Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – Today on Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed his priorities for the reconciliation package, including cutting government spending, extending the Trump Tax Cuts, and leading the charge to reimburse the State of Texas for border security costs incurred during the Biden administration. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.
“We’ve got a lot to do in this one big, beautiful bill, but this is our one chance to get not only an extension of the expiring tax provisions, but to cut some of the mandatory spending programs that have driven our debt to $37 trillion and to do other things like the President’s priorities that he campaigned on.”
“It’s important that Texas get reimbursed for what was and is a federal responsibility, which is to secure the border—which didn’t happen during the Biden administration, so Governor Abbott and Texas leaders had to step up and fill that gap.”
“We’re working with the President, the Speaker, and Senator Thune to get this done.”
“If we were to fail—and we cannot fail—that would be a multitrillion-dollar tax increase on the American people, on top of 40-year high inflation as a result of the incredible spending spree that the Biden administration went on.”
“Democrats are not going to help us at all. For some reason, they think a multitrillion-dollar tax increase is a good idea, but of course, they’re the party of bigger government.”
“We want to cut the government. We want to cut federal spending. We want to bring down inflation, which was exacerbated by the spending spree that we saw the last four years.”
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, advocated reauthorization of the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program and noted the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) backing at a committee hearing on enhancing outreach to support veterans’ mental health. The Fox Grant Program, which he authored alongside Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and is currently scheduled to sunset in 2025, provides essential funding for mental health outreach and suicide prevention in veteran communities.
“This program was created out of a dire need to improve community-based resources to address the veteran suicide crisis,” said Boozman. “Veterans who battle mental health challenges respond best to support from those they know and trust, a need this program is critical in meeting.”
Boozman questioned Thomas O’Toole, M.D., Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Health for Clinical Services and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the VA, on the program’s established success and the critical importance of funding reauthorization. In O’Toole’s exchange with the senator, he agreed the program’s emphasis on identifying and reaching out to veterans struggling as well as coordinating with veteran families and communities is crucial to saving lives.
“Grantees are able to effectively engage specific population groups that may be at higher risk for suicide,” O’Toole said about the potential for extending and expanding the number of organizations receiving Fox Grant Program funds. “That is our hope and aspiration.”
Boozman also pressed the VA official on the aspects that have made it a success and its future prospects.
“These community groups have credibility in the communities where veterans live. These are peers. These are organizations that are engaging veterans’ families,” O’Toole said. “The wrap-around and holistic approach is complimentary to what VA does.”
Click here to view Boozman’s exchange with O’Toole.
The Boozman-Warner reauthorization legislation, introduced earlier this year, would:
Reauthorize the Fox Grant Program until Sept. 30, 2028, and increase the total authorized funding for the grant program from $174 million to $285 million;
Expand the maximum potential award from $750,000 to $1.25 million;
Direct the VA to collect additional measures and metrics on outcomes to better serve veterans; and
Require annual briefings for VA medical personnel to improve awareness of the program and increase coordination with providers.
The program is named in honor of Parker Gordon Fox, a veteran and former sniper instructor at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, who died by suicide on July 21, 2020, at the age of 25.
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) joined Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch (R-ID) and 21 of their colleagues in introducing the Stand with Israel Act. The legislation would cut off U.S. funding to United Nations (UN) agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel.
“The international community should be rallying to support Israel amid constant attacks on its right to exist – not undermining it. Certainly, the U.S. should not be funding any of the unconscionable efforts seeking to delegitimize the Jewish State. This legislation represents our strong commitment to the Israeli people and our essential partnership,” said Boozman.
“For too long, the United Nations has allowed antisemitism to fester in its ranks while taking billions from American taxpayers. The Stand with Israel Act sends a clear message that America stands with Israel — and will hold the UN accountable,” said Cotton.
“Israel is one of America’s greatest allies, and under President Trump’s Administration, we will no longer tolerate—much less fund—the blatant antisemitism at the United Nations. This bill will send a clear message to the UN and any other antisemitic international organizations: if you want America’s money, you’ll need to respect our Israeli friends,” said Risch. “America will always stand with Israel.”
The Stand with Israel Act is modeled after the current prohibition of funding to any UN entities that elevate the status of the Palestinian Authority to a member state.
Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Lee (R-UT), James Lankford (R-OK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Barrasso (R-WY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Hoeven (R-ND), John Cornyn (R-TX), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ashley Moody (R-FL) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) have also cosponsored the legislation.
Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
05.01.25
Senator, Nominees Discuss Advancing Water Supply Projects, Ensuring Access to Taxpayer-Owned Energy Resources
WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven this week introduced Dr. Andrea Travnicek at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee hearing on her nomination as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the U.S. Department of the Interior. Hoeven outlined Travnicek’s depth of experience and qualifications for the role, which covers a range of issues relevant to agriculture, energy and water development in North Dakota. During his remarks, Hoeven discussed with Travnicek, as well as Leslie Beyer, the nominee to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Interior, Lands and Minerals Management, the importance of:
Ensuring access to reliable water supplies for North Dakota’s communities.
Hoeven continues working to advance his legislation to increase authorizations under the Dakota Water Resources Act (DWRA).
The increased funding from the Municipal, Rural, and Industrial (MR&I) program is needed to complete water supply projects like the Northwest Area Water Supply (NAWS) and the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply (ENDAWS).
Keeping U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) surveys of oil and gas reserves updated, reflecting the latest technologies and industry practices.
Maximizing access to taxpayer-owned energy resources, including the abundant oil, gas and coal reserves that fall under federal control.
The senator highlighted his North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act, which would allow equal-value exchanges to reduce fragmentation of state and tribally-owned lands and minerals, while supporting greater development of these resources.
Hoeven also stressed the need to provide regulatory relief and streamline federal permitting.
“Dr. Travnicek has a stellar background for the position of Assistant Secretary for Water and Science. Not only does she have a depth of technical knowledge, but she has a record of collaboration across all levels of government, with tribes and private stakeholders,” said Senator Hoeven. “We look forward to working with her to advance critical priorities for North Dakota, including completing more drought-resistant water supply projects. At the same time, her role overseeing the USGS is essential in unlocking our nation’s energy potential, helping to identify the vast recoverable, taxpayer-owned energy resources. Through updated USGS surveys, as well as needed regulatory relief and streamlined permitting, we can maximize the benefit of our oil, gas and coal reserves and truly make the U.S. energy dominant.”
Dr. Travnicek holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources Management/Communication from North Dakota State University. During President Trump’s first term, she served as a deputy assistant secretary at Interior. Most recently, she was Director of the North Dakota Department of Water Resources. As governor, Hoeven appointed her as a senior policy advisor in his office following her service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Sacramento, California.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
April 30, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) yesterday met with the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperative (AIEC), which represents 24 distribution co-ops and five generation/transmission co-ops that serve most of rural Illinois, to discuss protecting U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy programs and clean energy tax credits. During their meeting, the group stressed the importance of two programs created by the Inflation Reduction Act that give co-ops new money to pay for electric infrastructure upgrades, USDA’s Empowering Rural America (ERA) program and the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program. The group also discussed the importance of clean energy tax credits for Illinois’ electric co-ops. If the Trump Administration eliminates these programs, it means higher electric bills for rural families, higher costs for rural businesses or even rolling blackouts if this new infrastructure cannot be funded and built.
“Clean energy has the potential to encourage job growth, protect our environment and secure Illinois’s leadership in the energy sector for years to come,” said Duckworth. “I was glad to meet with Illinois Electric Cooperatives alongside Senator Durbin to discuss the impact of Trump Administration’s attacks on President Biden’s IRA tax credits and the need for clean energy initiatives. I look forward to working together as we continue expanding broadband access in rural communities, investing in renewable energy sources and domestic manufacturing to keep costs down for hardworking Illinoisans and their families.”
“Every rural community deserves to have reliable energy, and electric co-ops are critical to achieving this goal,” Durbin said. “I will continue to fight actions by the Trump Administration that increase the cost of living in rural Illinois.”
Photos of the meeting are available here.
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Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
April 30, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) yesterday met with representatives from Champaign County First to discuss the region’s priorities and advocating for federal policies that improve the lives of those in Central Illinois. During the meeting, Durbin and Duckworth spoke about the Trump Administration’s decision to freeze federal funding, threatening the completion of major infrastructure projects planned in Illinois.
“Whether imposing sweeping tariffs then pausing them with no warning, starting trade wars or freezing federal funding, Trump’s chaotic and uncertain decision making is harming Illinois’s workforce and local economies,” Duckworth said. “The consequences of Trump’s actions continue to jeopardize key Illinois manufacturers and small businesses, which employ many hardworking, middle-class workers across our state’s communities. I’m proud to work alongside Senator Durbin and our Champaign County leaders as we continue to push back against Trump while helping local economies grow and thrive.”
“The decisions made at the federal level directly impact Illinoisans. As the Trump Administration cuts off critical transportation funding, major infrastructure projects – and the jobs they create – are in danger,” said Durbin. “As I said to members of Champaign County First who came to visit Senator Duckworth and me in Washington, I will continue to push back against the Trump Administration and fight for the federal funding Illinois needs.”
Photos of the meeting are available here.
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Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
May 15, 2025
In an open letter to the American public, Senate Democrats emphasize that Republicans’ plan to give tax breaks to billionaires will decimate funding for SNAP
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, joined Senate Democrats, led by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), in sending an open letter to the American public warning that congressional Republicans are trying to cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in order to give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans. After promising to lower prices for families, Republicans in Congress are instead raising grocery costs and making it harder for families to put food on the table.
“Congress should not give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans by taking away food assistance from millions of Americans,” wrote the Senators.
“SNAP supports 42 million Americans, including nearly 8 million seniors, 16 million children, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans, in putting food on their tables each month. Cuts of this magnitude—or anything close to it—would be devastating to American families in every state,” the Senators continued.
Along with Duckworth, Durbin and Klobuchar, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Coons (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).
Earlier this week, Durbin joined leaders from the Lessie Bates Davis Foodbank to discuss the impact of the Trump Administration’s cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on food pantries. USDA has halted $1 billion from the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA), which reimburses states for purchasing fresh produce from local farmers, which is then distributed to food pantries like the St. Louis Area Foodbank. Without this federal funding, the IL-EATS program, which is funded through USDA’s LFPA program, has been suspended, causing more than 175 small Illinois farmers and hundreds of food banks throughout the state to be left in the lurch.
