorial Service in Augusta", "date": "2026-10-03", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Click HERE, HERE, and HERE for individual photos.\n\nAUGUSTA, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks at the annual Firefighter Memorial Service at the Maine Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Augusta. During the service, a roll call of Maine firefighters who passed away over the previous year was read, with a bell rung once in honor of each fallen firefighter. The event was attended by more than 100 firefighters and their families, other first responders, community residents, and local and state leaders.\n\nTwo Maine firefighters were lost in the line of duty this past year and were given unique honors during the ceremony: Morrill Volunteer Firefighter Andrew Cross and Searsmont Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury, who both lost their lives due to injuries sustained responding to the tragic explosion and fire at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont this May.\n\n“Whether they were on duty or retired, every name read today belongs to a hero. Every ring of the bell is an echo, not just of who they were, but of the dedication that all firefighters share and of the gratitude that unites all whom they serve,” said Senator Collins during her remarks. “Those qualities of character and commitment are found throughout Maine. Whether you are a full-time firefighter or an on-call volunteer, you are a critical first line of defense. Whether you serve in a large city or a small town, whether you are called to a major catastrophe or a local emergency, you respond when the alarm sounds, whenever that may be.”\n\n“This annual memorial service is always powerful and inspiring. It has a special significance this year as we honor two firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice battling the horrific explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont last May,” she continued. “Andrew Cross, a young man of extraordinary accomplishments, served with the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department. Wayne Woodbury dedicated more than 60 years as a volunteer firefighter in both Belmont and Searsmont, where he was assistant chief. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of these heroes, both their families at home and their brothers and sisters at the firehouse.”\n\n“Most of us will never know where the bravery to rush toward danger comes from. We can’t begin to imagine the courage and dedication it takes to enter a burning building or approach a blazing truck that may be about to explode, especially when others are running in the opposite direction. But we are deeply grateful to you who take this courage and dedication, this skill and discipline, with you every day. Thank you, and may God bless you all,” Senator Collins concluded.\n\n+++\n\nAs a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, Senator Collins has been an advocate for Maine's firefighters, helping to better ensure they have additional resources and support as they protect our communities.\n\nThrough her role as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she has secured nearly $87 million over the past five years to rehabilitate, expand, or replace 45 fire stations across Maine.\n\nIn 2024, Senator Collins' bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act was signed into law, reauthorizing through 2028 the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs, as well as the U.S. Fire Administration. These programs help local fire departments address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services.\n\nSenator Collins also championed the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, enacted in 2018, which established the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer to improve understanding of the connection between firefighting and cancer and help reduce occupational cancer risks for firefighters. More than 50,000 firefighters nationwide have since enrolled in the registry.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-04T10:56:42Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-04T10:57:59Z"}
{"url": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-statement-on-major-league-baseball-reversing-course-on-plan-to-host-baseball-game-in-grand-teton-national-park", "title": "Heinrich Statement on Major League Baseball Reversing Course on Plan to Host Baseball Game in Grand Teton National Park", "date": "2026-10-03", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.heinrich.senate.gov", "scraper": "heinrich", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001046", "name": "Martin Heinrich", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "MLB withdraws proposal after Heinrich sent a letter urging MLB to back down from their plan to host a baseball game in the treasured national park\n\nWASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement in response to Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Robert Manfred withdrawing the league's interest in hosting a baseball game in Grand Teton National Park after Heinrich pressed Manfred to withdraw his proposal.\n\n“This week, I sent a letter to MLB Commissioner Manfred urging him to stand down on pursuing a baseball stadium in Grand Teton National Park. While I’m glad that he has listened and agreed not to pursue this Grand Teton National Park plan, I am concerned that MLB may still be considering other National Park locations,” said Heinrich. “Let’s be clear: our national parks are no place for hosting professional sports games. Building stadiums in our national parks defies logic and is just plain wrong. I’ll continue to demand answers on whether other national park sites are being considered for any MLB games.”\n\nIn his letter to MLB Commissioner Manfred, sent Tuesday, September 29, Heinrich urged MLB to withdraw its proposal to build a baseball stadium in Grand Teton National Park, citing concerns over national park preservation and the precedent hosting a baseball game would set for future national park land use.\n\n“Since 1916, the mission of the National Park Service has been to conserve the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wildlife in the parks, and to provide for their enjoyment in a way that leaves them unimpaired for future generations of Americans. This all makes national parks sacred ground and not a proper venue for a stadium built for a single commercial event. As Americans, we have an obligation to protect and preserve our national parks at every turn,” Heinrich wrote.\n\nHeinrich also expressed concern over the lack of public input from MLB or the Trump administration in making this decision. Recent reporting from The Washington Post found that National Park Service (NPS) Deputy Director for Operations Frank Lands recently visited Teton County, but made no mention of hosting an MLB game in Grand Teton National Park.\n\n“The public and local communities deserve an opportunity to voice their concerns about visitor safety and the protection of federal lands and ecosystems. Neither MLB nor the Trump administration has sought public input,” Heinrich continued.\n\n“MLB has its choice of at least 30 different stadiums all over the country to host a baseball game. Hosting a baseball game at a national park, however, should not be one of those venues given the heightened threat to local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. I therefore request that you withdraw your proposal to host a baseball game at a national park and instead pursue a more viable alternative venue,” Heinrich concluded.\n\nYesterday, MLB Commissioner Manfred responded to Heinrich’s letter, sharing that MLB will no longer be considering Grand Teton National Park as a potential site for a baseball game, but making no commitments regarding other National Park sites.\n\nRead the full text of Heinrich’s letter here and below.\n\nDear Commissioner Manfred:\n\nI write to express strong opposition to Major League Baseball (MLB) hosting a baseball game at a national park. I strongly urge you to withdraw your proposal.\n\nAccording to recent reports, MLB has approached the Trump administration about hosting a major league baseball game in Grand Teton National Park. This news is highly concerning. Grand Teton National Park holds a singular place in our nation’s conservation history. First protected by Congress in 1929, the park preserves the Teton Range, the valley of Jackson Hole, and one of the most intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states. It is home to grizzly bears, moose, bison, and it sustains the pronghorn’s ancient migration route, one of the longest land migrations in North America. The same land that makes the area attractive to construction is the same habitat these animals depend on for grazing, calving, and passage.\n\nSince 1916, the mission of the National Park Service has been to conserve the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wildlife in the parks, and to provide for their enjoyment in a way that leaves them unimpaired for future generations of Americans. This all makes national parks sacred ground and not a proper venue for a stadium built for a single commercial event. As Americans, we have an obligation to protect and preserve our national parks at every turn. The public and local communities deserve an opportunity to voice their concerns about visitor safety and the protection of federal lands and ecosystems. Neither MLB nor the Trump administration has sought public input. According to The Washington Post, Deputy Director Frank Lands recently visited Teton County, but made no mention of hosting an MLB game in Grand Teton National Park.\n\nBaseball is a treasured American pastime – drawing millions of fans to ballparks every year. MLB has its choice of at least 30 different stadiums all over the country to host a baseball game. Hosting a baseball game at a national park, however, should not be one of those venues given the heightened threat to local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. I therefore request that you withdraw your proposal to host a baseball game at a national park and instead pursue a more viable alternative venue.\n\nSincerely,", "collected_at": "2026-10-04T10:56:42Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-04T10:57:59Z"}
{"url": "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-statement-on-the-mass-shooting-in-vienna-georgia", "title": "Congressman Bishop Statement on the Mass Shooting in Vienna, Georgia", "date": "2026-10-04", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "bishop.house.gov", "scraper": "bishop", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000490", "name": "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "COLUMBUS, Ga. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) issued the following statement in the aftermath of the mass shooting in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 4, 2026, in Vienna, Georgia:\n\n“Homecoming is supposed to be about coming home — to family, to old friends, to the neighborhoods that raised us. Early this morning in Vienna, a celebration of home became a scene of unspeakable grief.\n\n“Two young men, just 20 and 23 years old, will not come home again. Dozens more are lying in hospital beds, and their families are keeping watch, praying for every breath.\n\n“Vivian and I join the people of Vienna and Dooly County in mourning. We lift up the families who lost sons, the wounded and those who love them, and every person who ran toward danger to help a neighbor. I am grateful to the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, first responders, and the doctors and nurses working through the night.\n\n“Scripture tells us that the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart. Vienna’s heart is broken today. But this community is strong, and it is not alone. My office stands ready to help in every way we can, and we will continue to pray for healing, for justice, and for peace.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-joins-community-celebrations-across-north-jersey", "title": "PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Joins Community Celebrations Across North Jersey", "date": "2026-10-04", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "domain": "gottheimer.house.gov", "scraper": "gottheimer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000583", "name": "Josh Gottheimer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Above: Gottheimer attends Midland Park Day.\n\nBERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Yesterday, Saturday, October 3, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined Jersey families, local small business owners, and community leaders to celebrate town days in Mahwah, Allendale, and Midland Park, along with attending the Palisades Park Street Fest and the Demarest Oktoberfest Fall Festival.\n\n“From Mahwah to Demarest, these community events show what makes North Jersey so special. They bring our families, small businesses, and local organizations together to celebrate the towns we love. It was an honor to join so many of my neighbors, and I’ll keep fighting for the Jersey families and small businesses who make our communities so strong,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).\n\nThese annual events bring together residents, local businesses, and community organizations to celebrate their boroughs and everything each community has to offer.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer attends Mahwah Day.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer attends Allendale Day.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer attends Ramsey Day.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer attends Palisades Park Street Festival.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer attends Midland Park Day.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer attends Midland Park Day.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer attends Demarest Oktoberfest Fall Festival.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-05T12:04:08Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-05T12:05:17Z"}
{"url": "https://latta.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=407872", "title": "Latta Visits Savannah River Site, Nuclear Facility", "date": "2026-10-04", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://latta.house.gov/news", "domain": "latta.house.gov", "scraper": "latta", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000566", "name": "Robert E. Latta", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Bob Latta, Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee on Energy and Commerce, visited the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS) to receive an in-depth tour of the facilities and receive updates on the process for the disposal of nuclear waste. Congressman Latta released the following statement after his visit:\n\n\"It was great to see the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, where the Department of Energy is taking on the federal government's statutory responsibility to clean up nuclear waste.\n\n\"The site plays a vital role in advancing our nation's nuclear interests, both domestically and internationally, and SRS's focus on cleaning up nuclear components is critical for protecting the health and well-being of every American.\n\n\"As a member of the Environment Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I understand how important it is for our country to safely dispose of nuclear waste so that surrounding communities are protected from environmental hazards.\n\n\"Seeing the site's comprehensive process for safe disposal, and watching the expert professionals who operate this facility has given me even further confidence in our ability as a nation to handle complex energy waste issues.\n\n\"Last month, the Energy Subcommittee held a hearing with the Department of Energy and industry professionals to discuss the future of spent nuclear fuel storage and how we can support every stage of our nuclear fuel cycle moving into the future.\n\n\"With tremendous support for nuclear power, it's critical that we continue to focus on generating more affordable, and reliable power in efficient and safe ways. Advancing safe nuclear power for America is paramount to our national security and environmental safety.\"\n\nDetails of the visit:\n\nDuring his time at the facility, Congressman Latta focused on SRS's integrated radioactive liquid waste treatment facility that handles by-products from the processing of nuclear materials.\n\nCongressman Latta first visited the H tank farm, one of two tank farms, where SRS stores about 32 million gallons of radioactive waste in 43 underground carbon-steel waste tanks.\n\nThe Congressman also visited the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF), where SRS treats the radioactive salt components that make up more than 90% of the contents of the tanks. Congressman Latta also participated in a sampling discussion at the SWPF.\n\nAt the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF), Congressman Latta viewed where SRS takes radioactive sludge from the tanks, and combines it with higher activity salt waste components to be turned into glass for storage and disposal.\n\nThe Congressman's final facility viewing was a drive through the Saltstone Disposal Units (SDUs) where lower level salt solutions from the nuclear waste are permanently stored.\n\nOnce a tank from the farm is emptied and the contents are treated and safely disposed of or stored, the tank is cleaned and operationally closed.", "collected_at": "2026-10-05T12:04:08Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-05T12:05:17Z"}
{"url": "http://houlahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5231", "title": "Reps. Houlahan, Smith Lead Members of Congress Demanding Answers on End to Tenured Appointments at Military Service Academies", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://houlahan.house.gov/news/rss.aspx", "domain": "houlahan.house.gov", "scraper": "houlahan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001085", "name": "Chrissy Houlahan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) and Adam Smith (WA-09) demanded answers on the Department of Defense’s decision to end appointments to tenured positions at military service academies. Specifically, the lawmakers questioned Secretary Pete Hegseth about the Department’s legal authority for this action, its intended application, and effects on existing faculty.\n\n“Congress has long recognized that the service academies have a dual mission: preparing cadets and midshipmen for military service while providing a rigorous academic education,” wrote the lawmakers. “Civilian faculty play an important role in making that possible.”\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “Given this statutory and institutional history, we are concerned about the legal basis for the Department’s new policy and whether the directive is intended to prohibit future grants of tenure or to alter the status and employment protections of faculty who are currently tenured.”\n\nRep. Houlahan is Ranking Member of the House Military Personnel Subcommittee and Rep. Smith is Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee. The Members were joined by Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Pat Ryan (NY-18), representing the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), representing the U.S. Naval Academy, Joe Courtney (CT-02), representing the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and Chris Deluzio (PA-17).\n\nSecretary Hegseth is asked to provide a response by October 16, 2026. The full letter can be found here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://aguilar.house.gov/2026/10/05/rep-aguilar-announces-nearly-730000-for-el-sol-neighborhood-educational-center-to-improve-the-health-and-well-being-of-inland-empire-residents/", "title": "Rep. Aguilar Announces Nearly $730,000 for El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center to Improve the Health and Well-Being of Inland Empire Residents", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://aguilar.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/", "domain": "aguilar.house.gov", "scraper": "aguilar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000371", "name": "Pete Aguilar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "El Sol will use the grant to teach and connect people to healthcare\n\nSAN BERNARDINO, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced a $728,610 federal grant for El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center to hire more Community Health Workers and reach more people in the Inland Empire who need help finding healthcare and social resources.\n\nEl Sol’s health workers build trust with residents, teach them about their health in ways that match their culture and language, figure out their health needs and find the right doctors and care. Additionally, health workers connect people to basic needs support like housing, food assistance, domestic violence shelters, transportation, Medicare, Medi-Cal and more.\n\n“Everyone deserves to find a doctor that’s right for them or get help with food, housing and other needs,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “El Sol’s Community Health Workers help build a bridge between our neighbors and the healthcare and support they need. This grant will bring more of these workers to our communities so that people in the Inland Empire can be healthy, happy and successful.”\n\n“This federal investment recognizes the vital role that community-based organizations play in reaching people where they are and building trust where it matters most,” said Alexander Fajardo, Executive Director, El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center. “At El Sol, we will use these resources to strengthen our community health worker workforce and expand our ability to connect individuals and families with health education, resources, and support. When we invest in trusted community organizations, we invest directly in the health and well-being of our communities.”\n\nThis funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Mental Health & Substance Abuse Service Grants.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-washington-post-article-below-titled-israeli-settlers-race-reshape-west", "title": "ICYMI: The Washington Post article below, titled “Israeli settlers race to reshape West Bank as election nears.\"", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "algreen.house.gov", "scraper": "algreen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000553", "name": "Al Green", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The Washington Post article below, titled “Israeli settlers race to reshape West Bank as election nears,” speaks for itself.\n\nYou can access the article by clicking the link here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases/ansari-secures-long-delayed-combat-related-compensation-for-wounded-marine-veteran", "title": "Ansari Secures Long-Delayed Combat-Related Compensation for Wounded Marine Veteran", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ansari.house.gov", "scraper": "ansari", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000381", "name": "Yassamin Ansari", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PHOENIX – Last week, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) met with Marine Corps combat veteran Sergeant Alecsaiah Tree, whose combat-related compensation claim was delayed five months past the processing times after nearly two years without an update. Following concerted efforts by Ansari’s office, Sergeant Tree secured approval for Combat-Related Special Compensation with a 100 percent combat-related disability rating, retroactive to April 1, 2024.\n\n“Sergeant Tree served our country for more than 11 years and was wounded while helping evacuate people from Afghanistan. He should not have had to wait this long for the compensation he earned,” said Rep. Ansari. “I’m glad my office was able to help him secure approval. Our responsibility to service members continues long after they leave the military, and I remain committed to helping Arizona veterans access the benefits and support they deserve.”\n\n“After waiting nearly two years for an update, I’m grateful that Congresswoman Ansari’s office helped move my case forward,” said Sergeant Tree. “Having someone follow up and help me navigate the process made a real difference. Veterans should be able to get the benefits they earned without having to fight for them.”\n\nSergeant Tree was wounded in the August 26, 2021, attack at Abbey Gate during the military evacuation from Afghanistan. He contacted Rep. Ansari’s office after waiting 23 months for an update on his compensation request—five months beyond the agency’s stated processing timeframe. Ansari’s office contacted the Department of the Navy and worked to get Sergeant Tree’s claim processed.\n\nAnsari with Sergeant Tree and his service dog, Zeus\n\nAZ-03 residents in need of assistance with federal agencies are encouraged to reach out to Rep. Ansari’s office. Visit ansari.house.gov or contact her Phoenix office by phone at (602) 956-2285.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4645", "title": "Riley Gaines Endorses Arrington Bill to Protect Women’s Sports", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "arrington.house.gov", "scraper": "arrington", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000375", "name": "Jodey C. Arrington", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) announced that he is teaming up with 12-time NCAA All-American and women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines to pass his Title IX Clarification Act, legislation to codify that Title IX nondiscrimination requirements tied to federal education funding are based on the biological reality of sex.\n\n“Riley Gaines is one of the most impactful voices in the fight to protect women’s sports, which is why I’m thrilled to have her as a champion for my Title IX Clarification Act,” said Chairman Arrington. “Title IX was created to provide equal opportunity for our daughters, not to push a radical gender ideology that jeopardizes their safety, and taxpayer dollars should not be used to advance extreme social policies. My legislation stops the abuse of Title IX by affirming a simple truth: there are only two sexes — male and female — and we cannot allow protections for our daughters to be erased the next time a Democrat administration takes control of the White House. I’m proud to stand with Riley in this fight and grateful to have her support as we work together to get this bill across the finish line.”\n\n“Title IX was created to ensure that women and girls have equal opportunities in education and athletics,” said Riley Gaines. “That promise only means something if the word ‘sex’ actually means sex. I support Congressman Jodey Arrington’s Title IX Clarification Act because Americans should not have to wonder what protections under Title IX mean from one administration to the next. The law should be clear, consistent, and grounded in biological reality as it was intended in 1972. The American people have had enough of the attacks on women and the truth. We are desperate for clarity, honesty, and accountability. Thanks to Congressman Arrington for leading the charge.”\n\nBackground:\n\nChairman Arrington introduced the Title IX Clarification Act (H.R. 8781) on May 13, 2026. The legislation defines “sex” under Title IX as an individual’s biologically determined sex, either male or female, for education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.\n\nThe bill advanced out of the House Committee on Education and Workforce on July 21, 2026.\n\nThe bill establishes statutory definitions for “male” and “female” under Title IX and would apply those definitions to education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance after enactment.\n\nOn October 1, 2026, Chairman Arrington published an opinion in the Daily Caller calling on Congress to define biological sex in Title IX and establish a statutory standard that does not depend on changing administrative interpretations.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/kingsley-field-authorized-to-receive-f-35s", "title": "Kingsley Field Authorized to Receive F-35s!", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "bentz.house.gov", "scraper": "bentz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000668", "name": "Cliff Bentz", "party": "Republican", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Klamath Falls — Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) is delighted to announce today that the Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Troy Meink, signed the Record of Decision, giving Kingsley Field Oregon Air National Guard Base, home of the 173rd Fighter Wing, formal authorization to begin preparations for a squadron of F-35A Lightning II jets.\n\nThe Record of Decision allows Kingsley Field to begin facility construction for F-35A Lighting II jets set to arrive in Summer 2027.\n\nThe Congressman and his staff have worked closely with Department of the Air Force, the Trump Administration, and Kingsley Field to identify and qualify the Kingsley Field airbase as the premier location for the jet.\n\nThe Congressman would like to thank the National Guard Bureau, Secretary Troy Meink, the Oregon National Guard, Colonel Adam Gaudinski (Commander of the 173rd Fighter Wing), and Micah Lambert (Deputy Commander of the 173rd Fighter Wing) for their hard work and dedication in the transition of Kingsley Field from the F-15C Eagle to the F-35A Lightning II.\n\nSaid Congressman Bentz: “The decision by Airforce Secretary Meink is extraordinarily good news for Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls, the State of Oregon, and our nation. The airspace in Southern and Eastern Oregon provides an immensely large and mostly empty airspace for absolutely essential training of the men and women who will fly one of the most amazing aircraft in the world, the F-35A Lightning II. This decision is also of significant importance to the economic future of the Klamath Basin and the people who live there. A huge thank you is due to the leadership at Kingsley Field, the Oregon National Guard, and the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C.”\n\nSaid Colonel Gaudinski: “Kingsley Field is officially an F-35 base, securing its place at the forefront of American airpower for generations to come. From here, we will forge the fighter pilots who will deter our adversaries, defend our nation, and ensure America maintains air supremacy anywhere in the world. America’s Air Supremacy starts here.\n\n“Representative Cliff Bentz has been an incredible champion for Kingsley Field and the men and women of the 173d Fighter Wing. His leadership, advocacy, and unwavering support helped make today possible, ensuring Kingsley will train America’s F-35 pilots and strengthen our nation’s airpower for generations to come. We are incredibly grateful for his commitment to Kingsley, Southern Oregon, and our national defense.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressional-4-h-caucus-leaders-introduce-national-4-h-week-resolution", "title": "Congressional 4-H Caucus Leaders Introduce National 4-H Week Resolution", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "bishop.house.gov", "scraper": "bishop", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000490", "name": "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), Angie Craig (MN-02), and Andy Harris (MD-01), co-chairs of the bipartisan 4-H Caucus, introduced a resolution today to designate the week of October 4 through October 10 as \"National 4-H Week.”\n\nAs the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System of Land-Grant Universities, 4-H engages young people in hands-on projects in the critical areas of agriculture, health, science, and civic leadership. 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the country, with six million current members and 35 million alumni.\n\n“Georgia is proud to be an early home for 4 H, starting in 1904, with programs reaching every county in our state and preparing young people to lead in agriculture, science, and civic life. I’ve had the pleasure to meet with National 4 H Council President & CEO Jill Bramble to discuss how 4 H continues to strengthen youth leadership nationwide. As an Eagle Scout, I know how essential positive role models and supportive environments are for young people, and 4 H delivers that every day. As Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, I remain committed to investing in programs that uplift rural communities and build a stronger future for Georgia and our nation,” Rep. Bishop said.\n\n“The work ethic and curiosity of each 4-H member I’ve met over the years is one of the reasons I feel so confident in the future of our country's agriculture industry. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution to recognize the important work of 4-H members across the country, and encourage others to get involved as well,” Rep. Thompson said.\n\n“The work that 4-H does to develop our youth into the next generation of leaders in agriculture and beyond is more important than ever. American agriculture has come under great pressure, and fostering a love of agriculture in young people is crucial for America’s future. I am proud to celebrate 4-H today and stand with them as they work to empower America’s youth,” Rep. Craig said.\n\n“4-H gives young people in Maryland and across our nation the chance to experience agriculture firsthand. Representing farming communities across Maryland’s First District, I understand the hard work that farming requires and why it matters for young people to learn about agriculture and the work behind it. I’m proud to recognize National 4-H Week and the millions of young Americans who participate in 4-H,” Rep. Harris said.\n\n“We are grateful for the bipartisan support of the Congressional 4-H Caucus and its recognition of the millions of young people who are building the skills and confidence to be ready for work and life. For nearly 125 years, 4-H and Cooperative Extension have helped young people discover what they’re capable of, explore career skills and opportunities, and become Beyond Ready for what comes next,” National 4-H Council President and CEO Jill Bramble said.\n\nRead the full resolution here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases/new-doe-award-improve-grid-and-positively-impact-families-4th-district", "title": "NEW DOE AWARD TO IMPROVE GRID AND POSITIVELY IMPACT FAMILIES IN THE 4TH DISTRICT", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "boebert.house.gov", "scraper": "boebert", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000825", "name": "Lauren Boebert", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Lone Tree, CO — Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO-04) continues to work with the U.S. Department of Energy to improve the grid in Colorado, including a new $250 million award from the Department’s Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) program.\n\n\"This Department of Energy announcement is about keeping the lights on and the bill down for families in the 4th District,” Rep. Boebert said. “The line starts in Lamar. That is our district. Families in Prowers, Kiowa, Cheyenne, Lincoln, and the rest of the Eastern Plains need power they can count on.”\n\n“These selected SPARK projects put advanced transmission technologies to work, modernizing critical infrastructure, maximizing the capacity of existing lines, and unlocking more than 20 gigawatts of additional grid capacity,” said Office of Electricity Assistant Secretary Catherine Jereza.\n\n\"We need to do everything we can to improve reliability, affordability, and cost for households, farms, and small towns,” Rep. Boebert said. “We need to do as much as possible to improve energy in Colorado and reduce costs for families. More transfer capacity can help families avoid outages and bring in power when we need it. The 4th District will take transmission that serves agriculture, oil and gas, and rural families.”\n\nThe award will upgrade the Lamar Tie. The project moves the Colorado end of the connection from Lamar to the May Valley substation and ties it into the Power Pathway network on the Eastern Plains. It raises transfer capacity from 210 megawatts to 700 megawatts, with room to reach 2,000 megawatts.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/washington-lawmakers-colleagues-demand-transparency-after-us-forest-service", "title": "Washington Lawmakers, Colleagues Demand Transparency After U.S. Forest Service Coordinates with ICE on Public Lands", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "bonamici.house.gov", "scraper": "bonamici", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001278", "name": "Suzanne Bonamici", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06), and Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (D, WA-08), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Jared Huffman (D, CA-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Adriano Espaillat (D, NY-13), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Andrea Salinas (D, OR-06), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), Val Hoyle (D, OR-04), Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10), Suzanne Bonamici (D, OR-01), and Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07) sent a letter to U.S. Forest Chief Tom Schultz demanding transparency regarding immigration enforcement activities on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands.\n\nThis letter comes after a shocking incident over Labor Day Weekend where U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) coordinated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrest five men who were camping with their families in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. As of October 5, 2026, four of the five men arrested remain in detention at the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center.\n\n“As Members of Congress representing the Pacific Northwest and Democratic leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Agriculture Committee, we are concerned that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is misusing taxpayer dollars by neglecting their mission and directing career staff to prioritize immigration enforcement on federal public lands. Particularly during a difficult wildfire season, we want to express our gratitude to the Forest Service for fighting wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and across the country,” wrote the members.\n\nThe U.S. Forest Service has undergone significant funding cuts and reorganizations efforts since the start of Trump’s second term. Since 2025, the USFS has lost nearly 6,000 workers through DOGE cuts and other factors, raising concerns about wildfire preparedness, forest health research, and public land management. Earlier this year, USFS announced consolidation efforts to shutter research and development facilities nationwide. USFS backtracked on their original proposal to close 57 out of 77 research labs after public outcry. In September 2026, USFS announced they will be closing 23 labs.\n\nThe 2026 wildfire season is still underway, and Washington state has recorded one of the worst wildfire seasons to date with almost 900,000 acres being burned as of early September.\n\nThe members conclude the letter by demanding answers to the following questions by October 15, 2026:\n\nQuestions for the U.S. Forest Service:\n\nWhich agency first identified those arrested as targets for investigation, when were they identified, and what information about the targets was used to justify the raid?\n\nCan you confirm that the law enforcement officers that first approached the families were employees of the USFS?\n\nTo what extent did USFS participate in the raid, and under what authority? Please provide any agreement or memorandum that governs cooperation between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS.\n\nPlease provide any agreement or memorandum between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS that governs the collection and sharing of visitors' identification and reservation data with DHS or ICE.\n\nWhat other immigration raids has the U.S. Forest Service participated in since January 21, 2025?\n\nWhat appropriations account(s) has the USFS used to fund its participation in immigration enforcement operations since January 21, 2025, and how much funding has been obligated or expended for this purpose?\n\nHas any USFS law enforcement personnel time, budget, or resources been reallocated from other law enforcement priorities (e.g., resource protection, search and rescue, wildfire-adjacent enforcement) to support immigration enforcement operations? If so, how much of this reallocation has been disclosed to Congress since these funds were appropriated for land management and resource protection purposes rather than immigration enforcement?\n\nGiven limited agency resources, why is it a priority of the USFS to use employees in the targeting of families on public land?", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-introduces-resolution-designate-october-5th-national-beyond", "title": "Rep. Chu Introduces Resolution to Designate October 5th as National Beyond the Milky Way Day", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "chu.house.gov", "scraper": "chu", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001080", "name": "Judy Chu", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) introduced a resolution to designate October 5, 2026, as “National Beyond the Milky Way Day,” commemorating the groundbreaking discovery that the Milky Way is just one of countless galaxies and celebrating the scientific research that fundamentally transformed humanity’s understanding of the universe.\n\nThe resolution recognizes a transformative breakthrough in astronomy made possible by American scientific leadership, the pioneering work of astronomers at Carnegie Science, and the world-class facilities at Mount Wilson Observatory in the San Gabriel Mountains.\n\nOn October 5, 1923, Carnegie Science astronomer Edwin Powell Hubble, working overnight at Mount Wilson Observatory, identified a Cepheid variable star in what was then thought to be the Andromeda Nebula. Using the period-luminosity relationship discovered by Harvard astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt, now known as Leavitt’s Law, Hubble was able to determine the star’s distance from Earth. His observations provided decisive evidence that Andromeda was not a nebula within the Milky Way, but an entirely separate galaxy far beyond its boundaries.\n\nThis discovery fundamentally transformed humanity’s understanding of the universe, establishing that the Milky Way was not the entirety of the universe, but just one galaxy among countless others in an unimaginably vast universe. It remains one of the most consequential discoveries in the history of astronomy.\n\n“More than a century ago, right here in the San Gabriel Mountains, a groundbreaking discovery forever changed humanity’s understanding of our place in the universe,” said Rep. Chu. “I’m proud to honor the scientists and institutions whose pioneering work made that discovery possible. Their achievement is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we invest in scientific research, discovery, and collaboration, and I will always fight to ensure America continues making those investments for generations to come.”\n\n\"Our founder, Andrew Carnegie, foresaw that investing in scientific research would pay dividends for all of humankind. Discovery science, like the astronomical breakthroughs pioneered by Edwin Hubble, have fed our collective hunger to understand our place in the universe and we continue to push the boundaries of discovery today,\" said Carnegie Science President John Mulchaey. \"We are so grateful to Rep. Judy Chu for her tireless advocacy for science both here in Pasadena and nationwide. Her work enables the next generation of Hubbles and Leavitts to advance our knowledge of the natural world.\"\n\nThe resolution is co-sponsored by Reps. Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and Ted Lieu (CA-36).\n\nIt is endorsed by Carnegie Science.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-leads-bipartisan-bicameral-effort-honor-arizona-marine-nicholas", "title": "Ciscomani Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Honor Arizona Marine Nicholas Quets", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ciscomani.house.gov", "scraper": "ciscomani", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001133", "name": "Juan Ciscomani", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Tucson, AZ - Representative Juan Ciscomani today introduced a bipartisan, bicameral legislative package to honor the life and legacy of Arizona Marine Corps veteran Nicholas Douglas Quets and strengthen protections for Americans traveling in Mexico. After Nicholas was tragically killed while traveling in Mexico, Ciscomani has worked to ensure his life is honored and turn this tragedy into meaningful action to better protect American families traveling abroad.\n\nThe package would honor Nicholas’s service, strengthen coordination between the United States and Mexico in responding to crimes against Americans, and advance protections for Americans traveling in Mexico.\n\nThe package, led by Representative Ciscomani, includes:\n\nA resolution honoring Nicholas’s life and service, recognizing his sacrifice and dedication to our country.\n\nThe Nicholas Douglas Quets U.S.-Mexico Rapid Response for Victims of Crime Act, which would strengthen coordination between the United States and Mexico to ensure American victims of crime receive timely support and assistance.\n\nRepresentative Ciscomani is also proud to have recently joined Representative Eli Crane in introducing the Nicholas Douglas Quets Border Safety Travel Act.\n\n\"Nicholas was a true American hero,\" said Rep. Juan Ciscomani. \"His tragic passing demands action and lasting change. It is an honor to work closely with Nicholas’s family, Senator Kelly, and Rep. Crane on this much-needed package to honor Nicholas’ life and legacy. These legislative measures represent a long-overdue response, and I will fight relentlessly to ensure this bipartisan package receives the national attention and momentum required to protect Americans and deliver justice in Nicholas’ name.\"\n\n\"We thank Juan Ciscomani for his bipartisan leadership in working with Senator Kelly and Representative Crane to introduce a comprehensive legislative package, including a resolution honoring my son’s legacy and service, the Nicholas Douglas Quets Border Travel Safety Act, and the Nicholas Douglas Quets U.S.-Mexico Rapid Response for Victims of Crime Act. Representative Ciscomani reached out to our family within days of the targeted attack against Nicholas by the Sinaloa cartel on October 18, 2024. Nicholas was an innocent U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Pima County employee, and Representative Ciscomani has stood by our family ever since. Preventing tragedies like Nick’s is best achieved when governments and agencies work together to confront and neutralize the transnational threats that plague us all. This legislative package, which many would call common sense, strengthens cooperation and helps ensure that victims of violent crime and their families receive the justice envisioned as a foundation of the U.S. Constitution. We are honored by Representative Ciscomani’s sponsorship of this legislation, and we believe his commitment to Nick’s case is emblematic of his commitment to all of his constituents,\" said Warren D. (Doug) Quets, Jr. Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army, Nicholas Quets’ father.\n\n\"Nicholas Quets, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and hardworking member of his community, represented the very best of America. While driving to Puerto Peñasco, Nicholas was chased down and murdered by Sinaloa Cartel gunmen after fleeing an illegal checkpoint. The cowardly killing of this tremendous young man is yet another tragic instance of Americans being targeted by sinister cartels that operate with near-total impunity across Mexico. After listening to his father, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Doug Quets, I was honored to work with him and Representative Juan Ciscomani on two bills and a resolution in Nicholas’ name. Our measures will warn travelers of dangerous areas before they cross the border, push for faster coordination with Mexican authorities when U.S. citizens are victims of serious crimes, formally honor his service, and condemn the criminals responsible for his death. No family should ever endure what the Quets family has, and I’m hopeful this approach will save innocent lives, hold these murderous organizations accountable, and ensure this fallen patriot is never forgotten,\" said Rep. Eli Crane.\n\nNicholas Quets, a Tucson native and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was murdered on October 18, 2024, in Mexico during a vicious attack perpetrated by Sinaloa Cartel-affiliated narcoterrorists. In the wake of this act of violence, Nicholas’s family has led the charge to transform their grief into real action, fortifying national security and demanding robust safeguards for Americans who fall victim to violent crime abroad.\n\nThe resolution honoring Nicholas Douglas Quets recognizes his life and service, pays tribute to his family and unequivocally condemns cartel violence. The Nicholas Douglas Quets U.S.-Mexico Rapid Response for Victims of Crime Act would establish a robust, binational rapid response protocol for serious crimes against U.S. citizens in Mexico therefore fortifying communication and coordination between U.S. and Mexican authorities, leading to mandating improved evidence sharing and joint investigative and extradition efforts to guarantee transparent communication with victims’ families.​ The Nicholas Douglas Quets Border Travel Safety Act would mandate warning signage at land ports of entry and along routes near high-risk areas identified in Department of State travel advisories. It would equip travelers with up-to-the-minute safety information and digital resources, while requiring forcing heightened coordination with state and local transportation and public safety agencies.\n\n​This legislative package builds upon Rep. Ciscomani’s determined efforts to defend Americans and law enforcement along the southern border. As the representative of a border district, Ciscomani has led the fight for increased accountability for those who threaten law enforcement, including spearheading the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, which passed the House to enact tough federal penalties for individuals who fail to yield during high-speed pursuits involving federal, state, or local law enforcement supporting the federal government.\n\n​Building on their shared commitment to protect Arizonans, Reps. Ciscomani and Crane are working to turn Nicholas’ tragic death into meaningful action. Their efforts will strengthen protections for Americans, improve U.S.-Mexico coordination, and hold those responsible for violence against Americans fully accountable for their actions.\n\nRep. Ciscomani serves as lead sponsor of the Quets resolution and Rapid Response Act, with Rep. Crane as co-lead. Rep. Crane leads the Border Travel Safety Act, with Rep. Ciscomani as co-lead. Each bill has a Senate companion introduced by Senator Kelly earlier this year.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-ciscomani-celebrates-grand-opening-albers-aerospace-location-tucson", "title": "ICYMI: Ciscomani Celebrates Grand Opening of the Albers Aerospace Location in Tucson", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ciscomani.house.gov", "scraper": "ciscomani", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001133", "name": "Juan Ciscomani", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Tucson, AZ - Representative Juan Ciscomani joined the Tucson community for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Albers Aerospace Profile, a veteran-owned company specializing in defense and aerospace container solutions. The company’s expansion strengthens Southern Arizona’s growing defense and aerospace manufacturing sector, bringing new jobs and investment to the region.\n\n\"Time after time, this community continues to demonstrate that it’s the right place to invest, and the people here are the right people to help that growth and investment. This is the right place for you all to be, and we welcome you with arms wide open,\" said Representative Ciscomani. \"I am proud to support this team of warfighters who make a difference in our communities by strengthening our local economy, creating more jobs in our district, and helping lay the foundation for stronger national security.\"\n\nCiscomani was joined at the grand opening by Marine Corps Colonel John Albers, founder and CEO of Albers Aerospace, to celebrate the company’s new investment in Southern Arizona.\n\n\"We are honored to have the Congressman attend today. The values he represents in serving his district mirror Albers Aerospace’s values,\" said Albers. \"We chose to expand in Tucson because of the tremendous defense ecosystem. We look forward to making an impact here together with our teammates, customers, and community.\"\n\nThe expansion builds on Albers Aerospace’s acquisition of local precision manufacturer Parallel Ventures in early 2025. The new Tucson location is expected to double the company’s local workforce, creating opportunities for manufacturing engineers, CNC programmers and machine operators, assembly technicians, and inspectors.\n\nLocal leaders, business organizations, and community stakeholders joined the September grand opening to celebrate the investment and its potential to support continued regional economic growth.\n\n\"Albers Aerospace represents exactly the type of advanced manufacturing aerospace and defense company we want to see grow and succeed,\" said Pima County District 1 Supervisor Rex Scott. \"With over 70,000 Pima County residents employed in aerospace and defense, its major role in our regional and statewide economy is undeniable. We will see continued growth and prosperity as more companies like Albers Aerospace choose to invest here. That is why today’s milestone is so significant.\"\n\n\"We want to thank you for your investment, and we welcome you,\" said Joe Sell, president and CEO of The Chamber of Southern Arizona, extending congratulations on behalf of the organization’s board of directors and 1,500 investors. \"This kind of investment is what pays the bills. This is how you get roads built, how you get parks built. It takes a tax base. So we thank you.\"\n\nCiscomani’s support for Arizona’s workforce extends beyond economic development to ensuring veterans have the tools and opportunities to succeed in civilian careers. As a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, he has championed legislation to expand career and educational opportunities for nearly 80,000 veterans in Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District and veterans nationwide.\n\nAdditionally, Ciscomani has led efforts to strengthen the Veterans Readiness and Employment Program through the Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act (H.R. 3579), which focuses on evaluating program effectiveness, collecting data on veteran employment outcomes, and identifying opportunities for improvement. Building upon these efforts for local veterans, the House passed Ciscomani’s VETS Opportunity Act of 2025 (H.R. 1458) earlier this year which aims to modernize GI Bill benefits by expanding educational opportunities and allowing veterans to use their earned benefits for nontraditional education pathways.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-celebrates-opening-kckcc-downtown-center-highlighting-her-secured", "title": "Davids Celebrates Opening of KCKCC Downtown Center, Highlighting Her Secured Investment for Workforce Training", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "davids.house.gov", "scraper": "davids", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000629", "name": "Sharice Davids", "party": "Democrat", "state": "KS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "KANSAS CITY, KS — Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) leadership, local officials, and community partners for the official dedication of the new downtown Community Education, Health and Wellness Center. During the ceremony, Davids highlighted nearly $2 million in federal funding she secured to outfit KCKCC’s Automated Engineering Technology Program with state-of-the-art training equipment.\n\n\"If we want a future that is 'Made in Kansas,' we have to give our students the tools to actually build it right here at home,\" said Davids. \"This new Downtown Center is a direct pipeline to good-paying jobs. I was proud to work across the aisle to deliver federal investments so KCKCC students can train on the exact, state-of-the-art automation systems used in high-tech manufacturing and defense today. This is about bypassing D.C. politics, setting our workers up to succeed, and keeping our local economy moving forward.\"\n\nThe $1.9 million secured by Davids equips KCKCC’s Automation Engineering Technology program with real-world machinery, preparing students directly for high-demand, high-wage roles in advanced manufacturing and logistics. By training on the exact, state-of-the-art automation systems used across modern industrial and defense sectors, students will gain the hands-on experience needed to transition seamlessly from the classroom straight into high-paying local careers.\n\nLocated in eastern Wyandotte County, the Downtown Center serves high school students from KCK Public Schools completing dual-enrollment degrees, adult learners obtaining GEDs or ESL certifications, and individuals entering specialized technical fields. The new facility, a public-private partnership between KCKCC, Swope Health, and Community America Credit Union, offers holistic education, healthcare, and career training services.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-fights-washington-healthcare-cuts-plan-lower-costs-protect-kansas", "title": "Davids Fights Washington Healthcare Cuts with Plan to Lower Costs, Protect Kansas Hospitals", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "davids.house.gov", "scraper": "davids", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000629", "name": "Sharice Davids", "party": "Democrat", "state": "KS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) introduced a comprehensive package of healthcare legislation that directly counters Washington’s recent healthcare rollbacks, which are increasing monthly costs and closing rural hospitals. Davids’ efforts would protect Kansas families from rising medical costs, block new federal red tape, and keep local hospitals and health clinics open.\n\n“At a time when families are stretching every dollar to cover groceries, energy, and housing, Washington shouldn't be making healthcare more expensive just to give billionaires a tax break,” said Davids. “I’m fighting back because hard-working Kansans deserve practical solutions, not higher medical bills and shuttered clinic doors. My healthcare package focuses on what actually matters to our neighbors: bringing down out-of-pocket costs, cutting through bureaucratic red tape, and making sure our local hospitals and birthing centers stay open.”\n\nLast year, Davids voted against the extreme, partisan budget law, which included the largest cuts to Medicaid in American history. The law strips health coverage from 92,937 Kansans, puts six rural hospitals at risk of closure, restricts reproductive healthcare, and increases ACA premiums by an average of $708 per year for families in Kansas’ Third District.\n\nMedicaid is a lifeline for Kansas hospitals, especially in rural communities, and the cuts could take more than $78 million a year from hospitals, increasing uncompensated care costs and potentially forcing Kansans to travel farther for emergency or specialized care. Higher ACA premiums could also push healthier people out of the insurance market, driving costs even higher for those who remain.\n\nWhile party leaders in D.C. continue pushing partisan legislation that raises costs on working families, Davids’ package is focused on common-sense, bipartisan solutions that deliver tangible savings and protect access to care across Kansas.\n\nRestoring eliminated tax credits: The Healthy Communities Act would permanently restore enhanced ACA tax credits, saving Kansas families an average of $700 a year on premiums. It would also eliminate new Medicaid paperwork requirements, increase incentives for states like Kansas to expand coverage to working adults, and close Kansas’ Medicaid coverage gap, giving thousands of low-income Kansans access to ACA tax credits.\n\nKeeping rural operating rooms open: The Rural Surgery Sustainability Act would raise the federal reimbursement cap for surgical procedures at critical access hospitals, helping hospitals afford the nurse anesthetists needed to keep surgical services running.\n\n“Access to local surgical procedures and maternity care is essential for rural Kansas communities, and maintaining a reliable anesthesia care team is critical to providing those services. However, the current Medicare reimbursement threshold has not been updated in more than two decades despite significant increases in the cost of recruiting and retaining these professionals. Updating this outdated policy would give rural hospitals greater flexibility to sustain these essential services and better meet the needs of their communities,” said Chad Austin, President and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association.\n\nProtecting seniors from insurance discrimination: The Guaranteeing Access to Supplemental Plans Act would give seniors an annual opportunity to switch Medicare Supplement plans without being denied coverage or charged more because of a pre-existing condition.\n\n“My husband and I have been experiencing Medigap premium increases that are quite high considering how frequent they are. We are penalized for having a couple of minor “pre-existing” conditions, one of which requires no treatment. We are held hostage by our insurance providers because we cannot change companies without underwriting, resulting in even higher rates or refusal of coverage. Who at 65 or older does not have some form of a pre-existing condition? I appreciate Rep. Davids’ efforts to address this problem and work toward a solution that gives seniors more options and protects us from being trapped by our insurance providers,” said Shelly Toft, Lenexa resident.\n\nProtecting rural hospitals from sudden funding cuts: The Long-Term Rural Health Investment Act would phase in reimbursement changes and prevent abrupt federal payment limits from putting rural emergency care at risk.\n\nKeeping local clinics open when hospitals close: The Access to Community Care Act would prioritize federal grants for safety-net clinics that take on patients displaced by nearby healthcare facility closures, helping families maintain access to local primary care.\n\nKeeping maternity care close to home: The Maternity Care for Rural Communities Act would protect labor and delivery services at rural and Tribal hospitals from federal funding cuts, helping prevent new maternity care deserts.\n\nMaking healthcare available to people with early-onset Alzheimer’s: The Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Coverage Act would allow adults diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s who do not qualify for Social Security Disability to buy into Medicare and access treatment, prescriptions, and specialized care.\n\n“When my husband was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s, our world turned upside down — and finding out he didn't qualify for Medicare because they spent years raising our children at home felt like a punch in the gut. Stay-at-home parents sacrifice so much for their families, and they shouldn't be cut off from life-saving healthcare when tragedy strikes. This bill is a true lifeline. I am so grateful to Representative Davids for standing up for families like mine, listening to our pain, and taking real action to fix this broken system,” said Nina Westvold, Overland Park resident.\n\n\"Healthcare costs are putting an enormous strain on Kansas families,” said April Holman, Executive Director, Alliance for a Healthy Kansas. “We hear from Kansans who are putting off needed care, rationing medication, or going without necessities to afford basic medical care. As premiums and deductibles continue to rise, so do medical debt. We need comprehensive solutions to lower costs, protect access to care in rural communities, and ensure every Kansan has access to affordable, quality healthcare in every stage of life.\"\n\n“The high cost of living is crippling Kansas families, and the soaring costs of health care are a top concern,\" said David Jordan, President and CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. \"Unfortunately, health care costs will only go up for Kansans due to HR 1 and the failure of Congress to extend enhanced premium tax credits. Representative Sharice Davids’ (KS-03) comprehensive health care package will help reverse harmful cuts and help make care more affordable. The package will also help protect vulnerable rural Kansas hospitals and help keep maternity care close to home. This package is win for Kansas families, Kansas hospitals and providers, and Kansas communities.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://dean.house.gov/2026/10/congresswoman-dean-reintroduces-the-improving-justice-programs-through-science-act", "title": "Congresswoman Dean Reintroduces the Improving Justice Programs through Science Act", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dean.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "dean.house.gov", "scraper": "dean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000631", "name": "Madeleine Dean", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04) reintroduced legislation to create a Science Advisory Board at the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Board will be responsible for integrating scientific knowledge into crime-reduction efforts, as well as for using research, data, and evidence to guide the OJP’s grants, programs, and activities. The Improving Justice Programs through Science Act is cosponsored by Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05).\n\nThe Science Advisory Board was originally chartered by the Obama Administration in 2010 and provided OJP with guidance in proactive criminal justice reform efforts, including developing trauma-informed care, building trust between police and communities, and understating youth brain development and its implications for juvenile justice programs. The Board also made numerous contributions to the public safety investments of OJP, including guidelines for implementing and evaluating place-based crime reduction interventions and a tool for police departments to enhance communications with communities about their operations and successes.\n\n“Americans want our criminal justice system to do its job — make all of us safer not just by punishing criminals today, but also by preventing crime in the future,” Rep. Dean said. Reducing recidivism and protecting our communities requires a deliberate strategy built on the best available data and science. The Improving Justice Programs through Science Act would create a Science Advisory Board to advise on evidence-based criminal justice policies and ensure that we are getting the highest quality data to inform future decisions. This is about getting the most out of our tax dollars, and making our streets safer today, tomorrow, and years from now.”\n\n“In order to do justice, particularly with respect to juveniles, it is important that we have access to the best current research and information,” Rep. Scanlon said. “Advances in science which can promote both public safety and rehabilitation, and reduce recidivism, must be incorporated in our criminal justice system. I’m proud to join Rep. Dean in introducing this bill to make our justice system more effective and fair.”\n\nThis bill will establish a Science Advisory Board comprised of 26 criminologists and criminal justice researchers appointed by the Attorney General for terms of four years. The Board will:\n\nMeet on a regular basis to discuss the relationship between science, research, and ongoing criminal and juvenile justice departmental activities;\n\nCoordinate with other Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners; and\n\nAdvise the Assistant Attorney General on policy development, program implementation, and evaluation; identify research needs and opportunities and make policy recommendations.\n\nThe Improving Justice Programs through Science Act is endorsed by American Psychological Association, American Political Science Association, American Sociological Association, Consortium of Social Science Associations, Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics, and Union of Concerned Scientists. Congresswoman Dean previously introduced the Improving Justice Programs through Science Act during her first term, in the 116th Congress, as well as the 117th Congress.\n\nRep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7462", "title": "Dingell, Whitehouse Introduce Bill to Create Alert System to Notify Survivors of Illegal Gun Purchase Attempts by Domestic Abusers", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "debbiedingell.house.gov", "scraper": "debbiedingell", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000624", "name": "Debbie Dingell", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the Domestic Violence Survivors Alerted for Emergency (SAFE) Notice Act, new legislation to establish notification systems that would alert survivors of domestic violence offenses when their abuser attempts to purchase a firearm illegally.\n\nLoopholes in federal and state law can allow domestic violence offenders to purchase guns notwithstanding their criminal history – situations that can be life threatening for survivors. Even when offenders are unsuccessful, the fact they are trying to purchase a firearm illegally can be a warning sign for survivors. The Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would help keep survivors safe by setting up systems to notify domestic violence survivors when an abusive partner has obtained or is trying to obtain a firearm illegally.\n\n“When a domestic violence survivor is rebuilding their life, safety and peace of mind are everything. We know that an abusive partner’s access to a firearm dramatically increases the risk of fatal violence. By ensuring survivors receive immediate alerts if an offender attempts to purchase a gun illegally, the Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act empowers victims with time-sensitive information that can save lives,” said Congresswoman Dingell.\n\n“I spent years prosecuting domestic violence cases in Rhode Island, and I know the toll it can take on survivors as they rebuild their lives. Our legislation will help ensure survivors are made aware when the government has information about an abuser’s attempt to buy a firearm, so survivors and their loved ones can make decisions in the interest of their own safety and wellbeing,” said Senator Whitehouse.\n\nDomestic violence offenders and protective order respondents are generally prohibited under federal and many state laws from purchasing firearms. However, that prohibition does not always stop offenders from trying to purchase firearms anyway. FBI data shows that almost 160,000 gun purchases were denied from 2018 to 2023 because of the purchaser’s domestic violence background. These situations can be life threatening for people in abusive situations, especially women. An abusive partner’s access to a gun significantly increases the risk of an intimate partner homicide.\n\nThe bicameral Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would help ensure domestic violence survivors are notified when an abusive partner is trying to obtain a firearm illegally.\n\nSpecifically, the Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would:\n\nDirect the FBI to establish a notification system to alert survivors of federal domestic violence offenses when the offender attempts to purchase a firearm illegally.\n\nPermit survivors to register or de-register at will.\n\nProvide key alerts about an offender’s attempted illegal firearm purchase, including if the sale went through or law enforcement has recovered the firearm.\n\nProvide additional alerts about related events, such as a pardon that restores an offender’s ability to purchase firearms legally.\n\nAuthorize grants for states to pilot state-run alert systems, so survivors can receive alerts related to protective orders and non-federal domestic violence offenses.\n\nEnable states to use funds to expand existing systems or set up new ones.\n\nRequire reports on the success of and challenges related to these pilot projects, including recommendations for expanding the projects to other states.\n\n“Survivors often must make complex safety decisions in real time, and having timely information about an abusive partner’s attempt to obtain a firearm can be critical to that decision-making. The Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would help ensure survivors have access to information that could allow them to take additional safety precautions, seek support, and make informed decisions for themselves and their families. The Hotline is grateful to Rep. Debbie Dingell and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse for introducing this legislation and for their continued commitment to the safety and well-being of survivors of domestic violence,” said Katie Ray-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.\n\n“The National District Attorneys Association is proud to support the Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act, which establishes a common-sense notification system to alert victims when offenders unlawfully attempt to acquire a firearm as well as other firearm-related updates. NDAA commends this victim-centered approach that promotes public safety,” said Nelson Bunn, Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4468", "title": "DelBene Moves to Force Trump Administration to Release Files on AI Medicare Experiment", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "delbene.house.gov", "scraper": "delbene", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000617", "name": "Suzan K. DelBene", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) announced that she is filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to force the Trump administration to release unseen information on the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) program, which pays private companies to use AI to review Medicare claims.\n\nSince the program began in January in Washington and five other states, patients have been left in severe pain and unable to access care prescribed by their doctors. In June, DelBene announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ordered the company administering WISeR in Washington to submit a corrective action plan for delays in reviewing claims following an audit. Neither the audit nor the corrective action plan has been released to Congress or the public. DelBene previously requested information on the model's performance from the administration and then moved to require CMS to release these documents through an amendment during a House Ways & Means Committee markup. The majority of Ways & Means Republicans rejected the amendment by an 18-19 vote.\n\nDelBene announced her latest move to force the release of these documents and hold the administration accountable in an op-ed in the Everett Herald.\n\n“Washington seniors have borne the brunt of this experimental program’s malfunctions,” DelBene wrote. “From January to March, over half of the claims submitted in Washington were denied and far exceeded the 72-hour decision deadline. This triggered an internal CMS audit and corrective action plan. This shouldn’t come as a surprise because the program pays these private companies for every claim they deny, which incentivizes them to reject more care.”\n\n“The audit and corrective action plan have never been released, which would further help inform lawmakers, health care providers, and patients about how WISeR is failing to function,” DelBene continued. “This stonewalling must end. That’s why I am filing a new FOIA request for these specific documents in addition to the audits and corrective action plans of any other private company participating in WISeR.”\n\nThis effort follows a bombshell report from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EEF) on the failures of WISeR that detailed widespread delays and denials, rushed implementation, and incentives for private companies reviewing claims to deny care. EFF obtained access to the documents uncovered in the report through a FOIA request and lawsuit. The report also revealed that the administration plans to expand WISeR to cancer treatments and other types of care despite clear, documented evidence of the program’s flaws.\n\nDelBene introduced legislation last November to repeal WISeR and has led multiple other legislative efforts to stop the program.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4493", "title": "WA Lawmakers, Colleagues Demand Answers About Forest Service Coordination with ICE on Public Lands", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "delbene.house.gov", "scraper": "delbene", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000617", "name": "Suzan K. DelBene", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Emily Randall (WA-06), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), and Andrea Salinas (OR-06) sent a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz demanding answers and transparency regarding recent immigration enforcement activities on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands.\n\nThis letter comes after a shocking incident over Labor Day weekend where U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) may have coordinated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrest five men who were camping with their families in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.\n\nAs of October 1, 2026, four of the five men arrested remain in detention at the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center.\n\n“As Members of Congress representing the Pacific Northwest and Democratic leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Agriculture Committee, we are concerned that the U.S. Forest Service is misusing taxpayer dollars by neglecting their mission and directing career staff to prioritize immigration enforcement on federal public lands. Particularly during a difficult wildfire season, we want to express our gratitude to the Forest Service for fighting wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and across the country,” the lawmakers wrote.\n\nThe U.S. Forest Service has undergone significant funding cuts and reorganization efforts since the start of Trump’s second term. Since 2025, the USFS has lost nearly 6,000 workers through DOGE cuts and other factors, raising concerns about wildfire preparedness, forest health research, and public land management. Earlier this year, USFS announced consolidation efforts to shutter research and development facilities nationwide. USFS backtracked on its original proposal to close 57 out of 77 research labs after public outcry. In September 2026, USFS announced it would still close 23 labs.\n\nThe 2026 wildfire season is still underway, and Washington state has recorded one of its worst wildfire seasons to date, with almost 900,000 acres being burned as of early September.\n\nThe lawmakers concluded the letter by demanding answers to the following questions by October 15, 2026:\n\nQuestions for the U.S. Forest Service:\n\nWhich agency first identified those arrested as targets for investigation, when were they identified, and what information about the targets was used to justify the raid?\n\nCan you confirm that the law enforcement officers that first approached the families were employees of the USFS?\n\nTo what extent did USFS participate in the raid, and under what authority? Please provide any agreement or memorandum that governs cooperation between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS.\n\nPlease provide any agreement or memorandum between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS that governs the collection and sharing of visitors' identification and reservation data with DHS or ICE.\n\nWhat other immigration raids has the U.S. Forest Service participated in since January 21, 2025?\n\nWhat appropriations account(s) has the USFS used to fund its participation in immigration enforcement operations since January 21, 2025, and how much funding has been obligated or expended for this purpose?\n\nHas any USFS law enforcement personnel time, budget, or resources been reallocated from other law enforcement priorities (e.g., resource protection, search and rescue, wildfire-adjacent enforcement) to support immigration enforcement operations? If so, how much of this reallocation has been disclosed to Congress since these funds were appropriated for land management and resource protection purposes rather than immigration enforcement?\n\nGiven limited agency resources, why is it a priority of the USFS to use employees in the targeting of families on public land?\n\nThe full letter can be found here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/doggett-statement-new-gao-report-insurer-owned-pharmacies", "title": "Doggett Statement on New GAO Report on Insurer-Owned Pharmacies", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "doggett.house.gov", "scraper": "doggett", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000399", "name": "Lloyd Doggett", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee, released the following statement after a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report he requested found that large health insurers often give their own pharmacies better terms on lower-cost generic drugs:\n\n“There is a real danger that consumers and taxpayers are being ripped off by giant health conglomerates. Three insurer-pharmacy benefit managers control 80% of prescription drug claims. This report is the first detailed study of these insurer-pharmacy contracts and exposes frequent preferential treatment for insurer-owned pharmacies. Americans are struggling with higher and higher costs for medications and other care. Congress must act to restrain health care monopolies and oligopolies.”\n\nThe GAO report can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-introduces-bill-ban-federal-candidates-betting-their-own", "title": "Congressman Don Davis Introduces Bill to Ban Federal Candidates from Betting on Their Own Elections", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "dondavis.house.gov", "scraper": "dondavis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000230", "name": "Donald G. Davis", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) introduced the No Betting on Your Own Race Act, which would ban federal candidates seeking elected office from trades tied to their own races.\n\nThe No Betting on Your Own Race Act would prohibit federal candidates, their spouses or dependent children, and authorized campaign committees from buying, selling, acquiring, disposing of, or holding contracts tied to the candidate’s election.\n\n\"We don't want our athletes to bet on their games. A candidate running for federal elected office should be treated exactly the same and should not be allowed to trade on their own election,\" said Congressman Don Davis. \"The No Betting on Your Own Race Act aims to prevent market interference, insider trading, as well as candidates and their family members from cashing in. To establish consistency and ensure all federal candidate campaign committees understand this, Congress must pass this common-sense legislation.\"\n\nViolators will incur a $10,000 civil penalty for each violation. If there is a net financial gain, the penalty will be three times the gain, or $10,000, whichever is greater. The new law also provides that a candidate who is running for office at the federal level must be notified during the filing period.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3383", "title": "Congresswoman Escobar Statement on Fort Bliss Data Center Project Update", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "escobar.house.gov", "scraper": "escobar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000299", "name": "Veronica Escobar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement after attending a community stakeholder meeting on the Fort Bliss data center project:\n\n“Today, the Army and Carlyle Group held a meeting of El Paso community stakeholders to discuss the latest updates on the Fort Bliss data center.\n\n\"Since March, when my team and I first learned of this project, we have asked that the public and local representatives be kept in the loop and be allowed to voice their concerns and ask questions. I’m grateful to the Army and Carlyle for their continued engagement.\n\n\"I’ve consistently had a number of requests, including that they:\n\nMove the data center far away from any neighborhood;\n\nPreserve our water;\n\nUse renewable energy for the electrical generation;\n\nBe transparent and accountable.\n\n\"Today we learned that the location of the data center has indeed been moved, but it is still too close to residential areas. Close proximity to homes is not acceptable, and I will continue to advocate for a different location.\n\n\"We also learned that their water use will likely be of brackish water that will be sent to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Plant for desalination, which I see as a positive development. And while the scale of the data center has also been reduced, they are still on track to utilize gas generation for their power needs. The gas generation for power remains an additional serious concern. We must protect our community’s air quality, and I will continue to push for the use of renewable energy.\n\n\"As more information becomes available, my team and I will continue to keep the community updated.\"\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://figures.house.gov/media/press-releases/nations-largest-law-enforcement-organization-endorses-figures-bill-cover", "title": "Nation’s Largest Law Enforcement Organization Endorses Figures’ Bill to Cover College and Trade School Costs for the Children of Police Officers", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://figures.house.gov/media", "domain": "figures.house.gov", "scraper": "figures", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000481", "name": "Shomari Figures", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "MONTGOMERY – Today, Congressman Shomari C. Figures announced that the National Fraternal Order of Police – the nation’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers – has endorsed his bipartisan bill, the Public Service Educational Assistance Act, to cover the cost of college and job training for the children of law enforcement officers, other first responders, educators, and social workers.\n\n“Every day, our police officers put their lives on the line to keep our streets and communities safe,” said Figures. “They and their families make tremendous sacrifices for us, and we should be there to give back to them in any way that we can. That’s why I introduced this bipartisan bill to recognize the vital work of our law enforcement officers by investing in their families' future.”\n\n“Public servants are the backbone of America, serving in vital roles that ensure the safety and well-being of their communities every day. As law enforcement in America faces a critical recruitment and retention crisis, and as postsecondary education becomes more expensive and crucial in our modern world, it is vital that the Federal government ensures that our public servants have the necessary funding and opportunities to receive postsecondary education,” said Patrick Yoes, National President of the National Fraternal Order of Police. “On behalf of the more than 382,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, thank you both for your leadership on this important issue.”\n\nFigures’ bill establishes a federal education assistance program covering the full cost of postsecondary education and training opportunities – including those enrolled in trade schools and vocational programs – for the dependents of educators, first responders, and social workers who have completed at least 20 years of qualifying service.\n\nCongressman Figures is joined in introducing this legislation by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representatives Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Mike Ezell (MS-04).\n\nIn addition to the National Fraternal Order of Police, this bill is also endorsed by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, and the Major Cities Chiefs Association.\n\nTo read President Yoes’ full letter of support, click here.\n\nRead a one-pager here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://finstad.house.gov/2026/10/05/finstad-leads-minnesota-congressional-delegation-in-letter-urging-usda-action-on-virus-related-turkey-losses/", "title": "Finstad Leads Minnesota Congressional Delegation in Letter Urging USDA Action on Virus-Related Turkey Losses", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://finstad.house.gov/media", "domain": "finstad.house.gov", "scraper": "finstad", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000475", "name": "Brad Finstad", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), member of the House Committee on Agriculture, led members of Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins regarding the significant loss Minnesota turkey growers have experienced from avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). Specifically, the letter urges USDA to recognize qualifying aMPV-related turkey mortality as eligible for assistance through the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), USDA’s program that pays farmers and ranchers for animal deaths or injuries above normal levels.\n\nAvian metapneumovirus resulted in the loss of over 2.2 million birds in 2024 alone and has continued to severely impact Minnesota flocks. As the leading turkey-producing state, the spread of aMPV raises serious concerns about the impact on the poultry sector.\n\nThe letter reads:\n\nDear Secretary Rollins:\n\nWe write to renew and emphasize our request that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allow turkey growers to utilize the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) to recover a portion of the devastating losses caused by avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). We further ask USDA to provide a process for growers to submit applications retroactively for eligible losses incurred in 2024 and 2025.\n\nBased on the merits of turkey grower claims, veterinary expert opinions, and the program’s eligibility standards, it is unclear why the USDA has deemed aMPV as ineligible under LIP. Avian metapneumovirus is transmitted via vectors, and growers had no commercially available vaccine to protect their flocks during the years in question. Due to this, producers could not reasonably prevent these losses despite following recommended biosecurity practices and working closely with their veterinarians.\n\nThe rapid spread of aMPV hit small and independent growers especially hard, with some sustaining repeated losses before an effective vaccine became commercially available. These losses were beyond normal mortality and were caused by circumstances outside the growers’ control.\n\nUSDA’s National Appeals Division has issued decisions establishing significant administrative precedent regarding the eligibility of aMPV-related losses under LIP. These decisions recognize that aMPV can and should qualify as an eligible disease when producers provide sufficient evidence demonstrating that the disease directly caused mortality beyond normal levels. USDA should apply that reasoning consistently and fairly to similarly situated growers rather than requiring each producer to pursue a lengthy and costly individual appeal.\n\nAccordingly, we respectfully request that USDA:\n\nFormally recognize qualifying aMPV-related turkey mortality as eligible for assistance through LIP;\n\nDirect the Farm Service Agency to apply the precedent established through the National Appeals Division consistently across aMPV claims;\n\nEstablish a retroactive application or reconsideration process for qualifying losses sustained in 2024 and 2025; and\n\nProvide clear guidance to county FSA offices and turkey growers regarding the documentation needed to support these applications.\n\nThis relief would not make producers whole, but it could provide a critical lifeline to Minnesota farm families who have endured losses beyond normal mortality through no fault of their own. For some small and independent growers, this assistance may determine whether their operations, and the opportunity for the next generation to continue farming, survive.\n\nProviding this assistance also aligns with the administration’s priority of reducing food costs for American families. Disease-related losses reduce domestic production, increase costs throughout the supply chain, and threaten the long-term availability of an affordable source of protein. Helping growers remain in business through programs designed to provide this type of assistance strengthens our domestic food supply and protects consumers from further price pressures.\n\nMinnesota is the nation’s leading turkey-producing state, and its family farms are an important part of our rural communities and agricultural economy. We urge USDA to act quickly and use every available administrative authority to ensure these growers are treated fairly and have meaningful access to the assistance Congress intended LIP to provide.\n\nThank you for your consideration. We stand ready to work with you, the Farm Service Agency and Minnesota’s turkey industry to develop a fair and workable process.\n\nSincerely,\n\nBrad Finstad, Member of Congress\n\nAmy Klobuchar, United States Senator\n\nAngie Craig, Member of Congress, Ranking Member, Committee on Agriculture\n\nMichelle Fischbach, Member of Congress\n\nTina Smith, United States Senator\n\nPete Stauber, Member of Congress\n\nBetty McCollum, Member of Congress\n\nKelly Morrison, Member of Congress\n\nCC: Kurt Blomgren, Minnesota FSA Executive Director", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://fischbach.house.gov/2026/10/congresswoman-fischbach-hosts-bayer-employee-town-hall/0012ab3f-e391-4572-8bd6-b5e78dfd4220", "title": "Congresswoman Fischbach Hosts Bayer Employee Town Hall", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "fischbach.house.gov", "scraper": "fischbach", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000470", "name": "Michelle Fischbach", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Willmar, MN - Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach visited Bayer in Redwood Falls to tour the facility and host an employee town hall. The discussion focused on pressures facing farmers, the importance of maintaining strong domestic and international markets, and the need for regulatory and legislative certainty. Employees and Bayer leadership also discussed seed technology, crop protection, renewable fuels, and the impact of temporary diesel export policies on agricultural operations. Bayer leaders also discussed the Farm Bill and thanked Rep. Fischbach for her work to pass a strong Farm Bill through the House.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1936", "title": "Franklin Introduces Establishing Gold Standard Science Act To Restore Transparency and Accountability To EPA's Scientific Advisory Process", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "franklin.house.gov", "scraper": "franklin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000472", "name": "Scott Franklin", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18), Chairman of the House Science Committee’s Environment Subcommittee, today introduced the Establishing Gold Standard Science Act, legislation to strengthen transparency, accountability and scientific integrity in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) scientific advisory process.\n\n“Americans should be able to trust that science informing federal policy is based on sound research, not politics or predetermined outcomes,” said Congressman Scott Franklin. “That means research should be transparent, independently verifiable and repeatable, with conflicts of interest disclosed and the full weight of the available evidence considered. This bill puts safeguards in place at EPA to help restore public confidence that decisions affecting our economy, communities and families are grounded in a scientific process the American people can trust.”\n\nAt the center of the legislation are new standards for EPA’s Science Advisory Board, which provides independent scientific advice to the agency. The bill would strengthen conflict-of-interest and disclosure requirements, require the Board to consider the full weight of scientific evidence and ensure different and dissenting scientific viewpoints are considered as part of the advisory process. Those provisions track the substantive safeguards described in the original release.\n\nThe legislation also codifies key provisions of President Trump’s May 2025 Restoring Gold Standard Science executive order at EPA, including greater transparency, consideration of the weight of scientific evidence, open scientific debate and safeguards against conflicts of interest. The executive order established government-wide standards intended to improve the transparency, rigor and reliability of federally conducted and funded science.\n\nThe bill builds on Franklin’s work as Chairman of the Environment Subcommittee overseeing federal science policy. During a July House Science Committee hearing with White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios, Franklin discussed strengthening public confidence in federal scientific advisory processes and ensuring policymakers have reliable evidence to inform their decisions.\n\n“Federal decisions should be informed by credible, reliable, and impartial scientific evidence,” said Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23). “The Establishing Gold Standard Science Act will help ensure the EPA follows rigorous, transparent scientific practices, acknowledges uncertainty, and considers the full weight of the available evidence.”\n\n“Americans deserve to know that decisions made by their government are based on science, not politics,” said Congressman Mike Haridopolos (FL-08). “The Establishing Gold Standard Science Act will strengthen transparency and accountability at the EPA by ensuring its scientific advice is based on reliable evidence, free from conflicts of interest, and open to rigorous debate. I’m proud to support this legislation and help restore trust in the scientific process.”\n\n“Washington has gotten far too comfortable telling Americans to ‘trust the science’ while asking them not to look too closely at who funded it, who influenced it, or what evidence was left out,” said Congressman Harrigan (NC-10). “I’m cosponsoring the Establishing Gold Standard Science Act because trust is earned through transparency. Put the financial interests on the table, keep paid lobbyists out of decisions they stand to benefit from, make room for dissenting evidence, and let the strongest science win. When federal decisions can reshape entire industries and hit families directly, ‘trust us’ isn’t good enough.”\n\n“Americans deserve to know that when decisions are made, they're based on sound science,” said Rep. Weber (TX-14). “The Establishing Gold Standard Science Act brings much-needed transparency and accountability to the science behind EPA's decisions by shining a light on conflicts of interest. Good science starts with honest discussion and rigorous scrutiny. I'm proud to join Rep. Franklin in setting the gold standard and making informed decisions that help American families thrive.”\n\n“I am proud to cosponsor Rep. Scott Franklin’s Establishing Gold Standard Science Act, which will hold those conducting scientific reviews within the federal government to a higher standard of accountability,” said Rep. Van Epps (TN-07). “In the past, we’ve seen the federal government weaponize so-called scientific findings against Americans and stifle American innovation. This legislation will help ensure government policy is grounded in rigorous, credible science—not unproven theories or political agendas.”\n\n“As Chairman of the Environment Subcommittee, Congressman Franklin has been a consistent advocate for using Gold Standard Science to develop regulations,” said Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council. “We appreciate his leadership and work on legislation that will promote scientific transparency and accountability at the EPA. The end result will be better policy that helps protect the environment and public health while ensuring the competitiveness of American manufacturers.”\n\n“There have long been significant problems with the use and dissemination of science at the EPA,” said Daren Bakst, Director of the Center for Energy and Environment and Senior Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. “Too often, there is little transparency and sound science is rejected in favor of achieving desired policy outcomes. Rep. Franklin should be commended for introducing important legislation that will help address and shed light on science integrity problems at the agency and will lay the foundation for even more reforms in the future.”\n\nSpecifically, the Establishing Gold Standard Science Act would:\n\nRequire EPA’s Science Advisory Board to consider the full weight of scientific evidence in its advice and recommendations.\n\nPromote the open exchange of ideas and consideration of different and dissenting scientific viewpoints.\n\nProhibit federally registered lobbyists from serving on the Science Advisory Board.\n\nStrengthen conflict-of-interest and recusal requirements for members whose work, financial interests or affiliations are directly involved in matters before the Board.\n\nRequire members to disclose relevant financial relationships, government grants, professional activities and other potential conflicts and keep those disclosures updated.\n\nRequire EPA to report relevant Science Advisory Board membership and disclosure information to Congress.\n\nEstablish a process for investigating scientific misconduct and removing members found responsible.\n\nRequire EPA to establish a scientific-integrity training program for agency employees.\n\nFranklin serves as Chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee’s Environment Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over environmental research and development.\n\nOriginal cosponsors include: Reps. Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Darrell Issa (CA-48), Mike Haridopolos (FL-08), Keith Self (TX-03), Randy Weber (TX-14), Daniel Webster (FL-11), Rich McCormick (GA-07), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Matt Van Epps (TN-07), Pat Harrigan (NC-10) and Jim Baird (IN-04).\n\nSupporting organizations include: Competitive Enterprise Institute and American Chemistry Council\n\nRead the full bill text here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-calls-on-the-njdep-to-rescind-eviction-notices-for-andover-aeroflex-airport", "title": "RELEASE: Gottheimer Calls on the NJDEP to Rescind Eviction Notices for Andover-Aeroflex Airport", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "domain": "gottheimer.house.gov", "scraper": "gottheimer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000583", "name": "Josh Gottheimer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Above: Gottheimer visits Andover-Aeroflex Airport with Woman-Owned Small Business Owner, Damian DelGaizo, and Andover Mayor Thomas Walsh Jr.\n\nANDOVER, NJ — Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) toured and then spoke at Andover-Aeroflex Airport after the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) moved to evict the woman-owned Andover Flight Academy, the airport’s aircraft maintenance shop, and several other aircraft owners from their hangars. The flight school teaches military pilots how to land on short runways and in open fields. Gottheimer announced he is sending a letter to Governor Mikie Sherrill and NJDEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak urging them to rescind the eviction notices, which were mailed last week by the NJDEP Commissioner to the small business owners. Gottheimer is asking the NJDEP to work with the Governor’s office, tenants, local leaders, and his office on a plan that will keep these small businesses at Aeroflex. Gottheimer is also calling on the NJDEP Commissioner to come and tour the facility with him and provide further explanation for the closure.\n\nWatch Gottheimer’s full remarks here.\n\nGottheimer sent this letter to the Governor and NJDEP Commissioner, Ed Potosnak.\n\n“I’m frustrated, and so are the people standing next to me,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I’m not going to let you guys get thrown out. It’s not happening. We’re going to fight this thing.”\n\nNew Jersey’s own site claims that it would cost $4.7 million to make repairs the state wants to the hangars and $8 million to demolish them. The state is planning to demolish the location — costing taxpayers double.\n\nMultiple discrepancies were identified in the NJDEP’s reasons for issuing evictions. The agency falsely reported that the building lacked running water — a claim that would also make the location unsuitable for the NJ Forest Fire Service — but Gottheimer found the water was working just fine (VIDEO).\n\nNJDEP also claims that the evictions will create necessary additional space for the NJ Forest Fire Service, which was “sharing space and had their items placed in a corner of the hangar.” But, upon touring the facility, there appeared to be ample available space within the Forest Fire Service’s designated individual hangar area (VIDEO).\n\nThe NJDEP claimed that the flight school office was in disrepair, but that could not have been further from the truth (VIDEO).\n\nNew Jersey is short on hangar space, and pilots wait years on lists for a spot. The Andover Aeroflex is one of only two remaining airports in Sussex County, New Jersey, and the only site within 100 miles that trains pilots on how to land on shorter runways and in open spaces. The school also draws in many pilots from around the country to learn, like actor Harrison Ford (VIDEO), which also greatly helps the local economy.\n\nMany of the planes at Aeroflex are antiques with fabric skins that the sun and rain would wreck if left outside. If the flight school and the shop are lost, the airport loses the small businesses that bring in pilots and revenue, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has warned this puts the whole airport at risk of becoming a glorified parking lot.\n\nGottheimer criticized the NJDEP’s lack of transparency through this entire process. His office has repeatedly requested information and a timeline from the department and has received almost nothing in return. In his letter, Gottheimer asks Governor Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot, to rescind the eviction notices and direct the NJDEP to work with her office, the tenants, local leaders, and his office on a plan that keeps these businesses at Aeroflex.\n\nAdditionally, the NJDEP says the hangar is unsafe, yet still allows the New Jersey Forest Fire Service to use it, a double standard that makes no sense. And the numbers don’t add up. The state’s own engineering assessment calls for roughly $4.7 million in renovations. Their assessment claims the demolition would cost $8 million — nearly twice the price. Construction of a replacement building for the Fire Service would be more than $11 million. A licensed engineer who walked the property found the buildings in fair condition with no outstanding code violations, and said targeted repairs would cost only about $267,000.\n\nGottheimer is calling for no evictions until a clear timeline is set with a solution that does not hurt small businesses and families, and for the NJDEP Commissioner to tour the facility and see firsthand the status of the airport.\n\nGottheimer was joined by Andover Mayor Thomas D. Walsh Jr., Andover Flight Academy Founder Damien DelGaizo, and Andover Flight Academy Owner Justine Pasniewski.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer visits Andover-Aeroflex Airport.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://grijalva.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-grijalva-statement-on-border-patrol-raid-near-lochiel-arizona", "title": "Rep. Grijalva Statement on Border Patrol Raid Near Lochiel, Arizona", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://grijalva.house.gov/media", "domain": "grijalva.house.gov", "scraper": "grijalva", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000606", "name": "Adelita S. Grijalva", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Nogales, Arizona – Congresswoman Adelita S. Grijalva released the below statement following reports of a U.S. Border Patrol raid and the toppling of a centuries-old cottonwood tree along the U.S.-Mexico border near Lochiel, Arizona. This comes after a U.S. Forest Service announcement posted on its website – without any prior public input or notification – last week closing roads and restricting public access to miles of lands along the U.S.-Mexico border as they proceed with wall construction.\n\n“Just days after the U.S. Forest Service closed miles of public lands along the border, armed Border Patrol agents conducted a raid that injured protesters and uprooted the last of four century-old cottonwood trees. This is what the militarization of our borderlands looks like – and it’s all because DHS has more taxpayer dollars than it knows what to do with, and is wasting them on a reckless and useless second border wall. Our borderlands are home to unique ecosystems and world-class biodiversity, including some of the last remaining habitat for the Sonoran jaguar in the United States.\n\nDHS and its private contractors have repeatedly shown they cannot be trusted to protect sensitive cultural and environmental sites. That is why public access and oversight are so critical. Instead, DHS is following the same playbook: shut out the public, evade scrutiny, and recklessly bulldoze our lands. Administrations come and go, but unfortunately the damage the Trump administration is inflicting on our irreplaceable borderlands cannot simply be undone.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=391218", "title": "Guthrie Leads Members of Congress in Submitting Amicus Brief in Support of Kentucky Lawsuit Against the EPA", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://guthrie.house.gov/news", "domain": "guthrie.house.gov", "scraper": "guthrie", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000558", "name": "Brett Guthrie", "party": "Republican", "state": "KY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, led in filing an amicus brief on behalf of 12 Members of Congress in support of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and other states’ request that the Supreme Court of the United States hear an appeal in a significant Clean Air Act case, Commonwealth of Kentucky, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, et al.\n\nPetitioning states argue that the Biden-Harris Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in 2024 without conducting the “thorough review” required by the Clean Air Act. These revised standards, imposed by the Biden-Harris EPA, will restrict the construction of new American manufacturing plants and energy projects, as well as improvements at existing sites, in many parts of the country.\n\n“For four years, the Biden-Harris Administration imposed countless burdensome environmental regulations that handcuffed American industries and made everyday life more expensive,” said Congressman Guthrie. “I am proud to lead my colleagues in filing this amicus brief in support of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s lawsuit to vacate the Biden-Harris Administration’s PM2.5 NAAQS finalized rule, arguing that the revised NAAQS was adopted on an incomplete scientific record and without the required thorough review. If implemented, this rule would devastate American manufacturing and energy and stifle American innovation. I am hopeful the Supreme Court will grant the petitioning states a Writ of Certiorari and that the petitioning states will ultimately prevail in court.”\n\nThe full text of the amicus brief can be viewed HERE.\n\nThe amicus brief is supported by Reps. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Rick Allen (GA-12), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Andy Barr (KY-06), Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL), Craig Goldman (TX-12), Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Erin Houchin (IN-09), Nick Langworthy (NY-22), August Pfluger (TX-11), Hal Rogers (KY-05), and Randy Weber (TX-14).\n\nBackground:\n\nIn 2020, the Trump Administration EPA finalized a rule for the PM2.5 NAAQS under the Clean Air Act, which was conducted as part of the standard 5-year review required under the Act and kept the standard at 12 micrograms/cubic meter.\n\nIn 2024, the Biden-Harris EPA revised the Trump Administration’s EPA ruling, lowering the PM2.5 standard to 9 micrograms/cubic meter.\n\nThroughout the 119th Congress, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce has held multiple hearings and taken action on legislation to ensure the Clean Air Act continues protecting human health and the environment and without stopping economic development and growth. During this work, the Committee has found that the Biden Administration’s new NAAQS standards are very close to background levels and will make it very difficult to build and permit new facilities.\n\nWhile the Clean Air Act allows the EPA to reconsider a NAAQS outside of the normal 5-year review cycle, the Biden-Harris Administration EPA did not follow the required process of conducting a “thorough review” of the science before establishing a new NAAQS under the Clean Air Act.\n\nKentucky, and other petitioning states, sued the EPA, along with several industry groups, in 2024. The Trump Administration EPA tried to have the Biden-Harris NAAQS vacated, but in a June 2026 decision, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals denied EPA’s motion to vacate the 2024 NAAQS and upheld the Biden-Harris Administration’s burdensome mandates.\n\nPetitioning states are requesting that the Supreme Court rule on the following questions:\n\nWhether the Clean Air Act gives EPA the authority to revise NAAQS without conducting a thorough review merely because the revision occurs before the normal, five-year review.\n\nWhether the Clean Air Act bars EPA from considering the costs and feasibility of revising NAAQS when deciding whether to exercise its discretion to undertake a revision before the normal, five-year review.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-andy-harris-urges-senate-fund-fight-against-illicit-chinese-vapes", "title": "Congressman Andy Harris Urges Senate to Fund the Fight Against Illicit Chinese Vapes", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "harris.house.gov", "scraper": "harris", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001052", "name": "Andy Harris", "party": "Republican", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), Chairman of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations, called on the Senate to support the House-passed initiatives in its Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bills to give the federal agencies the resources they need to shut down the illicit nicotine marketplace, including vapes and e-cigarette products designed to appeal to children, and protect Americans from these dangerous products.\n\n“Illegal vapes from China continue to make their way onto shelves and into the hands of unsuspecting Americans,” said Rep. Harris. “The House passed the Fiscal Year 2027 Agriculture Appropriations Act this summer, and I urge the Senate to move forward with its appropriations bills so we can strengthen enforcement against these illegal products.”\n\nThe House-passed Agriculture-FDA bill directs FDA to dedicate at least $200 million in tobacco user fees to enforcement against illegal e-cigarettes and vapes. That includes $20 million for the ENDS Enforcement Task Force, a joint effort of the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and FDA to target the illegal manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale of these products, a majority of which are produced in China. The bill also directs FDA to expand its enforcement priorities to flavored disposable vapes and to report regularly to Congress on seizures of illicit products, support for state enforcement, and efforts to educate retailers about which products are legal to sell.\n\nThe Agriculture-FDA bill is one part of a whole-of-government strategy House appropriators have advanced this year. Across five other FY2027 bills, the Appropriations Committee has directed the Department of Justice to lead the ENDS Enforcement Task Force and pursue trade fraud, smuggling, and money laundering cases against illicit importers. It has provided $5 million each to Customs and Border Protection for the task force and to Homeland Security Investigations for criminal investigations into illegal imports. It has also directed Treasury and the State Department to disrupt the financial networks behind the trade, directed the U.S. Trade Representative to seek an enforceable agreement with China to stop illicit exports at the source, and directed the Department of Transportation to crack down on mislabeled lithium-battery vapes shipped on passenger and cargo aircraft.\n\n“This has become a national security problem,” said Rep. Harris. “Illegal vapes put money in the pockets of the Chinese Communist Party and the criminal cartels operating inside our borders. House appropriators have given every agency with a role in stopping this trade clear direction and the resources to act, and now those resources need to be put to work.”\n\n“Responsible retailers are at a competitive disadvantage as long as bad actors continue to sell illicit products,” said Margaret Mannion, director of government relations at the National Association of Convenience Stores. “The convenience industry supports every effort to stop the flood of illegal vapes onto our market, and we applaud Chairman Harris’s support for enhanced federal enforcement against illicit tobacco products. American consumers deserve access to authorized, legal products, and it will take coordinated action across government, like the work of the ENDS Enforcement Task Force, to make that happen. There’s no time to waste.”\n\n“I will continue fighting to stop the flow of illegal vapes into our country and give FDA and federal law enforcement the resources they need to crack down on this illicit trade,” said Rep. Harris. “Foreign bad actors, especially China, should not be able to profit from flooding the American market with illegal flavored disposable vapes that are designed to appeal to children.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://hinson.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-hinson-highlights-legislation-help-women-access-long-lasting-birth", "title": "ICYMI: Hinson Highlights Legislation to Help Women Access Long-Lasting Birth Control", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hinson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hinson.house.gov", "scraper": "hinson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001091", "name": "Ashley Hinson", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congresswoman Ashley Hinson\n\nThe Telegraph Herald\n\nAdult women should be able to access safe birth control methods that work best for them, regardless of their ZIP code.\n\nFor some women, the best option is oral contraceptives they can pick up at their local pharmacy. For others, it may be a long-lasting option like an IUD or arm implant. Women should be able to talk with their healthcare provider, decide what works best for them, and access that care as close to home as possible. That’s just common sense.\n\nThat’s why I introduced new legislation to help women access long-lasting birth control options at their local community health centers.\n\nRight now, a woman may talk through her options with her local provider and decide an IUD or arm implant is right for her, only to learn the health center doesn’t have a trained provider or the option isn’t available onsite. That can mean scheduling additional appointments, another long drive, or taking more time off work. It shouldn’t be that complicated.\n\nMy bill would help community health centers in underserved areas train providers and keep long-lasting birth control options on hand so women can safely access contraception without unnecessary barriers. It also improves telehealth options to help women who live far from a provider can discuss their options and connect with a physician who can provide the care that works best for them.\n\nCommunity health centers are often the front door to healthcare in rural Iowa. We should give trusted local providers the tools they need to meet women where they are, not force women to navigate around gaps in the healthcare system.\n\nThis new bill builds on work I’ve been doing since my time in the Iowa Legislature. I’ve long believed adult women should be able to access safe, FDA-approved contraception over the counter, and I’ve led that effort in Congress.\n\nAs a mom raising two teenage boys, I’m on the other side of those early years of starting a family. But I continue to hear from Iowa women about the barriers they face accessing the care that works for them. I’ll keep working with anyone who is willing to break down those barriers and support Iowa women.\n\nThis piece was originally published in The Telegraph Herald on October 5, 2026.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://jack.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-brian-jack-welcomes-small-business-administrator-kelly-loeffler", "title": "Congressman Brian Jack Welcomes Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler to Harris County", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jack.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "jack.house.gov", "scraper": "jack", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000311", "name": "Brian Jack", "party": "Republican", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nOctober 5, 2026\n\nContact: Joseph Brannan\n\nHARRIS COUNTY, GA – Today, Congressman Brian Jack, the Chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development, welcomed Administrator of the Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler to Harris County. Together, they hosted a small business roundtable with local leaders and business owners at the Harris County Community Center and visited Breaking Bread sandwich shop and Hamilton Ice Cream Company in Hamilton.\n\nCongressman Brian Jack said, “I am honored to welcome my friend, Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler, to Harris County. For 13 straight years, Georgia has been the #1 State in the country for business, and I am proud to extend that economic winning streak by passing the largest tax cut in American history, eliminating job-killing regulations, and providing small businesses with quicker access to capital.”\n\n“Before I was sworn into Congress, I pledged to bring America’s leaders to our communities to promote the incredible things happening across Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District. I am honored to keep that promise, as today marks the 10th visit by a Member of President Trump’s Cabinet to our District during my first term.”\n\nAdministrator Loeffler said, “Georgia’s 3rd District has a tremendous advocate for small businesses in Congressman Brian Jack, and it was great to join him in Harris County today, where we saw firsthand the opportunities coming to rural communities thanks to the America First economic agenda.”\n\n“Business owners like Breaking Bread are expanding, creating good-paying jobs, and contributing to Main Streets across America. I appreciated meeting with local leaders at our roundtable and celebrating another SBA success story with the entrepreneurs whose hard work keeps Georgia communities strong.”\n\nDuring the roundtable, participants discussed opportunities to expand growth and strengthen partnerships with the Small Business Administration.\n\nFollowing the discussion, Congressman Jack and Administrator Loeffler visited employees and hosted a lunch at Breaking Bread sandwich shop and Hamilton Ice Cream Company, which were recently opened with the support of a $1.32 million 7(a) loan from the Small Business Administration.\n\nJoining Congressman Jack were: State Senator Randy Robertson, State Representative Carmen Rice, Harris County Commission Chairwoman Susan Andrews, Harris County Commissioner Rob Grant, Hamilton Mayor Patrick Whearley, Hamilton Police Chief Eric Weiss, Harris County Chamber of Commerce President Gloria Boyer, Harris County Chamber of Commerce Chairman David Hawkins, and other local business and economic development leaders.\n\nAdministrator Loeffler's trip to Harris County marks the 10th visit by a Member of President Trump’s Cabinet to Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District during Congressman Jack’s first term.\n\nPrevious Presidential Cabinet Visits to Georgia's 3rd Congressional District during Congressman Jack's first term:\n\nJuly 27, 2026 – Congressman Jack welcomed Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to Carroll County, where they toured NG Turf’s sod farm in Whitesburg, hosted a roundtable discussion with local agriculture leaders, and visited WLBB radio station for an interview with Steve Gradick.\n\nJanuary 16, 2026 – Congressman Jack welcomed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to Coweta County, where they toured the Central Educational Center in Newnan and held a roundtable discussion on education with bipartisan state and local leaders.\n\nNovember 16, 2025 – Congressman Jack welcomed Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner to Pike County, where they met with local faith leaders and attended services at Christ Chapel and Harvest Time Revival Church.\n\nAugust 21, 2025 – Congressman Jack welcomed Vice President JD Vance, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Lee Zeldin, and Administrator of the Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler to Peachtree City in Fayette County, where they promoted the passage and enactment of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, at a local factory.\n\nJune 28, 2025 – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins visited EchoPark Speedway in Henry County for the Quaker State 400.\n\nMay 2, 2025 – Congressman Jack welcomed Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to Spalding County to celebrate the passage and enactment of legislation led by Congressman Jack that repealed a Biden-era regulation, saving hundreds of jobs at a local water heater manufacturing facility.\n\nApril 17, 2025 – Congressman Jack welcomed Administrator of the Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler to Troup County, where they toured small businesses, hosted a roundtable discussion with local community leaders, and visited two restaurants.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://james.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1307", "title": "John James introduces Skilled JOBS Act to expand apprenticeship opportunities", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://james.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "james.house.gov", "scraper": "james", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000307", "name": "John James", "party": "Republican", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Ford’s CEO warned at the end of September that America needs to fill 1.7 million skilled trade openings every year through 2035, but that the country is only producing 55 workers for every 100 needed.\n\nPart of the problem is that current rules result in a strict one-to-one ratio of journeymen (experienced workers) to apprentices, which limits how many people can train for these roles. Rep. John James recently introduced legislation to solve this problem by expanding apprenticeship opportunities.\n\n“Current regulations create an artificial bottleneck that is contributing to our labor shortage and driving up costs,” said James, R-Shelby Township. “Solving this problem will make it easier for companies to grow and expand here in Michigan, and it will result in more people working in high paid jobs.”\n\nH.R.10560, also known as the Skilled JOBS Act, formalizes Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs. This sets a clear process for private industry groups to create and oversee their own apprenticeship programs instead of relying on traditional government or union programs. The bill sets a minimum ratio of one journeyman to three apprentices, which will let more people train under the guidance of a more experienced worker. The bill allows further adjustments to that ratio after a required study.\n\nKeith Ledbetter, President & CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors of Southeast Michigan, spoke in support of the bill:\n\n“Michigan’s construction industry needs more skilled professionals, and employers need the flexibility to train them. ABC of Southeastern Michigan appreciates Congressman John James’ leadership on the Skilled JOBS Act and his efforts to address restrictive apprentice ratios. This legislation would give contractors greater flexibility to grow their workforce, expand apprenticeship opportunities, and invest in the next generation of skilled professionals,” Ledbetter said.\n\nTim Golding, State Director of Americans for Prosperity-Michigan, also spoke in support:\n\n\"Michigan has always been a state that builds – but our shops and job sites can't find enough electricians, welders, plumbers, and machinists, and the people who want those careers are getting turned away at the door. That's not a shortage of talent. It's a shortage of training slots, created by federal rules that let just one apprentice train under each Journeyman worker. The Skilled JOBS Act fixes it by recognizing the high-quality apprenticeship programs industry already runs and setting up a sensible floor of three apprentices for every Journeyman worker. Americans for Prosperity is proud to support Rep. John James' bill, and we urge Congress to move it.\"\n\nThe bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.\n\nJames represents Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, which includes portions of Oakland and Macomb counties.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-raskin-and-schatz-fight-back-against-maga-book-bans-and-attacks-on-first-amendment-rights-of-the-free-press-and-of-citizens-in-schools-libraries-and-museums/", "title": "Brownley, Raskin, Schatz Fight Back Against MAGA Book Bans and Attacks on First Amendment Rights of the Free Press and of Citizens in Schools, Libraries and Museums", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "juliabrownley.house.gov", "scraper": "juliabrownley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001285", "name": "Julia Brownley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC – Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) joined Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) in introducing a resolution standing strong for the American freedom to read, write and learn. The lawmakers’ resolution condemns MAGA’s escalating campaign of book bans in school libraries and censorship targeting the Smithsonian Institution and other public museums, parks and facilities.\n\nThe lawmakers’ resolution specifically cites book bans issued by the Trump Administration, MAGA state legislatures, local libraries and schools across America. This year, federal officials, at the direction of President Trump, censored books and educational materials at the Smithsonian Institution and Department of Defense Education Activity schools.\n\nMore than 12,000 individual books were banned in America between July 2025 and June 2026, according to a report by PEN America. This includes books like “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison and “MARCH” by former Congressman and Civil Rights Movement hero John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell.\n\nPEN America’s report captures the proliferation of MAGA book bans that specifically target books written by and about outsiders and individuals from marginalized backgrounds. Books with LGBTQ+ characters or themes face a disproportionate risk of being banned.\n\nAccording to PEN America, from July 2025 to June 2026, 24 States across the country limited access to certain books, including:\n\nTexas, where at least 8,000 books in total have been banned or restricted in 45 school districts;\n\nFlorida, where at least 3,000 books in total have been banned or restricted in 35 school districts;\n\nOhio, where at least 115 books in total have been banned or restricted in one school district;\n\nUtah, where at least 100 books in total have been banned or restricted in five school districts; and\n\nMichigan, where at least 65 books in total have been banned or restricted in two school districts.\n\nThe resolution is endorsed by PEN America and the American Library Association (ALA); Authors Against Banned Books; Banned Books Week Coalition; Center for American Progress; EdTrust; EveryLibrary; Freedom to Learn Foundation; Florida Freedom to Read Project; Freedom to Read Project; Hatchette Book Group; Interfaith Alliance; JCRC of Greater Washington; Jewish Community Relations Council of Portland; Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester; Lee & Low Books ; Let Utah Read; Macmillan Publishing; National Coalition Against Censorship; National Council for Jewish Women; National Council of Teachers of English; National Education Association; Penguin Random House; PFLAG National; Red Wine and Blue Education Fund; Simon & Schuster; Texas Freedom to Read Project; and the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center.\n\nThe resolution is also cosponsored in the House by Representatives Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Andre Carson (IN-07), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emmanuel Cleaver (MO-5), Jim Costa (CA-21), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Betty McCollum (MN-04), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).\n\nThe resolution is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Angus King (I-ME), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), John Fetterman (D-PA) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).\n\nRead the full text of the resolution here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-announces-additional-federal-funds-davis-besse-nuclear-power", "title": "Kaptur Announces Additional Federal Funds for Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant in Oak Harbor", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "kaptur.house.gov", "scraper": "kaptur", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000009", "name": "Marcy Kaptur", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Oak Harbor, OH – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, welcomed the Department of Energy’s announcement of a Federal loan of up to $4.2 Billion to Vistra Corp. to modernize three nuclear power plants, including the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant in Oak Harbor, Ohio. The investment will increase reliable power generation and grid capacity across Northern Ohio. At Davis-Besse, the project is expected to add 80 Megawatts of generating capacity and extend the reactor’s operating life by 25 years.\n\n“This Federal support is timely given rising demands on our electrical grid and the need for additional power to protect jobs and attract new and expanded manufacturing facilities, while also helping avoid further rate increases on residential ratepayers,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09).\n\nKaptur emphasized the need for continued accountability and ratepayer protection following the plant’s history under its former owner, FirstEnergy, and the corruption associated with Ohio House Bill 6. She continues to advocate for her Ratepayer Justice and Commercial Power Accountability Act, which would seek to return funds improperly taken from ratepayers and prioritize future Federal investment in communities harmed by utility misconduct.\n\nKaptur also highlighted Federal investments in the region’s nuclear workforce. In April, the US Department of Energy awarded $19.2 Million to the University of Toledo for the Great Lakes Partnership to Enhance the Nuclear Workforce, under a new national nuclear workforce training program Congresswoman Kaptur created. The initiative, in partnership with Vistra, UToledo, the University of Michigan, Owens Community College, IBEW, and others, is a first of its kind industry commitment to develop workforce training and nuclear reactor safety credentials for current and future workers.\n\n“These efforts are interconnected: delivering ratepayer justice, moving toward a new energy future, training a workforce focused on safety, and upgrading Davis-Besse to meet growing electricity demand,” Congresswoman Kaptur concluded.\n\nThe Vistra projects at Davis-Besse, the Perry nuclear facility in Ohio, and Beaver Valley in Pennsylvania are expected to preserve nearly 4 Gigawatts of reliable baseload power, add 433 Megawatts of new nuclear capacity, support approximately 3,000 project-related jobs, and preserve thousands of permanent jobs across the region. Davis-Besse, which began operating in 1977, was acquired by Vistra from FirstEnergy in 2024 and currently employs approximately 530 workers.\n\nAs Ranking Member of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, Congresswoman Kaptur continues to oversee DOE programs supporting power generation, grid modernization, nuclear safety, and ratepayer protection in Northern Ohio.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://katherineclark.house.gov/2026/10/05/whip-clark-sens-markey-warren-reps-pressley-lynch-demand-usps-cease-campaign-of-post-office-closures-in-the-commonwealth/", "title": "Whip Clark, Sens. Markey, Warren, Reps. Pressley, Lynch Demand USPS Cease Campaign of Post Office Closures in the Commonwealth", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://katherineclark.house.gov/newsroom/", "domain": "katherineclark.house.gov", "scraper": "clark", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001101", "name": "Katherine M. Clark", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Stephen Lynch (MA-08), today wrote to United States Postmaster General David Steiner; United States Postal Service (USPS) Senior Vice President of Facilities and Infrastructure Benjamin Kuo; and USPS District Manager for Massachusetts and Rhode Island Carissa Shea, urging them once again to reverse their proposed post offices closures in Massachusetts – this time in the city of Watertown, and in the Allston and Fields Corner neighborhoods of Boston. The lawmakers demanded accountability for USPS’ statewide campaign to close post offices and requested adequate public hearings and documentation from postal officials involved in these termination decisions.\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “From our experience advocating to keep adequate postal service in Massachusetts, it appears that USPS is engaged in a coordinated campaign to leverage lease renewals and construction projects as excuses to force unwanted and inappropriate closures. USPS fails to negotiate leases on good terms, uses its inability to come to a lease agreement as a pretext to declare an emergency, and then temporarily suspends a post office branch. It then leverages these temporary suspensions into proceedings to permanently shut down the post office location. The result is fewer communities with adequate postal presence, worse postal service, and profoundly negative impacts on residents and businesses who rely on their local post office locations.”\n\nThe lawmakers demanded a response to the following requests by October 20, 2026:\n\nFind a solution that restores local postal service to Watertown Square and Allston and ceases terminations of the Fields Corner and other post office locations;\n\nProvide the congressional offices with a full and updated accounting of all post office locations in Massachusetts;\n\nHost true public hearings in the communities impacted by USPS’ termination proposals;\n\nEnter into the public record for the Watertown Square and Allston termination proceedings this letter and all letters we and other elected officials have sent to USPS, and all testimony from the Boston City Council’s September 22, 2026 hearing on the Allston Post Office;\n\nProvide the congressional offices any and all USPS reports arising out of your facilities search and review of the Watertown Square and Allston post offices.\n\nIn June, Senator Markey celebrated news that USPS reversed course on closing the post office in the Town of Shutesbury and committed to opening a new location in the Town of Medway. Also in June, Senator Markey celebrated USPS’s decision to reverse the closure of the Shutesbury Post Office. In April, he led the Massachusetts congressional delegation in writing a letter to the USPS Inspector General Tammy Hull, demanding answers about the Massachusetts mail delivery system delays caused by understaffed and closed postal offices, inequitable mail delivery across communities, and USPS’s refusal to pay postal employees for overtime work. In 2024, Senator Markey successfully fought the closure of the Mission Hill and Beacon Hill Post Offices and the consolidation of the Brockton Processing and Delivery Center.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/2026-teachers-year-washington", "title": "2026 Teachers of the Year in Washington", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Guam Teacher of the Year Acie Jo Sablan Cruz and Northern Mariana Islands Teacher of the Year Dr. Marifi Doculan visited the Washington congressional office while in DC for programs organized by the Council of Chief State School Officers. The programs provided opportunities for the educators to receive national recognition, participate in professional learning, and elevate the voices of teachers in public education. Dr. Doculan teaches chemistry and physics at Marianas High School. Thank you to both educators for visiting and for your admirable work educating and inspiring the youth of our islands.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/343k-domestic-violence-and-sexual-assault-services", "title": "$343K for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence has been awarded $343,065 through the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women Fiscal Year 2026 State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program. The grant will strengthen services and support available to CNMI residents affected by domestic and sexual violence by improving coordination among victim service providers, law enforcement, courts, government agencies, and other organizations. Funding will also support public education and efforts to improve how sexual assault cases are addressed, helping ensure victims and survivors can access more coordinated and effective support. Congratulations to the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence on this award and its continued commitment to protecting and supporting residents across the Marianas.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/building-home-hands-learning", "title": "Building a Home for Hands-On Learning", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "One of the best things about the Northern Marianas Technical Institute is that it gives our people the opportunity to get hands-on training in the fields our Commonwealth needs most. But to get that experience, you need a solid physical place where students can get in, get dirty, work with the tools, and learn by doing. Last week, I joined CEO Jodina Attao and her team at NMTech to celebrate Careers in Construction proclamation month and witness first hand the progress on their new campus facility being built in Koblerville. This new home will give NMTech greater space to train the next generation of skilled workers and continue building our local workforce. I was overjoyed to join the NMTech family for the first of many proclamations and see their vision for a permanent home getting closer to reality. Happy Careers in Construction month!", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/fisheries-workshop-applications-open", "title": "Fisheries Workshop Applications Open", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "CNMI fishermen are encouraged to explore the Marine Resource Education Program’s (MREP) Western Pacific Fisheries Science and Management Workshop, taking place April 2–8, 2027, in Honolulu. This workshop offers commercial, charter, noncommercial, and subsistence fishermen an opportunity to learn how federal fisheries science and management work and how to make their voices heard. Administered by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the program provides lodging, meals, and travel reimbursement for non-federal participants. No prior formal education is required, and active fishermen receive first priority for the limited seats. Interested applicants should Apply through MREP’s official application page under “Western Pacific” by November 10, 2026, for priority consideration. You can find the organization's FAQ page here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/nathrani-family-visits-washington", "title": "Nathrani Family Visits Washington", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Dr. Riya Nathrani returned to the Washington congressional office on Tuesday, this time accompanied by her parents, long-time Saipan residents Rajkumar and Sapna Nathrani. After visiting with congressional staff, the Nathrani family toured the U.S. Capitol, including the House Floor. Thank you to the Nathrani family for stopping by the office and for making the most of their time in our nation’s capital.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/national-history-day-contest", "title": "National History Day Contest", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "National History Day (NHD) is a nationwide contest for students in the 6th through 12th grades. Since 1974, the contest has challenged students to produce an original project based on an annual theme. Contestants compete at local, state, and regional levels, culminating in a national championship held each June at the University of Maryland at College Park. The NHD campaign encourages students to utilize a variety of primary and secondary resources, including archival documents, art, photographs, written narratives, and oral histories. We provide such resources—focused on House history—for students, educators, and local cultural institutions in your districts and encourage you to share them widely. History, Art & Archives website", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/reconnecting-shrm-building-more-stable-workforce-cnmi", "title": "Reconnecting with SHRM on Building a More Stable Workforce for the CNMI", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "A stable workforce is essential to rebuilding our economy. Our businesses need the ability to plan beyond the next few years, our workers need greater certainty about their futures, and the Commonwealth needs a workforce system that reflects the realities of our islands. That was at the center of my conversation with the SHRM general membership last week. SHRM was the first organization I spoke to when I started my term as Delegate, so it was good to return and report on the progress we have made since then. We talked about our legislation to bring Wagner-Peyser employment services to the CNMI, our work to eliminate the CW-1 touchback requirement, and the broader Northern Mariana Islands Labor Stabilization Act to provide greater workforce stability beyond 2029. We also talked about where workforce fits into the larger work of rebuilding our economy. Tourism, power costs, access to capital, transportation, and workforce all affect whether businesses can grow, whether people can find opportunity here, and ultimately whether our economy can move forward. Thank you to SHRM for the opportunity to return, share where this work stands, and hear directly from the people who deal with these challenges every day.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/rotas-thomas-manglona-named-marianas-science-fellow", "title": "Rota’s Thomas Manglona Named Marianas Science Fellow", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "It's always fun to see a journalist making the news. Congratulations to Rota native Thomas Manglona II on being named the inaugural Marianas Science Communications Fellow by the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant. Thomas’ passion for journalism began in Rota, and he has since built an impressive career telling stories across the Marianas and the Pacific. A graduate of UC Berkeley and Stanford University, Thomas is a Gates Millennium Scholar, Obama Asia-Pacific Leader, Rosalynn Carter Journalism Fellow, and Nia Tero Storytelling Fellow, with his work appearing in outlets including ABC News, CNN and Al Jazeera. We are proud to see a son of Luta using his talents to highlight our islands, our environment, and the science that will help shape our future. Way to go, Thomas!\n\nImage", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/talking-saipans-priorities-mayor-rb", "title": "Talking Saipan’s Priorities with Mayor RB", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "A lot of the work we do in Washington begins with understanding what our communities are dealing with here at home. The people working on the front lines of public safety, disaster recovery, village needs, and everyday community services see those challenges up close, and that perspective should help shape the federal work we pursue. Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho stopped by the District Office last week to talk about his advocacy for federal support for CNMI needs and to strategize how his work serving the Saipan community and our work in Washington can be leveraged to produce tangible progress for our people. Anyone who knows Mayor RB knows he does not mince words. I appreciated the opportunity to sit down with a fellow straight talker, get down to business, and talk frankly about where we are, where we need to go, and how we can work together to get to a better place.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/turning-territorial-priorities-federal-action", "title": "Turning Territorial Priorities Into Federal Action", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "On Wednesday, the Department of the Interior held the 2026 Interagency Group on Insular Affairs (IGIA) Midyear Senior Plenary Meeting virtually, bringing together Governors and Members of Congress from across the U.S. territories to discuss issues affecting our islands and ongoing federal initiatives. During my remarks, I called for IGIA to become more project- and action-oriented. Rather than focusing primarily on broad policy discussions, IGIA can serve as a forum for territorial leaders and senior federal officials to work together on specific priorities identified by the territories and develop concrete steps to move them forward. The proposal received support from participants and the Office of Insular Affairs, which committed to following up on ways IGIA can evolve. I will continue working to ensure federal programs and policies translate into tangible, effective results for the people of the Northern Mariana Islands and other U.S. territories.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4277", "title": "Washington Lawmakers, Colleagues Demand Transparency After U.S. Forest Service Coordinates with ICE on Public Lands", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "larsen.house.gov", "scraper": "larsen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000560", "name": "Rick Larsen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D, WA-08), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Jared Huffman (D, CA-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Adriano Espaillat (D, NY-13), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Andrea Salinas (D, OR-06), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), Val Hoyle (D, OR-04), Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10), Suzanne Bonamici (D, OR-01), and Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07) sent a letter to U.S. Forest Chief Tom Schultz demanding transparency regarding immigration enforcement activities on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands.\n\nThis letter comes after a shocking incident over Labor Day Weekend where U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) coordinated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrest five men who were camping with their families in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. As of October 5, 2026, four of the five men arrested remain in detention at the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center.\n\n“As Members of Congress representing the Pacific Northwest and Democratic leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Agriculture Committee, we are concerned that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is misusing taxpayer dollars by neglecting their mission and directing career staff to prioritize immigration enforcement on federal public lands. Particularly during a difficult wildfire season, we want to express our gratitude to the Forest Service for fighting wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and across the country,” wrote the members.\n\nThe U.S. Forest Service has undergone significant funding cuts and reorganizations efforts since the start of Trump’s second term. Since 2025, the USFS has lost nearly 6,000 workers through DOGE cuts and other factors, raising concerns about wildfire preparedness, forest health research, and public land management. Earlier this year, USFS announced consolidation efforts to shutter research and development facilities nationwide. USFS backtracked on their original proposal to close 57 out of 77 research labs after public outcry. In September 2026, USFS announced they will be closing 23 labs.\n\nThe 2026 wildfire season is still underway, and Washington state has recorded one of the worst wildfire seasons to date with almost 900,000 acres being burned as of early September.\n\nThe members conclude the letter by demanding answers to the following questions by October 15, 2026:\n\nWhich agency first identified those arrested as targets for investigation, when were they identified, and what information about the targets was used to justify the raid?\n\nCan you confirm that the law enforcement officers that first approached the families were employees of the USFS?\n\nTo what extent did USFS participate in the raid, and under what authority? Please provide any agreement or memorandum that governs cooperation between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS.\n\nPlease provide any agreement or memorandum between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS that governs the collection and sharing of visitors' identification and reservation data with DHS or ICE.\n\nWhat other immigration raids has the U.S. Forest Service participated in since January 21, 2025?\n\nWhat appropriations account(s) has the USFS used to fund its participation in immigration enforcement operations since January 21, 2025, and how much funding has been obligated or expended for this purpose?\n\nHas any USFS law enforcement personnel time, budget, or resources been reallocated from other law enforcement priorities (e.g., resource protection, search and rescue, wildfire-adjacent enforcement) to support immigration enforcement operations? If so, how much of this reallocation has been disclosed to Congress since these funds were appropriated for land management and resource protection purposes rather than immigration enforcement?\n\nGiven limited agency resources, why is it a priority of the USFS to use employees in the targeting of families on public land?\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://marymiller.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mary-miller-takes-action-protect-families-radical-gender-policies", "title": "Rep. Mary Miller Takes Action to Protect Families from Radical Gender Policies", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://marymiller.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "marymiller.house.gov", "scraper": "marymiller", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001211", "name": "Mary E. Miller", "party": "Republican", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) introduced theYaeli Martinez Child Protection Act to protect parents from being punished by state child-welfare systems for affirming their child’s biological sex or shielding them from irreversible medical procedures.\n\n“Raising your son as a boy or your daughter as a girl is fundamental to parenthood, not child abuse,” said Congresswoman Mary Miller. “The Yaeli Martinez Child Protection Act defends the constitutional rights of mothers and fathers and stops bureaucrats from using taxpayer-funded child-welfare systems to tear children away from loving families.”\n\nThe legislation is named in honor of Yaeli Martinez, a California teenager who was separated from her mother amid a dispute over her gender identity and spent years in the state’s child-welfare system before dying by suicide at age 19 in 2019.\n\nThe Yaeli Martinez Child Protection Act would:\n\nProtect parents from wrongful abuse allegations by clarifying that affirming a child’s biological sex does not constitute child abuse.\n\nSafeguard parental custody by barring federally funded state child-welfare systems from removing children from fit parents simply because those parents affirm their child’s biological sex.\n\nEnsure foster and adoptive families cannot be denied placement solely because they affirm a child’s biological sex.\n\nAmend the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act to prevent states from wrongfully asserting custody over a child.\n\nHold states accountable through federal funding consequences and a private right of action for violations of the Act.\n\nOriginal Cosponsors: Reps. Josh Brecheen (OK-02), Sheri Biggs (SC-03), Barry Moore (AL-01), Randy Fine (FL-06), John Rose (TN-06), Mark Alford (MO-04), Rich McCormick (GA-07), Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Marlin Stutzman (IN-03), Mark Harris (NC-08), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), and Erin Houchin (IN-09).", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://massie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395858", "title": "Reps. Massie, Pingree Introduce the Red Meat Inspection Exemption Act", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://massie.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "massie.house.gov", "scraper": "massie", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001184", "name": "Thomas Massie", "party": "Republican", "state": "KY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "For Immediate Release\n\nContact: massie.press@mail.house.gov\n\nContact #: 202-225-3465\n\nWashington, D.C.- Today, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced the Red Meat Inspection Exemption Act (RMIEA). The bill allows qualifying small farmers to slaughter and process their own livestock for direct-to-consumer sale without federal interference. Similar inspection exemptions already exist for poultry producers. Rep. Massie's legislation fulfills a promise that President Trump made in August \"to allow Farmers and Ranchers to be given the right to PROCESS THEIR OWN FOOD.\"\n\n\"Americans are concerned about the rising cost of red meat and are looking for solutions that will lower prices,\" said Rep. Thomas Massie. \"The Red Meat Inspection Exemption Act will reduce the regulatory burden placed on small meat producers and enhance their ability to sell directly to local consumers. President Trump announced this great idea, but pressure from the international meat packing lobby and limits on executive power prevent him from making good on his promise. It’s up to Congress to change the law and deliver relief to American farmers and ranchers. Under U.S. law, poultry farmers are already allowed to process their own birds, so why not let small-scale livestock farmers do the same?\"\n\n\"Americans increasingly want to know where their food comes from. Maine has established a constitutional right to food, with rural communities across the state adopting direct farm-to-consumer sales. Our bipartisan bill would build on that work,\" said Congresswoman Pingree. \"By allowing producers to process a limited number of animals on their farms and sell meat directly to consumers, this bill will strengthen access to locally-raised meat and provide another avenue for farmers to sell their products. Farmers and consumers have waited long enough for relief, and this bill will deliver.\"\n\n\"The biggest obstacle to a prosperous local food system in this country is the lack of slaughterhouse infrastructure,\" said Pete Kennedy, consultant for the Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF). Kennedy continued, \"This situation has primarily been brought on by the 1967 Wholesome Meat Act which preempted state laws on meat regulation and generally prohibited the sale of on-farm slaughtered meat. This bill restores a deeply rooted historical tradition, the sale of meat from livestock slaughtered on a farm direct from the farmer to the consumer, which can help strengthen food security and the rural economy. Many thanks to Representatives Massie and Pingree for taking a significant step towards food emancipation and improving the quality of the American food supply.\"\n\n\"Why is beef so expensive? Because beef processors act as a cartel, paying farmers too little for their herds and charging customers too much,\" said Dr. Meryl Nass, M.D., President, Save Our Food and Farms, a project of Door to Freedom. \"All three of the largest beef processors in the US (JBS, Tyson, and Cargill) were forced to settle with the DOJ for price-fixing in 2025 and 2026. Isn't it time our local farmers and ranchers were allowed to compete with them? This bill throws a life raft to America's small farmers. Between 2017 and 2022 the US lost 142,000 farms. Providing farmers a chance to avoid being squeezed by the Big 4 meat processors will give them another chance at prosperity.\"\n\nThe Red Meat Inspection Exemption Act creates a federal meat-inspection exemption for small livestock producers who slaughter and process animals raised on their own farms for direct distribution to consumers. Producers seeking an inspection exemption may slaughter no more than 25 cattle, 60 swine, 250 sheep, or 250 goats annually.\n\nThe legislation requires that meat exempted from inspection requirements must be labeled “Exempt—21 U.S.C. 623,” must include the name and address of the producer, must remain subject to federal adulteration and misbranding standards, and must comply with any food-safety or special-handling requirements established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill also expressly preserves state laws that provide broader exemptions for on-farm slaughter, processing, or sale of meat.\n\nThe text of the Red Meat Inspection Exemption Act is available at this link.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://matsui.house.gov/media/press-releases/matsui-duckworth-schumer-lead-bipartisan-call-requiring-faa-guarantee-every", "title": "MATSUI, DUCKWORTH, SCHUMER LEAD BIPARTISAN CALL REQUIRING FAA TO GUARANTEE EVERY EMERGENCY MEDICAL KIT ABOARD FLIGHTS INCLUDE LIFE-SAVING EPINEPHRINE", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://matsui.house.gov/media", "domain": "matsui.house.gov", "scraper": "matsui", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001163", "name": "Doris O. Matsui", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Co-Chair of the Congressional Food Allergy Research Caucus, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL),Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, and U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led a group of 20 bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers in calling on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to guarantee that emergency medical kits (EMK) on every commercial aircraft include epinephrine, a life-saving medication to treat passengers who go into anaphylactic shock. Today is the final day for the American people to submit public comments on the FAA’s dangerous new proposed rule that would result in medications being less consistent and dependable for passengers experiencing health emergencies on commercial flights—a severely misguided proposal that prioritizes flexibility for air carriers over the safety of the flying public.\n\n“Without proper medications that can easily be administered on board, medical emergencies happening while 35,000 feet in the air could turn deadly,” wrote the lawmakers in their official public comment to the FAA’s proposed rule. “The provisions outlined in the FAA’s proposed rule threaten the safety of airline passengers traveling with allergies and reverse previous FAA action to ensure the safety of all passengers.”\n\nIn the landmark 2024 FAA Reauthorization Law that Congresswoman Matsui supported, the FAA requires commercial airlines to have adequate emergency medical kits on board to treat conditions like anaphylaxis. And yet, the FAA’s proposed rule would not require them to carry epinephrine—the only medication that reliably treats this medical emergency—in delivery methods that can be easily self-administered by individuals without medical training.\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “If a passenger is experiencing anaphylaxis, they could have mere seconds until they are unable to breathe. Without FDA-approved epinephrine delivery methods designed to be easily self-administered, passengers rely on the chance that there will be a good Samaritan on the flight who is a trained medical professional, or a flight attendant, in consultation with a medical professional on the ground, to quickly measure an appropriate dose of epinephrine using a vial and syringe. This is both risky and unnecessary; it is why the FAA’s working group recommended ‘pre-measured auto-delivery device’ be on the EMK contents list.”\n\nIn their letter, the lawmakers hammered the FAA’s proposed rule for ignoring expert recommendations, creating an even greater lack of transparency and consistency in EMKs for the flying public—who rely on EMKs during a medical emergency—and for needlessly putting the lives of commercial airline passengers at greater risk.\n\n“To ensure the safety of all airline passengers, we must guarantee that U.S.-based airlines include FDA-approved epinephrine delivery methods designed for self-administration on every flight,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nIn light of the FAA’s misguided and dangerous proposed rule change, Matsui, Duckworth, and Schumer are calling on the FAA to heed their concerns—as well as the more than 1,500 public comments that have been submitted to express deep concern over this would-be policy failure that would place cost cutting and convenience for air carriers over the safety of the flying public.\n\nIn addition to Matsui, the letter is co-signed in the House by U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Kelly Morrison (D-MN-03) and Mike Quigley (D-IL-05). In addition to Duckworth and Schumer, the letter is co-signed in the Senate by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found below and HERE.\n\nDear Administrator Bedford:\n\nWe write to provide our comments on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published on August 5, 2026, which would make drastic changes to how the FAA determines the composition of the emergency medical kit (EMK) carried aboard aircraft. The proposed rule is opaque and dangerous, and it threatens to undermine previous work the FAA has done to ensure the safety of the traveling public.\n\nEMKs are supposed to enable initial treatment of a passenger experiencing moderate to severe injuries or illnesses until the aircraft can land and the passenger can be transferred to emergency medical personnel. Without proper medications that can easily be administered on board, medical emergencies happening while 35,000 feet in the air could turn deadly.\n\nThe proposed rule would make harmful steps to reverse work done at the agency to direct operators to include epinephrine in aircraft EMKs. Having multiple doses of epinephrine on every aircraft, in delivery methods that can be easily self-administered by individuals without medical training, is more urgent than ever. This is due to the on-flight presence of food items containing unlabeled allergens, a steady increase in the number of children with food allergies, the increased prevalence of a tick-borne illness that could create life-threatening allergies and the very real possibility that more than one passenger may require epinephrine during a single flight.\n\nThe provisions outlined in the FAA’s proposed rule threaten the safety of airline passengers traveling with allergies and reverse previous FAA action to ensure the safety of all passengers.\n\nOur concerns about the proposed rule are outlined below:\n\nLack of Alignment with Previous Recommendations\n\nThe FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 directed the FAA to assemble a panel of experts to make recommendations on EMKs and issue a proposed rule. The FAA Onboard Medical Kits Working Group included aerospace medicine experts and physicians, physiologists, psychologists, human factors specialists, cabin safety professionals and researchers. This working group submitted its report, dated May 1, 2025, to the FAA. The report stated:\n\n“The items proposed … are intended to provide initial stabilizing Basic Life Support (BLS) care for immediately life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest, airway emergencies, major hemorrhage, andanaphylaxis (emphasis added), as well as to facilitate provision of limited basic first-aid interventions for minor injuries and illnesses that are known to occur in-flight.”\n\nImportantly, the proposed EMK content list in the report includes both “pre-measured auto-delivery device” or “vial-drawn kit.” Yet, just one year later, the FAA publicly defied the recommendations in this report developed by the expert working group the FAA itself commissioned.\n\nNo Clear Requirement for Epinephrine\n\nThrough rulemaking, the Trump administration is seeking to downgrade the EMK content list, from a binding requirement to mere optional guidance. The proposed rule would allow operators to determine what components should be included in EMKs, so long as the EMK is “practical and sufficient” to address nine conditions, including anaphylaxis:\n\n“…FAA recommends sufficient resources for anaphylaxis (sudden/acute severe allergic reaction), which may include the following signs and symptoms: hives; swelling of the mouth, throat, or tongue; difficulty breathing, rapid or weak pulse, dizziness; stomach pain; nausea or vomiting; or loss of consciousness. Treatment options could (emphasis added) include medication such as epinephrine.”\n\nEpinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. The final rule must contain a clear directive that EMKs shall include epinephrine.\n\nNo Requirement for Epinephrine in Easily Self-Administered Forms\n\nIf a passenger is experiencing anaphylaxis, they could have mere seconds until they are unable to breathe. Without Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved epinephrine delivery methods designed to be easily self-administered, passengers rely on the chance that there will be a good Samaritan on the flight who is a trained medical professional, or a flight attendant, in consultation with a medical professional on the ground, to quickly measure an appropriate dose of epinephrine using a vial and syringe. This is both risky and unnecessary; it is why the FAA’s working group recommended “pre-measured auto-delivery device” be on the EMK contents list.\n\nCurrently, JetBlue, Southwest, Breeze and Frontier stock their EMKs with epinephrine auto-injectors, and American Airlines’ EMKs include both adult- and pediatric-dose epinephrine auto-injectors. Delta is in the process of transitioning its fleet to include auto-injectors in their EMKs by September 2027, and, this year, United Airlines and Allegiant Airlines will begin the work to include auto-injectors in EMKs. Even with tight profit margins, including epinephrine in delivery methods that can be easily self-administered, is possible. Through the rulemaking process, the FAA must direct airlines to include epinephrine in delivery methods that can be easily administered and not reverse course from its previous recommendations by abandoning the requirement to include epinephrine in EMKs in entirety.\n\nLack of Transparency on Compliance\n\nThe proposed rule would eliminate the exemption process, which was created to account for challenges in stocking EMKs due to drug shortages and allow airlines to substitute drugs, “without requesting an FAA exemption.” Airlines are not required to publicly or centrally report the real-time inventory and exact contents of their EMKs and have continued to operate under exemptions granted by the FAA for years. EMK suppliers and airlines can track when an EMK is opened and needs restocking, but only in instances where the kit was used. There is no means of systematically tracking incidents of allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, especially when passengers use their own epinephrine. For medical conditions that can be treated by multiple, accessible options, eliminating the need for the exemption process may make sense. However, epinephrine is the only first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. The public also deserves to know when certain items are not included in a flight’s EMK, and a rationale for the exclusion.\n\nConclusion\n\nThe proposed rule will reduce public safety and trust when flying by increasing ambiguity, subjectivity and opacity of EMK components. The proposed rule argues that increased flexibility is needed to keep up with advances in medicine but, without appropriate reporting and tracking, the Trump administration is significantly increasing the risk of major inconsistencies in EMKs from flight to flight. Predictability, consistency and transparency are all necessary to ensure passengers’ safety, particularly in cases of anaphylaxis, when minutes, or even seconds, matter.\n\nTo ensure the safety of all airline passengers,we must guarantee that U.S.-based airlines include FDA-approved epinephrine delivery methods designed for self-administration on every flight.\n\nWe call on the FAA to address the concerns outlined in this letter.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://mcbath.house.gov/2026/10/05/mcbath-bill-to-stop-human-trafficking-passes-senate-heads-to-presidents-desk/", "title": "McBath Bill to Stop Human Trafficking Passes Senate, Heads to President’s Desk", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcbath.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "mcbath.house.gov", "scraper": "mcbath", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001208", "name": "Lucy McBath", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC – Legislation led Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) and Chairman of the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) has passed the Senate unanimously and is headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The bipartisan, bicameral Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act is led by Senators Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).\n\nThis bill directs the Department of Labor (DOL) to train its employees to identify human trafficking and refer suspected trafficking crimes to law enforcement. While DOL employees are on the ground conducting workplace inspections, they will be able to spot human trafficking behavior in real time.\n\n“Human trafficking is a devastating crime that preys on the most vulnerable and robs victims of their freedom and dignity. We have a responsibility to ensure that those on the front lines in our communities and across the federal government have the tools necessary to help combat this crime and provide survivors with a path to safety. Strengthening training for Department of Labor employees is an important step toward recognizing the signs of human trafficking, protecting victims, and connecting them with the resources they need. I thank my colleagues for their support,” said McBath.\n\n“Human trafficking is a national tragedy, and we need to do everything we can to stop it. This law will help ensure federal workers are equipped to spot the signs of human trafficking and refer suspected crimes to law enforcement. I’m proud this bill will be my fourth bill signed into law since I took office. This is a great example of the bipartisan work we can accomplish for the American people, and I look forward to the lives this law will help save,” said Husted.\n\n“The fight against human trafficking should never be a partisan issue. Survivors and victims in Michigan and across the country are owed justice, accountability, and meaningful action to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place. Our bipartisan bill, the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, provides the Department of Labor with the necessary framework to address these unthinkable crimes head-on. I am proud to have worked alongside my colleagues to get this important legislation passed and look forward to seeing it signed into law,” said Slotkin.\n\n“Human trafficking can hide in plain sight, and this bill will help more people recognize the warning signs. I’m glad the Senate unanimously passed my bill and sent it to President Trump’s desk. By giving Department of Labor employees the right training, we can help identify victims sooner and get potential cases to law enforcement,” said Walberg.\n\nMcBath and Walberg introduced the companion bill to the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking in the House of Representatives, where it passed on March 3, 2026.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://mcbride.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mcbride-senator-coons-local-leaders-assess-coastal-damage-call-more", "title": "Rep. McBride, Senator Coons, local leaders assess coastal damage, call for more funding to rebuild Delaware’s beaches following storm", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcbride.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mcbride.house.gov", "scraper": "mcbride", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001238", "name": "Sarah McBride", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "DEWEY BEACH, Del. – U.S. Representative Sarah McBride and U.S. Senator Chris Coons (both D-Del.), joined by the Army Corps of Engineers, DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson, local elected officials, and community leaders surveyed damage on Friday morning from last week’s nor’easter that battered Delaware’s coast for four days and caused severe beach erosion, dune damage and flooding in communities all along the coast. The storm damaged homes and businesses, caused road closures, and shut down beaches. Following their assessment of the damage, Senator Coons and Representative McBride called for additional federal support to help Delaware’s coastal communities recover and replenish their beaches.\n\nRep. McBride and Senator Coons were joined on Friday by officials from the Army Corps of Engineers, DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson, Dewey Beach Town Manager Bill Zolper, Dewey Beach Mayor Bill Stevens, South Bethany Mayor Edie Dondero, Bethany Beach Mayor Ron Calef, State Sen. Russ Huxtable and State Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall.\n\n“Delaware’s beaches are critical to our communities, our economy, and our way of life, and we need to make sure they have the resources they need to recover from this storm and prepare for the next one,” said Senator Coons. “I’m going to keep fighting for the funding Delaware needs to rebuild and recover. That means working with our local leaders, DNREC, the Army Corps and our entire congressional delegation to make sure we’re doing everything we can to protect our coast.”\n\n“The damage Senator Coons and I saw is a stark reminder that investing in the resilience of our coastal communities is not optional,” said Rep. McBride. “We cannot prevent these storms from happening, but we can take action to keep people safe and help our communities withstand their impacts. That’s why I’ve been working with partners at every level of government to strengthen our coastline, combat coastal erosion, and ensure Delaware is prepared when severe weather strikes. I’m grateful to Mayor Stevens, our first responders, local leaders, and everyone who stepped up to keep our neighbors safe during the nor’easter. I’ll keep working to make sure Delaware has what it needs to recover from this storm, prepare for the next one, and protect our beaches for generations to come.”\n\nEarlier this year, Senators Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester and Representative McBride helped secure $10 million for beach replenishment along the Delaware coast from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island and are working with the Army Corps of Engineers to make that funding available as quickly as possible. Senator Coons is also working with the federal delegation and DNREC to secure an additional $30 million in federal beach replenishment funding this year to help address the state’s ongoing coastal needs.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/10/05/mcclellan-morelle-and-virginia-democrats-fight-trump-administrations-attacks-on-voting-pledge-to-protect-every-vote/", "title": "McClellan, Morelle and Virginia Democrats Fight Trump Administration’s Attacks on Voting, Pledge to Protect Every Vote", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "mcclellan.house.gov", "scraper": "mcclellan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001227", "name": "Jennifer L. McClellan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Fairfax, VA – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), House Administration Committee Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25) and members of Virginia’s Democratic Congressional delegation held a public shadow hearing on Thursday in Fairfax to confront the Trump Administration’s attacks on voting and detail efforts to defend every eligible American’s right to cast a ballot and have it counted.\n\nPanelists outlined litigation, voter education and safeguards countering interference, intimidation and misinformation.\n\nThe hearing examined the Administration’s attempted overhaul of mail-ballot processing, federal demands for sensitive voter information and concerns about armed immigration agents at polling places. The experts explained how litigation blocked the mail-voting rule and detailed ongoing efforts to protect voter privacy and prevent intimidation.\n\nIn his remarks and responses to lawmakers, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay outlined safeguards against duplicate voting, secured ballot drop boxes and the county’s use of paper ballots and scanners without internet connectivity. The discussion emphasized that protecting election integrity and ensuring access to the ballot go hand in hand.\n\n“My own family struggled, fought, bled and in some cases died for the right to vote,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “We have seen repeated efforts by the Administration to undermine the electoral process and the constitutionally protected right of millions to vote. Election integrity means protecting our election systems from foreign interference and unlawful voting, but it also means protecting every citizen’s right to vote, free of intimidation, free from discrimination. We cannot have an America that goes back to the days when propaganda, violence and voter suppression were used to keep all of the people from participating in their government.”\n\n“Where the Trump Administration is sowing fear and confusion, we’re providing facts and defending the right to vote. We came together in Fairfax to make clear that every eligible American, no matter who they support, can cast a ballot with confidence,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “I’m grateful to Ranking Member Morelle for joining us and proud to stand alongside my Virginia colleagues and the voting rights leaders doing this work every day. We will keep fighting to protect every vote and ensure the American people decide who represents them.”\n\n“In this moment, there is nothing more urgent than protecting American democracy,” said Ranking Member Morelle. “The election is here and we are protecting Americans’ right to the ballot box. Every time the Trump Administration has tried to interfere with the integrity of the midterm elections, they have lost. Over the next month, we need to remain clear-eyed about the threats we continue to face. We will fight to protect American elections. Failure, quite simply, is not an option.”\n\n“Over the last two years, the Trump Administration and the Supreme Court have levied various attacks against the right to vote,” said Congressman Bobby Scott, Ranking Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. “Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans have been unwilling to take a stand against these actions. Democrats are fighting to defend everyone’s right to participate in our elections, and this hearing demonstrates the urgency of this fight.”\n\n“Every eligible voter should be able to cast their ballot without fear, intimidation, or unnecessary barriers,” said Congressman Vindman. “Our democracy works when voters know their voices will be heard and their votes will be counted. I’m proud to stand with my Virginia colleagues, local election officials, and voting rights advocates to protect access to the ballot, safeguard voter privacy, and ensure every eligible Virginian can make their voice heard.”\n\n“This Administration has threatened to cheat and exhaust every option to diminish our free and fair elections. In these unprecedented times, I am proud to stand together with my colleagues and voting rights organizations to protect the voices of all Americans. We will ensure every vote, regardless of party, gets counted this November. We will not be intimidated,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam.\n\nThe panel included Chairman McKay; Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward; Omar Noureldin, Senior Vice President for Policy and Litigation Strategy at Common Cause; Rev. Dr. Cozy Bailey, President of the Virginia State Conference NAACP; and Jessica Jones Capparell, Director of Government Affairs at the League of Women Voters of the United States.\n\nThe experts urged voters to check their registration, make a plan to vote and consult trusted election officials.\n\nView photo gallery here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-menefee-announces-major-constituent-casework-milestone", "title": "Congressman Menefee Announces Major Constituent Casework Milestone", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "menefee.house.gov", "scraper": "menefee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001245", "name": "Christian D. Menefee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "HOUSTON, TX — Today, Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) announced that his casework team has closed more than 500 constituent cases since he took office. This milestone reflects eight months of delivering results for the people of Texas’s 18th Congressional District. After TX-18 went more than 330 days without representation in Congress, this accomplishment is a clear sign that our district is back to having a strong, responsive office working for the people.\n\n“Helping constituents navigate the bureaucracy of the federal government and alleviating their hardships is my top priority,” said Rep. Menefee. “We built this office from the ground up. Every call answered and every case closed is a step closer to delivering on the promise I made to the people of the 18th. From Veterans’ benefits to visa assistance, we’re going to keep showing up and helping folks get the help they need.”\n\nSince taking office, Congressman Menefee's team has:\n\nClosed more than 500 constituent cases out of the nearly 1,000 opened.\n\nRecovered more than $1 million in eligible and/or delayed funds for constituents.\n\nSuccessfully closed cases involving immigration, expedited passports, Veterans’ benefits, Social Security, Medicare, the Department of Education, the IRS, OPM, and the U.S. Postal Service.\n\nDelivered more than 7,000 congressional recognitions throughout the District, celebrating the people and businesses that shape TX-18.\n\nConstituents who need assistance with a federal agency can call 713-655-0050 or visit our website at Menefee.House.Gov.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-leads-push-to-expand-and-modernize-the-hudson-bergen-light-rail", "title": "Menendez Leads Push to Expand and Modernize the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "menendez.house.gov", "scraper": "menendez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001226", "name": "Robert Menendez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "JERSEY CITY, NJ – Congressman Rob Menendez partnered with Hudson County Complete Streets and local transit advocates to elevate key community priorities for the continued expansion and modernization of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (“HBLR”). In a letter to New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri, and New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Priya Jain, Menendez urged state leadership to prioritize critical infrastructure upgrades and advance service expansions.\n\nThe HBLR serves more than 55,000 people daily commuters across New Jersey’s most densely populated region, where roughly one in three Hudson County households rely on public transportation.\n\n“Investing in public transit directly improves daily quality of life for New Jersey families,” said Congressman Menendez. “Partnering with Hudson County Complete Streets and state leadership to modernize the HBLR means faster, more reliable commutes and better access to jobs and economic opportunity across our region. I am grateful to our transit advocates for their continued commitment to strengthening our transit network and look forward to continuing our work together.”\n\n“The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail does more than simply move 55 thousand daily riders to their destinations, it supports economic growth, connects communities, and creates opportunity for both individuals and businesses,” said Jack McKee, Campaigns Manager, Hudson County Complete Streets. “It’s for these reasons that Hudson County Complete Streets is committed to realizing the asks laid out by our campaign.”\n\n“Approximately 1 in 3 households in Hudson County do not have access to a vehicle at home. The Hudson Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) is a vital connector for communities across Hudson County,” said Dana Haymon, Campaign Lead, Better Light Rail. “Expanding this essential service to Bergen County and deeper into Jersey City is absolutely necessary to connect us with jobs, reduce our environmental impact, and just make getting around safer and easier for the thousands of folks that want to ride the HBLR. This is why we are asking for service expansion and investment at all levels to make our campaign goals happen.”\n\nTo accelerate ongoing planning and build on the state’s existing efforts, Congressman Menendez urged state leaders to prioritize the following key actions:\n\nFrequency and Reliability: 10-minute off-peak service intervals and state-of-good-repair infrastructure investments to minimize travel disruptions.\n\nService Expansion: Collaborative planning timelines to extend service across Route 440 in Jersey City, into Bergen County, and toward Newark.\n\nRider Experience: Upgraded real-time train tracking systems and potential new local stops in Jersey City and Hoboken.\n\nRead the full letter by clicking here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://meuser.house.gov/media/press-releases/meuser-thanks-treasury-secretary-bessent-touting-benefits-auto-enrollment", "title": "Meuser Thanks Treasury Secretary Bessent for Touting Benefits of Auto-Enrollment for Trump Accounts", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://meuser.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "meuser.house.gov", "scraper": "meuser", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001204", "name": "Daniel Meuser", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "HARRISBURG, PA — Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) issued the following statement after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s press conference in Harrisburg, PA, where he discussed what automatic enrollment for Trump Accounts means for Pennsylvania families.\n\n“I’d like to thank Secretary Bessent for being in Harrisburg today highlighting the opportunities that Trump Accounts are creating for Pennsylvania families,” said Congressman Meuser. “Through participatory capitalism, we are creating the opportunity for families to set their children up for financial success and empowering parents to teach their children the benefits of responsible financial management and participation in our markets. Thanks to auto-enrollment, over 60 million children now have an account that can easily be claimed by their parents. Created by the Republican’s Working Families Tax Cuts Act, Trump Accounts are giving millions of young Pennsylvanians a financial head start. I’m grateful to Secretary Bessent and President Trump for their hard work in ensuring every American child has access to the wealth-building opportunities Trump Accounts provide.”\n\nBackground on Trump Accounts:\n\nCreated by the GOP’s Working Families Tax Cuts Act, these tax-free investment accounts will harness the strength of financial markets to reignite the American Dream of a comfortable retirement for America’s youth. Supercharged by a one-time contribution of $1,000 from Treasury, Trump Accounts allow families to contribute up to $5,000 per year to boost their child’s long-term savings. Additionally, employers can contribute up to $2,500 per year to Trump Accounts for their employees’ children, expanding the pool of potential investments. Republicans in Congress were careful in crafting the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to ensure the healthy growth of Trump Accounts. When families invest in their child’s Trump Account, the funds are allocated to a diversified portfolio of low-cost index funds, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds designed to maximize long-term growth while minimizing risk.\n\nWith automatic enrollment complete, every eligible child under the age of eighteen with a valid Social Security number now has a Trump Account. A parent or guardian must claim the child’s automatically enrolled Trump Account to manage it and allow for family members, friends, and employers to contribute. Automatic enrollment also allows businesses, financial institutions, and philanthropists to contribute individual stocks into the accounts of thousands or even millions of children. To claim your child’s Trump Account, download the official Trump Accounts app, available for iOS and Android. During the claiming process, a parent or guardian will verify their identity and relationship to their child, review the child’s information, and accept the account terms. Eligible children born between January 21, 2025, and December 31, 2028, are eligible to receive the one-time $1,000 seed contribution. For more information, visit TrumpAccounts.gov.\n\nSince Trump Accounts went live on July 4, 2026, 7 million children have already had a Trump Account created for them by their families. With Automatic Enrollment now in effect, over 60 million additional children now have an account created in their name. According to the White House Council of Economic Advisors, Trump accounts are projected to grow anywhere from roughly $6,000 (with only the initial $1,000 federal seed and no extra contributions) to over $300,000 by age 18 if maximum annual contributions of $5,000 are made. This is money that young Americans can use for their college education, to buy a home, or other important life expenses.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-miller-meeks-trump-announce-largest-ever-steel-plant-coming-lee-county", "title": "ICYMI: Miller-Meeks, Trump Announce Largest-Ever Steel Plant Coming to Lee County", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "millermeeks.house.gov", "scraper": "millermeeks", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001215", "name": "Mariannette Miller-Meeks", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and President Donald Trump announced the largest steel plant ever built in the United States is coming to Lee County, Iowa. This $15 billion steel plant will create 1,750 new, permanent jobs, support up to 6,000 construction jobs, and generate an estimated $95 billion in U.S. economic output over construction and the first decade of operations.\n\n“For too long, Iowa families have watched their jobs shipped overseas and their communities hollowed out. Not anymore\", said Rep. Miller-Meeks. \"The largest steel plant in America is coming to Lee County with more than 1,700 permanent, good-paying jobs. I’m proud to have helped make this historic investment a reality. There’s no better place than Iowa to make things IN America, BY Americans.”\n\n“I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to bringing steel manufacturing back to America, and Mesabi Metallics for choosing Iowa as its partner and future home. This is a transformational opportunity for our country, our state, and American families—one that strengthens national security, creates thousands of high-paying jobs, and provides a reliable supply of high-quality, American-made steel for strategic goods and everyday products\", said Gov. Reynolds. \"Our commitment in Iowa to fiscal responsibility, tax competitiveness, and long-term economic stability has created one of the nation’s strongest environments for business investment. Now, this opportunity will fundamentally change the economic trajectory of our state and the entire region for decades to come.”\n\n“This massive investment is the largest steel plant project in U.S. History. It means over 1,750 good-paying, family-supporting, steel working jobs for Southeast Iowa\", said Iowa Attorney General Bird. \"This announcement is not just good news for Iowa, it’s good for the entire country. Thanks to President Trump for his leadership and continued commitment to American jobs for American citizens and to Governor Reynolds for her hard work bringing this great opportunity to Iowa.”\n\n“GR8 NEWS Mesabi Metallics will build a $15 BILLION steel mill in IA Remember GOP is working 2 bring down costs 4 families + create jobs This historic investment is AMERICA FIRST+builds on success of our Working Families Tax Cuts law which also prevented largest tax increase ever\", said Sen. Grassley.\n\n“Proud to join @POTUS today announcing a historic $15 BILLION investment in eastern Iowa, the largest steel plant in American history, and over 1700 permanent jobs in Iowa! Thank you, President Trump, for bringing jobs, investment, and American manufacturing back home\", said Sen. Ernst.\n\n“This will be a game-changing investment for our state — creating 1,700 jobs & incredible opportunities for growth. There is no better place to invest and build than in Iowa because we have the best people\", said Rep. Hinson.\n\n“This is a major opportunity for Southeast Iowa: Mesabi Metallics’ proposed $15 billion investment in Lee County could support 1,700 good-paying jobs and produce American steel right here in Iowa\", said Rep. Nunn. \"We’ve worked to bring manufacturing home and secured nearly $5 million to strengthen skilled trades training at DMACC, Iowa Western, and Indian Hills. Now, we need to make sure Iowa workers have the skills to be first in line for these jobs and ready to build the next generation of American steel.”\n\n“This historic investment is a major win for Iowa workers and further cements Iowa’s role in the future of American manufacturing. As the largest steel plant investment in U.S. history, this project will generate over 1,700 good-paying Iowa jobs, create new opportunities for Iowa families, and drive economic growth. Iowa has the workforce, work ethic, resources, and business climate to compete with anyone, and we are proud to welcome this project to our state. The administration’s pro-American manufacturing policies are incentivizing companies to invest, build, and create jobs in the U.S. We thank Governor Reynolds for her leadership in making Iowa a great place to do business and ensuring our state benefits from these policies by attracting transformational investments like this one\", said the Iowa Congressional Delegation.\n\n“This project would be a gamechanger for southeast Iowa and leave a lasting impact on our state’s manufacturing footprint. This will bring real jobs that mean stable careers for working families, giving more young people a chance to proudly call Iowa home\", said Iowa Speaker of the House Pat Grassley. I’ve made it my mission in the Iowa House to make sure we bring opportunities for growth to all parts of the state and delivering this plant follows through on that promise.”\n\n“For years, we have been passing legislation to help Iowa grow, draw people to our rural communities, and strengthen our state’s economy. Iowa has an opportunity to bring billions of dollars of investment into our state, good quality jobs, and bring people to a part of Iowa looking for growth\", said Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Kilmesh. \"These are the kinds of opportunities we have been looking for and that Iowa needs. As we look to remain competitive on the national level, the largest private investment in Iowa history makes it clear our state is open for business.”\n\n“$15 BILLION dollar investment in Iowa (largest ever, by far)! Thank you President Donald J. Trump & Governor Kim Reynolds for your leadership on this historic project\", said Iowa State Rep. Norman.\n\n“HUGE day for Iowa! The President is announcing a $15 billion investment to build America’s largest steel mill right here in our state — more than 1,750 good-paying jobs for Iowa families. This didn’t happen by accident. For years, Iowa has done the hard work of cutting taxes, slashing red tape, and making it cheaper and faster to build here than almost anywhere else in the country\", said Iowa State Rep. Harris. \"Companies don’t drop $15 billion on a handshake. They go where the rules are clear, the tax climate is competitive, and the workforce can get the job done. That’s Iowa. We made ourselves the place they wanted to be. Now it will pay off in paychecks, apprenticeships, suppliers, and communities that will feel this for a generation. I am proud of this state and proud of the workers who are about to make history. Iowa is open for business! Let’s get to work!”\n\n“To have one of the largest steel plants in American history built right here in Lee County would be a huge win for our area\", said Iowa State Rep. Watkins. \"It would mean thousands of high-paying, dependable jobs that would give young Iowans a reason to stay, grow their families, and thrive right here in Southeast Iowa. I’ve been fighting for this kind of opportunity in the Iowa House, and I will fight to get this project over the finish line in the Iowa House.”\n\n“As a Burlington native, I recognize this announcement for what it is: a once-in-a-generation economic development victory for Iowa. Since being elected to the Iowa House, my priorities have included securing high-paying careers to ensure more people can call Iowa home, and keeping our state competitive in manufacturing apprenticeships and training\", said Iowa State Rep. Rinker. \"The announcement of one of the largest steel plants in American history built right here in Iowa shows that the work we’ve done at the Statehouse, including reducing the tax burden and keeping government spending fiscally responsible is working. In the House, I will fight to deliver this opportunity for my district.”\n\n“Today is a great day for eastern Iowa. A $15 billion investment with more than 6,000 construction jobs and 1,750 permanent jobs would be transformational for our region, and we congratulate Mesabi Metallics on today’s announcement\", said Emily Benjamin, CEO of Lee County Economic Development Group President.\n\n“What’s great for the southeast Iowa region is great for Burlington and what’s great for Burlington is great for southeast Iowa\", said Burlington Mayor Jon Billups.\n\n\"Steel mill will deliver overwhelming benefits to Iowa\", said former Iowa Gov. Branstad.\n\n“Thank you, Mr. President, for bringing back the importance of building things in America\", said Rewant Ruia, Mesabi Metallics Chairman. \"With the new steel complex in Iowa, we will complete the fully integrated American supply chain from mine to mill. American ore carried on American railroads to an American steel plant powered by American energy, built and operated by an incredibly hardworking and talented American workforce.”\n\n“This is a major moment for U.S. made steel, combining the highest quality direct-reduction grade iron ore pellet from Minnesota’s Iron Range with the most advanced DRI to EAF steelmaking technology in Iowa to supply the high-quality, all-American steel that our national defense, cars and trucks, shipbuilding, household appliances, energy, and infrastructure depend on\", said Mesabi Mettalics CEO Joe Broking.\n\n“What we’re really talking about today is America’s economic security… What you see here today is private capital flowing in to rebuild America and to build America’s future\", said Export-Import Bank of the United States Chairman John Jovanovic.\n\n“President Trump’s Section 232 steel tariffs continue to energize the American iron and steel industry. AISI welcomes today’s announcement of another significant new investment in steelmaking in the United States. The sizeable investment by Mesabi Metallics in the new Iowa plant and also its Nashwauk, Minnesota, iron ore mine will further boost U.S. ironmaking and steelmaking capacity, create jobs and strengthen the U.S. economy\", said American Iron and Steel Institute President and CEO Kevin Dempsey.\n\n“This is coming to Lee County, an area in Iowa really in dire need of revitalization\", said John Boyd, The Boyd Company Principal. \"This is the right project at the right time.\"\n\n“President Trump announces a historic $15 BILLION steel plant coming to Iowa — the largest in American history. 6,000 construction jobs. Nearly 2,000 permanent jobs. 10 MILLION tons of American steel produced every year. American steel is BACK\", said America First Policy Institute.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases/miller-meeks-introduces-bill-protect-medicaid-whistleblowers-retaliation", "title": "Miller-Meeks Introduces Bill to Protect Medicaid Whistleblowers from Retaliation", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "millermeeks.house.gov", "scraper": "millermeeks", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001215", "name": "Mariannette Miller-Meeks", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-01) has introduced the Medicaid Whistleblower Protection Act, legislation to establish clear federal protections for state and local employees who report fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicaid programs. The bill comes after widespread reports of retaliation against whistleblowers in states like Minnesota, where public servants say they were punished for raising early warnings about fraud that later cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.\n\nThe bill amends Title XIX of the Social Security Act to prohibit adverse employment actions against Medicaid workers who make protected disclosures, and it establishes a clear administrative and judicial process for whistleblowers to seek relief, including reinstatement, back pay, and damages.\n\n\"No public servant should have to choose between their conscience and their livelihood. Whistleblowers who report fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicaid are protecting taxpayer dollars and the vulnerable people this program is meant to serve, and they deserve real protection, not retaliation,\" said Dr. Miller-Meeks. \"The Medicaid Whistleblower Protection Act gives whistleblowers a clear legal process to report wrongdoing and seek relief if they're punished for speaking up. I will fight to make sure the people willing to tell the truth are protected, not silenced.\"\n\nThe Medicaid Whistleblower Protection Act is one of 14 bills in House Energy and Commerce Republicans' \"Continuing the Fight Against Fraud\" package, a sweeping program-integrity agenda introduced under Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) to give states better data and technology, stronger enforcement incentives, and clearer accountability to detect and recover improper Medicaid payments.\n\n“The amount of fraud that the Biden-Harris Administration allowed to go unchecked in government health programs is unacceptable. Every dollar stolen by fraudsters or wasted on improper payments is a dollar taken away from supporting families in need who rely on these programs,” said Chairman Guthrie. “While states are on the front lines of confronting this fraud, we must take commonsense steps to ensure that they are able to recoup their costs, providing incentives to do the vital work that is needed, including needed data sharing and new technologies that support enforcement, to ensure the program can continue to work for the Americans it was designed to serve. By using enhanced data analytics to find and eliminate fraud, incentivizing states to crack down on fraud more diligently, and fortifying the integrity of critical health programs, Republicans are leading the charge to restore the long-term vitality of federally funded health systems. Our multi-faceted program integrity package will help to combat the fraud that has plagued our system for far too long, I’m grateful for the consistent focus of our bill sponsors and their tireless effort to protect these programs, and we look forward to continuing the fight ensure Americans have access to the care they need.”\n\n\"I am so grateful for the leadership of Congresswoman Miller-Meeks and the House Energy & Commerce Committee for introducing this whistleblower protection bill. Too often, as we have seen in Minnesota, brave whistleblowers are retaliated against by politicians and agency leaders who are more interested in protecting their political base than taxpayers and vulnerable citizens. The federal, state and county workers who run these programs are often the first to see red flags, but, as we have seen time and again in Minnesota, if they dare to point it out, they are called racist, accused of creating a hostile work environment, demoted, reassigned or otherwise harmed personally and professionally,\" said Kristin Robbins, Minnesota State Representative, House District 37A. \"The Whistleblower Protection bill will expand protections for federal, state and county employees so they can do what they do best: serve the public, help vulnerable citizens and protect taxpayers' hard-earned money.\"\n\nMiller-Meeks is also leading a second bill in the package, the WALZ Act, which requires the HHS Office of Inspector General to review whether a 10 percent increase in a state's Medicaid spending may be attributable to fraud, waste, or abuse, giving Congress and states a data-driven early warning system for the kind of unchecked spending growth whistleblowers say went ignored in Minnesota for years.\n\nBackground\n\nThe Medicaid Whistleblower Protection Act would:\n\nProhibit adverse employment actions, including discharge, demotion, suspension, threats, harassment, or other discrimination, against covered individuals who make a protected disclosure related to a State Medicaid program.\n\nEstablish an administrative process for whistleblowers to seek relief, with the right to judicial review if they disagree with the outcome.\n\nProvide remedies including reinstatement, two times back pay with interest, compensation for litigation costs and attorneys' fees, and punitive damages in cases of malice or reckless indifference.\n\nDefine protected disclosures broadly to include violations of law, fraud, waste, or abuse involving federal or state funds, gross mismanagement, abuse of authority, or a substantial danger to public health or safety.\n\nThe legislation follows a letter submitted to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on January 7, 2026, by current and former Minnesota Department of Human Services employees, describing a pattern of retaliation against workers who raised early concerns about fraud in DHS programs. The letter states that employees flagged contracting irregularities, unusual financial transactions, and signs of fraud as far back as 2019, and that those who spoke up faced surveillance, repeated investigations, reassignment, and termination. It was entered into the congressional record and referenced in subsequent testimony before the Oversight Committee.\n\nThe bill also follows a Majority Staff Report released by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, through the work of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations chaired by Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), detailing how fraud has continued to undermine the integrity of critical taxpayer-funded health care programs and the disparities in oversight and enforcement across state Medicaid programs. The report outlines 13 investigative findings and 37 recommendations to strengthen program integrity and keep fraudsters out of Medicare and Medicaid. During the investigation, the Committee sent 12 letters, held three Oversight and Investigations hearings, and reviewed more than 100,000 pages of documents. Read the full report here.\n\n\"The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee is focused on rooting out fraud that threatens the future of Medicare and Medicaid. These crimes hurt patients and steal from the American taxpayer,\" said Chairman Joyce. \"We will continue to expose those who exploit the system, hold fraudsters accountable, and advance commonsense recommendations that states can implement. This cannot be solved alone. Protecting the integrity of these programs must be a shared goal, because millions of Americans are counting on us to get it right.\"\n\nAbout the \"Continuing the Fight Against Fraud\" package: Medicaid remains vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, and improper payments going undetected. The 14-bill package strengthens program integrity in three ways: better data and technology for states to detect fraud, stronger enforcement tools and incentives to recover improper spending, and clearer accountability requiring states to identify vulnerabilities and take corrective action. In addition to the Medicaid Whistleblower Protection Act and the WALZ Act, the package includes bills from Chairman Guthrie and Committee Republicans, such as Griffith's Medicaid Fraud Fighting and Taxpayer Protection Act, Balderson's SMART Act, Joyce's Medicaid Integrity Improvement Act, and Pfluger's Medicaid Integrity and Fiscal Accountability Act, among others.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-neguse-leads-colleagues-letter-state-department-urging-additional-support", "title": "Rep. Neguse Leads Colleagues in Letter to State Department Urging Additional Support for Nepal Floods Response", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "neguse.house.gov", "scraper": "neguse", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000191", "name": "Joe Neguse", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Nepal Caucus, led a dozen colleagues in a letter to the United States Department of State, urging they provide additional aid to Nepal as the country recovers from devastating floods in the Trishuli River region.\n\nIn late August, a glacier collapse on the Nepal-China border, caused catastrophic flooding, destroying homes, workplaces, roads, bridges, and energy infrastructure. The floods killed 1,450 people and nearly 6,000 people are still missing, including 90 Americans.\n\nIn their letter, Neguse and his colleagues noted that the United States has been a longstanding partner in Nepal’s development and called on the State Department to provide much needed support and stability to the country as it recovers and eventually rebuilds.\n\nFull text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nIt was signed by André Carson (IN-07), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), James McGovern (MA-02), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07).\n\nOctober 1, 2026\n\nThe Honorable Marco Rubio\n\nSecretary of State\n\nU.S. Department of State\n\n2201 C Street NW\n\nWashington, DC 20520\n\nDear Secretary Rubio,\n\nWe write to respectfully request your administration provide further assistance to aid Nepal in its recovery efforts following the devastating floods in the Trishuli River region. Given the scale of this tragedy, we implore your department to act swiftly.\n\nAs you know, this unprecedented disaster has claimed at least 1,300 lives, with an estimated 5,000 people still missing—including 90 American citizens. Further, the destruction has left many in the region without access to clean drinking water, food, shelter, and other basic services, including thousands of children. As Nepal continues to recover, the U.S. is uniquely positioned to provide critical infrastructure support and essential supplies to aid these efforts.\n\nThe U.S. has been a longstanding partner in Nepal's development, supporting improvements in public health, education, infrastructure, and industry. Continued U.S. assistance would provide much needed stability to the country and help it to rebuild at this critical time.\n\nAs such, we urge the Department of State to work to assist search and rescue efforts across Nepal and to provide additional assistance to the country to ensure a speedy recovery.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://nunn.house.gov/2026/10/05/nunn-hosts-air-force-secretary-meink-makes-case-for-new-132d-wing-air-mission/", "title": "Nunn Hosts Air Force Secretary Meink, Makes Case for New 132d Wing Air Mission", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://nunn.house.gov/category/news/press-releases/", "domain": "nunn.house.gov", "scraper": "nunn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000193", "name": "Zachary Nunn", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "“Iowa’s Airmen have answered every mission our country has asked of them, and on Friday Secretary Meink saw that commitment firsthand at the 132d Wing,” said Rep. Nunn. “Having served in the Air Force for more than 20 years, I know how much it means to these Airmen and their families to have the Secretary here to see their work up close. I’m grateful to Secretary Meink for making the trip to Des Moines, and I look forward to working with him as the Air Force plans for the next generation of American air dominance.”\n\n“Last week’s visit to the 132nd ANG was an awesome opportunity to see the professionalism, dedication, and capabilities of Iowa’s Airmen,” said Secretary Meink. “They are critical to keeping our nation secure, and I appreciate the opportunity to further assess how the Department can best leverage the capabilities, infrastructure, and talent already in place here in Des Moines.”\n\nRep. Nunn and Secretary Meink met with 132d Wing leadership, toured the Wing’s remotely piloted aircraft, cyber, and intelligence operations, and recognized the Airmen who carry out those missions. Mrs. Nunn and Mrs. Meink also visited the Wing’s Airman & Family Readiness Center, which supports the families of Iowa Airmen while their loved ones are deployed or on duty.\n\nFollowing the tour, Rep. Nunn held a press conference outside the Wing, where he highlighted his work in Congress to deliver federal dollars to the airport and bring a permanent flying mission back to the 132d. Rep. Nunn helped deliver $26 million to modernize the airport’s air traffic control system through the Working Families Tax Cut and secured $4 million for its deicing apron expansion.\n\nRep. Nunn led an amendment included in the House-passed FY27 National Defense Authorization Act directing the Air Force to identify Air National Guard installations that have active runways but no manned aircraft that are well-positioned to host next-generation flying missions. The amendment was supported by the entire Iowa delegation in the House and is being led by Senator Joni Ernst and supported by Senator Chuck Grassley in the Senate.\n\nLast month, Rep. Nunn wrote to Secretary Meink requesting a comprehensive feasibility study of the 132d Wing and invited the Secretary to Des Moines to see its capabilities firsthand. The proposed study would evaluate the 132d’s existing facilities, workforce and recruiting capacity, airfield access, and potential mission sets.\n\n“We don’t need to pour billions into new concrete when the runway that can support next-generation aircraft is already here,” continued Rep. Nunn. “The House passed our amendment unanimously, and with Senator Ernst and Senator Grassley leading in the Senate, I’m confident we’ll get it signed into law and put the 132d Wing in a strong position to compete for a permanent flying mission.”\n\nB-roll from the visit is available here.\n\nPhotos from the visit are available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/pou-demands-answers-after-5500-gallon-data-center-diesel-spill", "title": "Pou Demands Answers After 5,500-Gallon Data Center Diesel Spill", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "pou.house.gov", "scraper": "pou", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000621", "name": "Nellie Pou", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) is seeking answers from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) following a massive diesel fuel spill at an Equinix data center in Secaucus that contaminated local waterways in her district.\n\nPou called for a full accounting of the roughly 5,500-gallon spill, its environmental impact, and the safeguards being put in place to prevent another data center disaster.\n\n“This spill in the Ninth District was the largest data center fuel spill on record in our state. The scale of this disaster demands a full accounting. We need to understand how it happened, ensure the cleanup is complete, and put protections in place to prevent another one happening again. Our residents deserve clear answers now,” Congresswoman Pou writes to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak.\n\nSecaucus and surrounding communities have lived with pollution for decades. Contamination from industrial sites and landfill runoff led the Environmental Protection Agency to designate the Lower Hackensack River a Superfund site in 2022. Now as a major cleanup is underway, the September 11 Equinix spill has dumped another 5,500 gallons of diesel into the local environment.\n\nThe Secaucus spill comes amid growing national concern over the environmental impact and public costs of rapidly expanding data centers. These facilities consume large amounts of electricity and can require significant water for cooling. Also, as seen in Secaucus, they can often store large quantities of diesel to power backup generators.\n\nData center electricity demand is rising rapidly, raising questions about energy costs and who should pay for the infrastructure needed to serve these facilities. The Secaucus spill highlights what can happen when the systems designed to keep these massive facilities running fail.\n\nPou concludes, “NJDEP has a vital role in protecting New Jersey’s environment and holding data centers and their owners accountable when safeguards fail. The scale of this disaster demands a full accounting. . . . Thank you for your attention to this matter.”\n\nA copy of Congresswoman Pou’s letter is below.\n\nDear Commissioner Potosnak:\n\nI write to express my concern about the recent fuel spill at the Equinix data center in Secaucus that contaminated nearby waterways. Over the last decade, several data centers have experienced large-scale fuel spills, including several in New Jersey. In 2017, roughly 600 gallons of fuel spilled into Clifton’s storm drains from the Digital Realty EWR21 Data Center. Then, in 2022, more than 1800 gallons leaked from an Equinix-owned data center in North Bergen. Now, just weeks ago, Secaucus has experienced the largest data center diesel spill on record in our state. Residents and local officials deserve to know how this happened, what damage it caused, and what safeguards will keep this from happening again.\n\nSecaucus and the surrounding communities have a long history of dealing with pollution. Decades of contamination from manufacturing plants and landfill runoff into the Hackensack River prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to designate the Lower Hackensack River as a Superfund site in 2022. The river is already undergoing a major cleanup after those years of contamination.\n\nAgainst that backdrop, the September 11 spill is especially alarming. According to public reports, roughly 5,500 gallons of diesel fuel escaped the Equinix data center into a creek and tributary connected to the Hackensack River.5 The spill reportedly occurred during an automated fuel-recycling process and has been attributed to a “computer glitch.”\n\nThree weeks later, the public still lacks a full accounting of the spill’s impact on local waterways and wildlife. The incident also raises broader questions about the environmental risks posed by data centers, including the storage and handling of large quantities of backup fuel. Those questions are particularly urgent here given the major federal cleanup underway on the Hackensack River.\n\nI appreciate that NJDEP is working to investigate and address the spill. But NJDEP must provide a clear account of exactly what happened and what is being done to prevent another spill to ensure transparency and accountability. To that end, please provide answers to the following questions no later than October 9, 2026.\n\n1) Please identify the best available timeline for when each of the following events occurred on September 11, 2026 and any days thereafter:\n\na) Equinix began its fuel recycling process.\n\nb) The system failed, and fuel began spilling.\n\nc) Equinix first identified the spill.\n\nd) The flow of fuel was stopped.\n\ne) Equinix first contacted emergency responders.\n\nf) Equinix first notified NJDEP.\n\ng) The emergency response team arrived on site.\n\nh) Crews began containment efforts to prevent the diesel from spreading.\n\ni) NJDEP first notified Secaucus officials about the spill and the response.\n\nj) Any barges or other cleanup equipment that were removed from the site, and the basis for determining they were no longer needed.\n\n2) Has NJDEP continued to brief Secaucus on the containment and cleanup? If so, please provide the dates of those communications. If not, please explain why.\n\n3) Following the spill, has NJDEP required Equinix or other data centers to adopt human, on-site monitoring and other safeguards for automated fuel systems or other risks to the community? If so, please describe those requirements. If not, please explain why.\n\n4) Has NJDEP determined whether diesel from the spill reached the Hackensack River? If so, please provide its findings and any information on remediation and cleanup.\n\n5) When does NJDEP expect to complete its investigation and issue a final public report on the spill?\n\nNJDEP has a vital role in protecting New Jersey’s environment and holding data centers and their owners accountable when safeguards fail. This spill in the Ninth District was the largest data center fuel spill on record in our state. The scale of this disaster demands a full accounting. We need to understand how it happened, ensure the cleanup is complete, and put protections in place to prevent another one happening again. Our residents deserve clear answers now.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.\n\nSincerely,\n\nNellie Pou\n\nMember of Congress\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://radewagen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/amata-welcomes-pasefika-youth-center-grant", "title": "Amata Welcomes Pasefika Youth Center Grant", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://radewagen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "radewagen.house.gov", "scraper": "radewagen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000600", "name": "Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen", "party": "Republican", "state": "AS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming notice of a $350,000 Pasefika Youth Center grant supporting the work of the Pacific Youth and Development Center.\n\nAumua Amata in Committee work - file photo\n\n“Thank you to the everyone at the Malaeimi Fa'atamali'i Center and Chairman of the Board Toetasi Tuiteleleapaga for these meaningful efforts,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Congratulations to the Center and this program serving our youth, and pointing them toward better futures. Thank you for your care for our young people, and to HHS we appreciate the support in our community.”\n\nLegislative authority from Congress for this grant is through the longstanding Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, among others, along with the current annual bills authorizing HHS priorities and appropriating HHS spending.\n\nThis discretionary health services grant, titled Empowering Pacific Island Communities, is through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and specifically, the Administration for Children and Families (ACYF) and its Family and Youth Services Bureau.\n\nThis federal grant program supports services such as community workshops, educational support, and youth outreach, as well as providing mentorship, health resources, recreation and computer labs.\n\nThe Center provides safety and refuge, food, clothing, medical care, and counseling for youth facing crisis circumstances.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://ramirez.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-ramirez-salinas-introduce-legislation-require-federal-government-share", "title": "Reps. Ramirez, Salinas Introduce Legislation to Require the Federal Government to Share Evidence with Local Law Enforcement in DHS Use-of-Force Incidents", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ramirez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ramirez.house.gov", "scraper": "ramirez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000617", "name": "Delia C. Ramirez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC – Recently, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Ranking Member of a Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee, and Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) introducedH.R.10698, the ICE Shootings Transparency Act, to provide local and state law enforcement agencies unfettered access to evidence in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer-involved shootings and other use of force incidents.\n\n“DHS lies to avoid accountability. DHS agents use reckless and unlawful force, and then DHS issues public statements justifying the use of force that are repeatedly proven false or highly misleading,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “That’s why I’m joining Rep. Salinas to require DHS and the Attorney General to share evidence related to shootings by ICE and CBP officers with local law enforcement agencies to carry out investigations. We will not stop until we have justice for every person who was killed or harmed at the hands of DHS agents. We will reimagine true safety, abolish ICE, dismantle DHS, and hold all perpetrators accountable.”\n\n“When an ICE or CBP agent kills or injures someone in our community, transparency needs to be the bare minimum,” said Rep. Salinas. “Since the start of the second Trump Administration, the federal government has often refused to provide local law enforcement with critical evidence in shootings and other use-of-force incidents involving ICE and CBP officers. My bill would ensure that when these incidents occur, state and local law enforcement agencies would have unrestricted access to this evidence to deliver full justice to victims and their families.”\n\nIn January 2026, when ICE killed Renee Good, Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was tapped to conduct a joint investigation with the FBI. However, shortly after the announcement, the state agency said that they had been kicked out of the investigation, leaving the investigation in the hands of the Trump Administration. Several months later, ICE agents killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas and have also refused to work with state and local law enforcement. The administration’s actions have included blocking local and state law enforcement officials from accessing investigatory materials, such as Salgado Araujo’s work van and the scene of the incident.\n\nThe members introduced the ICE Shootings Transparency Act to address issues that some local agencies and prosecutors have encountered with ICE and CBP officers-involved shootings that result in the injury or death of a civilian. Their bill would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Attorney General to share evidence on an ongoing basis with appropriate local law enforcement agencies related to shootings by ICE and CBP officers that injure or kill someone.\n\nAdditionally, this bill would require DHS and the Attorney General to provide access to the location of the incident to state and local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the area to carry out regular investigative functions.\n\nThe ICE Shootings Transparency Act is cosponsored by Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Jim Costa (CA-21), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29).\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the National Immigration Law Center (NILC).\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nCongresswoman Ramirez has led the calls for accountability of DHS and its leadership. In September 2026, Ramirez stood with Illinois public officials, civil society, and community members to announce the Reimagining Safety Act.The landmark community-led legislation would create a new human- and community-centered federal department that promotes collective safety, repeal the authorities that give the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) its power, and redirect DHS funds to programs that working families rely on. Additionally:", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://randall.house.gov/media/press-releases/wa-lawmakers-colleagues-demand-transparency-after-us-forest-service", "title": "WA Lawmakers, Colleagues Demand Transparency After U.S. Forest Service Coordinates with ICE on Public Lands", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://randall.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "randall.house.gov", "scraper": "randall", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000621", "name": "Emily Randall", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06), and Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (D, WA-08), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Jared Huffman (D, CA-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Adriano Espaillat (D, NY-13), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Andrea Salinas (D, OR-06), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), Val Hoyle (D, OR-04), Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10), Suzanne Bonamici (D, OR-01), and Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07) sent a letter to U.S. Forest Chief Tom Schultz demanding transparency regarding immigration enforcement activities on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands.\n\nThis letter comes after a shocking incident over Labor Day Weekend where U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) coordinated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrest five men who were camping with their families in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. As of October 5, 2026, four of the five men arrested remain in detention at the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center.\n\n“As Members of Congress representing the Pacific Northwest and Democratic leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Agriculture Committee, we are concerned that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is misusing taxpayer dollars by neglecting their mission and directing career staff to prioritize immigration enforcement on federal public lands. Particularly during a difficult wildfire season, we want to express our gratitude to the Forest Service for fighting wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and across the country,” wrote the members.\n\nThe U.S. Forest Service has undergone significant funding cuts and reorganizations efforts since the start of Trump’s second term. Since 2025, the USFS has lost nearly 6,000 workers through DOGE cuts and other factors, raising concerns about wildfire preparedness, forest health research, and public land management. Earlier this year, USFS announced consolidation efforts to shutter research and development facilities nationwide. USFS backtracked on their original proposal to close 57 out of 77 research labs after public outcry. In September 2026, USFS announced they will be closing 23 labs.\n\nThe 2026 wildfire season is still underway, and Washington state has recorded one of the worst wildfire seasons to date with almost 900,000 acres being burned as of early September.\n\nThe members conclude the letter by demanding answers to the following questions by October 15, 2026:\n\nQuestions for the U.S. Forest Service:\n\nWhich agency first identified those arrested as targets for investigation, when were they identified, and what information about the targets was used to justify the raid?\n\nCan you confirm that the law enforcement officers that first approached the families were employees of the USFS?\n\nTo what extent did USFS participate in the raid, and under what authority? Please provide any agreement or memorandum that governs cooperation between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS.\n\nPlease provide any agreement or memorandum between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS that governs the collection and sharing of visitors' identification and reservation data with DHS or ICE.\n\nWhat other immigration raids has the U.S. Forest Service participated in since January 21, 2025?\n\nWhat appropriations account(s) has the USFS used to fund its participation in immigration enforcement operations since January 21, 2025, and how much funding has been obligated or expended for this purpose?\n\nHas any USFS law enforcement personnel time, budget, or resources been reallocated from other law enforcement priorities (e.g., resource protection, search and rescue, wildfire-adjacent enforcement) to support immigration enforcement operations? If so, how much of this reallocation has been disclosed to Congress since these funds were appropriated for land management and resource protection purposes rather than immigration enforcement?\n\nGiven limited agency resources, why is it a priority of the USFS to use employees in the targeting of families on public land?\n\nThe full text of the letter is available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://raskin.house.gov/2026/10/raskin-and-schatz-fight-back-against-maga-book-bans-and-attacks-on-first-amendment-rights-of-the-free-press-and-of-citizens-in-schools-libraries-and-museums", "title": "Raskin and Schatz Fight Back Against MAGA Book Bans and Attacks on First Amendment Rights of the Free Press and of Citizens in Schools, Libraries and Museums", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://raskin.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "raskin.house.gov", "scraper": "raskin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000606", "name": "Jamie Raskin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.— Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced a resolution standing strong for the American freedom to read, write and learn. The lawmakers’ resolution condemns MAGA’s escalating campaign of book bans in school libraries and censorship targeting the Smithsonian Institution and other public museums, parks and facilities.\n\nThe lawmakers’ resolution specifically cites book bans issued by the Trump Administration, MAGA state legislatures, local libraries and schools across America. This year, federal officials, at the direction of President Trump, censoredbooks andeducational materials at the Smithsonian Institution and Department of Defense Education Activity schools.\n\n“The freedom to read, write and think independently are all rights enshrined in the First Amendment to our Constitution,”said Rep. Raskin.\"MAGA’s book bans and censorship campaigns seek to control the freedom of thought in schools, libraries and government, but we are fighting back against this authoritarian assault on free expression and American democracy.”\n\n“Any attempt to ban books because someone has an ideological disagreement or doesn’t believe in capturing the full scope of history is un-American,”said Senator Schatz. “Freedom of expression is a founding principle of our country, and it's up to all of us to stand up against these attacks on this fundamental right.”\n\nMore than 12,000 individual books were banned in America between July 2025 and June 2026, according to a report by PEN America. This includes books like “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison and “MARCH” by former Congressman and Civil Rights Movement hero John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell.\n\nPEN America’s report captures the proliferation of MAGA book bans that specifically target books written by and about outsiders and individuals from marginalized backgrounds. Books with LGBTQ+ characters or themes face a disproportionate risk of being banned.\n\nAccording to PEN America, from July 2025 to June 2026, 24 States across the country limited access to certain books, including—\n\nTexas, where at least 8,000 books in total have been banned or restricted in 45 school districts;\n\nFlorida, where at least 3,000 books in total have been banned or restricted in 35 school districts;\n\nOhio, where at least 115 books in total have been banned or restricted in one school district;\n\nUtah, where at least 100 books in total have been banned or restricted in five school districts; and\n\nMichigan, where at least 65 books in total have been banned or restricted in two school districts.\n\nThe resolution is endorsed by PEN America and the American Library Association (ALA); Authors Against Banned Books; Banned Books Week Coalition; Center for American Progress; EdTrust; EveryLibrary; Freedom to Learn Foundation; Florida Freedom to Read Project; Freedom to Read Project; Hatchette Book Group; Interfaith Alliance; JCRC of Greater Washington; Jewish Community Relations Council of Portland; Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester; Lee & Low Books ; Let Utah Read; Macmillan Publishing; National Coalition Against Censorship; National Council for Jewish Women; National Council of Teachers of English; National Education Association; Penguin Random House; PFLAG National; Red Wine and Blue Education Fund; Simon & Schuster; Texas Freedom to Read Project; and the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center.\n\nThe resolution is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Andre Carson (IN-07), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emmanuel Cleaver (MO-5), Jim Costa (CA-21), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Betty McCollum (MN-04), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).\n\nThe resolution is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Angus King (I-ME), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), John Fetterman (D-PA) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).\n\nRead the full text of the resolutionhere.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://riley.house.gov/2026/10/05/riley-demands-answers-from-verizon-over-rural-landline-shutoffs/", "title": "RILEY DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM VERIZON OVER RURAL LANDLINE SHUTOFFS", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://riley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "riley.house.gov", "scraper": "riley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000622", "name": "Josh Riley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BINGHAMTON, NY – Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) is demanding answers from Verizon about notices the company has sent to residents across Upstate New York warning that their copper landline telephone service may soon be shut off. These notices followed Verizon’s September 9, 2026 application to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking approval to discontinue this service as soon as November 30, 2026.\n\nIn a letter to Verizon CEO Dan Schulman, Riley expressed concern that alternatives to copper landline service, such as fiber and wireless networks, are not a reliable solution for Upstate New York communities. In many rural areas, the landline is how people call 911, how medical alert and monitoring devices work, and how families stay connected. Unlike the alternatives, traditional landlines keep working during a blackout, and in rural New York, blackouts are frequent and can last for days.\n\n“For many Upstate New Yorkers, discontinuing copper landline service would mean losing the only phone service they can count on,” Riley said. “Rural communities present real challenges, but rather than rising to meet them, Verizon appears to be walking away from us. Upstate New Yorkers should not be forced to pay the price in new equipment, higher monthly bills, or fears about whether their phone will work in an emergency.”\n\nIn the letter, Riley demanded Verizon provide the following information to his office:\n\nThe number of residential and business customers in New York’s 19th Congressional District whose copper landline service could be discontinued under Verizon’s application, broken down by county.\n\nA full list, by county, town, and ZIP code, of every area in New York’s 19th Congressional District where Verizon is seeking to discontinue copper landline service. For each area, indicate whether affected customers currently have access to an alternative voice service, such as fiber or wireless, or whether they will have no alternative option available.\n\nFor each affected customer, the specific alternative service that will be available, and how Verizon has confirmed that it is fully operational at that customer’s location.\n\nWhether Verizon will commit not to discontinue service to any customer until a working alternative has been confirmed at that customer’s location, and what will happen to customers for whom no reliable alternative exists.\n\nThe financial impact on affected customers, including whether they will be protected against rate increases after switching to a new service, and whether Verizon will cover all necessary equipment, installation and setup costs.\n\nHow replacement services will function during power outages, and how Verizon will ensure uninterrupted access to 911 and other emergency services.\n\nThe steps Verizon will take to engage affected customers, county emergency management offices, and local governments before any service is discontinued, including whether Verizon will commit to holding public meetings in affected communities.\n\nWhy Verizon believes a November 30, 2026 timeline gives customers sufficient time to transition, and whether it will agree to extend that timeline.\n\nYou can read the full letter HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kelly-and-rep-latimer-introduce-food-access-community-health", "title": "Rep. Kelly and Rep. Latimer Introduce Food Access in Community Health Centers Act of 2026", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "robinkelly.house.gov", "scraper": "robinkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000385", "name": "Robin L. Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL) and U.S. Congressman George Latimer (D-NY) introduced the Food Access in Community Health Centers Act of 2026, a bill to create and expand partnerships between community health centers and emergency feeding operations to provide access to food at these centers.\n\nIn the face of unprecedented cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, emergency feeding operations and community health centers have provided critical support to countless Americans. Partnerships between community health centers and emergency feeding operations have enabled underserved populations to reduce food insecurity. It is well established that access to food is critical to primary health. As Americans continue to struggle with access to food and healthcare, partnerships between organizations like these are vital tools to alleviate these crises. This bill would enable these existing partnerships to be expanded and for new ones to be created.\n\nCongresswoman Kelly and Congressman Latimer previously championed this cause by sending a letter to the leadership of the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations subcommittee urging them to include report language in the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bill encouraging the expansion of partnerships between emergency feeding operations and community health centers.\n\nCongresswoman Kelly stated, “What makes us sick, or keeps us well, starts long before we ever walk into a doctor's office. Over 40 million Americans have limited access to affordable groceries, and the Big, Ugly Law has now gutted SNAP and Medicaid on top of that. Community health centers and emergency feeding operations are already stepping up. This bill helps them do it together, through on-site food pantries and mobile distribution, so patients can get both the care and the healthy food they need. I'm proud to partner with Congressman Latimer to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food, no matter their zip code.”\n\nCongressman Latimer stated, “I am proud to introduce this critical legislation alongside Congresswoman Robin Kelly at a time when far too many across our country are facing food insecurity and the rising cost of living. Food access is directly linked to health outcomes, and this bill aims to address the food insecurity that patients experience when seeking essential care. I am grateful to the national, statewide, and local partners who stand alongside us to ensure patients receive the comprehensive care. I look forward to working alongside our stakeholders as we work towards passing this necessary legislation.”\n\nJudith Watson, RN BSN MPH, HD, CEO of Westchester Community Health Center, stated, “Congressman Latimer came to our health centers, met our staff and patients, and saw firsthand how food insecurity affects our community. Then he did something about it. That is what leadership looks like, and it is truly inspiring. Hunger is a pressing issue that impacts the health of our community, including our patients and many neighbors who are not our patients. You cannot manage diabetes or high blood pressure without access to healthy food. Our partnership with Feeding Westchester has shown what a health center and a food bank can do together. We are grateful to Congressman Latimer and Congresswoman Kelly for introducing the Food Access in Community Health Centers Act, which would help health centers across the country bring nutritious food to their communities.”\n\nKristine Borok, President and CEO of Feeding Westchester, stated, “At Feeding Westchester, we believe food is a fundamental right, and access to nutritious food is fundamental to our health. When people lack reliable access to nutritious food, chronic conditions become harder to manage, preventable health problems escalate, and too often the result is a medical crisis. Food as Medicine addresses this by recognizing that our food and healthcare system cannot operate in isolation. We are grateful to Congressman Latimer, who saw this work firsthand at our Food as Medicine partner sites and responded with the Food Access in Community Health Centers Act. This bill would create a grant program to help community health centers provide food pantry access to their patients, bringing nutritious food to the very places people go for care.”\n\nRose Duhan, President and CEO of the Community Health Care Association of New York State, stated, “Community health centers see every day how food insecurity can affect a patient’s health and make chronic conditions harder to manage. By bringing health centers and local food providers together, the Food Access in Community Health Centers Act would make it easier for patients to access both the care and the resources they need in their communities. Good health starts with having access to the basics, and CHCANYS appreciates Representatives Latimer and Kelly for recognizing the important connection between food access and health.”\n\nJerome Nathaniel, Director of Policy and Government Relations at City Harvest, stated, “Food security and health are directly connected, which is why community health centers and food access organizations should be collaborating more deeply, especially at a moment when rates of food insecurity are staggeringly high. The Food Access in Community Health Centers Act would help bring those systems together, making it easier for organizations like City Harvest to make nutritious food more accessible where people already receive trusted health care and helping address food insecurity as part of supporting healthier communities.”\n\nAnne Kauffman Nolon, MPH, CEO of Sun River Health, stated, “As New York's largest community health center network, we know firsthand that no prescription can make up for an empty refrigerator. The Food Access in Community Health Centers Act would help health centers and food banks provide food right where patients receive care. With federal SNAP cuts taking hold, this model has never mattered more. We are proud to support it and grateful to Congressman Latimer for recognizing that food access is health care.”\n\nLeslie Gordon, President and CEO of Food Bank For NYC, stated, “We applaud Representatives Latimer and Kelly for introducing the Food Access in Community Health Centers Act and are proud to join the bill’s coalition of supporters. By investing in partnerships between community health centers and food banks, this legislation recognizes a simple truth: access to nutritious food is essential to good health. This grant program would help deliver meaningful support to families while strengthening the community infrastructure they already trust and rely on.”\n\nThe Food Access in Community Health Centers Act of 2026:\n\n● Directs the HHS Secretary to establish a grant program to facilitate food access in CHCs.\n\n● Enables emergency feeding operations and CHCs to apply jointly for these grants.\n\n● Eligibility for these grants includes projects that involve creating or expanding a physical space in or adjacent to a CHC (e.g., an on-site food pantry or a mobile distribution vehicle) that assists with providing access to food.\n\n● Specifies the maximum award per partnership as $500,000.\n\n● Requires the HHS Secretary to report on 1) the effectiveness of the program, 2) the impact of the program on the food insecurity of patients of community health centers, and 3) recommendations to improve the program.\n\nThe bill has been endorsed by City Harvest, Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS), Feeding America, Feeding Westchester, Food Bank for NYC, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Sun River Health, and Westchester Community Health Center.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ruiz-introduces-bipartisan-bill-fix-medicare-advantage-payments-puerto", "title": "Ruiz Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Fix Medicare Advantage Payments in Puerto Rico", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "ruiz.house.gov", "scraper": "ruiz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000599", "name": "Raul Ruiz", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25), joined by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL), and Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández (D-PR), introduced the Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act. This bipartisan bill would correct a long-standing formula gap that underpays Medicare Advantage in Puerto Rico.\n\nHow it works\n\nMedicare Advantage plans receive a fixed monthly payment from the federal government for each senior they enroll. Part of that payment is based on the local cost of care, which is measured by the average geographic adjustment (AGA). Puerto Rico's AGA is much lower than it should be. The formula relies on spending in traditional Medicare (fee-for-service), but very few beneficiaries in Puerto Rico use fee-for-service, since most are enrolled in MA. Basing the AGA on such a small population understates what care actually costs on the island, and MA plans receive a lower benchmark payment for each senior as a result.\n\nThis bill would set Puerto Rico's AGA equal to that of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a territory with similar socioeconomic circumstances, so that payments reflect the true cost of delivering care.\n\nThe problem\n\nOver 650,000 Puerto Rico beneficiaries rely on Medicare Advantage, over 90 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries on the island.\n\nPuerto Rico receives about 40 percent less per beneficiary than the U.S. average.\n\nBenchmark rates run roughly 20 percent below those in the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\nThe payment gap has led to smaller provider networks and reduced benefits, and doctors and hospitals absorb lower reimbursements. This threatens the quality and availability of healthcare services in Puerto Rico.\n\n\"As an emergency physician, I know that when care is out of reach, seniors pay the price,\" said Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. \"Puerto Ricans pay into Medicare on the same terms as every American, yet their Medicare Advantage plans are paid about 40 percent less. That gap has shrunk provider networks, cut benefits, and strained doctors and hospitals. This bill is a targeted, common-sense fix. I thank Representatives Bilirakis and Soto and Resident Commissioner Hernández for working with me to give seniors the fair coverage they have earned.\"\n\n\"Seniors deserve reliable access to the high-quality health care they have earned through Medicare, regardless of where they live,\" said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. \"Medicare Advantage plays an important role in delivering care to beneficiaries across Puerto Rico, and we must ensure the program is funded fairly and sustainably so seniors can continue accessing the doctors, treatments, and benefits they rely upon. I'm proud to join Representatives Ruiz and Soto in introducing the bipartisan Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act to address longstanding disparities, strengthen access to care and provide greater stability for patients and providers.\"\n\n“I am proud to join Reps. Bilirakis and Ruiz in introducing the bipartisan Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act to make geographic adjustments to Medicare Advantage benchmarks in Puerto Rico to match those of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This takes us closer to achieving full parity between the Island and the mainland. Puerto Ricans are American citizens, and they deserve access to the same healthcare benefits as all Americans.\" said Congressman Darren Soto.\n\n“We are prioritizing the basics: ensuring that our seniors have access to the doctors and healthcare services they need. This year, we secured a significant increase in Medicare Advantage funding for Puerto Rico. Now, we are taking the next step to fix a longstanding funding disparity that has affected the Island for years,” said Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández.\n\n“This legislation represents an important step toward addressing a longstanding structural challenge in Medicare Advantage payments in Puerto Rico. With approximately 96% of Medicare beneficiaries on the Island choosing Medicare Advantage, the methodology used to establish Puerto Rico’s benchmarks must reflect the reality of the market it serves. We thank Congressman Ruiz, Representatives Bilirakis and Soto, and Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera for coming together on a bipartisan solution that would use the U.S. Virgin Islands as a comparable geographic reference and help strengthen access to care for hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries in Puerto Rico. MMAPA strongly supports this effort and looks forward to continuing to work with Congress and CMS to advance a more stable and sustainable Medicare Advantage program for Puerto Rico”, said Solage De Lahongrais, President of the Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Products Association of Puerto Rico (MMAPA)\n\nThe legislation would create a self-adjusting link: if the U.S. Virgin Islands' adjustment changes, Puerto Rico's would move with it. It is a targeted fix for a formula that has never reflected the true cost of care on the island.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://scholten.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-scholten-announces-her-inaugural-congressional-youth-advisory", "title": "Congresswoman Scholten Announces Her Inaugural Congressional Youth Advisory Council", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://scholten.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "scholten.house.gov", "scraper": "scholten", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001221", "name": "Hillary J. Scholten", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) announced her inaugural Congressional Youth Advisory Council (CYAC) for the 2026-2027 school year. 18 students were chosen from a competitive pool of applicants across West Michigan. The students will serve a one-year term, meeting five times over the course of the school year and advising the office on key issues facing their generation.\n\n“Young people bring an energy and thoughtfulness that shapes our political discourse in ways that can invigorate unique ideas. The policy we create in Washington impact not only their day-to-day lives right now, but also, critically, their future. These young people deserve a say in their representation as well, said Congresswoman Scholten. “This class of students embodies West Michigan through their work ethic, care for community, and commitment to public service.”\n\nThroughout the academic year, members of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council participate in policy-focused sessions where student-led committees work together to identify and examine key issues facing their communities. They will work directly with Congresswoman Scholten and her team to turn their ideas into real, workable recommendations for her to consider. While each meeting focuses heavily on one main committee topic, the group also sets aside time to review other upcoming bills. This setup gives students a genuine chance to weigh in on federal legislation, share their perspectives, and make sure young voices have a direct line to Congress.\n\nMeeting one will be an introductory overview to cover the foundations of the program, set expectations, and get everyone ready for the year ahead.\n\nMeeting two will focus on economic policy, where the economy committee will take the lead, guiding a deep dive into the specific financial and economic issues the students want to focus on.\n\nMeeting three will focus on education policy and the education committee will take the floor to explore different facets of the education system and brainstorm potential solutions.\n\nMeeting four will focus on environmental policy. The environment committee will lead discussions on ecological issues and how federal policy can address them.\n\nMeeting five will be an opportunity for the various committees to present their research and policy proposals. Congresswoman Scholten will take the proposals into consideration and the students will be able to answer questions based on their research.\n\n“I’m honored to be part of Congresswoman Scholten’s inaugural Youth Advisory Council. This opportunity allows students like me to share their perspectives, learn more about public service, and contribute to conversations that affect our schools, communities, and future. I look forward to working with Congresswoman Scholten and other student leaders from across West Michigan to make a positive impact,” said Youth Council Member Patrick Latchana.\n\n“I am deeply excited for this opportunity! It is extremely important to hear the voices of the youth, as they will be the next generation in government. Hillary Scholten’s Youth Advisory Council is a step towards making youth’s voices heard state and nationwide,” said Youth Council Member Emma Palmer.\n\nThis program reflects Congresswoman Scholten’s ongoing commitment to lifting up the next generation of West Michigan leaders and giving young people a seat at the table in the decisions that shape their future. Read more here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-schrier-wa-lawmakers-colleagues-demand-transparency-after-us", "title": "Congresswoman Schrier, WA Lawmakers, Colleagues Demand Transparency After U.S. Forest Service Coordinates with ICE on Public Lands", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "schrier.house.gov", "scraper": "schrier", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001216", "name": "Kim Schrier", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Letter follows Labor Day incident where individuals were arrested in the middle of the night while camping at Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, 4 of 5 are still being held at Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center\n\nPNW records devastating 2026 wildfire season – Members voice concern USFS is misusing taxpayer funds by directing resources outside of USFS scope and mission\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and Representatives Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Jared Huffman (D, CA-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Adriano Espaillat (D, NY-13), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Andrea Salinas (D, OR-06), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), Val Hoyle (D, OR-04), Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10), Suzanne Bonamici (D, OR-01), and Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07) sent a letter to U.S. Forest Chief Tom Schultz demanding transparency regarding immigration enforcement activities on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands.\n\nThis letter comes after a shocking incident over Labor Day Weekend where U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) coordinated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrest five men who were camping with their families in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.\n\nAs of October 1, 2026, four of the five men arrested still remain in detention at the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center.\n\n“As Members of Congress representing the Pacific Northwest and Democratic leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Agriculture Committee, we are concerned that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is misusing taxpayer dollars by neglecting their mission and directing career staff to prioritize immigration enforcement on federal public lands. Particularly during a difficult wildfire season, we want to express our gratitude to the Forest Service for fighting wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and across the country,” wrote the members.\n\nThe U.S. Forest Service has undergone significant funding cuts and reorganizations efforts since the start of Trump’s second term. Since 2025, the USFS has lost nearly 6,000 workers through DOGE cuts and other factors, raising concerns about wildfire preparedness, forest health research, and public land management. Earlier this year, USFS announced consolidation efforts to shutter research and development facilities nationwide. USFS backtracked on their original proposal to close57 out of 77 research labs after public outcry. In September 2026, USFS announced they will be closing 23 labs.\n\nThe 2026 wildfire season is still underway, and Washington state has recorded one of the worst wildfire seasons to date with almost 900,000 acres being burned as of early September.\n\nThe members conclude the letter by demanding answers to the following questions by October 15, 2026:\n\nQuestions for the U.S. Forest Service:\n\nWhich agency first identified those arrested as targets for investigation, when were they identified, and what information about the targets was used to justify the raid?\n\nCan you confirm that the law enforcement officers that first approached the families were employees of the USFS?\n\nTo what extent did USFS participate in the raid, and under what authority? Please provide any agreement or memorandum that governs cooperation between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS.\n\nPlease provide any agreement or memorandum between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS that governs the collection and sharing of visitors' identification and reservation data with DHS or ICE.\n\nWhat other immigration raids has the U.S. Forest Service participated in since January 21, 2025?\n\nWhat appropriations account(s) has the USFS used to fund its participation in immigration enforcement operations since January 21, 2025, and how much funding has been obligated or expended for this purpose?\n\nHas any USFS law enforcement personnel time, budget, or resources been reallocated from other law enforcement priorities (e.g., resource protection, search and rescue, wildfire-adjacent enforcement) to support immigration enforcement operations? If so, how much of this reallocation has been disclosed to Congress since these funds were appropriated for land management and resource protection purposes rather than immigration enforcement?\n\nGiven limited agency resources, why is it a priority of the USFS to use employees in the targeting of families on public land?\n\nThe full text of the letter is available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/icymi-rep-steubes-op-ed-highlights-president-trumps-historic-greenland-security-deal/", "title": "ICYMI: Rep. Steube’s Op-Ed Highlights President Trump’s Historic Greenland Security Deal", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "domain": "steube.house.gov", "scraper": "steube", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001214", "name": "W. Gregory Steube", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON—U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) penned an opinion piece in the Washington Times highlighting President Trump’s historic security agreement on Greenland and the importance of strengthening America’s position in the Arctic as Russia and China seek to expand their influence in the region. Read the opinion piece below and in the Washington Times.\n\nTrump’s Arctic Plan Pays Off: A Security Win in Greenland\n\nBy Rep. Greg Steube\n\nThis past week, President Trump again proved that he is the dealmaker-in-chief by securing a new security deal for Greenland. When the President first raised his desire to renegotiate U.S. access to basing, overflight, and other security parameters for the world’s largest island, those who disagreed accused him of wanting to invade NATO territory. Once again, the President’s style of negotiating has proven the critics wrong and has advanced American security interests.\n\nThe Arctic region is strategically critical to U.S. national security. It is no secret that our adversaries are expanding their missions in the great north while the U.S. has focused attention on other areas of the world. The Arctic is the last truly unconquered frontier, one that has been in a state of geopolitical stalemate for centuries. In recent years, however, Russia has begun a significant build-up in the region, with reports estimating that the Federation operates several times the number of permanent bases the U.S. maintains there. China has also sought to establish a robust foothold in the Arctic. In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated his intention to make China a “polar great power.”\n\nGreenland is an epicenter of great power competition for several key reasons, including potential new shipping lanes around the island and space domain awareness afforded by both the latitude and lack of light pollution. The U.S. already has a presence on Greenland with Pituffik Space Base, which maintains critical capabilities such as early-warning systems for ICBMs and plays a large role in transatlantic air traffic, hosting thousands of flights each year. Beyond its\n\nlocation, the island also holds vast supplies of the critical minerals needed for the economy of today and tomorrow. According to some reports, Greenland holds over thirty-five of the fifty minerals our government deems critical.\n\nThe final agreement signed on Tuesday, September 22, will establish new architecture that will allow for greater U.S. basing access and will bar non-NATO nations from establishing their own bases or making investments on the island that threaten our security. The agreement is also being hailed by all the leaders involved, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “historic agreement [that] permanently guarantees U.S. security interests in the Arctic at zero cost to the U.S. taxpayer,” and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen saying the deal “strengthens our common security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic Area.”\n\nAgainst the odds and over the loud objections of the Beltway class, President Trump has proven once again that America can secure deals that put Americans first and provide for global security. As he has long said and proven, the two are not separate and should not be treated as such. This agreement is a testament to the strength of our alliances and partnerships, and it will provide for the common defense for decades to come.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/subramanyam-walkinshaw-morelle-and-virginia-democrats-fight-trump", "title": "Subramanyam, Walkinshaw, Morelle and Virginia Democrats Fight Trump Administration’s Attacks on Voting, Pledge to Protect Every Vote", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "subramanyam.house.gov", "scraper": "subramanyam", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001230", "name": "Suhas Subramanyam", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FAIRFAX, VA — Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), House Administration Committee Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25), and members of Virginia’s Democratic congressional delegation held a public shadow hearing Thursday in Fairfax to confront the Trump Administration’s attacks on voting and detail efforts to defend every eligible American’s right to cast a ballot and have it counted.\n\nPanelists outlined litigation, voter education and safeguards countering interference, intimidation, and misinformation.\n\nThe hearing examined the Administration’s attempted overhaul of mail-ballot processing, federal demands for sensitive voter information and concerns about armed immigration agents at polling places. The experts explained how litigation blocked the mail-voting rule and detailed ongoing efforts to protect voter privacy and prevent intimidation.\n\nIn his remarks and responses to lawmakers, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay outlined safeguards against duplicate voting, secured ballot drop boxes and the county’s use of paper ballots and scanners without internet connectivity. The discussion emphasized that protecting election integrity and ensuring access to the ballot go hand in hand.\n\n“This Administration has threatened to cheat and exhaust every option to diminish our free and fair elections. In these unprecedented times, I am proud to stand together with my colleagues and voting rights organizations to protect the voices of all Americans. We will ensure every vote, regardless of party, gets counted this November. We will not be intimidated,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam.\n\n“Where the Trump Administration is sowing fear and confusion, we’re providing facts and defending the right to vote. We came together in Fairfax to make clear that every eligible American, no matter who they support, can cast a ballot with confidence,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “I’m grateful to Ranking Member Morelle for joining us and proud to stand alongside my Virginia colleagues and the voting rights leaders doing this work every day. We will keep fighting to protect every vote and ensure the American people decide who represents them.”\n\n\"In this moment, there is nothing more urgent than protecting American democracy,” said Ranking Member Morelle. “The election is here and we are protecting Americans’ right to the ballot box. Every time the Trump Administration has tried to interfere with the integrity of the midterm elections, they have lost. Over the next month, we need to remain clear-eyed about the threats we continue to face. We will fight to protect American elections. Failure, quite simply, is not an option.”\n\n\"Over the last two years, the Trump Administration and the Supreme Court have levied various attacks against the right to vote,\" said Congressman Bobby Scott, Ranking Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. \"Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans have been unwilling to take a stand against these actions. Democrats are fighting to defend everyone's right to participate in our elections, and this hearing demonstrates the urgency of this fight.\"\n\n“My own family struggled, fought, bled and in some cases died for the right to vote,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “We have seen repeated efforts by the Administration to undermine the electoral process and the constitutionally protected right of millions to vote. Election integrity means protecting our election systems from foreign interference and unlawful voting, but it also means protecting every citizen’s right to vote, free of intimidation, free from discrimination. We cannot have an America that goes back to the days when propaganda, violence and voter suppression were used to keep all of the people from participating in their government.”\n\n“Every eligible voter should be able to cast their ballot without fear, intimidation, or unnecessary barriers,” said Congressman Vindman. “Our democracy works when voters know their voices will be heard and their votes will be counted. I’m proud to stand with my Virginia colleagues, local election officials, and voting rights advocates to protect access to the ballot, safeguard voter privacy, and ensure every eligible Virginian can make their voice heard.”\n\nThe panel included Chairman McKay; Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward; Omar Noureldin, Senior Vice President for Policy and Litigation Strategy at Common Cause; Rev. Dr. Cozy Bailey, President of the Virginia State Conference NAACP; and Jessica Jones Capparell, Director of Government Affairs at the League of Women Voters of the United States.\n\nThe experts urged voters to check their registration, make a plan to vote and consult trusted election officials.\n\nView photo gallery here.\n\nWatch the full hearing: C-SPAN.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://suozzi.house.gov/media/press-releases/hometown-heroes-suozzi-honors-local-police-officers-7th-hometown-heroes", "title": "“Hometown Heroes!” Suozzi Honors Local Police Officers at 7th Hometown Heroes Ceremony", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://suozzi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "suozzi.house.gov", "scraper": "suozzi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001201", "name": "Thomas R. Suozzi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Glen Cove, NY – Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) today hosted his seventh “Hometown Heroes” ceremony, continuing a tradition he began to recognize, honor, and thank local law enforcement officers who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and heroism in the line of duty. At this year’s ceremony, held outside the Glen Cove Police Department, Suozzi honored nine officers across five police departments. He recognized five of the officers for protecting victims and apprehending their violent offenders, one for saving a life by de-escalating a mental health crisis, one for saving a child’s life, one for his vigilance and professionalism in removing an illegal firearm, and one for dedicating 20 years to the force, including 15 years handling domestic violence cases.\n\nThe nine recognized officers were from the Nassau County Police Department, Glen Cove Police Department, Brookville Police Department, and three precincts of the New York City Police Department: the 105th, 109th, 111th. Suozzi shared the stories of the officers’ heroic actions and the lives they helped save while serving their communities.\n\n“I have made it a tradition to hold these Hometown Heroes ceremonies because the men and women who protect our communities every day deserve our support and our thanks,” said Suozzi. “Police officers have one of the toughest jobs there is. They run toward danger when the rest of us are running away, and too often the extraordinary things they do every day go unnoticed.”\n\n“These Hometown Heroes represent the very best of law enforcement. Their courage, quick thinking, and willingness to put themselves at risk to help others saved lives. I am proud that this is now the seventh time we have come together to recognize these remarkable officers and, most importantly, to say: thank you for keeping us safe.”\n\nSuozzi began his Hometown Heroes tradition to shine a spotlight on the often-unheralded acts of courage performed by local law enforcement officers and to underscore his longstanding support for the men and women who serve in local police departments. This year’s event marks the seventh Hometown Heroes ceremony Suozzi has hosted.\n\nThis year’s honorees include officers from the Nassau County Police Department 6th Precinct, Glen Cove Police Department, Brookville Police Department, and three precincts of the New York City Police Department: the 105th, 109th, 111th.\n\nSuozzi presented each officer with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol and a Congressional citation recognizing their service and heroism.\n\nThe following officers were honored by Suozzi at this year’s ceremony:\n\nPolice Officers Terrell Carter-Ballier and Matthew Russo\n\nSixth Precinct\n\nNassau County\n\nOn April 25, 2026, the Sixth Precinct received a call from a woman screaming for help on an open line and a man yelling, “Shut up or I will keep choking you” and “I will kill both of us.” Upon arriving on the scene, Officer Russo heard screams coming from inside the locked house and kicked open the front door. He and Officer Carter-Ballier rescued the victim as she ran up the stairs away from the subject, her estranged husband. She told the officers that he was carrying a rope and a metal baton. The officers found him in the basement holding a lawn stake with 6-inch-long prongs to his chest, which he refused to drop. Both officers initially drew their firearms due to the confined space and the unstable subject who could have charged them with the stake, and tried for several minutes to deescalate the situation by working to get him to drop the stake. Both officers then put away their weapons, despite the precarious situation, in an attempt to gain compliance with the subject.\n\nOfficer Russo continued speaking to the subject while Officer Carter-Ballier drew his taser. The subject threatened to take his life and tried to hide in a closet that was partially open. He continued to disobey commands and began stabbing himself in the stomach. At the appropriate time, Officer Carter-Ballier deployed his taser, causing the subject to fall backwards away from the object.\n\nOfficers Russo and Carter-Ballier were able to make entry into the room, secure the lawn stake, and take the subject into custody after a struggle. Their apprehended the subject without major injury and potentially saved the victim’s life.\n\nPolice Officers Sara Palagonia, Nicholas Zanfardino, and Jonathan Pesce\n\n105th Precinct\n\nNew York Police Department\n\nOn Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Officers Palagonia, Zanfardino and Pesce were conducting daily patrols in the 105th. They responded to a 9-1-1 call of an assault with a knife. Upon arrival, the officers discovered the victim inside, bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds all over his body. Officer Pesce immediately assessed the victim’s condition and rendered first aid by applying direct pressure to the wounds and applying a chest seal. He monitored the victim’s responsiveness until EMS arrived. Due to the officer’s quick actions and effective control of the bleeding, the victim was stabilized enough for transport, which was instrumental in saving his life.\n\nOfficers Palagonia and Zanfardino did a thorough canvas and were able to successfully apprehend a male suspect at the corner of 115th Road and 229th Street. The suspect was in possession of a large kitchen knife with blood on the blade. The perpetrator was identified and arrested.\n\nOfficers Palagonia, Zanfardino and Pesce are being recognized for their quick response, teamwork, and actions that contributed both to saving the victim’s life and apprehending the individual responsible.\n\nPolice Officer Liang Lin\n\n109th Precinct\n\nNew York Police Department\n\nOn April 11, 2026 at approximately 5:30 pm, NYPD responded to a report of a woman threatening to jump off of a building. Upon arrival, Officer Lin went up to the roof of the building. The woman was on the ledge. Without hesitation, Officer Lin took swift and decisive action, safely pulling her off the ledge. He then secured the woman and made sure she was placed in custody so she could get the care she needed.\n\nOfficer Lin is being recognized for his decisive action, saving a life and preventing a potential tragedy.\n\nDetective Stephanie Tringali\n\n111th Precinct\n\nNew York Police Department\n\nDetective Stephanie Tringali is being honored today for 20 years of dedicated service in the New York Police Department. Being in law enforcement is no ordinary career: it requires thousands of shifts, countless sacrifices, missed birthdays, birthdays, endless paperwork, and an unwavering commitment to keeping the peace.\n\nDetective Tringali started her career in the 115th Precinct. After about a year, she was assigned to the 111th Precinct, and for the past 15 years, has proudly worked in the Domestic Violence Unit, a position that not many could handle.\n\nDomestic violence investigations are some of the most complex, emotionally exhausting, and critical calls handled by a police department. It takes a unique kind of person to step into the center of someone else's darkest moments day after day. Officers in the Domestic Violence Unit don't just see the aftermath of a crime; they see people at the absolute lowest, most vulnerable moments of their lives. It takes a heavy toll for everyone involved. It requires a rare combination of an iron stomach and a massive heart.\n\nFor the last decade and a half, Detective Tringali has been the voice for those who felt silenced. She has developed strong cases, brought offenders to justice and literally saved lives. Detective Tringali has been the shield for people who didn't think anyone was left to fight for them. She has guided survivors from fear to a place of safety, dignity, and hope. She is an irreplaceable asset to the 111th Precinct.\n\nDetective Vasilios “Billy” Rabie\n\nBrookville Police Department\n\nOn March 14, while on routine patrol, Detective Vasilios Rabie observed a white 2023 Dodge Charger traveling northbound on Route 107 at a speed well above the posted limit and operating in an unsafe manner. After initiating a traffic stop, Detective Rabie encountered the driver, who was unable to produce a valid driver’s license.\n\nDuring the course of the investigation, the officer observed what appeared to be a black Glock-style handgun inside the vehicle’s glove compartment. The car’s operator was immiediately directed away from the weapon and safely detained. The firearm was later determined to be an imitation BB pistol designed to closesly resemble a real handgun.\n\nContinuing the investigation and subsequent inventory search of the vehicle, the officer recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver along with additional ammunition concealed inside.\n\nThrough careful observation, sound judgement and adherence to officer safety tactics, this incident was resolved without injury and resulted in the recovery of an illegally possessed loaded firearm. Detective Rabie and the Brookville Police Department are being recognized for the detective’s professionalism, vigilance and commitment to public safety.\n\nSergeant Peter Michaleas\n\nGlen Cove Police Department\n\nOn June 24, 2026, police responded to a 9-1-1 call from two 12-year-old boys reporting that their friend had severely cut his arm on a glass door. Sergeant Peter Michaleas was the first officer to arrive and immediately took command of a tense scene.\n\nWhile playing, the child had accidently thrust his arm through a glass windowpane, severing a major artery. Recognizing the severe blood loss and impending shock, Sgt. Michaeleas maintained complete composure, reassuring the terrified youth that help was here and their friend would be okay. Taking decisive, life-saving actions, Stg. Michaleas applied a tourniquet to halt the arterial bleeding and stabilized the child. He then coordinated aviation support to medevac the boy to the nearest trauma center for emergency treatment.\n\nSgt. Michaleas’ leadership, calm demeanor under pressure, and immediate medical intervention directly saved the life of a child.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressional-4-h-caucus-leaders-introduce-national-4-h-week-1", "title": "Congressional 4-H Caucus Leaders Introduce National 4-H Week Resolution", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "thompson.house.gov", "scraper": "thompson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000467", "name": "Glenn Thompson", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Andy Harris (R-Md.), and Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-Ga.), co-chairs of the bipartisan 4-H Caucus, introduced a resolution today to designate the week of October 4 through October 10 as \"National 4-H Week.”\n\nAs the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System of Land-Grant Universities, 4-H engages young people in hands-on projects in the critical areas of agriculture, health, science, and civic leadership. 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the country, with six million current members and 35 million alumni.\n\n“The work ethic and curiosity of each 4-H member I’ve met over the years is one of the reasons I feel so confident in the future of our country's agriculture industry. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution to recognize the important work of 4-H members across the country, and encourage others to get involved as well,” Rep. Thompson said.\n\n“The work that 4-H does to develop our youth into the next generation of leaders in agriculture and beyond is more important than ever. American agriculture has come under great pressure, and fostering a love of agriculture in young people is crucial for America’s future. I am proud to celebrate 4-H today and stand with them as they work to empower America’s youth,” Rep. Craig said.\n\n“4-H gives young people in Maryland and across our nation the chance to experience agriculture firsthand. Representing farming communities across Maryland’s First District, I understand the hard work that farming requires and why it matters for young people to learn about agriculture and the work behind it. I’m proud to recognize National 4-H Week and the millions of young Americans who participate in 4-H,” Rep. Harris said.\n\n“Georgia is proud to be an early home for 4‑H, starting in 1904, with programs reaching every county in our state and preparing young people to lead in agriculture, science, and civic life. I’ve had the pleasure to meet with National 4‑H Council President & CEO Jill Bramble to discuss how 4‑H continues to strengthen youth leadership nationwide. As an Eagle Scout, I know how essential positive role models and supportive environments are for young people, and 4‑H delivers that every day. As Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, I remain committed to investing in programs that uplift rural communities and build a stronger future for Georgia and our nation,” Rep. Bishop said.\n\n“We are grateful for the bipartisan support of the Congressional 4-H Caucus and its recognition of the millions of young people who are building the skills and confidence to be ready for work and life. For nearly 125 years, 4-H and Cooperative Extension have helped young people discover what they’re capable of, explore career skills and opportunities, and become Beyond Ready for what comes next,” National 4-H Council President and CEO Jill Bramble said.\n\nRead the full resolution here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-norma-torres-secures-25-million-for-state-route_71-gap-closure-project-in-pomona", "title": "Rep. Norma Torres Secures $25 Million For State Route -71 Gap Closure Project in Pomona", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "torres.house.gov", "scraper": "torres", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000474", "name": "Norma J. Torres", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Torres previously urged the Department of Transportation to support the project, which will reduce congestion, improve safety, and strengthen a critical freight corridor\n\nWashington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees all federal transportation funding, announced that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) will receive $25 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for Phase 2 of the State Route 71 (SR-71) Gap Closure Project in Pomona.\n\nThe funding, awarded through the DOT’s Fiscal Year 2026 Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects (INFRA) Grant Program, will help upgrade the existing four-lane expressway between Interstate 10 (I-10) and Mission Boulevard into an eight-lane freeway. The project will add one high-occupancy vehicle lane and one mixed-flow lane in each direction, construct auxiliary lanes, replace aging railroad bridges, install soundwalls, and construct an ADA-compliant pedestrian overcrossing at 9th Street.\n\nCongresswoman Torres previously wrote to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in support of LA Metro’s application, emphasizing the project’s importance to commuters, public safety, the regional economy, and the movement of goods throughout Southern California.\n\n“Anyone who drives the 71 knows how badly these improvements are needed,” said Congresswoman Torres. “I urged the Department of Transportation to support this project because families in Pomona and across the Inland Empire deserve safer roads, shorter commutes, and infrastructure that can keep up with our growing region. This $25 million investment will help eliminate a major bottleneck, improve the movement of goods, and strengthen a corridor that our communities and economy depend on every day. I am thrilled to see federal dollars coming home to move this critical project forward.”\n\n“Metro is pleased to be receiving a $25 million INFRA grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the State Route 71 Gap Closure Project,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “We are grateful for the remarkably strong support for this project from Congresswoman Norma Torres, a senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. This Measure M voter-approved project will significantly reduce congestion and travel times, improve safety and connectivity – all while enhancing the movements of goods and people across our region. I welcome this infusion of federal funding that will help complete this project and express my appreciation to the local, state, and federal stakeholders whose collaboration are making this project a reality.”\n\nThe SR-71 corridor connects communities across Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties and serves as an important route for commuters and freight movement. Phase 2 will address approximately two miles between I-10 and Mission Boulevard and help create consistent improvements along SR-71 from SR-91 to I-10.\n\nThe INFRA program provides competitive federal funding for highway and freight projects of national and regional significance that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of moving people and goods.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-carter-matsui-introduce-988-crisis-workforce-response-act-suicide", "title": "Reps. Carter, Matsui Introduce the 988 Crisis Workforce Response Act for Suicide Prevention Month", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "troycarter.house.gov", "scraper": "troycarter", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001125", "name": "Troy A. Carter", "party": "Democrat", "state": "LA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA) and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the 988 Crisis Workforce Response Act. This legislation builds on existing behavioral health workforce training programs at the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to include trained crisis professionals, improving recruitment and retention efforts for these critical members of the behavioral health care team.\n\n“America is not only experiencing a mental health crisis – but a severe mental health workforce shortage,” said Congressman Carter. “Every year, millions of Americans rely on the 988 Crisis Line to connect them to care, to specialists, and to hope. But without a properly trained and substantial workforce, individuals with mental health needs aren’t getting the care they deserve. This commonsense legislation will ensure that our behavioral health professionals have the support and resources necessary to continue providing care to those who need it.”\n\n“When someone calls 988, they are often reaching out on one of the hardest days of their life. We need to make sure there is a trained professional ready to answer that call and help them through what comes next,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “I’m proud to partner with Congressman Carter on this impactful legislative effort to build the behavioral health workforce communities need and turn 988 from a number people can call into a system that can truly respond when someone is in crisis.”\n\nBackground\n\nNationwide, 137 million Americans live in a Mental Health Professional Service Area, and many states specifically report they have a shortage of crisis care providers. Without dedicated recruitment and retention programs, we will continue to fall short of the workforce needs for a robust crisis care continuum.\n\nThe 988 Crisis Response Workforce Act builds on existing behavioral health workforce training programs at the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to include trained crisis professionals, improving recruitment and retention efforts for these critical members of the behavioral health care team.\n\nSpecifically, this bill:\n\nDirects the Secretary to collect data on the availability and shortage of crisis response professionals and facilities.\n\nCreates a $10 million pilot program to train professionals who provide crisis management services, including those delivered at crisis call centers, as part of a mobile crisis response team, or through a crisis receiving and stabilization program, as part of the Minority Fellowship Program,\n\nAuthorizes $10 million to add crisis workforce training programs as part of the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program.\n\nThe 988 Crisis Workforce Response Act was included in a larger 988 package – the 988 Implementation Act, which was introduced earlier this month. The 988 Implementation Act is cosponsored by Congressmembers Doris Matsui (CA-07), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Troy Carter (LA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Don Beyer (VA-08), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Becca Balint (VT-AL), and Kim Schrier (WA-08). The comprehensive legislative package will provide states with federal resources to build the crisis response infrastructure behind the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.\n\nRead the full bill text here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2105", "title": "Congressman Van Drew Secures $500,000 for HERO Campaign Expansion", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vandrew.house.gov", "scraper": "vandrew", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000133", "name": "Jefferson Van Drew", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew announced that he secured $500,000 in federal funding for the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign to expand its Police Patrol Car program beyond New Jersey. The funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Justice, will help the HERO Campaign wrap police vehicles across the country with its signature designated driver message: Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.® The grant is expected to support approximately 125 additional police cruisers.\n\nThe HERO Campaign was founded in memory of Navy Ensign John Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2000 shortly after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. Since then, the campaign has worked with law enforcement, schools, colleges, businesses, and highway safety agencies to promote the use of safe and sober designated drivers.\n\n\"The Elliott family has done incredible work for a very long time, and this funding will help them take that work even further,\" said Congressman Van Drew. \"Every one of these police cars is another reminder to people not get behind the wheel after drinking. If that reminder stops even one person from making that decision, that is a life potentially saved. I am very proud we were able to secure this funding for them.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://vanduyne.house.gov/2026/10/van-duyne-introduces-h-1b-visa-fraud-crackdown-act-raising-penalties-for-abuse-in-the-h-1b-visa-program", "title": "Van Duyne Introduces H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act Raising Penalties for Abuse in the H-1B Visa Program", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vanduyne.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "vanduyne.house.gov", "scraper": "vanduyne", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000134", "name": "Beth Van Duyne", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24) introduced H.R. 10643, the H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act, to increase penalties for willful H-1B violations, extend minimum sponsorship bans, and strengthen fines for immigration document fraud.\n\n“When a business can lie to the government and push American workers aside for cheaper labor, and the worst it faces is a $5,000 fine, many view that as the cost of doing business,” said Rep. Van Duyne. “The H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act changes the penalties. American jobs should go to American workers, and fraudsters should face real accountability for their actions.”\n\nEarlier this year, Rep. Van Duyne led a request with fellow North Texas Members of Congress, Reps. Pat Fallon (R-TX-04), Ronny Jackson (R-TX-13), and Brandon Gill (R-TX-26) to Vice President Vance, Secretary Rubio, then Acting-Secretary Sonderling, and Secretary Mullin urging the Trump Administration to investigate H-1B fraud in North Texas.\n\nAs Vice President Vance recently said, Congress needs to act to fix the H-1B visa program. The H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act does that by raising penalties so violators face real consequences.\n\nSince the request, Rep. Van Duyne has met with administration officials on what can be done:\n\nReceived confirmation from Secretary Mullin that as of June 2026 nearly 60% of H-1B fraud investigations of employers nationwide are concentrated in the North Texas region.\n\nIn August, Labor Department Inspector General D’Esposito visited North Texas and found nearly 500 instances of likely H-1B visa fraud in one building alone. At the addresses he visited where an H-1B application had been approved, no one answered the door.\n\n“I’m thankful for the Administration’s quick response,” said Rep. Van Duyne. “American workers should not lose opportunities because an employer is willing to break the law to get cheaper labor. If a business decides it makes more economic sense to break the law and kick American workers to the curb, they should feel major pain for undercutting our economy and our hardworking employees.”\n\nSummary and Key Provisions:\n\nThe H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act increases civil penalties for willful, serious H-1B violations, extends minimum sponsorship bans, and strengthens monetary fines for immigration document fraud. The bill gives federal enforcement agencies stronger tools to hold violators accountable, with the highest H-1B penalties reserved for violations involving displacement of U.S. workers.\n\nHigher penalties for “willful violations”\n\nRaises the maximum civil penalty from $5,000 to $100,000 for covered willful H-1B violations, such as lying about the job being performed or underpaying a worker.\n\nStronger consequences for worker displacement\n\nRaises the maximum civil penalty from $35,000 to $250,000 for violations involving the willful displacement of U.S. workers.\n\nLonger sponsorship bans\n\nIncreases the minimum ban of H-1B sponsorship from two to five years for a serious, willful violation, and from three to ten years for violations additionally involving worker displacement.\n\nTougher immigration document fraud provisions\n\nRaises civil penalties to a minimum of $1000 and a maximum of $10,000 per document, and from a minimum of $20,000 to a maximum of $50,000 per document for violations after a prior order. These penalties apply to covered immigration document fraud, including H-1B cases.\n\nThe H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act is co-sponsored by: U.S. Representatives Brian Babin (R-TX-36), Pat Fallon (R-TX-04), Brandon Gill (R-TX-26), Keith Self (R-TX-03), and Pete Sessions (R-TX-17).\n\nEXCLUSIVE: The Blaze first reported on this story. Read it HERE.\n\nClick HERE to read the bill text.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://vanepps.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-van-epps-announces-mobile-office-hours-for-october-and-november", "title": "Rep. Van Epps Announces Mobile Office Hours for October and November", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vanepps.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vanepps.house.gov", "scraper": "vanepps", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000139", "name": "Matt Van Epps", "party": "Republican", "state": "TN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Franklin, TN – Rep. Van Epps’ district team will hold mobile office hours in communities across Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District throughout October and November. If you need assistance with a federal agency, our team will be available to help start a casework request and connect you with the appropriate federal resources.\n\nWhile Congressman Van Epps maintains district offices in Clarksville and Franklin, our team is committed to making constituent services accessible across the entire district. Through mobile office hours, staff members are able to meet Tennesseans closer to where they live and work, ensuring residents across TN-07 have direct access to assistance from their congressional office.\n\nIf you need help with a federal agency but are unable to attend one of the mobile office hour events listed below, please contact our office at (629) 223-6050 or visit our website here.\n\nPlease come prepared to fill out a privacy release form, also found on the website here!\n\nThough Rep. Van Epps will not be at these mobile office hours, a member of his team will be!\n\nYou can listen to a message from Rep. Van Epps here.\n\nOctober\n\nCheatham County\n\nDate: October 6, 2026\n\nTime: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM\n\nLocation: Pleasant View City Hall, 1008 Civic Ct, Pleasant View, TN 37146\n\nRobertson County\n\nDate: October 6, 2026\n\nTime: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM\n\nLocation: Coopertown City Hall, 5153 Burgess Gower Rd., Coopertown, TN 37172\n\nDickson County\n\nDate: October 19, 2026\n\nTime: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM\n\nLocation: White Bluff City Hall, 52 Graham St, White Bluff, TN 37187\n\nHickman County\n\nDate: October 20, 2026\n\nTime: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM\n\nLocation: Hickman County Mayor’s Office, 114 N Central Avenue Suite 204, Centerville, TN 37033\n\nPerry County\n\nDate: October 21, 2026\n\nTime: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM\n\nLocation: Perry County Community Center, 113 Factory St, Linden, TN 37096\n\nWayne County\n\nDate: October 28, 2026\n\nTime: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM\n\nLocation: Tennessee College of Applied Technology, 795 Main Street, Clifton, TN 38425\n\nNovember\n\nBenton County\n\nDate: November 5, 2026\n\nTime: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM\n\nLocation: Meeting Room, Camden City Hall, 110 Hwy 641 S, Camden, TN 38320\n\nHouston County\n\nDate: November 5, 2026\n\nTime: 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM\n\nLocation: Erin City Hall, 15 Hill Street, Erin, TN 37061\n\nStewart County\n\nDate: November 6, 2026\n\nTime: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM\n\nLocation: Dover City Hall, Courtrooms, 625 Donelson, Dover, TN 37058\n\nDavidson County", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-gabe-vasquez-sends-letter-faa-demanding-reversal-decommissioning-critical", "title": "Rep. Gabe Vasquez Sends Letter to FAA Demanding Reversal of Decommissioning of Critical Air Safety Technology", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vasquez.house.gov", "scraper": "vasquez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000136", "name": "Gabe Vasquez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) partnered with Rep. Stansbury and Rep. Leger Fernández to urge the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to not decommission critical air safety technology used by the Double Eagle Airport II (DEII) in Albuquerque. The FAA recently initiated a study to decommission the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Double Eagle Airport without providing answers regarding the recent airspace closure and plane crash incidents in and around New Mexico airspace. Pilots in New Mexico use both ILS and GPS to land due to the unique challenges posed by flying commercial aircraft near military bases.\n\n“We respectfully urge the FAA to maintain use of this critical technology given the unique demands of New Mexico that require aviation redundancy to maintain public safety and to provide our office with a briefing on airspace safety,” wrote the members. “In light of this change, the recent crash outside Ruidoso and other recent aviation incidents involving navigation technology issues, more information is needed before moving forward.”\n\nThe FAA recently began a study to determine whether ILS technology should be decommissioned at the DEII, which conducts tens of thousands of flights annually. ILS is a ground based guidance system for aircrafts typically used when pilots are unable to find the runway. It complements modern GPS-enabled navigation that only provides lateral guidance to the runway. While GPS-enabled navigation works in most conditions, New Mexico has its own set of unique airspace challenges due to nearby military bases that force a need for both ILS and GPS.\n\n“The FAA has still not provided sufficient answers regarding the recent airspace closure in El Paso and plane crash in Ruidoso – and has still not shown that it is improving coordination with other agencies or ensuring that my constituents’ are safe,” said Vasquez. “In light of their recent failures, the public must have a lot more information before the FAA orders decommissioning any navigation safety tools or resources for our pilots.”\n\n“DEII plays a critical role in our region’s aviation system as a reliever airport for the Sunport and an important facility for flight training and public safety operations. Maintaining ILS capability is essential to ensuring the airport can continue to serve these functions safely and effectively, particularly when reliable navigation is needed most,” said Manny Manriquez, Director of Aviation, City of Albuquerque.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\nRep. Vasquez continues to lead Congressional oversight efforts following multiple aviation incidents affecting southern New Mexico, including:\n\nDemanding answers from the Department of Defense and Department of Transportation on their coordination with each other to keep our skies safe.\n\nSecuring an NTSB briefing on July 14 after demanding greater transparency and answers about the deadly Ruidoso plane crash.\n\nPressing the FAA and Department of Defense for accountability following the February closure of El Paso airspace.\n\nSuccessfully secured passage of an amendment to the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act requiring the Department of Defense to improve coordination with the FAA before testing military technologies that could impact civilian aviation.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://vindman.house.gov/2026/10/05/vindman-subramanyam-warren-warn-utility-merger-may-increase-prices-urge-federal-regulator-to-scrutinize-deal/", "title": "Vindman, Subramanyam, Warren Warn Utility Merger May Increase Prices, Urge Federal Regulator to Scrutinize Deal", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "vindman.house.gov", "scraper": "vindman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000138", "name": "Eugene Simon Vindman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) joined Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.-10) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in a letter warning the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) about the potential consequences of the proposed merger between NextEra Energy, Inc. (“NextEra”) and Dominion Energy (“Dominion”), and urged the regulator to closely examine the deal and block it if it would increase consumers’ energy costs or otherwise fail to meet public interest requirements.\n\nOn May 18, 2026, NextEra announced a $66.8 billion deal to merge with Dominion. The proposed deal would eliminate a competitor in the energy generation market and create the largest regulated electric utility in the world. It would be the fourth largest merger of all time and would create a company worth $420 billion.\n\nA NextEra-Dominion entity would serve about 10 million homes and businesses across Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, but the effects of the merger — including higher electricity rates — could extend even further. Residential electricity prices have risen 15 percent since January 2025, and families are projected to spend an average of $110 more on electricity bills in 2026 than they did last year.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.\n\n“The merger would give the combined company control over approximately a quarter of the electricity in the New England region, leading to considerable negotiating leverage over states and the ability to demand abusive terms at the expense of households,” wrote the lawmakers. “This megamerger may consolidate competitive power markets and raise electricity rates even more for American families.”\n\nUnder the Federal Power Act, FERC shall approve a merger of public utilities only if the applicants demonstrate that the merger is in the public interest and does not pose a risk of harmful cross-subsidization, and may block a merger that is not “consistent with the public interest.”\n\n“Our fundamental concern is that this new entity will be both a gigantic power generator and a gigantic power-providing utility,” wrote the lawmakers. “We urge you to closely scrutinize this merger and block it if the Commission determines it would increase market concentration or have an adverse effect on costs for consumers—or if the acquisition is otherwise not in the public interest.”\n\nThe lawmakers are concerned that a NextEra-Dominion merger would create an even larger vertically integrated electricity utility and electricity generator that will squash competition and raise prices. Previous utility mergers have coincided with increases in household electricity costs. Additionally, a merger increasing the market share of already vertically integrated utility companies could make it even easier for the combined entity to engage in improper “cross-subsidization,” a practice by which corporations unfairly shift onto consumers the cost of transactions between utility companies and affiliate companies, which researchers say forces households to pay higher electricity rates.\n\n“The consequences of failing to address utility merger harms, including by imposing insufficient mitigation measures, are not theoretical: when FERC allows utility companies to gain enough power to stamp out competition in an entire region, higher prices have followed,” wrote the lawmakers.\n\nThe lawmakers also warned that large utility companies that are intertwined with generating entities have strong incentives to oppose building transmission connections to bring in cheaper power from other regions, a problem that could get worse with the creation of a giant like NextEra-Dominion. New England states have accused NextEra of using its existing power to obstruct new transmission infrastructure projects.\n\n“We therefore urge FERC to closely examine whether this deal may decrease competition or cause electricity rates for households to climb even higher; to remain skeptical of mitigation conditions that have historically failed to blunt the negative impacts of large utility merges; and to deny the application unless the applicants demonstrate that the transaction will have no adverse effect, now or in the future, on competition, rates, or regulation and will not result in impermissible cross-subsidization or the pledge or encumbrance of utility assets,” concluded the lawmakers. “If the present record is insufficient to make those findings, the Commission should deny the application.”\n\nSenators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Representatives Chris Deluzio (Pa.-17), Maggie Goodlander (N.H.-2), Raja Krishnamoorthi (Ill.-08), and Seth Magaziner (R.I.-02) also signed the letter.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nIn August, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) was the first member of the Virginia delegation to speak out against the proposed merger. He sent a letter to members of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) urging them to reject the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra energy. In the letter, Vindman warned that the deal would put Wall Street profits ahead of Virginia families, weaken local accountability, and increase costs for consumers. You can read his letter here.\n\nLater that month, Vindman launched a district-wide survey asking for constituents’ thoughts on the proposed merger. The results were clear: of 950 respondents, the overwhelmingly majority opposed the merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy, underscoring widespread concerns about the deal’s potential impact on Virginia ratepayers.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=867", "title": "Walkinshaw, Morelle and Virginia Democrats Fight Trump Administration’s Attacks on Voting, Pledge to Protect Every Vote", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "walkinshaw.house.gov", "scraper": "walkinshaw", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000831", "name": "James R. Walkinshaw", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FAIRFAX, VA — Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), House Administration Committee Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25) and members of Virginia’s Democratic congressional delegation held a public shadow hearing Thursday in Fairfax to confront the Trump Administration’s attacks on voting and detail efforts to defend every eligible American’s right to cast a ballot and have it counted.\n\nPanelists outlined litigation, voter education and safeguards countering interference, intimidation, and misinformation.\n\nThe hearing examined the Administration’s attempted overhaul of mail-ballot processing, federal demands for sensitive voter information and concerns about armed immigration agents at polling places. The experts explained how litigation blocked the mail-voting rule and detailed ongoing efforts to protect voter privacy and prevent intimidation.\n\nIn his remarks and responses to lawmakers, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay outlined safeguards against duplicate voting, secured ballot drop boxes and the county’s use of paper ballots and scanners without internet connectivity. The discussion emphasized that protecting election integrity and ensuring access to the ballot go hand in hand.\n\n“Where the Trump Administration is sowing fear and confusion, we’re providing facts and defending the right to vote. We came together in Fairfax to make clear that every eligible American, no matter who they support, can cast a ballot with confidence,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “I’m grateful to Ranking Member Morelle for joining us and proud to stand alongside my Virginia colleagues and the voting rights leaders doing this work every day. We will keep fighting to protect every vote and ensure the American people decide who represents them.”\n\n\"In this moment, there is nothing more urgent than protecting American democracy,” said Ranking Member Morelle. “The election is here and we are protecting Americans’ right to the ballot box. Every time the Trump Administration has tried to interfere with the integrity of the midterm elections, they have lost. Over the next month, we need to remain clear-eyed about the threats we continue to face. We will fight to protect American elections. Failure, quite simply, is not an option.”\n\n\"Over the last two years, the Trump Administration and the Supreme Court have levied various attacks against the right to vote,\" said Congressman Bobby Scott, Ranking Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. \"Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans have been unwilling to take a stand against these actions. Democrats are fighting to defend everyone's right to participate in our elections, and this hearing demonstrates the urgency of this fight.\"\n\n“My own family struggled, fought, bled and in some cases died for the right to vote,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “We have seen repeated efforts by the Administration to undermine the electoral process and the constitutionally protected right of millions to vote. Election integrity means protecting our election systems from foreign interference and unlawful voting, but it also means protecting every citizen’s right to vote, free of intimidation, free from discrimination. We cannot have an America that goes back to the days when propaganda, violence and voter suppression were used to keep all of the people from participating in their government.”\n\n“Every eligible voter should be able to cast their ballot without fear, intimidation, or unnecessary barriers,” said Congressman Vindman. “Our democracy works when voters know their voices will be heard and their votes will be counted. I’m proud to stand with my Virginia colleagues, local election officials, and voting rights advocates to protect access to the ballot, safeguard voter privacy, and ensure every eligible Virginian can make their voice heard.”\n\n“This Administration has threatened to cheat and exhaust every option to diminish our free and fair elections. In these unprecedented times, I am proud to stand together with my colleagues and voting rights organizations to protect the voices of all Americans. We will ensure every vote, regardless of party, gets counted this November. We will not be intimidated,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam.\n\nThe panel included Chairman McKay; Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward; Omar Noureldin, Senior Vice President for Policy and Litigation Strategy at Common Cause; Rev. Dr. Cozy Bailey, President of the Virginia State Conference NAACP; and Jessica Jones Capparell, Director of Government Affairs at the League of Women Voters of the United States.\n\nThe experts urged voters to check their registration, make a plan to vote and consult trusted election officials.\n\nView photo gallery here.\n\nWatch the full hearing: C-SPAN.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3541", "title": "Wasserman Schultz Introduces Bipartisan Agriculture Relief Bill to Provide Florida Farm, Citrus Support", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "wassermanschultz.house.gov", "scraper": "wassermanschultz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000797", "name": "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "party": "Democrat", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Darren Soto (FL-09) and Kat Cammack (FL-03) introduced the Restore Agricultural Investment, Stability and Expansion (RAISE) Act of 2026, to provide the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the standing authority to help American farmers and growers recover after natural disasters by issuing block grants.\n\n“Congress needs to have the back of America’s farmers, and I’m proud to work across the aisle to make sure the crops and agricultural resources that fuel American families are protected from increasingly extreme weather threats, something our own citrus industry faces in Florida,” said Wasserman Schultz. “From timber to food on our tabletops, we need every tool at hand to help farmers recover from natural disasters.”\n\n“The devastating freeze Florida farmers faced this past February was another reminder of how quickly a natural disaster can threaten years of hard work,” said Franklin. “Our growers face hurricanes, freezes, droughts, floods and other disasters, and they need a reliable way to recover when disaster strikes. This bill gives USDA permanent authority to provide flexible block grants for high-value and specialty crop losses so assistance can reach producers faster. I’m pleased we secured this provision in the House-passed Farm Bill and will continue working with Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz to get it across the finish line.”\n\n“Glad to join Reps. Franklin, Wasserman Schultz, and Soto on this effort to support our Florida producers,” said Cammack. “When extreme weather threatens our crops, as is often the case in the Sunshine State, we must be prepared to help our farmers recover and continue the important work of feeding our nation.”\n\n“In Central Florida, our farmers, ranchers, and growers have struggled after devastating hurricanes,” said Soto. “As these natural disasters get stronger, we must work to ensure that they have the resources to recover, maintain their livelihoods, and keep feeding America.”\n\n“Florida's citrus industry knows firsthand the devastating impacts of freezes, hurricanes and other disasters on crops. In times of disaster, America's growers and farmers need timely support to recover and replant,” said Matt Joyner, EVP and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “Florida's citrus growers are grateful to our state’s Congressional members, including Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Kat Cammack, Darren Soto and Scott Franklin, for their leadership and commitment to advancing the RAISE Act. The legislation seeks to give the United States Department of Agriculture tools to quickly deliver block grant assistance in the wake of disasters, helping Florida citrus and the greater agriculture industry recover and continue producing for America's families.”\n\nMore than 90 percent of all Florida citrus production was impacted by hurricanes in 2022, totaling 375,302 acres. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services expects these devastating losses to cost the industry as much as $675 million. Florida citrus generates $6.8 billion in annual revenue and supports 33,000 jobs.\n\nClick here for the full text of the legislation.\n\n####", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-announces-update-on-case-of-amro-sehaim", "title": "Rep. Watson Coleman Announces Update on Case of Amro Sehaim", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "scraper": "watsoncoleman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000822", "name": "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released a statement regarding the detention of South River resident Amro Saheim:\n\n\"This weekend, I received the news that after repeated inquiries, letters, and demands for humanitarian release from me and others, Amro Sehaim, a resident and small business owner in South River, was released from ICE detention at Delaney Hall. Before his detention, Mr. Sehaim was undergoing serious medical treatment. His condition had been deteriorating while at Delaney. Mr. Sehaim can now get the medical attention he needs.\n\n\"Many more detainees find themselves in similar situations. They cannot access the medical care they need and are living in substandard conditions in the for-profit Delaney Hall detention center. The conditions at Delaney and ICE detention facilities across the country are atrocious and bring shame and moral disrepute to the Department of Homeland Security, the Trump Administration, and our nation.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://whitesides.house.gov/2026/10/05/rep-whitesides-pushes-for-a-national-film-tax-credit-to-bring-production-jobs-back-to-santa-clarita-and-the-antelope-valley/", "title": "Rep. Whitesides Pushes for a National Film Tax Credit to Bring Production Jobs Back to Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://whitesides.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "whitesides.house.gov", "scraper": "whitesides", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000830", "name": "George Whitesides", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Rep. George Whitesides (CA-27) announced his cosponsorship of the bipartisan, bicameral Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act. The bill would create a national film tax credit to bring film and television production, and the crew, trades and small-business jobs that come with it, back to the United States.\n\n“Our region is at the heart of film and television production, and we owe it to the hardworking crews who live in our area to bring American production home,” said Rep. Whitesides. “This bipartisan bill invests in the people, sound stages, movie sets, and scenery we have right here in our backyard, and gives productions an incentive to keep good-paying jobs in Southern California. I’ll keep fighting alongside this bipartisan coalition to make sure our local film economy is able to thrive.”\n\nIn 2019, Santa Clarita issued a record 576 film permits for 1,490 days of location filming, generating an estimated $35.9 million for the local economy. In 2025, the city issued 338 permits, generating an estimated $14.6 million, a drop of nearly 60%. Across the region permitted by FilmLA, which includes Palmdale and the unincorporated communities of north Los Angeles County, on-location shoot days fell 16% from 2024 to 2025, and television shooting ran 50% below its five-year average. Nationwide, more than 100,000 production jobs have disappeared since October 2022 as 65 countries now offer incentives to lure American productions overseas.\n\nUnder the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act:\n\nFeature films, TV pilots, and TV seasons costing more than $1 million earn a 20% credit on American labor costs if at least 75% of filming takes place in the U.S.\n\nProductions earn bonus credits of 5% each, up to 30% total, for filming in rural opportunity zones or disaster areas, for independent productions, for hiring across 10 or more states, and for bringing work home from overseas.\n\nPost-production and visual effects work done in the U.S. qualifies.\n\nThe credit is transferable, so independent producers who don’t owe enough in taxes can sell it for cash up front.\n\nThe credit applies to productions beginning in taxable years after December 31, 2026.\n\nThe legislation is led in the House by Representatives Laura Friedman (CA-30), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Brian Jack (GA-03), David Kustoff (TN-08), Judy Chu (CA-28), Mike Carey (OH-15) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and in the Senate by Senators Tim Scott (SC) and Adam Schiff (CA). It is endorsed by the American Federation of Musicians, ASCAP, Coalition for American Production, CreativeFuture, Directors Guild of America, FilmUSA, Independent Film and Television Alliance, IATSE, Motion Picture Association, Paramount, Producers Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA, Teamsters, Television Academy, Writers Guild of America East, and Writers Guild of America West.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=411004", "title": "Womack Hosts Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in Arkansas’s Third District", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://womack.house.gov/news", "domain": "womack.house.gov", "scraper": "womack", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000809", "name": "Steve Womack", "party": "Republican", "state": "AR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "ARKANSAS—October 5, 2026…Today, House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (AR-3) welcomed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to Arkansas’s Third Congressional District. During the visit, Chairman Womack highlighted to Secretary Duffy how federal investments are helping the region respond to rapid growth by supporting the construction of critical transportation infrastructure.\n\nChairman Womack said, “Strong transportation infrastructure keeps our communities moving and our economy growing. From getting people to work and school, to connecting or communities by air, to moving freight and goods, we need infrastructure that can keep pace with our current and future demand—both regionally and nationally. The federal government is an important partner in making that happen. I’m glad Secretary Duffy is here in Arkansas’s Third District to see firsthand how federal investment is helping to move forward critical infrastructure projects that will not only contribute to our region’s continued prosperity but to that of the nation.”\n\nSecretary Duffy said, “Arkansas is fortunate to have a Representative like Steve Womack in Washington advocating on their behalf to get big, beautiful infrastructure projects like I-49 and the XNA expansion done. His role as Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee has helped secure crucial dollars for AR-3. During the President’s second term, USDOT has awarded over $71 million to Arkansas’s Third District. Representative Womack played a crucial role in delivering those dollars to the Natural State.”\n\nChairman Womack’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 THUD appropriations bill provides a total discretionary allocation of $28.29 billion to the Department of Transportation (USDOT), which is $1.177 billion above the FY 2026 enacted level. The bill invests in modernizing our national airspace system and strengthening infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railways, and maritime facilities across the country.\n\nRead more bill highlights HERE.\n\nVisit Highlights\n\nChairman Womack and Secretary Duffy started the day by viewing the ongoing construction of Phase 1 of the 14‑mile Alma‑to‑Barling segment of I‑49. This phase includes the Arkansas River Bridge Crossing—the project’s most critical component. Once completed, this section of I-49 will deliver much‑needed congestion relief for Fort Smith and Van Buren and will spur economic development along the connector, attracting businesses, creating jobs, and strengthening regional commerce.\n\nOn a national level, the completed project will also mark significant progress toward closing the 155‑mile I‑49 gap between Alma and Texarkana. Closing this gap will create a continuous north–south interstate connection from Canada to Louisiana, supporting supply‑chain efficiency and reliability.\n\nChairman Womack has secured $21 million for the project’s construction through the appropriations process, including $18 million in FY 2022 and $3 million in FY 2026. With Chairman Womack’s support, the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) received a $25 million USDOT RAISE grant in 2024 for the project.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-baldwin-blasts-trump-admin-for-slashing-11-million-in-rural-housing-funding-for-wisconsin", "title": "NEWS: Baldwin Blasts Trump Admin for Slashing $11 Million in Rural Housing Funding for Wisconsin", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "scraper": "baldwin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001230", "name": "Tammy Baldwin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is calling out the Trump Administration for slashing $11 million in federal funding that helps low-income families in rural Wisconsin afford to buy a home. This year, despite the Trump Administration having the resources to fully fund the program across the country, Wisconsin received roughly $2 million through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans program, compared to an average of $13.1 million in previous years – a decrease of more than $11 million. Democrats and Republicans in Congress passed a law to provide $1 billion for the program, but President Trump’s USDA refused to allocate nearly half of it.\n\n“Wisconsin families are working harder than ever, but too many folks feel stuck or are falling behind with the rising costs of just about everything. The price of housing is crushing families and is putting the dream of homeownership further and further out of reach,” said Senator Baldwin. “And for folks in our rural areas – which is about 1 in 4 Wisconsinites – this pinch can drive them out of the places they love and out of Wisconsin’s iconic agriculture economy. Instead of helping these folks afford the roof over their heads, the Trump Administration is making matters worse by slashing resources that help working families in our rural communities afford a home. The Trump administration has the money, but they are making an active choice not to use it and not to invest in rural America. I’m fighting to bring housing costs down and make sure every Wisconsinite, no matter where they live, has every opportunity to live a good life and own a home.”\n\nThe USDA’s Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans program helps low-income families in rural communities get the financing they need to afford a home. The drastic drop in funding for Wisconsin comes as the Trump Administration failed to spend nearly half of the $1 billion Congress provided for the program nationwide. While $250 million of the nearly half billion in unspent funds can be used in the next fiscal year, the Administration allowed more than $230 million in funding to expire, resources that could have helped approximately 850 more rural families across the country afford to buy a home.\n\nSenator Baldwin has long worked to lower housing costs and expand access to affordable homeownership for Wisconsin families. Earlier this year, the Baldwin-backed 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan bill to build more affordable housing and bring down housing costs, became the law of the land.\n\nA state-by-state breakdown comparing funding the Trump Administration has gotten out to help rural families buy homes this year versus the prior-year average is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/10/05/2026/blumenthal-statement-on-release-of-annual-veteran-suicide-report", "title": "Blumenthal Statement on Release of Annual Veteran Suicide Report", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today issued a statement following the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) release of its National Veterans Suicide Prevention annual report, revealing a slight decrease in the rate of veteran suicide from 2023 to 2024.\n\n“The high rate of veteran suicide remains distressing. We need to allocate every resource we can to reduce this grim number. That starts with safeguarding resources for the Veterans Crisis Line, hiring more mental health professionals at VA, and ensuring every single veteran seeking mental health care gets that care in a timely manner. I’ll continue working to bolster the suicide prevention and mental health care programs veterans need and fight the Trump Administration’s efforts to cut mental health care positions amid the hemorrhaging of providers at the Department.”\n\nVA’s report shows 6,488 veterans died by suicide in 2024. Additionally, 62% of veterans who died by suicide in 2024 had no contact with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and were not receiving VA benefits. This data highlights the importance of both strengthening VA’s direct care system and expanding outreach and suicide prevention efforts for veterans who are not engaged in VHA health care. The report also details that firearms were involved in approximately 74% of veterans suicides, up 68% since 2001. This is the area with the least progress after 20 years.\n\nSince the beginning of the second Trump Administration, VA Secretary Collins has eliminated thousands of mental health care clinical positions instead of bolstering them. From January 2025 to June 2026, VA cut 600 psychologist and 1,600 social worker positions, barring medical centers from being able to recruit for those roles. In January, Blumenthal’s released a comprehensive report, Breaking the Pact: Impacts of Trump, DOGE, and Doug Collins’ Ongoing Assault on Veterans, detailing the harm and impacts of the Trump Administration’s draconian directives and cuts on veterans. Among its many findings, the report revealed a historic loss of staff, dire health care staffing shortages, and spiking VA mental health care wait times.\n\nBlumenthal has been a stanch fighter to improve and expand veterans’ mental health care. In 2025, he introduced the BRAVE Act—comprehensive legislation to strengthen VA’s mental health workforce, infrastructure, and services, including renewing the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. This first-of-its-kind grant provides funding for local organizations combatting veteran suicide. Blumenthal also successfully attached an amendment to protect the life-saving Veterans Crisis Line from future cuts by the Trump Administration in the Fiscal Year 2026 federal funding bill.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-fischer-bipartisan-resolution-to-promote-road-safety_reduce-roadside-deaths-passes-senate", "title": "Blumenthal & Fischer Bipartisan Resolution to Promote Road Safety & Reduce Roadside Deaths Passes Senate", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – The bipartisan National Move Over Law Day Resolution led by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) passed the U.S. Senate last week.\n\nThe resolution highlights Slow Down, Move Over laws across the country in an effort to reduce struck-by-vehicle injuries and fatalities. The resolution also recognizes and honors the important role fire and rescue personnel, emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement officers, tow truck operators, and transportation workers play in road safety.\n\n“Slow Down, Move Over saves lives. It’s the law in every state, but it needs to be amplified and elevated. Every year, failures to Slow Down and Move Over cause needless, senseless injuries and deaths to roadside workers like police, firefighters, emergency responders, tow truck operators, construction workers, and more. This resolution aims to make them safer by reminding drivers to slow down and move over,” said Blumenthal.\n\n“From emergency personnel to roadside crews, countless individuals work every day to keep our roads safe. Slowing down and moving over a lane is a simple way we can help protect them. I’m proud to support this resolution and grateful for all who keep us safe,” said Fischer.\n\nBlumenthal honored Elvin Hernandez, a Connecticut Department of Transportation worker struck and killed while working in Fairfield in September, and Alexander John Ramos, a tow truck driver who was struck and killed responding to a disabled vehicle in Bloomfield in September.\n\nToday, all 50 states have Slow Down, Move Over laws that direct motorists to reduce speed or change lanes for stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles. Still, many drivers are unaware of these laws, and they vary state-by-state, leading to continued roadside fatalities and injuries across the country.\n\nThe resolution was endorsed by Flagman, National Safety Council, AAA National, American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, National District Attorneys Association, CTDOT, National Association of State EMS Officials, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Governors Highway Safety Association, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, AFSCME, American Association of State Troopers, and the National Association of Police Organizations.\n\nThe text of the resolution is available here.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-boozman-introduce-bill-to-improve-support-for-veterans-crisis-line-employees", "title": "Blumenthal, Boozman Introduce Bill to Improve Support for Veterans Crisis Line Employees", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recently introduced the Veterans Crisis Line Support and Safety Act—bipartisan legislation that would improve mental health support and workplace conditions for Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) employees, many of whom are veterans themselves.\n\n“Veterans Crisis Line employees do lifesaving work every day in the most difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, these workers often face emotionally challenging situations. Our bipartisan bill will provide these employees much-needed mental health services and increased workplace protections to ensure they are given the support and space they need to serve veterans,” said Blumenthal.\n\n“The men and women providing instant and critical mental health support to veterans during some of their most difficult moments are an invaluable, life-saving resource. Many VCL employees are veterans themselves and understand the challenges those they serve are facing. I am proud this bipartisan legislation would ensure they have access to key tools and protections for their wellbeing ensuring assistance for veterans in crisis is not delayed or denied,” said Boozman.\n\nThe VCL provides a life-saving service for responding to veterans in crisis and is an important tool for preventing veteran suicide—offering 24/7 confidential assistance through call, text, or chat support. The Senators’ legislation was drafted with input from VCL employees who provided testimony about being harassed in their jobs and needing additional workplace protections given the sensitive and emotional hardships of their work. Full impact statements from VCL responders can be found HERE, HERE, and HERE.\n\n“…[T]his work comes with a serious emotional and mental cost. In addition to supporting people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, and other crises, I have endured racist comments, sexual harassment, hateful language, and threats from both civilian and Veteran callers…Being on the receiving end of this abuse is disturbing, degrading, and emotionally exhausting,” said Shonta Thomas, Vice President for AFGE Local 518, who is 10-year U.S. Navy veteran and VCL responder. “The cumulative impact of these interactions has contributed to mental burnout. It is difficult to absorb racist abuse, sexual harassment, or threats and then move into another crisis conversation that requires patience, compassion, and focused attention. The previous interaction does not simply disappear when the call ends. There is an emotional weight that comes with repeatedly being targeted while also carrying the responsibility of helping someone through a crisis.”\n\n“I have dedicated years of service to the Veterans and Military Crisis Line and remain committed to supporting Veterans who reach out during moments of crisis. At the same time, supporting Veterans should not require frontline responders to absorb repeated abusive behavior without adequate protection, communication, training, or organizational support,” said a service-connected veteran who works as Veterans and Military Crisis Line responder. “Clear communication, appropriate training, consistent procedures, and meaningful protections for responders are essential to maintaining a safe and effective Crisis Line for both Veterans and the employees who serve them.”\n\n“Responders are often expected to provide callers with the very things they may desperately need in their most vulnerable moments—respect, safety, emotional support, compassion, care, and reassurance. I believe responders deserve those same things in the workplace,” said another VCL responder. “I remain committed to the VCL mission and to serving Veterans. That commitment is precisely why I believe this conversation is necessary. Protecting responders is not a departure from the mission—it is an investment in the people who carry it out every day. If we want responders to continue providing compassionate, effective, and consistent care, we must create an environment in which they are also afforded compassion, protection, support, and care.”\n\nAmong its many provisions, the Veterans Crisis Line Support and Safety Act would:\n\nOffer VCL employees free, confidential counseling and mental health care from licensed providers experienced in PTSD, trauma, and compassion fatigue;\n\nEstablish peer support programs, critical incident stress debriefing, and annual resiliency/burnout-prevention training;\n\nProvide critical mental health services during and outside of scheduled work hours through VA and outside providers;\n\nImplement reasonable limits on VCL employees’ workload and shift duration;\n\nRequire mandatory rest and recovery periods after high-risk or traumatic interactions;\n\nDesignate dedicated staff for complex or disruptive cases; and\n\nEnsure staffing levels at the VCL are informed by data on the volume of calls and workforce assessments.\n\nThe Veterans Crisis Line Support and Safety Act is endorsed by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National Veterans Affairs Council.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-senators-blunt-rochester-cortez-masto-reed-banking-democrats-request-full-banking-hearing-with-fhfa-director-bill-pulte/", "title": "NEWS: Senators Blunt Rochester, Cortez Masto, Reed, Banking Democrats Request Full Banking Hearing with FHFA Director Bill Pulte", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.bluntrochester.senate.gov", "scraper": "bluntrochester", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001303", "name": "Lisa Blunt Rochester", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Banking Democrats call for public forum to question Pulte on documented abuses of power\n\nU.S. SenatorsLisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.),Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), andJack Reed (D-R.I.) joined their Democratic colleagues on the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee in a letter to Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) requesting a hearing with Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte. The Senators’ request follows various reported abuses of power by Pulte, including last week’s unprecedented move to cut the funding to the agency’s Office of the Inspector General (FHFA-OIG) by 60 percent and risk future operations.\n\n“We request you invite Director Pulte to testify before the Senate Banking Committee so our committee can fulfill its oversight functions and explore how his decisions are affecting FHFA’s ability to ensure Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHLBanks (collectively, “the government-sponsored enterprises,” or GSEs) operate in a safe and sound manner and provide a reliable source of liquidity and funding for housing finance and community investment. The hearing would provide Director Pulte the opportunity to explain his record,” wrote the Senators.\n\nBill Pulte’s proposed cuts to FHFA-OIG – which is tasked with investigating waste, fraud, and abuse at FHFA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks – come while he remains under increased scrutiny for his abuses of power. Pulte is under investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for potentially misusing his federal authority and resources to publicly accuse prominent Democrats and President Donald Trump’s perceived political enemies of mortgage fraud. Pulte also faces questions for his apparent involvement in the President’s scheme to demolish the Kennedy Center and his brief tenure as Acting Director of National Intelligence.\n\nThe Senators also call into question his mismanagement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which back 70 percent of mortgages in the United States: “Since failing to respond to congressional inquiries on his activities, Director Pulte has fired more staff at Fannie Mae, including about a dozen high-ranking executives. These now-fired executives were responsible for multifamily loans, low-income housing tax credit investments, and finance, and also included regulatory and communications officials. Director Pulte has not publicly explained the reasoning behind these most recent terminations and how these firings will impact Fannie Mae’s ability to provide price stability across the mortgage market.”\n\nPulte’s cuts to the FHFA-OIG would result in a layoff of 70-80% of staff, including experienced law enforcement officers who serve as the primary watchdogs for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and keep the mortgage market stable. These staff are tasked with investigating title and mortgage fraud, protecting mortgage lenders and home buyers from predatory practices, and ensuring a sound and secure mortgage and banking system.\n\n“We must fulfill our oversight responsibilities related to potential harm being done by Director Pulte to our nation’s housing finance market and in turn, to the supply and cost of housing,” conclude the Senators.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-blumenthal-padilla-urge-secretary-mullin-to-immediately-remove-ice-officers-hired-without-background-checks", "title": "Booker, Blumenthal, Padilla Urge Secretary Mullin to Immediately Remove ICE Officers Hired Without Background Checks", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.booker.senate.gov", "scraper": "booker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001288", "name": "Cory A. Booker", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Alex Padilla (D-CA), members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, call on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately remove all U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers hired during the Department’s 2025 hiring surge. In a new oversight letter that comes days after new reports of the agency's plans to hire 5,000 new officers before year’s end, the senators demand that DHS complete comprehensive retraining and re-vetting for all current officers.\n\n“Over the past year, ICE and other DHS personnel have fatally shot and killed multiple people during vehicle stops and enforcement operations, including several instances in which agents opened fire on people inside their own cars,” wrote the senators. “These killings, combined with the whistleblower’s account of corners cut on both vetting and training, make clear that officers hired during the surge did not receive adequate instruction in de-escalation, use-of-force standards, and vehicle-stop protocols before being sent into communities with the authority to use deadly force.”\n\nRepublicans poured $75 billion into ICE through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and then added $38.5 billion more this summer, allowing ICE to hire thousands of new officers with incentives including a signing bonus of up to $50,000 and up to $60,000 in student-loan repayment. The agencies dropped hiring standards and cut corners on background checks to meet the hiring demand, leading to heightened concerns of unqualified and poorly trained officers conducting immigration arrests. Several incidents of death and violence led to increased congressional oversight. ICE is preparing a second hiring surge of 5,000 employees before year’s end–roughly 17 percent in three months–without having completed background investigations for thousands of hires from the first.\n\nThe letter follows reporting from the New York Times detailing a formal whistleblower complaint from 17-year ICE veteran overseeing background investigations. The complaint revealed job offers were extended to candidates without completion of basic fingerprint, identity, or credit checks and evaded by political appointees. A former ICE Academy instructor and agency attorney also disclosed that ICE cut training hours on use of force, firearms safety, and the constitutional rights of the public during this same period. According to another New York Times report, 7,500 active officers with arrest authority hired during last year’s surge are still awaiting the full background investigations required for their positions.\n\nOn January 7, 2026, an ICE officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, fatally shot Renée Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, as she attempted to drive away from agents during an enforcement operation.\n\nLess than two weeks later, Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, during the same wave of Minneapolis enforcement operations.\n\nOn July 7, 2026, an ICE officer in Houston, Texas fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old construction worker and father of three, while he was driving a work crew to a job site.\n\nSix days later, on July 13, 2026, an ICE officer in Biddeford, Maine, fatally shot Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old father, in his car after agents rammed his vehicle and fired multiple rounds through it while executing a warrant for someone else. Mr. Durán Guerrero was not the target of the operation and was authorized to work in the United States.\n\n“DHS cannot allow officers whose backgrounds were never properly vetted, and who may never have received adequate use-of-force training, to remain on the streets with arrest authority and firearms,” concluded the senators.\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers urge DHS to:\n\nImmediately suspend field enforcement duties for all ICE officers hired during the 2025 hiring surge, pending completion of full background checks and training.\n\nProvide a full accounting of how many current ICE officers received job offers or field assignments before completing fingerprint, identity, and credit checks, and how many of those officers have discharged a firearm in the course of duty.\n\nProvide ICE’s 2026 hiring plan, including\n\nAll documents, memoranda, internal communications, staffing assessments, and analyses of staffing needs.\n\nThe vetting and training protocols.\n\nThe name and title of each official who approved the plan.\n\nProvide a copy of the whistleblower’s complaint and any Office of Inspector General findings or corrective action plan arising from it.\n\nProvide a detailed accounting of the use-of-force policy and vehicle-stop protocol changes DHS has made since January 2026.\n\nIncluding how those changes have been implemented and audited across ICE field offices.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=693D37C5-39CC-4A7F-918C-3F899284AC87", "title": "Boozman, Klobuchar Lead Senate Recognition of National 4-H Week", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "domain": "www.boozman.senate.gov", "scraper": "boozman", "member": null, "text": "WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chairs of the Senate 4-H Caucus, applauded Senate passage of a resolution designating October 4-10, 2026 as National 4-H Week.\n\n“4-H has made a lasting impact on countless Arkansans, including my three daughters, who benefited from their participation in this program. I’m proud to support 4-H as it continues developing future generations of leaders and equips young people with the skills and values they need to succeed,” Boozman said.\n\n“Minnesota 4-H is preparing over 50,000 young Minnesotans to lead in their communities,” said Klobuchar. “I’m glad to partner with Senator Boozman to recognize the work of 4-H by celebrating this week as National 4-H Week. As co-chair of the 4-H Caucus, I’ll continue working with my colleagues to support exciting opportunities for youth engaged in agriculture.”\n\nAs the country’s largest youth development organization, 4-H operates as part of the Cooperative Extension System across land-grant universities. It reaches nearly six million young individuals through hands-on experiences in agriculture, science, health and civic engagement annually including 130,000 in Arkansas and 50,000 in Minnesota.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/news/press-releases/u-s-senators-katie-britt-james-lankford-colleagues-celebrate-50th-anniversary-of-the-hyde-amendment-protecting-american-taxpayers-from-funding-abortions/", "title": "U.S. Senators Katie Britt, James Lankford, Colleagues Celebrate 50th Anniversary of the Hyde Amendment, Protecting American Taxpayers from Funding Abortions", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.britt.senate.gov", "scraper": "britt", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001319", "name": "Katie Boyd Britt", "party": "Republican", "state": "AL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and several of their Republican colleagues recently introduced a resolution recognizing the Hyde Amendment’s 50th anniversary and its enduring legacy of protecting unborn children and upholding the conscience rights of American taxpayers.\n\n“Fifty years ago, the bipartisan Hyde Amendment affirmed a simple principle: no American should be forced to fund a procedure that takes an innocent life,” said Senator Britt. “Today, when many demand that abortion be paid for by taxpayers, Hyde remains a critical protection for religious freedom and for Americans who do not want their hard-earned dollars subsidizing elective abortions. Proud to join my colleagues in recognizing this anniversary and reaffirming our strong, continued support for Hyde.”\n\nThe resolution commemorates 50 years of the Hyde Amendment by recognizing its legacy of saving more than 2.6 million lives while affirming that federal taxpayers should not be compelled to fund abortions in violation of their deeply held religious and moral beliefs.\n\n“For 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has been an important protection for American taxpayers,” said Senator Lankford. “Every child is valuable. No American should ever wonder if the check they’re sending to the IRS on April 15 will be used to pay for someone’s elective abortion. Hyde was a bipartisan agreement five decades ago, and it has been included in appropriations bills every year since. We should keep that commitment in place.”\n\nJoining Senators Britt and Lankford in introducing the resolution are Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jim Justice (R-W.V.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Lee (R-Utah), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Darline Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.).\n\nThe resolution is also supported by CatholicVote, Americans United for Life, National Right to Life Committee, Live Action, March for Life Action, Concerned Women for America, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, Heritage Action, Alliance Defending Freedom, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Heartbeat International, United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Family Research Council. You can read the full text of the resolution here.\n\nSenator Britt is a proud supporter of the Hyde Amendment. She is a cosponsor of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act and has worked tirelessly to ensure it remains included in annual appropriations bills. She is also a cosponsor of the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act to ban federal Title X family-planning grants from going to any entity that performs or funds abortions.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-capito-attends-events-in-support-of-first-responders-veterans-and-youth-fellowship", "title": "PHOTOS: Capito Attends Events in Support of First Responders, Veterans, and Youth Fellowship", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.capito.senate.gov", "scraper": "capito", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001047", "name": "Shelley Moore Capito", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "CHARLESTON, W.Va. – This weekend, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), made stops in Bridgeport and Morgantown to celebrate first responders and veterans in West Virginia. She also made a visit to Summersville for a building dedication.\n\nTo begin the day, Senator Capito delivered remarks at the WV Chiefs of Police Association Annual Conference in Bridgeport, W.Va. to celebrate the successes of West Virginia’s police force, which she continuously supports through the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process. Additionally, Senator Capito received updates on the association’s recent collaborative efforts and priorities.\n\n“I was excited to join our law enforcement officers and celebrate them for their outstanding service to West Virginia—which I have been proud to support through my work in the U.S. Senate,” Senator Capito said. “I appreciated the opportunity to hear firsthand how the association is promoting communication and professional development across the state through our police departments. Through the CDS process, I’ve worked to strengthen our local police departments, expand our police force, and provide them with the proper resources to keep West Virginian’s safe. I am impressed by association’s efforts to connect West Virginia’s police force, and I’m proud to partner with them to keep that collaboration moving forward.”\n\n“The West Virginia Chiefs of Police Association Fall Conference provides an important opportunity for law enforcement leaders from across our state to come together, strengthen partnerships, and discuss the issues facing our profession and the communities we serve,” Chief Mark Rogers, Bridgeport Police Department, WV COPA Board Member said. We are honored to welcome United States Senator Shelley Moore Capito to this year’s conference. We recognize the tremendous demands on her schedule, and her willingness to spend time with West Virginia’s law enforcement leaders is sincerely appreciated and makes her attendance especially meaningful to our association.”\n\nNext, Senator Capito traveled to Morgantown, W.Va. to attend Operation Activet’s Annual Veterans Bash. While there, she delivered remarks celebrating Operation Activet’s success and met with veterans. Operation Activet plays a vital role in West Virginia, connecting veterans and first responders through community events across the state.\n\n“It was an honor to celebrate our men and women in uniform. Connecting our veterans and first responders through meaningful opportunities is so important. I am proud of the work being done here and deeply appreciative of Operation Activet’s efforts in creating a community for those who have sacrificed so much for our country,” Senator Capito said.\n\n“Operation Activet was founded by my son, C.J., an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, because he wanted to give back and help his fellow veterans,” Chuck Ghuste, President of Operation Activet, said. “After we lost C.J. in 2019, our family and so many dedicated volunteers committed ourselves to keeping his dream alive. Today, we’re proud to bring veterans and first responders together through activities, camaraderie, and a strong community of support. We’re grateful to Senator Capito for taking the time to visit with us, learn more about our mission and show her support for the veterans and first responders we serve.”\n\nTo end the day, Senator Capito traveled to Summersville, W.Va. where she delivered remarks at WV Young Life’s dedication of three new buildings: the Dining Hall, Club Room, and dorms. During the visit, she also toured the facility to view progress.\n\n“WV Young Life’s campus is a remarkable place that reflects the faith, vision, and persistence of so many people who believed in what this property could become,” Senator Capito said. “I’m proud to have played a role in supporting the infrastructure needed to bring this vision to life, and I’m grateful that generations of young West Virginians will now have a place of their own to grow, build relationships, and share God’s love.”\n\nPhotos from this weekend’s events included below:\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) attends WV Chiefs of Police Association’s Annual Conference in Bridgeport, W.Va. on Saturday, October 3, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) attends Operation Activet’s Annual Veterans Bash in Morgantown, W.Va. on Saturday, October 3, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) delivers remarks at Wild Ridge Young Life Camp’s Building Dedication in Summersville, W.Va. on Saturday, October 3, 2026\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-discusses-social-security-win-with-passage-of-claiming-age-clarity-act-on-mornings-with-fox-business/", "title": "Cassidy Discusses Social Security Win with Passage of Claiming Age Clarity Act on Mornings with Fox Business", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.cassidy.senate.gov", "scraper": "cassidy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001075", "name": "Bill Cassidy", "party": "Republican", "state": "LA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) applauded the U.S. Senate’s passage of the bipartisan Claiming Age Clarity Act, legislation he led in the Senate to make Social Security terminology clearer and help Americans make more informed decisions about when to claim benefits. Cassidy also discussed the need to address Social Security’s looming insolvency in six years and outlined his plan to establish a separate investment fund that could cover 60 to 70 percent of the projected shortfall.\n\n“We’ve got to fix Social Security both for the individual receiving it and for the taxpayer who funds it. And one way is to not mislead people,” said Dr. Cassidy.\n\n“The trust fund goes insolvent in six years. When it goes insolvent, by law, the amount going out has to match the amount coming in. When the trust fund goes empty, then the amount going out will fall up to 28.5 percent,” continued Dr. Cassidy.\n\nBackground\n\nCassidy has been outspoken in the media on the need to rescue Social Security from insolvency. He has outlined his plan to create a sovereign wealth fund independent of the Social Security Trust Fund. He has written extensively on his proposal in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, State Affairs, and the Washington Examiner. On the U.S. Senate floor, Cassidy has repeatedly called on Congress to act to save the program, and challenged the U.S. Senate to stop being good politicians and start being good senators.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-coons-representative-mcbride-local-leaders-assess-coastal-damage-call-for-more-funding-to-rebuild-delawares-beaches-following-storm/", "title": "Senators Coons, Representative McBride, local leaders assess coastal damage, call for more funding to rebuild Delaware’s beaches following storm", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.coons.senate.gov", "scraper": "coons", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001088", "name": "Christopher A. Coons", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "DEWEY BEACH, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons and U.S. Representative Sarah McBride (both D-Del.), joined by the Army Corps of Engineers, DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson, local elected officials, and community leaders surveyed damage on Friday morning from last week’s nor’easter that battered Delaware’s coast for four days and caused severe beach erosion, dune damage and flooding in communities all along the coast. The storm damaged homes and businesses, caused road closures, and shut down beaches. Following their assessment of the damage, Senator Coons and Representative McBride called for additional federal support to help Delaware’s coastal communities recover and replenish their beaches.\n\nSenator Coons and Representative McBride were joined on Friday by officials from the Army Corps of Engineers, DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson, Dewey Beach Town Manager Bill Zolper, Dewey Beach Mayor Bill Stevens, South Bethany Mayor Edie Dondero, Bethany Beach Mayor Ron Calef, State Sen. Russ Huxtable and State Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall.\n\n“Delaware’s beaches are critical to our communities, our economy, and our way of life, and we need to make sure they have the resources they need to recover from this storm and prepare for the next one,” said Senator Coons. “I’m going to keep fighting for the funding Delaware needs to rebuild and recover. That means working with our local leaders, DNREC, the Army Corps and our entire congressional delegation to make sure we’re doing everything we can to protect our coast.”\n\n“The damage Senator Coons and I saw is a stark reminder that investing in the resilience of our coastal communities is not optional,” said Rep. McBride. “We cannot prevent these storms from happening, but we can take action to keep people safe and help our communities withstand their impacts. That’s why I’ve been working with partners at every level of government to strengthen our coastline, combat coastal erosion, and ensure Delaware is prepared when severe weather strikes. I’m grateful to Mayor Stevens, our first responders, local leaders, and everyone who stepped up to keep our neighbors safe during the nor’easter. I’ll keep working to make sure Delaware has what it needs to recover from this storm, prepare for the next one, and protect our beaches for generations to come.”\n\nEarlier this year, Senators Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester and Representative McBride helped secure $10 million for beach replenishment along the Delaware coast from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island and are working with the Army Corps of Engineers to make that funding available as quickly as possible. Senator Coons is also working with the federal delegation and DNREC to secure an additional $30 million in federal beach replenishment funding this year to help address the state’s ongoing coastal needs.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-praises-delivery-of-7-5-billion-in-border-security-reimbursement-funds-he-secured-for-texas/", "title": "Cornyn Praises Delivery of $7.5 Billion in Border Security Reimbursement Funds He Secured for Texas", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement praising the delivery of $7.5 billion in border reimbursement funds that he, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), and Texas’ congressional delegation secured from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, to the State of Texas:\n\n“Texas taxpayers shouldn’t have had to cover the costs of the Biden administration’s border crisis, and I am proud to have worked alongside Congressman Pfluger and my colleagues in the Texas delegation to ensure that the State would rightfully be repaid,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I am glad to see these dollars finally make their way to the Lone Star State, and I urge the Department of Justice to continue its disbursements of the remaining funds to Texas communities, which must be made whole for their role in trying to secure the border.”\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Working Families Tax Cuts Act included a total of $13.5 billion in funding secured by Sen. Cornyn, Rep. Pfluger, and the Texas congressional delegation to reimburse states like Texas for stepping up during the Biden administration to try and secure the border. The law created two funds, one administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the other by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).\n\nDHS officially opened the Cornyn-created State Border Security Reinforcement Fund for applications from eligible states in June. In addition to this nearly $10 billion fund, the DOJ opened the Bridging Immigration-related Deficits Experienced Nationwide (BIDEN) Program for applications the same month.\n\nSenator Cornyn has led the fight in Washington to secure federal reimbursement for Texas by:", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-reed-banking-democrats-request-full-banking-hearing-with-fhfa-director-bill-pulte/", "title": "Cortez Masto, Reed, Banking Democrats Request Full Banking Hearing with FHFA Director Bill Pulte", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Banking Democrats call for public forum to question Pulte on documented abuses of power\n\nWashington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) led their Democratic colleagues on the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee in a letter to Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) requesting a hearing with Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte. The Senators’ request follows various reported abuses of power by Pulte, including last week’s unprecedented move to cut the funding to the agency’s Office of the Inspector General (FHFA-OIG) by 60 percent and risk future operations.\n\n“We request you invite Director Pulte to testify before the Senate Banking Committee so our committee can fulfill its oversight functions and explore how his decisions are affecting FHFA’s ability to ensure Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHLBanks (collectively, “the government-sponsored enterprises,” or GSEs) operate in a safe and sound manner and provide a reliable source of liquidity and funding for housing finance and community investment. The hearing would provide Director Pulte the opportunity to explain his record,” wrote the Senators.\n\nBill Pulte’s proposed cuts to FHFA-OIG – which is tasked with investigating waste, fraud, and abuse at FHFA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks – come while he remains under increased scrutiny for his abuses of power. Pulte is under investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for potentially misusing his federal authority and resources to publicly accuse prominent Democrats and President Donald Trump’s perceived political enemies of mortgage fraud. Pulte also faces questions for his apparent involvement in the President’s scheme to demolish the Kennedy Center and his brief tenure as Acting Director of National Intelligence.\n\nThe Senators also call into question his mismanagement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which back 70 percent of mortgages in the United States: “Since failing to respond to congressional inquiries on his activities, Director Pulte has fired more staff at Fannie Mae, including about a dozen high-ranking executives. These now-fired executives were responsible for multifamily loans, low-income housing tax credit investments, and finance, and also included regulatory and communications officials. Director Pulte has not publicly explained the reasoning behind these most recent terminations and how these firings will impact Fannie Mae’s ability to provide price stability across the mortgage market.”\n\nPulte’s cuts to the FHFA-OIG would result in a layoff of 70-80% of staff, including experienced law enforcement officers who serve as the primary watchdogs for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and keep the mortgage market stable. These staff are tasked with investigating title and mortgage fraud, protecting mortgage lenders and home buyers from predatory practices, and ensuring a sound and secure mortgage and banking system.\n\n“We must fulfill our oversight responsibilities related to potential harm being done by Director Pulte to our nation’s housing finance market and in turn, to the supply and cost of housing,” conclude the Senators.\n\nRead the full letter here. Additional signatories include Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.).\n\nSenator Cortez Masto has pushed for oversight of multiple Departments under the Trump Administration – including at the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, and General Services Administration. The Senator has been a vocal opponent of Pulte, advocating for oversight of his abuses of power as head of the FHFA and pushing back against his appointment as Acting Director of National Intelligence. Last week, the Senator introduced legislation to protect funding for the FHFA-OIG.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/passed-cortez-masto-bill-to-extend-reporting-deadline-for-emergency-tribal-health-care/", "title": "PASSED: Cortez Masto Bill to Extend Reporting Deadline for Emergency Tribal Health Care", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Las Vegas, Nev. – The Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) to extend the reporting deadline for Indian Health Service (IHS) patients who seek emergency care outside of IHS facilities. The IHS Emergency Claims Parity Act now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.\n\n“During a medical emergency, the last thing a patient should have to worry about is submitting burdensome paperwork to the government,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Our bill gives patients the time to focus on rest and recovery while still getting they health care coverage they are eligible for. I thank my Senate colleagues for passing this measure and will continue working to get this bill passed into law.”\n\nCurrently, in emergency cases, IHS beneficiaries must notify IHS’ Purchased and Referred Care office within 72 hours of receiving care from a non-IHS facility. Tribal patients determined to be elderly or disabled are given 30 days to notify the IHS of emergency medical care received from non-IHS medical providers or at non-IHS medical facilities.\n\nThe IHS Emergency Claims Parity Act would increase the window for timely consideration of emergency care payments to 15 days for all IHS beneficiaries. This extension excludes reporting requirements for patients considered to be elderly or disabled, which would remain at 30 days.\n\nSenator Cortez Masto is a fierce advocate for Nevada’s Tribal communities. She is leading three bipartisan bills to address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). In addition to fighting to improve public safety in Indian Country, Cortez Masto has pushed to better health care, maintain voting rights, and deliver tax parity for Tribes.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-hhs-awards-more-than-1-million-to-north-dakota", "title": "Sen. Cramer: HHS Awards More Than $1 Million to North Dakota", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cramer.senate.gov", "scraper": "cramer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001096", "name": "Kevin Cramer", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $1,228,959 to organizations across North Dakota to support opioid response, youth outreach, economic advancement, aging issues, and veterinary research.\n\n$468,897 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians for EAGLE: Economic Advancement Grants for Local Empowerment.\n\n$300,000 to Quality Health Associates of North Dakota for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Overdose Response.\n\n$215,343 to the University of North Dakota through the National Resource Center on Native American Aging.\n\n$200,000 to Mountain Plains Youth Service Inc. for Street Outreach.\n\n$44,719 to North Dakota State University for Veterinary Food and Drug Research.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-statement-on-president-trump-approving-execution-of-fort-hood-terrorist-nidal-hasan", "title": "Sen. Cruz Statement on President Trump Approving Execution of Fort Hood Terrorist Nidal Hasan", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.cruz.senate.gov", "scraper": "cruz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001098", "name": "Ted Cruz", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement after reports that President Trump approved the execution of Nidal Hasan.\n\nSen. Cruz said, “Nidal Hasan is a radical Islamist terrorist who carried out an attack in Texas that killed and injured dozens of Americans. He deserves to be executed for his crimes, and I have fought throughout my entire Senate career to see that justice is served. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Hegseth for taking that decision.”\n\nBACKGROUND:", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-duckworth-announces-illinois-native-and-longtime-advisor-kels", "title": "Duckworth Announces Illinois Native and Longtime Advisor Kelsey Becker as Chief of Staff", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "scraper": "duckworth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000622", "name": "Tammy Duckworth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced that her Deputy Chief of Staff Kelsey Becker has been promoted to Chief of Staff following Kalina Thompson’s departure from the role. Becker, a Schaumburg native, has served Duckworth’s team since 2012 in a range of leadership roles in both the Senator’s House and Senate offices as well as her campaigns.\n\n“For over a decade, Kalina Thompson has been a kindred public servant, a true force for good, and beyond it all, a fiercely loyal friend,” said Duckworth. “While Kalina will be deeply missed, I’m excited to see all the good she’ll do in her next chapter and have the utmost confidence handing the reins over to Kelsey Becker.”\n\n“As Deputy Chief of Staff and after years of service to my team, Kelsey has proven herself to be more than ready for this new role and keep up our work for the people of Illinois,” continued Duckworth. “She has been a trusted advisor and an astute political strategist—helping deliver key wins to the benefit of her fellow Illinoisans. Through her tireless efforts, Kelsey has helped institute policies and pass legislation that has made being a working parent easier for so many folks in our office, in our state and throughout the nation. Having been a valued part of our office for so many years, Kelsey brings deep institutional knowledge and a consistent record of dedication that will continue to serve our team and the people of Illinois well.”\n\nBecker holds a Master of Arts in International Development, with a focus on Gender and Democracy, from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Butler University. She also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, where she partnered with a local women’s association to strengthen business practices and support economic development.\n\nFor the past three years, Becker has served as Co-Lead of the Senate Moms Group, a bipartisan organization comprised of over 200 moms who work in the Senate and help drive policies that empower parents and families in Congress. Becker lives in the DC area with her husband and their three children.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-join-colleagues-in-pressing-epa-ai-companies-on-rollback-of-public-input-rules-for-data-center-air-permits", "title": "Duckworth Join Colleagues in Pressing EPA, AI Companies on Rollback of Public Input Rules for Data Center Air Permits", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "scraper": "duckworth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000622", "name": "Tammy Duckworth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-chair of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, joined U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and other members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, in sending two letters opposing the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to eliminate the 30-day mandatory public notice period that allows communities to provide input on proposed facilities, like data centers, that may affect the air they breathe. One letter is addressed to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin urging him to withdraw the proposed rule. The other letter is addressed to nine major data center companies—Anthropic, AWS, Fermi, Google, Joule, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI and xAI—calling on them to maintain current public participation standards regardless of the rule's outcome.\n\n“We agree that permitting should be efficient, predictable, and capable of supporting the infrastructure our country needs. But faster permitting should not come at the expense of transparency or communities’ ability to shape the decisions that affect them,” the Senators wrote.\n\n“Data center companies like yours also have a responsibility not to use weaker requirements to limit public participation or communities’ ability to meaningfully shape decisions that affect them,” wrote the Senators to the data center companies. “America can build the infrastructure needed to compete and innovate while keeping communities informed and involved in the decisions that affect them.”\n\nIn addition to Duckworth, Kelly and Whitehouse, the letter to the EPA was co-signed by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Edward Markey (D-MA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA).\n\nIn addition to Duckworth, Kelly and Whitehouse, the letter to the data companies was co-signed by Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Adam Schiff (D-CA).\n\nThe full letter to the EPA is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.\n\nThe full letter to the data companies is also available on Senator Duckworth’s website.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-schumer-matsui-lead-bipartisan-call-requiring-faa-to-guarantee-every-emergency-medical-kit-aboard-flights-include-life-saving-epinephrin", "title": "Duckworth, Schumer, Matsui Lead Bipartisan Call Requiring FAA to Guarantee Every Emergency Medical Kit Aboard Flights Include Life-Saving Epinephrin", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "scraper": "duckworth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000622", "name": "Tammy Duckworth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "The lawmakers’ call comes as the public comment period closes on the FAA’s dangerous proposed rule that would make epinephrine optional on flights\n\n[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation—U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Co-Chair of the Congressional Food Allergy Research Caucus, led a group of 20 bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers in calling on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to guarantee that emergency medical kits (EMK) on every commercial aircraft include epinephrine, a life-saving medication to treat passengers who go into anaphylactic shock. Today is the final day for the American people to submit public comments on the FAA’s dangerous new proposed rule that would result in medications being less consistent and dependable for passengers experiencing health emergencies on commercial flights—a severely misguided proposal that prioritizes flexibility for air carriers over the safety of the flying public.\n\n“Without proper medications that can easily be administered on board, medical emergencies happening while 35,000 feet in the air could turn deadly,” wrote the lawmakers in their official public comment to the FAA’s proposed rule. “The provisions outlined in the FAA’s proposed rule threaten the safety of airline passengers traveling with allergies and reverse previous FAA action to ensure the safety of all passengers.”\n\nIn the landmark 2024 FAA Reauthorization Law that she co-authored, Duckworth successfully secured a provision which required the FAA to ensure commercial airlines have adequate emergency medical kits on board to treat conditions like anaphylaxis. And yet, the FAA’s proposed rule would not require them to carry epinephrine—the only medication that reliably treats this medical emergency—in delivery methods that can be easily self-administered by individuals without medical training.\n\nDuckworth and Schumer have been pushing for years to require epinephrine designed for self-administration aboard all commercial aircraft, ever since they heard from their own constituents in 2019 who shared the life-threatening scares they experienced aboard flights that lacked this key medication and delivery method. The Senators detailed these harrowing stories in a letter to airline CEOs last month, in which they called on air carriers to ensure this life-saving medication is included in all their EMKs.\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “If a passenger is experiencing anaphylaxis, they could have mere seconds until they are unable to breathe. Without FDA-approved epinephrine delivery methods designed to be easily self-administered, passengers rely on the chance that there will be a good Samaritan on the flight who is a trained medical professional, or a flight attendant, in consultation with a medical professional on the ground, to quickly measure an appropriate dose of epinephrine using a vial and syringe. This is both risky and unnecessary; it is why the FAA’s working group recommended ‘pre-measured auto-delivery device’ be on the EMK contents list.”\n\nIn their letter, the lawmakers hammered the FAA’s proposed rule for ignoring expert recommendations, creating an even greater lack of transparency and consistency in EMKs for the flying public—who rely on EMKs during a medical emergency—and for needlessly putting the lives of commercial airline passengers at greater risk.\n\n“To ensure the safety of all airline passengers, we must guarantee that U.S.-based airlines include FDA-approved epinephrine delivery methods designed for self-administration on every flight,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nIn light of the FAA’s misguided and dangerous proposed rule change, Duckworth, Schumer and Matsui are calling on the FAA to heed their concerns—as well as the more than 1,500 public comments that have been submitted to express deep concern over this would-be policy failure that would place cost cutting and convenience for air carriers over the safety of the flying public.\n\nIn addition to Duckworth and Schumer, the letter is co-signed in the Senate by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).\n\nIn addition to Matsui, the letter is co-signed in the House by U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Kelly Morrison (D-MN-03) and Mike Quigley (D-IL-05).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found below and on Senator Duckworth’s website:\n\nDear Administrator Bedford:\n\nWe write to provide our comments on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published on August 5, 2026, which would make drastic changes to how the FAA determines the composition of the emergency medical kit (EMK) carried aboard aircraft. The proposed rule is opaque and dangerous, and it threatens to undermine previous work the FAA has done to ensure the safety of the traveling public.\n\nEMKs are supposed to enable initial treatment of a passenger experiencing moderate to severe injuries or illnesses until the aircraft can land and the passenger can be transferred to emergency medical personnel. Without proper medications that can easily be administered on board, medical emergencies happening while 35,000 feet in the air could turn deadly.\n\nThe proposed rule would make harmful steps to reverse work done at the agency to direct operators to include epinephrine in aircraft EMKs. Having multiple doses of epinephrine on every aircraft, in delivery methods that can be easily self-administered by individuals without medical training, is more urgent than ever. This is due to the on-flight presence of food items containing unlabeled allergens, a steady increase in the number of children with food allergies, the increased prevalence of a tick-borne illness that could create life-threatening allergies and the very real possibility that more than one passenger may require epinephrine during a single flight.\n\nThe provisions outlined in the FAA’s proposed rule threaten the safety of airline passengers traveling with allergies and reverse previous FAA action to ensure the safety of all passengers.\n\nOur concerns about the proposed rule are outlined below:\n\nLack of Alignment with Previous Recommendations\n\nThe FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 directed the FAA to assemble a panel of experts to make recommendations on EMKs and issue a proposed rule. The FAA Onboard Medical Kits Working Group included aerospace medicine experts and physicians, physiologists, psychologists, human factors specialists, cabin safety professionals and researchers. This working group submitted its report, dated May 1, 2025, to the FAA. The report stated:\n\n“The items proposed … are intended to provide initial stabilizing Basic Life Support (BLS) care for immediately life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest, airway emergencies, major hemorrhage, and anaphylaxis (emphasis added), as well as to facilitate provision of limited basic first-aid interventions for minor injuries and illnesses that are known to occur in-flight.”\n\nImportantly, the proposed EMK content list in the report includes both “pre-measured auto-delivery device” or “vial-drawn kit.” Yet, just one year later, the FAA publicly defied the recommendations in this report developed by the expert working group the FAA itself commissioned.\n\nNo Clear Requirement for Epinephrine\n\nThrough rulemaking, the Trump administration is seeking to downgrade the EMK content list, from a binding requirement to mere optional guidance. The proposed rule would allow operators to determine what components should be included in EMKs, so long as the EMK is “practical and sufficient” to address nine conditions, including anaphylaxis:\n\n“…FAA recommends sufficient resources for anaphylaxis (sudden/acute severe allergic reaction), which may include the following signs and symptoms: hives; swelling of the mouth, throat, or tongue; difficulty breathing, rapid or weak pulse, dizziness; stomach pain; nausea or vomiting; or loss of consciousness. Treatment options could (emphasis added) include medication such as epinephrine.”\n\nEpinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. The final rule must contain a clear directive that EMKs shall include epinephrine.\n\nNo Requirement for Epinephrine in Easily Self-Administered Forms\n\nIf a passenger is experiencing anaphylaxis, they could have mere seconds until they are unable to breathe. Without Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved epinephrine delivery methods designed to be easily self-administered, passengers rely on the chance that there will be a good Samaritan on the flight who is a trained medical professional, or a flight attendant, in consultation with a medical professional on the ground, to quickly measure an appropriate dose of epinephrine using a vial and syringe. This is both risky and unnecessary; it is why the FAA’s working group recommended “pre-measured auto-delivery device” be on the EMK contents list.\n\nCurrently, JetBlue, Southwest, Breeze and Frontier stock their EMKs with epinephrine auto-injectors, and American Airlines’ EMKs include both adult- and pediatric-dose epinephrine auto-injectors. Delta is in the process of transitioning its fleet to include auto-injectors in their EMKs by September 2027, and, this year, United Airlines and Allegiant Airlines will begin the work to include auto-injectors in EMKs. Even with tight profit margins, including epinephrine in delivery methods that can be easily self-administered, is possible. Through the rulemaking process, the FAA must direct airlines to include epinephrine in delivery methods that can be easily administered and not reverse course from its previous recommendations by abandoning the requirement to include epinephrine in EMKs in entirety.\n\nLack of Transparency on Compliance\n\nThe proposed rule would eliminate the exemption process, which was created to account for challenges in stocking EMKs due to drug shortages and allow airlines to substitute drugs, “without requesting an FAA exemption.” Airlines are not required to publicly or centrally report the real-time inventory and exact contents of their EMKs and have continued to operate under exemptions granted by the FAA for years. EMK suppliers and airlines can track when an EMK is opened and needs restocking, but only in instances where the kit was used. There is no means of systematically tracking incidents of allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, especially when passengers use their own epinephrine. For medical conditions that can be treated by multiple, accessible options, eliminating the need for the exemption process may make sense. However, epinephrine is the only first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. The public also deserves to know when certain items are not included in a flight’s EMK, and a rationale for the exclusion.\n\nConclusion\n\nThe proposed rule will reduce public safety and trust when flying by increasing ambiguity, subjectivity and opacity of EMK components. The proposed rule argues that increased flexibility is needed to keep up with advances in medicine but, without appropriate reporting and tracking, the Trump administration is significantly increasing the risk of major inconsistencies in EMKs from flight to flight. Predictability, consistency and transparency are all necessary to ensure passengers’ safety, particularly in cases of anaphylaxis, when minutes, or even seconds, matter.\n\nTo ensure the safety of all airline passengers, we must guarantee that U.S.-based airlines include FDA-approved epinephrine delivery methods designed for self-administration on every flight.\n\nWe call on the FAA to address the concerns outlined in this letter.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-demand-hearing-with-bill-putle-following-announced-cuts-to-crucial-fhfa-office-of-inspector-general/", "title": "Gallego, Colleagues Demand Hearing with Bill Putle Following Announced Cuts to Crucial FHFA Office of Inspector General", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Banking Democrats call for public forum to demand answers from Pulte on documented abuses of power\n\nWASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jack Reed (D-RI), and their Democratic colleagues on the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, in sending a letter to Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) requesting a hearing with Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte.\n\nThe Senators’ request follows various reported abuses of power by Pulte, including last week’s unprecedented move to cut the funding to the agency’s Office of the Inspector General (FHFA-OIG) by 60 percent and risk future operations.\n\n“We request you invite Director Pulte to testify before the Senate Banking Committee so our committee can fulfill its oversight functions and explore how his decisions are affecting FHFA’s ability to ensure Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHLBanks (collectively, “the government-sponsored enterprises,” or GSEs) operate in a safe and sound manner and provide a reliable source of liquidity and funding for housing finance and community investment. The hearing would provide Director Pulte the opportunity to explain his record,” the senators wrote.\n\nBill Pulte’s proposed cuts to FHFA-OIG — which is tasked with investigating waste, fraud, and abuse at FHFA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks — come while he remains under scrutiny for his abuses of power. Pulte is under investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for potentially misusing his federal authority and resources to publicly accuse prominent Democrats and President Donald Trump’s perceived political enemies of mortgage fraud. Pulte also faces questions for his apparent involvement in the President’s scheme to demolish the Kennedy Center and his brief tenure as Acting Director of National Intelligence.\n\nThe senators also addressed his mismanagement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which back 70 percent of mortgages in the United States: “Since failing to respond to congressional inquiries on his activities, Director Pulte has fired more staff at Fannie Mae, including about a dozen high-ranking executives. These now-fired executives were responsible for multifamily loans, low-income housing tax credit investments, and finance, and also included regulatory and communications officials. Director Pulte has not publicly explained the reasoning behind these most recent terminations and how these firings will impact Fannie Mae’s ability to provide price stability across the mortgage market.”\n\n70-80 percent of staff, including experienced law enforcement officers who serve as the primary watchdogs for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and keep the mortgage market stable, would be impacted by a layoff with Pulte’s cuts to the FHFA-OIG. These staff are tasked with investigating title and mortgage fraud, protecting mortgage lenders and home buyers from predatory practices, and ensuring a sound and secure mortgage and banking system.\n\n“We must fulfill our oversight responsibilities related to potential harm being done by Director Pulte to our nation’s housing finance market and in turn, to the supply and cost of housing,” the senators concluded.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-demand-investigation-into-recent-knowles-firefighter-tragedy/", "title": "Gallego, Colleagues Demand Investigation into Recent Knowles Firefighter Tragedy", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Senators call to examine policies following June deaths of four Rifle Helitack Crew firefighters\n\nWASHINGTON – Last week, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Gary Peters (D-MI) sent a letter to the Department of the Interior (DOI) demanding an investigation into the policies that preceded the deaths of four Rifle Interagency Helitack Crew members responding to the Gore and Knowles Fires on June 27.\n\nThe fallen firefighters, Nick Hutcherson, 27, Emily Barker, 38, Sydney Watson, 27, and Nathan Matthews, 43, grew up in communities across the country before finding their way to federal wildland firefighting in Western Colorado. The senators represent states with connections to the four firefighters.\n\n“The tragedy of the loss of these four lives necessitates a thorough examination of departmental policies that guide fire suppression,” wrote the senators. “This year has seen the highest number of entrapments in two decades, as well as the deaths of 13 federal wildland firefighters, pilots, and contractors in incidents across the West. Now is the time to examine the policies that can help us avoid any additional devastating losses.”\n\nIn a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the senators called for the investigation to examine:\n\nInterior’s “full suppression” strategy: Whether the department’s presumption of full suppression for every wildfire properly weighs risks to life, property, and natural resources.\n\nDirect attack by default: Whether the approach used on the Knowles Fire was influenced by broader agency policy rather than an assessment of the specific fire behavior and conditions crews faced.\n\nFirefighter safety and weather conditions: Whether information-sharing—specifically in regard to fire-weather and conditions — led to adequately informed decisions, and whether improvements can or should be made going forward. Federal forecasts warned potentially severe impacts the morning the Rifle Helitack Crew deployed. The crew was inserted two hours later and remained on the ground amid new ignitions, strong winds, and near-zero visibility, according to preliminary investigation reports.\n\nStaffing and organizational changes: Assess the impact of whether major staffing cuts and shortages on its fire suppression operations in relation to the Knowles Fire tragedy.\n\nThe letter comes as the senators continue seeking answers about the recent deaths. Interagency procedures call for serious accident investigations to be completed within 45 days, meaning the internal review should have been completed by August 11. Requests for a briefing on the investigation’s status have not been fulfilled, and no new information has been released since a July 30 update.\n\n“Wildland firefighter safety is a non-negotiable imperative,” continued the senators. “We call on you to ensure the Department takes a thorough, clear-eyed assessment of the multiple factors that led to four deaths and one serious injury in response to the Knowles Fire.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-press-epa-ai-companies-on-rollback-of-public-input-rules-for-data-center-air-permits/", "title": "Gallego, Colleagues Press EPA, AI Companies on Rollback of Public Input Rules for Data Center Air Permits", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in sending two letters opposing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed elimination of the 30-day mandatory public notice period that allows communities to provide input on proposed facilities, like data centers, that may affect the air they breathe.\n\nThe first letter, addressed to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, calls on him to withdraw the proposed rule; the second letter, to nine major data center companies — Anthropic, AWS, Fermi, Google, Joule, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, and xAI — urges them to maintain current public participation standards regardless of the rule’s outcome.\n\n“We agree that permitting should be efficient, predictable, and capable of supporting the infrastructure our country needs. But faster permitting should not come at the expense of transparency or communities’ ability to shape the decisions that affect them,” the senators wrote to EPA Administrator Zeldin.\n\n“Data center companies like yours also have a responsibility not to use weaker requirements to limit public participation or communities’ ability to meaningfully shape decisions that affect them,” continued the senators to the data center companies. “America can build the infrastructure needed to compete and innovate while keeping communities informed and involved in the decisions that affect them.”\n\nIn addition to Senators Gallego, Kelly, and Whitehouse, the letter to the EPA was signed by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).\n\nIn addition to Senators Gallego, Kelly and Whitehouse, the letter to the data companies was signed by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).\n\nRead the full letter to the EPA HERE.\n\nRead the full letter to the AI companies HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-introduces-bill-to-reduce-student-cell-phone-use-in-school/", "title": "Gallego Introduces Bill to Reduce Student Cell Phone Use in School", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Last week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced the Supporting Focus in Schools Act, legislation that would help public schools limit classroom cell phone use by creating a grant program to cover the costs of phone storage and teacher training.\n\n“Kids are getting phones younger and younger, and we’re seeing the consequences in the classroom: more distractions, less learning. As a dad of three young kids, I worry about the repercussions this has for their future,” said Senator Gallego. “It’s time to get cell phones out of the classroom. Kids should engage with what they’re learning — without a phone constantly pulling their attention away.”\n\nThe Supporting Focus in Schools Act would create a grant program under the Department of Education to support restricting the use of cellular phones and other personal electronic devices at Title I schools during instructional time. Funding may be used to purchase equipment for the program, such as lockers and phone pouches, and to provide training for teachers and administrators.\n\nExceptions can be made at the discretion of the school administrator regarding:\n\nCell phone usage by students for medical purposes or emergencies.\n\nSchool laptops and other electronic devices used for instruction and provided by the school.\n\nLast month, Senator Gallego announced his education titled “Class in Session: A Plan to Fix America’s Public Education System,” aimed at focusing on strengthening our public school system to ensure the success of our students as they move into the workforce.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-kelly-celebrate-passage-of-bill-to-restore-the-grand-canyons-north-rim-out-of-committee/", "title": "Gallego, Kelly Celebrate Passage of Bill to Restore the Grand Canyon’s North Rim Out of Committee", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Last week, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) celebrated the unanimous passage of the North Rim Restoration Act out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR). The legislation addresses recovery efforts of the North Rim at the Grand Canyon after the devastating Dragon Bravo Fire.\n\nIf enacted, the legislation would streamline the restoration process by granting National Park Service (NPS) emergency contracting authority to bypass standard delays and accelerate renewals. The legislation covers fire-related recovery efforts, including forest management, maintenance, rebuilding, and infrastructure improvements. This would allow the NPS to quickly hire, approve, and oversee contractors for cleanup and reconstruction efforts.\n\n“The Grand Canyon is not only a marvel to look at — the tourists it attracts act as the economic engine for rural communities in Northern Arizona. These communities have been devastated by the Dragon Bravo fire and need help now,” said Senator Gallego. “I urge the full Senate to take up this bill and provide the resources needed to get these communities back on their feet.”\n\n“Rebuilding the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is critical for the communities and small businesses that depend on it,” said Senator Kelly. “We’re one step closer to cutting red tape, restoring the park, and bringing visitors back to the area.”\n\n“We applaud Senator Gallego and Senator Kelly’s leadership and support of the North Rim Restoration Act introduced by Representative Crane and its passage through committee. The bill’s passage by unanimous consent represents a critical bipartisan step by Congress to ensure we move as quickly and thoughtfully as possible to rebuild the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. We look forward to working with Senator Gallego, Senator Kelly, Representative Crane, and the full Arizona delegation to ensure the North Rim Restoration Act becomes law, and the funding for the rebuild is duly and expeditiously allocated. This will allow federal agencies to quickly begin work supporting communities hit hardest by last summer’s wildfires,” said Ethan Aumack, Executive Director Grand Canyon Trust.\n\nIn July of 2025, the Dragon Bravo fire initiated following lightning strikes on the North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park, burning thousands of acres of National Park Service land. Over 100 structures were destroyed, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, several historic cabins and the North Rim Visitor Center in the Grand Canyon National Park, and a wastewater treatment plant, resulting in a chlorine gas leak.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-colleagues-introduce-bicameral-legislation-to-depoliticize-military-promotions/", "title": "Gillibrand, Colleagues Introduce Bicameral Legislation To Depoliticize Military Promotions", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "scraper": "gillibrand", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000555", "name": "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined a bicameral group of colleagues to introduce the Military Officer Promotion Integrity Act. This bill would protect qualified military officers from being arbitrarily removed from promotion consideration for ideological or political reasons by establishing clear standards, basic due process, and meaningful independent review.\n\n“Officers who have earned a promotion deserve to be judged on their qualifications and nothing else,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Secretary Hegseth has pushed out our best and brightest, cutting some of the most highly trained, most qualified people in our armed services and leaving our military rudderless. I will keep fighting to curb Secretary Hegseth’s ability to jeopardize our national security and military preparedness and ensure our military is led by qualified officers capable of keeping Americans safe.”\n\nDefense Secretary Hegseth has repeatedly blocked women and minority officers from promotions and criticized diversity initiatives in the military. The new legislation reins in Secretary Hegseth’s inconsistent and politicized leadership and mandates that an officer can only be removed from promotion recommendations based on the following criteria:\n\nThe officer engaged in misconduct;\n\nNewly discovered, material adverse information unavailable to the promotion selection board materially affects the qualifications of the officer for promotion;\n\nThe officer no longer satisfies statutory qualifications for promotion; or\n\nRemoval is required for reasons of national security or military necessity\n\nSenator Gillibrand has been a leading voice in holding Secretary Hegseth accountable for his reckless leadership of the Department of Defense. During his confirmation hearing, she challenged his previous denigration of women in the military and has repeatedly called for his resignation, most recently after eight sailors in the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide. In April, after reports that Hegseth blocked or delayed promotions for more than a dozen Black and female senior officers, she called for a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the matter.\n\nIn addition to Senator Gillibrand, the legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI). It is cosponsored in the House by U.S. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06) and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10).\n\nThe bill is endorsed by VoteVets, Protect Democracy, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), and Retired Major General Steve Lepper, co-founder of the Former JAG Working Group.\n\nThe full text of the bill is available here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/wtas-grassley-has-done-the-republic-a-service-in-exposing-jack-smiths-weaponized-investigations", "title": "WTAS: Grassley Has “Done the Republic a Service” in Exposing Jack Smith’s Weaponized Investigations", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – Last week, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released new bombshell records exposing former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s weaponized investigations targeting President Trump, members of the media and thousands of everyday Americans.\n\nHere’s what they’re saying about Grassley’s oversight:\n\nNew York Post Editorial Board\n\nDemocrats must answer for Jack Smith’s politically charged prosecutorial abuses\n\n“The Senate Judiciary Committee last week dropped evidence that Biden-er[a] special counsel Jack Smith savagely abused prosecutorial powers for purely political purposes — an outrage Democrats as of now seem sure to repeat when next they run the Executive Branch…\n\n“Now we know that Smith, in his Capt. Ahab pursuit of Trump, went after complete innocents — spying on thousands of average Americans, obtaining their home addresses, bank account and routing numbers, and signatures. Their crime? Donating to Trump, in some cases as little as $1…\n\n“Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley’s done the republic a service by bringing Smith’s outrages to light.”\n\nDaily Caller\n\nInvestigation Into Jack Smith Suggests He Was The Real Threat To Democracy\n\n“A Senate Judiciary Committee investigation into former special counsel Jack Smith has revealed how far his probe of President Donald Trump reached, extending to members of Congress, media outlets, and the financial records of thousands of Americans.\n\n“Grassley argued that while Smith framed his work as an investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot, the scope of his subpoenas showed a broader effort to target the Republican Party.”\n\nThe Federalist\n\nJack Smith Spying On Trump Donors Is Latest Dem Ploy To Chill Americans’ Political Speech\n\n“An Iowan donated $10 to President Donald Trump months before the 2020 election. As a result, then-Special Counsel Jack Smith obtained his home address, bank information, and other personal information and handed it over to the Biden administration’s FBI and DOJ…\n\n“Americans considering donating $10, $1,000, or $10,000 to political causes they agree with should not have to fear that they will be doxxed or end up on a government list. But each time targeting and doxxing does happen, it makes ordinary citizens consider staying out of politics all together. And if Democrats can’t convince Americans to switch parties, they will try to make them scared of expressing their political beliefs.”\n\nRead more coverage of what came to light during last week’s oversight hearing:\n\nJack Smith secretly subpoenaed financial information from nearly 5,000 Republican donors:\n\nRadio Iowa | Grassley critical of subpoenas for Trump campaign donations\n\nKCCI Des Moines | Grassley questions Jack Smith over Trump campaign donor subpoenas\n\nWashington Examiner | Grassley says Smith subpoenaed nearly 5,000 checks from Trump donors as part of Arctic Frost\n\nDaily Caller | Jack Smith Collected Banking Information On Thousands Of Trump Supporters\n\nNational Review | Jack Smith Collected Thousands of Trump Donors’ Financial Info as Part of Election Probe\n\nThe Federalist | Jack Smith Seized Nearly 5,000 Checks Written By Trump Donors\n\nJust the News | Jack Smith's team subpoenaed checks from roughly 5,000 Americans: Grassley\n\nJack Smith scooped up nearly 50 journalists’ private communications:\n\nNew York Post | Jack Smith’s team got texts of dozens of reporters, bank info from thousands of Americans: Grassley\n\nFox News | Jack Smith's Trump probe swept up Fox News, other media communications as investigation went beyond lawmakers\n\nWashington Examiner | Jack Smith collected journalists’ private messages for Arctic Frost investigation: Whistleblower\n\nWashington Times | Jack Smith’s Trump investigation scooped up communications from major media\n\nJack Smith’s deputy wanted to repeal the constitutional Speech or Debate Clause:\n\nFox News | Top investigator in Biden-era election probe wanted to tear key constitutional right away from lawmakers\n\nWashington Examiner | Jack Smith deputy advocated ‘repealing’ congressional protections prior to Jan. 6\n\nJack Smith’s classified documents case was based on a “noncriminal referral:”\n\nDaily Caller | EXCLUSIVE: Newly Released Records Undercut Jack Smith’s Account Of How Trump Classified Documents Probe Began", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/following-senator-hassans-push-president-trump-backs-down-from-taxpayer-funded-political-ads", "title": "Following Senator Hassan’s Push, President Trump Backs Down From Taxpayer-Funded Political Ads", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hassan.senate.gov", "scraper": "hassan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001076", "name": "Margaret Wood Hassan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Following U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan’s recent push for immediate answers and transparency around President Donald Trump’s plainly-illegal taxpayer-funded political advertisements, President Trump this evening announced that he would back down from the effort and direct his campaign and his super PAC to pay for the ads instead. The ads, one of which included footage that was directly from a 2024 Trump campaign video, have reportedly already cost taxpayers more than $10 million as part of a reported $20 million contract.\n\n“These campaign ads never should have run on the taxpayer’s dime to begin with. They were clearly wrong and clearly illegal, which is why the President should also immediately repay the taxpayers for the amount already spent on these ads,” said Senator Hassan, Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee and senior member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in response to the news. “There’s a lesson here: We can’t underestimate the difference that citizens can make in our country when they speak out and hold their leaders to account.”\n\nReports of President Trump’s taxpayer-funded political ad push first became public on September 24, and Senator Hassan immediately launched an effort to get answers for people and force the President to reverse course. Senator Hassan began by calling for White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles to immediately tell the American people how these political advertisements, which clearly violated federal law, were developed, who authorized them, and where the funds were coming from. Senator Hassan also took to the Senate Floor for answers, introducing and moving to pass a Senate resolution condemning the ads and saying they should not be paid for by taxpayer dollars. Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the effort. Finally, Senator Hassan kept up the pressure on the Administration, pushing President Trump on multiple televisionnetworks about the unprecedented and unacceptable nature of these ads.\n\nFinally, this evening, President Trump relented, announcing that he would pay for the television ads himself, as well as through funds he has raised for his super PAC. It is not immediately clear how the President, who is legally barred from coordinating with his Super PAC, could direct them to do anything while remaining in compliance with federal law.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-hassan-highlights-the-cost-of-trumps-vanity-projects-during-speech-on-senate-floor", "title": "Senator Hassan Highlights the Cost of Trump’s Vanity Projects During Speech on Senate Floor", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hassan.senate.gov", "scraper": "hassan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001076", "name": "Margaret Wood Hassan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recently delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. Senate highlighting President Trump’s failure to fulfill his promise to lower costs for American families, while spending taxpayer dollars on projects that honor himself.\n\nSince President Trump took office, the average American household has had to spend more than $4,200 extra on goods and services because of rising costs, according to a recent Joint Economic Committee – Minority report. Meanwhile, a separate Committee report found that President Trump’s vanity projects – including construction of the new White House ballroom and the no-bid contract to paint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, among others – are expected to cost more than $1.8 billion. Using this total, the Committee created an Interactive Cost Calculator where users can explore how this $1.8 billion could instead be spent to lower costs and help the American people.\n\nClick hereto watch Senator Hassan’s full remarks, and see key quotes and a full transcript below:\n\n“Not only has the President failed to make good on his pledge to bring down costs, not only is it evident that he never even bothered to try, but it’s clear that on virtually every metric, it costs more to be an American than it did two years ago when this President was sworn in and the 119th Congress began.”\n\n“The President had nearly two years to try to lower costs, and instead families had $4200 more dollars taken out of their pockets.”\n\n“The President has been clear about his priorities: He is not interested in lowering costs for families. He would rather raise monuments to honor himself.”\n\n“The American people don’t want the President to build a golden ballroom; they want him to build homes that they can afford.”\n\n“In short, it tells us that the President seeks to rule; but he is unable to lead. He seeks to honor himself; but he is unable to honor his word.”\n\nTwo years ago, the American people elected a new Congress and a new President. The American people did so based on a promise that the President and his allies in Congress would work to bring down high costs.\n\nSo now, it’s worth asking a simple question, one that the American people will ask their elected representatives when they return home in a few days:\n\nDid the President and his allies in Congress make good on their pledge to bring down costs for American families?\n\nThe answer is clear: No. Not only has the President failed to make good on his pledge to bring down costs, not only is it evident that he never even bothered to try, but it’s clear that on virtually every metric, it costs more to be an American than it did two years ago when this President was sworn in and the 119th Congress began.\n\nIt’s worth taking a moment to go line by line, cost by cost, broken promise by broken promise, to examine the ways in which the President’s policies – including his tariffs and his war – have driven costs higher and higher.\n\nBefore the President took office, he promised that he would bring gas prices down from $3 a gallon to less than $2. But under this President and his majorities in Congress, gas prices haven’t just failed to go down, they’ve instead shot up to around $4.50 a gallon, meaning gas costs 50% more now than when Donald Trump entered office.\n\nSince the President began his reckless war with Iran without a plan to win, the American people have paid an additional $93 billion on gas in less than a year. And on average, each American family has had to spend $790 more on gas since this war began.\n\nAnd the President failed even more catastrophically to bring down diesel prices. Diesel now costs around $3 more a gallon than it did when the President took office. Farmers and truckers are weathering the highest prices for diesel in American history, with costs at the pump exceeding $6.50 a gallon last week.\n\nNow, it’s one thing to fail on a promise to lower the price of something, it’s quite another to be responsible for the highest price of that good ever recorded in our country’s history.\n\nThe President also promised to make health care “affordable again.” Of course, that is not at all what happened. Instead, the President gutted Medicaid to take away health care from millions of Americans in order to pay for tax giveaways to billionaires like himself.\n\nHe also allowed health insurance premiums to surge, meaning more families now pay more for insurance every single month, even if they don’t get sick.\n\nJust before the President took office, the average monthly cost for health insurance was $468 a month. The President did not reduce those premiums by a dime.\n\nInstead, families now pay $611 a month, that is almost $150 more monthly, almost $2000 more per year. $2000 dollars…dollars that could otherwise be spent on the mortgage, the rent, repairs for the car, let alone parents just using it to do something nice for their kids.\n\nAnd what about the cost of groceries? The President promised repeatedly that he would bring grocery costs down. Well, let’s look at the numbers. Since the President took office, ground beef has risen to $7 a pound. And coffee has risen from about $7 a pound to more than $9.\n\nNow I don’t know if the President is right when he says that groceries are an “old fashioned word” as he often claims, but I do know that old-fashioned math tells us that $9 is more expensive than $7.\n\nAnd let’s say we take everything all together…all the goods and services that we pay for every day and add it all up. How much, if at all, did the President and his allies in Congress, reduce costs?\n\nThey failed to reduce costs at all. The American people have had to pay an additional $4,200 on goods and services since the President took office. The President had nearly two years to try to lower costs, and instead families had $4,200 more dollars taken out of their pockets.\n\nThis isn’t a partisan point, this isn’t spin, this is just basic, mathematical facts — facts that make evident that the President both completely failed to lower costs and honestly didn’t even try.\n\nSo, if the President failed to bring down costs, what has he been working on these last two years?\n\nWell, the President has been clear about his priorities: He is not interested in lowering costs for families. He is interested in raising monuments to honor himself.\n\nHe hosted military parades in his honor. He destroyed the East Wing to build himself a golden ballroom. He’s been trying to put his name on other monuments. He is running taxpayer-funded ad campaigns praising himself.\n\nAnd, according to a new report from the Joint Economic Committee Minority, while the American people are paying more to keep up with high costs, the President wants to spend $1.8 billion on projects to flatter his own vanity.\n\nNow, we throw lots of numbers around in Washington, but it’s worth remembering what the American people know full well: This is real money we’re talking about. It’s the American people’s money. We owe it to them to ask: How could that same 1.8 billion dollars help them?\n\nWhat can $1.8 billion buy when it’s not being diverted by an apprentice dictator who, rightly fearing that no one will ever honor his presidency after he is gone, rushes to build gilded tributes to himself?\n\n$1.8 billion, it can buy a lot of things.\n\nIt can pay for the electric bills for 12 million families for a month.\n\nIt can fill up more than 35 million tanks of gas, even at the President’s new high prices.\n\nIt can buy 600 million school lunches, fully paid for, so our children can have a good, healthy meal at school.\n\n$1.8 billion could hire around 30,000 new fire fighters to keep our communities safe.\n\nAnd it can pay all the medical expenses, every medical bill for more than 88,000 American veterans for an entire year.\n\nIf the President insists on spending the people’s money on himself, he owes them an explanation. So, if I have one request today, it’s this: I want the President to explain why a monument to honor himself is a better use of taxpayer dollars than paying for health care for veterans?\n\nIs a ballroom to make one man feel like a King, more important than health care for a year for the heroes who fought to keep our country free?\n\nWhat more did America’s heroes, people who have given everything to this country, what more need to do, to deserve the $1.8 billion the President would rather spend to honor himself?\n\nAnd when in America did honoring service become less important than honoring one man’s ego?\n\nI know that a majority of Americans, including many of my Republican colleagues, also find the President’s vanity projects distasteful. But I think we all are doing a bit of play-acting if we forget that the President’s determination to shower himself in honors is not simply excessive, or a distraction, but is wrong, and is distinctly un-American.\n\nConsider our other Presidents. George Washington didn’t order the construction of the Washington Monument; Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson didn’t pick out sculptors to build their memorials; John F. Kennedy didn’t name the Kennedy Center; and none of them tried to put themselves on our currency.\n\nThey received these honors from grateful citizens after their time in office.\n\nThe current President is the only exception to this rule. George Washington was a rich man as well, but he used his wealth to support the Continental Army, he didn’t use his office to enrich himself. Nor did he have any interest in being a King.\n\nThe reason why this matters is because the President’s desire to appease his own vanity and his failure to bring down costs are linked. Because it’s deeply telling that the President will go to such extravagant lengths to honor himself…he will break with American values and precedent when they stand in the way of his whims, he will use a wrecking ball to tear down buildings.\n\nHe will spend great time and effort planning every detail, he will file court appeals while defying court orders, he will pilfer taxpayer funds, and even ignore the law and the Constitution…all just in his mission to leave a gilded tribute to himself…but he can’t be bothered to lift a finger to bring down costs…despite his promise to do so.\n\nWhat does this all reveal? It reveals that the President is uninterested in listening to what the American people want:\n\nThe American people don’t want the President to build a golden ballroom; they want him to build homes that they can afford.\n\nThey’re not asking for parades and car races on the National Mall; they want to pay less at the pump on their way to work.\n\nThey don’t want his face on our currency; they want to keep more money in their pockets.\n\nSo, in closing, what does the final accounting of the President’s broken promise tell us? Since the President took office, Americans have had to pay $4,200 more to keep up with rising costs…while the President spends $1.8 billion to keep up with his own ego.\n\nIn short, it tells us that the President seeks to rule; but he is unable to lead.\n\nHe seeks to honor himself; but he is unable to honor his word.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-hassan-speaks-at-youth-addiction-prevention-summit-in-plymouth", "title": "Senator Hassan Speaks at Youth Addiction Prevention Summit in Plymouth", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hassan.senate.gov", "scraper": "hassan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001076", "name": "Margaret Wood Hassan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "PLYMOUTH – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan spoke at the Communities for Alcohol- and Drug-Free Youth (CADY) 24th Annual Prevention Summit in Plymouth. During her speech, Senator Hassan highlighted efforts to combat addiction and support people working on the front lines of prevention, treatment, and recovery.\n\nThe CADY Summit brought together prevention and recovery professionals, health care providers, law enforcement, students, and community members to discuss strategies to prevent substance misuse and strengthen prevention efforts across New Hampshire.\n\nSenator Hassan continues to work to combat addiction and expand access to evidence-based addiction treatment. At the end of last year, Senator Hassan played a key role in spearheading the passage of the bipartisan SUPPORT Act, which included important support for federal funding for fentanyl test strips. Additionally, Senator Hassan helped introduce the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act, bipartisan legislation to improve access to medication-assisted treatment by allowing more addiction specialists to prescribe methadone. In 2022, Senator Hassan successfully passed into law her bipartisanMainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act to increase the number of medical professionals authorized to prescribe medication-assisted treatment.\n\nRead highlights from Senator Hassan’s remarks as prepared below:\n\n“Thanks in part to the work of many of the people in this room, New Hampshire has made real, steady progress combatting fentanyl. Overdose deaths are down. Medication-assisted-treatment, the gold standard for treatment, is now much more readily available. And law enforcement officers continue to find new ways to stop the spread of illicit fentanyl on our streets.”\n\n“It’s important for us to note that none of this progress happened by accident. We made this progress because people like all of you in this room worked to make it happen.”\n\n“While we’ve made important progress, we also know that there is much more work to do. One of the challenges of the fentanyl and synthetic drug crisis, as everyone here understands full well, is that it’s a constantly changing threat. Every time we seem to get a handle on it, we encounter a new illicit drug showing up on our streets, or some other new challenge. That’s why it’s vital that we don’t let up. We need to continue building on the progress that we’ve made.”\n\n“It’s also critical that we continue to ramp up efforts to promote prevention, including in schools. We need to understand which educational programs and strategies work and which don’t.”\n\n\"Students often tell us that dealing with addiction on their own, without the support system that they need, cases them to retreat into themselves; they feel all alone... Any successful anti-addiction strategy is going to need students and young leaders having a key role.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-colleagues-demand-dhs-stop-election-interference-efforts/", "title": "Hickenlooper, Colleagues Demand DHS Stop Election Interference Efforts", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/", "domain": "www.hickenlooper.senate.gov", "scraper": "hickenlooper", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000273", "name": "John W. Hickenlooper", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper joined 33 of his Senate colleagues to demand the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin immediately halt the Department’s efforts to take control of and weaken public trust in the 2026 midterm elections.\n\nThe senators demanded evidence for Mullin’s public claims about noncitizens who registered to vote, called on DHS to rescind new election-related conditions on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) homeland security grants, release the full grant funding to states, and end the alleged “Unlawful Voter Initiative” disclosed by a recent whistleblower.\n\n“We write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands,” the senators wrote.\n\n“According to the whistleblower, USCIS staff were given a list of names and told to use sensitive personally identifiable information to impersonate voters and access state voter registration websites to verify individuals’ immigration and voter registration statuses. Equipped with incomplete and unverifiable data compiled with ‘supplemental magic,’ USCIS staff are allegedly being directed to create law enforcement records on individuals, including U.S. citizens, for possible referral to HSI for further investigation,” the senators continued. “If true, this is just another alarming effort by the Department to use data that USCIS materials admit may be inaccurate, coupled with questionable means to potentially disenfranchise voters.”\n\nThe senators called on Mullin to immediately provide all information substantiating his July 17, 2026 allegations regarding noncitizens who registered to vote, rescind FEMA Information Bulletin Nos. 569 and 569(a) and release all withheld funds to states without further delay; and provide information about the “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and immediately cease its activities.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available HERE and below:\n\nDear Secretary Mullin:\n\nWe write to warn you against continued activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that seek to undermine the Constitutional authority of both Congress and states to administer elections and defy the directions of federal courts. As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have promoted the President’s conspiracy theories about our elections, pressured states to participate in illegal activities, and explicitly threatened to reduce grant funding and initiate criminal investigations for those states that do not comply with the Administration’s demands.\n\nYou have been unwilling to publicly affirm that you will not send U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel to the polls, despite federal law barring their presence. Most recently, you deployed Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents across nine states for a “coordinated criminal voter fraud surge initiative,” despite the lack of verifiable evidence of widespread noncitizen voter fraud. Your actions as Secretary are intentionally undermining Americans’ trust in the 2026 midterm elections and appear to purposefully disenfranchise eligible voters. Taken together, these actions amount to an illegal attempt to federalize the administration of the upcoming midterm elections.\n\nAt the direction of President Trump, you have endeavored to coerce states into divulging sensitive voter roll information, raising serious concerns about how that information will be stored and used. On March 25, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order No. 14248, which required DHS to compare state voter registration lists against federal immigration databases. The Executive Order was followed by an overhaul of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, which transformed the program from one used for individual benefits eligibility checks to a system that could carry out bulk searches of records using Social Security numbers. Since then, DHS has repeatedly pressured states to share their voter rolls and run them through the modified SAVE program, despite legal concerns and known accuracy issues.\n\nYou have exerted this pressure despite the fact that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which administers the SAVE program, has acknowledged that its results can be inaccurate. Additionally, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has acknowledged that its citizenship data for naturalized citizens – which is used by the SAVE program – is incomplete and unreliable. Even though the Supreme Court has allowed you to use the SAVE program for now, we remind you of the requirement of the National Voter Registration Act, 52 U. S. C. §20507(c)(2)(A) that bars any systematic removal of ineligible voters within 90 days of Election Day.\n\nOn July 17, 2026, you claimed, without evidence, that 250,000 non-citizens were registered to vote in four states. This claim has been refuted by states and even by other administration officials. For example, you claimed that around 16,000 noncitizens illegally registered to vote in Nevada, but later, other DHS officials alleged the number was only 185.8 A subsequent review by Nevada state officials found all 185 individuals were U.S. citizens. These states did not agree to give you their sensitive state voter roll information and judges in each state dismissed the Department of Justice’s efforts to access that information. Moreover, elections experts have challenged the legitimacy of these numbers. Considering the inaccuracies in SSA’s citizenship categorizations and the questions surrounding how you obtained the voter roll information needed to analyze this data, we cannot trust the numbers as reported.\n\nFurther, under your leadership, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently added new terms and conditions to fiscal year (FY) 2025 and 2026 Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program awards. These are grants provided to states to help them protect their communities from terrorism and other hazards. In the FY 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), FEMA mandated that 3% of the target allocations for these grants be spent on enhancing election security, including critical activities like hardening election locations. Now, after FY25 agreements have already been signed, this Administration is threatening to withhold a percentage of the funding hostage if recipients do not meet these new, specious requirements, despite serious legal and implementation concerns. FEMA also added requirements to the recently released FY26 Homeland Security Grant Program NOFO, conditioning 20% of the full amount of the grants on states’ compliance with election requirements that states have contested in litigation. DHS’s continued interference with FEMA’s grants puts FEMA’s mission at risk, slows down the administration of grants, and ultimately hurts communities.\n\nNow, a federal whistleblower has alleged that, at the direction of DHS and USCIS leadership, the component’s Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate staff may have violated laws and DHS policies in furtherance of a new “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” According to the whistleblower, USCIS staff were given a list of names and told to use sensitive personally identifiable information to impersonate voters and access state voter registration websites to verify individuals’ immigration and voter registration statuses. Equipped with incomplete and unverifiable data compiled with “supplemental magic,” USCIS staff are allegedly being directed to create law enforcement records on individuals, including U.S. citizens, for possible referral to HSI for further investigation. If true, this is just another alarming effort by the Department to use data that USCIS materials admit may be inaccurate, coupled with questionable means to potentially disenfranchise voters.\n\nThe 2026 midterm elections are already underway. Your unsubstantiated allegations of noncitizen voter fraud, public recitation of unreliable data, and unwarranted conditioning of continued grant funding for state election security measures on compliance with politically motivated requests for voter data appear to be calculated efforts to undermine confidence in our elections and risks wrongly disenfranchising voters.\n\nWe are deeply troubled by the actions that you, DHS, and the Trump Administration have taken. As such, we demand that you immediately cease the aforementioned activities and provide us with all information underpinning the allegations made in your July 17, 2026, letter regarding non-citizens registered to vote, rescind Information Bulletin Nos. 569 and 569(a), release all withheld funds to the states without further delay, and provide information about the “Unlawful Voter Initiative.”\n\nThank you for your prompt attention and cooperation in this matter.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-leads-bipartisan-bicameral-resolution-recognizing-filipino-american-history-month", "title": "Hirono Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Recognizing Filipino American History Month", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hirono.senate.gov", "scraper": "hirono", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001042", "name": "Mazie K. Hirono", "party": "Democrat", "state": "HI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) led her colleagues in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution commemorating October as Filipino American History Month. The resolution celebrates Filipino Americans’ rich history and the many contributions they have made to the United States, including as members of the U.S. Armed Forces, officials in federal and state governments, and leaders of labor movements. A companion resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Ed Case (D-HI), Bobby Scott (D-VA), and James Moylan (R-GU).\n\n“From the first Filipino contract laborers who arrived in Hawaii seeking a better life, to today’s leaders in business, healthcare, and our Armed Forces, the Filipino American community has contributed to our country’s diversity and helped to shape our national identity,” said Senator Hirono. “As the Trump regime continues to attack minority communities, celebrating diversity is especially critical. This October, I am proud to honor Filipino American culture and history, and to continue uplifting Filipino Americans voices in Hawaii and nationwide.”\n\n“I continue to be deeply honored to represent our Hawaii’s and country’s some 4.6 million Filipino Americans, and very proud to once again join my colleagues to commemorate this October as Filipino American History month,” said Congressman Ed Case, whose district is home to more Filipino Americans than any other congressional district nationwide. “In doing so, we remember and honor the sacrifices and contributions of generations past and present, the embodiment of the best of America that Filipino Americans represent, and the continued advancement and promise of future generations.”\n\n\"I have the privilege of representing the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, home to the largest Filipino American population on the East Coast. Filipino Americans have made invaluable contributions to our country, so I am proud to join communities across the country in recognizing and celebrating their rich history, heritage, and enduring contributions to our nation,” said Congressman Bobby Scott.\n\nThe resolution is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).\n\n“Filipino Americans make tremendous contributions to our country and have helped shape our nation for the better,” said Senator Warner. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to celebrate the rich culture, history, and contributions of Filipino Americans, and I’ll continue working to ensure Virginia remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and build a bright future.”\n\n“With over 200,000 Filipino residents, Nevada is home to one of the largest and fastest-growing Filipino American populations in the country,” said Senator Rosen. “I am proud to join this resolution, as we celebrate all the amazing accomplishments and contributions that the Filipino American community has provided to both Nevada and the rest of the country.”\n\n“California is home to the largest population of Filipino Americans in the country, a vibrant community that has helped shape our state’s history and culture,” said Senator Padilla. “Whether it’s serving valiantly in the armed forces, building small businesses, or providing life-saving medical care, Filipino Americans’ contributions to our country are immeasurable. I am proud to honor the community’s historic legacy and celebrate Filipino American History Month this month and always.”\n\n“This month, we celebrate the culture, values, and history of the Filipino American community. More than a century ago, the first Filipino sakadas came to Hawai‘i to work on the sugar plantations, laying roots for generations of Filipino families who would call Hawai‘i home. Their hard work and contributions have helped shape our communities and the Hawai‘i we know today,” said Senator Schatz.\n\n“Las Vegas is home to 200,000 Filipino Americans. They are our friends, neighbors, and community members, they are small business owners, hospitality workers, and service members, and they make up a vibrant part of Nevada’s cultural tapestry,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This month and every month, we honor the contributions that Filipinos have made to the Silver State and the country as a whole.”\n\n“From serving in our Armed Forces to leading some of America’s most important labor movements, Filipino Americans have shaped our nation’s identity for the better,” said Senator Duckworth. “During Filipino American History Month, our resolution makes it clear: Illinois and our country will always be stronger because of our Filipino American community.”\n\n“On behalf of the Filipino American National Historical Society, I extend our appreciation to Senator Mazie Hirono and the members of Congress recognizing Filipino American History Month,” said Christy Poisot, President of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS). “May this resolution inspire us not only to celebrate our history but to preserve it, teach it, and ensure that every generation understands that Filipino American stories have always been part of America’s story.”\n\n\"NaFFAA proudly supports Senator Hirono's resolution recognizing October as Filipino American History Month. From the first Filipinos who arrived on American shores in 1587, to the veterans who fought under the American flag in World War II, to the nurses and healthcare workers who kept this country alive through a pandemic, Filipino Americans have always been here — contributing, sacrificing, and building this nation alongside every other community,” said Ryan Namata, President of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFA). “Filipino American History Month is not just a celebration. It is a corrective. It is our community's reminder that our story is part of America's story, and it always has been. NaFFAA calls on all Americans to observe this month with the recognition and appreciation that four centuries of Filipino American history deserve.\"\n\nSenator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of the Filipino American community in Hawaii and across the country. This May, in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, she partnered with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) to present a two-week poster exhibition exploring the migration of Filipinos to Hawaii in the early 20th century in the Russell Senate Office building rotunda. The collaboration marked the third consecutive partnering between Senator Hirono and APAC to highlight the contributions AANHPI communities have made to the United States. Senator Hirono has introduced similar resolutions to recognize Filipino American History Month and honor Filipino Americans’ contributions to the U.S. during multiple past Congresses. Since 2013, Senator Hirono has led the introduction of the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, legislation that would speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. Following years of advocacy from Senator Hirono and the Hawaii Congressional Delegation, in October 2017, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the Filipino Veterans of World War II.\n\nThe full text of the resolution is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-announces-5-million-eda-grant-to-support-phase-ii-of-grand-farm-innovation-campus", "title": "Hoeven Announces $5 Million EDA Grant to Support Phase II of Grand Farm Innovation Campus", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "scraper": "hoeven", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001061", "name": "John Hoeven", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WHEATLAND, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award $5 million to support the second phase of Grand Farm’s Innovation Campus.\n\nThe funding will be used to construct an Indoor AgTech Test Track, which will enable the year-round testing, validation and commercialization of agricultural equipment, autonomous systems, robotics, implements and other AgTech.\n\nHoeven worked with the EDA to advance Grand Farm’s project and spoke with EDA Deputy Assistant Secretary Ben Page last week to secure the award’s approval.\n\nGrand Farm will also use the funding to acquire a tracked tractor and a high-clearance sprayer for use in field operations, research trials and cold-weather demonstration plots.\n\nThe project is currently in the design phase, with the building expected to be 15,000 sq. ft., providing a wide area for the testing of large, full-size agricultural machinery throughout the year.\n\nHoeven stressed that this facility and equipment will give producers confidence when investing in new autonomous technologies, as they have been proven to work in real-world conditions, ultimately strengthening the resilience of the U.S. food supply chain.\n\nThe track, along with the broader phase II expansion, supports Grand Farm’s role as the National Program Manager and first proving ground under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech (NPG-Ag).\n\n“With this $5 million in funding and today’s groundbreaking, we’re entering a new phase in Grand Farm’s history by providing a massive expansion of facilities and equipment so its work as an AgTech proving ground can continue on a year-round basis,” said Hoeven “The Indoor Test Track will be a central piece of Grand Farm’s cold-weather testing and demonstration work, giving their partner companies the support needed to prove these technologies can operate in severe, real-world conditions. On top of that, they are building a new Field Operations Facility, have nearly quadrupled their acreage and have even more ambitious plans in the works. Today is a marker showing that North Dakota has real momentum in AgTech.”\n\nThis funding comes as part of a planned $33.7 million expansion of the Innovation Campus. To date, Grand Farm has secured $12 million in funding for the initiative, including the $5 million federal grant and $7 million in state funding. In addition to the indoor track, the phase II expansion includes:\n\nThe construction of a new 8,500 sq. ft. Field Operations Facility, which Hoeven helped break ground on today.\n\nIncreasing the campus footprint by 450 acres, up to a total of 590 acres.\n\nThe installation of the BenchBot test platform, which was developed through the cooperative agreement with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) that Hoeven worked to establish and fund.\n\nAs Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has secured a total of $11 million for the cooperative agreement to date.\n\nThis includes $2 million of additional funding provided this year to create an ARS work site at Grand Farm.\n\nBenchBot is an autonomous, rail-based imaging system that will be used to support Grand Farm’s work as a proving ground to research weed control.\n\nDeveloping a Center for Electromagnetic Resilience and Autonomous Systems.\n\nSecuring AGCO as an anchor tenant. The company will operate the Precision Technology Institute – North Dakota (PTI – ND) from Grand Farm.\n\nEnhancements to the existing Innovation Shop and improvements to infrastructure and accessibility across the campus.\n\nA rendering of Grand Farm’s Field Operations Facility.\n\n-###-", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/husted-bill-to-stop-human-trafficking-passes-senate-heads-to-presidents-desk/", "title": "Husted bill to stop human trafficking passes Senate, heads to president’s desk", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“Human trafficking is a national tragedy, and we need to do everything we can to stop it.”\n\nView Husted’s remarks here.\n\nWASHINGTON – Sens. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chairman of the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) and Rep. Lucy McBath’s (D-Ga.) bipartisan, bicameral Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act passed the Senate unanimously and is headed to the president’s desk to be signed into law.\n\nThis bill directs the Department of Labor (DOL) to train its employees to identify human trafficking and refer suspected trafficking crimes to law enforcement. While DOL employees are on the ground conducting workplace inspections, they will be able to spot human trafficking behavior in real time.\n\n“Human trafficking is a national tragedy, and we need to do everything we can to stop it. This law will help ensure federal workers are equipped to spot the signs of human trafficking and refer suspected crimes to law enforcement. I’m proud this bill will be my fourth bill signed into law since I took office. This is a great example of the bipartisan work we can accomplish for the American people, and I look forward to the lives this law will help save,” said Husted.\n\n“The fight against human trafficking should never be a partisan issue. Survivors and victims in Michigan and across the country are owed justice, accountability, and meaningful action to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place. Our bipartisan bill, the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, provides the Department of Labor with the necessary framework to address these unthinkable crimes head-on. I am proud to have worked alongside my colleagues to get this important legislation passed and look forward to seeing it signed into law,” said Slotkin.\n\n“Human trafficking can hide in plain sight, and this bill will help more people recognize the warning signs. I’m glad the Senate unanimously passed my bill and sent it to President Trump’s desk. By giving Department of Labor employees the right training, we can help identify victims sooner and get potential cases to law enforcement,” said Walberg.\n\n“Human trafficking is a devastating crime that preys on the most vulnerable and robs victims of their freedom and dignity. We have a responsibility to ensure that those on the front lines in our communities and across the federal government have the tools necessary to help combat this crime and provide survivors with a path to safety. Strengthening training for Department of Labor employees is an important step toward recognizing the signs of human trafficking, protecting victims, and connecting them with the resources they need. I thank my colleagues for their support,” said McBath.\n\nThe Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act passed the Senate unanimously.\n\nIn 2024, law enforcement recorded 334 human trafficking cases involving 509 victims in Ohio.\n\nThis bill also requires the DOL to submit a report to Congress detailing its training and referral efforts no later than one year after the DOL implements the program.\n\nWalberg introduced the companion bill to the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking in the House of Representatives. The bill passed the House on March 3, 2026.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/husted-visits-nationwide-childrens-hospital-in-columbus-kitchen-collective-in-portsmouth-and-ohio-small-businesses/", "title": "Husted visits Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Kitchen Collective in Portsmouth, and Ohio small businesses", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“From supporting healthy pregnancies and child development to investing in our communities and helping small businesses grow, these investments make a real difference for Ohio families and workers.”\n\nCOLUMBUS – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) today visited Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus and Kitchen Collective in Portsmouth to highlight how federal investments are supporting Ohio families. He also visited two Ohio small businesses to hear directly about the challenges they are facing.\n\n“Healthy families are the cornerstone of a strong America. From supporting healthy pregnancies and child development to investing in our communities and helping small businesses grow, these investments make a real difference for Ohio families and workers,” said Husted.\n\nAt Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Husted joined Rep. Mike Carey (R-Ohio), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Tom Engels and Deputy Administrator Margaret Bush to highlight how federal investments through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Programsupport healthier pregnancies and stronger families.\n\nThe event highlighted HRSA’s $525 million investment in FY 2026 MIECHV Program awards to support evidence-based home visiting services in all 50 states, which Husted supported in the U.S. Senate.\n\n“Small businesses are the backbone of communities across Ohio, and we need to make it easier for them to grow, invest and create jobs. I’ll continue working to make sure Ohio’s entrepreneurs have the tools and resources they need to succeed,” said Husted.\n\nIn Portsmouth, Husted visited Kitchen Collective, a nonprofit shared-use commercial kitchen and event space in downtown Portsmouth, to discuss how federal investments he helped secure will support the renovation of two downtown buildings and address local housing affordability.\n\nHusted also visited Adam’s Flying Pig Coffee House in Wheelersburg and The Shakery: Eats & Treats in Ironton to hear directly from small business owners about the challenges they face and discuss his work in the Senate to support Ohio’s small businesses.\n\nThese visits build on Husted’s work to help Ohio workers, manufacturers and small businesses. In the Senate, Husted is supporting:\n\nMade in America Manufacturing Financing Act: This bill would expand access to growth capital for small U.S.-based manufacturers.\n\nInvesting in All of America Act: This bill would expand access to capital for small businesses in rural and low-income communities, as well as those in the manufacturing and critical technology sectors.\n\nAI for Mainstreet Act: This bill would provide training, guidance and support to American small businesses looking to implement AI into their businesses.\n\nRepealing Big Brother Overreach Act: This bill would eliminate the requirement for small businesses to report beneficial ownership information to the Treasury Department, which is burdensome and overreaching.\n\nHusted also supported the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which includes major provisions for small businesses and their workforce:\n\nCuts taxes on tips and overtime, saving tipped and overtime workers up to $1,750 per year.\n\nMakes the 20% small business tax deduction permanent.\n\nThis will deliver $4,600 in average tax relief to 8 million entrepreneurs around the country.\n\nThis will create 1.2 million jobs annually for the next 10 years.\n\nDoubles the small business expensing limits for new investments in machinery, equipment and software.\n\nIncludes a $7,000 tax cut for 12 million small business owners.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-gallego-celebrate-committee-passage-of-bill-to-restore-the-grand-canyons-north-rim/", "title": "Kelly, Gallego Celebrate Committee Passage of Bill to Restore the Grand Canyon’s North Rim", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.kelly.senate.gov", "scraper": "markkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000377", "name": "Mark Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Last week, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego celebrated the unanimous passage of the North Rim Restoration Act out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR). The legislation addresses recovery efforts of the North Rim at the Grand Canyon after the devastating Dragon Bravo Fire in 2025.\n\nIf enacted, the legislation would streamline the restoration process by granting National Park Service (NPS) emergency contracting authority to bypass standard delays and accelerate renewals. The legislation covers fire-related recovery efforts, including forest management, maintenance, rebuilding, and infrastructure improvements. This would allow the NPS to quickly hire, approve, and oversee contractors for cleanup and reconstruction efforts.\n\n“Rebuilding the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is critical for the communities and small businesses that depend on it,” said Kelly. “We’re one step closer to cutting red tape, restoring the park, and bringing visitors back to the area.”\n\n“The Grand Canyon is not only a marvel to look at—the tourists it attracts act as the economic engine for rural communities in Northern Arizona. These communities have been devastated by the Dragon Bravo fire and need help now,” said Gallego. “I urge the full Senate to take up this bill and provide the resources needed to get these communities back on their feet.”\n\n“We applaud Senators Kelly and Gallego’s support of Representative Crane’s North Rim Restoration Act and its passage through committee. The bill’s passage by unanimous consent represents a critical bipartisan step by Congress to ensure we move as quickly and thoughtfully as possible to rebuild the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. We look forward to working with Senators Gallego and Kelly, Representative Crane, and the full Arizona delegation to ensure Representative Crane’s bill becomes law, and the funding for the rebuild is duly and expeditiously allocated. This will allow federal agencies to quickly begin work and restore the communities hit hardest by the economic hardship,” said Ethan Aumack, Executive Director Grand Canyon Trust.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn July of 2025, the Dragon Bravo fire initiated following lightning strikes on the North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park, burning thousands of acres of National Park Service land. Over 100 structures were destroyed, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, several historic cabins and the North Rim Visitor Center in the Grand Canyon National Park, and a wastewater treatment plant, resulting in a chlorine gas leak.\n\nSince then, Kelly has led efforts to support impacted communities and restore access. In August of 2025, he visited the Grand Canyon to observe the burn scar and meet with local business owners about the economic toll. Alongside Gallego, Kelly also demanded answers on the federal government’s handling of the fire.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-whitehouse-press-epa-ai-companies-on-rollback-of-public-input-rules-for-data-center-air-permits/", "title": "Kelly, Whitehouse Press EPA, AI Companies on Rollback of Public Input Rules for Data Center Air Permits", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.kelly.senate.gov", "scraper": "markkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000377", "name": "Mark Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, sent two letters opposing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to eliminate the 30-day mandatory public notice period that allows communities to provide input on proposed facilities, like data centers, that may affect the air they breathe.\n\nOne letter is addressed to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin urging him to withdraw the proposed rule; the other letter is addressed to nine major data center companies—Anthropic, AWS, Fermi, Google, Joule, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, and xAI—calling on them to maintain current public participation standards regardless of the rule’s outcome.\n\n“We agree that permitting should be efficient, predictable, and capable of supporting the infrastructure our country needs. But faster permitting should not come at the expense of transparency or communities’ ability to shape the decisions that affect them,” wrote the senators to Administrator Zeldin.\n\n“Data center companies like yours also have a responsibility not to use weaker requirements to limit public participation or communities’ ability to meaningfully shape decisions that affect them,” wrote the senators to thedata centercompanies. “America can build the infrastructure needed to compete and innovate while keeping communities informed and involved in the decisions that affect them.”\n\nIn addition to Kelly and Whitehouse, the letter to the EPA was co-signed by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).\n\nIn addition to Kelly and Whitehouse, the letter to the data companies was co-signed by Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).\n\nRead the full letter to the EPA here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-call-on-hhs-to-prioritize-40-year-independent-tack-record-of-prevention-task-force", "title": "King, Colleagues Call on HHS to Prioritize 40-Year Independent Task Record of Prevention Task Force", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table", "domain": "www.king.senate.gov", "scraper": "angusking", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000383", "name": "Angus S. King, Jr.", "party": "Independent", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), alongside Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), is leading a group of his colleagues in criticizing recent actions and calling on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prioritize the 40-year independent track record of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). In their letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the senators ask him to explain his abrupt overhaul of the USPSTF, appointing eight new members whose qualifications fall short of the traditional standards.\n\nMore specifically, the senators explain how a refusal to share information on the decision-making process, and a shift in membership from primary care professionals to specialists, jeopardizes the independence and capabilities of the Task Force. This letter to HHS builds upon Senator King’s defense of USPSTF earlier this year, previously reaching out to Secretary Kennedy to urge the department to prioritize science and data backed preventive medicine, as well as introducing a resolution last year affirming support for the Task Force.\n\nThe senators begin their letter, “The Task Force membership historically has been comprised of experts in clinical medicine, scientific research, and public health, who are extensively vetted for conflicts of interest. USPSTF’s process for developing recommendations and its agenda is transparent to the public and based on high-quality and unbiased scientific evidence. Thus, the Task Force’s recommendations can be considered neutral, unbiased, and evidence-based by all stakeholders.”\n\n“Given the background of many of the new members, we have strong concerns about the Task Force’s ability to make independent, evidence-based recommendations. Specialists have always contributed to the Task Force's evidence reviews, and they should. But the Task Force's work is broad and spans the full range of clinical preventive services, for every age group, and it has historically drawn on people trained in primary care, prevention, and evidence-based medicine,” the senators continued. “As five of the eight new members are specialists, we are concerned about the types of recommendations and direction of the Task Force in focusing on patient care and clinical preventive services.\n\nThe senators concluded, “We look forward to hearing from you in response to these questions, and urge that the administration prioritize resuming the cost- and life-saving work of the Task Force while adhering to the evidence-based and scientifically informed processes that have ensured the historic credibility of USPSTF.”\n\nLong known as the ‘Prevention Senator,’ King has worked on policy solutions that keep Maine people healthy and lower the costs for patients and providers alike. Last year, he introduced the Preventive Health Savings Act which would instruct the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to fully study the costs and benefits that could be seen with proposed preventive health care legislation. He has previously introduced legislation requiring private insurance plans to cover three annual primary care visits and three annual outpatient mental health or outpatient substance use disorder treatment visits, without charging a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible-related fee. In doing so, this legislation also would catch smaller, or early health symptoms before they become larger threats requiring more extensive and expensive treatments.\n\nSenator King also introduced the ‘Stand Strong’ legislative package, which included the Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act that would require the development of a National Falls Prevention Plan, the Preventive Home Visits Act, which would provide Medicare coverage for qualified care providers to assess the safety of seniors’ homes, and the Wellness and Education for Longer Lives (WELL) for Seniors Act, which would improve Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit to encourage seniors and their physicians to work together and confront health issues before they become more serious.\n\nIn addition to King, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jack Reed (D-RI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D-DE), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM).\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\n\n+++\n\nDear Secretary Kennedy,\n\nWe write today to express our alarm and strong concern regarding the status of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (the Task Force or USPSTF). Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the appointment of eight new Task Force members, including five specialists – a major break from the historic makeup of USPSTF membership that is typically comprised of preventionists and primary care practitioners. The Task Force has also not met for a year-and-a-half – the first time it’s not met consistently in at least a decade – delaying critical decisions that directly impact the health of Americans. We write to seek clarity on recent actions, including how they will inform the future work of USPSTF and how the Task Force will continue to adhere to principles of independence and scientific rigor.\n\nThe Task Force membership historically has been comprised of experts in clinical medicine, scientific research, and public health, who are extensively vetted for conflicts of interest. USPSTF’s process for developing recommendations and its agenda is transparent to the public and based on high-quality and unbiased scientific evidence. Thus, the Task Force’s recommendations can be considered neutral, unbiased, and evidence-based by all stakeholders.\n\nGoing back to at least 2002, HHS under Democrats and Republicans (including under President Trump’s first term) has consistently used either the same format through the Federal Register or the Task Force’s website to announce and solicit requests for nominations. Qualification requirements to be an appointed member of the Task Force was derived from expertise in primary care and prevention medicine.\n\nWe were particularly alarmed by the April 23, 2026, Federal Register notice, both for the change in nominee parameters as well as the timeline. AHRQ sought nominations of physician specialists in areas well outside of primary care and preventive medicine, including practitioners in anesthesiology/pain management, cardiology, hematology/oncology, radiology, and surgery, among others. Specialists have always played a role in Task Force operations as consultants, though in part to preclude any conflict of interest that they may have through prescribing an intervention.\n\nThe extremely truncated nominations timeline was also incredibly concerning. The process for reviewing nominees historically took a year, with three months to collect nominees. The April 2026 Federal Register Notice gave one month’s notice, for appointments to potentially begin in June 2026. This rushed process not only calls into question the seriousness of this nominations process, but also whether the Members ultimately selected were pre-determined.\n\nIn addition to seriously problematic changes to the solicitation notice, the transparency of the selection process was marred from the start. The Chair and leadership of the Task Force historically review and make recommendations to the Secretary for new appointments to USPSTF. On May 19, 2026, the Task Force Chair and Vice Chair were fired because they were supposedly unlawfully appointed per the Braidwood decision. If Braidwood had made such a declaration, the Chair and Vice Chair would have been fired immediately or shortly thereafter the June 2025 decision.\n\nBy removing the leadership of the Task Force, this recent appointment process lacked political independence and transparency, expert and historic perspective of Task Force qualifications, and ultimately diminished the integrity of USPSTF. Incredibly, it is unclear how these new members currently adhere (if at all) to the historic rigorous conflict of interest standards of Task Force membership. As of writing today, the Conflict of Interest disclosures page – where individual Members’ disclosures were historically published – is barren and inactive, which gives us serious concern regarding the independence of these new members.\n\nGiven the background of many of the new members, we have strong concerns about of the Task Force’s ability to make independent, evidence-based recommendations. Specialists have always contributed to the Task Force's evidence reviews, and they should. But the Task Force's work is broad and spans the full range of clinical preventive services, for every age group, and it has historically drawn on people trained in primary care, prevention, and evidence-based medicine. As five of the eight new members are specialists, we are concerned about the types of recommendations and direction of the Task Force in focusing on patient care and clinical preventive services.\n\nFinally, in addition to the new direction of the Task Force, we have serious concerns about the capability of USPSTF to conduct its incredibly important work given the major cuts that have occurred at its supporting organization, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The Task Force’s evidence reviews are conducted by career staff at AHRQ. Approximately 80 percent of AHRQ staff have been fired or left the Agency without being replaced and there are reportedly less than 2 experts directly working at AHRQ to support the Task Force’s work. We have strong concerns that the Task Force will be able to develop evidence-based and credible recommendations without an adequate support staff.\n\nAs you’ll recall, we were joined by a number of our colleagues in writing to you earlier this year, for which we have still not received a response from you. Therefore, given these seriously concerning actions, we request a response to our previous letter and to the following questions by October 15, 2026:\n\nWhat is the scientific and evidence-based justification for changes to the makeup of Task Force membership to move away from primary care and preventive medical experts to specialists?\n\nTransitioning from a three-month public solicitation plus months-long review process to a two-month-long whole review and selection process is incredibly concerning.\n\nWhat was the justification for shortening the Task Force member selection review timeline?\n\nDid HHS or AHRQ review candidates prior to the April 2026 Federal Register notice?\n\nWhat is the legal justification for having removed the Chair and Vice Chair of the Task Force in May 2026?\n\nWhere specifically in the Braidwood decision does it discuss that the then-Chair and -Vice Chair were unlawfully appointed?\n\nWhat is the justification for not publicizing the conflict of interest disclosures of the newly appointed Task Force members?\n\nHow is Congress, the medical community, and the public expected to have faith in the independence of the Task Force going forward?\n\nThe staff support for the Task Force at AHRQ has been diminished. How does HHS expect the Task Force to develop credible recommendations without adequate support?\n\nWe look forward to hearing from you in response to these questions, and urge that the administration prioritize resuming the cost- and life-saving work of the Task Force while adhering to the evidence-based and scientifically informed processes that have ensured the historic credibility of USPSTF.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lankford.senate.gov/news/press-releases/lankford-rep-smith-lead-over-100-lawmakers-in-letter-urging-hhs-inspector-general-to-investigate-planned-parenthood/", "title": "Lankford, Rep. Smith Lead Over 100 Lawmakers in Letter Urging HHS Inspector General to Investigate Planned Parenthood", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "page_html", "source": "https://www.lankford.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.lankford.senate.gov", "scraper": "lankford", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000575", "name": "James Lankford", "party": "Republican", "state": "OK", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Chair of the Senate Values Action Team, and Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ-04) recently led 128 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the Inspector General (IG) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), urging the IG to review and investigate the activities and federal funding streams of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and its affiliates.\n\n“Serious concerns have long been raised regarding the organization’s compliance with applicable federal laws, regulations, and program requirements governing the receipt and use of federal funds,” the Republican lawmakers wrote. “In particular, these concerns relate to whether Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and the organization’s affiliates have adhered to applicable requirements governing program integrity, financial accountability, and the proper use of funds provided through HHS-administered programs,” they continued.\n\nThe lawmakers argue these concerns warrant a comprehensive review of Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funds and compliance with federal law.\n\n“Congress has taken action to ensure taxpayer dollars are not funding organizations that perform abortions, but our work to protect taxpayers and ensure federal law is followed does not stop there,” said Lankford. “Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have faced serious allegations involving the use of federal funds and compliance with federal law. Those allegations deserve a thorough review. The HHS Inspector General should follow the facts, determine whether federal laws and funding requirements have been violated, and hold accountable anyone who has misused taxpayer dollars.”\n\n“Planned Parenthood should not receive taxpayer dollars. Since 1970, it has killed over ten million unborn babies in its clinics—and today exterminates over 1,000 unborn babies every single day,” said Smith. “Moreover, as the author of our Nation’s first anti-human trafficking law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) (PL 106-386), I remain deeply concerned by Live Action’s credible accusations against Planned Parenthood involving its affiliates’ enabling of human sex trafficking. In addition to reports of covering up and perpetuating sexual exploitation and abuse, Planned Parenthood has been haunted by allegations of trafficking fetal tissue, fraudulently using federal funds, and violating health codes. Aided by allies in Congress, the media, and academia, Planned Parenthood has largely escaped scrutiny and accountability, all while fostering a culture of death, denial, disrespect and discrimination against babies. It is long overdue for a comprehensive investigation and review, and I urge the HHS OIG to look closely to determine whether it has violated federal standards for federal funding recipients.”\n\nBackground\n\nThe letter follows a recent Small Business Administration (SBA) investigation into whether Planned Parenthood affiliates improperly received approximately $88 million in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawmakers are also raising concerns about additional allegations involving fraud, false statements, potential violations of federal criminal law, and failures to disclose potential violations to the federal government.\n\nThe lawmakers are asking the HHS Inspector General to review the federal funds Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have received and determine whether they were used in accordance with federal law. They also urged the Inspector General to coordinate with other federal oversight agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as needed.\n\nJoining Lankford in sending the letter are Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL). Joining Smith in the House are 105 additional Representatives.\n\nYou can download the full text of the letter HERE and can learn more in Fox Digital HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-introduces-legislation-to-expand-access-to-arts-education/", "title": "Luján Introduces Legislation to Expand Access to Arts Education", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the Arts Education for All Act, legislation to expand access to arts education and programming for young learners across the country. The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) leads the legislation in the House of Representatives.\n\nThe Arts Education for All Act would support and expand arts education and programming for early learners, K-12 students, and youth and adults involved in the justice system. The legislation would also strengthen research into arts education to help educators and policymakers better understand how the arts can support students and improve elementary and secondary education.\n\n“Arts education gives students the opportunity to learn, express themselves, and discover new talents, but too many young people lack access to these opportunities,” said Senator Luján. “All students, no matter where they live or their background, deserve the opportunity to experience the arts. That’s why I’m introducing the Arts Education for All Act to expand access to arts programming and help ensure that the arts remain an important part of educating and supporting the next generation.”\n\n“Arts and creative expression are fundamental to a well-rounded education,” said Senator Hirono. “Art education programs provide our students with the unique opportunity to express themselves and exposes them to diverse array of topics and disciplines. But these programs are often the first to be cut and the last to be funded, and its high time for a fundamental shift in the way we value those courses. I’m proud to sponsor the Arts Education for All Act to expand arts programing to make art more accessible to students across the country.”\n\nSpecifically, the Arts Education for All Act would:\n\nStrengthen the ability to use Child Care and Development Block Grant funding for arts programming;\n\nExpand Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) plan provisions to include descriptions of how states would support and encourage arts education staff, instruction, and partnerships to improve student achievement across subjects;\n\nRequire state report cards under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to include information on arts courses and incorporate arts education as an element of K-12 school improvement;\n\nIncrease opportunities for local educational agencies to support professional development for arts teachers and the integration of the arts;\n\nStrengthen the integration of arts and arts education through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program by maximizing partnerships with community and arts-focused organizations to increase arts education and creative youth development in after-school and summer learning programs;\n\nAllow states to document how they will coordinate juvenile justice and delinquency prevention services and activities with state and local arts agencies and organizations, using arts education to improve reentry efforts and reduce recidivism;\n\nEnhance research activities at the Institute of Education Sciences through a focus on arts and arts education research; and\n\nDirect the National Assessment Governing Board to reinstate arts assessments.\n\nThe Arts Education for All Act has been endorsed by 132 national, state, and local organizations and individuals, including Americans for the Arts, the American Art Therapy Association, Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, Grantmakers in the Arts, and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Full list of endorsements can be found here.\n\nSupporting quotes can be found here.\n\nFull bill text is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-markey-warren-reps-clark-pressley-lynch-demand-usps-cease-campaign-of-post-office-closures-in-the-commonwealth", "title": "Sens. Markey, Warren, Reps. Clark, Pressley, Lynch Demand USPS Cease Campaign of Post Office Closures in the Commonwealth", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.markey.senate.gov", "scraper": "markey", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000133", "name": "Edward J. Markey", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Letter Text (PDF)\n\nWashington (October 5, 2026) - Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), along with Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Stephen Lynch (MA-08), today wrote to United States Postmaster General David Steiner; United States Postal Service (USPS) Senior Vice President of Facilities and Infrastructure Benjamin Kuo; and USPS District Manager for Massachusetts and Rhode Island Carissa Shea, urging them once again to reverse their proposed post office closures in Massachusetts - this time in the city of Watertown, and in the Allston and Fields Corner neighborhoods of Boston. The lawmakers demanded accountability for USPS’ statewide campaign to close post offices and requested adequate public hearings and documentation from postal officials involved in these termination decisions.\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “From our experience advocating to keep adequate postal service in Massachusetts, it appears that USPS is engaged in a coordinated campaign to leverage lease renewals and construction projects as excuses to force unwanted and inappropriate closures. USPS fails to negotiate leases on good terms, uses its inability to come to a lease agreement as a pretext to declare an emergency, and then temporarily suspends a post office branch. It then leverages these temporary suspensions into proceedings to permanently shut down the post office location. The result is fewer communities with adequate postal presence, worse postal service, and profoundly negative impacts on residents and businesses who rely on their local post office locations.”\n\nThe lawmakers demanded a response to the following requests by October 20, 2026:\n\nFind a solution that restores local postal service to Watertown Square and Allston and ceases terminations of the Fields Corner and other post office locations;\n\nProvide the congressional offices with a full and updated accounting of all post office locations in Massachusetts;\n\nHost true public hearings in the communities impacted by USPS’ termination proposals;\n\nEnter into the public record for the Watertown Square and Allston termination proceedings this letter and all letters we and other elected officials have sent to USPS, and all testimony from the Boston City Council’s September 22, 2026 hearing on the Allston Post Office;\n\nProvide the congressional offices any and all USPS reports arising out of your facilities search and review of the Watertown Square and Allston post offices.\n\nIn June, Senator Markey celebrated news that USPS reversed course on closing the post office in the Town of Shutesbury and committed to opening a new location in the Town of Medway. Also in June, Senator Markey celebrated USPS’s decision to reverse the closure of the Shutesbury Post Office. In April, he led the Massachusetts congressional delegation in writing a letter to the USPS Inspector General Tammy Hull, demanding answers about the Massachusetts mail delivery system delays caused by understaffed and closed postal offices, inequitable mail delivery across communities, and USPS’s refusal to pay postal employees for overtime work. In 2024, Senator Markey successfully fought the closure of the Mission Hill and Beacon Hill Post Offices and the consolidation of the Brockton Processing and Delivery Center.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-curtis-lead-new-bipartisan-bill-to-honor-fallen-wildland-firefighters/", "title": "Merkley, Curtis Lead New Bipartisan Bill to Honor Fallen Wildland Firefighters", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Curtis (R-UT) announced the introduction of the Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act. This groundbreaking legislation would expand death benefits of fallen firefighters to match the up to $100,000 provided to fallen members of the military, a significant change from the maximum death benefit of $10,000 currently available for survivors of federally employed wildland firefighters killed in the line of duty.\n\n“Wildland firefighters put their lives on the fireline to protect our communities, and we must honor these heroes who make the ultimate sacrifice while keeping us safe,” said Merkley. “Our Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act expands death benefits to the survivors of fallen firefighters, ensuring their families will be taken care of if their loved one is killed in the line of duty. We must do all we can to support our firefighters who risk so much in their service to communities in Oregon and across the nation.”\n\n“Wildland firefighters willingly put themselves in harm’s way to protect our homes, communities, and public lands. When one of these brave men or women makes the ultimate sacrifice, we have an obligation to stand behind the family they leave behind,” said Curtis. “The current death benefit does not reflect the sacrifice of a fallen firefighter or the debt we owe their loved ones. Our bipartisan bill ensures these families receive the same level of support we provide to the families of fallen military servicemembers.”\n\nThe bipartisan Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act would:\n\nAmend the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act to establish a new death benefit for individuals serving as wildland firefighters, on par with that available to members of the military.\n\nEnsure any individual serving as a wildland firefighter is eligible for this death benefit—whether they are a contractor or federal, state, or local employee.\n\nIn the Senate, Merkley and Curtis have teamed up to lead a series of bipartisan bills to tackle the worst impacts of wildfires, including the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act to streamline the use of prescribed burns and the Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act to address the long-overdue gaps in health and safety protections that wildland firefighters receive.\n\nThe bipartisan Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act is supported by the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), Wildland Firefighter Foundation, National Association of State Foresters, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Wildfire Suppression Association, Climate and Wildfire Institute, American Forest Resource Council, United Aerial Firefighters Association, Western Fire Chiefs Association, and Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE).\n\n“Every day, wildland firefighters risk their lives to defend American communities from the wildfire crisis,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “As wildfires become increasingly dangerous and more frequent, the risk of being killed in the line of duty also rises for these brave men and women. It is important that every wildland firefighter has the peace of mind that if they pass away while on the job, their family will be taken care of. Thank you to Senators Merkley and Curtis for your commitment to honoring those who make the ultimate sacrifice.”\n\n“Wildland firefighters put their lives on the line to protect communities and public lands from increasingly dangerous wildfires. When a firefighter does not make it home, their family should not have to face financial uncertainty on top of unimaginable loss. The Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act recognizes the tremendous risks these firefighters take and provides their families with the support they deserve,” said Timothy Ingalsbee, Executive Director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE).\n\nFull text of the Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act can be found by clicking here.\n\nA one-page summary of the Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act can be found by clicking here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-moody-fights-to-protect-eglin-gulf-test-and-training-range/", "title": "Senator Moody Fights to Protect Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.moody.senate.gov", "scraper": "moody", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001244", "name": "Ashley Moody", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Ashley Moody is fighting to protect an important national military asset in Northwest Florida. Senator Moody has joined Senator Rick Scott in championing the Protecting Florida’s Offshore Military Readiness Act to prohibit drilling oil and gas inside the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range.\n\n“The Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range is a national military asset that can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world, and the work done there directly shapes the lethality of our future military. I’m proud to join Senator Scott on the Protecting Florida’s Offshore Military Readiness Act to keep the range as exactly what it was intended to be—a testing ground. Protecting Eglin is about our national security, and it’s about preserving the Gulf Coast Floridians love,” said Senator Ashley Moody.\n\n“The federal government’s first priority is to keep the American people safe. That means our military needs the irreplaceable value that the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range provides to our warfighters. Protecting the range means protecting America’s military readiness. I am glad to have Sen. Moody’s support on this bill, and I look forward to working with President Trump and his administration to use every tool we have to deliver more abundant, cheap energy while ensuring our military remains the most lethal fighting force on Earth,” said Senator Rick Scott.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe legislation aims to protect the critical Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range from interference that could hamper the U.S. Department of War’s ability to maintain readiness in the Gulf of America.\n\nThe EGTTR is a key national security asset that provides the U.S. military with vital air, sea, and joint testing and training capabilities.\n\nSenator Moody is a proud supporter of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, and military families.\n\nSenator Moody recently joined the Senate Armed Services Committee.\n\nLast year, Senator Moody recognized 200 years of U.S. Navy presence in Pensacola and discussed the critical importance of the Navy and Coast Guard’s presence in the Florida Panhandle.\n\nSenator Moody has long fought for Florida’s military members. As Florida Attorney General, Moody oversaw the Military and Veterans Assistance Program to assist servicemembers, veterans and their families who encounter scams or fraud.\n\nSenator Moody is proud to be part of a military family.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=21FFFCC1-8930-401D-8BE3-1A9985E2F09C", "title": "Sen. Moran Announces Federal Investment for KSU-Salina’s UAS Training Program", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "domain": "www.moran.senate.gov", "scraper": "moran", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000934", "name": "Jerry Moran", "party": "Republican", "state": "KS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development – today announced $460,812 in federal resources for Kansas State University – Salina (KSU-Salina) through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Drone Education and Workforce Training Grant Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation.\n\nThis federal investment will help support the establishment of KSU-Salina’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) PATHS Program to increase the number of qualified UAS professionals entering the industry and strengthen the future aviation workforce pipeline.\n\n“Kansas has a long history of leading the way in aviation, and K-State Salina is equipping the workforce that will keep our state at the forefront of the next generation of aerospace technology,” said Sen. Moran. “This investment will support K-State Salina’s ability to educate and train students in uncrewed aircraft systems and prepare students for good-paying jobs in a rapidly growing field. I look forward to how these resources will help create new opportunities for Kansans to play a critical role in strengthening our nation’s aerospace capabilities.”\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moreno.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/moreno-blasts-anthropic-ceo-for-hypocritical-approach-to-super-intelligence/", "title": "Moreno Blasts Anthropic CEO for Hypocritical Approach to Super Intelligence", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moreno.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.moreno.senate.gov", "scraper": "moreno", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001242", "name": "Bernie Moreno", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) sent a letter to Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei calling out the hypocrisy of Anthropic’s plans to IPO, tying millions of Americans’ hard earned dollars to the company’s success, while simultaneously claiming his technology could lead to human extinction. In his letter, Senator Moreno urged Mr. Amodei to follow the White House’s lead and focus on the ways that Super Intelligence (“SI”) can be used to improve the lives of Americans and defend against real, SI-enabled threats.\n\n“These questions are even more consequential as Anthropic prepares to go public and invite millions of Americans to tie their financial futures to the development and success of your company’s technology,” wrote Senator Moreno. “With investors discussing a valuation approaching $2 trillion (about 42 times Anthropic’s revenue and double what the company was worth four months ago), and trading expected as soon as October 2026, Anthropic’s entrance into the public market will be one of the largest in history. While I applaud any company that gives hardworking Americans access to its success, I do not understand how you can ask them to invest their hard-earned savings in Anthropic’s continued development while warning those same Americans that your product could ultimately lead to their extinction.”\n\nRead the full text of the letter HERE or below.\n\nOctober 5, 2026\n\nMr. Dario Amodei\n\nChief Executive Officer\n\nAnthropic PBC\n\n548 Market Street\n\nSan Francisco, CA 94104\n\nDear Mr. Amodei,\n\nAnthropic, PBC (“Anthropic”) maintains a leading presence in the Super Intelligence (“SI”) ecosystem. As Anthropic’s co-founder and a prominent public voice on SI, you, Mr. Amodei, are viewed by the American public and policymakers as one of the technology’s principal stewards. The systems Anthropic is developing could change the American way of life forever. With great power comes great responsibility, and in this case, I am concerned that you are failing to meet the moment.\n\nAnthropic’s recent actions and statements reflect an alarmist approach to SI that places extraordinary emphasis on the technology’s most catastrophic outcomes. As you know, SI researcher Jacob Coxon recently quit his job at Anthropic and accused your company and its business rival, OpenAI, of “gambling with our lives.” Mr. Coxon publicized his exit on Twitter, claiming, “the people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade. This is not a marketing stunt. If anything, many executives and senior researchers will couch their phrasing in the press to sound sensible – but I hear the same people express fear privately. No other human activity poses this level of danger.”\n\nThat same day, one of Anthropic’s top safety experts, Evan Hubinger, agreed with Mr. Coxon, tweeting, “Jacob is correct here—we really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans! I personally think it is >10% within the next decade.” A couple of days after these tweets, you appeared on CNN and said, “It’s funny, I agree with Jacob Coxon on far more than I disagree with him.” You have also been on the record as saying that there’s a twenty-five percent chance that developing SI further will go “really, really badly.” These statements, which include your own words, indicate that your instinct is to wreak havoc on the public SI discourse. Yet your panic-inducing commentary frames SI as an existential threat without providing information to the American people about how SI technology can also be used to combat and defend against the very safety threats you emphasize.\n\nThese questions are even more consequential as Anthropic prepares to go public and invite millions of Americans to tie their financial futures to the development and success of your company’s technology. With investors discussing a valuation approaching $2 trillion (about 42 times Anthropic’s revenue and double what the company was worth four months ago), and trading expected as soon as October 2026, Anthropic’s entrance into the public market will be one of the largest in history. While I applaud any company that gives hardworking Americans access to its success, I do not understand how you can ask them to invest their hard-earned savings in Anthropic’s continued development while warning those same Americans that your product could ultimately lead to their extinction.\n\nI am equally concerned that this focus on potential catastrophic outcomes risks crowding out an equally important public debate: how American SI leadership can strengthen U.S. national security, counter SI-powered attacks from our adversaries, and ensure that the United States, not China, shapes the future of this technology. Rather than highlighting how SI could end humanity, public discourse around SI should focus on developing solutions to the real vulnerabilities SI has found in American critical infrastructure and cybersecurity. We should not unnecessarily metastasize SI ‘doomerism,’ but rather recognize that SI, like any cutting-edge technology, presents risks that must be addressed by companies who are able to rise to the occasion. I am sincerely hopeful you and your company will work to develop and propagate such solutions as opposed to publicly pontificating the worst-case scenario. Adding your signature to the White House Accord on Super Intelligence is a notable first step. I applaud President Trump’s unwavering commitment to American dominance in responsible SI development.\n\nPublic discourse around SI should center on how American innovators, working where appropriate with the U.S. government, can harness this technology to strengthen U.S. national security, improve the lives of American people, and position the country to respond to our adversaries’ increasingly sophisticated SI-enabled threats. We must address the risks associated with frontier SI. Doing so does not require halting its development or surrendering American technological dominance. It requires confronting those risks with the same ingenuity and creativity that have defined American innovation for generations.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-departs-qatar-after-key-diplomatic-meetings-including-with-the-emir-of-qatar", "title": "Murphy Departs Qatar After Key Diplomatic Meetings, Including With The Emir Of Qatar", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.murphy.senate.gov", "scraper": "chrismurphy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001169", "name": "Christopher Murphy", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "DOHA, QATAR – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statements after departing Doha, Qatar on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East, where he will also visit Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.\n\n“It’s important for members of the Senate to see the damage that has been done to U.S. facilities firsthand… I’m meeting with regional partners, in particular the Qataris and the Saudis, to talk about the impact of the Iran War… and to pull back and think about what our approach should be to the Gulf going forward,” said Sen. Murphy upon arrival.\n\nIn Qatar, Murphy met with His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.\n\n“There are so many things Qatar does to protect U.S. interests. They host our biggest military base in the region. They house 1000 Afghan refugees (that Trump refuses to let into the U.S.). They were key to getting the hostages out of Gaza. And they are mediators right now in the effort to end the war with Iran. I thanked the Emir for all of this. Qatar is and will remain an essential ally of the United States. Of course, I was also candid with him, in particular regarding my deep concerns about the transfer of the luxury plane. It was a very good, honest discussion,” said Murphy of his meeting with the Emir.\n\nAdditionally, Murphy met with Ali Al Thawadi, Qatari Minister for Strategic Affairs and a key diplomat who coordinates U.S.-Iran shuttle diplomacy; Qatari royal and Qatar Foundation Vice Chair Sheikha Hind Al Thani in Education City to discuss the presence of American universities in Qatar; and Qatar Energy CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, among others.\n\nSen. Murphy is the first Democratic Senator to visit the Gulf since the start of the Iran War. A media availability will occur upon return and be advised later this week.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-lands-in-middle-east-as-iran-war-rages-on", "title": "Murphy Lands in Middle East as Iran War Rages On", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.murphy.senate.gov", "scraper": "chrismurphy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001169", "name": "Christopher Murphy", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "DOHA, QATAR – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after arriving in Doha, Qatar on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East, where he will also visit Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sen. Murphy is the first Democratic Senator to visit the Gulf since the start of the Iran War.\n\n“I want to see firsthand the impact of the Iran War, the damage it’s caused to our facilities in the region, and how it’s harmed our relationships with partners in the region.\n\n“We know that Donald Trump has no clear plan to resolve the Iran War, which has now cost the American taxpayer over $45 billion. Pete Hegseth has been hiding the cost of the war, the extent of its damages, and the loss of American life from the public and from Congress.\n\n“I plan to see for myself the damage to American facilities, hear from our partners in the Gulf about how this war has hurt their security and their economies, and assess our regional counterterrorism efforts.\n\n“With Democrats on the verge of regaining control in Washington, it’s imperative that we offer a new approach to our policy in the Gulf that reflects America’s interests. This trip will help inform the construction of a new approach to the region.\n\n“I look forward to sharing more upon my return.”\n\nA media availability will occur upon return and be advised next week.", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-booker-blumenthal-urge-mullin-to-immediately-recall-ice-officers-hired-during-hiring-surge/", "title": "Padilla, Booker, Blumenthal Urge Mullin to Immediately Recall ICE Officers Hired During Hiring Surge", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately remove from field duty all U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers hired during the Department’s 2025 hiring surge. In an oversight letter that comes days after new reports of the agency’s plans to hire 5,000 new officers before year’s end, the Senators demanded DHS complete comprehensive retraining and re-vetting for all officers hired during the 2025 surge period.\n\n“Over the past year, ICE and other DHS personnel have fatally shot and killed multiple people during vehicle stops and enforcement operations, including several instances in which agents opened fire on people inside their own cars,” wrote the Senators. “These killings, combined with the whistleblower’s account of corners cut on both vetting and training, make clear that officers hired during the surge did not receive adequate instruction in de-escalation, use-of-force standards, and vehicle-stop protocols before being sent into communities with the authority to use deadly force.”\n\nRepublicans poured $75 billion into ICE through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and then added another $38.5 billion more this summer, allowing ICE to hire thousands of new officers with incentives including a signing bonus of up to $50,000 and up to $60,000 in student-loan repayment. To meet the hiring demand, the agency lowered hiring standards and cut corners on background checks, raising concerns about unqualified and poorly trained armed officers conducting immigration arrests. Several incidents involving death and violence led to increased calls for oversight by Senate Democrats. ICE is now reportedly preparing for a second hiring surge of 5,000 employees, including deportation officers, before the end of the year – roughly a 17% increase in three months – without having completed background investigations for thousands of hires from the first surge.\n\nThe letter follows recent New York Times reporting detailing a formal whistleblower complaint to the DHS Office of Inspector General from a 17-year ICE veteran overseeing background investigations. The complaint alleged that job offers were extended to candidates without completion of basic fingerprint, identity, or credit checks and were evaded by political appointees. In another whistleblower disclosure to the Senate, a former ICE Academy instructor and agency attorney disclosed that ICE cut training hours on use of force, firearms safety, and the constitutional rights of the public during this same period. According to another New York Times report, 7,500 active officers with arrest authority hired during last year’s surge are still awaiting the full background investigations required for their positions.\n\n“DHS cannot allow officers whose backgrounds were never properly vetted, and who may never have received adequate use-of-force training, to remain on the streets with arrest authority and firearms,” concluded the Senators.\n\nIn the letter, the Senators also urged DHS to:\n\nImmediately suspend field enforcement duties for all ICE officers hired during the 2025 hiring surge, pending completion of full background checks and training.\n\nProvide a full accounting of how many current ICE officers received job offers or field assignments before completing fingerprint, identity, and credit checks, and how many of those officers have discharged a firearm in the course of duty.\n\nProvide ICE’s 2026 hiring plan, including\n\nAll documents, memoranda, internal communications, staffing assessments, and analyses of staffing needs;\n\nThe vetting and training protocols; and\n\nThe name and title of each official who approved the plan.\n\nProvide a copy of the whistleblower’s complaint and any Office of Inspector General findings or corrective action plan arising from it.\n\nProvide a detailed accounting of the use-of-force policy and vehicle-stop protocol changes DHS has made since January 2026.\n\nIncluding how those changes have been implemented and audited across ICE field offices.\n\nPadilla has been a leader in holding the Trump Administration accountable for its cruel and reckless mass deportation agenda. Last week, Padilla conducted an unannounced oversight visit to the de facto ICE detention facility at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Last month, Padilla called out the Trump Administration’s continued abuses of power and inhumane treatment of detained immigrants, after sounding the alarm on the significant increase in deaths among detainees in ICE custody since January 2025. He also demanded DHS immediately halt its reckless plan to equip ICE officers with electric shock gloves. Padilla also condemned Republicans’ partisan bill to provide ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with an extra $70 billion without necessary reforms and forced a vote on his amendment that would require ICE officers to wear body cameras while on-duty.\n\nFull letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Secretary Mullin:\n\nWe write to demand that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immediately remove from field duty all U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers hired and trained during the 2025 hiring surge, and that those officers be required to complete comprehensive retraining and re-vetting before being permitted to return to enforcement operations. Over the past year, public reporting on DHS’s hiring and training requirements, and the conduct of its officers in the field, demonstrates that ICE officers hired during this surge cannot be trusted with a badge and the authority to make arrests. These concerns are heightened now that ICE is preparing a second hiring surge of 5,000 employees before year’s end without having completed background investigations for thousands of hires from the first.\n\nOn September 3, 2026, The New York Times reported that a 17-year ICE veteran who oversaw background investigations made a formal whistleblower complaint last year, expressing concern about a systemic breakdown in the vetting of thousands of ICE recruits brought on during the agency’s rapid expansion. According to the complaint, ICE’s human resources division routinely extended final job offers before candidates had completed basic fingerprint, identity, or credit checks, and political appointees were permitted to bypass standard background investigations to obtain national security eligibility. The complaint, filed with the DHS Office of Inspector General, warned that this unprecedented lowering of hiring standards left the agency vulnerable to insider threats, infiltration, and foreign influence, and it called on DHS to immediately suspend the improper practices, hold accountable those responsible, and review recent hires for potential insider threats. A separate whistleblower, a former ICE Academy instructor and agency attorney, separately disclosed that ICE cut training hours on use of force, firearms safety, and the constitutional rights of the public during this same period.\n\nNew reporting confirms that the vetting failures the whistleblower described persist today. On September 29, 2026, The New York Times reported that nearly 7,500 individuals hired during last year’s surge are still awaiting the full background investigations required for their positions, and that they may work on a limited basis in the meantime. ICE had already removed hundreds of surge hires by this spring. Before even addressing this problem, ICE now intends to hire 5,000 more employees by year’s end—a workforce expansion of roughly 17 percent in three months—and most will serve as deportation officers with arrest authority. DHS’s assurances that it will apply rigorous standards to this new cohort cannot be taken at face value when it has not yet cleared the officers it already hired.\n\nThese vetting and training failures preceded a series of violent and deadly incidents involving ICE officials. Over the past year, ICE and other DHS personnel have fatally shot and killed multiple people during vehicle stops and enforcement operations, including several instances in which agents opened fire on people inside their own cars:\n\nOn January 7, 2026, an ICE officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota fatally shot Renée Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, as she attempted to drive away from agents during an enforcement operation. Witnesses reported that federal officers blocked bystanders and medics from rendering aid.\n\nLess than two weeks later, Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, during the same wave of Minneapolis enforcement operations.\n\nOn July 7, 2026, an ICE officer in Houston, Texas fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old construction worker and father of three, while he was driving a work crew to a job site. Witnesses have disputed DHS’s account that Mr. Salgado Araujo used his vehicle as a weapon.\n\nSix days later, on July 13, 2026, an ICE officer in Biddeford, Maine fatally shot Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old father, in his car after agents rammed his vehicle and fired multiple rounds through it while executing a warrant for someone else. Mr. Durán Guerrero was not the target of the operation and was authorized to work in the United States.\n\nA review of shootings by federal immigration officers during this Administration found that the overwhelming majority—19 of 22 incidents identified as of July 2026—began with a vehicle stop, underscoring that ICE’s current tactics for approaching and stopping vehicles are placing officers and the public in unnecessary danger. These killings, combined with the whistleblower’s account of corners cut on both vetting and training, make clear that officers hired during the surge did not receive adequate instruction in deescalation, use-of-force standards, and vehicle-stop protocols before being sent into communities with the authority to use deadly force.\n\nDHS cannot allow officers whose backgrounds were never properly vetted, and who may never have received adequate use-of-force training, to remain on the streets with arrest authority and firearms. We therefore request that DHS:\n\nImmediately suspend field enforcement duties for all ICE officers hired and deployed during the 2025 hiring surge, pending completion of full background revetting and use of-force retraining.\n\nProvide a full accounting of how many current ICE officers received job offers or field assignments before completing fingerprint, identity, and credit checks, and how many of those officers have discharged a firearm in the course of duty.\n\nProvide ICE’s plan to hire 5,000 employees by the end of 2026, including all documents, memoranda, internal communications, staffing assessments, and analyses of staffing needs related to the plan; the vetting and training protocols that will apply to the new hires; and the name and title of each official who approved the plan.\n\nProvide a copy of the whistleblower’s complaint and any Office of Inspector General findings or corrective action plan arising from it.\n\nProvide a detailed accounting of the use-of-force policy and vehicle-stop protocol changes DHS has made since January 2026, including how those changes have been implemented and audited across ICE field offices.\n\nFinally, we are deeply concerned by indications that DHS and ICE leadership may not be taking whistleblower complaints seriously. ICE’s public response to this most recent whistleblower complaint focused on defending its vetting practices rather than addressing the substance of the allegations. Whistleblowers who come forward in good faith to report waste, fraud, abuse, or threats to public and national security are protected by federal law, and DHS has an obligation to ensure that employees who raise these concerns through proper channels are not retaliated against, sidelined, or pushed out of the agency. We therefore ask that DHS confirm, in writing, the specific steps it is taking to ensure that whistleblower complaints related to ICE hiring, vetting, and training are investigated promptly, that whistleblowers are protected from retaliation consistent with the Whistleblower Protection Act and related authorities, and that findings are shared with the appropriate oversight bodies, including Congress.\n\nWe request a written response to this letter, including responses to the items above, no later than October 13, 2026. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-peters-and-slotkin-legislation-to-extend-federal-funding-and-protections-for-the-great-lakes", "title": "Senate Passes Peters and Slotkin Legislation to Extend Federal Funding and Protections for the Great Lakes", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.peters.senate.gov", "scraper": "garypeters", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000595", "name": "Gary C. Peters", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate unanimously passed legislation championed by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Elissa Slotkin (MI) to protect the Great Lakes and vital waterways across Michigan. The legislation would extend the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), authorizing $475 million in annual funding for the program through 2030. The GLRI combines federal and nonfederal efforts to stop the spread of invasive species, restore coastline and habitats connecting our streams and rivers, clean up environmentally damaged Areas of Concern, and prevent future contamination.\n\n“The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is the most significant investment ever made to restore and protect our Great Lakes from things like invasive species, pollution, and shoreline erosion,” said Senator Peters. “Now more than ever, we need to ensure this vital program has the funding it needs to continue supporting projects that will keep these treasured bodies of water healthy and vibrant for years to come. I’ll keep working in a bipartisan way to get this commonsense bill signed into law.”\n\n“Millions of Michiganders rely on the Great Lakes for their livelihood and protecting it is existential for Michigan,” said Senator Slotkin. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative will help protect the lakes, our economy and our way of life – from vital programs that work to mitigate coastal erosion to protecting against harmful invasive species like Asian Carp. I will always fight for our Great Lakes and will continue to work with people in both parties to do just that.”\n\n“The Great Lakes Commission applauds the Senate for advancing bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a proven program that is delivering environmental and economic results for communities across the Great Lakes basin,” said Erika Jensen, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Commission. “Continued federal investment in the GLRI is essential to restoring degraded areas, protecting water quality, combating invasive species, and strengthening communities across the basin. We thank Senators Peters and Slotkin and their colleagues for their leadership and urge the House to move quickly to pass this critically important legislation.\"\n\n“The GLRI is integral to the health of the Great Lakes and the 30 million people who depend on them for drinking water,” said Laura Rubin, Director of Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “Reauthorizing the GLRI is essential to maintaining the momentum we have built in restoring one of the nation’s most treasured natural resources, and we are grateful for the leadership of the Great Lakes delegation for advancing this legislation, preventing interruption to the GLRI’s vital work.”\n\nSince its inception, the GLRI has spurred tremendous progress in Michigan and throughout the Great Lakes region, including nearly half of a million acres of habitat protected, restored, or enhanced, a five-fold increase in the successful cleanup and delisting of Areas of Concern, a ten-fold increase in the remediation of environmental and public health impairments, and reducing the threat of harmful algal blooms. The GLRI’s efforts have also resulted in economic returns of more than 3 to 1 across the region.\n\nThe senators’ legislation is supported by the League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, National Parks Conservation Association, Council of Great Lakes Governors, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, American Great Lakes Ports Association, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, American Rivers, American Sportfishing Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, National Audubon Society - Great Lakes, Environmental Law & Policy Center, and other key stakeholders in Great Lakes protection.\n\nPeters and Slotkin have been steadfast supporters of the Great Lakes, including by enacting the single-largest-ever investment in the GLRI through the bipartisan infrastructure law to accelerate the restoration of nine high-priority areas in Michigan whose lakes, rivers and watersheds flow into the Great Lakes.\n\nAs Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, Peters plays a key role in uniting Great Lakes Basin states to coordinate legislative initiatives, funding priorities, and oversight efforts to address the most important issues facing the Great Lakes, such as invasive species, environmental contamination, shoreline erosion, water quality, infrastructure needs, and more.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-peters-applauds-united-states-coast-guard-decision-to-restore-full-operations-and-staffing-at-uscg-station-saginaw-river", "title": "Senator Peters Applauds United States Coast Guard Decision to Restore Full Operations & Staffing at USCG Station Saginaw River", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.peters.senate.gov", "scraper": "garypeters", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000595", "name": "Gary C. Peters", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "ESSEXVILLE, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) applauded the United States Coast Guard’s (USGC) decision to fully restore staffing and operations at USCG Station Saginaw River in Essexville:\n\n“United States Coast Guard search and rescue units play a vital role in ensuring the safety of Michigan’s Great Lakes communities, and I’m thrilled that full operations are returning to Station Saginaw River in Essexville,” said Senator Peters. “Since operational changes were announced at Coast Guard stations across Michigan, I’ve raised the importance of these resources to communities and called on the Department of Homeland Security to address staffing shortages and restore operations. Thanks in part to this advocacy, Coast Guard recruitment is at record levels, leading to the return of full operations in Saginaw Bay. This announcement will improve the Coast Guard’s ability to respond to crises on the water, keeping Michiganders safe and secure. While this is a positive step forward, the job is not finished until full operations are restored at every impacted Coast Guard station in Michigan, and I’ll keep pushing until that happens.”\n\n“We are very thankful that Senator Peters pushed for the return of staffing at the Saginaw River Station,” said Bay City Fire Chief Kurt Corradi. “The Coast Guard’s operational changes have put a strain on local emergency response teams, so the return to full staffing is welcome news for our partners across the Bay Region.”\n\nPeters led the effort to reverse the previously announced staffing changes at USCG Stations throughout Michigan. In November 2025, he raised these concerns with Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, then-nominee to be Commandant of the USCG. In May of 2025, he called on the Trump Administration to prioritize funding for U.S. Coast Guard recruitment and retention. In a letter to Admiral Lunday, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Peters also outlined how critical Coast Guard operations have been disrupted as a result of personnel shortages and underscored that further investment is needed to support ongoing recruitment and retention efforts for the Great Lakes region to address these shortages.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2026/10/in-case-you-missed-it-sen-rick-scott-dr-rebeccah-heinrichs-in-the-hill-if-america-wants-to-prosper-we-must-lead", "title": "In Case You Missed It… Sen. Rick Scott, Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs in The Hill: “If America Wants to Prosper, We Must Lead.”", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "page_html", "source": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.rickscott.senate.gov", "scraper": "rickscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001217", "name": "Rick Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "NAPLES, Fla. – Last week, U.S. Senator Rick Scott and Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs of the Hudson Institute published a joint op-ed in The Hill that discusses the numerous threats to America’s prosperity — and how to confront them.\n\nIn the op-ed, Senator Scott and Dr. Heinrichs argue that America is facing a growing list of threats from an “authoritarian alliance,” as China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and its proxies, and others consolidate power to steer the world away from the U.S.-led global order. The solution, they argue, is to recommit to American strength and leadership on the world stage.\n\nSenator Scott and Dr. Heinrichs wrote, “Lately, a foolish worldview is growing in popularity among elected leaders in Washington. You hear it from voices ranging from Tucker Carlson to Hasan Piker. Some on the left and right have become convinced that solving America’s domestic issues requires our retreat from leadership on the world stage.”\n\n…\n\n“What the Tucker-Piker camp fails to understand is that America still has enemies. Communist China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba have created an anti-American coalition — an authoritarian alliance — to undercut us as the global superpower and sever the ties between the U.S. and the Western coalition.”\n\n…\n\n“If we retreat and allow this authoritarian alliance to take hold, America will suffer. Communist China and its accomplices will starve us, isolate us, and deprive us of every resource possible until America is weak and dependent. We will have no autonomy, no opportunity, and no freedom. Our financial markets will be powerless to fuel innovation, our business will shutter, and the American Dream will die.”\n\n…\n\n“We cannot sacrifice national and global security to a false dilemma of domestic versus overseas issues. It is not a zero-sum equation. To believe it would destroy a century of American greatness and the American Dream itself. Americans deserve a future that is safe, prosperous and free. For that to happen, America must lead.”\n\nRead the full op-ed HERE.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/05/rosen-calls-out-trump-admin-for-shortchanging-rural-nevada-families-on-home-loans/", "title": "Rosen Calls Out Trump Admin for Shortchanging Rural Nevada Families on Home Loans", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Nevada Got 40 Percent Less In Federal Home Loans as Trump Administration Let $230 Million Expire\n\nWASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s decision to let over $230 million in federal funding for housing in rural areas expire. The Trump Administration has failed to distribute nearly half of the $1 billion Congress allocated for the Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans Program during a housing affordability crisis, and much of that money will now no longer be able to be used next year. The critical program helps thousands of low- and very-low-income Americans in rural areas get the financing they need to afford a home. Nevada saw a more than $2.3 million decrease in federal loan investment as a result of the Administration’s actions, a 40 percent decline compared to a typical year.\n\n“While housing prices continue to go through the roof and hard-working Nevadans are struggling to afford a home, the Trump Administration has refused to take meaningful action to address the worsening housing crisis,” said Senator Rosen. “By letting hundreds of millions in federal funds already allocated by Congress go unused, Trump is proving that he does not care about our rural communities and would rather let this money expire than help the families who need it most to afford a place to live.”\n\nSenator Rosen has fought to address the housing crisis in Nevada and has secured millions in federal funding for various housing projects across the state. This year, Senator Rosen helped pass the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the largest housing package in decades, which will increase the supply of housing and bring down housing costs. In September, she helped secure almost $5 million in federal funding for Tribal housing. Senator Rosen also successfully pushed the Trump Administration to release more than $3.3 million in funding for affordable housing projects across Nevada.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-sen-schiff-highlights-new-report-detailing-increased-offshoring-of-u-s-film-and-tv-production-need-for-federal-film-tax-incentive/", "title": "NEWS: Sen. Schiff Highlights New Report Detailing Increased Offshoring of U.S. Film and TV Production, Need for Federal Film Tax Incentive", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is highlighting a new study documenting increased offshoring of U.S. film and TV production over the past 25 years. The report highlights the need for Congress to pass Senator Tim Scott’s (R-S.C.) and Schiff’s Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act to create a federal film tax incentive to keep film and television production in the United States.\n\n“The jobs in the film and TV industry are enormously important to our country and must stay here in the United States. This report demonstrates the urgent need to act and pass a federal film tax proposal to stop the exodus of production to other countries offering more competitive incentives. With the support of the President, and our strong bipartisan and bicameral coalition, our bill will help create hundreds of thousands of jobs across the nation and bring the movie magic back to America. Now is the time to get this done,” said Senator Schiff.\n\nAccording to the report:\n\n“The share of production spending by major U.S. studios on movies filmed partially or primarily in the U.S. declined from 74% to 42%.\n\nThe share of films by major U.S. studios on movies filmed partially or primarily in the U.S. declined from 66% to 54%.\n\nFor total cast and crew working on major studio films, the share of cast and crew working on movies filmed partially or primarily in the U.S. declined from 72% to 43%.\n\nFrom 1999 to 2024, the share of production spending in the U.S. among the 25 highest-budget films by major U.S. studios declined by 40%.\n\nThe share of television production spending by major U.S. studios on television episodes filmed partially or primarily in the U.S. declined from 94% to 64%.”\n\nBackground: For years, Schiff has highlighted the need to increase film production in America and has continued to build bipartisan support in Congress for his federal film incentive proposal. During his time in the California State Senate, Schiff helped lead efforts to increase film production in California and protect local jobs.\n\nAs a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Schiff spearheaded efforts in Congress to extend California’s film tax credit, including in 2014 when he led 28 members of the California Democratic delegation in urging the leaders of the California State Senate and Assembly to reauthorize and enhance the tax credit. In 2024, Schiff sent a letter to the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau of Labor Statistics requesting detailed data on the impact of foreign production incentives on the domestic industry.\n\nIn March 2026, Senator Adam Schiff hosted a spotlight hearing in Burbank, California to highlight the importance of bolstering American film production and tackling the challenges including generous tax incentives provided by other countries.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-sen-schiff-celebrates-unveiling-of-new-burbank-airport-terminal-10-years-in-the-making/", "title": "PHOTOS: Sen. Schiff Celebrates Unveiling of New Burbank Airport Terminal 10 Years in the Making", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Schiff, a longtime supporter of the project, has delivered more than $8 million in federal funding to support construction of the new terminal\n\nBurbank, CA – U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) celebrated the opening of the newly minted Hollywood Burbank Airport terminal during a ribbon cutting ceremony today.\n\nSchiff, a long-time Burbank resident who represented the region for more than 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, delivered more than $8 million dollars in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the development of this project.\n\n“This project is a testament to how we can work together to transform our local infrastructure, create more jobs, strengthen our transportation system, and boost our local economies,” said Senator Schiff. “Over 6 million people travel in and out of this airport every year, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this project will leave on communities and for travelers, and a local economic boost that we will see as a result of this reopening and for decades to come.”\n\nView photos from the ceremony below:\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-joins-effort-to-expand-coverage-of-birth-control-as-trump-administration-continues-attacks-on-contraception-and-family-planning", "title": "Shaheen Joins Effort to Expand Coverage of Birth Control as Trump Administration Continues Attacks on Contraception and Family Planning", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.shaheen.senate.gov", "scraper": "shaheen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001181", "name": "Jeanne Shaheen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) helped introduce the bicameral Affordability is Access Act, which would require insurers to fully cover over-the-counter birth control without any fees or out-of-pocket costs, once it is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved. The introduction comes as the Trump Administration continues its senseless attacks on reproductive care, family planning and contraception, including moves to cancel teen pregnancy prevention grants, attempts to decimate Title X and the U.S. State Department’s extremist decision to falsely label birth control products as abortifacients.\n\n“As the Trump Administration continues its relentless efforts to strip women of our bodily autonomy and limit access to basic reproductive health care, we must do all we can to increase access to contraception and family planning methods,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our legislation would build on successful provisions in the Affordable Care Act that have made birth control more readily available by ensuring over-the-counter options are also available at no cost.”\n\nUnder the Affordable Care Act, all private health insurance plans are required to fully cover – without copays or out-of-pocket costs – prescribed FDA-approved, granted or cleared methods of contraception. The Affordability is Access Act would change this to apply to over-the-counter birth control that women can get without a prescription. The Affordability is Access Act would also maintain the FDA’s sole authority to determine the safety and efficacy of drugs and make them available over the counter without a prescription and ensure retailers provide contraception without a prescription. The legislation states that any retailer that stocks contraception that the FDA has approved, granted or cleared without a prescription may not interfere with a consumer’s access to or purchase of such contraception.\n\nThe bill text can be read HERE.\n\nSenator Shaheen is an unrelenting advocate for women’s reproductive rights. Shaheen is a longtime cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act which would guarantee a woman’s right to access an abortion free from medically unnecessary restrictions that interfere with a patient’s individual choice or the provider-patient relationship. Shaheen has also joined her Senate colleagues in opposing Senate Republicans’ effort to restrict access to reproductive health care, including their push last year to pass legislation that would have significantly interfered with the doctor-patient relationship and posed unnecessary and harmful obstacles to a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her reproductive health. For years, Shaheen has fought to expand coverage of women’s preventative care, including through her legislation to reduce the cost of contraception for servicewomen and dependents in military families.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2026/10/senate-passes-tillis-king-resolution-establishing-national-veterans-suicide-prevention-day", "title": "Senate Passes Tillis, King Resolution Establishing National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.tillis.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.tillis.senate.gov", "scraper": "tillis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000476", "name": "Thom Tillis", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, the Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution led by U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Mental Health Caucus and a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and Angus King (I-ME) designating Sept. 30, 2026, as National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day. The Tillis-King resolution encourages the public, veteran service organizations, community partners, and health care providers to raise awareness of veteran suicide prevention and the resources available to veterans in crisis.\n\n“Our veterans have sacrificed everything to defend our freedoms, and we owe them our unwavering commitment to ensure they have access to the care and resources they need during and after their service,” said Senator Tillis. “I thank my colleagues for their overwhelming bipartisan support in establishing National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day. I am proud to have co-led this effort to raise awareness of veteran suicide, connect veterans with lifesaving resources, and ensure those who served our nation know they are never alone.”\n\n“National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day is a solemn reminder of our responsibility to the veterans we have lost, and to the families who carry their memory forward,” said Senator King. “Their experiences demonstrate the critical importance of early support and reliable access to care. We remain committed to strengthening the systems that provide veterans and their loved ones with effective and compassionate services.”\n\nJoining Senators Tillis and King as cosponsors for this resolution are Senators Alan Armstrong (R-OK), John Boozman (R-AR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tim Scott (R-SC), Mark Warner (D-VA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).\n\nThe bipartisan resolution has been endorsed by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors (TAPS).\n\nIf you or someone you know needs immediate mental health support, please dial 988.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-statement-on-the-appointment-of-jay-clayton-to-coordinate-federal-ai-policy/", "title": "Warner Statement on the Appointment of Jay Clayton to Coordinate Federal AI Policy", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warner.senate.gov", "scraper": "warner", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000805", "name": "Mark R. Warner", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after President Trump named Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to serve in an additional role overseeing the administration’s artificial intelligence policy:\n\n“Artificial intelligence is one of the defining national security challenges of our time, and I welcome the administration recognizing that this technology requires serious, sustained attention at the highest levels of government. But creating a new title is not a substitute for having a coherent strategy. So far, the administration has resisted meaningful safeguards without offering a serious alternative for addressing the national security risks posed by increasingly powerful AI systems. We still do not know what authority this new role will have, whether it will include developing safety standards or reviewing the most advanced models, or how it fits into the administration’s broader approach to AI. That lack of clarity is especially concerning as leading AI companies themselves are confronting increasingly capable systems that can evade safeguards and exploit cybersecurity vulnerabilities.\n\n“There is real bipartisan interest in Congress in getting this right. I hope this appointment is an opportunity for the administration to move beyond slogans and toward a serious, coordinated national strategy for AI. As I have said repeatedly, that coordination must include the Intelligence Community, where some of our nation’s foremost technical experts on cyber reside. And as Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I look forward to working with Director Clayton on ensuring the United States stays ahead of China and other adversaries, strengthening the security and resilience of our most advanced AI systems, and establishing rigorous testing and safeguards so that increasingly powerful systems remain secure, reliable, and under human control. ”\n\nSen. Warner has been a leading voice in Congress on the national security, economic, and societal implications of artificial intelligence. Earlier this year, he unveiled A Framework for America’s AI Future, a comprehensive legislative agenda focused on AI safety and competition, national security, workforce disruption, and the infrastructure needed to power the technology. Most recently, Warner introduced the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026 with Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Andy Kim (D-NJ), legislation that would establish enforceable safety and security standards for the most advanced AI systems, including pre-deployment testing, stronger cybersecurity requirements, and mandatory reporting of serious AI safety and security incidents. Warner and his colleagues took to the Senate floor this week to seek unanimous consent to pass the legislation.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-secures-nearly-100-million-in-federal-funding-for-hbcu-stem-programs/", "title": "Warnock Secures Nearly $100 Million in Federal Funding for HBCU STEM Programs", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warnock.senate.gov", "scraper": "warnock", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000790", "name": "Raphael G. Warnock", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "The $97.1 million award will support 10 HBCU STEM programs through the Department of Defense, including at Clark Atlanta University\n\nSince beginning his full Senate term in 2022, Senator Warnock has secured more than $17 billion for HBCU campuses across the country, including nearly $275 million for HBCUs in Georgia\n\nSenator Warnock is a proud graduate of Morehouse College, an HBCU located in Atlanta\n\nSenators Reverend Warnock: “These institutions serve as stewards of academic excellence and innovation, and this federal investment specifically in STEM programs honors that legacy of greatness and expands opportunity for the next generation of scientists”\n\nWashington, D.C. – Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is announcing a $97.1 million award in federal funding to support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) research programs and capabilities at 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-serving Institutions (MSIs) across the country, including nearly $10 million at Clark Atlanta University in Georgia.\n\n“For too long, HBCUs have gone unrecognized for their contributions to our nation’s leading STEM industry,” said Senator Warnock. “These institutions serve as stewards of academic excellence and innovation, and this federal investment specifically in STEM programs honors that legacy of greatness and expands opportunity for the next generation of scientists.”\n\nSenator Warnock has long been a champion of America’s HBCUs and successfully secured this latest batch of congressionally directed funding through the Department of Defense’s (DOD) HBCU/MSI program. The grant supports 10 HBCU institutions as they seek to achieve Research One (R1) status—the highest research activity classification among colleges and universities in the United States.\n\nThis effort builds on Senator Warnock’s bipartisan HBCU Research Capacity Act to set up a federally coordinated website that compiles information about HBCU-eligible STEM research and development funding opportunities. In March, Senator Warnock hosted over 30 HBCU presidents in the U.S. Capitol for an event focused on his and Sen. Katie Britt’s (R-AL) landmark legislation. An HBCU graduate who understands firsthand the benefit of a good education, Senator Warnock has routinely emphasized the importance of adequately funding these institutions.\n\nTo date, Senator Warnock has secured more than $17 billion for HBCU campuses across the country, including nearly $275 million for HBCUs in Georgia.\n\nA list of HBCUs receiving the federal grant funding can be found below:\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-statement-on-reporting-that-trump-admin-let-millions-in-rural-housing-development-dollars-expire/", "title": "Warnock Statement on Reporting that Trump Admin Let Millions in Rural Housing Development Dollars Expire", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warnock.senate.gov", "scraper": "warnock", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000790", "name": "Raphael G. Warnock", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "According to reporting by POLITICO, the Trump Administration refused to spend around $232 million in federal funding meant to help low-income families in rural communities\n\nThe funding officially expired last week\n\nThe funding was allocated by Congress to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans Program\n\nIn Georgia, rural communities received over $14 million less in mortgage assistance compared to the prior years’ average, a 68% decrease\n\nSenator Reverend Warnock: “Time and time again the Trump administration shows its true colors. By denying money to Georgians who need it, the President demonstrates that he doesn’t care about rural and low-income families.”\n\nWashington, D.C. – Today, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement after new reporting by POLITICO found that the Trump administration threw away more than $230 million in federal funding Congress already allocated to help low-income families in rural communities.\n\n“Time and time again, the Trump administration shows its true colors. By denying money to Georgians who need it, the President demonstrates that he doesn’t care about rural and low-income families, rising housing costs, and the affordability crisis plaguing this country,” Senator Reverend Warnock said. “Housing provides dignity and security, particularly in rural communities. When this administration fails to do its job, it is hardworking Georgians in rural communities across our state who pay the price.”\n\nCongress allocated the funding to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans Program. As of today, USDA has only used $518 million of the $1 billion in available funding for the program.\n\nAbout $250 million of the unspent money will carry over to the next fiscal year, but roughly $232 million expired last week with the end of the fiscal year, preventing hundreds of families across Georgia and the country from getting the assistance they need. Each year, the program finances roughly 5,500 mortgages. The $230 million in funding could have helped approximately 850 rural households achieve homeownership across the country.\n\nThis fiscal year, Georgians only received $6.9 million in single-family housing direct home loans, a $14 million, or 68%, decrease from prior years’ average, according to data provided by Senator Patty Murray’s (D-WA) office.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://youngkim.house.gov/2026/10/05/rep-young-kim-introduces-resolution-recognizing-national-peroxisomal-disorder-awareness-day/", "title": "Rep. Young Kim Introduces Resolution Recognizing National Peroxisomal Disorder Awareness Day", "date": "2026-10-05", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://youngkim.house.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "youngkim.house.gov", "scraper": "youngkim", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000397", "name": "Young Kim", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced a resolution recognizing October 5th as National Peroxisomal Disorder Awareness Day to raise awareness of these rare genetic disorders and recognize the patients and families impacted by them.\n\nPeroxisomal disorders are estimated to affect roughly 1 in 50,000 births. These rare genetic conditions can affect nearly every system in the body, and severe forms are often terminal in childhood. Patients may experience hearing and vision loss, developmental delays, adrenal insufficiency, neurological complications, and feeding difficulties. There is currently no cure for peroxisomal disorders, and treatment options remain extremely limited.\n\nFor families, a diagnosis brings years of specialist visits, complex daily care, and financial and emotional strain, often with few answers along the way. For the Overly family of Lake Forest, this struggle is all too real. Brooke Overly’s daughter Melody was diagnosed with a Peroxisomal Disorder. Melody’s grandfather, Michael Curry, helped spearhead the effort to establish National Peroxisomal Disorder Awareness Day.\n\n“After meeting Melody and her mother Brooke, I saw firsthand the strength it takes for a family to face a rare diagnosis with so few answers,” said Rep. Young Kim. “No parent should have to navigate a devastating diagnosis with so little information available about specialists, treatments, or what comes next. I’m proud to introduce this resolution to raise awareness of peroxisomal disorders, recognize families like the Overlys, and bring greater attention to the need for better understanding, treatments, and ultimately a cure.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-06T11:44:28Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-06T11:46:08Z"}
