Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Angus King (I-ME), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) called on the Trump Administration to protect the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) from deep staffing cuts at Veterans Affairs (VA) and return to office orders that will impact this critical service for veterans in crisis. The letter comes as reports show that VA employees working on the VCL were fired. Senator Baldwin wrote the legislation to create the 988 Hotline, including streamlined access to the VCL, which since its launch in July 2022 has answered 2 million calls, texts, and chats.
“We write to you out of concern for ability of the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) to continue to provide critical support to veterans and their loved ones. Over the past month, the Department of Veterans Affairs has fired more than 2,400 federal employees, including dedicated health professionals who man the phones at VA’s suicide crisis line,” wrote the Senators in a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins. “We urge you to take immediate action to ensure the Veterans Crisis Line is not disrupted by layoffs or other executive orders.”
In addition to demanding answers about the Trump Administration and Secretary Collins’ plan to protect this vital service for veterans, the Senators also requested the VA immediately consider an exemption for the vast majority of VCL workers who were hired and work remotely. A January 20th executive order that directed federal departments to end remote work arrangements would mean deep disruptions and workforce reductions at the VCL, directly impacting support for veterans in crisis.
“You affirmed during your confirmation process your commitment to addressing the epidemic of veteran suicide and to reaching at risk veterans,” wrote the Senators to VA Secretary Collins. “Risking the loss of access to immediate, life-saving mental health resources is not congruent with that promise. This is a critical time to ensure the VCL has the operational environment to support its substantial call volume and to support our veterans and save lives.”
A full version of Baldwin’s letter is available here and below.
Dear Secretary Collins,
We write to you out of concern for ability of the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) to continue to provide critical support to veterans and their loved ones. Over the past month, the Department of Veterans Affairs has fired more than 2,400 federal employees, including dedicated health professionals who man the phones at VA’s suicide crisis line. Moreover, employees that work at the Veterans Crisis Line who remain employed are facing uncertainty about their work status following the President’s January 20th directive that all departments of the executive branch take steps to terminate remote work arrangements. We urge you to take immediate action to ensure the Veterans Crisis Line is not disrupted by layoffs or other executive orders, including by bringing these employees back to work and seeking exemptions to the termination of remote work arrangements.
The VCL is a dedicated hotline available to our nation’s veterans for assistance in addressing acute mental health issues, particularly thoughts of attempting suicide. The VCL allows veterans to reach assistance through phone calls, text messages, or online chats. The responders fielding these requests for support are trained in evidence-based practices for crisis response and many of them are licensed mental health professionals. Many were hired as fully remote workers and now, the President’s directive jeopardizes veterans’ 24/7 access to this crisis care.
We understand that some employees have received deadlines for returning to agency facilities while others, such as those covered under bargaining units or those with official duty stations outside 50 miles of an agency facility, are awaiting further guidance. Now is the time for you to seek an exemption for VCL responders and to communicate this intent clearly to the workforce to prevent further uncertainty and avoid any disruptions to the crisis line’s services.
As Members of Congress who championed the legislation to merge the Veterans Crisis Line with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, thereby streamlining its use for veterans, we have followed its implementation closely. We note the disruptions and intermittent access issues that resulted in disconnected or dropped calls and chats in recent years, and we also note the Department’s ongoing efforts to work with the Office of Information and Technology as well as to comply with Inspector General recommendations to improve services for veterans. Disrupting the professionally-trained response workforce would not support the success of these ongoing improvement efforts.
The ease of use of this hotline has led to increasing usage, with the VCL reporting receipt of more than 2 million calls, texts, and chats answered since its transition to the 988 line. Due to the dedicated professional response workforce, the VCL reports an average wait time of 9 seconds. We cannot risk failing our nation’s veterans by jeopardizing the continued function of this crisis support line.
You affirmed during your confirmation process your commitment to addressing the epidemic of veteran suicide and to reaching at risk veterans. Risking the loss of access to immediate, life-saving mental health resources is not congruent with that promise.