The full text of the letter is below and can be found here.
April 14, 2025
An open letter to the public:
The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are planning to give another round of tax handouts to the ultra-wealthy and corporations paid for by gutting the food assistance that helps American families pay for groceries at a time when they are struggling to afford food, health care, housing, and other household basic needs. If enacted, cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will have severe consequences for millions of veterans, seniors, children, and hard-working farmers.
We write to make our position on this legislation perfectly clear: Congress should not give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans by taking away food assistance from millions of Americans.
Earlier this year, both the House and the Senate passed budget bills that pave the way for deep cuts to SNAP. The House budget bill would require at least $230 billion in cuts. The Senate bill sets a floor of $1 billion in cuts with nothing to prevent it from going as high as the House bill. This would be a more than 20 percent cut to a program that helps millions of struggling families afford groceries.
SNAP supports 42 million Americans, including nearly 8 million seniors, 16 million children, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans, in putting food on their tables each month. Cuts of this magnitude—or anything close to it—would be devastating to American families in every state. SNAP benefits currently average only $6.20 per person per day. At a time when people across the country are struggling with the high cost of groceries, a cut of this magnitude could result in an immediate increase in food costs, dropping the annual, per person SNAP benefit by over $500 per year per person.
Congressional Republicans might claim that their plan is to merely require states to pay for a portion of food benefits for the first time. In truth, such an unprecedented cost shift could force states to cut benefits, severely restrict program eligibility, or both. If combined with a similar Medicaid cost shift, these unfunded mandates could decimate state budgets and cut healthcare and food assistance for millions of Americans.
Taking away SNAP would also hurt the farmers who grow our food, the manufacturers that package it, truckers who distribute it, and small businesses in our communities that sell it. Each SNAP dollar stimulates the economy: every $1.00 in food assistance provided by the program in a weak economy generates an additional $1.50 in economic activity. Because adequate nutrition is so important for children’s health and development, the long-term return on investment is even greater: every $1.00 invested in SNAP for children returns $62 in value. In 2020 alone, SNAP supported 200,000 grocery industry jobs and created nearly 45,000 new jobs in supporting industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and municipal services.
Republicans are writing the most consequential tax and budget legislation in decades entirely behind closed doors. That’s because Trump and Congressional Republicans must hide the ugly truth—their legislation feeds corporate and wealthy individuals’ greed by taking food assistance away for tens of millions of Americans. You, your family, and your neighbors deserve far better.
Democrats are fighting to protect Americans’ ability to feed their families from Republican cuts.
Join us and keep up the fight.
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Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
April 30, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—founding co-chair of the Senate’s Environmental Justice Caucus—issued the following statement after a court filing revealed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to cancel nearly one billion dollars in environmental justice grants issued under the Biden Administration to 781 awardees across the country. These previously-approved grants help communities get the lead out of our kids’ drinking water, clean up dangerous toxins, protect against floods and wildfires, address the ongoing effects of legacy pollution—such as higher cancer, asthma and death rates—and more:
“Contrary to the Trump Administration’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ mantra, this move will make America sicker for generations to come,” Duckworth said. “Donald Trump is willing to devastate the long-term health and livelihood of communities across the country to make his billionaire buddies richer—it’s beyond despicable. I’m outraged, and I’m going to keep doing everything in my power to push back against this Administration’s cruel agenda to deteriorate the health and safety of millions just to put even more money in the ultra-wealthy’s pockets.”
These grants are part of the $3 billion in funding that Duckworth and fellow Senate Environmental Justice Caucus co-chair Cory Booker (D-NJ) successfully secured in the historic Inflation Reduction Act—the first time that environmental justice community grant funding has been authorized to EPA.
Additionally, Duckworth led the charge in the U.S. Senate to remove lead drinking water pipes across the country. Her Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA), which was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is the most significant federal investment in water infrastructure in history, including $15 billion for national lead service line replacement. DWWIA, which focuses on disadvantaged communities, is helping rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure and enable communities to repair and modernize their failing wastewater systems.
Last month, Duckworth and Booker condemned the Trump Administration for shutting down all of EPA’s environmental justice offices and slashing over 30 EPA regulations that have helped protect our nation’s public health and the environment for decades. In February, Duckworth and Booker—along with U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)—urged EPA Administrator Zeldin to reopen the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR), which Duckworth and Booker led the charge to create. Duckworth also recently helped introduce legislation that would permanently codify the Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) in response to Attorney General Bondi’s order eliminating all environmental justice efforts at the DOJ.
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Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) reintroduced legislation to enhance Americans’ retirement security by ensuring they have the information they need to make more informed decisions about when to begin claiming Social Security benefits.
“Social Security is the foundation of most older Americans’ retirement plans, but many of them don’t have the information they need to maximize the social security benefits that they’ve earned,” said Senator Coons. “This is a commonsense solution that makes it easier for every American to make an informed decision about when to claim benefits at the best time and get the most out of their retirement income.”
“Americans have earned their benefits. When planning for retirement, let’s make sure they have the best information available and receive what they deserve,” said Senator Cassidy.
One of the key financial decisions facing older Americans is when to claim Social Security retirement benefits. Social Security benefits are available to Americans who are as young as age 62, but those who choose to claim their benefits later receive higher monthly payments, with maximum benefits available to those who claim at age 70 or older. Most people do not claim benefits at the age that would maximize their income in retirement. By doing so, they forgo a significant amount of retirement income. To provide additional clarity for Americans deciding when to claim their benefits, this legislation changes the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) terminology from “early eligibility age,” “full retirement age,” and “delayed retirement credits” to “minimum monthly benefit age,” “standard monthly benefit age,” and “maximum monthly benefit age” to better reflect how the program works.
The legislation would also help Americans better plan for retirement by requiring the SSA to mail Social Security statements about how much a person has paid into Social Security and Medicare every five years to individuals with Social Security accounts between the ages of 25 and 54, every two years for those between the ages of 55 and 59, and annually for those 60 and above.
You can read the bill text on nomenclature here. You can read the bill text on regular statements for beneficiaries here.
Source: The White House
Today, Mercedes-Benz announced it will move production of another vehicle to the U.S. — the latest result of President Donald J. Trump’s relentless pursuit of American manufacturing dominance.
The automaker will produce the vehicle at its Tuscaloosa, Alabama, plant following signals earlier this year that the company will make additional investment in its U.S.-based operations.
Mercedes isn’t the only automaker onshoring production as President Trump incentivizes making things in America again:
BMW is considering adding shifts to boost production at its South Carolina plant.
Honda plans to shift production of the Civic from Japan to the U.S.
Hyundai announced a $20 billion investment — including $5.8 billion for a new Louisiana steel plant to support its U.S.-based vehicle production — amid their pledge to “further localize production in the U.S.”
Kia plans to produce hybrid vehicles at its affiliate Hyundai’s Georgia factory.
Nissan is considering moving production from Mexico to the U.S.
Stellantis announced it will reopen its Belvidere, Illinois, plant to build a new midsize pickup truck.
Toyota announced it will boost hybrid vehicle production at its West Virginia plant.
Source: The White House
ESTABLISHING THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the Religious Liberty Commission to safeguard and promote America’s founding principle of religious freedom.
The Religious Liberty Commission will be comprised of a Chairman and Vice Chairman designated by the President, ex officio government officials, and additional members from diverse religious and professional backgrounds, including clergy, legal experts, academics, and public advocates.
The Commission is tasked with producing a comprehensive report on the foundations of religious liberty in America, strategies to increase awareness of and celebrate America’s peaceful religious pluralism, current threats to religious liberty, and strategies to preserve and enhance protections for future generations.
Key focus areas include parental rights in religious education, school choice, conscience protections, attacks on houses of worship, free speech for religious entities, and institutional autonomy.
The Commission will advise the White House Faith Office and the Domestic Policy Council on religious-liberty policies and recommend executive or legislative actions to protect these freedoms.
Advisory boards of religious leaders, lay leaders, and legal experts will provide specialized guidance as subcomponents of the commission.
PROTECTING AMERICA’S FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT: President Trump is addressing emerging threats to religious liberty to ensure Americans can freely practice their faith without government interference.
The United States Constitution enshrines the fundamental right to religious liberty in the First Amendment.
Recent Federal and State policies have undermined this right by targeting conscience protections, preventing parents from sending their children to religious schools, threatening funding and non-profit status for faith-based entities, and excluding religious groups from government programs.
The previous administration’s Department of Justice targeted peaceful Christians while ignoring violent, anti-Christian offenses.
This Commission will investigate and recommend policies to restore and safeguard religious liberty for all Americans.
STANDING UP FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: President Trump has a proven record of defending religious liberty and is committed to preserving this cornerstone of American democracy.
In his first term, President Trump signed an Executive Order on “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty.”
He also protected conscience rights, ensured equal access to funding for religious institutions, and defended faith communities against government overreach.
On the campaign trail, President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to protecting America’s religious freedoms.
Since returning to office, President Trump has signed several executive actions to strengthen religious liberty, including:
Marshalling all Federal resources to combat the explosion of anti-Semitism on our campuses and in our streets since October 7, 2023.
Establishing a White House Faith Office to bring faith leaders from across the nation to the table and ensure their voices are heard at the highest levels of our government.
Creating the “Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias” at the Department of Justice to end the anti-Christian weaponization of government and unlawful targeting of Christians.
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
Listen to audio from Senator GrassleyHERE
WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) reintroduced three bipartisan bills to help students and families make informed decisions when choosing a college and taking out loans.
From the initial college search, to the acceptance of financial aid, to counseling once in college, the bills would help students avoid sticker shock, find the best school for their budget and avoid taking out ill-advised and oversized loans.
“When it comes to college costs, we ought to focus on fixing the process on the front-end before students get in over their heads. The federal government should be offering commonsense resources to better prepare borrowers. Our bipartisan bills will provide additional counseling, resources and clarity to the student loan process so that students can know before they owe. I’m working to help America’s next generation pursue higher education opportunities without breaking the bank,” Grassley said.