{"url": "https://adriansmith.house.gov/media/press-releases/smith-boyle-introduce-bipartisan-bill-protect-integrity-college-athletics", "title": "Smith, Boyle Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect the Integrity of College Athletics", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://adriansmith.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "adriansmith.house.gov", "scraper": "adriansmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001172", "name": "Adrian Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE-03) and Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA-02), members of House Ways and Means Committee, introduced the Fair Play Enforcement Act, to protect the integrity of college athletics by holding colleges and universities accountable for fielding athletes who violate established standards of fair competition.\n\n“College athletics have a long history of bringing people together, fostering competition, and teaching us what it means to represent something bigger than ourselves. Unfortunately, recent developments continue to put the values and traditions that make college sports unique at risk. I introduced my Fair Play Enforcement Act to ensure that colleges and universities uphold fair competition and preserve the values that have long defined college athletics for generations to come,” said Smith.\n\n“College sports depend on honesty and fair play. Schools should not be fielding players who have bet on games or who have been on professional sports teams. Our commonsense legislation creates a financial consequence for schools that cross that line and helps protect the integrity of college athletics,” said Boyle.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe Fair Play Enforcement Act holds colleges and universities accountable for fielding athletes who violate the standards of collegiate competition. The legislation would impose an excise tax penalty on a school that knowingly or reasonably should have known it was fielding a player in a sanctioned competition who:\n\nGambled on collegiate sports; or\n\nSigned a contract with and was rostered by a professional sports team in the same sport in which the player subsequently competed at the collegiate level.\n\nExcise Tax Penalty:\n\nIf a school is found in violation, the legislation would impose an excise tax based on a percentage of the institution’s total gross athletic revenue, including but not limited to ticket sales, media rights, conference and postseason distributions, sponsorships, licensing and merchandising, athletic donations, concessions, and other revenue attributable to the athletic program.\n\nSafeguards:\n\nDocumented determination: Requires a final, documented determination from the appropriate governing body, such as the NCAA, that the player violated the applicable prohibition before a penalty may be imposed.\n\nSchool knowledge: Applies only when a college or university knew or reasonably should have known that it was fielding a player who violated the applicable standard.\n\nJudicial safe harbor: Provides a safe harbor when a court orders a school to roster or field a player who would otherwise be subject to the prohibition.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-msnow-article-below-titled-if-claims-renee-good-lawsuits-are-true-ice", "title": "ICYMI: The MSNOW article below, titled “If claims from Renee Good lawsuits are true, ICE didn’t give her a chance.\"", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "algreen.house.gov", "scraper": "algreen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000553", "name": "Al Green", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The MSNOW article below, titled “If claims from Renee Good lawsuits are true, ICE didn’t give her a chance,” speaks for itself.\n\nYou can access the article by clicking the link here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://barrett.house.gov/media/press-releases/barrett-continues-support-workers-small-businesses-mid-michigan", "title": "Barrett Continues Support for Workers, Small Businesses in Mid-Michigan", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://barrett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "barrett.house.gov", "scraper": "barrett", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001321", "name": "Tom Barrett", "party": "Republican", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Howell, Mich. — Today, Congressman Tom Barrett welcomed Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler and Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration Ed Forst to Howell to highlight their efforts to support small businesses and workers.\n\nBarrett, Loeffler, and Forst met with leadership and staff at Highland Engineering, a family-owned business that designs and builds critical equipment for the U.S. military. The visit showcased the important partnership between small businesses and the federal government, and the officials also discussed their work to lower taxes and foster an economy where workers and small businesses can succeed.\n\n“At Highland Engineering and small businesses across mid-Michigan, people work hard to do their jobs and provide for their families,” said Barrett. “I’ve been leading the charge to build an economy where everyone can succeed, and that starts with lowering costs for families. We delivered no tax on overtime, no tax on tips, and other tax relief that has put more money back in people’s pockets — and there is a lot more to be done. Thank you to Administrator Loeffler and Administrator Forst for coming to Howell to see the good work happening here in our communities.”\n\n“Michigan has long been at the heart of America’s industrial strength, and in visiting Highland Engineering today we saw that legacy in action,” said Loeffler. “New orders are fueling growth and more opportunities for its employees — a powerful example of what the America First economic agenda means for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. Thanks to President Trump’s commitment to American industry and its workers, and with leadership from congressional leaders like Congressman Barrett, we are bringing vital industries home and restoring the jobs that sustain families and communities across the state.”\n\n“Small businesses like Highland Engineering are the backbone of our economy and critical partners in strengthening our nation's industrial and defense capabilities,” said Forst. “In line with President Trump’s commitment to American manufacturing, GSA is opening doors for domestic innovators like Highland to win the federal contracts and secure opportunities necessary to put the American people and products first.”\n\nHighland Engineering began in 1986 as a fixture and automation design firm serving the automotive industry and now is a leading defense contractor, providing the military with equipment for classified information facilities, water purification, electricity, medical care, cargo transportation, and more.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/fy26-community-project-funding-awarded-oklahomas-fifth-district", "title": "FY26 Community Project Funding Awarded to Oklahoma’s Fifth District", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "bice.house.gov", "scraper": "bice", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000740", "name": "Stephanie I. Bice", "party": "Republican", "state": "OK", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stephanie Bice announced that three projects in Oklahoma’s Fifth Congressional District received award notifications for a total of $2,721,813 in Community Project Funding secured by the Congresswoman through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process. This funding will modernize Guthrie’s Central Communications Center, which supports emergency communications for 5 police departments and 12 fire departments; improve security at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, which serves approximately 12,000 inpatients, 35,000 emergency patients, and 250,000 outpatient visits annually; and allow the University of Central Oklahoma’s Forensic Science Institute to acquire new, state of the art technology to support students and the University’s work with law enforcement.\n\n“I am proud to have secured these critical investments for Oklahoma’s Fifth Congressional District,”Congresswoman Bice said.“These projects are great examples of how we can bring taxpayer dollars back home to support the important work already being done in our communities. I am grateful to everyone who helped make these projects possible and look forward to seeing the difference this funding will make.”\n\n“We are constantly looking for ways to improve our infrastructure and our equipment without placing the entire burden on our local taxpayers, and federal grants are a huge part of that,” Guthrie City Manager Eddie Faulkner said.\n\nDuring the event, Guthrie Police Chief Sweger previously provided a technical overview of the project, detailing how the grant will revitalize the dispatch center. He stated, “The upgrades needed to handle the volume of calls we receive often outweigh our fiscal abilities. These funds will help alleviate some of that weight and ensure the continuance of service to our region.”\n\n“Healthcare workers save lives every day. Ensuring their safety is not merely a workplace issue — it is a public health imperative and a moral obligation,” said Richard P. Lofgren, M.D., MPH, President and CEO of OU Health.“We commend Congresswoman Bice for her continued engagement on this critical matter and call on federal, state, and institutional leaders to invest in the people who make our healthcare system possible.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-boebert-us-department-energy-order-keeps-craig-coal-unit-open", "title": "REP. BOEBERT: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ORDER KEEPS CRAIG COAL UNIT OPEN", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "boebert.house.gov", "scraper": "boebert", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000825", "name": "Lauren Boebert", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LONE TREE — Rep. Lauren Boebert announced the Department of Energy order keeps Craig Station Unit 1 available and the jobs tied to that unit continue.\n\n\"Colorado families and businesses cannot afford to lose baseload power while demand keeps climbing,” Rep. Boebert said. “This order keeps Craig Unit 1 online through the end of the year so the grid has the coal generation it needs, and the jobs tied to the unit that remains open continue.”\n\nCraig Station is a coal-fired power plant in Craig, Colorado, the county seat of Moffat County in the northwest corner of the state. It sits just outside town along the Yampa River. Several hundred jobs are connected to the plant and the mines that supply it.\n\nSecretary Chris Wright issued the order under section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, finding an emergency in the WECC–Rocky Mountain region from rising demand and a shortage of generation. The order directs Tri-State, the co-owners, and Southwest Power Pool to keep the 446-megawatt coal unit available through December 25, 2026, and to dispatch it only when needed to meet the emergency and limit costs to ratepayers.\n\nRep. Boebert will continue to work with Secretary Wright on what is best for the 4th District.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/10/06/buchanan-backs-bipartisan-bills-to-help-kids-eat-better-and-lead-healthier-lives/", "title": "Buchanan Backs Bipartisan Bills to Help Kids Eat Better and Lead Healthier Lives", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "domain": "buchanan.house.gov", "scraper": "buchanan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001260", "name": "Vern Buchanan", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Legislation Would Support Florida’s Specialty Crop Growers, Improve Student Nutrition and Tell Families Exactly What Their Children Are Eating\n\nWASHINGTON— Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, announced he is cosponsoring two bills to improve the health of students across Florida: the Local Foods for Healthy Schools Act (H.R. 9474), bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) and Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.), as well as the Know What’s on the Tray Act (H.R. 9951), introduced by Congressman Tom Barrett (R-Mich.).\n\n“A child who isn’t eating well can’t learn well,” said Congressman Buchanan. “Healthy kids become strong students, and strong students grow into the leaders our country will depend on. Children are 25% of our population, but 100% of our future, and these bills put fresh, local food in our schools and clear information in the hands of parents. That is an investment in the health of our children and grandchildren.”\n\nThe Local Foods for Healthy Schools Act would permanently reinstate and modernize USDA’s Local Food for Schools program, which USDA ended in 2025. This program would once again connect local producers and school districts, opening new opportunities for farmers while providing healthy, nutrient-rich meals to students.\n\nThe Know What’s on the Tray Act would require schools in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program to post information about every menu item on their school or district website at least seven days before the meal is served. The information would include its ingredients, the manufacturer or producer, where it was made and whether it was locally sourced or produced on a family farm. The bill would give families more insight into what their children eat and encourage healthier school meals.\n\nDiet-related disease is one of the largest drivers of health care costs in America, and habits formed in childhood often last a lifetime. By connecting schools with nearby farms and giving families clear information about school meals, these bills invest in students’ health and classroom success while supporting local farmers. As Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, Buchanan has made prevention a priority, including bipartisan legislation he introduced to help veterans manage chronic disease through nutrition.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-secures-over-one-million-scio-rural-fire", "title": "Bynum Secures Over One Million for Scio Rural Fire", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "bynum.house.gov", "scraper": "bynum", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001326", "name": "Janelle S. Bynum", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) announced that the Scio Rural Fire Protection District has received a $1.19 million federal grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support firefighter safety and fire prevention. Congresswoman Bynum advocated for the funding by writing a letter to FEMA in support of Scio Rural Fire’s grant application.\n\n“When you call 911, you shouldn’t have to wonder if there are enough firefighters to answer,” said Rep. Bynum. “This $1.19 million is a big deal for Scio, Jefferson, and the communities they serve. It means more support for the people running toward emergencies and a stronger response when our neighbors need help most. This is exactly what bringing federal dollars home should look like.”\n\n\"These grants are a significant opportunity and an important first step in building the capacity our Fire & Life Safety Division needs,\" said Albany Fire Chief Chris LaBelle. \"A community our size, with the growth and unique industries we have, requires a more proactive approach to risk reduction. This position moves us in that direction and supports our mission to Prevent and Protect from Harm.\"\n\n\"Redmond Fire & Rescue would like to thank Senators Merkley and Wyden and Congresswoman Bynum for their support,” said Redmond Fire Chief Ryan Herrera. \"With members of our organization having navigated a past cancer diagnosis, and with the recent passing of Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Kienzle from a Line-of-Duty cancer, this funding marks another meaningful step forward in our commitment to carcinogen reduction and improving the long-term health and safety of our firefighters.\"\n\n\"As costs continue to rise faster than available revenue, small fire districts like ours face difficult choices about how to best use limited resources. Recruiting, training, and retaining volunteer firefighters can too often be delayed as we focus on meeting the immediate costs of providing emergency services,” said Scio Fire Chief Kevin White. \"This grant is an important investment in the future of our department and our community. It will strengthen our efforts to recruit and retain volunteers, grow our membership, and ensure we have the people and resources needed to provide the high-quality emergency services our community depends on. We are grateful for this support and the opportunity to build a stronger, more sustainable fire department.\"\n\nFEMA awarded the funding through its Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program, which helps fire departments hire additional firefighters and strengthen recruitment and retention efforts.\n\nFEMA also issued funding under the SAFER Grant Program to the following areas:\n\nMore than $2.3 million to Boise Fire Department in Boise, Idaho\n\nMore than $1.7 million to South Kitsap Fire and Rescue in Port Orchard, Washington.\n\nMore than $1.7 million to Spokane County Fire District 9 in Mead, Washington.\n\nMore than $1.1 million to Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District in Umatilla, Oregon.\n\n$1 million to North Whidbey Fire and Rescue in Oak Harbor, Washington.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3534", "title": "Carbajal, Padilla, Schiff, Huffman Lead Colleagues in Urging Removal of Hunt Amendment from Annual Defense Bill", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "carbajal.house.gov", "scraper": "carbajal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001112", "name": "Salud O. Carbajal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), and House Natural Resources Committee top Democrat Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), led 30 of their colleagues in calling on House and Senate Armed Services Committee leaders to reject the Hunt Amendment’s provision (Section 2835) in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would grant unprecedented eminent domain authority to the federal government to benefit Sable Offshore Corporation.\n\n“The NDAA has long served as a bipartisan vehicle to strengthen our national security and support our servicemembers. However, we are deeply concerned by the inclusion of Section 2835, which would grant extraordinary eminent domain authority to the federal government to circumvent established environmental protections for the benefit of a single private company. Given the sweeping implications of this provision, we believe this policy rider does not belong in the NDAA and, therefore, should be removed from the final conference agreement,” wrote the lawmakers.\n\nThe lawmakers explain how this provision would jeopardize the California coastal economy and do little to strengthen our nation’s energy security.\n\n“California’s coastal economy supports roughly 511,000 jobs and generates over $51.3 billion in GDP from marine-economy activities — largely in tourism and recreation. Another oil spill from a corrosion-prone pipeline that has spilled before would jeopardize the economic security of everyday Americans that rely on our coastal economy for their livelihoods,” the lawmakers continued. “In addition, there is no evidence that this provision would meaningfully advance our nation's energy security. Recent spikes in gasoline prices driven by market uncertainty surrounding the war in Iran underscore that global oil markets—not a single offshore project—continue to dictate prices at the pump.”\n\nThe letter goes on to highlight the unprecedented nature of Section 2835, which would grant the federal government extraordinary powers to seize property for the sole benefit of a single private organization.\n\n“The NDAA should not be used to circumvent established permitting processes or create special authorities for individual projects that have failed to secure the approvals required under existing law. The federal government's power of eminent domain is among its most significant authorities and should be exercised only when there is a clear and compelling public purpose—not to resolve private infrastructure disputes or increase the profitability of a single company—at the expense of communities who have to live with the consequences of an oil spill,” said the lawmakers.\n\nThe full letter is available HERE.\n\nJoining Carbajal, Padilla, Schiff, and Huffman the letter is co-signed by U.S. Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Lou Correa (D-CA-46), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Brad Sherman (D-CA-32), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Derek Tran (D-CA-45), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Scott Peters (D-CA-50), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Pete Aguilar (D-CA-33), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), George Whitesides (D-CA-27), Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), and Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51).\n\nBackground\n\nSable Offshore acquired the Santa Ynez Unit from ExxonMobil in 2024. The pipeline had been out of service since the 2015 Refugio oil spill. In March 2026, Energy Secretary Chris Wright invoked the Defense Production Act and ordered Sable to restore pipeline operations.\n\nCarbajal has been a leader in opposing the Sable pipeline’s forced restart.\n\nIn September 2026, Carbajal led a bicameral group of colleagues in filing an amicus brief in California v. Wright to challenge the Trump Administration’s use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to facilitate the restart of the Sable Offshore oil pipeline system along the California Central Coast. The brief argues that the Administration has failed to identify a legitimate national defense need for Sable’s crude oil and that the DPA order does not satisfy the statutory requirements for invoking this extraordinary authority.\n\nIn July 2026, Carbajal spoke on the House floor against the NDAA’s Hunt amendment, which would grant the federal government unprecedented access to California-owned public lands associated with the Santa Ynez Unit and Las Flores Pipeline System.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-carson-seeks-answers-canceled-naturalization-ceremonies", "title": "Rep. Carson Seeks Answers on Canceled Naturalization Ceremonies", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "carson.house.gov", "scraper": "carson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001072", "name": "André Carson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC—This week, Congressman André Carson (IN-07) led 26 Members of Congress in seeking answers from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) about repeated cancelations of naturalization ceremonies.\n\nIn Indianapolis, USCIS canceled at least three naturalization ceremonies since July, citing a “lack of candidates.” But field offices report they have pending naturalization applications that are awaiting action from USCIS.\n\n“Citizenship is a life-changing milestone, and people who have spent years following the law deserve a government that honors its commitments,” said Rep. Carson. “Canceling naturalization ceremonies without a clear explanation leaves families in Indianapolis in limbo and undermines trust in the process. These families deserve more than canceled ceremonies and unanswered questions. USCIS must explain these cancellations and ensure eligible applicants can take their oath without unreasonable delay. I will keep pressing this administration for answers and accountability.”\n\n“We are concerned that lawful permanent residents are experiencing delays in the final stages of their naturalization across the country,” the lawmakers state in the letter. “Applicants who have spent years complying with immigration requirements should not face unexplained or unreasonable delays after becoming eligible for citizenship because of the political or ideological whims of a particular administration. These delays prevent lawful permanent residents from fully exercising the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, including voting, obtaining a U.S. passport, pursuing certain employment opportunities, and petitioning for family members. Congress has made it clear that the fair and timely processing of eligible citizenship applicants is a priority.”\n\nRep. Carson and his colleagues requested a response from USCIS by October 7, 2026, including the number of pending naturalization applications, how long those applications have been pending, and how many applicants have completed naturalization interviews but are still awaiting final decisions.\n\nThe full letter is HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-challenges-trumptovisit-dilleytrailerprison-duringsan-antoniovisit", "title": "Castro Challenges Trump To Visit Dilley Trailer Prison During San Antonio Visit", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "castro.house.gov", "scraper": "castro", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001091", "name": "Joaquin Castro", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SAN ANTONIO, TX —Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) renewed his invitation to President Donald Trump to visit the Dilley Trailer Prison during his visit tomorrow in San Antonio, Texas.\n\n“Donald Trump will be in San Antonio tomorrow. I invite him to visit the Dilley Trailer Prison and see for himself the trauma he is inflicting on children and babies, some as young as two months old.”\n\nCastro first challenged the President to see firsthand the conditions facing children at the only family detention center in the country at a march protesting ICE’s proposed detention center in San Antonio. Transcript below:\n\n“President Trump, you're coming to San Antonio. I would invite you to go to Dilley to see what Stephen Miller, who sits with you at the White House, has done to these children. To see the lifelong lasting trauma he's caused to these kids, to see what he's doing in the name of Americans. And I would say, because I would bet that the President has never been into a detention center, that he's certainly not been into a detention center, this trailer prison, where kids are held. Let me say this: the President of the United States is the leader of the country, the leader of the free world. If you can't stand there and go inside and look into the eyes of these kids and tell them that despite the fact they've done nothing wrong, that they belong there just because of where they were born, just because of the color of their skin, just because of the language that they speak, then you don't deserve to be President of the United States.”\n\n“Presidente Trump, vas a venir a San Antonio. Yo te invito a ir a Dilley para ver lo que Stephen Miller, que se sienta contigo en la Casa Blanca, les ha hecho a estos niños. Para ver el trauma duradero que les ha causado a estosniños, para ver lo que está haciendo en nombre de Estados Unidos. Y yo diría esto, porque apostaría a que el presidente nunca ha estado dentro de un centro de detención. Que ciertamente nunca ha estado dentro de un centro de detención, esta prisión de tráileres, donde tienen detenidos a niños. Déjenme decir esto: el Presidente de los Estados Unidos es el líder del país, el líder del mundo libre. Si no puedes estar ahí, entrar y mirar a estos niños a losojos y decirles que, a pesar de que no han hecho nada malo, pertenecen allí simplemente por el lugar donde nacieron, simplemente por el color de su piel, simplemente por el idioma que hablan, entonces no mereces ser Presidente de los Estados Unidos.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-castro-cisneros-honor-hispanic-and-latino-storytellers", "title": "Reps. Castro, Cisneros Honor Hispanic and Latino Storytellers", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "castro.house.gov", "scraper": "castro", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001091", "name": "Joaquin Castro", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. — Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Gil Cisneros (CA-31) introduced a resolution to honor and celebrate the cultural impacts of Hispanics and Latinos in film, television, and streaming.\n\nHispanics and Latinos represent 21% of the total population of the United States but Hispanics and Latinos in film, television, and streaming account for less than 7% of on-screen roles and less than 5% of off-screen roles. However, television series and films featuring Hispanic and Latino talent consistently rank among the most watched and financially successful productions.\n\nEl Cine, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, the Latino Film Institute, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA), and the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) signed on as supporting organizations.\n\n“Latino artists have helped shape American film and television for generations, and Latinos are one of the largest and fastest-growing audiences in this country,\" said Congressman Castro. \"Yet we are still underrepresented on screen and in the writing rooms and leadership roles where decisions are made. Latino film festivals across the country are doing important work to support Latino storytellers, and the industry should invest in that talent. I'm proud to join Congressman Cisneros in recognizing these contributions and calling for more Latino representation on and behind the big screen.”\n\n“Latinos and Hispanics represent some of the biggest stars and the most important stories of the century. The time when actors like Rita Hayworth, Anthony Quinn or Martin Sheen had to change their names has given way to mainstream stars like Selma Hayek, Eva Longoria, Diego Luna, and Selena Gomez,” said Congressman Cisneros. “Hispanic and Latino storytellers have enriched our media with diverse stories, artistic excellence, and economic growth and they deserve recognition for their talent. I’m proud to introduce this resolution to celebrate and honor the success of Hispanics and Latinos in film, television, and streaming and recognize their past, present, and future contributions to the United States.”\n\n“One of the biggest dangers our culture faces is erasure,” said Mariana Da Silva, Founder of El Cine. “We are taught to hide parts of ourselves, our language, our histories, and the stories that make us who we are. At El Cine, we create space for those stories to be seen, heard, and passed on. Latin culture is American culture. We’re proud to support this resolution because recognizing our contributions also means making room for the next generation to tell their stories without having to hide who they are.”\n\n“Fifty-nine percent of Latino adults went to a movie theater last year, more than any other group,” said Juan Proaño, Chief Executive Officer of LULAC. “Latinos are the profit margin of this industry. Yet we hold just 5 percent of the roles on screen, 2.8 percent of the lead roles, and one half of one percent of the writing credits, and 44 percent of top films have no Latino speaking character at all. LULAC is proud to support Congressman Cisneros's resolution, which honors the artists who opened doors and calls on the industry to reflect the audiences who sustain it. When we tell our own stories, the whole country sees itself more clearly.”\n\n“Thirty years ago, Jimmy Smits, Sonia Braga, Esai Morales, Merel Julia and I founded the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA), when Latinos were one in ten Americans and almost nowhere on screen,\" said Felix R. Sánchez, Chair and Co-founder of NHFA. \"Today we are one in five, and we hold fewer than three of every hundred lead roles in Hollywood's top films. The country changed, the screen has not.”\n\n“Latino Americans are intertwined in the fabric of the United States – including in film, television, and streaming,” said Brenda Victoria Castillo, President and CEO of National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC). “With the highest per capita consumption in entertainment, representing 24% of film ticket sales, 29% of daily mobile television viewers, and 24% of streaming subscribers, it's no wonder that our stories resonate, inspire, and are central to modern American culture. NHMC thanks Congressmen Cisneros and Castro for recognizing our community and continuing to be allies to increase Latino representation in media.”\n\n“From a fifth grader's first film to a fellow's first credit to a festival premiere, Latino Film Institute is building the workforce of American film, television, and streaming,” said Axel Caballero, Chief Executive Officer of the Latino Film Institute. “And we are preparing it for what comes next: new kinds of stories, told on platforms that are still taking shape. Through YCP, our fellowships, and LALIFF, that talent is being readied and celebrated. We thank Congressman Cisneros, Congressman Castro, and all the cosponsors, and LFI is proud to support this resolution.”\n\nRead the full text of the resolution here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-tri-caucus-leaders-demand-hhs-withdraw-harmful-english-only", "title": "Rep. Chu, Tri-Caucus Leaders Demand HHS Withdraw Harmful English-Only Head Start Proposal", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "chu.house.gov", "scraper": "chu", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001080", "name": "Judy Chu", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), Chair Emerita of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), CAPAC Chair Grace Meng (NY-06), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. opposing HHS’s proposed Head Start rule which would mandate English-only instruction and eliminate longstanding language-access protections for children and families.\n\nHead Start is a critical program that provides high-quality early childhood education and comprehensive support services for low-income children and their families. While the Members urge HHS to withdraw the proposed rule in its entirety, their letter focuses specifically on its harmful changes to language-access protections. Nearly 40 percent of children enrolled in Head Start are dual-language learners, representing almost 290,000 children nationwide, and 30 percent of enrollees come from families whose primary home language is not English.\n\nIn the letter, the Members explain that dual-language instruction helps children learn English and prepare for school:\n\n“We share the goal of ensuring that every Head Start child develops strong English-language skills. But requiring English-only instruction is not supported by the evidence and risks undermining that very goal. For many children, Head Start is their first experience in a classroom. Providing an environment in which young children can understand, communicate, and participate supports their ability to learn and successfully transition into school.\n\nThe Members also warn that the proposed rule conflicts with Congress’s explicit directives in the Head Start Act:\n\n“Congress directed the Secretary to establish standards ensuring that children with limited English proficiency make progress toward acquiring English while simultaneously making meaningful progress in other developmental domains, including through “culturally and linguistically appropriate instructional services” (42 U.S. Code § 9836a(a)(1)(B)(x)). Congress further directed the Secretary, when revising Head Start standards, to ensure that revisions do not eliminate or reduce the quality, scope, or types of educational, parental-involvement, health, or other services required under longstanding Head Start standards (42 U.S.C. § 9836a(a)(2)(C)). And the Head Start Act explicitly requires agencies to ensure teachers receive literacy training “in methods to promote vocabulary development and phonological awareness (including phonemic awareness) in a developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate manner and support children’s development in their native language” (42 U.S. Code § 9843(d)(2)(B)). Eliminating longstanding language-access protections appears directly at odds with these congressional directives, and the Department has not adequately explained how its proposal can be reconciled with them.”\n\nThe Members detail how eliminating bilingual staffing requirements could undermine parents’ ability to participate in their children’s education and jeopardize accurate developmental screenings and assessments:\n\n“Congress recognized that informed and engaged parents are essential to children’s success and required Head Start programs to conduct family needs assessments and communicate with parents, to the extent practicable, in a language they understand (42 U.S. Code § 9836(d)(2)(J)(vii); 42 U.S. Code § 9836(d)(2)(K); 42 U.S. Code § 9836a(f)(2)). Eliminating language-access staffing requirements without providing an adequate alternative could make it more difficult for parents to understand their children’s progress, participate in their education, communicate with teachers and staff, and access the comprehensive services Head Start provides.\n\nWe are particularly concerned about the consequences for developmental screenings and assessments. The Head Start Act requires measures used by Head Start programs to be developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate; valid and reliable in the language in which they are administered; administered by appropriately trained staff; and accompanied by appropriate accommodations for children with limited English proficiency (42 U.S. Code § 9836a(b)(2)). These protections are critical. A screening or assessment administered in a language a young child does not sufficiently understand risks mistaking normal second-language development for a developmental delay or, conversely, failing to identify a genuine disability or developmental concern. Either outcome could delay appropriate early intervention at precisely the age when it can make the greatest difference.”\n\nFinally, the Members warn that the proposal would impose significant disruption and costs on Head Start providers while weakening services for hundreds of thousands of children:\n\n“The scale of the disruption caused by the proposed rule’s language-access changes would be substantial. Almost 290,000 dual-language learners nationwide could be affected […] Although the proposal is titled Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs, affected programs could be forced to change curricula, replace classroom materials, and retrain or replace teachers, resulting in an estimated $99 million in costs.”\n\n“HHS should not reverse decades of evidence-based practice, impose new costs on providers, and weaken language-access protections for hundreds of thousands of children without a compelling evidentiary or legal basis for doing so. Accordingly, we strongly urge HHS to withdraw the proposed English-only instruction requirement and retain the longstanding language-access protections that allow Head Start programs to effectively serve dual-language learners and their families. Congress expressly directed Head Start to support English-language acquisition through culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and HHS should uphold, not undermine, that mandate.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/garcia-colleagues-issue-joint-statement-condemning-israel-s-persecution-of-palestinian-healthcare-workers", "title": "García, Colleagues Issue Joint Statement Condemning Israel’s Persecution of Palestinian Healthcare Workers", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "chuygarcia.house.gov", "scraper": "chuygarcia", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000586", "name": "Jesús G. \"Chuy\" García", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "CHICAGO — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), along with Congressmembers Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released a joint statement condemning the Israeli government’s systematic persecution of Palestinian healthcare workers, and called for their immediate release from arbitrary detention.\n\n“Over the last three years, the Israeli government has systematically destroyed the health system in Palestine, murdering at least 1,700 Palestinian doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare workers and destroying dozens of hospitals. It has arrested and arbitrarily detained hundreds of Palestinian healthcare workers, including at least 16 physicians who continue to be held in inhumane conditions. Among them is Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, whom the Israeli government has arbitrarily detained since 2024 and tortured to the point of near-death after previously murdering his son and brutally attacking his hospital,” said the Members.\n\n“Israel’s systematic annihilation of medical facilities and healthcare workers is not an accident or unfortunate consequence of war; it is an intentional policy designed to further occupation, apartheid, and genocide against the Palestinian people. We demand the immediate release of Dr. Abu Safiya and all other arbitrarily detained healthcare workers and Palestinian prisoners. And we demand an end to U.S. arms transfers to Israel, including the Trump Administration’s latest $2.8 billion sale of bombs. Congress must block this sale and pass the Block the Bombs Act to finally end our government’s shameful complicity in Israel’s mass atrocities.”\n\nCongressman García also recently led a letter condemning the violence by Israeli settlers, police and military in the village of al-Mughayyir in the occupied West Bank, and called for the release of Marwan Barghouti who has been detained and tortured in Israeli prison for over 20 years.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-highlights-63-million-federal-investments-graham-county", "title": "Ciscomani Highlights $6.3 Million in Federal Investments for Graham County", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ciscomani.house.gov", "scraper": "ciscomani", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001133", "name": "Juan Ciscomani", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Tucson, AZ - Representative Juan Ciscomani toured four Community Project Funding sites in Graham County, highlighting the $6.3 million in preliminary federal funding he has secured to support infrastructure, healthcare, roads, and teacher housing across Thatcher, Safford, and the greater Graham County area.\n\n\"These $6.3 million in preliminary investments across four projects will deliver lasting improvements for communities across Graham County,\" said Representative Ciscomani. \"From improving essential roads and modernizing the courthouse to expanding access to healthcare and supporting teacher housing, these projects address real needs identified by local leaders. As Arizona’s sole appropriator, I am committed to bringing federal resources home, moving these projects forward, and delivering results that matter for Graham County families.\"\n\nThe funding was awarded through the highly competitive Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process. Graham County’s four projects stood out among more than 70 applications submitted to Ciscomani’s office and will support key priorities across the community:\n\n$3 million will support the reconstruction and widening of 1st Avenue Road in Thatcher, improving a critical local roadway and making travel safer and more efficient for residents, businesses, and the surrounding community.\n\n$2 million will support modernization and improvements to the Graham County Courthouse in Safford, helping upgrade a critical public facility and ensure it can continue meeting the needs of Graham County residents.\n\n$650,000 will help Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center purchase a new mammography unit, bringing advanced breast cancer screening and diagnostic services closer to home and reducing the need for local patients to travel outside the community for care.\n\n$650,000 will support teacher housing at Fort Thomas Unified School District, helping provide more affordable housing options for educators and strengthening the district’s ability to recruit and retain teachers in the community.\n\nThatcher Mayor Jenny Howard praised Ciscomani’s advocacy and commitment to the community.\n\n\"He gets rural,\" said Thatcher Mayor Jenny Howard. \"He gets the state, he gets this district, but he gets rural; he knows we struggle.\"\n\n​Howard continued:\n\n\"The Town of Thatcher is incredibly grateful for Representative Ciscomani’s leadership and advocacy as he works to secure this $3 million investment for our community. We were proud to host him yesterday and show him firsthand why this project is so important to Thatcher and the surrounding region. This investment would be a game changer for our community and will truly have a lasting impact. We appreciate Representative Ciscomani’s commitment to seeing this project through and bringing this critical investment home to Southern Arizona. This is the kind of investment that will make a real difference for our community for years to come.\"\n\nThese investments build on more than $60 million in Community Project Funding Ciscomani has delivered for Arizona in Fiscal Years 2024 and 2026, including $5.5 million for Graham County.\n\nPrevious Graham County projects include:\n\n$2 million for a new Pima Fire Station\n\n$1.3 million for the Graham County Gila River Linear Park\n\n$1.2 million for new waterlines at the Graham County Fairgrounds\n\n$1 million for a new road to Pima High School\n\nThis $6.3 million investment for Graham County is a testament to Representative Ciscomani’s commitment to delivering for rural Arizona. This year, he has preliminarily secured funding for 20 projects totaling $42.7 million, bringing critical resources back home to Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District. As Arizona’s sole member of the House Appropriations Committee, Ciscomani’s efforts ensure stronger communities, better infrastructure, and a brighter future for families across the region.\n\nFor coverage on Ciscomani’s visits, HERE and HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://cisneros.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-cisneros-castro-honor-hispanic-and-latino-storytellers", "title": "Reps. Cisneros, Castro Honor Hispanic and Latino Storytellers", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://cisneros.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "cisneros.house.gov", "scraper": "cisneros", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001123", "name": "Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. — Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-31) and Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced a resolution to honor and celebrate the cultural impacts of Hispanics and Latinos in film, television, and streaming.\n\nHispanics and Latinos represent 21% of the total population of the United States but Hispanics and Latinos in film, television, and streaming account for less than 7% of on-screen roles and less than 5% of off-screen roles. However, television series and films featuring Hispanic and Latino talent consistently rank among the most-watched and financially successful productions.\n\nEl Cine, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, the Latino Film Institute, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA), and the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) signed on as supporting organizations.\n\n“Latinos and Hispanics represent some of the biggest stars and the most important stories of the century. The time when actors like Rita Hayworth, Anthony Quinn or Martin Sheen had to change their names has given way to mainstream stars like Selma Hayek, Eva Longoria, Diego Luna, and Selena Gomez,” said Congressman Cisneros. “Hispanic and Latino storytellers have enriched our media with diverse stories, artistic excellence, and economic growth and they deserve recognition for their talent. I’m proud to introduce this resolution to celebrate and honor the success of Hispanics and Latinos in film, television, and streaming and recognize their past, present, and future contributions to the United States.”\n\n“Latino artists have helped shape American film and television for generations, and Latinos are one of the largest and fastest-growing audiences in this country,” said Congressman Castro. “Yet we are still underrepresented on screen and in the writing rooms and leadership roles where decisions are made. Latino film festivals across the country are doing important work to support Latino storytellers, and the industry should invest in that talent. I'm proud to join Congressman Cisneros in recognizing these contributions and calling for more Latino representation on and behind the big screen.”\n\n“One of the biggest dangers our culture faces is erasure,” said Mariana Da Silva, Founder of El Cine. “We are taught to hide parts of ourselves, our language, our histories, and the stories that make us who we are. At El Cine, we create space for those stories to be seen, heard, and passed on. Latin culture is American culture. We’re proud to support this resolution because recognizing our contributions also means making room for the next generation to tell their stories without having to hide who they are.”\n\n“Fifty-nine percent of Latino adults went to a movie theater last year, more than any other group,” said Juan Proaño, Chief Executive Officer of LULAC. “Latinos are the profit margin of this industry. Yet we hold just 5 percent of the roles on screen, 2.8 percent of the lead roles, and one half of one percent of the writing credits, and 44 percent of top films have no Latino speaking character at all. LULAC is proud to support Congressman Cisneros's resolution, which honors the artists who opened doors and calls on the industry to reflect the audiences who sustain it. When we tell our own stories, the whole country sees itself more clearly.”\n\n“Thirty years ago, Jimmy Smits, Sonia Braga, Esai Morales, Merel Julia and I founded the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA), when Latinos were one in ten Americans and almost nowhere on screen,” said Felix R. Sánchez, Chair and Co-founder of NHFA. “Today we are one in five, and we hold fewer than three of every hundred lead roles in Hollywood's top films. The country changed, the screen has not.”\n\n“Latino Americans are intertwined in the fabric of the United States – including in film, television, and streaming,” said Brenda Victoria Castillo, President and CEO of National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC). “With the highest per capita consumption in entertainment, representing 24% of film ticket sales, 29% of daily mobile television viewers, and 24% of streaming subscribers, it's no wonder that our stories resonate, inspire, and are central to modern American culture. NHMC thanks Congressmen Cisneros and Castro for recognizing our community and continuing to be allies to increase Latino representation in media.”\n\n“From a fifth grader's first film to a fellow's first credit to a festival premiere, Latino Film Institute is building the workforce of American film, television, and streaming,” said Axel Caballero, Chief Executive Officer of the Latino Film Institute. “And we are preparing it for what comes next: new kinds of stories, told on platforms that are still taking shape. Through YCP, our fellowships, and LALIFF, that talent is being readied and celebrated. We thank Congressman Cisneros, Congressman Castro, and all the cosponsors, and LFI is proud to support this resolution.”\n\nRead the full text of the resolution here\n\nRep. Cisneros is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, and on the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations. He is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and serves on its leadership team as the Freshman Representative.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://crane.house.gov/2026/10/06/reps-crane-and-davids-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-improve-housing-access-for-tribal-veterans/", "title": "Reps. Crane and Davids Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Housing Access for Tribal Veterans", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crane.house.gov/media/", "domain": "crane.house.gov", "scraper": "crane", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001132", "name": "Elijah Crane", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "This afternoon, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) and Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) introduced the bipartisan Tribal Veterans Voucher Flexibility Act to improve how unused housing vouchers are managed and distributed through the Tribal HUD-VASH program. The legislation would allow Tribes to voluntarily give back vouchers they do not plan to use, so the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can redirect assistance to Tribal communities facing a shortage.\n\nNative American veterans experience some of the highest rates of homelessness in the United States. To address this, Congress created the Tribal HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH) demonstration program, which provides rental assistance and supportive services to Native veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.\n\nAlthough the program has helped many veterans secure stable housing, it lacks a clear process for Tribes to return vouchers they cannot use or to request additional ones. As a result, valuable housing support sits idle while veterans in other Tribal communities wait for help.\n\nThe Tribal Veterans Voucher Flexibility Act directly addresses this gap by requiring HUD to establish a voluntary program for reallocating unused Tribal HUD-VASH vouchers. Under the bill, Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) can notify HUD if they have vouchers they do not expect to need in the following fiscal year. Importantly, releasing vouchers will not affect a Tribe’s or TDHE’s consideration for future allocations.\n\nLikewise, Tribes and TDHEs that require additional vouchers can request them, and HUD may then reassign available assistance to those communities. This approach directs limited resources to the veterans who need them most.\n\nTo reduce administrative barriers, the bill ensures Tribes and TDHEs can report unused vouchers through digital, phone, or mail correspondence. It also requires HUD to launch the program within 180 days of enactment and to deliver a report to the relevant congressional committees within the same timeframe. The report must include:\n\nThe number of vouchers each Tribe or TDHE left unused\n\nEach Tribe or TDHE that received reallocated vouchers\n\nThe number of Tribes and TDHEs without enough vouchers\n\nRecommendations for better distributing surplus vouchers to Tribes and TDHEs seeking more\n\nAn assessment of whether the overall number of Tribal HUD-VASH vouchers should be increased\n\nBy creating a streamlined reallocation process, this bill strengthens the Tribal HUD-VASH program and expands Native veterans’ access to the housing assistance they have earned.\n\nThis is not the first time Reps. Crane and Davids have partnered on legislation to assist Tribal communities. In both the 118th and 119th Congresses, Rep. Davids introduced the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, which would bolster U.S. Small Business Administration outreach to Tribal entrepreneurs navigating the unique complexities of running a business on a reservation. Rep. Crane co-led the measure, and it has twice passed the House with strong bipartisan support.\n\nRep. Crane also joined Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) in leading an amendment to redirect $5 million from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) General Administration account to the VA Office of Rural Health. The House unanimously adopted the amendment, which would fund mobile clinics and targeted clinical staffing to improve access to care for Tribal veterans. Today’s introduction builds on Rep. Crane’s ongoing efforts to close gaps in the care and services available to Native veterans.\n\n“The Tribal HUD-VASH program helps house Tribal veterans in need, but the current system is not as efficient as it should be. Some Tribes have leftover vouchers they cannot use while others lack the resources to take care of our veterans. Our legislation aims to resolve this longstanding issue by getting unused vouchers into the hands of Tribes that can put them to use. This is a sensible approach that makes better use of existing support without expanding the size and scope of the federal government. As the representative for more than half of the Tribes in Arizona, I’m honored to advocate for these heroes by reforming and modernizing this process. I appreciate Rep. Davids’ willingness to work across the aisle. We’ve made real progress together before, and I look forward to building on that success with this bill,” said Rep. Eli Crane.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crockett-investigates-police-use-force-against-students-texas-schools", "title": "Rep. Crockett Investigates Police Use of Force Against Students in Texas Schools", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "crockett.house.gov", "scraper": "crockett", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001130", "name": "Jasmine Crockett", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) sent a letter to Governor Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Education Commissioner Mike Morath demanding answers and accountability over the use of excessive force against children in Texas public schools.\n\n“Texas is failing our kids. Our children deserve to go to school in an environment that fosters learning and growth, not environments where ordinary student behavior can end with a child in handcuffs, hogtied, shocked with a Taser, or pepper-sprayed.”\n\nCrockett expressed concern regarding the expansive presence of police in school, putting Texas students in unnecessary contact with the criminal system, further opening the door to the school-to-prison pipeline.\n\nIn her letter, Crockett highlights how officers using excessive force to respond to student behavior could ordinarily be addressed through school discipline. The letter cites a New York Times investigation documenting more than 2,600 school-based use-of-force incidents across Texas from January 2022 through December 2025.\n\nCrockett is demanding answers regarding police involvement in routine student discipline, incident reporting, accountability for police misconduct, and potential changes to state law training.\n\n“The number of “incidents” is alarming. Our kiddos should not be treated like criminals. They are the future of this country, and we owe it to them to protect them from cruel and abusive behavior. I am urging our Texas leaders to exercise immediate oversight and ensure accountability for these horrific reported actions. This is unacceptable, and it has to stop.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-helps-launch-bipartisan-agenda-cut-red-tape-boost-local-economies-lower", "title": "Davids Helps Launch Bipartisan Agenda to Cut Red Tape, Boost Local Economies, Lower Everyday Costs for Kansas Families", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "davids.house.gov", "scraper": "davids", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000629", "name": "Sharice Davids", "party": "Democrat", "state": "KS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids, a member of the Build America Caucus, helped announce the Build More Agenda — a major bipartisan policy platform designed to fix federal gridlock, strengthen local economies, create jobs, and lower everyday prices for hardworking families. By streamlining approval processes for energy, housing, and infrastructure, the roadmap directly targets the bureaucratic delays that slow down construction, drive up utility and housing costs, and prevent critical projects from getting built.\n\n“Kansans don’t want D.C. talking points — they want lower utility bills, homes they can actually afford, and roads that aren't falling apart,” said Davids. “The problem isn't a lack of good ideas; it's the bureaucratic red tape slowing projects down for years. I’m supporting the bipartisan Build America Caucus’ new agenda because it would help cut through government gridlock and start building these projects now, not a decade from now.”\n\nThe bipartisan Build America Caucus was established to give pro-growth, pragmatic policymaking a permanent foothold in Congress. Over the past year, the Caucus helped negotiate and pass major bipartisan housing reform legislation and led bipartisan efforts to deliver permitting certainty for energy and infrastructure projects. Spanning seven core policy areas and over 60 legislative proposals, the Build More Agenda builds on those successes, establishing a comprehensive framework to spur domestic production, bring manufacturing home, create good-paying jobs, and lower the cost of living for Kansans.\n\n“Not enough homes or energy, shortages of doctors and daycares, cures that take too long to reach patients, and infrastructure projects that drag on for decades. That’s what life in America looks like today because we’ve lost the ability to build the things we need,” said CaucusCo-Chairs Harder and Maloy. “We used to believe that America was the only place in the world where the boldest dreams could be realized, and we need a new politics of action to restore that national ambition and trust in government. The Build America Caucus was founded a little over a year ago with that goal in mind, and the Build More Agenda is our bipartisan roadmap to make growth and prosperity the cornerstone of American life once again.”\n\nThe solution to systemic dysfunction is to build our way to prosperity:\n\nLowering Housing Costs: With the nation facing a shortage of five million homes, the agenda reduces regulatory delays, unlocks new project financing, and fully implements the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to expand homeownership options and bring housing prices back within reach for young families and working Kansans.\n\nCutting Healthcare Costs & Red Tape: We spend more on healthcare than any other nation, but that care is unaffordable, inaccessible, and archaic. It reallocates physician training investments and slashes mountain-high administrative paperwork, so doctors spend time on patient outcomes rather than bureaucracy — cutting health system waste and lowering out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.\n\nCheaper, Reliable Energy: Electricity rates have jumped more than 30 percent in recent years. The platform fixes broken permitting rules, so grid upgrades and energy projects don't take longer to approve than to actually construct, bringing down monthly electricity bills for households and small businesses.\n\nBuilding Infrastructure Faster: It establishes dedicated fast-track approvals and smarter federal funding models to ensure roads, bridges, and water systems are completed on schedule and under budget — ending costly construction delays that waste taxpayer dollars.\n\nAccelerating Medical Cures: America is losing its scientific edge because our scientists spend half their time on paperwork and research dollars aren’t geared toward modern discovery. It saves American medical researchers over one million hours a year spent on bureaucratic paperwork, redirecting resources toward breakthrough science and AI technology to accelerate cures for cancer, Alzheimer's, and chronic conditions.\n\nExpanding Childcare & Workforce Pipelines: It strengthens workforce development programs that directly match workers to high-paying local jobs, while expanding accessible childcare options so parents can stay in the workforce without breaking their household budgets.\n\nModernizing Government to Save Taxpayer Dollars: It cuts redundant D.C. red tape, updates archaic federal technology systems, and builds a skill-focused public workforce that manages taxpayer funds efficiently.\n\nRead the full agenda here. Read a section-by-section here.\n\n“America knows how to build, we just have to get out of our own way and start doing it,” said Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR-05). “More homes, better roads and bridges, new technology, and good jobs – this agenda is about turning big ideas into things people can actually see and feel in their communities. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and help get it done.”\n\n“Americans are tired of Washington making it harder and more expensive to build, innovate, and grow,” said Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA-01). “The Build More Agenda brings Republicans and Democrats together around commonsense solutions to cut red tape, lower costs, strengthen American energy, improve access to healthcare, and get critical projects built. I’m proud to work with the Build America Caucus to turn good ideas into real results for the American people.”\n\n“The Build More Agenda reflects what we can accomplish when we work across the aisle to tackle challenges facing American families and businesses,” said Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12). “I’m proud to join my colleagues in the bipartisan Build America Caucus to advance practical solutions that cut unnecessary red tape, lower costs, and help America build faster and smarter. By modernizing infrastructure and creating opportunities for American workers and manufacturers, we can strengthen our economy, make taxpayer dollars go further, and deliver lasting results for our communities.”\n\n“America used to pride itself on accomplishing big things — winning world wars, sending man to the moon, or discovering the next medical breakthrough,” said Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA-50). “Today, our challenges have not gone away, but our capacity to achieve great things has. Our constituents are counting on us to put politics aside and invest in our country’s future to make their lives better. The bipartisan Build More Agenda includes ways to do exactly that: lower costs, create good-paying jobs, strengthen communities, and restore America as a global leader in progress and innovation.”\n\n“Folks in Western and Southern Colorado know how to build things, create jobs, and get things done,” said Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03). “Too often, Washington just gets in the way. The Build More Agenda is about cutting unnecessary red tape so we can produce more American energy, build the housing and infrastructure our communities need, and bring down costs for working families. Republicans and Democrats aren’t going to agree on everything, but we ought to be able to agree that it shouldn’t take years of paperwork and bureaucracy to build something in this country.”\n\n“A housing shortage is a tax on working people, and they pay it every month in rent,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15). “For decades, we have piled on rules and caps that make it slower and costlier to build homes, and few places have paid a higher price than the Bronx. The surest way to bring down the cost of housing is to bring up the supply of housing. The Build More Agenda is built on that principle, because a pro-growth agenda is a pro–working class agenda. Progress should be measured not by how many projects we regulate but by how many we deliver.”\n\n“Congress passed a housing abundance bill this term,” said Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04). “It's seriously debating a bipartisan energy abundance bill. Build America has momentum in its mission to lower prices by building more, faster & better – next up are unlocks to lower prices in medicine, transportation, and childcare.”\n\n“As a senior member of the Housing, Transportation, and Urban Development Subcommittee, I’m proud to be a member of the bipartisan Build America Caucus. My constituents tell me every day they want to see their representatives in Washington take actions that will make their lives better – lower the cost of housing, healthcare, and energy,” said Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL-05). “At a time of deep political division, we have the unique opportunity to come together as Democrats and Republicans to lower costs and solve the housing crisis.”\n\n“Whether it’s rebuilding a bridge over I-95 in record time or passing landmark housing legislation, we know that government can still get things done, if rarely,” said Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT-04). “I’m in the Build America Caucus because this group of lawmakers fundamentally believes government needs to get things done — not as the exception, but as the rule. Our agenda reflects that belief, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to turn our group’s governing principle into law.”\n\nWhat they’re saying about the Build More Agenda:\n\n“For too long, we’ve treated a four-year college degree as the default path to a good career. The Build America Caucus’s push to get more apprenticeships and higher-quality workforce training programs off the ground is a critical step forward. If we want to build more in America, we need to make it easier for more Americans to learn how to do the building,” said Zach Boren, Senior Vice President, Apprenticeships for America.\n\n“Getting lawmakers from both parties to agree on what's holding the country back is no easy feat, and we applaud the Build America Caucus for assembling a genuinely bipartisan coalition around these questions. BPC Action has long argued that the problems on this list — the cost of building housing, the time it takes to approve energy projects, and a broken childcare system — are solvable ones. We look forward to working with the caucus and its members as they move from agenda to legislation,” said Michele Stockwell, President, BPC Action.\n\n“Through their work with the Build America Caucus, Reps. Harder and Maloy have asked how we can build more of what Americans actually need and answered it across housing, childcare, energy, and more. We applaud this effort and its goal to build 5 million homes, add millions more new childcare slots, modernize the energy grid, and get infrastructure built faster. This comprehensive plan demonstrates that pragmatic, actionable solutions can still be ambitious. This Agenda, written by a Democrat from California and a Republican from Utah, also shows the strength of abundance solutions in building coalitions. I urge Congress to take action on these solutions,” said Derek Kaufman, President, Inclusive Abundance Action.\n\n“The Build More Agenda is an innovative, bipartisan framework for creating a more abundant future in America. The priorities laid out in this agenda have the potential to make a massive difference in areas from science and innovation to housing, transportation, and energy. For example, we were thrilled to see X-Labs and metascience units highlighted as vehicles to accelerate scientific discovery and increase the return on investment for R&D. Similarly, the Agenda’s focus on reducing land use regulations, building transit at lower cost, and achieving energy abundance is crucial for letting America build again and innovate in the world of atoms,” said Alec Stapp, CEO, Institute for Progress.\n\n“For the past year, the Build America Caucus has worked across the aisle to notch key policy wins, making it easier, cheaper, and faster to build in America. The Build More Agenda strengthens that foundation, with over sixty policy proposals covering seven different policy areas. NAIA looks forward to working with the Caucus to back the builders,” said the New America Industrial Alliance.\n\n“Finding childcare that's both affordable and meets their family’s specific needs is nearly impossible for far too many American parents. This agenda from the Build America Caucus offers an innovative menu of reforms to identify and remove the barriers to a more abundant supply of childcare options that fit family preferences without sacrificing quality or safety,” said Josh McCabe, Director of Social Policy, Niskanen Center.\n\n“The housing affordability crisis is the result of many different factors, and solving it requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. The Build America Caucus agenda delivers this, with solutions that make it easier and less expensive to build housing. Critically, it does the same for transportation infrastructure and buses, because abundant housing and effective transportation options work together to connect people to economic opportunity,” said Kimberly Burnett, Deputy Director of Housing and Transportation, Niskanen Center.\n\n“America's healthcare affordability crisis is fueled by a scarce and consolidated supply side of the market. This agenda from the Build America Caucus rightly targets solutions that increase care availability and cut out the incentives that drive consolidation,” said Lawson Mansell, Senior Health Policy Analyst, Niskanen Center.\n\n“We applaud the Build America Caucus for its energy agenda focused on more power and lower bills. Getting transmission right and having neighboring regions connected is how you build a grid Americans can afford,” said Sarah Iskander, Government Affairs Manager, Niskanen Center.\n\n“Whether it's housing, transportation, energy, or infrastructure, the federal government needs the tools and capacity to deliver for the American people. Meeting those demands requires a government whose systems and processes make delivery possible, and right now ours is not built to keep pace with changes in the workforce, technology, and the public's needs. The Build America Caucus's policy agenda takes this challenge head-on, rightly recognizing state capacity as essential to unlocking a prosperous future for our country,” said Max Stier, President and CEO, Partnership for Public Service.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://deluzio.house.gov/media/press-releases/deluzio-kicks-october-town-hall-tour-penn-hills-pa", "title": "Deluzio Kicks Off October Town Hall Tour in Penn Hills, PA", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://deluzio.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "deluzio.house.gov", "scraper": "deluzio", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000530", "name": "Christopher R. Deluzio", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PENN HILLS, PA – Yesterday, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) kicked off his October Town Hall Tour with an event open to the public and the press in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania. A large group of Western Pennsylvanians joined him for the first stop of the Town Hall Tour in Pennsylvania’s 17th District.\n\nThe event covered a wide range of topics, including corruption, AI, and the cost of living. Constituents had an opportunity to speak directly with their elected representative in Congress, share their opinions, and ask questions. Congressman Deluzio also provided updates from his work down in Washington.\n\n“A lot has happened down in Washington this year, and it is good to be home to hear from the people that Congress’s work impacts the most,” said Congressman Deluzio. “Folks in Penn Hills want to know how we can fight the cost-of-living crisis, end the President’s reckless war in Iran, and restore the American Dream right here in Western Pennsylvania. I’m excited to keep the conversation going and hear from the good people of Carnegie and Beaver Falls next.\"\n\nCongressman Deluzio has attended more than twenty similar open Q&A events during the 119th Congress (2025-2026). Deluzio’s Town Hall Tour will stop next in Carnegie on Tuesday, October 13th at 5:30pm and in Beaver Falls on Saturday, October 17th at 2:00pm.\n\nPhotos are available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-desaulnier-host-town-hall-refinery-safety-martinez", "title": "Congressman DeSaulnier to Host Town Hall on Refinery Safety in Martinez", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "desaulnier.house.gov", "scraper": "desaulnier", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000623", "name": "Mark DeSaulnier", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced he will host an in-person town hall on refinery safety on Thursday, October 8th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in Martinez. Following recent safety incidents at multiple local refineries and the Trump Administration’s attempts to undermine federal oversight of these facilities, the Congressman, a former air regulator, will share an update on his work in Congress to ensure refinery safety for employees and residents. Congressman DeSaulnier will also be joined by two expert special guests from Contra Costa Health’s Hazardous Materials division and the Bay Area Air District, who will also take questions.\n\nTown Hall on Refinery Safety\n\nThursday, October 8th\n\n6:00 – 7:30 p.m.\n\nMartinez, CA\n\nRSVP for Location\n\nPanelists include:\n\nNicole Heath, Assistant Chief, Hazardous Materials Programs, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District\n\nDr. Philip Fine, Executive Officer/Air Pollution Control Officer, Bay Area Air District\n\nThe event is RSVP only. To reserve your spot or request special accommodations, visit https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://finstad.house.gov/2026/10/06/finstad-introduces-the-safeguarding-technology-from-ccp-influence-act/", "title": "Finstad Introduces the Safeguarding Technology from CCP Influence Act", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://finstad.house.gov/media", "domain": "finstad.house.gov", "scraper": "finstad", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000475", "name": "Brad Finstad", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "October 6, 2026\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) introduced the Safeguarding Technology from CCP Influence Act, legislation that would prohibit the U.S. government from purchasing computers and printers from companies that are linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).\n\n“It’s deeply concerning that well-known, household names in the technology industry are closely affiliated with communist China and pose significant cyber espionage risks to our national security,” said Rep. Finstad. “We shouldn’t have to question the safety of our government technology. That’s why my bill, the Safeguarding Technology from CCP Influence Act, puts our cybersecurity first by prohibiting the U.S. government from purchasing any computers or printers from companies linked to the Chinese Communist Party.”\n\nRead the bill text here.\n\nBackground:", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://fischbach.house.gov/2026/10/rep-fischbach-met-with-farmward-cooperative-to-discuss-energy-costs-and-farm-infrastructure/ea6ebc7e-bbfa-41bc-a238-f74f3736185f", "title": "Rep. Fischbach Met with Farmward Cooperative to Discuss Energy Costs and Farm Infrastructure", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "fischbach.house.gov", "scraper": "fischbach", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000470", "name": "Michelle Fischbach", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Willmar, MN - Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach met with Farmward Cooperative to discuss operations, grain handling, energy infrastructure, agricultural lending, and crop conditions across southern Minnesota. The conversation also covered federal policy priorities, including the GRAIN DRY Act and the 45Z tax credit. Rep. Fischbach has worked to provide greater certainty for farmers and biofuel producers through her work on 45Z and has advocated for policies that support domestic agricultural production and rural economies. Farmward representatives also discussed rising costs, regulatory uncertainty, weather conditions, concerns about the temporary diesel export ban, and the use of red-dye agricultural diesel for transport trucks.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-demands-answers-from-secretary-kennedy-regarding-cancellation-of-teen-pregnancy-prevention-grants", "title": "Rep. Foushee Demands Answers From Secretary Kennedy Regarding Cancellation of Teen Pregnancy Prevention Grants", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "foushee.house.gov", "scraper": "foushee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000477", "name": "Valerie P. Foushee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC (October 6, 2026) — Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy Jr. regarding the Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) grants that were canceled by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).\n\n“I am concerned that HHS is still holding funding for these important grants that support locally delivered, evidence-based programs that reach young people where they live, often in communities with limited access to health education and services, including rural areas,” the Congresswoman wrote.\n\n“HHS must have a plan to ensure that this vital program continues (...) HHS must immediately reinstate funding for TPP Program grantees that your department cut off earlier this year,” Congresswoman Foushee continued.\n\n“I request that you immediately share HHS's plan to allocate funding for the TPP program with funds obligated by Congress and ensure that grantees, including North Carolina, will continue to offer important evidence-based education and not see their funding and program implementation further interrupted,” the Congresswoman concluded.\n\nDuke University, located in North Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District, was a recipient of a Teen Pregnancy Prevention grant in 2023.\n\nIn July, 79 members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) and the Democratic Caucus, sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, demanding the reversal of the Trump Administration’s cancellation of 53 active Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPP) grants that the Department claimed were no longer aligned with the agency’s priorities.\n\nRecent decisions by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia blocked HHS from establishing new grants with new funding conditions. 92 members of Congress, including Rep. Foushee, recently stated in a letter to HHS, that this funding must be reinstated for TPP grantees that were cut off earlier this year.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://friedman.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-rep-friedman-leads-los-angeles-delegation-and-entertainment-unions", "title": "RELEASE: Rep. Friedman Leads Los Angeles Delegation and Entertainment Unions in Push for National Film Tax Credit", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://friedman.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "friedman.house.gov", "scraper": "friedman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000483", "name": "Laura Friedman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Levels international playing field against 65 countries that offer incentives America does not match\n\nAbove: Friedman and entertainment union members rally for the national film tax credit.\n\nGLENDALE, CA – Today, October 6, 2026, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) led Members of the Los Angeles congressional delegation, and the major unions representing film and television workers at the Alex Theatre in a new push for the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act. This bipartisan legislation creates a national film tax credit on qualified labor expenses to bring production jobs back home.\n\nA recording of the rally can be found here and here.\n\nFor decades, the United States has offered no national filming incentive, leaving American crews to compete against roughly 65 countries that do. The result has been hundreds of thousands of lost jobs for the drivers, grips, electricians, carpenters, caterers, and crew members.\n\nWHAT THE BILL DOES:\n\nA 20% credit on American labor expenses. Feature films, television pilots, and television seasons that cost more than $1 million qualify if at least 75% of their principal photography days happen in the United States.\n\nBonus credits that reward hiring where it is needed most. Productions can earn an additional 5% each, up to a 30% total credit, for shooting at least 30% of their days in a rural opportunity zone or a federally declared disaster area, for independent productions, for spending at least $10 million in qualified wages across 10 or more states, and for increasing domestic production relative to what a company shoots abroad.\n\nIncludes post-production and visual effects work. Domestic post-production and VFX qualify as long as at least 75% of those costs are incurred in the United States, with the same 5% bonuses available.\n\nUsable by independent producers, not just major studios. The credit is transferable, meaning a producer who doesn't owe enough in federal taxes to use it can sell it to a company that does and get the cash up front.\n\nTakes effect quickly. The credit applies to productions that begin in taxable years starting after December 31, 2026.\n\nA one-pager with more details can be found here.\n\n“When a production leaves this country, the stars still work. The crew is who gets left behind,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “65 countries offer incentives we don’t match, and no single state can outbid a foreign government on its own. Our bipartisan bill is built on labor costs, which means it only pays off when American workers get hired. These are good paying union jobs with benefits and pensions, and I won’t stop fighting until they come home.”\n\n“You won’t see the carpenters, electricians and camera crews on screen, but they are the backbone of the film industry,” said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38). “Many live in my district and have watched their jobs move overseas as other countries use incentives to lure production away. Our bipartisan bill will level the playing field to bring good-paying union jobs back to Southern California and keep them here.”\n\n\"Southern California has been the heart of America’s film and television industry, but today, too many productions are leaving the United States for countries offering better incentives,\" said Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28). \"That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act, which would provide a long-overdue federal tax credit to incentivize production here in the United States. Our creative workforce is the backbone of this industry. It's time we must invest in them and bring American film and television production back home.”\n\n“Movie magic is central to the California story, and we need to keep it that way,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33). “Our state is losing good-paying, union jobs because filming in this country has become far too expensive. The bipartisan Motion Picture, Television and Entertainment Revitalization Act will bring jobs back to America, boost wages for workers and keep productions at home.”\n\n“California is the heart of film and television production, in large part because of the workers and technicians who bring the magic to life,” said Representative Tran (CA-45). “Yet the U.S. is rapidly losing jobs in this industry to competitors overseas. When productions relocate outside the U.S., it’s the American-based crews that suffer the most. California’s workforce deserves better. This bill incentivizes American-based productions, strengthens California’s production workforce, and brings jobs back to the U.S.—where they belong.”\n\n“Southern California is the birthplace of the modern film and television industry. From the movies and television shows that have entertained audiences around the world to the hardworking people behind them, this industry is a vital part of our community and economy,” said Congressman Lieu (CA-36). “We can’t let the United States’ film industry lose ground to foreign competitors. I am pleased to be an original co-sponsor of the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act. It’s time to strengthen our domestic film industry and protect American jobs.”\n\n“American performers and entertainment workers should not have to leave the country to find work in an industry that was built here. Film and television are more than entertainment — they are a major American industry that supports hundreds of thousands of good-paying union jobs and generates significant economic activity in communities across the country. For decades, foreign governments have recognized the economic value of production and successfully used incentives to attract these jobs overseas. States across the country have shown what targeted incentives can do to attract and retain production, and a federal incentive would build on those efforts and give the United States a stronger tool to compete. The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act is an investment in American workers, American industry and American communities. SAG-AFTRA is proud to stand with Congresswoman Friedman and our labor partners in support of this important legislation,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.\n\n“The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act will benefit entertainment industry workers, as well as the supporting businesses and local economies that rely on a robust domestic entertainment industry. Lawmakers have an opportunity to invest in an important American industry and preserve middle-class jobs, by passing the first-ever federal film and television tax incentive program,” said WGAW Secretary-Treasurer Peter Murrieta.\n\n\"Let’s not overthink this. The world is a complicated place, but this legislation is a no-brainer. It's going to get people back to work, and everyone just wants an opportunity to work in the industry they love in this country. Everyone will benefit from this – Republicans, Democrats, workers, audiences -- because our industry touches everyone,\" said Mike Farah, an Emmy-winning producer and a President of the Producers Guild of America.\n\n“I’ve worked aggressively with labor and entertainment industry leaders, and together we've already expanded state-level tax incentives and reduced filming fees locally. A federal tax credit is critical so our local incentives remain competitive with countries that offer larger benefits and have drawn productions out of the United States,” said Mayor Bass. “I want to thank the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Laura Friedman, Brian Jack, Linda Sánchez, and Nathaniel Moran and Senators Adam Schiff and Tim Scott for understanding the importance of investing in an industry that is so critical to Los Angeles and the country. As a former Member of Congress, I'll continue leveraging my relationships in Washington to ensure this bill is passed into law.”\n\nU.S. Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30) was joined by Senator Adam Schiff (CA), U.S. Representatives Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Judy Chu (CA-28), Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Ted Lieu (CA-36), David Min (CA-47), and Derek Tran (CA-45), Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian, IATSE International Vice President and Director of the Motion Picture and Television Department Mike Miller, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, WGAW Secretary-Treasurer Peter Murrieta, DGA Associate National Executive Director and Western Executive Director Rebecca Rhine, Teamsters At-Large Vice President and Motion Picture Division Director Lindsay Dougherty, LiUNA Business Manager Alex Aguilar, Jr., and producer and three-time Emmy winner Mike Farah.\n\nBelow: Friedman and entertainment union members rally for the national film tax credit.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://gillen.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-gillen-announces-more-500000-new-federal-funding-nassau-county-fire", "title": "Rep. Gillen Announces More Than $500,000 in New Federal Funding for Nassau County Fire Departments", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gillen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "gillen.house.gov", "scraper": "gillen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000602", "name": "Laura Gillen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "GARDEN CITY, NY — Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) announced that four fire departments in New York’s Fourth Congressional District have been awarded more than $500,000 total in federal funding for improved equipment, training and recruitment. Three departments were awarded Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), including the Inwood Fire Department for emergency vehicle acquisition as well as the Bellerose Terrace Fire Department and the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department for operations and safety. Stewart Manor Village received funding through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant to help recruit and retain more volunteer firefighters.\n\n“Firefighters across Long Island put their lives on the line every day to protect our families and communities. They should have the resources of a modern firefighting force,” said Rep. Gillen. “I’m proud to help secure more than $500,000 in federal funding for Nassau County fire departments to support critical equipment, vehicle and recruitment needs. I will continue working with our local fire departments to deliver federal dollars and ensure they have the tools and support they need to keep our communities safe.”\n\n“The chiefs, officers and members of the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department thank Congresswoman Gillen very much,” said Chief Joseph McHugh, Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department. “This will help keep our members safe and take a big financial burden off of us.”\n\nThe Inwood Fire Department received $220,476 through the AFG program to assist with the purchase of new vehicles for the department.\n\nThe Stewart Manor Village Fire Department received $119,500 through the SAFER program to help recruit and retain trained volunteer firefighters.\n\nThe Bellerose Terrace Fire District received $96,666 through the AFG program to help support the operations and safety of their department.\n\nLawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department received $72,857 through the AFG program to help support the operations and safety of their department.\n\nDuring the FY25 grant application process, Rep. Gillen urged all departments in New York’s Fourth Congressional District to apply for funding through the AFG and SAFER programs and wrote letters of support. As a member of the bipartisan Congressional Fire Services Caucus, Rep. Gillen has also pushed for increased funding for the AFG and SAFER Programs to help ensure Long Island fire departments have the federal resources to improve emergency response and support their firefighters.\n\nThe AFG program, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provides funding to local fire departments to help obtain needed equipment, protective gear, vehicles and training. The SAFER grant is a federal program administered by FEMA that provides direct funding to local fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help increase or maintain the number of trained firefighters.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-introduces-bipartisan-resolution-honoring-flydubai-flight-1073-heroes", "title": "RELEASE: Gottheimer Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Flydubai Flight 1073 Heroes", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "domain": "gottheimer.house.gov", "scraper": "gottheimer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000583", "name": "Josh Gottheimer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Condemns Attempted Terrorist Attack\n\nResolution Honors Captain, Crew, Passengers Who Saved All Lives\n\nCalls for a Full Investigation\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10), and Congressman Don Bacon (NE-2) introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring Captain Smit Machchhar and the crew and passengers of Flydubai Flight 1073, and condemning the attempted terrorist attack on the flight.\n\n“Captain Machchhar is a hero. While gravely wounded, he fought off a terrorist attack and saved every soul on that plane, including 27 children and four Americans,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Congress must honor his extraordinary courage, and we must be clear that this was an act of terrorism and an attack on the safety of international air travel. I’m proud to lead this resolution with Congressman McCaul and Congressman Bacon, and we wish Captain Machchhar and everyone injured a full recovery.”\n\n“I’m proud to co-lead this resolution, which condemns the attempted terrorist attack, calls for a full investigation, and honors the brave crew and passengers. The world owes a debt of gratitude to these heroes — especially Captain Smit Machchhar, who sustained injuries fighting the attacker and still managed to unlock the cockpit door and allow others to land the plane,” said Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10). “Were it not for his extraordinary courage, this story could have ended in horrific tragedy. I wish Captain Machchhar, the crew, and all the passengers healing and strength as we await a comprehensive investigation into this harrowing incident.”\n\nOn September 30, Flight 1073 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv carrying approximately 174 passengers and six crew, including 4 U.S. citizens and 27 children. Midway through the flight, the first officer attacked the captain with the aircraft’s emergency crash axe and tried to seize the controls, sending the plane plunging more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds. Despite grave injuries, Captain Machchhar, a citizen of India, fought off the attack and unlocked the cockpit door so off-duty pilots could enter and land the plane, and so crew and passengers could restrain the first officer. The aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia with everyone accounted for. On October 3, the Attorney General of the United Arab Emirates announced that the investigation had determined the first officer attempted to carry out a terrorist act.\n\nThe resolution:\n\nHonors Captain Machchhar for extraordinary courage in protecting every soul aboard his aircraft;\n\nCommends the off-duty pilots, cabin crew, and passengers who secured the flight deck and brought the aircraft safely down;\n\nWishes Captain Machchhar and all who were injured a full recovery;\n\nCondemns the attack as an act of terrorism and an attack on the safety of international civil aviation;\n\nCalls for a full and expeditious investigation by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and for the United States and Israel to be kept fully informed.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5976", "title": "Moore, Bonamici, Frost, Grijalva, and Pocan Blast Regulations Paving the Way for National Voucher Scheme", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "gwenmoore.house.gov", "scraper": "gwenmoore", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001160", "name": "Gwen Moore", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The Treasury Department recently released regulations on their national voucher scheme, which was established through the Republicans’ Big Ugly Bil (HR 1). That law allowed Americans to receive a tax credit, up to $1,700, for donations to eligible scholarship-granting organizations, including religious schools. These regulations will double the credit amount for married couples. Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), and Mark Pocan (WI-02) have introduced HR 9289, the Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act, which would repeal the H.R .1 voucher scheme.\n\nIn states across the country, taxpayer supported voucher programs operate with little oversight and fund private schools who lack civil rights and other protections for students. In Wisconsin, the current voucher program at the state level will cost state taxpayers more than $700 million this year alone. Nearly all the students receiving a voucher in Wisconsin attend private, religious schools.\n\nRepublicans are working to enact and expand this flawed system at the national level. So far, six states have resisted, including Wisconsin.\n\n“Despite what Republicans claim, these regulations make it clear this voucher scheme is designed to prop up private schools– at the expense of our public schools. Public schools serve every student who walks through its doors. Our tax dollars should not be funneled to schools that can discriminate against students who try to enroll. That is why I am proud to spearhead legislation to reverse this voucher scheme,” said Representative Gwen Moore (WI-04).\n\n\"The Treasury Department's school voucher regulations clearly demonstrate that the Trump administration has no interest in supporting public schools or the students they serve,\" said Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01). \"Diverting public resources into private schools - including religious schools - that can pick and choose which students they enroll is unjust and irresponsible. Alarmingly, the regulations actually prohibit states from implementing additional oversight, reporting, accountability, or civil rights protections. The vast majority of students in this country attend public schools. We should be strengthening public education, not destroying it.\"\n\n“This voucher scheme sends public money to private schools with less accountability for how that money is spent,\" said Representative Maxwell Frost (FL-10).\"We’ve already seen the consequences in Florida, where the state struggled to track hundreds of millions of dollars in voucher funds and cases of fraud surfaced. Now the Treasury Department and Trump administration want to take that same model nationwide. We shouldn’t be making it easier to lose track of taxpayer dollars; we should be making sure every dollar is accountable to the public.”\n\n“Arizona’s fraud-ridden school voucher program should serve as a warning to the rest of the country. Instead, the Trump Administration is moving full steam ahead with a national voucher scheme while failing to include even basic safeguards to prevent taxpayer dollars from being wasted or abused. Arizona has already seen where this road leads. That’s why Congress must act to ensure federal taxpayer dollars strengthen the public schools that serve the overwhelming majority of America’s children, not subsidize privatization schemes rife with fraud,” said Representative Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07).", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://haridopolos.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-haridopolos-joins-fra-and-fdot-celebrate-future-cocoa-multimodal-station", "title": "Rep. Haridopolos Joins FRA and FDOT to Celebrate Future Cocoa Multimodal Station", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://haridopolos.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "haridopolos.house.gov", "scraper": "haridopolos", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001099", "name": "Mike Haridopolos", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Cocoa, FL — Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Haridopolos (FL-08) joined Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator David Fink, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E., and local leaders in Cocoa to underscore major investments in rail safety and infrastructure across Florida and the Space Coast.\n\nThe event, held at the site of the future Cocoa Multimodal Station, celebrated a $57.5 million FRA grant awarded to the City of Cocoa and the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization to advance the final design and construction of the new station and bring passenger rail service directly to the Space Coast. The event also highlighted a $356 million FRA award to FDOT for state-of-good-repair improvements at up to 910 highway-rail grade crossings across Florida.\n\n“Here on the Space Coast, we continue to build for the future,” said Congressman Haridopolos. “This new station will make it easier for people to travel to and from the Space Coast while supporting our growing community. It is expected to have up to a $350 million annual economic impact and support 3,500 jobs, bringing even more opportunity to our region. Thank you to the Federal Railroad Administration, Florida Department of Transportation, and our local partners for working together to make rail travel safer and more accessible for Floridians.”\n\n“While the Biden-Buttigieg Administration allowed critical resources to get bogged down in bureaucratic red tape, the Trump Administration is acting decisively to get critical infrastructure projects underway,” said FRA Administrator David Fink. “By reallocating taxpayer dollars away from California's wasteful high-speed rail boondoggle at the Speed of Trump, Secretary Duffy is building a new Golden Age of Rail that will make Florida’s rail corridors safe, modern, and more efficient.”\n\n“Florida already has robust, nation-leading rail safety standards, and by deploying this emerging and innovative rail safety technology at over 900 locations, we will truly raise the bar to improve safety and save lives,” said FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “We are grateful to FRA for supporting our vision for this transformational opportunity to provide a safer, more efficient driving experience along our state’s rail corridors.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases/comisionado-residente-entrega-mas-de-1-millon-para-ampliar-educacion-stem-en", "title": "Comisionado Residente entrega más de $1 millón para ampliar educación STEM en San Juan", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hernandez.house.gov", "scraper": "hernandez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001103", "name": "Pablo José Hernández", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — El Comisionado Residente de Puerto Rico, Pablo José Hernández visitó Vimenti, en el Residencial Ernesto Ramos Antonini en San Juan, donde presentó $1,031,000 en fondos federales que aseguró para desarrollar el Next Generation STEM Learning Lab Accelerator. La iniciativa ampliará las oportunidades de educación STEM para estudiantes de Vimenti School y otras tres escuelas del programa de Escuelas Comunitarias de Servicio Completo.\n\nEl Comisionado Residente aseguró los fondos mediante una solicitud de Financiamiento para Proyectos Comunitarios (Community Project Funding) presentada ante el Comité de Asignaciones de la Cámara de Representantes. Los recursos serán canalizados a través de la Oficina de STEM Engagement de la NASA.\n\n“Llevo semanas diciendo que tenemos que priorizar lo básico, y la educación es básica. Nuestros niños fracasan en las materias básicas de español, inglés, ciencias y matemáticas. Este tipo de asignación ayuda a resolver ese problema.”, dijo el Comisionado Residente.\n\n“Agradecemos al comisionado residente, Pablo José Hernández Rivera, y a su equipo, por la confianza depositada en este proyecto. Este logro reafirma nuestro compromiso de seguir identificando y allegando recursos que permitan que más escuelas públicas de Puerto Rico cuenten con espacios, herramientas y oportunidades educativas de excelencia para sus estudiantes, maestros y familias”, expresó Bárbara Rivera Batista, directora ejecutiva de Vimenti.\n\n“Esta subvención confirma lo que puede lograr el modelo de Escuela Comunitaria de Servicio Completo cuando se le brinda el respaldo necesario. Nuestro compromiso es que estos recursos y espacios STEM se queden en cada escuela, sostenidos por sus propios equipos, mucho después de que termine el financiamiento”, indicó Lola Yglesias Quiñones, directora de Expansión de Vimenti.\n\nA través del proyecto, las escuelas podrán desarrollar nuevos espacios educativos con herramientas de robótica y programación, astronomía y ciencias espaciales, ciencias de la Tierra, análisis de datos e inteligencia artificial. La iniciativa también contempla capacitación y acompañamiento para maestros, con el objetivo de fortalecer la capacidad de las escuelas para mantener y ampliar estos programas a largo plazo.\n\nDurante su visita, el Comisionado Residente también sostuvo un conversatorio con estudiantes, familias y maestros sobre el modelo de Vimenti, los resultados que ha alcanzado la organización y la importancia de ampliar el acceso a oportunidades educativas en áreas STEM.\n\nSegún datos provistos por Vimenti, durante el año escolar 2023-2024 sus estudiantes alcanzaron un 54% de dominio en matemáticas, frente a un 11% a nivel de Puerto Rico. Entre los estudiantes con discapacidades, el dominio en matemáticas alcanzó un 63%, comparado con tasas de entre 10% y 18% a nivel estatal.\n\nVimenti atiende a estudiantes y familias mediante un modelo de dos generaciones que integra educación, salud y bienestar, desarrollo laboral, capacidad financiera, emprendimiento y mentoría. De acuerdo con su estudio de impacto de siete años, la organización ha generado cerca de $59 millones en impacto económico mediante sus operaciones y proyecta otros $97 millones asociados a iniciativas futuras.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://horsford.house.gov/media/press-releases/social-security-administration-refuses-to-provide-services-for-foster-care-youth-horsford-and-cortez-masto-demand-answers", "title": "Social Security Administration Refuses to Provide Services for Foster Care Youth, Horsford and Cortez Masto Demand Answers", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://horsford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "horsford.house.gov", "scraper": "horsford", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001066", "name": "Steven Horsford", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "For Immediate Release\n\nOctober 6, 2026\n\nSocial Security Administration Refuses to Provide Services for Foster Care Youth, Horsford and Cortez Masto Demand Answers\n\nNORTH LAS VEGAS – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) sent a joint letter to the Social Security Administration, calling on the agency to process pending applications submitted by Clark County Family Services (CCFS) to obtain Social Security Cards for youth in foster care. The letter comes after months of unanswered attempts by CCFS, County Commissioners, and both Rep. Horsford’s and Sen. Cortez Masto’s offices to work with SSA to rectify the issue.\n\nIn December 2025, SSA notified CCFS that Social Security number applications required certain accompanying documentation to be physically certified by the custodian of record. For children in foster care, the custodian of record is the State of Nevada, which has operated digitally since 2010 when the Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada mandated electronic filing for civil and family cases. This discrepancy between state law and federal agency policy makes it nearly impossible for CCFS to comply with SSA’s rule.\n\n“Once again, the people are caught up in bureaucracy,” said Rep. Horsford. “Our priority is ensuring people have access to the services they are entitled to and can live their lives to the fullest. Our foster youth are among the most vulnerable in our community and SSA’s unwillingness to acknowledge our local laws shows this Administration’s regard for Nevadans.”\n\nOver 1,300 foster youth in Clark County are currently unable to receive their Social Security Cards, severely restricting their livelihoods and quality of life.\n\n“Without Social Security numbers, these youth can’t receive federal healthcare coverage, secure permanent placement in loving families, or even get their first job,” said Sen. Cortez Masto. “The Trump Administration must immediately process outstanding Social Security number applications and work with Clark County to remedy these documentation issues, so Nevada’s foster children don’t have to proceed any longer with their lives on pause.”\n\nSince the initial notice in December, CCFS has provided documentation from the State of Nevada to SSA consistent with the state’s mandated electronic records and has offered to obtain any necessary information from the state to authenticate these records that may be used in other states. To date, there has been no response from SSA to this request.\n\n“Clark County is grateful to the leadership of Senator Cortez Masto and Congressman Horsford as they work on our behalf to address this pressing issue which is impacting over 1,300 children in our care,” said Kevin Schiller, Clark County Manager. “Our most sacred responsibility is ensuring our most vulnerable children are cared for and we are being inhibited from doing this in the current state with the Social Security Administration.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyer-comptroller-lierman-visit-nonprofit-organizations-across-marylands-fifth", "title": "Hoyer, Comptroller Lierman Visit Nonprofit Organizations Across Maryland's Fifth Congressional District", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media", "domain": "hoyer.house.gov", "scraper": "hoyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000874", "name": "Steny H. Hoyer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman visited nonprofit organizations in Prince George's and Charles Counties to discuss each group's commitment to serving Southern Marylanders within their communities.\n\n\"Maryland's Fifth Congressional District is home to a multitude of nonprofit organizations that deliver critical resources and create opportunities for the region. From Westbrook Horse Farm to LifeStyles of Maryland, each advocate and organization we met with has an invaluable role in shaping the lives of Marylanders. I enjoyed seeing their work up close and discussing their contributions to our communities. I thank each organization for welcoming us, and I will continue to support their efforts during the remainder of my term in Congress,\" said Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05).\n\n“The three organizations we visited – all nonprofits but each doing work in its own way - play an essential role in strengthening our communities, supporting Marylanders in need, and creating opportunities for individuals to build better futures,” said Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman. “I am grateful for the dedicated people behind these organizations and the difference they make across our state. From supporting young people to helping individuals find stable housing, to supporting economic development and job creation, the work of these organizations makes Maryland a better place for everyone.”\n\nCongressman Hoyer and Comptroller Lierman with Brian Westbrook and his father, Roy Westbrook at the Westbrook Farm.\n\nStarting off in Prince George's County, Congressman Hoyer and Comptroller Lierman visited the Westbrook Horse Farm in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Owned and operated by Brian Westbrook, former NFL player and founder of The Brian Westbrook Foundation, the farm's programming provides hands-on skills training, riding lessons, and mentorship for youth to teach them responsibility and instill a greater sense of purpose in their lives. Congressman Hoyer and Comptroller Lierman received a tour of the farm and learned more about the community outreach initiatives Westbrook plans to implement in the near future.\n\nCongressman Hoyer and Comptroller Lierman with board members of the\n\nCharles County Military Alliance Council.\n\nNext, Congressman Hoyer and Comptroller Lierman met with board members of the Charles County Military Alliance Council for a roundtable discussion. The group discussed strategy and ongoing investments to connect residents and local businesses with opportunities to support defense activities and boost the economy. Congressman Hoyer and the Comptroller continue working to maintain an effective relationship between military facilities, elected officials, and the greater Southern Maryland community.\n\nCongressman Hoyer and Comptroller Lierman with LifeStyles CEO Sandy Washington and\n\nSupport Staff at the LifeStyles Headquarters in LaPlata, Maryland.\n\nCongressman Hoyer and Comptroller Lierman spent the rest of their afternoon at the LifeStyles Inc. headquarters in LaPlata, Maryland to receive an update on the around-the-clock support services provided at this location. During their tour, LifeStyles CEO Sandy Washington highlighted their work to deliver food, clothing, and housing assistance and workforce training for nearly 3 decades. LifeStyles of Maryland has 8 offices and distribution centers across the state to help meet the needs of underserved communities in the region.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hoyle-conducts-oversight-at-tacoma-ice-facility", "title": "REP. HOYLE CONDUCTS OVERSIGHT AT TACOMA ICE FACILITY", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hoyle.house.gov", "scraper": "hoyle", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001094", "name": "Val T. Hoyle", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Eugene, OR – Today, Congresswoman Val Hoyle and her staff conducted an oversight visit at a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Tacoma, Washington, where constituents are being detained. After the visit, Rep. Hoyle released the following statement:\n\n\"Constituents in my district are footing a nearly $1,500-per-person bill for illegal mass deportations,\" said Rep. Hoyle. \"This is a cruel waste of resources and not what people voted for. Today in Tacoma, we were checking on community members to ensure they have legal representation, healthcare and access to food and information.”\n\nIf you have questions about immigration or know someone who is in detention, contact our office at (541) 465-6732 or hoyle.house.gov.\n\nBackground\n\nPeople in Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District are spending $1,483 per person to fuel the Administration’s mass deportation campaign. Rep. Hoyle is committed to fighting for a system that honors due process and focuses enforcement on those who have committed violent crimes, not tearing away innocent people from their families, jobs and communities.\n\nSome of her recent legislative actions include:\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://jack.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-brian-jack-delivers-188-million-federal-investment-stem-education", "title": "Congressman Brian Jack Delivers $1.88 Million Federal Investment in STEM Education and Workforce Development at LaGrange College", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jack.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "jack.house.gov", "scraper": "jack", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000311", "name": "Brian Jack", "party": "Republican", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nOctober 6, 2026\n\nContact: Joseph Brannan\n\nTROUP COUNTY, GA – Today, Congressman Brian Jack (GA-03)visited LaGrange College to deliver an initial $1,883,050 federal investment through the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program. The funding represents the first year of a five-year initiative expected to provide over $3 million in federal support for LaGrange College’s 21st Century Workforce Readiness Program.\n\nCongressman Brian Jack said, “I am honored to deliver an initial $1.88 million federal investment in STEM education and workforce development at LaGrange College. This funding will grow the Manufacturing Engineering Technology degree to prepare students for skills-based careers across our part of Georgia. Earlier this year, I brought the U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to our Congressional District to discuss the need for additional investment in workforce development, and I am grateful for her support of LaGrange College’s 21st Century Workforce Readiness Program.”\n\n“Thank you to Dr. Susanna Baxter for your partnership, and thank you to Coach Wes Dodson for inviting me to visit your football team this afternoon!”\n\n“We are grateful to Congressman Jack for his support of the College and his efforts to help secure this funding,” said Dr. Susanna L. Baxter President of LaGrange College. “This investment will have a transformative impact on our students and our region. We are committed to helping students discover meaningful career pathways, develop the skills employers need, and gain access to the kind of hands-on learning that leads to successful careers and strong communities. This grant allows us to deepen that commitment for future generations of students.”\n\nThe funding will support the renovation and purchase of new equipment for LaGrange College’s advanced engineering and manufacturing laboratories, which will be repurposed to grow their Manufacturing Engineering Technology degree program.\n\nDuring his visit, Congressman Jack also visited the LaGrange College Panthers Football Team practice.\n\nAlongside Coach Wes Dodson, Congressman Jack presented the team with official copies of the Congressional Record, in which Congressman Jack recognized the Panthers on the Floor of the United States House of Representatives for their second consecutive victory in the “Clash of Highway 29” against rival Point University.\n\nCongressman Jack represents Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes all of Troup County. If Congressman Jack may be of service to you and your family, please visit jack.house.gov.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://jackson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2620", "title": "Rep. Ronny Jackson Applauds $51 Million Investment in Rural Healthcare in Texas", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jackson.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "jackson.house.gov", "scraper": "jackson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000304", "name": "Ronny Jackson", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) applauded the Trump administration’s $51 million investment across rural Texas through the Rural Health Transformation Program to improve healthcare access and outcomes, including funding that will benefit rural hospital districts serving communities in Texas’ Thirteenth Congressional District.\n\nEstablished through House Republican’s One Big Beautiful Bill, the investment will support 68 rural hospital districts and authorities across Texas as they create and improve community-based prevention, wellness, and nutrition programs aimed at preventing and managing chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and obesity.\n\nThe initiative will directly support rural health care providers serving communities in TX-13, including:\n\nBaylor County Hospital District\n\nChildress County Hospital District\n\nDallam-Hartley Counties Hospital District\n\nDeaf Smith County Hospital District\n\nElectra Hospital District\n\nHardeman County Memorial Hospital District\n\nHemphill County Hospital District\n\nKnox County Hospital District\n\nMemorial Hospital–Moore County Hospital District\n\nNocona Hospital District / Nocona General\n\nNorth Wheeler County Hospital District\n\nOchiltree General Hospital\n\nWilbarger General Hospital\n\n“Texans in TX-13 and every rural community deserve access to quality healthcare,” said Rep. Jackson. “This investment through the Rural Health Transformation Program will help rural communities expand prevention, wellness, and nutrition programs while addressing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, and obesity. I’m proud to support efforts that strengthen access to care and improve health outcomes for hardworking families across rural Texas.”\n\n“President Trump understands that every American deserves high-quality healthcare, no matter where they live,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We are putting resources directly into rural communities to strengthen the health workforce, modernize infrastructure, expand access, and bring care closer to home. We are giving states the flexibility to build solutions around the people they serve, while demanding accountability for results. That is how we strengthen rural health, improve the lives of patients and families, and Make America Healthy Again.”\n\n“President Trump made a historic commitment to rural America, and these investments are turning that commitment into better care for patients in communities across Texas,” said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “This is what rural health transformation should look like: federal investment that is putting patients first, driving lasting improvements and expanding healthcare for the hardworking Americans who call these communities home.”\n\n“Rural Texans deserve quality health care in their own communities,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “This $51 million will aid 68 rural hospital districts and authorities with prevention, wellness, and nutrition programs that keep Texans healthy and strong. I thank President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and Administrator Oz for this investment in rural Texas.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://katherineclark.house.gov/2026/10/06/shns-birth-center-expects-first-delivery-after-leadership-transition/", "title": "SHNS: Birth center expects first delivery after ‘leadership transition’", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://katherineclark.house.gov/newsroom/", "domain": "katherineclark.house.gov", "scraper": "clark", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001101", "name": "Katherine M. Clark", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Elected leaders who hailed the reopening of the state’s second freestanding birth center earlier this year may have celebrated prematurely.\n\nThe Cambridge Health Alliance Birth Center, which closed in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, was scheduled to reopen on July 6 with the aim of welcoming 100 babies in the first year. CHA said the center would serve all patients but have a “special focus on vulnerable and underserved populations who will benefit most from midwifery care and a birth center experience.”\n\nBut no deliveries happened this summer, even as supporters of the 2024 maternal health law tried to create new urgency around bolstering access to care and removing healthcare disparities for people of color.\n\n“The Birth Center has been open for prenatal and outpatient visits,” CHA spokesperson David Cecere told the News Service Thursday. “We are anticipating our first delivery this week — they had been on hold as we worked through a leadership transition.”\n\nCecere said that “unexpected turnover” prompted the center to “hold deliveries until we established a plan to ensure high quality care and an exceptional patient experience.”\n\nA spokesperson for the Department of Public Health, asked whether it was aware of any paused operations or staffing issues, said DPH had called the birth center and was told it was “taking clients.”\n\nCHA has said the reopening would not have been possible without $1 million in state funding, which Cambridge Rep. Marjorie Decker helped secure in the fiscal 2024 budget. The center also received a grant from Beth Israel Lahey Health to help cover training, equipment, and community education and outreach.\n\nThe birth center, situated in a Victorian home with three renovated birthing rooms, held an open house on June 17 with more than 200 attendees, according to CHA. Speakers included Decker, U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, Sen. Sal DiDomenico, Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein.\n\n“Too often we are talking about the closure of maternity services, but today we get to celebrate a spectacular rebirth – and one that I hope will be followed by many more,” Goldstein said in a statement at the time. “Expanding access to community-based, relationship-centered care is key in advancing health equity. The reopening of the CHA Birth Center supports families who deserve more options for culturally responsive maternity care.”\n\nClark said the reopening was a “signal to women everywhere that we can and will keep making progress on maternal health.”\n\n“We’re going to keep fighting for a healthcare system worthy of every mother in this community and a future worthy of the children who will begin their lives at CHA,” she said.\n\nMichele Helgeson, a member of the Community Coalition for the Cambridge Birth Center, said everything had seemed “very positive” and “very, very upbeat” surrounding the open house. The coalition has met with CHA leaders to advocate for community interests and promote a midwifery model of care.\n\n“There was no indication that there was any reason to stop or pause at that point,” said Helgeson, who added she wants to see CHA conduct community outreach and assure patients about available services at the birth center.\n\nBirth centers are seen as alternatives to hospital deliveries, particularly in low-risk pregnancies. The facilities offer a home-like environment and are staffed by midwives who can provide more personalized care.\n\nThe 2024 law removed regulatory barriers to opening freestanding birth centers and created a pathway for certified professional midwives to become licensed. The state started accepting applications for temporary CPM licensure last month, as DPH expects to issue regulations for “standard” licensure in early 2027.\n\nUntil the CHA Birth Center returned to the maternal health landscape, Massachusetts was home to only one such freestanding facility in Northampton. But Seven Sisters Midwifery and Community Birth Center faces intense financial pressure due to low reimbursement rates compared to services provided in hospitals, according to owner and clinical director Ginny Miller.\n\nLegislation (S 784) to ensure that certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives and licensed freestanding birth centers are not paid less than physicians and hospitals delivering the same services has been lodged in the Senate Ways and Means Committee since April.\n\nKimberly Amsley-Camp was the CHA’s director of midwifery from August 2025 through September 2026, and she managed a staff of 20 certified nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, according to her LinkedIn profile. Working with a “multi-disciplinary” team, Amsley-Camp wrote she “planned and developed reopening of a hospital owned freestanding birth center.”\n\nAmsley-Camp did not respond to a News Service request for comment.\n\nCecere said consultant and certified nurse midwife Erin Stein is now overseeing “daily operations” of the CHA Birth Center. She’s working alongside Dr. Tara Singh, chief of obstetrics and gynecology, and Allisyn Brady, senior director of OB/GYN.\n\nHelgeson said the coalition wants to meet with CHA leaders and get an update on birth center operations, though she expects that won’t happen until November due to scheduling logistics.\n\n“There is definitely support for the sustainability of the birth center, and that’s really what we’re hoping to achieve in the long run,” Helgeson said. “The opening is important, but we really want it to succeed in the long-term as well.”\n\n—", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-secures-125-million-water-infrastructure-sparta", "title": "Kean Secures $1.25 Million for Water Infrastructure in Sparta", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kean.house.gov", "scraper": "kean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000398", "name": "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(October 6, 2026) SPARTA, NJ – Yesterday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ‑07) presented $400,000 to Sparta Township to support critical upgrades at the White Deer Plaza Pump Station, improving both surface and groundwater quality. Furthermore, Congressman Kean is advocating for an additional $850,000 to help the township replace aging lead service lines and strengthen its drinking water infrastructure. Together, these investments will enhance public health, modernize essential systems, and ensure long‑term reliability for Sparta residents.\n\n“Strong water infrastructure is essential to keep our communities running,” said Congressman Kean. “That is why I fought to secure these federal funds to support both the pump station upgrades and the lead service line replacements to protect the health and safety of Sparta Township residents by ensuring high-quality water infrastructure for decades to come.”\n\n“Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. has been instrumental in securing federal grant funding for Sparta Township pump station improvements and lead service line replacement projects,” said Sparta Township Deputy Mayor Michael Sylvester. “Considering Sparta’s current financial challenges, we are all especially grateful for his continued support in helping Sparta obtain funds for these important projects. These funds will provide meaningful benefits to our community and help ensure that we continue to invest in Sparta’s future.”\n\n“Protecting water quality and public health requires an ongoing commitment and continuous investment. Thanks to Congressman Kean, Sparta is on track to receive over a million dollars in federal funding to upgrade vital infrastructure,” said Sussex County Commissioner Jack DeGroot. “These critical projects will directly improve water quality and protect the health of our residents. We thank Congressman Kean for securing these funds and ensuring Sparta remains a safe, vibrant place to live.”\n\n“I want to thank Congressman Kean for all his hard work on behalf of Sparta,” said Sparta Township Councilman Mark Scott. “This grant will help Sparta replace and rebuild critical parts of our water system. Congressman Kean has always been a friend of Sparta, Sussex County, and the state of New Jersey.”\n\nSince taking office, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. has secured more than $14.5 million for water infrastructure in New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District through the Community Project Funding process.\n\nAll 15 projects that Congressman Kean won for NJ-07 through the FY2026 Community Project Funding process, including the improvements to the White Deer Plaza Pump Station, are now law. View the full list of projects HERE.\n\nIn July, Congressman Kean announced that 18 Community Project Funding requests made by his office totaling $17,765,906, including $850,000 for Sparta, are included in key House funding bills for the upcoming fiscal year. Learn more HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://kelly.house.gov/media/press-releases/kelly-backs-bipartisan-stormwater-act-strengthen-water-infrastructure-and", "title": "Kelly Backs Bipartisan STORMWATER Act to Strengthen Water Infrastructure and Protect Great Lakes Communities", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kelly.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kelly.house.gov", "scraper": "kelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000376", "name": "Mike Kelly", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This week, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) co-sponsored the bipartisan Stormwater Treatment, Optimization, Resilience, and Management with Academic Technological Expertise and Research (STORMWATER) Act, legislation which aims to strengthen communities’ ability to manage stormwater, reduce flooding, and protect local waterways from pollution.\n\nKelly is a member of the House Great Lakes Task Force. This legislation is endorsed by the Great Lakes Commission.\n\nThe legislation, introduced by Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY) in August, would reauthorize federal grant programs that support stormwater innovation, technical assistance, and flood mitigation.\n\n\"20 percent of the world's surface freshwater supply is in the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie. We must do everything we can to preserve and protect this national treasure for generations to come. This legislation takes an important step toward doing just that,\" said Rep. Kelly.\n\n“Every Western New Yorker deserves to know that when the next major storm comes, our communities have the infrastructure and expertise to withstand it,” said Congressman Kennedy. “The STORMWATER Act is about making that investment now – strengthening our water infrastructure, protecting our neighborhoods and businesses, and putting Great Lakes communities at the forefront of the technologies we need to safeguard the critical waters we all call home.”\n\n\"The Great Lakes Commission commends Rep. Kennedy for introducing the STORMWATER Act, which will ensure the Stormwater Centers of Excellence program continues nationwide while recognizing the Great Lakes as a unique resource increasingly threatened by stormwater impacts,” said Tim Bruno, Chair of the Great Lakes Commission. “Communities across the Great Lakes region are confronting more frequent flooding that threatens public health and water quality, carrying nutrients, debris, chemicals and other pollutants into our waterways. This bill will provide crucial resources to help communities prepare for and address these growing challenges.\"\n\nSpecifically, the STORMWATER Act would:\n\nEstablish a fifth Center of Excellence focused on the Great Lakes region, ensuring the region’s unique stormwater and water-quality challenges receive dedicated expertise;\n\nReauthorize $5 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support and maintain five Centers of Excellence;\n\nReauthorize $10 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for competitive Stormwater Control Infrastructure Project grants to support communities’ stormwater infrastructure needs.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nStormwater runoff occurs when rain or melted snow cannot absorb into the ground and instead flows over hard surfaces like roads, rooftops, and parking lots. As that water moves rapidly into drainage systems and waterways, it can overwhelm infrastructure, contribute to flooding, and carry oil, debris, fertilizers, chemicals, and other pollutants into local streams and lakes.\n\nFor Pennsylvania communities surrounded by the Great Lakes, these challenges are both environmental and economic. Stronger stormwater infrastructure can help protect homes and businesses from flooding, reduce pollution entering local waterways, and preserve the health and economic vitality of the Great Lakes for generations to come.\n\nThe existing grant programs were set to expire in September 2026. The legislation would extend them through fiscal year 2031, providing communities with the resources and continuity needed to plan and implement long-term infrastructure improvements.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/krishnamoorthi-and-vindman-introduce-lessons-ukraine-act-apply-ukraines", "title": "Krishnamoorthi and Vindman Introduce LESSONS from Ukraine Act to Apply Ukraine’s Battlefield Innovations to U.S. Military", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", "scraper": "krishnamoorthi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000391", "name": "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — On Monday, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Congressman Eugene Vindman (VA-07), a 25-year Army veteran, introduced the Learning Effective Strategies and Systems Optimization for National Security (LESSONS) from Ukraine Act, legislation requiring the Pentagon to study and apply lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield innovations to U.S. military doctrine and training.\n\n“During my visit to Ukraine, I saw firsthand how the Ukrainians are rapidly adapting to a battlefield where drones and electronic warfare are changing how wars are fought,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “The LESSONS from Ukraine Act will make sure our military learns from what Ukraine has discovered through years of defending itself against Putin’s invasion, from countering drone swarms and operating through electronic warfare to sustaining weapons production under attack. We need to put those lessons to work to strengthen our own military, protect our servicemembers, and ensure we are prepared to deter aggression across the world.”\n\n“Ukraine’s defense against Russia has shown just how rapidly modern warfare is evolving. I saw that firsthand during my trip to Ukraine last month, where drones, electronic warfare, cyber operations, and defense manufacturing are reshaping the battlefield in real time,” said Vindman. \"As a 25-year Army veteran, I know our military must constantly learn, adapt, and innovate to maintain our strategic advantage and protect our service members. The LESSONS from Ukraine Act will ensure the Department of Defense learns from Ukraine’s hard-earned experience and applies those lessons to our doctrine, training, and capabilities so our military is prepared for the threats of tomorrow.”\n\nThe LESSONS from Ukraine Act would require the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress within 120 days on lessons the U.S. military can draw from the Russia-Ukraine War, including the use of drones and other unmanned systems, electronic and cyber warfare, air defense, operations without GPS or satellite communications, battlefield medicine, and Ukraine’s efforts to expand and decentralize weapons production. The Pentagon would also be required to develop a plan and timetable for incorporating those lessons into U.S. military doctrine and training. Congressman Krishnamoorthi first announced the legislation following an August official visit to Ukraine, where he visited a Ukrainian drone production facility and met with officials about the battlefield and Ukraine’s rapidly evolving defense innovations.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/krishnamoorthi-demands-answers-fda-move-rewrite-vaping-approval-rules-blasts", "title": "Krishnamoorthi Demands Answers on FDA Move to Rewrite Vaping Approval Rules, Blasts Weakening of Scientific Standards", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", "scraper": "krishnamoorthi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000391", "name": "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus to End Youth Vaping, today demanded answers from Food and Drug Administration Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas over FDA’s September 28 announcement that it is considering new rulemaking to replace the 2021 regulations governing approval of new tobacco products, pressing the agency over whether the move could weaken the scientific standards manufacturers must meet.\n\nKrishnamoorthi is also demanding to know whether FDA discussed potential changes with tobacco manufacturers, industry associations, or parties challenging the current rules before announcing its review, and is seeking communications between agency officials and Altria, Reynolds American, their subsidiaries and representatives, and other parties challenging the framework.\n\nFDA announced its review less than four weeks after Altria subsidiaries NJOY and Helix Innovations sued the agency over the current Premarket Tobacco Product Application framework. FDA itself cited recent litigation challenging the framework, along with the widespread illicit tobacco market, in explaining its decision to consider replacing the rule.\n\n“The widespread sale of illegal products is an enforcement problem,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. “It should not become a justification for lowering the evidentiary requirements manufacturers must satisfy before FDA authorizes their products.”\n\nKrishnamoorthi also raised concerns about the review in light of FDA’s recent authorization of flavored e-cigarette products. In May, the agency authorized Glas products in mango and blueberry flavors despite FDA data indicating that fruit-flavored e-cigarettes are the most popular flavor among youth. The letter notes that the FDA Center for Tobacco Products did not require the manufacturer to demonstrate that the flavors provided an added benefit to adults attempting to transition from combustible products, and that former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary reportedly resigned in part amid political interference surrounding the authorization.\n\nFDA then authorized additional JUUL products on August 28, including a JUUL2 menthol product.\n\n“FDA acknowledged that the menthol product carries risks ‘including youth appeal,’ but concluded that its benefits to adults who smoke outweighed those risks,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. “Exactly one month later, FDA announced that it may replace the broader framework governing applications for new tobacco products.”\n\nKrishnamoorthi concluded:\n\n“The FDA’s job is to protect public health, not make it easier for tobacco companies to evade rigorous scientific review. The agency should crack down on companies selling illegal products, not use their lawbreaking as a rationale for weakening safeguards governing products seeking FDA authorization.”\n\nKrishnamoorthi requested written responses by October 20, 2026, to the following questions:\n\nWhich specific provisions of the 2021 PMTA rule is FDA considering changing or eliminating, and what evidence supports each potential change?\n\nWill FDA commit that any replacement framework will not lower the scientific evidentiary bar manufacturers must meet to demonstrate that marketing their products is appropriate for the protection of public health? If not, why not?\n\nDid FDA discuss potential changes to the 2021 PMTA rule with any tobacco product manufacturer, industry association, or party challenging the 2021 PMTA rule before announcing its review? Please identify each such entity and provide all communications since January 20, 2025, between FDA officials and those entities. Please also provide all communications since January 20, 2025, between FDA officials and Altria, Reynolds American, their subsidiaries or representatives, and any other party challenging the rule concerning the PMTA framework or potential changes to it.\n\nHow does the existence of a widespread illicit market justify changes to the regulatory requirements governing products seeking lawful authorization? What connection has FDA identified between illegal sales and the scientific evidence manufacturers should be required to provide before receiving authorization?\n\nWhat additional enforcement actions will FDA take, in coordination with the Department of Justice and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to remove unauthorized e-cigarettes from the U.S. market?\n\nThe full letter is available here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/connecticut-congressional-delegation-and-governor-lamont-announce-3", "title": "Connecticut Congressional Delegation and Governor Lamont Announce Disaster Declaration from U.S. Small Business Administration for Homeowners, Renters, and Businesses Impacted by September Flooding", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "larson.house.gov", "scraper": "larson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000557", "name": "John B. Larson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Hartford, CT – Today, members of the Connecticut Congressional delegation joined Governor Ned Lamont to announce a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for Fairfield County and the contiguous counties of New Haven County and Litchfield County in response to the flash flooding event that impacted the region on September 13, 2026. The approved declaration means that homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits in the impacted counties can apply for low-interest loans from the SBA to aid in their recovery.\n\n“This declaration makes low-interest loans available to homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits so they can recover and rebound from these flash floods,” Governor Lamont said. “I am glad that we’ve been able to secure this funding and encourage anyone who was impacted by this storm to look into this assistance and determine whether it can help you in the recovery process.”\n\n“As communities continue to recover from severe flooding that hit our state last month, I am glad that the Small Business Administration granted our request for a disaster declaration,\" said Congressman John B. Larson. \"This declaration is a crucial step forward, so small businesses, local organizations, and homeowners can get the help they need to repair and rebuild after incurring damage—including in Litchfield County. Our delegation will keep working with the governor and state leaders to ensure the federal government is responsive to the towns and cities that were impacted by this storm.”\n\n“This disaster declaration is a strong step toward bringing federal aid to Connecticut following severe floods last month. This step allows Connecticut state agencies to work with federal partners like the SBA to continue recovery efforts and potentially unlock more federal assistance to rebuild local businesses. I am grateful to the SBA for their swift response to Governor Lamont and our delegation’s request,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal.\n\n“Connecticut communities were hit hard on September 13 by sudden and intense flooding. I encourage all small business owners in the counties covered by this disaster declaration to take advantage of the available assistance from the Small Business Administration,” said Congressman Joe Courtney.\n\n“Extreme weather events like flash flooding are damaging our communities more often and more unexpectedly. I am glad that federal support is on its way through this SBA disaster declaration for the businesses, residents, and communities that were impacted by devastating flash floods last month. I will continue to fight for federal resources so that Connecticut has the support necessary rebuild after disasters like this one,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.\n\n“I’m glad the federal government is stepping up to assist Connecticut residents and businesses, especially those in Fairfield County, in recovering from last month’s flooding. I encourage anyone whose residence or business was impacted by the severe weather to look into these resources. I will continue fighting alongside the rest of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation to bring home the federal support our constituents need to rebound,” said Congressman Jim Himes.\n\n“Extreme weather continues to impact our state. I am pleased to see the U.S. Small Business Administration approve federal assistance for parts of the Fifth District and our state. These federal resources will help alleviate the financial losses of business leaders and homeowners from the recent flooding,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes.\n\nThe following groups may be eligible for low-interest SBA disaster loans:\n\nHomeowners: Up to $500,000 to repair their primary residence.\n\nHomeowners and renters: Up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.\n\nBusiness owners: Up to $2,000,000 for the replacement of real property, inventories, machinery, equipment, and other physical losses.\n\nBusinesses and nonprofits: Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2,000,000 to provide necessary working capital until normal operations resume after a disaster.\n\n“We know there are people with uninsured losses. These low-interest SBA loans are a means for people to rebuild and recover from the flooding. Additionally, our Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster—independent faith-based and nonprofit groups—remain engaged in helping people needing cleanup,” saidConnecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins.\n\nHow to apply for low-interest SBA disaster loans\n\nUnder this declaration, the application deadline for physical damage loans is December 1, 2026, and the application deadline for economic injury loans is July 2, 2027.\n\nApplications may be submitted to the SBA through the following methods:\n\nIn-person: A temporary, in-person SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center will open at the Margaret E. Morton Government Center at 999 Broad Street in Bridgeport beginning October 7, 2026.\n\nIt will operate Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; and it will be closed on Sundays.\n\nDue to prior engagements, it will have adjusted hours of 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on October 9, 2026; and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on October 20 and 21, 2026.\n\nIt will be closed on October 12, 2026, due to the Columbus Day holiday.\n\nIt is expected to permanently close at 4:00 p.m. on October 21, 2026.\n\nOnline: The MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending.sba.gov provides applicants with the ability submit applications online, view loan details, check balances, make payments, and access statements.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases/letlow-legislation-helps-women-better-understand-their-breast-cancer-risk", "title": "Letlow Legislation Helps Women Better Understand their Breast Cancer Risk", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "letlow.house.gov", "scraper": "letlow", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000595", "name": "Julia Letlow", "party": "Republican", "state": "LA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Breast Cancer Awareness Month kicks off, Congresswoman Julia Letlow has filed legislation aimed at strengthening risk assessment services for women vulnerable to a breast cancer diagnosis.\n\nLetlow’s Know Your Risk Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to advance a single, universal breast cancer risk assessment tool, while expanding access to risk evaluation services under the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.\n\n“1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and early interventions are proven to increase treatment quality as well as the odds of survival. A risk assessment tool was crucial for determining my own risk, and I want all at-risk women to have the same opportunity,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow.\n\nRisk assessments generally evaluate an individual’s likelihood of developing cancer based on family history, genetic factors, reproductive history, and lifestyle factors. A universal tool would give women better access to information about their individual breast cancer risk, while helping physicians detect cases earlier and thus provide more effective treatments.\n\nA proliferation of risk evaluation tools and the lack of a clear, go-to assessment prevents many women from properly determining their risk.\n\n“We have to close gaps that prevent many women from evaluating their risk in the first place,” added Letlow. “Like many women and families, I’ve had personal experiences with this awful disease and continue to see the need to ensure that women are not left in the dark when it comes to knowing their risk.”\n\nSpecifically, the legislation:\n\nRequires HHS to advance plans for a single, publicly accessible risk-assessment tool.\n\nRequires the agency to study existing breast-cancer risk tools and report to Congress on inaccuracies in existing risk-assessment tools, gaps in their use among different populations, and what causes those inaccuracies and gaps.s\n\nExpands access to breast cancer risk assessment tools under CDC grants available to states under the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lieu-joins-rep-friedman-los-angeles-delegation-and-entertainment", "title": "REP LIEU JOINS REP. FRIEDMAN, LOS ANGELES DELEGATION, AND ENTERTAINMENT UNIONS IN PUSH FOR NATIONAL FILM & TV TAX CREDIT", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "lieu.house.gov", "scraper": "lieu", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000582", "name": "Ted Lieu", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Takes effect quickly. The credit applies to productions that begin in taxable years starting after December 31, 2026.\n\nA one-pager with more details can be found here.\n\n“Southern California is the birthplace of the modern film and television industry. From the movies and television shows that have entertained audiences around the world to the hardworking people behind them, this industry is a vital part of our community and economy,” said Congressman Lieu (CA-36). “We can’t let the United States’ film industry lose ground to foreign competitors. I am pleased to be an original co-sponsor of the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act. It’s time to strengthen our domestic film industry and protect American jobs.”\n\n“When a production leaves this country, the stars still work. The crew is who gets left behind,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “65 countries offer incentives we don’t match, and no single state can outbid a foreign government on its own. Our bipartisan bill is built on labor costs, which means it only pays off when American workers get hired. These are good paying union jobs with benefits and pensions, and I won’t stop fighting until they come home.”\n\n“Movie magic is central to the California story, and we need to keep it that way,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33). “Our state is losing good-paying, union jobs because filming in this country has become far too expensive. The bipartisan Motion Picture, Television and Entertainment Revitalization Act will bring jobs back to America, boost wages for workers and keep productions at home.”\n\n\"Southern California has been the heart of America’s film and television industry, but today, too many productions are leaving the United States for countries offering better incentives,\" said Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28). \"That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act, which would provide a long-overdue federal tax credit to incentivize production here in the United States. Our creative workforce is the backbone of this industry. It's time we must invest in them and bring American film and television production back home.\"\n\n“California is the heart of film and television production, in large part because of the workers and technicians who bring the magic to life,” said Representative Tran (CA-45). “Yet the U.S. is rapidly losing jobs in this industry to competitors overseas. When productions relocate outside the U.S., it’s the American-based crews that suffer the most. California’s workforce deserves better. This bill incentivizes American-based productions, strengthens California’s production workforce, and brings jobs back to the U.S.—where they belong.”\n\nQUOTES\n\n“American performers and entertainment workers should not have to leave the country to find work in an industry that was built here. Film and television are more than entertainment — they are a major American industry that supports hundreds of thousands of good-paying union jobs and generates significant economic activity in communities across the country. For decades, foreign governments have recognized the economic value of production and successfully used incentives to attract these jobs overseas. States across the country have shown what targeted incentives can do to attract and retain production, and a federal incentive would build on those efforts and give the United States a stronger tool to compete. The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act is an investment in American workers, American industry and American communities. SAG-AFTRA is proud to stand with Congresswoman Friedman and our labor partners in support of this important legislation,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.\n\n“The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act will benefit entertainment industry workers, as well as the supporting businesses and local economies that rely on a robust domestic entertainment industry. Lawmakers have an opportunity to invest in an important American industry and preserve middle-class jobs, by passing the first-ever federal film and television tax incentive program,” said WGAW Secretary-Treasurer Peter Murrieta.\n\n\"Let’s not overthink this. The world is a complicated place, but this legislation is a no-brainer. It's going to get people back to work, and everyone just wants an opportunity to work in the industry they love in this country. Everyone will benefit from this – Republicans, Democrats, workers, audiences -- because our industry touches everyone,\" said Mike Farah, an Emmy-winning producer and a President of the Producers Guild of America.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://luna.house.gov/posts/rep-anna-paulina-luna-delivers-953390-for-marine-research-at-eckerd-college", "title": "Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Delivers $953,390 for Marine Research at Eckerd College", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://luna.house.gov/press", "domain": "luna.house.gov", "scraper": "luna", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000596", "name": "Anna Paulina Luna", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) presented a $953,390 check in federal funding to Eckerd College to advance environmental monitoring and marine research focused on generating critical data needed to protect and preserve coastal resources of Tampa Bay and the West Florida Shelf.\n\nThe funding, secured by Rep. Luna, will support a one-year Eckerd College Marine Science Program project monitoring major environmental pressures across Tampa Bay. Faculty and students will gather critical data on water quality, marine ecosystems, and changing conditions to inform conservation efforts and protect coastal resources vital to the region’s economy and communities.\n\n“Florida’s way of life depends on healthy waters,” said Rep. Luna. “This funding gives Eckerd scientists and students the tools to better understand Tampa Bay and preserve it for generations to come.”\n\nTampa Bay’s coastal resources are also a major economic driver for the region, with tourism, commercial fishing, shipping, recreation, and other industries relying heavily on local waters. An estimated one in ten jobs across the Tampa Bay region is tied to local waters, making reliable environmental monitoring essential not only to protecting marine ecosystems but also to preserving the economic activity they sustain.\n\n“Our faculty and students are protecting and preserving these resources across our region through critical monitoring initiatives,” says Eckerd College President James J. Annarelli, Ph.D. “From microplastic pollution and red tide blooms to invasive invertebrate species and stone crab fisheries, the four monitoring initiatives to be supported by this Community Project Funding will make a lasting impact on ecosystem health and economic vitality in our region.”\n\nFor decades, Eckerd College has paired undergraduate marine science education with hands-on faculty research, helping students earn 115 NOAA Hollings Scholarships and numerous Goldwater, Fulbright, and NSF Graduate Fellowships. The new funding will expand those opportunities for students to contribute directly to research protecting Tampa Bay and the West Florida Shelf.\n\nThe research will build on years of work by Eckerd faculty studying changes across the local marine ecosystem, from harmful algal blooms and emerging contaminants to wildlife, biodiversity, and economically important fisheries. Their findings will help scientists and resource managers better understand changing conditions to guide future conservation efforts and protection of the region.\n\nRep. Luna presented the check at Eckerd College alongside College President Dr. James J. Annarelli\n\n###\n\nOffice of Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna\n\n(202) 225-5961 | David.leatherwood@mail.house.gov\n\nFollow updates at luna.house.gov", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://luna.house.gov/posts/rep-anna-paulina-luna-re-presents-legion-of-merit-to-captain-stanley-beach", "title": "Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Re-Presents Legion of Merit to Captain Stanley Beach", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://luna.house.gov/press", "domain": "luna.house.gov", "scraper": "luna", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000596", "name": "Anna Paulina Luna", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — On Monday, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) formally re-presented the Legion of Merit to retired U.S. Navy Captain Stanley Beach after helping correct his military record to officially reflect the award he received upon his retirement from the Navy in 1987.\n\nCaptain Beach served 30 years in the Navy, including 27 years in the Chaplain Corps and service alongside Marines in Vietnam. His distinguished career earned him recognition as a “living legend” within the Chaplain Corps. Decades after his retirement, he discovered that the Legion of Merit had never been recorded on his DD-214. Rep. Luna worked with the Department of the Navy to correct his record and secure a DD-215 formally adding the award.\n\n“Captain Beach spent nearly three decades serving our country, and his military record should reflect every honor he earned,” said Rep. Luna. “Correcting this decades-old omission is the least our nation owes him for his service and sacrifice, and I am grateful my office could help make it happen.”\n\nCaptain Beach’s son, Police Chief Randall Beach, hosted the ceremony and credited Rep. Luna and her office with helping resolve the issue on his father’s behalf. “What really made this happen was the leadership of Representative Anna Paulina Luna and her staff,” said Beach. “You cannot do this without Congress. It matters!”\n\nA DD-214 is the primary separation document issued to service members and records key details of their military service, including decorations and awards. A DD-215, formally known as a Correction to DD Form 214, is issued when information on that original separation record must later be corrected or added. Unlike the DD-214, it is not routinely issued to veterans, making it a comparatively uncommon document that reflects a formal amendment to an existing military record.\n\nCaptain Beach enlisted as a Sailor in 1953 and entered the Chaplain Corps in 1960. After volunteering to serve with Marines in Vietnam, he joined the 3rd Marine Division and later served with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines at Phu Bai and during intense fighting at Mutter’s Ridge. While under enemy fire, Beach ministered to wounded Marines and carried them to aid stations before sustaining severe injuries to his leg and stomach that required his own evacuation.\n\nFor his actions in Vietnam, Beach received the Bronze Star with Valor, the Purple Heart, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V.” He later served as Director of the Navy Chaplains School and received the David E. White Leadership Award in 2007. In 2012, and the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center named its building Stanley J. Beach Hall in recognition of his heroic service with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines during the Vietnam War.\n\nRep. Luna re-presented the Legion of Merit to Captain Beach at Freedom Square in Seminole alongside local officials and members of the community.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-nancy-mace-celebrates-groundbreaking-new-beaufort-county-va-clinic", "title": "Rep. Nancy Mace Celebrates Groundbreaking For New Beaufort County VA Clinic", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mace.house.gov", "scraper": "mace", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000194", "name": "Nancy Mace", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PORT ROYAL, S.C. (Oct. 6, 2026) – Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace marked an important milestone for Lowcountry veterans with the groundbreaking of the new Department of Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Beaufort County. As a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Rep. Mace supported a $30.4 million authorization for the facility to deliver Lowcountry veterans timely, high-quality care close to home.\n\n\"This groundbreaking is more than the start of a construction project. It is a promise to our veterans,\" said Congresswoman Mace. \"For years, veterans across the Lowcountry have waited for better access to care. Now, a facility built just for them is finally on the way. Nearly 17,000 veterans call Beaufort County home, and they deserve first-class healthcare close to home. Not long drives. Not red tape. Not bureaucratic delays.\"\n\nThe clinic, located at 1844 Ribaut Road in Port Royal near Parris Island and MCAS Beaufort, will expand access to primary care, mental health services, specialty care, and other critical VA programs. The project will also create construction and healthcare jobs across the Lowcountry.\n\n\"Our obligation to support our servicemembers does not end once their military service does,\" Mace added. \"Our responsibility continues long after every uniform comes off. We will keep working until every veteran receives the care they earned. Washington should deliver results, not excuses.\"\n\nThe clinic is expected to open in 2028 and represents a major investment in improving healthcare access for veterans across South Carolina's First Congressional District.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://malliotakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/malliotakis-applauds-rubios-visit-greece-calls-stronger-us-greece-security", "title": "Malliotakis Applauds Rubio’s Visit to Greece, Calls for Stronger U.S.-Greece Security Partnership", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://malliotakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "malliotakis.house.gov", "scraper": "malliotakis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000317", "name": "Nicole Malliotakis", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(STATEN ISLAND, NY) — Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) released the following statement ahead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Athens for the Sixth U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue.\n\n“Greece is one of America’s most reliable NATO allies, and I applaud Secretary Rubio’s visit to Athens for the Sixth U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue. This is an opportunity to deepen our defense cooperation, including Greece’s F-35 acquisition and U.S. military access at Souda Bay and Alexandroupolis. It is also an opportunity to expand American liquefied natural gas exports through Greece, helping Europe end its reliance on Russian energy. We should build on the 3+1 partnership among the United States, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, which Secretary Rubio championed in the Senate. The United States must stand with its allies and make clear that Turkey must respect Greek sovereignty and refrain from threats and provocations. As a proud Greek-American, I know how deep the bonds between our nations run, and a strong partnership makes both countries safer and more prosperous.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-mccormick-calls-trump-administration-investigate-suspected-h-1b", "title": "Congressman McCormick Calls on Trump Administration to Investigate Suspected H-1B Visa Fraud in North Metro Atlanta", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mccormick.house.gov", "scraper": "mccormick", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001218", "name": "Richard McCormick", "party": "Republican", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-07) sent a letter to Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin calling on the Trump Administration to investigate suspected H-1B visa fraud and abuse in and around Georgia’s 7th Congressional District.\n\nFox News Digital first reported on McCormick’s letter and concerns surrounding suspected H-1B fraud in North Metro Atlanta. Read the story HERE.\n\nFollowing reports from constituents, stakeholder engagement, and recent federal investigation and enforcement activity targeting entities in and around GA-07, McCormick is urging the Administration to focus federal resources on allegations of fraud and abuse in North Metro Atlanta.\n\n“In America, we don’t tolerate illegal immigrants unlawfully crossing our border, and we shouldn’t tolerate bad actors who profit from manipulating and abusing our legal immigration system, particularly through programs like the H-1B visa,” said Congressman McCormick. “This fraud hurts American workers and American wages, erodes the public’s trust in our immigration laws, and insults legal immigrants who come to our country the right way. I am asking the Trump Administration to take a hard look at what is happening in and around my congressional district and hold accountable anyone found to be gaming the system.”\n\nIn the letter, McCormick highlights concerns that bad actors are using fraudulent or abusive practices to obtain below-market labor, increase competition for American jobseekers, and subject H-1B holder employees to exploitation and abusive working conditions.\n\nMcCormick specifically requested that the Departments of Homeland Security, Labor, State, and other relevant federal agencies focus investigative and enforcement resources on allegations of H-1B fraud and abuse in and around GA-07. The Congressman also offered to work with the Administration on any legislation necessary to strengthen federal enforcement efforts and to help facilitate cooperation with Georgia agencies and law enforcement.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\nBACKGROUND:", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://meuser.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-meuser-releases-staff-report-public-housing-agency-failures", "title": "Chairman Meuser Releases Staff Report on Public Housing Agency Failures", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://meuser.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "meuser.house.gov", "scraper": "meuser", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001204", "name": "Daniel Meuser", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09), Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Congressman French Hill (AR-02), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, released a staff report examining Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) nationwide.\n\nThis report is the culmination of a year-long Subcommittee-led investigation into serious mismanagement of PHAs across the country. On February 9, 2026, Chairman Meuser, Chairman Hill, and Congressman Mike Flood (NE-01), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, sent letters to 32 PHAs designated by HUD as “troubled,” seeking information on living conditions, management, and financial oversight. This was followed by an Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing examining management failures at PHAs and ways to improve conditions for residents. During the hearing, witnesses outlined severe shortcomings at PHAs due to mismanagement from previous administrations and discussed best practices for reversing the trend.\n\nOn March 13, 2026, Chairman Meuser held a Subcommittee field hearing in Little Rock, Arkansas, focused on failures at the city’s PHA—the Metropolitan Housing Alliance (MHA)—and its impact on residents. Committee leadership also sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas urging an investigation into MHA.\n\nFederal law requires PHAs to provide housing that is decent, safe, and sanitary. However, the Subcommittee’s investigation found that many troubled PHAs failed to meet these requirements due to management issues and oversight problems, resulting in significant waste of taxpayer resources and poor living conditions.\n\nThe Housing Authority of Champaign County is a good example of a PHA that has implemented commonsense Trump Administration policies, such as Moving to Work (MTW) requirements and voluntary time limits, that strengthen public housing standards and promote solutions that improve financial management.\n\n“For years, the Biden Administration allowed PHAs to fail without proper support or oversight. Mismanagement and a lack of accountability in PHAs have wasted taxpayer dollars meant to support our most vulnerable citizens and led to unacceptable living conditions,” said Subcommittee Chairman Meuser. “This report shows that taxpayers and residents pay the price when leadership at PHAs falls short. Democrat administrations allowed this problem to fester for far too long. I appreciate Chairman Hill’s leadership, as well as President Trump and HUD Secretary Turner for their efforts to enhance federal support for public housing and demand greater accountability. This report supports and builds on that work to ensure that taxpayer-funded resources are well managed, and that Americans in need can benefit from decent, safe, and sanitary housing. I look forward to implementing our report’s recommendations and providing these crucial reforms to America’s most vulnerable citizens.”\n\n“Americans living in federally supported housing deserve access to housing that is safe, clean, and livable,” said Chairman Hill. “PHAs exist to deliver on that promise. Unfortunately, as we've seen firsthand in my hometown of Little Rock, too many PHAs are failing the tenants who rely on them and the taxpayers who are footing the bill. I thank Subcommittee Chairman Meuser for his work holding PHAs accountable, protecting tenants, and for advocating for responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”\n\n“PHA accountability and addressing waste, fraud, and abuse are key priorities for President Trump, Secretary Turner, and myself. At HUD, we are committed to restoring compliance and operational integrity. Our residents need it, and taxpayers expect it. HUD will continue working with Chairman Hill and Congress to ensure America’s public housing authorities are providing quality housing to America’s most vulnerable,” said HUD Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Ben Hobbs.\n\nKey Findings:\n\nPHA Leadership: Frequently, PHA Boards lack sufficient understanding of housing programs to effectively manage the PHA.\n\nHUD’s Assessment Systems Disincentivize Rent Collection: HUD’s assessment system awards up to 16 points for occupancy but only 6 for rent collection, so a PHA that collects no rent can still pass HUD’s operations assessment.\n\nBetween 15 and 30 percent of residents at struggling PHAs pay only the minimum rent. The COVID-era eviction moratoriums caused unpaid rent to rise sharply.\n\nData and Due Diligence Issues: Troubled PHAs have insufficient data retention and due diligence standards across their operations, but particularly as it relates to their contracting and procurement standards.\n\nPHAs struggle to find staff: PHAs struggle to find staff with sufficient experience and understanding of their roles and responsibilities. PHAs have particularly struggled to hire and retain maintenance staff, who can often find higher pay and more flexibility as independent contractors.\n\nWhat HUD is Doing:\n\nProposed rule allowing work requirements and time limits: PHAs could opt in to work requirements of up to 40 hours a week and time limits of two years or more for work-capable adults. The comment period has closed, but the rule isn't final yet.\n\nReformed NSPIRE Inspections: HUD retrained inspectors, issued more guidance, improved its online inspection systems, and reorganized how inspectors are assigned to cut costs. It set February 1, 2027, for full implementation of these new standards.\n\nMore Inspections: HUD did 25 percent more inspections in 2025 than in 2024, and PHAs say inspections have become more consistent.\n\nTook steps on safety: HUD launched a national public housing crime hotline, required stricter background checks for applicants, and rescinded guidance that had allowed people with criminal records to live in Section 9 housing.\n\nKey Report Recommendations:\n\nPHAs should develop systems and policies to enhance oversight of employees and contractors.\n\nPHAs should conduct self-inspections at least quarterly and require before-and-after photos of maintenance work. They should also digitize their records, strengthen oversight of staff and contractors, and better enforce rent collection.\n\nHUD and Congress should set baseline qualifications for PHA board members and executives and give HUD the authority to remove poor leaders.\n\nCongress should consider legislation that permanently allows for and encourages PHAs to implement time limits and work requirements on public housing assistance for able-bodied adult residents.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases/dr-miller-meeks-joins-iowa-delegation-push-more-rural-health-care-funding", "title": "Dr. Miller-Meeks Joins Iowa Delegation in Push for More Rural Health Care Funding", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "millermeeks.house.gov", "scraper": "millermeeks", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001215", "name": "Mariannette Miller-Meeks", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "IOWA – Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-01) joined the Iowa congressional delegation in urging Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz to support Iowa’s latest funding request through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), known as Healthy Hometowns. The program, created through the Working Families Tax Cuts law, has already delivered $209 million to strengthen rural health care across Iowa in its first year.\n\n“Iowa’s rural communities deserve access to high-quality health care close to home, and we are already seeing these investments make a difference,” said Dr. Miller-Meeks. “As a doctor and a representative of rural Iowa, I will continue fighting to bring more resources home, strengthen our rural health care workforce, and make sure Iowans can get the care they need without having to travel hours from home.”\n\nIn addition to Miller-Meeks, the letter was signed by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson (IA-02), Zach Nunn (IA-03) and Randy Feenstra (IA-04).\n\n“In January, Iowa became the first state in the nation to award Rural Health Transformation Program funding as part of its Healthy Hometowns initiative, and it has ensured resources are going directly to rural communities, not bureaucrats. In year one of the program, Iowa’s $209 million federal investment is improving cancer prevention and treatment, workforce recruitment and retention, chronic disease care, and maternal and child health,” the members wrote.\n\n“As we each travel throughout Iowa, visiting hospitals, health centers, clinics, and more, we witness firsthand how these investments are making a difference toward the health, well-being, and quality of life in rural communities. During your visit to the University of Iowa in May, you learned how our state is using telehealth and a hub-and-spoke model to increase access to care and improve health outcomes in our rural communities,” the members continued.\n\nThe members noted how communities across Iowa are already benefiting from these federal investments, including through the following six projects:\n\nMahaska Health in Oskaloosa is purchasing a new PET/CT system with cardiac imaging capability and recruiting an OB/GYN and a general surgeon physician assistant.\n\nWashington County Hospital in Washington is purchasing a new CT scanner that is improving diagnostic capabilities and patient outcomes.\n\nLucas County HealthCenter in Chariton is purchasing its first-ever MRI machine to bring early detection cancer screenings to residents.\n\nNorth Iowa Medical Center in Mason City is purchasing a new robotic bronchoscopy system that detects lung cancer earlier than previously possible.\n\nSioux Center Health in Sioux Center is expanding prenatal care through a new regional maternal health coordinator.\n\nWayne County Hospital in Corydon is standing up a radiation oncology center and will be serving as a combat cancer health hub.\n\nBackground\n\nDr. Miller-Meeks has been a strong advocate for expanding access to health care in rural Iowa. She has held three roundtables focused on the Rural Health Transformation Program, bringing together Iowa health care providers and stakeholders to discuss how the program can strengthen rural health care and expand access.\n\nMiller-Meeks also raised the need for additional rural health resources directly with CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz during his visit to Iowa. Iowa’s timely and proactive implementation of its Rural Health Transformation Program could position the state to receive additional funding if other states do not utilize their available resources.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://neal.house.gov/2026/10/06/neal-wyden-object-to-treasurys-proposed-boost-for-private-school-tax-credits/", "title": "Neal, Wyden Object to Treasury’s Proposed Boost for Private School Tax Credits", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "neal.house.gov", "scraper": "neal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000015", "name": "Richard E. Neal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC— House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) today objected to the Treasury Department’s recently issued proposed regulations on new Internal Revenue Code section 25F that further Republican attempts to undermine public school systems by directing taxpayer money toward private and religious schools.\n\nIn a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Ranking Members Neal and Wyden called out the Administration’s actions as a blatant attempt to circumvent the clear rules established by Congress to funnel even more taxpayer funds away from public education and use it to subsidize the private school education of children from wealthy families. Treasury’s baseless interpretation of federal statute would allow married couples filing jointly to potentially claim double the credit that is authorized under the law.\n\n“This interpretation is wildly inconsistent with the longstanding treatment of other provisions that use identical or near-identical language,” Neal and Wyden wrote. “This throws doubt upon Treasury’s interpretation of many provisions of the Code, creates a great deal of uncertainty in the administration of our tax laws, and could balloon the deficit,” Neal and Wyden noted, adding that it could increase the cost of the credit by an additional $150 billion over the next decade.\n\nThe Democratic Committee leaders closed by demanding the Administration provide written answers and explanations to how the new interpretation of the law will impact taxpayers, how it came to be and was coordinated internally, which other tax provisions taxpayers might take a return position that is different from previously listed guidance based on new interpretations, and other pressing matters.\n\nRead the full letter to Secretary Bessent HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://nikemawilliams.house.gov/posts/icymi-congresswoman-nikema-williams-urges-hud-to-implement-whole-home-repairs-law", "title": "ICYMI: Congresswoman Nikema Williams Urges HUD to Implement Whole Home Repairs Law", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://nikemawilliams.house.gov/press", "domain": "nikemawilliams.house.gov", "scraper": "nikemawilliams", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000788", "name": "Nikema Williams", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) joined U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) in a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner urging an establishment of a Whole Home Repairs program through the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes.\n\nThe Members wrote:\n\n“Almost 7 million Americans live in homes that are in need of significant repair, with deficiencies including leaky roofs, faulty wiring, and mold. This is an issue that disproportionately affects America’s seniors, many of whom would like to downsize but do not want to sell the home at a steep discount due to the updates required. As we saw in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s successful Whole Home Repairs program, providing grants for repairs allowed seniors to sell larger homes to growing families.”\n\nThe Whole-Home Repairs Act was signed into law with the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The Whole Home Repairs pilot program will provide renovation and repair grants to homeowners and small landlords. This will help ensure America’s aging homes do not fall out of the housing supply.\n\nThe Members continued:\n\n“The language in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act authorizes you to operate a Whole Home Repairs program through 2031. We want to show the nation that repairing America’s crumbling homes is not a red or blue issue. Creating greater access to housing is an American issue. Any delays will mean millions of American families may never realize the benefit of this program. We were proud to help the Whole Home Repairs bill become law, and we stand ready to support you in making it a reality for Americans.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://nunn.house.gov/2026/10/06/nunn-iowa-delegation-push-for-continued-rural-health-care-investment/", "title": "Nunn, Iowa Delegation Push for Continued Rural Health Care Investment", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://nunn.house.gov/category/news/press-releases/", "domain": "nunn.house.gov", "scraper": "nunn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000193", "name": "Zachary Nunn", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "DES MOINES, IA — Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) joined Iowa’s congressional delegation in urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to fully consider Iowa’s request for a second year of Rural Health Transformation Funding. This new phase of funding would build on the initial $209 million awarded in 2026 to strengthen rural healthcare statewide.\n\n“Where you live shouldn’t determine whether you can get the health care you need,” said Rep. Nunn. “That’s why we fought to bring $209 million back to Iowa to strengthen rural health care. In Wayne County, that means a patient fighting cancer can get treatment close to home instead of spending hours on the road — near the family and neighbors helping them through it. That’s the difference these investments can make. Rural hospitals have been asking for this support for years, and now they’re putting it to work for their patients. I’m urging CMS to keep that progress going for Iowa’s rural communities next year.”\n\nThe Rural Health Transformation Program was established through the Working Families Tax Cuts, which invested a historic $50 billion over five years to strengthen rural health care nationwide. This year, Iowa led the nation as the first state to roll out these funds, delivering grants to 58 awardees for rural healthcare worker recruitment, 42 awardees for new medical equipment, and five for new Combat Cancer Health Hubs, along with investments in chronic disease prevention and maternal and child health.\n\nFour of Iowa’s five Combat Cancer Health Hubs are located in the Third District: Wayne County Hospital in Corydon, Ottumwa Regional Health Center, Greater Regional Medical Center, and Shenandoah Medical Center. These hubs will build regional cancer care networks to expand treatment access in rural communities. Together with other investments through the Rural Health Transformation Program, these funds will help rural health care providers expand services through new medical equipment, workforce recruitment, telehealth, and partnerships with other providers.\n\nThe delegation’s letter highlights the immense progress already underway across Iowa’s healthcare system and urges CMS to give the state’s fiscal year 2027 Rural Health Transformation Program funding request full and fair consideration to continue this historic investment.\n\nA copy of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://nunn.house.gov/2026/10/06/nunn-secretary-rollins-tour-animal-rescue-league-highlight-puppy-mills-crackdown/", "title": "Nunn, Secretary Rollins Tour Animal Rescue League, Highlight Puppy Mills CrackDown", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://nunn.house.gov/category/news/press-releases/", "domain": "nunn.house.gov", "scraper": "nunn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000193", "name": "Zachary Nunn", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "“Man’s best friend deserves better than a lifetime of cruelty at the hands of puppy mill operators chasing a profit,” said Rep. Nunn. “I secured a bipartisan crackdown on puppy mills in the House-passed Farm Bill, and I’m grateful to work alongside Secretary Rollins to turn that authority into action: enforce the law, stop the abuse, and protect dogs before shelters have to rescue them.”\n\n“Animal cruelty has no place in this country, and breeders who break the law must be held accountable,” said Secretary Rollins. “USDA is strengthening inspections and enforcement to protect dogs from abuse before rescue becomes their only hope. I’m grateful to Congressman Nunn for his leadership and to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa for its tireless work giving these animals the care and the second chance they deserve.”\n\nIowa remains one of the largest puppy mill states in the nation. In 2024 alone, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and partner organizations rescued more than 400 animals from puppy mills, hoarding, and other inhumane conditions across the state. Rep. Nunn secured a bipartisan amendment in the House-passed Farm Bill reinforcing USDA’s authority to crack down on abusive breeders.\n\nIn September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) deployed a new Animal Protection Bureau to identify unlicensed breeders, strengthen inspections, and coordinate enforcement against illegal operations. So far in 2026, USDA has conducted more than 2,000 inspections of dog breeder and broker facilities, suspended six licenses, and revoked five more from chronic violators.\n\nPhotos from the visit are available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://olszewski.house.gov/media/press-releases/olszewski-applauds-37-billion-investment-tradepoint-atlantic-sparrows-point", "title": "Olszewski Applauds $3.7 Billion Investment in Tradepoint Atlantic at Sparrows Point", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://olszewski.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "olszewski.house.gov", "scraper": "olszewski", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000176", "name": "Johnny Olszewski, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(Baltimore, MD) — Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski today applauded Anduril Industries’ plans to build a new advanced manufacturing facility at Tradepoint Atlantic in Sparrows Point, a $3.7 billion investment expected to create 3,100 direct jobs and more than 10,000 indirect jobs building Virginia-class submarines for the U.S. Navy.\n\n“Every family deserves the dignity that comes with a good paycheck, and this project will help deliver that promise to thousands of Marylanders,” said Congressman Johnny Olszewski. “As someone whose roots run deep in Sparrows Point, I know what this historic site has meant to generations of Marylanders. I’ve had the privilege of fighting for its future as a state delegate, Baltimore County Executive, U.S. Congressman — and, most importantly, as someone who has always called this community home.\n\n“For years, we’ve worked to transform Sparrows Point from a symbol of industrial decline into a center of opportunity, and today’s announcement is a powerful sign of how far we’ve come. This investment – with the help of commitments by the State of Maryland and Baltimore County – brings good-paying jobs, advanced manufacturing and new capabilities that will strengthen our national security back to a site with a proud history of building for America.\n\n“I’m proud of the role I’ve played in helping lay the groundwork for Sparrows Point’s next chapter, and I’m even prouder to see that work creating new opportunities for working families. This is an investment in Baltimore County, in Maryland’s manufacturing future and in the workers who will build it.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases/pappas-meets-with-nh-cap-leaders-on-rising-energy-costs-and-liheap", "title": "Pappas Meets with NH CAP Leaders on Rising Energy Costs and LIHEAP", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "pappas.house.gov", "scraper": "pappas", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000614", "name": "Chris Pappas", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Yesterday Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) hosted a roundtable with leaders of New Hampshire Community Action Partnership agencies for a discussion on the impact of rising energy costs on Granite Staters and the importance of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).\n\nNew Hampshire households could pay $2,300 for home heating oil this winter because of President Trump’s war with Iran, a 31% increase. The cost of groceries rose 2.9 percent overall this year, and families paid $310 more for food during President Trump's first year in office compared to 2024. In total, American families have spent over $3,800 more on goods and services since President Trump took office.\n\n“Electricity prices are up, natural gas and home heating oil prices are up, and diesel fuel is hitting record highs. Granite Staters don’t need federal data to tell them this: they are feeling it with every electric and gas bill. As we enter the colder months, tackling the rising cost of energy could not be more urgent,” said Congressman Pappas. “My new legislation would lower energy costs by increasing federal support for heating assistance, expanding eligibility to more families, and lowering gas and diesel costs. I will continue fighting to lower costs for families and put more money back in their pockets.”\n\nPappas recently introduced three new bills to lower energy costs.\n\nThe LIHEAP Act would expand the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), one of the most successful programs aimed at reducing energy costs for working families.\n\nThe American Homes First Act would increase funding for LIHEAP by redirecting $1 billion from President Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ slush fund.\n\nThe Consumer Fuel Prices Relief Act would provide federal fuel tax relief until the end of September 2027 by pausing the gas tax, the diesel tax, and the aviation fuel tax, while ensuring the benefit is immediately passed on to consumers in full. The legislation builds on his bicameral Gas Prices Relief Act of 2026, introduced in March, which would have suspended the federal gas tax through October 1, 2026. The legislation safeguards and maintains funding for roads, bridges, and gas spill remediation, and holds corporations accountable if they fail to pass along savings to individual consumers.\n\nBackground:\n\nLIHEAP helps low-income individuals and families pay for heating and cooling and mitigates the impacts of rising energy costs and extreme weather events. Across the nation, LIHEAP helps nearly 6 million households afford their energy bills, including nearly 30,000 households in New Hampshire, but Secretary Kennedy’s decision last year to fire all LIHEAP staff and President Trump’s repeated efforts to fully defund the program have put this assistance at risk.\n\nIn September 2026, Pappas led 116 of his Congressional colleagues across the aisle in urging for LIHEAP funds to be delivered to states as soon as possible, and no later than November 1st. He previously led 89 of his Congressional colleagues in calling for the protection of LIHEAP and the rehiring of all HHS staff who manage the LIHEAP program that were fired in April 2025, and has repeatedly led bipartisan calls for the Trump administration to distribute LIHEAP funds in a timely manner.\n\nPappas is a fierce advocate for efforts that lower energy costs for Granite Staters and programs that help low-income families pay their bills. He has previously introduced, cosponsored, or called for the passage of the following legislation:", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/pou-statement-release-martin-soto-ice-detention", "title": "Pou Statement On Release of Martin Soto from ICE Detention", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "pou.house.gov", "scraper": "pou", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000621", "name": "Nellie Pou", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PATERSON, NJ – Tonight, U.S. Representative Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) celebrated the release of Martin Soto, a resident of the Ninth Congressional District who was held in ICE custody for several months.\n\n“I am so overjoyed that Martin Soto is finally freed from ICE custody,” stated Rep. Nellie Pou, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security. “Martin was undeniably targeted and mistreated, being moved from Delaney Hall to the Elizabeth Detention Center and held in solitary confinement. For months my office has been pushing ICE to release Martin and tonight justice is finally being done. It should have happened months ago. ICE remains out of control in our state and we must continue to oppose its rampant abuses. But tonight we can be grateful the hard work from so many paid off and Martin is being reunited with his family.”\n\nInitially detained in Newark, Martin Soto was moved to the Elizabeth Detention Center in retaliation for his role in the hunger and labor strike to highlight the deplorable conditions at Delaney Hall. There, Martin experienced harsh retribution including isolation.\n\nRep. Pou and her staff have been working with the Soto family, advocates, and other elected officials to obtain his release for months.\n\n“I am so happy Martin is finally being released from ICE custody,” said Gabby Soto, wife of Martin Soto. “I want to thank Congresswoman Nellie Pou for all of her work on his case. Her efforts were critical to us finally reaching this moment.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://pressley.house.gov/2026/10/06/watch-pressley-wu-breadon-condemn-usps-service-cuts-and-proposed-closure-of-allston-post-office/", "title": "WATCH: Pressley, Wu, Breadon Condemn USPS Service Cuts and Proposed Closure of Allston Post Office", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pressley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "pressley.house.gov", "scraper": "pressley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000617", "name": "Ayanna Pressley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Transcript: Rep. Pressley Condemns USPS Plan to Close Allston Branch\n\nOctober 5, 2026\n\nAllston, MA\n\nIn serving on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I was conducting a lot of oversight in the fight to send Postmaster DeJoy on his way. And I thought when we did that that we might be getting on a path to what the people deserve, and certainly the dedicated postal workers deserve. Instead, we find ourselves here.\n\nBut the reason why, in the midst of this, I still have hope, is because I believe in the power of pressure.\n\nI believe in the power of organizing. I believe in the power of solidarity.\n\nI was looking at Representative Honan and remembering the fight to save our branch libraries when we all came together and understood that they are a public good, a lifeline to and for the community, and so this is that same kind of fight. This is about livelihoods. This is about lives. This is about commerce. This is about connectivity. So that’s what brings us all here today.\n\nI’m so grateful for the leadership of everyone who has been named and who has not been named, I’m so grateful to our mayor for convening us, and certainly grateful to our Council President, President Breadon, who has been indefatigable, and that is what we need to be in this fight.\n\nFolks were shuddering a little bit. Maybe it’s a little chilly. It’s hot one second, cold the next. Yeah, welcome to perimenopause.\n\nBut the point is, the point is, you might be a little uncomfortable, but deal with it, so that we are never complacent in our advocacy.\n\nI grew up in a family of proud letter carriers, postal workers, nurses, first responders. That was how we built the middle class. These good union jobs. They take pride in that work, no matter the weather, no matter the season, no matter the ingratitude, so that’s what brings us here today.\n\nSo I thank you all for showing up, for giving a damn, to show your support for reopening your neighborhood’s post office, which has been closed since 2019.\n\nIt is a shame, and the reason why we have to agitate, resist, and give our feedback, we see this is a very slippery slope because they’re trying to bring the same pain to Dorchester, which is why solidarity is so essential in this moment.\n\nBut everyone here, your advocacy, your love of community is inspiring. Now, while this injustice has gone on for too long, you refuse, you accept it as an inevitability, and let it be quietly swept under the rug.\n\nSo again, I say thank you to everyone, and especially to Scott Hoffman and all of our brothers and sisters at the American Postal Workers Union, who stand up every day for their members, as well as service and reliability for our neighbors.\n\nFor the past seven years, Allston residents have gone without retail post office services and had to travel to Brighton, to Brookline, or Cambridge to do their daily business. In that time, USPS has made commitments to my office, my colleagues’ offices, and the folks living in this community that they were searching for a new location and would indeed reopen.\n\nThere have been ups and downs, but finally, finally, it appeared we were close to having the branch reopen. A lease had been agreed to, construction plans were in place with the developer. Now we are told that this plan is to keep this branch permanently closed.\n\nThis is unconscionable. This is unacceptable.\n\nWith last week’s announcement of the quote-unquote “temporary” closure of the Fields Corner Post Office, I find it hard to believe that this is just a coincidence. And to be clear, these efforts to close our local branches are all part of a coordinated campaign.\n\nY’all are tired of me saying it as the co-founder of the Stop Project 2025 Task Force, but it was all laid out. It was not a blueprint. It was a playbook. They want to privatize the USPS. They want to privatize these essential services that our constituents need every single day.\n\nThe USPS has been serving our communities for 250 years, delivering our mail, our checks, our prescriptions, and our ballots.\n\nThe dedicated carriers who are out on our sidewalks six days per week are members of our community. They know our neighbors, and they are the way folks most often interact with the federal government.\n\nThese services are not nice to haves—they are must haves. And you, along with every other community, has come to depend upon them and rightly deserve them.\n\nThese efforts to degrade and undermine the postal service are intended to exhaust you and your neighbors, so that you’ll give up and do your business somewhere else. Hell no, we won’t go. But the services provided by USPS are a public good and should not be left to billionaires and for-profit private corporations to play games with.\n\nToday, I’m proud to stand with Allston and everyone here, calling for the Postal Service to keep their word to this community.\n\nThey must reverse the decision, work to reopen the Austin branch, and restore daily service.\n\nIf they intend to follow through with this closure plan, they must give the community a way to have their voice heard, not simply hold a midday Zoom meeting when folks are at work or at school.\n\nThe 87,000 Allston-Brighton residents, our neighbors in Fields Corner, folks in Somerville, Grove Hall, and Mission Hill all need and should have an accessible and conveniently located post office to do their business.\n\nSo we will not stop advocating for what you deserve.\n\nAgain, I believe in the power of pressure, of organizing, and of solidarity.\n\nWe will not stop fighting the Republican campaign, because they are the architects of this, to privatize the postal service, and we will not stop fighting until Allston has a post office again.\n\nAnd now, as someone who comes from a long line of letter carriers, it is my privilege to introduce a man who fights for better service for our friends and neighbors every single day, national business agent for the American Postal Workers Union, Scott Hoffman.\n\n—", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://riley.house.gov/2026/10/06/riley-introduces-bill-to-restore-health-coverage-for-450000-new-yorkers/", "title": "RILEY INTRODUCES BILL TO RESTORE HEALTH COVERAGE FOR 450,000 NEW YORKERS", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://riley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "riley.house.gov", "scraper": "riley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000622", "name": "Josh Riley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "RILEY DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM VERIZON OVER RURAL LANDLINE SHUTOFFS\n\nBINGHAMTON, NY – Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) is demanding answers from Verizon about notices the company...\n\nRILEY INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO IMPROVE TRANSIT ACCESS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES\n\nWASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) and Representative James Gallagher...\n\nRILEY HELPS PASS BIPARTISAN BILL TO HOLD DATA CENTERS ACCOUNTABLE, LOWER UTILITY BILLS FOR UPSTATE NEW YORKERS\n\nWASHINGTON, DC — With the support of Representative Josh Riley (NY-19), the U.S. House passed...\n\nHOUSE PASSES RILEY BILL TO CRACK DOWN ON “TRANQ,” THE DEADLY SEDATIVE MAKING FENTANYL EVEN MORE LETHAL\n\nBipartisan legislation gives law enforcement new tools against xylazine traffickers while protecting veterinarians,...\n\nICYMI: RILEY CONVENES ROUNDTABLE ON UTILITY COSTS\n\nBINGHAMTON, NY — Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) brought together local residents, business owners, and...\n\nRILEY INTRODUCES BILL TO BAN THE SALE OF DATA OBTAINED BY SMART METERS\n\nWASHINGTON, DC —Today, Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) and Representative Mike Kennedy...\n\nHOUSE PASSES RILEY BILL TO CRACK DOWN ON CHINA, PROTECT AMERICAN WORKERS\n\nWASHINGTON, DC – The United States House of Representatives has passed the Protecting American Industry...\n\nNYSEG REFUSES TO ANSWER REP. RILEY’S QUESTIONS ABOUT BILLING ERRORS\n\nITHACA, NY — Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) is demanding answers from New York State Electricity...\n\nRILEY BILL TO BAN BONUSES FOR UTILITY CEOS PICKS UP BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN SENATE\n\nSenators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduce Senate companion to Riley’s No Bonuses for...\n\nHOUSE PASSES RILEY-BACKED BILL TO SPEED UP DEMENTIA DIAGNOSES\n\nWASHINGTON, DC – The House has passed a bipartisan bill cosponsored by Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) to help rural...\n\nRILEY DELIVERS MAJOR WIN FOR UPSTATE APPLE GROWERS FACING $30 MILLION IN LOSSES\n\nRiley took growers’ case directly to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and pushed USDA to deliver relief...", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://sarajacobs.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-sara-jacobs-responds-to-trumps-dangerous-comments-on-san-diego", "title": "Rep. Sara Jacobs Responds to Trump’s Dangerous Comments on San Diego", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://sarajacobs.house.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "sarajacobs.house.gov", "scraper": "sarajacobs", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000305", "name": "Sara Jacobs", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Following President Trump’s comments suggesting that hypothetical Iranian attacks on San Diego or Los Angeles would be a “small price to pay,” Rep. Sara Jacobs released the following statement:\n\n“The President sent San Diegans into a panic with his dangerous comments last night. I’ve received a flood of texts, calls, and emails from my constituents wondering if we’re safe, if there’ve been credible threats, and if we’re under attack. I’ve personally spoken with the local FBI field office and military leaders today, and they relayed to me that there are currently no increased threats to San Diego.\n\n“It’s unbelievably distressing that President Trump is the cause of this stress when he’s supposed to protect and reassure our country. His comments are inexcusable. They don’t need more context, and we don’t need a thicker skin to understand them. San Diego and Los Angeles aren’t expendable, and neither are the service members who’ve already been killed in President Trump’s war with Iran. We need to end this war now before President Trump decides that all Americans can be collateral damage.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://scholten.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-scholten-introduces-coin-act-help-small-businesses-evaluate-uses", "title": "Congresswoman Scholten Introduces COIN Act to Help Small Businesses Evaluate Uses of Digital Assets", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://scholten.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "scholten.house.gov", "scraper": "scholten", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001221", "name": "Hillary J. Scholten", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), member of the House Small Business Committee, introduced the Currency Options, Information, and Navigation (COIN) Act. This legislation would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create learning modules to help small businesses learn how to evaluate the use of digital assets, such as cryptocurrency, for their operations. According to PayPal, 39 percent of American merchants currently accept cryptocurrency at checkout, and 84 percent believe payments using cryptocurrency will become common within the next five years.\n\n“Small businesses keep our state and country running, but too many owners are being asked to navigate rapidly changing technology without clear, reliable guidance or learning opportunities,” said Congresswoman Scholten. “Digital assets like cryptocurrency are becoming more and more common at checkout counters, which is why I’m proud to introduce the COIN Act to make sure Main Street businesses have what they need to adapt and succeed.”\n\nThe bill requires these learning modules to be made with detailed information on the benefits and drawbacks of digital assets, and would provide entrepreneurs information on the logistics involving this technology, including tax implications and security risks if they choose to adopt any kind of digital asset. Additionally, this bill directs the SBA Administrator to work with relevant agencies to achieve accuracy in the information provided, with the goal of creating a comprehensive resource for small businesses. Finally, the bill establishes an Advisory Working Group made up of members from academia, industry, and financial consumer advocates to inform the creation of these learning modules.\n\nThis bill reflects the Congresswoman’s ongoing efforts to support small business owners in Michigan and across the country. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Scholten’s bipartisan Investing in All of America Act was signed into law, and her Main Street Competes Act, AI WISE Act, and AI for Main Street Actall passed the House.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://smucker.house.gov/media/press-releases/smucker-makes-case-bipartisan-fiscal-commission-584-vetoes-podcast", "title": "Smucker Makes Case for Bipartisan Fiscal Commission on 584 Vetoes Podcast", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://smucker.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "smucker.house.gov", "scraper": "smucker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001199", "name": "Lloyd Smucker", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Vice Chairman of the House Budget Committee and a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, joined the 584 Vetoes podcast to discuss the nation’s $40 trillion national debt and the need for bipartisan action to put the country on a more sustainable fiscal path. The podcast was hosted by Brian Miller, MD, MBA, MPH, FACPM, a practicing hospitalist, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University, and a Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution.\n\nListen here on Spotify | Listen here on YouTube | Listen Here on Apple Podcasts |\n\nRead more and listen here on Substack\n\nDuring the conversation with host Brian Miller, Smucker made the case for establishing a bipartisan fiscal commission that would bring lawmakers, experts, and the American people into a national conversation about the country’s fiscal future.\n\n“The commission would be a vehicle to discuss the options that we have available, and perhaps even more important, it would be a discussion with the American public,” Smucker said. “That, I think, is the value of a commission.”\n\nSmucker said he envisions a commission holding hearings across the country to engage Americans directly in understanding the nation’s fiscal challenges and the consequences of failing to address them.\n\n“People get that and people want to see us solve this,” Smucker said. “The commission would engage the public and then bring the experts in and provide the recommendations that would lead to that legislation.”\n\nSmucker also discussed the impact of the federal government spending more than $1 trillion annually on interest on the debt, the need to strengthen Social Security and Medicare for future generations, and the combination of stronger economic growth and responsible spending reforms necessary to improve the nation’s fiscal outlook.\n\nSmucker said the House Budget Committee has an important role to play in driving that conversation, describing the committee as the “conscience of the conference and of Congress” and saying it should hold Congress accountable while providing “the road map and the path to better fiscal policy.”\n\nThe full episode of 584 Vetoes, “It’s Time for a Fiscal Commission to Fix the Debt with Congressman Lloyd Smucker,” is available here.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-announces-1-million-us-department-justice-grant-osceola-county-sheriffs", "title": "Soto Announces $1 Million U.S. Department of Justice Grant for the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "soto.house.gov", "scraper": "soto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001200", "name": "Darren Soto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Image\n\nOctober 6, 2026\n\nThe funds awarded result from a FY26 Community Project Funding request made by Rep. Soto\n\nOSCEOLA COUNTY, FL — Today, Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) announced that the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office received $1 million from the U.S. Department of Justice to purchase sophisticated software, equipment, and technology for the Central Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.\n\n“I am proud to announce that the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is receiving $1 million from the U.S. Department of Justice as a result of our FY26 Community Project Funding request. This funding is critical to ensuring the task force has the resources to protect Central Florida children from predatory behavior online,” said Rep. Soto. “Over the years, we have worked closely with local law enforcement on securing COPS grants and bringing down federal dollars to help keep our communities safe.”\n\n“The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office appreciates everything that Rep. Darren Soto has done to protect children, including his support of the ICAC Task Force,” said the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.\n\nThe funds awarded through the Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program result from a FY26 Community Project Funding request made by Rep. Soto. For FY27, he has requested $998,200 for the task force to acquire additional resources needed to prevent and investigate these offenses.\n\nThe Central Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is part of a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing more than 6,200 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating, prosecuting, and developing effective responses to internet crimes against children.\n\nFor online safety tips and more information about the task force, visit the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office website.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-announced-15-million-federal-funding-oak-hill", "title": "Rep. Subramanyam Announced $1.5 Million Federal Funding for Oak Hill", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "subramanyam.house.gov", "scraper": "subramanyam", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001230", "name": "Suhas Subramanyam", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) announced an award of $1.5 million in federal grants for the mansion and outbuildings of the fifth President of the United States, James Monroe. Oak Hill, located in Loudoun County, has been preserved for hundreds of years and provides the local community and visitors access to American history and educational programming. Earlier this year, the Virginia General Assembly approved Governor Spanberger’s budget amendment to designated Oak Hill as a State Park. That amendment was championed by Senator Russet Perry and Delegate John McAuliff.\n\n“Oak Hill is an important part of our history and has survived hundreds of years. This funding will ensure it can continue to live on for generations. I am proud that federal funding will help maintain and preserve this historical landmark. I look forward to seeing people of all ages in our community and across the world visit Oak Hill for many years to come,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanayam.\n\n“For more than two years, we fought in Richmond to make Oak Hill a state park and protect more than 1,200 acres of Loudoun County and President Monroe’s historic home. We got it done, and now the work is making sure Oak Hill has what it needs to thrive for the long term. This $1.5 million in federal funding will help us do that, and I’m grateful to Congressman Subramanyam for securing these resources and being a partner in Oak Hill’s future. I’m looking forward to continuing this work and getting Oak Hill State Park open to the public,” said Senator Russet Perry.\n\n\"Oak Hill will be an enormous investment in the quality of life and conservation of Western Loudoun by opening up over 1,200 acres of farm and forestland for recreational use. The new funding secured by Congressman Subramanyam and State budget language provided by Gov. Spanberger ensures this land and history will be treasured by generations to come,\" said Delegate John McAuliff.\n\n“Oak Hill stands as a powerful reminder of our nation’s founding story, and these grants ensure that story will be preserved for generations to come. We’re grateful to Rep. Subramanyam and our federal partners at the National Park Service for recognizing what this site means – not just to Loudoun County, but to the story of our nation as we mark 250 years of independence,” said Heather Richards, Mid-Atlantic Vice President, The Conservation Fund.\n\nOf the $1.5 million in grants for preservation and restoration, $750k from Save America’s Treasures and $750k from Semiquincentennial grants. View the NPS announcements of funding here and here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://susielee.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-introduces-bipartisan-bill-protect-high-risk-faith-based-and", "title": "Congresswoman Lee Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect High-Risk Faith-Based and Community Organizations", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://susielee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "susielee.house.gov", "scraper": "susielee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000590", "name": "Susie Lee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) introduced the bipartisan Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act, which would make it easier for nonprofit organizations at high risk of terrorist attack to access federal grant funding for target hardening and physical security enhancements.\n\n“We can all agree that our children should be able to go to school and that families should be able to worship without fear. As hate crimes rise throughout the country, nonprofit organizations, churches, synagogues, mosques, and religious schools are diverting their scarce resources away from serving their communities to pay for security cameras, guards, and emergency trainings,” said Congresswoman Lee. “No organization should be forced to choose between keeping their members safe or their financial stability. This commonsense, bipartisan bill will help nonprofit organizations fund security improvements and overall preparedness, so they can keep those they serve safe amid increased violence and harassment.”\n\n“Every American should be able to worship without fear. When a church, synagogue, or other place of worship is approved for a federal security grant, it should be able to spend the money to improve security immediately. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act gets security dollars out the door faster and helps protect our communities,” said Congresswoman Salazar.\n\nCongress created the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in 2004 to help nonprofit organizations prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist or extremist attacks. The program funds target hardening, physical security improvements, and related preparedness activities for nonprofits at high risk of terrorism or hate-motivated violence.\n\nUnder current law, nonprofit organizations selected to receive an NSGP grant through a competitive application process must pay out of pocket for approved critical security upgrades and then wait months—or even years—to be reimbursed. This places these organizations in an impossible situation: cut into their limited budgets to ensure the safety of those they serve without any idea of when they might see that money or forgo critical security upgrades to ensure they can continue their work unabated.\n\nThe Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act would amend the current law to require that NSGP awards be issued to approved nonprofits in advance, rather than as a reimbursement for costs already incurred. By allowing advance payments, FEMA could better support approved nonprofits that lack upfront capital, speed implementation of needed security measures, and strengthen protection for vulnerable communities.\n\n“Synagogues and nonprofit are paying out of pocket for essential security, then waiting months or years to get their money back,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “Providing funding upfront to institutions already approved for security grants would help ease that financial burden and allow them to make critical security improvements sooner. We thank Representatives Susie Lee and María Elvira Salazar for advancing this commonsense solution to get security dollars where they’re needed, when they’re needed.”\n\n“According to American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) State of Antisemitism in America 2025 Report, 28% of American Jews say that at least one Jewish institution they are affiliated with has been a target of antisemitic incidents in the last five years. As threats against Jewish institutions continue to rise, we applaud Representatives Susie Lee and María Elvira Salazar for introducing the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act,” said Julie Rayman, AJC’s Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs. “By removing a financial barrier that can delay or prevent needed security upgrades, this legislation will help at-risk institutions better protect the communities they serve.”\n\n“Counties are on the front lines of keeping communities safe, but too often they are left filling the gap when nonprofits can’t afford to pay upfront for critical security upgrades,” said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. “The Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act would allow approved nonprofits to receive funding upfront, helping them strengthen security sooner rather than delaying upgrades due to lack of capital. That means safer facilities, stronger coordination with local law enforcement and more resilient communities. Counties urge Congress to advance this bipartisan legislation quickly.”\n\n“The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is an important resource for houses of worship to better secure themselves against acts of hate and prepare for all kinds of emergencies, but the logistical burdens of the process can pose barriers to applicants. This important proposal to disburse funds up front rather than requiring a reimbursement-based model removes one such major hurdle. With these kinds of improvements, as well as timely and apolitical execution by the Department of Homeland Security, NSGP can continue to serve more of our nation's most vulnerable communities in a time of increased threats.” – Mannirmal Kaur, Senior Federal Policy Manager, The Sikh Coalition.\n\nThe Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act is endorsed by Jewish Nevada, American Jewish Committee (AJC), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), National Association of Counties (NACO), Secure Community Network, and The Sikh Coalition.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://taylor.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-taylor-joins-ohio-trucking-leaders-roundtable-discussion", "title": "Congressman Taylor Joins Ohio Trucking Leaders in Roundtable Discussion", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://taylor.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "taylor.house.gov", "scraper": "taylor", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000490", "name": "David J. Taylor", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "CHILLICOTHE, OH – Congressman Dave Taylor (OH-02) today joined the Ohio Trucking Association and local trucking industry leaders in a roundtable discussion at Kenworth on the critical role trucking plays in Ohio’s economy and the challenges trucking companies are facing across the state. Representatives from local companies shared their perspective and discussed ways Congress could best support the industry and promote safety on Ohio’s roads.\n\n“America’s trucking industry moves 11 billion tons of goods more than 300 billion miles each year, and serves as the backbone of our economy,” said Congressman Taylor. “I was grateful to hear directly from Ohio’s trucking professionals today about the challenges they’re facing on the road and how I can best support them in Congress. As the founder of the Congressional Trucking Caucus, I will continue fighting to support Ohio’s hardworking truck drivers, uphold strong CDL safety standards, and ensure commercial trucks and families can safely share the road.”\n\nCongressman Taylor is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and is the founding member of the bipartisan Congressional Trucking Caucus, where he works to advance policies that support America’s trucking industry, strengthen highway safety, and keep goods moving across the country.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/thompson-keating-highlight-german-american-partnership", "title": "Thompson, Keating Highlight German-American Partnership", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "thompson.house.gov", "scraper": "thompson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000467", "name": "Glenn Thompson", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) and Bill Keating (D-Mass.), co-chairs of the bipartisan German-American Caucus, introduced a resolution reaffirming German-American Friendship and supporting continued cooperation between the United States and Germany.\n\nMore than 36 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, this resolution reaffirms the importance of the alliance between the United States and Germany and underscores our shared commitment to democracy. It also supports the “Wunderbar Together” initiative, which aims to celebrate German-American art, culture, science, friendship, and more.\n\n“Pennsylvania has one of the largest populations of Americans with German heritage, and this resolution is an opportunity to acknowledge the strong alliance between the United States and Germany. I look forward to continuing to foster this partnership for years to come, and celebrating our two countries shared interests,” Rep. Thompson said.\n\n“Germany and the United States share a relationship based on values, traditions, and friendship between peoples. This resolution recognizes the profound contributions of Germans to the United States and Congress’ unwavering support for the US-German relationship. As Co-Chair of the Congressional German-American Caucus, I look forward to strengthening our relationship in the years to come,\" Rep. Keating said.\n\n“The transatlantic partnership between Germany and the United States remains a cornerstone of our economic ties and is grounded in shared values and interests. At a time of significant global economic and geopolitical challenges, strong transatlantic cooperation is more important than ever. The Representative of German Industry and Trade (RGIT) is pleased to reaffirm its support for Representative Thompson’s and Representative Keating's resolution and for continued cooperation between Germany and the United States.”– Representative of German Industry and Trade\n\nRepresentative of German Industry and Trade (RGIT) is the liaison office of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) in Washington, D.C.\n\nRead the full resolution here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3860", "title": "Trahan, Warren, Lynch, Lead Demands to Trump Administration to Provide Relief for Skyrocketing Winter Heating Bills Amid Iran War", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "trahan.house.gov", "scraper": "trahan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000482", "name": "Lori Trahan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) led 24 of their colleagues from Northeastern states in pressing the Department of Energy (DOE) to take immediate action to address the rapidly rising cost of heating oil, which has surged around 60 percent since the start of President Trump’s war in Iran. In their letter, the lawmakers urged the DOE to support an immediate end to the war and prioritize lowering energy costs for the winter, warning that rising prices will force families to choose between heating their homes and paying for basic necessities.\n\n“Heating oil costs for the upcoming winter are projected to reach record levels, and families throughout the northeastern United States will likely bear the brunt of these costs,” wrote the lawmakers.\n\nThe President’s war in Iran has played a large part in driving up the price of heating oil. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil from $72 to over $100 a barrel, causing a massive increase in heating oil costs in the United States. American families that rely on heating oil are projected to pay about $600 more to keep their homes warm this winter than last year.\n\nIn addition to increasing the cost of heating oil, the Trump administration has made or attempted to make heating costs for the upcoming winter even higher by:\n\nAttempting to eliminate the $4 billion Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that supports families with high energy bills.\n\nEffectively increasing taxes on solutions to the heating cost crisis by eliminating four tax credits and deductions that supported residential and commercial building energy efficiency upgrades.\n\nCutting more than $20 billion in clean energy and grid modernization funding for hundreds of energy projects across the country that would have decreased costs for families.\n\n“As Americans face immense difficulty with keeping the heat on, the administration appears to be cutting off all avenues for meaningful relief, handing out tax cuts to billionaires, spending tens of billions of dollars on an unnecessary foreign war, and jacking up costs for struggling families,” the lawmakers continued.\n\n“To address these costs for American families, we urge you to reverse course on the senseless war in Iran, undo the administration’s cuts to clean energy and grid modernization programs, work with Congress to repeal the tax increases imposed on energy efficiency upgrades and other ways to lower heating costs, and end the administration’s attacks on LIHEAP,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nThe lawmakers were joined by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.); and Representatives Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), John Mannion (D-N.Y.), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.).\n\nA copy of the letter sent today can be accessed HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://tran.house.gov/media/press-releases/dan-bieu-derek-tran-gioi-thieu-du-luat-giam-chi-phi-nha-o-cho-cac-gia-dinh-nam", "title": "Dân Biểu Derek Trần giới thiệu dự luật giảm chi phí nhà ở cho các gia đình Nam California", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://tran.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "tran.house.gov", "scraper": "tran", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000491", "name": "Derek Tran", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Dân Biểu Liên Bang Derek Trần (CA-45) giới thiệu Dự Luật Hỗ Trợ Chi Phí Sinh Hoạt Nhà Ở cho Người Thuê Nhà (COST) Act, để hỗ trợ cư dân tại Nam California đang phải đối mặt với chi phí nhà ở ngày càng tăng. Dự luật thiết lập các khoản tín dụng thuế dành cho người thuê nhà, tiếp nối nỗ lực của Dân Biểu Derek nhằm giúp người dân có thêm cơ hội tiếp cận nhà ở với chi phí hợp lý.\n\n“Chi phí nhà ở trên cả nước, đặc biệt tại Nam California, đã tăng đến mức báo động. Nhiều gia đình phải chật vật mới đủ tiền trả tiền thuê nhà, chưa nói đến việc tiết kiệm cho tương lai,” Dân Biểu Derek Trần cho biết. “Dự luật này sẽ mang lại sự hỗ trợ thiết thực và kịp thời cho những người thuê nhà đang gặp khó khăn, giúp họ trang trải tiền thuê nhà, có thêm ngân sách cho các chi phí sinh hoạt hằng ngày, hoặc thậm chí dành dụm để mua nhà. Tôi tự hào dẫn đầu nỗ lực này vì các gia đình khắp nước Mỹ.”\n\nCác gia đình tại Nam California phải đối mặt với mức chi phí nhà ở thuộc hàng cao nhất cả nước. Tại Orange County, tiền thuê nhà trung bình hiện vượt $3,200 mỗi tháng, tăng gần 40% kể từ năm 2017.\n\nDự luật đề nghị một khoản tín dụng thuế hoàn lại ở mức căn bản 8% dành cho các gia đình có tổng thu nhập từ $150,000 trở xuống, với mức hỗ trợ tối đa $333 mỗi tháng cho mỗi gia đình, tương đương $4,000 mỗi năm. Riêng tại Địa Hạt 45 của California, hơn 75,000 gia đình có thể được hưởng lợi từ chính sách này.\n\nTrong khi những giải pháp khác nhằm giảm chi phí nhà ở có thể cần nhiều thời gian để thực hiện, dự luật này sẽ trực tiếp giúp người thuê nhà có thêm tiền để trang trải thực phẩm, thuốc men, chi phí chăm sóc trẻ em, và các nhu cầu thiết yếu khác.\n\nNỗ lực lập pháp này tiếp nối những hoạt động của Dân Biểu Derek Trần nhằm giải quyết vấn đề nhà ở trong khu vực:\n\nDân Biểu Derek Trần đã vận động thành công $250,000 ngân sách liên bang để hỗ trợ xây dựng 2,700 căn nhà ở giá phải chăng lâu dài khắp Orange County.\n\nDân Biểu Derek đồng bảo trợ Dự Luật Saving the American Dream Act, nhằm thành lập một lực lượng đặc nhiệm liên cơ quan để giải quyết cuộc khủng hoảng nhà ở, và Dự Luật Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, hỗ trợ tài chính cho việc xây dựng thêm các khu nhà ở nhiều căn.\n\nNgoài ra, Dân Biểu Derek đã bỏ phiếu ủng hộ Dự Luật 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, được ký thành luật vào Tháng Bảy, 2026, đẩy nhanh tiến độ xây dựng nhà ở và giảm bớt các thủ tục hành chính không cần thiết.\n\nToàn văn dự luật có thể được xem TẠI ĐÂY.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2106", "title": "Congressman Van Drew Calls on FERC to Determine Refunds and Rate Relief for South Jersey", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vandrew.house.gov", "scraper": "vandrew", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000133", "name": "Jefferson Van Drew", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew sent a letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Laura Swett calling on the Commission to independently review how much Atlantic City Electric (ACE) customers were overcharged after a federal audit found the company overbilled transmission customers from 2021 to 2025.\n\n\"Atlantic City Electric cannot be allowed to decide for itself how much it overcharged people and then tell everyone the answer is less than two cents a month,\" said Congressman Van Drew. \"First, we were told there was nothing wrong. Then we were told that residential customers were not impacted. Once the federal audit proved there was overbilling, suddenly the answer became that people were owed almost nothing. Meanwhile, they have continued asking for rate increases while bringing in record profits. Anyone opening an electric bill in South Jersey knows why people are not buying that.\n\n\"The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities should have gotten to the bottom of this, but they have not. With the state refusing to act, I am asking FERC to use the authority available to it to independently determine what customers are owed from these transmission overcharges and what relief should follow. We need independent numbers and full refunds with interest to bring relief for South Jersey families.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-vasquez-urges-administration-halt-rule-change-expanding-vehicle-access-and", "title": "Rep. Vasquez Urges Administration to Halt Rule Change Expanding Vehicle Access and Increasing Risks on Public Lands", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vasquez.house.gov", "scraper": "vasquez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000136", "name": "Gabe Vasquez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – On October 6, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary Michael Boren and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Tom Schultz strongly opposing the Administration’s proposed rule expanding vehicle access to public lands and trails that are already facing maintenance backlogs. Vasquez was joined by 28 of his House and Senate colleagues in his call to keep the 2005 Travel Management Rule in place.\n\n“New Mexicans deserve public lands that are safe and well-managed. Ending the long-established Travel Management Rule would put public safety at risk and open the door to damage that will take generations to undo,” said Vasquez. “Hikers, hunters, and ranchers alike shouldn’t have to worry about more folks driving through the spaces they use for recreation and grazing. Instead of opening more of our public lands to vehicle access in places where access already exists, the Forest Service should focus on maintaining existing trails and roads. This broad reversal is unnecessary.\"\n\nThe USFS and the Bureau of Land Management have separate but similar rules requiring our public land agencies to provide clear, consistent guidance for how public lands are used, including where motorized vehicles, including cars and ATVs, can travel. For those who enjoy our public lands, whether on foot or on wheels, these rules help keep trails open, accessible, and responsibly managed. They also require public input before designating routes, produce Motor Vehicle Use Maps that show visitors where they can go, give rangers clear standards to enforce, and allow exceptions for emergency, military, and law enforcement vehicles.\n\nChanging the 2005 rule, as proposed by USDA, could endanger public safety, reduce quality access to our public lands, and degrade the quality of trails, lands and waters that support our nation’s wildlife and outdoor recreation economy.\n\nThe letter demands that any revisions to the 2005 Travel Management Rule preserve the following core principles:\n\nMaintain the current default of keeping routes and areas closed to motorized use unless expressly designated as open.\n\nCarry forward criteria that guide local land management decisions and protect critical public land values, including soil, watersheds, vegetation, and wildlife habitat, as well as reduce conflicts between public land uses such as camping, hiking, hunting, and grazing.\n\nTravel management decisions should continue to be informed by robust public engagement and local input.\n\nThe agencies must retain the ability to protect fish and wildlife habitat, riparian areas, water quality, and cultural resources.\n\nThe agencies should continue to clearly identify where motorized travel is permitted.\n\nThe agencies should consider the long-term cost of properly maintaining, staffing, and administering their transportation system before adding new routes or expanding access.\n\n“This is yet another egregious attack in the systematic dismantling of public lands management of our national forests,” said Paul Sanford, director for equitable access policy advocacy at The Wilderness Society. “Travel management provides the basic guardrails that let hikers, hunters, anglers, and riders share the same forest without chaos; removing those guardrails threatens the freedom of all public lands users to safely enjoy our national forests the way they choose. Paired with the proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule, this destructive agenda sells out future generations’ enjoyment of our forests in order to hand them over for corporate profits.”\n\n“We’re grateful to see Congressional Leaders pushing back on federal agency proposals to gut travel management regulations and prioritize off-road vehicles at the expense of wildlife, cultural sites, desert waterways and other recreationists, proposals that will make visiting Utah’s canyon country worse for everyone,” said Laura Peterson, Senior Attorney at the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). “The Trump Administration’s vision for public lands is not about balance or reasonable access, it is about blanketing landscapes with off-road vehicle routes, transforming quiet, wild places into motorized playgrounds.”\n\n\"We stand with Rep. Vasquez and his urgent request to keep the Travel Management Rule intact,” said Taylor Rush, government relations representative at Defenders of Wildlife. \"For more than two decades, this rule has protected our cherished wildlife, outdoor recreationists, clean water supply and local communities from the harmful impacts of unmanaged motorized vehicle use. Weakening the framework used to reduce habitat damage and social conflict would result in dangerous degradation of our wild places and wildlife.\"\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://vindman.house.gov/2026/10/06/vindman-stands-up-for-roadless-rule-to-protect-virginias-natural-resources-local-economies/", "title": "Vindman Stands Up for Roadless Rule to Protect Virginia’s Natural Resources, Local Economies", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "vindman.house.gov", "scraper": "vindman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000138", "name": "Eugene Simon Vindman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) — the only Virginian on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee — joined Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (Va.-04) in sending a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins opposing the Trump Administration’s proposal to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, commonly referred to as the “Roadless Rule.”\n\nSince its implementation in 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected 45 million acres of forest lands across the country, including nearly 394,000 acres in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Under the Trump Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Forest Service filed a proposal in August of this year to repeal the Roadless Rule, which could have devastating impacts on water quality, biodiversity, economic development and more for these regions.\n\nThe letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (Va.-03), Don Beyer (Va.-08), Suhas Subramanyam (Va.-10) and James Walkinshaw (Va.-11).\n\n“This proposal would strip protections from approximately 84% of Virginia’s roadless areas, opening these lands to road construction, logging, and other industrial activities. The consequences for Virginia’s environment, economy, and public health would be severe, falling squarely on the families and communities we represent,” wrote the lawmakers. “With more roadless acres than any other state east of the Mississippi River, Virginia has an outsized stake in decisions regarding the Roadless Rule. Once lost, these ecosystems and the countless benefits they provide to clean air, clean water, and climate resilience cannot be easily restored, if at all.”\n\nThe letter outlines the risks this rescission would pose to Virginia by jeopardizing Virginia’s drinking water and ecosystems, threatening economic activity driven by recreation and tourism activities, increasing wildfire risk and straining public resources.\n\n“For 25 years, the Roadless Rule has demonstrated that protecting America’s national forest lands is both effective and widely supported. Rescinding the Roadless Rule would ignore this overwhelming public consensus while undermining Virginia’s drinking water, biodiversity, local economies, and public safety,” the lawmakers concluded. “We urge the Department to withdraw this dangerous proposal and maintain the Roadless Area Conservation Rule of 2001 in its entirety.”\n\nRead the full letter text here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/walberg-welcomes-epa-regional-administrator-berrien-county", "title": "Walberg Welcomes EPA Regional Administrator to Berrien County", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "walberg.house.gov", "scraper": "walberg", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000798", "name": "Tim Walberg", "party": "Republican", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05) welcomed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel to southwestern Michigan for a visit to a local brownfield site and a stakeholder roundtable focused on Great Lakes priorities.\n\nCongressman Walberg and Administrator Vogel visited the former Anstey Foundry brownfield site in Stevensville. The site was awarded a $733,250 grant in June 2026, as part of the EPA's Brownfields Program to support cleanup, restoration, and community engagement efforts.\n\nThey then traveled to the Village of Michiana for a roundtable discussion with local leaders on Great Lakes Restoration Initiative successes, current basin challenges, and the EPA’s ongoing priorities.\n\n\"It was an honor to host Regional Administrator Vogel to highlight our shared commitment to protecting the Great Lakes and discuss the importance of strategic investments to create healthier, revitalized communities,\" said Rep. Walberg. \"Strong partnership with the EPA is essential to meeting the challenges facing the Great Lakes basin, accelerating cleanup efforts, and ensuring Michigan communities remain resilient and thriving for generations to come.”\n\n\"Today’s visit underscored how collaboration across all levels of government can move cleanup efforts forward and deliver lasting benefits for the people of Berrien County,\" said EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel. \"By partnering with local leaders and leveraging federal tools like the Brownfields Program and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, we are helping communities address legacy contamination, support economic revitalization, and protect one of our nation’s most important water resources.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-tonko-and-foushee-demand-fanduel-fess-up-about-celebrity-promo-videos-after-vip-message-was-used-to-target-gambling-addict", "title": "Blumenthal, Tonko, & Foushee Demand FanDuel Fess Up About Celebrity Promo Videos After VIP Message was Used to Target Gambling Addict", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Valerie Foushee (D-NC) today demanded FanDuel provide full videos and information about whether personalized celebrity messages were used to exploit vulnerable consumers and entice addicts to further gamble. Blumenthal, Tonko, and Foushee previously wrote to FanDuel after reports that the sportsbook used a personal video message from Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper to target an individual suffering from gambling addiction.\n\nIn response to the lawmakers’ previous letter, FanDuel acknowledged it had sent “approximately 30 such videos of athletes and entertainers over the last two years” as a “token of appreciation for a customer’s loyalty.”\n\nIn a letter sent today to FanDuel CEO Christian Genetski, the lawmakers demanded the sportsbook provide copies of each personalized video as well as information about whether the videos were sent to problem gamblers, writing, “While FanDuel claimed it ‘has not used personalized videos or messages to induce customers to continue gambling,’ that statement is clearly contradicted by the fact that the video of Mr. Harper that gave rise to these concerns was sent to an individual that had lost $1.5 million on bets on your platform.”\n\nBlumenthal, Tonko, and Foushee continued, “In addition, FanDuel claims to monitor a range of behaviors through ‘automated and manual proactive reviews to identify players who may be experiencing gambling harm,’ yet does not provide a full picture of how it uses this information, including whether that same data is used to target bettors with such predatory promotions.”\n\nThe full text of the lawmakers’ letter to Genetski is available here and below. FanDuel’s September 24 response to the lawmakers is available here.\n\nDear Mr. Genetski,\n\nWe write to demand that FanDuel provide the full videos and information regarding the dozens of personalized celebrity messages sent to VIP bettors, as revealed in its September 24th response to our Congressional inquiry. Despite FanDuel’s claims that these videos were not sent to entice destructive gambling, we remain concerned that FanDuel’s VIP program and its perks are used to exploit vulnerable bettors, especially those suffering from a gambling addiction.\n\nOn September 3, 2026, we wrote to you regarding FanDuel’s failure to adequately respond to our questions about disturbing reports that your VIP program repeatedly targeted problem gamblers with predatory perks, including with a personal message from Philadelphia Phillies first baseman, Bryce Harper. In your response, FanDuel acknowledged “approximately 30 such videos of athletes and entertainers over the last two years” as a “token of appreciation for a customer’s loyalty.” While FanDuel claimed it “has not used personalized videos or messages to induce customers to continue gambling,” that statement is clearly contradicted by the fact that the video of Mr. Harper that gave rise to these concerns was sent to an individual that had lost $1.5 million on bets on your platform. In addition, FanDuel claims to monitor a range of behaviors through “automated and manual proactive reviews to identify players who may be experiencing gambling harm,” yet does not provide a full picture of how it uses this information, including whether that same data is used to target bettors with such predatory promotions.\n\nGiven FanDuel’s repeated failures to protect bettors and previous deficient responses, we request that you provide the following information no later than October 20, 2026.\n\nPlease provide copies of each personalized video FanDuel has sent to its VIP bettors.\n\nFor each video, please describe the circumstances in which these were sent including:\n\nthe total amount each recipient had wagered beforehand and the amount that they had won or lost;\n\nwhether the recipient had ever requested to suspend their account, pause notifications, or take action to limit their gambling on the platform;\n\nthe reason that the VIP host decided to target that bettor;\n\nwhat steps the VIP host took to ensure that the bettor was not vulnerable to problematic gambling or showed signs of significant losses or economic hardship; and\n\nwhat service was used to obtain the video.\n\nFor each video, please describe the extent to which the athlete or celebrity was aware of the video’s promotion of gambling or connection to FanDuel.\n\nPlease describe the data and behaviors monitored in FanDuel’s screening process for problem gambling, and whether that same information is used to target bettors with personalized videos, push notifications, promotion, retention bonuses, and any other perks.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-senators-blunt-rochester-coons-submit-ethics-complaint-against-third-circuit-judge-jennifer-mascott/", "title": "NEWS: Senators Blunt Rochester, Coons submit ethics complaint against Third Circuit Judge Jennifer Mascott", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.bluntrochester.senate.gov", "scraper": "bluntrochester", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001303", "name": "Lisa Blunt Rochester", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester and Chris Coons, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee (both D-Del.), submitted a complaint against Judge Jennifer Mascott of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit with Circuit Executive Margaret Wiegand, calling for a review of Mascott’s conduct in light of recent reporting by Politico indicating that Mascott continued to run her late husband’s public affairs firm after her confirmation to the federal bench.\n\n“In our view, the ethical implications of Judge Mascott’s decision to lead this firm while simultaneously serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit deserve review,” the senators wrote. “Although ownership of an independent public affairs firm does not necessarily constitute judicial misconduct, ongoing and active engagement in managing that firm can be.”\n\nIn August, Politico broke the news that Mascott was “deeply involved in daily operations” at Adfero, a Washington public affairs firm she inherited from her late husband, for at least six months after her confirmation to the Third Circuit. While serving as a judge, Mascott worked out of Adfero’s Washington offices, oversaw staffing and business development operations, and made key “operational and strategic” decisions. Mascott also pushed the previously non-partisan firm in a conservative direction, bringing on consultants and clients “with strong MAGA credentials.”\n\n“If she is logging time [at Adfero] and it has the potential to interfere with her judicial duties, that is a no-go,” Charles Geyh, a law professor at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law who studies judicial ethics, told Politico.\n\n“Under a basic reading of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges,” the senators continued in their complaint, judges “may not maintain a second profession that could take time and focus away from their Senate-confirmed job. We are concerned that by dedicating extensive time and attention to her role in Adfero, Judge Mascott may have engaged in misconduct.”\n\nThe two senators also posed questions about whether Mascott’s work with Adfero has detracted from her work on the Court of Appeals, noting that since joining the bench, Judge Mascott “has issued only three written opinions in precedential cases, two of which are only about a page long.” Other Third Circuit judges have written significantly more in that time.\n\n“As representatives for the people of Delaware in the United States Senate, we want to ensure that the judges serving our state on the Third Circuit are fully committed to doing their best work, free from undue distraction or unethical conduct,” the senators concluded. “We look forward to your review of this complaint and thank you for your attention to this matter.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/news/press-releases/office-of-u-s-senator-katie-britt-to-host-service-academy-informational-sessions/", "title": "Office of U.S. Senator Katie Britt to Host Service Academy Informational Sessions", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.britt.senate.gov", "scraper": "britt", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001319", "name": "Katie Boyd Britt", "party": "Republican", "state": "AL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — The office of U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) will be hosting several service academy informational sessions throughout Alabama during October. During these sessions, interested parties can learn more about the Congressional nomination process and meet representatives from various service academies, as well as Marion Military Institute.\n\nYou can find the upcoming dates and times below.\n\nThursday, October 8, 2026: 6PM to 8PM\n\nHomewood Public Library Birmingham\n\n1721 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35209\n\nTuesday, October 20, 2026: 6PM to 8PM\n\nAlabama School of Cybertechnology & Engineering\n\n229 Wynn Drive NW, Huntsville, Alabama 35805\n\nWednesday, October 28, 2026: 6PM to 8PM\n\nAuburn University – Montgomery Campus\n\nTaylor Center 230\n\n7500 East Drive, Montgomery, Alabama 36117\n\nAttending a session will have no impact on a student’s application status for a nomination from Senator Britt. You can find more information about the service academy nominations process here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/news/press-releases/u-s-senators-katie-britt-raphael-warnock-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-level-the-playing-field-for-atlanta-braves-other-publicly-traded-sports-teams/", "title": "U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Raphael Warnock Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Level the Playing Field for Atlanta Braves, Other Publicly Traded Sports Teams", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.britt.senate.gov", "scraper": "britt", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001319", "name": "Katie Boyd Britt", "party": "Republican", "state": "AL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) introduced bipartisan legislation to address disparities in the tax treatment of publicly traded and privately owned sports teams. The legislation would update the tax code to ensure publicly traded professional sports teams receive the same tax treatment as privately owned teams when accounting for compensation paid to players, coaches, and team managers.\n\n“Beginning next year, a tax law signed in 2021 will expand to include a public company’s five highest-paid employees beyond its senior executives. For publicly traded professional sports organizations like the Atlanta Braves, this means players and other on-field personnel will be swept into a tax rule designed around executive compensation,” said Senator Britt. “Our bipartisan bill makes a targeted correction by excluding athletic personnel from that additional five-employee category while leaving the existing executive-compensation rules in place. I appreciate Senator Warnock’s partnership on this commonsense fix to ensure the Atlanta Braves are not unfairly penalized for being a public company.”\n\n“The Atlanta Braves are a historic franchise that has showcased Atlanta and Georgia to the world,” said Senator Warnock. “I am proud to have worked across the aisle to help the Atlanta Braves and other publicly owned teams continue to thrive and win on the playing field. This legislation will ensure fair tax treatment between professional sports teams.”\n\nThe legislation is supported by the Atlanta Braves. A companion bill is being led in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Brian Jack (R-Ga.), and Lucy McBath (D-Ga.).\n\n“We applaud the bipartisan work of Senators Warnock and Britt and Representatives Malliotakis, Suozzi, Jack, and McBath to correct an unintended competitive disadvantage harming publicly traded professional sports teams,” the Atlanta Braves said in a statement. “Unlike C-suite executives, professional athletes work within league rules and do not receive equity or make business decisions for their teams. Yet, the tax code does not recognize the distinction. These members agree that this was an unintended consequence, and we appreciate their willingness to clarify the original intent of the law.”\n\nYou can read more about the legislation here and media coverage on the Senators’ bill below:\n\nBipartisan legislation introduced to amend tax hike issue facing Braves, Knicks, Rangers\n\nBraves score bipartisan support in Washington tax battle\n\nThe latest sports tax Hail Mary\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-capito-cuts-ribbon-on-hill-hall-hotel-in-fayetteville", "title": "PHOTO: Capito Cuts Ribbon on Hill Hall Hotel in Fayetteville", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.capito.senate.gov", "scraper": "capito", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001047", "name": "Shelley Moore Capito", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) traveled to Fayetteville, W.Va., to cut the ribbon on Hill Hall Hotel. This hotel is a part of a two-phase development by Mountain Shore Properties to repurpose two closed school buildings.\n\n“It was great to be in Fayetteville to celebrate the grand opening of Hill Hall Hotel, an investment that represents a new chapter for Fayette County,” Senator Capito said. “I’m proud to see companies like Mountain Shore Properties continuing to invest in our state. I hope this area thrives for years to come and will provide a sense of hospitality for all who visit.”\n\n“The dedication of the original 1923 Fayetteville High School building, built by Italian Stone Masons from Piedicavallo, Italy and repurposed into the 40 Room Hill Hall Hotel, could not have been possible without the work of so many to transform this historic building into a truly unique hotel that will benefit citizens of Fayette County and of West Virginia. It is a perfect example of a private sector entity, Mountain Shore Properties, working in collaboration with Senator Capito’s successful efforts to create the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The guests who stay here will experience not only our small town hospitality, but will also enjoy our beautiful State and National Park; an experience that will be available for many, many generations to come,” Charlie Wendell, Founder and Chairman of Mountain Shore Properties, said.\n\nIn 2020, Senator Capito fought for the inclusion of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Designation Act—legislation she authored that redesignated the New River Gorge National River as the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve—in the year-end legislative package. The legislation was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The legislation led Founder and Chairman of Mountain Shore Properties, Charlie Wendell, to invest in this new boutique hotel.\n\nPhotos from today’s ribbon-cutting can be found below:\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) delivers remarks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Hill Hall Hotel in Fayetteville, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-receives-2026-clean-energy-champion-award", "title": "Senator Collins Receives 2026 Clean Energy Champion Award", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Click HERE for a full-resolution image.\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins was named a 2026 Clean Energy Champion by Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES). CRES recognized Senator Collins for her longstanding work to strengthen grid resilience, advance energy storage and clean energy technologies, and support investments in the nation’s energy infrastructure.\n\n“CRES has been an important partner in advancing responsible energy policies that strengthen our nation’s economy and energy security, and I am grateful to be recognized by the organization as a Clean Energy Champion,” said Senator Collins. “As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue working across the aisle to advance an all-of-the-above energy strategy that helps make energy more reliable and affordable while encouraging American innovation.”\n\nSenator Collins was a member of the bipartisan group of ten senators who negotiated the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which established the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) grant program to strengthen and modernize the nation’s electric grid. Through the GRIP program, Form Energy received a nearly $150 million federal award for a new battery-based energy storage facility located at the site of the former Lincoln Paper & Tissue Mill. In August, Senator Collins joined U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and local leaders in Lincoln to discuss the plans for the new facility.\n\nThe Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act, legislation authored by Senator Collins to support grid-scale energy storage research and development and improve the efficiency of the nation’s electric grid, was signed into law in 2020.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-coons-blunt-rochester-submit-ethics-complaint-against-third-circuit-judge-jennifer-mascott/", "title": "Senators Coons, Blunt Rochester submit ethics complaint against Third Circuit Judge Jennifer Mascott", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.coons.senate.gov", "scraper": "coons", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001088", "name": "Christopher A. Coons", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Court of Appeals judge ran right-wing lobbying firm while serving on the federal bench in potential violation of ethical requirements\n\nWILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senators Chris Coons, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Lisa Blunt Rochester (both D-Del.) submitted a complaint against Judge Jennifer Mascott of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit with Circuit Executive Margaret Wiegand, calling for a review of Mascott’s conduct in light of recent reporting by Politico indicating that Mascott continued to run her late husband’s public affairs firm after her confirmation to the federal bench.\n\n“In our view, the ethical implications of Judge Mascott’s decision to lead this firm while simultaneously serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit deserve review,” the senators wrote. “Although ownership of an independent public affairs firm does not necessarily constitute judicial misconduct, ongoing and active engagement in managing that firm can be.”\n\nIn August, Politico broke the news that Mascott was “deeply involved in daily operations” at Adfero, a Washington public affairs firm she inherited from her late husband, for at least six months after her confirmation to the Third Circuit. While serving as a judge, Mascott worked out of Adfero’s Washington offices, oversaw staffing and business development operations, and made key “operational and strategic” decisions. Mascott also pushed the previously non-partisan firm in a conservative direction, bringing on consultants and clients “with strong MAGA credentials.”\n\n“If she is logging time [at Adfero] and it has the potential to interfere with her judicial duties, that is a no-go,” Charles Geyh, a law professor at the Indiana University Mauer School of Law who studies judicial ethics, told Politico.\n\n“Under a basic reading of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges,” the senators continued in their complaint, judges “may not maintain a second profession that could take time and focus away from their Senate-confirmed job. We are concerned that by dedicating extensive time and attention to her role in Adfero, Judge Mascott may have engaged in misconduct.”\n\nThe two senators also posed questions about whether Mascott’s work with Adfero has detracted from her work on the Court of Appeals, noting that since joining the bench, Judge Mascott “has issued only three written opinions in precedential cases, two of which are only about a page long.” Other Third Circuit judges have written significantly more in that time.\n\n“As representatives for the people of Delaware in the United States Senate, we want to ensure that the judges serving our state on the Third Circuit are fully committed to doing their best work, free from undue distraction or unethical conduct,” the senators concluded. “We look forward to your review of this complaint and thank you for your attention to this matter.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-coons-sheehy-introduce-bipartisan-strata-act-to-strengthen-critical-minerals-supply-chains/", "title": "Senators Coons, Sheehy introduce bipartisan STRATA Act to strengthen critical minerals supply chains", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.coons.senate.gov", "scraper": "coons", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001088", "name": "Christopher A. Coons", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Strategic Technology and Resilient Alliances (STRATA) Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen U.S. and allied critical minerals supply chains by accelerating innovation and developing new technologies at every stage of mining and refining critical minerals. Representatives Young Kim (R-Calif.) and Ami Bera (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.\n\n“China’s critical mineral dominance poses a challenge the U.S. cannot address through traditional mining and processing alone,” said Senator Coons. “The STRATA Act would use America’s advantages in innovation and our strong ties with partners and allies around the world to secure our critical mineral infrastructure. By working with our allies to advance new technologies, build technical capacity, and strengthen supply chains, we can expand access to critical minerals and protect our national security.”\n\n“America is a nation of innovation. As we race to counter China’s dominance of critical minerals and secure our supply chain, we must maintain our competitive edge with new technological advances that can expedite the delivery of new critical mineral sources, reduce our dependency on foreign adversaries, and protect our national security,” said Senator Sheehy.“The STRATA Act will accelerate breakthroughs in extraction, processing, recycling, recovery, and advanced materials, working with our allies to build resilient supply chains and keep America at the forefront of critical-minerals innovation.”\n\n“The Chinese Communist Party has spent decades cornering the market on critical minerals and using supply chains as a tool of economic coercion,” said Rep. Kim. “We cannot wait another moment to address this challenge. The STRATA Act plays to America’s greatest strengths: innovation and our strong alliances. By launching a Critical Mineral Innovation Initiative at the State Department, sharing technology with allies, and expanding domestic recycling, we will build a secure supply chain faster and smarter. I’m proud to partner with Senator Coons in the Senate to get this bill signed into law, because economic security is national security, and the STRATA Act delivers both.”\n\nCritical minerals are essential to advanced technologies, energy infrastructure, semiconductors, and defense systems, but critical minerals supply chains remain heavily concentrated in China. The United States has made significant investments in expanding domestic mining and processing, including recent federal investments in new mining technologies, mineral recovery, and processing capacity.\n\nThe STRATA Act would complement those efforts by making innovation and international collaboration a central part of the U.S. critical minerals strategy. The legislation would establish formal partnerships with trusted allies to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced extraction and processing technologies, mineral substitution, recycling, recovery from waste streams, and new materials.\n\nThe STRATA Act would:\n\nEstablish a Critical Minerals Innovation Partnership Program at the State Department to coordinate U.S. and allied strategies, develop joint research and innovation initiatives, and support partnerships with universities, national laboratories, nonprofits, and industry\n\nCreate International Centers of Excellence at academic institutions to advance research, technical assistance, workforce development, and long-term partnerships across the critical minerals supply chain\n\nLaunch a public digital platform serving as a centralized clearinghouse for funding opportunities, solicitations, and collaborative research, while creating pathways for startups and emerging companies to participate\n\nConnect innovation to commercialization and national security by coordinating with federal agencies, financing institutions, the National Science and Technology Council, and the National Defense Technology and Industrial Base Council to help move promising technologies from research and development ultimately into deployment\n\nStrengthen supply chain safeguards and transparency by establishing standards for data security, sensitive technologies, supply chain transparency, monitoring, and verification, while limiting participation by countries and entities of concern\n\nBuild long-term allied capacity through technical assistance, joint research, shared infrastructure, and cooperation on environmental, labor, and human rights standards\n\nThe STRATA Act would authorize these partnerships for 10 years and require congressional notification before establishing new partnerships. The legislation would also prohibit partnerships with countries of concern and entities of concern.\n\n“The STRATA Act represents forward-thinking policy that the United States needs to maintain its technological edge and its leadership on science diplomacy,” said Daniel Correa, Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of American Scientists. “Structured partnerships with our allies on critical minerals innovation can ensure that the best science and the best talent are working together towards shared security and economic prosperity.”\n\n“Engaging earlier and in-depth on critical technologies that will shape our collective futures is a statecraft imperative for liberal democracies globally. I’m delighted to see this Committee and the Legislative Branch recognizing and acting to drive a leadership role for the US and the DoS. Now is absolutely the time!” said Dawn Meyerriecks, former director of the Directorate of Science and Technology at the Central Intelligence Agency.\n\n“Increasing the legibility of existing investments, agreements, and supplies of critical minerals can surface information for policymakers and private investors focused on securing supply chains,” said Joshua Levine, director, Technology & Statecraft, Foundation for American Innovation (*affiliation for identification only). “STRATA works to do this, within a defined timeline, and should be seen as a positive step toward loosening chokepoints for inputs critical to American innovation and next-generation technologies.”\n\n“STRATA is a well-timed and strongly bipartisan effort to tackle one of the most important national security challenges of the day — how to ensure that the growing demand for critical minerals to power our defense systems, energy transition and the infrastructure to support America’s lead in the AI revolution does not strengthen China’s already strong position in these supply chains,” said Geoff Pyatt, Ambassador (ret.), senior managing director of Energy and Critical Minerals at McLarty Associates. “The State Department — and the energy security team that I was honored to lead — has worked closely with the Congressional foreign affairs leadership to make sure that America’s national security toolkit is fit for purpose on these issues. And China has already demonstrated in repeated instances its willingness to weaponize its market dominance in these sectors for strategic advantage. I applaud Senator Coons and his Senate colleagues for focusing SFRC attention on this critical line of effort.”\n\n“America and our allies have the ingenuity and industrial base to lead the world in critical minerals mining and processing,” said ClearPath Action CEO Jeremy Harrell. “The STRATA Act puts these advantages to work and funds the joint research needed to surpass China and secure the supply chain that next-generation energy technologies rely on.”\n\n“The STRATA Act takes a smart, forward-looking approach to securing the critical minerals our economy depends on, investing in the researchers and entrepreneurs developing new ways to produce, recycle, and replace these materials. NAIA supports this bill and thanks Senators Coons and Sheehy for their leadership,” said a representative from the New American Industrial Alliance.\n\nRead the full text of the STRATA Act here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/working-families-tax-cuts-build-a-skilled-workforce", "title": "Working Families Tax Cuts Build a Skilled Workforce", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases", "domain": "www.crapo.senate.gov", "scraper": "crapo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C000880", "name": "Mike Crapo", "party": "Republican", "state": "ID", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C.—The Working Families Tax Cuts are helping Americans gain the skills needed to succeed in the workplace. The law expands support for workforce development programs and education, making it easier for Americans to pursue the training, skills and credentials that best fit their career goals and open doors to new opportunities.\n\nThe law’s pro-growth tax policies are also encouraging business investment, strengthening the economy and creating good-paying jobs, helping to ensure students, trainees and workers have opportunities to put their new skills to use.\n\n“Americans should have more opportunities to pursue the education and training that prepare them to succeed in the workforce,” said U.S. Senate Finance Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). “Whether Idahoans plan to enter a skilled trade, pursue a college degree or both, the Working Families Tax Cuts are making it easier for them to develop the skills that employers need and pursue rewarding careers.”\n\nKey wins:\n\nQualified workforce development programs and vocational education are now eligible 529 plan expenses\n\nPermanent tax exclusion of up to $5,250 per year for employers that help repay their employees’ student loans\n\nPermanent full expensing for machinery and equipment\n\nPermanent immediate deductibility for domestic R&D expenses\n\nFull expensing for near-term investments in factories and factory improvements\n\nWhat they are saying:\n\n“The expansion of Section 529 plans to include skilled trade schools is another big win for the industry. [Associated Builders and Contractors] recently estimated that the construction industry needs to attract 349,000 net new workers in 2026 to meet demand for construction services. Allowing 529 funds to be used for these programs helps the next generation access the education and hands-on training needed to enter the workforce.” – Eric Seidman, Partner, Wouch Maloney & Co.\n\nClick HERE to learn more about how the Working Families Tax Cuts support workforce development.\n\nClick HERE to learn more about the Finance Committee provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.daines.senate.gov/2026/10/06/daines-urges-itc-to-level-the-playing-field-defend-american-sheep-producers/", "title": "Daines Urges ITC to Level the Playing Field, Defend American Sheep Producers", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.daines.senate.gov", "scraper": "daines", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000618", "name": "Steve Daines", "party": "Republican", "state": "MT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Representative Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) today led a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission Chairman urging strong support for U.S. sheep producers and relief from damages resulting from sheep imports to ensure U.S. producers are able to compete on a level playing field.\n\n“As Members of Congress who proudly represent growers and processors in the American sheep industry, we write regarding the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (Commission) global safeguard investigation of lamb meat imports pursuant to Sections 201-204 of the Trade Act of 1974. During this investigation, we urge the Commission to carefully consider the data and testimony before it regarding the significant challenges faced by American sheep producers. And should the Commission make an affirmative determination in accordance with the statute, we urge the Commission to recommend a remedy that provides prompt and meaningful relief to the domestic industry.\n\nThe families behind America’s sheep farms and ranches have faced mounting pressures, including from rapidly increasing imports, which negatively impact our rural communities and domestic food production. The U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) July 13, 2026, letter directing the Commission to initiate the Section 201 investigation states that “import statistics indicate that lamb meat imports…have increased in recent years” and “[a]vailable information suggests that these imports have resulted in domestic industry lost sales, revenues, and market share as imported lamb meat significantly undersold the domestic like product.” USTR’s letter further states that “firms have exited the domestic industry entirely, and there have been domestic industry job losses, decreased capacity utilization rates, and struggles to maintain profitability,” they wrote in the letter.\n\nSenators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined Daines in sending the letter.\n\nRepresentatives Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), James Baird (R-Ind.), Brian Babin (R-Texas), Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.), Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.), Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), John R. Carter (R-Texas), James Comer (R-Ky.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Jeff Crank (R-Colo.), Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas), Donald G. Davis (D-N.C.), Troy Downing (R-Mont.), Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), Vince Fong (R-Calif.), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), James Gallagher (R-Calif.), Adam Gray (D-Calif.), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), Max Miller (R-Ohio), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Burgess Owens (R-Utah), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), David Rouzer (R-N.C.), David J. Taylor (R-Ohio), Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Roger Williams (R-Texas), Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), and Michael Simpson (R-Idaho) also joined Daines in sending the letter.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-receives-federal-bar-association-chicago-chapters-inaugural-lifetime-achievement-award", "title": "Durbin Receives Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.durbin.senate.gov", "scraper": "durbin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000563", "name": "Richard J. Durbin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Durbin receives award in honor of his decades-long work on the Senate Judiciary Committee\n\nCHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today was presented the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his longstanding efforts to support the federal judiciary and his decades-long work on the Senate Judiciary Committee.\n\nAs Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee during the Biden Administration, Durbin led the effort in the Senate to confirm 235 lifetime federal judges—the largest number of confirmations in a single term since the Carter Administration. These 235 judges represent more than a quarter of the federal bench. The 235 judicial confirmations include: 187 district court nominees; 45 circuit court nominees; one Supreme Court nominee; and two Court of International Trade nominees. During Durbin’s tenure in the U.S. Senate, 58 federal judges have been confirmed in Illinois—52 district judges and six Seventh Circuit Illinois seats.\n\nPhotos of Durbin at today’s event can be found here.\n\nKey Quotes as prepared for delivery:\n\n“Judge Harjani, thank you for that warm introduction and congratulations on the conclusion of your term as president of the Federal Bar Association’s Chicago Chapter.”\n\n“I would also like to thank the Chicago Chapter for this award and all of you for being here today—it is a pleasure to be surrounded by so many familiar faces.”\n\n“In listening to that introduction, I was reminded of something that District of Minnesota Judge Patrick Schiltz said earlier in September. He remarked that, ‘The rule of law to democracy is like oxygen to a human body. It is something that you absolutely need to survive.’ I think that sentiment encapsulates the mission we have as lawyers, judges, and members of Congress.”\n\n“In our positions, we serve as the lungs of democracy—the decisions we make, in the courtroom and on the Senate Floor, affect how Americans experience justice.”\n\n“I kept that sentiment top of mind when I chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and led the effort to confirm 235 judges under President Biden—the largest number of confirmations in a single term since the Carter Administration. Every single one of these judges received at least a ‘Qualified’ rating from the American Bar Association. But these nominees were more than just qualified. They were a group of people that reflected the rich demographic and professional diversity of our nation and legal profession.”\n\n“These nominees came from all walks of life—they were labor lawyers, civil rights lawyers, and public defenders. And those 235 judges include more women and women of color confirmed to the bench than any other presidential administration in history. That of course includes Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman and first former public defender on the Supreme Court.”\n\n“For nearly 30 years as a Senator, I took the responsibility of recommending judicial nominees to the President—along with the Senators I have served alongside with—very seriously. Over the course of my Senate career, 58 federal judges have been confirmed to lifetime appointments in Illinois, including 37 confirmed to the Northern District and six to Seventh Circuit Illinois seats—many of whom are here today.”\n\n“These jurists, like the Federal Bar Association, represent the best of the bar in Illinois—former prosecutors, public defenders, private practitioners, and civil rights lawyers. And that is true, from Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer—the first judge confirmed to the bench when I became a Senator—to Judge April Perry—the most recent judge confirmed.”\n\n“Unfortunately, these judges are serving at a time when our judiciary faces unprecedented challenges. While judicial rulings have always been subject to public criticism, today that criticism has devolved into threats, harassment, and acts of intimidation targeting judges who are simply doing their jobs. Members of Congress have repeatedly filed articles of impeachment against judges not because they have engaged in misconduct but because of political disagreements with their decisions.”\n\n“Amid these challenges, judges have performed their duties capably and courageously. I have implored executive branch officials and my colleagues in Congress to support our judges in the face of these attacks. But I also implore you all, as judges and lawyers, to continue to uphold and advance the rule of law.”\n\n“It is a true honor to receive the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from the FBA Chapter here in Chicago.”\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ernst-names-small-business-of-the-week-doe-a-deer", "title": "Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Doe a Deer", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.ernst.senate.gov", "scraper": "ernst", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000295", "name": "Joni Ernst", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Doe a Deer of Guthrie County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa's 99 counties.\n\n“Doe a Deer has woven creativity, hard work, and community into every aspect of its business,” said Chair Ernst. “From designing notepads, towels, to selling products to over 500 retailers worldwide, Regan has built a thriving small business rooted in quality, customers, and sisterhood.”\n\nFrom a young age, Regan, the founder and owner of Doe a Deer, was drawn to the patterns and designs she saw on everything from linens, cookbooks, to product packaging. She carried that creativity into her career as a graphic designer but soon wanted an outlet for her own ideas. Regan began designing her own products and selling them at a local Small Business Saturday craft show. Encouraged by the response, Regan rented a storefront and turned her passion for design into a full-time job.\n\nToday, Doe a Deer is located on Main Street in Stuart, Iowa. The woman-owned business is run by Regan and her team of 11 employees, who work diligently to create trendy designs for their products. Doe a Deer offers a variety of products, including kitchenware, blankets, gifts, spices, books, and self-care items. Their wide variety of products allows the business to reach several audiences.\n\nStay tuned as Chair Ernst continues to recognize outstanding Iowa small businesses with her Small Business of the Week award.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-colleagues-reintroduce-legislation-to-increase-access-to-life-saving-breast-and-gynecological-cancer-screenings/", "title": "Gillibrand, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation To Increase Access To Life-Saving Breast And Gynecological Cancer Screenings", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "scraper": "gillibrand", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000555", "name": "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in reintroducing the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act, legislation that would increase the availability of life-saving cancer screenings at safety net healthcare providers like Planned Parenthood. The bill would create new grant and pilot programs to expand access to preventive services and screenings for breast and gynecological cancers—especially for low-income women and women of color—and train healthcare providers in providing high-quality cancer screening, early detection, and follow-up care.\n\nThe legislation is named for Jeanette Acosta, who was a fierce women’s health advocate, former congressional staffer, and White House intern in the Obama administration. In 2017, she lost her battle with cervical cancer at the age of 32.\n\n“Millions of women in the U.S. do not have access to preventative screenings that could catch deadly illnesses early and save their lives. That is a national tragedy that demands action,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act is a commonsense piece of legislation to increase access to life-saving breast and gynecological cancer screenings for women who may otherwise slip through the cracks. I am doing everything I can to get this bill across the finish line.”\n\n“It is an honor that the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act of 2026 is in our daughter’s name. Over eight years ago cervical cancer took the life of our precious and valiant daughter, Jeanette. At the young age of 32, after one year of battling her cancer and suffering incomparable pain and extensive treatment, Jeanette died from her advanced cancer. Jeanette prayed that women be spared from the agony of cervical cancer, and this bill would help to achieve her hope for many women,” said Frank X. Acosta, Ph.D., Jeanette Acosta’s father. “This bill will have a lasting and positive national impact in the fight against cancers that afflict women. During her own fight with cancer, Jeanette reached out and provided support and encouragement to other women coping with cancer. She also emphasized the importance of prevention against the onset of cervical cancer. Jeanette, always a warrior for social justice, wanted to shine a light on the disparities to access to prevention and cancer health services for low-income, Latina, and Black women. This bill would brightly illuminate and help to close the gap between cancer prevention and health services and the countless women who have not and may not be able to access these services. Jeanette would adamantly support this bill.”\n\n“I’m proud to reintroduce the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act in honor of Jeanette Acosta, a fierce advocate who fought to make sure every woman could get the health care she needs,” said Senator Murray. “Too many women suffer preventable deaths because they didn’t have access to the cancer screenings that would have detected their condition early on. That is an unacceptable tragedy. We know that early detection saves lives—not to mention health care costs—and investing in preventive services to help more women get treatment before it’s too late is just common sense. I’m not going to stop fighting to pass this crucial piece of legislation in Jeanette’s memory.”\n\nIn addition to Senators Gillibrand and Murray, the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act is cosponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).\n\nThe bill is endorsed by: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Human Rights Watch, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.\n\nSenator Gillibrand has long been a champion for women’s health. Last month, she held the first ever congressional hearing on menopause, shedding light on the need for additional federal support for menopause research, training, and care. Gillibrand also leads the Moms Matter Act—part of the Momnibus Act that was reintroduced earlier this year—which would increase investments in maternal mental health programs and expand this vital workforce to better support moms and pregnant women. She also leads the Healthy Maternity and Obstetric Medicine (MOM) Act, legislation designed to expand healthcare access for pregnant women and ensure they receive coverage that meets their needs.\n\nThe full text of the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-10-06-26", "title": "Capitol Hill Report, 10-06-26", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Audio from this morning’s call is available HERE.\n\nTopics include: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, Sen. Grassley’s Arctic Frost oversight, diesel prices, Iran, the Mesabi Metallics steel plant and affordability.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-iowa-congressional-delegation-advocate-for-more-rural-healthcare-funding-to-iowa", "title": "Grassley, Iowa Congressional Delegation Advocate for More Rural Healthcare Funding to Iowa", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts law has already invested $209 million to strengthen rural healthcare across Iowa\n\nClick HERE for audio.\n\nBUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) led the entire Iowa congressional delegation in a letter urging Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz to support Iowa’s latest funding request for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), known as Healthy Hometowns. The RHTP was created in Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts law and, in just its first year, has already invested $209 million in rural communities across Iowa to strengthen access to care.\n\nIn addition to Grassley, the letter was signed by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa).\n\n“In January, Iowa became the first state in the nation to award Rural Health Transformation Program funding as part of its Healthy Hometowns initiative, and it has ensured resources are going directly to rural communities, not bureaucrats. In year one of the program, Iowa’s $209 million federal investment is improving cancer prevention and treatment, workforce recruitment and retention, chronic disease care, and maternal and child health,” the members wrote.\n\n“As we each travel throughout Iowa, visiting hospitals, health centers, clinics, and more, we witness firsthand how these investments are making a difference toward the health, well-being, and quality of life in rural communities. During your visit to the University of Iowa in May, you learned how our state is using telehealth and a hub-and-spoke model to increase access to care and improve health outcomes in our rural communities,” the members continued.\n\nThe members noted how communities across Iowa are already benefiting from these federal investments, including through the following six projects:\n\nLucas County Health Center in Chariton is purchasing its first-ever MRI machine to bring early detection cancer screenings to residents.\n\nMahaska Health in Oskaloosa is purchasing a new PET/CT system with cardiac imaging capability and recruiting an OB/GYN and a general surgeon physician assistant.\n\nNorth Iowa Medical Center in Mason City is purchasing a new robotic bronchoscopy system that detects lung cancer earlier than previously possible.\n\nSioux Center Health in Sioux Center is expanding prenatal care through a new regional maternal health coordinator.\n\nWashington County Hospital in Washington is purchasing a new CT scanner that is improving diagnostic capabilities and patient outcomes.\n\nWayne County Hospital in Corydon is standing up a radiation oncology center and will be serving as a combat cancer health hub.\n\nClick HERE for audio of Grassley discussing the letter.\n\nClick HERE to read the letter.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Rural Health Transformation Program is the largest investment in rural healthcare in American history, focused on increasing access to care, driving innovation and expanding the healthcare workforce. Over a period of five years, Iowa will receive, at a minimum, $100 million annually from this fund.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/year-in-review-grassleys-arctic-frost-revelations", "title": "Year in Review: Grassley’s Arctic Frost Revelations", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – One year ago today, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) exposed the Biden administration and former Special Counsel Jack Smith for targeting Republican lawmakers’ phone toll records as part of Arctic Frost. Since then, Grassley has released thousands of pages of records outlining the sprawling investigation that targeted President Trump, his top officials, members of Congress, journalists, conservative organizations and nearly 5,000 American citizens.\n\n“In all my years of oversight, I’ve never before witnessed the level of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power that Jack Smith wielded,” Grassley said. “My oversight has shown Jack Smith’s prosecution was rotten from the start, used by the Biden administration to try to keep President Trump from returning to office and map out the entire Republican political apparatus. Arctic Frost and Smith’s Special Counsel operation allowed the ruling Democrat party to target lawmakers, journalists and thousands of Americans who dared to support Republicans. It’s also a warning of what may come if that power is restored. My investigative work will continue.”\n\nSee a timeline of Grassley’s most significant Arctic Frost findings below.\n\nA full summary of his oversight is available HERE.\n\nJanuary 30, 2025 | Grassley reveals the Biden U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s plot to pin Trump using Jack Smith’s election case, which began at the FBI under the codename “Arctic Frost.”\n\nFebruary 3, 2025 | Grassley exposes FBI supervisor’s misconduct in opening Arctic Frost.\n\nMarch 14, 2025 | Grassley exposes the Biden FBI for obtaining the government cell phones of Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence.\n\nApril 8, 2025 | Grassley reveals officials in the Biden White House personally assisted the FBI in securing Trump and Pence’s cell phones, before Trump was formally added as a subject of the Arctic Frost investigation.\n\nApril 8, 2025 | Grassley reveals prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., who would later join Jack Smith’s team, coordinated extensively with FBI agents in the Washington Field Office to plan, approve and execute Arctic Frost.\n\nSeptember 16, 2025 | Grassley reveals 92 Republican targets were placed under the investigative scope of Arctic Frost, including Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA.\n\nOctober 6, 2025 | Grassley reveals the Biden FBI secretly obtained the phone toll records of at least eight Republican lawmakers as part of its Arctic Frost investigation.\n\nOctober 23, 2025 | Grassley reveals Biden Attorney General Merrick Garland and former FBI Director Christopher Wray personally signed off on opening the Arctic Frost investigation.\n\nOctober 29, 2025 | Grassley reveals Jack Smith subpoenaed records for over 400 Republican targets, including the financial data of conservative individuals, entities and fundraising efforts.\n\nNovember 14, 2025 | Grassley reveals Jack Smith obtained phone toll records from then-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and met personally with FBI Director Wray.\n\nDecember 10, 2025 | Grassley reveals Jack Smith’s team knew about the constitutional implications of subpoenaing congressional data and U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia, James Boasberg, approved the subpoenas.\n\nMarch 24, 2026 | Grassley reveals the Biden FBI obtained the phone records of FBI Director Kash Patel.\n\nApril 21, 2026 | Grassley uncovers the existence of Operation Rampart Twelve, a predecessor case to Arctic Frost, which also targeted Republican lawmakers.\n\nJuly 14, 2026 | Grassley reveals Jack Smith’s team obtained and reviewed text messages from 44 members of Congress – a clear violation of the constitutional Speech or Debate Clause.\n\nSeptember 29, 2026 | Grassley reveals Jack Smith obtained private communications between nearly 50 journalists and their government sources.\n\nSeptember 29, 2026 | Grassley reveals Jack Smith’s team collected personal financial information from nearly 5,000 Americans in all 50 states, including 42 Iowans.\n\nSeptember 29, 2026 | Grassley reveals the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) assisted in Jack Smith’s classified documents case, calling into question Smith’s court filings.\n\nSeptember 29, 2026 | Grassley reveals Jack Smith’s classified documents case was based on a “noncriminal referral,” undercutting Smith’s account of how the probe began.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hagerty.senate.gov/press-releases/2026/10/06/hagerty-joins-trilateral-executive-dialogue-as-distinguished-guest/", "title": "Hagerty Joins Trilateral Executive Dialogue as Distinguished Guest", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hagerty.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.hagerty.senate.gov", "scraper": "hagerty", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000601", "name": "Bill Hagerty", "party": "Republican", "state": "TN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "The forum brought together leaders in government and business from the United States, South Korea, and Japan to advance breakthroughs in national security, economic prosperity, energy security, and technology\n\nWASHINGTON—Last week, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Banking committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, participated as a special guest in the fourth annual Trilateral Executive Dialogue organized by the 21st Century Policy Institute and held at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream. Over the course of two days, Hagerty led and facilitated discussions with senior Trump Administration officials, foreign dignitaries, and top business executives from the technology, energy, and finance sectors.\n\n“It was an honor to participate in the fourth annual Executive Dialogue,” said Hagerty. “America’s alliances with Japan and South Korea are among the most consequential in the world. I’ve dedicated much of my life to deepening these ties to advance U.S. national security and economic interests, and this forum continues to deepen our relationships in finance, energy, and technology. Japan and South Korea are two of America’s most important investors, creating significant American jobs as they build and operate businesses and factories at the leading edge of innovation right here at home.”\n\nThe Trilateral Executive Dialogue has a mission to bring industry leaders and government policymakers together to strengthen multi-sector alliances among the three nations.\n\n“The caliber of discussion was immensely impressive,” Hagerty added. “I believe we made great progress in understanding how America, Japan, and South Korea can continue our strategic partnership to bring forth powerful innovations in our economies, our national and international security, and technology.”\n\nHagerty appeared as a featured guest alongside senior Trump Administration officials as well as private sector guests, including:\n\n-Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent\n\n-Secretary of Energy Chris Wright\n\n-United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer\n\n-Acting Secretary of the Army Adam Telle\n\n-Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of Nvidia\n\nTopics of discussion included:\n\n-Finance, Capital and Strategic Investment\n\n-Energy and Critical Materials\n\n-Technology, Telecom, Semiconductors, and Cybersecurity\n\n-Trade, Logistics, Industrial, and Advanced Manufacturing", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/passed-the-senate-hassan-scott-bill-to-protect-innocent-spouses-from-unfair-tax-liability-passes-senate", "title": "PASSED THE SENATE: Hassan, Scott Bill to Protect Innocent Spouses from Unfair Tax Liability Passes Senate", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hassan.senate.gov", "scraper": "hassan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001076", "name": "Margaret Wood Hassan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Tim Scott (R-SC) to help ensure that taxpayers are not unfairly held responsible for tax debts caused by a spouse’s hidden income, mistakes, or misconduct unanimously passed the Senate. The Tax Relief for Innocent Spouses Act, which was included as part of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, now heads to the House for consideration.\n\n“When married couples file taxes jointly, one spouse can sometimes be left facing serious financial consequences because of mistakes that they had no knowledge of or control over,”said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan bill helps ensure that innocent spouses, including those who may have experienced abuse or lacked access to their finances, will have a fair opportunity to present their case and receive the relief that they deserve. I’m glad to see it pass the Senate, and I’ll keep working across the aisle to get it passed into law.”\n\n“One spouse should not bear the responsibility for another spouse’s hidden income or mistakes, and the Tax Relief for Innocent Spouses Act gives the Tax Court greater authority to review the full scope of evidence in appeal cases,” said Senator Tim Scott. “For spouses who face domestic abuse or who lack access to financial information, this legislation would be life changing. By ensuring innocent Americans are treated fairly under our tax laws, we could provide much-needed relief and opportunities to move forward.”\n\nWhen married couples file taxes jointly, both spouses are liable for any misstatement of income or underpayment, even if one spouse had no knowledge of the violation. This can be a particularly common issue in abusive relationships when one spouse takes control of the finances or hides additional income. The “innocent spouse” who is unaware of the tax violations may qualify for tax relief and be protected from liability for tax violations they did not know about.\n\nUnder current law, courts reviewing innocent spouse claims can only consider evidence that was newly discovered, not evidence that was previously submitted during the IRS administrative review process. This can make it harder for innocent spouses to obtain relief, particularly if they experienced abuse, lacked access to financial information, or did not understand the process.\n\nThe Tax Relief for Innocent Spouses Act would allow courts to consider all relevant evidence when reviewing innocent spouse claims, helping give taxpayers a fair opportunity to receive relief from tax liabilities they did not cause.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/passed-the-senate-senator-hassans-legislation-to-strengthen-cybersecurity", "title": "PASSED THE SENATE: Senator Hassan’s Legislation to Strengthen Cybersecurity", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hassan.senate.gov", "scraper": "hassan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001076", "name": "Margaret Wood Hassan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Legislation led by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan, Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Mark Warner (D-VA) to protect Americans’ health data by strengthening cybersecurity recently passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent. The Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act is a product of the senators’ bipartisan health care cybersecurity working group launched in 2023.\n\n\"Cyberattacks have exposed patients’ private medical information and disrupted critical patient care in New Hampshire and across the country,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation will help hospitals and health care providers, particularly those in rural communities with fewer resources, strengthen their cybersecurity and respond faster to attacks. I’m pleased to see that the Senate came together to pass this bill, and I’ll keep working across the aisle to protect patients and strengthen our health care system.”\n\n“Cyberattacks can shut down hospitals and expose patients' private medical records,” said Senator Cassidy. “At a time when hostile actors are increasingly using sophisticated tactics to breach health care systems, the Health Care Cybersecurity and Resilience Act will help health care providers strengthen their defenses against cyber threats and protect patients’ health data.”\n\n“Patients deserve absolute confidence that their sensitive medical data stored online is protected and shielded from cybersecurity breaches or ransomware attacks,” said Senator Cornyn. “This legislation would strengthen interagency coordination and improve security practices for rural providers, ensuring Texans’ health care is not delayed or compromised by cyberattacks.”\n\n“Cyberattacks on our health care systems can have life-or-death consequences for patients and put the sensitive information of millions of Americans at risk,” said Senator Warner. “I’m proud to have helped pass this critical legislation through the Senate, and I urge the House to act quickly. This bill will strengthen our cybersecurity, better protect patients and their information, and give rural health care providers in Virginia and across the country additional tools to defend against cyber threats.”\n\nThe Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act:\n\nProvides a variety of resources for the health care sector to improve cyberattack prevention and response\n\nProvides training to health care entities on cybersecurity best practices.\n\nSupports rural communities by providing best practices to rural health clinics and other providers on cybersecurity breach prevention, resilience, and coordination with federal agencies.\n\nImproves coordination between the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to better respond to cyberattacks in the health care sector.\n\nModernizes current regulations so entities covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) use the best cybersecurity practices.\n\nRequires the HHS Secretary to develop and implement a cybersecurity incident response plan.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-kim-introduce-legislation-to-ensure-military-families-have-access-to-healthy-meals", "title": "Heinrich, Kim Introduce Legislation to Ensure Military Families Have Access to Healthy Meals", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.heinrich.senate.gov", "scraper": "heinrich", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001046", "name": "Martin Heinrich", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, and U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) led the introduction of their Nutrition Continuity for Military Families Act, legislation that will ensure military families have access to healthy meals and critical nutrition programs. This builds on their introduction of the Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act, which they introduced last month.\n\nThe Nutrition Continuity for Military Families Act of 2026 will ensure military families are notified of their potential eligibility and do not lose access to crucial supplemental nutritional benefits through the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program when conducting a mandated Permanent Change of Station (PCS).\n\nThe Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act will help combat hunger among military families by ensuring military children are no longer excluded from school meal assistance programs.\n\n“Military families already sacrifice so much to serve our country — they shouldn’t also have to worry about whether their children have enough to eat or can access the meals they need at school,” said Heinrich.“Our legislation will cut through unnecessary barriers and make sure military families in New Mexico and across the country can access healthy school meals and critical nutrition programs. We have a responsibility to take care of the families who sacrifice so much to take care of all of us.”\n\n“As military families move place to place as a part of their service to our country, they shouldn’t have to worry about losing access to benefits along the way. We know hunger and access to care is a real issue in our military communities – let’s make this fix so essential services never get interrupted for those who need it most,” said Kim.\n\nThe Nutrition Continuity for Military Families Act of 2026\n\nMilitary service members make tremendous sacrifices to serve our country. Unfortunately, many military families, especially young, enlisted service members and their families, face food insecurity. And critical nutrition assistance remains significantly underutilized. Research highlighted by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 70% of WIC-eligible active-duty military families were not enrolled in the program. Frequent military moves can disrupt access to these benefits and force families to repeatedly navigate new state and local systems. Ensuring service members and their families receive timely notification of potential eligibility and uninterrupted access to WIC benefits throughout a military move is critical to protecting military families from food insecurity during already challenging transitions.\n\nThe Nutrition Continuity for Military Families Act helps ensure military families have uninterrupted access to critical nutrition benefits by requiring the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to:\n\nNotify families who may be eligible for WIC when they receive PCS orders;\n\nIssue a Verification of Certification card to covered service members at the time of WIC certification or recertification;\n\nEnsure WIC benefits remain certified throughout the PCS process; and\n\nEnsure each military installation has knowledgeable personnel available at least three days per week to provide WIC assistance to service members.\n\nA one-pager of the bill is here.\n\nThe full text of the bill is here.\n\nThe Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act\n\nSchool meals help children build healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. Research shows that students who participate in school meal programs have better overall diet quality than nonparticipants. Yet military families can face unnecessary barriers to accessing free and reduced-price school meals because their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is counted as income when determining eligibility.\n\nThe Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act ensures military families are not unfairly excluded from school meal programs by:\n\nExcluding BAH from income calculation for military families’ eligibility in free and reduced-price meals provided under the National School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program; and\n\nRequiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and DoD to submit a report to Congress on the feasibility and cost of creating a program to directly certify military children for free and reduced-price school meal programs, including breakfast and lunch.\n\nThe full text of the bill is here.\n\nLast month, Heinrich and Kim also introduced the Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act, legislation to address the rising cost of school meals and help end childhood hunger in America.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-energy-and-natural-resources-committee-advances-heinrichs-wipp-economic-assistance-assurance-act", "title": "Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Advances Heinrich’s WIPP Economic Assistance Assurance Act", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.heinrich.senate.gov", "scraper": "heinrich", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001046", "name": "Martin Heinrich", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "During the Committee hearing, Heinrich denounced legislation picking winners and losers in the energy sector, criticized a Republican bill that raises electricity prices, and spoke out against policies that harm public lands\n\nWASHINGTON — Last week, during a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee business meeting to consider pending legislation, the Committee passed U.S. Senator and Committee Ranking Member Martin Heinrich’s (D-N.M.) bipartisan Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Economic Assistance Assurance Act, legislation to ensure long-term funding for community infrastructure projects in New Mexico surrounding WIPP.\n\nWIPP is the nation’s only deep geologic repository for the disposal of transuranic waste generated by the country's nuclear weapons program, playing a critical role in supporting national defense by managing legacy nuclear materials and national security-related cleanup efforts across the Department of Energy (DOE). The WIPP Economic Assistance Assurance Act, introduced by Heinrich in April 2026, would amend the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act to maintain vital infrastructure projects for the duration of WIPP’s operation, ensuring sustained and inflation-adjusted funding goes toward New Mexico communities.\n\nVIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, delivers opening remarks during a Committee hearing to consider pending legislation, September 30, 2026.\n\nDuring the hearing, Heinrich also expressed concern over the Committee’s lack of willingness to pass bipartisan weatherization legislation that would lower costs for American families, and criticized legislation that harms public lands. He also denounced U.S. Senator John Hoeven’s (R-N.D.) GRID Power Act, which would allow fossil fuels to receive favorable treatment and connect to our grid faster than clean energy projects, ultimately raising costs for consumers.\n\nHeinrich began his opening remarks by criticizing efforts by U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the Committee, to prioritize his legislation, S.1568, the Liberating Incandescent Technology (LIT) Act, over bipartisan weatherization legislation that would actually improve home efficiency upgrades and save Americans money on utilities.\n\n“At a time of rising electric bills and increasing new demands on the electric grid, this Committee should focus on lowering costs and increasing reliability. We have a chance to extend and improve a program that has served more than 7.2 million families, saving households an average of $372 per year and supporting 8,500 good jobs. Unfortunately, the Chairman has declined to bring weatherization bills up for a vote,” said Heinrich. “Instead, we are spending our time and attention ‘liberating’ light bulbs that industry doesn’t even make, and most of us haven’t even thought about in a decade.”\n\n“According to analysis of DOE and EIA data by consumer groups, LED lightbulbs save the average household $370 a year on their electric bills,” Heinrich continued.\n\nHeinrich submitted a letter of opposition to S. 1568 from consumer advocacy groups.\n\nHeinrich then raised concerns over Lee’s OHVs in Capitol Reef National Park Act, which would authorize the use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) inside the park, “All 12 roads defined in the bill are accessible to conventional vehicles, so the idea that this bill increases access to park land is dubious. If passed, the bill would strain local emergency medical services, wear down backcountry roads faster, and push noise levels past National Park Service standards.”\n\nOn S. 3785, the North Rim and Kaibab National Forest Restoration Act, Heinrich spoke to his proposed amendment that would ensure transparency and oversight of the non-competitive contracts authorized by the bill, so that taxpayer money is properly used for restoration purposes.\n\n“We have seen what happens when this administration doesn’t have to go through regular competitive contracting processes. We get shoddy work, like the Reflecting Pool, with taxpayer money funneled to the president’s donors,” said Heinrich. “The last thing the communities of northern Arizona need is for no-bid contracts to be awarded to fly-by-night companies that cannot get the job done at the end of the day.”\n\nIn the markup portion of the Committee, Heinrich spoke out against S. 465, U.S. Senator John Hoeven’s (R-N.D.) GRID Power Act, which would allow transmission providers to submit proposals to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that would favor fossil fuel companies to connect to the grid faster than clean energy companies. Heinrich noted that favoring one form of generation over others is not a smart, cost-saving path forward.\n\n“While issues remain with generator interconnection backlogs, favoring fossil-fueled generators over others is not a smart, cost-saving path forward,” said Heinrich. “My amendment would remove the word ‘dispatchable’ from S. 465. The amendment would still allow transmission providers to speed up their generator interconnection queues, but in a generation-neutral manner.”\n\nA video of Heinrich’s remarks is here.\n\nHeinrich’s full opening remarks as delivered are below:\n\nThank you, Mr. Chairman.\n\nI look forward to advancing a number of the bills on this agenda, including important legislation that I have offered with Senator Risch to restore economic support for much-needed road and infrastructure improvements near the Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.\n\nI’m also pleased we will consider bipartisan legislation related to cybersecurity and the electric grid, and advancing geothermal research.\n\nAt a time of rising electric bills and increasing new demands on the grid, this Committee should focus on lowering costs and increasing reliability.\n\nThat’s why I’ve asked to have bipartisan weatherization legislation included on the agenda. For 50 years, the popular weatherization program has helped add insulation, repair furnaces, and make other home efficiency upgrades to households who need it most.\n\nWe have a chance to extend and improve a program that has served more than 7 million families, saving households an average of $372 per year and supporting 8,500 good jobs.\n\nUnfortunately, the Chairman has declined to bring weatherization bills up for a vote today.\n\nInstead, we are spending our time and attention “liberating” light bulbs that industry doesn’t even make and most of us haven’t even thought about in a decade.\n\nAccording to analysis of DOE and EIA data by consumer groups, LED lightbulbs save the average household $370 a year on their electric bills.\n\nEarlier this month, I submitted a letter of opposition for the record to S. 1568, the “Liberating Incandescent Technology Act” or the LIT Act, from industry.\n\nThe National Electrical Manufacturers Association and the American Lighting Association warned of Chinese products flooding the market if this bill becomes law.\n\nI would now ask for unanimous consent to submit a letter of opposition to S. 1568 from consumer groups.\n\nConsumer Reports, the Consumer Federation of America, and the National Consumer Law Center, urge members to vote no on S. 1568, and protect Americans from skyrocketing energy costs.\n\nI’m also concerned about S. 465, the Grid Power Act.\n\nThe bill would codify “queue jumping,” allowing natural gas power plants to connect to the grid faster than clean energy sources.\n\nThis is not necessary as FERC approved a one-time process to allow some power plants to skip to the front of the line while remaining technologically neutral.\n\nChanging this now, especially as this administration illegally props up uneconomic coal plants, could be harmful to families’ and small businesses’ bottom lines.\n\nSo I have an amendment that would keep the requirement for FERC to modify its generator interconnection procedures but would allow transmission providers to simply prioritize “new power projects that will improve grid reliability and resource adequacy.”\n\nAny project—not just those favored by this administration—that improves our grid’s reliability could be expedited under this language.\n\nAdditionally, I would like to voice my concern over S. 2970, the OHVs in Capitol Reef National Park Act, which would authorize the use of off-highway vehicles inside the park.\n\nAll 12 roads defined in the bill are accessible to conventional vehicles, so the idea that this bill increases access to park land is dubious.\n\nIf passed, the bill would strain local emergency medical services, wear down backcountry roads faster, and push noise levels past National Park Service standards.\n\nLastly, on the North Rim and Kaibab National Forest Restoration Act, I have filed an amendment to ensure transparency and oversight of the non-competitive contracts authorized by the bill.\n\nWe have seen what happens when this administration doesn’t have to go through regular competitive contracting processes.\n\nWe get shoddy work, like the Reflecting Pool, with taxpayer money funneled to the president’s donors.\n\nThe last thing the communities of northern Arizona need is for no-bid contracts to be awarded to fly-by-night companies that cannot get the job done at the end of the day.\n\nI know how important this restoration work is, particularly to the members from Arizona, so I am not going to vote against this bill today, but I hope we can put some necessary guardrails into this legislation to ensure the work actually gets done and taxpayer dollars aren’t diverted to this administration’s vanity projects.\n\nThank you, Mr. Chairman.\n\nHeinrich’s remarks on his proposed amendment to S. 465, the GRID Power Act:\n\nMr. Chairman, I'd like to offer an amendment to S. 465.\n\nS. 465, the GRID Power Act, would allow transmission providers to submit proposals to FERC that would allow fossil-fueled generators to jump those queue lines.\n\nGenerator interconnection queues have faced backlogs for years. And to FERC’s credit, the Commission has taken action in recent years to speed up these queues, including issuing Order No. 2023.\n\nWhile issues remain with generator interconnection backlogs, favoring one form of generation over others is not a smart, cost-saving path forward.\n\nMy amendment would simply remove the word “dispatchable” from S. 465. It would still allow transmission providers to speed up their generator interconnection queues, but in a generation-neutral manner.\n\nThere’s no debate that there is room for improvement in our generator interconnection queues. And I think, actually, that our bipartisan permitting package, once released, will show how Chairman Lee and I agree on some common solutions to improve these queues.\n\nBut FERC has never been in the business of picking winners and losers—and they shouldn’t start today.\n\nI ask for a roll call vote on the amendment.\n\nThank you.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-joins-ideal-aerosmith-to-mark-grand-forks-expansion", "title": "Hoeven Joins Ideal Aerosmith to Mark Grand Forks Expansion", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "scraper": "hoeven", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001061", "name": "John Hoeven", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today joined Ideal Aerosmith for a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the expansion of the company’s headquarters in Grand Forks. The approximately 10,000-square-foot expansion comes as Ideal Aerosmith continues to grow its operations in North Dakota, now occupying three buildings on South Washington totaling approximately 40,000 square feet. Ideal Aerosmith supports 130 jobs in North Dakota and 190 employees in total including in California, Arizona and Maryland. The expanded headquarters will house lab, test engineering, corporate services and sales operations.\n\nAs a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven secured $6 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding to support the design and development of an expendable unmanned aerial systems (UAS) aircraft through the Office of Naval Research. Hoeven is also working to support Ideal Aerosmith’s efforts to establish UAS engine manufacturing in Grand Forks, helping ensure the company’s aircraft can be manufactured entirely in the United States.\n\n“Ideal Aerosmith’s continued growth is good news for Grand Forks and North Dakota, creating good jobs while strengthening our state’s leadership in UAS and national defense,” said Hoeven. “We secured $6 million in FY2026 to support the company’s UAS development, and we’re working to bring UAS engine manufacturing to Grand Forks. These investments will help grow our economy, expand our technology sector and ensure more of these critical capabilities are developed and manufactured right here in North Dakota.”\n\n-###-", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-north-dakota-ag-producers-to-receive-an-estimated-721-million-this-month-under-enhanced-arc-plc-reference-prices", "title": "Hoeven: North Dakota Ag Producers to Receive an Estimated $721 Million This Month Under Enhanced ARC, PLC Reference Prices", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "scraper": "hoeven", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001061", "name": "John Hoeven", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today held a roundtable with Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) at North Dakota State University (NDSU) with producers, commodity groups and agriculture researchers. Hoeven invited Boozman to the state to hear directly from North Dakota farmers, ranchers, researchers and agri-businesses as the senators continue their efforts to:\n\nAdvance the implementation of the farm safety net enhancements passed as part of the Working Families Tax Cut Act (WFTCA), also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3), which go into full effect this month.\n\nUnder this legislation, reference prices for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs were increased by 10 to 20 percent.\n\nAs a result, North Dakota will receive an estimated $721 million this month in payments for the 2025 crop year under ARC and PLC, according to the Senate Agriculture Committee.\n\nThe updated reference prices resulted in an estimated increase of $456 million for North Dakota producers in the 2025 crop year, up from the $265 million producers would have received without the WFTCA’s passage.\n\nThis comes in addition to the improvements to crop insurance affordability from Hoeven’s FARMER Act provisions, which were included in WFTCA.\n\nThis will provide more than $91 million in additional premium support for North Dakota producers in 2026, according to projections from the NDSU Agricultural Risk Policy Center.\n\nPass the Farm Bill into law and ensure the final legislation includes key wins for agriculture producers from the Senate’s version of the bill. Hoeven and Boozman worked to ensure the Senate’s Farm Bill 2.0:\n\nBuilds on and further strengthens the WFTCA farm safety net improvements.\n\nSupports the development of greater market opportunities for agriculture producers.\n\nAuthorizes the year-round sale of E15.\n\nWorking with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer to protect domestic sugar producers and push back on foreign nations dumping into the U.S. sugar market.\n\nHoeven led a bipartisan, bicameral letter with 112 members of Congress calling for USTR to take action in support of the American sugarbeet and sugarcane industry and has been working with Ambassador Greer to move the investigation forward.\n\n“We made significant enhancements to the farm safety net in the Working Families Tax Cut Act, improving the affordability of crop insurance, strengthening livestock disaster programs and updating the counter-cyclical safety net so it reflects the actual cost of production. This month, those policies come into full effect and deliver meaningful assistance to North Dakota producers, who are set to receive an estimated $721 million from ARC and PLC for the 2025 crop year. In times of market uncertainty and increased input costs, those funds will make a real difference for our farmers,” said Senator Hoeven. “The Senate’s Farm Bill 2.0 builds on that good work and includes more than 100 bipartisan bills to support the long-term success of our farmers and ranchers. We will continue working to move this critical legislation forward and get it passed into law.”\n\n“North Dakota farm families helped shape the Working Families Tax Cuts, and because we listened to their priorities, we made sure the law included enhancements to the farm safety net. Farmers will begin receiving those benefits this month, with North Dakota producers expected to receive $721 million in ARC and PLC payments––more than double what they would have received without this law. I’m pleased to continue working with Senator Hoeven to strengthen the future of American agriculture. Together, we’ve developed policies to support our farmers, and we’re not done. We’re committed to advancing Farm Bill 2.0 and securing additional farm assistance before the end of the year,” said Senator Boozman.\n\nAdditionally, the Senate farm bill includes the following Hoeven-authored provisions:\n\nThe PACE Act – Increases Farm Service Agency direct and guaranteed loan limits.\n\nThe BINS Act – Adds fertilizer storage and handling infrastructure as eligible facilities under the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program.\n\nThe SCALE Act – Provides matching grants to support state-led soil health and wildlife habitat programs, like Governor Armstrong’s Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program.\n\nPrairie Dog Management – Provides greater certainty for grazing permittees by preventing prairie dog colonies from expanding beyond reasonable levels.\n\nMCOOL – Includes an amendment based on Hoeven-cosponsored legislation that requires mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef.\n\nJoint Chiefs Program – Reauthorizes the program, which has provided more than $3.2 million for partnerships with private landowners to help improve and restore grasslands in North Dakota.\n\nFarm Ownership and Improvement Act – Establishes a pilot program for pre-approval and pre-qualification of FSA Direct Farm Ownership loans.\n\nDry Edible Beans Study – Authorizes USDA to study the potential inclusion of dry edible beans as a Title I commodity.\n\nLivestock Indemnity Program (LIP) – Clarifies non-adult cattle weight categories by establishing in statute, payment categories for calves weighing less than 400 pounds and 400 pounds or more.\n\nFargo-Moorhead Crop Insurance Fix – Protects producers impacted by operation of the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Project by excluding affected years from Actual Production History (APH) calculations.\n\n-###-", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/husted-introduces-bill-to-modernize-h-1b-wage-threshold-and-protect-american-workers/", "title": "Husted introduces bill to modernize H-1B wage threshold and protect American workers", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“American workers should always come first, and this bill closes an outdated loophole that lets companies bypass them.”\n\nWASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) introduced the Protecting American Workers Through H-1B Modernization Act, a bill that would update the outdated salary threshold used to determine when H-1B dependent employers must prioritize hiring American workers.\n\n“For decades, companies have been able to sidestep hiring American workers because of a salary threshold that hasn’t budged since 1998. That’s not modernization, that’s a loophole. This bill simply asks that when a company is heavily reliant on these visas and wants to bring in more H-1B workers, they shouldn’t be relying on an outdated law to get around offering these jobs to qualified American workers first,” said Husted.\n\nUnder current law, H-1B dependent employers, companies whose H-1B share of their workforce exceeds a particular threshold, must attest that they have first tried to hire American workers before sponsoring additional H-1B visas. However, employers are exempted if they pay the H-1B worker at least $60,000 per year, or if the worker holds a master’s degree or higher.\n\nThe $60,000 threshold was set in 1998 and was intended to be twice the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) National Average Wage Index at the time. It has never been adjusted for inflation. Today, the SSA National Average Wage Index is nearly $70,000, meaning the original threshold, adjusted for inflation, would be nearly $140,000.\n\nThe Protecting American Workers Through H-1B Modernization Act would replace the fixed $60,000 threshold with a dynamic standard equal to two times the national average wage index, as calculated by the Social Security Administration. This would ensure the threshold keeps pace with wage growth going forward, rather than remaining frozen in place.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/sen-hyde-smith-visits-baldwyn-meets-manufacturers", "title": "Sen. Hyde-Smith Visits Baldwyn, Meets Manufacturers", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom", "domain": "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", "scraper": "hydesmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001079", "name": "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "MS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Jon R Myers\n\nU.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith visited Baldwyn on Tuesday morning, Oct. 6, and sat down at City Hall with Mayor Roslynn Clark, city officials, and representatives of local manufacturers. They talked about the city’s growth, the projects now underway, and the federal grants and tax incentives that could help pay for what Baldwyn wants to do next.\n\nThe Prentiss County Development Association shared photos of the Hyde-Smith Baldwyn visit, which show the senator talking with workers and officials over brunch in the city’s boardroom. The association wrote that the mayor and city “were able to share an update on the many projects the City has in the works.”\n\nHyde-Smith Baldwyn Visit Focused on Growth and Funding\n\nIn a Facebook post after the meeting, Mayor Clark called it “a productive morning.” She said Baldwyn’s manufacturers and city leaders used the time to share “Baldwyn’s progress and plans for the future,” and that the conversation also covered available grants, tax incentives, and the city’s financial needs.\n\nTopics discussed at the meeting included:\n\n• Updates on city projects that are underway or planned\n\n• Federal grant opportunities for a small city\n\n• Tax incentives that could help local manufacturers grow\n\n• Baldwyn’s broader financial needs\n\nClark thanked local caterer Ms Edible Bliss LLC, which served the brunch, along with the city street department and other city staff who helped set up. “We must continue to work together for a common goal of moving Baldwyn forward,” the mayor wrote.\n\nWhy the Visit Matters for Baldwyn\n\nBaldwyn straddles the Prentiss and Lee county line, and industry is a big part of its economy. Hyde-Smith sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which controls federal spending. That committee helps decide which community projects and grant programs get funded, so local leaders often use visits like this one to make their case directly.\n\nThe visit comes during a busy stretch for the city. Work is underway on a new farmers market building in Baldwyn, supported by a $334,660 grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. Baldwyn High School students recently explored skilled-trades careers in a mobile lab. Both efforts tie into the city’s push for workforce and quality-of-life improvements.\n\nWhat Comes Next\n\nNeither the city nor the development association announced any specific funding commitments from the meeting. Hyde-Smith, a Republican, is on the ballot for re-election in the Nov. 3 general election.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/senate-passes-bipartisan-health-care-cybersecurity-and-resilience-act", "title": "Senate passes bipartisan Health Care Cybersecurity and Resilience Act", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom", "domain": "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", "scraper": "hydesmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001079", "name": "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "MS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "First introduced in the HELP Committee in 2025, the bill would require healthcare organizations to meet some core cyber hygiene best practices while also offering guidance and assistance for providers.\n\nBy Mike Miliard, Executive Editor\n\nThe United States Senate announced this past week that bipartisan Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2026 (S.3315) has passed by unanimous consent.\n\nWHY IT MATTERS\n\nThe bill, first introduced in 2025 by physician Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, is meant to shore up the cybersecurity preparedness of hospitals and health systems – with a special focus on small and rural providers – by requiring that they adhere to certain table-stakes best practices, such as multifactor authentication and encryption of ePHI.\n\nThe legislation also contains expanded requirements – and offers potential new resources – for public health agencies and other healthcare organizations.\n\nThe bill was co-sponsored by Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire; John Cornyn, R-Texas; and Mark Warner, D-Virginia, along with Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-MS; and Angus King, I-Maine.\n\nUnder the Health Care Cybersecurity and Resilience Act, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requires \"private healthcare-related entities\" to implement and develop some minimum cybersecurity capabilities, such as penetration testing and ongoing cyber monitoring. It calls on healthcare organizations to align with the standards of widely used cybersecurity frameworks, such as the one developed by NIST.\n\nIt also has provisions pertaining to \"mitigating penalties relating to violations of health information privacy and security,\" and requires the development of specified plans, to be updated every other year, that detail other specific cybersecurity protocols for HHS.\n\nThe bill would help healthcare organizations by offering funding – it doesn't specify just how much – for training and support to help develop best practices while expanding the cybersecurity workforce. It would also provide for tailored information security guidance focused on rural providers.\n\nIt would designate a single point person to lead oversight and coordination of cybersecurity activities within HHS. It also instructs that HHS must coordinate with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency on bolstering cybersecurity across healthcare – providing resources about HHS or CISA programs and establishing joint coordination and incident-response plans.\n\nTHE LARGER TREND\n\nCassidy has been a vocal proponent of legislation to manage the thorny challenges of privacy and security in healthcare, through co-sponsorship of bipartisan bills, such as 2022's Health Data Use and Privacy Commission Act. (A newer version of that bill just advanced out of the Senate HELP Committee on unanimous vote this past August.)\n\nAs the Health Care Cybersecurity and Resilience Act has been percolating in the Senate this year, a different piece of legislation, the Health Infrastructure Security and Accountability Act, has also been making some progress in recent weeks.\n\nEach has a different balance of carrot- and stick-based approaches to getting healthcare organizations to elevate their cybersecurity practices and preparedness.\n\nWhile the HCCRA offers provisions for training and technical assistance, especially for rural and under-resourced providers, to help ensure they can meet even minimal cyber hygiene benchmarks, HISAA takes an arguably more aggressive approach.\n\nThat could involve a series of tiered mandatory standards, third-party auditing – and, potentially, larger fines or Medicare payment reductions that would be levied on larger organizations that fail to do their due diligence. At the same time the bill also offers specific funding assistance to help: $1.3 billion, including $800 million designated specifically for hospitals in rural and underserved urban communities.\n\nON THE RECORD\n\n\"Cyberattacks can shut down hospitals and expose patients' private medical records,\" Cassidy, said in a statement about HCCRA. \"At a time when hostile actors are increasingly using sophisticated tactics to breach health care systems, the Health Care Cybersecurity and Resilience Act will help health care providers strengthen their defenses against cyber threats and protect patients' health data.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=CFC71125-EECA-447A-8304-8A94DB29FF56", "title": "Klobuchar, Boozman Lead Senate Recognition of 4-H", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "domain": "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", "scraper": "klobuchar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000367", "name": "Amy Klobuchar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Senate Adopts Resolution Designating October 4-10 National 4-H Week\n\nWASHINGTON?–?U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chairman John Boozman (R-AR), co-chairs of the Senate 4-H Caucus, are celebrating National 4-H Week by leading a resolution recognizing the importance of the program on youth development. The Senate passed the resolution designating October 4-10, 2026 as National 4-H Week.\n\n“Minnesota 4-H is preparing over 50,000 young Minnesotans to lead in their communities,” said Klobuchar. “I’m glad to partner with Senator Boozman to recognize the work of 4-H by celebrating this week as National 4-H Week. As co-chair of the 4-H Caucus, I’ll continue working with my colleagues to support exciting opportunities for youth engaged in agriculture.”\n\n“4-H has made a lasting impact on countless Arkansans, including my three daughters, who benefited from their participation in this program. I’m proud to support 4-H as it continues developing future generations of leaders and equips young people with the skills and values they need to succeed,” Boozman said.\n\n4-H is a youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System of land-grant universities, and it is the largest youth development organization in the country. It provides experiences for nearly six million young people through hands-on projects in health, science, agriculture and civic engagement annually including 50,000 in Minnesota and 130,000 in Arkansas.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-in-final-weeks-of-senate-session-lujan-passes-several-key-bills-through-the-senate-stands-up-for-new-mexico-families/", "title": "ICYMI: In Final Weeks of Senate Session, Luján Passes Several Key Bills Through the Senate, Stands Up for New Mexico Families", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it, during the final weeks of the September Senate session, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) successfully championed several key pieces of legislation through the Senate, delivering progress on priorities for New Mexico and communities across the country. Senator Luján also continued standing up for New Mexico families and pushing back against actions from the Trump administration that would harm New Mexicans.\n\nDelivering for New Mexico’s Land Grant Communities and Traditional Uses: Senator Luján led the unanimous Senate passage of the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act, legislation to strengthen cooperation between the federal government and land grant communities.\n\nPassing Legislation to Make the Tax System Fairer: Senator Luján, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, successfully secured the inclusion of several provisions in the bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act to improve transparency, strengthen taxpayer protections, and help ensure the IRS works more efficiently. The legislation unanimously passed the Senate.\n\nSecuring America’s Satellite Systems: The Senate unanimously passed the Secure Space Act, bipartisan legislation led by Senator Luján, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, to protect America’s satellite systems from foreign threats and strengthen national security.\n\nCalling on States to Stop Data Centers from Passing Rising Costs on to Ratepayers: Senator Luján led several colleagues and called on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners to protect residential and small-business ratepayers from the cost of serving large data centers.\n\nPushing for a Bipartisan AI Committee: Senator Luján urged Senate leadership to establish a bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence to ensure that Congress can meet the unprecedented pace, scale, and rapidly advancing challenges associated with AI.\n\nStanding up for New Mexico Workers: Senator Luján voted against the confirmation of Keith Sonderling to be Labor Secretary.\n\nFighting for New Mexico Families: Senator Luján spoke out against the Trump administration’s illegal “pocket rescission” that would strip nearly $1 billion in funds meant to support American families.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-heinrich-vasquez-urge-usps-to-reconsider-permanent-closure-of-mule-creek-post-office/", "title": "Luján, Heinrich, Vasquez Urge USPS to Reconsider Permanent Closure of Mule Creek Post Office", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) wrote to Postmaster General David Steiner demanding that the United States Postal Service (USPS) reconsider the proposed permanent closure of the Mule Creek Post Office in Grant County, New Mexico, and to keep postal service in the community it has served for more than 100 years.\n\nThe Mule Creek Post Office opened on January 16, 1916, and has served ranchers, veterans, seniors, families, and small businesses for generations. In 2024, the facility was damaged, and repairs were never made. The U.S. Postal Service set up a mobile unit as a temporary fix, but more than two years later, residents still have no permanent post office. Now, instead of restoring service, USPS has proposed permanently closing the Mule Creek Post Office.\n\n“We are deeply concerned about the impact this proposed permanent closure would have on the residents of Mule Creek and the surrounding rural service area. We strongly urge that the United States Postal Service (USPS) reconsider the proposed closure and maintain postal service in Mule Creek,” the lawmakers wrote.\n\n“The Mule Creek Post Office has served the community since 1916. It’s more than one hundred years of service reflects its longstanding role in the life of the community. We request that USPS reconsider the proposed closure and undertake a comprehensive, community-specific review before proceeding with any final decision,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nRead the full letter here and below:\n\nDear Postmaster General Steiner,\n\nWe write as a delegation regarding the proposed permanent closure of the Mule Creek Post Office in Grant County, New Mexico. We are deeply concerned about the impact this proposed permanent closure would have on the residents of Mule Creek and the surrounding rural service area. We strongly urge that the United States Postal Service (USPS) reconsider the proposed closure and maintain postal service in Mule Creek.\n\nThe Mule Creek Post Office has served the community since January 16th, 1916—more than 110 years. For generations, it has provided essential postal services to residents, ranchers, veterans, senior citizens, families, and small businesses. In 2024, the Mule Creek postal facility was damaged, and the landlord subsequently declined to make the necessary repairs. As a result, USPS was required to locate a new property from which to continue permanent operations. While USPS quickly established a mobile postal unit to provide interim service, what was intended to be a temporary solution has now become a two-year challenge.\n\nMule Creek residents continue to lack a permanent post office and must rely on a mobile unit that provides reduced hours and services. Currently, residents can access the mobile unit only from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on weekdays. These limited hours create significant accessibility challenges for residents and further underscore the importance of finding a permanent solution rather than allowing temporary arrangements to become the basis for permanent closure. It has now been more than two years since the original facility was damaged, and residents continue to wait for USPS to establish a permanent postal facility in Mule Creek. The prolonged absence of a permanent facility, combined with reduced hours and services, has created uncertainty for the community and raised serious concerns about the future of the post office. The consequences of this closure are particularly devastating because Mule Creek residents do not have universal residential mail delivery. Many residents would have to travel substantially far to retrieve letters, packages, prescriptions, government correspondence and other essential items.\n\nWe understand that USPS has identified Buckhorn as a potential alternative location. Buckhorn is approximately 18 miles from the current Mule Creek Post Office, requiring a resident traveling between the two locations to make an approximately thirty-six-mile round trip. For residents living in the more remote service area, the total round-trip distance to an alternative post office can range from approximately forty-five to seventy-five miles. These distances could create a significant burden for residents who rely on local postal services.\n\nWe are concerned about the effect of closure on senior citizens, veterans, individuals with disabilities, residents with medical needs and individuals without reliable transportation. The potential consequences extend to the timely receipt and shipment of prescription medications, medical correspondence, government documents, business materials, packages, and other time sensitive items. Requiring residents to travel substantially greater distances for routine postal needs would impose recurring costs in fuel, vehicle maintenance, mileage, and travel time.\n\nWe respectfully request that USPS consider the importance of the Mule Creek Post Office to the residents and community of Mule Creek. This local post office serves a purpose that extends beyond the processing and delivery of mail. It provides an important point of contact for residents who may otherwise have limited opportunities to interact with neighbors, exchange information and maintain essential community relationships.\n\nAfter more than a century of continuous service, the Mule Creek Post Office has become an established and valued institution within the community. We recognize USPS’s responsibility to operate efficiently and to evaluate its facilities and services. At the same time, decisions concerning rural postal facilities should account for the unique circumstances of communities where geographic isolation and the absence of universal residential delivery can make access to an alternative facility substantially more difficult.\n\nTo that end, we respectfully request that the Postal Service undertake a comprehensive review of the proposed closure and specifically:\n\nSuspend and reconsider the proposed closure of the Mule Creek Post Office pending further review;\n\nConduct a thorough assessment of the actual distances, driving times, and transportation requirements residents would face in accessing alternative postal facilities;\n\nConsider the absence of universal residential mail delivery within the Mule Creek servicearea and the resulting importance of local access to postal services;\n\nEvaluate the specific effects of closure on senior citizens, veterans, individuals with disabilities, residents with medical needs, and those without reliable transportation;\n\nAssess the economic consequences for ranchers, home-based businesses, agricultural operations, and other local enterprises that rely on dependable postal services;\n\nConsider the cumulative fuel, vehicle, and transportation costs that would be imposed upon residents required to travel greater distances;\n\nEvaluate the potential consequences for the timely receipt and shipment of prescription medications, medical correspondence, business materials, and other time-sensitive items;\n\nEngage directly with the Mule Creek community and local stakeholders to explore alternatives that would preserve meaningful, reliable, and accessible postal service.\n\nThe Mule Creek Post Office has served the community since 1916. It’s more than one hundred years of service reflects its longstanding role in the life of the community. We request that USPS reconsider the proposed closure and undertake a comprehensive, community-specific review before proceeding with any final decision.\n\nWe appreciate your attention to this critical issue affecting our constituents and urge USPS to provide a timely and detailed response outlining the steps it will take to fulfill its obligations to the residents of Mule Creek.", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/markey-joins-kelly-whitehouse-to-press-epa-on-rollback-of-public-input-rules-for-data-center-air-permits", "title": "Markey Joins Kelly, Whitehouse to Press EPA on Rollback of Public Input Rules for Data Center Air Permits", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.markey.senate.gov", "scraper": "markey", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000133", "name": "Edward J. Markey", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington (October 6, 2026) - Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, this week sent a letter opposing the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to eliminate the 30-day mandatory public notice period that allows communities to provide input on proposed facilities, like data centers, that may affect the air they breathe.\n\n“We agree that permitting should be efficient, predictable, and capable of supporting the infrastructure our country needs. But faster permitting should not come at the expense of transparency or communities’ ability to shape the decisions that affect them,” wrote the senators to Administrator Zeldin.\n\nThe letter to the EPA was co-signed by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).\n\nRead the full letter to the EPA here.\n\nThe proposed rollback is included in the Senator’s recent report, The EPA’s Data Center Disaster: How the Trump Administration is Destroying Environmental Protections and Selling Out Communities for Big Tech, which details the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s campaign of reckless deregulation to dilute environmental and public health guardrails in direct service of Big Tech’s race to build data centers.\n\nSenator Markey has been a leading voice against irresponsible and unregulated data center buildout at the expense of public health and the environment.\n\nIn July, Senator Markey released a discussion draft of his Protecting Communities Against Data Center Impacts proposal, a bill that would create a national framework to prevent increased energy costs, pollution, and adverse health harms related to the rapid buildout of data centers and associated fossil fuel infrastructure.\n\nIn June, Senator Markey wrote to EPA Administrator Zeldin to demand the withdrawal of a proposed rule that underminesClean Air Act permitting standards to facilitate the buildout of data centers and associated fossil fuel infrastructure.\n\nIn June, Senator Markey reintroduced his Artificial Intelligence (AI) Environmental Impacts Act, legislation that would require data center operators to report the full range of their facilities’ environmental impacts.\n\nIn November 2025, Senator Markey wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging the agency to ensure that increased and projected energy demand from data centers does not result in unjust or unreasonable rate hikes for American households.\n\nIn September 2025, Senator Markey wrote to the EPA in opposition to the agency’s initial announcement of plans to roll back the NSR program for data center buildout.\n\nIn July 2025, Senator Markey hosted a roundtable discussion titled The Data Center Next Door: Hidden Costs and Harms of Artificial Intelligence and Cryptomining to highlight the adverse environmental, health, climate, and energy cost impacts of data center proliferation in communities across the United States, and to condemn the deregulatory actions set forth in President Trump’s AI Action Plan. On the day of the roundtable, Senator Markey also released a storybook to spotlight the experiences of American families living with data centers in their backyard.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-mcgovern-unveil-new-legislation-to-protect-hong-kong-residents-in-america-from-being-forced-to-return-to-prc/", "title": "Merkley, McGovern Unveil New Legislation to Protect Hong Kong Residents in America from Being Forced to Return to PRC", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative James P. McGovern (MA-02)—Ranking Members of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)—announced the Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act, new legislation to provide protections for Hong Kong residents who have fled persecution and are living in the United States.\n\nSince 2021, Hong Kong residents have been protected from deportation under the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program; however, the program is set to expire in early 2027. Merkley and McGovern’s bill would allow certain Hong Kong residents in America to apply for U.S. lawful permanent resident status and ultimately U.S. citizenship, rather than be forced to return to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).\n\n“As the PRC and Hong Kong authorities continue to undermine the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kongers, the United States must protect Hong Kong residents who have sought refuge in America,” said Merkley. “The PRC’s erosion of autonomy, rule of law, and civil liberties in Hong Kong and the political persecution of those who were brave enough to speak out in dissent mean that America cannot just abandon Hong Kongers who sought refuge here. Congress must take action and enact our legislation to ensure Hong Kongers residing in the U.S. do not have to fear deportation.”\n\n“Hong Kongers have found safe harbor in the United States under DED, and we should continue to protect them from being deported back to danger in Hong Kong,” said McGovern. “I urge President Trump to extend DED, but if he does not, Congress should pass our bill. Providing refuge to Hong Kongers used to have bipartisan support, including from then-Senator Marco Rubio. Now, the Trump-Rubio Administration is working to send people back to persecution under the Chinese Communist Party they once said they opposed. We should not be complicit in such human rights violations. The U.S. must extend DED now.”\n\nMerkley and McGovern have led the charge to stand up for the rights of Hong Kongers and protect Hong Kong residents living in America from deportation. They have also highlighted the case of Jimmy Lai and other pro-democracy advocates who have been the targets of the Chinese and Hong Kong governments’ coordinated repression of free speech and democracy.\n\nThe Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act is supported by Hong Kong Watch, Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation, and Hong Kong Democracy Council.\n\n“Hongkongers living in the United States were given protection because of a crackdown this country has condemned for seven years, and they are now being arrested despite that protection. Deferred Enforced Departure was never meant to be permanent, and a memorandum that expires in February is no safeguard against a government that puts bounties on pro-democracy activists abroad. We welcome this legislation, which follows the precedent Congress set after Tiananmen: a closed group, a one-year window to apply, and a real path to permanent status. Congress should pass it without delay,”said Ray Wong, Policy and Strategy Advisor for Hong Kong Watch.\n\n“Members of Congress from both parties have long been the bedrock of support for freedom and human rights in China and Hong Kong. Now, Hongkongers who have built lives in the United States face the prospect of being sent back to a place where they could face political persecution. Deferred Enforced Departure, which was granted by a Democratic administration and implemented by a Republican one, is set to expire on February 5, 2027, and there is no guarantee it will be renewed. If it lapses, thousands of people will lose their protection from removal and their ability to work. It is time for Congress to stand up for freedom and human rights and pass this legislation in 2026 so that Hongkongers are not forced back into the hands of an authoritarian regime. Time is short, and action is necessary,” said Jonathan Stivers, U.S. Director, Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation.\n\n“Since August 2021, thousands of Hong Kongers have lived, worked, and contributed to American life while lawfully present under Deferred Enforced Departure. Many face immediate danger if forced to return home due to their record of pro-democracy activism. They cherish freedom and human rights because they have seen the Chinese Communist Party chipping away at the values they hold dear firsthand. The program that now protects them was twice expanded and extended, but it was always meant as a stopgap executive measure until legislation establishing viable, permanent humanitarian pathways. While previous efforts have faltered, the Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act is an important step in the right direction that can eliminate uncertainties clouding the future of a community already in the United States,” said the Hong Kong Democracy Council.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found by clicking here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/new-analysis-shows-federal-government-to-save-nearly-2-for-every-1-invested-in-flood-prevention/", "title": "New Analysis Shows Federal Government to Save Nearly $2 for Every $1 Invested in Flood Prevention", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, at the request of U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report detailing that every $1 the federal government invests in flood adaptations can save taxpayers nearly $2 in disaster spending, as well as reduce National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims.\n\n“Every year, billions of taxpayer dollars are spent cleaning up and restoring the damage caused by flood waters. From coastal towns to rural communities, climate change related events are exasperating federal resources that are allocated to help families rebuild from these costly disasters,” said Merkley. “Today, CBO confirms that a simple way for the federal government to be a better steward of taxpayer money, is to invest in flood adaptation methods—such as repairing local dams and levees or working to elevate high-risk properties. We owe it to the American people to make investments that will not only protect their property and surrounding community but also save lives.”\n\nIn his June letter, Merkley specifically asked CBO to estimate the amount of potential future savings that could accrue to the federal government for every dollar it spends on flood adaptation and mitigation. A previous CBO report published in September 2024 detailed how spending for adaptations can reduce flood damage.\n\nCBO breaks down the 30-year savings as for every $1 billion spent in prevention in present-value terms:\n\nFuture flood damage costs will decrease by $3 to $4 billion,\n\nTaxpayers will save $1.8 billion in disaster spending, and\n\nNFIP claims reduced by $300 million, mostly benefiting ratepayers through lower premiums.\n\nCBO’s full report is HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/video-during-national-fire-prevention-week-senator-moody-announces-more-than-44-million-in-grant-awards-for-fire-departments-across-florida/", "title": "VIDEO: During National Fire Prevention Week, Senator Moody Announces More Than $44 Million in Grant Awards for Fire Departments Across Florida", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.moody.senate.gov", "scraper": "moody", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001244", "name": "Ashley Moody", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "LEHIGH ACRES, Fla.—As Florida’s dry season begins, Senator Ashley Moody today announced the award of more than $44 million in federal grants going to fire departments statewide. Senator Moody’s announcement comes during National Fire Prevention Week surrounded by firefighters at the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District—which will be receiving $4.2 million from FEMA’s SAFER Grant Program. Through the SAFER Grant Program, fire departments across the state are receiving funds to help hire more firefighters and better protect Florida communities.\n\n“During National Fire Prevention Week, we’re recognizing the brave firefighters who work to protect Florida families and communities when emergencies arise. I’m in Lehigh Acres today to announce more than $44 million in recent federal funding for fire departments across our state to help ensure our first responders have the resources and equipment they need to answer the call and keep Floridians safe,” said Senator Ashley Moody.\n\nOver the past year, Florida has faced several wildfire threats, including the massive wildfire outside of Miami earlier in the summer. Last year, there were 2,913 wildfires across Florida, burning more than 228,000 acres. Since January of this year, there have been approximately 2,975 wildfires in the state, burning more than 280,000 acres.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nSince Senator Moody has been in office, the total amount of firefighter grant awards provided to Florida fire entities is more than $89 million. This includes 71 individual awards made to Florida applicants across three different FEMA grant programs.\n\nThe Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant award announced today will allow the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District to hire 21 new firefighters.\n\nIt is National Fire Prevention Week. Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S., and nearly half of the state is covered in forests—land that is both fire-dependent and fire-prone.\n\nThe following are tips to help prevent fires at home in addition to wildfires:\n\nInstall smoke alarms on every level of a residence, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas, and test alarms every month;\n\nInstitute a family fire escape plan, and practice the plan twice a year;\n\nPractice safe yard waste burning—never burn on windy days, refrain from burning during dry weather and during periods of high fire danger;\n\nPrepare yards for potential wildfires—remove all dead vegetation from yards, roofs, rain gutters, windows and decks; trim trees regularly; create a separation between trees, shrubs and items that could catch fire;\n\nHarden the home and outbuildings against fire—keep working fire extinguishers on hand, make sure eaves are made with fire resistant materials, clean vents regularly; and\n\nHave an emergency supply kit ready in the event of needing to evacuate quickly—it should include a seven-day supply of prescriptions or other medications, cell phone with chargers; cash, copies of important documents like birth certificates and passports, and an inventory of home contents.\n\nFor more information about wildfires in Florida, click here.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-announces-troubling-new-fbi-whistleblower-disclosure-white-house-allegedly-directed-kash-patel-to-investigate-la-protesters-exercising-1st-amendment-rights/", "title": "Padilla Announces Troubling New FBI Whistleblower Disclosure: White House Allegedly Directed Kash Patel to Investigate LA Protesters Exercising 1st Amendment Rights", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Whistleblower reveals White House, DOJ leadership, and FBI leadership pressured FBI employees to illegally investigate protesters of this Administration’s cruel mass deportation agenda\n\nFBI leadership allegedly acknowledged unconstitutionality of the investigations and nonetheless instructed employees to proceed\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, announced the receipt of a new whistleblower disclosure that alleges the White House instructed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel to have the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office open an investigation into protesters solely for their First Amendment activity. The whistleblower also alleges that in a separate incident, then Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove instructed the LA Field Office to open an investigation into any anti-Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) protesters demonstrating at federal buildings in Los Angeles without identifying any federal criminal activity, actual or potential national security threats, or vulnerability to such threats.\n\n“Free speech and assembly are protected by the First Amendment because they are foundational to our democracy. This whistleblower disclosure is deeply alarming. It points to a President and political appointees who continue to weaponize the justice system against perceived enemies, and it alleges that FBI leadership believed these directives were unconstitutional yet carried them out anyway. Investigations like this undermine the Constitution, divert resources from real crimes, put careers at risk, and send a chilling message to anyone who might oppose this Administration: you could be next,” said Senator Padilla. “I thank the whistleblower, and any who may come forward in the future, for speaking truth to power. Our democracy is bigger than one man, and each of us has a responsibility to shine a light on abuses of power and hold leadership accountable.”\n\nThe disclosure received by Senator Padilla claims that:\n\nTrump allegedly directed the FBI to investigate protestors exercising their First Amendment right to free speech.\n\nTrump allegedly saw video footage of a protest in Alhambra, California depicting “community members in a residential neighborhood using megaphones and other alerts to warn residents about the presence of immigration enforcement officers, while advising neighbors of their legal rights and encouraging them not to open their doors without a signed judicial warrant.” Trump was “angry about the incident” and “wanted those protesters investigated and arrested,” despite FBI agents concluding that the protests “never crossed the line into impeding arrest or being a threat.” “The President wants this investigation,” and “the directive had to be followed,” the disclosure says.\n\nOn a separate occasion, despite no apparent evidence of a threat, FBI employees were directed to open investigations into anti-ICE and CBP protesters at federal buildings in Los Angeles—again solely based on their First Amendment activity.\n\nThe whistleblower – in their capacity as a Supervisory Intelligence Analyst at the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office– was informed by Field Office leadership that Bove instructed FBI personnel to open an investigation into any anti-ICE and CBP protesters demonstrating at federal buildings in Los Angeles. This directive was issued despite the absence of any information indicating that the protesters posed a national security threat, had engaged in criminal activity, or were vulnerable to such threats.\n\nField Office leadership followed the White House, DOJ, and FBI’s directives due to political pressure, despite acknowledgement that it was unconstitutional.\n\nAlarmingly, when the whistleblower raised objections to opening an investigation into the protesters, leadership asserted that even though they knew the act was unconstitutional, “a criminal investigation was being pursued because the President wanted protestors investigated and arrested even after a finding… that the protestors’ actions were constitutionally protected.”\n\nField Office leadership subsequently told the whistleblower their job was at risk for their refusal to participate in the unlawful investigation. The whistleblower alleges that they were retaliated against for their disagreement, including by being removed from their supervisory position. Ultimately, the whistleblower resigned from the FBI before they could be fired.\n\nThe whistleblower’s supervisor also expressed “fear of challenging leadership directives, even when they believed those directives were unlawful or unconstitutional,” underscoring the chilling effect that the Trump Administration’s weaponization of the justice system has had in silencing dissent.\n\nResources were diverted from legitimate public safety missions to satisfy the White House’s unconstitutional directive.\n\nAdditionally, the whistleblower outlines that significant law enforcement resources were diverted from core public-safety missions to satisfy the Trump Administration’s push to silence its detractors. FBI intelligence analysts and investigative personnel were reassigned and resources were diverted from ongoing matters involving drug trafficking, violent crime, and transnational organized crime to support protest-related inquiries without evidence of actual or potential national security threats, criminal activity, or vulnerability to such threats that would have justified such a diversion of resources. This diversion impaired the Los Angeles Field Office’s ability to focus on critical public-safety and national-security priorities.\n\nIn response to the compelling allegations in the disclosure, Padilla demanded Patel and Attorney General Todd Blanche provide answers on the nature of these investigations, transparency into any subsequent investigations into protestors, and documents related to these investigations.\n\n“Throughout your appearances before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, you promised that cases would be based only on the facts and the law, free from political interference. But the Disclosure paints a starkly different picture and raises serious questions about whether other similar investigations have been initiated under your tenures. The Disclosure depicts an FBI and DOJ willing to surveil individuals solely for First Amendment activity criticizing the Administration—at the behest of the White House and Trump loyalists, over the objection of senior staff, and in contravention of agency policy and the Constitution. Such allegations raise grave concerns about the rule of law under your leadership, and the diversion of resources from ongoing criminal investigations, and the testimony that you provided under oath to Congress,” wrote Senator Padilla.\n\nThe whistleblower is a former FBI employee and a licensed attorney represented by the Government Accountability Project and David Laufman.\n\nThe whistleblower’s disclosure follows a chilling pattern in which the Administration has pursued Trump’s baseless claims at the expense of Americans’ safety. A separate, recent whistleblower disclosure alleges DHS and USCIS leadership abruptly diverted USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate immigration officers from their national security-related duties and directed them instead to use illegal procedures and questionable data to identify purported “unlawful voters,” and create federal law enforcement records against them, including naturalized U.S. citizens. The Administration also redirected Homeland Security Investigations analysts from their typical work on criminal matters and to a so-called “tiger team” for the sole purpose of investigating, surveilling, and detaining students and other individuals based solely on their political opinions.\n\nThe whistleblower’s disclosure is available here.\n\nPadilla’s letter is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-statement-on-executive-order-on-red-dyed-diesel/", "title": "Ricketts Statement on Executive Order on Red-Dyed Diesel", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=", "domain": "www.ricketts.senate.gov", "scraper": "ricketts", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000618", "name": "Pete Ricketts", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) released the following statement on the President’s Executive Order temporarily allowing use of red-dyed diesel on highways:\n\n“I appreciate the Administration’s willingness to find new ways to bring down costs for our farmers and ranchers during harvest. The temporary highway use of red-dyed diesel will help with transportation and supply chain costs, like transporting machines to the field. We will continue working to ensure Nebraskans get the relief they deserve.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/06/new-report-rosen-cortez-masto-release-joint-report-detailing-how-trumps-economy-is-hurting-nevada-latino-families/", "title": "NEW REPORT: Rosen, Cortez Masto Release Joint Report Detailing How Trump’s Economy Is Hurting Nevada Latino Families", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – During the final week of Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) released a new report detailing the harm that Donald Trump’s policies are causing Latino families in Nevada. Because of Trump’s tariffs, war in Iran, and his “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Latino families are paying more for everyday essentials and seeing fewer opportunities to get ahead.\n\n“Donald Trump’s economy is a disaster for Latinos in Nevada. Anyone who’s willing to work hard should have a fair shot at getting ahead, but that’s become almost impossible under Trump’s leadership,” said Senator Rosen. “Families are paying more for gas, groceries, health care, and housing, all while our tourism industry declines as a result of Trump’s policies. I’m committed to helping every Nevadan live the American Dream, and I’ll keep working to bring down costs and expand opportunities for Nevada families.”\n\n“This report confirms what Nevada families have known for months: under the Trump economy, it’s getting harder to put food on the table and a roof over your head,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “From his blanket tariffs to his reckless war in Iran, everything this President is doing has driven up costs for Latinos in Nevada. Every family deserves the chance to get ahead, and I’m going to keep doing everything I can to reverse President Trump’s disastrous policies.”\n\nBelow is a breakdown of how Trump and Washington Republicans’ policies are hurting Latino families in Nevada.\n\nGas and Groceries\n\nTrump’s war in Iran has cost Latinos in Nevada about $230 million extra at the gas pump since the war began, which breaks down to an additional $659 per family.\n\nLatinos account for more than a quarter of Nevada SNAP participants, including over 48,000 Latino children.\n\nAs a result of Donald Trump’s cuts to SNAP in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” 38,000 Latino Nevadans have lost their SNAP benefits, including as many as 16,000 children.\n\nTrump’s first year in office cost Latinos in Nevada an additional $108 million on groceries, which is $310 per family.\n\nTrump’s mass deportation agenda is taking immigrant workers off the job, and as a result, prices are rising in sectors like agriculture that depend on immigrant labor.\n\nMore than 60% of farm laborers nationwide are Latino, and the vast majority are immigrants. Targeting of this workforce has led to a 32.1% increase in lettuce prices, a 7.1% increase in apple prices, a 6.3% increase in fresh citrus prices, and a 7.9% increase in canned fruit prices.\n\nEconomic Opportunity\n\nThe tax provisions in Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” disproportionately benefit the top one percent of earners and leave the working class behind.\n\nIndividuals working in food preparation and service will lose about $820 in 2026. More than half of Nevada’s hospitality workforce is Latino.\n\nMaids and housekeeping cleaners will lose about $830 in 2026. Latinos make up nearly half of this workforce nationally.\n\nNevada is home to more than 72,000 Latino-owned small businesses, accounting for over 22% of all Nevada small businesses. Trump’s across-the-board tariffs have cost these businesses a total of $8.6 billion.\n\nLeisure and hospitality small businesses have seen a 15.2% decline in monthly revenue.\n\nConstruction small businesses have seen an 18% decline in revenue.\n\nSince Trump returned to office, tourism to Las Vegas has declined by about ten percent, with Canadian tourism – the number one source of international visitation to Las Vegas – down even more as a result of Trump’s tariffs and attacks directed at Canada.\n\nLatinos make up 54% of Nevada’s hospitality workforce and are seeing fewer shifts and fewer tips as a result of the decline in tourism.\n\nTrump’s mass deportation agenda, including delays in work permit processing leading to loss of work authorization and the proposed termination of Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans, will lead to 15,000 Nevadans losing their legal status by the end of this year.\n\nThousands of construction, hospitality, and health care workers will lose their ability to work, and Nevada will lose out on $341 million in economic contributions and $40 million in tax revenue.\n\nHealth Care\n\nFor the approximately 33,200 Latinos who buy health insurance through Nevada Health Link, premiums have risen over 50% on average due to Donald Trump and Washington Republicans’ refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax cuts.\n\nLatinos account for around 36% of Medicaid beneficiaries in Nevada and are less likely to have employer-sponsored or private health insurance than other groups, despite having the highest labor force participation.\n\nAs Washington Republicans’ Medicaid cuts continue to take effect, up to 25,560 Latinos in Nevada could lose their Medicaid coverage.\n\nHousing\n\nLatino families in Nevada have spent an additional $184 million – or an additional $491 per family – on housing costs, including rent and mortgage payments, since Trump took office.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/06/senators-rosen-lankford-honored-for-bipartisan-leadership-against-antisemitism/", "title": "Senators Rosen, Lankford Honored for Bipartisan Leadership Against Antisemitism", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the leading anti-hate organization in the world, honored U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK) with the Levenson Family Defender of Democracy Award in recognition of their bipartisan leadership to protect Jewish communities and combat antisemitism.\n\nSenators Rosen and Lankford have worked together across the aisle to protect Jewish communities across the country and strengthen federal efforts to fight antisemitism. Their leadership on the bipartisan Jewish American Security Act will protect Jewish communities, students, and institutions from antisemitic hate, violence, discrimination, and intimidation across sectors.\n\n“When Senator Lankford and I founded the first-ever Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, we made it our goal to bring the fight against antisemitism and Holocaust denial to the forefront of the national agenda. Through introducing and passing legislation, engaging with Administrations of both parties, and organizing active discussions with high-ranking officials both at home and abroad, we’ve managed to reach across the aisle and push for real change and protections for Jewish communities at home and abroad,” said Senator Rosen. “It is truly an honor to receive the Levenson Defender of Democracy award with my good friend and colleague Senator James Lankford. We promise to continue fighting to ensure that Jewish communities everywhere can practice their religion and participate in society without fear.”\n\nAs just the third Jewish woman to ever serve in the U.S. Senate and the first former synagogue president, Senator Rosen has been leading the fight against antisemitism. She and Senator Lankford helped elevate the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism to the rank of Ambassador. Senator Rosen also successfully led the bipartisan push last Congress to reauthorize the bipartisan Never Again Education Act, which she was also instrumental in helping to pass in 2020. She and Senator Lankford also introduced the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act, which would direct the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to study and report on state efforts to educate students on the Holocaust.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-set-to-receive-more-than-6-million-to-improve-veterans-cemetery-in-hilo", "title": "Schatz: Hawai‘i Set to Receive More Than $6 Million to Improve Veterans Cemetery in Hilo", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.schatz.senate.gov", "scraper": "schatz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001194", "name": "Brian Schatz", "party": "Democrat", "state": "HI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration has awarded a grant of up to $6,132,225 to the State of Hawai‘i to help improve and maintain East Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery – No. 2 in Hilo. The cemetery serves more than 11,000 veterans and their family members.\n\n“Thousands of brave service members from Hawai‘i put their lives on the line to serve our country. This federal funding will help us improve and maintain Veterans Cemetery No. 2 in Hilo so we can continue to honor their legacies,” said Senator Schatz, a senior member of Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.\n\nThe grant will fund the raising and realignment of 4,495 grave markers, 5.5 acres of grading, soil, and turf rehabilitation, and the installation of burial section markers and flower watering stations throughout the cemetery.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-sen-schiff-los-angeles-congressional-delegation-unions-rally-for-federal-film-tax-incentive-in-los-angeles/", "title": "PHOTOS: Sen. Schiff, Los Angeles Congressional Delegation, Unions Rally for Federal Film Tax Incentive in Los Angeles", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Glendale, CA – Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined congressional colleagues and entertainment unions at Glendale’s historic Alex Theatre to rally for the passage of the bipartisan, bicameral, Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act, legislation to create a federal film tax incentive.\n\n“I am here to tell you that we have never been this close to getting a federal tax credit passed – never been this close. I’ve been working on this in Congress for almost 25 years…We have never had such broad bipartisan support, and look, this support is just across the board. We have the support of the President, we have the support of the White House, we have the support of Spencer Pratt and Jon Voight. We have the support of labor unions across the spectrum, and in the U.S. Senate, I’m proud to tell you that as of this moment, there are 12 U.S. senators who are co-sponsors of this legislation,” said Senator Schiff during his remarks.\n\n“A study published just this week found that the share of production spending by U.S. studios on movies that are made primarily or partially in the U.S. declined from 74 percent to 24 percent over the last quarter century. That is a staggering loss in the industry, but this tax credit, which is a base credit of 20 percent, with additional 5 percent credits going up to 30 percent of a tax credit, is layered upon whatever the state of California or other states do. That is powerful enough for the first time to really bring not just TV production back, but film production back, and all of the multiplier impacts that has on the economy. So we know our mission. We’ve got to get this done,” Senator Schiff continued.\n\nBackground: For years, Schiff has highlighted the need to increase film production in America and has continued to build bipartisan support in Congress for his federal film incentive proposal. On September 24, 2026, Senator Schiff introduced the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act alongside Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) to create a federal film tax incentive to keep film and television production in the United States.\n\nDuring his time in the California State Senate, Schiff helped lead efforts to increase film production in California and protect local jobs. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Schiff spearheaded efforts in Congress to extend California’s film tax credit, including in 2014 when he led 28 members of the California Democratic delegation in urging the leaders of the California State Senate and Assembly to reauthorize and enhance the tax credit.\n\nIn 2024, Schiff sent a letter to the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau of Labor Statistics requesting detailed data on the impact of foreign production incentives on the domestic industry.\n\nIn March 2026, Senator Adam Schiff hosted a spotlight hearing in Burbank, California to highlight the importance of bolstering American film production and tackling the challenges including generous tax incentives provided by other countries.\n\nView photos from the rally below:\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/2026/10/06/senate-passes-peters-and-slotkin-legislation-to-extend-federal-funding-and-protections-for-the-great-lakes/", "title": "Senate Passes Peters and Slotkin Legislation to Extend Federal Funding and Protections for the Great Lakes", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/newsroom/", "domain": "www.slotkin.senate.gov", "scraper": "slotkin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001208", "name": "Elissa Slotkin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. — The Senate unanimously passed legislation championed by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) to protect the Great Lakes and vital waterways across Michigan.\n\nThe legislation would extend the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), authorizing $475 million in annual funding for the program through 2030. The GLRI combines federal and nonfederal efforts to stop the spread of invasive species, restore coastline and habitats connecting our streams and rivers, clean up environmentally damaged Areas of Concern, and prevent future contamination.\n\n“Millions of Michiganders rely on the Great Lakes for their livelihood and protecting it is existential for Michigan,” said Senator Slotkin. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative will help protect the lakes, our economy and our way of life – from vital programs that work to mitigate coastal erosion to protecting against harmful invasive species like Asian Carp. I will always fight for our Great Lakes and will continue to work with people in both parties to do just that.”\n\n“The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is the most significant investment ever made to restore and protect our Great Lakes from things like invasive species, pollution, and shoreline erosion,” said Senator Peters. “Now more than ever, we need to ensure this vital program has the funding it needs to continue supporting projects that will keep these treasured bodies of water healthy and vibrant for years to come. I’ll keep working in a bipartisan way to get this commonsense bill signed into law.”\n\n“The Great Lakes Commission applauds the Senate for advancing bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a proven program that is delivering environmental and economic results for communities across the Great Lakes basin,” said Erika Jensen, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Commission. “Continued federal investment in the GLRI is essential to restoring degraded areas, protecting water quality, combating invasive species, and strengthening communities across the basin. We thank Senators Peters and Slotkin and their colleagues for their leadership and urge the House to move quickly to pass this critically important legislation.”\n\n“The GLRI is integral to the health of the Great Lakes and the 30 million people who depend on them for drinking water,” said Laura Rubin, Director of Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “Reauthorizing the GLRI is essential to maintaining the momentum we have built in restoring one of the nation’s most treasured natural resources, and we are grateful for the leadership of the Great Lakes delegation for advancing this legislation, preventing interruption to the GLRI’s vital work.”\n\nSince its inception, the GLRI has spurred tremendous progress in Michigan and throughout the Great Lakes region, including nearly half of a million acres of habitat protected, restored, or enhanced, a five-fold increase in the successful cleanup and delisting of Areas of Concern, a ten-fold increase in the remediation of environmental and public health impairments, and reducing the threat of harmful algal blooms. The GLRI’s efforts have also resulted in economic returns of more than 3 to 1 across the region.\n\nThe senators’ legislation is supported by the League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, National Parks Conservation Association, Council of Great Lakes Governors, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, American Great Lakes Ports Association, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, American Rivers, American Sportfishing Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Audubon Society – Great Lakes, Environmental Law & Policy Center, and other key stakeholders in Great Lakes protection.\n\nPeters and Slotkin have been steadfast supporters of the Great Lakes, including by enacting the single-largest-ever investment in the GLRI through the bipartisan infrastructure law to accelerate the restoration of nine high-priority areas in Michigan whose lakes, rivers and watersheds flow into the Great Lakes.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/2026/10/06/slotkins-statement-on-u-s-coast-guards-decision-to-restore-full-operations-at-station-saginaw-river/", "title": "Slotkin’s Statement on U.S. Coast Guard’s Decision to Restore Full Operations at Station Saginaw River", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/newsroom/", "domain": "www.slotkin.senate.gov", "scraper": "slotkin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001208", "name": "Elissa Slotkin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Senate Passes Peters and Slotkin Legislation to Extend Federal Funding and Protections for the Great Lakes\n\nWASHINGTON D.C. — The Senate unanimously passed legislation championed by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and...\n\nDepartment of Defense Responds to Slotkin: Assures No Plans to Send Troops to Polls, Hegseth Silence Continues\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee,...\n\nICYMI: Slotkin Delivers Speech at Carnegie Institution on Defending Democracy\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Wednesday, September 30, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) delivered remarks at Carnegie...\n\nSlotkin, Peters, Padilla Demand Homeland Security Secretary to Stand up to Trump on Election Interference, Not Send ICE to Polls\n\nWASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), in an effort led by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Alex Padilla...\n\nSlotkin, Warren Demand Full Accounting of Trump’s Huge Tax Breaks for AI and Tech Companies\n\nWASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in sending letters to...\n\nSlotkin, Britt, DeLauro, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Modernize Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Care\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Katie Britt (R-AL), along with Representative Rosa...\n\nAs Trump Meets with Chinese President, Slotkin and Moreno Speak on Senate Floor about Bill to Ban Chinese Vehicles\n\nWASHINGTON D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Bernie Moreno (R-OH) took to the...\n\nSlotkin, Tillis Push Trump to Move Forward with Taiwan Arms Sale Ahead of Xi Visit\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington this week, U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin...\n\nICYMI: Slotkin, Colleagues Demand Trump Hold the Line Ahead of China State Visit\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Senator...\n\nICYMI: Slotkin Presses Trump on China’s Role in Iran War Ahead of Thursday State Visit\n\nAs Trump Prepares to Host Xi, China Aides Iran in Conducting Lethal Attacks on Americans WASHINGTON...\n\nSlotkin Leads Senate Democrats in Demanding Answers from Hegseth on Cost of Iran War\n\nPentagon Greatly Underestimates Cost of Iran War to Taxpayers and Families WASHINGTON...", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.tuberville.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/tuberville-honors-christopher-carlile-of-enterprise-as-october-veteran-of-the-month/", "title": "Tuberville Honors Christopher Carlile of Enterprise as October “Veteran of the Month”", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.tuberville.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.tuberville.senate.gov", "scraper": "tuberville", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000278", "name": "Tommy Tuberville", "party": "Republican", "state": "AL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) released a video honoring U.S. Army Colonel Christopher Carlile as the October “Veteran of the Month.”\n\nExcerpts of Sen. Tuberville’s remarks can be found below, and complete remarks can be found here.\n\n“Transitioning from military to civilian life can be difficult for many of our veterans. For U.S. Army Colonel Chris Carlile of Enterprise, he’s combined many of his passions and experiences to make this transition easier for Alabama’s heroes. Chris is a 6th-generation Army veteran who spent more than 36 years protecting our country across the globe.\n\n[…]\n\nAfter retiring from the military, Chris and his wife Sandra returned to the Wiregrass where they first met when he was a young pilot in training. He became involved in the Wiregrass veterans community and now helps veterans apply for their benefits as a Veterans’ Service Officer with Disabled American Vets, Post 9. Chris also serves as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Army Aviation Museum Foundation where he helps tell the story of Fort Rucker’s role in army aviation to more than 100,000 visitors every year. His passion for army aviation also shines through his involvement with the Friends of Army Aviation where he has coordinated public nationwide air shows, funeral honor flights, displays for community service, and helicopter ride events with their Huey choppers. They made Alabama proud with their flights during the Army’s 250th Birthday parade in Washington, D.C. Chris is also a Harvard-educated cattleman and is part of the Coffee County Cattlemen’s Association where he mentors other veterans who are wanting to transition from the military to the ag industry.\n\nWe have a lot to thank Chris for when it comes to our military security and our national food security. It’s my honor to recognize him as the October ‘Veteran of the Month.’”\n\nConstituents 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.\n\nSenator 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.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-booker-colleagues-file-amicus-brief-in-lawsuit-against-trumps-department-of-housing-and-urban-development-for-attacking-fair-housing-program", "title": "Van Hollen, Booker, Colleagues File Amicus Brief in Lawsuit Against Trump’s Department of Housing and Urban Development for Attacking Fair Housing Program", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) led more than 15 of their colleagues in submitting an amicus brief supporting a federal judge’s ruling that the Trump Administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) unlawfully restricted funding to groups that investigate and enforce laws against housing discrimination. The amicus filed argues that HUD’s unprecedented attempt to direct $46 million away from fair housing organizations – while diverting an additional $10 million to government agencies with separate appropriations – has no lawful justification and would harm the nation’s fair housing enforcement infrastructure. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Cory Booker submitted the brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in the case of Massachusetts Fair Housing Center; National Fair Housing Alliance v. Department of Housing and Urban Development and were joined in submitting it by Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.).\n\nThe Senators begin the brief, “Congress intended FHIP to foster a nationwide network of private organizations, like Plaintiffs, that can aid the federal government in uncovering and eliminating housing discrimination. Since Congress piloted FHIP in 1988 and codified it in 1992, FHIP has consistently sustained private fair housing organizations through three grant streams: the Private Enforcement Initiative (‘PEI’) to support investigative and enforcement activities; the Education and Outreach Initiative (‘EOI’); and the Fair Housing Organization Initiative (‘FHOI’) to build organizational capacity. With this funding, private organizations handle most housing discrimination complaints and enforcement nationwide.”\n\n“HUD’s July 2, 2026 Notices of Funding Opportunity (‘NOFOs’) endanger fair housing organizations and their vital work. The NOFOs deviate from FHIP’s authorizing statute, decades of FHIP practice, and Congress’s intent. For the first time since FHIP’s codification in 1992, the FY2025 NOFOs provide no new awards for PEI or EOI—the lifeblood of fair housing organizations—nor do they fulfill existing multi-year PEI awards. Instead, HUD attempts to direct $46 million—the vast majority of funds—away from existing qualified organizations in favor of organizations with no experience in fair housing enforcement, while diverting the remaining $10 million to governmental agencies for which Congress separately appropriated. These unprecedented actions have no lawful justification and would seriously harm the nation’s fair housing enforcement infrastructure. The district court rightly vacated HUD’s unlawful notices and directed funding to flow under the prior framework. HUD’s request to stay that well-founded order should be denied,” they argue.\n\nThe Senators conclude, “The Doles Memo’s stated aims are misleading and contrary to FHIP’s purposes as well. It claims the FY2025 NOFOs will ‘expand geographic coverage,’ ‘broaden’ expertise, and ‘strengthen the long-term resilience of the national fair housing infrastructure.’ HUD’s NOFOs do the opposite—losing geographic coverage, expertise, and organizational resilience by concentrating FHIP funding in a handful of grants that existing organizations cannot receive. Worse, the Doles Memo treats fair housing organizations like maligned welfare recipients—charging them with ‘perpetual dependence’ on federal funding. FHIP’s goal always has been to sustain these organizations as a vital organ of the fair housing enforcement system, particularly in areas underserved without federal resources. HUD’s NOFOs, if unaddressed, would set fair housing enforcement back decades. Defendants’ Motion for Stay should be denied.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-kilmar-abrego-garcia-deportation-hearing", "title": "Van Hollen Statement on Kilmar Ábrego Garcia Deportation Hearing", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on today’s postponed hearing before U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis on the Trump Administration’s intent to deport Kilmar Ábrego Garcia to a third country:\n\n“While today’s hearing did not proceed, the Trump Administration continues to desperately try and ship Kilmar Ábrego Garcia to a faraway country and deny him of his constitutional due process rights. We must not forget that a federal judge has already made clear what we have long known: the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice is engaged in a vindictive prosecution against Kilmar. This should chill every American to the bone. When the rights of one are threatened, the rights of all are at risk.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-colleagues-file-amicus-brief-in-lawsuit-against-trumps-department-of-housing-and-urban-development-for-attacking-fair-housing-program/", "title": "Warner, Colleagues File Amicus Brief in Lawsuit Against Trump’s Department of Housing and Urban Development for Attacking Fair Housing Program", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warner.senate.gov", "scraper": "warner", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000805", "name": "Mark R. Warner", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON —Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) led their colleagues in submitting an amicus brief supporting a federal judge’s ruling that the Trump Administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) unlawfully restricted funding to groups that investigate and enforce laws against housing discrimination. The amicus filed argues that HUD’s unprecedented attempt to direct $46 million away from fair housing organizations – while diverting an additional $10 million to government agencies with separate appropriations – has no lawful justification and would harm the nation’s fair housing enforcement infrastructure. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Cory Booker submitted the brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in the case of Massachusetts Fair Housing Center; National Fair Housing Alliance v. Department of Housing and Urban Development and were joined in submitting it by Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).\n\nThe senators begin the brief, “Congress intended FHIP to foster a nationwide network of private organizations, like Plaintiffs, that can aid the federal government in uncovering and eliminating housing discrimination. Since Congress piloted FHIP in 1988 and codified it in 1992, FHIP has consistently sustained private fair housing organizations through three grant streams: the Private Enforcement Initiative (‘PEI’) to support investigative and enforcement activities; the Education and Outreach Initiative (‘EOI’); and the Fair Housing Organization Initiative (‘FHOI’) to build organizational capacity. With this funding, private organizations handle most housing discrimination complaints and enforcement nationwide.”\n\n“HUD’s July 2, 2026 Notices of Funding Opportunity (‘NOFOs’) endanger fair housing organizations and their vital work. The NOFOs deviate from FHIP’s authorizing statute, decades of FHIP practice, and Congress’s intent. For the first time since FHIP’s codification in 1992, the FY2025 NOFOs provide no new awards for PEI or EOI—the lifeblood of fair housing organizations—nor do they fulfill existing multi-year PEI awards. Instead, HUD attempts to direct $46 million—the vast majority of funds—away from existing qualified organizations in favor of organizations with no experience in fair housing enforcement, while diverting the remaining $10 million to governmental agencies for which Congress separately appropriated. These unprecedented actions have no lawful justification and would seriously harm the nation’s fair housing enforcement infrastructure. The district court rightly vacated HUD’s unlawful notices and directed funding to flow under the prior framework. HUD’s request to stay that well-founded order should be denied,” they argue.\n\nThe senators conclude, “The Doles Memo’s stated aims are misleading and contrary to FHIP’s purposes as well. It claims the FY2025 NOFOs will ‘expand geographic coverage,’ ‘broaden’ expertise, and ‘strengthen the long-term resilience of the national fair housing infrastructure.’ HUD’s NOFOs do the opposite—losing geographic coverage, expertise, and organizational resilience by concentrating FHIP funding in a handful of grants that existing organizations cannot receive. Worse, the Doles Memo treats fair housing organizations like maligned welfare recipients—charging them with ‘perpetual dependence’ on federal funding. FHIP’s goal always has been to sustain these organizations as a vital organ of the fair housing enforcement system, particularly in areas underserved without federal resources. HUD’s NOFOs, if unaddressed, would set fair housing enforcement back decades. Defendants’ Motion for Stay should be denied.”\n\nFull text of the argument in the brief can be viewed here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-calls-on-georgia-department-of-community-health-to-preserve-and-expand-health-coverage-for-hardworking-georgians/", "title": "Warnock Calls on Georgia Department of Community Health to Preserve and Expand Health Coverage for Hardworking Georgians", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warnock.senate.gov", "scraper": "warnock", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000790", "name": "Raphael G. Warnock", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "In a letter to the Georgia Department of Community Health, Senator Reverend Warnock pressed the state to preserve and expand access to health care coverage for low-income Georgians\n\nSenator Warnock slammed the Kemp administration’s threat to eliminate Georgia Pathways unless the state receives a 90 percent federal match\n\nSenator Warnock is a leading proponent of Medicaid expansion and has long championed efforts to expand Georgians’ access to affordable health care\n\nSenator Reverend Warnock: “I urge the State to do everything in its power to keep as many people enrolled in affordable coverage”\n\nAtlanta, GA – Last month, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) pressed the Georgia Department of Community Health over the state’s threat to shut down its health care coverage program for low-income Georgians, which would strip some of the state’s lowest-income residents of their health care coverage. Under Governor Brian Kemp’s direction, the state is demanding a 90 percent federal match to bankroll Georgia Pathways, Governor Kemp’s own deeply flawed health care coverage program, or threatening to suspend coverage for all enrollees.\n\n“I urge the State to do everything in its power to keep as many people enrolled in affordable coverage,” wrote Senator Warnock in a letter to the Georgia Department of Community Health. “If it does not, make no mistake: it is the State’s mismanagement of funds and poor construction of its ‘innovative program’ that will continue to doom the lowest-income Georgians to a life without health care.”\n\nGeorgia has so far declined to fully expand Medicaid, rejecting federal incentives that at one point estimated to be nearly $2 billion in funding to support program expansion. Instead, Governor Kemp pursued Georgia Pathways to Coverage, a state-run program rife with bureaucratic red tape and arbitrary coverage restrictions. Despite hailing Pathways as a success after its launch, the Kemp administration now claims it cannot afford to provide health care coverage to the nearly 100,000 hardworking Georgians estimated to gain eligibility in 2027.\n\nSenator Warnock is a leading proponent of Medicaid expansion and has long championed efforts to expand Georgians’ access to affordable health care. Last year, he released a report titled “Healthy People, Healthy Economy,” which found that investing in Medicaid stimulates economic growth and promotes access to employment. In the report, Senator Warnock warned that if other states adopt Georgia’s flawed Pathways to Coverage model, millions of Americans could lose access to health care, government bureaucracy could grow, hospitals could close, jobs could be lost, and the economy could slow. Since then, Congressional Republicans have used Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage program as a model for the health care cuts and changes included in their July 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill, set to take effect in 2027.\n\nA copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:\n\n“Ms. Hicks,\n\n“I respectfully submit my written comments regarding Georgia’s Department of Community Health’s (DCH) proposed State Plan Amendment (SPA) implementing the Medicaid community engagement requirement under H.R. 1 and the CMS Interim Final Rule (CMS-2454-IFC).\n\n“While I have concerns with the deeply flawed Georgia Pathways to Coverage (“Pathways”) program, I am alarmed by insinuations that the State of Georgia (“the State”) will simply end the program without a 90 percent federal match. Such an abrupt termination would pull the rug out from the few Georgians currently covered by the program and cause even more Georgians to lose access to health care. I take issue with the State’s embrace of work reporting requirements, which have been shown to wrongfully prevent working adults from accessing care. However, it has always been my core belief that we must expand health coverage to as many Georgians as possible until we fully expand Medicaid and close the coverage gap. That is why the State must do whatever it can to protect and expand Medicaid coverage for Georgians.\n\n“When the State launched Pathways in 2023, it limited coverage to individuals who reported completing 80 hours of work, job training, education, or community service each month. At the time of its initial launch, Georgia was the only state in the country with active work reporting requirements in its Medicaid program. The State estimated that as many as 100,000 people would sign up and that up to 345,000 people could be eligible.\n\n“In January 2025, the State modestly increased eligibility and exempted parents and guardians of children up to age 6 from the work reporting requirements. Even with this change, the most recent estimate of enrollment in Pathways was just over 19,000 people — well short of the 100,000 enrollees predicted.\n\n“In July 2025, Congressional Republicans passed H.R. 1 to implement new federal work reporting requirements for the Medicaid expansion population starting after December 31, 2026, pointing to the ‘success’ of Georgia’s Pathways.4 The new federal reporting requirements, however, are more generous than Georgia’s current program. According to the SPA, the State is now being ‘forced to expand the program to 100,000 new individuals in order to maintain the coverage of approximately 20,000 hard- working Georgians.’ ‘Forced’ to provide healthcare to Georgians. That is quite the sentiment, especially when these new individuals are veterans, parents of school-aged children, children formerly in foster care, and other individuals classified as medicinally frail. These are the people the State does not want to be ‘forced’ to cover.\n\n“In 2022, the State initially predicted its program could cover as many as 100,000 people. Now, the State claims it cannot possibly cover this amount—at least, not without a substantially more generous federal match of 90 percent. Had the State simply expanded Medicaid in 2022, they would have received an automatic 90 percent federal match for over a decade. Congressional Democrats even enacted an additional federal incentive for states that newly adopted expansion, which was at one point was estimated to bring in nearly $2 billion in additional federal funding for Georgia.\n\n“Instead, the State spent tens of millions of dollars to launch a bureaucratic program that covered a fraction of the expected population. A report based on Pathways data through June 2025 found that Georgia spent about $13,597 per active enrollee on program costs.6 A U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report from September 2025 found that the State spent over $54 million on administrative costs for the program. And now, the State is claiming it cannot afford to provide health coverage to as many as 100,000 working Georgia families, despite touting its ability to do just that 4 years ago.\n\n“I urge the State to do everything in its power to keep as many people enrolled in affordable coverage. If it does not, make no mistake: it is the State’s mismanagement of funds and poor construction of its ‘innovative program’ that will continue to doom the lowest-income Georgians to a life without health care.\n\nSincerely,”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-brings-common-grounds-listening-session-to-windham-county/", "title": "Welch Brings Common Grounds Listening Session to Windham County", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BRATTLEBORO, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this week hosted a ‘Common Grounds with Senator Welch’ listening session at Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro. Vermonters joined Senator Welch for a discussion about how Washington can work better for the Green Mountain State.\n\n“The pressures on Vermont are the same as those facing every red and blue state across the country—these are shared challenges. But my colleagues across the aisle haven’t embraced the idea that whether you’re from Indiana, or Idaho, or Vermont, the people we represent need an affordable health care system. They need consistency in tax policy. They need to be able to afford a house. I think that’s the biggest impediment to Washington working the way we do here in Vermont, where we try to work together and address our differences to make a stronger community. That needs to change,” said Senator Welch. “I’ll continue bringing Vermont Values to Washington and fight for bipartisan solutions that make life better for hardworking Vermonters.”\n\nView photos from the event below:\n\nSenator Welch has hosted Common Grounds events in Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Windsor counties, and will host listening sessions in every county of Vermont in 2026. Sign up for the Senator’s newsletter here to learn more about his upcoming events in Vermont.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-discusses-rural-health-care-at-brattleboro-memorial-hospital-birthing-center/", "title": "Welch Discusses Rural Health Care at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Birthing Center", "date": "2026-10-06", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BRATTLEBORO, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, this week visited with nurses and leaders at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s Birthing Center. Senator Welch discussed the importance of increasing access to rural health care and how to grow the health care workforce in rural communities.\n\n“Rural hospitals provide essential health care and community services to Vermonters in every corner of our state. That includes birthing centers, which are vital to ensuring families have world-class care they can rely on. But our state’s rural health care facilities are under more financial strain than ever, making it harder for them to keep the lights on and ensure Vermonters can get the care they need,” said Senator Welch. “I’ll keep fighting in the Senate Finance Committee for investments that support Vermont’s rural medical and community centers and bolster our state’s health care workforce.”\n\nBrattleboro Memorial Hospital previously announced that the Birthing Center would close within a year but reversed the decision.\n\nView photos from the event below:\n\nPresident Trump and Congressional Republicans’ tax bill, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), imposed painful cuts to Medicaid that hindered access to care in rural communities. Limiting coverage will lead to more uncompensated care next year. Nearly 1-in-5 rural adults and 2-in-5 rural children rely on Medicaid. Vermont could lose up to $2 billion over 10 years because of federal Medicaid cuts.\n\nAdditionally, in 2026, around 7,500 Vermonters either bought a lower-tiered insurance plan or dropped coverage altogether because President Trump and Congressional Republicans failed to extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, a more generous version of what originally passed in the Affordable Care Act. The impacts of these cuts mean rural care providers will be financially harmed, and services—such as birthing centers—could be limited or eliminated entirely.\n\nSenator Welch is a champion for rural health care and has worked across the aisle to lead legislation to improve access to care, including the Rural Hospital Support Act, Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act, Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act, Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act, Multigenerational Home Caregiver Credit Act, and the CONNECT for Health Act.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-07T11:33:40Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-07T11:35:08Z"}