This is a critical time to ensure the VCL has the operational environment to support its substantial call volume and to support our veterans and save lives. We look forward to your prompt attention to this matter and to your response.
Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today joined Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and colleagues in sending a letter to the acting chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mark Uyeda, urging him to conduct a comprehensive review of the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT).
The SEC requires brokers to submit investors’ personally identifiable information (PII) to its CAT database. Earlier this month, the Trump administration’s SEC issued an order that exempts certain PII consisting of investors’ names, addresses and years of birth from CAT reporting.
“The Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) has been a highly controversial endeavor that has raised many concerns from Members of Congress . . . We are pleased that you and fellow Commissioner Peirce have repeatedly acknowledged these longstanding concerns and applaud the Commission for its recent steps to protect the financial privacy of American investors,” the lawmakers wrote.
“However, there is more work to be done. The prohibition on collecting investor PII must be formally codified (rather than via rescindable exemptive relief) and already-collected PII must be expunged. Cybersecurity measures for the remaining data must be enhanced. And the CAT’s bloated out-of-control budget must be addressed,” they continued.
“Given these continuing concerns, the Commission should launch a comprehensive review that covers all aspects of the CAT. In doing so, the Commission should take additional steps to pause the CAT’s most controversial elements—not only the collection of customer PII, but also the problematic funding structure that a majority of the current Commission voted against. Further, it would appear appropriate for the Commission to pause and reconsider its position with respect to ongoing litigation related to the CAT, as it has done for other cases commenced during the Biden administration,” the lawmakers concluded.
Background:
Earlier this month, Kennedy introduced the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act.
Kennedy’s bill would prohibit the SEC from requiring market participants to submit investors’ personally identifiable information to the CAT.
The bill would also require the SEC to delete personally identifiable information once the agency resolves the investigation or issue that required that information.
Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) and Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) also joined the letter.
The full letter is available here.
Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) – chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – and Angus King (I-ME) – member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – introduced legislation to direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other research partners to comprehensively study the impacts of repetitive low-level blast injuries on veterans’ mental health.
The Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025 would require VA to work with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to create a ten-year research plan to establish the effects of repetitive low-level blast injuries, where benchmarks must be reported to Congress, in order to develop further legislation for veterans who suffer with the effects of these repetitive blast exposures.
“Brain injuries are a common, yet misunderstood and often undetectable, injury — and we’re finding they can be caused by exposure to large explosions, as well as consistently being near smaller blasts such as when firing a rifle, so we need to confront this threat from all angles,” said Senator King. “The bottom line is we must expand our understanding of the impact all blasts have on mental health, so that we can take proactive measures and protect the long-term health and well-being of our military community. Here in Maine we know all too well the horrible tragedies that can occur when brain injuries are left untreated. This commonsense bill builds off of previous efforts to deliver on our government’s sacred promise to provide our servicemembers, veterans and their families the very best care and support.”
“Research has linked low-level blasts, which servicemembers are exposed to during training and in combat, to increased occurrences of brain injuries, mental health conditions and suicides,” said Senator Moran. “The Precision Brain Health Research Act will help us better understand why and how blast injuries are impacting veterans’ mental health and make certain VA is able to quickly incorporate these findings into care for veterans and enable them to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. This legislation is a step towards providing veterans the evidence-based health care and benefits they have earned and deserve, and I look forward to its passage.”
This legislation builds off the Precision Brain Health initiative in the Commander John Scott Hannon Mental Health Care Improvement Act, which became law in 2020.
The full text of the bill can be found here.
“America’s Warrior Partnership is proud to fully endorse the VA Precision Brain Health Act of 2025, led by Chairman Moran and Senator King,” said Jim Lorraine, President & CEO, America’s Warrior Partnership. “As a former member of United States Special Operations Command and an advocate for many I served with, I know firsthand the long-term health impact of repetitive exposure. For far too long, our service members and veterans have suffered with unexplained symptoms because of undetected brain injuries caused by repetitive low-level blasts during their time in training and in combat. This legislation will ensure these veterans will no longer be left behind.”