“We need to better equip students and their families with information about the costs of college, from the initial search all the way up to when they receive financial aid offers. My bipartisan bills with Senator Grassley would help fix these problems,” Smith said. “Among other things, we would ensure that financial aid offers can be easily compared between schools, because time and again students and families are faced with inconsistent and incomplete information, making apples-to-apples comparisons impossible. These reforms will help students have more transparency when making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives—how to pay for college and take the next step in their education.”
Legislative Summaries:
The Net Price Calculator Improvement Act would improve the effectiveness of and access to net price calculators. Net price calculators provide students with early, individualized estimates of higher education costs and financial aid figures before they decide where to apply. Rep. Brett Guthrie (Ky.) plans to introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives. A summary of the Net Price Calculator Improvement Act is available HERE.
The Understanding the True Cost of College Act would create a universal financial aid offer form and standardize terms used to describe financial aid to allow students to more easily compare financial aid packages between schools. This move aims to prevent troubling findings by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that over 90% of college financial aid offer letters currently understate the price students would pay. Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) are original cosponsors of the bill, and Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. A summary of the Understanding the True Cost of College Act is available HERE.
The Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act would strengthen the Higher Education Act to enhance the current loan counseling requirements for institutions of higher education. The bill would make loan counseling an annual requirement before new loans are disbursed, rather than a one-time requirement for first-time borrowers. The legislation would also allow students to decide exactly how much they would like to borrow, rather than offering the maximum possible loan amount as the default option. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) plans to introduce companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. A summary of the Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act is available HERE.
Background:
Grassley has long warned of the fiscal danger posed by blanket cancelation after the fact and is an advocate for increased transparency to empower prospective and current students. Last Congress, Grassley joined Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) in introducing the Student Transparency for Understanding Decisions in Education Net Terms (STUDENT) Act to provide student loan applicants with an estimate of the total amount of interest they would pay prior to accepting a loan.
Click HERE for audio of Grassley discussing this trio of bills, as well as the Education Department’s announcement that it will resume collections for federal borrowers with defaulted loans on May 5.
Support for the Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act:
“Education Finance Council supports Senator Grassley’s efforts to improve federal student loan counseling. Students deserve regular and more comprehensive information about paying for postsecondary education, and the Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act equips them with the tools they need to make informed decisions,” saidGail daMota, President, Education Finance Council.
“NACAC supports the Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act of 2025 as a critical step toward ensuring students receive clear, personalized, and timely information about borrowing. Strengthening loan counseling requirements will help students make informed decisions, minimize unnecessary debt, and navigate a more equitable path to higher education,” said Angel Pérez, CEO, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
Support for the Understanding the True Cost of College Act:
“At uAspire, we advise students every day on finding an affordable path to college—and we see firsthand how confusing and inconsistent financial aid offers can be. Too often, students struggle to understand how much they’ll actually owe or compare costs between schools. Financial aid offers must clearly communicate what students are expected to pay. We’re grateful to Senators Grassley, Smith, Hassan, and Tuberville and Representative Kim for leading the Understanding the True Cost of College Act, which would bring much-needed clarity and transparency to the process,” said Anika Van Eaton, Vice President of Policy, uAspire
“As a longtime advocate for financial aid transparency and consumer protection, I know firsthand how confusing and opaque financial aid offers can be—both from my time counseling low-income students and from over a decade of research at New America. The Understanding the True Cost of College Act is the result of years of evidence, advocacy, and bipartisan collaboration. It’s a commonsense solution that brings higher education in line with other major financial decisions that already require standardized, comparable information—like buying a home, financing a car, or choosing a health plan. This bill ensures that all students can make apples-to-apples comparisons and truly understand how much college will cost. I applaud Senators Grassley, Smith, Hassan, and Tuberville and Representative Kim for championing this long-overdue reform.” Rachel Fishman, Director, Higher Education, New America.
“We applaud Senators Grassley, Smith, Hassan, and Tuberville and Representative Kim for spearheading the Understanding the True Cost of College Act. College is one of the biggest financial decisions facing American families, yet too many higher education institutions continue to provide unclear and misleading cost information. This bipartisan bill would make common-sense reforms and empower students and families by ensuring colleges provide them with clear, transparent, and easily comparable information about expenses and financial aid options,” said Michele Zampini, Senior Director of College Affordability, The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS).
“In our work, IECA members witness, firsthand, the difficulty that exists in interpreting financial aid offers from U.S. colleges and universities. This proposed act is a critically important step towards providing students, and their families, with clear, consistent information regarding the accurate cost of higher education pursuits. We, thus, sincerely thank Senator Grassley (and his hardworking staff) for his intent to reintroduce this piece of legislation and strongly urge his fellow senatorial colleagues to cosponsor it, so that Congress can help students across the country make informed decisions about their education that will, in turn, ‘stem the tide’ as it pertains to the issue of staggering student debt,” said Leigh R. Allen II, Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Educational Consultants Association.
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
Download broadcast quality video HERE.
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) today introduced the bipartisan Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation (CHILD) Act to ensure all individuals with unsupervised access to children – including contractors hired by schools – are authorized to receive a nationwide background check.
Reps. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) are leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“Parents should feel more confident that every individual who works with their children has been properly and thoroughly vetted. My bipartisan legislation with Senator Durbin would amend the Child Protection Improvements Act to help ensure all child care workers, including contractors, undergo nationwide background checks,” Grassley said. “Our legislative fix will help keep kids safe and give parents greater peace of mind.”
“When parents drop their kids off at school, they shouldn’t have to worry if their children are safe in the care of the school’s faculty. While the Child Protection Improvements Act was passed with the intent of keeping children safe, it created an inadvertent complication in securing nationwide background checks for all personnel with unsupervised access to children, namely contractors hired by schools,” Durbin said. “Schools often rely on contractors for a number of services geared toward children, including providing safe transportation. Today, I’m introducing bipartisan legislation with Senator Grassley to correct the current patchwork approach to securing nationwide background checks for those who work with children.”
The CHILD Act is endorsed by Students Against Destructive Decisions, Student Transportation & Education Equity, Roundtable, Parents Helping Parents Inc., National Diversity Coalition, RaisingHOPE Inc., National Center on Adoption & Permanency, Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE) and HopSkipDrive.
“Safety has always been, and will always be, our top priority at HopSkipDrive and background checks are an integral component of our 15-step certification process. We are proud to support the bipartisan CHILD Act to amend the National Child Protection Act and enhance access to safe, reliable student transportation. This crucial amendment will help ensure the highest standards of safety are met nationwide, and we extend our gratitude to the bill sponsors for their leadership on this important issue,” said Joanna McFarland, Co-Founder and CEO of HopSkipDrive.
Download bill text HERE.
Download a broadcast quality video of Grassley discussing the legislation HERE.
Background:
The National Child Protection Act of 1993 authorized nationwide background checks for all child care workers. However, the Child Protection Improvements Act of 2018 amended the National Child Protection Act and inadvertently removed the provision that allowed states to request nationwide background checks on child care contractors.
The CHILD Act would amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to ensure child care contractors are authorized to receive the same national background checks as all other child care employees.
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is further exposing the Biden Justice Department’s (DOJ) aggressive efforts to target President Donald Trump and his associates. Internal Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) emails released by Grassley show Biden FBI agents planning and celebrating the indictment of Trump advisor Peter Navarro in 2022.
The series of emails, which Grassley made public in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel, detail preparations by the Biden FBI and D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office to arrest and press criminal charges against Navarro for contempt of Congress. Navarro was ultimately the first White House official in history to be jailed on a contempt of Congress conviction, serving four months in prison in 2024. Upon receiving news of Navarro’s impending indictment, former anti-Trump FBI official Timothy Thibault replied, “Wow. Great.”
“According to the FBI’s own statistics, violent crime rose 4.5% in 2022. Meanwhile, the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office refused to prosecute two-thirds of the criminals arrested in our nation’s capital that very same year. Instead of focusing on the rampant cases of murder and rape perpetrated against everyday Americans, personnel in the FBI’s Washington Field Office and D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office were obsessing over ways to target President Trump and his allies. Their conduct is disgraceful and un-American,” Grassley said of his letter. “Transparency brings accountability, which is why I’m requesting AG Bondi and Director Patel produce all records that further demonstrate this political rot.”
Grassley’s letter notes that three of the FBI officials involved in investigating Navarro also spearheaded the anti-Trump Arctic Frost investigation: Special Agent Walter Giardina, Supervisory Special Agent Blaire Toleman and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Thibault.
Grassley earlier this week requested Patel declassify the FBI’s analysis of the congressional criminal referral issued for Nellie Ohr, a former Fusion GPS contractor involved in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation against Trump. Despite feloniously making false statements to Congress in 2018, the FBI and DOJ chose not to press charges against Ohr.
Read Grassley’s letter to Bondi and Patel HERE, and view the related FBI email records HERE.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
May 01, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, in response to the Secretary of the Army, Daniel P. Driscoll’s announcement that the Army will ensure right-to-repair provisions are included in future Army contracts, Senator Warren, a long-time advocate of the policy, released the following statement:
“I pushed the Army Secretary to get right-to-repair in the Army done, and I’m glad he kept his word. This reform means the Army will be more resilient in future wars, and it will end the days of soldiers being dependent on giant defense contractors charging billions and taking months and months to get the equipment they need repaired. It’d be a big win for our country if all of the services followed Secretary Driscoll’s lead to stand up to military contractors, side with warfighters, and commit to right-to-repair in every single contract.”
In January 2025, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, secured a commitment from Mr. Dan Driscoll, then-nominee for Secretary of the Army, about his views on enhancing the Army’s right to repair its own equipment. The exchange is below.
Senator Warren also pushed Trump’s Navy Secretary and Military Transportation Command Chief on committing to allowing servicemembers to repair their own equipment. They agreed.
Senator Warren has been a leader on Right-to-Repair in the military:
In December 2024, Senator Warren and Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) introduced the Servicemember Right-to-Repair Act, which would require contractors to provide DoD with “fair and reasonable” access to repair materials. It would also require cost-saving proposals to cut sustainment costs without reducing performance requirements, mandate a report on cost-saving strategies to enhance transparency, and require DoD to assess the cost-effectiveness of access to intellectual property throughout a program’s life cycle.