{"url": "https://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1856", "title": "Alford to Host Staff-Led FY 2028 Community Project Funding Workshops", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://alford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "alford.house.gov", "scraper": "alford", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000379", "name": "Mark Alford", "party": "Republican", "state": "MO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congressman Mark Alford announced Fiscal Year 2028 Community Project Funding (CPF) Workshops across Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District. These staff-led workshops will help eligible entities better understand the CPF application, approval, and disbursement process.\n\nCommunity Project Funding is a way for Members of Congress to direct federal money to specific local projects in their districts or states as part of the annual appropriations, or government funding, bills. This gives Members a tool to address real community needs, with additional guardrails in place to reduce waste and increase transparency compared to the previous earmark process.\n\nThese workshops will be open to non-profits and local government officials that are eligible for CPFs.\n\nPlease find more information regarding eligibility here.\n\nEligible entities interested in participating in the workshops, please RSVP here.\n\nThey will also be open to the media. Any media organizations wanting to cover these workshops should please RSVP here.\n\nDates, times, and locations for the CPF Workshops can be found below:\n\nMonday, October 19, 2026\n\nSedalia | 11 AM CT\n\nSedalia Public Library—Queen City Room\n\n311 West 3rd Street\n\nSedalia, MO\n\nColumbia | 3 PM CT\n\nBoone County Electrical Co-op—Amp Room\n\n1413 Rangeline Street\n\nColumbia, MO\n\nTuesday, October 20, 2026\n\nWarsaw | 11 AM CT\n\nTruman Lake Visitors Center\n\n29027 Visitors Center Road\n\nWarsaw, MO\n\nBuffalo | 2 PM CT\n\nBuffalo Family Events\n\n205 South Maple Street\n\nBuffalo, MO\n\nRich Hill | 5 PM CT\n\nTrent’s BBQ\n\n720 E Walnut St\n\nRich Hill, MO\n\nWednesday, October 21, 2026\n\nRaymore | 9 AM CT\n\nRaymore City Hall—Council Chamber\n\n100 Municipal Circle\n\nRaymore, MO\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-politico-article-below-titled-crypto-megadonors-play-it-safe-house", "title": "ICYMI: The Politico article below, titled “Crypto megadonors play it safe in the House.\"", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "algreen.house.gov", "scraper": "algreen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000553", "name": "Al Green", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The Politico article below, titled “Crypto megadonors play it safe in the House,” speaks for itself.\n\nYou can access the article by clicking the link here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://amo.house.gov/press-release/congressman-amo-issues-statement-on-third-anniversary-of-october-7th-terrorist-attacks", "title": "Congressman Amo Issues Statement on Third Anniversary of October 7th Terrorist Attacks", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://amo.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "amo.house.gov", "scraper": "amo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000380", "name": "Gabe Amo", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "“Today, we remember the 1,200 killed and hundreds taken hostage in the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023. We honor the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the countless communities left devastated in Israel and around the world.\n\nThe unspeakable loss that day and since, including innocent Palestinian civilians, requires us to recommit to building a lasting peace. Israelis and Palestinians alike deserve a future where they can live with security, dignity, and freedom.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=9ED27DCE-3201-4700-ACF2-2A1617F10BFB", "title": "Barr Announces $190,476 FEMA Grant for Three Central Kentucky Fire Departments", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "barr.house.gov", "scraper": "barr", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001282", "name": "Andy Barr", "party": "Republican", "state": "KY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "VERSAILLES, KY — U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06) announced that fire departments serving the City of Versailles, Anderson County, and the City of Frankfort have received a $190,476 federal grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program to purchase a new mobile cascade trailer.\n\nThe mobile cascade trailer will be shared among the three communities and will allow firefighters to refill their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air cylinders while responding to fires and other emergencies. The mobile system provides firefighters with an on-site source of breathable air, allowing crews to refill their SCBA cylinders during extended emergency operations.\n\nCongressman Barr voted to support federal funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which provides resources directly to fire departments and emergency response organizations across the country.\n\n“Our firefighters never hesitate to answer the call when their communities need them, and they deserve reliable equipment that helps them do their jobs safely,” said Congressman Barr. “This $190,476 grant will give firefighters in Versailles, Anderson County, and Frankfort a critical resource they can share when responding to emergencies across Central Kentucky. I was proud to support this funding and will continue working to make sure our first responders have the tools they need to protect our communities.”\n\n“Having the ability to refill our air packs on scene is a critical need for our firefighters, especially during longer emergency responses. This new mobile cascade trailer will make a real difference for our department, and we appreciate Congressman Barr’s support for the funding that helped make it possible,” said T.A. Rankin, City of Versailles Fire Chief.\n\n“Our departments work side by side all the time, and this is the kind of resource that benefits the entire area. Sharing this trailer between Anderson County, Versailles, and Frankfort means we’ll have another important piece of equipment available when a major call requires all of us to work together,” said Jimmy Robinson, Anderson County Fire Chief.\n\n“When firefighters are working an extended incident, having a reliable supply of breathing air on site is essential. This trailer will allow us to refill SCBA cylinders without taking crews or equipment away from the scene, helping us stay ready to respond for as long as we’re needed. We’re thankful for the investment in our first responders and the communities we serve,” said Johnny Carpenter, City of Frankfort Fire Chief.\n\nThe Assistance to Firefighters Grant program provides funding directly to eligible fire departments and other emergency response organizations for critical equipment, protective gear, training, vehicles, and other resources that improve firefighter and public safety.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9238", "title": "Beyer, DeGette, Matsui Statement on Illegal Impoundment of Health Research Funds", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "beyer.house.gov", "scraper": "beyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001292", "name": "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Representatives Don Beyer (VA-08), Diana DeGette (CO-01), and Doris Matsui (CA-07) released the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a legal determination confirming the administration illegally impounded $78 million in Fiscal Year 2025 funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The decision comes more than a year after Reps. Beyer, DeGette, and Matsui sent the initial request for a nonpartisan legal opinion on the matter.\n\n“The GAO’s decision today confirms what we have known for over a year: Donald Trump is stealing taxpayers’ dollars that Congress set aside to improve Americans’ health. The administration’s unilateral dismantling of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s grantmaking operations is an illegal impoundment of Congressionally appropriated funds.\n\n“Under Article I of the Constitution, the power of the purse rests strictly with Congress, not the executive branch. Trump’s administration cannot simply refuse to spend the resources we authorized for lifesaving health care research. Republicans must join Democrats in demanding that the Constitution is upheld.”\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Trump administration’s massive cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services beginning April 1, 2025, disrupted grant funding for health care research across the country, including in Colorado. AHRQ suffered particularly devastating impacts to its grants supporting more efficient, effective, and safe health care. Grantmaking at AHRQ halted: from April 1 to September 5, 2025, AHRQ did not issue a single grant. The agency would typically issue up to 73 grants during a comparable time period.\n\nIn September 2025, Representatives Beyer, DeGette, and Matsui sent a request to GAO for their legal opinion on whether disruptions of AHRQ’s grantmaking process represented illegal withholding of funds in violation of the Impoundment Control Act, which regulates the president’s ability to delay or withhold Congressionally appropriated spending. The GAO is often called the “Congressional watchdog” for its role in investigating federal government spending and performance.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/190-members-congress-slam-hhs-effort-dismantle-head-start", "title": "190 Members of Congress Slam HHS Effort to Dismantle Head Start", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "bobbyscott.house.gov", "scraper": "bobbyscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000185", "name": "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON –One hundred ninety Members of Congress demanded that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) withdraw its proposalto remove more than 90 percent of Head Start’s standards that ensure children receive a high-quality early education. Under the proposed rule, nearly one in ten children currently enrolled in Head Start could become ineligible overnight.\n\nIn the House, the letter is led by Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), Early Childhood and Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee Ranking Member Bonamici (D-OR-01), and Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13). In the Senate, the letter is led by Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Sanders (I-VT), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Senator Ben RayLuján (D-NM).\n\nThe Members are concerned that the proposed rule would illegally modify and weaken the services required by the Head Start Act. Specifically, the rule would eliminate federal quality standards for Head Start classrooms, including safety standards, staff-to-child ratios, staff qualifications, and standards for teaching. Additionally, the rule would erode critical services Head Start provides children and families, including health services. It would also shorten Head Start operating hours, eliminate enrollment protections for children with disabilities, and undermine services for dual language learners.\n\n“This proposed rule is a brazen attempt to dismantle Head Start without regard for the hundreds of thousands of young children and working-class families who depend on these programs and services every year. Under your proposal, Head Start children could be subject to corporal punishment; left unsupervised; have larger class sizes; have less qualified teachers; and no longer receive preventative and continuous health services, including oral health and mental health services,” wrote the Members. “We strongly urge you to withdraw the proposed rule, obey the law, and protect the legacy of Head Start.”\n\nSince the beginning of the second Trump Administration, HHS has repeatedly attempted to undermine and disrupt Head Start programs with an aggressive deregulation agenda, illegally withholding funding, firing federal staff, and threats to eliminate the program entirely. These actions serve the Trump Administration’s goal to end the Head Start program as laid out on page482 of Project 2025.\n\nIn the House, the letter was signed by: Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Hakeem S. Jeffries (NY-08), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald S. Beyer (VA-08), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Everton Blair (GA-13), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Shontel M. Brown (OH-11), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud O. Carbajal (CA-24), Andre Carson (IN-07), Troy A. Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Ed Case (HI-01), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr. (CA-31), Katherine M. Clark (MA-05), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Jason Crow (CO-06), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Donald G. Davis (NC-01), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Christopher R. Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-3), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (MD-3), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-3), Bill Foster (IL-11), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-8), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Pablo José Hernández (PR-AL), James A. Himes (CT-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Timothy M. Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), John W. Mannion (NY-22), Doris O. Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Richard E. Neal (MA-01), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Johnny Olszewski Jr. (MD-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Scott H. Peters (CA-50), Brittany Petterson (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie B. Raskin (MD-08), Josh Riley (NY-19), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda T. Sanchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Bradley Scott Schneider (IL-10), Hillary J. Scholten (MI-03), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie A. Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley M. Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Mark Takano (CA-39), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Shultz (FL-25), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).\n\nIn the Senate, the letter was signed by Senators: Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ben Ray Luján?(D-NM), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Timothy Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).\n\nTo read the full letter, click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/wyden-merkley-bonamici-salinas-hoyle-dexter-announce-43-million-support-public", "title": "Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Hoyle, Dexter Announce $4.3 Million to Support Public Safety Across Oregon", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "bonamici.house.gov", "scraper": "bonamici", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001278", "name": "Suzanne Bonamici", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, and Maxine Dexter, today announced more than $4.3 million in federal awards to support public safety programs across Oregon.\n\n“It is absolutely essential to ensure communities across Oregon are safe, and young people are able to get the support they need in times of crisis,” Wyden said. “These federal grants will help support local police agencies, youth support programs and resources for foster youth. I’ll keep fighting to secure the federal resources Oregon communities need to thrive and stay secure.”\n\n“Every Oregon community needs the resources to keep young people safe, support children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and build stronger relationships between families and those who serve them,” said Merkley, who helped secure funding for these community-initiated projects as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “These federal investments will expand mentorship and opportunities for young people, ensure children have access to critical advocacy and medical services, and strengthen public safety infrastructure in several communities across the state. I’ll keep fighting to bring these federal resources home to Oregon and support the local organizations working every day to make our communities safer.”\n\n“Beaverton’s Behavioral Health Court is doing important work to help people with mental health challenges who encounter the justice system and put them on a path to recovery,” said Bonamici. “I’m grateful this grant will support this initiative, improve lives, and make our communities safer.”\n\n“Investments in emergency response capabilities strengthen our communities,” said Hoyle. “This funding for the Cottage Grove Police Department will replace aging equipment and bolster our emergency preparedness, prioritizing public safety and making it easier for officers to do their jobs.”\n\n“Every child deserves to be safe, cared for, and heard. I’m thrilled to have helped secure over $2 million to protect children across Oregon. Because of this funding, children who have experienced abuse or neglect will not have to navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives alone. They will have an advocate in their corner and a safe place to turn to when they need emotional or medical support. I’m proud to see these federal dollars coming home to support the people doing this vital work in our communities,” Salinas said.\n\n“Our young people deserve to grow up safe, supported and hopeful about their future,” said Dexter, M.D. “I fought hard to bring this $1 million investment to Gresham because children deserve opportunities to succeed. This funding will connect them with mentors, workforce readiness and programs that prevent and reduce involvement in violent crime and strengthen public safety efforts for youth and families in East Multnomah County. Investing in our children makes Oregon stronger.”\n\nThe $4.3 million in federal awards from the Department of Justice’s Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants program will be distributed as follows:\n\n$1.05 million to the City of Gresham to expand the East Multnomah Outreach Prevention Intervention initiative to prevent and combat juvenile delinquency, reduce youth involvement in violent crime, and strengthen coordinated public safety efforts for youth and families in East Multnomah County.\n\n$1 million to Liberty House in Salem to increase medical clinic services to children who are victims of abuse or neglect in Marion and Polk Counties.\n\n$1.03 million to the Oregon CASA Network in Salem to support its work to provide foster children the advocacy and support of an assigned Court Appointed Special Advocate.\n\n$500,000 to the City of Beaverton to support the Behavioral Health Court program that targets defendants with criminal cases in the Beaverton Municipal Court who are the top utilizers of legal, jail or emergency room services living in the Beaverton area.\n\n$800,000 to the City of Cottage Grove to support modernizing the Cottage Grove Police Department fleet and communications infrastructure to facilitate a department-wide transition to community-oriented policing practices.\n\n“This funding will support Court Appointed Special Advocate programs across the state in recruiting and retaining volunteers who provide advocacy, encouragement, and a sense of stability to children impacted by abuse and neglect,” said Stephanie Brown, State Director, Oregon CASA Network. “Our advocates are in every corner of the state, getting to know the unique needs of each child they serve, and advocating for them in court, in school, and in the community. We appreciate the efforts of our elected officials to make this valuable investment in Oregon’s future which will help many of the state’s most vulnerable reach their full potential.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://bresnahan.house.gov/media/press-releases/bresnahan-local-realtors-community-leaders-hold-roundtable-housing-priorities", "title": "Bresnahan, Local Realtors, Community Leaders Hold Roundtable on Housing Priorities", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bresnahan.house.gov/media", "domain": "bresnahan.house.gov", "scraper": "bresnahan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001327", "name": "Robert P. Bresnahan, Jr.", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "TANNERSVILLE, PA: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) joined realtors, developers, educators, and community leaders for a roundtable covering housing priorities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The group discussed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which became law earlier this year, as well as local leaders’ ideas for improving housing access and affordability.\n\n“Families across Northeastern Pennsylvania are working hard to afford a home, but too many are finding that the cost of buying or renting is out of reach,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “We need to build more homes, but unnecessary barriers that drive up costs, and make sure working families aren’t being pushed aside by massive investment firms buying up housing. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act takes important steps in that direction by expanding housing supply and giving families a fairer shot at a finding a place they can call home.”\n\nRep. Bresnahan was joined by:\n\nChris Barrett, Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau President & CEO\n\nChris Fahy, Pennsylvania Association of Realtors NEPA Region Government Affairs\n\nChristine Wilkins, Pocono Mountain Association of Realtors Board Member and Realtor at Wilkins & Associates\n\nTiffanie Bailey Romey, Pocono Mountain Association of Realtors Realtor and Board President and Pennsylvania Association of Realtors Vice President\n\nWill Clauss, Realtor at Chant Real Estate\n\nTerry Soloman-August, Realtor, Luzerne County Association of Realtors Past President\n\nRobin Mediros, Realtor and Greater Scranton Board of Realtors Past President\n\nErin Ward, Associate Dean for Student Services at Northampton Community College, Monroe Campus\n\nLori Rudalavage, Vice President for Lending at PS Bank\n\nJerrod Belvin, Empire Development Group General Manager\n\nTom Campbell, Pocono United Way Vice President and Community Development of the Poconos Executive Director\n\nDuring the roundtable, local housing leaders shared their experiences and perspectives on the barriers facing homebuyers, renters, developers, and communities across the region. Participants discussed the need to expand housing supply, streamline unnecessary zoning and permitting barriers, encourage new development, and make better use of existing building and public land.\n\nRep. Bresnahan discussed his support for the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the nation’s housing challenges. The legislation increases housing supply, streamlines zoning and permitting, expands affordable housing construction, supports critical repairs for homeowners, and strengthens rental assistance programs. The legislation also addresses concerns about large institutional investors competing with families for newly built single-family homes. Under the bill, institutional investors that own 350 or more single-family homes are restricted from purchasing additional newly built single-family homes, helping ensure families have a fair opportunity to compete for homeownership.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://budzinski.house.gov/posts/budzinski-celebrates-nearly-145000-americorps-seniors-grant-for-dove-inc", "title": "Budzinski Celebrates Nearly $145,000 AmeriCorps Seniors Grant for Dove, Inc.", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://budzinski.house.gov/press", "domain": "budzinski.house.gov", "scraper": "budzinski", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001315", "name": "Nikki Budzinski", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "DECATUR, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) visited Dove, Inc. in Decatur to celebrate the organization receiving nearly $145,000 through the AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). During her visit, Budzinski met with Dove staff and senior volunteers to hear how the federal investment is helping adults 55 and older give back and support their neighbors across the 13th District.\n\nDove, Inc. has sponsored the RSVP program since 1976, connecting adults 55 and older with meaningful volunteer opportunities that address needs in their own communities. On June 30, Dove was awarded $144,731 through the FY26 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP grant competition. The program provides funding to organizations that engage older adults as volunteers to address critical local needs and strengthen communities.\n\n“People who want to give their time and talents to their communities should have every opportunity to do so, no matter their age,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “Dove understands the incredible value that older adults bring to our communities and this investment will help connect even more seniors with meaningful opportunities to serve their neighbors across Macon and DeWitt Counties. I’m proud to support AmeriCorps Seniors and the organizations like Dove that make a difference every day across Central Illinois.”\n\nThroughout her time in Congress, Budzinski has supported federal investments that create meaningful opportunities for older Americans to serve their communities, strengthen local organizations, and provide critical support to families and neighbors in Illinois.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-kat-cammack-florida-gateway-college-announce-3-million-federal", "title": "Congresswoman Kat Cammack, Florida Gateway College Announce $3 Million Federal Grant for New Construction Trades Center", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "cammack.house.gov", "scraper": "cammack", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001039", "name": "Kat Cammack", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LAKE CITY, Fla. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) joined Florida Gateway College (FGC) leaders on the college’s Lake City campus today to announce a $3 million federal grant, the largest in the college’s history, to build a new Building Construction Technology Center and launch trades programs for students across rural North Florida.\n\nRep. Cammack backed FGC’s application with a letter of support. The five-year award comes through the Strengthening Institutions Program, a U.S. Department of Education program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. This year’s competition prioritized rural institutions and programs that build career pathways and workforce readiness.\n\n\"North Central Florida is full of folks who build things with their hands, and they shouldn't have to leave home to learn a trade. This center means they won't have to,” said Rep. Kat Cammack. “Florida Gateway put together a winning plan, and I was proud to back it. This is a federal investment done right, and I can't wait to see the first class walk into that lab.\"\n\nRep. Cammack was joined by FGC President Dr. Lawrence Barrett, State Rep. Chuck Brannan, an FGC Trustee, and Kathy Hebda, Chancellor of the Division of Florida Colleges at the Florida Department of Education.\n\n“This grant is a tremendous investment in our college, our students, and the future of North Central Florida. The Building Construction program will create new opportunities for students to build skills, earn credentials, and pursue rewarding careers without having to leave the communities they call home. We’re grateful for the support that made this project possible, and we are excited to get to work,” said FGC President Dr. Lawrence Barrett.\n\nThe grant will renovate an existing campus building for classroom space and add a 4,800-square-foot construction lab with modern tools and technology, new HVAC and exhaust systems, and upgraded electrical and IT capabilities. FGC will use the funding to create two stackable programs, a Building Construction Specialist certificate and a Building Construction Technology Associate in Science degree, so students can choose how far they go and which credentials they earn.\n\nYear one of the grant, funded at $1,583,000, covers the building renovation and the foundation for the new lab. Construction, equipment purchases, and curriculum development follow in year two, with classes expected to begin in fall 2028.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-member-khanna-joined-democratic-lawmakers-raise-alarm-over-doe", "title": "Ranking Member Khanna Joined by Democratic Lawmakers to Raise Alarm Over DOE Cancellation of Transmission Corridors, Warns Decision Could Undermine U.S. Manufacturing and Competitiveness with China", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "carson.house.gov", "scraper": "carson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001072", "name": "André Carson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, joined Rep. André Carson (D-IN), Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA), to raise serious concerns about the Department of Energy’s decision to abandon three proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs), warning that the move could undermine U.S. manufacturing, increase electricity costs for American families, and weaken the nation’s ability to compete with China.\n\nIn a [democrats-selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2026.10.06-letter-to-doe-on-nietc-cancellations.pdf]letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Tuesday, the lawmakers questioned the Department’s August 12 decision not to move forward with the Lake Erie-Canada Corridor, Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, and Tribal Energy Access Corridor. He also pressed the Department to explain how it plans to address the nation’s urgent transmission needs and accelerate permitting for critical grid infrastructure.\n\nThe letter comes as the Department’s own July 2026 draft National Transmission Needs Study found a “pressing need” for additional transmission infrastructure driven in part by expanding domestic manufacturing, large industrial loads, data centers, and a growing economy.\n\n“Arbitrary cancellations like these set back the U.S. in the strategic race with the CCP, hamstring a U.S. manufacturing buildout, and drive up costs for American families,” the lawmakers wrote.\n\nThe Members further raised concerns about the impact of inadequate transmission capacity on American consumers. As electricity rates continue to rise, transmission constraints are driving up wholesale power costs and limit the ability of regions to bring new generation online, putting additional pressure on families and businesses already struggling with higher energy bills, the lawmakers wrote.\n\nThe Members are calling on Secretary Wright to provide detailed answers to the following by October 26, 2026:\n\nPlease provide a detailed account of any analysis conducted by the Department of the opportunity cost of cancelling the Lake Erie–Canada Corridor, the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, and the Tribal Energy Access Corridor, including projected effects on ratepayer costs, grid reliability, and industrial electricity supply in the affected regions.\n\nDid the Department assess the impact of these cancellations on potential manufacturing and energy-intensive development in the regions associated with these cancelled corridors? Please provide a detailed account of that analysis.\n\nHow does the Department reconcile these cancellations with the findings of its own July 2026 draft National Transmission Needs Study?\n\nWhat stakeholder feedback did the Department evaluate when deciding to cancel these NIETC designations and did the Department engage with utilities, regional transmission organizations, or the North American Electric Reliability Corporation?\n\nWhat steps, if any, will the Department take to address the transmission needs in these three corridors, or in other transmission constrained areas across the country (especially those identified in the 2026 draft National Transmission Needs Study)?\n\nRead the full letter to Energy Secretary Wright HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415890", "title": "3 years laterRemembering the victims of the October 7th Massacre", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "chrissmith.house.gov", "scraper": "chrissmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000522", "name": "Christopher H. Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) issued the following statement marking three years since Hamas terrorists savagely murdered over 1,200 men, women, and children on October 7th, 2023:\n\n“We remember, with profound sadness, the more than 1,200 innocent men, women and children—including 46 Americans—who were tortured, raped, and murdered by Hamas terrorists in Israel during the October 7th Massacre three years ago today.\n\n“Hamas kidnapped and took 251 hostages back to Gaza—including 12 Americans—and proceeded to torture, rape, and/or murder many of them. The spectacle of Hamas’ depravity and hate is beyond shocking.\n\n“Antisemitism—the absolute hatred of Jews and Israel—fueled the cowardly slaughter of innocent civilians by Hamas terrorists.\n\n“We will never forget, and we stand with our great friend and ally, Israel.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-commends-fema-release-final-installment-wildfire-survivor-case", "title": "Rep. Chu Commends FEMA Release of Final Installment of Wildfire Survivor Case Management Funding", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "chu.house.gov", "scraper": "chu", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001080", "name": "Judy Chu", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released the fourth and final installment of $3.3 million in previously approved funding for the Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP), completing the release of federal funding previously awarded to support survivors of the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades Fires\n\nOn September 30, 2026, following sustained pressure from Reps. Chu and Sherman and Sens. Schiff and Padilla, FEMA released the second and third installments of DCMP funding, totaling $6.6 million, on the same day the program was set to face a major funding cliff.\n\nRep. Chu, who has led congressional efforts to secure federal disaster assistance, tax relief, and long-term recovery resources for Eaton Fire survivors, repeatedly pressed FEMA to release the outstanding DCMP funds. She has also urged FEMA to approve California’s separate request for supplemental funding needed to sustain the program and ensure survivors can continue receiving case management services.\n\nRep. Chu released the following statement:\n\n“I am relieved that FEMA has finally released the full amount of previously approved funding for the DCMP. This money was already approved and set aside for survivors. There was no reason to withhold it and jeopardize critical recovery resources for thousands. Now, Californians can keep getting help navigating temporary housing and loan assistance without fear of being left to fend for themselves mid-process. And hundreds of case managers can keep supporting survivors without worrying about losing their jobs. However, FEMA must do the right thing and approve the State of California’s appeal for additional supplemental funding to sustain DCMP through the full 24-month timeframe that FEMA itself approved.\n\nFurther, President Trump must still fully fund Governor Newsom’s disaster supplemental request with no strings attached so our communities get the full federal recovery support they have waited far too long to receive. I will keep fighting until every survivor gets every dollar they are owed to rebuild and recover.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-joins-florence-copper-administrator-zeldin-celebrate-arizona-copper", "title": "Ciscomani Joins Florence Copper, Administrator Zeldin to Celebrate Arizona Copper Production Milestone", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ciscomani.house.gov", "scraper": "ciscomani", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001133", "name": "Juan Ciscomani", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Florence, AZ - Representative Juan Ciscomani joined Florence Copper leadership and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin to celebrate Florence Copper, the first new source of copper in the United States since 2008.\n\n\"Copper is one of Arizona’s 5 Cs and an essential part of our state’s economy. We have long been a leader in America’s effort to produce the critical minerals our national economy and security depend on. Throughout my time in office, I have championed our state’s continued leadership in domestic copper production and am grateful for operations like Florence Copper which work to advance this leadership,\" said Rep. Ciscomani. \"In becoming the nation’s first new major source of domestic copper production in nearly two decades, Florence Copper has shown immense success in ensuring Arizona remains a leader in our nation’s domestic copper production. I am proud to join Florence Copper in celebrating this significant milestone and remain committed to partnering with this operation and others throughout Arizona to advance our state's role in America’s domestic copper production.\"\n\nFlorence Copper is the world’s first greenfield commercial in-situ copper recovery (ISCR) operation. On February 26, 2026, Florence Copper produced its first copper cathode, becoming the first major new source of domestic copper production in the United States in nearly two decades. At full production, Florence Copper is expected to produce approximately 85 million pounds of copper cathode annually, increasing the United States’ refined copper production by approximately 5% above 2025 levels. The operation supports Arizona jobs, domestic manufacturing, and critical mineral supply chains.\n\n\"The opening of the Florence Copper Mine is a huge win for Arizona’s economy and their environment,\" said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. \"Congressmen Ciscomani and Crane have worked hard to ensure communities benefit from the hundreds of jobs and billions of dollars that will pour into Arizona’s economy over the coming years due to these operations. I was proud to represent the Trump Administration at Florence Copper’s announcement, as Arizona is yet again at the forefront of demonstrating how we can protect our environment while also promoting economic growth.\"\n\n\"We’ve taken a real community-focused approach here,\" said Trekor President & CEO Stuart McDonald. \"We’ve gained, over time, a lot of trust here and a great relationship. We really have a unique, innovative operation. We’re not digging a hole in the ground. There’s no waste rock...We’re able to extract copper with significantly less greenhouse gas emissions, less energy consumption and less water use.\"\n\nIn office, Representative Ciscomani has worked to ensure Arizona remains a key leader in America’s critical mineral supply chains and domestic copper production.\n\nCiscomani’s Critical Mineral Consistency Act (H.R. 755), which passed the House earlier this year, aligns the Departments of Energy and Interior’s lists of materials and minerals considered critical. By standardizing the definition and recognition of critical minerals, the legislation will help streamline permitting, attract investment, and aid the development of domestic mining and processing projects which are vital to national security and economic growth. For Arizona specifically, this legislation means that copper projects throughout the state will experience easier approval and streamlining.\n\nCiscomani has also celebrated recent investments in Arizona mining. The Department of Energy has invested $20 million in the University of Arizona’s School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources, boosting the state’s mining capabilities and investing in the next generation of workers. Additionally, Ciscomani celebrated a $1 billion investment in the Santa Cruz Copper Project and $180 million to strengthen mining education, including at the University of Arizona. These investments are crucial for the advancement of Arizona’s copper, contributing to the state’s overall economic strength and ability to lead in America’s domestic copper production.\n\nRecently, Ciscomani honored the South32 team for their outstanding work and commitment to safety on the Hermosa Project, a critical investment in Santa Cruz County which is projected to be completed in 2028. The South32 team, like Florence Copper, plays a vital role in strengthening Arizona's overall economy and supplying the critical minerals necessary for our national security.\n\nRepresentative Ciscomani is proud to continue his partnership with Arizona mining operations to ensure Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District remains a leader in domestic copper production and critical mineral supply.\n\nRead more about Representative Ciscomani’s efforts to strengthen Arizona’s domestic copper production HERE and HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-costa-statement-third-anniversary-october-7-terrorist-attacks", "title": "Rep. Costa Statement on the Third Anniversary of the October 7 Terrorist Attacks", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "costa.house.gov", "scraper": "costa", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001059", "name": "Jim Costa", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FRESNO, Calif. – Today, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement marking the third anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas:\n\n“Today marks three years since the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas, which killed approximately 1,200 people and took hundreds more hostage into Gaza. We honor the victims and recognize the enduring pain of survivors, those taken hostage, and their families.\n\nMy heart and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones and with the innocent people who continue to suffer because of this prolonged conflict. We also mourn the Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza, including so many children, and recognize the devastating losses their families have endured.\n\nWe must continue to stand firmly against terrorism and those who threaten the security of Israel and safety of Jewish communities worldwide. That includes confronting the rise in antisemitism here at home. At the same time, we cannot lose sight of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the need for a lasting political solution.\n\nI continue to support an end to this conflict that guarantees Israel’s security alongside a future Palestinian state where its people can build a secure and prosperous future. I hope for an end to the violence and a lasting peace.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://crane.house.gov/2026/10/07/rep-crane-introduces-legislation-to-help-rural-counties-secure-federal-disaster-assistance/", "title": "Rep. Crane Introduces Legislation to Help Rural Counties Secure Federal Disaster Assistance", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crane.house.gov/media/", "domain": "crane.house.gov", "scraper": "crane", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001132", "name": "Elijah Crane", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Yesterday, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) introduced the Rural Disaster Fairness Act of 2026 to make it easier for rural counties with limited taxable land to qualify for federal disaster assistance. The bill would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to cut a key per capita damage threshold in half for any county that can levy property taxes on less than 15 percent of its land.\n\nRural counties where the federal government owns much of the land often suffer significant disaster damage, yet many struggle to secure the help they need. Because federal land is not subject to local property taxes, these counties typically have far fewer resources to fund emergency response and recovery. This narrow tax base also makes it hard for them to maintain and replace aging infrastructure before a disaster strikes. Those older systems can complicate FEMA’s review of a county’s losses. In some cases, the agency has been unable to determine whether damage to pipelines and other critical assets resulted from the event itself or from their age and condition.\n\nPart of the problem lies in how FEMA measures the scale of a disaster. When a state requests a major disaster declaration, the agency weighs several factors to assess whether federal aid is warranted. One of these is local impact, which FEMA gauges through the county per capita indicator. This benchmark sets a dollar amount of estimated public assistance damages per resident that a county must meet. The indicator compares losses to population, but it does not account for how much revenue a local government can actually raise. As a result, a disaster can place a serious financial burden on a county with little taxable land yet still fall short of the threshold.\n\nThe Rural Disaster Fairness Act seeks to address this gap by amending Section 1232 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. That section directs FEMA to give greater consideration to severe local impact when evaluating declaration requests. Under Rep. Crane’s legislation, the agency would lower the threshold amount of estimated public assistance damages needed to meet the county per capita indicator by 50 percent. This reduction would apply nationwide to every county where less than 15 percent of its total land area is subject to its real property taxes. The change is designed to more accurately reflect a disaster’s true toll on these counties and strengthen their case for federal relief.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://crow.house.gov/media/in-the-news/aurora-sentinel-rep-crow-introduces-bill-to-extend-tps-protections-for-ukrainian-immigrants", "title": "Aurora Sentinel: Rep. Crow introduces bill to extend TPS protections for Ukrainian immigrants", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crow.house.gov/news", "domain": "crow.house.gov", "scraper": "crow", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001121", "name": "Jason Crow", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "AURORA | Aurora Democratic Congressperson Jason Crow is behind a House bill that would extend through 2029 temporary immigration protections for Ukrainian nationals living in the United States.\n\nCrow’s bill would extend Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for Ukrainians currently in the U.S. The protections are scheduled to expire Oct. 19, 2026, according to a press statement from Crow.\n\n“Russia continues its illegal and unprovoked attacks on Ukraine,” Crow said in a statement. “America must continue to stand with the people of Ukraine.” The legislation would make the extension part of federal law rather than leaving the protections subject to presidential action, the release said.\n\nPresident Donald Trump and his administration has created intense worry and consternation among immigrants living in the United States and benefiting from TPS protections.\n\n“I think that TPS should be a part of a long overdue comprehensive immigration reform by Congress but until then, we owe it to those who are in the country under TPS to extend their status,” Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said in a statement. “It would be heartless to force the Ukrainians back into a war zone. So I applaud Congressman Crow’s efforts to extend their status, although having been a member of Congress for 10 years, I know how difficult it will be to pass and… to have President Trump sign it into law when he already has the authority to extend it, unilaterally, without Congressional approval. “\n\nOn Sept. 9, Trump let expire TPS protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrations, primarily from Venezuela and El Salvador. The Supreme Court earlier this year ruled that, under current U.S. law, the president has authority to end TPS protections for protected groups without justification.\n\nTPS allows nationals of designated countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary conditions to remain temporarily in the United States and obtain work authorization. The program requires recipients to undergo screening, according to the release.\n\nCrow introduced the bill with representatives Bill Keating, D-Mass., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa. In the Senate, the legislation was introduced by senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Chris Coons, D-Del.; and Bill Cassidy, R-La.\n\nCrow serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Armed Services Committee, according to the release.\n\nHe has been a supporter of U.S. assistance to Ukraine since before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Crow traveled to Kyiv in December 2021 and later advocated for U.S. military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, according to his office.\n\nThe legislation would apply to Ukrainian nationals already covered by TPS and extend their protections through June 2029.\n\nThe measure does not address another TPS warranty, covering immigrants from Sudan, also set to expire Oct. 19.\n\nColorado is home to about 17,000-18,000 Ukrainian immigrants, according to the U.S. Census records. The Aurora-Denver metro area is home to as many as about 5,000 of those immigrants, according to Census records.\n\nTemporary legal protections for about 200,000 immigrants from El Salvador — including more than 4,000 in Aurora — was in limbo Wednesday as a deadline neared for the Trump administration to decide if they should end, as it has done for hundreds of thousands from Venezuela, Haiti and other countries.\n\nThe Temporary Protected Status designation expired in September, but the statute does not give a specific time for when that happens. If the Department of Homeland Security takes no action, protections are automatically extended for six months. This rare reprieve happened in May, when the protections were automatically extended to about 11,000 Lebanese, allowing them to stay and work in the U.S. for another 180 days.\n\nDHS said in a statement in early September that it will announce a decision on El Salvador “at the appropriate time” and that protections would remain in place until then.\n\nThe push against Salvadoran immigrants drew a rebuke from Coffman, a Republican.\n\n“I fully support the Trump administration’s successful effort at controlling our borders to combat illegal immigration,” Coffman said earlier this year in a social media post. “But this is not a question about illegal immigration because the Salvadorans, living in Aurora under TPS, came here legally and have had children and even grandchildren here, own homes in our city, and have not only started but expanded small businesses here.”\n\nAbout 200,000 people from El Salvador have lived in the U.S. since 2001 under TPS, which allows people already in the country to remain with work permits for renewable periods of up to 18 months, if the secretary of homeland security determines conditions are unsafe for return. They are eligible for work permits.\n\nCrow agreed with Coffman at the time that the situation of the El Salvadoran immigrants and refugees stands apart.\n\n“Immigrants and asylum seekers who come here legally – including through Temporary Protected Status – work, pay taxes, and contribute greatly to Colorado,” Crow said. “It’s important for Coloradans to remember how we got here. President Trump and Republicans cut healthcare and food assistance to give tax breaks to billionaires and hire thousands of poorly trained ICE agents. Their aggressive immigration tactics and mass deportations have hurt our economy, terrorized our communities, and separated families. Coloradans deserve a secure border, an orderly asylum process for those fleeing violence, and a path for workers, families, and children to earn citizenship.”\n\nDuring President Donald Trump’s second term, Homeland Security has ended TPS for more than 1 million people from 14 countries, including El Salvador, Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Afghanistan and Syria. Only about 103,000 from three countries remain protected with termination dates in October for Ukraine and Sudan, and November for Lebanon.\n\nThe Trump administration obtained a major victory when the Supreme Court ruled in June that Homeland Security acted within its authority by ending TPS for about 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians. The impact of the decision extends far beyond Haitians and Syrians, potentially affecting nearly 1.3 million people from 17 countries on TPS.\n\nTPS was created by Congress in 1990 to prevent deportations to countries suffering from natural disasters or civil strife.\n\nIt was granted to El Salvador following two devastating 2001 earthquakes that left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Just before leaving office, President Joe Biden extended TPS for El Salvador for 18 months to Sept. 9, 2026.\n\nThe vast majority of Salvadoran TPS holders have children born in the U.S. Many have lost their jobs and fear being detained, separated from their American family members, and deported to a country they barely know.\n\n— The Associated Press contributed to this story.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://crow.house.gov/media/press-releases/crow-introduces-bill-to-extend-temporary-protected-status-for-ukrainians", "title": "Crow Introduces Bill to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crow.house.gov/news", "domain": "crow.house.gov", "scraper": "crow", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001121", "name": "Jason Crow", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a former paratrooper and Army Ranger who serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Armed Services Committee, introduced legislation that will protect Ukrainian nationals already in the U.S. against the threat of deportation by extending their Temporary Protected Status (TPS).\n\nCrow’s bill provides certainty and stability for Ukrainians currently in the U.S. by extending TPS for this group through June 2029. TPS for Ukrainian nationals is currently set to expire on October 19, 2026, despite continued threats facing the country from Russian aggression. Passing Crow’s legislation would ensure that temporary protections for Ukrainian nationals are codified into law past October and not solely up to the whims of any President.\n\nTPS allows foreign nationals who cannot return home due to violence, conflict, and instability to live and work in the U.S. Under TPS, individuals are rigorously and continuously vetted before and after they receive this status.\n\nCrow introduced the bill alongside Congressmen Bill Keating (D-MA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). It was introduced in the Senate by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).\n\n“Russia continues its illegal and unprovoked attacks on Ukraine. Vladimir Putin is attacking Ukrainian schools, homes, hospitals, and energy infrastructure across the country with drones, ballistic missiles, and aerial bombs. Millions of Ukrainian women, children, and refugees have fled the violence fearing for their lives. America must continue to stand with the people of Ukraine,” said Congressman Crow.\n\nCongressman Crow has been a strong supporter of the Ukrainian people. In December 2021, just before Russia’s full-scale invasion, Congressman Crow led a delegation to Kyiv to reaffirm America’s commitment to Ukraine. When the invasion began, he immediately called for the U.S. to send military and humanitarian support to Ukraine, for international sanctions against Russia, and for a stronger NATO alliance to meet these new security threats. Weeks later, as Ukrainians fled their homes, Congressman Crow and other members advocated for an expedited immigration status for Ukrainians to the U.S. Crow has visited Ukraine several times since Russia’s invasion. The Congressman has been one of the earliest and strongest supporters of military, development, and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. He voted for, and strongly advocated for, every supplemental package provided to Ukraine.\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-davids-d-crane-r-introduce-bipartisan-bill-improve-housing-access-tribal", "title": "Reps. Davids (D), Crane (R) Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Housing Access for Tribal Veterans", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "davids.house.gov", "scraper": "davids", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000629", "name": "Sharice Davids", "party": "Democrat", "state": "KS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve how unused housing vouchers are managed and distributed. The legislation would allow Tribes to voluntarily give back vouchers they do not plan to use, so the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can redirect assistance to Tribal communities facing a shortage.\n\n\"Native veterans hold a special place in my heart,” said Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. “My mom and grandfather both served in the Army, and as a Native person, I know how much our communities value the veterans who have served our country. Tribal Nations know best what their communities and veterans need, and respecting Tribal sovereignty means giving them the flexibility and resources to meet those needs. I'm grateful to work with Rep. Crane on this bipartisan effort to ensure more Native veterans get the housing they need after returning home.”\n\n\"The Tribal HUD-VASH program helps house Tribal veterans in need, but the current system is not as efficient as it should be,” said Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ-02). “Some Tribes have leftover vouchers they cannot use while others lack the resources to take care of our veterans. Our legislation aims to resolve this longstanding issue by getting unused vouchers into the hands of Tribes that can put them to use. This is a sensible approach that makes better use of existing support without expanding the size and scope of the federal government. As the representative for more than half of the Tribes in Arizona, I'm honored to advocate for these heroes by reforming and modernizing this process. I appreciate Rep. Davids' willingness to work across the aisle. We've made real progress together before, and I look forward to building on that success with this bill.”\n\nNative American veterans experience some of the highest rates of homelessness in the United States. To address this, Congress created the Tribal HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH) demonstration program, which provides rental assistance and supportive services to Native veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.\n\nAlthough the program has helped many veterans secure stable housing, it lacks a clear process for Tribes to return vouchers they cannot use or to request additional ones. As a result, valuable housing support sits idle while veterans in other Tribal communities wait for help.\n\nThe new Tribal Veterans Voucher Flexibility Act directs HUD to establish a voluntary program for reallocating unused Tribal HUD-VASH vouchers to Native veterans who need them most. Under the bill, Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) can notify HUD via digital, phone, or mail correspondence if they have surplus vouchers or request additional assistance for their communities without impacting their future allocations.\n\nRequired to launch within 180 days of enactment, the program creates a streamlined process to strengthen Tribal HUD-VASH and expand Native veterans' access to earned housing assistance. Within that same timeframe, HUD must submit a congressional report detailing voucher usage and shortfall metrics, distribution recommendations, and an assessment of whether to increase overall program funding.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://dean.house.gov/2026/10/congresswoman-dean-s-statement-on-third-anniversary-of-october-7th-attack", "title": "Congresswoman Dean's Statement on Third Anniversary of October 7th Attack", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dean.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "dean.house.gov", "scraper": "dean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000631", "name": "Madeleine Dean", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04), member of the House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Committees, released the following statement on the third anniversary of the October 7th attack:\n\n“Three years ago today, Hamas terrorists launched a brutal, barbaric — most inhumane — attack on the people of Israel. Homes, Kibbutzim, and families were burned. Families torn apart. Unspeakable crimes committed against women, children, and seniors. More than 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage, including American citizens.\n\nThe cruelty and brutality of this attack demanded universal, international condemnation and American support for our ally and friend Israel.\n\nI have traveled to Israel several times since October 7th, to meet with grieving Israeli families and government leaders. I met twice with Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging him to pursue justice — a just war — not vengeance, to be a partner for peace.\n\nToday, thanks to the tireless advocacy from the families and to American leadership, all the living hostages have been reunited with their loved ones. The dead have been returned to be buried with dignity. Around the world, Jewish people just celebrated their first Rosh Hashanah without any hostages held in Hamas’ custody. But the scars of October 7th run deep and are lasting. The families of those who were killed, and those who were taken, will carry that grief for the rest of their lives. We all will.\n\nMeanwhile, the region remains in turmoil. Millions of Gazans are still displaced and vulnerable, struggling to find the food, water, medicine, and shelter they need to survive. More than 70,000 innocent Palestinian civilians have been killed and thousands more wounded, so many of them children. and Israeli violations of the ceasefire are alarmingly common. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers continue to encroach on Palestinian land, using violence to injure, kill, and drive out Palestinian families, jeopardizing any chance at peace.\n\nWe owe it to all those who died, on that day and in the devastating war since, to build a better future.\n\nMy prayer, and my work as a member of Congress, remains focused on supporting these essential pillars of peace: disarming of Hamas, a durable ceasefire to enable the mass distribution of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza; a safe and secure future for Israel as a democratic home for the Jewish people; self-determination and dignity for the Palestinian people to rebuild their lives and create a democratic, sovereign state of their own; and a commitment by leaders around the world to these principles, that we might truly end the cycle of violence.\n\nIn this work, I am guided by the Jewish teaching of “Tikkun Olam”— the call to repair the world — and by the Scripture which tells us: blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.\n\nToday, we remember the suffering of October 7th. Tomorrow, we must continue the work, with mercy and moral clarity, each doing our part to make peace.”\n\nRep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://dean.house.gov/2026/10/reps-dean-raskin-n-demand-doj-investigate-former-bard-college-president-after-uncovering-his-email-asking-whether-young-woman-was-for-me-or-epstein-himself-reveal-history-of-sex-abuse-coverup-at-bard", "title": "Reps. Dean, Raskin Demand DOJ Investigate Former Bard College President's Ties to Epstein, History of Sex Abuse Coverup at Bard", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dean.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "dean.house.gov", "scraper": "dean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000631", "name": "Madeleine Dean", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04) and Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, demanded a federal investigation into former Bard College President Leon Botstein after reviewing an email in which Botstein asked Jeffrey Epstein about a young woman Epstein was trafficking: “Is [Jane Doe] for me, or are you keeping her for yourself.”\n\nThe letters — to Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel, and to Bard Board Chair Brandon Weber and Acting President Jonathan Becker — detail communications concerning a young foreign model and aspiring vocalist whom Epstein sent to Botstein in May 2014. They also question why DOJ exposed her name hundreds of times and released photographs showing her face while redacting Botstein’s email address.\n\n“[T]his evidence, and the facts laid out in the Epstein files, surely meet and exceed the federal law enforcement standard for initiating a criminal investigation: the existence of evidence that a crime ‘may have occurred.’ These facts strongly indicate that a crime may have occurred. Yet, you have done nothing, and launched no investigation, about this incident which you and your staff must have known of for at least 18 months. In so doing, you have effectively permitted a potential co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein to stay in a position of power over young students, faculty and staff for an additional year at least,” the lawmakers wrote.\n\nEmails and messages reviewed by the Committee show that Epstein groomed the young woman throughout 2014, offering advice and assistance with her education and career in the United States. After meeting Jane Doe in Paris, Epstein directed his assistant, Lesley Groff, to arrange private flights from her home country to destinations including Canada, New York, Florida, New Mexico and his island. A message to Epstein included a photograph of Jane Doe giving a woman, possibly Ghislaine Maxwell, a nude massage.\n\nThat May, Epstein sent Jane Doe to meet Botstein, ostensibly to assess her musical abilities and provide educational guidance. In an email from his Bard account, Botstein asked whether Jane Doe was “for me”. As he did with other survivors, Epstein relied on Botstein to assuage parental concerns about the sex offender, in this case by requesting orchestra tickets for the young woman’s parents to attend a Bard concert abroad. Epstein also asked Botstein to give them special treatment.\n\nThe evidence uncovered by the Committee contradicts the July 2025 DOJ–FBI memorandum and numerous follow-up claims by FBI Director Patel and Attorney General Blanche asserting that investigators found no evidence warranting an investigation of Epstein’s uncharged associates. Ranking Member Raskin demanded answers about why DOJ exposed the young woman’s identity while redacting Botstein’s email address, who directed that disparate treatment, and whom they were seeking to protect. Committee staff identified documents that still expose her name and provided the list separately to DOJ for redaction. The letters omit citations to DOJ documents to protect her identity.\n\nSeparately, more than a dozen whistleblowers have provided Committee staff information about a culture of sexual misconduct at Bard spanning decades. Multiple reports accuse Botstein of groping women and asking sexualized questions during tenure interviews. Whistleblowers described Botstein personally overseeing Title IX adjudications for the majority of his tenure as president and faculty being told that certain individuals accused of abuse were “protected by Botstein.”\n\nIn a letter to Bard’s leadership, Ranking Member Raskin sought records concerning Epstein’s use of the college to advance his trafficking activities and allegations from more than a dozen whistleblowers about sexual misconduct at Bard, including allegations that Botstein personally engaged in misconduct and intervened in Title IX proceedings to protect offenders. The Bard letter also details allegations involving a senior tenured professor who remains on campus, including that he invited a male student into his bed and supplied alcohol to the point of alcohol poisoning. That allegation appeared in a sworn federal complaint and was corroborated by whistleblower statements.\n\n“Ultimately, we understand that your outrageous abandonment of your responsibilities is not about Leon Botstein. It is about protecting another individual who appears frequently in the Epstein files who also may have been a co-conspirator in Jeffrey Epstein’s brutal and sickening sex trafficking operation. And yet you continue to show the world that you would rather let a dozen, even 100, or 1,000 human sex traffickers go free than allow the possibility of an honest investigation of the conduct of one man,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nRep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7467", "title": "Dingell, Hayes Introduce Bill to Hold Schools Accountable for Mishandling Reports of Sexual Assault", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "debbiedingell.house.gov", "scraper": "debbiedingell", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000624", "name": "Debbie Dingell", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05) introduced the Title IX Take Responsibility Act, legislation that would hold schools accountable for mishandling reports of sexual assault and provide survivors a stronger path towards justice.\n\nThe legislation amends Title IX, a U.S. federal civil rights law passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972 that bans sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal money. The bill would reform how schools handle sexual assault and harassment by replacing outdated legal loopholes with clear accountability.\n\n\"For far too long, outdated legal loopholes have allowed educational institutions to turn a blind eye to reports of sexual assault, leaving survivors without justice or support,\" said Congresswoman Dingell. \"Title IX was enacted to protect students, not to shield institutions from accountability when they fail to keep campuses safe. This bill closes these gaps and ensures that every student has access to a safe learning environment free from abuse.\"\n\n\"One incident of sexual violence is one too many,\" said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. \"I am committed to protecting students, supporting survivors, and ensuring college campuses are safe learning environments for all. The Title IX Take Responsibility Act will put the responsibility on educational institutions for any mishandling of sexual assault reporting and failure to prevent further assaults. This legislation should be considered immediately, and I thank Congresswoman Dingell for partnering on this effort.\"\n\nUnder current Supreme Court precedents, schools can only be held liable if high-level officials had \"actual notice\" and reacted with \"deliberate indifference,\" creating an incentive for institutions to turn a blind eye. This bill eliminates that defense by holding schools legally responsible if they knew or reasonably should have known about the abuse and failed to take effective action. It also expands access to justice by allowing survivors to hold schools accountable in federal court for monetary damages and legal fees.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by Volare, Ujima, End Rape on Campus, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV), Just Solutions, YWCA, and the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA).\n\n“Survivors should not have to sacrifice their education because an institution failed to respond meaningfully to sexual harassment or violence. The Title IX Take Responsibility Act strengthens survivors’ ability to enforce their rights and recognizes that students should be able to access meaningful support without being required to pursue an investigation. Survivors deserve options that protect their safety, well-being, and ability to continue their education,” said Volare CEO Bridgette Stumpf.\n\n“YWCA USA is unwavering in our pursuit of a world where all women and girls can thrive. To meet that mission, it is essential that every student can learn in an environment free from sexual violence. Sadly, we know that violence does occur. The deeply disturbing reports from Cornell University underscore that passing the Title IX Take Responsibility Act is an essential and overdue step that would hold our educational institutions more responsible for protecting students from the start and accessing swift, meaningful pathways to justice and healing,” said Kate Kasper, VP of Public Policy and Advocacy, YWCA USA.\n\n\"Schools must take sexual misconduct more seriously. We're abandoning survivors and ignoring the enormous impact of sexual violence on their educational attainment, health, and quality of life. This is unacceptable. The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence applauds Representatives Dingell and Hayes for re-introducing the Title IX Take Responsibility Act. We must have more accountability,\" said Monika Johnson-Hostler, President & CEO, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence.\n\n“I’m grateful to Reps. Dingell and Hayes for reintroducing the Title IX Take Responsibility Act. At moment when the Dept of Education is rolling back protections under Title IX and leaving survivors of sexual violence vulnerable, this bill would strengthen protections and where appropriate, hold institutions accountable,” said Lisalyn Jacobs, CEO of Just Solutions.\n\n“Survivors should never have to choose between their safety and their education. The Title IX Take Responsibility Act affirms survivors’ rights to support, to make their own choices about reporting, and to seek justice when their access to education is harmed. It also gives schools clear standards that reflect what effective, survivor-centered response looks like. NOVA strongly supports this bill,” said Claire Ponder Selib, Executive Director, National Organization for Victim Advocacy.\n\nBill text can be found HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/degette-matsui-beyer-statement-illegal-impoundment-health-research", "title": "DeGette, Matsui, Beyer Statement on Illegal Impoundment of Health Research Funds", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "degette.house.gov", "scraper": "degette", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000197", "name": "Diana DeGette", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Diana DeGette (CO-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07), and Don Beyer (VA-08) released the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a legal determination confirming the administration illegally impounded $78 million in Fiscal Year 2025 funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The decision comes more than a year after Reps. DeGette, Matsui and Beyer sent the initial request for a nonpartisan legal opinion on the matter.\n\n“The GAO’s decision today confirms what we have known for over a year: Donald Trump is stealing taxpayers’ dollars that Congress set aside to improve Americans’ health. The administration’s unilateral dismantling of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s grantmaking operations is an illegal impoundment of Congressionally appropriated funds.\n\n“Under Article I of the Constitution, the power of the purse rests strictly with Congress, not the executive branch. Trump’s administration cannot simply refuse to spend the resources we authorized for lifesaving health care research. Republicans must join Democrats in demanding that the Constitution is upheld.”\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Trump administration’s massive cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services beginning April 1, 2025, disrupted grant funding for health care research across the country, including in Colorado. AHRQ suffered particularly devastating impacts to its grants supporting more efficient, effective, and safe health care. Grantmaking at AHRQ halted: from April 1 to September 5, 2025, AHRQ did not issue a single grant. The agency would typically issue up to 73 grants during a comparable time period.\n\nIn September 2025, Representatives DeGette, Matsui and Beyer sent a request to GAO for their legal opinion on whether disruptions of AHRQ’s grantmaking process represented illegal withholding of funds in violation of the Impoundment Control Act, which regulates the president’s ability to delay or withhold Congressionally appropriated spending. The GAO is often called the “Congressional watchdog” for its role in investigating federal government spending and performance.\n\nToday, after a lengthy nonpartisan investigation, the GAO announced its findings that the Trump administration did illegally withhold—or impound—$78 million Congress directed to support healthcare research.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauros-urgent-message-ct-farmers-dont-miss-out-apply-today", "title": "DeLauro’s Urgent Message to CT Farmers: Don’t Miss Out; Apply Today!", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "delauro.house.gov", "scraper": "delauro", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000216", "name": "Rosa L. DeLauro", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro urged Connecticut’s farmers to apply for disaster relief funding she secured for their recovery:\n\n“I wrote the Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant for farmers who too often get left behind when disaster strikes. Today, I am urging every one of them to apply. Round One closes tonight at 11:59 PM. The earlier you apply, the faster you’ll get the money you’re owed. Busy on the farm? No problem, the application portal will remain open after today.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-davis-announces-1-million-federal-funding-strengthen-rural-health", "title": "Congressman Davis Announces $1 Million in Federal Funding to Strengthen Rural Health Care", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "dondavis.house.gov", "scraper": "dondavis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000230", "name": "Donald G. Davis", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services awarded Rural Health Group, Inc. $250,000 and Metropolitan Community Health $750,000 to expand the SmallHealth Care Provider Quality Improvement Program and the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program.\n\n“Eastern North Carolina families should be able to get quality healthcare in their own communities, as these funds will help do exactly that. They will go towards providing support to local healthcare providers, increasing access to necessary services, and creating an opportunity for families and individuals who are struggling with substance use disorder to receive the essential help they need for treatment and recovery,” said Congressman Don Davis. “I will continue working hard to deliver so our rural communities have the resources they require to remain healthy, strong, and productive.”\n\nRural Health Group, Inc. will receive $250,000 for the Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program. The program supports our rural health care providers in strengthening primary care coordination and quality, improving chronic disease management, and using proven, data-driven practices to improve patient outcomes.\n\nMetropolitan Community Health will receive $750,000 for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program. The funding will support efforts to improve access to treatment and recovery services for individuals with substance use disorder or opioid use disorder in rural communities.\n\nCongressman Davis voted for H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which continued federal investments in rural health programs administered through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-announces-2026-service-academy-nomination-deadline", "title": "Congressman Don Davis Announces 2026 Service Academy Nomination Deadline", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "dondavis.house.gov", "scraper": "dondavis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000230", "name": "Donald G. Davis", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) has announced that high school students who reside in North Carolina's First Congressional District and wish to obtain a Congressional nomination to attend a military service academy can now submit an application.\n\n\"Service academies instill in our nation's youth the discipline, confidence, and sense of responsibility required to succeed in serving our country. As a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, serving our country in the military was one of the greatest callings I have ever answered. I encourage interested students to apply,\" said Congressman Don Davis.\n\nStudents applying for a Congressional nomination may choose to apply for one of the following academies: U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination.\n\nIn order to assist potential applicants and their families in understanding the nomination process, Congressman Davis will hold an NC-01 Virtual Service Academy Webinar on October 10, 2026. During the Webinar, attendees will receive information regarding service academy opportunities, eligibility requirements, as well as additional information regarding the Congressional nomination process.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-davis-bergman-van-drew-golden-introduce-smile-veterans-act", "title": "Reps. Davis, Bergman, Van Drew, Golden Introduce SMILE for Veterans Act", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "dondavis.house.gov", "scraper": "dondavis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000230", "name": "Donald G. Davis", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reps. Don Davis (NC-01), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) and Jared Golden (ME-02) have introduced the SMILE for Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation which will create a Department of Veterans Affairs Pilot Program to pay for local dentists providing care to America's rural veterans.\n\n\"Too many rural veterans experience difficulty obtaining necessary dental care, and quality dental care is essential for maintaining overall health,\" said Rep. Don Davis. \"The SMILE for Veterans Act provides community-based providers with a means to provide that care closer to home. We owe it to our veterans to maintain our promise to provide them with the best care possible.”\n\nAt this time, only approximately 15 percent of the nearly 9 million veterans receiving their healthcare through the VA are eligible for VA-funded dental care. In most cases, eligibility for dental care is based on whether a veteran has a service-connected dental issue, a 100 percent disability rating, or was a former prisoner of war.\n\nThe SMILE for Veterans Act addresses the lack of accessibility to quality dental care in rural areas by allowing local dentists already in place to be reimbursed for treating rural veterans. The legislation would allow for increased access to dental care in underserved areas using the current provider base and infrastructure, without creating additional costs or requiring the VA to develop new dental systems.\n\n“For too many veterans in rural communities, basic dental care is either too far away or simply out of reach,”said Rep. Jack Bergman.“The SMILE for Veterans Act offers a practical solution by connecting veterans with trusted dental providers already serving their communities. Rather than building an expensive new federal system from the ground up, this legislation uses existing local providers to deliver care efficiently and closer to home.”\n\n“I spent 30 years as a dentist, and I can tell you that putting off dental care usually only makes things worse,”said Rep. Jeff Van Drew.“For veterans living in rural communities, sometimes the hardest part is simply finding a dentist close enough to get the care they need. That should not be the case. The SMILE for Veterans Act is a practical way to connect veterans with that care closer to home. To me, that is common sense.”\n\n“VA health care is an essential benefit for our nation’s veterans, but for too long a lack of dental coverage has been a massive gap in care. The mouth is part of the body, and our veterans shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get basic dental care. I’m proud to work with Reps. Bergman, Davis and Van Drew on the SMILE Act, which takes a smart first step toward more comprehensive coverage by focusing on rural areas where barriers to care are the highest and community providers that can help close the gap,”said Rep. Jared Golden.\n\nThe SMILE for Veterans Act is supported by AMVETS, the National Rural Health Association, and the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://elfreth.house.gov/media/press-releases/elfreth-leads-colleagues-urging-11-million-additional-funding-mental-health", "title": "Elfreth Leads Colleagues in Urging $11 Million in Additional Funding for Mental Health Support at Cyber Command Following Suicides", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://elfreth.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "elfreth.house.gov", "scraper": "elfreth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000301", "name": "Sarah Elfreth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, led her colleagues on the Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation (CITI) Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee and the Maryland Delegation in requesting an additional $11 million in funding for mental health support at U.S. Cyber Command following reports of multiple suicides earlier this year. On the letter from the CITI members, Elfreth was joined by Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Rich McCormick (R-GA-07), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Herbert Conaway (D-NJ-03), Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07), and Pat Ryan (D-NY-18). On the letter from the Maryland members, Elfreth was joined by her Maryland delegation colleagues, including Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who co-led the letter, along with Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Representatives Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD-02), and April McClain Delaney (D-MD-06). Both letters were directed to the heads of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.\n\n“We respectfully urge you to retain the $11 million program increase for U.S. Cyber Command high-performance team training… Headquartered at Fort George G. Meade, U.S. Cyber Command is central to Maryland’s national security community and relies on service members, civilian employees, and families throughout our state to conduct some of the Nation’s most demanding and persistent missions,” wrote the CITI members.\n\n“As the Congressional Delegation of Maryland, we are troubled by recent public reporting describing several deaths by suicide among personnel in cyber operations and the Fort Meade community over a short period. These deaths have a severe impact on the family, friends, and wider community. The concentration of these tragedies within a small, highly specialized workforce demands sustained attention and an institutional response proportionate to the operational strain these personnel bear,” wrote the Maryland lawmakers. “Cyber personnel operate in a uniquely stressful environment. Many are effectively ‘deployed in place’ for two- or three-year assignments, conducting real-world operations against capable adversaries without the clear start and end points, protected recovery periods, or unit-level reconstitution cycles associated with conventional deployments. Because much of their work is classified, they may be unable to discuss the sources of their stress with family members or medical professionals who lack the clearances or access to secure facilities necessary for a complete conversation. These conditions can isolate personnel, delay appropriate care, and ultimately weaken readiness, retention, and operational effectiveness.”\n\n“One loss of life is one too many. We must do everything we can to make sure our servicemembers and everyone at NSA and Cyber Command has the full mental health support and resources they need, so that a tragedy like this does not occur again,” wrote the CITI members.\n\nIn last year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Elfreth specifically secured a provision, H.R. 6630, the Expanding Mental Health Access for Cyber Command Personnel Act (Sec. 1506), requiring U.S. Cyber Command and the Cyber Mission Force to hire mental health professionals with security clearances at each of their operating locations. The amendment also requires quarterly briefings on the status of the initiative, validating the clearances, challenges carrying out the initiative, and efforts to improve awareness among troops regarding the cleared physicians. The $11 million in funding would ensure full funding of this provision.\n\nElfreth continues to work alongside U.S. Cyber Command to bring additional mental health resources to Fort Meade. Elfreth is working to rectify the reporting requirements and include civilian employees in DoD’s suicide data, especially at installations like Fort Meade where civilian and uniformed officers work side by side on the same projects.\n\nElfreth is also working to address delays with the transfer of mental health licenses from out of state. During conversations with mental health professionals, Elfreth heard that the transfer of licenses can take several months to almost a year before these professionals can begin practicing in Maryland and on military bases. At the state level, she is working with partners, including Senator Dawn Gile and Secretary Ed Rothstein of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, to address delays and barriers to military-connected mental health professionals transferring or obtaining professional licensure in Maryland.\n\nThe full CITI letter can be accessed HERE. The full Maryland letter can be accessed HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-minnesota-republican-delegation-demand-increased-election-security", "title": "Emmer, Minnesota Republican Delegation Demand Increased Election Security", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "emmer.house.gov", "scraper": "emmer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000294", "name": "Tom Emmer", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) led Minnesota’s Republican congressional delegation in sending a letter to Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon regarding the recent indictments of noncitizens voting in Minnesota’s elections and demanding election security.\n\n“These recent indictments are proof of what commonsense Minnesotans have known all along: Minnesota’s elections are rife with fraud,” said Congressman Emmer. “One noncitizen voting is one too many. It’s simple: only citizens should vote in our elections. I won’t stop fighting for safe, secure elections. It’s time Governor Walz and Secretary Simon do the same.”\n\nBackground\n\nOn September 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that a federal grand jury indicted ten individuals for voter fraud, charging them with false claims of citizenship to vote in Minnesota’s elections, including the 2022 and 2024 general elections and the 2026 primary election. All of this follows over a year of requests from the DOJ for information on Minnesota’s voter lists and compliance with federal election guidelines.\n\nMinnesota’s election laws have created an ideal environment for voter fraud. In the last several years, Congressman Emmer and his Minnesota Republican colleagues took the following actions to sound the alarm on Minnesota’s election security weaknesses:\n\nOn January 31, 2023, Congressman Emmer joined Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil and the Minnesota Republican delegation in sending a letter to Secretary Simon asking how his office plans to investigate claims that DACA recipients and other noncitizens were voting in Minnesota’s elections.\n\nOn October 2, 2024, Congressman Emmer again joined Chairman Steil in sending a letter to Secretary Simon and Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson to voice their concerns over reports that noncitizens in Minnesota have been receiving ballots.\n\nOn November 20, 2024, Congressman Emmer and the Minnesota Republican delegation sent a letter to Secretary Simon demanding that his office take action to restore trust in Minnesota’s election process.\n\nOn December 23, 2024, Congressman Emmer and the Minnesota Republican delegation sent a letter to Secretary Simon demanding transparency after it was confirmed that 20 ballots were likely illegally disposed of in Shakopee’s 10th precinct.\n\nYou can read the most recent letter sent to Governor Walz and Secretary Simon in its entirety here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://finstad.house.gov/2026/10/07/finstad-johnson-hold-rural-water-infrastructure-discussion-in-eagle-lake/", "title": "Finstad, Johnson Hold Rural Water Infrastructure Discussion in Eagle Lake", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://finstad.house.gov/media", "domain": "finstad.house.gov", "scraper": "finstad", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000475", "name": "Brad Finstad", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "NEW ULM, MN – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Congressman Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), members of the House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development, held a roundtable discussion on rural water infrastructure and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs available to local communities. In attendance were representatives from Amboy, Eagle Lake, Blue Earth County, Waseca County, as well as numerous municipal, state, and national rural water and development stakeholders.\n\n“Safe, reliable water systems are something every American should be able to count on,” said Rep. Finstad. “While our rural communities face unique obstacles in improving water infrastructure, I remain committed to listening to our neighbors and doing everything I can at the federal level to be a strong partner. In the FY26 appropriations process, I was proud to secure $11.4 million in funding for rural water infrastructure projects across southern Minnesota. I appreciated our conversation in Eagle Lake to hear how these dollars will be put to work to positively impact their residents.”\n\nFinstad continued, “A big thank you to my friend, Rep. Dusty Johnson, for joining me in the First District and to everyone in attendance who shared their experiences and knowledge as we work together to make sure rural America has reliable access to clean drinking water – protecting public health and strengthening the long-term vitality of the places we call home.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5035", "title": "Rep. Frankel Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Marking Three Years Since October 7 Terrorist Attacks on Israel", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://frankel.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "frankel.house.gov", "scraper": "frankel", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000462", "name": "Lois Frankel", "party": "Democrat", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "West Palm Beach, FL — Today, to mark three years since the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) joined colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution condemning Hamas’s horrific atrocities, honoring the victims and hostages, and calling for the complete disarmament of Hamas and an end to ongoing conflict in Gaza.\n\nOn October 7, 2023, Hamas and its accomplices stormed Israel, brutally murdering more than 1,200 people, committing horrific acts of sexual violence, and abducting 251 hostages, including Americans and citizens of more than 40 countries.\n\nThe resolution honors those murdered, the hostages, and their families; welcomes the return of the hostages; reaffirms Israel’s right to self-defense and long-term security; and supports a durable cease-fire and full implementation of the framework to end the war—including Hamas’s disarmament, increased humanitarian assistance and reconstruction for Gazans, and future governance in Gaza without Hamas. It also condemns the rise in antisemitism in the United States and around the world.\n\n“Three years later, the horror of October 7 remains seared into our hearts,” said Rep. Frankel. “We remember those who were murdered, honor the survivors and hostages and their families, and stand firmly against antisemitism and terrorism. Now we must build a future where Hamas is disarmed, Israel is safe and secure, and Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace and dignity.”\n\nThe bipartisan resolution is led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Joe Wilson (R-SC-02), and Young Kim (R-CA-40).", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://gabeevans.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gabe-evans-introduces-more-beef-lower-prices-act-rebuild-americas", "title": "Congressman Gabe Evans Introduces More Beef, Lower Prices Act to Rebuild America’s Cattle Herd", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gabeevans.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "gabeevans.house.gov", "scraper": "gabeevans", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000300", "name": "Gabe Evans", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Gabe Evans introduced the More Beef, Lower Prices Act to give American cattle producers additional tools to rebuild the domestic herd, strengthen the U.S. beef supply, and address high beef prices for families across Colorado and the nation.\n\nAmerica’s cattle herd sits at a historical low. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the United States had 86.2 million cattle and calves as of January 1, 2026 - the lowest supply in 75 years. This decline does not just endanger our nation’s food security, but a low cattle supply makes American producers vulnerable to volatile markets. Our beef producers need more options, not constraint.\n\nThe More Beef, Lower Prices Act will amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to expressly include bred cattle, replacement heifers, and cull cattle in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) programs beginning in crop year 2027. Expanding these widely-utilized risk-management tools will deliver certainty to producers as they plan the long-term investments necessary to maintain and rebuild America’s domestic cattle herd.\n\n“Colorado ranchers raise the highest-quality beef in the world, but rebuilding a cattle herd takes years, significant investment, and a willingness to take on tremendous risk. I’ve heard directly from producers across Colorado’s Eighth District that they need better tools to lower risks on those important investments. That’s exactly why I introduced the More Beef, Lower Prices Act. Instead of becoming dependent on foreign beef, we should be giving American ranchers better tools to raise more cattle right here at home. This bill grows the domestic supply of high-quality American beef, strengthening America’s food security, stabilizing food costs, and supporting our rural communities.”–– Congressman Gabe Evans\n\nThe legislation is supported by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nLivestock producers operate in a market where rebuilding a herd requires significant upfront investment and years of planning. Replacement heifers and other breeding cattle are particularly important to expanding future cattle supplies because producers must retain and invest in animals today before additional calves can reach the market.\n\nFederal livestock insurance programs provide producers with tools to protect against unexpected declines in market prices. USDA’s LRP program is one such tool, widely utilized by livestock producers to protect against risks.\n\nThe Trump Administration has also recognized the importance of expanding risk-management tools to help rebuild America’s cattle herd. In August, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced USDA’s Ranchers First Initiative, which includes a new Beef Retention and National Development (BRAND) endorsement for LRP. The new tool is designed to help producers manage the financial risk of retaining heifers for breeding rather than sending them to market, supporting efforts to rebuild the domestic herd.\n\nThe More Beef, Lower Prices Act builds on this same principle by strengthening federal livestock risk-management policy and requiring bred cattle, replacement heifers, and cull cattle to be included under the Federal Crop Insurance Act’s livestock pilot program beginning with crop year 2027.\n\nBy expanding access to risk-management protections, the legislation is designed to give cattle producers greater confidence to invest in their operations and support rebuilding the domestic herd.\n\nThe legislation would:", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases/gallagher-helps-return-nearly-6-million-north-state-taxpayers", "title": "Gallagher Helps Return Nearly $6 Million to North State Taxpayers", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "gallagher.house.gov", "scraper": "gallagher", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000607", "name": "James Gallagher", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PARADISE, CA — Congressman James Gallagher (CA-01) announced Wednesday that his office helped return nearly $6 million to North State taxpayers through constituent casework during Fiscal Year 2026.\n\nGallagher’s office resolved 195 cases totaling more than $5.88 million for constituents across California’s First Congressional District. The money included funds taxpayers were already owed but had struggled to recover through the normal federal process.\n\n“Behind that $5.88 million number are real people. These are families and small business owners who were waiting on money that belonged to them,” said Congressman Gallagher. “Sometimes our most important work has nothing to do with passing a bill in Washington. It’s helping somebody back home cut through the bureaucracy and get a problem solved. If someone in the North State is stuck dealing with the IRS or another federal agency, my office is here to help. That’s what we’re here for.”\n\nGallagher highlighted the results during a press conference at Paradise Town Hall alongside Paradise Mayor Steve Crowder, North State constituents and members of the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service. Gallagher also recognized Taxpayer Advocate Service employees who have worked with his office to resolve difficult cases on behalf of North State residents.\n\n“When people run into a wall with the federal government, they need to know somebody is willing to help them find a way through it,” said Paradise Mayor Steve Crowder. “Nearly $6 million returned to people here in the North State is a real result that makes a difference for families and local businesses. I appreciate Congressman Gallagher and his team making constituent service a priority.”\n\nThe Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that assists taxpayers facing unresolved tax problems. Gallagher’s office works directly with federal agencies and constituent advocates to help residents navigate cases when they have exhausted normal channels and are still unable to reach a resolution.\n\n“People shouldn’t have to spend months fighting Washington just to get money they’re already owed,” Gallagher said. “Our job is to answer the phone, get to work and help solve the problem.”\n\nNorth State residents experiencing difficulties with the IRS or another federal agency can contact Congressman Gallagher’s office for assistance HERE.\n\n###\n\nClick the link here to subscribe to Rep. Gallagher’s eNewsletter!\n\nRep. James Gallagher | 408 Cannon House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 US", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://garamendi.house.gov/2026/10/07/garamendi-joins-california-congressional-democrats-in-condemning-trumps-attacks-on-los-angeles-and-san-diego/", "title": "Garamendi Joins California Congressional Democrats in Condemning Trump’s Attacks on Los Angeles and San Diego", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://garamendi.house.gov/category/press-release/", "domain": "garamendi.house.gov", "scraper": "garamendi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000559", "name": "John Garamendi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FAIRFIELD, CA – Today, Rep. John Garamendi (CA-08) joined Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, and 40 U.S. Representatives, and both Senators from California in issuing the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s inflammatory remarks at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska. Rep. Garamendi also joined CNN last morning to condemn President Trump’s dangerous remarks:\n\n“Upon taking office, the President swears to uphold the Constitution and to protect us from our enemies. Yesterday, President Trump, while defending his unconstitutional war against Iran, appeared, incredibly, to invite Iran to destroy two American cities. His exact words were “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.” As members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, we call on President Trump to apologize to the over 16 million Americans who live in the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas and all Americans who expect more out of our President,” the Members said.\n\nJoining Chair Lofgren and Rep. Garamendi on the statement are senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), Reps. Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Ami Bera (CA-06), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Adam Gray (CA-13), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Scott Peters(CA-50), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Derek Tran (CA-45), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Aisha Wahab (CA-14), Maxine Waters (CA-43), and George Whitesides (CA-27).\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://garbarino.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-garbarino-releases-statement-third-anniversary-october-7th-attacks", "title": "Congressman Garbarino Releases Statement on Third Anniversary of October 7th Attacks", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://garbarino.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "garbarino.house.gov", "scraper": "garbarino", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000597", "name": "Andrew R. Garbarino", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (NY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement marking three years since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel:\n\n“Three years ago, Hamas carried out the deadliest attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, taking the lives of over 1,200 innocent people, kidnapping innocent men, women, and children, including Americans, and inflicting unimaginable pain on communities in Israel and around the world.\n\nThe October 7th attacks reshaped the global terror threat landscape. As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I remain focused on ensuring our law enforcement, intelligence, and homeland security agencies have the resources and information they need to identify evolving threats and protect the American people.\n\nOn this anniversary, we not only remember the victims of October 7th but reaffirm our commitment to support Israel, confront antisemitism, and remain vigilant against the terrorism it inspires.”\n\nCongressman Garbarino has remained a strong supporter of Israel and has worked to strengthen U.S. national security in the face of evolving terrorist threats. As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, he has focused on the threats posed by foreign terrorist organizations, the potential for terrorist activity to inspire violence in the United States, and ensuring federal, state, and local law enforcement have the tools necessary to keep Americans safe.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-on-edan-alexander-way-in-tenafly-gottheimer-marks-third-anniversary-of-october-7th", "title": "RELEASE: On Edan Alexander Way in Tenafly, Gottheimer Marks Third Anniversary of October 7th", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "domain": "gottheimer.house.gov", "scraper": "gottheimer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000583", "name": "Josh Gottheimer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Above: Gottheimer announces Bipartisan Resolution to Remember October 7th in Tenafly alongside Alexander Family.\n\nTENAFLY, NJ — Today, Wednesday, October 7, 2026, on the third anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined local leaders, community members, and the family of former hostage Edan Alexander on Edan Alexander Way in Tenafly to remember the victims, honor the hostages and their families, and announce new efforts to combat terror. Gottheimer, along with U.S. Representatives Lois Frankel (FL-22), Joe Wilson (SC-2), and Young Kim (CA-40), and dozens of their colleagues, introduced a bipartisan resolution marking the third anniversary of October 7th.\n\nWatch Gottheimer’s full remarks here and here.\n\n“We will speak the truth about October 7th. We will stand up to hate, wherever it rears its ugly head. And we will never stop fighting for the day when Hamas lays down its arms for good, and communities can live in peace free from terror,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “We cannot pretend the work is done. Hamas has not disarmed. The terrorists who carried out October 7th still hold weapons and still hold power in Gaza, and they will keep threatening Israel, and the Palestinian people until that changes.”\n\nGottheimer also announced new and continuing efforts to combat terror and antisemitism:\n\nOctober 7th Remembrance Resolution: The bipartisan resolution honors every person murdered on October 7th, condemns the attacks as the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, and honors the hostages and their families. It also supports Israel’s right to defend herself, a durable cease-fire, and the full implementation of the framework, including Hamas disarmament, humanitarian aid and reconstruction for Gazans, and a future for Gaza without Hamas. The resolution also condemns the rise in antisemitism at home, including in schools and on college campuses. The House resolution is endorsed by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), Hadassah, Jewish Women International, and the Israel Allies Foundation.\n\nHolding the United Nations accountable: New legislation with Congressman Lawler (NY) that would bar U.S. funds from going toward U.S. contributions to the United Nations until the U.N. has designated Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations. This is critical as UNRWA currently does not screen for Hamas ties in its hiring of teachers and other employees, leading to Hamas terrorists infiltrating its ranks. The bipartisan bill is endorsed by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).\n\nOctober 7th Gold Medal Act: Bipartisan legislation introduced last year with Congressman Lawler (NY) to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the American victims and hostages of October 7th, including Americans like Edan who survived captivity in Gaza. The bipartisan bill is endorsed by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Jewish Women International, the Weitzman National Museum of Jewish American History, and the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).\n\nOctober 7th Remembrance Education Act: Bipartisan legislation introduced last year with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) to direct the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to build a model curriculum for schools to teach the attacks committed on October 7 and the antisemitism that followed. The bipartisan bill is endorsed by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Jewish Women International, and the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).\n\nThe announcement builds on Gottheimer’s work since the attacks, including securing $100 million in the defense bill for his U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act to counter drone attacks from Iran and its proxies, along with a provision to stop Hamas weapons smuggling on the Gaza-Egypt border; House passage last month of his bipartisan bill to cut off funds to colleges that enable BDS on their campuses; and legislation with Congressman Lawler to dismantle UNRWA and replace it with humanitarian assistance out of the hands of Hamas terrorists. At home, Gottheimer continues to work across the aisle to boost funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program so that every synagogue, church, mosque, and temple has the resources to protect itself.\n\nGottheimer noted the sharp rise in antisemitism since October 7th: the ADL recorded 6,274 antisemitic incidents across the United States last year, a 68 percent increase since 2022, with New Jersey ranking third highest in the country and Bergen County recording 139 incidents, the most in the state.\n\n“Three years later, the horror of October 7th remains seared into our hearts,” said Congresswoman Lois Frankel. “We remember those who were murdered, honor the survivors and hostages and their families, and stand firmly against antisemitism and terrorism. Now we must build a future where Hamas is disarmed, Israel is safe and secure, and Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace and dignity.”\n\n“Today marks the third anniversary of the massacre of 1,200 and kidnapping of 251 innocent men, women, and children in Israel by the Iranian terrorist puppet, Hamas. This cowardly act will forever be remembered around the world, but no more meaningful than to the families and friends who lost loved ones. I am grateful for the leadership of President Donald Trump, with the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and our allies, for ensuring that all hostages, living and deceased, were brought home,” said Congressman Joe Wilson.\n\n“Three years ago, the world witnessed unspeakable evil as Hamas carried out the deadliest massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust. We remember the 1,200 innocent lives lost, the hostages who faced unimaginable suffering in Hamas captivity, families whose lives were irrevocably changed, and the extraordinary courage and selflessness shown by ordinary Israelis on that day,” said Congresswoman Young Kim. “We will never forget the darkness of October 7th or allow the world to forget what happened. As antisemitism continues to rear its ugly head around the world, the United States must stand firmly with the Jewish people and confront this hatred in all its forms.”\n\n“Three years after Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israel, we remember and mourn the more than 1,200 innocent people brutally murdered, honor the hostages who have finally returned home and the families who endured unimaginable pain, and stand with all those whose lives were forever changed. American Jewish Committee proudly supports this bipartisan resolution introduced by Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Young Kim (R-CA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), and Joe Wilson (R-SC), which ensures the atrocities of October 7 are never forgotten and reaffirms America’s commitment to Israel’s security and the fight against antisemitism,” said Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee.\n\n“The tragedy of October 7 and the surge in antisemitism that followed that day will forever be etched in the memory of the Jewish people,” said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. “On this solemn third anniversary of the attack, we remember the innocent lives lost, the hostages who were taken, and the survivors whose lives were changed forever. We thank Reps. Gottheimer, Wilson, Frankel, and Kim for introducing this bipartisan resolution and for honoring the victims and survivors of October 7, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that ‘Never Again’ truly means never again.”\n\n“Three years after October 7, we honor the memory of every person murdered by Hamas and its terrorist allies, and we honor the hostages and their families who endured unimaginable suffering. This resolution is an important affirmation that complete disarmament of Hamas and dismantling of its terrorist infrastructure are essential to ensuring that October 7 can never happen again and to building a future of security, peace, and dignity for Israelis and their neighbors. It also reinforces that we must confront the dangerous rise of antisemitism that has followed October 7 and continue to work hand-in-hand with government to ensure that our communities are secure in the face of this violent threat,” said Eric D. Fingerhut, President & CEO of Jewish Federations of North America.\n\n“On the third anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, we pray for the innocent lives lost and renew our resolve to thwart future threats to peace. Hamas has yet to capitulate and disarm in Gaza, and terror groups continue to operate alongside Israel’s borders, sustained by state sponsors of terrorism. On this solemn day, we recognize that peace has not yet been achieved, and that further efforts are needed to safeguard civilians and demilitarize those bent on perpetuating violence,” said Tyler Stapleton, Senior Director of Government Relations, FDD Action.\n\n“As we mark three years since Hamas terrorists carried out the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, we remember and honor all those who were murdered, injured, tortured, raped or held captive by Hamas. We thank Representatives Lois Frankel, Josh Gottheimer, and Joe Wilson for introducing this resolution, which condemns the atrocities of October 7, 2023, affirms Israel’s right to self-defense and supports the critical conditions of the ceasefire, including the disarmament of Hamas. We urge members of Congress to support this bipartisan resolution and to continue to confront the rise in violent antisemitism across the country and around the world,” said Carol Ann Schwartz, National President, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America.\n\n“I listened with horror to whispers of the sexual atrocities committed by Hamas. I watched with horror the video of young women, pulled from their beds and pushed bloodied into trucks to be taken into Gaza. I saw with horror the photo of a naked, bound woman surrounded by terrorists raising guns in victory. I sat with horror in the silence of the world, in the silence of the feminist organizations. In the three years since, the silence, the denial, the distortion, and the hate not only continue; they grow. It is virulent and dangerous. Resolutions like this are critical in the fight against hate and disinformation. We are grateful to Representatives Gottheimer, Frankel, and Joe Wilson for standing up to hate and amplifying the truth. For those who died, and those who survived, we owe them as much,” said Meredith Jacobs, CEO of Jewish Women International (JWI).\n\nGottheimer was joined by Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna, Tenafly Councilwoman Lauren Dayton, Tenafly Councilwoman, Jenny Jackson, Adi and Yael Alexander, and Rabbi Kirshner of Temple Emanu-El, Debra Mazon and her colleagues from Hadassah, Rabbi Levy from AJC, Brandi Katz Rubin from the ADL, and Shlomo Schorr from Agudath Israel, Rabbi Shmuel Bergman from Young Israel of Fort Lee, Rabbi Genack and his wife Sarah from Englewood, Tenafly Police Chief Michael Greenly, Rabbi Krishner with Temple Emanu-El, Rabbi Zev Reichman from East Hill Synagogue, and the Alexander family.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer Announces Bipartisan Resolution to Remember October 7th in Tenafly.\n\nGottheimer’s remarks as prepared for delivery:\n\nGood morning. Thank you all for joining us on this solemn day as we mark three years since October 7th, the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. As many of you know, for 842 days the posters of every single hostage held in Gaza hung on the wall outside my office in Washington – right next to the Israeli flag.\n\nIt was a reminder to everyone who visited the United States Capitol of the responsibility we held here in the United States to do our part, not only for our key ally, but for what is right, until every hostage was returned to their families. The hostage photos were not just Israelis. They were of Americans. Of Thais. French. British. Filipinos. They were young and old. L’dor vador, from generation to generation. We all had a responsibility to do everything in our power, in every corner of the globe, to bring them home. It is a relief that this anniversary is the first without the need to wear yellow ribbons calling for the return of those being held.\n\nYet, as I walk past the empty wall into my office every day, I can still see those images, staring at me. It’s almost a reminder to me that we must never forget what happened – and of the work that lies ahead to heal and bring us back together. As it’s said in Isaiah, “Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.”\n\nLet’s be honest. We have a great deal of repairing and restoration ahead of us.\n\nBut, on this third anniversary of October 7th, while we mourn those we lost, we also have much to be grateful for – for all the hostages who were reunited with their loved ones, who are rebuilding their lives. Among those taken that day, and who came home, was our very own Edan Alexander, a young man from right here in Tenafly. A graduate of Tenafly High School, who swam on the swim team and biked on these streets, a Jersey boy through and through. Today, we are standing here on Edan Alexander Way, a street we named last year in honor of his unshakable strength and courage.\n\nTo Adi and Yael Alexander: thank you for being with us today. I know Edan can’t be here, but I know he is living his life to the fullest today in Israel. I met your family on October 23rd, 2023, just over two weeks after the attack, and you have been like family to me and Marla ever since. For nearly two years, while Edan endured the unimaginable, you never — not for a single moment — surrendered hope. You called for action, and you would not be quieted until your son came home.\n\nYou pressed me, as you pressed so many others in our community, for action and for answers. And, I was proud to carry the courage and conviction you gave me, both on my trips to the Middle East and in the halls of Congress every single day.\n\nI especially want to thank the people of Tenafly. Three years ago today, the world changed, and this community was asked to carry something unimaginable. But, you never recoiled – you never looked away. You stood here with the Alexander family while Hamas terrorists held their son for 584 days.\n\nYou stood in Huyler Park at five o’clock in the morning to watch him be released – I was there – and you filled these streets by the thousands to welcome Edan home in May of last year. You showed what a town can do when it stands together.\n\nYou’ve also shown us the importance of never forgetting.\n\nThat’s especially important today when some are actually glorifying Hamas terrorists as martyrs – or trying to justify the actions that day, when Hamas terrorists brutally murdered, raped, burned alive, decapitated, and kidnapped more than twelve hundred people – including innocent babies, children, women, men, and elderly people, and dozens of Americans, while taking 251 hostages into tunnels in Gaza. It’s unfathomable.\n\nSome may try to bury their head in the sand or rewrite history. But, anybody who has seen the videos and images of those heinous and unthinkable acts knows what Hamas and its accomplices are capable of. They sowed terror at the Nova music festival, in the kibbutzim, in cities across Southern Israel. Like many of you, I traveled to Israel afterward to see their path of destruction with my own eyes – to give me the first-hand knowledge to confront the haters.\n\nBut, despite the truth, since Hamas’s devastating attack, we have unfortunately witnessed a tidal wave of antisemitism that has only grown more persistent, starting just hours after the terrorists attacked Israel. Instead of empathy from people and organizations around the globe, there was a flood of criticism and blame, and it hasn’t stopped.\n\nJust days after the October 7 attack, during the “Day of Rage” in New York City, someone shouted at a group of Jewish people: “I wish Hitler was still here; he would’ve wiped all of you out.” Other protestors said: “Say it loud, say it clear, we don’t want Zionists here!”\n\nAt Columbia University, Jewish students were chased out of their dorms, received death threats, were spat upon, stalked, and pinned against walls. People in masks screamed, “Go back to Poland!” and “Globalize the Intifada.” On October 8th, the day after the largest attack on Jewish people since the Holocaust, a faculty member at Rutgers declared October 7th “awesome.”\n\nThree years later, the protests continue – including today – against Jews simply practicing their religion in America.\n\nRecently, at one just outside a synagogue chanting hateful slogans like “We are all Hamas,” “Death to Zionists,” and “Long live October 7th” at worshippers. Businesses have even boycotted my Jewish colleagues – refusing to serve them.\n\nLast year, the ADL recorded 6,274 antisemitic incidents across the United States. That’s a 68 percent increase since 2022, before October 7th. And here in New Jersey, we ranked third highest in the entire country. Right here in Bergen County, we had 139 incidents, the most in New Jersey.\n\nNo other county in our state had more than 80. That’s our backyard. And, now you have internet personalities like Hasan Piker and Candace Owens spreading misinformation and hate to millions of followers online, with comments like calling a Jewish reporter a “Pig Dog,” justifying the violence on October 7th as “resistance”, blood libel, and conspiracy theories about Jewish control.\n\nI say this not only as your Congressman, but also as a member of the Jewish community. This is deeply personal for me.\n\nBut, even in those moments of despair, we have also seen moments that give us hope. Light through the darkness.\n\nJust a month ago, I joined the Chancellor of Vanderbilt, along with leaders from colleges ranging from the University of Alabama to Washington University to the University of Texas, in saying that hatred and religious discrimination against anyone isn’t welcome on their campus. We’ve had leaders in business, nonprofits, in the arts, in Hollywood, and in government stand strong against antisemitism, even though it has cost them personally.\n\nNations like the UAE and Argentina have bucked their own history and doubled down to protect the Jewish people.\n\nAnd, of course, the greatest light. On May 12th of 2025, Edan came home. I will never forget the moment I first met him after his release. His humility, poise, and self-assurance stopped me in my tracks. He told me he was not a hero, that the real heroes were the ones still there … those who gave their lives. And, then he said something that will echo in my heart forever: “My story doesn’t end with survival. It continues with service.”\n\nHe meant it. Edan returned to the Israel Defense Forces and has since been promoted to Sergeant First Class. Just this summer, he stood before the world at the opening ceremony of the Maccabiah Games to explain why he went back into uniform. He has refused to let evil triumph. So neither can we.\n\nA year ago this month, the remaining twenty living hostages came home. And in the months since, the remains of the fallen were returned, including Americans Omer Neutra and Itay Chen, whose families waited and waited until the last were finally brought home in January. Today, we remember every one of them.\n\nWe cannot pretend the work is done. Hamas has not disarmed. The terrorists who carried out October 7th still hold weapons and still hold power in parts of Gaza, and they will keep threatening Israel, and the Palestinian people until that changes.\n\nThat is why today, three years later, I am proud to announce new efforts to combat terror.\n\nFirst, I’ve introduced a bipartisan resolution marking the third anniversary of October 7th. It honors every person murdered by Hamas. It condemns the attacks as the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.\n\nIt honors the hostages and their families. It supports Israel’s right to defend herself, a durable cease-fire, and the full implementation of the framework, including Hamas disarmament, humanitarian aid and reconstruction for Gazans, and a future for Gaza without Hamas. And, it condemns the rise in antisemitism here at home, including in our schools and on our college campuses. I’m proud to be joined by Representatives Lois Frankel, Joe Wilson, and Young Kim, as well as fifty of my colleagues in introducing this resolution.\n\nSecond, I’m introducing legislation to hold the United Nations accountable.\n\nHere’s the simple, shocking truth: the UN has never designated Hamas or Hezbollah as terrorist organizations. Not before October 7th. Not after. The Security Council maintains sanctions lists for ISIS and al-Qaeda, but not for Iran’s proxies. And, because Hamas isn’t on the list, UN agencies, including UNRWA, don’t even screen for Hamas membership when they hire. The USAID Inspector General has found more than 100 UNRWA staff with Hamas affiliations, even though we believe there are far more, and only nine have been fired for direct involvement in the October 7 attacks. That is unacceptable.\n\nSo, my bill is straightforward. No U.S. funds can go toward our contributions to the United Nations until the Security Council has designated Hamas and Hezbollah as the terrorist organizations that they are.\n\nToday, we are also recommitting to two bipartisan bills I introduced last year, and that I am continuing the fight to pass them.\n\nThe October 7th Gold Medal Act, with Congressman Lawler from New York, will award the Congressional Gold Medal to the American victims and hostages of October 7th, including Americans like Edan who survived captivity in Gaza.\n\nAnd, the October 7th Remembrance Education Act, with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania, will direct the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to build a model curriculum for schools to teach the heinous and brutal attacks committed on October 7th, and the antisemitism that followed.\n\nWe can’t afford for our children to learn history – and be filled with anti-American, antisemitism-filled disinformation — from TikTok. From Hasan Piker. The truth and the facts – history – should be taught in every classroom across America.\n\nThis builds on the work we’ve been doing since that terrible day. This summer, I secured $100 million in the defense bill for my U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act to counter drone attacks from Iran and its proxies, along with a provision to stop Hamas weapons smuggling on the Gaza-Egypt border.\n\nJust last month, the House passed my bipartisan bill to cut off funds to colleges that enable BDS on their campuses. With Congressman Lawler, I also introduced legislation to dismantle UNRWA and replace it with humanitarian assistance we can trust, out of the hands of Hamas terrorists.\n\nHere at home, we’re going to keep working across the aisle to boost funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, so every synagogue, church, mosque, and temple has the resources to protect itself.\n\nThis is not a red or blue issue. It’s about the safety of our families. Our Jersey Values mean that we don’t allow our communities to be torn apart. We stand together and protect one another. That’s exactly what we’re doing here today in Tenafly, just feet from Edan Alexander.\n\nSo today, we remember. We honor those we lost. We thank the heroes. And we recommit ourselves to the work ahead.\n\nWe will speak the truth about October 7th. We will stand up to hate, wherever it rears its ugly head.\n\nAnd we will never stop fighting for a day when Hamas has laid down its arms for good, and Israelis and Palestinians alike can live in peace.\n\nIf we keep doing that, I know that here, in the greatest country in the world, antisemitism and hate will lose, and our best days will be ahead of us.\n\nThank you. God bless. And may God continue to bless and watch over the United States of America.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://grijalva.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-rep-grijalva-joins-local-community-members-to-raise-alarm-over-marana-detention-facility", "title": "ICYMI: Rep. Grijalva Joins Local Community Members to Raise Alarm Over Marana Detention Facility", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://grijalva.house.gov/media", "domain": "grijalva.house.gov", "scraper": "grijalva", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000606", "name": "Adelita S. Grijalva", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Marana, Arizona — Yesterday, Congresswoman Adelita S. Grijalva joined local community members in Marana for a press conference addressing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s new contract with Management and Training Corporation (MTC) to open an immigration detention facility in Marana within the next 60 days.\n\nThe press conference brought together community members and local voices to raise concerns about the proposed facility and the record of MTC, the company contracted to operate it. MTC has previously operated correctional facilities in Arizona that faced allegations and documented concerns involving conditions including sexual abuse, inadequate food, extreme heat, and prison riots. The State of Arizona has terminated previous contracts with MTC under both Democratic and Republican governors.\n\nEarlier this year, Rep. Grijalva wrote a letter demanding transparency on the proposed facility to then-Secretary Noem. This comes after Rep. Grijalva wrote a letter demanding transparency on the proposed facility to then-Secretary Noem and joined community members earlier in the year at a press conference alongside Reps. Stanton and Ansari.\n\nA copy of her remarks are below:\n\n“Buenas tardes. Thank you to PRICE for organizing this press conference.\n\nWe’re here today because DHS is once again rushing to open another private detention facility in Arizona.\n\nEso no está bien. Nuestra comunidad merece respuestas.\n\nThis is happening as deaths in ICE custody reach record levels – and as the agency fails to provide even the most basic care for the people already in its custody.\n\nJust today, I learned about another disease outbreak - this time at a facility in Eloy.\n\nYet instead of addressing these conditions, this Administration is marching full steam ahead to fuel its cruel mass-deportation agenda.\n\nAnd there is another reason we should be deeply concerned about this particular facility: Management & Training Corporation, or MTC, has a long and documented history of serious problems at facilities it has operated.\n\nHere in Arizona, that history includes allegations of sexual abuse that were not properly reported, chronic understaffing and inadequate training, major security failures, and destructive prison riots.\n\nIn 2010, three inmates escaped from an MTC-operated prison in Kingman due to serious security failures.\n\nWhile on the run, two of the escapees brutally murdered an elderly couple in New Mexico, leading to a large wrongful death settlement between the state of Arizona and the victims’ family.\n\nFive years later, after riots at the same prison, an investigation found a “culture of disorganization, disengagement, and disregard.”\n\nThose aren’t my words. Those are the findings that led Republican Governor Doug Ducey to terminate the state’s contract with MTC.\n\nIn 2017, at an MTC-operated ICE Processing Center in New Mexico, the DHS Office of the Inspector General raised concerns about the treatment and care of detainees.\n\nTwo people detained there died after pleading for medical help from facility staff.\n\nThis is the company the federal government is entrusting with the lives of hundreds of people here in Marana.\n\nAnd they are moving fast. MTC says it plans to have this facility up and running within 60 days of signing its contract with ICE.\n\nSixty days.\n\nThat should alarm every person in this community, especially when there are still so many unanswered questions.\n\nFirst and foremost: How many people are actually going to be held here?\n\nA document earlier this year suggested more than 1,300, but the contract MTC signed says up to 775. Both of these numbers are significantly above the 513-bed capacity the state prison previously operated under.\n\nRegardless of what the final number is, one thing is abundantly clear: local residents do not want this facility.\n\nLa gente de Marana merece tener voz.\n\nSince President Trump returned to office, at least 56 people have died in ICE custody, including four in Arizona.\n\nAnd now the federal government has awarded MTC a contract with a potential value of more than $355 million to operate this facility.\n\nThat is a drop in the bucket of the nearly $261 BILLION Congress has approved for immigration enforcement under Trump.\n\nOur communities are tired of our taxpayer dollars being wasted on these private detention centers to meet arbitrary deportation quotas.\n\nWe are tired of seeing private companies profit off Trump’s cruel and inhumane immigration agenda.\n\nNo queremos más dinero para compañías privadas\n\nWhile the federal government operates in secrecy, local residents and their elected officials across the country are pushing back against these facilities, using zoning, public nuisance laws, and other means.\n\nMTC’s history of poorly-run facilities, combined with the track-record of abuses at DHS, underscore the concerns of Marana residents.\n\nUnfortunately, the responsibility of oversight has fallen on local governments because the federal government is willfully asleep at the wheel.\n\nWe will continue asking questions.\n\nWe will continue demanding accountability.\n\nAnd we will continue fighting to ensure that the people of Marana have a voice in what happens in their own community.\n\nVamos a seguir luchando por nuestra comunidad.\n\nThank you. Muchas gracias.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5423", "title": "Grothman Announces $17.9 Million in FEMA Aid for Storm and Tornado Recovery", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "grothman.house.gov", "scraper": "grothman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000576", "name": "Glenn Grothman", "party": "Republican", "state": "WI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) welcomed President Donald Trump’s announcement of $17.9 million in federal disaster relief for Wisconsin communities affected by the July 27, 2026, storms in Forest, Outagamie, Vilas, and Winnebago counties.\n\n“Thank you to President Trump for supporting Wisconsin’s recovery,” said Grothman. “I was proud to lead our bipartisan congressional delegation in urging federal support following the devastating July storms and tornado. Local officials, first responders, and community members have worked hard to help their communities recover, and federal assistance can help build on those efforts. I especially want to thank the volunteers who have given their time to help neighbors clean up and begin rebuilding. Their generosity reflects the best of Wisconsin.”\n\nResidents with questions about federal disaster assistance or who need help working with FEMA or another federal agency are encouraged to contact Congressman Grothman’s Fond du Lac office at (920) 907-0624.\n\nBackground Information\n\nThe July 27, 2026, storms caused extensive damage across Forest, Outagamie, Vilas, and Winnebago counties. An EF3 tornado tore through the Fox Valley, causing widespread destruction in communities including Appleton and Menasha. It remained on the ground for more than 20 minutes, traveled approximately 12 miles, reached nearly one mile in width, and produced estimated winds of 136 to 165 miles per hour. More than 30,000 homes and businesses lost power.\n\nDamage assessments conducted by FEMA and Wisconsin Emergency Management identified 2,346 residential structures affected, including 84 destroyed and 412 with major damage, with estimated losses exceeding $8.2 million. Public-sector damage exceeded $13.8 million, surpassing Wisconsin’s per-capita threshold by more than $2.4 million.\n\nCongressman Grothman led two letters signed by every member of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation seeking federal support:\n\nAugust 12: The delegation urged FEMA to work with Wisconsin Emergency Management on a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment, an essential step toward determining eligibility for federal disaster assistance.\n\nAugust 27: Following completion of those assessments, the delegation urged President Trump to approve a Major Disaster Declaration and make Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation assistance available.\n\n–30–", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/georgias-congressional-democrats-push-back-state-boards-unsubstantiated", "title": "Georgia's Congressional Democrats Push Back on State Board’s 'Unsubstantiated Claims' in DOJ Letter", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "hankjohnson.house.gov", "scraper": "hankjohnson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000288", "name": "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "ATLANTA, GA — Today, four of the five members of the Georgia U.S. House of Representatives Democrat delegation and Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, the Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration that oversees federal elections, sent a letter to the Georgia State Election Board pushing back on its Sept. 30 letter to the Department of Justice seeking their intervention in the state’s voting machines ahead of the November midterms elections, which are now in just 27 days.\n\n“We are greatly alarmed by the mischaracterizations, and clear partisan motivations, that underlie the “Formal Request” letter you submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice on September 30, 2026. This letter, which plainly misstates the requirements of federal law — and which requests the Attorney General take action exceeding the power of the Department of Justice — is a clear attempt to sow public mistrust in the security of American elections. We demand that the Georgia State Election Board (“SEB”) clarify to the voters of Georgia that the tested and certified voting systems in use in the state, which have been used for three federal elections, are legal, secure, and safe.”\n\nRead the full letter HERE and below.\n\nGeorgia State Election Board\n\n2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE\n\nFloyd West Tower\n\nSuite 324\n\nAtlanta, Georgia 30334\n\nDear Mr. Mills:\n\nWe are greatly alarmed by the mischaracterizations, and clear partisan motivations, that underlie the “Formal Request” letter you submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice on September 30, 2026. This letter, which plainly misstates the requirements of federal law—and which requests the Attorney General take action exceeding the power of the Department of Justice—is a clear attempt to sow public mistrust in the security of American elections. We demand that the Georgia State Election Board (“SEB”) clarify to the voters of Georgia that the tested and certified voting systems in use in the state, which have been used for three federal elections, are legal, secure, and safe.\n\nThere is absolutely no ambiguity on this point: The voting system used by Georgia voters complies with state and federal law. Your unsubstantiated claim that Georgia’s voting system is “inconsistent” with the requirements of the Help America Vote Act (“HAVA”) is deeply troubling; one would expect that someone in your position would have some basic understanding of applicable federal election law. HAVA mandates that the United States Election Assistance Commission (“EAC”) “provide certification, decertification, and recertification of voting systems, as well as the accreditation of voting system testing laboratories.” The EAC also issues Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (“VVSG”), which cover “pre-voting, voting, and post-voting operations consistent with the definition of a voting system in HAVA Section 301(a).” And, as you should know, a state’s voting devices and software “must meet [VVSG specifications] in order to receive certification from the EAC.” Of course, Georgia’s voting system has undergone the EAC’s thorough testing process, as evidenced by the fact that the EAC has certified Georgia’s voting system, as required by Georgia’s statutory and regulatory regime.\n\nThe intent of your letter is clear—to serve as a pretext for undermining public confidence in Georgia’s election results this November. Americans should know that the State Election Board does not administer Georgia’s elections. That responsibility rests with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State’s Elections Division. The SEB has important statutory oversight and rulemaking responsibilities, but those responsibilities should not be conflated with the actual administration and certification of Georgia elections. Nor should any erroneous SEB communication to the Department of Justice concerning Georgia’s elections be understood as anything more than partisan political actors’ attempt to justify future attempts to overturn a free and fair American election—an extraordinarily serious, and cynical, misuse of official communication.\n\nPublic confidence in elections depends in substantial part upon public officials communicating accurately, responsibly, and within the scope of their statutory authority—and without incompetently, or intentionally, mischaracterizing the law. Georgians have used the state’s voting system for three straight federal elections—elections won by both Republicans and Democrats. And Georgia has one of the most rigorous, robust post-election audit regimes in the country—this is how we know that Georgia’s elections are free, fair, and secure. You should therefore promptly clarify the record, correct any inaccurate characterization of HAVA or Georgia’s voting-system requirements, and make clear that Georgia’s elections are administered by the Secretary of State and conducted using voting systems that have satisfied the certification requirements established by state and federal law.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\nReps. Joe Morelle (NY-25), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Everton Blair (GA-13).\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases/comisionado-residente-solicita-nuevas-respuestas-tras-revisar-documentos-sobre", "title": "Comisionado Residente solicita nuevas respuestas tras revisar documentos sobre contrato de generación temporera", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hernandez.house.gov", "scraper": "hernandez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001103", "name": "Pablo José Hernández", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — El Comisionado Residente de Puerto Rico, Pablo José Hernández, solicitó nueva información y documentación sobre el proceso de adquisición y contratación de generación temporera adjudicado al consorcio encabezado por Power Expectations, LLC, tras identificar interrogantes en los documentos producidos al Congreso sobre la investigación y el manejo de alegaciones surgidas durante el proceso competitivo.\n\nEn una carta dirigida al Zar de Energía, Josué Colón Ortiz, y al presidente del Third Party Procurement Office (3PPO), Osvaldo Carlo Linares, el Comisionado Residente solicita información para esclarecer qué se investigó sobre la alegada firma no autorizada de Enchanted Rock, quién realizó esa revisión, con qué autoridad, y por qué transcurrieron casi más de siete semanas antes de referir el asunto a las autoridades competentes.\n\nLa gestión da seguimiento a una carta enviada por el Comisionado Residente el 3 de septiembre. Tras examinar los informes, referidos y comunicaciones producidos al Congreso, su oficina identificó que un informe de 3PPO del 8 de agosto describió una “revisión exhaustiva” de las alegaciones, mientras que una comunicación enviada al día siguiente indicó que la revisión se había limitado a evaluar la suficiencia de la documentación sometida durante el proceso competitivo.\n\n“Desde nuestra primera solicitud hemos estado revisando cuidadosamente los documentos y siguiendo los hechos. La información que recibimos nos permitió avanzar, pero también levantó preguntas adicionales que ahora corresponde aclarar”, expresó el Comisionado Residente. “Queremos entender con precisión qué se revisó, qué se determinó y cómo se tomaron las decisiones durante este proceso.”\n\nA partir de esa revisión, el Comisionado Residente identificó varias áreas que aún requieren aclaración y, en esta carta, busca precisar:\n\nEl propósito y alcance de la revisión realizada por 3PPO y qué asuntos permanecían sin resolver.\n\nLa cronología de las gestiones realizadas entre el 17 de junio y el 10 de agosto.\n\nQué información y hallazgos existían cuando el asunto fue referido al Departamento de Justicia de Puerto Rico y a las autoridades federales.\n\nCuándo fueron informadas la AEE y la Junta de Supervisión Fiscal, y cómo se tomaron las decisiones de informarles.\n\nLas comunicaciones y documentos internos relacionados con la revisión y el manejo de las alegaciones.\n\nLa información deberá ser entregada no más tarde del 15 de octubre de 2026.\n\n“Estamos dando seguimiento a lo que surge de los propios documentos y vamos a continuar procurando las respuestas que aún están pendientes”, concluyó el Comisionado Residente.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyer-statement-marking-three-years-october-7th-attack-israel", "title": "Hoyer Statement Marking Three Years Since the October 7th Attack on Israel", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media", "domain": "hoyer.house.gov", "scraper": "hoyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000874", "name": "Steny H. Hoyer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement marking three years since Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023:\n\n“As Israel and Jewish communities around the world mark the somber anniversary of the 10/7 attacks, I join in mourning those lost, grieving with families whose pain remains fresh, and extending my prayers to those trying to rebuild their lives in freedom after being rescued from captivity. Spending time with hostages’ families while they were still held in Gaza, I saw firsthand the pain they suffered. No family should ever have to experience what they went through. I remain awed by the resolve I witnessed in them as we worked to secure their loved-ones’ release.\n\n“Three years ago, the world witnessed the brutality and inhumanity of Hamas terror in disturbing detail. The 10/7 attacks were not only the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. They were also a reminder of what can happen when vile hatreds are allowed to fester unchecked, taught to schoolchildren and celebrated instead of expunged from society. The events of that day made it clear that the likes of Hamas can never again be allowed to rule over a population. The innocent people of Gaza must be freed from Hamas terror, just as Israelis must be able to live without the constant threat of another 10/7.\n\n“Make no mistake: 10/7/23 was a day of murder, of sexual violence, of destruction, and of the kidnapping of innocents of all ages. It was a day when attempted genocide met heroic resistance, as Israelis fought bravely to protect their homes and their children against a vicious attempt to erase the Jewish people from their ancestral homeland through violence. Anyone who questions or denies the truth of that day must reckon with the overwhelming evidence of Hamas’s brutality against civilians, which can never be justified.\n\n“I will continue to stand with the people of Israel against hatred and terror, against isolation and disinformation. I will continue to stand up for the Zionist ideal of a safe and secure Israel living at peace with its neighbors and safeguarding the equal rights of all its citizens through a flourishing democracy. That is what Israelis have strived for over decades, what Jews worldwide have prayed for over centuries, and what all who cherish freedom and justice ought to defend now.\n\n“May the memory of all who were lost on 10/7 and in the three years since be a comfort and a blessing to Israel and to us all as we work for the better future we know is still possible.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media/press-releases/maryland-delegation-members-push-funding-mental-health-us-cyber-command-fort", "title": "Maryland Delegation Members Push for Funding for Mental Health at U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media", "domain": "hoyer.house.gov", "scraper": "hoyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000874", "name": "Steny H. Hoyer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) were joined by Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and U.S. Representatives Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) in requesting $11 million for U.S. Cyber Command as Congress works to complete the Fiscal Year 2027 defense appropriations. In the letter to Appropriations Committee leadership, the lawmakers stressed the importance of the health and wellbeing of the service members and civilian employees of U.S. Cyber Command, as well as the importance of their work to our national security. The $11 million program increase would fund U.S. Cyber Command’s high-performance team training, an operation aimed at improving care for service members, including helping commanders establish sustainable training, recovery, care, and resilience practices.\n\nThe lawmakers begin, “We respectfully urge you to retain the $11 million program increase for U.S. Cyber Command high-performance team training under Budget Activity 12D, Cyberspace Operations, as Congress completes the Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Headquartered at Fort George G. Meade, U.S. Cyber Command is central to Maryland’s national security community and relies on service members, civilian employees, and families throughout our state to conduct some of the Nation’s most demanding and persistent military operations missions.”\n\n“As the Congressional Delegation of Maryland, we are troubled by recent public reporting describing several deaths by suicide among personnel in cyber operations and the Fort Meade community over a short period. These deaths have a severe impact on the family, friends, and wider community. The concentration of these tragedies within a small, highly specialized workforce demands sustained attention and an institutional response proportionate to the operational strain these personnel bear,” they continue.\n\nOn the need for funding for High Performance Team Training at Cyber Command, the lawmakers note, “The requested $11 million would help U.S. Cyber Command close this gap by funding the FY26 NDAA provision. Embedded support would improve access to care for service members inside secure facilities, give providers a better understanding of the mission and its operational tempo, identify concerns earlier, and help commanders establish sustainable training, recovery, and resilience practices. Models used in other high-demand military communities, including special operations and remotely piloted aircraft units, and dedicated intelligence commands demonstrate the value of treating psychological health and human performance as readiness requirements. Cyber Command noted that without this funding, burnout and force degradation will increase.”\n\n“Preserving this funding would demonstrate Congress’s commitment to the health and readiness of the cyber workforce at Fort Meade, Maryland, and across the Nation. It would also help ensure that the Department establishes an enduring system of prevention, care, and operational resilience rather than relying solely on short-term interventions following a tragedy. One loss of life is one too many. We must do everything we can to make sure our servicemembers and everyone at the Fort has the full mental health support and resources they need, so that a tragedy like this does not occur again. We appreciate your continued leadership and support of Maryland’s servicemembers, federal employees, and families,” the lawmakers conclude.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, Chair Collins, and Vice Chair Murray:\n\nWe respectfully urge you to retain the $11 million program increase for U.S. Cyber Command high-performance team training under Budget Activity 12D, Cyberspace Operations, as Congress completes the Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Headquartered at Fort George G. Meade, U.S. Cyber Command is central to Maryland’s national security community and relies on service members, civilian employees, and families throughout our state to conduct some of the Nation’s most demanding and persistent missions.\n\nAs the Congressional Delegation of Maryland, we are troubled by recent public reporting describing several deaths by suicide among personnel in cyber operations and the Fort Meade community over a short period. These deaths have a severe impact on the family, friends, and wider community. The concentration of these tragedies within a small, highly specialized workforce demands sustained attention and an institutional response proportionate to the operational strain these personnel bear.\n\nCyber personnel operate in a uniquely stressful environment. Many are effectively “deployed in place” for two- or three-year assignments, conducting real-world operations against capable adversaries without the clear start and end points, protected recovery periods, or unit-level reconstitution cycles associated with conventional deployments. Because much of their work is classified, they may be unable to discuss the sources of their stress with family members or medical professionals who lack the clearances or access to secure facilities necessary for a complete conversation. These conditions can isolate personnel, delay appropriate care, and ultimately weaken readiness, retention, and operational effectiveness.\n\nThese challenges are particularly relevant at Fort Meade, where U.S. Cyber Command, the National Security Agency, military cyber components, and other national security organizations operate within a highly secure and interconnected environment. Although Maryland has a significant network of military, federal, and civilian health resources, traditional centralized-care models do not always give cyber personnel timely access to appropriately cleared professionals in the facilities where they work.\n\nCongress and the Department have already recognized this gap. Congress previously directed a review of the psychological and occupational demands placed on cyber operators, and the Department subsequently acknowledged that existing resources did not fully meet the needs of the U.S. Cyber Command. The Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) also expanded mental health services intended to address the U.S. Cyber Command’s unique requirements by integrating behavioral health professionals with security clearances within cyber units. Nevertheless, dedicated support teams and embedded care have not been implemented consistently across the force.\n\nThe requested $11 million would help U.S. Cyber Command close this gap by funding the FY26 NDAA provision. Embedded support would improve access to care for service members inside secure facilities, give providers a better understanding of the mission and its operational tempo, identify concerns earlier, and help commanders establish sustainable training, recovery, and resilience practices. Models used in other high-demand military communities, including special operations and remotely piloted aircraft units, and dedicated intelligence commands demonstrate the value of treating psychological health and human performance as readiness requirements. Cyber Command noted that without this funding, burnout and force degradation will increase.\n\nThis represents a modest investment compared with U.S. Cyber Command’s broader annual budget and the strategic value of its highly trained workforce. Recruiting, clearing, and developing cyber operators takes years. Losing experienced personnel harms Maryland families, disrupts operational teams, increases replacement and training costs, and reduces the Nation’s ability to defend critical systems and conduct cyber missions.\n\nAccordingly, we respectfully request that the final Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense Appropriations Act retain the following program increase:\n\n12D CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS\n\nHigh Performance Team Training ........................................ $11,000,000\n\nPreserving this funding would demonstrate Congress’s commitment to the health and readiness of the cyber workforce at Fort Meade, Maryland, and across the Nation. It would also help ensure that the Department establishes an enduring system of prevention, care, and operational resilience rather than relying solely on short-term interventions following a tragedy. One loss of life is one too many. We must do everything we can to make sure our servicemembers and everyone at the Fort has the full mental health support and resources they need, so that a tragedy like this does not occur again.\n\nWe appreciate your continued leadership and support of Maryland’s servicemembers, federal employees, and families.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hoyle-statement-on-third-anniversary-of-october-7th", "title": "REP. HOYLE STATEMENT ON THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF OCTOBER 7TH", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hoyle.house.gov", "scraper": "hoyle", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001094", "name": "Val T. Hoyle", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Eugene, OR – Today, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle released the following statement on the third anniversary of the October 7th attack:\n\n“It’s been 3 years since Hamas’ brutal terrorist attack on October 7. We cannot forget the 1,200 innocent people who were brutally murdered that day and the more than 250 hostages taken from their families. As the world grapples with these actions, we must continue speaking out against this horrific atrocity and call out the hate that has stemmed from it. Over 70,000 Palestinians have senselessly lost their lives—including a heartbreaking 20,000 children— and countless others have been displaced and left without access to food, water and medical care. How many more have to die before we have peace?\n\nI continue to call on the Netanyahu government to end the violence in Gaza and the West Bank, for the Trump administration to bring the needless, immoral war in Iran to an end, and for our partners in the Gulf region to bring their considerable negotiating powers to the table to achieve freedom, security and self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://jeffries.house.gov/2026/10/07/leader-jeffries-statement-marking-three-years-since-the-terrorist-attack-of-october-7/", "title": "LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT MARKING THREE YEARS SINCE THE TERRORIST ATTACK OF OCTOBER 7", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jeffries.house.gov/category/press-release/page/", "domain": "jeffries.house.gov", "scraper": "jeffries", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000294", "name": "Hakeem S. Jeffries", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, to mark three years since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:\n\nThree years ago today, Hamas terrorists intent on destroying Israel launched an unthinkable massacre, murdering, kidnapping and sexually assaulting innocent Israeli civilians, as well as American citizens. We continue to mourn with the loved ones of those who were killed on that tragic day and stand with all still healing, including former hostages recovering from unimaginable horror.\n\nAs we solemnly commemorate October 7 and antisemitic attacks around the world surge, we are reminded of the painful reality that the Jewish people are in a constant struggle for survival, as has been the case for thousands of years. America must remain committed to Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state, living in safety and security with its neighbors. We must permanently remove Hamas from power, eradicate terror and strive for a just and lasting peace in the region.\n\nThroughout the past three years, considerable suffering has plagued the Middle East. The horrific death of Palestinian civilians, destruction of civil society and devastation in Gaza is reprehensible and can never be allowed to happen again.\n\nIn order to end the vicious cycle of bloodshed, for the good of the Israeli and Palestinian people, American policy in the region must change dramatically. We must commit to the creation of an independent Palestinian state to provide dignity, respect and self-determination for the Palestinian people. We must also support a new generation of Palestinian leaders and put an end to the egregious settler violence in the West Bank. Nothing short of a future that involves Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and prosperity is acceptable.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-and-houchin-introduce-national-learning-disabilities-awareness-month-resolution/", "title": "Brownley and Houchin Introduce National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month Resolution", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "juliabrownley.house.gov", "scraper": "juliabrownley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001285", "name": "Julia Brownley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-IN) announced the introduction of a resolution recognizing October 2026 as National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. Observed annually in October, National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month raises public awareness of learning disabilities, promotes early and accurate diagnoses, and highlights the importance of ensuring individuals have access to the resources, tools, and support they need to succeed in school, the workplace, and their communities.\n\n“Having a learning disability should never stand in the way of a person’s ability to pursue their goals and achieve success,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “I began my career in public service to ensure that individuals like my daughter, who has dyslexia, have access to the resources and tools that empower them to learn and grow with confidence. I am grateful for Congresswoman Houchin’s partnership in recognizing National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month as we work to foster positive and supportive learning environments and improve learning outcomes and lived experiences for people with learning disabilities.”\n\n“Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that starts with the early identification of learning disabilities,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “Students who struggle quickly fall through the cracks of our education system. That’s why I am proud to recognize National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month alongside Congresswoman Brownley. We can, and should, do more to screen children as early as possible for learning challenges, like dyslexia, and this resolution brings awareness to the issue.”\n\nThis resolution is endorsed by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, a leading non-profit organization focused on building community, sharing resources, and shaping policy to help individuals with learning and attention issues.\n\nThe full text of the resolution can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-condemns-trumps-attacks-on-los-angeles-and-san-diego/", "title": "Brownley Condemns Trump’s Attacks on Los Angeles and San Diego", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "juliabrownley.house.gov", "scraper": "juliabrownley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001285", "name": "Julia Brownley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, and 40 of their California congressional colleagues in issuing the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s inflammatory remarks at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska:\n\n“Upon taking office, the President swears to uphold the Constitution and to protect us from our enemies. Yesterday, President Trump, while defending his unconstitutional war against Iran, appeared, incredibly, to invite Iran to destroy two American cities. His exact words were “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.” As members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, we call on President Trump to apologize to the over 16 million Americans who live in the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas and all Americans who expect more out of our President,” the Members said.\n\nJoining Chair Lofgren and Congresswoman Brownley on the statement are Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Representatives Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Ami Bera (CA-06), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Adam Gray (CA-13), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Scott Peters (CA-50), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Derek Tran (CA-45), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Aisha Wahab (CA-14), Maxine Waters (CA-43), and George Whitesides (CA-27).\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-congressional-colleagues-slam-hhs-effort-to-dismantle-head-start/", "title": "Brownley, Congressional Colleagues Slam HHS Effort to Dismantle Head Start", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "juliabrownley.house.gov", "scraper": "juliabrownley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001285", "name": "Julia Brownley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined 189 Members of Congress in demanding that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) withdraw its proposal to remove more than 90 percent of Head Start’s standards that ensure children receive a high-quality early education. Under the proposed rule, nearly one in ten children currently enrolled in Head Start could become ineligible overnight.\n\nIn the House, the letter is led by Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), Early Childhood and Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee Ranking Member Bonamici (D-OR-01), and Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13). In the Senate, the letter is led by Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Sanders (I-VT), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Senator Ben RayLuján (D-NM).\n\nThe Members are concerned that the proposed rule would illegally modify and weaken the services required by the Head Start Act. Specifically, the rule would eliminate federal quality standards for Head Start classrooms, including safety standards, staff-to-child ratios, staff qualifications, and standards for teaching. Additionally, the rule would erode critical services Head Start provides children and families, including health services. It would also shorten Head Start operating hours, eliminate enrollment protections for children with disabilities, and undermine services for dual language learners.\n\n“This proposed rule is a brazen attempt to dismantle Head Start without regard for the hundreds of thousands of young children and working-class families who depend on these programs and services every year. Under your proposal, Head Start children could be subject to corporal punishment; left unsupervised; have larger class sizes; have less qualified teachers; and no longer receive preventative and continuous health services, including oral health and mental health services,” wrote the Members. “We strongly urge you to withdraw the proposed rule, obey the law, and protect the legacy of Head Start.”\n\nSince the beginning of the second Trump Administration, HHS has repeatedly attempted to undermine and disrupt Head Start programs with an aggressive deregulation agenda, illegally withholding funding, firing federal staff, and threats to eliminate the program entirely. These actions serve the Trump Administration’s goal to end the Head Start program as laid out on page482 of Project 2025.\n\nIn the House, the letter was also signed by: Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Hakeem S. Jeffries (NY-08), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald S. Beyer (VA-08), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Everton Blair (GA-13), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Shontel M. Brown (OH-11), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud O. Carbajal (CA-24), Andre Carson (IN-07), Troy A. Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Ed Case (HI-01), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr. (CA-31), Katherine M. Clark (MA-05), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Jason Crow (CO-06), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Donald G. Davis (NC-01), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Christopher R. Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-3), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (MD-3), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-3), Bill Foster (IL-11), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-8), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Pablo José Hernández (PR-AL), James A. Himes (CT-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Timothy M. Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), John W. Mannion (NY-22), Doris O. Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Richard E. Neal (MA-01), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Johnny Olszewski Jr. (MD-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Scott H. Peters (CA-50), Brittany Petterson (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie B. Raskin (MD-08), Josh Riley (NY-19), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda T. Sanchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Bradley Scott Schneider (IL-10), Hillary J. Scholten (MI-03), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie A. Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley M. Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Mark Takano (CA-39), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Shultz (FL-25), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).\n\nIn the Senate, the letter was signed by Senators: Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Timothy Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://kamlager-dove.house.gov/media/press-releases/kamlager-dove-meeks-push-state-department-answers-brazil", "title": "Kamlager-Dove, Meeks Push State Department for Answers on Brazil", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kamlager-dove.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kamlager-dove.house.gov", "scraper": "kamlager-dove", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000400", "name": "Sydney Kamlager-Dove", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Co-Chair of the Congressional Brazil Caucus, and Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, led 10 Members of Congress in demanding answers from the State Department about its decision to revoke Brazilian Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti’s diplomatic visa.\n\nIn their letter, the lawmakers condemned the decision as an unnecessary escalation that threatens U.S.-Brazil relations and undermines American interests in the Western Hemisphere. They emphasized Brazil’s importance as a major democracy and regional security and trading partner.\n\n“This unnecessary escalation is the latest of a series of actions that has driven a rupture in our relationship with the largest democracy and economy in South America. At a time when the Trump Administration claims to be prioritizing the Western Hemisphere, this misguided decision further damages America’s reputation in the region and pushes Brazil closer to the hands of our adversaries,” wrote the lawmakers.\n\nThe lawmakers also criticized what they described as the Trump Administration’s sustained effort to influence Brazil’s 2026 elections. They cited State Department officials’ meetings with former President Bolsonaro, sanctions against Supreme Court Justice de Moraes, and statements questioning the integrity of Brazil’s elections as actions threatening the country’s democratic institutions and electoral processes.\n\n“Congress therefore has an obligation to understand why the Department of State departed from established practices and took the extraordinary step to revoke the Brazilian Ambassador’s visa,” concluded the lawmakers.\n\nThe letter can be viewed in full here.\n\nIn addition to Reps. Kamlager-Dove and Ranking Member Meeks, the letter was signed by James P. McGovern, Pramila Jayapal, Nydia M. Velázquez, Jonathan L. Jackson, Sylvia R. Garcia, Dina Titus, Yvette D. Clarke, Mike Quigley, Jasmine Crockett, and Madeleine Dean.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://kamlager-dove.house.gov/media/press-releases/kamlager-dove-statement-three-years-october-7th", "title": "Kamlager-Dove Statement on Three Years Since October 7th", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kamlager-dove.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kamlager-dove.house.gov", "scraper": "kamlager-dove", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000400", "name": "Sydney Kamlager-Dove", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "\"October 7th is a deeply painful day for so many here in Los Angeles and around the world. Today, we remember the nearly 1,200 innocent lives murdered on the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, as well as the dozens of hostages who died in Hamas captivity. We also remember the immense pain, suffering, and loss experienced by both Israelis and Palestinians in the war that followed, including the tragic deaths of 60,000 civilians in Gaza.\n\nAs the representative of one of the largest Jewish populations in the country, I’ve often heard from members of the community that the pain of this day is revisited every time they read about the rise in antisemitic attacks targeting Jewish houses of worship, businesses, and beloved community members. I will always stand firm against antisemitism and hate in all forms.\n\nThere can never be another October 7th, nor a repetition of the brutality and suffering that followed. As we reflect on the pain of the last three years, we must continue pushing for lasting peace in the region through a two-state solution that allows both Israelis and Palestinians to live with dignity, security, and freedom.\"\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://katherineclark.house.gov/2026/10/07/whip-clark-markey-warren-massachusetts-delegation-members-statement-on-massachusetts-nurses-negotiations/", "title": "Whip Clark, Markey, Warren, Massachusetts Delegation Members Statement on Massachusetts Nurses Negotiations", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://katherineclark.house.gov/newsroom/", "domain": "katherineclark.house.gov", "scraper": "clark", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001101", "name": "Katherine M. Clark", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BOSTON, MA — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Richard Neal (MA-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and Bill Keating (MA-09) released the following statement urging Mass General Brigham (MGB) and the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) to continue their negotiations to avert a strike at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.\n\n“Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system—our loved ones and communities rely on them each and every day. Our nurses deserve fair contracts that reflect that standard of care. Their voices must be heard.\n\n“The nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have demonstrated their willingness to continue negotiating with Mass General Brigham leadership to arrive at an agreement that works for nurses, patients, and our hospitals. A strike has the potential for serious impacts on our communities, patients, and healthcare workers, which we know no nurse or patient wishes to experience.\n\n“We call on Mass General Brigham to remain at the bargaining table with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and work to reach a good faith agreement that addresses the needs of nurses, patients, and our constituents. Massachusetts is renowned for its healthcare system, in which Mass General Brigham and its nurses are crucial partners, and we hope the parties can reach an agreement.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-delivers-1-million-federal-funds-hopatcong-lead-service-line-replacements", "title": "Kean Delivers $1 Million in Federal Funds to Hopatcong for Lead Service Line Replacements", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kean.house.gov", "scraper": "kean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000398", "name": "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(October 7, 2026) HOPATCONG, NJ – On Monday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) presented $1 million to Hopatcong Borough for the initial phase of lead service line replacements along various roadways in Hopatcong.\n\nThrough the replacement of these lead service lines, Hopatcong will improve the quality of drinking water and reduce the risk of lead contamination in water, which poses negative health risks and negative consequences to those who ingest it.\n\n“Families in our communities deserve safe and clean water and to know that their health, and the health of their children, is not at risk,” said Congressman Kean. “I was pleased to secure this federal funding to ensure that the water that members of the Hopatcong community use to wash their hands, to clean their dishes, and to drink is lead-free.”\n\n“This $1 million investment in Hopatcong will make a tremendous difference as we continue the important work of replacing lead service lines and strengthening our water infrastructure,” said Hopatcong Mayor Marie Galate. “These improvements are about more than pipes—they are about protecting our residents, safeguarding our drinking water, and investing in the future of our community. I am extremely grateful to Congressman Tom Kean Jr. for advocating for Hopatcong and helping bring these critical federal dollars directly back to our residents.”\n\n“As a member of the assembly environment committee, I think a lot about the quality of drinking water in Northwest New Jersey,” said Assemblyman Mike Inganamort. “The Hopatcong area is providing millions of gallons of drinking water to millions of New Jerseyans, and lead service line replacement is critically important for our natural environment and human health. Hopatcong, as a result of Congressman Kean’s leadership, is going to continue to be a better, stronger, healthier, more resilient community. I want to emphasize the incredible privilege it is for all of us to have someone as passionate and dedicated to New Jersey as Congressman Tom Kean, Jr., a tremendous advocate for our community.”\n\n“This vital investment will not only modernize Hopatcong’s infrastructure but also protect public health,” said Sussex County Commissioner David Silverthorne. “These funds will help complete the initial phase of lead service line replacements, securing clean, safe drinking water for every resident. I want to sincerely thank Congressman Kean for his leadership in securing this funding, as well as Mayor Galate, the Borough Council, and the dedicated Borough employees for their untiring work to uphold and improve Hopatcong’s quality of life for its residents.”\n\n“Being the municipal engineer for 20 years and knowing a lot of the residents, this project really hits home for Hopatcong families,” said Hopatcong Municipal Engineer John Ruschke. “Hopatcong has been struggling for years and years to keep up with water infrastructure, and it is critical that we change the dilapidated systems currently in place and keep our residents safe and healthy. It’s great to see families benefitting directly from this federal funding, because alongside improving the infrastructure, we’re improving quality of life for Hopatcong residents.”\n\nSince taking office, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. has secured more than $14.5 million for water infrastructure in New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District through the Community Project Funding process.\n\nAll 15 projects that Congressman Kean won for NJ-07 through the FY2026 Community Project Funding process are now law. View the full list of projects HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-delivers-560000-federal-funds-mount-arlington-memorial-pond-stormwater", "title": "Kean Delivers $560,000 in Federal Funds to Mount Arlington for Memorial Pond Stormwater Dredging", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kean.house.gov", "scraper": "kean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000398", "name": "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(October 7, 2026) MOUNT ARLINGTON, NJ – On Monday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) presented $560,000 to Mount Arlington Borough to address stormwater drainage in the local community.\n\nMount Arlington’s Memorial Pond manages stormwater and acts as a basin before it enters Lake Hopatcong. Over time, the pond has filled up with sediment, and this federal funding will support a necessary dredging project.\n\n“I am pleased to deliver this federal funding in order to protect the health and water quality of both Memorial Pond and Lake Hopatcong,” said Congressman Kean. “This $560,000 will fund a dredging project in Memorial Pond that will help ensure that Lake Hopatcong can continue being used by New Jerseyans for recreational activities.”\n\n“Thanks to a $560,000 federal investment secured by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr., Mount Arlington can move forward with the engineering, environmental analysis and dredging needed to restore Memorial Pond, improve stormwater management and help protect the water quality of Lake Hopatcong,” said Mount Arlington Mayor Michael Stanzilis. “This funding will support the work necessary to restore the pond’s beauty and environmental health while strengthening the protection of this important regional natural resource.”\n\nMayor Stanzilis continued, “As Mayor, protecting our environment, and particularly Lake Hopatcong, has always been a priority. Memorial Pond is a beautiful and special part of our community, and I look forward to seeing it restored for future generations. I thank Congressman Kean for recognizing the importance of this project and for his continued partnership with Mount Arlington.”\n\n“With this money, Memorial Pond can be cleaned for the use and benefit of all residents,” said State Senator Anthony Bucco. “When this pond is cleaned and dredged, it will have a direct impact on making sure that Lake Hopatcong continues to have the quality of water that this area needs for recreation and the economy. The residents of Mount Arlington are winners today as a result of the work of Congressman Kean.”\n\n“Congressman Kean reminds us that no project or town is too small,” said Assemblywoman Aura Dunn. “This was needed funding for a project that could not have otherwise happened. We thank Congressman Kean for his leadership down in Washington and for making sure they all remember how important Mount Arlington is.”\n\n“Congressman Kean’s work to secure this grant for a small town like Mount Arlington will not only impact this park, but also everything downstream,” said Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen. “Morris County and Sussex County share Lake Hopatcong, and what is being done to improve a tiny pond and the environment of this small community, will flow downstream to improve the quality of life for an entire region.”\n\n“What enters Memorial Pond doesn't stay in Memorial Pond, eventually it all flows straight into Lake Hopatcong,” said Kyle Richter, Executive Director of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation. “Removing years of built-up sediment means fewer nutrients feeding harmful algal blooms, cleaner water at our beaches, and a healthier future for New Jersey's largest lake. We're grateful to Congressman Kean Jr. for securing the funding for this critical project and helping to protect and improve Lake Hopatcong.”\n\nSince taking office, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. has secured more than $14.5 million for water infrastructure in New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District through the Community Project Funding process.\n\nAll 15 projects that Congressman Kean won for NJ-07 through the FY2026 Community Project Funding process are now law. View the full list of projects HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://kennedy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2491", "title": "Kennedy Announces $62,500 Federal Grant for Buffalo’s Westminster Economic Development Initiative", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kennedy.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "kennedy.house.gov", "scraper": "kennedy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000402", "name": "Timothy M. Kennedy", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Grant Extends Microloans and Business Support for Refugee Entrepreneurs\n\nBUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) today announced a $62,500 federal grant from the Office of Refugee Resettlement for the Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI), extending its Refugee Microenterprise Development project through September 2027. The award will fund the project’s upcoming year, continuing WEDI’s microloans and business-development support for refugees and other eligible newcomers who are starting and growing small businesses in Western New York.\n\n“Refugees and new Americans bring ambition, skill, and strong determination to build a better future for themselves and their family, and a small business is one of the best ways to help them put down roots here in Buffalo,” said Congressman Kennedy. “WEDI has spent years supporting these entrepreneurs with the capital and guidance they need to start a successful business. I’m thrilled to see this funding carry that work forward, and I know that WEDI will use it to make sure that Buffalo continues to live up to its reputation as the City of Good Neighbors.”\n\n“At WEDI, we see every day what can happen when talented, determined entrepreneurs have access to the right resources and capital,” said WEDI Interim Executive Director Courtney Yonce-Swain. “This funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement has helped us support more than 100 businesses since 2022, giving refugee entrepreneurs greater opportunity to start, stabilize, and grow their businesses. We are incredibly grateful for this additional support and for the opportunity to continue investing in entrepreneurs who strengthen their families, their neighborhoods, and the Western New York economy\"\n\nWEDI first received this award in 2022. Through March 31, 2026, the most recent reporting period, it has helped 105 businesses, including more than $94,000 in microloans for start-up, stabilization, and expansion. Founded in 2007, WEDI is a certified Community Development Financial Institution and also operates the West Side Bazaar, a small business incubator on Niagara Street.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://kevinmullin.house.gov/2026/10/07/national-archives-issues-dismissive-response-to-lawmakers-community-concerns/", "title": "National Archives Issues Dismissive Response to Lawmakers & Community Concerns", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kevinmullin.house.gov/category/press_release/", "domain": "kevinmullin.house.gov", "scraper": "kevinmullin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001225", "name": "Kevin Mullin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SAN BRUNO, CA –Despite bipartisan and bicameral support for preserving America’s national archives, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) gave a dismissive response to federal lawmakers who are working to protect local public access to historic records.\n\nBefore providing any justification or opportunities for the public to weigh in, NARA recently announced it would be closing its San Bruno and Chicago facilities, which are two of just 13 regional archives across America. Over one hundred community advocates, researchers, genealogists, and local families gathered at a rally and press conference Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) hosted in August to emphasize the importance of retaining culturally and historically significant records in the Bay Area.\n\nU.S. Reps. Mullin and Judy Chu (CA-28) led a bipartisan coalition of 37 federal lawmakers in writing to NARA in August to urge it to reconsider the San Bruno closure, and requesting more information about its plans and rationale. In its response letter, NARA failed to fully acknowledge concerns about the public losing physical access to local archival records, or a 2009 agreement to keep regionally-sensitive immigration files in San Bruno. NARA also did not explain how it made decisions about where to transfer non-immigration related files, and provided no insight into how the fragile 100+ year-old records would be cared for while moved across the country.\n\nNARA didn’t definitively answer questions about the future of its local workforce, many of whom are experts in their field. While it cited an estimated $4.7 million in annual savings by shuttering the building, it didn’t justify the need to find such savings – which is less than the taxpayer funding President Trump wants to spend on renovating his living quarters at the White House this fiscal year alone.\n\nThe national archives in San Bruno house records from not only California but also Nevada, Hawaii, Pacific Island territories, and Tribes. These records hold deep value to the local community including Angel Island immigration files, Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese Internment records, Native American and indigenous history documents, and even the notable Wong Kim Ark files, on which the recent birthright citizenship case at the Supreme Court hinged. NARA said it plans to move the immigration files to Kansas City – suggesting it expects Bay Area community members who deeply care about their ancestors’ records to travel over 1,500 miles if they want see them in person.\n\nIn August, Rep. Mullin also introduced the National Archives Protection Act, which is co-authored by Reps. Chu; Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), whose district includes the Seattle archives; and Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), whose district includes the Chicago archives. The bill would prevent NARA from closing any of its facilities including archives, records centers, and research rooms, without Congressional approval. Following the House bill, a Senate companion version was introduced on Sept. 30 by Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).\n\nAfter facing community pushback – and months after quietly notifying congressional offices of its plans – NARA announced it would host two virtual listening sessions for Tribal Nations on Oct. 13 and 15. Reps. Mullin and Chu encourage all Tribal members interested in joining to visit NARA’s website for instructions on signing up for a listening session at www.archives.gov/research/news. Reps. Mullin and Chu are urging NARA to conduct more public input sessions and engage with additional stakeholders who have an interest in maintaining the physical archives within the communities they represent.\n\n“NARA’s response to federal lawmakers is extremely disappointing and dismissive toward the sincere concerns from the public about losing direct access to irreplaceable community and family records. These archives aren’t just boxes of paper — they hold the stories, memories, and history of generations of Americans. Families whose ancestors immigrated through Angel Island can track their lineage, those whose loved ones served in the Navy and were stationed in the Pacific can learn about their legacy, and Native Americans whose history is documented over generations are all able to learn more by visiting this national archive,” said Rep. Mullin. “NARA has a responsibility to ensure these tangible records are carefully preserved and accessible to the people they represent. I will continue to fight against these closures and encourage everyone – from federal lawmakers and Tribal leaders, to community advocates and researchers – to keep up the pressure and consider all legal means to protect these historic resources.”\n\n“NARA’s response falls far short of addressing the real concerns of the communities who rely on these archives,” said Rep. Judy Chu. “For all Californians, and particularly the AANHPI community, these records are more than files and boxes. They tell the stories of families who endured the Chinese Exclusion Act and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, and they are where descendants go to learn what their loved ones lived through. Moving these records across the country would force families to travel thousands of miles and spend significant time and money simply to access their own American history. NARA has offered no convincing reason to put that history out of reach, and it has a responsibility to protect these records and keep them accessible to the communities they belong to. We will keep fighting the closures of the San Francisco and San Bruno facilities, and we will not let up until these irreplaceable pieces of AANHPI history are kept with the communities whose stories they tell.”\n\nThe letter regarding the San Bruno archives was signed by U.S. Reps. Mark Amodei (NV-02), Ami Bera (CA-06), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Ed Case (HI-01), Judy Chu (CA-28), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), , Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús García (IL-04), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Susie Lee (NV-03), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Doris Matsui (CA-17), Grace Meng (NY-06), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-29), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Norma Torres (CA-35), Maxine Waters (CA-43); and Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Jacklyn Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).\n\nWatch the August press conference and read comments from supporters of the archives here.\n\nRead the lawmakers letter here.\n\nRead NARA’s response letter here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/in-the-news/2026-congressional-app-challenge", "title": "2026 Congressional App Challenge", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "2026 Congressional App Challenge\nOctober 7, 2026\nIn The News\nImage\nBack to top button", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/in-the-news/2027-congressional-art-competition", "title": "The 2027 Congressional Art Competition", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The 2027 Congressional Art Competition\nOctober 7, 2026\nIn The News\nImage\nBack to top button", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/in-the-news/congressional-award", "title": "The Congressional Award", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The Congressional Award\nOctober 7, 2026\nIn The News\nImage\nImage\nBack to top button", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/in-the-news/us-service-academy-congressional-nomination", "title": "U.S. Service Academy Congressional Nomination", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Service Academy Congressional Nomination\nOctober 7, 2026\nIn The News\nImage\nBack to top button", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://lahood.house.gov/2026/10/lahood-urges-president-trump-to-issue-presidential-major-disaster-declaration-for-continued-recovery-efforts-from-august-storms", "title": "LaHood Urges President Trump to Issue Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Continued Recovery Efforts from August Storms", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "lahood.house.gov", "scraper": "lahood", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000585", "name": "Darin LaHood", "party": "Republican", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) sent a letter to President Donald Trump encouraging him to issue a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for McLean, Tazewell, Ford, Champaign, Cook, Fulton, Vermilion, and Will Counties following severe storms that caused significant wind damage and flooding in August.\n\nIn the letter, LaHood writes:\n\n\"I am writing in support of the State of Illinois’ request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Champaign, Cook, Ford, Fulton, McLean, Tazewell, Vermilion, and Will Counties following severe storms that impacted Illinois from August 11-16, 2026. The storms caused widespread damage across Central and Northern Illinois, and I urge your Administration to provide these communities with the federal assistance they need to recover and rebuild.\n\nBeginning on August 11, a multi-day severe weather event brought multiple rounds of severe storms, tornadoes, powerful winds, and flooding to the affected counties. In McLean County, which I represent, the impact has been substantial. Severe winds and storms left behind fallen trees and power lines, flooding, and significant property damage. The Normal Fire Department responded to a record number of calls during a 24-hour shift, stretching emergency services across the area to their limits. In Bloomington alone, crews have hauled away more than 2,300 loads of brush and 500 tons of bulk waste in the weeks since the storm. Across McLean County, local officials have reported approximately $42.5 million in damage.\n\nA Major Disaster Declaration would give these communities the federal resources needed to recover, repair damaged infrastructure, and rebuild. I support the State’s request for FEMA assistance, including Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation, as well as the request for an SBA disaster declaration to help eligible residents, small businesses, and nonprofits recover from the damage and disruption caused by these storms.\n\nI have been impressed by the response of local leaders, first responders, and residents who stepped up to help their communities in the aftermath of these storms. However, the scale of the damage and the continued demands of recovery demonstrate that local and state resources alone are not enough. These communities have done their part, and now we need to make sure the federal government lends a hand.\n\nDisaster recovery requires cooperation at every level of government. I respectfully urge you to approve the State of Illinois’ request and ensure that the people of McLean County and the other affected Illinois communities have access to the federal resources they need to recover. I appreciate your consideration of this important request and stand ready to work with your Administration to support the communities impacted by these devastating storms.\"\n\nThe full letter can be read here.\n\nThis follows up on a letter sent by the entire Illinois delegation sent in September.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4279", "title": "Larsen: New B.C. Oil Pipeline is “Not Ready for Prime Time”", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "larsen.house.gov", "scraper": "larsen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000560", "name": "Rick Larsen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Last Friday, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) commented on the news that Canada is fast-tracking a new oil pipeline project that would increase oil tanker traffic in Larsen’s district:\n\n“This project is not ready for prime time, and speeding up the review process will only make that worse,” said Rep. Larsen in the Washington State Standard. “Canada’s plan to fast track this new oil pipeline project puts sensitive marine habitats at risk and raises the chance of a devastating spill occurring before the U.S. and Canada can put updated plans in place.”\n\nOn July 2, the Government of Alberta announced a proposed new oil pipeline from Alberta to the Pacific Ocean that would transport 1 million barrels per day to an export terminal at Roberts Banks in British Columbia. Last Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney designated the pipeline, now known as the Pacific Link, as a project of national interest, enabling a speedier regulatory review that could see pipeline design and construction underway by next fall. The new pipeline will increase tanker traffic in Haro Strait and Boundary Bay in the Salish Sea, and with it the risks for catastrophic oil spills impacting sensitive marine environments.\n\n“The people I represent have serious concerns about this new pipeline and how it could harm the Salish Sea,” continued Rep. Larsen. “They deserve answers to their questions and updated spill response plans that account for more oil tanker traffic, and I will keep fighting to get them both.\"\n\nLast month, Rep. Larsen’s staff observed a joint exercise between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard designed to simulate response efforts and coordination between the two countries in the event of an oil spill in shared waters.\n\n“This type of collaboration across the border between the U.S. and Canada is even more critical because of Canada’s plans to ship more oil in the Salish Sea with the proposed new Alberta to B.C. pipeline,” said Rep. Larsen. “I have concerns about the potential impacts of this proposed pipeline, including on tanker traffic in the Salish Sea, and I am glad that my staff could observe the exercise to ensure that there are relationships and procedures in place that benefit both countries in the event of a disastrous spill.”\n\nRep. Larsen is the top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has oversight authority over the U.S. Coast Guard. In July, Rep. Larsen sent a letter to Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, Commandant of the Coast Guard, to insist that the Coast Guard review and update its oil spill preparedness plans in light of the new proposed pipeline. Larsen also pressed Coast Guard officials on their awareness of the new Canadian pipeline and how it would implicate existing oil spill prevention plans at a committee hearing. A video clip from that hearing can be found here, and the recording of the entire roundtable can be found here.\n\nThe Washington State Standard article is available here and below.\n\nA proposed Canadian oil pipeline to a supertanker terminal at the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia is raising hackles among Washington state’s political leaders.\n\nCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday designated the West Coast Oil Pipeline, now known as the Pacific Link, as a project of national interest. That enables a speedier regulatory review that could see pipeline design and construction under way by next fall.\n\nIn response, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Friday sounded alarms about increased oil spill risk to the Salish Sea in his first public comments on the massive project.\n\nThe Carney announcement wasn’t a surprise. In July, the prime minister and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith talked of fast-tracking the proposed 775-mile pipeline capable of carrying one million barrels of crude oil a day.\n\nIt would run from the Edmonton region to a new export terminal capable of handling supertankers proposed for Port of Vancouver’s Roberts Bank in British Columbia just north of the U.S. border. Oil could flow through by the early 2030s.\n\nOnce operating, many more oil-filled vessels traveling from the port would pass by the San Juan Islands and Olympic Peninsula on their way to Asia. Project critics fear a spill could easily reach north Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Washington’s outer coast, threatening sensitive ecosystems and killer whale habitat.\n\nFerguson said Friday that he was “disappointed” at the decision because resources needed to respond to a major spill are insufficient today.\n\n“If a project of this scale is going to proceed, it needs to come with a corresponding commitment to also increase our region’s capacity to prevent and respond to a catastrophic spill,” he said in a joint statement with Casey Sixkiller, director of the state Department of Ecology.\n\nFerguson said the size of the oil supertankers envisioned for the route are unprecedented, and have been barred from Washington ports since the 1970s. Their capacity of 92 million gallons of oil is eight times the volume of oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez, he noted.\n\n“If this project proceeds, it is critical that the Canadian government make detailed commitments to safeguard our shared marine waters and fill these gaps in our response capabilities,” he and Sixkiller said in the statement.\n\nSan Juan County council members, northern Washington tribal representatives and others have been pushing Ferguson since July to speak out and engage with the Canadian provincial and federal governments about the crude pipeline and tanker traffic.\n\nOn Tuesday, Ferguson met with Mark Wiseman, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. in Seattle. It is not known if the two discussed the pipeline and Ferguson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the meeting.\n\nSixkiller dispatched a lengthy letter to Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc in mid-September in a vain bid to forestall the fast-tracking of the Alberta pipeline permitting.\n\nU.S. Rep. Rick Larsen of Everett, whose 2nd Congressional District includes the state waters through which the supertankers would travel, was equally vexed. Many questions about the project and oil spill response need answers, he said.\n\n“This project is not ready for prime time, and speeding up the review process will only make that worse,” he said in an email. “Canada’s plan to fast track this new oil pipeline project puts sensitive marine habitats at risk and raises the chance of a devastating spill occurring before the U.S. and Canada can put updated plans in place.”\n\nThe project comes as Canada looks to strengthen its economic ties beyond the U.S. and as Carney has said the nation is seeking to become an “energy superpower.”\n\nSmith has said the province chose a southern pipeline route that ends on the shores of the Salish Sea because it can take advantage of the existing Trans Mountain Pipeline corridor as well as established relationships with First Nations.\n\n“It would be reasonable to expect that a project with the potential to shape the environmental, economic, and social future of a region for decades to come would face an especially rigorous level of scrutiny. Instead, this project is being fast-tracked without any concern for its long-term impacts on ecosystems, communities and the people who depend on them,” she wrote in an update to supporters Friday.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6588", "title": "Lawler Leads Bill To Improve Airbag Safety For Car Buyers In Honor Of Local Crash Victim", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "lawler.house.gov", "scraper": "lawler", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000599", "name": "Michael Lawler", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – 10/7/26… This week, Congressman Mike Lawler introduced the Anthony Amoros Law Right to Know Act, legislation that would require auto dealerships and other resale channels that sell used vehicles to have a functional airbag system, or require the seller to clearly disclose if an airbag is missing or disabled. Anthony Amoros was a Rockland County native who tragically died in a car crash in a vehicle that was sold to him without airbags and without Amoros’ knowledge.\n\n“Every driver and passenger deserves to know that the vehicle they are getting into is safe, and this bill will help protect consumers by making sure they have the information they need to make informed decisions. This legislation will ensure dealerships and third-party sellers cannot sell these vehicles without clearly informing consumers of the safety risks,” said Congressman Lawler.\n\nFull bill text can be found HERE.\n\nCongressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6589", "title": "Chairman Lawler Remembers October 7 Attacks, Reaffirms Commitment to Jewish Security and Israel", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "lawler.house.gov", "scraper": "lawler", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000599", "name": "Michael Lawler", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Pearl River, N.Y. – 10/7/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, released the following statement marking the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel:\n\n“Three years ago today, the world witnessed the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Hamas terrorists murdered more than 1,000 people, committed horrific acts of sexual violence, and took hundreds hostage, including American citizens. I will never forget what I saw when I traveled to Israel shortly after the attack. I met with families whose loved ones had been murdered or taken hostage, spoke with Israeli officials, and saw firsthand the brutality Hamas unleashed on innocent civilians. The barbarity of October 7 must never be forgotten, minimized, or justified,” said Congressman Lawler.\n\n“The rise in antisemitism we have witnessed in the United States since that day has made clear that Jewish Americans are under threat. No one should have to fear going to synagogue, sending their children to school, or openly practicing their faith. Three years later, our commitment must remain unwavering. We must fully disarm and dismantle Hamas. We must stand with Israel. And we must ensure that never again is not simply a slogan, but a commitment we live by every single day,” concluded Congressman Lawler.\n\nSince October 7, Lawler has made combating antisemitism, strengthening Jewish security, and supporting Israel a central focus of his work in Congress. This agenda has included:\n\nLeading the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act: Lawler was the lead House sponsor of the bipartisan legislation with Rep. Josh Gottheimer to require the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.\n\nFighting antisemitism on college campuses: Lawler has repeatedly challenged universities, including Columbia University, over their failure to protect Jewish students from harassment and intimidation. He has argued that calls for the eradication of Jews are not protected speech and that universities must enforce their own policies against antisemitic threats and violence.\n\nSupporting Jewish security funding and legislation: Lawler has co-led and supported legislation including the Jewish American Security Act, aimed at strengthening security for Jewish institutions and communities.\n\nStanding with Israel: Lawler co-sponsored the Stand With Israel Act with Rep. Jared Moskowitz, legislation designed to hold international organizations accountable when they target or penalize Israel.\n\nCalling for the release of all hostages: Lawler has consistently demanded that Hamas release every remaining hostage and has made clear that lasting peace requires Hamas to surrender and no longer pose a threat to Israel.\n\nCalling out antisemitism across the political spectrum: Lawler has repeatedly said antisemitism must be confronted regardless of where it comes from, including publicly criticizing prominent voices on both the political right and left.\n\nFighting for Jewish Americans’ right to live without fear: Lawler has warned that Jewish Americans are under attack and has emphasized that no American should be afraid to attend synagogue or openly practice their faith.\n\nAs Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, Lawler has continued to make Israel’s security, the defeat of Hamas, the release of hostages, and the fight against antisemitism central priorities of his work in Congress.\n\nCongressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://levin.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mike-levin-pushes-administration-to-adopt-critical-reforms-to-improve-access-to-snap-benefits-for-veterans", "title": "Rep. Mike Levin Pushes Administration to Adopt Critical Reforms to Improve Access to SNAP Benefits for Veterans", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://levin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "levin.house.gov", "scraper": "levin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000593", "name": "Mike Levin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) applauded a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report outlining recommendations to improve veterans’ access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In January 2024, Rep. Levin served as the Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity with Chair Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and requested GAO to examine how states with reported high and low rates of food insecurity have targeted veterans in the state annual outreach plans. On October 1, 2026, GAO published the report, “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Federal Actions Needed to Help Veterans Access Benefits,” which highlights the importance of conducting veteran-specific SNAP outreach to increase awareness and use of food resources.\n\nAccording to a 2023 RAND report, more than one million veterans faced food insecurity each year from 2015 to 2020. Eligible veterans can use SNAP benefits to access healthy foods, but they’re less likely to participate than non-veterans. In the report, GAO reviewed states’ efforts to target SNAP outreach to veterans and work with veterans’ organizations to help connect veterans to the program. GAO also examined state and federal efforts to improve the type of SNAP outreach conducted to veterans. The report makes four recommendations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to more effectively tackle veteran food insecurity.\n\n“More than one million veterans face food insecurity in this country. That is one million too many. That is why, when I served as Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, I asked GAO to investigate how states and the federal government can better help veterans get the support they need. I am encouraged by the report’s findings on successful state outreach efforts, but I am deeply troubled that USDA has still not updated its website to inform veterans about new requirements that could result in them losing their benefits,” said Rep. Levin. “One of the many reasons I opposed H.R. 1 was because it eliminated the work requirement exemption for veterans and created additional barriers to accessing food assistance. I am also concerned that, following staffing cuts in 2025, USDA has failed to fill critical positions that support coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs on veteran hunger. That is unacceptable. USDA must take these findings seriously and act quickly to address the gaps identified by GAO. I plan to work with my colleagues to hold the Administration accountable for implementing GAO’s recommendations as quickly as possible and ensuring veterans can access the support they have earned.”\n\nGAO made three recommendations to USDA and one to VA, including:\n\nThe Secretary of Agriculture should ensure Food and Nutrition Administration’s (FNA) SNAP eligibility website includes up-to-date information about exceptions to the SNAP time limit.\n\nThe Secretary of Agriculture should ensure FNA develops and disseminates additional SNAP outreach materials tailored to veterans, in collaboration with Veterans Health Administration (VHA).\n\nThe Secretary of Agriculture should ensure a formal mechanism is in place to collaborate with VA on efforts to address veteran food insecurity. This could include reviewing the memorandum of agreement (MOA) and updating the agreement as needed.\n\nThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs should ensure a formal mechanism is in place to collaborate with VA on efforts to address veteran food insecurity. This could include reviewing the MOA and updating the agreement as needed.\n\nRep. Levin will continue working with the relevant federal agencies to ensure they implement GAO’s recommendations and address reducing barriers for veterans seeking access to SNAP.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lieu-statement-three-year-anniversary-october-7-attack", "title": "REP LIEU STATEMENT ON THREE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF OCTOBER 7 ATTACK", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "lieu.house.gov", "scraper": "lieu", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000582", "name": "Ted Lieu", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement on the three-year anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel.\n\n“Three years have passed since the horrific terrorist attacks in Israel but the pain remains fresh for so many in my district and around the world. The heart-wrenching statistic we must never forget about that day: it was the worst mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. I share in the sorrow of the victims of Hamas’ brutality and every person who has lost a loved one during this devastating war.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-nancy-mace-statement-third-anniversary-october-7", "title": "Congresswoman Nancy Mace Statement on the Third Anniversary of October 7", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mace.house.gov", "scraper": "mace", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000194", "name": "Nancy Mace", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "CHARLESTON, S.C. (Oct. 7, 2026) – Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace released the following statement on the third anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel:\n\n\"Three years ago, Hamas terrorists murdered over 1,200 men, women, and children in Israel, including 49 Americans, and dragged 251 hostages into Gaza. It was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.\n\n\"A year ago, we called for every hostage to come home. Today, for the first time in three years, none remain in Gaza.\n\n\"'Never Again' cannot be just a slogan. It means standing with Israel's right to defend itself against those who seek its destruction. It means confronting antisemitism on our campuses, in our communities, and in our politics.\n\n\"Evil showed us exactly who it was. We will not look away.\n\n\"God bless Israel, and God bless the United States of America.\"\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://mannion.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-john-w-mannion-announces-500000-federal-grant-brownfield", "title": "Representative John W. Mannion Announces $500,000 Federal Grant for Brownfield Cleanups and Infrastructure Investments in the City of Utica", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mannion.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mannion.house.gov", "scraper": "mannion", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001231", "name": "John W. Mannion", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Representative John W. Mannion said, “This funding will provide the City of Utica with additional resources to turn vacant sites into safe, productive spaces. This brownfield grant will protect public health, create new opportunities for growth, and strengthen our neighborhoods. I will continue working with our local leaders to ensure our communities get the support they deserve, and I look forward to seeing this project drive lasting change in the region.”\n\nThe City of Utica will use the award to conduct assessments, cleanups, and revitalize polluted brownfield areas. These investments will support the local economy, support redevelopment, and protect public health for Utica residents. Utica plans to conduct over a dozen site assessments and hold almost 20 community meetings throughout the process.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-diaz-balart-remembers-victims-october-7-terrorist-attacks", "title": "Congressman Diaz-Balart Remembers the Victims of the October 7 Terrorist Attacks", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "mariodiazbalart.house.gov", "scraper": "mariodiazbalart", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000600", "name": "Mario Diaz-Balart", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, released the following statement remembering the victims of the October 7 terrorist attacks:\n\n\"Today, we remember the innocent men, women, and children brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists and honor all those who suffered in that horrific attack. We must unequivocally condemn the murderous terrorism and antisemitic hatred that fueled these atrocities.\n\nThere is no justification for the slaughter of families, the taking of hostages, or the terror inflicted upon the people of Israel. October 7 stands as a painful reminder of the threat posed by antisemitism and by those who seek to spread terror and violence.\n\nI stand firmly with the people of Israel and remain steadfast in my support for America’s closest friend and strongest ally. The United States must continue to confront terrorism and antisemitism wherever they arise and stand resolutely against those who seek to spread hatred and violence.\n\nMay we continue to remember the victims, stand with the survivors, and ensure that the atrocities of October 7 are never forgotten.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://markharris.house.gov/media/press-releases/harris-statement-third-anniversary-october-7th-attack", "title": "Harris Statement on Third Anniversary of October 7th Attack", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://markharris.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "markharris.house.gov", "scraper": "markharris", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001102", "name": "Mark Harris", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) released the following statement on the third anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel:\n\n“Three years ago today, Hamas terrorists unleashed unspeakable evil on the people of Israel. Innocent men, women, and children were brutally murdered, raped, tortured, and taken hostage in the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. We must never forget the horrors of that day or allow anything like it to ever happen again.\n\n“Israel has every right to defend itself and its people against those who seek its destruction, and America must stand firmly with our greatest ally in the Middle East. I am grateful for President Trump’s leadership in bringing every one of the 254 hostages home and for his commitment to restoring peace through strength throughout the region.\n\n“Here at home, we have also witnessed a disturbing rise in antisemitism, particularly on our college campuses. As a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, I will continue working to ensure Jewish students feel safe on campus and to confront this hatred across our country. Antisemitism has no place in our schools or anywhere in America.\n\n“Today, we recommit ourselves to supporting Israel and the Jewish people and to ensuring that the forces of radical Islamic terrorism never again have the opportunity to inflict the kind of horror the world witnessed three years ago. May God bless the victims and their families, the Jewish people, and the State of Israel.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://matsui.house.gov/media/press-releases/matsui-degette-beyer-statement-illegal-impoundment-health-research-funds", "title": "MATSUI, DEGETTE, BEYER STATEMENT ON ILLEGAL IMPOUNDMENT OF HEALTH RESEARCH FUNDS", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://matsui.house.gov/media", "domain": "matsui.house.gov", "scraper": "matsui", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001163", "name": "Doris O. Matsui", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Doris Matsui (CA-07), Diana DeGette (CO-01), and Don Beyer (VA-08) released the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a legal determination confirming the administration illegally impounded $78 million in Fiscal Year 2025 funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The decision comes more than a year after Reps. Matsui, DeGette, and Beyer sent the initial request for a nonpartisan legal opinion on the matter.\n\n“The GAO’s decision today confirms what we have known for over a year: Donald Trump is stealing taxpayers’ dollars that Congress set aside to improve Americans’ health. The administration’s unilateral dismantling of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s grantmaking operations is an illegal impoundment of Congressionally appropriated funds.\n\n“Under Article I of the Constitution, the power of the purse rests strictly with Congress, not the executive branch. Trump’s administration cannot simply refuse to spend the resources we authorized for lifesaving health care research. Republicans must join Democrats in demanding that the Constitution is upheld.”\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Trump administration’s massive cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services beginning April 1, 2025, disrupted grant funding for health care research across the country, including in Colorado. AHRQ suffered particularly devastating impacts to its grants supporting more efficient, effective, and safe health care. Grantmaking at AHRQ halted: from April 1 to September 5, 2025, AHRQ did not issue a single grant. The agency would typically issue up to 73 grants during a comparable time period.\n\nIn September 2025, Representatives Matsui, DeGette, and Beyer sent a request to GAO for their legal opinion on whether disruptions of AHRQ’s grantmaking process represented illegal withholding of funds in violation of the Impoundment Control Act, which regulates the president’s ability to delay or withhold Congressionally appropriated spending. The GAO is often called the “Congressional watchdog” for its role in investigating federal government spending and performance.\n\nToday, after a lengthy nonpartisan investigation, the GAO announced its findings that the Trump administration did illegally withhold—or impound—$78 million Congress directed to support healthcare research.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://matsui.house.gov/media/press-releases/matsui-sacramento-county-announce-1-million-federal-funding-florin-road-safe", "title": "MATSUI, SACRAMENTO COUNTY ANNOUNCE $1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR FLORIN ROAD SAFE STAY COMMUNITY", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://matsui.house.gov/media", "domain": "matsui.house.gov", "scraper": "matsui", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001163", "name": "Doris O. Matsui", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) held a press conference with Sacramento County leaders and Five Keys to announce $1 million in federal funding for the Florin Road Safe Stay Community.\n\nThe federal investment will support the installation of modular sanitation facilities to replace the site’s current mobile units, as well as the creation of permanent outdoor gathering space for guests and their pets. These improvements will help strengthen day-to-day operations and make the site more stable, functional, and supportive for the people it serves.\n\n“This investment will build real restrooms and showers to replace temporary ones and create permanent outdoor space where folks can spend time together,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Clean, reliable restrooms are a matter of basic dignity, and they keep people healthy. A place to sit outside with a neighbor or a case manager is where trust starts. And trust is what gets someone to say yes to the next step.”\n\nSacramento County’s latest point-in-time count found more than 7,400 people experiencing homelessness, while also showing more people in shelters than ever before. The Florin Road Safe Stay Community opened three years ago and provides private cabins, meals, showers, laundry, pet accommodations and on-site case management to help people experiencing homelessness move toward permanent housing.\n\n“This infusion of critical funding comes at a pivotal moment in Sacramento County’s mission to continue its success in addressing homelessness in impactful and unique ways,” said District 2 Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy. “We’re grateful to Congresswoman Matsui’s tenacity in working for Sacramento, working for the important work of addressing homelessness when funding is rapidly dwindling and we’re grateful for her continued advocacy in Washington.”\n\n“At Florin Safe Stay, we are providing people with something critically important: a safe place to begin again,” said Heather Calomese, president and CEO of Five Keys. “But shelter is not the finish line. It is a bridge from the street to safety, from crisis to stability, and ultimately, from homelessness to a place to call home. Every person who walks through our doors deserves to be treated with dignity, to be seen and to have a real pathway forward.”\n\nThe Florin Road Safe Stay Community is operated by Five Keys in partnership with Sacramento County. The $1 million in federal funding is part of Matsui’s ongoing work to deliver federal resources directly to Sacramento-area projects that address local needs.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://mcbride.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mcbride-statement-passing-former-delaware-senate-president-pro-tempore", "title": "Rep. McBride Statement on the Passing of Former Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia \"Patti\" Blevins", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcbride.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mcbride.house.gov", "scraper": "mcbride", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001238", "name": "Sarah McBride", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WILMINGTON, Del. — Today, Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-Del.) issued the following statement on the passing of Former Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia \"Patti\" Blevins:\n\n\"I am deeply saddened by the news of Patti Blevins’s passing, and my heart is with her husband, Michael, their daughter, Julia, and the countless Delawareans whose lives were touched by Patti’s tireless commitment to our state of neighbors.\n\n\"Patti was a longtime leader in the Delaware Senate who brought a rare combination of kindness and conviction to her work as a public servant. I saw both firsthand when we worked together to pass nondiscrimination protections in 2013. She always had a remarkable ability to build trust and find a path forward, without ever losing sight of the people her work was meant to serve.\n\n\"Patti meant so much to me and so many others here on Team McBride. Delaware is a better place because she chose to serve it, and my team and I will miss her dearly.\"\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://mcclaindelaney.house.gov/media/press-releases/maryland-delegation-members-push-funding-mental-health-us-cyber-command-fort", "title": "Maryland Delegation Members Push for Funding for Mental Health at U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcclaindelaney.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mcclaindelaney.house.gov", "scraper": "mcclaindelaney", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001232", "name": "April McClain Delaney", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives April McClain Delaney, Steny Hoyer, Sarah Elfreth, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, and Johnny Olszewski were joined by Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (all D-Md.) in requesting $11 million for U.S. Cyber Command as Congress works to complete the Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense appropriations. In the letter to Appropriations Committee leadership, the lawmakers stressed the importance of the health and wellbeing of the service members and civilian employees of U.S. Cyber Command, as well as the importance of their work to our national security. The $11 million program increase would fund U.S. Cyber Command’s high-performance team training, an operation aimed at improving care for service members, including helping commanders establish sustainable training, recovery, care, and resilience practices.\n\nThe lawmakers begin, “We respectfully urge you to retain the $11 million program increase for U.S. Cyber Command high-performance team training under Budget Activity 12D, Cyberspace Operations, as Congress completes the Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Headquartered at Fort George G. Meade, U.S. Cyber Command is central to Maryland’s national security community and relies on service members, civilian employees, and families throughout our state to conduct some of the Nation’s most demanding and persistent military operations missions.”\n\n“As the Congressional Delegation of Maryland, we are troubled by recent public reporting describing several deaths by suicide among personnel in cyber operations and the Fort Meade community over a short period. These deaths have a severe impact on the family, friends, and wider community. The concentration of these tragedies within a small, highly specialized workforce demands sustained attention and an institutional response proportionate to the operational strain these personnel bear,” they continue.\n\nOn the need for funding for High Performance Team Training at Cyber Command, the lawmakers note, “The requested $11 million would help U.S. Cyber Command close this gap by funding the FY26 NDAA provision. Embedded support would improve access to care for service members inside secure facilities, give providers a better understanding of the mission and its operational tempo, identify concerns earlier, and help commanders establish sustainable training, recovery, and resilience practices. Models used in other high-demand military communities, including special operations and remotely piloted aircraft units, and dedicated intelligence commands demonstrate the value of treating psychological health and human performance as readiness requirements. Cyber Command noted that without this funding, burnout and force degradation will increase.”\n\n“Preserving this funding would demonstrate Congress’s commitment to the health and readiness of the cyber workforce at Fort Meade, Maryland, and across the Nation. It would also help ensure that the Department establishes an enduring system of prevention, care, and operational resilience rather than relying solely on short-term interventions following a tragedy. One loss of life is one too many. We must do everything we can to make sure our servicemembers and everyone at the Fort has the full mental health support and resources they need, so that a tragedy like this does not occur again. We appreciate your continued leadership and support of Maryland’s servicemembers, federal employees, and families,” the lawmakers conclude.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, Chair Collins, and Vice Chair Murray:\n\nWe respectfully urge you to retain the $11 million program increase for U.S. Cyber Command high-performance team training under Budget Activity 12D, Cyberspace Operations, as Congress completes the Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Headquartered at Fort George G. Meade, U.S. Cyber Command is central to Maryland’s national security community and relies on service members, civilian employees, and families throughout our state to conduct some of the Nation’s most demanding and persistent missions.\n\nAs the Congressional Delegation of Maryland, we are troubled by recent public reporting describing several deaths by suicide among personnel in cyber operations and the Fort Meade community over a short period. These deaths have a severe impact on the family, friends, and wider community. The concentration of these tragedies within a small, highly specialized workforce demands sustained attention and an institutional response proportionate to the operational strain these personnel bear.\n\nCyber personnel operate in a uniquely stressful environment. Many are effectively “deployed in place” for two- or three-year assignments, conducting real-world operations against capable adversaries without the clear start and end points, protected recovery periods, or unit-level reconstitution cycles associated with conventional deployments. Because much of their work is classified, they may be unable to discuss the sources of their stress with family members or medical professionals who lack the clearances or access to secure facilities necessary for a complete conversation. These conditions can isolate personnel, delay appropriate care, and ultimately weaken readiness, retention, and operational effectiveness.\n\nThese challenges are particularly relevant at Fort Meade, where U.S. Cyber Command, the National Security Agency, military cyber components, and other national security organizations operate within a highly secure and interconnected environment. Although Maryland has a significant network of military, federal, and civilian health resources, traditional centralized-care models do not always give cyber personnel timely access to appropriately cleared professionals in the facilities where they work.\n\nCongress and the Department have already recognized this gap. Congress previously directed a review of the psychological and occupational demands placed on cyber operators, and the Department subsequently acknowledged that existing resources did not fully meet the needs of the U.S. Cyber Command. The Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) also expanded mental health services intended to address the U.S. Cyber Command’s unique requirements by integrating behavioral health professionals with security clearances within cyber units. Nevertheless, dedicated support teams and embedded care have not been implemented consistently across the force.\n\nThe requested $11 million would help U.S. Cyber Command close this gap by funding the FY26 NDAA provision. Embedded support would improve access to care for service members inside secure facilities, give providers a better understanding of the mission and its operational tempo, identify concerns earlier, and help commanders establish sustainable training, recovery, and resilience practices. Models used in other high-demand military communities, including special operations and remotely piloted aircraft units, and dedicated intelligence commands demonstrate the value of treating psychological health and human performance as readiness requirements. Cyber Command noted that without this funding, burnout and force degradation will increase.\n\nThis represents a modest investment compared with U.S. Cyber Command’s broader annual budget and the strategic value of its highly trained workforce. Recruiting, clearing, and developing cyber operators takes years. Losing experienced personnel harms Maryland families, disrupts operational teams, increases replacement and training costs, and reduces the Nation’s ability to defend critical systems and conduct cyber missions.\n\nAccordingly, we respectfully request that the final Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense Appropriations Act retain the following program increase:\n\n12D CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS\n\nHigh Performance Team Training ........................................ $11,000,000\n\nPreserving this funding would demonstrate Congress’s commitment to the health and readiness of the cyber workforce at Fort Meade, Maryland, and across the Nation. It would also help ensure that the Department establishes an enduring system of prevention, care, and operational resilience rather than relying solely on short-term interventions following a tragedy. One loss of life is one too many. We must do everything we can to make sure our servicemembers and everyone at the Fort has the full mental health support and resources they need, so that a tragedy like this does not occur again.\n\nWe appreciate your continued leadership and support of Maryland’s servicemembers, federal employees, and families.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://meuser.house.gov/media/press-releases/meuser-announces-28-million-federal-grants-pa-09-fire-departments", "title": "Meuser Announces $2.8 Million in Federal Grants for PA-09 Fire Departments", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://meuser.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "meuser.house.gov", "scraper": "meuser", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001204", "name": "Daniel Meuser", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) announced that the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded nearly $2.8 million in federal grants to eleven fire departments across Pennsylvania’s Ninth Congressional District through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.\n\nThe projects funded through these grants will provide professional training, personal protective equipment, modifications to facilities, firefighting and emergency response apparatus, including fire trucks, and supplies that support firefighting and non-affiliated EMS operations and safety.\n\n“In addition to being the first to respond when fires, accidents, and disasters threaten lives and property, firefighters also provide assistance during medical emergencies, rescue operations, and other dangerous situations,” said Congressman Meuser. “Much of the funding for volunteer fire companies comes from residents through charity carnivals and other private donations. I’m pleased to play a role in securing funding for fire departments throughout our district to obtain the equipment, training, and facilities they need to do the job. Thank you to all our firefighters and everyone who supports their lifesaving work.”\n\nThe Fire Departments in Pennsylvania that will benefit from these funds include:\n\nMildred Volunteer Fire Department, Mildred, Sullivan County: $571,428\n\nFriendship Fire Company of Englewood, Frackville, Schuylkill County: $534,952.72\n\nNewmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, Newmanstown, Lebanon County: $428,346\n\nDorrance Township Volunteer Fire Department, Dorrance, Luzerne County: $342,346\n\nWashington Fire Co. Number 1, Ashland, Schuylkill County: $328,571.42\n\nShenandoah Community Ambulance Association, Shenandoah, Schuylkill County: $223,636.36\n\nNoxen Volunteer Fire Company, Noxen, Wyoming County: $141,503\n\nStonington Volunteer Fire Company, Stonington, Northumberland County: $120,414\n\nWashington Fire Company Community Ambulance, Inc., Ashland, Schuylkill County: $54,285.71\n\nWilliam Penn Fire Co. 1, Shenandoah, Schuylkill County: $36,666.66\n\nSheppton-Oneida Fire Co., Sheppton, Schuylkill County: $18,428.57\n\nAbout the AFG Program:\n\nThe AFG Program awards grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations, and state fire training academies to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and first responder personnel. Using a competitive process informed by fire service subject-matter experts, the AFG Program awards grants to applicants whose requests best address its priorities.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases/miller-meeks-ernst-billion-dollar-boondoggle-act-signed-law", "title": "Miller-Meeks, Ernst Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act Signed Into Law", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "millermeeks.house.gov", "scraper": "millermeeks", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001215", "name": "Mariannette Miller-Meeks", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has signed into law bipartisan legislation led by Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to increase transparency and accountability for taxpayer-funded projects that go over budget and fall behind schedule.\n\nThe Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act requires federal agencies to report to Congress on taxpayer-funded projects that exceed their original cost estimates or fall significantly behind schedule, giving Congress and the American people greater visibility into projects that are not meeting expectations.\n\n“Washington has a spending problem, and taxpayers deserve accountability,” said Miller-Meeks. “I’m proud to see the bipartisan Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act I led with Senator Ernst signed into law. This law will bring greater transparency to federal projects that go over budget and fall behind schedule, giving Congress and the American people the information they need to hold Washington accountable. Taxpayers work too hard for their money to see it wasted, and they deserve to know it is being spent responsibly.”\n\n\"Washington math doesn't add up, but my Billion Dollar Boondoggle law will restore accountability to its shady accounting. Taxpayers deserve this transparency, and it will protect them from being put on the hook for hundreds of billions of dollars sunk into failed and mismanaged projects plagued by massive cost overruns and never-ending delays,\" said Sen. Ernst. \"While government boondoggles abound, the term is now officially in the law books for the first time. No politician wants their prized pet project to carry that label, but now there's no escaping it.\"\n\n“Granite Staters deserve to know that their hard-earned, tax-dollars are being spent responsibly,” said Senator Hassan (D-NH). “This commonsense, bipartisan bill will give the public greater visibility into how their tax dollars are being used and it will help Congress identify wasteful spending. I am pleased to see this bill signed into law and I will continue working with my colleagues of both parties to protect taxpayer dollars and increase government transparency.”\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act will require the Office of Management and Budget to compile and submit an annual report to Congress identifying qualifying taxpayer-funded projects and providing information about changes to their scope, cost estimates, and completion dates.\n\nThe House originally passed the bill in July 2026. In September it cleared the Senate and was sent to President Trump's desk to become law.\n\nCongresswoman Miller-Meeks has been a leading voice in the fight against government waste, fraud, and abuse. She first introduced the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act in the 118th Congress and reintroduced it in the 119th Congress alongside Senator Ernst.\n\nTo read the full bill text, click HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://min.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-rep-dave-min-three-year-anniversary-october-7th-attack", "title": "STATEMENT: Rep. Dave Min on the Three-Year Anniversary of October 7th Attack", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://min.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "min.house.gov", "scraper": "min", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001241", "name": "Dave Min", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Rep. Dave Min issued the following statement, marking the three-year anniversary of the Oct 7th attack:\n\n\"Three years ago today, Israel suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history. The barbaric and horrific murder of 1200 Israelis with hundreds more taken into captivity shocked decent people across the world.\n\nMy thoughts continue to remain with the families and loved ones of those victims and also with those who are experiencing antisemitism here at home. I also mourn the Palestinian civilians who have been killed in Gaza, including tens of thousands of children.\n\nI pray for peace and a stop to the violence in the Middle East, and as a member of Congress, I will continue to do all I can to try to achieve that goal.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://neal.house.gov/2026/10/07/neal-statement-on-the-third-anniversary-of-october-7/", "title": "Neal Statement on the Third Anniversary of October 7", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "neal.house.gov", "scraper": "neal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000015", "name": "Richard E. Neal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "MassDOT reaches Pittsfield railroad agreement with CSX, while Amtrak’s $2B award set to bolster Berkshire Flyer\n\nBy Jim Kinney | jkinney@repub.com PITTSFIELD — MassDOT now has an agreement with freight railroad company CSX...\n\nTop Democratic tax writers slam new scholarship credit rules\n\nSen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Richard Neal accuse the Treasury of pushing the new tax break further than the law allows....\n\nChicopee’s Westover receives new $46M hangar for Air Force inspections\n\nBy Jeanette DeForge | jdeforge@repub.com CHICOPEE — For the first time in 20 years, the inspection hangar at...\n\nNeal, Wyden Object to Treasury’s Proposed Boost for Private School Tax Credits\n\nNew provision continues Trump’s pattern of ignoring clear Congressional mandates in an effort to benefit the...\n\nNeal Statement on September 2026 Jobs Report\n\nSPRINGFIELD, MA— Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following...\n\nPlanned Drumcree march ‘provocative’, says US Congressman\n\nBy Jackie Fox, RTÉ News US Representative Richard Neal has described the planned Orange Order march along the...\n\nNeal, Kelly Lead Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus in Letter Calling for UK Government to Cancel Orange Order Parade on Garvaghy Road\n\nWashington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Richard E. Neal (D-MA-01) and U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly...\n\nUS Friends of Ireland politicians call on UK government to cancel Drumcree parade\n\nFourteen members of US Congress say failing to act decisively risks ‘reopening one of the most painful chapters in...\n\nNeal Statement on Trump’s China Capitulation\n\nSPRINGFIELD, MA— Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following...", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://olszewski.house.gov/media/press-releases/maryland-delegation-pushes-funding-mental-health-us-cyber-command-fort-meade", "title": "Maryland Delegation Pushes for Funding for Mental Health at U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://olszewski.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "olszewski.house.gov", "scraper": "olszewski", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000176", "name": "Johnny Olszewski, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Johnny Olszewski (D-MD-02) joined the Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation (CITI) Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee and the Maryland Delegation in requesting an additional $11 million in funding for mental health support at U.S. Cyber Command following reports of multiple suicides earlier this year. Olszewski joined Representatives Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Rich McCormick (R-GA-07), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Herbert Conaway (D-NJ-03), Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07), and Pat Ryan (D-NY-18). On the letter from the Maryland members, Elfreth was joined by her Maryland delegation colleagues, including Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who co-led the letter, along with Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Representatives Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04), and April McClain Delaney (D-MD-06). Both letters were directed to the heads of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.\n\n“We respectfully urge you to retain the $11 million program increase for U.S. Cyber Command high-performance team training… Headquartered at Fort George G. Meade, U.S. Cyber Command is central to Maryland’s national security community and relies on service members, civilian employees, and families throughout our state to conduct some of the Nation’s most demanding and persistent missions,” wrote the CITI members.\n\n“As the Congressional Delegation of Maryland, we are troubled by recent public reporting describing several deaths by suicide among personnel in cyber operations and the Fort Meade community over a short period. These deaths have a severe impact on the family, friends, and wider community. The concentration of these tragedies within a small, highly specialized workforce demands sustained attention and an institutional response proportionate to the operational strain these personnel bear,” wrote the Maryland lawmakers. “Cyber personnel operate in a uniquely stressful environment. Many are effectively ‘deployed in place’ for two- or three-year assignments, conducting real-world operations against capable adversaries without the clear start and end points, protected recovery periods, or unit-level reconstitution cycles associated with conventional deployments. Because much of their work is classified, they may be unable to discuss the sources of their stress with family members or medical professionals who lack the clearances or access to secure facilities necessary for a complete conversation. These conditions can isolate personnel, delay appropriate care, and ultimately weaken readiness, retention, and operational effectiveness.”\n\n“One loss of life is one too many. We must do everything we can to make sure our servicemembers and everyone at NSA and Cyber Command has the full mental health support and resources they need, so that a tragedy like this does not occur again,” wrote the CITI members.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://patryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/dont-mess-new-york-congressman-pat-ryan-and-new-york-delegation-introduce", "title": "“DON’T MESS WITH NEW YORK”: CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN AND NEW YORK DELEGATION INTRODUCE BICAMERAL LEGISLATION TO REVERSE TRUMP’S DEVASTATING CUTS TO HEALTHCARE AND RESTORE COVERAGE FOR 450,000 NEW YORKERS", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://patryan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "patryan.house.gov", "scraper": "patryan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000579", "name": "Patrick Ryan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Pat Ryan and the entire New York Democratic Delegation introduced legislation to reverse the Republican cuts to health care and restore coverage for 450,000 New Yorkers.\n\nIn NY-18, 15,656 Essential Plan enrollees were impacted by cuts to health care funding in Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act.\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Pat Ryan joined the entire New York Democratic delegation in introducing the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act, legislation to restore health coverage to the nearly 450,000 New Yorkers who were kicked off of the Essential Plan under the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In NY-18, 15,656 Essential Plan enrollees were impacted.\n\nSpecifically, the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act would repeal the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s premium tax credit eligibility restrictions, fully restoring funding for the Essential Plan. In addition to restoring the program, the legislation would provide all states with the option to expand health coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s Basic Health Plan.\n\n“For over a year now, we’ve felt the devastating consequences of Trump and Republicans’ health care cuts right here in the Hudson Valley. Trump and spineless rubber-stamp Republicans in Congress cut $1 trillion from your health care and food assistance to fund a tax cut for billionaires – and they specifically targeted New York’s Essential Plan, ripping healthcare from more than 15,000 people in our district,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “It’s cruel, un-American, and the exact opposite of everything our community stands for. On behalf of the 450,000 New Yorkers kicked off their insurance, we’re fighting back. I’m incredibly proud to join our entire state Democratic delegation in introducing this legislation to reverse the cuts, restore your coverage, and send a clear message to Trump: Don’t mess with New York.”\n\nCongressman Ryan was an early, strong critic of President Trump domestic spending agenda – calling it a “Big, Ugly Betrayal” of the American people. Trump’s agenda rips health care coverage away from more than 17 million Americans, has caused a massive hike in insurance premiums for millions, and has already closed, significantly reduced services, or forced mass layoffs at countless hospitals nationwide. 77% of respondents to Ryan’s survey on ACA premiums said they’d already received notice their bills would increase.\n\nThis legislation is cosponsored by the entire New York Democratic delegation including: Senators Schumer (D-NY) and Gillibrand (D-NY), Leader Jeffries (NY-08), and Representatives Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Clarke (NY-09), Espaillat (NY-13), Gillen (NY-04), Goldman (NY-10), Kennedy (NY-26), Latimer (NY-16), Mannion (NY-22), Meeks (NY-5), Meng (NY-6), Morelle (NY-25), Nadler (NY-12), Riley (NY-19), Ryan (NY-18), Suozzi (NY-3), Tonko (NY-20), Torres (NY-15), and Velázquez (NY-07).\n\nThe full bill text is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://patryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-congressman-pat-ryan-hosts-hudson-valley-restaurant-owners-discussion", "title": "ICYMI: CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN HOSTS HUDSON VALLEY RESTAURANT OWNERS FOR DISCUSSION ON RISING COSTS & IMPACTS OF PROPOSED SYSCO-RESTAURANT DEPOT MERGER", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://patryan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "patryan.house.gov", "scraper": "patryan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000579", "name": "Patrick Ryan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Mid Hudson News: Ryan and restaurant owners dish on Sysco at diner\n\nRyan hosted Hudson Valley restaurant owners, caterers, and small food distributors to discuss how corporate consolidation is raising prices and making it harder to run their small businesses\n\nThe discussion comes after Ryan called on FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson to block the proposed $29.1 billion merger between Sysco and Restaurant Depot, arguing the merger would reduce competition, drive up operating costs for restaurants, and make dining out more expensive\n\nNEWBURGH, NY – Yesterday, Congressman Pat Ryan – co-chair of the Congressional Monopoly Busters Caucus – hosted a roundtable conversation at Alexis Diner with Hudson Valley restaurant owners, caterers, and small food distributors to discuss how corporate consolidation is raising prices and making it harder to run their small businesses.\n\nParticipants discussed how the proposed merger between Sysco and Restaurant Depot – two of the largest suppliers Hudson Valley independent restaurants rely on – would bring a dramatic, negative impact to their businesses.\n\nThe conversation followed a letter Ryan sent to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Andrew Ferguson last week, demanding the FTC block the proposed $29.1 billion merger and raising the alarm on how it would reduce competition, drive up operating costs for restaurants, and make dining out in the Hudson Valley more expensive.\n\n“When the largest food distributor in the country seeks to acquire one of its biggest competitors, it’s all of us – our small restaurant and diner owners, food truck operators, caterers, and customers – who will be forced to pay the higher price,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Hudson Valley restaurants are part of what makes our community so special. We should be making it easier, not harder, for them to succeed. Keeping prices competitive is essential to the success of these restaurants, which is why we’re going to fight with everything we’ve got to make sure the FTC blocks this harmful deal and protects the independent businesses that keep our Hudson Valley communities thriving.”\n\n“We're grateful that Congressman Ryan is standing with independent restaurants and bars by urging the FTC to fully investigate the proposed merger between Sysco and Restaurant Depot,” said Erika Polmar, Executive Director of the Independent Restaurant Coalition. “Restaurants already operate on margins of just 3 to 5 percent, and when one company controls more of the food supply chain, owners lose bargaining power and are left with higher prices, fewer options and lousy terms, costs that either land on the menu or eat into already meager margins. Restaurants are New York's second-largest private employer, and letting Sysco absorb the supplier independents rely on most would threaten the neighborhood businesses that anchor communities across the state.”\n\nRead more:\n\nMid Hudson News: Ryan and restaurant owners dish on Sysco at diner\n\nBy Jeanine Agnolet\n\nTOWN OF NEWBURGH – A handful of small, independent restaurant owners, food educators, chefs and a farmer sat around a table at the Alexis Diner in Newburgh on Monday to express their concerns to Congressman Pat Ryan (D, NY -18) about the proposed merger of the food industry giant Sysco Corporation and Restaurant Depot.\n\nAbove the frenetic sounds of a hectic lunch crowd with plenty of hot coffee, they candidly described what they said was the disaster that will strike if Sysco is successful in acquiring Restaurant Depot, which has a warehouse in the Town of Newburgh.\n\n“The merger will drive the food prices up, and it will drive small restaurants right out of business,” said Tom Costa, chef and owner of North Plank Road Tavern in the Town of Newburgh and an active member of the Independent Restaurant Coalition. “Right now, I can run out to Restaurant Depot, and I can get three pounds of Faroe Island salmon, but if I have to order a case of it from Sysco, I risk losing some of it before I actually sell it. Restaurant Depot is a godsend for the small, independent restaurant, which is a dying breed.”\n\nCongressman Ryan held the roundtable discussion to get feedback from local restaurant owners and food service providers.\n\nLast Friday, Ryan, who co-chairs the Congressional Monopoly Busters Caucus, sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, urging him to block the proposed $29.1 billion merger.\n\nRyan says the appeal to prevent the acquisition has bipartisan support.\n\n“I cannot overstate how big of a deal this is as one of the biggest mergers in this country in the past decade,” said Ryan. “At a time when costs are already exorbitantly high, this is incredibly problematic.”\n\nRyan said there are nearly 2,000 food service and accommodation businesses in his district, most of them with less than 20 employees.\n\n“There are over 30 thousand food workers in these three counties—a huge source of employment across our communities, so this affects everyone,” said Ryan.\n\nSysco is the single biggest distributor of food in the nation, serving over 700,000 customers globally, including schools, hospital systems and other organizations that have high volume.\n\nEarlier this year, it announced plans to purchase Restaurant Depot, one of the nation’s largest food wholesale cash-and-carry warehouse companies, that sells to independent restaurant owners, caterers and non-profits.\n\nRestaurant owners contend the proposed merger would reduce competition, drive up operating costs and make dining out more expensive.\n\nRei Peraza, director of Operations and Executive Chef for Rossi & Sons, prides himself on the fact that he has never utilized Sysco.\n\n“Sysco has an algorithmic pricing system. The more you buy, the better your pricing is, and that’s why it doesn’t work for a lot of small, mom and pop operations. I don’t think Sysco and the way they do business has ever been good for small businesses,” said Peraza.\n\nWith Sysco, the identities of restaurants get lost. You’re using the same chicken fingers and the same toilet paper as everyone else. As a whole, they have very little to offer in quality products outside of convenience.”\n\nIn 2013, Sysco attempted to acquire US Foods, but the Federal Trade Commission sued to block the merger and won.\n\nAssemblyman Jonathan Jacobsen says he intends draft a letter to State Attorney General Letitia James, urging her to take action and enforce the current laws that prohibit monopolistic practices.\n\n“It’s wrong in the insurance, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, and it’s wrong here,” said Jacobsen.\n\n“With this merger, we’ll be out priced, and this will be catastrophic,” said Gaby Pereyra, owner of Yara Farm in Middletown, New York and director of Operations for the Chester Agricultural Center. “It would be impossible for small farmers to be able to sell to small restaurants or suppliers.”\n\nRyan says he is hopeful that the merger can still be stopped, despite the fact that negotiations are in the final stages.\n\n“Sysco has a pricing structure based on volume,” said Tom Costa. “It may be smart but it’s going to kill the little guy.”\n\nRyan’s letter to FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson is included in full below, and can be viewed here.\n\nDear Chairman Ferguson,\n\nI am writing to urge the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a rigorous review of Sysco Corporation's proposed acquisition of Restaurant Depot, and to formally oppose the merger unless substantial evidence is shown that the merger will not lessen competition in the markets on which independent restaurants and small food service operators rely. This issue is of personal interest as many of my constituents rely on the Restaurant Depot Warehouse located in my district in Newburgh, New York. In addition, as independent restaurants are forced to raise prices, those high prices are either absorbed, decreasing profits, or passed along to consumers. My constituents are already drowning in skyrocketing prices, and this acquisition will only make it more difficult both for small businesses working hard to make a living and for customers trying to afford the basics, like a warm meal from a local restaurant.\n\nRestaurant Depot exerts indirect but consequential competitive pressure on Sysco by serving as an outside option for independent, price-sensitive operators who want to avoid rising delivery fees. Independent restaurant operators, including the 30,000 restaurant workers in my district, depend on low-cost product sourcing to operate. While Sysco has defended the acquisition, characterizing the two companies as possessing “minimal overlap” in customers, the truth is that this acquisition would establish Sysco’s total control over two unique channels of distribution that independent restaurants have historically used as substitutes for each other.\n\nThis acquisition would make Sysco the largest player in the cash-and-carry market, on top of its existing leadership in the broadline distribution market. This consolidation of market power will have severe and devastating consequences for independent restaurants, food service operators, and other small businesses who rely on competitive markets to keep prices low for their customers. With folks feeling intense financial pressure across the board right now, we should be working together to bring down costs, instead of fueling high prices. I’ll continue to stay in close contact with local businesses negatively impacted by rising prices and help them fight for fair practices.\n\nAs you look into the details of the merger, I urge the Federal Trade Commission to closely review the potential impact on the food service industry, including the small businesses and consumers who patronize our beloved independent restaurants.\n\nOn behalf of the hardworking independent restaurants and constituents who would be impacted by this merger in my district and around the nation, I urge the Commission to investigate this matter and take decisive action to protect competition, consumers, and small businesses.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://pettersen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1962", "title": "Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen Demands Answers on Armed Guards Trump Admin Has Reportedly Deployed to Ballot Drop Off Facilities As Colorado Begins Mail-In-Voting", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pettersen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "pettersen.house.gov", "scraper": "pettersen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000620", "name": "Brittany Pettersen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "As Colorado begins mailing ballots for the November election, Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) is demanding answers from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) regarding reported deployments of armed and unarmed guards at Colorado postal facilities.The deployments follow repeated Trump administration efforts to restrict mail voting, sow confusion, and undermine confidence in our elections—raising urgent concerns about whether voters will face intimidation simply for casting a ballot. In the 2024 general election, more than 92% of Colorado voters cast their ballots by mail—making reliable delivery and intimidation-free access essential for the state to conduct this and future elections.\n\n“Coloradans should be able to cast their ballots without fear or intimidation. Deploying armed guards at postal facilities just as voting begins demands an explanation and urgent action,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. “We need clear answers about why these guards are here, what authority they have, and how voters and election mail will be protected. Coloradans deserve confidence that their ballots will be delivered and their voices heard. Voter intimidation is an attack on our democracy, and here in Colorado, we will fight to ensure every vote is counted.”\n\nArmed guards have reportedly been deployed at postal facilities even though USPIS says no credible security or operational threat prompted the increased presence. A memo distributed to the American Postal Workers Union says guards will monitor entrances and parking lots, verify IDs, and report purportedly suspicious activity at public Post Offices and restricted mail-processing plants. USPIS calls this a longstanding security plan, but has not explained why these deployments are happening now, identified the affected facilities, or detailed safeguards to prevent voter intimidation and interference with election mail.\n\nIn the letter to Chief Postal Inspector Barksdale, Pettersen writes, “Postal workers have a crucial responsibility to deliver election mail safely and on time. We support appropriate measures designed to protect them and their ability to carry out this responsibility. At the same time, the presence of armed guards at facilities where voters may deposit ballots runs the real risk of making voters feel intimidated. Federal law prohibits voter intimidation, which is defined as the use of threats, coercion, or attempts to intimidate for the purpose of interfering with the right of another person to vote or to vote for the person of their choosing. Voters should feel assured that they can send their ballots without being questioned, monitored, or deterred by armed guards.”\n\nCongresswoman Pettersen demands that USPIS disclose:\n\nWho authorized the deployments,\n\nWhich Colorado facilities are affected, and\n\nWhether guards can demand identification, restrict public access, inspect ballots, or influence whether election mail is accepted and delivered.\n\nShe also asks whether the White House, the Department of Justice, or the Department of Homeland Security had any role in the decision.\n\nCongresswoman Brittany Pettersen has consistently defended Coloradans’ access to secure, accessible elections. She introduced an amendment to protect eligible voters from disenfranchisement under the SAVE Act and opposed a Republican budget resolution that included $10 billion for election grants tied to SAVE America Act voter-ID requirements. Building on her work in the state legislature to strengthen Colorado’s mail-ballot system, she has also pressed USPS to ensure timely ballot delivery, particularly for rural communities, and pushed back against federal efforts to restrict mail voting.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found HERE and below.\n\nDear Chief Postal Inspector Barksdale,\n\nWe write in response to recent reporting that the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has deployed armed and unarmed guards to postal facilities in Colorado and across the country just as millions of Americans are preparing to cast their ballots by mail ahead of the 2026 General Midterm Elections.\n\nIn a memo distributed to the American Postal Workers Union, the USPIS has indicated that the guards will monitor entrances and parking areas, verify IDs, and observe and report purportedly suspicious activity in and around key postal facilities, including both Post Offices – which are open to the public – and US Postal Service processing plants – which are not open to the public. These deployments come despite the agency’s repeated assurances that no credible security or operational threat has necessitated the heightened presence, with USPIS characterizing this initiative as part of a longstanding, multiyear security plan. Yet the agency has provided little public information for the timing of this deployment, failed to identify which facilities will be affected, and offered no detail regarding the safeguards that will be implemented to ensure that the presence of law enforcement personnel does not disrupt, intimidate, or otherwise interfere with postal workers, election officials, or votes during a critical period of the election cycle.\n\nPostal workers have a crucial responsibility to deliver election mail safely and on time. We support appropriate measures designed to protect them and their ability to carry out this responsibility. At the same time, the presence of armed guards at facilities where voters may deposit ballots runs the real risk of making voters feel intimidated. Federal law prohibits voter intimidation, which is defined as the use of threats, coercion, or attempts to intimidate for the purpose of interfering with the right of another person to vote or to vote for the person of their choosing. Voters should feel assured that they can send their ballots without being questioned, monitored, or deterred by armed guards.\n\nThis issue is particularly poignant for Colorado, where over 90% of voters cast their ballots by mail. Colorado’s 2024 General Election Fact Sheet shows that every audit demonstrated a 97% rate of statistical certainty that voting tabulation equipment worked correctly, demonstrating the strength and soundness of Colorado’s election security system which has multiple layers of physical and network security measures designed to prevent unauthorized access and ensure accurate vote counts. Leading up to the 2026 General Midterm Election, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has disseminated best practices for voting by mail, which includes guidance that if and when feasible, voters should deliver their mail-in ballot to a postal facility or USPS retail facility to receive same-day stamping. The presence of armed and unarmed guards already deployed at postal facilities is not a hypothetical concern; it is a reality that voters and postal workers are confronting right now. Deploying armed and unarmed personnel at key mail-processing and ballot-return locations during an election, without a clear and compelling public justification, risks intimidating voters, discouraging ballot return, and eroding public confidence in both the Postal Service and the integrity of the electoral process.\n\nAs such, we request answers to the following questions to help us understand the circumstances surrounding this deployment and its potential impact on voter access:\n\nWhen was the decision to deploy additional guards made, who approved it, and what prompted the deployment at this time?\n\nHow many armed and unarmed guards have been deployed nationwide and in Colorado? At which facilities, and for what anticipated duration?\n\nWhat are the guards’ duties and limits of authority? May they ask members of the public for identification, inspect mail or ballots, direct postal employees, restrict access to facilities, or interact with election officials?\n\nWhat steps has USPIS taken to consult postal workers, their unions, state and local election officials, and USPS election mail personnel about the deployment and its potential effect on ballot processing?\n\nHas USPIS received any request, direction, or input concerning this deployment from the White House, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or any other federal agency?\n\nWill these guards have any role or authority in determining whether election mail is accepted, processed, or delivered?\n\nWhat specific steps has USPIS taken to ensure that the presence and conduct of these guards do not intimidate voters or discourage them from mailing their ballots?\n\nColoradans deserve certainty that every eligible voter can return a ballot free from intimidation, disruption, or interference, and that every piece of election mail will be handled and delivered securely and on time. Postal workers, election officials, and voters alike are entitled to clear assurances regarding the scope, purpose, and conduct of these deployments of armed and unarmed guards. In light of the urgency and significance of these concerns, we request a prompt and comprehensive response no later than October 16th, 2026.\n\nSincerely,", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6876", "title": "As Trump’s War in Iran Drives Up Heating Oil Prices, Pingree Demands Administration Provide Relief for Skyrocketing Winter Heating Bills", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "pingree.house.gov", "scraper": "pingree", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000597", "name": "Chellie Pingree", "party": "Democrat", "state": "ME", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and a group of 24 Members of Congress representing Northeastern states are pressing the Department of Energy (DOE) to take immediate action to address the rapidly rising cost of heating oil, which has surged around 60 percent since the start of President Trump’s war in Iran. In their letter—led by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) and Lori Trahan (D-Mass)—the lawmakers urged the DOE to support an immediate end to the war and prioritize lowering energy costs for the winter, warning that rising prices will force families to choose between heating their homes and paying for basic necessities.\n\n“Heating oil costs for the upcoming winter are projected to reach record levels, and families throughout the northeastern United States will likely bear the brunt of these costs,” wrote the lawmakers.\n\nThe President’s war in Iran has played a large part in driving up the price of heating oil. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil from $72 to over $100 a barrel, causing a massive increase in heating oil costs in the United States. American families that rely on heating oil are projected to pay about $600 more to keep their homes warm this winter than last year. In Maine, which uses more residential heating oil per capita than any other U.S. state, the statewide average price of heating oil recently hit a record $6.02 a gallon—marking an 80% increase over last year.\n\nIn addition to jacking up the cost of heating oil, the Trump administration has made or attempted to make heating costs for the upcoming winter even higher by:\n\nAttempting to eliminate the $4 billion Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that supports families with high energy bills.\n\nEffectively increasing taxes on solutions to the heating cost crisis by eliminating four tax credits and deductions that supported residential and commercial building energy efficiency upgrades.\n\nCutting more than $20 billion in clean energy and grid modernization funding for hundreds of energy projects across the country that would have decreased costs for families.\n\n“As Americans face immense difficulty with keeping the heat on, the administration appears to be cutting off all avenues for meaningful relief, handing out tax cuts to billionaires, spending tens of billions of dollars on an unnecessary foreign war, and jacking up costs for struggling families,” the lawmakers continued.\n\n“To address these costs for American families, we urge you to reverse course on the senseless war in Iran, undo the administration’s cuts to clean energy and grid modernization programs, work with Congress to repeal the tax increases imposed on energy efficiency upgrades and other ways to lower heating costs, and end the administration’s attacks on LIHEAP,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nThe lawmakers were joined by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.); and Representatives Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), John Mannion (D-N.Y.), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.).\n\nThe full letter is available here and is copied below.\n\n+++\n\nSecretary Wright:\n\nWe write to ask that you take immediate action to address the impact on our constituents of the rapidly rising cost of heating oil fueled by the President’s war in Iran and the administration’s failed policies. Today, the price of heating oil is around 60 percent higher than before the Iran war.1 The costs will be borne by American households struggling to heat their homes this winter while making ends meet. Instead of continuing down this path, we urge you to support an immediate end to the war and to stop blocking or restricting Department of Energy (DOE) programs that would help American families lower their energy bills.\n\nHeating oil costs for the upcoming winter are projected to reach record levels, and families throughout the northeastern United States will likely bear the brunt of these costs. American families that rely on heating oil are projected to pay about $600 more to keep their homes warm this winter than last year. The price of heating oil has steadily risen to more than $4 a gallon, nearing record highs. Families from our states will shoulder the brunt of these prices: around one-third of New England homes rely on heating oil to heat their homes, and in some states, around half do. Families that warm their homes with heating oil are estimated to see their energy bills spike from $1,740 to around $2,300, placing immense strain on families and forcing them to make impossible decisions about whether to keep the heat on, the fridge stocked, or critical medical necessities in supply.\n\nThe President’s war in Iran has played a large part in driving up the price of heating oil. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global trade in crude oil and impacted global supplies of heating oil and diesel, both refined products distilled from crude oil. Before the Iran war, crude was trading at $72 a barrel; now, the price for crude oil has jumped to more than $100 a barrel. Government reports indicate that national supplies of distillate fuel oil, which includes heating oil, are at their lowest levels on record. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has assessed that constrained global supplies are “contributing to low U.S. diesel inventories and high diesel prices.”\n\nMeanwhile, U.S. refiners and fossil fuel companies have seen banner profits while shipping heating oil abroad. As EIA notes, constraints in the global supply for heating oil have “raised domestic prices and incentivized U.S. exporters to increase distillate exports.” U.S. weekly exports of distillate products, including heating oil, hit a record high in August.\n\nPresident Trump promised that high energy prices would be a “small price to pay” for a “little while” at the start of the war. In March 2026, you said that “prices have likely peaked and they’ll start going down,” stating that “[t]his is a weeks…not a months thing.” Yet, months later, energy prices have continued to surge.\n\nAdding insult to injury, the Trump administration has made heating for the upcoming winter season even more expensive in other ways.\n\nThe administration has attempted to eliminate the $4 billion Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that supports families with high energy bills.\n\nThe administration has effectively increased taxes on solutions to the heating cost crisis, by eliminating four tax credits and deductions that supported residential and commercial building energy efficiency upgrades.\n\nThe administration has cut more than $20 billion in clean energy and grid modernization funding for hundreds of energy projects across the country that would have decreased costs for families.\n\nAs Americans face immense difficulty with keeping the heat on, the administration appears to be cutting off all avenues for meaningful relief, handing out tax cuts to billionaires, spending tens of billions of dollars on an unnecessary foreign war, and jacking up costs for struggling families.\n\nTo address these costs for American families, we urge you to reverse course on the senseless war in Iran, undo the administration’s cuts to clean energy and grid modernization programs, work with Congress to repeal the tax increases imposed on energy efficiency upgrades and other ways to lower heating costs, and end the administration’s attacks on LIHEAP.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://pressley.house.gov/2026/10/07/pressley-markey-warren-mass-lawmakers-statement-on-massachusetts-nurses-negotiations/", "title": "Pressley, Markey, Warren, Mass. Lawmakers’ Statement on Massachusetts Nurses Negotiations", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pressley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "pressley.house.gov", "scraper": "pressley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000617", "name": "Ayanna Pressley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "“Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system—our loved ones and communities rely on them each and every day. Our nurses deserve fair contracts that reflect that standard of care. Their voices must be heard.\n\n“The nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have demonstrated their willingness to continue negotiating with Mass General Brigham leadership to arrive at an agreement that works for nurses, patients, and our hospitals. A strike has the potential for serious impacts on our communities, patients, and healthcare workers, which we know no nurse or patient wishes to experience.\n\n“We call on Mass General Brigham to remain at the bargaining table with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and work to reach a good faith agreement that addresses the needs of nurses, patients, and our constituents. Massachusetts is renowned for its healthcare system, in which Mass General Brigham and its nurses are crucial partners, and we hope the parties can reach an agreement.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://pressley.house.gov/2026/10/07/rep-pressley-statement-marking-three-year-somber-anniversary-of-october-7th-attack/", "title": "Rep. Pressley Statement Marking Three-Year Somber Anniversary of October 7th Attack", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pressley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "pressley.house.gov", "scraper": "pressley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000617", "name": "Ayanna Pressley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement marking the three-year anniversary of the horrific October 7th attack by Hamas, and the Israeli military’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and attacks across the Middle East.\n\nCongresswoman Pressley has consistently called for humanitarian aid and meaningful, lasting peace and a ceasefire in Gaza to save the lives of civilians, hostages, Palestinians, Israelis, and Americans.\n\n“As we mark three years since the October 7th attack, it is incumbent upon us all to center the humanity of every impacted individual and honor those whose lives were taken in such inhumane, horrifying acts on that day and every day since. The world watched in horror as Hamas senselessly murdered and took hostage Americans, Israelis, elders, babies, parents, and others. During the past three years, the world has borne witness to the horrors of the Israeli military’s genocide against the Palestinian people, children, women, elders, people with disabilities, and so many innocent civilians and families who have suffered unimaginable loss, cried for help, and grieved as a result.\n\n“We must renew our calls for action. That means ending this horrific and ongoing genocide, surging humanitarian aid and prioritizing medical evacuation, cutting off U.S. taxpayer dollars to arm the Israeli military, leveraging diplomacy to de-escalate broader regional conflict, and enforcing a true, lasting, and meaningful ceasefire.\n\n“Every day that goes by without our action is another day the United States is actively supporting the Israeli military’s massacre and destruction, and another day that innocent people across the region—including Israelis, Palestinians, Americans, Iranians, and more—are subjected to violence, displacement, starvation, and death.\n\n“Since that horrific day, I have sat with the loved ones of hostages, those who were killed, and those we’ve lost in the three years since—and I carry their stories with me daily. Time and again, they have spoken of our shared humanity. They’ve joined our broad, diverse coalition for a lasting peace. And they remind us daily that our freedoms and our destinies are tied.\n\n“Today, I remain fiercely committed to pushing for the safety and survival of every individual impacted. I keep close to my heart that every life is a universe, every person killed was someone’s child, parent, grandparent, and beloved community member.”\n\nSince the horrific October 7th attack, Congresswoman Pressley has consistently and stridently called for a ceasefire to save lives, return all hostages, and surge humanitarian aid to Gaza.\n\nIn December 2025, Rep. Pressley made an urgent plea to her fellow Members of Congress to advance humanitarian action to save children in Gaza.\n\nIn September 2025, Rep. Pressley joined Congresswoman Delia Ramírez (IL-03), actors Cynthia Nixon and Morgan Spector, Mahmoud Khalil, Dr. Adil Husain, Congressional colleagues, and advocates to call for the passage of H.R. 3565, the Block the Bombs Act, to save lives and withhold the transfer of offensive weapons to the Israeli government and demand the Israeli military’s compliance with U.S. and international law.\n\nIn August 2025, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) led 101 of their colleagues in calling on the Trump Administration to use its full power and authority to demand that Israeli government immediately facilitate a massive surge in all humanitarian aid, and in particular infant formula, into Gaza to address the crisis of starvation. After receiving no response and no action from Secretary Marco Rubio, Reps. Pressley and Pettersen condemned his silence and renewed their call for an immediate surge in infant formula and humanitarian aid. Upon receiving a lacking written response from the State Department, Reps. Pressley and Pettersen doubled down on their demands.\n\nIn April 2024, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she called for urgent de-escalation in the region and renewed her calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel to prevent a broader regional war. Rep. Pressley introduced a pair of amendments to increase funding to global humanitarian assistance and place a one-year moratorium on the transfer of offensive weapons to the Israeli military.\n\nIn August 2026, Rep. Pressley joined Rep. Tlaib in leading 39 members of Congress in calling on Secretary Marco Rubio to organize the immediate and permanent release of U.S. citizen Sama Safi, a 20-year-old student with a severe chronic health condition, from Israeli military prison.\n\nIn June 2026, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech urging her colleagues to support Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib’s Lebanon War Powers Resolution, H.Con.Res.84, to protect lives in Lebanon and stop Trump’s support of Netanyahu’s human rights violations. In her remarks, Congresswoman Pressley called on Congress to end its complicity in these deadly attacks and defend innocent lives.\n\nIn April 2026, Rep. Pressley condemned Trump’s genocidal threat against Iran and demanded immediately accountability for his lawless war.\n\nIn March 2026, Rep. Pressley delivered a powerful speech on the House floor condemning Donald Trump waging an endless war in Iran with no regard for human life.\n\nIn March 2026, Rep. Pressley, Senator Warren, and the entire Massachusetts delegation pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to explain the Trump administration’s “complete failure” to evacuate U.S. citizens — including Massachusetts residents — from the Middle East following the administration’s starting a reckless war in Iran.\n\nRep. Pressley joined Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) and their colleagues on a resolution condemning Hamas’ brutal attack and hostage-taking, and demanding Hamas immediately release all hostages.\n\nRep. Pressley joined Reps. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), James P. McGovern (MA-02), and 50 colleagues on a letter condemning the terrorist attacks by Hamas on the people of Israel, calling for Israeli military operations to follow the rules of international humanitarian law, and continuing to work toward peace in the region.\n\nRep. Pressley marked the two-year anniversary of the horrific October 7th attack in a strident statement.\n\nRep. Pressley joined her colleagues in announcing a resolution urging the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and Gaza, to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza, and to save as many lives as possible. She later joined her colleagues and a multi-faith, multiracial coalition of faith leaders and organizers for a prayer and press conference to renew their calls for a ceasefire. Rep. Pressley also joined dozens of rabbis and Members of Congress for a press conference to renew calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.\n\nInstead of attending Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address to Congress, Rep. Pressley spent the day centering people directly impacted by Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza\n\nRep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she condemned antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate on college campuses.\n\nRep. Pressley joined a coalition of nearly 100 interfaith clergy and faith leaders on a joint statement on Martin Luther King Jr. Day calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.\n\nRep. Pressley joined Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), and nearly 150 colleagues in urging the State Department to use all tools at its disposal help get Americans out of Israel and back home to the United States. She applauded the State Department for heeding her calls on October 12, 2023 and continues to press for the urgent evacuation of Americans in Gaza.\n\nRep. Pressley issued a statement following the safe evacuation of Massachusetts constituents Wafaa and Abood Okal and their one-year-old Yousef from Gaza.\n\nRep. Pressley and Rep. Jamie Raskin led a group of 60 House lawmakers in urging the State Department to affirm the United States’ strong opposition to the forced and permanent displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, and to support an increase in humanitarian aid to the region.\n\nRep. Pressley joined Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Mark Pocan (WI-2), Betty McCollum (MN-4) and 20 of their colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden, asking him to support a bilateral ceasefire in Gaza to protect the one million children living there.\n\nRep. Pressley joined a coalition of interfaith clergy and faith leaders for a vigil to mourn the tens of thousands of Palestinians, Israelis, and innocent civilians killed since October 7th, and to renew calls for a ceasefire to save lives, return all hostages, and deliver humanitarian aid to the region.\n\nRep. Pressley joined her colleagues at a press conference to condemn the Israeli government’s pending invasion of Rafah and continued her calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.\n\nRep. Pressley joined her colleagues in calling for full funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to provide urgent humanitarian relief to Gaza.\n\nRep. Pressley joined Representatives Joaquín Castro, Jamie Raskin, Jan Schakowsky and 33 House Democrats to President Biden urging him to prevent an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah.\n\nRep. Pressley, amid heightened tensions in the region, delivered a floor speech in which she called for urgent de-escalation in the Middle East and renewed her calls for a ceasefire in Gaza to prevent a broader regional war.\n\nRep. Pressley filed a pair of amendments to increase funding to global humanitarian assistance and place a one-year moratorium on the transfer of offensive weapons to the Israeli military. The amendments were not adopted in the final legislation.\n\nRep. Pressley voted against HR 8034 to send more offensive weapons and funding to the Israeli military, citing the Israeli military’s callous disregard for human life in Gaza and significant human rights violations.\n\nRep. Pressley issued a statement on the peaceful student protests taking place in Massachusetts and across the country.\n\nRep. Pressley issued a statement applauding the Boston City Council for passing a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.\n\nRep. Pressley joined Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04) and 54 additional lawmakers in calling on the Biden Administration to use all tools possible to dissuade the Israeli government from moving forward with an offensive invasion into Rafah.\n\nRep. Pressley issued a statement in response to the escalating situation in the Middle East.\n\nRep. Pressley joined impacted families, faith leaders, and advocates to observe the anniversary of the horrific October 7, 2023 attack and commemorate the 1,200 Israelis killed by Hamas, the hostages killed and those still kidnapped, and the over 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza killed by the Israeli military over the past year.\n\nRep. Pressley issued a statement marking the one-year anniversary of the horrific October 7th attack.\n\nRep. Pressley issued a statement urging the Senate to support Senator Bernie Sanders’ Joint Resolutions of Disapproval that would block the sale of offensive arms to the Israeli government.\n\nRep. Pressley issued a statement on the ceasefire-hostage deal reached between Israel and Hamas in January 2025.\n\nRep. Pressley is a co-sponsor of the Block the Bombs Act, which would withhold the transfer of offensive weapons to the Israeli government and demand the Israeli military’s compliance with U.S. and international law.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://raskin.house.gov/2026/10/raskin-introduces-legislation-to-preserve-and-document-trump-propaganda-and-educate-future-generations-on-resistance-to-corruption-and-authoritarianism", "title": "Raskin Introduces Legislation to Preserve and Document Trump Propaganda and Educate Future Generations on Resistance to Corruption and Authoritarianism", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://raskin.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "raskin.house.gov", "scraper": "raskin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000606", "name": "Jamie Raskin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.— As the Trump Administration prepares propaganda signage to adorn the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08) introduced legislation to ensure future generations learn about President Donald Trump’s commitment to censoring, whitewashing and fictionalizing American history. The Preserving and Remembering the History of Trump and other Tyrants Act directs officials from the Smithsonian Institution to collect and preserve artifacts reflecting the rise of governmental propaganda, corruption, and authoritarianism during the Trump presidencies as the basis for a permanent exhibition in the National Museum of American History.\n\nLast month, the Department of the Interior—under orders from President Trump—created propaganda signage to place outside of the National Museum of American History, warning visitors of curators’ “personal, radical ideologies.” Preserving these signs will educate Americans on how authoritarians attempt to control media, government and culture.\n\n“Unlike President Trump’s project of censoring, whitewashing and fictionalizing American history, my legislation will forever preserve his manifestations of authoritarian narcissism and his propagandistic assault on American history and American democracy,” said Rep. Raskin. “To avoid repeating this descent into authoritarianism, we must study this corrupt President’s actions and allow the public to learn about the numerous tools he deployed while attempting to remake American history in his own image and according to his own autocratic and white nationalist beliefs.”\n\nThe legislation directs officials from the Smithsonian Institution to preserve the banners bearing President Trump’s face that are currently displayed outside of certain federal agencies; still images and videos from the media; personal narratives of American citizens who resisted and opposed the rise in authoritarianism in the United States; and other artifacts that the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution determines to have historical significance. The legislation also directs officials from the National Park Service to remove any signage that was erected near the National Museum of American History without the consent of Congress.\n\nRep. Raskin has drawn on his expertise as an American constitutional scholar as he speaks out against the Trump Administration’s authoritarian tactics. This month, he introduced a Resolution condemning President Trump and MAGA’s campaign of book bans and censorship and advocating for the American freedom to read and think freely.\n\nRead the full text of the legislation here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://rileymoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-riley-m-moore-secures-15-million-weston-corridor-h-sewer", "title": "Congressman Riley M. Moore Secures $1.5 Million for Weston Corridor H Sewer Improvements", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://rileymoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "rileymoore.house.gov", "scraper": "rileymoore", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001235", "name": "Riley M. Moore", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congressman Riley M. Moore secured $1.5 million in Community Project Funding for the City of Weston through his work on the House Appropriations Committee to support sewer improvements and expansion along Corridor H.\n\nCongressman Riley M. Moore released the following statement:\n\n“I’m proud to have secured $1.5 million for the City of Weston to make these critical sewer improvements and extend service along Corridor H. This investment will unlock the economic development potential of Corridor H to create good-paying jobs across Central West Virginia. I will continue working through the House Appropriations Committee to make sure West Virginia communities have the infrastructure they need to compete, grow, and create jobs.”\n\nThe funding will help the City of Weston and its Sanitary Board make significant upgrades to its existing sewer system, including improvements to lift stations, while working to extend sewer service to areas along Corridor H between Weston and Buckhannon.\n\nThe area along Route 33 and Corridor H has significant potential for economic growth and development, but the lack of available sewer infrastructure has limited the ability to attract new businesses and development. Several economic development opportunities have been lost because sewer service was unavailable.\n\nAs Corridor H continues to open new opportunities for West Virginia communities, reliable utility infrastructure will be critical to ensuring Lewis County is prepared for future residential, commercial and industrial growth.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://scholten.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-scholten-statement-new-proposal-narrow-scope-clean-water-act", "title": "Congresswoman Scholten Statement on New Proposal to Narrow the Scope of the Clean Water Act", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://scholten.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "scholten.house.gov", "scraper": "scholten", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001221", "name": "Hillary J. Scholten", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Vice Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, released the following statement on the new proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that would narrow the scope of the Clean Water Act by redefining what qualifies as “Waters of the United States,” stripping protections from freshwater wetlands across Michigan and the country.\n\n“Clean water should never be a partisan issue. Every family, every child, every individual deserves access to clean water – for drinking, for recreation, and for business. This unilateral move by the Trump Administration threatens to reverse decades of work and progress cleaning up our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. As Vice Ranking Member of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, I’ve seen firsthand how the protections from the Clean Water Act keep our communities safe and have cleaned our waterways. Our children and our children’s children could be doomed to inherit polluted waterways–a problem we’ve already addressed and nearly solved. We cannot afford to go back.”\n\nEarlier this year, Congresswoman Scholten published an article in the Harvard Law School Journal of Legislation titled “The Retreat of Cooperative Federalism: Water Rights in a Fragmented Regulatory Era.” The article argues that Congress must work with states to maintain baseline environmental protections, following decades of Supreme Court decisions — including Sackett v. EPA — that have weakened the Clean Water Act of 1972.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-schrier-senator-bennet-demand-answers-childhood-vaccines-eo", "title": "Congresswoman Schrier, Senator Bennet Demand Answers on Childhood Vaccines EO, Measles Deaths, & Delayed Vaccine Access", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "schrier.house.gov", "scraper": "schrier", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001216", "name": "Kim Schrier", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) led 25 colleagues in a letter to Dr. Erica Schwartz, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to call out efforts to reject settled vaccine science and demand answers about the CDC’s efforts to implement President Trump’s childhood vaccine Executive Order (EO), underreport measles-associated deaths, and delay access to childhood immunizations.\n\n“[...] As the United States is experiencing the largest measles outbreak in 35 years, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) aimed at dismantling core immunization guidelines, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to lay the groundwork for fundamentally restructuring the routine childhood immunization schedule. At the same time, reports indicate the CDC, under your leadership, excluded verified state-reported measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania from the public mortality count. All of this is happening while the CDC delayed access to fall respiratory virus vaccines through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. We are deeply concerned by this administration’s persistent efforts to reject settled science. As CDC Director, you bear a responsibility to uphold scientific integrity, and we write seeking answers on how the CDC will respond to the EO and the RFI, and how you will honor the pledge you made to ensure that the CDC leads with evidence-based public health,” began the lawmakers.\n\nThe United States is facing a decline in childhood immunization rates. Recently, the CDC reported that 280,000 kindergartners did not complete their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine series. This comes as the Trump Administration has actively worked to lower the number of recommended immunizations, break up safe and effective combination shots, and promote legal action against states unaligned with such efforts.\n\nAdditionally, the CDC has a long-standing agency precedent and prides itself on “objective data collection and reporting.” At the beginning of September, numerous reports exposed that four measles-associated deaths verified and reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health were excluded from the CDC’s public outbreak tracker for weeks, even as internal CDC systems continued to track these fatalities. This omission breaks with agency standards, and raises serious questions about the CDC’s willingness to resist political pressure over settled science.\n\n“The health of American children and families depends on a CDC Director who is willing to follow the science, even when it may be politically inconvenient. We look forward to your response and to seeing whether the CDC under your leadership honors the commitments you made at your confirmation hearing,” concluded the lawmakers.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-brad-sherman-marks-three-years-october-7th-attack-israel", "title": "Congressman Brad Sherman Marks Three Years Since October 7th Attack on Israel", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "sherman.house.gov", "scraper": "sherman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000344", "name": "Brad Sherman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), Co-Chair of the House Israel Allies Caucus, Ranking Member Emeritus of the Middle East Subcommittee, and senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement marking three years since Hamas’s October 7th, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel:\n\n“Three years ago today, Hamas terrorists launched a barbaric and unprovoked attack against Israel, murdering more than 1,200 innocent men, women and children, including Americans, and taking some 250 people hostage in the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.\n\nToday, we must continue to remember those who were murdered, honor their memories, stand with the survivors and families whose lives were forever changed, and recommit to ensuring that Hamas and any like-minded terrorist entity can never be allowed to govern again.\n\nLast October, after more than two agonizing years of captivity, the remaining twenty living hostages held in Gaza finally returned home. Their release brought enormous relief, but it did not erase the suffering inflicted upon the hostages and their families, nor diminish our obligation to ensure that every terrorist organization that participated in the October 7th attack is held accountable.\n\nThe acts of brutality committed on that day – including rape and torture – should have inspired global solidarity. Instead, 3 years later, we are witnessing the return of extreme vilification of the Jewish people and the Jewish state, including through the manufactured and libelous accusation of genocide.\n\nThe United States must reject this disinformation campaign and remain steadfast in supporting Israel’s security. Hamas can never again carry out such an attack and Gaza must be governed not by terrorists, but by legitimate leadership committed to peace. This is critical to ending the tragic cycle of violence and finally allowing innocent Israelis and Palestinians to live in security.\n\nThe U.S.–Israel partnership has endured because of our shared democratic values and common determination to confront terrorism and pursue lasting security and peace. We must stand up to the antisemitism and coordinated disinformation that threatens this alliance. On this solemn anniversary, we remember the victims of October 7th and reaffirm our commitment to building a future of greater peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the region.”\n\nSince the October 7th attack, Congressman Sherman has led and co-sponsored numerous measures to support Israel’s security and hold Hamas and other terrorist organizations accountable, including legislation to sanction the Popular Resistance Committees for their participation in the October 7th massacre, strengthen Israel’s missile-defense capabilities, and counter the flow of Iranian funds to terrorist proxies.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-california-congressional-democrats-trumps-attacks-los-angeles", "title": "Statement from California Congressional Democrats on Trump’s Attacks on Los Angeles and San Diego", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "sherman.house.gov", "scraper": "sherman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000344", "name": "Brad Sherman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LOS ANGELES, CA - Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, and both Senators from California issued the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s inflammatory remarks at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska:\n\n\"Upon taking office, the President swears to uphold the Constitution and to protect us from our enemies. President Trump, while defending his unconstitutional war against Iran, appeared, incredibly, to invite Iran to destroy two American cities. His exact words were “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.” As members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, we call on President Trump to apologize to the over 16 million Americans who live in the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas and all Americans who expect more out of our President,” the Members said.\n\nJoining the statement are: Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), Reps. Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Ami Bera (CA-06), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Adam Gray (CA-13), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Scott Peters(CA-50), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Derek Tran (CA-45), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Aisha Wahab (CA-14), Maxine Waters (CA-43), and George Whitesides (CA-27).\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://simon.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-simon-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-honoring", "title": "Congresswoman Simon, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Landmark Olmstead Court Decision Supporting Americans with Disabilities on 27th Anniversary", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://simon.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "simon.house.gov", "scraper": "simon", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001231", "name": "Lateefah Simon", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Simon (CA-12) alongside Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), and Tom Kean (R-NJ-07) introduced a bipartisan resolution commemorating the 27th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision, Olmstead v. L.C.. The Olmstead decision prohibits the unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities and ensures Americans with disabilities can live full, independent lives and categorized the unjustified institutionalization of people with disabilities as discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As the Olmstead decision comes under attack from the Trump Administration, this bipartisan resolution reaffirms the right that people with disabilities have to live, work, and participate in their own homes and communities with independence and dignity.\n\nAs the first congenitally blind Member of Congress, Congresswoman Simon is committed to defending the disability community from attacks by the Trump Administration and advancing policies that expand accessibility. Congresswoman Simon recently condemned the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services’ move to dispute the Olmstead integration mandate and undermine the key protections outlined by the Olmstead decision.\n\n\"Community-based services and supports work. They are more cost-effective, produce better health and quality-of-life outcomes, and honor people with disabilities’ autonomy and self-determination. The consequences of weakening the integration mandate would be profound and impact millions of Americans’ ability to access home and community-based services that allow them to remain among their families, maintain employment, pursue education, and participate in civic life,\" said Congresswoman Simon. \"That's why as the first congenitally blind Member to serve in Congress, I am proud to join my colleagues to reaffirm our bipartisan commitment to the Olmstead decision and fight any attempts to diminish the civil rights of the disability community.\"\n\n\"It is essential that people with disabilities continue to have the right to live, work, and thrive in their own communities with dignity,\" said Congresswoman Dingell. \"This bipartisan resolution reaffirms that we will not allow hard won progress to be rolled back, and that we will continue to protect and support the rights enshrined by the Olmstead decision for every person whose lives it has changed for the better.\"\n\n\"Although the Olmstead decision was issued more than twenty‑five years ago, its significance remains just as strong today. I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution, reaffirming our commitment to ending discrimination based on disability,\" said Congressman Kean.\n\n\"For 27 years, the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C. has informed the advancement of policies to empower individuals with disabilities to live and work independently in our communities,\" said Congresswoman Scanlon. \"Recent attempts to undermine the Olmstead integration mandate and roll back those policies raises new opportunities for discrimination against our friends and neighbors with disabilities, and harms the larger community. I’m proud to join my House colleagues in recognizing Olmstead’s anniversary and recommitting ourselves to protecting community integration for the good of all.\"\n\n\"Olmstead affirmed a fundamental principle: every American deserves the freedom and opportunity to build a full life in the community they call home. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, that principle has always been at the heart of my work to break down barriers, strengthen independence, and ensure all Americans with disabilities have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. Twenty-seven years later, our responsibility is not simply to recognize the progress Olmstead made possible, but to protect it, build upon it, and ensure that progress is never reversed,\" said Congressman Fitzpatrick.\n\nThe resolution is endorsed by the Caring Across Generations, United Spinal, ANCOR, Autism Self Advocacy Network, National Council on Independent Living, American Association of People with Disabilities, and the National Disability Rights Network.\n\nA copy of the resolution can be found HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases/spartz-named-health-care-legislator-year", "title": "Spartz Named Health Care Legislator of the Year", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "spartz.house.gov", "scraper": "spartz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000929", "name": "Victoria Spartz", "party": "Republican", "state": "IN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "MUNCIE, IN — Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (IN-05) was named Legislator of the Year by the Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) at its annual conference in Muncie.\n\nThe award recognizes Spartz’s health care policy leadership and continued work to improve access to affordable, high-quality care, as well as her ongoing engagement with Indiana’s community health centers. Spartz has worked extensively on health care reforms focused on increasing competition, choice and price transparency, reducing waste and fraud, and challenging health care monopolies to lower costs for patients and taxpayers.\n\nIPHCA also recognized Spartz’s participation in the Community Health Center Congressional Caucus, engagement with Indiana health center leaders, and health care roundtables held throughout Indiana’s 5th District.\n\n“I am honored to receive this recognition from Indiana’s community health centers,” said Rep. Spartz. “Health care is my number one priority because our current system is unaffordable and unsustainable for patients and taxpayers. We need real competition, choice, transparency and accountability to challenge health care monopolies and bring down costs for all Americans.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-sykes-announces-33000-for-canal-fulton-lawrence-township-fire-department", "title": "Rep. Sykes Announces $33,000 for Canal Fulton-Lawrence Township Fire Department", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "sykes.house.gov", "scraper": "sykes", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001223", "name": "Emilia Strong Sykes", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "CANAL FULTON, OH — Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced that the Canal Fulton – Lawrence Township Fire Department is receiving two Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant awards that will fund new firefighting equipment and a community fire safety training tool. Congresswoman Sykes supported both grant applications with letters of support.\n\nThe City of Canal Fulton received the following awards:\n\n$17,055.55 in federal funding for a regional fire hose replacement, with a local share of $852.78, for a total project investment of $17,908.33. The project will replace attack and supply hose within the departments' shared response system.\n\n$16,737.14 in federal funding for a fire extinguisher training system, with a local share of $836.86, for a total project investment of $17,574.00. The project will provide an augmented-reality training system that allows hands-on public education without live fire, smoke, chemical discharge, or cleanup.\n\nTogether, the awards provide $33,792.69 in federal funding toward a total investment of $35,482.33 in public safety projects.\n\n“Our firefighters and EMS crews show up to keep our neighbors safe every day, and they must have the tools to do their jobs safely. I am proud to have supported Canal Fulton's grant applications, and I congratulate Chief Yerian and the entire department on these well-earned awards,”said Congresswoman Sykes.\n\n“Receiving these FEMA awards is tremendous news for the Canal Fulton community and our regional fire service,” said Shawn Yerian, Fire Chief of the Canal Fulton – Lawrence Township Fire Department. “The funding will allow us to replace outdated fire hose that our firefighters rely on every day, while also providing a new fire extinguisher training system that addresses one of the most frequent safety-training requests we receive from local businesses.\n\n“These are important investments in both firefighter safety and community education, and they are projects we would not have been able to move forward with at this time without federal assistance. We are extremely grateful for Congresswoman Sykes' support of our applications and her continued support of local fire and EMS services. Her assistance helped make it possible for us to bring these resources back to the community we serve.”\n\nCongresswoman Sykes congratulates Chief Yerian and the entire Canal Fulton - Lawrence Township Fire Department on these awards and thanks them for their service to the community.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-sykes-announces-493000-for-trio-programs-at-the-university-of-akron", "title": "Rep. Sykes Announces $493,000 for TRIO Programs at the University of Akron", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "sykes.house.gov", "scraper": "sykes", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001223", "name": "Emilia Strong Sykes", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "AKRON, OHIO — Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced the Department of Education has awarded the University of Akron $493,314 as part of the TRIO talent search program. This grant will be awarded annually for five years, beginning in 2026, and is expected to serve nearly 900 students each year.\n\n“Programs like TRIO provide deserving students with the opportunity to pursue higher education,” said Rep. Sykes. “I congratulate the University of Akron for supporting first generation college students participating in the TRIO program who will go on to make a meaningful impact in our community. I am a proud supporter of TRIO and other programs that help our families in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District reach higher heights.”\n\n“The University of Akron Educational Talent Search Program is honored to continue this important work for another five years.” said Dr. Fedearia Nicholson, Vice Provost for Student Pathways and Dean of the Williams Honors College. “This investment from the U.S. Department of Education will create meaningful opportunities for Akron and Summit County students to prepare for college, careers, and the workforce. We are grateful to Congresswoman Emilia Sykes, Provost Gwen Price, Dr. Sandie Crawford and Akron Public Schools for their leadership, partnership, and continued support. I also want to recognize and thank our dedicated ETS team, Meiyah Hill, Amber Lambing, Shananne Lewis, and Roy Rosario, whose commitment to our students and families makes this work possible. Together, we are investing in the future of our students and our community.”\n\nThe TRIO Program is mandated by Congress and helps students from disadvantaged families receive the support they need to send their children to college. Two-thirds of TRIO students must come from families with combined incomes of no greater than 150% of the federal poverty line, and the student’s parents cannot have attended college. Schools that offer TRIO programs give students tutoring, counseling, financial guidance, and other forms of assistance.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://timmoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-moore-urges-navy-name-new-ship-after-battle-kings-mountain", "title": "Congressman Tim Moore Urges Navy to Name New Ship After the Battle of Kings Mountain", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://timmoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "timmoore.house.gov", "scraper": "timmoore", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001236", "name": "Tim Moore", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) wrote a letter urging the U.S. Department of the Navy to name an upcoming ship the USS Kings Mountain, honoring the Battle of Kings Mountain in North Carolina. Fought on October 7, 1780, the battle was a pivotal American victory during the Revolutionary War, with Thomas Jefferson describing it as the “turn of the tide of success” in the War of Independence.\n\n“As our Nation marks its 250th birthday, that history deserves recognition in the naval fleet. The USS Kings Mountain is a natural fit for an amphibious assault ship or amphibious transport dock, consistent with the Navy's tradition of naming these platforms after significant military victories... The communities of Western North Carolina take great pride in this heritage,” Congressman Moore wrote in the letter.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3861", "title": "Trahan Unveils CLAIM Act Discussion Draft to Hold AI Developers Accountable for Harms Caused by Their Agents", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "trahan.house.gov", "scraper": "trahan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000482", "name": "Lori Trahan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released a discussion draft of the Clear Liability for Artificial Intelligence Misconduct (CLAIM) Act. The legislation would give those harmed by AI agents a clear path to recovery by holding developers responsible when their systems engage in conduct that would be unlawful if committed by a person.\n\n“When someone breaks the law and hurts you, you can take them to court. That shouldn't change just because the wrongdoer is an AI agent,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Developers have already built systems capable of acting on their own and causing real damage. The CLAIM Act makes sure they answer for what their systems do.”\n\nSpecifically, the CLAIM Act:\n\nHolds developers liable for AI misconduct. If an AI system injures a third party through conduct that would constitute negligence, an intentional tort, or a crime if committed by a person, the developer is liable. Liability does not apply where the user or a company that modified the system intended the conduct or was negligent.\n\nResolves uncertainty around AI and intent. Courts would presume an AI system acted with the state of mind a person taking the same actions would have had. Developers could not argue that AI is incapable of intent.\n\nEstablishes a federal cause of action. Injured parties may bring claims in federal or state court.\n\nPreserves state law. The bill sets a federal floor and does not preempt any state law. Existing state claims and state AI laws remain fully available.\n\nThe risks the CLAIM Act addresses already exist. In July, AI agents undergoing an evaluation by OpenAI escaped their test environment and hacked into Hugging Face, another AI company. No one instructed them to do so. Leading experts have called the incident a warning shot for a future of increasingly capable AI agents acting outside their users’ control.\n\nUnder current law, third parties harmed by a misaligned AI agent face significant hurdles. Many serious harms, including hacking and fraud, require proof of intent, and courts have not settled whether an AI system’s conduct can meet that standard. Negligence and product liability claims typically require showing that a company failed to take a specific precaution or ignored a safer design. Because AI alignment remains an unsolved technical problem, developers can argue the harm occurred despite their best efforts, leaving injured parties without a remedy.\n\nThe CLAIM Act complements the bipartisan FRONTIER Act, which Trahan introduced with Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) to address catastrophic risks from the most advanced AI models. FRONTIER establishes transparency, independent verification, and incident reporting requirements. The CLAIM Act adds a robust liability regime that rewards developers who invest in making their systems safer.\n\nTrahan is releasing the CLAIM Act as a discussion draft and welcomes feedback from experts, industry, advocates, and the public. In addition to comments on the draft legislation, the office welcomes answers to important questions related to the CLAIM Act and AI liability located HERE.\n\nComments can be submitted to MA03Leg@mail.house.gov.\n\nA copy of the bill text can be accessed HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3863", "title": "Trahan, Massachusetts Delegation Statement on Mass General Brigham Nursing Contract Negotiations", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "trahan.house.gov", "scraper": "trahan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000482", "name": "Lori Trahan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Richard E. Neal (MA-01), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), and Bill Keating (MA-09) issued the following statement urging Mass General Brigham (MGB) and the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) to continue their negotiations to avert a strike at Brigham and Women’s Hospital:\n\n“Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system—our loved ones and communities rely on them each and every day. Our nurses deserve fair contracts that reflect that standard of care. Their voices must be heard.”\n\n“The nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have demonstrated their willingness to continue negotiating with Mass General Brigham leadership to arrive at an agreement that works for nurses, patients, and our hospitals. A strike has the potential for serious impacts on our communities, patients, and healthcare workers, which we know no nurse or patient wishes to experience.”\n\n“We call on Mass General Brigham to remain at the bargaining table with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and work to reach a good faith agreement that addresses the needs of nurses, patients, and our constituents. Massachusetts is renowned for its healthcare system, in which Mass General Brigham and its nurses are crucial partners, and we hope the parties can reach an agreement.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2107", "title": "Congressman Van Drew Announces Townsends Inlet Dredging", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vandrew.house.gov", "scraper": "vandrew", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000133", "name": "Jefferson Van Drew", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew announced a dredging project for the Townsends Inlet Bridge in Cape May County. The navigation route under the bridge has become increasingly dangerous, with shifting sand narrowing the channel.\n\n\"Over the years, the route through Townsends Inlet has gotten smaller and more dangerous,\" said Congressman Van Drew. \"As of today, we have an agreement in place to dredge at the bridge and make the inlet safer for recreational and commercial boats. My office is working with local, state, and federal governments to fund, permit, and execute this project. We are using dredging equipment already in the area for the Avalon beach replenishment project to get this done quickly while saving millions of dollars for taxpayers. Looking ahead, I am working to have Townsends Inlet studied as a federal navigation channel so we can establish a permanent plan for maintaining this waterway.\"\n\n\"Avalon deeply appreciates the direction and guidance provided by Congressman Van Drew to achieve our mutual stakeholder objective of providing safe navigation through Townsend's Inlet,\" said Avalon Mayor John McCorristin. \"Courtesy of an emergency beach fill acquired by the Congressman for the Borough, we are now able to partner with our neighbors in Sea Isle and the dredging company already in the Inlet to improve navigational safety and preserve the commercial and recreational boating opportunities that have a long lineage in Avalon and in Cape May County.\"\n\n\"This project shows what effective government looks like when we work together with a shared commitment to getting things done,\" said Sea Isle Mayor Len Desiderio. \"Thanks to Congressman Van Drew's leadership and our strong partnership with Avalon, we are moving forward with a plan that will ensure a safe and reliable navigational route through this vital waterway.\"\n\n\"Cape May County is putting $250,000 toward this emergency dredge because Townsends Inlet bridge is at risk of becoming an unsafe maritime passage,\" said Cape May County Commissioner Patrick Rosenello. \"With the dredge company already mobilized for the Avalon beach fill, the $1.5 million estimated construction costs are significantly less. Thanks to Congressman Van Drew for bringing Avalon, Sea Isle City, the Army Corps, the Bridge Commission, and NJDEP together quickly to address a project that simply could not wait.\"\n\n\"The Bridge Commission is contributing $50,000 towards the project, which will help protect the Townsends Inlet bridge,\" said Cape May County Bridge Commission Chair Carol Brand. \"The Bridge Commission is happy to support this much needed project, and we applaud Congressman Van Drew's efforts in facilitating the necessary emergency permits.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://vindman.house.gov/2026/10/07/vindman-krishnamoorthi-introduce-legislation-to-strengthen-u-s-military-readiness-through-lessons-from-ukraine/", "title": "Vindman, Krishnamoorthi Introduce Legislation to Strengthen U.S. Military Readiness Through Lessons from Ukraine", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "vindman.house.gov", "scraper": "vindman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000138", "name": "Eugene Simon Vindman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07), a 25-year Army veteran, and Raja Krishnamoorthi (Ill.-08), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced legislation that would require the Pentagon to study and apply lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield innovations to U.S. military doctrine and training.\n\nThe Learning Effective Strategies and Systems Optimization for National Security (LESSONS) from Ukraine Act would require the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress within 120 days on lessons the U.S. military can draw from the Russia-Ukraine War, including the use of drones and other unmanned systems, electronic and cyber warfare, air defense, operations without GPS or satellite communications, battlefield medicine, and Ukraine’s efforts to expand and decentralize weapons production. The Pentagon would also be required to develop a plan and timetable for incorporating those lessons into U.S. military doctrine and training.\n\n“Ukraine’s defense against Russia has shown just how rapidly modern warfare is evolving. I saw that firsthand during my trip to Ukraine last month, where drones, electronic warfare, cyber operations, and defense manufacturing are reshaping the battlefield in real time,” said Vindman. “As a 25-year Army veteran, I know our military must constantly learn, adapt, and innovate to maintain our strategic advantage and protect our service members. The LESSONS from Ukraine Act will ensure the Department of Defense learns from Ukraine’s hard-earned experience and applies those lessons to our doctrine, training, and capabilities so our military is prepared for the threats of tomorrow.”\n\n“During my visit to Ukraine, I saw firsthand how the Ukrainians are rapidly adapting to a battlefield where drones and electronic warfare are changing how wars are fought,” said Krishnamoorthi. “The LESSONS from Ukraine Act will make sure our military learns from what Ukraine has discovered through years of defending itself against Putin’s invasion, from countering drone swarms and operating through electronic warfare to sustaining weapons production under attack. We need to put those lessons to work to strengthen our own military, protect our servicemembers, and ensure we are prepared to deter aggression across the world.”\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nVindman first announced the legislation following a bipartisan congressional delegation visit to Ukraine, where he visited a Ukrainian drone production facility and met with officials to discuss the battlefield and Ukraine’s rapidly evolving defense innovations.\n\nIn September 2026, Vindman voted to pass legislation that would impose sanctions on Russia.\n\nFollowing his retirement from the U.S. Army, Vindman spent 18 months investigating war crimes in Ukraine, completing 14 trips as a senior consultant for a Department of State-funded program. Since coming to Congress, he has returned to Ukraine twice on bipartisan congressional delegation trips. Vindman is a recognized expert in international criminal law and has published extensively on national security and international relations.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-wilson-and-aka-s-gamma-zeta-omega-chapter-present-the-10th-annual-pumps-pearls-and-politicsr-live-fireside-chat", "title": "Rep. Wilson and AKA’s Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter Present the 10th Annual Pumps, Pearls and Politics® LIVE Fireside Chat", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "wilson.house.gov", "scraper": "wilson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000808", "name": "Frederica S. Wilson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "MIAMI GARDENS, FL — October 8, 2026 — Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, in collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter, will present the 10th Annual Pumps, Pearls and Politics® LIVE Fireside Chat, marking a decade of bringing the community face-to-face with leaders to discuss the decisions shaping their lives and Florida’s future.\n\nFor ten years, Pumps, Pearls and Politics® has placed community voices at the center of the conversation. This milestone gathering continues that tradition, giving residents an opportunity to ask direct questions, hear directly from candidates, and take an informed role in the decisions that affect their families.\n\nDon Lemon, award-winning independent journalist and founder of Lemon Media Network, will moderate the conversation featuring Angie Nixon, candidate for the United States Senate in Florida, and David Jolly, candidate for Governor of Florida.\n\n“Long before I served in Congress, I stood in classrooms filled with children whose futures depended on whether the people in power cared enough to act,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “As a teacher, principal, and school board member, I learned that every policy has a human face. It is the child who needs a better school, the mother struggling to pay her bills, the senior choosing between groceries and medicine. Those are the people who deserve answers. For ten years, Pumps, Pearls and Politics® has given our community a place to raise our voices and demand them. Florida’s future belongs to its people, and we must help shape it!”\n\nThe event will take place Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and the Fireside Chat begins promptly at 5:00 p.m. A livestream will be available for virtual attendees.\n\n“Midterm elections are where many of the most consequential decisions are made,” said Barbara Dent, Chairman of Pumps, Pearls and Politics®. “We want every voter to feel that their voices are heard, informed, and empowered.”\n\nCollaborating Partners: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; United Teachers of Dade; Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce; Florida A&M University NAA Miami-South Dade Chapter; Miami-Dade Democratic Party; South Florida Mosaic Miami, FL; The Links, Inc. (Miami Chapters); and Urban League of Greater Miami.\n\nThis event is nonpartisan and is not intended to support or oppose any candidate or political party.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-banks-calls-for-stronger-protections-against-insider-threats-at-frontier-si-companies/", "title": "Sen. Banks Calls for Stronger Protections Against Insider Threats at Frontier SI Companies", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.banks.senate.gov", "scraper": "banks", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001299", "name": "Jim Banks", "party": "Republican", "state": "IN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) sent a letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought supporting the Trump administration’s work to deploy advanced super intelligence (SI) across the Department of War and calling for continued action to protect the military SI systems from insider threats.\n\nThe Department has established partnerships to deliver American capabilities to U.S. warfighters and preserve America’s advantage over communist China. As these partnerships grow, a compromised or malicious insider at SI company could expose sensitive information about military SI applications, steal model weights, sabotage systems, or insert backdoors that threaten department missions.\n\nRead the full letter here or below:\n\nDear Secretary Hegseth and Director Vought,\n\nI commend the Department of War (DOW) for moving quickly to put advanced super intelligence (SI) in the hands of our warfighters. The agreements the Department announced in May with companies like OpenAI and Google will help America keep its lead over the People’s Republic of China (PRC).[1] At the same time, as the Department relies more on these companies, insider threats in the frontier SI industry are becoming a direct risk to military operations. I am writing to encourage and support your essential work to assess and reduce these insider threats.\n\nThe Department has correctly recognized that the race to develop and deploy advanced SI will be a defining national security issue of our time. Secretary Hegseth has seen the need to deploy SI rapidly throughout DOW, highlighting that America must maintain an advantage in the SI race and emphasizing that DOW is “trying to do everything we can to maintain that advantage.[2]”\n\nTo maintain the SI advantage, the Department has entered into strong partnerships with leading frontier SI developers in private industry. As frontier models develop stronger capabilities in areas like cyber-offense and military planning, these agreements with frontier SI companies will become increasingly important for U.S. national security.\n\nMeanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) also recognizes the strategic importance of frontier SI, and the CCP is taking strong steps to target America’s SI industry. One particularly concerning threat comes from insiders at American SI companies. In January, a federal jury convicted a former Google engineer of economic espionage. He stole over 2,000 pages of confidential information about Google’s SI technology to benefit PRC-based companies.[3] This is not surprising: the CCP has a long history of conducting economic espionage against U.S. industries, especially those that are critical for national security.\n\nAs the Department continues to expand its partnerships with the frontier SI industry, mitigating insider threats will become increasingly important. Frontier SI companies employ researchers from around the world, including many from the PRC. Unfortunately, a single compromised or malicious insider with sufficient access could reveal secret information about military uses of SI, expose model weights, or attempt to sabotage SI systems via backdoors. This is especially significant in the context of partnerships between DOW and the frontier SI industry, as insider threats at companies can threaten the effectiveness of Department warfighting activities.\n\nThe frontier SI companies already have some sort of security programs to manage insider threats. However, the scale of the threat from the CCP is enormous, and private industry will not be able to sufficiently handle this threat on its own. An ongoing conversation between the Department and private industry will be needed to ensure that insider threats are adequately assessed and mitigated. These efforts will also require sufficient resources. DOW, the Office of Management and Budget, and Congress will need to work together to provide sufficient funding and personnel for counterintelligence programs and insider threat reduction efforts.\n\nAs a first step, I believe Congress must ensure that the Department has the information and resources it needs to assess these threats. The Department should be empowered to obtain relevant information from the frontier SI companies about how they currently assess insider threats, the counterintelligence measures they have in place, which assets they consider most sensitive, the access controls protecting the most sensitive assets, and gaps in current programs.\n\nThis approach does not fully solve the problem, but it is a critical first step. It would provide the Department with greater visibility into the threat environment, ensure it has access to information to better assess the current state of security efforts, and help identify areas in which government and industry can work together to strengthen protections against insider threats.\n\nAs you strengthen partnerships with frontier SI companies and work to protect SI systems from insider threats, I request a staff-level briefing to discuss the following topics:\n\nRisks from insider threats.What are the most significant national security risks from CCP-linked insiders at frontier SI companies, including espionage on DOW SI use, model theft, or the insertion of backdoors?\n\nCurrent work on insider threat reduction. Which offices within the Department lead efforts to assess insider threats at frontier SI companies? How does the Department currently work with private industry to assess and mitigate insider threats? What are the most significant gaps relating to assessing existing practices or developing mitigation strategies?\n\nResources and budget. What additional funding, personnel, or other resources would help DOW work with frontier SI companies to assess and mitigate insider threats?\n\nPartnerships between the Department and frontier SI companies are essential for ensuring American SI dominance. These partnerships must be secure against PRC insider threats, and I look forward to supporting your work on this critical topic.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/10/07/bennet-schrier-lead-colleagues-to-demand-answers-on-childhood-vaccines-eo-measles-deaths-delayed-vaccine-access/", "title": "Bennet, Schrier Lead Colleagues to Demand Answers on Childhood Vaccines EO, Measles Deaths, & Delayed Vaccine Access", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "domain": "www.bennet.senate.gov", "scraper": "bennet", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001267", "name": "Michael F. Bennet", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-Wash.) led 29 colleagues in a letter to Dr. Erica Schwartz, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to call out efforts to reject settled vaccine science and demand answers about the CDC’s efforts to implement President Trump’s childhood vaccine Executive Order (EO), underreport measles-associated deaths, and delay access to childhood immunizations.\n\n“[…] As the United States is experiencing the largest measles outbreak in 35 years, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) aimed at dismantling core immunization guidelines, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to lay the groundwork for fundamentally restructuring the routine childhood immunization schedule. At the same time, reports indicate the CDC, under your leadership, excluded verified state-reported measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania from the public mortality count. All of this is happening while the CDC delayed access to fall respiratory virus vaccines through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. We are deeply concerned by this administration’s persistent efforts to reject settled science. As CDC Director, you bear a responsibility to uphold scientific integrity, and we write seeking answers on how the CDC will respond to the EO and the RFI, and how you will honor the pledge you made to ensure that the CDC leads with evidence-based public health,” began the lawmakers.\n\nThe United States is facing a decline in childhood immunization rates. Recently, the CDC reported that 280,000 kindergartners did not complete their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine series. This comes as the Trump administration has actively worked to lower the number of recommended immunizations, break up safe and effective combination shots, and promote legal action against states unaligned with such efforts.\n\nAdditionally, the CDC has a long-standing agency precedent and prides itself on “objective data collection and reporting.” At the beginning of September, numerous reports exposed that four measles-associated deaths verified and reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health were excluded from the CDC’s public outbreak tracker for weeks, even as internal CDC systems continued to track these fatalities. This omission breaks with agency standards, and raises serious questions about the CDC’s willingness to resist political pressure over settled science.\n\n“The health of American children and families depends on a CDC Director who is willing to follow the science, even when it may be politically inconvenient. We look forward to your response and to seeing whether the CDC under your leadership honors the commitments you made at your confirmation hearing,” concluded the lawmakers.\n\nBennet has consistently fought against the Trump administration’s anti-science agenda. In September 2026, Bennet reiterated his call on the Senate floor for Trump to rescind the unscientific childhood vaccine executive order and fire the HHS Secretary, Robert Kennedy Jr. Bennet also questioned HHS Deputy Secretary Nominee Chris Klomp during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee about Trump and Kennedy’s reckless anti-vaccine efforts resulting in chaos and confusion for children and families. In August 2026, Bennet led 90 of his Congressional colleagues to demand Trump rescind his executive order that directs federal health agencies to overhaul longstanding childhood vaccine recommendations and encourages states to reconsider school immunization requirements. Bennet also issued a statement immediately following the announcement of that executive order.\n\nIn April 2026, Bennet questioned Kennedy during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his skepticism of childhood vaccines amidst the largest measles outbreak in the U.S. in over thirty years. Additionally, in March2025 and 2026, Bennet joined his colleagues in sending a letter to Kennedy to demand the department reverse changes to the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration websites that promote false and dangerous information about autism. In September 2025, he questioned Kennedy during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his actions undermining vaccine safety and access for American families. Bennet also joined members of the Senate Finance Committee in issuing a statement calling on Kennedy to resign due to the danger he poses to America’s health, his lies to Congress, and his spread of disinformation.\n\nIn addition to Bennet and Schrier, U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) as well as U.S. Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Troy Carter (D-La.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Jonathan Jackson (D-IlI.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IlI.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Joseph Morelle (D-N.Y.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), and Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) signed the letter.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDr. Schwartz:\n\nAt your confirmation hearing, you said that your “sacred responsibility” as Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would be to provide “clear, honest, and evidence-based” public health guidance and to “never betray the science.” In the short time since your confirmation as CDC Director, the health and safety of our children have been subjected to further chaos and confusion. As the United States is experiencing the largest measles outbreak in 35 years, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) aimed at dismantling core immunization guidelines, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to lay the groundwork for fundamentally restructuring the routine childhood immunization schedule. At the same time, reports indicate the CDC, under your leadership, excluded verified state-reported measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania from the public mortality count. All of this is happening while the CDC delayed access to fall respiratory virus vaccines through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. We are deeply concerned by this administration’s persistent efforts to reject settled science. As CDC Director, you bear a responsibility to uphold scientific integrity, and we write seeking answers on how the CDC will respond to the EO and the RFI, and how you will honor the pledge you made to ensure that the CDC leads with evidence-based public health.\n\nThe CDC recently reported that the number of children up-to-date on their immunizations has continued to decline, including 280,000 kindergartners who did not complete the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) series. Instead of spending time and dedicating resources to promote the need for childhood immunizations, President Trump called for breaking up combination shots like the MMR vaccine into single-disease shots that are not available in the United States, cutting the number of diseases every child is recommended to be protected against from 18 to 11, and directing the Attorney General to advance legal challenges to state laws. Following this EO, HHS issued an RFI on the childhood immunization schedule, aimed at bypassing the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which have developed recommendations for over 60 years. These efforts are only a part of the systematic attacks spearheaded by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. CDC’s scientists, not political appointees, should be at the center of any decision about the childhood immunization schedule.\n\nDuring this same timeframe, CDC’s public actions under your leadership raise serious concerns regarding your willingness to counter these unscientific measures – including reports that four measles-associated deaths verified and reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health were excluded from the CDC’s public national mortality count for weeks, even as internal CDC systems continue to track these fatalities. This is a clear break from long-standing agency precedent, including last year’s standard reporting of measles deaths in Texas and directly contradicts the commitment to “objective data collection and reporting” that has been CDC’s foundation. If the agency under your leadership is altering verified state data to fit political preferences, the pledge you made at your confirmation hearing has already been broken.\n\nWe request responses to the following questions in writing by October 16, 2026.\n\nCDC Role on the Executive Order on Childhood Vaccines\n\nDid anyone from the White House or HHS consult you about the Executive Order either before or after it was issued?\n\na. If so, who reached out, what was discussed, and when did these communication(s) occur?\n\nb. If not, have you raised, or do you plan to raise, any concerns with President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, or any other administration official(s)?\n\nHow is the CDC planning to implement the provisions outlined in the EO? What steps have been taken already and what are planned? Please provide a detailed summary of these plans.\n\nWhat role, if any, did CDC career scientists have in developing the EO’s recommendations?\n\nThe EO directs the Secretary, acting through the HHS Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines, to present plans to the President within 90 days on single-disease vaccine options, the timing and sequencing of childhood vaccines, and safety monitoring. What role does the CDC have in developing those plans, and which CDC officials are participating?\n\nThe EO recommends reducing the number of routine immunizations from 18 to 11. Do you support that specific recommendation? What scientific evidence supports removing the other diseases from the immunizations recommended for all children, and has the CDC estimated the additional illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths that could result?\n\nDo you agree that spacing out immunizations across additional visits lengthens the window of vulnerability for infants and young children? If not, please provide the evidence on which CDC relies.\n\nThe EO recommends separating combination shots like MMR into single-disease shots. No single-disease MMR vaccine is currently available in the United States. Other countries that have tried this – like Japan in the 1990s – saw increased outbreaks, ultimately resulting in them reverting to a combination shot. Do you support this specific provision even though it is not currently available in the U.S., would require more shots and doctor visits, and lacks scientific backing? Why is the federal government recommending an option to families that does not exist, causing additional confusion?\n\nWhat scientific evidence supports separating combination vaccines like MMR into single-disease doses? Please provide CDC analyses of peer-reviewed studies, epidemiological analyses, or international precedent that demonstrates this change would actually improve health outcomes. If no such evidence exists, will you decline to implement this provision?\n\nThe public comment period for the HHS RFI closed on September 20, 2026. Did CDC scientists review or contribute to the RFI before it was published? What role will CDC scientists have in reviewing the comments and in any resulting changes to the categories of federal vaccine recommendations?\n\nData Collection and Reporting\n\nHas the CDC instituted a new policy for reviewing, altering, or withholding state-reported health data before public posting?\n\na. If so, what scientific evidence supports this change and what deliberations occurred?\n\nb. If there is no such policy, on what basis were Pennsylvania’s measles deaths excluded from the public tracker, and who at CDC authorized that exclusion?\n\nAs of today, the CDC has only included two of the measles-associated deaths reported by the State of Pennsylvania. What specific technical, scientific, or epidemiological basis justified excluding Pennsylvania’s state-reported measles deaths from the CDC’s public tracker while still including them on internal trackers?\n\nDid any White House or HHS officials contact you or your staff regarding the public reporting of Pennsylvania’s measles deaths? Please provide all communication between CDC leadership and any White House or HHS official regarding the reporting of state-verified measles deaths since your confirmation.\n\nVaccines for Children Program\n\nWhy did the CDC delay opening orders for COVID vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC)? Please provide the timeline of when decisions were made concerning the VFC program.\n\nWhat made the CDC decide to open ordering for COVID vaccines through the VFC program on September 24, 2026 and not earlier?\n\nHave you personally been asked by Secretary Kennedy, the White House, or any other HHS or Trump administration official to delay or condition VFC activation for the COVID vaccine? If so, please describe the request and identify who made it. If such a request was made in writing, please provide it.\n\nWho at CDC, HHS, or the White House made the decision to delay VFC activation for the COVID vaccine, and on what basis? Please produce all internal communications, memoranda, and legal or scientific analyses supporting that decision.\n\nWhat guidance has CDC provided to state health departments, pediatricians, and VFC providers about the status of COVID vaccines under VFC? How soon can VFC vaccines be expected to be in the possession of clinicians and accessible for children?\n\nThe health of American children and families depends on a CDC Director who is willing to follow the science, even when it may be politically inconvenient. We look forward to your response and to seeing whether the CDC under your leadership honors the commitments you made at your confirmation hearing.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/statement-senator-blunt-rochester-on-the-passing-of-former-delaware-president-pro-tempore-patricia-patti-blevins/", "title": "STATEMENT: Senator Blunt Rochester on the Passing of Former Delaware President Pro Tempore Patricia “Patti” Blevins", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.bluntrochester.senate.gov", "scraper": "bluntrochester", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001303", "name": "Lisa Blunt Rochester", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Wilmington, DE — U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) today released a statement on the passing of Former Delaware President Pro Tempore Patricia “Patti” Blevins:\n\n“I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Patricia “Patti” Blevins. In her roles as a State Senator, Mayor, Town Councilmember, and advocate, she dedicated her life to best serving the Town of Elsmere and the First State.\n\n“It was a privilege to have worked alongside her throughout the years in our shared endeavor to strengthen Delaware. I admired Patti for her fair leadership, collaborative policy approach, and most of all her deep love for our state of neighbors. She leaves a lasting legacy of fighting to protect our most vulnerable and building safer communities. Her spirit of service will endure through the countless lives she has touched.\n\n“I join those mourning this immeasurable loss. My prayers are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time. May she rest in eternal peace.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/-booker-blunt-rochester-recognize-october-as-world-menopause-awareness-month", "title": "Booker, Blunt Rochester Recognize October as World Menopause Awareness Month", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.booker.senate.gov", "scraper": "booker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001288", "name": "Cory A. Booker", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) introduced a resolution recognizing October 2026 as World Menopause Awareness Month. The resolution recognizes the widespread impact of menopause. It also raises awareness of the need for more reliable resources for women facing menopause symptoms and additional training for health care workers on menopause.\n\n“Our health care system has failed women struggling with menopausal symptoms that disrupt their livelihoods, and this unfortunate reality disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic women,” said Senator Booker. “This resolution is a reminder that we must do more to support women navigating menopause and provide them with the resources they need. Menopause should not be a barrier to the quality of life every woman deserves.”\n\n\"Generations of women have faced the transition to menopause, yet for too long this experience has been overlooked, under-researched, and treated as taboo,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “It’s far past time we ensure women have the care and support they need to feel their best in all phases of life. I’m proud to introduce the World Menopause Awareness Month Resolution to elevate the challenges of menopause and encourage further investments into research that will help women meet this transition with confidence.\"\n\nWomen in the workforce are burdened by severe menopausal symptoms that can last an average of 7 to 9 years or longer. As many as 40 percent of menopausal women say their symptoms interfered with their work performance or productivity weekly, and nearly 1 in 5 have left or considered leaving their jobs because of menopause. Menopause may also increase the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and stroke, making informed health decisions crucial during this period. Black and Hispanic women are more likely to experience menopause earlier and more intense symptoms, including memory loss, urinary problems, depression, and anxiety.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-demands-answers-from-cdc-on-childhood-vaccines-executive-order-measles-deaths-and-delayed-vaccine-access", "title": "Booker Demands Answers from CDC on Childhood Vaccines Executive Order, Measles Deaths, and Delayed Vaccine Access", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.booker.senate.gov", "scraper": "booker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001288", "name": "Cory A. Booker", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) is pressing for answers on how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to implement President Trump’s childhood vaccine Executive Order (EO), why verified measles-associated deaths were excluded from its public reporting, and why families experienced delays in accessing childhood immunizations. He joined a letter led by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and U.S. Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA), along with 29 colleagues, urging CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz to address efforts that undermine settled vaccine science.\n\n“Parents in New Jersey and across the country should be able to trust that the guidance they get from the CDC comes from scientists, not politics,” said Senator Booker. “At a time when the country is facing its largest measles outbreak in 35 years, this administration is making it harder, not easier, for children to get the vaccines that keep them safe. Dr. Schwartz promised to follow the science, and we are asking her to prove it.”\n\nThe CDC has long prided itself on \"objective data collection and reporting.\" Yet at the beginning of September, reports revealed that four measles-associated deaths verified and reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health were left off the CDC's public outbreak tracker for weeks, even as internal CDC systems continued to track them. That omission breaks with agency standards and raises serious questions about the CDC's willingness to resist political pressure over settled science.\n\n\"The health of American children and families depends on a CDC Director who is willing to follow the science, even when it may be politically inconvenient. We look forward to your response and to seeing whether the CDC under your leadership honors the commitments you made at your confirmation hearing,” concluded the lawmakers.\n\nIn addition to Booker, U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angus King (I-ME), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Michael Bennett (D-CO), as well as U.S. Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Troy Carter (D-LA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Mike Levin (D-CA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Mark Takano (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Lori Trahan (D-MA) signed the letter.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=9C214617-EB30-46E5-9355-FC553FE94554", "title": "Arkansas Delegation: Working Families Tax Cuts Delivering $1 Billion to State’s Farm Families", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "domain": "www.boozman.senate.gov", "scraper": "boozman", "member": null, "text": "WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR), Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Congressmen Rick Crawford (AR-01), French Hill (AR-02), Steve Womack (AR-03) and Bruce Westerman (AR-04) announced Arkansas farmers will begin receiving an estimated $1 billion in enhanced farm safety net benefits this month, thanks to improvements secured through the Working Families Tax Cuts.\n\n“Agriculture is a cornerstone of Arkansas’s economy, supporting families, communities and business across our state. Farmers need the tools to manage risk as well as the certainty and predictability to plan ahead. The improvements to the farm safety net delivered through the Working Families Tax Cuts are an important step in providing Natural State producers the support they need to continue producing our nation’s food and fiber. Our delegation is pleased that these benefits are now getting in the hands of our farmers, and we’re building on that momentum to deliver a comprehensive five-year farm bill to be signed into law this year,” Boozman said.\n\n“Last year’s Republican-led tax cuts included vital lifelines for Arkansas farmers after years of neglect under Joe Biden, including an estimated $1 billion in enhanced farm safety net benefits spearheaded by Senator Boozman. I’m pleased our farmers will receive these benefits this month to help them continue to grow, harvest, and operate,” Cotton said.\n\n“Farmers have faced rising input costs and volatile markets for multiple years, and the existing safety net programs have not kept pace. Enhanced ARC and PLC payments, including updated statutory reference prices and modernized payment limits, will give farmers and producers the economic certainty they need to stay viable. I thank Sen. Boozman for his leadership in securing these investments for our ag economy. When our family farms are secure, our nation has a safe and dependable food supply,” Crawford said.\n\n“Our farmers and ranchers need the tools and resources to grow, compete, and plan for the future. I am proud that Arkansas’s entire congressional delegation voted for the Working Families Tax Cuts, which supports our rural communities and strengthens the farm safety net, including with more than $1 billion now headed to producers across our state. We still have more work to do, including getting a strong Farm Bill across the finish line, but this is another example of how the Working Families Tax Cuts continues delivering for Arkansas,” Hill said.\n\n“Our delegation delivered for all Arkansans by modernizing our nation’s most crucial farm safety net programs in the Working Families Tax Cuts law. Updated reference prices were long overdue, and this month, farmers will see the benefits of our work through increased support. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues to pass this landmark legislation and deliver much-needed support to the men and women who work tirelessly to provide our nation’s food, fiber, and fuel,” Womack said.\n\n“For generations, agriculture has defined Arkansas’ proud legacy. To maintain this heritage and support this multi-billion-dollar industry that drives our economy, our farmers need greater certainty. The Republican-backed improvements to the farm safety net payments provided under the reconciliation package are an excellent step toward that goal. Farming families from every corner of Arkansas are the backbone of our economy – feeding, clothing, and fueling millions. I want them to know their concerns are being heard in Congress. While I join my colleagues in celebrating this win for Arkansas agriculture, the fight to secure more long-lasting financial security for its future is far from over,” Westerman said.\n\nThe increased Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payments are part of the $13.8 billion approved by Congress to modernize the farm safety net and strengthen risk management tools for agricultural producers, more than doubling the support farmers were expected to receive before these changes.\n\nImplementation for improvements to ARC and PLC follows the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s rollout of other Working Families Tax Cuts provisions, including expanded access to and eligibility for standing disaster programs such as the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and Livestock Forage Program (LFP), in addition to measures making crop insurance more affordable.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-announces-cds-awards-for-economic-development-projects", "title": "Capito Announces CDS Awards for \r\nEconomic Development Projects", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.capito.senate.gov", "scraper": "capito", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001047", "name": "Shelley Moore Capito", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to support economic development projects across West Virginia.\n\nThese awards, which were secured through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests made by Senator Capito in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, will help support business incubation, economic revitalization efforts, and education programs.\n\n“These awards are a significant investment in the economic development of West Virginia,” Senator Capito said. “I am proud to have helped secure funding for these projects, which will support the growth of our small businesses and improve the quality of life for West Virginians. I will continue to work to deliver results that benefit our communities and strengthen our state’s future.”\n\nIndividual award details listed below:\n\n$2,502,000 CDS award to Marshall University Aviation Program (Charleston, W.Va.) to increase capacity at Marshall University Aviation with additional training tools and equipment.\n\n$800,000 CDS award to the Capital Area Development Corporation of West Virginia and Charleston Area Alliance (Charleston, W.Va.) for renovations to the historic Small Business Incubator and Business Hub, which supports small business development, entrepreneur training, and economic growth in Kanawha County and serves as a catalyst for development in downtown Charleston.\n\n$750,000 CDS award to the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (Beckley, W.Va.) to implement a public-private cohort model that expands access to affordable childcare by engaging local employers in a shared subsidy structure, stabilizing an existing childcare facility, and piloting a sustainable framework for rural communities.\n\n$750,000 CDS award to the WV Hive Network, Inc. (Beckley, W.Va.) to provide direct technical assistance to entrepreneurs, helping eliminate early-stage barriers through expert support in legal structure, marketing, accounting, website development, and business planning.\n\n$748,000 CDS award to West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition, Inc. (Charleston, W.Va.) to strengthen West Virginia’s agricultural economy by supporting small businesses and local producers in bringing value-added products to market.\n\n$500,000 CDS award to the Putnam County Development Authority (Hurricane, W.Va.) to provide ready-to-use industrial space in the Putman County, West Virginia area.\n\n$500,000 CDS award to the Hatfield McCoy Convention and Visitors Bureau (Logan, W.Va.) to promote small business formation and growth in the City of Logan and the Town of Man in cooperation with the Hatfield McCoy Convention & Visitors Bureau.\n\n$500,000 CDS award to West Virginia Women Work, Inc. (Morgantown, W.Va.) to help small businesses in West Virginia recruit and train skilled employees to bolster capacity and long-term economic growth.\n\n$371,000 CDS award to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (Charleston, W.Va.) to foster economic growth by promoting West Virginia’s agribusinesses through marketing support, resources, workshops, and events to prepare producers for domestic and international markets.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/what-theyre-saying-bipartisan-permitting-reform-will-deliver-cheaper-energy-more-jobs-responsible-growth", "title": "What They’re Saying: Bipartisan Permitting Reform Will Deliver Cheaper Energy, More Jobs, Responsible Growth", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.capito.senate.gov", "scraper": "capito", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001047", "name": "Shelley Moore Capito", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Labor, energy producers, and nonprofits voice strong support for Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – Since four Senators from across the political spectrum introduced their Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act last week, a broad coalition of labor leaders, energy producers, and nonprofits has voiced support for the permitting reform plan, noting that it will deliver cheaper energy, more jobs, and responsible growth. The legislation was drafted by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee; Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee; Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the EPW Committee; and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the ENR Committee.\n\nThe Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act delivers cheaper energy, more well-paying jobs, and responsible growth by accelerating the permitting and construction of critical energy and infrastructure projects while maintaining key environmental and historic preservation safeguards. The legislation provides greater certainty for projects that have already been permitted and financed, including by preventing future administrations from arbitrarily blocking entire classes of energy projects, while establishing clear timelines for environmental reviews and legal challenges. It also includes targeted reforms to expand and modernize the electric grid, speed the development of geothermal and other energy projects, and ensure that rapidly growing data centers pay the full cost of their associated transmission needs rather than passing those costs on to families and small businesses. The legislation reflects input from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and a diverse group of stakeholders.\n\nThe bill text is available here.\n\nLabor\n\n“For LIUNA, the key consideration is whether a permitting package will translate to good union jobs, with prevailing wages and robust apprenticeship opportunities. S.5653 exceeds those standards while maintaining proper regulations and safeguards that protect both our members on the job as well as the local communities in which projects take place. Moreover, it will lower energy costs for all Americans at a time when prices of everyday living expenses are at an all-time high,” said LIUNA General President Brent Booker. “For more than a decade LIUNA has testified before Congress, submitted comments, participated in roundtables, and endorsed numerous iterations of permitting bills only to see every effort and attempt fail in final hours of the congressional calendar. Congress has another opportunity to get this done. We urge lawmakers in both parties to seize this moment, pass the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, and finally deliver meaningful permitting reform. It is time to stop making permitting reform the Groundhog Day of Congress.”\n\n“In our industry, uncertainty means one thing: unemployment. It is long past time that Congress enacts meaningful permitting reform to put UA members to work faster delivering reliable and affordable energy to American communities. Today’s announcement is the culmination of a long process to reach a bipartisan deal and take a critical step towards a long-overdue modernization of our country’s permitting process. This bipartisan legislation, led by Chairs Lee and Capito and Ranking Members Heinrich and Whitehouse, will increase project certainty, streamline federal review timelines, and create thousands of good-paying jobs – all while maintaining reasonable environmental safeguards and opportunities for public input. The UA looks forward to continuing our work with members of both parties in the Senate to advance this critical legislation and with all members in the House to ultimately pass it into law,” said United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) General President Mark McManus.\n\n“We have seen too many projects unnecessarily delayed for years through litigation, and other projects abandoned by contractors or terminated by the federal government because of our nation’s antiquated permitting process. As a result, thousands of good-paying union jobs have been lost, and taxpayers have been deprived of safer infrastructure and more affordable energy,” said John L. Downey, General President of the International Union of Operating Engineers. “Passage of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will result in building energy transmission capacity faster, delivering more energy to the grid, creating greater certainty for projects permitted and financed across administrations, and setting clear deadlines for environmental reviews. These reforms will put thousands of Operating Engineers to work, along with other highly skilled crafts people, while making energy more affordable and reliable for American families.”\n\nNonprofits\n\n“If America is going to meaningfully reduce our emissions and truly address climate change, we need to connect much more clean energy to the grid,” said Citizens Climate Lobby’s Executive Director Ricky Bradley. “This bill will make remarkable, rapid progress toward that goal. We’re proud to endorse it, and we’re excited to mobilize our grassroots volunteers in full support.”\n\n“For decades, the Club for Growth has championed deregulation and permitting reform. We commend President Trump and Senate leaders for moving this agreement forward with legislative text. These reforms are critical to expanding American energy production and lowering energy costs for families and businesses. Excessive regulation has constrained production and contributed to higher costs for American consumers. We urge the Senate andHouse to act swiftly and pass these important permitting reforms,” said David McIntosh, President, Club for Growth.\n\n“The Climate Leadership Council is encouraged by progress on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act. Council analysis projects U.S. electricity demand to grow nearly 60% by 2050, and meeting that demand will require building energy infrastructure faster than our current system allows. Permitting reform is essential to keep pace with the demands of a modern economy, and the energy infrastructure it unlocks is what drives clean energy deployment and innovation. CLC looks forward to continued engagement with stakeholders and policymakers as the bill moves forward,” said Erin Alejandre, Director of Policy at the Climate Leadership Council.\n\n“On behalf of grassroots activists across the country, we strongly applaud theintroduction of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA). Your work over much of this Congress to negotiate the details and make a bipartisan package a reality is a major step forward for the American people and for our energy, technological, and national future,” said Brent Gardner, Chief Government Affairs Officer, Americans for Prosperity.\n\n“After years of working toward this goal, lawmakers from both parties have reached a deal to fix the broken system that keeps America from building the power plants and power lines that would bring costs down. This is a huge bipartisan win at a moment when our politics has made wins like this rare,”said Inclusive Abundance Action President Derek Kaufman. “Families are paying too much for electricity because new energy projects wait years on government reviews, then years more in court, and even once they clear, partisan politics can still take them out. That scarcity is a choice. Today, Congress is choosing differently.”\n\n“The need for reform is one of the few things Republicans and Democrats agree on, and these Senate leaders have translated that consensus into a comprehensive, bipartisan bill. Permitting reform cannot wait, and the time to act is now,”said Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action. “BPC Action has long argued that durable permitting reform must be bipartisan, technology-neutral, and maintain strong environmental standards. We urge swift action and look forward to working with members of both parties to get this bill to the president’s desk this Congress.”\n\n“Pacific Legal Foundation strongly supports the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026,” said John Nagle, federal policy manager at Pacific Legal Foundation. “Americans should not have to navigate years of costly and unpredictable government processes simply to build a home, develop new energy resources, or create the infrastructure our communities need. Reforming our permitting system is essential to removing unnecessary government barriers that delay projects, drive up costs, and discourage investment. We encourage Congress to move quickly to pass this bill to lower costs for Americans, protect property rights, and restore America’s ability to build.”\n\n“Today, one of America’s most important supply lines is its electric grid, and we are not building it fast enough to meet the moment. Our military installations depend on the same civilian grid as every American household. When a transmission line takes a decade or more to approve, that is not just an economic problem. It is a strategic vulnerability, and our adversaries are not waiting years to build. This bill addresses that vulnerability. It sets firm deadlines on environmental reviews, speeds approvals for the transmission lines and power projects the country needs, and gives the federal government tools to move interstate power lines forward when they stall. Just as important, it ensures that once a project is permitted, no administration can revoke it for political reasons. At the same time, it preserves the government's ability to act in the face of a genuine safety or national security threat, and it keeps reasonable environmental safeguards and opportunities for public input in place. That kind of certainty matters for every form of American energy, including the clean energy that will power our future,” said Major General Paul D. Eaton, U.S. Army (Ret.), Senior Advisor at VoteVets.\n\n“[The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act] is better than I could have expected. Sens. Capito (R-WV), Heinrich (D-NM), Lee (R-UT), and Whitehouse (D-RI) negotiated a compromise bill where each side got real, meaningful wins. This bill would fix our permitting processes so that we can review and build efficiently, reducing costs, improving quality of life, growing our economy, and improving economic outcomes. It’s truly a win-win. I’m optimistic that this incredible bill can be signed into law this year,” said Xan Fishman, Vice President, Energy, Bipartisan Policy Center.\n\n“Permitting reform has stalled for years because Democrats feared losing environmental protections and Republicans feared a deal that would only help renewables. Sens. Heinrich, Lee, Capito and Whitehouse have shown there is a bargain that works for both sides,” said Colin Mortimer, Senior Director of Partnerships at the Progressive Policy Institute. “This bill would get power lines, clean energy and critical infrastructure built faster and lower costs for families while keeping strong safeguards in place.”\n\n“If you care about decarbonizing the economy or reshoring American manufacturing, or cutting bills for ratepayers, then you should support this bill. No agreement is perfect, but there’s something in this permitting reform agreement that will, on net, benefit everybody. And there isn’t a better deal out there,” said Jane Flegal and Pavan Venkatakrishnan of the Searchlight Institute.\n\nBill Owens, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said, “NAHB applauds Senators Lee, Capito, Heinrich and Whitehouse and for their leadership and bipartisan approach to crafting the most meaningful reforms in decades to several key federal environmental permitting programs. The housing sector stands to benefit from many of these federal permitting reforms, including an increase in acreage thresholds under the Clean Water Act’s (CWA) Nationwide Permit program along with extending the statutory timeframe from five to 10 years for the CWA permit programs. These provisions provide the industry with needed clarity and consistency during the federal permitting process.”\n\nEnergy Companies and Associations\n\n“The American Clean Power Association greatly appreciates the leadership of Senators Capito, Whitehouse, Lee and Heinrich in developing strong, technology neutral permitting reform legislation that includes an Administration commitment to approve wind projects. All energy industries must be able to confidently rely on the durability of federal permitting decisions. The transmission provisions will also enhance grid reliability and enable economic growth. If adopted, the legislation will substantially increase the deployment of clean resources. Passage before the end of the year is essential to enable the construction of critical energy infrastructure and lower consumer prices,” said Jason Grumet, CEO of American Clean Power Association.\n\n“Washington has a generational opportunity to fundamentally transform a broken permitting system and help address the affordability challenges facing American consumers,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said. “President Trump and Senators Capito, Lee, Whitehouse and Heinrich deserve credit for working across party lines to bring durable reform within reach. The bipartisan package would modernize NEPA, reduce duplicative reviews and unnecessary litigation, and provide greater certainty for critical projects. Congress should seize this moment and finish the job—making it easier to build the infrastructure America needs and helping keep costs down for consumers.”\n\n“We support this bipartisan effort and applaud Senators Capito, Heinrich, Lee, and Whitehouse for advancing meaningful reforms to help meet America’s growing energy needs. As one of the nation’s largest electric utilities and the operator of the country’s largest transmission network, AEP understands firsthand the critical need for diverse generation and transmission infrastructure to serve our customers and help meet the unprecedented demand for electricity. The process to permit, site and construct energy infrastructure can take years due to unnecessary hurdles that delay projects needed to support reliability, affordability and economic growth. This legislation will help accelerate the process to bring critical infrastructure projects online, supporting the investments required to enhance reliability for our customers, reduce costs, and create new economic opportunities in the states we serve. Congress should pass the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 now,” said American Electric Power (AEP) Chairman, President and CEO Bill Fehrman.\n\n“The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 represents an historic opportunity to modernize the grid and meet customers’ electricity demand with reliable, affordable power. If enacted into law, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 would safeguard critical environmental standards while providing greater process certainty for environmental reviews and ensure that the customers we serve benefit from our nation’s diverse energy resources. It will also unlock trillions of dollars in private sector investment and job creation to expedite the construction of critically needed energy infrastructure,” said Mark Hewett, President and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.\n\n“Independent oil and natural gas producers are ready to build, produce, and create jobs, and permitting delays and uncertainty can turn attractive projects into missed opportunities—especially for small producers. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 gives Congress an opportunity to deliver bipartisan permitting reform with clear and enforceable timelines, greater levels of certainty, and fewer unnecessary delays—without compromising the environmental and safety standards that protect our communities and natural resources. Republicans and Democrats should seize that opportunity and move swiftly. American energy shouldn’t have to wait in line for Washington’s bureaucracy. American energy shouldn’t be held back by a permitting system that doesn’t keep pace with energy demand. This is an opportunity to celebrate what bipartisan cooperation can accomplish, providing real solutions to the complex problems that surround America’s broken permitting system,” said Edith Naegele, President and CEO of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA).\n\n“This is the kind of bipartisan action America needs to meet growing energy demand, put downward pressure on energy prices, and deploy more affordable, exactly reliable solar and storage for American families and businesses,” said Tim Pawlenty, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association.\n\n“Affordable advanced energy resources, including solar, wind, storage, and transmission are delivering for America, but opaque, politicized, and endless red tape is getting in our industry’s way of building as much as is needed. That’s why we welcome technology-neutral permitting reform from Congress. This bill text demonstrates bipartisan support for building more advanced energy, faster. With fair competition, better planning, and less red tape, we can move more electrons and tamp down energy costs. Thank you to Sen. Capito, Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Whitehouse, and Sen. Heinrich on their leadership. We encourage Congress to build on this progress and to prioritize these critical reforms,”said Heather O’Neill, President and CEO of Advanced Energy United.\n\n“Constraining abundant, domestic clean energy could cost the U.S. at least $121 billion in additional energy expenses in the coming years,” CEBA CEO Rich Powell said. “This bipartisan package is a generational opportunity to unleash American energy through faster infrastructure permitting and improved transmission planning. Thank you to Chairs Shelley Moore Capito and Mike Lee, Ranking Members Sheldon Whitehouse and Martin Heinrich, and President Donald Trump for your leadership on this critical issue. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act presents an incredible opportunity for clean energy, and we look forward to seeing it cross the finish line.”\n\n“This bipartisan breakthrough goes big to durably reform a broken permitting system that needlessly drives up energy costs and puts America’s energy security at risk. These comprehensive reforms would unlock generational investments to make energy more affordable and position America to win the global energy race that will define our future. We urge the Senate to act with the urgency this moment in history demands by passing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act,” said Anne Bradbury, the American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC) CEO.\n\n“American economic growth requires an energy permitting system built on predictable, durable, bipartisan principles that will outlast two- and four-year election cycles,” said ACORE President and CEO Ray Long. “Clean energy builders and financers have made it clear they intend to keep investing in clean energy. The bipartisan legislation released today represents momentum toward providing the policy certainty the market needs to unleash capital and build the energy infrastructure we need.”\n\n“Failing to pass permitting reforms would have real consequences for all of us,”said Zach Zimmerman, Director of Research and Policy for Grid Strategies.“Every year that major transmission projects are delayed means higher system costs and less ability to move power where it is needed during extreme weather. Without reform, we will continue to pay more for the grid.”\n\n“Pass the frickin’ bill so we can start building things again,” said the U.S. Oil & Gas Association.\n\nBusiness and Manufacturing Groups\n\n“Manufacturers are all in on this game-changing agreement and getting it across the finish line. Our nation’s permitting system is outdated and burdensome, delaying projects across industries and contributing to rising costs across the economy. Costly, duplicative permitting delays are costing manufacturers $8 billion annually, limiting manufacturers’ ability to hire new workers, build and expand their operations. Removing these barriers would unlock greater investment and growth. Manufacturers are ready to build, and modernized permitting will help us race to the future,” said National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons.\n\n“BCSE commends the continued bipartisan work in Congress to modernize the nation’s permitting system and the further development of a comprehensive legislative permitting reform package. Building on the important progress made by the House of Representatives, Congress now has an opportunity to advance comprehensive, durable permitting reform that can provide greater certainty for investment and accelerate the deployment of critical energy infrastructure,” said Lisa Jacobson, President of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE).\n\n“We appreciate all the work that made this strong package possible. Any bipartisan compromise will have trade-offs, but the permit certainty, transmission, and grid modernization components of this deal are strong, and now is the time to deliver reforms that allow us to build the clean energy infrastructure we need to reduce costs for American businesses and consumers,” said Zach Friedman, Senior Director of Federal Policy at Ceres. “We look forward to continuing to work with companies, partners, and key lawmakers to meet the moment and advance this package to drive down costs by accelerating deployment of affordable, homegrown clean energy infrastructure.”\n\n“Business Roundtable strongly supports the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026. This vital legislation would create a faster, more durable permitting process that gives businesses the certainty they need to invest, build and grow,” said Business Roundtable CEO Joshua Bolten. “Advancing wide-ranging permitting reform is one of the most consequential steps Congress can take to unlock America’s economic potential. By accelerating approvals for critical infrastructure projects, this bill would help lower costs, create good-paying jobs and strengthen America’s long-term competitiveness.”\n\n“For too long, America’s broken permitting system has turned the ability to receive a permit into a barrier to job creation and economic growth. This bipartisan agreement represents a major step toward changing that. By establishing more reliable timelines, creating greater certainty and breaking down longstanding barriers to building, Congress can help ensure that projects across the economy move from the drawing board to the job site,” said Steel Manufacturers Association Executive Vice President Brandon Farris.\n\n“The legislation would modernize federal environmental review and permitting processes for infrastructure projects, provide greater certainty for federal permits and authorizations, and help enable the all-of-the-above energy resources needed to meet America's growing energy and manufacturing demands,” said the American Chemistry Council. “America cannot build, power, and compete without modern infrastructure. Whether it’s expanding energy production, strengthening manufacturing, building next-generation infrastructure, projects cannot move forward if permitting delays and regulatory uncertainty stand in the way. This bipartisan legislation is an important step toward creating a permitting system that is more predictable, transparent, and effective.”\n\n“We are undeniably in the age of demand – from energy to semiconductors, drones to transmission lines – and securing robust supplies of the mined materials that allow us to build, manufacture and power almost everything is key to meeting this moment. Standing in our way is a permitting process mired in duplication, endless litigation and uncertainty that has hobbled U.S. competitiveness with the second longest timeline in the world to bring a mine online. Our elected officials on both sides of the aisle have long acknowledged that the status quo cannot continue. We applaud the work that has been done to date and urge Congress to pass commonsense, much-needed reforms that will benefit all Americans,” said Rich Nolan, President and CEO of the National Mining Association.\n\n“The Senate's progress toward a comprehensive, bipartisan permitting reform deal brings us one step closer to streamlining the outdated process that is holding up critical projects of all kinds, from energy and water infrastructure to roads, broadband, and manufacturing,” said Rodney Davis, senior vice president and head of government affairs at the U.S. Chamber. “We appreciate the leadership of Senators Capito, Whitehouse, Lee, and Heinrich to bring us to this point, and now we urge swift action in Congress to get this bill to the President’s desk as soon as possible.”\n\nState and Local Government\n\n“The National Governors Association and its partners are encouraged by the introduction of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 and look forward to working with Congress to further develop this legislation. Working with governors, NGA has long championed commonsense permitting reform to build the infrastructure our country needs. With priorities centered on federal partnership, interstate cooperation, and sound energy and environmental policy, NGA worked across the aisle and across sectors to deliver federal reform recommendations to Congress, using states as proving ground. Reform will help grow our economy, reduce costs, and improve quality of life for all Americans,” said Brian Tatum, CEO of the National Governors Association.\n\n“Counties are on the front lines of delivering the energy, water and transportation infrastructure projects that residents depend on,” said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. “The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act recognizes counties as cooperating agencies in federal environmental protection statutes. This legislation would modernize the federal permitting process, reduce unnecessary delays, accelerate project delivery and ensure local expertise is incorporated into federal decision-making. Counties applaud Senators Lee, Heinrich, Capito and Whitehouse for their leadership and urge Congress to advance this bipartisan permitting reform package.”\n\n“Unfortunately, outdated federal bureaucracy continues to delay critical energy and infrastructure projects and drive up costs for hardworking families at a time when speed and efficiency matter most. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act is an opportunity to change that. By bringing greater certainty and accountability to the permitting process, we can unleash American energy dominance, strengthen our grid, bring manufacturing and investment back home, and ensure the United States leads the next generation of economic growth,” said 21 governors in a statement.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-grassley-lee-call-on-trump-administration-to-initiate-permanent-scheduling-proceedings-for-kratom-issue-emergency-scheduling-order-for-7-oh", "title": "Senators Collins, Grassley, Lee Call on Trump Administration to Initiate Permanent Scheduling Proceedings for Kratom, Issue Emergency Scheduling Order for 7-OH", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BANGOR, ME – U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Mike Lee (R-UT) are urging the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take immediate action to protect Americans from deadly kratom and related semi-synthetic substances.\n\nSpecifically, the senators are requesting that the Trump Administration:\n\nInitiate proceedings to permanently schedule harmful kratom-related substances, including 7-OH and the synthetic derivatives MGM-15, MGM-16, and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, meaning they have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.\n\nImmediately issue the emergency scheduling order for 7-hydroxy mitragynine—commonly known as 7-OH.\n\nDevelop a permanent scheduling recommendation for the full kratom plant and its derivatives.\n\n“We frequently hear from constituents and concerned parents who have lost loved ones, and recovering users who warn us constantly about the addictive nature of kratom and its analogues,” the senators wrote. “We worry the availability of these products is providing consumers with a false sense of security because they are readily available and marketed as natural. It is imperative that the final emergency scheduling order for 7-OH be expeditiously promulgated.”\n\n“We urge DEA, in consultation with FDA, to initiate proceedings to permanently schedule all harmful substances found in kratom, including 7-OH, MGM-15, MGM-16, and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. Furthermore, we urge the Food and Drug Administration to conduct the necessary scientific and medical evaluations of these substances and provide a permanent scheduling recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration for the full kratom plant, its derivatives, and all levels of the semi-synthetic analogues like mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 that are being marketed as natural products,” the senators concluded.\n\nClick here to read the complete text of their letter.\n\n+++\n\nKratom is an unregulated substance sold across the country as an over-the-counter energy booster, mood lifter or pain reliever. Kratom-derived concentrates and semi-synthetic analogues, including 7-OH, have been identified by the DEA as more potent than schedule II opioids. 7-OH is known to be approximately 14 times more potent than morphine when given orally. The FDA warns Americans not to consume kratom due to severe health effects, including liver toxicity, seizures and substance use disorder.\n\nAccording to the National Drug Early Warning System and National Poison Data System, suspected nonfatal overdose encounters involving 7-OH, mitragynine or kratom were recorded across 38 states from 2023 to 2026. Further, between 2015 and 2025, poison control centers received 14,449 kratom exposure reports, with exposure reports increasing by 1,200% over the last 10 years.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-third-anniversary-of-october-7-attacks/", "title": "Senator Coons statement on third anniversary of October 7 attacks", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.coons.senate.gov", "scraper": "coons", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001088", "name": "Christopher A. Coons", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement on the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel:\n\n“Three years on, the wounds left from Hamas’ brutal attack on Israeli civilians are still just as painful and devastating. One thousand two hundred souls were ripped away from their families and their futures, and 251 more were taken hostage in an attempt to destroy Israel’s spirit. In that, the attack failed. In meetings with the families of hostages and victims of the attacks, I’ve seen a strength and will to turn pain into progress I could not have imagined. Their perseverance in their search for justice has touched so many lives and cannot be forgotten. Together, we must continue to work toward a just and lasting peace in the region.\n\n“May the memory of those lost always be a blessing, and may they continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved them – and in the hearts of all of us who remember them around the world.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-rosen-release-joint-report-detailing-how-trumps-economy-is-hurting-nevada-latino-families/", "title": "Cortez Masto, Rosen Release Joint Report Detailing How Trump’s Economy is Hurting Nevada Latino Families", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Las Vegas, Nev. – During the final week of Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) released a new report detailing the harm that President Donald Trump’s policies are causing Latino families in Nevada.\n\n“This report confirms what Nevada families have known for months: under the Trump economy, it’s getting harder to put food on the table and a roof over your head,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “From his blanket tariffs to his reckless war in Iran, everything this President is doing has driven up costs for Latinos in Nevada. Every family deserves the chance to get ahead, and I’m going to keep doing everything I can to reverse President Trump’s disastrous policies.”\n\n“Donald Trump’s economy is a disaster for Latinos in Nevada. Anyone who’s willing to work hard should have a fair shot at getting ahead, but that’s become almost impossible under Trump’s leadership,” said Senator Rosen. “Families are paying more for gas, groceries, health care, and housing, all while our tourism industry declines as a result of Trump’s policies. I’m committed to helping every Nevadan live the American Dream, and I’ll keep working to bring down costs and expand opportunities for Nevada families.”\n\nBecause of Trump’s tariffs, the war in Iran, and Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill, Latino families are paying more for everyday essentials and seeing fewer opportunities to get ahead. Below is a breakdown of how Trump and Washington Republicans’ policies are hurting Latino families in Nevada.\n\nGas and Groceries\n\nTrump’s war in Iran has cost Latinos in Nevada about $230 million extra at the gas pump since the war began, which breaks down to an additional $659 per family.\n\nLatinos account for more than a quarter of Nevada SNAP recipients, including over 48,000 Latino children.\n\nAs a result of Donald Trump’s cuts to SNAP in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” 38,000 Latino Nevadans have lost their SNAP benefits, including as many as 16,000 children.\n\nTrump’s first year in office cost Latinos in Nevada an additional $108 million on groceries, which is $310 per family.\n\nTrump’s mass deportation agenda is taking immigrant workers off the job, and as a result, prices are rising in sectors like agriculture that depend on immigrant labor.\n\nMore than 60% of farm laborers nationwide are Latino, and the vast majority are immigrants. Targeting of this workforce has led to a 32.1% increase in lettuce prices, a 7.1% increase in apple prices, a 6.3% increase in fresh citrus prices, and a 7.9% increase in canned fruit prices.\n\nEconomic Opportunity\n\nThe tax provisions in Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” disproportionately benefit the top one percent of earners and leave the working class behind.\n\nIndividuals working in food preparation and service will lose about $820 in 2026. More than half of Nevada’s hospitality workforce is Latino.\n\nMaids and housekeeping cleaners will lose about $830 in 2026. Latinos make up nearly half of this workforce nationally.\n\nNevada is home to more than 72,000 Latino-owned small businesses, accounting for over 22% of all Nevada small businesses. Trump’s across-the-board tariffs have cost these businesses a total of $8.6 billion.\n\nLeisure and hospitality small businesses have seen a 15.2% decline in monthly revenue.\n\nConstruction small businesses have seen an 18% decline in revenue.\n\nSince Trump returned to office, tourism to Las Vegas has declined by about ten percent, with Canadian tourism – the number one source of international visitation to Las Vegas – down even more as a result of Trump’s tariffs and attacks directed at Canada.\n\nLatinos make up 54% of Nevada’s hospitality workforce and are seeing fewer shifts and fewer tips as a result of the decline in tourism.\n\nTrump’s mass deportation agenda, including delays in work permit processing leading to loss of work authorization and the proposed termination of Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans, will lead to 15,000 Nevadans losing their legal status by the end of this year.\n\nThousands of construction, hospitality, and health care workers will lose their ability to work, and Nevada will lose out on $341 million in economic contributions and $40 million in tax revenue.\n\nHealth Care\n\nFor the approximately 33,200 Latinos who buy health insurance through Nevada Health Link, premiums have risen over 50% on average due to Donald Trump and Washington Republicans’ refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax cuts.\n\nLatinos account for around 36% of Medicaid beneficiaries in Nevada and are less likely to have employer-sponsored or private health insurance than other groups, despite having the highest labor force participation.\n\nAs Washington Republicans’ Medicaid cuts continue to take effect, up to 25,560 Latinos in Nevada could lose their Medicaid coverage.\n\nHousing\n\nLatino families in Nevada have spent an additional $184 million – or an additional $491 per family – on housing costs, including rent and mortgage payments, since Trump took office.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-hhs-announces-more-than-3-million-for-north-dakota", "title": "Sen. Cramer: HHS Announces More than $3 Million for North Dakota", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cramer.senate.gov", "scraper": "cramer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001096", "name": "Kevin Cramer", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced five grants will be awarded to support health and human services programs in North Dakota. A total of $3,581,529 will be distributed as follows:\n\n$1,479,897 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to support the tribal child support enforcement agency.\n\n$1,187,029 to the Three Affiliated Tribes to support tribal child support services.\n\n$500,000 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services to enhance programs which support respite and caregiver services.\n\n$215,343 to the University of North Dakota to support the National Resource Center on Native American Aging.\n\n$199,260 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services for programs which support individuals with traumatic brain injuries and their families.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-statement-on-third-anniversary-of-october-7th-terrorist-attack", "title": "Sen. Cruz Statement on Third Anniversary of October 7th Terrorist Attack", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.cruz.senate.gov", "scraper": "cruz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001098", "name": "Ted Cruz", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released the following statement commemorating the third anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attack.\n\nSen. Cruz said, “Today's anniversary is a day for mourning but also for renewing resolve. Over the last three years, Israel has demonstrated extraordinary courage, resolve, and skill in destroying the Hamas terrorists who committed the October 7th attack and in dismantling the Iranian-controlled terrorist armies that the Iranian regime had built across the Middle East. These operations were a necessary, measured, and just response to the attack, in which Hamas murdered and kidnapped dozens of Americans alongside over 1,200 Israelis and other nationals, and have immeasurably enhanced Israeli and American national security. As I said immediately after the attack, I am committed to doing everything in my power and using every resource at my disposal to ensure that America's policy is absolutely unequivocal: to ensure Israel has the military and diplomatic support to utterly eradicate Hamas, for as long as it takes.”\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nIn October 2023, Sen. Cruz introduced the Hamas Sanctions Act, legislation to impose sanctions on Hamas, its members and affiliates, and countries that provide funding and territory for Hamas operations.\n\nIn April 2025, Sen. Cruz introduced the LIABLE Act, legislation to allow American victims of terrorism, including victims of the terrorist attack on October 7th, to sue international organizations that provide material support to designated terrorist groups.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-joins-shaheen-for-final-codel-to-western-balkans", "title": "Durbin Joins Shaheen For Final Codel To Western Balkans", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.durbin.senate.gov", "scraper": "durbin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000563", "name": "Richard J. Durbin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "SARAJEVO – This week, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) is joining U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, for a congressional delegation trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, and Kosovo. This will be Durbin’s final congressional delegation trip as a United States Senator. Durbin previously traveled to the Balkans in 1999 and 2009.\n\nDuring the trip, the Senators will meet with government officials, U.S. diplomatic personnel, civil society representatives, and young leaders to discuss regional security, democratic institutions, economic opportunity, and relations with the United States. Meetings will address the European Union accession processes, NATO cooperation, energy diversification, and implementation of the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, enacted as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The delegation will visit the Srebrenica Memorial Center and Cemetery at Potocari and attend a performance by the House of Good Tones.\n\n“Senator Shaheen has been a champion in the Senate at keeping attention on the Balkan region, and I am pleased to join her for this timely trip—just days after an election in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Durbin. “Many have forgotten about the terrible violence in the region after the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. And while a number of the ensuing independent nations have notably joined NATO and the European Union, many challenges remain three decades after the signing of the Dayton Accords. Our visit will demonstrate continued U.S. interest in seeing progress and continued healing in the region.”\n\n“I first traveled to the Western Balkans as a Senator in 2010 with Senator George Voinovich, and I’m glad that my final delegation as Ranking Member will be to this critical region,” said Shaheen. “On this visit, Senator Durbin and I will meet with officials, young leaders and civil society representatives to discuss security, economic opportunity and their countries’ relationships with the United States.”\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-uss-lincoln-nears-return-to-americas-shores-gallego-calls-for-review-oversight-of-the-ships-record-breaking-deployment/", "title": "As USS Lincoln Nears Return to America’s Shores, Gallego Calls for Review, Oversight of the Ship’s Record-Breaking Deployment", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq, wrote to the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General (IG) Platte B. Moring and Acting Comptroller General of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Orice W. Brown requesting reviews of the USS Abraham Lincoln’s deployment.\n\nThe more than 300-day deployment, among the longest for a U.S. aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War, initially focused on the Indo-Pacific but was later extended to support President Trump’s war in Iran. It drew condemnation from officials and servicemembers’ families amid reports of mental health concerns and deteriorating conditions on board. The letter comes as the USS Lincoln returned to U.S. soil for the first time in nine months, when the carrier stopped at Naval Base Guam last month.\n\nSenator Gallego, in his letter to the DoD IG, wrote to urge an “independent investigation” of the “decisions and systems behind the reported shortages of food and basic supplies, sustained crew fatigue, and limited access to mental-health resources aboard the ship.” Reports from the deployment also described water contamination, plumbing failures, and sailors threatening to jump overboard, among other problems. Specifically, the senator requests the DoD IG “provide written findings, including any determination of policy noncompliance, systemic deficiency, or recommended accountability measures.”\n\nIn his letter to the GAO, Senator Gallego wrote to request a report on “the Department of the Navy’s ability to safely and effectively sustain extended ship deployments, and the effect of increasingly prolonged deployments on logistics, maintenance, sailor welfare, readiness, and retention.” Specifically, the senator requests that the GAO “recommend measurable standards or benchmarks that Congress and Navy leadership can use to determine when an extended deployment has exceeded sustainable limits.”\n\n“The Lincoln’s crew met extraordinary operational demands and performed a critical mission. That makes it all the more important to determine whether the Navy’s systems were adequate to sustain sailors and maintain readiness under these conditions,” concluded Senator Gallego.\n\nIn August, Senator Gallego reacted to reports of poor conditions aboard the USS Lincoln on an ABC News appearance, saying, “this administration did not plan for this war, did not plan how to get out of this war, did not really understand how this war was going to escalate.” That same month, Senator Gallego called for an official congressional oversight visit to the USS Lincoln to investigate reported conditions and joined.\n\nThe full letter to DoD IG Moring can be found HERE.\n\nThe full letter to GAO Acting Comptroller General Brown can be found HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-banks-urge-trump-administration-to-shore-up-6g-security/", "title": "Gallego, Banks Urge Trump Administration to Shore Up 6G Security", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Jim Banks (R-IN) wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to coordinate with allies to secure next-generation mobile telecommunications systems and infrastructure in the United States and around the globe. Specifically, the senators called on the Trump administration to name a U.S. head of delegation for the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27), coordinate with allies on the security threat posed by China and strengthen U.S. leadership on 6G and satellite technology.\n\nThe letter comes ahead of the WRC-27, slated to begin in Shanghai in October 2027, where nations will decide standards governing the 6G networks that will underpin global communications for the next decade or more. It also follows Senator Gallego’s attendance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York and comes after President Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping for a summit in Washington.\n\n“Designating a delegation lead would help the United States avoid a repeat of WRC-23, when the then-head of the U.S. delegation had to be replaced on short notice mid-preparation,” wrote the senators. “We cannot afford to enter WRC-27 under similar conditions.”\n\nIn 2012, Congress identified China-based Huawei, one of the four major network equipment manufactures globally, as a security risk, and the largest U.S telecommunications service providers — including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon — chose not to use Chinese-made network equipment. However, smaller U.S. providers continued to purchase Huawei and ZTE for their networks, asserting the Chinese providers offered less expensive equipment and end-to-end support. Huawei also maintains a large footprint in Europe and Africa, where its equipment carries vast amounts of sensitive communications and data, giving China a potential avenue into critical infrastructure and greater leverage over networks the United States and its allies depend on.\n\nNaming a U.S. head of delegation now, before those standards are set, will help ensure those standards reflect U.S. and allied interests rather than Chinese influence.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-kelly-sound-alarm-on-proposed-rule-change-to-head-start-program/", "title": "Gallego, Kelly Sound Alarm on Proposed Rule Change to Head Start Program", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Arizona senators urge the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to not change requirements for the Head Start Program\n\nWASHINGTON — Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) wrote a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams voicing concerns regarding a proposed rule, “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs,” that would remove federal requirements for classroom sizes, instruction, and health screenings. In the letter, the senators urged the department to preserve the standards for the Head Start Program.\n\n“Head Start offers a place to learn, build relationships, and receive care during years that are important to a child’s development,” the senators wrote. “These programs are an important part of Arizona communities and give families in need the support they may struggle to find or afford.”\n\nIn Arizona, Head Start and Early Head Start serve 16,172 children across 332 program sites, providing early education, meals, and health services at no cost to families. These programs also help parents maintain employment and continue their education, with 76 percent of Head Start parents working, attending school, or participating in job training.\n\nHead Start and Early Head Start is especially important to communities where families have few child care options — including rural Arizona. There the programs provide about 17 percent of child care and serve 1,943 children eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1,291 children experiencing homelessness, and 459 children in foster care statewide.\n\nThe senators also included letters from Arizona elected officials and organizations to highlight their concerns and show the importance of the Head Start program, including the Office of the Governor of Arizona and the Arizona Head Start Association, among others.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-unveils-sweeping-economic-agenda-to-restore-americas-middle-class/", "title": "Gallego Unveils Sweeping Economic Agenda to Restore America’s Middle Class", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“Saving the Middle Class and Restoring the American Dream” details five pillars of the senator’s economic policy plan\n\nWASHINGTON — Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released his sweeping economic policy plan to rebuild America’s middle class. The five-pillar plan, “Saving the Middle Class and Restoring the American Dream,” includes a tax on data centers and AI, a New-Deal style public service jobs program, and raising the minimum wage to $20-per-hour to build an economy by-and-for the middle class — not the elites.\n\n“For far too long, we’ve had a broken economy where hard work just isn’t nearly enough. The federal government let giant corporations, billionaires, and elites write the rules, and we’re living with the results: costs have soared, wages have stalled, and jobs have left. This bipartisan, failed status quo must end,” said Senator Gallego. “Working-class Americans aren’t asking for handouts. They don’t resent anyone else’s success — they just want a fair system. Work hard enough, and you should be able to get ahead, provide for your kids, take a vacation, and even get rich.”\n\nPillar 1, titled “Raise Wages and Improve Benefits,” outlines the senator’s plan to bring the American Dream back within reach by:\n\nMoving to sectoral bargaining and increasing union membership: The senator wants to move beyond the PRO Act and toward sectoral bargaining. Senator Gallego is the among the first Democrats to call for sectoral bargaining and is the first politician to state that it should be the goal of the U.S. government to triple union density by 2035.\n\nRaising the minimum wage to $20-per-hour and require companies to pay double for overtime work — not time-and-a-half.\n\nCracking down on worker misclassification by ending the ability of employers, like Uber and DoorDash, to misclassify employees as “independent contractors” to skirt minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation responsibilities.\n\nCreating an Office of Worker Empowerment and Office of Worker Advocacy: Sen. Gallego is the first federal politician to call for the creation of these offices.\n\nPillar 2, titled “Create and Protect Quality Blue Collar Jobs” would safeguard and grow job opportunity by:\n\nCreating a trade policy for the working class by:\n\nRepealing President Trump’s reckless, across-the-board global tariffs and ending his trade war with Canada.\n\nPursuing a strategic trade policy targeting unfair practices by chronic-surplus countries like China.\n\nCombining trade and other industrial policies to effectively grow domestic industry.\n\nCreating an Industrial Policy Council at the Executive Office of the President: Similar to the National Security Council, the plan calls for the creation of an entity to coordinate government industrial policy initiatives and ensure all efforts reflect worker-first, community-first growth.\n\nPillar 3, titled “Restoring Worker Trust in Government in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” would ensure workers have a voice in how AI shapes the workforce and get a fair share of the prosperity it creates by:\n\nCreating a New-Deal style public service jobs program: The program would fund jobs that allow AI-displaced workers to serve the public, funded by taxing AI. Sen. Gallego is one of the first Democrats to call for a large-scale public jobs program.\n\nRequiring industry and workers to negotiate over AI: Sen. Gallego is among the first politicians to propose this idea. This approach mirrors the way in which actors and writers negotiated with Hollywood after the strike in 2023 over AI, guaranteeing workers have a seat at the table.\n\nCreating a corporate “robot” tax to discourage job dislocation and maintain company payroll contributions for automated-away jobs.\n\nPillar 4, titled “Expand Job-Creating Entrepreneurship, Focusing Outside of Superstar Cities” would grow Main Street communities by:\n\nCreating a data center tax:Senator Gallego is calling for a 10% excise tax on data centers and for the removal of many data center tax breaks like bonus depreciation and deductions for state and local taxes. Specifically, Senator Gallego is calling on data centers to benefit communities by:\n\nUsing excise tax revenue to fund community investments.\n\nRequiring data centers to cover the full cost of needed generation, transmission, and distribution upgrades to the grid rather than shifting costs to families and businesses.\n\nRequiring data centers to bring additional energy to the grid, preventing energy cost increases for consumers and creating new production jobs —and require them to sustain energy investments even if they abandon the project.\n\nPreventing data centers from using key chips and components from China to spur domestic manufacturing.\n\nPushing data centers to pay high wages and use union labor.\n\nProtecting small businesses from giant corporations by modernizing and enforcing antitrust laws.\n\nPillar 5, titled “Help Workers Find Jobs Faster” would improve the job search process by:\n\nCracking down on fake job postings known as “ghost jobs,” prohibiting companies from posting job advertisements that they have no intention of actually filling.\n\nGiving laid-off workers more time to find a new job: The plan calls for requiring companies to provide affected workers with 120-day notice in the event of a mass layoff or closure. Currently, the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act only requires companies to give employees 60-day notice.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-colleagues-file-amicus-brief-in-lawsuit-against-trumps-department-of-housing-and-urban-development-for-attacking-fair-housing-program/", "title": "Gillibrand, Colleagues File Amicus Brief In Lawsuit Against Trump’s Department Of Housing And Urban Development For Attacking Fair Housing Program", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "scraper": "gillibrand", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000555", "name": "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Subcommittee, joined 20 of her Senate colleagues in submitting an amicus brief supporting a federal judge’s ruling that the Trump administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) unlawfully restricted funding to groups that investigate and enforce laws against housing discrimination. The amicus brief argues that HUD’s unprecedented attempt to direct $46 million away from fair housing organizations – while diverting an additional $10 million to government agencies with separate appropriations – has no lawful justification and would harm the nation’s fair housing enforcement infrastructure.\n\n“Fair housing organizations work every day to protect New Yorkers from discrimination when they rent or buy a home,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Without the federal funding Congress appropriated, these groups could be forced to shut their doors, allowing housing discrimination to go unchecked and leaving families with nowhere to turn. I am proud to join this amicus brief and will keep fighting to make sure the Trump administration follows the law and delivers the funds as Congress intended.”\n\nThe senators began the brief, “Congress intended [the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP)] to foster a nationwide network of private organizations, like Plaintiffs, that can aid the federal government in uncovering and eliminating housing discrimination. Since Congress piloted FHIP in 1988 and codified it in 1992, FHIP has consistently sustained private fair housing organizations through three grant streams: the Private Enforcement Initiative (‘PEI’) to support investigative and enforcement activities; the Education and Outreach Initiative (‘EOI’); and the Fair Housing Organization Initiative (‘FHOI’) to build organizational capacity. With this funding, private organizations handle most housing discrimination complaints and enforcement nationwide.”\n\n“HUD’s July 2, 2026 Notices of Funding Opportunity (‘NOFOs’) endanger fair housing organizations and their vital work. The NOFOs deviate from FHIP’s authorizing statute, decades of FHIP practice, and Congress’s intent. For the first time since FHIP’s codification in 1992, the FY2025 NOFOs provide no new awards for PEI or EOI—the lifeblood of fair housing organizations—nor do they fulfill existing multi-year PEI awards. Instead, HUD attempts to direct $46 million—the vast majority of funds—away from existing qualified organizations in favor of organizations with no experience in fair housing enforcement, while diverting the remaining $10 million to governmental agencies for which Congress separately appropriated. These unprecedented actions have no lawful justification and would seriously harm the nation’s fair housing enforcement infrastructure. The district court rightly vacated HUD’s unlawful notices and directed funding to flow under the prior framework. HUD’s request to stay that well-founded order should be denied,” the senators argued.\n\nThe senators concluded, “The Doles Memo’s stated aims are misleading and contrary to FHIP’s purposes as well. It claims the FY2025 NOFOs will ‘expand geographic coverage,’ ‘broaden’ expertise, and ‘strengthen the long-term resilience of the national fair housing infrastructure.’ HUD’s NOFOs do the opposite—losing geographic coverage, expertise, and organizational resilience by concentrating FHIP funding in a handful of grants that existing organizations cannot receive. Worse, the Doles Memo treats fair housing organizations like maligned welfare recipients—charging them with ‘perpetual dependence’ on federal funding. FHIP’s goal always has been to sustain these organizations as a vital organ of the fair housing enforcement system, particularly in areas underserved without federal resources. HUD’s NOFOs, if unaddressed, would set fair housing enforcement back decades. Defendants’ Motion for Stay should be denied.”\n\nThe brief was submitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in the case of Massachusetts Fair Housing Center; National Fair Housing Alliance v. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Senator Gillibrand was joined by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).\n\nSenator Gillibrand has repeatedly held the Trump administration and HUD accountable for their failures on fair housing:\n\nIn August, she wrote to HUD urging the Trump administration to immediately rescind the FY25 and FY26 Notices of Funding Opportunity for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), which are the subject of this court case, and instead re-issue NOFOs consistent with the law and congressional intent.\n\nEarlier this year, she secured $86 million for fair housing programs, including $56 million for FHIP, when negotiating the Fiscal Year 2026 funding bill to support the critical work fair housing organizations do in New York and across the country. The Trump administration proposed eliminating FHIP entirely.\n\nLast year, she called out HUD for its failures to enforce our nation’s fair housing laws – a letter HUD has still not responded to nearly one year later.\n\nLast year, she led Senate Democrats in pushing HUD to halt plans to overhaul a key homelessness program, which could have forced nearly 200,000 people back onto the streets. In May, she called out HUD Secretary Scott Turner over his failure to show measurable progress on housing affordability and to release HUD’s long-overdue report on homelessness data. Two weeks later, the administration released the report.\n\nFull text of the argument in the brief can be viewed here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-backed-legislation-to-improve-taxpayer-service-advances", "title": "Grassley-Backed Legislation to Improve Taxpayer Service Advances", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, welcomed the U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen taxpayer rights, modernize Internal Revenue Service (IRS) operations and improve the agency’s ability to administer the tax code predictably and efficiently. The TAS Act includes more than 65 bipartisan reforms to improve the taxpayer experience, including recommendations from the National Taxpayer Advocate.\n\nNumerous Grassley priorities were passed as part of the legislation, including provisions to improve the IRS Whistleblower Program, combat tax refund fraud and eliminate tax headaches for farmers. The legislation now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\n“Iowa taxpayers deserve a smooth experience when dealing with the IRS. I’m glad many of my priorities were included in this legislation, like my bills to make tax filing easier for family farmers and hold corporate tax cheats accountable. I’ll keep working to get this bill over the finish line to make life a little easier for Iowa families,” Grassley said.\n\nIn July, the Finance Committee approved the TAS Act by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 26-1.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-lee-collins-call-on-trump-administration-to-issue-emergency-scheduling-order-for-7-oh-initiate-permanent-scheduling-proceedings-for-kratom", "title": "Grassley, Lee, Collins Call on Trump Administration to Issue Emergency Scheduling Order for 7-OH, Initiate Permanent Scheduling Proceedings for Kratom", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and U.S. Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) are urging the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take immediate action to protect Americans from deadly kratom and related semi-synthetic substances.\n\nSpecifically, the senators are requesting the Trump administration:\n\nImmediately issue the emergency scheduling order for 7-hydroxy mitragynine (7-OH).\n\nPermanently place all harmful substances found in kratom, including 7-OH, MGM-15, MGM-16 and mitragynine psyeudoindoxyl, into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, meaning they have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.\n\nDevelop a permanent scheduling recommendation for the full kratom plant and its derivatives.\n\n“We frequently hear from constituents and concerned parents who have lost loved ones, and recovering users who warn us constantly about the addictive nature of kratom and its analogues. We worry the availability of these products is providing consumers with a false sense of security because they are readily available and marketed as natural,” the lawmakers wrote. “It is imperative that the final emergency scheduling order for 7-OH be expeditiously promulgated.”\n\n“We urge DEA, in consultation with FDA, to initiate proceedings to permanently schedule all harmful substances found in kratom, including 7-OH, MGM-15, MGM-16, and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. Furthermore, we urge the Food and Drug Administration to conduct the necessary scientific and medical evaluations of these substances and provide a permanent scheduling recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration for the full kratom plant, its derivatives, and all levels of the semi-synthetic analogues like mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 that are being marketed as natural products,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nKratom is an unregulated substance – sold across the country as an over-the-counter energy booster, mood lifter or pain reliever – that is known to be approximately 14 times more potent than morphine when given orally. Kratom-derived concentrates and semi-synthetic analogues, including 7-OH, have been identified by the DEA as more potent than schedule II opioids. The FDA warns Americans not to consume kratom due to severe health effects, including liver toxicity, seizures and substance abuse disorder.\n\nAccording to the National Drug Early Warning System and National Poison Data System, suspected nonfatal overdose encounters involving 7-OH, mitragynine or kratom were recorded across 38 states from 2023 to 2026. Further, between 2015 and 2025, poison control centers received 14,449 kratom exposure reports, with a 1,200% increase in exposure reports over the last 10 years. Kratom-related exposures in Iowa have increased approximately 120% from 2023 to 2025.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-expanded-farm-safety-net-support-under-republicans-working-families-tax-cuts-act", "title": "Grassley Welcomes Expanded Farm Safety Net Support Under Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts Act", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "USDA launches “Farmers First” page to streamline resources for Rural America\n\nBUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is welcoming major updates in the farm safety net from Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts Act which are expanding support for family farmers across Iowa.\n\nThis month, family farmers will begin receiving $13.8 billion in benefits through the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, more than double what farmers were expected to receive before Republicans enacted the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. These historic improvements will help producers better protect against economic uncertainty and market volatility, so they can continue to feed and fuel the world while keeping family farms in the family.\n\nThe law also strengthened the farm safety net by increasing reference prices, modernizing payment limitations and allowing for the addition of up to 30 million new base acres nationwide. This base-acre increase is the first in 20 years. More information on how the Working Families Tax Cuts Act is delivering for Iowa family farmers can be found HERE or on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) “Farmers First” webpage.\n\n“Republicans strengthened the farm safety net through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to stand with Rural America. Democrats didn’t lift a finger to support this bill – in fact, they fought tooth and nail to try and stop farmers from receiving this critical funding. Democrats in the Senate also voted against the Farm Bill that would deliver additional relief for the ag economy. Thankfully, family farmers will continue to feel the benefits from Republicans' historic legislation, and I’m going to keep working to bring down input costs and make life more affordable for Iowans,” Grassley said.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn addition to expanding the ARC and PLC programs, USDA is implementing additional provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that strengthen support for farmers. This includes making crop insurance more affordable and expanding access to standing disaster programs, such as the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Livestock Forage Program (LFP).", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/passed-the-senate-hassan-bill-to-help-more-businesses-provide-child-care-to-employees", "title": "PASSED THE SENATE: Hassan Bill to Help More Businesses Provide Child Care to Employees", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hassan.senate.gov", "scraper": "hassan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001076", "name": "Margaret Wood Hassan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Legislation led by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) to help more businesses and working families access federal child care tax benefits recently passed the Senate. The Child Care Tax Benefit Outreach and Assistance Act would create a Business Child Care Liaison at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help more businesses take advantage of existing federal child care tax incentives that are underutilized. The bill now heads to the House for consideration.\n\nIn June, the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee – Minority, of which Senator Hassan serves as the Ranking Member, issued a report that calculated that a sample business could save $820,000 over 5 years using the credits, and a parent working for the company could save nearly $10,000 on child care costs.\n\n“Child care costs are crushing working families across the country and making it harder for businesses to find and retain the workforce that they need. Federal child care tax incentives can help businesses better support working families by lowering the cost of providing child care, but too often, businesses do not know that these incentives are available,”said Senator Hassan. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill will help cut through the confusion around federal child care tax incentives, increase awareness among businesses about these incentives, and make it easier for Granite State businesses and employers across the country to invest in the child care that their employees need to stay in the workforce. I am pleased to see this pass the Senate and urge my House colleagues to support it so that it can be signed into law.”\n\n“Quality child care is not only essential for the well-being of families, it is also key to a thriving economy and a strong workforce,” said Senator Sullivan. “I hear repeatedly from Alaska parents that the lack of affordable child care is one of their top concerns, and the data backs that up. Sixty-one percent of Alaskans are living in communities classified as child care ‘deserts,’ and too many families struggle to find reliable, affordable care close to home. This legislation will help employers, providers, and other nonprofits better utilize federal tools for employees—specifically the significant expansion of federal incentives in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act for child care facilities and the provisions that expand opportunities and support for working families. It was great to see this important legislation pass the Senate, and I look forward to seeing this bipartisan bill advance through the House and signed into law.”\n\nFederal tax incentives designed to help businesses provide child care benefits are underutilized, even as working parents across the country struggle with the cost and availability of child care. Greater utilization of these incentives by businesses could help expand access to child care for many working families – and help more businesses hire and retain workers. The bipartisan Hassan-Sullivan legislation would direct the IRS to appoint a Business Child Care Liaison who would be responsible for building relationships between the child care sector and business community, coordinating with other federal agencies to help employers use child care tax incentives, and identify and recommend to Congress potential legislative and administrative changes to improve the utilization of these incentives.\n\nSenator Hassan leads several bipartisan efforts to help more families access and afford child care. She introduced the bipartisan After Hours Child Care Act to improve access to affordable child care for parents working nontraditional hours. Additionally, Senator Hassan helped introduce the Child Care for Working Families Act, which would cap child care costs at 7 percent of a family’s income, make high-quality preschool universally accessible for all 3-and 4-year olds, and increase wages for early childhood workers.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-hassan-visits-child-care-center-in-nashua", "title": "Senator Hassan Visits Child Care Center in Nashua", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hassan.senate.gov", "scraper": "hassan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001076", "name": "Margaret Wood Hassan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "NASHUA – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan visited KinderCare at Rivier University in Nashua, where she read to Pre-K students and spoke with staff about their work to support children and families.\n\nSenator Hassan reads to a Pre-K class\n\n“It was great to see firsthand the work that the staff members at KinderCare are doing to help young Granite Staters learn and grow,” said Senator Hassan. “I valued the opportunity to hear about the challenges that they face when it comes to hiring and retaining qualified teachers, even as demand for child care remains incredibly high. The workforce shortage is a main driver in the gap between supply and demand and is key to making and quality child care more accessible and affordable so that parents can enter and stay in the workforce and our businesses can recruit the workers that they need.”\n\nSenator Hassan meets with staff at KinderCare at Rivier University\n\nSenator Hassan leads several bipartisan efforts to help more families access and afford child care. Her bipartisan Child Care Tax Benefit Outreach and Assistance Act, which would help more businesses take advantage of existing federal child care tax incentives, recently passed the Senate. Senator Hassan also co-leads the bipartisan After Hours Child Care Act, which would improve access to affordable child care for parents working nontraditional hours. Senator Hassan also helped introduce theChild Care for Working Families Act, which would cap child care costs at 7 percent of a family’s income, make high-quality preschool universally accessible for all 3-and 4-year olds, and increase wages for early childhood workers.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-joins-jake-tapper-on-cnn-to-discuss-how-bipartisan-american-affordability-and-jobs-act-will-hold-data-centers-accountable-force-data-centers-to-pay-for-electricity-grid-upgrades", "title": "Heinrich Joins Jake Tapper on CNN To Discuss How Bipartisan American Affordability & Jobs Act Will Hold Data Centers Accountable, Force Data Centers to Pay For Electricity Grid Upgrades", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.heinrich.senate.gov", "scraper": "heinrich", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001046", "name": "Martin Heinrich", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Watch video here\n\nALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, appeared on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper today where he discussed his landmark legislation that will hold data centers accountable for the costs they impose on the electricity grid, helping to ensure families and small businesses aren’t stuck footing the bill. Heinrich also discussed reports of a deadly illness at a research facility in Russia.\n\n“In the permitting bill, that we just released text on a little over a week ago, we mandate that [data centers] have to pay for both the electricity and for any grid upgrades. And we prohibit passing those costs along to average ratepayers, be those residential customers or small businesses,” said Heinrich.\n\nVIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, discusses with CNN’s Jake Tapper his landmark legislation that will hold data centers accountable for the costs they impose on the electric grid and reports of a suspected plague exposure at a research facility in Russia, October 7, 2026.\n\nOn Heinrich’s Bill to Make Data Centers Pay their Fair Share of Grid Costs:\n\nJake Tapper: “Senator, you're also the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. And I don't need to tell you the debate over data centers is huge — especially on your Committee. You're pushing to make data center owners pay for the electricity that their buildings require, and not families who live nearby. How would you do that?”\n\nSenator Heinrich: “Well, actually, in the permitting bill, that we just released text on a little over a week ago, we mandate that [data centers] have to pay for both the electricity and for any grid upgrades. And we prohibit passing those costs along to average ratepayers, be those residential customers or small businesses.”\n\nFor more information on Heinrich’s landmark legislation to require data centers to fully pay for costs they create, click here.\n\nOn Reports of a Deadly Illness at a Research Facility in Russia:\n\nHeinrich: “We have a long history of Russia kind of coloring outside the lines, going all the way back to the Soviet Union. I would be very concerned if this were an engineered pathogen. I don't have any unique information saying that is the case. But if it were the case, that would be cause for alarm. And, you know, one of the things that I think is incredibly important that's related is just the fact that we have a CDC right now in the United States that is sort of running on fumes. Between the Trump administration and the actions of DOGE here a little over a year ago, the CDC is just simply not the agency that it should be for things like surveillance for any kind of international pathogen. And so, I'm not going to add fuel to that fire, but certainly I would be deeply concerned if we were to learn of any sort of engineered pathogen.”\n\n“In the short term, what I'd really like to see is a hand-in-glove approach between Russia and the World Health Organization. That would tell us a lot. I want to know what tests were administered to the lab worker. What were the results of those tests? You know, if this were the plague, that would actually assuage a lot of my concerns because we all know how to deal with the plague. We've been dealing with the plague for hundreds of years. Even, even pneumonic plague is something that, because it has a relatively short incubation period, we know precisely how to intervene. If it's something else, then that, that is the concern that I think a lot of people are expressing.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-colleagues-urge-u-s-department-of-agriculture-and-u-s-forest-service-to-protect-national-forests/", "title": "Hickenlooper, Colleagues Urge U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service to Protect National Forests", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/", "domain": "www.hickenlooper.senate.gov", "scraper": "hickenlooper", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000273", "name": "John W. Hickenlooper", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Martin Heinrich, Jeff Merkley, Alex Padilla, Jacky Rosen, Ben Ray Luján, Catherine Cortez Masto, Chris Van Hollen, Ruben Gallego, and Dick Durbin urged U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Michael Boren and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz to maintain consistent environmental protections and local input mechanisms in any attempted revision of the 2005 Travel Management Rule.\n\n“For years, the current rule has successfully balanced the use of motorized vehicles with other uses on public lands—ensuring that motorized use in our forests is managed responsibly, centering forest-level decision-making with state and local input, and protecting the environment,” the senators wrote. “Many of the proposed changes in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recently published Notice of Intent (NOI) would significantly alter the overarching framework that protects our lands and waters and supports our nation’s wildlife, clean water, and outdoor recreation economy.”\n\nThe letter identifies six core principles that the administration should maintain in any revisions to the 2005 Travel Management Rule:\n\nProvide Meaningful Guidance that Helps Avoid Environmental Impacts;\n\nCenter State, Tribal, and Local Input;\n\nConsider Impacts to All Types of Recreation and Uses;\n\nEnsure Adequate Resources for Maintaining all Open Trails and Roads;\n\nContinue to Provide Clear Information; and\n\nMaintain Flexibility that Incorporates Public Input\n\n“We urge the Forest Service to approach these revisions with those principles in mind and to work closely with Congress, Tribal Nations, State and local governments, and the broad range of stakeholders that depend on our national forests. We stand ready to work with you to ensure that any final rule gives land managers the tools to keep our forests accessible, safe, and healthy for generations to come,” the senators concluded.\n\nHickenlooper has been a consistent advocate for the preservation and expansion of public land protections. The senator introduced the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Completion Act to expand the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area in the Routt National Forest by 6,817 acres. Hickenlooper is also a cosponsor of the CORE act which would protect approximately 420,000 acres of public land in Colorado, establish new wilderness areas, and safeguard existing outdoor recreation opportunities.\n\nFull text is available HERE and below:\n\nDear Under Secretary Boren and Chief Schultz:\n\nWe write to highlight key issues and principles regarding the Administration’s proposed revision of the 2005 Travel Management Rule. For years, the current rule has successfully balanced the use of motorized vehicles with other uses on public lands—ensuring that motorized use in our forests is managed responsibly, centering forest-level decision-making with state and local input, and protecting the environment. Many of the proposed changes in the U.S. Department of\n\nAgriculture’s recently published Notice of Intent (NOI) would significantly alter the overarching framework that protects our lands and waters and supports our nation’s wildlife, clean water, and outdoor recreation economy.\n\nOur national forests serve a wide range of users, including hunters, anglers, hikers, horseback riders, motorized recreationists, livestock operators, outfitters, and local communities. Based on more than twenty years of experience with the Travel Management Rule in place, we know that these uses can coexist when travel management decisions are made thoughtfully and with meaningful input from the people who know these landscapes best. The 2005 Travel Management Rule was developed to allow motorized use within our national forests as a form of recreation while avoiding conflicts among users, damage to wildlife habitat or water resources, disturbance to cultural resources, and the need for new maintenance. Two decades later, these priorities are more critical than ever.\n\nFor these reasons, we urge you to ensure that any revisions to the 2005 Travel Management Rule maintain the following core principles:\n\nProvide Meaningful Guidance that Helps Avoid Environmental Impacts: For over 20 years, the Travel Management Rule has provided a framework that helps protect fish and wildlife habitat, riparian areas, water quality, and cultural resources. The Administration’s proposal to presume that routes are open, unless required to be closed, could lead to networks of user-created trails—with significant implications for wildlife, water, and vegetation. We urge the administration to examine the types of environmental impacts that the 2005 Rule responded to, and ensure that any final rule minimizes negative impacts to habitat and ecosystems across the National Forest System.\n\nCenter State, Tribal, and Local Input: Travel management decisions should continue to be informed by robust public engagement and local input. Communities, Tribal Nations, recreationists, permittees, and other stakeholders should have a meaningful say in how they access and use their public lands. The 2005 Travel Management Rule ensures that Forest Service designations of trails and routes happen close-to-the-ground with robust local input. This core tenet should be maintained. Coordination with state and Tribal wildlife managers is particularly essential to benefit species and to support hunting access.\n\nConsider Impacts to All Types of Recreation and Uses: Durable, well-informed travel management decisions are critical to sustaining America’s $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy. The existing Travel Management Rule has helped reduce conflicts between public land uses such as camping, hiking, hunting, and grazing. Many visitors to our National Forests wish to recreate in a quiet, non-motorized environment; a Travel Management Rule that helps avoid conflicts between uses will ultimately benefit our outdoor recreation economy.\n\nEnsure Adequate Resources for Maintaining all Open Trails and Roads: The Forest Service should consider the long-term cost of properly maintaining, staffing, and administering its transportation system before adding new routes or expanding motorized use. Expanding the system without the resources necessary to maintain it would risk increasing the already significant road and trail maintenance backlog.\n\nContinue to Provide Clear Information: The agency should continue to clearly identify where motorized travel is permitted. Clear designations, accurate Motor Vehicle Use Maps, user education, adequate signage, and reasonable enforcement are essential for visitors, land managers, and our natural resources. We support using technology to improve public access to information, including continued modernization and digitization of Motor Vehicle Use Maps.\n\nMaintain Flexibility that Incorporates Public Input: Individual routes may warrant\n\nreconsideration where local conditions justify it. The current rule allows for\n\nmodifications to the road and trail system through a public process and requires annual updates to the Motor Vehicle Use Maps. We believe this public input is essential to maintain.\n\nWe urge the Forest Service to approach these revisions with those principles in mind and to work closely with Congress, Tribal Nations, State and local governments, and the broad range of stakeholders that depend on our national forests. We stand ready to work with you to ensure that any final rule gives land managers the tools to keep our forests accessible, safe, and healthy for generations to come.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/icymi-hickenlooper-meets-with-coloradans-talks-food-energy-affordability/", "title": "ICYMI: Hickenlooper Meets with Coloradans, Talks Food & Energy Affordability", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/", "domain": "www.hickenlooper.senate.gov", "scraper": "hickenlooper", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000273", "name": "John W. Hickenlooper", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper called out Trump administration policies that are increasing costs across the Denver Metro area. He stopped at Aurora’s Ahorra Mucho Supermercado for a roundtable discussion with grocers and locals about the impact of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts and rising grocery prices. He then spoke to Coloradans in Globeville struggling with rising energy bills as a result of supply-chain disruptions from the War in Iran.\n\nIn Aurora, Hickenlooper toured Ahorra Mucho before sitting down with local grocers and community members to discuss grocery prices, which are up over 4% since the beginning of 2025, with some items like beef and coffee up over 16%. The group also discussed the impacts of Republican SNAP cuts resulting from the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ passed last year.\n\nHickenlooper has been a staunch opponent of Republican SNAP cuts, which have kicked 34,000 Coloradans off SNAP, including 13,000 children. He has led the charge against new provisions that require states to spend more of their state budgets to cover SNAP benefits and administrative costs associated with them.\n\nIn Denver, Hickenlooper hosted a discussion with residents and energy assistance leaders to hear how soaring energy bills are hitting Colorado families, as Trump’s Iran war and growing demand push costs higher. Residents voiced concerns about footing the bill for data centers and electricity costs continuing to rise right as Coloradans struggle with growing inflation.\n\nHickenlooper noted his strong support for full funding levels for energy assistance programs like the Low Income Home Energy Affordability Program (LIHEAP), which provides funding for Colorado’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). He also spoke about the need to shield ratepayers from paying for Big Tech’s data center infrastructure.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/husted-capito-visit-centrus-to-discuss-ohios-future-in-nuclear-energy/", "title": "Husted, Capito visit Centrus to discuss Ohio’s future in nuclear energy", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“This plant is creating good-paying Ohio jobs close to home for people in Piketon, strengthening our domestic nuclear fuel supply and helping position Ohio at the center of America’s nuclear future.”\n\nWATCH HERE.\n\nPIKETON, Ohio – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) today joined U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Shelley Moore Capito in Piketon to tour Centrus and discuss Ohio’s future in nuclear energy.\n\n“I’m glad to host Senator Capito here in Ohio to see firsthand the work being done at Centrus to rebuild America’s nuclear fuel supply. Centrus is the only U.S.-owned company currently enriching uranium with American technology right here in Piketon. This plant is creating good-paying Ohio jobs close to home for people in Piketon, strengthening our domestic nuclear fuel supply and helping position Ohio at the center of America’s nuclear future. I’ll keep working to expand this operation, grow our workforce and make sure Ohio is leading the way in American energy production,” said Husted.\n\n“It was a pleasure to join Senator Husted here at Centrus Energy’s American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio to see how federal investments in nuclear energy are transforming Ohio’s energy landscape. Through his work on the Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Husted has been a strong advocate for nuclear energy as we’ve worked hard to reduce regulatory burdens and permitting inefficiencies so that we can deploy clean, reliable nuclear energy in Ohio and across the country,” said Capito.\n\nIn late 2023, Centrus began uranium enrichment operations at the American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio—the first U.S.-owned, U.S.-technology enrichment plant to start production since 1954. Under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Centrus is pioneering production of High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) in Piketon.\n\nHALEU is an advanced nuclear fuel that can power many next-generation nuclear reactors. Establishing a domestic supply of HALEU will help reduce America’s reliance on foreign sources of nuclear fuel and strengthen the U.S. nuclear energy supply chain.\n\nIn January 2026, Husted announced that the DOE will invest $2.7 billion to strengthen domestic enrichment services over the next ten years. This funding includes $900 million for Centrus Energy’s American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio.\n\nThis announcement came after Husted sent two letters to the DOE in support of funding for the plant. In April and September 2025, he joined colleagues in writing to DOE Secretary Chris Wright, advocating for the American Centrifuge Plant and domestically produced uranium enrichment.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/husted-visits-mary-lou-patton-park-discusses-funding-he-secured-for-park-improvements/", "title": "Husted visits Mary Lou Patton Park, discusses funding he secured for park improvements", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“Mary Lou Patton Park is a place where hundreds of Ohio kids play and compete every year, and this funding will make it safer, more accessible and easier to use.”\n\nCHILLICOTHE, Ohio – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) today joined city officials and community leaders for a visit to Mary Lou Patton Park in Chillicothe to see firsthand how funding he secured will improve drainage, parking, traffic circulation, accessibility and safety at the park.\n\n“Through my work in the U.S. Senate, I’m committed to making sure Ohio communities have the resources they need to complete critical infrastructure projects that improve safety and quality of life. Mary Lou Patton Park is a place where hundreds of Ohio kids play and compete every year, and this funding will make it safer, more accessible and easier to use. I was glad to be on the ground today with local leaders to see firsthand how this investment will benefit Chillicothe families and the broader community,” said Husted.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/board-aldermen-considers-infrastructure-strain-repairs-following-lsu-weekend", "title": "Board of Aldermen considers infrastructure strain, repairs following LSU weekend", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom", "domain": "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", "scraper": "hydesmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001079", "name": "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "MS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Robyn Tannehill highlighted the future plans for the city of Oxford to improve infrastructure at Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting.\n\nBy Aly Bradshaw\n\nThe City of Oxford Board of Aldermen discussed issues with the city’s utility infrastructure, ongoing and future infrastructure repairs and tourism updates at its Oct. 6 meeting.\n\nInfrastructure strain\n\nCity of Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill said the weekend of the Sept. 19 LSU vs. Ole Miss game was a success for Oxford, which welcomed crowds over 10 times its taxpaying population.\n\n“We had more than 211,000 visitors to Oxford, which means there were over 311,000 people in Oxford on Saturday at the football game,” Tannehill said. “The total economic impact is estimated around $109 million.”\n\nHowever, Oxford infrastructure was strained with all those visitors.\n\n“We have a town of 28,000 taxpayers that have to be able to flush a toilet (when) an LSU game (brings) 311,000 people,” Tannehill said. “We’ve got to have help upgrading that infrastructure.”\n\nTannehill and Oxford Utilities released statements on Sept. 2 asking Oxford residents to reduce water consumption, specifically outdoor irrigation, as drought conditions persisted.\n\n“To stabilize our system, we are requesting that customers cut back on their watering times by 50%, effective immediately,” Tannehill said in a statement on Facebook. “While we are currently working on multiple infrastructure projects … to add system capacity, these projects do take time.”\n\nTannehill and Aldermen Kesha Howell Atkinson and Mary Martha Crowe traveled to Washington D.C two weeks ago to meet with Mississippi Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith. They discussed challenges related to Oxford’s growth and infrastructure needs with the senators, according to Tannehill.\n\nRepairs in progress\n\nThe Board of Aldermen also extended the local state of emergency from Winter Storm Fern to address outstanding projects on damaged infrastructure and landscaping across Oxford. This procedural move allows for faster contracting and greater flexibility for city staff to promptly address the remaining repairs.\n\nThe board also discussed an emergency declaration for wastewater treatment repairs.\n\n“There’s two large valves that control flow into those tanks. One of them is hopelessly clogged, and one is hopelessly stuck open,” John Crawley, the city engineer, said. “We need to actually dig down and fix those.”\n\nCrawley said the estimated price for the repairs would be $111,066.\n\nThe board approved a request from Delta Utilities to work overnight to repair the high pressure gas main that runs up Gertrude Ford Boulevard.\n\n“Rather than creating a nightmare with traffic predictions during the day, they have asked to do that work overnight and do one-lane closures (during) overnight hours as needed from the hours of 7 p.m to 7 a.m.,” Crawley said. “Football game weekends or big weekends, they will stop after Wednesday night, or you can work on Thursdays or Fridays or Saturdays.”\n\nVisit Oxford FY27 Action Plan\n\nKinney Ferris, executive director of Visit Oxford, outlined the fiscal year 2027 action plan for Visit Oxford, the city’s tourism and destination marketing organization.\n\nTo continue catering to the Oxford tourism experience, Ferris said the organization plans to install an interactive digital stand in the Visit Oxford center where visitors can personalize itineraries and find directions that can be sent directly to their phones.\n\n“We are working on a digital interactive kiosk, so think of a welcome center website that you can play with,” Ferris said. “It’s going to be right when you walk in the door, and you can make itineraries there and it’ll give you directions — walking or driving — straight to your mobile device.”\n\nFerris also said that Oxford has done very well this year in terms of media exposure.\n\n“We have had a record-breaking year with media coverage this past year, so we are going to continue those efforts,” Ferris said. “We are expecting more travel writers and influencers than ever, so we will keep that up.”\n\nVisit Oxford aims to include all parts of Oxford life for tourists.\n\n“We have quarterly meetings with all of our hotel sales managers, as well as our event venues,” ” Ferris said. “Our goal is really to create a more balanced visitation mix. We want to increase those groups, meetings and sports travel, while we continue to strengthen travel.”\n\nVisit Oxford provides meeting partnership grants that organizations can apply to alleviate some of the costs that come with hosting events. Applicants can receive up to $3,000 for promotion, performance fees, meals and lodging.\n\n“Last year, we gave out $104,350, which the ROI (return on investment) was a visitor spend of $10.3 million to our local businesses and hotels,” Ferris said.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/cancer-doesnt-care-who-you-are-mississippian-pushes-federal-lawmakers-prioritize-research-funding", "title": "‘Cancer doesn’t care who you are’: Mississippian pushes federal lawmakers to prioritize research funding", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom", "domain": "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", "scraper": "hydesmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001079", "name": "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "MS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "By Caleb Salers\n\nA Mississippian who lost her mother to cancer at a young age is hopeful that federal lawmakers will dedicate funding to research and prevention programs.\n\nCasey Rinewalt, a Mississippian who volunteers for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), joined more than 750 cancer patients, survivors, and those who have lost loved ones in Washington, D.C., in September. The group convened in the nation’s capital as part of ACS CAN’s annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day.\n\nWhile in Washington, Rinewalt spent time with Mississippi’s congressional delegation and staffers to push for further funding for cancer research. Rinewalt, at 12 years old, lost her mother to adrenal carcinoma. Since then, she’s been on a mission to help find a cure for cancer, so that others will not have to endure what she went through at such a young age.\n\n“My mom is my ‘why,'” Rinewalt said. “That was my driving force to want to participate in this and help push for policies and continue to vie for the highest possible funding for research.”\n\nMississippi’s congressional delegation is made up of U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, along with Reps. Trent Kelly, Bennie Thompson, Michael Guest, and Mike Ezell. Thompson is the lone Democrat of the bunch, as the rest are Republicans.\n\nWhile spending time with each member of Congress and their staffers, Rinewalt said she gathered that the elected officials are serious about cancer research and doing all they can to ensure that Mississippians are taken care of. She also learned that cancer hits home for all of the state’s federal lawmakers, as each has encountered it rearing its ugly head in their lives, whether it be personally or through a loved one.\n\n“It was fantastic to get to see and lay eyes on everybody and have everybody in the room,” Rinewalt said. “Knowing that we have their understanding of this is a no-brainer — we need to be able to do what we can to support our patients and people in Mississippi, is crucial.\n\n“Cancer has touched every one of our legislators’ lives. They have their own stories to share. They have a deep tie and connection to it. It’s a thing we need to do. It’s something that we should do for the greater good, so that way we should take care of everybody. It was rewarding to see everybody on the same page.”\n\nCongress could look a little different after the November midterms. Republicans hold majorities in both the House and Senate, but politicos expect that to change soon. Democrats are projected to reclaim the House and have momentum in Senate races, as well.\n\nRinewalt, however, is not concerned about a potential domino effect a changing of the guard could have on cancer research funding. Rather, she believes lawmakers are more than willing to cross the aisle to help patients, as cancer is indiscriminate in who it impacts. She further asserted that ACS CAN will continue its lobbying efforts regardless of which political party is in power.\n\n“Cancer doesn’t care who you are or what side you sit on. It depends on what we can do to help support patients,” Rinewalt said. “We are here to help make sure that those voices are heard. That way, we can continue to help fight the good fight and help make sure that, regardless of whether the change of the guard happens, the mission is still seen and we’re still doing everything we can to take care of our fellow Mississippians.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/what-protect-college-sports-act-means-and-whats-next", "title": "What the Protect College Sports Act means and what’s next", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom", "domain": "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", "scraper": "hydesmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001079", "name": "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "MS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "The Protect College Sports Act passed through the Senate two weeks ago, but it has many obstacles ahead before becoming law.\n\nBy Russ Eddins\n\nThe Protect College Sports Act (PCSA), which would bring sweeping changes to college sports, passed through the U.S. Senate two weeks ago. The bill must still go through the U.S. House of Representatives, where it will likely be amended. The most notable features of the bill are a one-time transfer rule, a cap for teams per conference and a new revenue share limit.\n\nU.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) introduced the bill on May 27.\n\nThe PCSA passed 77 to 22 in the Senate, with both Mississippi Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith voting to approve the bill.\n\n“College sports are at a breaking point. Fans can see their favorite teams being hollowed out by transfer chaos, fake NIL bidding wars, eligibility lawsuits and a system that allows the richest programs to keep pulling away,” Cruz said in a statement. “The Protect College Sports Act is a bipartisan plan to restore order.”\n\nStudent-athletes can still profit from their name, image and likeness, Cruz said. The senator emphasized, however, that college sports still needs real rules, competitive balance, rivalries and a true connection to education.\n\n“This bill protects athletes and fans and keeps college sports from becoming a two-conference minor league,” Cruz said.\n\nWith the PCSA through the Senate, it will now go to the House. The SCORE Act, the PCSA’s predecessor, could not get enough votes in the House, so it will be interesting to see how the House handles the latest bill that will shake up college sports.\n\nMost notably, the bill would more than double the revenue share cap. Currently, college athletic departments can share $20.5 million with student athletes. With the bill, they can spend an additional $22.5 million for retaining players, plus $5 million specifically for women’s and Olympic sports.\n\nOle Miss Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter highlighted the need for legislation in an event at the Charles Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics on Sept. 17.\n\n“If we get to another football portal window and the (player) market increases another 50, 60, 70%, like we’ve been seeing every year,” Carter said, “basically, you’re going to be looking at $80 to $90 million, so can (Ole Miss) hang there for a while? Maybe. Can Texas hang there for a while? Maybe a little longer than us.”\n\nThe longer college sports go without further regulation, the more money schools will spend on players. Ole Miss, and many other programs, may not be able to keep up if the checks get too big.\n\nThe bill caps agent endorsement contract fees at 5%. Agent fees now are around 20-25%. Athlete-agent law will be updated to cover NIL. Athletic associations will have to maintain a public registry of agents, allowing associations to decertify or fine agents who break rules.\n\nThe Senate attempted to vote on the PCSA in early August. Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed a cloture motion, which would end debate regarding the bill; however, the Senate went into August recess without taking action. The bill had numerous roadblocks that slowed its path to the floor, including objections from Sens. Tommy Tuberville and John Kennedy and the Congressional Black Caucus.\n\nFlorida Sens. Ashley Moody and Rick Sott voted against advancing the bill because it limits schools from changing conferences, which Miami and FSU may seek to do in the future. Both schools currently reside in the ACC and may look to move to a stronger conference.\n\nAs currently written, the PCSA caps Power Four conferences at 20 teams. The SEC is currently at 16, the Big 10 at 18, the Big 12 at 16 and the ACC at 16. Additionally, a team would have to spend three seasons as an independent program before it could join another conference.\n\nThe provision capping power conferences to 20 teams and making it harder to switch conferences prevented the bill from reaching the floor for a time. The House will almost certainly amend that portion of the bill. Reps. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), along with 20 members of Congress, have already sent a letter to the House urging changes to the bill.\n\nIf the House amends the bill then passes it, the bill must still go back through the Senate before it can be sent to the president.\n\nWhile the PCSA getting through the Senate is good news for many administrators, others are preparing for additional ways to regulate college sports.\n\n“There’s probably plans A, B and C right now. Plan A is probably the congressional bill that today moves through another step in the process of being passed as legislation,” Yahoo Sports college football writer Ross Dellenger said at the Overby Center event on Sept. 17. “(The bill) would put up guardrails, limitations, restrictions around athlete movement, athlete pay and some agent registry stuff. Plan B is a conference-only governance structure where leagues make their own rules and enforce them as opposed to the NCAA.”\n\nThe NCAA has constantly been sued for years over antitrust violations. According to Dellenger, if conferences can make their own rules and enforce them on a smaller scale, the conferences believe they could avoid some of the issues with legal challenges.\n\nPlan C has proved effective for many years, though it would bring a variety of new things to the sport, like employment status.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.justice.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-justice-visits-constellium-ravenswood/", "title": "Senator Justice Visits Constellium Ravenswood", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.justice.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.justice.senate.gov", "scraper": "justice", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000312", "name": "James C. Justice", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "RAVENSWOOD, WV – Today, Senator Jim Justice visited Constellium Ravenswood and highlighted West Virginia’s role in manufacturing and in aerospace and space exploration during World Space Week and National Manufacturing Week, including Constellium’s contributions to NASA’s Artemis program.\n\n“For years, I’ve said West Virginia is on a figurative rocket ship ride. Well, right here in Ravenswood, at Constellium we don’t have to imagine it. We can see a true rocket ship ride happening right in front of us. Right here in Ravenswood, you helped build the foundation that carried astronauts around the Moon. You do not have to leave West Virginia to do extraordinary things. The workforce right here is proving that every single day,” said Senator Jim Justice.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-gallego-push-to-protect-head-start-services-for-arizona-families/", "title": "Kelly, Gallego Push to Protect Head Start Services for Arizona Families", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.kelly.senate.gov", "scraper": "markkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000377", "name": "Mark Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Arizona Senators urge the Department of Health and Human Services to not dilute quality, requirements for the Head Start Program\n\nToday, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to protect the quality of Head Start services that more than 16,000 Arizona children and their families rely on.\n\nIn a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams, Kelly and Gallego raised concerns about a proposed rule, “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs,” that would remove federal requirements for classroom sizes, instruction, and health screenings. The senators urged HHS to preserve standards that help ensure Arizona children receive quality early education and care.\n\n“Head Start offers a place to learn, build relationships, and receive care during years that are important to a child’s development,” the senators wrote. “These programs are an important part of Arizona communities and give families in need the support they may struggle to find or afford.”\n\nIn Arizona, Head Start and Early Head Start serve 16,172 children across 332 program sites, providing early education, meals, and health services at no cost to families. These programs also help parents maintain employment and continue their education, with 76 percent of Head Start parents working, attending school, or participating in job training.\n\nHead Start and Early Head Start is especially important to communities where families have few child care options — including rural Arizona. There the programs provide about 17 percent of child care and serve 1,943 children eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1,291 children experiencing homelessness, and 459 children in foster care statewide.\n\nThe senators also included letters from Arizona elected officials and organizations to highlight their concerns and show the importance of the Head Start program, including the Office of the Governor of Arizona and the Arizona Head Start Association, among others.\n\n“We urge the Department to carefully review the enclosed letters and work with Arizona organizations to address their concerns before moving forward with changes to the program. Head Start is essential to thousands of Arizona families, and any changes must protect the quality of the education and services they receive,” the senators concluded.\n\nKelly also joined today 38 Senate colleagues to highlight the national impact of the proposed rule’s changes on children, educators, and families.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lankford.senate.gov/news/press-releases/lankford-in-washington-examiner-the-world-of-oct-8-where-antisemitism-didnt-just-return-it-became-trendy/", "title": "Lankford in Washington Examiner: “The world of Oct. 8: Where antisemitism didn’t just return — it became trendy”", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "page_html", "source": "https://www.lankford.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.lankford.senate.gov", "scraper": "lankford", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000575", "name": "James Lankford", "party": "Republican", "state": "OK", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK), co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, today marked the third anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attacks in a new Washington Examiner column analyzing the rise of antisemitism since the attacks and the need to confront it wherever it appears. You can read it below or find it HERE.\n\nThe world of Oct. 8: Where antisemitism didn’t just return — it became trendy\n\nBy: James Lankford\n\nWednesday marks the three-year anniversary of one of the most brutal terrorist attacks in history: the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Hamas terrorists flooded into Israel and murdered over 1,200 innocent Jewish men, women, and children, including 46 Americans. In addition to the death toll, Hamas captured and tormented 254 hostages, among them 12 Americans.\n\nOn Oct. 7, the world united against the horrors of antisemitism. Across the globe, people posted messages such as “Pray for Israel” and “We stand with Israel.” However, by the next morning, antisemitic propaganda was already flooding social media and college campuses around the country. People took to the streets to celebrate the “liberation” of Israel. A speaker at a rally in Philadelphia proclaimed, “I think that we should all give an applause right now to Hamas for a job well done,” and a rally in New York City chanted, “Globalize the intifada” and “smash the settler Zionist state.”