“The Navy Seal Foundation applauds U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Angus King on their work leading the Precision Brain Health Research Act,” said Robin King, CEO, The Navy Seal Foundation. “This bill will begin groundbreaking federal research—with accountability benchmarks built in—to ensure our Seals and others in the Special Operations community will not be left behind with the wounds they have suffered due to repetitive low-level blast injuries.”
“The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) supports the Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025 to expand VA research on repetitive low-level blast exposure, dementia, and other brain injuries affecting veterans,” said Joy Craig, Associate Director of Service Member Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars. “By strengthening VA-DOD data-sharing, funding large-scale studies, and partnering with the National Academies of Sciences, this bill advances cutting-edge care for those suffering from service-related brain injuries. We urge swift passage to ensure veterans receive the timely, evidence-based treatments they deserve.”
“Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, is a complex injury with a spectrum of short- and long-term conditions, and it is a signature wound of post-9/11 military service,” said Brian Dempsey, Director of Government Affairs, Wounded Warrior Project. “Part of keeping our promise to veterans is making sure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is prepared to deliver the best possible care and support to those who suffered brain injuries in service. The Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025 would set VA on a course to more effectively treat TBI and better understand the impact of repetitive low-level blast exposure on veterans’ mental and brain health. Wounded Warrior Project is proud to support this important legislation and thanks Senators Jerry Moran and Angus King for their commitment to improving how we care for veterans with TBIs”
This legislation is also supported by The American Legion.
Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet introduced a resolution to recognize February 28th, 2025 as the 30th anniversary of the Denver International Airport (DIA).
“DIA has become one of the great airports in the world. It will welcome nearly 100 million passengers this year, almost double what was projected as the original capacity. It is part of the foundation of Colorado’s economy and an essential connection to the rest of America and the world!” said Hickenlooper.
“For 30 years, the Denver International Airport has connected our communities and helped fuel Colorado’s economy,” said Bennet. “I was glad to introduce this resolution celebrating three decades of this fixture for travelers worldwide.”
The Denver International Airport is the third-busiest airport in the United States, and the sixth-busiest in the world. In 2024, the airport set a record for passenger traffic, serving more than 82 million passengers.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the Capital Gains Inflation Relief Act of 2025. The legislation ensures an individual’s cost basis in a capital asset receives the same fair and equitable treatment as in other areas of the tax code by indexing the basis for inflation.
Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “The inflation created by the Biden-Harris administration and Democrat lawmakers continues to erode Americans’ savings, including by turning gains into an unfair tax burden. The Capital Gains Inflation Relief Act of 2025 addresses this issue by indexing the cost basis of capital assets to inflation, ensuring fair treatment for every investment. This measure will boost savings, spur investment, and create jobs nationwide.”
Sen. Tillis said, “This commonsense legislation updates our tax code to ensure that hardworking Americans are not unfairly penalized for inflation. This bill brings much-needed fairness to the tax system and helps families keep more of what they earn.”
The legislation was cosponsored by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
Read the bill text here.
BACKGROUND
Sen. Cruz previously introduced this legislation in 2021 and 2018.
The Capital Gains Inflation Relief Act indexes certain assets to inflation for the purpose of determining a gain or loss which ensures the capital gains tax is treated equitably to other sections of the federal tax code, such as individual income tax brackets, the standard deduction, and income thresholds of certain tax credits. Sen. Cruz’s previously introduced legislation has been updated to include digital assets.
In 2021, Sen. Cruz published an op-ed in The Dallas Morning News detailing how the Biden-Harris administration’s massive spending spree could result in an inflation crisis and destroy the wealth of hard-working Americans.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Washington (February 28, 2025) – Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) on February 26 delivered opening remarks during a committee hearing on the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) flagship 7(a) lending program. 7(a) encompasses the Community Advantage Small Business Lending Company (CA SBLC) program, which serves small business owners in underserved communities, levels the playing field, and provides capital for people who have difficulty securing it elsewhere. Ranking Member Markey warned against attacks on programs like Community Advantage. Watch the full opening remarksHERE.