Senator Warren also wrote to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recommending $2 trillion in proposals to save taxpayers money, including tackling repair restrictions that the Government Accountability Office found “could save billions of dollars.” At the hearing, Mr. Driscoll agreed with this recommendation.
In September 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren sent two letters denouncing the costly restrictions imposed by Pentagon contractors on the Department of Defense (DoD) that bar the military from repairing its own military equipment and instead force it to pay billions of dollars extra to contractors.
In July 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren included a provision in the Senate Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA that would require Pentagon contractors to provide DoD with “fair and reasonable” access to repair materials.
Transcript: Hearing to Consider the Nomination of Mr. Daniel P. Driscoll to be Secretary of the Army Senate Armed Services Committee January 30, 2025
Senator Elizabeth Warren: Congratulations on your nomination, Mr. Driscoll. So what I’d like to do is continue the conversation we started in my office. The Army buys a lot of stuff, from tanks to helicopters. They buy a lot of stuff from big defense contractors. Those giant companies often sneak restrictions into the contracts. They hog up the software rights or the technical data, all to prevent service members from being able to repair their own equipment. So today I would like to talk through an example so we can see the difference in banks with the Army is not hamstrung by right-to-repair restrictions.
Last year, the Army needed a new cover for a safety clip, but the contractor told the Army they couldn’t have it for months and these safety clips would cost $20 a pop. Now, thankfully, the Army had managed to keep right-to-repair restrictions out of this contract and was able to 3D-print the part in less than an hour for a total cost of 16 cents.
Now, Mr. Driscoll, does being able to get the parts we need in hours – maybe minutes – instead of months, and for nickels instead of dollars, help U.S. readiness and national security?
Mr. Dan Driscoll, nominee for Secretary of the Army: Unequivocally, Senator.
Senator Warren: Good. You know, when right-to-repair restrictions are in place, it’s bigger profits for giant defense contractors, but also higher prices for DoD and longer wait times for service members who need to get equipment repaired so they’re ready to go.
Chairman Wicker has an acquisition reform agenda which calls for a complete review of data rights across the Department of Defense. I think that is exactly right because it would help put the Army fully in command of the equipment that it has paid so much for.
So, Mr. Driscoll, let me ask you, if confirmed, will you work with this committee to identify more opportunities where the Army can save money and time by making their own parts and fixing their own equipment?
Mr. Driscoll: If confirmed, unequivocally, Senator.
Senator Warren: Would you like to expand on that at all?
Mr. Driscoll: This type of innovation happening in the private sector at scale in a lot of ways seems to have not trickled into the Army as much. If we think about engagement with a peer like China, being able to repair our parts in areas around the world will be crucial to that. And, if we are having six-month delays in CONUS and paying 100x the rate, that is not scalable in an actual conflict, and so I’m totally supportive, Senator.
Chair Wicker: That was a very good answer, Mr. Driscoll.
Senator Warren: It was an excellent answer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know, right-to-repair restrictions have truly gotten out of control. And they threaten our national security. In some cases, the Army cannot even write its own training manual without a sign-off from a contractor. My Servicemember Right to Repair Act would help fix this problem.
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the lead Democrat on SFRC’s Western Hemisphere panel, together with U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Alex Padilla (D-CA), introduced legislation to require the Trump Administration to produce a report detailing any steps the Administration is taking to ensure compliance with court orders applicable to U.S. citizens or residents wrongfully deported by the U.S. to El Salvador; confirming whether U.S. security assistance has been used to support the illegal detention of U.S. residents; and assessing El Salvador’s human rights record. Companion legislation is being led in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20).
Under the legislation, if the Administration fails to produce the report, security assistance to El Salvador would be prohibited by federal law. The legislation is privileged under the Foreign Assistance Act, meaning the Senate will be forced to vote on the measure.
“Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has rounded up tens of thousands of Salvadorans without due process and jammed them indefinitely into overpopulated torture centers. And now he’s trying to do the same to people living in the United States. President Trump is even threatening to send U.S. citizens to these same horrific megaprisons,” said Senator Kaine. “This is a violation of the founding principles of the United States. That’s why I’m forcing a vote on legislation to require this Administration to explain its actions to the American public and shine a bright light on the Bukele regime’s human rights abuses, instead of celebrating them.”
“Following the ruling of our federal courts that Kilmar Abrego Garcia was illegally deported, the Trump Administration is clearly refusing to comply with their orders to facilitate his return. This legislation would require the Trump Administration to report on the actions they’ve taken in response to the court orders, the Government of El Salvador’s collusion with the Trump Administration to violate due process rights, and the broader human rights concerns in El Salvador. The American people deserve answers on this clear defiance of our nation’s constitutional rights and the extent of El Salvador’s complicity in this scheme, as well its human rights abuses,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“The cornerstone of American democracy is due process. The Trump administration has taken a sledgehammer to the very basis of our legal system and the rights Americans have as citizens,” said Leader Schumer. “Make no mistake: A threat to one is a threat to all. The courts have spoken and now the Senate needs to ensure that the Trump administration is listening. Senate Democrats will not rest until we have answers.”
“El Salvador’s ongoing human rights abuses against detainees at CECOT — including individuals removed from the United States to be detained at the mega-prison — must cease immediately,” said Senator Padilla. “As the Trump Administration upends due process to wrongfully deport people to El Salvador, we must restore fundamental civil liberties, end the inhumane treatment of all detainees, and ensure freedom from oppression for everyone in El Salvador. I stand with Senator Kaine and my colleagues in fighting to hold President Bukele and President Trump accountable over the corrosion of civil liberties and due process in El Salvador being supported by the United States. I also continue to call for the immediate return of those wrongfully deported to El Salvador.”
“The Trump Administration has sent numerous people to Salvadoran gulags using a wartime authority and without due process,” said Representative Joaquin Castro. “El Salvador, under President Bukele, has engaged in well-documented human rights abuses. This resolution demands that the Trump Administration provide documentation of the human rights conditions in El Salvador. If they don’t do so, the law would cut off all security assistance to the country—we will use this resolution to force accountability.”
Full text of the legislation is available here.
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), (both D-VA) and 40 of their congressional colleagues reintroduced the bicameral Assault Weapons Ban of 2025, legislation that would revive the 1994 nationwide ban on assault weapons two decades after the original ban expired in 2004. This legislation would ban the sale, transfer, manufacture, and import of military-style assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and other high-capacity ammunition feeding devices that have repeatedly been used in mass shootings across the nation.
“Gun violence continues to rock communities across the country over and over without meaningful intervention from lawmakers,” said Warner. “It’s time that we step up and once again put in place this commonsense safeguard to better protect Virginians from these weapons of war.”
“Everyone in America should be able to live free from the fear of injury or death caused by a firearm,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to reintroduce this commonsense gun safety legislation that will once again put in place this essential safeguard to make Virginia and our nation a safer place for all, and I’ll keep pushing for additional legislation to make our communities safer from gun violence.”
While the 1994 ban was in place, the United States saw gun massacres decline by 37% and mass shooting fatalities were 70% less likely. When the ban expired, deaths in a gun massacre rose 239%. A ban on assault-style weapons is widely supported by Americans.
In addition to Senators Warner and Kaine, the bill is led by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) and co-sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Congresswoman Lucy McBath (D-GA-06) is leading the bill’s reintroduction in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The bill has been endorsed by Brady: United Against Gun Violence, GIFFORDS, Newtown Action Alliance, Everytown for Gun Safety, March for Our Lives, Sandy Hook Promise, and the National Parent Teacher Association.
Warner and Kaine have long supported gun violence protection measures. Earlier this month, Kaine introduced the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act and the bipartisan Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts (BUMP) Act, two pieces of legislation that will help protect communities from gun violence by limiting large capacity ammunition feeding devices and prohibiting the sale of bump stocks, devices that are used to turn semiautomatic weapons into machine guns by increasing their rate of fire. Warner and Kaine have championed the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act, legislation to federally enact a series of commonsense gun violence prevention measures adopted by Virginia since 2020, including provisions to mandate reporting of lost and stolen firearms, prevent children from accessing firearms, and implement a one-handgun-a-month policy.
Full text of the bill is available here.
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
WASHINGTON — During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Committee, questioned Trump Administration nominees on upholding the law, protecting public lands from large scale sales, and ensuring Tribal nations are consulted during the permitting process. The nominees considered by the Committee today include Mr. Tristan Abbey for Energy Department Administrator of the Energy Information Agency, Ms. Leslie Beyer for Interior Department Assistant Secretary for Lands and Mineral Management, Mr. Theodore J. Garrish for Energy Department Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, and Dr. Andrea Travnicek for Interior Department Assistant Secretary for Water and Science.
During his opening remarks, Heinrich sought commitments from the nominees to follow the law as enacted by Congress and support and defend — rather than demolish — the offices and programs entrusted to their oversight, especially amid unprecedented attacks on career federal workers.
VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) Demands Answers from Pending Trump Administration Nominees on Protecting Public Lands, Upholding the Law, and Ensuring Tribal Nations Are Consulted in Permitting Reform, April 30, 2025.
Heinrich began his line of questioning by asking Leslie Beyer, nominee for Interior Department Assistant Secretary for Lands and Mineral Management, about her support of divesting from public lands, “As Assistant Secretary you will oversee management of more than 245 million acres of public land. This land belongs to all Americans— including every single one of my constituents. Americans highly value their ability to access these lands for hunting, fishing, and other recreational uses. Do you support the large-scale divestment of our public lands?”
Ms. Beyer avoided directly answering whether or not she supports public lands divestment, “Sir, only Congress has the ability to dispose of any public lands. But I believe that our public lands have multiple use mandates, and they can be used for energy production, recreation, any number of other uses, for the benefit of all Americans.”
Heinrich turned to Dr. Andrea Travnicek to clarify the Trump Administration’s intentions with recent actions decreasing the timeline of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, which will inevitably harm meaningful consultations with Tribal nations, “Dr. Travnicek, you’ve been on staff for several months now and I appreciate many of our conversations, but [your role] gives you specific insights in the decisions that have already been made in the Department. The new guidance for NEPA projects that the Secretary announced for energy projects does not make any mention of Tribal consultation. However, it requires all reviews to be done within 14-28 days. I have personally never seen meaningful Tribal consultation completed in that time frame. My question is: Is the Administration proposing to eliminate Tribal consultation for these projects?”