\n\nWithin a few weeks of the Oct. 7 slaughter, it inexplicably became trendy on the political Left and the supposed “New Right” to say dumb and violent things about Jews and Israel. The rhetoric exceeded well beyond simple disagreement with the political or military decisions of the Israeli government. Without question, the U.S. Constitution protects the right of people in America to say epically dumb things. The Constitution also protects my right to call their rhetoric what it is — racist, ignorant, and antisemitic.\n\nHatred isn’t new for the Jewish people. For thousands of years, they have suffered racism, slavery, and genocide. From Egyptian slavery to Haman, Roman Occupation, the pogroms, and the Holocaust, irrational hatred toward Jewish people has persisted over millennia. But, in a more educated American society, you would hope that the lessons of the past would be applied and the scourge of antisemitism would finally end. That may be so someday, but today the social media algorithm teaches people to join in the centuries-old bias. We still have hope delayed.\n\nEarlier this year, I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, where Jews were unloaded from trains and sent to their death. I walked through the muddy streets that day and saw the evidence of the atrocities at the death wall and the crematoria. Hitler and his Nazi apparatus spread their vile antisemitic propaganda, then murdered 6 million Jews and absurdly declared that their brutality was justified because the Jews were “the problem.”\n\nWe are now living in the world of Oct. 8, where antisemitism is growing, and antisemitic incidents involving harassment, assault, and vandalism are more frequent now than they were before Oct. 7, 2023. Recent data from the FBI’s 2025 Hate Crimes Report shows that more than 62% of religiously-motivated hate crimes in 2025 targeted Jewish Americans — more than any other religious group. 2025 was the third-highest year of anti-Jewish hate crimes on record.\n\nHow we talk about antisemitism matters for the next generation. A recent study found that a single classroom lesson for middle and high school students on antisemitism reduces their willingness to agree with antisemitic tropes. Fact-based education matters in a free society. If you want to dive deeper into the past and help your classroom or family explore the consequences of antisemitism, the United States Holocaust Museum has excellent free online videos, visuals, and teaching materials. The deceit online needs a good dose of truth.\n\nAs a Christian and the co-chairman of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, it is my mission to work for justice for all people. I collaborate with my colleagues, law enforcement, the White House, federal agencies, state and local governments, educators, advocates, and clergy against irrational Jewish hatred. In the Oct. 8 world, we each have the responsibility to call out antisemitism wherever we see it, to defend human dignity, and to speak out for the inherent right of religious liberty for all people.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-bennet-ansari-padilla-hickenlooper-schiff-introduce-legislation-to-protect-public-lands-and-taxpayers-from-orphaned-oil-and-gas-wells/", "title": "Luján, Bennet, Ansari, Padilla, Hickenlooper, Schiff Introduce Legislation to Protect Public Lands and Taxpayers from Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Santa Fe, N.M. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) to introduce the Stop Orphaned Wells Act, legislation that would prevent oil and gas companies from abandoning oil wells on public lands, a practice that shifts well cleanup costs from oil and gas companies to the American taxpayer.\n\n“In New Mexico and across the country, abandoned wells pose serious environmental harm and threaten the health of our communities,” said Senator Luján. “We must ensure that oil and gas companies are held accountable and that taxpayers are not on the hook for the cost of cleanup. I’ve long fought to address abandoned wells, including championing the REGROW Act that was passed into law, and continue to work to ensure we identify and plug the thousands of abandoned wells nationwide. That’s why I’m cosponsoring this legislation to prevent companies from abandoning their wells and help reduce the number of abandoned wells in New Mexico and across the country.”\n\n“For too long, taxpayers have footed the bill to clean up abandoned wells after companies walk away from their responsibilities,” said Senator Bennet. “As the Trump administration moves to weaken the safeguards that hold companies accountable, Congress must protect taxpayers and the public lands that power Colorado’s outdoor economy, while making sure oil and gas companies pay the cost of cleanup, rather than Colorado’s future generations.”\n\n“Trump asked oil and gas executives to bankroll his campaign with a $1 billion contribution in exchange for a big payback. Meanwhile, Americans are left footing the bill for the damage they leave behind,” said Representative Ansari. “Orphaned wells threaten our water, wildlife, and air. I’m proud to lead the effort alongside Senator Bennet to make the oil and gas industry clean up its own mess. Our bill would ensure oil and gas companies pay to clean up the wells they abandon.”\n\nUntil 2024 when the Biden administration added agency rules, oil and gas fiscal assurance requirements were minimal, leading companies to abandon wells instead of remediating the land after drilling. The Trump administration is now rolling back these essential protections for public lands and American taxpayers. Nationwide, there are currently over 140,000 documented orphaned wells, including more than 15,000 on federal lands, and hundreds of thousands more that may be orphaned. Additionally, the number of documented orphaned wells in the United States has more than doubled since 2020. These sites are not only a significant liability for taxpayers and a growing threat to water resources, air quality, wildlife habitat, and private lands, but also jeopardize public health, ecosystems, grazing lands, outdoor recreation sites, and cultural resources that are at high risk from contamination. The Stop Orphaned Wells Act would ensure operators, not taxpayers, pay for cleanups and aligns directly with the interests of Western voters, nearly 9 in 10 of whom believe oil and gas companies should cover reclamation costs once drilling ends.\n\n“Across California, there are over 5,000 orphaned oil wells that pose a threat to the health and safety of our communities and the environment,” said Senator Padilla. “When wells are left abandoned, drinking water is polluted, greenhouse gases are emitted, and the climate crisis is accelerated. This bill will help ensure orphaned oil and gas wells are plugged so Californians and communities across the country are protected from toxic emissions and contaminated air and water.”\n\n“Abandoned wells put Colorado communities in danger,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “As Governor, we capped as many of these wells as we could, and that work continues here in the Senate, where we’re protecting taxpayers from getting stuck with the bill. Capping wells creates jobs and lowers pollution. It’s a win-win.”\n\n“Oil companies can’t just walk away from abandoned oil and gas wells and leave taxpayers to bear the cleanup costs,” said Senator Schiff. “I’m joining Senator Bennet and other colleagues to make sure that Big Oil is responsible for cleaning up their messes. Americans should not have to deal with the consequences of an oil company’s negligence.”\n\n“When an oil and gas company goes bankrupt, New Mexicans shouldn’t be the ones left to pick up the tab for cleanup costs,” said Senator Heinrich. “Right now, the Trump administration is making it easier for these companies to walk away without enough money set aside to clean up their wells. The Stop Orphaned Wells Act ensures that companies set aside money to meet their cleanup responsibilities, so taxpayers aren’t left paying the bill.”\n\nSenator Luján has long fought to identify and remediate abandoned gas and oil wells. Senators Luján’s REGROW Act was adopted in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and put skilled energy workers back to work to plug abandoned wells. Additionally, Senator Luján has introduced the bipartisan Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act (AWRRDA) to identify and remediate abandoned gas and oil wells, which can leak methane, contaminate groundwater, and create community safety risks.\n\nThis legislation is supported by 20 organizations, including Earthjustice Action, Colorado Fiscal Institute, Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, Conservation Colorado, Montana Wildlife Federation, National Parks Conservation Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, Nevada Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Public Land Solutions, Rocky Mountain Wild, San Juan Citizen’s Alliance, Sierra Club, Taxpayers for Common Sense, Trout Unlimited, Western Colorado Alliance, Western Organization of Resource Councils, Western Resilience Center, Wild Montana, Wilderness Workshop, and The Wilderness Society. In addition, this legislation was endorsed by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\n\nThe text of the bill is available HERE. A summary of the bill is available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-statement-on-trump-administration-move-to-roll-back-methane-rules-that-protect-new-mexico-communities/", "title": "Luján Statement on Trump Administration Move to Roll Back Methane Rules that Protect New Mexico Communities", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Santa Fe, N.M. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after the Trump administration announced plans to weaken critical methane rules finalized in 2024:\n\n“New Mexico has shown that strong methane protections can support our energy industry while protecting public health, creating jobs, and preventing valuable energy from going to waste.\n\n“The Trump administration’s move to weaken federal methane standards is a step that puts public health, our environment, and our energy security at risk. When families are concerned about energy costs, we should be keeping more natural gas in pipelines and harmful pollution out of our air, not rolling back commonsense protections.\n\n“I strongly oppose these efforts to weaken these vital standards and will continue working to protect New Mexicans’ health, our environment, and energy needs.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/markey-warren-massachusetts-delegation-members-statement-on-massachusetts-nurses-negotiations", "title": "Markey, Warren, Massachusetts Delegation Members Statement on Massachusetts Nurses Negotiations", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.markey.senate.gov", "scraper": "markey", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000133", "name": "Edward J. Markey", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Boston (October 7, 2026) - Today, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Richard Neal (MA-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and Bill Keating (MA-09) released the following statement urging Mass General Brigham (MGB) and the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) to continue their negotiations to avert a strike at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.\n\n“Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system—our loved ones and communities rely on them each and every day. Our nurses deserve fair contracts that reflect that standard of care. Their voices must be heard.\n\n“The nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have demonstrated their willingness to continue negotiating with Mass General Brigham leadership to arrive at an agreement that works for nurses, patients, and our hospitals. A strike has the potential for serious impacts on our communities, patients, and healthcare workers, which we know no nurse or patient wishes to experience.\n\n“We call on Mass General Brigham to remain at the bargaining table with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and work to reach a good faith agreement that addresses the needs of nurses, patients, and our constituents. Massachusetts is renowned for its healthcare system, in which Mass General Brigham and its nurses are crucial partners, and we hope the parties can reach an agreement.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-statement-on-three-years-since-october-7-hamas-terrorist-attack-on-israel", "title": "Senator Markey Statement on Three Years Since October 7 Hamas Terrorist Attack on Israel", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.markey.senate.gov", "scraper": "markey", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000133", "name": "Edward J. Markey", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Boston (October 7, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement marking three years since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel that saw the murder of 1,200 people.\n\n“It has been three solemn years since Hamas’s heinous terror attack on Israel, and we continue to mourn with the families and share their grief as we remember the loved ones who were killed on October 7 and those who were held in captivity for months after. It was the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust, and we must never forget. Today we honor the strength and resilience these families have shown over the past three years. We must continue to support them as they grieve and move forward. May the memories of those lost be a blessing.\n\n“Three years into the brutality of the war in Gaza, we must stop the bombing, end this conflict, and usher in much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza. We must recommit to bring about lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians, ensuring self-determination, peace, and freedom for all.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=91801C3B-0B8B-4A6D-BE9C-036C06D39330", "title": "McConnell Statement on Third Anniversary of October 7th Attacks", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "domain": "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "scraper": "mcconnell", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000355", "name": "Mitch McConnell", "party": "Republican", "state": "KY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), issued the following statement on the third anniversary of the October 7th attacks:\n\n“Three years on from October 7th, 2023, it is important to distinguish what that day was, and what it was not.\n\n“The deadliest attempted genocide of Jews since the Holocaust was not merely a new chapter in some intractable ethnic squabble.\n\n“The invasion of peaceful homes to slaughter infants, rape women, and bludgeon elders was not the desperate act of noble freedom fighters.\n\n“The hiding of hostages for over two years in dark tunnels, built for terror, was not the behavior of legitimate belligerents seeking peace.\n\n“On this solemn anniversary, it is more important than ever for America and her allies to maintain clear eyes about the true impediments to lasting security for Israel and its neighbors: the web of terror that links Hamas, Hizballah, and fellow proxies with Iran, the architect of regional chaos.\n\n“What more urgent call to remember and condemn the horrific violence of October 7th, 2023, than the emboldened anti-Semitism to which it has given license here at home? Jewish Americans, for their part, will remember which leaders made excuses for the deranged crowds chanting in the streets for the eradication of the world’s only Jewish state, and which ones declined to condemn the cowardly reprobates cashing in on anti-Semitism online.\n\n“I refuse to be one of them. I refuse to treat October 7th as anything but what it is: a sickening reminder of the oldest hatred the world has ever known, the responsibility to confront it, and the importance of a resilient Jewish state in a world bent on its destruction.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-bonamici-salinas-hoyle-dexter-announce-4-3-million-to-support-public-safety-across-oregon/", "title": "Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Hoyle, Dexter Announce $4.3 Million to Support Public Safety Across Oregon", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Programs in Gresham, Beaverton, Salem and Cottage Grove to benefit\n\nWashington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, and Maxine Dexter, today announced more than $4.3 million in federal awards to support public safety programs across Oregon.\n\n“It is absolutely essential to ensure communities across Oregon are safe, and young people are able to get the support they need in times of crisis,” Wyden said. “These federal grants will help support local police agencies, youth support programs and resources for foster youth. I’ll keep fighting to secure the federal resources Oregon communities need to thrive and stay secure.”\n\n“Every Oregon community needs the resources to keep young people safe, support children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and build stronger relationships between families and those who serve them,” said Merkley, who helped secure funding for these community-initiated projects as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “These federal investments will expand mentorship and opportunities for young people, ensure children have access to critical advocacy and medical services, and strengthen public safety infrastructure in several communities across the state. I’ll keep fighting to bring these federal resources home to Oregon and support the local organizations working every day to make our communities safer.”\n\n“Beaverton’s Behavioral Health Court is doing important work to help people with mental health challenges who encounter the justice system and put them on a path to recovery,” said Bonamici. “I’m grateful this grant will support this initiative, improve lives, and make our communities safer.”\n\n“Investments in emergency response capabilities strengthen our communities,” said Hoyle. “This funding for the Cottage Grove Police Department will replace aging equipment and bolster our emergency preparedness, prioritizing public safety and making it easier for officers to do their jobs.”\n\n“Every child deserves to be safe, cared for, and heard. I’m thrilled to have helped secure over $2 million to protect children across Oregon. Because of this funding, children who have experienced abuse or neglect will not have to navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives alone. They will have an advocate in their corner and a safe place to turn to when they need emotional or medical support. I’m proud to see these federal dollars coming home to support the people doing this vital work in our communities,” Salinas said.\n\n“Our young people deserve to grow up safe, supported and hopeful about their future,” said Dexter, M.D. “I fought hard to bring this $1 million investment to Gresham because children deserve opportunities to succeed. This funding will connect them with mentors, workforce readiness and programs that prevent and reduce involvement in violent crime and strengthen public safety efforts for youth and families in East Multnomah County. Investing in our children makes Oregon stronger.”\n\nThe $4.3 million in federal awards from the Department of Justice’s Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants program will be distributed as follows:\n\n$1.05 million to the City of Gresham to expand the East Multnomah Outreach Prevention Intervention initiative to prevent and combat juvenile delinquency, reduce youth involvement in violent crime, and strengthen coordinated public safety efforts for youth and families in East Multnomah County.\n\n$1 million to Liberty House in Salem to increase medical clinic services to children who are victims of abuse or neglect in Marion and Polk Counties.\n\n$1.03 million to the Oregon CASA Network in Salem to support its work to provide foster children the advocacy and support of an assigned Court Appointed Special Advocate.\n\n$500,000 to the City of Beaverton to support the Behavioral Health Court program that targets defendants with criminal cases in the Beaverton Municipal Court who are the top utilizers of legal, jail or emergency room services living in the Beaverton area.\n\n$800,000 to the City of Cottage Grove to support modernizing the Cottage Grove Police Department fleet and communications infrastructure to facilitate a department-wide transition to community-oriented policing practices.\n\n“This funding will support Court Appointed Special Advocate programs across the state in recruiting and retaining volunteers who provide advocacy, encouragement, and a sense of stability to children impacted by abuse and neglect,” said Stephanie Brown, State Director, Oregon CASA Network. “Our advocates are in every corner of the state, getting to know the unique needs of each child they serve, and advocating for them in court, in school, and in the community. We appreciate the efforts of our elected officials to make this valuable investment in Oregon’s future which will help many of the state’s most vulnerable reach their full potential.\n\n“Recovery takes time, care and support,” said Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty. “Our Behavioral Health Court team understands that and helps participants get treatment and rebuild their lives. I’m proud of the work Judge Britton and her team do every day, and grateful to Senator Wyden and Congresswoman Salinas for supporting it. This investment will make a real difference for our neighbors and the safety of our community.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/video-senator-moody-welcomes-more-than-60-florida-veterans-to-washington-d-c-for-honor-flight/", "title": "VIDEO: Senator Moody Welcomes More than 60 Florida Veterans to Washington, D.C. for Honor Flight", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.moody.senate.gov", "scraper": "moody", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001244", "name": "Ashley Moody", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.— Senator Ashley Moody recently welcomed a group of more than 60 Florida veterans taking part in an Honor Flight to the nation’s capital. Senator Moody met with the group at the Lincoln Memorial, thanking the men and women for their service to our country.\n\n“Florida is home to some of the bravest men and women who answered the call to serve our nation. We will ensure their service will never be forgotten. I am grateful to welcome these heroes to Washington and to personally thank them for all they have done for our country,” said Senator Ashley Moody.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nFlorida is home to more than 1.4 million veterans, one of the largest populations in the nation.\n\nSenator Moody is committed to fighting for U.S. military members and veterans.\n\nWhen Senator Moody served as Florida’s Attorney General, she oversaw the Florida Military and Veterans Assistance Program to assist service members and their families who have been affected by scams.\n\nEarlier this year, the Florida Veterans Foundation awarded Villages Honor Flight a $15,000 grant as part of its support for 10 Honor Flight hubs across Florida.\n\nHonor Flights are special trips planned for veterans of America’s wars to travel to Washington, D.C. from across the country to visit the monuments of the respective wars they fought in and honor the service and sacrifice of the veterans and their loved ones.\n\nSenator Moody is a proud supporter of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, and military families. Since becoming a United States Senator, Moody has:\n\nRecently cosponsored the Veterans Bill of Rights Act. The Veterans Bill of Rights Act would require the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure veterans are clearly informed of their existing rights regarding VA-administered health care, benefits, and services.\n\nCosponsored the Major Richard Star Act, which seeks to fix unjust disability policies for retired combat veterans;\n\nSupported the Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act, which would expand educational benefits for veterans;\n\nSupported the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025, which would help ensure that only the most dedicated individuals can serve veterans;\n\nHeld a town hall with VA Secretary Collins in Tampa to discuss issues facing veterans;\n\nRecognized 200 years of U.S. Navy presence in Pensacola and discussed the critical importance of the Navy and Coast Guard’s presence in the Florida Panhandle; and more.\n\nSenator Moody recently joined the Senate Armed Services Committee.\n\nSenator Moody is proud to be part of a military family.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moreno.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/moreno-rips-fake-news-liberal-reporter-for-misleading-quote/", "title": "Moreno Rips Fake News Liberal Reporter For Misleading Quote", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moreno.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.moreno.senate.gov", "scraper": "moreno", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001242", "name": "Bernie Moreno", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) corrected a local reporter for blatant deception and carrying water for Democrats on data centers.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-denied-access-to-military-facility-by-hegseth-in-unprecedented-move-meets-with-saudi-crown-prince", "title": "Murphy Denied Access to Military Facility by Hegseth in Unprecedented Move, Meets with Saudi Crown Prince", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.murphy.senate.gov", "scraper": "chrismurphy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001169", "name": "Christopher Murphy", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – As Saudi Arabia is under heightened security risk amid the Iran War, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) issued the following statements after departing Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East, where he also visited Doha, Qatar.\n\nIn an unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) under Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership denied Murphy access to the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, despite decades of precedent for DOD supporting CODELs to American military bases under active threat to uphold Congress’s oversight duties. Prior to his CODEL, Murphy requested access to the base via a letter and direct appeal to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) leadership to no avail. While DOD denied him access to U.S. military facilities, the U.S. Department of State supported Murphy’s trip to the region.\n\n“This is one of our biggest and most important facilities in the Gulf region. I’ve been to the Middle East at least a dozen times as a Member of Congress, and I’ve never been denied access to military facilities. This is part of a coordinated, deliberate campaign by the Department of Defense to hide the consequences and the true costs of the Iran war,” said Murphy of the denial.\n\nMurphy also met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia.\n\n“I’ve been a vocal critic of Saudi Arabia and the Crown Prince. But, I think it’s important to be here to disagree and be honest and candid about those disagreements. It’s important to recognize there are things we need to work on together: ending the war in Iran and a pathway to Palestinian statehood. We had an honest, provocative conversation, particularly about the Gulf countries’ decisions to invest in the Trump family. It’s important for the Crown Prince to hear not just from the Trump Administration, but from people who want a different path,” said Murphy of the meeting.\n\nAdditionally, Murphy met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud; toured the damage done to the U.S. embassy in Riyadh; engaged with economic and cultural leaders; and talked with University of New Haven students at the first American university campus in Saudi Arabia, among other things.\n\nIn Qatar, Murphy met with His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Additionally, Murphy met with Ali Al Thawadi, Qatari Minister for Strategic Affairs and a key diplomat who coordinates U.S.-Iran shuttle diplomacy; Qatari royal and Qatar Foundation Vice Chair Sheikha Hind Al Thani in Education City to discuss the presence of American universities in Qatar; and Qatar Energy CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, among others.\n\nSen. Murphy is the first Democratic Senator to visit the Gulf since the start of the Iran War.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-anniversary-of-october-7-terrorist-attacks", "title": "Murphy Statement on Anniversary of October 7 Terrorist Attacks", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.murphy.senate.gov", "scraper": "chrismurphy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001169", "name": "Christopher Murphy", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "RIYAHD, SAUDI ARABIA—As he finishes his CODEL to the Middle East, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement on the three-year anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel:\n\n“Three years ago, Hamas terrorists unleashed terror on Israeli civilians, killing over a thousand innocent people and taking hundreds of others hostage. No amount of time will fully heal the grief of this unconscionable attack. My heart remains with the families who remember loved ones lost, as well as every Jewish person across the world feeling the immense pain of today’s solemn anniversary.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/government-watchdog-trump-illegally-blocked-health-research-funding/", "title": "Government Watchdog: Trump Illegally Blocked Health Research Funding", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on a Government Accountability Office (GAO) decision issued today, which concludes that President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. illegally impounded fiscal year 2025 funding for health research conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in violation of the Impoundment Control Act (ICA):\n\n“This decision confirms what we’ve long known: President Trump lit health research funding on fire last year, and it’s clear as day he’s just done the same again this year. In fact, President Trump announced to the world just a few days ago that he was illegally cutting nearly $30 million more, and HHS has failed to detail to the Committee exactly how it has spent down AHRQ funding for fiscal year 2026.\n\n“This is research that has saved tens of thousands of lives and saved billions of dollars in health care costs—but President Trump and Secretary Kennedy are intent on breaking the law to cut it off, and Republicans in Congress have all but let them do it. It’s past time Congress imposes real consequences on this administration for killing lifesaving health research—I’ll keep fighting to do just that.”\n\nIn its decision today, GAO concluded:\n\n“Congress appropriated lump-sum amounts to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to carry out various research initiatives for fiscal year 2025. .… We conclude that HHS withheld funds when it declined to obligate or expend more than $78 million of its FY 2025 appropriation before the close of the fiscal year. We further conclude that this withholding constituted an impoundment under the ICA rather than a programmatic delay. Because HHS did not submit a special message proposing to rescind AHRQ funds, HHS’s actions violated the ICA.”\n\nGAO’s decision examines how the Trump administration illegally impounded fiscal year 2025 funding provided to AHRQ for health research after the Trump administration sabotaged the agency, pushing out 80% of all staff and cancelling grants en masse. It’s clear, however, that this administration has once again illegally withheld and misspent AHRQ funding provided by Congress for fiscal year 2026, as well. Senator Murray and Senator Tammy Baldwin, Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee, raised alarm bells about the fate of fiscal year 2026 AHRQ funds several weeks ago. Then, just days after HHS Deputy Secretary Nominee Chris Klomp vowed to senators that virtually all of the agency’s funding would be spent—while failing to provide details to back up that assertion—President Trump moved to permanently impound nearly $30 million in AHRQ funding in his “pocket rescission.” Republicans have repeatedly blocked Democrats’ efforts to prevent presidents from attempting to use “pocket rescissions.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-on-trump-and-duffys-plans-to-tie-transit-funding-to-birth-rates/", "title": "Murray on Trump and Duffy’s Plans to Tie Transit Funding to Birth Rates", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) proposed new guidance for the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program that would increase funding for projects based on their region’s average birth and marriage rates compared to the nationwide averages. The CIG program funds infrastructure investments to expand public transit—including for bus transit and light rail and commuter rail improvements. Under the new proposal, the FTA would steer more grant funding to parts of the country where only more men and women choose to get married and more babies are born—providing an up to 10% boost.\n\n“Tying funding for transit projects to marriage rates and how many babies a woman has is the sort of bizarre and dystopian idea you’d expect in a TV show, not actual policy put forth by the U.S. government—yet here we are. President Trump wants to weaponize federal grants to wage his backward culture wars and punish Democrats, and it’s past time Republicans join us to stand against this historically corrupt administration’s efforts to rob our communities of resources they are owed—because it’s already clear as day they are holding up projects in blue states while moving ahead with projects elsewhere.”\n\nThe new proposal would apply to 40 projects across the country already in the CIG program, forcing transit agencies and local and state governments that have already spent years planning and designing projects to follow a whole slew of new rating and cost-share requirements. This could force entities to re-design projects and re-do environmental reviews, which will increase costs and delay construction, and in the worst case potentially makes projects ineligible for CIG funding. The new requirements could reduce CIG funding for important transit projects below the 40% floor set by Congress in the annual funding bills, which has been in place since fiscal year 2020.\n\nThese significant changes to the CIG program are another attempt by the Trump administration to penalize blue states and slow down and delay transit projects. Recently, the Trump administration advanced a CIG project in a red state while it continues to hold back two projects in blue states that have been ready for much longer.\n\nStudies conducted last year when the Department of Transportation issued an order updating its governing principles to include a general preference to communities with higher marriage and birth rates showed that such prioritization would disproportionally hurt low-income, non-white residents.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-launches-public-health-for-america-working-group-to-determine-what-comes-next-after-trump-rfk-jr/", "title": "Senator Murray Launches Public Health for America Working Group to Determine What Comes Next After Trump & RFK Jr.", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "A working group of leading national experts and Washington state public health leaders will develop a blueprint to build America’s public health system stronger, more resilient, and insulated from political interference\n\nThe efforts of the working group—listening sessions, roundtables, direct outreach to key stakeholders, and more—will inform new legislative proposals to help build and improve public health in America\n\nMurray: “We can’t just put back what was there before… We have to build something that can’t be broken the next time someone decides science is inconvenient.”\n\nNYT: A Public Health-Minded Senator Asks: What Comes After Trump and Kennedy?\n\nWashington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, announced the launch of the Public Health for America Working Group: an initiative to develop the ideas, safeguards, and legislation needed to build and improve the nation’s public health system after nearly two years of unprecedented attacks on the agencies, scientists, and institutions that save lives and keep Americans safe and healthy.\n\nSince taking office, President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have taken unprecedented steps to politicize public health agencies, overrule experts, promote misinformation, and undermine trust in the nation’s public health infrastructure. Secretary Kennedy has fired thousands of federal public health experts–including a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director who refused to go along with his anti-vaccine views. Under Secretary Kennedy, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has halted promising research, taken down data for deadly diseases, refused to accurately report measles deaths, promoted false anti-vaccine information, and more. These steps have severely undermined public trust–with polls showing trust in CDC recommendations dropping from 77% to 50% over Trump’s first year in office this term.\n\nThe working group brings together some of the nation’s and Washington state’s most respected public health leaders to respond to these challenges. The mission of Murray’s working group is not simply to restore what existed before January 2025, but to design a public health system that is stronger, more resilient, and structurally protected from political interference—no matter who holds the White House or controls Congress.\n\nSenator Murray on the announcement of the working group:\n\n“In public health, we say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s not just true of disease, it’s also true of corruption, incompetence, and political interference—threats it is clear our system was simply not adequately prepared for.\n\n“Right now, Trump and RFK Jr. have put our public health system on life support. The tragic evidence of their failures is overwhelming—foodborne outbreaks met by a sluggish response that resulted in fatalities, measles cases surging to new records, and causes of death scrubbed from agency data to try and mislead the public.\n\n“As someone who has led the charge to strengthen our public health system, learn the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, and stop Trump and RFK Jr.’s sabotage—it is clear to me we have a big undertaking ahead. All of us who care about the future of public health need to come to grips with a hard reality—the system was underfunded, already stretched thin, and far too vulnerable to politics. And now, that system, and the public’s trust in it, is broken far beyond a simple repair.\n\n“We can’t just put back what was there before. We need to make sure our future public health system is immune to political interference. We have to build something that can’t be broken the next time someone decides science is inconvenient. Public health policy can’t become a political football—it can’t shift drastically every four years based on political ideology, it has to be reliably grounded in science and facts.\n\n“That’s why I’m bringing together some of the best minds in the country in this Working Group to help me chart a course for how Congress can build trust, protect science, and safeguard the health of all Americans. I am sincerely determined to talk to anyone and everyone about what comes next to rebuild public health in America.”\n\nThe Working Group will convene roundtables with researchers, providers, state, local, and Tribal health officials, and former career federal scientists; host public conversations on the future of public health; engage directly with communities and trusted messengers; and respond in real time as key public health decisions unfold. Its findings will inform nonpartisan policy proposals as Murray works to build consensus around legislation to build stronger public health infrastructure in America.\n\nMembers of the Working Group\n\nDr. Joshua M. Sharfstein – Distinguished Professor of the Practice in Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; former Principal Deputy Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; former Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; former Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department.\n\n“Successful public health efforts help families to thrive, communities to flourish, and the nation to grow stronger,” said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein. “I very much look forward to developing a blueprint for a public health system that protects every American — and I thank Senator Murray for her leadership.”\n\nPatty Hayes, RN, MN –Chair of the Washington State Board of Health; former Director of Public Health – Seattle & King County from 2014 to 2021, where she led the response to the nation’s first COVID-19 outbreak; former Assistant Secretary at the Washington State Department of Health.\n\n“I am delighted to serve on this important working group with my colleagues,” said Patty Hayes. “Public Health must be there every day to address critical health issues alongside the health care system. As Chair of the WA State Board of Health, I see the impact of the politicization of public health and cuts to funding. Everyone counts on clean water, safe food, and a strong public health response when a crisis occurs. I want to thank Senator Murray’s for her continued leadership and willingness take on this critical issue.”\n\nDr. Jeffrey Levi – Professor Emeritus of Health Policy and Management at The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health; former Executive Director of Trust for America’s Health; former Chair of the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health; former Deputy Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy under the White House Domestic Policy Council.\n\n“I am honored to work with Senator Murray and my colleagues on this critically important project,” said Dr. Jeffrey Levi. “Senator Murray is uniquely positioned to help bring about the transformational policies and investments along with the community engagement and partnership that will strengthen our nation’s public health system and restore the public’s trust.”\n\nDr. Helen Chu – Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Washington Schools of Medicine of Public Health; led the Seattle Flu Study, which identified the first known case of community-spread COVID-19 in the United States in February 2020; served on the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) untilSecretary Kennedy dismissed the committee’s entire membership in June 2025.\n\n“I am honored to serve as part of this committee. As a physician and a scientist who has spent my career ensuring people have access to safe and effective vaccines, it has been a challenging few years to watch the public health systems that keep Americans safe be dismantled,” said Dr. Helen Chu. “I am very much looking forward to contributing expertise on vaccines, pandemic preparedness, and academic research to this committee, and helping to rebuild our public health systems for a better future.”\n\nDr. Vin Gupta –Pulmonologist and critical care physician; Distinguished Scholar at the University of Washington, Evans School; Senior Medical Analyst for MS NOW; Managing Director at Manatt Health; National Board Member of the American Lung Association; and Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Medical Corps.\n\n“Public health works best when people can trust that the guidance they receive is grounded in evidence, communicated honestly, and protected from political interference,” said Dr. Vin Gupta. “This is an opportunity not simply to rebuild what has been lost, but to design a stronger and more durable system—one that earns public trust, prioritizes prevention, and is ready to protect every community when the next threat emerges. I’m grateful to Senator Murray for bringing together this group and honored to contribute to that work.”\n\nGuiding Principles of the Working Group\n\nThe Working Group’s work will be organized around six principles:\n\nBuilding a System the Public Trusts: Building public confidence in science and medicine through transparency, rigorous and unbiased data, honest communication, robust opportunities for public engagement, trusted local messengers, and real partnership to ensure public health serves all communities.\n\nScience That Can’t Be Silenced: Building durable, enforceable guardrails so that decisions are based on high-quality evidence, expert advice, transparent processes, and public input — not political interference —no matter who controls the White House or Congress.\n\nPrevention at the Core: Investing in prevention saves lives, and it saves money. The federal public health system should focus on prevention and work so all individuals and families have the opportunity to thrive by providing resources, education, and communication about preventing infectious and chronic disease.\n\nStrong Public Health Everywhere: Modernizing federal public health agencies so they are stable, expert-driven, and accountable institutions that the American people can rely on. That includes supporting responsibilities uniquely suited to the federal government’s ability to solve complex challenges, while ensuring the federal government is a valuable partner by rebuilding local institutions and infrastructure through dedicated, stable funding tied to a core set of capabilities for state, local, Tribal, and territorial health departments, as well as reinstating the United States as a leader in global health security.\n\nReady for the Next Threat: Strengthening the systems that detect and respond to emergencies to make sure America is never caught flat-footed again—modern data and laboratory infrastructure that is interoperable, a surge-ready workforce, a resilient medical supply chain, strong global partnerships, and a cutting-edge biomedical research enterprise.\n\nHealth for All, Not Just Some: Guaranteeing that where you live and who you are doesn’t determine whether your health department can protect you. Public health communication and resources should work in cities, rural areas, Tribal nations, and every community in every part of America to ensure every person—no matter their race, income, or gender—has the same access to health information and services.\n\nBackground: Senator Murray’s Record on Public Health\n\nSenator Murray has been one of Congress’s leading champions of public health for three decades, and has led the fight against the Trump administration’s dismantling of the nation’s health agencies from the start, including through his disastrous mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic to his unprecedented elevation of RFK Jr., a well-known anti-vax conspiracy theorist who has decimated America’s public health infrastructure.\n\nStanding up to Trump and RFK Jr.: Senator Murray forcefully opposed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead HHS and has been one of the leading voices in Congress holding him accountable ever since. She has fought back against his purge of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, his mass firings of career scientists and public health experts, his cancellation of lifesaving research, and his sidelining of independent expert panels that Americans rely on for sound, evidence-based guidance. She has confronted Kennedy directly in multiple Senate HELP and Appropriations Committee hearings, led her colleagues in demanding he reverse actions that have left the nation less prepared for emerging outbreaks, and called for his firing multiple times after he ousted the CDC Director and drove the agency’s senior leadership to resign—a call she continues to reiterate loudly and consistently. Following RFK Jr.’s campaign of destruction at CDC, Senator Murray was supportive of many states, including Washington state, standing up for public health and forming their own regional health authorities—but emphasized that diseases don’t recognize borders, and there must be functioning and trustworthy leadership at the federal level.\n\nProtecting public health funding as Appropriations Vice Chair: As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and former longtime top Democrat on the subcommittee that funds public health and medical research, Senator Murray successfully fought to ensure the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills rejected President Trump’s proposal to cut CDC funding by more than half and slash medical research at NIH by nearly 40 percent, and she continues to push for robust funding of public health and infectious disease programs across all government funding bills. In fiscal year 2026, this included a $415 million increase for NIH research, including targeted increases for cancer research, Alzheimer’s disease, women’s health, and ALS, among others. Since Murray became the top appropriator of public health and medical research funds in 2015, she increased NIH funding by roughly $18 billion, or 60%. Within CDC, the fiscal year 2026 bill increased funding for the Public Health Infrastructure grant program by $10 million and also included a $10 million increase to data modernization to continue to help build state public health departments and their data infrastructure. It also included a $60 million increase for key programs supported by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) focused on increasing the nation’s stockpile of medical countermeasures and bolstering advanced research and development of select treatments and cures to ensure our health system is prepared to respond when disaster strikes.\n\nBuilding the nation’s public health infrastructure: Senator Murray first introduced the Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act (PHISLA)in 2019 and has reintroduced it most recently in July 2023. PHISLA would establish a dedicated program, ramping up to $4.5 billion annually, to fund a core set of capabilities at state, local, Tribal, and territorial health departments and end the “cycle of crisis and complacency” in public health funding. Murray’s bill represents the most comprehensive legislation to build up America’s public health infrastructure in Congress so far. While Murray continues to push for a landmark investment in public health infrastructure, in fiscal year 2022 she established the Public Health Infrastructure grant program at CDC with annual funding of $200 million, which Murray has since increased to $360 million in fiscal year 2026.\n\nStrengthening pandemic preparedness: As Chair of the HELP Committee, Senator Murray authored and passed into law the bipartisan PREVENT Pandemics Act in 2022, which strengthened the nation’s public health and medical preparedness and response systems, authorized ARPA-H, and, among other provisions, required for the first time that the CDC Director be confirmed by the Senate. She previously helped lead reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act and fought for emergency funding to respond to Ebola in 2014 and Zika in 2016.\n\nLeading the response to COVID-19: When Washington state became the first epicenter of COVID-19, Senator Murray was among the first, and most insistent, in Congress to demand widespread testing and to introduce emergency paid sick leave legislation so workers could stay home without losing a paycheck—a provision later enacted in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Throughout the pandemic, she pressed the Trump Administration and its officials about the issues with their COVID-19 response from her position as HELP Ranking Member, later as HELP Chair, in addition to her bipartisan work on pandemic preparedness, she helped deliver the American Rescue Plan Act’s historic investments in public health, including $7.66 billion to hire and train public health workers.\n\nFighting political interference in science: During the first Trump administration, Senator Murray launched the “Save Our Science” Political Interference Tracker to document interference in the COVID-19 response, introduced the STOP Act to investigate political meddling at HHS’s scientific agencies, and joined Senators Warren and Peters in securing a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into political interference at CDC and FDA. That GAO review found in 2022 that CDC, FDA, NIH, and ASPR had no procedures to define, report, or address political interference in scientific decision-making. Most recently, Murray secured language to prevent the Trump administration from implementing the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) proposed grants rule to politicize all federal grants, especially health and science grants, through the duration of the current continuing resolution. Murray also helped pressure the administration to back off its plan to draft an executive order that would give Russ Vought a veto over medical research grants.\n\nResponding to public health threats in a bipartisan way: Murray has worked successfully for decades to fund and authorize key public health programs with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle. In recent years, bipartisan public health efforts were frequent and noncontroversial–as Ranking Member of the HELP Committee, Senator Murray co-led a bipartisan hearing on vaccine hesitancy and spoke about the importance of addressing vaccine skepticism and getting people the facts they need to keep their families and communities safe and healthy. Ahead of the hearing, as multiple states were facing measles outbreaks in under-vaccinated areas, Murray sent a bipartisan letter with former HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander (R-TN) pressing the CDC Director and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health on their efforts to promote vaccination and vaccine confidence. Senator Murray will continue to work to build broad-based consensus around any and all public health policies she champions.\n\nAdvancing prevention and biomedical research: As HELP Ranking Member, Senator Murray negotiated and passed the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act in 2016, which delivered a major federal investment in biomedical research and clinical trials at the FDA and NIH. In 2018, Murray negotiated and helped pass the largest legislative response to the opioid crisis to date. In 2019, as the top Senate appropriator of public health funds, Murray helped secure the first dedicated federal funding for gun violence prevention research at CDC and NIH since the Dickey Amendment was enacted in 1996.\n\nStrengthening global health response: Senator Murray is a leading voice on global health issues, emphasizing the importance of continuing the United States’ record of strong investments in global health security. Murray participated as a member of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Commission following its establishment in 2018, recognizing how global health security impacts families in Washington state, across the country, and across the world. Murray has consistently fought to promote global health programs and American leadership abroad, understanding that disease does not recognize borders. In 2025, Murray was vocal in her opposition to the decimation of USAID and American-funded global health programs that not only benefit our partners around the world, but also keep Americans safe.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-statement-on-3rd-anniversary-of-october-7th/", "title": "Sen. Ossoff Statement on 3rd Anniversary of October 7th", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.ossoff.senate.gov", "scraper": "ossoff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000174", "name": "Jon Ossoff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“Three years ago today, Hamas terrorists massacred over 1,000 civilians; kidnapped innocent men, women, and children; and committed brutal atrocities. Today we remember and honor the lives lost, while we celebrate the freedom of the surviving hostages who are finally back with their loved ones.\n\n“I continue to vigorously support the hard work necessary to secure peace, security, and freedom for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people in the Middle East. May the memories of those lost on October 7, 2023 forever be a blessing.”\n\n###\n\nYour form has been received. Someone from our office will contact you when the next Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process begins. If your request needs immediate attention, please don’t hesitate to call our Washington, D.C. office or Atlanta office.\n\nYour form has been received. Someone from our office will get back to you as soon as possible. Please allow 5–7 business days to process a request. If your request needs immediate attention, please don’t hesitate to call our Washington, D.C. office or Atlanta office.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-schiff-carbajal-press-former-white-house-adviser-over-advancing-corrupt-sable-oil-interests-before-joining-company/", "title": "Padilla, Schiff, Carbajal Press Former White House Adviser Over Advancing Corrupt Sable Oil Interests Before Joining Company", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), along with U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), pressed for answers from former White House energy adviser Brittany Kelm who, after spending months advancing the interests of Sable Offshore Corporation’s unlawful California project in her capacity at the White House, accepted a job as Vice President of Policy and Commercial Programs at Sable.\n\n“To understand whether your transition directly from the White House and Department of Interior to Sable – including your work on Administration policies before you left office and at Sable on matters related to your role on the NEDC after your separation – complies with the federal ethics laws, we seek detailed information regarding your interactions with the company during your government service, as well as documents and communications about your recent hiring by and employment with the company,” wrote the lawmakers.\n\nWhile at the White House, Kelm publicly championed and supported efforts to advance the restart of Sable’s pipeline in California, a project that has not been permitted under California law, has incurred fines, and has had court orders issued against it. Sable CEO Jim Flores thanked Kelm for her work helping to restart the company’s oil production, which the lawmakers argue is a violation of state law.\n\n“These public statements leave the distinct impression that you were closely working on the Sable deal at a time when you could leverage the work you did advancing Sable’s business interests to secure private employment or other financial benefits from the very company you supported as a government official. To move from a high-level government office to its direct beneficiary, especially for the purpose of personal gain, is both ethically improper and potentially unlawful,” continued the lawmakers.\n\n“Federal law prohibits any government employees from participating in any particular government matter, including permitting decisions, contracts, and other matters involving the interests of named parties, in which a company with whom they are seeking or negotiating for future employment has a financial interest,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nThe lawmakers demanded Kelm preserve all records of communications between her and Sable and questioned whether she received any ethics or conflicts of interest guidance.\n\nPadilla has fought against Sable’s repeated attempts at offshore oil and gas leases along the California coast. Last month, he led House and Senate colleagues in filing an amicus brief challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to restart the Sable oil pipeline off the Santa Barbara coast. In June, Padilla and Senator Schiff introduced the Offshore Leasing Standards and Accountability Act, legislation to establish strict standards for offshore oil and gas operators and set requirements to hold them responsible for decommissioning and cleanup efforts off the coast. In April, Padilla pressed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, highlighting that the Trump Administration’s plans to drill off of California’s coast coupled with proposed cuts to funding for environmental programs and enforcement will endanger the coastline, the people who live there, and coastal economies.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Ms. Kelm,\n\nWe write to you in your personal capacity to seek information related to your recent move from the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC) to the oil industry as Vice President of Policy and Commercial Programs at Sable Offshore Corporation (Sable), where you will reportedly oversee their Washington, D.C., policy office. Your new role, considering your prior close relationship with Sable while serving as a White House Senior Policy Adviser for Oil and Gas, raises serious questions about your compliance with federal ethics laws, compounding the many existing legal issues with the federal government’s unilateral grant of approval of pipeline rights to Sable. To understand whether your transition directly from the White House and Department of Interior to Sable – including your work on Administration policies before you left office and at Sable on matters related to your role on the NEDC after your separation – complies with the federal ethics laws, we seek detailed information regarding your interactions with the company during your government service, as well as documents and communications about your recent hiring by and employment with the company.\n\nDuring your tenure at NEDC, you and others made several statements suggesting that you were instrumental to the White House’s efforts to advance Sable’s pipeline in California by utilizing the Defense Production Act to override California’s objections to the pipeline. For instance, at a June 2026 press conference, Sable Chief Executive Officer Jim Flores reportedly thanked you personally for helping restart the company’s oil production, and you thanked Sable for “trusting the Trump Administration.” According to your own LinkedIn posts, you also visited Sable’s operations on at least two occasions and, while still in your role as a government official, you even appeared in photographs wearing Sable-branded merchandise. After Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed a secretarial order directing Sable to open its Santa Ynez Unit pipeline, you posted online “[w]e are bringing more US production online ASAP us🛢️let’s go Sable Offshore Corp.” When announcing your departure from the White House, only days before beginning work at Sable, you referred to yourself as a “deal closer,” while a White House colleague praised you for “never [giving] up on Sable Offshore Corp.” These public statements leave the distinct impression that you were closely working on the Sable deal at a time when you could leverage the work you did advancing Sable’s business interests to secure private employment or other financial benefits from the very company you supported as a government official. To move from a high-level government office to its direct beneficiary, especially for the purpose of personal gain, is both ethically improper and potentially unlawful.\n\nAs you must know, federal ethics laws and regulations restrict certain conduct by current and former executive branch employees. In particular, federal law prohibits any government employees from participating in any particular government matter, including permitting decisions, contracts, and other matters involving the interests of named parties, in which a company with whom they are seeking or negotiating for future employment has a financial interest. After an employee leaves government, they are permanently restricted from communicating to or appearing before the federal government on behalf of any other person concerning any particular matters involving specific parties in which a former employee participated “personally and substantially” while serving in government. Additionally, ethics laws impose a two-year restriction on representing private entities regarding specific matters that were pending under an employee’s “official responsibility” during their final year of federal service, as well as establish “cooling off” periods that prohibit senior officials from contacting high-ranking White House personnel to influence official actions, regardless of whether they worked on those matters previously.\n\nAgainst this legal backdrop, your public involvement in matters affecting Sable and rapid transition from the White House to Sable raise serious questions regarding your compliance with federal ethics requirements governing impartiality, employment negotiations, recusals, and post-government employment. Sable’s conduct in recruiting and hiring you also may bear on the legality of their efforts to secure federal government approval of a dangerous oil pipeline project whose operation has run afoul of state laws and court orders.\n\nWe therefore request that you preserve all records and communications relating to Sable or any of their officers, employees, or agents, from March 1, 2025, to the present and continue preserving such materials on an ongoing basis. This preservation hold applies to all relevant records within your possession related to all communications with Sable, any person representing or purporting to be acting on behalf of Sable, or any consulting firms associated with Sable. This includes, but is not limited to, records and communications via email, whether official or personal; mobile devices; encrypted or disappearing messaging applications; social media; calendar entries; meeting notes; and voicemail and text messages. To the extent that you use any autodelete functions, you should immediately suspend auto-delete functions and notify persons with control over potentially relevant records of similar preservation obligations.\n\nGiven your reported involvement with Sable during your tenure at NDEC, please provide written responses to the following questions, including requested documents and communications, by October 21, 2026:\n\nWhat role did you play in efforts to restart Sable’s project during your time in government, and what actions did you take to assist Sable? Please provide detail about your role, titles, and a complete timeline of communications between yourself, Sable, or any person affiliated with Sable.\n\nWhat matters relating to Sable fell within your responsibility as NEDC’s Senior Policy Adviser for Oil and Gas?\n\nDid anyone at the White House, NEDC, or any federal agency discuss with you your obligations under applicable ethics laws, regulations, and policies at any point in your tenure? If so, identify each person involved and please describe what was communicated and when did those communications begin?\n\nWhen did you first communicate with Sable or its representatives regarding potential employment? Please detail those communications and provide all related records.\n\nDid you file a financial disclosure report, including a public report (OGE 278e) or confidential disclosure report (OGE 450)? If so, please provide the last copy of the report that you filed with any agency of the United States including the Executive Office of the President or the Department of the Interior.\n\nPursuant to Section 17 of the STOCK Act regarding negotiations for post-government, non-federal employment, did you file notice with any federal entity concerning your employment negotiations or agreement with Sable? If so, please provide a copy.\n\nDid you disclose to the Department of Interior, Office of Government Ethics, the Executive Office of the President, or any other federal entity your employment agreement or arrangement with Sable, including the date on which it was reached? If so, please provide a copy, including the date of the disclosures, and any advice you received.\n\nDid you receive ethics guidance concerning Sable, including any guidance concerning seeking or negotiating for future employment, any guidance concerning social media or endorsement of companies, or any post-employment guidance? If so, please provide a copy of any written guidance, a full summary of any oral or verbal guidance, and identify all persons with knowledge of the exchange.\n\nDid you recuse yourself from any matters involving Sable during your time at NEDC? If so, please describe the matters, when you recused, and provide all records related to your recusal including any recusal statement or ethics advice.\n\nWhile seeking employment with Sable, did you seek or obtain a waiver or other authorization under 18 U.S.C. § 208 or 5 CFR § 2635.605?\n\nWhat steps are you taking to comply with the post-employment restrictions proscribed in 18 U.S.C. § 207?\n\nTo your knowledge, did the White House, NEDC, Department of the Interior, Office of Government Ethics or any other federal entity provide you or Sable with guidance identifying the matters on which you are prohibited from working after government service? If so, please provide a copy of any written guidance, a full summary of any oral or verbal guidance, and identify all persons with knowledge of the exchange.\n\nHave you sought or received any additional ethics or conflict of interest guidance since departing federal service? If so, please provide a copy of any written guidance, a full summary of any oral or verbal guidance, and identify all persons with knowledge of the exchange.\n\nThe White House stated that you do not plan to work on any “ongoing official matters” between Sable and the administration in your new role at Sable. Yet, your new job title according to LinkedIn is Vice President – Policy & Commercial. What will you be working on in your new role at Sable, if not federal policy matters? Have you communicated in any way with the federal government in this new role or have you advised others on communications with the federal government?\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter. As Members of Congress, we take seriously our constitutional duty to investigate and root out potential waste, fraud, and abuse across the executive branch. Your thorough and prompt responses to these inquiries are critical to these efforts, as they may inform our work on legislative solutions to strengthen federal government ethics standards, enhance transparency, and reform applicable conflict-of-interest statutes. We look forward to your response, including a written confirmation that you are preserving all records related to this congressional inquiry.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-the-job-for-michigan-flint-leaders-discuss-storied-history-of-berston-field-house-highlight-peters-support-for-the-expansion-and-renovation-project", "title": "ON THE JOB FOR MICHIGAN: Flint Leaders Discuss Storied History of Berston Field House, Highlight Peters’ Support for the Expansion & Renovation Project", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.peters.senate.gov", "scraper": "garypeters", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000595", "name": "Gary C. Peters", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "FLINT, MI – In a new “On the Job for Michigan” video from U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ (MI) office, community leaders in Flint highlight Peters’ support for the expansion and preservation of Berston Field House, a historic landmark and community center in north Flint. Efforts are currently underway to preserve the 100-year-old building, and Peters secured a $6.3 million federal investment to support the project earlier this year.\n\n“You hear Berston, and you think about all these athletes and these others have come through here,” said James Avery, Executive Director of Berston Field House. “I think that's the memory I really have just continued to speak upon, is the history.”\n\n“The big thing for me is that the community needs to see that something of this magnitude is theirs. That's a one stop shop of education, health, performing arts, athletics,” Avery continued.\n\n“Berston has always been what we call, ‘The Mainstage,’” said Justus Thigpen Sr., former NBA Player and past Executive Director of Berston Field House.“I’ve been coming here ever since I was 10 years old, my dad taught me how to swim in the swimming pool that was here, everyone associates with Berston.”\n\nWatch the “On the Job” video here.\n\n“For more than a century, Berston Field House has been a gathering place for Flint residents. It’s important that this historic landmark continues to serve the community for generations to come,” said Peters. “I commend James Avery, Justus Thigpen Sr., and all the folks who are leading the charge on this revitalization project, and I was proud to be a federal partner in their efforts.”\n\nThe federal funding secured by Peters will support revitalization efforts, which include building renovations and construction of a new recreation center. In August, Peters kicked off his 2026 Motorcycle Tour at Berston Field House to celebrate the project and tour ongoing construction.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-northeast-democrats-call-for-trump-to-take-immediate-action-to-lower-heating-oil-costs", "title": "Reed, Northeast Democrats Call for Trump to Take Immediate Action to Lower Heating Oil Costs", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases", "domain": "www.reed.senate.gov", "scraper": "jackreed", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000122", "name": "Jack Reed", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC -- With colder weather approaching, millions of Americans and thousands of Rhode Islanders are facing dramatic price spikes as they seek to heat their homes this winter.\n\nThe price of home heating oil is nearly identical to diesel prices and is approaching all-time highs. According to the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, about a third of Rhode Island households use home heating oil, which gets delivered to their homes by trucks. And during cold winter months, a typical home relying on heating oil alone can use 100 gallons in just a few weeks.\n\nIn an effort to help lower home heating costs, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) joined over two dozen Democratic lawmakers from northeastern states in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright urging the Trump Administration to take swift action to cut soaring heating oil costs that have skyrocketed due to President Trump’s reckless war with Iran.\n\nIn their joint letter, Reed along with U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and several members of the U.S. House of Representatives urged the U.S. Department of Energy to support an immediate end to the Iran war and prioritize lowering energy costs for the winter, warning that rising prices will force families to choose between heating their homes and paying for basic necessities.\n\n“Heating oil costs for the upcoming winter are projected to reach record levels, and families throughout the northeastern United States will likely bear the brunt of these costs,” wrote the lawmakers.\n\nPresident Trump’s war of choice with Iran has played a large part in driving up the price of heating oil. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil from $72 to over $100 a barrel, causing a massive increase in heating oil costs in the United States. American families that rely on heating oil are projected to pay about $600 more to keep their homes warm this winter than last year.\n\nIn addition to jacking up the cost of heating oil, the Trump administration has made or attempted to make heating costs for the upcoming winter even higher by:\n\n• Attempting to eliminate the $4 billion Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that supports families with high energy bills.\n\n• Effectively increasing taxes on solutions to the heating cost crisis by eliminating four tax credits and deductions that supported residential and commercial building energy efficiency upgrades.\n\n• Cutting more than $20 billion in clean energy and grid modernization funding for hundreds of energy projects across the country that would have decreased costs for families.\n\n“As Americans face immense difficulty with keeping the heat on, the administration appears to be cutting off all avenues for meaningful relief, handing out tax cuts to billionaires, spending tens of billions of dollars on an unnecessary foreign war, and jacking up costs for struggling families,” the lawmakers continued.\n\n“To address these costs for American families, we urge you to reverse course on the senseless war in Iran, undo the administration’s cuts to clean energy and grid modernization programs, work with Congress to repeal the tax increases imposed on energy efficiency upgrades and other ways to lower heating costs, and end the administration’s attacks on LIHEAP,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nIn addition to the U.S. Senators, the letter was also signed by U.S. Representatives Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Representative Lori Trahan (D-MA), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Becca Balint (D-VT), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Bill Keating (D-MA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), John Mannion (D-NY), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Richard Neal (D-MA), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY).\n\nSenator Reed is the leading Congressional champion for the LIHEAP program. Last month, Reed led a bipartisan letter urging the Trump Administration to swiftly release LIHEAP funding to the states at the highest level possible.\n\nFull text of the letter follows:\n\nSecretary Wright:\n\nWe write to ask that you take immediate action to address the impact on our constituents of the rapidly rising cost of heating oil fueled by the President’s war in Iran and the administration’s failed policies. Today, the price of heating oil is around 60 percent higher than before the Iran war. The costs will be borne by American households struggling to heat their homes this winter while making ends meet. Instead of continuing down this path, we urge you to support an immediate end to the war and to stop blocking or restricting Department of Energy (DOE) programs that would help American families lower their energy bills.\n\nHeating oil costs for the upcoming winter are projected to reach record levels, and families throughout the northeastern United States will likely bear the brunt of these costs. American families that rely on heating oil are projected to pay about $600 more to keep their homes warm this winter than last year. The price of heating oil has steadily risen to more than $4 a gallon, nearing record highs. Families from our states will shoulder the brunt of these prices: around one-third of New England homes rely on heating oil to heat their homes, and in some states, around half do. Families that warm their homes with heating oil are estimated to see their energy bills spike from $1,740 to around $2,300, placing immense strain on families and forcing them to make impossible decisions about whether to keep the heat on, the fridge stocked, or critical medical necessities in supply.\n\nThe President’s war in Iran has played a large part in driving up the price of heating oil. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global trade in crude oil and impacted global supplies of heating oil and diesel, both refined products distilled from crude oil. Before the Iran war, crude was trading at $72 a barrel; now, the price for crude oil has jumped to more than $100 a barrel. Government reports indicate that national supplies of distillate fuel oil, which includes heating oil, are at their lowest levels on record. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has assessed that constrained global supplies are “contributing to low U.S. diesel inventories and high diesel prices.”\n\nMeanwhile, U.S. refiners and fossil fuel companies have seen banner profits while shipping heating oil abroad. As EIA notes, constraints in the global supply for heating oil have “raised domestic prices and incentivized U.S. exporters to increase distillate exports.” U.S. weekly exports of distillate products, including heating oil, hit a record high in August. President Trump promised that high energy prices would be a “small price to pay” for a “little while” at the start of the war. In March 2026, you said that “prices have likely peaked and they’ll start going down,” stating that “[t]his is a weeks…not a months thing.” Yet, months later, energy prices have continued to surge.\n\nAdding insult to injury, the Trump administration has made heating for the upcoming winter season even more expensive in other ways.\n\nThe administration has attempted to eliminate the $4 billion Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that supports families with high energy bills.\n\nThe administration has effectively increased taxes on solutions to the heating cost crisis, by eliminating four tax credits and deductions that supported residential and commercial building energy efficiency upgrades.\n\nThe administration has cut more than $20 billion in clean energy and grid modernization funding for hundreds of energy projects across the country that would have decreased costs for families.\n\nAs Americans face immense difficulty with keeping the heat on, the administration appears to be cutting off all avenues for meaningful relief, handing out tax cuts to billionaires, spending tens of billions of dollars on an unnecessary foreign war, and jacking up costs for struggling families.\n\nTo address these costs for American families, we urge you to reverse course on the senseless war in Iran, undo the administration’s cuts to clean energy and grid modernization programs, work with Congress to repeal the tax increases imposed on energy efficiency upgrades and other ways to lower heating costs, and end the administration’s attacks on LIHEAP.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-defends-homeschooling-parents-rights/", "title": "Ricketts Defends Homeschooling Parents’ Rights", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=", "domain": "www.ricketts.senate.gov", "scraper": "ricketts", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000618", "name": "Pete Ricketts", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Ted Budd (R-NC) filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to reverse a California court decision, sanctioning state discrimination against religion. The brief defends homeschooling parents’ rights by reinforcing a common-sense principle: parents are not state actors. It also makes clear that neutral government programs can support parents’ choice of faith-based curriculum while remaining consistent with the Constitution and our nation’s history.\n\nExcerpts from the amicus brief are below, and the full text of the brief can be viewed here.\n\n“As part of California’s publicly funded independent-study programs, parents can teach their own children in their own homes with limited oversight from a private, nonprofit corporation operating a charter school. And subject to general state standards, parents can choose any curriculum they want for their homeschooling—with one exception: religion. That overt discrimination—which Respondents say is required by California’s Blaine Amendment—clearly violates the Constitution. And it is preposterous to say, as did the Ninth Circuit, that homeschooling parents are actually state actors.\n\n“This Court has ‘repeatedly held that a State violates the Free Exercise Clause when it excludes religious observers from otherwise available public benefits” and programs. …\n\n“To get around that blatant constitutional violation, the Ninth Circuit deemed the homeschool independent-study programs public. In other words, homeschooling parents are state actors. But that’s egregiously wrong. This case presents an easy question: whether parents who teach their own children in their own homes based on curriculum they select speak and act as the government. Both case law and common sense dictate that the answer is no.”U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) joined in filing the amicus brief.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/07/video-rosen-statement-on-third-anniversary-of-october-7-2023-terrorist-attacks-on-israel/", "title": "VIDEO: Rosen Statement on Third Anniversary of October 7, 2023 Terrorist Attacks on Israel", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Watch the video statement HERE.\n\nWASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released a video statement commemorating the third anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7th, 2023. Senator Rosen has been a fierce advocate for the safety and security of Israeli and American hostages, and has stood firmly against Hamas’ brutal acts of terror. Last week, she passed a bipartisan resolution honoring the innocent Americans murdered and taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th, 2023. During the hostage crisis, Senator Rosen led a bipartisan resolution in the Senate demanding the safe release of the remaining hostages who were still in captivity in 2025. In October 2023, following a visit to Israel where she met with families of those taken captive, she introduced a bipartisan resolution, which later passed the Senate, condemning Hamas’s attacks and demanding the release of hostages.\n\nThree years since the tragedy of October 7th, Senator Rosen is continuing to push to fully implement the ceasefire so that Hamas disarms, reconstruction can begin, and a path forward for lasting peace in the region can be found.\n\nBelow is a transcript of Senator Rosen’s statement:\n\nToday marks three years since Hamas launched the worst terrorist attack in Israel’s history – the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.\n\nTwelve hundred people, including almost 50 Americans, were brutally murdered. Women were raped, parents killed in front of their families, and 251 people – including children and the elderly – were taken hostage.\n\nToday, three years after the horrific attacks on October 7th, we are so grateful that there are no hostages sitting in Gaza. However, the scars will always remain. Families and communities changed forever.\n\nAnd it is our responsibility to make sure the world never forgets this unspeakable violence, and the devastation it caused.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-schiff-padilla-and-carbajal-probe-corrupt-career-move-as-former-white-house-energy-adviser-that-fought-to-reopen-california-pipeline-takes-executive-position-at-oil-company-pushing-the-restart/", "title": "NEWS: Schiff, Padilla, and Carbajal Probe Corrupt Career Move as Former White House Energy Adviser that Fought to Reopen California Pipeline Takes Executive Position at Oil Company Pushing the Restart", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) and U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24) are seeking answers from former White House energy adviser Brittany Kelm who, after spending months advancing the interests of Sable Offshore Corporation’s (Sable) unlawful California project in her capacity at the White House, has now taken a top job as Vice President of Policy and Commercial Programs at Sable.\n\n“To understand whether your transition directly from the White House and Department of Interior to Sable – including your work on Administration policies before you left office and at Sable on matters related to your role on the NEDC after your separation – complies with the federal ethics laws, we seek detailed information regarding your interactions with the company during your government service, as well as documents and communications about your recent hiring by and employment with the company,” the lawmakers wrote.\n\nWhile at the White House, Kelm publicly championed and supported efforts to advance the restart of Sable’s pipeline in California, a project that has not been permitted under California law, has incurred fines, and had court orders against it. Sable CEO Jim Flores thanked Kelm for her work helping to restart the company’s oil production, a move the lawmakers argue is a violation of state law.\n\n“These public statements leave the distinct impression that you were closely working on the Sable deal at a time when you could leverage the work you did advancing Sable’s business interests to secure private employment or other financial benefits from the very company you supported as a government official. To move from a high-level government office to its direct beneficiary, especially for the purpose of personal gain, is both ethically improper and potentially unlawful,” the lawmakers continued.\n\nThe lawmakers emphasize that “federal law prohibits any government employees from participating in any particular government matter, including permitting decisions, contracts, and other matters involving the interests of named parties, in which a company with whom they are seeking or negotiating for future employment has a financial interest.”\n\nThe lawmakers demand Kelm preserve all records of communications between her and Sable and question whether she received any ethics or conflicts of interest guidance.\n\nSenator Schiff has been a strong opponent of restarting oil drilling off the California coast and has repeatedly pressed Sable for answers on the company’s collaboration with the Trump administration to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) in relation to this project.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found hereand below.\n\nDear Ms. Kelm,\n\nWe write to you in your personal capacity to seek information related to your recent move from the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC) to the oil industry as Vice President of Policy and Commercial Programs at Sable Offshore Corporation (Sable), where you will reportedly oversee their Washington, D.C., policy office. Your new role, considering your prior close relationship with Sable while serving as a White House Senior Policy Adviser for Oil and Gas, raises serious questions about your compliance with federal ethics laws, compounding the many existing legal issues with the federal government’s unilateral grant of approval of pipeline rights to Sable. To understand whether your transition directly from the White House and Department of Interior to Sable – including your work on Administration policies before you left office and at Sable on matters related to your role on the NEDC after your separation – complies with the federal ethics laws, we seek detailed information regarding your interactions with the company during your government service, as well as documents and communications about your recent hiring by and employment with the company.\n\nDuring your tenure at NEDC, you and others made several statements suggesting that you were instrumental to the White House’s efforts to advance Sable’s pipeline in California by utilizing the Defense Production Act to override California’s objections to the pipeline. For instance, at a June 2026 press conference, Sable Chief Executive Officer Jim Flores reportedly thanked you personally for helping restart the company’s oil production, and you thanked Sable for “trusting the Trump Administration.” According to your own LinkedIn posts, you also visited Sable’s operations on at least two occasions and, while still in your role as a government official, you even appeared in photographs wearing Sable-branded merchandise. After Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed a secretarial order directing Sable to open its Santa Ynez Unit pipeline, you posted online “[w]e are bringing more US production online ASAP us🛢️let’s go Sable Offshore Corp.” When announcing your departure from the White House, only days before beginning work at Sable, you referred to yourself as a “deal closer,” while a White House colleague praised you for “never [giving] up on Sable Offshore Corp.” These public statements leave the distinct impression that you were closely working on the Sable deal at a time when you could leverage the work you did advancing Sable’s business interests to secure private employment or other financial benefits from the very company you supported as a government official. To move from a high-level government office to its direct beneficiary, especially for the purpose of personal gain, is both ethically improper and potentially unlawful.\n\nAs you must know, federal ethics laws and regulations restrict certain conduct by current and former executive branch employees. In particular, federal law prohibits any government employees from participating in any particular government matter, including permitting decisions, contracts, and other matters involving the interests of named parties, in which a company with whom they are seeking or negotiating for future employment has a financial interest. After an employee leaves government, they are permanently restricted from communicating to or appearing before the federal government on behalf of any other person concerning any particular matters involving specific parties in which a former employee participated “personally and substantially” while serving in government. Additionally, ethics laws impose a two-year restriction on representing private entities regarding specific matters that were pending under an employee’s “official responsibility” during their final year of federal service, as well as establish “cooling off” periods that prohibit senior officials from contacting high-ranking White House personnel to influence official actions, regardless of whether they worked on those matters previously.\n\nAgainst this legal backdrop, your public involvement in matters affecting Sable and rapid transition from the White House to Sable raise serious questions regarding your compliance with federal ethics requirements governing impartiality, employment negotiations, recusals, and post-government employment. Sable’s conduct in recruiting and hiring you also may bear on the legality of their efforts to secure federal government approval of a dangerous oil pipeline project whose operation has run afoul of state laws and court orders.\n\nWe therefore request that you preserve all records and communications relating to Sable or any of their officers, employees, or agents, from March 1, 2025, to the present and continue preserving such materials on an ongoing basis. This preservation hold applies to all relevant records within your possession related to all communications with Sable, any person representing or purporting to be acting on behalf of Sable, or any consulting firms associated with Sable. This includes, but is not limited to, records and communications via email, whether official or personal; mobile devices; encrypted or disappearing messaging applications; social media; calendar entries; meeting notes; and voicemail and text messages. To the extent that you use any autodelete functions, you should immediately suspend auto-delete functions and notify persons with control over potentially relevant records of similar preservation obligations.\n\nGiven your reported involvement with Sable during your tenure at NDEC, please provide written responses to the following questions, including requested documents and communications, by October 21, 2026:\n\nWhat role did you play in efforts to restart Sable’s project during your time in government, and what actions did you take to assist Sable? Please provide detail about your role, titles, and a complete timeline of communications between yourself, Sable, or any person affiliated with Sable.\n\nWhat matters relating to Sable fell within your responsibility as NEDC’s Senior Policy Adviser for Oil and Gas?\n\nDid anyone at the White House, NEDC, or any federal agency discuss with you your obligations under applicable ethics laws, regulations, and policies at any point in your tenure? If so, identify each person involved and please describe what was communicated and when did those communications begin?\n\nWhen did you first communicate with Sable or its representatives regarding potential employment? Please detail those communications and provide all related records.\n\nDid you file a financial disclosure report, including a public report (OGE 278e) or confidential disclosure report (OGE 450)? If so, please provide the last copy of the report that you filed with any agency of the United States including the Executive Office of the President or the Department of the Interior.\n\nPursuant to Section 17 of the STOCK Act regarding negotiations for post-government, non-federal employment, did you file notice with any federal entity concerning your employment negotiations or agreement with Sable? If so, please provide a copy.\n\nDid you disclose to the Department of Interior, Office of Government Ethics, the Executive Office of the President, or any other federal entity your employment agreement or arrangement with Sable, including the date on which it was reached? If so, please provide a copy, including the date of the disclosures, and any advice you received.\n\nDid you receive ethics guidance concerning Sable, including any guidance concerning seeking or negotiating for future employment, any guidance concerning social media or endorsement of companies, or any post-employment guidance? If so, please provide a copy of any written guidance, a full summary of any oral or verbal guidance, and identify all persons with knowledge of the exchange.\n\nDid you recuse yourself from any matters involving Sable during your time at NEDC? If so, please describe the matters, when you recused, and provide all records related to your recusal including any recusal statement or ethics advice.\n\nWhile seeking employment with Sable, did you seek or obtain a waiver or other authorization under 18 U.S.C. § 208 or 5 CFR § 2635.605?\n\nWhat steps are you taking to comply with the post-employment restrictions proscribed in 18 U.S.C. § 207?\n\nTo your knowledge, did the White House, NEDC, Department of the Interior, Office of Government Ethics or any other federal entity provide you or Sable with guidance identifying the matters on which you are prohibited from working after government service? If so, please provide a copy of any written guidance, a full summary of any oral or verbal guidance, and identify all persons with knowledge of the exchange.\n\nHave you sought or received any additional ethics or conflict of interest guidance since departing federal service? If so, please provide a copy of any written guidance, a full summary of any oral or verbal guidance, and identify all persons with knowledge of the exchange.\n\nThe White House stated that you do not plan to work on any “ongoing official matters” between Sable and the administration in your new role at Sable. Yet, your new job title according to LinkedIn is Vice President – Policy & Commercial. What will you be working on in your new role at Sable, if not federal policy matters? Have you communicated in any way with the federal government in this new role or have you advised others on communications with the federal government?\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter. As Members of Congress, we take seriously our constitutional duty to investigate and root out potential waste, fraud, and abuse across the executive branch. Your thorough and prompt responses to these inquiries are critical to these efforts, as they may inform our work on legislative solutions to strengthen federal government ethics standards, enhance transparency, and reform applicable conflict-of-interest statutes. We look forward to your response, including a written confirmation that you are preserving all records related to this congressional inquiry.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/statement-sen-schiff-on-third-anniversary-of-october-7-hamas-attack-on-israel/", "title": "STATEMENT: Sen. Schiff on Third Anniversary of October 7 Hamas Attack on Israel", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) issued the following statement on the third anniversary of the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel:\n\n“Three years ago, Israel was the victim of a terrorist attack by Hamas that killed nearly 1,200 civilians. Innocent lives were snuffed out, families murdered in cold blood, women raped, young people targeted because of who they are and where they called home.\n\n“But the violence of that day did not end on October 8. Its violence was contagious, plunging the region into chaos and years of war that have taken a toll on many thousands of people — Palestinians and Israelis. Israeli civilians were held hostage in dark tunnels by Hamas for hundreds of days, while being subject to rape, torture and murder. Palestinian civilians lost their lives as whole neighborhoods were destroyed, and they continue to endure, unimaginable conditions in Gaza; Palestinians still suffer increased violence and displacement in the West Bank. Civilians in Israel still live in fear of another promised attack by Hamas terrorists, and civilians in Northern Israel or Lebanon worry about being collateral damage in the continuing struggle between Israel and Hezbollah.\n\n“After three years, the pathway to peace and a lasting two-state solution is farther out of reach and tattered, while extremist voices have flourished in the Middle East.\n\n“This anniversary should be a solemn moment to recommit to the goal of two sovereign states, and rebuilding the pathway to that future. Just as we pushed to bring hostages home and achieve a ceasefire, we must continue to push for expanded aid to rebuild Gaza, for an end to Hamas’ ability to threaten Israel, and for a lasting agreement to end this conflict and ensure that Israelis and Palestinians may live side by side in peace, security, dignity, and mutual recognition.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schmitt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/senator-schmitt-leads-bipartisan-effort-to-protect-broadband-infrastructure-from-theft-and-vandalism/", "title": "Senator Schmitt Leads Bipartisan Effort to Protect Broadband Infrastructure from Theft and Vandalism", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schmitt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schmitt.senate.gov", "scraper": "schmitt", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001227", "name": "Eric Schmitt", "party": "Republican", "state": "MO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Schmitt’s Bill Would Strengthen Federal Protections for Copper, Fiber, and Coaxial Cables\n\nU.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the “Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act,” bipartisan legislation to combat the growing problem of theft and vandalism targeting broadband and telecommunications infrastructure. The bill would strengthen federal protections for privately owned broadband networks and make the willful or malicious theft, destruction, or damage of copper, fiber, and coaxial cables used to provide telecommunications and broadband internet services a federal criminal offense.\n\n“Missouri families and businesses rely on broadband every day, and when critical infrastructure is vandalized or stolen, they are the ones who ultimately pay the price through service disruptions and higher costs. My bill gives law enforcement another tool to protect the infrastructure that keeps communities connected and holds those who deliberately damage these networks accountable,” said Senator Schmitt.\n\nThe “Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act” would amend Section 1362 of Title 18 of the United States Code, which currently provides federal protections for certain communications facilities. Schmitt’s legislation would expand those protections to include facilities used to provide broadband internet access services and facilities operated by private entities.\n\nThe “Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act” Would:\n\nProtect broadband infrastructure: Explicitly include copper, fiber, and coaxial cables used to provide telecommunications and broadband internet access services within the federal statute.\n\nCover privately owned networks: Extend federal protections to facilities operated by private entities, including privately owned broadband networks.\n\nCriminalize theft and vandalism: Prohibit the willful or malicious injury, destruction, or theft of covered copper, fiber, and coaxial cables, as well as attempts or conspiracies to commit those offenses.\n\nEstablish penalties: Violations would be punishable by a fine, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.\n\nProtect lawful activities: The legislation maintains protections for certain lawful concerted activities and excludes customer premises equipment from the new cable provisions.\n\nProtecting Missouri’s Broadband Infrastructure:\n\nMissouri has experienced multiple incidents of copper theft and vandalism at critical communications sites. Such vandalism can disrupt essential internet service and result in costly repairs that are often ultimately borne by consumers through higher service costs.\n\nAccording to a recent industry report, at least 5,770 incidents of targeted theft and vandalism against communications networks were reported in 2024, disrupting internet service for more than 1.5 million Americans and causing millions of dollars in damage.\n\nMissouri’s predominant broadband providers, Spectrum/Charter and Xfinity/Comcast, have been actively supporting efforts to strengthen federal protections against broadband infrastructure vandalism.\n\nRead the text of the bill HERE.\n\nStatements of support:\n\n“We applaud Sens. Schmitt and Padilla for introducing the Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act, building important bipartisan, bicameral momentum to address the growing threat of vandalism to our nation’s critical communications infrastructure. These networks are essential to public safety, national security, and daily life, yet increasing copper theft and intentional damage are disrupting emergency services, harming communities, and leaving consumers without vital connectivity. Strengthening federal law with tougher deterrents and penalties will help protect these critical networks and the millions of Americans who rely on them every day.” —NCTA, The Internet & Television Association\n\n“We’re grateful to Senators Schmitt and Padilla for stepping up to protect the critical communications networks Americans rely on every day. The Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act takes meaningful action to update federal law to ensure all networks are protected.” —Spectrum\n\n“We appreciate the leadership of Senators Schmitt and Padilla in introducing the Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act. America’s broadband networks are the backbone of our small businesses, hospitals, schools, and homes, and this legislation is an important step to securing them.” — Elad Nafshi, Chief Network Officer, Comcast.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-tim-scott-introduces-legislation-to-encourage-investment-in-new-nuclear-facilities-bring-manufacturing-back-to-u-s/", "title": "Sen. Tim Scott introduces legislation to encourage investment in new nuclear facilities, bring manufacturing back to U.S.", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.scott.senate.gov", "scraper": "timscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001184", "name": "Tim Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Opportunities for Nuclear Energy Investment Act, which is designed to encourage investment into the construction of new nuclear facilities and bring grid equipment manufacturing back to the United States.\n\n“American energy dominance requires more nuclear facilities and a modernized energy grid,” said Sen. Scott. “The Opportunities for Nuclear Energy Investment Act would create jobs, strengthen American manufacturing, and unleash American energy by encouraging private investment in new nuclear facilities. Keeping production at current levels would leave our country dependent on foreign energy sources, but by expanding nuclear energy here at home, America can power our future and pave our own way forward.”\n\nThe Working Families Tax Cuts established bonus tax incentives for nuclear energy, but they only applied to the production of nuclear energy and not to investments in new facilities. The Opportunities for Nuclear Energy Investment Act would address this imbalance by expanding the 10% bonus credit for nuclear energy production to include the building of nuclear facilities under Section 48E (48E), also allowing for non-metropolitan areas to qualify.\n\nIn addition, the legislation would expand the 45X Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit to include distribution transformers and larger power transformers manufactured in the U.S. to speed up grid modernization efforts. These transformers are necessary to deliver electricity to homes and businesses. Currently, both transformers are backlogged by approximately two years.\n\nBackground:\n\n“Nuclear communities” represent areas where unemployment is above the national average and 0.17% of employment comes from legacy energy sources.\n\nUnder this bill, construction jobs to build a new nuclear facility would count toward the 0.17% employment requirement to qualify for the 10% bonus credit.\n\nSouth Carolina is a top U.S. nuclear power producer and serves as home to four major facilities:\n\nCatawba Nuclear Station\n\nOconee Nuclear Station\n\nH.B. Robinson Nuclear Plant\n\nVirgil C. Summer Nuclear Station\n\nPresident Trump has called for 10 new nuclear facilities to be built within the decade and, to reach that goal, the nuclear community must be expanded.\n\nEndorsements:\n\n“The Palmetto Nuclear Coalition applauds Senator Scott’s leadership in advancing legislation to support investment in the next generation of nuclear energy,” said Ethel Bunch, founder, Palmetto Nuclear Coalition. “South Carolina has the workforce, infrastructure, and experience to lead this effort. Expanding energy community eligibility would help build on those strengths and attract new nuclear investment and jobs to our state. We appreciate the opportunity to work with Senator Scott’s office on this legislation and look forward to supporting its passage.”\n\n“Transformers are critical to meeting our nation’s rising demand for electricity and ensuring a safe, reliable, and resilient electric grid,” said Will Hupman, senior vice president for government affairs, National Electric Manufacturers Association (NEMA). “NEMA thanks Senator Scott for his leadership in including critical support for domestic transformer manufacturing in the Opportunities for Nuclear Energy Investment Act. This legislation ensures American-made transformers qualify for the 45X tax credit, strengthening domestic manufacturing while mitigating persistent supply chain challenges for distribution transformers. This approach will drive continued investment in U.S. production of critical electrical equipment needed to modernize our nation’s infrastructure to meet today’s growing demand.”\n\nChris Colbert, chairman and CEO, Elementl Power, said, “We strongly support Senator Scott’s legislation to address critical gaps in the current energy tax credit framework. By extending the nuclear communities bonus to the investment tax credit, this bill builds on Representative Newhouse’s legislation from last year and will help accelerate the deployment of new nuclear plants to meet our country’s growing power demands, unlocking investment, job creation, and local economic growth in communities that have long supported America’s energy leadership. We look forward to working with Senator Scott and his Finance Committee colleagues to advance these necessary changes to section 48E.”\n\nKodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, executive vice president and chief executive officer, Duke Energy Carolinas, said, “Nuclear energy has helped power the Carolinas for generations. As more families and businesses choose to call the Carolinas home, always-on nuclear energy remains an important option for meeting our region’s growing energy needs while helping keep costs as low as possible for customers. We applaud Senator Scott’s leadership on policies that support potential new nuclear projects and a strong nuclear energy future.”\n\n“Meeting America’s growing energy needs will require investment across the energy ecosystem and the infrastructure that supports it. Eaton is investing $340 million in Jonesville, South Carolina to create 700 new jobs and help solve one of the grid’s most urgent challenges: manufacturing distribution transformers. Policies supporting energy infrastructure investment and domestic manufacturing can accelerate grid modernization and ensure reliable power for homes, businesses, and critical industries. We appreciate Senator Scott’s leadership in advancing policies to help build a stronger, more resilient energy system,” said Mike Yelton, president, electrical sector, Americas, Eaton.\n\nThe full text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-tim-scott-marks-three-years-since-hamas-october-7th-terrorist-attack-on-israel/", "title": "Sen. Tim Scott marks three years since Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack on Israel", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.scott.senate.gov", "scraper": "timscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001184", "name": "Tim Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement marking three years since Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack on Israel:\n\n“Three years ago today, Hamas terrorists committed an unimaginable act of terror, killing more than 1,200 innocent men, women, and children – including 46 Americans – and taking 251 people hostage,12 of them Americans.\n\n“Hamas murdered, raped, and took people hostage, carrying out the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.\n\n“Thank the good Lord there are no more hostages in Hamas captivity, but this battle of good versus evil is far from over. With antisemitism on the rise and nations condemning Israel, the United States must remain clear-eyed, standing shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish brothers and sisters and our ally, Israel.\n\n“We will not tolerate antisemitism in our communities, and we will never forget the atrocities Hamas committed.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-applauds-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-resolution-to-establish-october-7-as-energy-efficiency-day", "title": "Shaheen Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Resolution to Establish October 7 as Energy Efficiency Day", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.shaheen.senate.gov", "scraper": "shaheen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001181", "name": "Jeanne Shaheen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) applauded the unanimous Senate passage of her bipartisan resolution to designate today, October 7, 2026, as Energy Efficiency Day. Amid ongoing attacks by the Trump Administration on energy efficiency initiatives that lower costs, this resolution celebrates and promotes the economic and environmental benefits gained from investing in energy efficiency.\n\n“Energy efficiency is one of the most effective tools we have to help Granite State families save money, support good-paying jobs and build a cleaner energy future,” said Senator Shaheen. “With diesel prices at historic highs and energy costs rising as a direct result of the President’s war in Iran, I’m proud to continue fighting to protect energy efficiency initiatives and am pleased the Senate came together to pass this bipartisan resolution recognizing Energy Efficiency Day and reaffirming its importance.”\n\nThe text of the resolution can be read HERE.\n\nThe resolution is co-led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Angus King (I-ME), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE).\n\nThroughout her time in Congress, Shaheen has championed efforts to advance energy efficiency, lower energy costs for Granite Staters and support clean energy initiatives. Recently, Shaheen joined a bipartisan group of Senators in urging the Trump Administration to swiftly release funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which can be used to address emergency heating needs and weatherize homes against the elements. More than 57,000 Granite Staters rely on LIHEAP to help pay their home heating bills. Earlier this year, Shaheen introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure funding from the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and State Energy Program is distributed without delay to state agencies and local partners that implement cost-saving energy initiatives. Shaheen was also a key supporter of the Inflation Reduction Act and a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation that made landmark investments in energy efficiency and reducing home energy bills. In the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Shaheen helped secure $3.5 billion in additional funding for WAP, including $18 million for New Hampshire.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-marks-10-year-anniversary-of-her-landmark-survivors-bill-of-rights-law-to-empower-survivors-of-sexual-assault", "title": "Shaheen Marks 10-Year Anniversary of Her Landmark Survivors’ Bill of Rights Law to Empower Survivors of Sexual Assault", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.shaheen.senate.gov", "scraper": "shaheen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001181", "name": "Jeanne Shaheen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "**The Shaheen-authored law created the first federally codified rights for sexual assault survivors and is the cornerstone of a career-long effort to support survivors**\n\n(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, marked 10 years since her groundbreaking Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act, also known as the Survivors’ Bill of Rights, was signed into law by former President Barack Obama in 2016. The law created the first-ever federally codified rights specifically for sexual assault survivors, allowing survivors the opportunity to enforce those rights in federal court.\n\n“More than a decade ago, I met with a young woman whose horrific story and struggle for justice and accountability helped launch an effort to reform how sexual assault survivors are treated in our criminal justice system. No person should ever have to wonder if they will be treated fairly after reporting a sexual assault, and it was that aim that led me to craft the Survivors' Bill of Rights,” said Senator Shaheen. “After this historic legislation was passed by Congress and signed into law, I was proud to continue working across the aisle to make sure the legal system works for, not against, survivors by expanding the protections in the Survivors’ Bill of Rights to apply to all states. Make no mistake, there is still so much more we need to do to change the culture around how sexual assault survivors are treated and to prevent harassment and assault from happening in the first place. Even as my time in the Senate comes to an end, I will keep fighting to ensure survivors are heard and treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”\n\nThe Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act was inspired by a meeting with sexual assault survivor Amanda Nguyen and was shaped by input from dozens of nationally recognized experts in the sexual assault advocacy community. Specifically, the Survivors’ Bill of Rights addresses the unique challenges faced by sexual assault survivors, particularly regarding notice, access and preservation of sexual assault evidence collection kits. Shaheen and Senator Chuck Grassley’s (R-IA) bipartisan Survivors’ Bill of Rights in the States Act was signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 national defense authorization legislation, and built on the success of Shaheen’s initial legislation by ensuring that all survivors across the country, not just those in federal cases, are protected.\n\nThroughout her career in the Senate, Shaheen has been an unyielding champion of efforts to establish basic rights and protections for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence (IPV). Recently, Shaheen introduced new, bipartisan legislation, the Military Sexual Trauma Accountability Act, that would help service members who have experienced sexual assault or harassment over the course of their service hold the government accountable. Shaheen also leads the bipartisan, bicameral Protect Moms from Domestic Violence Act, which would protect the health and well-being of pregnant persons who have experienced IPV, and the Fair Housing for Survivors Act, which would enhance safety measures for people who have experienced IPV and sexual assault by providing them with fair housing protections.\n\nAs a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and former Chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee, Shaheen has continually worked to boost services and resources for survivors. In the bipartisan FY 2026 government funding legislation, Shaheen secured $10 million for continued implementation of her Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights grant program, which encourages states to ensure that survivors have, at minimum, the rights guaranteed to them under federal law, including the right to be provided a medical forensic examination without charge, to have a sexual assault evidence collection kit kept for 20 years or the statute of limitations and to be fully informed about the result of testing a kit.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/2026/10/07/slotkin-husteds-human-trafficking-act-passes-senate-unanimously-heads-to-presidents-desk/", "title": "Slotkin, Husted’s Human Trafficking Act Passes Senate Unanimously, Heads to President’s Desk", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/newsroom/", "domain": "www.slotkin.senate.gov", "scraper": "slotkin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001208", "name": "Elissa Slotkin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — The bipartisan, bicameral Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Jon Husted (R-OH), along with Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Lucy McBath (D-GA), passed the Senate unanimously last week and is now headed to the president’s desk to be signed into law.\n\nThe Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act:\n\nDirects the Department of Labor (DOL) to train its employees to identify human trafficking and refer suspected trafficking crimes to law enforcement.\n\nRequires the DOL to submit annual reports to Congress detailing its training and referral efforts, beginning no later than one year after the DOL implements the program.\n\nIn 2023, law enforcement recorded 254 confirmed human trafficking cases involving 506 victims in Michigan.\n\n“The fight against human trafficking should never be a partisan issue,” said Senator Slotkin.“Survivors and victims in Michigan and across the country are owed justice, accountability, and meaningful action to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place. Our bipartisan bill, the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, provides the Department of Labor with the necessary framework to address these unthinkable crimes head-on. I am proud to have worked alongside my colleagues to get this important legislation passed and look forward to seeing it signed into law.”\n\n“Human trafficking is a national tragedy, and we need to do everything we can to stop it,” said Senator Husted. “This law will help ensure federal workers are equipped to spot the signs of human trafficking and refer suspected crimes to law enforcement. I’m proud this bill will be my fourth bill signed into law since I took office. This is a great example of the bipartisan work we can accomplish for the American people, and I look forward to the lives this law will help save.”\n\n“Human trafficking can hide in plain sight, and this bill will help more people recognize the warning signs,” said Representative Walberg. “I’m glad the Senate unanimously passed my bill and sent it to President Trump’s desk. By giving Department of Labor employees the right training, we can help identify victims sooner and get potential cases to law enforcement.”\n\n“Human trafficking is a devastating crime that preys on the most vulnerable and robs victims of their freedom and dignity,” said Representative McBath. “We have a responsibility to ensure that those on the front lines in our communities and across the federal government have the tools necessary to help combat this crime and provide survivors with a path to safety. Strengthening training for Department of Labor employees is an important step toward recognizing the signs of human trafficking, protecting victims, and connecting them with the resources they need. I thank my colleagues for their support.”\n\nWalberg introduced the companion bill to the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking in the House of Representatives. The bill passed the House on March 3, 2026.\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/maryland-delegation-members-push-for-funding-for-mental-health-at-us-cyber-command-at-fort-meade", "title": "Maryland Delegation Members Push for Funding for Mental Health at U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and U.S. Representative Sarah Elfreth were joined by Senator Angela Alsobrooks and Representatives Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, April McClain Delaney, and Johnny Olszewski (all D-Md.) in requesting $11 million for U.S. Cyber Command as Congress works to complete the Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense appropriations. In the letter to Appropriations Committee leadership, the lawmakers stressed the importance of the health and wellbeing of the service members and civilian employees of U.S. Cyber Command, as well as the importance of their work to our national security. The $11 million program increase would fund U.S. Cyber Command’s high-performance team training, an operation aimed at improving care for service members, including helping commanders establish sustainable training, recovery, care, and resilience practices.\n\nThe lawmakers begin, “We respectfully urge you to retain the $11 million program increase for U.S. Cyber Command high-performance team training under Budget Activity 12D, Cyberspace Operations, as Congress completes the Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Headquartered at Fort George G. Meade, U.S. Cyber Command is central to Maryland’s national security community and relies on service members, civilian employees, and families throughout our state to conduct some of the Nation’s most demanding and persistent military operations missions.”\n\n“As the Congressional Delegation of Maryland, we are troubled by recent public reporting describing several deaths by suicide among personnel in cyber operations and the Fort Meade community over a short period. These deaths have a severe impact on the family, friends, and wider community. The concentration of these tragedies within a small, highly specialized workforce demands sustained attention and an institutional response proportionate to the operational strain these personnel bear,” they continue.\n\nOn the need for funding for High Performance Team Training at Cyber Command, the lawmakers note, “The requested $11 million would help U.S. Cyber Command close this gap by funding the FY26 NDAA provision. Embedded support would improve access to care for service members inside secure facilities, give providers a better understanding of the mission and its operational tempo, identify concerns earlier, and help commanders establish sustainable training, recovery, and resilience practices. Models used in other high-demand military communities, including special operations and remotely piloted aircraft units, and dedicated intelligence commands demonstrate the value of treating psychological health and human performance as readiness requirements. Cyber Command noted that without this funding, burnout and force degradation will increase.”\n\n“Preserving this funding would demonstrate Congress’s commitment to the health and readiness of the cyber workforce at Fort Meade, Maryland, and across the Nation. It would also help ensure that the Department establishes an enduring system of prevention, care, and operational resilience rather than relying solely on short-term interventions following a tragedy. One loss of life is one too many. We must do everything we can to make sure our servicemembers and everyone at the Fort has the full mental health support and resources they need, so that a tragedy like this does not occur again. We appreciate your continued leadership and support of Maryland’s servicemembers, federal employees, and families,” the lawmakers conclude.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, Chair Collins, and Vice Chair Murray:\n\nWe respectfully urge you to retain the $11 million program increase for U.S. Cyber Command high-performance team training under Budget Activity 12D, Cyberspace Operations, as Congress completes the Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Headquartered at Fort George G. Meade, U.S. Cyber Command is central to Maryland’s national security community and relies on service members, civilian employees, and families throughout our state to conduct some of the Nation’s most demanding and persistent missions.\n\nAs the Congressional Delegation of Maryland, we are troubled by recent public reporting describing several deaths by suicide among personnel in cyber operations and the Fort Meade community over a short period. These deaths have a severe impact on the family, friends, and wider community. The concentration of these tragedies within a small, highly specialized workforce demands sustained attention and an institutional response proportionate to the operational strain these personnel bear.\n\nCyber personnel operate in a uniquely stressful environment. Many are effectively “deployed in place” for two- or three-year assignments, conducting real-world operations against capable adversaries without the clear start and end points, protected recovery periods, or unit-level reconstitution cycles associated with conventional deployments. Because much of their work is classified, they may be unable to discuss the sources of their stress with family members or medical professionals who lack the clearances or access to secure facilities necessary for a complete conversation. These conditions can isolate personnel, delay appropriate care, and ultimately weaken readiness, retention, and operational effectiveness.\n\nThese challenges are particularly relevant at Fort Meade, where U.S. Cyber Command, the National Security Agency, military cyber components, and other national security organizations operate within a highly secure and interconnected environment. Although Maryland has a significant network of military, federal, and civilian health resources, traditional centralized-care models do not always give cyber personnel timely access to appropriately cleared professionals in the facilities where they work.\n\nCongress and the Department have already recognized this gap. Congress previously directed a review of the psychological and occupational demands placed on cyber operators, and the Department subsequently acknowledged that existing resources did not fully meet the needs of the U.S. Cyber Command. The Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) also expanded mental health services intended to address the U.S. Cyber Command’s unique requirements by integrating behavioral health professionals with security clearances within cyber units. Nevertheless, dedicated support teams and embedded care have not been implemented consistently across the force.\n\nThe requested $11 million would help U.S. Cyber Command close this gap by funding the FY26 NDAA provision. Embedded support would improve access to care for service members inside secure facilities, give providers a better understanding of the mission and its operational tempo, identify concerns earlier, and help commanders establish sustainable training, recovery, and resilience practices. Models used in other high-demand military communities, including special operations and remotely piloted aircraft units, and dedicated intelligence commands demonstrate the value of treating psychological health and human performance as readiness requirements. Cyber Command noted that without this funding, burnout and force degradation will increase.\n\nThis represents a modest investment compared with U.S. Cyber Command’s broader annual budget and the strategic value of its highly trained workforce. Recruiting, clearing, and developing cyber operators takes years. Losing experienced personnel harms Maryland families, disrupts operational teams, increases replacement and training costs, and reduces the Nation’s ability to defend critical systems and conduct cyber missions.\n\nAccordingly, we respectfully request that the final Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense Appropriations Act retain the following program increase:\n\n12D CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS\n\nHigh Performance Team Training ........................................ $11,000,000\n\nPreserving this funding would demonstrate Congress’s commitment to the health and readiness of the cyber workforce at Fort Meade, Maryland, and across the Nation. It would also help ensure that the Department establishes an enduring system of prevention, care, and operational resilience rather than relying solely on short-term interventions following a tragedy. One loss of life is one too many. We must do everything we can to make sure our servicemembers and everyone at the Fort has the full mental health support and resources they need, so that a tragedy like this does not occur again.\n\nWe appreciate your continued leadership and support of Maryland’s servicemembers, federal employees, and families.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-marking-three-years-since-october-7th-hamas-attacks", "title": "Van Hollen Statement Marking Three Years Since October 7th Hamas Attacks", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the Hamas October 7th attacks:\n\n“Today, three years after the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7th, we remember the hundreds of lives lost, as well as those who were taken hostage, never to see their loved ones again.\n\n“As the staggering daily toll of this war continues – especially for civilians in Gaza – we must build a future that ensures security, peace, and dignity for", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-leads-bicameral-coalition-in-opposing-trump-administrations-proposed-head-start-overhaul/", "title": "Warnock Leads Bicameral Coalition in Opposing Trump Administration’s Proposed Head Start Overhaul", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warnock.senate.gov", "scraper": "warnock", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000790", "name": "Raphael G. Warnock", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock and 38 Congressional colleagues are calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to rescind its proposed overhaul of the Head Start program\n\nThe administration’s proposal jeopardizes access to quality early learning and child care services for more than 700,000 children across the country\n\nHead Start provides comprehensive early learning and family support services across the country, particularly in rural and low-income communities\n\nSenator Warnock is a proud Head Start alumni and founding member of the Head Start to Congress Caucus\n\nSenators Reverend Warnock, colleagues: “Let us be very clear: what you are proposing seriously weakens the high-quality, comprehensive research-backed services required by law, undermines access to critical services, restricts access for children and families, and creates uncertainty for Head Start programs across the nation”\n\nWashington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) led a bicameral group of lawmakers in opposing the Trump Administration’s proposed overhaul of Head Start, a federal program dedicated to improving academic and health outcomes for children by providing comprehensive early learning and family support services across the country, particularly in rural and low-income communities.\n\n“Let us be very clear: what you are proposing seriously weakens the high-quality, comprehensive research-backed services required by law, undermines access to critical services, restricts access for children and families, and creates uncertainty for Head Start programs across the nation,” wrote Senator Warnock and his colleagues. “This proposed rule is a brazen attempt to dismantle Head Start without regard for the hundreds of thousands of young children and working-class families who depend on these programs and services every year.”\n\nIn August, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards that effectively eliminate the central mechanism for evaluating and ensuring the quality of early childhood education services provided through Head Start. The administration’s proposal jeopardizes access to quality early learning and child care services for more than 700,000 children across the country.\n\nAs a proud Head Start alum and founding member of the Head Start to Congress Caucus, Senator Warnock has long championed the program and its mission. Earlier this year, he joined a bicameral coalition in opposing a similar HHS proposal that would eliminate salary increases and improvements to employment benefits for full-time Head Start staff. In 2025, Senator Warnock introduced the bipartisan Head Start Education and Development Workforce Advancement and Yield (HEADWAY) Act to address early childhood workforce shortages by allowing Early Head Start classroom teachers to continue teaching while earning their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.\n\nAlongside Senator Warnock, the letter is led by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and cosigned by Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and 152 Members of Congress.\n\nA copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:\n\n“Dear Secretary Kennedy,\n\n“We write to express our strong opposition to the proposed rule, ‘Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs,’ which seeks to illegally dismantle Head Start by removing over 90 percent of standards that ensure children receive high-quality early education and comprehensive services. This proposal is a blatant effort to gut core aspects of this longstanding, anti-poverty program and is in direct conflict with the Head Start Act.\n\n“Let us be very clear: what you are proposing seriously weakens the high-quality, comprehensive research-backed services required by law, undermines access to critical services, restricts access for children and families, and creates uncertainty for Head Start programs across the nation. Under your proposal, 80% of children in Head Start will face worse staff-to-child ratios. Nearly 1 in 10 children currently served in Head Start could become ineligible for services overnight. Key Head Start health, dental, mental health, and developmental services will be reduced nationwide. And the duration of the Head Start school day could be cut in half in many communities, leaving working families stranded and without child care. That is unacceptable.\n\n“Since 1965, Head Start has served more than 40 million young children with age-appropriate education, health care, dental care, and healthy meals. The program has also provided working-class parents with connections to job training, adult education, nutrition services, housing assistance, and other support services that strengthen families. Research shows that children who attend Head Start are more likely to be ready for kindergarten, graduate from high school, attend college, and are less likely to have adverse health outcomes than non-participants. Every year, roughly 1,600 Head Start grantees serve over 700,000 young children and their families through a unique, multi-generational and holistic approach. The scope and quality of these programs have changed the lives of millions.\n\n“Despite Head Start’s essential role, you have led the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to repeatedly undermine and disrupt Head Start services. Since the very start of this Administration, Head Start programs have had their funding illegally withheld and delayed, lost federal staff who were essential to their community-driven successes, and faced new requirements that create constant confusion. Last year, a leaked version of the fiscal year 2026 budget proposal indicated the Administration’s plan to eliminate the Head Start program. You made a commitment to Congress to ‘preserve’ Head Start, yet this proposed rule is the latest attempt by the Administration to deteriorate and ultimately eliminate the program by gutting the core standards and services that have long-defined and ensured its success.\n\n“This proposal strikes nearly all of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (‘Performance Standards’) in defiance of statutory requirements and is antithetical to the mission of Head Start, which is to provide quality early learning and comprehensive services for children and families with the highest needs. Head Start’s unique federal-to-local model relies on the Performance Standards to provide clarity to grantees, while considering evolving research, science, and community needs.\n\n“Under section 641A(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the Head Start Act, HHS cannot modify the Performance Standards in a way that will ‘result in the elimination of or any reduction in quality, scope, or types of health, educational, parental involvement, nutritional, social, or other services required to be provided under such standards as in effect on the date of enactment of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007.’ Yet, this proposed rule does exactly that: it illegally eliminates and reduces the core components of Head Start as they currently exist.\n\n1. Undermine quality early childhood education and services\n\n“We oppose your proposed elimination of federal standards for staff-to-child ratios, class sizes, safety practices; proposed removal of limits on suspensions and expulsions; and proposed removal of Head Start staff professional development, training, and wellness breaks. This overhaul of the Performance Standards will diminish the quality of services and jeopardize the safety and well-being of children.\n\nStaff-to-Child Ratios and Group Sizes\n\n“Removing staff-to-child ratios and group size limits in 45 C.F.R. §1302.21(b) and deferring instead to state policies will diminish program quality and threaten children’s safety. State and local policies for child care ratios and group sizes vary widely, which is why the Performance Standards include research-informed, national baselines for high-quality settings that support child development, health, and safety. For example, in Idaho, state law and regulations allow a single educator to care for up to six infants, while in 35 other states, the required ratio is 1:4 and is aligned with the current Performance Standards. According to the Children’s Equity Project, your proposal to replace these federal regulations with state child care standards is estimated to worsen staff-to-child ratios for 80 percent of children enrolled in Early Head Start or Head Start Preschool. HHS’s own analysis of the rule expects a 16 to 32 percent increase in the average number of children per Head Start educator. These changes will make it harder for staff to provide adequate supervision of children, result in poorer quality interactions with children, increase staff burnout, hinder accommodations for children with disabilities, and diminish the delivery of complex early learning science.\n\nChild Safety\n\n“We also oppose the proposed changes to essential safety standards that protect young children and give families peace of mind that their children will be well cared for in Head Start. Many of these changes are unconscionable, such as removing the prohibition on leaving children unsupervised and reducing protections against the maltreatment or endangerment of children, including restraint and seclusion practices. Disparities in discipline—including the use of restraint and seclusion—begin as early as preschool, with particularly concerning disparities involving children of color with disabilities. The elimination of these provisions would mean that young children could be subject to a higher risk of corporal punishment, abuse, neglect, shaming, and humiliation, or being left alone while enrolled in Head Start.\n\nSuspensions and Expulsions\n\n“The proposal to remove federal disciplinary standards in 45 C.F.R. §1302.17 that prohibit or severely limit the uses of suspensions, expulsions, or unenrollment of children will push children out of programs and disrupt their social and emotional development. According to a 2016 study, as many as 250 preschoolers are suspended or expelled every day. Research has found that boys of color, children with disabilities, and children who are English language learners are disproportionately more likely to experience suspensions or other disciplinary practices in preschool. Further, these disciplinary practices have negative consequences on children and families’ mental health and children’s development, education, and health.\n\nStandards for Teaching and Learning, Staff Qualifications, Trainings, and Wellness\n\n“The proposed rule eliminates standards for best practices for teaching and learning (currently regulated in 45 C.F.R. §1302.30-1302.36), erodes staff qualifications, limits access to training and professional development, and reduces wellness services (required under 45 C.F.R. §1302.90-93), which will worsen conditions for the Head Start workforce and their capacity to provide children with high-quality early learning. The proposed rule removes clear guidelines on individualizing instruction that integrates early learning standards into curriculum and teacher training. The proposed rule effectively prohibits postsecondary education credentials—which runs counter to section 648A of the law that outlines Head Start staff qualifications. At a time when 59 percent of the Head Start programs report challenging classroom conditions as among the top reasons for staff vacancies, the proposed rule also seek to remove coaching, some teacher training, developmental screenings for children, wellness breaks, and mental health information for Head Start staff. This elimination of professional and supportive services will worsen environments for the Head Start workforce, who are already underpaid and turning over at a rate that limits the capacity to serve more eligible children and families. Even worse, this comes at a time when HHS is in the process of finalizing another rule, ‘Restoring Flexibility to Support Head Start Program Access,’ that rolls back provisions that would have increased wages and required benefits for Head Start staff. Together, these changes will exacerbate staff stress and burnout and compound recruitment and retention challenges, making it harder to serve more children and disrupting the continuity of care.\n\n2. Deteriorates critical comprehensive services for children and families\n\n“Under section 636 of the Head Start Act, one of the stated purposes of Head Start is to provide ‘health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services’ to low-income children and their families across the country. The proposal guts regulatory provisions (45 C.F.R. §§ 1302.40-46) that are critical to promoting healthy child development and school readiness, and ensuring families receive comprehensive services and are equipped to build nurturing and responsive relationships with their children. Research has proven that developmental and mental health screenings, nutrition counseling, oral health programs, and parent education and support services enhance children’s outcomes and prevent long-term health issues, and Head Start has a long history of successfully providing these services for families. For example, during the 2025 program year, Head Start grantees across the country provided nearly 373,000 families (52 percent) with education on preventative medical and oral health, over 102,000 families (14 percent) with mental health services, and over 347,000 families (48 percent) with nutrition education. We oppose the proposal to roll back decades of progress and remove provisions that are central to the quality, frequency, and coordination of comprehensive services that are important for children’s development and learning and family economic stability and well-being.\n\nHealth Services for Children\n\n“The proposed elimination of 45 C.F.R. §1302.42 will result in fewer available physical, dental, and mental health services for children. Under the proposed rule, Head Start programs would no longer have to ensure children receive developmental, vision, and hearing screenings; check for a source of health insurance; and check the status of age-appropriate medical, mental health, and dental care. Current standards not only require these services but also establish timelines for doing so to ensure children receive medical and dental care without delay and requirements to refer children to follow up services and track progress to ensure children receive intervention or treatment for any identified issues. Further, the proposed rule strikes standards for family collaboration and education about their child’s healthy development (45 C.F.R.§1302.41 and §1302.46) and the frequency and coordination of mental health services (45 C.F.R.§1302.45)\n\n“The law requires HHS to have standards for health services (section 641A(a)(1)) and for Head Start grantees to have goals and measurable objectives for health services (section 642(f)). Notably, section 657C of the Head Start Act defines the term “health” to include services or care provided to enrolled children, their parents, or their siblings for both physical and mental health. However, the plan to eliminate almost all health, dental, and mental health standards, in addition to health and developmental screenings, service timelines, and ongoing care obligations will serve to deteriorate preventative and continuous health services for young children.\n\n“Early screenings and services are fundamental to the mission of Head Start which recognizes children’s learning, health, and development are inextricably linked, and your proposed changes will have long-term consequences for children. Head Start plays a critical role in ensuring that children with disabilities and their families are connected with providers of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Without these screenings, children who are at-risk for, or are suspected of having, a disability could be diagnosed later and miss the opportunity to receive early intervention services, increasing their risk of falling behind in elementary school and force their families to pay out-of-pocket for screenings and services traditionally offered by Head Start.\n\n“Additionally, we object to the removal of 45 C.F.R. §1302.42(e), which explicitly requires Early Head Start programs to use funds to provide diapers and formula during the program day, as well as the provision that allows Head Start programs to use program funds to pay for professional medical and oral health services if no other funding source is available. These guidance and authorities are crucial to ensuring every Head Start child receives early, preventative, and ongoing care – regardless of their family’s ability to pay for and access these services on their own.\n\nServices for Expecting Families\n\n“We also oppose the proposal to eliminate most of the dedicated services for more than 10,000 expecting Head Start families. Currently 45 C.F.R. §1302.80-82 of the rule requires grantees to check enrolled pregnant women’s prenatal care or insurance within 30 days, facilitate access to comprehensive services, and provide prenatal services to reduce barriers to healthy maternal and birthing outcomes. Prenatal and postpartum referrals and education are critical to the healthy development of infants, maternal health, and fostering nurturing and responsive caregiving environments.\n\n“The culmination of striking these research-based regulations will undermine Head Start’s current, proactive scope and the comprehensiveness of health, nutrition, and early intervention screenings and services for hundreds of thousands of Head Start children and families.\n\n3. Restrict access for children and working families\n\n“The proposed rule makes it harder for children and families to qualify for and be served by Head Start in a manner that meets their needs. We strongly object to the plans to shorten Head Start’s hours of operation, remove enrollment requirements for children with disabilities, require English-only instruction, and remove self-attestation and excessive housing costs considerations for eligibility, particularly for families experiencing homelessness.\n\nProgram Duration\n\n“The proposal to shorten the Head Start day is taking the program in exactly the wrong direction and is out of step with research on early childhood education. The proposed rule reverts Head Start centers program operations to the statutory minimum of 3 hours a day. To be clear, the current duration minimums that you seek to eliminate were designed to align Head Start with state pre-kindergarten successes in making gains in language, literacy, math, and social skills. The proposal also “acknowledges that families may need to secure alternative child care arrangements or may miss work time” in response to this new rule. Head Start is often the only licensed child care option in rural communities, and an estimated 4.2 million children lack access to a formal child care slot in their local community. In many states, depending on the age of the child and child care setting, the cost of child care exceeds annual, average in-state cost of college tuition, rent payments, or even mortgage payments. It is simply unrealistic and shameful to diminish Head Start services at a time when high-quality child care is unaffordable for working families and hard to find. We urge you to abandon this provision.\n\nIncome Eligibility Barriers\n\n“We oppose the prohibition on self-attestation in the proposed §1301.02(c)(4). This prohibition will exclude families with extremely low incomes, those who are self-employed, or those experiencing homelessness from Head Start programs. These are individuals who do not have the same access to tax documents, pay stubs, and proof of income from employers as individuals with more financial stability. HHS’s own analysis of the rule estimates that this change alone will make 8 percent of Head Start children, about 54,000 children, ineligible. It is abhorrent to remove some of the children and families with the greatest needs from Head Start.\n\n“Current Performance Standards in §1301.12(i)(1)(ii) allow Head Start programs to adjust for excessive housing expenses when verifying income eligibility. As wages increase to respond to rising costs of living, many families earning low wages have seen their incomes rise above Head Start’s federal poverty level eligibility threshold but still struggle to make ends meet and afford the high costs of necessities like housing, food, utilities, and child care. Striking this consideration will make it harder for families who face high costs of living and would benefit from Head Start’s services to qualify for the program.\n\nChildren Experiencing Homelessness\n\n“We are greatly concerned about the undue burden for children and families experiencing homelessness to be served by Head Start programs under your proposal. Section 640(m) of the Head Start Act requires the HHS Secretary to issue rules to ‘remove barriers to the enrollment and participation of homeless children in Head Start programs’, including ensuring children experiencing homelessness are identified and prioritized for enrollment, allowing their families to provide required documents within a reasonable time frame, offering continuity of services when housing is unstable, and coordinating with McKinney-Vento liaisons in local school districts. These legally required policies and procedures and the self-attestation pathway are critical for Head Start to carry out eligibility verification for children experiencing homelessness, allow enrollment of these children before records arrive, and hold slots for them if families relocate during the program year. In the 2024-2025 program year, Head Start served more than 60,000 children experiencing homelessness – the highest number on record. We urge you to follow the law to ensure Head Start identifies, enrolls, and coordinates services for children and families experiencing homelessness.\n\nChildren with Disabilities\n\n“Under the proposed rule, requirements pertaining to services for children with disabilities are eliminated, exposing children and their families to increased discrimination and greater barriers to necessary supports and services. While the underlying statutory requirements remain in place, the proposal no longer mandates that children receive services while they await an IDEA evaluation, and it removes the explicit directive that programs cannot reject a child based on disability-status. We oppose the proposed rule’s removal of standards that require Head Start programs to provide early intervention or special education services consistent with IDEA, support parent participation in this process, and prohibit denying enrollment or services based on disability status. While federal disability civil rights laws remain in effect, removing the detailed Performance Standards removes the mechanism that makes those legal rights operational day to day. Without clear federal requirements, whether a child with a disability receives an assessment, an accommodation, or coordinated services would depend far more on what an individual local program happens to know about disability, what resources it has, and how effectively a family can navigate complex systems on its own. That is likely to produce significant disparities across states and communities — the opposite of the consistency Head Start’s standards were designed to guarantee. If finalized, this proposal threatens to unravel decades of progress toward inclusion for more than 100,000 children with disabilities currently served by Head Start.\n\nDual Language Learners\n\n“The proposed extreme provision to impose English-only instruction in Head Start is a drastic shift from current learning and teaching science and practices to create educational access to all children. In 2024, nearly 30 percent of Head Start children’s primary, home language was not English, and nearly 10 percent of children whose families primarily speak English were acquiring or learning another language. Head Start supports dual language learner children in the acquisition of the English language and provides educational services and parent engagement in home languages. For example, programs are directed statutorily to use funds on literacy training ‘in a developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate manner and support children’s development in their native language’ and include ‘specific methods to best address the needs of children who are limited English proficient’ in section 648(d)(2) of the Head Start Act. While section 641A(a)(1)(B)(x) of the law requires the Secretary to issue standards to ensure ‘progress toward acquisition of the English language’, your proposal to require English-only instruction may conflict with the statutory requirement that ‘progress [be] made through the use of culturally and linguistically appropriate instructional services.’ We ask that you withdraw this provision and maintain inclusive instruction for Head Start children, particularly dual language learners. Research is clear that your provision will slow English acquisition and can be harmful to child development and academic achievement.\n\n4. Intentional ambiguity and misleading promises\n\n“We are concerned that removing nearly all the Performance Standards will create a great deal of ambiguity for Head Start grantees to implement the law with fidelity. The removal of regulatory details and reduction in administrative spending places greater burdens and uncertainties for community-driven programs in fulfilling their statutory obligations. For over six decades, Head Start has been a successful federal-to-local program, but this proposal to defer to state administration will undermine the consistency and quality of the program.\n\nMonitoring\n\n“The intentional lack of clarity for administering a complex, high-quality early childhood education and comprehensive services leaves every Head Start program susceptible to being out of compliance and possibly losing their grants. Section 641A(c) of the Head Start Act requires the Secretary to monitor programs, and HHS holds the authority to issue deficiencies when the monitoring process identifies a systematic or substantial failure to meet program requirements. The proposed rule strikes some details under §1304.11 related to the conditions that result in a grant being designated for competition and adds a vague provision for HHS to determine and re-compete a grant if the grantee is ‘determined not to be delivering classroom quality’. The proposal puts all Head Start grantees in a vulnerable position to face arbitrary monitoring processes without adequate guidance.\n\nAdministrative Capacity\n\n“The proposal in §1301.14 to reduce maximum administrative spending from 15 percent to 5 percent for Head Start grantees expressly contradicts section 644(b) of the Head Start Act, which allows a cap of 15 percent with the option of a waiver. Funds set aside for administrative spending allow grantees to develop and operate Head Start programs, including fiscal management, human resources, information technology, data systems, and facilities management. To continue these required functions under a 5 percent limit is untenable and many programs will be forced to have staff share functions or eliminate functions or reduce operations. Some grantees have suggested they will have to relinquish their grants altogether because they will be unable to maintain operations. HHS’s own analysis of this rule estimates that only 3.7 percent of Head Start grantees operate at or below this 5 percent threshold. To put it simply, this reduction will pose greater challenges for Head Start programs to deliver high-quality services or to expand services to serve more children, particularly for smaller and rural programs that already face limited administrative capacity.\n\nConclusion\n\n“This proposed rule is a brazen attempt to dismantle Head Start without regard for the hundreds of thousands of young children and working-class families who depend on these programs and services every year. Under your proposal, Head Start children could be subject to corporal punishment; left unsupervised; have larger class sizes; have less qualified teachers; and no longer receive preventative and continuous health services, including oral health and mental health services. Families might have to find alternative child care options and struggle to meet eligibility requirements, particularly for those with little to no incomes, those experiencing homelessness, and those already facing high costs of living. The Head Start workforce will lose professional development, training, and be expected to teach and supervise more children without any additional pay or support.\n\n“We strongly urge you to withdraw the proposed rule, obey the law, and protect the legacy of Head Start.\n\nSincerely,”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-leads-bicameral-colleagues-in-urging-trump-admin-to-reverse-course-on-closure-of-vermonts-white-river-national-fish-hatchery/", "title": "Welch Leads Bicameral Colleagues in Urging Trump Admin to Reverse Course on Closure of Vermont’s White River National Fish Hatchery", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BETHEL, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology, today led Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) in urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) to reconsider its decision to place Vermont’s White River National Fish Hatchery on inactive status.\n\nIn their letter to USFWS Director Brian Nesvik, the lawmakers warn that placing the White River National Fish Hatchery on inactive status would inhibit valuable scientific research, and risk reversing a decade of progress toward fishery restoration, including salmon. The lawmakers request that USFWS fully evaluate all facilities in the region to analyze how this action would impact Lake Champlain and long-standing service priorities before finalizing any determination about the White River facility.\n\n“Since the 1980s, the White River National Fish Hatchery has contributed to the restoration of native fish species in Lake Champlain, the Connecticut River, and the Great Lakes,” write the lawmakers. “Lake Champlain once supported thriving populations of landlocked Atlantic salmon and lake trout, each of which disappeared by 1900 amid stress from nearby settlement runoff and dam construction. In 1972, Vermont and New York began working to restore the fisheries. USFWS opened the White River hatchery in 1984 to provide federal support for these efforts, which has only grown more critical since the introduction of aquatic invasive species like sea lamprey.”\n\nThe lawmakers emphasize how successful fishery restoration efforts will bolster the outdoor recreation economy in Vermont and New York: “ In 2016, USFWS discovered the first wild-hatched Atlantic salmon fry in the Winooski River—the first in 150 years. The following year, researchers documented a second sighting of fry in Vermont and the first sighting in New York’s Boquet River. In 2023, USFWS recorded the highest number of Atlantic salmon encountered at the Chase Mill hydroelectric dam on the Winooski River in 30 years. Meanwhile, sea lamprey control—led by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in partnership with USFWS, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation—significantly reduced lamprey wounding of Atlantic salmon, from 79% at the height of the infestation to just 6% in 2022.”\n\n“Bipartisan majorities in Congress have consistently recognized the value of the National Fish Hatchery System. In FY26, Congress appropriated $79 million for system operations and an additional $24.5 million for maintenance and equipment, a nearly $3.5 million increase in funding compared to FY25,” the lawmakers continue. “We respectfully request that you stay the decision to put the facility on inactive status and brief our staff on your plans for the hatchery not later than October 30, 2026.”\n\nRead and download the lawmakers’ full letter to USFWS Nesvik.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-statement-on-three-years-since-hamas-terror-attack-on-israel/", "title": "Welch Statement on Three Years Since Hamas’ Terror Attack on Israel", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BURLINGTON, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today released the following statement on the third anniversary of the October 7th terror attack on Israel:\n\n“Today marks three years since the horrifying attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists, which resulted in the brutal assault, torture, and slaughter of 1,400 Israeli civilians. The October 7th attacks were a heinous crime. I have met with families of victims of that atrocity—their pain and their grief is unimaginable. We will never forget those who were killed that day, the hostages who were tortured and whose lives were lost, and the families and loved ones of victims who are grieving this tragedy.\n\n“Since that day, many Jewish Americans have also felt increasingly unsafe in our own communities. Antisemitism is never acceptable. We will continue to fight for a country where Americans of all faiths are safe.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-kelly-press-epa-ai-companies-on-rollback-of-public-input-rules-for-data-center-air-permits/", "title": "Whitehouse, Kelly Press EPA, AI Companies on Rollback of Public Input Rules for Data Center Air Permits", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release", "domain": "www.whitehouse.senate.gov", "scraper": "whitehouse", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000802", "name": "Sheldon Whitehouse", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) sent two letters last week opposing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to eliminate the 30-day mandatory public notice period that allows communities to provide input on proposed facilities, like data centers, that may affect the air they breathe.\n\nThe first letter urges EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to withdraw the proposed rule and disclose any documents showing that the agency communicated with data center owners ahead of the proposal.\n\n“We agree that permitting should be efficient, predictable, and capable of supporting theinfrastructure our country needs. But faster permitting should not come at the expense of transparency or communities’ ability to shape the decisions that affect them,” wrote the senators to Administrator Zeldin.\n\nThe second letter calls on nine major data center companies – Anthropic, AWS, Fermi, Google, Joule, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, and xAI – to commit to maintaining current public participation standards regardless of the rule’s outcome. The senators asked the companies to explain their own policies governing community engagement before constructing data centers and disclose any documents showing that the companies communicated with EPA, the White House, or other federal agencies ahead of the proposal.\n\n“Data center companies like yours…have a responsibility not to use weaker requirements to limit…communities’ ability to meaningfully shape decisions that affect them,” wrote the senators to the data center companies.“America can build the infrastructure needed to compete and innovate while keeping communities informed and involved in the decisions that affect them.”\n\nThe senators requested both parties provide relevant documents and answers to their questions by October 23, 2026.\n\nIn addition to Whitehouse and Kelly, the letter to the EPA was co-signed by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).\n\nIn addition to Whitehouse and Kelly, the letter to the data companies was co-signed by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).\n\nRead the full letter to the EPA here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-reintroduces-legislation-to-tackle-housing-affordability-crisis/", "title": "Whitehouse Reintroduces Legislation to Tackle Housing Affordability Crisis", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release", "domain": "www.whitehouse.senate.gov", "scraper": "whitehouse", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000802", "name": "Sheldon Whitehouse", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Affordable Housing Construction Act would expand the supply of housing financed by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit\n\nWashington, DC – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has reintroduced the Affordable Housing Construction Act, legislation to address the housing affordability crisis that’s squeezing Rhode Island families. Whitehouse’s bill would more than triple the size of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and deliver additional funding for sustainable, accessible, and energy-efficient housing developments. The bill would also loosen financing requirements and extend the required length of time that the housing must remain affordable from 30 years to 50 years.\n\n“Rhode Island families are paying the price for decades of sluggish housing supply investment, too often getting priced out of the neighborhoods where they want to live. My legislation would help bring down skyrocketing rents by increasing the supply of affordable rental homes in the state,” said Whitehouse.\n\nThe shortage of affordable housing costs the American economy an estimated $2 trillion each year. The United States is facing a shortage of an estimated 7.2 million rental homes, and development has been unable to keep up with rising demand. High housing costs reduce disposable income and economic mobility, stifling economic opportunities for those who can no longer afford housing in their communities. In Rhode Island, no municipality is affordable for the typical renter or homebuyer, and a third of households are severely cost burdened, paying more than 30 percent of their income towards housing costs.\n\nWhitehouse’s Affordable Housing Construction Act would decrease the cost of rent for lower-income Americans by significantly expanding the nation’s supply of housing financed under the LIHTC program. LIHTC is the nation’s most important federal program for affordable housing construction. The credit has financed the construction of 3.9 million housing units since its creation in 1986 and produces an average of 115,000 affordable rental units annually. However, the credit is oversubscribed, with too many eligible projects competing for too few funds.\n\nThe updated legislation would also eliminate the “qualified contract” process for housing developments financed with LIHTC, reforming a loophole that once allowed LIHTC owners to discontinue affordability restrictions prematurely.\n\nThe Affordable Housing Construction Act specifically would:\n\nMake the 2018 temporary 12.5 percent boost to LIHTC permanent;\n\nTriple both the LIHTC state allocation and the small state minimum beginning in 2027;\n\nSet aside one-third of each state allocation for boosts to projects that meet special requirements, such as paying a prevailing wage, using renewable energy sources, proximity to public transportation, providing accessible units, or allocating at least 20 percent of the units for extremely low-income renters;\n\nRepeal the “qualified contract” loophole that allows developers to prematurely pull units out of the required affordability period;\n\nLower the private activity bond threshold for the rehabilitation credit from 50 percent to 15 percent; and\n\nExtend the required affordability period for LIHTC buildings from 30 to 50 years.\n\nThe Affordable Housing Construction Act would result in at least an additional $68 million annually for affordable housing development in Rhode Island—creating hundreds of additional affordable units in the state each year, according to an analysis by RI Housing.\n\nSenator Jack Reed (D-RI) cosponsors the legislation. The legislation is endorsed by the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing, Housing Works RI, RIHousing, Housing Network of Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness.\n\n“In RI, since 2020, construction material costs have risen 40 percent; between 2018 and 2024, home prices rose 65 percent and rents 60 percent, while wages in our state rose only 29 percent. Thanks to federal recovery act funding and other state resources, RI has made some progress with housing permits reaching its highest level in decades – 3,778 issued in 2025 and more than 2,100 certificates of occupancy issued. To maintain our progress, much more work is needed in RI and across the country to address housing affordability. Senator Whitehouse’s Affordable Housing Construction Act provides critical funding/financing tools needed to implement the 21stCentury ROAD to Housing Act. HWRI thanks Senator Whitehouse and our congressional delegation for their strong support of housing funding and financing and urges Congress to continue their bi-partisan efforts to ensure that every one in every state has a healthy and affordable place to call home,” said Brenda Clement, Executive Director of Housing Works RI at Roger Williams University.\n\n“Rhode Island cannot solve homelessness without significantly increasing the supply of homes that people with the lowest incomes can actually afford. The Affordable Housing Construction Act would bring critical new resources to Rhode Island while strengthening the long-term affordability of those homes. The availability of deeply affordable housing is often the difference between having a place to call home and remaining in crisis. We are proud to support Senator Whitehouse’s continued leadership and this important investment in Rhode Island’s housing future,” said Colby O’Brien, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness.\n\n“Rhode Island is working to create more homes and expand access to housing that Rhode Islanders can afford, but we cannot meet the scale of this need alone,” said Rhode Island Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard. “Senator Whitehouse’s Affordable Housing Construction Act would strengthen the federal tools that make affordable housing possible, helping communities build and preserve more homes while creating greater long-term stability for Rhode Islanders. We are grateful to Senator Whitehouse for continuing to champion policies that recognize the importance of sustained investment in affordable housing, and we are proud to support this legislation.”\n\n“Rhode Island needs more affordable homes, but we also need to make sure those homes help create healthy, accessible, sustainable communities for the long term. This year’s version of the Affordable Housing Construction Act recognizes that building affordable housing is about more than increasing the number of units, it’s about making strategic investments in homes that are accessible, energy efficient, and connected to jobs, services, and transportation. By directing additional resources towards complimentary priorities like transit-oriented development, accessibility, and energy sustainability and improvements, this legislation can help communities build affordable housing that works for Rhode Islanders today and for generations to come. We’re grateful to see these priorities reflected in the federal conversation around expanding the resources available for affordable housing,” said Melina Lodge, Executive Director of the Housing Network of Rhode Island.\n\n“Low-Income Housing Tax Credits are one of our most powerful tools to encourage the development of much-needed affordable housing,” said Carol Ventura, CEO & Executive Director of RIHousing. “We wholly support Senator Whitehouse’s Affordable Housing Construction Act, which would expand the scope of LIHTC, offering further incentives to developers while extending the affordability period for renters. As we continue to face a difficult housing market, it is critical that we bolster our existing programs and seek out innovative ways to support housing development.”\n\nWhitehouse is focused on ensuring more Rhode Islanders have access to affordable housing and a stable foothold in the middle class. In 2025, Whitehouse introduced the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, bicameral legislation which would support homeownership among lower- and middle-income Americans by establishing a refundable tax credit worth up to 10 percent of a home’s purchase price – up to a maximum of $15,000 – for first-time homebuyers.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-leads-colleagues-in-call-for-irs-to-drop-unnecessary-and-harmful-immigration-status-question-on-tax-form", "title": "Wyden Leads Colleagues in Call for IRS to Drop Unnecessary and Harmful Immigration Status Question on Tax Form", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.wyden.senate.gov", "scraper": "wyden", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000779", "name": "Ron Wyden", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is leading his Democratic colleagues in calling on the IRS to reverse a proposed rule that would, for the first time, add citizenship and work authorization questions to 2026 tax forms, in an effort to intimidate immigrants into not filing tax returns, and raising privacy concerns over the handling of private taxpayer data.\n\nIn a letter to IRS CEO Frank Bisignano, Wyden and the other senators described how adding a new immigration question serves no clear tax purpose and could result in a loss of $300 billion in tax receipts. Wyden has been a leading voice in the Senate sounding the alarm on the Trump administration’s data sharing agreement between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the IRS, which exposed the private data of thousands of taxpayers. The letter also pushes for the release of the updated tax gap estimate, which has been delayed almost a year.\n\n“We write to urge you to drop the newly proposed citizenship and work authorization checkbox from the final version of the 2026 Form 1040. Adding this question for the first time in history appears to serve no legitimate tax administration purpose and risks increasing the tax gap by hundreds of billions of dollars,” the senators wrote Bisignano.\n\n“Turning the 1040 into an immigration tracker actively sabotages voluntary tax compliance and undermines the IRS’s core tax collection responsibilities. Public trust is already at a low point after the IRS illegally handed over the private data of more than 42,000 taxpayers to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Putting this question on the front page of the Form 1040 will only discourage people from filing altogether,” the senators continued .\n\nIn addition to Wyden, the letter was also led by U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M. The letter was signed by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Alex Padilla, p-Calif., Peter Welch, D-Vt., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-bonamici-salinas-hoyle-dexter-announce-43-million-to-support-public-safety-across-oregon", "title": "Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Hoyle, Dexter Announce $4.3 Million to Support Public Safety Across Oregon", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.wyden.senate.gov", "scraper": "wyden", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000779", "name": "Ron Wyden", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Programs in Gresham, Beaverton, Salem and Cottage Grove to benefit\n\nWashington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, and Maxine Dexter, today announced more than $4.3 million in federal awards to support public safety programs across Oregon.\n\n“It is absolutely essential to ensure communities across Oregon are safe, and young people are able to get the support they need in times of crisis,” Wyden said. “These federal grants will help support local police agencies, youth support programs and resources for foster youth. I’ll keep fighting to secure the federal resources Oregon communities need to thrive and stay secure.”\n\n“Every Oregon community needs the resources to keep young people safe, support children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and build stronger relationships between families and those who serve them,” said Merkley, who helped secure funding for these community-initiated projects as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “These federal investments will expand mentorship and opportunities for young people, ensure children have access to critical advocacy and medical services, and strengthen public safety infrastructure in several communities across the state. I’ll keep fighting to bring these federal resources home to Oregon and support the local organizations working every day to make our communities safer.”\n\n“Beaverton’s Behavioral Health Court is doing important work to help people with mental health challenges who encounter the justice system and put them on a path to recovery,” said Bonamici. “I’m grateful this grant will support this initiative, improve lives, and make our communities safer.”\n\n“Investments in emergency response capabilities strengthen our communities,” said Hoyle. “This funding for the Cottage Grove Police Department will replace aging equipment and bolster our emergency preparedness, prioritizing public safety and making it easier for officers to do their jobs.”\n\n“Every child deserves to be safe, cared for, and heard. I’m thrilled to have helped secure over $2 million to protect children across Oregon. Because of this funding, children who have experienced abuse or neglect will not have to navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives alone. They will have an advocate in their corner and a safe place to turn to when they need emotional or medical support. I’m proud to see these federal dollars coming home to support the people doing this vital work in our communities,” Salinas said.\n\n“Our young people deserve to grow up safe, supported and hopeful about their future,” said Dexter, M.D. “I fought hard to bring this $1 million investment to Gresham because children deserve opportunities to succeed. This funding will connect them with mentors, workforce readiness and programs that prevent and reduce involvement in violent crime and strengthen public safety efforts for youth and families in East Multnomah County. Investing in our children makes Oregon stronger.”\n\nThe $4.3 million in federal awards from the Department of Justice’s Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants program will be distributed as follows:\n\n$1.05 million to the City of Gresham to expand the East Multnomah Outreach Prevention Intervention initiative to prevent and combat juvenile delinquency, reduce youth involvement in violent crime, and strengthen coordinated public safety efforts for youth and families in East Multnomah County.\n\n$1 million to Liberty House in Salem to increase medical clinic services to children who are victims of abuse or neglect in Marion and Polk Counties.\n\n$1.03 million to the Oregon CASA Network in Salem to support its work to provide foster children the advocacy and support of an assigned Court Appointed Special Advocate.\n\n$500,000 to the City of Beaverton to support the Behavioral Health Court program that targets defendants with criminal cases in the Beaverton Municipal Court who are the top utilizers of legal, jail or emergency room services living in the Beaverton area.\n\n$800,000 to the City of Cottage Grove to support modernizing the Cottage Grove Police Department fleet and communications infrastructure to facilitate a department-wide transition to community-oriented policing practices.\n\n“This funding will support Court Appointed Special Advocate programs across the state in recruiting and retaining volunteers who provide advocacy, encouragement, and a sense of stability to children impacted by abuse and neglect,” said Stephanie Brown, State Director, Oregon CASA Network. “Our advocates are in every corner of the state, getting to know the unique needs of each child they serve, and advocating for them in court, in school, and in the community. We appreciate the efforts of our elected officials to make this valuable investment in Oregon’s future which will help many of the state’s most vulnerable reach their full potential.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-opposes-trump-administration-scheme-to-redirect-money-away-from-public-schools", "title": "Wyden Opposes Trump Administration Scheme to Redirect Money Away from Public Schools", "date": "2026-10-07", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.wyden.senate.gov", "scraper": "wyden", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000779", "name": "Ron Wyden", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "New Treasury provision continues Trump’s pattern of ignoring clear congressional mandates and benefiting the wealthy and well-connected\n\nWashington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said today that he and U.S. Rep Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) are battling back against proposed regulations recently issued by the Trump administration in the IRS code that further Republican schemes to undermine public school systems by directing taxpayer money toward private and religious schools.\n\nIn a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Wyden and Neal called out the administration for its blatant attempt to circumvent the clear rules established by Congress and funneling even more taxpayer funds away from public education and using that money to subsidize the private school education of children from wealthy families.\n\nTreasury’s baseless interpretation of federal statute would allow married couples filing jointly to potentially claim double the credit that is authorized under the law, wrote Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Neal, ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee,\n\n“This interpretation is wildly inconsistent with the longstanding treatment of other provisions that use identical or near-identical language,” Wyden and Neal wrote.\n\n“This throws doubt upon Treasury’s interpretation of many provisions of the Code, creates a great deal of uncertainty in the administration of our tax laws, and could balloon the deficit,” the lawmakers noted, adding that it could increase the cost of the credit by an additional $150 billion over the next decade.\n\nWyden and Neal closed their letter by demanding the administration provide written answers and explanations to how the new interpretation of the law will affect taxpayers, how it came to be and was coordinated internally, which other tax provisions taxpayers might take a return position that is different from previously listed guidance based on new interpretations, and other pressing matters.", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://aguilar.house.gov/2026/10/08/rep-aguilar-highlights-importance-of-food-assistance-programs-for-cal-state-san-bernardino-students-as-grocery-prices-rise/", "title": "Rep. Aguilar Highlights Importance of Food Assistance Programs for Cal State San Bernardino Students as Grocery Prices Rise", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://aguilar.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/", "domain": "aguilar.house.gov", "scraper": "aguilar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000371", "name": "Pete Aguilar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Faced with rising grocery costs, more CSUSB students are turning to the on-campus food pantry or enrolling in food assistance benefits\n\nSAN BERNARDINO, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) held a press conference highlighting the impact of rising food prices on students and the importance of food assistance programs. This fall semester, 2,200 students at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) have used the on-campus food pantry and student applications for CalFresh, California’s version of SNAP, have more than doubled since last year.\n\nAcross the country, people are struggling to afford the skyrocketing prices of gas, groceries, housing and electricity because of Trump’s and Republicans’ policies. Last year, Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill kicked more than 5 million Americans, including more than 340,000 Californians, off their food assistance benefits in order to give a tax break to billionaires. For CSUSB students, rising costs mean cutting back spending or relying more on food assistance programs and campus food pantries to avoid going hungry. You can watch the full video of the press conference here and find photos from the event above and here.\n\n“Students are already juggling classes, homework, housing and even jobs and childcare, so finding enough to eat shouldn’t be another concern,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “That’s why CalFresh and the Obershaw DEN food pantry are so important. When you don’t have to worry about your next meal, you can focus in class and have energy for everything else college offers. Even after Trump and Republicans cut millions of Americans’ food assistance, I’m grateful that CSUSB students have somewhere to turn to so they don’t go hungry. But in the wealthiest nation on earth, this shouldn’t be the case. I’ll keep fighting to bring down costs and protect CalFresh so Inland Empire students get the meals they need to do well in school and graduate.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-08T11:49:20Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-08T11:50:16Z"}
{"url": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-austin-american-statesman-article-below-titled-texas-leading-nation", "title": "ICYMI: The Austin American-Statesman article below, titled “Texas leading nation in arrests by ICE.\"", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "algreen.house.gov", "scraper": "algreen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000553", "name": "Al Green", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The Austin American-Statesman article below, titled “Texas leading nation in arrests by ICE,” speaks for itself.\n\nYou can access the article by clicking the link here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-tlaib-and-green-lead-letter-demanding-release-daca-recipient-ice-custody", "title": "Reps. Tlaib and Green lead letter demanding release of DACA recipient in ICE custody", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "algreen.house.gov", "scraper": "algreen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000553", "name": "Al Green", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Al Green (TX-09) joined by 21 Members of Congress demanded the release of Ya’akub Ira Vijandre, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a year ago as of yesterday. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and ICE Acting Director David Venturella, the Members pressed for answers regarding Ya’akub’s unconstitutional arrest and prolonged detention after a federal judge allowed his habeas challenge to proceed.\n\nYa’akub, a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient, has lived in the U.S. since he was 14 years old. He spent a decade working for American Airlines as a senior safety specialist and was recognized for supporting grieving families after a helicopter crashed into a plane in Washington, D.C. Despite having no criminal record and not being charged with any crime, he was targeted and arrested at gun point for speaking out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza and for “liking” a social media post with Quranic verses–both of which are protected by the First Amendment.\n\n“The administration’s stated basis for [Ya’akub’s] detention has been inconsistent and appears to rely substantially on his speech and social media activity,” the Members wrote. “DHS has sought to justify his detention by citing his social media commentary regarding the prosecutions of the Holy Land Foundation Five, his criticism of the treatment of Guantanamo detainees, his advocacy for Palestine, and his engagement with religious Islamic content, including ‘liking’ Instagram posts containing Quranic verses. We are deeply concerned that constitutionally protected political and religious expression is being used as a basis for his continued detention or deportation.”\n\nThe letter renews concerns and questions from a letter Rep. Green sent in June. Rep. Tlaib also spoke on the House floor urging for Ya’akub’s release in August.\n\n“We are also concerned by reports, previously flagged in Congressman Green’s June letter, that the FBI approached Mr. Vijandre in November 2023 seeking his cooperation as a confidential informant and that he declined,” the Members continued in their letter. “His DACA status, renewed as recently as May 2024 through May 2026, was subsequently revoked. The proximity and sequence of these events—an FBI approach he declined, followed by a DACA termination and detention grounded largely in the government’s characterization of his religious and political speech—continue to raise serious questions about possible retaliation that Congress has not yet received satisfactory answers to.”\n\nThe letter, led by Reps. Tlaib and Green, was signed by 21 other Members of Congress: Greg Casar (TX–35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesús \"Chuy\" García (IL-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Summer Lee (PA-12), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).\n\nThe letter was also endorsed by 38 organizations: American Friends Service Committee, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Arab American Caucus of the California Democratic Party, Arlington for Palestine, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta, CAIR Action, Center for Constitutional Rights, Codepink, Community Alliance for Peace and Justice, Demand Progress, Havertown-Community Action Network, IMEU Policy Project, Indiana Center for Middle East Peace, Institute for Policy Studies New Internationalism Project, Maine Coalition for Palestine, Majdal: Arab Community Center of San Diego, MARUF CT, Massachusetts Peace Action, Methodist Federation for Social Action, Muslim Advocates, National Political Prisoner Coalition, NE Oakland Indivisible, NH Peace Action, Palestine Legal, Peace Action Montgomery, Peace Justice Sustainability NOW!, Philly Neighborhood Networks, Pittsburgh Palestine Solidarity Committee, Project TAHA, Restore The Fourth - Action, ReThinking Foreign Policy, River Valley for Palestine, The Justice Coalition, United Methodists for Kairos Response, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action, Virginia for Palestine, Whistleblower & Source Protection Program at ExposeFacts, Worcester Multifaith for Palestine.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://barragan.house.gov/2026/10/08/barragan-leger-fernandez-colleagues-introduce-latina-equal-pay-day-resolution-call-for-closing-wage-gap/", "title": "Barragán, Leger Fernández, Colleagues Introduce Latina Equal Pay Day Resolution, Call for Closing Wage Gap", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://barragan.house.gov/news", "domain": "barragan.house.gov", "scraper": "barragan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001300", "name": "Nanette Diaz Barragán", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nOctober 8, 2026\n\nContact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov\n\nWASHINGTON — Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, introduced a resolution recognizing October 8, 2026 as Latina Equal Pay Day and calling attention to the wage gap that shortchanges Latinas and their families. In 2025, Latinas with reported earnings were paid just 53 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men.\n\n“Latina Equal Pay Day is a reminder that equal work deserves equal pay,” said Rep. Barragán. “It is unacceptable that Latinas continue to face a significant wage gap compared to White, non-Hispanic men, despite decades of progress towards workplace equality. This disparity affects not only women, but American families, communities, and our economy. We must continue working to ensure every woman —regardless of her race or ethnicity— is valued fairly and paid equally for her work. Ha llegado el momento de que las latinas reciban igualdad de salarios!”\n\n“Latinas work hard, care for our families, and keep our communities running. Yet our paychecks still do not reflect the value of our work,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “When Latinas are underpaid, our families have less money for groceries, rent and child care—all things that have already been made more expensive by the Trump administration. But our contributions are not valued, and our value is not paid. Today, we recommit to closing the gender and racial wage gap. Ya basta. Latinas deserve equal pay TODAY. ”\n\nMore than six decades after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the wage gap persists across sectors and education levels. Latinas working full time, year round were paid just 60 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. The gap widens to 53 cents when including workers with part-time and part-year earnings.\n\nThe resolution recognizes how the wage gap hurts women, families, and the economy and reaffirms Congress’ support for equal pay and closing the gender wage gap. It also highlights barriers that contribute to the disparity, including a lack of affordable child care and paid family and medical leave, as well as workplace harassment.\n\n“Latinas are paid just 53 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men,” said Mónica Ramírez, Founder and President of Justice for Migrant Women. “We know first hand the consequences of this gap for ourselves and our families. We also recognize the work that is being done every day to change things for the better. That is why we are marking Latina Equal Pay Day this year with three words: Power. Pay. Progress. We are reflecting on the power that Latinas hold, the pay inequities that still exist, the progress that we have made in spite of this pay gap and the work that remains to ensure that Latinas are paid fully and fairly for our work.”\n\n“Latinas face one of the largest wage gaps in the nation, earning just 53 cents for every dollar paid to their white non-Hispanic male counterparts. That should be an urgent call to action, not a statistic we simply acknowledge,” said Jessica Ramey Stender, Policy Director & Deputy Legal Director at Equal Rights Advocates. “At a time when the federal government is rolling back basic workplace protections and attacking the rights and economic security of Latinas and other women, we cannot afford to stand by as the wage gap widens. Nearly half of Latina mothers are breadwinners, meaning the wage gap doesn’t just shortchange Latina workers; it keeps many families in poverty with consequences across generations. We know what it takes to close the wage gap: stronger protections against pay discrimination, access to well-paying jobs, and policies that support working parents. We thank Rep. Leger Fernández and the Democratic Women’s Caucus for championing the rights of women and urge all lawmakers to take decisive action to close the wage gap.”\n\n“53 cents and 11 years after the first Latina Equal Pay Day, Latinas remain among the lowest-paid workers in the country. For more than a decade, LCLAA has stood shoulder to shoulder with trabajadoras, fighting wage theft, harassment, retaliation, and pay inequity, while championing solutions like good union jobs that deliver real, tangible economic security,” said Karla Pineda, Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). “As meaningful contributors in our homes, communities, and workplaces across every industry, we refuse to be overlooked, undervalued, and silenced. LCLAA has, is, and will continue to commit its efforts to help ensure that all workers– including working women in our comunidad– receive nothing short of what they deserve: dignity, equity, and the real opportunity to thrive rather than merely survive.”\n\nCosponsors include Representatives Ansari, Bonamici, Carbajal, Castor, Chu, Cisneros, Correa, Crockett, DeLauro, Espaillat, Jesús “Chuy” García, Sylvia R. Garcia, Gomez, Mejia, Menendez, Holmes Norton, Ramirez, Randall, Ruiz, Salinas, Tlaib, Vargas, Velázquez, and Wilson.\n\nThe resolution is endorsed by numerous organizations including the A Better Balance, AFL-CIO, American Association of University Women (AAUW), California National Organization for Women (CA NOW), Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues, Equal Rights Advocates, Equal Pay Today, Family Values @ Work, Feminist Majority Foundation, FL National Organization for Women, Institute for Women’s Policy Research, Justice for Migrant Women, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), Legal Momentum, Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, MomsRising, Montana Chapter of the National Organization for Women for Women, National Black Worker Center, National Council of Jewish Women, National Immigration Law Center, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Organization for Women, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, One Fair Wage, Oxfam America, Public Justice Center, Reproductive Freedom for All, Ujima, The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, Women Employed, WorkLife Law\n\nThe resolution can be found HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-12T12:44:49Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-12T12:46:14Z"}
{"url": "https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/10/08/icymi-buchanan-tonko-make-bipartisan-case-for-early-alzheimers-detection-in-the-hill-op-ed/", "title": "ICYMI: Buchanan, Tonko Make Bipartisan Case for Early Alzheimer’s Detection in The Hill Op-Ed", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "domain": "buchanan.house.gov", "scraper": "buchanan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001260", "name": "Vern Buchanan", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "“The time for waiting is over. We must act ASAP.”\n\nWASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, penned an op-ed in The Hill with Congressman Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), highlighting the momentum behind their Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act and the bipartisan need for broader access to Alzheimer’s screening tools.\n\n“Broadening access to Alzheimer’s screening tools can help people understand their risk for the disease long before symptoms appear,” wrote Buchanan and Tonko in the op-ed. “This is especially key for patients in rural and underserved communities, where access to specialists and advanced diagnostic facilities can be limited and where a simple blood test could reduce the burden of traveling long distances for care.”\n\nRead the full op-ed HERE or below:\n\nA rare healthcare issue that both parties agree on: A solution to Alzheimer’s that can’t wait\n\nReps. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.)\n\nAs members of Congress on opposite sides of the aisle, we don’t see eye-to-eye on everything. But Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t care about politics. It affects families in every state, congressional district and neighborhood across America. Over 7 million of us currently live with Alzheimer’s — more than 1 million in our two states alone — a number that is expected to nearly double in the decades ahead. Changing the trajectory of Alzheimer’s in America isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.\n\nAlzheimer’s can start more than a decade before memory loss and other signs become evident. Early detection is critical to helping patients start Alzheimer’s treatment sooner, when it’s most effective. Sadly, many patients are diagnosed too late for treatment or other health interventions to help.\n\nThankfully, decades of investment in research and development have led to scientific breakthroughs that are revolutionizing Alzheimer’s care. For too long, diagnosing Alzheimer’s required lengthy referrals and invasive, expensive procedures. Today, simple blood-based biomarker tests can help identify the disease earlier and more conveniently than ever. These developments have the potential to transform patient care, particularly with more treatments now approved.\n\nYet despite these advances, coverage policies have not kept pace. Medicare can only cover preventive services that Congress has specifically authorized or that are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. This process can delay coverage for years after screening tests receive FDA clearance.\n\nThat’s why we came together to introduce the ASAP Act. Our bipartisan, bicameral legislation authorizes the secretary of Health and Human Services to provide a pathway for Medicare coverage for FDA-approved or cleared blood-based biomarker tests for the early detection of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.\n\nBroadening access to Alzheimer’s screening tools can help people understand their risk for the disease long before symptoms appear. This is especially key for patients in rural and underserved communities, where access to specialists and advanced diagnostic facilities can be limited and where a simple blood test could reduce the burden of traveling long distances for care.\n\nCatching Alzheimer’s early is critical because it is among the most expensive diseases to manage. Late-stage care often requires extensive medical services and long-term support, imposing significant costs to families and taxpayers alike. It can also place an enormous burden on caregivers, who often shoulder years of financial, emotional and logistical responsibilities as a loved one’s condition progresses. Earlier detection can give families more time to plan, pursue treatment and prepare for the challenges ahead.\n\nAs our country’s population ages, rates of Alzheimer’s will rise. In fact, the U.S. is on pace to spend more than $1 trillion treating Alzheimer’s and other dementias by 2050. The cost of inaction is exorbitant.\n\nIt’s fair to debate whether Medicare should cover new services, but modern blood tests are much softer on taxpayers than a typical PET scan. Yet despite their cost-effectiveness, blood tests can still be financially challenging for the average patient to obtain. By significantly easing out-of-pocket costs, the ASAP Act helps fix this problem.\n\nThe legislation reflects principles that both parties can get behind. It encourages prevention, innovation, patient choice and fiscal responsibility — values Republicans have long championed. By increasing access to quality medical care, the ASAP Act advances a more equitable healthcare system where a person’s ability to benefit from the latest innovation isn’t determined by their income status or where they live — a key priority for Democrats.\n\nUltimately, scientific advancements achieve their full potential only when people can access them. In 1990, Congress voted to ensure Medicare coverage of mammograms, saving the lives of millions of women through early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Today, we have the chance to change Alzheimer’s trajectory and write a new story.\n\nFamilies deserve access to earlier diagnosis and treatment without being forced to pay out of pocket just to get care. FDA-cleared Alzheimer’s tests are now available; coverage rules need to keep up. Every month we delay costs Americans opportunities to benefit from advances that could make a meaningful difference in their lives.\n\nTwo hundred twenty-four of our House colleagues have co-sponsored our bill, a sign of momentum we should not squander. The time for waiting is over. We must act ASAP.\n\nVern Buchanan serves Florida’s 16th District. He is vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, chairman of its Health Subcommittee, and the longest-serving Republican to represent Southwest Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. Paul Tonko serves New York’s 20th District. He is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and serves as ranking member of its Environment Subcommittee.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415891", "title": "“The cruel injustice of abortion need not be forever”: Rep. Smith addresses crowds at 2026 New Jersey March for Life", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "chrissmith.house.gov", "scraper": "chrissmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000522", "name": "Christopher H. Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The following are excerpts of remarks delivered by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, at the 2026 New Jersey March for Life in Trenton, NJ:\n\nI met my dear wife, Marie, more than fifty years ago in the pro-life movement. We spent many days lobbying here at our state capital. Today, like you, we remain hope-filled.\n\nSpecial thanks to Marie Tasy for her extraordinary leadership, courage, wisdom and tenacity in the defense of the weakest and most vulnerable. Thank you to each and every one of you for being here.\n\nToday’s March for Life is an engraved invitation to all of us to seriously recommit and rededicate ourselves, with love and compassion, to tangibly assist women—especially through the extraordinary work of pregnancy care centers—in order to protect their precious babies and their own lives from the violence and cruelty of abortion.\n\nWe stand in absolute solidarity with First Choice Women’s Resource Center and remain encouraged by the U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous 9-0 decision last April.\n\nAs you know, pregnancy care centers are on the front lines of providing compassionate care to mothers and their precious children—offering free support and resources, which can range from pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to parental education programs and lactation consultations, and much more.\n\n30 Members of the House and Senate and I had asked the Supreme Court to send a clear message to New Jersey and other states that this kind of bullying and infringement of constitutionally protected freedoms be given no sanction.\n\nRegrettably, New Jersey has not respected the Supreme Court decision. Tragically, pregnancy care centers are under siege, especially here in NJ, while abortion clinics flourish—since 1970, Planned Parenthood has killed more than 10.6 million babies by abortion nationwide—almost 1,200 every single day. That’s more than the entire population of New Jersey, exterminated by just one organization.\n\nNJ’s discrimination against pregnancy centers because they refrain from promoting or participating in the killing of unborn children by abortion is an unconscionable abuse of power. It is utterly shameful that New Jersey would go to these lengths to strip women of life-affirming options and support.\n\nIt motivated the Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2025 (HR 2226), federal legislation I introduced to prohibit federal, state and local governments from discriminating against the nearly 2,700 pregnancy care centers across the United States.\n\nEach and every one of these centers is an oasis of love, compassion, empathy, and respect, offering quality care for both mothers and their precious children. Yet state governments, like New Jersey, and some lawmakers seek to discriminate against pregnancy care centers by violating fundamental conscience rights to compel complicity in abortion.\n\nFifty years ago, last week—on September 30th, 1976—Congress first enacted an amendment offered by the late, great Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois to prohibit federal Medicaid funds from being used to subsidize the killing of unborn children by abortion.\n\nDuring debate in the House, Henry said: “An innocent, defenseless human life, in a caring and humane society, deserves better than to be flushed down a toilet or burned in an incinerator. The promise of America is that life is not just for the privileged, the planned, or the perfect.”\n\nThe Hyde amendment continues to ensure that this promise is still true today.\n\nAccording to Dr. Michael J. New of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, approximately 2.7 million people are alive today—and each year, another 60,000 evade abortion and survive—because of Henry Hyde’s amendment.\n\nThat’s 2.7 million people—who would have otherwise been aborted if taxpayers paid for their demise—who have experienced the joys and challenges and given the opportunities to thrive.\n\nIt’s truly sad that far too many politicians—who know or should know better—have abandoned unborn children and their mothers to the violence of abortion. With respect and a deep sense of urgency, I—we—ask them, including Governor Sherrill, to rethink and reconsider.\n\nListen to others who once shared your view, but upon seeing the humanity of the child in the womb, changed. Listen to NARAL founder and abortionist turned pro-lifer Dr. Bernard Nathanson, who wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine: “I am deeply troubled by my own increasing certainty that I had in fact presided over 60,000 deaths.”\n\nListen to former Planned Parenthood abortion clinic director Abby Johnson, who wrote: “I was asked to participate in an ultrasound-guided abortion procedure… And I watched in horror as a 13-week-old baby fought and struggled for his life against the abortion instrument. I knew that there was humanity in the womb, and that what I had seen was the taking of an innocent human life. I realized I was on the wrong side of this debate, and so I ended up leaving.”\n\nListen to Dr. Anthony Levatino: “I don’t remember exactly how long it was after Heather’s death [his 6-year-old daughter died in a car accident], but I started to perform a second-trimester abortion… and I got sick. For the first time, I didn’t see a right to choose, and I didn’t see what a wonderful doctor I was helping the patient with her problem. I didn’t even see the $800 I had made in just 15 minutes. All I could see was somebody’s son or daughter.”\n\nListen to former abortionist Dr. Kathi Aultman: “I recognized that the innocent victim in all of this was the baby. Being unwanted was no longer enough justification for me to take the child’s life. And that was the end of my abortion career.”\n\nListen to Dr. Alveda King, niece of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who, after having two abortions, became a powerful right to life leader and wrote a book entitled: How Can the Dream Survive If We Murder the Children? ABORTION IS NOT A CIVIL RIGHT!\n\nAnd listen to Elizabeth Gillette, who, after being pressured by Planned Parenthood to take the abortion pill, wrote: “I found myself on the bathroom floor in a pool of blood until I ended up expelling the entire amniotic sac with my baby — a recognizable baby inside. The trauma from this horrific experience still follows me today in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder. This is nothing like what they told me would happen.”\n\nThat abortion pill—mifepristone—kills the baby by starving the child to death, while other methods of abortion dismember and decapitate the baby.\n\nWe now know that mifepristone is extremely dangerous to women. The Ethics and Public Policy Center conducted the largest-known study of the abortion pill ever and is based on analysis of data from an all-payer insurance claims database that includes 865,727 prescribed mifepristone abortions from 2017 to 2023 and found that 10.93 percent of women experience sepsis, infection, hemorrhaging, or another serious adverse event within 45 days following a mifepristone abortion.\n\nThe real-world rate of serious adverse events following mifepristone abortions is at least 22 times as high as the summary figure of “less than 0.5 percent” in clinical trials reported on the drug label.\n\nBottom line: we are a people of persevering faith in God, willing to bear any burden and endure any attack. We know that the cruel injustice of abortion need not be forever and that each day, despite setbacks, many unborn children and their mothers have, are, and will be protected. We have hope. We have much work to do.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415892", "title": "TIP Report exposes China’s continued failure, Hong Kong’s backslidingSmith welcomes release of the State Department’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "chrissmith.house.gov", "scraper": "chrissmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000522", "name": "Christopher H. Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), author of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) (PL 106-386), issued the following statement upon the release of the State Department’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report:\n\n“The 2026 TIP Report is a stark reminder that modern-day slavery remains a global scourge—and that governments must be held accountable when they fail to protect vulnerable people.\n\n“China remains on Tier 3—the lowest ranking—reflecting its continued failure to meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) use and enabling of forced labor—including the systematic exploitation of Uyghurs and other persecuted minorities—is deeply troubling and deserves the greatest level of scrutiny.\n\n“Moreover, the horrific, ongoing consequences of China’s one-child per couple policy can still be seen and felt today, as the Report notes that a gross disparity—tens of millions more boys than girls—has driven the demand for commercial sex trafficking and coercive marriages in the country.\n\n“Additionally, Hong Kong’s drop to Tier 3 is yet another serious warning sign about the erosion of protections against trafficking under Beijing’s increasingly authoritarian rule.\n\n“Other governments also moved in the wrong direction. The Republic of the Congo fell to Tier 3, while Seychelles dropped from Tier 1 to Tier 2. These downgrades should be a wake-up call to their governments that failing to protect victims and hold traffickers accountable has severe consequences.\n\n“Thankfully, the report recognizes meaningful progress as well. Israel and Ghana moved up to Tier 1, and Papua New Guinea improved from Tier 3 to the Tier 2 Watch List. These changes show that governments can make real progress when they strengthen enforcement, protect victims, and take anti-trafficking initiatives seriously.\n\n“Governments on Tier 3—including China, North Korea, Iran, Russia, Burma, Belarus, Cambodia, Cuba, Laos, Nicaragua, Sudan, South Sudan, and Venezuela—can and must do more. Tier 3 must never become a permanent designation; it should serve as a dire warning and a call to action.\n\n“Human trafficking is an assault on human dignity and freedom, and the United States must continue to use every tool at its disposal—including the TIP Report—to expose human trafficking whenever it rears its ugly head, protect survivors, and press foreign governments to end this blight upon humanity.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-ciscomani-celebrates-100-years-service-casa-grande-rotary-club", "title": "ICYMI: Ciscomani Celebrates 100 Years of Service from Casa Grande Rotary Club", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ciscomani.house.gov", "scraper": "ciscomani", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001133", "name": "Juan Ciscomani", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Casa Grande, AZ - Representative Juan Ciscomani joined the Casa Grande community for the 5th Annual Casa Grande Oktoberfest to celebrate a century of service from the Casa Grande Rotary Club and recognize the organization’s lasting impact on the community.\n\n\"One hundred years of service is an incredible milestone, and it is a testament to the people who have dedicated their time and energy to making Casa Grande stronger through the Rotary Club,\" said Representative Ciscomani. \"The Casa Grande Rotary Club has spent a century bringing people together, serving local families, and investing in the future of our local community. I’m proud to have celebrated this milestone alongside leaders of the Rotary Club and the Casa Grande community, presenting them with a congressional certificate, and I look forward to seeing the impact of their service continue for generations to come.\"\n\nCommunity leaders joined Ciscomani for the celebration, bringing together families and residents for an evening that showcased Casa Grande’s vibrant community, rich culture, and German heritage.\n\n\"The Casa Grande Rotary Club has been an incredible part of our community for 100 years, and this milestone is a testament to the countless volunteers and leaders who have given their time to make Casa Grande a better place,\" said Casa Grande City Council Member Matt Herman. \"It was an honor to celebrate this incredible milestone alongside Congressman Ciscomani and our community at Oktoberfest, and to recognize the lasting impact the Rotary Club continues to make across Casa Grande.\"\n\n\"I was thrilled to honor the Casa Grande Rotary and be part of their 100th anniversary celebration with Congressman Ciscomani,\" said Pinal County Supervisor Stephen Q. Miller. \"Organizations like the Rotary are vital to communities across the state and the Congressman's support helps this organization continue its important work.\"\n\nThis year’s celebration also marked a special milestone for the Casa Grande Rotary Club, which has supported local families for the past 100 years and fostered growth and meaningful improvements through education, healthcare, youth programs, and volunteerism in the local community.\n\nCasa Grande Rotary Club President Zoe Cooper also highlighted the event.\n\n\"Celebrating 100 years of the Rotary Club of Casa Grande was a significant milestone for our organization, and we were grateful to have Rep. Ciscomani with us at Casa Grande Oktoberfest to help celebrate. He has consistently supported Rotary, making time to attend our meetings and community events whenever he can. His willingness to engage with our members and support the causes we care about is greatly appreciated. We are grateful for his continued partnership and commitment to service, youth and volunteerism,\" said President Zoe Cooper.\n\nAs Arizona’s sole member of the House Appropriations Committee, Ciscomani has worked to deliver federal investments that support Casa Grande’s continued growth and strengthen the community. In previous years, he helped secure:\n\n$1 million for the Casa Grande Elementary School District Community Center Revitalization Project, which will repurpose an existing school building into a community center providing critical support and services to students and families.\n\n$1.8 million for affordable workforce housing through the Casa Grande Union High School District, supporting the construction of affordable teacher housing to help attract and support new educators.\n\n$3.79 million for the City of Casa Grande’s Thornton Road Widening Project to widen Thornton Road and improve traffic flow.\n\nThis year, Ciscomani also worked to secure $2.73 million in federal funding for the Burris Road–Peters Road to Highway 84 project, which will provide an essential north-south connection and enhance transportation infrastructure in Casa Grande. From celebrating a century of service to investing in the community’s future, Ciscomani remains committed to collaborating with local leaders, organizations, and residents to deliver meaningful results for Casa Grande that will last for generations to come.\n\nRead local coverage of the event HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://clarke.house.gov/clarke-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bicameral-resolution-to-establish-world-menopause-awareness-month-and-world-menopause-day/", "title": "CLARKE, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH WORLD MENOPAUSE AWARENESS MONTH AND WORLD MENOPAUSE DAY", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://clarke.house.gov/category/press-release/", "domain": "clarke.house.gov", "scraper": "clarke", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001067", "name": "Yvette D. Clarke", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nOctober 8, 2026\n\nMEDIA CONTACT:\n\ne: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov\n\nc: 202.913.0126\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congresswomen Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-09) and Julia Letlow (R-LA-05) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to establish October as World Menopause Awareness Month and October 18th as World Menopause Day. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the resolution’s companion in the Senate.\n\nThese observances will contribute to the spread of global awareness and access to care during menopausal transition and post-menopause, as well as provide organizations and individuals around the world with an opportunity to advocate for resources and support for the 75 million American women in perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.\n\n“Throughout our lives, women deserve the support we need to confront every trial and embrace every triumph each of our chapters has in store for us. Menopause is a natural experience that we all must face, yet the stigma that follows it continues to inflict needless ridicule and shame on women at a time when all we ask for is acceptance and understanding,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. “World Menopause Awareness Month and World Menopause Day will be the bridges to normalizing menopause and ensuring the women confronting it have the resources, care, and confidence they need to tackle their new horizons head on, and I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation to see both codified as national observances.”\n\n“Through any stage of life, women need access to reliable information to make educated decisions about their health. World Menopause Awareness Month shines a light on the millions of women undergoing menopause every year, highlighting the need for women to have a better understanding of the treatments and options available to them,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow.\n\n“Generations of women have faced the transition to menopause, yet for too long this experience has been overlooked, under-researched, and treated as taboo,” said Lisa Senator Blunt Rochester. “It’s far past time we ensure women have the care and support they need to feel their best in all phases of life. I’m proud to introduce the World Menopause Awareness Month Resolution to elevate the challenges of menopause and encourage further investments into research that will help women meet this transition with confidence.”\n\n“Our health care system has failed women struggling with menopausal symptoms that disrupt their livelihoods, and this unfortunate reality disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic women,” said Senator Cory Booker. “This resolution is a reminder that we must do more to support women navigating menopause and provide them with the resources they need. Menopause should not be a barrier to the quality of life every woman deserves.”\n\n“The resolution introduced by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke represents another important step toward breaking down the barriers that have too often left women without the information, care, and relief they need throughout the menopause transition,” said Donna Klassen of Let’s Talk Menopause. “We proudly support this resolution and applaud Congresswoman Clarke’s leadership in bringing greater attention to menopause, expanding access to trusted health information and care, and ensuring women have the resources they need to navigate this stage of life with confidence and support.”\n\n“Menopause is a universal experience for women, and yet, for too long menopause has been understudied. This has left us with significant knowledge gaps about menopause itself, including its symptoms and treatments, but also about the effects of menopause on overall health and healthy aging. Fortunately, we now have momentum to course correct. The Society for Women’s Health Research thanks Representative Clarke for her leadership on the resolution designating October as World Menopause Awareness Month and October 18 as World Menopause Day. We must collectively continue raising awareness about menopause, which can help shape research priorities and ensure women and health care providers have the evidence and information needed to make informed decisions about menopause care,” said Lindsey Miltenberger of the Society for Women’s Health Research.\n\nMenopause is more than a personal, biological transition—it has lasting implications for women’s health and well-being, and for families, workplaces, and society. The Black Women’s Health Imperative endorses this resolution to recognize October as World Menopause Awareness Month and expand awareness, provider education, and access to the resources and care that women, particularly Black women, need for a healthy, dignified menopause, ” said Ifeoma Udoh, Ph.D. of the Black Women’s Health Imperative.\n\nThe resolution is endorsed by the American Medical Association, Astellas, Greater New York Hospital Association, Healthcare Association of New York State, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, Mount Sinai Health System, National Medical Association, National Minority Quality Forum, Novo Nordisk, Inc., NYU Langone Health, One Brooklyn Health System, Reproductive Health Access Project, Ritual, The Fibroid Foundation, and The White Dress Project.\n\nRead the full bill text HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://cloud.house.gov/posts/release-congressman-cloud-opens-new-district-office-in-bastrop", "title": "RELEASE: Congressman Cloud Opens New District Office in Bastrop", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://cloud.house.gov/press", "domain": "cloud.house.gov", "scraper": "cloud", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001115", "name": "Michael Cloud", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) announced the opening of a new district office in Bastrop to expand local constituent services across the region. Along with the district office in Victoria, the Bastrop location provides direct federal agency assistance to families, veterans, seniors, and small businesses in the northern part of the 27th Congressional District.\n\nThe new office brings the Congressman’s team closer to the families, veterans, seniors, and small business owners in this region of the 27th District. Residents will now have a local place to get help navigating federal agencies and other congressional services.\n\nThe Bastrop office will be able to help constituents on casework issues involving agencies like the Social Security Administration, IRS, the VA, the State Department, and more. Additionally, the office handles inquiries for flag requests, grant assistance, academic nominations, congressional recommendations, internships and art competition applications.\n\nOffice details:\n\nAddress: 1025 Main St, Suite 127, Bastrop TX, 78602\n\nHours: Monday – Friday: 9am to 5pm (appointment only)\n\nPhone: (512) 308-4316\n\n“Our heart is to serve Bastrop and our neighboring communities to ensure they have accessible, responsive representation close to home,” said Rep. Cloud. “Whether it’s cutting through red tape at the VA, resolving Social Security delays, or securing an expedited passport, our team is committed to helping out our fellow community members. We look forward to putting this new office to work for the people of TX-27,” concluded Rep. Cloud.\n\nConstituents needing assistance with a federal agency are encouraged to call ahead or submit an inquiry request online.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cohen-receives-defend-vote-action-fund", "title": "Congressman Cohen Receives an “A” from the Defend the Vote Action Fund", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "cohen.house.gov", "scraper": "cohen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001068", "name": "Steve Cohen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that Defend The Vote Action Fund has given him an “A,” the top score possible, on its legislative scorecard for his support for bills that will crack down on corruption and protect the voice and vote of Tennesseans.\n\nThe 2026 Legislative Scorecard for the 119th Congress evaluates every Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate based on their support for legislation that reduces the influence of corruption in our political system. It also considers support for and opposition to legislation that would weaken democratic institutions, undermine election integrity, restrict voting rights, or diminish public accountability.\n\n“The only way we are going to have a government that serves the people is if we crack down on the corruption that is driving up costs by putting billionaire donors and corporate lobbyists ahead of everyone else,” DTV Action Fund Executive Director Brian Lemek said. “Representative Cohen’s record paints a clear picture that shows he is stepping up in this moment. It is more important than ever that our elected representatives side with regular people and reform this broken, corrupt system that is failing us all.”\n\nCongressman Cohen made the following statement:\n\n“I am pleased to see my efforts to promote democracy and fight corruption recognized this way. We are living in perilous times and the right to vote is under attack in too many places, including in Tennessee, as we saw earlier this year with the Republican gerrymander of my district. I appreciate Defend the Vote Action Fund for drawing attention to these issues.”\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-jim-costa-bipartisan-colleagues-introduce-resolution-recognizing-national", "title": "Rep. Jim Costa, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Resolution Recognizing National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "costa.house.gov", "scraper": "costa", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001059", "name": "Jim Costa", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21), John Larson (CT-01), Paul Tonko (NY-20), David Valadao (CA-22), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) introduced H.Res. 1611, a bipartisan resolution designating October 8, 2026, as \"National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day.\"\n\n\"Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are an important part of America’s energy future,” said Congressman Costa. \"By investing in American innovation, we can strengthen our energy security, build a more reliable and resilient grid, create good-paying jobs, and reduce emissions. The United States has long been a leader in developing these technologies, and this bipartisan resolution recognizes the work being done across the country to ensure we continue leading the way.\"\n\n\"Connecticut continues to lead the nation as a hub for the research and development of clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies,\" said Congressman Larson. \"For years, I have worked across the aisle to enact tax incentives to boost hydrogen production and invest federal funding to grow our fuel cell economy, unleash the power of American-made clean energy, and reduce emissions. As we recognize the twelfth annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, we must work together on real solutions to lower costs for consumers and grow the clean energy supply chain across the country.\"\n\n\"Supporting clean hydrogen unlocks a wealth of benefits — boosting our economy, protecting energy security, and reducing emissions,\" Congressman Tonko said. \"Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve worked to advance legislation that invests in energy innovation and lowers costs, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan resolution and support a stronger, healthier, more competitive nation.\"\n\n\"I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing a bipartisan resolution designating October 8th as National Hydrogen Fuel Cell Day. Advancing these technologies is critical to strengthening our nation’s energy independence, driving continued innovation, and enhancing our energy security. An all-of-the-above energy strategy will help lower energy costs for Central Valley communities while ensuring our farms, businesses, and homes have access to the reliable energy they need to thrive,\" said Congressman Valadao.\n\n\"The question is not whether America will need more energy—it is whether we will lead in producing it. Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies can strengthen our energy security, reinforce the reliability and resilience of our grid, create good-paying American jobs, and help meet growing demand through cleaner, innovative solutions. National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day recognizes the incredible scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and workers driving that progress, and reaffirms our bipartisan commitment to ensuring America continues to lead the world in energy innovation,\" said Congressman Fitzpatrick.\n\n\"Congress has long recognized how hydrogen seamlessly fits into so many of the energy tools in America’s energy portfolio,\" said Frank Wolak, President and CEO of FCHEA. \"Whether a feedstock for low-carbon fertilizer and export fuels such as ammonia or used directly as a fuel on its own to power data centers, heavy-duty trucks, and everything in between, hydrogen helps the U.S. meet growing power demand at home while sustaining leadership in energy markets abroad. We thank Representative Costa and the resolution’s co-sponsors for supporting Hydrogen Day and the U.S. industry at large.\"\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nNational Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is observed annually on October 8 in recognition of hydrogen’s atomic mass of 1.008. The day highlights the role hydrogen and fuel cell technologies play in American energy production, transportation, grid reliability, and economic growth.\n\nThe United States produces and uses approximately 10 million metric tons of hydrogen each year. Hydrogen can be derived from a variety of domestic resources and used to store energy, while fuel cell technologies are used for transportation, stationary power, and backup power.\n\nU.S. Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21), John Larson (CT-01), Paul Tonko (NY-20), David Valadao (CA-22), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) are co-leads of the House Resolution, with Representatives Mike Lawler (NY-17), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joining as original co-sponsors.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://crane.house.gov/2026/10/08/arizonans-invited-to-help-shape-the-future-of-the-grand-canyons-north-rim/", "title": "Arizonans Invited to Help Shape the Future of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crane.house.gov/media/", "domain": "crane.house.gov", "scraper": "crane", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001132", "name": "Elijah Crane", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "On July 4, 2025, a lightning strike sparked the Dragon Bravo Fire, which scorched nearly 150,000 acres across Northern Arizona. The blaze damaged or destroyed more than 100 structures at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. As a result, park staff, concessioners, small businesses, and gateway communities have endured great uncertainty and financial loss.\n\nIn the aftermath, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) visited the region and met with impacted stakeholders to craft a federal response. Building on those conversations, he introduced the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025 to grant the National Park Service (NPS) emergency contracting authority. The legislation would cut through red tape and accelerate all fire-related work, such as forest management, reconstruction, and infrastructure upgrades.\n\nThe Coconino County Board of Supervisors quickly endorsed the bill, signaling bipartisan buy-in for the approach. In March, the House of Representatives passed it unanimously, and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources advanced it by unanimous consent on September 30. Rep. Crane is urging the Senate to finish the job and send the measure to the President’s desk before the 119th Congress concludes.\n\nMeanwhile, the NPS is drafting a long-term blueprint for managing and redeveloping the North Rim. Although the fire took a heavy toll, the agency reports that the landscape is already showing signs of natural regrowth. Officials seek to preserve the area’s history while modernizing facilities to better serve visitors, employees, and park operations.\n\nOn Tuesday, the Park Service began accepting public feedback and released its planning materials for review. These documents outline the plan’s purpose and goals, recovery progress to date, a draft vision for what comes next, and three preliminary redevelopment concepts. The comment window closes November 6, 2026, and all submissions must go through the project website.\n\nThroughout October, the agency will host virtual and in-person meetings where attendees can learn more about the effort and provide input. Dates and details for each session are available online.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://crank.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crank-and-va-secretary-collins-hold-roundtable-veteran-related-concerns", "title": "Rep. Crank and VA Secretary Collins Hold Roundtable on Veteran-Related Concerns", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crank.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "crank.house.gov", "scraper": "crank", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001137", "name": "Jeff Crank", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "COLORADO SPRINGS, C.O. -- Today, Representative Jeff Crank (CO-05) and U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins hosted a roundtable at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center with stakeholders from around the Pikes Peak Region to address veteran-related concerns.\n\n\"The Pikes Peak Region is home to over 100,000 veterans, and it is important that the federal government works with state and local stakeholders to ensure our men and women who served receive the best care and benefits they’ve earned,\" said Rep. Crank. \"Today's roundtable at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center helped shed light on the issues that affect our veterans daily. I'd like to thank Secretary Collins and the Trump Administration for working towards bettering the lives of those who have served.\"\n\n“Under the leadership of President Trump and alongside dedicated Veteran advocates like Rep. Crank, VA is making major improvements for Veterans in Colorado and across the nation,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “We look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Crank to make VA benefits and care better than ever before.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7469", "title": "Dingell, Colleagues Express Concern Over Workplace Safety at Pontiac USPS Facility", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "debbiedingell.house.gov", "scraper": "debbiedingell", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000624", "name": "Debbie Dingell", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), and Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) are expressing concerns about workplace safety at the United States Postal Service (USPS) Michigan Metroplex P&DC in Pontiac, Michigan and across other Southeast Michigan USPS Facilities. Since May 2026, employees have raised safety concerns and offered solutions to management, but to date employees report that nothing has been done to rectify the situation.\n\n“On September 1, 2026, a non-maintenance supervisor at the facility used a maintenance bypass code, which is supposed to be known and handled by mechanics only, to start a bundle sorting machine that was placed in maintenance mode and shut down for repairs. However, a maintenance employee was inside the machine when the non-maintenance supervisor attempted to start it, which could have resulted in major injury or death. Fortunately, the machine was shut down before it could activate,” the lawmakers wrote.\n\nThe lawmakers continued: “According to employees at the facility, staff have been raising this safety concern since May 2026, indicating reoccurring negligence of this issue. Employees have brought both complaints and solutions before management, although nothing has been done to rectify the situation. It is concerning that requests for proper safety protocol have been largely neglected, especially after the death of Mr. Nicholas Acker, who was found in a similar mail handling machine at the USPS Detroit Network Distribution Center (NDC) in Allen Park, Michigan. This is unacceptable, and employees should have the confidence that they are protected on the job. USPS has the responsibility to enforce proper safety protocols and standards.”\n\nIn a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, the lawmakers noted that the USPS has a responsibility to ensure that employees are safe and protected on the job.\n\nA copy of the letter can be found HERE and below:\n\nDear Postmaster General Steiner:\n\nThis letter is regarding workplace safety concerns at the United States Postal Service (USPS) Michigan Metroplex P&DC in Pontiac, Michigan. We are concerned by the reports of unsafe practices at this facility and across Southeast Michigan.\n\nOn September 1, 2026, a non-maintenance supervisor at the facility used a maintenance bypass code, which is supposed to be known and handled by mechanics only, to start a bundle sorting machine that was placed in maintenance mode and shut down for repairs. However, a maintenance employee was inside the machine when the non-maintenance supervisor attempted to start it, which could have resulted in major injury or death. Fortunately, the machine was shut down before it could activate.\n\nAccording to employees at the facility, staff have been raising this safety concern since May 2026, indicating reoccurring negligence of this issue. Employees have brought both complaints and solutions before management, although nothing has been done to rectify the situation. It is concerning that requests for proper safety protocol have been largely neglected, especially after the death of Mr. Nicholas Acker, who was found in a similar mail handling machine at the USPS Detroit Network Distribution Center (NDC) in Allen Park, Michigan. This is unacceptable, and employees should have the confidence that they are protected on the job. USPS has the responsibility to enforce proper safety protocols and standards.\n\nGiven the USPS’s role in ensuring worker safety, we request clarification on this matter and written responses to the following questions:\n\n1. Was USPS aware that a non-maintenance supervisor had knowledge of and used a maintenance bypass code on multiple occasions, which could have led to serious, life-threatening consequences?\n\n2. What steps will USPS take to ensure that only qualified employees have access to the maintenance code?\n\n3. Have any disciplinary actions been taken, and if not, what correctional actions will USPS pursue?\n\n4. How often are program evaluations, service talks, safety observations, and inspections conducted at this facility, as described in the Employee and Labor Relations Manual, and how will USPS adapt the safety training and protocols to address this problem at the facility?\n\n5. What are the appropriate procedures for employees to communicate complaints or concerns with the appropriate staff when a supervisor is involved in an unsafe practice?\n\n6. What future actions will USPS put in place to ensure a similar situation does not recur?\n\nEnsuring worker safety remains our top priority. Thank you, and we look forward to your full and prompt response.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-calls-end-west-bank-settlements-violence", "title": "DeLauro Calls for End to West Bank Settlements, Violence", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "delauro.house.gov", "scraper": "delauro", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000216", "name": "Rosa L. DeLauro", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) issued the following statement on the ongoing siege of a Palestinian’s family’s home in Wadi Rahim, in the South Hebron Hills of the occupied West Bank:\n\n“No family should be held captive in their own home. Yusuf Shanaran and his wife, and four of their children ages 8 to 13, have been trapped inside their house for two days. Settlers built an illegal outpost on the only road to the home and have kept them from leaving, even to get food. According to reports, masked settlers have set fire to four vehicles, burned the family’s water pump, smashed their solar panels, attacked them and their home with stones, and attempted to set it on fire. Yusuf and his wife were injured.\n\n“The illegal outpost was established about six months ago, and has been taken down and rebuilt again and again. About a month ago, the Israeli military declared the areas a closed military zone and barred Israelis from entering. The settlers have ignored that order, and the authorities have not enforced it. After this week’s attack, no settler has been arrested.\n\n“The Government of Israel has a responsibility to protect this family and their home. It must enforce its own military order and hold those responsible for violence accountable. The Trump Administration should press for that accountability and make clear that the United States opposes settler violence and the expansion of illegal settlements and outposts. These actions endanger Palestinians families, undermine Israel’s own security, and push a two-state solution further out of reach.\n\n“A just and lasting peace, with security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, cannot be built while families live in fear in their own homes.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4482", "title": "DelBene, Dexter Introduce Legislation to Stop Future Capture, Breeding of Whales for Public Display", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "delbene.house.gov", "scraper": "delbene", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000617", "name": "Suzan K. DelBene", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswomen Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) reintroduced the Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act, legislation that would end the future capture and breeding of whales for public display.\n\nCertain cetaceans, such as orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales, are cognitively, emotionally, and socially complex animals who cannot thrive in captivity, according to multiple studies. Whales held for display often exhibit signs of suffering and distress and have significantly shorter lifespans than whales in the wild. Currently, there are approximately 70 whales held in captivity in the United States.\n\nThe SWIMS Act would:\n\nProhibit the taking, importation, or exportation of these whales for public display.\n\nProhibit any breeding of these whales for future public display.\n\nAllow exemptions for animals being transported to a sanctuary setting or released to the wild.\n\n“Whales and dolphins are treasures to the Pacific Northwest, and they belong in the wild,” said DelBene. “Scientific evidence shows that when these majestic animals are kept in captivity, they suffer significant distress and shorter life spans. This legislation would prevent the capture and breeding of whales for public display to ensure they remain in their natural habitats and free from abuse and exploitation.”\n\n“Whales belong in the open ocean, not behind glass,” said Dexter. “These extraordinary animals are icons of the Pacific Northwest, forming deep family bonds and playing a vital role in healthy oceans. Captivity robs them of the space, freedom, and connection they need to thrive. Their lives should be defined by the ocean’s possibilities, not the walls of a tank.”\n\n“Science increasingly supports the conclusion that we cannot provide conditions in a concrete enclosure that accommodate the size, wide-ranging nature, and physiological, behavioral, and social needs of these species,” said Dr. Naomi Rose, senior scientist for marine mammal biology at the Animal Welfare Institute. “The SWIMS Act recognizes that reality and offers a path forward by prohibiting breeding, trade, and capture for public display. Let this be the last generation in captivity of these ocean predators.”\n\nThe SWIMS Act is supported by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Welfare Institute, Born Free USA, Cetacean Society International, CompassionWorks International, Humane World Action Fund, Humane World for Animals, International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute, Last Chance for Animals, Oceanic Preservation Society, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Whale Sanctuary Project, and World Animal Protection.\n\nThe bill text can be found here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4484", "title": "DelBene Responds to White House Suspending Microsoft Workers from Permanent Resident Program", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "delbene.house.gov", "scraper": "delbene", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000617", "name": "Suzan K. DelBene", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) issued the following statement on the Trump administration suspending Microsoft, Adobe, and other companies from the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program.\n\n“The Trump administration’s action today is an attack on current H-1B visa holders already in the United States. Haphazardly taking away the pathway to a lawful green card for skilled workers at certain American companies is a biased and punitive misuse of the law. Let’s be clear: this move will have no impact on purported H-1B visa abuse. It simply undercuts a legal way for people to work, stay with their family, and become a part of our communities. This will inject even more uncertainty into our already turbulent economy while hamstringing innovation, competitiveness, and ultimately American workers.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4494", "title": "WA Delegation Supports Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance for Devastating Wildfires in Washington", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "delbene.house.gov", "scraper": "delbene", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000617", "name": "Suzan K. DelBene", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) joined Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance to help communities recover and repair damage due to the devastating wildfires that swept through Central and Eastern Washington from July 23 through August 31.\n\nFor the first time, on August 1, the National Weather Service upgraded a Red Flag Warning for fire weather conditions to a Particularly Dangerous Situation, which is very rare and typically reserved for extreme fire weather conditions. Three massive fires broke out and tore through neighborhoods across Spokane: the Old Trails Fire burned in northwest Spokane, the Autumn Lane Fire burned near Nine-Mile Falls, and the Fairview Fire burned in Mead. The Spokane Complex Fires forced 67,000 people to evacuate, burned nearly 10,000 acres, with damages predicted to exceed $1 billion.\n\nThis was one of Washington state’s worst wildfire seasons on record, with fires causing severe damage and threatening lives, property, businesses, and livestock. In Okanogan County, the Kaiser Canyon, Modrite, and Sinlahekin fires burned over 350,000 acres total.\n\n“As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s addendum to include Public Assistance to their September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating wildfire damages incurred from July 23rd through August 31st. We implore you to approve the request for public and individual assistance as quickly as possible,” the lawmakers wrote. “Washington state suffered from a historic wildfire season, with multiple wildfires ravaging parts of Central and Eastern Washington, devastating communities in Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman, and Yakima Counties, as well as the Spokane Tribe of Indians.”\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “Local, Tribal, state, federal, and out-of-state firefighting crews deployed quickly, pooling resources to contain the fires and protect both life and property. Fire crews faced dangerous conditions, including hazardous terrain, high winds, and record-setting drought, which made the fires extremely difficult to contain. Many of these fires burned over the course of several weeks, and damaged public infrastructure like roads, bridges, public utility systems, and other essential public assets. Beyond the infrastructure that was completely lost to the wildfires, the prolonged exposure to fire, smoke, and extreme temperatures have left remaining infrastructure vulnerable to further damage and unsafe for the public.”\n\n“These devastating wildfires have put significant stress on Washington state’s infrastructure and emergency response resources. Throughout the crisis, local, Tribal, state, federal, and international first responders stepped up and worked tirelessly to keep our communities safe. We thank you for your timely approval of the state’s request for an Emergency Declaration which provided vital federal support for both mitigation and recovery. We reiterate our full support for the October 6th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance and thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this urgent matter,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nJoining DelBene in the letter to President Trump were Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), Emily Randall (WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Kim Schrier M.D. (WA-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).\n\nThe full letter can be found here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://deluzio.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-deluzio-announces-200000-mental-health-services-beaver-county", "title": "Congressman Deluzio Announces $200,000 for Mental Health Services in Beaver County", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://deluzio.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "deluzio.house.gov", "scraper": "deluzio", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000530", "name": "Christopher R. Deluzio", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "CARNEGIE, PA – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Beaver County, Pennsylvania $200,000 to invest in mental health and substance abuse services across the county. The federal funding will help the county execute its REACH (Respond Educate Assist Connect and Help) Program.\n\n“I’m proud to announce that Beaver County is receiving $200,000 in federal funding to boost their mental health and substance abuse services,” said Congressman Deluzio. “These are challenges that impact so many Western Pennsylvanians and their families. It’s critical to have the care folks need close to where they live—I'm glad to celebrate this funding coming home for more resources in Beaver County.”\n\n“Beaver County Behavioral Health is thankful for this Federal award from SAMHSA and is excited about the positive impact it will have on our County,” said Lisa McCoy, Administrator of Beaver County Department of Human Services and Beaver County Behavioral Health. “Beaver County REACH (Respond, Educate, Assist, Connect & Help) will engage various groups in our community, including youth, families, veterans, first responders, individuals reentering the community after incarceration, older adults, and individuals employed in manufacturing/skilled trades, and deliver evidenced based trainings to increase mental health awareness and connections to needed treatment and supports.”\n\nHHS’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), which is housed in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration program, awarded this funding. CMHS aims to improve the nation’s mental health by increasing state and community access to mental health services, addressing serious mental illness, and promoting recovery outcomes for Americans with mental and behavioral health conditions. Further grantee eligibility information is available here.\n\nIf you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by text, call, or chat: 988lifeline.org\n\nThe Trump Administration’s efforts to freeze funding and pause federal grants has created significant uncertainty for grantees, varying by agency and program. As of now, courts have paused many of these freezes. However, Congressman Deluzio’s office will continue to monitor these developments and fight to make sure this congressionally-authorized funding keeps going to projects that make life better for Western Pennsylvanians. If you are the recipient of a federal grant and have been notified that this funding is no longer available to you or are experiencing other issues accessing your lawfully appropriated funds, please share your concerns with Congressman Deluzio’s office at PA17Grants@mail.house.gov.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://fischbach.house.gov/2026/10/rep-fischbach-meets-with-ag-leaders-discusses-next-gen-biofuels-in-crookston", "title": "Rep. Fischbach Meets with Ag Leaders, Discusses Next-Gen Biofuels in Crookston", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "fischbach.house.gov", "scraper": "fischbach", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000470", "name": "Michelle Fischbach", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Willmar, MN - Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach was in Crookston meeting with her Agriculture Advisory Committee and with the leadership team at 4H2. At the roundtable, members of the agriculture industry discussed pressing priorities, including rising input costs, the critical need for the Senate to pass the House-passed Farm Bill, and agricultural labor shortages. Rep. Fischbach shared that she recently joined Chairman GT Thompson as an original cosponsor of the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act, a producer-backed bill designed to cut federal red tape and modernize the H-2A program by providing labor flexibility and financial predictability for local operations. Producers also discussed how severe state-level overregulation by the governor and attorney general has put Minnesota deer farmers under assault, placing local operations at a competitive disadvantage compared to those in surrounding states. Additionally, growers expressed gratitude for her leadership on a Section 301 investigation letter concerning the sugarbeet industry.\n\nThe Congresswoman also visited 4H2 to view their cutting-edge direct ethanol fuel cell technology, which generates electricity without combustion, unlocking new markets for the ethanol industry across the transportation, portable power, and defense sectors. Rep. Fischbach reaffirmed her commitment to next-generation biofuel tech, highlighting her ongoing push for clear 45Z guidelines.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://gabeevans.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gabe-evans-introduces-resolution-standing-american-farmers-and", "title": "Congressman Gabe Evans Introduces Resolution Standing Up for American Farmers and Ranchers", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gabeevans.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "gabeevans.house.gov", "scraper": "gabeevans", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000300", "name": "Gabe Evans", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Gabe Evans introduced a pro-animal agriculture resolution to stand united with America’s livestock producers and recognize the critical role animal agriculture plays in feeding Coloradan families, supporting rural communities and local economies.\n\nThe resolution comes as farmers and ranchers across the country face rising input costs, prolonged drought periods, extreme weather conditions, workforce shortages, livestock disease outbreaks, and growing regulatory pressure. It pushes back against government mandates that limit consumer choice, increase food costs, and threaten the livelihoods of those who make American animal agriculture possible.\n\n“In Colorado, agriculture isn’t just an industry—it’s a way of life. Unfortunately, radical activists and politicians have spent years attacking animal agriculture with burdensome regulations and proposals that threaten small family farms, kill jobs, and drive up food costs at the grocery store. We saw it firsthand in Colorado when activists tried to shut down Superior Farms—Denver’s only livestock processing industry at the time—but was overwhelmingly rejected by Coloradans. My resolution sends a simple message: Cut red tape to support domestic livestock agriculture and protect consumer choice. I am proud to represent Colorado’s farmers and ranchers who work tirelessly every day to raise livestock, and I’m grateful for the essential products they provide to families across the state and nation. ” –– Congressman Gabe Evans\n\nThe resolution specifically highlights the importance of a strong domestic livestock industry in reducing U.S. reliance on foreign food production and strengthening our food security. It also recognizes that approximately 97% of U.S. farms are operated by families and that they collectively account for 85% of the total agricultural production value.\n\nThis resolution is endorsed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council, Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Livestock Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Pork Producers Council, Colorado Wool Growers Association, Weld County Farm Bureau, Colorado Livestock Marketing Association, Colorado Egg Producers, National Chicken Council, American Sheep Industry Association, and Meat Institute.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nAnimal agriculture is a critical part of America’s food supply, rural economy, and agricultural heritage. In 2024, radical activists created a ballot measure to permanently shut down livestock processing facilities in the city boundaries.While Denver voters rejected the measure by a wide margin, proposals such as Denver Initiated Ordinance 309 unfairly targets farmers and ranchers by imposing costly mandates, closing off markets, or confiscating agriculture operations.\n\nPermanent closures of small to mid-sized farms would devastate our local and national economies, which is why this resolution:\n\nRecognizes and thanks American agriculture workers involved in raising, processing, packaging, distributing, selling, and transporting animal agriculture products.\n\nSupports greater access to nutrient-dense animal products, particularly for vulnerable populations including mothers, infants, and seniors.\n\nDenounces government mandates that restrict consumer choice and increase food costs in pursuit of ideological policies.\n\nCalls on federal, state, and local governments to suspend unreasonable regulatory mandates on livestock production that harm American agriculture workers.\n\nCommits to advancing policies that prioritize the economic welfare and well-being of American farmers and ranchers.\n\nH.Res. 1598 was introduced with Representatives Jeff Crank (CO-05), Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Daniel Webster (FL-11), and Randy Fine (FL-06) as original cosponsors.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases/gallagher-presses-ustr-protect-california-winegrape-growers", "title": "Gallagher Presses USTR to Protect California Winegrape Growers", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "gallagher.house.gov", "scraper": "gallagher", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000607", "name": "James Gallagher", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman James Gallagher (CA-01) is calling on U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to address trade and regulatory policies putting California winegrape growers at a disadvantage as the industry faces declining domestic consumption and continued uncertainty in international markets.\n\nIn a letter to Ambassador Greer, Gallagher raised concerns from California growers about federal rules that allow wine labeled “United States” or “American” to contain up to 25 percent imported wine without disclosing that foreign origin on the label.\n\nGallagher also called for a review of federal duty drawback treatment for imported bulk wine and urged USTR to help expand international market access for American wine.\n\n“North State growers produce some of the best winegrapes in the world, but right now they are competing in a market where federal policy can actually make it easier to use foreign products than grapes grown here at home,” said Congressman Gallagher. “We need to make sure our trade policies are working for American growers while opening new markets where California wine can compete and win.”\n\n“California winegrape growers are facing an incredibly difficult market, and federal policies should not make it harder for American-grown grapes to compete,” said Natalie Collins, President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. “We appreciate Congressman Gallagher raising these concerns with USTR and pushing for policies that better support domestic growers while expanding opportunities for American wine in international markets.”\n\nUnder current Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) appellation rules, wine may carry a “United States” or “American” appellation when at least 75 percent of the wine comes from U.S.-grown agricultural products and the wine is fully finished in the United States. That allows up to 25 percent to come from foreign-grown products without disclosure of that foreign origin on the label. Growers have warned that the policy can put downward pressure on California grape prices and blur the distinction between wine made entirely from American agricultural products and wine containing foreign components. Gallagher asked USTR to coordinate with the Department of the Treasury and TTB to examine the rule and its impact on domestic growers.\n\nGallagher also raised concerns about the duty drawback treatment available for imported bulk wine. Under the current structure, federal excise taxes paid on imported wine may be refunded based on the export of substituted wine, including in certain circumstances where the exported wine did not bear an equivalent federal excise-tax burden. Gallagher urged USTR to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in reviewing the practice and its effect on domestic growers.\n\nThe letter also asks federal agencies to examine bulk products imported from Canada that do not meet the U.S. definition of wine but nevertheless receive customs and tax treatment applicable to wine.\n\nAt the same time, Gallagher is pushing to give California producers more opportunities to sell their products overseas. With access to the Canadian market severely reduced, California growers and wineries are increasingly dependent on new international markets. Gallagher urged USTR to prioritize opening promising markets such as India and Vietnam while working to restore access to Canada.\n\n“California growers don’t need Washington making a tough market even tougher,” Gallagher said. “We should be looking for ways to give them a fair shot here at home and more opportunities to sell American wine around the world.”\n\nAs the 2026 harvest draws to a close, Gallagher called on USTR to work with industry stakeholders to address these issues and provide meaningful relief for growers that remain an important part of California’s rural economy.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\nWatch the full interview with NBC Bay Area HERE.\n\n###\n\nClick the link here to subscribe to Rep. Gallagher’s eNewsletter!\n\nRep. James Gallagher | 408 Cannon House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 US", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/posts/gluesenkamp-perez-announces-mobile-office-hours-in-skamania-county-4", "title": "Gluesenkamp Perez Announces Mobile Office Hours in Skamania County", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/press", "domain": "gluesenkampperez.house.gov", "scraper": "gluesenkampperez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000600", "name": "Marie Gluesenkamp Perez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "STEVENSON, WA – Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) announced her office will be holding mobile office hours in Skamania County. Residents of Washington’s Third District will be able to walk in to get assistance with federal agencies like the VA, IRS, and State Department.\n\nThe Congresswoman’s team will be available on Friday, October 16th, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. at Stevenson Community Library Gallery Meeting Room 120 NW Vancouver Ave, Stevenson, WA 98648.\n\nRep. Gluesenkamp Perez has held thirty-four mobile office hours in every county in Washington’s Third District where she doesn’t have an office, as a part of her commitment to ensure every community can access her services.\n\nRep. Gluesenkamp Perez has already recovered more than $16.2 million for over 3,800 constituents owed to them by federal agencies.\n\n“My bipartisan team is working each day to directly assist folks across Southwest Washington with federal agencies – whether it’s recovering Social Security checks, tax refunds, or veterans benefits you’re owed,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Our services shouldn’t be any less accessible because of where you live – so I’ve made it my priority to bring mobile office hours to every county across Southwest Washington. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to stop by, and I’ll keep working to ensure we can reach more of our rural communities.”\n\nConstituents looking to receive updates about future office hours in their communities can follow Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez on Facebook, X, Instagram, or Threads or subscribe to her newsletter.\n\nThose not able to make it can always reach out online, by phone at (360) 695-6292, or in person at the Congresswoman’s Vancouver or Kelso offices.\n\nExamples of how Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez has assisted constituents across Southwest Washington can be found here.\n\n####", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://goodlander.house.gov/media/press-releases/goodlander-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-expand-outdoor-recreation-for-veterans/", "title": "Goodlander Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Outdoor Recreation for Veterans", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://goodlander.house.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "goodlander.house.gov", "scraper": "goodlander", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000604", "name": "Maggie Goodlander", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act would help veterans in New Hampshire and across the country connect with community and strengthen their well-being\n\nConcord, N.H. — Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) and Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03) introduced the bipartisan Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, legislation to help veterans in New Hampshire and across the country access outdoor recreation programs that support their mental and physical well-being.\n\nThe Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act would establish a grant program through the Department of Veterans Affairs for state veterans’ agencies to develop, administer, and expand outdoor recreation programs for veterans. States could operate programs directly or partner with local outfitters, guides, nonprofit organizations, and community-based outdoor recreation providers.\n\n“Our obligation to those who served doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. In New Hampshire, our mountains, lakes, and trails offer veterans opportunities to build community and strengthen their physical and mental well-being,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “I’m proud to help introduce the bipartisan Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act with Congressman Hurd to make those opportunities available to more veterans. By helping cover equipment, transportation, and program costs, our bill would help more veterans get outdoors, connect with one another, and find the support they’ve earned.”\n\n“For many veterans, the transition from military service can mean losing the sense of purpose, community, and connection that came with serving alongside others,” said Congressman Hurd. “Colorado’s public lands and outdoor spaces offer opportunities to rebuild those connections while supporting veterans’ physical and mental well-being. This bipartisan legislation gives states more tools to work with local organizations and expand outdoor recreation opportunities so that more veterans can benefit from time outdoors and with one another.”\n\nUnder the legislation, grant funding could be used to reduce financial barriers that may prevent veterans from participating in outdoor recreation programs, including the costs of equipment, program fees, and reasonable transportation expenses. Funding could also support outreach to veterans and the expansion of existing programs.\n\nThe bill would also encourage state veterans’ agencies to work with federal land management agencies, including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to expand veterans’ access to outdoor spaces, reduce administrative barriers, and identify appropriate locations for organized activities.\n\nThe legislation defines eligible outdoor recreation programs broadly as nature-based activities designed to improve veterans’ mental and physical well-being through physical engagement, peer connection, skill-building, or therapeutic benefit. Programs may also include adaptive or accessible activities for veterans with disabilities.\n\nEach eligible state entity whose application meets the bill’s requirements would receive at least $200,000 per fiscal year, subject to available appropriations. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually for the grant program. Participating states would also report information including the number of veterans served, types of activities offered, participation frequency, and observations related to veterans’ well-being, social connectedness, and physical activity.\n\nRead the full bill text here. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) leads the Senate companion to this bill.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-squeezed-by-high-costs-gottheimer-hosts-agriculture-roundtable-with-sussex-county-farmers", "title": "RELEASE: Squeezed by High Costs, Gottheimer Hosts Agriculture Roundtable with Sussex County Farmers", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "domain": "gottheimer.house.gov", "scraper": "gottheimer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000583", "name": "Josh Gottheimer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Above: Gottheimer hosts agriculture roundtable.\n\nAUGUSTA, NJ — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted an agriculture roundtable with farmers from across New Jersey’s Fifth District to hear how rising diesel, fertilizer, and equipment costs, low dairy prices, and a shrinking number of farms in the Garden State are putting family farms under pressure, along with concerns about fewer cooperative plants and fewer meat processing facilities, and concerns about shrinking access to milk haulers. Gottheimer also laid out his priorities for the final Farm Bill, focusing on specialty crops, dairy, and agritourism, and asked farmers what they need to see in the final bill.\n\n“It’s because of all of you, and the more than 1,000 farms in New Jersey’s Fifth District, that families across our state and nation have fresh, high-quality, nutritious meals on the table,” said Gottheimer (NJ-5). “You do your part, every single day, rain or shine. The question for Washington is whether they’re doing everything they can for you. And right now, the clearest test of that is the Farm Bill.”\n\nFarmers are getting squeezed from every direction. For a family farm already running on razor-thin margins, those costs add up fast. When it costs more to fuel the tractor, buy supplies, and get the crop to market, even a good harvest may not be enough.\n\nThen came the freeze. Last April, a hard freeze hit right as crops were budding and blooming. Many growers lost a huge share of their harvest, including peaches, cherries, apples, strawberries, blueberries, and more, adding up to estimated losses of $300 million. For too many farmers, the help has not been there. New Jersey’s Fifth District is home to more than 1,000 farms, and New Jersey is a top-ten specialty crop state. Right now, a specialty crop grower can lose a season to a freeze and find that crop insurance does not fit the risk.\n\nMeanwhile, the Farm Bill, which last became law in 2018, has been kicked down the road with one extension after another, leaving farmers unable to plan their planting season, equipment purchases, or hiring.\n\nAt the roundtable, he announced the Farmer Recovery Opportunity and Support for Temperatures (FROST) Relief Act, new federal legislation to help growers recover from the April freeze that caused an estimated $300 million in losses.\n\nThe FROST Relief Act and the TEMP Act will:\n\nCreate a Block Grant Program for Freeze Losses: The FROST Relief Act would create a block grant program for farmers in the 13 states hit by the April freeze: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.\n\nGet Resources to Farmers Without Red Tape: The money goes to the states that were hit, so it can reach the farmers who lost their crops without months of red tape.\n\nDevelop Temperature-Based Crop Insurance: The TEMP Act directs federal crop insurance to develop an affordable, temperature-based policy that covers freeze and cold-weather losses for specialty crop growers.\n\nGottheimer’s additional actions:\n\nFight to Expand Rural Eligibility: In April, Gottheimer offered an amendment to the Farm Bill to raise the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) population cap for “rural” eligibility from 20,000 to 50,000, so more North Jersey communities can qualify for broadband and infrastructure support. It did not make it into the House bill, and it remains a top priority for the final bill.\n\nEnd the Hiring Freeze at the Farm Service Agency: Gottheimer offered amendments to end the hiring freeze at the Farm Service Agency (FSA), so loans and assistance get processed faster, especially for new and beginning farmers.\n\nRestore Local Food Resources: The Administration cut more than $1 billion from the Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance programs. Because of those cuts, New Jersey lost $26 million in commitments that would have supported 46 local farms and food producers, including 11 in the Fifth District. Gottheimer has demanded the resources be restored and offered a Farm Bill amendment to do it.\n\nFix the SNAP Provisions in the House Bill: As written, the House bill would force New Jersey to cover 5 percent of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and raise the state’s share of administrative costs, adding up to $200 million a year in new costs for Jersey taxpayers. It would also push families off SNAP, stripping their children of automatic eligibility for free school meals. Gottheimer is urging the Senate to fix it, and he introduced the Feed Our Kids Act, which would provide free school meals to every student and push schools to buy nutritious food locally when they can.\n\nBack Specialty Crops and Rural Communities: Gottheimer is backing more resources for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, more help fighting invasive species including the spotted lanternfly, more investment for meat and poultry processors, and reliable, affordable broadband for rural communities.\n\nStand Up for Jersey Dairy Farmers: After farmers raised the issue at a previous roundtable, Gottheimer backed whole milk in schools, and the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was signed into law in January. He is also a member of the Dairy Caucus, so he can continue working across the aisle on commonsense solutions for dairy producers and sellers.\n\nSupport the Next Generation of Jersey Agriculture: Ahead of National 4-H Week, celebrated annually during the first full week of October, Gottheimer reaffirmed his support for 4-H and USDA’s Positive Youth Development programs.\n\nLower Costs and Go After Price Collusion: Gottheimer is pushing an All-of-the-Above Energy Plan to boost domestic capacity and bring down diesel and fertilizer costs, and he helped pass legislation to go after meat and poultry companies that collude to rig prices on the backs of hard-working families.\n\nGottheimer was joined by Ed Wengryn, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture; Senator Parker Space, LD24 Senator; Louis Crescitelli, Chief of Staff to Senator Space; Commissioner Alan Henderson, Sussex County Commissioner; Commissioner Jill Space, Sussex Director Board of County Commissioners; Ken Schwemmer, Confidential Assistant to Commissioners; Liz Thompson, NJ Farm Bureau Executive Director; Paul Hlubik, USDA NJ Farm Service Agency State Committee Chair and NJ Agricultural Society President; Dave Foord, 4-H Senior Program Coordinator, RCE Sussex County, State 4-H Enrollment Coordinator; Holly Systema, Member of New Jersey State Board of Agriculture and the owner of The Farm at Windy Flats; Rocky Hazelman, President of the Passaic County Board of Agriculture and the Chairman of the Passaic County Agriculture Development Board; Stacey Kennedy, NJ Agricultural Society Director; Joe Atchison III, NJ Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary and NJ Department of Agriculture Marketing and Development Director; Mike Burger, Sussex County Board of Agriculture President; Lindsay Caragher, USDA NJ Farm Service Agency Deputy State Executive Director; Rich Byma, Dairy Farmer at By-Acre Holsteins; Phil and Keri Brodhecker, Beef and Grain Farmers at Brodhecker Farms; Jason Swarts, Dairy Farmer for Deckertown Holsteins; Pete Southway, Springhouse Creamery; Mitchell Jones, Mountain Top Farm in Warren County.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer hosts agriculture roundtable.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5977", "title": "Congresswoman Gwen Moore Leads Effort to Crack Down on Corrupt, Taxpayer-Funded Settlements", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "gwenmoore.house.gov", "scraper": "gwenmoore", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001160", "name": "Gwen Moore", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congresswoman Gwen Moore introduced the Executive Settlement Review Act to provide stronger oversight and independent review and approval of any legal settlements that occur between the President, his political allies, or personal associates, and the federal government they oversee. This legislation comes as the Trump administration has sought to use taxpayer funds for a $1.8 billion slush fund, which could have paid violent January 6th insurrectionists.\n\n“Trump has attempted to use sham government settlements to enrich himself and protect his family from legal scrutiny. And it likely doesn’t stop at him. I’m dismayed by recent reports that Treasury Secretary Bessent may be negotiating sweetheart deals with the IRS for himself. Congress and the Judiciary must work to prevent corruption and grift in the executive branch. My bill, the Executive Settlement Review Act, fulfills a need for a fair and comprehensive process to ensure that our tax dollars aren’t misused and that the public and Congress are aware of the details of any settlement that are at a heightened risk of abuse,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore.\n\nThe provisions of this bill would apply to pending lawsuits brought against the United States by the currently serving President, Vice President, Cabinet members, certain senior federal officials, their families, and their businesses, with exemptions for those seeking small claims.\n\nKey Provisions of the bill:", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://haridopolos.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-haridopolos-secures-nearly-9m-housing-brevard-county", "title": "Rep. Haridopolos Secures Nearly $9M for Housing in Brevard County", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://haridopolos.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "haridopolos.house.gov", "scraper": "haridopolos", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001099", "name": "Mike Haridopolos", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "October 8, 2026\n\nMelbourne, FL — Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Haridopolos (FL-08) $8,999,760 in federal funding for Brevard County to create new, permanent housing options for people experiencing homelessness.\n\nThe funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care Builds program, follows a two year long effort by the Brevard Homeless Coalition and local community partners. Congressman Haridopolos supported the Coalition’s application, provided a letter of support, and worked directly with HUD to help move the project forward.\n\n“This is another huge win for Brevard County,” said Congressman Haridopolos. “Nearly $9 million is coming back home to help put a roof over the heads of some of our most vulnerable neighbors and give them a path toward stability. My team worked closely with local leaders and HUD to help get this across the finish line, and I’m proud to deliver results for the people of Florida’s 8th Congressional District.”\n\n“After more than two years and three applications, securing nearly $9 million for permanent supportive housing in Brevard County is an incredible victory for our community,”said Amber Carroll, Executive Director, Brevard Homeless Coalition. “We are especially grateful to Congressman Haridopolos and his team for staying engaged and advocating for this investment when the outcome was uncertain. This funding will help Carrfour Supportive Housing and our Continuum of Care expand much-needed housing opportunities in Titusville and Melbourne, bringing stability and hope to some of our most vulnerable residents.”\n\nThe announcement builds on Congressman Haridopolos’ work to tackle housing affordability nationwide. As Whip of the House Financial Services Committee, Haridopolos helped lead passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, landmark bipartisan legislation to increase housing supply, cut regulatory barriers, and expand pathways to homeownership.\n\nFrom advancing major housing reforms in Congress to securing nearly $9 million for Brevard County, Haridopolos continues delivering solutions to expand housing opportunities and lower costs for Florida families.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://horsford.house.gov/media/press-releases/spirit-airlines-to-sell-employee-data-to-train-google-ai-horsford-and-warren-lead-call-for-worker-privacy-protections", "title": "Spirit Airlines to Sell Employee Data to Train Google AI, Horsford and Warren Lead Call for Worker Privacy Protections", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://horsford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "horsford.house.gov", "scraper": "horsford", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001066", "name": "Steven Horsford", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "NORTH LAS VEGAS – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Senator Elizabeth Warren led 119 Members of Congress in a letter to Spirit Airlines CEO, Dave Davis, and Google CEO, Sundar Piachi, urging the companies to protect the privacy of thousands of former Spirit employees. The letter responds to the proposed $10 million sale of Spirit’s internal data to Google for the purpose of training artificial intelligence systems.\n\nCourt findings revealed that the proposed sale would include approximately 100 million emails, 500 million Microsoft Teams messages, employee records, timecards records, payroll and tax information, and employment contracts. Workers created and provided this information as a condition of their employment, and it may contain highly sensitive details, including medical information and accommodation requests.\n\n“Spirit’s workers handed over this information because their jobs required it, not so it could be sold to train a different company’s AI,” said Rep. Horsford. “In Las Vegas alone, nearly 1,000 people were laid off from Spirit. They should not have to worry about their payroll records, disciplinary files, and private messages being used by a company they never worked for. Innovation cannot come at the expense of workers’ privacy, and no employee data should move until real, enforceable safeguards are in place.”\n\n\"Spirit Flight Attendants and other former employees are on the tip of the spear of this new threat to workers' rights,\" said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing 55,000 Flight Attendants at 20 airlines including Spirit.\" Senator Warren, Representative Horsford and 119 of their colleagues, with very little time and without either chamber in session, acted quickly to urge protections for workers as they face immediate risk in the bankruptcy court. But the outcome of conditions on this proposed sale to Google carries tremendous implications for workers across the economy. We thank the lawmakers for their swift action in their oversight role, as they recognize the immediate concern for our Spirit members. Flight Attendants across the industry and workers across the economy also thank them for recognizing the dangerous precedent it could set in this new frontier of unregulated AI and the intrusion of privacy for all Americans.\"\n\n“Spirit Airlines workers deserve better than having their private information become a bargaining chip in a $10 million AI data deal. We are demanding that Spirit and Google exclude employee information wherever possible and keep confidential safety reporting out of this transaction. Removing names is not enough—workers deserve a voice in the safeguards and enforceable protection against profiling or misuse of their information. The IAM Union is at the forefront of protecting workers in the age of AI and big data, and we will keep fighting to ensure new technology respects our members’ rights, privacy and dignity,” said IAM Union Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen.\n\nGoogle has stated it will not receive personally identifiable information and that the data will undergo third-party scrubbing before transfer. The Members warn that removing names, email addresses, and other direct identifiers does not necessarily make a dataset anonymous, particularly when modern AI systems can identify patterns across large datasets and connect seemingly unrelated pieces of information. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has recognized that de-identified data can be re-identified in certain circumstances.\n\n“Spirit Airlines caused economic damage to workers, and now they are trying to hurt them even more by sharing sensitive data without proper safeguards,\" Transport Workers Union of America International President John Samuelsen said. \"The least Spirit can do as it settles debts and gives Big Tech more data to train their AI models is to fully protect workers who gave years of hard work to the airline.”\n\nThis letter urges Google and Spirit to take specific actions before employee-related information is approved for transfer: exclude employee information from the transaction to the greatest extent possible, including records, timecards, payroll information, and Microsoft 365 content containing flight attendant information; establish a meaningful de-identification protocol developed with input from affected workers; maintain heightened protections for sensitive records such as disciplinary files, medical or accommodation requests, and compensation information, even after de-identification; conduct an independent employee confidentiality review and set enforceable limits on downstream use, disclosure, retention, and transfer; and establish a former review protocol that expressly prohibits using the data to identify, profile, evaluate, or draw inferences about identifiable groups of workers.\n\n\"As the nation’s largest transportation labor federation, we represent hundreds of thousands of workers who build, operate, and maintain transportation network across the United States,\" said Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD). \"As our society confronts a new technology era, regulators, legislators, and organizations have a responsibility to set guardrails around its use. That includes privacy guardrails for employee data that is collected by employers and whether this sensitive information can be transferred or sold to another party. Employers are entrusted with highly sensitive employee records and communications, and workers deserve to have their data protected instead of being exposed to privacy risks. We commend Congressman Horsford and Senator Warren for leading this letter urging Spirit and Google to commit to guidelines for handling sensitive employee information if a data transfer occurs.\"\n\n\"Spirit's workers shared personal information because their jobs required it, not so it could be sold to train AI,\" said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, President of ALPA. \"Our safety system works because pilots and other airline workers trust that when they speak up, it stays confidential. Break that trust and people stop reporting. We thank Senator Warren and Representative Horsford and dozens of Members of Congress for acting quickly to seek answers before this sale is final. Google and Spirit must put real, enforceable protections in place before a single employee record changes hands.\"\n\nThe Members are calling for no employee-related information to be transferred until protections are in place to ensure that workers’ sensitive information cannot be identified, profiled, or misused.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found HERE.\n\n119 members co-signed the letter with Rep. Horsford and Senator Warren, including Reps. Amo, Ansari, Barragán, Bell, Blair, Bonamici, Boyle, Brownley, Brown, Budzinski, Carson, Carter (GA), Casar, Castor, Chu, Clarke, Cohen, Conaway, Courtney, Craig, Crockett, Davids, Davis (IL), Davis (NC), DelBene, Deluzio, DeSaulnier, Dexter, Dingell, Elfreth, Espaillat, Fitzpatrick, Fletcher, Foster, Foushee, Frankel, Frost, Garamendi, García (IL), Garcia (CA), Garcia (FL), Goldman, Gomez, Grijalva, Hernández, Hoyle, Huffman, Jackson (IL), Jacobs, Jayapal, Johnson (GA), Kamlager-Dove, Kaptur, Kennedy, Khanna, Krishnamoorthi, Landsman, Larsen, Lee (PA), Lee (NV), Levin, Lieu, Lynch, Magaziner, Matsui, McBath, McClain Delaney, McClellan, McGovern, Mejia, Menefee, Meng, Mfume, Morrison, Norcross, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pappas, Pingree, Pocan, Pou, Ramirez, Ryan, Sánchez, Schakowsky, Sherman, Simon, Stansbury, Stevens, Strickland, Takano, Thanedar, Thompson (MS), Titus, Tlaib, Tonko, Torres (NY), Trahan, Vargas, Velázquez, Walkinshaw, Warnock, Wasserman Schultz, Waters, Watson Coleman, Williams, Wilson, and Sens. Blumenthal, Blunt Rochester, Cantwell, Cortez Masto, Duckworth, Kelly, Markey, Merkley, Sanders, Slotkin, Van Hollen, and Warnock", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-houchin-and-brownley-introduce-national-learning-disabilities-awareness", "title": "Reps. Houchin and Brownley Introduce National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month Resolution", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "houchin.house.gov", "scraper": "houchin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001093", "name": "Erin Houchin", "party": "Republican", "state": "IN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "October 8, 2026\n\nWASHINGTON—Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) introduced a resolution recognizing October 2026 as National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. Observed annually in October, National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month raises public awareness of learning disabilities, promotes early and accurate diagnoses, and highlights the importance of ensuring individuals have access to the resources, tools, and support they need to succeed in school, the workplace, and their communities.\n\n“Students with learning disabilities too often fall through the cracks of our education system. That’s why I am proud to recognize National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month alongside Congresswoman Brownley,” said Rep. Houchin. “Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that starts with identifying learning disabilities as early as possible. This year, I introduced the New IDEA Act, which would clarify the pathways for schools to identify and provide accommodations for students with specific learning disabilities, and help students receive the instruction they need.”\n\n“Having a learning disability should never stand in the way of a person’s ability to pursue their goals and achieve success,” said Rep. Brownley. “I began my career in public service to ensure that individuals like my daughter, who has dyslexia, have access to the resources and tools that empower them to learn and grow with confidence. I am grateful for Congresswoman Houchin’s partnership in recognizing National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month as we work to foster positive and supportive learning environments and improve learning outcomes and lived experiences for people with learning disabilities.”\n\nThe full text of the resolution can be found here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/gov-watchdog-finds-geothermal-developers-lack-permitting-tools-oil-and-gas-companies-already-have", "title": "Gov Watchdog Finds Geothermal Developers Lack Permitting Tools Oil and Gas Companies Already Have", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "huffman.house.gov", "scraper": "huffman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001068", "name": "Jared Huffman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report showing that companies trying to build geothermal power on public lands lack basic permitting tools that oil and gas companies already have and face confusing rules with no way to see where their permits stand, even as demand for geothermal development has grown more than fortyfold since 2020.\n\nThe watchdog report, requested by U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.), Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) found that the permitting process can be inconsistent and lacks transparency, creating uncertainty for geothermal developers and federal land managers. Oil and gas companies file permits online, track them through a dedicated system, and work from public handbooks, while geothermal developers submit permit applications in writing, wait on unpublished handbooks, and have no system tracking their permits.\n\nThe report comes as Congress has shown bipartisan interest in expanding geothermal energy development and private-sector interest in federal lands has grown significantly. According to GAO, nominations of federal lands for geothermal development increased from approximately 25,000 acres in 2020 to more than one million acres in 2025.\n\nDespite this growing interest, geothermal developers reported to GAO inconsistent permitting decisions for exploration activities. BLM has developed handbooks intended to clarify terminology and provide consistent guidance, but those documents have remained in draft form since at least 2022.\n\nGAO also found that BLM lacks a comprehensive mechanism for tracking geothermal permitting activity. BLM shut down its geothermal tracking system in 2021, and the system that took its place has no way to track geothermal permits. Oil and gas wells, however, are tracked in a dedicated system from initial permitting through final closure. As a result, BLM has limited visibility into permitting timelines and workloads, making planning more difficult for both developers and federal officials to anticipate project timelines and resource needs.\n\nThe House has already voted to address these problems. The bipartisan Geothermal Energy Advancement Act (H.R. 5631), which passed the House in June, includes legislation sponsored by Rep. Lee, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, and Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.). Rep. Ansari’s Geothermal Gold Book Development Act would require the Bureau to publish standard permitting procedures, in line with GAO’s recommendation.\n\nRead the full report and recommendations here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://jackson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2621", "title": "Rep. Ronny Jackson Announces $9.75 Million Federal Investment in West Texas A&M Beef Cattle Research", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jackson.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "jackson.house.gov", "scraper": "jackson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000304", "name": "Ronny Jackson", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) announced that West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) has been awarded $9.75 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to support construction of a center for beef cattle research and innovation.\n\nNIFA awarded the grant through its Research Facilities Act Program. The federal award requires a dollar-for-dollar match, with $4.875 million from The Texas A&M University System and another $4.875 million from Texas Cattle Feeders Association, its members, West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) donors and other sources. Together, the federal grant and matching funds bring the total investment for the project to $19.5 million.\n\nThe Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences at WTAMU has established itself as a nationally recognized leader in beef cattle research. Approximately 25 percent of the nation’s fed cattle are produced within 150 miles of the university’s campus, placing WTAMU at the center of one of the nation’s most significant cattle-producing regions. The Texas Panhandle is also the third-largest milk-producing region in the United States, making the area a critical hub for both beef and dairy production.\n\nThe new center will strengthen applied research, workforce development, and collaboration with the beef and dairy industries across the High Plains region. The investment will help WTAMU expand its ability to conduct research under conditions that more closely reflect the realities of commercial cattle operations.\n\nIn Congress, Rep. Jackson has been a strong advocate for this project, supporting this foundational investment in August 2026. Additionally, the research feedlot will be located next to the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation Feedlot Education Facility, which is currently under construction at WTAMU following federal community project funding secured by Rep. Jackson, which included $2.1 million in fiscal year 2024 and $1 million in fiscal year 2026.\n\n“This funding is an investment in the future of the Texas Panhandle and in the people who keep our agricultural economy strong,” said Rep. Jackson. “WT has the expertise, the location, and the industry partnerships needed to put this investment to work. I look forward to seeing the research and opportunities this center will create for generations of producers and agricultural professionals.”\n\n“We are grateful to USDA for recognizing the value of this work and to the partners helping WT bring it forward,” said Robert Albritton, chairman of the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System. “The A&M System is investing $4.875 million because research that strengthens Texas agriculture also serves the state and the nation.”\n\n“Beef production is vital to the Panhandle, to Texas and to the country. This facility will help WT address practical questions facing cattle producers while expanding the research and training the industry needs,” said Glenn Hegar, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System. “I appreciate Congressman Jackson’s work to support WT and the region through the separate funding for the education facility.”\n\n“The magnitude of the USDA grant, funding from the A&M System, and significant donor support underscore the critical role the Texas Panhandle plays in the beef cattle industry,” said Dr. Neil Terry, interim president. “As the university serving the Texas Panhandle, WT takes great pride in its ability to support the industry’s future through an educational center and a research feedlot that will be the best in the world.”\n\n“The facility’s design was developed over the past three years with multiple virtual and in-person planning sessions with industry leaders,” said Dr. Kevin Pond, dean of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. “I am grateful that our community partners have worked so hard to make this vision a reality. WT is now positioned to become a world leader in beef cattle feeding research and education, and that would not be possible without support from Congressman Jackson, the USDA, the A&M System, TCFA and many others.”\n\n“Cattle feeding plays a significant role in the economy and communities across Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Training the next generation of feedyard employees and conducting research to advance the industry is critically important for enhancing cattle feeding production practices and increasing beef production in our region,” said Ben Weinheimer, TCFA president and CEO. “The funding provided by USDA helps us continue the mission of expanding training and research initiatives at the WT research feedlot.\"\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://james.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1306", "title": "John James introduces plan to shield Michigan from tariffs", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://james.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "james.house.gov", "scraper": "james", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000307", "name": "John James", "party": "Republican", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Rep. John James on Tuesday introduced legislation to shield Michigan from the effect of tariffs in the ongoing trade war with Canada, while still preserving them as a tool to protect American jobs.\n\nUnder his plan, the Tariff Relief for American Development and Employment Act (also called the TRADE Act for short), the U.S. would set aside a portion of tariff revenue into funds meant to help reshore jobs and provide temporary relief to businesses that can show they have suffered real economic harm.\n\n“Michigan is disproportionally affected by the trade war, so it’s reasonable to use tariff revenue to reduce the effect on Michigan businesses and workers,” said James, R-Shelby Township. “Our country needs to push back on unfair trade practices, but states like Michigan should not have to shoulder that burden alone.”\n\nMichigan has lost around 300,000 manufacturing jobs since the year 2000, and many of those jobs went to Canada. The current situation with Canada is not reciprocal, James said. Adding to the problem is that Canada is allowing China to dump auto parts into the Canadian market, which then find their way into U.S. supply chains, as a way of avoiding tariffs on Chinese products.\n\nJames has talked with the U.S. trade representative about resolving the trade dispute, and he has publicly called for Canada and the United States to return to the negotiating table.\n\n“I fought with Canadians in Iraq. We have a deep and abiding bond that will not extinguish. I’m committed to making sure we continue to improve and deepen our relationships, and making sure our differences are resolved in a civil manner, quickly,” James said. “Our countries need to work out a reciprocal, fair, and mutually beneficial arrangement so we can bring back jobs and protect our industry.”\n\nBefore serving in Congress, James served as CEO of his family’s shipping and logistics firm, so he deeply understands cross-border trade and the auto parts industry.\n\nThe TRADE Act will help prevent U.S. companies from being forced to cut production, delay investment, or eliminate jobs solely because of extra tariff-related costs, James said. It will also reward businesses that keep jobs here, expand domestic production, and reshore supply chains.\n\nThere are two main parts to the plan. The bill establishes a Tariff Impact Relief Program, which dedicates a portion of the tariff revenue to strengthening United States domestic productive capacity.\n\nIt also establishes a Tariff Relief for American Development and Employment Fund (TRADE Fund) to help offset economic harm due to tariffs (and retaliatory tariffs) by providing targeted, temporary assistance to U.S. businesses that demonstrate actual tariff-related economic injury.\n\nTo qualify for assistance, recipients would have to agree to several “Keep It in America” conditions: keep production in the United States, maintain domestic employment numbers (aside from ordinary business fluctuations), and spend funds on things like working capital, payroll, domestic investment, domestic sourcing, training, or productivity.\n\nThe legislation includes guardrails to prevent abuse and ensure funds are being used to protect American jobs. For example, assistance may not be used for stock buybacks, to pay dividends, or to increase executive compensation. The funds likewise cannot be used to relocate production to a foreign country or to acquire a competitor, unless the Secretary of Commerce determines that the acquisition meaningfully expands domestic production capacity.\n\nThe legislation also requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish clawback provisions to recover money from fraud and violations of the domestic production requirements. Recipients will have to repay the assistance, in whole or in part, if they materially violate any of the requirements.\n\nH.R. 10759 was referred to the Committee on Financial Services and to the Committee on Ways and Means.\n\nJames represents Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, which includes portions of Oakland and Macomb counties.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/10/08/jayapal-statement-on-trump-suspending-microsoft-from-the-perm-program/", "title": "Jayapal Statement on Trump Suspending Microsoft from the PERM Program", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "jayapal.house.gov", "scraper": "jayapal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000298", "name": "Pramila Jayapal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SEATTLE, W.A. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, released the following statement regarding the Trump administration’s actions to suspend Microsoft’s ability to sponsor workers through the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program.\n\n“This is a crucial issue for me as the top Democrat on the Immigration Subcommittee, the only member of Congress to have actually had an H-1B visa, and the Representative for tens of thousands of Microsoft workers. The administration has been consistently working to take away legal pathways for immigrants to contribute their talents to our country, and this is yet another of those attacks.\n\n“The PERM program is the first step toward an employment-based green card for countless workers who want to contribute to this country, and it lays out a clear process with steps to ensure that this is a net benefit to our economy and does not harm American jobs. Our economy, our communities, and our families depend on immigrants in many sectors, including the tech sector, and heavy-handed attacks like this only hurt efforts to build a strong, stable, and diverse base of workers who have legal pathways to come and be in the United States while also protecting U.S. workers from unscrupulous employers.\n\n“You don’t fix a broken immigration system by taking a hammer to legal immigration. Microsoft has been a leader in advocating for comprehensive immigration reforms that modernize an antiquated immigration system and provide more — not fewer — legal pathways for immigrants from all over the world to work here and be with their families. Targeting Microsoft or the PERM program in this way simply undermines legal immigration and weakens America’s ability to innovate.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://jeffries.house.gov/2026/10/08/leader-jeffries-in-brooklyn-were-fighting-for-an-affordable-america/", "title": "LEADER JEFFRIES IN BROOKLYN: “WE’RE FIGHTING FOR AN AFFORDABLE AMERICA”", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jeffries.house.gov/category/press-release/page/", "domain": "jeffries.house.gov", "scraper": "jeffries", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000294", "name": "Hakeem S. Jeffries", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference in Brooklyn, where he emphasized that House Democrats are committed to lowering the high cost of living, making healthcare affordable and holding the crooks who are ripping off the American people accountable.\n\nLEADER JEFFRIES: Welcome to the Shirley Chisholm State Office Building here in Brooklyn. It’s an honor and a privilege to represent this area and to represent a district that Shirley Chisholm once represented here in Brooklyn in large measure. And the late, great Shirley Chisholm was a champion for making life more affordable for the people of Brooklyn, New York City and all across the country. Unfortunately, I think Shirley Chisholm would be horrified by what she’d see and what has unfolded here in the United States of America under Donald Trump and Republican control of Congress.\n\nDonald Trump promised that costs here in the United States of America would go down on day one. But costs haven’t gone down. Costs have gone up. Life has become way too expensive as a direct result of policy decisions made by Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress. The Trump Tariffs have increased costs on everyday Americans by thousands of dollars per year. House Democrats will continue to strongly oppose those tariffs and to fight to roll them back.\n\nDonald Trump promised to love and cherish Medicaid. He then signed the Republican One Big Ugly Bill that enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, ripping healthcare away from people here in New York City, across New York State and throughout America. Donald Trump and Republicans refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. And as a result, tens of millions of people are experiencing—including right here in New York City—dramatically increased premiums, copays and deductibles, in some cases increasing by more than $1,000 a month. These are everyday New Yorkers and everyday Americans who are no longer able to afford to go see a doctor when they need one because of decisions made by Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.\n\nDonald Trump promised not to start endless wars in the Middle East but to stop them and then turned around and did the exact opposite by getting the country involved in a reckless and costly war of choice in Iran that hasn’t made our country any safer but has certainly made the American people economically weaker, particularly as it relates to gas prices. House Democrats are uniformly and strongly opposed to Donald Trump’s reckless and costly war of choice in Iran, and we will fight it every day until it comes to an end.\n\nWe’re fighting for an affordable America, and we’re committed, as House Democrats, for the people here in New York City, across New York State and throughout the country, to lower the high cost of groceries, lower the high cost of gas and lower the high cost of housing, which is way too expensive all across this country. We’re committed, as House Democrats, to fighting to make sure that healthcare is affordable for every single American because in this great country of ours, access to high-quality and affordable healthcare shouldn’t simply be a privilege available only to the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected. It should be a right available to every single New Yorker and every single American.\n\nAnd as House Democrats, finally, we are certainly committed to combating the unprecedented corruption that the Trump cartel continues to unleash on the American people. Every day brings a new revelation, including the most recent one related to the U.S. Ambassador to Greece. What we’ve seen from the Trump cartel is that they’re more focused on enriching themselves, their family members, their friends and their donors than they are with making life more affordable for the American people. And our promise to the country in the new Congress is that, beginning on day one, we’re going to hold the crooks accountable.\n\nFull press conference can be watched here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://kelly.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kelly-presents-community-champion-award-butler-county", "title": "Rep. Kelly presents Community Champion Award in Butler County", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kelly.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kelly.house.gov", "scraper": "kelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000376", "name": "Mike Kelly", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BUTLER, PA -- On Wednesday, Oct. 7, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) presented his latest Community Champion Award to students and staff at Moniteau High School's Special Blend Cafe.\n\n\"When I first met these amazing students and staff in March, I knew what they have here at Moniteau was incredibly special. This program provides real-world experience for the students, and it provides practical skills they can take into the workforce upon graduation. They are making an impact both in the school and in the community. They are most deserving of this award,\" said Rep. Kelly.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://kelly.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mike-kelly-us-energy-secretary-chris-wright-highlight-federal-support", "title": "Rep. Mike Kelly, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright highlight federal support for steel production in Butler", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kelly.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kelly.house.gov", "scraper": "kelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000376", "name": "Mike Kelly", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BUTLER, PA -- On Tuesday, October 6, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) joined U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves, and other local officials at Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant to highlight recent investments into the plant's production of Grain Oriented Electrical Steel (GOES).\n\nOfficials shared the progress of the Cleveland-Cliffs' $200 million investment in Butler Works, supported by a $75 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy, which will strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity for a critical material used in electrical transformers that support the nation's power grid.\n\n\"Thanks to the support of Secretary Wright and the Trump administration, we are strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity for a critical material used in electrical transformers that support the nation's power grid. This steel powering the world is made right here in Butler,\" said Rep. Kelly.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nCleveland-Cliffs Butler Works is the only steel manufacturer in the United States that produces GOES, a critical component for electrical distribution transformers. Securing this supply chain is not only important for local jobs, but also for our national security.\n\nIn 2024, Kelly led opposition to a Biden-era Department of Energy rule that would have required transformers to use amorphous metal instead of grain oriented electrical steel under strict energy efficiency standards. Pressure from Kelly and members of UAW Local 3303 ultimately forced the Biden administration to revise its rule, protecting the more than 1,300 jobs at the Butler Works plant.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-krishnamoorthi-honor-captain-smit-machchhar-congressional-record", "title": "Congressman Krishnamoorthi to Honor Captain Smit Machchhar in Congressional Record for His Heroism During Flydubai Hijacking Attempt", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", "scraper": "krishnamoorthi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000391", "name": "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) announced today that he will enter a statement into the Congressional Record on Friday honoring Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery aboard Flydubai Flight 1073 on September 30, 2026. After being attacked by the flight’s first officer, who attempted to seize control of the aircraft, Captain Machchhar’s actions helped save the lives of 172 passengers and his fellow crew members.\n\nCongressman Krishnamoorthi’s full statement follows:\n\n“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Smit Machchhar of India, a husband, father, and pilot with 17 years of flying experience, including 11 as a captain, whose extraordinary bravery on September 30, 2026, helped save the lives of 172 passengers and his fellow crew members aboard Flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, including 4 United States citizens and 27 children.\n\nMidway through the flight, the first officer attacked Captain Machchhar with the aircraft's emergency crash axe and attempted to seize the flight controls. The aircraft plunged approximately 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds. Despite grave injuries, Captain Machchhar fought his way to the cockpit door and opened it, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower his attacker. Two reserve Flydubai pilots traveling aboard the aircraft then took control and landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.\n\nEven as Captain Machchhar fought for his own life, he understood that the lives of everyone aboard depended on what he did next. Despite his injuries, his years of experience told him that the aircraft was going down, and he found the strength to reach that door. His presence of mind, determination, and courage gave the passengers and crew the chance they needed to stop the attack and avert a catastrophe.\n\nBehind every person aboard Flight 1073 is a family that was spared an unimaginable loss. Because Captain Machchhar refused to give up, the passengers and crew aboard that aircraft had the chance to return to the people who love them.\n\nMr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Captain Smit Machchhar, whose extraordinary courage helped save hundreds of lives aboard Flight 1073. We extend our warmest wishes to him, his wife Sonal, their two children, and their entire family, and we hope for the captain’s full-speed recovery from his injuries at the earliest.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases/president-donald-trump-signs-congressman-david-kustoffs-identity-theft-bill", "title": "President Donald Trump Signs Congressman David Kustoff’s Identity Theft Bill into Law", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kustoff.house.gov", "scraper": "kustoff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000392", "name": "David Kustoff", "party": "Republican", "state": "TN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN-08) announced that President Donald Trump signed H.R. 5345, the Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act, into law on October 7, 2026. The bipartisan legislation will provide Social Security identity theft victims with a single point of contact at the Social Security Administration (SSA) until their case is resolved.\n\n“Americans recovering from identity theft should not have to fight through layers of red tape to receive help,” said Congressman David Kustoff. “With President Trump’s signature, victims will have a trained Social Security Administration employee responsible for coordinating their case and seeing it through to resolution. I appreciate President Trump and my colleagues in both chambers for working with me to deliver this commonsense reform and create a more reliable recovery process.”\n\n\"The theft of someone's Social Security number can do real damage to that person's life. Cleaning up that mess should not require a call center scavenger hunt or being bounced from one Social Security official to the next. This law fixes that. It puts a dedicated team in charge of a victim's case from the first call to the last, so that families can now spend their energy getting their life back instead of repeating their story to a new stranger every time they call. I want to commend Representative Kustoff for identifying a simple, commonsense solution, and I thank President Trump for signing this into law and his continued leadership in cutting government red tape for the American people.\" -- Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08)\n\nUnder the new law, trained SSA employees serving as points of contact will coordinate with other offices, maintain continuity of case records, and remain accountable until each case is resolved. The law will also apply when a Social Security card is lost in the mail.\n\nCongressman Kustoff introduced H.R. 5345 on September 15, 2025. The House Committee on Ways and Means advanced the bill by a vote of 39–1, and the House passed it by unanimous consent on December 1, 2025. The Senate unanimously passed the legislation on September 17, 2026. Click here to read the bill text.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-joins-bipartisan-colleagues-introduce-resolution-recognizing", "title": "Larson Joins Bipartisan Colleagues to Introduce Resolution Recognizing National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "larson.house.gov", "scraper": "larson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000557", "name": "John B. Larson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. - Today, Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01), Jim Costa (CA-21), Paul Tonko (NY-20), David Valadao (CA-22), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) introduced H. Res. 1611, a bipartisan resolution designating October 8, 2026, as \"National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day.\" National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is observed annually on October 8 in recognition of hydrogen’s atomic mass of 1.008. The day highlights the role hydrogen and fuel cell technologies play in American energy production, transportation, grid reliability, and economic growth.\n\nAs Co-Chair of the bipartisan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus, Rep. Larson has long championed fuel cell technology and has been a forceful advocate for extending the Investment Tax Credit for fuel cells and linear generators, securing its extension in both 2018 and 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. He co-led introduction of the bipartisan Technology for Energy Security Act to extend the tax credit for another eight years and the American Affordability Act, to bring down costs for households, including a plan to spur the development of American-made clean energy by providing a tax credit to companies that reduce carbon emissions by producing \"green\" and \"blue\" hydrogen and fuel cells.\n\n\"Connecticut continues to lead the nation as a hub for the research and development of clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies,\" said Larson. \"For years, I have worked across the aisle to enact tax incentives to boost hydrogen production and invest federal funding to grow our fuel cell economy, unleash the power of American-made clean energy, and reduce emissions. As we recognize the twelfth annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, we must work together on real solutions to lower costs for consumers and grow the clean energy supply chain across the country.\"\n\nThe United States produces and uses approximately 10 million metric tons of hydrogen each year. Hydrogen can be derived from a variety of domestic resources and used to store energy, while fuel cell technologies are used for transportation, stationary power, and backup power. Larson, Costa, Tonko, Valadao, Fitzpatrick, and Bilirakis are co-leads of the House Resolution, with Reps.Mike Lawler (NY-17), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joining as original co-sponsors. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led the introduction of the Senate Resolution, with Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) joining as original cosponsors.\n\n\"Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are an important part of America’s energy future,” said Costa. \"By investing in American innovation, we can strengthen our energy security, build a more reliable and resilient grid, create good-paying jobs, and reduce emissions. The United States has long been a leader in developing these technologies, and this bipartisan resolution recognizes the work being done across the country to ensure we continue leading the way.\"\n\n\"Supporting clean hydrogen unlocks a wealth of benefits — boosting our economy, protecting energy security, and reducing emissions,\" said Tonko. \"Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve worked to advance legislation that invests in energy innovation and lowers costs, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan resolution and support a stronger, healthier, more competitive nation.\"\n\n\"I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing a bipartisan resolution designating October 8th as National Hydrogen Fuel Cell Day. Advancing these technologies is critical to strengthening our nation’s energy independence, driving continued innovation, and enhancing our energy security. An all-of-the-above energy strategy will help lower energy costs for Central Valley communities while ensuring our farms, businesses, and homes have access to the reliable energy they need to thrive,\" said Valadao.\n\n\"The question is not whether America will need more energy—it is whether we will lead in producing it. Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies can strengthen our energy security, reinforce the reliability and resilience of our grid, create good-paying American jobs, and help meet growing demand through cleaner, innovative solutions. National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day recognizes the incredible scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and workers driving that progress, and reaffirms our bipartisan commitment to ensuring America continues to lead the world in energy innovation,\" said Fitzpatrick.\n\n\"Congress has long recognized how hydrogen seamlessly fits into so many of the energy tools in America’s energy portfolio,\" said Frank Wolak, President and CEO of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA). \"Whether a feedstock for low-carbon fertilizer and export fuels such as ammonia or used directly as a fuel on its own to power data centers, heavy-duty trucks, and everything in between, hydrogen helps the U.S. meet growing power demand at home while sustaining leadership in energy markets abroad. We thank Representative Costa and the resolution’s co-sponsors for supporting Hydrogen Day and the U.S. industry at large.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://lindasanchez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sanchez-house-democratic-colleagues-oppose-rule-denying-legal", "title": "Sánchez, House Democratic colleagues oppose rule denying legal immigrants tax credits", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://lindasanchez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "lindasanchez.house.gov", "scraper": "lindasanchez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001156", "name": "Linda T. Sánchez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) led her House Democratic colleagues today in calling on the Trump administration to withdraw a proposed IRS rule that would strip certain legal immigrants of refundable tax credits.\n\nThe rule would reclassify these credits as “Federal public benefits” under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), imposing strict citizenship requirements on recipients. It is similar to a failed attempt by the Department of Health and Human Services last year to block certain legal immigrants from health services, an effort the courts struck down.\n\n“The rules regarding the eligibility criteria for refundable tax credits are clearly defined by Congress in the Internal Revenue Code, and PRWORA was clearly never intended to separately address them,” the members wrote. “Yet, this proposed regulation would strip hundreds of thousands of people of their deserved tax refunds by redefining refundable tax credits as ‘Federal public benefits’ under PRWORA, harming our constituents, their families, and our communities.”\n\nThe members continued, “The administration’s apparent desire to change the law to attack immigrant communities does not change Congress’s intent when it passed PRWORA, nor does it change the law.”\n\nIn addition to Sánchez, the letter was signed by Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.)\n\nThe full text of the letter is available HERE and follows:\n\nOctober 7, 2026\n\nHonorable Frank Bisignano\n\nChief Executive Officer\n\nU.S. Internal Revenue Service\n\n1111 Constitution Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20224\n\nHonorable Scott Bessent\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of the Treasury\n\n1500 Pennsylvania Ave, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20220\n\nDear Secretary Bessent and CEO Bisignano,\n\nWe write to express our strong opposition to the proposed rule on the Application of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) to the Refunded Portion of Certain Federal Refundable Tax Credits. The rules regarding the eligibility criteria for refundable tax credits are clearly defined by Congress in the Internal Revenue Code, and PRWORA was clearly never intended to separately address them. Yet, this proposed regulation would strip hundreds of thousands of people of their deserved tax refunds by redefining refundable tax credits as “Federal public benefits” under PRWORA, harming our constituents, their families, and our communities.\n\nCongress has modified these credits since PRWORA was enacted (most recently in Public Law 119-21 (2025)) but never made the changes Treasury proposes in this rule. Therefore, Congress clearly did not intend to import PRWORA’s limits on eligibility for federal public benefits into these refundable tax credits. In fact, Congress’s decision in P.L. 119-21 to limit the American Opportunity Tax Credit to people with a valid Social Security number would be nonsensical under Treasury’s reading of the statute, because those without one would have already been excluded. The Congressional Budget Office would not have estimated this provision to reduce the deficit by $247 million had the assertions in this proposed rule been accurate. Similarly, Congress’s decision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2018) to limit Child Tax Credit eligibility to people with a valid Social Security number would not have made sense if PRWORA already imposed a much stricter interpretation.\n\nThe administration’s apparent desire to change the law to attack immigrant communities does not change Congress’s intent when it passed PRWORA, nor does it change the law. As the notice of rulemaking states, “Section 401(c)(1)(B) of PRWORA (8 U.S.C. 1611(c)(1)(B)) defines the term “Federal public benefit,” in relevant part, as “any retirement, welfare, health, disability, public or assisted housing, postsecondary education, food assistance, unemployment benefit, or any other similar benefit for which payments or assistance are provided to an individual, household, or family eligibility unit by an agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States. ” Tax credits are absent from that list, which clearly consists of direct assistance programs delivered through federally funded programs. Congress would have explicitly specified tax credits if it had intended their inclusion. Wholly adopting a novel and unsupported interpretation of PRWORA to fit President Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda goes directly against the law as written and congressional intent.\n\nIn fact, PRWORA separately addressed the issue of immigrants qualifying for refundable credits when it originally passed in 1996. Section 451 of PRWORA restricted the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by barring those without a Social Security Number from the tax credit. The remaining eligible population is a much broader group than those deemed “qualified” immigrants under that law. If Congress intended to restrict refundable tax credits to only “qualified” immigrants, it would have not included this separate section in a distinct section of that law.\n\nThe proposed regulation relies on the 2020 Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel opinion stating that any payment to a taxpayer may be classified as a benefit under PRWORA regardless of congressional intent and history. The proposal fails to justify why this new interpretation, upending 30 years of precedent, is valid given Congress’s past decisions to make very clear which immigrants were or were not eligible for refundable tax credits. Had Congress intended to bar immigrants from taking advantage of refundable tax credits, it would have clarified the statute in any of the numerous changes made to PRWORA or refundable tax credits in the years since 1996.\n\nWe urge you to withdraw this proposed regulation, which has no basis in the law, upends decades of precedent and runs counter to congressional intent.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://malliotakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/malliotakis-highlights-breast-cancer-awareness-prevention-treatment-staten", "title": "Malliotakis Highlights Breast Cancer Awareness, Prevention & Treatment at Staten Island University Hospital", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://malliotakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "malliotakis.house.gov", "scraper": "malliotakis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000317", "name": "Nicole Malliotakis", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(STATEN ISLAND, NY) — In recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) visited Staten Island University Hospital’s Florina Rusi Marke Comprehensive Breast Center to highlight the importance of early detection and lifesaving screenings, as well as initiatives in Congress to support cancer research and expand access to quality care.\n\nMalliotakis joined physicians and medical professionals from Staten Island University Hospital to discuss breast cancer prevention and treatment, advances in patient care and the resources available to women in the community. The Congresswoman also highlighted several efforts she is supporting in Congress to improve access to breast cancer screenings, treatment and care.\n\nCongresswoman Malliotakis' Legislative Efforts to Expand Breast Cancer Screening & Care:\n\nEARLY Act Reauthorization (H.R. 4541): In July, the Congresswoman voted for House passage of legislation that supports breast-health education and awareness for younger and higher-risk women and includes provisions of the SCREENS for Cancer Act to strengthen the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which provides screening and diagnostic services for underserved women. Staten Island University Hospital, Richmond University Medical Center and NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center— all benefit from this program.\n\nWomen's Health Initiative: Additionally, the Congresswoman has supported and protected federal funding for one of the nation's largest and longest-running studies of women's health, whose research includes breast cancer and other major conditions affecting women.\n\nFind It Early Act (H.R. 6182): Congresswoman Malliotakis cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would expand insurance coverage for breast cancer screening and diagnostic imaging without patient cost-sharing, including mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs for women with dense breasts or an increased risk of breast cancer.\n\nMetastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R. 2048): The Congresswoman cosponsored legislation to eliminate the waiting periods for Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare coverage for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.\n\nThe Congresswoman is also advocating that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz review Medicare coverage for supplemental breast ultrasounds for women with dense breast tissue after the Biden Administration issued a 2024 rule that stopped Medicare coverage of ultrasounds for breast cancer prevention.\n\n“Early detection and access to quality care can save lives, which is why it’s so important that women have access to the screenings, treatment and resources they need,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re highlighting the tremendous work being done right here on Staten Island to prevent, detect and treat breast cancer, while continuing our efforts in Congress to expand access to screenings, support critical research and ensure patients can get the care they need.”\n\n“Congressmember Malliotakis’ support of the Find It Early Act brings important attention to an issue that directly affects women and families across Staten Island and beyond,” said Meagan Sills, Senior Vice President and Hospital President of Staten Island University Hospital. “Nearly 18,000 women in New York are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and for many women, a routine mammogram may only be the first step. Breast density, family history, and other individual risk factors can require additional imaging such as an ultrasound or MRI. When that testing is medically appropriate, cost should not stand between a patient and the care her physician recommends. We appreciate Congressmember Malliotakis’ advocacy to help reduce those barriers and support greater access to early detection.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://markharris.house.gov/media/press-releases/harris-statement-fdas-mifepristone-safety-study-update", "title": "Harris Statement on FDA’s Mifepristone Safety Study Update", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://markharris.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "markharris.house.gov", "scraper": "markharris", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001102", "name": "Mark Harris", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) released the following statement in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s court-ordered update on its mifepristone safety study:\n\n“Chemical abortions are unsafe for the mother and lethal for the baby. Further delays are unacceptable and will result in the deaths of an additional 90,000 unborn children in pro-life states.\n\n“We have a moral duty to protect the lives of the most vulnerable, and amid the continued absence of critical safeguards, Congress must pass my Teleabortion Prevention Act. My bill would crack down on mail-order abortions by requiring in-person medical care before, during, and after a chemical abortion.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400463", "title": "McGovern calls for the release of detained Egyptian journalists", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "mcgovern.house.gov", "scraper": "mcgovern", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000312", "name": "James P. McGovern", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA) released the following statement calling for the release of detained Egyptian journalists:\n\n“As the Democratic Co-Chair of the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, I condemn the arrest of six journalists affiliated with the independent investigative journalism platform Matsadaash and call on the government of Egypt to release them immediately.\n\n\"On September 28, Egyptian security forces raided the homes of and arrested Mohamed Ashraf Abu Emeira and Abdullah Qadri, both of whom are editors at Matsadaash. Later that day, Egyptian state security arrested four additional journalists, Islam Barakat, Omar Helal, Mohamed Mahmoud, and Mohamed Adel, constituting the entirety of the newsroom. Authorities have not publicly issued charges against the journalists or justification for their arrest.\n\n\"This comes after the Trump Administration shamefully released $320 million in military aid to Egypt which had been withheld due to human rights concerns.\n\n\"Matsadaash has repeatedly been targeted by Egyptian authorities for its open-source investigative reporting. The recent arrest of its newsroom represents an alarming escalation of repression against independent media and freedom of expression in Egypt, particularly as some of the detainees report having been tortured. Pursuant to its obligations as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture, Egypt must respect the rights of its citizens to freedom of expression and freedom from arbitrary detention and torture.\n\n\"As a partner in the Defending Freedoms Project, which campaigns to free prisoners of conscience around the world, I demand that the Egyptian government release the six detained journalists immediately. I also call on authorities to refrain from further targeting of members of the Matsadaash platform and other press workers.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-menefee-to-host-telephone-town-hall", "title": "Congressman Menefee To Host Telephone Town Hall", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "menefee.house.gov", "scraper": "menefee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001245", "name": "Christian D. Menefee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "HOUSTON, TX — Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) announced that he will host a live telephone town hall on Tuesday, October 13th, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM CT to hear directly from constituents across Texas’s 18th Congressional District and discuss ongoing developments in the Houston area and Washington.\n\n“Hearing directly from the folks I represent is the most important part of my job,” said Rep. Menefee. “Whether we’re talking about policies affecting our families, projects shaping our communities, or helping you with a federal agency, it’s important to me that you have the resources and support from me and my team.”\n\nDuring the live telephone town hall, Congressman Menefee will provide community updates and take questions directly from constituents.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gun-violence-prevention-task-force-chair-thompson-judiciary-committee", "title": "GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION TASK FORCE CHAIR THOMPSON, JUDICIARY COMMITTEE RANKING MEMBER RASKIN AND REP. MCBATH LEAD 174 MEMBERS CALLING ON DOJ TO ENFORCE YOUTH HANDGUN LAW", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "mikethompson.house.gov", "scraper": "mikethompson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000460", "name": "Mike Thompson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington – Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair Mike Thompson, Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, and Rep. Lucy McBath lead a bipartisan letter with 174 members calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to enforce the 1968 law which prohibits licensed gun dealers from selling handguns to 18-20-year-olds.\n\n“DOJ’s decision to block the enforcement of the 1968 law which prohibits 18-20-year-olds from buying handguns is unconstitutional, and will make our communities, and especially our schools less safe,” said Mike Thompson. “It is outrageous that DOJ would unilaterally overturn the law and allow an 18-year-old high school student to buy a handgun, buy a silencer, and have them shipped to their house without ever leaving their basement. That is just wrong.”\n\n“For generations, the landmark provision prohibiting the sale of handguns to 18-to-20-year-olds has saved countless lives. Yet, now, the Trump Department of Justice has released a baseless opinion that this provision is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced. This reckless decision will allow young adults to obtain the firearms most often used in crime, jeopardizing public safety and putting those most at risk for gun violence in greater danger. Brady thanks Chair Thompson and Ranking Members Raskin and McBath for leading the effort to oppose this senseless decision and for their dedication to protecting America’s youth from gun violence,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy, Brady.\n\n“The math here is simple: 18- to 20-year-olds commit gun homicides at triple the rate of people 21 and older, which is why more than 80% of Americans want 21 to be the minimum age to buy a gun,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Trump’s MAGA DOJ is handing the gun industry something it could never win in Congress or at the ballot box, and America will pay for it in lives lost and communities shattered.”\n\n\"The Office of Legal Counsel has no authority to erase a federal gun law and put more handguns in the hands of teenagers. This decision disregards clear evidence that minimum-age laws save lives,” said GIFFORDS Executive Director EmmaBrown. “The Trump administration must immediately reverse this dangerous action. I thank Representatives Jamie Raskin, Lucy McBath, and Mike Thompson, as well as the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, for their leadership in defending this lifesaving law.”\n\nThe Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) passed the House of Representatives and the Senate with bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Johnson in response to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy, and others, and to address a startling increase in gun crimes. For almost six decades, the GCA as a whole has saved countless lives by helping keep firearms out of the hands of high-risk groups, including not only Americans in the 18-to-20-year-old cohort but people who pose a danger to themselves or others. Expanding access to concealable firearms like handguns creates a significant public safety risk as the majority of gun crimes involve handguns.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found HERE and below.\n\nDear Attorney General Blanche,\n\nWe urge the Department of Justice to immediately rescind its opinion illegally declaring that a 1968 law prohibiting the sale of handguns to 18-to-20-year-olds by federally licensed firearms dealers “may not be enforced.”\n\nSince the passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968 some 58 years ago, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has faithfully enforced it according to clear congressional intent and defended its constitutionality. The Supreme Court has never questioned, much less invalidated, this statute. Its policy rationale—that 18-to-20-year-olds lack the cognitive judgment required to safely own and handle handguns has only grown more compelling with advancements in our understanding of brain development over the last six decades and the record of gun violence already associated with that age group.\n\nThe Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) passed the House of Representatives and the Senate with bipartisan support, and was signed into law by President Johnson in response to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy, and others, and to address a startling increase in gun crimes. For almost six decades, the GCA as a whole has saved countless lives by helping keep firearms out of the hands of high-risk groups, including not only Americans in the 18-to-20-year-old cohort but people who pose a danger to themselves or others.\n\nDOJ’s sudden epiphany that this essential law, which has been enforced by Democratic and Republican Attorneys General continuously for more than a half-century, is unconstitutional would override the judgment of the last 29 Congresses, which have staunchly stood by the law. Your personal reinterpretation would now allow 18-to-20-year-olds to purchase easily concealable handguns, a kind disproportionately used in violent crimes.\n\nWe already have a problem with young men in the 18-20 year range obtaining a firearm from family, friends or the criminal underground and using it to conduct a mass shooting. Millions of Americans remember when a 20-year-old gunman in Newtown, Connecticut killed 27 people, overwhelmingly children, in the deadliest elementary school massacre in American history. According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, one in eight mass shooters was between 18 and 20 years old.[1] Indeed, 18-to-20-year-olds have already been shown to be responsible for a disproportionate share of school shootings. [2] In fact, they comprise just 4 percent of the US population, but account for 17 percent of known gun homicide offenders generally. [3]\n\nTeens and young adults are also already at higher risk for firearm suicide. Limiting access to firearms has been a proven and effective way of lowering rates of firearm suicide. One study demonstrated that when states restricted handgun sales to individuals under the age of 21, the firearm suicide rate declined 12 percent among 18-to-20-year-olds. [4]\n\nExpanding access to concealable firearms like handguns creates a significant public safety risk as the majority of gun crimes involve handguns. FBI crime statistics from 2020 to 2024 show that 92 percent of firearms identified in murders were handguns, 6 percent were rifles, and 2 percent were shotguns. The lack of legal access to handguns by people under the age of 21 explains why crime guns traced to 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds remain relatively low compared to the next age cohort of 21-, 22-, and 23-year-olds. The rate at which firearms recovered in crimes are traced back to young purchasers jumps 10-fold at age 21 before peaking at age 22.[5] This sharp increase tracks with the legal minimum age to purchase handguns and would therefore begin rising earlier after DOJ’s baffling new refusal to enforce the 1968 law.\n\nYoung adults engage in crime at a higher rate than the rest of the adult population and lowering the age to purchase a handgun would make an even larger percentage of youths vulnerable to coercion or cooption by traffickers. According to the ATF, “The most frequent age of a purchaser of a crime gun was 22 years old, with purchasers between 21 and 25 years old accounting for almost as many traced crime guns as all purchasers ages 45 and older.” One reason most crime guns are purchased by people in this age group is because traffickers frequently use, and often force younger individuals who don't have criminal backgrounds to straw-purchase their weapons for them.\n\nDOJ’s reckless U-turn interpretation of the 1968 law is made exceptionally more dangerous when combined with ATF’s proposed rule that would allow Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to engage in more “non-over-the-counter” gun sales than ever before. In other words, with this new opinion and if ATF’s rule is finalized as proposed, FFLs will be able to sell handguns to purchasers between the ages of 18 and 20 without them ever setting foot in a gun store and then deliver those guns directly to their door. This would eliminate critical opportunities for responsible FFLs to observe suspicious behavior that may indicate criminal intent and to exercise their discretion to decline such sales. This would be inconsistent with congressional intent and unnecessarily endanger public safety.\n\nThe sensible restriction on FFLs from selling handguns to 18-to-20-year-olds is constitutional and is helping save lives every day. Your duty is to enforce the law as Congress writes it, not to make up new laws you prefer and substitute them for the public will as expressed through Congress. We urge you to immediately rescind your unlawful and dangerous opinion.\n\nSincerely,\n\n[1] Joshua D. Brown and Amie J. Goodin, “Mass Casualty Shooting Venues, Types of Firearms, and Age of Perpetrators in the United States, 1982–2018,” American Journal of Public Health 108, no. 10 (2018): 1385–138.7\n\n[2] Paul M. Reeping et al., “State Firearm Laws, Gun Ownership, and K-12 School Shootings: Implications for School Safety,” Journal of School Violence 21, no. 2 (2022): 132–146.\n\n[3] Eighteen to 20 year olds commit 18% of gun homicides, despite comprising just four percent of the US population. Giffords Law Center analysis of FBI Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data, 2016–2020.\n\n[4] Emma E. Fridel et al., “Examining the Impact of Minimum Handgun Purchase Age and Background Check Legislation on Young Adult Suicide in the United States, 1991–2020.” American Journal of Public Health 0 (2024).\n\n[5] https://www.atf.gov/media/15426/download\n\n###\n\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 4th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo Counties. He is a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Rep. Thompson is Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. He is also Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus and a member of the fiscally-responsible Blue Dog Coalition.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/media/press-releases/ocasio-cortez-statement-ice-shooting-marble-hill", "title": "Ocasio-Cortez Statement on ICE Shooting in Marble Hill", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ocasio-cortez.house.gov", "scraper": "ocasio-cortez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000172", "name": "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "NEW YORK – Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) released the following statement tonight after federal agents shot and injured a New Yorker in Marble Hill on Thursday.\n\n“Today in Marble Hill, ICE agents fired multiple shots at a man in his vehicle while his 5-year-old child was in the back seat.\n\n“ICE’s already unwelcome presence in our city has been growing more escalatory and dangerous by the day. Today’s shooting is a grave development that requires a swift and immediate response to protect the safety of all New Yorkers.\n\n“First, we must have a full and independent investigation of this incident.\n\n“There must also be a full and immediate release of all body camera footage of the incident.\n\n“In addition, the Target Corporation must stop offering their Bronx properties as private staging sites for ICE, in compliance with requests from New York officials. Target opening up large, active retail parking lots for paramilitary activity is unacceptable and places the entire community at risk.\n\n“ICE is a rogue, lawless paramilitary and surveillance agency. It does not belong in New York City and it should not exist in the United States of America. Abolish ICE.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-panetta-stands-local-community-leaders-call-united-states-postal-service", "title": "Rep. Panetta Stands with Local Community Leaders  to Call on the United States Postal Service  to Restore Mail Service to Brookdale", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "panetta.house.gov", "scraper": "panetta", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000613", "name": "Jimmy Panetta", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "To watch his remarks, click HERE.\n\nFor additional photos and b-roll, click HERE.\n\nBrookdale, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) brought together local elected leaders and community members at the Brookdale Lodge to voice their unified opposition to the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) proposed permanent closure of the Brookdale Post Office. Rep. Panetta was joined at the press conference by Santa Cruz County Supervisor Monica Martinez, Jason Patel of the Brookdale Lodge, and other concerned Brookdale residents. With more than 30 community members present, the group called on USPS to restore mail service as soon as they can to Brookdale.\n\nAfter nearly two years of delays, missed deadlines, and inconsistent statements, USPS recently launched a discontinuance feasibility study for the Brookdale Post Office without proposing an alternative location in the community or expanded local service. The proposed closure would leave the people of Brookdale without local postal services in a community that already lacks USPS home delivery.\n\n“For nearly two years, the people of Brookdale have waited in good faith while USPS sat on its hands, missed deadlines, and failed to provide a reliable timeline for restoring service,” said Rep. Panetta. “Now, instead of finding a new location or restoring local service, USPS is studying whether to permanently close the Brookdale Post Office. We are standing shoulder to shoulder to call for USPS to halt the study and restore postal services for the Brookdale community.”\n\n“It is unfair for USPS to further burden Brookdale residents, who have already had to assume additional costs in the aftermath of the CZU Lightning Fire Complex, by asking them to travel out of town to access their mail during work hours. If they won’t reestablish a post office, USPS should offer home delivery in Brookdale, like it does in neighboring towns,” said Santa Cruz County Supervisor Monica Martinez.\n\n“After nearly two years without local postal service, Brookdale residents deserve a solution, not a permanent closure. Brookdale residents don’t get home mail delivery, making the post office their only way to receive their prescriptions, ballots, and bills. Since the fire, they have had to drive to Boulder Creek or Ben Lomond to pick up their mail. I stand with Congressman Panetta and Brookdale residents in calling on USPS to restore postal service in Brookdale,” said Assemblymember Gail Pellerin.\n\n“We, the residents of Brookdale, respectfully request the restoration of a permanent U.S. Post Office in the community of Brookdale, Zip Code 95007,” said Brookdale Resident Sally Lussier.\n\nUSPS plays a fundamental role in making sure Americans stay informed and participate in our democracy, receive essential government services, pay their bills, and maintain access to lifesaving medication. However, postal services in Brookdale have been suspended since a fire damaged the community’s post office in December 2024. Since then, Brookdale residents have had to travel to Boulder Creek to receive essential mail and conduct the everyday business of their lives. That burden falls especially hard on seniors, people with disabilities, working families, and residents without reliable transportation.\n\nWith USPS closing the study’s comment period on October 11, Rep. Panetta and local leaders urged residents to submit their questionnaires and feedback before the deadline. Rep. Panetta also collected comment cards from Brookdale residents expressing their opposition to the proposed permanent closure, which he will submit directly to USPS this week. Those who could not attend the event in person can complete the form linked here by October 9 to have their concerns submitted by Rep. Panetta’s office.\n\nUSPS was invited to attend the event but declined to participate, citing its September 11 virtual meeting on the discontinuance feasibility study.\n\nRep. Panetta has repeatedly pressed USPS leadership to restore postal services in Brookdale. Last week, Rep. Panetta wrote to Postmaster General David Steiner demanding that USPS immediately halt the discontinuance feasibility study for the Brookdale Post Office, identify a new location in Brookdale, and expand appropriate postal services to serve the community. In a February 2026 letter to the Postmaster General, he called on USPS to repair and reopen the facility with a clear project timeline and provide temporary postal service within the community in the interim. After USPS missed its promised May 1 reopening date, Rep. Panetta sent a May 2026 letter requesting that the USPS Inspector General review the agency’s management, communication, and decision-making, the adequacy of interim services, and the feasibility of restoring service through a temporary or alternative facility.\n\nRep. Panetta will continue to oppose the USPS proposal to permanently close the Brookdale Post Office and demand a permanent postal facility that serves the Brookdale community.\n\nFor additional photos and b-roll, click HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-pappas-backed-am-radio-for-every-vehicle-act-passed-house", "title": "ICYMI: Pappas-Backed AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act Passed House", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "pappas.house.gov", "scraper": "pappas", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000614", "name": "Chris Pappas", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The House passed the bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, legislation cosponsored by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01). This legislation would ensure Americans continue to have access to AM radio in all new vehicles.\n\n“In addition to being a source of news, music, and community connection, AM radio is a lifeline in emergencies for Americans to get important information and stay safe. This bipartisan legislation will help make sure people do not lose access to this free service in their cars,” said Congressman Pappas.\n\nMore than 50 million Americans listen to AM broadcast radio every month, and it remains one of the most reliable ways to reach the public during emergencies because it can travel long distances and reach broad geographic areas. AM radio is the backbone behind America’s National Public Warning System, which provides emergency-alert and warning information to the public during major natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, chemical incidents, health emergencies, and other domestic threats, often when cellular and Internet networks fail.\n\nDespite the clear public safety uses of AM broadcast radio, many manufacturers stopped including it in their vehicles because they did not want to spend the minimal funds to ensure public safety during emergencies.\n\nThe AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act will require the Department of Transportation to issue a rule mandating that all automakers include AM radio as standard equipment in their vehicles, at no additional cost to consumers.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-patronis-joins-senator-scott-and-local-officials-in-pensacola-ahead-of-hurricane-isaias", "title": "Congressman Patronis Joins Senator Scott and Local Officials in Pensacola Ahead of Hurricane Isaias", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "patronis.house.gov", "scraper": "patronis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000622", "name": "Jimmy Patronis", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PENSACOLA, FL –Today, Congressman Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) joined Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves, Representative Michelle Salzman, Representative Alex Andrade, Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, and other state and local officials in Pensacola to discuss hurricane preparedness ahead of Hurricane Isaias.\n\nTo view the full clip click here or above.\n\nCongressman Patronis: . Thank you, Senator Scott. You can always count on Senator Scott showing up. There is nobody who I think has taken a better interest in making sure that our citizens, our elected officials, our law enforcement, and our first responders have what they need to do their job. And so you being here the day before the storm, that’s just true to form.\n\nI told the senator, you know, for about the past nine years, I’ve dealt with nine storms. We learn something from every storm. So I’m gonna try to leave you with about three good hits to walk away from. As you’re trying to focus, you think about what you’re doing, maybe four hits.\n\nWhen you think about your insurance and your insurance recovery, today’s really the last day that you can do your insurance and your fiscal health preparation. And what I mean by that is I want you to take, we’re a smartphone society, I want you to take your smartphone, I want you to walk around the outside of your house and shoot a video of that house. Show that there’s no damage done to the outside of the house. Inside, you’re gonna do a little bit of a different video. You’re gonna do an inventory. You’re gonna take a picture of your wardrobe, video of your floor covering, your TV, what’s in your garage.\n\nHere’s why you’re gonna do that, and you’re gonna email it to yourself. You’re gonna put it in a virtual place, okay? And if you got a copy of your insurance policy, take a picture of it. Email those to yourself. Now, fast forward where the storm is hitting, and God forbid you get hit by a tornado or some storm-force winds or a tree falls on your house. Now you’ve got photographic evidence of what your place looked like before the storm, okay? What’s gonna happen, the insurance company’s gonna send an adjuster out. That’s just a different way of saying an investigator. They’re coming out to investigate what damage they are liable for. So now you’ve got photographic evidence before and after where it makes it a lot easier to show your insurance company, this is what you owe me because this is all new damage.\n\nSecond, I want you to understand, the predators are going to be pre-staged outside of your neighborhoods better than the power company is, okay? These guys will canvas your neighborhoods. They hate it when I say this, but they are what they are. They’re locusts. They canvas your neighborhoods. They are there because you are vulnerable. You are not prepared to deal with the destruction that a hurricane can bestow on you, your family, your neighborhood, your community, and they know that. So what do they do? They try to get in between you and your insurance claim by getting you to sign something.\n\nSo here’s the easy part. Just don’t sign anything. As long as you don’t sign any documents, you have no way to get hurt financially by the storm. If your first phone call is to your insurance agent, your insurance carrier, the Department of Financial Services, heck, call my office. We will help put you in touch with the proper insurance authority in getting the claim process started. I want you to also be on the lookout in your inbox, because most insurance companies, they’re not living under a rock. They see this storm approaching the coast also. You’ve probably already got an email from your insurance company saying, hey, it’s coming your way. Why don’t you go ahead and pre-start the claim filing process? Because there is a probability you’re going to have damage, and they want to get you in the pipeline. This is great that they’re doing this, because they’re leaning forward to try to get ahead of the curve of potentially hundreds or maybe even thousands of claims. So please look up that email, fill it out, pay attention. Do it now while you’re not under stress.\n\nNow, the last thing I kinda wanna leave with ya is we have seen a growth, a huge spike in EVs, but more so e-bikes. A lot of people, a lot of our friends, they’re great, they get you around fast, not a lot of exercise to ’em. The problem is, is you’re—if you’re in a two-story home, you’re not gonna take that thing upstairs. Those are operated by lithium-ion batteries. When those things interact with salt water, it becomes a thermal runaway. They do not distinguish with water. You can literally throw ’em in the bay, and they’re still gonna burn. The problem you’re gonna run into, as soon as you have any flood in a low-lying area, and it engages that salt water, now you’ve got a fire that can’t be put out, and if it’s at the bottom of your house or in your garage, you know what’s gonna happen? It’s gonna burn down your house, ’cause maybe it survived the storm, but it’s not gonna survive the EV.\n\nSo, if you’ve got an EV, I want you to take it to higher ground. If you’ve got a golf cart, I want you to get it away from that low-lying area. If you’ve got an e-bike, I want you to get it upstairs. And lastly, look, your first responders, these guys are superheroes. They may not wear capes, but they’re superheroes. They are going to be putting themselves in harm’s way, and just like the senator said, don’t be a knucklehead. Don’t think you can handle this storm. We’ve got 1.8 million new Floridians in the state of Florida since 2018. A lot of those folks have no idea what they’re in for. I’m glad they’re in our state, and I’m glad they’ve decided to retire here and bring their businesses, but they don’t know what a hurricane can do to them, and this is no different. Err on the side of caution. If you’re told to evacuate, please leave. Now here’s another superhero. You got your cape on? We’ve got Sheriff Chip Simmons, our sheriff here in Escambia County. Sheriff.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-patronis-warns-floridians-about-ev-scooter-fire-risks-ahead-of-hurricane-isaias", "title": "Congressman Patronis Warns Floridians About EV, Scooter Fire Risks Ahead of Hurricane Isaias", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "patronis.house.gov", "scraper": "patronis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000622", "name": "Jimmy Patronis", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "NAVARRE BEACH, FL – Today, Congressman Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) is urging Floridians to take precautions with electric vehicles, scooters and other battery powered devices ahead of Hurricane Isais.\n\n“Many Floridians don’t realize that electric vehicles and scooters exposed to saltwater storm surge can pose a serious fire risk if their batteries are damaged,” said Congressman Patronis. “If your electric scooter or vehicle is in an area vulnerable to flooding or storm surge, move it to higher ground before the storm arrives. There are a lot of lithium-ion batteries around our tourist destinations, and they can pose a huge fire risk if exposed to saltwater. Get them out of harm’s way before the storm hits.”\n\nSaltwater flooding and storm surge can damage lithium-ion batteries, creating a potential fire hazard even after floodwaters recede. Congressman Patronis is urging residents in flood-prone areas to move electric vehicles and scooters to higher ground before the storm arrives. These fires can be harder to put out and can reignite even after they appear to be extinguished.\n\nResidents should:\n\nMove EVs and scooters to higher ground before flooding begins.\n\nAvoid putting vehicles or battery-powered devices in standing or moving water.\n\nKeep damaged batteries away from structures. If a battery-powered vehicle has been exposed to flooding or appears damaged, keep it away from homes, garages and other buildings.\n\nPay attention to push notifications from your electric vehicle’s apps for important safety updates and instructions.\n\nFollow guidance from local emergency officials and fire departments.\n\nFor hurricane preparedness resources click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://radewagen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/amata-highlights-facts-about-trump-accounts-american-samoa-s-children", "title": "Amata Highlights Facts About ‘Trump Accounts’ for American Samoa’s Children", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://radewagen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "radewagen.house.gov", "scraper": "radewagen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000600", "name": "Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen", "party": "Republican", "state": "AS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting the upcoming possibility for American Samoa’s children to begin a new investment growth account, known as Trump accounts, funded by the child’s guardian.\n\n“The federal law creating Trump account investments does not prevent U.S. nationals from participating, so I want our people to be informed to make their own decisions,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “The children of our islands who are U.S. nationals can be included, and must have their U.S. Social Security number to participate along with U.S. citizens.”\n\n“I know that every hard-earned dollar is precious to our families, and needed in your current household budget, but starting an early investment even with a small amount has potential to build up in the future for a child with a full lifetime of growth earnings ahead of them, so this is information for your consideration, prayer, and counsel,” continued Aumua Amata.\n\nWhat to know:\n\nThese accounts do not apply to residents of American Samoa who are not U.S. nationals or citizens.\n\nTrump Accounts are traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) for minors under age 18, managed by an adult guardian to build growth for them through U.S. stock market investments. While owned by the child, they are administered by a parent or legal guardian as custodian until the owner turns 18. Only the adult can start the account, using the official app from Trump Accounts (Trumpaccounts.gov) or via the IRS using Form 4547.\n\nAn account holder may contribute up to $5,000 per year in regular individual contributions per child. At their choice, employers may contribute up to $2,500 tax-free annually.\n\nNote that your individual contributions are made with after-tax dollars (non-deductible), but the earnings then grow tax-deferred. The investments are placed in low-cost mutual funds or ETFs tracking major U.S. equity indexes like the S&P 500.\n\nIn general, no withdrawals are permitted while the beneficiary is a minor. Full control transfers to the individual at age 18. The account converts fully to a standard traditional IRA, with standard retirement or qualified penalty-free distribution rules.\n\nCongress and President Trump created these accounts through Public Law 119-21, signed into law in 2025, which was designated the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also called the Working Families Tax Cuts.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://radewagen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/amata-highlights-noaa-ocean-observation-funds-and-her-record", "title": "Amata Highlights NOAA Ocean Observation Funds, and Her Record of Legislative Support", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://radewagen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "radewagen.house.gov", "scraper": "radewagen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000600", "name": "Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen", "party": "Republican", "state": "AS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming the announcement of NOAA funding for regional and national ocean observing. The 11 new five-year cooperative agreements announced Thursday will enable U.S. IOOS regional associations to operate regional coastal observing systems (RCOSs) throughout U.S. waters, with $45.7 million in overall funding for the first year, supporting operation and modernization of observing capabilities for coasts, ocean, and the Great Lakes. The Pacific Islands region, including American Samoa, is supported at over $4 million ($4,033,322) for fiscal year 2027.\n\nWave buoys like these are essential instruments in ocean observing and there are over 600 assets, including buoys, reporting wave data throughout IOOS. Wave information is important for weather forecasting, safe navigation, port operations, coastal planning, coastal hazard prediction and mitigation, and many more applications. Photo credit: PacIOOS\n\nCongresswoman Amata has supported and cosponsored bipartisan legislation to authorize, boost funding, and enhance these capabilities for Pacific waters, as well as volcano warning systems. In this Congress, as an original cosponsor, Amata co-led the House-passed bill, H.R 2294, to reauthorize this program. She also supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021 that has funded these same 11 NOAA project areas, including the buoys. Also this Congress, she supported in committee the bipartisan bill, H.R. 3176, which has passed the House, to reauthorize national volcano early warning systems for five years. She has supported Pacific volcano study legislation, and numerous related bills for tsunami response, since her first year in Congress.\n\n“In American Samoa, just days ago, we observed our anniversary of the dreadful 2009 tsunami that cost many lives and caused much devastation. Our Manu’a Islands have experienced rumblings and scientists keep watch on the Vailulu’u Seamount, and in 2022, Tongo experienced a massive, deadly volcanic blast and tsunami,” said Aumua Amata. “We depend on the important science of ocean observations for quality data, like wave measurements, for services, decision-making and storm readiness. We have a buoy named in memory of longtime Port Director Chris King for his years of service to American Samoa.”\n\nUnder the agreements, announced Thursday by NOAA, the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) will operate and maintain the regional coastal observing system (RCOS) for Pacific Islands, including the State of Hawai‘i; the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; the Freely Associated States the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands (Baker, Howland, Jarvis, Johnston, Kingman, Midway, Palmyra, and Wake).\n\nThe data collected from ocean observations:\n\nSupports fishermen, aquaculturists, shipping and logistics managers, and coastal communities in making sound economic and safety decisions;\n\nSupports management and mitigation of coastal hazards, such as flooding and harmful algal blooms; and\n\nProvides essential information for weather forecasting and national defense.\n\nThe regional associations are a fundamental part of the national observing system, and help ensure that the system is both effective and efficient. They are federally certified to collect and manage high-quality observing data, forming robust partnerships with local stakeholders and coastal communities. As the regional component of the nationwide U.S. IOOS network, regional associations meet local needs by using stakeholder feedback to guide the development of RCOSs while also integrating national priorities and requirements.\n\nThese cooperative agreements are awarded every five years through a competitive process and support the continued operation and modernization of our nation’s coastal, ocean and Great Lakes observing capabilities. Total awards include additional funding from other NOAA offices in the National Ocean Service, National Weather Service, NOAA Fisheries, NOAA Satellites and NOAA Research.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://radewagen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/amata-s-statement-celebrating-white-sunday", "title": "Amata’s Statement Celebrating White Sunday", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://radewagen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "radewagen.house.gov", "scraper": "radewagen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000600", "name": "Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen", "party": "Republican", "state": "AS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement in honor and enjoyment of White Sunday:\n\nChildren Enjoying White Sunday\n\n“Together as a people, we look forward to this special Sunday featuring the children of our islands, knowing they are a gift and heritage to us directly from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). This happy occasion also serves as a reminder to hold to our faith throughout every age of life.\n\n“Although my role as a Congresswoman fills most of my time day to day, my roles as a Christian, and as a mother and grandmother will always be even more important. These are God-given roles and blessings. I will be enjoying the wonderful children of our islands on White Sunday through the eyes and heart of a mother and grandmother.\n\n“We thank God for the children of our islands, their bright futures, and God’s good plan for their lives. On this White Sunday, we entrust our youth to our Heavenly Father’s blessing, knowing that ‘the Lord takes pleasure in his people’ (Psalm 149:4). Have a joyful White Sunday!”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/scalise-house-republicans-are-lowering-costs-and-bringing-back-american-manufacturing", "title": "Scalise: House Republicans are Lowering Costs and Bringing Back American Manufacturing", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://scalise.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "scalise.house.gov", "scraper": "scalise", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001176", "name": "Steve Scalise", "party": "Republican", "state": "LA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "NEW ORLEANS, La. — Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Fox Business to discuss House Republicans’ efforts to lower costs, Senate Democrats' obstruction, and America's manufacturing boom thanks to President Trump's leadership.\n\nImage\n\nClick here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full interview.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://scholten.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-scholten-announces-47-million-health-care-research-and", "title": "Congresswoman Scholten Announces $4.7 Million for Health Care Research and Supportive Services in West Michigan", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://scholten.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "scholten.house.gov", "scraper": "scholten", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001221", "name": "Hillary J. Scholten", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Today, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) announced $4,728,459 for a variety of medical research projects and investments in community health and well-being services across West Michigan. The funding is through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).\n\n“Community-based and community-led research is worth every federal dollar we invest into it,” said Congresswoman Scholten. “I am proud to represent a district that provides world-class health care and advances critical medical initiatives. From cancer research to mental health services and support for our youth, the diversity of these investments reflect a community that leaves no one behind. I am proud to work on behalf of West Michigan, and I will keep fighting to bring federal dollars back home.”\n\nIndividual awards listed below:\n\n$912,000 — Van Andel Research Institute\n\nThis funding will support cell biology research.\n\n$750,000 — Calhoun County Community Mental Health Authority\n\nThis funding will support mental health and substance abuse services.\n\n$675,856 — Arbor Circle Corporation\n\nThis funding will support the READY4Life program, which helps West Michigan youth and young adults ages 14–24 build healthy relationship skills and transition successfully into adulthood.\n\n$618,967 — Van Andel Research Institute\n\nThis funding will support research programs in neuroscience and neurological disorders.\n\n$554,933 — Van Andel Research Institute\n\nThis funding will support cancer cause and prevention research.\n\n$400,000 — Kent County Health Department\n\nThis funding will support substance abuse treatment projects.\n\n$200,000 — Arbor Circle Corporation Center\n\nThis funding will support mental health services projects.\n\n$199,972 — Hope Network Professional Services\n\nThis funding will support mental health services projects.\n\n$190,764 — Van Andel Research Institute\n\nThis funding will support cancer biology research, including the development and improvement of research software for DNA methylation and RNA sequencing analysis.\n\n$166,080 — Van Andel Research Institute\n\nThis funding will support research specialist positions focused on establishing and interpreting abnormal DNA methylation in cancer.\n\n$59,887 — Van Andel Research Institute\n\nThis funding will support cancer biology research.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-schrier-joins-wa-delegation-supporting-governors-request-major", "title": "Congresswoman Schrier Joins WA Delegation in Supporting Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance for Devastating Wildfires in Washington State", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "schrier.house.gov", "scraper": "schrier", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001216", "name": "Kim Schrier", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) joined Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance to help communities recover and repair damage due to the devastating wildfires that swept through Central and Eastern Washington from July 23 through August 31.\n\n2026 was one of Washington state’s worst wildfire seasons on record, with fires causing severe damage and devastating lives. Weather conditions, exacerbated by extended drought, heat, and wind, caused over 900,000 acres, or 1,400 square miles, to burn across Washington state – taking homes and lives. Three massive fires broke out and tore through neighborhoods across Spokane, the Old Trails Fire burned in northwest Spokane, the Autumn Lane Fire burned near Nine-Mile Falls, and the Fairview Fire burned in Mead.\n\nIn the Eighth District, the Little Giant, Three Queens, Sisi, King, Goat, and West Fork fires – among others – devastated communities, property, livestock, and businesses. The damages from this wildfire season continues to overwhelm state, local, Tribal, nonprofit, and private-sector capabilities.\n\n“As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s addendum to include Public Assistance to their September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating wildfire damages incurred from July 23rd through August 31st. We implore you to approve the request for public and individual assistance as quickly as possible,” members of the delegation wrote. “Washington state suffered from a historic wildfire season, with multiple wildfires ravaging parts of Central and Eastern Washington, devastating communities in Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman, and Yakima Counties, as well as the Spokane Tribe of Indians.”\n\nJoining Congresswoman Schrier in the letter to President Trump were Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03), Dan Newhouse (R, WA-04), Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10).\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “Local, Tribal, state, federal, and out-of-state firefighting crews deployed quickly, pooling resources to contain the fires and protect both life and property. Fire crews faced dangerous conditions, including hazardous terrain, high winds, and record-setting drought, which made the fires extremely difficult to contain. Many of these fires burned over the course of several weeks, and damaged public infrastructure like roads, bridges, public utility systems, and other essential public assets. Beyond the infrastructure that was completely lost to the wildfires, the prolonged exposure to fire, smoke, and extreme temperatures have left remaining infrastructure vulnerable to further damage and unsafe for the public.”\n\n“These devastating wildfires have put significant stress on Washington state’s infrastructure and emergency response resources. Throughout the crisis, local, Tribal, state, federal, and international first responders stepped up and worked tirelessly to keep our communities safe. We thank you for your timely approval of the state’s request for an Emergency Declaration which provided vital federal support for both mitigation and recovery. We reiterate our full support for the October 6th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance and thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this urgent matter,” the lawmakers concluded.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://simon.house.gov/media/press-releases/democratic-whip-katherine-clark-and-congresswoman-lateefah-simon-visit-oakland", "title": "Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Congresswoman Lateefah Simon Visit Oakland Head Start Facility and Community Health Center, Condemn Republican Cuts to Childcare, Healthcare, and Education Programs", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://simon.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "simon.house.gov", "scraper": "simon", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001231", "name": "Lateefah Simon", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "OAKLAND, CA – This week, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) hosted, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA-05), the highest-ranking woman in the House of Representatives, in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood. They visited the Unity Council’s Head Start and Early Head Start Preschool facilities and La Clínica de La Raza, a federally qualified health center, to meet with families, frontline health care staff, and care workers who have been impacted by Republicans’ devastating federal aid cuts.\n\nPresident Trump and Congressional Republicans’ “One Big, Cruel, Ugly Bill” has made deep cuts to federal funding for healthcare, childcare, education, and food assistance programs. In California’s 12th Congressional District, it is estimated that 31,000 people are experiencing rising healthcare costs and 35, 595 people will lose health coverage because of Republican cuts to Medi-Cal and decision to end enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits. In Congress, Congresswoman Simon has consistently fought against cuts to Medicaid/Medi-CAL and SNAP and attempts to gut Head Start.\n\n“My daughter was a Head Start child, and I know intimately that federally supported childcare and healthcare is a lifeline for many families. It allows children to learn safely and be healthy while their parents attend school or work in our local businesses,” said Congresswoman Simon. “Whip Clark and I are taking everything we heard from our visit back to D.C., where we are hell bent on fighting this Administration and reversing their harmful policies so our Head Starts, our community health centers, our care workers, our families have everything they need to continue growing and being brilliant.”\n\n\"Congresswoman Lateefah Simon is an unrivaled champion for working families,\" said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. \"It was a privilege to join her in Oakland to see firsthand what communities need from the federal government: investments in healthcare, childcare, and the wellbeing of regular people, not giveaways to the ultra-rich. While the Republican Party continues to bend its knee to the billionaire class, Democrats are ready to take back the People's House and get to work for the working class.”\n\n“We are honored to welcome Congresswoman Simon and Democratic Whip Clark to Fruitvale and share firsthand the impact of The Unity Council’s work,” said CEO of The Unity Council, Chris Iglesias. “From giving our youngest learners, a strong foundation at our De Colores Head Start, to bringing La Catrina de Oakland to Fruitvale as a powerful celebration of culture and community, our work is rooted in creating opportunities and strengthening families. Their visit underscores the importance of continued investment in the people, programs, and places that allow communities like Fruitvale to thrive.\"\n\n“At our De Colores Head Start Center, we see every day how a strong start can shape not only a child’s future, but an entire families’,” said Chief Early Learning Officer of The Unity Council, Luis Arenas. “Head Start creates opportunities for children to learn and grow while giving parents the support and resources they need to move their families forward. We were proud to welcome Congresswoman Simon and Democratic Whip Clark into our classrooms and share the real, lasting impact this work has on families throughout our community.”\n\n“We are deeply grateful to Whip Katherine Clark and Congresswoman Lateefah Simon for visiting La Clínica and for their tireless advocacy on behalf of the communities we serve. Their visit shows what federal investment looks like on the ground, and highlights what is at risk when coverage and resources for community health centers are reduced,” said La Clínica CEO, Jane García. “What’s at stake is whether parents can get their children to the doctor, whether patients can access dental and behavioral health care along with primary care, whether families can afford their medications, and whether community health centers have the resources to keep the staff who provide this care. La Clínica thanks Whip Clark and Congresswoman Simon for listening to our patients and staff and for bringing their voices back to Washington. The decisions made there have very real impacts here in the Bay Area.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/rep-steube-backs-punta-gordas-trabue-park-redevelopment-grant-application/", "title": "Rep. Steube Backs Punta Gorda’s Trabue Park Redevelopment Grant Application", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://steube.house.gov/category/press-releases/page/", "domain": "steube.house.gov", "scraper": "steube", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001214", "name": "W. Gregory Steube", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON—U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) sent a letter to the National Park Service supporting the City of Punta Gorda’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program application to redevelop Trabue Park.\n\n“Punta Gorda has worked hard to rebuild and strengthen its community following Hurricane Milton, and this project would give residents more opportunities to enjoy one of the city’s greatest assets: its waterfront,” said Rep. Steube. “I’m pleased to support the city’s application and urge the National Park Service to give this locally driven project its fullest consideration.”\n\nTrabue Park is an underutilized, roughly 10-acre waterfront property along the Peace River that serves as part of Punta Gorda’s broader waterfront recreation network. The proposed redevelopment would transform the park into a more accessible and vibrant destination for outdoor recreation, giving residents and families more opportunities to enjoy the waterfront.\n\nThe proposed improvements would support the revitalization of Punta Gorda’s East Side community as the area continues recovering from Hurricane Milton.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-issues-statement-uss-lincolns-return", "title": "Rep. Subramanyam Issues Statement on USS Lincoln’s Return", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "subramanyam.house.gov", "scraper": "subramanyam", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001230", "name": "Suhas Subramanyam", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, issued the following statement on USS Abraham Lincoln’s return home after the end of a record long deployment.\n\n“I am thankful for the return of the servicemembers aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. They and their families have paid an unnecessary cost for Trump’s endless war of choice with Iran. They deserve all of our respect and support. During the USS Lincoln’s deployment, servicemembers endured a record number of days without a port call. They faced insufficient amounts of food, unfit living conditions, and inadequate mental health support. I will continue to advocate for the respect and safety of our troops. We have a duty to make sure this never happens again by holding the Pentagon accountable, ” said Ranking Member Subramanyam.\n\nIn August of this year, Oversight Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Congressman Suhas Subramanyam demanded answers from the Department of Defense (DOD) about conditions on the USS Lincoln. In the letter to DOD Secretary Hegseth, the Ranking Members asked for information on the inventory of food, medical supplies, and other critical resources for the sailors and Marines. They also asked for clarification on the timeline of when the USS Lincoln would be relieved by another aircraft carrier.\n\nThe letter can be found HERE and below.\n\n###\n\nDear Secretary Hegseth:\n\nWe write regarding the conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, specifically, the living conditions and access to mental health resources for the sailors. Recent reports have revealed disturbing sanitation conditions, food shortages, and deteriorating mental health among those deployed on the aircraft carrier, including multiple suicide attempts, with one sailor jumping overboard. Our sailors deserve better while they serve our country, and these deplorable conditions negatively impact morale and readiness. As Members of Congress, we have a duty to support our troops, and it is clear that additional oversight is needed aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.\n\nThe USS Abraham Lincoln holds more than 5,000 sailors and Marines and departed San Diego last November. Now redirected to the Middle East to support the Iran War in Operation Epic Fury, the carrier has been deployed for over 250 days and has spent a record-setting 200 consecutive days at sea. At a town hall with Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, families of those aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln voiced their concerns directly. Among them were food shortages, water contamination, and disruptions in mail.\n\nAs the Ranking Members of the Oversight Committee and the Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, we request a classified briefing on the USS Abraham Lincoln’s conditions and answers to the following questions by August 28, 2026:\n\nWhat is the current inventory of food aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln?\n\nPlease detail the food supply and delivery schedule over the course of the carrier’s deployment.\n\nWhat sanitation issues have been identified aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, including broken bathroom facilities?\n\nWhat health care, including mental health care, are available to the sailors aboard?\n\nWhat behavioral health care professionals are on board and accessible to those seeking help?\n\nHow quickly can someone on board the ship meet with a behavioral health care professional after seeking help?\n\nWhat steps can be taken to mitigate the disruptions to the mail system that sailors have experienced?\n\nActing Navy Secretary Hung Cao reportedly told family members that the USS Theodore Roosevelt is preparing to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln. Without jeopardizing national security, what details can be shared about the timeline for the ship’s relief?\n\nThe Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee of the House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X. If you have any questions about this request, please contact Committee Democratic staff at (202) 225-5051. Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://summerlee.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-summer-lee-receives-federal-housing-equity-award-from-regional-housing-legal-services", "title": "Rep. Summer Lee Receives Federal Housing Equity Award from Regional Housing Legal Services", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://summerlee.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "summerlee.house.gov", "scraper": "summerlee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000602", "name": "Summer L. Lee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Photos/Video (Dropbox)\n\nPITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 8, 2026 — Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) received the Federal Housing Equity Award from Regional Housing Legal Services (RHLS), joining housing advocates, nonprofit developers, legal aid leaders, and community partners from across Pennsylvania at the organization’s annual awards reception in Downtown Pittsburgh.\n\nRep. Lee was recognized for her work advancing affordable housing and tenant protections in Congress and delivering federal investments for housing across Western Pennsylvania.\n\n“I am proud to receive this award, but this one belongs to the tenants fighting to stay in their homes, the families trying to keep a roof over their heads, the organizers, lawyers, advocates, and nonprofit developers doing the hard work to keep our communities whole,” said Rep. Lee. “In Congress, I have been focused on putting federal dollars and federal protections behind that work, from bringing millions home for affordable housing to fighting for legal representation for tenants facing eviction and taking on Wall Street investors buying up our homes for profit. Nobody should have to watch their neighborhood finally get investment just in time to be priced out of it. We are going to keep fighting until staying in the community you helped build is something every single family can count on.”\n\nRep. Lee has brought millions of federal dollars home for affordable housing and community development, including $3 million for affordable housing projects across Allegheny County and $1 million to help convert underused office buildings in Downtown Pittsburgh into housing through her Community Project Funding initiatives.\n\nRep. Lee also helped advance the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a sweeping housing package that passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support and included provisions to limit additional single-family home purchases by large institutional investors, support home repairs and housing preservation, improve small-dollar mortgage access, and strengthen protections for homeowners challenging inaccurate appraisals. When President Trump initially withheld his signature from the bill, Rep. Lee publicly pushed for the housing relief to move forward without delay.\n\nHer work in Congress has also focused on keeping families in their homes and preventing displacement. Rep. Lee introduced the Eviction Right to Counsel Act, which would help guarantee legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction, and has fought to preserve affordable housing in historically underserved communities.\n\nRep. Lee also helped reintroduce the Stop Wall Street Landlords Act, legislation aimed at ending federal tax advantages that help large institutional investors buy up single-family homes and compete with working families.\n\nDuring the event, Rep. Lee was honored alongside Pennsylvania Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, State Rep. Lindsay Powell, and State Rep. Brandon Markosek.\n\nTo view photos/video from the event, please click HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://suozzi.house.gov/media/press-releases/suozzi-convenes-long-island-robotics-roundtable", "title": "Suozzi Convenes Long Island Robotics Roundtable", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://suozzi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "suozzi.house.gov", "scraper": "suozzi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001201", "name": "Thomas R. Suozzi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Glen Cove, NY—Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) today convened business, technology, and workforce development leaders for a roundtable discussion on how to position Long Island to become a national hub for robotics and advanced manufacturing. The roundtable was held at Standard Bots in conjunction with CEO Evan Beard, the largest manufacturer of industrial robots in the United States.\n\n“Standard Bots is a great example of why Long Island has the talent, the universities, the skilled workforce, and the entrepreneurial spirit to be the nation’s leader in robotics and advanced manufacturing. We need to bring all those pieces together and make sure we are competing for the businesses and jobs of the future,” said Congressman Suozzi. “Robotics and advanced manufacturing are going to play an increasingly important role in our economy, not only because of their effectiveness but because the industry creates high-skilled, high-tech jobs that have good wages for the people of Long Island.”\n\nThe roundtable brought together leaders from the robotics, manufacturing, financial, and economic development sectors to discuss the rapid growth of the domestic and international robotics industry, the role of robotics in strengthening American manufacturing, the future of robotics and physical AI on Long Island, and the opportunities for Long Island to attract robotics companies, develop a skilled local workforce, and improve its existing strengths in technology, manufacturing, engineering, and research. Participants also explored federal initiatives that could promote robotics, including tariffs, grant opportunities, research and development supports, expansion of workforce development initiatives, tax credits, safety standards for newer AI-powered robots, and more.\n\nThe roundtable was held at Standard Bots in Glen Cove, the largest manufacturer of industrial robots in America. Suozzi opened the event and moderated a discussion featuring Evan Beard, Co-Founder, CEO and Chief Engineer of Standard Bots; Robert Kufner, President and CEO of Designatronics; Tommy McNulty, Head of Platform Sales at Erebor Bank; Cara Longworth, VP, Long Island Regional Director of Empire State Development; and Amy Erickson, Executive Director of Long Island Manufacturing Extension Partnership.\n\nBeard delivered the keynote address on the state of the domestic and international robotics industry and the opportunities ahead for Long Island and the United States.\n\n“The next era of manufacturing will be won by the countries that build their own robots, and we believe America should lead it. That's why we design and build our robots right here in Glen Cove, with some of the most talented engineers, machinists, and builders anywhere in the world. Long Island has a proud manufacturing legacy, and we're grateful to Congressman Suozzi for bringing industry, government, and investors together to make this region a home for American robotics,” said Evan Beard, CEO & Co-founder, Standard Bots.\n\n“Robotics is the fastest growing market in the world. It will fundamentally change how work gets done in your home and in nearly all business segments. Unfortunately, much of the global supply of robots has come from outside the U.S., but the through the good work of Rep. Suozzi and leaders across industries on Long Island that have the capability to build robots, it has been recognized that future supply can and must be made domestically with American made products. Long Island’s proximity to New York City where hundreds of robotics startups are being nurtured gives it a distinct advantage to support their growth as well as the thousands of other robotics companies across the country that are getting ready to scale. Long Island has a long history in advanced manufacturing and already has all the components to become a national hub for robotics and advanced manufacturing with the right amount of coordination,” said Robert Kufner, President and CEO, Designatronics.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-sykes-announces-200000-for-stark-county-mental-health-and-addiction-recovery", "title": "Rep. Sykes Announces $200,000 for Stark County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "sykes.house.gov", "scraper": "sykes", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001223", "name": "Emilia Strong Sykes", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "AKRON, OHIO — Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has awarded Stark County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (StarkMHAR) $200,000 to maintain and expand mental health and substance use disorder services for people in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.\n\n“This federal investment in StarkMHAR will strengthen access to critical mental health and substance use disorder services for Stark County residents and improve our national efforts to combat substance abuse,” said Rep. Sykes. “It will provide individuals with the support they need to pursue recovery, and I look forward to seeing the continued impact of this funding in our community.”\n\n“StarkMHAR is grateful for the continued support from SAMHSA, which allows for critical training for law enforcement, EMS, and the first responder community as they encounter individuals who may need connected to the behavioral health care system. This grant also allows for related support such as ways to remedy compassion fatigue and suicide prevention awareness,” said John Aller, P.hD, Executive Director of Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://tenney.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-tenney-highlights-2026-constituent-services-results-across-new", "title": "Congresswoman Tenney Highlights 2026 Constituent Services Results Across New York’s 24th District", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://tenney.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "tenney.house.gov", "scraper": "tenney", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000478", "name": "Claudia Tenney", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Oswego, NY — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today highlighted her office’s work serving constituents across New York’s 24th Congressional District in 2026, including resolving more than 1,800 constituent cases, returning more than $49 million in benefits, and sending 40,000+ constituent responses.\n\nSo far this year, Tenney’s office has resolved more than 1,800 constituent cases and helped return more than $49 million in benefits to constituents. Her office has also sent more than 40,000 responses to constituents seeking assistance, requesting information, or sharing their views on issues before Congress. In addition, the office has booked approximately 100 tours of the U.S. Capitol and White House and helped constituents request more than 80 American flags flown over the U.S. Capitol. Tenney has also published explanations of 167 votes to provide constituents with greater transparency about her work and decisions in Congress. Constituents who need assistance with a federal agency or would like to access the services offered by Tenney’s office can visit tenney.house.gov.\n\n“Serving the people of New York’s 24th District is the most important responsibility of my office, and these results reflect our commitment to being accessible, responsive, and accountable to our constituents,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Whether we are helping a veteran receive the benefits they earned, assisting a senior with Social Security or Medicare, or helping a constituent navigate the IRS, my team works hard to deliver results. With more than 1,800 cases resolved and more than $49 million returned to constituents so far this year, we remain committed to cutting through federal bureaucracy, getting New Yorkers the help they need, and making government work for the people we serve.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://tlaib.house.gov/posts/reps-tlaib-and-green-lead-letter-demanding-release-of-daca-recipient-in-ice-custody", "title": "Reps. Tlaib and Green lead letter demanding release of DACA recipient in ICE custody", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://tlaib.house.gov/press", "domain": "tlaib.house.gov", "scraper": "tlaib", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000481", "name": "Rashida Tlaib", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Al Green (TX-09), joined by 21 Members of Congress, demanded the release of Ya’akub Ira Vijandre, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a year ago as of yesterday. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and ICE Acting Director David Venturella, the Members pressed for answers regarding Ya’akub’s unconstitutional arrest and prolonged detention after a federal judge allowed his habeas challenge to proceed.\n\nYa’akub, a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient, has lived in the U.S. since he was 14 years old. He spent a decade working for American Airlines as a senior safety specialist and was recognized for supporting grieving families after a helicopter crashed into a plane in Washington, D.C. Despite having no criminal record and not being charged with any crime, he was targeted and arrested at gun point for speaking out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza and for “liking” a social media post with Quranic verses–both of which are protected by the First Amendment.\n\n“The administration’s stated basis for [Ya’akub’s] detention has been inconsistent and appears to rely substantially on his speech and social media activity,” the Members wrote. “DHS has sought to justify his detention by citing his social media commentary regarding the prosecutions of the Holy Land Foundation Five, his criticism of the treatment of Guantanamo detainees, his advocacy for Palestine, and his engagement with religious Islamic content, including ‘liking’ Instagram posts containing Quranic verses. We are deeply concerned that constitutionally protected political and religious expression is being used as a basis for his continued detention or deportation.”\n\nThe letter renews concerns and questions from a letter Rep. Green sent in June. Rep. Tlaib also spoke on the House floor urging for Ya’akub’s release in August.\n\n“We are also concerned by reports, previously flagged in Congressman Green’s June letter, that the FBI approached Mr. Vijandre in November 2023 seeking his cooperation as a confidential informant and that he declined,” the Members continued in their letter. “His DACA status, renewed as recently as May 2024 through May 2026, was subsequently revoked. The proximity and sequence of these events—an FBI approach he declined, followed by a DACA termination and detention grounded largely in the government’s characterization of his religious and political speech—continue to raise serious questions about possible retaliation that Congress has not yet received satisfactory answers to.”\n\nThe letter, led by Reps. Tlaib and Green, was signed by 21 other Members of Congress: Greg Casar (TX–35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Summer Lee (PA-12), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).\n\nThe letter was also endorsed by 38 organizations: American Friends Service Committee, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Arab American Caucus of the California Democratic Party, Arlington for Palestine, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta, CAIR Action, Center for Constitutional Rights, Codepink, Community Alliance for Peace and Justice, Demand Progress, Havertown-Community Action Network, IMEU Policy Project, Indiana Center for Middle East Peace, Institute for Policy Studies New Internationalism Project, Maine Coalition for Palestine, Majdal: Arab Community Center of San Diego, MARUF CT, Massachusetts Peace Action, Methodist Federation for Social Action, Muslim Advocates, National Political Prisoner Coalition, NE Oakland Indivisible, NH Peace Action, Palestine Legal, Peace Action Montgomery, Peace Justice Sustainability NOW!, Philly Neighborhood Networks, Pittsburgh Palestine Solidarity Committee, Project TAHA, Restore The Fourth – Action, ReThinking Foreign Policy, River Valley for Palestine, The Justice Coalition, United Methodists for Kairos Response, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action, Virginia for Palestine, Whistleblower & Source Protection Program at ExposeFacts, Worcester Multifaith for Palestine.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-torres-introduces-the-improving-access-to-wic-act-to-ease-access-to-nutrition-support-for-moms-and-children", "title": "Rep. Torres Introduces the Improving Access to WIC Act to Ease Access to Nutrition Support for Moms and Children", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "torres.house.gov", "scraper": "torres", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000474", "name": "Norma J. Torres", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "With More Than 4 in 10 WIC-eligible families Not Enrolled, Legislation Closes Gap by Helping States Strengthen Partnerships with Healthcare Providers, Lower Barriers to Participation, and Boost Outreach Efforts\n\nWashington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) introduced the Improving Access to WIC Act, legislation to make it easier to enroll in and stay connected to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). As families struggle with the ongoing affordability crisis, WIC helps feed mothers from the moment they find out they are pregnant to when their children are five years old. WIC not only helps moms access free, healthy foods, but also helps with breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and health resources.\n\nNearly 25,000 mothers, infants, and children benefit from WIC in California’s 35th Congressional District. Nationwide, in fiscal year 2025, WIC served 6.9 million participants every month. The program is proven to save lives and improve lifetime health outcomes. Despite this, the most recent data show that more than 4 in 10 eligible individuals do not participate in WIC, and WIC utilization is lower for pregnant mothers and 1- to 4-year-olds. This legislation will tackle this participation gap.\n\nThe Improving Access to WIC Act would establish a federal grant program for states, tribes, and territories to improve access to, participation in, and retention in WIC. States that opt into the program would receive flexible funding to help strengthen partnerships between WIC agencies and healthcare providers, modernize the enrollment experience, improve community outreach, and help enroll mothers and children on SNAP and Medicaid who already qualify for WIC but do not yet participate.\n\n“WIC provides critical nutrition assistance to moms, babies, and young children, and getting enrolled should not mean jumping through unnecessary hoops,” said Congresswoman Torres. “Moms are already juggling doctor’s appointments, work, child care, and countless responsibilities. We should be making it easier, not harder, for eligible families to access the support they need. My Improving Access to WIC Act will help states integrate WIC enrollment with healthcare providers, reduce duplicative appointments and paperwork, and make it easier for families to enroll and stay on WIC.”\n\n“Despite the incredible public health benefits of WIC, we are still reaching only a little more than half of eligible families. Investing in targeted outreach, data sharing, and healthcare linkages will make it easier for families who qualify to connect with WIC. We thank Rep. Torres for her leadership and support for WIC.” Georgia Machell, President & CEO, National WIC Association\n\n“WIC is an evidence-based, time-limited program with proven positive outcomes for families and communities, yet there is a significant portion of eligible families not connected to services. Supporting innovative outreach methods and healthcare linkages to improve access to the program is an important investment. We appreciate Rep. Torres’s support for WIC and young families.” Megan Esparza, Executive Director, California WIC Association\n\n“The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is one of the most critical tools pediatricians have to ensure infants and young children can receive proper nutrition support in their earliest years. The Improving Access to WIC Act would provide states with resources to make enrolling eligible families in WIC easier, more efficient, and more effective. The American Academy of Pediatrics thanks Representative Torres for introducing this important legislation and calls on Congress to advance it,” said Andrew D. Racine, MD, PhD, FAAP, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics.\n\n“The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists has a long history of supporting the WIC program and is proud to endorse the Improving Access to WIC Act,” said ACOG President Camille A. Clare, MD, MPH, CPE. “Families are facing growing financial pressure, and putting healthy food on the table can be especially difficult during pregnancy and after a baby is born. With significant changes to SNAP under H.R. 1, making WIC easier to access is more important than ever. This bill would help eligible families get the nutrition support they need instead of getting stuck in red tape. ACOG thanks Rep. Norma Torres for her leadership and commitment to strengthening the WIC program.”\n\n\"WIC is a proven intervention that supports the health of women, babies, and young children. Yet far too many eligible families are missing out on the many benefits of the program. We applaud Rep. Torres for introducing the Improving Access to WIC Act. Establishing a federal grant program to help states improve access to and participation in WIC would make it easier for eligible families to connect with this critical support. We urge Members of Congress to co-sponsor this legislation, so more families are connected to the nutrition they need to thrive.\" - Crystal FitzSimons, President of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC).\n\nThe bill is supported by: National WIC Association (NWA), California WIC Association (CWA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Alliance to End Hunger, Coalition on Human Needs.\n\nBill Summary:\n\nThe Improving Access to WIC Act authorizes $50 million for Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031 for the grant program. States, tribes, and territories that choose to opt in would receive, to the maximum extent practicable, $200,000 and an additional amount based on each participating state’s national share of WIC participants.\n\nThe bill also requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to publicly report on the program’s outcomes, including its impact on WIC participation and retention, and share best practices that states can use to improve enrollment and access.\n\nUnder the legislation, participating states could use grant funding to:\n\nConnect more eligible families with WIC by:\n\nImproving outreach in clinical settings and building up systems to make it easier for doctors and health care providers to directly refer patients to WIC, including through statewide referral systems, and\n\nExpanding outreach in trusted community settings, including at Head Start and Early Head Start programs, preschools, schools, and other places to meet WIC-eligible families where they are.\n\nImprove secure data sharing between health care providers and WIC agencies to streamline WIC referrals and certification, while protecting privacy, requiring individual consent, and maintaining federal confidentiality protections.\n\nReduce duplicative appointments and paperwork by making it easier for health care providers, consistent with applicable laws and with individuals’ consent, to securely provide WIC agencies with information such as height, weight, hemoglobin measurements (blood tests), and other documentation needed for WIC certification.\n\nModernize the enrollment process, including by establishing or expanding online WIC applications.\n\nHelp reach and enroll moms and children on Medicaid (Medi-Cal) or SNAP (CalFresh) who already qualify for WIC, but are not participating.\n\nOriginal Cosponsors: Nanette Barragán (CA-44); Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01); Yvette Clarke (NY-09 ); Jim Costa (CA-21); Jasmine Crockett (TX-30); Chris Deluzio (PA-17); Debbie Dingell (MI-06); Sylvia Garcia (TX-29); Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04); Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07); Glenn Ivey (MD-04); Pramila Jayapal (WA-07); Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37); Robin Kelly (IL-02); Tim Kennedy (NY-26); Kelly Morrison (MN-03); Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00); Chellie Pingree (ME-01); Lateefah Simon (CA-12); Melanie Stansbury (NM-01); Juan Vargas (CA-52);\n\nBill text\n\nOne Pager\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-carter-thompson-reintroduce-cybersecurity-and-infrastructure-security", "title": "Reps. Carter, Thompson Reintroduce the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Securing AI Task Force Act to Address the Evolving Challenges Posed by AI", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "troycarter.house.gov", "scraper": "troycarter", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001125", "name": "Troy A. Carter", "party": "Democrat", "state": "LA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, re-introduced the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Securing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force Act.\n\nThis legislation will establish a task force within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dedicated to addressing safety and national security challenges posed by AI. The task force and reporting requirements will ensure effective DHS coordination as AI threats and challenges evolve. Recently, Rep. Carter appeared on CNBC to discuss how to regulate AI while preserving innovation.\n\n“As technology advances in sophistication and use, our commitment to safeguarding against emerging threats and ensuring the responsible advancement of AI technologies must grow stronger too,” said Congressman Carter. “I’m introducing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Securing AI Task Force Act to take an essential step towards managing the impact of AI on our cybersecurity landscape.”\n\n“Advancements in AI technology are expanding by the day and we need to make sure our cybersecurity defenses are moving with it,” said Ranking Member Thompson. “This bill creates a dedicated CISA task force so the agency can better understand the risks that come with AI and make sure we are prepared to protect the systems and infrastructure Americans rely on every day. I am proud to work alongside Representative Carter to reintroduce this critical legislation and help ensure our defenses are ready for what comes next.”\n\nBackground\n\nThe CISA Securing AI Task Force Act would:\n\nEstablish a Task Force - Within one year of enactment, the Director of CISA will establish a Task Force comprised of personnel from various offices and divisions to coordinate AI-related directives and activities.\n\nAddress AI Challenges - The Task Force will ensure coordination of efforts to improve the safe and secure design, development, adoption, and deployment of AI. It will assess relevant safety and security initiatives, advise stakeholders on potential cyber risks associated with AI deployment, and identify workforce gaps.\n\nIncrease Accountability - The Task Force will provide biannual briefings to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate on its activities.\n\nRead the full bill text here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4051", "title": "Congressman Valadao Releases Statement on Immigration and Customs Enforcement Operations in the Central Valley", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "valadao.house.gov", "scraper": "valadao", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000129", "name": "David G. Valadao", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement Operations in the Central Valley:\n\n\"I’ve been in contact with the Department of Homeland Security regarding recent immigration enforcement actions in the Central Valley, and they've informed my office that these operations are focused on individuals with active warrants and known criminal histories,\" said Congressman Valadao. \"I understand the concerns these operations have raised among families in our communities. Hardworking farmworkers who are simply going to work, providing for their families, and contributing to our agricultural economy should not have to live in fear.\"\n\nValadao continues, \"These situations highlight why Congress must address our broken immigration system. Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve supported commonsense solutions that secure our border, uphold the rule of law, and recognize the contributions of hardworking immigrants. That includes creating an earned pathway to legal status for individuals who have established roots in our communities and contributed to our economy, while ensuring those who pose a threat to public safety are held accountable.\"\n\n“I'll continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance meaningful immigration reform, but in the meantime, my office remains available to assist Central Valley residents navigating issues with federal immigration agencies. I encourage constituents who need help with their immigration cases to contact my office.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4052", "title": "Valadao, Bipartisan Colleagues Reintroduce Resolution Recognizing National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "valadao.house.gov", "scraper": "valadao", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000129", "name": "David G. Valadao", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Reps. Jim Costa (CA-21), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), John Larson (CT-01), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), and Paul Tonko (NY-20) to reintroduce a bipartisan resolution designating October 8, 2026, as National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day. National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is observed annually on October 8 in recognition of hydrogen’s atomic mass of 1.008. Today highlights the role hydrogen and fuel cell technologies play in energy production, transportation, grid reliability, and economic growth right here in the Central Valley and across the nation.\n\n\"I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing a bipartisan resolution designating October 8th as National Hydrogen Fuel Cell Day,” said Congressman Valadao. “Advancing these technologies is critical to strengthening our nation’s energy independence, driving continued innovation, and enhancing our energy security. An all-of-the-above energy strategy will help lower energy costs for Central Valley communities while ensuring our farms, businesses, and homes have access to the reliable energy they need to thrive.”\n\n\"Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are an important part of America’s energy future,” said Congressman Costa. \"By investing in American innovation, we can strengthen our energy security, build a more reliable and resilient grid, create good-paying jobs, and reduce emissions. The United States has long been a leader in developing these technologies, and this bipartisan resolution recognizes the work being done across the country to ensure we continue leading the way.\"\n\n\"The question is not whether America will need more energy—it is whether we will lead in producing it. Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies can strengthen our energy security, reinforce the reliability and resilience of our grid, create good-paying American jobs, and help meet growing demand through cleaner, innovative solutions. National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day recognizes the incredible scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and workers driving that progress, and reaffirms our bipartisan commitment to ensuring America continues to lead the world in energy innovation,\" said Congressman Fitzpatrick.\n\n\"Connecticut continues to lead the nation as a hub for the research and development of clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies,\" said Congressman Larson. \"For years, I have worked across the aisle to enact tax incentives to boost hydrogen production and invest federal funding to grow our fuel cell economy, unleash the power of American-made clean energy, and reduce emissions. As we recognize the twelfth annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, we must work together on real solutions to lower costs for consumers and grow the clean energy supply chain across the country.\"\n\n\"Supporting clean hydrogen unlocks a wealth of benefits — boosting our economy, protecting energy security, and reducing emissions,\" said Congressman Tonko. \"Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve worked to advance legislation that invests in energy innovation and lowers costs, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan resolution and support a stronger, healthier, more competitive nation.\"\n\n\"Congress has long recognized how hydrogen seamlessly fits into so many of the energy tools in America’s energy portfolio,\" said Frank Wolak, President and CEO of FCHEA. \"Whether a feedstock for low-carbon fertilizer and export fuels such as ammonia or used directly as a fuel on its own to power data centers, heavy-duty trucks, and everything in between, hydrogen helps the U.S. meet growing power demand at home while sustaining leadership in energy markets abroad. We thank Representative Costa and the resolution’s co-sponsors for supporting Hydrogen Day and the U.S. industry at large.\"\n\nRead the resolution here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-gabe-vasquez-statement-epa-promoting-methane-emissions", "title": "Rep. Gabe Vasquez Statement on EPA Promoting Methane Emissions", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vasquez.house.gov", "scraper": "vasquez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000136", "name": "Gabe Vasquez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – On October 8, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the rollback of key regulations restricting harmful methane gas emissions:\n\n\"Energy production drives our state's economy and provides good-paying jobs, and we can continue to do it while strengthening, not weakening, protections for clean air for the workers and families who work in and near the industry,” said Vasquez. “Excess methane emissions are known to cause respiratory disease and other ailments, and many producers in the Permian Basin have implemented new technology to prevent leaks and capture more methane, and that work must continue. This harmful rollback is the wrong choice for the health of our workers, communities, and companies that have responsibly worked toward reducing excess emissions.\"\n\nThe 2023 methane rule established stronger nationwide standards to reduce methane pollution from oil and gas operations, including requirements for companies to regularly monitor equipment for leaks, quickly repair breaks, limit routine flaring, and reduce emissions from wells, storage tanks, compressors, and other equipment. The rule also required states to develop plans to reduce methane emissions from existing oil and gas facilities. The Administration’s rollback would weaken these protections, reducing requirements on oil and gas producers to detect and address methane pollution and potentially allowing more wasted natural gas and harmful emissions into New Mexico communities.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-vasquez-leads-effort-state-and-local-officials-push-federal-coordination", "title": "Rep. Vasquez Leads Effort with State and Local Officials to Push for Federal Coordination in Response to Recent Flooding", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vasquez.house.gov", "scraper": "vasquez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000136", "name": "Gabe Vasquez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – On October 8, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) led a delegation of federal, state, and local leaders in a letter to federal agencies urging them to tour the damage and provide all available resources to those affected by the recent flooding across southern New Mexico.\n\nThe letter asks the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to visit affected communities, work with local leaders, and provide assistance to homes, communities, farms and businesses impacted by the flooding.\n\n“It is imperative that your agencies act now to cut red tape, reduce bureaucratic barriers, increase communication and responsiveness, and act as a partner in this recovery,” wrote Vasquez. “Due to the nature of this area, the complex patchwork of federal land, critical agricultural areas, and proximity to the border, this response will require your agencies to work hand-in-hand with state, county, and local leaders on both short-term recovery and long-term mitigation efforts.”\n\nThe letter is joined by State Senator Jeff Steinborn, State Representative Nathan P. Small, Hatch Mayor Dennis Torres, and Caballo Soil and Water Conservation District Chairman Harvey Morrow.\n\nOn October 4th, Rep. Vasquez hosted a meeting in Doña Ana County with local elected officials and visited families and farms impacted by the recent flooding. He visited Hatch, the McLeod/Garfield Dam, and surrounding areas to assess the impact of the flooding and what the community needed for recovery firsthand. During this visit, Rep. Vasquez also discussed Hatch’s immediate recovery needs, available state and federal resources, and opportunities for continued coordination to support the community’s recovery and infrastructure needs.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/10/08/bennet-statement-on-proposal-to-weaken-key-epa-methane-rules-for-oil-and-gas/", "title": "Bennet Statement on Proposal to Weaken Key EPA Methane Rules for Oil and Gas", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "domain": "www.bennet.senate.gov", "scraper": "bennet", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001267", "name": "Michael F. Bennet", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology, issued the following statement regarding the announcement of a proposal to weaken Biden-era Environmental Protection Agency methane rules for oil and gas that currently protect public health and reduce climate emissions:\n\n“The Trump administration has proven, once again, that they are willing to risk the health and safety of Americans for political games. This action is not only an assault on Coloradans’ health, but will also cut methane-reduction industry jobs and limit natural gas supply at a time when energy prices are already soaring. Colorado is a proud leader in state methane pollution limits, and I will continue working to defend these valuable protections nationwide.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2026/10/blackburn-leads-tennessee-delegation-in-urging-army-to-make-tennessee-national-guard-first-in-nation-to-field-mv-75-aircraft", "title": "Blackburn Leads Tennessee Delegation in Urging Army to Make Tennessee National Guard First in Nation to Field MV-75 Aircraft", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0", "domain": "www.blackburn.senate.gov", "scraper": "blackburn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001243", "name": "Marsha Blackburn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and the entire Tennessee delegation sent a letter to Acting United States Secretary of the Army Adam Telle urging him to make the Tennessee Army National Guard the first in the nation to field the MV-75 Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft. The MV-75 Cheyenne II represents the next generation of Army assault aviation, providing increased speed, range, operational reach, and flexibility for distributed operations and large-scale, long-range air assault.\n\nProximity to 101st Airborne Division Would Help Power MV-75 Dominance\n\nTennessee is uniquely positioned to partner with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, the Army’s first operational formation designated to field the MV-75. Tennessee’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion is a proven assault aviation unit supported by experienced aviators, crew members, maintainers, and flight operations personnel. 1-230th regularly integrates with the 101st providing a tested foundation for accelerated MV-75 integration. With the geographic proximity of these two formations, recurring cross-training and shared access to the Army’s emerging MV-75 instructors, simulation capabilities, training areas, maintenance expertise, tactics development, and operational lessons learned would be maximized. The proximity would also reduce travel and temporary-duty expenses, minimize lost training time, and allow limited National Guard training resources to be applied directly to readiness.\n\nTennessee Is Investing in Aviation Infrastructure Designed to Support MV-75\n\nFurther, Tennessee is currently investing in aviation infrastructure designed and capable of supporting MV-75 requirements and has a newly opened National Guard Readiness Center located on Fort Campbell. Synchronizing these National Guard investments with the Active Component would support shared training, sustainment, maintenance, and simulation while avoiding unnecessary infrastructure and resource duplication. We believe that selecting Tennessee would establish an integrated COMPO 1 - COMPO 2 MV-75 ecosystem, with the partnership reducing transition risk and reducing transition cost, while accelerating operational cross talk and program feedback. We respectfully request that the Department of the Army and National Guard Bureau give Tennessee full consideration as the first Army National Guard organization to field the MV-75. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our staff.\n\nCO-SIGNERS\n\nU.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and U.S. Representatives Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Matt Van Epps (R-Tenn.), Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), and Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) joined Senator Blackburn in sending this letter.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-warren-call-on-ftc-to-crack-down-on-deceptive-security-deposit-schemes-hurting-tenants", "title": "Blumenthal & Warren Call on FTC to Crack Down on Deceptive Security Deposit Schemes Hurting Tenants", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) wrote to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Andrew Ferguson calling on the FTC to investigate the emerging consumer protection issues posed by security deposit alternatives.\n\nAccording to recent reporting by the New York Times, landlords and management companies are increasingly offering tenants security deposit alternatives, in which tenants are allowed to pay smaller monthly or annual fees that replace the traditional lump sum of a security deposit before moving in. While these alternatives seem helpful to consumers, they expose tenants to significant financial risks—tenants are still financially responsible for any damages that occur, and unlike a typical security deposit, the alternative payments are generally non-refundable. In their letter, Blumenthal and Warren call on the FTC to investigate and take action against these deceptive fee practices.\n\n“The misleading marketing and lack of transparency surrounding these products can lead tenants to believe they function like traditional security deposits, but at a lower cost… However, in a report analyzing security deposit alternatives, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) found that these products typically cost more than traditional security deposits over the course of a lease, may lack the protections afforded by state security deposit laws, and often fail to clearly disclose the fees tenants will be required to pay,” wrote the Senators.\n\n“From non-refundable fees and misleading marketing to inadequate disclosures, these products can take advantage of vulnerable tenants who are already struggling to afford the high cost of rental housing,” continued the Senators.\n\nBlumenthal and Warren are calling on the FTC to take action to protect tenants from these deceptive and misleading security deposit alternatives, writing, “As security deposit alternatives are becoming increasingly common, the FTC should take action to investigate, provide consumer notice, and combat misleading tactics with respect to security deposit alternatives. In particular, the Commission should issue rules requiring disclosures regarding the full costs and fees, reimbursement obligations, and non-refundable nature of these products, while also prohibiting misleading marketing practices that misrepresent how these products compare to traditional security deposits. These measures would help protect consumers, improve transparency, and ensure tenants understand the true costs and obligations associated with security deposit alternatives.”\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nDear Chair Ferguson,\n\nAs housing costs continue to rise and millions of Americans struggle to pay rent each month, we call on the Federal Trade Commission (the Commission) to investigate and take action to address the emerging issue of security deposit alternatives.1 These products often expose consumers to significant financial risks through misleading marketing, inadequate disclosures, and non-refundable fee structures.2 Given the Commission's ongoing Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on unfair and deceptive fee practices in connection with rental housing, we urge the Commission to ensure that its rulemaking also addresses the consumer protection issues posed by security deposit alternatives.3\n\nWhile Americans renting houses or apartments have grown accustomed to traditional security deposits to cover damage or other costs, landlords are increasingly offering these security deposit alternatives.4 These alternatives are often provided by third parties and allow a tenant to pay monthly or recurring fees, instead of paying a traditional deposit before moving in. Although these products may seem enticing to tenants at first, they differ significantly from traditional security deposits: they are typically not subject to state laws governing security deposits, the fees are generally nonrefundable, and tenants remain responsible for reimbursing the provider or landlord for covered damages.5 As a result, tenants may pay recurring fees throughout their lease, receive no refund at move-out, and still be liable for damages.6\n\nThe misleading marketing and lack of transparency surrounding these products can lead tenants to believe they function like traditional security deposits, but at a lower cost. For example, Rhino, the largest provider in this sector, claims its product “covers your rental just like a cash deposit would” on its website, while Homebody, another major provider, asserts that renters can “save hundreds” and that its product “is an alternative to a security deposit that still provides similar protection” in its advertising materials.7 However, in a report analyzing security deposit alternatives, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) found that these products typically cost more than traditional security deposits over the course of a lease, may lack the protections afforded by state security deposit laws, and often fail to clearly disclose the fees tenants will be required to pay.8\n\nRecent reporting by The New York Times and the NCLC highlights the real-world impacts of the misleading marketing and inadequate disclosures for tenants who use security deposit alternatives. As reported in the NCLC report, a tenant explained “I paid 4 years of premiums totaling $600 . . . I was scammed out of $600 over 4 years only to still have to pay everything a deposit would have covered.”9 Another renter cited in the NCLC report described being required to pay a monthly fee to a security deposit alternative provider, only to learn that after two years and over $400 in payments, none of the money would be returned at move-out or applied toward the landlord's full charge for damages.10 From non-refundable fees and misleading marketing to inadequate disclosures, these products can take advantage of vulnerable tenants who are already struggling to afford the high cost of rental housing.\n\nAs security deposit alternatives are becoming increasingly common, the FTC should take action to investigate, provide consumer notice, and combat misleading tactics with respect to security deposit alternatives. We support the Commission's ongoing ANPRM on junk fee practices in connection with rental housing, and urge the Commission to extend its rulemaking scope to cover the consumer protection concerns associated with security deposit alternatives.11 In particular, the Commission should issue rules requiring disclosures regarding the full costs and fees, reimbursement obligations, and non-refundable nature of these products, while also prohibiting misleading marketing practices that misrepresent how these products compare to traditional security deposits. These measures would help protect consumers, improve transparency, and ensure tenants understand the true costs and obligations associated with security deposit alternatives.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-demands-answers-from-cantor-fitzgerald-about-relationship-with-tether-after-psi-report-finds-cryptocurrency-firm-props-up-irans-shadow-banking-system", "title": "Blumenthal Demands Answers from Cantor Fitzgerald About Relationship with Tether After PSI Report Finds Cryptocurrency Firm Props Up Iran’s Shadow Banking System", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), today demanded answers from Cantor Fitzgerald Chairman Brandon Lutnick about the firm’s lucrative relationship with the cryptocurrency issuer Tether.\n\nAs PSI Ranking Member, Blumenthal is leading an inquiry into the illicit use of cryptocurrencies and the Trump Administration’s self-enrichment and self-dealings with cryptocurrency firms. As part of this investigation, Blumenthal recently released a report detailing how Tether and its dollar-pegged stablecoin have become a significant financial lifeline within Iran’s shadow banking network. In a letter sent today to Brandon Lutnick, Blumenthal sought information about Cantor Fitzgerald’s practices for detecting violations of banking and sanctions laws in light of PSI’s findings. Brandon Lutnick is the son of Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, who was Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald until his confirmation as Commerce Secretary in February 2025, at which time he handed control of the company to his adult children.\n\n“President Trump has made over $2 billion since his return to office, with most of this sum coming from his family’s crypto ventures. Similarly, Cantor Fitzgerald’s former Chairman and current Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, has made over $250 million in that same time period, including a $192 million distribution from Cantor Fitzgerald,” Blumenthal wrote.\n\nBlumenthal continued, “Cantor Fitzgerald has benefited alongside Lutnick in the last two years, in large part due to its partnership with Tether. Since the President’s return to office, Cantor Fitzgerald’s five percent stake in Tether has increased in value from $600 million to an estimated $10 billion, in addition to the tens of millions of dollars the company collects every year from the assets it holds for Tether.”\n\nBlumenthal continued, “Just as Tether has made untold millions in interest and investments from the stablecoins used in these illicit activities, so has Cantor Fitzgerald profited from its relationship with Tether. Given the longstanding and deeply intertwined relationship between Tether and Cantor Fitzgerald, and its substantial relationships within the Trump Administration, I am writing to request information about your business partnership with Tether and to learn about your practices for detecting violations of American banking and sanctions laws.”\n\n“While Tether claims to operate out of El Salvador, the vast majority of its assets reside in the United States under your custodianship. As Congress considers how to best regulate digital assets, your partnership with Tether will provide important insights into the inner workings of this industry,” Blumenthal concluded.\n\nThe full text of Blumenthal’s letter to Lutnick is available here and below. PSI’s report, “Tethered to Terrorism: Crypto & Iran’s Shadow Banking Network,” is available here.\n\nBrandon Lutnick\n\nChairman\n\nCantor Fitzgerald LP\n\n110 East 59th St\n\nNew York, NY 10022\n\nDear Mr. Lutnick:\n\nThe Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (“PSI” or the “Subcommittee”) Minority is investigating the illicit use of cryptocurrencies and the Trump Administration’s self-enrichment and self-dealings with cryptocurrency firms. President Trump has made over $2 billion since his return to office, with most of this sum coming from his family’s crypto ventures.[1] Similarly, Cantor Fitzgerald’s former Chairman and current Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, has made over $250 million in that same time period, including a $192 million distribution from Cantor Fitzgerald.[2] Cantor Fitzgerald has benefited alongside Lutnick in the last two years, in large part due to its partnership with Tether. Since the President’s return to office, Cantor Fitzgerald’s five percent stake in Tether has increased in value from $600 million to an estimated $10 billion, in addition to the tens of millions of dollars the company collects every year from the assets it holds for Tether.[3]\n\nDisturbingly, Cantor Fitzgerald’s lucrative business arrangements with Tether come at the expense of America’s national security. On September 28, the Subcommittee released a new report, “Tethered to Terrorism: Crypto & Iran’s Shadow Banking Network,” which demonstrated that Tether and its dollar-pegged stablecoin USDT have become a crucial tool for Iranian shadow banking.[4] The Subcommittee analyzed a comprehensive set of cryptocurrency wallets that have been targeted for their association with Iran and its terrorist proxies. This analysis shows how these actors have transitioned to predominantly relying on Tether. Furthermore, the Subcommittee found that Tether had failed to freeze or destroy funds in wallets that were clearly providing or receiving millions of dollars—even tens or hundreds of millions—from terrorist financiers and other illicit actors. The Subcommittee’s report reinforces longstanding research and media investigations regarding Tether’s broader role in illicit finance, human trafficking, scams, cartel violence, terrorism, and more.[5]\n\nJust as Tether has made untold millions in interest and investments from the stablecoins used in these illicit activities, so has Cantor Fitzgerald profited from its relationship with Tether.[6] Given the longstanding and deeply intertwined relationship between Tether and Cantor Fitzgerald, and its substantial relationships within the Trump Administration, I am writing to request information about your business partnership with Tether and to learn about your practices for detecting violations of American banking and sanctions laws.[7] As the largest issuer of stablecoins in the world, Tether is a key player in the cryptocurrency industry.[8] While Tether claims to operate out of El Salvador, the vast majority of its assets reside in the United States under your custodianship. As Congress considers how to best regulate digital assets, your partnership with Tether will provide important insights into the inner workings of this industry.\n\nTo assist the Subcommittee in its inquiry, please preserve all documents, records,[9] and communications[10] related to Cantor Fitzgerald’s relationship with Tether, and please provide responses to the following document and information requests by October 23, 2026:[11]\n\nWhen did Cantor Fitzgerald first enter into a business partnership with Tether, and what were the circumstances under which the firm began to do business with the stablecoin issuer?\n\nPlease provide the annual revenue Cantor Fitzgerald has received from its partnership with Tether since it began.\n\nPlease provide the annual amount the Lutnick Family has made from Cantor Fitzgerald’s partnership with Tether since it began.\n\nDo you require regular audits of Tether and its operations from a credible independent auditor to verify the value of its assets?\n\nWhat measures are in place to regularly monitor and assess Tether’s compliance with OFAC and other anti-money laundering regulations?\n\nPlease describe the circumstances under which Cantor Fitzgerald would terminate a business relationship and whether such a review has taken place for Tether.\n\nPlease describe services provided to Tether, investment positions held in Tether or on Tether’s behalf, decision-making or oversight roles relevant to the partnership, or any other pertinent details regarding the relationship between Cantor Fitzgerald and Tether.\n\nPlease describe Cantor Fitzgerald’s custodial relationship with Tether and provide any related records, including financial audits or other documentation related to your holdings on behalf of Tether.\n\nPlease provide all records relating to:\n\nCantor Fitzgerald’s ownership stake in Tether;\n\nThe terms under which Howard Lutnick relinquished his ownership stake in Cantor Fitzgerald; and\n\nThe terms of any loan or other provision extended to Howard Lutnick or the Lutnick Family by Tether that enabled him to transfer his ownership stake to his children.\n\nPlease describe all steps Cantor Fitzgerald has taken to investigate allegations that Tether’s stablecoin has been used in illicit finance and money laundering, including within Iran’s shadow banking network and for purposes of Russia sanctions evasion.\n\nPlease provide all policies and procedures relating to:\n\nKnow-Your-Customer (“KYC”) and other Anti-Money-Laundering (“AML) practices as they relate to business partners;\n\nOngoing due diligence of Cantor Fitzgerald’s business relationship with Tether; and\n\nCantor Fitzgerald’s procedures for de-risking business partners in foreign jurisdictions.\n\nPlease provide all records and communications sent by Howard Lutnick as an employee of Cantor Fitzgerald regarding Tether. This includes, but is not limited to, Tether’s compliance with AML regulations, any discussion of Tether with the White House or state and federal regulators, lobbying on Tether’s behalf, custodial activities on behalf of Tether, or compliance with any laws and regulations applicable to Tether.\n\nPlease provide all records and communications with or regarding Secretary Lutnick and his involvement with Tether since he relinquished his role as Chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald, including any communications involving fundraising for Tether or regulatory matters involving the firm.\n\nPlease provide all communications between Cantor Fitzgerald and Tether regarding Tether’s compliance with banking and sanctions laws, Tether’s financial backing for its tokens, any potential fundraising, or the Lutnick Family’s ownership interests in Tether.\n\nPlease provide all communications between Cantor Fitzgerald and any member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Digital Assets.\n\nPlease contact the Subcommittee if you have any questions about responding to these requests.\n\nSincerely,\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-welch-and-schiff-continue-to-probe-into-dhs-misuse-of-taxpayer-dollars-demand-answers-from-mullin-over-luxury-jet-purchases", "title": "Blumenthal, Welch, & Schiff Continue to Probe into DHS Misuse of Taxpayer Dollars, Demand Answers from Mullin over Luxury Jet Purchases", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) today sought records and information from Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin about the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) squandering of taxpayer funds and repeated steering of no-bid contracts to political allies. In a letter sent today to Mullin, the Senators urged the Department to ensure accountability for corrupt contracting decisions and ensure open competition among future prospective contractors.\n\nThe Senators pointed to allegations recently reported in The New York Times that in the final hours of former Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure, DHS “delivered a windfall to one of her political donors by buying five airplanes from the man’s firm at a substantial markup.”\n\nThe Senators wrote, “On the last day of Secretary Noem’s tenure, DHS purchased one Boeing 737 jet from Daedalus for $108 million, despite that aircraft previously appearing on the market with an asking price below $90 million. The interior of that aircraft included ‘a stand-up bar, two bedrooms, marble showers and a table covered in manta ray skin.’ Another two 737 aircraft were purchased by DHS from Daedalus for $45 million each, prices that experts estimated ‘were millions of dollars higher than the typical market value for jets of that age.’”\n\nThe Senators continued, “The staggering sums expended on these aircraft and the eleventh-hour approval of the no-bid contract used to purchase them from a company led by a political donor to Secretary Noem appears to illustrate a brazen giveaway by Secretary Noem to her political ally, William Walters. The fact that a separate company led by Mr. Walters, Salus Worldwide Solutions, has received separate no-bid contracts under Secretary Noem’s leadership only amplifies the appearance of impropriety and potential violations of federal law.”\n\n“Congress and the American people deserve the Department’s full and prompt transparency with respect to the shocking waste of taxpayer funds and potential corruption involved in the Department’s aircraft purchases and widespread no-bid contracting,” the Senators concluded.\n\nBlumenthal, Welch, and Schiff previously wrote to Mullin seeking information about DHS’s wasteful purchase of 10 airplanes for $464 million via a no-bid contract and raising concerns that the owner of the company that received the award is connected to allegations of kickback payment schemes involving former DHS official Corey Lewandowski.\n\nThe full text of today’s letter to Mullin is available here and below.\n\nDear Secretary Mullin:\n\nWe write for the fourth time since you took office as Secretary to demand prompt answers and full transparency into the most recent allegations that senior Department of Homeland Security (“DHS” or “the Department”) personnel steered lucrative no-bid aircraft purchase contracts that enriched a political ally. The mounting evidence of alleged contracting improprieties within the highest ranks of the Department constitutes an urgent crisis that risks squandering taxpayer funds and entrenching the wasteful and secretive process of awarding DHS contracts without the full and open competition required by federal procurement laws and regulations. We urge you to take decisive action to ensure accountability for any uncovered misconduct and ensure open competition among future DHS contractors. This includes promptly providing answers and producing records responsive to the following requests.\n\nOn October 4, 2026, public reporting revealed that in the final hours of former Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure, DHS “delivered a windfall to one of her political donors by buying five airplanes from the man’s firm at a substantial markup.”[1] Previous reporting uncovered that the Department under Secretary Noem purchased 10 aircraft for $464 million via a no-bid contract in the fall of 2025 and that many of these planes sat idle despite claims by the Department that they were purchased to remove non-citizens from the United States.[2] The October 4 reporting alleges that DHS significantly overpaid for five of these aircraft in a contract modification made in the closing hours of Secretary Noem’s tenure, securing a potential profit of tens of millions of dollars for the seller, Daedalus Aviation Corporation (“Daedalus”).[3] The Chairman of Daedalus is Mr. William Walters; in 2024, he contributed $10,000 to Ms. Noem’s American Resolve political action committee.[4]\n\nOn the last day of Secretary Noem’s tenure, DHS purchased one Boeing 737 jet from Daedalus for $108 million, despite that aircraft previously appearing on the market with an asking price below $90 million.[5] The interior of that aircraft included “a stand-up bar, two bedrooms, marble showers and a table covered in manta ray skin.”[6] Another two 737 aircraft were purchased by DHS from Daedalus for $45 million each, prices that experts estimated “were millions of dollars higher than the typical market value for jets of that age.”[7] Similarly, on the same day, DHS purchased two 10-year-old Gulfstream jets from Daedalus for $53 million each, a markup of more than $11 million each.[8] The unusually high prices paid by DHS for aircraft purchased from Daedalus prompted one analyst to conclude that “[t]his does not resemble any aspect of an airline marketplace.”[9]\n\nThe staggering sums expended on these aircraft and the eleventh-hour approval of the no-bid contract used to purchase them from a company led by a political donor to Secretary Noem appears to illustrate a brazen giveaway by Secretary Noem to her political ally, William Walters. The fact that a separate company led by Mr. Walters, Salus Worldwide Solutions, received separate no-bid contracts under Secretary Noem’s leadership only amplifies the appearance of impropriety and potential violations of federal law.[10] Possibly recognizing the potential for misconduct and waste generated by these contracts, you reportedly “explored backing out of the deal” but “feared a significant financial penalty.”[11] After sharing that concern with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, she reportedly “told [you] that [you] should not seek to block the purchase.”[12] DHS went on to pay Daedalus “more than $2 million in both May and June” 2026 to store the purchased aircraft, and the Department now claims that “four of the 737 airliners will not be used for deportation flights, but rather will be used to fly government leaders and members of Congress on overseas trips.”[13] To date, DHS has not confirmed when, if ever, any of the aircraft will be used for the purpose for which they were purchased, to operate deportation flights.\n\nCongress and the American people deserve the Department’s full and prompt transparency with respect to the shocking waste of taxpayer funds and potential violations of federal law involved in the Department’s aircraft purchases and widespread no-bid contracting. Although DHS reportedly declined to disclose “documents laying out the agency’s rationale for awarding Daedalus its no-bid contract” because they would allegedly “compromise national security or create other security risks,” such a rationale is not a legitimate basis on which to withhold information and records from Congress.[14] Moreover, any ongoing audit or investigation by the DHS Inspector General into related matters is not a legitimate basis for withholding information and records from Congress.\n\nOur offices are reviewing allegations of misconduct arising from federal contract awards to assess whether and the extent to which laws and regulations governing honest services and federal procurement may require legislative reform. In order for us to better understand the award of this contract, plans for these airplanes moving forward, and remedial measures for the American taxpayer, please provide the following information and records[15] by October 22, 2026:\n\nProvide the contract(s) or any other operative agreement(s) governing each purchase of any aircraft by DHS from Daedalus.\n\nProvide any addendum, appendix, schedule, or other modification or supplement to the records described in request 1.\n\nDescribe in detail the purchase price, maintenance costs, operation costs, storage costs, and current disposition of each aircraft purchased by DHS from Daedalus.\n\nProvide all communications[16] among or between William Walters or any agent of Daedalus and former Secretary Noem, former Senior Advisor Corey Lewandowski, or any other current or former DHS personnel or agent responsible for the awarding or administration of Department contracts.\n\nPlease contact our offices if you have questions about responding to this request. Thank you for your attention to this matter.\n\n-30-\n\n[1] Hamed Aleaziz, David A. Fahrenthold, Nicholas Nehamas, Tyler Pager & Niraj Chokshi, Kristi Noem’s Agency Gave Her Donor a Lucrative Contract Just Before She Left, N.Y. Times (Oct. 4, 2026), https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/04/us/politics/kristi-noem-planes-donor.html.\n\n[2] See Letter from Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Peter Welch, and Adam Schiff to Secretary Mullin (Aug. 25, 2026), https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026-8-25-Letter-from-Sens-Blumenthal-Welch-Schiff-to-Secretary-Mullin.pdf (citing David A. Fahrenthold, et al., Homeland Security Paid $464 Million for Airplanes. Then It Parked Them, N.Y. Times (Aug. 13, 2026), https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/us/politics/homeland-security-parkedairplanes.html).\n\n[3] Aleaziz, et al., supra note 1.\n\n[4] Id.\n\n[5] Id.\n\n[6] Id.\n\n[7] Id.\n\n[8] Id.\n\n[9] Id.\n\n[10] Id.\n\n[11] Id.\n\n[12] Id.\n\n[13] Id.\n\n[14] Id.\n\n[15] For purposes of this request, “records” include any written, recorded, or graphic material of any kind, including letters, memoranda, reports, notes, electronic data (emails, email attachments, and any other electronically-created or stored information), direct messages, chats, calendar entries, inter-office communications, meeting minutes, phone/voice mail or recordings/records of verbal communications, and drafts (whether or not they resulted in final documents).\n\n[16] For purposes of this request, “communications” include any records, as defined above, transmitted in any way between two or more individuals or entities.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=A2C28FC1-6453-4B08-8DB0-B4A8CCA00A9D", "title": "Boozman, Blumenthal Introduce Bill to Strengthen Veterans Crisis Line, Support Personnel", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "domain": "www.boozman.senate.gov", "scraper": "boozman", "member": null, "text": "WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) recently introduced the Veterans Crisis Line Support and Safety Act, bipartisan legislation that would improve mental health support and workplace conditions for Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) employees, many of whom are veterans themselves.\n\n“The men and women providing instant and critical mental health support to veterans during some of their most difficult moments are an invaluable, life-saving resource. Many VCL employees are veterans themselves and understand the challenges those they serve are facing. I am proud this bipartisan legislation would guarantee their access to key tools and protections for their wellbeing, ensuring assistance for veterans in crisis is not delayed or denied,” said Boozman, a senior member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Military Construction and VA Appropriations Subcommittee.\n\n“Veterans Crisis Line employees do lifesaving work every day in the most difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, these workers often face emotionally challenging situations. Our bipartisan bill will provide these employees much-needed mental health services and increased workplace protections to ensure they are given the support and space they need to serve veterans,” said Blumenthal.\n\nThe VCL provides a life-saving service for responding to veterans in crisis and is an important tool for preventing veteran suicide—offering 24/7 confidential assistance through call, text or chat support. The VCL Support and Safety Act was drafted with input from employees who provided testimony about being harassed in their jobs and needing additional workplace protections given the sensitive and emotional hardships of their work. Full impact statements from VCL responders can be found HERE, HERE and HERE.\n\nAmong its many provisions, the Veterans Crisis Line Support and Safety Act would:\n\nOffer VCL employees free, confidential counseling and mental health care from licensed providers experienced in PTSD, trauma and compassion fatigue;\n\nEstablish peer support programs, critical incident stress debriefing and annual resiliency/burnout-prevention training;\n\nProvide critical mental health services during and outside of scheduled work hours through VA and outside providers;\n\nImplement reasonable limits on VCL employees’ workload and shift duration;\n\nRequire mandatory rest and recovery periods after high-risk or traumatic interactions;\n\nDesignate dedicated staff for complex or disruptive cases; and\n\nEnsure staffing levels at the VCL are informed by data on the volume of calls and workforce assessments.\n\nThe Veterans Crisis Line Support and Safety Act is endorsed by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National Veterans Affairs Council.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/news/press-releases/u-s-senators-katie-britt-james-lankford-colleagues-urge-inspector-general-to-investigate-planned-parenthood/", "title": "U.S. Senators Katie Britt, James Lankford, Colleagues Urge Inspector General to Investigate Planned Parenthood", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.britt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.britt.senate.gov", "scraper": "britt", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001319", "name": "Katie Boyd Britt", "party": "Republican", "state": "AL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently joined James Lankford (R-Okla.) and 128 members of Congress in sending a letter to the Inspector General (IG) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging the IG to review and investigate the activities and federal funding streams of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., and its affiliates.\n\n“Serious concerns have long been raised regarding the organization’s compliance with applicable federal laws, regulations, and program requirements governing the receipt and use of federal funds,” the Republican lawmakers wrote.\n\nThe lawmakers argue these concerns warrant a comprehensive review of Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funds and compliance with federal law.\n\n“In particular, these concerns relate to whether Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and the organization’s affiliates have adhered to applicable requirements governing program integrity, financial accountability, and the proper use of funds provided through HHS-administered programs,” they continued.\n\nThe letter follows a recent Small Business Administration (SBA) investigation into whether Planned Parenthood affiliates improperly received approximately $88 million in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawmakers are also raising concerns about additional allegations involving fraud, false statements, potential violations of federal criminal law, and failures to disclose potential violations to the federal government.\n\nThe lawmakers are asking the HHS IG to review the federal funds Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have received and determine whether they were used in accordance with federal law. They also urged the IG to coordinate with other federal oversight agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as needed.\n\nYou can read the full text of the letter here.\n\nSenator Britt is a proud champion for protecting the unborn and supporting mothers and families. She recently celebrated the 50thanniversary of the Hyde Amendment, which prevents taxpayer funded abortion. She is a cosponsor of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act and the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act. In 2024, Senator Britt joined her colleagues in a bicameral letter to the Government Accountability Office to investigate the federal funding awarded to abortion providers.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-capito-makes-stops-in-mineral-and-hampshire-counties", "title": "PHOTOS: Capito Makes Stops in Mineral and Hampshire Counties", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.capito.senate.gov", "scraper": "capito", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001047", "name": "Shelley Moore Capito", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "ROMNEY, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) traveled to Mineral and Hampshire counties to make stops focused on recent Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) allocations she helped secure.\n\nFirst, Senator Capito traveled to Ridgeley, W.Va. to visit the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department and receive an update on their recent CDS allocation. In March, she helped secure a $2,841,000 CDS allocation to construct a new fire station to replace their current 54-year-old facility. Through this allocation, the fire department will help ensure the protection of life and property in Ridgeley, Carpendale, and the surrounding communities. Senator Capito previously secured a $1.2M FY24 CDS allocation for Ridgeley’s town hall and police department.\n\n“It was great to be in Ridgeley to receive updates from the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department,” Senator Capito said. “I was proud to help secure their CDS allocation that will help enhance public safety in the surrounding area. This investment reflects my continued commitment to equipping our community partners in the state with the resources they need to serve.”\n\n“We sincerely thank Senator Shelley Moore Capito for securing the congressionally directed funding to help construct the new Ridgeley fire station. Her support represents a lasting investment in our volunteers and the safety of Ridgeley, Carpendale, and the surrounding communities. This funding brings us closer to a modern facility that will protect our equipment, support our operations, and allow us to serve our community for generations to come. We are grateful to Senator Capito for recognizing the importance of this project and helping us build a facility that would not have been possible without her support,” Steve Shipley, Assistant Fire Chief of the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department, said.\n\nTo finish the day, Senator Capito traveled to Romney, W.Va. to meet with commissioners from Hampshire County and representatives from Hardy Telecommunications. There, she received updates from both and efforts to expand high-speed internet access in rural communities across Hampshire and surrounding communities.\n\n“Being in Romney was a great opportunity to connect with commissioners from Hampshire County as well as representatives from Hardy Communications,” Senator Capito said. “I enjoyed receiving updates on everything going on in the area and how efforts are coming along to expand high-speed internet access in the surrounding area.”\n\nPhotos from today’s visits can be found below:\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits with the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department in Ridgeley, W.Va. on Thursday, October 8, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits with Hampshire County commissioners and representatives from Hardy Communications in Romney, W.Va. on Thursday, October 8, 2026.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-cassidy-secured-broadband-investment-moves-forward-in-louisiana/", "title": "ICYMI: Cassidy-Secured Broadband Investment Moves Forward in Louisiana", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.cassidy.senate.gov", "scraper": "cassidy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001075", "name": "Bill Cassidy", "party": "Republican", "state": "LA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) was instrumental in securing $1.35 billion in federal broadband funding for Louisiana through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. That investment is now helping expand high-speed internet access across the state. Louisiana was the first state in the nation to receive federal approval to deploy the funding. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry yesterday announced the first steps of progress to improving broadband access to rural Louisiana, working toward statewide high-speed internet across Louisiana by 2028.\n\n“This is exactly why I fought to make sure Louisiana received its share of broadband funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Now, we are seeing that investment in action with real projects that will connect Louisiana families, businesses, schools, and communities.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-helps-cut-the-ribbon-at-north-windham-wastewater-treatment-facility", "title": "Senator Collins Helps Cut the Ribbon at North Windham Wastewater Treatment Facility", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Click HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE for individual photos.\n\nWINDHAM, ME – U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks and took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony today for the North Windham Wastewater Treatment Facility. The new facility will help improve water quality and support economic development and residential growth in the North Windham area.\n\n“This great achievement is the result of the Town of Windham, the Portland Water District, and Windham Raymond Schools working with state and federal partners to address two issues that are crucial to this community and to our state – protecting the environment and providing opportunity. Maintaining and upgrading drinking water and wastewater infrastructure is vital to strengthening the economic and environmental health of communities throughout Maine. I am so impressed by the care and vision that Windham’s community leaders and involved citizens have put into this important project, and I am delighted to have been able to contribute to its success,” said Senator Collins.\n\nIn 2022, Senator Collins secured $2 million through her role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to support the installation of a new sewer and wastewater treatment system utilizing a Membrane Bio-Reactor. This state-of-the-art system will clean the water to a much higher standard than existing subsurface waste disposal systems. In the past five years, Senator Collins has secured more than $164 million for 83 water and wastewater projects.\n\nPrior to this project, North Windham did not have public wastewater infrastructure, relying instead on individual septic systems. The new facility will provide the infrastructure needed to support future housing, businesses, and community growth in the area. The new system is also expected to replace more than 100 septic systems in North Windham and prevent approximately 22,000 pounds of nitrogen and 3,000 pounds of phosphorus from entering the North Windham aquifer each year, helping to protect groundwater and surrounding waterways.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-rosen-secure-over-2-4-million-for-nevada-law-enforcement-projects/", "title": "Cortez Masto, Rosen Secure Over $2.4 Million for Nevada Law Enforcement Projects", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Las Vegas, Nev. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) secured $2,422,000 in grants for law enforcement projects. The funding comes from the Department of Justice’s Byrne Jag Grant Program and will be distributed to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the City of Henderson, and the Nevada Department of Public Safety.\n\n“Local law enforcement is the backbone of public safety in Nevada, but too often our officers are being asked to do more with less,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “From improving training to modernizing equipment, this critical funding will support police officers from Reno to Henderson. I’ll never stop working to deliver for local law enforcement and ensure all Nevadans feel safe in their communities.”\n\n“Our law enforcement officers work around the clock to keep Nevadans safe, and I’m committed to supporting them in any way I can,” said Senator Jacky Rosen. “I am proud to have helped secure this funding for law enforcement agencies across our state to ensure that they have the equipment and training they need to keep us safe.”\n\nThree grants constitute the $2,422,000 in funding:\n\n$1,031,000 for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s (LVMPD) Air Support Equipment Enhancement Protect. This funding will be used to modernize essential air support equipment to improve the Department’s airborne law enforcement, search and rescue, and emergency response operations. This grant is on top of $1 million in federal funding the Senators secured for LVMPD’s Air Support Unit earlier this year.\n\n$1,031,000 for the City of Henderson to support law enforcement responses to and prosecutions of nonfatal strangulation cases, increase the local forensic examination capacity, and improve protective and medical services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.\n\n$360,000 for the Nevada Department of Public Safety for new law enforcement training technology for departments throughout the state.\n\nSenators Cortez Masto and Rosen have consistently stood behind Nevada’s law enforcement. They have fought for funding for the Byrne JAG grant program, the source of these grants and the leading source of criminal justice funding in the country. Cortez Masto and Rosen introduced legislation to redirect excessive funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to local law enforcement. Last year, Cortez Masto’s bill to ensure the families of retired law enforcement officers killed as a result of their service have access to benefits was signed into law and her legislation to strengthen public safety in Indian Country passed the Senate. She is leading bipartisan legislation to combat human trafficking along America’s interstates, airways, railroads, and waterways.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-joins-president-trump-at-white-house-to-announce-automatic-enrollment-for-trump-accounts", "title": "Sen. Cruz Joins President Trump at White House to Announce Automatic Enrollment for Trump Accounts", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.cruz.senate.gov", "scraper": "cruz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001098", "name": "Ted Cruz", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined President Donald Trump at the White House yesterday to discuss the automatic enrollment of millions of American children in Trump Accounts. Sen. Cruz authored and passed into law the legislation establishing Trump Accounts last year.\n\nOn October 1, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the completion ofautomatic enrollment for Trump Accounts. The Treasury established accounts for more than 60 million additional eligible children.\n\nClick here or on the image above to watch the full announcement.\n\nPlease see below for Sen. Cruz's remarks as prepared for delivery:\n\n“Thank you, Mr. President, for bringing us together today to celebrate this incredible milestone for Trump Accounts. And thank you to Brad and Michael for everything you’ve done to turn this idea into reality.\n\n“Mr. President – between school choice and Trump Accounts, there has never been a president who has done more for children than you.\n\n“Today is an important day for Trump Accounts.\n\n“When I wrote this legislation, we had a simple goal: every child in America should have the opportunity to begin life with an investment account and a stake in the extraordinary economic engine that is the United States of America.\n\n“That is why I deliberately drafted the legislation to provide for auto-enrollment—so Treasury could open accounts for all 70 million American children under the age of 18. And I’m proud to stand here today seeing that become reality.\n\n“For children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, the federal government will make a one-time $1,000 contribution to get them started.\n\n“But the bigger idea here goes far beyond that first $1,000.\n\n“For decades, we’ve talked about how to teach young Americans the value of saving, investing, and building wealth. Trump Accounts actually gives them the tools to do it.\n\n“When a young person turns 18 and looks at an account that has been growing alongside them their entire life, capitalism is no longer an abstract concept.\n\n“They’re an investor. They’re an owner. They have skin in the game.\n\n“And my hope is that, decades from now, we look back at Trump Accounts as the beginning of an entire generation of Americans who became investors and owners from childhood.\n\n“There is incredible momentum behind these accounts, and we are seeing more and more companies pledging to contribute to their employees’ accounts, which will only continue to help the next generation of Americans.