Democratic witnesses included:
Mr. Raymond Lanza-Weil, President of Common Capital, Springfield, MA
Ms. Mayrena Guerrero, Founder and CEO of Colorful Resilience, West Springfield, MA
In his remarks, Ranking Member Markey said: “SBA has a responsibility to address the inefficiencies in private lending to support true competition. It is the government’s responsibility to make sure that there is capital for all entrepreneurs, regardless of background. The Biden administration understood this. They doubled the amount of small dollar loans, maintained a healthy 7(a) loan program, and ensured a 99 percent repayment rate. My witness here today from Massachusetts, Ms. Guerrero, is a clear example of an entrepreneur who just wanted to serve her community, but struggled to get the funding to do so. She was unable to receive funding from her community bank, who is also an SBA lender, and she did not have generational wealth to rely on. That’s where Common Capital, a Massachusetts-based lender in SBA’s Community Advantage program, stepped in. Thank you, Ms. Guerrero for taking the time to share your experience with the committee. Your story is just one example of why SBA programs, like the Community Advantage program, are so important.”
Mr. Lanza-Weil noted: “Common Capital serves a four-county region with 820,000 residents. Our annual operating budget is just shy of $2 million. Even though we are a small organization serving only a fraction of the state’s geography and population, Common Capital is the leading SBA Microlender and SBA Community Advantage lender in Massachusetts… Our continued success, and the success of the small business community in Western Massachusetts, depends upon the availability of SBA Microloans and the SBA CA program. I urge you to continue supporting the Community Advantage program, and to expand it so that more mission-focused lenders like Common Capital can increase access to capital for low-to-moderate income and low-wealth entrepreneurs.”
Ms. Guerrero remarked: “I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and entrepreneur in Massachusetts. I am honored to be here to talk about my experience with the SBA Community Advantage loan through Common Capital. My business is Colorful Resilience, a mental health clinic that provides outpatient mental health services to Black Indigenous People of Color, Lesbian, Gay Bi Trans Queer, and others with various sexual and gender identities, immigrants, first-generation people, and our allies… The SBA Community Advantage loan changed my life and the lives of many others. I am grateful that this program exists and was lucky to have access to it. Please continue to provide organizations like Common Capital with the support necessary to make businesses like mine possible.”
Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
02.28.25
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) announced his leadership roles for the 119th Congress: deputy whip for the Senate Republican Conference, chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, and chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation (CST) Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries.
“The new Senate Republican majority has a great opportunity to enact President Trump’s agenda to unleash American energy, build up our military readiness, strengthen our national security, and revitalize our economy,” said Senator Sullivan. “The Readiness and Management Support Subcommittee serves an incredibly vital role in overseeing the Defense Department and supporting our military’s readiness as we face one of the most dangerous periods since World War II with dictators on the march and increasingly working together. As chair of this subcommittee, I will be intently focused on our military’s lethality and ensuring our service members are as well-trained and equipped as possible should they ever be called upon to defend our nation. Similarly, I look forward to building up Alaska and America’s infrastructure, broadband, and maritime capabilities to maximize our national security and commercial and economic opportunities through my leadership role on the Commerce Committee. I will also continue this focus on Senator Barrasso’s team as a deputy whip. I am looking forward to working with this administration and with my Senate colleagues to get our country back on track.”
Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
02.28.25
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) applauded the announcement made by the Social Security Administration this week that retroactive payments will begin immediately for individuals unfairly affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These payments are a result of the Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law on January 5, 2025 to provide full Social Security benefits for millions of public servants impacted by these provisions. The implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act follows a letter sent by Senator Sullivan and his colleagues urging swift action by the Social Security Administration to fix WEP and GPO benefit penalties for Alaskans and Americans.