Dr. Travnicek responded, “Thank you Senator Heinrich and I appreciate the conversations that we have had already. So, we know that there’s been a lot of conversations for a long tome related to trying to streamline the permitting processes, right? I think we’ve all been frustrated by that. We’ve seen some of these discussions here within this Committee as well. So, we are really just trying to figure out how we can move forward while still meeting the different requirements as well. We know that the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was mentioned in there, and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Also, we know that we will have to engage with Tribes. So, at the same time, how do we get permits out the door, get the infrastructure in place, develop the resources we need? So, it’s going to be trying to work on all the above, working with ESA, NHPA, and also engaging with the Tribes.”
Heinrich pushed back, “As someone who strongly supported permitting reform, and a majority of members on this Committee did— I think we largely support getting to yes or no faster. I really want to urge you to make sure that the Tribal consultation process is not a ‘check the box’ exercise, and that it is meaningful.”
Heinrich returned to questioning Beyer to address arbitrary stop work orders on permitted projects and the job losses it is creating, “Let me quote back something that you said a few minutes ago: ‘If our companies can’t get permits, we will be behind.’ I agree with that sentiment. Two weeks ago, Secretary Burgum sent a letter to the Acting Director of OEM, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, ordering an unprecedented stop work order to Equinor’s empire wind project off the coast of New York. That’s a fully permitted project. It has undergone rigorous review. It’s already under construction. And it would power half a million homes. Cancelling this project is a job killer for the skilled trades. And my concern is that it will squash any faith that the private sector has in the federal permitting process. If we do this to one project of one energy type, you can do it to another of a different energy type. So, if fully permitted projects are subjected to arbitrary stop work orders, how can we expect the private sector to commit capital to permit those large, expensive projects?”
Beyer replied, “Senator, thank you for that question. As you know, I have not been confirmed so I did not participate in that decision making-”
Heinrich redirected her answer, “Speak to the larger issue. Not to the specificity of that issue.”
Beyer answered, “Right. We need all forms of energy that we can get our hands on. There is a premium to secure, reliable, and affordable energy. I’m from Texas; we have a lot of wind energy there. I appreciate that it’s additive. But there is a premium to secure, affordable, and reliable energy that is not weather dependent in my view. And I will adhere to the guidance of the Secretary if I am confirmed.”
Heinrich clarified her answer, “In your view, should permitting be transparent and predictable?”
Beyer responded, “Yes sir.”
Heinrich wrapped his questions, “Thank you.”
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich co-sponsored the Tax Cut for Workers Act, legislation to give thousands of New Mexicans a much-needed tax break. The bill would make permanent the American Rescue Plan Act’s expansions of the Earned IncomeTax Credit (EITC), continuing one of the largest-ever tax cuts for the middle class.
The American Rescue Plan Act, which Heinrich helped pass into law, made several critical expansions of the EITC, including nearly tripling the maximum EITC benefit for workers without children from roughly $540 to roughly $1,500 and raising the income limit from about $16,000 to $21,000 for single filers and from about $22,000 to $27,000 for married filers. It also made individuals aged 19 to 24 and 65 and older newly eligible for the credit. While the American Rescue Plan’s EITC provisions expired the end of 2021, they had a significant impact, increasing disposable income among America’s working families.
“With the cost of everything from coffee to electricity out of control thanks to Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s chaos, New Mexico families need relief more than ever. I’m proud to support this legislation to cut taxes for workers so that they can keep more of their hard-earned money. This is what fighting for families – not billionaires – looks like,” said Heinrich.
The Tax Cut for Workers Act will cut taxes for 111,000 New Mexicans by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit to workers without children. The bill also extends eligibility for the tax cut to workers under the age of 25 and over the age of 64.
In addition to Heinrich, the legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), 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.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), 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.).
The full text of the bill is here.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced a resolution designating April 29, 2025, as “National Fentanyl Awareness Day” to raise awareness about the dangers fentanyl poses to Americans and their families. The resolution was unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate.
“There’s always more we can and should be doing to address the substance use disorder crisis and prevent more Granite Staters from dying of drug overdoses,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our resolution memorializes the lives that have been lost to this epidemic and underscores the need to raise awareness and commit more resources to combating the flow of fentanyl into our communities.”
“Fentanyl overdoses claimed the lives of more than 58,000 Americans last year, many of whom suffered from accidental poisonings after taking counterfeit prescription pills. President Trump has taken strong action to stem the flow of fentanyl pills. Additionally, Congress must act to hold corporations accountable for their role in the illicit drug trade,” Grassley said. “Our resolution demonstrates continuing resolve to put an end to America’s fentanyl epidemic.”
A copy of the Resolution can be found here.
Senator Shaheen has led efforts to address the substance use disorder epidemic in the Granite State. Earlier this month, Shaheen led the New Hampshire Congressional delegation in calling on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to immediately restore more than $80 million in federal funding cut from HHS that New Hampshire relies on to help communities address the substance use disorder and mental health crises. Shaheen recently held a roundtable at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Concord to highlight the consequences of these cuts. Shaheen also recently introduced the bipartisan Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act with Senator Grassley that would help prevent youth opioid use and overdoses by establishing a new grant program that allows current or former Drug-Free Communities (DFC) coalitions to partner with schools to provide resources educating students about the dangers of synthetic opioids.
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) this week reintroduced the bipartisan Water Research Optimization Act of 2025, legislation to streamline hydrological forecast modeling within the National Weather Service. The Senators’ legislation would place America’s 13 River Forecast Centers under the supervision and oversight of the Office of Water Protection and solidify existing hydrology work conducted through the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), the United States’ first-ever center for water forecast operations.
CIROH has evolved into a revolutionary, collaborative hub between the public and private sector for research and development. The Water Research Optimization Act of 2025 would make CIROH’s research center at the University of Vermont (UVM) permanent and align UVM’s hydrology work with the National Weather Service to boost flood resiliency research.
“Investing in hydrology modeling and prediction is crucial to boosting flood resilience across the country, from Vermont to Alabama. That includes supporting important hydrology research and programs at the University of Vermont that improve hydrologic forecasting, such as the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology,” said Senator Welch. “Our bipartisan bill will strengthen and align current hydrology research at the National Weather Service with vital research at UVM to foster flood resilience and help communities rebuild better after natural disasters.”
“The National Water Center has been instrumental to NOAA’s efforts to strengthen America’s water forecasting capabilities, improve weather-preparedness, and modernize water research technologies,” said Senator Britt. “I’m proud of the Center’s world-class capabilities, and I have no doubt this legislation will further enhance critical research and applied sciences that benefit our entire nation. I’m grateful to Senator Welch for his support and leadership through our bipartisan bill.”
“We are grateful to Senators Welch and Britt for their leadership in introducing pivotal legislation to support CIROH. Funding for these efforts allows the University of Vermont to continue vital research on water that impacts the quality of life of Vermonters and communities across the country. We are proud to be able to contribute to this work,” said Kirk Dombrowski, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, University of Vermont.
CIROH’s national coalition of academic, industry, and non-profit partners includes the University of Vermont, which functions closely alongside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Water Center to support stakeholders with hydrological data and important weather-related forecasts and warnings. This legislation would place CIROH Centers under the supervision and oversight of the National Weather Service’s Office of Water Protection and codify the National Water Center’s authority to lead the transition of water resources research.
Read and download the full text of the bill.
Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) highlighted his efforts to fight for Nebraska priorities during the recent Senate state work period. Ricketts led a bipartisan delegation trip to the Philippines and Taiwan focused on deterring Communist China. Trade issues were also discussed. He then held a series of public events in Nebraska. Those included town halls in Scottsbluff, Valentine, and Kearney. He made the following comments while on a conference call with Nebraska media:
“Before Easter, I visited the Philippines and Taiwan,”said Ricketts. “I met with the leaders in both those countries. We discussed ways to push back on Communist China’s aggression. Communist China is our greatest external threat.”
Ricketts also underscored the potential for expanded trade opportunities for Nebraska agriculture producers.
“There is a lot of interest in signing new trade deals,” said Ricketts. “For example, Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao expressed an interest in buying more of our soybeans instead of buying them from Brazil. Others expressed interest in buying more of our natural gas. They know Communist China is a bad trading partner. They want to work with us. There’s a lot of opportunity. We need to start cutting these trade deals.”
In addition, Ricketts recapped the many public events he held across Nebraska. This included three town halls, roundtable conversations in Grand Island and Scottsbluff, a cattle branding in Sioux County, and events in Lincoln with Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
“I shared how I’m working with President Trump to secure the southern border, protect the 2017 tax cuts, and support Nebraska agriculture,”continued Ricketts.“I gave an update on how I’m fighting to address our $36 trillion national debt – which is our greatest domestic threat. I also heard feedback and answered questions directly from Nebraskans. These conversations help me stay connected to the priorities and values of my constituents.”
[embedded content]
Watch the video here
TRANSCRIPT:
Senator Ricketts: “Over the last two weeks, I focused on some of the priorities that we face now as a nation.
“For example, specifically deterring China and tackling our debt.
“Before Easter, I visited the Philippines and Taiwan.
“I met with the leaders in both those countries.
“We discussed ways to push back on Communist China’s aggression.
“Communist China is our greatest external threat.
“Xi Jinping has said that he wants to be the world’s dominating power by 2049.
“Communist China’s dramatic military buildup and increasingly provocative actions are designed to force everyone else to bend to its will.
“Just this week, it took over an island in the West Philippine Sea.
“In the past, they have stolen intellectual property and continue to do so.
“They manipulate or disregard rules to gain advantages that risk our security.
“That threatens our security and threatens the security of many of our allies and partners.
“We also discussed expanding trade opportunities for American producers.
“There is a lot of interest in signing new trade deals.
“For example, Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao expressed an interest in buying more of our soybeans instead of buying them from Brazil.
“Others expressed interest in buying more of our natural gas.
“They know Communist China is a bad trading partner. They want to work with us.
“There’s a lot of opportunity. We need to start cutting these trade deals.
“Last week, I held public events in the Western, Central, and Eastern parts of our state.
“For example, I hosted three town halls in Scottsbluff, Valentine, and Kearney.