\n\n“Secretary Bessent – thank you for your leadership in making automatic enrollment a reality.\n\n“Mr. President, you understood the potential of this idea from the beginning, and your leadership was critical to getting it across the finish line.\n\n“And to those listening – these accounts have been created for you, but please take the time to claim your child’s account so that their investments can start today.\n\n“I’m proud of what we accomplished together—and even more excited about what it will mean for millions of American kids in the years ahead.”\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nTrump Accounts, legislation authored by Sen. Cruz and established by law as part of theWorking Families Tax Cuts Act, are private, tax-advantaged accounts for every American child, seeded with a $1,000 investment from the federal government for children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028. Trump Accounts, available now for all children 18 and under, allow for contributions from individuals, family members, and friends up to $5,000 annually. Employers may contribute $2,500 per year.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-uss-lincoln-returns-home-duckworth-renews-her-call-for-public-hearings-to-investigate-toll-of-trumps-illegal-war-on-servicemembers", "title": "As USS Lincoln Returns Home, Duckworth Renews Her Call for Public Hearings to Investigate Toll of Trump’s Illegal War on Servicemembers", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "scraper": "duckworth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000622", "name": "Tammy Duckworth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "After Duckworth and colleagues sent a letter to SecNav demanding answers, it was revealed that eight of the USS Lincoln’s servicemembers attempted suicide\n\n[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – As the USS Lincoln finally returns to port today in San Diego after over 300 days at sea, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is renewing her call for public hearings to investigate the toll that Trump’s illegal war against Iran has had on our servicemembers, including the brave troops aboard the Lincoln, other ships and across bases in the region who suffered deteriorating conditions, rationed meals and dwindling supplies. Last month after Duckworth joined SASC Ranking Member Reed and her Senate Democratic colleagues to push for answers from Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, it was revealed that eight troops serving across the Lincoln’s strike group attempted to commit suicide—further illustrating the immense strain this reckless war has put on our servicemembers.\n\n“Pete Hegseth likes to say ‘war is hell,’ but what happened aboard the USS Lincoln was a level of pain that could’ve been avoided. The Trump Administration just chose not to.\n\n“Our nation’s servicemembers are as tough as they come. They will always answer the call and their families will always support them. But between rotten food, broken toilets and severe exhaustion, morale sank so low that eight servicemembers in the Lincoln’s strike group attempted suicide. That shocking number should make us all wonder how many others were experiencing severe mental health crises but stopped short of this breaking point. All of this suffering is the direct result of the Trump Administration’s incompetence and poor planning, recklessly throwing our troops into a war they have no idea how to end. And these conditions aren’t just happening on the USS Lincoln.\n\n“The growing toll of this disastrous war on our troops is unconscionable. Republicans cannot remain complicit and allow the Trump Administration to continue hiding behind closed door briefings. It’s past time we held public hearings to investigate the extent of how badly Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth are failing our servicemembers while their families are worried sick at home. Our troops deserve better and the American people deserve the truth.”\n\nIn August, Duckworth led her fellow Senate Democrats on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) in calling on Chairman Wicker to hold a hearing to investigate how this Administration’s failure to end Trump’s war has taken a widespread physical, emotional and mental toll on troops deployed to the region. That toll has extended even beyond the disturbing conditions aboard the USS Lincoln—with dwindling supplies and deteriorating conditions aboard numerous ships and across bases in the region. Reporting has shown how unplanned deployment extensions have inflicted emotional and financial strain on other servicemembers in the Middle East and their families, leaving troops without return dates and causing families to struggle balancing childcare with work back at home.\n\nAlso in August, Duckworth introduced legislation to stop Trump’s desperate attempt to obscure how long his illegal war against Iran has lasted, dishonor the sacrifice of our troops injured and killed in combat and hide the true cost of his disastrous war from the American people\n\nDuckworth has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s illegal, needless war in Iran since it began. She is one of the Senate Six—the original group of Senators who have been forcing votes on War Powers Resolutions that would cease hostilities in Iran, which Republicans have shamefully blocked nine times. Duckworth also announced she would vote against the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (NDAA) as long as Trump’s war is ongoing.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-reacts-to-army-report-on-dca-crash-reiterates-calls-for-faa-and-dod-to-implement-urgently-needed-safety-recommendations-to-prevent-next-tragedy", "title": "Duckworth Reacts to Army Report on DCA Crash, Reiterates Calls for FAA and DoD to Implement Urgently Needed Safety Recommendations to Prevent Next Tragedy", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "scraper": "duckworth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000622", "name": "Tammy Duckworth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Trump’s FAA and DoD have yet to fully implement all recommendations made by the NTSB to fix the problems that led to America’s first deadly commercial aircraft collision since 2009\n\n[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation—today released the following statement after the U.S. Army released its report that detailed numerous systemic failures leading up to the deadly DCA mid-air collision between a commercial aircraft and a Blackhawk helicopter that claimed the lives of 67 people:\n\n“Ever since the tragic DCA midair collision stole 67 lives, the families of Flight 5342, the National Transportation Safety Board, aviation experts and I have sounded the alarm and called for action to prevent the next tragedy. This long-awaited Army investigation reaffirms what we’ve been calling for all along.\n\n“Without delay, every aircraft must be equipped with and consistently use collision avoidance technology that is needed to see other aircraft in the sky and react in real time to keep the flying public safe. The FAA and Department of Defense must also improve coordination at all levels. And we urgently need to modernize our air traffic control system. In our modernization efforts, we need to focus on not just replacing outdated equipment but rebuilding a depleted controller workforce that has been chronically understaffed and overworked, including on that tragic night of the DCA crash when a single controller was forced to handle helicopter control and local control duties.\n\n“As much as ever, the DCA midair collision reminds us how catastrophic the toll can be if we don’t take action. With this report out, there are simply no more excuses keeping the DoD and FAA from immediately implementing and exceeding the urgent safety recommendations handed down by both the Army and NTSB. The families who lost their loved ones that tragic day deserve action and the flying public’s safety depends on it.”\n\nDuckworth has long been a leading voice in the push to make our skies safer. For years, she has been sounding the alarm that we must make critical aviation safety investments immediately to prevent all-too-often near-misses from becoming catastrophic tragedies. Last month, two bipartisan bills led by Duckworth and U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) to support the health of our aviation workforce and strengthen aviation safety passed the Senate with unanimous consent.\n\nLast Congress, Duckworth chaired two CST Aviation Subcommittee hearings—one last December and the other a year prior—to address our aviation industry’s chilling surge in near-deadly close calls and underscore the urgent need to improve air traffic control systems to protect the flying public.\n\nDuckworth helped author the landmark bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 that was signed into law to extend the FAA’s funding and authorities through Fiscal Year 2028. The reauthorization included several of her provisions to safeguard the 1,500-hour rule, improve consumer safety, expand the aviation workforce and enhance protections for travelers with disabilities.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-judiciary-committee-democrats-demand-full-production-of-committee-records-following-jack-smith-hearing", "title": "Durbin, Judiciary Committee Democrats Demand Full Production Of Committee Records Following Jack Smith Hearing", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.durbin.senate.gov", "scraper": "durbin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000563", "name": "Richard J. Durbin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Documents used by Schmitt and Hawley have yet to be shared with Democratic Committee Members or their staff, violating the standing rules of the Senate\n\nWASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led the Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) demanding a full production of all Committee records following last week’s oversight hearing with former Special Counsel Jack Smith. During the hearing, Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) questioned Mr. Smith about documents that had not been shared with Democratic Members or their staff prior to the hearing. It violates Senate Rules XXVI and XXVII to withhold committee records from Members or their staff. Republican Members asking a witness about documents that had not been shared with Democratic Members or their staff is a particularly egregious breach of these rules, a breach that has not yet been rectified as these records still have not been produced to Committee Democrats.\n\nThe letter also requests an apology to Mr. Smith and emphasizes that Republicans’ attempt to withhold these documents to manufacture a viral moment against Mr. Smith instead created an embarrassing stain on the Committee’s reputation.\n\n“We write to object to the Committee violating Senate rules by failing to provide committee records to the minority in advance of the hearing… As of the date of this letter, we still have not received these records,” the Senators wrote. “We request that you immediately provide these and all other documents that you have withheld, commit to fully complying with Senate rules in the future, and apologize to Mr. Smith on behalf of the Committee for the unacceptable personal attacks and false accusations of perjury he faced during this hearing.”\n\nThe Senators’ letter continues, “Committee Republicans have now wasted months in their attempt to undermine Mr. Smith’s investigations into President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and illegally retain highly classified government documents. Rather than unveiling any credible new insights, the majority has merely cast petty, personal, and partisan aspersions on Mr. Smith and his nonpartisan career staff while ignoring President Trump’s crimes. This farce culminated in a national embarrassment for the Committee, when, in their eagerness to ambush a witness and manufacture a viral moment, Republican Members violated Senate rules by not sharing committee records with the minority and falsely accused a witness of perjury based on their own misunderstanding of these records.”\n\nThe letter concludes, “We ask that you immediately provide all committee records that you have withheld, commit to fully complying with Senate Rules XXVI and XXVII going forward, and apologize to Mr. Smith on behalf of the Committee.”\n\nDuring the Biden Administration when Democrats were in the majority, then-Chair Durbin shared all committee records with the minority in a timely manner because it is required by Senate Rules, is a longstanding bipartisan Senate Judiciary Committee practice, and is necessary for the Committee to conduct meaningful oversight and carry out its constitutional duties. Additionally, unlike the Trump Administration, the Biden Administration had a practice of producing documents requested by the majority or minority to both the Chair and Ranking Member simultaneously.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nOctober 7, 2026\n\nDear Chairman Grassley:\n\nWe write to object to the Committee violating Senate rules by failing to provide committee records to the minority in advance of the hearing titled, “Oversight of Jack Smith’s Abuse of Authority and the Targeting of Republicans and Related Matters” on September 29, 2026. As of the date of this letter, we still have not received these records. We request that you immediately provide these and all other documents that you have withheld, commit to fully complying with Senate rules in the future, and apologize to Mr. Smith on behalf of the Committee for the unacceptable personal attacks and false accusations of perjury he faced during this hearing.\n\nDuring the hearing, Senator Schmitt questioned Mr. Smith about committee records that you have not shared with Democratic Members or staff: texts between a counsel in the Special Counsel’s office and a U.S. Marshal regarding Mr. Smith’s attendance at a basketball game, and a readout of an August 17, 2024 phone call between Mr. Smith and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Public Integrity Section (PIN). Senator Hawley also displayed a chart of the same notes from the August 17, 2024 call with PIN during his questioning.\n\nWithholding committee records from Members and their staff violates Rules XXVI and XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, which require that all committee records be shared with the minority. When Democrats were in the majority on this Committee, Chair Durbin shared all committee records with the minority in a timely manner because it is required by Senate Rules, is a longstanding bipartisan Senate Judiciary Committee practice, and is necessary for this Committee to conduct meaningful oversight and carry out its constitutional duties. Additionally, unlike the Trump Administration, the Biden Administration had a practice of producing documents requested by the majority or minority to both the Chair and Ranking Member simultaneously.\n\nThe folly of withholding information was made clear when Republican Senators’ claims based on these documents were quickly revealed to be incorrect. The Special Counsel’s call notes, which purportedly stated that Mr. Smith filed a superseding indictment against President Trump against the advice of PIN, were actually Mr. Smith’s notes from a call prior to receiving PIN’s approval for an amended superseding indictment. And the texts concerning the basketball game—which Senator Schmitt claimed proved that Mr. Smith attended a game in Atlanta between the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks on February 3, 2024—were an effort to manufacture a connection between Mr. Smith and the Fulton County Georgia District Attorney. The texts established only that Senator Schmitt had not done the basic due diligence of verifying a document before relying on it. Nonetheless, Senator Schmitt incorrectly asserted to Mr. Smith, “I think you’ve already perjured yourself,” and inexcusably branded him “a dirtbag,” language which is beneath the dignity of this Committee and the Senate.\n\nBecause these records had not been shared in advance, Democratic Members were forced to synthesize these baseless accusations and respond in real time. This caused needless confusion, slowed down the business of the Committee, introduced the possibility that false information would be entered uncontested into the record, and created an embarrassing stain on one of the most important committees in Congress.\n\nWhile Senator Klobuchar successfully clarified that Mr. Smith had attended a basketball game in a different state on the date in question, and subsequent reporting confirmed the same, Senator Schmitt has since doubled down on his false assertions. He has continued to publicly call Mr. Smith a liar and “dirtbag.”\n\nCommittee Republicans have now wasted months in their attempt to undermine Mr. Smith’s investigations into President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and illegally retain highly classified government documents. Rather than unveiling any credible new insights, the majority has merely cast petty, personal, and partisan aspersions on Mr. Smith and his nonpartisan career staff while ignoring President Trump’s crimes. This farce culminated in a national embarrassment for the Committee, when, in their eagerness to ambush a witness and manufacture a viral moment, Republican Members violated Senate rules by not sharing committee records with the minority and falsely accused a witness of perjury based on their own misunderstanding of these records.\n\nWe ask that you immediately provide all committee records that you have withheld, commit to fully complying with Senate Rules XXVI and XXVII going forward, and apologize to Mr. Smith on behalf of the Committee.\n\nSincerely,\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases/busted-ernst-law-forces-washington-to-come-clean-on-billion-dollar-boondoggles", "title": "Busted: Ernst Law Forces Washington to Come Clean on Billion-Dollar Boondoggles", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.ernst.senate.gov", "scraper": "ernst", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000295", "name": "Joni Ernst", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst's (R-Iowa) Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act is now law, signed today by President Trump. It requires the federal government to publicly report every project that is $1 billion or more over budget or five or more years behind schedule.\n\nThe law arrives as Ernst exposes five new boondoggles that together total nearly $100 billion over budget. These boondoggles are in addition to those she exposed in her 2025 Off the Rails report, which found $162.9 billion in cost overruns on federally funded projects.\n\n\"Washington math doesn't add up, but my Billion Dollar Boondoggle law will restore accountability to its shady accounting. Taxpayers deserve this transparency, and it will protect them from being put on the hook for hundreds of billions of dollars sunk into failed and mismanaged projects plagued by massive cost overruns and never-ending delays,\" said Sen. Ernst.\n\n\"While government boondoggles abound, the term is now officially in the law books for the first time. No politician wants their prized pet project to carry that label, but now there's no escaping it,\" Sen. Ernst added.\n\nThe five additional boondoggles:\n\nF-35 Modernization (Department of War): $89.5 billion over budget since being rebased in 2012, increasing from $395.7 billion to $485.2 billion, and five years behind schedule, now expected in 2031.\n\nHudson River Tunnel (Department of Transportation): $3 billion over budget, increasing from $12.7 billion to $15.7 billion, and three years behind schedule, now expected in 2038.\n\nRebuilding Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge (Department of Transportation): Up to $3.5 billion over budget, increasing from as low as $1.7 billion to as high as $5.2 billion, and two years behind schedule, now expected in 2030.\n\nSaturn Dragonfly Spacecraft (NASA): $2.5 billion over budget, nearly quadrupling from $850 million to $3.35 billion, and more than two years behind schedule, now expected in July 2028.\n\nPalo Alto VA Medical Center (Department of Veterans Affairs): $1.2 billion over budget, increasing from $450.3 million to $1.6 billion, and 21 years behind schedule, now expected in 2036 instead of 2015.\n\nThe law builds on the Trump administration's efforts to rein in runaway project costs. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been leading the way, providing Ernst with the Department's data on over-budget and delayed projects, and pulling $4 billion in unspent federal funding from California's high-speed rail project.\n\nErnst led the bill in the Senate with Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) championed it in the House. The bill passed both chambers of Congress before heading to the President's desk. Hassan and Miller-Meeks joined Ernst in celebrating the new law.\n\n“Granite Staters deserve to know that their hard-earned tax-dollars are being spent responsibly,” said Sen. Hassan. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill will give the public greater visibility into how their tax dollars are being used and it will help Congress identify wasteful spending. I am pleased to see this bill signed into law and I will continue working with my colleagues of both parties to protect taxpayer dollars and increase government transparency.”\n\n“Washington has gotten far too comfortable wasting the taxpayers’ money, and that ends with transparency and accountability,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “Senator Ernst and I worked together to give Congress and the American people greater visibility into federal projects that go over budget and fall behind schedule. I’m proud to see our bipartisan Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act signed into law, and I thank Senator Ernst for her partnership in getting this across the finish line. Taxpayers work too hard for their money to see it wasted in Washington, and they deserve to know that every dollar is being spent responsibly.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-urge-u-s-department-of-agriculture-and-u-s-forest-service-to-protect-national-forests/", "title": "Gallego, Colleagues Urge U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service to Protect National Forests", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) in sending a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Michael Boren and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, to maintain consistent environmental protections and local input mechanisms in any attempted revision of the 2005 Travel Management Rule.\n\n“For years, the current rule has successfully balanced the use of motorized vehicles with other uses on public lands — ensuring that motorized use in our forests is managed responsibly, centering forest-level decision-making with state and local input, and protecting the environment,” wrote the senators. “Many of the proposed changes in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recently published Notice of Intent (NOI) would significantly alter the overarching framework that protects our lands and waters and supports our nation’s wildlife, clean water, and outdoor recreation economy.”\n\nThe letter identifies six core principles that the administration should maintain in any revisions to the 2005 Travel Management Rule:\n\nProvide Meaningful Guidance that Helps Avoid Environmental Impacts;\n\nCenter State, Tribal, and Local Input;\n\nConsider Impacts to All Types of Recreation and Uses;\n\nEnsure Adequate Resources for Maintaining all Open Trails and Roads;\n\nContinue to Provide Clear Information; and\n\nMaintain Flexibility that Incorporates Public Input\n\n“We urge the Forest Service to approach these revisions with those principles in mind and to work closely with Congress, Tribal Nations, State and local governments, and the broad range of stakeholders that depend on our national forests. We stand ready to work with you to ensure that any final rule gives land managers the tools to keep our forests accessible, safe, and healthy for generations to come,” concluded the senators.\n\nSenator Gallego has long fought to protect America’s beautiful public lands. Last month, Senator Gallego continued his fight to protect the Roadless Rule, which directly protects America’s national forests. This month the Senate passed the Gallego backed Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026 which makes it easier for states to preform prescribed burnsthus reducing the risk of wildfires.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-statement-on-ice-agent-shooting-in-new-york-city/", "title": "Gillibrand Statement On ICE Agent Shooting In New York City", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "scraper": "gillibrand", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000555", "name": "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) issued the following statement on reports that a man was shot by an ICE agent in New York City this afternoon:\n\n“My thoughts are with the Marble Hill community as we await more information about the shooting involving ICE agents this afternoon. It is critical that all the facts are brought to light, and I expect a thorough and transparent review of exactly what transpired.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-hassan-presses-rfk-jr-to-reinstate-critical-program-for-the-research-of-maternal-and-infant-health", "title": "Senator Hassan Presses RFK Jr to Reinstate Critical Program for the Research of Maternal and Infant Health", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hassan.senate.gov", "scraper": "hassan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001076", "name": "Margaret Wood Hassan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, is pressing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reinstate the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), which is the only nationwide system that tracks the experiences of women and their infants before, during, and after birth. As the United States faces a maternal health crisis, the Department of Health and Human Services chose to shut down PRAMS at the start of the Trump Administration in January 2025. PRAMS helped lawmakers and public health officials across the country develop and strengthen programs to protect maternal and infant health by providing a nationwide snapshot of the challenges that women face during prenatal and postpartum care, their mental and physical health, and the health of their babies.\n\n“Before January 2025, the federal Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, or ‘PRAMS,’ was the only nationwide system that helped us understand whether the programs that are intended to reduce maternal and infant deaths are working. Each month, states asked women who have recently given birth about their health and experiences before, during, and after pregnancy,” Senator Hassan wrote in a request to Secretary Kennedy to restore the program. “For decades, this information had been collected, anonymized, and posted in the PRAMS system by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, providing a nationwide snapshot of the challenges that women face during prenatal and postpartum care, their mental and physical health, and the health of their babies.”\n\nThe Senator continued, “Researchers and policymakers have used information from PRAMS to design programs that stop preventable maternal and infant deaths. For example, the system helped health workers in New Hampshire more effectively screen for and treat substance use in pregnant women... I am deeply concerned that disruptions to PRAMS have left permanent gaps in our understanding of maternal and infant health.”\n\nHassan is pressing Secretary Kennedy and his department to restore the PRAMS program, reinstate the staff working on it, and make all data on material and infant health that has been collected in the last year and half publicly available. Hassan’s push to restore PRAMS is supported by several organizations including the March of Dimes and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.\n\n“It cannot be overstated how important PRAMS is to the collective effort to improve U.S. maternal and infant health outcomes,”said Camille A. Clare, MD, MPH, CPE, FACOG, President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “For nearly 40 years, PRAMS has been the only tool we have that captures detailed, self-reported, state-specific information on topics such as prenatal and postpartum care, mental health, breastfeeding, housing, and income. This information gives ob-gyns important insights into maternal behaviors and experiences that help improve care delivery. Yet, for more than a year, PRAMS has been unable to function optimally without the necessary staff to provide states with analysis and technical assistance. It is imperative that PRAMS staff be reinstated so that we can stay abreast of emerging issues and continue monitoring changes in maternal and infant health that will ultimately help save lives.”\n\nSenator Hassan has led a number of efforts to ensure that new and expecting mothers have access to high-quality health care. Last year, Hassan led her colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act to support rural health care facilities in providing urgent obstetric care. The bill advanced from committee in July. Senator Hassan and the New Hampshire Congressional delegation also had previously fought to secure nearly $1 million in federal funding for Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center to strengthen maternal health care in the North Country. She introduced the Keep Obstetrics Local Act (KOLA), to help keep labor and delivery units in rural and underserved communities stay open, and the bipartisan Healthy Moms and Babies Act to strengthen health care for women before, after, and during childbirth. In 2023, thanks to Senator Hassan’sbipartisan legislation to improve mental health for new mothers, the Department of Health and Human Services launched theTask Force on Maternal Mental Health.\n\nRead the full text of Senator Hassan’s request to Secretary Kennedy here or below.\n\nDear Secretary Kennedy:\n\nThe United States faces a maternal health crisis. A larger share of American women and infants die from preventable causes than women and infants in peer nations. Despite this crisis, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services chose in January 2025 to shut down the only nationwide system that helps the public track the performance of federal programs that are intended to keep mothers and babies from dying preventable deaths. We urge you to immediately reinstate access to this centralized system and publicly release unpublished data from the past year and a half.\n\nBefore January 2025, the federal Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, or “PRAMS,” was the only nationwide system that helped us understand whether the programs that are intended to reduce maternal and infant deaths are working. Each month, states asked women who have recently given birth about their health and experiences before, during, and after pregnancy. For decades, this information had been collected, anonymized, and posted in the PRAMS system by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), providing a nationwide snapshot of the challenges that women face during prenatal and postpartum care, their mental and physical health, and the health of their babies.\n\nResearchers and policymakers have used information from PRAMS to design programs that stop preventable maternal and infant deaths. For example, the system helped health workers in New Hampshire more effectively screen for and treat substance use in pregnant women. In West Virginia, the state used PRAMS to identify high rates of unintended pregnancies among women battling addiction and used that information to target resources and reduce the number of babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome. Through PRAMS, the State of Maine found that pregnant women in that state used tobacco at a high rate, and in response, Maine created a new program to support smoking cessation among pregnant and postpartum women.\n\nIn January 2025, the administration shut down the PRAMS software that states use to collect maternal health data and the portal that the public used to access it. This forced many states to stop collecting responses for an average of three months, and in some cases for as long as eight months. You fired the CDC staff responsible for managing the program and have yet to restore the system that researchers used to study national PRAMS data.\n\nI am deeply concerned that disruptions to PRAMS have left permanent gaps in our understanding of maternal and infant health. I urge you to reinstate the CDC staff working on PRAMS, restore public access to the portal for studying national PRAMS data, and release PRAMS data that has not been made publicly available for the past year and a half.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/signed-into-law-hassan-grassley-legislation-to-support-victims-of-identity-theft", "title": "SIGNED INTO LAW: Hassan-Grassley Legislation to Support Victims of Identity Theft", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hassan.senate.gov", "scraper": "hassan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001076", "name": "Margaret Wood Hassan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – The Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act authored by Senators Maggie Hassan and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was signed into law yesterday. The bipartisan legislation makes it easier for identity theft victims to get help from the Social Security Administration.\n\n“Too often, victims of identity theft are forced to navigate a long, confusing process to get support from the Social Security Administration. This process is frustrating to victims and unnecessarily drains the agency’s resources,” said Senator Hassan. “My bipartisan bill will help streamline support from SSA for so that victims of identity theft can get the help that they need more quickly. I worked with colleagues across the aisle to pass this commonsense legislation, and I am glad to see it signed into law. I will continue pushing to make the government work more efficiently for victims of theft, fraud, and scams.”\n\n“Millions of Americans suffer from identity theft each year, and Social Security numbers are a top target. Unfortunately, when an identity theft victim calls up the Social Security Administration, they can be jerked around from one contact to another, having to reexplain the situation each time. By providing victims a single point of contact at the agency, our bill will help ease this frustrating and stressful process and make life easier for Iowans who may find themselves in this unfortunate situation. I want to thank my colleagues for their overwhelming support to get this legislation over the finish line,” said Senator Grassley.\n\nThe Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act provides a single point of contact at the Social Security Administration to more efficiently and quickly resolve and identity-theft victim’s issues.\n\nThe legislation was endorsed by numerous groups, including AARP, Social Security Works, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), Justice in Aging, and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).\n\nRead the full text of the bill here.\n\nThis bill builds on Senator Hassan’s longstanding efforts to protect taxpayers, prevent waste and fraud, and help government work more effectively for the American people. Earlier this year, she introduced the bipartisan ReportScams.gov Act to establish a centralized portal where Americans can report scams and get help. She also introduced the bipartisan No Aid for Ghost Students Act to prevent fraudsters from using stolen identities to steal federal student aid. As Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, Senator Hassan is leading a comprehensive investigation into combating scams, and as part of that, she led a Committee hearing earlier this year during which she secured commitments from the FBI and Department of Justice to improve coordination and strengthen the federal response to scams.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-lujan-introduce-legislation-to-expand-access-to-arts-education", "title": "Hirono, Luján Introduce Legislation to Expand Access to Arts Education", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hirono.senate.gov", "scraper": "hirono", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001042", "name": "Mazie K. Hirono", "party": "Democrat", "state": "HI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced the Arts Education for All Act, legislation to support and expand access to arts education and programming for young learners across the country.\n\n“Arts and creative expression are fundamental to a well-rounded education,” said Senator Hirono. “Art education programs provide our students with the unique opportunity to express themselves and expose them to diverse array of topics and disciplines. But these programs are often the first to be cut and the last to be funded, and it’s high time for a fundamental shift in the way we value those courses. I’m proud to sponsor the Arts Education for All Act to expand arts programing to make art more accessible to students across the country.”\n\nThe Arts Education for All Act would increase states’ ability to implement arts programming for early learners, K-12 students, and youth and adults involved in the justice system. The legislation would also strengthen research into arts education to help educators and policymakers better understand how the arts can support students and compliment their elementary and secondary education.\n\n“Arts education gives students the opportunity to learn, express themselves, and discover new talents, but too many young people lack access to these opportunities,” said Senator Luján. “All students, no matter where they live or their background, deserve the opportunity to experience the arts. That’s why I’m introducing the Arts Education for All Act to expand access to arts programming and help ensure that the arts remain an important part of educating and supporting the next generation.”\n\nSpecifically, the Arts Education for All Act would:\n\nStrengthen the ability to use Child Care and Development Block Grant funding for arts programming;\n\nExpand Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) plan provisions to include descriptions of how states would support and encourage arts education staff, instruction, and partnerships to improve student achievement across subjects;\n\nRequire state report cards under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to include information on arts courses and incorporate arts education as an element of K-12 school improvement;\n\nIncrease opportunities for local educational agencies to support professional development for arts teachers and the integration of the arts;\n\nStrengthen the integration of arts and arts education through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program by maximizing partnerships with community and arts-focused organizations to increase arts education and creative youth development in afterschool and summer learning programs;\n\nAllow states to document how they will coordinate juvenile justice and delinquency prevention services and activities with state and local arts agencies and organizations, using arts education to improve reentry efforts and reduce recidivism;\n\nEnhance research activities at the Institute of Education Sciences through a focus on arts and arts education research; and\n\nDirect the National Assessment Governing Board to reinstate arts assessments.\n\nSenator Hirono has long advocated for improving well-rounded public education. This year, she has held 3 spotlight forums highlighting the Trump administration’s attacks on public education and their dangerous impacts on students. Her most recent forum centered on the National Private School Voucher program and its threats to investments in public education. In May, she introduced the All Students Count Act to disaggregate data and ensure Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students are better accounted for by states and school districts and supported by schools across the country. In February, she introduced bicameral legislation to improve public school infrastructure and environments to ensure school facilities are safe, healthy, sustainable, and offer positive learning environments for all students. In 2025, she introduced legislation to promote the teaching of AANHPI history in schools across the country, which would require Presidential and Congressional Academies’ grant applicants and recipients to include AANHPI history as part of their American history and civics programs offered to students and teachers.\n\nCompanion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR).\n\nThe Arts Education for All Act has been endorsed by 132 national, state, and local organizations and individuals, including Americans for the Arts, the American Art Therapy Association, Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, Grantmakers in the Arts, and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). A full list of endorsements can be found here.\n\nSupporting quotes can be found here.\n\nFull bill text is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-north-dakotas-leadership-in-defense-manufacturing-grows-with-badland-batteries-new-plant", "title": "Hoeven: North Dakota’s Leadership in Defense Manufacturing Grows with Badland Batteries New Plant", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "scraper": "hoeven", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001061", "name": "John Hoeven", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, today outlined North Dakota’s growing leadership in defense manufacturing at the grand opening of Packet Digital’s new Badland Batteries’ manufacturing facility in Fargo. Over the last six years, Hoeven has secured $52.6 million in funding from the U.S. Navy to advance Packet Digital’s work on battery research, development and manufacturing. This new 80,000-square-foot plant will manufacture battery cells for unmanned aircraft systems and other defense and commercial technologies.\n\n“Building a strong domestic battery ecosystem is critical to our nation’s economic competitiveness and national security. That’s why we’ve worked over the last six years to secure more than $50 million dollars in federal funding to advance Packet Digital’s efforts in North Dakota. Today, we’re opening the first battery cell plant in the Upper Midwest and the largest UAS-specific cell factory in the nation,” said Hoeven. “Badland Batteries’ investment in North Dakota advances our efforts to strengthen American manufacturing, create high-quality jobs, and reduce dependence on foreign sources for critical technologies. This facility demonstrates how North Dakota continues to lead in innovation and contribute to our nation’s energy and defense priorities.”\n\nAs a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven is working to:\n\nSecure continued investment in Packet Digital’s battery development and domestic production work.\n\nStrengthen North Dakota’s role in defense through ongoing advanced battery manufacturing.\n\n-###-", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-demand-answers-on-trump-administration-directive-to-reject-established-vaccine-science", "title": "King, Colleagues Demand Answers on Trump Administration Directive to Reject Established Vaccine Science", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table", "domain": "www.king.senate.gov", "scraper": "angusking", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000383", "name": "Angus S. King, Jr.", "party": "Independent", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is joining his colleagues in questioning the Trump Administration’s directives to reject established vaccine science, as the United States faces the largest measles outbreak in 35 years. In a letter to Dr. Erica Schwartz, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the lawmakers confront her on dangerous efforts to reject established vaccine science, and demand answers about the CDC’s attempts to implement President Trump’s childhood vaccine Executive Order (EO), underreport measles-associated deaths, and stall access to childhood immunizations.\n\nThe United States is facing a decline in childhood immunization rates. Recently, the CDC reported that 280,000 kindergartners did not complete their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine series. This comes as the Trump administration has actively worked to lower the number of recommended immunizations, break up safe and effective combination shots, and promote legal action against states unaligned with such efforts.\n\nThe lawmakers began, “[...] As the United States is experiencing the largest measles outbreak in 35 years, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) aimed at dismantling core immunization guidelines, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to lay the groundwork for fundamentally restructuring the routine childhood immunization schedule.”\n\n“At the same time, reports indicate the CDC, under your leadership, excluded verified state-reported measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania from the public mortality count. All of this is happening while the CDC delayed access to fall respiratory virus vaccines through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. We are deeply concerned by this administration’s persistent efforts to reject settled science. As CDC Director, you bear a responsibility to uphold scientific integrity, and we write seeking answers on how the CDC will respond to the EO and the RFI, and how you will honor the pledge you made to ensure that the CDC leads with evidence-based public health,” they continued.\n\n“The health of American children and families depends on a CDC Director who is willing to follow the science, even when it may be politically inconvenient,” concluded the lawmakers.\n\nIn addition to King, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD.), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).\n\nLast year, Senator King spoke on the Senate floor to discuss the removal of Congressionally-approved funding from critical public services including, but not limited to, the World Health Organization (WHO), which leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage and directs and coordinates the world’s response to health emergencies before they can pose a threat to American lives. Calling it an “abdication of Congressional-authority,” he shared how some of the Trump Administration’s decisions have gone from bad policy to downright dangerous. Since then, he has called out multiple Trump Administration officials for their willingness – or lack thereof—to speak the truth, even when it is politically inconvenient.\n\nThe text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\n+++\n\nDr. Schwartz:\n\nAt your confirmation hearing, you said that your “sacred responsibility” as Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would be to provide “clear, honest, and evidence-based” public health guidance and to “never betray the science.” In the short time since your confirmation as CDC Director, the health and safety of our children have been subjected to further chaos and confusion. As the United States is experiencing the largest measles outbreak in 35 years, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) aimed at dismantling core immunization guidelines, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to lay the groundwork for fundamentally restructuring the routine childhood immunization schedule. At the same time, reports indicate the CDC, under your leadership, excluded verified state-reported measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania from the public mortality count. All of this is happening while the CDC delayed access to fall respiratory virus vaccines through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. We are deeply concerned by this administration’s persistent efforts to reject settled science. As CDC Director, you bear a responsibility to uphold scientific integrity, and we write seeking answers on how the CDC will respond to the EO and the RFI, and how you will honor the pledge you made to ensure that the CDC leads with evidence-based public health.\n\nThe CDC recently reported that the number of children up-to-date on their immunizations has continued to decline, including 280,000 kindergartners who did not complete the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) series. Instead of spending time and dedicating resources to promote the need for childhood immunizations, President Trump called for breaking up combination shots like the MMR vaccine into single-disease shots that are not available in the United States, cutting the number of diseases every child is recommended to be protected against from 18 to 11, and directing the Attorney General to advance legal challenges to state laws. Following this EO, HHS issued an RFI on the childhood immunization schedule, aimed at bypassing the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which have developed recommendations for over 60 years. These efforts are only a part of the systematic attacks spearheaded by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. CDC’s scientists, not political appointees, should be at the center of any decision about the childhood immunization schedule.\n\nDuring this same timeframe, CDC’s public actions under your leadership raise serious concerns regarding your willingness to counter these unscientific measures – including reports that four measles-associated deaths verified and reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health were excluded from the CDC’s public national mortality count for weeks, even as internal CDC systems continue to track these fatalities. This is a clear break from long-standing agency precedent, including last year’s standard reporting of measles deaths in Texas and directly contradicts the commitment to “objective data collection and reporting” that has been CDC’s foundation. If the agency under your leadership is altering verified state data to fit political preferences, the pledge you made at your confirmation hearing has already been broken.\n\nWe request responses to the following questions in writing by October 16, 2026.\n\nCDC Role on the Executive Order on Childhood Vaccines\n\nDid anyone from the White House or HHS consult you about the Executive Order either before or after it was issued?\n\na. If so, who reached out, what was discussed, and when did these communication(s) occur?\n\nb. If not, have you raised, or do you plan to raise, any concerns with President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, or any other administration official(s)?\n\nHow is the CDC planning to implement the provisions outlined in the EO? What steps have been taken already and what are planned? Please provide a detailed summary of these plans.\n\nWhat role, if any, did CDC career scientists have in developing the EO’s recommendations?\n\nThe EO directs the Secretary, acting through the HHS Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines, to present plans to the President within 90 days on single-disease vaccine options, the timing and sequencing of childhood vaccines, and safety monitoring. What role does the CDC have in developing those plans, and which CDC officials are participating?\n\nThe EO recommends reducing the number of routine immunizations from 18 to 11. Do you support that specific recommendation? What scientific evidence supports removing the other diseases from the immunizations recommended for all children, and has the CDC estimated the additional illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths that could result?\n\nDo you agree that spacing out immunizations across additional visits lengthens the window of vulnerability for infants and young children? If not, please provide the evidence on which CDC relies.\n\nThe EO recommends separating combination shots like MMR into single-disease shots. No single-disease MMR vaccine is currently available in the United States. Other countries that have tried this – like Japan in the 1990s – saw increased outbreaks, ultimately resulting in them reverting to a combination shot. Do you support this specific provision even though it is not currently available in the U.S., would require more shots and doctor visits, and lacks scientific backing? Why is the federal government recommending an option to families that does not exist, causing additional confusion?\n\nWhat scientific evidence supports separating combination vaccines like MMR into single-disease doses? Please provide CDC analyses of peer-reviewed studies, epidemiological analyses, or international precedent that demonstrates this change would actually improve health outcomes. If no such evidence exists, will you decline to implement this provision?\n\nThe public comment period for the HHS RFI closed on September 20, 2026. Did CDC scientists review or contribute to the RFI before it was published? What role will CDC scientists have in reviewing the comments and in any resulting changes to the categories of federal vaccine recommendations?\n\nData Collection and Reporting\n\nHas the CDC instituted a new policy for reviewing, altering, or withholding state-reported health data before public posting?\n\nIf so, what scientific evidence supports this change and what deliberations occurred?\n\nIf there is no such policy, on what basis were Pennsylvania’s measles deaths excluded from the public tracker, and who at CDC authorized that exclusion?\n\nAs of today, the CDC has only included two of the measles-associated deaths reported by the State of Pennsylvania. What specific technical, scientific, or epidemiological basis justified excluding Pennsylvania’s state-reported measles deaths from the CDC's public tracker while still including them on internal trackers?\n\nDid any White House or HHS officials contact you or your staff regarding the public reporting of Pennsylvania’s measles deaths? Please provide all communication between CDC leadership and any White House or HHS official regarding the reporting of state-verified measles deaths since your confirmation.\n\nVaccines for Children Program\n\nWhy did the CDC delay opening orders for COVID vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC)? Please provide the timeline of when decisions were made concerning the VFC program.\n\nWhat made the CDC decide to open ordering for COVID vaccines through the VFC program on September 24, 2026 and not earlier?\n\nHave you personally been asked by Secretary Kennedy, the White House, or any other HHS or Trump administration official to delay or condition VFC activation for the COVID vaccine? If so, please describe the request and identify who made it. If such a request was made in writing, please provide it.\n\nWho at CDC, HHS, or the White House made the decision to delay VFC activation for the COVID vaccine, and on what basis? Please produce all internal communications, memoranda, and legal or scientific analyses supporting that decision.\n\nWhat guidance has CDC provided to state health departments, pediatricians, and VFC providers about the status of COVID vaccines under VFC? How soon can VFC vaccines be expected to be in the possession of clinicians and accessible for children?\n\nThe health of American children and families depends on a CDC Director who is willing to follow the science, even when it may be politically inconvenient. We look forward to your response and to seeing whether the CDC under your leadership honors the commitments you made at your confirmation hearing.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-colleagues-lead-nearly-190-members-of-congress-in-slamming-hhs-effort-to-dismantle-head-start/", "title": "Luján, Colleagues Lead Nearly 190 Members of Congress in Slamming HHS Effort to Dismantle Head Start", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Luján, Leaders Schumer & Jeffries, Senators Sanders and Warnock, Representatives Scott, Bonamici and Budzinski Lead Bicameral Group of Lawmakers in Demanding Trump Administration Halt Planned Gutting of Head Start\n\nWashington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), one of two Head Start graduates to serve in the U.S. Senate, joined colleagues in leading nearly one hundred ninety Members of Congress in demanding that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) withdraw its proposal to remove more than 90 percent of Head Start’s standards that ensure children receive a high-quality early education. Under the proposed rule, nearly one in ten children currently enrolled in Head Start could become ineligible overnight.\n\nIn the Senate, the letter is led by Senator Luján, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Sanders (I-VT), and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA). In the House, the letter is led by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Early Childhood and Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee Ranking Member Bonamici (D-OR-01), and Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13).\n\nThe Members are concerned that the proposed rule would illegally modify and weaken the services required by the Head Start Act. Specifically, the rule would eliminate federal quality standards for Head Start classrooms, including safety standards, staff-to-child ratios, staff qualifications, and standards for teaching. Additionally, the rule would erode critical services Head Start provides children and families, including health services. It would also shorten Head Start operating hours, eliminate enrollment protections for children with disabilities, and undermine services for dual language learners.\n\n“This proposed rule is a brazen attempt to dismantle Head Start without regard for the hundreds of thousands of young children and working-class families who depend on these programs and services every year. Under your proposal, Head Start children could be subject to corporal punishment; left unsupervised; have larger class sizes; have less qualified teachers; and no longer receive preventative and continuous health services, including oral health and mental health services,” wrote the Members. “We strongly urge you to withdraw the proposed rule, obey the law, and protect the legacy of Head Start.”\n\nSince the beginning of the second Trump Administration, HHS has repeatedly attempted to undermine and disrupt Head Start programs with an aggressive deregulation agenda, illegally withholding funding, firing federal staff, and threats to eliminate the program entirely. These actions serve the Trump Administration’s goal to end the Head Start program as laid out on page 482 of Project 2025.\n\nIn the Senate, in addition to Senator Luján, the letter was signed by: Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Timothy Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).\n\nIn the House, the letter was signed by: House Democratic LeaderHakeem S. Jeffries (NY-08) and Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald S. Beyer (VA-08), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Everton Blair (GA-13), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Shontel M. Brown (OH-11), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud O. Carbajal (CA-24), Andre Carson (IN-07), Troy A. Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Ed Case (HI-01), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr. (CA-31), Katherine M. Clark (MA-05), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Jason Crow (CO-06), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Donald G. Davis (NC-01), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Christopher R. Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-3), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (MD-3), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-3), Bill Foster (IL-11), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-8), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Pablo José Hernández (PR-AL), James A. Himes (CT-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Timothy M. Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), John W. Mannion (NY-22), Doris O. Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Richard E. Neal (MA-01), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Johnny Olszewski Jr. (MD-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Scott H. Peters (CA-50), Brittany Petterson (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie B. Raskin (MD-08), Josh Riley (NY-19), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda T. Sanchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Bradley Scott Schneider (IL-10), Hillary J. Scholten (MI-03), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie A. Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley M. Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Mark Takano (CA-39), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Shultz (FL-25), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).\n\nTo read the full letter, click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshall-drug-czar-carter-host-kansas-roundtables-on-drug-prevention-combating-drug-crisis/", "title": "Senator Marshall, Drug Czar Carter Host Kansas Roundtables on Drug Prevention & Combating Drug Crisis", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.marshall.senate.gov", "scraper": "marshall", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001198", "name": "Roger Marshall", "party": "Republican", "state": "KS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Wichita – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) and Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, or “Drug Czar,” Sara Carter hosted two roundtables in Kansas focused on preventing drug use, strengthening community partnerships and combating the drug crisis. The discussions brought together education, prevention, community and law enforcement leaders to address the drug threats facing Kansas and identify ways to better protect communities.\n\nClick here for more photos.\n\nThe first roundtable, held at Wichita Northwest High School, focused on youth drug prevention and the role schools, families, community organizations and law enforcement can play in keeping young people away from drugs. During the discussion, Carter and Marshall announced a new partnership between the Drug Free Communities Support (DFC) program and Wichita Northwest High School to develop the nation’s first youth-to-youth primary prevention toolkit.\n\nThe toolkit will be led by students and guided by adults, giving young people a direct role in developing prevention strategies for their peers. The initiative will bring together Wichita Northwest High School, the DFC program and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) partners, with a goal of launching the toolkit at the start of the 2027-28 school year.\n\n“We don’t want the next generation to inherit the drug crisis we are fighting today. We need to empower young people to take this crisis on head-on because they know what their friends and classmates are facing,” said Senator Marshall. “I appreciate Director Carter and ONDCP for putting young people at the center of this effort and giving them the tools to lead. It’s great to see a Kansas school setting an example and empowering students to take ownership in this fight.”\n\n“The DFC program has been successful because it empowers local leaders- those who know their communities best- with federal resources to make a difference in the lives of countless young Americans. Among those leaders, and some of our most powerful advocates, are youth themselves,”said Drug Czar Sara Carter. “The students developing this toolkit know better than anyone the pressures their peers face, and how to best overcome them. I look forward to the release of their work.”\n\n“We are excited that students of our district were selected to help create this national toolkit, giving young people a voice in shaping youth engagement efforts nationwide,” said Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld.\n\nThe second roundtable, held at the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, focused on the law enforcement response to the drug crisis and brought together federal, state and local law enforcement leaders to discuss drug trafficking, strengthen coordination between agencies and address the threats facing Kansas communities.\n\nSenator Marshall has made combating the drug crisis and protecting Kansas communities a priority. He has advocated for full funding of the Midwest HIDTA program, which supports law enforcement agencies across the region in disrupting drug trafficking. He also championed the Cooper Davis Act to address the online trafficking of counterfeit drugs and has pressed federal officials to take action against dangerous substances, including concentrated 7-OH.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/daines-merkley-announce-sweeping-bipartisan-proposal-to-save-the-senate/", "title": "Daines, Merkley Announce Sweeping Bipartisan Proposal to “Save the Senate”", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "End the Senate’s Dysfunction and Deliver Results for the American People\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today announced the rollout of a sweeping bipartisan proposal that would enact major changes to the Senate’s governing rules. These changes would help restore the Senate’s purpose of robust debate and bipartisan policymaking so that the Senate can legislate effectively and tackle pressing challenges facing the country.\n\nThese major reforms will “Save the Senate.”\n\n“For much of our history the American people could rely on the Senate to tackle our hardest challenges. But over the past 50 years, deliberation in the U.S. Senate has all but ground to a halt due to toxic, partisan political culture. As a result, the Senate has become unnecessarily—and unacceptably—diminished as the world’s greatest deliberative body.\n\n“Both parties had a role in creating the Senate’s dysfunction, and both parties have a responsibility to fix it. That’s why we’re working together—a Democrat and a Republican—to put forward this proposal to Save the Senate.\n\n“Our proposal will incentivize bipartisan cooperation, strengthen committees, empower members of both parties to bring and amend bills on the Senate floor, help prevent government shutdowns, and reduce needless procedural delays. These reforms will help the Senate solve our nation’s problems and deliver results for the American people,” said Daines and Merkley.\n\nSpecifically, the proposal would:\n\nIncrease time for debate on more legislation by eliminating cloture votes on nominations, motions to proceed, and amendments. Retains cloture vote prior to final passage under regular order.\n\nCreate a Senate version of the House “suspension” calendar. Bipartisan bills that have cleared committee would be eligible for swift Senate passage at a two-thirds threshold.\n\nCreate a fast-track tool that would allow bipartisan bills that have cleared committee to be processed, amended, and passed at a simple majority threshold.\n\nCreate another fast-track tool that would allow bipartisan spending bills to be brought to the Senate floor, amended, and passed in two days.\n\nRead the full details of Daines’ and Merkley’s proposals HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-announce-more-than-1-million-to-support-addiction-and-recovery-services-in-eastern-oregon/", "title": "Wyden, Merkley Announce More Than $1 Million to Support Addiction and Recovery Services in Eastern Oregon", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced more than $1 million in federal awards to help combat the opioid epidemic and to support addiction and recovery services in Eastern Oregon.\n\n“The opioid epidemic continues to harm communities across the state, especially in rural areas that often have limited addiction treatment resources,” Wyden said. “I applaud this federal award to the Oregon Washington Health Network that will strengthen addiction and recovery services for Eastern Oregonians, and I will continue to fight for every possible resource to support mental health services and combat the opioid epidemic across Oregon.”\n\n“I have heard heart-wrenching stories from Oregonians who have lost loved ones after a prescription for an injury or treatment turned into an addiction,” said Merkley. “Communities need access to addiction and treatment services, and this critical support will help Pendleton improve access to critical services for opioid use disorder.”\n\nThe $1.05 million in federal awards from Health Resources and Services Administration’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program will be distributed to The Oregon Washington Health Network, a non-profit based in Pendleton dedicated to health equity in Umatilla, Union, and Morrow counties in Oregon, and Walla Walla County in Washington. The award will be used to improve access to treatment and recovery services for substance use disorder and opioid use disorder.\n\n“In rural communities, access isn’t just about whether a service exists, but whether it’s available when and where people actually need it. These awards give us the opportunity to strengthen the services already working in our communities, expand peer and recovery supports, and create new pathways for people to stay connected to recovery close to home,” said Jenna Stenrud, Executive Director of Oregon Washington Health Network.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/as-hurricane-isaias-approaches-floridas-coast-senator-moody-reminds-floridians-in-the-path-to-execute-safety-plans/", "title": "As Hurricane Isaias Approaches Florida’s Coast, Senator Moody Reminds Floridians in the Path to Execute Safety Plans", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.moody.senate.gov", "scraper": "moody", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001244", "name": "Ashley Moody", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Senator Ashley Moody is urging Floridians in the path of Hurricane Isaias to execute safety plans and be prepared to weather the storm. Isaias is projected to make landfall near the Pensacola region late Friday night, bringing heavy winds, storm surge and rainfall to areas along the Gulf Coast and inland. Senator Moody is issuing safety tips to help Floridians in advance of the storm strike.\n\n“The window to finish preparations for Isaias is rapidly closing. I’m urging Floridians in the path of the storm to execute their storm prep plans and fortify their homes—and if local officials issue evacuation orders, please follow their directions. Together, we will weather the storm,” said Senator Ashley Moody.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nBefore the storm:\n\nKnow evacuation routes and shelter locations;\n\nStock up on enough food, water and emergency supplies for the entire household for at least seven days;\n\nGather important documents, such as insurance, medical and banking records;\n\nMonitor weather reports; and\n\nFollow local officials’ directions.\n\nSenator Moody added a webpage on her site for Floridians looking for resources and tips for getting prepared for storms—visit Moody.Senate.gov/Storm-Preparation to learn more.\n\nSenator Moody is sharing the following resources to help get prepared:\n\nFlorida Department of Emergency Management;\n\nFEMA;\n\nNational Hurricane Center;\n\nAt the beginning of the Hurricane Season, Senator Moody teamed up with Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel to issue a public service announcement reminding Floridians about the importance of being prepared for storms.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/fresh-off-codel-to-the-gulf-murphy-accuses-trump-hegseth-of-active-cover-up-of-iran-war-addresses-future-of-us-saudi-relations", "title": "Fresh Off CODEL to the Gulf, Murphy Accuses Trump, Hegseth of 'Active Cover Up' of Iran War, Addresses Future of U.S.-Saudi Relations", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.murphy.senate.gov", "scraper": "chrismurphy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001169", "name": "Christopher Murphy", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) offered his first takeaway on his Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East, which included stops in Doha, Qatar and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to members of the press to share reflections and answer questions. Murphy was the first Democratic Senator to visit the Gulf since the start of Trump’s war with Iran.\n\nMurphy spoke on the growing chaos he witnessed on the ground in the Middle East, as Trump's Iran War continues to spiral: “I saw firsthand how this war is spiraling downward very quickly. The Riyadh airport is functionally closed, with hundreds of flights being delayed or canceled. The day that I left there were Iranian attacks on the airport. You can sense that Saudi Arabia is a country at war right now. They are starting a major ground campaign with their Yemeni government partners, and you feel in Saudi Arabia how this war has become a regional war. This was, of course, completely foreseeable and predictable.”\n\nMurphy chronicled how Pete Hegseth is orchestrating a cover-up of the Iran war, blocking members of Congress from conducting standard oversight of military bases, or even speaking to military leadership in the Gulf: “There is an active cover-up going on right now… I spoke personally to Admiral Cooper and asked him to give us access. I told him during a briefing that we had with him right before I left that not only had I been denied access to the bases, but that military leadership wasn't even going to speak with me while I was in Qatar. I will tell you he was surprised to learn that the policy also prevented him and his leadership from speaking to me at that meeting. At that briefing we had with him early last week, he promised that it would be possible to at least provide a briefing. My impression was certainly—I do not want to speak for him—but my impression was that he didn't support either policy: neither the policy to deny access to bases nor the policy to refuse briefings. But apparently he couldn't change Secretary Hegseth's mind because when I arrived in Qatar, I was told that not only would I not be able to see Al Udeid, but I would not have any access to military leadership while I was there. But this cover-up is real. Hegseth is determined to hide the cost and the consequences of this war from the American public. It is absolutely outrageous that I and Republican senators are being denied the ability to see the damage for ourselves.”\n\nMurphy laid out the long, bipartisan history of Members of Congress conducting oversight in active war zones, and how Hegseth’s Department of Defense blocked Murphy’s efforts to visit Al Udeid Air Base: “It is absolutely ordinary for members of Congress to travel to areas of conflict and get to talk directly to the military leaders and the soldiers that are involved in the conflict, and see for ourselves the damage that has been done to our bases and equipment. I traveled to both Iraq and Afghanistan at the height of those wars. I was in Baghdad during one of the most dangerous offensives there. I was flown by the military to a forward operating base in Afghanistan at the very moment that base was under attack by the Taliban. Why? Because it's Congress that decides whether to fund a war or whether to defund a war, whether to authorize a war, and we can't do our job without seeing in-person the consequences of the war. I made every effort I could to be able to carry out my responsibility as a member of the Senate. We reached out to the Department of Defense to tell them we were coming weeks in advance and asked them for access to bases there, in particular Al Udeid, which is our biggest military installation in the region in Qatar. We followed that up with a formal request in writing, and then I spoke personally to Admiral Cooper and asked him to give us access.”\n\nDescribing the extensive, long-term damage to the American Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Murphy emphasized that Trump's recklessness put dozens of American lives at risk: “I was able to view the damage at our embassy in Saudi Arabia. It was extraordinary. Had that attack happened during the daytime, there's no doubt that there would have been many, many Americans killed. I saw the damage at Raslif, the big Qatari gas plant. 17% of their exports have been eliminated, probably at least for the next three years as they repair that damage. I saw only one LNG tanker in port, whereas they normally have six tankers in that port. One is leaving per day on average compared to ten before the war.”\n\nMurphy described his candid conversations with leadership in the region funneling money to the Trump family, pressing them to end the corruption: “I told the Qataris that no matter how much pressure they got from Donald Trump to gift that plane, they should have said no, because it is obvious what's happening here. The plane is going to be in U.S. hands for a matter of years, and then Trump is going to take it knowing that this was a corrupt deal. The Qataris should have said no. I also spoke very candidly to Mohammed bin Salman and told him that his investments in Jared Kushner's private equity funds and his invitation to Trump and his business entities to partner on projects in Saudi Arabia was an enormous problem for the U.S.-Saudi relationship in the long run. Both leaders told me that they believe this to be good business, and they claimed, of course, that they were doing nothing illegal on their end of the deal. Even if that's true, the problem is that Trump is shaping our foreign policy in order to try to get deals in the region.”\n\nAs one of the Senate’s loudest critics of the Saudi regime, Murphy explained his decision to meet with Mohammed Bin Salman and stressed the need for multiple American perspectives in the region: “I definitely thought long and hard about whether I should meet with Mohammed bin Salman, given my criticism and given the legitimacy that sometimes comes with meetings with leaders in the United States. But I worry that the Saudis, in particular, are hearing only one view from the United States, and I think it was important for them to hear from my side of the aisle that cares about the corruption and wants there to be more political space for dissidents to operate in Saudi Arabia and throughout the region.”\n\nMurphy recognized how far Saudi Arabia has come over the last decade, but maintained that more must be done for political dissidents: “One of the reasons I wanted to go to Saudi Arabia is because I do know that there is a social transformation happening in that country, and I wanted to see it for myself. It is real. Just a decade ago, there were no movie theaters or concert halls open. Men and women weren't sitting with each other in cafes. Certainly, women were not allowed to walk around in public uncovered. All of those things are happening. There is a legitimate social and cultural transformation happening in Saudi Arabia and it was I think important for me to see it for myself. That being said, there's no defense for what has also happened in Saudi Arabia in the last 10 years—a massive contraction of political space. There is no room to dissent from the kingdom's policies, and that's unacceptable.”\n\nIn an unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) under Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership denied Murphy access to the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, despite decades of precedent for DOD supporting CODELs to American military bases under active threat to uphold Congress’s oversight duties. Prior to his CODEL, Murphy requested access to the base via a letter and direct appeal to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) leadership to no avail. While DOD denied him access to U.S. military facilities, the U.S. Department of State supported Murphy’s trip to the region.\n\nIn Saudi Arabia, Murphy sat down with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud; toured the damage done to the U.S. embassy in Riyadh; engaged with economic and cultural leaders; and talked with University of New Haven students at the first American university campus in Saudi Arabia, among other things.\n\nIn Qatar, Murphy met with His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Additionally, Murphy met with Ali Al Thawadi, Qatari Minister for Strategic Affairs and a key diplomat who coordinates U.S.-Iran shuttle diplomacy; Qatari royal and Qatar Foundation Vice Chair Sheikha Hind Al Thani in Education City to discuss the presence of American universities in Qatar; and Qatar Energy CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, among others.\n\nA transcript of Murphy’s opening remarks is available below. A video of his opening remarks is available here.\n\nI went to the Middle East because it's really important for members of Congress to see firsthand the impact of war, and we are at war with Iran, a war that is spiraling out of control. This is a very important function of Congress, particularly for members of the Foreign Relations Committee and members of the Defense Appropriations Committee, and I am both.\n\nI saw firsthand how this war is spiraling downward very quickly, and that's the first point I want to make. I think as we speak right now, the Riyadh airport is functionally closed, with hundreds of flights being delayed or canceled. The day that I left there were Iranian attacks on the airport, and you can sense that Saudi Arabia is a country at war right now. They are starting a major ground campaign with their Yemeni government partners, and you feel in Saudi Arabia how this war has become a regional war. This was, of course, completely foreseeable and predictable. Everybody knew that if we went to war with Iran, there would be other wars that would erupt in the region, and being there—being able to see the damage that was done to our embassy, being in Qatar and seeing the massive damage that was done to their biggest gas plants—it was a unique and harrowing opportunity for me to see in person how out of control this war has become and how it's getting worse, not better. Especially as Yemen plunges into crisis again, which will lead to the death of thousands and the starvation of thousands more.\n\nThe second thing to say is this: there is an active cover-up going on right now. It is absolutely ordinary for members of Congress to travel to areas of conflict and get to talk directly to the military leaders and the soldiers that are involved in the conflict, and see for ourselves the damage that has been done to our bases and equipment. I traveled to both Iraq and Afghanistan at the height of those wars. I was in Baghdad during one of the most dangerous offensives there. I was flown by the military to a forward operating base in Afghanistan at the very moment that base was under attack by the Taliban. Why? Because it's Congress that decides whether to fund a war or whether to defund a war, whether to authorize a war, and we can't do our job without seeing in person the consequences of the war.\n\nI made every effort I could to be able to carry out my responsibility as a member of the Senate. We reached out to the Department of Defense to tell them we were coming weeks in advance and asked them for access to bases there, in particular Al Udeid, which is our biggest military installation in the region in Qatar. We followed that up with a formal request in writing, and then I spoke personally to Admiral Cooper and asked him to give us access. I told him during a briefing that we had with him right before I left that not only had I been denied access to the bases, but that military leadership wasn't even going to speak with me while I was in Qatar. I will tell you he was surprised to learn that the policy also prevented him and his leadership from speaking to me at that meeting. At that briefing we had with him early last week, he promised that it would be possible to at least provide a briefing. My impression was certainly—I do not want to speak for him—but my impression was that he didn't support either policy: neither the policy to deny access to bases nor the policy to refuse briefings. But apparently he couldn't change Secretary Hegseth's mind because when I arrived in Qatar, I was told that not only would I not be able to see Al Udeid, but I would not have any access to military leadership while I was there.\n\nAs I mentioned, that didn't stop me from being able to see the damage. I was able to view the damage at our embassy in Saudi Arabia. It was extraordinary. Had that attack happened during the daytime, there's no doubt that there would have been many, many Americans killed. I saw the damage at Raslif, the big Qatari gas plant. 17% of their exports have been eliminated, probably at least for the next three years as they repair that damage. I saw only one LNG tanker in port, whereas they normally have six tankers in that port. One is leaving per day on average compared to ten before the war. So I was able to see some of the damage, but this cover-up is real. Hegseth is determined to hide the cost and the consequences of this war from the American public. It is absolutely outrageous that I and Republican senators are being denied the ability to see the damage for ourselves.\n\nThe third thing to say is this: I spoke to both the [Qatari] Emir and Mohammed bin Salman about Trump's foreign policy corruption. These were hard conversations, but I think that they were very important, especially since most of the dialog our leaders in the Middle East are having is with corrupt members of the Trump administration who often have their hand out looking to monetize American foreign policy. I told the Qataris that no matter how much pressure they got from Donald Trump to gift that plane, they should have said no, because it is obvious what's happening here. The plane is going to be in U.S. hands for a matter of years, and then Trump is going to take it knowing that this was a corrupt deal. The Qataris should have said no. I also spoke very candidly to Mohammed bin Salman and told him that his investments in Jared Kushner's private equity funds and his invitation to Trump and his business entities to partner on projects in Saudi Arabia was an enormous problem for the U.S.-Saudi relationship in the long run. Both leaders told me that they believe this to be good business, and they claimed, of course, that they were doing nothing illegal on their end of the deal. Even if that's true, the problem is that Trump is shaping our foreign policy in order to try to get deals in the region. I do not think it's a coincidence that he was willing to do unprecedented business with the Saudis, selling them F-35s, entering into an incomplete nuclear deal. For him, he believes that that helps entice the Saudis to do further business with him and his friends.\n\nThe last thing I'll say before taking questions is this. One of the reasons I wanted to go to Saudi Arabia, and this was my first trip to Saudi Arabia, is because I do know that there is a social transformation happening in that country, and I wanted to see it for myself. It is real. Just a decade ago, there were no movie theaters or concert halls open. Men and women weren't sitting with each other in cafes. Certainly, women were not allowed to walk around in public uncovered. All of those things are happening. There is a legitimate social and cultural transformation happening in Saudi Arabia, and it was I think important for me to see it for myself. That being said, there's no defense for what has also happened in Saudi Arabia in the last 10 years—a massive contraction of political space. There is no room to dissent from the kingdom's policies, and that's unacceptable. MBS told me when I pressed him on this that he needed to eliminate the ability for political speech in order to get his social reforms done. He was essentially saying, \"I need to silence the conservative critics of my social reforms in order for them to take hold.” I just fundamentally disagree with him. We went through massive social change in the United States between the women's suffrage movements, the civil rights movement, without having to restrict free speech. And it seems to me just an excuse, a cover for what is a political campaign of repression designed to keep himself in power. I think it was important for me to meet with them.\n\nI definitely thought long and hard about whether I should meet with Mohammed bin Salman, given my criticism and given the legitimacy that sometimes comes with meetings with leaders in the United States. But I worry that the Saudis, in particular, are hearing only one view from the United States, and I think it was important for them to hear from my side of the aisle that cares about the corruption and wants there to be more political space for dissidents to operate in Saudi Arabia and throughout the region. I'll stop there, and I'm happy to talk a little bit more about the meetings. Obviously, there are parts of those conversations that I should not reveal. We talked in depth about shuttle diplomacy between the United States and Iran. I talked to Mohammed bin Salman both about the Iranian war and their efforts in Qatar, but I'll try to share as much as I can about those conversations.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/in-olympia-murray-hears-from-state-leaders-on-wa-efforts-to-regulate-ai-murray-emphasizes-need-for-federal-action-without-preemption/", "title": "In Olympia, Murray Hears from State Leaders on WA Efforts to Regulate AI; Murray Emphasizes Need for Federal Action Without Preemption", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Senator Murray: “We can’t afford to regulate AI with nothing but a pinky promise. We cannot just wait for the worst risks of this technology to become reality before we take action.”\n\nMurray has opposed the Trump administration’s efforts to stamp out state-level regulations of AI\n\nICYMI: In Seattle, Murray Highlights Urgent Need to Deploy AI Safely, Transparently, and to Benefit Working People; Murray Says Pro-Worker, Pro-Family Policies Don’t Have to Wait\n\n***VIDEO HERE***\n\nOlympia, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable discussion with state leaders on Washington state’s latest efforts to regulate AI and underscored the need for a strong federal floor to ensure AI is deployed safely, transparently, and benefits working people.\n\nJoining Senator Murray for the discussion today were: Beau Perschbacher, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Bob Ferguson; Yuki Ishizuka, Senior Policy Analyst and Technology Policy Manager at the Washington State Office of the Attorney General; Gretchen Peri, Chief Technology Officer at Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech); and Rob Eleveld, Chief Executive Officer at the Transparency Coalition.\n\n“I’m not an expert in AI, I’m a former preschool teacher. But I’ll tell you what: I ran for office exactly because I believe regular people deserve a say in how their government is run—the exact same is true for the development of this technology. There are real opportunities with AI—in medicine, in discovery. But this technology will also likely mean disruption and it poses real challenges and threats. And right now regulation of AI is virtually nonexistent at the federal level. I want America to develop and deploy this technology in a way that is transparent and safe—and we have got to make sure the benefits of AI are for everyone, not just billionaires and giant corporations. And we have to stay ahead of the risks too,” said Senator Murray. “I recently spoke with the so-called godfather of AI, Geoffrey Hinton, he made it absolutely clear that there are real safety risks that require urgent action. When the stakes are this high, we cannot take safety for granted. That’s just common sense. No one would say nuclear plants can regulate themselves—or drug companies. Why would we ignore something as powerful and potentially dangerous as AI?”\n\n“At minimum, over in Congress, we need to think about a floor of basic, bipartisan guardrails the entire country can get behind: for that to happen, we need hearings, briefings, testimony from industry leaders, markups, debate, and more. So far the Republican majority has done nothing. Trump wants to call AI risks a ‘hoax’ and call it a day. His most significant AI policies to date? He tried to rename it, and threatened states’ funding if they dare to regulate it. Trump shaking hands with billionaires and saying they can regulate themselves is not going to cut it,” continued Senator Murray. “We can’t afford to regulate AI with nothing but a pinky promise. We cannot just wait for the worst risks of this technology to become reality before we take action.”\n\n“In Congress, we need to think about a floor of basic, bipartisan guardrails the entire country can get behind. There’s no time to delay AI safety. When it comes to the economy, I absolutely want to explore big ideas. But we already know what working families need: paid leave, universal health care and child care, and stronger unions. If we’re expecting major economic disruption, we should write that safety net into law now, not after workers have already been left behind,” said Senator Murray in closing. “Washington state has been leading on these questions, and I came to Olympia to hear directly from state leaders about what they’ve done and what they’re considering next. I’m taking what I heard back to the other Washington, because the people of this state, and this country, deserve a government that is ready for what’s coming.”\n\nSenator Murray made clear that while policymakers can’t yet predict exactly how AI will change our economy and how we work, there is no reason for Congress to delay in passing so many of Murray’s longstanding legislative priorities that would benefit working people like stronger labor laws and enforcement, national paid leave, universal health care, the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, affordable child care for every working family, and much more.\n\n“We need guardrails to ensure that AI development does not infringe on our rights, harm our families, or pose an existential risk to our country,” said Attorney General Nick Brown. “Congress should act swiftly to put these protections in place, and I appreciate Senator Murray’s leadership on this issue.”\n\n“Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we work and serve the public, so Washington is approaching this moment with intention,” said WaTech’s Gretchen Peri, the State Chief Technology Officer for Washington. “The statewide AI strategy we’ve developed is committed to human‑focused, trustworthy innovation, and gives state agencies the tools, guardrails, and shared platforms they need to deploy AI safely and transparently. Backed by new state laws that reinforce accountability and public trust, we’re proving that government can lead AI adoption with responsibility, foresight, humanity, and dignity.”\n\n“We at Transparency Coalition want to thank Senator Murray for pulling together the AI Safety and Transparency roundtable today. We have been honored to work closely with Attorney General Nick Brown’s office, Governor Ferguson’s office and a number of legislators starting with Representative Callan on some key AI laws passed in 2026 including protecting minors from addictive and manipulative AI chatbots,” said Rob Eleveld, CEO and Co-founder, Transparency Coalition. “Looking forward, our position across many states is the best way to hold AI companies accountable is to use existing product liability laws, the reason we all trust the brakes in our cars, to require a duty of care to not harm customers with AI products.”\n\nEarlier this year, Senator Murray met with leading AI experts in Seattle about the challenges and opportunities associated with AI to discuss how leaders can work to deploy AI safely, transparently, and in a way that benefits working people—not just giant corporations and billionaires.\n\nAs vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray negotiated the Commerce‑Justice‑Science (CJS) Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2026, which is currently the largest federal investment in AI standards and testing ever passed through a CJS bill. The CJS bill includes $1.8 billion for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) overall, an increase of $690 million over last year’s funding level. This includes no less than $55 million for AI research, an increase of $20 million, and up to $10 million for NIST’s Center for AI Standards and Innovation to advance AI research, standards, and testing. Senator Murray fiercely defended science agencies from President Trump’s proposed reductions, which threatened to cut NIST by more than 28 percent.\n\nSenator Murray also played a key role in helping to pass the bipartisan Chips and Science Act which makes historic investments in American manufacturing, and research and development. The bill included AI scholarships through NSF, funding for the Department of Energy’s research and development on AI and machine learning, support for NIST’s work on AI and quantum information science, and resources for the creation of a NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships which will focus on domestic development of AI and other quantum computing.\n\nSenator Murray has called for Congress to regulate AI and been outspoken against President Trump’s efforts to ban states from regulating AI. As President Trump called AI safety concerns a “hoax” and rolled out the red carpet for Xi Jinping, Senator Murray sent a letter urging him to take the threat seriously and work out real AI safeguards with China. She recently introduced legislation to halt the A.I.-Driven Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) model which is overruling doctors and delaying care for Medicare beneficiaries.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-leads-wa-delegation-in-supporting-governors-request-for-major-disaster-declaration-for-public-assistance-for-devastating-wildfires-in-washington-state/", "title": "Murray Leads WA Delegation in Supporting Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance for Devastating Wildfires in Washington State", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "ICYMI: Murray Leads WA Delegation in Supporting Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for Devastating Wildfires in Washington State\n\nWashington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee led Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance to help communities recover and repair damage due to the devastating wildfires that swept through Central and Eastern Washington from July 23 through August 31.\n\nFor the first time, on August 1, the National Weather Service upgraded a Red Flag Warning for fire weather conditions to a Particularly Dangerous Situation, which is very rare and typically reserved for extreme fire weather conditions. Three massive fires broke out and tore through neighborhoods across Spokane, the Old Trails Fire burned in northwest Spokane, the Autumn Lane Fire burned near Nine-Mile Falls, and the Fairview Fire burned in Mead. The Spokane Complex Fires forced 67,000 people to evacuate, burned nearly 10,000 acres, with damages predicted to exceed $1 billion.\n\nThis was one of Washington state’s worst wildfire seasons on record, with fires causing severe damage and threatening lives, property, businesses, and livestock. In Okanogan County, the Kaiser Canyon, Modrite, and Sinlahekin fires burned over 350,000 acres total.\n\n“As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s addendum to include Public Assistance to their September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating wildfire damages incurred from July 23rd through August 31st. We implore you to approve the request for public and individual assistance as quickly as possible,” Senator Murray and other members of the delegation wrote. “Washington state suffered from a historic wildfire season, with multiple wildfires ravaging parts of Central and Eastern Washington, devastating communities in Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman, and Yakima Counties, as well as the Spokane Tribe of Indians.”\n\nJoining Senator Murray in the letter to President Trump were Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03), Dan Newhouse (R, WA-04), Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Kim Schrier (D, WA-08), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10).\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “Local, Tribal, state, federal, and out-of-state firefighting crews deployed quickly, pooling resources to contain the fires and protect both life and property. Fire crews faced dangerous conditions, including hazardous terrain, high winds, and record-setting drought, which made the fires extremely difficult to contain. Many of these fires burned over the course of several weeks, and damaged public infrastructure like roads, bridges, public utility systems, and other essential public assets. Beyond the infrastructure that was completely lost to the wildfires, the prolonged exposure to fire, smoke, and extreme temperatures have left remaining infrastructure vulnerable to further damage and unsafe for the public.”\n\n“These devastating wildfires have put significant stress on Washington state’s infrastructure and emergency response resources. Throughout the crisis, local, Tribal, state, federal, and international first responders stepped up and worked tirelessly to keep our communities safe. We thank you for your timely approval of the state’s request for an Emergency Declaration which provided vital federal support for both mitigation and recovery. We reiterate our full support for the October 6th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance and thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this urgent matter,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nThe full letter is available HERE and below:\n\nDear Mr. President:\n\nAs members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s addendum to include Public Assistance to their September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating wildfire damages incurred from July 23rd through August 31st. We implore you to approve the request for public and individual assistance as quickly as possible.\n\nWashington state suffered from a historic wildfire season, with multiple wildfires ravaging parts of Central and Eastern Washington, devastating communities in Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman, and Yakima Counties, as well as the Spokane Tribe of Indians.\n\nLocal, Tribal, state, federal, and out-of-state firefighting crews deployed quickly, pooling resources to contain the fires and protect both life and property. Fire crews faced dangerous conditions, including hazardous terrain, high winds, and record-setting drought, which made the fires extremely difficult to contain. Many of these fires burned over the course of several weeks, and damaged public infrastructure like roads, bridges, public utility systems, and other essential public assets. Beyond the infrastructure that was completely lost to the wildfires, the prolonged exposure to fire, smoke, and extreme temperatures have left remaining infrastructure vulnerable to further damage and unsafe for the public.\n\nAn initial damage assessment revealed that the state sustained an estimated $133.7 million in damages across eleven counties and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. In Spokane County, the Spokane Complex Fires, which burned nearly 10,000 acres, severely damaged electrical distribution systems, public water systems, transportation infrastructure, municipal equipment, public lands, and solid-waste infrastructure, resulting in over $70 million in damages.\n\nThese devastating wildfires have put significant stress on Washington state’s infrastructure and emergency response resources. Throughout the crisis, local, Tribal, state, federal, and international first responders stepped up and worked tirelessly to keep our communities safe.\n\nWe thank you for your timely approval of the state’s request for an Emergency Declaration which provided vital federal support for both mitigation and recovery. We reiterate our full support for the October 6th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance and thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2026/10/sen-rick-scott-urges-floridians-to-make-a-plan-prepare-for-life-threatening-storm-surge-following-hurricane-isaias-briefing", "title": "Sen. Rick Scott Urges Floridians to Make a Plan, Prepare for Life-Threatening Storm Surge Following Hurricane Isaias Briefing", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "page_html", "source": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.rickscott.senate.gov", "scraper": "rickscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001217", "name": "Rick Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "PENSACOLA, Fla. – Today, U.S. Senator Rick Scott received a briefing at the Port of Pensacola from local and state leaders, law enforcement, and emergency management officials in Pensacola ahead of Hurricane Isaias’s expected landfall along the northern Gulf Coast tomorrow evening. Following the briefing, Senator Scott urged Floridians in the Panhandle to take immediate action to prepare for Hurricane Isaias, heed evacuation orders and instructions from local officials, make a disaster plan and gather necessary supplies.\n\nSenator Scott was joined by Congressman Jimmy Patronis, Florida State Representative Alex Andrade, Florida State Representative Michelle Salzman, Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves, Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore, Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom, and other local officials.\n\nSenator Rick Scott said, “Hurricane Isaias will be a big and serious storm. Do not underestimate it or ignore it. I talked with President Trump yesterday and we’ll be making sure the federal government shows up so Florida can fully recover from this storm – but first we need every person to do their part to stay alive. We’re expecting landfall late Friday night or very early on Saturday morning. We could see up to 10 inches of rain, there’s a big risk of tornados, and we’re expecting 5-7 feet of storm surge across the Emerald Coast and Big Bend. You cannot survive 5 to 7 feet of storm surge – IT WILL KILL YOU.\n\n“Nobody in our state needs to die during a storm or after a storm. So, the biggest thing is you’ve got to take charge of your life. That means you have to decide to evacuate TODAY. We’ve got great first responders: the Sheriff’s office, the police, fire and rescue – they all want to take care of you. But they can’t come out in the middle of a storm. If you’re in an evacuation zone get out and get to a shelter. It’s not worth risking your life. I always say you can rebuild that house, but you can’t rebuild your life. Be safe, make a plan at ready.gov, and listen to local officials. We will get through this together.”\n\nTo watch Senator Scott’s opening remarks at the press conference, click HERE or on the image above.\n\nFor more information on supplies and what you need to be ready, visit the Senator’s website HERE.\n\nFor latest updates on evacuation orders click HERE and open shelter locations click HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/08/rosen-cortez-masto-secure-over-2-4-million-for-nevada-law-enforcement-projects/", "title": "Rosen, Cortez Masto Secure Over $2.4 Million for Nevada Law Enforcement Projects", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "LAS VEGAS, NV – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) secured $2,422,000 in grants for law enforcement projects. The funding comes from the Department of Justice’s Byrne JAG Grant Program and will be distributed to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the City of Henderson, and the Nevada Department of Public Safety.\n\n“Our law enforcement officers work around the clock to keep Nevadans safe, and I’m committed to supporting them in any way I can,” said Senator Jacky Rosen. “I am proud to have helped secure this funding for law enforcement agencies across our state to ensure that they have the equipment and training they need to keep us safe.”\n\n“Local law enforcement is the backbone of public safety in Nevada, but too often our officers are being asked to do more with less,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “From improving training to modernizing equipment, this critical funding will support police officers from Reno to Henderson. I’ll never stop working to deliver for local law enforcement and ensure all Nevadans feel safe in their communities.”\n\nThree grants constitute the $2,422,000 in funding:\n\n$1,031,000 for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s (LVMPD) Air Support Equipment Enhancement Project. This funding will be used to modernize essential air support equipment to improve the Department’s airborne law enforcement, search and rescue, and emergency response operations. This grant is on top of $1 million in federal funding the Senators secured for LVMPD’s Air Support Unit earlier this year.\n\n$1,031,000 for the City of Henderson to support law enforcement responses to and prosecutions of nonfatal strangulation cases, increase the local forensic examination capacity, and improve protective and medical services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.\n\n$360,000 for the Nevada Department of Public Safety for new law enforcement training technology for departments throughout the state.\n\nSenator Rosen has been a champion for Nevada’s law enforcement. She has secured millions of federal dollars for Nevada law enforcement, including $1 million earlier this year for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to acquire equipment to support their flight operations. Senator Rosen also joined Senator Cortez Masto in introducing legislation to redirect excessive ICE funding toward local law enforcement. At the beginning of this year, a Rosen-backed bipartisan bill to ensure access to federal benefits for the families of first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers was signed into law.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/08/senators-rosen-lankford-representative-bell-call-for-defense-bill-to-keep-provision-requiring-consistent-hate-symbol-policy-across-military-branches/", "title": "Senators Rosen & Lankford, Representative Bell Call for Defense Bill to Keep Provision Requiring Consistent Hate Symbol Policy Across Military Branches", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK), co-founders and co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, and Representative Wesley Bell (D-MO-01) called on the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to retain a provision in the final 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requiring the Department of Defense to establish a single, department-wide policy on hate symbols. Existing hate symbol policies vary across branches of military service, creating inconsistent standards and potential enforcement gaps when it comes to addressing the display of hateful imagery, including swastikas and nooses. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Rosen secured the provision in the Senate version of the annual defense bill.\n\n“This lack of uniformity makes it harder to prevent, identify, and address symbols that promote hate, and can even allow displays to go unaddressed depending on branch-specific rules,” wrote the lawmakers. “These symbols include swastikas and nooses, potent symbols of hate that have long been used to intimidate, harass, and discriminate against Jewish and Black communities.”\n\n“When symbols associated with violent extremism, racial supremacy, or targeted intimidation appear in military workplaces, they undermine unit cohesion, erode morale, and threaten the good order and discipline upon which military readiness depends,” they continued. “Our bipartisan provision, incorporated in both the Senate and House FY27 NDAAs, provides a practical path forward. By requiring the DoD to establish clear, context-based standards, update guidance for commanders and investigators, and provide training to the force, the provision will ensure that there are consistent definitions, enforcement, and accountability across components.”\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\nAs the third Jewish woman to ever serve in the U.S. Senate, Senator Rosen has been a leader in fighting antisemitism and hate. Last year, she, along with Senator Lankford, successfully pushed the U.S. Coast Guard to reverse its decision to no longer prohibit or classify swastikas and nooses as symbols whose display constituted “potential hate incidents.” The bipartisan pair also demanded additional answers from the Coast Guard about changes regarding the investigative process for the display of such symbols.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-president-approves-disaster-declarations-for-hurricanes-lala-lowell", "title": "Schatz: President Approves Disaster Declarations For Hurricanes Lala, Lowell", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.schatz.senate.gov", "scraper": "schatz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001194", "name": "Brian Schatz", "party": "Democrat", "state": "HI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after President Donald Trump approved two presidential disaster declarations that will help communities across Hawai‘i impacted by Hurricanes Lala and Lowell recover. Schatz led calls urging the president to quickly approve the state’s disaster declaration requests.\n\n“Recovering from back-to-back hurricanes requires significant resources, and help is on the way. I thank the president for approving these disaster declarations which will unlock federal resources and help our state and county governments rebuild. We’re going to keep working to make sure people affected by these storms have all the support they need to recover quickly and fully.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/statement-sen-schiff-on-the-return-of-the-uss-abraham-lincoln-to-san-diego-after-321-days-of-deployment/", "title": "STATEMENT: Sen. Schiff on the Return of the USS Abraham Lincoln to San Diego after 321 Days of Deployment", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Schiff: “This war must end. Not just for the sake of the higher costs this war has imposed on the American people, but for the sake of those servicemembers who have paid an even higher price. Those who have been asked to miss holidays, birthdays, births and weddings for nearly a year in order to sustain this war of choice.”\n\nSan Diego, CA — Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) issued the following statement on the return to port of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which was deployed to the Middle East for more than 300 days during the ongoing Iran War:\n\n“321 days. That’s how long the USS Abraham Lincoln and its thousands of servicemembers have been away from their families and their home port of San Diego. And today, for the first time in 10 months, they return home. They hug loved ones. They sleep out of harm’s way.\n\n“In the time these men and women were deployed as the tip of the spear in the Iran War, they worked tirelessly. And that service took a heavy toll – a price we have come to know through harrowing stories shared by family members and even the military’s own leadership. The crew of the Abraham Lincoln has faced long and grueling shifts, diminished supplies and even mental health crises. Those burdens of such a long deployment have been shouldered by the crew and their families back in San Diego.\n\n“As we welcome them home today, and we hear more of those stories of hardship and sacrifice, I hope these heavy burdens resonate through the halls of the White House and the Pentagon. With no clear objective and no measurable progress, this war must end. Not just for the sake of the higher costs this war has imposed on the American people, but for the sake of those servicemembers who have paid an even higher price. Those who have been asked to miss holidays, birthdays, births and weddings for nearly a year in order to sustain this war of choice.\n\n“Only last week, the USS Theodore Roosevelt and its carrier strike group left San Diego. All signs point to its crew being relief for a beleaguered force still deployed in the Middle East. I hope for the sake of our sailors, Marines, soldiers and airmen that this new deployment of Californians does not repeat the hardships of the Abraham Lincoln.”\n\nBackground: Senator Adam Schiff has pushed the Department of Defense on the Abraham Lincoln’s prolonged time away from its home port of San Diego. In August, he joined Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), and Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51) in a letter to the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General seeking more information regarding Carrier Strike Group 3’s deployment.\n\nSchiff also recently highlighted constituent stories from servicemembers’ families on the Senate Floor, emphasizing how the prolonged deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln has sent shockwaves throughout the San Diego community as he continued his call for an end to the Iran War.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/in-new-video-shaheen-underscores-nationwide-impact-of-insulin-act-highlights-that-most-states-do-not-cap-monthly-insulin-costs-at-35", "title": "In New Video, Shaheen Underscores Nationwide Impact of INSULIN Act, Highlights That Most States Do Not Cap Monthly Insulin Costs at $35", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.shaheen.senate.gov", "scraper": "shaheen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001181", "name": "Jeanne Shaheen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, today released a new video highlighting the importance of passing her INSULIN Act and revealing that 27 states currently do not have a $35 cap on monthly insulin costs. Shaheen then underscores that passage of her bill is a step Congress could take to immediately lower health care costs and protect Americans, regardless of the state they live in, from being forced to pay thousands of dollars a year for their life-saving insulin.\n\nClick HERE to watch the full video.\n\nKey Quotes from Senator Shaheen:\n\n“In the richest nation on Earth, no American should have to choose between affording groceries for their families or the insulin they need to survive. Unfortunately, as I’ve heard from too many students, families and health care providers […] this is happening every day.”\n\n“While some states have already taken steps to cap insulin costs at $35 or less, most haven’t. That means Americans in states such as South Dakota, Wyoming and Pennsylvania could be forced to pay thousands of dollars a year for the insulin they need to stay alive.”\n\n“Diabetes is a condition that touches the lives of so many Americans across the country, and the state you live in shouldn’t determine whether you can afford your life-saving insulin.”\n\nShaheen’s bipartisan Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act would cap monthly out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 a month for Americans with insurance, expanding the effective price cap for Americans on Medicare. Shaheen has championed efforts to lower insulin costs throughout her time in office, and the bill is closer than ever before to passing out of the U.S. Senate. In July, the INSULIN Act advanced out of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and in September companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Shaheen’s newest video comes as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle continue to point to the INSULIN Act as an immediate step Congress can take to lower costs for millions.\n\nSenator Shaheen has worked tirelessly to lower health care costs for Granite Staters and Americans. As co-chair of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Senator Shaheen has consistently pressed to hold insulin manufacturers, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers accountable for the skyrocketing cost of life-saving insulin and otherwise support patients and families facing diabetes. Polling released from the American Diabetes Association this summer found that 40% of respondents who rely on insulin report paying more than $150 per month for insulin, and 76% of respondents across political parties support a $35 limit on cost sharing for insulin.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-alsobrooks-highlight-300000-in-federal-funding-to-support-opportunities-for-baltimores-refugee-immigrant-communities", "title": "Van Hollen, Alsobrooks Highlight $300,000 in Federal Funding to Support Opportunities for Baltimore’s Refugee, Immigrant Communities", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Last week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-Md.) joined the leadership of Baltimore nonprofit Global Refuge to highlight the faith-based organization’s critical work, as well as a $300,000 investment the Senators secured in Congress to expand their workforce development and career counseling services for refugees and immigrants. This federal funding will help program participants obtain the skills and training needed to secure jobs, achieve rapid self-sufficiency, and contribute to their communities.\n\n“Baltimore has a long history of welcoming refugees and immigrants, and we know they make our communities stronger. That’s why we fought to secure this federal investment in Global Refuge’s efforts to help refugees build the skills to further strengthen our economy and our great city,” said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n“For generations, immigrants and refugees have helped strengthen our communities. I was so proud to join Senator Van Hollen in celebrating $300,000 in federal funding for Global Refuge to help newcomers build careers, find stability, and put down roots here in Maryland,” said Senator Alsobrooks.\n\nThis investment comes as the Trump Administration attempts to rescind federal funding passed on a bipartisan basis for organizations like Global Refuge that support our communities and uphold foundational American values, including $567 million of unobligated funding under the Refugee and Entrant Assistance account.\n\n“Ask any employer who has hired a refugee, and you'll hear the same thing: they show up, they work hard, and they're in it for the long haul. We're deeply grateful to Senators Van Hollen and Alsobrooks for helping more newcomers bring their talent to Maryland's workforce, where they're caring for our patients, building our homes, keeping our supply chains moving, launching new businesses, and stepping into roles employers have struggled to fill,” said Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge.\n\nThe Senators worked to secure these funds in the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations bill. The bill was included in a larger package that the Senators could not ultimately support due to concerns over insufficient safeguards to protect federal workers against the Trump Administration’s attacks and to prevent the Administration from misusing Congressionally approved taxpayer dollars, among other factors.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-urges-irs-to-prevent-big-tech-from-abusing-tax-credits-to-construct-ai-data-centers-protect-americans-from-higher-energy-costs/", "title": "Welch Urges IRS to Prevent Big Tech from Abusing Tax Credits to Construct AI Data Centers, Protect Americans from Higher Energy Costs", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Welch: “The IRS has a responsibility to ensure tax credits are being claimed as intended by Congress.”\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, this week urged the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to ensure that Big Tech companies are not using the research and experimentation (R&E) tax credit to subsidize the construction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers. In his letter to IRS CEO Frank Bisignano, Senator Welch raised concerns that Big Tech companies are abusing the R&E tax credit at the expense of the American people.\n\n“Congress’ intent in establishing the R&E credit was to support private investment in nascent\n\ntechnologies that have uncertain commercial viability in the future. Congress structured the R&E credit to be incremental, designed to reward new research spending and to limit the cost to taxpayers. Instead, its reported use by major technology companies raises concerns that the credit is being used not to support new research, but to subsidize the physical infrastructure needed to build AI data centers,” wrote Senator Welch.\n\nAccording to recent public reports, Meta used the R&E credit to cut its federal tax bill by nearly $4 billion in 2025 alone. Meta reportedly claimed this credit on thousands of acres of data center development to train and further develop its network of computer chips—a process that is now widespread across the technology industry and tied to some of the most profitable businesses in the world. Meta itself acknowledged the potential for IRS to deny the R&E credit, disclosing in last year’s annual report billions in “unrecognized tax benefits” that could become additional tax liability if challenged by the IRS. Meta is not alone in this practice, as other major technology companies have similarly used the R&E credit in connection with the development of AI infrastructure and data centers.\n\n“In 2025, Meta paid an effective federal income tax rate of just 3.5%—roughly one-sixth of the 21% statutory corporate rate. That same year, the company earned a record $79 billion in U.S. income,” the Senator continued. “Meanwhile, Americans are bearing the direct costs of rapid data center expansion, including rising electricity bills and added strain on local infrastructure. This summer, our national debt surpassed $40 trillion. The most recent IRS tax gap estimate puts the gross shortfall at $700 billion for tax year 2022, while the next update has yet to be released,” the Senator continued.\n\nSenator Welch concluded: “The IRS has a responsibility to ensure tax credits are being claimed as intended by Congress. Holding large technology companies accountable to their tax obligations is a straightforward step toward ensuring that every company pays its fair share.”\n\nSenator Welch requested answers to the following questions by October 26, 2026:\n\nPlease provide a list of companies that claimed the R&E tax credit for expenses related to AI data centers in filing years 2020 to 2025.\n\nWhat was the value of each tax credit issued in filing years 2020 to 2025 broken down by the company that claimed each?\n\nOn average, how many full-time equivalent (FTE) IRS employees are dedicated to reviewing and examining R&E tax credit claims annually?\n\nHow many enforcement actions did the IRS initiate related to the R&E tax credit for filing years 2020 to 2025?\n\nWill the IRS pursue updated guidance or rulemaking to ensure that the R&E credit is used only for its intended purpose?\n\nRead and download Senator Welch’s full letter to IRS CEO Bisignano.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-introduces-bicameral-bill-creating-alert-system-to-notify-survivors-of-illegal-gun-purchase-attempts-by-domestic-abusers/", "title": "Whitehouse Introduces Bicameral Bill Creating Alert System to Notify Survivors of Illegal Gun Purchase Attempts by Domestic Abusers", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release", "domain": "www.whitehouse.senate.gov", "scraper": "whitehouse", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000802", "name": "Sheldon Whitehouse", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Bicameral Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would help ensure domestic violence survivors are notified when an abusive partner is trying to obtain a firearm illegally\n\nProvidence, RI – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has introduced the Domestic Violence Survivors Alerted for Emergency (SAFE) Notice Act, new legislation to establish notification systems that would alert survivors of domestic violence offenses when their domestic abuser attempts to purchase a firearm illegally.\n\nLoopholes in federal and state law can allow domestic violence offenders to purchase guns notwithstanding their criminal history – situations that can be life threatening for survivors. Even when offenders are unsuccessful, the fact they are trying to purchase a firearm illegally can be a warning sign for survivors. The Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would help keep survivors safe by setting up systems to notify domestic violence survivors when an abusive partner has obtained or is trying to obtain a firearm illegally.\n\n“I spent years prosecuting domestic violence cases in Rhode Island, and I know the toll it can take on survivors as they rebuild their lives. This legislation will help ensure survivors are made aware when the government has information about an abuser’s attempt to buy a firearm, so survivors and their loved ones can make decisions in the interest of their own safety and wellbeing,” said Senator Whitehouse, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former Rhode Island Attorney General and U.S. Attorney.\n\nCongresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) led the introduction of legislation in the House of Representatives. The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).\n\nThe Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act has been endorsed by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Sojourner House, Family Service of Rhode Island, Women’s Resource Center RI, Day One, and the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General.\n\n“Keeping victims safe at every stage of the justice process is a top priority for my Office,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “With the support of our federal partners, we are continuing to expand the resources available to victims to ensure they remained informed of updates to case information in real time. When convicted perpetrators of domestic violence try to get their hands on a firearm, they demonstrate a consistent willingness to break the law, which poses a real risk to survivors. This legislation is an investment in the safety of survivors, and we would happily welcome this vital resource.”\n\n“When a person who uses violence to gain power and control over their family has access to a gun, the results are too often tragic. Women in abusive relationships are five times more likely to be murdered by their partners when that partner can access a firearm. Even the threat of using a gun is a terrifying coercive control tactic often used by abusers. We are thankful that Rhode Island’s Senator Whitehouse, along with Representative Dingell in the U.S. House, have sponsored this legislation to close lethal loopholes faced by survivors of intimate partner abuse who are threatened with gun violence,” said Lucy Rios, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.\n\n“Leaving an abusive relationship doesn’t always end a dangerous situation. At Sojourner House, we help survivors rebuild their lives while navigating ongoing threats to their safety. Knowing that an abuser has attempted to purchase a firearm illegally could give a survivor critical time to update a safety plan, connect with an advocate, and protect themselves and their children. We thank Senator Whitehouse and Congresswoman Dingell for advancing legislation that recognizes survivors’ right to information that could help them save their lives,” said Vanessa Volz, President and CEO of Sojourner House in Rhode Island.\n\n“Every survivor deserves to feel safe, be heard, and have the support to rebuild their life with dignity. When an offender tries to obtain a firearm illegally, timely information can give survivors a critical opportunity to seek support and safety while making informed decisions for themselves and their children. The responsibility for stopping violence must never rest on survivors alone. We thank Senator Whitehouse and Congresswoman Dingell for advancing legislation that puts survivors’ safety and choices at the center,” said Margaret Holland McDuff, Chief Executive Officer of Family Service of Rhode Island.\n\n“We are incredibly grateful to Senator Whitehouse and Congresswoman Dingell for introducing this important piece of legislation that will provide a peace of mind for survivors of domestic violence all across the country. We know that the presence of a firearm during a domestic violence assault significantly increases the chance of lethality. Of the 26 domestic violence homicides that occurred in RI between 2016 and 2020, 42% involved a firearm. This legislation will prevent future tragedies and save countless lives,” said Jessica Walsh, Executive Director of Women’s Resource Center RI.\n\n“The Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act is an important step in promoting increased safety for survivors of interpersonal violence. This legislation offering notification and information will assist survivors in their own personal safety planning. Senator Whitehouse continues to be at the forefront promoting protections and legislation for survivors. Day One is grateful for the Senator’s leadership on this matter and looks forward to continued partnership on these critical services and protections for survivors,” said Michelle Loranger, Executive Director of Day One.\n\nDomestic violence offenders and protective order respondents are generally prohibited under federal and many state laws from purchasing firearms. However, that prohibition does not always stop offenders from trying to purchase firearms anyway. FBI data shows that almost 160,000 gun purchases were denied from 2018 to 2023 because of the purchaser’s domestic violence background. These situations can be life threatening for domestic violence survivors. A male abusive partner’s access to a gun significantly increases the risk of an intimate partner homicide.\n\nSpecifically, the Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act would:\n\nDirect the FBI to establish a notification system to alert survivors of federal domestic violence offenses when the offender attempts to purchase a firearm illegally.\n\nPermit survivors to register or de-register at will.\n\nProvide key alerts about an offender’s attempted illegal firearm purchase, including if the sale went through or law enforcement has recovered the firearm.\n\nProvide additional alerts about related events, such as a pardon that restores an offender’s ability to purchase firearms legally.\n\nAuthorize grants for states to pilot state-run alert systems, so survivors can receive alerts related to protective orders and non-federal domestic violence offenses.\n\nEnable states to use funds to expand existing systems or set up new ones.\n\nRequire reports on the success of and challenges related to these pilot projects, including recommendations for expanding the projects to other states.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-announce-more-than-1-million-to-support-addition-and-recovery-services-in-eastern-oregon", "title": "Wyden, Merkley Announce More Than $1 Million to Support Addiction and Recovery Services in Eastern Oregon", "date": "2026-10-08", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.wyden.senate.gov", "scraper": "wyden", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000779", "name": "Ron Wyden", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced more than $1 million in federal awards to help combat the opioid epidemic and to support addiction and recovery services in Eastern Oregon.\n\n“The opioid epidemic continues to harm communities across the state, especially in rural areas that often have limited addiction treatment resources,” Wyden said. “I applaud this federal award to the Oregon Washington Health Network that will strengthen addiction and recovery services for Eastern Oregonians, and I will continue to fight for every possible resource to support mental health services and combat the opioid epidemic across Oregon.”\n\n“I have heard heart-wrenching stories from Oregonians who have lost loved ones after a prescription for an injury or treatment turned into an addiction,” said Merkley. “Communities need access to addiction and treatment services, and this critical support will help Pendleton improve access to critical services for opioid use disorder.”\n\nThe $1.05 million in federal awards from Health Resources and Services Administration’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program will be distributed to The Oregon Washington Health Network, a non-profit based in Pendleton dedicated to health equity in Umatilla, Union, and Morrow counties in Oregon, and Walla Walla County in Washington. The award will be used to improve access to treatment and recovery services for substance use disorder and opioid use disorder.", "collected_at": "2026-10-09T11:42:00Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-09T11:43:15Z"}
{"url": "http://houlahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5243", "title": "Rep. Houlahan Statement on Sec. Hegseth Announcing Execution of Fort Hood Shooter Will Be Livestreamed", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://houlahan.house.gov/news/rss.aspx", "domain": "houlahan.house.gov", "scraper": "houlahan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001085", "name": "Chrissy Houlahan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), shared the following statement on Secretary Hegseth's announcement that the execution of the Fort Hood shooter will be livestreamed:\n\n\"Nidal Hasan is a murderer and terrorist who will face justice as determined by the unanimous verdict of a jury, in accordance with the principles of due process that our democracy is built on.\n\nWhat did the jury not have a say in? Livestreaming the execution for the public to see. The U.S. hasn’t held a public execution in over a century, and with good reason. We are not Iran or North Korea. We know that justice is not entertainment, nor is it the glorification of violence. I urge Secretary Hegseth to reconsider this decision and to treat justice for this heinous act with the seriousness it requires.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "http://houlahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5244", "title": "Houlahan, Smith Respond to Inaccurate Casualty Reporting, Lack of Transparency on Human Cost of Trump's War", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://houlahan.house.gov/news/rss.aspx", "domain": "houlahan.house.gov", "scraper": "houlahan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001085", "name": "Chrissy Houlahan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Military Personnel Subcommittee Ranking Member Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) and Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement responding to the Department of Defense announcing publicly that it had miscounted the number of U.S. service members who have died in the Central Command Area of Responsibility as part of Operation Epic Fury and other Overseas Operations.\n\n“Today’s public correction in the number of U.S. service members who have died in the Middle East since President Trump launched his disastrous war of choice against Iran was the direct result of congressional oversight. Specifically, this committee discovered a discrepancy in the Pentagon’s reporting of casualty numbers, brought it to the Trump Administration’s attention, and worked to ensure they publicly corrected this incredibly important record.\n\n“There is no excuse for a mistake of this magnitude. While we take seriously our duty to serve as the voice of the American people and hold the executive branch accountable as a co-equal branch of government, requiring Congress to step in to rectify such an egregious error is an embarrassment for the Department. The failure of Secretary Hegseth to immediately take ownership of the problem also does a grave disservice to the men and women putting their lives on the line in service to our country.\n\n“We are glad to see the error has been corrected, and we will continue to fight for transparency and accountability. While this public correction is an important first step, we expect the Department to make the necessary changes to policies and procedures to ensure this mistake is not repeated and that they are more transparent with the public going forward.”\n\n--end--", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://adriansmith.house.gov/media/press-releases/smith-budzinski-lead-letter-urging-admin-support-americas-biofuel-industry", "title": "Smith, Budzinski Lead Letter Urging the Admin to Support America’s Biofuel Industry", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://adriansmith.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "adriansmith.house.gov", "scraper": "adriansmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001172", "name": "Adrian Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), led a bipartisan letter with 37 of their colleagues to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright urging the administration to maintain its commitments to America’s biofuel industry.\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers ask the administration to uphold its commitment to American grown energy by proposing a supplemental rule that preserves the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard’s (RFS) biofuel volume requirements for 2026 and 2027 by October 16, 2026. They warn that delays would undermine much-needed market certainty for American farmers and biofuel producers while putting savings at the pump for American families at risk.\n\nThe lawmakers write: \"The stakes for our constituents could not be higher. Biofuel demand keeps commodity prices competitive for farmers, sustains tens of thousands of rural manufacturing jobs, and delivers measurable savings at the pump for working families. E15 saves drivers an average of 30 cents per gallon compared to E10. B20 biodiesel runs approximately 11 cents cheaper than regular diesel. The 2026 and 2027 volumes in Set 2 were built to capture these cost-savings at scale, but SREs alongside a flawed reallocation approach would erase them.\"\n\nIn addition to Smith and Budzinski, the letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Angie Craig (D-MN), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Jim Baird (R-IN), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Mike Bost (R-IL), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Kristen McDonald Rivert (D-MI), Mary Miller (R-IL), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Mark Alford (R-MO), James Comer (R-KY), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), John Rose (R-TN), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Don Bacon (R-NE), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Mark Messmer (R-IN), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Mike Flood (R-NE), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Max Miller (R-OH), Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.), and Donald Davis (D-N.C.).\n\nRead the full letter here or below:\n\nAdministrator Zeldin and Secretary Wright:\n\nThe Set 2 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) are the strongest in the history of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), supporting a much-needed market for American farmers, feedstock processors, biofuel producers, and rural economies. Our constituents responded to that call to action with investment, expansion, and hiring across the biofuels value chain. Further, the administration’s commitment to reallocate the waived Small Refinery Exemption (SRE) volumes announced on August 31, 2026, reinforced this market signal.\n\nWe write today to urge swift action to propose a supplemental rule by October 16th which ensures obligated volumes are in line with those announced under Set 2 for compliance years 2026 and 2027. Until the supplemental rule process is complete, the market will not be able to fully respond, putting the momentum of the Set 2 RVO, and the lower fuel prices that homegrown biofuels provide for American families, at risk.\n\nThe stakes for our constituents could not be higher. Biofuel demand keeps commodity prices competitive for farmers, sustains tens of thousands of rural manufacturing jobs, and delivers measurable savings at the pump for working families. E15 saves drivers an average of 30 cents per gallon compared to E10. B20 biodiesel runs approximately 11 cents cheaper than regular diesel. The 2026 and 2027 volumes in Set 2 were built to capture these cost-savings at scale, but SREs alongside a flawed reallocation approach would erase them.\n\nNow more than ever, our biofuels policy must deliver certainty for American farmers, feedstock processors, biofuels producers, and consumers. We stand ready to work with you in implementing a supplemental rule which is consistent with Set 2 projections, and encourage you to ensure that DOE conducts meaningful, transparent engagement with biofuel stakeholders on any methodology change for adjudicating future SREs.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-new-yorker-article-below-titled-ice-everywhere-and-acting-impunity", "title": "ICYMI: The New Yorker article below, titled “ICE Is Everywhere and Acting with Impunity.\"", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "algreen.house.gov", "scraper": "algreen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000553", "name": "Al Green", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The New Yorker article below, titled “ICE Is Everywhere and Acting with Impunity,” speaks for itself.\n\nYou can access the article by clicking the link here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://allen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7412", "title": "ICYMI: Congressman Rick Allen Hosts 2026 Youth Leadership Summit", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://allen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "allen.house.gov", "scraper": "allen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000372", "name": "Rick W. Allen", "party": "Republican", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Yesterday, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) hosted 11th-12th grade students and community leaders from the 12th District for his biennial Youth Leadership Summit.\n\nThe event was held at the Columbia County School District Support Complex, where students from across the 12th District heard from various leaders from all walks of life, including Major General Ryan Janovic, Commanding General, Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon; Bri Martin and Dani Harmadi, Owners of Freshwater Curated Goods; Chris Howell, Head Baseball Coach, Augusta University; and Nomi Stanton, Executive Director, GAP Ministries.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases/ansari-celebrates-los-abogados-50th-anniversary-with-congressional-record-recognition", "title": "Ansari Celebrates Los Abogados’ 50th Anniversary with Congressional Record Recognition", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ansari.house.gov", "scraper": "ansari", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000381", "name": "Yassamin Ansari", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PHOENIX – In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) celebrated the 50th anniversary of Los Abogados, Arizona’s Hispanic Bar Association, with a Congressional Record recognition honoring the organization’s five decades of service, advocacy, leadership, and commitment to expanding opportunity within Arizona’s legal community.\n\n“It is an honor to recognize Los Abogados and the incredible work they have done to build community, create opportunities, and advance the interests of Arizona’s Latino communities,” said Rep. Ansari. “At a time when we are seeing fundamental rights come under attack this work is more important than ever. I will continue fighting in Congress to protect Arizonans’ rights and conducting oversight to ensure accountability and equal justice.”\n\nThe celebration hosted at Univision Studios in Phoenix featured the unveiling of a commemorative 50th Anniversary artwork by Los Abogados’ Artist of the Year, Michael Padilla, and a panel moderated by Congresswoman Ansari with Danny Ortega, Marian Zapata-Rossa, and Salvador Macias on the organization’s history, impact, and future.\n\nREAD TEXT OF ANSARI’S CONGRESSIONAL RECORD\n\nMister Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th anniversary of Los Abogados, Arizona’s Hispanic Bar Association.\n\nFounded in 1976 by Latino lawyers and law students, Los Abogados has spent five decades building community, creating opportunities, and advancing the interests of Arizona’s Latino communities within the legal profession and beyond.\n\nToday, Latinos comprise only approximately roughly 5% to 6% of all licensed lawyers in the United States. Through programming, mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement, Los Abogados works to address the systemic and cultural barriers that Latinos continue to encounter throughout their legal careers.\n\nFor 50 years, Los Abogados has remained steadfast in its commitment to diversity and inclusion, advocacy, and education. The Hispanic Bar Association actively promotes diversity within Arizona’s legal and judicial professions. Supporting Latino lawyers and expanding their representation is essential to narrowing the significant representation gap and ensuring that our legal system better reflects the communities it serves.\n\nLos Abogados’ Civil Rights Committee supports the equitable and just application of civil rights, advocating for Arizona’s Latino communities. The committee organizes “Continuing Legal Education” seminars to update legal professionals about current voting rights, civic engagement, and racial profiling positions. Additionally, Los Abogados hosts citizenship fairs, providing essential immigration resources and assistance to Arizonans.\n\nAs we commemorate this important milestone, we recognize Los Abogados for 50 years of service, advocacy, and leadership. I congratulate its members, past and present, and commend their enduring commitment to strengthening Arizona’s legal community and ensuring greater access, representation, and opportunity for all.\n\nOn behalf of the United States Congress, I extend my deepest gratitude and congratulations to Los Abogados on their 50th Anniversary.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://barrett.house.gov/media/press-releases/barrett-introduces-legislation-address-growing-threats-artificial-intelligence", "title": "Barrett Introduces Legislation to Address Growing Threats from Artificial Intelligence, Other Emerging Technology", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://barrett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "barrett.house.gov", "scraper": "barrett", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001321", "name": "Tom Barrett", "party": "Republican", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) formally introduced the Artificial Intelligence Governance and Emerging Threats Act to address AI threats and increase accountability in light of warnings from AI researchers about the risks associated with this rapidly developing technology that companies are further advancing by the day.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would create the U.S. Office of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Threats, which would be led by a representative presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed to serve in the president’s Cabinet. The mission of the office would be to spearhead development and implementation of federal policy on AI and other technological risks.\n\n“The United States government has a fundamental responsibility to protect its citizens from all threats, including those we might not see coming. The rapid development of AI technology, which has potential to improve our society, has exposed the serious dangers that can come with it,” said Barrett. “We are already seeing it replace American jobs, threaten our national security, and degrade human dignity. These risks cannot be ignored, so it’s time to create a seat at the table for someone to monitor AI technology, ensure strong guardrails are in place, and prepare us for this new era of technological innovation and beyond.”\n\nThe representative in charge of the Office of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Threats would serve as the principal adviser to the president on AI and emerging technological threats; coordinate among federal departments to ensure a cohesive federal approach to AI; and monitor risks and opportunities related to AI and other technologies. The representative would also be required to testify regularly before Congress on AI developments and threats.\n\nThe Office of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Threats would be housed within the Executive Office of the President. In addition to the representative, the office would have five Senate-confirmed deputy representatives to spearhead specific responsibilities:\n\nDeputy representative for intergovernmental coordination;\n\nDeputy representative for international engagement;\n\nDeputy representative for private sector engagement;\n\nDeputy representative for national security and emerging technology threats; and\n\nDeputy representative for economic and workforce impacts.\n\nThe Office of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Threats is patterned after the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which coordinates among federal intelligence agencies and also traditionally has a seat in the president’s Cabinet.\n\nBackground\n\nBarrett has been a leader on increasing accountability and transparency for artificial intelligence and data centers. Last week, he wrote a letter calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz to work with other nations to negotiate a treaty setting international guardrails on AI. In addition to his call for international collaboration, Barrett has introduced or co-sponsored the following bills in Congress:\n\nThe Human Authority over Autonomous Weapons Act (H.R. 9729) to ensure that no autonomous or artificial intelligence-enabled weapon system used by the United States military can carry out an intentionally lethal strike without meaningful human oversight or a human decision-maker in the loop.\n\nThe Children Harmed by AI Technology (CHAT) Act (H.R. 7218) to require AI chatbots to implement age verification measures to protect minors. The bill requires parental consent for minors using chatbots, bans chatbots from engaging in sexually explicit communications with minors, and requires chatbots to notify a minor’s parent if the minor’s chat shows signs of suicidal ideation.\n\nThe AI Threat Output and Monitoring Incident Containment Act (H.R. 9965) to test advanced AI systems to prevent risks to nuclear safety.\n\nThe Doctors Not AI Act (H.R. 10210), introduced by Barrett and Landsman, to ensure that artificial intelligence cannot make or dictate health insurance coverage decisions involving medical judgment.\n\nThe VA Claims AI Accountability Act (H.R. 10418) to require VA employees — not AI — to make the final decisions for approval of disability claims or benefits. The bill also strengthens oversight and accountability for the VA’s digital benefits system.\n\nThe VA AI Transparency Act (H.R. 10417) to require the VA to disclose to every veteran any use of AI by the VA, including in claims processing and customer service chats.\n\nThe Protecting Local Control of Data Centers Act (H.R. 10119) to prohibit federal agencies from overriding local land-use, zoning, siting, or permitting authority related to data centers.\n\nThe No Data Center NDAs Act (H.R. 10118) to prohibit members of Congress from signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) about data centers, including any information about possible locations or how much water or energy a facility is expected to consume.\n\nThe No Secrets for Data Centers Act (H.R. 10570) to prohibit and invalidate NDAs signed by federal, state, and local government officials to conceal details of data center projects. The bill would also prohibit data center operators from receiving government incentives if the conditions include entering an agreement to keep information about the project confidential.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9240", "title": "Beyer Joins Call with McClain Delaney, Ocasio-Cortez, Mfume, Subramanyam, and Elfreth to Pause FAA’s AI Tool at Washington-Area Airports", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "beyer.house.gov", "scraper": "beyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001292", "name": "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08) is leading a congressional letter with co-leads Representatives April McClain Delaney, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Kweisi Mfume, Suhas Subramanyam, and Sarah Elfreth urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to pause use of its new artificial intelligence-enabled air traffic management tool until the agency answers questions about safety testing, implementation, and oversight.\n\nThe letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford raises concerns about the September 21 deployment of the Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories (SMART) tool at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.\n\nThe FAA’s rush to deploy a system that could affect the lives of millions of Americans is especially concerning for residents of this region, who are still grappling with questions about air safety following last year’s fatal crash at DCA. Before deploying its AI-enabled SMART air traffic control tool, the FAA must demonstrate, through air traffic controller feedback and independently verified testing, that this technology is safe and reliable, and it must clearly communicate those findings to the public,” said Congressman Don Beyer.\n\n“When Maryland families board a plane, they deserve to know that every system guiding their flight has been thoroughly tested and that the people keeping them safe have the training they need,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. “After the devastating crash over DCA that took 67 lives, the FAA owes this region answers. I support modernizing our aviation systems, but passenger safety must come first. I’m calling on the FAA to pause this rollout, show us the safety testing, and explain who is accountable when something goes wrong.”\n\n“Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration surprisingly launched an AI tool to help control air traffic over three major National Capital Region Airports, with plans to expand nationwide in the following 90 days. They did so without publishing a safety evaluation or sufficiently consulting air traffic controllers and safety experts. We are urging Transportation Secretary Duffy and FAA Administrator Bedford to stop the rollout until we have answers. This administration may treat Big Tech companies with impunity, but air traffic control leaves zero margin for error,” said Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.\n\n\"Families across Baltimore count on BWI to get them where they’re going safely. Yet the Trump Administration recklessly rolled out an untested AI air traffic tool there without publishing a safety evaluation or adequately consulting the air traffic controllers who keep us safe. There is no room for error in our skies. I am proud to co-lead this letter calling for public transparency and answers from Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford on how this system was tested, who was consulted, and how it will be evaluated. Until they provide answers that ensure that this technology is safe, the FAA must pause its use,\" said Congressman Kweisi Mfume.\n\n“The airspace in the DC region is incredibly complicated and demands the highest standard of safety and reliability from Air Traffic Control. We need to be extremely cautious about implementing AI tools into the systems responsible for the safety of our skies. I urge the FAA to prove that the system does not pose a risk to the public before allowing its use,\" said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam.\n\n“Every day, our airports and their staff ensure tens of thousands of worldwide travelers are safe and secure – including here at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland’s Third District. While we fully recognize the need to modernize our air traffic control systems, we cannot pursue modernization at the expense of public safety, especially when it comes to implementing new technologies like AI,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “As AI safety concerns are top of mind for our neighbors, this is another instance where we cannot afford to miss the moment on regulating this technology. I also am determined to continue to work with my colleagues to ensure our hardworking air traffic controllers have every resource they need to do their jobs and ensure the safety of our passengers.”\n\nAt a time when AI safety concerns are sky high, the lawmakers warn that the FAA has not provided sufficient transparency around its decision-making process prior to deployment, nor the functioning of SMART’s underlying AI systems. Congress, and the public, deserve to know how AI systems were tested and how they will influence decisions before being deployed in safety critical systems.\n\nThe letter also raises concerns about reports that frontline aviation safety workers received only days of notice, or no notice at all, before deployment. With air traffic controllers already facing staffing pressures, the lawmakers stress that new technology must be introduced with adequate training and clear procedures for human oversight.\n\nThe lawmakers request answers in three areas:\n\nSafety testing: What evaluations were completed before deployment, how the system performs during severe weather or outages, and whether any safety review requirements were waived during the contracting process.\n\nConsultation and training: What input the FAA sought from airport authorities, air safety workers, and airlines; what training personnel received; and how the tool should influence decision-making.\n\nEvaluation and accountability: How the FAA will measure performance during the initial 90-day evaluation, what standards must be met before nationwide expansion, and who is responsible if a recommendation contributes to a safety incident.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-applauds-epa-action-protect-maricopa-county", "title": "Congressman Biggs Applauds EPA Action to Protect Maricopa County", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "biggs.house.gov", "scraper": "biggs", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001302", "name": "Andy Biggs", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "GILBERT, ARIZONA –This week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin convened a roundtable to announce a major development regarding air quality regulations in Maricopa County.\n\nUnder a soon-to-be-finalized emissions rule, Air Quality Rule 204 (“Emissions Offsets Generated by Voluntary Nonroad Engine Emission Reductions”), industries across Maricopa County would be permitted to use emission reduction credits generated through voluntary reductions in nonroad engine emissions. The rule would provide businesses with greater flexibility to build and expand production while ensuring that overall emissions do not increase.\n\nCongressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) attended the roundtable and issued the following statement:\n\n“I applaud the Trump Administration and Administrator Zeldin for continuing to reverse destructive environmental policies that threaten economic growth and opportunity in Maricopa County. Arizona—and Maricopa County specifically—is home to extraordinary economic and technological development that is improving the lives of Arizonans and Americans across the country. For years, Washington bureaucrats have ignored the fact that much of the air pollution affecting Arizona originates outside our state and beyond our control, while imposing increasingly burdensome local regulations that do little to meaningfully improve air quality. That approach threatens jobs, investment, housing, and economic opportunity without addressing the underlying problem.\n\n“This announcement is welcome news for those of us who understand that protecting our environment and promoting economic growth are not mutually exclusive. We can pursue responsible environmental stewardship without crushing businesses and families in one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation.”\n\nCongressman Biggs has been a leading advocate for rolling back burdensome federal regulations that threaten economic growth in Maricopa County. In February 2025, Congressman Biggs led a letter to the White House urging the Administration and EPA to prevent Maricopa County’s Clean Air Act ozone nonattainment designation from being reclassified from “moderate” to “serious.”\n\nApproximately 80 percent of the emissions attributed to Arizona originate from natural or international sources beyond the state’s control. Congressman Biggs warned that imposing even stricter federal requirements on Arizona businesses and families would do little to address the underlying causes of the region’s air quality challenges while inflicting significant economic costs on the Valley.\n\nIn March, the EPA announced that it would not escalate Maricopa County’s ozone designation from “moderate” to “serious,” sparing Arizona families and businesses from another wave of costly and ineffective federal regulations.\n\nThis week’s announcement represents another significant step toward a more practical approach—one that allows Maricopa County to continue growing and creating jobs while pursuing meaningful emissions reductions.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-calls-watchdog-investigate-whether-or-not-hhs-lied-litigation", "title": "Scott Calls on Watchdog to Investigate Whether or Not HHS Lied in Litigation", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "bobbyscott.house.gov", "scraper": "bobbyscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000185", "name": "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON – Today, House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03) urged the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General to investigate HHS’s potential submission of inconsistent or fraudulent information in active litigation.\n\nOn February 6, 2025, Ranking Member Scott called on the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess the security of HHS's information technology (IT) systems after reports that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) accessed data from various government agencies. However, HHS has refused to comply with GAO’s requests, citing potential discrepancies between what was produced in litigation and would be provided to GAO.\n\nFurthermore, during the Committee’s oversight hearing on April 17, 2026, Secretary Kennedy could not provide a clarification when questioned by Ranking Member Scott whether the Department is providing false or inaccurate information in litigation and failed to follow up with information on the matter.\n\n“On May 17, 2026, I wrote to Secretary Kennedy to follow-up and request a detailed explanation about what the Department meant when it informed GAO that it could not cooperate or accommodate an observational walkthrough, artifacts, screenshots, and other documentation out of concern for discrepancies with what HHS produced in litigation and what it would provide to GAO, and whether HHS did provide false, incomplete, or inaccurate information in litigation.6 I have given the Department ample opportunity to respond to my requests and refute the assertion that it has provided misinformation to one or more courts and yet have received no response to date,” wrote Ranking Member Scott.\n\n“Accordingly, given the serious nature of the allegation, I request the Office of Inspector General to initiate an investigation immediately of whether HHS has provided false, incomplete, or inaccurate information, materials, items, or other documentation in litigation since January 20, 2025.”\n\nTo read the full letter to HHS Inspector General Thomas March Bell, click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-desaulnier-demand-answers-trump-administration-ability-protect", "title": "Scott, DeSaulnier Demand Answers from Trump Administration on Ability to Protect 155 Million Workers’ Benefits", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "bobbyscott.house.gov", "scraper": "bobbyscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000185", "name": "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON – House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) demanded the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) Assistant Secretary Daniel Aronowitz share a detailed accounting of the agency’s staffing, the damage done by the Trump-Musk federal workforce cuts, and its actions to effectively enforce the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).\n\nERISA governs 2.8 million health plans, 837,000 retirement plans, and 521,000 other employee benefit plans that cumulatively cover 155 million Americans. However, under the Trump Administration, EBSA has experienced chronic underfunding, reduced staff, and weakened enforcement capacity, allowing bad actors to evade accountability for harming workers’ hard-earned benefits.\n\n“The chaotic nature of the Trump Administration’s campaign to slash the federal workforce has also obscured the exact scope and severity of the damage imposed on the Agency’s workforce. Over the last 20 months, we have had to rely on media reports and top-line figures in annual budget requests to ascertain EBSA’s capacity, which are often vague or outdated. Moreover, your responses to the Committee’s questions for the record after your appearance failed to provide any substantive information on staffing. In order for the Committee to evaluate EBSA’s ability to effectively carry out its mission, as well as to advocate for more resources, it is imperative we have a robust and up-to-date picture of the Agency’s workforce changes and composition,”wrote Ranking Members Scott and DeSaulnier.\n\nThe Ranking Members requested the agency turn over documents and information related to this request no later than October 22, 2026.\n\nBackground:\n\nOn November 18, 2025, the Ranking Members urged the Trump Administration to adequately staff EBSA to ensure it can fulfill its enormous mission and called on Secretary Aronowitz to tackle wrongful claim denials by group health plans and insurance companies and secure coverage for working people under ERISA.\n\nTo read the full letter to Assistant Secretary Aronowitz, click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-boebert-denver-gazette-fighting-water-projects-and-colorados-future", "title": "REP. BOEBERT IN THE DENVER GAZETTE ON FIGHTING FOR WATER PROJECTS AND COLORADO’S FUTURE", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "boebert.house.gov", "scraper": "boebert", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000825", "name": "Lauren Boebert", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Lone Tree, CO — Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO-04) published a guest opinion in the Denver Gazette on the fight for drinking water, storage, and treatment in Colorado’s 4th District, and on stopping efforts that would divert South Platte water out of the state.\n\n\"Water decides whether a farm stays in the family, whether a small town can fight a fire, and whether our kids have a reason to stay. I will always fight for it,” Rep. Boebert wrote.\n\n“Families in the southeast still drink groundwater that can carry radium and uranium. Towns on the Eastern Plains are one well failure away from a boil order. Cities along the Front Range are trying to get off nonrenewable groundwater before the wells run down,” Rep. Boebert wrote. “It gets fixed with storage, pipes, treatment plants and a spine in Washington.”\n\nRep. Boebert’s legislative work for Colorado water includes:\n\nThirteen community project requests signed into law, including $11.75 million for water projects: a Plum Creek-to-Rueter-Hess pipeline for Castle Rock; a Cobb Lake treatment plant for Severance, Windsor, Eaton, and Weld County neighbors; consolidation of the Prairie View Ranch system near Wiggins; a wastewater plant in Lamar; well redundancy in Kiowa; reverse-osmosis treatment in Brush; and upgrades in Ovid, Louviers, and Walsh\n\nFinish the Arkansas Valley Conduit language that has passed the House twice in the last three months, aimed at 39 communities and roughly 50,000 people in Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, Prowers, and Pueblo counties who were promised clean water from Pueblo Reservoir\n\nOpposition to the Perkins County Canal and Senate Water Resources Development Act language that would force the Army Corps of Engineers to approve a permit so Nebraska can cut through Sedgwick County and take South Platte water\n\n“If that Senate language moves forward and the Corps is pushed to sign off, the Supreme Court won’t matter,” Rep. Boebert wrote. “The permit becomes the project. I will not trade away Sedgwick County in a permitting deadline written for another state.”\n\n“These are not headlines. They are pipes in the ground,” Rep. Boebert wrote. “Colorado water should stay under Colorado control. Water is how Colorado works. I am never giving it up.”\n\nRead the Denver Gazette guest opinion:", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/99-democratic-lawmakers-slam-department-education-failure-enforce-title-ix-and", "title": "99 Democratic Lawmakers Slam Department of Education for Failure to Enforce Title IX and Protect Student Survivors", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "bonamici.house.gov", "scraper": "bonamici", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001278", "name": "Suzanne Bonamici", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) member Maxine Dexter (OR-03), DWC member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), DWC Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41) led a letter to the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Education. The letter urges the Acting Inspector General to open an investigation into the Department’s gutting of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Title IX rollbacks and its impact on the Department’s ability to enforce Title IX protections for student survivors of sexual assault and harassment. 99 House Democrats joined the effort.\n\nThe call for the investigation comes after Jane Doe’s story from Cornell University and Kendall Francis’ story from Louisiana State University (LSU) sparked a national outcry about the high rate of sexual violence on college campuses. Additionally the survivors’ stories have renewed scrutiny of how colleges and universities respond, and how the Department of Education enforces Title IX protections for survivors.\n\nOne in four undergraduate women experience sexual assault or rape while in college. Sexual violence against women on college campuses is a public health crisis, yet significant barriers remain that block accountability and protections for students. Changes in staffing, resources, case-processing, and enforcement priorities under the Trump administration have only made that worse and have undermined the Department’s ability to properly investigate complaints and enforce Title IX protections.\n\nAs of January 2025, OCR reportedly faced a backlog of nearly 12,000 civil rights cases, while the administration reduced OCR’s workforce by nearly half. The Department has closed zero college sexual harassment or sexual violence cases. The Department also formalized weaker protections and processes for student survivors: narrowing the definition of sexual harassment, reducing school liability, and implementing intimidating investigative and hearing procedures that are retraumatizing to survivors.\n\nWithout proper federal enforcement and institutional accountability, Title IX protections become just words on a page. The Department of Education is failing student survivors. Protections for survivors are not partisan and should always be a priority, however the Department’s rollback of vital protections creates additional barriers for survivors and is leaving them to fend for themselves in their most vulnerable moments.\n\nIn their letter, the members explained how the Department’s changes will leave student survivors vulnerable and why an investigation is necessary:\n\n“We urge the Office of Inspector General to immediately open an investigation into the Department’s failure to adequately enforce Title IX protections for survivors of sexual harassment and assault, including whether changes in staffing, resources, case-processing, and enforcement priorities have undermined the Department’s ability to protect students, investigate complaints in a timely manner, and hold institutions accountable.”\n\nThe members outlined the Department’s policies that have weakened protections for student survivors:\n\n“At the same time that OCR’s staff and regional capacity were substantially reduced, the Department announced and pursued Title IX enforcement priorities concerning transgender students’ participation in athletics and access to sex-separated facilities, and also dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. These reprioritizations do nothing to address the backlog of sexual violence cases.”\n\nThe letter also explains how reprioritizations and restructuring by the Department have decreased OCR’s capacity to investigate cases of sexual violence on campus:\n\n“This restructuring threatens to further delay investigations, erode OCR’s institutional expertise, and create additional barriers for survivors seeking accountability. These reprioritizations, staff reductions, and the interagency agreement raise significant questions about whether OCR has sufficient capacity to investigate Title IX complaints, communicate with complainants, and fulfill its civil rights enforcement responsibilities in a timely and effective manner.”\n\nThe members also outlined what they are urging the Inspector General to investigate:\n\nExamining whether the Department has fulfilled its legal and administrative responsibilities to investigate and resolve Title IX complaints in a timely and effective manner.\n\nThe causes and consequences of the absence of resolution agreements involving college sexual harassment and assault complaints since January 2025.\n\nWhether reductions in OCR staffing, the closure of regional offices, or changes in enforcement priorities have contributed to delays, backlogs, or failures to resolve these complaints.\n\nExamining whether OCR has sufficient staffing, resources, policies, and procedures to effectively enforce Title IX and protect students from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence.\n\nIdentifying how survivors have been harmed by these changes.\n\nLastly, the members asked the Inspector General to answer the following questions:\n\nHow many Title IX sexual harassment and sexual violence complaints are currently pending before OCR, and how long have they been pending?\n\nHow have processing times, case closures, investigations, and resolution agreements changed since January 2025?\n\nHave staffing reductions or office closures affected OCR’s ability to investigate complaints or communicate with survivors?\n\nHave Department officials directed, formally or informally, OCR personnel to deprioritize certain categories of Title IX complaints?\n\nWhat safeguards are currently in place to ensure Title IX complaints involving sexual violence receive timely and appropriate review?\n\nWhat corrective actions are necessary to ensure the Department is meeting its obligations to protect students under Title IX?\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nThe letter was signed by: Amo, Gabe; Ansari, Yassamin; Balint, Becca; Barragán, Nanette; Beatty, Joyce; Beyer, Donald; Bonamici, Suzanne; Brownley, Julia; Brown, Shontel; Bynum, Janelle; Carter, Troy; Castor, Kathy; Chu, Judy; Clarke, Yvette; Craig, Angie; Crockett, Jasmine; Davids, Sharice; Dean, Madeleine; DeGette, Diana; DeSaulnier, Mark; Dexter, Maxine; Dingell, Debbie; Elfreth, Sarah; Escobar, Veronica; Espaillat, Adriano; Evans, Dwight; Fletcher, Lizzie; Foster, Bill; Foushee, Valerie; Frankel, Lois; Frost, Maxwell; Garamendi, John; Garcia, Sylvia; Goldman, Daniel; Goodlander, Maggie; Grijalva, Adelita; Houlahan, Chrissy; Hoyle, Val; Ivey, Glenn; Jackson, Jonathan; Jayapal, Pramila; Johnson, Julie; Kamlager-Dove, Sydney; Kelly, Robin; Kennedy, Timothy; Khanna, Ro; Landsman, Greg; Latimer, George; Lee, Summer; Leger Fernandez, Teresa; Lynch, Stephen; Magaziner, Seth; Matsui, Doris; McBride, Sarah; McClain Delaney, April; McClellan, Jennifer; McIver, LaMonica; Mejia, Analilia; Menefee, Christian; Meng, Grace; Mfume, Kweisi; Morelle, Joseph; Mullin, Kevin; Nadler, Jerrold; Norton, Eleanor; Omar, Ilhan; Pelosi, Nancy; Pettersen, Brittany; Pingree, Chellie; Quigley, Mike; Ramirez, Delia; Randall, Emily; Raskin, Jamie; Ross, Deborah; Salinas, Andrea; Scanlon, Mary Gay; Schakowsky, Janice; Scholten, Hillary; Sewell, Terri; Simon, Lateefah; Stansbury, Melanie; Stanton, Greg; Stevens, Haley; Strickland, Marilyn; Subramanyam, Suhas; Sykes, Emilia; Takano, Mark; Thompson, Bennie; Thompson, Mike; Titus, Dina; Tlaib, Rashida; Tokuda, Jill; Tonko, Paul; Trahan, Lori; Velázquez, Nydia; Walkinshaw, James; Watson Coleman, Bonnie; Williams, Nikema; Wilson, Frederica.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://bresnahan.house.gov/media/press-releases/bresnahan-dingell-mann-and-frankel-introduce-legislation-delay-340b-rebate", "title": "Bresnahan, Dingell, Mann, and Frankel Introduce Legislation to Delay 340B Rebate Model, Protect Access to Affordable Medicine", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bresnahan.house.gov/media", "domain": "bresnahan.house.gov", "scraper": "bresnahan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001327", "name": "Robert P. Bresnahan, Jr.", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC: Today, U.S. Representatives Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Tracey Mann (KS-01), and Lois Frankel (FL-22) introduced the 340B Rebate Model Delay Act, bipartisan legislation to delay implementation of the federal government’s 340B rebate model, citing concerns that the new system could create significant financial and administrative risks for healthcare providers and patients.\n\n“Patients and providers should not have to bear the risks of an untested change to a program that helps deliver affordable medicines to communities across the country,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “Congress needs more time to evaluate the potential financial and administrative consequences of the rebate model and ensure that any changes to 340B protect patients and the providers who serve them.\n\nUnder the rebate model, participating providers would pay the full price of certain prescription drugs upfront and receive the 340B discount later through rebates. This could create cash-flow pressures, increase administrative burdens, and make it more difficult for community health centers, hospitals, and other safety-net providers to maintain access to affordable medications.\n\n“Families in Michigan are already struggling to pay for healthcare,” said Rep. Dingell. “Safety-net providers are not in the financial position to front this money, especially in light of Medicaid cuts, and will either have to hike up prices for patients or stop offering lifesaving drugs. This bill would delay the implementation of this rebate model so we can ensure people’s lives are not put at risk.”\n\n“Rural hospitals and health care providers across the Big First District rely on the 340B program to stretch limited resources and continue providing quality care close to home,” said Rep. Mann. “The new rebate model would force these providers to pay higher upfront costs and wait to be reimbursed, putting unnecessary financial strain on facilities that already operate on tight margins. This legislation provides certainty for our rural health care providers by stopping the rebate model through 2028 and protecting their ability to serve patients in rural communities.”\n\n“Safety-net hospitals and community health centers are lifelines for low-income families, seniors, and people without health insurance,” said Rep. Frankel. “Our bipartisan bill stops a new requirement forcing these providers to pay full price for prescription drugs and then wait for rebates. Their limited resources should go toward caring for patients, not waiting for drug companies to pay them back. We should be making it easier for people to get the medicine they need, not putting more financial strain on the hospitals and clinics they depend on.”\n\nThe 340B Drug Pricing Program allows eligible healthcare providers serving underserved communities to purchase covered outpatient drugs at discounted prices and stretch limited resources to provide care.\n\nThe 340B Rebate Model Delay Act is endorsed by Advocates for Community Health, America’s Essential Hospitals, Children’s Hospital Association, National Association of Community Health Centers, Catholic Health Association, Alliance of Safety-Net Hospitals (ASH), Health West, Hospital Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), 340B Health, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Ryan White Clinics for 340B Access, American Association of Medical Colleges, National Rural Health Association, Michigan Primary Care Association, Florida Association of Community Health Centers, Community Health Center Association of Mississippi, Idaho Community Health Center Association, Community Health Center Association of Connecticut, Georgia Primary Care Association, Oregon Primary Care Association, Washington Association for Community Health, and American Hospital Association.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415895", "title": "Trenton Monitor article on New Jersey March for Life'Thousands gather in Trenton for annual New Jersey March for Life'", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "chrissmith.house.gov", "scraper": "chrissmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000522", "name": "Christopher H. Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "By Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor\n\nPublished October 9, 2026\n\nThousands of pro-life advocates gathered at the New Jersey Statehouse Annex in Trenton Oct. 8 for the annual Rally and March for Life, calling on lawmakers to protect women and unborn children.\n\nPHOTO GALLERY: NJ March for Life\n\nThe event brought together people of all ages, including pro-life organizations from every diocese in the state, as well as Catholic school and parish delegations. Speakers included state legislators, representatives of the National and New Jersey March for Life organizations and faith leaders, including Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney from the Paterson Diocese. The day included the added focus of supporting mothers facing difficult pregnancies.\n\nPro-life advocates carry signs proclaiming “Life Is a Gift” as they participate in the New Jersey March for Life in Trenton Oct. 8. The march followed the third annual Mass for Life, bringing together Catholics and other supporters from across the state to witness publicly to the dignity and value of human life.\n\nRep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ, 4th District), a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting, described the March for Life as “an engraved invitation to all of us to seriously recommit and rededicate ourselves, with love and compassion, to tangibly assist women – especially through the extraordinary work of pregnancy care centers – in order to protect their precious babies and their own lives from the violence and cruelty of abortion.”\n\n“We are a people of persevering faith in God, willing to bear any burden and endure any attack,” the congressman said. “We know that the cruel injustice of abortion need not be forever and that each day, despite setbacks, many unborn children and their mothers have, are and will be protected. We have hope. We have much work to do.”\n\nMarie Tasy, executive director of New Jersey Right to Life, highlighted the historic significance of gathering in Trenton during the nation’s 250th anniversary year. She recalled George Washington’s victory in December 1776, which helped turn the tide of the American Revolution and renewed hope for the young nation.\n\n“Just months earlier, our founders had proclaimed that our unalienable rights come not from government, but from our Creator, beginning with the right to life,” Tasy said.\n\n“Today, 250 years later, we gather in that same historic city, at the doorstep of our state house, to defend that founding principle,” she said, urging participants to continue speaking out, standing firm and working to protect every human life.\n\nReiterating that New Jersey continues to pursue policies that expand abortion and deny meaningful protection for unborn children, Tasy emphasized the importance of elected officials hearing from the people they represent.\n\n“The New Jersey March for Life is a powerful reminder that there is a strong and compassionate pro-life movement throughout our state who remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting mothers and their unborn,” she said.\n\nFather James O’Neill, pastor of St. John Parish in Lakehurst and Ocean County’s Respect Life chaplain, said the annual gathering demonstrates the solidarity of New Jersey’s pro-life community.\n\n“Even though New Jersey has several million residents, I marvel at how (it) feels like a close-knit community at the Mass for Life and Rally for Life,” he said.\n\nFather O’Neill referred to the Rally for Life as an event that extends beyond “us Catholics to include our non-Catholic neighbors.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415896", "title": "EWTN News article featuring Smith's commentary'Transnational online scam operations on the rise, U.S. State Department says'", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "chrissmith.house.gov", "scraper": "chrissmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000522", "name": "Christopher H. Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "By Amira Abuzeid\n\nPublished October 9, 2026 at 5:18 PM ET\n\nThe State Department released its 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report on Oct. 8, showing criminal organizations and repressive governments are using trafficking for profit in new ways.\n\nThe report, released more than three months after the June 30 deadline, said the spread of industrial-scale online scam operations “pose a direct threat to US national security.”\n\nTransnational crime organizations, mostly run by Chinese nationals and long based in Southeast Asia, have moved into Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America, destabilizing local communities and cheating people out of billions of dollars each year, according to the report.\n\nFraudulent online romance, gambling, and cryptocurrency schemes have defrauded people in more than 125 countries, with Americans, the primary targets, losing at least $18.2 billion in 2025 to compounds operating out of Southeast Asia, according to the report.\n\nCredit: Pungux/Shutterstock\n\nThe organizations recruited people from at least 80 countries over the past few years through fraudulent schemes, often pushing them into forced labor and holding them in guarded compounds and manipulating them through violence, sexual exploitation, intimidation, and other acts. They are often coerced into committing crimes, the report found.\n\nThe report, an annual assessment required by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, covers April 1, 2025, through March 31.\n\nThe State Department said it relied on information from embassy reporting, government officials, nongovernmental and international organizations, published reports, news articles, and other sources.\n\nThe State Department said that governments that fail to punish traffickers and protect victims should be held accountable.\n\n12 governments cited\n\nTwelve governments are cited in the report for a “policy or pattern” of state-sponsored human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Burma, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Russia, South Sudan, and Sudan. This designation covers “trafficking in government-funded programs, forced labor in government-affiliated medical services or other sectors, sexual slavery in government camps, or the employment or recruitment of child soldiers.”\n\nUnder the Child Soldiers Prevention Act, the department listed 14 countries whose forces or state-backed militias recruited or used children in any capacity during hostilities, including as sex slaves: Afghanistan, Burma, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iran, Nigeria, Russia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Venezuela, and Yemen.\n\nAmong country rankings reported so far, Israel returned to Tier 1, the highest category, for the first time since 2021, after five years on Tier 2. The Republic of Congo was downgraded to Tier 3, the lowest, for failing to meet minimum standards and not making significant efforts. A Tier 3 listing can restrict certain U.S. assistance, including security assistance, the report said.\n\nA Tier 1 ranking does not mean that a country has no human trafficking. Instead, according to the report, “a Tier 1 ranking indicates that a government has made efforts to address the problem … and met the TVPA’s minimum standards.”\n\nRep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, author of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, said in a statement on Oct. 8 that the report’s findings are “a stark reminder that modern-day slavery remains a global scourge — and that governments must be held accountable when they fail to protect vulnerable people.”\n\n“Human trafficking is an assault on human dignity and freedom,” the congressman wrote. “The United States must continue to use every tool at its disposal — including the TIP Report — to expose human trafficking whenever it rears its ugly head, protect survivors, and press foreign governments to end this blight upon humanity.”\n\n“China remains on Tier 3 — the lowest ranking,” Smith continued, “reflecting its continued failure to meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) use and enabling of forced labor — including the systematic exploitation of Uyghurs and other persecuted minorities — is deeply troubling and deserves the greatest level of scrutiny.”\n\n“Moreover, the horrific, ongoing consequences of China’s one-child per couple policy can still be seen and felt today, as the Report notes that a gross disparity — tens of millions more boys than girls — has driven the demand for commercial sex trafficking and coercive marriages in the country,” Smith wrote.\n\n“Governments on Tier 3 — including China, North Korea, Iran, Russia, Burma, Belarus, Cambodia, Cuba, Laos, Nicaragua, Sudan, South Sudan, and Venezuela — can and must do more. Tier 3 must never become a permanent designation; it should serve as a dire warning and a call to action,” Smith wrote.\n\nThis article was published on October 9, 2026 and can be found online at:", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-leads-29-members-congress-demanding-answers-barriers-release", "title": "Rep. Chu Leads 29 Members of Congress Demanding Answers on Barriers to Release from ICE Detention", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "chu.house.gov", "scraper": "chu", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001080", "name": "Judy Chu", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) led 29 Members of Congress in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mullin, Attorney General Blanche, and Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Acting Director Owen demanding answers about rising immigration bond denials, increasingly unaffordable bond amounts, and concerns about the independence of immigration judges under the Trump administration.\n\nImmigration bond allows eligible individuals to be released from immigration detention while their cases proceed, subject to certain conditions, including appearing for future court proceedings. But since President Trump took office, bond denials have increased substantially, while individuals granted bond are increasingly being required to pay amounts that many families cannot afford.\n\nAccording to data cited in the letter, immigration bond requests more than doubled from 34,845 in 2024 to 80,130 in 2025, an increase of approximately 130 percent. Meanwhile, the percentage of bond requests denied by immigration judges rose from approximately 36 percent in 2024 to 43 percent in 2025, reaching 55 percent in the first three months of 2026. The national median bond amount, which stood at $6,000 between January 2024 and November 2025, rose to $7,500 after November 10, 2025, with the average reaching $9,211.\n\nThese trends are particularly alarming at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, which Rep. Chu has fought to close for more than a decade. Since November 2025, immigration judges have denied 57 percent of bond requests from individuals detained at Adelanto, compared to 39 percent during the preceding period. The median bond amount at Adelanto has also climbed to $10,000, well above the national median. In one particularly troubling case, a man who had lived in the United States for 25 years, maintained steady employment, supported a family, and had no criminal record was assigned a $50,000 bond, an amount an amount immigration practitioners say has traditionally been reserved for exceptional cases.\n\nThe Members also raised serious concerns about potential interference with immigration judges' ability to make independent bond determinations. Following reports that judges were being required to provide written justifications to supervisors when granting bond, EOIR released heavily redacted records in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, leaving critical questions unanswered about what instructions or guidance immigration judges may have received.\n\nIn their letter, the Members wrote:\n\n\"Taken together, these developments paint a disturbing picture. The sharp increase in bond denials and bond amounts, coupled with unresolved questions regarding potential directives and supervisory practices governing immigration judges, raises serious concerns about whether immigration judges retain sufficient independence to make individualized bond determinations based on the facts and applicable law.\"\n\n“Everyone deserves a fair shot at freedom while they fight their case,” said Rep. Chu. “But under this administration, more people are being denied bond, and those who are granted it are facing amounts their families simply cannot afford. Immigration judges must be free to make decisions based on the facts and the law, not political pressure. The Trump administration owes the American people answers about whether immigration judges are being pressured to deny bond rather than make independent decisions based on the facts and the law.\n\n“This sharp increase in bond denials shows yet again how the Trump administration is manipulating the court system to advance its anti-immigration agenda while jeopardizing the independence of judges and due process for families caught in the system,” said Kel White, Associate Director, Public Education & Training at Acacia Center for Justice. “The few people who do receive bonds are told to pay an exorbitant amount and in cash. Not only is this unheard of, especially for people with no criminal record, it is nearly impossible for a parent to do. Courts must rely on facts and the law, not an out of control anti-immigrant agenda, otherwise this is a slap in the face of meaningful due process.”\n\n\"The widespread use of bond denials and excessive bonds, regardless of the individual facts of a case, underscores why our immigration courts must be truly independent. Immigration judges should be empowered to independently interpret the law and weigh the facts of each individual case, not be reduced to rubber stamps for the administration’s detention policies. The growing practice of denying bond or imposing exorbitant bonds on people with no criminal history comes at a significant cost to not only the individuals caught in the web of injustice, but there is a cost to American taxpayers. At a time when families are struggling with affordability and rising healthcare costs, taxpayers are being asked to foot the bill for the unnecessary detention of people who have lived in our communities for decades and have no criminal record,\" said Benjamin Johnson, Executive Director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).\n\nThe letter was signed by Reps. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Christian Menefee (TX-18), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Juan Vargas (CA-52), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), and Maxine Waters (CA-43).\n\nThe letter is endorsed by Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), Advocates for Immigrant Rights, AFT, AfghanEvac, African Communities Together (ACT), Al Otro Lado, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), American Immigration Lawyers Association, Americans for Immigrant Justice, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Asylum Clinic KC, Ayuda, BINATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, Borderlands Resource Initiative, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Center for Law and Social Policy, Children's Legal Center, Church World Service, Community Immigration Law Center, Community Lawyers, Inc., Criminal Law & Justice Center, Defender Association of Philadelphia, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, Envision Freedom Fund, Estrella del Paso, Frontera Federation, Hands United, HIAS Pennsylvania, Human Rights First, Immigration Center for Women and Children, Immigration Equality, Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy (ISLA), Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), Immigrant Legal Defense, Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, Inspiritus, International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), Jalloh's Upright Services of North Carolina, Jesuit Refugee Service USA, Jewish Family Services of Greenwich, Justice in Motion, Just Detention International, Kids in Need of Defense, Kino Border Initiative, La Raza Centro Legal, San Francisco, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, Lawyers for Good Government, Legal Aid Justice Center, Life Span, Midwest Immigration Bond Fund, Minnesota 8, Mountain State Justice, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, National Immigrant Justice Center, National Partnership for New Americans, Neighborhood Justice Center, New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children, New York Immigration Coalition, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Oasis Legal Services, Open Immigration Legal Services, Pangea Legal Services, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA), Pathways to Citizenship, Prisoners' Legal Services of New York, Public Counsel, Raksha, Inc., RISE for Immigrants, Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, Safe Passage Project, Self retired, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), So Cal Immigration Project, Social Justice Collaborative, Sonoma Immigrant Services, Tahirih Justice Center, Atlanta Office, Task Force on United Methodist Immigration Ministries of Ohio, Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors, The Advocates for Human Rights, The Resurrection Project, The Workers Circle, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, UFW Foundation, VECINA, Vera Institute of Justice, VIDAS, and Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-wraps-district-work-week-focused-cpf-visits-and-celebrating-local", "title": "Ciscomani Wraps Up District Work Week Focused on CPF Visits and Celebrating Local Organizations", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ciscomani.house.gov", "scraper": "ciscomani", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001133", "name": "Juan Ciscomani", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Tucson, AZ - Representative Juan Ciscomani wrapped up a successful district work week focused on visiting several Community Project Funding (CPF) locations and celebrating the accomplishments of organizations throughout Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District.\n\n\"District work weeks provide me with the ability to connect with constituents, hear their needs and priorities, and discuss how I am fighting for them in Washington. From joining leadership at Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center to discuss funding for a new mammography unit, to meeting with Mayor Lisa Fitzgibbons about funding for improvements at Burris Road-Peters Road, this week included several great opportunities to share how I am fighting to deliver results for Southern Arizona,\" said Rep. Ciscomani. \"I also had the privilege of joining Albers Aerospace, Florence Copper, the Casa Grande Rotary Club, and Pima JTED to celebrate each of their achievements and the ways they help move Southern Arizona forward. I am proud to partner with organizations like these to advocate for and advance Arizona’s unique priorities.\"\n\nAs the only appropriator from Arizona in both the House and Senate, Representative Ciscomani is working to secure over $42 million across 20 projects across AZ-06 through the 2027 Appropriations process. As part of this district work week, the congressman visited five of these projects to discuss with local leadership the critical impacts these federal investments will have on their communities.\n\nCiscomani visited four projects in Graham County, which will support key needs for local communities:\n\n$3 million for the reconstruction and widening of 1st Avenue Road in Thatcher, improving a critical local roadway and improving travel safety and efficiency.\n\n$2 million for modernization and improvements to the Graham County Courthouse in Safford, to ensure it can continue meeting the needs of the county’s residents.\n\n$650,000 for Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center to purchase a new mammography unit, bringing advanced breast cancer screening and diagnostic services closer to home for rural patients.\n\n$650,000 for teacher housing at Fort Thomas Unified School District, helping provide more affordable housing options for educators while strengthening the district’s ability to recruit and retain teachers in the local community.\n\nRead more about the Graham County CPF sites HERE, HERE, and HERE.\n\nCiscomani also visited a project in Pinal County, which will support infrastructure needs throughout Casa Grande:\n\n$2.7 million for improvements at the intersections of Burris Road & Highway 84 and Burris Road & Peters Road, improving safety and ease of travel at critical transportation points.\n\nWhile in Casa Grande, Ciscomani attended the 5th Annual Casa Grande Oktoberfest to celebrate the Casa Grande Rotary Club’s 100th anniversary and recognize the organization’s lasting impact on the community. In its century of service, the Casa Grande Rotary Club has accomplished.\n\nTo conclude this week's CPF visits, Rep. Ciscomani visited the Sahuarita Police Department joined by Rep. Nathaniel Moran of Texas, to discuss a project that will deliver vital support for the department's needs:\n\n$2 million for the Sahuarita Police Department's purchase of a critical solar battery backup system to strengthen the facility's operations.\n\n\"At the local level you can make such a huge difference, but you've got to have a partner in Washington, D.C. that's willing to work with you, listen to good ideas, and then actually fight to make it happen,\" said Rep. Moran. \"Nobody outworks Juan Ciscomani in Washington, D.C. I guarantee it.\"\n\nRep. Ciscomani also joined with leadership at two critical organizations which represent the best of Arizona. Albers Aerospace marked the opening of their Tucson location with a ribbon cutting, which Rep. Ciscomani was proud to take part in. The company’s expansion to Tucson strengthens and advances Southern Arizona’s defense and aerospace manufacturing sector, bringing in new jobs while aiding national security.\n\nRead more about the event HERE.\n\nRep. Ciscomani also joined Florence Copper leadership and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin to commemorate the operation’s success in domestic copper production. Florence Copper is the first new source of copper in the United States in nearly two decades and represents Arizona’s commitment to domestic copper production and critical mineral supply.\n\nTo round out the week, Ciscomani joined the Pima JTED community for a beam signing ceremony at the new Pima JTED Innovation Learning Center. I am proud to have championed $2.7 million in federal funding for the construction of this center and look forward to how it will impact students for decades to come.\n\nAs Ciscomani continues the October district work period, he remains committed to partnering with local leaders and organizations across Southern Arizona to deliver real results for Arizona’s Sixth District.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://clarke.house.gov/clarke-demands-ice-leave-nyc-following-shooting-of-new-yorker/", "title": "CLARKE DEMANDS ICE LEAVE NYC FOLLOWING SHOOTING OF NEW YORKER", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://clarke.house.gov/category/press-release/", "domain": "clarke.house.gov", "scraper": "clarke", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001067", "name": "Yvette D. Clarke", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nOctober 9, 2026\n\nMEDIA CONTACT:\n\ne: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov\n\nc: 202.913.0126\n\nBROOKLYN, N.Y. — Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement:\n\n“For nearly two long and painful years, Americans have watched in helpless horror as our neighbors continue to be stolen from their homes and shot in the street by agents of the Trump Administration. Last night’s attempted murder of a New Yorker and his five-year-old son was far from the first disgraceful incident of its kind, but it must be the last. We demand ICE leave our city immediately, and we are too disgusted and too tired to accept any delay. While the abuses we have seen have shocked our collective conscience and sickened our society, we cannot say that we are surprised to see them fall on our communities. I fought bitterly to prevent Donald Trump and his congressional lackeys from empowering ICE with hundreds of billions in taxpayer dollars, because these vile crimes were only ever an inevitability under this president’s watch. In fact, these depravities are the only promise Donald Trump has ever kept. Every incident is just another dreadful reminder of the resources that could have been spent pushing our society towards a brighter future. Not pulling the darkest chapters of our past back to the present.\n\n“ICE has proven itself nothing more than a weapon for the wicked to tear away at our multiracial democracy. It is a broken agency, built by and for broken men. At every level, its personnel believe in nothing but the artificial power Republicans have given them. The only path forward is to rip it away entirely, before ICE has any opportunity to further its relentless escalation of violence and despair in America. Secretary Mullin must see that it is immediately removed from sanctuary cities like New York City and all others his agents have invaded. He must support the investigation and subsequent prosecution of his agents who have made a living harassing, abusing, and beating decent people trying to find their way in our nation. And he must ensure the New Yorker whom his agents grievously wounded yesterday is able to heal without any threat to his care or status in this country. If he does not, he will find himself following in the footsteps of his disgraced predecessor expeditiously. The choice is his – the power is ours. For the people we cannot help but love and the communities they cannot help but hate, we must use it.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://clarke.house.gov/clarke-slams-trump-administration-for-weakening-title-ix-protections-for-sexual-assault-survivors-in-wake-of-cornell-assault/", "title": "CLARKE SLAMS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR WEAKENING TITLE IX PROTECTIONS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS IN WAKE OF CORNELL ASSAULT", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://clarke.house.gov/category/press-release/", "domain": "clarke.house.gov", "scraper": "clarke", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001067", "name": "Yvette D. Clarke", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nOctober 9, 2026\n\nMEDIA CONTACT:\n\ne: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov\n\nc: 202.913.0126\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement:\n\n“For nearly two long and painful years, Americans have watched in helpless horror as our neighbors continue to be stolen from their homes and shot in the street by agents of the Trump Administration. Last night’s attempted murder of a New Yorker in front of his five-year-old son was far from the first disgraceful incident of its kind, but it must be the last. We demand that ICE leave our city immediately, and we are too disgusted to accept any delay.\n\n“While the Trump Administration’s government-sanctioned abuses have shocked our collective conscience and sickened our society, we cannot say that we are surprised to see them befall our communities. I fought bitterly to prevent Donald Trump and his congressional lackeys from empowering ICE with hundreds of billions in taxpayer dollars, because I was certain that these vile, unconstitutional crimes were an inevitability under this president’s watch. In fact, these depravities are the only promise Donald Trump has kept, serving as more red meat for his MAGA followers. Every incident is just another dreadful reminder of the resources that could have been spent positioning our society towards a brighter future. Not pulling the darkest chapters of our past back to the present.\n\n“ICE has proven itself nothing more than a vigilante weapon for the white nationalists to tear away at our multiracial democracy. It is a rogue agency, built by and for broken men. The only path forward is to rip that power away entirely, before ICE has any opportunity to further its relentless escalation of violence and despair in America. I therefore call upon Secretary Mullin to immediately remove ICE from sanctuary cities like New York City and all others his agents have invaded. The choice is his – however, the power is ours. Go out and vote!”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases/correa-tlaib-reintroduce-resolution-honoring-alex-odeh", "title": "CORREA, TLAIB REINTRODUCE RESOLUTION HONORING ALEX ODEH", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "correa.house.gov", "scraper": "correa", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001110", "name": "J. Luis Correa", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Lou Correa (CA-46) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) today reintroduced a resolution remembering and honoring the life and legacy of Alex Odeh. The resolution acknowledges Alex's impact on his community and the country, and reaffirms the importance of pursuing justice against those responsible for his death.\n\n“Alex Odeh was a teacher, a poet, and a man of peace, and he was murdered in our community simply for speaking up for civil and human rights,” said Correa. “He was a voice for peace and dignity in Orange County. Remembering him is the least we can do, and pursuing justice for his family is our obligation.”\n\nRep. Correa represents the district where Alex and his family lived and where the attack took place.\n\n“Alex Odeh dedicated his life to achieving true equality and equity for all. For daring to push for a better tomorrow, Alex was assassinated by members of the Jewish Defense League, and his killers have yet to be brought to justice,” said Tlaib. \"This horrific act of anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian violence was, and is not, new. But this violence will never silence us. Those who continue to fear-monger and incite hate against us will not win. Arab and Palestinian Americans are still here, loud and proud, carrying on Alex’s legacy.”\n\nRead the bill text here.\n\nAbout Alex Odeh\n\nAlex was born in Jifna, Palestine, and lived in Orange County, California, for most of his adult life, including Santa Ana. He was a peace activist who worked to promote civil liberties for Arab-Americans in the United States. Alex Odeh was the Southern California Regional Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).\n\nOn October 11, 1985, Alex was killed when a pipe bomb exploded as he entered the ADC regional office in Santa Ana, California. Although the primary suspects have long been known, no one has been brought to justice. The investigation remains open.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/op-ed-health-care-premiums-continue-rise-congress-can-lower-them", "title": "Op-Ed: Health care premiums continue to rise. Congress can lower them", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "courtney.house.gov", "scraper": "courtney", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001069", "name": "Joe Courtney", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "By Rep. Joe Courtney (Published in the Day, October 9th, 2026)\n\nLast month, Connecticut’s state insurance department officially approved an 11.3% average rate increase in 2027 for state-regulated, individual and small business health care coverage plans.\n\nThis double-digit increase, far above an already high general inflation rate, has justifiably been met with deep frustration from both individual patients and health care plan administrators, with small businesses in particular feeling the squeeze.\n\nIt is clear from the persistent high trajectory of the state insurance department rate increases that the mounting cost of health care is creating a burden that will not be sustainable over the long term. It is time for policy makers to stop this trend by digging deeper into these decisions to identify which health services are spiking in cost.\n\nThe 2026 rate decision could not be clearer. A leading driver of this year’s health care premium increase is prescription drug cost increases. According to the Connecticut Department of Insurance, 30% of a Connecticut health care premium dollar is consumed by prescription drug costs. This amount has doubled since 2010.\n\nThat trend screams out for action, not just in Hartford, but also in Washington, where over the last four years, real reductions in drug costs have been achieved because of Medicare price negotiations.\n\nAlong those lines, I am a co-sponsor of the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act (H.R. 6166), which would empower the Medicare program to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower prescription drug costs, not just for Americans 65 and older, but for all Americans on employer-based plans and individual ACA marketplace plans (Access Health CT here in Connecticut).\n\nThis bill builds on the price negotiation success of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which by law has saved both patients and Medicare billions. As a result of price negotiations, the diabetes drug Januvia saw its price lowered from $527 to $113, blood thinners Eliquis and Xarelto went from $521 to $231 and $517 to $197, respectively, and the Asthma and COPD drug Trelegy went from $654 to $175, to name just a few.\n\nExpanding drug price regulation has strong public support. At least two-thirds of U.S. adults across all parties, including 68% of Republicans, say that there is not enough government regulation when it comes to the price of prescription drugs, according to 2026 polling by KFF.\n\nEven President Trump and Congressional Republicans clearly recognize the success and popularity of drug price negotiation.\n\nIn 2025, when they cut nearly $1 trillion from the Medicaid program in their so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1) and allowed Affordable Care Act marketplace (Access Health CT) premiums to skyrocket for middle-class Americans, Trump and the GOP very carefully left the Biden-era Medicare drug price negotiation in intact.\n\nWhat about Trump Rx, the three-year deal with big pharma, you might ask? A close look at the Trump Rx portal that claims to provide lower drug prices in most cases recycles drug coupons for discounted prices that already exist.\n\nIn addition, Americans are only able to use Trump Rx to purchase drugs outside of their commercial health plans, meaning it does nothing to lower Connecticut premium rates. After three years, the Trump Rx deal expires, unlike the statutory permanence of the 2022 law that will expand the list of drugs subject to price reduction.\n\nIt is very clear, to lower Connecticut health care premiums, Congress should pass the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act into law and create cost-saving parity for working age Americans on par with Medicare. It’s simple and it will work.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://crank.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crank-introduces-bill-expand-educational-freedom", "title": "Rep. Crank Introduces Bill to Expand Educational Freedom", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crank.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "crank.house.gov", "scraper": "crank", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001137", "name": "Jeff Crank", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Jeff Crank (CO-05) introduced the Religious Education Liberty Assurance (RELA) Act, to ensure that Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) dollars go to all students, including those who attend a private or religious school.\n\nCreated as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, the EFTC allows taxpayers to donate annually up to $1,700 per person to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. SGOs use this money to provide tuition assistance, free or reduced-cost tutoring, educational supplies, and many other tools and resources for families and students who need them. States must opt-in to the tax credit for SGOs and families to be eligible, and so far, 30 states have done so, including Colorado.\n\nThe RELA Act would prevent states that opt-in from discriminating against religious or private schools, allowing the funds raised through the EFTC program to be available for use at all schools, in any education context, and for all children, regardless of whether the education provided is faith-based or not.\n\n“Our nation’s families deserve the right to decide where their children receive education,” said Rep. Crank.“The RELA Act expands educational freedom by making sure private and religious schools are not shut out, so every family can use these resources to find the right path for their child.”\n\nQuotes of support for the RELA Act:\n\n“Parents should be able to choose the education that is right for their children without government interference, and the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) should be able to serve families without unnecessary government control,” said P. George Tryfiates, VP for Public Policy and Legal Affairs, Association of Christian Schools International. “The Religious Education Liberty Assurance Act makes clear that states may not exclude or discriminate against private and religious schools participating in the tax credit. After all, there is no meaningful school choice without religious schools. The Association of Christian Schools International, which represents millions of students, parents, and faculty worldwide is grateful for Rep. Crank’s leadership in recognizing the important role that educational freedom, parental choice, and religious liberty play in ensuring families have meaningful options for their children’s education.”\n\n“Families should never face religious discrimination when choosing the education that is right for their children,\" said the Family Policy Alliance. \"As a national organization headquartered in Colorado Springs, Family Policy Alliance is especially grateful to Congressman Jeff Crank for leading the Religious Education Liberty Assurance Act. We know how important strong religious liberty protections are in Colorado, and families and faith-based schools across the country deserve those same protections. The RELA Act will help ensure that no state can exclude or discriminate against families and schools simply because of their faith. We’re proud to support Congressman Crank’s leadership in defending religious freedom and educational opportunity for families nationwide.”\n\n“Parents Defending Education Action is pleased to support Rep. Jeff Crank’s Religious Education Liberty Assurance (RELA) Act of 2026,\" said Terry Stoops, Director of Government Affairs at Parents Defending Education Action. \"The RELA Act of 2026 will prevent attempts to both undermine the exercise of citizens’ First Amendment rights and to disadvantage faith-based elementary and secondary schools that will benefit greatly from the Education Freedom Scholarship Tax Credit. Rep. Crank's timely legislation insulates communities of faith from hostile government actors and ensures they will be able to freely participate in the Education Freedom Scholarship Tax Credit.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://crow.house.gov/media/press-releases/crow-hosts-election-security-roundtable-with-colorado-leaders", "title": "Crow Hosts Election Security Roundtable with Colorado Leaders", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crow.house.gov/news", "domain": "crow.house.gov", "scraper": "crow", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001121", "name": "Jason Crow", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, hosted an election security roundtable alongside local officials from Denver County and Arapahoe County. Crow’s roundtable was an opportunity for elections officials, law enforcement, and other leaders to coordinate and discuss efforts to keep Colorado’s election system strong.\n\nJoining Crow’s roundtable were Denver District Attorney John Walsh, Arapahoe County District Attorney Amy Padden; Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Joan Lopez; Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown; and Ben Hess from the Committee for Safe and Secure Election.\n\nAt the roundtable, Colorado leaders discussed ensuring Coloradans have the right information to help them vote early; security protocols that keep ballot drop-off boxes secure; and exercises used by law enforcement officers and local officials to help them prepare for any potential incidents before, during, and after Election Day.\n\n“Colorado’s elections are the gold standard. Our same-day registration, open primaries, and mail-in-ballot program not only encourage one of the highest voter turnout rates in the nation but are also extremely safe and secure,” said Congressman Crow. “I assembled this roundtable to ensure that our leaders are working together to protect our elections at every turn. Every qualified Coloradan must have the chance to make their voice heard without fear or intimidation.”\n\nCongressman Crow has long fought to ensure that all Coloradans are able to make their voices heard at the ballot box. He voted against Congressional Republicans’ voter suppression bills, while working to ensure our elections are secure from bad actors through his leadership on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Crow is also leading the fight to root out corruption in our elections, including through his End Dark Money Act and SHINE Act to crack down on dark money’s influence on U.S. elections.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://crow.house.gov/media/press-releases/crow-statement-condemning-hegseth-s-plans-for-public-execution", "title": "Crow Statement Condemning Hegseth’s Plans for Public Execution", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crow.house.gov/news", "domain": "crow.house.gov", "scraper": "crow", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001121", "name": "Jason Crow", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a former paratrooper and Army Ranger who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after Pete Hegseth announced the Pentagon will use our military to hold a public execution for the man responsible for the shooting at Fort Hood:\n\n“Pete Hegseth has taken our military’s tradition of selfless service and flipped it on its head. With this public execution, he is degrading the culture of our military and turning a culture of service into one of vengeance and spectacle, performed for cameras and attention on social media.\n\n“The Fort Hood shooter's actions were horrific. Responding to it by livestreaming a violent execution is not an answer. A public execution only gives our adversaries fodder for anti-American propaganda that makes us less safe.\n\n“Pete Hegseth’s self-absorbed hunger for power, attention, and violence is disgusting and beneath the office he holds. He is not fit to lead.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7471", "title": "Dingell Releases Latest Response from U-M Regarding Los Alamos", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "debbiedingell.house.gov", "scraper": "debbiedingell", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000624", "name": "Debbie Dingell", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) is continuing to demand greater transparency on behalf of her constituents in Ypsilanti Township as it relates to the proposed University of Michigan (U-M) Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) research computing center at the Textile Road site.\n\nCongresswoman Dingell sent a follow-up letter to U-M requesting a full public disclosure of the underlying agreement and details regarding federal resources between U-M and LANL. While she is still requesting a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), this response confirms no federal dollars have been committed to this project. As promised, she is releasing the latest response to her September 2026 inquiry.\n\nIn September 2026, Congresswoman Dingell expressed opposition to the proposed Los Alamos research computing center at the Textile Road site in Ypsilanti Township. The congresswoman also requested the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a formal review of the environmental status of the Textile Road site in Ypsilanti Township. This month, Congresswoman Dingell announced she is drafting a federal data center “Bill of Rights” and is seeking input on a proposed framework to ensure communities have a meaningful voice in decisions surrounding large-scale data center projects.\n\nA copy of the responses can be found HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4089", "title": "De La Cruz Announces $31M for Jim Wells County Wastewater System", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "delacruz.house.gov", "scraper": "delacruz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000594", "name": "Monica De La Cruz", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) joined officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to announce more than $31 million in available funding for Jim Wells County Fresh Water Supply District #1. Secured through the FY26 government funding legislation, the grant will fund critical infrastructure improvements in Ben Bolt. Specifically, the project will construct a new wastewater collection system connected to the City of Alice wastewater treatment plant and deliver sewer service to Ben Bolt for the first time. \"This $31 million investment will be truly transformational for the community of Ben Bolt. I am thrilled to help secure funding that delivers first-time sewer service to enhance sanitation, water quality, and public health standards. This is not just an infrastructure upgrade, it is a long-term investment for Texas families and the community for decades to come.\" - Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz\n\nBackground:\n\nAlongside USDA, Congresswoman De La Cruz announced a grant of $29.3 million and a loan of $2.5 million for the Jim Wells County Fresh Water Supply District #1. The funding will create a new wastewater collection system, including new sewer lines, manholes, force mains, and three lift stations, to ensure safe collection and treatment of wastewater. The system will be the first sewer service in Ben Bolt.\n\nEarlier this year, Congresswoman De La Cruz supported $445.9 million in funding for the USDA Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program in the FY26 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/dexter-bonamici-merkley-conduct-unannounced-oversight-visit-portland-ice", "title": "Dexter, Bonamici, Merkley Conduct Unannounced Oversight Visit to Portland ICE Facility After Reports of Denied Access to Legal Counsel", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "dexter.house.gov", "scraper": "dexter", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000635", "name": "Maxine Dexter", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PORTLAND, OR – Today, Congresswomen Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) conducted an unannounced congressional oversight visit to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility on Macadam Avenue in Portland following troubling reports that attorneys were repeatedly denied access to detained clients.\n\n“No one should be denied access to legal counsel, regardless of their immigration status,” Congresswoman Dexter said. “It is a major concern when attorneys are repeatedly prevented from meeting with their clients. ICE is not above the law, and the Trump administration must be held accountable for how people are treated in federal custody. We are demanding answers, transparency and accountability.”\n\nRep. Dexter’s office received information from the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition that attorneys were denied access to four clients on 12 separate occasions Tuesday. These reports, coupled with an uptick in ICE enforcement activity in the Portland area, prompted the lawmakers to conduct an oversight visit to demand answers and examine conditions at the facility.\n\n“I just conducted a Congressional oversight visit at the ICE processing facility in Portland with Rep. Dexter and Senator Merkley,” Congresswoman Bonamici said. “ICE is not making us safer and this surge is increasing fear in the community. I encourage everyone to make a safety plan and take care of each other. I will not stop advocating for safe communities, due process, and humane immigration reform.”\n\n“ICE and Border Patrol agents are terrorizing our friends and neighbors,” Senator Merkley said. “Time after time, they are trampling civil rights, denying due process, and utilizing secret police tactics, totally wrong in our democratic republic. I'll keep doing all I can to stop them.”\n\nDuring the visit, the lawmakers asked about access to lawyers, the treatment of people in ICE custody, and whether the facility was complying with federal law. The visit builds on Rep. Dexter’s ongoing work to hold federal immigration enforcement accountable and protect the dignity and legal rights of people in ICE custody.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://ezell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2199", "title": "Ezell, Bonamici Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Reauthorize Regional Ocean Partnerships", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ezell.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "ezell.house.gov", "scraper": "ezell", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000235", "name": "Mike Ezell", "party": "Republican", "state": "MS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced the bipartisan Regional Ocean Partnerships Reauthorization Act, legislation to strengthen cooperation among coastal states, federal agencies, and local stakeholders to address shared ocean and coastal challenges.\n\nRegional Ocean Partnerships bring together states and stakeholders to coordinate efforts involving coastal resilience, marine resources, ocean research, and maritime economic development. These partnerships allow regions to identify shared priorities and develop solutions tailored to their unique coastal environments and economies.\n\n“Along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, our economy and way of life depend on healthy coastal waters, strong fisheries, and a thriving maritime industry,” Ezell said. “Regional Ocean Partnerships give states and local stakeholders a seat at the table when it comes to protecting these resources and addressing the challenges facing our coastal communities. I'm proud to work with Congresswoman Bonamici to reauthorize this program, strengthen regional cooperation, and ensure these partnerships remain focused on delivering results without adding unnecessary federal regulations.”\n\n\"The ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes face complex challenges, and the people who depend on them need tools to respond,” Bonamici said. “Regional Ocean Partnerships – like the West Coast Ocean Alliance – are proven solutions that convene state, tribal, local, and federal leaders to tackle shared problems with the science and resources they need. A healthy ocean and thriving coastal economies rely on collaboration. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan House Oceans Caucus, I'm pleased to work with Congressman Ezell to strengthen these partnerships and equip the people who live and work along our coasts with what they need to plan for a more resilient future.\"\n\nThe Regional Ocean Partnerships Reauthorization Act would extend federal support for these collaborative efforts through fiscal year 2031, helping participating states continue working together on shared coastal and marine priorities.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would:\n\nReauthorize Regional Ocean Partnerships through FY2031, providing continued federal support for regional coordination and collaboration.\n\nAuthorize approximately $10.6 million in FY2028, with incremental increases through FY2031 to support partnership activities.\n\nStrengthen accountability by requiring an additional report to Congress five years after enactment.\n\nProtect against regulatory overreach by prohibiting partnership funding from being used to develop regulatory proposals, model regulations, or compliance programs.\n\nFor Mississippi, regional collaboration plays an important role in addressing issues affecting the Gulf of America, including coastal resilience, marine habitats, fisheries, and the maritime economy.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-flood-celebrates-100-days-successful-trade-deal-european-union", "title": "Congressman Flood Celebrates 100 Days of Successful Trade Deal with European Union", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "flood.house.gov", "scraper": "flood", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000474", "name": "Mike Flood", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – Today, Congressman Mike Flood (NE-01) released a statement celebrating the first 100 days since the European Union eliminated its tariffs on American industrial goods and opened new market access for American agricultural products as part of the broader U.S.-EU trade agreement. The agreement took effect July 1, 2026.\n\nU.S. agricultural exports to the EU are up 17% this year, according to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service data, led by Nebraska’s top exports:\n\nEthanol exports to the EU have already surpassed all of 2025, with four months still to go.\n\nCorn exports are up 82% on the year.\n\nBeef exports are up 42% on the year.\n\n“For too long, American farmers and ranchers have played by one set of rules while our trading partners played by another,” said Congressman Flood. “Over the last two years, we’ve renegotiated our trade deals to level the playing field, and our agreement with the European Union shows that it’s working. Europe is buying more American corn, ethanol, and beef than it has in years. When Nebraska producers can compete on fair terms, they win, and this deal gives them that opportunity for years to come.”\n\nEarlier this year, Congressman Flood met with U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Andrew Puzder about the opportunities the deal creates for Nebraska producers.\n\nNebraska is the nation’s largest beef exporter and is a top exporter of corn, soybeans, and ethanol. The European Union is one of Nebraska’s top five agricultural export markets.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/fong-valadao-welcome-va-secretary-collins-bakersfield-new-clinic-announcement", "title": "Fong, Valadao Welcome VA Secretary Collins to Bakersfield for New Clinic Announcement", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "fong.house.gov", "scraper": "fong", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000480", "name": "Vince Fong", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BAKERSFIELD, CA – Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) and Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) hosted Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins in Bakersfield to announce the new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. This new clinic will replace the existing inadequate, decades-old clinic in Bakersfield which is unable to meet increased patient demand and support existing services.\n\n“Today is a significant step forward for the veterans of Kern County and it has been a long time coming,” said Congressman Fong. “After years of frivolous legal delays, the VA has accepted this new modernized clinic, with a target to welcome its first patients this December. Our veterans will finally be receiving care in a modern space worthy of their service, but we are not done. Today allows us to build and construct the permanent facility our veterans were promised, and I will not stop until that job is finished. Thank you to Secretary Doug Collins and the entire Trump Administration for making this a priority and delivering for the veterans of the Central Valley.”\n\n“For too long, Bakersfield Veterans had to make do with a clinic that suffered from HVAC and plumbing problems, and didn’t have enough space to meet Veterans’ growing needs,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Under President Trump’s leadership, and thanks to the advocacy of Reps. Valadao and Fong, Veterans will get the modern facility they deserve. The new clinic also enables VA to exit a horrible lease agreement that was costing us millions of additional dollars per year for a sub-standard facility – that means we can direct more resources to Veteran care.” ​​\n\n“Our veterans have sacrificed so much to protect our nation and preserve our freedoms, and when they come home, they deserve access to high-quality VA healthcare in their communities,” said Congressman Valadao. “For over thirty years, the existing Bakersfield clinic has served thousands of veterans across our region, but that facility is aging, patient demand has only grown, and it doesn’t have the space or resources needed to meet our veterans’ needs. The new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic will better meet demand and expand access to essential services, including primary care, mental health, dental, rehabilitation, and other specialty services. This is an important investment in the health and well-being of our Central Valley veterans, and I want to thank Secretary Collins, the administration, and Congressman Fong for their continued partnership in making this project a reality. I look forward to seeing our Valley veterans benefit from this new facility soon!”\n\nBackground:\n\nThe new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic will replace the existing decades-old facility, which has struggled to keep pace with growing patient demand and provide the space needed to expand services.\n\nIn 2009, 17 years ago, Congress authorized this project to provide much-needed improved healthcare services to local veterans. However, repeated legal challenges stalled construction, leaving veterans without access to modernized care for over a decade. Thanks to the advocacy and leadership of Congressman Fong, Congressman Valadao, Secretary Collins and President Trump, the project is moving forward following a July 2025 court ruling in favor of the City of Bakersfield.\n\nThe approximately 30,000-square-foot facility will offer a full slate of expanded care options, including primary care, audiology and speech pathology, mental health, homeless services, dental, eye care, enrollment and eligibility, laboratory services, nutrition and food services, physical medicine and rehabilitation, telehealth, and women’s health. Veterans will continue receiving care from their existing providers, with the new facility providing additional space to meet their needs. The new clinic will also allow the VA to redirect funding previously spent on the outdated facility’s rent toward serving veterans.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-introduces-legislation-to-promote-use-of-low-emission-anesthetic-gases", "title": "Rep. Foushee Introduces Legislation to Promote Use of Low-Emission Anesthetic Gases", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "foushee.house.gov", "scraper": "foushee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000477", "name": "Valerie P. Foushee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "DURHAM, NC (October 9, 2026) — Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced the Low Emission Anesthetics Act to incentive the use of certain low-emission anesthetic gases by health care facilities.\n\nCertain traditional anesthetic gases including desflurane or nitrous oxide used by healthcare providers have been found to have an outsized impact on greenhouse gas emissions, despite the existence of proven low-emission anesthetic gases like isoflurane or sevoflurane.\n\n“While it is clear that the climate crisis is being driven by large corporations and fossil fuels, Congress has a duty to explore all routes to make meaningful reductions to greenhouse gas emissions—and anesthetic gasses are one way we can make a difference. Moving away from anesthetic gases that have an outsized impact on greenhouse gas emission while viable alternatives already exist in the market is one small step we can take to be better environmental stewards,” said Congresswoman Valerie Fosuhee (NC-04). “I am proud to introduce the Low Emission Anesthetics Act to encourage the use of anesthetic gases that are less harmful to the environment, and I will continue to fight to keep the environment safe for generations to come.”\n\nSpecifically, the Low Emission Anesthetics Act would establish a low-emission anesthetic gas credit for any health care facility making strides to phase out high-emissions anesthetic gases, with escalating tax credits for facilities making significant strides in this area.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1939", "title": "Franklin Demands Immediate Action As Sulfur Crisis Threatens Florida Fertilizer Production", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://franklin.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "franklin.house.gov", "scraper": "franklin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000472", "name": "Scott Franklin", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) today sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick demanding immediate, coordinated federal action to address the sulfur supply and cost crisis already threatening domestic fertilizer production. With phosphate producers already cutting operations and idling facilities, Franklin warned continued delays threaten American jobs, Central Florida businesses, farm profitability and put the nation's food security at risk.\n\n“American fertilizer producers are cutting production now due to the high cost of sulfur needed to convert phosphate rock into fertilizer. Farmers and workers cannot afford more delays,” said Congressman Scott Franklin. “This crisis reaches beyond the plant gates to the machine shops, contractors, truckers and small businesses that support Florida’s phosphate industry. Reviewing the problem is not enough. The Administration must secure additional sulfur suplies, remove federal barriers driving up costs and protect the domestic production we already have. Food security is national security.”\n\nIn the letter, Franklin called on USDA and Commerce to:\n\nDesignate a senior official to coordinate the federal response and provide an action plan with specific steps and implementation timelines.\n\nWork with domestic suppliers, Canada and other reliable trading partners to increase sulfur supplies available to U.S. producers.\n\nResolve transportation, storage and handling constraints and remove unnecessary federal barriers increasing costs or limiting availability.\n\nAccelerate eligible projects that expand sulfur recovery and logistics capacity or restore curtailed fertilizer production.\n\nEvaluate existing emergency authorities, including the Defense Production Act, and identify any additional authorities or appropriations needed from Congress.\n\nSulfur is used to produce sulfuric acid, an essential input in phosphate fertilizer manufacturing with no readily available substitute in the production process. According to the Florida Phosphate Council, the industry generates an estimated $5 billion in economic impact in the Tampa region. In Polk County and across Central Florida, phosphate operations support equipment suppliers, machine shops, maintenance contractors, transportation providers and other local businesses. Prolonged production cuts threaten supplier orders, contract work and workers’ paychecks, with ripple effects throughout the local economy.\n\nThe crisis also threatens to deepen financial pressure on American farmers. According to an American Farm Bureau Federation survey, 70 percent of respondents could not afford the fertilizer they needed. Further production cuts risk tightening supplies, increasing costs and making the United States more dependent on foreign fertilizer producers.\n\nLast month, Franklin led members of Florida's congressional delegation in urging President Trump and Secretary Lutnick to address rising sulfur costs and supply disruptions. He also joined the bipartisan effort that helped secure phosphate's inclusion on the U.S. critical minerals list in 2025.\n\nRead the full letter here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases/gallagher-pushes-back-proposed-federal-changes-head-start-programs", "title": "Gallagher Pushes Back on Proposed Federal Changes to Head Start Programs", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "gallagher.house.gov", "scraper": "gallagher", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000607", "name": "James Gallagher", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman James Gallagher (CA-01) joined Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) in calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reconsider proposed changes to Head Start programs that local providers warn could reduce access to critical early childhood services for families across Northern California.\n\nIn a bipartisan letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the California lawmakers raised concerns about the proposed Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs rule, which would eliminate or reduce several federal standards governing classroom staffing and services for children with disabilities.\n\n“Head Start is a lifeline for a lot of working families in rural Northern California,” said Congressman Gallagher. “When I hear from local providers that these changes could mean fewer teachers in classrooms or children missing out on early developmental support, I take that seriously. We should absolutely be looking for ways to cut unnecessary bureaucracy, but that shouldn't come at the expense of the kids and families these programs are meant to serve.”\n\nGallagher and Thompson pointed to concerns raised by E Center, which serves families across eight Northern California counties, and North Coast Opportunities, which provides Head Start services in Lake and Mendocino Counties and surrounding communities.\n\nBoth organizations warned that eliminating federal standards for staff-to-child ratios and classroom sizes could result in larger classrooms with fewer teachers. The lawmakers also raised concerns that reducing health and developmental screening requirements could delay identifying children who need additional support.\n\nThese concerns are especially significant in communities recovering from devastating wildfires. Families in Butte and Lake Counties continue to face housing instability and displacement, making reliable access to Head Start services particularly important.\n\n“We are deeply grateful for the strong bipartisan leadership of Representatives Thompson and Gallagher,” said Melanee Cottrell, Executive Director of Head Start California. “Their advocacy is critical to protect comprehensive, high-quality Head Start programs – one of America's most successful investments in young children and families.”\n\nThe letter also raises concerns about reducing the administrative spending cap from 15 percent to 5 percent, which local providers warn could force reductions in services across rural communities.\n\nGallagher and Thompson urged HHS to withdraw or modify the proposed rule and work directly with Head Start providers to identify improvements that preserve the services children and families depend on.\n\nRead the full letter to HHS HERE.\n\n###\n\nClick the link here to subscribe to Rep. Gallagher’s eNewsletter!\n\nRep. James Gallagher | 408 Cannon House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 US", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://garbarino.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-garbarino-celebrates-columbus-day-recognizes-contributions-italian", "title": "Rep. Garbarino Celebrates Columbus Day, Recognizes Contributions of Italian Americans to Long Island", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://garbarino.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "garbarino.house.gov", "scraper": "garbarino", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000597", "name": "Andrew R. Garbarino", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of Columbus Day, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (NY-02), Vice Chair of the Italian American Congressional Delegation, is recognizing the generations of Italian Americans who have helped shape Long Island and communities across the country. Garbarino is also highlighting his resolution, H.Res. 789, which expresses support for the recognition of Christopher Columbus and his impact on the Italian-American community and recognizes the second Monday in October as Columbus Day.\n\n“Growing up on Long Island in an Italian-American family, Columbus Day has always been an opportunity to celebrate our heritage and honor the generations who came before us,” said Rep. Garbarino. “Italian Americans have played an enormous role in shaping Long Island into the place we are proud to call home, which can be seen in our small businesses, neighborhoods, and communities across the Island. I am proud to stand up for the recognition of Columbus Day and what it means to so many families across our country.”\n\nIn October 2025, Garbarino introduced H.Res. 789, a resolution reaffirming the importance of Columbus Day and recognizing Christopher Columbus's historical significance to the Italian-American community. The resolution highlights the holiday's longstanding role in celebrating Italian-American heritage and recognizing the contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants to the United States. As Vice Chair of the Italian American Congressional Delegation, Garbarino remains committed to ensuring that the community's history and contributions continue to be recognized.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://gooden.house.gov/press-releases?ID=75086BA0-0C2E-46AC-915E-E710077AE939", "title": "Gooden Seeks Clayton’s Assessment of U.S. AI/SI Defenses, Offers Congressional Support", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gooden.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "gooden.house.gov", "scraper": "gooden", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000589", "name": "Lance Gooden", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) asked DNI Jay Clayton for an assessment of whether current measures are sufficient to counter emerging AI/SI threats and where congressional support could strengthen those defenses. Clayton was recently chosen by President Trump to lead the White House’s Super Intelligence Force.\n\nGooden’s letter cites recent reports from leading American AI developers detailing instances in which agentic systems exceeded the intended boundaries of testing environments and accessed external systems. The letter also highlights reports of foreign actors using agentic AI to target Americans.\n\n“As agentic AI becomes more powerful, China and other adversaries will look for every weakness they can exploit,” said Rep. Gooden. “Congress needs to know whether our current defenses are able to keep pace and where we need to act before the next threat becomes a crisis.”\n\nAn excerpt from the letter:\n\n“Accordingly, we wish to inquire about the efficacy of existing measures in adequately preventing potential threats and misuse of AI by foreign adversaries like China and request you to identify and share with us any areas that could benefit from legislative action. We request your analysis of any possible shortcomings under current laws that must be addressed, especially any gaps or ambiguities that could impede your ability to effectively counter foreign adversaries using AI to target key U.S. assets and infrastructure.”\n\nGooden has been a leading voice in Congress in addressing foreign threats to American innovation and policymaking. He introduced theThink Tank and Nonprofit Foreign Influence Disclosure Act, which requires think tanks and nonprofits to publicly disclose significant contributions from foreign governments and political parties. Gooden has alsoworked alongside Attorney General Todd Blanche to address concerns surrounding foreign influence in our AI policy.\n\nThe letter was featured in anexclusive article byPunchbowl and is co-signed by Reps. Randy Weber (TX-14), Erin Houchin (IN-09), and Don Bacon (NE-02).\n\nRead the full letterhere.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://goodlander.house.gov/media/press-releases/goodlander-pushes-back-against-trump-administration-plan-to-dismantle-head-start-protects-new-hampshire-children-and-working-families/", "title": "Goodlander Pushes Back Against Trump Administration Plan to Dismantle Head Start, Protects New Hampshire Children and Working Families", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://goodlander.house.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "goodlander.house.gov", "scraper": "goodlander", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000604", "name": "Maggie Goodlander", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Goodlander joins 190 colleagues urging Secretary Kennedy to withdraw proposed rule that would dismantle safeguards for early education, child safety, and health services.\n\nConcord, N.H. — Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) joined House and Senate colleagues this week in urging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to withdraw a proposed rule that would weaken Head Start standards protecting children and supporting working families across New Hampshire.\n\nThe letter opposes the Administration’s proposed “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs” rule, warning that it would remove more than 90 percent of existing program standards and undermine the high-quality early education, health services, and family support that make Head Start a lifeline for families.\n\n“Every child in New Hampshire deserves a safe place to learn, grow, and get a fair shot at success. Head Start helps deliver on that promise while helping hardworking parents stay in the workforce and provide for their families,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “At a time when Granite Staters are struggling to find and afford childcare, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is brazenly trying to dismantle Head Start, and make it harder for kids and families to get the care they need. That is unacceptable. I’m fighting to protect Head Start and make quality childcare more affordable and accessible for New Hampshire families.”\n\nThe lawmakers warn that the proposal would eliminate federal requirements governing staff-to-child ratios and class sizes, weaken staff qualifications and safety training, and roll back standards for developmental screenings, dental care, and mental health services. They also raise concerns that shorter program hours would leave working parents scrambling to find additional childcare, while new documentation requirements would create barriers for families with the greatest needs.\n\nThe letter further objects to removing detailed protections for children with disabilities and children experiencing homelessness, and to changes that would undermine instruction for dual-language learners.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\nBACKGROUND ON GOODLANDER’S ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN AND WORKING FAMILIES\n\nCongresswoman Goodlander is working to lower childcare costs, expand access to early education, and support the educators and programs New Hampshire families rely on.\n\nDefending Head Start: Goodlander previously joined the Democratic Women’s Caucus in urging Secretary Kennedy to withdraw the same proposed rule, opposing efforts to weaken standards for child safety, early learning, health services, and support for children with disabilities.\n\nMaking quality childcare more affordable: Goodlander helped introduce the Child Care for Working Families Act, which would cap working families’ childcare expenses at seven percent of income, expand the supply of quality care, and increase wages for early childhood educators. The legislation would also support full-day, full-year Head Start programs and higher wages for Head Start workers.\n\nHelping children and families get to school: Goodlander introduced the bipartisan PATH to Education Act to improve affordable, reliable transportation to Head Start centers and educational institutions. The bill would help connect transit routes to schools and better align transportation schedules with program hours.\n\nInvesting in New Hampshire’s childcare workforce: Goodlander helped secure nearly $1 million for Nashua Community College’s Early Childhood Education Center. The center will help prepare future early childhood educators and expand access to quality childcare, with opportunities for students to observe, collaborate, and teach alongside Head Start teachers.\n\nExpanding childcare in New Hampshire communities: Goodlander helped secure federal Community Project Funding, including $1 million for Bristol’s Tapply-Thompson Community Center, $688,000 for the Gorham Community Learning Center, and $1.6 million for Sullivan County’s Regional Childcare Enhancement Project. These investments will support a new community center in Bristol, conversion of a vacant bank into a childcare facility in Gorham, and a new childcare center on Sullivan County’s Unity Campus.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-urges-fda-to-establish-clear-standards-for-rare-disease-status", "title": "RELEASE: Gottheimer Urges FDA to Establish Clear Standards for Rare Disease Status", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "domain": "gottheimer.house.gov", "scraper": "gottheimer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000583", "name": "Josh Gottheimer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Sarcoidosis Caucus, and thirty-eight of his colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary urging the agencies to establish clear, consistent standards for defining rare disease patient populations.\n\n“When 95 percent of rare diseases do not have cures, we cannot risk discouraging innovation in areas where scientific progress is rapidly outpacing regulatory adaptation,” the letter reads. “These challenges are not merely technical — they have real implications for patients… This means if the FDA considers prevalence rate with the higher estimate as the prevailing rate, diseases like Sarcoidosis are no longer capable of receiving crucial rare disease funding to find cures even though the patient population that needs treatment is well below the current FDA standard for rare.”\n\nThe letter raises concerns about the lack of clear, consistent FDA standards on how patient populations should be defined, how prevalence should be measured, and what evidentiary standards sponsors must meet. Advances in genomics and precision medicine are enabling researchers to identify increasingly specific disease subtypes, but the FDA has no clear roadmap for how to characterize those populations in regulatory submissions. The letter warns that this uncertainty can lead to unpredictable regulatory outcomes and discourage investment in therapies for small or complex patient populations.\n\nThis lack of clarity is already causing harm. Diseases like sarcoidosis, multiple myeloma, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and pulmonary hypertension — serious, often life-altering conditions — risk losing rare disease status depending on how patient populations are counted. For example, while some estimates place sarcoidosis prevalence just above 200,000, only about 60,000 patients actually require treatment. If the FDA relies on the higher estimate, diseases like sarcoidosis could lose access to rare disease-specific research funding and incentives, even though the population that needs treatments is well below the 200,000-person threshold.\n\nThe lawmakers urge HHS and the FDA to:\n\nEstablish standardized definitions for how patient populations are delineated, including the role of genetic, biomarker, and clinical criteria.\n\nIssue clear guidance on acceptable methodologies for calculating and submitting prevalence data, including preferred data sources, timeframes, and analytic approaches.\n\nOutline how real-world data and registry-based studies should be incorporated into regulatory submissions.\n\nProvide greater transparency into how population definitions and prevalence estimates are evaluated during review.\n\nClarify the role of treatment-eligible patient populations in determining rare disease status.\n\nEngage patient groups, researchers, and industry to develop consensus-driven best practices for population identification and data submission.\n\nThe letter is co-signed by Reps. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Nanette Díaz Barragán (D-CA), Wesley Bell (D-MO), André Carson (D-IN), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Jim Costa (D-CA), Danny Davis (D-IL), Don Davis (D-NC), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Adam Gray (D-CA), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), French Hill (R-AR), Jim Himes (D-CT), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Sarah McBride (D-DE), Max Miller (R-OH), Kelly Morrison (D-MN), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).\n\n“The letter builds on Gottheimer’s longstanding work on sarcoidosis and rare diseases. He has led an annual bipartisan appropriations letter urging research funding for sarcoidosis through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), founded the Bipartisan Congressional Sarcoidosis Caucus, and has met with patients, advocates, and leading medical professionals from across New Jersey to discuss the disease. Importantly, Gottheimer secured language in the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill that passed out of committee this year. The language encourages the NHLBI to advance research into sarcoidosis — the first-ever mention of the disease in this appropriations bill. For the sarcoidosis community, this is not just an abstract regulatory debate. It is about whether patients will have access to the treatments and research they desperately need in the future. Estimates put sarcoidosis prevalence at just over 200,000, but only about 60,000 patients are currently estimated to require treatment. At the same time, we know sarcoidosis is frequently misdiagnosed or goes undiagnosed, particularly for patients who lack access to specialists either geographically or financially, who recognize the disease. If FDA and HHS rely on inconsistent methodologies or incomplete data to define these populations, they risk overlooking the very patients who need greater investment in research and treatment. The treatment eligible population, and the patients who have yet to be diagnosed, must be part of this conversation. We sincerely thank Representative Gottheimer for leading this effort and for recognizing the need for clear, consistent, science based standards that accurately reflect the realities facing patients with rare diseases like sarcoidosis,” said Saul Kuciauskas, Vice President and Board Chair, Life & Breath Foundation.\n\n“Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) is grateful to Representative Josh Gottheimer and the Sarcoidosis Congressional Caucus for your extraordinary leadership. Sarcoidosis has been a largely neglected and underfunded disease. Complicated rare diseases, like sarcoidosis, require thoughtful engagement with the FDA and the NIH to ensure that drug development and research advance in a way that meets the real-world needs of the community. In short order, the Sarcoidosis Caucus has taken bold steps to clear the path to a brighter future for all impacted by sarcoidosis,” said Mary McGowan, President and CEO of FSR.\n\nGottheimer, a Rare Disease Caucus member, is also leading Gwenn’s Law, which would increase the number of women in NIH clinical research trials to help drive treatments and cures for rare diseases, and Cameron’s Law, which would restore the Orphan Drug Tax Credit to support rare disease drug development.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A587BF83-958E-4407-A0A2-7E4037D99AFE", "title": "Gov. Beshear, Congressman Rogers Announce More Than $22 Million for Economic Revitalization in Eastern Kentucky", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "halrogers.house.gov", "scraper": "halrogers", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000395", "name": "Harold Rogers", "party": "Republican", "state": "KY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "CORBIN, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2026) – Today, at the Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Summit, Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced more than $22 million to help support healthcare, emergency services, infrastructure, energy, education, tourism and economic development in Eastern Kentucky.\n\n“The people of Eastern Kentucky have supported this country through two world wars, our Industrial Revolution and by building the greatest middle class in the history of the world. These hardworking families deserve to know there is a bright future ahead of them and the investments we announced today will help make that possible,” said Gov. Beshear. “By focusing these dollars on healthcare, infrastructure and ongoing economic growth, we are making sure everyone across this important region has a chance to live out the American Dream.”\n\nThe funding announced today comes through the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program, established by Congressman Rogers in 2016. More than $1.3 billion in federal funding has gone toward AMLER since the program’s founding, of which more than $280 million has been awarded for 120 projects in Kentucky.\n\n“Over the past decade, the bipartisan AMLER grant program has helped our coal-producing counties pursue new opportunities to revitalize our region through stronger infrastructure, workforce development, adventure tourism, advancing access to healthcare and education, expanding broadband and much more,” said Congressman Rogers. “These new grants continue our work to create new jobs and opportunities where we need them most.”\n\nToday, the Governor and Congressman awarded:\n\nMore than $4 million to the Leslie County Fiscal Court to install over 35,000 linear feet of gas line to support existing and future businesses. The project will serve 12 businesses, over 100 households and six schools and churches once complete.\n\n$3.5 million to the City of London Convention and Tourism Commission in Laurel County to improve and complete infrastructure for the Wilderness Road Event Center. The project anticipates up to 65,000 visitors within the first two years and will create five full-time jobs at opening date.\n\n$2.9 million for Johnson County Schools to support the growth of the nursing and agriculture programs at the Johnson Central Career and Technical Center. The nursing program will create a healthcare learning environment that stimulates real life situations through the purchase of simulation equipment and supplies. The school will also expand its agriculture program by creating a hands-on learning environment with the purchase of high tunnels and farming equipment. The agriculture program anticipates training 246 students within the first year and the nursing program expects to train 75 students within the first year and lead to the creation of 50 jobs within the first five years.\n\n$2.76 million to AdventHealth Manchester in Clay County to allow the hospital to purchase a DaVinci 5 Robotic Surgical System. The system will provide five new surgical services with a less invasive approach and is expected to serve 360 patients within the first year.\n\n$2.5 million to the Elliott County Fiscal Court to replace the current emergency medical services (EMS) facility in Sandy Hook with a larger, modernized structure that will better support EMS operations and services. The county anticipates a 3% increase in patients treated within the first year of operation.\n\nMore than $2.2 million to the City of Cumberland in Harlan County to replace its aging water distribution infrastructure and provide dependable access to safe water by adding new water lines. The project is anticipated to serve 194 households and 50 businesses within the first year after completion.\n\n$2.15 million to Letcher County Water and Sewer District (LCWSD) to install new waterline and provide water services for the Mountain Comprehensive Health Corp. (MCHC) Children’s Autism Center, as well as 200 households.\n\n$1.64 million to the City of Booneville in Owsley County for the Sag Hollow Business Development Phase II, which will expand overnight lodging at the Sag Hollow area through the construction of three executive cabins. The project anticipates 2,800 visitors and the creation of two new jobs within the first year, with an expected revenue increase of over $150,000 by the second year of operation.\n\n$600,000 to the Pike County Fiscal Court to construct a build-ready pad at the Wolfpit Industrial Park. This project is expected to generate create $125,000 in occupational tax revenue within the first year and will help attract even more economic investment.\n\nThe Governor and Congressman also presented $25.7 million to the Center for Rural Development for six BEAD award projects to expand high speed internet to over 3,000 homes across 12 counties. Gov. Beshear first announced this project on Wednesday, as part of a record $78.8 million awarded to Kentucky from the Appalachian Regional Commission in fiscal year 2026. Congressman Rogers continues to protect federal funding for the ARC each year.\n\nIn 2026, the AMLER program awarded 14 grants in Kentucky, totaling more than $35 million. Those include two awards totaling $6.6 million for Eastern Kentucky coal communities announced in June, three awards totaling $6.6 million for Western Kentucky coal communities announced in September and nine awards announced today totaling more than $22.2 million for Kentucky’s Appalachian region. When completed, the 14 projects are expected to retain or create 257 jobs and train up to 500 Kentuckians annually. Infrastructure projects and workforce training will serve 165 businesses and 3,369 households; the community wellness projects will serve over 160,000 people annually; and the tourism projects will help bring in nearly 67,800 visitors annually.\n\nEnergy and Environment Cabinet Secretary John Lyons selected the projects for initial vetting by the Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands. Sec. Lyons said 112 applications (requesting over $268 million) were received for consideration.\n\n“The AMLER program is one of the most fulfilling programs we’re involved in,” said Secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet John Lyons. “These projects bring new life to our coal communities and create innovative solutions for tourism and business. They also bring much-needed services to our coal regions.”\n\nInformation about the AMLER program can be found on the Energy and Environment Cabinet website or by contacting Samantha Johnson, director of the Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands, at 300 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, KY 40601. Office: 502-782-9913, e-mail: SamanthaM.Johnson@ky.gov.\n\nAward Recipient Quotes\n\n“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Hal Rogers for his support in securing this AMLAR grant and to our AdventHealth Manchester team whose dedication helped make this possible,” said Nick Bejarano, president and CEO of AdventHealth Manchester. “This investment will help bring advanced surgical care closer to home for people across southeastern Kentucky, giving more patients access to the care they need without having to travel far from their families and support systems. It is an important step forward in our vision to make high-quality, whole-person care more accessible and to help build a healthier future alongside the communities we call home.”\n\n“On the behalf of MCHC and the children and families affected by autism, I would like to humbly thank Gov. Beshear and Congressman Rogers for this water and sewer extension grant,” said Mike Caudill, CEO of MCHC. “The grant provides the final link needed for MCHC to construct a 15,000+ square foot state-of-the-art clinic dedicated solely for the diagnosis and treatment of autistic children. Without this grant, this much-needed project may never have come to fruition. Thank you.”\n\n“On behalf of the Johnson County School system, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the AMLER program for awarding us this grant,” said Thom Cochran, superintendent of Johnson County Schools. “This funding is a critical piece for our district as we construct our new Career and Technical Center. Specifically, these resources will allow us to continue construction of our health science classrooms and labs, as well as build new high tunnel greenhouses for our agriculture pathways. Investments like this directly support our mission to provide students with hands-on learning environments that truly prepare them for life beyond high school, and we are deeply appreciative of the continued support for our schools and community.”\n\n“The Leslie County Fiscal Court is extremely grateful to receive $4,030,000 in AMLER funding for Phase III of the Gas Line Project,” said Judge Executive William Lewis. “This award represents a significant investment in the future of Leslie County and will allow us to continue expanding critical infrastructure that can improve the quality of life for our citizens and create opportunities for future growth. We appreciate the continued support of our state and federal partners and everyone who has worked to make this project possible. We are proud to continue moving this important project forward and investing in the future of Leslie County.”\n\n“Pike County is very thankful for the AMLER program,” said Judge Executive Ray S. Jones II. “This award is the final phase of the Wolfpit Industrial & Technology Park. The funding will be used to construct a building pad and enable this site to be ‘Build Ready.’ The Wolfpit Industrial & Technology site is an 88-acre industrial park with the potential to create 250 much-needed manufacturing or technology jobs.”\n\nZeke Little, Owsley County Judge Executive, said: “This is an absolute win for Booneville and Owsley County!”\n\n“The City of Cumberland is very thankful to all involved in making this happen,” said Mayor Charles Raleigh. “This money will help greatly with better service and quality to our customers, all while helping save money on water loss and repair cost to our city.”\n\n“This investment will allow us to complete critical recovery work, replace damaged infrastructure and move forward with a first-class event facility capable of hosting regional events that will bring visitors to London, support our hotels and restaurants, create opportunities for local businesses and help generate meaningful jobs for families throughout our community,” said Christina Sowders, director, Wilderness Road Event Center. “We are deeply grateful to Congressman Hal Rogers for his leadership and continued commitment to Eastern Kentucky. His support for this investment recognizes the importance of facilities like the Wilderness Road Event Center to our region’s economy, tourism industry and quality of life.”\n\nFor more information about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://hamadeh.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1026", "title": "Congressman Hamadeh Encourages Students to Submit Applications for Service Academy Nominations Before Deadline", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hamadeh.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "hamadeh.house.gov", "scraper": "hamadeh", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001098", "name": "Abraham J. Hamadeh", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08) is encouraging graduating high school students in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District who are interested in attending one of the nation’s prestigious U.S. service academies to submit their applications for a congressional nomination before the October 30, 2026, deadline.\n\nCompleted application packages for the Class of 2031 must be submitted to Congressman Hamadeh’s office no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026.\n\nCongressman Hamadeh looks forward to nominating exceptional student leaders, scholars, and athletes from Arizona’s 8th Congressional District to four of the nation’s five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (West Point) — West Point, New York; U.S. Naval Academy — Annapolis, Maryland; U.S. Air Force Academy — Colorado Springs, Colorado; and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy — Kings Point, New York.\n\nThe fifth institution, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, does not require a congressional nomination for admission.\n\n“As a former U.S. Army officer, I understand firsthand the tremendous honor and responsibility that come with serving in our nation's Armed Forces,” stated Congressman Hamadeh. “Our service academies represent the very best of American military tradition, providing an exceptional education while developing the leadership, character, and discipline necessary to serve our great nation. It is a distinct privilege to help outstanding young men and women from Arizona’s 8th Congressional District pursue their dreams of attending one of these prestigious institutions.”\n\nAdmission to a U.S. service academy is among the most competitive and prestigious educational opportunities available to graduating high school students. In addition to receiving a world-class education and extensive leadership training, graduates accept a commitment to serve their country following graduation. Most graduates are required to serve a minimum of five years on active duty, although service obligations vary by academy and program.\n\nWhile a congressional nomination is an essential step in the admissions process for four of the five academies, it does not guarantee an appointment. Each academy makes its own final admissions decisions based on academic achievement, leadership potential, physical fitness, character, and other qualifications.\n\nStudents seeking a congressional nomination for the Class of 2031 must submit their completed application packages to Congressman Hamadeh’s district office by 3:00 p.m. on October 30, 2026.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=9146BD9B-C769-469A-8536-4A2BB3C790FA", "title": "Hayes, Landsman, Carter Introduce Bipartisan Clean School Bus Legislation", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "hayes.house.gov", "scraper": "hayes", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001081", "name": "Jahana Hayes", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), was joined by Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01) and Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) to introduce the Clean School Bus Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize $1 billion in funding to help school districts across the country replace traditional school buses with electric bus alternatives. Specifically, the legislation would provide $1 billion for the Clean School Bus program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).\n\nEvery day, 20 million children and thousands of bus drivers breathe polluted air during their commute to school, which negatively impacts student health and attendance, particularly for students with asthma and other respiratory conditions. The Clean School Bus Reauthorization Act addresses this challenge by providing school districts with grants to invest in bus replacement, charging infrastructure, and workforce development.\n\n“Since I came to Congress in 2019, I have advocated for clean school bus funding. As an educator with over a decade of classroom experience, I know how damaging diesel exhaust can be for student well-being and learning. The consequences of diesel emissions extend to our environment, exacerbating the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The Clean School Bus Reauthorization Actwill help to provide cleaner and healthier air for school children in Connecticut and across the country, support clean energy jobs, and protect our environment for decades to come,” said Congresswoman Hayes.\n\n“School buses that run on clean energy have a major impact on the environment, and they save money for our school districts. The Clean School Bus Act is an important investment in our education system that will keep our kids and our communities safe for years to come”, said Congressman Landsman.\n\n“Getting students to and from school safely and reliably is a priority for families and school districts across Georgia. By extending the Clean School Bus Program, this legislation will give schools greater certainty as they plan for the future, replace aging buses, and make transportation decisions that best meet the needs of their communities. I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to help ensure our schools have the tools they need to keep students moving safely and reliably,’ said Congressman Carter.\n\nThe Clean School Bus Reauthorization Act builds on efforts led by Congresswoman Hayes since her first time in Congress.\n\nIn 2019, Congresswoman Hayes introduced the Clean School Bus Act to establish a grant program authorized for up to $1 billion over five years for school districts, particularly those with lower-income students, to replace diesel school buses with electric school buses.\n\nIn 2021, Congresswoman Hayes introduced the Clean Commute for Kids Act to invest $25 billion to replace existing diesel buses with electric buses.\n\nCongresswoman Hayes fought for clean school bus funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law in 2021. This led to the inclusion of over $5 billion for the EPA to administer rebates, grants, and contracts to replace a portion of the nearly 500,000 school buses with more environmentally safe models.\n\nIn 2023, Congresswoman Hayes joined her colleagues to urge President Biden to include at least $300 million in additional funding for clean school buses in his FY24 budget request.\n\nIn June of 2023, The Congresswoman joined Brenda Mallory, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and other officials to announce the award of 25 zero-emission school buses to DATTCO Inc. to provide school transportation services for the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS).\n\nIn 2024, the EPA announced 67 recipients for the first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The grants help awardees purchase over 2,700 clean school buses in 281 school districts across 36 states including Connecticut. The Congresswoman released the following statement.\n\nDuring Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations, Congresswoman Hayes led over 120 of her colleagues to request $300 million for the Clean School Bus program.\n\nThe Clean School Bus Reauthorization Act is endorsed by the American School Bus Industry Coalition which includes Blue Bird, First Student, Beacon Mobility, National Express, Highland, Greenpower Motor Company, National School Transportation, Student Transportation of America, and IC Bus. Additional endorsers include the American Bus Association, American Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAFA), League of Conservation Voters, Moms Clean Air Force, Sierra Club, Union of Concerned Scientists, and World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Electric School Bus Initiative.\n\n“Reauthorizing the Clean School Bus Program is important to American manufacturing, American workers, our nation’s school children and local communities throughout the country. As Americans, we can take pride in the fact that almost all school buses sold in the United States, including electric school buses, are also manufactured in the United States by American workers. The school bus industry has seen great enthusiasm and increased demand for alternative fuel and zero-emissions school buses from parents and school districts, and the Clean School Bus Program has significantly expanded access to these vehicles. On behalf of U.S. school bus manufacturers, and private school bus operators, the American School Bus Industry Coalition commends Rep. Jahana Hayes, Rep. Greg Landsman and Rep. Buddy Carter for the bipartisan introduction of a five-year reauthorization bill that will positively benefit our nation’s kids.” – American School Bus Industry Coalition", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyer-statement-trump-administration-decision-lift-sanctions-russian-diesel", "title": "Hoyer Statement on Trump Administration Decision to Lift Sanctions on Russian Diesel", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media", "domain": "hoyer.house.gov", "scraper": "hoyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000874", "name": "Steny H. Hoyer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced a 180-day suspension of sanctions on Russian diesel and indicated that the U.S. may purchase large quantities of the fuel:\n\n\"It is outrageous for the President of the United States to purchase tons of diesel from Russia in direct contravention of legislation he signed three weeks ago imposing the toughest sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas. Doing so would fuel the very war of aggression in Ukraine that our sanctions are meant to stop. It is a sudden and mendacious shift in policy from the pressure of our sanctions to actively aiding and abetting the war effort of Russia against Ukraine - and an infusion of economic assistance to Russia. Both of these are the exact opposite of Congress’s intent and the President’s statement in enacting and signing the Lindsay O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act three weeks ago. This action bails out both Putin and Trump - for Putin, his faltering war effort and economy; for Trump, the consequences of a war of choice in Iran: exorbitant fuel costs for Americans.\n\n\"President Trump’s action of helping Russia while at the same time asking our allies to shoulder more of the burden of support for Ukraine is clearly duplicitous.\n\n“Congress must take action, drawing on the strong bipartisan support behind the sanctions law, to prevent a penny of American funds from being used to purchase Russian petroleum products, on which Putin relies to fund his war.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-visits-chester-highlight-137500-highlands-ridge-roof-replacement", "title": "Kean Visits Chester to Highlight $137,500 for Highlands Ridge Roof Replacement", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kean.house.gov", "scraper": "kean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000398", "name": "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(October 9, 2026) CHESTER, NJ – This week, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) visited Chester to highlight the $137,500 he secured in a House Appropriations bill for the Highlands Ridge Building’s roof replacement. This project will replace the building’s 22,000 square foot flat roof which is failing in multiple locations to halt active water infiltration and preserve this essential community asset.\n\n“The Highlands Ridge Building is vital to the operations of the Chester Volunteer First Aid Squad, Atlantic Health EMT services, the Chester Township Office of Emergency Management, the NJ Highlands Council, the Chester-Mendham Food Pantry, and NJ Department of Environmental Protection, and the Chester Historical Society but its roof is failing in multiple places,” said Congressman Kean. “I was pleased to secure this federal funding for Chester to help ensure that these agencies can continue working for the people of Chester.”\n\n“Chester is grateful for the federal funding secured by Congressman Kean,” said Chester Township Mayor Tim Drag. “The Chester Highlands Building serves as a home to numerous organizations that provide critical services to our community, and ensuring they have a safe, secure roof over their heads is essential. Without this building, many residents would lose access to vital resources and support. We sincerely appreciate Congressman Kean’s efforts to secure this funding and help protect this important community asset.”\n\n“We deeply appreciate Congressman Kean’s efforts to secure this federal funding for the Chester Highlands Building, a valuable resource for our community,” said Assemblyman Mike Inganamort. “This facility plays a vital role in supporting organizations that provide essential services to Morris County residents. By addressing the building’s roofing needs, Congressman Kean’s advocacy will help ensure these organizations can continue their important work in a safe and reliable space.”\n\nIn July, Congressman Kean announced that 18 Community Project Funding requests made by his office totaling $17,765,906 are included in key House funding bills for the upcoming fiscal year. Learn more HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4280", "title": "Larsen Continues to Hold ICE Accountable at Ferndale HSI Facility", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "larsen.house.gov", "scraper": "larsen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000560", "name": "Rick Larsen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:\n\n“I am committed to getting answers for the people I represent about immigration operations in Northwest Washington. Today, I went to ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) facility in Ferndale. This visit is a follow-up from my visit to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) facility in July.\n\n“I will continue to conduct robust, close oversight of Trump’s immigration enforcement in Northwest Washington. On questions that I was not able to get complete answers to from ERO and HSI, I will keep fighting for more information for the people I represent.\n\n“1. HSI was created to investigate human trafficking, financial crimes, narcotics and cross-border smuggling – not civil immigration violations. Agents told me that HSI staff were assigned to do ERO’s civil immigration enforcement in 2025 because ERO was not yet staffed up to fulfill Trump’s aggressive deportation agenda. I will be following up to get more information about HSI’s operations in 2025. I support HSI’s mission to stop child and drug trafficking, and HSI agents should do HSI work.\n\n“2. HSI agents said that while they were supporting ERO operations in 2025, they stopped at the start of this year.\n\n“3. HSI’s facility does have holding space for detaining people, and they told me they haven’t held anyone longer than four hours this year. They cannot hold an individual for more than 12 hours, and detained people have access to food, a phone room and medical treatment if needed.\n\n“This is not case-closed on oversight of ICE activity in our region. I will be following up with more questions for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE, and I will keep pushing for answers. I will keep fighting to cement humanity into U.S. immigration policy and to make sure ICE follows the same rules as every other law enforcement agency.\n\n“My office stands ready to help family members locate their loved ones in ICE custody and access legal services – call 425-252-3188 or go to larsen.house.gov/helping-you/visas-and-immigration.htm.”\n\nLarsen Fights to Hold ICE Accountable\n\nIn July 2026, Rep. Larsen visited ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) facility in Ferndale to get answers for the community about the facility’s operations. In June 2025, Rep. Larsen toured the privately-run ICE detention facility in Tacoma and met with Lelo Juarez, a Skagit County union leader and activist whom ICE detained in March 2025.\n\nIn Congress, Rep. Larsen has refused to vote for legislation that would fund ICE without placing additional guardrails on the agency and requiring that ICE follow the same rules as every other local, state and federal law enforcement agency.\n\nRep. Larsen supports strengthening accountability and oversight of ICE operations and DHS detention facilities, including:", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-statement-trump-administration-demand-voter-records-east", "title": "Larson Statement on Trump Administration Demand for Voter Records in East Hartford and Other Connecticut Communities", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "larson.house.gov", "scraper": "larson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000557", "name": "John B. Larson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "“The Trump Administration has proven time and time again that they cannot be trusted with the American people’s confidential information,” said Larson. “Our local officials—in East Hartford and across the state—are some of the best in the country, administering our elections with the utmost integrity and ethics. The administration must explain why they are after this data, and local officials should not be bullied to comply with these potentially unlawful demands for sensitive records. From attempts by ‘DOGE’ employees to hand data from Social Security to a political group trying to alter elections, to using inaccurate data to pressure states to remove citizens from the voter rolls, their goal is clear. Donald Trump and his cronies would rather sow misdoubts about a free and fair election than defend their failed agenda or do anything to lower costs for working families.”\n\nRep. Larson continues to oppose any effort to make it harder for citizens to cast their ballots, leading efforts to stop the President’s attempts to weaponize federal agencies as part of a national election takeover. He introduced the Stop ICE Election Militarization Act to prevent the federal government from deploying immigration enforcement to the polls, a Resolution of Inquiry probing illegal election interference efforts at the Social Security Administration and joined Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03) to introduce the Voter Purge Protection Act, which would put protections into federal law to prevent anyone from improperly removing an eligible voter from the rolls.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://latta.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=407877", "title": "Latta Delivers Keynote Address on Autonomous Vehicles, SELF DRIVE Act", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://latta.house.gov/news", "domain": "latta.house.gov", "scraper": "latta", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000566", "name": "Robert E. Latta", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) was the keynote speaker at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce's Future Forum at the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty, Ohio where he spoke on the importance of autonomous vehicles, the need for federal standards on AVs, and Ohio's leadership in the future of transportation. Congressman Latta released the following statement after the event:\n\n\"I was honored to deliver the keynote address in East Liberty at the Ohio Chamber’s Future Forum event focused on autonomous vehicles. From the traffic light to the self starter, Ohio has led the world in transportation and historically has played a major role in the evolution of this industry. This work is being done right here at the Transportation Research Center, the largest multi-user automotive testing facility in North America. Autonomous vehicles are the next chapter of this transformation, and it must be written here in Ohio.\n\n\"With autonomous vehicles becoming increasingly prevalent on streets across America, it's paramount that Congress acts to ensure the safety of these vehicles and all who encounter them. As co-chair of the Autonomous Vehicle Caucus in the House of Representatives and as a legislator who has been working on this issue for nearly a decade, safety is at the heart of all I do.\n\n\"Thousands of Americans die each year in traffic crashes. We lose family members, friends, and loved ones every day to these horrible incidents, but tragedies like these are not inevitable, and autonomous vehicles can help. It's critical that we write the law correctly to ensure safe and positive deployments for the ushering in of this new technology that will help us lower crash fatalities.\n\n\"That's why, since 2017, I have worked tirelessly on the SELF DRIVE Act, holding hundreds of meetings with stakeholder groups, co-founding the AV caucus alongside my friend, Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan, and working on numerous discussion drafts. While the legislation has evolved, my priorities have not. Safety first, a single federal framework, and American leadership are at the forefront of this work.\n\n\"This legislation would require companies to prove that their self-driving vehicles are safe before they deploy onto our roads. The bill would also establish a national crash reporting repository so the public knows how these vehicles perform. While setting a federal standard, the bill would also preserve the role of the states, allowing their longstanding authorities on traffic laws, vehicle registration, and insurance to continue.\n\n\"In addition to saving lives by lowering crashes, this new technology can enable mobility for millions of Americans including seniors and those with disabilities. This industry will offer many new jobs, especially in manufacturing, which flourishes in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Additionally, we cannot cede the future of auto manufacturing to Communist China who is working to out-compete us in AV production.\n\n\"Until a federal AV framework becomes law, I will not stop working on this issue, and I am confident that we will eventually be able to find a bipartisan path forward.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://liccardo.house.gov/media/press-releases/liccardo-leads-bipartisan-push-bring-whale-alerts-west-coast-mariners", "title": "Liccardo Leads Bipartisan Push to Bring Whale Alerts to West Coast Mariners", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://liccardo.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "liccardo.house.gov", "scraper": "liccardo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000607", "name": "Sam T. Liccardo", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Bay Area Congressman Sam Liccardo (CA-16) led a bipartisan effort to leverage technology to protect whales on the West Coast. His recent letter to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration requests an expansion of Automatic Identification System (AIS) messaging technology to send whale-safety information directly to mariners along the West Coast.\n\n“With at least 145 gray whale collisions already reported along the West Coast in 2026, we must do more to keep both whales and mariners safe,” said Liccardo. “By implementing AIS whale-safety messages, we can give real-time warnings to mariners and help them avoid deadly collisions, without disrupting maritime activities.\"\n\nLiccardo and his cosigners request the agencies identify areas where AIS messaging could support voluntary speed reductions messages, determine whether existing whale detection programs can transmit information directly to mariners through AIS, and identify ways to streamline approval timelines while maintaining navigation and spectrum safeguards.\n\nOn the East Coast, federal agencies and regional partners already use AIS messaging to send vessel location-specific alerts in whale speed reduction zones. Expanding AIS whale-safety messaging to the West Coast would use technology already familiar to mariners to provide additional information about whale activity.\n\n“Expanding this capability is particularly relevant along the West Coast, where vessel traffic and whale activity increasingly overlap,” the lawmakers wrote.\n\nThe effort builds on Liccardo’s Save Willy Act, which would establish a “Whale Desk” at the Coast Guard’s San Francisco station to centralize whale sightings and alert vessel operators when whales enter the Bay.\n\n“Using AIS technology to identify high-risk areas and alert mariners in real time can help prevent deadly vessel collisions with whales off California while keeping vital maritime traffic moving safely,” said Geoff Shester, Director of Fishery Innovation and Senior Scientist at Oceana. “This proven technology would give agencies and ship operators a practical, science-based tool to protect whales and improve safety in our busy coastal waters for all who use them.”\n\n“Vessel strikes are a leading cause of death and serious injury for large whales and can result in substantial property damage for mariners as well as pose a significant safety risk to those onboard. IFAW has worked tirelessly in the pursuit of reducing the threat of vessel strikes and strongly supports the use of AIS as a warming system for mariners. We're grateful to Representatives Liccardo, Case, Krishnamoorthi, Min, Moylan, and Pallone for championing the use of AIS to improve mariner safety and help reduce the risk of vessel strikes on whales along the West Coast,\" said Kathleen Collins, International Fund for Animal Welfare Senior Marine Campaign Manager.\n\nCongressmembers Ed Case (HI-01), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Dave Min (CA-47), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), and James Moylan (Guam) signed the letter.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://mcbride.house.gov/media/press-releases/usps-responds-delaware-delegation-future-ocean-view-post-office", "title": "USPS responds to Delaware delegation on future of Ocean View Post Office", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcbride.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mcbride.house.gov", "scraper": "mcbride", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001238", "name": "Sarah McBride", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "OCEAN VIEW, Del. — U.S. Representative Sarah McBride and U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) today announced that they have received a formal response from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) regarding the continued closure and future of the Ocean View Post Office.\n\nThe response follows a letter from the delegation to Postmaster General David Steiner demanding greater transparency, a clear timeline, improved interim services, and a permanent solution for Ocean View residents who have been without a fully functioning local Post Office for more than a year.\n\nThe Ocean View Post Office closed for emergency repairs in October 2025 after problems with the facility were identified. USPS initially announced plans to repair the building, then announced in June that further evaluations had determined a full rebuild was necessary, with construction expected to begin in spring 2027 and conclude that fall.\n\nIn its latest response to the delegation, however, USPS said additional engineering concerns prompted officials to further evaluate their plans. USPS is now conducting a search for existing properties in the Ocean View community to determine whether leasing a new location would be preferable to constructing a new facility on the existing property.\n\n“For more than a year, the people of Ocean View have dealt with changing plans and far too much uncertainty about the future of their Post Office,” said Congresswoman McBride and Senators Coons and Blunt Rochester. “We appreciate that USPS is seriously analyzing every option to restore full postal service to Ocean View, however that looks. But residents still deserve what we asked for in our letter: a permanent solution, a clear timeline, and regular, transparent communication about how USPS intends to get there. We will continue pressing USPS until Ocean View has the reliable, fully functioning Post Office this community deserves.”\n\nUSPS also addressed concerns raised by the delegation regarding interim postal services. The agency said it is preparing to replace the existing collection box at 220 Atlantic Avenue with a larger collection box, though the 11 a.m. pickup time will remain unchanged. USPS had previously announced in April that the larger box would be installed by May 30. The agency acknowledged the delay and said it expects the new box to be installed soon.\n\nWhile the Ocean View facility remains closed, retail and Post Office Box services continue to operate through the Bethany Beach Post Office, just over two-and-a-half miles away, while carrier delivery continues through the Sussex County Carrier Annex in Frankford.\n\nThe delegation had also requested an in-person meeting with Postmaster General Steiner. USPS indicated that it is willing to meet with the delegation and committed to contacting congressional staff when it has a substantive update regarding the facility search. The delegation will continue working with USPS, state and local officials, and Ocean View residents to press for a timely permanent solution and ensure the community is kept informed as the process moves forward.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://mcclaindelaney.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclain-delaney-leads-call-ocasio-cortez-beyer-mfume-subramanyam-and-elfreth", "title": "McClain Delaney Leads Call with Ocasio-Cortez, Beyer, Mfume, Subramanyam, and Elfreth to Pause FAA’s AI Tool at Washington-Area Airports", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcclaindelaney.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mcclaindelaney.house.gov", "scraper": "mcclaindelaney", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001232", "name": "April McClain Delaney", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (MD-06) is leading a congressional letter with co-leads Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Don Beyer, Kweisi Mfume, Suhas Subramanyam, and Sarah Elfreth urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to pause use of its new artificial intelligence-enabled air traffic management tool until the agency answers questions about safety testing, implementation, and oversight.\n\nThe letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford raises concerns about the September 21 deployment of the Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories (SMART) tool at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.\n\n“When Maryland families board a plane, they deserve to know that every system guiding their flight has been thoroughly tested and that the people keeping them safe have the training they need,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. “After the devastating crash over DCA that took 67 lives, the FAA owes this region answers. I support modernizing our aviation systems, but passenger safety must come first. I’m calling on the FAA to pause this rollout, show us the safety testing, and explain who is accountable when something goes wrong.”\n\n“Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration surprisingly launched an AI tool to help control air traffic over three major National Capital Region Airports, with plans to expand nationwide in the following 90 days. They did so without publishing a safety evaluation or sufficiently consulting air traffic controllers and safety experts. We are urging Transportation Secretary Duffy and FAA Administrator Bedford to stop the rollout until we have answers. This administration may treat Big Tech companies with impunity, but air traffic control leaves zero margin for error,” said Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.\n\nThe FAA’s rush to deploy a system that could affect the lives of millions of Americans is especially concerning for residents of this region, who are still grappling with questions about air safety following last year’s fatal crash at DCA. Before deploying its AI-enabled SMART air traffic control tool, the FAA must demonstrate, through air traffic controller feedback and independently verified testing, that this technology is safe and reliable, and it must clearly communicate those findings to the public,” Congressman Don Beyer.\n\n\"Families across Baltimore count on BWI to get them where they’re going safely. Yet the Trump Administration recklessly rolled out an untested AI air traffic tool there without publishing a safety evaluation or adequately consulting the air traffic controllers who keep us safe. There is no room for error in our skies. I am proud to co-lead this letter calling for public transparency and answers from Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford on how this system was tested, who was consulted, and how it will be evaluated. Until they provide answers that ensure that this technology is safe, the FAA must pause its use,\" said Congressman Kweisi Mfume.\n\n“The airspace in the DC region is incredibly complicated and demands the highest standard of safety and reliability from Air Traffic Control. We need to be extremely cautious about implementing AI tools into the systems responsible for the safety of our skies. I urge the FAA to prove that the system does not pose a risk to the public before allowing its use,\" said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam.\n\n“Every day, our airports and their staff ensure tens of thousands of worldwide travelers are safe and secure – including here at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland’s Third District. While we fully recognize the need to modernize our air traffic control systems, we cannot pursue modernization at the expense of public safety, especially when it comes to implementing new technologies like AI,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “As AI safety concerns are top of mind for our neighbors, this is another instance where we cannot afford to miss the moment on regulating this technology. I also am determined to continue to work with my colleagues to ensure our hardworking air traffic controllers have every resource they need to do their jobs and ensure the safety of our passengers.”\n\nAt a time when AI safety concerns are sky high, the lawmakers warn that the FAA has not provided sufficient transparency around its decision-making process prior to deployment, nor the functioning of SMART’s underlying AI systems. Congress, and the public, deserve to know how AI systems were tested and how they will influence decisions before being deployed in safety critical systems.\n\nThe letter also raises concerns about reports that frontline aviation safety workers received only days of notice, or no notice at all, before deployment. With air traffic controllers already facing staffing pressures, the lawmakers stress that new technology must be introduced with adequate training and clear procedures for human oversight.\n\nThe lawmakers request answers in three areas:\n\nSafety testing: What evaluations were completed before deployment, how the system performs during severe weather or outages, and whether any safety review requirements were waived during the contracting process.\n\nConsultation and training: What input the FAA sought from airport authorities, air safety workers, and airlines; what training personnel received; and how the tool should influence decision-making.\n\nEvaluation and accountability: How the FAA will measure performance during the initial 90-day evaluation, what standards must be met before nationwide expansion, and who is responsible if a recommendation contributes to a safety incident.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/mciver-moves-for-appeal-to-be-heard-en-banc-by-third-circuit-refuses-to-back-down", "title": "McIver Moves For Appeal To Be Heard En Banc By Third Circuit, Refuses to Back Down", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mciver.house.gov", "scraper": "mciver", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001229", "name": "LaMonica McIver", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "NEWARK, NJ – Today, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) and her legal counsel filed a brief requesting that the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit hear her case en banc.\n\nThe appeal highlights major constitutional problems with the charges the Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) brought against McIver arising out of her May 2025 oversight inspection of Delaney Hall, ICE detention facility in her district. This move for hearing en banc comes after a divided panel of three Third Circuit judges refused to dismiss the case against McIver in August.\n\nBy appealing, McIver continues her fight to protect her constitutional and statutory authority to oversee ICE, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the rest of the executive branch. The full text of the brief can be found here.\n\n“As I have said since last May, oversight is my job. I am pursuing this step in no small part because every single day since last May, we have seen only more terror surrounding Delaney Hall—from brutality outside of its gates to retribution behind its walls and horror stories from the detainees I’ve spoken with on my many visits. What’s happening here and in ICE facilities nationwide only further proves why members of Congress need to be able to do this critical oversight work to protect people—work that Trump’s administration wants to stop by locking me in prison for 17 years,” said McIver. “Members of Congress have a right to do oversight even, and especially, when the administration does not like what they find. I will fight like hell to protect that right. I will continue to oppose these baseless charges and this intimidation, and I will keep doing my job, not without fear, but in spite of it.”\n\nPaul J. Fishman, counsel to McIver, added context about the stakes of the case and the court’s August ruling on the same issues.\n\n“This case is about whether the Executive Branch can interfere with and try to intimidate members of Congress who are doing the oversight the Constitution requires of them. Congresswoman McIver has been incredibly brave in taking on a fight against an administration that targeted lawmakers and others for speaking out when they see abuses,” said Fishman. “The executive branch should not and cannot be allowed to use its power over criminal prosecutions to retaliate against those it would like to silence.”\n\nThe charges against McIver stem from an oversight visit she conducted at Delaney Hall, a controversial ICE detention center in her district, in May, 2025. She is the only member of Congress under indictment by the Trump DOJ for performing constitutionally protected oversight of ICE and, if convicted, faces up to 17 years in federal prison.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405848", "title": "Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 10.9.26", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/", "domain": "morgangriffith.house.gov", "scraper": "morgangriffith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000568", "name": "H. Morgan Griffith", "party": "Republican", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "American leadership in space represents a new frontier for technological progress.\n\nElon Musk’s company, SpaceX, recently undertook an orbital mission with the launch of its Starship rocket. Not to be confused with the Enterprise of Star Trek fame, the Starship launch is a steppingstone for something greater. SpaceX and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are working together to lead manned flights to the moon.\n\nThe first step in reaching this goal will rely on low-Earth orbit (LEO). LEO refers to the lowest reach of space closest to Earth and the same altitude where the International Space Station operates. The Starship launch successfully reached LEO for the first time, setting in motion the next phase for Americans to return to the moon.\n\nSpaceX’s LEO satellite technologies are not just seen as critical to our prospects in space.\n\nAt the federal level, I continue to advocate for LEO technologies with helping rural communities access satellite internet.\n\nMost recently, I delivered opening remarks at an online event hosted by the Connect Everyone Coalition. The webinar focused on the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene and connectivity lessons from the natural disaster.\n\nDuring my remarks, I highlighted the connectivity issues that impacted Ninth District communities.\n\nHelene devastated our public communications networks. The disaster disabled services provided by our cell phone carriers. Further, the floods that swamped our region also washed away fiber optic infrastructure.\n\nBecause of the loss of communications, family members struggled to confirm the safety of their loved ones and first responder crews faced challenges with emergency operations.\n\nThese issues went on for days.\n\nIt was unclear when internet and cell phone coverage would be restored, so one group relied on SpaceX for help.\n\nWise County’s Health Wagon, which traveled to Damascus to help serve and treat those affected by Helene, turned to SpaceX’s Starlink.\n\nStarlink consists of a network of LEO satellites which serves high-speed, reliable broadband internet to communities on Earth. This network reduces connectivity dead zones and provides more coverage in regions like Southwest Virginia.\n\nThus, Starlink is particularly helpful for mountainous and rural regions where fiber installation is extremely difficult and cost prohibitive. Amazon is launching a similar LEO program which should be available in Virginia in late 2027.\n\nThanks to a portable Starlink unit, a rarity in our area at the time, the Health Wagon could access internet service.\n\nThis episode showed that even in times of emergency, cell phone users can take advantage of LEO technologies.\n\nAs the recovery from Helene continues, I remain committed to expanding our broadband capabilities through LEO technologies to prepare our region for the next Helene.\n\nFederal initiatives to support broadband innovations like LEO technologies include the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.\n\nIn 2024, I advocated for Governor Youngkin’s BEAD Final Proposal. This set in motion various opportunities to expand broadband in Virginia.\n\nThe federal entity that runs BEAD is the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA).\n\nThis summer, NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, on which I serve.\n\nDuring the hearing, she discussed BEAD as well as signaled support for LEO technologies.\n\nLater in the summer, Administrator Roth visited Bedford County to tour local broadband projects.\n\nThere are approximately 1,600 Bedford County addresses that will gain new access to broadband through BEAD funding, according to the NTIA. While new fiber installation will serve a majority of these Bedford County locations, SpaceX and Amazon will make LEO broadband available to eligible hard-to-reach locations.\n\nAside from BEAD, LEO broadband will get an additional boost from a bipartisan Congressional bill.\n\nIn the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I supported the SAT Streamlining Act. Following Subcommittee approval, I voted for the bill again in the full Energy and Commerce Committee.\n\nThis bill would modernize a federal agency’s satellite licensing process by setting more precise timelines and a more predictable list of requirements for satellite applications.\n\nIn effect, we make it easier for groups to bring LEO technologies to the market to better provide reliable and secure internet access.\n\nI am proud to have taken these actions to bridge the digital divide in Virginia and the United States.\n\nBroadband in rural America can help our hospitals, schools, businesses and more.\n\nAs your federal representative, I will keep fighting for our rural communities to get a fair shot at broadband access.\n\nWith the same technologies, we can succeed with broadband while keeping our feet on the ground and reaching for the moon.\n\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at https://morgangriffith.house.gov/.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-panetta-convenes-local-healthcare-leaders-address-challenges-ahead", "title": "Rep. Panetta Convenes Local Healthcare Leaders to Address Challenges Ahead of Medicare Open Enrollment", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "panetta.house.gov", "scraper": "panetta", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000613", "name": "Jimmy Panetta", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Rep. Panetta convened a roundtable to discuss provider shortages\n\nand service challenges ahead of October 15 Medicare open enrollment.\n\nTo watch his remarks, click HERE or on the above photo.\n\nFor additional photos, click HERE.\n\nSanta Cruz, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) brought together local physicians, hospital leaders, and community health providers at Santa Cruz Community Health to address seniors’ challenges accessing care ahead of Medicare open enrollment and discuss his bipartisan efforts to ensure they have coverage they can afford and rely on. With Medicare open enrollment set to start October 15, the roundtable and subsequent press availability focused on local provider shortages, rising prescription drug plan premiums, and the need for Medicare payments to keep pace with the cost of providing care.\n\nFor many seniors in California’s 19th Congressional District, choosing Medicare coverage does not guarantee they can find a local doctor accepting new patients. Medicare physician reimbursements have failed to keep pace with inflation, making it harder for practices to recruit and retain physicians and continue serving seniors in a region with a high cost of living. These pressures leave beneficiaries facing fewer options and longer waits for the benefits they earned through a lifetime of work.\n\n“As Medicare open enrollment begins October 15, seniors deserve coverage that they paid into and can rely on. Too often in our community, however, having coverage does not mean having access to care,” said Rep. Panetta. “That’s why I helped author, introduce, and am working to pass the bipartisan Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act and the Patients First Act that would strengthen physician payments and reduce administrative burdens, helping keep local doctors in practice so seniors can access the care they earned.”\n\n“I appreciate the opportunity to share ideas with Congressman Panetta for strengthening Medicare to better support patients and providers. The Medicare Hospice Benefit has not been updated since its introduction in 1982, despite significant changes in disease trajectories and treatments. Safety-net providers like Hospice of Santa Cruz County increasingly care for patients with complex needs and short stays, yet the current Medicare reimbursement does not adequately reflect the intensity or cost of providing this care. Without meaningful updates to the benefit, high-quality hospices like ours face growing challenges in sustaining the level of care our patients need and deserve,” said Cathy Conway, CEO, Hospice of Santa Cruz County.\n\nA 2022 California Medical Association survey found that 76% of responding physicians reported that traditional Medicare payments do not cover their costs of providing care, and 87% reported difficulty recruiting and retaining physicians because of low Medicare payment rates and the high costs of operating a practice in California. Additionally, 41% said they planned to close their practices to new Medicare patients.\n\nRep. Panetta co-leads the bipartisan Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act to index physician payments to inflation and better reflect the cost of delivering care. He also helped introduce the bipartisan Patients First Act to strengthen physician payments, support primary care, and reduce administrative burdens. Together, these proposals would help sustain practices and improve seniors’ access to care.\n\nRep. Panetta’s bipartisan REAL Health Providers Act, signed into law this year, will require annual updates to Medicare Advantage provider directories beginning in 2028 so seniors have more accurate information when choosing coverage. He previously voted for the Inflation Reduction Act’s cap on annual out-of-pocket Medicare Part D prescription drug costs and its option to spread those expenses across the year.\n\nFor additional photos, click HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases/pappas-189-members-of-congress-slam-hhs-effort-to-dismantle-head-start", "title": "Pappas, 189 Members of Congress Slam HHS Effort to Dismantle Head Start", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "pappas.house.gov", "scraper": "pappas", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000614", "name": "Chris Pappas", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined 189 Members of Congress in demanding that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) withdraw its proposal to remove more than 90 percent of Head Start’s standards that ensure children receive a high-quality early education. Under the proposed rule, nearly one in ten children currently enrolled in Head Start could become ineligible overnight.\n\nThe Members are concerned that the proposed rule would illegally modify and weaken the services required by the Head Start Act. Specifically, the rule would eliminate federal quality standards for Head Start classrooms, including safety standards, staff-to-child ratios, staff qualifications, and standards for teaching. Additionally, the rule would erode critical services Head Start provides children and families, including health services. It would also shorten Head Start operating hours, eliminate enrollment protections for children with disabilities, and undermine services for dual language learners.\n\n“This proposed rule is a brazen attempt to dismantle Head Start without regard for the hundreds of thousands of young children and working-class families who depend on these programs and services every year. Under your proposal, Head Start children could be subject to corporal punishment; left unsupervised; have larger class sizes; have less qualified teachers; and no longer receive preventative and continuous health services, including oral health and mental health services,” wrote the Members. “We strongly urge you to withdraw the proposed rule, obey the law, and protect the legacy of Head Start.”\n\nSince the beginning of the second Trump administration, HHS has repeatedly attempted to undermine and disrupt Head Start programs with an aggressive deregulation agenda, illegally withholding funding, firing federal staff, and threats to eliminate the program entirely.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-patronis-files-senate-companion-bill-curtailing-drilling-in-the-gulf-of-america", "title": "Congressman Patronis Files Senate Companion Bill Curtailing Drilling in the Gulf of America", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "patronis.house.gov", "scraper": "patronis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000622", "name": "Jimmy Patronis", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Patronis (R-FL) filed in the House of Representatives a companion bill introduced by Senators Scott and Moody, which would curtail oil drilling in the Gulf of America on the basis of protecting the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range (EGTTR).\n\nCongressman Patronis said, “This bill is intended to protect the military test range for our military readiness. It should go without saying that while the Panhandle is facing a major hurricane, Hurricane Isaias, and the economy is tethered to tourism, this region needs to be protected from future oil and gas explorations.”\n\nThe EGTTR is a critical national security asset that supports vital military testing and training. This legislation strengthens protections for the range, ensuring uninterrupted access for military operations and helping keep our armed forces prepared for emerging threats.\n\nThe Protecting Florida’s Offshore Military Readiness Act would:\n\nStop new oil and gas activity in the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range.\n\nProtect Eglin’s military testing and training from outside interference.\n\nLeave existing leases in place.\n\nAllow the moratorium to end if the Secretary of War determines the range is no longer critical.\n\nTo view the Protecting Florida’s Offshore Military Readiness Act click here.\n\nTo view information from Senator Scott click here.\n\nTo view information from Senator Moody click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-pelosi-joins-congressional-efforts-protect-federal-services-and-uphold", "title": "ICYMI: Pelosi Joins Congressional Efforts to Protect Federal Services and Uphold Americans’ Rights", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "pelosi.house.gov", "scraper": "pelosi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000197", "name": "Nancy Pelosi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joined Congressional Democratic colleagues in a series of recent letters, legislative proposals and court briefs addressing federal policies affecting San Franciscans. The efforts include calls to release housing and energy assistance funding, maintain Medicare and Head Start protections, preserve public lands and access to historical records, and protect voting rights and student survivors of sexual assault.\n\nProtecting health care and essential services for children and families:\n\nPelosi joined colleagues in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reverse its decision to end the Medicare Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration, which has helped lower prescription drug coverage premiums for nearly 25 million seniors and people with disabilities. Ending the program without a plan to maintain lower costs would increase out of pocket costs for the most vulnerable San Franciscans.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nTo defend early childhood education, Pelosi joined 190 of her colleagues in a bicameral letter demanding that the Department of Health and Human Services withdraw its proposal to remove more than 90 percent of Head Start’s federal performance standards. Members warned that the proposal would weaken classroom safety protections, diminish the already struggling child care workforce and reduce critical health screenings and essential services. Members warned the Administration that these changes would undermine critical childhood development and leave working families without reliable child care.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nKeeping San Franciscans housed and helping them afford their energy bills:\n\nPelosi joined colleagues in urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development to release overdue guidance on preventing Emergency Housing Voucher funding shortfalls, warning that delays put families at risk of losing their critical rental assistance and becoming unhoused. With more than 44,000 vouchers still in use, including 920 in San Francisco, Members demanded answers from HUD to prevent interruptions in housing assistance.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nPelosi also joined colleagues in urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development to immediately release the delayed funding notice for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS grants and expedite renewal awards. As a proud author of HOPWA, the only federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, this initiative supports housing development and provides critical rental assistance and resources for individuals and their families. Any disruptions to HOPWA, including expiring grants and uncertainty over renewals, threatens to interrupt these critical services and put people at risk of homelessness.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nPelosi joined 116 of her colleagues in a bipartisan letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services to distribute Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding as soon as possible, which impacts 3,052 households in San Francisco. Members warned the Administration that repeated funding delays and high energy costs could leave families without heat or force them to choose between heating their homes and paying for food, medication or rent.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nDefending California’s public lands:\n\nPelosi joined 156 of her colleagues in a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to abandon a proposed transfer of land within Yosemite National Park to provide access to a privately owned ranch. Members argued that the unprecedented transaction would brazenly benefit a private landowner and diminish public access to the historic, world-renowned park, and vigorously opposed the misuse use of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nPelosi joined colleagues in overwhelmingly opposing the Administration’s shameless actions with the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, which removed nearly three million acres from protection. Members warned that opening these lands to mining and drilling threatens sacred Tribal sites, wildlife habitats, scientific resources and local recreation economies. The letter also condemns the dissolution of the Bears Ears Commission and the lack of meaningful Tribal consultation.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nPreserving San Francisco’s history:\n\nPelosi joined a bipartisan, bicameral letter led by Representatives Kevin Mullin and Judy Chu urging the National Archives and Records Administration to oppose closure of its San Bruno facility. Members warned the Archives that dispersing its records to six facilities across the country would make it harder for families and researchers to access California’s history, including records related to the Chinese Exclusion Act and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nPelosi also cosponsored the National Archives Protection Act, which would require congressional approval before the National Archives and Records Administration could close or significantly restrict access to existing regional facilities. The legislation would protect access to historical and personal records, many of which have not been digitized and can only be viewed in person, helping families and ensure researchers easily explore our history.\n\nRead the full bill here.\n\nSafeguarding voting rights and Americans’ personal information:\n\nPelosi joined a bipartisan group of current and former Members of Congress in urging the Supreme Court to sustain an injunction blocking the Administration’s new Postal Service restrictions on mail-in voting in place. The brief argues that the Administration cannot unilaterally impose mail-ballot requirements on states or bar election officials from using the Postal Service to send ballots. Members emphasized that the Constitution assigns authority over federal election rules to states and Congress, and that Congress has not authorized the Postal Service to exercise the powers claimed by the Administration.\n\nRead the full brief here.\n\nPelosi joined a bipartisan group of current and former Members of Congress in urging the Supreme Court to reject the Administration’s emergency request to implement a federal citizenship verification database that risks disenfranchising voters. The brief argues that linking Social Security records to a government-wide system for bulk searches of sensitive personal information is illegal This action is another overt effort by this Administration to undermine the Congress and violate the separation of powers as envisioned by our Founders.\n\nRead the full brief here.\n\nProtecting students from sexual harassment and assault:\n\nPelosi joined colleagues in calling for an immediate investigation by the Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General into the Department’s failure to adequately enforce Title IX protections for student survivors. The letter urges investigators to examine whether staffing cuts, regional office closures and changes in enforcement priorities have delayed investigations and undermined accountability for campus sexual harassment and assault.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-bacon-introduce-resolution-recognizing-national-prep-day", "title": "Pocan, Bacon Introduce Resolution Recognizing National PrEP Day", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "pocan.house.gov", "scraper": "pocan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000607", "name": "Mark Pocan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. -\n\nU.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Don Bacon (NE-02) today introduced a resolution recognizing October 10, 2026, as National PrEP Day and highlighting the importance of access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a critical tool for preventing HIV.\n\n“PrEP is one of the most effective tools we have to prevent HIV, yet too many people who could benefit from it continue to face barriers to access,” said Rep. Pocan, Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus. “National PrEP Day is an opportunity to raise awareness, reduce stigma and ensure people across the country know about this proven HIV prevention tool.”\n\n“PrEP is a proven tool that can prevent HIV, and we should make sure people who can benefit from it know it is available and can access it,” said Rep. Bacon. “National PrEP Day is an opportunity to raise awareness, improve access and give people the information they need to protect their health. I'm joining Rep. Pocan on this bipartisan resolution supporting evidence-based efforts to prevent HIV and help more Americans access the care they need.”\n\nWhen taken as prescribed, PrEP reduces the risk of acquiring HIV through sex by about 99 percent. Despite the effectiveness of PrEP, disparities in access and uptake persist due to factors including cost, stigma and barriers to health care.\n\nCosponsors include Representatives Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Mark Takano (CA-39) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://scanlon.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2082", "title": "Scanlon, Welch, Blumenthal, Min Initiate Probe into Improper Influence of Cabinet Members in Trump Pardons", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://scanlon.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "scanlon.house.gov", "scraper": "scanlon", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001205", "name": "Mary Gay Scanlon", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government, today joined Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and Congressman Dave Min (CA-47), Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ Anti-Corruption Task Force, in raising questions about the role of cabinet members in securing presidential pardons, as part of their ongoing investigation into executive clemency actions since January 20, 2025.\n\nThe bicameral group of lawmakers are looking into whether U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin used their access to inappropriately influence President Trump’s decision to grant full presidential pardons to convicted felons Trevor Milton and Troy Lake.\n\n“Public reports of high-profile individuals—including yourself—appealing directly to the President on behalf of pardon recipients risk subversion of the established pardon review processes by financial influence and political access,” write the lawmakers. “Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution authorizes the President to ‘grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.’ The U.S. Supreme Court has characterized executive clemency as ‘an act of grace’ exercised for the ‘public welfare.’ President Trump’s use of this authority appears to deviate from this traditional purpose.”\n\nThe lawmakers conclude: “Congress has a compelling interest in ensuring that the constitutional pardon power is exercised with fairness and transparency. Given these circumstances, we are seeking additional information to better understand the extent to which influence and access have overridden the standard pardon review process.”\n\nIn their letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the lawmakers request answers about Secretary Kennedy’s reported role in President Trump’s decision to pardon convicted fraudster Trevor Milton, who defrauded and misled investors regarding technology and products related to his company, Nikola Corporation. The victims of Mr. Milton’s fraud include individuals who lost their retirement savings and others who had never invested in the stock market before. President Trump’s pardon eliminated Milton’s obligation to potentially pay $660 million in court-ordered restitution to his victims. Milton did not serve any of his four-year prison sentence.\n\n“According to public reporting, you personally appealed to the President to grant Mr. Milton a pardon, arguing that he had been unfairly prosecuted by the previous administration’s Justice Department. Days before granting Mr. Milton’s pardon request, President Trump reportedly told him to call you and thank you for convincing the President to grant him a pardon,” write the lawmakers. “Your reported involvement in this matter is particularly troubling, given that Mr. Milton reportedly donated $750,000 to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Political Action Committee (PAC), which was launched in late 2024 by senior members of your presidential campaign to unite your supporters behind President Trump. Public reporting also indicates that Mr. Milton and his wife donated approximately $1,800,000 to President Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign a month before the election.”\n\nIn their letter to EPA Administrator Zeldin, the lawmakers demand answers about the administrator’s reported role in President Trump’s decision to grant a full presidential pardon to Troy Lake, and a subsequent corporate pardon to Lake’s company, Elite Diesel Service Inc. Lake’s conviction arose from allegations that he and his company disabled the monitoring components of emissions control systems on hundreds of heavy-duty commercial trucks.\n\nThe lawmakers write: “According to public reporting, two friends of Mr. Lake petitioned you in an August 2025 email, urging you to reach out to the President to request a pardon. Mr. Lake’s wife publicly attributed progress on her husband’s pardon efforts to your subsequent intervention. Such progress included a phone call with Sean Hayes, a White House attorney who works closely on pardons.”\n\nThe lawmakers’ letters seek information from HHS Secretary Kennedy and EPA Administrator Zeldin regarding:\n\nThe nature of their relationships with the pardoned felons;\n\nThe process by which clemency requests were initiated and considered;\n\nWhether intermediaries, lobbyists, or advocates were involved;\n\nAny contacts with Trump Administration officials or associates;\n\nTheir role in any other clemency decisions made by the Trump Administration;\n\nWhether financial contributions or payments were made in connection with clemency efforts; and\n\nThe extent of third-party advocacy supporting the requests.\n\nRead the lawmakers’ full letters to HHS Secretary Kennedy and EPA Administrator Zeldin.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases/schakowsky-trahan-kean-introduce-bipartisan-bill-protect-ftc-whistleblowers", "title": "Schakowsky, Trahan, Kean Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect FTC Whistleblowers as The Social Reckoning Hits Theaters", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "schakowsky.house.gov", "scraper": "schakowsky", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001145", "name": "Janice D. Schakowsky", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Full Text of Bill (PDF)\n\nWASHINGTON– As The Social Reckoning, a new film about Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, hits theaters nationwide, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), and Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) today introduced bipartisan legislation to protect whistleblowers who disclose wrongdoing at their current or former workplaces that fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).\n\nThe FTC Whistleblower Act of 2026 would protect current and former employees from retaliation when they disclose violations of consumer protection and antitrust laws to the FTC. The legislation would also establish incentives for whistleblowers to come forward with information about unlawful conduct.\n\n“Frances Haugen took an enormous risk when she came forward with information about what was happening inside Facebook,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “Her courage helped expose serious concerns about the impact of social media on our children and families. But no worker should have to choose between doing the right thing and losing their livelihood. Our bipartisan bill makes sure whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing to the FTC have the protections they deserve.”\n\n“When something goes wrong inside a company, the workers there are often the first to know. Today, if they bring that information to the FTC, they take the risk alone,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. “The FTC Whistleblower Act gives them real protections and a real reason to come forward. That’s good for workers, good for families, and good for the companies doing things the right way. Frances Haugen showed what one person can do. Nobody should have to be that brave just to tell the truth.”\n\n“The FTC Whistleblower Act would empower workers to safely report corporate misconduct without fear of retaliation. By protecting whistleblowers who report misconduct, the bill will allow the FTC to uncover violations and build strong enforcement cases,” said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. “With increased transparency into harmful practices, the bill ensures companies can’t operate in the shadows and protects workers from retaliation.”\n\nThe FTC is the federal agency responsible for enforcing a broad range of consumer protection and antitrust laws. Unlike some other federal agencies, the FTC does not have a comprehensive whistleblower protection and award program for employees who report violations within its jurisdiction.\n\n“This legislation is an excellent opportunity for Congress to apply cohesive rights across federal agencies, including the FTC, in accordance with their sustained leadership on whistleblower protections. The FTC’s ability to protect consumers and keep big businesses in check goes hand in hand with whistleblowers keeping Americans safe. Providing protections and best practice incentives for whistleblowers coming forward with original information to the Commission is a nonpartisan issue and essential to good governance,” said Maya Efrati, Director of Legislation & Congressional Affairs at Government Accountability Project.\n\n“Whistleblowers are our most effective safeguard against corporate fraud and corruption. This bill strengthens essential protections and incentives so that insiders can more safely expose wrongdoing that harms American families and consumers. POGO appreciates Congresswoman Schakowsky’s leadership on this crucial bill that will enhance regulatory oversight, hold powerful corporations more accountable, and protect the public’s trust,\" said Joe Spielberger, Senior Policy Counsel, Project On Government Oversight.\n\nThe need for stronger protections was highlighted by Haugen’s 2021 disclosures of internal Facebook documents, which became known as the “Facebook Files.” Haugen later testified before Congress about the company’s practices and their potential impact on young people.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://simon.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-simon-introduces-legislation-reduce-voting-barriers-expand", "title": "Congresswoman Simon Introduces Legislation to Reduce Voting Barriers, Expand Voting Poll Access, and Protect Voters with Disabilities", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://simon.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "simon.house.gov", "scraper": "simon", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001231", "name": "Lateefah Simon", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (CA-12) introduced two bills to reduce voting barriers by improving accessibility for voters, especially older Americans and people with disabilities, and bolster election security. She joined Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) in introducing The Accessible Voting Act; and she joined Reps. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) in introducing The Dropbox Access Act.\n\nThe Accessible Voting Act would establish the Office of Accessibility within the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to oversee state and local elections to ensure that voter accessibility needs are adequately met, by expanding the number of options to fairly cast ballots. The bill would also establish a website for National Voter Accessibility and fund a National Resource Center to further train election officials and poll workers on accessibility.\n\nThe Dropbox Access Act, would require states to provide in-person, secure, and clearly labeled ballot drop boxes in every county for federal elections. The bill would require counties to provide a minimum of one drop box per 20,000 voting-age residents and require that drop boxes are accessible 24 hours a day starting from 45 days before the election until polls close.\n\nAs the first congenitally blind Member of Congress, Congresswoman Simon is committed to defending the civil rights of Americans with disabilities and has continuously opposed rollbacks of disability protections. She has introduced numerous pieces of legislation aimed at expanding accessibility in small businesses and public transportation, and she has pressed the Trump Administration on their failure to protect workers with disabilities.\n\n“Our elders fought for our voting rights with blood, sweat, and tears – and yet too many people, particularly older Americans and Americans with disabilities, still face barriers to voting such as inaccessible polling locations or access to voter information. Both the Accessible Voting Act and Dropbox Access Act will improve voter accessibility for requesting mail-in ballots, accessing voter registration info, and when showing up to the ballot box,” said Rep. Simon. “As the first congenitally blind Member of Congress, improving accessibility to ensure that all Americans can equally access resources and participate in society is a top priority of mine. I am proud to lead on these bills with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon to ensure ALL individuals can equally participate in local and federal elections to make their rightful voices heard.”\n\n“Our democracy thrives when every eligible voter is able to participate, and these bills will remove barriers that all too often make it more difficult for Americans to cast their ballots. I’ve seen how expanding accessibility and access to ballot boxes has improved voter turnout and engagement in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Scanlon. “I’m proud to introduce these bills to advance more equitable and just voting policies for all Americans.”\n\n“American democracy works best when all citizens can participate and vote, no matter where they’re from, what language they speak or whether they live with a disability,” said Rep. Raskin. “Our Accessible Voting Act strengthens access to the ballot box and addresses a wide range of systemic deficiencies, so no eligible voter is left alone to overcome barriers to casting a ballot.”\n\n“The ability for everyone to have their voice heard is central to our American ideals—yet too often people with disabilities face unnecessary barriers in both registering to vote and casting their ballots, preventing them from fully participating in our democracy,” said Rep. Dean. “This legislation will help improve registration processes and eliminate barriers to voting, including by reauthorizing grants to improve voting accessibility for older Americans and those with disabilities. By breaking down these barriers, our communities can be better represented by every voice. I'm thankful to partner with Congresswoman Scanlon and Congressman Raskin to pass these essential bills.”\n\n“We should be making it more accessible for Americans to vote, not harder,” said Rep. Garcia. “But the Trump administration and its Republican allies continue to attack voting rights and put up new barriers to the ballot box. That is why I am proud to once again co-lead the Dropbox Access Act, a practical bill to make sure voters have fair, accessible options to return their ballots. We should be protecting the right to vote, not suppressing it.”\n\nFind the full text for the Accessible Voting Act here.\n\nFind the full text for the Dropbox Access Act here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-calls-consideration-new-golden-mars-transmission-routes", "title": "Rep. Subramanyam Calls for Consideration of New Golden to Mars Transmission Routes", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "subramanyam.house.gov", "scraper": "subramanyam", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001230", "name": "Suhas Subramanyam", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) shared new, alternative routes for the Golden to Mars transmission project in a letter to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (the Commission). The letter requested the Commissioners consider these new routes and work with federal partners to reexamine the project. The current Golden to Mars route selected by the Commission runs through community members’ backyards and near schools. Rep. Subramanyam has consistently stood up for Northern Virginia communities facing encroaching power lines and data centers.\n\n“All of the official routes proposed for Golden to Mars are invasive and impactful on our neighborhoods. Before even considering putting transmission lines over backyards and schools, we need to make sure every possible alternative has been explored. That’s why I have had conversations about this project with local and federal partners, and we’ve come up with three new alternative routes. These routes work better for everyone, and I am calling on the Commission to explore them. It is absolutely critical that the Commission works with the community to find a better path forward. We need to put our community first,” said Congressman Subramanyam.\n\nView the letter with new route maps here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-issues-statement-livestream-execution-fort-hood-shooter-nidal", "title": "Rep. Subramanyam Issues Statement on Livestream Execution of Fort Hood Shooter Nidal Hasan", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "subramanyam.house.gov", "scraper": "subramanyam", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001230", "name": "Suhas Subramanyam", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the Pentagon’s announcement that they would be livestreaming the firing squad execution of Nidal Malik Hasan. Nidal Hisan killed 13 people at the Fort Hood military base in 2009.\n\n“Regimes in Iran, North Korea, and ISIS carry out public executions, not America. Nidal Malik Hisan should face consequences, but livestreaming his execution is blatantly un-American and against what our country stands for. When we do this, we lose our moral standing on the global stage and set a horrible precedent. The Administration must stop this, and Secretary Hegseth needs to be removed. History will not judge this action kindly,” said Ranking Member Suhas Subramanyam.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://susielee.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-senator-cortez-masto-highlight-legislation-help-human", "title": "Congresswoman Lee, Senator Cortez Masto Highlight Legislation to Help Human Trafficking Survivors", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://susielee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "susielee.house.gov", "scraper": "susielee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000590", "name": "Susie Lee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Watch and download video here\n\nLAS VEGAS, NV – Today, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) announced the reintroduction of their bipartisan, bicameral Jimmy Deal Trafficking Survivors Assistance Act. They were joined by Clark County Commission Chairman Michael N. Naft, and Lauren Boitel, Co-Founder of the Nevada Policy Council on Human Trafficking. This legislation will help survivors of human trafficking access air travel to escape their abusers and get the care they need.\n\n“When fleeing violence and abuse, many human trafficking survivors do not have access to the identification documents they need to travel by plane, like drivers’ licenses or passports. Human traffickers often control access of victims’ identification documents, and when trafficking victims flee, many must leave their documents behind,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “Our legislation will facilitate air travel for these survivors so that they may return to their families and communities and begin to heal.”\n\n“Jimmy Deal was an American hero – a man who made it easier for survivors of human trafficking to get approved for air travel without their IDs,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Our legislation, introduced in his honor, will make it easier for human trafficking survivors to escape their captors and get the help they need. We will keep pushing to make sure it becomes law.”\n\nThe legislation recognizes the late TSA officer James “Jimmy” Deal, who took the role of Assistant Federal Security Director in the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and led the effort to raise awareness of human trafficking at the airport, while also working with agencies in Nevada to assist victims of human trafficking to escape.\n\n“As one of the nation’s busiest airports, Harry Reid International Airport has both an opportunity and a responsibility to help raise awareness of human trafficking and connect people with resources. Supporting survivors means recognizing the challenges they may face beyond escaping a trafficking situation, including something as fundamental as having the identification needed to travel. This legislation helps address that barrier and reinforces the important role airports can play in helping survivors reach safety,” said Chairman Naft.\n\n“No survivor should have to navigate the journey to safety alone. When someone finds the courage to leave exploitation, they deserve compassion, dignity, and support—not additional barriers because they lack identification or are navigating an unfamiliar and overwhelming system. The Jimmy Deal Trafficking Survivors Assistance Act helps ensure survivors can access trauma-informed assistance and trusted support to reach safety and begin rebuilding their lives, and we are grateful to Congresswoman Lee and Senator Cortez Masto for advancing a more compassionate, survivor-centered response to human trafficking,” said Lauren Boitel, Co-Founder of the Nevada Policy Council on Human Trafficking.\n\nThe Jimmy Deal Trafficking Survivors Assistance Act will:\n\nEncourage collaboration between Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and non-profits that provide services to trafficking survivors.\n\nCreate a process to assist trafficking survivors with air travel by:\n\nEstablishing a “Trafficking Survivor Point of Contact” (TSPoC) position by the TSA at each airport where it conducts screenings of passengers and property.\n\nCalling for the establishment of contact, communication, and relationships between service-providing organizations and the TSPoCs to pre-emptively create avenues for identity verification of escaping survivors.\n\nInclude requirements of adequate training for each TSPoC to create a more seamless process with specialized focus.\n\nRequired trainings and responsibilities incorporate trauma-informed services and ensure that survivors and escapees are supported throughout the process of reunification with their families and communities.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-sykes-hosts-2026-women-in-leadership-conference", "title": "Rep. Sykes Hosts 2026 Women in Leadership Conference", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "sykes.house.gov", "scraper": "sykes", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001223", "name": "Emilia Strong Sykes", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Pictured: Congresswoman Sykes with Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) at the Women in Leadership Conference.\n\nAKRON, OH — U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) hosted the 2026 Women in Leadership Conference at the Akron Art Museum, bringing together more than 200 women entrepreneurs, elected officials, labor leaders, and community members from across Ohio's 13th Congressional District. The conference connected local entrepreneurs, innovators, and community members in a collaborative environment to share knowledge, build relationships, and help one another grow.\n\n“Today was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when women lift each other up,” said Rep. Sykes. “I'm grateful to every speaker and guest who joined us for honest conversations about leadership, economic empowerment, and public service. I look forward to continuing to build a pipeline of women leaders across our community, and to keep fighting for policies that give every woman the opportunity to thrive.”\n\nRep. Sykes was joined by U.S. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) for a panel on women in Congress, where they discussed the barriers women face in seeking elected office and the unique perspective women legislators bring to policymaking.\n\nLocal female business leaders, including Elizabeth Bartz, Misty Beasley, and Mary Fantozzi, shared what it takes to build and sustain a business in a moderated conversation facilitated by Rep. Jasmine Crockett (TX-30).\n\nQ92’ “Mid-Day Diva” Nikolina moderated a panel with local women leading nonprofits, businesses, and in government, including: Cristina Torrence, Christian Turner, Cleveland Councilwoman Stephanie Howse-Jones, and Erin Tynan, on leading like a lady and the importance of mentorship.\n\nThe day closed with a fireside chat between Rep. Sykes and United Steelworkers International President Roxanne D. Brown, inspired by the 1912 \"Bread & Roses\" labor movement and the idea that working people deserve both security and dignity. The conversation focused on inspiring the next generation of women leaders and the importance of representation in decision-making roles.\n\nAttendees also had the opportunity to connect with Rep. Sykes' constituent services team, who were on hand to help residents with issues involving federal agencies. This was the second Women in Leadership Conference hosted by Rep. Sykes. Those interested in learning more about her work for Ohio's 13th Congressional District can visit sykes.house.gov.\n\nA full list of panelists and speakers from the conference:\n\nCongresswoman Emilia Sykes (OH-13)\n\nDemocratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05)\n\nCongresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11)\n\nCongresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30)\n\nCongresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51)\n\nRoxanne D. Brown, President, United Steelworkers (USW)\n\nElizabeth Bartz, President & CEO, State & Federal Communications\n\nMisty Beasley, Co-Founder and Vice President/COO, Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce\n\nMary Fantozzi, President & CEO, J.D. Williamson Construction Co.\n\nStephanie Howse-Jones, Councilwoman, City of Cleveland\n\nCristina Torrence, Chief Financial & Operations Officer, United Way of\n\nGreater Stark County\n\nChristian Turner, Communications Director, City of Canton\n\nErin Tynan, Senior Operations Manager, Blossom Music Center\n\nNikolina, Q92 \"Mid-Day Diva\" (Emcee)", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://tlaib.house.gov/posts/correa-tlaib-reintroduce-resolution-honoring-alex-odeh", "title": "Reps. Tlaib, Correa reintroduce resolution honoring Alex Odeh", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://tlaib.house.gov/press", "domain": "tlaib.house.gov", "scraper": "tlaib", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000481", "name": "Rashida Tlaib", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Lou Correa (CA-46) today reintroduced a resolution remembering and honoring the life and legacy of Alex Odeh. The resolution acknowledges Alex’s impact on his community and the country, and reaffirms the importance of pursuing justice against those responsible for his death.\n\n“Alex Odeh was a teacher, a poet, and a man of peace, and he was murdered in our community simply for speaking up for civil and human rights,” said Correa. “He was a voice for peace and dignity in Orange County. Remembering him is the least we can do, and pursuing justice for his family is our obligation.”\n\nRep. Correa represents the district where Alex and his family lived and where the attack took place.\n\n“Alex Odeh dedicated his life to achieving true equality and equity for all. For daring to push for a better tomorrow, Alex was assassinated by members of the Jewish Defense League, and his killers have yet to be brought to justice,” said Tlaib. “This horrific act of anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian violence was, and is not, new. But this violence will never silence us. Those who continue to fear-monger and incite hate against us will not win. Arab and Palestinian Americans are still here, loud and proud, carrying on Alex’s legacy.”\n\nRead the bill text here.\n\nAbout Alex Odeh\n\nAlex was born in Jifna, Palestine, and lived in Orange County, California, for most of his adult life, including Santa Ana. He was a peace activist who worked to promote civil liberties for Arab-Americans in the United States. Alex Odeh was the Southern California Regional Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).\n\nOn October 11, 1985, Alex was killed when a pipe bomb exploded as he entered the ADC regional office in Santa Ana, California. Although the primary suspects have long been known, no one has been brought to justice. The investigation remains open.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4053", "title": "Congressman Valadao Introduces Legislation to Recognize Armenia for Hosting the Convention on Biological Diversity", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "valadao.house.gov", "scraper": "valadao", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000129", "name": "David G. Valadao", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) and Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) introduced a bipartisan resolution commending Armenia for hosting the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations (U.N.) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17). This gathering in Yerevan, Armenia provides an important opportunity for nations around the world to come together and discuss the environmental challenges facing our planet.\n\nThe resolution also recognizes the United States’ leadership in advancing agroforestry and conservation research around the globe through our universities, nonprofit organizations, agricultural producers, and scientists. Additionally, it highlights Armenia’s efforts to plant nearly 10 million trees and celebrates the strong cooperation between the United States and Armenia on conservation and environmental stewardship.\n\n“As co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution recognizing Armenia’s strong commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship,” said Congressman Valadao. “COP17 provides an important opportunity for leaders around the world to come together to address critical environmental challenges, and I commend Armenia for taking a leading role in this important conversation while strengthening the enduring partnership between our two nations.”\n\n“Armenia holds a special place in my heart, and I have been proud to stand with the Armenian people throughout my time in Congress,” said Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. “Hosting COP17 gives Armenia a great opportunity to show the world the beauty of the country they have fought so hard to preserve. As nations come together in Yerevan to confront the loss of biodiversity and find better ways to protect our natural resources, Armenia will be at the center of that important work. I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan resolution celebrating this moment and ensuring Armenia can protect its natural heritage for generations to come.”\n\n\"Conservation is not independent of security or sovereignty,\" said Armenia Tree Project Founder Carolyn Mugar. \"By welcoming Armenia as host of COP17 and affirming U.S.-Armenia cooperation on forestry, water management, and wildfire prevention, this resolution treats Armenia's forests as the strategic national asset that they are. We thank the leadership of the Congressional Armenian Caucus for this important legislative initiative.\"\n\nRead the resolution here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4063", "title": "Valadao, Fong Welcome VA Secretary Collins to Bakersfield for New Clinic Announcement", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "valadao.house.gov", "scraper": "valadao", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000129", "name": "David G. Valadao", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BAKERSFIELD – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) and Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) hosted Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins in Bakersfield to announce the new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. This new clinic will replace the existing decades-old clinic in Bakersfield which is unable to meet increased patient demand and support existing services.\n\nAs a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Congressman Valadao has secured language in the Fiscal Year 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts encouraging VA to move forward with construction.\n\n“Our veterans have sacrificed so much to protect our nation and preserve our freedoms, and when they come home, they deserve access to high-quality VA healthcare in their communities,” said Congressman Valadao. “For over thirty years, the existing Bakersfield clinic has served thousands of veterans across our region, but that facility is aging, patient demand has only grown, and it doesn’t have the space or resources needed to meet our veterans’ needs. The new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic will better meet demand and expand access to essential services, including primary care, mental health, dental, rehabilitation, and other specialty services. This is an important investment in the health and well-being of our Central Valley veterans, and I want to thank Secretary Collins, the administration, and Congressman Fong for their continued partnership in making this project a reality. I look forward to seeing our Valley veterans benefit from this new facility soon!”\n\n“Today is a significant step forward for the veterans of Kern County and it has been a long time coming,” said Congressman Fong. “After years of frivolous legal delays, the VA has accepted this new modernized clinic, with a target to welcome its first patients this December. Our veterans will finally be receiving care in a modern space worthy of their service, but we are not done. Today allows us to build and construct the permanent facility our veterans were promised, and I will not stop until that job is finished. Thank you to Secretary Doug Collins and the entire Trump Administration for making this a priority and delivering for the veterans of the Central Valley.”\n\n“For too long, Bakersfield Veterans had to make do with a clinic that suffered from HVAC and plumbing problems, and didn’t have enough space to meet Veterans’ growing needs,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Under President Trump’s leadership, and thanks to the advocacy of Reps. Valadao and Fong, Veterans will get the modern facility they deserve. The new clinic also enables VA to exit a horrible lease agreement that was costing us millions of additional dollars per year for a sub-standard facility – that means we can direct more resources to Veteran care.”\n\nBackground:\n\nThe new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic will replace the existing decades-old facility, which has struggled to keep pace with growing patient demand and provide the space needed to expand services. After years of delays related to site availability and legal challenges, the project is moving forward following a July 2025 court ruling in favor of the City of Bakersfield.\n\nThe approximately 30,000-square-foot facility will offer a full slate of expanded care options, including primary care, audiology and speech pathology, mental health, homeless services, dental, eye care, enrollment and eligibility, laboratory services, nutrition and food services, physical medicine and rehabilitation, telehealth, and women’s health. Veterans will continue receiving care from their existing providers, with the new facility providing additional space to meet their needs. The new clinic will also allow the VA to redirect funding previously spent on the outdated facility’s rent toward serving veterans.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2108", "title": "Congressman Van Drew Recognizes Coast Guard Recruitment Milestone and Cape May's Role in Its Future", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vandrew.house.gov", "scraper": "vandrew", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000133", "name": "Jefferson Van Drew", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew celebrated news that the United States Coast Guard recruited its largest class in nearly 40 years, exceeding its recruitment goals for the third straight year.\n\n\"These are brave men and women who are answering the call to protect our nation, and they deserve the very best,\" said Congressman Van Drew. \"That is exactly why I fought so hard to secure over $400 million to modernize Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. Every enlisted Coast Guardsman begins their journey right here in South Jersey, and with recruitment reaching levels we have not seen in decades, this investment could not be more important. We are building new barracks and training facilities to prepare Cape May for this growth and strengthen the Coast Guard for generations to come. I could not be prouder that South Jersey is playing such an important role in serving our nation.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://vanepps.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-van-epps-stork-act-reduces-the-financial-burden-of-welcoming-a-child", "title": "Rep. Van Epps’ STORK Act Reduces the Financial Burden of Welcoming a Child", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vanepps.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vanepps.house.gov", "scraper": "vanepps", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000139", "name": "Matt Van Epps", "party": "Republican", "state": "TN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07) introduced the Savings for Tomorrow’s Opportunities, Raising Kids (STORK) Act. This legislation raises the Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution limit by $2,000 per child in the year a family welcomes a child through birth or adoption. This will give parents the tax-advantaged savings they need to help cover maternity care, delivery, and newborn medical expenses.\n\nRep. Van Epps said, “Making families stronger and setting them up for success will strengthen our nation as a whole. The United States is one of the most expensive countries to give birth in, costing the average family $25,000, with only a portion of that covered by insurance. It's time to help parents fill in the gap.”\n\nHe continued, “My wife and I know how hard and how expensive it is to care for a newborn. Getting an unexpectedly expensive hospital bill just as you're figuring out your infant’s sleeping and feeding schedule can be overwhelming. That’s why I want to give new families more choice and more power over their finances. My STORK Act empowers parents to increase their HSA contributions to help meet the costs of maternity care, delivery, and newborn healthcare. Having a baby is expensive; we should empower parents to plan ahead, and Health Savings Accounts are a great way to do that.”\n\nRead the one-pager here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://velazquez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/velazquez-grijalva-lead-resolution-recognizing-world-contraception-day", "title": "Velázquez, Grijalva Lead Resolution Recognizing World Contraception Day", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://velazquez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "velazquez.house.gov", "scraper": "velazquez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000081", "name": "Nydia M. Velázquez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, Reps. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) introduced a House resolution recognizing World Contraception Day and calling for expanded access to contraception and reproductive health care in the United States and around the world.\n\n“Access to contraception is fundamental to giving people the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies, families, and futures,” said Rep. Velázquez. “Yet millions of people still face barriers to getting the care and information they need. On World Contraception Day, we are reaffirming that contraception is essential health care and that everyone deserves affordable, reliable access to it. I am proud to join Congresswoman Grijalva in continuing this fight for reproductive freedom at home and around the world.”\n\n“Everyone deserves access to contraception and the freedom to make decisions about their own health and future,” said Rep. Grijalva. “Too many people still face barriers to the care they need, especially in communities that have been underserved for far too long. On World Contraception Day, we’re standing up for affordable, accessible reproductive health care for everyone.”\n\nThe resolution highlights persistent barriers to contraceptive access in the United States and globally. An estimated 218 million women in economically developing countries have an unmet need for modern contraception. In the United States, one-third of adult women who have attempted to obtain prescription contraception have reported barriers to access, while more than 19 million women of reproductive age who need publicly funded contraception live in areas without reasonable access to a health center offering the full range of contraceptive methods.\n\nThe resolution also recognizes longstanding racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in reproductive health care and the barriers faced by communities of color, Native people, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people living in areas with limited access to reproductive health providers.\n\nAmong other provisions, the resolution calls on Congress and the administration to expand access to free or affordable contraception, ensure access to medically accurate information and comprehensive insurance coverage, address contraceptive deserts and reproductive health disparities, and expand access and coverage for over-the-counter birth control and other forms of contraception.\n\nThe resolution further recognizes the broader benefits of contraceptive access, including allowing people to plan and space pregnancies and pursue their educational, career, and life goals.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://vindman.house.gov/2026/10/09/vindman-supports-legislation-to-prevent-illegal-domestic-troop-deployments-and-voter-intimidation-ahead-of-midterm-election/", "title": "Vindman Supports Legislation to Prevent Illegal Domestic Troop Deployments and Voter Intimidation Ahead of Midterm Election", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "vindman.house.gov", "scraper": "vindman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000138", "name": "Eugene Simon Vindman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined Congressman Pat Ryan (N.Y.-18) and four of their Democratic Veteran colleagues in the U.S. House in introducing legislation to prevent the president from weaponizing the military to interfere with elections. Specifically, the bill would empower Congress to stop or reverse any domestic troop deployment ordered by the president.\n\nThe introduction follows months of threats and actions by the Trump Administration to interfere with the November midterm elections and amid new reports from the Atlantic that advisors close to the President are encouraging him to declare martial law. Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out declaring a national emergency on elections, has already deployed thousands of U.S. troops against U.S. citizens in American cities, and suggested that Republicans should “nationalize” the midterm elections and “take over” the voting process. When asked directly in a House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing, a senior Trump military official refused to rule out troop deployments to polling sites.\n\n“As a 25-year Army veteran, I know our troops should never be asked to carry out the political will of a president at the expense of our democracy. Our military swears an oath to the U.S. Constitution and the American people, not any one president or political party,” said Vindman. “The prospect of using our armed forces to influence or interfere with our elections is dangerous and fundamentally at odds with the oath every service member takes. Congress must make clear that our military cannot be weaponized to interfere with Americans’ right to vote, and that our elections must remain free from intimidation, and military interference.”\n\n“Patriots in uniform sign up to fight for fundamental American freedoms – not against them. Trump using U.S. servicemembers as political pawns is straight-up un-American, and we’re not going to let him get away with it,” said Ryan. “Trump and those around him are scared – they know the American people are fed up with the war in Iran and skyrocketing prices. Instead of working to lower costs, Trump and his team are cooking up ways to intimidate voters, refusing to rule out domestic troop deployments. This bill provides a necessary check on the President. If he deploys troops, Congress can and will stop him. We won’t let this chickenhawk president exploit our servicemembers just because he can’t face the fact that the American people are fed up with his failed agenda of higher costs and unprecedented corruption.”\n\nJoining Vindman and Ryan are fellow Democratic veterans and U.S. Representatives Maggie Goodlander (N.H.-02), Chris Deluzio (Pa.-17), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.-06), and Jimmy Panetta (Calif.-19).\n\nSenator Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The bicameral legislation also includes $1 billion in new resources for state and local law enforcement on the ground.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nVindman is a 25-year Army veteran and member of the Democratic Veterans Caucus; Vindman also sits on the House Armed Services Committee, where he has become the leading voice of opposition to Trump’s war in Iran.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-recognizes-hope-ranch-missouri-angels-adoption-honoree", "title": "Wagner Recognizes Hope Ranch of Missouri as an Angels in Adoption Honoree", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "wagner.house.gov", "scraper": "wagner", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000812", "name": "Ann Wagner", "party": "Republican", "state": "MO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after she honored Hope Ranch of Missouri with the 2026 Angels in Adoption Award, recognizing the organization for its extraordinary contributions on behalf of vulnerable children and families. Hope Ranch provides a safe and supportive environment, including education, therapy, and counseling, to help foster children heal and develop self-confidence.\n\n“It was my honor to nominate Hope Ranch of Missouri as a 2026 Angels in Adoption recipient,” said Congresswoman Wagner. “I have visited and seen firsthand how Hope Ranch serves foster children in our community and their commitment to help those in need is truly admirable. This organization is an incredible asset to our community here in Missouri, and this award is a testament to their ongoing passion and dedication to supporting foster children.\n\n“This recognition belongs to the entire Hope Ranch community,” said Rev. Jay DeBeir, Executive Director of Hope Ranch of Missouri. “It belongs to our staff who walk alongside young people every day, to our Board and supporters who make this ministry possible, and especially to the children and young people we are privileged to serve. We are appreciative of the Congresswoman's recognition of Hope Ranch to enable the ministry to receive this award.”\n\nThe Angels in Adoption program began in 1999 to honor organizations and individuals making extraordinary contributions on behalf of vulnerable children and families. Hope Ranch was able to attend the Angels in Adoption Hill Day and Celebration on September 29th, honoring recipients across the country.\n\nHope Ranch of Missouri has been located in Sullivan since 2022.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=411030", "title": "From the Front: October 9, 2026", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://womack.house.gov/news", "domain": "womack.house.gov", "scraper": "womack", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000809", "name": "Steve Womack", "party": "Republican", "state": "AR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "From the Front Newsletters\nFrom the Front: October 9, 2026\nShare on Facebook\nShare on X\nPrint this Page\nShare by Email\nWashington,\r\n      October 9, 2026\nClick here to read this edition.\nRead more.\nJOIN MY EMAIL LIST\nSUBSCRIBE", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-demands-answers-from-verizon-on-plans-to-end-landline-service", "title": "Baldwin Demands Answers from Verizon on Plans to End Landline Service", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "scraper": "baldwin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001230", "name": "Tammy Baldwin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) demanded answers from Verizon CEO Dan Schulman regarding the company’s plan to transition away from copper-based voice service, raising concerns that some Wisconsinites could be left without reliable phone service if an adequate alternative is not in place, particularly in rural areas where wireless or other replacement services may be limited. Baldwin’s call comes as Verizon plans to retire copper facilities at 136 Wisconsin wire centers and discontinue traditional landline service.\n\n\"While I recognize the need to modernize aging telecommunications infrastructure, I am concerned that some affected Wisconsinites, particularly those in rural areas, may not have access to an immediate, adequate and reliable replacement service,” wrote Senator Baldwin in the letter to Verizon CEO Dan Schulman. “These concerns are especially important where customers rely on landline service for emergency communications.\"\n\n\"I request that Verizon commit to ensuring that no Wisconsin customer loses copper-based voice service until an adequate replacement has been successfully installed and activated,” Baldwin concluded.\n\nDespite Verizon’s assurances, Wisconsin communities remain concerned that available alternatives may be inadequate because of geographic limitations, high costs associated with certain replacement options, and existing gaps in reliable cellular coverage.\n\nIn her letter, Senator Baldwin pressed Verizon to answer several questions about its plans to retire copper-based telephone service across Wisconsin, including:\n\nHow many Wisconsin customers currently receive voice service over copper facilities Verizon intends to retire? Please provide the number of residential and business customers, broken down by county and wire center.\n\nWhat replacement voice services has Verizon identified for affected Wisconsin customers, including fiber, fixed wireless, mobile wireless, cable/VoIP, or service provided by another carrier? How many customers are expected to rely on each type of replacement?\n\nHow many affected Wisconsin customers, if any, do not currently have a verified replacement voice service available?\n\nHow will Verizon verify that replacement service is available at a customer’s location? Does verification mean map coverage, an address-level serviceability check, confirmation that service can actually be ordered and installed, on-site testing, or some other standard?\n\nWhat process is available when a customer disputes Verizon’s determination that an adequate replacement exists? Will Verizon maintain existing copper service while such a dispute is resolved?\n\nWhat protections will replacement services provide for reliable 911 access during power outages and other emergencies? What battery-backup capabilities will Verizon provide, and for how long are those systems expected to operate during an outage?\n\nHow will the cost of replacement services, including installation, equipment, and recurring charges, compare with the cost of customers’ existing copper-based voice service?\n\nAre any affected customers located in areas where Verizon or Frontier plans to deploy fiber or other upgraded infrastructure? If so, will Verizon maintain existing copper voice service until that planned network is operational and available to the customer?\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Mr. Schulman,\n\nI am reaching out regarding Verizon’s planned discontinuance of legacy telecommunications services, including Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) and Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), and the related retirement of copper facilities across Wisconsin. As part of Verizon and Frontier Communications’ Section 214 discontinuance application (WC Docket No. 26-170), Verizon may begin discontinuing covered TDM/POTS voice services on or after November 16, 2026. Separately, Verizon has announced plans to retire remaining copper facilities at 136 wire centers across Wisconsin. While I recognize the need to modernize aging telecommunications infrastructure, I am concerned that some affected Wisconsinites, particularly those in rural areas, may not have access to an immediate, adequate and reliable replacement service. These concerns are especially important where customers rely on landline service for emergency communications.\n\nTo better understand how Verizon intends to protect affected customers during this transition, I request that you provide answers to the following questions:\n\nHow many Wisconsin customers currently receive voice service over copper facilities Verizon intends to retire? Please provide the number of residential and business customers, broken down by county and wire center.\n\nWhat replacement voice services has Verizon identified for affected Wisconsin customers, including fiber, fixed wireless, mobile wireless, cable/VoIP, or service provided by another carrier? How many customers are expected to rely on each type of replacement?\n\nHow many affected Wisconsin customers, if any, do not currently have a verified replacement voice service available?\n\nHow will Verizon verify that replacement service is available at a customer’s location? Does verification mean map coverage, an address-level serviceability check, confirmation that service can actually be ordered and installed, on-site testing, or some other standard?\n\nWhat process is available when a customer disputes Verizon’s determination that an adequate replacement exists? Will Verizon maintain existing copper service while such a dispute is resolved?\n\nWhat protections will replacement services provide for reliable 911 access during power outages and other emergencies? What battery-backup capabilities will Verizon provide, and for how long are those systems expected to operate during an outage?\n\nHow will the cost of replacement services, including installation, equipment, and recurring charges, compare with the cost of customers’ existing copper-based voice service?\n\nAre any affected customers located in areas where Verizon or Frontier plans to deploy fiber or other upgraded infrastructure? If so, will Verizon maintain existing copper voice service until that planned network is operational and available to the customer?\n\nI request that Verizon commit to ensuring that no Wisconsin customer loses copper-based voice\n\nservice until an adequate replacement has been successfully installed and activated.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter, and I look forward to your response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-baldwin-calls-out-trump-admin-for-canceling-15-million-in-funding-for-appleton-airport", "title": "NEWS: Baldwin Calls Out Trump Admin for Canceling $1.5 Million in Funding for Appleton Airport", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "scraper": "baldwin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001230", "name": "Tammy Baldwin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is calling out the Trump Administration for canceling $1.5 million in federal funding for the Appleton International Airport that would have helped the airport cut energy costs and improve resiliency.\n\n“The Appleton International Airport plays a critical role for the Fox Valley economy – bringing visitors and tourism dollars into our communities, connecting local businesses to customers and markets, and supporting good-paying jobs,” said Senator Baldwin. “Now, President Trump is playing politics and shutting down a commonsense project that would modernize the airport and lower energy costs for years to come. This is flat out wrong, and the administration should reverse this decision immediately. Wisconsin families deserve to have their hard-earned dollars invested back in their communities, and I’m going to keep fighting to do just that.”\n\nThe $1.5 million was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and would have been used to install a solar array and microgrid system with battery storage. The project would enhance sustainability and ensure that the Airport remains operational during grid outages and adverse weather conditions. The Trump Administration’s Department of Transportation (DOT) discontinued the grant, claiming that the project did not meet agency priorities.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/10/09/bennet-hickenlooper-introduce-legislation-to-protect-nonprofit-and-religious-community-spaces-at-heightened-risk-of-attack/", "title": "Bennet, Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation to Protect Nonprofit And Religious Community Spaces at Heightened Risk of Attack", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "domain": "www.bennet.senate.gov", "scraper": "bennet", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001267", "name": "Michael F. Bennet", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Denver — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper introduced the Safer Spaces for All Act, legislation to better equip at-risk nonprofit institutions to protect their visitors and help ensure that all Americans can visit their places of worship, schools, and community centers freely and without fear. Congressmen Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) led companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\n“In light of the recent surge in anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, and other violent hate-based incidents in the United States, the importance of programs that provide religious communities with increased security cannot be overstated,” said Bennet. “We have a responsibility to confront prejudice everywhere, and the Safer Spaces for All Act is an essential step forward for Colorado.”\n\n“Antisemitism, Islamaphobia, and other forms of hate have no place in our country,” said Hickenlooper. “Unfortunately, we see hate rear its ugly head all too often. This bill will ensure that Americans feel secure when they enter their places of worship.”\n\nThe Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides at-risk nonprofit organizations – like synagogues, mosques, schools, community centers and other places of gathering – with critical resources to bolster their security amid heightened risk of attack. The program is particularly important to faith-based organizations that are encountering a troubling rise in prejudice and animosity.\n\nThe NSGP Improvement Act of 2022 expanded the eligible uses of NSGP funds to include payments to contracted security personnel and administrative expenses. However, grantees currently cannot use NSGP funds to pay permanent salaried security employees, or hire personnel to apply for NSGP funds. For organizations in remote areas particularly, it can be logistically difficult to reliably find private security vendors or off-duty law enforcement to hire for their level of security needed. This bill would help the NSGP accomplish its intended goal to keep at-risk organizations safe by further expanding eligible uses of NSGP funds.\n\nSpecifically, the Safer Spaces for All Act would allow NSGP funds to be used to:\n\nHire permanent onsite security personnel;\n\nHire off-duty police officers; and\n\nHire personnel to apply for NSGP funding (capped at 5% of total grant) so that applying organizations do not have to rely solely on volunteers.\n\n“Security is not one-size-fits-all. For many houses of worship, community centers, and other nonprofits – trained personnel and the capacity to manage security funding are just as critical as the cameras, barriers, and other physical improvements. The Safe Space for All Act would provide institutions the flexibility to use NSGP funding where it can have the greatest impact – making the program more accessible, responsive, and effective. JEWISHcolorado and the Jewish Community Relations Council thank Senator Bennet for his continued leadership in strengthening this vital program and helping communities gather, worship, learn, and serve safely,” said the Jewish Community Relations Council.\n\n“Having an off-duty Denver Police Officer present during our daily and Friday prayers transformed our security landscape. While physical fortifications are essential, they cannot replace the immediate deterrence and peace of mind that a trained officer provides. For our community to truly feel secure while fulfilling our daily worship, grant programs like the NSGP must allow funding for active security personnel,” said Rafaat Ludin, Executive Director of the Downtown Denver Islamic Center.\n\nBennet has a strong record of working to protect religious communities from targeted violence. In December 2025, Bennet led his Colorado Democratic colleagues – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse, Diana DeGette, Brittany Pettersen, and Jason Crow – on a letter to former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem urging the DHS to protect religious communities in Colorado and across the country by implementing the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Improvement Act, legislation passed through the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. In June 2025, Bennet and Hickenlooper wrote to Senate leadership advocating for $500 million for the NGSP program in Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills. In April 2024, Bennet led the effort to pass the April 2024 national security supplemental, which included $400 million for the NGSP.\n\nThe text of the bill is available HERE. A summary of the bill is available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-slams-trump-for-lifting-sanctions-on-russian-diesel-fueling-putins-war-machine", "title": "Blumenthal Slams Trump for Lifting Sanctions on Russian Diesel, Fueling Putin's War Machine", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the statement below following Donald Trump’s announcement that he had reached a deal with Vladimir Putin to lift sanctions on and obtain Russian diesel:\n\n“The President’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel is an embarrassment and makes us complicit in Putin’s war against Ukraine. This poorly concealed attempt to mitigate the havoc caused by Trump’s illegal war in Iran will only benefit the Chinese and Russian economies and lead to the slaughter of more innocents in Ukraine. This agreement with a murdering dictator is a stain on our nation’s character, an insult to Lindsey Graham’s memory, and directly contrary to Congress’s intent in our bipartisan sanctions bill. The President should rescind this agreement immediately. To the American companies considering taking Putin’s blood money: Congress is watching.”\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senator-blumenthal-week-in-review-10/2/2026-10/9/2026", "title": "Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 10/2/2026-10/9/2026", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Urging Roadside Safety Measures\n\n[Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined law enforcement, tow truck operators, and road safety advocates to remind motorists to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles, first responders and others on Connecticut roads. Over the last month, a Connecticut Department of Transportation worker and a tow truck driver were killed while on the job. Elvin Hernandez was performing regular maintenance on I-95 when he was struck and killed by a driver in broad daylight. Alexander John Ramos was responding to a disabled vehicle in Bloomfield when he was struck and killed by a driver.\n\n“As sad and angry as we may be, action is what’s needed, and we should honor them with action—to raise awareness, to toughen penalties, and to provide more rules for enforcement,” said Blumenthal at the press conference.\n\nThe press conference comes after Blumenthal’s bipartisan Slow Down Move Over Resolution with U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) passed the U.S. Senate last week. Blumenthal introduced this year’s Slow Down Move Over Resolution to honor Elvin and Alexander and urge awareness while driving on Connecticut roads.\n\n“Slow Down, Move Over saves lives. It’s the law in every state, but it needs to be amplified and elevated. Every year, failures to Slow Down and Move Over cause needless, senseless injuries and deaths to roadside workers like police, firefighters, emergency responders, tow truck operators, construction workers, and more. This resolution aims to make them safer by reminding drivers to slow down and move over,” said Blumenthal.\n\nThe resolution highlights Slow Down, Move Over laws across the country in an effort to reduce struck-by-vehicle injuries and fatalities. The resolution also recognizes and honors the important role fire and rescue personnel, emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement officers, tow truck operators, and transportation workers play in road safety.\n\nBlumenthal further highlighted the need for Slow Down, Move Over laws and for increased roadside safety measures on Twitter/X.\n\n“Tragically, two workers were killed on CT highways just last month. My bipartisan legislation supporting Slow Down, Move Over education & enforcement can help save lives,” wrote Blumenthal with an accompanying video on Twitter/X.\n\nDemanding Home Heating Help\n\nBlumenthal joined advocates to call on the Senate to pass at least $7 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) this winter. LIHEAP is a vital federal program that helps residents of low-income households afford to heat their homes. As fall and winter begin, demand is expected to increase, in part because of skyrocketing home heating oil prices. The cost of home heating oil in Connecticut is currently $5.91 per gallon, up 50% from June and 86% from last September.\n\nBlumenthal is demanding the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee commit $7 billion for home heating assistance this year, and urges swift release of all LIHEAP funding ahead of the coldest winter months.\n\n“The cost of home heating oil is going to be crushing—a severe and painful hardship for many families in Connecticut that simply cannot afford it, the absolutely crushing effects, emotionally as well as physically, of a winter that requires this kind of financial commitment to keep homes livable,” said Blumenthal at the press conference. “We’re facing a perfect storm in home heating oil—soaring prices, a harsh winter, and stable, flat amounts of LIHEAP. 86 percent higher costs for home heating oil and the harshness of this winter means LIHEAP must be increased—it’s a matter of simple humanity.”\n\nCalling for Immigration Warrant Reform Amid Unlawful ICE Arrests & Detentions\n\nBlumenthal held a press conference in Hartford discussing the Immigration Warrant Reform Act, legislation he is co-sponsoring to clarify existing requirements for immigration arrests and codify statutory procedures to prevent unlawful arrests and detentions. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) would bring immigration enforcement procedures in line with standards that all state and local law enforcement already follow.\n\n“ICE’s violent, warrantless dragnet must be stopped. And that’s why I’m introducing a measure that will require standards—send a warrant, and then a public hearing where bail can be granted in public, within 24 hours. This basic standard in my view is a matter of constitutional law, but ICE has failed to follow it, and so we need to put it into our statutory law,” said Blumenthal.\n\nBlumenthal further highlighted the need for immigration warrant reform on Twitter/X.\n\n“ICE should be held to the same standards as our state & local police. That’s why I’m introducing a measure that will require a warrant for most immigration detentions,” wrote Blumenthal with an accompanying video on Twitter/X.\n\nAs Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Blumenthal has led an investigation into DHS’s abuses. Over the last year, Blumenthal and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, have hosted five public forums on Capitol Hill as part of their ongoing inquiry into the lawless and abusive tactics used by federal immigration agents.\n\nBlumenthal also hosted a public forum to receive testimony from the Danbury community about ICE’s destructive and indiscriminate detentions. Blumenthal was joined by Mayor Roberto Alves; attorney Glenn Formica with the American Legal Immigrant Clinic; and members of Danbury United for Immigrants.\n\nMore information and videos from these forums can be found here, here, here, here, here, and here.\n\nSounding the Alarm on Deceptive Housing Deposit Schemes\n\nBlumenthal and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) wrote to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Andrew Ferguson calling on the FTC to investigate the emerging consumer protection issues posed by security deposit alternatives.\n\nAccording to recent reporting by the New York Times, landlords and management companies are increasingly offering tenants security deposit alternatives, in which tenants are allowed to pay smaller monthly or annual fees that replace the traditional lump sum of a security deposit before moving in. While these alternatives seem helpful to consumers, they expose tenants to significant financial risks—tenants are still financially responsible for any damages that occur, and unlike a typical security deposit, the alternative payments are generally non-refundable. In their letter, Blumenthal and Warren call on the FTC to investigate and take action against these deceptive fee practices.\n\n“The misleading marketing and lack of transparency surrounding these products can lead tenants to believe they function like traditional security deposits, but at a lower cost… However, in a report analyzing security deposit alternatives, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) found that these products typically cost more than traditional security deposits over the course of a lease, may lack the protections afforded by state security deposit laws, and often fail to clearly disclose the fees tenants will be required to pay,” wrote the Senators.\n\n“From non-refundable fees and misleading marketing to inadequate disclosures, these products can take advantage of vulnerable tenants who are already struggling to afford the high cost of rental housing,” continued the Senators.\n\nBlumenthal and Warren are calling on the FTC to take action to protect tenants from these deceptive and misleading security deposit alternatives, writing, “As security deposit alternatives are becoming increasingly common, the FTC should take action to investigate, provide consumer notice, and combat misleading tactics with respect to security deposit alternatives. In particular, the Commission should issue rules requiring disclosures regarding the full costs and fees, reimbursement obligations, and non-refundable nature of these products, while also prohibiting misleading marketing practices that misrepresent how these products compare to traditional security deposits. These measures would help protect consumers, improve transparency, and ensure tenants understand the true costs and obligations associated with security deposit alternatives.”\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.\n\nBlumenthal held a press conference in Hartford highlighting his letter calling on the FTC to investigate and take action to address the emerging issue of security deposit alternatives.\n\n“I am demanding that the Federal Trade Commission begin an investigation of these security deposit schemes, because they can be devastatingly costly to renters—especially at a time when the price of everything else, gas to groceries, is rising as well. Tenants need more protection,” said Blumenthal at the press conference.\n\nBlumenthal Bulletin\n\nBlumenthal slammed President Trump for lifting sanctions on Russian diesel, fueling Putin’s war machine.\n\nBlumenthal demanded answers from Cantor Fitzgerald about its relationship with Tether after his PSI report finds the cryptocurrency firm props up Iran’s shadow banking system.\n\nBlumenthal demanded FanDuel fess up about celebrity promotional videos after VIP message was used to target a gambling addict.\n\nBlumenthal continued to probe into the Department of Homeland Security’s misuse of taxpayer dollars, demanding answers from DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin over luxury jet purchases.\n\nBlumenthal released a statement on the release of the annual veteran suicide report.\n\nBlumenthal introduced legislation to improve support for Veterans Crisis Line employees.\n\nBlumenthal attended the Wallingford Town Fair.\n\nBlumenthal attended the opening of Elena’s Light new community center.\n\nBlumenthal attended the CT Hospice annual gala.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-regarding-ice-incident-on-harrison-avenue", "title": "Booker Statement Regarding ICE Incident on Harrison Avenue", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.booker.senate.gov", "scraper": "booker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001288", "name": "Cory A. Booker", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "NEWARK, NJ—U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement after a video posted online appears to show ICE agents violently dragging a man away from two small children on Wednesday in Harrison, New Jersey:\n\n“No child should have to see this and these children will carry it with them long after the videos stop circulating and public outrage has moved away.\n\n“ICE claims they are targeting violent criminals—the worst of the worst. This is not true and this was not an isolated incident. It demonstrates a culture of violence inside ICE, and Trump has made it worse.\n\n“Time and time again we have watched agents detain people using excessive force and ignore basic rights and dignity, only to face zero consequences.\n\n\"Last week, I demanded that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin immediately remove all ICE agents brought on during the Department's 2025 hiring surge.\n\n“We must have stronger oversight and accountability across the immigration detention system. That’s why earlier this year, I introduced comprehensive legislation that would ban private detention centers, end family detention, strengthen detention standards, improve oversight, and better protect the health, safety, and civil rights of people in ICE’s custody.\n\n“My office is opening an inquiry with ICE to determine why this man was taken into custody, and why agents used this level of force in front of and with children.\n\n“I will not support another penny for a reckless and out of control ICE, and my Republican colleagues in Congress must start standing with us to hold this rogue agency accountable for its attacks and contempt for the men, women, and children in our communities.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=AEEF8CD1-CC77-4C97-80F5-6373EE6BF398", "title": "Boozman, Alsobrooks, Armstrong, Blunt Rochester Introduce the Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "domain": "www.boozman.senate.gov", "scraper": "boozman", "member": null, "text": "U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Alan Armstrong (R-OK) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) have introduced the bipartisan Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act to streamline federal permitting for habitat restoration projects that produce net ecological benefits.\n\nThe legislation would establish a new permitting pathway under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for projects that restore, enhance or rehabilitate degraded aquatic habitats. This streamlined process could help farmers and conservation partners move conservation projects forward more efficiently, including restoring wetlands on marginal farmland, reconnecting floodplains, stabilizing eroding streambanks and installing berms and water-control structures.\n\n“Arkansas is The Natural State in part because we take great pride and care in the stewardship of the land, water and other resources. Restoring degraded habitats is an important part of conserving and strengthening them, so it should not be as hard or harder for projects that deliver a net ecological benefit to move forward. This bipartisan legislation streamlines the permitting process while maintaining strong environmental protections, giving farmers, landowners and conservationists greater certainty as they work to improve critical habitats,” said Boozman.\n\n“I am proud to introduce the Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act alongside Senators Boozman, Blunt Rochester, and Armstrong. Our legislation will make habitat restoration more efficient, cut red tape, and create a predictable path for restoration projects. We know how important this is in Maryland as we continue to work to protect the Chesapeake Bay and support numerous wetlands restoration projects throughout the state that help to drive a booming outdoor economy,” said Alsobrooks.\n\n\"Modernizing our permitting system does not mean degrading the environment. In fact, we achieve far better ecological outcomes when private capital is directed into direct, on-the-ground conservation and habitat restoration rather than being wasted on endless litigation and administrative review loops. By streamlining Clean Water Act reviews for ecological restoration projects, we can unlock private investment for local communities and live up to the core standard I learned early in my career: we should always leave the land better than we found it. I’m proud to join Senators Boozman, Alsobrooks, and Blunt Rochester in advancing this bipartisan effort to cut red tape and make it easier to build projects that genuinely improve our environment,” said Armstrong.\n\n“As the lowest-lying state, Delawareans know the importance of restoring our shorelines and mitigating flooding from natural hazards. However, current permitting guidelines can make it difficult to jumpstart projects that restore our natural ecosystems. I’m proud to support the bipartisan Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act to streamline projects that will strengthen our natural infrastructure, make our communities more resilient, and help preserve our environment for generations to come,” said Blunt Rochester.\n\nThis bill is supported by Ducks Unlimited (DU), the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership(TRCP), National Audubon Society and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC).\n\n“Restoration projects make our public and working lands healthier, and the permitting process should help expedite that work, not slow it down. The Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act would provide a more predictable path for conservation projects while maintaining a clear focus on measurable gains for habitat and wildlife. Ducks Unlimited appreciates the bipartisan leadership behind this legislation and its recognition that we can strengthen wetland functions and services while making on-the-ground restoration more achievable,” said DU CEO Adam Putnam.\n\n“Healthy habitat is the foundation of healthy fish and wildlife populations and the sporting opportunities they support. The Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act seeks to provide a more predictable and efficient pathway for restoration projects while maintaining existing environmental safeguards. We appreciate Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus members Senators Boozman and Armstrong, and Senators Alsobrooks and Blunt Rochester for working together on ways to help important habitat restoration projects move from planning to implementation,” said CSF Senior Vice President and COO Taylor Schmitz.\n\n“Every month a restoration project waits on a permit is a month hunters and anglers could lose habitat and opportunity. Habitat restoration practitioners can spend years navigating a permitting process built to scrutinize development rather than approve restoration. The Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act recognizes that restoration deserves its own path through that process. We thank Senators Boozman, Alsobrooks, Armstrong, and Blunt Rochester for introducing this bill and helping beneficial projects get on the ground faster,” said TRCP Vice President of Government Affairs Zach Bodhane.\n\n“Our coasts, wetlands, and watersheds are critical resources for people, local communities and billions of birds, but they are at increasing risk from changing environmental conditions, making habitat restoration more vital than ever. This bill will strengthen those efforts by expanding important permitting tools so restoration can move forward at the scale and pace needed to make habitats and communities more resilient,” said National Audubon Society Vice President of Government Affairs Felice Stadler.\n\n“As Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, I strongly support the Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act of 2026 because it directly enhances our ability to execute critical conservation work. The Commission conducts numerous habitat restoration projects, and streamlining this permitting process will reduce the administrative hurdles that so often delay environmental progress. Ultimately, this legislation empowers us to manage our woods and waters more efficiently, ensuring healthier ecosystems for the environment and better outdoor experiences for Arkansas’s hunters and anglers,” said AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock.\n\nThe Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act would:\n\nEstablish a new nationwide Ecological Restoration Project (ERP) Permit under Sec. 404(e) of the CWA for projects that restore, enhance, or rehabilitate degraded habitats and result in a net ecological gain.\n\nDirect the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to consult with federal environmental and conservation agencies to reduce duplicative reviews and preserve all existing environmental requirements.\n\nCreate a consistent permitting process with enforceable review timelines. For non-federal projects, USACE must determine application completeness within 30 days and verify the project within 45 days, with automatic permit verification if USACE misses the statutory deadline. Federal projects would submit a shorter summary report on the presumption of eligibility and may begin permitted work 30 days after the summary report’s submission.\n\nEstablish a 10-year permit term for the ERP and authorizes renewals and extensions without overburdensome frameworks. USACE currently issues nationwide permits on a five-year cycle, which can result in lengthy renewals and extensions.\n\nMaintains strong environmental protections that nothing in the bill waives, limits or modifies requirements of the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-capito-celebrates-announcement-of-marshall-universitys-partnership-with-beta", "title": "PHOTOS: Capito Celebrates Announcement of Marshall University’s Partnership with BETA", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.capito.senate.gov", "scraper": "capito", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001047", "name": "Shelley Moore Capito", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), visited Marshall University’s Bill Noe Flight School to celebrate the announcement of Marshall University Division of Aviation’s partnership with BETA Technologies. Senator Capito has been a consistent supporter of Marshall’s flight school and has made several visits over the years.\n\nBETA Technologies is a leading aerospace and defense company in the U.S., manufacturing electric aircraft systems and charging infrastructure. Marshall University’s partnership with BETA will focus on electric aircraft workforce development and training, cargo transport, intelligence gathering, medical transport, and helping prepare students for a diverse career in aviation.\n\n“It is great to be here today in Charleston to celebrate the announcement of Marshall University’s partnership with BETA Technologies,” Senator Capito said. “Marshall University Division of Aviation sets the standard for aviation education, and I have been proud to support them in their mission to foster high-quality aviation and talent right here in West Virginia. This collaboration will have an immense impact on the future of aviation, and I look forward to seeing the many benefits it will bring to our state.”\n\nThis is a milestone moment for Marshall University Aviation as we look toward the future of aviation,\" Brad D. Smith, President of Marshall University, said. \"Our aviation program is not solely about teaching students to fly; it is about preparing them to lead in one of the world's most dynamic and essential industries. This groundbreaking announcement is a testament to what can happen when Marshall brings the right people together and turns bold ideas into action. Kudos to everyone who made today's announcement with BETA Technologies possible.\"\n\n\"Investing in this complete technology ecosystem establishes Marshall University as an early adopter and regional leader in advanced air mobility education,\" Bill Noe, Chief Aviation Officer at Marshall University Aviation, said. \"By embedding electric propulsion, thermal management and modern flight controls directly into our flight and maintenance programs, we are ensuring our graduates are ready to lead the aerospace industry into the future while driving economic opportunity across Appalachia.\"\n\nOn Wednesday, Senator Capito announced a $2,502,000 Congressionally Directed Spending award to Marshall University’s Aviation Program that will aim to increase capacity at Marshall University Aviation with additional training tools and equipment. Learn more here.\n\nPhotos from the event are included below:\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) celebrates the announcement of Marshall University’s partnership with BETA Technologies in Charleston, W.Va. on Friday, October 9, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) celebrates the announcement of Marshall University’s partnership with BETA Technologies in Charleston, W.Va. on Friday, October 9, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) celebrates the announcement of Marshall University’s partnership with BETA Technologies in Charleston, W.Va. on Friday, October 9, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) celebrates the announcement of Marshall University’s partnership with BETA Technologies in Charleston, W.Va. on Friday, October 9, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) celebrates the announcement of Marshall University’s partnership with BETA Technologies in Charleston, W.Va. on Friday, October 9, 2026.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/28-million-from-rural-health-fund-senator-collins-authored-will-keep-penobscot-community-health-care-open", "title": "$2.8 Million from Rural Health Fund Senator Collins Authored Will Keep Penobscot Community Health Care Open", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BANGOR, ME – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, welcomed the announcement that $2.8 million in federal funding drawn from the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which she authored, will ensure Penobscot Community Health Care (PCHC) avoids an imminent bankruptcy filing. PCHC is Maine's largest federally qualified health center and serves approximately 50,000 patients.\n\n“This is welcome news for the thousands of Mainers who rely on PCHC for access to essential health care services. PCHC's financial challenges demonstrate exactly why this historic federal investment is so critical. With rural hospitals and health centers across Maine facing serious financial challenges, and emergency departments, maternity wards, and other hospital units facing the threat of closure, protecting access to medical care in rural communities has never been more important,” said Senator Collins. “That is why I fought to establish this $50 billion program to help ensure that Mainers and Americans in rural communities across the country can continue receiving the care they need close to home. While significant challenges remain, I am pleased to see these federal resources being put to use to help PCHC continue serving Maine families and prevent further losses of essential health care services in communities across our state.”\n\nThe funding comes from the $50 billion RHTP, the largest single federal investment in rural health care in more than two decades, which Senator Collins proposed during negotiations over the 2025 budget reconciliation legislation. In December 2025, Senator Collins announced that Maine would receive $190 million in first-year funding through the program.\n\nEarlier this year, when Maine's funding was at risk of being rescinded and reallocated to other states because the state had missed implementation milestones and provided inadequate information, Senator Collins intervened directly with the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. She urged agency officials to work with Maine to bring the state into compliance with program requirements, which then occurred.\n\nSenator Collins has also worked through her role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure nearly $300 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for health care infrastructure, including $207 million for 89 hospital and rural health care projects across Maine since 2021. These investments have supported the expansion of emergency departments, community health centers, hospital modernization, and other critical medical services. Examples include nearly $13.4 million to expand Millinocket Regional Hospital's emergency department, more than $10.8 million for emergency and oncology care services at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, and $6.8 million to upgrade St. Joseph Hospital's emergency department in Bangor. Senator Collins also previously secured more than $1.3 million in CDS to help PCHC expand access to dental care in Midcoast Maine.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/as-mainers-face-rising-home-heating-oil-costs-senator-collins-announces-release-of-more-than-38-million-in-federal-home-heating-aid-for-maine-households", "title": "As Mainers Face Rising Home Heating Oil Costs, Senator Collins Announces Release of More Than $38 Million in Federal Home Heating Aid for Maine Households", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BANGOR, ME – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today that the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Community Services will release Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding to help low-income Maine households and seniors with limited incomes afford their energy bills. This will mark one of the earliest releases in the program’s history as home heating oil prices rise in Maine as families prepare for winter.\n\nSpecifically, $36,675,395 in LIHEAP funding will be released for the State of Maine and $1,408,729 for Maine tribes. Included in the funding for Maine tribes is $457,771 for the Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Tribe, $316,098 for the Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe, $303,530 for the Penobscot Nation, $165,665 for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and $165,665 for the Mi’kmaq Nation.\n\nThis announcement follows Senator Collins’ conversations this week with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and OMB Director Russell Vought about the importance of the quick release of LIHEAP funding.\n\n“With home heating oil costs soaring, many Maine families and seniors on limited incomes are facing the prospect of extraordinarily high heating bills this winter. That is why I urged the Administration to expedite the release of this critical assistance, and why I fought so hard to protect and increase funding for LIHEAP. I am pleased that these funds are being released to help Mainers afford to heat their homes this winter without having to choose between staying warm and paying for other basic necessities,” said Senator Collins.\n\nLast month, Senators Collins, Jack Reed (D-RI), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) along with a bipartisan group of 28 other Senators, including Angus King, urged HHS to release LIHEAP funding swiftly and at the highest level possible.\n\nAs Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins secured a $20 million increase in funding for LIHEAP in the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The legislation also included a provision requiring 90% of LIHEAP funds to be distributed no later than November 1st. The legislation was signed into law in February, providing more than $4 billion in funding for LIHEAP nationwide.\n\nEligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, household size, and the availability of resources. LIHEAP applications are now open for income-eligible households. Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible.\n\nMaine residents can click here to learn more about eligibility and how to apply for assistance.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-rounds-push-for-fed-discount-window-updates-to-prevent-bank-collapses-protect-americas-financial-system/", "title": "Cortez Masto, Rounds Push for Fed Discount Window Updates to Prevent Bank Collapses, Protect America’s Financial System", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced the Bringing the Discount Window Into the 21st Century Act, which would direct the Federal Reserve to report to Congress on ways they can modernize the discount window and concerns they have identified with the current system. The discount window is the main way the Federal Reserve helps banks manage their liquidity needs.\n\n“As we continue to be the financial hub for the world, America’s financial institutions need to ensure they have enough money on hand to meet their needs,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “In order to maintain an innovative and robust financial system, it’s critical that the infrastructure supporting them, like the discount window, is brought into the 21st Century.”\n\n“The discount window serves as stable source of short-term funds for local banks. This helps stabilize short-term cash in a reliable and accepted format,” said Senator Rounds. “Our legislation would strengthen and modernize this tool, helping the discount window work better for institutions when they need it most.”\n\nRead the bill here.\n\nSenator Cortez Masto has pushed bipartisan legislation to increase the Federal Deposit Insurance cap on deposit insurance, allow credit unions more flexibility when lending for non-primary residence loans, and reform the Federal Home Loan Banks to ensure they continue to invest in housing and community development. Cortez Masto is also leading bipartisan legislation to ensure that big bank executives are not allowed to collect massive paychecks and bonuses, disregard prudent risk management, and walk away scot-free if the bank goes under.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.dgraham.senate.gov/press-releases/icymi-senator-darline-graham-holds-roundtable-on-logans-law-and-violent-crime-reduction-efforts-in-south-carolina", "title": "ICYMI: Senator Darline Graham Holds Roundtable on Logan’s Law and Violent Crime Reduction Efforts in South Carolina", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.dgraham.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.dgraham.senate.gov", "scraper": "darlinegraham", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000608", "name": "Darline Graham", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "CHARLESTON, S.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Darline Graham (R-South Carolina) led a roundtable discussion in Charleston with U.S. Congressman Russell Fry (R-South Carolina), U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, South Carolina U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling, members of the South Carolina law enforcement community, and Logan Federico’s father, Stephen Federico. The discussion centered around Logan’s Law and efforts to reduce violent crime.\n\nOn Logan’s Law:\n\nGRAHAM: “This is a difficult topic to discuss, but Logan came here [to South Carolina]. She was an aspiring teacher from North Carolina. She came to visit a friend in Columbia and was murdered during the middle of the night. Such a horrible situation and my condolences to you [Mr. Federico]. I just cannot imagine what you are going through. And my understanding, it was a lack of data sharing. It could have been prevented. This murderer should have been in jail.”https://www.youtube.com/live/gXwZhhvPB5M?si=6zQkjQHYdK8hzFN1&t=145\n\nGRAHAM: “As a co-sponsor of Logan’s Law, I have an 18-year-old daughter at home. She’s going away to college next year. I can assure you, I will put everything I have into this law and help with Russell [Fry], work on it to get it passed. This is my new passion.”https://www.youtube.com/live/gXwZhhvPB5M?si=EnVaLyE10TnCmkjM&t=1163\n\nOn the success of the FBI’s Operation Summer Heat 2.0:\n\nGRAHAM: “One of the things I really want to highlight is Operation Summer Heat 2.0 that the Columbia FBI office finished this summer. The results are absolutely amazing. They speak for themselves. There were 80 arrests and 16 kilograms of cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, and methamphetamine taken off of our streets. That is amazing. Keeping South Carolina safer. The arrests were up 156% from last year. Again, keeping South Carolinians much safer. So, we appreciate your assistance with that and keeping our state safe.” https://www.youtube.com/live/gXwZhhvPB5M?si=WxqZS8jQdqYpym9V&t=82\n\nOn takeaways from the roundtable:\n\nGRAHAM: “I think what we’re taking away today is, is there room for improvement? Absolutely. And you have the commitment from me on a federal level to continue moving forward Logan’s Law and to help get some resources back to local law enforcement to help...” https://www.youtube.com/live/gXwZhhvPB5M?si=fFdcD4sj6eTFrV0E&t=2537\n\nClick here to watch the entire roundtable.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-demands-independent-legal-representation-for-unaccompanied-immigrant-children-being-targeted-in-trumps-mass-deportation-machine", "title": "Duckworth Demands Independent Legal Representation for Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Being Targeted in Trump’s Mass Deportation Machine", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "scraper": "duckworth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000622", "name": "Tammy Duckworth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[CHICAGO, IL] – After President Trump announced plans to handpick the lawyers who would represent the children his Administration is seeking to deport, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), advocates and families to demand that the Trump Administration reverse this heinous decision and restore the federal legal aid the President cut, which helped provide thousands of immigrant kids with independent legal representation. At the press conference, Duckworth underscored how this is just the latest cruel attempt to erode due process and strip unaccompanied immigrant children of their rights as the Trump Administration schedules hundreds of asylum interviews with little to no notice. Photos from today’s press conference can be found on the Senator’s website and the full video recording can be found on the Senator’s YouTube page.\n\n“Robbing children of their right to due process is a new low our nation cannot stand for,” said Duckworth. “None of this is happening by accident. After detaining kids by the thousands, shutting off aid to independent legal representation and rapidly scheduling asylum interviews with no notice, Donald Trump is now vindictively seeking to handpick the government lawyers that are supposed to defend these children against his own deportation machine. This is wrong on so many levels and a clear conflict of interest. The Trump Administration must immediately reverse this decision and restore the federal legal aid these kids depend on for a fair shot in court. Children who come to our country seeking safety deserve protection, not a fast-track to deportation.”\n\n“The danger and barriers to due process immigrant children face right now are unprecedented. First, they kept kids in detention for months on end, even when their parents were ready to care for them. Next, the Trump administration came for children’s lawyers, whose funding they terminated in August. And now, they are rushing them through court hearings and asylum interviews at an absurd pace. This is resulting in hundreds of Illinois children and teenagers being pushed into the mass deportation pipeline, right before our eyes. We are grateful to Senator Duckworth for standing with these children, and we will continue to fight for their safety and human rights,” said Cecilia Mendoza, Associate Director of Government Relations at the National Immigrant Justice Center.\n\nIn July, the Trump Administration allowed a yearslong, $200 million-a-year federal contract with the Acacia Center for Justice to lapse, cutting off independent legal services for more than 20,000 unaccompanied immigrant children nationwide through more than 100 subcontractors, including NIJC. Without federally-funded independent legal services, hundreds of unaccompanied children in Illinois facing deportation may now be forced to navigate court proceedings and asylum interviews without an attorney, making it harder to understand and exercise their legal rights.\n\nOver the past five years, approximately 11,347 unaccompanied children have made Illinois their home. These children attend Illinois schools, have parents or caregivers in our communities and may have pending immigration cases. Last year, NIJC represented about 500 unaccompanied children in the Chicago area through the federal contract the Trump Administration cut because attorneys refused to hand over confidential client information. In the aftermath, many of these children have been forced to navigate the immigration system alone, often in a language they do not speak.\n\nDuckworth has fiercely pushed back against the Trump Administration’s mass deportation campaign and its aggressive immigration enforcement tactics in Illinois. Alongside Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), she conducted oversight at the Broadview ICE processing center, demanded greater transparency and accountability from federal immigration agents as well as called for ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to comply with federal body camera requirements. Duckworth also referred potential constitutional violations by federal officials and agents during Operation Midway Blitz to the Department of Justice for investigation, citing reports of warrantless arrests and excessive force against Illinois residents, including U.S. citizens. Additionally, she pushed back against Trump’s threats to deploy the military and National Guard to Chicago and reintroduced legislation to protect immigrant servicemembers and Veterans from deportation, help deported Veterans return to the United States to access earned VA health care and create a pathway to citizenship through military service.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-sorensen-demand-the-trump-administration-reinstate-the-collective-bargaining-agreement-of-30000-bureau-of-prison-employees", "title": "Duckworth, Sorensen Demand the Trump Administration Reinstate the Collective Bargaining Agreement of 30,000 Bureau of Prison Employees", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "scraper": "duckworth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000622", "name": "Tammy Duckworth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) issued the following statement, calling out the Trump Administration and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for failing to reinstate the collective bargaining agreement with the National Council of Prison Locals, Council 33 (CPL-33), despite a federal judge’s order requiring them to do so, stalling efforts to restore worker protections and ensure prison safety. On September 29, 2026, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to reinstate its national collective bargaining agreement with the union, including related amendments, supplemental agreements and memoranda of understanding, but union officials say BOP is failing to comply with the court’s order.\n\n“Our unions help protect the workers and law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe, ensuring they have a voice on the job. These 30,000 Bureau of Prisons employees deserve fair wages, safe working conditions and the right to collectively bargain for both. A federal judge has made clear that this agreement must be reinstated, and the Trump Administration cannot simply ignore a court order because it doesn’t like the outcome. This Administration must follow the law and honor its obligations to these workers.”\n\nOn March 27, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order excluding the Department of Justice from federal collective bargaining requirements, prompting BOP to terminate its collective bargaining agreement with CPL-33 on September 25, 2025—four years before it was set to expire. The union sued on November 13, 2025, and last month, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction, finding it likely that BOP’s decision to terminate the agreement early was unlawful.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-asks-doj-ig-to-investigate-fbis-decision-to-modify-hiring-standards", "title": "Durbin Asks DOJ IG To Investigate FBI’s Decision To Modify Hiring Standards", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.durbin.senate.gov", "scraper": "durbin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000563", "name": "Richard J. Durbin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Durbin: The FBI’s recent decision to remove sex solicitation, bestiality, and theft from an employer from the list of automatic hiring disqualifications threatens to undermine the work of the FBI and poses a grave risk to the Bureau’s integrity\n\nWASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today sent a letter to Don Berthiaume, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General (IG), requesting that he investigate the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) decision to modify the hiring standards that govern the FBI’s workforce by removing theft from an employer, sex solicitation, and bestiality from its list of automatic hiring disqualifications. In June, the FBI reportedly made these revisions to their hiring policy; however, some of these changes may have been quietly implemented as early as February 2025.\n\n“These changes threaten to undermine the work of the FBI and pose a grave risk to the Bureau’s integrity,” Durbin wrote.\n\nIn his letter, Durbin noted that Republican and Democratic Senators questioned FBI Director Kash Patel about this policy change and its application during his appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 15, 2026, but Patel’s responses did little to clarify the purpose or effects of these changes.\n\nDurbin wrote, “Director Patel stated that these changes were made to allow victims of these acts to apply to the FBI if they had been forced to commit one of those acts against their will. However, this explanation appears to contradict the actual effect of the changes, which removed the restrictions outright without differentiating between victim and perpetrator. Changes of this magnitude with no discernible justification must be scrutinized.”\n\nDurbin then went on to ask that the DOJ IG’s office investigate the circumstances around the development and implementation of these policy changes with seven specific requests.\n\nBefore Patel’s oversight hearing last month, Durbin led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in a letter to Patel demanding answers about the FBI’s decision to gut hiring standards. The Committee has yet to receive a response to this request.\n\nFull text of today’s letter is available here and below:\n\nOctober 9, 2026\n\nDear Inspector General Berthiaume:\n\nI write to request that you investigate the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) decision to modify the hiring standards that govern the FBI’s workforce by removing theft from an employer, sex solicitation, and bestiality from its list of automatic hiring disqualifications.\n\nIn June 2026, the FBI reportedly issued an internal directive removing these restrictions, and some of these changes may have been implemented as early as February 2025. These changes threaten to undermine the work of the FBI and pose a grave risk to the Bureau’s integrity—in the case of solicitation of prostitution for example, controlling Department of Justice policy describes it as “threaten[ing] the core mission of the Department, not simply because it invites extortion, blackmail, and leaks of sensitive or classified information, but also because it undermines the Department’s efforts to eradicate the scourge of human trafficking.”\n\nRepublican and Democratic Senators questioned Director Kash Patel about this policy change and its application during his appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 15, 2026, but Director Patel’s responses did little to clarify the purpose or effects of these changes. Director Patel stated that these changes were made to allow victims of these acts to apply to the FBI if they had been forced to commit one of those acts against their will. However, this explanation appears to contradict the actual effect of the changes, which removed the restrictions outright without differentiating between victim and perpetrator.\n\nChanges of this magnitude with no discernible justification must be scrutinized. I ask that your office investigate the circumstances around the development and implementation of these policy changes, including:\n\nThe number of applicants hired, extended conditional offers, or placed under case-by-case review since June 16, 2026, whose files would previously have been automatically disqualified for theft from an employer or engagement in prostitution or bestiality, broken out by category of conduct;\n\nThe number of applicants hired, extended conditional offers, or placed under case-by-case review since February 28, 2025, whose files would previously have been automatically disqualified for theft from an employer or engagement in prostitution or bestiality, broken out by category of conduct;\n\nAny analysis the Bureau conducted, before or after February 28, 2025, of the effect these changes could have on courtroom credibility, counterintelligence exposure, or blackmail vulnerability among personnel hired under them;\n\nWhy the FBI made these changes, what process was followed to make the changes, and who was involved in this process;\n\nAll guidance issued to background investigators, polygraph examiners, and adjudicators instructing them on how to apply the revised standards;\n\nWhether these policies were changed in order to employ a specific applicant or applicants who otherwise would have been barred from serving in the FBI; and\n\nWhether these changes equally to the victims of this conduct or those who were coerced to participate in this conduct, and those who willingly participated in soliciting sex or committing an act of bestiality.\n\nPlease contact my office for any additional information you may need to investigate this matter. Thank you for your attention to this request.\n\nSincerely,\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-releases-insights-from-congressional-oversight-visit-of-immigration-detention-at-guantanamo-bay", "title": "Durbin Releases Insights From Congressional Oversight Visit Of Immigration Detention At Guantánamo Bay", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.durbin.senate.gov", "scraper": "durbin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000563", "name": "Richard J. Durbin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – In August 2026, congressional staff conducted an oversight visit to Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, where the Trump Administration has transported immigrants despite the facility’s failure to meet some basic immigration detention standards including lack of access to counsel, failure to post required information in areas where detention operations were being conducted, and confusion amongst the agency representatives during the visit about which federal agencies’ detention standards should be followed at the facilities.\n\nThe staff noted that the Trump Administration staffs the facilities whether any immigrants are being detained at Guantánamo Bay or not, including during extended periods of time when there are none present. Detaining immigrant detainees at Guantánamo Bay comes at an exorbitant cost to taxpayers, with a total of approximately 852 immigrants being held at the facility since January 2025 at the cost of more than $100 million.\n\nU.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement: “Transferring immigrants to Guantánamo Bay is simply unlawful, and worse yet, inhumane. The Trump Administration has refused to provide any legal justification for housing immigrants at Guantánamo Bay while wasting millions in taxpayer dollars on facilities that cannot even meet federal standards for detention centers. The Trump Administration’s immigration policy is cruel, immoral, and an abuse of taxpayer funding.”\n\nCongressional staff noted the following:\n\nAt the time of the congressional staff’s oversight visit, no immigrants were in detention at Guantánamo Bay; however, 445 government personnel and contractors were stationed at the base for this mission. Maintaining staff at Guantánamo Bay without immigrant detainees comes at significant cost to taxpayers and severely undermines military readiness.\n\nParts of the detention facilities did not appear to meet U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention standards. For example, at the time of the visit, Camp VI—a facility that was built and used for law-of-war detainees, not for immigration enforcement—was not equipped to provide secure, confidential access to counsel for detained immigrants, even by phone. At Guantánamo Bay, unlike at other ICE detention facilities, attorneys are not permitted to visit their detained clients in person.\n\nICE contractors and Department of Defense (DoD) officials provided congressional staff with contradictory or unclear answers as to how the facilities meet immigration detention standards and what standards applied, including conditions of confinement, medical care, and access to counsel. Longstanding law dictates that ICE maintain custody and control of immigrants, but DoD appeared to be primarily running Camp VI, where immigrants have been detained.\n\nInformation provided by government personnel and contractors at Guantánamo Bay often conflicted with public reporting on immigration detention at the base. For example, government personnel and contractors represented that immigrant detainees have secure access to counsel and can freely communicate with their families, but staff did not observe facilities for secure access, and legal aid organizations are currently suing the government for access to counsel for immigrant detainees at Guantánamo Bay.\n\nFull text of the staff’s insights is available here.\n\nA recently issued Government Accountability Office (GAO) report—requested by Senators Durbin, Gary Peters (D-MI), and Jack Reed (D-RI)—examined the Trump Administration’s flawed immigration detention expansion, including ill-conceived plans to convert warehouses to detention facilities and waste and performance issues at facilities such as Alligator Alcatraz and Guantánamo Bay. GAO found that despite unprecedented funding, ICE has wasted and will continue to waste millions of taxpayer dollars on immigration detention expansion efforts due to a failure to appropriately plan for facilities that would meet immigration detention standards.\n\nDurbin has spoken out against the Trump Administration’s unlawful transfer of immigrants to Guantánamo Bay, and he has led other Senators in demanding answers for the legal justification for using the base as an immigration detention center.\n\nDurbin has been a vocal advocate for shuttering the detention center at Guantánamo Bay. After holding the Senate’s first hearing on the need to close Guantánamo in 2013, Durbin held another hearing in 2021 where he reiterated his frequent calls to close the detention facility. Durbin emphasized that keeping the detention center open undermines America’s moral standing and credibility around the world and wastes taxpayer dollars.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/fetterman-statement-in-support-of-sheet-metal-workers-local-19-strike/", "title": "Fetterman Statement in Support of Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 Strike", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/press-release/", "domain": "www.fetterman.senate.gov", "scraper": "fetterman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000479", "name": "John Fetterman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BRADDOCK, PA — In announcing his support for the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 members who are on strike at Lloyd Industries in Montgomery Township, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) released the following statement:\n\n“Proud to stand with Local 19 and the Union Way of Life. Every worker has a right to be treated with dignity on the job –– these workers are no exception. It’s time for management to come back to the table and hammer out a fair deal that works for everyone.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-file-amicus-brief-in-lawsuit-against-trump-administration-for-attacking-fair-housing-program/", "title": "Gallego, Colleagues File Amicus Brief in Lawsuit Against Trump Administration for Attacking Fair Housing Program", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Lawsuit declares that HUD’s attempt to significantly transform the FHIP program violates the law and Congressional intent\n\nWASHINGTON – This week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and 18 of their Democratic colleagues in submitting an amicus brief supporting a federal judge’s ruling that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) unlawfully restricted funding to groups that investigate and enforce laws against housing discrimination.\n\nThe amicus filed argues that HUD’s unprecedented attempt to direct $46 million away from the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) — while diverting an additional $10 million to government agencies with separate appropriations — has no lawful justification and would harm the nation’s fair housing enforcement infrastructure. The senators submitted the brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in the case of Massachusetts Fair Housing Center; National Fair Housing Alliance v. Department of Housing and Urban Development.\n\n“Congress intended FHIP to foster a nationwide network of private organizations, like Plaintiffs, that can aid the federal government in uncovering and eliminating housing discrimination. Since Congress piloted FHIP in 1988 and codified it in 1992, FHIP has consistently sustained private fair housing organizations through three grant streams: the Private Enforcement Initiative (‘PEI’) to support investigative and enforcement activities; the Education and Outreach Initiative (‘EOI’); and the Fair Housing Organization Initiative (‘FHOI’) to build organizational capacity. With this funding, private organizations handle most housing discrimination complaints and enforcement nationwide,” the senators said.\n\n“HUD’s July 2, 2026, Notices of Funding Opportunity (‘NOFOs’) endanger fair housing organizations and their vital work. The NOFOs deviate from FHIP’s authorizing statute, decades of FHIP practice, and Congress’s intent. For the first time since FHIP’s codification in 1992, the FY2025 NOFOs provide no new awards for PEI or EOI—the lifeblood of fair housing organizations—nor do they fulfill existing multi-year PEI awards,” the senators continued. “These unprecedented actions have no lawful justification and would seriously harm the nation’s fair housing enforcement infrastructure. The district court rightly vacated HUD’s unlawful notices and directed funding to flow under the prior framework. HUD’s request to stay that well-founded order should be denied.”\n\n“The Doles Memo’s stated aims are misleading and contrary to FHIP’s purposes as well. […] Worse, the Doles Memo treats fair housing organizations like maligned welfare recipients—charging them with ‘perpetual dependence’ on federal funding. FHIP’s goal always has been to sustain these organizations as a vital organ of the fair housing enforcement system, particularly in areas underserved without federal resources. HUD’s NOFOs, if unaddressed, would set fair housing enforcement back decades. Defendants’ Motion for Stay should be denied,” the senators concluded.\n\nIn addition to Senators Gallego, Van Hollen, and Booker, the amicus brief was submitted by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-statement-on-trump-in-syracuse/", "title": "Gillibrand Statement On Trump In Syracuse", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "scraper": "gillibrand", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000555", "name": "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) issued the following statement on President Trump speaking in Syracuse tonight:\n\n“Nothing Donald Trump says tonight can distract from his chaos, corruption, and cost increases hurting New Yorkers every single day.\n\n“He and complicit Republicans in Washington promised to lower prices. Instead, they have made New Yorkers’ groceries, healthcare, and every trip to work, school, and everything in between more expensive.\n\n“New Yorkers need relief from record high prices this president has put on them, but all he seems to be focused on is bombs, ballrooms, and billionaires.”\n\nTrump’s policies have cost the average household in New York more than $5,500\n\nTrump has spent $1.8 billion+ of taxpayer money on vanity projects\n\nTrump and Republicans cut $63 billion in Medicaid funding for New York\n\nTrump and Republicans kicked more than 400,000 New Yorkers off their health care plans\n\nTrump eliminated a Medicare prescription drug subsidy program New York seniors rely on\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-to-senate-judiciary-democrats-join-my-efforts-to-hold-jack-smith-accountable", "title": "Grassley to Senate Judiciary Democrats: Join My Efforts to Hold Jack Smith Accountable", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee Minority debunking Democrats’ complaints regarding access to Arctic Frost records and pointing to numerous examples in which Democrats have broken Committee and Senate rules by withholding records from Republicans.\n\nSince January 2025, Grassley has made public nearly 2,200 pages of records related to Arctic Frost and Jack Smith’s Special Counsel team. As Grassley points out to Democrats, “If you want to use those records, you’ve been given access to do so. But the important question is, where is the outrage from your side about [Smith’s] clearly abnormal investigative tactics?”\n\nLast week, Grassley exposed Smith for secretly subpoenaing bank records from nearly 5,000 Americans across the county. Zero Judiciary Committee Democrats have condemned Smith’s actions, despite a collective 914 constituents in their states being impacted. Grassley is calling on Democrats to demand an apology from Smith for his abuse of authority and invasion of Americans’ privacy, and encouraging Democrats to join his efforts to hold Smith accountable, instead of undermining them.\n\n“By now it should go without saying that my Democratic colleagues had every chance to assist in my constitutional duty to conduct oversight of these matters. They all failed to lend a hand or request to join my oversight,” Grassley wrote.?“For instance, during an Executive Business Meeting of this Committee nearly a year ago to the date, I asked my Democratic colleagues for their assistance in investigating Arctic Frost, stating, ‘I urge my Democratic colleagues to join us in further uncovering this unconstitutional breach by the Biden Administration.’ Nobody from your side took me up on the offer.”?\n\n“I received the same cold shoulder when I worked without bipartisan help to release records related to the Durham Annex, Clinton Annex, Crossfire Hurricane, the decision by Smith and his Special Counsel staff to secretly obtain phone data on members of this Committee, and their actions to proceed with a fishing expedition in seeking records and communications from more than 430 Republican individuals, donors, and organizations,” Grassley continued. “My door has been open, and not one person on your side has walked through, other than to complain and try to undermine my long-standing work.”?\n\n“I also note that Smith has withheld more than 800 pages of emails at the center mass of this Committee’s investigation, which I requested again this week without a response yet. I requested that information in October last year via a public letter and, should we have received it, would’ve gladly shared it with you, just like I have shared records with you in advance of every oversight hearing I’ve held this Congress. I’m committed more than ever to ensuring that any improper conduct by Smith or his Special Counsel staff is brought to the attention of the American people. For these reasons and more, my oversight will continue and I encourage you – yet again – to join my efforts instead of undermining them,” Grassley concluded.\n\nThe full text of Grassley’s letter is available HERE and below.\n\nOctober 8, 2026\n\nVIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION\n\nThe Honorable Richard J. Durbin\n\nRanking Member\n\nCommittee on the Judiciary\n\nUnited States Senate\n\nDear Ranking Member Durbin and Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee:\n\nI received your letter dated October 7, 2026. As I’ve written before, my Democratic colleagues can’t have it both ways. In the past, some of the Democratic members of this Committee have run roughshod over Committee rules for unjustifiable reasons and have claimed violations by Republicans when the facts don’t fit simply to drum up headlines in the partisan national press. I need not remind you that my oversight of this matter is years in the making, has been supported by courageous whistleblowers who came to my office concerned about the rotten political bias at the heart of Jack Smith’s investigation, and has been transparent with the American people and my Democratic colleagues from the get-go.\n\nSince January 2025, I’ve released nearly 2,200 pages of records related to Arctic Frost and Jack Smith’s Special Counsel team, and I’ve continued to release records since the hearing nearly a week ago, which have been available to you. Indeed, just this week I’ve shared additional records with Ranking Member Durbin’s office. And as another example, I made public records last month that showed a core member of Jack Smith’s Special Counsel staff thought of themselves as an “advocate for repealing the” Speech or Debate clause enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, that the Special Counsel staff issued far-reaching preservation requests to Apple for Member of Congress accounts, including for the accounts of at least one member of this Committee, and that Smith’s Special Counsel staff collected donor data, including checks from nearly 5,000 Americans in all 50 states. If you want to use those records, you’ve been given access to do so. But, the important question is, where is the outrage from your side about these clearly abnormal investigative tactics?\n\nContrary to your misguided statement, the major embarrassment of the hearing was Democrats falling over themselves defending unlawful and unconstitutional actions by Jack Smith. By now it should go without saying that my Democratic colleagues had every chance to assist in my constitutional duty to conduct oversight of these matters. They all failed to lend a hand or request to join my oversight. For instance, during an Executive Business Meeting of this Committee nearly a year ago to the date, I asked my Democratic colleagues for their assistance in investigating Arctic Frost, stating, “I urge my Democratic colleagues to join us in further uncovering this unconstitutional breach by the Biden Administration.” Nobody from your side took me up on the offer.\n\nI received the same cold shoulder when I worked without bipartisan help to release records related to the Durham Annex, Clinton Annex, Crossfire Hurricane,1 the decision by Smith and his Special Counsel staff to secretly obtain phone data on members of this Committee, and their actions to proceed with a fishing expedition in seeking records and communications from more than 430 Republican individuals, donors, and organizations. My door has been open, and not one person on your side has walked through other than to complain and try to undermine my long-standing work. Which reminds me of Democratic colleagues who actively worked to undermine my and Senator Johnson’s Biden family investigation by falsely accusing us of advancing Russian disinformation. You see, those types of ad hominem attacks on my and Senator Johnson’s character, oversight work and staff serve no other purpose than to obstruct and frustrate our good government oversight. So, call me skeptical when I receive a letter like the one you just sent me complaining about my office’s conduct when I and others have been subject to inappropriate conduct for years, such as when Minority Leader Schumer and Ranking Member Wyden publicly tried to offer a resolution on the Senate floor attacking me and Senator Johnson and were shut down by the parliamentarian.\n\nAnd when we included Ranking Member Wyden and Ranking Member Peters in our Biden investigation, our work product began to leak. In one example, Senator Johnson and I sent a letter to the Treasury. Then a Yahoo News article published stating, “[t]he senators’ requests to the Treasury have borne fruit, according to the ranking Democratic senator on the Finance Committee, Ron Wyden of Oregon[.]” Senator Wyden’s spokesperson was also quoted as saying, “the Treasury Department [is] rapidly complying with Senate Republican requests—no subpoenas necessary—and producing ‘evidence’ of questionable origin.” The Yahoo News article stated that the Department of Treasury had “complied with Republican senators’ requests for highly sensitive and closely held financial records about Hunter Biden and his associates[.]” Further, on the same day the Yahoo News article published, Buzzfeed News reported that the Committees had begun coordinating interviews with potential witnesses. Indeed, during that inquiry, the Democratic side also made public previously undisclosed and non-public information pertaining to our investigation. In the end, we made public authentic bank records proving the legitimacy of our work. To date, not one of our Democratic colleagues has apologized to us even though they violated Senate Rules.\n\nMy inclusion of my Democratic colleagues undercut the inquiry, and my act of inclusion wasn’t reciprocated. For example, on July 1, 2020, Ranking Member Wyden and Ranking Member Peters released a COVID-19 report that included non-public government information that was not shared with Senator Johnson or me, we were excluded from document production requests and were provided a fake draft report that was represented as the final but had little connection to what was actually finally released. I can go on with other examples, but the point is made.\n\nYou see, your side can’t argue about Rules when your side doesn’t play by them.\n\nIn short, my oversight has been made possible in large part by whistleblowers and their legally protected disclosures—not my Democratic colleagues—who have urged me to bring transparency and a public accounting to the sordid history of Arctic Frost, Jack Smith’s partisan prosecution, and, ultimately, the years-long weaponization of the Justice Department against members of the Republican party—from Members of Congress down to individual American citizens exercising their constitutionally given rights to support candidates and causes with their hard-earned dollars. These investigative efforts should’ve been bipartisan, but your side failed to engage.\n\nTurning to the claims you raise, I first want to note that my office complied with the Senate Rules when, before the hearing on September 29, 2026, my staff provided Democratic staff with hundreds of pages of records. But, other records have been transmitted to your staff this Congress in advance of oversight hearings, and even more records have been made available to you on the Committee’s website. As you are aware, since your side has done the same, as Chairman, I can decide the manner, mode, and timing of when access to records will be afforded, and additional considerations are always at play when whistleblower equities are involved. Unlike Jack Smith, who has no regard for the evils of whistleblower retaliation, I presume that you understand the risks at issue when whistleblowers disclose information confidentially.\n\nI don’t remember any of my colleagues raising similar concerns when Democratic members of this Committee publicly admitted that they “broke committee rules” or that they believed they knowingly violated Senate Rules in releasing records to the press during this Committee’s consideration of then-Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh. One Democratic member on this Committee publicly hailed their breaking of Senate Rules as an act of civil disobedience. So, please spare me the outrage regarding your misapplied standards. And given that history, whistleblowers are much more hesitant to allow my staff to share records with you.\n\nFurther, I’ve served with my Judiciary colleagues on other committees, including on the Budget Committee, in which a report and records were not provided to me or my staff in a timely manner. In one instance, my staff waited for nearly eight months to obtain records in preparation for a hearing chaired by Senator Whitehouse on climate change all while his staff was, unbeknownst to us, working with House Democrats on the matter. The Washington Post published a story on the committee report before my staff had a chance to review it. My Democratic colleagues gave the report to outside interests before giving it to committee members in advance of a hearing. Moreover, then-Chairman Leahy unilaterally released 8,500 pages of investigative records before my staff had a chance to review. So, again, spare me the complaints about your misapplied standards.\n\nThis pattern of conduct also held true when this Committee considered the nomination of Emil Bove to the federal bench. My Democratic colleagues failed to timely share information regarding unsubstantiated allegations involving Judge Bove. Your side received records from the whistleblower, whom I defended as a whistleblower, on July 1 and July 7 last year–a fact which has not been disputed. But your side hid those records from Republicans because we didn’t receive them until July 10, the day Judge Bove’s nomination was originally scheduled for markup. It should be noted, of course, that Judge Bove addressed these allegations in a public letter–in stark contrast from Jack Smith’s refusal to answer the questions in my October 23, 2025, letter.\n\nFurther, I publicly stated that Mr. Reuveni, who made the unsubstantiated allegations against Judge Bove, was a whistleblower even though this administration didn’t. That’s in stark contrast to Special Counsel Smith’s partisan prosecutors J.P. Cooney and Molly Gaston who asked that the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General target whistleblowers with a retaliatory investigation for making legally protected disclosures to my office about their–and Smith’s–abuse of authority. During his hearing, Mr. Smith failed to answer my question whether whistleblowers who make lawful disclosures about his taxpayer-funded work should be investigated or if he stood by his former staff targeting whistleblowers who made legally protected disclosures to Congress. Will my Democratic colleagues stand with me to support my whistleblowers and disavow former Special Counsel Smith’s staff in targeting them? If not, why not?\n\nIt’s worth noting that many of the records I’ve obtained throughout my Arctic Frost investigation were provided by patriotic whistleblowers, and I’ve made many of them public. Whistleblower disclosures require caution before sharing because they often provide information in confidence and face severe backlash for their disclosures. As I said on the Senate floor, “I’ve made a career out of protecting and defending whistleblowers, and never in my time have I, my staff and my whistleblowers received more attacks for doing that job than this Congress.”\n\nThe attacks made by some of those on the Democratic side of the aisle and the partisan media create a chilling effect on whistleblowers. That chilling effect causes whistleblowers to withhold permission sharing certain records or, in some cases, making them public out of fear they will be targeted with retaliation, like Cooney and Gaston called for with my whistleblowers and of which Smith didn’t disagree. Accordingly, there are some records that I am unable to provide you access to currently. However, my staff are working to obtain an agreement to provide you access to those types of records and spending considerable time in doing so. In fact, my staff have already reached out to yours to schedule a meeting next week to review records as well as the ones you’ve recently written me about. On that point, will you commit to providing my staff access to the records that you’ve obtained? We have not received any from you on this matter, and, if there are other matters for which you have received records, we ought to discuss.\n\nUltimately, the public still awaits a full accounting of Jack Smith and his Special Counsel staff’s conduct. The investigation is active, the hearing is not the end of my work, and therefore some records will not be shared with you until a later date. But, rest assured, as I have in the past, you will be given access to those records, including next week when our respective staff meet.\n\nI also note that Smith has withheld more than 800 pages of emails at the center mass of this Committee’s investigation which I requested again this week without a response yet. I requested that information in October last year via a public letter and should we have received it, would’ve gladly shared it with you just like I have shared records with you in advance of every oversight hearing I’ve held this Congress. I’m committed more than ever to ensuring that any improper conduct by Smith or his Special Counsel staff is brought to the attention of the American people. For these reasons and more, my oversight will continue, and I encourage you–yet again–to join my efforts instead of undermining them.\n\nSincerely,\n\nCharles E. Grassley\n\nChairman\n\nCommittee on the Judiciary", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-calls-out-jack-smiths-invasion-of-privacy-and-more", "title": "ICYMI: Grassley Calls Out Jack Smith’s “Invasion of Privacy” and More", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) spoke this week on his work seeking accountability for Jack Smith’s weaponized Arctic Frost investigation, the Trump administration's action to address high diesel prices and his upcoming Federal Judiciary Youth Summit in Des Moines.\n\n“For the citizens that would ask me, ‘This is all history – why are you worried about [Arctic Frost]’ We want to expose all this stuff so it'll never happen to anybody in the future, including Jane Doe and Jim Smith here at the grassroots of Iowa,” Grassley said.\n\nExcerpts from Grassley’s interview on KXEL follow.\n\nOn Grassley’s Arctic Frost oversight:\n\n“[It’s a] pretty darn big [deal] because it shows the power of government, when you weaponize the FBI and the Justice Department to put an ex-president...in jail, so he couldn't ever run for president again.\n\n“... [Jack Smith] went about not only going after [President] Trump, but he went after 50 journalists with subpoenas. He went after more than several hundred Republican organizations, even the cell phones of 44 members of Congress. So, you can see how sweeping his fishing expedition was, and you could easily conclude that it wasn't only to hurt Trump. It was to hurt all of the Republican machinery.\n\n...\n\n“For the citizens that would ask me, ‘This is all history – why are you worried about it' We want to expose all this stuff so it'll never happen to anybody in the future, including Jane Doe and Jim Smith here at the grassroots of Iowa.\n\n“Some of the stuff that was subpoenaed [were] bank records, people making contributions of even small amounts of money to the Trump campaign. And so, 4,700 Americans had their bank records subpoenaed. And of those 4,700, there were 42 Iowans that had their bank records checked. And why would Smith need bank records of 42 Iowans? When you get something in the government files, [then] the FBI is going to have the names and the signatures and the addresses and the routing numbers and where the bank accounts are of 42 Iowans and 4,700 Americans. That's an invasion of privacy.”\n\nOn President Trump’s work to bring down diesel prices:\n\n“Trump did take a very important step to eliminate, for the next four months, the federal diesel tax this way: we have red dye in diesel that goes into tractors. Because if you use diesel in the field, you shouldn't pay road use [for] that. They're going to be able to use dyed diesel in their trucks, and that will save them $0.24/gallon at the federal level, and I think something like $0.20[/gallon] at the state level. Governor Reynolds followed on by taking [the state tax] off. So, that's going to be some help for...diesel.”\n\nOn next week’s Federal Judiciary Youth Summit:\n\n“Everybody knows what the president does. Most everybody knows what the Congress does, but hardly anybody has an appreciation for the judicial branch of government. And it's a very important branch of government because it serves as a referee between government and the people. It serves as a referee between powers of the president versus powers of the Congress, and so many other ways.\n\n“And [the judicial branch has] the job of looking at the facts and the laws that apply to the facts. And I don't think people understand it. So, [this will be the seventh] time we've had such a thing for high school students to bring them greater acquaintance with the judicial branch of government, so they have an appreciation for the importance of the judiciary.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-cancer-screening-saves-lives", "title": "Q&A: Cancer Screening Saves Lives", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Q: How are you working to improve access to cancer care for Iowans?\n\nA: Too many families in Iowa are facing a cancer diagnosis impacting a loved one, neighbor or co-worker. Our state has the second highest incidence of new cancer in the country. Fortunately, we are home to amazing healthcare providers who provide high quality, cutting-edge cancer care, including at the University of Iowa, a National Cancer Institute’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. From my own family’s experience, I know how important early detection is for treatment and survival. My wife Barbara is a nearly 40-year cancer survivor and takes every opportunity to raise awareness for cancer screening during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and every day of the year. As your senator, I know raising awareness is only one part of the solution. Improving access to cancer care – including screening, diagnostics and treatment – is why I worked at the federal policymaking tables to secure a historic investment in rural healthcare that was included in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. In its first year, the Rural Health Transformation Fund delivered $209 million to hospitals and clinics across our state. A large share of the initial funding stream already has been invested to expand cancer care close to home. The awards distributed so far through Iowa’s Healthy Hometowns initiative have been used to establish rural cancer care hubs and target radon testing and mitigation, skin cancer detection, colorectal, breast and lung cancer screening and more, including:\n\nPella Regional Health Center in Pella used the money to purchase equipment to detect cancers in the body and recruit a nurse to support its radiation oncology department;\n\nJones Medical Center in Anamosa used the money to buy a surgical robot, expanding options for cancer patients and recruiting surgeons;\n\nBurgess Health Center in Onawa used the money to buy an advanced mammography system to help detect breast cancer sooner and save lives;\n\nLucas County Health Center in Chariton used the money to buy its first-ever MRI machine to bring early detection cancer screenings to local residents;\n\nNorth Iowa Medical Center in Mason City used the money to buy a new robotic bronchoscopy system to detect lung cancer earlier;\n\nNewton Medical Center in Newton used the money to replace decades-old equipment to improve cancer screenings;\n\nUnity Point-Trinity in Muscatine used the money to buy robotic surgical technology that allows for smaller incisions, less pain, lower risk of infection and faster recovery times for patients;\n\nWayne County Hospital in Corydon used the money for a radiation oncology center that will serve as a combat cancer health hub.\n\nIn October, I led the Iowa congressional delegation in a letter urging the Trump administration to support Iowa’s latest funding request for its Healthy Hometowns plan. These federal dollars already have been a game changer in improving access to cancer care and expanding the healthcare workforce in rural areas. More is on the way. Over the five-year funding window, Iowa will receive a minimum of $100 million annually through the Rural Health Transformation Fund.\n\nQ: How would your bipartisan SCREENS Act improve cancer patient outcomes?\n\nA: Cancer screenings improve early detection that enables earlier medical intervention that can improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality. However, cancer screening recommendations are often complex, fragmented and difficult for providers to interpret for patients under their medical care. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to help fix this problem and improve screening protocols to help save lives.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-seeks-answers-about-data-used-in-fda-abortion-drug-study/", "title": "Hawley Seeks Answers About Data Used in FDA Abortion Drug Study", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hawley.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.hawley.senate.gov", "scraper": "hawley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001089", "name": "Josh Hawley", "party": "Republican", "state": "MO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas raising concerns that the FDA’s long-promised safety study of the abortion drug mifepristone may be using incomplete data. The letter raises questions about whether the study can adequately assess the effect of the Biden Administration’s 2023 Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy(REMS)—which removed important safeguards—and whether the FDA is reviewing all relevant data in its effort to complete the study.\n\n“I write with concern that FDA’s long-promised safety study of the abortion drug mifepristone may be using incomplete data. On October 7, the Department of Justice filed a status report on FDA’s behalf in Louisiana v. FDA, the litigation challenging FDA’s 2023 removal of the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone during the Biden Administration. According to the filing, FDA’s safety study of the drug relies in part on ‘a variety of data sources contained within Sentinel,’ the agency’s distributed database of insurance claims and health records. Yet the filing does not provide the time horizon for its source data. To ensure credibility, FDA must confirm its review includes data from the period after the Biden Administration gutted safety regulations in 2023,” wrote Senator Hawley.\n\nHe continued, “As you know, in April 2021, FDA announced that it would not enforce its in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone during the COVID-19 public health emergency. And on January 3, 2023, it formally modified the mifepristone REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) to eliminate in-person dispensing and to allow certified retail pharmacies to dispense the drug. Louisiana and other states have challenged that 2023 decision in court.”\n\n“FDA’s confirmed reliance on Sentinel data, along with ambiguity as to whether FDA acquired other commercially available data, raises questions about whether FDA’s study can adequately assess the impact of the Biden Administration’s 2023 REMS. According to the Sentinel Initiative, the date range of available data varies by source. For example, the end date of Sentinel’s Medicaid data appears to be 2021—leading to a nearly 50 percent drop in database enrollment after that year—while data from 2024 ‘and possibly 2023’ appear incomplete from publicly available sources.” Senator Hawley asserted.\n\nRead the full letter here or below.\n\nThe Honorable Kyle Diamantas\n\nActing Commissioner of Food and Drugs\n\nU.S. Food and Drug Administration\n\n10903 New Hampshire Avenue\n\nSilver Spring, MD 20993\n\nDear Acting Commissioner Diamantas:\n\nI write with concern that FDA’s long-promised safety study of the abortion drug mifepristone may be using incomplete data. On October 7, the Department of Justice filed a status report on FDA’s behalf in Louisiana v. FDA, the litigation challenging FDA’s 2023 removal of the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone during the Biden Administration. According to the filing, FDA’s safety study of the drug relies in part on “a variety of data sources contained within Sentinel,” the agency’s distributed database of insurance claims and health records.[1] Yet the filing does not provide the time horizon for its source data. To ensure credibility, FDA must confirm its review includes data from the period after the Biden Administration gutted safety regulations in 2023.\n\nAs you know, in April 2021, FDA announced that it would not enforce its in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone during the COVID-19 public health emergency. And on January 3, 2023, it formally modified the mifepristone REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) to eliminate in-person dispensing and to allow certified retail pharmacies to dispense the drug. Louisiana and other states have challenged that 2023 decision in court. A recent independent study has shown that nearly 11% of women have suffered a serious adverse health event within 45 days of using mifepristone.[2]\n\nFDA’s confirmed reliance on Sentinel data, along with ambiguity as to whether FDA acquired other commercially available data, raises questions about whether FDA’s study can adequately assess the impact of the Biden Administration’s 2023 REMS. According to the Sentinel Initiative, the date range of available data varies by source. For example, the end date of Sentinel’s Medicaid data appears to be 2021—leading to a nearly 50 percent drop in database enrollment after that year—while data from 2024 “and possibly 2023” appear incomplete from publicly available sources.[3]\n\nCompounding the uncertainty, FDA’s filing states that its study confirmed adequate exposures and outcomes “across relevant time periods,” but it never identifies those periods.[4] This suggests that if the agency primarily relies on data from Sentinel, its analysis may rest largely on procedures that occurred before the 2023 REMS took effect and possibly exclude analysis of a large Medicaid population after that date. If the FDA’s review does not capture this population, the study may not properly inform the agency’s analysis about whether to modify the REMS by excluding women who have received the drug by mail. Other commercially available data from all-payer claims could help fill the gap left by Sentinel’s time-limited Medicaid data. Yet according to the DOJ status report, while the FDA “continues to gather and analyze additional data” outside Sentinel, it does not say what those datasets are or even what years they cover.[5]\n\nTo resolve these issues and provide assurance to patients that FDA is reviewing all relevant data, please answer the following questions in writing by October 22, 2026:\n\nDoes the FDA’s Sentinel database include all data after 2021 or 2023, such as that of the Medicaid population?\n\nHas the FDA sought to acquire this data? If not, why not?\n\nIdentify the “additional data” outside Sentinel that FDA is gathering and analyzing, and the precise period each source covers.\n\nDid the FDA originally plan to acquire a broader set of insurance data? If so, when and why did the agency change to reviewing primarily Sentinel data?\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this request.\n\nSincerely,", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/what-theyre-saying-heinrichs-bipartisan-permitting-reform-deal-will-deliver-cheaper-energy-more-jobs-responsible-growth", "title": "What They’re Saying: Heinrich’s Bipartisan Permitting Reform Deal Will Deliver Cheaper Energy, More Jobs, Responsible Growth", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.heinrich.senate.gov", "scraper": "heinrich", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001046", "name": "Martin Heinrich", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Labor, energy producers, and nonprofits voice strong support for Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act\n\nWASHINGTON – Since four Senators from across the political spectrum introduced their Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act last week, a broad coalition of labor leaders, energy producers, and nonprofits has voiced support for the permitting reform plan, noting that it will deliver cheaper energy, more jobs, and responsible growth. The legislation was drafted by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.