“I applaud the quick action of the Social Security Administration in implementing the Social Security Fairness Act this week to get Alaskans and Americans the benefits they are entitled to,” Senator Sullivan said. “This was a real issue that disproportionately impacted Alaskans. I had been working on an Alaska-focused solution to this problem for a number of years, and the Alaska Legislature also passed a unanimous resolution supporting this legislation. Alaskans have waited a long time for this fix, and I am grateful to the hundreds of Alaskans who reached out to my office to show their support for this legislation.”
Further information on the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act and retroactive payments can be found here.
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
Q: What ag policies are on your radar in the new Congress?
A: While work is underway on writing a new farm bill, I’m also rolling up my sleeves on legislative proposals and oversight efforts to address key issues facing the farm economy and rural communities. Since the new Congress started in January, I’m working on issues that matter to the bottom lines of Iowa farmers, including: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI); Prop 12 restrictions; foreign ownership of U.S. farmland; renewable fuels, including nationwide year-round sales of E15 and sustainable aviation fuel; and tax relief, including a permanent repeal of the death tax.
Let’s start with the HPAI outbreak that’s ravaging the livelihoods of Iowa’s poultry and egg producers and leading to egg shortages and higher prices for consumers. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I participated in two hearings in February gathering feedback from farmers and ranchers about their operations. I asked representatives from turkey growers and egg producers about the importance of vaccines for egg-laying hens and how USDA’s indemnity program helps producers stay afloat during this crisis in the farm economy. I also pushed for swift confirmation in the U.S. Senate to get Secretary Brooke Rollins at the helm of the USDA. During her first week on the job, Secretary Rollins visited an egg farm in Texas and announced a comprehensive strategy to tackle the crisis that’s wiped out 166 million laying hens since 2022. I’ll continue keeping in touch with Iowa farmers as the USDA rolls out its plan to get this outbreak behind us. I’ll also keep pushing to reduce regulatory burdens that restrict market access and add costly decisions for producers to do business in states like California and Massachusetts. California’s Prop 12, what I call its “War on Breakfast” has jacked up the price for eggs and bacon, making protein-rich nutrition unaffordable for American families. I’ll continue working to restore common sense and economic freedom to the farm economy.
Q: What is the Farmland Security Act?
A: Foreign ownership of U.S. farmland has increased 85 percent in the last 15 years. Decades ago, when I represented Iowans in the House of Representatives, I co-sponsored the first-ever reporting requirement called the Agricultural Foreign Investment Act of 1978. It required foreign persons who purchase, transfer or hold interests in crop acres to report transactions to the USDA. They must file an FSA-153 in the local Farm Service Agency office where the land is located, within 90 days of the transaction. Our bipartisan law also directed the Secretary of Agriculture to analyze the information and its impact on family farms and rural communities.
The upward trend of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland comes up regularly at my annual 99 county meetings. Farmland is finite, once it’s paved over with suburban sprawl or sold to foreign owners, America has one less acre to feed and fuel our people. In addition, foreign buyers needlessly increase competition for young and beginning farmers. There are also serious national security implications if a foreign adversary buys up farmland near U.S. military installations. Last year, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report that showed as foreign investment in U.S. farmland climbs, the USDA’s processes to collect, track and report key information are flawed. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 included my bipartisan proposal that required the USDA to adopt an online submission process and public database by 2025. Currently, real-time data isn’t available for federal agencies, including the Departments of Treasury and Defense and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review for potential national security risks.
I’ve teamed up again with Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin to beef up existing federal law. Our Farmland Security Act of 2025 builds on our previous efforts to protect America’s rural communities from shady foreign investments. It would ensure all foreign investors, including “shell companies” who buy U.S. farmland must report their holdings and strengthens penalties for those who evade or misreport their filing obligations. Plus, it invests in research to better understand the impact foreign ownership of farmland has on agricultural production. As a lifelong farmer in the U.S. Senate, I’m proud to champion the livelihoods and way of life in rural America. Food security is national security.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
February 28, 2025
ROCKFORD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today released the following statement after President Trump and Vice President Vance’s tense and embarrassing meeting in the Oval Office with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy:
“After calling the President of Ukraine ‘a dictator’ and blaming him for invading his own country, President Trump and Vice President Vance berated President Zelenskyy for not showing enough gratitude. With 46,000 Ukrainians fallen in battle against the real invader, Vladimir Putin, the Unites States should be thanking President Zelenskyy for Ukraine’s heroic stand on the frontlines of democracy against the Russian war criminal.