“At these town halls, I shared updates on my work in Washington.
“I shared how I’m working with President Trump to secure the southern border, protect the 2017 tax cuts, and support Nebraska agriculture.
“I gave an update on how I’m fighting to address our $36 trillion national debt – which is our greatest domestic threat.
“I also heard feedback and answered questions directly from Nebraskans.
“These conversations help me stay connected to the priorities and values of my constituents.
“In addition to the townhalls, I spoke to the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
“I gave a legislative update and answered questions about taxes, tariffs, and other topics.
“In Lincoln, I partnered with Nebraska Farm Bureau to call for making the Trump tax cuts permanent.
“If the tax cuts expire, Americans would see a $4 trillion tax increase.
“That would hurt Nebraska families, farmers, and small businesses.
“The child tax credit will be cut by $1,000.
“The standard deduction will be cut in half.
“And the deduction for the Death Tax would also be cut in half, putting our Nebraska family farms and ranches at risk.
“If these tax cuts were to expire, a family of four making $80,000 would pay $1,700 more in taxes.
“I want to see Nebraskans’ taxes cut, not raised.
“I also held several important roundtable meetings.
“In Grand Island, I heard directly from local Chambers of Commerce.
“They shared their strategies for economic development and revitalization.
“For example, I heard about the Kearney sportsplex, which is attracting events from all over the region.
“In fact, they told me that they are entirely booked, having only two open weeks from now until 2029.
“That’s huge for central Nebraska.
“In Scottsbluff, I sat down with agriculture leaders.
“They shared with me the challenges facing rural communities.
“Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers feed the world.
“I’m committed to passing a comprehensive farm bill that delivers the tools they need to succeed.
“While in western Nebraska, I took part in a cattle branding in Sioux County.
“Branding is a great part of western life.
“It’s tough, honest work that brings families and communities together.
“The brand identifies cattle and protects against theft.
“The calves are also vaccinated to protect their health.
“Nebraska is the Beef State because of the grit demonstrated every day by our ranchers.
“I’ll always advocate for Nebraska agriculture.
“In addition, my team and I are hosting Mobile Office Hours in every single county.
“We did that in all 93 counties last year – twice.
“We help Nebraskans navigate the federal bureaucracy.
“And I’ll continue fighting every day to make sure Nebraskans’ voices are heard in Washington.
Source: The White House
A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP: Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, the US and Ukraine entered into a historic agreement on April 30, launching a first-of-its-kind partnership for the reconstruction and long-term economic success of Ukraine.
From start to finish, this agreement is a fully collaborative partnership between our nations, that both the United States and Ukraine will benefit from.
This partnership represents the United States taking an economic stake in securing a free, peaceful, and sovereign future for Ukraine.
This agreement will also strengthen the strategic partnership between the United States and Ukraine for long-term reconstruction and modernization, in response to the large-scale destruction caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The Treasury Department and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) will work together with the Government of Ukraine to finalize governance and advance this important partnership.
The United States’ DFC will work together with Ukraine’s State Organization Agency on Support Public-Private Partnership, both of which are backed by the full faith and credit of their respective nations.
LONG TERM RETURNS FOR BOTH COUNTRIES: President Trump envisioned this partnership between the Americans and the Ukrainians to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine
This partnership between the United States and Ukraine establishes a fund that will receive 50% of royalties, license fees, and other similar payments from natural resource projects in Ukraine.
That money will be invested in new projects in Ukraine, which will generate long term returns for both the American and Ukrainian peoples.
As new projects are identified, resources in the fund can be quickly allocated towards economic growth, job creation, and other key Ukrainian development priorities.
Indirect benefits will include a stronger private sector and more robust, lasting infrastructure for Ukraine’s long-term success.
The partnership will be controlled by a company with equal representation of three Ukrainian and three American board members, who will work together through a collaborative process to make decisions for allocation of fund resources, such as investment and distributions.
The partnership will also bring the highest levels of transparency and accountability to ensure that the people of Ukraine and the United States are able to enjoy the benefits of Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Natural resource projects will include minerals, hydrocarbons, and related infrastructure development.
If the United States decides to acquire these resources for ourselves, we will given first choice to either acquire them or designate the purchaser of our choice.
Economic security is national security, and this important safeguard prevents critical resources from falling into the wrong hands.
Importantly, this partnership sends a strong message to Russia – the United States has skin in the game and is committed to Ukraine’s long-term success.
No state, company, or person who financed or supplied the Russian war machine will be allowed to benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine, including participation in projects supported by fund resources.
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
WATCH: Padilla Holds Floor Block to Push Back Against Trump Attacks on Election Integrity and Republicans’ SAVE Act
WATCH: Padilla: “I will keep leading the fight to stop this cynical and dangerous bill — and to stop Trump and Republican attempts to undermine our voting rights”WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and California’s former Secretary of State, and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, held the Senate floor alongside their Democratic colleagues to speak out against President Trump and Republicans’ ongoing attacks on election integrity and led the charge calling for sufficient federal funding for election security. As Donald Trump marks 100 disastrous days in office, the floor block focused on Congressional Republicans’ Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act that recently passed the House of Representatives and Trump’s illegal anti-voter executive order, both of which threaten to disenfranchise millions of eligible American citizens.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) also joined today’s floor block. Video of Senator Padilla’s remarks is available here, and the floor block can be viewed in its entirety here.
“I’ve seen firsthand not just for the last four years, but for the last eight, nine years, the growing threats to our democracy and the threats to the public confidence in our elections. Because sadly, the truth in the year 2025 is that it’s not just foreign actors trying to undermine our elections and the people’s confidence in the elections — it’s also so many Republican officials here at home.”
“In state legislatures, in the Capitol, in the Oval Office, radical Republicans are working hard, actively working hard, to make it harder for eligible Americans to exercise their Constitutional right to vote. We see it in the endless lies and conspiracy theories about ‘massive voter fraud.’ We see it in the new barriers being erected that would make it harder for eligible Americans to simply register to vote. And we see it in the Trump Administration’s firing of the hardworking and dedicated security officials who are tasked with protecting our elections.”
Padilla highlighted the rising threats against election workers, including Republican clerk Tina Barton in Rochester Hills, Michigan, who received an anonymous phone call threatening her life after the 2020 election. He emphasized that Trump’s Big Lie falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen has put election workers in significant danger. Trump’s efforts in his second Administration to dismantle the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) election security work have further undermined the security of our free and fair elections.
“For her dedication and hard work and professionalism, one week after the 2020 election, Tina received an anonymous phone call — not a phone call thanking her for her service, but a phone call threatening her life. The voice on the other end threatened to come after her family, to hold a knife to her throat, and to kill her.”
“For as shocking as threats like that may be, Tina represents just one, the one in every three election workers who has reported receiving threats, harassment, and abuse. So for Tina, and so many others, that harassment grew worse with every lie spread by the Trump campaign about a so-called ‘stolen election’ — with threats against election officials continuing in subsequent elections.”
“For those selfless election workers, Donald Trump hasn’t even tried to lower the temperature of political rhetoric or combat the disinformation that leads to the threats and harassment. Instead, he’s actually actively made it worse for those administering elections. Think of all the election workers and all the volunteers, volunteers who work polling places to help our elections and our democracy thrive. He’s made it worse for voters: he’s fired federal workers who combat election misinformation and disinformation. … By failing to counter, by failing to elevate the truth, Republicans in Congress have become complicit, as they just sit back instead of pushing back.”
Padilla emphasized that several Republicans stood up to Trump’s attacks on American democracy during the first Trump Administration, yet many have done nothing to stand up to his anti-voter executive order while instead advancing the SAVE Act. While Padilla was California’s Secretary of State, the first Trump Administration created a commission to investigate unfounded claims of “voter fraud,” demanding states provide sensitive, private voter information from every state. Forty-four states — Republican and Democratic — rejected Trump’s reckless demands.
Now, however, Republicans are trying to move forward their “un-American” SAVE Act. The SAVE Act threatens to disenfranchise millions of eligible American voters by creating overly burdensome documentation requirements, which would make registration harder for new voters, married women, rural voters, servicemembers abroad, and the tens of millions of Americans who register to vote online or by mail.
Padilla stressed that voting by noncitizens is already a federal crime and is incredibly rare, reiterating that the bill is “based on a lie” in effort to disenfranchise Americans. A review of the 2016 general election found that only 0.0001 percent of votes came from improper noncitizen voting among the jurisdictions reviewed.
“You can imagine my disappointment when, fast forward to this past March, Trump announced yet another anti-voter executive order that would empower DOGE to access sensitive voter data, very reminiscent of their requests from their first term, now on steroids. And what did so many of our Republican colleagues here in the Senate and the House of Representatives say? Nothing.”
“But it’s not just that Republicans have gone silent — they’ve actually become Trump’s enablers here in Congress by forgoing their responsibility to serve as a check and balance on the executive branch. Now, any day now here in the Senate, we could see Republicans take up the SAVE Act, a measure that recently passed the House of Representatives, a bill that I should say scapegoats immigrants simply to justify new barriers to voter registration.”
“If Republicans were to have their way, American citizens, American citizens, will feel the impacts of the SAVE Act. From the active duty servicemember who has to move for a new deployment and has to work so much harder than they should have to to update their registration with their new address at the local elections office who could be hours and hours from the base where they’re assigned. Think of a married woman who chose to change her last name when she got married and now the… name listed on the birth certificate and the name on their ID no longer match and have… hurdles to jump over simply to register to vote.”
Padilla concluded his speech by vowing to fight to prevent the SAVE Act’s passage in the Senate.
“Here in the Senate, I want people to know that together with my Senate Democratic colleagues, I will do whatever it takes to kill this bill, to stop it from passing, to keep it from even coming up if we can. Because we owe it to our constituents to fight every executive order that undermines our democracy, and to keep demanding answers on the firing of federal workers entrusted with safeguarding our elections.”
“So over the course of the next hour, Senate Democrats will lay down a marker. We will stand strong against a rising tide of attacks on our democracy. And I will keep leading the fight to stop this cynical and dangerous bill — and to stop Trump and Republican attempts to undermine our voting rights.”