\n\nThe Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act delivers cheaper energy, more well-paying jobs, and responsible growth by accelerating the permitting and construction of critical energy and infrastructure projects while maintaining key environmental and historic preservation safeguards. The legislation provides greater certainty for projects that have already been permitted and financed, including by preventing future administrations from arbitrarily blocking entire classes of energy projects, while establishing clear timelines for environmental reviews and legal challenges. It also includes targeted reforms to expand and modernize the electric grid, speed the development of geothermal and other energy projects, and ensure that rapidly growing data centers pay the full cost of their associated transmission needs rather than passing those costs on to families and small businesses. The legislation reflects input from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and a diverse group of stakeholders.\n\nThe bill text is available here.\n\nLabor\n\n“For LIUNA, the key consideration is whether a permitting package will translate to good union jobs, with prevailing wages and robust apprenticeship opportunities. S.5653 exceeds those standards while maintaining proper regulations and safeguards that protect both our members on the job as well as the local communities in which projects take place. Moreover, it will lower energy costs for all Americans at a time when prices of everyday living expenses are at an all-time high,” said Brent Booker, LIUNA General President. “For more than a decade LIUNA has testified before Congress, submitted comments, participated in roundtables, and endorsed numerous iterations of permitting bills only to see every effort and attempt fail in final hours of the congressional calendar. Congress has another opportunity to get this done. We urge lawmakers in both parties to seize this moment, pass the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, and finally deliver meaningful permitting reform. It is time to stop making permitting reform the Groundhog Day of Congress.”\n\n“In our industry, uncertainty means one thing: unemployment. It is long past time that Congress enacts meaningful permitting reform to put UA members to work faster delivering reliable and affordable energy to American communities. Today’s announcement is the culmination of a long process to reach a bipartisan deal and take a critical step towards a long-overdue modernization of our country’s permitting process. This bipartisan legislation, led by Chairs Lee and Capito and Ranking Members Heinrich and Whitehouse, will increase project certainty, streamline federal review timelines, and create thousands of good-paying jobs – all while maintaining reasonable environmental safeguards and opportunities for public input. The UA looks forward to continuing our work with members of both parties in the Senate to advance this critical legislation and with all members in the House to ultimately pass it into law,” said Mark McManus, United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) General President.\n\n“We have seen too many projects unnecessarily delayed for years through litigation, and other projects abandoned by contractors or terminated by the federal government because of our nation’s antiquated permitting process. As a result, thousands of good-paying union jobs have been lost, and taxpayers have been deprived of safer infrastructure and more affordable energy,” said John L. Downey, General President of the International Union of Operating Engineers. “Passage of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will result in building energy transmission capacity faster, delivering more energy to the grid, creating greater certainty for projects permitted and financed across administrations, and setting clear deadlines for environmental reviews. These reforms will put thousands of Operating Engineers to work, along with other highly skilled crafts people, while making energy more affordable and reliable for American families.”\n\nNonprofits\n\n“If America is going to meaningfully reduce our emissions and truly address climate change, we need to connect much more clean energy to the grid,” said Rick Bradley, Citizens Climate Lobby’s Executive Director. “This bill will make remarkable, rapid progress toward that goal. We’re proud to endorse it, and we’re excited to mobilize our grassroots volunteers in full support.”\n\n“For decades, the Club for Growth has championed deregulation and permitting reform. We commend President Trump and Senate leaders for moving this agreement forward with legislative text. These reforms are critical to expanding American energy production and lowering energy costs for families and businesses. Excessive regulation has constrained production and contributed to higher costs for American consumers. We urge the Senate and House to act swiftly and pass these important permitting reforms,” said David McIntosh, President for Club for Growth.\n\n“The Climate Leadership Council is encouraged by progress on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act. Council analysis projects U.S. electricity demand to grow nearly 60% by 2050, and meeting that demand will require building energy infrastructure faster than our current system allows. Permitting reform is essential to keep pace with the demands of a modern economy, and the energy infrastructure it unlocks is what drives clean energy deployment and innovation. CLC looks forward to continued engagement with stakeholders and policymakers as the bill moves forward,” said Erin Alejandre, Director of Policy at the Climate Leadership Council.\n\n“On behalf of grassroots activists across the country, we strongly applaud the introduction of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA). Your work over much of this Congress to negotiate the details and make a bipartisan package a reality is a major step forward for the American people and for our energy, technological, and national future,” said Brent Gardner, Chief Government Affairs Officer at Americans for Prosperity.\n\n“After years of working toward this goal, lawmakers from both parties have reached a deal to fix the broken system that keeps America from building the power plants and power lines that would bring costs down. This is a huge bipartisan win at a moment when our politics has made wins like this rare,” said Derek Kaufman, President of Inclusive Abundance Action. “Families are paying too much for electricity because new energy projects wait years on government reviews, then years more in court, and even once they clear, partisan politics can still take them out. That scarcity is a choice. Today, Congress is choosing differently.”\n\n“The need for reform is one of the few things Republicans and Democrats agree on, and these Senate leaders have translated that consensus into a comprehensive, bipartisan bill. Permitting reform cannot wait, and the time to act is now,” said Michele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action. “BPC Action has long argued that durable permitting reform must be bipartisan, technology-neutral, and maintain strong environmental standards. We urge swift action and look forward to working with members of both parties to get this bill to the president’s desk this Congress.”\n\n“Pacific Legal Foundation strongly supports the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026,” said John Nagle, Federal Policy Manager at Pacific Legal Foundation. “Americans should not have to navigate years of costly and unpredictable government processes simply to build a home, develop new energy resources, or create the infrastructure our communities need. Reforming our permitting system is essential to removing unnecessary government barriers that delay projects, drive up costs, and discourage investment. We encourage Congress to move quickly to pass this bill to lower costs for Americans, protect property rights, and restore America’s ability to build.”\n\n“Today, one of America’s most important supply lines is its electric grid, and we are not building it fast enough to meet the moment. Our military installations depend on the same civilian grid as every American household. When a transmission line takes a decade or more to approve, that is not just an economic problem. It is a strategic vulnerability, and our adversaries are not waiting years to build. This bill addresses that vulnerability. It sets firm deadlines on environmental reviews, speeds approvals for the transmission lines and power projects the country needs, and gives the federal government tools to move interstate power lines forward when they stall. Just as important, it ensures that once a project is permitted, no administration can revoke it for political reasons. At the same time, it preserves the government's ability to act in the face of a genuine safety or national security threat, and it keeps reasonable environmental safeguards and opportunities for public input in place. That kind of certainty matters for every form of American energy, including the clean energy that will power our future. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act is pro-union and pro-veteran,” said Major General Paul D. Eaton, U.S. Army (Ret.), Senior Advisor at VoteVets.\n\n“[The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act] is better than I could have expected. Sens. Capito (R-W.Va.), Heinrich (D-N.M.), Lee (R-Utah), and Whitehouse (D-R.I.) negotiated a compromise bill where each side got real, meaningful wins. This bill would fix our permitting processes so that we can review and build efficiently, reducing costs, improving quality of life, growing our economy, and improving economic outcomes. It’s truly a win-win. I’m optimistic that this incredible bill can be signed into law this year,” said Xan Fishman, Vice President, Energy, Bipartisan Policy Center.\n\n“Permitting reform has stalled for years because Democrats feared losing environmental protections and Republicans feared a deal that would only help renewables. Sens. Heinrich, Lee, Capito and Whitehouse have shown there is a bargain that works for both sides,” said Colin Mortimer, Senior Director of Partnerships at the Progressive Policy Institute. “This bill would get power lines, clean energy and critical infrastructure built faster and lower costs for families while keeping strong safeguards in place.”\n\n“If you care about decarbonizing the economy or reshoring American manufacturing, or cutting bills for ratepayers, then you should support this bill. No agreement is perfect, but there’s something in this permitting reform agreement that will, on net, benefit everybody. And there isn’t a better deal out there,” said Jane Flegal and Pavan Venkatakrishnan of the Searchlight Institute.\n\n“NAHB applauds Senators Lee, Capito, Heinrich and Whitehouse and for their leadership and bipartisan approach to crafting the most meaningful reforms in decades to several key federal environmental permitting programs. The housing sector stands to benefit from many of these federal permitting reforms, including an increase in acreage thresholds under the Clean Water Act’s (CWA) Nationwide Permit program along with extending the statutory timeframe from five to 10 years for the CWA permit programs. These provisions provide the industry with needed clarity and consistency during the federal permitting process,” said Bill Owens, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).\n\nEnergy Companies and Associations\n\n“The American Clean Power Association greatly appreciates the leadership of Senators Capito, Whitehouse, Lee and Heinrich in developing strong, technology neutral permitting reform legislation that includes an Administration commitment to approve wind projects. All energy industries must be able to confidently rely on the durability of federal permitting decisions. The transmission provisions will also enhance grid reliability and enable economic growth. If adopted, the legislation will substantially increase the deployment of clean resources. Passage before the end of the year is essential to enable the construction of critical energy infrastructure and lower consumer prices,” said Jason Grumet, CEO of American Clean Power Association.\n\n“Washington has a generational opportunity to fundamentally transform a broken permitting system and help address the affordability challenges facing American consumers,” said Mike Sommers, President and CEO of American Petroleum Institute. “President Trump and Senators Capito, Lee, Whitehouse and Heinrich deserve credit for working across party lines to bring durable reform within reach. The bipartisan package would modernize NEPA, reduce duplicative reviews and unnecessary litigation, and provide greater certainty for critical projects. Congress should seize this moment and finish the job—making it easier to build the infrastructure America needs and helping keep costs down for consumers.”\n\n“We support this bipartisan effort and applaud Senators Capito, Heinrich, Lee, and Whitehouse for advancing meaningful reforms to help meet America’s growing energy needs. As one of the nation’s largest electric utilities and the operator of the country’s largest transmission network, AEP understands firsthand the critical need for diverse generation and transmission infrastructure to serve our customers and help meet the unprecedented demand for electricity. The process to permit, site and construct energy infrastructure can take years due to unnecessary hurdles that delay projects needed to support reliability, affordability and economic growth. This legislation will help accelerate the process to bring critical infrastructure projects online, supporting the investments required to enhance reliability for our customers, reduce costs, and create new economic opportunities in the states we serve. Congress should pass the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 now,” said Bill Fehrman, Chairman, President and CEO of American Electric Power (AEP).\n\n“The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 represents an historic opportunity to modernize the grid and meet customers’ electricity demand with reliable, affordable power. If enacted into law, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 would safeguard critical environmental standards while providing greater process certainty for environmental reviews and ensure that the customers we serve benefit from our nation’s diverse energy resources. It will also unlock trillions of dollars in private sector investment and job creation to expedite the construction of critically needed energy infrastructure,” said Mark Hewett, President and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.\n\n“Independent oil and natural gas producers are ready to build, produce, and create jobs, and permitting delays and uncertainty can turn attractive projects into missed opportunities—especially for small producers. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 gives Congress an opportunity to deliver bipartisan permitting reform with clear and enforceable timelines, greater levels of certainty, and fewer unnecessary delays—without compromising the environmental and safety standards that protect our communities and natural resources. Republicans and Democrats should seize that opportunity and move swiftly. American energy shouldn’t have to wait in line for Washington’s bureaucracy. American energy shouldn’t be held back by a permitting system that doesn’t keep pace with energy demand. This is an opportunity to celebrate what bipartisan cooperation can accomplish, providing real solutions to the complex problems that surround America’s broken permitting system,” said Edith Naegele, President and CEO of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA).\n\n“This is the kind of bipartisan action America needs to meet growing energy demand, put downward pressure on energy prices, and deploy more affordable, exactly reliable solar and storage for American families and businesses,” said Tim Pawlenty, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).\n\n“Affordable advanced energy resources, including solar, wind, storage, and transmission are delivering for America, but opaque, politicized, and endless red tape is getting in our industry’s way of building as much as is needed. That’s why we welcome technology-neutral permitting reform from Congress. This bill text demonstrates bipartisan support for building more advanced energy, faster. With fair competition, better planning, and less red tape, we can move more electrons and tamp down energy costs. Thank you to Sen. Capito, Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Whitehouse, and Sen. Heinrich on their leadership. We encourage Congress to build on this progress and to prioritize these critical reforms,” said Heather O’Neill, President and CEO of Advanced Energy United.\n\n“Constraining abundant, domestic clean energy could cost the U.S. at least $121 billion in additional energy expenses in the coming years,” said Rich Powell, Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA) CEO. “This bipartisan package is a generational opportunity to unleash American energy through faster infrastructure permitting and improved transmission planning. Thank you to Chairs Shelley Moore Capito and Mike Lee, Ranking Members Sheldon Whitehouse and Martin Heinrich, and President Donald Trump for your leadership on this critical issue. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act presents an incredible opportunity for clean energy, and we look forward to seeing it cross the finish line.”\n\n“This bipartisan breakthrough goes big to durably reform a broken permitting system that needlessly drives up energy costs and puts America’s energy security at risk. These comprehensive reforms would unlock generational investments to make energy more affordable and position America to win the global energy race that will define our future. We urge the Senate to act with the urgency this moment in history demands by passing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act,” said Anne Bradbury, the American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC) CEO.\n\n“American economic growth requires an energy permitting system built on predictable, durable, bipartisan principles that will outlast two- and four-year election cycles,” said Ray Long, (American Council on Renewable Energy) ACORE President and CEO. “Clean energy builders and financers have made it clear they intend to keep investing in clean energy. The bipartisan legislation released today represents momentum toward providing the policy certainty the market needs to unleash capital and build the energy infrastructure we need.”\n\n“Pass the frickin’ bill so we can start building things again,” said the U.S. Oil & Gas Association.\n\n“Failing to pass permitting reforms would have real consequences for all of us,” said Zach Zimmerman, Director of Research and Policy for Grid Strategies. “Every year that major transmission projects are delayed means higher system costs and less ability to move power where it is needed during extreme weather. Without reform, we will continue to pay more for the grid.”\n\nBusiness and Manufacturing Groups\n\n“Manufacturers are all in on this game-changing agreement and getting it across the finish line. Our nation’s permitting system is outdated and burdensome, delaying projects across industries and contributing to rising costs across the economy. Costly, duplicative permitting delays are costing manufacturers $8 billion annually, limiting manufacturers’ ability to hire new workers, build and expand their operations. Removing these barriers would unlock greater investment and growth. Manufacturers are ready to build, and modernized permitting will help us race to the future,” said Jay Timmons, President and CEO of National Association of Manufacturers.\n\n“BCSE commends the continued bipartisan work in Congress to modernize the nation’s permitting system and the further development of a comprehensive legislative permitting reform package. Building on the important progress made by the House of Representatives, Congress now has an opportunity to advance comprehensive, durable permitting reform that can provide greater certainty for investment and accelerate the deployment of critical energy infrastructure,” said Lisa Jacobson, President of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE).\n\n“We appreciate all the work that made this strong package possible. Any bipartisan compromise will have trade-offs, but the permit certainty, transmission, and grid modernization components of this deal are strong, and now is the time to deliver reforms that allow us to build the clean energy infrastructure we need to reduce costs for American businesses and consumers,” said Zach Friedman, Senior Director of Federal Policy at Ceres. “We look forward to continuing to work with companies, partners, and key lawmakers to meet the moment and advance this package to drive down costs by accelerating deployment of affordable, homegrown clean energy infrastructure.”\n\n“Business Roundtable strongly supports the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026. This vital legislation would create a faster, more durable permitting process that gives businesses the certainty they need to invest, build and grow,” said Joshua Bolten, CEO of Business Roundtable. “Advancing wide-ranging permitting reform is one of the most consequential steps Congress can take to unlock America’s economic potential. By accelerating approvals for critical infrastructure projects, this bill would help lower costs, create good-paying jobs and strengthen America’s long-term competitiveness.”\n\n“For too long, America’s broken permitting system has turned the ability to receive a permit into a barrier to job creation and economic growth. This bipartisan agreement represents a major step toward changing that. By establishing more reliable timelines, creating greater certainty and breaking down longstanding barriers to building, Congress can help ensure that projects across the economy move from the drawing board to the job site,” said Brandon Farris, Executive Vice President of Steel Manufacturers Association.\n\n“The legislation would modernize federal environmental review and permitting processes for infrastructure projects, provide greater certainty for federal permits and authorizations, and help enable the all-of-the-above energy resources needed to meet America's growing energy and manufacturing demands,” said the American Chemistry Council. “America cannot build, power, and compete without modern infrastructure. Whether it’s expanding energy production, strengthening manufacturing, building next-generation infrastructure, projects cannot move forward if permitting delays and regulatory uncertainty stand in the way. This bipartisan legislation is an important step toward creating a permitting system that is more predictable, transparent, and effective.”\n\n“We are undeniably in the age of demand – from energy to semiconductors, drones to transmission lines – and securing robust supplies of the mined materials that allow us to build, manufacture and power almost everything is key to meeting this moment. Standing in our way is a permitting process mired in duplication, endless litigation and uncertainty that has hobbled U.S. competitiveness with the second longest timeline in the world to bring a mine online. Our elected officials on both sides of the aisle have long acknowledged that the status quo cannot continue. We applaud the work that has been done to date and urge Congress to pass commonsense, much-needed reforms that will benefit all Americans,” said Rich Nolan, President and CEO of the National Mining Association.\n\n“The Senate's progress toward a comprehensive, bipartisan permitting reform deal brings us one step closer to streamlining the outdated process that is holding up critical projects of all kinds, from energy and water infrastructure to roads, broadband, and manufacturing,” said Rodney Davis, Senior Vice President and Head of Government Affairs at the U.S. Chamber. “We appreciate the leadership of Senators Capito, Whitehouse, Lee, and Heinrich to bring us to this point, and now we urge swift action in Congress to get this bill to the President’s desk as soon as possible.”\n\nState and Local Government\n\n“The National Governors Association and its partners are encouraged by the introduction of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 and look forward to working with Congress to further develop this legislation. Working with governors, NGA has long championed commonsense permitting reform to build the infrastructure our country needs. With priorities centered on federal partnership, interstate cooperation, and sound energy and environmental policy, NGA worked across the aisle and across sectors to deliver federal reform recommendations to Congress, using states as proving ground. Reform will help grow our economy, reduce costs, and improve quality of life for all Americans,” said Brian Tatum, CEO of the National Governors Association.\n\n“Counties are on the front lines of delivering the energy, water and transportation infrastructure projects that residents depend on,” said Matthew Chase, Executive Director of National Association of Counties. “The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act recognizes counties as cooperating agencies in federal environmental protection statutes. This legislation would modernize the federal permitting process, reduce unnecessary delays, accelerate project delivery and ensure local expertise is incorporated into federal decision-making. Counties applaud Senators Lee, Heinrich, Capito and Whitehouse for their leadership and urge Congress to advance this bipartisan permitting reform package.”\n\n“Unfortunately, outdated federal bureaucracy continues to delay critical energy and infrastructure projects and drive up costs for hardworking families at a time when speed and efficiency matter most. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act is an opportunity to change that. By bringing greater certainty and accountability to the permitting process, we can unleash American energy dominance, strengthen our grid, bring manufacturing and investment back home, and ensure the United States leads the next generation of economic growth,” said 21 Governors in a Statement.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/zuni-tribes-request-for-major-disaster-declaration-approved-for-july-storms-and-flash-flooding-following-letter-from-nm-congressional-delegation", "title": "Zuni Tribe’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration Approved for July Storms and Flash Flooding Following Letter from N.M. Congressional Delegation", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.heinrich.senate.gov", "scraper": "heinrich", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001046", "name": "Martin Heinrich", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — This week, the Zuni Tribe’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration was approved to support recovery efforts following severe storms and flash flooding that occurred between July 16 and 28, 2026. The Major Disaster Declaration was granted on October 7 by President Donald Trump, immediately following a letter sent October 6 from U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) calling on the President to approve the Major Disaster Declaration request.\n\nThe Zuni Tribe is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America, serving as a steward of a nationally significant historic, cultural, and religious landscape. The storms and flash flooding caused extensive damage to seven ceremonial trails and multiple culturally significant locations, affecting the ancestral, ceremonial, and historic resources central to the Tribe’s cultural heritage, along with damage to public infrastructure and private property. This declaration designated the Pueblo of Zuni for both Individual Assistance and all categories of Public Assistance. Federal funding will help ensure that those historic sites and public infrastructure can be repaired and that impacted families can recover from these devastating floods.\n\nIn a letter sent to President Trump on October 6, 2026, New Mexico’s Congressional Delegation wrote, “We respectfully request that you take immediate action on the Zuni Tribe’s recent request for a major disaster declaration in response to severe storms that triggered significant flash flooding and caused extensive damage in the Pueblo of Zuni between July 16, 2026, to July 28, 2026. The severity and magnitude of the storms and subsequent flash flooding overwhelmed Zuni Tribal resources, and they require supplemental, Federal assistance to ensure the Tribal Nation can recover.”\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “Three thunderstorm events on July 16, 21, and 28, 2026, in the Zuni Pueblo area produced heavy rainfall, with National Weather Service (NWS) radar and local rain gauge data indicating it was a 100-year flood event. This rainfall overtopped levees, riverbanks, and earthen dams, flooding paved roads and Zuni Village itself, and caused significant damage to private property, community infrastructure, ceremonial trails, and culturally significant sites. Sixty-one families were displaced, twelve families required sheltering, and four individuals required swift water rescue; six families are still in shelters.”\n\n“In totality, the impacts from these floods will require federal assistance, as they have exceeded the capabilities of the Zuni Tribe,” the lawmakers concluded. “We fully support the Zuni Tribe’s request, and we urge you to act without delay. It is imperative that the federal government provides full support to the Zuni Tribe to recover from the devastation caused by this flooding.”\n\nRead the full text of the lawmaker’s letter here and below:\n\nDear President Trump,\n\nWe respectfully request that you take immediate action on the Zuni Tribe’s recent request for a major disaster declaration in response to severe storms that triggered significant flash flooding and caused extensive damage in the Pueblo of Zuni between July 16, 2026, to July 28, 2026. The severity and magnitude of the storms and subsequent flash flooding overwhelmed Zuni Tribal resources, and they require supplemental, Federal assistance to ensure the Tribal Nation can recover.\n\nThe Zuni Tribe is requesting Public Assistance (PA), Categories A through G, as well as Individual Assistance (IA), including Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance, Disaster Case Management, and Individuals and Households Program Assistance, and statewide assistance from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. We ask that you expeditiously grant the declaration and make this federal assistance available as soon as possible.\n\nThree thunderstorm events on July 16, 21, and 28, 2026, in the Zuni Pueblo area produced heavy rainfall, with National Weather Service (NWS) radar and local rain gauge data indicating it was a 100-year flood event. This rainfall overtopped levees, riverbanks, and earthen dams, flooding paved roads and Zuni Village itself, and caused significant damage to private property, community infrastructure, ceremonial trails, and culturally significant sites. Sixty-one families were displaced, twelve families required sheltering, and four individuals required swift water rescue; six families are still in shelters.\n\nThe Zuni Tribe is a federally recognized sovereign Tribal Nation and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. The Zuni Tribe serves as a steward of a nationally significant historic, cultural, and religious landscape. And in addition to extensive damage to public infrastructure and private property, the flash floods described above also severely impacted seven ceremonial trails and multiple culturally significant locations. Washouts, erosion, and material loss to those paths and sacred ruins – some dating back to the early 1500s – have affected the ancestral, ceremonial, and historic resources central to the Tribe’s cultural heritage. Restoration work will need to be performed using culturally appropriate methods, require specialized preservation oversight, and preserve the confidentiality of these sites.\n\nIn the wake of the flash flooding, the Zuni Tribe requested federal assistance with a Preliminary Damage Assessment, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff and Zuni staff conducted site visits throughout the entire reservation. As of September 25, 2026, FEMA’s estimate for the assessed damage was $1,222,135. The severity and extent of the flooding required tribal resources to be diverted to emergency protective measures and hazardous debris removal. Recovery will require repairs to roadways and drainage systems, utility restoration, support for displaced families, and culturally appropriate preservation work. In totality, the impacts from these floods will require federal assistance, as they have exceeded the capabilities of the Zuni Tribe.\n\nWe fully support the Zuni Tribe’s request, and we urge you to act without delay. It is imperative that the federal government provides full support to the Zuni Tribe to recover from the devastation caused by this flooding.\n\nThank you for your consideration of this important request.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-rebukes-epas-methane-rules-rollback/", "title": "Hickenlooper Rebukes EPA’s Methane Rules Rollback", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/", "domain": "www.hickenlooper.senate.gov", "scraper": "hickenlooper", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000273", "name": "John W. Hickenlooper", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Hickenlooper: “The Trump administration is pushing policies that will allow more pollutants into our air. That’s not leadership. It’s shortsighted.”\n\nWASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement following reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will propose changes that weaken federal methane rules for oil and gas operations.\n\n“The Trump administration is pushing policies that will allow more pollutants into our air. That’s not leadership. It’s shortsighted,” said Hickenlooper. “As governor, we brought the energy industry and environmentalists together to monitor methane leaks, cut pollution, and protect our clean air. This administration is hell-bent on doing the opposite. We’ll keep standing up for our environment and the air we all breathe.”\n\nThe EPA will reportedly announce plans to overhaul Biden-era standards requiring oil and gas facilities to monitor for and repair methane leaks. The proposed changes are expected to weaken pollution safeguards, including monitoring requirements for smaller, older wells that produce relatively little oil and gas but account for a disproportionate share of methane emissions.\n\nAs governor, Hickenlooper brought environmentalists and the energy industry together to create the world’s first methane regulations in 2014. Between 2010 and 2017, those rules reduced methane emissions from Colorado’s oil and gas sector by 70%.\n\nAs senator, Hickenlooper has championed stronger federal methane rules modeled on Colorado’s. In 2021, he led members of the Colorado congressional delegation in urging the EPA to strengthen methane regulations for the oil and gas sector. He helped negotiate and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which created a $4.7 billion federal program to plug orphaned wells on Federal, State, and Tribal lands. President Trump froze these funds in March 2025, though some of the funds have been subsequently released.\n\nHickenlooper has repeatedly pressed the EPA to improve methane emissions tracking and celebrated $162.3 million in loan guarantees from the Inflation Reduction Act to support the installation of a real time methane emissions monitoring network across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, North Dakota, and New Mexico.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-statement-on-department-of-defense-announcement-to-livestream-execution", "title": "Hirono Statement on Department of Defense Announcement to Livestream Execution", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hirono.senate.gov", "scraper": "hirono", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001042", "name": "Mazie K. Hirono", "party": "Democrat", "state": "HI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services (SASC) released a statement following the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) announcement to livestream the military execution of Nidal Malik Hassan:\n\n“Livestreaming an execution is not a demonstration of strength. It is a barbaric spectacle that jeopardizes our national security, core values, and global standing. This decision shows yet again Secretary Hegseth is wholly unfit to serve as Secretary of Defense. He should resign.\n\nNidal Hasan should face justice but giving him a public platform to spew hate only hands extremists a powerful tool for anti-American recruitment and radicalization. The United States cannot stoop to a level of grotesque violence frequently used by the terrorist organizations United States servicemembers have fought so hard against.\n\nThe Pentagon must immediately revoke its decision to livestream this execution.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-hud-awards-425000-grant-to-high-plains-fair-housing-center", "title": "Hoeven: HUD Awards $425,000 Grant to High Plains Fair Housing Center", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "scraper": "hoeven", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001061", "name": "John Hoeven", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $425,000 to the High Plains Fair Housing Center. The senator worked with HUD officials to release the grant, which is the third year of funding under a Fair Housing Initiatives Program agreement that began in 2023.\n\n“This funding will help the High Plains Fair Housing Center continue to serve individuals and families, including veterans and those with disabilities, in the region,” said Hoeven. “Working with High Plains has been one part of our efforts to ensure that North Dakotans have access to safe, affordable and quality housing.”\n\n“We are incredibly grateful to Senator Hoeven and his staff for their persistence in helping move this funding forward. This grant allows High Plains Fair Housing Center to continue the work we have been doing across North Dakota—helping people remain safely and stably housed. After months of uncertainty, this funding means we can focus again on what matters most: making sure North Dakotans have somewhere to turn when they experience housing discrimination,” said Michelle Rydz, Executive Director, High Plains Fair Housing Center.\n\nThis grant is part of Hoeven’s work to improve housing in the state. Additionally, the senator has passed two pieces of legislation to resolve a loan issue that has been outstanding for nearly a decade and enable the Grand Forks Housing Authority (GFHA) to make needed improvements to LaGrave Place, a 66-unit affordable housing project.\n\n-###-", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-thanks-students-at-north-dakota-march-for-life-in-bismarck", "title": "Hoeven Thanks Students at North Dakota March for Life In Bismarck", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "scraper": "hoeven", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001061", "name": "John Hoeven", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today spoke with and thanked students participating in the annual North Dakota March for Life in Bismarck, ahead of their march to the North Dakota State Capitol.\n\n“Every life has inherent value and deserves to be protected. I’m grateful to the North Dakotans who continue to stand up for the unborn and support mothers and families. We’ll continue defending the unborn and advancing policies that give mothers, children and families the support they need to thrive,” said Hoeven.\n\nHoeven continues advocating for pro-life positions in the U.S. Senate, including by cosponsoring the following pro-life legislation this Congress:\n\nLife at Conception Act: Legislation recognizing that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being at all stages of life.\n\nUnborn Child Support Act: Legislation allowing mothers to receive child support payments while pregnant, beginning at conception.\n\nNo Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act: Legislation prohibiting the use of federal funds for abortions or for health coverage that includes abortions.\n\nBorn-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act: Legislation Hoeven helped introduce with Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) requiring health care providers to give life-saving care to newborns who survive an abortion attempt.\n\nSupport and Value Expectant (SAVE) Moms and Babies Act: Legislation to reinstate in-person dispensing requirements to protect against harmful chemical abortion drugs.\n\nHyde Amendment 50th Anniversary Resolution: A resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment, recognizing its longstanding prohibition on federal funding for abortions.\n\n-###-", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.justice.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-justice-celebrates-new-partnership-with-marshall-university-and-beta-technologies/", "title": "Senator Justice Celebrates New Partnership with Marshall University and BETA Technologies", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.justice.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.justice.senate.gov", "scraper": "justice", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000312", "name": "James C. Justice", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "CHARLESTON, WV – Today, Senator Jim Justice visited Bill Noe Flight School to celebrate Marshall University’s new collaboration with BETA Technologies, a leading U.S. aerospace and defense company that manufactures electric aircraft, systems, and charging infrastructure, shaping the future of aviation.\n\n“Marshall University has always been a place where West Virginians turn big ideas into reality, and this partnership with BETA Technologies is another perfect example. We’re taking what starts in the classroom and putting it to work in the skies by bringing revolutionary electric aviation technology, critical medical transport capabilities, and elite training directly to our students. As a proud Marshall graduate, I am all in on this effort. I believe in Marshall, I believe in our students, and I believe there is no limit to what they can accomplish when we give them the opportunity to lead,” said Senator Jim Justice.\n\n“This is a milestone moment for Marshall University Aviation as we look toward the future of aviation,” said Brad D. Smith, President of Marshall University. “Our aviation program is not solely about teaching students to fly; it is about preparing them to lead in one of the world’s most essential industries. The innovation this announcement brings is a testament to what can happen when Marshall brings the right people together and turns bold ideas into action. Kudos to everyone who made today’s event with BETA Technologies possible.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.justice.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-justice-visits-gestamp-to-celebrate-national-manufacturing-week/", "title": "Senator Justice Visits Gestamp to Celebrate National Manufacturing Week", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.justice.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.justice.senate.gov", "scraper": "justice", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000312", "name": "James C. Justice", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "CHARLESTON, WV – Today, Senator Jim Justice visited Gestamp South Charleston during National Manufacturing Week to highlight the importance of manufacturing and the West Virginians who power it.\n\n“As America brings manufacturing home and electricity demand rises, West Virginia should be producing the power that fuels that growth – not watching the investment go somewhere else. For a manufacturer like Gestamp, you have to have power that is both affordable and reliable. A plant cannot operate if the grid is unreliable, and high electricity costs make it harder to compete. I’ve always advocated for an “all the above” energy approach. West Virginia already has the energy resources and workforce to help meet this growing demand. When Congress passes the permitting reform and makes it easier to turn those resources into actual generation, transmission, and manufacturing jobs,” said Senator Jim Justice.\n\n“It was a pleasure to welcome Senator Jim Justice to our South Charleston facility, and we truly appreciate him taking the time to visit our team and show his support for manufacturing in our community. National Manufacturing Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the people behind what we do, and we’re incredibly proud and grateful for our hardworking Gestamp employees who make our success possible every day,” said Federico Mattassini, Director of Operations Gestamp US.\n\n“As competition for manufacturing investment continues to grow across the country, strong partnerships between industry and state leadership are essential to maintaining a competitive business environment and supporting long-term growth. We appreciate Senator Justice taking the time to understand the challenges facing our South Charleston facility and recognize the importance of continued investment, job retention, and the dedicated workforce that makes manufacturing in West Virginia possible,” said Jared Lahiff, Sales & Strategic Planning Manager Gestamp US.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/support-rolls-in-from-policymakers-and-national-organizations-for-kellys-make-ai-work-for-americans-act/", "title": "Support Rolls in from Policymakers and National Organizations for Kelly’s Make AI Work for Americans Act", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.kelly.senate.gov", "scraper": "markkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000377", "name": "Mark Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Make AI Work for Americans Act, landmark legislation designed to make sure companies benefiting the most from AI pay their fair share and invest in American workers. The bill establishes a dedicated federal trust fund to support American workers, job seekers, and communities as the economy changes. Since its introduction, the bill has received broad support from national leaders.\n\nSee what supporters of the Make AI Work for Americans Act are saying here:\n\n“It’s critical that legislators in Washington and in state capitols around the country begin to act now to help Americans make a successful transition to an AI economy. We can’t leave workers behind — as we have in the past — if we want to win the global AI competition. I applaud Senator Kelly for his leadership on this issue in Congress and for his legislation to make sure that AI works for working people,” said Gina Raimondo, CEO, RAISE US, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce.\n\n“Senator Mark Kelly has introduced legislation that says the companies profiting from artificial intelligence have an obligation to the workers that technology displaces. His bill puts real money behind job training, behind paid work that carries a credential, and behind a stronger safety net for people who lose employment through no fault of their own,” said Reverend Al Sharpton, President, National Action Network.\n\nClick here to read NAN’s full letter of support.\n\n“At a time when many are urging our policymakers to take AI’s potential disruption seriously, it is good to see in this legislation a set of policies aimed at mitigating AI’s negative impacts on workers—from those just starting out to those displaced mid-career,” said Erika McEntarfer, former Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).\n\n“The early part of my career was building Internet platforms and I watched policy arrive years after the consequences did. We cannot repeat that same mistake in the AI era. Senator Kelly’s bill strengthens protections for workers before the disruption hits. And it is paid for by the industry, so the cost doesn’t fall on workers alone,” said Jason Goldman, technologist and former White House Chief Digital Officer.\n\n“The public is looking for Congress to step up quickly to make sure AI development and deployment benefits workers, not just wealthy investors and executives. Senator Kelly’s bill offers many good ideas to push AI adoption in a pro-worker direction,” said Bharat Ramamurti, former Deputy Director of the White House National Economic Council.\n\n“Senator Kelly’s Make AI Work for Americans Act represents a major step forward in rejecting an AI future that concentrates gains for the few while leaving millions of hard-working Americans behind. The Act provides admirably detailed revenue proposals to ensure that those profiting from AI-induced displacement of workers, help fund a major increase in opportunities for workers to transition to new careers, start new businesses, attain National Service jobs while also ensuring that unemployment benefits are substantial enough to support a worker’s family while they strive to attain these new jobs. Importantly, Senator Kelly’s call for a major expansion of National Service jobs could provide entry level workers being squeezed out by AI the chance to both serve their country and gain valuable work experience, judgment and managerial skills,” said Gene Sperling, Director of the National Economic Council for Presidents Clinton and Obama, Senior Advisor to President Biden, Director of the Economic Dignity Lab at McCourt School at Georgetown.\n\nGene Sperling on X: Kudos to @SenMarkKelly for not waiting for major AI job dislocation to start laying the foundation for putting jobs & workers first. His bill admirably lays out specific AI revenue sources to fund not only needed training, but also National Service jobs & entrepreneurship.\n\n“Senator Kelly has been thoughtfully wrestling with the concerns that real Americans are facing with the adoption of AI — job displacement, costs, and ensuring that the benefits of this technology don’t just accrue to the few. This keeps the focus on ensuring Americans win,” said Mieke Eoyang, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy.\n\n“The companies that are ushering in AI should pay to fix the societal harms it will cause. Senator Kelly’s legislation is built on that idea. This bill puts industry dollars into supporting workers whose jobs are changing and gives everyone the resources to adapt. It will take effort from private companies and government leadership to make sure this technology develops responsibly, and I believe this bill is the right way to start,” said Jon A. Shirley, former President, Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Microsoft.\n\n“A safe AI future and a fair AI economy are two sides of the same promise. With one in five American workers expected to be Latino by 2030, our community has an enormous stake in seeing that promise kept. Senator Kelly’s Make AI Work for Americans Act ensures that as the AI industry grows, so do our investments in the workers who power the American economy. This legislation invests in paid service-to-career pathways, community college and apprenticeship programs, and capital for new small businesses. It gives workers who lose their jobs real stability as they retrain and find their next opportunity; and it helps close the digital divide by supporting digital access for participants, building AI literacy into our workforce system, and making resources available to people with limited English proficiency. It also gives workers and civil rights organizations a seat at the table as AI enters the workplace. This legislation lays the foundation for modernizing how we support workers and workplaces in the age of AI. UnidosUS is proud to endorse it and urges Congress to pass it,” said Eric Rodriguez, Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy, UnidosUS.\n\n“Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the nature of work, and our workforce development systems must evolve alongside it. JFF is proud to support the Make AI Work for Americans Act, which invests in the systems already serving workers while expanding access to education and training, strengthening service-to-career pathways, supporting entrepreneurship, and helping workers navigate technological change. We applaud Senator Kelly’s leadership in advancing a vision for AI that puts workers at the center and helps ensure technological progress creates greater economic opportunity for people and communities across the country,” said Maria Flynn, President and CEO, Jobs for the Future (JFF).\n\n“The greatest barrier to older Americans participating in the AI economy is not their willingness to learn, but access to opportunities. Older Americans are ready to embrace AI and develop the skills needed to succeed in a changing workplace. What they need is access to training and investments in their potential. Our economy cannot afford to overlook this extraordinary source of talent,” said Gary. A. Officer, Founder & CEO, CWI Labs.\n\n“Senator Kelly’s Make AI Work for Americans Act is a series of policy proposals focused on what Americans will need most in the AI age. If AI has the transformative impact on our society that those who are building it say it will, we will need new ideas and a safety net for our workforce, small businesses, and more. This bill focuses on how to deliver real benefits to Americans impacted by AI and makes sure companies pay their fair share to ensure that AI works for all of us. It’s refreshing to see real leaders rising to the challenge of the AI age and we applaud the Senator for his efforts,” said Neera Tanden, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress.\n\n“As artificial intelligence transforms our classrooms and communities, we have a generational responsibility to ensure that every student and worker is equipped to navigate this new landscape. The Make AI Work for Americans Act takes a vital, inclusive approach, anchored by robust investments in education, AI literacy, and workforce alignment, so that all Americans can share in the remarkable opportunities of artificial intelligence while safeguarding against its risks,” said Erin Mote, CEO, InnovateEDU.\n\n“It is important that Congress recognizes that we need a greater investment in worker transitions, particularly given the possibility for a dramatic reshaping of our economy due to rapid advancement in technology. Senator Kelly and his staff have done a great job thinking about the most pressing issues with unemployment insurance, especially right now. I hope this legislation gets the serious consideration that it deserves,” said Michele Evermore, Senior Fellow for Worker Transitions, National Employment Law Project.\n\n“This act would empower underserved communities with the necessary tools to help shape their lives and our collective future via system innovation, especially for small businesses. At the same time, it addresses the existing digital divide by opening new pathways to unexplored economic opportunity, competition, and equity. It turns AI into a participatory device accessible to all, rather than a passive application intended for and controlled by a few,” said Robert Alvarado, Senior Vice President, Chicanos Por La Causa.\n\n“AmeriCorps and the nation’s state service commissions connect service to careers, provide hands-on experience, skill development, and pathways to meaningful work. We applaud Senator Kelly’s leadership in introducing the Make AI Work for Americans Act and his recognition of the National Service for America’s Future program to expand paid service opportunities that lead to credentials, careers, and durable skills. As technology reshapes the workplace, national service can play an important role in preparing workers and strengthening communities. State service commissions stand ready to help turn this vision into opportunities that meet local workforce needs across the country,” said John Kelly, CEO, America’s Service Commissions.\n\n“Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the labor market, including many of the entry-level jobs that have traditionally helped young people get a foothold in the workforce. The Make AI Work for Americans Act recognizes that national service should be part of the solution. By building on AmeriCorps as a backbone for new service-to-career opportunities and exploring ways to strengthen AmeriCorps, this legislation would help more Americans build durable skills, gain meaningful work experience, and pursue credentials and careers while meeting critical needs in their communities. We thank Senator Kelly for recognizing national service as an important part of the workforce infrastructure our country will need as AI transforms the economy,” said AnnMaura Connolly, President, Voices for National Service.\n\n“As Congress writes the rules for what comes next, young people must be at the center of it. They’re entering a job market where the entry-level roles that used to launch careers are changing fast. Americans across the ideological spectrum support national service, and states are equipped to scale it. Every time this country has faced a shift this large, it has answered with service, from the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Depression to the GI Bill after World War II. Today’s challenge deserves an answer of the same ambition. Senator Kelly is putting one on the table, and we are grateful for his leadership,” said Vicky Hausman, Founder & CEO, American Service Project.\n\nClick here to read the full text of the bill, here for a section-by-section, and here for a one-pager.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/at-new-mexico-pinon-coffee-lujan-hears-directly-about-impact-of-tariffs-on-new-mexico-small-businesses-and-consumers/", "title": "At New Mexico Piñon Coffee, Luján Hears Directly About Impact of Tariffs on New Mexico Small Businesses and Consumers", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Albuquerque, N.M. – This week, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) visited New Mexico Piñon Coffee in Albuquerque to tour the company’s roastery and hear directly from staff about how tariffs are impacting the local business, increasing operating costs, and raising prices for consumers.\n\nDuring the visit, Senator Luján toured the facility and met with staff to discuss the impact of tariffs on coffee imports and the challenges that increased costs create for New Mexico businesses. Senator Luján also heard concerns about the uncertainty that future tariffs create for businesses trying to plan, invest, and keep costs down for their customers.\n\n“New Mexico small businesses, like New Mexico Piñon Coffee, are the backbone of our communities and help drive our local economies,” said Senator Luján. “This week, I had the honor of visiting and hearing directly from the folks at New Mexico Piñon Coffee about how these increased costs are impacting their operations and customers. New Mexico businesses and families should not have to bear the cost of Trump’s policies that make it more expensive to keep the doors open and buy everyday goods. I’ll continue working to lower costs and support small businesses across New Mexico.”\n\n“We were honored to welcome Senator Luján and his team to New Mexico Piñon Coffee and share firsthand what it takes to grow a business right here in New Mexico. Since 1994, we’ve grown from a small local coffee company into a regional brand, and we’re incredibly proud of the jobs we’ve created and the opportunities ahead. Like many manufacturers and small businesses, we continue to navigate rising costs, tariffs, and the challenges that come with growth. We appreciate the opportunity to have an open conversation about these realities and the importance of supporting businesses that are investing in New Mexico’s future,” said Matthew Bregar, President of New Mexico Piñon Coffee.\n\nIn March, Senator Luján called on the Trump administration to put in place an automatic tariff refund process. In February, Senator Luján introduced the Tariff Refund Act of 2026, legislation to require full refunds of President Trump’s illegal tariffs. In June of 2025, Senator Luján hosted a forum that examined how President Trump’s tariff policies fuel economic instability, raise costs on working families, harm the travel and tourism sector, and benefit special interests.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/zuni-tribes-request-for-major-disaster-declaration-approved-for-july-storms-and-flash-flooding-following-letter-from-n-m-congressional-delegation/", "title": "Zuni Tribe’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration Approved for July Storms and Flash Flooding Following Letter from N.M. Congressional Delegation", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — This week, the Zuni Tribe’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration was approved to support recovery efforts following severe storms and flash flooding that occurred between July 16 and 28, 2026. The Major Disaster Declaration was granted on October 7 by President Donald Trump, immediately following a letter sent October 6 from U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) calling on the President to approve the Major Disaster Declaration request.\n\nThe Zuni Tribe is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America, serving as a steward of a nationally significant historic, cultural, and religious landscape. The storms and flash flooding caused extensive damage to seven ceremonial trails and multiple culturally significant locations, affecting the ancestral, ceremonial, and historic resources central to the Tribe’s cultural heritage, along with damage to public infrastructure and private property. This declaration designated the Pueblo of Zuni for both Individual Assistance and all categories of Public Assistance. Federal funding will help ensure that those historic sites and public infrastructure can be repaired and that impacted families can recover from these devastating floods.\n\nIn a letter sent to President Trump on October 6, 2026, New Mexico’s Congressional Delegation wrote, “We respectfully request that you take immediate action on the Zuni Tribe’s recent request for a major disaster declaration in response to severe storms that triggered significant flash flooding and caused extensive damage in the Pueblo of Zuni between July 16, 2026, to July 28, 2026. The severity and magnitude of the storms and subsequent flash flooding overwhelmed Zuni Tribal resources, and they require supplemental, Federal assistance to ensure the Tribal Nation can recover.”\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “Three thunderstorm events on July 16, 21, and 28, 2026, in the Zuni Pueblo area produced heavy rainfall, with National Weather Service (NWS) radar and local rain gauge data indicating it was a 100-year flood event. This rainfall overtopped levees, riverbanks, and earthen dams, flooding paved roads and Zuni Village itself, and caused significant damage to private property, community infrastructure, ceremonial trails, and culturally significant sites. Sixty-one families were displaced, twelve families required sheltering, and four individuals required swift water rescue; six families are still in shelters.”\n\n“In totality, the impacts from these floods will require federal assistance, as they have exceeded the capabilities of the Zuni Tribe,” the lawmakers concluded. “We fully support the Zuni Tribe’s request, and we urge you to act without delay. It is imperative that the federal government provides full support to the Zuni Tribe to recover from the devastation caused by this flooding.”\n\nRead the full text of the lawmaker’s letter here and below:\n\nDear President Trump,\n\nWe respectfully request that you take immediate action on the Zuni Tribe’s recent request for a major disaster declaration in response to severe storms that triggered significant flash flooding and caused extensive damage in the Pueblo of Zuni between July 16, 2026, to July 28, 2026. The severity and magnitude of the storms and subsequent flash flooding overwhelmed Zuni Tribal resources, and they require supplemental, Federal assistance to ensure the Tribal Nation can recover.\n\nThe Zuni Tribe is requesting Public Assistance (PA), Categories A through G, as well as Individual Assistance (IA), including Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance, Disaster Case Management, and Individuals and Households Program Assistance, and statewide assistance from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. We ask that you expeditiously grant the declaration and make this federal assistance available as soon as possible.\n\nThree thunderstorm events on July 16, 21, and 28, 2026, in the Zuni Pueblo area produced heavy rainfall, with National Weather Service (NWS) radar and local rain gauge data indicating it was a 100-year flood event. This rainfall overtopped levees, riverbanks, and earthen dams, flooding paved roads and Zuni Village itself, and caused significant damage to private property, community infrastructure, ceremonial trails, and culturally significant sites. Sixty-one families were displaced, twelve families required sheltering, and four individuals required swift water rescue; six families are still in shelters.\n\nThe Zuni Tribe is a federally recognized sovereign Tribal Nation and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. The Zuni Tribe serves as a steward of a nationally significant historic, cultural, and religious landscape. And in addition to extensive damage to public infrastructure and private property, the flash floods described above also severely impacted seven ceremonial trails and multiple culturally significant locations. Washouts, erosion, and material loss to those paths and sacred ruins – some dating back to the early 1500s – have affected the ancestral, ceremonial, and historic resources central to the Tribe’s cultural heritage. Restoration work will need to be performed using culturally appropriate methods, require specialized preservation oversight, and preserve the confidentiality of these sites.\n\nIn the wake of the flash flooding, the Zuni Tribe requested federal assistance with a Preliminary Damage Assessment, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff and Zuni staff conducted site visits throughout the entire reservation. As of September 25, 2026, FEMA’s estimate for the assessed damage was $1,222,135. The severity and extent of the flooding required tribal resources to be diverted to emergency protective measures and hazardous debris removal. Recovery will require repairs to roadways and drainage systems, utility restoration, support for displaced families, and culturally appropriate preservation work. In totality, the impacts from these floods will require federal assistance, as they have exceeded the capabilities of the Zuni Tribe.\n\nWe fully support the Zuni Tribe’s request, and we urge you to act without delay. It is imperative that the federal government provides full support to the Zuni Tribe to recover from the devastation caused by this flooding.\n\nThank you for your consideration of this important request.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshall-secretary-duffy-highlight-aviation-infrastructure-modernization-in-kansas/", "title": "Senator Marshall, Secretary Duffy Highlight Aviation Infrastructure & Modernization in Kansas", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.marshall.senate.gov", "scraper": "marshall", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001198", "name": "Roger Marshall", "party": "Republican", "state": "KS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Olathe – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), today joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01) for visits to Kansas City Downtown Airport (MKC) and Indra Group’s radar manufacturing facility in Olathe, Kansas, to highlight aviation safety, air traffic control modernization, and critical transportation infrastructure investments across Kansas and the region.\n\n“Kansas has a proud aviation history, and we need to make sure our infrastructure is keeping up. From modernizing our air traffic control systems to investing in our airports, these improvements are critical to keeping travelers safe, supporting good-paying jobs, and keeping America the gold standard in aviation,” said Senator Marshall. “I appreciate Secretary Duffy being here today to discuss how we can strengthen our aviation infrastructure and make sure Kansas remains a key part of America’s transportation future.”\n\n“Thanks to President Trump, Senator Marshall, and Congressman Mann, the Working Families Tax Cut Act is fueling an $11 million modernization investment right here at MKC and boosting American jobs in the region,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “We’ve made historic progress, but the job’s not finished. To finally fix air travel for the American people, we need to pass the Modern Skies Act and I’m relying on our partners in Congress, including Reps. Marshall and Mann to get that done.”\n\nAt MKC, the group toured the airport’s air traffic control tower, originally built in 1942, where $11 million from the Republican passed Working Families Tax Cut Act is funding upgrades to modernize equipment and improve the technology air traffic controllers rely on to safely manage air traffic. The upgrades, scheduled over the next 18 months, include new voice communication systems, high-speed fiber connections to replace outdated copper wiring, a new Surface Awareness Initiative system, and updated controller displays. The new IP voice switches have already been installed.\n\nClick here for more photos.\n\nThe group then visited Indra Group’s new radar manufacturing facility in Olathe, where the company manufactures next-generation air traffic control technology, including communications and radar systems for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The facility is on track to produce 40% of the radars being installed nationwide, underscoring Kansas’ role in strengthening America’s aviation infrastructure and supporting domestic manufacturing.\n\nClick here for more photos.\n\nThe visits come as Kansas continues to benefit from federal transportation investments in highway improvements, airport infrastructure, freight movement, and other projects that support the state’s economy and connect communities across the region.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/dexter-bonamici-merkley-conduct-unannounced-oversight-visit-to-portland-ice-facility-after-reports-of-denied-access-to-legal-counsel/", "title": "Dexter, Bonamici, Merkley Conduct Unannounced Oversight Visit to Portland ICE Facility After Reports of Denied Access to Legal Counsel", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "PORTLAND, OR – Today, Congresswomen Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) conducted an unannounced congressional oversight visit to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility on Macadam Avenue in Portland following troubling reports that attorneys were repeatedly denied access to detained clients.\n\n“No one should be denied access to legal counsel, regardless of their immigration status,” Congresswoman Dexter said. “It is a major concern when attorneys are repeatedly prevented from meeting with their clients. ICE is not above the law, and the Trump administration must be held accountable for how people are treated in federal custody. We are demanding answers, transparency and accountability.”\n\nRep. Dexter’s office received information from the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition that attorneys were denied access to four clients on 12 separate occasions Tuesday. These reports, coupled with an uptick in ICE enforcement activity in the Portland area, prompted the lawmakers to conduct an oversight visit to demand answers and examine conditions at the facility.\n\n“I just conducted a Congressional oversight visit at the ICE processing facility in Portland with Rep. Dexter and Senator Merkley,” Congresswoman Bonamici said. “ICE is not making us safer and this surge is increasing fear in the community. I encourage everyone to make a safety plan and take care of each other. I will not stop advocating for safe communities, due process, and humane immigration reform.”\n\n“ICE and Border Patrol agents are terrorizing our friends and neighbors,” Senator Merkley said. “Time after time, they are trampling civil rights, denying due process, and utilizing secret police tactics, totally wrong in our democratic republic. I’ll keep doing all I can to stop them.”\n\nDuring the visit, the lawmakers asked about access to lawyers, the treatment of people in ICE custody, and whether the facility was complying with federal law. The visit builds on Rep. Dexter’s ongoing work to hold federal immigration enforcement accountable and protect the dignity and legal rights of people in ICE custody.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/video-senator-moody-and-governor-desantis-warn-floridians-in-pensacola-ahead-of-isaias-landfall/", "title": "VIDEO: Senator Moody and Governor DeSantis Warn Floridians in Pensacola Ahead of Isaias Landfall", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.moody.senate.gov", "scraper": "moody", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001244", "name": "Ashley Moody", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "PENSACOLA, Fla.—Senator Ashley Moody and Governor Ron DeSantis today held a briefing ahead of Hurricane Isaias landfall, urging residents in the path of the storm to quickly complete preparations and follow evacuation orders.\n\n“Isaias is a strong hurricane, and Floridians in the path of the storm need to take this threat seriously. I’m on the ground with Governor DeSantis today in Pensacola ahead of landfall. It is important everyone follows the directions of their local officials. We will weather this storm together,” said Senator Ashley Moody.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nSenator Moody is urging Floridians in the path of Isaias to finish their preparations as quickly as possible. For information on safety checklists and hurricane resources, check out Senator Moody’s Storm Preparation webpage.\n\nSenator Moody’s office is able to help Floridians needing assistance with federal agencies. Submit requests for assistance by visiting Moody.Senate.Gov, or call toll-free in Florida by dialing 866-630-7106.\n\nTo apply for disaster aid with FEMA, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Keep the following information on hand when applying for aid:\n\nThe address of damaged home or apartment;\n\nNames of people living in your household;\n\nA description of your disaster damages;\n\nInsurance information;\n\nSocial Security Number;\n\nA telephone number;\n\nAn address where you can get mail; and\n\nIf you want your disaster assistance funds sent directly to your bank, provide FEMA your bank information.\n\nAdditional resources for Floridians:\n\nSBA Disaster Assistance Loans\n\nUSDA Agriculture Assistance\n\nHUD Disaster Resources\n\nRed Cross\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-lujan-democratic-senators-say-broadcasters-owe-americans-on-trumps-taxpayer-funded-campaign-ads", "title": "Murphy, Lujan, Democratic Senators Say Broadcasters Owe Americans On Trump's Taxpayer-funded Campaign Ads", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.murphy.senate.gov", "scraper": "chrismurphy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001169", "name": "Christopher Murphy", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) led Senate Democrats in a letter to American broadcasters demanding the release of all documentation on the decision to air Donald Trump’s self-promoting, federally-funded campaign ads.\n\nThe letter asserts, by allowing Trump’s publicly funded campaign ads to air, broadcasters failed to follow the law and have an obligation to reimburse taxpayers. Despite committing to pay for future campaign ads through his super PAC, Trump this week refused to reimburse the Treasury for the more than 10 million in taxpayer dollars already spent.\n\nThe Senators wrote: “Under the law, President Trump’s ads might plausibly fall into two categories: the ads are either produced by a ‘legally qualified candidate’ and therefore broadcasters are limited in their ability to censor the ads’ content, or President Trump’s ads are ‘public service announcements’ (PSAs) which would require broadcasters generally to follow all associated rules around the publication of PSAs. In either scenario, broadcasters appear to have failed in their duty to adhere to the spirit and letter of the law.”\n\nIn the letter, the Senators made the political nature of Trump’s ads clear, while pointing out the criminal consequences of using federal funds to air them: “These ads are instead a campaign ad designed to bolster the image of an unpopular president and to boost the electoral chances of the slate of Republican congressional candidates. But liability protection for broadcasters does not extend to non-candidates. Furthermore, broadcasters can still refuse to air campaign ads if they violate federal laws. In this case, there are several federal criminal provisions implicated by these ads. They include, but are not limited to, the Anti-Deficiency Act (ADA), the Hatch Act,2 and several appropriations provisions involving the use of taxpayer funds for propaganda and notably the purpose statute.4 Lastly, if they were campaign ads, the ads certainly could not be paid for with taxpayer funds, which should have been obvious to any first-year law student.”\n\nDismissing Trump’s ludicrous claim that these ads were ‘public service announcements,’ the Senators continued: “To most reasonable people, an ad that solely features the President covering the President’s alleged successes, choreographed to a musical performance and aired immediately before an election is undoubtedly a campaign ad. It’s ridiculous to assert otherwise. Furthermore, if these ads are considered PSAs, as the President asserts, they raise several legal and liability questions for broadcasters.\n\nThe Senators concluded: “We ask that you voluntarily release all communications with the President, any federal agency, or White House official about the ads to ensure transparency for the American public and clarify which funds you received, from which federal agency, and release the terms of the contract as soon as possible. Additionally, you should recognize these ads are not PSAs, and reimburse the Treasury.”\n\nIn addition to Murphy and Lujan, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) also joined the letter.\n\nThe full letter is available here and below:\n\nBroadcasters based in the United States:\n\nWe write today about the unprecedented self-promoting, taxpayer-funded ads starring President Donald Trump that ran across broadcast networks and online earlier this month. These bizarre ads prominently featured President Trump in a cinematic style with a soundtrack that begged Americans to love him. On October 5, 2026, after facing intense public backlash, the President announced that going forward he would pay for the ad using his super PAC.1 Given the unusual nature of these ads, we write to ask that you ensure the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) rules are followed. Specifically, we request that you voluntarily make any records related to these ads publicly available for inspection and reimburse the Treasury for the ads funded with taxpayer dollars.\n\nUnder the law, President Trump’s ads might plausibly fall into two categories: the ads are either produced by a ‘legally qualified candidate’ and therefore broadcasters are limited in their ability to censor the ads’ content, or President Trump’s ads are “public service announcements” (PSAs) which would require broadcasters generally to follow all associated rules around the publication of PSAs. In either scenario, broadcasters appear to have failed in their duty to adhere to the spirit and letter of the law.\n\nRegarding the first category, Trump is not a candidate. These ads are instead a campaign ad designed to bolster the image of an unpopular president and to boost the electoral chances of the slate of Republican congressional candidates. But liability protection for broadcasters does not extend to non-candidates. Furthermore, broadcasters can still refuse to air campaign ads if they violate federal laws. In this case, there are several federal criminal provisions implicated by these ads. They include, but are not limited to, the Anti-Deficiency Act (ADA), the Hatch Act, and several appropriations provisions involving the use of taxpayer funds for propaganda and notably the purpose statute. Lastly, if they were campaign ads, the ads certainly could not be paid for with taxpayer funds, which should have been obvious to any first-year law student.\n\nRegarding the second category, to most reasonable people, an ad that solely features the President covering the President’s alleged successes, choreographed to a musical performance and aired immediately before an election is undoubtedly a campaign ad. It’s ridiculous to assert otherwise. Furthermore, if these ads are considered PSAs, as the President asserts, they raise several legal and liability questions for broadcasters. A Public Service Announcement (PSA) has been defined by the FCC as “one for which no charge is made and which promotes programs, activities, or services of Federal, State or local governments (e.g., recruiting, sales of U.S. Savings Bonds, etc.) or the programs, activities or services of nonprofit organizations (e.g., UGF, Red Cross Blood Donations, etc.) or any other announcements regarded as serving community interests. PSAs are by definition, “announcements that are made for the good of the people.”\n\nIn other words, PSAs are generally required to be ads that inform the public. The ‘love me’ ad does not promote a program or a service of the federal government; it promotes alleged successes of the President and public reporting suggests broadcasters might already have taken millions in federal funds. As such, broadcasters have a duty to ensure that PSAs comply with applicable rules and could have easily refused to air the ads as PSAs.\n\nIn sum, we ask that you voluntarily release all communications with the President, any federal agency, or White House official about the ads to ensure transparency for the American public and clarify which funds you received, from which federal agency, and release the terms of the contract as soon as possible. Additionally, you should recognize these ads are not PSAs, and reimburse the Treasury.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/in-vancouver-senators-murray-wyden-affirm-commitment-to-protecting-medicare-from-ai-prior-authorization/", "title": "In Vancouver, Senators Murray & Wyden Affirm Commitment to Protecting Medicare from AI Prior Authorization", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "ICYMI: At HELP Hearing, Murray Grills Trump Nominees on AI Denying Seniors’ Health Care\n\nICYMI: On Senate Floor, Murray Urges Colleagues to End Trump Administration’s AI Program that is Delaying and Denying Seniors’ Health Care\n\n***VIDEO OF FULL ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION HERE***\n\n***PHOTOS HERE***\n\nVancouver, WA — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Ron Wyden (D-OR), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Finance, held a roundtable discussion with providers to discuss how the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) model, a new pilot program implemented by the Trump administration that’s using artificial intelligence (AI) to conduct prior authorization in Traditional Medicare, has been overruling doctors and denying or delaying critical health care for seniors. The WISeR pilot model began on January 1, 2026, and is set to last for six years in six selected states, including Washington state.\n\nJoining Senators Murray and Wyden for the discussion at the Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington today were: Dr. Keren Rosenblum, MD, MBA, President, The Vancouver Clinic; Dr. Leon McCook, family medicine physician, PeaceHealth; and Dr. Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP, CEO, EvergreenHealth.\n\n“Despite a lot of empty promises from Republicans to not cut Medicare—Trump’s new WISeR model is essentially a cut to Medicare. What else do you call it when seniors are getting cut off from the health care they need, for no good reason? Under this dystopian system—Washington state seniors are seeking doctor-recommended care to treat debilitating pain, only to be told by Trump’s AI system that Medicare won’t pay for it, or that they must wait weeks on end to get their treatment,” said Senator Murray. “The truth is—the WISeR model has been a complete mess. This cannot continue—and it absolutely cannot expand. That’s why I’m here to continue talking with folks on the ground—patients, doctors and more—and gathering evidence and stories we can use to make the case back in Congress. We are going to keep pushing hard to stop private companies from raiding Medicare, and cheating seniors with AI. Republicans may be sitting on their hands but a Democratic majority will be aggressive in pushing back and working to end this experiment, and save Medicare.”\n\n“Dr. Frankenstein isn’t the only one conducting dangerous experiments this Halloween season. The mad scientists given free rein in the Trump administration are quite willing to risk seniors’ access to lifesaving health care with their latest scheme grafting AI on to authorization decisions for traditional Medicare,” said Senator Wyden. “As the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee overseeing Medicare, I’m proud to stand with Senator Murray in the battle against Trump empowering unaccountable AI companies to delay and deny certain types of care in traditional Medicare.”\n\n“Physicians support innovation and efforts to reduce waste and improve value in health care. But those goals should not come at the expense of timely access to medically necessary care,” said Dr. Keren Rosenblum, MD, MBA, President, The Vancouver Clinic. “WISeR moves Traditional Medicare toward the same prior authorization system physicians already know creates administrative burdens, delays appropriate care, and creates uncertainty for patients. At a time when physicians are already facing significant administrative burdens and workforce challenges, we should be looking for ways to make health care simpler—not adding new layers of complexity. Innovation should strengthen the patient-physician relationship, not create new obstacles between patients and the care their physicians believe they need.”\n\n“After almost a full year of WISeR, it is clear how its implementation has negatively impacted our patients and staff, but we are still unsure if the program is achieving its intended purpose. As a community-owned public hospital district, EvergreenHealth supports efforts to reduce fraud, waste and the inappropriate utilization of Medicare benefits. However, we must pursue those goals in a way that does not delay care nor create unnecessary hardship for the patients we serve,” saidDr. Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP, CEO, EvergreenHealth. “In the months following WISeR’s January implementation, we saw patients live with prolonged pain due to delayed authorizations for their treatment. Confusion and inconsistent processes have created additional workloads for our providers, making it difficult for them to support their patients effectively. Let’s continue to improve quality, value and program integrity in Medicare, but let’s focus on patient-centered implementation, timely decision-making and reducing unnecessary burdens on our care teams.”\n\nUnder the WISeR model, patients on Traditional Medicare across six states—Arizona, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Ohio, Texas, and Washington—are subject to prior authorization requirements for several types of procedures or treatments, meaning that a claim needs to run through an opaque A.I.-driven system that may deny it with limited explanation. This forces starting the whole approval process over again and setting the patient back weeks in the process. Several of the procedures subject to prior authorization under the WISeR model are treatments for patients experiencing debilitating pain, who are now having to wait to receive necessary care. Before this model, patients would have been able to receive care within the same week, or even day, in most cases. Prior authorization requirements are used routinely by Medicare Advantage plans and private insurers, but rarely in Traditional Medicare—which is often one of the reasons seniors choose it for their coverage. While the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has described the model as voluntary, it is effectively mandatory for providers and their patients with Traditional Medicare in the selected states.\n\nEach participating state is operating the pilot through a different for-profit company that contracts with CMS to use AI technology to process prior authorizations and conduct reviews for the specific services subject to WISeR. These participants are compensated based on a share of “averted expenditures.” In other words, they are financially incentivized to deny prior authorization requests, as they profit from denied services.\n\nSenators Murray and Wyden have been pushing back on this harmful pilot program from the start, and for the past year and a half, Murray has been meeting with providers and patients across the state to hear about the implementation and harms of this program. In September of last year, Senators Murray, Wyden and other Senate Democrats sent a letter to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Director Abe Sutton, urging CMS to halt implementation of the model until a full analysis is conducted of the program’s impact on patient access—which, they argued, should include input from beneficiaries and their families, consumer and patient advocates, health care providers and suppliers. In December last year, Senators Murray and Wyden introduced the Seniors Deserve SMARTER (Streamlined Medical Approvals for Timely, Efficient Recovery) Care Act, legislation that would prohibit CMS from implementing the WISeR model that began on January 1, 2026.\n\nThis July, Murray and Wyden forced a vote on a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the WISeR program—Republicans chose to side with the Trump administration and blocked the CRA. In September, Senator Murray grilled Chris Klomp, the nominee to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), on the WISeR model and how the private companies conducting the prior authorization assessments are profiting from the denials.\n\nSenator Murray is also an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 to streamline and crack down on prior authorization practices in Medicare Advantage plans.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-schmitt-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-critical-infrastructure-from-theft-and-vandalism/", "title": "Padilla, Schmitt Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Critical Infrastructure from Theft and Vandalism", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Legislation would strengthen federal protections for copper, fiber, and coaxial cables\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) introduced the Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act, bipartisan legislation to combat the growing problem of theft and vandalism targeting critical infrastructure used to provide telecommunications and information services. The bill would strengthen federal protections for critical communications networks by making the willful or malicious theft, destruction, or damage of copper, fiber, and coaxial cables used to provide telecommunications and information services a federal criminal offense.\n\n“Californians and consumers across the country deserve protection from the critical infrastructure attacks that have driven up service costs and disrupted internet service,” said Senator Padilla. “When critical infrastructure is vandalized, communities immediately feel the impacts — emergency phone calls are disrupted, communications networks experience widespread outages, and public safety is put at risk. Our bill would ensure protections for critical infrastructure across the state and country, strengthen connections across communities, and hold those who steal or vandalize such infrastructure responsible.”\n\n“Missouri families and businesses rely on broadband every day, and when critical infrastructure is vandalized or stolen, they are the ones who ultimately pay the price through service disruptions and higher costs. My bill gives law enforcement another tool to protect the infrastructure that keeps communities connected and holds those who deliberately damage these networks accountable,” said Senator Schmitt.\n\nCalifornia has experienced numerous incidents of theft and vandalism at critical communications sites. Such incidents can disrupt essential internet service and result in costly repairs that are often ultimately borne by consumers through higher service costs.\n\nLast year, California had the most attacks on communications networks in the country, with more than 6,000 incidents reported and an estimated $252.6 million in losses. Los Angeles alone experienced a reported 1,131 attacks, the most of any city in the country.\n\nThe Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act would amend Section 1362 of Title 18 of the United States Code, which imposes penalties for vandalizing certain federal communications facilities. The legislation would expand the law to cover privately-operated facilities used to provide telecommunications and information services.\n\nSpecifically, the Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act would:\n\nProtect critical infrastructure: Explicitly includes copper, fiber, and coaxial cables used to provide telecommunications and information services within Section 1362’s purview;\n\nCover privately owned networks: Extends federal protections to facilities operated by private entities, including privately-owned broadband networks;\n\nPenalize theft and vandalism: Imposes criminal penalties for the willful or malicious injury, destruction, or theft of covered copper, fiber, and coaxial cables, as well as attempts or conspiracies to commit those offenses; and\n\nProtect lawful activities: Maintains protections for certain lawful concerted activities and excludes customer premises equipment from the new provisions.\n\n“We applaud Sens. Schmitt and Padilla for introducing the Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act, building important bipartisan, bicameral momentum to address the growing threat of vandalism to our nation’s critical communications infrastructure,” said NCTA, The Internet & Television Association. “These networks are essential to public safety, national security, and daily life, yet increasing copper theft and intentional damage are disrupting emergency services, harming communities, and leaving consumers without vital connectivity. Strengthening federal law with tougher deterrents and penalties will help protect these critical networks and the millions of Americans who rely on them every day.”\n\n“America’s wireless networks must not only be built and operated effectively, but also protected,” said Kelly Cole, Senior VP of Government Affairs of CTIA. “Vandalism and theft are a growing reality impacting our critical infrastructure, and this legislation is a meaningful step toward deterring these crimes and holding bad actors accountable. We thank Senators Schmitt and Padilla for their leadership on this important issue and look forward to working with Congress to keep our networks safe and secure.”\n\n“We’re grateful to Senators Schmitt and Padilla for stepping up to protect the critical communications networks Americans rely on every day,” said Spectrum. “The Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act takes meaningful action to update federal law to ensure all networks are protected.”\n\n“We appreciate the leadership of Senators Schmitt and Padilla in introducing the Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act,” said Elad Nafshi, Chief Network Officer of Comcast. “America’s broadband networks are the backbone of our small businesses, hospitals, schools, and homes, and this legislation is an important step to securing them.”\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watch-padilla-confirms-immigration-proceedings-taking-place-in-basement-of-downtown-l-a-federal-building-during-unannounced-ice-oversight-visit/", "title": "WATCH: Padilla Confirms Immigration Proceedings Taking Place in Basement of Downtown L.A. Federal Building During Unannounced ICE Oversight Visit", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "LOS ANGELES, CA — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Immigration Subcommittee, conducted an unannounced oversight visit yesterday to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holding facility at the federal Edward R. Roybal Building in downtown Los Angeles, where he learned that immigration proceedings are being conducted hidden away from public view in the building’s B-18 basement area. These hearings are taking place in the basement despite the existence of an immigration court in the same building on the fourth floor. Proceedings in immigration court are generally open to the public, with limited exceptions. The building’s B-18 area is not accessible to the public, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability as this Administration continues to carry out its mass deportation agenda.\n\nThe visit comes as the Trump Administration reportedly launched a 45-day immigration enforcement surge in California, raising urgent questions about yet another expansion of federal immigration enforcement and the transparency and due process afforded to people in government custody. This marks Padilla’s second unannounced visit to an immigration detention facility in as many weeks as he continues to conduct oversight of the Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement operations across California.\n\n“The Trump Administration is ramping up its indiscriminate immigration enforcement across California, and we know what that means: arrest first, questions later — even for people with legal status and, in some cases, U.S. citizens,” said Senator Padilla. “That’s why these oversight visits are so important. We need to know what’s happening behind closed doors inside these detention facilities. The fact that immigration proceedings are taking place in the basement of a federal building that is not easily accessible by the public raises serious questions about transparency, access to legal representation, and due process for people in government custody. As a United States Senator, I have a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight and hold this Administration accountable. I will continue showing up, asking questions, and demanding answers about how ICE and this Administration are treating people and whether their rights are being respected.”\n\nThe Trump Administration’s expanding immigration crackdown has raised growing concerns about the treatment of people detained by federal immigration authorities, the conditions in which they are held, and the lack of transparency surrounding enforcement operations.\n\nPadilla has repeatedly conducted oversight visits to immigration detention facilities across California to examine conditions firsthand and demand accountability from federal officials. His visits have included facilities in California City, Otay Mesa, San Francisco International Airport, and now downtown Los Angeles. These efforts come as the Trump Administration expands its immigration crackdown while providing limited transparency into its enforcement and detention operations.\n\nYou can download b-roll of the Senator’s unannounced visit here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-schiff-bilirakis-pallone-lead-colleagues-in-urging-state-department-to-help-end-azerbaijans-military-presence-in-armenia-and-secure-the-release-of-armenian-prisoners-illegally-held-by-azerbaijan", "title": "Peters, Schiff, Bilirakis, Pallone Lead Colleagues in Urging State Department to Help End Azerbaijan’s Military Presence in Armenia and Secure the Release of Armenian Prisoners Illegally Held by Azerbaijan", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.peters.senate.gov", "scraper": "garypeters", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000595", "name": "Gary C. Peters", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), along with U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), led more than 100 of their colleagues in sending a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the State Department to prioritize the release of Armenian detainees being unlawfully held in Azerbaijan. Those being detained include political and military leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh who have been illegally imprisoned since Azerbaijan’s attack on the region in 2023. Additionally, the letter calls on Secretary Rubio to advocate for the removal of Azerbaijani military forces from within Armenia. Currently, Azerbaijan maintains a military presence in over 200 square kilometers of land within Armenia. Furthermore, the letter instructs the State Department to withhold military assistance from Azerbaijan if the government remains uncooperative on addressing these issues.\n\n“June 23rd, 2026, marked the 1000th day of unlawful detention for the Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan’s custody,” the lawmakers wrote. “It is imperative that the United States applies meaningful pressure on Azerbaijan to ensure their release, as required under international law.”\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “We call on the administration to engage with Azerbaijan to secure the release of the detainees and encourage the removal of Azerbaijani military forces from sovereign Armenian land. If meaningful steps are not taken, we urge your administration to withhold U.S. military assistance in order to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to ensuring all parties take the peace process seriously.”\n\n“As Azerbaijan continues to unlawfully detain Armenian hostages, destroy Artsakh’s ancient Christian heritage, and occupy Armenia’s sovereign territory, the U.S. should not be subsidizing the very regime responsible for these abuses. Instead, Washington should use its leverage to hold Baku accountable for its aggression and advance a truly just, durable, and dignified peace in the South Caucasus,” said Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The ANCA thanks Senator Peters, Senator Schiff, and Representatives Bilirakis and Pallone for leading this bipartisan, bicameral call to withhold U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan. The support of 101 Members of Congress on this letter sends a clear message: Azerbaijan’s destabilizing conduct and repeated violations of international law must not be rewarded with U.S. taxpayer dollars.”\n\n“The extent of bipartisan and bicameral support reflects a clear recognition in Congress that U.S. policy toward Azerbaijan must be grounded in accountability and measurable outcomes. The unlawful detention of Armenian hostages remains a serious humanitarian and rule-of-law concern that has direct bearing on U.S. policy. Section 907 equips the government with leverage that should ensure U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan is aligned with concrete progress toward accountability, regional stability, and a durable peace. Congress has sent a clear signal that these concerns warrant sustained attention by the Administration’s engagement in the region. U.S. policy should guarantee a lasting peace,” said Mariam Khaloyan, Director of Congressional Relations at the Armenian Assembly of America.\n\nPeters visited the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in September 2023 and viewed firsthand the Azerbaijani blockade of the Lachin corridor. In response to his visit, he introduced the Armenian Protection Act, which unanimously passed in the Senate in November 2023. The Armenian Protection Act would end U.S. assistance to the Azerbaijani government that is currently allowed under a waiver to Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. Although the Freedom Support Act generally prohibits most bilateral assistance to Azerbaijan, following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, waiver authority was added to Section 907 granting additional discretion to the President to provide aid to Azerbaijan. The waiver authority has been invoked annually by Presidents of both parties until 2023 when the Biden Administration withheld the renewal of the waiver following Azerbaijan’s attack on Nagorno-Karabakh. The Trump Administration has since reauthorized the waiver in August 2025 and August of 2026.\n\nTo read the full letter, click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-blasts-hegseth-for-planning-to-live-stream-the-execution-of-fort-hood-shooter", "title": "Reed Blasts Hegseth for Planning to Live-Stream the Execution of Fort Hood Shooter", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases", "domain": "www.reed.senate.gov", "scraper": "jackreed", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000122", "name": "Jack Reed", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – In response to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announcing plans to live-stream the military execution of convicted Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan, a former U.S. Army psychiatrist who opened fire on dozens of people at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center in Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009, Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement:\n\n“Live-streaming an execution is a barbaric spectacle. This is yet another stunt by Secretary Hegseth to distract from his tenure’s repeated failings which have only weakened our national security and standing in the world.\n\n“The Trump Administration should reconsider this abhorrent move, which only gives the shooter what he wants: more attention and more control. Instead of forcing the shooter to face justice, the Trump Administration is literally handing him more power and offering him a global platform to amplify his hateful, anti-American message. This is a gift to anti-American terrorist recruiters. It is absolutely shameful and damaging to America’s interests and core values.”\n\nArmy Regulation 190-55 governs who may witness military executions and does not provide for unrestricted public attendance, but it may be waived by the Commander-in-Chief.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-seeks-to-ban-exploitative-ai-enabled-price-discrimination", "title": "Reed Seeks to Ban Exploitative AI-Enabled Price Discrimination", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases", "domain": "www.reed.senate.gov", "scraper": "jackreed", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000122", "name": "Jack Reed", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "PROVIDENCE, RI -- As major retailers begin using artificial intelligence (AI) to make so-called ‘surveillance pricing’ or ‘personal pricing’ more intrusive, unfair, and opaque, U.S. Senator Jack Reed is seeking to prevent companies from unfairly charging consumers more based on personal data algorithms.\n\nPersonalized or individualized price discrimination broadly refers to the practice of retailers “using troves of personal data to set individualized prices. As a result, people are paying different amounts for the same exact product, just because businesses are better equipped to infer who will pay more.”\n\nDuring a visit to the Bom Café in Providence today, Senator Reed joined café owner Rosie Santana and Nina Harrison, Policy Director of the Economic Progress Institute (EPI), for a conversation about the importance of marketplace fairness and preventing unfair AI-enabled cost manipulation.\n\n“Consumers deserve transparent pricing and equal treatment, not hidden technology that misuses their personal data to set different prices for the same item and charge some shoppers more than others. AI is a powerful tool, but it presents real and pressing challenges. This is one of them and Congress needs to take thoughtful, concrete steps to ban exploitative AI-enabled price discrimination and ensure fairness in the marketplace. Whether it’s food, coffee, or basic staples, no family should pay hidden premiums and higher prices for the same product based on their personal online data that has been collected without their knowledge or consent,” said Senator Reed.\n\nThe Economic Progress Institute recently released its biennial Rhode Island Standard of Need report offering a snapshot of what it costs for individuals and families to afford a no-frills life in Rhode Island. The 2026 report calculates monthly and annual budgets for housing, food, transportation, health care, child care, and other essentials—and shows that nearly 40 percent of Rhode Island households may not have enough income to meet their basic needs.\n\n“Rhode Islanders literally cannot afford to have surveillance pricing in this state. They cannot afford for companies to take their personal information and use that personal information against them to raise prices and make things even less affordable. Working families can’t afford it. We can't allow it. And that’s why I’m so grateful to Senator Reed for doing this work and raising this issue to try to get ahead of it and prevent surveillance pricing before it harms Rhode Islanders,” said EPI’s Policy Director Nina Harrison.\n\nAn investigation by Consumer Reports and Groundwork Collaborative found that popular grocery apps like Instacart used AI-enabled pricing experiments to inflate the grocery bills of some users. AI-powered algorithms led to some shoppers getting charged $3.99 for a box of Wheat Thins, while another shopper from the same store at the same time was charged $4.89. Based on how much Instacart estimates a typical household of four spends on groceries, the average price variations observed could translate into a cost swing of $1,200 per year on food alone.\n\nSenator Reed says there should be federal guardrails and clear, durable consumer protection laws in place that keep pace with the needs of Americans and rapidly-evolving technology.\n\nBusinesses have long used algorithmic pricing to determine how much consumers are willing to pay for products and services. But those systems set general prices for the masses based on supply, demand, competitor prices, and other broad data points. These new exploitative AI-enabled algorithms use personal data as a tool for price discrimination to try to ensure every consumer pays the maximum.\n\nAs AI becomes more common-place, more companies are starting to experiment with ‘personalized’ or ‘surveillance’ pricing, including the use of personal information such as browsing history, demographics, or behavioral patterns, and companies typically collect and analyze the data using AI and algorithms to charge different prices for different customers, based on a range of factors, such as their income, zip code/geolocation, mouse movements, or other personal data.\n\nReed is urging Congress to take bipartisan action to crack down on algorithmic price discrimination and prevent companies from using non-public data and artificial intelligence to unfairly squeeze every last penny out of consumers.\n\n“If federal lawmakers fail to act, online shoppers will be at increased risk of price gouging, cost manipulation, and data privacy threats as more businesses use AI to target the finances, privacy, and equality of consumers,” said Senator Reed. “To ensure a healthy and prosperous Rhode Island, we must ensure working families can afford basic necessities. I will work across the aisle to ban AI-enabled price discrimination while ensuring companies can continue offering targeted discounts, promotions, rewards, loyalty and membership benefits, or contextual pricing.”\n\nMany consumers are already being charged more money through ‘dynamic pricing’ for things like rideshares, airline tickets, and hotels whose prices can go up when demand is high and change based on timing and location. But even dynamic pricing is a concept that raises prices for all consumers, not just certain individuals.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-schiff-resolution-designating-october-as-substance-use-misuse-prevention-month-passes-senate/", "title": "Ricketts, Schiff Resolution Designating October as Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month Passes Senate", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=", "domain": "www.ricketts.senate.gov", "scraper": "ricketts", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000618", "name": "Pete Ricketts", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced a resolution to designate October 2026 as Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month in America. The Senate passed the bipartisan resolution on September 30.\n\n“Substance abuse is a public health issue with terrible consequences for Nebraskans,” said Senator Ricketts.“Our loved ones and communities suffer from illegal drug use. Just last year, substance abuse affected nearly 45 million Americans. We can and must do more. This bipartisan resolution raises awareness of abuse and the need to support prevention efforts.”\n\n“Substance use and misuse affect millions of Americans each year, from every community and of all ages,” said Senator Schiff. “I am proud to join Senator Ricketts in supporting crucial prevention programs to combat the drug addiction and overdose epidemic in our country.”\n\nRicketts is a long-time champion for programs that combat the drug addiction and overdose epidemic in the United States.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2026/10/sens-rick-scott-ashley-moody-support-florida-s-request-for-pre-landfall-emergency-declaration-for-hurricane-isaias", "title": "Sens. Rick Scott, Ashley Moody Support Florida’s Request for Pre-Landfall Emergency Declaration for Hurricane Isaias", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "page_html", "source": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.rickscott.senate.gov", "scraper": "rickscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001217", "name": "Rick Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "NAPLES, Fla. – Today, U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting his immediate approval of the State of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration for 27 Florida counties ahead of Hurricane Isaias’s expected landfall along the Gulf Coast tonight. Hurricane Isaias is now a major category 3 hurricane, bringing severe weather and life-threatening storm surges to communities throughout the Florida Panhandle.\n\nSenator Scott received a briefing yesterday at the Port of Pensacola from local and state leaders, law enforcement, and emergency management officials in Pensacola ahead of Hurricane Isaias’s anticipated landfall. He continues to receive daily briefings from the National Hurricane Center on Hurricane Isaias, and spoke to President Trump on Wednesday, October 7, about the federal response to this storm.\n\nRead the full letter HERE or below:\n\nDear Mr. President:\n\nWe write in support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration covering 27 Florida counties in preparation for Hurricane Isaias, which has strengthened into a major hurricane and is expected to make landfall along Florida’s western Panhandle this evening.\n\nHurricane Isaias poses a serious threat to Florida communities, with life-threatening storm surge, destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding expected across the affected region. With landfall imminent, timely federal assistance is critical to supporting state and local emergency response efforts and protecting Floridians, their property, and their communities.\n\nWe urge you to promptly approve Governor DeSantis’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration to ensure Florida has access to the federal resources necessary to prepare for and respond to this dangerous storm.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter and for your continued support of Florida.\n\nSincerely,\n\nSenator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website at www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-preparedness to get prepared today. See the latest on Hurricane Isaias from the National Hurricane Center at nhc.noaa.gov or @NHC_Atlantic on X, formerly known as Twitter, and from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT.\n\nAdditionally, Senator Scott encourages those recovering from previous hurricanes who need assistance with a federal agency, including FEMA and the SBA, or any other federal issue to contact his office at www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/09/rosen-helps-introduce-bill-to-strengthen-critical-minerals-supply-chain/", "title": "Rosen Helps Introduce Bill to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply Chain", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) helped introduce legislation to strengthen the United States’ supply chain for critical minerals. The Critical Mineral Executive Coordination Act would improve diplomatic training and executive branch coordination, creating a more comprehensive strategy for the acquisition of these important minerals and addressing vulnerabilities in global critical mineral supply chains. Critical minerals and rare earth metals play a key role in most modern technology.\n\n“With the People’s Republic of China controlling global critical minerals supply chains, the United States needs a durable strategy to secure reliable access to the resources that power our modern economy,” said Senator Rosen. “I am proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill to make sure our government has the training, skill, and supply chains necessary to maintain and grow the United States’ critical mineral leadership and ensure we’re not just playing catch-up to China.”\n\nSenator Rosen has worked to solidify U.S. global leadership in critical minerals and rare earth elements. Earlier this year, she introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen American STEM education and build a workforce pipeline to support the growing domestic critical mineral mining industry through the creation of a mining Fulbright exchange program. Senator Rosen has also worked to promote responsible hardrock mining practices in Nevada and around the world. In February, Senator Rosen’s bill to combat illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere passed out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Last Congress, Senator Rosen helped secure a provision in the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act to grow the next generation of mining engineers, promote the use of critical minerals, and develop a secure and reliable supply chain.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-189-colleagues-demand-rfk-withdraw-latest-attempt-to-illegally-dismantle-head-start/", "title": "NEWS: Sanders, 189 Colleagues Demand RFK Withdraw Latest Attempt to Illegally Dismantle Head Start", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.sanders.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "domain": "www.sanders.senate.gov", "scraper": "sanders", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000033", "name": "Bernard Sanders", "party": "Independent", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, October 7 — After the Trump administration proposed removing over 90% of Head Start’s standards and leaving children nationwide to face the possibility of becoming ineligible overnight, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, and 188 members of Congress called on Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to withdraw this latest attempt to illegally dismantle the federal Head Start program.\n\n“Let us be very clear: what you are proposing seriously weakens the high-quality, comprehensive research-backed services required by law, undermines access to critical services, restricts access for children and families, and creates uncertainty for Head Start programs across the nation,” Sanders and the lawmakers wrote. “This proposed rule is a brazen attempt to dismantle Head Start without regard for the hundreds of thousands of young children and working-class families who depend on these programs and services every year.”\n\nSince taking office, the Trump administration has undertaken unprecedented efforts to gut Head Start — the program that has provided high-quality early education and comprehensive services for more than 40 million children and working-class families for over 60 years. President Trump has fired federal staff, threatened to eliminate the program entirely, illegally withheld funds from Head Start and slashed critical programs for children and families to pay for $1 trillion in tax breaks for the top 1% and over $900 billion in tax breaks for large corporations. Today, nearly 800,000 children receive early education, health and dental care, and healthy meals through Head Start, while their families access referrals for job training, adult education, nutrition services and housing support.\n\n“Under your proposal, Head Start children could be subject to corporal punishment; left unsupervised; have larger class sizes; have less qualified teachers; and no longer receive preventative and continuous health services, including oral health and mental health services,” the lawmakers wrote. “Under your proposal, 80% of children in Head Start will face worse staff-to-child ratios. Nearly 1 in 10 children currently served in Head Start could become ineligible for services overnight. Key Head Start health, dental, mental health, and developmental services will be reduced nationwide. And the duration of the Head Start school day could be cut in half in many communities, leaving working families stranded and without child care. That is unacceptable.”\n\nThe Trump administration’s proposed rule would illegally weaken the protections and services required under the Head Start Act. Specifically, it would:\n\nEliminate critical quality and safety standards for Head Start classrooms, including requirements for safe learning environments, appropriate staff-to-child ratios, qualified teachers and staff, and high-quality instruction.\n\nCut critical health services that children and families depend on, including preventive, oral health, and mental health services.\n\nShorten Head Start operating hours, reducing the amount of time children can access early education and comprehensive services.\n\nEliminate enrollment protections for children with disabilities, putting vulnerable children at greater risk of losing access to Head Start.\n\nUndermine services for dual language learners, making it harder for children to receive the support they need to succeed in the classroom.\n\n“You made a commitment to Congress to ‘preserve’ Head Start, yet this proposed rule is the latest attempt by the Administration to deteriorate and ultimately eliminate the program by gutting the core standards and services that have long-defined and ensured its success.” The senators concluded: “We strongly urge you to withdraw the proposed rule, obey the law, and protect the legacy of Head Start.”\n\nJoining Sanders as cosigners on the letter are Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Timothy Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-schiff-talks-ai-guardrails-competition-with-china-and-outlook-for-tech-regulation-in-new-congress-at-punchbowl-news-tech-summit/", "title": "ICYMI: Sen. Schiff Talks AI Guardrails, Competition with China, and Outlook for Tech Regulation in New Congress at Punchbowl News Tech Summit", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "San Francisco, CA — This week, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) discussed his view on rapidly developing AI capabilities and the role of Congress in regulating the technology during an interview with Punchbowl News co-founders Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer at the publication’s first-ever Tech Summit in San Francisco.\n\nIn the wide-ranging discussion, Schiffhighlighted his legislation to ensure private industry pays for the energy they use amid the buildout of data centers – so that Americans are not forced to pay higher energy costs as a result of the AI boom – and discussed Democrats’ approach to AI oversight next year, noting that Americans should “expect constructive oversight, not destructive oversight.”\n\nSchiff also discussedthe risks he sees in rapidly advancing AI models and argued that concerns about competition with China should include prioritization of safety, developing a skilled workforce, and improving education.\n\nView the full interview here.\n\nKey Excerpts:\n\nOn Democrats’ AI priorities should control of Congress flip:\n\n[…] I think the industry should expect constructive oversight, not destructive oversight. I think it should expect a Democratic majority that wants technology to succeed, wants these jobs to stay in America, wants their contribution to the economy and medicine and science but believes in regulation. Does not believe that any group of people be by dint of their wealth are empowered to make decisions affecting all of society for themselves. I think that’s what they should expect.\n\n[…] What I do want to see is oversight that leads to sensible regulation of an industry that can do a lot of good and can do a lot of harm. To minimize the harms, to protect against the harms, do what government is supposed to do. I want to see a Congress that does what we have done in the past when we also had massive powerful corporations but we’re not afraid to regulate them. That is a basic function of government.\n\nOn why Congress must move quickly to put guardrails on advanced AI:\n\n[…] I do think we need to put in place protocols and monitors, a system to make sure that as these frontier models are developing, they’re developing safely. That there are processes in place where we don’t have to simply take the word of the companies that ‘don’t worry we’re doing it safely.’ I certainly don’t believe the self-policing; the moral authority argument is sufficient. There’s just too much profit motive, too much of a collective action problem that confronts the whole industry globally.\n\n[…] You train the power of AI to find out everything it can about a single individual. Do we really think that their health records or their purchases or their subscriptions or any of their data is beyond the reach of an AI agent, sophisticated model, trying to find out the personal information? And with all the Flock cameras and with all the other CCTV cameras and the vulnerability of those systems, are we going to have any privacy left? And I think unless Congress acts, there won’t be any privacy left.\n\nOn ensuring AI development is safe as we compete with China to establish AI dominance:\n\n[…] I get that we should be very concerned about China’s advances in this area. I don’t want to dismiss that argument. That’s an argument that says that we need to reach some kind of an accord with China, which won’t be easy to do, but we need to do our best. It is not an argument though that, because China is making advances and we want to stay ahead of China, that we should rush headlong with the development of these models and regenerative AI in such a way that well, ‘let’s be sure that if we kill ourselves we do it first rather than letting China do it.’ We still want to make sure what we’re doing is safe for our people and safe for others.\n\n[…] Why don’t we focus on improving our education system? Improving STEM education, making sure that everyone who graduates from high school has a good solid education, that the doors of higher education are open. Let’s compete with China on a skilled workforce. Let’s compete with China in how we think about the integration and the manufacturing of products that will incorporate AI. That’s where a lot of the economic benefits are going to come.\n\nOn passing legislation to protect Americans from absorbing higher costs from data center buildouts:\n\n[…] I introduced an early bill on this that would insist essentially that these data centers pay their own way. That they not only develop their own energy, but also that they have additional capacity to put energy into the grid during peak times. That they are responsible for the upgrades to the regional system that those costs are not socialized to others. It’s not hard to require that. It’s certainly not going to be done just by some kind of, ‘well, we give you our word.’\n\n[…] There should be complete transparency. I don’t think people should be misled about a project and then suddenly learn it’s going to be a data center in their backyard. But I don’t think everywhere is the same and I think communities should make the decision. Do they want it? Do they not want it? And some communities may want it, and many will not want it and that ought to be a decision that is made locally and I think not nationally. But we should be insistent nationally that those costs and burdens not be socialized onto others.\n\nOn the Senate’s latest proposal for permitting reform:\n\n[…] We absolutely need permitting reform, and it looks like we may be close. What I’m going to be particularly looking at, and the text was just released, so we’re all kind of digging through it, is this going to be just regulatory reform for the oil and gas industry? Is this really just going to be used to advance those two sources of energy or, is this going to be advantageous to renewables? And what about in an administration in which there is almost a theocratic objection to anything but oil and gas? We’ve seen our state punished repeatedly by this president who only represents those states that he won. Is that going to continue? Are there any meaningful limits on that in this permitting reform? That’s what I’m going to be looking at.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-schiff-peters-bilirakis-and-pallone-lead-100-colleagues-in-urging-state-department-to-help-end-azerbaijans-military-presence-in-armenia-and-secure-the-release-of-armenian-prisoners/", "title": "NEWS: Schiff, Peters, Bilirakis, and Pallone Lead 100+ Colleagues in Urging State Department to Help End Azerbaijan’s Military Presence in Armenia and Secure the Release of Armenian Prisoners Illegally Held by Azerbaijan", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.), along with U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.-12) and Frank Pallone (D-N.J.-06), led over 100 lawmakers in sending a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the State Department to prioritize the release of Armenian detainees being unlawfully held in Azerbaijan.\n\n“We are concerned that amid these positive steps Azerbaijan continues to undermine the peace process. Azerbaijan’s decision to sentence the unlawfully detained Armenian prisoners of war demonstrates a willingness to upend stability. Additionally, the presence of Azerbaijani military forces in more than 200 square kilometers of Armenian territory creates asymmetry in ongoing talks,” the lawmakers wrote.\n\nThose being detained include political and military leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh who have been illegally imprisoned since Azerbaijan’s attack on the region in 2023. Additionally, the letter calls on Secretary Rubio to advocate for the removal of Azerbaijani military forces from within Armenia. Currently, Azerbaijan maintains a military presence in over 200 square kilometers of land within Armenia. Furthermore, the letter instructs the State Department to withhold military assistance from Azerbaijan if the government remains uncooperative on addressing these issues.\n\n“The United States has a critical role in ensuring that ongoing talks yield results that advance peace and security in the region,” the lawmakers continued.\n\n“As Azerbaijan continues to unlawfully detain Armenian hostages, destroy Artsakh’s ancient Christian heritage, and occupy Armenia’s sovereign territory, the U.S. should not be subsidizing the very regime responsible for these abuses. Instead, Washington should use its leverage to hold Baku accountable for its aggression and advance a truly just, durable, and dignified peace in the South Caucasus,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of Armenian National Committee of America. “The ANCA thanks Senator Peters, Senator Schiff, and Representatives Bilirakis and Pallone for leading this bipartisan, bicameral call to withhold U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan. The support of 101 Members of Congress on this letter sends a clear message: Azerbaijan’s destabilizing conduct and repeated violations of international law must not be rewarded with U.S. taxpayer dollars.”\n\n“The extent of bipartisan and bicameral support reflects a clear recognition in Congress that U.S. policy toward Azerbaijan must be grounded in accountability and measurable outcomes. The unlawful detention of Armenian hostages remains a serious humanitarian and rule-of-law concern that has direct bearing on U.S. policy. Section 907 equips the government with leverage that should ensure U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan is aligned with concrete progress toward accountability, regional stability, and a durable peace. Congress has sent a clear signal that these concerns warrant sustained attention by the Administration’s engagement in the region. U.S. policy should guarantee a lasting peace,” said Mariam Khaloyan, Director of Congressional Relations at the Armenian Assembly of America.\n\nBackground: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 marked 1,000 days since Armenian prisoners of war and civilian hostages were unlawfully detained by Azerbaijan following the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in 2023. At least 19 Armenians are still held as POWs and 120,000 civilians were forcefully displaced.\n\nCalifornia is home to nearly 250,000 Armenians – more than half of the Armenian diaspora in the United States – and Senator Schiff has been a strong champion for the Armenian community, leading Congress to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide in 2019.\n\nSchiff has consistently submitted provisions to be included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to bring home Armenian POWs following Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh in 2023. He will continue pushing for the release of POWs.\n\nMost recently, Schiff urged the Department of State to highlight Azerbaijan’s human rights abuses in its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2025 and push for an end to Azerbaijan’s continued human rights violations.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nDear Secretary Rubio,\n\nWe recognize the work this administration has done to mediate peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Furthermore, we note efforts by Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve longstanding border disputes through consistent talks. However, we are concerned that amid these positive steps Azerbaijan continues to undermine the peace process. Azerbaijan’s decision to sentence unlawfully detained Armenian prisoners of war demonstrates a willingness to upend stability. Additionally, the presence of Azerbaijani military forces in more than 200 square kilometers of Armenian territory creates asymmetry in ongoing talks. This context illustrates Azerbaijan’s fragile commitment to the process and emphasizes the importance of the United States remaining engaged on this issue. As Azerbaijan’s conduct threatens to compromise the integrity of the peace process, we note with concern the recent decision to reauthorize the waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act [U.S. Public Law No: 102-511]. Despite the issuance of the waiver, we urge your administration to withhold U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan if they continue to jeopardize the success of negotiations. The United States has a critical role in ensuring that ongoing talks yield results that advance peace and security in the region.\n\nIn February 2026, Azerbaijan sentenced 16 Armenian detainees to extended terms ranging from 15 years to life in prison. These sentences followed a series of trials that were widely rebuked by international human rights organizations, legal experts, and the European Parliament as a miscarriage of justice. Azerbaijan continues to imprison scores of domestic journalists, opposition leaders, and activists on politically motivated and unfounded charges. The decision to proceed with the trials and sentencing of Armenian detainees is consistent with Azerbaijan’s practice of denying fundamental due process and rule of law. The detainees included political and military leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh who have been held illegally since Azerbaijan’s military assault on the region in 2023. Almost three years have passed since Azerbaijan’s attack on Nagorno-Karabakh forcibly displaced over 100,000 Armenian inhabitants in what has been widely characterized as an act of ethnic cleansing. In addition to forced displacement there continue to be reports of the destruction of Armenian Churches in Nagorno-Karabakh. The pattern of cultural erasure in the region and the decision to move forward with sentencing these individuals calls into question Azerbaijan’s genuine commitment to long term peace and stability.\n\nOn April 29, 2026, Armenia and Azerbaijan held the thirteenth meeting to discuss border delimitation. Addressing longstanding border disputes remains a critical task to ensure the stability of any future peace agreement. So far, the only practical outcome from these talks has come from Armenia’s efforts to address Soviet-era territorial disputes. In May of 2024 Armenia returned four Azerbaijani enclave villages that had been under Armenian control since the first Karabakh war. However, these efforts have been complicated by Azerbaijan’s ongoing occupation of an estimated 241.4 sq kilometers of Armenian territory, following military encroachments into Armenia in 2021 and 2022. Azerbaijan’s recent encroachments and entrenched military presence within Armenia’s internationally recognized borders presents a security challenge and sets the stage for asymmetric negotiations. A just outcome to these talks is imperative to maintaining the integrity of Armenian sovereignty and ensuring long-term stability in the region. We encourage the administration to use existing leverage, such as withholding military assistance, to ensure positive outcomes.\n\nFollowing a White House summit with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan last year, the waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act was extended. Although the summit was an important step in the right direction there is still significant work to be done to address unresolved humanitarian and security issues. It is clear, that the decision to waive Section 907 has not induced Azerbaijan’s engagement on ensuring the release of detainees. As a result, we are concerned that Azerbaijan’s inconsistent behavior jeopardizes the prospect of a just and long-lasting peace in the region – and that the continued waiver of Section 907 without a commitment to addressing these concerns will only further encourage destabilizing actions.\n\nJune 23rd, 2026, marked the 1000th day of unlawful detention for the Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan’s custody. It is imperative that the United States applies meaningful pressure on Azerbaijan to ensure their release, as required under international law. We call on the administration to engage with Azerbaijan to secure the release of detainees and encourage the removal of Azerbaijani military forces from sovereign Armenian land. If meaningful steps are not taken, we urge your administration to withhold U.S. military assistance in order to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to ensuring all parties take the peace process seriously.\n\nWe thank you for your consideration and look forward to the opportunity to work with you on efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-schiff-ricketts-resolution-designating-october-as-substance-use-misuse-prevention-month-passes-senate/", "title": "NEWS: Schiff, Ricketts Resolution Designating October as Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month Passes Senate", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) introduced a resolution to designate October 2026 as Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month in America. The Senate passed the bipartisan resolution on September 30.\n\n“Substance use and misuse affect millions of Americans each year, from every community and of all ages,” said Senator Schiff. “I am proud to join Senator Ricketts in supporting crucial prevention programs to combat the drug addiction and overdose epidemic in our country.”\n\n“Substance abuse is a public health issue with terrible consequences for Nebraskans,” said Senator Ricketts.“Our loved ones and communities suffer from illegal drug use. Just last year, substance abuse affected nearly 45 million Americans. We can and must do more. This bipartisan resolution raises awareness of abuse and the need to support prevention efforts.”\n\nThe full text of the resolution can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-sen-schiff-calls-for-stronger-guardrails-on-ai-promises-vigorous-oversight-of-rogue-agent-episodes-on-the-verges-decoder-podcast/", "title": "WATCH: Sen. Schiff Calls for Stronger Guardrails on AI, Promises Vigorous Oversight of Rogue Agent Episodes on The Verge’s Decoder Podcast", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schiff.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.schiff.senate.gov", "scraper": "schiff", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001150", "name": "Adam B. Schiff", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Schiff on the need for bipartisan action on AI regulation: “Increasingly, as people hear from their constituents, there’ll be bipartisan interest in legislating this area.”\n\nWashington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) detailed his AI priorities during an appearance on The Verge’s Decoder Podcast with Nilay Patel. During the interview, Schiff highlighted the need for enforceable industry-wide guardrails that protect against the potential harms of frontier AI development and underscored that voluntary commitments like the framework put forward by Donald Trump would not be enough.\n\nSchiff also noted that if control of Congress changes, Democrats will pursue oversight of harmful AI incidents, noting: “You’re going to see vigorous oversight in this area… We’re going to want the leaders of this industry to come in and talk about all of the times that their own agents have gotten away from them, how it happened, what’s been done about it, and what they’re doing about it. We’re going to want these companies to be transparent with Congress about it.”\n\nThe Senator also voiced support for the establishment of a regulatory body designed with the high expertise and discretion necessary to keep up with advanced model development.\n\nView the full interview here.\n\nKey Excerpts:\n\nOn how Congress’s failure to regulate social media should inform its approach to putting guardrails on AI:\n\nI’ll be honest, very circumspect about Congress and legislating the tech sector because we did such a — I don’t know what language I’m allowed to use here — but such a shitty job when it comes to any kind of regulation of the harms, the societal harms coming out of social media. We’re going to have to do a much better job and much more quickly when it comes to AI, because the threats are even more significant and we’re already at the point of strong potential harms. It can’t wait. We certainly can’t take the kind of years we’ve taken to try to even wrap ourselves around social media.\n\nOn how Democrats would conduct tech industry oversight if control of Congress flips:\n\nYou’re going to see vigorous oversight in this area to begin with. We’re going to want the leaders of this industry to come in and talk about all of the times that their own agents have gotten away from them, how it happened, what’s been done about it, and what they’re doing about it. We’re going to want these companies to be transparent with Congress about it. We’re going to want to legislate in this area, and that may come into conflict with the president, but there’s a lot of bipartisan work product here. And I think that given where the country is and where it’s moving, it becomes increasingly difficult for this president to veto bipartisan work product coming out of the Congress. So that is my hope. It’s certainly a far better prospect than we have today. This is going to be a very central priority for the American people. We want to harness AI for the good it can do. We want to use it to bring down the cost of things. That’s our central priority. And there are ways that AI might be useful in bringing down certain costs. We want to protect the dignity of work also, but we want to make sure that this doesn’t pose a threat to the American people.\n\nOn Trump’s voluntary AI regulatory framework not being enough to match the threat of frontier advancements:\n\nIt was interesting to see all those tech leaders there signing onto this voluntary pledge on the one hand and on the other hand, away from the White House grounds, away from the president, being very public and saying, “We need regulation. We don’t want this to be just ‘Trust us, we’ll do the right thing.’” So yeah, it was very distant, very jarring. None of these companies want to incur the wrath of this very vengeful president. Apparently, they will say what he wants them to say in his presence. But the reality is, there is a real national security threat here. As these models become more and more advanced, as they advance themselves through this recursive AI, we have less and less of a sense of what they’re doing, how they’re deciding what they’re deciding, and what they’re trying to access lawfully or unlawfully. That is a national security concern of the highest order. There are other security concerns too.\n\nOn the need for a regulatory body to keep up with advanced model development:\n\nThis debate is going to keep evolving as AI evolves and at a speed that is really much faster than Congress has proven capable of legislating. I like to say that in the technology world, Moore’s law is increasing productivity, doubling it every 18 months, and with AI, maybe that’s quadrupling it every five months. The legislative calendar works more on a Murphy’s law timetable. And I think that disparity is even more pronounced in the area of AI. What I think that translates into is that we’re going to need a regulatory body that has real discretion and real expertise that can move a lot quicker than Congress can. Whether that looks like an FDA for artificial intelligence or some other agency, I think that’s ultimately going to be necessary. That agency’s going to have to have real power and teeth and real expertise. It’s going to be a challenge, as with these independent monitors: if there’s a government component there, how do we afford that? Because there’s so much talent, and that talent can draw much bigger salaries in the private sector. But I do think we’re going to need a regulatory body in addition to whatever the overarching statutory framework is.\n\nOn the need for enforceable industry-wide regulation of AI and data center build outs:\n\nData centers are the most tangible way for people to express their concerns about their neighborhood, but also about their job, about the technology, and about the uncertainty of it all. And I think the initial concern, and I still think it’s quite a dominant concern, is over the impact on jobs and the nature of work. But what has reached the fore more recently is concern about runaway AI and the danger it poses. What will the concern look like a month or two months from now? I don’t know, but I do think it’s not going away. And as the AI bills — and I’ve introduced several — indicate, not just mine, but others, most of those bills are bipartisan. […] My bill on the data centers would force them to pay the costs so that consumers don’t have to. It’s not the voluntary, “we pledge, we might, we’d like to; just don’t provide anything that will force us to observe those costs.” Those are mostly democratic bills. Republicans have largely adhered to the president’s line about not posing any real imposition. They want to pass fig-leaf kind of stuff, but not real stuff. But I think increasingly, as people hear from their constituents, there’ll be bipartisan interest in legislating this area.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/after-leading-bipartisan-effort-urging-departments-of-defense-and-commerce-to-secure-silicon-carbide-supply-chain-from-unfair-chinese-competition-schumer-announces-massive-15-billion-federal-investment-for-wolfspeed-to-supercharge-domestic-silicon-carbide-semiconductor-manufacturing-in-upstate-new-york", "title": "AFTER LEADING BIPARTISAN EFFORT URGING DEPARTMENTS OF DEFENSE AND COMMERCE TO SECURE SILICON CARBIDE SUPPLY CHAIN FROM UNFAIR CHINESE COMPETITION, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES MASSIVE $1.5 BILLION FEDERAL...", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.schumer.senate.gov", "scraper": "schumer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000148", "name": "Charles E. Schumer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Schumer Says Transformative 30-Year DOD Loan Commitment Positions Wolfspeed As A Supplier Of Silicon Carbide Semiconductors Essential To U.S. National Security, Catalyzing Domestic Chip Production & Creating Good-Paying Jobs In The Mohawk Valley\n\nAs Longtime Champion Of Wolfspeed, Schumer Previously Delivered The CHIPS Investment Tax Credit From His Bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law To Expand Production & Workforce At Wolfspeed’s Fab In Marcy\n\nSchumer: We’re Making The Mohawk Valley A Key Stop On Upstate NY’s Rapidly Growing Semiconductor Superhighway\n\nAfter leading a bipartisan delegation of U.S. Senators urging the Secretaries of Defense and Commerce to support a whole-of-government response to preserve and strengthen domestic manufacturing of silicon carbide, Schumer today announced a massive $1.5 billion investment from the U.S. Department of Defense (“DoD”) for Wolfspeed to supercharge manufacturing of its silicon carbide semiconductors, which are critical for next-generation applications across aerospace, defense, and infrastructure.\n\nSchumer, building on years of tireless advocacy in support of Wolfspeed, including delivering the federal CHIPS Investment Tax Credit as part of his bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law, said that this 30-year, $1.5 billion loan commitment through the DoD’s Office of Strategic Capital would enable Wolfspeed to expand production of their state-of-the-art semiconductors for use by the defense supply chain, creating good-paying jobs at its industry-leading fab in the Mohawk Valley and would also expand Upstate New York’s rapidly growing Semiconductor Superhighway.\n\n“I’ve been advocating for years for the federal investment needed for Wolfspeed to scale domestic production of silicon carbide chips, which this $1.5 billion DoD investment would supercharge. I have been leading the bipartisan charge to strengthen the domestic manufacturing of silicon carbide because of how critical it is to our national security and to outcompeting China. Wolfspeed is powering American technological leadership, national security, and international competitiveness from their state-of-the-art semiconductor fab at the Marcy Nanocenter, and their silicon carbide chips would define the next generation of innovation,” said Senator Schumer. “After fighting for more than a decade to transform Upstate New York into a globally recognized semiconductor superhighway, this is yet another example that the work is paying off here in Oneida County. I will never stop fighting to create good-paying jobs, protect our national security, and deliver for communities across the Mohawk Valley.”\n\nIn a recent bipartisan letter led by Schumer, he and the other senators explained that silicon carbide is the foundational substrate for a critical class of next-generation semiconductors thanks to its unique combination of high voltage tolerance, thermal conductivity, and switching speed, which make it both indispensable across advanced defense systems, electric grid infrastructure, 5G telecommunications, and the modern automotive sector.\n\n“We believe the scale and 30-year tenor of this conditional commitment reflects the long-term importance of the technology and manufacturing capabilities Wolfspeed has built in the United States,” said Robert Feurle, Chief Executive Officer of Wolfspeed. “This financing would strengthen our continued advancement of silicon carbide materials and wide bandgap power devices, reinforcing our efforts to build a more resilient U.S. semiconductor and defense industrial base.”\n\nOn the heels of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the U.S. and Beijing launching its Made in China 2025 initiative, making silicon carbide a national industrial, military, and economic priority, Schumer emphasized that accelerating U.S. global leadership in the development and production of cutting-edge silicon carbide, gallium nitride, and other high bandgap semiconductors produced by companies like Wolfspeed as well as onsemi, with operations in both the Hudson Valley and Central New York, is critical to countering China’s efforts to dominate the global silicon carbide semiconductor industry and supply chain. Over the last five years, Chinese producers have increased their share of the global silicon carbide market from under 5 percent to nearly 50 percent.\n\nSchumer added, “As I’ve been warning for years, we cannot let the CCP get its hands on our advanced chips and the manufacturing equipment needed to produce them. It's time to stand up to Xi for the sake of the American people and for global security. We must act now to bolster and secure the silicon carbide semiconductor industry before it's too late.”\n\nSchumer has fought for decades to position the Mohawk Valley and Upstate NY to attract billions of dollars in new investment, create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, and ascend as a national leader in advanced manufacturing and defense technologies. In addition to creating the conditions for companies like Wolfspeed to grow and thrive, Schumer is actively working with Oneida County and Mohawk Valley EDGE to help lure additional semiconductor, manufacturing supply chain, and defense technology companies to the Marcy Nanocenter, which the Senator has long called one of the premier, shovel-ready sites in the entire country, as well as the Griffiss Business & Technology Park.\n\n“This $1.5 billion federal commitment further demonstrates that the groundwork laid by Oneida County continues to pay off and recognizes the critical role Wolfspeed plays in the semiconductor ecosystem. The advanced semiconductor technologies being developed by Wolfspeed have important applications for our national defense and complement the groundbreaking research and innovation taking place at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome. Having these capabilities in our community strengthens Oneida County’s position in the nation’s semiconductor and defense technology ecosystem, and this announcement reinforces the importance of continuing to grow that presence. I thank Senator Schumer for his bipartisan work to help make this commitment possible and for his continued efforts to support semiconductor manufacturing and national security in our region,” said Anthony J. Picente Jr., Oneida County Executive\n\n“Today’s announcement is another significant vote of confidence in Wolfspeed, the Marcy Nanocenter, and the growing semiconductor ecosystem taking root in Upstate New York. We are grateful to Senator Chuck Schumer for his relentless advocacy on behalf of Wolfspeed and the broader semiconductor industry. His leadership has helped position New York and the Mohawk Valley as critical contributors to America’s advanced manufacturing, economic competitiveness, and national security. This conditional financing commitment further reinforces the importance of Wolfspeed’s operations in Marcy and the long-term opportunities that lie ahead for our region,” said Marc Barraco, Chief of Staff, Mohawk Valley EDGE.\n\nThanks to Schumer’s bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law, Upstate New York is undergoing a historic transformation into an internationally recognized epicenter of semiconductor manufacturing, innovation, and workforce development. The senator landed and delivered billions of dollars to realize Micron’s historic $100+ billion semiconductor megafab in Onondaga County – which broke ground earlier this year and is currently proceeding ahead of schedule – creating over 50,000 new good-paying jobs and thousands of construction jobs. The senator fought for and successfully delivered a designation and $40 million implementation award to launch the NY Smart I-Corridor Tech Hub, establishing Upstate NY as a national hub for workforce training, innovation, and manufacturing of semiconductor technologies. The senator also delivered a $32 million CHIPS funding agreement for Corning Incorporated to fuel its $315 million investment to increase the production of its specialized glass vital for semiconductor manufacturing in Northern NY, creating 300 good-paying manufacturing and construction jobs.\n\nSchumer has also been a leading champion for national security innovation and economic development across the region. Schumer has fought tirelessly to deliver billions of dollars in annual appropriations and federal contracts to Rome’s Air Force Research Lab, and drive hundreds of millions of dollars of annual economic impact across the Mohawk Valley and more than 1,000 good-paying jobs at Rome Lab and across its burgeoning defense industrial base. Schumer delivered a $30 million federal Defense Production Act investment, driving TTM Technologies’ $130 million expansion to manufacture cutting-edge printed circuit boards critical and create up to 400 good-paying jobs in the Town of DeWitt. Schumer has also successfully secured more than $100 million in annual appropriations and federal contracts over the last decade for Saab to expand the footprint of its global headquarters in East Syracuse, adding hundreds of good-paying new jobs and tens of thousands of square feet of new production capacity.\n\nA copy of the Schumer-led delegation letterto the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Commerce is included below:\n\nDear Secretaries Hegseth and Lutnick:\n\nWe write to draw your attention to a critical matter at the intersection of national security, economic competitiveness and trade policy: the accelerating Chinese government effort to dominate the global silicon carbide semiconductor industry and supply chain, and the urgent need for a whole-of-government response to preserve and strengthen trusted domestic and allied manufacturing of silicon carbide.\n\nSilicon carbide is the foundational substrate for a critical class of next-generation semiconductors that are indispensable across advanced defense systems, AI data centers, electric grid infrastructure, 5G telecommunications, and the modern automotive sector. Silicon carbide's unique combination of high-voltage tolerance, thermal conductivity, and switching speed makes it irreplaceable in high-performance air, land and sea propulsion systems, directed energy weapons, and air and missile defense systems.\n\nSince launching its Made in China 2025 initiative, Beijing has recognized the military and economic importance of silicon carbide and made global domination in the sector a national industrial priority. In the last five years, Chinese producers have increased their share of the global silicon carbide wafer market from less than 5 percent to nearly 50 percent today.\n\nClearly, China intends to undermine another strategically important industry built on American technology and ingenuity. If this campaign succeeds, the United States will find itself dependent on adversary supply chains for materials essential to our most advanced defense systems and critical technological infrastructure. The domestic supply chain is already under significant pressure and we are at risk of losing industry leaders and globally competitive manufacturers to this coordinated campaign. The time to act is now, before we reach the crisis stage where remedies are impossible or far more expensive and time-consuming.\n\nWe encourage you to leverage Defense Production Act authorities, critical minerals designations, Buy America requirements, and any other authorities at your disposal to ensure the U.S. can protect its silicon carbide supply chain.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senate-passes-three-of-sen-tim-scotts-bills-to-strengthen-taxpayer-protections/", "title": "Senate passes three of Sen. Tim Scott’s bills to strengthen taxpayer protections", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.scott.senate.gov", "scraper": "timscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001184", "name": "Tim Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Three bills introduced by U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) unanimously passed the Senate as part of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, legislation aimed at modernizing IRS technology, strengthening customer service standards, and protecting taxpayer rights in disputes. Sen. Scott’s provisions include the IRS Accountability and Taxpayer Protection Act, the Tax Court Parity Act, and the Tax Relief for Innocent Spouses Act.\n\n“Hardworking Americans deserve a tax system that works for them, not against them. My three bills strengthen taxpayer protections and fix inconsistencies in our tax system so Americans are treated fairly,” said Sen. Scott. “By unanimously passing these commonsense reforms, the Senate is making it clear that the American people should not have to pay the price for flaws in our tax system. I’ll continue standing up for American taxpayers and fighting to help them keep more of their hard-earned money where it belongs – in their pockets, not the government’s.”\n\nThe IRS Accountability and Taxpayer Protection Act aims to protect taxpayers from improper or automated penalties by requiring IRS employees to get approval from a supervisor before approving or denying penalties.\n\nThe Tax Court Parity Act would protect taxpayers’ rights by granting the Tax Court the authority to review and correct decisions in prior cases in limited circumstances of clerical errors, newly discovered evidence, fraud or misconduct concerns, or defective judgments.\n\nLastly, the Tax Relief for Innocent Spouses Act would provide innocent spouses relief from tax debts caused by their spouse’s hidden incomes or mistakes by allowing the Tax Court to review the full scope of evidence in appeal cases. This protection is essential for spouses facing domestic abuse or who lack access to financial information.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-calls-on-risch-foreign-relations-committee-to-hold-hearing-into-embassy-officials-reported-obstruction-from-congress-of-information-around-deaths-of-american-citizens-in-west-bank", "title": "Van Hollen Calls On Risch, Foreign Relations Committee to Hold Hearing Into Embassy Officials’ Reported Obstruction from Congress of Information Around Deaths of American Citizens in West Bank", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Following reporting from the New York Times yesterday that a U.S. Embassy official, David Milstein, and Ambassador Mike Huckabee have obstructed congressional inquiries into the killings of American citizens in the West Bank, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is calling on the Committee’s Chairman, Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) to hold hearings on this matter. According to the New York Times reporting, embassy official David Milstein, a political appointee, altered the contents of a report requested by Senator Van Hollen and 30 of his Senate colleagues into the deaths of American citizens in the West Bank. Given this reporting, Senator Van Hollen is calling for a hearing into the withholding of this information as well as the release of the original report intended for Congress.\n\n“I write to respectfully request that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hold a hearing on concerning reports regarding how Ambassador Mike Huckabee and his advisor, David Milstein, have obstructed congressional inquiries into the lack of accountability for the killing of American citizens and ongoing violence in the West Bank. The American people deserve answers about what’s happening in the West Bank, especially when it comes to the deaths of American citizens. It is unacceptable that Amb. Huckabee and his staff continue to cover up and block access to essential information about these killings. Congress must seek answers. Regardless of political party, we should not accept the withholding of information from Congress and the precedent this sets in undermining our constitutional responsibility,” the Senator begins.\n\n“The job of a U.S. ambassador, and their staff, whether a political or civilian employee, is to defend and protect U.S. interests. As these reports lay bare, both Ambassador Huckabee and David Milstein have failed to do so. They have undermined the essential functions of the U.S. embassy in Israel, which includes protecting and assisting American citizens, as well as reporting unvarnished facts on the ground back to Washington. Instead, Amb. Huckabee and David Milstein have become apologists for the most extreme Israeli government in history, even when the Israeli government actions undermined the Trump Administration’s own stated priorities,” he continued.\n\n“In March of this year, 30 of my colleagues joined me in sending a letter to Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Huckabee concerning the death of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a 19-year-old Palestinian shot and killed in the West Bank by violent Israeli settlers during an attack on Palestinian farmers. In the letter, we asked the Ambassador to hold the government of Israel accountable for the killings of nine Americans citizens over the last four years, as well as to provide ‘an update on the status of investigations into the killings of all the other Americans killed in the West Bank since January 2022.’ […] We never received that update,” Senator Van Hollen noted.\n\n“We now know the real reason why we never received that update. According to a report from the New York Times, when Embassy staff received our letter, they drafted a report that detailed the status of each investigation into the Americans killed in the West Bank. The report said that no one had been held accountable for any of these killings. Milstein stonewalled the report and instead insisted ‘that the embassy should send a letter saying that Israel was properly handling the investigations.’ This is an unacceptable example of an unelected staffer obstructing Congress from obtaining critical information on the killing of American citizens and violence in the West Bank,” the Senator stressed.\n\n“In the Department’s response to our March 2026 letter, they insisted that that ‘The Department’s highest priority is the safety and security of American citizens abroad.’ We must hold them to this standard and hold a hearing to determine what the Department knows, as well as request the original report written by embassy staff on the status about these killings,” the Senator closed.\n\nThe text of the Senator’s letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Senator Risch,\n\nI write to respectfully request that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hold a hearing on concerning reports regarding how Ambassador Mike Huckabee and his advisor, David Milstein, have obstructed congressional inquiries into the lack of accountability for the killing of American citizens and ongoing violence in the West Bank. The American people deserve answers about what’s happening in the West Bank, especially when it comes to the deaths of American citizens. It is unacceptable that Amb. Huckabee and his staff continue to cover up and block access to essential information about these killings. Congress must seek answers.\n\nThe job of a U.S. ambassador, and their staff, whether a political or civilian employee, is to defend and protect U.S. interests. As these reports lay bare, both Ambassador Huckabee and David Milstein have failed to do so. They have undermined the essential functions of the U.S. embassy in Israel, which includes protecting and assisting American citizens, as well as reporting unvarnished facts on the ground back to Washington. Instead, Amb. Huckabee and David Milstein have become apologists for the most extreme Israeli government in history, even when the Israeli government actions undermined the Trump Administration’s own stated priorities.\n\nIn March of this year, 30 of my colleagues joined me in sending a letter to Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Huckabee concerning the death of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a 19-year-old Palestinian shot and killed in the West Bank by violent Israeli settlers during an attack on Palestinian farmers. In the letter, we asked the Ambassador to hold the government of Israel accountable for the killings of nine Americans citizens over the last four years, as well as to provide “an update on the status of investigations into the killings of all the other Americans killed in the West Bank since January 2022.” We never received that update. Instead, in their response to us, we were told that the Embassy “has been working closely with our Israeli counterparts to ensure accountability for these deaths” but that further coordination of these issues with Israel have run into “logistical and operational challenges” due to the war with Iran.\n\nWe now know the real reason why we never received that update. According to a report from the New York Times, when Embassy staff received our letter, they drafted a report that detailed the status of each investigation into the Americans killed in the West Bank. The report said that no one had been held accountable for any of these killings. Milstein stonewalled the report and instead insisted “that the embassy should send a letter saying that Israel was properly handling the investigations.” This is an unacceptable example of an unelected staffer obstructing Congress from obtaining critical information on the killing of American citizens and violence in the West Bank. I ask you join me in requesting the Department provide Congress with that original draft report so we can get the answers we requested.\n\nThis reporting, as well as previous reports, go on to show that Milstein sought to downplay cables that described the horrific mass killings of Palestinians seeking aid at the now defunct Gaza Humanitarian Foundation disruption sites, where thousands of Palestinians were killed seeking food. Milstein also used his position to portray recent Israeli government actions which gave them more control over the West bank and made it easier for Israelis to buy West Bank land, at odds with President Trump’s opposition to West Bank annexation, as a “domestic matter,” and has rewritten or delayed multiple cables to paint the actions of the government of Israel in a more favorable light. This includes reversing cables on settler violence from mentioning Israel’s failure to curb settler violence to praising them for taking action. Previous reporting also found that Milstein’s control over Embassy procedures has created a chilling effect throughout the Embassy, undermining core functions of the Department’s work. Milstein was also implicated in the firing of a State Department communications officer working on Israeli-Palestinian affairs for recommending mentions in State Department materials of opposing forced displacement of Palestinian civilians and sympathy for journalists killed in Gaza.\n\nIn the Department’s response to our March 2026 letter, they insisted that that “The Department’s highest priority is the safety and security of American citizens abroad.” We must hold them to this standard and hold a hearing to determine what the Department knows, as well as request the original report written by embassy staff on the status about these killings.", "collected_at": "2026-10-11T11:13:35Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-11T11:14:45Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-elfreth-lead-lawmakers-in-urging-fisheries-commission-to-protect-chesapeake-bay-and-atlantic-coast-support-menhaden-conservation-measures", "title": "Van Hollen, Elfreth Lead Lawmakers in Urging Fisheries Commission to Protect Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coast, Support Menhaden Conservation Measures", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), along with nine of their colleagues, pressed the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) Atlantic Menhaden Management Board Chair Joe Cimino to prioritize an ecosystem-based management approach that supports a sustainable menhaden population, urging the Commission to move forward with the strongest menhaden protections proposed. The lawmakers stressed the importance of menhaden as a critical forage species that other wildlife species depend on and emphasized that management for long-term sustainability is key to supporting good-paying jobs in all menhaden-dependent fisheries.\n\nSenator Van Hollen and Representative Elfreth were joined in sending this letter by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Representatives April McClain Delaney (D-Md.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), and Bobby Scott (D-Va.).\n\nThe lawmakers begin, “The Chesapeake Bay is an especially important habitat for Atlantic menhaden because, as the nation’s largest estuary, it provides a major nursery area for menhaden and many other important species managed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission). Conservation-minded management principles are critical for the Chesapeake Bay menhaden; menhaden management not only impacts countless communities and businesses reliant on an abundant menhaden population, but also the health of other wildlife populations up and down the Atlantic coast that depend on this fish species for survival. During its consideration of updated management strategies for Atlantic menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay and coastwide, the Commission must prioritize an ecosystem-based management approach that supports long-term menhaden abundance and sustainable commercial and recreational fisheries. We urge the Commission to move forward with the strongest menhaden protections proposed in the Commission’s Draft Addendum II, as well as with precautionary management measures for the Atlantic coastwide quota.”\n\n“Menhaden are called ‘the most important fish in the sea’ for good reason. As a forage species, menhaden perform the critical task of consuming plankton and turning it into energy-rich animal protein that nourishes other wildlife. From iconic Chesapeake Bay fish species like striped bass (rockfish) – which are one of the most popular recreational fish species along the Atlantic, accounting for $7.7 billion in GDP annually – to birds of prey such as osprey and eagles, sea turtles, and even marine mammals like whales and dolphins, a wide variety of animals depend on menhaden as a food source. As a result, decreases in menhaden population have serious implications for other species; for example, there is strong evidence linking declining menhaden populations to recent declines in osprey reproduction in the Chesapeake Bay. Given the importance of menhaden to the health of the Chesapeake Bay and the entire marine food web, the Commission must carefully consider the ecosystem-level impacts of Atlantic menhaden harvest in their management decisions and promote risk-averse strategies that prioritize the ecological benefits menhaden provide,” they continue.\n\nOn the health of the ecosystems along the Atlantic coast, the lawmakers note, “It is our view that Atlantic menhaden are a public resource that benefit Atlantic coast communities in many ways, and so managing this species for long-term sustainability is key. A robust menhaden population is necessary to sustain all menhaden-dependent jobs, including those that rely on menhaden for bait, such as in the culturally significant Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery and other commercial and recreational fisheries up and down the Atlantic coast. Left in the water, menhaden also support a highly productive ecosystem and provide a key food source for other commercially and recreationally valuable fish species – such as striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, and bluefin tuna – so it is important that the Commission take into account how menhaden management measures will impact both the health of menhaden and non-menhaden fish populations.”\n\n“We urge the Commission to implement strong protections for Atlantic menhaden in order to support a sustainable, abundant menhaden population that can benefit all the fisheries and communities that depend on it,” the lawmakers conclude.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Chair Cimino,\n\nThe Chesapeake Bay is an especially important habitat for Atlantic menhaden because, as the nation’s largest estuary, it provides a major nursery area for menhaden and many other important species managed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission). Conservation-minded management principles are critical for the Chesapeake Bay menhaden; menhaden management not only impacts countless communities and businesses reliant on an abundant menhaden population, but also the health of other wildlife populations up and down the Atlantic coast that depend on this fish species for survival. During its consideration of updated management strategies for Atlantic menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay and coastwide, the Commission must prioritize an ecosystem-based management approach that supports long-term menhaden abundance and sustainable commercial and recreational fisheries. We urge the Commission to move forward with the strongest menhaden protections proposed in the Commission’s Draft Addendum II, as well as with precautionary management measures for the Atlantic coastwide quota.\n\nMenhaden are called “the most important fish in the sea” for good reason. As a forage species, menhaden perform the critical task of consuming plankton and turning it into energy-rich animal protein that nourishes other wildlife. From iconic Chesapeake Bay fish species like striped bass (rockfish) – which are one of the most popular recreational fish species along the Atlantic, accounting for $7.7 billion in GDP annually – to birds of prey such as osprey and eagles, sea turtles, and even marine mammals like whales and dolphins, a wide variety of animals depend on menhaden as a food source. As a result, decreases in menhaden population have serious implications for other species; for example, there is strong evidence linking declining menhaden populations to recent declines in osprey reproduction in the Chesapeake Bay. Given the importance of menhaden to the health of the Chesapeake Bay and the entire marine food web, the Commission must carefully consider the ecosystem-level impacts of Atlantic menhaden harvest in their management decisions and promote risk-averse strategies that prioritize the ecological benefits menhaden provide.\n\nIt is our view that Atlantic menhaden are a public resource that benefit Atlantic coast communities in many ways, and so managing this species for long-term sustainability is key. A robust menhaden population is necessary to sustain all menhaden-dependent jobs, including those that rely on menhaden for bait, such as in the culturally significant Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery and other commercial and recreational fisheries up and down the Atlantic coast. Left in the water, menhaden also support a highly productive ecosystem and provide a key food source for other commercially and recreationally valuable fish species – such as striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, and bluefin tuna – so it is important that the Commission take into account how menhaden management measures will impact both the health of menhaden and non-menhaden fish populations.\n\nWe support the Commission’s continued use of ecological reference points – such as striped bass – to guide Atlantic menhaden management decisions, and we encourage the Commission to adhere to the principles of ecosystem-based fishery management. By accounting for Atlantic menhaden’s role as prey for Atlantic coast species that depend on it for survival, the Commission can help to ensure a balanced approach to Atlantic menhaden management.\n\nUltimately, science-based decision-making is critical, which is why we fought to secure funding for Chesapeake Bay Atlantic Menhaden abundance research in the FY26 appropriations bill. We look forward to seeing the results of this study, which will provide critical information to inform future management decisions.\n\nIn the meantime, worrisome signs in the Chesapeake Bay – from dwindling osprey populations to reduced bait fishery landings – indicate that Atlantic Menhaden populations may be declining in the Bay, underscoring the importance of strategic, risk-averse management decisions today. Until better menhaden abundance data is available to inform management decisions, the Commission must put in place additional precautionary management measures, using the ecological reference point target as a goal, to ease pressure on vulnerable species that depend on menhaden.\n\nWe urge the Commission to implement strong protections for Atlantic menhaden in order to support a sustainable, abundant menhaden population that can benefit all the fisheries and communities that depend on it.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter and your efforts to sustainably manage Atlantic Menhaden in a manner that supports both the environment and local communities.", "collected_at": "2026-10-11T11:13:35Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-11T11:14:45Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-joins-mcclain-delaney-colleagues-in-call-to-pause-faas-ai-tool-at-washington-area-airports", "title": "Van Hollen Joins McClain Delaney, Colleagues in Call to Pause FAA’s AI Tool at Washington-Area Airports", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (D-Md.), along with Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), and Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), in urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to pause use of its new artificial intelligence-enabled air traffic management tool until the agency answers questions about safety testing, implementation, and oversight.\n\nThe letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford raises concerns about the September 21 deployment of the Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories (SMART) tool at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.\n\nAt a time when AI safety concerns are sky-high, the lawmakers warn that the FAA has not provided sufficient transparency around its decision-making process prior to deployment, nor the functioning of SMART’s underlying AI systems. Congress, and the public, deserve to know how AI systems were tested and how they will influence decisions before being deployed in safety critical systems.\n\nThe letter also raises concerns about reports that frontline aviation safety workers received only days of notice, or no notice at all, before deployment. With air traffic controllers already facing staffing pressures, the lawmakers stress that new technology must be introduced with adequate training and clear procedures for human oversight.\n\nThe lawmakers request answers in three areas:\n\nSafety testing: What evaluations were completed before deployment, how the system performs during severe weather or outages, and whether any safety review requirements were waived during the contracting process.\n\nConsultation and training: What input the FAA sought from airport authorities, air safety workers, and airlines; what training personnel received; and how the tool should influence decision-making.\n\nEvaluation and accountability: How the FAA will measure performance during the initial 90-day evaluation, what standards must be met before nationwide expansion, and who is responsible if a recommendation contributes to a safety incident.\n\nThe letter calls for a pause until lawmakers can better understand the FAA’s decision-making, rollout process, and evaluation plan. The co-leads emphasize that modernizing air traffic control must prioritize safety, transparency, and the expertise of the people responsible for keeping our skies safe.\n\nThe full text of the letter is availble here and below.\n\nDear Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford:\n\nWe write to express our concerns regarding the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) rollout of the AI-enabled Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories (SMART) tool to help manage air traffic above the National Capital Region (NCR) at the Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI), and Washington Dulles International (IAD) airports. The NCR is one of the busiest airspaces in the country and is still reeling from the impacts of the tragic midair collision of a passenger flight and military helicopter over DCA, in which 67 people died. We are incredibly concerned by the use of the NCR region to pilot AI tools in safety-critical aviation systems, especially as we have not seen any safety evaluation and testing reports, nor have we been made aware of any efforts to train aviation safety personnel on how best to use the tool. Given extensive recent reporting on AI cybersecurity incidents and other unpredictable behavior from AI systems, we are deeply concerned about the integration of any AI-enabled system into air traffic control systems, where decisions are literally a matter of life or death.\n\nWe understand that the SMART tool was built through a 12-year, $875 million contract. Yet here has been little transparency from either the Department of Transportation (DOT) or the FAA on how the AI systems underlying the SMART tool were tested, how it is being integrated into air traffic control (ATC) systems, and how the tool’s recommendations may impact already overburdened airspace and air traffic controllers. Nor has information been shared with local officials as to why the NCR, the region in which the deadliest U.S. air disaster in nearly 25 years occurred just last year, was chosen as the pilot test region. This, and other recent tragic aviation accidents such as the fatal March runway crash at LaGuardia Airport in New York, have highlighted the need for more investment in safer skies. need to modernize ATC systems - Congress appropriated $12.5 billion last year to do just that. However, any upgrades and changes to ATC systems must be made with safety as the first priority. We recognize the urgent need to modernize ATC systems - Congress appropriated $12.5 billion last year to do just that. However, any upgrades and changes to ATC systems must be made with safety as the first priority.\n\nHowever, we have heard from several sources that frontline aviation safety workers were notified of the SMART tool rollout mere days in advance or not at all, giving them no time to learn how the system works, how it is incorporated into their workflow, and what oversight and accountability mechanisms maintain aviation safety standards. There is already a shortage of air traffic controllers, and we are concerned that integrating this new technology into the workflows of already-overworked aviation safety personnel could have deleterious consequences. The air traffic control systems and processes currently in place are complex and we don’t know what impact AI-enabled tools might have on these systems and resulting safety. Decades of research shows that people tend to over-rely on automated recommendations, a phenomenon known as automation bias, particularly under overworked conditions. Adding new, untested layers to these systems, especially those that are not yet “ready to immediately transform flight operations”, according to airline industry officials, must be done in partnership with all stakeholders in the aviation safety ecosystem.\n\nWe understand that the rollout of the SMART AI tool in the NCR on Monday, September 21, is part one of a phased rollout that begins with a 90-day evaluation period before broader, nationwide deployment. However, given the egregious lack of transparency around the initial rollout, especially at a time where there is so much public concern around the use of AI in critical systems, we ask that you pause any use of the SMART tool until we can better understand your decision-making, rollout process, and evaluation plan. We ask that you respond to the following questions no later than October 19, 2026:\n\nPre-Deployment Testing & Evaluations\n\n1. Did the FAA make a formal In-Service Decision before SMART began operational use?\n\na. If so, which official and office made it, on what date, and on what basis?\n\nb. Was the decision made within the FAA's Air Traffic Organization, or did Department of Transportation leadership direct or approve the launch date?\n\n2. Was a Safety Risk Management evaluation conducted under the Air Traffic Organization's Safety Management System, and was a Safety Risk Management Document completed and signed? If so, please provide it.\n\n3. Were any standard acquisition or safety review steps waived or truncated to meet the September 21 launch?\n\n4. What AI models does SMART use and how has the FAA validated their accuracy? Please provide detailed information regarding what pre-deployment testing and evaluations were conducted on the AI models underlying SMART, as well as measures of SMART tool\n\n5. What factors did you consider in your decision to pilot this system in the National Capital Region rather than other regions? How was the final determination made and who made the determination?\n\n6. OMB Memorandum M-25-21 categorizes AI used in “traffic control systems and other systems controlling physical transit” as high-impact, requiring pre-deployment testing, an AI impact assessment with independent review, and sufficient operator training. Has the Department determined SMART to be high-impact AI? If so, please provide documentation of the practices completed under Section 4(b). If the Department has determined it is not high-impact, or waived any practice, please provide the written determination required under Section 4(a).\n\nStakeholder Consultation & Training\n\n7. What consultations did you conduct before deploying the SMART tool? What input did you solicit, and what feedback did you receive? Specifically include, at minimum, information regarding consultations with:\n\na. the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority\n\nb. the Maryland Aviation Administration,\n\nc. the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, and\n\nd. airline industry officials.\n\n8. What training did aviation safety personnel receive prior to deployment of the SMART tool?\n\n9. How will the tool be integrated into existing ATC systems and processes?\n\n10. What weight are controllers and traffic management specialists expected to give SMART recommendations when making decisions as compared to other factors? Do they have the ability to manually override SMART recommendations, including after local facility leadership has accepted them? If so, what is the process, and how are those overrides documented?\n\n11. How are recommendations, and whether they were accepted or overridden, tracked and evaluated? Are they recorded in the National Traffic Management Log or a similar system?\n\n12. Did the FAA satisfy any applicable collective bargaining or labor consultation obligations before deploying SMART? Please describe what notice was provided to the exclusive representatives of affected employees and when.\n\nAssessments & Oversight\n\n13. What data will be tracked in the 90-day evaluation?\n\n14. What specific metrics will determine whether the 90-day evaluation is a success? How will progress toward that goal be measured, and who will conduct the evaluation?\n\n15. What is the timeline for further implementation of this system and what benchmarks will determine if the deployment process should continue?\n\n16. What is your plan for ensuring public transparency and trust-building with the flying public and aviation industry as you deploy the SMART tool?\n\n17. Who will provide oversight of the system?\n\n18. What system do you have in place to enable independent oversight of the SMART tool, and who is responsible for conducting oversight (including but not limited to review by the National Transportation Safety Board following an incident)? Please provide details regarding your audit process of overseeing how the SMART tool reaches its recommendations, what actions are taken or not taken in response to these recommendations, and any safety implications of those decisions.\n\na. In the event that a SMART recommendation contributes to a loss of separation or other safety incident, who bears responsibility - the controller who accepted the recommendation, the FAA, or the developer? Has the FAA made any determination on this question?\n\nSincerely,", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-condemns-trumps-push-for-public-execution/", "title": "Warner Condemns Trump’s Push for Public Execution", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warner.senate.gov", "scraper": "warner", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000805", "name": "Mark R. Warner", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON— U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s push to publicly execute the perpetrator of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting:\n\n“The Fort Hood shooting was a horrific act of violence that took 13 innocent lives and devastated military families. The perpetrator was convicted and sentenced to death, and nothing changes the gravity of his crimes. But there is a fundamental difference between carrying out a lawful sentence and turning an execution into a public spectacle.\n\n“Public executions are the hallmark of authoritarian regimes like Iran and North Korea, not the United States of America. There is a reason that almost no countries in the world engage in this barbaric practice. Beyond the profound moral concerns, a public execution could hand terrorist organizations a propaganda victory, fuel radicalization, and put American service members, diplomats, and citizens overseas at greater risk. Justice for the victims does not require creating unnecessary threats to our national security.\n\n“Unfortunately, this is part of a much broader pattern. From proposing public executions to threatening to interfere in our elections, President Trump continues to challenge the principles and practices that distinguish America from authoritarian regimes. With the election just weeks away, I am particularly concerned about his willingness to abuse the powers of the federal government to interfere with how Americans cast their ballots and how those votes are counted. Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy, and we cannot allow the United States to go down the path of countries where those in power decide whether and how elections take place.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-kaine-statement-on-the-armys-report-into-dca-midair-collision/", "title": "Warner, Kaine Statement on the Army’s Report Into DCA Midair Collision", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warner.senate.gov", "scraper": "warner", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000805", "name": "Mark R. Warner", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement on the Army’s report into the January 2025 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that killed all 67 people aboard both aircraft:\n\n“The Army’s report underscores the need for comprehensive aviation safety legislation that modernizes our air traffic control systems, improves aircraft visibility and collision-avoidance technology, and strengthens coordination between military and civilian aviation authorities. The Army’s report reveals troubling gaps in coordination between military flights and the FAA in the most congested airspace in the country – airspace Congress jammed even more flights into over our repeated objections. It also identified inadequate equipment used by the helicopter to communicate with the DCA tower and transmit its position to surrounding aircraft.\n\n“It is clear – following the release of this report and an earlier report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) – that systemic and organizational failures, compounded by limitations in aircraft equipment and safety technology, were significant contributors to the tragic accident near DCA that claimed 67 lives. We owe it to the families who lost loved ones that night, and to all Americans who fly in our airspace, to take action to prevent another tragedy, including improved technology requirements and reduced traffic at DCA.”\n\nSens. Warner and Kaine have been closely involved in the response to and investigation of the January 29 collision near DCA. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the senators met with first responders, offered condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones, and secured passage of a resolution honoring those who lost their lives. In February, the senators responded to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) final report on the crash and have continued pushing for reforms to prevent another tragedy. The senators supported the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Reform (ROTOR) Act, legislation to strengthen aviation safety at DCA and similarly sized airports and improve coordination between the FAA and Department of Defense. In September, the senators introduced the DCA Air Safety Act to address longstanding safety concerns by capping hourly arrivals, reducing the clustering of flights, and removing 30 slots at DCA. Even before the January 2025 collision, the senators consistently sounded the alarm about hazardous overcrowding in DCA’s airspace and called on Congress to reduce the number of slots at DCA.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-blumenthal-min-scanlon-initiate-probe-into-influence-of-cabinet-members-in-trumps-decision-to-pardon-convicted-felons/", "title": "Welch, Blumenthal, Min, Scanlon Initiate Probe into Influence of Cabinet Members in Trump's Pardon of Convicted Felons", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Lawmakers demand answers from HHS Secretary Kennedy and EPA Administrator Zeldin about their roles in Trump’s decision to grant presidential pardons\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution, alongside U.S. Representative Dave Min (D-CA-47), Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ Anti-Corruption Task Force, were joined by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government, in raising questions about the role of cabinet members in securing presidential pardons, as part of their ongoing investigation into executive clemency actions since January 20, 2025.\n\nThe bicameral group of lawmakers are looking into whether U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin used their access to inappropriately influence President Trump’s decision to grant full presidential pardons to convicted felons Trevor Milton and Troy Lake.\n\n“Public reports of high-profile individuals—including yourself—appealing directly to the President on behalf of pardon recipients risk subversion of the established pardon review processes by financial influence and political access,” write the lawmakers. “Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution authorizes the President to ‘grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.’ The U.S. Supreme Court has characterized executive clemency as ‘an act of grace’ exercised for the ‘public welfare.’ President Trump’s use of this authority appears to deviate from this traditional purpose.”\n\nThe lawmakers conclude: “Congress has a compelling interest in ensuring that the constitutional pardon power is exercised with fairness and transparency. Given these circumstances, we are seeking additional information to better understand the extent to which influence and access have overridden the standard pardon review process.”\n\nIn their letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the lawmakers request answers about Secretary Kennedy’s reported role in President Trump’s decision to pardon convicted fraudster Trevor Milton, who defrauded and misled investors regarding technology and products related to his company, Nikola Corporation. The victims of Mr. Milton’s fraud include individuals who lost their retirement savings and others who had never invested in the stock market before. President Trump’s pardon eliminated Milton’s obligation to potentially pay $660 million in court-ordered restitution to his victims. Milton did not serve any of his four-year prison sentence.\n\n“According to public reporting, you personally appealed to the President to grant Mr. Milton a pardon, arguing that he had been unfairly prosecuted by the previous administration’s Justice Department. Days before granting Mr. Milton’s pardon request, President Trump reportedly told him to call you and thank you for convincing the President to grant him a pardon,” write the lawmakers. “Your reported involvement in this matter is particularly troubling, given that Mr. Milton reportedly donated $750,000 to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Political Action Committee (PAC), which was launched in late 2024 by senior members of your presidential campaign to unite your supporters behind President Trump. Public reporting also indicates that Mr. Milton and his wife donated approximately $1,800,000 to President Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign a month before the election.”\n\nIn their letter to EPA Administrator Zeldin, the lawmakers demand answers about the administrator’s reported role in President Trump’s decision to grant a full presidential pardon to Troy Lake, and a subsequent corporate pardon to Lake’s company, Elite Diesel Service Inc. Lake’s conviction arose from allegations that he and his company disabled the monitoring components of emissions control systems on hundreds of heavy-duty commercial trucks.\n\nThe lawmakers write: “According to public reporting, two friends of Mr. Lake petitioned you in an August 2025 email, urging you to reach out to the President to request a pardon. Mr. Lake’s wife publicly attributed progress on her husband’s pardon efforts to your subsequent intervention. Such progress included a phone call with Sean Hayes, a White House attorney who works closely on pardons.”\n\nThe lawmakers’ letters seek information from HHS Secretary Kennedy and EPA Administrator Zeldin regarding:\n\nThe nature of their relationships with the pardoned felons;\n\nThe process by which clemency requests were initiated and considered;\n\nWhether intermediaries, lobbyists, or advocates were involved;\n\nAny contacts with Trump Administration officials or associates;\n\nTheir role in any other clemency decisions made by the Trump Administration;\n\nWhether financial contributions or payments were made in connection with clemency efforts; and\n\nThe extent of third-party advocacy supporting the requests.\n\nRead and download the lawmakers’ full letters to HHS Secretary Kennedy and EPA Administrator Zeldin.\n\nIn May, Senator Welch and Rep. Min sent letters to 17 individuals who received pardons or commutations under circumstances that warrant further congressional scrutiny, including several individuals connected to major fraud schemes, financial crimes, and high-profile political or financial relationships tied to President Trump and his associates. The earlier letters sought information regarding the clemency process, including whether financial contributions, lobbyists, intermediaries, or personal connections played a role in securing presidential clemency.\n\nAmong the individuals who received letters are convicted fraudsters, political fundraisers, corporate executives, and wealthy donors, such as Changpeng Zhao, whose cases have generated public reporting suggesting unusual access to Trump’s network of political allies and associates, direct lobbying efforts, large political donations, or other concerning connections surrounding their clemency requests.\n\nThe lawmakers continued their investigation in June, sending four additional letters to the Department of Justice’s Office of the Pardon Attorney, the White House Office of Records Management, the White House Pardon Czar, and the United States Secret Service.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-blumenthal-schiff-continue-probe-into-dhs-misuse-of-taxpayer-dollars-demand-answers-from-dhs-over-new-reporting-on-noems-luxury-jet-purchases/", "title": "Welch, Blumenthal, Schiff Continue Probe into DHS Misuse of Taxpayer Dollars, Demand Answers from DHS Over New Reporting on Noem’s Luxury Jet Purchases", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, alongside U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.),Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, escalated their effort to obtainrecords and information from Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin about the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) squandering of taxpayer funds and repeated steering of no-bid contracts to political allies under former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. In their letter to Secretary Mullin, the Senators urged DHS to ensure accountability for corrupt contracting decisions and ensure open competition among future prospective contractors.\n\nThe Senators pointed to allegations recently reported in The New York Times that in the final hours of former Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure, DHS: “delivered a windfall to one of her political donors by buying five airplanes from the man’s firm at a substantial markup.”\n\nThe Senators wrote: “On the last day of Secretary Noem’s tenure, DHS purchased one Boeing 737 jet from Daedalus for $108 million, despite that aircraft previously appearing on the market with an asking price below $90 million. The interior of that aircraft included ‘a stand-up bar, two bedrooms, marble showers and a table covered in manta ray skin.’ Another two 737 aircraft were purchased by DHS from Daedalus for $45 million each, prices that experts estimated ‘were millions of dollars higher than the typical market value for jets of that age.’”\n\n“The staggering sums expended on these aircraft and the eleventh-hour approval of the no-bid contract used to purchase them from a company led by a political donor to Secretary Noem appears to illustrate a brazen giveaway by Secretary Noem to her political ally, William Walters,” the Senators continued. “The fact that a separate company led by Mr. Walters, Salus Worldwide Solutions, has received separate no-bid contracts under Secretary Noem’s leadership only amplifies the appearance of impropriety and potential violations of federal law.”\n\nThe Senators concluded: “Congress and the American people deserve the Department’s full and prompt transparency with respect to the shocking waste of taxpayer funds and potential corruption involved in the Department’s aircraft purchases and widespread no-bid contracting.”\n\nIn August, Senators Welch, Blumenthal, and Schiff called out DHS’ reliance on no-bid contracts since the beginning of the second Trump Administration and raised concerns that the owner of the company that received the award also runs a company alleged to have solicited kickback payments from former DHS official Corey Lewandowski.\n\nRead and download the Senators’ full letter to DHS Secretary Mullin.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-groundbreaking-for-new-affordable-housing-project-in-burlington/", "title": "Welch Joins Groundbreaking for New Affordable Housing Project in Burlington", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BURLINGTON, VT — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, joined the Champlain Housing Trust to celebrate the groundbreaking of 30 new permanently affordable condominium homes for sale to low-income households in Burlington’s Cambrian Rise neighborhood. A majority of the 30 new condos developed will be sold to homebuyers earning at or below 80% of the average median income (AMI) to eliminate obstacles to homeownership for lower-income Vermonters.\n\n“Vermont’s housing affordability crisis has wreaked havoc across our state, and skyrocketing housing prices are right at the center of it. Home prices have more than doubled in the last ten years, making it tougher than ever for families to achieve the American dream of homeownership,” said Senator Welch. “The Champlain Housing Trust’s newest project is a great example of how we can leverage federal investments to increase access to affordable housing. I’ll continue to fight for policies that help bring down housing costs and make homeownership a reality for more working families in Vermont.”\n\n“This development brings jobs to the community and builds Burlington’s tax base. So not only are these condos affordable to the people who will buy them next year, they are making Burlington more affordable overall,” said Michael Monte, CEO, Champlain Housing Trust. “And the lasting impact of retaining affordability through our shared equity homeownership program will have a ripple effect for future generations of City residents.”\n\nThe project is made possible through the deployment of $20 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), a federal program that utilizes tax credits to incentivize private investments in community development and economic growth in distressed communities. Senator Welch cosponsored the New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act, which permanently extended the NMTC Program last year.\n\nView photos from the event below:\n\nSenator Welch has led bipartisan efforts to address Vermont’s affordable housing crisis. Last month, the Senator introduced the Supporting Small Affordable Housing Developers Act, new legislation that would exempt grants supporting affordable housing development from taxation to empower small, rural housing developers to build more affordable housing. Senator Welch also cosponsored the Build American Efficiency Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help homebuilders cut costs and red tape as they work to address the national housing shortage.\n\nIn March, Senator Welch introduced the bipartisan FARM Home Loans Act to spur rural economic growth by helping more homebuyers qualify for rural housing assistance. The Senator is also a cosponsor of the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation that aims to support middle-class Americans purchasing their first home, and the End Rent Fixing Act, which would crack down on companies that help landlords increase rents in already high-priced markets. The Senator is also a cosponsor of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which was signed into law earlier this year.\n\nThe Senator’s bipartisan, bicameral HOPE for HOMES Act, which helps lower energy costs for homeowners and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also investing in the workforce, was included as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic Inflation Reduction Act.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-warns-of-global-climate-risk-and-calls-for-action-at-osce-parliamentary-assembly/", "title": "Whitehouse Warns of Global Climate Risk and Calls for Action at OSCE Parliamentary Assembly", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release", "domain": "www.whitehouse.senate.gov", "scraper": "whitehouse", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000802", "name": "Sheldon Whitehouse", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Whitehouse calls out climate damage, insurance collapse, and corrupt fossil fuel influence\n\nIndustry, front groups, Russia and far-right comprise Axis of Climate Evil\n\nWashington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), the Senate Ranking Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the “Helsinki Commission”), warned of the massive global risk posed by climate change and called for collective action at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly’s 24th Autumn Meeting.\n\nAs part of a bipartisan delegation, Whitehouse co-led a session of the OSCE Parliament entitled, “Strengthening Energy Sovereignty within the OSCE Area: Security, Efficiency, Sustainability.” In his speech to the OSCE Parliament, the Senator warned of massive climate-driven disruption to Earth’s natural systems collapsing insurance, mortgage and real estate markets, and called on governments to combat the new “Axis of Climate Evil” protecting the industry’s wrongful “free-to-pollute” business model. An excerpt of his remarks is below:\n\n“For our own safety, we need to get more serious about the politics of climate change if we’re going to head this off. The fossil fuel industry fights fiercely to pollute for free. Its pollute-for-free business model is not only morally and economically a sin and a subsidy, it is now lethal to our climate safety as humankind.\n\n“But they won’t give it up. They depend on polluting for free. So a battle looms.\n\n“In a battle, my friends, you need to know your adversary.\n\n“Everywhere, fossil fuel operates through front groups. In most places, fossil fuel funds the far right, as paid allies. Vladimir Putin’s covert schemes in Europe both disrupt democracy and prop up fossil fuel, his primary revenue. In the United States, the political right, fueled by dark money, still denies climate science. That is the enemy arrayed against you: fossil fuel, and all its front groups and dark money; Vladimir Putin, and all of Russia’s anti-democracy mischief; and far-right political groups that deny climate change.”\n\nThe meeting took place in Andorra la Vella, Andorra. Whitehouse and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Senate Chair of the Helsinki Commission, participated in committee meetings of the OSCE Parliament alongside Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Representative Marc Veasey (D-TX). Whitehouse attended bilateral meetings with the Ukrainian and Canadian delegations. Whitehouse also participated in events on authoritarian information manipulation, Russia’s coercive recruitment of foreign nationals into its armed forces, and Hungary’s democratic renewal.\n\nIn February, Whitehouse and Wicker participated in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Winter Meeting, where they pushed the U.S. and our European allies to cooperate to shut down Russia’s shadow fleet that fuels the Russian oil and gas economy. In July, Whitehouse and Wicker again led a delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Annual Meeting, during which the OSCE Assembly overwhelmingly adopted two Whitehouse amendments to crack down on the Russian shadow fleet and spotlight the systemic and illegal Russian resettlement operation in occupied Ukraine.\n\nWhitehouse’s as-delivered speech to the OSCE Parliament this week is below. Video is available here.\n\nGood morning.\n\nI am going to start with one word: zettajoule. What is that? A joule is the unit of heat energy; zetta means it has 21 zeroes — not a billion joules, or a trillion joules, but a billion trillion joules. A billion trillions. A massive amount of heat.\n\nAll the energy generated in a year, by all of humankind, across all of Planet Earth, is only half a zettajoule. The price we pay for the fossil fuel component of that half-zettajoule, is that 14 zettajoules of excess heat go into our oceans every year. Multiple Hiroshima bombs per second worth of heat.\n\nThis is part of the uncounted price of fossil fuel energy. Those of you who have coasts, know what fossil fuel is doing to our oceans: the rising seas, the displaced fisheries, the dying coral reefs, the worsening storms.\n\nEvery energy question is subordinate to the question whether we will protect Earth’s natural systems from unbounded fossil fuel pollution.\n\nThe damage humanity sustains from fossil fuels in climate-driven floods and wildfires has a leading indicator, in the insurance sector. Markets predict. Across my country, and probably yours, climate risks are making whole areas uninsurable. In my country, and perhaps yours, that means properties become unmortgageable. For most homeowners, that means a significant loss in property value.\n\nThis is a warning, but it’s not my warning. There are many very clear financial warnings. They warn of a cascade. Climate risk crashes insurance markets, insurance collapse crashes mortgage markets, mortgage collapse crashes property values, and general economic collapse follows — like the global crash of 2008, but likely without the rebound.\n\nThese warnings aren’t from green groups, liberal groups, progressive groups — they’re coming from the top of the financial sector: from the top of big mortgage companies like Freddie Mac, big insurers like Allianz and Aon, key banks like the Federal Reserve and Bank of England, even the International Financial Stability Board. Economist magazine has warned of a $25 trillion hit to global real estate markets.\n\nThe author Ernest Hemingway talked about going bankrupt happening gradually, then all at once. This crash could well happen all at once, and it could happen soon.\n\nFor our own safety, we need to get more serious about the politics of climate change if we’re going to head this off. The fossil fuel industry fights fiercely to pollute for free. Its pollute-for-free business model is not only morally and economically a sin and a subsidy, it is now lethal to our climate safety as humankind.\n\nBut they won’t give it up. They depend on polluting for free. So a battle looms.\n\nIn a battle, my friends, you need to know your adversary.\n\nEverywhere, fossil fuel operates through front groups. In most places, fossil fuel funds the far right, as paid allies. Vladimir Putin’s covert schemes in Europe both disrupt democracy and prop up fossil fuel, his primary revenue. In the United States, the political right, fueled by dark money, still denies climate science. That is the enemy arrayed against you: fossil fuel, and all its front groups and dark money; Vladimir Putin, and all of Russia’s anti-democracy mischief; and far-right political groups that deny climate change.\n\nWe face climate peril as fossil fuel disrupts Nature’s systems; and we face the more immediate, systemic economic peril that prefigures it; so we must face up now to the political peril right now of the fossil fuel industry, its armada of front groups, its political meddling through far-right groups it funds, and the malign influence of the petro-state Russia.\n\nCollectively, they amount to a new Axis of Evil, determined to ruin society’s ability to meet the climate challenge that fossil fuel pollution causes. It’s time to ready ourselves for battle.\n\nWhen the zettajoules pile up, and something very bad happens all at once, we will bitterly regret any failure to prepare or failure to fight. Thank you.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-calls-for-public-release-of-report-on-white-house-funded-surveillance-programs-including-national-database-of-flock-and-other-alpr-images", "title": "Wyden Calls for Public Release of Report on White House-Funded Surveillance Programs, Including National Database of Flock and Other ALPR Images", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.wyden.senate.gov", "scraper": "wyden", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000779", "name": "Ron Wyden", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called for the White House to release a report it commissioned examining the privacy impacts of surveillance activities funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), including a program that scoops up data from Flock cameras and other license plate readers across the country and a dragnet phone surveillance program called Hemisphere.\n\nWyden learned of the report as part of his oversight of the Hemisphere phone surveillance program, which mined trillions of American phone records under an arrangement between AT&T and the federal government. The White House ultimately ended that program in 2025 after repeated requests from Wyden and Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz. The Hemisphere program was operated by the Houston High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and paid for with funds from the ONDCP.\n\nAfter Wyden began questioning ONDCP about its funding of the Hemisphere program, ONDCP informed Wyden’s staff that it had commissioned the nonprofit technology research firm MITRE to study privacy issues related to the HIDTA program. However, the ONDCP refused to share the report with Wyden’s office when it was finished in 2024, and has continued to keep it hidden from the public.\n\nRecently, 404 Media reported that local law enforcement agencies are funneling data from Flock and other license plate reader cameras into a national database, also operated by the Houston HIDTA.\n\n“Flock’s AI surveillance cameras have sparked a nationwide backlash against unnecessary government intrusion into Americans’ lives,” Wyden said. “As Congress debates solutions to protect our privacy and civil liberties, the MITRE report could provide important information about how these cameras and other surveillance programs are already impacting Americans’ rights. The White House should make MITRE’s findings public as soon as possible.”\n\nWyden was the first member of Congress to question Flock over its security and privacy practices, and has defended Americans’ privacy rights against unnecessary government surveillance for decades.\n\nThe full letter is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-highlights-indianas-leadership-in-biotech-at-iu-symposium/", "title": "Young Highlights Indiana’s Leadership in Biotech at IU Symposium", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.young.senate.gov", "scraper": "toddyoung", "member": {"bioguide_id": "Y000064", "name": "Todd Young", "party": "Republican", "state": "IN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) addressed Indiana University’s Biotechnology Symposium in Indianapolis on Thursday and highlighted Indiana’s growing role in the life sciences industry and the national security implications of biotechnology.\n\nYoung, who chairs the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), delivered opening remarks and participated in a fireside chat with NSCEB Vice Chair Dr. Michelle Rozo and Commissioner Dr. Dov Zakheim. The discussion focused on how Congress is advancing the Commission’s recommendations, China’s biotech ambitions, why the U.S. needs to stay ahead, and expanding opportunities for Hoosier workers.\n\n“Biotechnology is critical to our national security, economic competitiveness, and quality of life. Our National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology laid out a roadmap to ensure the United States leads the next age of biotechnology, and Indiana University is well-positioned to help turn that vision into a reality. By bringing together talented researchers across disciplines, IU is advancing the kind of innovation that will strengthen America’s leadership in this critical sector,” said Senator Young.\n\nDuring the symposium, IU announced six research awards through its National Security Biotech for Defense program. The awards support interdisciplinary research projects focused on advancing biotechnology applications in areas including battlefield medicine, biological threat detection, advanced materials, and biomanufacturing.", "collected_at": "2026-10-10T10:59:13Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-10T11:00:38Z"}
{"url": "https://adriansmith.house.gov/media/press-releases/smith-welcomes-cms-administrator-dr-oz-blair", "title": "Smith Welcomes CMS Administrator Dr. Oz to Blair", "date": "2026-10-10", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://adriansmith.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "adriansmith.house.gov", "scraper": "adriansmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001172", "name": "Adrian Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Yesterday, Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) joined Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz for a tour of Memorial Community Hospital and Health System, a critical access hospital in Blair.\n\nDuring the tour, Smith and Oz met with hospital staff to discuss the challenges facing rural healthcare providers and opportunities to strengthen access to care through telemedicine, support rural healthcare workforce development, and advance initiatives like the Rural Health Transformation Program.\n\n\"Critical access hospitals like Memorial Community Hospital play a vital role in the communities they serve, by ensuring patients have access to quality care close to home. I am grateful to have strong partners like Administrator Oz who take the time to visit rural communities, listen to healthcare providers, and understand the challenges they face. I look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen rural healthcare and ensure every Nebraskan has access to quality care, regardless of their ZIP code,”said Congressman Smith.\n\n\"Rural health systems have been underfunded and under resourced for decades, but thanks to President Trump’s Rural Health Transformation Program, we’re empowering states to tackle that problem head-on by making the investments these communities need,”said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.“I’m grateful to Congressman Smith for meeting with me and to Memorial Community Hospital for hosting us, so that together, we can discuss the improvements RHTP dollars are already driving and how additional funding can build on that progress over the remaining four years of the program.”\n\n\"We are glad to be part of efforts to strengthen healthcare access in rural communities. We appreciate Congressman Smith and Dr. Oz taking the time to visit MCH and hear directly from the providers and caregivers serving patients every day. These conversations help ensure that rural voices are heard and that policy decisions reflect the realities facing rural healthcare, allowing us to continue providing high-quality care close to home,”said Memorial Community Hospital and Health System President and CEO Manuela Banner.", "collected_at": "2026-10-11T11:13:35Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-11T11:14:45Z"}
{"url": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-jerusalem-post-article-below-titled-south-africas-navanethem-navi-0", "title": "ICYMI: The Jerusalem Post article below, titled “South Africa's Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay, who accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, wins Nobel Prize.\"", "date": "2026-10-10", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "algreen.house.gov", "scraper": "algreen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000553", "name": "Al Green", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The Jerusalem Post article below, titled “South Africa's Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay, who accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, wins Nobel Prize,” speaks for itself.\n\nYou can access the article by clicking the link here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-11T11:13:35Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-11T11:14:45Z"}
{"url": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-boebert-2a-caucus-co-chair-celebrates-justice-department-decision", "title": "REP. BOEBERT, 2A CAUCUS CO-CHAIR, CELEBRATES JUSTICE DEPARTMENT DECISION TO DISMANTLE NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT, DELIVERING FOR GUN OWNERS", "date": "2026-10-10", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "boebert.house.gov", "scraper": "boebert", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000825", "name": "Lauren Boebert", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LONE TREE, CO. — Rep. Lauren Boebert, Co-Chair of the Second Amendment Caucus, celebrated the Department of Justice and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives guidance that dismantles deep state burdens on gun owners under the National Firearms Act for short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, suppressors, and “any other weapons,” delivering for gun owners.\n\n“This is a long-overdue win for law-abiding Americans and a direct result of both the courts and Congress doing the right thing,” said Rep. Boebert. “I was proud to vote for the One Big Beautiful Bill, which included the provision that eliminated the NFA tax on short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, suppressors, and certain other firearms. Once the tax was gone, the registration scheme lost its constitutional foundation. The Justice Department decision finally puts that reality into practice for gun owners across the country.\n\nThe guidance follows an August ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF. The court held that key NFA registration, approval, and related requirements could no longer be enforced for those categories after Congress eliminated the making and transfer taxes. The Department of Justice declined to appeal, and ATF has now stated it will not enforce the prior approval, registration, tax-stamp, and related NFA requirements for these items nationwide, effective October 9, 2026.\n\n“Congratulations to Gun Owners of America and the other plaintiffs for fighting this case and securing the injunction that made this possible. The Second Amendment is not a suggestion, and this guidance is a meaningful step toward treating it that way.”\n\nRep. Boebert has introduced the Freedom from Taxes Act (H.R. 8921) to eliminate the final categories remaining in the NFA. View the bill here:\n\nhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8921", "collected_at": "2026-10-11T11:13:35Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-11T11:14:45Z"}
{"url": "https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4088", "title": "De La Cruz Holds Brooks County Congressional Record Ceremony", "date": "2026-10-10", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "delacruz.house.gov", "scraper": "delacruz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000594", "name": "Monica De La Cruz", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON - This week, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) held the inaugural Brooks County Congressional Record Ceremony to honor the Falfurrias Fire Department's 100 years of service to the community.\n\n\"It was an honor to present the Falfurrias Fire Department with an official Congressional Record commemorating 100 years of service to Falfurrias and surrounding communities. One of my greatest privileges as your Congresswoman is sharing our community's stories on the House floor and ensuring our local heroes are forever remembered in our nation's history.\" - Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz\n\nBackground:\n\nEarlier this year, Congresswoman De La Cruz recognized the Falfurrias Volunteer Fire Department for a century of dedicated service to South Texas. Full speech can be found here.\n\nDelivering for the community remains a top priority. Since coming to Congress, De La Cruz has secured $3M for the new Brooks County Public Safety Complex.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases/comisionado-residente-y-congresistas-presentan-legislacion-para-fortalecer-el", "title": "Comisionado Residente y congresistas presentan legislación para fortalecer el financiamiento de Medicare Advantage en Puerto Rico", "date": "2026-10-10", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hernandez.house.gov", "scraper": "hernandez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001103", "name": "Pablo José Hernández", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC — El Comisionado Residente Pablo José Hernández (D-PR) junto a los congresistas Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), Darren Soto (D-FL) y Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) presentaron el Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act of 2026 (H.R. 10747), legislación bipartita que busca corregir una disparidad histórica en el financiamiento de Medicare Advantage en Puerto Rico, cambiando la fórmula federal para calcular los pagos y aplicando el mismo ajuste por costos geográficos que se utiliza para las Islas Vírgenes estadounidenses.\n\n“Estamos priorizando lo básico: que nuestros adultos mayores tengan acceso a los médicos y servicios de salud que necesitan. Este año logramos un aumento importante en los fondos de Medicare Advantage para Puerto Rico. Ahora queremos dar el próximo paso y corregir de una vez y por todas la disparidad que por años ha afectado a la Isla”, dijo el Comisionado Residente Hernández.\n\n“Como medico de emergencias, sé que cuando la atención está fuera de alcance, los adultos mayores pagan el precio”, dijo el Congresista Raúl Ruiz, M.D. “Los puertorriqueños pagan Medicare en los mismos términos que todos los estadounidenses, y sin embargo, a sus planes Medicare Advantage se les paga cerca de un 40 por ciento menos. Esa brecha ha reducido las redes de proveedores, recortado beneficios y puesto bajo presión a médicos y hospitales. Este proyecto de ley es una solución específica y de sentido común. Agradezco a los representantes Bilirakis y Soto, y a al Comisionado Residente Hernández, por trabajar conmigo para brindar a los adultos mayores la cobertura justa que se han Ganado.”\n\n“Estoy orgulloso de unirme al comisionado residente de Puerto Rico Hernández y a los representantes Bilirakis y Ruiz para presentar la Ley bipartidista de Equidad en Medicare Advantage para Puerto Rico, con el fin de realizar ajustes geográficos a los niveles de referencia de Medicare Advantage en la isla e igualarlos a los de las Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos. Esto nos acerca a lograr la plena paridad entre la isla y el territorio continental. Los puertorriqueños son ciudadanos estadounidenses y merecen el mismo acceso a los beneficios de atención médica que todos los estadounidenses”. dijo el Congresista Darren Soto.\n\n“Los adultos mayores merecen acceso confiable a los servicios de salud de calidad que se han ganado a través de Medicare, sin importar dónde vivan”, expresó el congresista Gus Bilirakis. “Medicare Advantage desempeña un papel importante en la atención médica de los beneficiarios en todo Puerto Rico. Debemos garantizar que el programa reciba un financiamiento justo y sostenible para que nuestros adultos mayores puedan seguir recibiendo atención de sus médicos y contando con los tratamientos y beneficios que necesitan. Me enorgullece unirme a los congresistas Ruiz, Soto y Hernández para presentar el proyecto de ley bipartidista Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act, que busca corregir las desigualdades que han persistido por años, mejorar el acceso a los servicios de salud y brindar mayor estabilidad a los pacientes y a los proveedores de atención médica.”\n\n“Esta legislación representa un paso importante para atender un problema estructural que por años ha afectado los pagos de Medicare Advantage en Puerto Rico. Con aproximadamente el 96% de los beneficiarios de Medicare en la Isla acogidos a Medicare Advantage, la metodología utilizada para establecer las tarifas de referencia para Puerto Rico debe reflejar la realidad del mercado al que sirve. Agradecemos al congresista Ruiz, a los representantes Bilirakis y Soto, y al comisionado residente Pablo José Hernández Rivera por unirse en una solución bipartita que utilizaría a las Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos como referencia geográfica comparable y ayudaría a fortalecer el acceso a servicios de salud para cientos de miles de beneficiarios en Puerto Rico. MMAPA respalda firmemente esta iniciativa y espera continuar colaborando con el Congreso y los Centros de Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid (CMS) para promover un programa de Medicare Advantage más estable y sostenible para Puerto Rico”, expresó Solage De Lahongrais, presidenta de la Asociación de Productos de Medicaid y Medicare Advantage de Puerto Rico (MMAPA).\n\nMás de 650,000 puertorriqueños dependen de Medicare Advantage para recibir sus servicios de salud, lo que convierte al programa en una pieza fundamental del sistema de salud de Puerto Rico. Sin embargo, la fórmula federal que determina cuánto dinero reciben los planes médicos se basa, en parte, en los gastos de los pacientes de Medicare tradicional, que representan una pequeña minoría en la Isla. Esto provoca que los pagos se calculen utilizando información que no refleja adecuadamente los costos de ofrecer servicios médicos en Puerto Rico, lo que ha contribuido a una disparidad en el financiamiento del programa durante años.\n\nEl Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act busca corregir de manera permanente esta disparidad. A partir de 2027, el proyecto requeriría que Medicare utilice para Puerto Rico el mismo ajuste por costos geográficos que aplica a las Islas Vírgenes estadounidenses al calcular los pagos a los planes Medicare Advantage. Este cambio busca que los fondos federales respondan mejor a los costos de ofrecer servicios de salud en la Isla.\n\nLa medida permitiría establecer una fórmula de financiamiento más justa y estable, reducir la dependencia de ajustes administrativos que se revisan año tras año y dar mayor certeza a los pacientes, médicos, hospitales y demás proveedores de salud que dependen del programa.\n\nLa legislación se presenta en un momento importante para los beneficiarios de Medicare Advantage en Puerto Rico. A pocos días de comenzar el periodo anual de inscripción abierta de Medicare, cientos de miles de adultos mayores se preparan para evaluar sus opciones de cubierta médica para el próximo año. El proyecto representa un nuevo paso en las gestiones que ha impulsado el comisionado residente Pablo José Hernández desde el Congreso para corregir las desigualdades en el financiamiento del programa.\n\nA principios de este año, cuando los Centros de Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid (CMS, por sus siglas en inglés) propusieron un aumento nacional de apenas 0.09% en los pagos de Medicare Advantage para 2027, el Comisionado Residente encabezó una carta bipartita firmada por 17 congresistas, incluidos Raul Ruiz y Darren Soto, para reclamar un trato más justo para Puerto Rico. Tras estas gestiones y los esfuerzos del sector de salud de la Isla, CMS anunció un aumento de aproximadamente 4% para Puerto Rico, superior al promedio nacional de alrededor de 2.5%.\n\n###\n\nHernández, Ruiz, Soto, and Bilirakis Introduce Bill to Strengthen Medicare Advantage Funding in Puerto Rico\n\nWASHINGTON, DC — Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández (D-PR), alongside Representatives Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), introduced the Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act of 2026 (H.R. 10747), bipartisan legislation that would fix a longstanding Medicare Advantage funding disparity by changing how Washington calculates payments to Puerto Rico, using the same standard applied to the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\n“We are prioritizing the basics: ensuring that our seniors have access to the doctors and healthcare services they need. This year, we secured a significant increase in Medicare Advantage funding for Puerto Rico. Now, we are taking the next step to fix a longstanding funding disparity that has affected the Island for years,” said Resident Commissioner Hernández.\n\n\"As an emergency physician, I know that when care is out of reach, seniors pay the price,\" said Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. \"Puerto Ricans pay into Medicare on the same terms as every American, yet their Medicare Advantage plans are paid about 40 percent less. That gap has shrunk provider networks, cut benefits, and strained doctors and hospitals. This bill is a targeted, common-sense fix. I thank Representatives Bilirakis and Soto and Resident Commissioner Hernández for working with me to give seniors the fair coverage they have earned.”\n\n\"Seniors deserve reliable access to the high-quality health care they have earned through Medicare, regardless of where they live,\" said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. \"Medicare Advantage plays an important role in delivering care to beneficiaries across Puerto Rico, and we must ensure the program is funded fairly and sustainably so seniors can continue accessing the doctors, treatments, and benefits they rely upon. I'm proud to join Representatives Ruiz, Soto, and Hernández in introducing the bipartisan Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act to address longstanding disparities, strengthen access to care and provide greater stability for patients and providers.”\n\n“I am proud to join Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Hernández and Reps. Bilirakis and Ruiz in introducing the bipartisan Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act to make geographic adjustments to Medicare Advantage benchmarks in Puerto Rico to match those of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This takes us closer to achieving full parity between the Island and the mainland. Puerto Ricans are American citizens, and they deserve access to the same healthcare benefits as all Americans.” said Congressman Darren Soto.\n\n“This legislation represents an important step toward addressing a longstanding structural challenge in Medicare Advantage payments in Puerto Rico. With approximately 96% ofMedicare beneficiaries on the Island choosing Medicare Advantage, the methodology used to establish Puerto Rico’s benchmarks must reflect the reality of the market it serves. We thank Congressman Ruiz, Representatives Bilirakis and Soto, and Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera for coming together on a bipartisan solution that would use the U.S. Virgin Islands as a comparable geographic reference and help strengthen access to care for hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries in Puerto Rico. MMAPA strongly supports this effort and looks forward to continuing to work with Congress and CMS to advance a more stable and sustainable Medicare Advantage program for Puerto Rico”, said Solage De Lahongrais, President of the Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Products Association of Puerto Rico (MMAPA).\n\nMore than 650,000 Puerto Ricans rely on Medicare Advantage for their healthcare coverage, making it a cornerstone of the island’s healthcare system. Yet a key part of the federal funding formula relies on healthcare spending among traditional Medicare patients, who represent only a small fraction of beneficiaries in Puerto Rico. As a result, payments are calculated using a limited picture of healthcare costs on the island, contributing to a longstanding funding disparity.\n\nThe Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act seeks to permanently address one of the disparities in the federal payment formula. Beginning in 2027, the legislation would require the geographic adjustment used to calculate Medicare Advantage payments in Puerto Rico to match the adjustment applied to the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\nThis change would help establish a fairer, more stable funding structure for Puerto Rico, reduce the need for year-to-year administrative adjustments, and provide greater certainty for the patients, physicians, hospitals, and healthcare providers who depend on the program.\n\nThis legislation comes at a critical time for Puerto Rico's patients and healthcare providers. With Medicare's annual open enrollment period just days away, hundreds of thousands of seniors will soon be reviewing their coverage options for the coming year. This legislation marks the next step in the Resident Commissioner’s ongoing efforts in Congress to close this funding gap.\n\nEarlier this year, when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a national Medicare Advantage payment increase of just 0.09% for 2027, Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández led a bipartisan letter signed by 17 members of Congress, including Representatives Raul Ruiz and Darren Soto, urging CMS to address the payment disparity affecting Puerto Rico. Following this effort and continued advocacy from Puerto Rico’s healthcare sector, CMS announced an increase of approximately 4% for the island, exceeding the national average of roughly 2.5%.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://kelly.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mike-kelly-statement-deadly-shooting-city-erie", "title": "Rep. Mike Kelly statement on deadly shooting in the City of Erie", "date": "2026-10-10", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kelly.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kelly.house.gov", "scraper": "kelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000376", "name": "Mike Kelly", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued the following statement after a deadly shooting that killed nine people, including the suspect, in the City of Erie on Friday night, according to reports.\n\n“I'm praying for the Erie community after the devastating events on Friday night,\" said Rep. Kelly. \"May we hold the victims, their families, and those impacted by this tragedy in our hearts.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-11T11:13:35Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-11T11:14:45Z"}
{"url": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-statement-calling-out-ices-reckless-operation-salem", "title": "Rep. Salinas’ Statement Calling Out ICE’s Reckless Operation in Salem", "date": "2026-10-10", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "salinas.house.gov", "scraper": "salinas", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001226", "name": "Andrea Salinas", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Salem, OR — Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) release the following statement in response to ICE’s reckless operations in Salem.\n\n“My team and I are monitoring the news of today’s ICE operations in Salem. I’m deeply concerned about their use of force and their impulse to escalate the situation against Oregonians.\n\n“ICE’s actions today were reckless and needlessly endangered innocent people. As part of today’s operations, ICE deployed pepper spray, pepper balls, and smoke canisters against the elderly and children. They followed and harassed U.S. citizens, and they drove recklessly with a blatant disregard for the safety of other drivers. At one point, they shut down 99E and nearly caused several accidents.\n\n“If Trump were not using ICE to threaten and terrorize our communities, Oregonians would have been safer today, plain and simple. It’s clear ICE is either not trained or has no desire to deescalate situations or operate safely. I’ll be pressing ICE for answers about why today’s enforcement put so many innocent Oregonians at risk, and I’m going to keep fighting in Congress to hold ICE and this administration accountable.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-releases-statement-on-new-deal-to-ease-sanctions-on-russia-fund-putins-aggression-against-ukraine", "title": "King Releases Statement on New ‘Deal’ to Ease Sanctions on Russia, Fund Putin’s Aggression Against Ukraine", "date": "2026-10-10", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table", "domain": "www.king.senate.gov", "scraper": "angusking", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000383", "name": "Angus S. King, Jr.", "party": "Independent", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) released the following statement amidst news that the White House has made an agreement to ease sanctions on Russian oil which will inevitably not ease the burden on Americans at the gas pump, yet help fund Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine:\n\n“Americans nationwide are struggling with the cost-of-living – from prices at the pump to the cost of essentials at the grocery story – mostly due to Trump’s unconstitutional war in Iran and his devastating tariffs on our long-standing allies.\n\n“Instead of pursuing solutions that are consistent with America’s values, President Trump has decided to ease energy sanctions on Russia. In doing so, he chose Putin over the American people, which will ultimately help fuel that autocracy’s bloody, unprovoked war of aggression on Ukraine.\n\n“This so-called deal with Russia will do little for America and much for Vladimir Putin as he seeks to sustain his murderous campaign on Ukraine. To put this so-called deal into perspective, it amounts to 300,000 tons of diesel for October and then 500,000 for November – which may sound like a lot, but according to the administration’s own numbers is roughly the amount of diesel the American people use in a single day. This helps Russia far more than it helps the United States.\n\n“Adding insult to injury, today’s deal is a slap in the face to every member of Congress who voted for the Lindsay Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act just last month which was designed to honor the memory of a strong defender of democracy and punish the leaders of these rogue nations. Every member of Congress who voted for this bill – 86 in the Senate, 262 in the House – should be demanding an immediate reversal of this decision.\n\n“At the end of the day, this deal from the White House is an attempt to boost their short-term political prospects at the true cost of the American people. We are helping one adversary (though it’s questionable if the White House considers Putin that) and showing weakness to another due to Iran’s Strait of Hormuz oil blockade. This deal comforts our enemies and will do little for Americans. It’s a fraud.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-11T11:13:35Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-11T11:14:45Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphys-behind-the-scenes-details-of-codel-to-the-gulf", "title": "Murphy's Behind-the-Scenes Details of CODEL to the Gulf", "date": "2026-10-10", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.murphy.senate.gov", "scraper": "chrismurphy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001169", "name": "Christopher Murphy", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Saturday authored a Substack article offering the day-by-day details and post-travel reflections of his Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East, which included stops in Doha, Qatar and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In the piece, Murphy lays out why he chose to visit the Gulf in the midst of an active war with Iran, explaining the urgent need for Congress to directly assess the war’s damage, repair relationships, and hear the latest on the Trump administration’s negotiations to bring the war to an end.\n\nMurphy described his candid conversations with the Qatari Emir and Saudi Crown Prince on their countries’ cooperation with President Trump’s corruption of American foreign policy. Murphy also detailed the Department of Defense’s unprecedented decision to deny him access to the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar - despite decades of precedent for DOD supporting CODELs to American military bases under active threat - and block military leaders in the region from even providing a standard briefing on the war’s progress. Murphy also provided on-the-ground details of damage to the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, as well as energy facilities in the region which play a substantial role in the global energy economy, likely driving prices up for Americans for years to come.\n\nRead Senator Murphy’s full reflections on his trip to the Gulf below or HERE.\n\nI refuse to accept this moment as normal. The United States is in the middle of a massive, deadly, backbreakingly expensive war in the Middle East - a war opposed by 70 percent of Americans - and Congress has not taken one single vote to authorize it. It is an illegal, unconstitutional war that has made our nation dramatically less safe. And I believe that it is my responsibility as a United States Senator to do exceptional things to help bring it to an end.\n\nSo, as soon as the Senate recessed for the fall election season, I got on a plane and headed for the Middle East - the first Democratic Senator to visit the Gulf since the war began. What did I hope to accomplish? First, I wanted to see for myself the damage done to U.S. basing in the region and the impact of the war on our partner nations. When at war, I have found there is no substitute for going into the theater and seeing the conflict firsthand. Second, I wanted to hear from leaders in the region about the path to end the war, and their view of the mistakes the U.S. has made that have caused this disastrous war to drag on this long. Third, I wanted to bring some hard messages to our partners in the region about Trump’s corruption of foreign policy.\n\nThis is the behind-the-scenes account of my visit.\n\nQATAR\n\nDinner with the negotiators\n\nOn Friday evening, I boarded a plane bound for Doha, Qatar. My plan was to spend a day in Doha, since the Qataris are the primary interlocutors between the U.S. and Iran. I would also travel to the largest U.S. base in the region, Al Udeid, located in Qatar. Al Udeid sustained significant damage from Iranian strikes, and if Americans are going to be asked to send billions of dollars for repairs, I wanted to see the damage with my own eyes.\n\nAfter a long flight, I had planned to simply meet with our U.S. Embassy officials upon my arrival Saturday night. But just before departing, I learned that Ali Al Thawadi, the Qatari diplomat who has been conducting shuttle diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran, wanted to host me for dinner to talk about the status of negotiations. Over a two-hour dinner, Al Thawadi told me that a deal to end the war was still possible, but if achieved, it would be limited in scope. It would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, provide Iran with significant sanctions relief (providing billions to the Iranian regime), and might include some small commitments to constrain their nuclear program. I told him that though that sounded like a terrible deal, I would support almost any deal to end the war since America’s security, treasury and reputation were hemorrhaging each day the war continued.\n\nAt the end of dinner, Al Thawadi started checking his phone more frequently and then somewhat abruptly suggested we take dessert in his sitting room. Was something breaking with the Iranians, I wondered? No, in fact. As we sat down in his living room, he pointed to the television.\n\n“We are playing Saudi Arabia in the semifinals of the Gulf Cup! It’s gone to penalty kicks!”\n\nFor a few moments, he tried to keep the conversation going while watching the game, but the entire room was clearly and appropriately distracted by the game, as the Saudi goalkeeper made save after save. “Why don’t we just take a break and watch the game?” I suggested. After Qatar lost the game on penalty kicks (3-2), the mood quieted somewhat and I politely excused myself from a productive meeting that had run past three hours.\n\nMeeting with the Emir\n\nOn Saturday, I conducted a series of meetings with Qatari officials, including the head of state, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Qataris have been uniquely helpful partners to the United States over the years. They often serve as mediators of conflicts, like they are now. They host 1,000 Afghan refugees, at our request. Al Udeid and its thousands of American troops are there. I thanked the Emir for this partnership, and we discussed regional issues, like Iran, Yemen and Lebanon.\n\nBut I also had another message to deliver: my deep concern over the gift of a Qatari luxury jet to President Trump - a jet Trump has promised to take for his personal use after he leaves office. The Emir defended the gift as intended for the U.S. government and noted that Qatar had not done anything illegal. I told him that though I know how much pressure Trump put on Qatar to deliver the gift, we had to have zero tolerance on the corruption of U.S. foreign policy. Last year, I actually forced a vote on the Senate floor to suspend military sales to Qatar as a consequence of the plane gift, and I warned him that Qatar’s relationship with the United States would be damaged by any actions to personally enrich Trump or his family. A gift of that size to the President of the United States is corruption, plain and simple. I left hoping that my message was heard.\n\nThe cover up\n\nBy the time I left this meeting, it had become clear that I would not succeed in fulfilling the primary purpose of my visit: going to the Al Udeid base to talk to U.S. military leaders and troops about the war, and see the serious damage done to the facility.\n\nI have visited many active theaters of war during my time in Congress. This is my job: to do oversight over U.S. military operations overseas, especially during times of war. Congress - not the President - decides questions of war, and we cannot exercise our warmaking power or our power to appropriate or withhold funds for war without seeing it firsthand.\n\nPrevious presidents have been very serious about honoring our constitutional responsibility. I toured Baghdad with our troops in the middle of some of the most active fighting there. I helicoptered to forward operating bases in Afghanistan that were being targeted by daily Taliban attacks at the height of the Afghanistan War. Never before have I been denied access to visit our troops overseas during times of active war. But this president is no ordinary president.\n\nI made several formal requests to see Al Udeid ahead of my visit. Then, three days before I departed, I spoke in person with the U.S. CENTCOM Commander in charge of the war, Admiral Brad Cooper, and told him about my worry that I would be denied access in violation of the Constitution. I also told him that I had been told by the Department of Defense that I would be denied even a briefing by military leaders in the region. He told me the base visit policy was made by Secretary Hegseth, not him. He also said he was surprised that we were being denied even the opportunity to talk with his team and that he would look into that question.\n\nApparently he could not change Hegseth’s mind because by Saturday afternoon it was clear we would see no military installations nor meet with any military leaders while in Qatar. It was an outrageous decision - part of a coordinated cover up to hide the true costs and consequences of the war. I was furious but determined to make my time in Qatar as productive as possible. So I asked the Qataris to bring me out to their massive natural gas processing port, Ras Laffan, to see the damage Iranian drones had done there.\n\nRas Laffan\n\nRas Laffan is a breathtaking place. We all take for granted that our lights turn on and off reliably, and our home heat adjusts easily from season to season, but at Ras Laffan, you see the immense mechanical and human effort necessary to convert a fossil fuel into a source of energy that creates electricity and heating for billions of people. Gas production plants sprawl over miles of oceanside desert, for as far as the eye can see. 110,000 laborers live in camps throughout the complex (only men, with most allocated 8 square meters of living space per man), operating, building, and repairing the facility.\n\nBut the facility, aside from the ongoing construction, is largely idle - for two reasons. First, with the Strait of Hormuz constricted, only one natural gas tanker can travel through it per day (compared to ten per day prior to the war). Second, the Iranians hit two key areas of the facility (with precision strikes designed to do maximum damage), taking offline much of the work to liquify gas for transport. The repairs will cost billions and take three years to finish. Seventeen percent of Qatar’s gas exports are gone, and as a result, global prices will remain high for the long term.\n\nSeeing the damage in person was important. And I was glad the Qataris (and the U.S. State Department) helped me see it. From Ras Laffan, we traveled directly to the airport, and I boarded a plane to Riyadh for my first visit ever to Saudi Arabia.\n\nSAUDI ARABIA\n\nA near mass casualty event\n\nI have been perhaps the most vocal critic of Saudi Arabia and its leader, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (colloquially referred to as “MBS”), over the past decade. I organized an effort to stop President Obama’s plan to provide U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen in 2016, and I have been a loud critic of MBS’s campaign of domestic and foreign repression of free speech, including the infamous murder and dismemberment of American resident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.\n\nBut I chose to come to Riyadh for two reasons, both of which I explained to the Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, when I asked her to meet with me in September. First, I think it’s important for MBS and other Saudi officials to hear from opponents of the war and critics of his policies, not just Trump acolytes, many of whom are simply involved in a foreign policy grift, using their positions to make money from the Gulf. Second, despite its deep imperfections, Saudi Arabia is still a key partner in the region, especially when it comes to ending the war. And despite my criticism, there have been substantial cultural reforms in the Kingdom over the last decade that I wanted to see for myself.\n\nMy first stop in Riyadh on Monday morning was the U.S. Embassy for briefings with U.S. officials. While I was there, they showed me the immense damage that had been done to a section of the embassy by two Iranian drones that hit the building in the middle of the night during the early days of the war. No photographs have been released of the damage, and I might have been the first Member of Congress to see it in person (another reason why these visits are important). What I can say is that if the attack had happened in the middle of the day instead of the middle of the night, many Americans would be dead. As I stood in the dark, now abandoned space, I brimmed with anger at our president, who started this war without any real plan to keep our troops and diplomats safe. We are all very lucky this attack wasn’t a truly catastrophic one.\n\nMBS\n\nI thought hard about whether to meet with Mohammed bin Salman. What message would I send to meet face to face with a leader who subjects people who criticize him to beheading and ordered the murder of a Washington Post journalist ? But, on the other hand, what good does it do to avoid him, so that he only speaks with domestic sycophants and foreigners who refuse to confront him face to face? I chose to meet him.\n\nMBS has a habit of keeping visitors guessing as to when and if he will meet them, with the appointed time often ending up being in the middle of the night. Once in Riyadh, I heard the story of a very high-level U.S. official who was told to go to the city of Jeddah to meet with MBS, and then waited hours for the meeting only to be finally told that MBS was in fact not even in Jeddah. This may burnish his mysterious reputation, but it certainly does not make friends. And Saudi Arabia needs friends.\n\nI was told to keep Monday evening clear and I would be summoned to the palace at some point during the night. But then, in the late morning that day, as I was readying for lunch with longtime Saudi diplomat, Adel al-Jubeir, I was told that MBS was ready to meet me and asked if I could immediately come to the palace. I did, and after waiting there only a few minutes, MBS met me in a grand room, along with his Foreign Minister, National Security Advisor and Princess Reema. He began with a long recitation of the history of U.S.-Saudi relations and how important our partnership is. He finished by stressing his support for America’s global leadership, for which he believes there is no alternative. I told him I agree that our nations are inextricably linked, and that I want to think about how to bring back this partnership and resolve our disagreements.\n\nFor the next hour, we had a candid discussion about American values, domestic political dissent and Saudi Arabia’s financial support for the Trump family (Trump’s companies have done deals in the Kingdom recently and Saudi Arabia is a key investor in Middle East envoy Jared Kushner’s private equity fund). He defended both his campaign of repression (as necessary to prevent a revolution against his social reforms, he claimed) and his Trump family investments (just business deals, he said). I imagine he seldom has vocal critics like me in his palace, but he didn’t shy away from a spirited discussion. There was, of course, no meeting of the minds, but I believe it’s important for him to understand that his nation’s relationship with America will remain fragile as long as political opponents are hunted and Trump investment opportunities are favored.\n\nWe spent the second hour of our meeting discussing Iran and Yemen. He knew, of course, that I have long opposed Saudi Arabia’s military intervention in Yemen. So he didn’t try to convince me - as he has been trying to convince Trump - that the U.S. should support his current ground campaign there with air cover. But I did concede that comparing today’s conflict to the prior era of fighting was not fair. The truce in Yemen was only interrupted because of Trump’s war in Iran. The Houthis, in order to support their ally Iran, began to fire at ships in the Red Sea and moved to control more territory along the Bab Al Mandeb Strait - along with sending missiles and drones into Saudi Arabia, in response to Trump’s attacks on Iran. I do not think it’s in Saudi Arabia’s interest to restart a long ground war in Yemen, but I understand they need to defend themselves from Houthi attacks. I told him that.\n\nMissiles overhead\n\nOver the rest of the day Monday and through Tuesday, I met with local Saudi citizens and other members of the government (including the Foreign Minister and Energy Minister). I will admit that the social transformation happening in Saudi Arabia is real. After dinner on Tuesday with the Foreign Minister, I watched a group of women walking on the street together, one with her head fully covered, one with a lightly wrapped hijab, and one with no head covering at all. As many women were driving on the roads as men. Movie theaters were open and busy, and men and women sat together in cafes. This social opening is no excuse for tightened political repression, but it is real and meaningful.\n\nAs our departing flight drew closer, we took more urgent note of reports of nightly missiles being fired at Riyadh from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. These warnings, combined with the sight of the horrible damage to our embassy, was a reminder that the war Trump began in February has completely spiraled out of control. Yemen is a battle zone again. Saudi Arabia suffers nightly attacks. Thousands are dead and wounded in Lebanon as a result of a new war with Israel. All of this horror and carnage was a totally predictable result of Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran. And seeing it all for myself - wondering whether our flight would be able to leave as the Houthis targeted the Riyadh airport - reinforced for me, in a unique, personal way, the ongoing, compounding disaster Trump has caused.\n\nThat is why these visits are critical. And it’s why Hegseth and Trump are so deeply committed to stopping Members of Congress from seeing the consequences of the insane, voluntary war they started. They know that if more of us saw in person the immense damage done to U.S. bases, or had the chance to directly interrogate war leaders about their sure-to-fail war plans, support for the war in Congress would dry up fast.\n\nOnce on the plane home, my staff forwarded me more breaking news out of Saudi Arabia. A missile had struck the Riyadh airport, perhaps just prior or after our takeoff. Another disastrous result of a disastrous war.", "collected_at": "2026-10-12T12:44:49Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-12T12:46:14Z"}
{"url": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-muslim-legal-fund-america-article-below-titled-muslims-became-texas", "title": "ICYMI: The Muslim Legal Fund of America article below, titled “Muslims became Texas Republicans’ political piñata. Greg Abbott helped take the first swing.\"", "date": "2026-10-11", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "algreen.house.gov", "scraper": "algreen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000553", "name": "Al Green", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The Muslim Legal Fund of America article below, titled “Muslims became Texas Republicans’ political piñata. Greg Abbott helped take the first swing,” speaks for itself.\n\nYou can access the article by clicking the link here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-12T12:44:49Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-12T12:46:14Z"}
{"url": "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-condemns-president-trumps-failure-end-his-spiraling-iran-war", "title": "McCollum Condemns President Trump’s Failure to End His Spiraling Iran War", "date": "2026-10-11", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mccollum.house.gov", "scraper": "mccollum", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001143", "name": "Betty McCollum", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "“The deadly attack on Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Airport shows that President Trump’s war of choice in Iran is now dangerously spiraling throughout the region. Our U.S. servicemembers and our regional allies face increased attacks by Iranian-backed militias, because he has failed to present clear objectives and a plan to end this war.\n\n“When Trump took our nation to war eight months ago, he did so despite any imminent threat posed by Iran to the United States, and lacking necessary Congressional authorization. Since then, a bipartisan House of Representatives has passed three resolutions rebuking the president for unlawful war with Iran.\n\n“Just yesterday, the Pentagon reported that that the number of U.S. service members killed has risen to 21, with 865 wounded. Americans are paying skyrocketing fuel prices, which is raising the cost of everything we have to buy. The American people and our allies deserve clear answers from President Trump about his plan to end this war and prevent a growing, prolonged regional war.", "collected_at": "2026-10-12T12:44:49Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-12T12:46:14Z"}
{"url": "https://patryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/victory-hudson-congressman-pat-ryan-and-local-advocates-celebrate-success", "title": "VICTORY ON THE HUDSON: CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN AND LOCAL ADVOCATES CELEBRATE SUCCESS OF RYAN’S LAW THAT PERMANENTLY BANS BARGES ON THE HUDSON RIVER", "date": "2026-10-11", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://patryan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "patryan.house.gov", "scraper": "patryan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000579", "name": "Patrick Ryan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "After years of relentless advocacy by Congressman Ryan, bipartisan lawmakers, and local advocates, the “Hudson River Protection Act” – which permanently bans harmful, polluting barges from docking in the Hudson River – is now law\n\nRyan joined local advocates, including representatives from Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson, to celebrate the community victory years in the making; Ryan first introduced the bill in 2023 following attempts to allow dangerous barges to anchor in the Hudson, contaminating drinking water for Hudson Valley residents and destroying the environment\n\nPOUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Today, Congressman Pat Ryan joined local experts and advocates to celebrate the success of his Hudson River Protection Act. After years of relentless advocacy by Congressman Ryan, bipartisan elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels, and community experts and advocates, Ryan’s bill permanently banning harmful, polluting barges from docking in the Hudson is now law.\n\nRyan first introduced the Hudson River Protection Act in 2023, following attempts to erode protections preventing harmful, polluting barges from using the Hudson River as a parking lot – threatening to contaminate drinking water for more than 100,000 Hudson Valley residents and destroy the environment. He has been fighting for years, alongside the Hudson Valley community – with the invaluable partnership of organizations including Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson – to advance this legislation.\n\n“If there’s one thing we can all agree on it’s making sure our drinking water is clean and that our Hudson River is safe and protected. For far too long, big corporations have polluted and put at risk our precious River in pursuit of profits. But not anymore. The Hudson is more than a river – it’s the lifeblood and the heartbeat of our community,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Today we celebrated the years of effort by every single member of our Hudson Valley community. I especially want to thank my partners at Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson for their tireless work and commitment to protecting the Hudson. Never again will big corporations be able to turn our River into a parking lot for dangerous barges, polluting the drinking water for 100,000 of our neighbors. This victory proves that when the Hudson Valley stands up with one voice to demand change, we can accomplish anything.”\n\n“As the Coast Guard reviews comments and finalizes its rulemaking barring new anchorages along the Hudson River, we look back to celebrate the Hudson River Protection Act as a powerful testament to what we can accomplish when communities come together to defend the river they depend on,” said Riverkeeper Associate Director of Government Affairs Jeremy Cherson. “For nearly a decade, Riverkeeper and thousands of New Yorkers have fought to ensure that the Hudson is protected from the risks posed by new commercial vessel anchorages. This law honors that persistence by safeguarding critical habitat, protecting drinking water for more than 100,000 people, and making clear that the Hudson is not a place for industrial exploitation. We’re grateful to Congressman Pat Ryan, our partners, and the countless Hudson Valley residents who raised their voices and refused to let the river’s future be put at risk.”\n\n“The Hudson 7 is an intermunicipal council representing seven Mid-Hudson municipalities that rely on the Hudson River as a drinking water source. More than 107,000 people in Dutchess and Ulster Counties depend on the river for their drinking water, with five treatment plants drawing directly from the Hudson to serve communities including Rhinebeck, Esopus, Lloyd, Hyde Park, and Poughkeepsie,” said Gary Bassett, Mayor of the Village of Rhinebeck and Chair of the Hudson 7. “The river doesn’t follow municipal boundaries. A spill doesn’t stop at a town line, and a flood doesn’t stop at a county line. Protecting this shared resource requires regional cooperation and strong federal leadership. Today, we thank Congressman Ryan for his sustained leadership in advancing the Hudson River Protection Act.”\n\n“Residents of Ulster County have a deep and abiding appreciation for the Hudson River. County Executive Metzger recognizes and supports the more than 9,000 county residents who draw their drinking water from the Hudson River, and the thousands more who enjoy fishing, boating, picnicking, and hiking along the waterfront. On behalf of the Department of Environment, we express our appreciation to Congressman Ryan and the advocacy groups who worked tirelessly to secure passage of this legislation,” said Andy Bicking, Director of Ulster County’s Department of Environment.\n\n“Without the Hudson River Protection Act, our river was at risk of becoming a busy highway and parking lot for marine vessels carrying crude oil or other dangerous cargo. Scenic Hudson is proud to have partnered with Congressman Ryan to finally put an end to this threat. The Hudson River Protection Act, introduced and championed by the Congressman, will permanently prevent efforts to add new upper Hudson River anchorages, protecting the ecological health of the river and the health of those who rely on it for drinking water and recreation. Scenic Hudson will continue to partner with our friends in the Hudson Valley, Albany, and Washington to vigilantly protect this critical waterway,” said Carli Fraccarolli, Scenic Hudson's Government Relations Manager.\n\nCongressman Ryan’s “Hudson River Protection Act” bans additional barge anchorages in the Hudson, which pollute the drinking water for more than 100,000 Hudson Valley residents and damage the Hudson’s diverse ecosystem.\n\nIn 2023, when the Coast Guard issued an Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) signaling an attempt to erode protections preventing commercial vessels from anchoring in the Hudson River, Ryan immediately raised the alarm, warning of devastating environmental and health impacts for the river ecosystem and broader community.\n\nAfter a more than two month delay, Michael Emerson, the Director of Marine Transportation Systems, provided a woefully insufficient response that left the door open for dangerous oil barges to line the Hudson.\n\nIn October of 2023, Ryan was joined by Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson and the Hudson 7 in demanding the Coast Guard uphold the anchoring ban. Ryan gave a speech on the House Floor, calling on Hudson Valley families to join the fight and shared a form for those interested to register their opinion. The new MSIB, issued in November 2023 in response to overwhelming community outrage, temporarily paused the Coast Guard’s plan to allow dangerous barges to line the Hudson River but doubled down on their plan to allow unlimited anchoring in the future.\n\nCongressman Ryan’s greatest concern has been that the Hudson River serves as the primary water supply for seven communities in his district, and serves as the backup drinking water supply for our nation’s largest city, New York City. Additionally, more oil barges on the Hudson will increase the risks of a catastrophic spill. This is especially concerning for the more than 100,000 people that draw their drinking water from the Hudson River.\n\nBarges often carry oil, asphalt, and other hazardous materials, which pollute the river with their noisy generators and “stadium” lighting. The Hudson River and its connected waters are also home to more than 200 species of fish and provide spawning and nursery habitat for striped bass, shad, and herring that support fisheries up and down the entire Atlantic coast. The River has seen significant efforts to restore the habitats of endangered fish species which are jeopardized by barge anchors dragging along the River bottom.\n\nPresident Trump signed the “Hudson River Protection Act” into law as part of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), wherein Congressman Ryan secured numerous other wins including a pay raise for troops.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-bipartisan-groups-statement-opposing-imports-of-russian-diesel", "title": "Senator Collins, Bipartisan Group of Senators Issue Joint Statement Opposing Imports of Russian Diesel", "date": "2026-10-11", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins joined a bipartisan group of senators, including Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and John Curtis (R-UT) in issuing the following statement opposing Russian diesel fuel imports to the United States:\n\n“Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine. Congress was clear: The U.S. should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our NATO Allies.\n\n“President Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law. The Administration has also failed to consult with Congress or submit any explanation to justify its decision as required by statute.\n\n“The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/video-senator-moody-and-governor-desantis-join-local-leaders-in-recovery-efforts-following-direct-strike-from-hurricane-isaias/", "title": "VIDEO: Senator Moody and Governor DeSantis Join Local Leaders in Recovery Efforts Following Direct Strike from Hurricane Isaias", "date": "2026-10-11", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.moody.senate.gov", "scraper": "moody", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001244", "name": "Ashley Moody", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Senator Moody joined Gov. DeSantis at his briefing at a Milton Waffle House and will be attending another briefing with Gov. DeSantis at Grayson Beach State Park later this afternoon.\n\nPENSACOLA, Fla. — Today, U.S. Senator Ashley Moody joined Governor Ron DeSantis for multiple stops across Northwest Florida to assess damage and observe ongoing disaster recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias.\n\n“Isaias was a major hurricane, and it will take time to rebuild what was destroyed. Floridians are resilient and I am committed to working alongside Governor DeSantis to make sure communities that suffered damage have the resources needed to recover. Every level of government was prepared for Isaias, and now every level of government is fully engaged in supporting recovery,”said Senator Ashley Moody.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nSenator Moody was on the ground with Governor DeSantis Friday morning in Pensacola for a pre-landfall briefing, urging residents in the path of the storm to complete preparations quickly, fortify their homes, and follow directions from local officials. “We will weather this storm together,” she said at the time.\n\nToday, Senator Moody and Gov DeSantis stopped at a Waffle House in Milton and will be holding a briefing at a damaged roadway where recovery operations were actively underway.\n\nPresident Trump approved the emergency declaration requested by Governor DeSantis, following Senator Moody’s letter to the Administration prior to hurricane Isaias making landfall.\n\nSenator Moody continues to coordinate closely with federal partners, including FEMA, to help ensure timely assistance reaches impacted communities. Her office can assist Floridians navigating federal agencies—submit requests at Moody.Senate.Gov or call toll-free in Florida at 866-630-7106.\n\nFor additional storm resources and recovery tips, visit Senator Moody’s Storm webpage at Moody.Senate.gov/Storm-Preparation.\n\nDuring her time in the U.S. Senate, Senator Moody helped recover billions in FEMA public assistance for Florida communities recovering from prior storms and advanced the TRACK Act to improve transparency in the recovery process.\n\nView photos from today’s briefings here.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-12T12:44:49Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-12T12:46:14Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-on-face-the-nation-americans-should-be-furious-at-trumps-spiraling-crisis-in-the-middle-east", "title": "Murphy on Face the Nation: Americans Should Be Furious at Trump's Spiraling Crisis in the Middle East", "date": "2026-10-11", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.murphy.senate.gov", "scraper": "chrismurphy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001169", "name": "Christopher Murphy", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Sunday joined Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan. In the immediate aftermath of Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, which killed at least 12 people, including an American citizen, and injured at least 300 others, Murphy discussed how the Trump administration’s incompetence and short-sightedness has destabilized an entire region.\n\nFresh from his own Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to Doha, Qatar and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Murphy also discussed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s cover-up of the costs and impact associated with the Iran war, as well as the Trump administration’s broader failure to protect American troops and American military bases. Murphy’s full readout is available here and on Substack.\n\nDrawing from what he witnessed in the region on his recent CODEL, Murphy laid out the full, devastating picture of Trump’s failed war with Iran: “I was in that airport the day before, having visited the Saudis and the Qataris, who are trying to negotiate an end to the war. I mean, listen, what I saw on the ground is a war that is spiraling out of control. You have a dozen dead. A full-blown new war between the Houthis in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. You have the Iranians restarting their missile programs. They never, we never eliminated their drone program. They're restarting their nuclear program. Gas prices are at $6 in some states… Gas prices, diesel prices, food prices through the roof. 20 Americans dead. $100 billion spent. If the Trump administration was trying to lose this war, they couldn't do worse than they are doing. This is a humiliation to the United States. The war is getting bigger and more dangerous, not smaller and more limited.”\n\nMurphy blasted Hegseth’s attempts to cover up the war’s damage and stressed that Congress cannot support more funding for the war until transparency is restored and sustained: “There is a cover-up underway to try to hide from the American public the cost of this war and the debacle that it has caused in the region. So, how could we assess whether we want to rebuild these facilities if the administration is denying us the ability to see them or even to understand the scope of the damage? I mean, the blockage of basic congressional oversight responsibilities here is absolutely egregious.”\n\nMurphy explained why the only remaining avenue to protect American troops in the Middle East is an immediate end to the war: “The best way to support our troops and our people in the region is to end this war, to unilaterally end American hostilities, and to frankly ask our partners in the region to do the work of reopening the Strait and reopening the Red Sea… the president is saying that he is considering after the election going back to war with Iran, and so of course Iran's response to that is going to be an escalation of the war… This is a president who is showing just humiliating levels of incompetence in war making, and escalation is just going to bring more misery for the American taxpayers and for people who live in that region.”\n\nHe also pointed out that Donald Trump’s gross incompetence in warmaking has resulted in billions of dollars of wasted taxpayer money: “Donald Trump was so fundamentally unprepared for this war that within days of the war starting, our billion-dollar air bases and naval bases in the region were obliterated by the Iranians. Every single American should be furious about that, not just because Americans died, but because their taxpayer dollars at scale were wasted. And so, yes, we should reconsider whether we should rebuild them if we can't protect them. And this president is incapable of protecting our people in the Middle East.”\n\nA full transcript of the interview is available below. A full video of the interview is available here.\n\nBrennan: Yesterday there were 309 people injured, 12 killed, including one American, in this attack on the airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. President Trump said the U.S. both may join strikes, but also that the U.S. is talking to the Houthis-that's the Iran-backed group that carried out this strike, do you support retaliation? And do our Saudi partners, who you were just visiting, deserve the American support?\n\nMurphy: Yeah, I was in that airport the day before, having visited the Saudis and the Qataris, who are trying to negotiate an end to the war. I mean, listen, what I saw on the ground is a war that is spiraling out of control. You have a dozen dead. A full-blown new war between the Houthis in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. You have the Iranians restarting their missile programs. They never, we never eliminated their drone program. They're restarting their nuclear program. Gas prices are at $6 in some states.\n\nBrennan: They’re restarting their nuclear program?\n\nMurphy: There's evidence of that at one of the primary sites in which we think they are digging underground. They are restarting nuclear research activities. Gas prices, diesel prices, food prices through the roof. 20 Americans dead. $100 billion spent. If the Trump administration was trying to lose this war, they couldn't do worse than they are doing. This is a humiliation to the United States. The war is getting bigger and more dangerous, not smaller and more limited. And it's an advertisement for every single member of the House and the Senate who voted for this war, who continues to support this war, to be booted out of office this November.\n\nBrennan: But in regard to this particular strike, the U.S. has not committed to retaliating on our partners, the Saudis' behalf. Do you think that would be appropriate?\n\nMurphy: No, I don't think the United States should go to war in Yemen. I mean, this administration is absolutely incompetent in war making, and so just as we have made the Middle East worse and more chaotic by getting involved in a war against Iran, we would simply escalate and make the situation even more dangerous if we then went to war not only with Iran but with the Houthis in Yemen as well.\n\nBrennan: Well, in many ways, there's this argument about U.S. credibility in the region and continued presence. The Congressional Budget Office says it's unable to estimate the cost of damage to American bases because the Pentagon hasn't provided the information, and the extent of rebuilding is unclear. The extent is unclear because the intent is unclear, and some Democrats have even said they want to shrink the U.S. presence. I believe you also favor drawing down the U.S. military presence. Are you going to vote to rebuild the installations you saw that were damaged?\n\nMurphy: Well, I didn't see any installations. I mean, that that's the issue: is that we have-\n\nBrennan: I thought you saw the embassy.\n\nMurphy: Well, I saw the embassy, but the most expensive rebuild would be of the naval base in Bahrain and our air base in Qatar, and right now members of Congress are being denied the ability to see the damage at these bases because there is a cover-up underway. There is a cover-up underway to try to hide from the American public the cost of this war and the debacle that it has caused in the region. So, how could we assess whether we want to rebuild these facilities if the administration is denying us the ability to see them or even to understand the scope of the damage. I mean, the blockage of basic congressional oversight responsibilities here is absolutely egregious.\n\nBrennan: You said that you had evidence shared with you of possible rebuilding of Iran's nuclear program. Was that a classified briefing? Was that a briefing that the administration did share with you?\n\nMurphy: No, that's open source reporting: that the Iranians are are potentially starting to dig deeper to rebuild some of the capacities in Pickaxe Mountain.\n\nBrennan: Okay, because the Pentagon does say they need additional funds for the war we are currently in with Iran. How do you balance the political statement and the intent to end [the war] against the question of whether we are supporting and protecting our people who are still in the region?\n\nMurphy: Yeah, the best way to support our troops and our people in the region is to end this war, to unilaterally end American hostilities, and to frankly ask our partners in the region to do the work of reopening the Strait and reopening the Red Sea. The reality is, so long as the potential continues-\n\nBrennan: Just walk away?\n\nMurphy: Well, the president is saying that he is considering after the election going back to war with Iran, and so of course Iran's response to that is going to be an escalation of the war. The president needs to bring this war to an end, and that will be the quickest way that the waterways will be reopened. Again, this is a president who is showing just humiliating levels of incompetence in war making, and escalation is just going to bring more misery for the American taxpayers and for people who live in that region.\n\nBrennan: Just to put a fine point on it, I mean the Iranians want the U.S. to withdraw from the region. Do you favor a drawdown of U.S. troops from the region?\n\nMurphy: Well, I think the United States is always going to have to have a presence in that region. But let's just be honest: we don't have a naval base any longer in Bahrain. We don't have an effective base in Qatar because, minutes into the war, the Iranians took those bases out. So, at the very least, if we're going to rebuild any capacity in that region, we're going to have to find a way to protect it. Donald Trump was so fundamentally unprepared for this war that within days of the war starting, our billion-dollar air bases and naval bases in the region were obliterated by the Iranians. Every single American should be furious about that, not just because Americans died, but because their taxpayer dollars at scale were wasted. And so, yes, we should reconsider whether we should rebuild them if we can't protect them. And this president is incapable of protecting our people in the Middle East.\n\nBrennan: The Pentagon did disclose yesterday 20 fatalities, American fatalities.\n\nMurphy: Extraordinary.\n\nBrennan: I want to ask you a bit about politics. Our CBS polling shows Republicans they do have perhaps a turnout problem compared to Democrats, but when it comes to perception, 58% of registered voters polled by CBS say they view the Democratic Party as weak. What is the affirmative Democratic message other than we're not Trump?\n\nMurphy: Well, I mean, listen, we are in the middle of a war that is a disaster for the American people. I mean, people can't afford food; they can't afford to fill their gas tank. Farms are going bankrupt at a record rate. So, I mean, let's just be honest: the the most important thing that the American people are thinking about right now is getting these people out of power because this has been a disaster for the world, for America's reputation, and for the economy.\n\nBut yes, I think we need to be bold in our ideas and our proposals for how we're going to fix this mess. And so we should promise that if we win this election, we are not going to fund this war, right? We're not going to approve money for the Department of Defense without a commitment from the Trump administration that this war ends. We're going to take on this corruption - not just Trump's corruption, but the entire corruption of the federal government. If you elect us, we're going to work to get billionaire and corporate and anonymous money out of politics. To the extent that people see us as weak, I think historically it's been because our ideas haven't been big enough, our tactics haven't been bold enough. And yes, in the closing days of this campaign, we can promise people: if you elect us, we are going to take on his corruption, we are going to end this war, and that, supplemented with the higher prices and the debacle of the war with Iran, I think could result in a landslide.\n\nBrennan: You're hitting the trail, as I understand it. North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota. You're going to help out one of our other guests in New Hampshire. But let me ask you about the Florida decision. The Senate candidate Angie Nixon there has aligned herself with Democratic socialists over the summer. Does that give you pause at all, or when you talk about big ideas, is that the kind of big idea you want to endorse?\n\nMurphy: Well, I also think we should just be a big tent, right? There's, I think, a pretty big difference between Chris Pappas in New Hampshire and Angie Nixon in Florida. And if we want to win elections, we should welcome people who have a diverse set of ideas into the party. The people of Florida-\n\nBrennan: But then you got to govern!\n\nMurphy: Well, the people of Florida will decide, right, right, whether they want Angie Nixon or whether they want Senator Moody, who has basically said nothing about the growing, massive corruption scandals in this administration. But as a party, I think we should welcome a lot of different people with a lot of different ideas in, and then let the voters decide.\n\nBrennan: Senator Murphy, thank you for your time today.\n\nMurphy: Appreciate it.", "collected_at": "2026-10-12T12:44:49Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-12T12:46:14Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2026/10/sen-rick-scott-tours-hurricane-isaias-damage-with-local-officials", "title": "Sen. Rick Scott Tours Hurricane Isaias Damage with Local Officials", "date": "2026-10-11", "date_source": "page_html", "source": "https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.rickscott.senate.gov", "scraper": "rickscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001217", "name": "Rick Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "DESTIN, Fla. – Today, U.S. Senator Rick Scott held a press conference in Destin after touring damage left by Hurricane Isaias and receiving a briefing at the Okaloosa County Emergency Operations Center on recovery efforts from local officials. Earlier this week, Senator Scott spoke with President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Mullin about delivering federal assistance to impacted Florida communities.\n\nSenator Rick Scott said, “With every hurricane, we learn more about how to prepare, respond, and recover. Floridians clearly took Hurricane Isaias seriously, and now that we have survived the storm, we will come together to rebuild and recover.\n\n“My role as your U.S. Senator is to ensure all the federal resources are available, and I talked to President Trump about that earlier this week. I’m grateful that he quickly approved a federal emergency declaration for our state. I also spoke with Secretary Mullin to ensure FEMA is going to do their part so every Florida family impacted can fully recover. Floridians are strong, and I will keep working with local, state, and federal partners to make sure our state has everything we need to get Panhandle communities back on their feet.”\n\nTo watch Senator Scott’s opening remarks at the press conference, click HERE or on the images above.\n\nSenator Scott was joined by Congressman Jimmy Patronis, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden, Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, Okaloosa County Commissioner Trey Goodwin, Okaloosa County Commissioner Drew Palmer, Okaloosa County Commissioner Sherri Cox, Destin Mayor Bobby Wagner, State Rep. Pat Maney, Destin City Councilman Dewey Destin, Parker Destin, and other local officials.\n\nAdditional information on federal resources available to Floridians and impacted communities following Hurricane Isaias can be found HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-12T12:44:49Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-12T12:46:14Z"}
{"url": "https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/doggett-trumps-russian-diesel-deal-violates-law", "title": "Doggett: Trump's Russian Diesel Deal Violates the Law", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "doggett.house.gov", "scraper": "doggett", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000399", "name": "Lloyd Doggett", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Sponsor of 2022 Russian Energy Import Ban Says Trump Rewards Putin While Blaming Zelensky\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), a longtime champion of cutting off Russian energy revenue whose name is on the 2022 Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act (Public Law 117-109), today said President Trump's deal with Vladimir Putin to allow Russian diesel into the United States directly violates that law.\n\nOn Friday, after a Trump call with Putin, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License 135, authorizing the sale, delivery, offloading, and “importation into the United States” of Russian diesel through April 7, 2027.\n\n“In 2022, my name was on the first law banning Russian fossil fuel imports to deny Putin funding for his brutal invasion of Ukraine,” said Rep. Doggett. “Now Trump is directly violating that law, lifting sanctions to permit the first Russian diesel imports into the United States since the law took effect, without satisfying the specific legal conditions it requires. He illegally rewards his pal Putin while once again blaming Zelensky for not capitulating to Putin. Meanwhile, every day Putin murders more Ukrainian civilians.”\n\nWhat the law requires\n\nThe Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act passed the House 413–9 and the Senate unanimously, and was signed into law on April 8, 2022. It bans the importation of all Russian energy products classified under chapter 27 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, which includes diesel.\n\nThe law permits the President to end the ban only by certifying to Congress that Russia has:\n\nreached an agreement to withdraw its forces and end hostilities that is accepted by Ukraine's government;\n\nceased to pose an immediate military threat to any NATO member; and\n\nrecognized the right of the Ukrainian people to freely choose their own government.\n\nThe President must first consult with the Ways and Means, Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Foreign Relations Committees and submit a report at least 45 days before certifying. Any termination takes effect only after 90 days, during which Congress may enact a resolution of disapproval. None of these steps has occurred, and none of the conditions has been met.\n\nBipartisan concern\n\nRep. Doggett's concerns are shared across party lines. A bipartisan group of senators has recognized the illegality of Trump’s action. On NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) said there is “a legitimate case for saying the president's not following the law” and warned that the deal will put American lives at risk, citing the Kremlin's ties to Iran. Former Vice President Mike Pence called lifting the sanctions a betrayal of the late Senator Lindsey Graham's legacy.\n\nThe deal comes weeks after President Trump signed a sweeping Russia sanctions law, and only weeks after he publicly called on President Zelensky to stop Ukrainian strikes on Russian diesel infrastructure, blaming Ukraine rather than the war with Iran for high fuel prices.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-joins-congressional-ferry-caucus-advocate-eastern-north", "title": "Congressman Don Davis Joins Congressional Ferry Caucus to Advocate for Eastern North Carolina’s Coastal Communities", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "dondavis.house.gov", "scraper": "dondavis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000230", "name": "Donald G. Davis", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) announced he has joined the Congressional Ferry Caucus. As a member of the caucus, he will join 17 of his colleagues to focus on federal investment in our nation's ferry system.\n\n\"Ferries in eastern North Carolina's coastal communities are essential. They connect kids to school, residents to doctor visits, and workers to their jobs,\" said Congressman Don Davis. \"As a new member of the bipartisan Congressional Ferry Caucus, my focus is to advocate for more federal investment in the ferry system so that coastal communities can remain connected.\"\n\nThe State of Washington operates the largest ferry system in the nation, and North Carolina's ferry system follows as the second-largest.\n\nThere are a total of seven scheduled ferry routes that link eastern North Carolina communities. Ferries provide access to basic needs and necessities, support the local economy through tourism and trade, and are still a significant part of their daily lives. Ferry transportation is vital to our residents and businesses along the coast.\n\nRepresentatives Emily Randall (WA-06), Nick Begich (AK-AL), John Garamendi (CA-08), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) are the founding members of the caucus, which was created in June 2025 to raise awareness in Washington, D.C., of our nation's ferry system among Congressional members and their staff.", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-hosts-aapi-roundtable-in-palisades-park", "title": "RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts AAPI Roundtable in Palisades Park", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "domain": "gottheimer.house.gov", "scraper": "gottheimer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000583", "name": "Josh Gottheimer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Above: Gottheimer hosts AAPI Roundtable.\n\nPALISADES PARK, NJ —Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a roundtable with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders and community members from across North Jersey at the Palisades Park Library to discuss the challenges facing the AAPI community and what Washington can do to help. Joined by local elected officials, community organizations, educators, health care advocates, small business owners, and cultural and ethnic associations, Gottheimer outlined his work on health care, affordability, small business, anti-Asian hate, public safety, immigration, and education, and heard directly from participants about what their neighbors need most.\n\n“The AAPI community represents different ethnicities, languages, faiths, and traditions, but the same drive to strengthen our communities. That’s why I’m working so hard in Washington and across the aisle to support you. But celebrating this community isn’t enough,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).\n\nAcross the Fifth District, roughly 127,000 residents are Asian American, or about one in six. This includes nearly half of Englewood Cliffs and more than forty-three percent of Fort Lee. Palisades Park, which has the highest percentage and density of Korean residents of any town in the country, is located within the District.\n\nGottheimer, a member of the Korea, India, Taiwan, Asia Pacific American, and Pacific Islands Caucuses and Co-Chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, discussed the following priorities and his relevant legislation with attendees:\n\nMental Health Emergency Care: Gottheimer secured $2 million to expand the behavioral health emergency department at New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, growing it from 19 to 49 beds, with 30 beds dedicated to mental health and substance abuse treatment and 50 new clinical jobs. He is also part of the bipartisan push to extend and reform the ACA enhanced premium tax credits.\n\nAffordability: As Co-Chair of the bipartisan SALT Caucus, he is pushing the SALT Deductibility Act to fully restore the SALT deduction. His Tariff Impact Act would require the Congressional Budget Office to review the economic impact of any new tariff before they take effect.\n\nMedicaid and CHIP: New restrictions on lawfully present immigrants, part of the OBBB law that he voted against, recently took effect. Roughly 300,000 New Jersey residents could lose Medicaid or fail to get it, mostly because of paperwork.\n\nSmall Business: Under a policy that took effect March 1, 2026, the SBA no longer backs loans to businesses with any non-citizen ownership. Even a green card holder with a 1 percent stake disqualifies a business. In FY2024 alone, the agency backed 8,900 loans worth $7.2 billion to Asian-owned businesses.\n\nAnti-Sikh Hate: Gottheimer introduced the Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act with Congressman David Valadao (R-CA) in January 2026. It would create a DOJ Task Force on Anti-Sikh Discrimination, set a federal definition of anti-Sikh hate, develop education programs, and report annually to Congress. New Jersey is home to roughly 100,000 Sikhs.\n\nPublic Safety: Gottheimer announced $42 million in FEMA funding in July 2026, split between $21 million statewide and $21 million for Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties. It covers radios, drones, K-9 units, and security upgrades for houses of worship such as cameras, alarms, guards, and reinforced doors. His bipartisan Invest to Protect Act would authorize $50 million a year for five years to help police departments with fewer than 200 officers with recruitment, training, mental health resources, and body cameras. He invited houses of worship that have not applied for Nonprofit Security Grants to call his office.\n\nImmigration: More than 1.2 million people are stuck in the employment-based green card backlog, nearly eighty percent from India, with a projected 179-year wait for an Indian EB-2 applicant. He voted to eliminate the per-country caps on employment-based green cards and says the country can secure the border and enforce its laws while treating people fairly.\n\nICE Oversight: Gottheimer introduced the ICE Standards Act in January 2026, after the Minneapolis shootings. It would require stronger training, body and dash cameras, clear uniforms and ID, efforts to verify citizenship before detention, and limits on enforcement at schools, hospitals, and houses of worship. He also visited Delaney Hall and worked to secure the release of a 17-year-old girl, Ariadna, in time for her high school graduation.\n\nEducation: Gottheimer discussed the administration’s freeze of $23 million in English learner funding for New Jersey and cancellation of nearly $1 billion in school mental health grants. He supports doubling the Pell Grant and pointed to the roughly $5 billion the American Rescue Plan he helped write, negotiate, and pass in 2021, and delivered to Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions. He also introduced a resolution recognizing AANAPISI Week.\n\nGottheimer was joined by Assemblywoman Ellen Park, Chair of AAPI Caucus, Assemblywoman Shama Haider, Assemblyman Al Barlas, Mayor of Palisades Park Chong Paul Kim, Mayor of Harrington Park Joon Chung,Yogi Virk, President of the Sikh Chamber of Commerce, Daniel Song, Palisades Park County Committee Member, Closter Councilman Christopher Cho, Palisades Park Councilman Charlie Changkyun Shin, Mahwah Councilwoman Michelle Crowe Paz, Englewood Cliffs Councilman Philip Zhi Liang, River Edge Councilwoman Priti Dhariwal, Sara Kim, Senior Director of Public Health and Research Center at Korean Community Services NY & NJ, Teresa Baik, Director of Education of Korean Community Services NY & NJ, Farhat Khan, President of the Cultural Society of Bergen County, Palisades Park Councilman Christopher Kwak, Eun Ju Hong, President of the Korean American Association of Fort Lee, Tom Choi, Vice President of the Korean American Association of Fort Lee, Jae-eun Ahn, Vice President of the Korean American Association of Fort Lee, Christina Kim, with the Fort Lee Fire Prevention, Serena Pak, Director of the Youth Council of Fort Lee, Hyunjung Kim, Advisor of ComposTogether at the Youth Council of Fort Lee, Harrington Park, Ludi Hughes, Chairwoman of Asian American Heritage Council of NJ and Chairwoman/Founder of the Filipino American Festival, Inc, Amber Reed, Co-Executive of AAPI of New Jersey, John Sohn, President of the Korean American Nail Assocation of NJ, Ellen Jeon, Executive Director and Advisor of the Asian American Youth Council, Anne Y. Kim Cha, President of the Korean American Senior Citizens Association of NJ, Donald Yu, Vice President of the Korean American Senior Citizens Association of NJ, Ella Chorong Lee, Library Director of the Palisades Park Public Library.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer hosts AAPI Roundtable.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=391220", "title": "Deadline to Apply for a Nomination to a U.S. Service Academy One Month from Today", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://guthrie.house.gov/news", "domain": "guthrie.house.gov", "scraper": "guthrie", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000558", "name": "Brett Guthrie", "party": "Republican", "state": "KY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BOWLING GREEN, KY – The deadline for high school students interested in applying for a Congressional nomination to one of our nation’s U.S. service academies through the Office of Congressman Brett Guthrie is one month from today – November 12, 2026.\n\nAll application materials must be turned in or postmarked by November 12, 2026. Applications must be submitted to Congressman Guthrie’s District Office, located at 996 Wilkinson Trace, Suite B2, Bowling Green, KY 42103.\n\nChoosing to attend a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve our great country in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. In addition to the unmatched opportunity to achieve the highest goals and standards in service, students receive a competitive, high-quality education. The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Merchant Marine academies are all excellent institutions for higher education and training.\n\nAdditional information about the application process through Congressman Guthrie’s office can be found HERE.\n\nStudents interested in applying for a Congressional nomination, you must fill out this form. After you complete the Academy Application, you must turn in the following items:\n\nCompleted application form\n\nPersonal and brief letter from you to Congressman Guthrie stating why you want to attend an academy\n\nMinimum of 3 evaluation forms required from the following sources:\n\nHigh School Counselor or Principal\n\nHigh School Teacher\n\nSupervisor of an extra-curricular activity in or outside school\n\nNote: the evaluation form can be found on the Academy Application. Please use this form rather than submitting a letter of recommendation.\n\nCurrent photograph\n\nList of extra-curricular activities inside or outside school (please specify any honors, awards, and leadership positions)\n\nOfficial transcript of grades through junior year\n\nOfficial rank in class to include total number in class\n\nPlease have your guidance counselor contact Congressman Guthrie’s office at 270-842-9896 if your school does not use a class ranking system.", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://jeffries.house.gov/2026/10/12/joint-democratic-leadership-statement-on-the-raid-on-ilhan-omars-home/", "title": "JOINT DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP STATEMENT ON THE RAID ON ILHAN OMAR’S HOME", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jeffries.house.gov/category/press-release/page/", "domain": "jeffries.house.gov", "scraper": "jeffries", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000294", "name": "Hakeem S. Jeffries", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "UPDATE: Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians\n\nOn Tuesday, June 25, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration could move forward with its plans to rip legal status away from nearly 350,000 current Haitian and Syrian Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. Following this decision, the Department of Homeland Security announced the termination of TPS for Haitians and Syrians, effective July 27, 2026.\n\nIndividuals who have lost TPS may be impacted in different ways, including loss of protection from deportation and loss of work authorization. However, there may be alternative legal pathways to remain and work in the United States. To learn more about what the end of TPS means for you and your family:\n\nAll TPS holders regardless of designation should visit the USCIS website for the latest updates on their TPS status.\n\nVisit the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigration Affairs website to learn more about what the expiration of TPS status means for impacted New Yorkers. Resource documents are available in English, Arabic, French and Haitian Creole.\n\nContact the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), whose Legal Support Centers offer free, confidential immigration legal help. Free, safe and confidential immigration legal services are available regardless of your immigration status and in your language by calling the MOIA legal support hotline at 800-354-0365 or visiting nyc.gov/knowyourrights.", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-holds-roundtable-address-childhood-mental-health", "title": "Kean Holds Roundtable to Address Childhood Mental Health", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kean.house.gov", "scraper": "kean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000398", "name": "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(October 12, 2026) BRIDGEWATER, NJ – Last week, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) hosted a community roundtable at the Bridgewater Township Municipal Building to discuss childhood mental health in coordination with the reintroduction of the Healthy Minds for a Better Future Act.\n\nThe Healthy Minds for a Better Future Act would establish a task force at the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services focused on middle school mental health.\n\n“We must do everything we can to support the mental health of our children,” said Congressman Kean. “As a father, I understand that a parent’s greatest priority is ensuring their child’s well‑being. I was grateful for the opportunity to host this roundtable and bring together local leaders, parents, and school staff to hear directly about the challenges students face today. Conversations like these help us identify meaningful ways to support middle school students so they can thrive both academically and emotionally.”\n\n“Our children are growing up in a world that presents challenges many of us never had to face at their age,” said Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench. “Between social media, online bullying, and the pressures of everyday life, too many young people are struggling in silence. As parents, educators, and community leaders, we have a responsibility to make sure every child knows they are valued, supported, and never alone. I appreciate Congressman Kean's leadership in bringing attention to this important issue and working toward solutions that put the well-being of our children first.”\n\n“As a middle school parent and Wait Until 8th supporter, I believe protecting our children’s mental health means giving them time to grow without the pressures of smartphones and social media,” said Wait Until 8th Advocate Lauren Becht. “Schools can be powerful partners by supporting families who choose to delay, teaching students to recognize and navigate online pressures, and making mental health resources easy for families to find. Just as important, children need to feel safe asking for help when they need it. I appreciate Congressman Kean bringing parents into this conversation and focusing on the well-being of our middle schoolers.”\n\n“Youth mental health requires a community-wide commitment. As a parent of three and with experience of serving as a member of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School Board, as well as serving on the board of nonprofit organizations, I understand the importance of supporting children during these pivotal years,” said Bridgewater-Raritan School District Board of Education and United for Impact Board Member Lucy Li. “Congressman Kean’s bill is an important step toward turning that commitment into action, and I encourage an approach that brings together schools, families, faith and cultural organizations, nonprofits, and other community partners to provide coordinated, accessible support. At United for Impact, we believe strong community connections are essential to youth well-being and prevention, and we welcome the opportunity to help build partnerships that extend support within and beyond the classroom and make a lasting difference in children’s lives.”\n\n“As a New Jersey-certified school counselor, I chose this career because I recognized the growing need for mental health support in our schools and wanted to be part of the solution,” said New Jersey Certified School CounselorNisha Ali. “School counselors do far more than provide individual and group counseling; we work closely with families, administrators, and Child Study Teams to help students navigate challenges, heal from trauma, and succeed both academically and emotionally. As concerns surrounding student mental health and safety continue to grow, we must advocate for more school counseling positions in every district across New Jersey to ensure that all students receive the support, resources, and care they need to thrive.”\n\nRead the text of the billHERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/advocating-territories-washington", "title": "Advocating for the Territories in Washington", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The Marianas’ own Zeno Deleon Guerrero, Jr. and Gregorie Michael Towai, along with their colleagues from Right To Democracy, visited the Washington congressional office to discuss issues important to the U.S. territories, including deep-seabed mining and environmental protections. They were in Washington for the Supreme Court case Department of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guåhan, which considers efforts to require the Air Force to conduct a full environmental review of the military’s management of hazardous waste and munitions in Guam. Thank you for visiting and for your continued advocacy on behalf of our islands and communities.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/breaking-silence-ending-cycle", "title": "Breaking the Silence. Ending the Cycle", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Domestic violence is an issue that affects not only individuals, but families and entire communities. Too often, the pain and struggles experienced behind closed doors go unseen, and many victims face difficult circumstances when seeking safety, support, and a way forward. As we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are reminded that raising awareness is only one part of our responsibility. We must also continue working to ensure that victims and survivors have access to the protection, resources, and support they need to rebuild their lives.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/catch-kim-september-12-2026-letter-congresswoman", "title": "Catch Up with Kim -- September 12, 2026 -- Letter from the Congresswoman", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Catch Up with Kim -- September 12, 2026 -- Letter from the Congresswoman\nOctober 12, 2026\nNewsletters\nImage\nBack to top button", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/cnmi-native-cecilia-lizama-salvatore-champions-pacific-heritage", "title": "CNMI Native Cecilia Lizama Salvatore Champions Pacific Heritage", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "We are proud to see Saipan native Dr. Cecilia Lizama Salvatore featured in the Field Museum’s Talk Story: Pacific and Filipino Voices in the Museum in Chicago. Dr. Salvatore has dedicated her career to preserving Pacific Island cultural heritage and ensuring that Indigenous communities have a voice in how their histories are documented and shared. She has served as a professor and coordinator of the Archives and Cultural Heritage Program at Dominican University, collaborated with the Field Museum on its Pacific Islands collection, and serves on the inaugural Board of Directors of IPIKU, a partnership focused on Marianas and Micronesian heritage. She earned her Ph.D. in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin and, in 2000, was honored by the CNMI Legislature as the first Chamorro woman from the CNMI to earn a Ph.D. from UT Austin. Her accomplishments continue to make the Commonwealth proud. If you’re in Chicago, we encourage you to check out this special conversation on October 27 from noon to 1:15pm at the Field Museum. The event is included with museum admission and offers a great opportunity to hear Pacific voices reflected in our nation’s cultural institutions.\n\nImage", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/connecting-next-generation-marianas-high-school", "title": "Connecting With the Next Generation at Marianas High School", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Our campus outreach journey continues! Our office had the pleasure of visiting the mighty Dolphins at Marianas High School and connecting with students who represent the next generation of leaders in our Commonwealth. As the district's largest high school, MHS brings together young people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and aspirations, making every conversation an opportunity to listen, learn, and better understand what matters to them.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/planning-medicaid-challenges-ahead", "title": "Planning with Medicaid for the Challenges Ahead", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "As the Commonwealth government prepares for another round of austerity and budget cuts, including potential reductions in work hours and personnel, we have to anticipate what that will mean for our families. With less income coming into households, more people may need assistance through programs like Medicaid and the Nutrition Assistance Program. I was grateful for the opportunity to sit down with George Cruz and Roman Tudela from the CNMI Medicaid Agency last week to discuss where the program stands today and how we can prepare to meet the needs of our community in the months ahead. These conversations are important because we have to be able to do multiple things at once. We need to continue the work of rebuilding our economy and strengthening our ability to stand on our own feet, while also recognizing the critical role federal programs play in supporting our people during difficult times. That means planning ahead, protecting the resources available to us, and making sure federal assistance reaches the families and households that need it most.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media/newsletters/welcoming-suzanne-and-noah-archibald-capitol-hill", "title": "Welcoming Suzanne and Noah Archibald to Capitol Hill", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://king-hinds.house.gov/media", "domain": "king-hinds.house.gov", "scraper": "king-hinds", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000404", "name": "Kimberlyn King-Hinds", "party": "Republican", "state": "MP", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Last Friday, we welcomed former Saipan residents Suzanne and Noah Archibald to Washington, D.C. They stopped by the congressional office and joined a staff-led tour of the U.S. Capitol, learning about its history and the work of Congress. Thank you, Suzanne and Noah, for visiting. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-nancy-mace-introduces-bill-make-abusers-pay-suing-survivors-silence", "title": "Rep. Nancy Mace Introduces Bill to Make Abusers Pay for Suing Survivors Into Silence", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mace.house.gov", "scraper": "mace", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000194", "name": "Nancy Mace", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C., (Oct. 12, 2026) – Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced the Speak Your Truth Act, legislation to protect survivors from perpetrators who use defamation lawsuits to silence them.\n\nUnder the bill, a survivor who prevails in a defamation or libel case brought against them in federal court would be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, paid by the plaintiff. The protection covers factual statements, made without malice, about sexual assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination the speaker personally experienced. This includes workplace harassment and discrimination, retaliation for reporting or opposing it, and harassment or discrimination by the owner of a housing authority accommodation. It applies to cases filed in or removed to federal court.\n\n“Survivors should never have to choose between their voice and their bank account,” said Congresswoman Mace. “If you are a survivor telling the truth about what happened to you, the last thing you should fear is being bankrupted by the person who hurt you for telling it. Too often, abusers use the courts as a weapon. They file the lawsuit, run up the legal bills, and wait for survivors to go away. The Speak Your Truth Act changes the math. Sue a survivor for telling the truth and lose, and you pay. The truth is not defamation.”\n\nDefending a defamation suit can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many survivors stay silent rather than risk it. The Speak Your Truth Act puts the cost of a failed suit where it belongs: on the person who filed it.\n\nProfessor Victoria Burke, Esq., of Southwestern Law School, an attorney and advocate who has worked to end the use of retaliatory defamation lawsuits to silence survivors, provided the following statement in support of the bill:\n\n\"As the architect of the Speak Your Truth Act nationwide movement, I have witnessed firsthand how protecting survivors transcends political divisions. Already enacted in five states with bipartisan support, this legislation reflects a simple principle: survivors deserve to be heard, not silenced. I am especially grateful to Congresswoman Nancy Mace for bringing this legislation to Congress. A survivor herself, she understands the threat of retaliatory defamation lawsuits firsthand. After courageously speaking out about her own experience, she faced a defamation lawsuit. Her experience underscores precisely why these protections are so urgently needed,” said Burke.\n\nBurke also pointed to the Epstein files vote as evidence of why survivors need these protections.\n\n“We saw Democrats and Republicans unite in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote to release the Epstein files. Yet even on Capitol Hill, brave Epstein survivors feared naming their alleged abusers because of the threat of retaliatory defamation lawsuits. No survivor should fear being sued into silence for speaking about sexual abuse. The Speak Your Truth Act seeks to change that by protecting survivors who speak out in good faith from weaponized defamation lawsuits. Every survivor deserves the freedom to speak their truth,” added Burke.\n\nSEE BILL TEXT BELOW:\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/office-rep-ilhan-omar-statement-dhs-raid", "title": "Office of Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on DHS Raid", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "omar.house.gov", "scraper": "omar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000173", "name": "Ilhan Omar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The Office of Congresswoman Omar released the following statement:\n\n“This raid by Trump’s DHS is an outrageous abuse of power and an unprecedented escalation in the weaponization of federal law enforcement to target political enemies. For a decade, Donald Trump has relentlessly targeted Congresswoman Ilhan Omar with inflammatory rhetoric, repeatedly putting a target on her back. Now, those attacks have escalated to a pointless federal raid. The Congresswoman has done nothing wrong. No president should be able to use the power of the federal government to intimidate his political enemies.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6162", "title": "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELERATES VIRGIN ISLANDS-PUERTO RICO FRIENDSHIP DAY", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "plaskett.house.gov", "scraper": "plaskett", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000610", "name": "Stacey E. Plaskett", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nOctober 12, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELERATES VIRGIN ISLANDS-PUERTO RICO FRIENDSHIP DAY\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands—Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett joins our local community in celebrating Virgin Islands–Puerto Rico Friendship Weekend, culminating today on Virgin Islands–Puerto Rico Friendship Day. The holiday honors the deep and enduring bonds of family, culture, and shared history between the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Today is also Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a recognition of the first peoples of the Caribbean and the Americas, whose presence and legacy remain woven into the identity of our islands.\n\n“The Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are bound by far more than the waters between us,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “From enslaved Africans who escaped the Danish West Indies to find freedom in Puerto Rico, to Puerto Ricans who came to our islands in the early 1900s to cut cane and seek opportunity, to the families who live, work, and worship across our shores today, we share a common thread of resilience, culture, food, faith, and kinship. On this Friendship Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we are reminded that as people of color, telling our own stories is essential. When we tell them with truth and pride, we preserve our history, strengthen our unity, and ensure our children know who they are.”\n\nIn observance of Virgin Islands–Puerto Rico Friendship Day, all of Congresswoman Plaskett’s offices in Washington, D.C., St. Croix, and St. Thomas are closed today, Monday, October 12, 2026. The offices will reopen for regular business hours on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Should you need assistance during those days when the offices are closed, please call 340-778-5900 on St. Croix or 340-774-4408 on St. Thomas, leave a message and someone will respond in short order.", "collected_at": "2026-10-12T12:44:49Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-12T12:46:14Z"}
{"url": "https://pressley.house.gov/2026/10/12/pressley-stands-with-rep-omar-after-trumps-baseless-attacks-and-raid/", "title": "Pressley Stands with Rep. Omar After Trump’s Baseless Attacks and Raid", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pressley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "pressley.house.gov", "scraper": "pressley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000617", "name": "Ayanna Pressley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "“This is a gross abuse of power and the latest in a decade-long, racist smear campaign against a duly elected Black Congresswoman,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “Trump is a coward who is weaponizing his DOJ to fuel hate and intimidate his opponents with baseless attacks like these, just like he’s doing with Rep. McIver, Lisa Cook, and Tish James. We stand with you, Congresswoman Omar.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-robin-kelly-condemns-unprecedented-federal-raid", "title": "CONGRESSWOMAN ROBIN KELLY CONDEMNS UNPRECEDENTED FEDERAL RAID ON CONGRESSWOMAN ILHAN OMAR’S HOME", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "robinkelly.house.gov", "scraper": "robinkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000385", "name": "Robin L. Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (IL-02), issued the following statement regarding the Trump administration’s federal raid on the home of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and her family.\n\n\"I am glad to hear that Congresswoman Omar and her family are safe. This unprecedented raid is an authoritarian use of power and an attempt to turn federal law enforcement into a tool for political retribution against a sitting member of Congress on the eve of an election.\n\nThe Trump administration’s raid on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s home is deeply disturbing and raises serious questions about the continued corrupt weaponization of the federal government against President Trump’s adversaries.\n\nWe are watching a wannabe dictator use his violent mass deportation machine to terrorize an elected official and her family.", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-and-tualatin-celebrate-new-hydropower-system-turning-drinking", "title": "Rep. Salinas and Tualatin Celebrate New Hydropower System Turning Drinking Water Into Clean Energy", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "salinas.house.gov", "scraper": "salinas", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001226", "name": "Andrea Salinas", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Tualatin, OR — The City of Tualatin is celebrating the completion of a first-of-its-kind hydropower project that allows the city’s drinking water to create clean, renewable energy. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) joined city leaders, representatives from Oregon’s Department of Energy and project partners, including Energy Trust of Oregon and Portland General Electric (PGE), to mark the completion of the 56-kilowatt in-pipe hydropower system at the Tualatin City Services facility. The project is expected to generate more than 270,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity each year — enough to fully power the City Services facility and save the city an estimated $26,000 each year.\n\n“Building a more affordable future demands innovative ideas. That’s exactly what Tualatin is doing with their new in-pipe hydropower project,” said Rep. Salinas. “Adding clean energy like hydropower to our water systems and solar to our homes and buildings can help bring down energy costs and combat the affordability crisis. Projects like this show how communities can create clean energy by making the most of the infrastructure we already rely on. Strong local partnerships and federal support can help make more of these projects possible.”\n\nAlong with the system, the city also installed additional infrastructure that will eventually help keep operations running during major outages or emergencies. In the future, the city plans to add a microgrid and large battery capable of powering critical municipal buildings on its own.\n\n“Building a more resilient Tualatin is central to our climate action plan,” said Frank Bubenik, mayor of Tualatin. “This project shows how we can use innovative infrastructure to strengthen reliability and lay the groundwork for future backup power. It’s the kind of smart investment that can improve reliability, reduce energy costs and help protect our community for the long term.”\n\nThe system is installed where drinking water from Bull Run Reservoir enters Tualatin’s water distribution system. Developed by Oregon-based InPipe Energy, the system captures unused pressure to generate 24/7 carbon-free electricity without interrupting water delivery.\n\nEnergy Trust of Oregon, a nonprofit funded by customers of investor-owned utilities’ that helps communities, organizations, and families connect to clean, renewable energy provided more than $270,000 in cash incentives for the project and supported the project’s design.\n\nAcross Oregon, Energy Trust is working with cities, water districts and rural communities to turn critical municipal infrastructure into new sources of reliable, local clean energy. Renewable energy projects — whether hydropower, solar or battery-supported systems — help communities cut energy costs and strengthen resilience in the face of climate-related challenges.\n\n“When cities are willing to explore innovative ideas, they can unlock far more value from the infrastructure than they already have,” said Tracy Scott, director of energy programs with Energy Trust of Oregon. “This project will generate renewable power while helping Tualatin reduce its energy costs year after year, leaving more resources available for other community priorities. That’s the kind of practical, lasting value we’re looking to help communities achieve.” This project was also partially funded by PGE’s Green Future Renewable Development Fund, which is made possible by PGE Green Future customers who support impactful small-scale local renewable energy projects.\n\n“It’s the incredible support of PGE customers who are helping bring local clean energy projects like this one in Tualatin to life,” said PGE local government affairs senior manager, Meredith Armstrong. “Through our Green Future program, PGE customers are choosing to support impactful renewable energy projects for healthier and more energy resilient communities.”\n\nThese funds were combined with a grant from the Oregon Department of Energy and an anticipated federal investment tax credit. Altogether, grants, incentives and anticipated tax credits covered more than 85% of the project’s $920,000 total cost.\n\nThe environmental benefits of this project extend beyond energy generation. The area surrounding the turbine was replanted and landscaped to meet Backyard Habitat Certification Program standards, using native, wildlife-friendly plants to create habitat for pollinators and wildlife. The Backyard Habitat Certification Program is a collaboration between Columbia Land Trust and Bird Alliance of Oregon.\n\nAs the City continues implementing its Climate Action Plan, Tualatin’s project demonstrates how communities can use existing infrastructure to generate clean energy, reduce costs and advance climate goals. It’s an example of how local innovation and strong partnerships can create lasting benefits for the community.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://tenney.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-tenney-introduces-resolution-protect-christopher-columbus", "title": "Congresswoman Tenney Introduces Resolution to Protect Christopher Columbus Monuments on Columbus Day", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://tenney.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "tenney.house.gov", "scraper": "tenney", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000478", "name": "Claudia Tenney", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Oswego, NY — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) on Columbus Day, introduced a resolution supporting the preservation and protection of statues and monuments honoring Christopher Columbus, including the historic Columbus Monument in Syracuse, New York.\n\nTenney’s resolution recognizes the historical and cultural significance of Columbus monuments and the communities that built and maintained them. The Columbus Monument in Syracuse was funded by working class Italian immigrants, many of whom faced discrimination and persecution, and was dedicated in 1934 as a testament to their heritage and contributions to the city. The resolution condemns efforts to remove the Syracuse monument, supports preserving Columbus statues and monuments for future generations, and reaffirms the importance of protecting American history as the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding.\n\n“History is our collective memory, and tearing down monuments does not change or erase the past,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Columbus Monument in Syracuse represents generations of hardworking Italian Americans who overcame discrimination, built strong communities, and made lasting contributions to our state and nation. Preserving our history does not mean ignoring its complexities or pretending that historical figures were perfect. It means understanding our past, learning from it, and ensuring future generations can do the same. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we should preserve these important pieces of our shared history and continue building on the promise of our great nation.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://tran.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-tran-issues-statement-gkns-125-million-settlement", "title": "Representative Tran Issues Statement on GKN’s $125 Million Settlement", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://tran.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "tran.house.gov", "scraper": "tran", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000491", "name": "Derek Tran", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Orange County, CA – Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) released the following statement in response to an announcement from the Orange County District Attorney's Office that it has reached a $125 million settlement agreement with GKN Aerospace following the toxic chemical tank emergency in May 2026 that resulted in the evacuation of 50,000 residents and businesses:\n\n“I’m relieved to see that Orange County and GKN have reached an agreement that prioritizes the needs of the residents and small business owners who were affected by the forced evacuation in May,” said Representative Tran. “I hope this settlement can move through the court approval process swiftly, so we can launch the claims process and administer much-needed financial assistance and reimbursement to those affected. I will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the families, businesses, and community partners are appropriately compensated.”\n\n“Every Californian deserves to feel safe in their own home without fear of displacement or disruption. As your Member of Congress, I will closely monitor the enforcement of GKN’s comprehensive safety plan, as they move forward in their manufacturing operations.”\n\nThe settlement agreement, filed by the Orange County District Attorney's Office on Monday, October 12, is pending approval from the Orange County Superior Court.\n\nIn response to the May 2026 evacuation, Representative Tran introduced the Hazardous Materials Transparency Act, which would require facilities like GKN to adequately notify the communities in which they operate about the safety measures in place to protect residents and small businesses.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carter-condemns-ice-raid-congresswoman-ilhan-omars-residence", "title": "Congressman Carter Condemns ICE Raid of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Residence", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "troycarter.house.gov", "scraper": "troycarter", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001125", "name": "Troy A. Carter", "party": "Democrat", "state": "LA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement regarding the pre-dawn raid of the residence of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) by federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):\n\n“I stand with Ilhan. The raid of Congresswoman Omar’s home is an unprecedented escalation in Trump’s weaponization of the federal government against his political opponents or anyone who disagrees with this administration. Despite Congresswoman Omar standing for reelection in a few weeks, federal agents swarmed her home in violation of longstanding Department of Justice norms of avoiding the appearance of political bias in the 60 days before elections. But the President does not care about appearances when it comes to vilifying and launching racist attacks against Congresswoman Omar and the entire Somali American community in Minnesota. Americans deserve a full account of this abuse of power by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, and I will use my position on the House Committee on Homeland Security to fight for transparency and accountability for all involved.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=956", "title": "Walkinshaw Statement on the Raid on Ilhan Omar’s Home", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "walkinshaw.house.gov", "scraper": "walkinshaw", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000831", "name": "James R. Walkinshaw", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Fairfax, VA – Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), the only Democrat serving on both the House Committees on Homeland Security and Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement.\n\n\"The federal government is not Donald Trump’s personal weapon to use against his political enemies. Abusing the power of the presidency to intimidate and punish those who challenge him is a direct threat to our democracy.\n\nTrump has spent years attacking Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Now, just weeks before an election, federal agents have raided her home.\n\nNo President is above the law. A Democratic Congress will demand answers, conduct rigorous oversight, and hold accountable anyone responsible for abusing their power.\"\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/new-trump-threatens-survival-of-initiative-baldwin-created-to-support-american-dairy", "title": "NEW: Trump Threatens Survival of Initiative Baldwin Created to Support American Dairy", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "scraper": "baldwin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001230", "name": "Tammy Baldwin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WISCONSIN – Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is demanding the Trump Administration reverse course on a policy that threatens to shut down the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, a program Senator Baldwin created to help small- and medium-sized dairy businesses expand their product line and diversify their revenue streams. On September 30, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rolled out a new unattainable requirement that the four Dairy Business Innovation Initiative Centers, one of which is in Wisconsin, provide a 25 percent match for federal funding. All four centers – through which DBII funding is awarded – have warned they do not have the capital to comply with this requirement, threatening their ability to provide grants to family farms and small dairy businesses.\n\n“By requiring each Dairy Business Innovation Center to provide a match that Congress never intended and centers do not have the resources to meet, USDA is threatening the program’s survival and the success of the farmers and producers that it supports,” wrote Senator Baldwin in a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. “This new financial hurdle comes at a time when dairy farmers are already struggling financially with fewer market opportunities and record-high fuel prices amid President Trump’s trade war and war in Iran. I urge USDA to reverse this new requirement and ensure that the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives may continue providing a lifeline for dairy farmers and processors when they need it most.”\n\nLast month, USDA issued the Fiscal Year 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity to the four Dairy Business Innovation Centers in Wisconsin, Vermont, Tennessee and California, and for the first time, attached a new requirement that the centers provide a 25 percent cash match—up to $1 million from each center—in order to receive federal funds that support dairy businesses. The centers have indicated they do not have the capital available to meet this new matching requirement, putting the future of the program at risk. This comes after the Trump Administration chose to freeze funding for the program in early 2025. USDA finally released funds after Baldwin demanded they restart payments that had already been awarded to farmers.\n\nIn her letter, Senator Baldwin requested that USDA reissue the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives without the new matching requirement. Senator Baldwin also highlighted how this new requirement comes as President Trump’s war in Iran and tariffs are jacking up the cost of diesel, fertilizer, and transportation for Wisconsin farmers.\n\n“The Administration’s decision to put new barriers in the way of assistance for dairy farmers comes when they can afford it the least. Wisconsin farmers do backbreaking work to produce world-class products that feed the world. The President came into office promising to support our farmers but instead has taken every opportunity to make their livelihoods increasingly more difficult. Between the trade war and unnecessary war in Iran, Wisconsin farmers are paying more for everything. I request that the Administration reverse course on this decision,” Senator Baldwin concluded.\n\nDBII is a lifeline for dairy farmers and processors, providing direct farm technical assistance, business consulting, strategic planning, marketing, product development, and distribution. DBI centers have awarded more than $106 million in grants to 911 dairy businesses since 2019. Additionally, a significant portion of Dairy Business Innovation funds are dedicated as small-dollar grants to small- and medium-sized, family-owned businesses. Senator Baldwin successfully created the DBI Initiatives through the Dairy Business Innovation Act in 2018, which passed as part of the 2018 Farm Bill.\n\n“Many dairy farmers and processors are struggling to make it right now, faced with soaring fuel prices, the volatility of trade and tariffs, and a labor shortage. They need the support Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives provide now more than ever – and they know that adding a cost-share provision to the program will end it,” said Rebekah Sweeney, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association senior director of programs and policy. “We are grateful Sen. Baldwin is giving voice to this concern, and we urge every member of Congress to work to see this provision removed – and full funding restored.”\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\nDear Secretary Rollins,\n\nI am writing to raise serious concerns about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) newly imposed matching requirement on the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBII), which threatens to undermine a proven resource of funding that supports dairy farmers and processors in Wisconsin and across the country. By requiring each Dairy Business Innovation Center to provide a match that Congress never intended and centers do not have the resources to meet, USDA is threatening the program’s survival and the success of the farmers and producers that it supports. This new financial hurdle comes at a time when dairy farmers are already struggling financially with fewer market opportunities and record-high fuel prices amid President Trump’s trade war and war in Iran. I urge USDA to reverse this new requirement and ensure that the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives may continue providing a lifeline for dairy farmers and processors when they need it most.\n\nLast month, USDA issued the Fiscal Year 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity to the four Dairy Business Innovation Centers in Wisconsin, Vermont, Tennessee and California, and for the first time, attached a new requirement that the centers provide a 25 percent cash match—up to $1 million from each center. USDA indicated in their notice that the agency would only accept cash and would refuse any in-kind contribution, such as technical assistance, to meet the requirement. The centers do not have the capital available to meet this new matching requirement, putting the future of the program at risk. Congress has consistently supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives on a bipartisan basis and has provided funding for the program without requiring centers to provide a cash match. By imposing this new requirement, USDA is adding a financial condition that Congress never intended and that could effectively bring a successful, bipartisan program to an end.\n\nI request that USDA reissue the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives without the new matching requirement. These initiatives are a lifeline to dairy farmers and processors in over 40 states by providing direct farm technical assistance, business consulting, strategic planning, marketing, product development, and distribution. Additionally, a significant portion of Dairy Business Innovation funds are dedicated as small-dollar grants to small- and medium-sized, family-owned businesses. These dairy businesses provide job opportunities in rural communities and help their economies thrive.\n\nThe Administration’s decision to put new barriers in the way of assistance for dairy farmers comes when they can afford it the least. Wisconsin farmers do backbreaking work to produce world-class products that feed the world. The President came into office promising to support our farmers but instead has taken every opportunity to make their livelihoods increasingly more difficult. Between the trade war and unnecessary war in Iran, Wisconsin farmers are paying more for everything. I request that the Administration reverse course on this decision\n\nThank you for your time and attention to this matter.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-pentagon-announce-second-guided-missile-destroyer-to-be-built-at-biw", "title": "Senator Collins, Pentagon Announce Second Guided-Missile Destroyer to Be Built at BIW", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, announced that the Pentagon has certified Bath Iron Works’ (BIW) production capacity, clearing the way for the Department to order an additional guided-missile destroyer (DDG) to be built at BIW in Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27).\n\nSenator Collins has consistently advocated for two ships in the FY27 budget to send a steady production signal to the shipyard, including in her comments on the President’s Budget Request and questioning of Navy officials in Appropriations hearings.\n\nRead the announcement:\n\nFollowing a comprehensive, multi-phase due diligence review, the Pentagon has determined that significant operational and managerial improvements at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) have established the capacity and stability necessary to support the potential construction of a second guided-missile destroyer (DDG).\n\nThe Department’s thorough review evaluated production throughput, schedule adherence, quality assurance benchmarks, supply chain resilience, and workforce optimization at the Bath, Maine shipyard. Based on verifiable performance enhancements and leadership initiatives implemented across the facility, the Department concluded that building an additional Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer at BIW is feasible and strategically advantageous for the Navy's fleet, should Congress secure the necessary funding.\n\n“Our national security requires an industrial base that can respond to demands for increased speed and volume,” said Deputy Secretary of War Steve Feinberg. “After a rigorous review, Bath Iron Works has proven it has the capacity and stability to support construction of a second destroyer. While the operational improvements we have seen at BIW are a significant step in the right direction, the shipyard must continue this momentum to fully resolve legacy production challenges – sustained performance is essential. The Department will continue to partner with contractors who prioritize execution, accountability, and the rapid modernization of our forces.”\n\n“Today’s decision by the Department validates the capacity of Bath Iron Works (BIW) and the hard work of its highly skilled 6,800 employees who build the best ships in the world. I have advocated for a second destroyer to be included in this year’s budget, and I worked with the Administration during its careful review and repeated visits to BIW to verify the ability of the shipyard to construct another ship while continuing to complete its current workload,” said Senator Susan Collins. “This certification will help keep our Navy strong and support BIW as a steady source of good-paying Maine jobs. I will continue to work to ensure our shipbuilders have the resources to meet the Navy’s needs at a time when China is relentlessly expanding its fleet.”\n\nThe decision to certify the shipyard's capacity for a second destroyer aligns with the Administration’s broader, aggressive campaign to revitalize the U.S. Maritime Industrial Base and outmatch global pacing threats. To counter aggressive ship-construction timelines by foreign adversaries, the Department is prioritizing long-term stability and capacity-building across the domestic shipbuilding supply chain.\n\nThrough targeted modernization investments, workforce development initiatives, and streamlined procurement processes, the Administration is actively expanding America's sovereign shipbuilding capacity. Ensuring that key shipyards like Bath Iron Works can reliably scale and sustain high-rate production is a cornerstone of the Department’s strategy to maintain global maritime dominance and protect American interests worldwide.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-urge-amtrak-to-put-community-input-over-private-interests", "title": "Duckworth, Durbin Urge Amtrak to Put Community Input over Private Interests", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "scraper": "duckworth", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000622", "name": "Tammy Duckworth", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[CHICAGO, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding Amtrak’s plans to relocate its current 14th Street maintenance facility to what is presently Union Pacific’s Canal Street Yard, citing concerns about the lack of constructive community engagement on the project and the impact the facility could have on the surrounding area. In August, Duckworth and Durbin requested additional information from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Amtrak regarding the project after fielding concerns from residents and local elected officials in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood.\n\n“Any plan to relocate the Amtrak maintenance facility should not proceed without input from local leaders and the surrounding community whose lives will be impacted by the project. The lack of community involvement and speed with which this project has moved forward raises questions about the role of private interests. While this project would bring jobs to Illinois and help Amtrak improve its maintenance operations to alleviate ongoing issues and service disruptions that impact passenger rail, productive conversations with local elected officials and the community to address their concerns must come first.”\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-leads-resolution-recognizing-indigenous-peoples-day", "title": "Heinrich Leads Resolution Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.heinrich.senate.gov", "scraper": "heinrich", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001046", "name": "Martin Heinrich", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) led the introduction of a resolution to recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, celebrating the rich histories, unique cultures, and lasting contributions of Indigenous Peoples across the United States.\n\nThe resolution also supports the official designation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a federal holiday. Indigenous Peoples' Day is currently celebrated on the second Monday of October in over 200 municipalities and 17 states, including New Mexico.\n\n“Since time immemorial, Native people have called the land we now know as New Mexico and the United States home. Their histories and legacy deserve enormous respect. That is why I am proud to continue leading the effort in the Senate to mark the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.\n\n“I have the honor of working with the 23 Tribes and Pueblos in New Mexico, as well as with Tribal Nations across Indian Country. What I hear from Tribal leaders is consistent and clear: the federal government must step up and uphold its treaty and trust responsibilities, respect Tribal sovereignty, and stop attacking the programs and resources that Tribal members rely on. I wholeheartedly agree.\n\n“As we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day, today and every day, let us honor the rich history, cultures, and contributions of Tribal Nations and Native people — and stand shoulder to shoulder with Tribes to ensure their languages, traditions, and cultures continue to be passed down to future generations.”\n\nThe resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Angus King (I-Maine), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.).\n\nThe resolution is endorsed by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Pueblo of Acoma, Alaska Federation of Natives, National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), Navajo Nation, All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG).", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-senator-king-and-mark-hertling-warn-americas-military-posture-is-putting-global-stability-at-risk", "title": "ICYMI: Senator King and Mark Hertling Warn America’s Military Posture Is Putting Global Stability at Risk", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table", "domain": "www.king.senate.gov", "scraper": "angusking", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000383", "name": "Angus S. King, Jr.", "party": "Independent", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an opinion piece published in the New York Times today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) joined retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General and former Commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, Mark Hertling, arguing the White House and Pentagon are putting global stability at risk. In the article, King and Hertling further argue that weakening our military readiness and casting doubt on our commitment to allies raises the risk of a larger war against adversaries like Russia, China, and others.\n\n“The problem of escalating instability, unfortunately, is not confined to Europe’s eastern frontier. The danger of war between America’s autocratic adversaries and our democratic allies is rising around the world for one simple, troubling reason: The enemies of liberal democracy increasingly think America is weak and fickle,” wrote King and Hertling. “That perception is based in no small part on the current administration’s inexplicable abandonment of the strategy that kept the peace in much of the world during the Cold War: deterrence. The basic approach to defense that emerged from the cataclysm of World War II was simple: If you strike us, we will respond so overwhelmingly that your country will be decimated, so you’d better not start anything. With the development of nuclear weapons, this concept was neatly captured by the unfortunate phrase “mutually assured destruction.”\n\nThey continued, “A similar deterrent is buttressed by our worldwide structure of alliances. Forward bases, mutual defense pacts, intelligence sharing and economic cooperation together have provided an enormous asymmetric advantage over China and Russia, neither of which has many friends, let alone allies.”\n\n“The grave danger we now face is that the current administration has undermined both prongs of deterrence strategy in different theaters — a lack of will in Ukraine and a lack of capacity in Iran,” King and Hertling concluded. “…Deterrence works only if it’s credible, and the actions of the administration over the past two years — in spite of all the bluster about lethality and testosterone — have severely compromised that credibility, and with it, the safety and security of our country.”\n\nAs a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), Senator King is recognized as an authoritative voice on national security and foreign policy issues, including on the importance of the deterrence strategy. In June 2026, he supported provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 that strengthen support for Ukraine and counter Russia and invest in Maine’s shipbuilding to ensure American destroyers are built in American shipyards – all notable improvements to American deterrence. Additionally, in a previous SSCI hearing, King emphasized the importance of establishing and clearly communicating an effective cybersecurity deterrence policy.\n\nYou can read the full opinion piece here or below.\n\n+++\n\nLethality and Testosterone Will Get Us Only So Far\n\nBy Angus King and Mark Hertling\n\nMr. King is an independent U.S. senator from Maine. Mr. Hertling was a three-star general in the U.S. Army.\n\nEnemy drones over Romania. Wayward missiles in Poland. Sabotage in Germany. Every week brings some new Russian provocation as President Vladimir Putin steps up his efforts to divide Europe and undermine support for Ukraine. As Western militaries scramble to respond, the prospect of the war spilling over into NATO territory rises.\n\nThe problem of escalating instability, unfortunately, is not confined to Europe’s eastern frontier. The danger of war between America’s autocratic adversaries and our democratic allies is rising around the world for one simple, troubling reason: The enemies of liberal democracy increasingly think America is weak and fickle.\n\nThat perception is based in no small part on the current administration’s inexplicable abandonment of the strategy that kept the peace in much of the world during the Cold War: deterrence.\n\nThe basic approach to defense that emerged from the cataclysm of World War II was simple: If you strike us, we will respond so overwhelmingly that your country will be decimated, so you’d better not start anything. With the development of nuclear weapons, this concept was neatly captured by the unfortunate phrase “mutually assured destruction.”\n\nAlthough principally associated with the nuclear standoff with the Soviet Union, deterrence also underlay our longtime strategy for avoiding a conventional conflict with a near-peer adversary like China or Russia. Rather than mutually assured destruction, this kind of deterrence works by America’s maintaining a sufficiently strong conventional force that any potential adversary will realize the futility of attacking us or our allies.\n\nThe challenge to this strategy at its inception in the 1950s was that aggressors rarely attack their potential victims all at once, but rather one at a time, usually proclaiming their ambitions are limited. Hitler started with the Sudetenland and Czechoslovakia and only then went on to Poland, Belgium and France. Mr. Putin has started with Ukraine.\n\nTo counter this problem and the very real threat of Soviet expansionism after World War II, NATO’s Article 5 established the principle that an attack on one member state would be considered an attack on all — and such an attack would be met with a combined response from the European countries and the United States.\n\nA similar deterrent is buttressed by our worldwide structure of alliances. Forward bases, mutual defense pacts, intelligence sharing and economic cooperation together have provided an enormous asymmetric advantage over China and Russia, neither of which has many friends, let alone allies.\n\nDeterrence worked: Although the United States has been involved in regional conflicts over the past decades, there has been no direct military confrontation between the major powers on the scale of the two world wars.\n\nBut two of this strategy’s essential elements — capacity and will — are now in short supply. The potential adversary has to believe that the United States and its allies have the weapons and forces to hold them at risk, and, just as important, that we have the will to use that force when necessary. The effectiveness of deterrence depends entirely on what the adversary believes; if either our capacity or our will is in doubt, deterrence fails and catastrophe becomes more likely.\n\nThe grave danger we now face is that the current administration has undermined both prongs of deterrence strategy in different theaters — a lack of will in Ukraine and a lack of capacity in Iran.\n\nBy essentially abandoning Ukraine, we have gutted the “will” prong. The Europeans have stepped up, but our absence has sent the unmistakable signal to President Xi Jinping of China and to Mr. Putin that we don’t have the stomach for a prolonged conflict. This is the opposite of deterrence; it is closer to an invitation.\n\nMoreover, just as Mr. Putin is probing Eastern Europe, the Pentagon is reducing active American troop levels in Germany and pulling back on rotational deployments to Eastern Europe. This sends a clear signal that we are indifferent to Russian aggression beyond Ukraine: again, precisely the wrong message at precisely the wrong time.\n\nIran has offered Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi a tutorial in our tactics and the limitations of our military power. After seven months of on-again, off-again bombing and an economic blockade, virtually none of the strategic goals announced at the beginning of the war have been achieved, while our stock of munitions has been severely degraded and our regional bases have been exposed as vulnerable.\n\nSimilarly, our 52 days of attacks on the Houthis in Yemen last year seem to have done little to diminish their capacity to put shipping in the Red Sea at risk. Iran and the Houthis are much lesser powers than China or Russia, and Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi will judge accordingly their chances against our air defenses, offensive capability and economic power in any future conflict.\n\nIt won’t be easy to regain what we have lost, but there are several places to start. One is to re-engage in the defense of Ukraine, including by vigorous enforcement of the just-passed Russia sanctions bill. Another is to reverse the misguided withdrawal of our forces in Eastern Europe, thus sending the message to Mr. Putin that Article 5 is alive and well. And finally, we should quit undermining our allies if we want them there when we need them.\n\nDeterrence works only if it’s credible, and the actions of the administration over the past two years — in spite of all the bluster about lethality and testosterone — have severely compromised that credibility, and with it, the safety and security of our country.\n\nAngus King is an independent U.S. senator from Maine who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence; Mark Hertling is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General and a former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-statement-commemorating-indigenous-peoples-day/", "title": "Luján Statement Commemorating Indigenous Peoples’ Day", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Santa Fe, N.M. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement in commemoration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day:\n\n“On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we recognize and honor the accomplishments, contributions, and strength of Tribal Nations across New Mexico and the country. This day is also an important reminder of the generations of injustice endured by Native communities and our responsibility to confront that history.\n\n“I’ve long fought for Indigenous Peoples’ Day to be recognized as a federal holiday and will continue pushing to honor the Native people who have played a vital role in our communities and in shaping our nation’s history.\n\n“Let this day serve as a celebration of Tribal Nations and a reminder of the work ahead to fulfill the federal government’s responsibilities to Tribes and Pueblos across the United States.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=A925A43E-A653-4E63-9837-BE9F8947484B", "title": "Sen. Moran’s Statement on Russian Diesel Fuel Imports", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "domain": "www.moran.senate.gov", "scraper": "moran", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000934", "name": "Jerry Moran", "party": "Republican", "state": "KS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense – today released the following statement regarding the administration’s announcement on Friday that it would allow Russian diesel fuel imports into the United States:\n\n“Sanctions on Russian fuel exports have, for the last several years, deprived funding for Putin’s unjust war in Ukraine and provided leverage to help end it. We should be tightening sanctions further, not undercutting them by allowing the import of Russian diesel and risking erasing our leverage, damaging our credibility with allies, and emboldening our adversaries.”\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-13T12:29:30Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-13T12:30:15Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moreno.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cnn-fcc-opens-investigation-into-abc-news-following-moreno-letter/", "title": "CNN: FCC Opens Investigation into ABC News Following Moreno Letter", "date": "2026-10-12", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moreno.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.moreno.senate.gov", "scraper": "moreno", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001242", "name": "Bernie Moreno", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, CNN reported that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr has opened an investigation into ABC News, following Senator Moreno’s letter condemning the network’s political hit piece targeting the Trump family and Anduril Industries.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://adriansmith.house.gov/media/press-releases/smith-applauds-epas-continued-support-americas-biofuels-industry", "title": "Smith Applauds EPA’s Continued Support of America’s Biofuels Industry", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://adriansmith.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "adriansmith.house.gov", "scraper": "adriansmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001172", "name": "Adrian Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a supplemental rule to preserve Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for 2026 and 2027:\n\n“I appreciate President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for their continued support of American biofuels and for taking action to strengthen our nation’s energy independence. Today’s announcement is welcome news for America's biofuel producers, providing the certainty they need to grow our homegrown energy industry. This also marks an important victory for our farmers, rural communities, and American consumers looking for lower prices at the pump.”\n\nBackground:\n\nOn October 9, Smith and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) led a bipartisan letter with 37 colleagues to U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright urging the administration to propose a supplemental rule by October 16, 2026, ensuring obligated volumes for 2026 and 2027 remain consistent with the Renewable Fuel Standard’s Set 2 projections.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-jerusalem-post-article-below-titled-israeli-extremist-settlers-use-sheep", "title": "ICYMI: The Jerusalem Post article below, titled “Israeli extremist settlers use sheep farms, intimidation to expand West Bank control, CBS reports.\"", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "algreen.house.gov", "scraper": "algreen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000553", "name": "Al Green", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The Jerusalem Post article below, titled “Israeli extremist settlers use sheep farms, intimidation to expand West Bank control, CBS reports,” speaks for itself.\n\nYou can access the article by clicking the link here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://amo.house.gov/press-release/amo-highlights-rhode-island-s-blue-economy-at-roger-williams-oyster-farm-and-hinckley-yacht-services", "title": "Amo Highlights Rhode Island’s Blue Economy at Roger Williams Oyster Farm and Hinckley Yacht Services", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://amo.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "amo.house.gov", "scraper": "amo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000380", "name": "Gabe Amo", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Bristol, RI – TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) continued his 2026 Blue Economy Tour today with visits to Roger Williams University’s shellfish farm and research facilities and Hinckley Yachts’ expanded Portsmouth facility, highlighting the research, skilled workers, and businesses driving Rhode Island’s maritime economy.\n\nAt Roger Williams, Amo toured the shellfish farm, hatchery, and research labs with faculty and researchers to discuss advances in shellfish production, aquaculture, and blue biotechnology, as well as opportunities to prepare students for careers in the Blue Economy. They also discussed federal policies to support aquaculture, fisheries, and environmental conservation. At the newly expanded Hinckley Yachts facility in Portsmouth, Amo met with workers and discussed the skilled trades and maritime jobs that keep Rhode Island moving.\n\n“Rhode Island’s Blue Economy means cutting-edge research, skilled jobs, and businesses building the future right here in the Ocean State,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “At Roger Williams, researchers are advancing aquaculture and blue biotech. At Hinckley, skilled workers are building and servicing world-class yachts. I’m looking forward to bringing what I learn on this tour back to Washington to help inform how to grow these industries, create opportunities for Rhode Islanders, and protect our ocean.”\n\n“We were pleased to welcome Congressman Gabe Amo to Roger Williams University as a stop on his Blue Economy Tour. At RWU, marine research, hands-on student learning, and partnerships with Rhode Island’s aquaculture industry come together to address real-world challenges facing our coastal communities,” said Margaret Everett, Provost, Roger Williams University.” Touring our Marine and Natural Sciences building and CEED facilities offered an opportunity to showcase how university research and education support a sustainable blue economy and help prepare the next generation of marine science professionals.”\n\n\"CEED’s research, education, and collaborations support a thriving, sustainable aquaculture industry in Rhode Island. With our industry partners, we’re advancing aquaculture technology and blue biotechnology, while preparing the next generation of professionals to address challenges facing our coastal ecosystems,” said Koty Sharp, Director, Roger Williams University Center for Economic & Environmental Development. “We’re excited to share with Congressman Amo how university research can power our state’s growing Blue Economy.”\n\n“Hinckley is investing in our flagship Portsmouth yard to create a premier facility that reinforces Rhode Island’s leadership in the marine trades and reflects the craftsmanship at the heart of our business,” said Peter Clark, Chief Development Officer, Hinckley Yachts. “By modernizing the yard and enhancing the working environment, we aim to attract the next generation of marine trades talent while providing our highly skilled team with opportunities to build rewarding, long-term careers.”\n\nBackground\n\nCongressman Amo kicked off his 2026 Blue Economy Tour with a visit to REGENT Craft, where he helped cut the ribbon on their new electric Seaglider factory.\n\nRhode Island’s Blue Economy directly employs 36,000 Rhode Islanders and contributes over $5 billion to the state’s gross domestic product every year.\n\nIn 2024, Congressman Amo toured Rhode Island’s First Congressional District to highlight the Ocean State’s leadership in the Blue Economy across labor, education, business, and defense.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases/ansari-leads-74-house-democrats-in-demanding-answers-on-civilian-deaths-in-iran", "title": "Ansari Leads 74 House Democrats in Demanding Answers on Civilian Deaths in Iran", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ansari.house.gov", "scraper": "ansari", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000381", "name": "Yassamin Ansari", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Jason Crow (CO-06) led 74 House Democrats in demanding answers from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on a September 1 strike at a wedding in Kuhestak, Iran, that reportedly killed five civilians, including two children, and injured dozens. The lawmakers demand a full account of the strike and answers about the broader pattern of civilian harm resulting from Trump’s U.S. military operations in Iran, including whether U.S. forces were responsible and what steps the Department is taking to prevent further civilian casualties.\n\nIn their letter, the lawmakers write, “We are once again writing with grave concern regarding the conduct of the Administration’s war in Iran. Specifically, there are devastating reports of civilian casualties at a wedding in the town of Kuhestak, Iran, on September 1, 2026. This is the latest in an alarming pattern of civilian casualty incidents in strikes carried out by the United States in Iran since the war began on February 28, 2026.”\n\nThey further state, “The Post reported that six U.S. Navy aircraft-launched weapons targeted a communications complex near the home where the wedding was taking place and that one weapon missed its intended target. Accordingly, we demand urgent answers regarding the United States’ role in this strike, why the strike proceeded given the clear risk of significant civilian harm, and what steps the Department is taking to prevent further civilian casualties in Iran.”\n\nAnsari’s letter is co-signed by Representatives Gabe Amo (RI-01), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Ami Bera (CA-03), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Greg Casar (TX-35), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Jim Costa (CA-21), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Christopher Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Bill Foster (IL-11), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús García (IL-04), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Al Green (TX-09), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), William Keating (MA-09), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), James McGovern (MA-02), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Analilia Mejia (NJ-10), Christian Menefee (TX-18), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Eleanor Norton (DC-AL), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), and Maxine Waters (CA-43).\n\nRead the letter below.\n\nDear Secretary Hegseth,\n\nWe are once again writing with grave concern regarding the conduct of the Administration’s war in Iran. Specifically, there are devastating reports of civilian casualties at a wedding in the town of Kuhestak, Iran, on September 1, 2026. This is the latest in an alarming pattern of civilian casualty incidents in strikes carried out by the United States in Iran since the war began on February 28, 2026. While the Department has not publicly acknowledged responsibility for this incident, the Washington Post recently reported that there is a “high likelihood” that the U.S. was responsible for the incident, citing an official familiar with the operations. Furthermore, analysis from U.S. weapons experts has suggested that the explosion was caused by a U.S. glide bomb.\n\nThe Post reported that six U.S. Navy aircraft-launched weapons targeted a communications complex near the home where the wedding was taking place and that one weapon missed its intended target. Accordingly, we demand urgent answers regarding the United States’ role in this strike, why the strike proceeded given the clear risk of significant civilian harm, and what steps the Department is taking to prevent further civilian casualties in Iran. The consequences of this American strike have been devastating: 5 civilians were killed as a result of the strike in Kuhestak, including a 4-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, and dozens of civilians were injured.\n\nThis incident is regrettably among the latest in a string of civilian casualty incidents arising from the U.S.-led war in Iran. This includes a strike at the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran, on the first day of the war that killed a reported 175 civilians, including 120 children. While it has been reported that a preliminary investigation by the Department found that the U.S. military was responsible for the strike, over six months later the Department has still not publicly acknowledged responsibility for the strike nor released the findings of its investigation. Similarly, reporting and independent analysis indicate that U.S. forces were responsible for a strike at a youth sports hall in Lamerd, Iran, that killed 21 civilians, including 7 children, on February 28. While the Department has denied responsibility, analysis by weapons experts found that the damage pattern is consistent with that of an American Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).\n\nWe are deeply alarmed by the continued pattern of civilian casualties resulting from U.S. operations in the war in Iran, and the apparent lack of action and accountability from the Department. Acknowledging such incidents, accepting responsibility, and learning from them makes our forces stronger, more effective, and an example to the world. When we fail to do so, it has the exact opposite effect.\n\nThis is why it is all the more alarming that amid these devastating incidents, the Department has also severely degraded the civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) programs and personnel designed to prevent, respond to, and learn from civilian harm. Understanding the civilian environment – including the location of civilian objects and critical infrastructure such as schools and gymnasiums, and patterns of life including large gatherings such as weddings – was intended to be a key aspect of this program. Yet CHMR staff at CENTCOM have reportedly dwindled from over 10 to just one full-time staff. The Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which was mandated by Congress and designed to support combatant commands in this lifesaving work, has been cut from over thirty down to just seven.\n\nOn March 12, 2026, 121 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote to you demanding answers regarding civilian casualties caused by Operation Epic Fury and the Department’s civilian protection efforts. The Department refused to provide any answers, simply stating “The United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) has initiated an investigation of this incident and appointed an investigating officer from outside the USCENTCOM chain of command. USCENTCOM will share the results of this investigation with Congress once it is completed.”\n\nNearly seven months into the war, Congress and the American public still lack basic information about the findings of that investigation and the measures the Department has taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.\n\nThe strike in Kuhestak makes that failure all the more troubling. In response to the reports regarding U.S. responsibility for the strike in Kuhestak, a spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command stated “The U.S. military never targets civilians, unlike the IRGC.” Similarly, Vice President Vance said at a press briefing recently that he was “skeptical” of reports that the U.S. was responsible for the bombing, while acknowledging that the incident was under investigation. We are concerned this lack of transparency from this Administration is becoming a pattern, given the Department also initially denied responsibility for the Minab strike and has yet to release the investigation related to that incident.\n\nThe American people deserve answers on not just this strike, but the Department’s pattern of civilian harm resulting from U.S. military operations in Iran. To that end, we insist on answers to the following questions no later than October 26, 2026.\n\nDid U.S. forces carry out the September 1, 2026 strike in Kuhestak, Iran, that killed 5 civilians and injured dozens? If so, what was the target and why was the decision taken to execute the strikes? What was the assessed civilian harm risk of the strikes, and what steps were considered or taken to prevent civilian harm?\n\nHas the Department formally initiated an investigation into the September 1 strike in Kuhestak? If so, please provide the date on which the investigation began, the office responsible for conducting it, whether the investigating officer is independent of the operational chain of command, and the expected timeline for completion.\n\nWhat is the status of the USCENTCOM investigation into the February 28 strike at the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab? On what date will the Department provide Congress with the full findings of that investigation, including its conclusions regarding U.S. responsibility and the circumstances that led to the reported civilian casualties? On what date will the unclassified version of these findings be made available to the public?\n\nDid the Department conduct an initial review of whether it is possible the U.S. was involved in the Lamerd strike on February 28, 2026? What were the results of that initial review? Was additional information provided after the fact, and did this alter the initial review results at all?\n\nDid the Department conduct a civilian harm assessment of whether it is more likely than not that civilian harm occurred as a result of this strike? What were the results of this assessment? Was additional information provided after the fact, and did this alter the initial review results at all?\n\nHas the Department conducted an administrative investigation, such as an AR 15-6, into the strike? If so, when was the investigation initiated, when are the findings due to the commander, and when will its findings be provided to Congress and released publicly?\n\nWhat steps, if any, has the Department taken to prevent civilian harm in targeting practices since the apparent U.S strikes in Minab on February 28, 2026? Please detail any specific policies that have been implemented.\n\nHow many U.S. investigations, initial reviews, and civilian harm assessments into civilian casualties arising from operations in Iran have been initiated since February 28, 2026 and how many have been completed? Please provide details of all ongoing and completed investigations.\n\nSincerely,\n\nYassamin Ansari\n\nMember of Congress\n\nFollow @RepYassAnsari on all social media platforms and visit Ansari.House.gov to learn more.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://baird.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2618", "title": "Congressman Baird Introduces Bill to Establish U.S.-Sudan Natural Resources Partnership to Protect Civilians in Region", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://baird.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "baird.house.gov", "scraper": "baird", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001307", "name": "James R. Baird", "party": "Republican", "state": "IN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced H.R. 10795, the Sudan IMPACT Act, to establish an agricultural and minerals partnership between the United States and Sudan, tied to Sudanese improvements in civilian protection.\n\nThe Sudan Investing in Minerals, Partnership, Agriculture, Commerce, and Trade (IMPACT) Act would provide American agricultural and mining equipment, technology, and expertise in exchange for Sudanese natural resources. The partnership is contingent upon the U.S. Secretary of State determining that Sudan has demonstrated significant progress in civilian protection, political stability, and responsible management of natural resources.\n\n“Sudan’s civil war is devastating lives and holding back its future. Economic opportunity could play a major role in helping the Sudanese people build a more peaceful and prosperous country, but protecting civilians must come first,” said Congressman Baird.\n\n“Sudan’s mineral resources could help expand the supply of materials we use in technologies that Americans rely on every day, like phones and cars, while creating opportunities for the Sudanese. This legislation offers a path toward greater economic cooperation with the United States, provided Sudan’s government shows real progress in protecting its people,” Baird added.\n\nThe partnership could include farm equipment, precision agriculture and irrigation technology, agricultural processing equipment, mining and geological surveying technology, and assistance to improve mine safety and environmental cleanup.\n\nRead the full bill text here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-takes-action-fight-medicaid-fraud-across-united-states", "title": "Congressman Biggs Takes Action to Fight Medicaid Fraud Across the United States", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "biggs.house.gov", "scraper": "biggs", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001302", "name": "Andy Biggs", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "GILBERT, ARIZONA – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) co-sponsored H.R. 10636, the Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act, legislation requiring states to strengthen their efforts to identify and combat fraud, waste, and abuse in their Medicaid programs.\n\nUnder the legislation, states would be required to conduct a comprehensive Medicaid fraud risk assessment at least once each year. The assessments would identify and rank the most significant fraud, waste, and abuse vulnerabilities, estimate the amount of taxpayer dollars potentially at risk of improper expenditure, evaluate the effectiveness of existing program integrity tools, and identify gaps in data sharing, oversight, and enforcement.\n\nThe legislation follows a recent warning from the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that Arizona was one of eight states reporting “zero fraud referrals and overpayments recovered in Medicaid managed care.” The Administrator gave the states “30 days to double-check their numbers and make sure oversight is happening on the ground.”\n\nThe warning adds to growing concerns about Arizona’s oversight of federal taxpayer dollars.\n\nEarlier this year, Gustav Chiarello, Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, informed Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs that the state had failed to comply with the federal Single Audit deadline for four consecutive fiscal years. States receiving federal funding, including Medicaid dollars, are required to submit annual audits examining financial reporting and compliance with federal requirements. Continued failure to meet those requirements could jeopardize Arizona’s eligibility for certain federal HHS funding. Arizona’s overall Medicaid improper payment rate is estimated to be over six percent.\n\n“For far too long, governments at every level have allowed a festering culture of fraud and waste of monumental proportions across the United States,”said Congressman Biggs.“Government officials have a responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and ensure that Americans’ hard-earned money is spent appropriately and protected from fraud. Unfortunately, under the current state administration, Arizona has been an unwilling participant in the critical effort to hold bad actors accountable and root out fraud wherever it exists.\n\n“I’m pleased to co-sponsor the Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act to establish a clear baseline for states to identify fraud, recover improper payments, and correct deficiencies in their Medicaid programs. Arizona officials must take these responsibilities seriously. Taxpayers deserve accountability, and continued failures in oversight risk both federal funding and the public’s trust.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-introduces-bipartisan-bill-fix-medicare-advantage-payments-puerto", "title": "Bilirakis Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Fix Medicare Advantage Payments in Puerto Rico", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "bilirakis.house.gov", "scraper": "bilirakis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001257", "name": "Gus M. Bilirakis", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), joined by Representatives Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA-25), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández (D-PR), have introduced the Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act. This bipartisan bill would correct a long-standing formula gap that underpays Medicare Advantage in Puerto Rico.\n\nHow it works: Medicare Advantage plans receive a fixed monthly payment from the federal government for each senior they enroll. Part of that payment is based on the local cost of care, which is measured by the average geographic adjustment (AGA). Puerto Rico's AGA is much lower than it should be. The formula relies on spending in traditional Medicare (fee-for-service), but very few beneficiaries in Puerto Rico use fee-for-service, since most are enrolled in MA. Basing the AGA on such a small population understates what care actually costs on the island, and MA plans receive a lower benchmark payment for each senior as a result.\n\nThis bill would set Puerto Rico's AGA equal to that of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a territory with similar socioeconomic circumstances, so that payments reflect the true cost of delivering care.\n\nThe problem\n\nOver 680,000 Puerto Rico beneficiaries rely on Medicare Advantage, over 90 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries on the island.\n\nPuerto Rico receives about 40 percent less per beneficiary than the U.S. average.\n\nBenchmark rates run roughly 20 percent below those in the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\nThe payment gap has led to smaller provider networks and reduced benefits, and doctors and hospitals absorb lower reimbursements. This threatens the quality and availability of healthcare services in Puerto Rico.\n\n\"Seniors deserve reliable access to the high-quality health care they have earned through Medicare, regardless of where they live,\" said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. \"Medicare Advantage plays an important role in delivering care to beneficiaries across Puerto Rico, and we must ensure the program is funded fairly and sustainably so seniors can continue accessing the doctors, treatments, and benefits they rely upon. I'm proud to join Representatives Ruiz and Soto in introducing the bipartisan Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act to address longstanding disparities, strengthen access to care and provide greater stability for patients and providers.\"\n\n\"As an emergency physician, I know that when care is out of reach, seniors pay the price,\" said Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. \"Puerto Ricans pay into Medicare on the same terms as every American, yet their Medicare Advantage plans are paid about 40 percent less. That gap has shrunk provider networks, cut benefits, and strained doctors and hospitals. This bill is a targeted, common-sense fix. I thank Representatives Bilirakis and Soto and Resident Commissioner Hernández for working with me to give seniors the fair coverage they have earned.\"\n\n“I am proud to join Reps. Bilirakis and Ruiz in introducing the bipartisan Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act to make geographic adjustments to Medicare Advantage benchmarks in Puerto Rico to match those of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This takes us closer to achieving full parity between the Island and the mainland. Puerto Ricans are American citizens, and they deserve access to the same healthcare benefits as all Americans,\" said Congressman Darren Soto.\n\n“We are prioritizing the basics: ensuring that our seniors have access to the doctors and healthcare services they need. This year, we secured a significant increase in Medicare Advantage funding for Puerto Rico. Now, we are taking the next step to fix a longstanding funding disparity that has affected the Island for years,” said Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández.\n\n\"I would like to thank my friend and former colleague, Gus Bilirakis, for introducing the Medicare Advantage Fairness Act in support of Medicare enrollees in Puerto Rico. Close to 680,000 Puerto Rico residents choose to receive their care through Medicare Advantage (MA), making it the preferred coverage option on the island. Yet MA rates in Puerto Rico are approximately 41% below the national average and 20% below those in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). This bill proposes a fix that would adjust MA rates based on those in the USVI, providing a much-needed boost to our residents, health care sector, and economy. I look forward to continuing our work together in support of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in Puerto Rico and across our nation, \" said Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón.\n\nThe legislation would create a self-adjusting link: if the U.S. Virgin Islands' adjustment changes, Puerto Rico's would move with it. It is a targeted fix for a formula that has never reflected the true cost of care on the island.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-boebert-backs-president-trumps-diesel-relief-measures-help-colorado", "title": "REP. BOEBERT BACKS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DIESEL RELIEF MEASURES TO HELP COLORADO FAMILIES AND PRODUCERS", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "boebert.house.gov", "scraper": "boebert", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000825", "name": "Lauren Boebert", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LONE TREE, CO — U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) is backing President Trump’s diesel relief actions that put Colorado families, farmers, ranchers, and truckers first.\n\nRed-Dyed Diesel Executive Order\n\nPresident Trump’s executive order temporarily allows tax-free red-dyed diesel for broader use and defers the federal diesel excise tax through year’s end, delivering immediate savings for producers and families.\n\n“These steps directly address affordability by putting money back in the pockets of Colorado producers and the families who rely on lower fuel and goods costs,” said Rep. Boebert. “Every dollar saved at the pump helps keep operations running and food moving.”\n\nDiesel Supply Agreements\n\nEurope / G7 Reserve Release: G7 release of 100 million barrels of oil and diesel from strategic reserves over four months to boost global supply.\n\nRussian Diesel Supply Agreement: Agreement for the supply of diesel volumes to U.S. and global markets.\n\n“I support strong pressure on Russia, but I will not sacrifice American prosperity for symbolism. Pragmatic deals that deliver for our people are how we win,” said Rep. Boebert.\n\n“Sometimes deals aren’t perfect. Russia’s actions in Ukraine are wrong, but we cannot let American families keep getting squeezed while we hold out for a flawless outcome overseas. Temporary, targeted steps securing more diesel for the market are practical ways to help people in Colorado,” said Rep. Boebert.\n\nWhite House Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Promotes Diesel Affordability\n\nWhat They Are Saying: President Trump Delivers Immediate Diesel Relief\n\nCall to Suspend Diesel Exports\n\nRep. Boebert has also called for a temporary pause on U.S. diesel exports through January 2027, followed by a joint review by Congress and the Administration.\n\nRead Rep. Boebert’s full statement:", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-named-american-energy-champion", "title": "Ciscomani Named American Energy Champion", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ciscomani.house.gov", "scraper": "ciscomani", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001133", "name": "Juan Ciscomani", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Tucson, AZ - Representative Juan Ciscomani has been recognized as an American Energy Champion by the American Energy Alliance (AEA), achieving a perfect 100% score on the AEA’s American Energy Scorecard for the 119th Congress.\n\n\"Arizona thrives when we embrace an all-of-the-above energy approach that strengthens domestic production and keeps our energy supply reliable and affordable,\" said Rep. Ciscomani. \"I'm honored to receive the American Energy Champion Award from the American Energy Alliance in recognition of my voting record supporting American energy. As the most bipartisan member of Arizona’s congressional delegation, I believe in working across the aisle to advance practical energy solutions that strengthen our infrastructure, protect consumer choice, and deliver results for Arizonans.\"\n\nHe has been a steadfast advocate of an all-of-the-above energy approach, consistently supporting efforts to strengthen domestic energy production, enhance grid reliability, and protect consumer choice. In addition, Ciscomani has championed critical investments in Southern Arizona’s energy infrastructure and helped advance policies that preserve local consumers' energy options.\n\nThe American Energy Alliance recognizes lawmakers who champion affordable, reliable energy, consumer choice, and market-driven policies.\n\n\"Energy is fundamental to our prosperity as a country, as individuals, families, and businesses, and energy policy can have real consequences. Never has the discussion of affordable, reliable energy been more important or more prevalent than it is now. As we approach elections this year, voters deserve factual information about what their elected officials are doing to ensure America’s energy security, keep energy prices down, and ensure grid reliability. The Scorecard gives constituents the opportunity to look beyond speeches and political rhetoric and evaluate lawmakers based on their actions. The American Energy Alliance applauds this year’s energy champions and thanks them for their leadership in prioritizing American energy,\" said AEA President Thomas Pyle.\n\nEarlier this year, Representative Ciscomani played a pivotal role in securing nearly $700 million in federal support to modernize coal generation assets nationwide, a move that bolstered grid reliability and safeguarded energy access. Notably, the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO), operator of the Apache Generating Station, located approximately 80 miles east of Tucson, was awarded $20,826,000 through the U.S. Department of Energy. The Apache Generating Station remains a critical source of electricity for Cochise County, delivering power to homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses in Willcox, Benson, and rural communities across Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District.\n\nIn Congress, Representative Ciscomani is also a proud cosponsor of the Energy Choice Act (H.R. 3699), legislation that would prohibit state and local governments from restricting the connection, modification, or expansion of energy services based on the type or source of energy delivered. The bipartisan effort aims to further protect consumer choice and prevent unnecessary government interference in energy decisions for local households and businesses across Arizona. Representative Ciscomani also cosponsors the bipartisan Streamlining Home Installation of New Energies (SHINE) Act (H.R. 6981), legislation that would make local permitting for residential solar and other home energy systems more streamlined and affordable.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases/correa-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-free-innocent-partners-from-debt-they-didnt-create", "title": "CORREA INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO FREE INNOCENT PARTNERS FROM DEBT THEY DIDN'T CREATE", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "correa.house.gov", "scraper": "correa", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001110", "name": "J. Luis Correa", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA), alongside Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL), introduced the bipartisan Bankruptcy Relief for Innocent Partners Act, which would ensure that people are not stuck with debt from fraud their partner committed alone, and that survivors of domestic and financial abuse are not forced to stay in dangerous relationships for financial reasons.\n\n\"If you didn't commit the fraud, you shouldn't carry the debt for the rest of your life,\" said Correa. \"For a survivor of abuse, that debt can be a chain. Abusers use debt to control their partners and keep them from leaving. This bill removes one more chain.\"\n\n“No one should be left responsible for debt caused by a partner’s fraud they neither knew about nor participated in,” said Laurel Lee. “For victims of domestic or financial abuse, being forced to bear the financial consequences of a partner’s wrongdoing can compound an already devastating situation. The Bankruptcy Relief for Innocent Partners Act is a matter of fundamental fairness. It provides meaningful relief for innocent individuals while ensuring our bankruptcy laws hold those who commit fraud accountable.”\n\nThe bill amends the Bankruptcy Code so that only the person who committed fraud is barred from discharging the resulting debt. Innocent partners would get the same fresh start as any other honest filer. The bill also protects survivors of domestic and financial abuse from being forced to stay in a relationship for financial reasons.\n\n\"NACBA strongly endorses this legislation because a person can be held legally responsible for someone else’s fraud without having committed fraud themselves. Bartenwerfer blurred that critical distinction in bankruptcy, allowing an innocent debtor to be saddled for life with a debt arising from misconduct they neither knew about nor could prevent. This bill would restore a simple rule: the extraordinary consequence of nondischargeability for fraud should follow the person who committed the fraud. It does not excuse wrongdoing or eliminate anyone’s underlying liability—it ensures that an honest debtor is not denied a fresh start because of someone else’s misconduct. We're grateful to Representative Correa and his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for taking it up,\" said Richard Nemeth, President, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA).\n\n“Ninety-nine percent of domestic violence survivors experience economic abuse and half experience coerced debt. Beyond the hard costs, coerced debt creates an economic ripple effect by damaging credit, and preventing a survivor from accessing housing, employment and the basic resources needed to be safe. The Bankruptcy Relief for Innocent Partners Act would provide critical relief to domestic violence survivors who are burdened with debt through no fault of their own. By naming the fraud, this legislation will remove a substantial barrier to bankruptcy relief, offering a pathway to economic security and safety for domestic violence survivors across the nation,” said Erika Sussman, Founder & Executive Director, Center for Survivor Agency and Justice.\n\nView the bill text here.\n\nBackground\n\nIn Bartenwerfer v. Buckley, a couple ran a house-flipping business together, and one partner committed fraud without the other's knowledge. After the couple filed for bankruptcy, the Supreme Court ruled that current law did not allow the innocent partner to discharge the fraud-related debt.\n\nThe issue is especially serious in abusive relationships. Half of domestic abuse survivors report experiencing \"coerced debt,\" where abusers use debt to maintain control and limit their partners' economic resources.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/connecticut-congressional-delegation-announces-753-million-liheap", "title": "Connecticut Congressional Delegation Announces $75.3 Million in LIHEAP Funding to Connecticut", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "courtney.house.gov", "scraper": "courtney", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001069", "name": "Joe Courtney", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "NORWICH, CT — Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Congressman John Larson (CT-01), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04), and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) announced over $75.3 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding to Connecticut for FY27 allocated through the Continuing Resolution. This funding comes after the Trump Administration’s proposed FY27 budget included the elimination of the LIHEAP program and as Connecticut families are dealing with skyrocketing costs to heat their homes due to the war in Iran.\n\n“LIHEAP is a lifeline to nearly 100,000 Connecticut families, including children and seniors, helping them to heat their homes. As this war of choice in Iran causes oil costs to soar, more and more families will struggle to afford their utility bills. As a delegation, we have fought to protect and strengthen LIHEAP, especially under threats of elimination by President Trump. We are proud to have secured $75.3 million for Connecticut’s first round of funding from LIHEAP – one of the earliest releases of funding in years. We will continue to deliver the resources Connecticut families depend on and defend this funding from this administration’s attacks so no one has to choose between heating their home and buying groceries,” said the delegation\n\nConnecticut residents can apply for energy assistance through the Connecticut Department of Social Services, available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://crow.house.gov/media/press-releases/crow-presses-pentagon-over-civilian-casualties-during-trump-s-iran-war", "title": "Crow Presses Pentagon Over Civilian Casualties during Trump’s Iran War", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://crow.house.gov/news", "domain": "crow.house.gov", "scraper": "crow", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001121", "name": "Jason Crow", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a former paratrooper and Army Ranger who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is demanding answers on a strike that resulted in civilian casualties at a wedding in Iran, reported to have been carried out by the U.S. military during Trump’s war of choice.\n\nAccording to The New York Times, at least five people were killed, including two children, and nearly 70 more were injured while attending a wedding due to a military strike in the town of Kuhestak, Iran. Additional reporting indicates a high likelihood that the bomb used was launched by American forces as they carried out intense attacks in southern Iran.\n\nJoining Crow in his letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are Congresswomen Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) and Sara Jacobs (D-CA). The group previously led their Democratic colleagues pressing the Administration for answers on a U.S. strike on an Iranian girls’ elementary school where at least 175 civilians, many of them children, were killed. The Pentagon has yet to provide a sufficient update on the incident.\n\n“We demand urgent answers regarding the United States’ role in this strike, why the strike proceeded given the clear risk of significant civilian harm, and what steps the Department is taking to prevent further civilian casualties in Iran,” Crow and his colleagues wrote. “The consequences of this American strike have been devastating: 5 civilians were killed as a result of the strike in Kuhestak, including a 4-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, and dozens of civilians were injured.”\n\nThey continued, “We are deeply alarmed by the continued pattern of civilian casualties resulting from U.S. operations in the war in Iran, and the apparent lack of action and accountability from the Department. Acknowledging such incidents, accepting responsibility, and learning from them makes our forces stronger, more effective, and an example to the world. When we fail to do so, it has the exact opposite effect.”\n\nCrow, Co-Chair of the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Caucus, has demanded answers on Secretary Hegseth’s attempts to dismantle civilian protections at the Pentagon.\n\nCrow’s service as a combat veteran in Iraq and Afghanistan informs much of his work in Congress aimed at increasing civilian protection in combat. He helped pass legislation codifying the creation of the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, and has passed major portions of his Protection of Civilians in Military Operations Act and Department of Defense Civilian Harm Transparency Act.\n\nA PDF of the letter can be found here, with full text appearing below:\n\nDear Secretary Hegseth,\n\nWe are once again writing with grave concern regarding the conduct of the administration’s war in Iran. Specifically, there are devastating reports of civilian casualties at a wedding in the town of Kuhestak, Iran, on September 1, 2026. This is the latest in an alarming pattern of civilian casualty incidents in strikes carried out by the United States in Iran since the war began on February 28, 2026. While the Department has not publicly acknowledged responsibility for this incident, the Washington Post recently reported that there is a “high likelihood” that the U.S. was responsible for the incident, citing an official familiar with the operations. Furthermore, analysis from U.S. weapons experts has suggested that the explosion was caused by a U.S. glide bomb.\n\nThe Post reported that six U.S. Navy aircraft-launched weapons targeted a communications complex near the home where the wedding was taking place and that one weapon missed its intended target. Accordingly, we demand urgent answers regarding the United States’ role in this strike, why the strike proceeded given the clear risk of significant civilian harm, and what steps the Department is taking to prevent further civilian casualties in Iran. The consequences of this American strike have been devastating: 5 civilians were killed as a result of the strike in Kuhestak, including a 4-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, and dozens of civilians were injured.\n\nThis incident is regrettably among the latest in a string of civilian casualty incidents arising from the U.S.-led war in Iran. This includes a strike at the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran, on the first day of the war that killed a reported 175 civilians, including 120 children. While it has been reported that a preliminary investigation by the Department found that the U.S. military was responsible for the strike, over six months later the Department has still not publicly acknowledged responsibility for the strike nor released the findings of its investigation. Similarly, reporting and independent analysis indicate that U.S. forces were responsible for a strike at a youth sports hall in Lamerd, Iran, that killed 21 civilians, including 7 children, on February 28. While the Department has denied responsibility, analysis by weapons experts found that the damage pattern is consistent with that of an American Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).\n\nWe are deeply alarmed by the continued pattern of civilian casualties resulting from U.S. operations in the war in Iran, and the apparent lack of action and accountability from the Department. Acknowledging such incidents, accepting responsibility, and learning from them makes our forces stronger, more effective, and an example to the world. When we fail to do so, it has the exact opposite effect.\n\nThis is why it is all the more alarming that amid these devastating incidents, the Department has also severely degraded the civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) programs and personnel designed to prevent, respond to, and learn from civilian harm. Understanding the civilian environment – including the location of civilian objects and critical infrastructure such as schools and gymnasiums, and patterns of life including large gatherings such as weddings – was intended to be a key aspect of this program. Yet CHMR staff at CENTCOM have reportedly dwindled from over 10 to just one full-time staff. The Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which was mandated by Congress and designed to support combatant commands in this life saving work, has been cut from over thirty down to just seven.\n\nOn March 12, 2026, 121 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote to you demanding answers regarding civilian casualties caused by Operation Epic Fury and the Department's civilian protection efforts. The Department refused to provide any answers, simply stating “The United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) has initiated an investigation of this incident and appointed an investigating officer from outside the USCENTCOM chain of command. USCENTCOM will share the results of this investigation with Congress once it is completed.” Nearly seven months into the war, Congress and the American public still lack basic information about the findings of that investigation and the measures the Department has taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.\n\nThe strike in Kuhestak makes that failure all the more troubling. In response to the reports regarding U.S. responsibility for the strike in Kuhestak, a spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command stated “The U.S. military never targets civilians, unlike the IRGC.” Similarly, Vice President Vance said at a press briefing recently that he was “skeptical” of reports that the U.S. was responsible for the bombing, while acknowledging that the incident was under investigation.We are concerned this lack of transparency from this Administration is becoming a pattern, given the Department also initially denied responsibility for the Minab strike and has yet to release the investigation related to that incident.\n\nThe American people deserve answers on not just this strike, but the Department’s pattern of civilian harm resulting from U.S. military operations in Iran. To that end, we insist on answers to the following questions no later than October 26, 2026.\n\nDid U.S. forces carry out the September 1, 2026 strike in Kuhestak, Iran, that killed 5 civilians and injured dozens? If so, what was the target and why was the decision taken to execute the strikes? What was the assessed civilian harm risk of the strikes, and what steps were considered or taken to prevent civilian harm?\n\nHas the Department formally initiated an investigation into the September 1 strike in Kuhestak? If so, please provide the date on which the investigation began, the office responsible for conducting it, whether the investigating officer is independent of the operational chain of command, and the expected timeline for completion.\n\nWhat is the status of the USCENTCOM investigation into the February 28 strike at the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab? On what date will the Department provide Congress with the full findings of that investigation, including its conclusions regarding U.S. responsibility and the circumstances that led to the reported civilian casualties? On what date will the unclassified version of these findings be made available to the public?\n\nDid the Department conduct an initial review of whether it is possible the U.S. was involved in the Lamerd strike on February 28, 2026? What were the results of that initial review? Was additional information provided after the fact, and did this alter the initial review results at all?\n\nDid the Department conduct a civilian harm assessment of whether it is more likely than not that civilian harm occurred as a result of this strike? What were the results of this assessment? Was additional information provided after the fact, and did this alter the initial review results at all?\n\nHas the Department conducted an administrative investigation, such as an AR 15-6, into the strike? If so, when was the investigation initiated, when are the findings due to the commander, and when will its findings be provided to Congress and released publicly?\n\nWhat steps, if any, has the Department taken to prevent civilian harm in targeting practices since the apparent U.S strikes in Minab on February 28, 2026? Please detail any specific policies that have been implemented.\n\nHow many U.S. investigations, initial reviews, and civilian harm assessments into civilian casualties arising from operations in Iran have been initiated since February 28, 2026 and how many have been completed? Please provide details of all ongoing and completed investigations.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://ezell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2200", "title": "Ezell Introduces Legislation to Modernize Marine Mammal Protection Act", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ezell.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "ezell.house.gov", "scraper": "ezell", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000235", "name": "Mike Ezell", "party": "Republican", "state": "MS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, introduced legislation to modernize the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972, improve regulatory certainty, and ensure federal permitting decisions are based on the best available scientific data.\n\nThe legislation would update requirements governing the incidental take of marine mammals during otherwise lawful activities, including maritime operations, infrastructure development, and other projects in coastal waters. By clarifying regulatory standards and streamlining the permitting process, the bill seeks to reduce unnecessary delays while maintaining protections for marine mammal populations.\n\n“Along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, our maritime industry, ports, shipyards, and coastal communities depend on the ability to carry out critical projects without unnecessary federal red tape,” Ezell said. “We can protect our marine resources while also ensuring that federal regulations are grounded in sound science and common sense. This legislation brings much-needed clarity and predictability to the permitting process, helping support American jobs, strengthen our maritime industry, and keep important projects moving forward.”\n\n\"On behalf of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, I'm pleased to support these proposed modifications, which bring clarity and common sense reform to the Marine Mammal Protection Act without weakening its core function,\" General Spraggins, Director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, said. \"Replacing ambiguity with more explicit and defined standards will positively impact both the resources allocated for conservation related work and the marine resources in our waters.\"\n\n\"The introduction of this legislation represents an important step toward ensuring that MMPA implementation is guided by clear statutory standards and the best available science,\" Dustin Van Liew, EnerGeo Alliance SVP Global Policy, said. \"We commend Congressman Ezell for his leadership in introducing language that reflects years of energy industry engagement and policy development aimed at improving regulatory certainty while maintaining robust protections for marine mammals.\"\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would:\n\nModernize the definition of harassment: Update the Marine Mammal Protection Act's definition of harassment to focus on actual injury or disturbance rather than the potential for those impacts.\n\nEstablish clearer scientific standards: Define a “negligible impact” based on whether an activity is reasonably likely to significantly and adversely affect the annual survival rate of a marine mammal species or stock.\n\nStreamline incidental take authorizations: Remove certain statutory limitations on the duration and number of marine mammals covered by incidental take authorizations, providing greater flexibility and predictability for project planning.\n\nImprove mitigation and monitoring requirements: Direct federal agencies to establish appropriate, practicable, and economically feasible conditions to minimize impacts on marine mammals, along with efficient monitoring and reporting requirements.\n\nPrevent unnecessary project disruptions: Ensure conditions imposed through specified incidental take authorizations do not alter the basic design, location, scope, duration, or timing of an otherwise lawful activity.\n\nStrengthen science-based decision-making: Require federal determinations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to rely on the objective application of the best available scientific and commercial data, without precautionary assumptions that could bias those determinations.\n\nThe Marine Mammal Protection Act plays an important role in conserving marine mammal populations. However, its permitting requirements can also affect maritime construction, port improvements, offshore operations, and other activities important to coastal economies.\n\nEzell's legislation seeks to provide a more predictable regulatory framework that allows these activities to move forward while retaining federal oversight and requirements to minimize impacts on marine mammals.\n\nAs Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee and Vice Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, Ezell has prioritized policies that support America's maritime capabilities, strengthen coastal economies, and promote responsible management of marine resources.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://fischbach.house.gov/2026/10/fischbach-mn-gop-delegation-slam-walz-for-rejecting-federal-fuel-relief-and-leaving-minnesota-farmers-and-families-to-pay-the-price", "title": "Fischbach, MN GOP Delegation Slam Walz for Rejecting Federal Fuel Relief and Leaving Minnesota Farmers and Families to Pay the Price", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "fischbach.house.gov", "scraper": "fischbach", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000470", "name": "Michelle Fischbach", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Fischbach (MN-07) led Minnesota's Republican Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to Governor Tim Walz following his refusal to align Minnesota with President Trump’s Executive Order authorizing highway use of red dye diesel. The letter calls on Walz to rethink his decision and follow suit to help lower diesel costs for Minnesota’s truckers, farmers, and drivers.\n\nPresident Trump’s order opens access to untaxed, lower-cost red dye diesel, cutting per-fill costs by roughly $60 for a standard tank. By addressing state-level enforcement and fuel testing, Minnesota could have unlocked meaningful savings for farmers and haulers. While neighboring North Dakota took proactive steps to provide relief to its producers, Governor Walz flatly rejected any effort to lower costs, leaving Minnesota’s agricultural producers and truckers at a disadvantage during peak harvest season.\n\n\"Governor Walz and Democrats have made their priorities crystal clear: they would rather choose petty political opposition than give relief to struggling Minnesota families and farmers,\" said Rep. Fischbach. \"President Trump provided a way to slash diesel costs, and Governor Walz chose partisan obstruction over lower costs. Our farmers are in the field working around the clock to feed and fuel our country. Instead of helping them, the Walz administration is threatening them with penalties for using lower-cost fuel. It is an insult to our rural communities, and it proves once again that Minnesota Democrats would rather watch fuel prices skyrocket to save their egos than give hardworking Minnesotans a break at the pump.\"\n\nThe letter also points out that North Dakota announced it will not enforce fuel checks or penalize drivers using red dye diesel on highways. Governor Walz’s refusal to follow Trump or North Dakota directly hurts Minnesotans. By forcing local haulers to buy higher-priced clear diesel, Minnesota is bottlenecking cross-state harvest commerce and driving up transportation costs that will be passed on to everyday consumers at the grocery store.\n\nCongresswoman Fischbach vowed to continue fighting for energy affordability measures and called out state leadership for continually turning its back on Minnesota’s rural economy.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-secures-nearly-1-million-federal-funds-city-raymondville", "title": "Congressman Gonzalez Secures Nearly $1 Million in Federal Funds for City of Raymondville", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "gonzalez.house.gov", "scraper": "gonzalez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000581", "name": "Vicente Gonzalez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Contact: Alexis Torres\n\nRaymondville, Texas—Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), joined by the City of Raymondville and Mayor Gilbert Gonzales, delivered $965,467 in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Community Project Funding to renovate and improve safety at multiple parks as part of the city-wide park improvement plan. This investment will support improvements at Pool Park, Pocket Park and Smiley Face Park, including new restrooms, exercise stations, nature trails, and additional parking.\n\n“Over the past year, I worked with local partners across our district to pass into law funding for 15 community projects that improve the lives of South Texas families,” said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez. “With this nearly $1 million investment into Raymondville, we are creating opportunities to promote a healthier future while advancing economic and community development tied to the City’s parks and recreation system. Thank you to all our city leaders for their outstanding leadership. I remain committed to ensuring federal resources make their way to our smaller communities just as much as in big cities.”\n\n“The Mayor, along with the Raymondville Board of Commissioners, and the City of Raymondville, would like to take this opportunity to thank Congressman Gonzalez and his staff in working hard in obtaining funding for our community. This investment which consists of park improvements throughout the City and will assist us in enhancing the quality of life for our community, promote health well-being, and help in the fight against diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. These improvements consist of walking trails, inclusive playground equipment, lighting, parking, and ADA restrooms. Once again, our greatest gratitude and appreciation to Congressman Gonzalez and his staff for always supporting our local community,” said Raymondville Mayor Gilbert Gonzales.\n\nAs a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Gonzalez successfully secured $12.6 million in federal funds for 15 community projects this past year, including Raymondville’s city-wide park improvement plan.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://gray.house.gov/media/press-releases/gray-padilla-schiff-demand-answers-ice-response-increased-enforcement-activity", "title": "GRAY, PADILLA, SCHIFF DEMAND ANSWERS FROM ICE IN RESPONSE TO INCREASED ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY IN MENDOTA", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gray.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "gray.house.gov", "scraper": "gray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000605", "name": "Adam Gray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13), Senator Alex Padilla, and Senator Adam Schiff are demanding answers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following reports of increased enforcement activity and resident detentions in Mendota beginning on October 5.\n\nIn a letter to Acting ICE Director David Venturella, the lawmakers requested details about the operations’ purpose and scope, the number of individuals detained, and the safeguards in place to protect due process and minimize disruption to local families and businesses.\n\n“Mendota is a hardworking agricultural community, and families should not have to fear going to work or taking their kids to school,” the lawmakers wrote. “Federal immigration laws must be enforced, but how that happens matters. We need answers about what’s taking place, who is being targeted and whether people’s rights are being protected.”\n\nThe lawmakers also asked whether local law enforcement was consulted, where detainees are being held, and what steps ICE is taking to address concerns raised by Mendota’s mayor and City Council.\n\nThe letter emphasizes the importance of protecting public safety and due process while recognizing the essential role farmworkers play in the Central Valley economy and America’s food supply.\n\n“The people of Mendota deserve to know why these operations are taking place and what safeguards are in place to protect their families and community,” the lawmakers wrote. “The federal government’s responsibility to enforce immigration law does not give it license to create fear across an entire community.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5442", "title": "Grothman: American Workers Should Come First in Their Own Country", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "grothman.house.gov", "scraper": "grothman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000576", "name": "Glenn Grothman", "party": "Republican", "state": "WI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) introduced the Protecting American Workers Through H-1B Modernization Act, which would close an outdated loophole that allows H-1B dependent employers to bypass certain American worker protections. Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\n\n“American workers should come first in their own country,” said Grothman. “Employers should not be able to use a salary threshold established nearly three decades ago to bypass protections for qualified Americans. There is no excuse for leaving this threshold unchanged when it should have been raised years ago. Washington’s failure to act shows how little the Establishment cares about unemployed Americans when employers want access to cheap foreign labor. This bill would update that threshold and help ensure American workers have a fair opportunity to compete for these jobs.”\n\n“For decades, companies have been able to sidestep hiring American workers because of a salary threshold that hasn’t budged since 1998. That’s not modernization, that’s a loophole. This bill simply asks that when a company is heavily reliant on these visas and wants to bring in more H-1B workers, they shouldn’t be relying on an outdated law to get around offering these jobs to qualified American workers first,” said Husted.\n\nBackground Information\n\nUnder current law, H-1B dependent employers, companies whose H-1B share of their workforce exceeds a particular threshold, must attest that they have first tried to hire American workers before sponsoring additional H-1B visas. However, employers are exempted if they pay the H-1B worker at least $60,000 per year, or if the worker holds a master’s degree or higher.\n\nThe $60,000 threshold was set in 1998 and was intended to be twice the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) National Average Wage Index at the time. It has never been adjusted for inflation. Today, the SSA National Average Wage Index is nearly $70,000, meaning the original threshold, adjusted for inflation, would be nearly $140,000.\n\nThe Protecting American Workers Through H-1B Modernization Act would replace the fixed $60,000 threshold with a dynamic standard equal to two times the national average wage index, as calculated by the SSA. This would ensure the threshold keeps pace with wage growth going forward, rather than remaining frozen in place.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://hinson.house.gov/media/press-releases/following-hinsons-advocacy-epa-announces-proposed-rule-reallocate-100-exempt", "title": "Following Hinson’s Advocacy, EPA Announces Proposed Rule to Reallocate 100% of Exempt Biofuels Gallons", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hinson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hinson.house.gov", "scraper": "hinson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001091", "name": "Ashley Hinson", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Image\n\nOctober 13, 2026\n\nWashington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) applauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed supplemental rule to reallocate 100% of exempted biofuels gallons, ensuring refinery exemptions don’t cut into demand for American-made biofuels. This announcement follows relentless advocacy from Rep. Hinson, including an agreement she helped secure in August and a visit from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to an Iowa ethanol facility on Monday.\n\n“Biofuels should be front and center in any plan to unleash domestic energy production and lower costs at the pump. Earlier this year, the administration announced the strongest biofuels blending targets in history, driving demand for Iowa ag products and new investment in our rural communities.\n\n“Today’s proposal reflects the 100% reallocation agreement I helped secure in August—making sure refinery exemptions don’t reduce demand for homegrown biofuels and our farmers and producers are made whole. With farmers facing such difficult conditions right now, getting this across the finish line is a big deal. I’m grateful to Administrator Zeldin for working with me to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard, and I’ll keep pushing relentlessly for Iowa farmers and biofuels producers throughout this process.” – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson\n\nBackground:\n\nIn August, the EPA granted small refinery exemptions for 29 refineries – totaling 1.76 billion renewable identification numbers (RINs) – allowing them to avoid certain biofuels blending requirements.\n\nFollowing the announced exemptions, Hinson worked directly with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and other administration officials to help secure an agreement to move forward with 100% reallocation of new exempt gallons.\n\nRead her statement pushing for action HERE.\n\nLast week, Hinson joined a bipartisan letter urging the administration to move forward with the proposed rule with 100% reallocation. Without 100% reallocation, exemptions would reduce biofuels blending levels, putting even more financial pressure on our farmers.\n\nOn October 12, Hinson hosted EPA Administrator Zeldin at an ethanol facility in Dyersville, where she reiterated the importance of protecting demand for Iowa biofuels and making farmers whole.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyer-statement-federal-raid-congresswoman-omars-home", "title": "Hoyer Statement on Federal Raid on Congresswoman Omar's Home", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media", "domain": "hoyer.house.gov", "scraper": "hoyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000874", "name": "Steny H. Hoyer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement after federal agents raided the Washington, D.C. residence of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05):\n\n“I am deeply concerned that Rep. Ilhan Omar, an elected Member of Congress, had her home raided by federal immigration authorities after President Trump repeatedly attacked her legitimacy as an American and threatened to take action in response to her repeated opposition to his policies. It is essential that the levers of justice are never politicized. We are a nation of laws, not individuals. If law enforcement has probable cause to conduct a search or pursue charges against a sitting Member of Congress, officials ought to do so with the highest level of transparency and the utmost professionalism. Just as federal officials should always exercise sound judgment, care for individual rights, and respect for our Constitution in any encounter, no matter what directives they receive from political appointees. I will continue to monitor this situation closely and will be keeping Rep. Omar and her family in my thoughts.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-huffman-releases-statement-on-defense-secretary-pete-hegseths-decision-to-livestream-execution", "title": "Rep. Huffman releases statement on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Decision to livestream execution", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "huffman.house.gov", "scraper": "huffman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001068", "name": "Jared Huffman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, Representative Jared Huffman released the following statement regarding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s remarks linking Nidal Hasan’s religious beliefs to the decision to livestream his execution:\n\n“Most Americans will be appalled at the sheer barbarity and bread-and-circus dystopia of this episode, but there's more to it than that. I have no doubt that Pete Hegseth's radical Christian nationalist worldview is behind all of this Hegseth believes he has a religious and patriotic duty to finish what the Christian crusaders started in the 11th century: defeat Islam and enthrone Christian dominion over the world.\n\n\"He's written a book about it, talked about it as a civilizational imperative, and even tattooed his body with symbols of these extreme beliefs. So it's no surprise to those of us who have followed Hegseth that he went out of his way to mention that the Fort Hood shooter is a Muslim and to stress that this fact is part of the justification for a live-streamed public firing squad. If you need more proof that Hegseth is an unhinged fanatic who should be impeached and removed from office, you have it here.\"\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://jack.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-brian-jack-tours-st-francis-emory-healthcare-columbus", "title": "Congressman Brian Jack Tours St. Francis-Emory Healthcare in Columbus", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jack.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "jack.house.gov", "scraper": "jack", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000311", "name": "Brian Jack", "party": "Republican", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nOctober 13, 2026\n\nContact: Joseph Brannan\n\nMUSCOGEE COUNTY, GA – Today, Congressman Brian Jack (GA-03) visited St. Francis-Emory Healthcare in Columbus.\n\nDuring his visit, St. Francis-Emory Healthcare President and CEO Bill Little led Congressman Jack on a tour of the hospital’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Geriatric Psychiatry and Senior Care Unit, and Graduate Medical Education area. Following the tour, Congressman Jack hosted a discussion with local healthcare leaders on key priorities including workforce development, nurse training, and access to healthcare.\n\nCongressman Brian Jack said, “Today, I visited the incredible doctors, nurses, and healthcare administrators at St. Francis-Emory Healthcare in Columbus. Since opening its doors in 1950, St. Francis has been a cornerstone of the Chattahoochee Valley, with more than 2,500 associates and 300 physicians providing critical care to families across West Georgia.”\n\n“St. Francis is home to the only open-heart surgery program in Columbus, and the Chattahoochee Valley is very proud of its distinction as the first Purple Heart Hospital in Georgia. I am honored to represent St. Francis and the incredible people of Columbus in Congress, and I look forward to continuing our partnership to improve the lives of families across our Congressional District.”\n\nSt. Francis-Emory Healthcare President and CEO Bill Little said, “We were pleased to welcome Congressman Brian Jack to St. Francis-Emory Healthcare today. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the care and community benefits we provide while discussing important healthcare priorities, including workforce development, Graduate Medical Education, and Medicare Advantage. We appreciate his engagement on issues that impact our patients and community.”\n\nJoining Congressman Jack were: St. Francis-Emory Healthcare President and CEO Bill Little, Board Member and Pastor of First Baptist Church of Columbus, the Rev. Dr. Jimmy Elder, Cardiologist Dr. Vik Chhokar, Graduate Medical Education Director Jill Brazell, Executive Director of Quality and Risk Management Chrissie Steff, Director of Growth and Outreach Lisa Powers, Executive Director of the Bradley Center Brittany Luther, and other members of the St. Francis-Emory Healthcare leadership team.\n\nCongressman Jack represents Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Muscogee County. If Congressman Jack may be of service to you and your family, please visit jack.house.gov.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://joyce.house.gov/posts/joyce-tours-new-lake-county-public-safety-center-construction-site", "title": "Joyce Tours New Lake County Public Safety Center Construction Site", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://joyce.house.gov/press", "domain": "joyce.house.gov", "scraper": "joyce", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000295", "name": "David P. Joyce", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PAINESVILLE, OH – On Friday, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) and Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno toured the construction site for the new Lake County Public Safety Center. The project represents a key investment in local safety and security of the community. The three-and-a-half-story facility will have capacity for 504 individuals and span approximately 250,000 square feet.\n\nThe project will also include technology and security enhancements designed to support law enforcement and improve care for the people housed in the facility. These enhancements are supported in part by $4.2 million in community project funding secured by Congressman Joyce through the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill.\n\n“As a former prosecutor, the safety and well-being of Northeast Ohio’s communities continue to be among my top priorities,” said Congressman Joyce. “By equipping law enforcement and corrections staff with better technology, communication tools, and resources, we can create a safer environment inside the facility while supporting better outcomes for the community. I am glad to have played a vital role in moving this project forward and improving public safety.”\n\n“As Sheriff of Lake County, I want to thank Congressman Dave Joyce for his support for our new jail project and his assistance in obtaining $4 million at the federal level to fund our technology needs. This new state-of-the-art facility will bring expanded treatment for medical, mental health, and addiction services to help us return inmates to society better than when they first arrived at our doors,” said Lake County Sheriff Leonbruno.\n\nBackground\n\nThe current Lake County Jail opened in 1990 and has served the county for more than three decades. While the facility has received updates over the years, some of its technology and infrastructure date back to its original construction. The new Lake County Public Safety Center is being built to replace the aging facility and provide updated space and resources for modern corrections operations. The Lake County Public Safety Center is scheduled to open in the summer of 2027.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-latta-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-honoring-fremonts", "title": "Kaptur, Latta Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Honoring Fremont’s Rutherford B. Hayes Library and Museums", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "kaptur.house.gov", "scraper": "kaptur", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000009", "name": "Marcy Kaptur", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Fremont, OH — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) and Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05) introduced a bipartisan resolution in recognition of the United States’ first Presidential library, the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums. This year marks the 110th Anniversary of the Library and Museums and the 150th Anniversary of Rutherford B. Hayes’ Presidential campaign.\n\n“The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums have left an indelible mark on our region throughout its 110 years, and I am honored to celebrate an institution that serves as a model for preserving and celebrating Ohio and American history,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “In creating the first Presidential Library, Hayes’ descendants showed the nation how to commemorate history in a manner that honors the sacrifices of those that came before and that seeks to teach future generations of the responsibility of citizenship.”\n\n“I’m proud to co-lead this resolution to honor and celebrate the 110th anniversary of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in Fremont, Ohio and the 150th anniversary of his Presidential campaign,” said Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05). \"The Hayes Library was our nation’s first Presidential Library, and beginning in the 120th Congress, this historic place will call Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District home. President Hayes was a devoted public servant who dedicated his career to Ohio and our nation. It’s important that we preserve significant elements of American history, such as the Hayes Library, to ensure future generations can learn about the lives of figures who have had a positive impact on our country.\"\n\nBorn in Delaware, Ohio in 1822, Hayes served as a Governor of Ohio and as the 19th President of the United States. After his death, Hayes’ children cemented their father’s legacy by creating the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums at the Hayes’ residence at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio. The library and museums were the first of their kind, and they preserve the former President’s personal library, his military service records, and materials and artifacts from his Presidency. The museums also takes careful effort to preserve and collect materials that showcase life along Lake Erie’s south shoreline, along with artifacts from Ohio’s history and other former presidents. It was used as a model for constructing the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in New York, the first official Federal Presidential library. Following the path of the Hayes and Roosevelt institutions, 16 Federal Presidential libraries exist today.\n\nA full copy of the resolution can be found by clicking here. More information on the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums can be found by clicking here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-murray-families-pay-more-more-energy-reports-show-trump-energy", "title": "Kaptur, Murray: As Families Pay More & More for Energy, Reports Show Trump Energy Department Withholding Billions and Playing Politics", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "kaptur.house.gov", "scraper": "kaptur", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000009", "name": "Marcy Kaptur", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Toledo, OH – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, released the following statement on the Trump Administration holding back or cutting off Billions of dollars Congress provided the Department of Energy to bring new energy online and lower Americans’ energy costs. Four recent reports detail how, over the last 18 months, President Trump’s policies have raised energy costs for families and delayed and defunded critical energy investments.\n\n“President Trump hasn’t just sent gas prices through the roof with his war with Iran; he and his Administration have systematically held up and cut off energy investments Congress has made that should be lowering families’ energy bills. Congress gave the Department of Energy tens of Billions of dollars to build out the power grid and cut the costs that families pay to heat and cool their homes. But the Trump Administration is still holding that money back and letting politics decide which projects survive. This President’s corruption is already sending Americans’ energy bills higher. The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse. We will keep pressing until this money reaches the projects and families it was meant for,” said Kaptur and Murray.\n\nCongress provided funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations bills for a variety of cost-cutting energy investments. The funding supports power lines, grid upgrades, home energy savings, and bringing more power online. But starting in January 2025, the Trump Administration froze funds for energy programs andkept them frozen after Kaptur and Murray demanded answers. The Department announced the cancellation of 24 awards worth $3.7 Billion in May 2025 and another 321 worth nearly $8 Billion on October 1, 2025. In July 2026, the Department’s lawyers admitted in court that the October cancellations were based solely on the politics of each recipient’s state.\n\nFour reports released recently show the Department of Energy is failing to spend money Congress provided—driving up Americans’ costs—and it is letting politics drive its decisions:\n\nRecent analysis from Energy Innovation, which includes state-level impacts, found that the Trump Administration’s energy policy changes since January 2025, including the Department’s cancellation of hydrogen hub funding, will cost households an additional $920 Billion for energy from 2026 through 2040, or about $6,500 more in energy costs per household.\n\nThe Department of Energy Alumni Network and Lawyers for Good Government reported that a year after the Department cancelled hundreds of awards, 61 percent of terminated awards remain in limbo, 69 percent of the awards the Department said it would keep have received negligible funding in the past six months, and another 1,731 projects worth $3.9 Billion have heard nothing from the Department.\n\nThe Natural Resources Defense Council published internal Department records, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit, indicating that DOE’s committee reviewing awards for termination was made up entirely of political appointees and Department of Government Efficiency staff. This follows DOE’s earlier admission in court that its decision to cancel energy projects “was based solely on the political identity of the grant recipient’s state.”\n\nThe EFI Foundation found that 94 percent of the $57.5 Billion Congress provided DOE through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has still not reached recipients, and $29.3 Billion, or 51 percent, has not been legally committed to any project.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-constituent-services-successfully-closes-more-6000-cases-nj-07-residents", "title": "Kean Constituent Services Successfully Closes More Than 6,000 Cases for NJ-07 Residents", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kean.house.gov", "scraper": "kean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000398", "name": "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(October 13, 2026) LEBANON BOROUGH, NJ – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced that his constituent services team has successfully closed more than 6,000 cases with federal agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Social Security Administration (SSA), for residents of New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District.\n\n“Delivering for residents and families in New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District is my top priority,” said Congressman Kean. “I am pleased to announce that my constituent services team has closed more than 6,000 cases for families, seniors, veterans, and small businesses across the district.”\n\nBelow are testimonials from constituents who contacted Congressman Kean’s office for assistance with an issue involving a federal agency:\n\n“Thank you for your assistance. I truly appreciate the timeliness of your assistance. I received a call from the VA the next day, and this is now moving along. We are so grateful!” — Carolyn from Bernardsville\n\n“The staff was very helpful. Team Kean was amazing and very understanding of my situation with a delayed passport. I cannot express my level of gratitude, everyone was very courteous and responsive. Thank you for all you do for the residents of New Jersey.” — Joanne from Clark\n\n“I waited to request assistance for too long. I dreaded what a pain it was going to be. I was so wrong, I received the first message from the office shortly after sending the request, they were extremely fast and effective.” — Ryan from Clinton\n\n“Congressman Kean's office jumped right on it and the federal agency [Medicare] was then induced to process a reimbursement which I had not been able to achieve in over a year of letter writing. Thank you so much.” — Carolee from Mendham\n\n“When I called for a problem I had with the post office, I was amazed at how fast I was helped. A representative came to my house as I wasn't able to get to the office. A day later I received a phone call and action was taken to the post office. Very thankful to know that there is help from Congressman Kean and that he has committed people working for him.” — Agnes from Whitehouse Station\n\nTeam Kean is always here to help. If you or someone you know needs help with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to contact the office. You can find more information HERE or call (908) 547-3307.\n\nTeam Kean also hosts Satellite Office Hours, the first week of every month. Follow Congressman Kean for updates on Facebook, X, and Instagram at @CongressmanKean.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://kennedy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2493", "title": "Kennedy, New York Delegation Demand DHS Release $87 Million in Counterterrorism Funding Still Owed to New York", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kennedy.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "kennedy.house.gov", "scraper": "kennedy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000402", "name": "Timothy M. Kennedy", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "One Year After Trump Promised Full Reversal of Funding Cuts, First Responders Statewide are Still Without Millions in Federal Investments\n\nBUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, led members of the New York Congressional Delegation in urging the Department of Homeland Security to immediately release $87 million in FY2025 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funding that is still owed to New York. Their letter, sent to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton, highlights the danger of withholding this funding from one the largest states in the nation and a top target for international and domestic terrorism.\n\n“One year ago, President Trump promised to restore New York counterterrorism funding in full after slashing the state’s allocation by nearly 90 percent. Yet today, DHS refuses to release $87 million that is still missing,” said Congressman Kennedy. “As Ranking Member of the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee, I know how critical these preparedness investments are. They help law enforcement and first responders across New York, from Buffalo to Manhattan, plan for emergencies, train for real world terrorism threats, and get the equipment they need to keep our communities safe. These preparedness grants were born out of the aftermath of the deadliest terror attack in American history, a tragedy that changed New York State forever. DHS’s refusal to restore $87 million for the state is not just reckless – it poses a direct threat to public safety.”\n\nIn September 2025, DHS issued HSGP award notifications that cut New York’s allocation by 86 percent, or $187 million, leaving the state with just $30 million compared to roughly $220 million in FY24. In October 2025, following bipartisan advocacy, President Trump committed to restoring full funding at approximately $220 million. After a court order in Noem v. Illinois that found Trump unlawfully cut emergency grant funding, the administration released $100 million, but $87 million is still owed to New York.\n\nThe missing funds affect every county in the state, including Erie and Niagara, and represent $11 million in losses for New York City. The letter warns that without full restoration, DHS is severely limiting local law enforcement’s ability to plan, train tactical teams, procure equipment, and conduct operations. Created in the wake of the September 11th attacks, HSGP has protected New York State for decades. The delegation underscored that the funds are due 25 years after 9/11 and one year after the President’s promise.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/connecticut-congressional-delegation-announces-753-million-liheap", "title": "Connecticut Congressional Delegation Announces $75.3 Million in LIHEAP Funding to Connecticut", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "larson.house.gov", "scraper": "larson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000557", "name": "John B. Larson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Hartford, CT — Today, Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05), and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy announced over $75.3 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding to Connecticut for FY27 allocated through the Continuing Resolution. This funding comes after the Trump Administration’s proposed FY27 budget included the elimination of the LIHEAP program and as Connecticut families are dealing with skyrocketing costs to heat their homes due to the war in Iran.\n\n“LIHEAP is a lifeline to nearly 100,000 Connecticut families, including children and seniors, helping them to heat their homes. As this war of choice in Iran causes oil costs to soar, more and more families will struggle to afford their utility bills. As a delegation, we have fought to protect and strengthen LIHEAP, especially under threats of elimination by President Trump. We are proud to have secured $75.3 million for Connecticut’s first round of funding from LIHEAP – one of the earliest releases of funding in years. We will continue to deliver the resources Connecticut families depend on and defend this funding from this administration’s attacks so no one has to choose between heating their home and buying groceries,” said the delegation.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://malliotakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/malliotakis-urges-cms-improve-medicare-coverage-breast-cancer-screenings-women", "title": "Malliotakis Urges CMS to Improve Medicare Coverage for Breast Cancer Screenings for Women with Dense Breast Tissue", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://malliotakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "malliotakis.house.gov", "scraper": "malliotakis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000317", "name": "Nicole Malliotakis", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(STATEN ISLAND, NY) — Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz urging the agency to review and update Medicare coverage policies for supplemental breast ultrasounds for women with dense breast tissue. The request follows a change in how Medicare coverage policies were interpreted under the Biden Administration in 2024.\n\nIn her letter, Malliotakis raised concerns over reports of Medicare coverage denials for supplemental breast ultrasounds, which can help detect cancer that may be missed during traditional mammograms. She urged CMS to review its policies to ensure women have access to additional screenings when recommended by their physicians.\n\n“Early detection saves lives, and during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are highlighting the importance of ensuring women have access to the screenings and care they need,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “Last week, I visited Staten Island University Hospital to discuss the importance of early detection and the advances being made in breast cancer prevention and treatment. Part of that effort is making sure women can access additional screenings when recommended by their doctors, especially those with dense breast tissue, where cancer can be more difficult to detect through traditional mammograms. That's why I'm urging Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to review its current policies and address coverage barriers that could prevent women from receiving these potentially lifesaving screenings.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://mcclaindelaney.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-april-mcclain-delaney-joined-99-democratic-lawmakers-slamming", "title": "Representative April McClain Delaney Joined 99 Democratic Lawmakers in Slamming Department of Education for Failure to Enforce Title IX and Protect Student Survivors", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcclaindelaney.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mcclaindelaney.house.gov", "scraper": "mcclaindelaney", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001232", "name": "April McClain Delaney", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) member Maxine Dexter (OR-03), DWC member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), DWC Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41) led a letter to the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Education. The letter urges the Acting Inspector General to open an investigation into the Department’s gutting of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Title IX rollbacks and its impact on the Department’s ability to enforce Title IX protections for student survivors of sexual assault and harassment. 99 House Democrats joined the effort.\n\nThe call for the investigation comes after Jane Doe’s story from Cornell University and Kendall Francis’ story from Louisiana State University (LSU) sparked a national outcry about the high rate of sexual violence on college campuses. Additionally the survivors’ stories have renewed scrutiny of how colleges and universities respond, and how the Department of Education enforces Title IX protections for survivors.\n\nOne in four undergraduate women experience sexual assault or rape while in college. Sexual violence against women on college campuses is a public health crisis, yet significant barriers remain that block accountability and protections for students. Changes in staffing, resources, case-processing, and enforcement priorities under the Trump administration have only made that worse and have undermined the Department’s ability to properly investigate complaints and enforce Title IX protections.\n\nAs of January 2025, OCR reportedly faced a backlog of nearly 12,000 civil rights cases, while the administration reduced OCR’s workforce by nearly half. The Department has closed zero college sexual harassment or sexual violence cases. The Department also formalized weaker protections and processes for student survivors: narrowing the definition of sexual harassment, reducing school liability, and implementing intimidating investigative and hearing procedures that are retraumatizing to survivors.\n\nWithout proper federal enforcement and institutional accountability, Title IX protections become just words on a page. The Department of Education is failing student survivors. Protections for survivors are not partisan and should always be a priority, however the Department’s rollback of vital protections creates additional barriers for survivors and is leaving them to fend for themselves in their most vulnerable moments.\n\nIn their letter, the members explained how the Department’s changes will leave student survivors vulnerable and why an investigation is necessary:\n\n“We urge the Office of Inspector General to immediately open an investigation into the Department’s failure to adequately enforce Title IX protections for survivors of sexual harassment and assault, including whether changes in staffing, resources, case-processing, and enforcement priorities have undermined the Department’s ability to protect students, investigate complaints in a timely manner, and hold institutions accountable.”\n\nThe members outlined the Department’s policies that have weakened protections for student survivors:\n\n“At the same time that OCR’s staff and regional capacity were substantially reduced, the Department announced and pursued Title IX enforcement priorities concerning transgender students’ participation in athletics and access to sex-separated facilities, and also dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. These reprioritizations do nothing to address the backlog of sexual violence cases.”\n\nThe letter also explains how reprioritizations and restructuring by the Department have decreased OCR’s capacity to investigate cases of sexual violence on campus:\n\n“This restructuring threatens to further delay investigations, erode OCR’s institutional expertise, and create additional barriers for survivors seeking accountability. These reprioritizations, staff reductions, and the interagency agreement raise significant questions about whether OCR has sufficient capacity to investigate Title IX complaints, communicate with complainants, and fulfill its civil rights enforcement responsibilities in a timely and effective manner.”\n\nThe members also outlined what they are urging the Inspector General to investigate:\n\nExamining whether the Department has fulfilled its legal and administrative responsibilities to investigate and resolve Title IX complaints in a timely and effective manner.\n\nThe causes and consequences of the absence of resolution agreements involving college sexual harassment and assault complaints since January 2025.\n\nWhether reductions in OCR staffing, the closure of regional offices, or changes in enforcement priorities have contributed to delays, backlogs, or failures to resolve these complaints.\n\nExamining whether OCR has sufficient staffing, resources, policies, and procedures to effectively enforce Title IX and protect students from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence.\n\nIdentifying how survivors have been harmed by these changes.\n\nLastly, the members asked the Inspector General to answer the following questions:\n\nHow many Title IX sexual harassment and sexual violence complaints are currently pending before OCR, and how long have they been pending?\n\nHow have processing times, case closures, investigations, and resolution agreements changed since January 2025?\n\nHave staffing reductions or office closures affected OCR’s ability to investigate complaints or communicate with survivors?\n\nHave Department officials directed, formally or informally, OCR personnel to deprioritize certain categories of Title IX complaints?\n\nWhat safeguards are currently in place to ensure Title IX complaints involving sexual violence receive timely and appropriate review?\n\nWhat corrective actions are necessary to ensure the Department is meeting its obligations to protect students under Title IX?\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nThe letter was signed by: Amo, Gabe; Ansari, Yassamin; Balint, Becca; Barragán, Nanette; Beatty, Joyce; Beyer, Donald; Bonamici, Suzanne; Brownley, Julia; Brown, Shontel; Bynum, Janelle; Carter, Troy; Castor, Kathy; Chu, Judy; Clarke, Yvette; Craig, Angie; Crockett, Jasmine; Davids, Sharice; Dean, Madeleine; DeGette, Diana; DeSaulnier, Mark; Dexter, Maxine; Dingell, Debbie; Elfreth, Sarah; Escobar, Veronica; Espaillat, Adriano; Evans, Dwight; Fletcher, Lizzie; Foster, Bill; Foushee, Valerie; Frankel, Lois; Frost, Maxwell; Garamendi, John; Garcia, Sylvia; Goldman, Daniel; Goodlander, Maggie; Grijalva, Adelita; Houlahan, Chrissy; Hoyle, Val; Ivey, Glenn; Jackson, Jonathan; Jayapal, Pramila; Johnson, Julie; Kamlager-Dove, Sydney; Kelly, Robin; Kennedy, Timothy; Khanna, Ro; Landsman, Greg; Latimer, George; Lee, Summer; Leger Fernandez, Teresa; Lynch, Stephen; Magaziner, Seth; Matsui, Doris; McBride, Sarah; McClain Delaney, April; McClellan, Jennifer; McIver, LaMonica; Mejia, Analilia; Menefee, Christian; Meng, Grace; Mfume, Kweisi; Morelle, Joseph; Mullin, Kevin; Nadler, Jerrold; Norton, Eleanor; Omar, Ilhan; Pelosi, Nancy; Pettersen, Brittany; Pingree, Chellie; Quigley, Mike; Ramirez, Delia; Randall, Emily; Raskin, Jamie; Ross, Deborah; Salinas, Andrea; Scanlon, Mary Gay; Schakowsky, Janice; Scholten, Hillary; Sewell, Terri; Simon, Lateefah; Stansbury, Melanie; Stanton, Greg; Stevens, Haley; Strickland, Marilyn; Subramanyam, Suhas; Sykes, Emilia; Takano, Mark; Thompson, Bennie; Thompson, Mike; Titus, Dina; Tlaib, Rashida; Tokuda, Jill; Tonko, Paul; Trahan, Lori; Velázquez, Nydia; Walkinshaw, James; Watson Coleman, Bonnie; Williams, Nikema; Wilson, Frederica.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-mccormick-introduces-own-not-rent-act-expand-homeownership", "title": "Congressman McCormick Introduces Own Not Rent Act to Expand Homeownership Opportunities for American Families", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mccormick.house.gov", "scraper": "mccormick", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001218", "name": "Richard McCormick", "party": "Republican", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-07) introduced the Own Not Rent Act (H.R. 10784), legislation aimed at expanding homeownership opportunities by allowing state governments to guarantee portions of mortgages to allow for smaller down payments without mortgage insurance, helping first-time homebuyers save for a down payment, reducing financial barriers, and incentivizing the construction of new homes.\n\nThe legislation would establish tax-advantaged down payment savings accounts, expand penalty-free retirement withdrawals for first-time homebuyers, and provide new tax incentives for homebuilders constructing owner-occupied housing.\n\n“The fact that the median age of a first-time homebuyer has reached 40 years old is unacceptable. Hardworking Americans are doing everything right, yet the dream of owning a home remains out of reach,” said Congressman McCormick. “Homeownership is one of the most important ways families build financial security and generational wealth. The Own Not Rent Act removes financial barriers, helps families save, and encourages the construction of homes Americans can actually own. We should be helping the next generation build their futures, not forcing them to remain renters.”\n\nThe Own Not Rent Act is endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR).\n\nThis bill would:\n\nAllow eligible first-time homebuyers to make up to $25,000 in annual tax-deductible contributions, with a maximum account balance of $100,000.\n\nIncrease the lifetime limit on penalty-free retirement withdrawals for qualified first-time home purchases from $10,000 to $25,000.\n\nPermit tax-advantaged employer contributions to employees' down payment savings accounts.\n\nProvide eligible homebuilders a tax credit equal to 35 percent of qualifying construction costs for newly built owner-occupied homes.\n\nEncourage qualifying state-backed mortgage insurance and guarantee programs.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mejia-slams-dhs-after-agency-admits-to-processing-detainees-at-roxbury-property", "title": "Rep. Mejia Slams DHS After Agency Admits to Processing Detainees at Roxbury Property", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mejia.house.gov", "scraper": "mejia", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001246", "name": "Analilia Mejia", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "For Immediate Release: October 13, 2026\n\nContact: Beth Wiesinger | NJ11AMPress@Mail.House.Gov\n\nMontclair, N.J. — Today, Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) issued the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers used the parking lot of the federal government's Roxbury Township warehouse facility to stage and process 14 detained individuals on two separate occasions in September.\n\n“DHS has finally admitted what we suspected all along: ICE used the Roxbury property to process and stage detainees on multiple occasions, potentially in violation of a court order restricting its use as an immigration detention facility. After weeks of denying that the property was being used for immigration enforcement operations, DHS has finally confirmed to my office that ICE used the site to process 14 detained individuals on September 4 and 8. Let’s be clear: This was no accident. ICE officers deliberately misled the municipality and state by conducting processing operations with supervisory knowledge. According to communications with my office, only after whistleblowers raised concerns, did they cease activity. The fact that ICE describes potential illegal activity as ‘routine operating procedures’ should alarm every New Jerseyan,” said Congresswoman Mejia.\n\n“ICE does not get to cherry-pick which laws to follow. I will continue to demand answers, pursue oversight, and work with state officials to ensure this property is never again used outside the law. ICE cannot be trusted to police itself. An agency that operates with impunity and answers to a Secretary who encourages suffering in detention must be abolished and replaced with a fair, just, and humane immigration system that respects due process and human dignity,” said Mejia.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-and-krishnamoorthi-push-for-stronger-energy-drink-safety-rules-to-protect-kids", "title": "Menendez and Krishnamoorthi Push for Stronger Energy Drink Safety Rules to Protect Kids", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "menendez.house.gov", "scraper": "menendez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001226", "name": "Robert Menendez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Rob Menendez (NJ-08) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calling on HHS to update federal research and guidance on high-caffeine energy drinks and conduct a comprehensive assessment of their consumption and health effects among school-aged children.\n\n“Kids are consuming more caffeine than ever, and Sarah Katz’s tragic death exposed how dangerous poor labeling and hidden caffeine levels can be,” said Congressman Menendez. “We are calling on HHS to update federal caffeine guidelines, protect our children, and ensure parents and teachers have the information they need to keep children safe.”\n\n“Energy drink use among kids is at record levels, while caffeine-related emergency room visits among middle and high school students have roughly doubled,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “These products can pose serious health risks to children, yet the federal government is still relying on outdated research and guidance. Our government needs to catch up and give parents, schools, and health care providers the information they need to keep kids safe.”\n\nIn 2022, 21-year-old Jersey City native Sarah Katz died after drinking an energy drink that was improperly labeled. Congressman Menendez reintroduced the bipartisan Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act last year to increase transparency of caffeine in food and beverages. The bill would also require the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to conduct a safety review for caffeine and support a study to examine how caffeine impacts vulnerable populations, including children.\n\nToday, nearly one in four high school seniors consume energy drinks daily, up from one in six in 2022. From 2017 to 2023, caffeine-related emergency department visits among middle and high school students roughly doubled. Despite this uptick, official CDC guidance still relies in part on a 2013 SAMHSA report using emergency department visit data from 2007 to 2011.\n\nThe lawmakers also raised concerns about a lack of federal oversight and caffeine labeling requirements for energy drinks. FDA guidance is over ten years old, nonbinding, and provides no recommended caffeine limit for children or adolescents.\n\nMenendez and Krishnamoorthi requested that HHS conduct a comprehensive assessment of energy drink consumption and its health effects among school-aged children and provide answers to the following questions:\n\nWhat research is HHS currently conducting or funding on energy drink consumption and its health effects among school-aged children, including interactions between energy drinks and prescribed stimulant medications?\n\nWhen will SAMHSA or another HHS component update its 2013 analysis with national estimates of energy drink-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths among minors?\n\nDoes FDA intend to evaluate or establish recommended limits on caffeine intake for children and adolescents? FDA has listed draft guidance on labeling caffeine content as a 2026 priority. When will that guidance be issued, will it recommend that manufacturers disclose caffeine content in milligrams, and does FDA intend to pursue binding labeling requirements?\n\nHow is HHS tracking adverse events involving children and energy drinks, including cardiac events, reports submitted to FDA, and poison center data? What trends has the Department identified since 2020?\n\nHas HHS engaged with USDA on revisiting federal school nutrition standards that permit caffeinated beverages in high schools, given USDA’s 2016 commitment to continue monitoring FDA’s work on caffeine?\n\nThe lawmakers called on HHS to make the assessment publicly available so parents, schools, and healthcare providers can understand the risks these products pose and the steps being taken to address them.\n\nTo read the full letter, please click here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2941", "title": "ICYMI: Speaker Johnson Sits for Wide-Ranging Interview in Louisiana with CBS’ Robert Costa", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mikejohnson.house.gov", "scraper": "mikejohnson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000299", "name": "Mike Johnson", "party": "Republican", "state": "LA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — This weekend, CBS News’ Robert Costa joined Speaker Johnson in LA-04 as he met constituents along stops throughout his Congressional district. During the visit, Speaker Johnson sat with CBS for an extensive interview to discuss House Republican achievements in the 119th Congress and the midterm elections.\n\n“We gave the largest tax cut in U.S. history, and we also did the largest cut of inefficient, wasteful government spending in history. We have economic indicators across the board; more people are doing better, with higher wages. In my state of Louisiana, just with the Working Families Tax Cuts, the average Louisianian has a tax cut of $2,915. That's money in their pocket they did not have to send to Washington. The average household income went up by almost $5,400 just because of our policies. We also have the lowest violent crime rate in 126 years. We have a secure border,” Speaker Johnson said.\n\n“Not a single Democrat in Congress voted for any of that. It was all Republicans… Now, here's the question. Do you want to turn the country back over, the governance in Congress over, to the people who brought you $5 gasoline under Biden and Harris and 40-year high inflation at 9.1%? I don't think so.”\n\nWatch the full interview here.\n\nOn House Republicans’ closing message:\n\nWe are bringing down the cost of living. We are providing more jobs and opportunity for more people. The facts show it and the records show it. We gave the largest tax cut in US history, and we also did the largest cut of inefficient, wasteful government spending in history. We have economic indicators across the board; more people are doing better, higher wages. In my state of Louisiana, just with the big, beautiful bill, the Working Families Tax Cuts, the average Louisianian has a tax cut of $2,915. That's money in their pocket they did not have to send to Washington just because we implemented the bill. The average household income went up by almost $5,400 just because of our policies.\n\nWe also have the lowest violent crime rate in 126 years. We have a secure border. We've not released a single illegal alien into the country in 16 straight months. We have more jobs, more opportunity. We created a million private sector jobs in the last 19 months in this country. The success goes on and on. Lowest prescription drug costs in 60 years. That's because we did what we said we were going do, and you have to keep those commonsense principles and policies going because we have much more to do ahead of us.\n\nOn the contrast between the Republican and Democrat economic agenda:\n\nIf you look across the board objectively as economists do, we have incredible economic growth. We are reshoring American manufacturing. We're bringing jobs back here to this country. As I'm traveling around in the swing districts, people are feeling that. They're feeling the effect. We cut taxes on tips, overtime, Social Security. In this state, almost 68% of our workforce gets a huge benefit from no taxes on overtime. We have 700,000 senior citizens no longer paying taxes on their Social Security – that's because of the legislation that we passed. Not a single Democrat in Congress voted for any of that. It was all Republicans. Now, here's the question. Do you want to turn the country back over, the governance in Congress over, to the people who brought you $5 gasoline under Biden and Harris and 40-year high inflation at 9.1%? I don't think so.\n\nOn Republican efforts to protect local communities from energy rate hikes and continue SI development:\n\nThe infrastructure for SI is important for national security, and we have to continue it, but it must be done in a way that heeds and respects community concerns. People are rightly concerned about all this. We passed, for example, the Ratepayer Protection Act out of the House right before we left for this district work period. We sent it over to the Senate with only three dissenting votes. It was a bipartisan vote. And the Senate Democrats blocked it. The solution is to have common sense and steady hands at the wheel, address this new technology in a way that harnesses its potential for the American people, but also ensures that we don't over-regulate it, have government stop it with a moratorium, and then lose that race to China. That would be devastating for our country.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://min.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-min-and-sen-welch-lead-probe-role-trump-cabinet-members-obtaining-pardons", "title": "Rep. Min and Sen. Welch Lead Probe into Role of Trump Cabinet Members in Obtaining Pardons of Convicted Felons", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://min.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "min.house.gov", "scraper": "min", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001241", "name": "Dave Min", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC. — This week, U.S. Representative Dave Min (D-CA-47), Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ Anti-Corruption Task Force, alongside U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution, was joined by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government, in raising questions about the role of cabinet members in securing presidential pardons, as part of their ongoing investigation into executive clemency actions since January 20, 2025.\n\nThe bicameral group of lawmakers are looking into whether U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin used their access to inappropriately influence President Trump’s decision to grant full presidential pardons to convicted felons Trevor Milton and Troy Lake.\n\n“Public reports of high-profile individuals—including yourself—appealing directly to the President on behalf of pardon recipients risk subversion of the established pardon review processes by financial influence and political access,” write the lawmakers. “Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution authorizes the President to ‘grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.’ The U.S. Supreme Court has characterized executive clemency as ‘an act of grace’ exercised for the ‘public welfare.’ President Trump’s use of this authority appears to deviate from this traditional purpose.”\n\nThe lawmakers conclude: “Congress has a compelling interest in ensuring that the constitutional pardon power is exercised with fairness and transparency. Given these circumstances, we are seeking additional information to better understand the extent to which influence and access have overridden the standard pardon review process.”\n\nIn their letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the lawmakers request answers about Secretary Kennedy’s reported role in President Trump’s decision to pardon convicted fraudster Trevor Milton, who defrauded and misled investors regarding technology and products related to his company, Nikola Corporation. The victims of Mr. Milton’s fraud include individuals who lost their retirement savings and others who had never invested in the stock market before. President Trump’s pardon eliminated Milton’s obligation to potentially pay $660 million in court-ordered restitution to his victims. Milton did not serve any of his four-year prison sentence.\n\n“According to public reporting, you personally appealed to the President to grant Mr. Milton a pardon, arguing that he had been unfairly prosecuted by the previous administration’s Justice Department. Days before granting Mr. Milton’s pardon request, President Trump reportedly told him to call you and thank you for convincing the President to grant him a pardon,” write the lawmakers. “Your reported involvement in this matter is particularly troubling, given that Mr. Milton reportedly donated $750,000 to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Political Action Committee (PAC), which was launched in late 2024 by senior members of your presidential campaign to unite your supporters behind President Trump. Public reporting also indicates that Mr. Milton and his wife donated approximately $1,800,000 to President Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign a month before the election.”\n\nIn their letter to EPA Administrator Zeldin, the lawmakers demand answers about the administrator’s reported role in President Trump’s decision to grant a full presidential pardon to Troy Lake, and a subsequent corporate pardon to Lake’s company, Elite Diesel Service Inc. Lake’s conviction arose from allegations that he and his company disabled the monitoring components of emissions control systems on hundreds of heavy-duty commercial\n\ntrucks.\n\nThe lawmakers write: “According to public reporting, two friends of Mr. Lake petitioned you in an August 2025 email, urging you to reach out to the President to request a pardon. Mr. Lake’s wife publicly attributed progress on her husband’s pardon efforts to your subsequent intervention. Such progress included a phone call with Sean Hayes, a White House attorney who works closely on pardons.”