“Former President Ronald Reagan and the late Senator John McCain are rolling over in their graves at the thought of an American president sullying America’s image by siding at the UN with dictators in Russia, North Korea, Belarus, and Nicaragua while disrespecting a true American ally—Ukraine. Let me be clear: We cannot let President Trump rewrite history or upend proven partnerships with decades of bipartisan support. I extend my sincere apologies to President Zelenskyy and again reaffirm my support for our Ukrainian friends.”
Earlier this week, Durbin introduced the Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act, legislation that would provide temporary guest status to Ukrainians and their immediate family members who are already in the United States through the “Uniting for Ukraine” parole process. The bill allows Ukrainians to stay and work in the U.S. until the Secretary of State determines that hostilities in Ukraine have ceased and it is safe for them to return. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) are cosponsors of the legislation. Bill text can be found here.
Durbin also joined U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and others in leading a simple resolution this week that expresses continued solidarity with the people of Ukraine and condolences for the loss of thousands of lives to Russian aggression; rejects Russia’s attempts to militarily seize sovereign Ukrainian territory; reaffirms U.S. support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine; and states unequivocally that Ukraine must be at the table for negotiations on its future.
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Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Published: February 28, 2025
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement congratulating Jamie Selfridge, Principal of Caribou High School, on being named Maine’s Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals:
“Principal Jamie Selfridge’s dedication to Caribou High School has made a meaningful difference in the lives of students, teachers, and the local community. In addition to her previous work as a middle school teacher, she has been a strong advocate for rural schools through her role as a co-facilitator of the National Association of Secondary School Principals Rural Schools Network.
“As a graduate of Caribou High School, I am especially proud to join the community in celebrating this well-earned recognition. The City of Caribou has halted its six-decade population decline in recent years, due in no small part to the efforts of dedicated educators and administrators who make local schools a place where students can thrive.
“Congratulations, Principal Selfridge, on this great achievement.”
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
Published: 02.28.2025
1.3 million Wisconsinites receive Social Security benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin issued the following statement on reports that the Social Security Administration will fire half of the agency’s staff:
“Plain and simple, this is an attack on Wisconsinites’ Social Security,” said Senator Baldwin. “Donald Trump and Elon Musk slashing Social Security’s staff in half and shuttering field offices will only mean longer wait times, delays in getting benefits, or seniors just not getting the benefits they are owed – and it’s all just to make room in the budget to fund a tax break for the richest of the rich. This is as wrong as it gets.”
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act to increase scrutiny surrounding the purchase of agricultural land by foreign adversaries like China. The bipartisan bill would permanently add the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to add additional scrutiny of farmland and agricultural industry purchases by foreign adversaries like China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran and help prevent improper foreign disruption to the U.S. agriculture industry.
“Wisconsin’s farms are the backbone of our state,” said Senator Baldwin. “They’re not just about food, they’re about people’s livelihoods, our economy, and our way of life. That’s why I’m fighting to protect our family farms and agricultural communities from bad actors like China that threaten our food supply, economy, and national security. I’m proud to work with Democratic and Republican colleagues to protect our farmers and rural communities and ensure our Made in Wisconsin agricultural economy stays strong for the next generation.”
CFIUS is the governmental body that oversees the vetting process of foreign investment and acquisition of American companies. In addition to permanently adding the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS, the bill would require that the Secretary report any transaction that could threaten national security, specifically concerning purchases made by adversarial nations like China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran.
Over the past few years, the United States has experienced a rapid increase in foreign investment in the agricultural sector, particularly from China. Growing foreign investment in agriculture and other essential industries, like health care and energy, threatens our country’s national security.