Senator Padilla has led the charge opposing President Trump and Republicans’ reckless attempts to restrict the right to vote. Earlier this month, Padilla warned Secretaries of State, Lieutenant Governors, and Chief Election Officials across the country of the devastating potential impacts of Republicans’ SAVE Act, concerns that have been echoed by top election officials across the country. Padilla also led 11 Senators in introducing the Defending America’s Future Elections Act to repeal Trump’s illegal anti-voter executive order and prevent the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive voter registration data and state records. Padilla previously led 14 Democratic Senators in calling on Trump to revoke his illegal anti-voter executive order and issued a statement slamming the order when it was announced.
Padilla and Representative Joe Morelle (N.Y.-25) have also pennedthreeletters to CISA leadership regarding the agency’s firings of election security workers and termination of election security-focused efforts.
Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) voted to pass a bipartisan Congressional resolution to reverse Trump’s chaotic, across-the-board tariffs on goods from around the world that have raised prices for families and hurt Nevada’s businesses and economy. Unfortunately despite these efforts, extreme Republicans voted to block its passage. Since the beginning of his term, Trump has imposed tariffs on nearly every country in the world, creating uncertainty and devastating the economy. Reports today highlighted that, due to Trump’s economic policies, the economy shrank for the first time since 2022.
“Trump’s reckless, sweeping tariffs are having disastrous effects on hardworking families, small businesses, and Nevada’s tourism economy,” said Senator Rosen. “These tariffs are not only raising the costs of everyday essentials, they are also squeezing families’ budgets and leading to lower visitation numbers for tourist destinations like Las Vegas. I voted to pass this bipartisan resolution in the Senate to reverse Trump’s tariffs, and I’m extremely disappointed that my Republican colleagues decided to block it. I won’t stop fighting against this Administration’s chaotic policies that hurt hardworking families.”
In the Senate, Senator Rosen has been fighting back against President Trump’s reckless tariffs and the destructive impacts they’re having on Nevada’s economy. Earlier this month, she visited Orucase, a local outdoor recreation small business in Reno, to discuss how President Trump’s across-the-board tariffs are harming Nevada’s economy. Rosen also recently led Senate colleagues in demanding that the Trump Administration reverse course on tariffs and provide relief for small businesses. Additionally, Senator Rosen helped pass a resolution in the Senate to overturn Trump’s tariffs on Canada.
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – The enormous black cylinders that begin to take shape in the cavernous manufacturing production facilities at Quonset Point provide the United States with an unparalleled strategic deterrent that helps safeguard the nation and provides the U.S. Navy with an unmatched advantage beneath the waves. Thousands of Rhode Island workers make critical contributions to designing, engineering, and building these next generation submarines.
Now, thanks to a new $18.4 billion U.S. Navy contract awarded to General Dynamics Corp, the parent company of Electric Boat, more work will commence on production of two new Virginia-class fast attack submarines.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, has worked for years to strengthen America’s shipbuilding capabilities. Reed called the awarding of the contract: “A major win for Rhode Island’s workforce that will provide added stability for the Ocean State’s industrial base while also achieving cost savings for taxpayers through production efficiencies.”
These contracts include options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract change to $18,445,959,971. General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. is awarded $12,418,145,463, and if all options are exercised, the total value will be $17,152,265,971. The Virginia-based Newport News Shipbuilding, which is a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, is awarded $1,293,694,000. The awarded amounts include previously announced material awards, including long lead time material and economic ordering quantity material, totaling $2,103,896,000. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut; Newport News, Virginia; Quonset Point, Rhode Island; and other locations. Work is expected to be completed by June 2036.
“The awarding of the contract is an important victory – for Rhode Island’s workforce, for Electric Boat and the entire supply chain, and for the Navy,” said Senator Reed.
Senator Reed led efforts to secure over $7 billion in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to fully support the Virginia-class submarine program.
In 2018, Electric Boat broke ground on a 1-million-square-foot, $800-million multi-year expansion of its manufacturing facilities at Quonset Point. Senator Reed has worked for years to help fund improvements in and around the Quonset Business Park to help attract and retain business in the area.
“This is a smart investment that bolsters national security and benefits Rhode Island. Rhode Islanders build the very backbone of these boats and provide our nation with a strategic, technological advantage. This contract agreement is a testament to the skill and dedication of our defense manufacturing workforce and the local suppliers who contribute to the production of these next-generation submarines,” said Senator Reed.
While these submarines get their start in Rhode Island, they are completed at two shipyards in Groton, Connecticut and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding facilities in Newport News, Virginia.
As a result of the escalating submarine production workloads, and due to older workers retiring, Electric Boat has projected it will need to hire thousands of workers to fill jobs in Rhode Island in the coming years. Currently, Electric Boat has over 24,000 employees at its facilities and offices in Rhode Island and Connecticut and is in the midst of a hiring boom.
Hundreds of small businesses across Rhode Island supply the U.S. Department of Defense, and hardworking Rhode Islanders contribute to the creation of a wide range of military products, equipment, and services. Additionally, Rhode Island is home to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport; Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport; and the Naval War College. These facilities, along with leading academic research institutions and a network of suppliers and small businesses, contribute to a defense industry that is boosting Rhode Island’s economy and leading to advancements in technology and innovation.
A recent report by the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA) shows that the total direct and indirect economic impact from defense spending in Rhode Island accounted for $7.6 billion in 2022. The report found that Rhode Island’s defense industry is growing and supported a total of 34,068 direct and indirect jobs across the Ocean State with an annual payroll of $3 billion.
Senator Reed helped SENEDIA land multiple federal grants from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a robust regional workforce development partnership that will serve as a pipeline to help connect as many as 5,000 workers with employment opportunities that contribute to the production of submarines.
Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the Senate passed the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act introduced by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) to help address the increasingly pervasive sexual assault and harassment of Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees by inmates:
“No law enforcement officer or federal employee should fear for their safety on the job, and we need to eradicate sexual assault and harassment of vulnerable staff members in our prison system. The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act is a critical move toward protecting prison staff, and I’m pleased to see it one step closer to becoming law,” said Senator Blackburn.
“I remain focused on oversight of the Federal prison system and ending sexual abuse in prisons and jails, including the abuse of prison staff. Senator Blackburn and I brought Republicans and Democrats together to pass this bipartisan bill to help end sexual abuse in Federal prisons,” said Senator Ossoff.
BACKGROUND
According to a February 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG), a staggering 40% of 7,000 surveyed BOP staff stated they had been sexually harassed or sexually assaulted by an inmate.
The 2023 report found that the BOP has inadequate data on inmate-on-staff sexual harassment and assault and has not been able to fully ascertain the scope of this widespread problem. The report also made a number of significant recommendations for the BOP to implement to help the agency better understand and mitigate this nationwide problem.
THE PRISON STAFF SAFETY ENHANCEMENT ACT
The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act would require:
The BOP to fully implement the recommendations in the Inspector General’s 2023 report regarding mitigating inmate-on-staff sexual harassment and assault and fully ascertaining the scope of the problem;
The DOJ OIG to conduct an analysis of punishments for sexual harassment and sexual assault in BOP facilities; and
The U.S. Attorney General to promulgate a rule adopting national standards for prevention, reduction, and punishment of sexual assault and harassment of BOP staff by inmates.
Senators Blackburn and Ossoff sent a letter to former BOP Director Colette Peters requesting that BOP release information about inmate-on-staff sexual assault and harassment reporting procedures, correctional methods, and staff assistance programs.
Council of Prison Locals 33 National President Brandy Moore White wrote a letter expressing support for this legislation, as did Fraternal Order of Police National President Patrick Yoes. The American Correctional Association and the National Association of Police Organizations have also endorsed this critical bill.
RELATED
Click here for bill text.
Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal(D-Conn.) demanded accountability from Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding a bombshell report that the company is failing to protect underage users from sexually explicit discussions with a new class of AI-powered digital chatbots:
Meta’s AI-Powered Chatbots Have Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conversations with Underaged Users
“We are appalled by the recent Wall Street Journal report detailing how Meta’s AI-powered chatbots on Facebook and Instagram have engaged in sexually explicit conversations with users, including minors, often using the voices and personas of celebrities and fictional characters. This is not merely an innocent oversight; it is a flagrant violation of the trust that parents and families place on your platforms. Despite repeated warnings and apparent internal concerns, Meta has once again prioritized profit over the safety and well-being of children. Your company’s decision to loosen content guidelines to allow ‘romantic role-play,’ even for user-generated bots portraying minors, is deeply troubling.”
Meta’s Consistent Prioritization of Profit Over Principle Emphasizes the Need to Pass Kids Online Safety Act
“This pattern of behavior underscores a disturbing trend: Meta consistently chooses growth and engagement metrics over the protection of its most vulnerable users. As the Senate sponsors of the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, we have consistently advocated for stronger safeguards to protect children online. Meta’s repeated failures highlight the urgent need for this legislation. It is clear that voluntary measures and internal policies are insufficient when it comes to holding big tech companies like yours accountable.”
Meta Must Immediately Stop the Deployment of AI Chatbots That Engage in Sexually Explicit Conversations with Minors and Protect Young Users from Harm
“We call on you to take immediate action to address these egregious lapses. Meta should immediately cease the deployment of AI chatbots that can engage in any form of sexual or romantic conversation with minors. Further, we request that you provide documentation… demonstrating the decision-making processes related to the development and oversight of these AI systems. This documentation should include all relevant internal and external communications on this issue. The safety of our children should never be compromised for the sake of market competition. It is time for Meta to take responsibility and implement meaningful changes to protect young users from harm.”
Click here to read the full letter.
RELATED
Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) introduced the Rural Patient Monitoring (RPM) Access Act to ensure Medicare patients in rural and underserved communities have access to remote physiologic monitoring services, which lower costs and improve access to care by using technology to collect and transmit patient health data to healthcare providers:
“Medicare beneficiaries in rural and underserved areas often face serious barriers to health care, and they deserve better,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Rural Patient Monitoring Access Act would ensure Tennessee Medicare patients have access to high-quality remote physiologic monitoring services to manage chronic conditions and help patients eliminate unnecessary hospital visits.”
“Too often, patients are struggling to receive the medical care they need because of how difficult it is to see a doctor in person,” said Senator Warner. “Remote monitoring services offer a life-saving solution, expanding care options and allowing individuals to regularly receive the medical consultations they need, all while lowering costs and hospital admissions. I’m proud to introduce the Rural Patient Monitoring Access Act to improve health care services for our seniors.”