\n\nThe lawmakers’ letters seek information from HHS Secretary Kennedy and EPA Administrator Zeldin regarding:\n\nThe nature of their relationships with the pardoned felons;\n\nThe process by which clemency requests were initiated and considered;\n\nWhether intermediaries, lobbyists, or advocates were involved;\n\nAny contacts with Trump Administration officials or associates;\n\nTheir role in any other clemency decisions made by the Trump Administration;\n\nWhether financial contributions or payments were made in connection with clemency efforts; and\n\nThe extent of third-party advocacy supporting the requests.\n\nRead and download the lawmakers’ full letters to HHS Secretary Kennedy and EPA Administrator Zeldin.\n\nIn May, Senator Welch and Rep. Min sent letters to 17 individuals who received pardons or commutations under circumstances that warrant further congressional scrutiny, including several individuals connected to major fraud schemes, financial crimes, and high-profile political or financial relationships tied to President Trump and his associates. The earlier letters sought information regarding the clemency process, including whether financial contributions, lobbyists, intermediaries, or personal connections played a role in securing presidential clemency.\n\nAmong the individuals who received letters are convicted fraudsters, political fundraisers, corporate executives, and wealthy donors, such as Changpeng Zhao, whose cases have generated public reporting suggesting unusual access to Trump’s network of political allies and associates, direct lobbying efforts, large political donations, or other concerning connections surrounding their clemency requests.\n\nThe lawmakers continued their investigation in June, sending four additional letters to the Department of Justice’s Office of the Pardon Attorney, the White House Office of Records Management, the White House Pardon Czar, and the United States Secret Service.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://moylan.house.gov/media/press-releases/moylan-announces-historic-final-step-to-award-medal-of-honor-to-guam-hero-sergeant-major-juan-ogo-blaz", "title": "Moylan Announces Historic Final Step to Award Medal of Honor to Guam Hero Sergeant Major Juan Ogo Blaz", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://moylan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "moylan.house.gov", "scraper": "moylan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001219", "name": "James C. Moylan", "party": "Republican", "state": "GU", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(Hagåtña, Guam) — Congressman James Moylan announced during a press conference Wednesday morning that the years-long effort to award the Medal of Honor to the late U.S. Army Sergeant Major Juan Ogo Blaz has reached its final stage, with the nomination now awaiting the approval of signature from President Donald Trump.\n\nJoined by Blaz's daughter Darlene Blaz and his wife Dionisia Blaz, local leaders, and Guam veterans, Moylan shared the historic development following a favorable determination by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth supporting the upgrade of Blaz's Distinguished Service Cross to the Medal of Honor.\n\nThe announcement marks the closest Guam has ever come to securing the nation's highest military honor for one of its own. Following the President’s signature, Blaz will become the first ever CHamoru servicemember from Guam to receive the Medal of Honor.\n\n“As a U.S. Army veteran myself, this moment is deeply personal and emotional. Sergeant Major Blaz represents the very best of who we are as a people. His extraordinary courage and sacrifice reflect generations of sons and daughters of Guam who have answered our nation's call to serve,” said Congressman Moylan. “For an island whose people have given so much in defense of our country, this recognition would be more than an honor for one extraordinary warrior. It would be a profound acknowledgment of the patriotism, courage, and sacrifice of generations of Guam service members. We have come closer than ever before, and we will soon finally see Sergeant Major Blaz receive the recognition he so rightfully deserves.”\n\nDuring the press conference, Moylan recounted the extraordinary acts of valor that earned Blaz the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's second-highest military decoration for valor.\n\nOn January 18, 1969, during the Vietnam War, Blaz, then a Staff Sergeant serving with the 82nd Airborne Division, assumed command after his platoon leader was wounded. Under intense enemy fire, he helped evacuate injured soldiers and led an assault against enemy positions.\n\nDespite suffering a wound to his shoulder, Blaz continued fighting. When his platoon was pinned down by heavy machine-gun fire, he charged across a ravine to silence an enemy weapon, sustaining a second wound in the process. Refusing medical evacuation, he continued risking his life to mark enemy positions with smoke grenades, enabling supporting helicopter gunships to strike their targets. Only after the enemy positions had been neutralized did he accept medical treatment.\n\nMoylan emphasized that the historic milestone represents years of sustained advocacy and cooperation among Blaz's family, Guam veterans, congressional colleagues, and senior defense officials.\n\nDuring his first term in Congress, Moylan worked alongside Colonel Danny Santos to advance the effort. In 2024, he successfully offered an amendment to the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act authorizing the President to award Blaz the Medal of Honor. He also entered letters from Guam veterans and community leaders supporting Blaz's recognition into the Congressional Record.\n\nMoylan continued advocating directly with senior defense leadership, personally raising Blaz's case with Secretary Hegseth during his visit to Guam and maintaining subsequent dialogue with the Department of War.\n\nHe also joined former Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo at the Pentagon, where they discussed the case directly with Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll.\n\nMost recently, Moylan led a bipartisan congressional letter joined by 16 Members of Congress formally urging President Trump to grant final approval for Blaz's Medal of Honor.\n\nSergeant Major Blaz passed away on September 3, 2024, at the age of 78. Just months earlier, Moylan had personally informed Blaz that the House had advanced legislation authorizing the Medal of Honor for his service. Following his passing, Moylan honored Blaz on the House floor and pledged to continue pursuing the recognition on his behalf.\n\nDarlene Blaz, daughter of Sergeant Major Blaz reflected on the historic moment. “My heart feels quite heavy, and yet, it has never felt more light. Heavy, because it saddens me to know that my father is no longer with us to experience the reality of this long awaited moment—his moment, and knowing that it is one step away is incredibly exciting,” said Blaz. “We are truly grateful for the people who made this possible. Congressman Moylan, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Danny Santos, you have played a big role over the years campaigning towards this effort. It’s hard to believe this moment is becoming a reality. Fifty seven years is a lifetime. Although I am saddened that my father is not here, I know he is in spirit.”\n\nWednesday's press conference also brought together members of Guam's veteran community and local leaders, including Army Veteran Vice Speaker Tony Ada and Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane, Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Veterans Affairs, in recognition of the significance of this milestone for Guam.\n\nWith the nomination now awaiting the President's final signature, Moylan expressed optimism that the long-awaited recognition will soon become a reality, honoring not only Blaz's extraordinary heroism but also the enduring legacy of military service and sacrifice among the people of Guam.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases/neguse-bennet-hickenlooper-urge-federal-agencies-restore-cell-service-boulder", "title": "Neguse, Bennet, Hickenlooper Urge Federal Agencies to Restore Cell Service in Boulder County", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "neguse.house.gov", "scraper": "neguse", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000191", "name": "Joe Neguse", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Lafayette, CO — Following recent reports of unacceptable cellular service issues across Boulder County, Congressman Joe Neguse and Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper penned a letter to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the agencies to meet with cellular carriers immediately and resolve the issues.\n\nThe three major cellular carriers apparently limited their Boulder County coverage earlier this year to comply with federal signal transmission rules surrounding the Table Mountain Radio Quiet Zone north of Boulder. These federal signal limits protect ongoing research at several government agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey.\n\n“We write to urge your agencies to assist in resolving major reported cellular network outages in Boulder County, Colorado, following signal adjustments made to comply with National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regulations protecting the Table Mountain Radio Quiet Zone,” wrote Neguse, Bennet, and Hickenlooper.\n\nThe lawmakers also pressed the NTIA and FCC to find a collaborative solution that will quickly address community concerns, particularly preserving access to cellular coverage as a vital public safety resource.\n\n“Full cell phone coverage is indispensable to everyday life. When people leave their homes, they expect to be able to use their cell phones for navigation, payment, and communication with others. Cell phones are also vital for public safety in Boulder County, which is prone to rapidly escalating wildfires.”\n\nThey concluded with a call for swift solutions and asked that the FCC and NTIA keep congressional offices and local governments updated on the outcome of the requested meeting and progress toward restoring full connectivity.\n\n“[W]e respectfully request that FCC and NTIA officials meet with carriers immediately in order to find a solution that will allow them to restore functional cellular service to their customers as soon as possible. We also request that you update our offices and local governments on the outcome of that meeting and report back to us on your progress as all parties work to restore full connectivity,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nRead the full letter HERE and below:\n\nOctober 13, 2026\n\nThe Honorable Brendan Carr\n\nChairman\n\nFederal Communications Commission\n\n45 L Street NE\n\nWashington, DC 20554\n\nThe Honorable Arielle Roth\n\nAssistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information\n\nAdministrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration\n\n1401 Constitution Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20230\n\nDear Chairman Carr and Assistant Secretary Roth,\n\nWe write to urge your agencies to assist in resolving major reported cellular network outages in Boulder County, Colorado, following signal adjustments made to comply with National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regulations protecting the Table Mountain Radio Quiet Zone.\n\nAs we understand it, in late 2024, the NTIA Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) notified three major cellular carriers that they needed to modify their signals received within the Table Mountain Radio Quiet Zone, the 50-mile radius where federal regulations limit radio transmission frequency that could otherwise interfere with the research of the ITS, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and U.S. Geological Survey. The three major carriers have publicly stated that they have since adjusted their signals to comply with Table Mountain frequency limits.\n\nHowever, these signal adjustments appear to have significantly downgraded cellular network coverage for Boulder County consumers. Our constituents in the nearby towns of Longmont and Niwot have filed more than 100 formal complaints with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reporting that they cannot make phone calls or use data on their cell phones, even when their devices indicate full network coverage. While the three major carriers have publicly indicated they will further upgrade their networks to compensate for the necessary signal reductions, our constituents lack vital cell connectivity in the interim.\n\nFull cell phone coverage is indispensable to everyday life. When people leave their homes, they expect to be able to use their cell phones for navigation, payment, and communication with others. Cell phones are also vital for public safety in Boulder County, which is prone to rapidly escalating wildfires. Our constituents use their cell phones to notify their families and friends that they are safe during wildfire season and to warn neighbors of unpredictable wildfire shifts. For example, the 2021 Marshall Fire, which killed two people and burned nearly 1,000 structures, progressed so rapidly that many residents would not have known to immediately evacuate had they not been alerted by a phone call or text from someone they knew.\n\nGiven all of the foregoing, we respectfully request that FCC and NTIA officials meet with carriers immediately in order to find a solution that will allow them to restore functional cellular service to their customers as soon as possible. We also request that you update our offices and local governments on the outcome of that meeting and report back to us on your progress as all parties work to restore full connectivity.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/media/press-releases/ocasio-cortez-mcclain-delaney-beyer-mfume-subramanyam-and-elfreth-lead-calls", "title": "Ocasio-Cortez, McClain Delaney, Beyer, Mfume, Subramanyam, and Elfreth Lead Calls to Pause FAA’s AI Tool at Washington-Area Airports", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ocasio-cortez.house.gov", "scraper": "ocasio-cortez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000172", "name": "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Don Beyer (VA-08), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), and Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) are leading a congressional letter urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to pause use of its new artificial intelligence-enabled air traffic management tool until the agency answers questions about safety testing, implementation, and oversight.\n\nThe letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford raises concerns about the September 21 deployment of the Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories (SMART) tool at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.\n\n“Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration surprisingly launched an AI tool to help control air traffic over three major National Capital Region Airports, with plans to expand nationwide in the following 90 days. They did so without publishing a safety evaluation or sufficiently consulting air traffic controllers and safety experts. We are urging Transportation Secretary Duffy and FAA Administrator Bedford to stop the rollout until we have answers. This administration may treat Big Tech companies with impunity, but air traffic control leaves zero margin for error,” said Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.\n\n“When Maryland families board a plane, they deserve to know that every system guiding their flight has been thoroughly tested and that the people keeping them safe have the training they need,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. “After the devastating crash over DCA that took 67 lives, the FAA owes this region answers. I support modernizing our aviation systems, but passenger safety must come first. I’m calling on the FAA to pause this rollout, show us the safety testing, and explain who is accountable when something goes wrong.”\n\nThe FAA’s rush to deploy a system that could affect the lives of millions of Americans is especially concerning for residents of this region, who are still grappling with questions about air safety following last year’s fatal crash at DCA. Before deploying its AI-enabled SMART air traffic control tool, the FAA must demonstrate, through air traffic controller feedback and independently verified testing, that this technology is safe and reliable, and it must clearly communicate those findings to the public,” said Congressman Don Beyer.\n\n\"Families across Baltimore count on BWI to get them where they’re going safely. Yet the Trump Administration recklessly rolled out an untested AI air traffic tool there without publishing a safety evaluation or adequately consulting the air traffic controllers who keep us safe. There is no room for error in our skies. I am proud to co-lead this letter calling for public transparency and answers from Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford on how this system was tested, who was consulted, and how it will be evaluated. Until they provide answers that ensure that this technology is safe, the FAA must pause its use,\" said Congressman Kweisi Mfume.\n\n“The airspace in the DC region is incredibly complicated and demands the highest standard of safety and reliability from Air Traffic Control. We need to be extremely cautious about implementing AI tools into the systems responsible for the safety of our skies. I urge the FAA to prove that the system does not pose a risk to the public before allowing its use,\" said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam.\n\n“Every day, our airports and their staff ensure tens of thousands of worldwide travelers are safe and secure – including here at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland’s Third District. While we fully recognize the need to modernize our air traffic control systems, we cannot pursue modernization at the expense of public safety, especially when it comes to implementing new technologies like AI,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “As AI safety concerns are top of mind for our neighbors, this is another instance where we cannot afford to miss the moment on regulating this technology. I also am determined to continue to work with my colleagues to ensure our hardworking air traffic controllers have every resource they need to do their jobs and ensure the safety of our passengers.”\n\nAt a time when AI safety concerns are sky high, the lawmakers warn that the FAA has not provided sufficient transparency around its decision-making process prior to deployment, nor the functioning of SMART’s underlying AI systems. Congress, and the public, deserve to know how AI systems were tested and how they will influence decisions before being deployed in safety critical systems.\n\nThe letter also raises concerns about reports that frontline aviation safety workers received only days of notice, or no notice at all, before deployment. With air traffic controllers already facing staffing pressures, the lawmakers stress that new technology must be introduced with adequate training and clear procedures for human oversight.\n\nThe lawmakers request answers in three areas:\n\nSafety testing: What evaluations were completed before deployment, how the system performs during severe weather or outages, and whether any safety review requirements were waived during the contracting process.\n\nConsultation and training: What input the FAA sought from airport authorities, air safety workers, and airlines; what training personnel received; and how the tool should influence decision-making.\n\nEvaluation and accountability: How the FAA will measure performance during the initial 90-day evaluation, what standards must be met before nationwide expansion, and who is responsible if a recommendation contributes to a safety incident.\n\nThe letter calls for a pause until lawmakers can better understand the FAA’s decision-making, rollout process, and evaluation plan. The co-leads emphasize that modernizing air traffic control must prioritize safety, transparency, and the expertise of the people responsible for keeping our skies safe.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://olszewski.house.gov/media/press-releases/olszewski-and-mcbride-introduce-assure-act-expand-voter-registration", "title": "Olszewski and McBride Introduce ASSURE Act to Expand Voter Registration Opportunities", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://olszewski.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "olszewski.house.gov", "scraper": "olszewski", "member": {"bioguide_id": "O000176", "name": "Johnny Olszewski, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "With the midterm elections just weeks away, voter registration deadlines are fast approaching across the country. In Maryland, the deadline to register is today, October 13.\n\n“As a government teacher, I spent years teaching my students that democracy only works when people participate in it,” said Congressman Olszewski. “That participation requires something basic: making sure people can register to vote and have their voices heard. If someone is interacting with their government to access veterans benefits, Social Security, or another federal service, we should use that opportunity to make sure they know how to register to vote.”\n\n“Access to the ballot box should be a basic promise of our democracy, not a privilege that depends on who occupies the White House,” said Congresswoman McBride. “The ASSURE Act puts that principle into practice by restoring voter registration opportunities that President Trump has rolled back and ensuring Americans have access to reliable election information. At a moment when this administration continues to undermine voting rights, particularly for Black Americans and communities of color, this work is more urgent than ever. I’m grateful to Rep. Olszewski for his leadership on this legislation, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure every eligible voter can make their voice heard.”\n\nThe ASSURE Act – short for the Agency Support for Secure and Universal Registration Enhancement Act – codifies a Biden-era executive order, later reversed by President Trump, that directed federal agencies to integrate voter registration opportunities into services Americans already use. It also restores a longstanding policy – also reversed by President Trump – that permits nonpartisan groups to provide voter registration assistance and civic participation information at naturalization ceremonies for new Americans.\n\nTogether, these measures would give eligible Americans more opportunities to register without having to seek out a separate government office, website, or registration event.\n\nOlszewski has made expanding civic participation and strengthening democratic institutions a central focus of his work in Congress. He has also supported legislation to make Election Day a national holiday and require states to offer same-day voter registration.\n\n“We should make it easier for eligible Americans to participate in our democracy – not put up unnecessary barriers,” Congressman Olszewski said. “The ASSURE Act is a simple idea: meet people where they are, make registration easier, and make our democracy more accessible to everyone who is eligible to participate.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-patronis-joins-senator-rick-scott-to-provide-an-update-for-hurricane-isaias-recovery", "title": "Congressman Patronis Joins Senator Rick Scott to Provide an Update for Hurricane Isaias Recovery", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://patronis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "patronis.house.gov", "scraper": "patronis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000622", "name": "Jimmy Patronis", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "DESTIN, FL – Today, Congressman Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) joined Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden, State Representatives Patt Maney, and other local officials to provide Northwest Floridians with an update on recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias.\n\nCongressman Patronis said, “I want you to err on the side of caution. Your first call for any damage at your house needs to be to your insurance agent, your insurance carrier, the Florida Department of Financial Services, or even call our office. We will connect you or help connect you or help walk you through the process of getting in touch with your insurance carrier.\n\nResidents should remain vigilant against scams and verify contractors before agreeing to repairs. Never operate generators indoors or in enclosed spaces due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. EV owners should also follow manufacturer guidance for safely handling and charging vehicles that may have been exposed to floodwaters. Taking these precautions can help keep you and your family safe as our communities recover.\n\nTo watch the press conference in full click here.\n\nCongressman Patronis: “Senator Scott has always said, which always stuck with me, is we can replace your stuff, but we can't replace you. And I've used that line over and over and over. And thank you for heeding the warnings for evacuation. This is why the outcome and loss of life was non-existent in Okaloosa County, but it also comes back from great leadership at the sheriff's office, emergency management, and the county commission, and all of our municipal leaders.\n\nI want to talk to you a little bit about now what's called the financial recovery. You're going to be approached because of this wind event that we dealt with. There's going to be down trees everywhere. The week before whatever this storm was called, Isaias, whatever, the week before we had all the rain, so the ground was soft. So you got all these trees that are down. That is definitely causing a challenge for our fiber companies, our power companies, our communication companies to do their job because the trees have to be removed.\n\nSo now what you're being dealt with, you're getting very aggressive tactics by tree trimmers and tree remover operations that come door-to-door, and they're going to only want cash to do that transaction. I want you to err on the side of caution. Your first call for any damage at your house needs to be to your insurance agent, your insurance carrier, the Florida Department of Financial Services, or even call our office. We will connect you or help connect you or help walk you through the process of getting in touch with your insurance carrier.\n\nYour insurance carriers have been very good about doing pre-event emails. I got emails from my carrier saying, \"Hey, a storm has hit. Can we help you file a claim?\" So, look for those emails. They will hold your hand and walk you through the process. My carrier even has a smart app where you can take photos of the damage and upload it, where you're kind of your own adjuster.\n\nThe good thing about it is if you took photos of your home prior to the storm to show what it looked like beforehand, and now you've got those photos after the storm showing the damage, that's just going to speed up the process because what the insurance company's trying to figure out is, what do I owe you? So, they're going to come out with their own adjuster, which is just a nice way of saying an investigator. They want to investigate the damage so they can figure out how much do I need to pay out to the Smith household.\n\nSo, in saying that, now you're going to have the tree trimmers that are going to be predatory, but now you're going to have what are called public adjusters and attorneys and other type of contract management folks. They're not from here. They're not your neighbors. They are not your friends, okay? They're going to try to get in between you and your claim that you're going to get. In some cases, that's going to be the largest check you've ever had in your hands in your whole entire life. And those predators know that, and they will want you to sign a contract of management where they're going to get a piece of the action.\n\nFriends, please err on the side of caution and do not sign anything. I can't state that enough. There is not a single signature ever required to get a single dollar from your insurance company. Do not sign anything. As long as you're doing that, you allow your insurance company to assess the damage, get you your money, and you start the rebuilding process.\n\nThese predators know that there's poor communications right now. They know that power is down. And you know what? They know you're vulnerable. And it's sad because they're going to come and they're going to be so courteous and nice. They're going to be carrying gas cans. They're going to have cases of water. They're going to try to get you to drop your guard. Do not take the bait. They're nice people, but they are not truly true to their word. They're just trying to make a living, and they're trying to do it off of your naivety and your own generosity because they feel like, you know, we all need help. But understand, as you'll see, what are called insurance villages that'll pop up in the region. I've talked to the CFO. They're going to bring insurance carriers together, and it'll be your opportunity to go sit face-to-face with your insurance company and work through those claims.\n\nThe insurance companies, they want to close claims because when the claim is closed and they give you your money, they can go out and start focusing their resources on other open claims. If you've got any problems, again, insurance agent, insurance carrier, my office, or the Department of Financial Services, let us help you get through that. If you've got any problems with what you feel like is a predatory action, let us know. Or heck, call the sheriff. The sheriff don't want them here either. He will run them out of town. And again, it's going to be here for these first few weeks because they know that power is not established, communications aren't established, and they want to take advantage of you because you don't know where to turn.\n\nThe last thing I'll leave with you is two things. Some of you are operating on generators. Please understand those generators can never operate inside of your house, okay? They have to be outside of your house. They cannot be in your garage. They can't be near an open window. But as you're running that generator for whatever comfort that you want, you need to get it away from your house and let it operate. There's some instructions that go along with it about cooling and shutting it down and how many hours they can operate. Please abide by those because we don't want to turn around and have a fire or an accident after the fact at your home.\n\nAnd then the last thing, if you're sitting with an e-bike or an EV or a golf cart that ended up getting caught up in the submerged water from flooding, understand that right there is an accident, a fire waiting to happen. Lithium-ion batteries and salt water don't mix. It looks totally fine, but as soon as you try to put a load on it or use it, you will short the battery. And a lithium-ion battery, even submerged underwater, does not extinguish. So, please don't have an accident after the storm, especially after we've done so well.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://pressley.house.gov/2026/10/13/pressley-lauds-cambridge-ezride-and-success-of-fare-free-transit-renews-push-for-freedom-to-move-act/", "title": "Pressley Lauds Cambridge EZRide and Success of Fare-Free Transit, Renews Push for Freedom to Move Act", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pressley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "pressley.house.gov", "scraper": "pressley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000617", "name": "Ayanna Pressley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Rep. Pressley, Sen. Markey Lead the Freedom to Move Act, Federal Legislation to Enact Fare-Free Transit & Close Transit Equity Gap\n\nVideo from Media Avail (YouTube) | Photos (Dropbox)\n\nCAMBRIDGE – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joined the Charles River Transportation Management Association, City of Cambridge, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, local elected officials, and advocates for a roundtable discussion and ride on the EZRide shuttle—a fare-free shuttle service connecting Kendall Square, Cambridge neighborhoods, and North Station—to highlight the importance and success of fare-free transit.\n\nIn Congress, Congresswoman Pressley co-leads the Freedom to Move Act alongside Senator Ed Markey, which would provide $25 billion in funding for transit agencies to offer fare-free service and improve on existing transit service offerings.\n\n“Fare free transit is essential and it is time we invest in public transit as the public good that it is—and that is proof positive by the success of the EZRide shuttle in Cambridge,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “As Massachusetts fare-free systems continue to prove and as riders shared with me today, fare-free transit makes life more accessible, affordable, and safe for workers and families across the country. That’s why I’m fighting for national fare-free transit through our Freedom to Move Act and I’m grateful to Charles River Transportation Management Association, City of Cambridge, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, and community partners for making this a reality in the Massachusetts 7th.”\n\n“Charles River Transportation Management Association and EZRide appreciates the opportunity today to present the EZRide model for providing fare-free open to the public last mile circulation transit in the corridor between North Station and Eastern Cambridge since 2002. The City of Cambridge committed to climate goals while redeveloping its post-industrial economic corridor along the Charles River, creating a framework for collaboration amongst public and private stakeholders to create an efficient, frequent, affordable transit designed to meet the needs of the riders.” – Charles River Transportation Management Association\n\n“The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority is proud that the KSTEP Fund has been instrumental in launching the expansion of fare-free transit on the EZRide bus route,” said Tom Evans, Executive Director of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA). “This type of creative public-private partnership is vital to improve access to the innovation hub of Kendall Square for employees, neighbors and visitors from around the region.”\n\n“EZRide has become a leading example of how fare-free public transportation can be successfully delivered through collaboration and creative funding partnerships,” said Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang. “By leveraging public investment alongside private and development-related contributions, the program has transformed individual commitments into broad community benefits. The result is a transportation service in Cambridge and Boston that expands opportunity, supports our climate goals, strengthens our economy, and demonstrates a scalable model for improving mobility for everyone.”\n\nThrough the Kendall Square Transit Enhancement Program (KSTEP), administered by the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) in partnership with the City of Cambridge and other public and private stakeholders, approximately $1 million has been committed to support the Charles River TMA, which operates EZRide, in delivering a two-year expansion of service and maintaining its fare-free operation.\n\nPhotos from the event are available here and footage from the media availability following the event is available here.\n\nCongresswoman Pressley has long championed fare-free transit in Congress. In July 2025, Rep. Pressley and Senator Markey re-introduced the Freedom to Move Act which would provide $25 billion in funding for transit agencies to offer fare free service and improve on existing transit service offerings.\n\nThe Freedom to Move Act would support state and local efforts to promote public transportation as a public good for all by:\n\nEstablishing a $5 billion competitive grant program per year to support state and local efforts to implement fare-free public transportation systems;\n\nInvesting in efforts to improve the safety and quality of public transportation services, particularly in low-income and historically underserved communities; and\n\nEnsuring grantees use funds to address and close equity gaps in current transit systems.\n\nIn August 2026, Rep. Pressley and Sen. Markey released a new report detailing the success of fare-free transit in MA. The report, titled Making Transit Free, Frequent, and Reliable: Massachusetts shows the need for federal investment in fare-free transit, highlights the need for increased federal investments in fare-free transit.\n\nRep. Pressley and Sen. Markey originally introduced the Freedom to Move Act in June 2020. Following the bill’s introduction, Senator Markey, Congresswoman Pressley, and then-Councilor Michelle Wu published an op-ed that discussed the bill and the need to fund public transportation as a public good.\n\nIn July 2020, the House of Representatives passed the Moving Forward Act that included a fare-free pilot program modeled after the two lawmakers Freedom to Move Act.\n\nIn March 2021, Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pressley reintroduced the Freedom to Move Act.\n\nIn August 2022, Rep. Pressley and Senator Markey called on the MBTA to make the entire T fare-free for the duration of the Orange Line’s shutdown.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://ramirez.house.gov/media/press-releases/ramirez-introduces-reimagining-safety-act-legislation-dismantle-dhs-abolish", "title": "Ramirez Introduces the Reimagining Safety Act, Legislation to Dismantle DHS, Abolish ICE, Reimagine Community Safety", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ramirez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ramirez.house.gov", "scraper": "ramirez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000617", "name": "Delia C. Ramirez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Ranking Member of a Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee, introduced the Reimagining Safety Act, a legislation to dismantle the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and create the Department of Community Safety. The landmark community-led legislation would create a new human- and community-centered federal department that promotes collective safety, repeal the authorities that give DHS its power, and redirect DHS funds to programs that working families rely on.\n\nThe Reimagining Safety Act is a first-of-its-kind bill and the first time community stakeholders designed a cabinet-level department. The Reimagining Safety Act would:\n\nEstablish the Department of Community Safety\n\nDismantle DHS, preserving the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Customs functions\n\nAbolish ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)\n\nReinvest funds in our communities\n\nLimit government surveillance, rein in unlawful abuses of data, and curb militarized enforcement\n\nBegin the process of establishing a separate civil immigration system\n\n“Every person dead in detention, shot or killed by ICE and CBP, every neighbor deported to a third country, every family separated, every community FEMA failed, every miscarriage due to substandard care, every dissenter wrongfully branded, targeted, and persecuted as ‘terrorist,’ and every threat against our elections by Trump, Markwayne, and Miller is a reason DHS must be dismantled and something new must take its place. There are more than a million reasons to take action today,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “DHS was founded out of a profound national trauma, established to violate our rights under the pretense of securing our safety. But we cannot add new pains to old ones.”\n\nThe introduction follows a community press action on September 23, when Congresswoman Ramirez stood with Illinois public officials, civil society, and community members to announce the Reimagining Safety Act.\n\n“Instead of the weapon DHS has proven to be, we need a department built on the best parts of who we are and can be, and the best examples of how we can take care of each other in hard times. I am proud to have led that work with the organizations in my district and nationally,” added Ramirez. “Building something new, creating in a time of destruction, is a revolutionary act. It is proof of our hope and belief in what is possible even in dark times. A different world is possible because the people have the power to reshape our government and reimagine how we cultivate safety and collective well-being.”\n\nThe legislation’s original cosponsors include Congressmembers Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), and Jim McGovern (MA-02). The bill is endorsed by a coalition of more than 40 national and local cross-issue organizations, including Muslims for Just Futures, Casa DuPage Workers Center, Latino Union of Chicago, Muslim Civic Coalition, Organized Communities Against Deportations, La Casita de ut ac, Albergue Tochan Nuestra Casa, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, AL OTRO LADO, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Free Speech for People, Immigration Advocacy Law Group, Decolonize Sudan, The Right to Immigration Institute/Dignidad, American Friends Service Committee, Servicio Internacional para la Paz, Global Exchange, Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County, Council on American-Islamic Relations Chicago (CAIR-Chicago), US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action, Center for Constitutional Rights, Alliance of South Asians Taking Action Power (ASTA Power), Women Cross DMZ, Haitian Bridge Alliance, Arise Chicago, Palenque LSNA, Zero Hour, MADRE, Mijente, Indivisible Chicago Alliance, Grassroots Collaborative, Warehouse Workers for Justice, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA), Rising Majority Action Front, IL Poor People’s Campaign, Sustainable Economies Law Center, National Nurses United, Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), Defending Rights & Dissent, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, DREAM of Detroit, and United States Solidarity Economy Network, Charity and Security Network, Muslim Advocates, IMEU Policy Project, and Detention Watch Network.\n\nFor quotes of endorsing organizations, CLICK HERE.\n\nFor the full text of the legislation, CLICK HERE.\n\nFor a summary of the legislation, CLICK HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe legislation comes as DHS-related violence continues to occur around the country, with the most recent shooting in New York. To this day, 58 people have died in ICE custody since January 2025, especially in for-profit private detention centers with limited oversight. For more than a year, IL-03 has been targeted, terrorized, and attacked by DHS with zero accountability. And over the last 23 years of the Department of Homeland Security, the agency has targeted and criminalized communities, militarized enforcement, and expanded the surveillance state. Congresswoman Ramirez has led the calls for accountability of DHS and its leadership.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://reschenthaler.house.gov/media/press-releases/reschenthaler-applauds-the-return-of-commercial-airline-service-to-arnold-palmer-regional-airport", "title": "Reschenthaler Applauds the Return of Commercial Airline Service to Arnold Palmer Regional Airport", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://reschenthaler.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "reschenthaler.house.gov", "scraper": "reschenthaler", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000610", "name": "Guy Reschenthaler", "party": "Republican", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) issued the following statement regarding the announcement that the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport has secured Breeze Airways as a carrier, returning commercial air service to the airport.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roy-asks-hhs-investigate-cair-islamic-groups-potential-abuse-taxpayer", "title": "Rep. Roy Asks HHS to Investigate CAIR, Islamic Groups for Potential Abuse of Taxpayer Grants and Terrorism Ties", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "roy.house.gov", "scraper": "roy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000614", "name": "Chip Roy", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21) sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asking his department to further investigate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and several other Islamic groups for their potential abuse of taxpayer-funded grants and ties to terrorism.\n\nThe letter asks HHS to investigate whether these groups “meet the standards for suspension and debarment under federal regulations” after “new research suggests that HHS funding of terrorist-linked organizations was much more widespread than previously understood.”\n\nThe letter continues: “A recent study found nearly $80 million in HHS-originated grants to extremist groups, many with ties to foreign terrorists. The overwhelming majority were approved during the Biden-Harris administration and included cash handouts to Afghan immigrants and $14 million in grants to radical foreign groups.”\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nThe Daily Signal wrote an exclusive report on the letter, which you can read here.\n\nCo-signers of the letter include: Representatives Michael Cloud (R-TX), Randy Weber (R-TX), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Randy Fine (R-FL), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Keith Self (R-TX), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), and Mary Miller (R-IL).\n\nRep. Roy’s Other Actions on CAIR:\n\nOn April 27, Rep. Roy sent a letter to Secretary Kennedy Jr. urging HHS to suspend funding for CAIR and its affiliates and initiate debarment proceedings after a DOJ investigation found suspected misuse in federal grants by CAIR. On June 10, following the letter, Secretary Kennedy Jr. announced his department opened an investigation.\n\nUnder Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, HHS has decisively fought against suspected fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars at hands of opportunity groups like CAIR.\n\nAdditionally, on April 9, Rep. Roy introduced the Designating Hamas Affiliates in America Act of 2026 to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization, blocking its assets and prohibiting U.S. persons from interacting with the organization.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/schneider-blasts-trump-decision-lift-sanctions-russian-diesel", "title": "SCHNEIDER BLASTS TRUMP DECISION TO LIFT SANCTIONS ON RUSSIAN DIESEL", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "schneider.house.gov", "scraper": "schneider", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001190", "name": "Bradley Scott Schneider", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released a statement opposing President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel in a bid to lower diesel prices in the U.S. as prices shoot up to over $6 a gallon.\n\n“Nearly five years since the start of Russia’s unprovoked, illegal war against Ukraine, President Trump inexplicably continues to side with Putin and his anti-democracy agenda,” said Schneider. “Meanwhile, as American soldiers are fighting and dying in Trump’s ill-conceived war with Iran, and American families are paying the price at the pump, Russia is helping Iran target U.S. forces. President Trump is finding new ways to help Putin and worsen the state of the war in both Ukraine and the Middle East. For the more than 20 months he has been in office, Trump has had the power to impose sanctions on Russia and bring an end this war. He has chosen to do neither. Now, by lifting sanctions and allowing the United States to buy Russian diesel, the President is filling Putin’s coffers while doing little to lower diesel prices here. I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to block Trump’s purchases of Russian oil and stand with Ukraine in its fight for independence, sovereignty, and the West’s security.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://susielee.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-maintaining-strong-community-shared-responsibility-congresswoman-lee", "title": "ICYMI: “Maintaining A Strong Community Is a Shared Responsibility:” Congresswoman Lee Discusses Her Life and Service in Southern Nevada", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://susielee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "susielee.house.gov", "scraper": "susielee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000590", "name": "Susie Lee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LAS VEGAS, NV – Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) was featured in the October issue of the Desert Foothills Living Magazine. She discussed her years of nonprofit experience before coming to Congress, her upbringing, and life with her family.\n\nRead more below:\n\nDesert Foothills Living: A Life Rooted in Family, Service & Community\n\nOctober 2026 | Brandilyn Hallcroft\n\nFor Susie Lee, home has always been about more than a house or a neighborhood. It is about opening the door, bringing people together, helping others feel welcome, and doing her part to strengthen the community around her.\n\nSusie raised her two children, Nevada “Nevie” Lee, 26, and Cody Lee, 21, in Eagle Hills. The family moved to the neighborhood when Nevie was in third grade, and Summerlin became the backdrop for countless family traditions, outdoor adventures, celebrations, and everyday moments.\n\n“I love living in Southern Nevada, and especially Summerlin,” Susie shared. “It’s been a great place to raise my children.”\n\nSusie’s commitment to family, hard work, and community service began long before she arrived in Nevada. Born and raised in a working-class family of 10 in Canton, Ohio, she grew up as one of eight children. Her father was a military veteran who worked in a steel plant, while her mother stayed home to care for their large family.\n\nSusie’s first job was delivering newspapers, not simply to earn spending money, but to help her parents make ends meet. After graduating from public schools, she attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, paying for her education through scholarships, loans, and part-time jobs. Mindful of the financial burden, she completed a five-year program that allowed her to accomplish six years of college-level work in less time.\n\nFollowing graduation, Susie worked for an environmental economics consulting firm in Boston. In 1993, she moved to Las Vegas, arriving during the intense heat of August and wondering what she was doing in the middle of the desert. She soon found her purpose here.\n\nWhen Jan Jones Blackhurst launched her campaign to become Nevada’s first female governor, Susie jumped at the opportunity to get involved. Although the campaign was unsuccessful, it led to another important chapter when Jones Blackhurst established the MASH Center, a one-stop resource center serving people experiencing homelessness, and asked Susie to run it.\n\nSusie had never worked specifically in the homelessness field, but she understood nonprofit leadership. More importantly, she felt increasingly drawn to work that could create lasting opportunities for children and families.\n\nSeveral years later, the late Elaine Wynn recruited Susie to establish the Inner-City Games, now known as After-School All-Stars. Susie later served as president of Communities In Schools of Nevada, helping it grow into the state’s largest dropout prevention program. Her years of nonprofit leadership ultimately helped shape her approach to public service and her work in Congress.\n\nThroughout her career, Susie was fortunate to learn from pioneering women who served as mentors and demonstrated the difference strong leadership can make. Those lessons, combined with the values she learned from her parents, continue to guide her today.\n\nWhile Susie’s professional life has centered on service, her personal life has always revolved around her children, her community, and plenty of time outdoors.\n\nSports were an important part of Susie’s childhood. She and her siblings participated primarily in swimming and basketball, and Susie became both a synchronized and competitive swimmer. She continued competing throughout high school and at Carnegie Mellon University.\n\nThat love of athletics was passed down to Nevie and Cody. When they were young, Susie encouraged them to try different activities until they discovered sports they genuinely enjoyed. Between the two children, those experiments included soccer, fencing, competitive swimming, and basketball. Cody eventually found his place playing lacrosse with Rough Riders Lacrosse, while Nevie participated in synchronized swimming with the Nevada Desert Mermaids. Drawing on her own experience as a collegiate swimmer, Susie even stepped in to help coach the Desert Mermaids.\n\nNevie was also a Girl Scout, Cody was a Boy Scout, and both children took piano lessons with Miss Maya in Summerlin. Sundays often began with a family hike in Red Rock Canyon, a tradition Susie credits with helping her children develop their own appreciation for nature.\n\nToday, the family continues to enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, and climbing at Red Rock. Susie is an avid hiker and cyclist and can often be found on the trails at Red Rock Canyon before her workday begins. She also enjoys supporting Southern Nevada’s small businesses and restaurants and connecting with residents at local community events.\n\nAt home, Susie is joined by her two dogs, Bridger, a Labradoodle, and Teton, a Sheepadoodle. The dogs fit naturally into a family that has never needed much of an excuse to celebrate. Susie once organized a neighborhood dog birthday party, complete with a birthday cake made from dog food. She also hosted an 11/11/11 party and always made sure Nevie and Cody’s birthdays felt special.\n\nHosting has long been one of Susie’s favorite ways to bring people together. Thanksgiving and Easter were major occasions in the Lee household, and Susie made a point of inviting anyone who might not have somewhere else to go. At least one evening each week, friends or family could be found gathered in her backyard for a barbecue.\n\nHer enthusiasm for creating community extended throughout Eagle Hills. When her children were younger, Susie organized neighborhood scavenger hunts that sent local kids door-to-door collecting items from houses along the block. Halloween remains her favorite holiday, and she especially loves greeting generations of trick-or-treaters at her home.\n\nTravel is another important part of the family’s story. Whether in summer or winter, Susie, Nevie, and Cody enjoy taking an outdoor-focused trip each year. The specific destination may change, but mountains, nature, and time together remain the common thread.\n\nAfter more than three decades in Las Vegas, Susie continues to appreciate the people and places that make Southern Nevada feel like home. She believes maintaining a strong\n\ncommunity is a shared responsibility that requires residents to participate, speak up, and remain engaged.\n\n“Southern Nevada is an incredible place to live, work, and raise your kids, and it’s because of all the incredible residents who call it home,” Susie said. “It takes all of us to continue to keep this a great place to raise our families. We all need to pitch in, get involved, speak up, and especially, vote.”\n\nFor Susie, that message is not simply about public service. It reflects the way she has lived throughout her life: working hard, welcoming others, showing up for her neighbors, and never missing an opportunity to bring people together.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://tenney.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-tenney-introduces-legislation-crack-down-medicare-home-health", "title": "Congresswoman Tenney Introduces Legislation to Crack Down on Medicare Home Health Fraud and Protect Seniors", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://tenney.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "tenney.house.gov", "scraper": "tenney", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000478", "name": "Claudia Tenney", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Oswego, NY — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) introduced the House companion to Senator Susan Collins' Medicare Home Health Payment Integrity and Protection Act, legislation to crack down on Medicare home health fraud, protect taxpayer dollars, and ensure seniors can continue receiving quality care in their own homes.\n\nFraudulent Medicare claims can distort the data used to calculate payments to home health agencies, potentially reducing reimbursements for legitimate providers across the country. These concerns have grown as suspicious billing patterns and an unusually high concentration of home health agencies in Los Angeles County have drawn scrutiny. The Medicare Home Health Payment Integrity and Protection Act would strengthen provider screening, increase inspections of high-risk agencies, and give the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) additional tools to detect and prevent fraud before payments are made. The legislation would also address potentially distorted Medicare payment rates and require CMS to examine how fraudulent claims have affected reimbursements for legitimate home health providers.\n\nThe legislation builds on Tenney's November 2025 letter to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz urging the agency to investigate fraudulent billing practices, correct potentially distorted payment data, and prevent further harm to seniors and home health providers. In her letter, Tenney highlighted suspicious billing patterns in Los Angeles County, which accounted for nearly 10 percent of nationwide Medicare home health spending in 2024 despite representing only about 2 percent of traditional Medicare beneficiaries. She also raised concerns about access to care in NY-24, where Medicare home health utilization declined by 39 percent between 2018 and 2024.\n\n“Home health care is a lifeline for seniors who want to remain safe and independent in their own homes,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Fraudulent providers are stealing taxpayer dollars, undermining Medicare, and putting legitimate home health agencies at risk. Seniors in Upstate and Western New York should not lose access to care because of fraudulent billing schemes across the country. Last November, I called on CMS to address this problem, and now I am joining Senator Collins to advance legislation that strengthens oversight, roots out fraud, and protects fair reimbursement for honest providers. We must protect Medicare for the seniors who depend on it and the taxpayers who fund it.”\n\nRead the full bill here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases/underwood-secures-more-500000-federal-funding-child-care-youth-homelessness", "title": "Underwood Secures More Than $500,000 in Federal Funding for Child Care, Youth Homelessness, Suicide Prevention, University Research, and More in Northern Illinois", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "underwood.house.gov", "scraper": "underwood", "member": {"bioguide_id": "U000040", "name": "Lauren Underwood", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — This week, Representative Lauren Underwood announced a new round of federal funding she has secured for child care, youth services, university research, and crisis intervention in northern Illinois.\n\nAs a member of the Appropriations Committee, Underwood has made securing federal resources for our community a top priority. The following funds will support programs in the 14th District with federal resources:\n\nLewis University, Romeoville, Illinois – $125,000\n\nLewis University in Romeoville has been awarded $125,000 in federal funding through the Center for Mental Health Services at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).\n\nThis grant will help stand up a network of supports to meet the growing mental health needs of Lewis University students. The program will provide screenings, assessments, referrals for services, training, education, and an awareness campaign. Project Safety Net will also help identify students who are at risk for suicidal behavior, increase protective factors that promote mental health, and reduce risk factors for suicide.\n\nYouth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley, Ottawa, Illinois – $235,524\n\nYouth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley in Ottawa has been awarded $235,524 in federal funding through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).\n\nThis grant helps create and strengthen community-based programs that meet the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth under 18 years old. The grant is through the Basic Center Program at ACF, which also works to reunite young people with their families or locate appropriate alternative placements.\n\nNorthern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois – $34,064\n\nNorthern Illinois University has been awarded $34,064 in federal funding through the Office of Public Health and Science at the Department of Health and Human Services.\n\nThis grant will fund a project researching the responsible conduct of research into AI, Open Science, and Partnerships.\n\nCity of Aurora, Aurora, Illinois – $128,000\n\nThe City of Aurora has been awarded $128,000 in federal funding through Office of Justice Programs at the Department of Justice (DOJ).\n\nThis grant will fund the City of Aurora’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training Program Initiative. The purpose of this project is to expand specialized training for public safety personnel to improve responses to individuals experiencing mental illness or behavioral health crises. The project will take place in Aurora, IL and will serve community members who interact with police, school resource officers, dispatchers, and detention personnel. The initiative will train and certify approximately 45 personnel through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board’s 40 hour CIT curriculum.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2110", "title": "Congressman Van Drew Celebrates the Groundbreaking of Major Broadband Expansion Project", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "vandrew.house.gov", "scraper": "vandrew", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000133", "name": "Jefferson Van Drew", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew joined local officials to break ground on the South Jersey Broadband project, a major expansion of South Jersey's internet infrastructure supported by $24.1 million in federal funding secured by the Congressman. The project will bring more than 180 miles of new fiber infrastructure to the region, increasing competition among internet providers and helping bring faster, more affordable service to residents and businesses.\n\n\"I have been working to improve broadband in South Jersey for decades, and today we are finally seeing all that work come together,\" said Congressman Van Drew. \"For too long, people have had very little choice when it comes to internet service. This project is going to change that by bringing in more competition, better service, and more affordable options. And the benefits go well beyond internet bills. We are talking about better connections for our hospitals, schools, and law enforcement, along with new jobs, business opportunities, and access to information. We live in a digital world, and South Jersey needs to be right there at the forefront. I was proud to secure the $24.1 million federal investment to make this happen, and seeing construction underway after all these years is a tremendous moment for South Jersey.\"\n\n\"We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who made this venture possible,\" said Salem County Commissioner Director Benjamin H. Laury. \"We are especially grateful to Congressman Jeff Van Drew for his invaluable support and dedicated attention to this initiative. By expanding high-speed internet service to underserved areas throughout Salem and Cumberland counties, this project will connect local homes, businesses, schools, and public buildings. This initiative marks a major milestone toward building a stronger, more connected community and making both counties a better place to live.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://vindman.house.gov/2026/10/13/vindman-takes-fight-against-nextera-dominion-merger-directly-to-virginia-scc-hearing/", "title": "Vindman Takes Fight Against NextEra-Dominion Merger Directly to Virginia SCC Hearing", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "vindman.house.gov", "scraper": "vindman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000138", "name": "Eugene Simon Vindman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Vindman Joins Local Elected Officials and Advocates in Calling on Regulators to Put Main Street Ahead of Wall Street\n\nFairfax, Va. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) delivered remarks at the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) public hearing at the Fairfax County Government Center, urging regulators to reject the proposed NextEra-Dominion merger over concerns about its impact on Virginia families and utility ratepayers.\n\nVindman joined local elected officials and community advocates in raising the alarm about the proposed merger, which he warned could further drive up electricity costs for Virginians already struggling with rising utility bills.\n\nVindman Joins Advocates & Local Officials in Rallying Against the NextEra-Dominion Merger\n\nPrior to the hearing, Vindman joined advocates for a rally outside the Fairfax County Government Center, where attendees called for greater accountability and stronger protections for Virginia ratepayers.\n\n“Virginians are already paying too much to keep the lights on, and the last thing hardworking families need is a merger that could send their utility bills even higher,” said Vindman. “The State Corporation Commission has a responsibility to protect the people it serves. That means looking out for Main Street, not Wall Street. I urge the Commission to reject this bad deal for Virginians.”\n\nVindman was the first member of Virginia’s congressional delegation to publicly oppose the proposed merger. He has continued to raise concerns about rising electricity costs, corporate accountability, and the need to ensure that Virginia families are not forced to shoulder the costs of unchecked data center growth.\n\nVindman’s remarks, as prepared, are below. Click here to watch a video of his testimony.\n\n—\n\nGood evening. Thank you for holding this public event so you can hear directly from Virginians.\n\nI’m Congressman Eugene Vindman, and I represent about 800 thousand residents in Virginia’s Seventh District.\n\nI’m here tonight for a simple reason: I believe the proposed merger between NextEra and Dominion is a bad deal for Virginians.\n\nI urge the Commission to reject it.\n\nI was the first member of Virginia’s congressional delegation to speak out against this merger.\n\nAnd I did so in a letter to the Commission, which I hope you all read.\n\nVirginians are already paying too much to keep the lights on. I hear it everywhere I go.\n\nFamilies are opening their utility bills each month wondering how much more they can possibly be expected to absorb.\n\nThis merger gives them every reason to worry that those bills will go even higher.\n\nHere’s the thing about utilities: Virginians don’t get to shop around for their electricity provider.\n\nWhere you live determines who keeps your lights on and your home warm in the winter.\n\nThat gives utility companies enormous power, and with that power comes a responsibility to the people they serve.\n\nIt is not a license to squeeze more money out of hardworking families.\n\nNextEra’s own record should concern us. Customers of its Florida subsidiary have seen their utility bills rise by 33 percent. Now NextEra wants to take control of the utility serving millions of Virginians.\n\nNextEra sees enormous profits to be made in Virginia, particularly with the explosion of data centers.\n\nBut I’ve been crystal clear: data centers must pay their fair share.\n\nVirginia families should not be subsidizing corporate expansion through higher electricity bills.\n\nThis Commission’s job is to protect Main Street, not Wall Street.\n\nMy concerns do not start and end with rates, however. I am very concerned about what this merger would do to the company’s accountability structure.\n\nDominion is a Virginia company. Its decisions affect Virginia families, Virginia businesses, and Virginia communities every single day.\n\nUnder the proposed ownership structure, three-quarters of the new company’s board would be controlled from Florida.\n\nAnd there are serious questions about NextEra’s conduct in Florida. The company agreed to a $150 million settlement over allegations involving political interference. That sounds like corruption.\n\nThat record raises concerns about the influence this company could wield over Virginia’s energy future.\n\nWhen Virginians have a problem with their power bill, they deserve answers here in Virginia.\n\nI surveyed my constituents about this deal.\n\nMore than 950 Virginians responded, and 80 percent opposed the merger.\n\nTheir concerns were remarkably consistent, worried about higher bills, less accountability, and even more power concentrated in the hands of a massive utility.\n\nThose concerns deserve to be taken seriously.\n\nThis Commission has a responsibility to protect Virginia ratepayers.\n\nElectricity is an essential service, not a luxury. And the privilege of serving millions of Virginians comes with an obligation to put those customers first.\n\nI respectfully urge you to put Virginia families ahead of Wall Street profits and reject this merger.\n\nThank you.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-new-funding-support-rural-healthcare", "title": "Trump Administration Announces New Funding to Support Rural Healthcare Workers and Expand Maternal Care Across Missouri", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "wagner.house.gov", "scraper": "wagner", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000812", "name": "Ann Wagner", "party": "Republican", "state": "MO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, the Trump Administration announced more than $2.3 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to strengthen Missouri’s rural healthcare workforce and expand access to maternal care. This investment supports two targeted workforce initiatives in Missouri: expanding affordable, dependable childcare for rural healthcare professionals and delivering funding to establish a certified nurse midwife training program.\n\nThis transformational funding will deliver $1.46 million to tackle healthcare recruitment and retention challenges across rural Missouri. The funding will expand a cost-sharing childcare program that brings the state, rural health employers, and families together to make dependable childcare more affordable for healthcare workers, providing peace of mind that their loved ones are cared for while they care for their patients. In addition, $879,000 will support initial work to establish Missouri’s first certified nurse midwife training program, with rural clinical rotations designed to build a pipeline of maternal care providers for underserved communities.\n\nThe Rural Health Transformation Program is expanding access to quality healthcare, regardless of a patient’s zip code, and equipping rural health systems with the workforce and infrastructure needed to deliver timely care. This funding will make critical investments to strengthen rural healthcare, expand access to lifesaving services, and bring modern technology to communities across Missouri.\n\n“Supporting rural healthcare workers and the community that relies on them is incredibly important. This funding will directly strengthen and expand access to maternal health care here in Missouri so moms and children have access to the care they need and deserve, and I was proud to vote for this funding in the Working Families Tax Cut legislation. I will always work to support families in Missouri and across the country, and I thank the Administration for joining me in prioritizing parents and their children,” said Rep. Ann Wagner.\n\n“President Trump understands that every American deserves high-quality healthcare, no matter where they live,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We are putting resources directly into rural communities to strengthen the health workforce, modernize infrastructure, expand access, and bring care closer to home. We are giving states the flexibility to build solutions around the people they serve, while demanding accountability for results. That is how we strengthen rural health, improve the lives of patients and families, and Make America Healthy Again.”\n\n“Every state knows best what its rural communities need, and thanks to President Trump’s Rural Health Transformation Program, they now have the resources to meet those needs,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “As states put these resources to work, we’re focused on turning these investments into meaningful, sustainable improvements for the health systems that serve rural Missourians.”\n\nToday’s investment was made possible through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act — passed by Republicans in Congress and unanimously opposed by Democrats — delivering a historic $50 billion investment to help states transform the way healthcare is delivered in America.\n\n“As Missouri’s Rural Health Transformation Program continues to make strides in strengthening rural healthcare access with community-driven solutions, this funding brings much-needed childcare support for rural healthcare workers and expands access to critical maternal care across our state,” said Gov. Mike Kehoe. “We appreciate the Trump Administration’s continued focus and partnership in working to create stronger, healthier rural communities.”\n\n\"Rural hospitals across Missouri have been struggling for decades. Thanks to the Trump Administration, this $2.3 million award will expand access to maternal care and childcare support for rural healthcare workers. This investment will not only support our healthcare workers but also help ensure families in rural Missouri can access the quality care they deserve. I’m proud to have supported this program through the Working Families Tax Cut Act, and I’ll continue fighting to ensure rural Missourians get the care they need,\" said Sen. Eric Schmitt.\n\n“This Administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to strengthening rural healthcare across Missouri, and this additional investment will build on those efforts to address critical workforce shortages and expand access to maternal care in our rural communities,” said Rep. Bob Onder. “As a physician, I know how important it is for patients to have access to quality care when they need it most. This funding will help ensure Missouri families can receive the care they need and that qualified healthcare professionals are there to provide it.”\n\n“Rural Missouri families deserve quality care close to home, and that starts with the people who deliver it. This Rural Health Transformation Program funding is part of the largest ever single investment in rural health care through Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts. It will expand access to childcare for rural healthcare workers and stand up a certified nurse midwife training program so we can recruit and keep more caregivers in our communities. That’s real help for mothers and for the workforce that keeps rural hospitals and clinics open. I’m grateful the Trump Administration is putting these dollars to work in Missouri,” said Rep. Mark Alford.\n\n\"The future of rural healthcare depends on having a trained workforce,\" said Rep. Sam Graves. \"This funding from the Working Families Tax Cuts law will help recruit and retain healthcare professionals, while expanding the availability of maternal care, which is critically needed in North Missouri. These types of investments are why we created the Rural Health Transformation Program, and I’m pleased to see the Trump Administration continue to direct this money to Missouri.”\n\n“A rural mom shouldn’t have to drive an hour or more to find someone to deliver her baby. That’s exactly why I authored and fought for the Rural Health Transformation Program in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. This funding will help Missouri recruit and retain the nurses and healthcare workers our rural communities depend on, and it will bring maternal care closer to home for families across southeast Missouri and the entire state. I’ll keep fighting to make sure rural Missouri is a place where moms can raise a family and get the care they need right where they live,” said Rep. Jason Smith.\n\nToday’s announcement is one part of the larger overall funding amount awarded to Missouri for fiscal year 2026.\n\nKey initiatives the overall RHTP funding will focus on include:\n\nBuilding the rural healthcare workforce: Supporting recruitment, training, and retention strategies to strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals serving rural communities.\n\nStrengthening rural facilities and access: Supporting partnerships, operational improvements, and care-delivery changes that help rural providers maintain essential services and improve access.\n\nAdvancing innovative care and payment models: Supporting new approaches to delivery and financing designed to improve quality, strengthen primary care, and support sustainable rural healthcare.\n\nExpanding community-based and preventive care: Investing in school-based care, mobile services, and other community strategies that improve prevention, address chronic disease, and expand access to care.\n\nModernizing rural healthcare technology: Expanding remote care and data-driven tools to improve coordination and extend healthcare services to rural communities.\n\nThe Trump Administration is delivering on its commitment to strengthen rural America by investing in solutions that modernize technology to promote health and well-being for rural communities. Led by CMS, the RHTP is moving beyond the failed one-size-fits-all approach and giving rural communities the tools to build stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable health systems that deliver better care and better outcomes for the Americans they serve.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://wittman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congressman-wittman-earns-dean-s-list-recognition-from-national-shooting-sports-foundation", "title": "Congressman Wittman Earns Dean’s List Recognition from National Shooting Sports Foundation", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://wittman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "wittman.house.gov", "scraper": "wittman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000804", "name": "Robert J. Wittman", "party": "Republican", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) today announced that he has earned a Dean’s List recognition from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) on its report card for the 119th Congress. This award recognizes legislators who earned a 100% voting and co-sponsorship record on legislative priorities important to the firearm and ammunition industry.\n\n“I am committed to protecting Americans’ Second Amendment rights and am honored to have recently received an A+ from the National Shooting Sports Foundation,” said Rep. Wittman. “I believe it is necessary to protect an individual’s fundamental right to keep and bear arms. We must be deliberate in improving public safety while ensuring that we defend citizens' constitutional rights to purchase, possess, and use firearms for lawful purposes. I will continue working in Congress to defend our constitutional freedoms. Thank you to NSSF for this recognition.”\n\nBackground:", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-secures-15-million-to-improve-highway-safety-and-expand-truck-parking-along-i-41-in-dodge-county", "title": "Baldwin Secures $15 Million to Improve Highway Safety and Expand Truck Parking Along I-41 in Dodge County", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "scraper": "baldwin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001230", "name": "Tammy Baldwin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced she successfully secured $15 million in federal funding to boost highway safety, improve two rest areas, and expand truck parking along Interstate 41 in Dodge County. Senator Baldwin advocated for the funding to the Trump Administration, citing the corridor’s essential role in connecting Wisconsin manufacturing and agricultural industries to markets and the need to keep truck drivers and roadways safe. The funding comes through the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects (INFRA) grant program, which received an influx of resources through the Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\n\n“Wisconsin truck drivers work hard every day to deliver the goods we rely on, support our farmers and manufacturers, and keep our Made in Wisconsin economy moving forward,” said Senator Baldwin. “But when truck drivers can't find a safe place to pull over and rest, it puts them and everyone else on the road at risk. That's why I am proud to bring home this investment that will give truck drivers more safe places to rest, help prevent accidents that clog up our highways and put folks in harm’s way, and make our roads safer for everyone who uses them.”\n\n“WisDOT is thrilled to receive this grant to help transform two more safety rest areas in Wisconsin into modernized, safer, and accessible facilities,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “We’ve already seen success applying previously awarded federal grants to upgrade safety rest areas with accessible facilities and extra truck parking in Sparta, Denmark, and Maribel. We know access to truck parking is critical to the success of Wisconsin’s manufacturers, farmers, and businesses. WisDOT’s recently completed truck parking study documented a lack of truck parking in areas of the state. This grant will help directly address that issue by adding more than 100 truck parking spaces between the two safety rest areas along a rural stretch of I-41 in Dodge County. We’re excited to get to work and make these improvements.”\n\nThe funding will be used to:\n\nAdd approximately 106 commercial truck parking spaces across two safety rest areas, Safety Rest Area 63 Lomira and Safety Rest Area 64 Theresa, along I-41, including a new staging area for oversized and overweight vehicles.\n\nImprove highway safety by adding lighting to parking areas and entrance and exit ramps and modernizing ramp designs to meet current standards.\n\nUpgrade rest area facilities to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and add family-friendly amenities, including changing stations.\n\nAccording to WisDOT, the I-41 corridor carries approximately 35,400 vehicles per day, with commercial trucks accounting for 33-37% of traffic, connecting Wisconsin's manufacturing and agricultural industries to domestic and global markets. However, a lack of reliable truck parking contributes to unauthorized shoulder or ramp parking, putting truck drivers and American families at risk. Per WisDOT, in Wisconsin between 2017 and June 2025, approximately 93% of fatal crashes and 92% of injury crashes involving a parked CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle) occurred when the CMV was parked in an unauthorized location.\n\nThe Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law increased INFRA’s budget over five years by 78%, investing approximately $8 billion into the grant program. In July, Senator Baldwin sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urging him to support this project.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/bipartisan-senators-call-on-trump-to-rescind-russian-diesel-deal-and-implement-sanctions-authorized-by-congress-last-month-on-enablers-of-putins-war-against-ukraine", "title": "Bipartisan Senators Call on Trump to Rescind Russian Diesel Deal & Implement Sanctions Authorized by Congress Last Month on Enablers of Putin's War Against Ukraine", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Alan Armstrong (R-OK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and John Cornyn (R-TX) wrote President Donald Trump urging him to rescind his recent agreement with President Vladimir Putin to allow Russian-origin diesel fuel into global markets.\n\n“Granting Moscow the ability to sell Russian diesel freely in global markets damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves from Putin’s murderous, illegal war. This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded,” the senators wrote.\n\nThe senators urged Trump to instead take swift action to implement sanctions authorized by the recently passed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which President Trump signed into law in September.\n\n“These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict,” the senators wrote.\n\nThe full text of the senators’ letter is available here and copied below.\n\nDear Mr. President,\n\nCongress and the American people support ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has cost hundreds of thousands of lives over the last four and a half years because Russia chose to invade its neighbor. A brokered peace, however, must be on just terms. It must uphold democratic values, the sovereignty and security of Ukraine, and their people’s right to choose their future.\n\nThe deal you struck with President Vladamir Putin on October 9th will not achieve just ends, nor will it benefit Americans. The Treasury Department’s General License No. 135, which lifts sanctions on Russia’s diesel exports, only provides Putin with more fuel to finance his war machine and enables Russia to continue its brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilians. Granting Moscow the ability to sell Russian diesel freely in global markets damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves from Putin’s murderous, illegal war. This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded.\n\nWe also recognize the urgent need to lower energy costs for American families and address the disruptions caused by the war with Iran. However, allowing Russian-origin diesel into global markets will offer limited to no relief to Americans. It will have a negligible impact on fuel prices, but the revenues the Kremlin will receive from this agreement will undoubtedly finance its desired war of attrition and advance its security cooperation with China, Iran, and North Korea. It will also endanger servicemembers operating overseas in support of Operation Epic Fury.\n\nLast month, Congress passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which you swiftly signed into law. Both chambers passed the legislation with resounding, bipartisan votes, clearly demonstrating our intent and granting you the authorities to broker a just and fair peace. These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict. For decades, America has stood as the bastion of freedom against tyranny, and American presidents have embodied our nation’s resistance to tyrants. Putin is a tyrant. Withdraw from this agreement, rescind General License No. 135, and execute the authorities provided under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Maintain our legacy – and the duty America holds – as leader of the free world.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-takano-demand-answers-from-collins-on-skyrocketing-costs-of-oracles-va-electronic-health-record-contract", "title": "Blumenthal & Takano Demand Answers from Collins on Skyrocketing Costs of Oracle's VA Electronic Health Record Contract", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, wrote Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Doug Collins demanding answers about the ballooning cost of the VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program. Oracle’s contract for the VA EHRM program was recently modified, increasing the no-bid contract cost ceiling from $10 billion to more than $27 billion.\n\n“The Committees on Veterans’ Affairs in the House and Senate have worked closely with VA since the original contract was signed,” Blumenthal and Takano wrote. “VA’s decline in transparency, particularly regarding recent contract modifications, is extremely troubling.”\n\nOn September 2, House Committee Democrats forced a vote to subpoena Oracle Executive Chairman Larry Ellison and CEO Mike Sicilia for testimony at a congressional oversight hearing. Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL) pushed Ranking Member Takano and Democrats to withdraw the motion, but the committee ultimately approved it 19-0.\n\nSoon after, Blumenthal and Senate Committee Democratic members wrote Ellison and Sicilia demanding documents and an explanation for the cost increase. They backed the House subpoenas and asked Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) to hold a full-committee oversight hearing on the cost overruns, repeated delays, and patient safety concerns.\n\nThe full text of the letter is copied below.\n\nDear Secretary Collins:\n\nWe write to express serious concerns regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) lack of transparency and cooperation in managing the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program. Under the Trump administration, VA chose to rapidly accelerate the deployment of the Oracle Health product, despite no proven record of success and no assessment as to whether VA’s workforce and infrastructure could withstand such efforts.\n\nOn August 11, 2026, VA quietly issued a modification to Oracle Health’s contract to deliver VA’s EHRM to all VA facilities. In this modification, VA extended the period of performance to the year 2031 and increased the contract ceiling by an amount that the Department chose to redact, though news reports indicate that this figure is over $17.5 billion dollars.2 Further, VA’s citation of “unanticipated complexities” as the rationale for nearly tripling the original contract remains unexplained.\n\nIn light of the contract modification, and in preparation for the September 2, 2026, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing on EHRM, Committee staff requested a number of documents on August 27, 2026. To date, those documents have not been received. We insist that VA immediately comply with that request, and in addition provide the following information:\n\nThe complete and un-redacted contract modification document 36C10B18D5000 Modification P00008 and all associated documents;\n\nDocumentation sufficient to explain the need for the increase, including detailed descriptions of the “unanticipated complexities”, and any related cost analysis or determination, including, but not limited to, the price negotiation memorandum;\n\nAll communications, including emails, text messages, and memoranda, between VA and Oracle related to the contract increase;\n\nVA’s most recent Life Cycle Cost Estimate broken down by contract costs, infrastructure costs, and VA program costs; and,\n\nAll documents related to the market research conducted by VA supporting its claim that no other software vendor could meet the Government’s requirements.\n\nAdditionally, VA must provide written responses to the following:\n\nWho approved the ceiling increase and under whose direction?\n\nWho ordered the redaction of related documents and why?\n\nHow did VA arrive at the new estimated contract ceiling? What assumptions informed this number? How will those assumptions effect the VA Medical Centers that have yet to go-live?\n\nWhat assurances does VA have that Oracle is not using veterans’ data to benefit its commercial products? If Oracle IS doing so, how is VA ensuring veterans’ privacy is protected and that VA receives appropriate compensation?\n\nWill VA commit to obtaining an independent total life-cycle cost estimate for EHRM? If so, by what date will that estimate be completed and provided to Congress? If not, why?\n\nGiven that Oracle committed to absorbing the additional costs for the EHRM program contract, please provide an explanation for why VA is now footing these same costs?\n\nWhat analysis did VA conduct regarding elevated patient safety event reporting at go-live sites before accelerating the 2031 deployment timeline, and what were the findings?\n\nGiven the VA’s plans to accelerate deployment, has VA conducted an assessment of the impacts of deployment pace on cost?\n\nWe’ve heard concerns about Pay It Forward resources not being placed in areas with similar workflows, leaving these people unable to help frontline staff. How does VA match Pay It Forward employees to their assignments?\n\nHow many employees rely on Information and Communications Technology, or ICT, or other reasonable accommodations to perform their roles and responsibilities at the Department?\n\nWas VA aware when it signed the original contract that Millenium was not Section 508 compliant? If so, why did VA sign it knowing the product was not compliant with federal law, and would limit disabled employees, including veterans, ability to do their jobs?\n\nHas VA’s Section 508 Office performed an assessment of how long it would take to make EHRM 508 compliant? If so, how much would these technical upgrades cost to ensure that this system is compliant with the law?\n\nWhat is VA’s plan to address Oracle’s lack of 508 compliance?\n\nThe Committees on Veterans’ Affairs in the House and Senate have worked closely with VA since the original contract was signed. VA’s decline in transparency, particularly regarding recent contract modifications, is extremely troubling. As such, we demand that VA produce requested documents and written responses to the above questions no later than October 30, 2026.\n\nShould you have any questions, please contact Mr. John Harry, Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, at John.Harry@mail.house.gov, and Ms. Katie Adams, Counsel, at Katie_Adams@vetaff.senate.gov.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-senator-blunt-rochester-returns-from-congressional-delegation-visits-on-coast-guard-ai-national-security/", "title": "NEWS: Senator Blunt Rochester Returns from Congressional Delegation Visits on Coast Guard, AI, National Security", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.bluntrochester.senate.gov", "scraper": "bluntrochester", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001303", "name": "Lisa Blunt Rochester", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, & Fisheries, completed a congressional delegation visit to San Francisco, California. During her trip, she met with Coast Guard leadership, top national security officials, and leading artificial intelligence (AI) experts to discuss U.S. military capabilities, evolving national security threats, and recent AI safety issues.\n\nSenator Blunt Rochester’s visits included Travis Air Force Base to discuss air mobility missions; US Coast Guard Base Alameda to receive an update on Pacific Area threats, including growing cybersecurity concerns; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to discuss emerging technologies like fusion and quantum, and visit the world’s largest supercomputer; meetings with leadership from OpenAI to discuss recent AI threats; and conversations with foreign policy experts at Stanford University.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-capito-celebrates-cds-projects-in-kanawha-county", "title": "PHOTOS: Capito Celebrates CDS Projects in Kanawha County", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.capito.senate.gov", "scraper": "capito", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001047", "name": "Shelley Moore Capito", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) made stops in Kanawha County celebrating Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) projects that she helped secure.\n\nFirst, Senator Capito traveled to Clendenin, W.Va. to attend the groundbreaking of the Leatherwood Water Extension alongside Kanawha County Commissioners and other local officials. In Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), she helped secure a $5,230,000 CDS allocation to make vital upgrades to the city’s infrastructure. Through this project, the water extension will expand services to residents, serving over 100 households and adding 23 fire hydrants with 6 miles of pipes.\n\n“It was great to be in Clendenin today to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Leatherwood Water Extension,” Senator Capito said. “I was proud to help secure federal funding for this project to support the ongoing economic development and overall growth that’s happening here. This process has been a true collaboration, and I look forward to seeing the many benefits it will have on our communities.”\n\nTo finish the day, Senator Capito traveled to Dunbar, W.Va. to attend the Kanawha Metro 911 Command dedication ceremony for their new mobile command unit. While there, she delivered remarks and received updates on their recent CDS projects. In Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), she secured a $720,000 award to enhance the mobile command unit and a $520,000 award for a backup fire truck. This funding, which is a part of today’s dedication ceremony, will increase critical response times and help save lives.\n\n“It was an honor to be in Dunbar to take part in this dedication ceremony,” Senator Capito said. “I was proud to help secure two incredible CDS awards for this project to help equip our community partners in Dunbar and Kanawha County with the resources they need to protect and serve. As a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I remain committed to advocating for the needs of our law enforcement and first responders.”\n\n“On behalf of the residents of Kanawha County, the County Commission would like to thank Senator Capito for her support. We are proud to have worked with her to secure federal funding to ensure the residents have access to clean water and to purchase a new mobile command unit and fire truck. These critical resources, which would not be possible without Senator Capito’s championing of federal funding, will allow us to respond throughout the county to anything from a house fire to a large-scale disaster.” Ben Salango, President of the Kanawha County Commission, said.\n\nPhotos from today’s visits can be found below:\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) delivers remarks at the Leatherwood Water Extension groundbreaking ceremony in Clendenin, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) attends the Leatherwood Water Extension groundbreaking ceremony in Clendenin, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) attends the Leatherwood Water Extension groundbreaking ceremony in Clendenin, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) delivers remarks at the Kanawha Metro 911 Command dedication ceremony in Dunbar, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) delivers remarks at the Kanawha Metro 911 Command dedication ceremony in Dunbar, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) attends the Kanawha Metro 911 Command dedication ceremony in Dunbar, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-bipartisan-senators-call-on-president-to-rescind-russian-diesel-deal-implement-authorized-sanctions", "title": "Senator Collins, Bipartisan Senators Call on President to Rescind Russian Diesel Deal, Implement Authorized Sanctions", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Alan Armstrong (R-OK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and John Cornyn (R-TX) wrote to President Trump urging him to rescind the recent agreement to allow Russian-origin diesel fuel into global markets.\n\nThe senators urged President Trump to instead take swift action to implement sanctions authorized by the recently enacted Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which the President signed into law last month.\n\n“Congress and the American people support ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has cost hundreds of thousands of lives over the last four and a half years because Russia chose to invade its neighbor,” the senators wrote. “A brokered peace, however, must be on just terms. It must uphold democratic values, the sovereignty and security of Ukraine, and their people’s right to choose their future.”\n\n“Granting Moscow the ability to sell Russian diesel freely in global markets damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves from Putin’s murderous, illegal war,” they continued. “This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded.”\n\n“Last month, Congress passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which you swiftly signed into law. Both chambers passed the legislation with resounding, bipartisan votes, clearly demonstrating our intent and granting you the authorities to broker a just and fair peace. These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict,” the senators concluded.\n\nClick here to read the full text of the senators’ letter.\n\n+++\n\nLast week, following the President’s announcement of the deal with Russia to lift sanctions on diesel exports, Senator Collins joined Senators Shaheen, Blumenthal, Wyden, Tillis, and Curtis in issuing a statement opposing the agreement. They highlighted Congress’ decision in 2022 to explicitly ban Russian energy imports to prevent American dollars from financing Putin’s illegal war against Ukraine and urged the Administration to immediately reverse course.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-coons-celebrates-over-600000-awarded-to-delaware-for-veteran-suicide-prevention-services/", "title": "Senator Coons celebrates over $600,000 awarded to Delaware for veteran suicide prevention services", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.coons.senate.gov", "scraper": "coons", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001088", "name": "Christopher A. Coons", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) announced Delaware’s first-ever grant through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, a $626,870 award from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to the Mental Health Association in Delaware to expand suicide prevention and mental health services for veterans.\n\nThe SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program provides funding to community organizations working to reduce veteran suicide and expand access to mental health services. The award follows bipartisan efforts by Senators Coons and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) to expand access to SSG Fox funding. The senators introduced the Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act last year, and successfully secured report language in the FY26 MilCon-VA appropriations bill directing the VA to prioritize applications from states that had not previously received funding.\n\n“For too long, Delaware veterans have been shut out of a program designed to support them, and Delaware has been left behind by Washington in its effort to ensure that every veteran who comes home has help when they need it,” said Senator Coons. “I’m proud that my bipartisan work with Senator Cramer changed that, and I’m grateful to the Mental Health Association in Delaware for putting this funding to work and making sure more veterans can get the care they need.”\n\n“We are incredibly honored to be a recipient of the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant. For 16 years, the Mental Health Association in Delaware has been committed to supporting service members, veterans, and their families through our Annual Military & Veterans Mental Health Summit and throughout our broader work in the community. This grant allows us to take that commitment even further. With this funding, we will expand suicide prevention efforts for veterans and for the individuals and organizations that support them. We will also add three peer mentors/case managers to Veterans Treatment Court, one in each county, creating greater access to connection, support, and resources for veterans when they need them most. This is the first time Delaware has received this funding, and we recognize the tremendous responsibility that comes with it. We are honored to be entrusted with this opportunity and deeply committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have served our country. Our veterans have given so much to all of us; this grant gives us an opportunity to give back by strengthening the safety net of support around them and their families. We are ready to do this work, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve those who have served,” said Jennifer Smolowitz Ianni, executive director, Mental Health Association in Delaware.\n\nWith a long history of military service and a major military presence anchored by Dover Air Force Base, Delaware is home to tens of thousands of veterans and military families. Despite $174 million authorized for the SSG Fox program since its founding in fiscal year 2021, until this year, neither Delaware or North Dakota had received funding.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-horsford-call-for-worker-privacy-protections-as-spirit-airlines-plans-to-sell-employee-data-to-train-google-ai/", "title": "Cortez Masto, Horsford Call for Worker Privacy Protections as Spirit Airlines Plans to Sell Employee Data to Train Google AI", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Las Vegas, Nev. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Congressman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04) in urging Spirit Airlines CEO Dave Davis and Google CEO Sundar Pichai to protect the privacy of thousands of former Spirit employees. The letter responds to the proposed $10 million sale of Spirit’s internal data to Google for the purpose of training artificial intelligence (AI) systems.\n\n“According to publicly available court findings, the proposed sale would involve an extraordinary volume of Spirit’s internal records, including approximately 100 million emails, 500 million Microsoft Teams messages, employee records, timecard records, payroll and tax information, and employment contracts,” the lawmakers wrote. “This information was created and provided in the context of an employment relationship and may contain highly sensitive information about individual workers. Consumers have more privacy protections than workers, yet Spirit has collected far more private information about its employees than about its customers.”\n\n“While we understand that Google has stated that it will not receive personally identifiable information and that the data will undergo third-party scrubbing before its transfer, we are concerned that conventional de-identification safeguards may not be sufficient to protect employee privacy in the context of modern artificial intelligence,” they continued. “Removing names, email addresses, or other direct identifiers does not necessarily make a dataset anonymous. As we have seen time and time again, artificial intelligence systems have been able to identify patterns across large datasets, connect seemingly unrelated pieces of information, and potentially infer or reconstruct information about individuals or identifiable groups.”\n\n“Innovation should not come at the expense of workers’ privacy or the confidentiality of information they were required to provide as a condition of employment,” they concluded. “The unprecedented scale and sophistication of modern artificial intelligence make it particularly important that privacy protections keep pace with the technology. We therefore urge Google and Spirit to address these concerns and establish meaningful, enforceable safeguards before the proposed transaction proceeds.”\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.\n\nSenator Cortez Masto has stood up for Spirit Airline’s displaced workers and has been a champion for consumer privacy. At the start of Spirit’s bankruptcy proceedings, she demanded that employees receive their earned wages and accrued benefits. The Senator has also worked to ensure AI innovation includes strong guardrails to protect American’s privacy and national security. Last year, her legislation to prohibit American investment in Chinese AI companies was passed into law. When President Xi Jinping visited the United States, Cortez Masto urged President Trump to negotiate a formal agreement with President Xi for the development, testing, and use of AI models. Cortez Masto is also leading legislation to crack down on robocalls and robotexts, which are more common and dangerous with the use of AI.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-joins-reno-restaurant-owners-to-discuss-high-costs-chaos-harming-their-businesses/", "title": "Cortez Masto Joins Reno Restaurant Owners to Discuss High Costs, Chaos Harming Their Businesses", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Reno, Nev. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hosted a press conference alongside the owners of Süp, R-Town Pizza and dough.cheese.sauce, and Chop Stop to discuss how the current economy, high costs, and chaos are harming their businesses. The Trump Administration’s blanket tariffs and war in Iran have raised the cost of food, gas, and other goods significantly.\n\n“Pushing back against the Trump Administration’s policies that are driving up costs up for these restaurants shouldn’t be political. We have to work together to undo these harmful policies and provide real relief for American families and small businesses,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m grateful to Kasey, Marvin, and Steve for joining me to talk about the challenges they’re facing.”\n\nSenator Cortez Masto has consistently supported lowering costs for working families in Nevada. Following her consistent pushes to repeal the coffee tariffs, the Trump Administration decided to exempt certain imports not grown in the United States – like coffee – from the disastrous blanket tariffs. Earlier this year, Cortez Masto introduced the Lowering Home Energy Costs Act to help everyday Americans lower their energy costs by putting money back into their pockets if they make their homes more energy efficient. She has introduced legislation to help combat high gas and energy prices in Nevada and across the country and joined Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) as the Democratic lead on legislation to help lower gas prices in the West.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-bipartisan-senators-call-on-trump-to-rescind-russian-diesel-deal-and-implement-sanctions-authorized-by-congress-last-month-on-enablers-of-putins-war-against-ukraine", "title": "Durbin, Bipartisan Senators Call On Trump To Rescind Russian Diesel Deal & Implement Sanctions Authorized By Congress Last Month On Enablers Of Putin’s War Against Ukraine", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.durbin.senate.gov", "scraper": "durbin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000563", "name": "Richard J. Durbin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "The Senators wrote, “For decades, America has stood as the bastion of freedom against tyranny, and American presidents have embodied our nation’s resistance to tyrants. Putin is a tyrant.”\n\nFRANKFORT – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Alan Armstrong (R-OK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and John Cornyn (R-TX) in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to rescind his recent agreement with President Vladimir Putin to allow Russian-origin diesel fuel into global markets.\n\n“Granting Moscow the ability to sell Russian diesel freely in global markets damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves from Putin’s murderous, illegal war. This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded,” the Senators wrote.\n\nThe Senators urged President Trump to instead take swift action to implement sanctions authorized by the recently passed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which President Trump signed into law in September.\n\n“These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict,” the Senators wrote.\n\nThe full text of the Senators’ letter is available here and copied below.\n\nDear Mr. President,\n\nCongress and the American people support ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has cost hundreds of thousands of lives over the last four and a half years because Russia chose to invade its neighbor. A brokered peace, however, must be on just terms. It must uphold democratic values, the sovereignty and security of Ukraine, and their people’s right to choose their future.\n\nThe deal you struck with President Vladamir Putin on October 9th will not achieve just ends, nor will it benefit Americans. The Treasury Department’s General License No. 135, which lifts sanctions on Russia’s diesel exports, only provides Putin with more fuel to finance his war machine and enables Russia to continue its brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilians. Granting Moscow the ability to sell Russian diesel freely in global markets damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves from Putin’s murderous, illegal war. This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded.\n\nWe also recognize the urgent need to lower energy costs for American families and address the disruptions caused by the war with Iran. However, allowing Russian-origin diesel into global markets will offer limited to no relief to Americans. It will have a negligible impact on fuel prices, but the revenues the Kremlin will receive from this agreement will undoubtedly finance its desired war of attrition and advance its security cooperation with China, Iran, and North Korea. It will also endanger servicemembers operating overseas in support of Operation Epic Fury.\n\nLast month, Congress passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which you swiftly signed into law. Both chambers passed the legislation with resounding, bipartisan votes, clearly demonstrating our intent and granting you the authorities to broker a just and fair peace. These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict. For decades, America has stood as the bastion of freedom against tyranny, and American presidents have embodied our nation’s resistance to tyrants. Putin is a tyrant. Withdraw from this agreement, rescind General License No. 135, and execute the authorities provided under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Maintain our legacy – and the duty America holds – as leader of the free world.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-introduce-resolution-recognizing-indigenous-peoples-day/", "title": "Gallego, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and 14 of their colleagues in introducing a resolution to recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The resolution also supports the official designation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a federal holiday. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is currently celebrated on the second Monday of October in over 200 municipalities and 17 states. Currently, the state of Arizona does not officially recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day.\n\nThe resolution is endorsed by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, Alaska Federation of Natives, National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG).\n\nThe resolution is cosponsored by Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-10-13-26", "title": "Capitol Hill Report, 10-13-26", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Audio from this morning’s call is available HERE.\n\nTopics include: Russia diesel deal, Iran, the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act and the proposed Trump Dividend.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-applauds-trump-administration-for-delivering-for-iowa-biofuels", "title": "Grassley Applauds Trump Administration for Delivering for Iowa Biofuels", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin’s announcement in Iowa today that the EPA will reallocate 100% of all Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard for the difference between projected and actual exempted volumes for 2025 SREs.\n\n“The Trump administration is carrying through on its promise to support Iowa family farmers and biofuel producers. I worked closely with the White House, along with Sen. Ernst and Reps. Hinson, Miller-Meeks, Nunn and Feenstra, to secure full reallocation for all exempted biofuels, and I appreciate the Trump administration following through in a timely fashion. Today’s decision is a major boost for Iowa’s rural economy and the 31,000 Iowa jobs that biofuels directly employ.”\n\nIn August, the EPA announced its proposal “to reallocate 100 percent of the difference between projected and actual exempted volumes for 2025 SREs into the 2026 and 2027 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) before the end of October 2026.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/new-grassley-authored-law-delivers-support-for-victims-of-identity-theft", "title": "New Grassley-Authored Law Delivers Support for Victims of Identity Theft", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – A bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to assist Iowans impacted by identity theft was signed into law last week. The Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act, cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), supports victims by strengthening and streamlining the process for Americans whose Social Security numbers have been stolen. Grassley and Hassan both serve on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.\n\n“Too many Iowans suffer from identity theft each year, and Social Security numbers are a top target. Unfortunately, when victims of identity theft call up the Social Security Administration, they can be jerked around from one contact to another, having to reexplain the situation each time. By providing victims a single point of contact at the agency, our bill will help ease this frustrating and stressful process and make life easier for Iowans who may find themselves in this unfortunate situation. I’m glad this commonsense resource is now the law of the land,” Grassley said.\n\n“Too often, victims of identity theft are forced to navigate a long, confusing process to get support from the Social Security Administration. This process is frustrating to victims and unnecessarily drains the agency’s resources. My bipartisan bill will help streamline support from SSA so that victims of identity theft can get the help that they need more quickly. I worked with colleagues across the aisle to pass this commonsense legislation, and I am glad to see it signed into law. I will continue pushing to make the government work more efficiently for victims of theft, fraud, and scams,” Hassan said.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Grassley-Hassan Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act provides a single, focal point of contact at the Social Security Administration to more efficiently resolve an identity theft victim’s issues.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by numerous groups, including AARP, Social Security Works, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), Justice in Aging and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hassan-grassley-take-action-to-improve-access-to-cancer-screenings", "title": "Hassan, Grassley Take Action to Improve Access to Cancer Screenings", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hassan.senate.gov", "scraper": "hassan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001076", "name": "Margaret Wood Hassan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the Standardizing Cancer Recommendations for Earlier Evaluation and Navigation of Screenings (SCREENS) Act to make cancer screening recommendations more accessible, transparent, and user friendly for patients and health care providers.\n\n“Cancer screenings can identify cancers during the early stages when they are easiest to treat, but patients often do not know when they are due for potentially life-saving screenings,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan bill will help make sure that patients and doctors are informed about federal cancer screening recommendations so that they can catch cancer earlier and get people the treatment that they need. I’m glad to introduce this bill, and I will continue working across the aisle to strengthen preventative care for Granite Staters.”\n\n“Detecting cancer early can save lives. I know that based on the personal experience of my wife, Barbara, a nearly 40-year breast cancer survivor. Unfortunately, patients and providers are navigating a complex and confusing maze just to keep up with cancer screening recommendations. By making these recommendations more accessible through technology, our SCREENS Act would strengthen cancer care and help save lives. For my home state, this bill would proactively support Iowans by helping providers identify patients who could be overdue for a screening,” said Senator Grassley.\n\nCancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States. Cancer screenings can increase the chance of earlier treatment and reduce mortality, but screening recommendations are often complex, fragmented and difficult to interpret and navigate.\n\nThe bipartisan SCREENS Act would simplify and improve the process by establishing a national data and technology framework for cancer screening recommendations, to make these recommendations more accessible, interoperable and effective for providers and patients.\n\nIn 2022, the Presidential Cancer Panel recommended the federal government develop a digitally accessible version of the cancer screening and risk assessment guidelines. The SCREENS Act would enact this recommendation. Under the legislation, the national data and technology framework would be publicly available in machine-readable format for use by health information technologies, interoperability tools and patient-facing applications. The legislation would also help providers identify which patients are at risk and overdue for screenings.\n\nClick here for a section-by-section of the bill.\n\nClick here to see text of the bill.\n\nThe SCREENS Act builds on Senator Hassan’s record of expanding access to preventive care and cancer screenings. She has repeatedly fought to protect Title X funding that helps patients access cancer screenings and other preventive care. In 2022, Senator Hassan helped pass into law the bipartisan SERVICE Act to expand access to mammograms for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-demands-answers-on-trump-administration-draining-strategic-petroleum-reserves-to-dangerous-low-levels", "title": "Heinrich Demands Answers on Trump Administration Draining Strategic Petroleum Reserves to Dangerous Low Levels", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.heinrich.senate.gov", "scraper": "heinrich", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001046", "name": "Martin Heinrich", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Heinrich: “I am deeply concerned by reports that recent drawdowns of the SPR could damage the salt caverns that hold millions of barrels of America’s emergency crude”\n\nWASHINGTON — Last week, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, pressed U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright to disclose information on the operational safety and structural integrity of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), which has been depleted to under 300 million barrels of emergency inventory due to Trump’s war with Iran. Repeated drawdowns can harm salt caverns where millions of barrels of the SPR’s crude are stored, and the SPR’s current historically low levels put U.S. energy and economic security at grave risk. In the midst of further shocks, the U.S. will not have SPR capacity to spare which could cause gasoline and diesel prices to rise even further.\n\nThe SPR was created in 1975 to reduce the impact of petroleum supply disruptions on Americans and is designed to hold nearly 714 million barrels, making it a valuable energy security measure and national security asset in times of crisis. The SPR currently holds 283.8 million barrels of emergency inventory — the lowest it’s been since 1982 — following Trump’s authorized release of 172 million barrels at the start of the Iran war.\n\n“In April, I wrote to you to express concern regarding the administration’s ill-advised decision to enter into a war with Iran. I asked you about the Department’s preparedness before the Trump administration launched its war in Iran, including if the Department conducted any analysis related to potential SPR releases. The Department failed to substantively respond to my questions,” Heinrich began.\n\n“I am deeply concerned by reports that recent drawdowns of the SPR could damage the salt caverns that hold millions of barrels of America’s emergency crude,” Heinrich continued.\n\nIn his letter, Heinrich specifically demanded information on analyses and reviews conducted regarding the impact and consequences of drawing down the SPR. He also presses DOE to disclose a list of maintenance projects underway, schedule of exchange returns, copy of the contract for the new SPR Operator and all documents from the transition documenting the current state of SPR, all buyers and amounts sold from the SPR in 2026, potential new cavern sites analyzed by DOE for future development, backlog maintenance projects for SPR as currently pending, and the contract and all audits performed by the current DOE Auditor for the SPR and any sale of oil activities.\n\n“As our energy demand increases, we need to ensure the SPR is properly maintained, fully operational, and can be counted on when supply is constrained,” Heinrich concluded.\n\nRead the full text of the letter here and below:\n\nSecretary Wright:\n\nI write to request information regarding the operational safety and structural integrity of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). In April, I wrote to you to express concern regarding the Administration’s ill-advised decision to enter into a war with Iran. I asked you about the Department’s preparedness before the Trump administration launched its war in Iran, including if the Department conducted any analysis related to potential SPR releases. The Department failed to substantively respond to my questions. I am deeply concerned by reports that recent drawdowns of the SPR could damage the salt caverns that hold millions of barrels of America’s emergency crude.\n\nIn 1975, Congress created the SPR to reduce the impact of petroleum supply disruptions on Americans. The SPR is not only an energy security measure, but a national security asset in times of crisis. It is designed to hold nearly 714 million barrels. For the first time in over 40 years, however, the SPR has now reportedly dropped to under 300 million barrels of emergency inventory. In March, weeks after the U.S. entered into war with Iran, President Trump authorized the release of 172 million barrels from the SPR. As a result of that drawdown, the SPR currently sits at 283.8 million barrels—the lowest level since 1982. The SPR is expected to dip below 250 million barrels once the drawdown concludes. Some analysts have suggested that depleting the SPR to less than 300 million barrels risks damage to the salt caverns. In a June 2026 report, the Government Accountability Office found that “[r]epeated partial drawdowns followed by refill can leach a single part of a cavern repeatedly, leading to undesirable shapes.” The same report warned that the SPR is at risk of failing to safeguard the U.S. from severe petroleum supply disruptions.\n\nIn response to the ongoing war in Iran and the consequences of draining vital energy inventories crucial to U.S. energy and national security, I am introducing legislation that mandates long-term planning for the SPR and limits non-emergency SPR sales to avoid further operational inefficiencies, including straining aging infrastructure during ongoing capital projects.\n\nTo better understand DOE’s current management of the SPR, I request that you provide the following information by October 23, 2026:\n\nSince January 20, 2025, all Department analysis and reviews conducted to understand the impact and consequences of drawdowns of the SPR to the operational safety and structural integrity of the SPR.\n\nSince January 20, 2025, all Department analysis and reviews conducted to understand the impact and consequences of drawing down the SPR below 300 million barrels.\n\nSince January 20, 2025, all Department analysis and reviews conducted to understand the operational minimum of the SPR.\n\nA current and complete list of all major maintenance projects underway or scheduled over the next 10 years.\n\nA current and complete list and schedule of exchange returns, including premium barrels, as part of the March 2026 release.\n\nA copy of the new contract with the new SPR Operator and all documents on the handoff to the new contractor documenting the current state of the SPR and any related inspections at this time by either party.\n\nA list of all buyers and amounts sold from the SPR in 2026.\n\nA list of all potential new cavern sites analyzed by the DOE for future development.\n\nA list of the backlog of maintenance projects for the SPR as currently pending.\n\nA copy of the contract and all audits performed by the current DOE Auditor for the SPR and any sale of oil activities.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this request. As our energy demand increases, we need to ensure the SPR is properly maintained, fully operational, and can be counted on when supply is constrained. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my staff at (202) 224-4971.\n\nSincerely,", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-announces-project-atlas-unmanned-research-initiative", "title": "Hoeven Announces Project ATLAS Unmanned Research Initiative", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "scraper": "hoeven", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001061", "name": "John Hoeven", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced Project ATLAS, an unmanned research initiative he worked to fund and establish between the University of North Dakota (UND), NASA, the U.S. Department of War (DoW) and the North Dakota National Guard (NDNG). Project ATLAS is a new DoW initiative to integrate the capabilities of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and incorporate them into daily training, base support and combat operations. UND will work with NASA to conduct experiments to achieve this goal with support from the North Dakota National Guard (NDNG), which will provide access to its range at Camp Grafton.\n\nAs a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven secured nearly $2 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 to launch Project ATLAS. Of this, $1 million will support UND and NASA’s operations, while $750,000 will go to the Guard to support activities at Camp Grafton. Hoeven continues working to secure additional funding for the initiative in FY2027.\n\nProject ATLAS’s first task is to identify a ground vehicle to use in future experiments. Next week, the DoW will host a joint unmanned ground vehicle demonstration event, known as Groundbreaker, at Camp Grafton, where the capabilities of various vehicles will be evaluated for inclusion in the initiative. Once a vehicle is selected, NASA and UND will develop experiments linking the UGV and UAS with a focus on improving local base security and logistics. Over time, Project ATLAS will take on increasingly complex tasks, building toward the capability for a single operator to use UAS and UGV systems simultaneously, with the aircraft and ground vehicles collaborating autonomously to accomplish a wide range of objectives, such as:\n\nAssisting with maintenance operations.\n\nEquipment or supply deliveries.\n\nResponding to security threats.\n\n“Project ATLAS, a new partnership between UND, NASA, the Department of War and the North Dakota National Guard, is the result of all the unmanned capabilities we have developed and serves as a logical next step in the growth of our UAS ecosystem. By combining the capabilities of unmanned aircraft with unmanned ground vehicles, we can meet the logistical and security needs of our military and accelerate our leadership in autonomy, with missions from the ground all the way up into space,” said Hoeven. “Today’s discussion with NASA Administrator Isaacman and General Guetlein fits perfectly with the launch of Project ATLAS. We appreciate their attendance at the UAS Summit, as it provides an opportunity to discover new avenues to leverage our expertise in unmanned technology to meet the defense challenges of tomorrow and keep moving the ball forward on our nation’s drone, counter-drone and space capabilities.”\n\nUAS Summit\n\nHoeven made the announcement as part of his remarks at the UAS Summit today in Grand Forks, where the senator was joined by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and General Mike Guetlein, Director of Golden Dome for America (GDA). Hoeven invited Isaacman and Guetlein to the state as part of his efforts to strengthen North Dakota’s role as a leader in drone and counter-drone technology and space operations, building on 20 years of efforts to establish the state as a leader in unmanned technology.\n\nThe senator emphasized the progress the state has made since kicking off this effort as governor in 2006, when he worked to fund and establish UND’s Center of Excellence for UAS Research, Education and Training. Since that time, Hoeven has worked to bring together federal, state, university, military and commercial partners to advance this emerging sector in North Dakota. Among others, these partners include:\n\nThe Northern Plains UAS Test Site, which was created through legislation Hoeven passed in 2012.\n\nThe Grand Forks Air Force Base.\n\nGrandSKY, a first of its kind UAS business and technology park adjacent to the Grand Forks Air Force Base.\n\nHoeven worked to advance an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) between Grand Forks County and the Air Force to establish GrandSKY.\n\nThe University of North Dakota.\n\nThe U.S. Department of War.\n\nThe Space Development Agency.\n\nThe Test Resource Management Center.\n\nThe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).\n\nEarlier this year, Hoeven secured access to the FAA’s unfiltered radar data feed for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, the only non-federal entity to have such access.\n\nNASA.\n\nHoeven first partnered the state’s UAS ecosystem with NASA in 2016, when he secured North Dakota’s role in the agency’s unmanned traffic management (UTM) research program.\n\nA wide range of businesses, from small startups to international corporations.\n\n-###-", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/husted-barrasso-host-permitting-reform-roundtable-in-columbus/", "title": "Husted, Barrasso host permitting reform roundtable in Columbus", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“We can’t build Ohio’s energy future if it takes up to a decade just to get a permit.”\n\nCOLUMBUS – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) today hosted a permitting reform roundtable with Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), bringing together state lawmakers, regulators and Ohio energy, manufacturing and business leaders.\n\nCurrently, a federal environmental review can take up to a decade. Projects miss deadlines and waste budgets before construction begins. As energy usage adds demand to Ohio’s grid, the grid must keep up.\n\n“Ohio’s economy is growing, and the grid has to keep up. We can’t build Ohio’s energy future and lower costs for working families if it takes up to a decade just to get a permit. I was glad to bring my friend Sen. Barrasso to Columbus to hear directly from the people who build, power and regulate energy in Ohio. We’re also fighting to make sure data centers pay for their own energy so working families aren’t stuck footing the bill for Big Tech,” said Husted.\n\n“America needs to build better, faster, cheaper, and smarter. Right now, critical energy projects spend years trapped in the regulatory penalty box. Senator Husted’s roundtable today underscored how essential permitting reform is to producing more American energy and lowering prices for American families. Senator Husted has led the way in the Senate with thoughtful legislation that will protect families from increased electricity rates. The Senate has also negotiated bipartisan permitting legislation. We need to pass these reforms this year. American families cannot afford to wait,” said Barrasso.\n\nHusted is a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and has worked with Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) on fixing our broken permitting system. He also introduced the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would make large new data centers pay for their own energy costs, and worked to include stronger protections in the permitting bill.\n\nHusted is also leading efforts in the Senate on permitting reform including:\n\nThe New Source Review Permitting Act, which would clarify federal permitting requirements under the Clean Air Act to help manufacturers and energy producers improve efficiency, upgrade equipment and complete pollution control projects.\n\nThe American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026, which would streamline federal permitting, reduce delays from litigation and overlapping reviews, and accelerate construction of critical energy and mineral infrastructure.\n\nThe Water Authority and Timely Environmental Review (WATER Act), which aims to streamline permitting for water projects.\n\nParticipants discussed the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, a U.S. Senate bill that would make the permitting process more efficient, effective and predictable while keeping environmental safeguards intact and protecting. The bill is expected to receive a vote in the U.S. Senate when senators return to the Capitol after the October state work period. They also discussed ways to add grid capacity by upgrading existing power lines.\n\nFederal law requires projects like power plants, pipelines and roads to undergo lengthy reviews before construction starts. Those reviews are often open-ended, and permits can be challenged in court for years. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act would:\n\nSet deadlines. Environmental assessments would be due within one year and full environmental impact statements within two years.\n\nLimit lawsuits. Claims under the National Environmental Policy Act would have to be filed within 150 days.\n\nProtect issued permits. Federal agencies couldn’t pull or suspend a valid permit except under specific conditions.\n\nProtect ratepayers, using a similar solution to Husted’s Ratepayer Protection Act. Data centers using 20 megawatts or more would have to cover their own energy costs.\n\nKeep Ohio in control. Ohio keeps its authority to site transmission lines and sets rates for data centers.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/husted-secures-cleveland-as-home-of-new-u-s-navys-submarine-component-repair-center/", "title": "Husted secures Cleveland as home of new U.S. Navy’s Submarine Component Repair Center", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“Northeast Ohio has the skilled workforce, infrastructure and strategic location to support this critical mission for our U.S. Navy.”\n\nWASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) applauded President Donald Trump’s announcement that Cleveland has been selected as the home of the U.S. Navy’s new Submarine Component Repair Center.\n\nThe announcement follows Husted’s letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao urging the administration to consider Northeast Ohio for the facility.\n\n“Northeast Ohio has the skilled workforce, infrastructure and strategic location to support this critical mission for our U.S. Navy. This facility will strengthen our national security, support military readiness and create jobs in Cleveland. I urged the administration to bring this facility to Northeast Ohio, and I’m proud to see Cleveland selected as its home. I’ll continue fighting for projects that strengthen our nation’s defense and create opportunities for Ohio workers,” said Husted.\n\nOn August 13, 2026, Trump issued a presidential memorandum directing administration officials to identify a suitable location for the center within 90 days.\n\nThe facility is expected to manufacture, repair and maintain submarine components, supporting the U.S. Navy while bringing new economic opportunities to Northeast Ohio.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.justice.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-justice-visits-pilgrims-facility-in-moorefield/", "title": "Senator Justice Visits Pilgrim’s Facility in Moorefield", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.justice.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.justice.senate.gov", "scraper": "justice", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000312", "name": "James C. Justice", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "MOOREFIELD, WV – Today, Senator Jim Justice visited Pilgrim’s Moorefield to discuss the importance of West Virginia’s poultry industry and his efforts to support farmers, strengthen American agriculture, and protect the nation’s food supply through the Farm Bill.\n\n“Agriculture is the backbone of rural America, and we have to do everything we can to support the people who feed our families and keep our communities strong. The poultry industry plays an important role in feeding America, supporting jobs, and keeping our agricultural economy moving. I’ve always believed that when our farmers and producers succeed, our communities succeed. We have a responsibility to support American producers, protect our food supply, and make sure the next generation has the opportunity to carry this industry forward,” said Senator Jim Justice.\n\n“It was a pleasure to welcome Senator Jim Justice to our Moorefield facility and showcase the people who make our operation successful,” said Allen Collins, Complex Manager, Pilgrim’s Moorefield. “We appreciate his continued support of West Virginia farmers and his commitment to strengthening agriculture across our state. We are also grateful for his leadership on the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act, which would help make high-quality protein more accessible to families participating in SNAP. We thank Senator Justice for taking the time to learn more about our business and to visit with our team members and grower partners.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-kelly-writes-washington-times-op-ed-on-keeping-humans-in-command-as-ai-transforms-warfare/", "title": "ICYMI: Kelly Writes Washington Times Op-Ed on Keeping Humans in Command as AI Transforms Warfare", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.kelly.senate.gov", "scraper": "markkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000377", "name": "Mark Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“A pilot still needs to be able to complete the mission when the automation fails. Tomorrow’s warfighters must be able to recognize when an AI system is giving them bad information and know how to continue the mission without it.”\n\nThis week, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly published an op-ed in The Washington Times emphasizing the need to keep human judgment and accountability at the center of the military’s growing use of AI. Drawing on his experience as a Navy combat pilot and astronaut, Kelly highlighted legislation he introduced to ensure servicemembers can recognize when AI systems fail, continue operating without them, and maintain human oversight of critical military decisions.\n\nKelly introduced the Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Actand the Warfighter AI Readiness and Preparedness (WARP) Actin June.\n\nClick here to read the full op-ed. See key excerpts below:\n\nOn recognizing AI as a tool and understanding its limitations\n\nArtificial intelligence is already changing warfare. […] But after 25 years in the Navy as a combat and test pilot and 15 years as an astronaut, I know having the most advanced technology doesn’t guarantee success. Technology is a tool. What matters is whether our people know how to use it, understand its limitations and can still accomplish the mission when it fails.\n\nOn introducing the Warfighter AI Readiness and Preparedness Act\n\nWhile we need to have the most capable systems, we can’t lose sight of these two principles: our service members must be able to fight when technology fails, and human judgment and responsibility must be at the center of decisions about the use of force.\n\nSo first, we need the Department of Defense to assess how reliance on AI affects readiness, identify the skills most impacted by AI and determine how service members keep the judgment they need when those systems are unavailable or compromised. That’s the idea behind my bipartisan Warfighter AI Readiness and Preparedness (WARP) Act, that I introduced with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.\n\nOn introducing the Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act\n\nTomorrow’s warfighters must be able to recognize when an AI system is giving them bad information and know how to continue the mission without it.\n\nBecause while AI can assist human judgment, it cannot replace human responsibility, including for the use of force.\n\nFor that reason, we also need a permanent requirement for human judgment and accountability when autonomous weapons and AI systems are involved in the use of force, which is part of my Ultimate Human Responsibility in Defense Systems Act.\n\nOn the opportunity to maintain America’s military superiority\n\nOur goal should be a military in which AI allows a service member to understand the battlefield faster, make better decisions and accomplish missions that would otherwise be impossible while still possessing the training, experience and judgment to recognize when technology is wrong and take control.\n\nThe countries that figure out that balance will have a major advantage. That edge is ours for the taking.", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-murphy-democratic-senators-say-broadcasters-owe-americans-on-trumps-taxpayer-funded-campaign-ads/", "title": "Luján, Murphy, Democratic Senators Say Broadcasters Owe Americans on Trump’s Taxpayer-Funded Campaign Ads", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "The Senators call for release of all documentation related to the decision to air the self-promoting, federally-funded ads, as well as reimbursement\n\nWashington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) led Senate Democrats in a letter to American broadcasters demanding the release of all documentation on the decision to air Donald Trump’s self-promoting, federally-funded campaign ads.\n\nThe letter asserts, by allowing Trump’s publicly funded campaign ads to air, broadcasters failed to follow the law and have an obligation to reimburse taxpayers. Despite committing to pay for future campaign ads through his super PAC, Trump refused to reimburse the Treasury for the more than 10 million in taxpayer dollars already spent.\n\nThe Senators wrote: “Under the law, President Trump’s ads might plausibly fall into two categories: the ads are either produced by a ‘legally qualified candidate’ and therefore broadcasters are limited in their ability to censor the ads’ content, or President Trump’s ads are ‘public service announcements’ (PSAs) which would require broadcasters generally to follow all associated rules around the publication of PSAs. In either scenario, broadcasters appear to have failed in their duty to adhere to the spirit and letter of the law.”\n\nIn the letter, the Senators made the political nature of Trump’s ads clear, while pointing out the criminal consequences of using federal funds to air them: “These ads are instead a campaign ad designed to bolster the image of an unpopular president and to boost the electoral chances of the slate of Republican congressional candidates. But liability protection for broadcasters does not extend to non-candidates. Furthermore, broadcasters can still refuse to air campaign ads if they violate federal laws. In this case, there are several federal criminal provisions implicated by these ads. They include, but are not limited to, the Anti-Deficiency Act (ADA), the Hatch Act, and several appropriations provisions involving the use of taxpayer funds for propaganda and notably the purpose statute. Lastly, if they were campaign ads, the ads certainly could not be paid for with taxpayer funds, which should have been obvious to any first-year law student.”\n\nDismissing Trump’s ludicrous claim that these ads were ‘public service announcements,’ the Senators continued: “To most reasonable people, an ad that solely features the President covering the President’s alleged successes, choreographed to a musical performance and aired immediately before an election is undoubtedly a campaign ad. It’s ridiculous to assert otherwise. Furthermore, if these ads are considered PSAs, as the President asserts, they raise several legal and liability questions for broadcasters.\n\nThe Senators concluded: “We ask that you voluntarily release all communications with the President, any federal agency, or White House official about the ads to ensure transparency for the American public and clarify which funds you received, from which federal agency, and release the terms of the contract as soon as possible. Additionally, you should recognize these ads are not PSAs, and reimburse the Treasury.”\n\nIn addition to Luján and Murphy, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) also joined the letter.\n\nThe full letter is available here and below:\n\nBroadcasters based in the United States:\n\nWe write today about the unprecedented self-promoting, taxpayer-funded ads starring President Donald Trump that ran across broadcast networks and online earlier this month. These bizarre ads prominently featured President Trump in a cinematic style with a soundtrack that begged Americans to love him. On October 5, 2026, after facing intense public backlash, the President announced that going forward he would pay for the ad using his super PAC.1 Given the unusual nature of these ads, we write to ask that you ensure the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) rules are followed. Specifically, we request that you voluntarily make any records related to these ads publicly available for inspection and reimburse the Treasury for the ads funded with taxpayer dollars.\n\nUnder the law, President Trump’s ads might plausibly fall into two categories: the ads are either produced by a ‘legally qualified candidate’ and therefore broadcasters are limited in their ability to censor the ads’ content, or President Trump’s ads are “public service announcements” (PSAs) which would require broadcasters generally to follow all associated rules around the publication of PSAs. In either scenario, broadcasters appear to have failed in their duty to adhere to the spirit and letter of the law.\n\nRegarding the first category, Trump is not a candidate. These ads are instead a campaign ad designed to bolster the image of an unpopular president and to boost the electoral chances of the slate of Republican congressional candidates. But liability protection for broadcasters does not extend to non-candidates. Furthermore, broadcasters can still refuse to air campaign ads if they violate federal laws. In this case, there are several federal criminal provisions implicated by these ads. They include, but are not limited to, the Anti-Deficiency Act (ADA), the Hatch Act, and several appropriations provisions involving the use of taxpayer funds for propaganda and notably the purpose statute. Lastly, if they were campaign ads, the ads certainly could not be paid for with taxpayer funds, which should have been obvious to any first-year law student.\n\nRegarding the second category, to most reasonable people, an ad that solely features the President covering the President’s alleged successes, choreographed to a musical performance and aired immediately before an election is undoubtedly a campaign ad. It’s ridiculous to assert otherwise. Furthermore, if these ads are considered PSAs, as the President asserts, they raise several legal and liability questions for broadcasters. A Public Service Announcement (PSA) has been defined by the FCC as “one for which no charge is made and which promotes programs, activities, or services of Federal, State or local governments (e.g., recruiting, sales of U.S. Savings Bonds, etc.) or the programs, activities or services of nonprofit organizations (e.g., UGF, Red Cross Blood Donations, etc.) or any other announcements regarded as serving community interests. PSAs are by definition, “announcements that are made for the good of the people.”\n\nIn other words, PSAs are generally required to be ads that inform the public. The ‘love me’ ad does not promote a program or a service of the federal government; it promotes alleged successes of the President and public reporting suggests broadcasters might already have taken millions in federal funds. As such, broadcasters have a duty to ensure that PSAs comply with applicable rules and could have easily refused to air the ads as PSAs.\n\nIn sum, we ask that you voluntarily release all communications with the President, any federal agency, or White House official about the ads to ensure transparency for the American public and clarify which funds you received, from which federal agency, and release the terms of the contract as soon as possible. Additionally, you should recognize these ads are not PSAs and reimburse the Treasury.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=DD96E1C7-0101-44D4-A756-825D45778BD4", "title": "Bipartisan Senators Call on Trump to Rescind Russian Diesel Deal and Implement Sanctions Authorized by Congress Last Month on Enablers of Putin’s War Against Ukraine", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "domain": "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "scraper": "mcconnell", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000355", "name": "Mitch McConnell", "party": "Republican", "state": "KY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Alan Armstrong (R-OK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE) and John Cornyn (R-TX) wrote President Donald Trump urging him to rescind his recent agreement with President Vladimir Putin to allow Russian-origin diesel fuel into global markets.\n\n“Granting Moscow the ability to sell Russian diesel freely in global markets damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves from Putin’s murderous, illegal war. This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded,” the senators wrote.\n\nThe senators urged Trump to instead take swift action to implement sanctions authorized by the recently passed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which President Trump signed into law in September.\n\n“These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict,” the senators wrote.\n\nThe full text of the senators’ letter is available here and copied below.\n\nDear Mr. President,\n\nCongress and the American people support ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has cost hundreds of thousands of lives over the last four and a half years because Russia chose to invade its neighbor. A brokered peace, however, must be on just terms. It must uphold democratic values, the sovereignty and security of Ukraine, and their people’s right to choose their future.\n\nThe deal you struck with President Vladamir Putin on October 9th will not achieve just ends, nor will it benefit Americans. The Treasury Department’s General License No. 135, which lifts sanctions on Russia’s diesel exports, only provides Putin with more fuel to finance his war machine and enables Russia to continue its brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilians. Granting Moscow the ability to sell Russian diesel freely in global markets damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves from Putin’s murderous, illegal war. This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded.\n\nWe also recognize the urgent need to lower energy costs for American families and address the disruptions caused by the war with Iran. However, allowing Russian-origin diesel into global markets will offer limited to no relief to Americans. It will have a negligible impact on fuel prices, but the revenues the Kremlin will receive from this agreement will undoubtedly finance its desired war of attrition and advance its security cooperation with China, Iran, and North Korea. It will also endanger servicemembers operating overseas in support of Operation Epic Fury.\n\nLast month, Congress passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which you swiftly signed into law. Both chambers passed the legislation with resounding, bipartisan votes, clearly demonstrating our intent and granting you the authorities to broker a just and fair peace. These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict. For decades, America has stood as the bastion of freedom against tyranny, and American presidents have embodied our nation’s resistance to tyrants. Putin is a tyrant. Withdraw from this agreement, rescind General License No. 135, and execute the authorities provided under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Maintain our legacy – and the duty America holds – as leader of the free world.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-leads-oregon-lawmakers-to-urge-continued-support-for-oregons-hazelnut-industry/", "title": "Merkley Leads Oregon Lawmakers to Urge Continued Support for Oregon’s Hazelnut Industry", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.merkley.senate.gov", "scraper": "merkley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001176", "name": "Jeff Merkley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Salem, OR – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led members of Oregon’s congressional delegation in a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins that calls on the Department to deliver critical federal support to Oregon’s hazelnut industry under the federal Section 32 purchase program.\n\n“The hazelnut industry is a massive and integral part of our state’s agricultural economy; its size and longevity represent generations of farmers and handlers who have dedicated their lives to producing and distributing a product many communities depend on for their livelihoods,” wrote the lawmakers.\n\nThe lawmakers’ letter calls on USDA to include Oregon hazelnuts, which account for 99 percent of hazelnuts produced in the United States, in this year’s Section 32 purchases, supporting growers, harvesters, processors, and agricultural economies primarily in Oregon’s Willamette Valley during a period of significant market disruption and economic uncertainty in a global market.\n\nThey stressed, “In recent years, disruptions in important export markets caused by these compounding issues have been particularly difficult for certain kernel sizes and grades that are high-quality, marketable food products but have fewer commercial outlets. These imbalances and market losses create uncertainty and pressure for our farmers and producers and threaten the steady distribution needed to prevent compounding product surpluses year-to-year.”\n\nIn addition to Merkley, the letter was signed by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), and Val Hoyle (OR-04).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found by clicking here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/photos-senator-moody-brings-together-law-enforcement-professionals-during-crime-prevention-month-introduces-new-legislation-to-encourage-citizens-to-help-fight-crime/", "title": "PHOTOS: Senator Moody Brings Together Law Enforcement Professionals During Crime Prevention Month, Introduces New Legislation to Encourage Citizens to Help Fight Crime", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.moody.senate.gov", "scraper": "moody", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001244", "name": "Ashley Moody", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "TAMPA, Fla.—Senator Ashley Moody today was joined by dozens of Florida law enforcement professionals in Tampa during National Crime Prevention Month. In Hillsborough County, Senator Moody thanked HCSO deputies and law enforcement officials from across the Tampa Bay region for what they do to keep Floridians safe and spotlighted her ongoing work to support law enforcement—including new legislation to encourage citizens to help in the fight against crime. Nationwide, the FBI recently reported a historic drop in violent crime, and Senator Moody continues to work with the administration and law enforcement to build on that progress and keep communities safe.\n\n“It’s National Crime Prevention Month and I joined dozens of law enforcement professionals today in Tampa to thank them for all they do to protect Floridians. While it’s important that we continue working to support the important work of our law enforcement officers, it is vital that citizens are empowered to help fight crime. I worked to create a statewide tip hotline **TIPS as Attorney General, and as Senator, I’m introducing new legislation to help citizens remain anonymous when collecting reward money for helping officers make an arrest. Together, we will continue building a Stronger, Safer Florida,” said Senator Ashley Moody.\n\nSenator Moody’s new legislation is endorsed by the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, Florida Sheriffs Association, Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association, and National Fraternal Order of Police.\n\n“On behalf of the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, we applaud Senator Ashley Moody for introducing S. 5644 and for recognizing the unique role Crime Stoppers organizations play in supporting law enforcement and protecting the anonymity of those who provide critical information. Crime Stoppers has operated successfully for 50 years because citizens trust that they can provide information anonymously and, when eligible, receive a reward without compromising that anonymity. This legislation addresses an important federal reporting requirement that can create challenges when Crime Stoppers programs make cash reward payments.\n\n“We are grateful to Senator Moody for listening to the concerns of Crime Stoppers programs and taking action to help preserve the integrity of the anonymous reward process. We deeply appreciate her leadership in the United States Senate and her continued commitment to supporting law enforcement, public safety, and the Crime Stoppers mission. S. 5644 will help ensure that Crime Stoppers organizations can continue doing what they do best—providing citizens with a safe and anonymous way to help law enforcement solve crimes and make our communities safer,” said Kelly McLaren, President, Florida Association of Crime Stoppers.\n\n“On behalf of the Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association, representing Crime Stoppers programs across 14 states and two U.S. territories, we commend U.S. Senator Ashley Moody for introducing S. 5644 and for recognizing the importance of protecting the anonymous reward process that is fundamental to the Crime Stoppers mission. For 50 years, Crime Stoppers has provided citizens with a trusted and anonymous way to share critical information with law enforcement. The success of our programs depends upon maintaining that trust, including when eligible tipsters receive cash rewards for information that helps solve crimes and bring wanted individuals to justice.\n\n“S. 5644 addresses a federal reporting requirement that can create challenges for Crime Stoppers organizations when issuing cash reward payments. We appreciate Senator Moody’s leadership in the United States Senate and her willingness to listen to the concerns of Crime Stoppers programs and take action on an issue that impacts programs throughout our region and across the country. The Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association is proud to support legislation that strengthens the ability of Crime Stoppers organizations to protect anonymity, support law enforcement, and continue building safer communities,” said Amy Southards, President, Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nSenator Moody recently introduced a bill to protect the anonymity of Crime Stoppers tipsters when they collect rewards for information that leads to an arrest. The bill would exempt qualifying nonprofit Crime Stoppers cash-reward transactions from certain federal currency transaction reporting requirements, addressing barriers to paying rewards while protecting tipster anonymity.\n\nSenator Moody worked with Florida Crime Stoppers as Attorney General to enact a statewide hotline for citizens to report crime anonymously using **TIPS. Following the success of **TIPS, Moody worked with Crime Stoppers USA to enact the program nationwide. This new legislation builds upon this work by protecting citizens’ anonymity when collecting rewards for helping law enforcement make arrests.\n\nSenator Moody is a long-time supporter of the rule of law and of law enforcement officers. Since becoming Florida’s newest Senator, Moody has:\n\nIntroduced the Halo Act to shield federal officers from those who seek to threaten and harass them on duty.\n\nSupported the Graham Hoffman Act, which would allow the U.S. to use the full force of state and federal law to prosecute those who assault first responders and act as a deterrent to anyone considering such acts of violence.\n\nIntroduced the HELPER Act to make homeownership more obtainable for Florida heroes, including law enforcement officers.\n\nCo-Sponsored the HALT Fentanyl Act, which was signed into law by President Trump. The new law assists law enforcement officers in getting fentanyl traffickers off the streets and permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.\n\nSponsored the RIPPLE Act, which would expand the 287(g) program and provide resources to state law enforcement to more efficiently get criminal illegal aliens out of communities; and\n\nAdvanced six bills to support law enforcement, strengthen public safety and deliver critical tools to officers out of the Judiciary Committee during Police Week earlier this year.\n\nAt today’s event, Senator Moody also highlighted the important work to stop the flow of deadly drugs into Florida communities.\n\nSenator Moody continues to combat the nation’s fentanyl crisis by cosponsoring Tyler’s Law and most recently the PRESS Act.\n\nTyler’s Law would require HHS to issue guidance on whether hospital emergency departments should implement fentanyl testing as a routine procedure for patients experiencing an overdose.\n\nPRESS Act would criminalize the intentional importation of pill press machines and unlisted precursor chemicals with the intent to manufacture illicit drugs.\n\nAs Florida Attorney General, Senator Moody chaired the Statewide Task Force on Opioid Drug Abuse and secured a massive multibillion-dollar settlement from opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies.\n\nAs Florida’s Attorney General, Senator Moody created many programs to recognize the selfless efforts of law enforcement officers, including her Back the Blue, Thin Line Tribute, and Sunshine Salute programs. Moody helped recruit 1,900 new officers to Florida from every state in the nation and worked with state lawmakers to strengthen statutes to hold criminals accountable and help officers and prosecutors do their jobs.\n\nDuring President Trump’s first administration, served as a Commissioner on the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice Law Enforcement Commission.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-colleagues-urge-president-to-reverse-russian-diesel-deal-enforce-sanctions", "title": "Murkowski, Colleagues Urge President to Reverse Russian Diesel Deal, Enforce Sanctions", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=1", "domain": "www.murkowski.senate.gov", "scraper": "murkowski", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001153", "name": "Lisa Murkowski", "party": "Republican", "state": "AK", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Alan Armstrong (R-OK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and John Cornyn (R-TX) in sending a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to reverse his recent agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow Russian-origin diesel fuel into global markets.\n\n“Granting Moscow the ability to sell Russian diesel freely in global markets damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves from Putin’s murderous, illegal war. This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded,” the senators wrote.\n\nThe senators urged Trump to instead take swift action to implement sanctions authorized by the recently passed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which President Trump signed into law in September.\n\n“These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict,” the senators wrote.\n\nThe full text of the senators’ letter is available here and copied below.\n\nDear Mr. President,\n\nCongress and the American people support ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has cost hundreds of thousands of lives over the last four and a half years because Russia chose to invade its neighbor. A brokered peace, however, must be on just terms. It must uphold democratic values, the sovereignty and security of Ukraine, and their people’s right to choose their future.\n\nThe deal you struck with President Vladamir Putin on October 9th will not achieve just ends, nor will it benefit Americans. The Treasury Department’s General License No. 135, which lifts sanctions on Russia’s diesel exports, only provides Putin with more fuel to finance his war machine and enables Russia to continue its brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilians. Granting Moscow the ability to sell Russian diesel freely in global markets damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves from Putin’s murderous, illegal war. This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded.\n\nWe also recognize the urgent need to lower energy costs for American families and address the disruptions caused by the war with Iran. However, allowing Russian-origin diesel into global markets will offer limited to no relief to Americans. It will have a negligible impact on fuel prices, but the revenues the Kremlin will receive from this agreement will undoubtedly finance its desired war of attrition and advance its security cooperation with China, Iran, and North Korea. It will also endanger servicemembers operating overseas in support of Operation Epic Fury.\n\nLast month, Congress passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which you swiftly signed into law. Both chambers passed the legislation with resounding, bipartisan votes, clearly demonstrating our intent and granting you the authorities to broker a just and fair peace. These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict. For decades, America has stood as the bastion of freedom against tyranny, and American presidents have embodied our nation’s resistance to tyrants. Putin is a tyrant. Withdraw from this agreement, rescind General License No. 135, and execute the authorities provided under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Maintain our legacy – and the duty America holds – as leader of the free world.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/icymi-senator-murray-visits-new-community-nature-center-at-the-ridgefield-national-wildlife-refuge-highlights-longstanding-support-for-conservation/", "title": "ICYMI: Senator Murray Visits New Community Nature Center at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Highlights Longstanding Support for Conservation", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "***PHOTOS HERE***\n\nRidgefield, WA – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, toured the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge’s new Community Nature Center, which officially opened in May. The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge has over 5,000 acres of wetlands, grasslands, and forests along the Columbia River floodplain and is especially well known for migratory birds and waterfowl, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and deer. The Community Nature Center is a new public space designed to be an environmental education hub and a welcoming community gathering space. The Center took several years of planning and construction and includes classroom and meeting spaces, visitor information and orientation areas, outdoor education and explorations areas, and improved trail access. It will eventually feature interactive interpretive exhibits and expanded nature exploration areas.\n\n“As the city of Ridgefield continues to grow, the new Community Nature Center will be a valuable way to preserve the community’s connection to nature,” said Senator Murray. “This project is the product of decades of work by local, state, and Tribal partners to make sure we are not just preserving the natural beauty of our state, but that we’re making it more accessible to everyone. I’m proud to have worked to protect federal funding to help make this Center a reality.”\n\nThe project was led by the nonprofit Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), with the goal of creating a “gateway to nature” for families, school groups, and people who may not already feel connected to outdoor spaces. The Refuge has been preparing for the Community Nature Center for over a decade, and it was part of a larger initiative to allow for a continuous 5-mile experience through the City of Ridgefield, the Refuge, and the Port of Ridgefield. In February 2021, Senator Murray sent a letter, along with Senator Cantwell and former Representative Herrera Beutler, to USFWS, pressing the agency to maintain funding in the FY22 budget for the Center after it was initially removed from the agency’s five-year plan.\n\nIn FY26, Senator Murray secured $56.7 million for Partners for Fish and Wildlife, including $1.28 million for Washington State Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups, which carry out important ecosystem restoration projects to support salmon recovery efforts. Senator Murray also secured $5.4 million for the Lower Snake River and Columbia River Basin through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to assist states and tribes with critical capital and maintenance projects to improve salmon and steelhead facilities along the basin.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-kaptur-as-families-pay-more-more-for-energy-reports-show-trump-energy-department-withholding-billions-and-playing-politics/", "title": "Murray, Kaptur: As Families Pay More & More for Energy, Reports Show Trump Energy Department Withholding Billions and Playing Politics", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, released the following statement on the Trump administration holding back or cutting off billions of dollars Congress provided the Department of Energy to bring new energy online and lower Americans’ energy costs. Four recent reports detail how, over the last 18 months, President Trump’s policies have raised energy costs for families and delayed and defunded critical energy investments.\n\n“President Trump hasn’t just sent gas prices through the roof with his war with Iran; he and his administration have systematically held up and cut off energy investments Congress has made that should be lowering families’ energy bills. Congress gave the Department of Energy tens of billions of dollars to build out the power grid and cut the costs that families pay to heat and cool their homes. But the Trump Administration is still holding that money back and letting politics decide which projects survive. This president’s corruption is already sending Americans’ energy bills higher. The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse. We will keep pressing until this money reaches the projects and families it was meant for,” said Murray and Kaptur.\n\nCongress provided funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations bills for a variety of cost-cutting energy investments. The funding supports power lines, grid upgrades, home energy savings, and bringing more power online. But starting in January 2025, the Trump Administration froze funds for energy programs and kept them frozen after Kaptur and Murray demanded answers. The Department announced the cancellation of 24 awards worth $3.7 billion in May 2025 and another 321 worth nearly $8 billion on October 1, 2025. In July 2026, the Department’s lawyers admitted in court that the October cancellations were based solely on the politics of each recipient’s state.\n\nFour reports released recently show the Department of Energy is failing to spend money Congress provided—driving up Americans’ costs—and it is letting politics drive its decisions:\n\nRecent analysis from Energy Innovation, which includes state-level impacts, found that the Trump administration’s energy policy changes since January 2025, including the Department’s cancellation of hydrogen hub funding, will cost households an additional $920 billion for energy from 2026 through 2040, or about $6,500 more in energy costs per household.\n\nThe Department of Energy Alumni Network and Lawyers for Good Government reported that a year after the Department canceled hundreds of awards, 61 percent of terminated awards remain in limbo, 69 percent of the awards the Department said it would keep have received negligible funding in the past six months, and another 1,731 projects worth $3.9 billion have heard nothing from the Department.\n\nThe Natural Resources Defense Council published internal Department records, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit, indicating that DOE’s committee reviewing awards for termination was made up entirely of political appointees and Department of Government Efficiency staff. This follows DOE’s earlier admission in court that its decision to cancel energy projects “was based solely on the political identity of the grant recipient’s state.”\n\nThe EFI Foundation found that 94 percent of the $57.5 billion Congress provided DOE through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has still not reached recipients, and $29.3 billion, or 51 percent, has not been legally committed to any project.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-guilfoyle-case-shows-anti-corruption-reform-and-real-oversight-is-overdue", "title": "Reed: Guilfoyle Case Shows Anti-Corruption Reform & Real Oversight is Overdue", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases", "domain": "www.reed.senate.gov", "scraper": "jackreed", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000122", "name": "Jack Reed", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "PROVIDENCE, RI – As the former girlfriend of President Trump’s eldest son, Kimberly Guilfoyle had a front row seat to the Trump Administration for several years while she dated Don. Jr. from 2018 to 2024. President Trump then tapped her to be his ambassador to Greece in 2025. Guilfoyle resigned in disgrace this week following a series of allegations of misconduct, including claims that she offered a political donor access to senior administration officials in exchange for money.\n\nToday, U.S. Senator Jack Reed issued the following statement:\n\n“Corruption within the Trump regime is rotten, rampant, and continues to cost taxpayers.\n\n“The Guilfoyle case exposes how Trump officials continue ignoring the basic needs of the American people to focus on their own, personal financial enrichment.\n\n“It seems likely that Guilfoyle was emboldened by and followed the same pattern of grift she witnessed others in Trump’s inner circle misusing to cash in.\n\n“Despite these accusations coming from a Trump booster, President Trump is giving her the same type of soft landing that Kristi Noem was granted for similar wrongdoing. Instead of condemning misconduct and demanding a full investigation, the president said it was “too bad” and the White House press secretary praised Guilfoyle as “a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”\n\n“Ms. Guilfoyle’s alleged misconduct is egregious and similar to her ex-fiancée, President Trump’s son, who let a Russian oligarch fund his lavish tropical wedding celebration.\n\n“Democrats know there is an incredible need to pass bipartisan anti-corruption reform to prevent President Trump’s inner circle from enriching themselves by subverting the federal government, selling out taxpayers, and obstructing the fair and impartial administration of justice. We’ll see if Republicans share that view.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/13/rosen-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-establish-federal-strategy-on-critical-minerals/", "title": "Rosen, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Establish Federal Strategy on Critical Minerals", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), John Hickenlooper (D-NV), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced a bipartisan bill to establish a federal strategy on critical minerals. The National Critical Minerals Council Act would establish a National Critical Minerals Council to develop and implement a national strategy on critical minerals and build reliable supply chains at home and abroad. Critical minerals play a key role in powering the majority of modern technological innovations, including vehicles, smartphones, and defense systems. However, China dominates the global market, with the U.S. being 100% reliant on imports for 16 key critical minerals.\n\n“As the world races to acquire and leverage the critical minerals that power the modern economy, the United States needs an efficient and effective plan to secure these important resources,” said Senator Rosen. “I am proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill to ensure the United States has the infrastructure it needs to secure critical minerals and remain at the forefront of modern development.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/as-verizon-proposes-transition-away-from-copper-landlines-schumer-demands-transparency-no-cost-hikes-and-reliable-service-for-rural-new-yorkers", "title": "AS VERIZON PROPOSES TRANSITION AWAY FROM COPPER LANDLINES, SCHUMER DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY, NO COST HIKES, AND RELIABLE SERVICE FOR RURAL NEW YORKERS", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.schumer.senate.gov", "scraper": "schumer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000148", "name": "Charles E. Schumer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Schumer Seeks Assurances From Verizon That New Yorkers—Including Seniors, Residents On Fixed Incomes, and Small Businesses—Won’t Face Higher Costs And Be Forced To Pay More For Essential Phone Service\n\nSchumer Says Alternative Equipment Must Provide Reliable Emergency Service & 911 Access During Power Outages, Especially For Residents In Rural Communities With Limited Connectivity\n\nSchumer To Verizon: Landlines Are Lifelines\n\nAs Verizon transitions away from copper-wire landlines, generating widespread confusion and concern for many New Yorkers, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer today called on Verizon to ensure that all New Yorkers have uninterrupted, reliable service, are protected from higher costs, and will be provided transparency from the company about what any new, alternative technologies might mean for them, including their ability to contact emergency services and stay connected during power outages.\n\nVerizon is currently seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to discontinue legacy plain old telephone service (POTS) delivered over copper. Customers in New York who utilize copper-wire landlines, many of whom are seniors as well as residents of rural communities, are worried about what this means for the reliability and accessibility of service. Schumer demanded answers from Verizon and said the company must engage with residents to ensure there are no safety, reliability, and connectivity challenges.\n\n“As Verizon moves to transition away from copper landlines, Upstate New Yorkers are concerned about losing a vital connection. They deserve clear answers about what this means for their ability to stay connected and make ends meet. That’s why I’m turning up the volume on Verizon, demanding transparency, affordability, and a commitment to working with communities to make sure this critical service is not interrupted for customers now connected via copper landlines,” said Senator Schumer. “Verizon must guarantee that this transition will not mean higher costs—especially for seniors, residents on fixed incomes, or small businesses—and that any alternative options will provide reliable service to contact emergency services, including during power outages. This is crucial in rural Upstate communities where there are limited connectivity options.”\n\nVerizon is currently transitioning away from copper-wire landlines, which can be expensive and time-consuming to repair, according to the company, towards other alternatives like fiber, fixed wireless, cellular wireless, and satellite. Currently, the company is sending notices to customers in New York and across the country who still use copper landlines. As New Yorkers receive these letters, many residents are worried they will lose service, not have a reliable connection during a time of need, or be forced to pay more if the FCC approves this change. Schumer underscored that for seniors, landlines are lifelines, and that modernizing Verizon’s network should not come at the cost of small businesses and those on fixed incomes.\n\nIn addition, across Upstate New York, residents in rural communities continue to rely on traditional copper landlines as a critical lifeline during natural disasters and other emergencies. Traditional POTS can remain operational during power outages because the line is powered from the telephone network, rather than solely from electricity in a home. Traditional copper service provides a well-established fixed connection to a specific service address, while replacement technologies can introduce additional questions about wireless coverage, power backup, indoor signal strength, network congestion, and the performance of connected devices during emergencies. For many rural households, cell service is unreliable, and newer, modern infrastructure alternatives like fiber may not yet reach their homes or communities. These reliable landlines are vital for seniors and rural residents to ensure they can contact emergency services when they need them most, especially in areas with weak or nonexistent cellular coverage or access to broadband.\n\nSchumer also described how, according to local fire inspectors, there are many small businesses and restaurants that still use copper landlines for their fire alarm dialups. This change could cost these small businesses thousands of dollars to transition to new alternatives, such as cell or internet dialups, depending on the size of the system they need. Some small businesses have or are actively transitioning, but those that have not could potentially face compliance violations and increased costs associated with the change.\n\nSchumer explained that Verizon has filed two separate applications seeking authority to discontinue legacy copper-based POTS service. The first covers portions of nine states. A second application filed on September 9 covers portions of nine additional states, including New York, as well as the District of Columbia. Schumer is also urging the FCC to extend the review timeline of the second application, which applies to New York, to ensure that the proposal can be fully assessed and that customers can be directly informed by Verizon as to what any potential changes at their home or business might mean for them.\n\nThe Communications Workers of America (CWA) has opposed the FCC’s Network Modernization Order under Chairman Brendan Carr, in which the Commission removed essential protections under Section 214, eliminated traditional network change filings, greenlit replacement alternatives such as basic 5/1 Mbps mobile wireless or third-party voice, and preempted state and local regulations that impede service discontinuance. CWA, consumer advocates, and local officials are concerned that dismantling oversight without enforceable protections applicable to major carriers threatens service reliability, 911 emergency access, backup power during outages, and telecommunications jobs.\n\nSchumer’s letter to Verizon can be found HERE or below:\n\nDear Mr. Schulman,\n\nI write today amid reports that Verizon is seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission to phase out traditional copper-based landline service. Many residents across New York have already begun receiving notices about the transition from copper to other alternatives and are concerned about what these changes will mean for them.\n\nAcross Upstate New York, many areas and rural communities have weak or nonexistent cellular coverage or access to broadband. Copper landlines have been essential for rural and senior citizens to stay connected and access help, keep small businesses up and running, and help New Yorkers stay connected in cellular dead zones as well as during power outages.\n\nAs Verizon begins to transition away from copper landlines for modern alternatives like fiber or wireless, I implore you to ensure no household sees their service interrupted or costs increased. Furthermore, I request a written response to the following questions that have been raised by constituents and community leaders:\n\nWill Verizon physically test service at the customer's premises—or is it relying solely on FCC coverage maps, carrier coverage maps, or database information?\n\nWhat does Verizon consider to be an “equivalent replacement” for a plain old telephone service copper landline?\n\nHow will the viability of new technologies—such as fiber, wireless, and satellite—be assessed for each address in New York?\n\nWhat is the specific process that Verizon follows when determining if an equivalent replacement is an adequate alternative?\n\nWill the replacement remain available during severe weather, extended power outages, cellular network congestion, many calling 911 simultaneously?\n\nWill Verizon certify that each proposed replacement technology is compatible with fire alarm communicators, medical alert systems, elevator emergency phones, security systems, fax machines, and other equipment currently connected to copper POTS?\n\nHow and when will customers be informed of Verizon’s determination regarding whether their residence is equipped to receive an equivalent replacement service?\n\nHow can customers challenge Verizon’s determination that an equivalent replacement is an adequate alternative?\n\nWill Verizon commit to not disconnecting copper connections while a customer is actively disputing the adequacy of the replacement?\n\nIf replacement equipment fails, and telephone service becomes unable, what is Verizon’s restoration time?\n\nHow long will Verizon’s replacement service—including battery backup—remain operational during a power outage?\n\nWhat will the total cost to the customer be when the copper landline service is replaced—including all charges, equipment, taxes, installation, activation, battery back-ups, wiring, early termination, bunded-service requirements, and fees?\n\nWill Verizon guarantee that customers will not pay more for the replacement service than they currently pay for their plain old telephone landline?\n\nWill the price be guaranteed for a specific period of time, or can Verizon increase the rate after the customer is forced to transition?\n\nWill customers have an opportunity to demonstrate that the replacement is inadequate based on actual service conditions at their address?\n\nWill Verizon commit to conducting additional outreach to rural communities, seniors, customers with disabilities, and small businesses that may have greater difficulty transitioning from copper-based service?\n\nWhile I am encouraged to see Verizon promise continued service to those without FCC-approved alternative equipment, I urge you to transparently engage with customers and work diligently to ensure that customers have all the information they need regarding this proposal. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-scott-padilla-introduce-bill-to-bridge-gap-in-veteran-services/", "title": "Sens. Scott, Padilla introduce bill to bridge gap in veteran services", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.scott.senate.gov", "scraper": "timscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001184", "name": "Tim Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) introduced the Building Readiness and Integration for Dependents Going to Civilian Environments (BRIDGE) Act of 2026, legislation to support military and veteran families during the transition from military to civilian life. This bill would establish a pilot program focused on practical tools, peer support, and community engagement to improve emotional, social, and financial outcomes for transitioning families.\n\nThousands of service members leave the Armed Forces and face significant challenges navigating employment, healthcare, education, benefits, and community reintegration. While the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program provides important pre-separation services, many military families still struggle to access personalized and coordinated support during this major life transition.\n\nThis bill would establish a Department of Defense (DoD) pilot program to provide support through community connections and additional resources to assist service members and their families. This legislation also addresses the gap by providing whole-family support, building community connections, reducing isolation, and equipping families with the tools to thrive during and after the transition.\n\n“South Carolina is blessed to be home to thousands of our nation’s heroes,” said Sen. Scott. “The men and women of the Armed Forces – and their families who have sacrificed alongside them – have earned the best possible support as they transition to civilian life. The BRIDGE Act empowers local communities to provide military families with tailored assistance, because the best solutions are often built closest to home.”\n\n“For too long, the servicemembers and their families have had to navigate the transition from military to civilian life without the resources needed to thrive,” said Sen. Padilla. “We must do more to ensure that military families have the support they need after they leave active duty. Our bipartisan BRIDGE Act would create a pilot program to help us prioritize programs that focus on bridging the gap in services for veterans and military families.”\n\nThe bill is endorsed by Blue Star Families, Wounded Warrior Project, American Legion, National Military Family Association (NMFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).\n\n“Our 2025 Military Family Lifestyle Survey found that 58% of respondents described their transition from military to civilian life as ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult,’” said Blue Star Families CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet. “The BRIDGE Act recognizes that successful transition requires personalized, whole-family support that helps families build long-term stability, resilience, and connection as they move into civilian life. We are grateful to Sens. Padilla (D-CA) and Scott (R-S.C.) for championing this legislation and for their continued leadership in support of military and veteran families.”\n\n“The BRIDGE Act recognizes that transitioning from military service is a major life change for both Service members and their families,” said Jose Ramos, vice president for government and community relations, Wounded Warrior Project. “By expanding access to personalized, community-based transition support, this pilot program helps address critical gaps in employment, wellness, and family readiness as military families move into civilian life. Wounded Warrior Project appreciates Alex Padilla’s leadership and urges Congress to advance the BRIDGE Act and help strengthen the Transition Assistance Program for future generations of Service members and their families.”\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would strengthen transition support by:\n\nEstablishing a three-year DoD pilot program at four military installations to provide community-based, whole-family transition support for service members and families transitioning to civilian life.\n\nProviding personalized services for service members within one year of separation and their families, including peer support, spouse employment assistance, skills training, benefits navigation, and dedicated transition coordinators to build individualized transition plans.\n\nRequire DoD and Veterans Affairs (VA) coordination, prioritizing service members facing involuntary or accelerated separations, and requiring tracking of employment, financial stability, and family wellbeing outcomes with a final report to Congress.\n\nRead the full text of the legislation here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-hosts-common-grounds-listening-session-in-rutland-county/", "title": "Welch Hosts Common Grounds Listening Session in Rutland County", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "RUTLAND, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today hosted a ‘Common Grounds with Senator Welch’ listening session at Hub CoWorks in Rutland. Vermonters joined Senator Welch for a discussion about how Washington can work better for the Green Mountain State.\n\n“The future of our democracy is a jump ball right now—we have a president who speaks and acts unilaterally without any concern about how his policies will hurt working families. This administration has decimated access to health care, driven up costs of everyday essentials and gas, and made it tougher for hardworking Americans to make ends meet. We need to focus and solve practical affordability issues that will make a real difference in the lives of working people,” said Senator Welch. “I won’t lose sight of that goal in Washington and will continue working hard to deliver actual results for Vermonters.”\n\nView photos from the event below:\n\nSenator Welch has hosted Common Grounds events in Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Windham, and Windsor counties, and will host listening sessions in every county of Vermont in 2026. Sign up for the Senator’s newsletter here to learn more about his upcoming events in Vermont.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-14T09:58:02Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-14T09:59:02Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-tours-head-start-center-in-rutland-speaks-with-educators-about-importance-of-protecting-head-start-from-trump-admin-cuts/", "title": "Welch Tours Head Start Center in Rutland, Speaks with Educators About Importance of Protecting Head Start from Trump Admin Cuts", "date": "2026-10-13", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "RUTLAND, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this week toured a Head Start Center in Rutland to hear from teachers and program employees about the impact the Trump Administration’s proposed cuts to Head Start would have on Vermont families that rely on the program for education, childcare, resources, and work.\n\n“The Trump Administration has set its sights on eliminating the Head Start program since day one. But what this administration doesn’t seem to understand is that getting rid of services offered through Head Start does not eliminate the need of families in Vermont and across the country. Instead, it shifts the burden to families, state programs, and other wraparound services,” said Senator Welch. “I’ll keep fighting in Washington to protect Head Start and ensure it can continue serving families exactly how Congress intended.”\n\nView photos from the event below:\n\nLast year, Senator Welch joined 21 Senate colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump Administration regarding delays in disbursing Head Start funds, which the Government Accountability Office found violated the Impoundment Control Act. The Senators also called for immediate clarification on authorization of the delays, legal rationale, and measures to prevent recurrence, as well as assurances that Head Start programs can continue providing inclusive services for children with disabilities.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://adriansmith.house.gov/media/press-releases/smith-announces-upcoming-mobile-office-hour-deuel-county", "title": "Smith Announces Upcoming Mobile Office Hour for Deuel County", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://adriansmith.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "adriansmith.house.gov", "scraper": "adriansmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001172", "name": "Adrian Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) announced today that his staff will hold a mobile office hour for constituents in Deuel County on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. These office hours are an opportunity for constituents to meet directly with a member of Smith's staff about federal issues, receive assistance with a federal agency, or take advantage of the services available through his office.\n\nSmith, who has offices in Grand Island, Scottsbluff, and Nebraska City, will provide a staff member at the following times and locations:\n\nTuesday, October 20, 2026\n\nDeuel County Courthouse\n\n718 3rd Street\n\nChappell, NE 69129\n\n11:00 am - 12:00 pm MT\n\nFor more information, please contact Smith’s Grand Island office at (308) 384-3900, his Scottsbluff office at (308) 633-6333, or his Nebraska City office at (402) 874-6050.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-below-article-jerusalem-post-titled-netanyahu-october-7-nobody-told-bush", "title": "ICYMI: The below article from The Jerusalem Post, titled “Netanyahu on October 7: Nobody told Bush to 'go home' after September 11 attacks.\"", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "algreen.house.gov", "scraper": "algreen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000553", "name": "Al Green", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The below article from The Jerusalem Post, titled “Netanyahu on October 7: Nobody told Bush to 'go home' after September 11 attacks,” reveals Prime Minister Netanyahu’s position on a two-state solution in his own words. As usual, the article speaks for itself.\n\nYou can access the article by clicking the link here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://amo.house.gov/press-release/amo-visits-solid-state-power-to-highlight-ocean-state-manufacturing-on-blue-economy-tour", "title": "Amo Visits Solid State Power to Highlight Ocean State Manufacturing on Blue Economy Tour", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://amo.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "amo.house.gov", "scraper": "amo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000380", "name": "Gabe Amo", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Pawtucket, RI – TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) continued his Blue Economy tour with a stop at Solid State Power’s manufacturing facility in Pawtucket to highlight the importance of new battery technology to maritime innovation.\n\n“Rhode Island manufacturers, like Solid State Power, are developing cutting-edge battery technology, creating good-paying jobs, and propelling our state’s Blue Economy into the future,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). “It was an honor to meet with Solid State’s team and tour their newly expanded facility in Pawtucket. Whether making our marinas cleaner or powering submersibles exploring the deepest wells of our oceans, their team of engineers and technicians are making discovery possible and maritime battery power a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. I will keep supporting their innovative work in Congress and fighting for federal policies so Rhode Islanders can keep building the technology fueling our Blue Economy.”\n\n“Advanced energy systems are quickly becoming critical infrastructure for our Navy, our commercial fleets, and the autonomous platforms reshaping maritime operations. Rhode Island has the engineering talent and ocean heritage to lead in this space, and Solid State Power is proud to be building that capability in Pawtucket,” said Tom Calef, President and CEO of Solid State Power. “We appreciate Congressman Amo's leadership in making sure companies like ours have the support to grow and hire here at home.”\n\nBackground\n\nCongressman Amo kicked off his 2026 Blue Economy Tour with a visit to REGENT Craft, where he helped cut the ribbon on their new electric Seaglider factory. Next, Amo visited Roger Williams University’s shellfish farm and research facilities. Then, Congressman Amo toured Hinckley Yachts’ expanded Portsmouth facility, highlighting the research, skilled workers, and businesses driving Rhode Island’s maritime economy.\n\nRhode Island’s Blue Economy directly employs 36,000 Rhode Islanders and contributes over $5 billion to the state’s gross domestic product every year.\n\nIn 2024, Congressman Amo toured Rhode Island’s First Congressional District to highlight the Ocean State’s leadership in the Blue Economy across labor, education, business, and defense.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases/ansari-stanton-grijalva-press-gardaworld-over-unanswered-questions-after-company-secures-new-12-billion-ice-contract", "title": "Ansari, Stanton, Grijalva Press GardaWorld Over Unanswered Questions After Company Secures New $1.2 Billion ICE Contract", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ansari.house.gov", "scraper": "ansari", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000381", "name": "Yassamin Ansari", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. RepresentativesYassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), and Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07) demand answers from GardaWorld Federal Services (GWFS) following its latest $1.2 billion contract to expand immigration detention facilities in Florence, Arizona. The lawmakers also pressed the company to answer questions it failed to address in a previous inquiry related to the Surprise warehouse facility.\n\nThe new contract, awarded September 21, raises fresh concerns about transparency and coordination with local governments. According to reporting, the Town of Florence was not notified of the planned expansion and had no additional information about the contract.\n\n\"It is deeply concerning that, despite the significant scale of these projects and their potential impact on surrounding communities, local governments continue to learn about them only after contracts have been awarded,\" the lawmakers wrote.\n\nThe letter also presses GWFS on questions left unanswered from the lawmakers’ March 2026 inquiry into its contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to convert a warehouse in Surprise into an immigration detention facility. In its April response, GWFS deferred many questions to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and failed to address basic questions about its own detention experience, staffing, facility assessments, and subcontracting plans. The lawmakers are demanding full answers.\n\nThe lawmakers also raised concerns about GWFS' previously undisclosed role in the environmental review of the Surprise warehouse. The City of Surprise revealed that a company representative had requested information for the assessment, despite neither GWFS nor federal agencies publicly disclosing its involvement.\n\nThe lawmakers are requesting written responses within 15 business days of receipt of the letter, including answers about:\n\nExperience and staffing: GWFS' qualifications to manage both projects, personnel overseeing operations, and plans to subcontract construction, medical care, staffing, or facility management.\n\nFacility safety: Structural and code-compliance assessments of the Surprise warehouse, including plans for ventilation, extreme heat mitigation, fire safety, and medical care.\n\nEnvironmental review: GWFS' role in the Surprise environmental assessment and its experience conducting comparable federal reviews.\n\nFlorence expansion: Specific projects, facilities, and task orders planned under the $1.2 billion contract, including their scope and cost.\n\nLocal coordination: Consultations with Surprise, Florence, Maricopa and Pinal counties, school districts, and public safety agencies.\n\nTaxpayer costs: Whether GWFS or DHS will cover increased demands for emergency medical services, fire protection, and law enforcement rather than shifting those costs to local taxpayers.\n\n\"The communities surrounding the Surprise and Florence facilities deserve transparency,\" the lawmakers concluded.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ansari-celebrates-her-bipartisan-billion-dollar-boondoggle-act-becoming-law", "title": "Rep. Ansari Celebrates Her Bipartisan Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act Becoming Law", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ansari.house.gov", "scraper": "ansari", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000381", "name": "Yassamin Ansari", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "The legislation marks Ansari’s first bill passed into law\n\nWASHINGTON – Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) celebrated the recent signing into law of her bipartisan Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act, legislation to increase transparency and accountability for taxpayer-funded federal projects that are significantly over budget or behind schedule. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law following its passage in both chambers of Congress.\n\n“The American people deserve transparency and accountability for how their tax dollars are spent, especially as families struggle with the rising costs of everyday essentials,” said Rep. Ansari. “While the level of corruption across the federal government right now is stunning and unprecedented, this is a truly longstanding, bipartisan issue. Taxpayers deserve this transparency. And now they’ll have a great deal more.”\n\nText of Rep. Ansari’s Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act HERE.\n\nThe Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to compile and submit an annual report to Congress identifying qualifying taxpayer-funded projects and detailing changes to their scope, estimated costs, and projected completion dates. The reporting requirement will give the public greater insight into federal projects experiencing significant delays or cost overruns.\n\nThe House of Representatives originally passed the legislation in July 2026. The Senate approved the bill in September, sending it to the President for his signature and final enactment into law.\n\nFollow @RepYassAnsari on all social media platforms and visit Ansari.House.govto learn more.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=826", "title": "Balint, McGovern Meet with Vermont and Massachusetts   Businesses on U.S.-Canada Trade Tensions", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "balint.house.gov", "scraper": "balint", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001318", "name": "Becca Balint", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "BRATTLEBORO, VT — Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Jim McGovern (MA-02) met with Vermont and Massachusetts business owners to discuss the economic consequences of Trump’s ongoing trade tensions with Canada. The roundtable, held in Brattleboro, included Canadian Consul General Bernadette Jordan and the Director of Economic Affairs from the Quebec Government Office in Boston, and gave business owners an opportunity to share how tariffs and unpredictable trade policy are negatively affecting their costs, customers, employees, and ability to plan for the future.\n\nThe meeting also underscored the importance of maintaining strong relationships between communities on both sides of the border. Business owners and regional stakeholders emphasized that cross-border commerce supports jobs, sustains rural industries, and connects families and communities throughout Vermont, Massachusetts, and the New England region.\n\n“Vermont and Canada have been neighbors, partners, and friends for generations,” said Congresswoman Becca Balint. “As a part of this conversation, we heard directly from business owners who are paying the price for this administration’s reckless trade war. They are facing higher costs, losing customers, and putting plans for growth on hold because they can’t count on the rules staying the same. That uncertainty hurts workers, families, farmers, and small businesses across Vermont and broader New England. I’m grateful to Rep. McGovern for joining us in standing up for our regional economy. We need a stable, predictable trade relationship with Canada, and I’ll keep working with him and our partners across the region to push for a trade policy that reflects our shared economic interests and gives our businesses the stability they need to succeed.”\n\n“Trump’s trade war with Canada is destroying American businesses and livelihoods,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “It was heartbreaking to hear from small business owners in Massachusetts and Vermont about how these tariffs are devastating their businesses. Let’s be clear: Canada isn’t paying Trump’s tariff tax. American workers, families, and small businesses are. Trump’s tariffs are wrecking our economy, killing jobs, driving businesses to the brink, and damaging our relationship with one of our closest trading partners. Congresswoman Balint and I will keep fighting to overturn these illegal tariffs, protect our small businesses, and put working people first.”\n\nNew England’s regional economy is deeply connected to Canada through agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, tourism, and cross-border supply chains. Businesses participating in the discussion described additional costs ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, lost Canadian customers, delayed investments, and difficult decisions about staffing and production.\n\nFor many businesses, the uncertainty surrounding trade policy is compounding the financial strain. Companies are being forced to reconsider suppliers, absorb additional expenses, raise prices, delay investments and equipment upgrades, and devote significant staff time to navigating changing rules and pursuing tariff relief.\n\nRepresentatives Balint and McGovern are committed to bringing the concerns raised during the discussion back to Washington and continuing to work toward a more stable U.S.-Canada trade relationship that supports New England’s workers and businesses.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-boebert-welcomes-epa-administrator-zeldins-announcement-help-colorado", "title": "REP. BOEBERT WELCOMES EPA ADMINISTRATOR ZELDIN’S ANNOUNCEMENT TO HELP COLORADO FARMERS", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "boebert.house.gov", "scraper": "boebert", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000825", "name": "Lauren Boebert", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Eaton, CO – Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (R-CO-4) welcomed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s announcement proposing a 100% reallocation of additional 2025 Small Refinery Exemption volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard.\n\n“Colorado’s 4th District farmers and ranchers need reliable markets for the crops they grow. By fully reallocating these exemption volumes, Administrator Lee Zeldin and the EPA is protecting demand for Colorado corn, supporting our rural communities, and strengthening American energy,” said Rep. Boebert.\n\nColorado Corn Growers Association:\n\n“We are so thankful for the Administration, the EPA, and Congresswoman Boebert’s efforts to help farmers across Eastern Colorado. We love the way Congresswoman Boebert listens, and works for us in DC,” said Jeff Self, Colorado Corn Growers President.\n\nColorado Corn Promotion Council:\n\n“With farmers facing near record input prices and drivers dealing with historic fuel prices, the reallocation of biofuels volumes is a win for corn farmers and drivers alike,” said Jessica Brophy, President of the Colorado Corn Promotion Council. “Biofuels are a critical piece of our energy portfolio and Colorado corn farmers are proud to contribute to our nation’s energy security.”\n\nThe announcement follows higher-than-projected 2025 small refinery exemption decisions and builds on the Trump Administration’s commitment to a strong Renewable Fuel Standard that opens additional markets for American agriculture, including higher ethanol blends. This action protects and expands market demand for American crops.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/support-grows-for-stop-the-settlements-act-bill-to-impose-sanctions-on-drivers-of-settlement-expansion", "title": "Support Grows For Stop The Settlements Act, Bill To Impose Sanctions On Drivers Of Settlement Expansion", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "castro.house.gov", "scraper": "castro", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001091", "name": "Joaquin Castro", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC — Support continues to grow for Reps. Joaquin Castro’s (TX-20), Stop the Settlements Act. Castro introduced the legislation with Reps. Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Don Beyer (VA-08), Greg Casar (TX-35), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Veronica Escobar (TX-16). The bill now has 53 co-sponsors since its introduction on October 1, with the addition of Hank Johnson (GA-04), Everton Blair (GA-13), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Bill Foster (IL-11), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), and Valerie P. Foushee (NC-04).\n\n“The Stop the Settlements Act would sanction anyone looking to take Palestinian land in the West Bank or Gaza,” said Congressman Castro. “And support keeps growing. Since I introduced the bill alongside Reps. Dean, Beyer, Casar, Jacobs, and Escobar, over 50 members have now co-sponsored. Settlement expansion pushes Palestinians off their land and makes peace harder to achieve. It’s time to use tools like sanctions to stop it.”\n\nThe Stop the Settlements Act would halt the construction of new settlements and the expansion of existing Israeli settlements and outposts in the West Bank and Gaza through sanctions and a prohibition on importing goods made in these settlements and outposts. Ending settlement construction and expansion would protect Palestinians from the dispossession of their land and help create a pathway to peace, where both Israelis and Palestinians are able to fully exercise their right to self-determination. To learn more about the bill, click here.\n\nCo-sponsors of the bill include: Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Don Beyer (VA-08), Greg Casar (TX-35), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Derek Tran (CA-45), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Sean Casten (IL-06), Emily Randall (WA-06), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Mark Takano (CA-39), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), André Carson (IN-07), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Everton Blair (GA-13), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Bill Foster (IL-11), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), and Valerie P. Foushee (NC-04).\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases/correa-introduces-bill-to-prevent-and-treat-silicosis-protect-workers-in-orange-county", "title": "CORREA INTRODUCES BILL TO PREVENT AND TREAT SILICOSIS, PROTECT WORKERS IN ORANGE COUNTY", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "correa.house.gov", "scraper": "correa", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001110", "name": "J. Luis Correa", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act would fund education, screening, and care for workers exposed to silica\n\nANAHEIM, Calif. – Representatives Lou Correa (CA-46) and Maxine Dexter (OR-3) introduced the Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act, which would create a federal grant program to help healthcare facilities educate the public about silicosis and provide prevention and treatment measures for those affected.\n\nSilicosis is entirely preventable by stopping silica dust from entering the lungs. Because there is no cure or way to reverse the lung damage it causes, prevention is vital.\n\n\"No worker should lose their ability to breathe because of the job they do to support their family,\" said Congressman Lou Correa. \"In Anaheim's Tile Mile, workers who cut manufactured stone countertops are being diagnosed with silicosis at alarming rates. Silicosis is preventable, and early detection can save lives. This bill puts resources into the hands of the clinics and hospitals that treat these workers, so they get the care they need before it's too late.\"\n\n\"A paycheck should never come at the cost of your ability to breathe,” said Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. “As a pulmonologist, I know the devastating impacts of lung disease. As cases rapidly increase, it is critical that we are educating those that are most at risk for this irreversible disease. The Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act will create funding for healthcare facilities to disseminate information and raise awareness about this progressive lung disease. We must protect the people whose hard work builds our communities.\"\n\nThe Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act creates a grant program to award healthcare providers with federal funding to:\n\nConduct outreach and education to increase awareness of silicosis\n\nProvide screening, diagnosis, and treatment of silicosis\n\nEducation programs for patients, family members, and workers in industries heavily impacted by silicosis\n\nPulmonary rehabilitation and other patient care and coordination\n\nRead the bill text here.\n\nBackground\n\nSilica is a common mineral found in sand, quartz, and other types of rock. Exposure can cause silicosis, a disease that scars the lungs, makes breathing difficult, and can lead to irreversible complications. Approximately 2.3 million people are exposed to silica on the job, including in construction and mining.\n\nCorrea's district is home to the Tile Mile in Anaheim, where many workers cut and fabricate manufactured stone countertops, a process that releases silica dust. Orange County alone accounts for 135+ of California’s 662+ confirmed silicosis cases.\n\nThere is no cure for silicosis, but awareness and early treatment can help people identify symptoms sooner and prevent or manage lung damage.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7480", "title": "Dingell, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Delay 340B Rebate Model, Protect Access to Affordable Medicine", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "debbiedingell.house.gov", "scraper": "debbiedingell", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000624", "name": "Debbie Dingell", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (R-PA-08), Tracey Mann (R-KS-01), and Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) introduced the 340B Rebate Model Delay Act, bipartisan legislation to delay implementation of the federal government’s 340B rebate model, citing concerns that the new system could create significant financial and administrative risks for healthcare providers and patients.\n\n“Families in Michigan are already struggling to pay for healthcare,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “Safety-net providers are not in the financial position to front this money, especially in light of Medicaid cuts, and will either have to hike up prices for patients or stop offering lifesaving drugs. This bill would delay the implementation of this rebate model so we can ensure people’s lives are not put at risk.”\n\nUnder the rebate model, participating providers would pay the full price of certain prescription drugs upfront and receive the 340B discount later through rebates. This could create cash-flow pressures, increase administrative burdens, and make it more difficult for community health centers, hospitals, and other safety-net providers to maintain access to affordable medications.\n\n“Patients and providers should not have to bear the risks of an untested change to a program that helps deliver affordable medicines to communities across the country,” said Congressman Bresnahan. “Congress needs more time to evaluate the potential financial and administrative consequences of the rebate model and ensure that any changes to 340B protect patients and the providers who serve them.”\n\n“Rural hospitals and health care providers across the Big First District rely on the 340B program to stretch limited resources and continue providing quality care close to home,” said Congressman Mann. “The new rebate model would force these providers to pay higher upfront costs and wait to be reimbursed, putting unnecessary financial strain on facilities that already operate on tight margins. This legislation provides certainty for our rural health care providers by stopping the rebate model through 2028 and protecting their ability to serve patients in rural communities.”\n\n“Safety-net hospitals and community health centers are lifelines for low-income families, seniors, and people without health insurance,”said Congresswoman Lois Frankel.“Our bipartisan bill stops a new requirement forcing these providers to pay full price for prescription drugs and then wait for rebates. Their limited resources should go toward caring for patients, not waiting for drug companies to pay them back. We should be making it easier for people to get the medicine they need, not putting more financial strain on the hospitals and clinics they depend on.”\n\nThe 340B Drug Pricing Program allows eligible healthcare providers serving underserved communities to purchase covered outpatient drugs at discounted prices and stretch limited resources to provide care.\n\nBill text can be found HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://deluzio.house.gov/media/press-releases/deluzio-continues-october-town-hall-tour-carnegie-pa", "title": "Deluzio Continues October Town Hall Tour in Carnegie, PA", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://deluzio.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "deluzio.house.gov", "scraper": "deluzio", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000530", "name": "Christopher R. Deluzio", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "CARNEGIE, PA – Yesterday, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) continued his October Town Hall Tour across Pennsylvania’s 17th District in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. The event was open to the public and the press.\n\nThe Carnegie Town Hall covered a wide range of topics, including the Iran War, data centers, healthcare cuts, and more. Constituents had an opportunity to speak directly with their elected representative in Congress, share their opinions, and ask questions. Congressman Deluzio also provided updates from his work down in Washington.\n\n“It was great to hear from more than 85 folks in Carnegie last night on the second stop of my October Town Hall Tour,” said Congressman Deluzio. “It's clear that the good people of Western Pennsylvania are sick of the corruption at the top of our federal government and want an end to the Iran War that’s jacking up costs and making us all less safe. I look forward to continuing the conversation with one last stop in Beaver Falls this Saturday!”\n\nCongressman Deluzio has attended more than twenty similar town hall-style, open Q&A events so far this Congress (2025-2026).\n\nPhotos from Carnegie are available here. The final stop in Beaver Falls is on Saturday, October 17th at 2:00pm and will also be open to the public and the press. The public RSVP link for the Beaver Falls Town Hall is here and members of the press should RSVP directly to Congressman Deluzio’s Communications Director, Zoe Bluffstone.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://fischbach.house.gov/2026/10/rep-fischbach-joins-minnesota-republican-delegation-to-demand-increased-election-security", "title": "Rep. Fischbach Joins Minnesota Republican Delegation to Demand Increased Election Security", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "fischbach.house.gov", "scraper": "fischbach", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000470", "name": "Michelle Fischbach", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, DC - Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) joined Minnesota’s Republican congressional delegation in sending a letter to Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon regarding the recent indictments of noncitizens voting in Minnesota’s elections and demanding election security.\n\n\"Only American citizens should vote in American elections, and these indictments prove why we need the SAVE America Act signed into law,\" said Rep. Fischbach. \"I have pushed for voter integrity and voter transparency. Now Walz, Simon, and Minnesota Democrats must do the same.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nOn September 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that a federal grand jury indicted ten individuals for voter fraud, charging them with falsely claiming citizenship to vote in Minnesota’s elections, including the 2022 and 2024 general elections and the 2026 primary election. All of this follows over a year of requests from the DOJ for information on Minnesota’s voter lists and compliance with federal election guidelines.\n\nMinnesota’s election laws have created an ideal environment for voter fraud. Over the last several years, Congresswoman Fischbach and Minnesota Republicans took the following actions to sound the alarm on Minnesota’s election security weaknesses:\n\nOn January 31, 2023, Congresswoman Fischbach joined Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil and the Minnesota Republican delegation in sending a letter to Secretary Simon asking how his office plans to investigate claims that DACA recipients and other noncitizens were voting in Minnesota’s elections.\n\nOn October 2, 2024, Congresswoman Fischbach again joined Chairman Steil and the Minnesota Republican delegation in sending a letter to Secretary Simon and Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson to voice their concerns over reports that noncitizens in Minnesota have been receiving ballots.\n\nOn November 20, 2024, Congresswoman Fischbach and the Minnesota Republican delegation sent a letter to Secretary Simon demanding that his office take action to restore trust in Minnesota’s election process.\n\nOn December 23, 2024, Congresswoman Fischbach and the Minnesota Republican delegation sent a letter to Secretary Simon demanding transparency after it was confirmed that 20 ballots were likely illegally disposed of in Shakopee’s 10th precinct.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://garamendi.house.gov/2026/10/14/garamendi-statement-on-trump-lifting-russian-fuel-sanctions/", "title": "Garamendi Statement on Trump Lifting Russian Fuel Sanctions", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://garamendi.house.gov/category/press-release/", "domain": "garamendi.house.gov", "scraper": "garamendi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000559", "name": "John Garamendi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FAIRFIELD, CA – Today, Rep John Garamendi (D-CA-08), a senior member of the House Armed Services, released the following statement on President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel fuel:\n\n“President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel fuel and reach an agreement with Vladimir Putin to bring more than 300,000 tons of Russian diesel onto American and global markets is a terrible decision.\n\n“This amount of fuel represents less than a single day of diesel consumption by the American transportation sector and will do little to meaningfully reduce the price Americans pay at the pump. More importantly, allowing Russia to sell this fuel undermines American national security and provides additional revenue to Putin as he continues his brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.\n\n“The national security implications extend well beyond Ukraine. Russia is actively supporting Iran, a country currently at war with the United States. According to U.S. intelligence reporting, Russia has provided Iran with information that could help its military target American warships, aircraft, and other military assets throughout the Middle East. This intelligence assistance threatens the lives of American service members who are already facing Iranian attacks.\n\n“At a time when Russia is helping Iran target American forces, President Trump is opening the door for hundreds of millions of dollars in additional Russian diesel sales. That revenue strengthens the Russian economy and undermines our efforts to pressure Putin to end his aggression.\n\n“The United States has imposed strong economic sanctions on Russia for good reason. Those sanctions are intended to deny Putin the resources necessary to sustain his war against Ukraine and threaten American national security interests.\n\n“We should not be easing economic pressure on a country that is helping our enemies target American troops. President Trump’s decision contradicts our national security objectives, undermines our support for Ukraine, and puts American interests at risk. He should reverse it immediately.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-delivers-over-9-million-federal-funds-cameron-county", "title": "Congressman Gonzalez Delivers Over $9 Million in Federal Funds for Cameron County", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "gonzalez.house.gov", "scraper": "gonzalez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000581", "name": "Vicente Gonzalez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced $9,182,608 in federal funds for Cameron County to reconstruct approximately 0.35 miles of Rio Grande Avenue and provide access to a new public commercial motor vehicle parking facility near the Los Indios Port of Entry. The project will include roughly 305 dedicated parking truck spaces. This investment will also support roadway improvements, driver amenities, security features, an automated weight station, and intelligent parking system technology.\n\n“South Texas is an international hub for trade and commerce, and our infrastructure must keep pace with heightened demands,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “As working families continue to struggle with rising costs, this $9.1 million federal investment will provide commercial truckers with support to maintain efficient operations when supplying our region and the rest of the country with goods and materials. As your Congressman, I proudly passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that authorized this funding, and I will continue working to ensure our ports of entry and the workers who keep it running have the resources they need to operate efficiently.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases/comisionado-residente-anuncia-133-millones-en-fondos-federales-para", "title": "Comisionado Residente anuncia $13.3 millones en fondos federales para investigación y servicios de salud en Puerto Rico", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hernandez.house.gov", "scraper": "hernandez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001103", "name": "Pablo José Hernández", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Image\n\nOctober 14, 2026\n\nCAGUAS, Puerto Rico — El Comisionado Residente Pablo José Hernández anunció $13,312,817 en fondos federales para el Departamento de Salud, universidades y organizaciones de investigación en Puerto Rico. Los fondos ayudarán a prevenir enfermedades, impulsar la investigación médica, preparar profesionales de la salud y ofrecer servicios a pacientes.\n\n“Mi prioridad es atender lo básico: que nuestra gente tenga acceso a mejores servicios de salud. Estos fondos permitirán investigar enfermedades como el dengue y el VIH, ampliar programas de prevención y preparar más profesionales de la salud en Puerto Rico”, expresó el Comisionado Residente.\n\nLos fondos provienen del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Estados Unidos (HHS), a través de programas federales de agencias como los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) y la Administración de Recursos y Servicios de Salud (HRSA)\n\nPuerto Rico Departamento de Salud\n\n$2,938,282 para ayudar a pacientes que reciben cuidados institucionales a continuar su atención en sus hogares.\n\n$2,337,914 para fortalecer la prevención, vigilancia e investigación del VIH y mejorar la atención a pacientes.\n\n$931,049 para ampliar programas de prevención del suicidio e identificar poblaciones en riesgo.\n\n$840,395 para mejorar los servicios a pacientes con Alzheimer y apoyar a sus cuidadores.\n\n$828,500 para fortalecer laboratorios y la vigilancia epidemiológica para detectar brotes de enfermedades.\n\n$472,413 para recopilar datos sobre diabetes, hipertensión y otros factores de riesgo para la salud.\n\nUniversidades y escuelas de medicina\n\n$1,007,923 para el Recinto de Ciencias Médicas de la UPR para formación en condiciones del neurodesarrollo, salud oral y prevención de riesgos ocupacionales.\n\n$905,754 para la Universidad Central del Caribe para capacitar profesionales de la salud mediante tecnología y aprendizaje colaborativo.\n\n$650,000 para la Escuela de Medicina San Juan Bautista para becas a estudiantes de medicina con necesidades económicas.\n\n$641,273 para la Universidad Albizu para becas a estudiantes de profesiones de la salud.\n\nCentros de investigación y otras organizaciones\n\n$1,255,000 para el Puerto Rico Science, Technology, & Research Trust para fortalecer la vigilancia de enfermedades, el control de mosquitos y la capacitación médica.\n\n$324,314 para Puerto Rico Community Network para servicios médicos y apoyo a mujeres, niños, jóvenes y familias afectadas por el VIH.\n\n$180,000 para Ponce Medical School Foundation para investigar y vigilar enfermedades transmitidas por mosquitos, incluyendo el dengue.\n\n###\n\nIssues: Education Health", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyer-statement-unannounced-starlink-terminal-restrictions-ukraine", "title": "Hoyer Statement on Unannounced Starlink Terminal Restrictions in Ukraine", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media", "domain": "hoyer.house.gov", "scraper": "hoyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000874", "name": "Steny H. Hoyer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement after SpaceX, an American aerospace manufacturer founded by Elon Musk, imposed sudden unannounced data speed restrictions on Starlink terminals utilized by Ukraine, disrupting its defensive military drone operations:\n\n“The people of Ukraine have had to endure twelve years of Russian military aggression, occupation, full-scale invasion, the kidnapping of its children into Russia, and air attacks against their cities. Winters have been particularly brutal, with Russia targeting Ukraine’s energy and heating infrastructure. After four years of heroic fighting, Ukraine’s forces are now making steady progress on the battlefield, aided by relentless innovation and access to Starlink satellite networks crucial to command-and-control as well as to drone and missile interception. Members of Congress who traveled to Kyiv recently heard from Ukrainian officials just how critical Starlink is to civilian defense and battlefield progress.\n\n“The turning off of Ukraine’s Starlink access today means that fewer Russian attacks against civilians targets will be intercepted. More Ukrainian families will face a harsh and difficult winter. Ukraine’s battlefield gains may slow. If Trump Administration officials were involved in this decision, as Elon Musk claims, it would represent a heinous act of betrayal to our Ukrainian allies and to a fellow democracy under assault by a despot. It would be an inversion of the American people’s will, as expressed by Congress, that we ought to be helping Ukraine win, not tipping the scales in Putin’s favor. This shameful act must be reversed, and I call on SpaceX to ensure that Ukrainian forces have their full connection restored. I also call on our Armed Forces to condemn this act as well.\n\n“The surest way to ensure this war comes to an end is not to help Russia prolong it. It is to help Ukraine win. Because the people of Ukraine have shown the world that they will not allow their democracy, freedom, sovereignty, or territorial integrity be taken by a foreign power. They are unbowed and unafraid. America must show the same resolve in our unwavering support.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media/press-releases/maryland-delegation-members-release-statement-judge-ruling-halting-trump", "title": "Maryland Delegation Members Release Statement on Judge Ruling Halting Trump Administration Efforts to Close BARC in Beltsville, Maryland", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hoyer.house.gov/media", "domain": "hoyer.house.gov", "scraper": "hoyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000874", "name": "Steny H. Hoyer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD), and U.S. Representatives Glenn Ivey (MD-04) , Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) released the following statement regarding last night’s ruling by a federal judge, temporarily halting the Trump Administration’s efforts to close the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Beltsville, Maryland:\n\n“As we’ve said time and again, this Administration’s attempts to shutter BARC are not only unwise – they’re illegal. BARC conducts critical research that helps farmers across our nation put food on the table for American families – including combatting serious threats to our agriculture, like cyclospora and avian flu. Last night’s ruling from a federal judge made plain: the Administration’s efforts are in clear violation of Congressional intent. We will continue fighting back against the Trump Administration’s lawless attempts to close this facility, undermining its crucial research on behalf of American farmers and families.”\n\nThe lawmakers have repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining BARC, including, most recently pushing Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on this matter in April. Additionally, they have raised this issue in Committee hearings with Administration officials and fought for language in Congressional Appropriations and the most recent Continuing Resolution.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/lawmakers-demand-transparency-after-us-forest-service-coordinates-with-ice-on-public-lands", "title": "Lawmakers Demand Transparency After U.S. Forest Service Coordinates with ICE on Public Lands", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hoyle.house.gov", "scraper": "hoyle", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001094", "name": "Val T. Hoyle", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Letter follows Labor Day incident where individuals were arrested in the middle of the night while camping at Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, 4 of 5 are still being held at Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center\n\nPNW records devastating 2026 wildfire season – Members voice concern USFS is misusing taxpayer funds by directing resources outside of USFS scope and mission\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06), and Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (D, WA-08), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Jared Huffman (D, CA-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Adriano Espaillat (D, NY-13), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Andrea Salinas (D, OR-06), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), Val Hoyle (D, OR-04), Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10), Suzanne Bonamici (D, OR-01), and Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07) sent a letter to U.S. Forest Chief Tom Schultz demanding transparency regarding immigration enforcement activities on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands.\n\nThis letter comes after a shocking incident over Labor Day Weekend where U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) coordinated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrest five men who were camping with their families in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. As of October 5, 2026, four of the five men arrested remain in detention at the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center.\n\n“As Members of Congress representing the Pacific Northwest and Democratic leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Agriculture Committee, we are concerned that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is misusing taxpayer dollars by neglecting their mission and directing career staff to prioritize immigration enforcement on federal public lands. Particularly during a difficult wildfire season, we want to express our gratitude to the Forest Service for fighting wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and across the country,” wrote the members.\n\nThe U.S. Forest Service has undergone significant funding cuts and reorganizations efforts since the start of Trump’s second term. Since 2025, the USFS has lost nearly 6,000 workers through DOGE cuts and other factors, raising concerns about wildfire preparedness, forest health research, and public land management. Earlier this year, USFS announced consolidation efforts to shutter research and development facilities nationwide. USFS backtracked on their original proposal to close 57 out of 77 research labs after public outcry. In September 2026, USFS announced they will be closing 23 labs.\n\nThe 2026 wildfire season is still underway, and Washington state has recorded one of the worst wildfire seasons to date with almost 900,000 acres being burned as of early September.\n\nThe members conclude the letter by demanding answers to the following questions by October 15, 2026:\n\nQuestions for the U.S. Forest Service:\n\nWhich agency first identified those arrested as targets for investigation, when were they identified, and what information about the targets was used to justify the raid?\n\nCan you confirm that the law enforcement officers that first approached the families were employees of the USFS?\n\nTo what extent did USFS participate in the raid, and under what authority? Please provide any agreement or memorandum that governs cooperation between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS.\n\nPlease provide any agreement or memorandum between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS that governs the collection and sharing of visitors' identification and reservation data with DHS or ICE.\n\nWhat other immigration raids has the U.S. Forest Service participated in since January 21, 2025?\n\nWhat appropriations account(s) has the USFS used to fund its participation in immigration enforcement operations since January 21, 2025, and how much funding has been obligated or expended for this purpose?\n\nHas any USFS law enforcement personnel time, budget, or resources been reallocated from other law enforcement priorities (e.g., resource protection, search and rescue, wildfire-adjacent enforcement) to support immigration enforcement operations? If so, how much of this reallocation has been disclosed to Congress since these funds were appropriated for land management and resource protection purposes rather than immigration enforcement?\n\nGiven limited agency resources, why is it a priority of the USFS to use employees in the targeting of families on public land?\n\nThe full text of the letter is available HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-lawmakers-urge-continued-support-for-oregons-hazelnut-industry", "title": "OREGON LAWMAKERS URGE CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR OREGON’S HAZELNUT INDUSTRY", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hoyle.house.gov", "scraper": "hoyle", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001094", "name": "Val T. Hoyle", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Eugene, OR – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led members of Oregon’s congressional delegation in a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins that calls on the Department to deliver critical federal support to Oregon’s hazelnut industry under the federal Section 32 purchase program.\n\n“The hazelnut industry is a massive and integral part of our state’s agricultural economy; its size and longevity represent generations of farmers and handlers who have dedicated their lives to producing and distributing a product many communities depend on for their livelihoods,” wrote the lawmakers.\n\nThe lawmakers’ letter calls on USDA to include Oregon hazelnuts, which account for 99 percent of hazelnuts produced in the United States, in this year’s Section 32 purchases, supporting growers, harvesters, processors, and agricultural economies primarily in Oregon’s Willamette Valley during a period of significant market disruption and economic uncertainty in a global market.\n\nThey stressed, “In recent years, disruptions in important export markets caused by these compounding issues have been particularly difficult for certain kernel sizes and grades that are high-quality, marketable food products but have fewer commercial outlets. These imbalances and market losses create uncertainty and pressure for our farmers and producers and threaten the steady distribution needed to prevent compounding product surpluses year-to-year.”\n\nIn addition to Merkley, the letter was signed by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), and Val Hoyle (OR-04).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found by clicking here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://jayapal.house.gov/2026/10/14/jayapal-randall-lead-pnw-members-in-demanding-answers-on-nwdc-contract/", "title": "Jayapal, Randall Lead PNW Members in Demanding Answers on NWDC Contract", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jayapal.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "jayapal.house.gov", "scraper": "jayapal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000298", "name": "Pramila Jayapal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SEATTLE, W.A. — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Emily Randall (WA-06) are leading Members from Washington and Oregon in demanding answers and transparency into ongoing efforts by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to purchase existing immigration detention centers currently owned and operated by private prison companies like GEO Group and CoreCivic. Currently, the GEO Group contract with the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) is set to expire in October 2026.\n\nEarlier this summer, ICE purchased two CoreCivic detention centers in California for $1.5 billion and facilities in Kansas and Minnesota for $734 million. Despite these facilities having been purchased by ICE, CoreCivic will continue managing operations. In October, ICE purchased three detention facilities in Adelanto, California, from GEO Group for $950 million. Similarly, GEO will continue running the facilities and says ICE is considering buying 10 facilities or more from the company.\n\n“We are deeply concerned about the potential purchase of these facilities, as it appears to be an attempt to circumvent oversight and accountability at detention facilities. Both GEO Group and DHS have stated that acquiring these facilities is aimed, at least in part, at circumventing attempts by states to conduct oversight at immigration detention centers located within their borders,” wrote the Members.\n\nAny attempt to dodge oversight is particularly troubling at the NWDC, as Washington State recently had to go to court to ensure access to the facility for state Department of Health officials. There is serious cause for concern if this purchase is being made to shield ICE and GEO from oversight efforts by putting the facility under federal ownership.\n\nThere are also troubling financial incentives. Under the Trump administration, GEO and CoreCivic have reaped enormous financial benefits. In 2025, both companies received an additional $2 billion in profit each, a 13 percent increase in revenue, and there has been a revolving door between the Trump administration and these companies — including border czar Tom Homan and Acting ICE Director David Venturella, who were previously employed by GEO.\n\n“As of March 2026, the Washington State Department of Health received over 3,500 complaints about [NWDC]. Individuals have reported being sexually assaulted by an officer in their unit; unsanitary conditions, including unclean drinking water, worms, hair, and metal in food, and black mold in showers; and insufficient medical care. State oversight is an essential way to help ensure that the people detained in these facilities at U.S. taxpayer expense are being treated with dignity. Attempting to circumvent such oversight by purchasing substandard detention facilities and continuing to allow such inhumane conditions to persist is unacceptable,” continued the Members.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.\n\nThe letter was also signed by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Janelle S. Bynum (OR-05), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://jeffries.house.gov/2026/10/14/leader-jeffries-on-ms-now-were-going-to-relentlessly-focus-on-our-affordability-agenda/", "title": "LEADER JEFFRIES ON MS NOW: “WE’RE GOING TO RELENTLESSLY FOCUS ON OUR AFFORDABILITY AGENDA”", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jeffries.house.gov/category/press-release/page/", "domain": "jeffries.house.gov", "scraper": "jeffries", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000294", "name": "Hakeem S. Jeffries", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW’s The Weeknight, where he emphasized that House Democrats remain committed to holding the crooks who are ripping off the American people accountable and lowering the high cost of living in our fight for an affordable America.\n\nMICHAEL STEELE: Democratic Leader, House Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Sir, you are a Trumpbuster. Are you not? Welcome to the program.\n\nLEADER JEFFRIES: Well, it’s great to be with you. We’re working hard to make sure that on November 3, we can begin the process of decisively breaking MAGA extremism in the United States of America and win back control of the House of Representatives.\n\nSYMONE SANDERS-TOWNSEND: So, Leader Jeffries, how are you all going to do that? Give us the—I know you hate to make predictions, but give us some numbers, because I was looking, and the last time Donald Trump was President in the midterm election, he lost a little over 40 seats. Okay, Democrats gained about net, I think, 42, maybe 43 seats. Someone in my ear will tell me if I’m wrong. How many seats do you think you are going to get?\n\nLEADER JEFFRIES: Well, listen, we’re working hard to win every possible seat. We, of course, have to get to 218 and then we’ll try to win as many seats on top of that as possible. What we do know from the 2018 election, where we were able to regain control of the House of Representatives, is that 75% of the seats that we flipped in 2018 were just won by Donald Trump in 2016. And so our opportunity to go deeper and deeper into the map is a real thing. And we have extraordinary candidates, whether those are doctors or nurses or farmers or pastors, police officers, firefighters, educators, union leaders, social workers, of course, a Tejano music superstar from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, a smokejumper and combat veterans like Cait Conley as well as Rebecca Bennett, who are going to flip seats in New York and New Jersey.\n\nMICHAEL STEELE: So, sir, Symone wanted the numbers, and I’ll give you a number. I’ll give you my number. My number is 40. Look, I know what we did in 2010. I was told I couldn’t do much better than 39. This environment is nothing like 2010, you know, for Democrats as it was for Republicans in this cycle. So there’s a real—there’s a real opportunity here to, yes, get to that 218 and expand that majority because you’re going to need it, to be quite honest, and you know that, I know that. It’s going to work to the benefit of the Democrats to have some oomph behind that number so you don’t have to live on the margins and the edges. And this, I think it’s something—the reason I raised it, sir, because I think it’s something for voters to know. You just can’t half-step it, folks. You just can’t pussyfoot around and just kind of give the Democrats a little bit of power. You’re either going to fully commit, or you’re not, right? You’ve got incredible races. You’ve got the opportunity to pick up a governorship in the state of Florida with David Jolly. You’ve got excitement in the state of Mississippi, sir. Mississippi. Symone calls Mississippi six weeks ago. Y’all need to pay attention. And here we are. So you’re on the cusp of some really important stuff. I think at this stage, at least how I looked at it in 2010, is like, where do I advance the margin? Where do I advance the ball so I go beyond what I’m going to need to be successful? Because I know on the other side, if it’s close, this team that you’re dealing with in the House? Mike Johnson and crew? Oh baby, you know they’re going to do everything in their power to get in your way. There’s still a question, sir, about whether or not Mike Johnson is even going to turn over the gavel when you take the House. That’s how much this number has to be a big one. So that’s my thought. I wanted to share that with you. What do you think?\n\nLEADER JEFFRIES: No, I appreciate that, Michael. We’ve got to run through the finish line and try to run up the numbers as high as we can, of course, so that we’re in a position to decisively govern on behalf of the American people. Like, when we’ve made clear that we are fighting for an affordable America, that we are committed to driving down the high cost of groceries and gas and housing, that we’ve committed to fighting to make healthcare affordable for every single American, we mean it when we say it and we want to be able to do it.And the more robust the majority, the better we’ll be able to overcome Republican obstruction in ways that, of course, will be designed just to stop progress. And we have an opportunity to be able to win big in the House, in the Senate, in governors races all across the country, certainly in state legislative bodies, where we can flip seats throughout America. And—but we can’t take anything for granted because we know the other side is going to throw up every possible obstacle to try to stop this from being a free and fair election, which is why we’ve put together the largest voter protection effort in modern American history.\n\nLUKE RUSSERT: Leader Jeffries, while Democrats certainly have the wind at their back, the popularity of the Party is still very low. But it seems that a lot of people want to vote for the Democratic ticket this time because they want a check on Donald Trump. I was thinking about the last time Democrats had a big House majority, and that was in 2009. And they passed the stimulus, they passed healthcare, they passed a lot of meaningful legislation, but the stimulus in particular, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, people did not understand it. It wasn’t marketed well. It wasn’t sold well. It was marketed so poorly that the man sitting to my right actually used it against Democrats just after the ’08 recession and got 63 Republicans elected to the House. So my question to you is now, with the wind at your back, with a lot of Republicans saying, ‘You know what? We’re going to throw in the towel in the House. We’re going to try and save these seats that are a lean red.’ It’s because the ones that are toss-ups are gone. What can you say to the American people that you’re going to do in the first 100 days that lets them know that Democrats are checking Donald Trump? And for the Independents that might not like you that much or don’t go to the Democratic side all the time, what can you offer them up in the first 100 days so that people can see the distinction between the two parties?\n\nLEADER JEFFRIES: Well, what we’ve made clear is that we’re going to relentlessly focus on our affordability agenda. There are some things that we are going to have to do immediately to reverse a lot of the damage that’s been done. We’re going to fight to reverse these Medicaid cuts. We’re going to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, which will help make health insurance premiums more affordable for over 20 million Americans directly and tens of millions more whose premiums have increased indirectly, even if they may be on private insurance. That has to be dealt with. We’re going to fight to end this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran, which we know has skyrocketed gas prices on the American people. Now, the average gas price being north of $4 for an extended record period of time, that’s outrageous. And we also need to make sure we reclaim congressional authority in terms of tariffs so we can end these Trump Tariffs, which have also increased costs on everyday Americans in terms of groceries and goods by thousands of dollars per year. We also are going to focus on accountability because when you have folks in high office who are so focused on enriching themselves, their family members, their friends and their donors, then they’re not focused on making life better for the American people. And so, we’ve made clear to anyone out there who’s been stealing from the American people, shortchanging the American people or screwing over the American people that, beginning on day one, we’re going to hold the crooks accountable and disrupt business as usual.\n\nLUKE RUSSERT: Quick follow-up on there. Are special committees possible for corruption? Could you have a special committee about the corruption the Trump White House has engaged in, especially what he’s been doing with his sons? And could you have a special committee about the Epstein files? Are those possible with subpoena power?\n\nLEADER JEFFRIES: Well, the oversight work is going to be led by House Judiciary Committee Democrats. And of course, Jamie Raskin is the leader and the next Chair of the Judiciary Committee, along with House Oversight Committee Democrats, where Robert Garcia, the top Democrat and the next Chair of Oversight, has been doing a tremendous job pushing to hold the crooks accountable, even in the minority, and doing a tremendous job, of course, as it relates to the transparency and accountability that we need to deliver for the Epstein survivors and for the American people. We’re going to follow the facts, apply the law, be guided by the Constitution and then let the chips fall where they may, without fear or favor relative to anyone.\n\nLUKE RUSSERT: It’s possible.\n\nSYMONE SANDERS-TOWNSEND: Before we let you go, Leader Jeffries, obviously earlier this week, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s D.C. home was raided. There was a warrant that was issued, and DHS officials, HSI specifically, executed that warrant at her home. The government says it is part of an ongoing criminal investigation. What can you tell us about what your knowledge is of this investigation? One. But two, are you concerned that more members of your Caucus are going to be targeted? I just—right now we’ve got Ilhan Omar. I’m thinking about Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, who is currently facing 17 years in prison for a felony if she is convicted for doing her job, I would argue. What are you doing to protect your members from this—well, it’s not just a threat at this point? The government is making good on his promises of retribution.\n\nLEADER JEFFRIES: As Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has bravely and heroically and courageously said, she’s not going to be intimidated and she won’t be silenced. And we’re not going to be intimidated and we won’t be silenced. What we have seen is this Trump Department of Justice, which is going to be held accountable, weaponize the criminal justice system against people they perceive to be adversaries of Donald Trump. We’ve seen them go after Jerome Powell. We’ve seen them go after Lisa Cook. We’ve seen them go after Tish James. They’ve gone after LaMonica McIver. They’ve gone after James Comey. And now, of course, they’re targeting Ilhan Omar. And it’s not clear to me why these crooks, these political hacks, think that they’re going to be in a position to get away with this. These are the same folks who believe that we were heading into a prolonged era of MAGA extremism. That is about to come crashing down. And as a result, the wreckage that is left behind, we’re going to work incredibly hard to clean up. And that will include making sure we push back aggressively against the weaponization of the DOJ and the fact that Todd Blanche clearly—who’s deeply unqualified to be the Attorney General—lied to the Senate. Republican senators, of course, fell in line and believed them, and we continue to see this out-of-control behavior by this so-called Department of Justice led by Blanche.\n\nSYMONE SANDERS-TOWNSEND: Leader Jeffries, we look forward to seeing you after the election to talk about what happens on November—\n\nLUKE RUSSERT: Come to the table.\n\nSYMONE SANDERS-TOWNSEND: —and what happens in January. We’ve got some more thoughts. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, we appreciate your time tonight. Thank you.\n\nFull interview can be watched here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-visits-bernards-township-highlight-184-million-pleasant-valley-park", "title": "Kean Visits Bernards Township to Highlight $1.84 Million for Pleasant Valley Park", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "kean.house.gov", "scraper": "kean", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000398", "name": "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "party": "Republican", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(October 14, 2026) BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, NJ – This week, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) visited Bernards Township to highlight the $1.84 million he secured in a House Appropriations bill for the Pleasant Valley Park culvert and paths.\n\nThe funding will be used for the construction of a culvert at Pleasant Valley Park. Currently, hundreds of vehicles per day drive through the stream that intersects the park road, negatively impacting the water quality. The construction of a culvert will reduce water pollution, provide a safe crossing to the rear of the park, and allow the construction of new paths throughout the park. Additionally, the project greatly expands walking and exercise opportunities, especially for the veterans who live at Valley Brook Village, the HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing apartments on the Lyons VA campus next to the park.\n\n“I was pleased to secure more than $1.8 million in federal funding to support this critical project in Bernards Township,” said Congressman Kean. “Pleasant Valley Park is a place where the community, including families and visitors from the VA Lyons campus, can come together to enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, frequent roadway flooding can make the park inaccessible. These funds will help ensure Pleasant Valley Park remains safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.”\n\n“It was great to welcome Congressman Tom Kean Jr. for an onsite tour of our $1.84 million Community Funding Project, including the culvert at Pleasant Valley Park and the new pathways that will provide connectivity to the park and existing trails,” said Bernards Township Mayor Ana Duarte McCarthy. “We are pleased and appreciative of the Congressman’s advocacy as the project advances for consideration for FY2027 funding.”\n\n“Pleasant Valley Park is truly a gem of Bernards Township, busy year-round with sports teams, youth and adult recreation, concerts and Plays in the Park, and even the ski club’s departures,” said Bernards Township Committeewoman Jennifer Asay. “This project will protect the stream that runs through it, provide a safe crossing to the rear of the park, and add new walking paths for residents including our veteran neighbors next door at Valley Brook Village.”\n\n“We couldn’t be more grateful for Congressman Kean’s support for this important project here in Bernards Township,” said Bernards Township Committeeman Andrew McNally. “Congressman Kean has consistently secured federal support for our residents here in Bernards as our voice in Washington.”\n\nIn August, Congressman Kean delivered $835,000 to Bernards Township through FY2026 Community Project Funding to upgrade the Police Department’s current radios, which can only operate on one frequency. This federal funding will be used to purchase 89 tri-band radios that cover multiple frequencies, streamlining coordination and strengthening emergency response. Learn moreHERE.\n\nIn July, Congressman Kean announced that 18 Community Project Funding requests made by his office totaling $17,765,906, are included in key House funding bills for the upcoming fiscal year. Learn more HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://kevinmullin.house.gov/2026/10/14/reaction-to-california-attorney-generals-lawsuit-to-protect-national-archives-in-san-bruno/", "title": "Reaction to California Attorney General’s Lawsuit to Protect National Archives in San Bruno", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kevinmullin.house.gov/category/press_release/", "domain": "kevinmullin.house.gov", "scraper": "kevinmullin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001225", "name": "Kevin Mullin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SAN BRUNO, CA – Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15), who has been demanding answers from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and authored the National Archives Protection Act, issued the following statement in response to California Attorney General Rob Bonta announcing a lawsuit to block the closure of the San Francisco National Archives, located in San Bruno, CA:\n\n“The National Archives and Records at San Bruno tell the important story of what has happened here in the Bay Area and local communities have every right to want direct access to their history. The National Records and Archives Administration (NARA) failed to conduct any kind of public input process and didn’t engage with stakeholders who are impacted before making a decision to close this facility and relocate fragile, sensitive documents over 1,500 miles away.\n\nI am glad to see California Attorney General Rob Bonta file a lawsuit to stop NARA’s closure of the facility, and emphasizing how important it is for state agencies, university researchers and tribes to have access to these records.\n\nWhile I’m pleased to see the Attorney General take action today, I am also pushing for federal legislation with the National Archives Protection Act and will be doing everything in my power to prevent the closure through other means like the federal budget process.\n\nThe fact that we have developed a bipartisan, nationwide coalition of federal lawmakers interested in preserving these archives demonstrates the unique and irreplaceable value they hold. These archives aren’t just boxes of paper — they hold the stories, memories, and history of generations of Americans. Families whose ancestors immigrated through Angel Island can track their lineage, those whose loved ones served in the Navy and were stationed in the Pacific can learn about their legacy, and Native Americans whose history is documented over generations are all able to learn more by visiting this national archive.”\n\nIn June 2026, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) announced it would be closing the San Francisco (San Bruno) and Chicago facilities, which are two of just 13 regional archives across America. The local facility in San Bruno houses culturally-significant archives from not only California but also Nevada, Hawaii, Pacific island territories, and Tribes. Its records hold deep value to the community including Angel Island immigration files, Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese Internment records, Native American and indigenous history documents, and much more.\n\nRead more about Rep. Mullin’s National Archives Protection Act, and NARA’s dismissive response to a letter he co-authored with Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) along with 37 federal lawmakers, urging them to stop the closure.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4282", "title": "Larsen, Murray Urge Trump Administration to Fund Sumas and Lynden Border Station Modernization Projects", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "larsen.house.gov", "scraper": "larsen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000560", "name": "Rick Larsen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair on the Senate Appropriations Committee, sent a letter to General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Edward Forst requesting GSA prioritize construction of two stalled border station projects in Northwest Washington. Senator Murray and Congressman Larsen sent this letter on September 22 and have yet to receive response from GSA.\n\n“It has come to our attention that Washington state’s Kenneth G. Ward and Sumas Land Ports of Entry (LPOE) projects are temporarily prevented from moving forward,” the lawmakers wrote. “We write to express our concern regarding this decision by General Services Administration (GSA).”\n\nA land port of entry (LPOE) is a federal border facility used to control the entry and departure of people and cargo at a land border. Congress appropriated $3.4 billion to modernize 26 LPOEs across the United States in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, which both Senator Murray and Representative Larsen helped become law. As of August 12th, 2026, the GSA has temporarily prevented nine of those projects from moving forward, including the Kenneth G. Ward Land Port of Entry in Lynden and the Sumas Land Port of Entry.\n\n“Both LPOEs are vital border crossings for Washington state and Canada and play a significant role in trade and economic development that is relevant to the economic vitality of the United States,” the lawmakers continued. “Delaying these projects will have consequential impacts on the nation’s supply chain, labor market, and national security.”\n\nRep. Larsen and Sen. Murray stressed the importance of certainty about the status of the border station projects for city officials in Sumas and Lynden to plan for the impact that construction will have to downtown buildings and the local economy.\n\n“These projects are also key to local development plans in the cities of Sumas and Lynden, where the LPOEs are located,” the lawmakers wrote. “LPOE modernization will impact several existing buildings in Sumas’s downtown core, and Lynden is preparing to take on additional commercial traffic. Prolonged uncertainty on project timelines will only lead to more disruption and delays in economic development of these cities.”\n\nThe lawmakers urged GSA Administrator Forst to prioritize the Kenneth G. Ward and Sumas Land Port of Entry projects when the GSA reassesses the prioritization of the remaining nine LPOEs in the coming months and requested continued updates on decisions regarding the projects.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be read here.\n\nLarsen and Murray Conduct Oversight of GSA Under the Trump Administration\n\nAs Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murray has led oversight of GSA’s reckless effort to dump federal properties, pressing the Trump administration on why it terminated leases without notifying Congress as required by law, and how veterans, taxpayers, Tribal members, and farmers would still get the in-person help they depend on. Murray continues to hold the Trump administration accountable for skirting the law, keeping Congress in the dark, and cutting off services families rely on.\n\nIn a Transportation & Infrastructure Committee oversight hearing in March, Rep. Larsen raised concerns about the GSA’s tumultuous first 14 months under the Trump administration and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that the GSA signed with the Defense Ministry of Pakistan without providing evidence of the GSA’s legal jurisdiction to enter into the MOU or engage in redeveloping the private hotel.\n\nThis July, Rep. Larsen and Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Ranking Member Greg Stanton (AZ-04) sent a letter to Administrator Forst seeking answers about the agency’s involvement with the renovation of the Roosevelt Hotel and reporting from Bloomberg that the GSA signed a $1.4 million contract with Sullivan & Cromwell—a law firm with significant ties to the Trump administration—to provide legal services regarding the privately-owned property.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-statement-2027-social-security-cola-announcement", "title": "Larson Statement on the 2027 Social Security COLA Announcement", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "larson.house.gov", "scraper": "larson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000557", "name": "John B. Larson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "“Today’s announcement demonstrates just how hard President Trump’s affordability crisis has hit our seniors,\" said Larson. “As Americans struggle to make ends meet, a small bump in benefits is always welcome news—but for many seniors living on fixed incomes, it won’t be enough to keep pace with rising costs. With insolvency looming, we are only a few years away from automatic benefit cuts for everyone on Social Security if Congress does not act. Rather than come to the table with solutions, this administration and their allies in Congress have been laser-focused on breaking the system from within, so they can privatize Social Security. They have slashed staff and services at the Social Security Administration, making it harder for seniors to get their benefits in full and on time, and Speaker Johnson has even teased a plan to cut benefits if Republicans hold their majorities in the House and Senate. We cannot let that happen. Americans are depending on their Congress to enhance benefits—not cut them—and Democrats are ready to act. Our plan will stop these automatic cuts, boost benefits across the board, and ensure no one can retire into poverty after a lifetime of work, all by finally making the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share. It is time for a vote.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6616", "title": "Lawler to Introduce Bill Cracking Down on Candidate Coordination With Super PACs", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "lawler.house.gov", "scraper": "lawler", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000599", "name": "Michael Lawler", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D. C. – 10/14/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) announced the Stop Illegal Super PAC Coordination Act, legislation to crack down on coordination between congressional candidates and super PACs to prohibit joint fundraising committees (JFC) from placing political advertising expenditures disguised as solicitations.\n\nUnder current Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules, joint fundraising committees can bring together candidates and certain political committees that accept unlimited contributions. While the FEC has permitted these arrangements for fundraising solicitations and event announcements, its guidance has not specifically addressed political advertising expenditures by these committees, allowing candidates to spend almost unlimited amounts on media buys. This legislation would stop this unfair practice by prohibiting these joint fundraising committees from purchasing broadcast, cable, satellite, or paid digital advertising, while allowing them to continue traditional fundraising activities.\n\n“Coordination of this kind between political campaigns and super PACs allows candidates to skirt campaign finance laws and funnel unlimited money into their campaigns. Americans deserve transparency and accountability in our elections. We need clear rules that prevent candidates from using these arrangements to get around campaign finance limits and protect the integrity of our elections,” said Congressman Lawler.\n\nCongressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-nancy-mace-doubles-down-protecting-survivors-and-holding-predators", "title": "Rep. Nancy Mace Doubles Down on Protecting Survivors and Holding Predators Accountable", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mace.house.gov", "scraper": "mace", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000194", "name": "Nancy Mace", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 14, 2026) – Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) reaffirmed her commitment to protecting women and standing with survivors by advancing legislation to strengthen victims’ rights and hold sexual predators accountable.\n\n\"Protecting women and holding predators accountable isn't a slogan. It's been one of my top priorities in Congress. For too long, survivors have faced broken systems while predators exploited loopholes and walked free,” said Congresswoman Mace. “We’ve introduced legislation to strengthen victims' rights, crack down on voyeurism and digital exploitation, protect women and children, and make sure predators, not victims, face the consequences. Every survivor deserves to be heard. Every victim deserves justice. Every predator deserves accountability. We will not stop fighting until our laws put victims first and predators behind bars.\"\n\nSince taking office, Congresswoman Mace has led efforts in Congress to strengthen protections for survivors, increase accountability for sexual predators, combat voyeurism and digital exploitation, defend the privacy and safety of women and girls, and advance legislation which puts victims first.\n\nREP. MACE'S LEGISLATIVE RECORD:\n\nSpeak Your Truth Act\n\nSue VOYEURS Act\n\nStop VOYEURS Act\n\nRESPECT Act\n\nSafe Shelters for Survivors Act\n\nRape Shield Enhancement Act\n\nHONOR Act\n\nIncreased Accountability for Nonconsensual Pornography Act of 2025\n\nPreventing Prosecutors from Protecting Predators Act of 2026\n\nTax Fairness for Abuse Survivors Act\n\nProtect Victims of Digital Exploitation and Manipulation Act of 2025\n\nIncreased Accountability for Nonconsensual Pornography Act of 2025\n\nStop the Invasion of Women’s Spaces Act\n\nProtecting Women’s Private Spaces Act\n\nPrison Rape Prevention Act of 2025\n\nDeath Penalty for Child Rapists Act\n\nStanding with Moms Act\n\nMilitary Moms Act\n\nPreventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act\n\nProtecting Children in Surrogacy Act\n\nNo More Missing Children Act\n\nProtecting Girls’ Sports for Military Kids Act\n\nNo Woke Indoctrination of Military Kids Act\n\nGender-Affirming Child Abuse Prevention Act\n\nTyler’s Law\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-christian-menefee-hosts-first-ever-telephone-town-hall-with-hundreds-of-houston-constituents", "title": "Congressman Christian Menefee Hosts First-Ever Telephone Town Hall with Hundreds of Houston Constituents", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://menefee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "menefee.house.gov", "scraper": "menefee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001245", "name": "Christian D. Menefee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "HOUSTON, TX — Yesterday, Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) hosted his first-ever telephone town hall, connecting with hundreds of constituents across Texas’s 18th Congressional District for an hour-long discussion on the issues affecting Houston families. During the event, Congressman Menefee answered questions directly from constituents on a wide range of topics, including rising costs, healthcare, the war in Iran, environmental protections, and opportunities to work across the aisle with Republicans to address challenges facing the district. He also shared updates on his ongoing work in Congress and throughout the Houston community.\n\n\"Hearing directly from the folks I represent is the most important part of my job,\" said Congressman Christian D. Menefee. \"Families across Houston are working hard, but their paychecks aren't going as far as they used to. They're worried about paying for groceries, keeping their healthcare, and making sure their communities are safe. These are the concerns I'm hearing every day, and they're exactly what I'm fighting to address in Washington.\"\n\nAffordability was a major focus of the conversation, with one constituent, Tyler, asking what Congressman Menefee was doing to address rising grocery prices as families struggle to stretch their paychecks. In response, Menefee highlighted his support for legislation to raise wages, expand tax credits, and lower everyday expenses, including the Living Wage for All Act, the Paycheck Fairness Act, and legislation to establish a permanent $300 monthly Child Tax Credit. Drawing on his own upbringing, Menefee discussed how programs such as WIC, free and reduced-price school lunches, Pell Grants, and GI Bill benefits helped his family and shaped his commitment to protecting the social safety net.\n\nThroughout the town hall, participants also responded to three live survey questions addressing some of the most pressing issues facing the country. An overwhelming 93% of respondents said their groceries, rent, or utility bills have become more expensive, while 90% said they oppose President Trump and Republicans' war in Iran. Additionally, 53% reported that they or someone they love had been affected by Republicans' Medicaid cuts.\n\n\"These results tell us exactly what families across Houston are worried about,\" said Congressman Menefee. \"People are tired of watching their bills go up while Washington Republicans make life harder for working families. They're worried about losing their healthcare, and they want an end to this war. I'm going to keep taking their concerns directly to Washington and fighting for the relief they deserve.\"\n\nThe town hall builds on Congressman Menefee's ongoing efforts to remain accessible and responsive to the residents of Texas's 18th Congressional District. Since taking office, Menefee and his team have closed more than 500 constituent service cases and helped recover over $1 million for constituents navigating federal agencies.\n\nCongressman Menefee plans to host additional telephone town halls to continue connecting with constituents, answering questions, and providing updates on his work in Houston and Washington. Constituents can learn more about his work or request assistance with a federal agency by visiting Menefee.House.Gov or calling the main District Office at 713-655-0050.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2942", "title": "Speaker Johnson Recognizes Damon & Tammy Magee as 2026 Angels in Adoption Honorees", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mikejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mikejohnson.house.gov", "scraper": "mikejohnson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000299", "name": "Mike Johnson", "party": "Republican", "state": "LA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson, in partnership with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), recognized Pastor Damon Magee and his wife Tammy Magee as 2026 Angels in Adoption honorees. Damon, Pastor at King’s Temple United Pentecostal Church in Shreveport, and his wife, Tammy, are both biological and adoptive parents and have served as foster parents to numerous children.\n\nEvery year, members of Congress nominate an individual, family, or organization to be recognized for demonstrating a commitment to improving the lives of children in need of permanent, loving homes. Speaker Johnson nominated the Magees, who by opening their home to foster care and adoption, have graciously given a loving home to nearly 10 children and inspired numerous families in their church community to follow in their footsteps.\n\n“Pastor Damon and Tammy Magee have faithfully opened their hearts and home, living out their calling to uphold the sanctity of every human life through foster care and adoption. The Magees are the biological parents of two children, adoptive parents to two more, and have served as foster parents to seven children over the years,” Speaker Johnson said. “I am honored to recognize Damon and Tammy as our 2026 Angels in Adoption honorees, and I am touched by their willingness to answer God’s call to care for so many children in our community and inspire other families to do the same.”\n\n“We are incredibly humbled to be honored and are grateful for the opportunity to share our story with our nation's leaders. You never know the difference you can make in the world by investing in one child,” Pastor Damon and Tammy Magee said. \"Our greatest joy is that in the last two years we have seen eight other families in our church join in the foster and adoption community with many more to come by faith.\"\n\nBackground: Since 1999, CCAI’s Angels in Adoption program has upheld a tradition of celebrating the extraordinary efforts of individuals, couples, families, and organizations who work tirelessly to advocate for children in need of a family. Throughout the 27 years, over 3,200 Angels have received this special honor. Honorees are awarded at CCAI’s annual Angels in Adoption Gala every fall in Washington, D.C.\n\nClick to learn more about Speaker Johnson’s previous Angels in Adoption nominees in 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023, and .", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://moolenaar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/more-michigan-pace-leaders-announce-support-moolenaars-bipartisan", "title": "More Michigan PACE Leaders Announce Support for Moolenaar's Bipartisan Legislation", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://moolenaar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "moolenaar.house.gov", "scraper": "moolenaar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001194", "name": "John R. Moolenaar", "party": "Republican", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congressman John Moolenaar announced additional Michigan support for his bipartisan legislation with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), the PACE Expanded Act. The legislation seeks to increase access to the Program of All-Inclusive Care (PACE) and facilitate the establishment of new ones by giving PACE programs greater flexibility to enroll beneficiaries throughout the year.\n\n\"The PACE system is a proven model that allows Michigan seniors to receive access to long-term, reliable care. I am grateful for the outstanding work done by PACE service providers to offer comprehensive services to communities across our district, and for their support of the PACE Expanded Act. I will continue my work to cut unnecessary red tape, expand access to the PACE program, advocate for Michigan's seniors, and ensure they get the care they need,\" said Moolenaar.\n\nAll 15 of Michigan's PACE organizations support the legislation. The PACE Association of Michigan, and PACE Central Michigan applauded Moolenaar and Dingell's leadership:", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://morelle.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-joe-morelle-honors-local-hispanic-community-during-hispanic-0", "title": "CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE HONORS LOCAL HISPANIC COMMUNITY DURING HISPANIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://morelle.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "morelle.house.gov", "scraper": "morelle", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001206", "name": "Joseph D. Morelle", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(Rochester, N.Y.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle celebrated Hispanic American Heritage Month by recognizing five local leaders for their outstanding service and contributions to the Rochester community. Congressman Morelle presented each honoree with an official statement submitted to the Congressional Record, recognizing their individual achievements and lasting impact on the lives of others.\n\n“Rochester's Hispanic community has helped shape our region for generations, enriching our neighborhoods, strengthening our institutions, and making our community a better place to call home,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, we come together to celebrate the people and cultures that make our community stronger. I'm proud to recognize each honoree’s remarkable contributions and ensure their stories are preserved in the Congressional Record for generations to come.”\n\nCongressman Morelle honored five individuals whose leadership and dedication have made a meaningful difference across the Rochester region.\n\nToday's honorees are:\n\nIrene Sanchez\n\nHector Arguinzoni\n\nEddie Santiago\n\nIvette Torres\n\nMaria Delgado\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405849", "title": "Griffith Statement on New VT President", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/", "domain": "morgangriffith.house.gov", "scraper": "morgangriffith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000568", "name": "H. Morgan Griffith", "party": "Republican", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors has selected Dr. Richard Linton as the next president of Virginia Tech. In response to this news, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:\n\n“As the Congressman for Virginia’s Ninth District with family ties to Virginia Tech, it is an honor to work with Virginia Tech’s leadership.\n\n“I am truly excited by the new president being a three-time Hokie, having received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees all from Virginia Tech. And his strong background in agriculture makes him a good fit for Virginia Tech.\n\n“My strong relationship with Virginia Tech is grounded in promoting its leading academic and research programs. With the announcement of Dr. Richard Linton as the next Virginia Tech president, I look forward to continuing this positive relationship.\n\n“Additionally, I join the Virginia Tech family in thanking President Sands for his service to our professors, researchers and students.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://nunn.house.gov/2026/10/14/nunn-iowa-leaders-highlight-1-million-wapello-county-scam-urge-senate-to-pass-guard-act/", "title": "Nunn, Iowa Leaders Highlight $1 Million Wapello County Scam, Urge Senate to Pass GUARD Act", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://nunn.house.gov/category/news/press-releases/", "domain": "nunn.house.gov", "scraper": "nunn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000193", "name": "Zachary Nunn", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "“Scammers stole more than $1 million from a Wapello County farmer who spent a lifetime earning it. His case showed why local deputies need better tools to trace stolen money and pursue the criminals behind these schemes,” said Rep. Nunn. “I introduced the GUARD Act because Iowa law enforcement asked for the resources to follow the money and hold these criminals accountable. We delivered overwhelming bipartisan support in the House. Now the Senate must finish the job, send this bill to the President’s desk, and ensure Iowans can retire with confidence that the savings they earned are protected.”\n\nIn 2024, scammers using a fake Instagram account spent months gaining the farmer’s trust and took more than $1 million, his entire life savings. When they learned he still had money left, they sent two men from New York to collect it in person. Sheriff Phillips and his deputies arrested both men on their second trip to Wapello County, but by then the money was gone, and the people running the scheme were overseas.\n\nAccording to the FBI, Iowans lost $96 million to fraud in 2025, an increase of more than 85 percent from the year before. Many of those cases fall to local sheriffs and police departments, which often lack the tools to trace money if it’s converted to cryptocurrency or leaves the country entirely.\n\nThe GUARD Act would allow state, local, and Tribal law enforcement to use existing federal grant funding for fraud investigations, financial analysis software, and specialized training, without authorizing new federal spending. It would also clarify how federal agencies can help local investigators use blockchain tracing tools to recover stolen savings.\n\nIowa law officials and financial leaders spoke in support of the GUARD Act:\n\n“When criminals use technology and international networks to steal from our citizens, local law enforcement needs the resources and partnerships to follow the money and pursue those responsible—no matter where the investigation leads,” said Wapello County Sheriff Don Phillips. “The GUARD Act would help us do exactly that, and the Senate needs to pass it before another Iowa family loses a lifetime of savings.”\n\n“Thank you, Congressman Nunn, for your leadership and commitment to combating financial fraud,” said Melissa Spurgin, First Iowa State Bank chief financial officer and Iowa Bankers Association chair. “Iowa’s banking industry works every day to educate customers and stop fraud. The GUARD Act will strengthen these efforts by providing the necessary tools and resources to fight financial fraud and hold fraudsters accountable.”\n\n“The GUARD Act presented by Congressman Nunn allows the city of Ottumwa to take what we are working on with awareness and education and move into action with the resources necessary to bring justice to those that would prey on the innocent, unsuspecting citizens,” said Ottumwa Mayor Ben Foote. “The Senate needs to protect the innocent and get this bill to the President’s desk.”\n\n“No one should spend a lifetime working, saving, and building a future in Wapello County only to have a scammer steal it all at a moment’s notice. We’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact these crimes have on our residents and families, and our local law enforcement officers need more resources to fight back,” said Wapello County Supervisor Carrie Teninty. “Congressman Nunn’s GUARD Act would strengthen the partnerships between local law enforcement and federal investigators to help bring those criminals to justice — and the Senate needs to do its job and get this bill to the President’s desk.”\n\nThe GUARD Act passed the House Financial Services Committee unanimously in May and advanced through the full House in September. The bipartisan bill is supported by the Iowa Bankers Association, Iowa Credit Union League, AARP Iowa, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Capital One, and other organizations. The bill has cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee and now awaits a vote in the full Senate.\n\nPhotos from today’s press conference are available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-panetta-leads-call-transparency-accountability-administrations-global", "title": "Rep. Panetta Leads Call for Transparency, Accountability  in the Administration’s Global Health Strategy", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "panetta.house.gov", "scraper": "panetta", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000613", "name": "Jimmy Panetta", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) wrote a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting greater transparency and stronger oversight of the Trump Administration’s “America First Global Health Strategy.” Rep. Panetta led 34 other lawmakers in calling for the public release of global health agreements and detailed answers about how the Administration will measure results, monitor spending, and respond to the misuse of U.S. taxpayer dollars.\n\nFollowing the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the transfer of foreign assistance responsibilities to the U.S. Department of State, the Administration announced roughly $16 billion in bilateral assistance programs for 36 countries. Under the new model, assistance goes directly to foreign governments. However, only a handful of the agreements have been made publicly available, and the lawmakers raised concerns that many participating governments have a history of corruption involving foreign assistance.\n\n“While we applaud efforts to build up global health mechanisms that fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, Ebola and other infectious diseases, this new model raises significant concerns about the efficient and transparent use of U.S. taxpayer dollars,” wrote Rep. Panetta and his colleagues. “Given that the Administration’s dismantling of USAID was triggered by alleged wasteful spending, we want to ensure this new foreign assistance model is free of waste, fraud and abuse.”\n\nThe lawmakers highlighted the multiple layers of oversight USAID used to monitor funding provided to nongovernmental organizations and other implementing partners, including contracting officers, program officials, technical experts, and the USAID Office of Inspector General. They cited testimony from the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the USAID Office of Inspector General indicating limited ability to track or audit funds sent directly to foreign governments. While acknowledging the need to modernize foreign assistance, the lawmakers warned that shifting to government-to-government assistance requires clear safeguards to protect taxpayer dollars.\n\n“Failure to implement these programs thoughtfully, while ensuring accountability to the taxpayer, jeopardizes American leadership in the global health space, which is second to none. It also encourages nations to seek partnerships with our adversaries, while making America less safe, less strong and less prosperous,” continued the lawmakers.\n\nThe lawmakers requested written responses explaining how the Administration will define success and monitor whether the health agreements meet their objectives, who will oversee that work, and what staffing, technical expertise, and funding will support it. They also asked the State Department to identify the systems and safeguards it will use to track and audit spending and explain how it will respond to allegations or evidence of misuse, including whether it will immediately suspend assistance.\n\nTo ensure taxpayers can review these commitments, the lawmakers called for all existing and future global health agreements to be made publicly available. They requested a detailed explanation if the State Department cannot release the agreements.\n\nThe letter was also signed by Reps. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Jim Costa (CA-21), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jared Golden (ME-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Bill Keating (MA-09), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Dina Titus (NV-01), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25).\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Secretary Rubio,\n\nWe write to express concerns about transparency and oversight of the Administration’s new bilateral international assistance model, which grants money directly to foreign governments. Following the dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the transfer of foreign assistance to the U.S. Department of State, the Administration announced roughly $16 billion in bi-lateral assistance programs for 36 countries and launched the America First Global Health Strategy. While we applaud efforts to build up global health mechanisms that fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, Ebola and other infectious diseases, this new model raises significant concerns about the efficient and transparent use of U.S. taxpayer dollars.\n\nSince the bi-lateral international assistance agreements were signed with host countries, only a handful have been made available to the U.S. public for review. Furthermore, many of the foreign governments that have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the State Department have a history of corruption with respect to foreign assistance.\n\nUSAID had several layers of accountability mechanisms built to help monitor funds sent to nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and other implementing partners, including country-based contracting officers, programmatic officials and U.S.-based technical officials, as well as the USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG). Testimony from the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the USAID OIG indicate that there is limited ability to track or audit U.S. taxpayer dollars sent directly to foreign governments. While many development stakeholders agree that a foreign assistance model based primarily on international NGOs needs improvement and modernization, the wholesale adoption of government-to-government assistance without accountability or transparency raises serious questions.\n\nGiven that the Administration’s dismantling of USAID was triggered by alleged wasteful spending, we want to ensure this new foreign assistance model is free of waste, fraud and abuse. We therefore request written responses to the following questions:\n\n1) Please detail how the Administration will monitor and evaluate these health agreements to ensure they meet their objectives. How will success be defined?\n\n2) Who will be charged with monitoring and evaluating these bi-lateral assistance agreements? What resources, including staffing, technical capacity, and financial support, are being deployed to support these efforts?\n\n3) How will the State Department respond to allegations or evidence of improper use of U.S. taxpayer dollars used in foreign assistance? Do you plan to immediately cut off all aid if U.S. taxpayer money is not used for its intended purpose? If not, please explain why.\n\n4) Please detail how the Administration plans to track and audit U.S. taxpayer dollars sent to foreign governments to ensure they are used for their purposes of supporting global health programs. What systems, tools, and safeguards are in place to ensure adequate monitoring and evaluation?\n\n5) We request that all previously signed, as well as all future, global health agreements be made publicly available. If you are unable to do so, please provide a detailed explanation of why you can’t make these agreements publicly available for review to U.S. taxpayers.\n\nFailure to implement these programs thoughtfully, while ensuring accountability to the taxpayer, jeopardizes American leadership in the global health space, which is second to none. It also encourages nations to seek partnerships with our adversaries, while making America less safe, less strong and less prosperous.\n\nThank you for your attention to these questions as we work toward a shared goal of ensuring quality oversight of a critical tool in our national security apparatus.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://patryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-pat-ryan-new-york-delegation-demand-trump-administration-release", "title": "CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN, NEW YORK DELEGATION DEMAND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RELEASE $87 MILLION IN COUNTERTERRORISM FUNDING STILL OWED TO NEW YORK", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://patryan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "patryan.house.gov", "scraper": "patryan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000579", "name": "Patrick Ryan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "One Year After Trump Promised Full Reversal of Funding Cuts, First Responders Statewide are Still Without Millions in Federal Investments\n\nKINGSTON, NY – Congressman Pat Ryan joined members of the New York Congressional Delegation in demanding the Trump Administration to immediately release $87 million in FY2025 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funding that is still owed to New York. Their letter, sent to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton, highlights the danger of withholding this funding from one the largest states in the nation and a top target for international and domestic terrorism.\n\n“Since the start of the second Trump Administration, the President has waged targeted political attacks on New York State. When he cut this counterterrorism funding, New Yorkers across the state fought back and won. Now, a year later, we’re demanding Trump deliver the rest of what’s rightly ours,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “As Trump’s war with Iran continues, Americans want and deserve to feel safe. Now is the absolute last time to be cutting security funding. The need is especially stark following the grim 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks – the tragedy that changed our state forever and inspired these vital preparedness programs in the first place. Trump’s DHS has an obligation to release these funds and protect New Yorkers.”\n\nIn September 2025, DHS issued HSGP award notifications that cut New York’s allocation by 86 percent, or $187 million, leaving the state with just $30 million compared to roughly $220 million in FY24. In October 2025, following bipartisan advocacy, President Trump committed to restoring full funding at approximately $220 million. After a court order in Noem v. Illinois that found Trump unlawfully cut emergency grant funding, the administration released $100 million, but $87 million is still owed to New York.\n\nThe missing funds affect every county in the state, including Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster, and represent $11 million in losses for New York City. The letter warns that without full restoration, the Trump Administration is severely limiting local law enforcement’s ability to plan, train tactical teams, procure equipment, and conduct operations. Created in the wake of the September 11th attacks, HSGP has protected New York State for decades. The delegation underscored that the funds are due 25 years after 9/11 and one year after the President’s promise.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/pou-reveals-new-details-massive-data-center-diesel-spill", "title": "Pou Reveals New Details of Massive Data Center Diesel Spill", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "pou.house.gov", "scraper": "pou", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000621", "name": "Nellie Pou", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today revealed new details about the September 11, 2026 diesel spill at a data center in Secaucus, including a more than seven-hour delay in reporting the incident to state authorities and unanswered questions about its environmental impact.\n\nThese findings, obtained after Pou sought answers from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, were shared in a letter to Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli as the state continues investigating the roughly 5,500-gallon spill.\n\nOn October 2, 2026, Congresswoman Pou wrote to NJDEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak seeking a full accounting of the spill, including how it occurred, a timeline of the disaster, the extent of the damage, and what safeguards would be put in place to prevent similar catastrophes.\n\n“Although approximately 4,000 gallons of the diesel have been recovered from waterways and canals, a full accounting of the remaining fuel and cleanup is still outstanding. NJDEP reports that its daily inspections have found no evidence that diesel reached the Hackensack River. However, the agency has acknowledged reports of discoloration in vegetation along the southeast edge of the river, downstream of the tributary where the spill occurred. Although Equinix and NJDEP have stated that an unspecified amount of fuel was absorbed by cleanup materials deployed around the tributaries, I remain deeply concerned about diesel that may remain in the surrounding soil, sediment, and waterways,” Congresswoman Pou writes Secaucus Mayor Gonnelli about the data center damage around his community.\n\nKey Findings from the NJDEP’s Preliminary Investigation\n\nApproximately 4,000 gallons of diesel have been recovered from the storm sewer line and drainage canals: NJDEP reports an unspecified amount was absorbed by cleanup materials. How much diesel remains in surrounding soil, sediment, and waterways is unknown.\n\nNo evidence was found that diesel reached the Hackensack River: But NJDEP acknowledged reports of “discolored vegetation along the river’s southeastern edge, downstream from the affected tributary.” NJDEP is investigating if the discoloration was caused by the diesel spill.\n\nThe data center falls below the threshold for certain state safeguards against major facilities. NJDEP determined that the facility is not subject to New Jersey’s major-facility discharge prevention requirements, including secondary containment systems, physical security measures, and visual inspections.\n\nCleanup efforts continue, and Equinix has taken corrective measures. NJDEP has confirmed that emergency responses were undertaken following the spill. According to separately published reports, Equinix has reportedly terminated a facility site engineer and suspended automatic fuel polishing operations nationwide.\n\nThe state probe remains ongoing with no completion date announced. The agency has committed to releasing its final report publicly and will evaluate appropriate enforcement actions.\n\nSecaucus and surrounding communities have lived with pollution for decades. Contamination from industrial sites and landfill runoff led the Environmental Protection Agency to designate the Lower Hackensack River a Superfund site in 2022. Now as a major cleanup is underway, the September 11 Equinix spill has seen over 5,000 gallons of diesel released into the local environment.\n\nThe Secaucus spill comes amid growing national attention to the environmental impact and public costs of rapidly expanding data centers.\n\nTimeline of the September 11, 2026 Diesel Spill\n\n12:20PM: The spill may have begun as early as just after noon, following a failure of the overfill protection system on generator #4’s fuel tank during an internal fuel transfer.\n\n~4:00PM: Equinix’s fuel polishing process stopped although diesel continued leaking.\n\n6:36PM: An Equinix guard discovered the spill, approximately six hours after it may have begun.\n\n6:46PM: Within 10 minutes of discovering the spill, Equinix isolated the fuel lines and halted the generator.\n\n7:06PM: Spill containment kits were deployed.\n\n7:11PM: Equinix contacted its emergency contractor.\n\n7:43PM: Equinix notified NJDEP of the spill, more than seven hours after it may have begun. The Secaucus Fire Department arrived around the same time.\n\n9:45PM: Equinix’s emergency contractor arrived at the facility, more than three hours after the spill was discovered.\n\nSeptember 12, 6:07AM: Secaucus and the local health department received electronic notification of the spill, nearly 18 hours after it may have begun.\n\nThe text of Congresswoman Pou’s letter to Secaucus Mayor Gonnelli is below.\n\nDear Mayor Gonnelli:\n\nI write to share new information over the recent data center fuel spill in Secaucus that released over 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel into waterways near the Hackensack River. On October 2, I wrote to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) demanding answers about the spill at the Equinix facility, including a timeline of events and information about its environmental impact. NJDEP responded to several of my questions. Although more information is forthcoming, I want to share what we have learned so far, including additional details Equinix recently provided to my office and to NJDEP.\n\nOn September 11, 2026, Equinix conducted an internal fuel transfer operation, during which the overfill protection system on generator #4’s fuel tank failed. Equinix has stated that the spill may have begun as early as 12:20 PM and continued until approximately 4:00 PM when fuel polishing stopped. After roughly six hours of diesel fuel leaking, an Equinix security guard discovered the spill at approximately 6:36 PM. Within 10 minutes, the facility isolated the fuel lines and halted the associated generator. Around 7:06 PM, spill kits were deployed and by 7:11 PM, Equinix contacted its emergency environmental contractor. Equinix reported the incident to the NJDEP Hotline at 7:43 PM—over seven hours after the spill began. Around that same time, the Secaucus Fire Department arrived at the facility—Equinix’s own emergency environmental contractor arrived roughly two hours later at 9:45 PM. NJDEP also directed environmental booms to be deployed to stop the diesel fuel from spreading into the drainage tributary for the Hackensack River. NJDEP also directed the use of additional equipment to vacuum and clean up the spill.\n\nMore than a month after the spill, important questions remain unanswered. Although approximately 4,000 gallons of the diesel have been recovered from waterways and canals, a full accounting of the remaining fuel and cleanup is still outstanding. NJDEP reports that its daily inspections have found no evidence that diesel reached the Hackensack River. However, the agency has acknowledged reports of discoloration in vegetation along the southeast edge of the river, downstream of the tributary where the spill occurred. Although Equinix and NJDEP have stated that an unspecified amount of fuel was absorbed by cleanup materials deployed around the tributaries, I remain deeply concerned about diesel that may remain in the surrounding soil, sediment, and waterways.\n\nNJDEP continues to investigate the incident, including whether the vegetation discoloration was caused by the fuel spill, but has not provided a timeline for completing its probe. NJDEP has promised to provide me with additional information as it becomes available. The agency has committed to making its final report public so our community can understand the full extent of any damage. Once the report is completed, NJDEP will evaluate appropriate enforcement actions.\n\nImportantly, within a week of the spill, NJDEP inspected the Equinix facility and determined that its fuel storage capacity falls below the threshold for New Jersey’s major facility discharge of petroleum and other hazardous substance prevention requirements. These requirements include having physical security measures, impermeable secondary containment and diversion systems, and visual inspections and monitoring.\n\nWhile NJDEP has confirmed that appropriate emergency responses were undertaken following the spill and that cleanup efforts continue, and although Equinix appears to have terminated an employee serving as a facility site engineer and has halted automatic fuel polishing nationwide, more must be done to keep our communities safe. My office will continue to work with you, the Town of Secaucus, state agencies, and federal regulators to address the aftermath of this incident and prevent similar spills in the future.\n\nSincerely,\n\nNellie Pou\n\nMember of Congress\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://pressley.house.gov/2026/10/14/pressley-city-of-boston-announce-more-than-16-million-to-modernize-fairmount-apartments-in-hyde-park/", "title": "Pressley, City of Boston Announce More Than $16 Million to Modernize Fairmount Apartments in Hyde Park", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pressley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "pressley.house.gov", "scraper": "pressley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000617", "name": "Ayanna Pressley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Pressley, City of Boston, Sec. Matias, State Rep. Consalvo Announce Initial Phase of Renovations that include Energy Retrofits, Accessibility Upgrades, Sustainable Infrastructure, and Workforce Opportunities\n\nBOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), alongside Mayor Michelle Wu, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) Secretary Juana Matias, Representative Rob Consalvo, and Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Administrator Kenzie Bok,joined residents to announce more than $16 million in state, city, and federal funding to modernize the Fairmount public housing community in Hyde Park. This announcement represents the latest investment in the city’s public housing communities.\n\nThe funding includes $1M of Community Project Fund investment secured by Congresswoman Pressley and Senators Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren, a $10 million High Leverage Asset Preservation Program (HILAPP) grant from EOHLC, and $5 million in City of Boston capital funding for the Fairmount Modernization Project. The Boston Public Health Commission has granted funds for open space improvements and community garden installations. Together, the funding will create a more accessible and resilient community.\n\n“Residents in the Massachusetts 7th not only deserve a safe, stable place to call home, but also one that reflects modern-day needs in accessibility, resiliency, and sustainability—and this essential funding to modernize the Fairmount Apartments will do exactly that,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “This investment is a reflection of community input realized and I’m grateful for every engaged resident who made their voice heard. I’m proud to deliver this funding alongside our city and state partners in Mayor Wu, Secretary Matias, Administrator Bok, Rep. Consalvo, and others to invest in existing public housing and improve livability for our communities.”\n\n“Over the last five years, Boston has built nearly 16,000 new units of housing throughout our neighborhoods. In order to make our city a home for everyone, we must also preserve and modernize the affordable homes that already exist,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to all our partners for helping secure funding for this comprehensive, multi-phase renovation of the Fairmount Apartments, and I look forward to working with residents to deliver beautiful, upgraded homes for these families.”\n\n“The Boston Housing Authority is so grateful to our city, state, and federal partners for investing in our public housing communities,” said Kenzie Bok, Administrator of the Boston Housing Authority. “With this funding, Fairmount will remain a welcoming place for families to call Hyde Park home for decades to come.”\n\nThe BHA is kicking off a Master Planning process for the Fairmount community, creating an area-wide vision while beginning a first phase of physical improvements. The initial phase of upgrades will focus on modernizing unit interiors, making 5% of apartments fully accessible, electrifying heating and hot water systems, and adding cooling. It will also include building envelope improvements and installing green stormwater infrastructure to support the community’s long-term sustainability and climate resilience.\n\n“Thanks to Governor Healey’s Affordable Homes Act, HLC has been able to expand the funding needed to improve the state’s public housing system,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias. “We’re not just building new housing, but investing in the homes we already have and the people who live in them. The preservation of Fairmount Apartments is exactly what that commitment looks like.”\n\n“I am thrilled that this enormous investment is happening at the Fairmount Housing Development, literally blocks away from my home here in Hyde Park,” said State Representative Rob Consalvo. “This partnership between the State, City, and Federal government will ensure that the residents of this development will be able to live in safe, modern and accessible units now and for years to come.”\n\nAn additional federal investment secured by the Congressional delegation is going to support flood mitigation for affordable housing developments, including BHA properties. The city and BHA have collaborated on multi-site stormwater projects serving the Fairmount, Gallivan, and Franklin Field communities, an effort bolstered by this federal backing. The project will fund a community garden and new rain gardens to mitigate stormwater pollution and prevent flooding. Through Boston’s PowerCorps program, local residents will be trained to build and maintain the rain gardens while earning green career credentials.\n\n“As the District 5 City Councilor, Chair of the Boston City Council’s Housing Committee, and someone who grew up in public housing, I know firsthand how important it is for families to have a place they can be proud to call home,” said Councilor Enrique Pepén. “This $16 million investment in the Fairmount Apartments is exactly the kind of commitment our residents deserve, one that strengthens our communities, improves quality of life, and ensures families can continue to thrive in the neighborhoods they call home. I’m grateful to our state and federal partners for their collaboration and commitment to making this important investment possible.”\n\n“This $16 million investment is an exciting step forward in advancing affordable, accessible, and high-quality housing for residents of Fairmount Apartments in Hyde Park,” said Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune. “By investing in our public housing communities, we are strengthening neighborhoods and ensuring that families have safe, stable homes where they can thrive. I look forward to seeing the lasting impact these improvements will have on Fairmount residents for years to come.”\n\nFairmount Apartments in Hyde Park was constructed in 1951 and includes over 200 units of state public housing.\n\nAs a Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the House Financial Services Committee (FSC), Rep. Pressley has consistently advocated for policies that affirm housing as a human right and center the dignity and humanity of all people.\n\nIn June 2026, the 21st Century Road to Housing Act passed Congress and included four bills led by Congresswoman Pressley that would address the housing crisis and increase pathways to equitable and affordable housing. The bills will address bias in home valuations, expand affordable housing, strengthen oversight of corporate landlords, and help families reach financial stability. The bill became law despite Donald Trump’s refusal to sign it.\n\nRep. Pressley’s four bills in the housing package include:\n\nThe Appraisal Modernization Act. This bill would promote equity and combat systemic bias in the home appraisal process that has disadvantaged many current and aspiring homeowners—especially homeowners of color.\n\nThe Innovation Fund Act. This bill would establish a grant program to reward communities that are taking innovative steps to increase housing supply.\n\nThe Renter Resource Center Act. This bill would protect renters and strengthen oversight of corporations by creating a database of institutional investors that buy single-family homes, requiring HUD to provide resources to renters, and more.\n\nHelping More Families Save Act. This bill would help families receiving federal housing assistance achieve financial independence as a pathway to wealth building by modernizing and expanding HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program.\n\nFollowing Trump’s refusal to sign the package into law without advancing his voter suppression bill, Rep. Pressley joined lawmakers in demanding Trump support the housing package and the essential, expanded access to housing it would deliver for Americans.\n\nIn May 2026, during Fair Housing and Second Chance Month, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) reintroduced the Housing for Formerly Incarcerated Reentry and Stable Tenancy (Housing FIRST) Act of 2026, bold legislation to help people who are formerly incarcerated and those with criminal histories access safe and stable housing. The bill would advance housing justice and help disrupt the prison-to-homelessness pipeline by removing unjust barriers to housing and limit tenant screening criteria for criminal records in background checks.\n\nIn April 2026, Rep. Pressley along with Rep. DeLauro and Rep. Gomez, founder and co-chair of Congressional Renters Caucus, introduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act to protect tenants facing illegal evictions, crack down on credit reporting of evictions, and more.\n\nIn March 2026, Rep. Pressley joined Financial Services Committee Democrats in a comment letter condemning HUD’s proposed mixed-status families rule, which would increase evictions, separate families, and increase homelessness across the country.\n\nIn January 2026, Rep. Pressley, alongside Congresswomen Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) held the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ (CPC) Lowering Costs Taskforce’s first shadow hearing, titled “Building the New American Dream: Lowering Housing Costs for All.” The shadow hearing brought together housing experts and CPC Members to advance solutions to lower costs by building more affordable, public, and market-rate housing; cracking down on corporate and landlord greed; and expanding federal assistance for low-income families.\n\nIn December 2025, Rep. Pressley convened local advocates and community partners to sound the alarm on the housing crisis created by Donald Trump.\n\nIn December 2025, Rep. Pressley underscored the need to support grandfamily and kinship households, which are vital to preventing homelessness and keeping families and communities whole.\n\nIn November 2025, Rep. Pressley joined House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters (CA-35) and 52 colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, calling on him to rescind a recent HUD decision to slash essential Continuum of Care (CoC) program funding.\n\nIn November 2025, Rep. Pressley introduced the Appraisal Modernization Act, legislation to promote equity and combat systemic bias in the home appraisal process that has disadvantaged many current and aspiring homeowners—especially homeowners of color.\n\nIn May 2025, Rep, Pressley, along with Representatives Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Greg Casar (TX-35), reintroduced the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, legislation to protect the power of tenants, including those with federal vouchers, to organize.\n\nIn June 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Representatives Maxine Waters (CA-43) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), re-introduced the Tenant Empowerment Act, bold legislation to strengthen HUD tenant protections and provide renters with the tools necessary to improve the quality of their homes.\n\nIn March 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Mayor Wu, visited Roxbury to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal funding she secured to provide emergency childcare support for families experiencing homelessness in the City of Boston.\n\nIn March 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Senators Warren and Markey, applauded the final passage of $850,000 in federal community project funding for The Pryde, an affordable housing development for LGBTQ+ seniors in Hyde Park.\n\nIn March 2024, Rep. Pressley urged Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to cut interest rates to boost home affordability and construction of affordable housing.\n\nIn January 2024, Rep. Pressley, during a House Financial Services Committee Hearing, highlighted the growing housing crisis and how appraisal bias and discriminatory tenant screening practices exacerbate the racial wealth and homeownership gaps, especially for Black communities.\n\nIn January 2024, Rep. Pressley celebrated the $2.4 million in federal funding she secured to support the community-led transformation of the Clarendon Hill housing community, an ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse neighborhood in Somerville.\n\nIn December 2023, Rep. Pressley requested the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide data on housing needs for Medicaid beneficiaries and feedback on challenges the agency is having in covering housing support for people requiring home and community-based services (HCBS).\n\nIn July 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), reintroduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act, critical legislation to provide much-needed assistance to those facing eviction amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nIn September 2021, Rep. Pressley joined Rep. Bush and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in introducing the Keeping Renters Safe Act of 2021 to enact an urgently needed nationwide eviction moratorium.\n\nOn July 2021, ahead of the expiration of the previous CDC eviction moratorium, Reps. Pressley, Bush, Gomez and their progressive colleagues sent a letter renewing their calls for President Biden and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky to extend the federal eviction moratorium and prevent the historic and deadly wave of evictions that would occur if the government failed to do so.\n\nOn July 30, 2021, Rep. Pressley joined House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) in introducing the Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021, legislation to extend the eviction moratorium through the end of the year.\n\nIn June 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Reps. Gomez and Bush, led over 40 of their colleagues on a letter urging President Biden and CDC Director Walensky to extend and strengthen the moratorium for the duration of the public health crisis.\n\nIn June 2021, Congresswoman Pressley, along with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), re-introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.\n\nOn May 18, 2021, Reps. Bush and Pressley sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), calling on the CDC to strengthen and extend the federal moratorium on evictions, ensuring families can remain safely in their homes for the duration of the COVID-19 global health emergency.\n\nOn July 28, 2020, Rep. Pressley, Rep. DeLauro and Sen. Harris introduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act to provide much-needed, layered assistance to those facing eviction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nOn July 24, 2020, in a Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed the unprecedented financial cliff facing millions of renters and homeowners, the economic consequences of millions losing their homes, including the ability to return to work, and why funding for legal representation is so critical.\n\nOn May 11, 2020, Reps. Tlaib, and Joe Neguse (D-CO) urge House and Senate leadership to include $11.5 billion in funding for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) in the next relief package to aid the nation’s homeless population who are experiencing heightened vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nOn April 10, 2020, Rep. Pressley urged Congressional leadership to prioritize recurring monthly cash payments to those most at-risk during the COVID-19 crisis. This funding would allow people to cover all their bills, including rent.\n\nOn April 17, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and colleagues introduce the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.\n\nOn March 23, 2020, Reps. Pressley and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act of 2020, legislation to provide critical funding to states and local governments responding to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation was included and passed through the HEROES Act and H.R. 7301, the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020.\n\nOn March 19, 2020, Rep. Pressley, along with progressive lawmakers and organizations, introduced the Housing is a Human Right Act to authorize more than $200 billion in federal spending over 10 years for crucial housing infrastructure and reduce homelessness.\n\nOn March 18, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Katie Porter (D-CA) and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to HUD calling for a moratorium on evicting renters during the coronavirus pandemic.\n\nIn July 2019, Rep. Pressley announced legislation that would prohibit the use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), protecting tenants from biased surveillance technology.\n\nIn November 2019, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Tlaib wrote to HUD blasting the agency for ignoring low-income tenants seeking to save their homes.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://radewagen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/amata-highlights-pacific-healthcare-initiative-american-samoa-focus", "title": "Amata Highlights Pacific Healthcare Initiative for American Samoa, the Focus of Recent Meetings", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://radewagen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "radewagen.house.gov", "scraper": "radewagen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000600", "name": "Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen", "party": "Republican", "state": "AS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting several key healthcare ideas for American Samoa and the region that were put forward in her meeting with Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula; Dr. Peter N. Bretan, a renal surgeon, urologist and former multi-term president of the California Medical Association; and Dr. Eileen Natuzzi, who has extensive experience working with healthcare efforts and goals for the underserved Pacific Islands. The two doctors also met with LBJ Tropical Medical center leaders, and Amata and Dr. Natuzzi followed up by discussing the practicalities with LBJ Board Member Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Tuia Poumele, including discussing drone medicine transport with Major Si’imoa Galoia.\n\nPictured with MAJ Si’imoa Galoia, LBJ Board Member Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Tuia Poumele, Eileen Natuzzi MD discussing health care advancements for our islands\n\nTraining LBJ surgeons to provide urological procedures\n\nDuring this visit, Dr. Bretan and Dr. Natuzzi met with the medical director and the surgeons at LBJ to review the data on Overseas Medical Referrals for enlarged prostate resections, also known as TURPs.\n\nIn 2026 alone, 40 patients from American Samoa were referred to New Zealand for this prostate care. This number has been significantly increasing each year. The estimated cost of travel and stay in New Zealand exceeds $400,000 ($10,000/person). The total ongoing savings to Medicaid is an estimated $800,000 when the facility and professional fees are included.\n\nIn contrast, establishing a transurethral vaporization prostate resection (TUVP) program by training the general surgeons to do the procedure would cost less than $100,000. In addition to the TUVP procedure, training can include:\n\nTrans urethral vaporization bladder\n\nTrans rectal prostate biopsy\n\nRemoval of kidney stones using Shockwave lithotripsy.\n\nThis training could begin as soon as January 2027, provided needed equipment is purchased.\n\nEstablishing a regional Trauma system\n\nWorking with Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA), a U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) trauma readiness program has been funded by Pacific Command (PACOM). This would establish a regional trauma system that can respond to natural disasters as well as kinetic warfare. Healthcare staff throughout the USAPIs will be certified in ATLS and ATCN. In addition to training, American Samoa could serve as a strategic medical stockpile location.\n\nEstablishing a medical drone program and supporting Manu’a\n\nIn a meeting with the DOH, DHS, DOE and the Governor, the cost of sending urgent medical supplies to the Manu’a Islands by boat and plane was a key point of discussion. The technology is now available, and in use elsewhere, for drones to carry medicines, blood products and vaccines to the islands and bring laboratory specimens back. This conveyance can save time and money while improving care through faster availability. A number of drones are built that can be used for this purpose. (Kite Aero and Zipline).\n\nBased on the fact that Tafuna High School has a national award-winning drone team: the Toa Drone Team, American Samoa’s students could be trained so that upon graduation there is a ready workforce that can be appropriately certified within current laws and regulations to pilot the Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS), creating local jobs for young people in American Samoa.\n\nFurther possibilities for future expansion of drone use piloted from American Samoa could include patrolling EEZ waters for illegal fishing, human trafficking and drug running, contributing to search and rescue, monitoring weather impacts, and ferrying supplies in conjunction with Apia.\n\nEstablishing mainland medical school partnerships\n\nUnder this plan, to foster training and support, negotiations would start between George Washington Medical School and LBJ/ASG in order to establish bidirectional exchanges of medical students, doctors and faculty. The goal would be to expand services, provide continuing support for doctors and nurses, and introduce U.S. medical students to healthcare in the Pacific Islands.\n\n“Thank you to Dr. Bretan for his important insights, and Dr. Natuzzi, who has focused for years on ways to bring about better care to remote islands like ours,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Successfully establishing these ideas together, or even a few of them, would be key improvements to our health system here. Thank you to Governor Pulaali’i for meeting with these medical experts to discuss these initiatives that can provide new tools for our doctors as they are always working to save lives and bring improvements to LBJ.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://riley.house.gov/2026/10/14/riley-takes-on-streaming-giants-with-bill-to-end-ad-free-bait-and-switch/", "title": "RILEY TAKES ON STREAMING GIANTS WITH BILL TO END AD-FREE BAIT-AND-SWITCH", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://riley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "riley.house.gov", "scraper": "riley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000622", "name": "Josh Riley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) introduced the Ad-Free Means Ad-Free Act, legislation to crack down on streaming companies that promise customers commercial-free viewing, then change the rules and force them to sit through advertisements.\n\nMany digital streaming platforms that built massive user bases on promises of commercial-free viewing have later added advertisement to their default tiers for both live and on-demand programming. For example, RedZone – the NFL’s popular streaming service – recently announced it would broadcast advertisements for the first time in its 17-year history. Outraged fans viewed the change as a bait-and-switch that fundamentally breached the ad-free experience they had already purchased.\n\n“If you pay for ad-free, you should get ad-free. It’s that simple,” Riley said. “For years, football fans were promised seven hours of commercial-free football. Now the big streaming companies are moving the goalposts to squeeze even more money out of hardworking people. Upstate New Yorkers are sick and tired of getting ripped off. My bill makes these companies honor their promises and gives fans what they paid for.”\n\nRedZone is not alone in its change from an ad-free model. Across the industry, major streaming platforms are introducing commercials into previously ad-free tiers, often forcing users to pay an additional surcharge to restore the uninterrupted experience they originally signed up for. The Ad-Free Means Ad-Free Act would prohibit streaming services from adding commercials to paid subscriptions originally advertised or offered as commercial-free within one year or the length of the original contract.\n\nThe Ad-Free Means Ad-Free Act is endorsed by the Sports Fans Coalition.\n\n“If sports fans pay extra to watch games without additional commercial interruptions, they should get what they pay for – no ads. We thank Congressman Josh Riley for throwing the flag on the bait-and-switch some streaming services are pulling on fans,” said David Goodfriend, Chair of the Sports Fans Coalition.\n\nYou can read the text of the legislation HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://rouzer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3259", "title": "Port of Wilmington Awarded Federal Grant to Expand Capacity,...", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://rouzer.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "rouzer.house.gov", "scraper": "rouzer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000603", "name": "David Rouzer", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WILMINGTON, NC - Today, Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Port of Wilmington $6,002,296 for port improvements through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program.\n\nThis award will support the development of 140 commercial motor vehicle parking spaces, 50 freight container staging positions, as well as secure and smart operations infrastructure at the Port of Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina.\n\n“The Port of Wilmington connects Southeastern North Carolina to the world. As freight demand continues to grow, these improvements will help move goods more efficiently, strengthen our supply chains, and support the businesses, workers, and communities who rely on the port,” said Congressman Rouzer. “I’m pleased to see this investment come to our community, which will help ensure the Port of Wilmington can continue to support economic growth across the region.”\n\n\"This award and the associated projects work in concert to propel North Carolina Ports to achieve its winning aspiration of being the Southeast’s most trusted, preferred, efficient, customer centric gateway by providing seamless, diversified total cost-advantage solutions for customers, bolstering North Carolina’s economy,\" said Brian Clark, Executive Director, North Carolina State Ports Authority. \"We appreciate Congressman Rouzer’s ongoing support.\"\n\nThe project will help the port accommodate growing freight volumes, expand truck parking and container staging capacity, and reduce delays through more efficient coordination of pickups and deliveries. As a vital economic asset for southeastern North Carolina, the Port of Wilmington connects regional businesses to domestic and international markets. These improvements will help the port meet future freight demand and support continued economic growth across the region.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roy-demands-answers-fda-delayed-review-bidens-mail-order-abortion-pill", "title": "Rep. Roy Demands Answers from FDA on Delayed Review of Biden’s Mail-Order Abortion Pill Policy", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "roy.house.gov", "scraper": "roy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000614", "name": "Chip Roy", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21) sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas demanding answers after the agency indicated that its safety review of mifepristone would not be completed until March 2027, despite assurances that the Biden Administration’s January 2023 modifications to the drug’s dispensing requirements would be addressed by fall 2026. Those modifications eliminated the in-person dispensing requirement and expanded distribution through the mail.\n\nRep. Roy wrote: “House Republicans cannot be expected to continue funding the implementation of the January 2023 REMS modifications indefinitely while FDA repeatedly extends its review without committing to corrective action.”\n\nThe letter comes after Rep. Roy earlier this year agreed to withdraw his amendment that would have prohibited federal funds from being used to implement the Biden Administration’s changes to the mifepristone REMS framework, based on a good-faith understanding that the FDA would complete and publish the mifepristone safety study this fall.\n\nAs Roy states in the letter:\n\n“I did not withdraw my amendment so that FDA could conduct an open-ended review while continuing to administer the Biden Administration’s policy.”\n\nHe further warned:\n\n“If FDA will not act to reverse the Jan 2023 REMS modifications, including reinstating the in-person dispensing requirement, Congress must act. Absent prompt action, I will seek to include my amendment in the next continuing resolution to prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to implement, administer, or enforce the Jan 2023 REMS modifications.”\n\nYou can read the full letter here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/schneider-introduces-legislation-protect-access-online-resources-lgbtq", "title": "SCHNEIDER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT ACCESS TO ONLINE RESOURCES FOR LGBTQ STUDENTS", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "schneider.house.gov", "scraper": "schneider", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001190", "name": "Bradley Scott Schneider", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LINCOLNSHIRE, IL –Today, during LGBTQ history month, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced legislation to ensure critical online LGBTQ resources are not blocked at schools and public libraries. Currently, public schools and libraries that receive discounted telecommunications and internet rates through the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) E-Rate program must enforce an internet safety policy that in some cases leads to the blocking of useful LGBTQ resources. The Don’t Block LGBTQ Act would clarify that schools and public libraries that block LGBTQ resources would lose access to discounted rates under the E-rate program.\n\n“During LGBTQ History Month, we celebrate the countless LGBTQ Americans who have strengthened our communities and helped move our country forward,” said Schneider. “LGBTQ Americans, especially young people, deserve access to information, support, and resources that can make a meaningful difference in their lives. I'm proud to introduce this legislation to ensure LGBTQ individuals are not prevented from receiving support – whether asking health questions, responding to bullying, or seeking advice about coming out to family and friends.”\n\nAccording to the American Psychological Association, the majority of LGBTQ+ youth have turned to a mental health professional or experienced symptoms of anxiety. Access to resources on where to reach for help is critical to ensuring youth have the support they need.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/schneider-murphy-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-improve-access-medical", "title": "SCHNEIDER, MURPHY INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO MEDICAL SUPPLIES", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "schneider.house.gov", "scraper": "schneider", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001190", "name": "Bradley Scott Schneider", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LINCOLNSHIRE, IL — Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., (NC-03) introduced the bipartisan Access to Medical Supplies Act, which would exclude urological and ostomy supplies from Medicare’s Competitive Acquisition Program for five years to protect Medicare beneficiaries who rely on them.\n\n“Everyone deserves access to the medical supplies that will improve their quality of life and improve their well-being. Unfortunately, the new rule from CMS making ostomy and urological medical supplies part of a competitive bidding program undermines this goal,” said Schneider. “These are highly specialized prosthetics, and a sweeping rule like this should never be put in place without patient, provider, and supplier feedback. I’m proud to work with my Ways and Means colleague Dr. Murphy to introduce the bipartisan Access to Medical Supplies Act to pause this rule and ensure patients continue to receive the medical supplies they need.”\n\n“Patients who rely on urological and ostomy supplies should not be forced to sacrifice the products that work best for them,” said Murphy. “As a physician, I know that every patient has different medical needs, and access to the right supplies can make a meaningful difference in their health and quality of life. This legislation will give patients, physicians, and policymakers time to evaluate competitive bidding and ensure that any future program protects access to the supplies patients need.”\n\nThe Access to Medical Supplies Act would:\n\nExclude urological and ostomy supplies from Medicare’s Competitive Acquisition Program for five years, from January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2032.\n\nEstablish a technical expert panel of patients, caregivers, clinicians, suppliers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to evaluate the impact of competitive bidding and recommend changes.\n\nEstablish a demonstration project to assess the impact of competitive bidding on patient access and health outcomes before broader implementation.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sherman-joins-house-foreign-affairs-committee-democrats-condemning", "title": "Sherman Joins House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats in Condemning Trump’s Russian Diesel Deal", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "sherman.house.gov", "scraper": "sherman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000344", "name": "Brad Sherman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, joined Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks and fellow Committee Democrats in condemning President Trump’s decision to authorize purchases of Russian diesel, warning that the move would enrich Vladimir Putin and undermine U.S. support for Ukraine:\n\n“President Trump is blaming Ukraine for rising fuel costs to distract from the real cause: his war of choice in Iran. The American people are paying the price for this president’s decisions, and now he is filling the Kremlin’s war chest. It is a shameful betrayal of Ukraine, our European allies, and everything the United States stands for.\n\n“We welcome the bipartisan condemnation of this deal. But condemnation alone is not enough. When Republicans have had the chance to do more, most have refused.\n\n“In April, HFAC Democrats introduced the End Russian Oil Windfalls Act, legislation that would bar the administration from issuing the very licenses Trump is now using to enrich Putin. Republicans declined to cosponsor it and Republican leadership has not moved it since.\n\n\"If Republicans are genuinely outraged by this deal they should join us, pass this legislation, and put a check on a president who is more interested in appeasing Putin and enriching himself and his inner circle than defending American interests or our commitments to Ukraine. Congress has the power to act.”\n\nSherman and his Democratic colleagues also renewed calls for passage of the End Russian Oil Windfalls Act (H.R. 8222), legislation introduced in April to prevent the administration from issuing such licenses.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://susielee.house.gov/media/press-releases/photo-release-congresswoman-lee-delivers-remarks-2026-national-clean-energy", "title": "PHOTO RELEASE: Congresswoman Lee Delivers Remarks at 2026 National Clean Energy Week", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://susielee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "susielee.house.gov", "scraper": "susielee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000590", "name": "Susie Lee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) delivered remarks during the 10th annual National Clean Energy Week’s Policymakers Symposium. She discussed the importance of fully harnessing our domestic geothermal resources, especially as the United States continues to face both increasing energy demands both at home and abroad.\n\nAs southern Nevada’s sole representative on the House Natural Resources Committee, Congresswoman Lee is doing everything possible to build the clean energy economy. She passed her Geothermal Energy Advancement Act, a bipartisan, six-bill geothermal permitting reform package, the most significant geothermal legislation in more than half a century. The package includes Lee’s bipartisan, bicameral Streamlining Thermal Energy through Advanced Mechanisms (STEAM) Act to expedite geothermal exploration and development, and her Geothermal Energy Opportunity (GEO) Act, which would reform — and speed up — the federal permitting process for geothermal projects.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://tlaib.house.gov/posts/rep-tlaib-introduces-bill-to-remove-and-prohibit-flock-cameras-mass-surveillance-technologies", "title": "Rep. Tlaib introduces bill to remove and prohibit Flock cameras, mass surveillance technologies", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://tlaib.house.gov/press", "domain": "tlaib.house.gov", "scraper": "tlaib", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000481", "name": "Rashida Tlaib", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "INKSTER, MICH. – U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) introduced the Get the Flock Out of Our Communities Act today with community leaders in front of a Flock camera in Inkster, Michigan, whose city officials just signed a long-term contract with the mass surveillance company. The bill would prohibit the use of federal funds to purchase or operate any automated mass surveillance systems, including automatic license plate readers like Flock. It would also require state and local governments to divest from such systems to remain eligible for certain federal law enforcement grants.\n\nIt is the only bill in Congress designed to completely prohibit the use of automated mass surveillance technology, including biometric surveillance systems and facial recognition technology.\n\n“The mass surveillance crisis is not a dystopian fantasy—it is already here. Our children and neighbors cannot go to the park, drive down the street, go to work, or exercise their Constitutional rights without their privacy being breached,” said Rep. Tlaib. “Flock’s technology isn’t making us safer. Instead it has been used to stalk people, mis-identify and arrest innocent people, surveil protestors, and wrongfully record our neighbors. My bill would prevent our government on all levels from selling us out to Big Tech companies that trample our civil rights for profit.”\n\nOver 200 cities and counties, including Westland and Lincoln Park in Michigan, have cancelled their Flock contracts due to resident outrage. According to Data for Progress, a majority of voters — 52% — view Flock unfavorably, a sentiment that continues to grow as Flock and its abuses become more widespread.\n\n“People everywhere are starting to recognize that conflating surveillance with safety makes communities less safe,” said Tawana Petty, digital and data justice organizer from Detroit. “The persistent abuse of Flock cameras and other surveillance systems by law enforcement agencies across the United States, and the lack of transparency by the companies that market them has caused an awakening among residents and city government agencies who are ridding themselves of the technologies. The Get the Flock Out of Our Communities Act is responsive to the national call to protect all neighbors from being stalked and harmed by reckless actors and opportunistic corporations.”\n\n“Flock cameras are overall dangerous to a free society,” said Geri Biggs, Dearborn resident and community advocate. “There have already been cases cited where individuals have been illegally stalked, including young women, by individuals in positions of power with nefarious intentions.Allowing this information to be shared with companies poses a threat to the civil rights of us all, and at the very least can be intimidating to the most vulnerable in our communities.”\n\n“Flock cameras are a significant invasion of people’s privacy and need to be seriously controlled, or eliminated,” said Larry Biggs, Dearborn resident and community advocate. “As soon as information is gathered by Flock, it can be shared with other law enforcement agencies, including ICE and CBP, with no control. All other invasions of people’s privacy must get a search warrant or have probable cause. Flock cameras have no such requirements.”\n\n“Flock and other vendors of AI-surveillance technology pose an existential risk to our democracy,” said Elijah Nemr, member of Metro Detroit Democratic Socialists of America. “With capabilities ranging from video and audio capture, to the processing and permanent storage of our most sensitive data, every person who values their independence and privacy must oppose this technology in all of its forms. DSA has successfully organized to end Flock in Westland, and we will continue organizing with our neighbors to get Flock out of our communities!”\n\n“The spread of mass surveillance systems is an existential threat to political and personal freedom,” said Jibran Ludwig, Legislative Strategist at Fight for the Future. “We have seen the current administration weaponize these tools to terrorize immigrant communities and protestors, while simultaneously forcing every single person into dragnet surveillance that puts us all in danger. But the threat goes far beyond our current political moment: the history of mass surveillance is an endless litany of abuse at every level. This bill is an urgent effort to uproot the mass surveillance systems which have been built up from the local level and down from the federal.”\n\n“Indivisible is proud to endorse the Get the Flock Out of Our Communities Act. These automated mass surveillance systems don’t just violate our fundamental rights to privacy and civil liberties – they fuel Big Tech’s broader efforts to harvest as much of our personal information as possible so they can bleed our bank accounts dry and monopolize markets,” said Andrew O’Neill, National Advocacy Director of Indivisible. “We’ve also witnessed Republicans increasingly weaponize warrantless mass surveillance as a fascist tool for political gain and to help their donors profit off massive amounts of our stolen data. This isn’t new, and it has nothing to do with safety or justice: the first surveillance laws in the U.S. passed in 1712 targeted Black, mixed-race, and Indigenous people, weaponizing public safety to enforce white supremacy. Ever since, surveillance systems and increasingly sophisticated technologies have been intentionally and disproportionately deployed in predominantly Black and low-income communities. It’s more urgent than ever that Congress protect our communities from these attacks.”\n\nThe Get the Flock Out of Our Communities Act comprehensively removes automated mass surveillance systems and similar technologies by:\n\nProhibiting federal funds being used by federal, state, or local government entities to purchase, deploy, install, maintain, access, lease, or operate any automated mass surveillance system, including automated license plate readers like Flock, biometric surveillance systems, and facial recognition technology.\n\nProhibiting the federal government or any employee or officer of an agency acting in an official capacity from using any automated mass surveillance systems or information derived from such systems.\n\nRequiring the removal of any automated mass surveillance system deployed or operated with federal funding.\n\nRequiring any unit of government in possession of data generated by federally-funded automated mass surveillance systems to permanently delete that data.\n\nRendering data obtained in violation of the Act’s provisions inadmissible in court.\n\nRequiring state and local governments applying for certain federal law enforcement funding to certify that they do not operate or access automated mass surveillance networks.\n\nRead the full bill text here.\n\nThe Get the Flock Out of Our Communities Act is cosponsored by 6 members of Congress: U.S. Reps. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3866", "title": "Trahan, Markey, Warren, McGovern Demand Study of Impacts of Amazon’s Westborough Drone Program", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "trahan.house.gov", "scraper": "trahan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000482", "name": "Lori Trahan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) wrote to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford and Amazon.com, Inc. CEO Andy Jassy urging Amazon to work with the FAA to conduct an Environmental Assessment of its proposed drone delivery facility in Westborough, Massachusetts, before launching operations there. Communities have raised concerns about the Amazon Prime Air drone delivery program’s impact on the environment and residents’ quality-of-life, including noise pollution, health and safety, and privacy.\n\nIn the letters, the lawmakers wrote, “Despite the noise and environmental risks of Amazon’s drone operations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized operators such as Amazon to deploy their fleets without completing a site-specific Environmental Assessment (EA) of their impact on the surrounding communities. This decision is especially problematic in Massachusetts localities, given the differences between it and previously studied communities, local opposition, and the inadequate treatment of the risks associated with transporting hazardous-materials.”\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “An independent resident survey, with more than 1,200 responses as of early October 2026, found 92 percent of respondents opposed the proposed Westborough facility. At a state level, Massachusetts is one of 15 states currently suing the FAA for its nationwide FONSI. In other words, Amazon is now trying to quickly move drone operations into Massachusetts under a streamlined regulatory process the state itself is challenging. These are precisely the community-specific noise, safety, and quality-of-life concerns a site-specific EA and comment period exist to surface and address.”\n\nThe lawmakers urged, “These concerns – applying the FONSI to a community different from those previously assessed by the FAA, significant local opposition, and the limited evaluation of hazardous material risks – warrant requiring Amazon to complete a site-specific EA, with a public comment period, before the FAA authorizes Prime Air operations in Massachusetts.”\n\nA copy of the letter sent to the Federal Aviation Administration can be accessed HERE.\n\nA copy of the letter sent to Amazon can be accessed HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3867", "title": "Massachusetts Awarded $142 Million in Federal Home Heating Assistance Funds", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "trahan.house.gov", "scraper": "trahan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000482", "name": "Lori Trahan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) highlighted the awarding of $142,330,091 in federal funding to Massachusetts through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The early allocation follows Trahan’s request for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release Massachusetts’ LIHEAP funding before the end of the month to combat surging home heating costs.\n\n“No family in Massachusetts should have to choose between heating their home and affording groceries or medicine,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “With heating oil prices up nearly 75 percent from last year, that choice is becoming a reality for far too many households. Releasing these funds early will help families prepare for the winter ahead. But this year’s allocation falls short of last year’s at a time when the need is greater than ever. Congress must act to restore and strengthen this lifeline.”\n\nThis year’s $142.3 million allocation is nearly $4 million less than Massachusetts’ initial allocation last year, which totaled $146 million. The drop is driven by the expiration of the five-year LIHEAP increase included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which delivered an additional $6.4 million to the Commonwealth last year alone over the baseline $139.6 million allocation.\n\nCrude oil prices have topped $100 per barrel multiple times this year, most recently on September 15. Because heating oil is refined from crude, those spikes hit Massachusetts households hardest. State utility shutoff moratoriums protect many families through the coldest months, but they do nothing for households that must pay in full before a heating oil delivery.\n\nThe LIHEAP program has long been underfunded. On average, just 20 percent of eligible households receive assistance each year. In 2023, Trahan led an effort toincrease federal LIHEAP funding. Earlier this month, Trahan, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Congressman Stephen Lynch led 24 of their colleagues in pressing the Department of Energy to act on soaring heating oil costs and end the administration’s attacks on LIHEAP, which it has tried to eliminate.\n\nMassachusetts residents can learn more about and apply for heating assistance HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-carter-thompson-visit-nations-largest-permanent-ice-migrant", "title": "Congressmen Carter, Thompson Visit Nation’s Largest Permanent ICE Migrant Detention Facility", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "troycarter.house.gov", "scraper": "troycarter", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001125", "name": "Troy A. Carter", "party": "Democrat", "state": "LA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "NATCHEZ, MS – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), Committee Member, released the below statement on their surprise oversight visit yesterday to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility at Adams County Correctional Center (ACCC) in Mississippi, the nation’s largest migrant detention facility.\n\n“One of Congress’ primary responsibilities is oversight of federal agencies, and we exercised that power – and legal right – in an unannounced visit to ACCC after a summer of crises, protests, and power outages. We wanted an unvarnished look at the institution to make sure that facility problems highlighted in correspondence our offices and in public inspection reports are being addressed, and that everyone in the facility has access to their constitutional due process rights. Regardless of a person’s station in life, they are still human and deserve safe shelter with adequate, sanitary food and water, and access to health care.\n\n“We continue to have concerns that detainees aren’t able to obtain access to adequate mental health services, a full understanding of what crimes they are charged with, and transparency and accountability for when ACCC staff fail in upholding their constitutional rights. As the Trump administration continues to weaponize ICE against communities across the country, we will continue rigorous oversight of immigrant detention facilities so that the law is followed and immigrants have access to their full constitutional rights.”\n\nBackground\n\nAdams County Correctional Center (ACCC), operated by the private prison company CoreCivic, is the largest permanent immigration detention facility in the U.S. and detains an average of 1,878 men daily.\n\nIn the past six months, ACCC and the men detained there have experienced multiple crises. In May 2026, ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight inspected ACCC and downgraded the facility from a “Superior” rating to “Acceptable/Adequate,” with only 24 of 28 standards met. In July, nearly 70 detainees submitted a petition to the warden demanding an end to the practice of placing three detainees in cells meant to hold two people. During the week of August 10, 2026, a lengthy power outage at ACCC left detainees without air conditioning for two days in nearly 100-degree heat. On August 22, 2026, around 100 male detainees started a protest over poor living conditions, spoiled food, and meager rations.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-carter-moskowitz-introduce-emergency-preparedness-higher-education-act", "title": "Reps. Carter, Moskowitz Introduce the Emergency Preparedness in Higher Education Act to Strengthen Campus Resilience", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://troycarter.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "troycarter.house.gov", "scraper": "troycarter", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001125", "name": "Troy A. Carter", "party": "Democrat", "state": "LA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Co-Chairs of the Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus, introduced the Emergency Preparedness in Higher Education Act. This legislation authorizes $100 million in annual federal funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to distribute to higher education institutions. These grants would improve institutions’ capacity, planning, and facilities to better prepare for, and respond to, disasters and other emergencies that directly impact students, administrators, and staff. The need for greater disaster preparedness was evident when Hurricanes Katrina, Ida, and Irma devastated universities in Louisiana and Florida, and when wildfires forced evacuations of California campuses.\n\n“Our climate crisis makes extreme weather events more frequent and severe, so we need to ensure uniquely vulnerable communities, such as our colleges and universities, have the support and resources they need to prepare for and respond to disasters and emergency situations,” said Congressman Carter. “I’m partnering with Rep. Moskowitz to introduce this legislation and take necessary steps toward preparing our institutions of higher education for protecting the lives, housing, property, and futures of our young adults and the staff that support them before disaster strikes – not after a storm has already arrived.”\n\n“As Florida’s former emergency management director, I know that the time to prepare for a disaster is before it strikes. No student should be left wondering where to go or whether their campus can keep them safe when a disaster hits,” said Congressman Moskowitz. “Families send their children to college trusting that their safety is a priority. That responsibility starts long before the first evacuation order.”\n\nBackground\n\nAmerican colleges and universities function as small communities, often housing tens of thousands of students, staff, and researchers in concentrated areas, making them uniquely vulnerable to a range of natural disasters and other emergencies. Campus shootings and other acts of violence, from Virginia Tech to Michigan State, have shown that institutions need well-rehearsed active-threat plans and protocols, reliable mass-notification systems, trained threat-assessment teams, and coordination with local law enforcement. Additionally, climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of hurricanes, wildfires, floods, extreme heat, and other events that can shut down campuses, displace students, and damage infrastructure.\n\nInstitutions have a duty of care for the many students who live on campus far from family, including international students, students with disabilities, and low-income students who face additional challenges. Investing in comprehensive emergency planning, resilient infrastructure, continuity-of-operations strategies, accessible communication, and other resources protects lives, preserves academic and research missions, and limits financial impacts. As these threats become more frequent and often overlap, campuses need additional support to make preparedness a core institutional responsibility.\n\nThe Emergency Preparedness in Higher Education strengthens higher education resilience by establishing a $100 million annual FEMA grant program to help eligible higher education institutions create or expand emergency management and preparedness capacity.\n\nEligible uses of grant funds include personnel costs to expand emergency preparedness; creating or updating comprehensive institutional emergency management plans; infrastructure and facility construction or improvements for emergency operations centers or areas of refuge; and equipment and technology to enhance interagency coordination.\n\nRead the full bill text here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4068", "title": "Congressman Valadao Urges Administration to Protect Critical Central Valley Head Start Programs", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "valadao.house.gov", "scraper": "valadao", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000129", "name": "David G. Valadao", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Last week, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams regarding the recent Head Start Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). In his letter, he urged the administration to ensure that the final rule upholds current Head Start performance standards and gives fair consideration to public comments submitted by programs in CA-22.\n\nOn August 7, 2026, HHS and ACF proposed a federal rule that would make significant changes to how Head Start programs operate in the Central Valley. This includes removing the nationwide Head Start standards, requiring English-only learning in classrooms, lowering the cap on federal funding for administrative expenses, and changing the staff-to-child classroom ratios in order to create more program flexibility, reduce red-tape, and ensure local and state decision-making. Despite these goals, the NPRM falls short of maintaining the program standards that have been central to Head Start’s success.\n\n“The proposed rulemaking would fundamentally reshape the nationwide Head Start program by eliminating performance standards that have been central to its success for decades. While the administration describes the proposal as an effort to modernize the program and provide greater flexibility to state and local leaders, it also creates significant uncertainty for the communities and families that rely on Head Start,” wrote Congressman Valadao. “Removing the performance standards would shift administrative burden onto already strained programs, requiring them to navigate a complex set of state and local regulations. Providers are concerned that removing clear performance standards could leave key requirements open to subjective interpretation, making it more difficult for programs to understand and meet federal expectations, potentially putting longstanding Head Start grants at risk.”\n\nWhile the proposed rule does have a process for programs seeking exemptions from certain requirements like the English-only provision and the administrative cost cap, there is no clear timeline for agency review and decision-making on waiver requests. This lack of clarity would force Head Start providers to operate with uncertainty for an unspecified amount of time while the federal government makes decisions that directly affect their ability to continue operations. In the letter, Congressman Valadao expressed support for modernizing the Head Start program to strengthen outcomes for children and parents.\n\nCongressman Valadao has been a strong supporter of Head Start throughout his time in Congress. He has visited several classrooms to see firsthand how the program invests in the success of Central Valley families and has consistently advocated for increased funding to support its work.\n\nRead the full letter here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://vindman.house.gov/2026/10/14/vindman-introduces-make-data-centers-pay-act-to-protect-virginians-from-rising-electricity-costs/", "title": "Vindman Introduces ‘Make Data Centers Pay Act’ to Protect Virginians from Rising Electricity Costs", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "vindman.house.gov", "scraper": "vindman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000138", "name": "Eugene Simon Vindman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced legislation to protect hardworking Virginia families and small businesses from being forced to shoulder the rising electricity costs associated with the growing electricity demands of data centers.\n\nThe Make Data Centers Pay Act would amend the Federal Power Act to require large and medium-sized data centers to pay the full incremental costs associated with their electricity use, preventing those expenses from being passed on to residential customers and small businesses.\n\n“Families in Virginia and across the country should not have to pay higher electricity bills to subsidize some of the largest and most energy-intensive data centers and computing facilities in the world,” said Vindman. “As data centers and artificial intelligence drive growing demand for electricity, we need to make sure the companies benefiting from that growth pay their fair share. My bill puts ratepayers first and protects hardworking Virginians from being stuck with higher utility bills to subsidize billion-dollar corporations.”\n\nUnder the legislation, covered data centers and high-density computing facilities with electricity demands of at least 20 megawatts would be required to cover the incremental costs of serving their electricity needs. This would help ensure that the costs of infrastructure and electricity service needed to support these facilities are borne by the companies driving that demand, rather than shifted onto everyday ratepayers.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nVindman has been a champion for holding data centers and electric utilities accountable.\n\nIn August 2026, he introduced the Smart Data Center Policy Act to prevent data center development near neighborhoods, schools, and parks.\n\nVindman also introduced the Home Energy Affordability Act to limit how often utilities can change residential utility rates and change prices for everyday Virginians, as well as the Utility Hikes Transparency Act, which would create the first comprehensive, machine-readable federal database of retail utility rate changes in the United States.\n\nHe has also fought against corruption in the energy sector by championing the Energy Utility Lobbying Ban Act, which would bar former government officials from lobbying on behalf of the companies they used to regulate.\n\nWhat’s more, Vindman was the first member of Virginia’s congressional delegation to publicly oppose the proposed merger between NextEra and Dominion Energy, raising concerns about its potential impact on electricity rates and Virginia consumers.\n\nMost recently, he delivered remarks at a Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) public hearing on the proposed merger, urging regulators to reject the proposal and put the interests of ratepayers ahead of corporate profits.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=411031", "title": "Womack’s Truck Parking Funding Put to Use in Arkansas’s Third District and Across Nation", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://womack.house.gov/news", "domain": "womack.house.gov", "scraper": "womack", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000809", "name": "Steve Womack", "party": "Republican", "state": "AR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "ARKANSAS — October 14, 2026… Today, House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (AR-3) announced that the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is set to receive a $23 million grant to design and construct truck parking infrastructure in Crawford County along the future segment of I-49. The grant is part of the Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects (INFRA) program.\n\nChairman Womack’s THUD appropriations bill funds the Department of Transportation, including the INFRA program. In his Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and 2027 THUD appropriations bills, Chairman Womack allocated $200 million to address the national truck parking shortage. The I-49 truck parking project is one of fourteen projects across 12 states awarded INFRA program Track 2 funding to build safe and accessible commercial truck parking infrastructure.\n\nChairman Womack said, “Truckers are the cornerstone of our interstate commerce. We depend on these hardworking men and women to transport goods and fuel across our country, keeping store shelves stocked and gas tanks filled. A lack of adequate truck parking nationwide puts a strain on drivers, creates safety risks for the traveling public, and jeopardizes our supply chain. This is why I prioritized funding to build truck parking infrastructure in my transportation appropriations bill for two consecutive years. Our truck drivers should not have to worry about finding a safe place to park, no matter where they are. I’m proud that future truckers traveling along I-49 in Crawford County will have that peace of mind, building on the generational benefits that this new interstate segment brings to the River Valley.”\n\nARDOT Director Jared Wiley said, “Congressman Womack’s leadership in transportation funding has benefited the Arkansas Department of Transportation and the citizens of the Natural State for many years. His efforts at the national level have ensured that $200 million in vital funding is dedicated to much-needed truck parking infrastructure across the country in both fiscal years 2026 and 2027. With Womack’s support, Arkansas was able to secure a $23 million INFRA grant that will pave the way for a new rest area and truck parking facility along future Interstate 49 in Crawford County between the Gun Club Road and Clear Creek Road interchanges. This grant award will help bolster efforts by a wide array of transportation professionals who understand the value of safe and predictable parking for those who keep our economy moving.”\n\nBackground: ARDOT will receive $23,024,000 to complete the final design and construction of a new safety rest area and truck parking facility along future I-49 in Crawford County, Arkansas, between the Gun Club Road and Clear Creek Road interchanges. The facility will feature dedicated parking infrastructure accommodating approximately 137 trucks and approximately 49 passenger vehicles. Additionally, the project includes construction of northbound and southbound access ramps, internal one-way circulation roadways, stormwater detention ponds, site utilities, and lighting.\n\nChairman Womack has secured $21 million in Community Project Funding for the construction of the 14-mile Alma to Barling segment of I-49, including $18 million in FY 2022 and $3 million in FY 2026. With Chairman Womack’s support, ARDOT received a $25 million USDOT RAISE grant in 2024 for the project.\n\nSee the full list of awards HERE.\n\nCongressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.\n\nwomack.house.gov\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2026/10/president-trump-signs-blackburn-s-bill-to-support-music-tourism-into-law", "title": "President Trump Signs Blackburn’s Bill to Support Music Tourism Into Law", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0", "domain": "www.blackburn.senate.gov", "scraper": "blackburn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001243", "name": "Marsha Blackburn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) released the following statements after President Trump signed into law their bipartisan legislation, the American Music Tourism Act, to support music tourism in Tennessee and across the country:\n\n“The Volunteer State is home to so many iconic landmarks for tourists to experience – from Graceland in Memphis to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge,” said Senator Blackburn. “Music tourism has such a positive impact on Tennessee’s economy, and we need to ensure that fans from all over the world continue to celebrate our state’s rich history of music for generations to come. The American Music Tourism Act will promote and support the fast-growing tourism industry, and I am pleased it has been signed into law by President Trump.”\n\n“We're glad to see our American Music Tourism Act become law,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “Our new law will drive even more visitors to our outstanding venues across Colorado.”\n\nThe American Music Tourism Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nMusic tourism – both the act of visiting sites important to the history of American music culture and the act of traveling for concerts and music festivals – is a vital industry for American culture and an economic driver for our communities.\n\nMusic tourism has emerged as a top travel trend, with the market forecasted to reach $11.3 billion in revenue by 2032.\n\nThe United States, which boasts one of world’s largest music industries that generates over $43 billion in revenue each year, is one of the main beneficiaries of this international interest in music tourism.\n\nTHE AMERICAN MUSIC TOURISM ACT\n\nThe American Music Tourism Act will leverage the existing tourism framework within the Department of Commerce to highlight and promote music tourism in the United States.\n\nSpecifically, this law will require:\n\nThe Assistant Secretary to implement a plan to support and increase music tourism for both domestic and international visitors; and\n\nA report to Congress on the successes and vulnerabilities of the Assistant Secretary’s goals to increase travel and tourism.\n\nClick here for bill text.\n\nENDORSEMENTS\n\nThis legislation is endorsed by the National Independent Venue Association, Nashville Songwriters Association International, the Recording Academy, the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, National Music Publishers Association, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Broadcast Music, Inc., the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Memphis Tourism, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Recording Industry Association of America, Overton Park Shell, Society of Composers and Lyricists, andGlobal Music Rights.\n\n“Independent venues and festivals are the lifeblood of local communities, not just as cultural hubs but as powerful engines of economic activity…Fans travel for them. They book hotels, fill restaurants, and shop on Main Street because a show is happening that night. The American Music Tourism Act is a jobs bill. We are thrilled the House and Senate have prioritized driving domestic and foreign visitors to the nation’s music attractions and independent stages. Now, we encourage the President to sign it and give the country its first national strategy for music tourism. It is a bipartisan policy that treats live music as the economic asset it already is. We are grateful to Senators Marsha Blackburn and John Hickenlooper and to Representatives Diana Harshbarger and Nanette Barragán for their leadership, and to the Senate Commerce and House Energy and Commerce committees for moving forward this bill,” said Stephen Parker, Executive Director, National Independent Venue Association.\n\n“The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is elated that the American Tourism Act has been enacted. As the owner of an iconic music venue, The Bluebird Café, we acutely understand the economic and social impact of music tourism. The music tourism market is projected to exceed $11 billion in revenue by 2032. With adoption of this Act we expect that the music tourism industry can thrive beyond that expectation,” said Bart Herbison, Executive Director, Nashville Songwriter’s Association International.\n\n“Today is a great day for music people everywhere. The signing of the American Music Tourism Act recognizes what we've always known: music doesn't just move us; it moves local economies. From the venues that anchor their neighborhoods to the creators who fill them, this law honors the real impact of music on communities across the country. We're grateful to Senators Blackburn and Hickenlooper and Representatives Harshbarger and Barragán for their bipartisan leadership, and to the president for signing this into law. The Recording Academy has championed this since day one, and we're proud to see it cross the finish line,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO, Recording Academy.\n\n“The passage of the American Music Tourism Act is a major win for Tennessee and for music communities nationwide. This legislation strengthens our ability to showcase Tennessee’s iconic music destinations and drive economic growth through increased tourism,” said Bob Raines, Executive Director, Tennessee Entertainment Commission.\n\n“The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors the artists whose music connects us all. We share stories of the people, events, and songs that shape our world through digital content, innovative exhibits, live music, engaging programs, and our annual Induction Ceremony, and have welcomed more than 15 million visitors from all 50 states and around the world to our Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. We support the American Music Tourism Act to reinforce our music community’s massive economic and emotional impact on the U.S. and beyond,” said Greg Harris, President & CEO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum.\n\n“U.S. music venues showcase songwriter’s work for travelers from all over the world. We are pleased to see the American Music Tourism Act pass into law, which we expect will lead not only to commercial growth but also a greater appreciation of American music, history, culture, and creators. We greatly appreciate Senators Blackburn and Hickenlooper’s continued leadership and focus on protecting and encouraging music creation and consumption,” said David Israelite, President & CEO, National Music Publishers Association.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-trumps-continued-attacks-on-offshore-wind", "title": "Blumenthal Statement on Trump's Continued Attacks on Offshore Wind", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press", "domain": "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", "scraper": "blumenthal", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001277", "name": "Richard Blumenthal", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "[Hartford, CT] — U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal today released a statement on the Trump Administration’s continued attacks on offshore wind projects, including the nearly complete Revolution Wind project.\n\n“While Trump's war of choice with Iran drives fuel costs sky high for Americans, he's also waging war on offshore wind projects including New England's Revolution Wind. If there's one lesson from Trump's mindless warmongering, it's that we need to break our dependence on foreign imports of fossil fuels and embrace alternate sources of energy. Revolution Wind is expected to generate clean and affordable energy for thousands of Connecticut homes in just a few weeks--Trump must back down and drop his unhinged and unwarranted opposition to these projects,” Blumenthal said.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-secures-funding-for-wvu-medicine-weirton-medical-center", "title": "Capito Secures Funding for WVU Medicine-Weirton Medical Center", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.capito.senate.gov", "scraper": "capito", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001047", "name": "Shelley Moore Capito", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee, announced a $2.45 million Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) award for the WVU Medicine-Weirton Medical Center.\n\nThis award, which was secured through a CDS request made by Senator Capito in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), will support the planned renovation and expansion of the WVU Medicine-Weirton Medical Center’s emergency department.\n\n“This funding represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of West Virginians who live in the Northern Panhandle,” Senator Capito said. “By renovating and expanding this facility’s emergency department, more West Virginians will have access to essential services. I am proud to have helped secure this funding for the completion of this project, and I look forward to seeing the immense impact this investment will have on West Virginians for years to come.”\n\n“We are grateful to Senator Shelley Moore Capito and her team for their support of this important investment in WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center. This funding will help make the major expansion and renovation of our Emergency Department possible, enhancing the emergency care we provide to our community for years to come,” David Artman, WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center CEO and President, said.\n\nIndividual allocation details listed below:\n\n$2,450,000 CDS award to WVU Medicine-Weirton Medical Center (Weirton, W.Va.) to renovate and expand its emergency department.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-coons-cornyn-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-civics-education/", "title": "Senators Coons, Cornyn introduce bipartisan bill to strengthen civics education", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.coons.senate.gov", "scraper": "coons", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001088", "name": "Christopher A. Coons", "party": "Democrat", "state": "DE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the bipartisan Strengthening Civics Education Act, legislation to strengthen civics and history education in schools across the country and ensure students have the knowledge and skills needed to understand American government and participate in civic life.\n\n“Civic engagement lies at the heart of our democratic process,” said Senator Coons. “As we celebrate 250 years as a nation, I am proud to partner with Senator Cornyn on this bipartisan effort to support the preparation of strong civics educators, the promotion of a full understanding of civics among our students, and the training of a new generation of active citizens.”\n\n“It is our duty to ensure future generations learn and uphold the values that formed the bedrock of our nation more than 250 years ago, but studies have shown that teachers don’t have the resources they need to help teach these critical topics,” said Senator Cornyn. “The Strengthening Civics Education Act will help equip educators with the tools necessary to strengthen students’ foundational knowledge of our country’s history, institutions, and system of government and impart the importance of civic engagement.”\n\nThe majority of American students lack basic proficiency in civics and U.S. history, and the most recent national assessment showed eighth-grade civics scores declining in 2022 after more than two decades of stagnation. Civics education remains uneven across the country: just six states require a year-long civics course, and only one in five social studies teachers report feeling well prepared to support civic learning.\n\nThese gaps reflect a broader nationwide underinvestment in civics education. Students cannot fully understand the institutions that govern their lives or meaningfully participate in civic life if they are not given the opportunity to learn how those institutions work. As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Senators Coons and Cornyn are seeking to reverse that trend by strengthening civics educators and education.\n\nThe Strengthening Civics Education Act would take several steps to strengthen civics and history education nationwide:\n\nStrengthen civics and history education: Reauthorize and expand the existing American History for Freedom program to support education on American political thought and history, representative democracy, constitutional democracy, free institutions, and Western civilization\n\nSupport teachers: Require grantees to collaborate with local educational agencies to give elementary and secondary school teachers opportunities to deepen their knowledge of civics and history, while supporting teacher preparation initiatives focused on civics and history\n\nExpand access to open educational resources: Promote the development and use of high-quality, open educational resources on American political thought and history and the impact of American representative democracy and constitutional democracies around the world\n\nStrengthen national civics assessments: Require the National Assessment of Educational Progress to assess student achievement in civics and history in grades four,eight, and 12 at least once every two years, with a methodology designed to provide statistically significant state-level data\n\nConnect students and teachers with federal opportunities: Establish an America250 Civics clearinghouse, a publicly available website compiling federal scholarship and fellowship opportunities related to civics for students and teachers\n\nProtect state and local control: Clarify that nothing in the legislation would allow the federal government to prescribe a national curriculum in civics or history or supersede state and local control over instruction\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the CivxNow coalition, the nation’s largest cross-partisan coalition working to prioritize civics education, with more than 410 members.\n\n“The teaching of modern democracy requires that our schools and educators have the innovative resources they need to reach and engage today’s young people – and it requires that our school systems can track and understand what works and what does not,” said Louise Dubé, CEO of iCivics. “The Strengthening Civics Education Act will help make both of those possible.”\n\n“Since 1965, the Center for Civic Education has known that robust support for civic learning and engagement is essential to the American system of self-government. Every school, at every level deserves more opportunities to foster the principles and practices of constitutional democracy. The Strengthening Civics Education Act advances that essential goal. By requiring regular national assessment in civics and history, investing in teacher preparation, and expanding access to high-quality open resources, this legislation sends a clear signal that civic education is not an optional addition to a well-rounded education, it is essential to it. As our nation marks 250 years, the Center for Civic Education supports this bill and calls for civic education to receive the same commitment we have long given to other core subjects,” said Dr. Donna Phillips, president and CEO, Center for Civic Education.\n\n“The Delaware Center for Civics Education is extremely grateful to Senator Coons for remaining a consistent champion of civics education and for co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill that aims to improve how civics is taught and learned. This initiative could not be better timed as it comes at a highly polarized moment in our nation’s history. We are grateful for the opportunity to endorse this bill,” UD Center for Civics said.\n\n“One of the American Bar Association’s core goals is to Advance the Rule of Law and the first objective under that goal is to increase public understanding of and respect for the rule of law and the legal process,” ABA President Barbara J. Howard said. “One way to accomplish this goal is to provide high-quality civic education for people throughout their lives — but beginning as children. The Strengthening Civics Education Act will help ensure that young people understand and appreciate what the rule of law means in their daily lives and that they emerge from school with the knowledge and skills they need to secure American democracy now and in the future.”\n\n“For generations, the Y has helped young people build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to participate in civic life through programs like YMCA Youth and Government. The Strengthening Civics Education Act would expand opportunities for nonprofits to partner with colleges and universities to bring meaningful civic education experiences to more youth nationwide. We are proud to support this bipartisan effort to strengthen civic engagement and prepare the leaders our communities need,” said YMCA of the USA CEOSuzanne McCormick.\n\nThe text of the bill is available here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-cortez-masto-small-business-owners-share-impact-of-trump-economy-on-costs-and-their-ability-to-make-ends-meet/", "title": "ICYMI: Cortez Masto, Small Business Owners Share Impact of Trump Economy on Costs and Their Ability to Make Ends Meet", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "In Case You Missed It, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined small business owners in Northern and Southern Nevada to discuss the impact of the Trump economy on rising costs, which have limited their ability to make ends meet. President Trump’s blanket tariffs and war in Iran have significantly raised the cost of food, gas, and other goods.\n\nGas prices are now nearly $1.50 higher per gallon than they were this time last year. Nationally, the average price for a gallon of gas is the highest it’s ever been for this time of year. Additionally, after the first year of President Trump’s second term, Nevadans paid an average of over $1,500 more for goods and services than they had the year before.\n\nWatch More:\n\nKOLO, Reno: Rising costs put pressure on local small businesses\n\nCortez Masto said small businesses across the country are facing the same challenge and said addressing it will take a collective effort. She said the issue goes beyond partisan lines.\n\n“This is about solving problems for Nevadans and so many people across this country and coming together to identify areas where we can improve the lives of our businesses and individuals here and lower those costs and make it affordable,” Cortez Masto said.\n\nCortez Masto said she wants local business owners to know federal partners are actively working to introduce legislation addressing their challenges. She said she is also working to reverse policies she says are driving up costs.\n\nKTVN, Reno: U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto hears the struggles of local restaurant owners\n\nSenator Cortez shared how business owners throughout the state have told her how uncertain they feel about what the future holds for them.\n\nThe Senator said, “Unfortunately, we’ve got nothing but chaos and uncertainty and then policies that are actually contributing to the challenges, the high costs, and if people don’t realize when we’re talking about blanket tariffs against other countries, the people that are actually paying for those tariffs are Americans, our businesses.”\n\nTelemundo, Las Vegas: En los negocios locales sienten presión por los costos\n\nReporter: “[…] durante el encuentro, empresarios locales compartieron cómo los precios de los alimentos, el combustible y otros productos han afectado sus operaciones y también sus ganancias.”\n\nDaisy Vega: “Nos tiene al borde, al borde de la bancarrota. Todo está demasiado caro. La gasolina, los productos, todo se ha subido muchísimo. Y entonces yo pienso que ese es el motivo por el cual la gente no sale, no sale a consumir, a comer. Entonces, si nosotros somos los que estamos pagando el precio.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/working-families-tax-cuts-help-more-americans-save-for-health-care", "title": "Working Families Tax Cuts Help More Americans Save for Health Care", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases", "domain": "www.crapo.senate.gov", "scraper": "crapo", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C000880", "name": "Mike Crapo", "party": "Republican", "state": "ID", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C.—The Working Families Tax Cuts are making it easier for Americans to save for health care expenses by expanding access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Before the law took effect, only 2 percent of people insured through the federal Affordable Care Act marketplace were enrolled in HSA-eligible plans, which provides a tax-advantaged way to save for qualified medical expenses. By making bronze and catastrophic Affordable Care Act plans HSA-compatible and permanently allowing coverage of certain telehealth services before the deductible is met, the law has expanded HSA eligibility to an estimated 10 million Americans.\n\n“Health savings accounts give families greater control over their health care decisions and how they spend their health care dollars,” said U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). “By expanding access to these important tax-advantaged tools, the Working Families Tax Cuts are giving millions more Americans the opportunity to save for the care that best meets their needs.”\n\nKey wins:\n\nMakes health insurance plans which cover telehealth and remote care services pre-deductible HSA-eligible\n\nAllows enrollees in bronze and catastrophic Affordable Care Act plans to contribute to an HSA\n\nAllows qualified individuals to contribute to an HSA while participating in a direct primary care service (DPC) arrangement, which allows patients to pay a flat recurring fee for routine care\n\nWhat they are saying:\n\n“In many cases, the DPC model allows physicians to offer enhanced access and more personalized care than is typically possible under a traditional fee-for-service system… The AAFP greatly appreciates that [the Working Families Tax Cuts] eliminated the prohibition on using health savings account (HSA) funds to pay for a DPC arrangement.” – American Academy of Family Physicians Board Chair Dr. Jen Brull\n\n“Catastrophic plans better reflect the core purpose of insurance—protection against high-cost, unpredictable events—while allowing consumers greater control over routine spending. Combined with expanded health savings account (HSA) eligibility contained in the Working Families Tax Cuts, expanded access to catastrophic plans enables consumers to direct premium savings into tax-advantaged accounts rather than inflated premiums.” – Brian Blase, Gabrielle Minarik and Christopher Medrano of Paragon Health Institute\n\nClick HERE to learn more about the Finance Committee provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-lee-file-amicus-brief-challenging-disbarment-of-attorney-john-eastman", "title": "Sens. Cruz, Lee File Amicus Brief Challenging Disbarment of Attorney John Eastman", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.cruz.senate.gov", "scraper": "cruz", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001098", "name": "Ted Cruz", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, and Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review the disbarment of Dr. John Eastman related to his legal representation of President Donald Trump. In the brief, the senators argue that Supreme Court review is necessary to clarify the constitutional limits on attorney discipline, protect free speech, and safeguard Americans’ right to independent legal counsel.\n\nExcerpts from the amicus brief are below, and the full text of the brief can be viewed here.\n\n“First, attorneys keep their Free Speech Clause rights when they advocate for clients—and that protection must include room to press disputed and even losing arguments. ‘[T]he First Amendment’s protections extend to licensed professionals much as they do to everyone else.’ Chiles v. Salazar, 607 U.S. 627, 642–43 (2026). And our law develops because advocates ask courts to extend, modify, or reject it.\n\n“Zealous advocacy will disappear if professional survival depends on whether bar regulators later agree with an attorney’s legal analysis. This Court has explained that ‘regulating the content of professionals’ speech poses the inherent risk that the Government seeks not to advance a legitimate regulatory goal, but to suppress unpopular ideas or information.’ NIFLA, 585 U.S. at 771.\n\n“Threatening lawyers’ licenses for controversial advocacy deters willing counsel and therefore burdens clients’ right to petition. A lawyer deciding whether to undertake a controversial representation must account for whether regulators may later characterize his advocacy as unreasonable, false, or professionally forbidden. The prospect of professional exclusion therefore affects representation long before any bar proceeding begins.\n\n“The decision below’s refusal to apply strict scrutiny demands this Court’s review. ‘Because First Amendment freedoms need breathing space to survive, government may regulate in the area only with narrow specificity.’ Button, 371 U.S. at 433. Yet even as the California Bar pursued an ideological crusade against what the decision below itself called “core political speech,” the Review Department never applied strict scrutiny.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-arizona-gallego-touts-plan-to-strengthen-middle-class-meets-with-arizona-students/", "title": "In Arizona, Gallego Touts Plan to Strengthen Middle Class, Meets with Arizona Students", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Senator Gallego discussed economic opportunity, civic engagement, early voting, and education during stops in Phoenix and Chandler\n\nPHOENIX – This past weekend, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) met with Arizona families, students and media to discuss his plan to strengthen the middle class, encourage civic participation and expand educational opportunities across the state.\n\nGallego met with members of Phoenix-area media to discuss his economic policy plan to rebuild America’s middle class, titled “Saving the Middle Class and Restoring the American Dream.” The five-pillar plan called for, among other provisions, a tax on data centers and AI, a New Deal-style public service jobs program and raising the minimum wage to $20 per hour, with the goal of building an economy that works for middle-class families.\n\nIn Chandler, Gallego joined Chandler High School students for a Latino Leadersconversation about how culture, background and personal experiences can shape a career and become strengths in pursuing future goals. Gallego shared his own journey into public service, lessons from his career and advice for students before taking questions from the students.\n\nSenator Gallego speaks with Chandler High School students\n\n“I love meeting students. It matters to me. I think growing up, and having opportunities to meet people that were in different careers and seeing them was key to me,” Senator Gallego said after the conversation. “That kind of thing helped me understand where my future can be.”\n\nGallego later joined Frankie Pastor, grandson of former Congressman Ed Pastor, for an “AZ Barrio Stories” conversation focused on the importance of education and expanding opportunities for Arizona students. The discussion highlighted Gallego’s education plan and his priorities for strengthening educational access and outcomes across the state.\n\nSenator Gallego with Dr. Jose Leyba and Frankie Pastor on the set of “AZ Barrio Stories”", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/what-they-are-saying-senator-gallego-unveils-his-economic-policy-plan-to-rebuild-americas-middle-class/", "title": "What They Are Saying: Senator Gallego Unveils his Economic Policy Plan to Rebuild America’s Middle Class", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gallego.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.gallego.senate.gov", "scraper": "gallego", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000574", "name": "Ruben Gallego", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Last week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released his sweeping economic policy plan to rebuild America’s middle class. The five-pillar plan, “Saving the Middle Class and Restoring the American Dream,” includes a tax on data centers and AI, a New-Deal style public service jobs program, and raising the minimum wage to $20-per-hour to build an economy by-and-for the middle class — not the elites.\n\nRead the full plan HERE.\n\nSince its release, the plan has received praise from advocacy groups, union leaders, and community leaders. The plan has also garnered attention on social media and received coverage from major news outlets.\n\nHere’s what they are saying:\n\n“Senator Gallego’s plan is the kind of bold thinking we need to rebuild the American middle class. Not only does the plan call for improvements to existing policies, such as increases in the minimum wage and overtime, but it also advances transformative reforms like sectoral bargaining that can dramatically boost union membership and coverage. This is a plan to take seriously,” said David Madland, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress.\n\n“This is one of the most ambitious agendas I’ve seen to reconnect the living standards of working families to overall economic growth. That project requires strong action on many different fronts, which is precisely what this agenda provides,”said Jared Bernstein, former Chairman, United States Council of Economic Advisers.\n\n“Corporate billionaires and CEOs are getting rich off of the backs of their employees while, at the same time, they are trying to silence voices and squelch concerted action and bargaining aimed at improving workplaces. I applaud Senator Gallego for recognizing the vital importance of empowering the working class in order to address economic, racial and social justice gaps that just keep widening. His laudable intention is to help everyday Americans regain appropriate wages and benefits earned through hard work and receive the dignity and respect that they richly deserve. His comprehensive plan aims to re-level the playing field for working families by tackling this current Administration’s elevation of corporate interests above workers’ rights. It rightly promotes collective worker power and workplace democracy, including through sectoral bargaining, which would address income inequality and wage stagnation, raise labor standards for all, and end a corporate competitive race to the bottom that fails to focus on the quality of goods and services provided to the public. Elected officials need to heed the call, as Senator Gallego has, to restore balance and give everyone opportunities to attain the American dream,” said Jennifer Abruzzo, Former General Counsel, National Labor Relations Board.\n\n“Over 12,000 hard working Starbucks Workers United members across 45 states salute Senator Gallego for his innovative commitment to giving workers the tools to better our lives. We strongly agree that a clear path to the middle class starts with a union contract. We know that taking concrete steps to enhance workers rights and triple union density, while supporting a strong industrial policy that creates manufacturing jobs are essential to a broad based recovery. We see the complexity of AI in our worksites and support a stronger voice for workers and communities in regulating tech, data centers, and the growing use of automation that threaten our jobs and community well-being. At Starbucks Workers United, we know that our communities will thrive when all of us can ‘Salir Adelante,’” said Michelle Eisen, Union Leader, Starbucks Workers United.\n\n“AI could be the most disruptive technology of our lifetimes. Right now, decisions about this technology are being made by just a small subset of Silicon Valley CEOs, when they should be made by the American people. Senator Gallego’s AI pillar meets this challenge head-on, by protecting workers directly and empowering their collective bargaining power through their unions. We hear from Americans throughout this country that they want urgent action, and this plan’s comprehensiveness matches the moment,” said Alex Bores, Co-Founder and Board President, Who Decides.\n\n“Every day, CPLC sees how economic insecurity affects families. We welcome Senator Gallego’s focus on quality jobs and pathways to stability, helping more people build secure futures in their communities,” said Alicia Nunez, President and CEO, Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC).\n\n“At a time when billionaires, CEOs and mega-donors seem to be getting anything they want from the federal government while working families get left behind, it’s refreshing to see Senator Gallego’s plan to strengthen the middle class. Senator Gallego has made working people the core of his plan, recognizing that creating good union jobs is the key to both putting more money in workers’ pockets and enabling them to build better lives for themselves and their families. It’s past time for Congress to get to work on some of these ideas to finally put workers first,” said Claude Cummings, Jr., President, Communications Workers of America (CWA).\n\n“UNITE HERE has been proud to partner with Senator Gallego and strongly endorses his plan to re-create the middle class. Organizing non-union workers is the best way to build worker power in the United States and fight back against the White House’s overreach — driven by ruthless bosses and Wall Street executives trying to undermine democracy and crush unions,” said Gwen Mills, President, UNITE HERE.\n\n“Arizona’s working people are tired of living on edge, struggling to make ends meet while the wealthy elite continue to hoard profits. Higher wages, stronger benefits, protections against the unregulated, untested use of artificial intelligence, and making it easier for workers to join a union are core tenets of our labor movement, and we are pleased to see them reflected in Senator Gallego’s plan to recreate the middle class. We look forward to continuing to work together to build an Arizona where workers can pay bills, buy groceries and gas, afford to see a doctor, and take our family out to a movie once in a while. When working people thrive, Arizona’s communities and economy are stronger,” said Fred Yamashita, Executive Director and Secretary-Treasurer, Arizona AFL-CIO.\n\n“On the heels of the historic win by Banner Health primary care clinicians who just formed the state of Arizona’s first physician and advanced practice practitioner union, we should remember what forming a union is. It is an exercise of every American’s right to come together with their colleagues for shared interests as expressed in the National Labor and Relations Act of 1935. Exercising their right to say enough is enough, and demand that a workplace is a space of collaboration rather than domination in the name of profits guided into the hands of a few. Over time we have seen corporations gain largely unchecked power and leverage to union bust and prevent workers from taking a more active role in their workplaces. What happened at Banner is proof that tides are changing and that change is possible when it is done alongside their local community. Unionizing is a manifestation of the deepest level of care for one’s workplace, rooted in the belief that a better future is possible for all. The UAPD proudly endorses Senator Ruben Gallego’s economic vision to triple union density by 2035 in the state of Arizona,” said Sebastian Gomez, Organizer, Union of American Physicians and Dentists.\n\n“Through my work supporting small businesses and attracting investment from Mexico, I’ve seen what entrepreneurs can accomplish when they have access to capital and the right support. Community lenders like CDFIs, strong cross-border partnerships, and affordable housing for workers and their families all help businesses grow and hire locally. I support Senator Gallego’s focus on expanding opportunities in smaller cities, rural areas, and tribal and border communities. Entrepreneurs should have a real chance to build a successful business in the place they call home,” said Francisca Villegas, Chief of Mexican Direct Investment, City of Tucson.\n\n“In Santa Cruz County, ‘QUEREMOS SALIR ADELANTE.’ We want to see that promise carried across generations. We want our young people to have the opportunity to build meaningful careers and strong families, our working families to achieve stability, and our older generations to know that a lifetime of hard work has led to security and the dignity of being able to retire.\n\n“In workforce development, we have the privilege of helping people take those next steps by connecting job seekers to real employment opportunities and creating pathways through training, apprenticeships, and career development. Helping people find work is important but helping them find opportunities that can lead to long term stability is just as important. We also see another side of our workforce that deserves our attention. We see older workers who have spent 30, 40, or even 50 years in industries like produce and distribution, people who helped build the economy and community we have today, still performing physically demanding work well into their 70s because they simply cannot afford to retire.\n\n“Rebuilding the middle class should mean that hard work leads somewhere. It should mean creating opportunities for the next generation while honoring the generation that came before them. After a lifetime of work, our older generations should be able to retire with dignity without worrying about whether they can afford rent, groceries, health care, and other basic necessities. That is what salir adelante should look like across generations,” said Zaida Bustamante, Executive Director, ARIZONA@WORK Santa Cruz County.\n\n“Sen. Gallego’s middle-class plan recognizes that small businesses must be at the center of our nation’s economic future, including as emerging technologies reshape the way businesses operate and compete. Small entrepreneurs should have the ability to join together and bargain for affordable access to new technologies, helping ensure that innovation expands opportunity rather than deepening the advantages of the largest corporations. This plan also recognizes the importance of strengthening small-business economies beyond superstar cities, including rural, tribal, and border communities that too often bear the costs of trade without seeing enough of its benefits. By expanding access to capital, supporting local entrepreneurship, and ensuring trade policy works for Main Street businesses, we can build an economy where small businesses and their workers have a meaningful opportunity to thrive,”said Lauren Bealore, National Director of Policy & Programs, Main Street Alliance.\n\n“SMART members across the United States work tirelessly to build and move our nation, whether ensuring kids breathe quality air in schools or transporting people and freight. In return, we don’t ask for much — the ability to provide for our families, stay healthy, and live a life with dignity. But for too long, our economy hasn’t worked for people who actually work for a living. And from coast to coast, Americans are demanding change.\n\n“Senator Ruben Gallego’s Middle Class Plan recognizes that we aren’t asking for handouts. We’re asking for a system that rewards workers, not corporate elites. We’re asking for a fair shot. That’s what SMART fights for every day, and it’s what every working person in this country deserves. We will continue that fight on behalf of SMART members and working Americans nationwide, and we urge all elected leaders to join us in fighting for an economy that works for all of us,” said the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART Union).\n\n“This agenda charts new American trade policies that benefit U.S. workers and producers, build fairer markets, deconcentrate political power, and strengthen our resilience and national security. It recognizes what’s at stake — we cannot have well-paid jobs, thriving Main Street businesses, safe and affordable medicine and food, green energy and transportation, or productive investment over financialization, unless we replace both the neoliberal NAFTA-WTO agenda and Trump’s Oligarch First tariff corruption,” said Lori Wallach, Director, Rethink Trade.\n\n“Communities like San Luis have tremendous potential, but we need the tools and investment to turn that potential into long-term economic opportunity. Our focus is on helping small businesses and entrepreneurs grow, expanding access to capital, strengthening our infrastructure, and leveraging our position along the U.S.-Mexico border to attract manufacturing, food processing, logistics, and other quality job-creating industries. I appreciate that Senator Gallego’s plan recognizes the unique needs of rural and border communities and the importance of making sure federal economic development resources reach communities like ours,” said Armando Esparaza, Economic Development Director, City of San Luis.\n\n“Americans are facing difficult financial decisions everyday and Senator Gallego understands that more than most. Senator Gallego’s plan to ease Americans financial burdens is multi faceted and we are glad to see a core pillar of the plan is to increase the percentage of workers that are members of a union. It has been proven numerous times union members earn higher wages and better benefits which gives working families the ability to live the American dream and not paycheck to paycheck,” said Jason Sangster, Business Manager, Ironworkers (IW) Local 75.\n\nSee what people had to say about Senator Gallego’s middle class plan on social media:\n\n@OutspokenKTAR on X: “‘If we don’t raise wages, then what are we doing here?’”\n\n“Sen. Ruben Gallego breaks down his new economic plan.”\n\n@philaroneanu on X: “@RubenGallego’s plan to heavily tax AI and data centers to pay for New Deal style jobs programs, raise wages, and strengthen the safety net seems very smart to me.\n\n“Even if we freeze new AI development, today’s models will likely chew up millions of jobs in the coming years.”\n\n@Ami_Marisol on X: “An example of Dems using “affordability” as a messaging tool:\n\n“Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released a new report on ‘saving the middle class’ where he frames future economic growth should move away from ‘exploitative industries that funnel money from the working class to shareholders.’ The subtle intersectionality of race-consciousness and class-consciousness is also present.”\n\nSee additional coverage below of Senator Gallego’s middle class plan:\n\nNBC News: Sen. Ruben Gallego rolls out an economic agenda as he weighs a 2028 White House bid[Scott Wong, 10/7/2026]\n\nSen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who is eyeing a possible presidential bid in 2028, rolled out a new, national economic plan Wednesday that calls for boosting the minimum wage to $20 per hour and a New Deal-style public service jobs program funded by taxes on artificial intelligence companies and unpopular data centers.\n\n“There’s a lot of changes that are coming because of AI that we’re not prepared for. There’s been a lot of bad things that have been happening for the middle class for the last 40 years that we have not really changed, either. And that’s why I think you have this real anxiety out there that working America feels,” Gallego said in an interview Tuesday.\n\n“I always felt like, you know, if I put 40 hours’ worth of honest work together, I would have enough to support my family, and then feel comfortable enough to go to a movie,” he continued. “That’s not happening anymore, and so that’s the most important focus of this plan.”\n\nThe Washington Post: Ruben Gallego, weighing a presidential run, debuts a new economic plan[Theodoric Meyer, 10/7/2026]\n\nIn an interview, Gallego said he is putting out the plan to help shape his party’s agenda if Democrats retake the Senate next month in the midterm elections. But he acknowledged that it also lays out some of the policies he would champion if he runs for president.\n\n“We want to make sure people kind of have a viewpoint of where my position is, where my heart is when it comes to where working-class America is,” Gallego said.\n\nGallego’s plan involves dozens of ideas, including raising the federal minimum wage to $20 an hour by 2030, requiring employers pay twice a worker’s usual wage for overtime work instead of time-and-a-half, mandating that companies offer paid sick leave and vacation and steps to strengthen unions.\n\nSemafor: Gallego rolls out ambitious plan to insulate workers against AI[Burgess Everett, 10/7/2026]\n\n“People that are working right now don’t feel like their hard work is actually bringing them anything in return … and going into election season, people want to know where Democrats stand,” Gallego told Semafor in an interview this week.\n\nGallego said he’s ready to maximize Democratic authority to get it done. He proposed putting as much of his proposal as he can in a party-line budget reconciliation bill that Democrats can pass with a simple majority if they control the House, Senate, and White House come 2029.\n\nBloomberg: Senate Democrat Gallego Floats AI Tax to Fund Economic Jobs Plan[Chris Cioffi, 10/7/2026]\n\nSen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.)’s New Deal-style plan would boost the minimum wage to $20 per hour from $7.25, provide public jobs for workers displaced by AI, and steer trade policy away from what he called the “reckless” policies under President Donald Trump. Funded by the new taxes on the sector, Gallego said his plan would bring stability to middle-income American workers, who are struggling to navigate nascent AI-caused workforce disruptions.\n\nGallego’s plan would be funded by a so-called “robot” tax to discourage job dislocation and maintain company payroll contributions for jobs that have been outsourced to AI. It also calls for imposing a 10% data center excise tax while taking away bonus depreciation and deductions for state and local taxes.\n\nPOLITICO, Decoded Newsletter: Inside AI safety’s hottest club[Christine Mui, Sam Sutton, Brendan Bordelon, and Calder McHugh, 10/7/2026]\n\nGALLEGO POLICY GLIMPSE — Potential 2028 hopeful Sen. Ruben Gallego jumped on the phone with Decoded to preview the new economic blueprint he’ll roll out later this morning that would create a New Deal-style public service jobs program funded by new taxes on large AI companies, data centers and tokens.\n\nWhy it matters: The economy of Gallego’s home state has benefitted substantially from a recent acceleration in chips manufacturing, which has been supercharged by the AI boom. And while the senator’s playbook nods at the technology’s upside — giving a special shoutout to the Nvidia Blackwell chips that are produced in Arizona — he also writes that “we must slow AI development and regulate it.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-calls-for-legislation-to-improve-social-security-benefits-following-announcement-of-2027-cola/", "title": "Gillibrand Calls For Legislation To Improve Social Security Benefits Following Announcement Of 2027 COLA", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "scraper": "gillibrand", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000555", "name": "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "80% of Social Security Recipients Say Similar COLA Would Not Adequately Compensate For Rising Cost Of Living\n\nWashington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) called for passage of her legislation to strengthen Social Security benefits following the release of the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced this morning that Social Security benefits will increase by 3.6% in 2027.\n\n“Our seniors have spent a lifetime of hard work paying into Social Security, but their checks simply aren’t keeping up with rising costs,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This year’s cost-of-living adjustment is not enough to make up for skyrocketing costs for groceries, gas, heating, and healthcare in President Trump’s America. As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, I’m fighting to pass the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act to protect and expand Social Security benefits long-term by changing the formula used to calculate COLAs to better account for the expenses that seniors face.”\n\nThe 3.6% COLA comes as rising costs are making it harder for American seniors to make ends meet. Already, New Yorkers have paid over $5,500 more due to President Trump’s reckless policies. In September alone, inflation rose to 3.7%.\n\nThe 2027 COLA will amount to an increase of about $75 per month. 80 percent of current Social Security recipients say a similar increase would not adequately compensate for the rising cost of living.\n\nSenator Gillibrand’s Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act—which was introduced last year—would direct SSA to adjust benefits based on the Consumer Price Index for Americans aged 62 or older (CPI-E), rather than the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W). The CPI-E more accurately accounts for the actual costs incurred by older Americans, such as medical expenses and prescription drug costs—making it a more reflective index to use when calculating benefits.\n\nAdditionally, this week, Senator Gillibrand sent a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics urging the administration to improve data collection for the CPI-E. This letter follows the Trump administration’s attempt to cut funding to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in Fiscal Year 2027, as well as reports that staffing cuts at BLS have already eroded the reliability of economic data.\n\nThe text of the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act can be found here. Senator Gillibrand’s letter to the Bureau of Labor Statistics can be found here.\n\nIn addition to the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act, Senator Gillibrand has proposed multiple pieces of legislation to help ensure that seniors can continue to get the full benefits they are owed and to reverse disastrous Trump administration cuts to SSA:\n\nThe Social Security Expansion Act would extend the solvency of Social Security for 75 years by requiring the wealthiest American households to pay their fair share of payroll taxes. Under the current formula, a CEO making $20 million a year pays the same amount into Social Security as individuals making $184,500 a year. This legislation would lift the cap on Social Security, requiring income above $250,000 to be subject to the Social Security payroll tax and thus increasing the amount paid into the Social Security trust fund to increase its longevity.\n\nThe Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act would reverse Trump administration cuts to SSA, prohibit unnecessary Social Security field office closures, boost staffing levels to help reduce wait times and make it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to get help over the phone, protect Americans’ data, and provide the resources SSA needs to help approve earned benefits quickly.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-hosts-seventh-federal-judiciary-youth-summit", "title": "Grassley Hosts Seventh Federal Judiciary Youth Summit", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "POLK COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today welcomed students and educators from 11 central Iowa high schools to his seventh Federal Judiciary Youth Summit held in Des Moines.\n\nThe summit provides students the opportunity to get first-hand insights into the judicial branch of government and is part of Grassley’s longtime effort to foster civic participation and understanding of government among the next generation. This year, Grassley was joined by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Ebinger and U.S. Attorney David Waterman. Grassley recommended both Ebinger and Waterman to serve in the Southern District of Iowa and supported their nominations through the U.S. Senate.\n\nDuring the question-and-answer session, Grassley answered students’ questions on his professional background and his personal mentors, as well as his advice for overcoming challenges and establishing a work-life balance.\n\n“I greatly appreciated meeting with students and educators today to discuss the federal judicial system, a branch of government that’s essential to our system of checks and balances,” Grassley said. “I always enjoy hearing from Iowa’s next generation and I hope this experience fuels their interest in civic engagement for years to come. Thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to attend, and thank you to Judge Ebinger and Mr. Waterman for sharing their experiences and working tirelessly to secure justice for Iowans.”\n\n“I’m a government civics teacher and I think today’s event was a wonderful opportunity and glimpse into how our U.S. government works … I think [Senator Grassley] is the essence of what this country stands for because he’s meeting the people who he represents, and I think that if every politician did what he did we would have a much better system of government and the foundations and principles that we stand for. Now I believe and I’m more encouraged by people like Senator Grassley.” – J.W. Reed Christian Academy Teacher\n\n“The Youth Summit was amazing. It was very informational and inspiring. I just really like how [the speakers] showed how they cared about us and that they wanted to hear our voices and that are voices mattered.” – J.W. Reed Christian Academy Student\n\n“I really liked [the summit]. I was very intrigued and very interested to hear what [the speakers] had to say. It gave a lot of insight about just government in general, but also, about how the state works and how the districts actually come together and work together ... I’m very thankful for the Youth Summit seminar. Very insightful.” – J.W. Reed Christian Academy Student\n\nGrassley with attendees from J.W. Reed Christian Academy\n\nDownload photos from Grassley’s Federal Judiciary Youth Summit HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nAs chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley is responsible for vetting and processing nominees for lifetime appointments to the federal bench. Under Grassley’s leadership, the committee has advanced 60 federal judges so far this Congress, 57 of whom have already been confirmed by the Senate, marking the fastest pace since the Reagan administration. He has successfully confirmed over 100 district judges throughout his tenure as Judiciary Chairman.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-shares-explosive-arctic-frost-update-revealing-jack-smith-obtained-treasure-trove-of-data-for-over-half-a-million-republican-supporters", "title": "Grassley Shares Explosive Arctic Frost Update Revealing Jack Smith Obtained Treasure Trove of Data for Over Half a Million Republican Supporters", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released a memo updating Judiciary Committee members on his ongoing Arctic Frost and Jack Smith oversight based on new findings from lawful whistleblower disclosures.\n\nRecently reviewed subpoena returns show Jack Smith’s Special Counsel Office (SCO) and the Biden Justice Department obtained information for at least 639,000 Republican donors, voters and supporters. The earliest donor contribution captured dates back to 2005. The data included:\n\nNames;\n\nDates of birth;\n\nPhysical addresses (encompassing most states and U.S. territories, including the home states of every Judiciary Committee member);\n\nEmail addresses;\n\nWhether the individual was a registered Republican;\n\nIndividuals’ congressional district and state legislature;\n\nIndividuals’ occupation and place of employment (sample occupations listed include janitor, doorman, pool tech, driver, logger, safety manager and retired);\n\nIndividuals’ donation amount (as low as $1; generally, donation amounts were under $1,000);\n\nIndividuals’ credit card information (including last four digits of credit card numbers); and\n\nDonor analysis data (such as one-time versus recurring donations and the amount of the donation).\n\n“This update shows that Jack Smith and the Biden Justice Department collected incredibly invasive donor data – and voter data – beyond what could conceivably be necessary for Smith or his team to fulfill the Special Counsel’s mandate. The new findings further corroborate that Smith and his partisan team aimed to map out the entire Republican Party apparatus,” Grassley said. “I again call on my Democratic colleagues to join my oversight work instead of trying to defend Smith and sweep his abuse of authority under the rug.”\n\nGrassley’s memo also notes Jack Smith’s SCO and the Biden Justice Department obtained names of Trump campaign personnel, a catalogue of Trump campaign products and information on sales of red MAGA hats, including individual buyers, their purchases and their shipping addresses.\n\nRead the memo HERE.\n\n-30-", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/signed-into-law-hassan-ernst-bill-to-expose-government-waste", "title": "SIGNED INTO LAW: Hassan-Ernst Bill to Expose Government Waste", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hassan.senate.gov", "scraper": "hassan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001076", "name": "Margaret Wood Hassan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan and Joni Ernst (R-IA) to increase government transparency was recently signed into law. The Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act requires disclosure of any government project that is $1 billion over budget or five years behind schedule.\n\n“Granite Staters deserve to know that their hard-earned tax-dollars are being spent responsibly,” said Senator Hassan. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill will give the public greater visibility into how their tax dollars are being used and it will help Congress identify wasteful spending. I am pleased to see this bill signed into law and I will continue working with my colleagues of both parties to protect taxpayer dollars and increase government transparency.”\n\nThis legislation is part of Senator Hassan’s ongoing efforts to save taxpayer dollars and cut waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. Her bipartisan bill, the Stop Secret Spending Act, which would require billions of dollars in previously undisclosed federal spending to be made public on USAspending.gov., was recently signed into law.\n\nIn her role as Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, Senator Hassan has led several bipartisan hearings focused on ways to improve government efficiency. Earlier this year, Senator Hassan helped pass into law a bipartisan bill that helps prevent payments from being unintentionally sent to individuals who have died. Last year, the Senator’s Government Service Delivery Improvement Act – which improves the ways in which federal agencies deliver services, including health benefits and student loan programs, to the public – passed into law. Senator Hassan also helped pass into law the Grant Transparency Act to bring more transparency into federal agencies' competitive grant selection process.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-and-vasquez-call-for-independent-review-of-wipp-hoist-collapse-greater-doe-engagement", "title": "Heinrich Meets with New Mexicans to Discuss How Landmark Bipartisan Legislation Will Lower Costs, Create Jobs, & Hold Data Centers Accountable", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.heinrich.senate.gov", "scraper": "heinrich", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001046", "name": "Martin Heinrich", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "PHOTOS\n\nALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — This week, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, met with New Mexicans to discuss his newly introduced Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, legislation that will lower utility bills, create good-paying jobs, and force data centers to fully pay for their grid upgrades, as well as their share of the existing grid — resulting in savings for New Mexico families.\n\nHeinrich hosted a roundtable discussion with members of UA Local 412, LiUNA Local 16, Painters and Allied Trades District Council 36, and New Mexico Building and Construction Trades Council to underscore how his Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will create more high-quality jobs New Mexicans can build their families around, lower electricity bills, and require data centers to fully pay for the costs they create.\n\nPHOTO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) Meets with New Mexicans to Discuss His Landmark Legislation to Create More Jobs, Lower Electricity Bills, and Require Data Centers to Fully Pay for Costs They Create, October 12, 2026.\n\n“We want to build the jobs in New Mexico that you can build a family around, and that's what unions are all about. That's the way I grew up with my dad,” said Heinrich. “My Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act is going to generate benefits for our skilled workers in the state of New Mexico for a very long time to come. This bill is about building the infrastructure and manufacturing capacity we need with union labor for the future of our country — and making sure that those jobs are right here in New Mexico.”\n\nHeinrich hosted a second roundtable discussion with Pattern Energy, Grid United, Black Forest Partners, RioSol New Mexico, and NM Renewable Energy Industries Association to highlight how his Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will bring more energy projects online faster and lower utility bills for New Mexico families by speeding up the federal process for reviewing and approving energy projects. Right now, 83% of energy projects stuck in the interconnection queue are clean energy projects.\n\nHeinrich’s legislation will get those projects up and running to address rising demand, while creating greater certainty for energy projects approved and financed across presidential administrations by prohibiting any administration from improperly delaying or blocking clean energy projects without facing legal action or fines.\n\nPHOTO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) Hosts a Roundtable with Clean Energy Companies on How His Landmark Legislation Will Bring More Energy Projects Online Faster and Lower Utility Bills for New Mexico Families, October 12, 2026.\n\n“Our whole premise as we approached this permitting bill was: How do we create a faster process, not lower the bar on standards,” said Heinrich. “My Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will help us create more certainty and predictability for projects permitted and financed across administrations – so that energy companies can get projects from idea to go, faster. That means more clean energy projects can get off the ground, more good-paying jobs, and more investments in New Mexico communities.”\n\nAdditionally, Heinrich joined a roundtable discussion hosted by ABB and the National Association of Manufacturers to highlight how his Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will create more jobs and spark a manufacturing renaissance in New Mexico and nationwide by creating a construction boom and increasing demand for American-made machinery and equipment.\n\nPHOTO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) Meets with Manufacturers to Discuss His Landmark Legislation that Will Create More Jobs and Spark a Manufacturing Renaissance in New Mexico, October 12, 2026.\n\n“We need permitting reform to put more electrons on the grid. It results in more jobs, and it's the one thing that can bring down the pressure on the cost of electricity and energy right now,” said Heinrich. “The folks at ABB make the components that really build out the grid across the country, and so they're supplying the individual components that connect from the grid, through the utility, to the neighborhood. The more of these projects move forward, the more demand there is for the things that they manufacture right here in Albuquerque, New Mexico.”\n\nPhotos of Heinrich’s roundtables to discuss his Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act are here.\n\nHeinrich’s press release announcing his legislation is here.\n\nThe full video of Heinrich’s New Mexico press conference unveiling his bill is here.\n\nA fact sheet on the bill is here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-murkowski-king-make-bipartisan-push-to-protect-integrity-of-satellite-weather-data/", "title": "Hickenlooper, Murkowski, King Make Bipartisan Push to Protect Integrity of Satellite Weather Data", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/", "domain": "www.hickenlooper.senate.gov", "scraper": "hickenlooper", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000273", "name": "John W. Hickenlooper", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Lisa Murkowski, and Angus King sent a bipartisan letter urging the Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to prioritize the integrity of satellite weather data as the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) approaches end of service.\n\n“For decades, DMSP’s Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS) has supported hurricane forecasting, severe-weather monitoring, polar and sea-ice analysis, and military operations in data-sparse and denied environments. That coverage is now shrinking as legacy polar-orbiting microwave sensors age out. ” wrote the senators. “To improve and prevent degradation of numerical weather prediction and tactical forecasting, the DoD and NOAA should evaluate the transition across the broader space architecture, including commercial satellite systems that can complement government capabilities.”\n\nWeather forecasters, researchers, and military planners have used data from DMSP satellites for decades to predict and monitor other extreme weather patterns. Last month, the U.S. Space Force announced they would maintain the DMSP fleet until at least 2028 until it transitions to a new replacement architecture.\n\nThe senators concluded: “Weather data continuity is essential to national security, public safety, and economic resilience. Extending DMSP is a promising step, and we urge the DoD and NOAA to proactively identify and fill anticipated gaps before legacy degradation or replacement delays create preventable risks.”\n\nLast year, the DoD reversed its decision to stop sharing DMSP data with NOAA and the scientific community after Hickenlooper and Murkowski urged DoD and NOAA to reconsider and address the implications canceling DMSP would have on weather forecasting and scientific research, especially in polar regions. Congress extended DMSP operations in the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act and a Hickenlooper-led amendment to the bill ensured the continuity of data sharing for the duration of the DMSP mission.\n\n“With increasing national attention on changes in the Arctic, including Greenland, and the associated economic, geopolitical, and strategic implications, it is critical that we maintain our ability to monitor and understand conditions on the ground,” said Mark Serreze, Distinguished Professor of Geography and Director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center in the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. “The DMSP satellites have been a key asset in this regard for decades. Colorado is a national leader in scientific research of the polar regions and we applaud the efforts of Senator Hickenlooper to raise attention to this important matter.”\n\nFor full text of the letter, see HERE.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-und-to-assess-technology-for-department-of-war-counter-drone-task-force", "title": "Hoeven: UND to Assess Technology for Department of War Counter-Drone Task Force", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "scraper": "hoeven", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001061", "name": "John Hoeven", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today marked the start of a formal partnership between the University of North Dakota (UND) and the U.S. Department of War’s (DoW) Joint Inter Agency Task Force (JIATF) 401. With support from the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, UND will assess counter-drone technology on behalf of JIATF 401, the agency responsible for coordinating counter-drone defense development across the entire DoW. Specifically, under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed today:\n\nJIATF 401 has entered into a first of its kind agreement with UND, giving the university a central role in its counter-drone efforts.\n\nThe task force will share objectives and technical standards with UND, helping to guide the university’s research and testing.\n\nUND will serve as the task force’s clearinghouse, identifying promising counter-UAS technologies that warrant further evaluation and development, while sorting out technologies that fall short of the DoW’s needs.\n\nHoeven has been working with UND and JIATF 401, including Task Force Director Brig. Gen. Matthew Ross, to advance the agreement. To this end, the senator has met repeatedly with BG Ross, both in North Dakota and Washington, D.C., to move this initiative forward:\n\nHoeven convened a meeting in his office in November 2025 with senior DoW officials, including BG Ross, where the senator made the case for leveraging North Dakota’s UAS ecosystem to meet warfighter needs.\n\nThis meeting resulted in the Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) event that was held at Camp Grafton earlier this year.\n\nT-REX was a two-week event that Hoeven worked to organize with JIATF 401 and the North Dakota National Guard, which allowed DoW officials to evaluate promising counter-drone technologies.\n\nIn July, Hoeven followed up on these efforts during a meeting with BG Ross with the goal of formalizing the relationship between UND and JIATF 401.\n\nThese meetings helped make clear the support that UND could provide to JIATF 401’s counter-drone work and led to the MOU being finalized today.\n\n“Small drones have changed warfare, a fact we’ve seen clearly in Ukraine, the Middle East and even over our own military bases. JIATF 401 was founded specifically to address this new threat and leads the effort to develop and deploy counter-drone technology across the entire Department of War. Now, UND will serve as the clearinghouse for this task force, leveraging the expertise of its researchers and the capabilities of the Northern Plains UAS Test Site to assess technologies that can be used to detect, protect against and neutralize threats from unmanned aircraft,” said Hoeven. “I appreciate General Ross for recognizing the potential of this partnership and for working with me to make it a reality. Between Project ATLAS, which we announced yesterday, and the MOU signed today, it is clear to anyone who wants to develop drone and counter-drone technology, North Dakota is the place to be.”\n\n-###-", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/husted-joins-bill-to-disrupt-cartel-operations-prevent-flow-of-deadly-drugs-into-the-u-s/", "title": "Husted joins bill to disrupt cartel operations, prevent flow of deadly drugs into the U.S.", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“Strengthening southbound inspections will help disrupt cartel operations, keep illegal firearms out of their hands and reduce the flow of fentanyl and other deadly drugs into our communities.”\n\nWASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joined Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and James Lankford’s (R-Okla.) bipartisan Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act. This bill would increase inspections of traffic going from the U.S. to Mexico, which would help combat the flow of illicit firearms and money that fuel drug cartels.\n\n“As we continue working to secure our southern border, we also need to cut off the weapons and funding that allow drug cartels to operate. Strengthening southbound inspections will help disrupt cartel operations, keep illegal firearms out of their hands and reduce the flow of fentanyl and other deadly drugs into our communities. I will continue supporting commonsense efforts to secure our border and keep Americans safe,” said Husted.\n\n“Dismantling drug cartels requires cutting off the flow of illegal firearms and cartel money moving from the U.S. into Mexico, which help give cartels the resources to continue to operate and flood our communities with deadly drugs. This bipartisan legislation significantly enhances our southbound inspection capabilities, which will help disrupt cartel operations and reduce the trafficking of fentanyl, which has devastated communities across New Hampshire and nationwide,” said Hassan.\n\n“With border crossings at a record low, the results speak for themselves. President Trump’s leadership is making America safer; the southern border is much more secure than it was a year ago. But US Customs and Border Protection still doesn’t have the resources they need to stop gun smuggling to the criminal cartels in Mexico. We need to ensure border law enforcement has the personnel and technology to crack down on criminal activity that puts Americans at risk,” said Lankford.\n\nThe Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act would:\n\nRequire that at least 10% of southbound vehicles are inspected, to the extent practicable.\n\nAuthorize at least 100 additional Homeland Security Investigations agents to investigate the smuggling of guns and money from the U.S. into Mexico.\n\nAuthorize at least 100 additional Homeland Security Investigations agents to investigate drug smuggling, human trafficking, child trafficking and unauthorized entries from Mexico into the U.S.\n\nAuthorize 50 additional x-ray inspection systems for southbound inspections.\n\nThis bill builds on Husted’s work to stop the flow of fentanyl into American communities. Husted supported the HALT Fentanyl Act, which was signed into law by President Trump. This law makes the temporary class-wide scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances permanent, closing a dangerous loophole that drug traffickers continue to exploit.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-reintroduces-legislation-to-improve-child-protections-and-safety-standards-for-agriculture-industry/", "title": "Luján Reintroduces Legislation to Improve Child Protections and Safety Standards for Agriculture Industry", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, reintroduced the Children’s Act for Responsible Employment in Agriculture (CARE) Act to ensure child protections and safety standards for children in the agricultural workforce. Agriculture is the only industry with labor laws that allow children as young as 12 to work with virtually no restrictions on the number of hours they work outside of school. Across the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of children who are working in the agricultural industry and performing the grueling work required to plant, pick, process, and pack food that Americans eat every day.\n\nThe CARE Act takes steps to improve child worker safety by adjusting the age and work hour standards for children in agriculture to the standards for children working in all other industries. Among its other provisions, the bill would also increase the civil and criminal monetary penalties for child labor violations and provide children with greater protection against pesticide exposure. The CARE Act’s child labor protections would not apply to the children of farmers working on their parents’ farm.\n\n“Children have their whole futures ahead of them, and our country must do more to protect those working in the agriculture industry,” said Senator Luján. “Across the country, thousands of children work under hazardous conditions in the agriculture sector, putting their health and education at risk. That’s why I’m reintroducing the CARE Act to raise the standard and bring our agricultural labor laws in line with other industries to better protect children and improve their working conditions.”\n\nThe Children’s Act for Responsible Employment in Agriculture (CARE) Act:\n\nAmends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by bringing the age and work hour standards for children working in agriculture up to the standards set under FLSA for all other forms of child labor;\n\nProtects family farm and 4-H, educational, and vocational training exemptions so that children would continue to be able to work for educational programs to expose and encourage them to pursue agricultural careers;\n\nProtects and expands the family farm exception to ensure children can continue to work on their family farms;\n\nIncreases maximum civil monetary penalties for child labor violations from $11,000 to $151,380, adjusted annually to CPI, and for violations that result in death or serious injury from $50,000 to $690,000, adjusted annually to CPI;\n\nIncreases maximum criminal penalties for child labor violations to $750,000, adjusted annually to CPI, or five years imprisonment;\n\nRepeals the wavier provisions for hand harvest laborers and pesticide-related worker protection standard to better protect children from pesticide and chemical exposure;\n\nExpands FLSA protections against child labor to independent contractors; and mandates annual reports to Congress on child labor and work-related injuries to children, requires employers to report the ages of workers injured or killed on the job as a part of existing fatality and injury reporting requirements, and mandates a memorandum of understanding between the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health and the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor to ensure better data sharing between agencies and states.\n\nThis legislation is endorsed by the Child Labor Coalition.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-sens-markey-warren-reps-mcgovern-trahan-demand-faa-amazon-study-impacts-of-amazons-westborough-mass-drone-program-before-launching-drone-delivery", "title": "Sens. Markey, Warren, Reps. McGovern, Trahan Demand FAA, Amazon Study Impacts of Amazon’s Westborough, Mass. Drone Program Before Launching Drone Delivery", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.markey.senate.gov", "scraper": "markey", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000133", "name": "Edward J. Markey", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Lawmakers argue the FAA and Amazon are bypassing crucial, site-specific environmental review process, limiting local input\n\nLetter to the FAA (PDF) | Letter to Amazon (PDF)\n\nWashington (October 14, 2026) - Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Representatives Jim McGovern (MA-02) and Lori Trahan (MA-03) today wrote to Bryan Bedford, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Andy Jassy, Chief Executive Officer of Amazon, urging Amazon to work with the FAA to conduct an Environmental Assessment of its proposed drone delivery facility in Westborough, Massachusetts, before launching operations there. Communities have raised concerns about the Amazon Prime Air drone delivery program’s impact on the environment and residents’ quality-of-life, including noise pollution, health and safety, and privacy.\n\nIn the letters, the lawmakers wrote, “Despite the noise and environmental risks of Amazon’s drone operations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized operators such as Amazon to deploy their fleets without completing a site-specific Environmental Assessment (EA) of their impact on the surrounding communities. This decision is especially problematic in Massachusetts localities, given the differences between it and previously studied communities, local opposition, and the inadequate treatment of the risks associated with transporting hazardous-materials.”\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “An independent resident survey, with more than 1,200 responses as of early October 2026, found 92 percent of respondents opposed the proposed Westborough facility. At a state level, Massachusetts is one of 15 states currently suing the FAA for its nationwide FONSI. In other words, Amazon is now trying to quickly move drone operations into Massachusetts under a streamlined regulatory process the state itself is challenging. These are precisely the community-specific noise, safety, and quality-of-life concerns a site-specific EA and comment period exist to surface and address.”\n\nThe lawmakers urged, “These concerns — applying the FONSI to a community different from those previously assessed by the FAA, significant local opposition, and the limited evaluation of hazardous material risks — warrant requiring Amazon to complete a site-specific EA, with a public comment period, before the FAA authorizes Prime Air operations in Massachusetts.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/in-aftermath-of-isaias-senator-moody-calls-for-increase-in-total-allocation-for-florida-national-guard-to-better-protect-floridians/", "title": "In Aftermath of Isaias, Senator Moody Calls for Increase in Total Allocation for Florida National Guard to Better Protect Floridians", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.moody.senate.gov", "scraper": "moody", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001244", "name": "Ashley Moody", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C.—In the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias making landfall in Florida last week, Senator Ashley Moody is leading efforts to increase the total allocation for the Florida National Guard. Guardsmen play a vital role in protecting Floridians, including in the aftermath of storms where they help rescue and recovery efforts. Although the population in Florida has risen dramatically over the past several years, the size of the Florida National Guard has remained stagnant. Senator Moody is calling on the Department of War to increase National Guard personnel to continue to effectively serve Floridians whenever they are called upon.\n\n“In the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias, we saw once again just how critical the Florida National Guard is to keeping our communities safe—but while Florida’s population has grown in recent years, the size of our National Guard has not kept pace.That’s why I’m leading an effort to increase the number of Guardsmen allocated to our state. Florida’s National Guard is always there when we need them. We need to make sure they have the personnel and resources to continue answering the call,” said Senator Ashley Moody.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nSenator Moody is joined by U.S. Representatives Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Mario Diaz-Balart, Dr. Neal Dunn, Randy Fine, Scott Franklin, Carlos Gimenez, Mike Haridopolos, Laurel Lee, Cory Mills, Jimmy Patronis, and John Rutherford in the effort.\n\nRead full letter here.\n\nAhead of Isaias, Senator Moody joined Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss preparedness efforts, including the mobilization of thousands of National Guard members. After the storm, Senator Moody and Governor DeSantis conducted an on-the-ground assessment of some of the damage and thanked Guard members for their response efforts.\n\nApproximately 5,000 Florida National Guard soldiers and airmen were activated to respond to Hurricane Isaias. Guard members conducted route clearance, reconnaissance, humanitarian assistance, flood mitigation and search-and-rescue operations.\n\nEight Florida National Guard members rescued a family during the Hurricane Isaias response. The soldiers worked together to rescue four family members from a sinking pickup truck beside an Interstate 10 off-ramp.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=709FC9D1-5966-4204-B7AC-2EF97D7ACD00", "title": "Sen. Moran Statement on Announcement of President Linton to Leave K-State", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "domain": "www.moran.senate.gov", "scraper": "moran", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000934", "name": "Jerry Moran", "party": "Republican", "state": "KS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "MANHATTAN, Kan. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement in response to Kansas State University President Richard Linton’s announcement that he plans to leave the university:\n\n“During his four years at Kansas State University, President Linton has immersed himself in the Wildcat community and worked to bring new educational and research opportunities to K-State. Upon becoming president, he set an ambitious goal to expand K-State’s agriculture footprint, and just last month, cut the ribbon on the Western Star Global Grain and Food Center on K-State’s campus. Dr. Linton’s vision for K-State has helped drive enrollment and led to record-breaking investments for the university.\n\n“His time in Kansas hasn’t always been easy, as he faced a cancer diagnosis in 2023. However, while supported by the Manhattan community, Dr. Linton continued serving the university while undergoing treatment, showing tremendous strength and commitment.\n\n“I've appreciated working alongside Dr. Linton and enjoyed our sunrise walks around campus as we discussed our shared goal of making certain Kansas is a place where students can get a quality education and build a meaningful career. I think Rich has helped accomplish that, and I am grateful for his service to K-State and Kansas.”\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/at-wsu-in-pullman-murray-launches-public-health-for-america-working-group-delivers-address-to-chart-what-comes-next-after-trump-rfk-jr-and-discusses-key-public-health-challenges-with-local-l/", "title": "At WSU in Pullman, Murray Launches Public Health for America Working Group, Delivers Address to Chart What Comes Next After Trump & RFK Jr., and Discusses Key Public Health Challenges with Local Leaders and Experts", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "READ MORE: Senator Murray announces members of new public health initiative\n\nNYT: A Public Health-Minded Senator Asks: What Comes After Trump and Kennedy?\n\n***LIVESTREAM OF DISCUSSION FROM KHQ HERE***\n\n***PHOTOS OF EVENT HERE***\n\nPullman, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, formally launched the Public Health for America Working Group. Senator Murray delivered a speech outlining the mission of the working group and then was joined by WSU faculty and state and local public health officials for a panel discussion on the working group’s goals and the future of public health in Washington state and across the country.\n\nMurray’s working group will seek to develop the ideas, safeguards, and legislation needed to restore trust in public health and build a stronger, public health system that is more resilient to political attacks. It follows nearly two years of unprecedented attacks by President Trump and Secretary Kennedy on the agencies, scientists, and institutions that keep Americans safe and healthy.\n\n“I’ve worked with health secretaries under five presidents. Republicans and Democrats. People I agreed with and people I disagreed with. But at the end of the day, every one of them understood that their job was to protect the health of the American people. They listened to the scientists. They trusted the experts. And when a crisis hit, we could pick up the phone and work together. I have never seen anything like what we’re seeing now. The genuine malice toward experts. The sheer hostility towards science. None of that is a policy disagreement. It’s a complete break from how every administration before this one—of either party—has approached the job. I’m not going to mince words here: Trump and RFK Jr. have put our public health system on life support. Trust among the public is in free fall. Our nation has simply never been more unprepared for serious public health threats,” said Senator Murray. “All of us who care about the future of public health need to come to grips with a hard reality: If we had a healthy public health system—it would not have been so easy to snap in half. Instead, the system we had before was already underfunded, already stretched thin, and already far too vulnerable to politics. If we are going to meet this moment, we have to build something stronger. And we have to start by rebuilding trust.”\n\n“The charge of my working group is simple. First, we need to repair the trust that has been shattered. And second, we need to reinforce it against future political attacks. We have to build something that can’t be broken the next time someone decides science is inconvenient. Public health policy can’t become a political football that shifts every four years based on political ideology. It has to be reliably grounded in science and facts,” Senator Murray continued. “I’ll tell you: I’ve passed more bipartisan health policy into law than nearly all of my colleagues in Congress. And I’ve done it by understanding you can’t reach a deal without trust—it’s the foundation of every deal I’ve ever brokered. You build trust by listening to people’s concerns, understanding their perspectives, and answering their questions honestly—even when that means saying you don’t know the answer yet…But we know that when it comes, we need a public health system that is already trusted, and already prepared. Not one that is warped by politics and distracted by conspiracies. Families are counting on us to keep them safe. I know—because I’ve been that mother worried about the pesticides being sprayed near my kids. I’ve been that teacher worried about outbreaks spreading in my classroom. Every one of those times—I knew I could trust what CDC told me. I want every family in this country to have that again.”\n\nSince taking office, President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have taken unprecedented steps to politicize public health agencies, overrule experts, promote misinformation, and undermine trust in the nation’s public health infrastructure.\n\nSecretary Kennedy has fired thousands of federal public health experts—including all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director for refusing to rubberstamp his anti-vaccine views before reviewing the scientific evidence. Under Secretary Kennedy, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has halted promising research, taken down data for deadly diseases, refused to accurately report measles deaths, promoted false anti-vaccine information, and more. These steps have severely undermined public trust—with polls showing trust in CDC recommendations dropping from 77% to 50% over Trump’s first year in office this term.\n\nThe mission of Murray’s working group is not simply to restore what existed before January 2025, but to design a public health system that is stronger, more resilient, and structurally protected from political interference—no matter who holds the White House or controls Congress. The working group will convene roundtables with researchers, providers, state, local, and Tribal health officials, and former career federal scientists; host public conversations on the future of public health; engage directly with communities and trusted messengers; and respond in real time as key public health decisions unfold. Its findings will inform nonpartisan, evidence-based policy proposals as Murray works to build consensus around legislation to rebuild public health in America stronger and more resilient than ever before.\n\nSenator Murray has a long record as a leader on public health, including; pushing for permanent funding for public health infrastructure; serving on the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security; and serving as the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for several years—including during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has negotiated and passed key public health legislation like the American Rescue Plan; PREVENT Pandemics Act; the SUPPORT Act which helped address the opioids crisis; the 21st Century Cures Act; and bills reauthorizing key Food and Drug Administration (FDA) programs and pandemic preparedness programs.\n\nMore information on the Public Health for America Working Group is available HERE.\n\nSenator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:\n\n“Public health is maybe not the hottest topic in politics or on social media—but the students here know how much it actually matters.\n\n“Quick show of hands: how many of you had to learn through a screen during middle or high school?\n\n“Exactly—that’s why today’s conversation matters.\n\n“In public health, we say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s not just true of disease—it’s also true of corruption, incompetence, and political interference. Unfortunately, it is painfully clear right now that these are threats our public health system was simply not equipped to prevent.\n\n“Curing them is going to take some serious work. That’s why I’m here today.\n\n“Under President Trump and RFK Jr., we’ve seen an outbreak of corruption, chaos, and political interference ripping through our public health system. I’m not going to stand up here and list every single thing Secretary Kennedy has done to our public health system. We’d be here all afternoon—and frankly, I want to leave time to talk about how we fix it.\n\n“But I do want to be straight with you about the damage. Because it is real, it is serious, and pretending otherwise doesn’t help anyone.\n\n“I’ve worked with health secretaries under five presidents—Republicans and Democrats. People I agreed with, and people I disagreed with. But at the end of the day, every one of them understood that their job was to protect the health of the American people.\n\n“They listened to the scientists. They trusted the experts. And when a crisis hit, we could pick up the phone and work together.\n\n“I have never seen anything like what we’re seeing now. The genuine malice toward experts, the sheer hostility toward science—none of that is a policy disagreement. It’s a complete break from how every administration before this one—of either party—has approached the job.\n\n“I’m not going to mince words here: Trump and RFK Jr. have put our public health system on life support. Trust among the public is in free fall. Our nation has simply never been more unprepared for serious public health threats.\n\n“Losing experts and staff across our health agencies, funding being illegally withheld—that’s bad enough. But we’re also dealing with a whole lot of disinformation coming at us online, often incentivized by some kind of profit-making scheme.\n\n“How many of you have come across health advice on TikTok or Instagram in the last few days? How many of you were certain that information was absolutely correct? If you needed public health advice, where would you look for it? Would you ask your doctor? Talk to your parents? Would you check the CDC website? Would you ask AI?\n\n“This is one of the big challenges we’ve got to grapple with, too. This isn’t about the sanctity of science or how experts are treated. At the end of the day, this is about our families.\n\n“When a daycare needs help fighting a measles outbreak—that is public health. When a hospital is looking for recommendations to reduce maternal mortality—that is public health. When the library has concerns about its drinking water, when the rec-league has concerns about wildfire smoke, when the cafeteria has concerns about contaminated lettuce—raise your hand if you want to make sure our lettuce doesn’t give people life-threatening explosive diarrhea? That’s what I thought; me too—all of that is public health, and it is just the start.\n\n“At the end of the day—public health is about public safety. We have to remember that. When our loudest public health megaphone becomes an echo chamber for conspiracies, that is a lot bigger than a political problem—it is a life and death problem.\n\n“Not every national security threat is about war or AI. We cannot fully protect the American people if we just buy more bombs and leave public health in the dust.\n\n“COVID taught us all this lesson very painfully, and it is outrageous to see this Administration trying to rewrite that history and erase the lessons we should be learning from—even as the world just nervously watched a potential outbreak in Russia.\n\n“How are we supposed to be prepared for the next public health threat when it seems like our Health Secretary is more likely to cover up a measles outbreak than admit vaccines don’t cause autism?\n\n“However, I want to be clear—as bad as things are right now, I’m not here to throw up my hands and just say how awful everything is. I’m here to roll up my sleeves and get to work on how we fix it.\n\n“I believe with a dose of the right medicine—some hard work, some common sense, and serious accountability for RFK Jr. and Trump. We can break this fever. We can save our public health system.\n\n“Think of how rapidly public health has deteriorated under RFK’s leadership— it stands to reason that we could build it back pretty quickly, too.\n\n“But, after we do that, things cannot just go back to business as usual. All of us who care about the future of public health need to come to grips with a hard reality: if we had a healthy public health system, it would not have been so easy to snap in half.\n\n“Instead, the system we had before was already underfunded, already stretched thin, and already far too vulnerable to politics. If we are going to meet this moment, we have to build something stronger—and we have to start by rebuilding trust.\n\n“Which is why I decided to turn to some people I trust for help: Patty Hayes, Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Dr. Jeffery Levi, Dr. Helen Chu, and Dr. Vin Gupta. This is a group of nonpartisan experts, dedicated to public health and public service, with experience managing the COVID response in King County and Seattle, conducting medical research on vaccines, and making science-based decisions at agencies like the FDA, the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, and the Office of National AIDS Policy.\n\n“I’m incredibly excited and grateful to have these individuals joining me to launch the Public Health for America Working Group. I’m especially glad to be having one of our first events here at my alma mater, WSU, and to be joined by some incredibly knowledgeable local public health experts to discuss the challenges we face.\n\n“The charge of my working group is simple. First, we need to repair the trust that has been shattered. Second, we need to reinforce it against future political attacks.\n\n“We have to build something that can’t be broken the next time someone decides science is inconvenient. Public health policy can’t become a political football that shifts every four years based on political ideology. It has to be reliably grounded in science and facts.\n\n“Sounds great, right? But how do we do it? I have ideas already: I believe we ought to limit the number of political appointees at our health agencies like CDC. I know we need more stable and consistent funding for our state and local health agencies, but there’s another dimension to this outside of policy—trust.\n\n“I’ve passed more bipartisan health policy into law than nearly all of my colleagues in Congress—and I’ve done it by understanding you can’t reach a deal without trust. It’s the foundation of every deal I’ve ever brokered. You build trust by listening to people’s concerns, understanding their perspectives, and answering their questions honestly—even when that means saying you don’t know the answer yet.\n\n“I am sincerely determined to talk to anyone and everyone about what comes next to rebuild public health in America. Then, out of those conversations, we will build trust, and we will bring back new ideas for legislation that will help build a stronger public health system.\n\n“I started today by saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s what this working group is about—it’s a tall order, but Congress needs to deliver on this. Not just repairing the damage but making sure it can never happen this easily again.\n\n“As smart as the members of this Working Group are, none of us know what the next public health threat will be. A measles outbreak worse than what we’re facing today? Anti-microbial resistance? Tick-borne diseases? There are so many possibilities. But we know that when it comes, we need a public health system that is already trusted and already prepared—not one that is warped by politics and distracted by conspiracies.\n\n“Families are counting on us to keep them safe. I know because I’ve been that mother worried about the pesticides being sprayed near my kids. I’ve been that teacher worried about outbreaks spreading in my classroom.\n\n“Every one of those times, I knew I could trust what CDC told me. I want every family in this country to have that again.\n\n“To the students here today: this is your fight too. The public health system we build is the one you’ll inherit, and the one you’ll run. So, if you’ve got ideas—if anyone has thoughts they want to share—go ahead and email me at publichealth@murray.senate.gov.\n\n“So, with that, it’s great to be here at WSU. This university trains the people who staff our public health system, and its research helps keep families safe far beyond Pullman. I’m excited to have a discussion with some great public health leaders about what comes next.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-baldwin-call-on-education-department-to-abandon-its-latest-tactic-to-cut-grant-funding-to-communities/", "title": "Murray, Baldwin Call on Education Department to Abandon its Latest Tactic to Cut Grant Funding to Communities", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "By significantly increasing the “frontloading” of grants, the Trump admin is preventing over $600 million from reaching schools and students this year\n\nWashington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, sent a letter to Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon calling on her to reverse the department’s significantly expanded use of “frontloading” grants, which has dramatically reduced the number of recipients of federal funding.\n\nThe Department of Education began using the tactic—wherein it pays for a multi-year grant fully up front instead of one year at a time, thereby dramatically decreasing the number of grants it awards—across a number of grant programs in unprecedented ways in fiscal year 2026. This has occurred at the same time the Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget are seeking broader authority to terminate grants, raising the specter that they will terminate some of these grants in the future, and the funding will never reach communities that need it—yet another backdoor way of withholding appropriated funding.\n\n“This administration has chosen—brazenly and repeatedly—to prioritize its own backwards agenda over the needs of students, families, and communities across the United States. The Department of Education’s extensive ‘frontloading’ of grants is just the latest example,” write Murray and Baldwin. “By ‘frontloading’ grants—paying out many years of a multi-year grant in one lump sum instead of funding a larger number of grants right now—your Department is dramatically reducing the number of students and schools that are helped by federal funding. This policy defies congressional intent and effectively cuts investment in communities across the country.”\n\nIn their letter, Murray and Baldwin explain how frontloading grants for several programs resulted in a steep drop-off in awards made in fiscal year 2026: “Instead of deploying funds immediately to hundreds of additional communities for essential education and related services, the Department is withholding approximately $630 million in appropriated resources across approximately 35 grant programs, preventing those funds from reaching students and families now. These are all programs where the Department has historically funded grants on an annual basis. If the Department continued that practice in administering these programs, the Department could have awarded well over 1,000 additional grants this year, supporting everything from evidence-based student literacy programs, to improving student mental health, to recruiting and preparing high-quality teachers, to supporting additional education research and to helping first-generation students succeed in college.”\n\nThey conclude: “This policy is indefensible. The Department must immediately abandon this approach and administer appropriated funds in full alignment with both the law and the needs of the communities that rely on these programs.”\n\nThe full letter is available HERE and below:\n\nSecretary McMahon:\n\nThis administration has chosen—brazenly and repeatedly—to prioritize its own backwards agenda over the needs of students, families, and communities across the United States. The Department of Education’s (Department) extensive “frontloading” of grants is just the latest example. By “frontloading” grants—paying out many years of a multi-year grant in one lump sum instead of funding a larger number of grants right now—your Department is dramatically reducing the number of students and schools that are helped by federal funding. This policy defies congressional intent and effectively cuts investment in communities across the country: the Department could have funded well over 1,000 more grants by committing funds for use without delay. The Department should immediately reverse this deeply misguided and unacceptable approach to implementation of federal appropriations, including funds provided in the FY2026 appropriations law.\n\nIn implementing this policy, the Department is intentionally and sharply limiting the number of new grants it will award, by concentrating funds into fewer grants and withholding significant portions of appropriated resources for use in future budget periods. The decisions made to frontload a huge swath of departmental grants came just weeks after the Secretaries of Education and Health and Human Services and Acting Secretary of Labor wrote a letter to Congressional leadership touting the purported success of the illegal interagency agreements (IAAs) they have reached, which highlighted there were “record application levels” for certain grant competitions compared to prior years .1 Needless to say: record application levels are meaningless to students and families when the Department is choosing to fund fewer new grants under these competitions .2\n\nThis policy blatantly disregards congressional directives and withholds urgently needed federal resources from the very communities these programs are meant to serve. Instead of deploying funds immediately to hundreds of additional communities for essential education and related services, the Department is withholding approximately $630 million in appropriated resources across approximately 35 grant programs, preventing those funds from reaching students and families now. These are all programs where the Department has historically funded grants on an annual basis—if the Department continued that practice in administering these programs, the Department could have awarded well over 1,000 additional grants this year, supporting everything from evidence-based student literacy programs, to improving student mental health, to recruiting and preparing high-quality teachers, to supporting additional education research and to helping first-generation students succeed in college.\n\nThis policy is indefensible. The Department must immediately abandon this approach and administer appropriated funds in full alignment with both the law and the needs of the communities that rely on these programs. Congress expects no less, and the public deserves no less.\n\nLast year, the Department stated that literacy was its top priority.3 Yet its recent actions tell a different story. The FY2026 appropriations law provided $30 million for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program, which supports improved literacy for children and students from birth through 12th grade—including strengthening school libraries and expanding early literacy services in low-income communities nationwide. When the Department issued its grant competition notice earlier this year, it indicated that it would make 25 to 35 new awards using these funds .4 Unfortunately, just weeks ago, the Department announced that it would make only four new awards and would set aside $13 million for future years of these grants. Those funds could have been used to make roughly 25 additional awards. It is inexplicable that a Department claiming literacy as its top priority would so drastically limit the number of new grants supporting evidence-based literacy programming. In addition, the number of new awards is also a dramatic reduction from the last grant competitions under the Biden administration in FY2023 when 12 new awards were made and FY2021 when 29 new awards were made with total IAL program funding at the same or a smaller level.5 This Department of Education is doing significantly less to support evidence-based literacy despite its claim of “supercharging” evidence-based literacy programming.6\n\nSadly, the Department also has chosen to restrict grants that support child care for low-income student parents so they can pursue postsecondary education and workforce training. Congress provided $75 million to the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS) in the final FY2026 appropriations law, funding that is critical to ensuring low-income students receive the support they need while attending college. The Department estimated it would make 148 awards with the CCAMPIS appropriation when it published the notice inviting applications earlier this year and did not announce an intention to frontload.7 Yet, when the Department announced the new CCAMPIS grantees for FY2026, it made only 40 total new awards and set aside $53 million for future years of these grants. It is perplexing that an Administration that says it wants to improve affordability for Americans and help Americans find good-paying jobs would curtail a program that helps Americans afford higher education and workforce training.\n\nIn addition, there are widespread teacher shortages facing our local public schools. According to a recent analysis of Department data, there are an estimated 425,412 teaching positions either unfilled or filled by teachers not fully certified for their assignments, representing about 1 in 8 of all teaching positions nationally .8 Yet, the Department restricted the number of new grants to help train effective educators through the Supporting Effective Educator Development program this year, limiting it to just 16 new awards when it could have funded dozens more.9 Similarly, the Department only awarded 12 grants under the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) program and set aside $59 million of the $70 million appropriation for future years of these grants. Sadly, the Department also chose to front load most of the appropriation for the Augustus Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program which supports teacher preparation programs in minority-serving institutions, by setting aside over $14 million for future years.\n\nFinally, while state and local education leaders and educators continue to face an ongoing and urgent need for actionable evidence on challenges for education policy and practice, the administration has basically shuttered its research arm, the Institute for Education Sciences (IES) since last January.10 IES chose not to make new awards from grant competitions posted in 2024 to which institutions had already applied for funding and issued no new awards from grant competitions in FY2026.11 As a result, IES simply frontloaded existing research grants in order to meet its spending requirement by September 30, 2026.12 Unfortunately, this same story is repeated throughout the Department’s mishandling of many grant programs this year.\n\nThere is no meaningful benefit to this policy change, and certainly nothing that outweighs the significant costs of withholding this funding. The Department is doing this because it wants to eliminate the Department of Education, eliminate these programs, and significantly cut funding for schools. It does not increase certainty for grantees because at the same time, the Department and Office of Management and Budget are both proposing changes to grants management rules that empower agencies to terminate grants for any reason. This suggests even more nefarious motives—awarding funding that can only be used in future years now while empowering agencies to terminate that very funding in the future before it ever reaches students and schools.\n\nThe Department has proposed to rewrite the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that govern grant programs Congress has authorized it to administer.13 One of the major changes in the EDGAR proposal would allow the Secretary of Education to terminate multi-year grants “for convenience”. OMB has proposed similar changes in its federal financial assistance regulation that would rewrite uniform guidance governing grants management government-wide. That proposed rule would empower political appointees to terminate grants for any reason. If the proposed changes to EDGAR or OMB’s uniform guidance were to go into effect, this means the Department could easily terminate all these frontloaded funds, effectively terminating a large swath of FY2026 funds that Congress appropriated on a bipartisan basis. This would also make it more difficult for grantees to hire staff and plan to achieve grant objectives as efficiently and effectively as possible. And it would mean that the Department could satisfy Congressional requirements to obligate funds for programs and activities and later turn around and terminate the very grants that were made to satisfy Congressional spending requirements in future fiscal years.\n\nStudents deserve timely access to evidence-based literacy resources; parents deserve access to childcare services that allow them to pursue postsecondary education; and all students should have a classroom staffed by a high-quality educator. Congress provided resources for these purposes, and the Department has an obligation—not an option—to use them accordingly.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-celebrates-opening-of-new-agricultural-research-service-plant-sciences-building-at-wsu-after-years-of-fighting-to-secure-funding/", "title": "Murray Celebrates Opening of New Agricultural Research Service Plant Sciences Building at WSU After Years of Fighting to Secure Funding", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Murray: “At a time when our federal research enterprise is under serious threat by overt political interference and a hollowing out of our scientific workforce, today’s milestone offers a bright spot. This new building is a reminder of the incredible potential and opportunity we have when we invest in agricultural research—and when we do it consistently.”\n\nICYMI: Senator Murray, Secretary Vilsack Speak at Groundbreaking of New Agricultural Research Service Plant Sciences Building at WSU Murray Secured $125 Million to Build\n\nPullman, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a Washington State University (WSU) alum, attended the ribbon-cutting of the brand-new Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Plant Sciences Building on WSU’s campus. Senator Murray led the years-long fight to secure $125 million in federal funding for the building.\n\nThe newly-completed building will house ARS and WSU researchers focused on improving the health, sustainability, and profitability of dryland and irrigated agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. The building includes cutting-edge facilities for four ARS research units where scientists will focus on the health and sustainability of Pacific Northwest agroecosystems—and critical challenges facing national and global agriculture. The collaborative research between ARS and WSU will benefit growers, commodity groups, agricultural businesses, and American consumers who rely on this partnership to find solutions to agricultural and environmental problems.\n\n“As someone who has fought for this project at every step, in every funding bill I helped write, for over twenty years now, I know it’s been a long road to today—with plenty of hurdles: from economic crises, to forced federal budget cuts, and, of course, a full-blown pandemic. At every twist and turn, I’ve been proud to lock arms with the community here at WSU and go to bat for this building and this research on the Appropriations Committee. Because in farming, in research, and in Congress, the surest path to success is the same, you need persistence, and you need patience,” Senator Murray said. “At a time when our federal research enterprise is under serious threat by overt political interference and a hollowing out of our scientific workforce, today’s milestone offers a bright spot. This new building is a reminder of the incredible potential and opportunity we have when we invest in agricultural research—and when we do it consistently. The answers discovered here in Pullman will help producers weather a rapidly changing climate and navigate an increasingly tough farm economy. And the students inspired here, will spend their careers advancing this research and ensuring that legacy persists.”\n\nAs a senior appropriator and former Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray led the effort in Congress to secure $125 million in federal funding for the ARS building over multiple fiscal years. After pushing for the project for many years, Murray secured $105 million in the Fiscal Year 2019 funding bill for ARS to construct the new facility. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, supply chain issues and inflation delayed the project and increased the estimated cost of the building. In FY23, Murray secured an additional $20 million for the project, allowing WSU and ARS to finally move forward with construction. In 2023, Senator Murray attended the groundbreaking for the building and spoke on WSU’s excellence in agricultural research.\n\nSenator Murray has been a longtime advocate for Washington state’s farmers and has always advocated for major investments in cutting-edge agricultural research—like the research conducted at Washington State University, ARS, and all across Washington state. The agriculture appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2026 that Senator Murray wrote as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee provided $1.85 billion for ARS, and $1.67 billion for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture—rejecting President Trump’s budget request to slash core capacity funding for land-grant universities, like WSU, across the country and other key research and extension activities, which make important, practical information available to agricultural producers, small business owners, consumers, families, and young people.\n\nCompared to FY24, ARS is down more than 2,300 people or 30% of their staff after an aggressive Deferred Resignation Program by Trump’s USDA and subsequent hiring freezes. Murray has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s efforts to decimate America’s federal research enterprise, warning her colleagues that President Trump’s haphazard and callous decimation of key federal agencies is both inefficient and will cost taxpayers more in lost research and productivity. In every government funding bill she negotiates, Murray has fought, and will keep fighting, to protect every corner of America’s world-class research enterprise, from the labs searching for new cures to the scientists keeping our farms and food supply strong.\n\nSince its origins in 1931, collaborations between WSU and ARS have exemplified one of the strongest federal-state partnerships in the nation. These collaborations benefit growers, commodity groups, agricultural businesses, and U.S. consumers who rely on this partnership to find solutions to agricultural and environmental problems. In the new Plant Sciences Building, scientists will investigate wheat health, genetics and quality; grain genetics and physiology; sustainable Pacific Northwest agroecosystems; and plant germplasm introductions and evaluations. Members of the WSU Departments of Plant Pathology, Crop and Soil Sciences, and Horticulture will share space and work closely in the new facility alongside federal researchers on projects that improve crops and sustainable practices and reduce the impacts of weeds, pests, and diseases on agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. More information on the project is HERE.\n\nSenator Murray’s remarks, as prepared, are below:\n\n“As a proud Coug, it is always wonderful to be back in Pullman. I have memories all over this campus. There’s the time I met my husband. There’s the time I won my first political fight—changing the dress code so women could wear pants to the dining hall, not just dresses and skirts.\n\n“And—more relevant to today—there was the time, just three years ago, that I joined everyone to break ground on this new Ag-Research center! When I joined you for the groundbreaking of this building—I noted how appropriate it was that we were digging up soil and putting down roots to grow something truly special.\n\n“And how excited I was to come back again when this place was up and open, and bustling with students, researchers, and ideas. Well, here we are—and it’s everything I could’ve hoped for!\n\n“As someone who has fought for this project at every step, in every funding bill I helped write, for over twenty years now, I know it’s been a long road to today—with plenty of hurdles: from economic crises, to forced federal budget cuts, and, of course, a full-blown pandemic.\n\n“At every twist and turn, I’ve been proud to lock arms with the community here at WSU and go to bat for this building and this research on the Appropriations Committee. Because in farming, in research, and in Congress, the surest path to success is the same, you need persistence, and you need patience.\n\n“And today? The persistence pays off! Today? The wait is over! But, not the work—that is just beginning!\n\n“Because now that this building is open, students, faculty, and researchers are going to be walking through these doors, rolling up their sleeves, getting their hands dirty, and diving into some of the biggest challenges facing our farmers.\n\n“At a time when our federal research enterprise is under serious threat by overt political interference and a hollowing out of our scientific workforce, today’s milestone offers a bright spot. This new building is a reminder of the incredible potential and opportunity we have when we invest in agricultural research—and when we do it consistently.\n\n“The answers discovered here in Pullman will help producers weather a rapidly changing climate and navigate an increasingly tough farm economy. And the students inspired here, will spend their careers advancing this research and ensuring that legacy persists.\n\n“Everyone here knows farming and agriculture are crucial to Washington state. We have over 30,000 farms and ranches. With over 160,000 people working on them growing apples, potatoes, wheat, cherries, blueberries—and a whole lot more. And what grows in Washington state, goes across the country—and across the world!\n\n“But just as families count on Washington state farms for high-quality produce, our farms count on research happening right here to help them find new ways to protect crops, reduce costly inputs, and grow more food for more people.\n\n“Here at WSU, students and researchers are fighting threats that destroy crops like potato blight, wheat and barley scab, and little cherry disease. Here at WSU, we are looking at how Artificial Intelligence can help our farmers. And don’t forget our leadership in the other AI, I’m speaking of course about: Apple Innovation! Move over iPhone—I think everyone knows Sunflare is the most exciting apple release on the horizon!\n\n“And beyond growing seeds into new apples, this is a place where minds grow, where curiosity is nurtured, where new ideas take root, and where hard work bears fruit—in more ways than one!\n\n“It’s worth remembering, that while we usually say ‘you reap what you sow’ as a word of warning. It’s really deeper than that—it’s a reminder. A promise, that says when you plant something, when you pour your time and effort into something, your heart and soul, it will grow.\n\n“So, make sure you focus on growing things that are truly worthwhile. I think about that every spring when I plant flowers in my garden. And it motivates me every time I see a problem and choose to roll up my sleeves.\n\n“If you want to grow something, if you want to build something, if you want to discover something, if you want to change something—you’ve got to put in the work. And no one works harder than a Coug!\n\n“Which is why, as excited as I am to be here today, to see this project in bloom, the visit I’m most excited about—is always the next one. Because I know I’ll be back—and that the next time I visit, there will be a whole new crop of discoveries coming in.\n\n“So, as you all continue to build on the incredible work happening here, know that I am going to continue my work fighting to support you in the other Washington.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-schiff-gray-demand-answers-from-ice-in-response-to-increased-enforcement-activity-in-mendota/", "title": "Padilla, Schiff, Gray Demand Answers from ICE in Response to Increased Enforcement Activity in Mendota", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), along with U.S. Representative Adam Gray (D-Calif-13), demanded answers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following reports of increased enforcement activity and resident detentions in Mendota beginning on October 5.\n\nIn a letter to Acting ICE Director David Venturella, the lawmakers requested details about the operation’s purpose and scope, the number of individuals detained, and the safeguards in place to protect due process and minimize disruption to local families and businesses.\n\n“Mendota is a hardworking agricultural community, and families should not have to fear going to work or taking their kids to school,” the lawmakers wrote. “Federal immigration laws must be enforced, but how that happens matters. We need answers about what’s taking place, who is being targeted and whether people’s rights are being protected.”\n\nThe lawmakers also questioned whether local law enforcement was consulted, where detainees are being held, and what steps ICE is taking to address concerns raised by Mendota’s mayor and City Council.\n\nThey further emphasized the importance of protecting public safety and due process while recognizing the essential role farmworkers play in the Central Valley economy and America’s food supply.\n\n“The people of Mendota deserve to know why these operations are taking place and what safeguards are in place to protect their families and community,” the lawmakers concluded. “The federal government’s responsibility to enforce immigration law does not give it license to create fear across an entire community.”\n\nPadilla has been a leader in opposing the Trump Administration’s cruel and indiscriminate mass deportation agenda. Last week, Padilla visited an ICE holding facility in downtown Los Angeles to examine conditions firsthand and demand answers from federal officials. He also visited a de-facto immigration detention facility at San Francisco International Airport earlier this month. In August, Padilla called out the Trump Administration’s continued abuses of power and demanded DHS immediately halt its reckless plan to equip ICE officers with electric shock gloves. In June, Padilla and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) sounded the alarm over the significant increase in deaths among detainees in ICE custody since January 2025, expressing concern over the announcement of the 50th reported death in ICE custody under the Trump Administration.\n\nFull letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Acting Director Venturella:\n\nWe write to express serious concern about reports of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Mendota, California, beginning October 5, 2026, and to request an immediate explanation of the purpose, scope, and conduct of these operations.\n\nThe Mayor and City Council of Mendota have already formally expressed their concerns about the fear and uncertainty these enforcement activities are creating in their community. Their message is clear: Families should not be afraid to go to work, parents should feel safe taking their children to school, and residents should be able to go about their daily lives without fear.\n\nMendota is a hardworking agricultural community whose families have spent generations helping feed our state and nation. Its farmworkers are essential to the Central Valley economy and America’s food supply and their contributions deserve recognition and respect. Federal immigration laws must be enforced, but how those laws are enforced matters. Immigration enforcement should prioritize individuals who pose genuine threats to public safety, respect due process, and avoid unnecessarily disrupting families, businesses, and entire communities.\n\nReports of federal agents conducting operations in Mendota and detaining residents have raised serious questions about the objectives and methods of these activities. The resulting fear extends well beyond those directly involved in enforcement actions and threatens the stability of a community that depends on its agricultural workforce.\n\nAs Mendota and California’s representatives in Congress, we have a responsibility to demand answers and ensure that federal enforcement activities respect the rights, dignity, and safety of the people we represent.\n\nAccordingly, we request answers to the following questions:\n\nWhat circumstances or specific enforcement objectives prompted the increased ICE activity in Mendota and surrounding communities beginning October 5?\n\nHow many individuals have been detained during these operations, and how many were identified as posing a threat to public safety?\n\nWhere have detained individuals been transported or held, and what procedures are in place to ensure access to legal counsel and due process?\n\nWere local law enforcement agencies notified or consulted before these operations? If so, which agencies?\n\nWhat policies or instructions have been provided to agents to prevent unnecessary detention, protect family unity, and minimize disruption to schools, workplaces, and agricultural operations?\n\nWhat steps will ICE take to address the concerns formally raised by Mendota’s mayor and City Council?\n\nThe people of Mendota deserve to know why these operations are taking place, who is being targeted, and what safeguards are in place to protect their families and community.\n\nThe federal government’s responsibility to enforce immigration law does not give it license to create fear across an entire community. Mendota’s families deserve public safety, due process, and respect. We expect ICE to uphold all three.\n\nWe look forward to your prompt response to the questions outlined above.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-schumer-announce-recruitment-of-100-senate-staff-and-plans-to-deploy-to-nine-states-ahead-of-midterms/", "title": "Padilla, Schumer Announce Recruitment of 100 + Senate Staff and Plans to Deploy to Nine States Ahead of Midterms", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "First-of-its-kind Senate program will put trained congressional observers on the ground to document any voter interference or threats to election workers in 2026 midterm Senate contests as Trump escalates efforts to undermine election integrity\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and California’s former Secretary of State, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced that more than 100 Senate Democratic staff have been recruited and trained as official congressional election observers to be deployed to polling sites across nine states. Trained staff will serve as official congressional observers and document any attempted voter interference, threats against election workers, misinformation, disinformation, or other attempts to meddle with elections, both on Election Day and in the post-election canvass and certification process.\n\nPadilla and Schumer launched Senate Democrats’ participation in the first-of-its-kind Senate Election Observer Program in June to counter Trump’s ongoing election threats and to promote transparency, protect voter confidence, and ensure the Senate has objective, on-the-ground information in Senate races.\n\n“Donald Trump has made clear that he wants to ‘take over the voting’ in state-run elections. Election interference is unconstitutional and illegal and Congress will be watching,” said Senator Padilla. “We’ve recruited more than 100 Senate staffers to serve as official election observers across nine states to document potential voter interference, threats against election workers, and attempts to undermine the democratic process. Every eligible American deserves to cast a ballot free from intimidation, and every vote deserves to be counted fairly. We’re taking this step to ensure that any attempt to interfere with the right to vote is documented, exposed and met with accountability.”\n\n“Donald Trump is trying to steal the election – but Democrats and the American people won’t let him,” said Leader Schumer.“Our elections are free and secure, but we cannot take that for granted. I am grateful for the Senate staff members who are raising their hand to help build trust in our upcoming election and protect the sanctity of our democracy. Trump has fought harder to rig the elections than he has to bring down costs. His record-breaking unpopularity comes from his agenda failing families, and no amount of his election meddling can change that. The voters will decide the next election—not Trump.”\n\nThe prepared deployment comes with nearly 20 days until Election Day and as President Trump continues to sow doubt in the integrity of American elections and threaten the foundations of free and fair voting. His Administration has pushed sweeping voter roll purges, issued executive orders aimed at restricting voting, sought to limit mail-in and absentee voting, and pressed Congress to pass the so-called SAVE America Act. The Administration has also faced allegations of unlawful efforts to access state voter data.\n\nThe Senate Election Observer Program will not interfere with election officials in the performance of their duties or seek to influence election results in any way. It will:\n\nPut trained congressional observers on the ground: Train and designate Democratic Senators’ official staff to observe polling locations and sites where ballots are counted and elections are canvassed and certified\n\nDocument any election interference: Deter election interference, promote confidence in American elections, and help ensure free and fair elections in 2026. Observe and record any election issues, including potential instances of voter interference, threats targeting election workers, impacts of election misinformation or disinformation, and any issues regarding the canvass or certification of elections\n\nStrengthen congressional oversight: Gather on-the-ground information about U.S. Senate elections to assist the Senate Rules Committee in addressing any potentially contested Senate elections. Inform the Committee’s legislative and oversight work related to election administration\n\nOperate under established authority: The same authority as the long-running House of Representatives’ Election Observer Program\n\nSenate Democrats’ Election Observer Program is similar to the long-running program in the House of Representatives and follows the October 2024 passage of the Confirmation of Congressional Observer Access (COCOA) Act, which confirmed the constitutional authority of Congress, specifically the Chair and Ranking Members of the Committee on House Administration and Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, to designate congressional election observers. Senate Republicans are also launching a program under the same authority.\n\nAs Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight over federal elections and California’s former Secretary of State and chief election officer, Padilla has championed election security and voting rights issues. Last month, Padilla introduced the Freedom From Intimidation Act, legislation to prohibit firearms at polling places to protect voters and poll workers. Padilla also demanded DHS Secretary Mullin immediately halt election interference efforts and led the congressional response to the bombshell whistleblower report that DHS agents violated state laws as part of the “Unlawful Voter Initiative.” In August, Padilla led 27 of his Senate colleagues in demanding the Trump Administration stop their illegal voter roll purges before Election Day.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.risch.senate.gov/news/press-releases/risch-crapo-wyden-merkley-introduce-three-year-reauthorization-of-secure-rural-schools-program/", "title": "Risch, Crapo, Wyden, Merkley Introduce Three-Year Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools Program", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "domain": "www.risch.senate.gov", "scraper": "risch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000584", "name": "James E. Risch", "party": "Republican", "state": "ID", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch, Mike Crapo (both R-Idaho), Ron Wyden, and Jeff Merkley (both D-Ore.) introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act program (SRS) for three years, providing continued support for rural schools and counties home to nontaxable federal land to fund education, road maintenance and other essential services.\n\n“Secure Rural Schools funding is a commitment the federal government made to Idaho’s rural counties, helping them maintain roads, schools and other essential services,” said Risch. “As we work to restore the timber revenues that have long sustained these communities, Congress must honor that commitment and reauthorize SRS.”\n\n“Counties across Idaho should not have to repeatedly face uncertainty about whether the federal government will uphold its responsibility to communities containing vast amounts of tax-exempt federal land,” said Crapo. “Without action, rural schools and counties will lose resources they rely on to maintain roads, support schools and provide basic services. This three-year reauthorization provides needed stability, but we must continue working toward a permanent solution that gives these communities the predictability they need to effectively plan and budget for the future.”\n\n“Secure Rural Schools is a lifeline for rural Oregon,” said Wyden. “I’ll be working as hard as I can to get this bill across the finish line, but the well-being of rural America shouldn’t be dependent on Congress getting its act together to renew this funding every few years. It’s past time to get rural communities off the financial rollercoaster and deliver a permanent funding solution.”\n\n“The SRS program provides crucial payments that are a lifeline for rural communities here in Oregon and across America—keeping schools open, maintaining roads, restoring watersheds, and providing funding for police officers and firefighters to keep families safe,” said Merkley. “A three-year extension of the program is critical to ensuring the federal government upholds its promise to our communities and that local governments can reliably access these important resources.”\n\n“More than 700 counties across the country depend on the Secure Rural Schools program. Counties applaud Senators Crapo, Wyden, Risch and Merkley for leading this bipartisan legislation that will keep schools operating, roads and bridges maintained and public safety services funded in rural communities. SRS was reauthorized already once this Congress with overwhelming, bipartisan support. Now that it has lapsed again, Congress must act quickly to preserve SRS for rural counties across the country by passing this bipartisan legislation, so counties and communities have fiscal certainty.” – Matthew Chase, Executive Director, National Association of Counties (NACo)\n\n“Secure Rural Schools funding is vital to Idaho counties, supporting the maintenance of county roads and bridges, search and rescue services on federal lands, and K-12 education. As this critical funding nears expiration, we urge Congress to reauthorize the program for an additional three years to ensure counties can continue to meet these essential obligations. We thank Senator Crapo and his team for their continued efforts to raise awareness of this program’s importance to Idaho communities.” – Seth Grigg, Executive Director, Idaho Association of Counties\n\n“Idaho’s rural schools shouldn’t be disadvantaged simply because so much of the land surrounding their communities is federally owned. Secure Rural Schools recognizes that reality and provides critical resources that help rural communities support their students. I applaud Senator Crapo’s commitment to providing Idaho’s rural communities greater stability through this essential funding while honoring the local control that allows communities to determine how best to serve their students.” – Debbie Critchfield, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction\n\nBackground\n\nCongress created SRS in 2000 to provide financial assistance to counties with federally owned forestlands that are exempt from collecting local property taxes. Historically, rural counties received a share of receipts generated from timber harvests on federal lands. As timber harvests and associated revenues declined, SRS was established to provide predictable resources for counties and school districts that had historically relied on those receipts.\n\nCrapo, Wyden, Risch and Merkley have worked together for years to maintain the program and provide greater certainty for rural communities. Most recently, the Senators led bipartisan legislation reauthorizing SRS through Fiscal Year 2026 and restoring lapsed payments for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. That legislation was signed into law in December 2025. Without further congressional action, the program will again expire after Fiscal Year 2026.\n\nThe U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management administer SRS payments. Funding is distributed using a formula that takes into account historic timber receipts, economic activity and other factors that vary by county. Depending on the payment title and eligible lands, SRS funding supports schools and roads, projects benefiting federal lands and specified county services such as emergency response and wildfire preparedness.\n\nIn Idaho, 34 of the state’s 44 counties received SRS payments in 2023. Under Idaho law, 30 percent of SRS funding is directed to schools, while the remaining 70 percent supports roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/2026/10/14/slotkin-coons-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-sanction-israeli-settlements-in-the-west-bank/", "title": "Slotkin, Coons, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Israeli Settlements in the West Bank", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/newsroom/", "domain": "www.slotkin.senate.gov", "scraper": "slotkin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001208", "name": "Elissa Slotkin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joined legislation to sanction companies, individuals, and other entities that help develop Israeli settlements in the E1 area of the West Bank. The legislation was led by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and joined by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), among others.\n\nIsrael approved more than 3,000 housing units in E1, just last year, and has recently opened bidding to construction firms. If built, the settlements could split the West Bank in two and seriously undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said after approving the plan that “a Palestinian state will not be established.”\n\n“Amid increasing violence, displacement, and fear for Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, the E1 project would make peace in the region harder to achieve and it is not in the interest of Israel’s long-term security or America’s,” said Slotkin. “For 30 years, Republican and Democratic administrations have opposed this project, and the United States should make clear that anyone who profits from this construction will face consequences for undermining long-term stability and prosperity, as well as displacing more of the Palestinian people.”\n\n“For decades, American presidents from both parties have warned successive Israeli governments that construction in E1 threatened the viability of a Palestinian state and was unacceptable to the United States,” said Coons. “As Palestinian civilians face a campaign of devastation and fear from violent extremist settlers, the United States must send a strong message that this behavior is unacceptable and that it remains committed to freedom, security, prosperity, and self-determination for all Israelis and Palestinians.”\n\nThe bill would sanction any foreign person the Treasury Secretary finds responsible for or complicit in building settlements or related structures in E1, including by bidding on E1 tenders. It would also sanction anyone who organizes, directs, finances, or facilitates moving Israeli civilians into E1 settlements.\n\nThe bill is also cosponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Peter Welch (D-VT).\n\nFull bill text is available here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/maryland-delegation-members-release-statement-on-judge-ruling-halting-trump-administration-efforts-to-close-barc-in-beltsville-maryland", "title": "Maryland Delegation Members Release Statement on Judge Ruling Halting Trump Administration Efforts to Close BARC in Beltsville, Maryland", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "scraper": "vanhollen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000128", "name": "Chris Van Hollen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and Representatives Glenn Ivey, Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Sarah Elfreth, April McClain Delaney, and Johnny Olszewski (all D-Md.) released the following statement regarding last night’s ruling by a federal judge, temporarily halting the Trump Administration’s efforts to close the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Beltsville, Maryland.\n\n“As we’ve said time and again, this Administration’s attempts to shutter BARC are not only unwise – they’re illegal. BARC conducts critical research that helps farmers across our nation put food on the table for American families – including combatting serious threats to our agriculture, like cyclospora and avian flu. Last night’s ruling from a federal judge made plain: the Administration’s efforts are in clear violation of Congressional intent. We will continue fighting back against the Trump Administration’s lawless attempts to close this facility, undermining its crucial research on behalf of American farmers and families.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-visiting-nurses-and-hospice-providers-in-rutland-to-discuss-innovations-to-develop-vermonts-rural-health-care-workforce/", "title": "Welch Joins Visiting Nurses and Hospice Providers in Rutland to Discuss Innovations to Develop Vermont’s Rural Health Care Workforce", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "RUTLAND, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, this week joined the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region and VNAs of Vermont to discuss new innovations that aim to develop Vermont’s rural health care workforce. At the event, the Senator highlighted the importance of home health and hospice agencies, which are critical partners in Vermont’s efforts to curb health care costs, transform care, and ensure that the health care system can meet the needs of Vermont communities.\n\n“Rural communities across the country have the same health care workforce challenges, whether it’s a red state or blue state. The innovative work being done at VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region to not just build but keep their workforce, including their new nurse residency program, is exactly what we should be replicating across the country,” said Senator Welch. “I’ll continue doing all I can to find bipartisan solutions that create jobs for health care providers in Vermont and expand opportunities for rural communities.”\n\n“Nearly every Vermonter receiving home health or hospice services is someone who is not in a hospital or nursing home bed, directly reducing costs and increasing bed capacity for those who need care in those settings, while supporting Vermonters’ ability to age or heal at home. Home health and hospice agencies are pivotal to our ability as a state to reform or transform how and where health care is delivered, and how much it costs, and they are leading as innovators to grow and strengthen our rural health care workforce,” said Eric Covey, Executive Director, VNAs of Vermont.\n\n“When we talk about the challenges facing rural Vermont, one thing becomes very clear: we have to continuously be creative. We have to find new ways to build our workforce, new ways to support the people who are already doing this work, and new ways to make sure Vermonters can receive the care they need close to home. The Nurse Residency Program gives us an opportunity to build that structure and make that investment possible. Innovative solutions like this one will be critical to recruiting, training, and retaining the workforce of skilled clinicians needed to care for the Vermonters who depend on us the most,” said Jessica Boutin, Chief Executive Officer, VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region.\n\nView photos from the event below:\n\nSix agencies in the State of Vermont are investing nearly $4 million in grant funds to work with and recruit additional ‘new to home health and hospice’ nurse residents. By pairing residents with preceptors experienced in the field, with a curriculum focused on honing the competencies necessary to thrive, this program will build confidence, and competence, while empowering existing staff to grow professionals as trainers and mentors, impacting recruitment and retention of our care-at-home workforce.\n\nSenator Welch is a champion for rural health care and has worked across the aisle to lead legislation to improve access to care, including the Rural Hospital Support Act, Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act, Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act, Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act, Multigenerational Home Caregiver Credit Act, and the CONNECT for Health Act.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-presses-trump-administration-over-political-interference-in-commerce-census-data", "title": "Wyden Presses Trump Administration over Political Interference in Commerce, Census Data", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.wyden.senate.gov", "scraper": "wyden", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000779", "name": "Ron Wyden", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Wyden raises concerns over potential for political interference in 2030 Census, nonpartisan data collection\n\nWashington, D.C. – Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today demanded answers from the Trump administration following reports that the Commerce Department has stripped away protections against political influence in its Scientific Integrity Policy.\n\n“The Department’s recent decision in August 2026 to quietly strip explicit prohibitions against political interference from its Scientific Integrity Policy is yet another attempt by the Trump administration to undermine scientific facts and data that do not align with its own priorities,” Wyden wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “Doing away with these safeguards could also result in biased reports that violate federal law under the Information Quality Act, which requires agencies to maintain the quality, objectivity, and integrity of the information they share with the public.”\n\nThe unannounced policy shift comes shortly after the U.S. Census Bureau published an unauthored, highly irregular report on noncitizen voting—a document data and elections experts widely criticized for its flawed methodology and complete lack of peer review. An NPR investigation revealed that the report was spearheaded by the America First Policy Institute, a conservative group with deep ties to Donald Trump.\n\nWyden stressed that doing away with these guardrails is an open invitation for political interference in nonpartisan data relied on by communities and small businesses for everything from census counts to inflation metrics and hurricane forecasts. Wyden also voiced concerns over the implication of political influence by the Trump administration in the upcoming 2030 Census in an effort to suppress political participation of Trump’s political opponents and reallocate federal funding for vulnerable communities.", "collected_at": "2026-10-15T09:38:10Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-15T09:39:26Z"}
{"url": "https://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1906", "title": "Alford Announces $16.2 Million U.S. DOT Grant to Modernize COLT Railroad in Columbia", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://alford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "alford.house.gov", "scraper": "alford", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000379", "name": "Mark Alford", "party": "Republican", "state": "MO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded $16,207,000 through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program to the City of Columbia, Missouri.\n\nThe funding will support the COLT Railroad Modernization Program, a vital initiative to upgrade the 21.4-mile Columbia Terminal Railroad (COLT) connecting Columbia and Centralia. Rep. Alford strongly championed this project, helping to secure the grant funding through robust advocacy, including sending a formal letter of support with Rep. Bob Onder (MO-03) to the FRA.\n\n\"The COLT railroad is a critical economic lifeline for Mid-Missouri, connecting our local manufacturers, agricultural producers, and building materials suppliers to the national freight network,\" said Congressman Alford. \"I was proud to lead the charge and help secure this grant to ensure our region remains at the cutting edge of transportation innovation. This major investment will modernize our infrastructure, enhance safety, and pioneer autonomous rail technology right here in Missouri—all while supporting local jobs and boosting our economic competitiveness.\"\n\nProject Summary\n\nThe total cost of the COLT Railroad Modernization Program is $20,827,000, backed by $16,207,000 in federal CRISI funding and $4,620,000 in non-federal cost shares contributed by private sector partners and the City of Columbia. Key components of the project include:\n\nAutonomous Rail Technology Demonstration: Deploys self-propelled, autonomous railcar equipment to conduct the first documented demonstration of autonomous railcar operations on a regulated short line in the United States.\n\nPhased Operational Safety Framework: Establishes an FRA-approved test program, progressing safely from terminal switching to maintenance-of-way activities and full mainline revenue-service demonstrations across 57 at-grade crossings.\n\nTrack and Infrastructure Upgrades: Procures and installs 36,000 sustainable, 100% American-made Evertrak composite rail ties, completes track tamping across approximately 6 miles of upgraded track, replaces three degraded turnout switches, and builds two Level 2 terminal charging units.\n\nWorkforce Development: Develops a comprehensive workforce training curriculum for remote operators, field engineers, and maintenance technicians in partnership with the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.\n\nEconomic and Safety Growth: Preserves and expands rail access for Mid-Missouri businesses along a corridor that generates $670 million in total sales, supports 243 jobs, and drives state and local tax revenue.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases/ansari-introduces-bipartisan-iran-act-to-expand-internet-freedom-for-the-iranian-people", "title": "Ansari Introduces Bipartisan IRAN Act to Expand Internet Freedom for the Iranian People", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ansari.house.gov", "scraper": "ansari", "member": {"bioguide_id": "A000381", "name": "Yassamin Ansari", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Today, Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) and Claudia Tenney (NY-24) introduced the bipartisan Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act to strengthen U.S. efforts to help the Iranian people access the open internet, communicate securely, and overcome the Iranian regime’s censorship, surveillance, and internet shutdowns.\n\n“Freedom of expression and access to unrestricted information are fundamental human rights. The Islamic Republic regularly shuts down or restricts internet access while committing mass atrocities,” said Congresswoman Ansari. “President Trump has said 'help is on the way' for the Iranian people. Ensuring unrestricted internet access would actually help people immediately. I’m proud to introduce the IRAN Act, a bipartisan, noncontroversial, and not militarily invasive bill that would do just that.”\n\nIran remains one of the world’s most restrictive digital environments, with the regime routinely restricting internet access to suppress dissent, conceal human rights abuses, and isolate the Iranian people. The IRAN Act strengthens the U.S. internet freedom strategy for Iran by requiring regular reviews, implementation assessments, and congressional reporting, while evaluating emerging technologies such as VPNs, decentralized and peer to peer networks, and direct to cell satellite communications. The legislation also seeks to expand cybersecurity training and secure digital tools for journalists, human rights defenders, and other civil society actors, and directs greater coordination among federal agencies to help ensure U.S. sanctions and export controls do not unintentionally hinder access to open internet technologies.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://barrett.house.gov/media/press-releases/barrett-gluesenkamp-perez-introduce-bipartisan-bill-crack-down-elder-fraud", "title": "Barrett, Gluesenkamp Perez Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Elder Fraud", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://barrett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "barrett.house.gov", "scraper": "barrett", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001321", "name": "Tom Barrett", "party": "Republican", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) and Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) introduced the One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act to establish a 24/7 hotline and website to serve as a one-stop shop for reporting scams and fraud targeting seniors. The platform would help law enforcement catch and prosecute criminals while offering seniors resources to protect themselves from potential scams.\n\nFraud costs American seniors billions of dollars every year. The latest reporting by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found that adults aged 60 and older lost about $2.4 billion to fraud in 2024 alone.\n\n“Fraudsters are constantly targeting seniors to cheat them out of their hard-earned retirement,” Barrett said. “These sophisticated scammers pose as federal agencies, banks, and even loved ones, while artificial intelligence is making impersonation easier than ever. Families need resources to recognize and quickly report suspected fraud. By establishing a 24/7, one-stop shop for addressing elder fraud, this bipartisan bill will protect vulnerable seniors and empower law enforcement to crack down on these criminals.”\n\n“People who steal from seniors and retirees are the lowest of the low. No one should have to navigate impenetrable government websites or spend hours stuck on hold trying to report these scams,” said Gluesenkamp Perez. “My bill makes it simple, you call one number or go to one site and your report goes directly to the investigator you need. When we give law enforcement the tools to fight back, they can respond immediately and take on these predatory scammers.”\n\nCurrently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) operates an elder fraud hotline, but it is only available during business hours, and finding relevant information from different federal agencies can be difficult.\n\nUnder the One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act, the FTC and DOJ would be responsible for operating a 24/7 elder fraud hotline and website, which would enable a senior or loved one to file a complaint about any fraud or scam, submit a message allegedly from the federal government to verify whether it is legitimate, and request a connection with the appropriate federal, state, and local authorities.\n\nThe website would also provide resources for combating the most common types of elder fraud and scams — including resources at relevant federal agencies.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9241", "title": "Opposition To Trump’s Vanity Arch Grows", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "beyer.house.gov", "scraper": "beyer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001292", "name": "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Staunch opposition to Donald Trump’s proposed vanity arch grew sharpy in early October, as veterans, residents, and workers expressed hostility to the project, and the Northern Virginia county that surrounds the site filed suit against it.\n\nOn October 1st, as NPR reported: “Veterans, retirees and lawmakers spoke out — against its scale, its cost, its lack of Congressional approval, its gaudiness, its intrusion on nearby Arlington National Cemetery and more.”\n\nOn October 7th, per the Associated Press: “The union representing thousands of flight attendants said Wednesday it has safety concerns about President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch that will be on final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.”\n\nOn October 8th, the Washington Post reported: “Arlington County’s local elected body sued to block construction of President Donald Trump’s planned triumphal arch on Thursday, arguing that administration officials bypassed a key review process in their push to begin work on the structure.”\n\nRep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents a Northern Virginia district in the U.S. House that includes Arlington County, Arlington National Cemetery, and Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), today issued the following statement:\n\n“The Administration’s pursuit of Donald Trump’s deeply disrespectful arch has broken the law repeatedly, and now people from many backgrounds are banding together to fight it. I applaud Arlington County’s legal challenge, which rightly confronts the Administration’s illegal attempts to bypass legally required processes to assess the project’s impacts on the local community. Trump wants to avoid these assessments because everyone knows what an honest study would say: this arch is a costly boondoggle that would increase traffic and decrease air safety for the local community. The latter point has also been echoed by workers on the planes that fly in and out of DCA, and the safety concerns would be multiplied many times over if the structure were used as a base for military drones. The bottom line is that Trump’s arch is morally repugnant, and as his pursuit of it gets more corrupt the opposition will continue to grow.”\n\nRep. Don Beyer is leading congressional efforts to block construction of Trump’s arch. His Northern Virginia district includes the Arlington National Cemetery, where his parents, grandparents, and sister are buried. He is the author of the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, which would explicitly prohibit construction of the arch. He previously raised concerns about the projects impacts on traffic in the region, which the Trump Administration has yet to address. The arch has been a consistent source of anger and concern to Beyer’s constituents, who like much of the country, vociferously oppose the project.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-lauren-boebert-daily-caller-small-towns-deserving-their-own-zip-codes", "title": "REP. LAUREN BOEBERT IN THE DAILY CALLER ON SMALL TOWNS DESERVING THEIR OWN ZIP CODES", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "boebert.house.gov", "scraper": "boebert", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B000825", "name": "Lauren Boebert", "party": "Republican", "state": "CO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "LONE TREE, CO – Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) published an op-ed urging Congress to pass her bipartisan bill that would grant unique ZIP codes to dozens of small communities across Colorado and the nation.\n\n“Rural communities are far too often overlooked in Washington; they deserve a voice in Congress, and their local concerns should be turned into practical law,” Rep. Boebert wrote.\n\nRep. Boebert wrote, “I introduced H.R. 3095, the Unique ZIP Code bill. This legislation would direct the Postal Service to create single, unique ZIP codes for scores of communities that have waited far too long for basic recognition.” H.R. 3095 passed the House with strong bipartisan support.\n\n“Working across the aisle on practical solutions that strengthen our communities is exactly what Coloradans expect from their representatives,” Rep. Boebert wrote.\n\n“Unique ZIP codes are not a symbolic gesture. They are tangible changes that improve mail delivery accuracy, help emergency services respond to the right location, strengthen local identity, support businesses in operating and growing, and ensure that tax and census data accurately reflect the communities that actually exist. For the 73 communities included in this legislation, unique ZIP codes are long-overdue practical relief,” Rep. Boebert wrote.\n\n“And this legislation has garnered support from more than just Colorado’s lawmakers. It is backed in both chambers by a bipartisan coalition of members from 17 states, including California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and more,” Rep. Boebert wrote. “I will continue to work with my colleagues and Congressional leadership to get this legislation passed and signed into law, so that all local voices continue to be heard.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/10/15/buchanan-moody-and-members-of-the-florida-delegation-urge-department-of-war-to-expand-florida-national-guard/", "title": "Buchanan, Moody and Members of the Florida Delegation Urge Department of War to Expand Florida National Guard", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "domain": "buchanan.house.gov", "scraper": "buchanan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001260", "name": "Vern Buchanan", "party": "Republican", "state": "FL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Florida Ranks 53rd Out of 54 States and Territories in Guardsmen Per Capita While Carrying One of the Nation’s Heaviest Operational Burdens\n\nLetter Calls to Expand Florida National Guard Personnel to Match Growing Population and Mission\n\nWASHINGTON — Congressman Vern Buchanan joined Senator Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) and 12 other members of the Florida congressional delegation on a letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth urging the Department of War to review the Florida National Guard’s authorized force structure and approve an increase in its total allocation of personnel.\n\nThe Florida National Guard has roughly 12,000 authorized personnel serving a state of approximately 23.5 million people. Measured per capita, Florida ranks 53rd out of 54 states and territories with a National Guard component, a smaller ratio than states such as Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, while the Guard carries one of the heaviest operational burdens in the nation.\n\n“Floridians have seen time and time again the importance of our National Guard in stepping up for our families and communities,” said Buchanan. “As an Air National Guard veteran, I have witnessed firsthand how our Guardsmen answer the call every time disaster strikes, but Florida’s Guard has not grown to keep pace with our growing population. They deserve the personnel and resources to match the mission, and I urge the Department of War to give Florida the force structure it needs to continue keeping our communities safe.”\n\nThe letter notes that Florida Guardsmen are currently called out 106 days a year, compared with the 39 duty days required by statute, which drives fatigue and strains retention as the same soldiers and airmen are deployed again and again for hurricane response, disaster relief and overseas missions.\n\nThe lawmakers also emphasize that Florida is ready to fill the ranks. The Florida National Guard has maintained an average of 103 percent assigned strength over the past five years, and state military leaders have said Florida draws from a recruitable population larger than that of 28 states. In 2025, the Florida Legislature adopted Senate Memorial 314 urging Congress and the National Guard Bureau to examine the Guard’s allocation and allow an increase in its force structure.\n\nJoining Moody, Patronis and Buchanan in signing the letter are Reps. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), Randy Fine (R-Fla.), Scott Franklin (R-Fla.), Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.), Laurel Lee (R-Fla.), Cory Mills (R-Fla.), Jimmy Patronis (R-Fla.) and John Rutherford (R-Fla.).\n\nBuchanan has long been a strong advocate for Florida’s service members and for strengthening the state’s disaster preparedness and response. Earlier this year, he secured 10 amendments in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.\n\nRead the full letter HERE or below:\n\nDear Secretary Hegseth:\n\nWe write to respectfully urge you to conduct a review of the Florida National Guard’s authorized force structure and to approve an increase in its total allocation. The Florida National Guard carries one of the heaviest operational burdens in the nation with one of the smallest per-capita allocations.\n\nUnder 10 U.S.C. § 10503, the Secretary of War—in consultation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force—sets the end strength allocation for the National Guard Bureau. Governor DeSantis, the Florida Legislature, and the Florida National Guard have made clear that the Florida National Guard stands ready to grow.\n\nThe Florida National Guard has roughly 12,000 authorized personnel in total. Although the state population is approximately 23.5 million, there are roughly 53 Guardsmen per 10,000 citizens, which is smaller than states such as Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Measured per capita, Florida ranks 53rd out of 54 total states and territories that possess a National Guard component.\n\nReporting has noted that Florida’s total allocation has held at roughly 12,000 for decades even as the state’s population has multiplied several times over.\n\nAs Major General John Haas, The Adjutant General of Florida, testified before the State Senate in 2025, Florida is so under- resourced relative to its population that matching the national median ratio of service members to citizens would more than double the Guard’s current force structure.\n\nFlorida’s strategic value to the Department of War is unmatched. It plays a critical role in allowing the Joint Force to achieve the administration’s goals set forth in the National Defense Strategy. This is especially true when it comes to homeland defense and ensuring American dominance across the Western Hemisphere. As such, Florida’s impact on executing the objectives of the administration’s priorities is both real and tangible.\n\nThe Florida National Guard has one of the highest operational tempos in the country. Earlier this year, state leaders documented that the Florida Guard expended as many workdays in eighteen months as it had in the preceding twenty years.\n\nThis was largely driven through the COVID-19 response, hurricane and disaster relief, and overseas deployments. As such, the Florida National Guard has struggled with retention due to high deployment demands, especially since they are currently called out 106 days a year compared to the statutory required 39 duty days.\n\nA force structure frozen in place while both population and mission demand climb steadily forces the repeated redeployment of the same soldiers and airmen, driving fatigue and placing strain on retention.\n\nFlorida also offers the Department something that cannot be found in many other states: a deep, willing recruiting base and a demonstrated propensity to serve. State military leadership has publicly stated that Florida draws from a recruitable population larger than that of twenty-eight states and can fill the ranks if given the authorization.\n\nThis is backed by sustained performance. The Florida National Guard has maintained an average of 103% assigned strength for the past five years. In short, the demand signal, the strategic rationale, and the manpower supply all point the same direction.\n\nIn 2025, the Florida Legislature formally adopted Senate Memorial 314, a memorial to the Congress of the United States urging that the National Guard Bureau examine the present allocations of the Florida National Guard and allow an increase in its force structure.\n\nIt cited the National Guard Bureau’s own April 2021 report to Congress, “Impact of U.S. Population Trends on National Guard Force Structure,” which acknowledged that the Guard “may need to evaluate re-allocating mission sets to other geographic areas to keep pace with changing demographics across the country.” Florida’s population trend is precisely the kind of demographic shift the Bureau anticipated.\n\nWe are grateful for your service and for your leadership of the Department of War. We kindly ask that the Department give Florida the force structure that is needed to adequately respond to the missions assigned to them. We welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with you at your earliest convenience.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-bynum-statement-silver-rail-elementary-shooting", "title": "Congresswoman Bynum Statement on Silver Rail Elementary Shooting", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "bynum.house.gov", "scraper": "bynum", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001326", "name": "Janelle S. Bynum", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) released the following statement following the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting in Bend.\n\n“They’re killing our babies. Shredding our kids with lead. Forcing us to live in fear,” said Rep. Bynum. “I feel this deep, deep, deep in my soul. Our whole community does. Our whole state does. And the whole nation should. Our babies are supposed to do arts and crafts at school, not use their desks as cover from gunfire. They’re supposed to make friends, not mourn them. This is every parent's worst fear. My heart and my prayers and everything else I got is with the families at Silver Rail Elementary. When will it end?”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases/members-congress-hold-hearing-austin-investigate-ice-shootings-across-texas", "title": "Members of Congress Hold Hearing in Austin to Investigate ICE Shootings Across Texas", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "casar.house.gov", "scraper": "casar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001131", "name": "Greg Casar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "AUSTIN, TEXAS – On Thursday, October 15th, Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas), alongside Representatives Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, and five other members of Congress held a field hearing to investigate the numerous ICE shootings across Texas, including the recent shooting of Wilber Garcés-Pérez.\n\nRepresentatives Greg Casar, Bennie G. Thompson, and Pramila Jayapal were joined by Representatives Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02), Lou Correa (CA-46), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), and Al Green (TX-09).\n\nThe Members of Congress were joined by witnesses Ms. Rachel Reyes, mother of Ruben Ray Martinez, Kristin Etter, Director of Policy & Legal Services at the Texas Immigration Law Council, Carolina Rivera Nelson, Attorney at the ACLU of Texas, and Danny Woodward, Policy Attorney with Texas Civil Rights Project.\n\n“Texas has become the epicenter of Trump’s deadly deportation machine, so we brought Members of Congress from across the country to Austin to see it firsthand,” said Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas). “ICE shot Wilber Garcés-Pérez, a DoorDash driver and a father, in the back then denied him medical care. They even tried to deport him so he could never speak the truth. Donald Trump's ICE isn't going after the worst of the worst — it's gone after people like Wilber, who have no criminal record. We will fight to hold the perpetrators in this administration accountable, and not provide another dime in funding to this rogue agency.\"\n\n“Democrats came to Austin today to demand justice and accountability for Wilber Garcés-Pérez and the others that have been shot by immigration agents in Texas. If Republicans refuse to conduct any oversight of the Trump administration, we must do so in their place,” added Congressman Bennie G. Thompson. “What we heard today was powerful and informative. Make no mistake: we will do everything possible to hold this administration accountable for what it is doing. This violence, lawlessness, and chaos in our communities must end.”\n\n“Twenty-five days ago, ICE agents in Austin, Texas shot Wilber Garcés-Pérez in the back. Instead of taking him to the hospital, they locked him up in a detention center and did not allow him to have surgery for 11 days. This is not the most recent shooting by ICE, and is one of nearly a dozen that we know of since Trump returned to office,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “ICE is a lawless, rogue agency that is causing generational trauma in communities across the country. House Democrats today are doing the oversight work that Republicans refuse to do — and we will continue to do everything possible to protect our communities from Trump’s mass deportation agenda.”\n\n\"The shooting and medical neglect of Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez follows the many other cases that have become synonymous with cities being swarmed with masked, armed federal agents and the nation’s dangerous descent into tyranny: Renée Nicole Good, Alex Pretti, Johan Sebastian Guerrero, and too many others. No life is meaningless, and each individual assaulted or killed by our immigration system is someone's child, someone's sibling, someone's parent, and they all still belong here with us,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. “Unless you’re Native American, we all come from somewhere else. The Trump immigration system is structured and staffed as a deportation machine that violates individuals' constitutional rights. Democrats will fight for an immigration system that honors our history and sets forth a reasonable, compassionate path to citizenship.\"\n\n“President Trump got elected on the promise to go after the “worst of the worst.” Instead, since January, federal immigration agents have detained over 500 U.S. citizens and killed at least three. ICE is arresting people with no criminal record to hit political quotas while cutting training and lowering hiring standards,” said Congressman Lou Correa. “There is an urgent need for major reforms to keep our communities safe from violence. DHS was created to defend Americans against foreign terrorists. Instead, we have permanent residents and American citizens being shot by ICE agents in our streets.”\n\n\"In Texas, we have witnessed at least three ICE shootings since this administration began its aggressive, unprecedented enforcement actions,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “People across our community in Houston are still reeling from the shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. Just last weekend, ICE agents ran over and gravely injured Miguel Parra Hernandez while pursuing someone else. ICE's reckless and brutal actions are not only unprecedented, they're unconstitutional. They are making us less safe, creating fear and danger for immigrants and citizens alike. This Republican-led Congress that has enabled this lawlessness has utterly failed Wilber Garcés-Pérez, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Ruben Ray Martinez, and so many others. All Americans deserve better from our government, and that is why I joined Congressman Casar, Ranking Member Thompson, Congresswoman Jayapal, and my Democratic colleagues in Austin today to hear from some of the many people impacted, learn more, and demonstrate our commitment to bringing justice, accountability, and change.”\n\n“Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst. But judging by what we’re seeing across Texas and the country, that sounds more like ICE’s recruitment strategy. People are being shot, injured, and killed by federal agents operating without basic law enforcement standards or accountability,” said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. “In Houston, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed on his way to work. One hundred days later, his family still has no answers. Instead they’ve been met with stonewalling and excuses. These families deserve the truth and justice, and we will not stop fighting until they get both.\n\n“No President is above the law, and no federal agency should be allowed to serve as judge, jury, prosecutor, and executioner while operating with impunity,” said Congressman Al Green. “Under President Trump, ICE has been emboldened to use deadly force against people in our communities while the administration evades transparency and accountability, engaging in a cover-up. These shootings are not isolated incidents. They are part of a deeply troubling pattern of conduct that threatens the constitutional rights and lives of people in this country.”\n\nThe Members of Congress’ full remarks can be found here.\n\n###\n\nCongressman 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.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4990", "title": "Case Appointed To Board Of Trustees For The Congressional Office For International Leadership", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=1", "domain": "case.house.gov", "scraper": "case", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001055", "name": "Ed Case", "party": "Democrat", "state": "HI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawai‘i-1st) has been appointed by the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House to the Board of Trustees for the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL), an exclusively legislative branch office dating back to 1999 whose purpose is “to inspire Congressional and citizen diplomacy with global civic and political leaders.”\n\nCOIL’s primary effort is its Open World program, through which Congress brings its international counterparts and other leaders to the United States. Through Open World, delegations participate in a ten-day professional exchange that begins in Washington, D.C., where they meet with Members of Congress, before traveling to communities across the United States to engage with professional counterparts and exchange expertise.\n\nParticipants also live with host families, providing them with an opportunity to experience American life and culture firsthand. To date, Open World has hosted some 32,000 international delegates in Congress and across all fifty states, including Hawai‘i.\n\nIn supporting Case’s appointment, COIL’s leadership highlighted Case’s ongoing advocacy for direct diplomatic engagement among legislative bodies, as well as focus on the Pacific. As a then-member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, which funds Congress, Case successfully sought expansion of Open World, which had focused on Eurasia, to the Indo-Pacific.\n\n“We are honored to have a Member of Congress who has been such a fierce advocate for our Open World program officially join the Office’s leadership,” said Jane Sargus, Executive Director of COIL. “Your joint letter with Congressman Bacon [Don Bacon (R-Nebraska), also a member of COIL’s Board] and requesting additional programming in the Indo-Pacific, set the stage for COIL to become a truly global agency.”\n\nSince launching Open World in the Indo-Pacific in 2022, COIL has rapidly expanded its programs to now include emerging leader delegations from Vietnam, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Fiji. Case and colleagues routinely meet with these delegations in Congress, which Sargus says is producing some of Open World’s most impactful results and garnering strong interest from other Members of Congress.\n\n“I am honored to be able to assist in the continued growth and unique contributions of COIL to critical interchange between our country and the rest of our world, especially my own Indo-Pacific”, said Case, who also co-founded and co-chairs the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus. “I believe strongly that, as a separate, independent and co-equal branch of our government, Congress should and must be a full partner with our executive branch in our international diplomacy and has its own unique and direct role to play in engagement with other current and future leaders. COIL and Open World are key parts of that effort.”\n\nThe COIL Board of Trustees is composed of eleven members:\n\ntwo appointed by the Speaker of the House, with one designated by the Majority Leader and the other by the Minority Leader;\n\ntwo appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, with one each from the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader;\n\nthe Librarian of Congress;\n\nfour individuals from the private sector; and,\n\nthe House and Senate Chairs of the Appropriations Subcommittees on the Legislative Branch.\n\nCase’s current fellow Board members are: (Chair) former U.S. Senator Benjamin Nelson of Nebraska; Robert Newlen, the Acting Librarian of Congress; U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch; U.S. Congressman David Valadao, Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch; U.S. Congressman Don Bacon; James F. Collins, a former U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation who now represents the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and former U.S. Congressman David Dreier of California who now represents the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation. The remaining seats are being similarly filled.\n\nIn addition to his work with COIL, Case has pursued various other efforts toward strengthening relationships between the U.S. and the Indo-Pacific. These include: the BLUE Pacific Act in July 2020, which laid out a renewed vision and framework for U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific and provisions of which have been incorporated in other legislation; the Pacific Partnership Act in May 2025, provisions of which were included in the House passage in September 2025 of the bipartisan PARTNER ACT; the PROSPER Act in December 2025 to strengthen the U.S. Pacific Islands economic partnership; and the Pacific Islands Liaison Initiative Act in July 2026, which addresses the growing use of Pacific Island nations as transit hubs for cross-Pacific illegal drug trade by transnational criminal networks, particularly narcotics traffickers.\n\nThese also include funding for international efforts throughout his now-eight years as a member of the House Appropriations Committee which funds the federal government and where he now serves on the Subcommittees on Defense and Homeland Security. The current Fiscal Year 2027 funding measures (which have not yet passed Congress) include his funding requests for:\n\nexpanding medical care for military veterans living in the Freely Associated States including Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau;\n\nincreasing Coast Guard operations and support funding for its expanding mission in the region;\n\nsupporting the growth of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security agency’s work in the Indo-Pacific;\n\n$2.5 million for partnering with Pacific Island nations and regional organizations to build capacity to oversee coastal fisheries management, combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and address transnational organized crime;\n\n$3 million for the Advancing Port Enhancement and Customs Security Program in the Pacific Islands;\n\nFunding for the Pacific Islands Forum’s Pacific Resilience Facility, a Pacific-led and member-owned financial institution designed to support Pacific Islands nations facing climate change and disaster risks;\n\nFunding for commitments made by Deputy Secretary Landau to Pacific Island nations in his February 2026 trip, including to support subsea cable branching units for Tonga and Samoa, containing life-threatening disease outbreaks in Fiji, Foreign Military Financing for Fiji and the migration of Tongan government data assets to trusted cloud infrastructure;\n\nReport language directing the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and U.S. Trade and Development Agency to prioritize the Pacific Islands in financing for projects;\n\nReport language supporting the Peace Corps’ expansion in the Pacific;\n\nLanguage requiring a report on ways to strengthen U.S. trade and investment with the Pacific Islands; and,\n\nFunding for unexploded ordinance removal in the Pacific Islands, including Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.\n\nMore information on COIL: www.openworld.gov\n\n· Attachments: pictures of Congressman Case meeting with Open World delegates from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Vietnam.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-castrociscomani-espaillat-renew-push-to-honor-hispanic-serving-institutions", "title": "Reps. Castro,\r\nCiscomani, Espaillat Renew Push to Honor Hispanic-Serving Institutions", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "castro.house.gov", "scraper": "castro", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001091", "name": "Joaquin Castro", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion, Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, re-introduced a bipartisan resolution to honor Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and uplift their important work shaping the landscape of American higher education.\n\n“Quality education is the foundation of opportunity in this country,” said Congressman Castro (TX-20). “This bipartisan resolution honors the contributions of hundreds of Hispanic-Serving Institutions nationwide, including the 112 such institutions here in Texas. These places of learning empower students and help young people overcome barriers to thrive. I thank the educators, faculty administrators, and staff who work tirelessly each day to ensure that HSIs can support and provide opportunities to millions of students.”\n\n“Hispanic-Serving Institutions are opening doors to opportunity and helping more students achieve the American Dream,” said Congressman Ciscomani (AZ-06). “From Cochise College, Pima Community College, and Eastern Arizona College in my district our three state Universities - UofA, ASU, and NAU, these institutions are giving students, including many who are the first in their families to attend college, a path to a brighter future. I’m proud to support this bipartisan resolution recognizing National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week and celebrating the vital role these schools play in strengthening Arizona’s communities and workforce.”\n\n“Higher education is a critical pathway to economic opportunity and Hispanic Serving Institutions have opened doors for millions of Latino and Hispanic students to pursue college degrees,” said Congressman Espaillat (NY-13). “New York State is home to nearly 40 two- and four-year HSIs that serve almost 300,000 students. Unfortunately, the massive federal funding cuts and legal attacks from the Trump Administration have left many students and faculty without a clear path forward. This resolution reaffirms our commitment to protecting these communities and HSIs’ crucial work to support Latino and Hispanic students across the nation.”\n\n“During HSIs Week, HACU joins colleges and universities across the country to recognize and raise awareness of the vital work our 645 HSIs do to expand access to education, advance opportunity, promote equity and fairness, and strengthen our communities,” said HACU President and CEO Dr. Antonio Flores.\n\nThe resolution uplifts HSIs by:\n\nRecognizing the achievements and goals of Hispanic-Serving Institutions across the United States;\n\nExpressing support for the designation of the week beginning on September 14, 2026, as “National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week”; and\n\nCalling on the people of the United States and interested groups to observe the week with ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate support for Hispanic-Serving Institutions in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.\n\nThe resolution’s cosponsors include: Reps. Pete Aguilar, Nanette Barragán, Julia Brownley, Salud Carbajal, Greg Casar, Joaquin Castro, Juan Ciscomani, Gilbert Cisneros, Jim Costa, Lou Correa, Jasmine Crockett, Henry Cuellar, Mark DeSaulnier, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Dwight Evans, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Laura Friedman, Maxwell Frost, Chuy García, Robert Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Jimmy Gomez, Vicente Gonzalez, Adelita Grijalva, Pablo José Hernández, Sara Jacobs, Hank Johnson, Robin Kelly, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Mike Levin, Ted Lieu, Lucy McBath, LaMonica McIver, Analilia Mejia, Rob Menendez, Kevin Mullin, Seth Moulton, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jimmy Panetta, Scott Peters, Delia C. Ramirez, Jamie Raskin, Raul Ruiz, Andrea Salinas, Linda Sanchez, Lateefah Simon, Darren Soto, Melanie Stansbury, Mike Thompson, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Ritchie Torres, Norma Torres, Lori Trahan, David Valadao, Juan Vargas, Gabe Vasquez, and Nydia M. Velázquez.\n\nRead the full text of the resolution here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chus-statement-allegations-chinese-spying-targeting-taiwans", "title": "Rep. Chu's Statement on Allegations of Chinese Spying Targeting Taiwan's President's Family in the United States", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "chu.house.gov", "scraper": "chu", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001080", "name": "Judy Chu", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "PASADENA, CA - Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) released the following statement in response to the FBI's October 4th arrest of an individual accused of spying on the son of Taiwan's President, Lai Ching-te, in Seattle, Washington, at the direction of the Chinese government.\n\n\"I am deeply troubled by allegations that the Chinese government conducted a spying operation here in the United States targeting the son and family of President Lai Ching-te. Such behavior is clearly intended to intimidate not just President Lai's family, but all Taiwanese Americans whose political views are opposed by the Chinese government.\n\nThis is why I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 4829, the Transnational Repression Policy Act, in Congress. This legislation would establish clear U.S. policy to protect people from foreign government harassment, hold perpetrators accountable, and require the State Department to lead a comprehensive government strategy to counter transnational repression.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-honors-local-heroes-sixth-veteran-servant-leader-award-ceremony", "title": "Ciscomani Honors Local Heroes at Sixth Veteran Servant Leader Award Ceremony, Meets with Veterans Advisory Council", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ciscomani.house.gov", "scraper": "ciscomani", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001133", "name": "Juan Ciscomani", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Tucson, AZ - Representative Juan Ciscomani recognized 27 local veterans and a longtime veteran advocate during his sixth Veteran Servant Leader Award Ceremony, celebrating their ongoing dedication to the Southern Arizona community. In addition, Congressman Ciscomani convened his Veterans Advisory Council to provide a legislative update and listen directly to local veterans on the issues impacting them and their families.\n\n\"It was truly a privilege to recognize these 27 hometown heroes for their continued service and leadership in our communities. Together, they represent more than 430 years of military service, and their commitment to serving others did not end when they took off the uniform. It was also an honor to recognize a strong veteran advocate in our community who has dedicated decades to supporting Southern Arizona’s veterans,” said Rep. Juan Ciscomani. “I also had the opportunity to meet with my Veterans Advisory Council to hear firsthand about the challenges facing our local veteran community. I will continue bringing these priorities to Washington and fighting to ensure our veterans and their families receive the benefits, resources, and support they have earned.”\n\nThe honorees represented Cochise, Graham, Pima, and Pinal counties, with service spanning the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Each recipient received an award certificate and challenge coin. Additionally, Vietnam War veterans also received a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin in recognition of their service.\n\nFor the first time, Ciscomani also presented a posthumous award to honor William Porter. After Porter’s daughter, Linda, sought help obtaining her father’s military medals, the office secured a Presidential Unit Citation Award for presentation to her and continued working to confirm his military rank at separation.\n\nCiscomani's sixth Veteran Servant Leader Awards recognized 28 honorees:\n\nBen Buehler-Garcia, Civilian, Veteran Advocate Award\n\nFrank Antenori, U.S. Army\n\nGaeton Briseno, U.S. Army\n\nSue Browning, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Army, Vietnam Veteran\n\nDavid Caballero, U.S. Marine Corps\n\nWilliam Corner, U.S. Air Force, Vietnam Veteran\n\nDan Ferguson, U.S. Marine Corps\n\nDale Hadfield, U.S. Army\n\nRich Ingleby, U.S. Army\n\nMike Jenkins, U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam Veteran\n\nJoseph Kaplan, U.S. Army\n\nJames Kelly, U.S. Army\n\nDennis Keys, U.S. Navy\n\nBen Knuckles, U.S. Army\n\nLinda Ludvigson, U.S. Army\n\nRegina Marlin, U.S. Army\n\nPhillip McCluskey, U.S. Army\n\nJohn Murphy, U.S. Army, Vietnam Veteran\n\nJim Murphy, U.S. Air Force\n\nDavid Reno, U.S. Navy\n\nDavid Robinson, U.S. Air Force\n\nWalter Saeger, U.S. Air Force\n\nWilliam Sobeck, U.S. Air Force, Vietnam Veteran\n\nLes South, U.S. Army, Vietnam Veteran\n\nRobert Suhay, U.S. Army, Vietnam Veteran\n\nChristopher David Valdez, U.S. Marine Corps\n\nJake Weaver, U.S. Air Force\n\nWilliam Porter, U.S. Army, Posthumous Award\n\nCongressman Ciscomani has held five previous Veteran Servant Leader Awards, in October 2024, April 2025, November 2025, and in May and August of this year.\n\nRead local coverage of Ciscomani's sixth Veteran Servant Leader Awards HERE.\n\nCiscomani represents nearly 80,000 veterans in Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District. Since taking office in 2023, his office has returned more than $9 million to local veterans through congressional casework, helping constituents resolve issues involving VA benefits, survivor benefits, and TRICARE. Beyond casework, Ciscomani is advancing legislation to address gaps in veterans’ benefits, education, and health care. He has introduced four veterans-focused bills:\n\nRural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025 (H.R. 3951), which expands the types of licensed health care professionals who can conduct VA disability exams, helping rural veterans access evaluations closer to home.\n\nVETS Opportunity Act (H.R. 1458), which expands Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to include hybrid skilled-trade training programs, helping veterans prepare for in-demand careers.\n\nPrioritizing Veterans Survivors Act (H.R. 1228), which strengthens the VA’s Office of Survivor Assistance to better support veterans’ surviving family members.\n\nAIR CARE for Vets Act (H.R. 9666), which establishes a pilot program using advanced four-dimensional functional lung imaging to improve the identification of respiratory disorders and lung diseases linked to military service.\n\nRanked as the most bipartisan member from the Arizona congressional district, through his work on the House Veterans’ Affairs and Appropriations Committees, Ciscomani is working to ensure veterans have access to the care, benefits, and resources they have earned. By listening directly to veterans, supporting their families, and advancing legislation to address their needs, he remains committed to delivering results for those who have sacrificed so much in service to our nation.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-touts-900000-pima-community-college-stem-education", "title": "Ciscomani Touts $900,000 for Pima Community College STEM Education", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ciscomani.house.gov", "scraper": "ciscomani", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001133", "name": "Juan Ciscomani", "party": "Republican", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "TUCSON — Representative Juan Ciscomani returned to his alma mater, Pima Community College, today to spotlight his leadership in preliminarily securing $900,000 in federal funding aimed at expanding workforce training and preparing Pima County students for in-demand STEM careers.\n\nAs a first-generation college graduate, Ciscomani understands the transformative power of education. Now serving as Arizona’s sole representative on the House Appropriations Committee, he is dedicated to directing critical federal resources to local institutions like Pima Community College, ensuring students today can access the same life-changing opportunities he experienced.\n\n“Pima Community College helped open doors for me, and I want to make sure the next generation has those same opportunities,” said Rep. Ciscomani. “As Arizona’s sole Appropriator, I’m fighting to deliver $900,000 for Project Catalyst to modernize facilities, expand access to STEM and business programs to better prepare students for the jobs that will drive Arizona’s economy forward. Every single investment I fight for in Congress is targeted where it will have the most impact and help Southern Arizona build the workforce it needs for the future.”\n\nLeaders at Pima Community College are applauding Congressman Ciscomani’s efforts to champion federal investment in workforce initiatives.\n\n\"Pima Community College was honored to give Congressman Ciscomani a first-hand view of how the funds he secured will be used to teach our STEM students the skills they need succeed,\" said Dr. Jeffrey Nasse chancellor of Pima Community College. \"Because of the congressman’s position on the House Appropriations Committee, the college's Project Catalyst will be able to use these dollars to support our continuing effort to keep our workforce programs in STEM--including pre-engineering--and business fields up to date and relevant to rapidly changing workforce needs in these fields.\"\n\nThe $900,000 in federal funding would support Project Catalyst, an innovative, industry-driven initiative at Pima Community College designed to strengthen workforce development and drive economic opportunity across the region. This investment will modernize engineering instructional facilities and create flexible HyFlex-enabled classrooms, increasing access to high-demand STEM and business programs. By aligning coursework with current industry needs, Project Catalyst will give students the skills they need to excel in competitive careers, while contributing to Arizona’s long-term economic growth.\n\nThis latest effort builds on his ongoing commitment to expanding workforce training opportunities throughout Southern Arizona. In 2024, he secured $2.7 million in federal funding for Pima JTED’s new 50,000-square-foot workforce development center, and he is now advocating for an additional $3 million to support the JTED Workforce Training Center for Technological Innovation. Together, these investments total $5.7 million, expanding hands-on training and preparing local students for high-demand careers.\n\nAs a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Representative Ciscomani continues to leverage his leadership to connect students across Arizona’s Sixth District with pathways to in-demand careers. These efforts are helping local employers find skilled workers and ensuring Southern Arizona’s workforce remains competitive for years to come.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://clarke.house.gov/clarke-reintroduces-real-political-ads-act-to-strengthen-transparency-in-ai-generated-political-advertising/", "title": "CLARKE REINTRODUCES REAL POLITICAL ADS ACT TO STRENGTHEN TRANSPARENCY IN AI-GENERATED POLITICAL ADVERTISING", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://clarke.house.gov/category/press-release/", "domain": "clarke.house.gov", "scraper": "clarke", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001067", "name": "Yvette D. Clarke", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nOctober 15, 2026\n\nMEDIA CONTACT:\n\ne: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov\n\nc: 202.913.0126\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) reintroduced the REAL Political Ads Act, legislation to strengthen transparency and accountability in political advertising by requiring disclosure when generative artificial intelligence (AI) is used to create images or videos in political advertisements.\n\nA recent Quinnipiac poll found that 55 percent of Americans are concerned about the growing risks associated with artificial intelligence, and a recent Blue Rose Research poll found that 74 percent of voters believe AI-generated voices should be prohibited in political calls to protect transparency. Those concerns are compounded in the context of the Federal Communications Commission’s proposal to waive the federal ban on unsolicited AI-generated political robocalls, as well as in the widespread use of AI by the Trump Administration and across the political spectrum to attack political opponents and spread disinformation.\n\n“As generative AI technologies continue to evolve, clear disclosure standards to preserve transparency are essential to civic engagement. Unfortunately, Congress has failed to keep up the pace with this rapidly advancing technology, leaving voters vulnerable to AI-generated misinformation and disinformation,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. “This legislation would ensure voters know when political ads use AI-generated images and videos. If AI content can manipulate and deceive people on a large scale, it can be a serious threat to our democracy and have devastating consequences for our national and election security.”\n\n“Voters deserve to know that the election information that we read, watch, and listen to is honest. AI makes it far too easy for campaigns to create convincing content intended to mislead voters, and too often it’s at the expense of voters of color and other communities historically pushed to the margins. Congresswoman Clarke’s REAL Political Advertisements Act would help ensure that every voter can make informed decisions based on the facts,” said Alejandra Montoya-Boyer, Vice President of The Leadership Conference’s Center for Civil Rights and Technology.\n\nThis legislation is co-sponsored by: Reps. Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Jim Costa (CA-21), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), and Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07).\n\nThe full bill text can be found here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases/correa-smith-introduce-bipartisan-bright-beginnings-act-to-expand-childcare-for-children-with-developmental-disabilities", "title": "CORREA, SMITH INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BRIGHT BEGINNINGS ACT TO EXPAND CHILDCARE FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "correa.house.gov", "scraper": "correa", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001110", "name": "J. Luis Correa", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Bill would create a tax credit of up to $10,000 for childcare providers to purchase specialized equipment; Correa to host \"Together on the Spectrum\" community event Saturday in Santa Ana\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Lou Correa (D-CA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced the Bright Beginnings Act, bipartisan legislation that would establish a federal tax credit of up to $10,000 per year for childcare centers and providers to purchase the equipment needed to serve children with developmental disabilities.\n\n“Every child deserves a safe, supportive place to learn and grow, and every parent deserves peace of mind while they work. The Bright Beginnings Act helps childcare providers get the tools they need to welcome children with developmental disabilities, and helps families stay in the workforce without sacrificing their child's care,” said Rep. Correa.\n\nApproximately 1 in 5 children in the United States, or 14.5 million, have special healthcare needs, and 1 in 12 children diagnosed with a developmental disability require specialized support and accommodations. Yet 27 percent of parents of children with disabilities report difficulty finding adequate childcare. Delayed or absent services limit children's development and often force families to cut work hours or leave their jobs entirely, deepening financial strain.\n\n“Parents of children with disabilities go above and beyond to provide for their children, while often shouldering additional economic burdens associated with costs of care. Too often these families are forced between taking care of a loved one and earning a paycheck. The Bright Beginnings tax credit would assist eligible childcare centers and enable them to meet the costs of providing safe and appropriate services for children with disabilities, and peace of mind for their parents who need to work to support them,” said Rep. Smith.\n\nThe Bright Beginnings Act encourages childcare centers to invest in specialized equipment and create environments where children can grow and engage in the ways that best suit them. Specifically, the bill:\n\nEstablishes a federal tax credit of up to $10,000 per year for eligible providers\n\nCovers qualifying expenditures for equipment that accommodates children with developmental disabilities\n\nExpands access to specialized care for families who are struggling to find it\n\n“Access to high-quality, inclusive child care can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children with autism and their families, yet too many providers lack the resources needed to create fully accessible and supportive environments where every child can thrive,” said Keith Wargo, President and CEO of Autism Speaks. “We are grateful for Representative Correa's leadership in introducing the Bright Beginnings Act and recognizing the importance of ensuring child care settings are equipped to serve children with autism and other developmental disabilities. By promoting access and innovation in child care settings, this legislation would help providers strengthen their ability to support children with autism - expanding their opportunities to learn, develop and thrive alongside their peers from the very start.”\n\n“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, play, and thrive in a supportive childcare environment. Tax credits that help providers invest in accommodations for Autistic children and children with developmental disabilities can reduce financial barriers and expand access to inclusive care. The Autism Society of America applauds this legislation and its commitment to helping more children participate, connect, and reach their full potential,” said Joseph Joyce, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America.\n\nThe bill is endorsed by Access Ready Inc., Autism Speaks, Autism Society of America, Easterseals, TDI for Access, and The Learning Disabilities Association for America.\n\nView the bill text here.\n\nTogether on the Spectrum\n\nIn conjunction with the bill's introduction, Rep. Correa will host Together on the Spectrum this Saturday in Santa Ana. The event grew out of Rep. Correa's desire to create a space to bring children and families together. The free community event is open to neurodivergent youth ages 5–18 and their families, and will feature activities and information on autism and neurodiversity, Regional Center services, family support and advocacy, therapy and developmental services, and safety and emergency preparedness. Federal resources will also be available. Participating organizations include Corazones Especiales, Regional Center of Orange County, Santa Ana PD, TACA (The Autism Community in Action), United Across Borders Foundation, Easterseals, and the Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center, among others.\n\nPress interested in attending should RSVP to krislyn.tatum@mail.house.gov.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-costa-leads-bipartisan-push-full-implementation-graham-russia-sanctions", "title": "Rep. Costa Leads Bipartisan Push for Full Implementation of Graham Russia Sanctions Law", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "costa.house.gov", "scraper": "costa", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001059", "name": "Jim Costa", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, joined Co-Chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus Representatives Mike Quigley (IL-05), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Joe Wilson (SC-02) in leading a bipartisan letter urging President Trump to fully implement the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026ahead of its first enforcement deadline on October 18. The lawmakers called on the Administration to strengthen economic pressure on Russia, cut off revenue financing Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine, and bring Russia to the negotiating table.\n\n“As Russia prepares to wage a fifth winter campaign against Ukraine, the United States has an opportunity to reinvigorate peace efforts by placing maximum pressure on Vladimir Putin and the governments and networks that finance his war,” the lawmakers wrote. “Utilizing the tools for economic pressure in this law will be decisive in forcing Putin to take peace talks seriously.”\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers urged the Administration to:\n\nFully enforce mandatory sanctions against Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, state enterprises, and foreign entities helping Russia evade existing restrictions.\n\nImpose secondary tariffs on major purchasers of Russian energy, targeting revenue from oil and gas sales that continues to finance Russia’s war.\n\nCrack down on sanctions evasion, including foreign financial institutions, shadow fleet operators, and intermediaries facilitating Russian energy transactions.\n\nProtect U.S. allies by applying exceptions and tariff adjustments for countries actively reducing their dependence on Russian energy.\n\nStrengthen congressional oversight by providing implementation details, tariff justifications, and measurable benchmarks to assess the effectiveness of sanctions.\n\nThe lawmakers emphasized that Russia continues to rely heavily on oil and gas exports to finance its military operations, while intensifying attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping in the Black Sea, threatening global food security. The letter also calls on the Administration to reverse course in issuing general licenses that could reopen Russian energy transactions and restore revenue to the Kremlin. The lawmakers requested answers ahead of the October 18 deadline on which sanctions and tariffs will be implemented, whether any provisions will be delayed or waived, and how the Administration will measure their effectiveness.\n\nThe letter was signed by Don Bacon; Sanford Bishop; Salud Carbajal; Ed Case; Steve Cohen; Jim Costa; Danny Davis; Madeleine Dean; Brian Fitzpatrick; Jared Golden; Josh Gottheimer; Steny Hoyer; Marcy Kaptur; John Mannion; Michael McCaul; Robert Menendez; Dan Newhouse; Mike Quigley; Melanie Stansbury; Dina Titus; Jill Tokuda; and Joe Wilson.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/connecticut-house-delegation-statement-president-trump-easing-russian", "title": "Connecticut House Delegation Statement on President Trump Easing Russian Sanctions", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "courtney.house.gov", "scraper": "courtney", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001069", "name": "Joe Courtney", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Norwich, CT – Today, U.S. Representatives John Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) responded to recent news that President Trump is easing sanctions on Russia:\n\n“President Trump has now officially sought to ease sanctions on Russia through April 7th following recent troubling reports that he would do just that. This is exactly what we were concerned would happen when we decided to vote against the Russian Sanctions Act last month.\n\n“President Trump has created a war of choice with Iran, raising utility costs and gas prices for everyone. Instead of putting an end to the war in Iran and holding Putin responsible for his vicious attacks on the Ukrainian people, he now seeks to buy diesel from the country that he should be sanctioning. Do not be fooled. This agreement will not bring diesel prices down. It will only put American dollars in the hands of a murderous dictator who will use the funds to kill Ukrainians.\n\n“President Trump has betrayed the Ukrainian people who have suffered at the hands of Vladimir Putin’s violence for far too long. He must reverse course, or his actions will draw out this war and the needless suffering of Ukraine.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-demands-accountability-following-ice-sweeps-southwest-kansas-citing", "title": "Davids Demands Accountability Following ICE Sweeps in Southwest Kansas, Citing Threats to Ag Economy and Grocery Prices", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "davids.house.gov", "scraper": "davids", "member": {"bioguide_id": "D000629", "name": "Sharice Davids", "party": "Democrat", "state": "KS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Representative Sharice Davids called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to answer for the economic fallout of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement sweeps in southwest Kansas. Davids highlighted the severe disruption to Kansas’ agricultural economy, local small businesses, and food supply chains following sudden enforcement sweeps, which could raise beef and grocery prices.\n\n\"I write to raise grave concerns regarding recent... ICE operations in western Kansas... where sudden enforcement sweeps... immediately paralyzed local agricultural economies, threatened to push grocery prices even higher, and left small businesses shuttered across the region,” wrote Davids. “While I continue pushing both parties for common-sense immigration reform... we need immediate accountability. I urge you to commit to immigration enforcement that coordinates with local law enforcement, respects legal workers, and does not rely on racial profiling or significant economic disruptions for the sake of headlines or mass panic.\"\n\nRecent federal enforcement operations in Dodge City, Garden City, and Liberal resulted in 104 arrests, sparking widespread panic across southwest Kansas — a crucial hub responsible for more than 20 percent of the nation’s daily cattle slaughter.\n\nThe abrupt operations severely disrupted local meatpacking plants, causing a nearly 16 percent single-day drop in fed-cattle slaughter and an overall 8.5 percent week-to-week decline, according to USDA reports. Local businesses were forced to temporarily close their doors, while union representatives and economists warned that halting plant operations will drive beef prices far beyond ground beef's already elevated $7.16-per-pound average.\n\nMajor Kansas agricultural organizations have voiced sharp criticisms of the uncoordinated federal actions:\n\n\"These ICE operations are having a massive chilling effect on the legal, documented, skilled workers that put beef on the table and keep the cattle supply chain moving. Additionally, these types of disruptions will lead to higher beef prices for consumers… These disruptions come at a time of enhanced focus and pressure on the cattle and beef supply chain. They are a costly and unnecessary impact to cattle producers already suffering from unwelcome political interference to both the markets as well as the physical supply chain. Frustratingly, the harm these actions cause to cattle producers last for days and weeks after such operations conclude.” — Kansas Livestock Association\n\n“Kansas dairy farms depend on a reliable workforce to provide consistent, around-the-clock care for animals. Recent [ICE] enforcement activity has created significant uncertainty and concern among workers, including those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. We urge federal officials to carry out enforcement actions in a lawful, orderly, and transparent manner that respects due process and provides clear, timely communication to affected employers, workers, local law enforcement, and communities.” — Kansas Dairy Association\n\nRead Davids’ full letter here or below\n\nDear Secretary Mullin,\n\nI write to raise grave concerns regarding recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in western Kansas, where sudden enforcement sweeps in Dodge City, Garden City, and Liberal resulted in 104 arrests, and immediately paralyzed local agricultural economies, threatened to push grocery prices even higher, and left small businesses shuttered across the region.\n\nI believe in the importance of enforcing federal immigration laws and protecting Kansas families from crime. In this instance, however, I have heard concerns from agriculture and business stakeholders about how these activities were conducted and their impact on communities across the state. Kansans have shared with me several instances of citizens and documented persons being targeted on their way to work or going about their day, and in many cases, local law enforcement was not consulted.\n\nSouthwest Kansas is a crucial hub for American agriculture – home to more than 20 percent of the country’s daily cattle slaughter. ICE’s activities corresponded with an 8.5 percent drop in cattle slaughter week-to-week according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture as meatpacking capacity was significantly disrupted. The Kansas Livestock Association stated last month that these operations, “[had] a massive chilling effect on the legal, documented, skilled workers that put beef on the table and keep the cattle supply chain moving…. They are a costly and unnecessary impact to cattle producers already suffering from unwelcome political interference to both the markets as well as the physical supply chain.”\n\nThis comes as Americans are struggling with staggeringly high grocery prices – including the price of ground beef jumping 7.9 percent year-to-year – and the smallest cattle herd in decades.\n\nThe immigration enforcement efforts also delivered a notable hit to Kansas’ dairy industry, which accounts for more than $3 billion in economic impact and 11,000 jobs statewide. The Kansas Dairy Association shared that ICE’s activities, “created significant uncertainty and concern among workers, including those who are legally authorized to work in the United States.”\n\nWhile your agency frames these multi-day September 2026 operations as targeted at individuals with criminal histories, the immediate fallout has inflicted severe collateral damage on southwest Kansas’s economy, national food supply chains, and working families already struggling at the checkout counter. In addition to notable impacts on the agriculture sector, ICE’s activities led to local business closures and school absences.\n\nThese extreme actions leave Kansans feeling less safe, strain local economies, and disrupt national supply chains. While I continue pushing both parties for common-sense immigration reform – securing our border against violent crime and drug trafficking while supporting our agricultural sector – we need immediate accountability.\n\nI urge you to commit to immigration enforcement that coordinates with local law enforcement, respects legal workers, and does not rely on racial profiling or significant economic disruptions for the sake of headlines or mass panic.\n\nSincerely,", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3389", "title": "Congresswoman Escobar Statement on El Paso Chamber of Commerce's Effort to Rename Bridge of the Americas", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "escobar.house.gov", "scraper": "escobar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000299", "name": "Veronica Escobar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement in response to media inquires about the El Paso Chamber of Commerce's effort to rename the Bridge of the Americas after Donald Trump:\n\n\"Gas prices are through the roof because of Donald Trump’s illegal war in Iran; businesses and consumers are struggling because of Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs; and Donald Trump announced that he will not renew our trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. And the El Paso Chamber wants to focus its efforts on renaming the Bridge of the Americas after Donald Trump?\n\n\"Some decisions — like the Chamber's decision to not engage during the four year, robust public process for Bridge of the Americas despite our invitations — are just inexplicable. There’s still time for them to refocus their efforts on helping those of us planning and working to ensure our other land ports of entry are ready for the shift in commercial traffic in the years to come. But I won’t hold my breath.\"\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3391", "title": "Congresswoman Escobar Announces Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest Winners", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "escobar.house.gov", "scraper": "escobar", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000299", "name": "Veronica Escobar", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Last night, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) hosted a reception and awards ceremony for the nearly 150 middle school students who participated in her 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest.\n\n“It was wonderful to be joined by so many of the participants and winners of my Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Competition. I started this contest in the hope that we could come together to celebrate and uplift the voices of the next generation of great writers in our community,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Last night’s event was a beautiful celebration of our heritage and our culture and it was an honor to celebrate our talented young people.”\n\n1st Place: Aarav Niraula, from Wiggs Middle School\n\n2nd Place: Alisson Montoya, from Fabens Middle School\n\n3rd Place: Axel Rodriguez, from Howard Burnham\n\nHonorable Mentions:\n\nJosefina Villegas, from Hornedo Middle School\n\nQuetzali Cruz, Sun Ridge Middle School\n\nMiddle school students from across Texas' 16th Congressional District were invited to submit an essay to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The prompt was “Describe how growing up in El Paso has shaped your understanding and appreciation of Hispanic Culture”.\n\nPhotos can be found here.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://fallon.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1694", "title": "Rep. Pat Fallon Introduces National Coordination Center and Commercial Cyber Capabilities Codification Act", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fallon.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "fallon.house.gov", "scraper": "fallon", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000246", "name": "Pat Fallon", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Rep. Pat Fallon (TX-04) is proud to introduce the National Coordination Center and Commercial Cyber Capabilities Coordination Act, which would codify into law the Trump Administration’s existing Executive Order 14390 and National Security Presidential Memorandum 15.\n\n“I’m proud to introduce legislation to codify President Trump’s March 6, 2026, EO establishing the National Coordination Center (NCC),” commented Rep. Pat Fallon. “This bill would ensure that the NCC, a joint effort between DOJ and DHS, continues to aggressively go after cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations using all available law enforcement capabilities.”\n\n“The White House also recently released a memorandum that builds on the aforementioned EO by establishing a program that allows private sector companies to work on behalf of and with the U.S. government to proactively detect and address cyber attacks on U.S. companies and critical sectors. This bill seeks to codify this as well. We must ensure that the NCC can leverage America’s private sector excellence and employ the latest technology to take out cyber adversaries as quickly as possible and significantly expand our cyber-digital defense industrial base.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://fernandez.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=665", "title": "Leger Fernández Introduces Bill to Hold ICE Accountable for Arrests and Detentions of U.S. Citizens", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://fernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "fernandez.house.gov", "scraper": "fernandez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000273", "name": "Teresa Leger Fernandez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) introduced the Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act to make sure American citizens wrongfully arrested or detained by immigration enforcement officers can fight back in court. Her legislation would prevent individual officers and the government from claiming qualified or sovereign immunity to avoid accountability and give individuals five years to sue. It would also require courts to award successful plaintiffs $500,000, plus $100,000 for each additional day of detention after the first day.\n\n“ICE does not get to trample on your rights and walk away without consequence. They cannot hide behind their masks and act like they have a license to break the Constitution,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “Our government has handcuffed, hauled away, and locked up more than 500 American citizens. Citizens have been deported — including Brian Garcia Morales, who spent four months trying to get home. ICE is proving that nobody is safe from their handcuffs — and that is the purpose, to terrorize our Latino and immigrant communities. My bill is about justice for those Americans and accountability for the officers and a government who violate Americans’ rights.”\n\nA ProPublica investigation documented 506 U.S. citizens detained by immigration agents since the start of the second Trump administration, including children and Americans detained while recording enforcement operations. The reporting underscores the urgent need for a clear path to accountability when officers violate citizens’ rights.\n\nLeger Fernández’s legislation would allow U.S. citizens arrested or detained without a warrant or without probable cause to sue the officers involved and the United States in federal court. It would remove immunity defenses that can shield officers and the government from liability under current law.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would:\n\nGive American citizens a path to justice if immigration officers or other officers enforcing immigration laws arrest or detain them after January 20, 2025, without probable cause or a warrant.\n\nPrevent officers from claiming absolute or qualified immunity and waive the federal government’s sovereign immunity for these lawsuits.\n\nRequire $500,000 in damages for successful plaintiffs, plus $100,000 for each day of detention after the initial day, reasonable attorney’s fees, and appropriate injunctive relief.\n\nGive citizens five years to bring a claim, while preserving their ability to seek compensation under other laws. Currently, a person bringing a case under the Federal Tort Claims Act only has two years to act.\n\nRescind remaining unobligated ICE funding provided under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://finstad.house.gov/2026/10/15/finstad-stauber-join-local-infrastructure-discussions-in-southeast-minnesota/", "title": "Finstad, Stauber Join Local Infrastructure Discussions in Southeast Minnesota", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://finstad.house.gov/media", "domain": "finstad.house.gov", "scraper": "finstad", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000475", "name": "Brad Finstad", "party": "Republican", "state": "MN", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "ROCHESTER, MN – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) hosted Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) in southeast Minnesota to discuss and tour local infrastructure projects.\n\nFirst, Congressmen Finstad and Stauber joined city and county leaders, public works representatives, and engineers in Red Wing to discuss needed updates for their wastewater lift station and federal funding available to replace aging infrastructure and improve flood resistance. Afterward, Congressmen Finstad and Stauber participated in a transportation and infrastructure roundtable in Wabasha with city and county officials to get an update on the priorities in the area, including rerouting Highway 60. Then, Congressmen Finstad and Stauber visited the Rochester International Airport to discuss the growing travel and transportation hub for the region.\n\n“Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve worked to deliver meaningful investments in critical infrastructure and transportation,” said Rep. Finstad. “I appreciated having these conversations in Red Wing, Wabasha, and Rochester, to not only get updates on projects I’ve helped secure critical dollars for but also hear how I can continue supporting future generations of southern Minnesotans.”\n\nFinstad continued, “Having Congressman Stauber, a fellow Minnesotan and member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, in the First District is a great opportunity for even more insight into the work being done in Washington, D.C., to benefit Minnesota communities. Thank you to everyone who could join us.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://garbarino.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-garbarino-kean-and-colleagues-introduce-legislation-address-fentanyl", "title": "Rep. Garbarino, Kean, and Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Address Fentanyl Crisis", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://garbarino.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "garbarino.house.gov", "scraper": "garbarino", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000597", "name": "Andrew R. Garbarino", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (NY-02), Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the Fight Against Fentanyl Act, a bill to permit the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) to be used for the purchase of fentanyl testing kits and opioid reversal agents by law enforcement agencies.\n\nThe Byrne JAG grant program is the leading source of federal funding to state and local police jurisdictions. The Fight Against Fentanyl Act would amend the Byrne JAG program to allow state and local police agencies to purchase fentanyl test kits and opioid reversal agents using federal funds.\n\n“Fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities on Long Island and across the country. I’m proud to join Congressman Kean in leading the Fight Against Fentanyl Act to ensure law enforcement has access to the tools they need to combat this deadly drug and save lives,” said Congressman Garbarino.\n\n“Access to fentanyl testing kits and opioid reversal agents is essential to prevent overdoses and deaths,” said Congressman Kean. “It is essential that we get first responders the tools they need to combat this deadly epidemic. I am pleased to work with Representatives Van Drew, Garbarino, and Lawler to introduce this legislation to take steps towards safeguarding communities from the devastating impact of fentanyl.”\n\n\"Fentanyl is different from anything we have dealt with before because such a small amount can be deadly,” said Congressman Van Drew. “We have to attack this problem from every direction. The Fight Against Fentanyl Act is one piece of that by helping local law enforcement use existing federal grant dollars for fentanyl testing kits and overdose reversal drugs. If there is something we can put in the hands of our police officers that can help catch fentanyl or save somebody’s life, they should have it.”\n\n“Substance use disorder and fentanyl are destroying families across the country, and we must work together at every level to combat this crisis. This legislation gives law enforcement the resources they need by allowing Byrne JAG grants to fund fentanyl testing kits and lifesaving opioid reversal agents that can mean the difference between life and death. I was proud to support this legislation last Congress, and I will continue working to give our communities the tools they need to fight back,” said Congressman Lawler.\n\nCongressman Garbarino has consistently worked to support local law enforcement and ensure officers have the resources they need to keep Long Island communities safe. As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, he has made combating illicit drug trafficking, including the flow of deadly fentanyl into the United States, a top priority. He continues to advocate for border security and increased support for law enforcement to combat the fentanyl crisis and protect families on Long Island and across the country.\n\nRead the text of the Fight Against Fentanyl ActHERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/posts/rep-gluesenkamp-perez-introduces-legislation-to-target-scammers-who-prey-on-older-americans", "title": "Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Introduces Legislation to Target Scammers who Prey on Older Americans", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/press", "domain": "gluesenkampperez.house.gov", "scraper": "gluesenkampperez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000600", "name": "Marie Gluesenkamp Perez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Tom Barrett (MI-07) introduced the One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act, a piece of legislation designed to streamline the reporting process for elder fraud. This bill will create an inter-agency framework to give law enforcement and prosecutors better information to fight fraud.\n\nReporting fraud is the first step to recovering stolen funds or preventing other would-be victims from falling prey to the same scam. Right now, there are ten federal agencies, most with their own separate intake channels, and a poorly coordinated set of federal reporting sites, plus 50+ state portals, with no single number to call and no designated first-click destination. As a result, fraud reporting is an overly complicated process that handicaps law enforcement efforts to quickly respond and, in some cases, recover stolen funds. This legislation will address these barriers.\n\nSpecifically, this legislation would:\n\nDesignate a single front door for elder-fraud reporting, reachable two ways, by phone and on the web, to route each request to the federal agency whose mandate fits.\n\nThe hotline should answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.\n\nThe website should also include digital resources for combatting the most common types of scams.\n\nThe new reporting framework would be similar to VSAFE, introduced by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2024 to create a single number and website specifically for veterans to report fraud, scams, and predatory practices.\n\n“People who steal from seniors and retirees are the lowest of the low. No one should have to navigate impenetrable government websites or spend hours stuck on hold trying to report these scams,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “ My bill makes it simple, you call one number or go to one site and your report goes directly to the investigator you need. When we give law enforcement the tools to fight back, they can respond immediately and take on these predatory scammers.”\n\n“Fraudsters are constantly targeting seniors to cheat them out of their hard-earned retirement. These sophisticated scammers pose as federal agencies, banks, and even loved ones, while artificial intelligence is making impersonation easier than ever,” said Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07). “Families need resources to recognize and quickly report suspected fraud. By establishing a 24/7, one-stop shop for addressing elder fraud, this bipartisan bill will protect vulnerable seniors and empower law enforcement to crack down on these criminals.”\n\n“When an older American falls victim to fraud, every minute counts. Yet victims and families are often left navigating a fragmented reporting system when they need help the most. No one should have to figure out which government agency to call while their life savings are at risk. By establishing a single national entry point, available around the clock, the One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act of 2026 represents an important step toward protecting older Americans.”\n\nYuksel Aydin, Director of the anti-scam website seniors.hcsk.org\n\n“Reporting a scam should be as simple as one click or one call. But today, older adults who’ve been scammed face a maze of reporting options, leaving them unsure where to turn and often not reporting at all. Combating fraud requires a system that makes it easy for people to report scams and for authorities to track them. By creating one front door, a single website, and hotline, the One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act would give the growing number of older adults targeted by scammers the help they deserve.”\n\nRamsey Alwin, President and CEO, National Council on Aging\n\nDuring the appropriations process this year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez advanced multiple provisions targeting scammers and helping working families keep their hard-earned money. This included encouraging the Department of Justice to pursue further action against crypto scams targeting older Americans and instructing law enforcement to work across jurisdictions to combat fraud and scams.\n\nThe legislation is supported by the National Council on Aging and seniors.hsck.org.\n\n####", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-joins-jersey-families-at-the-bergen-county-fall-harvest-festival", "title": "PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Joins Jersey Families at the Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "domain": "gottheimer.house.gov", "scraper": "gottheimer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000583", "name": "Josh Gottheimer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Oct 15, 2026\n\nPress\n\nPHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Visits Ukrainian Community in Ramsey, Slams Appeasement of Dictator Putin, Calls for TPS Extension to Keep Ukrainian Families Safe\n\nAbove: Gottheimer Visits St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ramsey. RAMSEY, NJ — Today, Thursday, October 15, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ramsey, where he met with parishioners and faith leaders from North Jersey’s Ukrainian community. He discussed his support for Ukrainian families in the Fifth District, the urgent […]\n\nOct 15, 2026\n\nPress\n\nRELEASE: Gottheimer Discusses AI Policy at the University of Pennsylvania\n\nAbove: Gottheimer Discusses AI Policy with Vice Provost for Research David Meaney at the University of Pennsylvania. PHILADELPHIA, PA — Today, Monday, October 12, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House Democratic Commission on AI, visited the University of Pennsylvania to discuss federal AI policy and his work leading the commission. He met with […]", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-visits-ukrainian-community-in-ramsey-slams-appeasement-of-dictator-putin-calls-for-tps-extension-to-keep-ukrainian-families-safe", "title": "PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Visits Ukrainian Community in Ramsey, Slams Appeasement of Dictator Putin, Calls for TPS Extension to Keep Ukrainian Families Safe", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "domain": "gottheimer.house.gov", "scraper": "gottheimer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000583", "name": "Josh Gottheimer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Above: Gottheimer Visits St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ramsey.\n\nRAMSEY, NJ — Today, Thursday, October 15, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ramsey, where he met with parishioners and faith leaders from North Jersey’s Ukrainian community. He discussed his support for Ukrainian families in the Fifth District, the urgent need to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukrainians living in the United States, and America’s continued commitment to standing with Ukraine in its war with Russia.He also slammed the Trump Administration’s appeasement of dictator Vladimir Putin, including its new deal to import Russian diesel.\n\n“North Jersey’s Ukrainian community has shown incredible strength, faith, and generosity, and they have my full support. We must extend TPS so Ukrainian families here are not sent back into a war zone, and we must keep standing with Ukraine as it fights for freedom against Putin’s brutal invasion. America’s commitment to Ukraine cannot waver,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).\n\nTPS for Ukrainians is currently set to expire on Monday, October 19, 2026, which puts at risk neighbors, workers, and students who fled amid Russia’s invasion and have since built lives here. Congressman Gottheimer called on the Administration to extend TPS protections so these families are not forced to return to an active war zone.\n\nGottheimer also criticized the Trump Administration’s new deal with Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel. It comes just weeks after the President signed the bipartisan Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which Gottheimer supported, that Congress passed to choke off the energy revenues that fund Putin’s war. Gottheimer argued that the deal breaks our own laws and hands Putin’s war machine a lifeline funded by American taxpayers.\n\nThe Congressman also reaffirmed his support for Ukraine abroad. He stressed that the United States must continue to back Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression and stand firmly with its people.\n\nGottheimer was joined by Maria Keniuk, Church Trustee; Irene and Victor Hurlinsky; Jed Sunden, Director of the American Ukraine Committee and the American Ukraine PAC; Jackie Colgan, American Association for Ukraine; Oleksandr Tran, President of Svitanok; Anna Move, President and Co-Founder of the Leonid Foundation; and Tanya Khapko, Mike and Oksana Dyakiv, Ivan Durbak, and Nadiya Dovhan, members of St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer Visits St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ramsey.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-discusses-ai-policy-at-the-university-of-pennsylvania", "title": "RELEASE: Gottheimer Discusses AI Policy at the University of Pennsylvania", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "domain": "gottheimer.house.gov", "scraper": "gottheimer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000583", "name": "Josh Gottheimer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Above: Gottheimer Discusses AI Policy with Vice Provost for Research David Meaney at the University of Pennsylvania.\n\nPHILADELPHIA, PA — Today, Monday, October 12, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House Democratic Commission on AI, visited the University of Pennsylvania to discuss federal AI policy and his work leading the commission. He met with UPenn President Larry Jameson and the university’s top AI researchers for a roundtable and then joined David Meaney, Penn’s Vice Provost for Research, for a fireside chat with Penn faculty and students.\n\n“AI is advancing quickly and will have massive benefits for our economy and society as a whole,” said Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It’s critical that we not only understand it but are prepared for its impact. That’s why it’s great to see top universities like Penn help ensure America continues to lead the way on AI development and education.”\n\nWatch Gottheimer’s full address here.\n\nGottheimer, who co-chairs the Commission with Representatives Ted Lieu (CA-36) and Valerie Foushee (NC-4), discussed its work to educate Congress and develop an AI policy agenda focused on growth, national security, child safety, energy, healthcare, and more. He highlighted the importance of universities in that effort, noting that Penn launched the Ivy League’s first undergraduate AI major and is advising Governor Shapiro’s administration on responsible AI use.\n\nGottheimer also discussed several bipartisan AI bills he’s led this Congress, including:\n\nThe bipartisan American AI Security Act, with Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17), to require pre-deployment testing to address AI’s national security risks.\n\nThe bipartisan Stop Rogue AI Act, with Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17), to keep humans in control of AI agents.\n\nThe bipartisan AI LABS Act, with Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23), to help K-12 schools set up dedicated AI labs and teach students how AI works.\n\nThe bipartisan Liquid Cooling for AI Act, with Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23), to advance more energy-efficient AI infrastructure.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer Discusses AI Policy at the University of Pennsylvania.\n\nAbove: Gottheimer with UPenn President Larry Jameson.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=CB909BBD-E08C-4B73-AE96-7E564BF6BDEE", "title": "Hayes, Dingell Introduce Bill to Hold Schools Accountable for Mishandling Reports of Sexual Assault", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "hayes.house.gov", "scraper": "hayes", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001081", "name": "Jahana Hayes", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) joined Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) to introduce the Title IX Take Responsibility Act, legislation that would hold schools accountable for mishandling reports of sexual assault and provide survivors a stronger path towards justice.\n\nThe legislation amends Title IX; a U.S. federal civil rights law passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972 that bans sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal money. The bill would reform how schools handle sexual assault and harassment by replacing outdated legal loopholes with clear accountability.\n\n\"One incident of sexual violence is one too many,\" said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. \"I am committed to protecting students, supporting survivors, and ensuring college campuses are safe learning environments for all. The Title IX Take Responsibility Act will put the responsibility on educational institutions for any mishandling of sexual assault reporting and failure to prevent further assaults. This legislation should be considered immediately, and I thank Congresswoman Dingell for partnering on this effort.\"\n\n\"For far too long, outdated legal loopholes have allowed educational institutions to turn a blind eye to reports of sexual assault, leaving survivors without justice or support,\" said Congresswoman Dingell. \"Title IX was enacted to protect students, not to shield institutions from accountability when they fail to keep campuses safe. This bill closes these gaps and ensures that every student has access to a safe learning environment free from abuse.\"\n\nUnder current Supreme Court precedents, schools can only be held liable if high-level officials had \"actual notice\" and reacted with \"deliberate indifference,\" creating an incentive for institutions to turn a blind eye. This bill eliminates that defense by holding schools legally responsible if they knew or reasonably should have known about the abuse and failed to take effective action. It also expands access to justice by allowing survivors to hold schools accountable in federal court for monetary damages and legal fees.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by End Rape on Campus, Just Solutions, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV), National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA), Ujima, Volare, YWCA,\n\nSurvivors should never have to choose between their safety and their education. The Title IX Take Responsibility Act affirms survivors’ rights to support, to make their own choices about reporting, and to seek justice when their access to education is harmed. It also gives schools clear standards that reflect what effective, survivor-centered response looks like. NOVA strongly supports this bill,” said Claire Ponder Selib, Executive Director, National Organization for Victim Advocacy.\n\n\"Schools must take sexual misconduct more seriously. We're abandoning survivors and ignoring the enormous impact of sexual violence on their educational attainment, health, and quality of life. This is unacceptable. The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence applauds Representatives Dingell and Hayes for re-introducing the Title IX Take Responsibility Act. We must have more accountability,\" said Monika Johnson-Hostler, President & CEO, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence.\n\n“YWCA USA is unwavering in our pursuit of a world where all women and girls can thrive. To meet that mission, it is essential that every student can learn in an environment free from sexual violence. Sadly, we know that violence does occur. The deeply disturbing reports from Cornell University underscore that passing the Title IX Take Responsibility Act is an essential and overdue step that would hold our educational institutions more responsible for protecting students from the start and accessing swift, meaningful pathways to justice and healing,” said Kate Kasper, VP of Public Policy and Advocacy, YWCA USA.\n\n“I’m grateful to Reps. Dingell and Hayes for reintroducing the Title IX Take Responsibility Act. At moment when the Dept of Education is rolling back protections under Title IX and leaving survivors of sexual violence vulnerable, this bill would strengthen protections and where appropriate, hold institutions accountable,” said Lisalyn Jacobs, CEO of Just Solutions.\n\n“Survivors should not have to sacrifice their education because an institution failed to respond meaningfully to sexual harassment or violence. The Title IX Take Responsibility Act strengthens survivors’ ability to enforce their rights and recognizes that students should be able to access meaningful support without being required to pursue an investigation. Survivors deserve options that protect their safety, well-being, and ability to continue their education,” said Volare CEO Bridgette Stumpf.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://hudson.house.gov/press-releases/hudson-highlights-innovation-school-safety-technology-at-unc-greensboro", "title": "Hudson Highlights Innovation, School Safety Technology at UNC Greensboro", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://hudson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "hudson.house.gov", "scraper": "hudson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001067", "name": "Richard Hudson", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "GREENSBORO, N.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) visited UNC Greensboro, where he met with Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam Jr. to discuss the university’s work in defense, energy, and workforce development, including its iCOMMAND Project and BRIGHT Institute.\n\n“Lives are being changed every day at UNC Greensboro. They are also doing some exciting work that can make a real difference for our country,” said Rep. Hudson. “From supporting our servicemembers and veterans to developing new energy technology, there is a lot happening at UNCG. I appreciated Chancellor Gilliam taking the time to bring me up to speed on the work they’re doing.”\n\nFollowing the meeting, Hudson visited the UNCG Police Department for a demonstration of ZeroEyes, an artificial intelligence and human-verified security system founded by former Navy SEALs designed to detect visible firearms and quickly alert authorities. ZeroEyes does not use facial recognition technology and is designed to protect public safety without targeting law-abiding gun owners.\n\n“As one of the strongest supporters of the Second Amendment in Congress and someone who has worked to make our schools safer, I believe we can protect our rights and give law enforcement better tools to stop violence before it happens,” said Rep. Hudson. “I appreciated getting to see this technology and learning how ZeroEyes is working to keep people safe without using facial recognition or targeting law-abiding gun owners.”\n\n“We’re grateful to Rep. Hudson for joining us and to the UNCG Police Department for hosting today’s demonstration. Their officers take protecting this campus seriously, and we’re proud to work alongside them,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “We created ZeroEyes to give police an earlier warning and a chance to act before someone gets hurt. That’s why we do this, and it’s what keeps our team working around the clock.”\n\nBackground\n\nUNCG serves roughly 19,000 students and offers more than 150 undergraduate and over 200 master’s and doctoral programs.\n\nHudson previously visited UNCG in November 2025 to learn more about the university’s iCOMMAND Project and BRIGHT Institute.\n\nThe iCOMMAND Project conducts research and develops technology to protect, train, and support military personnel, veterans, and their families. Its work includes advanced manufacturing, health and physical resilience, bio-industrial manufacturing, and efforts connecting academic research with the DEVCOM Soldier Center and helping servicemembers transition into civilian careers.\n\nThe BRIGHT Institute focuses on helping make North Carolina a leader in next-generation energy and battery technology by bringing together research, industry, and workforce development.\n\nZeroEyes was founded by former Navy SEALs and uses artificial intelligence with human verification to detect visible firearms through existing security cameras. The technology does not use facial recognition, does not identify people based on clothing, skin tone, or other personal characteristics, and is designed to detect illegally brandished firearms rather than target lawful gun owners. When a potential weapon is flagged, a trained specialist reviews the image before an alert is sent to first responders and local officials.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://jack.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-brian-jack-welcomes-2026-ifcpf-cerebral-palsy-world-cup-fayette", "title": "Congressman Brian Jack Welcomes the 2026 IFCPF Cerebral Palsy World Cup to Fayette County", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jack.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "jack.house.gov", "scraper": "jack", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000311", "name": "Brian Jack", "party": "Republican", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nOctober 15, 2026\n\nContact: Joseph Brannan\n\nFAYETTE COUNTY, GA – Yesterday, Congressman Brian Jack (GA-03) welcomed players, officials, and supporters from around the world to the 2026 IFCPF Cerebral Palsy World Cup at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayette County.\n\nCongressman Jack attended the opening match, in which the U.S. Men’s National Cerebral Palsy Team defeated Canada, 7-0.\n\nCongressman Brian Jack said, “I was honored to attend the opening match of the 2026 IFCPF Cerebral Palsy World Cup. I represent Fayette County in Congress, and we are excited to host the players, officials, and supporters who traveled from across the world to compete in our part of Georgia.\n\nI am especially proud of Harris County native Jacob Crumbley, a starter for our national team, for his incredible performance, and we are all rooting for our talented team to win this World Cup.\n\nI hope this tournament inspires every American with cerebral palsy and the families and caregivers who support them!”\n\nThe 2026 IFCPF Men’s and Women’s Cerebral Palsy World Cups will take place from October 14-24 at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayette County.\n\nThe United States men’s team competes in Group A alongside Canada, Scotland, and the Netherlands.\n\nFor tournament information and updates, please visit the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football’s website: https://www.ifcpf.com\n\nCongressman Jack represents Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Fayette County. If Congressman Jack may be of service to you and your family, please visit jack.house.gov.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://jasonsmith.house.gov/2026/10/15/smith-leads-lawmakers-in-urging-usda-to-mitigate-impact-of-theileria-on-u-s-cattle-industry/", "title": "Smith Leads Lawmakers in Urging USDA to Mitigate Impact of Theileria on U.S. Cattle Industry", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jasonsmith.house.gov/category/press_release/", "domain": "jasonsmith.house.gov", "scraper": "jasonsmith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001195", "name": "Jason Smith", "party": "Republican", "state": "MO", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, recently led a group of lawmakers in a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urging the Department to expand and prioritize research on Theileria orientalis Ikeda and related tick-borne livestock diseases.\n\n“We write to express our increasing concern regarding the rapid spread of Theileria orientalis Ikeda, a disease carried primarily by the invasive Asian longhorned tick. Since its first detection in the United States in 2017, this tick has spread to more than 20 states and continues to expand its range each year. This emerging disease poses a growing threat to the cattle industry. This industry, and the rural communities that depend on it, cannot absorb an unchecked, spreading disease with no approved treatment. We are urging USDA to prioritize additional research and surveillance to better understand and mitigate its impacts on the U.S. cattle industry,” the lawmakers wrote.\n\n“Land-grant universities across the country, including the University of Missouri, the University of Arkansas, Virginia Tech, and Kansas State University, have worked diligently to track this disease, confirm new cases, and educate ranchers on prevention. However, surveillance and outreach alone cannot substitute for a vaccine or effective treatment, and it should not fall to individual states to carry the full weight of researching a disease that has been detected in a growing number of states across the country,” the letter continues.\n\nOther lawmakers who signed onto the letter include Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02), Congressman Bob Onder (MO-03), Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04), Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01), Congressman Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Congressman Mark Messmer (IN-08), Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01), Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02), Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), and Congressman John Rose (TN-06).\n\nBackground:", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://jeffries.house.gov/2026/10/15/leader-jeffries-statement-on-attempted-shooting-at-hindu-temple/", "title": "LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON ATTEMPTED SHOOTING AT HINDU TEMPLE", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://jeffries.house.gov/category/press-release/page/", "domain": "jeffries.house.gov", "scraper": "jeffries", "member": {"bioguide_id": "J000294", "name": "Hakeem S. Jeffries", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "UPDATE: Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians\n\nOn Tuesday, June 25, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration could move forward with its plans to rip legal status away from nearly 350,000 current Haitian and Syrian Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. Following this decision, the Department of Homeland Security announced the termination of TPS for Haitians and Syrians, effective July 27, 2026.\n\nIndividuals who have lost TPS may be impacted in different ways, including loss of protection from deportation and loss of work authorization. However, there may be alternative legal pathways to remain and work in the United States. To learn more about what the end of TPS means for you and your family:\n\nAll TPS holders regardless of designation should visit the USCIS website for the latest updates on their TPS status.\n\nVisit the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigration Affairs website to learn more about what the expiration of TPS status means for impacted New Yorkers. Resource documents are available in English, Arabic, French and Haitian Creole.\n\nContact the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), whose Legal Support Centers offer free, confidential immigration legal help. Free, safe and confidential immigration legal services are available regardless of your immigration status and in your language by calling the MOIA legal support hotline at 800-354-0365 or visiting nyc.gov/knowyourrights.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://kiggans.house.gov/2026/10/15/kiggans-hhs-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr-discuss-healthcare-workforce-challenges-tour-regional-health-professions-center-at-tcc/", "title": "Kiggans, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Discuss Healthcare Workforce Challenges, Tour Regional Health Professions Center at TCC", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kiggans.house.gov/feed/", "domain": "kiggans.house.gov", "scraper": "kiggans", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000399", "name": "Jennifer A. Kiggans", "party": "Republican", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) welcomed U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to Virginia’s Second District for a tour of Tidewater Community College’s (TCC) Regional Health Professions Center and a healthcare roundtable with local professionals and industry stakeholders. The visit focused on addressing the healthcare workforce shortage and improving recruitment and retention, as well as expanding access to high-quality healthcare throughout the region.\n\nPrior to the roundtable, Congresswoman Kiggans and Secretary Kennedy toured the Regional Health Professions Center to see firsthand how TCC is educating and training the next generation of healthcare professionals. The facility opened in 2012 and boasts state-of-the-art medical equipment to give students hands-on experience to prepare them for a variety of jobs in the healthcare field.\n\nCongresswoman Kiggans said, “As a geriatric nurse practitioner, access to quality, efficient care starts with having a competent and well-trained workforce. Every day, TCC is preparing the next generation of young men and women to enter the healthcare profession with the skills and experience they need to succeed. As staffing shortages continue to impact communities across our nation, investing in these programs is critical to ensure patients receive the timely care they deserve. I’m grateful to Secretary Kennedy for visiting Coastal Virginia to see firsthand the important role institutions like TCC play in preparing students for the real-world challenges of patient care.”\n\nFollowing the tour, Congresswoman Kiggans and Secretary Kennedy participated in a roundtable discussion with local healthcare professionals and industry stakeholders to hear about the challenges facing Coastal Virginia’s healthcare workforce.\n\n“These conversations inform the work I do in Washington every day,” said Kiggans. “These men and women have firsthand experience training future healthcare professionals, and it’s incredibly important that we hear their concerns to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed. I’m thankful to Secretary Kennedy for coming to Virginia’s Second District, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Secretary and HHS to identify practical solutions that address the challenges facing our healthcare professionals and the patients they serve.”\n\nAs a geriatric nurse practitioner and Vice Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, Congresswoman Kiggans remains committed to supporting legislation and initiatives that strengthen healthcare education and workforce development.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn May 2025, Rep. Kiggans joined her Congressional Nursing Caucus colleagues in introducing the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025, a bill to address the national nursing workforce shortage by supporting educational programs across the country. Read the press release here.\n\nIn May 2025, Rep. Kiggans introduced the Magnifying Opportunities to Recruit and Educate (MORE) Nurses Act alongside Congressman Jim Acosta (CA-21). This bill directs the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education to investigate policy solutions and federal programs that can aid in resolving the issue. Read the press release here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://kiggans.house.gov/2026/10/15/kiggans-hosts-usda-leadership-to-highlight-aquaculture-hold-industry-roundtable/", "title": "Kiggans Hosts USDA Leadership to Highlight Aquaculture, Hold Industry Roundtable ", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://kiggans.house.gov/feed/", "domain": "kiggans.house.gov", "scraper": "kiggans", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000399", "name": "Jennifer A. Kiggans", "party": "Republican", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "CAPE CHARLES, VA — Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) welcomed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) leadership to Virginia’s Eastern Shore for a tour of local aquaculture operations and a roundtable discussion with industry stakeholders. Congresswoman Kiggans was joined by FSA Administrator Bill Beam, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins, Director of the Office of Seafood Mike Illenberg, and Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations Yvette Herrell.\n\nThe visit began with a tour of Cherrystone Aqua-Farms, where officials received a firsthand look at the region’s shellfish aquaculture operations and their contributions to Coastal Virginia’s economy. Following the tour, Congresswoman Kiggans and USDA leadership met with local aquaculture producers and industry stakeholders in Cape Charles to discuss challenges facing the industry, recent oyster mortality events, and opportunities to improve access to federal resources.\n\nCongresswoman Kiggans said, “Virginia’s Eastern Shore is home to some of the most hardworking aquaculture producers in the country. As the representative of a coastal district, I know how important it is to not only preserve our shorelines, but also ensure our producers have the resources they need to overcome the environmental challenges they face on a daily basis. I’m grateful to Administrator Beam, Under Secretary Hoskins, Director Illenberg, and Assistant Secretary Herrell for taking the time to visit Virginia’s Second District and hear directly from the men and women who make this industry so successful.”\n\nIn September 2026, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans joined Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) in writing a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting that the Farm Service Agency coordinate with state agencies and researchers to assess widespread oyster mortality across Coastal Virginia and determine whether affected counties qualify for a Secretarial natural disaster designation. Read her press release here.\n\n“Following the devastating losses to the Shore’s oyster populations, it was especially important to speak with USDA to assess whether federal assistance will be available to the Commonwealth’s producers,” said Kiggans. “It’s very encouraging that the USDA has established the Office of Seafood to help strengthen coordination between Washington and our communities, and I look forward to continuing our work to support our growers on the Eastern Shore.”\n\nAs the representative of a coastal district and a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Congresswoman Kiggans remains committed to supporting Coastal Virginia’s agriculture and aquaculture industries, strengthening local economies, and ensuring producers have access to the federal resources necessary to sustain their operations.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Commonwealth of Virginia is the nation’s leading producer of Eastern oysters and hard clams. According to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, shellfish aquaculture generated approximately $81 million in farm-gate sales in 2024, up 52% from 2018, including $29 million in oysters and $52 million in hard clams.\n\nVirginia growers sold approximately 43.4 million market oysters and 195 million market hard clams in 2024, supporting more than 700 direct full- and part-time jobs. Cherrystone Aqua-Farms is part of this significant Eastern Shore industry.\n\nShellfish aquaculture also supports coastal water quality and habitat. Oysters filter water and remove suspended particles, while oyster reefs provide habitat and can contribute to shoreline protection.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/krishnamoorthi-joins-warren-garcia-bipartisan-lawmakers-introducing-bill-hold", "title": "Krishnamoorthi Joins Warren, Garcia, Bipartisan Lawmakers in Introducing Bill to Hold Bankers Who Financed Jeffrey Epstein’s Sex Trafficking Operation Accountable", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", "scraper": "krishnamoorthi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000391", "name": "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) today joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Congressman Robert Garcia (D-Cal.), Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee, along with Congressmen Ro Khanna (D-Cal.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ken.), and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, in introducing the bipartisan Epstein Wall Street Records Act. The bill seeks accountability for the financial institutions and bank executives that may have enabled disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.\n\n“Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation left a money trail, and Wall Street has serious questions to answer. Our legislation will force federal regulators to release their records, investigate the banks and executives who may have enabled his crimes, and hold lawbreakers accountable,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “Epstein’s survivors deserve the full truth, no matter how powerful or well-connected those responsible may be.”\n\nExtensive reporting and congressional probes have revealed the degree to which Wall Street empowered Epstein’s crimes. According to The New York Times Magazine, executives at JPMorgan assisted Epstein in evading internal controls meant to intercept suspicious activity, allowing him to avoid scrutiny. An August investigation by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden's staff found “significant evidence that JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank, and Bank of America violated federal anti-money laundering laws by failing to screen and report Epstein’s suspicious financial transactions in a timely manner.”\n\nKrishnamoorthi has previously joined Warren in pressing Goldman Sachs over its handling of Kathryn Ruemmler’s ties to Epstein, and joined Warren and Khanna in demanding answers from Barclays about former CEO Jes Staley’s relationship with Epstein. At a May hearing with Epstein survivors, Krishnamoorthi also demanded that the Treasury Department release suspicious activity reports tied to Epstein’s financial transactions.\n\nThe Epstein Wall Street Records Act would:\n\nRequire federal financial regulators, including the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to disclose supervisory records related to Epstein and his associates to Congress and the American people, while protecting survivors' identifying information.\n\nForce the financial regulators to investigate Epstein-connected banks and executives for possible banking, securities, or illicit financing violations.\n\nRequire industry bars or civil penalties for executives found to have committed qualifying violations, as well as referrals to the Department of Justice when regulators identify possible federal crimes.\n\n“I have spent the last year calling on Donald Trump’s financial regulators to launch investigations into the big banks and executives who may have enabled Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific crimes,” said Ranking Member Warren. “Since they have failed to act, Congress must. The bipartisan Epstein Wall Street Records Act will ensure overdue accountability for the wealthy and well-connected on Wall Street who put profits over people.”\n\n“Jeffrey Epstein used his immense wealth to abuse women and girls for decades. Meanwhile, banks and financial institutions enriched him and themselves by servicing his accounts and helping him move money around,” said Ranking Member Garcia. “We need to know what financial institutions and their executives knew about Epstein, whether they complied with relevant law, and what regulatory agencies learned.”\n\n“The Epstein Wall Street Records Act is about transparency and releasing financial records that are critical to holding the Epstein Class accountable and fighting to get justice for the survivors. I’m proud to cosponsor this bipartisan bill,” said Representative Khanna.\n\n“The Epstein Wall Street Records Act requires the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, the Comptroller of the Currency, and the SEC to release their files on Jeffrey Epstein’s money,” said Representative Massie. “The Epstein Files Transparency Act forced the Attorney General to release DOJ, FBI, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices’ files. This bill does the same for bank regulators. Justice for the survivors means following the money.”\n\n“For far too long, financial institutions have leveraged their power, influence, and privilege to evade accountability. Their role in enabling Jeffrey Epstein’s decades of sexual exploitation and abuse demands serious scrutiny. That is why World Without Exploitation is proud to support the Epstein Wall Street Records Act of 2026,” said Becca Zipkin, Vice President of Policy and Programs, World Without Exploitation. “We must follow the money to uncover the truth and ensure that the financial institutions that enabled this abuse are held accountable. Survivors deserve transparency, accountability, and the justice they have long been denied.\"\n\nThe cosponsors of the Epstein Wall Street Records Act include: Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), as well as Representatives Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Tex.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Lateefah Simon (D-Cal.), Dave Min (D-Cal.), James Walkinshaw (D-Va.), Christian Menefee (D-Tex.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), Greg Casar (D-Tex.), and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/krishnamoorthi-responds-attempted-mass-shooting-his-familys-hindu-temple", "title": "Krishnamoorthi Responds to Attempted Mass Shooting at His Family’s Hindu Temple in Aurora, Warns of Surging Anti-Indian Hate", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", "scraper": "krishnamoorthi", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000391", "name": "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SCHAUMBURG — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) issued the following statement after authorities arrested a 19-year-old man accused of attempting to carry out a mass shooting targeting Indian Americans at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois. According to prosecutors, the suspect, who espoused white supremacist and neo-Nazi beliefs, allegedly attempted to open fire Sunday before his rifle jammed. After he told coworkers what happened and shared plans to try again, they alerted police, who arrested him before he could return.\n\n“I am horrified that a white supremacist attempted to carry out a mass shooting targeting Indian Americans at the Hindu temple in Aurora where my family worships. My family and I were there when the attack was attempted last Sunday. The threat of such violence shows how dangerous anti-Indian hatred and white supremacy have become, and we cannot wait until innocent people are killed to take these threats seriously. I am grateful to the suspect’s coworkers who alerted police and commend the law enforcement officers who intervened. Every American deserves to live and worship without fear, and we must stand together against hatred in all its forms.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://langworthy.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-langworthy-announces-14-million-chemung-county-sewer-improvements", "title": "Congressman Langworthy Announces $1.4 Million for Chemung County Sewer Improvements", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://langworthy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "langworthy.house.gov", "scraper": "langworthy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000600", "name": "Nicholas A. Langworthy", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C.—October 15, 2026… Congressman Nick Langworthy today announced that Chemung County has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to improve wastewater infrastructure at the Southern Tier Logistics Business Park in the Village of Horseheads. Combined with $1.4 million in state funding, the project represents a total investment of $2.8 million in critical infrastructure to support future business and industrial growth.\n\nThe project will fund the construction and rehabilitation of approximately 4,500 linear feet of sewer main, installation of new manholes, construction of a modern pump station and restoration of abandoned sewer lines. These improvements will expand system capacity, improve reliability and ensure the business park can provide dependable, environmentally compliant wastewater service for current and future employers.\n\nThe upgrades will help prepare the former military depot site for redevelopment as a manufacturing, warehousing and logistics hub, strengthening its ability to attract new investment and support economic growth throughout Chemung County and the Southern Tier. Construction is expected to take three years, after which the Chemung County Sewer District will own and maintain the upgraded system.\n\n“This significant $1.4 million investment will make critical sewer improvements that are necessary for the Southern Tier Logistics Business Park to continue the redevelopment of the former Holding Point military depot. We can’t expect to attract jobs and economic development if we don’t have the public infrastructure to support the growth and that’s why I’ve been so focused on securing federal dollars to help position projects like this one. By helping prepare this property for development, we are paving the way for new private investments in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics to strengthen the Southern Tier’s long-term economic future.”\n\nThe Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments that invests in communities across the Appalachian region. Its mission is to strengthen economic growth and help Appalachian communities achieve greater socioeconomic parity with the nation.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/connecticut-house-delegation-statement-president-trump-easing-russian", "title": "Connecticut House Delegation Statement on President Trump Easing Russian Sanctions", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "larson.house.gov", "scraper": "larson", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000557", "name": "John B. Larson", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CT", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Hartford, CT — Today, Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) responded to recent news that President Trump is easing sanctions on Russia:\n\n“President Trump has now officially sought to ease sanctions on Russia through April 7th following recent troubling reports that he would do just that. This is exactly what we were concerned would happen when we decided to vote against the Russian Sanctions Act last month.\n\n“President Trump has created a war of choice with Iran, raising utility costs and gas prices for everyone. Instead of putting an end to the war in Iran and holding Putin responsible for his vicious attacks on the Ukrainian people, he now seeks to buy diesel from the country that he should be sanctioning. Do not be fooled. This agreement will not bring diesel prices down. It will only put American dollars in the hands of a murderous dictator who will use the funds to kill Ukrainians.\n\n“President Trump has betrayed the Ukrainian people who have suffered at the hands of Vladmir Putin’s violence for far too long. He must reverse course, or his actions will draw out this war and the needless suffering of Ukraine.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6631", "title": "ICYMI: Lawler, FHWA Administrator McMaster Highlight Safety Improvements Near Putnam Hospital", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "lawler.house.gov", "scraper": "lawler", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000599", "name": "Michael Lawler", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WATCH: LAWLER, FHWA ADMINISTRATOR MCMASTER HIGHLIGHT SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS NEAR PUTNAM HOSPITAL\n\nThe approximately $5 million project will include a new roundabout, improved sightlines, upgraded drainage, and other roadway safety enhancements. With the intersection serving thousands of motorists daily and providing access to Putnam Hospital, the improvements will help make travel safer for residents, hospital staff, patients, and first responders.\n\n“Getting this project to the construction phase has taken years of work from our local, state, and federal partners. I’ve worked to help advance this project and secure the federal investment needed to get it done. These improvements are about making our roads safer and ensuring patients, families, and first responders can get to Putnam Hospital safely. I appreciate Administrator McMaster and our local partners for working together to move this project forward,” said Congressman Lawler.\n\n“Every day, patients, families, hospital staff and emergency responders rely on these roads to reach Putnam Hospital, which is less than a quarter mile from this intersection,” said Derek Anderson, president of Northwell’s Putnam Hospital and Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco. “That's why this project matters. The planned improvements will help enhance safety, improve traffic flow and make access to the hospital more reliable. In health care, that matters because during an emergency, every second counts.”\n\n“Bringing the first roundabout to Putnam County is an exciting milestone and an important investment in the future of our transportation infrastructure,” said Assemblyman Matt Slater, (R-C-Yorktown). “As a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee, I understand how critical it is to secure funding for projects that directly impact the safety of our communities. I was proud to secure $1.5 million in state funding to help make this $10 million project possible, especially at an intersection that serves as such an important access point to Putnam Hospital.”\n\nThe project is funded through a combination of federal, state, and county resources, with the federal government covering 80 percent of the total cost. Lawler continues to work with local officials and federal partners to advance critical infrastructure investments throughout the Hudson Valley.\n\nPHOTO: A picture from the event can be found HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://lindasanchez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sanchez-sewell-lead-55-democrats-opposing-us-withdrawal-international", "title": "Sánchez, Sewell lead 55 Democrats in opposing U.S. Withdrawal from International Labor Organization", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://lindasanchez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "lindasanchez.house.gov", "scraper": "lindasanchez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001156", "name": "Linda T. Sánchez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) and Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) today led 55 of their House Democratic colleagues in calling on the Trump administration to maintain United States participation in the International Labor Organization (ILO), which brings together governments, workers and employers to establish international labor standards. Those standards help protect American workers from being undercut by other countries with weaker labor standards.\n\nReports that the administration is considering withdrawal come amid a severe budget crisis at the ILO, driven largely by the Trump administration’s failure to pay approximately $300 million in outstanding U.S. membership dues.\n\n“At the same time that the Administration has called on countries to improve labor standards, it is reportedly considering a withdrawal from the very institution that develops those standards and helps governments implement them,” the members wrote. “Notably, USTR relied on ILO data in conducting [its Section 301] investigations, underscoring the organization’s value to U.S. efforts to identify and combat forced labor.\n\n“If the Administration believes that weak labor standards distort trade and disadvantage American workers and firms, withdrawing from an institution whose standards, research, and expertise it relies upon to address those concerns runs counter to American interests.”\n\nIn addition to Sánchez and Sewell, the letter was signed by Representatives Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Christopher Deluzio (D-Pa.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), William Keating (D-Mass.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), John Larson (D-Conn.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), John Mannion (D-N.Y.), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Stacey Plaskett (D-V.I.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), Robert Scott (D-Va.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), Thomas Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Norma Torres (D-Calif.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.).\n\nThe full text of the letter is available HERE and follows:\n\nOctober 15, 2026\n\nSecretary Rubio\n\nU.S. Department of State\n\n2201 C Street NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20520\n\nDear Secretary Rubio:\n\nWe write to express our deep concern regarding reports that the Administration is preparing to withdraw the United States from the International Labor Organization (ILO). Such a decision would undermine the organization’s core mission of establishing and promoting international labor standards in the global economy and would be difficult to reconcile with the Administration’s stated pro-worker trade agenda. These reports come amid a severe budget crisis at the ILO, which is largely due to the Administration’s failure to pay approximately $300 million in outstanding U.S. membership dues. Unlike most international organizations, the ILO’s unique tripartite structure gives governments, workers, and employers the central role of developing international labor standards to combat the global “race to the bottom” that has undermined wages and working conditions here in the United States and around the globe.\n\nThe labor standards developed and articulated by the constituents of the ILO underpin the labor provisions in U.S. trade agreements, which require trading partners to adopt, maintain, and effectively enforce labor laws related to eliminating forced labor, child labor, and employment discrimination, while also protecting workers’ fundamental right to organize unions and bargain collectively. Such obligations are vital to levelling the playing field by preventing other countries from gaining an unfair advantage through common forms of labor exploitation. But negotiated commitments are only as effective as the institutions that implement them. For decades, the ILO has helped governments put these commitments into practice through technical assistance, training, advisory services, reporting, investigations, and capacity-building support to labor inspectorates.\n\nSeveral U.S. trading partners have reportedly sought ILO assistance in response to the Administration’s recent imposition of Section 301 tariffs on 60 economies for failing to impose or effectively enforce prohibitions on imports produced with forced labor. Other partners have sought to extend ILO programming that is a key U.S. trade condition for access to the U.S. market. Yet, at the same time that the Administration has called on countries to improve labor standards, it is reportedly considering a withdrawal from the very institution that develops those standards and helps governments implement them. Notably, USTR relied on ILO data in conducting these investigations, underscoring the organization’s value to U.S. efforts to identify and combat forced labor. If the Administration believes that weak labor standards distort trade and disadvantage American workers and firms, withdrawing from an institution whose standards, research, and expertise it relies upon to address those concerns runs counter to American interests.\n\nThe ILO’s value extends beyond government enforcement and directly benefits American companies operating in global supply chains. Through programs such as Better Work, a joint initiative of the ILO and the International Finance Corporation, factories receive auditing, training, and support to improve compliance with national laws and international labor standards. Improved transparency at the factory level enables companies to identify risks in their supply chains, address problems before they become more serious, and avoid reputational damage through responsible sourcing practices. The American Apparel & Footwear Association and other U.S. business organizations recently highlighted the important role of the ILO in strengthening labor enforcement in sourcing countries, addressing forced labor, and maintaining a competitive environment for American companies and workers.\n\nThe ILO’s role in advancing U.S. trade policy is well illustrated in Haiti, where U.S. law ties preferential market access to labor law compliance and integrates the ILO into that statutory framework. In September, Congress reauthorized the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act (HOPE) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act (HELP). Under these programs, Haiti is mandated to work with the ILO to implement the Technical Assistance Improvement and Compliance Needs Assessment and Remediation (TAICNAR) program. The ILO’s Better Work program in Haiti operates the core compliance component of TAICNAR, conducting factory assessments, supporting remediation, and providing technical assistance to strengthen industrial relations and labor law enforcement. If the ILO is unable to continue performing these functions, Haiti will be unable to meet the labor compliance requirements Congress established as a condition of these trade preferences—programs that continue to enjoy strong bipartisan support.\n\nFinally, the United States withdrawal from the ILO will only serve to expand China’s influence at the organization and deprive us of a key forum for holding them accountable for systemic labor rights violations. For example, in 2022 the United States delegation to the ILO’s annual conference played a decisive role in rallying support from governments, workers, and employers to condemn China’s use of forced labor camps to “re-educate” Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). A U.S. withdrawal will not halt the development of international labor standards; rather, it will strip American policymakers, workers, and employers of their ability to shape their creation and implementation in a manner that reflects our values. Walking away cedes strategic leverage to a major economic competitor over the very rules that govern fair competition in the global marketplace. This exposure is particularly critical as the ILO facilitates the development of standards for emerging issues, including the platform economy, artificial intelligence, and workplace health and safety. American workers and companies will ultimately be impacted by these international standards, regardless of whether the United States chooses to participate in their creation.\n\nAccordingly, we urge the Administration to maintain full United States membership in the ILO and utilize appropriated Contributions to International Organizations (CIO) funds to expeditiously pay the approximately $300 million in arrears. Abandoning the ILO does not protect American interests. Instead, it diminishes our ability to enforce trade agreements, taints our supply chains, and hands a strategic victory to our economic competitors. The United States must maintain its seat at the table to ensure that global labor standards are driven by American values, interests, and priorities.\n\nTo assist Congress in monitoring the implementation of U.S. trade policy and funding mandates, please provide comprehensive responses to the following questions by October 30, 2026:\n\nGiven the Administration’s extensive reliance on ILO data to execute recent Section 301 tariff enforcement actions, what concrete steps is the Department of State taking to ensure the ILO remains fully funded and operationally viable so that U.S. trade enforcement mechanisms are not compromised?\n\nBecause Congress has explicitly tied preferential market access for Haiti to the execution of the TAICNAR program, what immediate actions is the Department taking to ensure that the U.S. remains fully engaged in the ILO framework so as not to jeopardize the legal compliance of these congressional trade preferences?\n\nIn alignment with the 2025 National Security Strategy’s mandate to protect American workers from foreign economic distortion, what is the Department’s explicit plan to utilize the United States' permanent seat on the ILO Governing Body to actively counter China's expanding influence over global standard-setting?\n\nOut of funds appropriated by Congress under the CIO account for Fiscal Years 2024, 2025, and 2026, what is the exact timeline for the Department to release the necessary funds to clear the outstanding $300 million in arrears and stabilize U.S. standing and voting rights within the organization?\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://malliotakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/malliotakis-lanza-tannousis-highlight-state-policies-driving-utility-bills", "title": "Malliotakis, Lanza, Tannousis Highlight State Policies Driving Up Utility Bills, Legislative Efforts to Lower Energy Costs", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://malliotakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "malliotakis.house.gov", "scraper": "malliotakis", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000317", "name": "Nicole Malliotakis", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(STATEN ISLAND, NY) — Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) joined State Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, and Stefano Sena, owner of Bocelli Restaurant, to highlight how costly New York State energy policies and mandates are driving up utility bills for families and businesses, while outlining federal efforts to increase domestic energy production, strengthen grid reliability and lower electricity costs.\n\nNew Yorkers pay approximately 60% more for electricity than the national average, placing a significant financial burden on hardworking families and small businesses. The lawmakers highlighted how state energy mandates, taxes and regulatory decisions are contributing to rising costs, including rate increases approved by the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC), whose members are appointed by the Governor, and the state's closure of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant that provided 26% of New York City's electricity supply.\n\nOver the past five years, the PSC has approved two major multi-year rate plans for Con Edison, further increasing costs for ratepayers. The lawmakers also noted that state and local taxes, fees and surcharges make up roughly one-third of a customer's utility bill.\n\n\"Families and small businesses are being forced to pay more than 60% above the national average because of costly energy mandates, excessive taxes and misguided policies coming out of Albany. While Washington is working to expand American energy production, strengthen our electric grid and deliver more affordable, reliable power, New York State continues to pursue policies that drive costs higher. We need to reverse course, provide relief to ratepayers and ensure families can afford to keep their lights on and heat their homes,\" said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis.\n\n“Electricity costs more on Staten Island, in New York City, and New York State for one simple reason: because of Democrat elected officials’ policies, regulations, and taxes,” said Senator Andrew Lanza. “If they were to remove the taxes on electricity, suspend them, that Congresswoman Malliotakis mentioned, we would overnight have the lowest electricity costs in America.”\n\n\"The rising utility costs that are driving residents out of New York are the direct result of mandates and taxes imposed by the Governor and Democratic-controlled legislature. Albany’s mandates have consistently increased the cost of living in New York and we need new leadership to put our state on a corrective course. The evidence is clear when the state is sitting on a massive $2.4 billion “Energy Tax” surplus that is waiting to be utilized on whatever pet project the Governor deems fit instead of returning it to the ratepayers,\" said Assemblyman Michael Tannousis.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://matsui.house.gov/media/press-releases/matsui-acts-protect-americans-high-costs-gas-pump", "title": "MATSUI ACTS TO PROTECT AMERICANS FROM HIGH COSTS AT THE GAS PUMP", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://matsui.house.gov/media", "domain": "matsui.house.gov", "scraper": "matsui", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001163", "name": "Doris O. Matsui", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) introduced legislation to require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to examine whether it can strengthen fuel efficiency requirements to counter high gas prices and reinstate penalties for automakers that fail to produce fuel-efficient vehicles.\n\n“Across the country, Americans are being squeezed by high gas prices, rising grocery bills, and everyday costs that keep stretching family budgets thinner,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “The Gas Money Saved Act meets people where they are by strengthening fuel efficiency standards that help drivers spend less on gas for years to come. This is a practical step to lower everyday costs, give families more breathing room, and build a cleaner, more efficient transportation future.”\n\n“With gas prices skyrocketing because of President Trump’s prolonged and illegal war, we must take immediate steps to give American consumers some relief,” said Congresswoman Titus. “In May 2026, gas prices rose at a rate ten times higher than the rate of inflation. In Nevada, they now average $5.45 per gallon. Coupled with higher prices on groceries and other goods because of the Trump tariffs, families are struggling to make ends meet.”\n\nCongresswoman Matsui, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01), a member of the House Transportation Committee, introduced the Gas Money Saved Act to review Corporate Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and reinstate fuel-efficiency requirements that were stripped away by Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill in 2025. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA).\n\n“Fuel economy standards help American drivers get around without breaking the bank while gas prices are high, but Trump and the Republicans gutted these standards as part of their crusade to put Big Oil above American families,” said Senator Markey. “Auto innovation should give consumers better choices, not cut corners at their expense. The Gas Money Saved Act would make sure American drivers have fuel-efficient vehicle options that are cheaper to fill up and hold automakers to account—a cost-saving measure that is especially critical as the Trump Administration would rather spend billions on an illegal war than keep costs low for Americans.\n\nThe Gas Money Saved Act would:", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://matsui.house.gov/media/press-releases/matsui-leader-schumer-markey-menendez-meng-lead-colleages-demanding-trump-fcc", "title": "MATSUI, LEADER SCHUMER, MARKEY, MENENDEZ, MENG LEAD COLLEAGES IN DEMANDING TRUMP FCC WITHDRAW PROPOSAL TO UNDERMINE E-RATE PROGRAM", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://matsui.house.gov/media", "domain": "matsui.house.gov", "scraper": "matsui", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001163", "name": "Doris O. Matsui", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Representatives Rob Menendez (D-NJ) and Grace Meng (D-NY), led nearly the entire Senate Democratic Caucus and more than 60 members of the House Democratic Caucus in urging Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr to withdraw the Commission’s damaging proposal to eliminate or limit the E-Rate program. In June, the Carr FCC voted to open a rulemaking examining E-Rate, which helps schools and libraries across the country afford reliable internet access.\n\nFor nearly 30 years, E-Rate has helped close the digital divide by ensuring that students and library patrons can access the internet regardless of their income or ZIP code. In 2025, E-Rate helped more than 158,000 schools and libraries pay recurring broadband bills, increase bandwidth, maintain secure internal Wi-Fi networks, and replace aging infrastructure. Ending or sharply curtailing E-Rate would impose severe costs on schools and libraries while weakening economic growth, undermining American technological leadership, and jeopardizing national security.\n\nThe E-Rate program has invested more than $69 billion to connect schools and libraries to the internet across the country. Massachusetts schools and libraries have received more than $950 million from the E-Rate program and another $97 million from the Emergency Connectivity Fund, a $7 billion program that Senator Markey created within the American Rescue Plan to provide devices and connectivity for students and educators at home.\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “Schools and libraries help develop the next generation of engineers, scientists, and cybersecurity professionals, including in communities that have historically lacked access to those opportunities. Cutting E-Rate would narrow that talent pipeline. Maintaining connectivity in every school and library is therefore an investment in America’s technological leadership, economic competitiveness, and national security.\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “We strongly support measures to protect children online and address concerns around excessive screen time. But cutting E-Rate is not a child-safety measure. E-Rate funds broadband connectivity — not laptops, tablets, applications, or online content — and recipients must already comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, including by using filtering and blocking tools, adopting internet-safety policies, and educating students about appropriate online behavior. States and local communities, meanwhile, are developing targeted policies governing when and how students use devices in schools — an appropriate way to address screen-time concerns, rather than cutting broadband support. The Commission should not use child safety as a pretext to dismantle the secure, managed broadband infrastructure that schools and libraries need to educate students and help them navigate the digital world safely.”\n\nThe letter was signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://mcbath.house.gov/2026/10/15/mcbath-leads-colleagues-in-urging-tsa-administrator-to-respect-the-dignity-of-hard-working-agents/", "title": "McBath Leads Colleagues in Urging TSA Administrator to Respect the Dignity of Hard-Working Agents", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcbath.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "mcbath.house.gov", "scraper": "mcbath", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001208", "name": "Lucy McBath", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "In the last year, TSA officers have been forced to work 88 days without on-time payment. Now, leadership has taken away their chairs.\n\nAtlanta, GA – Today, Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06), is leading 37 of her House colleagues in urging TSA Administrator David P. Cummins support the well-being of TSA agents and the safety of the nation by reversing his decision to remove their chairs at document check stations in airports around the country. This letter is officially endorsed by AFGE, AFGE TSA Council 100, and AFGE TSA Local 554 in Atlanta. McBath, who was a flight attendant for 30 years before she came to Congress, represents many of the employees of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International—America’s busiest airport.\n\n“Transportation Security Officers, or TSOs, have an incredibly important job. They are the first line of defense in keeping Americans and their families safe during air travel,” the members write. “Since October of last year, officers at TSA have been forced to work 88 days without being paid on time. They have had to fight in court to protect their collective bargaining agreement from being unilaterally canceled and are now being told that they are not allowed to sit down while they perform their duties at checker stations. It is abundantly clear that these changes are intended to try to push officers out of their jobs with TSA, not to keep the American people safe or improve service.”\n\n“This is about more than chairs,” the members continue. “This is about the respect that every person in the United States deserves at work and on the job. American workers are tired of being treated as expendable.”\n\n“TSA officers have continued to show up and protect the traveling public through government shutdowns, delayed pay, and attacks on their collective bargaining rights. Removing chairs from document checker stations is yet another unnecessary hardship placed on an already strained workforce, and I commend Congresswoman McBath and her congressional colleagues for standing with our officers and demanding the dignity, respect, and working conditions they deserve,” said Aaron Barker Jr., President of AFGE Local 554.\n\nIn addition to Representative Lucy McBath, the letter is signed by Representatives Nanette Barragán, Salud Carbajal, André Carson, Troy Carter, Kathy Castor, Jasmine Crockett, Danny Davis, Mark DeSaulnier, Lois Frankel, Maxwell Frost, Robert Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Al Green, Adelita Grijalva, Pablo Hernández, Val Hoyle, Glenn Ivey, Jonathan Jackson, Hank Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Tim Kennedy, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Betty McCollum, Christian Menefee, Seth Moulton, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Emily Randall, Mary Gay Scanlon, Greg Stanton, Mark Takano, Bennie Thompson, Gabe Vasquez, Marc Veasey, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Nikema Williams, and Frederica Wilson.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccaul-costa-colleagues-urge-full-and-faithful-implementation-lindsey-o", "title": "McCaul, Costa, Colleagues Urge \"Full and Faithful\" Implementation of Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "mccaul.house.gov", "scraper": "mccaul", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001157", "name": "Michael T. McCaul", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul (R-Texas) joined Congressman Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and 20 bipartisan colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump urging \"full and faithful\" implementation of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.\n\nMcCaul introduced and championed the legislation in the House alongside Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and a bipartisan group of colleagues. As the law's initial October 18 implementation deadline approaches, the members thanked President Trump for signing the bill and called on his administration to use the full force of its sanctions and tariff authorities to increase pressure on Vladimir Putin and reinvigorate peace efforts. They also raised concerns about the Treasury Department's October 9 authorization of transactions involving Russian-origin diesel and urged a revocation of the issued license.\n\nIn addition to McCaul and Costa, the letter was signed by Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Jared Golden (D-Maine), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), John Mannion (D-N.Y.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nDear Mr. President:\n\nAs Russia prepares to wage a fifth winter campaign against Ukraine, the United States has an opportunity to reinvigorate peace efforts by placing maximum pressure on Vladimir Putin and the governments and networks that finance his war. We write to thank you for signing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law, and to urge its full and faithful implementation by the first deadline on October 18. Utilizing the tools for economic pressure in this law will be decisive in forcing Putin to take peace talks seriously.\n\nTimely and complete execution of the first round of mandatory sanctions will deter Russia’s increasing attacks on Ukrainian civilians and their livelihoods. Russia has intensified strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and on cargo ships that carry global supplies of grain, and it is blocking food and medicine from reaching civilians in occupied territories. Just as Iran’s attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz threatened global energy markets, Russia’s campaign against shipping in the Black Sea threatens global food security and demands an equally firm response. The Kremlin’s fearful response to this law underlines its power to finally force Russia to stop the killing. The Administration’s sanctions against the illicit A7 network propping up Russia and Iran’s war efforts is a strong opening salvo in this effort.\n\nWe therefore urge the Administration to apply the Graham law’s sanctions to their fullest extent and without delay. Designations should reach the officials, oligarchs, banks, and state enterprises directing and financing the war, as well as the foreign banks, shadow fleet operators, and intermediaries that help Russia evade restrictions. We are particularly concerned by Treasury's October 9 issuance of General License 135, which authorizes transactions involving Russian-origin diesel, including imports into the United States. We urge the Administration to revoke this license and not issue further general licenses that reopen Russian energy transactions and restore revenue to the Kremlin's war chest.\n\nMethodical application of the law’s secondary tariffs will cut into the energy revenue that sustains Russia’s war and make clear that the countries financing it will share in its cost. Oil and gas sales remain the Kremlin’s most important source of income, and China and India remain its largest purchasers of crude. The law directs tariffs on the largest importers of Russian energy and the leading facilitators of sanctions evasion, and we call on the Administration to apply them precisely. Country determinations should rest on authoritative trade and maritime data, and the methodology behind them must be shared with Congress. Tariff rates should serve as leverage to secure verifiable commitments to reduce purchases of Russian energy, easing as reductions are demonstrated.\n\nPrecise targeting of these tariffs will also preserve the allied unity that has constrained Russia’s war economy. European allies have committed to eliminating their imports of Russian oil and gas by the end of 2027, and many have already made substantial reductions. The law provides exceptions and rate adjustments for countries taking such steps, and we ask the Administration to apply them as Congress intended. Penalizing partners who are already cutting off Moscow and supporting Ukraine would undercut America’s greatest leverage over the Kremlin—the powerful international coalition working to isolate Putin while his invasion continues.\n\nDisciplined use of the law’s waiver authority and close consultation with Congress will sustain this pressure over time and demonstrate global credibility. We ask that any waiver be narrow, time-limited, and tied to measurable reductions in support for Russia’s war, and that no waiver be used to defer the law’s core provisions. We further request timely delivery of the required tariff justifications and a briefing for the committees of jurisdiction following the October 18 deadline, as well as regular updates ahead of each 180-day review. In advance of the deadline, we respectfully request answers to the following questions:\n\nWhat actions will the Administration complete by October 18 to demonstrate that the law’s mandatory sanctions, secondary tariffs, and prohibitions are being fully implemented, and will any provision be delayed or waived?\n\nWhich Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, and state enterprises will be designated by October 18, and will these designations extend to the foreign banks, shadow fleet operators, and intermediaries that help Russia evade sanctions?\n\nWhich countries will be subject to secondary tariffs by October 18? What trade and maritime data was used to identify them, and how will the exceptions and rate adjustments be applied to allies reducing their purchases of Russian energy?\n\nWhat benchmarks will the Administration use to demonstrate to Congress and the American people that these measures are increasing pressure on Putin, such as reductions in Russia’s energy revenue and in third-country purchases of Russian oil and gas?\n\nHow does the Administration reconcile General License 135 with the existing statutory ban on Russian energy imports, and what impact does it expect the license to have on Russia's energy revenues?\n\nPutin has repeatedly shown that he responds to pressure, not goodwill. With the October 18 deadline approaching, we again urge you to implement this law fully and faithfully. This will make clear that American resolve is bipartisan and durable, and that the cost of continuing this war will only grow until Russia comes to the negotiating table. We remain committed to Ukraine’s defense and to a just and lasting peace. We stand ready to work with your Administration to ensure this law achieves the purpose for which Congress enacted it.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://mcclaindelaney.house.gov/media/press-releases/maryland-delegation-members-release-statement-judge-ruling-halting-trump", "title": "Maryland Delegation Members Release Statement on Judge Ruling Halting Trump Administration Efforts to Close BARC in Beltsville, Maryland", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcclaindelaney.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mcclaindelaney.house.gov", "scraper": "mcclaindelaney", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001232", "name": "April McClain Delaney", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MD", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives April McClain Delaney, Glenn Ivey, Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Sarah Elfreth, and Johnny Olszewski and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (all D-Md.) released the following statement regarding last night’s ruling by a federal judge, temporarily halting the Trump Administration’s efforts to close the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Beltsville, Maryland.\n\n“As we’ve said time and again, this Administration’s attempts to shutter BARC are not only unwise – they’re illegal. BARC conducts critical research that helps farmers across our nation put food on the table for American families – including combatting serious threats to our agriculture, like cyclospora and avian flu. Last night’s ruling from a federal judge made plain: the Administration’s efforts are in clear violation of Congressional intent. We will continue fighting back against the Trump Administration’s lawless attempts to close this facility, undermining its crucial research on behalf of American farmers and families.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/10/15/mcclellan-whitehouse-investigate-epas-decision-to-exempt-data-center-power-plants-from-acid-rain-protections/", "title": "McClellan, Whitehouse Investigate EPA’s Decision to Exempt Data Center Power Plants from Acid Rain Protections", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "mcclellan.house.gov", "scraper": "mcclellan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001227", "name": "Jennifer L. McClellan", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), last month launched a bicameral investigation into the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guidance exempting data center power plants from the Acid Rain Program (ARP).\n\nBy EPA’s own admission, the decision to issue new guidance came at the behest of data center companies. And according to the EPA press release issuing the new guidance, the agency took this action to “further President Trump’s agenda promoting data centers.”\n\n“EPA’s new ARP guidance is a handout to the richest and most powerful companies in the world. And this handout comes at the expense of Americans’ health and the safety of our ecosystems and communities that were, prior to the inception of the ARP, regularly drenched in dangerous acidic rainfall,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.\n\nThe ARP regulates the emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from power plants. SO2 and NOx are both harmful to human health, damaging the respiratory system and worsening heart disease. They are also linked to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, kidney damage, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.\n\nThe pollutants are also the primary causes of acid rain. Prior to the ARP, acid rain poisoned rivers, lakes, and streams; damaged forests; killed and sickened aquatic animals; and corroded buildings, monuments, and statues.\n\n“EPA explicitly bills its new guidance as a means to facilitate data center development. In so doing, EPA misapprehends its own mission, which is to ‘protect human health and the environment,’ as stated in black and white on the agency’s own website,” continued the lawmakers.\n\n“Bizarrely, under EPA’s new guidance, massive new gas-fired power plants large enough to power cities would be exempt from NOx and SO2 caps under the ARP only as long as they do not serve the public electricity grid and instead exclusively power a privately-owned data center. This is a perverse outcome, and it is contrary to Congress’s design for the Clean Air Act, which creates specific and comprehensive regulatory requirements for significant pollution sources like these,” added the lawmakers.\n\nThe lawmakers, together with Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), requested answers from EPA by October 7th about the agency’s decision-making process while crafting this new guidance, as well as any information regarding the agency’s communications with data center companies. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and 24 Members of the House of Representatives also signed the letter. EPA has not yet responded to the lawmakers’ letter.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://mcdonaldrivet.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mcdonald-rivet-launches-portal-amplify-voices-michiganders-facing", "title": "Rep. McDonald Rivet Launches Portal to Amplify Voices of Michiganders Facing Skyrocketing Health Care Costs", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://mcdonaldrivet.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "mcdonaldrivet.house.gov", "scraper": "mcdonaldrivet", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001237", "name": "Kristen McDonald Rivet", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MI", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "FLINT— Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) announced a new portal where constituents can share the impact of rising health care costs on them and their families. In the coming weeks, insurance companies will be posting their 2027 rate notices, and costs are expected to rise significantly, due in part to Congress’ failure to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits and the One Big Beautiful Bill’s massive cuts to Medicaid.\n\n“Working families and seniors have been paying the price all year after out-of-touch Washington policies gutted our healthcare. Now, premiums are about to go even higher in 2027,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “Higher costs will force more people to drop their coverage, make it harder to see a doctor, and stretch more families’ budgets to the breaking point. Until Congress stops the political games, we will keep bringing mid-Michigan’s stories to Washington to show how devastating these cuts are.”\n\nResidents of Genesee, Saginaw, Bay, and Midland Counties are encouraged to share their health care story at McDonaldRivet.house.gov/ShareYourStory.\n\nIn January 2026, Congress refused to extend the ACA tax credits, which reduce out-of-pocket health care insurance premium costs for hard working Americans. The tax credits’ expiration contributed to Michigan having the sixth-biggest decline in ACA enrollment in the nation in 2026. In 2027, nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts will take effect as a result of Republicans' so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” Employer-sponsored health plans are expected to raise premiums by at least 8.2% nationally, the largest rate hike since 2003. In Michigan, rates for Individual Marketplace plans are expected to increase by an average of 14.2% in 2027.\n\nThroughout her first term in office, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet has been working to prevent these hikes and fix our healthcare system. For example:", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://morelle.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-joe-morelle-honors-rochester-student-azalea-dietz-congressional", "title": "CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE HONORS ROCHESTER STUDENT AZALEA DIETZ WITH CONGRESSIONAL AWARD GOLD MEDAL", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://morelle.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "morelle.house.gov", "scraper": "morelle", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001206", "name": "Joseph D. Morelle", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "(Rochester, N.Y.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle recognized Rochester student Azalea Dietz with the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the United States Congress upon young civilians. The prestigious award recognizes Dietz's exceptional dedication to community service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration.\n\n“Azalea represents the very best of the next generation of leaders in our community,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I am proud to recognize her achievements with this prestigious honor, and I hope her example inspires other young people across our community to get involved, pursue their passions, and discover the difference they can make.”\n\nA student at Rochester's School of the Arts, Dietz has demonstrated a wide-ranging commitment to service and personal achievement. She volunteered at a local music and arts center, where she worked with children, assisted with summer camp activities, and supported the center's operations and photography needs. Her service also extended internationally to Portugal, where she volunteered at an animal rescue center caring for puppies and at a food bank packaging essential supplies for families in need. As part of her Congressional Award journey, Dietz planned and completed a five-day hiking expedition through the Adirondack Mountains alongside her mother and brother, tackling trails on Whiteface Mountain, Mount Jo, and Ampersand Mountain.\n\nEstablished by Congress in 1979, the Congressional Award is a nonpartisan, voluntary, and noncompetitive program designed to encourage young Americans to set goals, challenge themselves, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. The program recognizes achievement in four areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration.\n\nYoung people interested in participating in the Congressional Award program are encouraged to contact Congressman Morelle's office to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and how to get started.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=405850", "title": "Griffith Signs Pledge to Protect Americans from Fraud", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/", "domain": "morgangriffith.house.gov", "scraper": "morgangriffith", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000568", "name": "H. Morgan Griffith", "party": "Republican", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance unveiled a Pledge to Protect Americans from Fraud. The pledge consists of six pillars to secure federal programs, coordinate anti-fraud actions across government agencies and deliver justice to those who illegally take advantage of taxpayer-funded benefits. As a Congressional leader supporting Republicans’ “War on Fraud,” U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) signed onto Vice President Vance’s pledge.\n\nIn response to signing the pledge, Congressman Griffith issued the following statement:\n\n“I am proud to stand by Vice President Vance and Republicans focused on waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government.\n\n“By signing this pledge, I reaffirm my commitment to fundamental actions that protect taxpayer-funded benefits, stop fraud and support vulnerable American patients.\n\n“Republicans in Congress agree: fraudulently taking advantage of Americans who benefit from federal health care programs and privileges is WRONG!”\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nCongressman Griffith is a supporter of numerous Congressional actions to combat fraud.\n\nAs the Health Subcommittee Chairman for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Griffith is a lead Committee investigator into health care fraud.\n\nRecently, Lynchburg, Virginia, officials notified residents that more than $60,000 in SNAP benefits were stolen from Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. The stolen benefits cannot be currently replaced, leaving SNAP participants without their fully allotted funds and putting them at risk of going hungry.\n\nResponding to this news, Congressman Griffith issued his support as co-sponsor to the SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act.\n\nIn September, Congressman Griffith also introduced an anti-fraud bill to protect Medicaid, H.R. 10621 – the Medicaid Fraud Fighting and Taxpayer Protection Act.\n\nEarlier this summer, as part of efforts to crack down on birth tourism and fraudulent activity that exploits U.S. citizenship laws, Congressman Griffith introduced H.R. 9724, the End Birthright Citizenship for Territories Act.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://nikemawilliams.house.gov/posts/congresswoman-nikema-williams-introduces-resolution-commemorating-national-nonviolence-week-3", "title": "Congresswoman Nikema Williams Introduces Resolution Commemorating National Nonviolence Week", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://nikemawilliams.house.gov/press", "domain": "nikemawilliams.house.gov", "scraper": "nikemawilliams", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000788", "name": "Nikema Williams", "party": "Democrat", "state": "GA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) introduced a resolution commemorating National Nonviolence Week, which occurs annually during the first week of October. Congresswoman Williams introduced a similar resolution in 2021 and 2022 during National Nonviolence Week. Congressman John Lewis historically introduced resolutions to mark National Nonviolence Week during his time in Congress.\n\nThe resolution raises awareness of youth violence, the need to become a more peaceful society, and the important role Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District played in America’s history of nonviolent social change.\n\nCongresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said:\n\n“Violence in every form is far too pervasive in our country. However, the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and my friend and predecessor, John Lewis, both of whom were champions of nonviolence, can inspire us to create a more peaceful country. I am proud to build on their legacy every day in Congress, but especially during National Nonviolence Week, as we continue advancing nonviolent social action in the Fighting Fifth and across our nation in pursuit of a more equal and equitable world.”\n\nThe resolution reads in part:\n\n“Whereas the principle of nonviolence has been a core philosophy of many successful social change movements: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘National Nonviolence Week’’ to raise awareness of youth violence in the United States and the benefits of practicing nonviolence principles; and encourages the people of the United States, State and local officials, middle schools and high schools, law enforcement agencies, and other interested groups to observe ‘‘National Nonviolence Week’’ with appropriate programs and activities that promote awareness and prevention of youth violence.”\n\nRead the full resolution here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://nunn.house.gov/2026/10/15/watch-nunn-iowa-leaders-highlight-1-million-wapello-county-scam-urge-senate-to-pass-guard-act/", "title": "WATCH: Nunn, Iowa Leaders Highlight $1 Million Wapello County Scam, Urge Senate to Pass GUARD Act", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://nunn.house.gov/category/news/press-releases/", "domain": "nunn.house.gov", "scraper": "nunn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "N000193", "name": "Zachary Nunn", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "“Scammers stole more than $1 million from a Wapello County farmer who spent a lifetime earning it. His case showed why local deputies need better tools to trace stolen money and pursue the criminals behind these schemes,” said Rep. Nunn. “I introduced the GUARD Act because Iowa law enforcement asked for the resources to follow the money and hold these criminals accountable. We delivered overwhelming bipartisan support in the House. Now the Senate must finish the job, send this bill to the President’s desk, and ensure Iowans can retire with confidence that the savings they earned are protected.”\n\nThe GUARD Act, which passed the House 414-7 in September, would give local law enforcement access to existing federal grants, specialized training, and financial tracing tools to investigate sophisticated scams and recover Iowans’ stolen savings without new federal spending. The bill has cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee and now awaits a vote in the full Senate.\n\nPhotos of the press conference are available here, and b-roll is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-panetta-leads-bipartisan-letter-raising-concerns-about-metas-use-research", "title": "Rep. Panetta Leads Bipartisan Letter Raising Concerns About Meta’s Use of Research Tax Credit for Data Centers", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "panetta.house.gov", "scraper": "panetta", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000613", "name": "Jimmy Panetta", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Monterey, CA – United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Greg Steube (FL-17) wrote a bipartisan letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing concerns about reports that Meta is seeking to use the federal research tax credit for its data center buildout. The bipartisan letter, co-led by Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Suzan DelBene (WA-01), emphasized that any claims by Meta for the federal tax credit must meet the clearly defined requirements for qualified research and experimentation.\n\nCongress established the research tax credit in 1981 amid concerns about declining private-sector research investment and U.S. technological competitiveness. By reducing the cost of qualifying research, the credit is meant to encourage businesses to pursue projects involving technical uncertainty and experimentation, rather than simply purchasing and deploying proven technology.\n\n“We are concerned by Meta’s apparent position that expenditures associated with its massive data-center buildout qualify for the research credit,” wrote the lawmakers. “The purchase and deployment of commercially available servers, networking equipment, electrical infrastructure, cooling equipment, and other proven technologies cannot be transformed into qualified research merely because they are installed at unprecedented scale or in new configurations.”\n\nTo qualify for the credit, research must meet a four-part test, including being technological in nature, addressing technical uncertainty, seeking to develop or improve a product or process, and involving a process of experimentation. Certain activities, including research conducted after commercial production begins and duplication of an existing product or process, are excluded. The lawmakers emphasized that the scale or configuration of a data center does not, by itself, establish that its construction and equipment costs qualify.\n\n“Allowing ordinary data-center construction and deployment costs to qualify would significantly expand the research credit beyond its intended purpose and risk converting an incentive for technological experimentation into a subsidy for capital expenditures that companies would undertake in the ordinary course of business,” continued the lawmakers.\n\n“The research credit is an important tool for promoting American innovation. Protecting its integrity requires ensuring that it rewards genuine research and experimentation rather than subsidizing routine capital investment,” concluded the lawmakers.\n\nIn addition to Reps. Panetta, Steube, Thompson, and DelBene, the letter was also signed by Reps. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny Davis (IL-07), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), John James (MI-10), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Victoria Spartz (IN-05), Lori Trahan (MA-03), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Secretary Bessent:\n\nIn light of concerning reports that Meta Platforms, Inc. is seeking to claim the research credit under 26 U.S.C. § 41 for substantial expenditures associated with its data center buildout, we write as Members of Congress to reaffirm that the credit is intended to incentivize qualified research and experimentation, not subsidize the routine deployment of existing technology. We believe that the credit remains a critical support for American innovation, but that an overly expansive interpretation of qualifying expenditures risks undermining its purpose by subsidizing ordinary capital investment rather than encouraging genuinely novel research.\n\nCongress created the research credit as part of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 in response to declining private-sector research and development investment and concerns about U.S. technological competitiveness. The credit was designed to encourage companies to undertake additional research and experimentation, not to subsidize ordinary capital investment or the deployment of established technology.\n\nInternal Revenue Code Section 41 and Treasury Regulation 1.41-4 establish specific requirements for activities to constitute qualified research. Research must satisfy the IRS four-part test, which mandates the research must aim to develop or improve a product, process or technique, be technological in nature, eliminate uncertainty about capability, design, or methodology and importantly belong to a process of experimentation. A company must pinpoint the specific components of a project that are technically uncertain and prove it used scientific experiments to overcome that uncertainty.\n\nThese limitations are particularly important in distinguishing genuine research and experimentation from ordinary commercial activity. IRS guidance makes clear that research conducted after the beginning of commercial production and the duplication of an existing product or process do not qualify. Likewise, uncertainty about how best to configure or implement existing technology does not, alone, establish that a taxpayer has undertaken the process of experimentation required by Section 41. The IRS has repeatedly found that proven and commercially available equipment and technology is not eligible for the credit.\n\nAs a result, we are concerned by Meta’s apparent position that expenditures associated with its massive data-center buildout qualify for the research credit. The purchase and deployment of commercially available servers, networking equipment, electrical infrastructure, cooling equipment, and other proven technologies cannot be transformed into qualified research merely because they are installed at unprecedented scale or in new configurations.\n\nAllowing ordinary data-center construction and deployment costs to qualify would significantly expand the research credit beyond its intended purpose and risk converting an incentive for technological experimentation into a subsidy for capital expenditures that companies would undertake in the ordinary course of business.\n\nThe research credit is an important tool for promoting American innovation. Protecting its integrity requires ensuring that it rewards genuine research and experimentation rather than subsidizing routine capital investment.\n\nWe appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases/pappas-leads-bipartisan-call-to-increase-home-heating-assistance-funding", "title": "Pappas Leads Bipartisan Call to Increase Home Heating Assistance Funding", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "pappas.house.gov", "scraper": "pappas", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000614", "name": "Chris Pappas", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) led a bipartisan group of 73 members in calling on the House Appropriations Committee to provide an additional $3 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27).\n\nIn the letter, the members wrote, “As the war with Iran remains unresolved, energy prices are expected to keep rising, with heating oil up 60% since February. LIHEAP’s $4 billion in funding for the last fiscal year would fall significantly short in meeting the needs of American families this fiscal year.”\n\n“LIHEAP is a critical lifeline for low- and moderate-income individuals, but even if your household qualifies, LIHEAP does not provide guaranteed security. Five out of six families who qualify for LIHEAP receive no financial assistance due to the program’s woefully underfunded status. When adjusting for inflation, LIHEAP funding is lower now than it was in 1981 when the program was first created. If LIHEAP was funded at the same level as it was 45 years ago, the program would have received nearly $7 billion in FY27,” they continued.\n\n“Emergency LIHEAP assistance is urgently needed as winter weather approaches and colder temperatures have already begun. Families should not have to choose between staying warm and purchasing other essential items like food, medication, or rent. Congress must act and not leave families in the cold,” they concluded.\n\nLIHEAP helps low-income individuals and families pay for heating and cooling and mitigates the impacts of rising energy costs and extreme weather events. Across the nation, LIHEAP helps nearly 6 million households afford their energy bills, including nearly 30,000 households in New Hampshire, but Secretary Kennedy’s decision last year to fire all LIHEAP staff last year and President Trump’s repeated demand to cut all funding for the program has put this assistance at risk. In response, Pappas led 89 of his Congressional colleagues in calling for the protection of LIHEAP and the rehiring of all HHS staff who manage the LIHEAP program that were fired in April 2025. Pappas also led a bipartisan letter in November 2025 calling for immediate distribution of funds following delays in LIHEAP allocations to states. In April of this year, Pappas again led his colleagues in a bipartisan letter following additional LIHEAP delays from HHS.\n\nLast month Pappas led a group of 116 bipartisan members in calling on HHS to take all necessary steps to ensure that LIHEAP funds are distributed to the states as soon as possible and no later than November 1, 2026. Pappas also recently introduced the American Homes First Act which would redirect $1 billion from President Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ slush to LIHEAP.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://pfluger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3052", "title": "Chairman Pfluger Unveils USAFA Board of Visitors Semiannual Report Ahead of Meeting in Colorado Springs", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pfluger.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "pfluger.house.gov", "scraper": "pfluger", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000048", "name": "August Pfluger", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Board of Visitors (BoV), formally sent the Board's comprehensive, forward-looking semiannual report of recommendations for the Academy to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.\n\nThis report fulfills one of the Board's key statutory responsibilities and delivers a strategic roadmap to strengthen institutional effectiveness at the United States Air Force Academy. It centers on improving athletics, establishing a dedicated funding line for the Academy, and incorporating the newest technology into cadet courses.\n\n\"Airpower is relied on more heavily than ever to deter our adversaries and defend our interests around the world, and the Air Force Academy produces the leaders who deliver it. It’s our responsibility to make sure they have the resources, facilities, and training to succeed. As Chairman, I am grateful to my fellow Board members for their dedication and expertise, which are reflected in this report and its recommendations to prepare cadets for the demands of modern warfare. I look forward to working with my colleagues and Air Force Academy leadership to put these recommendations into action,\" said USAFA Board of Visitors Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11).\n\n“As American air power remains critical to our national defense, we must ensure U.S. Air Force Academy cadets receive the training, education, and development needed to meet the demands of modern warfare. I am confident that the Board’s recommendations, in our report to Secretary Hegseth and Secretary Meink, will strengthen the Academy’s capacity to better prepare the next generation of Air Force officers to lead with excellence and defend our nation against evolving threats,”said Senator Ted Budd (R-NC).\n\n“This report represents more than a year of hard work for the USAFA BoV in its effort to strengthen and improve the Air Force Academy—a premier institution for developing our future military leaders and commanders. The recommendations it lays out are focused on critical issues like cadet and instructor professional development, and especially infrastructure improvement. I look forward to working with Secretary Hegseth and the Department to implement these recommended changes and continue to position USAFA for the future with lasting improvements to meet the ever-evolving threats and increasingly complex operational environment,\" said Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).\n\n\"Serving as a student at the Air Force Academy is a patriotic commitment, and the Air Force Academy Board of Visitors honors their commitment by building on the Academy’s incredible legacy for future generations of cadets. I’m grateful to my fellow board members as we share the responsibility to ensure excellence across-the-board at the Academy, from academics to athletics to infrastructure and support services. We owe it to the cadets to give them the best education and experience possible, improving our officer corps and the capabilities of the greatest Air Force in the world,\"said Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND).\n\n“The Air Force Academy and the cadets who attend this institution are essential for our national security,” said Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD). “This report makes important recommendations with regard to the training and education these cadets receive, including improvements for athletic program governance and placing greater emphasis on important programs like drone technology. It’s an honor to serve on the Air Force Academy’s Board of Visitors, and I look forward to continuing our work to improve the Academy for future generations.”\n\n\"I am proud of the work the USAFA Board of Visitors continues to accomplish. I encourage the adoption of this report’s recommendations including the establishment of a dedicated Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization funding line, to help bring Academy infrastructure up to the high standard our Cadets deserve. As well as the retention of the 70th Flying Training Squadron, and I was proud to include language in the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act to do that. I look forward to ensuring the Academy has the resources it needs to train the next generation of Air Force and Space Force leaders,\" said Rep. Jeff Crank (CO-05).\n\n“As we take steps to protect ourselves from tomorrow's national security threats, it is essential now more than ever that we restore the Air Force Academy to 4,400 cadets, resolve the issue of aging infrastructure, and provide Space Force Guardians with a permanent home to maintain American superiority in air and space,” said Rep. Don Davis (NC-01).\n\nYou can read the report in its entirety HERE or see key recommendations below:\n\n1. Establish a dedicated Facilities, Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM) Funding Line\n\n2. Reform the Air Force Academy Athletic Cooperation (AFAAC) Structure and Governance\n\n3. Open the Cadet Chapel in Phases\n\n4. Increase Emphasis and Funding for Advanced Simulators and Drone Technology", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6874", "title": "Pingree Joins Bipartisan Call to Increase Home Heating Assistance Funding", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "pingree.house.gov", "scraper": "pingree", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000597", "name": "Chellie Pingree", "party": "Democrat", "state": "ME", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and a bipartisan group of 73 members called on the House Appropriations Committee to provide an additional $3 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27).\n\nIn the letter, led by New Hampshire Congressman Chris Pappas, the members wrote, “As the war with Iran remains unresolved, energy prices are expected to keep rising, with heating oil up 60% since February. LIHEAP’s $4 billion in funding for the last fiscal year would fall significantly short in meeting the needs of American families this fiscal year.”\n\n“LIHEAP is a critical lifeline for low- and moderate-income individuals, but even if your household qualifies, LIHEAP does not provide guaranteed security. Five out of six families who qualify for LIHEAP receive no financial assistance due to the program’s woefully underfunded status. When adjusting for inflation, LIHEAP funding is lower now than it was in 1981 when the program was first created. If LIHEAP was funded at the same level as it was 45 years ago, the program would have received nearly $7 billion in FY27,” they continued.\n\n“Emergency LIHEAP assistance is urgently needed as winter weather approaches and colder temperatures have already begun. Families should not have to choose between staying warm and purchasing other essential items like food, medication, or rent. Congress must act and not leave families in the cold,” they concluded.\n\nLIHEAP helps low-income individuals and families pay for heating and cooling and mitigates the impacts of rising energy costs and extreme weather events. Across the nation, LIHEAP helps nearly 6 million households afford their energy bills,including more than 45,000 households in Maine, but Secretary Kennedy’s decision last year to fire all LIHEAP staff last year and President Trump’s repeated demand to cut all funding for the program has put this assistance at risk. In response, Pingree and 89 of her Congressional colleagues in called for the protection of LIHEAP and the rehiring of all HHS staff who manage the LIHEAP program that were fired in April 2025.\n\nLast week, Pingree and a group of 24 Members of Congress representing Northeastern states pressed the Department of Energy (DOE) to take immediate action to address the rapidly rising cost of heating oil, which has surged around 60 percent since the start of President Trump’s war in Iran.\n\nThe closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil from $72 to over $100 a barrel, causing a massive increase in heating oil costs in the United States. American families that rely on heating oil are projected to pay about $600 more to keep their homes warm this winter than last year. In Maine, which uses more residential heating oil per capita than any other U.S. state, the statewide average price of heating oil recently hit a record $6.02 a gallon—marking an 80% increase over last year.\n\nPingree is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and has long fought to protect and fully fund LIHEAP.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6878", "title": "Op-Ed: Mainers are in for a harsh winter— thanks to Republicans", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "pingree.house.gov", "scraper": "pingree", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000597", "name": "Chellie Pingree", "party": "Democrat", "state": "ME", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Read my Op-Ed in The Portland Press Herald\n\nBetween the mountains of snow, the waves of bitter cold and the occasional Nor’easter, we Mainers are no strangers to harsh winters.\n\nThis winter could be one of the hardest in recent memory. And not because of the weather. The statewide average price of heating oil just hit a record $6.02 a gallon. As of Sept. 28, it was still averaging $5.96 — up nearly 79% from the same week last year. At today’s price, a 250-gallon fill-up costs about $1,490 — an expense many Maine families will face more than once this winter.\n\nMeanwhile, gas prices are hovering around $4.40 per gallon as of Sept. 25, according to Maine Public.\n\nAs if all this wasn’t awful enough, the number of Mainers receiving assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has fallen by 13% — 13,000 people in all, including 7,000 children. Another 31,000 Mainers are projected to lose MaineCare coverage over the next year.\n\nAdd it all up and this winter is going to put an enormous strain on Maine families — especially those who can least afford it.\n\nThis looming crisis is the result of choices President Trump and congressional Republicans made. Choices they continue to defend.\n\nLet’s back up to July 4, 2025, when the president signed his hallmark legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, into law.\n\nThe “Big Ugly Bill” is a more accurate name. It slashed Medicaid by $1.2 trillion and SNAP by $211 billion over the next decade, all while handing hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations.\n\nFar from offsetting those devastating cuts, the Big Ugly Bill’s ludicrous tax breaks are projected to increase federal deficits by $4.6 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.\n\nThe One Big Beautiful Bill Act also handed $175 billion to the Department of Homeland Security, helping turbocharge the Trump administration’s cruel immigration enforcement agenda and bringing chaos and violence to communities across the country. That includes Maine, where an ICE agent shot and killed 25-year-old Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford on July 13.\n\nThe young father was not the target of ICE’s operation that morning. He had no criminal history, and we don’t have body camera footage of the shooting. His family has still not been contacted by the federal government and is still waiting for a full accounting of what happened.\n\nThis bill will go down as one of the most irresponsible, destructive, and costly pieces of legislation in American history. Not just in terms of its fiscal recklessness, but its human toll as well: nearly 13 million fewer people enrolled in Medicaid by 2034 and roughly 2.4 million fewer people receiving SNAP in an average month, according to CBO estimates. Its consequences will reach every community in America, in shuttered rural hospitals, overwhelmed food banks and increased costs for state and local governments.\n\nThe Big Ugly Bill alone would have been devastating enough for Maine. Then Trump’s reckless, unauthorized war of choice in Iran has kicked every one of these crises into overdrive. In the nearly eight months since the war began — a conflict Trump insisted wouldn’t last more than a few weeks — the global economy has been thrown into turmoil.\n\nThe on-again, off-again closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping chokepoints, has sent energy prices skyrocketing — and disrupted the flow of goods around the world. When the world’s energy supply gets squeezed, everyone pays more. In a state like Maine, where a colder-than-average winter can mean the difference between keeping the heat on and putting on extra layers just to stay warm, the potential consequences are catastrophic.\n\nNone of this had to happen. These crises have been created or made worse by Trump’s policies — and by congressional Republicans’ refusal to push back on the president and stand up for their constituents.\n\nAnd now, with Americans staring down record energy costs, Speaker Mike Johnson sent the House home early for a seven-week campaign recess. Rather than staying to work on the many challenges facing our nation, Republicans tucked tail and left.\n\nRepublicans could’ve chosen to help you. They chose to help the already-rich get even richer — and to give an army of masked, heavily armed and utterly unaccountable ICE agents virtually unlimited resources to terrorize our communities.\n\nMy Democratic colleagues and I have been fighting them every step of the way. We’ve voted against these devastating cuts. We’ve introduced legislation to protect healthcare and food assistance. We’ve demanded accountability for an administration that continues to put its deeply unpopular agenda ahead of the people it’s supposed to serve.\n\nAnd we are demanding action on the heating crisis: end the war in Iran, protect the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, reverse changes to the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Rebates and High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate programs and reinstate the energy efficiency tax credits Republicans eliminated. Speaker Johnson should call the House back to Washington so Congress can get to work.\n\nWe will keep fighting — at every turn, and for as long as it takes. Because Mainers deserve better. They deserve a government that makes their lives more affordable — not one that cuts their healthcare and food assistance, sends energy prices through the roof and hands massive tax breaks to the people who need them least.\n\nMainers have survived plenty of hard winters. But the hardships coming this winter are the result of decisions made by Republicans in Washington, who would rather leave town than fix the problems they created.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://pressley.house.gov/2026/10/15/pressley-condemns-attacks-on-rep-omar-blasts-trump-for-fascist-anti-freedom-agenda/", "title": "Pressley Condemns Attacks on Rep. Omar, Blasts Trump for Fascist, Anti-Freedom Agenda", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://pressley.house.gov/news/", "domain": "pressley.house.gov", "scraper": "pressley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000617", "name": "Ayanna Pressley", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Transcript: Pressley Condemns Attacks on Rep. Omar, Blasts Trump for Fascist, Anti-Freedom Agenda\n\nOctober 13, 2026\n\nCambridge, MA\n\nWell, I don’t know how many more examples people need that we are living in a fascist state.\n\nThis hostile Administration continues to weaponize the Department of Justice against their political enemies.\n\nHe has had Representative Omar—who is a very effective Congresswoman, a union member who has fought for, you know, the humanity of all people, but especially workers’ rights, delivered school-free. I’m sorry, free school, free lunches to our children.\n\nShe’s been a leader in so many ways. She’s also a dear friend of mine.\n\nBut this is so much bigger than Congresswoman Omar.\n\nAgain, this Department of Justice has been weaponized against the likes of Tish James, of Lisa Cook, of LaMonica McIver.\n\nIt is an Administration, a fascist Administration, that is fearmongering.\n\nThey are fearmongering heading into our elections. They are creating, they seek to create, a chilling effect throughout this country.\n\nI think of people like Rümeysa Öztürk, my constituent, who was disappeared and detained simply for writing an op-ed they didn’t agree with. That is attacking free speech.\n\nI think about Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, who is being threatened with a 15-year prison sentence. She just gave birth less than three weeks ago, to a baby girl, and she is being threatened with 15 years imprisonment simply for doing her job.\n\nThey sought to indict her for conducting Congressional oversight of some of these detention facilities, doing her job.\n\nSo, you know, they want people to live in a state of fear. It is an anti-freedom agenda.\n\nIf they want to control what you do with your body, if they want to control your access to the ballot, if they want to control what books you read, if they want to degrade free speech and attack the free press because they only want people reading lies and propaganda, then we are actively in a fascist state.\n\nAnd I need people to vote. I need you to vote as if everything depends on it because it does. You have to vote in force because we know that they’re going to challenge those election outcomes because everything has been about the election.\n\nJanuary 6th was about the election. The fact that they didn’t sign our bipartisan 21st Century Housing bill into law because Donald Trump said unless you vote on and pass the SAVE America Act, I will not sign this housing bill into law.\n\nThis is not an Administration that cares about the working man and woman, that is going to fight for things like fare-free transit to lighten the load for people and make their lives easier.\n\nThey’re just simply inciting fear. It’s just fearmongering.\n\nAnd I also want to say this of Congresswoman Omar: this raid with more than 20 agents happened at her home. Her children were there.\n\nSo the terrorizing of this Administration—just like with the actions of ICE—you can’t say that you’re doing something in the name of law and order when you are terrorizing families and communities.\n\nThey want people to be afraid to vote, to go to work, to go to worship, to just be.\n\nSo we are actively—fascism and authoritarianism is not on the way. We are actively living it right now.\n\nAnd so we have to continue to sound the alarm. And I need people to vote. Vote like you never have before. Vote in force.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://radewagen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/amata-highlights-american-samoa-constitution-day-and-70th-anniversary", "title": "Amata Highlights American Samoa Constitution Day, and 70th Anniversary of Historic Photo and Appointment", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://radewagen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "radewagen.house.gov", "scraper": "radewagen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000600", "name": "Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen", "party": "Republican", "state": "AS", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting American Samoa’s Constitution Day, October 17th, and Thursday’s 70-year mark of American Samoa’s first Samoan governor pictured with the President of the United States for the exchange of the governorship to the first Samoan to hold the office.\n\nOn October 15, 1956, Uifa’atali Governor Peter T. Coleman was pictured with President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Interior Secretary Fred Seaton, and departing appointed Governor Richard Lowe.\n\n“This is the 70th anniversary of that historic moment, our American Samoan-born Governor on the day he took office standing with the great President Eisenhower, and it will always be a milestone in our islands’ self-determination and self-governance,” said Congresswoman Amata.\n\n“On Saturday, we have another related major milestone, our Constitution Day. On October 17, 1960, our first Constitution went into effect, 60 years after our Tutuila forefathers joined the United States and 56 years after Manu’a joined,” continued Amata. “These two special dates in our history will always be paired closely, along with other key developments and our Flag Day most of all. Our forefathers successfully gave us the chance to treasure our Samoan way and be part of a great country. They would be proud to see that generations since have served honorably and our islands’ self-government has advanced with additional milestones, while our people are raising up leaders of the future who will be ready to continue this legacy.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://ramirez.house.gov/media/press-releases/ahead-elections-ramirez-immigration-advocates-introduce-people-centered-vision", "title": "Ahead of Elections, Ramirez, Immigration Advocates Introduce a People-Centered Vision for Immigration Reform", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ramirez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "ramirez.house.gov", "scraper": "ramirez", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000617", "name": "Delia C. Ramirez", "party": "Democrat", "state": "IL", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Chicago, IL – Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Ranking Member of a Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee, immigration advocates, and community members unveiled the People’s Vision for Immigration Reform, a resolution outlining policy priorities to preserve and expand pathways to citizenship. As the elections approaches and the House of Representatives prepares for the 120th Congress, the resolution calls on the House of Representatives to pass real protections for immigrant communities.\n\nThe resolution calls on Congress to transform our immigration system and advance humane immigration reform with:\n\nPathways to citizenship for the millions of undocumented, long-term residents of the United States who are our family members, friends and neighbors;\n\nHumanitarian protections that welcome with dignity those who are seeking safety and asylum in the United States, upholding our domestic and international legal obligations to provide refuge to those in need; and\n\nExpanded legal pathways for family and employment immigration, recognizing that family unity and strengthened protections for all workers in the United States are foundations of thriving communities for all.\n\n“For years, administration after administration, Congress after Congress, has promised relief and has asked our communities to wait for the ‘right time,’ for the ‘politically convenient time,’” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “So today, we announced the People’s Vision for Immigration Reform – a resolution that reaffirms the commitment of Members of Congress to act in defense of our immigrant communities and preserve and expand pathways to citizenship. Now is the time to build a system that honors the contributions of our immigrant neighbors. No more excuses or peros.”\n\nThe resolution’s original cosponsors include Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Federica S. Wilson (FL-24), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Judy Chu (CA-28), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), and Al Green (TX-09).\n\n“Immigrants have bound our communities together, continue to contribute to our economy, and embody everything that Americans are made of and striving to be. All of which they do while asking nothing in return but the opportunity to reach for and obtain the American Dream,” said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. “The 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States must not be only the opportunity to reflect on how far we have come; it must be an obligation to remember the terrible price that we pay to reach here. The People’s Vision for Immigration Reform is in large part the only future for this nation worth fighting for.”\n\n“It’s time to send out a strong vision of where we need to be. We have spent an awful lot of time in Washington talking about immigration enforcement this year, but not nearly enough time talking about how we fix the system that has been broken for decades,” said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. “We need an immigration system that gives people a fair chance. We can start by making progress now. That’s why I’m leading the discharge petition of the American Dream and Promise Act; we are just one signature away from getting a forced vote. We need to get serious about real reform, not another round of empty promises.”\n\nThe bill is endorsed by a coalition of more than 60 national and and local organizations, including Immigration Law Center (NILC), Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) and FIRM Action, National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Haitian Bridge Alliance, United We Dream (UWD), Refugees International, National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Human Rights First, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Justice in Motion, Indivisible, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), National Health Care for the Homeless Council, United Parent Leaders Action Network (UPLAN), Children's Rights, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, Community Change Action, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and ICIRR Action, CAIR Chicago, Grassroots Collaborative, Warehouse Workers for Justice, National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), Indivisible Chicago Alliance, Hana Center, Here to Stay Community Land Trust, Illinois Unidos, PASO, Organized Communities Against Deportation (OCAD), Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA), Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), Popular Democracy, Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), SIREN, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, Maine People's Alliance, We are CASA, Workers Defense Action Fund, Make the Road States, Voces de la Frontera, Make the Road New York, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM), Sunflower Community Action, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant (EBSC), Federación de Clubes Michoacanos en Illinois (FEDECMI), Nebraska Appleseed, and Pineros Y Campesinos Unidos Del Noroeste (PCUN).\n\n“Over the last 40 years we’ve seen the consequences, not only the inability of Congress to prioritize legislation, but of the overreach of the Trump administration that has taken a sledgehammer to refugee admissions, temporary protected status, health care and food access and the basic simple notion that all people in this country deserve due process under the law,” said Lawrence Benito, ICIRR Executive Director. “We know we need permanent solutions, not chaos and fear. We’re here today to recommit to dignity and respect for all through legalization and keeping families together.”\n\n“Let me be clear: Our economy works because of workers, and for generations, immigrant workers have poured their sweat, their strength, and their labor into building this country. Working families deserve to go to work, provide for their families, and return home safely without fear of being detained or disappeared,” Laura Garza, Executive Director at Arise Chicago. “Now is the time to demand real protections for communities. It’s time to expand pathways to citizenship and ensure all working families can live and work with dignity and safety. As communities mobilize across the country, we stand together in our power to change our country’s direction.”\n\n“Immigrants deserve a system that provides dignity, fairness, and a real opportunity for a life in this country. Congress must do its job to defend our neighbors by creating viable pathways. Otherwise, the executive branch will be able to continue to sow chaos in our communities, return refugees to danger, and trample our Constitution,” said Keren Zwick, Executive Director at the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC). “NIJC stands ready to advance lasting solutions, even as we continue to fight the problems this administration created.”\n\n“At PASO, we see the resilience of our communities, but resilience should never mean having to live in fear. Instead of being supported, our communities are increasingly being targeted because of their immigration status. But we have resisted, organized, advocated, and continue doing the work to prepare families for citizenship and help them navigate the immigration system. We have done our part, and now the federal government must do theirs. Because the truth is, no matter how much we prepare our communities, if the federal government fails to create real pathways to citizenship, our families will continue to face barriers,” Marien Casillas Pabellon, PASO Executive Director.\n\n“While ICE and DHS terrorize our communities and attack and deport our neighbors, Congress has not acted. While most Americans support creating and ensuring legal pathways to citizenship for immigrants, Congress has done nothing. Their silence enables this administration's campaign of terror against immigrants and their families. Today, as voters, we must demand that our elected representatives take action to create pathways to citizenship and legal status and protect immigrants and their families from abuse by our government,” said Kathy Tholin with Indivisible Chicago.\n\n“Asians are the fastest-growing racial group in the US, and 1 out of 7 undocumented immigrants is Asian. We are longstanding generations, mixed-status families, and new Americans who call this country home. We are all affected by the militarized violence, immigration backlogs, unaffordable costs, and attacks by this President and some Congress members against anyone they think doesn’t belong,” said Danae Kovac, HANA Center Executive Director. “Immigration affects all of us, and let me be clear: our country needs pathways to citizenship. HANA Center will continue to fight alongside Congresswoman Ramirez for Citizenship for All, not only for a pathway to citizenship, but also for the healthcare, education, climate justice, and more that we all need and deserve. Together, we, the people, can create an America where every person belongs and thrives.”\n\n“It is long past time to lift up families and embrace the worth of each of our neighbors. It is time to reject the politics of fear and division that have marked too much of the discussion around immigration in recent years,” said Ed Yohnka, ACLU Illinois Director of Communications and Public Policy. “In recent months, we have seen how years of rhetoric meant to stall meaningful immigration reform can be turned to justify a military-style invasion of our communities and cause too many hard-working people to live in fear and isolation. Immigration policy does not have to be this way. Immigration policy can be based on a commitment to family unification, a commitment to fairness and due process, and a recognition of the dignity and worth that people from other countries and other cultures bring to the United States.\n\n“As a recently naturalized citizen, I have a message to those like me who can now exercise that power. The power of our vote. Let’s show our humanity in how we treat our neighbors, but also let’s show solidarity at the ballot box,” Fasika Alem, United African Organization (UAO) Programs Director. “Elections matter. Make a plan and vote.”\n\n“Our church is home to Indigenous people and to immigrants, old and new. People without documents worship in our assemblies and lead our ministries. Scripture commands: ‘Love the stranger as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.’ For decades, our church has urged compassionate ways for longtime undocumented neighbors to gain legal status,” said Bishop Erik Christensen of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. “Forty years ago, Congress opened a path to citizenship and those who received status in time became citizens, homeowners, and neighbors. Now is the time to finish that work.\n\n\"As a Haitian immigrant, experiencing the agonizing pain and fear of the Haitian community every day who have lost TPS, I particularly welcome the resolution, because it brings to light all the changes needed in our immigration system to ensure the safety of our immigrant friends and family members who are here and deserve justice and dignity,” said Tessa Petit, Florida Immigrant Coalition Executive Director and Co-Chair of FIRM. “It is time for immigrants to no longer be treated as political pawns and sub-creatures, and this resolution will engage Congress to put an end to the abuse of our communities.”\n\n“1 of every 4 ICE arrests happen in Texas. In just over three months, ICE shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, shot Wilber Rafael Garces Perez in Austin, hospitalized Miguel Parra-Hernandez after striking him with an ICE vehicle in Houston, and has separated countless of families,” said Lizeth Chacon, Workers Defense Executive Director. “Immigrant workers and their families strengthen and build our state – Texas is their home, and for many it has been for more than 30 years. It's time for Congress to act, for there to be an end to ICE violence and a real pathway to citizenship for all immigrant workers and their families.”\n\n“For 25 years, my mother and I were both undocumented. We were able to adjust to legal permanent residency because we qualified for a U visa, something that only undocumented immigrants who are victims of a violent crime could apply for. There are over 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States who have no pathway to citizenship and I sure wish not a single one ever needs to apply to a U visa,” said Jose-Arnulfo Cabrera, National Campaigns and Congressional Affairs Deputy Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). “But that is how broken our immigration system is and why Congresswoman Ramirez’s resolution is quite important today.”\n\nThe violence of the Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration has only served to underscore citizenship's importance. Last week, a five year old child had to watch his father get shot by agents of our government. He is only the latest child to be failed by the unimageable cruelty of the DHS's at-all-costs approach to mass deportations,” said Ben D’Avanzo, National Immigration Law Center. “But he was also failed by our completely broken immigration system that has allowed families to go without health care, be abused by their employers, and stripped of longtime protections. This resolution represents the right pathway, one that upholds our core values and refuses to pit immigrant communities against each other.”\n\n“LULAC is proud to support Congresswoman Ramirez’s resolution to protect immigrant families, defend workers, and create pathways to citizenship. As America celebrates 250 years of independence, we should remember who helped build this country,” said Dr. Ray Serrano, National Director of Research & Policy, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). “Congress needs to act. Keep families together. Protect workers. Give people a fair chance at citizenship. Our families helped build this country. We deserve a place in its future.”\n\n“The Haitian and other immigrant communities are being terrorized, racially profiled and persecuted by an immigration enforcement system that has placed families in fear of separation, detention, deportation, and forced return to a country facing profound humanitarian and security challenges,” said Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of Haitian Bridge Alliance. “The Reimagining Safety Act offers an opportunity to fundamentally rethink a system that has caused enormous harm to immigrant communities and provide pathways to people who have an integral, essential part of our communities across the U.S. Safety cannot be achieved through fear. It must be grounded in dignity, due process, family unity, and the protection of human rights.”\n\nFor the full text of the resolution, CLICK HERE.\n\nTo watch the full press conferences, CLICK HERE.\n\nFor photos of the event,CLICK HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\n40 years ago, Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act, creating a pathway to citizenship for approximately 2.7 million immigrants. Today, the American people are overwhelmingly in support of a pathway to citizenship, the popularity of which has grown because of the brutality we have witnessed over the last 2 years.\n\nFor more than a year, IL-03 has been targeted, terrorized, and attacked by DHS with zero accountability. Congresswoman Ramirez has led the call for a pathway to citizenship for all and accountability from DHS.\n\nRamirez co-leads Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia’s Dream and Promise Act and became the second signature on the discharge petition to force a vote on the legislation. The discharge petition currently has 217 signatures of the 218 needed for a vote.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://ritchietorres.house.gov/posts/rep-torres-announces-power-to-the-players-act-legislation-to-ensure-gamers-own-their-games", "title": "Rep. Torres Announces Power To The Players Act, Legislation to Ensure Gamers Own Their Games", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://ritchietorres.house.gov/press", "domain": "ritchietorres.house.gov", "scraper": "ritchietorres", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000486", "name": "Ritchie Torres", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Today, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) announced he will introduce the Power To The Players Act, legislation that would direct the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations protecting consumers’ ability to own and play the video games they purchase.\n\nOver the past few years, video game companies have moved toward digital-only games and consoles, removing the option to buy or use physical games. These digital games are often sold as revocable licenses rather than owned outright, leaving players dependent on the company’s continued support. NBA 2K25 is a clear example. The game, which retailed for $69.99 for the standard edition and $99.99 for the All-Star Edition, will be delisted from digital storefronts on October 30 and will have its online servers shut down on December 31, only two years after its initial release. No consumer should have a game they paid for pulled out from under them on a company’s arbitrary timeline.\n\n“When you pay for a game, you should own it,” said Rep. Torres. “Consumers must have the right to own, the right to play, and the right to transfer the games they buy. A game that can be taken away the moment a company pulls the plug is not a purchase. It is a rental disguised as a sale. Families in the Bronx and across the country save up to buy these games, and they deserve better than a license that can vanish at any time. The Power To The Players Act ensures consumers own what they buy and can keep playing long after a company moves on.”\n\nUnder the bill, buying a video game would give the consumer ownership of the game rather than a license to play it. Games with online functionality would also be required to provide an offline mode before the servers supporting them are shut down.\n\nThe legislation aims to close the gap between buying a game and owning it. By preserving consumers’ ability to own and resell their games, the bill would ensure that players can keep playing the games they paid for with friends and family for years to come.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://rouzer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3267", "title": "Congressman Rouzer to Host Badges of Honor Event for Veteran...", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://rouzer.house.gov/press-releases", "domain": "rouzer.house.gov", "scraper": "rouzer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000603", "name": "David Rouzer", "party": "Republican", "state": "NC", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "HAMPSTEAD, NC — Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) announced a Badges of Honor event to help veterans in North Carolina’s Seventh Congressional District obtain military awards and medals they earned but may have never received, as well as replace those which have been lost or damaged. The event will take place Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Media Room at Cape Fear Community College’s Surf City Campus.\n\nNavigating the process of obtaining military awards and medals can be complicated. Veterans may need to apply for awards they earned or request replacements for medals that have been lost or damaged. Congressman Rouzer’s staff will be available to assist veterans and their families with the necessary paperwork and guide them through the process.\n\n“Our Badges of Honor event is a chance to help North Carolina’s Seventh District veterans and their families obtain the medals they deserve,” said Congressman Rouzer. “Every medal tells a story of service and sacrifice, and we want to ensure those stories are honored and our veterans receive the recognition they have earned.”\n\nParticipants are encouraged to bring their DD-214. Those who have questions about required documentation may contact Grant Seitrich in Congressman Rouzer’s office. Family members are welcome to attend.\n\nVeterans who are unable to attend may contact Congressman Rouzer’s office at (910) 395-0202 or visit the office’s website for assistance. Veterans who live outside NC-07 can click here and contact their representative’s office for similar assistance.\n\nSpace is limited, interested participants must RSVP here.\n\nEvent Details\n\nWhat: Badges of Honor\n\nWho: Veterans in North Carolina’s Seventh Congressional District\n\nDate: Thursday, November 12, 2026\n\nTime: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM\n\nLocation: Media Room, Cape Fear Community College Surf City Campus\n\nAddress: 621 NC Hwy 210 East, Hampstead, NC 28443", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sherman-lawmakers-challenge-trump-administrations-effort-restart", "title": "Sherman & Lawmakers Challenge Trump Administration’s Effort to Restart California Oil Pipeline", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "sherman.house.gov", "scraper": "sherman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000344", "name": "Brad Sherman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "SHERMAN OAKS, CA — Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) joined Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-CA), and a coalition of Democratic lawmakers in challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to restart the Sable Offshore oil pipeline in California, arguing that the Administration is unlawfully invoking national defense powers to benefit the fossil fuel industry.\n\nIn an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Sherman and his colleagues urged the court to reverse a lower court ruling that allowed the pipeline to continue operating despite questions surrounding the Administration’s use of the Defense Production Act (DPA).\n\nThe lawmakers argue that the Trump Administration has failed to demonstrate any legitimate national defense necessity for restarting the pipeline, which had remained idle for nearly 11 years. Instead, they contend that the Administration is misusing extraordinary federal authority to circumvent California law and financially benefit a politically connected oil company.\n\nThe brief also raises concerns about potential pay-to-play politics, noting that the project was headed by a Trump donor and questioning whether the Administration's intervention was motivated by national security considerations or political favoritism.\n\nSherman and his colleagues emphasized that the Defense Production Act was intended to address genuine national defense needs, not provide the federal government with unchecked authority to intervene on behalf of private companies.\n\nThe lawmakers urged the Ninth Circuit to reverse the district court's denial of a preliminary injunction, arguing that the lower court failed to adequately scrutinize the Administration's national defense justification.\n\nThe effort was led by Senators Whitehouse, Padilla, and Schiff, along with Congressman Carbajal. Sherman joined Senator Tammy Duckworth and ten other House Democrats in signing the brief.\n\nRead the full announcement and brief here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://simon.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-lateefah-simon-hosts-town-halls-all-seven-cities-east-bay-2026", "title": "Congresswoman Lateefah Simon Hosts Town Halls in All Seven Cities  In the East Bay in 2026, Reaches Thousands Across the District", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://simon.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "simon.house.gov", "scraper": "simon", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001231", "name": "Lateefah Simon", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "OAKLAND, CA – Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (CA-12) has completed her second town hall tour since being sworn into Congress in January 2025. In 2026, she held town halls in all seven cities that she represents in California’s 12th Congressional District, reaching thousands of constituents in Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, San Leandro, Alameda, Piedmont, and Emeryville.\n\nThis year’s town hall tour builds on Congresswoman Simon’s previous 2025 town hall tour where she held eleven town halls across the East Bay, reaching more than 15,000 constituents in person, virtually, and by telephone.\n\n“As the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress continue to cut vital programs and services while funding the unlawful, violent terrorization our immigrant communities, hearing stories and the impacts of the Republican agenda on the families living in our communities everyday has been invaluable. Every single day I take the voices from our district and fight for better conditions and resources in Congress,” said Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. “I am grateful to every community member from Albany to San Leandro who joined me on this year’s town hall tour to raise the issues most important to you and how I can continue to serve and fight for us. Though this year has brought challenges, the resilience and joy of the East Bay inspires me every day, and I look forward to continuing to meet with and hear from neighbors across our beautiful district.”\n\nDuring her town hall tour, the Congresswoman shared updates with constituents on: (1) the Congresswoman’s legislative work in Congress during her second year, including her work as a member in the House Oversight Committee and Small Business Committee; (2) recent bills she’s introduced to support small business owners, public transportation, and workers with disabilities; (3) recent efforts to protect reproductive, disability, labor, and civil rights; (3) the over $11.1 million in federal Community Project Funding that the Congresswoman secured for projects across the East Bay; (4) updates on the Congresswoman’s work to oppose the proposed Oakland coal export terminal funded by the Trump Administration and demand answers on the status of the Alameda Point Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic and columbarium project, (5), attacks on immigrant communities and resources to help; and (6) how Californians can stay involved and continue to fight back.\n\nFor constituents looking for resources, help with casework, or to share stories or concerns, please click here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://summerlee.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-summer-lee-celebrates-850000-in-federal-funding-for-new-west-mifflin-community-recreation-and-wellness-center", "title": "Rep. Summer Lee Celebrates $850,000 in Federal Funding for New West Mifflin Community Recreation and Wellness Center", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://summerlee.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "summerlee.house.gov", "scraper": "summerlee", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000602", "name": "Summer L. Lee", "party": "Democrat", "state": "PA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Photos (Dropbox)\n\nPITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 15, 2026 — Yesterday, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) joined West Mifflin Borough officials and community leaders for a ceremonial groundbreaking and check presentation celebrating $850,000 in federal funding she secured for the planned West Mifflin Community Recreation and Wellness Center.\n\nThe funding, secured through the federal Community Project Funding process, will support the development of a new community facility at 371 Camp Hollow Road, creating a dedicated space for recreation, wellness, youth activities, senior programming, and community gatherings.\n\n“I’m proud to have secured $850,000 in federal funding to help make the new West Mifflin Community Recreation and Wellness Center a reality,” said Rep. Lee. “Folks in West Mifflin deserve a space where kids can grow, seniors can stay active, and families have somewhere to come together—right in their own backyards. I'm grateful to our borough leaders and state partners for helping bring us this far and look forward to seeing how this space transforms generations to come.”\n\n\"The Borough of West Mifflin extends its sincere thanks to Congresswoman Summer Lee for helping secure this funding. This project represents an important investment in West Mifflin’s future, creating opportunities for recreation, community programs, senior services, and activities for residents of all ages. We are grateful to Congresswoman Lee for her support and partnership in helping bring this vision closer to reality. This project will be a valuable asset to our community and region for generations to come,” said Michael Moses, Council President.\n\nThe project will transform an undeveloped site into a community destination designed to serve residents of all ages. Plans for the facility include indoor athletic and recreational spaces, public meeting rooms, youth activities, senior programming, and spaces for civic and community services.\n\nAlongside the $850,000 in federal funding secured by Rep. Lee, the project has received an additional $425,000 through Pennsylvania's Statewide Local Share Account program, bringing combined federal and state funding commitments to $1.275 million.\n\nThrough her Community Project Funding efforts, Rep. Lee has secured direct investments for community-based organizations, including a $1 million CPF award to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, $450,000 to the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, over $1.5 million in federal support for the Tree of Life rebuilding and healing initiatives, $1 million in Community Project Funding for historic renovations at the Carnegie Library of Homestead, more than $1 million in federal funding to combat blight and revitalize housing in North Braddock, and $1 million to help turn vacant office space into affordable homes, create good-paying jobs, and bring new life to downtown Pittsburgh.\n\nThese projects are part of more than $24.9 million in Community Project Funding secured during her time in Congress. Rep. Lee’s office has consistently directed federal dollars to historically overlooked communities to ensure equitable access to opportunities and long-term regional growth and stability.\n\nTo view photos from the event, please click HERE.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-sylvia-garcia-joins-field-hearing-in-austin-to-examine-ice-shootings-across-texas", "title": "Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Joins Field Hearing in Austin to Examine ICE Shootings Across Texas", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "sylviagarcia.house.gov", "scraper": "sylviagarcia", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000587", "name": "Sylvia R. Garcia", "party": "Democrat", "state": "TX", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "AUSTIN, T.X. — Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) joined Democratic Members of Congress for a field hearing in Austin to examine shootings involving federal immigration agents across Texas and demand greater transparency and accountability from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).\n\nThe hearing was led by Congressman Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS-02), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement.\n\nAlso participating were Representatives Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA-02), Lou Correa (D-CA-46), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07), and Al Green (D-TX-09).\n\nThe hearing examined incidents involving federal immigration agents, including the July 7 killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, the killing of Ruben Ray Martinez, and the recent shooting of Wilber Garcés-Pérez in Austin.\n\nThe Members of Congress were joined by witnesses Ms. Rachel Reyes, mother of Ruben Ray Martinez, Kristin Etter, Director of Policy & Legal Services at the Texas Immigration Law Council, Carolina Rivera Nelson, Attorney at the ACLU of Texas, and Danny Woodward, Policy Attorney with Texas Civil Rights Project.\n\n\"Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst. But judging by what we're seeing across Texas and the country, that sounds more like ICE's recruitment strategy. People are being shot, injured, and killed by federal agents operating without basic law enforcement standards or accountability,\" said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. \"In Houston, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed on his way to work. One hundred days later, his family still has no answers. Instead, they've been met with stonewalling and excuses. These families deserve the truth and justice, and we will not stop fighting until they get both.\"", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://taylor.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-taylor-introduces-bill-return-more-federal-lands-revenue-ohio", "title": "Congressman Taylor Introduces Bill to Return More Federal Lands Revenue to Ohio", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://taylor.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "taylor.house.gov", "scraper": "taylor", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000490", "name": "David J. Taylor", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Dave Taylor (OH-02) today introduced the Acquired Lands Revenue Modernization Act, which would increase the share of qualifying revenue states receive from energy development on federally acquired lands. This bill would double the share of revenue generated through energy development in the Wayne National Forest back to southern Ohio communities. Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) introduced companion legislation in the Senate today.\n\n“Ohio is leading the nation in energy development, and the Wayne National Forest plays a critical role in that effort,” said Congressman Taylor. “With more than 240,000 acres of land located almost entirely in Ohio’s Second Congressional District, our communities deserve to reap more of the rewards of energy development taking place in our own backyard. I’m proud to lead this effort to keep revenue close to home and ensure southern Ohio communities share in the economic benefits of American energy production.”\n\nUnder current law, states receive 25% of qualifying revenue generated from energy development on federally qualified lands, while the government retains 75%. The Acquired Lands Revenue Modernization Act would establish an even 50/50 revenue split, returning a greater share from federal land leases, rentals, and royalties to the states where development occurs. This change would provide additional resources to support communities near these projects.\n\nThe Acquired Lands Revenue Modernization Act will be referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources for consideration. The full bill text is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://tenney.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-tenney-introduces-bipartisan-iran-act-expand-internet-freedom", "title": "Congresswoman Tenney Introduces Bipartisan IRAN Act to Expand Internet Freedom for the Iranian People", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://tenney.house.gov/media/press-releases", "domain": "tenney.house.gov", "scraper": "tenney", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000478", "name": "Claudia Tenney", "party": "Republican", "state": "NY", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Oswego, NY — Congresswomen Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) today introduced the bipartisan Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act to strengthen U.S. efforts to help the Iranian people access the open internet, communicate securely, and overcome the Iranian regime’s censorship, surveillance, and internet shutdowns.\n\nAdditional cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Virginia Foxx (NC-5), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Dave Min (CA-47), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Ilhan Omar (MN-5), Stephanie Bice (OK-5), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Jake Auchincloss (MA-4), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), and André Carson (IN-7).\n\nIran remains one of the world’s most restrictive digital environments, with the regime routinely restricting internet access to suppress dissent, conceal human rights abuses, and isolate the Iranian people. The IRAN Act strengthens the U.S. internet freedom strategy for Iran by requiring regular reviews, implementation assessments, and congressional reporting, while evaluating emerging technologies such as VPNs, decentralized and peer to peer networks, and direct to cell satellite communications. The legislation also seeks to expand cybersecurity training and secure digital tools for journalists, human rights defenders, and other civil society actors, and directs greater coordination among federal agencies to help ensure U.S. sanctions and export controls do not unintentionally hinder access to open internet technologies.\n\n“The Iranian regime knows that access to information is a threat to its grip on power, which is why it relies on censorship, surveillance, and internet blackouts to silence the Iranian people,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The United States should stand with the courageous Iranians demanding basic freedoms by helping them stay connected to one another and the outside world. The bipartisan IRAN Act strengthens our internet freedom strategy, supports secure technologies that can overcome the regime’s censorship, and improves coordination across our government so these efforts deliver real results. The Iranian people deserve the ability to communicate freely, access independent information, and expose the regime’s brutality to the world.”\n\n“Freedom of expression and access to unrestricted information are fundamental human rights. The Islamic Republic regularly shuts down or restricts internet access while committing mass atrocities,” said Congresswoman Ansari. “President Trump has said 'help is on the way' for the Iranian people. Ensuring unrestricted internet access would actually help people immediately. I’m proud to introduce the IRAN Act, a bipartisan, noncontroversial, and not militarily invasive bill that would do just that.”\n\nThis legislation is supported by the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA):\n\n“The Iranian regime has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to shut down the internet to isolate the Iranian people and facilitate the violent suppression of dissent, as we saw during the January 2026 crackdown on protesters. The revised IRAN Act strengthens the U.S. response by improving coordination across the federal government, ensuring our internet freedom strategy keeps pace with emerging technologies, and helping preserve access to satellite communications over Iran. Helping ordinary Iranians stay connected, access independent information, and communicate with the outside world not only supports their democratic aspirations, but also advances broader U.S. national security interests by promoting the free flow of information and greater transparency. PAAIA thanks Representatives Claudia Tenney and Yassamin Ansari for their bipartisan leadership and encourages all Members of Congress to support and help pass this important legislation.” - PAAIA", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://titus.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5939", "title": "Rep. Dina Titus Introduces Legislation to Protect Americans from High Costs at the Pump", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://titus.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "domain": "titus.house.gov", "scraper": "titus", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000468", "name": "Dina Titus", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Congresswoman Dina Titus introduced legislation today to require the Department of Transportation to examine whether it can strengthen fuel efficiency requirements to counter high gas prices and reinstate penalties for automakers that fail to produce fuel-efficient vehicles.\n\n“With gas prices skyrocketing because of President Trump’s prolonged and illegal war, we must take immediate steps to give American consumers some relief,” Congresswoman Titus said. “In May 2026, gas prices rose at a rate ten times higher than the rate of inflation. In Nevada, they now average $5.45 per gallon. Coupled with higher prices on groceries and other goods because of the Trump tariffs, families are struggling to make ends meet.”\n\nCongresswoman Titus, a member of the House Transportation Committee. and co-sponsor Doris Matsui, (CA-7), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced the Gas Money Saved Act to review Corporate Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards and reinstate fuel-efficiency requirements that were stripped away by Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill in 2025. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA).\n\n“These giveaways to Big Oil and automakers worsened the pain at the pump and should not stand,” Congresswoman Titus said.\n\n“Fuel economy standards help American drivers get around without breaking the bank while gas prices are high, but Trump and the Republicans gutted these standards as part of their crusade to put Big Oil above American families,” said Senator Markey. “Auto innovation should give consumers better choices, not cut corners at their expense. The Gas Money Saved Act would make sure American drivers have fuel-efficient vehicle options that are cheaper to fill up and hold automakers to account—a cost-saving measure that is especially critical as the Trump Administration would rather spend billions on an illegal war than keep costs low for Americans.”\n\n“Across the country, Americans are being squeezed by high gas prices, rising grocery bills, and everyday costs that keep stretching family budgets thinner,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “The Gas Money Saved Act meets people where they are by strengthening fuel efficiency standards that help drivers spend less on gas for years to come. This is a practical step to lower everyday costs, give families more breathing room, and build a cleaner, more efficient transportation future.”\n\nThe Gas Money Saved Act would:\n\nRequire DOT to reevaluate Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)standards if gas prices rise at a rate five times faster than inflation over a six-month period, and;\n\nRestore and increase financial penalties on automakers if their car and truck fleet does not meet fuel efficiency standards.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-torres-and-fleischmann-lead-bipartisan-bill-to-build-americas-advanced-manufacturing-workforce", "title": "Representatives Torres and Fleischmann Lead Bipartisan Bill to Build America’s Advanced Manufacturing Workforce", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "domain": "torres.house.gov", "scraper": "torres", "member": {"bioguide_id": "T000474", "name": "Norma J. Torres", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Legislation expands workforce training and connects workers with good paying careers in growing manufacturing industries\n\nWashington, D.C. – Today, during National Manufacturing Month, Representatives Norma Torres (CA-35) and Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) introduced the bipartisan Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act of 2026, legislation to help workers train for and connect with advanced manufacturing careers. The legislation, which was inspired by the successful public-private partnership that created the InTech Center at Chaffey College in Fontana, would direct the Department of Labor to initiate pilot projects between local community colleges, state and tribal colleges, local boards, advanced manufacturers, and Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers that are focused on education, training, and apprenticeship programs for advanced manufacturing jobs.\n\n“Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the Inland Empire’s economy, and we need to make sure our workforce is prepared for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Congresswoman Torres. “The Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act will bring manufacturers, community colleges, and workforce partners together to give workers the skills they need to secure good-paying careers while helping American manufacturers find the talent they need to grow. Investing in American manufacturing means investing in American workers, and I am proud to partner with Congressman Fleischmann on this bipartisan effort.”\n\n“Manufacturing is the backbone of America, driving our economy, creating jobs, and building the foundation of our nation’s prosperity. East Tennessee is leading the way in America’s reindustrialization, showing how innovation and hard work can revitalize our manufacturing sector. This legislation is vital to keeping America competitive and strong. I am honored to champion this effort in Congress and remain committed to supporting American manufacturing and the dedicated people who power it,” said Congressman Fleischmann.\n\nThe Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish pilot projects focused on advanced manufacturing education and training. The bill would support partnerships between advanced manufacturers and community colleges, workforce development boards, Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers, local educational agencies, and other eligible organizations. Programs could include classroom and hands on learning, on-the-job training, and registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships.\n\nThe legislation would prioritize dislocated and unemployed workers. Eligible recipients must demonstrate their capacity to teach the skills needed for advanced manufacturing jobs and provide workers with a recognized postsecondary credential.\n\nThe bill is inspired by the public-private partnership at the InTech Center at Chaffey College, a regional training center that trains and upskills students and employed workers for in-demand technical careers at no cost. In 2014, the Chaffey College and the Inland Empire Regional Training Consortium (IERTC) received a $15 million grant from the Department of Labor, which resulted in the 2016 opening of the InTech Center, a partnership between Chaffey College and California Steel Industries (now Nucor-CSI). The center was California's first public-private workforce training partnership in advanced manufacturing. Located in Fontana, CA, the center now works with more than 70 employers in the region and is an example of how federal funding can jumpstart successful public-private workforce development programs in advanced manufacturing.\n\nEarlier this month, Reps. Torres and Fleischmann led a bipartisan resolution recognizing National Manufacturing Day and the contributions of manufacturers and workers across the country. In 2022, Reps. Torres & Fleischmann also secured the inclusion of their bicameral, bipartisan National MEP Supply Chain Database Act in the CHIPS and Science Act (Public Law 117-167) to help manufacturers prepare for future supply chain challenges.\n\nBill Text\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4069", "title": "Congressman Valadao Supports Legislation to Reinvest Federal Funds Back Into State Medicaid Programs", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "valadao.house.gov", "scraper": "valadao", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000129", "name": "David G. Valadao", "party": "Republican", "state": "CA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) supported the Helping Encourage Lawful Payments and Strengthen Transparency, Anti-fraud, Tips, and Enforcement Strategies (HELP STATES) Act by joining as an original co-sponsor. This bill would allow states to retain a larger share of the federal portion of Medicaid overpayments recovered from fraud and require those dollars to be reinvested in state efforts to prevent, detect, and combat fraud, strengthening the program for the future.\n\nThis bill was introduced by Reps. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Young Kim (CA-40), and Rob Bresnahan (PA-08) and is part of a larger package of 14 bills to incentivize federally-funded health program fraud-fighting efforts.\n\n“Medicaid provides critical support to families across the Central Valley, and it’s important we do everything we can to ensure funds are properly distributed,” said Congressman Valadao. “I’m proud to support the HELP STATES Act, which would give states a greater incentive to crack down on fraud, reinvest recovered funds into preventing future abuse, and ensure benefits reach the people they’re intended to help.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nUnder current law, when a state recovers an improper Medicaid payment due to fraud, it usually must return the federal government’s share of that recovery. The HELP STATES Act would allow a state to retain up to 25% of the federal share of a qualifying fraud recovery. These funds would be used by states to support Medicaid program-integrity activities aimed at preventing, identifying, and recovering fraudulent payments.\n\nRead the bill here.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://vindman.house.gov/2026/10/15/vindman-leads-effort-in-u-s-house-to-ban-live-streaming-of-military-executions-in-the-united-states/", "title": "Vindman Leads Effort in U.S. House to Ban Live-Streaming of Military Executions in the United States", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "vindman.house.gov", "scraper": "vindman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "V000138", "name": "Eugene Simon Vindman", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced the American Integrity Act to prohibit the live-streaming of executions under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice following President Donald Trump’s decision to cancel Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s plans to broadcast the execution of Nidal Hasan, the perpetrator of the horrific 2009 Fort Hood shooting.\n\nThe bill would establish a federal prohibition on live-streaming military executions, ensuring that such broadcasts cannot be authorized by future administrations.\n\nThe legislation comes after widespread opposition to the proposal, including from Vindman, who publicly called on Hegseth to reverse course and abandon plans to turn Hasan’s execution into a public spectacle.\n\n“Having overseen the post-trial legal proceedings in Nidal Hasan’s case, I know firsthand the gravity of his horrific crimes. I believed then, and I believe now, that he should face the fullest consequences of the law,” said Vindman. “But there is a fundamental difference between carrying out justice and turning an execution into a public spectacle. Live-streaming executions is what terrorists and authoritarian regimes do. I’m glad the president ultimately reversed course, but we should never have reached this point in the first place. The American justice system must uphold the rule of law and the dignity of our institutions. My legislation will ensure that no future administration can turn an execution into a televised spectacle.”\n\nThe bill is sponsored by U.S. Representatives Ro Khanna (Calif.-17), Maggie Goodlander (N.H.-02), and George Whitesides (Calif.-27).\n\nClick here to read the full bill text.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nAs an Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer, Vindman oversaw the post-trial legal proceedings following Hasan’s attack at Fort Hood. His direct involvement in the case gave him firsthand experience with the gravity of Hasan’s crimes and the importance of ensuring justice is carried out.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=971", "title": "Walkinshaw Introduces Bill to Cool Federal Properties, Cut Smog, and Lower Energy Costs", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "domain": "walkinshaw.house.gov", "scraper": "walkinshaw", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000831", "name": "James R. Walkinshaw", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) introduced the Heat Island Reduction Act, which would require federal agencies to plan cost-effective upgrades that cool their properties, improve air quality, and lower energy costs.\n\nParking lots and dark rooftops soak up heat and hold it, which warms nearby communities, raises cooling bills, and speeds the formation of smog. The bill targets federal properties in areas that already fail federal smog standards.\n\nNorthern Virginia is already working on the problem. This summer, more than 80 volunteers teamed up with the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions and George Mason University’s Virginia Climate Center to map where heat hits hardest across Fairfax County, Arlington, and Alexandria. What they found points to simple fixes: more trees, more shade, and cooler surfaces. Walkinshaw’s bill would apply the same approach to federal properties nationwide.\n\n“Extreme heat endangers workers, worsens the air our families breathe, and drives up cooling costs,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “Volunteers here in Northern Virginia are working to pinpoint where heat hits hardest. The federal government should take the same hard look at its own properties and start with the fixes that deliver the most. Shade trees and cooler roofs protect federal workers and visitors and lower the cooling bills taxpayers pay.”\n\nThe Heat Island Reduction Act would:\n\nWithin six months: Require agencies to plan cooling fixes, such as trees, shade, cool roofs, and cooler pavement, for their properties in areas that fail federal smog standards.\n\nSix months later: Require agencies to set out each project’s cost, funding source, and timeline, and to update these plans every two years.\n\nEvery year: Require the General Services Administration to report to Congress on progress, spending, and changes in temperature and energy use.\n\nAt every step: Prioritize cost-effective fixes and build them into routine repairs and construction.\n\nCongressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) are original cosponsors.\n\nRead the full bill text here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://wittman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/wittman-deputy-secretary-danly-visit-yorktown-newport-news", "title": "Wittman, Deputy Secretary Danly Visit Yorktown, Newport News", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://wittman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "wittman.house.gov", "scraper": "wittman", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000804", "name": "Robert J. Wittman", "party": "Republican", "state": "VA", "chamber": "House"}, "text": "Newport News, VA – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) hosted Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly in Virginia’s First District for site visits to the Jefferson Lab (JLAB) and Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. The purpose of the visit was to highlight JLAB’s role in advancing U.S. scientific research, cutting-edge technology, and national security, and Naval Weapons Station Yorktown’s energy needs and opportunities to strengthen energy security and grid resilience.\n\n“Virginia’s First District is home to world-class research facilities and critical military installations that play an essential role in our economic and national security,” said Rep. Wittman. “It was a pleasure to welcome Deputy Secretary Danly to the First District to showcase the groundbreaking work being done at Jefferson Lab and discuss the importance of reliable, resilient energy infrastructure at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. From investing in scientific innovation to modernizing our military installations, we must ensure that our nation has the technology, infrastructure, and resources necessary to remain competitive and maintain a strong national defense.”\n\nBackground:\n\nAt Jefferson Lab, Congressman Wittman and Deputy Secretary Danly discussed the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission and investments in scientific research, including accelerator technology, materials science, and innovations with potential applications in energy and national defense. The visit highlighted Jefferson Lab’s contributions to American scientific leadership, STEM workforce development, and the Hampton Roads region's growing research and technology sectors.\n\nAt Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, discussions focused on strengthening the installation’s energy security, modernizing critical infrastructure, and improving grid resilience to support military readiness. The visit also provided an opportunity to explore the potential applications of advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs), in providing reliable power to critical defense installations and nearby communities.\n\nAs vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, Congressman Wittman remains committed to strengthening America's defense capabilities, supporting technological innovation, and ensuring our military installations have the reliable energy infrastructure necessary to carry out their missions.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-murray-call-on-education-department-to-abandon-latest-tactic-to-cut-grant-funding-to-communities", "title": "Baldwin, Murray Call on Education Department to Abandon Latest Tactic to Cut Grant Funding to Communities", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "scraper": "baldwin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001230", "name": "Tammy Baldwin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called on Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon to reverse the department’s policy that is dramatically reducing the number of recipients of federal funding. This concerted effort to get fewer grants and fewer resources to local communities is in line with the Administration’s stated goal to shutter the Department of Education entirely.\n\nThe Department of Education significantly expanded its use of “frontloading” grants— the tactic wherein it pays for a multi-year grant fully up front instead of one year at a time, thereby dramatically decreasing the number of grants it awards—across a number of grant programs in unprecedented ways in Fiscal Year 2026. This has occurred at the same time the Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget are seeking broader authority to terminate grants, raising the specter that they will terminate some of these grants in the future, and the funding will never reach communities that need it—yet another backdoor way of withholding appropriated funding.\n\n“This administration has chosen—brazenly and repeatedly—to prioritize its own backwards agenda over the needs of students, families, and communities across the United States. The Department of Education’s extensive ‘frontloading’ of grants is just the latest example,” wrote the Senators in a letter to Sec. of Education Linda McMahon. “By ‘frontloading’ grants—paying out many years of a multi-year grant in one lump sum instead of funding a larger number of grants right now—your Department is dramatically reducing the number of students and schools that are helped by federal funding. This policy defies congressional intent and effectively cuts investment in communities across the country.”\n\nSenator Baldwin’s office has heard directly from Wisconsin schools whose funding was impacted by the Trump administration’s decision, including Madison Area Technical College, for a program to help low-income student parents access childcare while pursuing higher education. While the program had previously been awarded a competitive grant and funded on an annual basis from Fiscal Year 2022 to Fiscal Year 2026, they were not selected for funding when reapplying for the grant as the Trump Administration dramatically cut the number of programs they funded in the childcare access program. In their letter, Murray and Baldwin explain how frontloading grants for several programs resulted in a steep drop-off in awards made in fiscal year 2026.\n\n“Instead of deploying funds immediately to hundreds of additional communities for essential education and related services, the Department is withholding approximately $630 million in appropriated resources across approximately 35 grant programs, preventing those funds from reaching students and families now. These are all programs where the Department has historically funded grants on an annual basis,” wrote the Senators. “If the Department continued that practice in administering these programs, the Department could have awarded well over 1,000 additional grants this year, supporting everything from evidence-based student literacy programs, to improving student mental health, to recruiting and preparing high-quality teachers, to supporting additional education research and to helping first-generation students succeed in college.”\n\n“This policy is indefensible. The Department must immediately abandon this approach and administer appropriated funds in full alignment with both the law and the needs of the communities that rely on these programs,” they concluded.\n\n“We can’t move forward on equitable access to student success and workforce development in Wisconsin while ignoring the basic supports that make that happen. Losing CCAMPIS funding threatens to interrupt Madison College students’ education at the very moment they are building a better future for their families. We must work together on a solution for student parents to keep learning, complete their credentials and contribute to Wisconsin’s economic prosperity,” said Dr. Jennifer Berne, President of Madison Area Technical College.\n\nThe full letter is available here and below:\n\nSecretary McMahon:\n\nThis administration has chosen—brazenly and repeatedly—to prioritize its own backwards agenda over the needs of students, families, and communities across the United States. The Department of Education’s (Department) extensive “frontloading” of grants is just the latest example. By “frontloading” grants—paying out many years of a multi-year grant in one lump sum instead of funding a larger number of grants right now—your Department is dramatically reducing the number of students and schools that are helped by federal funding. This policy defies congressional intent and effectively cuts investment in communities across the country: the Department could have funded well over 1,000 more grants by committing funds for use without delay. The Department should immediately reverse this deeply misguided and unacceptable approach to implementation of federal appropriations, including funds provided in the FY2026 appropriations law.\n\nIn implementing this policy, the Department is intentionally and sharply limiting the number of new grants it will award, by concentrating funds into fewer grants and withholding significant portions of appropriated resources for use in future budget periods. The decisions made to frontload a huge swath of departmental grants came just weeks after the Secretaries of Education and Health and Human Services and Acting Secretary of Labor wrote a letter to Congressional leadership touting the purported success of the illegal interagency agreements (IAAs) they have reached, which highlighted there were “record application levels” for certain grant competitions compared to prior years. Needless to say: record application levels are meaningless to students and families when the Department is choosing to fund fewer new grants under these competitions.\n\nThis policy blatantly disregards congressional directives and withholds urgently needed federal resources from the very communities these programs are meant to serve. Instead of deploying funds immediately to hundreds of additional communities for essential education and related services, the Department is withholding approximately $630 million in appropriated resources across approximately 35 grant programs, preventing those funds from reaching students and families now. These are all programs where the Department has historically funded grants on an annual basis—if the Department continued that practice in administering these programs, the Department could have awarded well over 1,000 additional grants this year, supporting everything from evidence-based student literacy programs, to improving student mental health, to recruiting and preparing high-quality teachers, to supporting additional education research and to helping first-generation students succeed in college.\n\nThis policy is indefensible. The Department must immediately abandon this approach and administer appropriated funds in full alignment with both the law and the needs of the communities that rely on these programs. Congress expects no less, and the public deserves no less.\n\nLast year, the Department stated that literacy was its top priority. Yet its recent actions tell a different story. The FY2026 appropriations law provided $30 million for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program, which supports improved literacy for children and students from birth through 12th grade—including strengthening school libraries and expanding early literacy services in low-income communities nationwide. When the Department issued its grant competition notice earlier this year, it indicated that it would make 25 to 35 new awards using these funds. Unfortunately, just weeks ago, the Department announced that it would make only four new awards and would set aside $13 million for future years of these grants. Those funds could have been used to make roughly 25 additional awards. It is inexplicable that a Department claiming literacy as its top priority would so drastically limit the number of new grants supporting evidence-based literacy programming. In addition, the number of new awards is also a dramatic reduction from the last grant competitions under the Biden administration in FY2023 when 12 new awards were made and FY2021 when 29 new awards were made with total IAL program funding at the same or a smaller level. This Department of Education is doing significantly less to support evidence-based literacy despite its claim of “supercharging” evidence-based literacy programming.\n\nSadly, the Department also has chosen to restrict grants that support child care for low-income student parents so they can pursue postsecondary education and workforce training. Congress provided $75 million to the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS) in the final FY2026 appropriations law, funding that is critical to ensuring low-income students receive the support they need while attending college. The Department estimated it would make 148 awards with the CCAMPIS appropriation when it published the notice inviting applications earlier this year and did not announce an intention to frontload. Yet, when the Department announced the new CCAMPIS grantees for FY2026, it made only 40 total new awards and set aside $53 million for future years of these grants. It is perplexing that an Administration that says it wants to improve affordability for Americans and help Americans find good-paying jobs would curtail a program that helps Americans afford higher education and workforce training.\n\nIn addition, there are widespread teacher shortages facing our local public schools. According to a recent analysis of Department data, there are an estimated 425,412 teaching positions either unfilled or filled by teachers not fully certified for their assignments, representing about 1 in 8 of all teaching positions nationally. Yet, the Department restricted the number of new grants to help train effective educators through the Supporting Effective Educator Development program this year, limiting it to just 16 new awards when it could have funded dozens more. Similarly, the Department only awarded 12 grants under the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) program and set aside $59 million of the $70 million appropriation for future years of these grants. Sadly, the Department also chose to front load most of the appropriation for the Augustus Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program which supports teacher preparation programs in minority-serving institutions, by setting aside over $14 million for future years.\n\nFinally, while state and local education leaders and educators continue to face an ongoing and urgent need for actionable evidence on challenges for education policy and practice, the administration has basically shuttered its research arm, the Institute for Education Sciences (IES) since last January. IES chose not to make new awards from grant competitions posted in 2024 to which institutions had already applied for funding and issued no new awards from grant competitions in FY2026. As a result, IES simply frontloaded existing research grants in order to meet its spending requirement by September 30, 2026. Unfortunately, this same story is repeated throughout the Department’s mishandling of many grant programs this year.\n\nThere is no meaningful benefit to this policy change, and certainly nothing that outweighs the significant costs of withholding this funding. The Department is doing this because it wants to eliminate the Department of Education, eliminate these programs, and significantly cut funding for schools. It does not increase certainty for grantees because at the same time, the Department and Office of Management and Budget are both proposing changes to grants management rules that empower agencies to terminate grants for any reason. This suggests even more nefarious motives—awarding funding that can only be used in future years now while empowering agencies to terminate that very funding in the future before it ever reaches students and schools.\n\nThe Department has proposed to rewrite the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that govern grant programs Congress has authorized it to administer. One of the major changes in the EDGAR proposal would allow the Secretary of Education to terminate multi-year grants “for convenience”. OMB has proposed similar changes in its federal financial assistance regulation that would rewrite uniform guidance governing grants management government-wide. That proposed rule would empower political appointees to terminate grants for any reason. If the proposed changes to EDGAR or OMB's uniform guidance were to go into effect, this means the Department could easily terminate all these frontloaded funds, effectively terminating a large swath of FY2026 funds that Congress appropriated on a bipartisan basis. This would also make it more difficult for grantees to hire staff and plan to achieve grant objectives as efficiently and effectively as possible. And it would mean that the Department could satisfy Congressional requirements to obligate funds for programs and activities and later turn around and terminate the very grants that were made to satisfy Congressional spending requirements in future fiscal years.\n\nStudents deserve timely access to evidence-based literacy resources; parents deserve access to childcare services that allow them to pursue postsecondary education; and all students should have a classroom staffed by a high-quality educator. Congress provided resources for these purposes, and the Department has an obligation—not an option—to use them accordingly.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-brings-home-34-million-to-repair-and-upgrade-green-bay-rail-bridge-improve-safety-and-reliability", "title": "Senator Baldwin Brings Home $34 Million to Repair and Upgrade Green Bay Rail Bridge, Improve Safety and Reliability", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "scraper": "baldwin", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001230", "name": "Tammy Baldwin", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced she helped secure $34 million in federal funding for the Fox Valley and Lake Superior Rail System (FOXY) to repair and upgrade the Luxemburg Swing Bridge over the Fox River in Green Bay, improving safety and reliability for freight rail and maritime traffic. The funding comes through the Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual government funding bills and will help upgrade the aging bridge, reduce service disruptions, and strengthen a critical transportation link for Wisconsin businesses.\n\n“Wisconsin businesses rely on our railways and waterways to get their Made in Wisconsin products to customers across the country,” said Senator Baldwin. “But when aging infrastructure causes delays and disruptions, it hurts our businesses, costs them time and money, and makes it harder for them to compete. That’s why I’m proud to bring home this investment to repair and modernize this critical bridge, keep folks safe, and make sure Wisconsin businesses have the reliable infrastructure they need to grow and succeed.”\n\n“The Fox Valley & Lake Superior Rail System (FOXY) is thrilled to accept this federal award and thanks Senator Baldwin for her strong support,” said Ken Lucht, Assistant Vice-President of Government Affairs for Watco. “A resilient and modernized freight rail network has a direct positive impact on our economy and public safety throughout Brown County.”\n\nBuilt in 1923, the Luxemburg Swing Bridge plays a critical role in connecting businesses in Green Bay and Brown County to freight rail service, including Wisconsin's transportation and paper industries. The bridge currently carries over 25,000 carloads of freight annually; however, after more than a century of service, the bridge is in need of critical repairs to ensure it can continue serving Wisconsin businesses.\n\nThe $34 million investment from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program will support the rehabilitation and modernization of the Luxemburg Swing Bridge, including upgrades to its mechanical, electrical, and structural components to improve safety and reliability. The improvements will help eliminate frequent service interruptions to freight rail and maritime commerce and allow the bridge to accommodate railcars weighing up to 286,000 pounds.\n\nIn June, Senator Baldwin advocated to the Trump Administration for the project’s funding, citing the widespread consequences for Wisconsin businesses if the bridge were to fail.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/banks-to-host-5th-annual-northeast-indiana-defense-summit-in-fort-wayne/", "title": "Banks to Host 5th Annual Northeast Indiana Defense Summit in Fort Wayne", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.banks.senate.gov", "scraper": "banks", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001299", "name": "Jim Banks", "party": "Republican", "state": "IN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) will host the 5th annual Northeast Indiana Defense Summit in Fort Wayne on Tuesday October 27 and Wednesday October 28. The two-day summit will bring together senior Trump administration officials, military leaders, members of Congress, and defense industry executives to discuss strengthening America’s defense industrial base, advancing military innovation, and expanding Indiana’s role in national security and defense manufacturing.\n\nWHAT: 5th Annual Northeast Indiana Defense Summit\n\nWHERE: Downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana\n\nWHEN: Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28, 2026\n\nTuesday, October 27 – Kickoff Panels\n\nThe Pearl Event Center, 258 W Main St, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802\n\n2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Check-In and Registration\n\n2:30 PM – 4:45 PM: Programming\n\nTodd Huston, Speaker, Indiana House of Representatives\n\nHon. Mike Dodd, Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies\n\nHon. Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering\n\nChris Grisafe, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy\n\nRear Admiral Richman, Deputy Director, Regional Strike Systems, SSP\n\nMaj. Gen. Lawrence “Larry” Muennich, The Adjutant General of Indiana\n\nMike Johns, Senior Vice President, Kratos Defense\n\nJohn Burer, CEO, ACMI Group\n\nBrad Golding, Co-Founder, SpektreWorks\n\nDaniel Sennott, Co-Chair, National Security Group, Greenberg Traurig\n\nSean Conroy, Head of National Security Business Development, Skydio\n\nDr. Benjamin Griffin, Executive VP of Innovation and Impact, ARI\n\n4:45 PM: Closing Remarks – Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.)\n\nWednesday, October 28 – Defense Summit\n\nGrand Wayne Center, 102 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802\n\n7:45 AM – 8:30 AM: Check-in and Registration\n\n8:30 AM – 1:45 PM: Programming\n\nHon. Hung Cao, Acting Secretary of the Navy\n\nAdam Telle, Acting Secretary of the Army\n\nSen. Dave McCormick (R-PA)\n\nSenator Todd Young (R-IN)\n\nH.E. Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Ambassador of Finland to the United States\n\nMike Gallagher, Head of Defense, Palantir Technologies\n\nBryon Hargis, CEO, Castelion\n\nDino Mavrookas, Founder & CEO, Saronic Technologies\n\nShyam Sankar, CTO, Palantir Technologies\n\nTom Anderson, President of US Shipbuilding, Hanwha Defense\n\nAlex Flanagan, Director of Business Development, Prometheus Energetics\n\nMackenzie Eaglen, Co-Chair, National Future of the Navy Commission\n\nRoger Zakheim, Director, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute\n\nMo Islam, CEO, Arkaea Media\n\n1:45 PM: Closing Remarks – Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.)\n\nPRESS: For credentialed media planning to attend and cover the event, RSVP to Daniel_First@banks.senate.gov and Elizabeth_Kearns@banks.senate.gov.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/10/15/bennet-visits-u-s-pacific-command-japan-and-taiwan-to-deepen-cooperation-underscore-support-for-strengthened-indo-pacific-deterrence/", "title": "Bennet Visits U.S. Pacific Command, Japan, and Taiwan to Deepen Cooperation, Underscore Support for Strengthened Indo-Pacific Deterrence", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/", "domain": "www.bennet.senate.gov", "scraper": "bennet", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001267", "name": "Michael F. Bennet", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CO", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "From left: American Institute in Taiwan Acting Director Judy Kuo, Senator Michael Bennet, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, and Secretary-General of Taiwan’s National Security Council Joseph Wu\n\nDenver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), recently concluded a visit to Japan and Taiwan, during which he met with senior leaders, including Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, and discussed concrete steps to enhance joint efforts to strengthen defense and deter threats in the Indo-Pacific. Prior to visiting the region, Bennet also visited U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Headquarters in Hawaii, where he held consultations and received briefings on the U.S. posture and security cooperation.\n\n“This trip reinforced my belief in the necessity of further cooperation with key allies and partners like Japan and Taiwan to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is essential to U.S. national security and prosperity,” said Bennet. “In every meeting, Japan and Taiwan’s leaders underscored both the vital role of the United States and their readiness to contribute their fair share to our collective deterrence. I will continue pressing for passage of my legislation to enhance regional intelligence cooperation, to bolster space collaboration with Taiwan, and to share drone expertise learned in Ukraine with our partners in both Taipei and Tokyo. I will also continue pushing the Trump administration to advance the billions of dollars in arms sales to Taiwan that Congress has already authorized and appropriated. These bipartisan efforts are critical to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and across the Indo-Pacific, a region inextricably tied to America’s future.”\n\nIn Hawaii, Bennet met U.S. military leadership, including PACOM Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. George Rowell, Pacific Air Forces Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. David Iverson, and Space Forces – Pacific Commander Brig. Gen. Brian A. Denaro. Bennet discussed how greater intelligence cooperation can support regional deterrence, as well as the critical role Colorado-based U.S. Space Force, U.S. Army, and other units play in this effort.\n\nFrom left: Space Forces – Pacific Senior Enlisted Leader Chief Master Sgt. John W. Harms, Senator Bennet, and Space Forces – Pacific Commander Brig. Gen. Brian A. Denaro\n\nIn Japan, Bennet met senior Japanese officials including Chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council Takayuki Kobayashi and State Minister of Defense Kiyoshi Odawara, as well as U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass. Bennet expressed his support for Japan’s ongoing intelligence reforms, underscoring the opportunity the reforms would create for stronger U.S.-Japan intelligence cooperation. Bennet also discussed his legislation in the SSCI-passed FY27 Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) to bolster intelligence cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies, particularly Japan. Additionally, he reaffirmed the U.S. desire to strengthen cooperation — both bilaterally and through other mechanisms — on defense co-production, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and space, including in Colorado.\n\nSenator Bennet with Takayuki Kobayashi, Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council\n\nIn Taiwan, Bennet met key leaders including President Lai Ching-te and Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu, as well as American Institute in Taiwan Acting Director Judy Kuo. Bennet commended the Taiwan government and legislature’s efforts to bolster defense spending, including for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). He emphasized that there is strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, including through the sale of the defensive weapons necessary for Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability. He also reaffirmed Congress’s bipartisan support for full implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. Additionally, he expressed his support for passage of legislation he sponsors to provide double-taxation relief on U.S.-Taiwan cross-border investment to remove cross-border investment barriers.\n\nSenator Bennet (left) with Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu (right)\n\nBennet leads several efforts to strengthen cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies and partners to enhance regional deterrence.\n\nHe authored a provision in the FY27 SSCI-passed IAA directing the strengthening of intelligence cooperation with U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, particularly Japan, and collaboration with Taiwan as appropriate. Bennet also leads legislation to enhance U.S-Taiwan space cooperation – which passed out of committee earlier this year. He wrote legislation in the FY27 Senate Armed Services Committee-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to ensure the transmission of U.S.-Ukraine UAS expertise to Taiwan and Japan, among other partners.\n\nAdditionally, Bennet leads legislation requiring a Government Accountability Office report on how delays of U.S. foreign military sales (FMS) to Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan affect the U.S. ability to build, posture, and sustain deterrence along the First Island Chain, as well as legislation to assess the expansion the U.S.-led Multinational Force-Operation Olympic Defender to include additional Indo-Pacific allies such as Japan. Bennet secured versions of both of these in the FY27 NDAA report.\n\nEarlier this year, ahead of May 2026 summit between President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping, Bennet and Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) led 10 bipartisan colleagues on a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirming congressional support for the Taiwan Relations Act and underscoring their belief that there should be no unilateral changes to this policy nor any new U.S. declaratory policy on Taiwan.\n\nLast year, Bennet passed into law legislation requiring the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a strategy to strengthen U.S.-led multilateral efforts to deter China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific, including in the Taiwan Strait. In November 2025, the President signed into law legislation Bennet co-sponsored requiring regular State Department reviews of and updated guidelines on U.S. engagement with Taiwan.\n\nBennet sponsors additional legislation to streamline U.S. arms sales to Taiwan; to codify the Six Assurances as foundational U.S. policy toward Taiwan; to strengthen Taiwan’s international standing; to support Taiwan’s partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean; and to deter China’s aggression against Taiwan by identifying targets for sanctions the United States could rapidly impose if China moves against Taiwan; and to provide expedited double-tax relief on U.S.-Taiwan cross-border investment.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2026/10/blackburn-duckworth-bipartisan-bill-to-improve-life-saving-emergency-communication-technology-passes-committee", "title": "Blackburn, Duckworth Bipartisan Bill to Improve Life-Saving Emergency Communication Technology Passes Committee", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0", "domain": "www.blackburn.senate.gov", "scraper": "blackburn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001243", "name": "Marsha Blackburn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) that would improve emergency communication technology used to help save lives. The bipartisan ITS Codification Act would codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS), which currently serves as the research and engineering laboratory at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and require ITS to develop emergency communication and tracking technologies to help locate trapped individuals in confined spaces where conventional radio communication is limited.\n\nThe House companion bill, led by U.S. Representatives Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-Ga.) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), passed the House by voice vote in July 2025. The legislation will now be considered by the full Senate.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-warren-urge-ftc-to-investigate-anticompetitive-deceptive-practices-in-online-home-buying-marketplace", "title": "Booker, Warren Urge FTC to Investigate Anticompetitive, Deceptive Practices in Online Home-Buying Marketplace", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.booker.senate.gov", "scraper": "booker", "member": {"bioguide_id": "B001288", "name": "Cory A. Booker", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NJ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Andrew Ferguson urging the agency to investigate anticompetitive and deceptive practices by dominant online real estate platforms that are driving up costs for homebuyers and deepening the nation’s housing affordability crisis.\n\n“We urge you to now investigate anticompetitive and deceptive practices in the home-buying market, using every enforcement tool available to restore competition to the entire online real estate marketplace,” wrote the Senators. “Today, too many people are locked out of the American dream of homeownership.”\n\nThe letter follows an August 24, 2026, stipulated order in which the FTC required Redfin to reenter the online rental market after Zillow paid the company to shut down its internet rental listing service. Booker called that settlement a step forward for renters and urged the Commission to apply the same scrutiny to the home-buying market, using every enforcement tool available to restore competition across the online real estate marketplace.\n\nThe letter highlights worsening affordability nationwide. The national median home price has reached an all-time high of approximately $434,900, with median monthly mortgage payments of $2,199, consuming nearly 25 percent of median monthly income. Stagnant wages and rising costs for utilities, healthcare, and transportation have made it increasingly difficult for families to cover everyday expenses while saving to buy a home. As a result, the median age of a first-time homebuyer has reached an all-time high of 40, up from the late 20s in the 1980s, as high rents make it increasingly difficult to save for a down payment.\n\nThe Senators' letter identifies three specific practices that warrant FTC investigation:\n\nUndisclosed commission-sharing arrangements. Online listings often feature a “contact agent” button that can route prospective buyers to platform-affiliated agents who have agreed to remit a share of their commission back to the platform, without disclosing the arrangement to buyers.\n\nSteering to affiliated mortgage lenders. Platform-affiliated agents are frequently required to direct buyers to affiliated mortgage lenders that charge higher rates and impose worse loan terms, again without disclosure.\n\nAnticompetitive use of private listings. Dominant brokerage firms are increasingly marketing homes only to a select group of buyers rather than the public, artificially restricting the available housing stock to the benefit of the brokerage’s own agents and to the detriment of buyers, sellers, and competing firms.\n\nThe letter cites a study finding borrowers who shop around for a mortgage saved an average of $80,000 over the life of their loan, underscoring the potential cost of captive lending arrangements. Younger and first-time homebuyers are particularly vulnerable to these practices, the letter argues, because they are navigating the largest financial transaction of their lives with incomplete information and may assume that online platforms offer a more affordable path to homeownership.\n\nThis letter builds on Senator Booker’s ongoing efforts to lower housing costs for Americans and expand access to affordable housing. Last month, Senator Booker introduced the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act, legislation that would make significant investments in affordable housing near transit hubs and create 2 million housing units nationwide. Booker was also a cosponsor of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, landmark legislation that became law earlier this year to expand housing supply, reduce barriers to homeownership, and lower housing costs for families.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-capito-highlights-federal-investment-celebrates-wvu-leadership-in-morgantown", "title": "PHOTOS: Capito Highlights Federal Investment, Celebrates WVU Leadership in Morgantown", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.capito.senate.gov", "scraper": "capito", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001047", "name": "Shelley Moore Capito", "party": "Republican", "state": "WV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) traveled to Morgantown, W.Va. to attend an event focused on a recent Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) award, as well as the investiture of President Michael T. Benson at West Virginia University (WVU).\n\nFirst, Senator Capito attended an event to announce a nearly $5.5 million CDS award for Mon Health Medical Center that she secured in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). This funding will help improve critical infrastructure, including repairs to the roof, oiler, and overall building maintenance.\n\n“It was great to be in Morgantown to celebrate this award for Mon Health Medical Center— an investment that represents a new chapter for Monongalia County and the surrounding area,” Senator Capito said. “Today’s event represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of all West Virginians.”\n\n“Strong hospitals are essential to healthy communities, and investing in their infrastructure is an investment in West Virginia's future. Senator Capito's leadership in securing this funding for Mon Medical Center will help Vandalia Health advance our mission of providing quality care close to home. We appreciate her partnership in strengthening access to care across our state,\" Jeff Sandene, President and CEO of Vandalia Health, said.\n\n“This $5.485 million investment will help us make critical infrastructure upgrades that support the care our patients count on every day. We are grateful to Senator Capito for recognizing Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center's importance to this community and securing funding that will strengthen our hospital for the patients, families and healthcare professionals who rely on it,” Krystal Atkinson, DNP, RN, CNOR, Senior Vice President of Vandalia Health, and Chief Administrative Officer of Mon Medical Center, said.\n\nNext, Senator Capito attended the investiture of Michael T. Benson as WVU’s 27th president.\n\n“I am so proud to be here today to commemorate President Benson’s investiture as the 27th President of West Virginia University,” Senator Capito said. “Today is a celebration of all that he has done and will continue to do during his time here in Morgantown. I have been proud to work with him on many projects and am looking forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.”\n\nPhotos from today’s events are included below:\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito visits Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown, W.Va. on Thursday, October 15, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito tours Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown, W.Va. on Thursday, October 15, 2026.\n\nU.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito celebrates the investiture of President Michael T. Benson at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va. on Thursday, October 15, 2026.\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-king-announce-more-than-37-million-for-freight-rail-upgrades-in-northern-maine", "title": "Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $37 Million for Freight Rail Upgrades in Northern Maine", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.collins.senate.gov", "scraper": "collins", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001035", "name": "Susan M. Collins", "party": "Republican", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has been awarded $37,040,000 for the Northern Aroostook Rail Gateway Modernization and Safety Project. This funding will support the rehabilitation of approximately 90 miles of railroad tracks in northern Maine, including in Fort Kent, Madawaska, and Van Buren.\n\nThe funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. In July 2026, Senators Collins and Angus King sent a letter to the FRA in support of MaineDOT's application for this funding, highlighting the importance of the rail corridor to northern Maine's forest products and agricultural industries.\n\nThe 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provided an additional $5 billion for the CRISI Program from Fiscal Years 2022 through 2026. Senator Collins was part of the core group of 10 senators who negotiated the IIJA.\n\n“Freight rail is essential to northern Maine’s economy, connecting our forest products and agricultural industries to markets across the country and around the world,” said Senators Collins and King. “This $37 million investment will help modernize aging rail infrastructure and increase railcar capacity, making it easier and safer for Maine businesses to move their products. By strengthening this critical rail corridor, this funding will support local jobs and help keep Aroostook County’s forest products and agricultural industries competitive for years to come.”\n\nSpecifically, the project will rehabilitate approximately 90 miles of the Maine Northern Railway's Madawaska Subdivision and the Eastern Maine Railway's Van Buren Subdivision. Improvements will include replacing aging rail, crossties, and ballast, as well as rehabilitating a key railroad bridge.\n\nSince joining the Senate Appropriations Committee in 2009, Senator Collins has helped direct more than $2 billion in federal funds to Maine’s transportation infrastructure.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-bexar-county-cibolo-fire-departments-receive-7-3m-to-hire-and-train-first-responders/", "title": "Cornyn: Bexar County, Cibolo Fire Departments Receive $7.3M to Hire and Train First Responders", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that fire departments in Bexar County and the San Antonio area were awarded federal grants totaling $7,304,094 through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) program, which will help save lives and keep Texans safe by improving recruitment, training, and retention efforts of emergency personnel:\n\n“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These resources will provide critical support to fire departments and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-central-texas-fire-departments-receive-1-4m-to-improve-emergency-response-keep-texans-safe/", "title": "Cornyn: Central Texas Fire Departments Receive $1.4M to Improve Emergency Response, Keep Texans Safe", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that fire departments in Austin and across Central Texas were awarded federal grants totaling $1,442,650 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which will help save lives and keep Texans safe by improving recruitment, training, and retention efforts of emergency personnel; strengthening community fire prevention programs; enhancing emergency response; and upgrading equipment:\n\n“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These resources will provide critical support to fire departments and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-corpus-christi-fire-department-receives-nearly-800k-to-improve-emergency-response-keep-texans-safe/", "title": "Cornyn: Corpus Christi Fire Department Receives Nearly $800K to Improve Emergency Response, Keep Texans Safe", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that the Corpus Christi Fire Department was awarded a federal grant totaling $781,818 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which will help save lives and keep Texans safe by improving recruitment, training, and retention efforts of emergency personnel; strengthening community fire prevention programs; enhancing emergency response; and upgrading equipment:\n\n“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These resources will provide critical support to the Corpus Christi Fire Department and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-fort-worth-north-texas-fire-departments-receive-2-5m-to-improve-emergency-response-keep-texans-safe/", "title": "Cornyn: Fort Worth & North Texas Fire Departments Receive $2.5M to Improve Emergency Response, Keep Texans Safe", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that fire departments in Fort Worth and across North Texas were awarded federal grants totaling $2,574,956 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which will help save lives and keep Texans safe by improving recruitment, training, and retention efforts of emergency personnel; strengthening community fire prevention programs; enhancing emergency response; and upgrading equipment:\n\n“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These resources will provide critical support to fire departments and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-greater-houston-southeast-texas-fire-departments-receive-nearly-750k-to-improve-emergency-response-keep-texans-safe/", "title": "Cornyn: Greater Houston, Southeast Texas Fire Departments Receive Nearly $750K to Improve Emergency Response, Keep Texans Safe", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that fire departments across Greater Houston and near Beaumont in Southeast Texas were awarded federal grants totaling $738,565 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which will help save lives and keep Texans safe by improving recruitment, training, and retention efforts of emergency personnel; strengthening community fire prevention programs; enhancing emergency response; and upgrading equipment:\n\n“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These resources will provide critical support to fire departments and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-houston-southeast-texas-fire-departments-receive-nearly-20m-to-hire-and-train-first-responders/", "title": "Cornyn: Houston, Southeast Texas Fire Departments Receive Nearly $20M to Hire and Train First Responders", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that fire departments in Houston and across Southeast Texas were awarded federal grants totaling $18,773,599 through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) program, which will help save lives and keep Texans safe by improving recruitment, training, and retention efforts of emergency personnel:\n\n“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These resources will provide critical support to fire departments and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-north-texas-fire-departments-receive-nearly-30m-to-hire-and-train-first-responders/", "title": "Cornyn: North Texas Fire Departments Receive Nearly $30M to Hire and Train First Responders", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that fire departments in Fort Worth and across North Texas were awarded federal grants totaling $28,651,278 through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) program, which will help save lives and keep Texans safe by improving recruitment, training, and retention efforts of emergency personnel:\n\n“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These resources will provide critical support to fire departments and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-northeast-texas-fire-departments-receive-700k-to-hire-and-train-first-responders/", "title": "Cornyn: Northeast Texas Fire Departments Receive $700K to Hire and Train First Responders", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that fire departments in Northeast Texas were awarded federal grants totaling $710,547 through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) program, which will help save lives and keep Texans safe by improving recruitment, training, and retention efforts of emergency personnel:\n\n“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These resources will provide critical support to fire departments and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-san-antonio-area-fire-departments-receive-300k-to-improve-emergency-response-keep-texans-safe/", "title": "Cornyn: San Antonio Area Fire Departments Receive $300K to Improve Emergency Response, Keep Texans Safe", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that fire departments in the San Antonio area were awarded federal grants totaling $318,592 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which will help save lives and keep Texans safe by improving recruitment, training, and retention efforts of emergency personnel; strengthening community fire prevention programs; enhancing emergency response; and upgrading equipment:\n\n“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These resources will provide critical support to fire departments and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-south-texas-fire-departments-receive-more-than-300k-to-improve-emergency-response-keep-texans-safe/", "title": "Cornyn: South Texas Fire Departments Receive More Than $300K to Improve Emergency Response, Keep Texans Safe", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that fire departments in South Texas were awarded federal grants totaling $338,999 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which will help save lives and keep Texans safe by improving recruitment, training, and retention efforts of emergency personnel; strengthening community fire prevention programs; enhancing emergency response; and upgrading equipment:\n\n“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These resources will provide critical support to South Texas fire departments and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-teex-fire-emergency-services-receive-nearly-300k-to-improve-training-keep-texans-safe/", "title": "Cornyn: TEEX Fire & Emergency Services Receive Nearly $300K to Improve Training, Keep Texans Safe", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) was awarded a federal grant totaling $287,069 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which will help save lives and keep Texans safe by improving recruitment, training, and retention efforts of emergency personnel:\n\n“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These resources will provide critical support to TEEX and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-waco-area-central-texas-fire-departments-receive-1-1m-to-improve-emergency-response-keep-texans-safe/", "title": "Cornyn: Waco Area, Central Texas Fire Departments Receive $1.1M to Improve Emergency Response, Keep Texans Safe", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/", "domain": "www.cornyn.senate.gov", "scraper": "cornyn", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001056", "name": "John Cornyn", "party": "Republican", "state": "TX", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that fire departments in the Waco area and across Central Texas were awarded federal grants totaling $1,129,108 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which will help save lives and keep Texans safe by improving recruitment, training, and retention efforts of emergency personnel; strengthening community fire prevention programs; enhancing emergency response; and upgrading equipment:\n\n“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These resources will provide critical support to fire departments and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-senate-democrats-demand-answers-on-epa-surveillance-of-medication-abortion-drugs-in-drinking-water/", "title": "Cortez Masto, Senate Democrats Demand Answers on EPA Surveillance of Medication Abortion Drugs in Drinking Water", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Las Vegas, Nev. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a letter led by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) urging U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to remove mifepristone and misoprostol from a list of contaminants targeted for surveillance in drinking water in a study that the agency announced in September. Cortez Masto was one of the first Senators to raise the alarm about the EPA study.\n\nZeldin previously told the Senate Appropriations Committee that he was “not aware” of any efforts to detect medication abortion drugs in water. The surveillance study comes after a pressure campaign by anti-abortion groups who have urged the EPA to retool environmental protection laws to monitor and ultimately restrict abortion medications that are safe for humans and the environment.\n\n“We write to express our serious concerns with the recent announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to take up a surveillance study to track the presence of the medication abortion drugs mifepristone and misoprostol in drinking water,” the Senators began. “This action is a stark departure from past EPA practice and serves to further this administration’s attacks on reproductive health care and distracts from your agency’s critical role protecting Americans from known chemical pollutants in our water systems.”\n\nThe Senators note that mifepristone and misoprostol have been deemed safe for patients by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for over 25 years and reaffirmed as safe for the environment as recently as 2025. “While there is no scientific evidence that would support mifepristone and misoprostol as candidates for surveillance by the EPA, there has been a targeted political pressure campaign by anti-abortion activists to urge the agency to use the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and other environmental authorities to surveil and regulate medication abortion drugs,” they wrote.\n\nThe Senators called out Zeldin for stating that he had no knowledge of efforts to target mifepristone and misoprostol in drinking water when the EPA had engaged in conversations with radical anti-abortion groups and encouraged them to pressure the agency to regulate abortion medication.\n\n“It is deeply alarming that this kind of radical, anti-science campaign might have an audience at the EPA,” they continued. “This study is a departure from the EPA’s historic role in protecting our water and air from actual threats to human health and the environment. Instead, this study opens the door to new attacks on safe and accessible reproductive health care, undermining the safety and privacy of patients around the country.”\n\nThe lawmakers wrote that the EPA’s responsibility is to regulate contaminants that harm human health and the environment, not drugs that are well-documented to be safe and effective but disrupt Republican efforts to control women’s bodies. “Taxpayers fund EPA to protect their health and the environment, not to advance a political campaign against women’s health care,” they concluded.\n\nIn addition to Senators Cortez Masto and Murray, the letter was joined by the entire Senate Democratic caucus.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here.\n\nSenator Cortez Masto is a fierce advocate for women’s reproductive rights. Last November, she sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary expressing alarm over the Trump administration’s plans to conduct “its own review of the evidence” on the safety and effectiveness of mifepristone. Cortez Masto is leading legislation to protect the right of women to cross state lines to seek abortion care, to repeal the Comstock Act, and to expand health insurance coverage of birth control throughout the country. She voted against the confirmation of Secretary Kennedy in part because of his inability to answer questions regarding women’s health care rights.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-wyden-whitehouse-question-metas-use-of-billions-in-tax-credits-to-subsidize-ai-data-center-construction/", "title": "Cortez Masto, Wyden, Whitehouse Question Meta’s Use of Billions in Tax Credits to Subsidize AI Data Center Construction", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "scraper": "cortezmasto", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001113", "name": "Catherine Cortez Masto", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Las Vegas, Nev. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) called on Meta, Facebook’s parent company, to justify its use of billions in federal research and development (R&D) tax credits to fund its rapid buildout of AI data centers in a letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.\n\nAccording to recent reporting, Meta claimed its AI data centers are experimental “pilot models,” and therefore eligible for federal R&D tax credits. These tax credits are intended to incentivize experimental research, not to scale up existing infrastructure. As Meta spends billions of dollars on AI data centers, its R&D tax credits have grown from $700 million in 2023 to $4 billion in 2025.\n\n“The federal research credit can be a useful and necessary tool to support our nation’s innovation economy and cutting-edge research,” the Senators wrote. “Subsidizing your A.I. data center build is not close to meeting this standard.”\n\nIf the reporting is accurate, Meta’s R&D tax credit claims would represent more than ten percent of all research tax credits claimed in the U.S., based on Joint Committee on Taxation figures.\n\n“Any effort by Meta to use A.I. data center expansion as eligible for research credits is potentially a significant misapplication of federal tax law that merits further investigation,” the Senators continued.\n\nMeta has a long record of attempting to lower its tax bill through dubious tax credit claims. In 2013, Meta claimed that $4.1 billion Zuckerberg received by exercising stock options should be eligible for research credits. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) challenged that claim and is seeking $355 million in back taxes from Meta.\n\nThe Senators demanded that Meta provide the following information:\n\nWhether Meta has claimed R&D tax credits related to the buildout and operation of its AI data centers and, if so, its legal justification for doing so;\n\nWhether Meta has claimed to the IRS on federal tax filings that its AI data centers are “pilot models” in order to qualify for federal R&D tax credits;\n\nWhether Meta posits that expenses related to AI data centers are eligible for R&D tax credits while those related to non-AI data centers are not and, if so, its legal justification for doing so;\n\nWhether Meta consulted with experts from professional accounting firms prior to claiming federal R&D tax credits and, if so, whether the firms advised it to claim the tax credits; and\n\nHow much of the $6.6 billion in federal R&D tax credits Meta claimed from 2023 to 2025 was related to the construction or operation of AI data centers.\n\nSenators Cortez Masto, Wyden, Whitehouse, Warren, and Hassan were joined in the letter by Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.).\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.\n\nSenator Cortez Masto has worked to ensure that regulations concerning AI innovation and use take privacy, national security, and environmental considerations into account. She urged the CEOs of Spirit Airlines and Google to protect the privacy of former Spirit employees as the airline plans to sell employee data to train Google AI. Last year, Cortez Masto’s legislation to prohibit American investment in Chinese AI companies was passed into law. When President Xi Jinping visited the U.S., she urged President Trump to negotiate a formal agreement with him for the development, testing, and use of AI models. Cortez Masto voted against a Republican bill that claimed to regulate AI data centers but was entirely voluntary and instead pushed for legislation with real teeth.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-wicker-strengthen-transatlantic-security-ties", "title": "Cramer, Wicker Strengthen Transatlantic Security Ties", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cramer.senate.gov", "scraper": "cramer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001096", "name": "Kevin Cramer", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Lawmakers Meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Amid Russian Attacks, Reaffirm U.S. Support for Ukraine and Regional Security Cooperation\n\n***Click herefor media resources.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) to Ukraine, where they discussed developments in the war with Russia and their joint strategic security objectives. Cramer and Wicker also traveled to Spain, Andorra, and Poland, where they joined allied military and civilian leaders from across the continent intent on bolstering national security cooperation and addressing defense challenges in Central and Eastern Europe.\n\n“I’m grateful to join my Senate colleagues on this important trip to strengthen our partnerships with European allies and reaffirm our commitment to transatlantic security,” said Cramer, chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee and member of the Senate Ukraine Caucus. “Meeting with President Zelenskyy and hearing from young Ukrainians who escaped Russian-occupied territories was a powerful reminder of what is at stake. We must stand with Ukraine, confront Russian aggression, and work alongside our allies to protect freedom and security for generations to come. This trip has also renewed my conviction to increase our energy security, our food security and our mineral security in order to weather conflicts and honor our alliances should the need arise. Peace through strength requires the conviction to lead as well as the ability to defend our homeland and our allies until we have achieved victory.”\n\nIn Kyiv, the delegation met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Russian attacks targeted infrastructure across the country. Following the meeting, Zelenskyy said in a post on X that air raid alerts remained in effect throughout the discussion because of the threat posed by jet-powered Shahed drones. He added Russian strikes had damaged two schools in Kyiv since the beginning of the month and hit bridges, energy facilities, and other critical infrastructure.\n\n“We can only protect ourselves from this terror by working together, and we discussed how the United States can help save lives,” said Zelenskyy on X. “Of course, we expect the Lindsey Graham Act to be implemented. This is a matter of political will, and it is now important to show leadership and fully cut off the financial flows sustaining Russia’s war machine. We also discussed other necessary steps, including expediting licensing for Patriot missile production. Ukraine is ready not only to produce ballistic missile interceptors for its own needs, but also to strengthen the United States and its allies through joint production. I thank the United States for its unwavering support.”\n\nCramer and his colleagues also attended the 24th Autumn Meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly in Andorra, which included personal accounts from young Ukrainians who escaped Russian-occupied territories. Afterward, Cramer said, “We must never forget the thousands of children taken by Russia in Putin’s unprovoked, illegal attack on Ukraine.”\n\nCramer then joined Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and other participants in the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland. In addition to a bilateral meeting with commander of United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus G. Grynkewich, Cramer also discussed the role of energy as a tool of geopolitical influence and potential vulnerability in times of conflict.\n\nCramer last traveled to Ukraine with a bipartisan congressional delegation in January 2022, shortly before the Russian invasion, meeting with Zelenskyy and reaffirming U.S. support as Russian forces built up along Ukraine’s border. The senators voiced solidarity with Ukraine amid escalating Russian aggression, the ongoing conflict in the Donbas, and Russia’s occupation and illegal annexation of Crimea.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/fra-awards-over-24-million-for-rail-infrastructure-upgrades-in-north-dakota", "title": "FRA Awards Over $24 Million for Rail Infrastructure Upgrades in North Dakota", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cramer.senate.gov", "scraper": "cramer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001096", "name": "Kevin Cramer", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BISMARCK, ND – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded $23.6 million to the Red River Valley & Western Railroad (RRVW) and $690,825 to Bottineau County through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. The funding will support rail infrastructure improvements, enhance safety, and improve transportation efficiency across North Dakota.\n\n“This funding will allow the modernization of a large portion of railway between Gwinner and Wyndmere—two-thirds of which was laid down before the end of World War I, and the rest before the Great Depression,” said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “Old rail is susceptible to thermal misalignments, and frigid North Dakota winters can break joint bars and increase the risk of derailments. The grant will ensure RRVW can continue supporting North Dakota’s agricultural shippers with dependable, modern rail service.”\n\nIn April, the North Dakota Delegation wrote a letter to FRA in support of the project and earlier this year Cramer led his colleagues in urging continued funding for the CRISI program.\n\nAdditionally, Bottineau County’s award will target rail safety improvements, including a railroad crossing near a school zone and increased grain-handling capacity.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hhs-awards-more-than-27-million-in-liheap-funding-for-north-dakota", "title": "HHS Awards more than $27 Million in LIHEAP Funding for North Dakota", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.cramer.senate.gov", "scraper": "cramer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "C001096", "name": "Kevin Cramer", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BISMARCK, N.D. - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families, awarded $20,760,234 to North Dakota through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The funding helps support low-income households with their home energy costs.\n\nHHS also announced the following LIHEAP awards to tribal nations in North Dakota:", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ernst-names-small-business-of-the-week-sorensen-studios", "title": "Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Sorensen Studios", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.ernst.senate.gov", "scraper": "ernst", "member": {"bioguide_id": "E000295", "name": "Joni Ernst", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Sorensen Studios of Adair County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa's 99 counties.\n\n“The mural of the story is that Sorensen Studios is a prime example of creative entrepreneurship,” said Chair Ernst. “Maria and Ray Sorensen’s commitment to their business, community, and our nation’s veterans rocks.”\n\nThe idea for Sorensen Studios began when Ray “Bubba” Sorensen started helping his now-wife, Maria, on her journalism projects at Iowa State University. As the two worked together, it was clear they made a great team. In 2008, Maria and Bubba opened Sorensen Studios, using Bubba’s artistic talent and Maria’s knack for photography and logistics.\n\nFor nearly two decades, Sorensen Studios has been owned and operated by Maria and Bubba. In 2013, Sorensen Studios started the Freedom Rock Tour, with the goal of putting signature painted rocks honoring veterans in all 99 of Iowa’s counties. Today, there is a Freedom Rock in every Iowa county, and the Sorensens have started the 50-State Freedom Rock Tour to highlight and thank veterans across the country. The pair also launched the Freedom Rock Foundation, a nonprofit created to maintain Freedom Rocks, with a board made up of veterans. In addition to Sorensen Studios, Bubba is a state representative for the 23rd district in the Iowa House of Representatives.\n\nStay tuned as Chair Ernst continues to recognize outstanding Iowa small businesses with her Small Business of the Week award.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=C7194F32-38C3-43B9-A46F-91BB71C71636", "title": "Fischer, Energy Secretary Talk Biofuels with Ag Industry", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "domain": "www.fischer.senate.gov", "scraper": "fischer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "F000463", "name": "Deb Fischer", "party": "Republican", "state": "NE", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "LOUISVILLE – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited with ag producers from across Nebraska to discuss E15 and the cost of fuel. The roundtable was hosted by the Nebraska Farm Bureau with Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Adrian Smith (NE-03) also in attendance.\n\n“E15 is one of the most direct ways we can provide relief at the pump,” Fischer said. “Secretary Wright understands a diverse energy mix of oil, gas, renewables, nuclear, and biofuels makes the United States stronger and more resilient during market disruptions. I’m glad he had a chance to hear firsthand from Nebraska’s producers about the challenges they face.”\n\n“We held a productive meeting with Nebraska’s farmers where we discussed the Trump administration’s commitment to doing everything we can to lower the cost of energy, including supporting Nebraska’s growing biofuels industry,” Wright said. “It’s no coincidence that in a state with such hardworking Americans and leaders, growth and prosperity are surging.”\n\nFischer secured a provision in the Farm Bill allowing for the year-round sale of E15. The Farm Bill advanced out of the Senate Agriculture Committee on September 16, 2026.\n\nPresident Donald Trump has urged Congress to approve the permanent, year-round sale of E15.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-statement-on-suspicious-mail-sent-to-nyc-office/", "title": "Gillibrand Statement On Suspicious Mail Sent To NYC Office", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "scraper": "gillibrand", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000555", "name": "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) issued the following statement after postal inspectors intercepted a suspicious piece of mail addressed to Senator Gillibrand’s New York City office:\n\n“This afternoon, a suspicious piece of mail was sent to my New York City office and was safely intercepted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. I am deeply grateful to the postal inspectors for protecting my staff.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-statement-on-trump-administration-withholding-iran-school-bombing-report-until-after-midterms/", "title": "Gillibrand Statement On Trump Administration Withholding Iran School Bombing Report Until After Midterms", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "domain": "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "scraper": "gillibrand", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000555", "name": "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "GILLIBRAND: “Withholding This Report Until After The Election Is Not Only Disgraceful, It Is Cowardly.”\n\nToday, following reports that top Pentagon officials intend to withhold the results of the Defense Department’s “all-but-complete” investigation into the U.S.’ bombing of an Iranian elementary school in February – the worst civilian casualty incident caused by the U.S. military in decades – until after the midterm elections, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, released the following statement:\n\n“Secretary Hegseth has decided that politics is more important than our national security and innocent children’s lives. Withholding this report until after the election is not only disgraceful, it is cowardly. We have waited months – release the report. Congress and the American people deserve full transparency and accountability around this attack, and I will not rest until we have it. If Secretary Hegseth and this administration put as much effort into protecting civilians as they do into dodging accountability, those children might still be alive, and we wouldn’t be in this reckless war with Iran.”\n\nDespite ample reporting that Pentagon investigators have found that the U.S. was at fault for the Minab school bombing, Trump administration officials have not publicly taken responsibility for the strike or the resultant civilian deaths. President Trump himself has suggested multiple times that the strike was not the U.S.’ fault and has even blamed Iran. Additionally, Secretary Hegseth has spent his tenure deriding the rules of engagement and cutting DoD programs that aim to prevent harm to civilians during war, including slashing civilian harm mitigation and response staff at the U.S. combatant commands by over 90 percent.\n\nSenator Gillibrand has repeatedly pressed the Trump administration for answers on the Minab school strike and pushed for the results of the Pentagon’s investigation to be made public. Some of these actions include:\n\nMarch 12: Senator Gillibrand questions EUCOM Commander and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe ​​Gen. Alexus Grynkewich on processes involved in the Minab school bombing, including how the school may have been targeted and Secretary Hegseth’s cuts to civilian harm mitigation efforts at DoD\n\nMarch 27: Senator Gillibrand, colleagues demand bipartisan Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) investigation into Minab school bombing, including what systems or mechanisms DoD used during Operation Epic Fury to prevent civilian harm incidents\n\nApril 30: Senator Gillibrand grills Secretary Hegseth over the Iran war, including civilian casualties at schools and hospitals\n\nMay 14: Senator Gillibrand presses CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper on NYT report on 22 schools being damaged by U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran, including the Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab\n\nJuly 13: Senator Gillibrand leads her colleagues in a letter calling for the swift completion and release of the Pentagon’s investigation into the Minab school strike\n\nJuly 14: Senator Gillibrand demands accountability from military leadership about the lack of transparency around the Minab school bombing and the Pentagon’s failure to release its report\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-hinson-support-for-public-safety-funding-yields-resoundingly-positive-results-for-iowa", "title": "Grassley, Hinson Support for Public Safety Funding Yields “Resoundingly Positive” Results for Iowa", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), working alongside U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), community leaders and the U.S. Department of Justice, has secured over $42,000,000 in federal public safety funding for Iowa during the 119th Congress, including over $6,811,000 for communities across northeastern Iowa.\n\nRead more from the Cresco Times Plains Dealer about a recent grant, backed by Grassley and Hinson, that’s helping supercharge public safety in Howard County:\n\n“For the Howard County Sheriff's Office grant, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) granted the substantial $1,364,725 federal award. In addition to Hinson, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, a staunch proponent of law enforcement funding, played a pivotal role in securing this grant for Howard County.\n\n“As Congresswoman Hinson and key allies like Senator Grassley amplify their support for public safety initiatives in rural Iowa, the impact of federal funding on local communities and emergency response capabilities remains resoundingly positive. Through innovative partnerships and proactive investments, Howard County stands poised to navigate emergencies with enhanced preparedness and reinforced security, ensuring the prosperity and safety of its residents.\"\n\nTomorrow, Grassley and Hinson will join local law enforcement officers in Eldora to discuss Iowa’s public safety needs and how a $3,054,209 federal grant headed to the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office will strengthen services in the region.\n\nThanks to the ongoing work of Grassley, Hinson and community leaders, Iowans in Hardin, Howard, Franklin, Winneshiek, Linn, Tama, Black Hawk and Dubuque counties have received a total of $6,811,252 in 2025 and 2026 to support public safety:\n\nThe Hardin County Sheriff’s Office received $3,054,209 to modernize the department’s equipment and interoperable communications systems.\n\nThe Howard County Sheriff’s Office received $1,364,725 to support the department’s critical law enforcement technology, equipment and infrastructure.\n\nThe Kids First Law Center, a legal organization in Linn County, received nearly $500,000 to expand its Building Safer Schools program, which aims to reach and redirect at-risk youth, support child victims and prevent youth violence.\n\nThe AGWSR Community School District in Franklin and Hardin counties received $500,000 to bolster school security.\n\nHelping Services for Youth & Families, a nonprofit in Winneshiek County, received $500,000 to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.\n\nThe Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa received over $268,000 to help address the needs of crime victims.\n\nWaypoint Services for Women, Children and Families, a nonprofit in Linn County, received over $250,000 to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.\n\nThe City of Mount Vernon received $200,000 to provide mental health training to first responders across Iowa.\n\nLinn County received over $70,000 to replace outdated law enforcement equipment, enhance officer safety and improve efficiency within the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Marion Police Department and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.\n\nBlack Hawk County and the Cities of Waterloo and Cedar Falls received over $48,000 to support law enforcement officers tasked with combating illicit drugs, gun violence and gang activity.?\n\nThe City of Dubuque received over $33,600 to assist local law enforcement with enforcement, prevention and tactical response efforts.\n\nThe City of Eldora received over $11,000 to support the Eldora Police Department Technology and Training Initiative, aimed at enhancing officer training and improving public safety outcomes.\n\nThe City of Mason City received over $10,000 to establish a canine program within the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office to assist in suspect tracking, building searches, narcotics detection and officer safety.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-nominates-iowan-to-serve-on-us-senate-curatorial-advisory-board", "title": "Grassley Nominates Iowan to Serve on U.S. Senate Curatorial Advisory Board", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "domain": "www.grassley.senate.gov", "scraper": "grassley", "member": {"bioguide_id": "G000386", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "party": "Republican", "state": "IA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) nominated Stefanie Kohn of Cedar Rapids to serve on the U.S. Senate Curatorial Advisory Board. Kohn is the Curator at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids. Grassley nominated Kohn in his capacity as U.S. Senate President pro tempore.\n\n“The Senate’s Curatorial Advisory Board is a key resource for the Senate Curator’s office as they preserve our history and share exhibits, publications and programs with the public. As Senate President pro tempore, it’s my honor to nominate an Iowan, Stefanie Kohn, to serve on this distinguished board. As the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library’s Curator, Stefanie is more than qualified, and I look forward to her appointment,” Grassley said.\n\nThe nomination must now be approved by U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) before Kohn can be appointed. In 2020, Sean Ulmer of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art was appointed to the board after Grassley nominated him for the role.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Senate Curatorial Advisory Board provides recommendations to the U.S. Senate Commission on Art about the acquisition and care of the Senate's archives and architecture. It also provides administrative and executive support to the Senate Curator and the Senate Curator’s Office.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hagerty.senate.gov/press-releases/2026/10/15/icymi-hagerty-joins-varney-co-on-fox-business-to-discuss-iran-russia-and-debanking/", "title": "ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Varney & Co. on Fox Business to Discuss Iran, Russia, and Debanking", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hagerty.senate.gov/press-releases/", "domain": "www.hagerty.senate.gov", "scraper": "hagerty", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H000601", "name": "Bill Hagerty", "party": "Republican", "state": "TN", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "NEW YORK—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations, Appropriations, and Banking Committees, joined Varney & Co. on Fox Business to discuss the latest in Iran, President Donald Trump’s recent diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the weaponization of the financial system against conservatives.\n\n*Click the photo above or here to watch*\n\nPartial Transcript\n\nHagerty on Iran: I was with the president over the weekend, and he certainly is quite tired of dealing with the Iranians. I think you could see it from his comments in Montana yesterday. The back and forth with the Iranians is extraordinarily difficult to navigate. You don’t know who is running the place, and frankly, I’m not sure they know who is running the place, but this is coming to a point where I think they’re doing the old playbook where they are hoping for a different outcome in the election. Certainly, they’re hoping for an Obama-like result of Congress changing hands. I don’t think that’s going to happen. One, I don’t think that Congress is going to change hands, and two, President Trump will certainly be the president of the United States the day after the election, no matter what happens. I think the Iranians need to wake up and realize they’re not going to get the same type of Obama-Biden break or relief after this election, even though they’re obviously playing toward November.\n\nHagerty on America’s recent oil agreement with Russia: I wouldn’t say that [the president] is leaning toward Putin. If you look at the [Lindsey O. Graham Russia Sanctions Act] that he just signed into law a couple of weeks ago, that put even more forceful sanctions in place that we can deploy against Russia. I think what he’s trying to address with this diesel deal is frankly the world markets right now and bringing costs down. Diesel has become a real issue. The Iranians are trying to create it and make it more of an issue. He’s trying to deal with multiple complex factors here, but long term, he’s got the tools. We’ve enabled him to have the tools from the legislative branch. It’s certainly something that President Trump is managing—a multi-variable calculation here as he addresses it—but at the same time, he has got to maintain economic security and energy security for the United States and our allies. That’s the immediate benefit here. And longer term, I think he’s got to keep Putin’s eye on the ball. Look, we have these sanctions that are incredibly forceful. They’re going to have a real impact, and Putin needs to learn to work with us, not against us.\n\nHagerty on debanking and the weaponization of the financial system against conservatives: I’ve spoken with the heads of the major banks. This is a very real issue. Supervisors are unelected. They use unprinted guidance that can’t be disclosed publicly, and they put enormous pressure. They—meaning the unelected bureaucrats—put enormous pressure on our banking system to buckle under, to debank everyone, from the president’s family to the small operation selling a MAGA hat on the corner. So that is going to come to an end. They’re going to depoliticize the [Office of the Comptroller of the Currency]. It’s long due. [Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould] is doing a great job of coming through and exposing what we all knew. This has gone on since Lois Lerner; this is another Choke Point operation. This is the Democrat playbook to utilize the bureaucracy to come in and punish their foes.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-senate-committee-leaders-tri-caucus-chairs-press-trump-administration-on-illegal-reallocation-of-funding-for-minority-serving-institutions", "title": "Hirono, Senate Committee Leaders, Tri-Caucus Chairs Press Trump Administration on Illegal Reallocation of Funding for Minority Serving Institutions", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.hirono.senate.gov", "scraper": "hirono", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001042", "name": "Mazie K. Hirono", "party": "Democrat", "state": "HI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) led a bicameral coalition—including Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and other related agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Alex Padilla (D-CA), alongside Congressional Tri-Caucus Chairs Grace Meng (D-NY), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY)—in pressing U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Linda McMahon on the Administration’s illegal decision to redirect funding from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) to other institutions. In a letter to Secretary McMahon, the members emphasized that while increasing funding for those institutions is important, the additional investments cannot come at the expense of MSIs that serve millions of students nationwide. The letter also reiterated the illegal nature of the decision to redirect funding that was statutorily authorized in specific amounts for specific purposes—in clear violation of the law.\n\n“This administration unnecessarily reallocated half of these funds in order to put out a press release leading up to midterm elections touting how much funding it was providing to HBCUs and Tribal Colleges—while robbing MSIs of investments Congress has provided them. It is offensive that the Trump administration is pitting these institutions of higher education and the students they serve against each other, and going to extra lengths to do so,” the members wrote.\n\nThere are currently more than 800 federally recognized MSIs which include Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNHSIs), Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTIs), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). These MSIs serve more than 5 million students collectively and have been receiving Congressionally directed federal support for more than 30 years.\n\nIn December 2019, Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the bipartisan Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act (FUTURE Act), permanently authorizing $255 million in mandatory funding for HBCUs, TCCUs, and MSIs.\n\n“The law is clear. Congress mandated that funds, with specific statutorily prescribed amounts, be provided for each grant program with specific statutorily defined purposes in each fiscal year,” the members wrote.\n\nThe members outlined how the mandatory funding from the FUTURE Act leaves no room for the Trump Administration to redirect funding from MSIs to any other programs or purposes—reiterating the illegal nature of the decision.\n\n“To be clear, mandatory funding for [these institutions]—as provided by the FUTURE Act—cannot be reallocated for other purposes or programs without explicit authorization from Congress. ED does not have the unilateral authority to reallocate these funds,” the members continued\n\nThe members concluded their letter by emphasizing the importance of supporting all MSIs—not just HBCUs and TCCUs.\n\n“ED must immediately remedy these illegal actions and restore the funds that were illegally taken away from HSIs, AANAPISIs, ANNHSIs, NASNTIs, and PBIs. Increases in funding for HBCUs and TCCUs should not come at the expense of other critical institutions of higher education,” the members concluded.\n\nIn addition to Senators Hirono, Sanders, Murray, Baldwin, Durbin, Luján, and Padilla the letter was cosigned by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mark Warner (D-VA) Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Michael Bennet (D-CO).\n\nIn addition to Representatives Meng, Espaillat, and Clarke the letter was also cosigned by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mark Takano (D-CA), Danny Davis (D-IL), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL), Dina Titus (D-NV), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Emily Randall (D-WA), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Ed Case (D-HI), J. Correa (D-CA), Susan Bonamici (D-OR), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Derek Tran (D-CA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), George Whitesides (D-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Darren Soto (D-FL), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), and Robert Garcia (D-CA).\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Secretary McMahon:\n\nYour recent decision to reallocate mandatory funding for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) in Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026 is an illegal violation of Congress’ spending authority under the Constitution. No court has found these programs that Congress has funded to be unconstitutional, and the administration’s mere belief that they are does not give it the necessary authority to spend those funds for any other purpose or program. Many of us previously sent you a letter urging you to allocate Title III and Title V discretionary and mandatory funds as Congress directed to the more than 800 federally-recognized MSIs, which include Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNHSIs), Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTIs), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). Combined, these institutions enroll more than 5 million students in rural and urban communities in states across the country. The Higher Education Act created the statutory framework for grants to these institutions, and has been in place for more than 30 years.\n\nIn December 2019, Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the bipartisan Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act (FUTURE Act), permanently authorizing $255 million in grant funds for MSIs, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). The funds are allocated across seven grant programs, each with a designated funding amount beginning in Fiscal Year 2020 and continuing thereafter. This authorization was an extension of prior mandatory appropriations that began in Fiscal Year 2008 and then expired.\n\nReallocation of Funds Designated for HSIs, AANAPISIs, ANNHSIs, and NASNTIs\n\nOn September 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced it would reallocate FY25 and FY26 mandatory funds Congress had specifically allocated for MSIs to HBCUs and TCCUs. In the news release announcing this illegal action, ED announced a “significant, one-time investment of more than $174 million in additional funding to strengthen” HBCUs, and “a one-time award of more than $61 million in additional funding” for TCCUs.\n\nWhile we strongly support additional funding for HBCUs and TCCUs, increasing funding for some institutions should not come at the expense of others. Furthermore, as previously stated, ED has no authority to redirect mandatory funding for MSIs—in this case, for HSIs, AANAPISIs, ANNHSIs, and NASNTIs—for other purposes or programs. In fact, the entire basis for invalidating and redistributing these funds seems to be a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion from December 2, 2025, which wrongly determined that both discretionary and mandatory grants for HSIs, AANAPISIs, ANNHSIs, and NASNTIs, and discretionary grants for PBIs, were unconstitutional—without any judicial decision squarely dictating such a conclusion, and lacking any statutory authority to spend mandatory funds for anything other than their required purposes.\n\nShortly thereafter, ED stated that it was evaluating the full impact of the OLC opinion on the programs. ED then took several actions which made clear that it would not fund the programs, including by not allowing institutions to reapply for eligibility for the programs, and not including them in the eligibility matrix for Title III and Title V funds.\n\nReallocation of Funds Designated for PBIs\n\nEven by its own baseless standards, the administration determined in the December 2025 OLC memo that the race-based provisions of this program could be severed and stated that ED could continue to provide these competitive grants for the authorized uses in this program, regardless of whether the grant recipient is a PBI. However, rather than adhering to the statute authorizing this grant program—or even OLC’s own wrongful guidance—ED allocated these funds to grantees under a different program with a separate purpose.\n\nUnnecessarily Accelerating Obligation of FY26 Mandatory Funds\n\nOn top of all of this, the Trump administration took the completely unnecessary step of obligating FY26 mandatory funding for these programs a full year before it has historically been done, and a full year before the funds expire. These funds are available for two years—funds becoming available in FY26 are available for obligation through FY27. If ED only continued to award funds on the schedule it has historically, FY26 funds would be awarded this time next year.\n\nThe administration has claimed it reallocated these funds so they did not lapse and go to waste. While the Trump administration is perfectly willing to let appropriated funds lapse in other cases, including most recently with international education and migrant and seasonal farmworker education programs, half of the MSI funds it reallocated were not going to lapse this year. Even if one were to take the administration’s misguided legal view of these programs at face value, for half of these funds the choice was not between reallocating funding or having the funds lapse. The administration has said repeatedly it wants to work with Congress on solutions to address the legal status of these programs. While we fundamentally disagree with the administration’s view, the administration could have simply continued to administer these funds on the timeline it always has—which means obligating the FY26 funds next September—and waited to see if Congress enacted a solution or a court ruled on the constitutionality of these programs over the course of the next year. In fact, Congress did enact a temporary and albeit imperfect fix in the FY26 Consolidated Appropriations Act when faced with the fact that the Trump administration would otherwise let discretionary funding for MSIs lapse.\n\nThis administration unnecessarily reallocated half of these funds in order to put out a press release leading up to midterm elections touting how much funding it was providing to HBCUs and Tribal Colleges—while robbing MSIs of investments Congress has provided them. It is offensive that the Trump administration is pitting these institutions of higher education and the students they serve against each other, and going to extra lengths to do so. If President Trump and this administration were serious about investing in all of these institutions—as each of us is—the president would push for more funds for them instead of seeking to slash education programs while supersizing the Pentagon’s budget.\n\nThe law is clear. Congress mandated that funds, with specific statutorily prescribed amounts, be provided for each grant program with specific statutorily defined purposes in each fiscal year. To be clear, mandatory funding for HBCUs, TCCUs, HSIs, AANAPISIs, ANNHSIs, NASNTIs, and PBIs—as provided by the FUTURE Act—cannot be reallocated for other purposes or programs without explicit authorization from Congress. ED does not have the unilateral authority to reallocate these funds.\n\nThe Executive Branch’s improper use of mandatory funds plainly violates Article I of the Constitution, which delegates the spending power to Congress. By failing to follow the law and fund programs as Congress directed, and to instead allocate funds for other unauthorized purposes, the Executive Branch has clearly exceeded its Constitutional authority. ED must immediately remedy these illegal actions and restore the funds that were illegally taken away from HSIs, AANAPISIs, ANNHSIs, NASNTIs, and PBIs. Increases in funding for HBCUs and TCCUs should not come at the expense of other critical institutions of higher education. We would welcome the opportunity to work on a bipartisan basis with the administration to increase investments in MSIs, HBCUs, and TCCUs.\n\nThank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We look forward to your response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-announces-more-than-27-million-in-liheap-funding-for-north-dakota-tribal-communities", "title": "Hoeven Announces More Than $27 Million In LIHEAP Funding For North Dakota & Tribal Communities", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "scraper": "hoeven", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001061", "name": "John Hoeven", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded more than $27 million through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help North Dakota households and tribal communities afford home heating and energy costs.\n\nThe funding includes:\n\n$20,760,234 to the State of North Dakota.\n\n$2,458,803 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.\n\n$1,639,202 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.\n\n$1,366,002 to the Spirit Lake Tribe.\n\n$1,092,801 to the Three Affiliated Tribes (Fort Berthold).\n\n“LIHEAP provides important assistance to families across North Dakota during cold winter months,” said Hoeven. “These funds will help ensure low-income households are able to keep their homes warm and safe.”\n\nLIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps eligible low-income households manage home energy costs, including heating assistance and energy-related emergencies.\n\n-###-", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hoeven-red-river-valley-western-railroad-receives-23-6-million-for-rail-infrastructure-improvements", "title": "Hoeven: Red River Valley & Western Railroad Receives $23.6 Million for Rail Infrastructure Improvements", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "scraper": "hoeven", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001061", "name": "John Hoeven", "party": "Republican", "state": "ND", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Red River Valley & Western Railroad (RRVW) has received a $23.6 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. Hoeven led the North Dakota Congressional delegation in sending a letter of support for RRVW’s grant application to modernize aging rail infrastructure earlier this year. The funding will support the replacement of approximately 26 miles of rail and the construction of a new siding near Wahpeton to improve safety and efficiency.\n\nIn addition, the FRA awarded $690,825 to Bottineau County through the CRISI Program to support rail safety improvements, including a railroad crossing near a school zone and increased grain-handling capacity.\n\n“These investments will help improve rail safety, increase efficiency and strengthen North Dakota’s transportation infrastructure,” said Hoeven. “Reliable rail service is essential to getting our agricultural and energy products to market, and these projects will help support our producers, businesses and communities across the state.”\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\n-###-", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/husted-in-east-palestine-for-regional-first-responder-training-center-announcement-leads-team-tressel-fitness-challenge-with-elementary-students-in-youngstown-visits-ohio-manufacturers-at-vallourec/", "title": "Husted in East Palestine for regional first responder training center announcement, leads Team Tressel Fitness Challenge with elementary students in Youngstown, visits Ohio manufacturers at Vallourec Star", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“Whether it’s training first responders, getting kids moving, or backing the workers who build American steel, these visits are about investing in Ohio’s people and Ohio’s communities.”\n\nYOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) today joined Youngstown State University (YSU) to announce a new regional first responder training center in East Palestine, led the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge with students at Harding Elementary School in Youngstown, and visited Vallourec Star in Youngstown to meet with Ohio manufacturers and job creators.\n\nAt the East Palestine Fire Department, Husted joined Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and YSU President Bill Johnson to announce the YSU Resiliency, Adaptability, Preparedness, Innovation for Disaster (RAPID) project. The center will give career and volunteer first responders hands-on training for rail-related emergencies, hazardous materials incidents and other dangerous situations. It builds on Norfolk Southern’s $20 million commitment to YSU, announced November 2025, in the wake of the 2023 train derailment.\n\n“This center will give career and volunteer first responders the specialized training they need to be ready for dangerous and unpredictable situations. We pledged that East Palestine won’t be forgotten, and this is a great example of a public-private partnership working to make that happen. The next step is passing my Railway Safety Act so first responders can get the protective equipment they need to stay safe on the job,” said Husted.\n\nAt Harding Elementary School, Husted joined Lt. Gov. Tressel to lead about 170 third through fifth grade students through cardio, strength, flexibility and balance exercises. Husted also talked with students about the importance of nutrition and sleep.\n\n“Getting kids moving, eating well and getting enough sleep sets them up to learn, grow and succeed. I’m grateful to Lt. Gov. Tressel for leading this effort, and to the students and teachers at Harding Elementary for bringing it to life,” said Husted.\n\nAt Vallourec Star, Husted toured the Youngstown facility and spoke with workers about wins in Washington for manufacturers. The company makes seamless steel pipe used in energy infrastructure and has invested more than $1.5 billion in the United States over the past 15 years, creating more than 500 jobs. A new premium threading line is set to open at the Youngstown facility in November 2026.\n\n“Ohio workers make the steel pipe that keeps American energy production strong, and Vallourec is a great example of what happens when companies invest in Ohio. I’ll keep fighting for policies that help our manufacturers grow, create good jobs and compete with anyone in the world,” said Husted.\n\nThese visits build on Husted’s work for Ohio communities, workers and manufacturers. In the Senate, Husted is supporting:\n\nRailway Safety Act of 2026: This bipartisan bill, which Husted leads, would expand access to Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grants so first responders can purchase protective equipment before a derailment occurs, not after.\n\nPromotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2025: This bill would encourage business owners to sell their companies to their employers.\n\nHusted also supported the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which includes:", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/husted-secures-more-than-1-6-million-in-federal-funding-for-ohio-fire-departments/", "title": "Husted secures more than $1.6 million in federal funding for Ohio fire departments", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.husted.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.husted.senate.gov", "scraper": "husted", "member": {"bioguide_id": "H001104", "name": "Jon Husted", "party": "Republican", "state": "OH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "“Our firefighters and EMT’s run toward danger every single day to keep Ohioans safe, and they deserve the training, equipment and staffing to do that job well.”\n\nWASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) today announced that he secured more than $1.6 million in federal funding for five Ohio fire departments through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs.\n\nHusted successfully advocated for the funding by submitting letters of support on behalf of each department’s grant application.\n\n“Our firefighters and EMT’s run toward danger every single day to keep Ohioans safe, and they deserve the training, equipment and staffing to do that job well. I’m proud to have supported these five Ohio departments as they secured the resources they need to protect their communities,” said Husted.\n\nThe five Ohio departments receiving funding are:\n\nThe City of Defiance Fire Department: $230,336 to give seven firefighters advanced rescue training.\n\nThe Woodlawn Fire Department: $347,619 for a new ambulance.\n\nThe Eastlake Fire Department: $74,620 to install new equipment in the firehouse.\n\nThe City of Franklin Division of Fire & EMS: $340,000 for new medical equipment.\n\nThe Painesville City Fire Department: $620,084 to hire six additional firefighters.\n\nBackground:\n\nFEMA’s AFG program provides direct federal funding to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated EMS organizations and state fire training academies for essential equipment, training, protective gear, vehicles, facility safety improvements and responder health and wellness. Its purpose is to strengthen the safety and readiness of firefighters and the public facing fire and related hazards.\n\nFEMA’s SAFER program funds fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to build and sustain an adequate firefighting force, either by paying for additional firefighters or by recruiting and retaining volunteers. Its central goal is to help communities meet industry standards, maintain 24-hour protection where needed and carry out core fire and emergency-response missions.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-introduces-bill-to-ban-public-broadcasts-of-military-executions/", "title": "Kelly Introduces Bill to Ban Public Broadcasts of Military Executions", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.kelly.senate.gov", "scraper": "markkelly", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000377", "name": "Mark Kelly", "party": "Democrat", "state": "AZ", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Legislation would prohibit public broadcasts of military executions and prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to record or publicly distribute execution footage\n\nToday, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly introduced the No Public Executions in America Act to prohibit the public broadcasting of military executions and prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to record or publicly distribute footage of executions carried out under federal law.\n\nThe legislation comes after Secretary Hegseth announced plans to publicly broadcast the execution of Nidal Hasan, a military prisoner who was sentenced to death for killing 13 people and wounding dozens more in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. While President Trump has since reversed that decision following calls for him to do so, the bill establishes a permanent prohibition on publicly broadcasting military executions and bans the use of taxpayers’ funds to broadcast federal executions.\n\n“Livestreaming an execution is un-American and dangerous. It is the kind of thing we see with regimes like Iran and the Taliban in Afghanistan, and it won’t make Americans any safer,” said Kelly. “The No Public Executions in America Act will put a stop to this plan and any like it in the future.”\n\nBackground:\n\nThe No Public Executions in America Act would prohibit federal officials and individuals acting under the authority of the Department of Defense from recording or publicly broadcasting executions conducted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and ban federal funds to be used in the broadcasting of executions.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would:\n\nProhibit public broadcasts of military executions, including livestreaming, recording, publishing, or distributing execution footage.\n\nPrevent taxpayer dollars from being used to record or publicly distribute executions carried out under any federal law, including military commissions.\n\nThe legislation would apply to all executions carried out after the bill becomes law, regardless of when the death sentence was imposed or approved by the president.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-more-than-37-million-for-freight-rail-upgrades-in-northern-maine", "title": "Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $37 Million for Freight Rail Upgrades in Northern Maine", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table", "domain": "www.king.senate.gov", "scraper": "angusking", "member": {"bioguide_id": "K000383", "name": "Angus S. King, Jr.", "party": "Independent", "state": "ME", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has been awarded $37,040,000 for the Northern Aroostook Rail Gateway Modernization and Safety Project. This funding will support the rehabilitation of approximately 90 miles of railroad tracks in northern Maine, including in Fort Kent, Madawaska, and Van Buren.\n\nThe funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. In July 2026, Senators Collins and Angus King sent a letter to the FRA in support of MaineDOT's application for this funding, highlighting the importance of the rail corridor to northern Maine's forest products and agricultural industries.\n\nThe 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provided an additional $5 billion for the CRISI Program from Fiscal Years 2022 through 2026. Senator Collins was part of the core group of 10 senators who negotiated the IIJA.\n\n“Freight rail is essential to northern Maine’s economy, connecting our forest products and agricultural industries to markets across the country and around the world,” said Senators Collins and King. “This $37 million investment will help modernize aging rail infrastructure and increase railcar capacity, making it easier and safer for Maine businesses to move their products. By strengthening this critical rail corridor, this funding will support local jobs and help keep Aroostook County’s forest products and agricultural industries competitive for years to come.”\n\nSpecifically, the project will rehabilitate approximately 90 miles of the Maine Northern Railway's Madawaska Subdivision and the Eastern Maine Railway's Van Buren Subdivision. Improvements will include replacing aging rail, crossties, and ballast, as well as rehabilitating a key railroad bridge.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-vasquez-call-for-independent-review-of-wipp-hoist-collapse-greater-doe-engagement/", "title": "Heinrich, Luján, & Vasquez Call for Independent Review of WIPP Hoist Collapse, Greater DOE Engagement", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Following an August incident in which a hoist cable snapped during safety testing, New Mexico lawmakers emphasize the importance of worker safety, transparency, and operational stability at WIPP\n\nWASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, alongside U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure an independent, transparent investigation of an August 19 incident at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), where an empty lift plunged 1,600 feet to the bottom of the shaft after a cable snapped during safety testing.\n\nThe lawmakers are calling for DOE to actively participate in the review, with the full engagement of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), and to ensure workers are kept informed of the findings and any corrective actions.\n\n“This incident is deeply alarming, and it comes against a backdrop of ongoing, documented concerns about the condition of WIPP’s aging hoist infrastructure. The safety of WIPP’s workers must come first. These individuals deserve nothing less than full confidence in the systems and procedures on which their lives depend,” said the lawmakers to DOE Office of Environmental Management Assistant Secretary Tim Walsh.\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “We urge the Department to ensure a thorough, transparent investigation of the August 19 incident and to solicit the full engagement of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) as an independent party in that review. Given the nature of the event and the facility’s history of hoist-related failures, an independent assessment of these incidents is essential to credibility—both for workers and for the communities that depend on WIPP’s continued safe operation.”\n\n“This incident also highlights what we understand to be a pattern of unproductive and unsustainable tensions between some WIPP workers and Salado Isolation Mining Contractors, the facility’s prime contractor. These dynamics, if unaddressed, present their own risk to the safe and stable operation of the facility. A workforce that does not trust the contractor responsible for their safety is a major operational risk,” the lawmakers underscored.\n\nThe lawmakers concluded their letter by urging DOE to ensure an investigation of the incident that is transparent and responsive to WIPP workers’ concerns.\n\n“We want to be clear: the Department of Energy bears ultimate responsibility for the safe, stable, and long-term operation of WIPP…Workers must be kept fully informed of findings and corrective actions, and their safety concerns must be meaningfully addressed, not managed,” the lawmakers concluded.\n\nThe full text of the letter is here and below.\n\nSecretary Walsh:\n\nWe write to express our growing concern for the safety of workers at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) following the August 19, 2026, incident involving the Air Intake Shaft (AIS) hoist, in which a five-person emergency lift plunged to the bottom of the shaft after its cable snapped during testing. This incident is deeply alarming, and it comes against a backdrop of ongoing, documented concerns about the condition of WIPP’s aging hoist infrastructure. The safety of WIPP’s workers must come first. These individuals deserve nothing less than full confidence in the systems and procedures on which their lives depend.\n\nWe urge the Department to ensure a thorough, transparent investigation of the August 19 incident and to solicit the full engagement of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) as an independent party in that review. Given the nature of the event and the facility’s history of hoist-related failures, an independent assessment of these incidents is essential to credibility—both for workers and for the communities that depend on WIPP’s continued safe operation.\n\nThis incident also highlights what we understand to be a pattern of unproductive and unsustainable tensions between some WIPP workers and Salado Isolation Mining Contractors, the facility’s prime contractor. These dynamics, if unaddressed, present their own risk to the safe and stable operation of the facility. A workforce that does not trust the contractor responsible for their safety is a major operational risk.\n\nWe want to be clear: the Department of Energy bears ultimate responsibility for the safe, stable, and long-term operation of WIPP. That responsibility is not delegable to a contractor. We therefore ask that DOE be proactively engaged as an active participant in the investigation and resolution of this incident. Workers must be kept fully informed of findings and corrective actions, and their safety concerns must be meaningfully addressed, not managed.\n\nSincerely,", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lujan-colleaguesquestion-metas-use-of-billions-in-research-and-development-tax-credits-to-subsidize-its-ai-data-center-construction-boom/", "title": "Luján, ColleaguesQuestion Meta’s Use of Billions in Research and Development Tax Credits to Subsidize Its AI Data Center Construction Boom", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.lujan.senate.gov", "scraper": "lujan", "member": {"bioguide_id": "L000570", "name": "Ben Ray Luján", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NM", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. SenatorsSheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) in calling on Meta to justify its use of billions in federal research and development tax credits to fund its rapid buildout of AI data centers, in a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.\n\nAccording to recent reporting, Meta claimed its AI data centers are experimental “pilot models”, and therefore eligible for federal R&D tax credits. That is a potential misuse of that credit, which is intended to incentivize experimental research, not to scale up established computing infrastructure. As Meta spends tens of billions of dollars on AI data centers, its R&D tax credits have grown from $700 million in 2023, to $4 billion in 2025.\n\n“The federal research credit can be a useful and necessary tool to support our nation’s innovation economy and cutting-edge research,” the members wrote. “Subsidizing your A.I. data center build is not close to meeting this standard.”\n\nIf the reporting is accurate, Meta’s R&D tax credit claims would represent more than 10 percent of all research tax credits claimed in the U.S., based on Joint Committee on Taxation figures.\n\n“Any effort by Meta to use A.I. data center expansion as eligible for research credits is potentially a significant misapplication of federal tax law that merits further investigation,” the senators continued.\n\nMeta has a long record of attempting to lower its tax bill through dubious tax credit claims. In 2013, Meta claimed that $4.1 billion Zuckerberg received by exercising stock options should be eligible for research credits. The IRS challenged that claim and is seeking $355 million in back taxes from Meta.\n\nThe members demanded Meta answer the following questions:\n\nHas Meta claimed tax credits under Section 41 of the Internal Revenue Code for tax years 2023 through 2025, related to the buildout and operation of its A.I. data centers? If yes, please describe the legal justification for claiming these federal research credits, the types of research and experimentation expenditures Meta claimed were eligible for the federal research credit, and the total dollar amount of federal research credits Meta claimed for expenses related to A.I. data centers.\n\nHas Meta claimed to the IRS on federal tax filings that its A.I. data centers are “pilot models” in order to qualify for the federal research credit under Sections 41?\n\nHas Meta taken the position that expenses related to A.I. data centers are eligible for the federal research credit while expenses related to non A.I. data centers are not? If yes, please provide a legal analysis explaining why Meta believes that expenses related to its A.I. data centers are eligible for federal research credits while data centers unrelated to A.I. are not.\n\nDid Meta consult with experts from EY or any other professional accounting firms prior to making the decision to claim federal research credits for expenses related to A.I. data centers? If yes, please describe these interactions and whether EY or any other professional service firms advised Meta that expenses related to A.I. data centers qualified for the federal research credit.\n\nDid EY or any other professional accounting firm or law firm provide an opinion or opinions on whether expenses related to A.I. data centers were eligible to be claimed for the research credit? If so, please provide copies of such opinions.\n\nIn 2023, Meta disclosed that it claimed $700 million in federal research and development tax credits. How much of those tax credits was related to the construction or operation of A.I. data centers? Please specify how much of the federal research credits Meta claimed that year was for the purchase of microchips, computing equipment and other materials necessary to build or operate A.I. data centers.\n\nIn 2024, Meta disclosed that it claimed approximately $2 billion in federal research and development tax credits. How much of those tax credits was related to the construction or operation of A.I. data centers? Please specify how much of the federal research credits Meta claimed that year was for the purchase of microchips, computing equipment and other materials necessary to build or operate A.I. data centers.\n\nIn 2025, Meta disclosed that it claimed approximately $3.9 billion in federal research and development tax credits. How much of those tax credits was related to the construction or operation of A.I. data centers? Please specify how much of the federal research credits Meta claimed that year was for the purchase of microchips, computing equipment and other materials necessary to build or operate A.I. data centers.\n\nWhy did Meta claim that $4.1 billion in stock-based compensation for Mark Zuckerberg between 2008 – 2010 was a “qualified research expense”? Please provide a detailed justification as to why the CEO compensation for Mr. Zuckerberg serves a research or experimental purpose.\n\nDoes Meta intend to continue challenging the $355 million in back taxes the IRS is seeking related to treating Mr. Zuckerberg’s stock-based compensation as a qualified research expense? If yes, why?\n\nThe full letter is here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-markey-leader-schumer-reps-matsui-menendez-meng-lead-colleagues-in-demanding-trump-fcc-withdraw-proposal-to-undermine-e-rate-program", "title": "Sen. Markey, Leader Schumer, Reps. Matsui, Menendez, Meng Lead Colleagues in Demanding Trump FCC Withdraw Proposal to Undermine E-Rate Program", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.markey.senate.gov", "scraper": "markey", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000133", "name": "Edward J. Markey", "party": "Democrat", "state": "MA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Lawmakers argue that dismantling E-Rate will widen the digital divide and raise costs for the communities that can least afford it\n\nLetter Text (PDF)\n\nWashington (October 15, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and author of the E-Rate program, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Representatives Doris Matsui (CA-07), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), and Grace Meng (NY-06), today led nearly the entire Senate Democratic Caucus and more than 60 members of the House Democratic Caucus in urging Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr to withdraw the Commission’s damaging proposal to eliminate or limit the E-Rate program. In June, the Carr FCC voted to open a rulemaking examining E-Rate, which helps schools and libraries across the country afford reliable internet access.\n\nFor nearly 30 years, E-Rate has helped close the digital divide by ensuring that students and library patrons can access the internet regardless of their income or ZIP code. In 2025, E-Rate helped more than 158,000 schools and libraries pay recurring broadband bills, increase bandwidth, maintain secure internal Wi-Fi networks, and replace aging infrastructure. Ending or sharply curtailing E-Rate would impose severe costs on schools and libraries while weakening economic growth, undermining American technological leadership, and jeopardizing national security.\n\nThe E-Rate program has invested more than $69 billion to connect schools and libraries to the internet across the country. Massachusetts schools and libraries have received more than $950 million from the E-Rate program and another $97 million from the Emergency Connectivity Fund, a $7 billion program that Senator Markey created within the American Rescue Plan to provide devices and connectivity for students and educators at home.\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “Schools and libraries help develop the next generation of engineers, scientists, and cybersecurity professionals, including in communities that have historically lacked access to those opportunities. Cutting E-Rate would narrow that talent pipeline. Maintaining connectivity in every school and library is therefore an investment in America’s technological leadership, economic competitiveness, and national security.\n\nThe lawmakers continued, “We strongly support measures to protect children online and address concerns around excessive screen time. But cutting E-Rate is not a child-safety measure. E-Rate funds broadband connectivity — not laptops, tablets, applications, or online content — and recipients must already comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, including by using filtering and blocking tools, adopting internet-safety policies, and educating students about appropriate online behavior. States and local communities, meanwhile, are developing targeted policies governing when and how students use devices in schools — an appropriate way to address screen-time concerns, rather than cutting broadband support. The Commission should not use child safety as a pretext to dismantle the secure, managed broadband infrastructure that schools and libraries need to educate students and help them navigate the digital world safely.”\n\nThe letter was signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).\n\nThe letter was signed by Representatives Gabe Amo (RI-01), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Troy Carter (LA-02), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Jim Costa (CA-21), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Don Davis (NC-01), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Bill Foster (IL-11), John Garamendi (CA-08), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Jim Himes (CT-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Summer Lee (PA-12), John Mannion (NY-22), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Johnny Olszewski, Jr. (MD-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Scott Peters (CA-50), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Darren Soto (FL-09), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Derek Tran (CA-45), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL).\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=A8C03E5D-1C98-4E72-AAA6-AE352C068543", "title": "Sen. Moran Announces $49 Million Federal Investment for Western Kansas Railroad", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "domain": "www.moran.senate.gov", "scraper": "moran", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M000934", "name": "Jerry Moran", "party": "Republican", "state": "KS", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development – today announced a $49.5 million investment from the Department of Transportation for Kyle Railroad’s east-west corridor located in Phillips County. This funding was administered through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program.\n\nIn April, Sen. Moran sent a letter of support for the rail project proposed by Phillips County, the City of Goodland and the Kyle Railroad to make necessary improvements in the railroad’s infrastructure and to install new technologies to improve safety and efficiency.\n\n“The Kyle Railroad in western Kansas helps farmers move their crops to markets around the county, supporting rural businesses and communities,” said Sen. Moran. “This investment will bolster Phillips County, Goodland and the surrounding region by supporting repairs and updates to the rail and making certain it is equipped with the latest technology.”\n\n# # #", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/in-nespelem-murray-meets-with-the-confederated-colville-tribes-to-discuss-wildfire-recovery-support/", "title": "In Nespelem, Murray Meets with the Confederated Colville Tribes to Discuss Wildfire Recovery Support", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Murray: “There is not a single dollar I won’t pursue if it means helping communities across the state recover and rebuild from these devastating fires.”\n\n***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE***\n\nNespelem, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, met with the Confederated Colville Tribes to hear their concerns following wildfire season and discuss next steps of recovery after the August wildfires that devastated the Colville Reservation. Senator Murray visited Nespelem saw areas where a private owner has worked to thin the forest on their property in ways consistent with tribal work and efforts to mitigate wildfire risks and joined a roundtable with the Colville Business Council to learn more about what the community needs to recover and mitigate wildfires.\n\nOn the Colville Reservation, the Kaiser Canyon Fire burned approximately 138,293 acres and the Modrite Fire burned around 57,594 acres. Combined, these fires devastated nearly 200,000 acres, impacting forest, grassland, residential areas, along with sacred and culturally significant tribal sites. The fires caused extensive damage to tribal infrastructure, 150 cultural sites, and at least 33 homes were destroyed. The fires caused smoke damage to tribally owned facilities, including critical infrastructure such as the Lucy Covington Government Center, healthcare facilities, and community centers. Large portions of forested land and natural habitats were destroyed, severely affecting local wildlife populations, including endangered species such as the Sharp-tailed grouse. The Kaiser and Modrite Fires also setback the Colville Tribes’ forestry program, a major source of revenue and jobs for the Colville Tribe.\n\n“I know this has been a terrible wildfire season for you and the devastation and loss this community has faced is heartbreaking. This community has endured the unthinkable—and as you rebuild, I want everyone in this room to know that I am with you every step of the way,” Senator Murray said. “I know this recovery will be long—but I want you to know that I’m here with you for the long haul. I will fight to ensure the Colville Tribes have the resources necessary to rebuild and be prepared to respond to wildfires in the future. I know that the Colville’s recovery will not be measured in days or weeks—it will be measured in months and years. I am here to support you no matter how long it takes. There is not a single dollar I won’t pursue if it means helping communities across the state recover and rebuild from these devastating fires.”\n\n“This past summer was an especially bad fire season on the Colville Reservation. The best way to feel the impact of a severe fire event is to come and walk through the ashes with your own feet,” said Cindy Marchand, the Chairwoman of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. “Senator Murray’s visit to the Colville Reservation today to view the fire damage displays her care for the citizens of this community and her commitment to assisting our recovery. This comes as no surprise since Senator Murray has been a good long-term partner with the Colville Tribes on many issues. The Colville Tribes welcomes continued collaboration with the Senator as we both strive to make the Colville Reservation and the State of Washington better places to live for all citizens.”\n\nSupporting investments in wildfire prevention and response continues to be a top priority for Senator Murray, particularly as she negotiates this year’s government funding bills. Murray has been outspoken against the Trump administration’s efforts undermine much of the federal workforce that supports wildfire prevention and response work year-round. 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 include essential investments in wildfire preparedness and suppression. 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. Senator Murray continues to push back against Trump’s FY27 budget request, to protect our public lands.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-larsen-urge-trump-administration-to-fund-sumas-and-lynden-border-station-modernization-projects/", "title": "Murray, Larsen Urge Trump Administration to Fund Sumas and Lynden Border Station Modernization Projects", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sent a letter to General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Edward Forst requesting GSA prioritize construction of two stalled border station projects in Northwest Washington. Senator Murray and Representative Larsen sent this letter on September 22 and have yet to receive response from GSA.\n\n“It has come to our attention that Washington state’s Kenneth G. Ward and Sumas Land Ports of Entry (LPOE) projects are temporarily prevented from moving forward,” the lawmakers wrote. “We write to express our concern regarding this decision by General Services Administration (GSA).”\n\nA land port of entry (LPOE) is a federal border facility used to control the entry and departure of people and cargo at a land border. Congress appropriated $3.4 billion to modernize 26 LPOEs across the United States in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, which both Senator Murray and Representative Larsen helped become law. As of August 12, 2026, the GSA has temporarily prevented nine of those projects from moving forward, including the Kenneth G. Ward Land Port of Entry in Lynden and the Sumas Land Port of Entry.\n\n“Both LPOEs are vital border crossings for Washington state and Canada and play a significant role in trade and economic development that is relevant to the economic vitality of the United States,” the lawmakers continued. “Delaying these projects will have consequential impacts on the nation’s supply chain, labor market, and national security.”\n\nSen. Murray and Rep. Larsen stressed the importance of certainty about the status of the border station projects for city officials in Sumas and Lynden to plan for the impact that construction will have to downtown buildings and the local economy.\n\n“These projects are also key to local development plans in the cities of Sumas and Lynden, where the LPOEs are located,” the lawmakers wrote. “LPOE modernization will impact several existing buildings in Sumas’s downtown core, and Lynden is preparing to take on additional commercial traffic. Prolonged uncertainty on project timelines will only lead to more disruption and delays in economic development of these cities.”\n\nThe lawmakers urged GSA Administrator Forst to prioritize the Kenneth G. Ward and Sumas Land Port of Entry projects when the GSA reassesses the prioritization of the remaining nine LPOEs in the coming months and requested continued updates on decisions regarding the projects.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be read here.\n\nMurray and Larsen Conduct Oversight of GSA Under the Trump Administration\n\nAs Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murray has led oversight of GSA’s reckless effort to dump federal properties, pressing the Trump administration on why it terminated leases without notifying Congress as required by law, and how veterans, taxpayers, Tribal members, and farmers would still get the in-person help they depend on. Murray continues to hold the Trump administration accountable for skirting the law, keeping Congress in the dark, and cutting off services families rely on.\n\nIn a Transportation & Infrastructure Committee oversight hearing in March, Rep. Larsen raised concerns about the GSA’s tumultuous first 14 months under the Trump administration and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that the GSA signed with the Defense Ministry of Pakistan without providing evidence of the GSA’s legal jurisdiction to enter into the MOU or engage in redeveloping the private hotel. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has jurisdiction over the GSA.\n\nThis July, Rep. Larsen and Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Ranking Member Greg Stanton (AZ-04) sent a letter to Administrator Forst seeking answers about the agency’s involvement with the renovation of the Roosevelt Hotel and reporting from Bloomberg that the GSA signed a $1.4 million contract with Sullivan & Cromwell—a law firm with significant ties to the Trump administration—to provide legal services regarding the privately-owned property.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-leads-senate-democrats-in-demanding-answers-on-epa-surveillance-of-medication-abortion-drugs-in-drinking-water/", "title": "Murray Leads Senate Democrats in Demanding Answers on EPA Surveillance of Medication Abortion Drugs in Drinking Water", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led the entire Democratic caucus in a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the EPA to remove medication abortion drugs mifepristone and misoprostol from a list of contaminants targeted for surveillance in drinking water in a study that the agency announced in September.\n\nIn their letter, the lawmakers demand answers on the study from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, who previously told the Appropriations Committee that he was “not aware” of any efforts to detect medication abortion in water. The surveillance study comes after a years-long pressure campaign by anti-abortion groups who have urged the EPA to retool environmental protection laws to monitor and ultimately restrict abortion medications that are safe for humans and the environment.\n\n“We write to express our serious concerns with the recent announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to take up a surveillance study to track the presence of the medication abortion drugs mifepristone and misoprostol in drinking water,” the Senators write. “This action is a stark departure from past EPA practice and serves to further this administration’s attacks on reproductive health care and distracts from your agency’s critical role protecting Americans from known chemical pollutants in our water systems.”\n\nThe senators note that mifepristone and misoprostol have been deemed safe for patients by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for over 25 years, and reaffirmed as safe for the environment as recently as 2025. “There is no scientific evidence – recent or otherwise – that demonstrates a need for an EPA surveillance study,” they write.\n\n“While there is no scientific evidence that would support mifepristone and misoprostol as candidates for surveillance by the EPA, there has been a targeted political pressure campaign by anti-abortion activists to urge the agency to use the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and other environmental authorities to surveil and regulate medication abortion drugs,” the lawmakers continue.\n\nMurray and colleagues also call out Zeldin for stating that he had no knowledge of efforts to target mifepristone and misoprostol in drinking water when the EPA had engaged in conversations with radical anti-abortion groups and encouraged them to pressure the agency to regulate abortion medication.\n\n“It is deeply alarming that this kind of radical, anti-science campaign might have an audience at the EPA,” write the senators. “This study is a departure from the EPA’s historic role in protecting our water and air from actual threats to human health and the environment. Instead, this study opens the door to new attacks on safe and accessible reproductive health care, undermining the safety and privacy of patients around the country.”\n\nThe lawmakers write that the EPA’s responsibility is to regulate contaminants that harm human health and the environment, not drugs that are well-documented to be safe and effective but disrupt Republican efforts to control women’s bodies. “Taxpayers fund EPA to protect their health and the environment, not to advance a political campaign against women’s health care,” they conclude.\n\nThe senators are also requesting all correspondence between EPA staff and Students for Life since January 20, 2025, and information on the EPA’s justification and process for monitoring medication abortion in the study.\n\nMurray was joined by U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D- MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).\n\nThe full letter is available HERE and below:\n\nDear Administrator Zeldin:\n\nWe write to express our serious concerns with the recent announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to take up a surveillance study to track the presence of the medication abortion drugs mifepristone and misoprostol in drinking water. This action is a stark departure from past EPA practice and serves to further this administration’s attacks on reproductive health care and distracts from your agency’s critical role protecting Americans from known chemical pollutants in our water systems.\n\nMifepristone has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in medication abortion in combination with misoprostol since 2000. Decades of scientific research have repeatedly shown that both mifepristone and misoprostol are safe and effective for patients, with mifepristone having been used safely by more than 7.5 million people in the United States since then. Mifepristone’s approval followed a robust scientific review of both the drug’s human safety and environmental health impacts. In 1996, the FDA conducted an Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to assess the potential impacts of mifepristone on the environment. This NEPA assessment resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact and “concluded that the product can be manufactured, used, and disposed of without any expected adverse environmental effects.” This finding was reaffirmed by the FDA as recently as January 2025. Further, over three decades of scientific research have repeatedly shown that both mifepristone and misoprostol are safe and effective for patients. Misoprostol was first approved by the FDA to treat gastric ulcers in 1988 and has been approved for use in medication abortion in combination with mifepristone since 2000. There is no scientific evidence – recent or otherwise – that demonstrates a need for an EPA surveillance study on misoprostol.\n\nWhile there is no scientific evidence that would support mifepristone and misoprostol as candidates for surveillance by the EPA, there has been a targeted political pressure campaign by anti-abortion activists to urge the agency to use the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and other environmental authorities to surveil and regulate medication abortion drugs. In January 2025, Politico reported that the anti-abortion rights organization Students for Life was encouraging its supporters to weaponize environmental laws to attack medication abortion. Students for Life leadership described this novel use of the SDWA and other environmental authorities as “using the devil’s own tools against them.” In November 2025, leaders in the EPA’s Office of Water met with the group and encouraged Students for Life to have its members contact the agency and pressure it to regulate abortion medications. When asked about this effort, Students for Life’s head of policy ludicrously stated that “people need to understand that they are likely drinking other people’s abortions” — a categorically false statement.\n\nAt a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on May 13, 2026, to review your budget request for Fiscal Year 2027, you were directly asked about these conversations given the House Republican language that was specifically not included in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill. You replied, “I’m not aware of the agency doing anything with that.” In spite of this assurance, the EPA announced this September that it would, for the first time, include mifepristone and misoprostol and their metabolites in a surveillance study on emerging contaminants. Students for Life celebrated this announcement as victory for its political pressure campaign, saying in an interview that the group is “finally being heard” by the EPA.\n\nIt is deeply alarming that this kind of radical, anti-science campaign might have an audience at the EPA. This study is a departure from the EPA’s historic role in protecting our water and air from actual threats to human health and the environment. Instead, this study opens the door to new attacks on safe and accessible reproductive health care, undermining the safety and privacy of patients around the country. We are also concerned that the EPA’s new focus on medication abortion drugs pulls resources and attention away from PFAS, pesticides, and other well-documented contaminants that years of research have shown pose an actual threat to human health and the environment.\n\nNo credible evidence shows mifepristone is a threat to America’s drinking water, but there’s plenty of evidence that anti-abortion groups have been asking EPA to concoct bogus studies that say otherwise. Taxpayers fund EPA to protect their health and the environment, not to advance a political campaign against women’s health care.\n\nWe strongly urge you to revise this study to remove mifepristone and misoprostol and their metabolites from the list of emerging contaminants targeted for surveillance. Additionally, we request that you provide the following information no later than October 31, 2026:\n\n1. Your agency’s justification for the surveillance of mifepristone and misoprostol and their metabolites in this study, including the statutory, regulatory, and scientific basis for its inclusion.\n\n2. Your agency’s process for determining which pharmaceuticals and chemicals were included in this surveillance study.\n\n3. The anticipated timeline for this study and information on how the study’s results will be shared.\n\n4. How this study may be used in relation to the regulatory process under the SDWA.\n\n5. A full list of all meetings between EPA staff and outside organizations to discuss the potential surveillance or regulation of mifepristone and/or misoprostol and its metabolites, including under the Safe Drinking Water Act or any other statute or regulation enforced by your agency.\n\n6. All correspondence between EPA staff and Students for Life since January 20, 2025.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-slams-trump-for-threatening-millions-of-americans-with-financial-chaos-by-stupidly-upending-federal-student-aid-office/", "title": "Murray Slams Trump for Threatening Millions of Americans with Financial Chaos by Stupidly Upending Federal Student Aid Office", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.murray.senate.gov", "scraper": "murray", "member": {"bioguide_id": "M001111", "name": "Patty Murray", "party": "Democrat", "state": "WA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement in response to reports that the Trump administration is moving to strip the Federal Student Aid office out of the Department of Education:\n\n“When did creating an entirely new federal agency to do the exact same work that’s already being done equate to efficiency? The law is clear: Federal Student Aid belongs at the Department of Education, and the Trump administration cannot move it without an act of Congress—nor have they even bothered consulting Congress.\n\n“This office manages more than $1.6 trillion in debts owed by more than 40 million borrowers—tens of millions of Americans are depending on government to actually work here. Trump has already pushed out nearly half its staff—this intentional sabotage only threatens to create true financial chaos in people’s lives.\n\n“Every family filling out the FAFSA, every student counting on a Pell Grant, and every borrower trying to make a student loan payment will pay for Trump’s idiotic obsession with abolishing the Department of Education. Americans do not support abolishing the Department of Education—they just want a financial aid system that works. I will keep fighting to block this illegal move every way I can, and it is past time for Republicans to join Democrats and put an end to this nonsense.”\n\nSenator Murray has led the fight against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murray helped negotiate the fiscal year 2026 funding bill for the Department. That bill rejected $12 billion in proposed cuts to the Department of Education and President Trump’s request to abolish it. Murray also fought to include ironclad language in the bill barring Secretary McMahon from using illegal interagency agreements to strip out the Department’s core responsibilities and hand them over to other agencies—Republicans refused, and Murray has continued to push back as the Department has signed new agreements. In July, Murray offered three amendments in the HELP Committee to stop these illegal transfers. Murray was successful in passing an amendment with strong bipartisan support out of committee which would require the Department to tell Congress and the public what each illegal interagency agreement costs taxpayers.\n\nMurray has also unflinchingly called attention to the administration’s nonstop efforts to block critical funds for students and teachers at every turn, issuing a statement just yesterday to call attention to the administration’s latest efforts to cut grant funding—and always using every tool at her disposal to stand up for public education.\n\nMurray forcefully opposed McMahon’s nomination from the outset. She has called attention to the administration’s mass firings at the Department at every turn, she has led public forums in the Senate on the damage the Trump administration is doing to public education, and she has rallied with students and teachers to stand up for the critical support the Department of Education provides America’s students.\n\nSenator Murray has championed students and families at every stage of her career—fighting to help ensure every child in America can get a high-quality public education. Among other things, Senator Murray negotiated the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), landmark legislation that she got signed into law, replacing the broken No Child Left Behind Act. As a longtime appropriator, she has successfully fought to boost funding to support students and invest in our nation’s K-12 schools, and she has secured significant increases to the Pell Grant so that it goes further for students pursuing a higher education. Senator Murray also successfully negotiated the FAFSA Simplification Act, bipartisan legislation to reform the financial aid application process, simplify the FAFSA form for students and parents, and significantly expand eligibility for federal aid.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-durbin-warner-peters-demand-answers-on-trump-administrations-efforts-to-interfere-in-midterm-elections/", "title": "Padilla, Durbin, Warner, Peters Demand Answers on Trump Administration’s Efforts to Interfere in Midterm Elections", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Ranking Members also press DOJ and FBI to provide information related to the agencies’ coordination with DHS, the U.S. Intelligence Community, and the White House in these efforts to undermine our election security\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senators Mark Warner, Vice Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, demanded answers regarding the alarming series of actions the Trump Administration has undertaken to undermine state and local election administration.\n\nIn a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel, the Senators raised concerns about the extent of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) and FBI’s coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Intelligence Community, and the White House in efforts to interfere with the midterm elections.\n\n“Under your leadership, DOJ and the FBI have sought to upend our federalist system by seizing ballots and election materials, seeking the personal information of election workers and volunteers, showing up at the homes of election officials for questioning, threatening election officials with prosecution, attempting to compel states to provide the federal government with unredacted voter rolls, and raiding the offices of a voting rights nonprofit—often at the apparent behest of President Trump and White House officials, including Stephen Miller,” wrote the Senators. “Director Patel has reportedly urged the FBI to persist in these fishing expeditions by exhorting agents to ‘look harder’ because ‘this is a push from 47,’ and senior DOJ officials have threatened to fire or override prosecutors who choose not to pursue election fraud cases that FBI or DHS agents bring them, in contravention of longstanding DOJ rules for prosecutors.”\n\nThe Senators outlined the timeline of the Trump Administration’s attempted efforts to undermine elections. The weaponization of DOJ and the FBI as part of this effort became clear last year, when the head of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division (CRT) began filing lawsuits against multiple states to demand they produce unredacted copies of their voter registration lists. CRT sued Fulton County, Georgia last December, seeking records related to the 2020 election. Following this lawsuit, the FBI executed a search warrant at the Fulton County election office in Union City, Georgia.\n\nAdditionally, then-Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard inexplicably attended this raid—and escalated this breach of protocol the following day, when she met with FBI agents who had conducted the raid and called President Trump to address the agents.\n\n“These efforts have occurred as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has taken unprecedented steps to investigate unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud and as the then-Director of National Intelligence took extraordinary steps to insert herself into an already-troubling FBI raid of a local election facility,” continued the Senators. “Taken together, these actions constitute a disturbing, whole-of-government campaign that has weaponized federal law enforcement to relitigate the 2020 election that President Trump lost, attempting to undermine the constitutional election administration powers of states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and seeking to sow confusion and fear among voters and state and local election officials.”\n\nThe Senators also raised concerns about Patel refusing to rule out sending FBI agents to polling locations on Election Day—an illegal tactic that would inevitably intimidate voters.\n\n“The concern over this Administration engaging in intimidation tactics related to the election is not unwarranted,” wrote the Senators. “Just one month before election day, President Trump continues to float the idea that he has legal authority to declare a national emergency or invoke the Insurrection Act around the midterms. Moreover, DOJ has already sought to intimidate election officials across the country.”\n\nJust this week, the DOJ attempted to escalate these efforts, laying the groundwork to potentially challenge ballots ahead of Election Day with a letter to California election officials, which demanded that they verify the citizenship of individuals listed in a DOJ-provided thumb drive within 48 hours and threatened legal action if they do not follow the Department’s instructions on handling the ballots of these individuals.\n\n“Furthermore, it is impossible to ignore the brazen partisan intentions behind these actions—not just due to President Trump’s repeated, baseless accusations that Democrats must cheat to win elections, but in light of the unethical political actions you have each taken in recent weeks, including your appearances at an August campaign rally in New York, and Attorney General Blanche’s appearance at the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Texasand a campaign event in North Carolina for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley,” the Senators concluded. “It is our constitutional duty to conduct oversight over these unprecedented abuses of power to improperly meddle with state and local election administration in the midterm elections that are already underway. The American people deserve to know why federal resources are being diverted from mission critical work to ensure their safety and instead devoted to this costly and, should it further escalate, potentially criminal crusade.”\n\nThe Senators also noted that despite this brazen, partisan, and coordinated effort to undermine the constitutional structure of our democracy, the rule of law will prevail—countless patriotic Americans across the country are working tirelessly to combat this chaos and distrust and ensure that every eligible American is able to cast their ballot and that their vote is counted. Americans should have confidence that their voices will be heard in November and that these efforts by the Trump Administration to weaponize federal law enforcement to meddle in the midterm elections will ultimately fail.\n\nPadilla has consistently advocated for protection against the Trump Administration’s election interference efforts. Padilla joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in launching the first-ever Senate Election Observer Program to protect the 2026 midterms and maintain election integrity nationwide and serves as part of the Senate Democrats’ Election Protection Task Force. Yesterday, Padilla announced that more than 100 Senate Democratic staff have been recruited and trained as official congressional election observers to be deployed to polling sites across nine states. Last month, Padilla introduced the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act, legislation to protect voters and election workers from intimidation and threats of violence at polling places. Padilla also led the congressional response to the bombshell whistleblower report that DHS agents violated state laws as part of the “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and called for an immediate investigation into the agency’s misconduct. Last month, Padilla also led his Senate colleagues in demanding DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin immediately halt the Department’s efforts to assert federal control over, and undermine public trust in, the 2026 midterm elections. In August, Padilla and Warner led a group of colleagues in pressing the DOJ on their compliance with federal voting laws, cautioning against the misuse of any federal election monitors to target jurisdictions in a partisan manner or interfere with voting or state and local election officials’ administration of the voting process.\n\nFull letter is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-statement-on-trumps-doj-lawsuit-against-california-and-los-angeles-election-officials/", "title": "Padilla Statement on Trump’s DOJ Lawsuit Against California and Los Angeles Election Officials", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Justice sued California’s Secretary of State and Los Angeles County’s Registrar Recorder to prevent them from calculating ballots sent to a list of alleged ineligible voters without any legal basis or supporting evidence:\n\n“We’ve seen this coming: Donald Trump’s Department of Justice with no authority is now actively trying to interfere in the 2026 elections and strong-arm California into purging names from our voter rolls and blocking mail ballots based purely on vague allegations less than three weeks before Election Day. This lawsuit has no legal basis or evidence behind it and is nothing more than a blatant abuse of power designed to sow distrust in our elections and threaten Americans’ right to vote. The truth is simple: our elections are safe and secure; the widespread voter fraud that Trump has claimed for 10 years does not exist.\n\n“We will fight this illegal overreach every step of the way.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watch-padilla-slams-trump-doj-attempts-to-interfere-in-california-elections/", "title": "WATCH: Padilla Slams Trump DOJ Attempts to Interfere in California Elections", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.padilla.senate.gov", "scraper": "padilla", "member": {"bioguide_id": "P000145", "name": "Alex Padilla", "party": "Democrat", "state": "CA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined CNN’s In the Arena with Kasie Hunt to blast the Trump Administration’s baseless lawsuit to interfere in California’s 2026 midterm election.\n\nKey Excerpts:\n\nOn the DOJ’s Lawsuit\n\nThe Administration is clearly without any authority, by the way, trying to interfere with the elections. I mean, the department’s own policy is to not engage within 60 days of an election or 19 days out… They’re desperate. They’re looking for this proof that Trump has been barking about for more than ten years about massive voter fraud, which simply does not exist. Now to the why this close to the election? They see the same polls that you guys have been talking about for days and weeks now. They’re walking into a horrible midterm election cycle where voters, voters will hold Trump and Republicans accountable for their horrible record of the last two years. Their only hope for trying to maintain any sense of power is to interfere. It’s to change the rules. It’s to rig the elections. That’s why they’re doing this.\n\nOn California’s Election Security\n\nNumber one, California does verify a voter’s eligibility on the front end, not when you go vote, but when you first immediately register. Number two, our system, by the way of automatic registration through the Department of Motor Vehicles in California, has provided the most accurate voter rolls we’ve ever had because on a regular basis, people are renewing their driver’s license or their IDs. Once again verifying their information.\n\nBut you have to wonder, you know, this thumb drive that appeared in the mail in Los Angeles County? Where did it come from? The database. The list of voters they are suggesting. How did they arrive at that list? We’ve known that the SAVE database, that the Department of Homeland Security has tried to use before for this purpose, is inaccurate. They acknowledge there’s a large false positives here that’s been the result of other states that have tried to utilize it. And again, why this close to the election? They could have had this conversation months and months ago.\n\n[…]\n\nI know how California elections work very, very well. They’re safe, they’re secure. They’re fair, they’re free, and they’re going to stay that way.\n\nFull interview is available here.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/15/new-report-trump-presidency-costing-nevadans-4400-more-on-average/", "title": "NEW REPORT: Trump Presidency Costing Nevadans $4,400 More on Average", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.rosen.senate.gov/press-releases", "domain": "www.rosen.senate.gov", "scraper": "rosen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "R000608", "name": "Jacky Rosen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NV", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON, DC – A new report from the U.S. Congress’s Joint Economic Committee (JEC) reveals that Nevada families are spending at least $4,400 more on average for goods and services because of Donald Trump’s economic policies. This includes the average Nevada family paying an additional $550 for housing, $310 for groceries, $826 for gas, and more than $1,000 for health care.\n\n“It’s been nearly two years since Donald Trump was elected, and Nevadans are already paying the price of his cost-raising policies – an average of at least $4,400 more per family. From his tariffs to his war in Iran, Nevada families are being squeezed by the rising costs of gas, housing, groceries, and health care,” said Senator Rosen. “Nevadans should not keep footing the bill for Trump’s reckless leadership. That’s why I’ll keep fighting to lower costs and ensure that every Nevadan can afford to pay for their basic necessities.”\n\nSenator Rosen has been working to bring down prices for Nevada families and has pushed back on the Trump Administration’s cost-raising policies. Senator Rosen recently joined Senate colleagues in demanding that the Trump Administration release funding to programs that lower heating and cooling costs for lower-income families. She also helped introduce a bill that would repeal tariffs on Canada, which have negatively impacted Nevada’s economy. Earlier this year, she introduced bills to exclude homebuilding materials and groceries from Trump’s tariffs, which would help lower costs for families.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-delivers-14-million-to-improve-wastewater-infrastructure-in-chemung-county", "title": "SCHUMER DELIVERS $1.4 MILLION TO IMPROVE WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN CHEMUNG COUNTY", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "domain": "www.schumer.senate.gov", "scraper": "schumer", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S000148", "name": "Charles E. Schumer", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NY", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "New Fed Investment From Appalachian Regional Commission, Which Schumer Boosted In Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, Will Improve Infrastructure At Business Park And Support New Economic Growth\n\nSchumer Previously Delivered More Than $200M From His Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law For Water System Improvements In Chemung County\n\nSchumer: Fed $$ Flowing For Water Infrastructure In Chemung County\n\nU.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced $1,400,000 through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for Chemung County’s Sewer Improvement for Economic Growth project. This federal investment will support the development of 4,500 linear feet of sewer main to expand system capacity, improve reliability, and support new industrial and commercial growth in the Village of Horseheads and Chemung County.\n\n“I’m proud to deliver $1.4 million from my Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to improve wastewater infrastructure in Chemung County. This new investment builds on millions I’ve previously secured by helping develop thousands of feet of sewer main to expand system capacity and support new economic growth in Horseheads and the entire county,” said Senator Schumer. “I will never stop fighting to secure infrastructure investments, support business and economic growth, and keep Upstate New Yorkers safe and healthy.”\n\nSchumer explained these federal funds will help complete critical wastewater infrastructure improvements at the Southern Tier Logistics Business Park in the Village of Horseheads, ensuring reliable, resilient, and environmentally compliant sewer service for current and future employers. The project includes constructing and rehabilitating sewer mains, installing new manholes, building a modern pump station, and restoring abandoned lines to support the site’s redevelopment from a former military depot into a competitive manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics hub. These enhancements will expand sewer capacity, strengthen business park readiness for advanced industry investment, and support economic growth throughout the Southern Tier. Construction is expected to take three years.\n\nSchumer has a long history of supporting water system improvements in Chemung County. In 2024, he delivered an unprecedented $200 million in federal funding for water system improvements to modernize and expand the Milton Street Wastewater Treatment Plant and support the County’s ongoing efforts to install new equipment, increase treatment capacity to stop sewer overflows, and construct cost-effective wastewater improvements to ensure the facility’s compliance with federal and state requirements. In addition, Schumer delivered $1 million to consolidate two wastewater treatment plants, Milton Street and Lake Street, into a single, regional treatment facility in the fiscal year 2023 federal budget.\n\nIn 2021, Schumer negotiated and secured $1 billion for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Law, to be dispersed over five years, starting with $200 million in fiscal year 2022. This significant boost in funding has been used to support economic development, infrastructure, workforce, and other community development projects as well as programs intended to improve the quality of life, stimulate business growth, and create good-paying job opportunities in local communities like those in the Southern Tier and Western New York.\n\nThe Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments, focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community, capacity, and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia. New York State receives an allocation of resources from the ARC each year to fund area development in NYS’s 14-county Appalachian Region. The New York counties are represented by one of three Local Development Districts: Southern Tier West (STW) based in Salamanca, NY and comprised of Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties; Southern Tier Central (STC) based in Corning, NY and comprised of Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben counties; and Southern Tier 8 in Binghamton, NY and comprised of Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Tioga, and Tompkins counties.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-tim-scott-celebrates-opening-day-of-the-south-carolina-state-fair/", "title": "Sen. Tim Scott celebrates opening day of the South Carolina State Fair", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "domain": "www.scott.senate.gov", "scraper": "timscott", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001184", "name": "Tim Scott", "party": "Republican", "state": "SC", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "COLUMBIA, S.C. — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) today released the following statement celebrating the opening day of the South Carolina State Fair:\n\n“The South Carolina State Fair celebrates so much of what makes South Carolina special, from our rich agricultural history and local arts to delicious food and southern hospitality. Nobody does it better than South Carolina,” said Sen. Scott. “I could not be prouder of the fair for creating memories for generations of South Carolinians but also for the opportunities it has provided by blessing students across our state with nearly $6.5 million in scholarships since 1997. I hope folks take some time to enjoy this beloved tradition and celebrate what makes the Palmetto State so great: our community, and yes, our food too.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/at-new-hampshire-womens-foundation-luncheon-in-manchester-shaheen-honored-for-decades-of-service-with-establishment-of-shaheen-girls-leadership-award", "title": "At New Hampshire Women’s Foundation Luncheon in Manchester, Shaheen Honored for Decades of Service with Establishment of “Shaheen Girls Leadership Award”", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press", "domain": "www.shaheen.senate.gov", "scraper": "shaheen", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001181", "name": "Jeanne Shaheen", "party": "Democrat", "state": "NH", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "(Washington, DC) – Today, the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation honored U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) with the establishment of the “Shaheen Girls Leadership Award,” which was announced at the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation 22nd Annual Women Building Community Luncheon. The new leadership award celebrates Senator Shaheen’s decades of service to the Granite State and long-standing commitment to empowering future generations of female leaders. The “Shaheen Girls Leadership Award” will be awarded annually in recognition of a young girl between the ages of 16 to 21 who has demonstrated exceptional community service and leadership. At the event, which was also attended by Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Senator Shaheen delivered brief remarks encouraging the next generation of female leaders and celebrating the progress that has been made in achieving social, political and economic gender equality. Photos from today’s event can be found HERE.\n\n“It is an honor to be recognized by trailblazers, advocates and the entire New Hampshire Women’s Foundation with the establishment of this new leadership award,” said Senator Shaheen. “While it is humbling to receive such recognition, we must acknowledge the work that remains, as well as commemorate the great strides we’ve made together in achieving equality for women and girls and ensuring they are represented at all levels of power. As we look toward the future, I am confident that we will soon have a new generation of female leaders that will write the next chapter in our nation’s history and build on the progress we have made to broaden opportunities for women and girls across the globe.”\n\nShaheen has been a trailblazer throughout her decades of public service to New Hampshire and unwavering in her advocacy for women’s rights and equality. Shaheen made history as the first woman in U.S. history to serve as both Governor and U.S. Senator and is the first woman to serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In the Senate, Shaheen led the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama to create the first-ever federally codified rights specifically for sexual assault survivors, allowing survivors the opportunity to enforce those rights in federal court. Shaheen has also been unyielding in her support for reproductive rights and champions efforts to establish protections for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, including with her Military Sexual Trauma Accountability Act, the Protect Moms from Domestic Violence Act and the Fair Housing for Survivors Act.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.sheehy.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sheehy-praises-president-trumps-announcement-of-next-generation-military-training-range-in-montana/", "title": "Sheehy Praises President Trump’s Announcement of Next Generation Military Training Range in Montana", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.sheehy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "domain": "www.sheehy.senate.gov", "scraper": "sheehy", "member": {"bioguide_id": "S001232", "name": "Tim Sheehy", "party": "Republican", "state": "MT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "U.S. SENATE – Senator Tim Sheehy issued the following statement after President Trump announced a next generation training range for integrated military exercises will be built in Montana.\n\n“The 21st-century battlefield is being redefined by new weapons and evolving technical frontiers that require a novel approach to how America will resource its warfighting capabilities. Contested spectrum, electronic warfare, hypersonics, space capabilities and enhanced targeting require a new class of testing and evaluation facilities for our military. The U.S. faces a clear choice: adapt and expand our development infrastructure to the realities of modern warfare, or risk falling behind adversaries who iterate faster. Montana is uniquely positioned to spearhead the development of the next generation of instruments for the warfighter. By combining our state’s vast landscapes, innovative spirit, and proud tradition of military service, we are the Last Best Place to ensure America’s fighting men and women have the technological edge they need to dominate the battlefield and win the wars of tomorrow. I’m grateful for President Trump’s leadership in restoring American military dominance, and I am proud he chose Montana to make this historic investment in modernizing our armed forces,” said Senator Sheehy.\n\nBackground:\n\nSenator Sheehy has been a strong advocate for building an advanced training range in Montana, securing $10 million for a feasibility study in the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act that passed the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this year.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-statement-on-mwaa-president-and-ceo-jack-potter-retiring/", "title": "Warner Statement on MWAA President and CEO Jack Potter Retiring", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.warner.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "domain": "www.warner.senate.gov", "scraper": "warner", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000805", "name": "Mark R. Warner", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VA", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement on the announcement that Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) President and CEO Jack Potter will be retiring:\n\n“For more than 15 years, Jack Potter has been a terrific partner and a dedicated advocate for Northern Virginia’s airports and the millions of travelers who rely on them. Under his leadership, MWAA has made tremendous strides in expanding and modernizing Dulles International Airport and Reagan Washington National Airport, from extending the Silver Line 23 miles to Dulles to completing Project Journey, which added a new 14-gate concourse at Reagan. I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Jack on many of these efforts over the years, but I’m especially appreciative of his steady leadership and compassion in the aftermath of last year’s tragic midair collision near DCA, as we worked together to strengthen aviation safety and prevent another tragedy. Jack’s contributions will leave a lasting impact on our region and benefit Virginians for years to come. I’m grateful for his friendship, partnership, and dedication to public service, and I wish him nothing but the best as he begins this well-earned next chapter.”\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-vermontbiz2biz-expo-to-discuss-future-of-business-in-vermont/", "title": "Welch Joins VermontBiz2Biz Expo to Discuss Future of Business in Vermont", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, today participated in the VermontBiz2Biz EXPO in South Burlington to discuss the future of business in Vermont. The Senator welcomed Diane Abruzzini Riggs from Rigorous Technology, Chris Coulter from the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center, and Harrison Kahn of Vermont Creamery for a conversation about growing and evolving Vermont’s manufacturing industry.\n\n“We need more strong businesses here in the state of Vermont. But we’re facing challenges here that are not of our making—like skyrocketing diesel prices, tariffs, and red tape in our regulatory processes—that make succeeding harder, not easier. If there are creative ways to help our state’s growing manufacturing industry thrive, then let’s work together to make that happen,” said Senator Welch. “I’m all in on helping however I can to ensure Vermont’s manufacturers, workers, and companies are successful to give our kids an opportunity to keep building a future right here in a state all of us love.”\n\nView photos from the event below:\n\nThe VermontBiz2Biz EXPO brings the future of business in Vermont together by offering unique opportunities for businesses to meet, listen, learn, and celebrate. VermontBiz reintroduced and built upon an event previously led by the Vermont Chamber for many decades prior to 2019.\n\nSenator Welch has led bipartisan efforts to expand opportunities for Vermont’s small businesses and bolster the state’s manufacturing industry in the Senate. The Senator is a cosponsor of the Fair Prices for Local Businesses Act, legislation that would bring down prices for American families and support small businesses by cracking down on corporate price discrimination. The Senator also helped introduce the Safeguarding Consumers from Advertising Misconduct (SCAM) Act, bipartisan legislation to crack down on predatory online scams advertisements that cost Americans and small businesses billions of dollars every year.\n\nSenator Welch helped pass the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022 as a Member of the House of Representatives, which has delivered billions to support GlobalFoundries, a Vermont-based semiconductor manufacturer. The funding has supported GlobalFoundries’ research and development of next-generation silicon photonics wafer technologies, which have the potential to substantially increase the energy efficiency of AI and other critical technology infrastructure projects.\n\nSenator Welch recently introduced the bicameral Banning Antiquated Duties and Delivering Equitable American Levies (BAD DEAL) Act to repeal Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, and refund all duties paid under this authority. President Trump has implemented the 50% tariffs on Canada under Section 338. Senator Welch also cosponsors the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which seeks to restore Congress’ constitutional role in trade policy. The Senator also led the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, legislation that would exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada under IEEPA authorities.\n\nLearn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-vpirg-for-town-hall-on-ending-corporate-spending-in-elections-reversing-citizens-united/", "title": "Welch Joins VPIRG for Town Hall on Ending Corporate Spending in Elections, Reversing Citizens United", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "domain": "www.welch.senate.gov", "scraper": "welch", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000800", "name": "Peter Welch", "party": "Democrat", "state": "VT", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "MONTPELIER, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this week joined the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) and the Center for American Progress (CAP) for a Democracy Town Hall on the urgency of ending corporate spending in elections in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision in 2010, which unleashed a flood of untraceable, corporate money into American politics. At the event, the Senator discussed how Congress should address election finance corruption and the need for election reform.\n\n“This is a profoundly important issue: are we going to control our democracy, or is it going to be bought and paid for by people who want to use our democracy to enrich themselves? The toxic amount of money that is coming in and influencing our elections has absolutely got to end. We need to overturn Citizens United and restore power and agency for each and every one of us. That’s what this is about, and it’s why the big money folks are so fearful of us banding together,” said Senator Welch. “We need to do everything we can to ensure our democracy is controlled by the people, not by corporations.”\n\nView photos from the event below:\n\nSenator Welch has led efforts in the Senate to limit the influence of money in elections and put power back in the hands of the American people, including cosponsoring the Democracy for All Amendment, which would overturn Citizens United and clarify that corporations do not hold the same constitutional rights as people.\n\nLearn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.\n\n###", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-and-former-governor-inslee-highlight-the-suncor-case-and-scotus-meddling-in-climate-litigation-on-making-the-case/", "title": "Whitehouse and Former Governor Inslee Highlight the Suncor Case and SCOTUS Meddling in Climate Litigation on “Making the Case”", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release", "domain": "www.whitehouse.senate.gov", "scraper": "whitehouse", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000802", "name": "Sheldon Whitehouse", "party": "Democrat", "state": "RI", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "New episode of Making the Case available now on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube\n\nWashington, DC – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Courts Subcommittee and Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the eleventh episode of season two of his podcast, Making the Case. In the new episode, Whitehouse is joined by Jay Inslee, former Governor of Washington and a leading advocate for climate action.\n\nGovernance in America is done by legislation, regulation, and litigation. The Supreme Court struck a fatal blow to climate legislation by unleashing dark money through its Citizens United decision. The Court later struck down EPA’s Clean Power Plan and concocted the “major questions doctrine” to kill climate regulation efforts. Whitehouse and Inslee dive into what’s next for the captured Court and how a landmark climate liability case – Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County – could upend the future of climate litigation and with this trifecta, create a governance-free zone for the industry. They discuss how the nation’s highest court assumed a star role in stopping climate action and how the American people, from coast to coast, are experiencing a climate upheaval that’s already roiling insurance markets.\n\n“After blowing up both congressional efforts to legislate on climate and prior administrations’ climate pollution standards, immunizing the fossil fuel industry from litigation is the final target for the Captured Court. It’s why Suncor is such an important case, and why Governor Inslee and I are watching this one closely,” said Whitehouse. “Remember this episode when the dangers of an ungovernable, free-to-pollute industry start landing hard at home.”\n\nThe episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms.\n\nWhitehouse recently led 90 members of Congress on an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in the Suncor case, explaining that nothing in the Clean Air Act, the Constitution, and federal foreign policy prevents states and localities from holding oil and gas companies accountable for climate-related harms.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}
{"url": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-statement-on-silver-rail-elementary-school-shooting", "title": "Wyden Statement on the Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting", "date": "2026-10-15", "date_source": "scraper", "source": "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "domain": "www.wyden.senate.gov", "scraper": "wyden", "member": {"bioguide_id": "W000779", "name": "Ron Wyden", "party": "Democrat", "state": "OR", "chamber": "Senate"}, "text": "Portland, OR – Senator Ron Wyden today issued the following statement in regards to the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting in Bend, Oregon.", "collected_at": "2026-10-16T09:31:57Z", "updated_at": "2026-10-16T09:33:03Z"}