U.S. Representatives David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.), Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), and Don Davis (D-N.C.) introduced companion legislation in the House.
BACKGROUND
Rural Medicare patients face high rates of chronic conditions like heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes.
In particular, Medicare patients living in rural areas have limited access to healthcare because of roadblocks like lack of transportation.
Remote Physiologic Monitoring (RPM) helps patients manage chronic conditions and eliminates unnecessary hospital visits.
A recent study of over 4,000 hypertension patients found that RPM decreased patients’ total monthly cost of care by more than 50%.
Current lack of adequate Medicare reimbursement leads to not implementing RPM programs in rural areas, reducing access to cost-saving and patient-centered care.
THE RURAL PATIENT MONITORING (RPM) ACCESS ACT
The RPM Access Act would ensure high-quality remote physiological monitoring services are established and maintained for Medicare beneficiaries in rural and underserved geographies; allow rural areas to provide RPM services at the national average rate; and decrease patients’ total monthly cost.
Under the RPM Access Act:
RPM providers must be capable of responding to data anomalies detected by the monitoring service;
RPM providers must be capable of promptly transmitting captured vitals and treatment management notes to electronic health record of the supervising provider; and
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may require providers of RPM to report data to the Secretary of Health and Human Services in order to facilitate the evaluation of cost savings generated to the Medicare program through the proliferation of remote physiologic monitoring services.
ENDORSEMENTS
This legislation is supported by National Rural Health Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, HIMSS, American Telemedicine Association, Alliance for Connected Care, Ascension, LifePoint Health, Marshfield Clinic, SSM Health, the University of Virginia Center for Telehealth, and the Bipartisan Policy Center.
“Technology-enabled care is crucial to ensuring seniors in rural areas are able to safely manage their chronic conditions. Remote physiologic monitoring allows for chronic disease complications to be captured early – saving lives, reducing health care costs, and helping to mitigate common rural barriers such as longer distances to in-person treatment,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of National Rural Health Association.
“On behalf of HIMSS, we applaud Senators Blackburn and Warner, and Representatives Kustoff, Balderson, Pocan, and Davis for introducing the Rural Patient Monitoring (RPM) Access Act. Remote patient monitoring is a critical digital health tool that helps providers and patients work together to improve patient access and outcomes. We urge Congress to take action to advance the safe and effective use of RPM for millions of Medicare beneficiaries,” said Hal Wolf, President and CEO of HIMSS.
“Patients in rural and underserved communities deserve the same opportunity to manage their health as those in more resourced areas. At Lifepoint, we’ve seen firsthand how high-quality remote patient monitoring can help bridge long-standing access gaps and drive meaningful clinical improvement, especially for chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. This bill is an important step forward in ensuring fair reimbursement for rural providers, empowering them to deliver high-quality, proactive care to the patients who need it most,” said Dr. Chris Frost, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer at Lifepoint Health.
“We are proud to support the Rural Patient Monitoring Access Act, which will help to ensure rural practitioners can provide remote physiologic monitoring services. RPM supports coordinated chronic disease management and acute and chronic disease risk reduction, while improving health outcomes helping patients remain healthy at home,” said Michael Richards, System Vice President at SSM Health.
“The Alliance for Connected Care applauds Senators Blackburn and Warner for their leadership to ensure rural patients have access to high-quality, innovative patient-centered care. Remote patient monitoring has a huge potential to empower rural seniors with technology to better take accountability for their own health,” said Chris Adamec, Executive Director of The Alliance for Connected Care.
“This proposed legislation will incentivize healthcare systems in rural areas to establish remote monitoring programs and ensure sustainability of existing programs. We are grateful for Sen. Warner and Sen. Blackburn’s leadership on this issue. Remote monitoring has been shown to improve outcomes and ultimately lower the cost of care,” said Karen Rheuban, MD, Director of the University of Virginia Center for Telehealth.
Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) took President Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE, and his Republican colleagues to task today for their brutal cuts to medical research that threaten to take away hope from millions of Americans. His remarks came during emotional questioning at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on biomedical research.
Senator Coons opened his remarks by speaking out against the drastic cuts DOGE, which he described as a “horde of locusts,” has made to medical research and clinical trials. DOGE has fired 2,500 researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and canceled over 800 grants for research on diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer. They have also fired 3,500 members of staff at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
These cuts have not just stunted medical research in our country for decades to come. They have also taken away hope from Americans struggling with disease and the families whose lives and well-being depend on this research. During his remarks, Senator Coons talked about how he has felt this personally – whether through friends who have benefitted from clinical cancer trials, or through family and friends he has lost to the disease, including his father, father-in-law, and stepfather.
“Yes, clinical trials, doctor, sometimes doesn’t benefit the individual, but I gotta tell you: it sure as hell benefited [my friend] and his family. It gave him hope, and it kept him alive. And I don’t understand how a single member of this Congress can look you in the eyes as a mother and say we should cut these programs,” said Senator Coons during the hearing. “The FDA, the NIH, National Cancer Institutes, all in combination give hope to those facing the beast of cancer, the challenges of a new diagnosis, and the need for a path forward that’s positive.”
Senator Coons also highlighted the impacts cuts to medical research have had on his own state, highlighting a recent visit to the University of Delaware’s National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL). During his visit, Senator Coons was told that DOGE had delayed, paused, or withheld $55 million in grant funding for research on diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer.
“If that’s happening in my little state, all across our country we are devastating the next generation of researchers,” Senator Coons continued. “We are harming our nation and giving China the opening of a lifetime to recruit the best and brightest from around the world. And Emily, we are taking away from families like yours – all over our nation – hope.”
A video and transcript of Senator Coons’ comments are available below.
WATCH HERE
Senator Coons: Thank you, Vice Chair Murray. Thank you for leading this hearing, and I want to thank each of the researchers who has dedicated your lives to science, to medicine, to progress. Thank you for your testimony today. Emily, thank you.
I am enraged and struggling with this hearing. Listening to you talk about the value of hope to you and your daughter with cancer, and the very measured and reasonable way in which we’ve all discussed what’s happened, makes me crazy. Because DOGE, in my view, is a horde of locusts who’ve been unleashed on the federal government, and they have torn up things that we have built over decades. Let me just briefly review: at NIH, 1200 probationary researchers were laid off and another 1300 fired. That’s 2500 dedicated researchers. At FDA, 3500 staff. At NIH, DOGE canceled 800 grants valued at over a billion – and we were told these grants focused on DEI when in fact they focused on diabetes, Alzheimer’s, mRNA and cancer.
My father died of cancer. My father-in-law died of cancer. My stepfather died of cancer. Your daughter, Charlie, is with us today because of the incredible dedicated research and the ground-breaking work of people we’ve talked so calmly about today. Dr. Sleckman, I have a personal friend – a combat veteran, a Marine Corps colonel – who came to me when he was diagnosed with stage four metastatic melanoma, as you just described, and whose life was saved by the research you described. I have a personal friend of decades, Nicky Sotiropoulis, who came to me when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. His son, close friends with my sons. His wife, close with my wife. He went to NIH month after month, year after year. Yes, clinical trials, doctor, sometimes doesn’t benefit the individual, but I gotta tell you: it sure as hell benefited Nick and his family. It gave him hope, and it kept him alive. And I don’t understand how a single member of this Congress can look you in the eyes as a mother and say we should cut these programs.
Sure, we can talk about overhead rates. Sure, we can talk about measured and thoughtful and reasonable ways to trim a little here, or cut a little there. But that’s not what’s happening. What’s happening is the wholescale abandonment of billions of dollars of research. I was just at the University of Delaware last week, at the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, and you know what I was told? That at the University of Delaware – the little University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware! – $55 million in health research – $55 million! – has been delayed, paused, or withheld. Research on HIV, Alzheimer’s and characterization of cancer cells. And if that’s happening in my little state, all across our country we are devastating the next generation of researchers. We are harming our nation and giving China the opening of a lifetime to recruit the best and brightest from around the world. And Emily, we are taking away from families like yours – all over our nation – hope.
Emily, can you tell me how important hope is for you and Charlie, how important is it that we keep investing in research?
Mrs. Emily Stenson: Thank you for the question. Hope gets you through the hardest days, and I know I explained in our story some of the hard days that we had, and hope is what kept my husband and I going and trying to save our daughter. There’s no value you can put on hope, and we need to be providing it to all of the families like ours.
Senator Coons: So yesterday, I caught up with a Delawarean who’s been living with ALS for years, and last weekend, a close friend of mine confided his recent diagnosis with ALS. Senator Murkowski and I worked to get signed into law a bill to invest in ALS research. Dr. Esham, if I could, how will the cuts to FDA impact your agency’s ability to characterize and bring new treatments – to provide hope to those living with this horrific disease?
Cartier Esham, Ph.D.: Thank you for that question, Senator, and I believe you’re probably aware that the Alliance did send letters to this committee expressing our concerns about the volume of approval department departures, and the potential impact on the ability of the FDA to be effective and continue be able to continue to evaluate the safety and accuracy of next-generation medical interventions. I will say, I will say, I did have the privilege of meeting with the commissioner on Monday and was happy to hear that he does not have any major plans for a major reorganization. And while they’re looking at efficiencies, potential consolidations and things like travel and IT and potential efficiencies that can be brought about by regulatory innovation, I was happy to hear that they are looking very hard in examining what functions need to be brought back to the agency to ensure that they are able to manage—you know, optimally manage their workload and continue to review and approve next-generation medicines. I think continued transparency and communications about this and engagement can be very important moving forward. We are certainly—the alliance will be certainly examining the proposed budget updates about staffing, including information about what positions are funded by user fees, and how we can work together to make sure that in total, the FDA has the resources it has to have to not just approve what’s before them now, but to continue to drive investment in the United States and next-generation medicine. If you don’t have a functioning FDA, that has a severe impact on the ability to raise funds for next-generation medicines.
Senator Coons: The FDA, the NIH, National Cancer Institutes, all in combination give hope to those facing the beast of cancer, the challenges of a new diagnosis, and the need for a path forward that’s positive. Thank you for what you do. Thank you, Madam Chair for this hearing.