According to USDA data from December 2023, foreign investors own approximately 45 million acres of U.S. agricultural land. This represents an increase of over 1.5 million acres in one calendar year. Foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land increased modestly from 2012 to 2017 at an average increase of 0.6 million acres per year. However, since 2017, this number skyrocketed to an average of 2.6 million acres annually. Additionally, between 2010 and 2021, entities or individuals from China increased their ownership of U.S. agricultural land more than twentyfold, from 13,720 acres to 383,935 acres.
Data from the 2023 Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) report shows that Kansas agricultural land with foreign interest totals over 1.3 million acres.
CFIUS is authorized to oversee and review foreign investment and ownership in domestic businesses as it relates to national security. Currently, the Committee does not directly consider the needs of the agriculture industry when reviewing foreign investment and ownership in domestic businesses.
Specifically, the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act would:
Add the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of CFIUS
Protect the U.S. agriculture industry from foreign control through transactions, mergers, acquisitions, or agreements
Designate agricultural supply chains as critical infrastructure and critical technologies
Require a report to Congress on current and potential foreign investments in the U.S. agricultural industry from USDA and the Government Accountability Office (GAO)
The bill is led by Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and also co-sponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Todd Young (R-IN), and Deb Fischer (R-NE). U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04) also introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
February 28, 2025
“Veterans hospitals cannot provide lifesaving services safely to veterans without these contracts. That is an unconscionable betrayal of commitments made to Americans who served our country”
Washington DC—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today demanded answers from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs about the termination of contracts that will cause the shutdown of x-rays, computed tomography scans (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), interventional radiology (IR) rooms, cardiac catheterization laboratories (cath labs), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scans, fluoroscopy, mammography, and other essential services at VA hospitals in Oregon and across America.
In a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, Senator Wyden wrote: “I have fought tooth and nail over my career to enact several laws to expand veterans healthcare, including my own law that expanded mammography services for women veterans. I am appalled to hear that the VA may have callously terminated contracts, undermining these laws. Veterans are already facing long wait times for appointments and too often do not receive the timely care they require for serious service-connected diseases and conditions. With the promises made to veterans in mind, I ask that you restore these contracts immediately and detail all disruptions to patient care across VA facilities. I also ask that you commit to ensuring that there will be no other disruptions to veterans healthcare.”
Full text of the letter is here.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, and Thom Tillis (R-NC) are reintroducing bipartisan legislation to help rural communities make necessary improvements and repairs to critical water infrastructure and ensure clean drinking water and wastewater treatment services.
“Every Granite Stater and every American deserves clean water, no matter where they live,” said Senator Shaheen. “Too often, hard-to-reach rural communities have difficulty funding critical water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Our bipartisan bill would improve support for these projects so that we can help hardworking communities save money, protect the environment and boost local economic development.”
“Rural communities across North Carolina and the nation are facing financial challenges that threaten their ability to maintain critical water infrastructure,” said Senator Tillis. “This commonsense legislation will provide new financing tools to help communities repair and modernize their water systems, ensuring they continue to have access to clean drinking water and wastewater treatment.”
Specifically, the Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act would grant the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) additional authorities to provide low- and zero-interest loans, loan forgiveness and loan refinancing to help rural communities repair, modernize and renovate failing water infrastructure. Last year, the bill was included in the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee’s proposal for reauthorization of the Farm Bill.
The legislation is supported by the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP).
“This legislation modernizes the USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Programs to better meet the current financial challenges and needs in rural America,” said NRWA Chief Executive Officer Matthew Holmes. “These are significant changes with new long-term financing options that will preserve the affordability of services, maintain public health standards, and ensure access to clean drinking water and wastewater services, especially in lower-income and economically distressed communities. NRWA applauds Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis for their leadership and commitment to serve the needs of rural America.”
“RCAP is pleased to endorse the Rural Water Systems Act of 2025 and applauds the leadership of Senator Shaheen and Senator Tillis on this important legislation. It is sorely needed. According to the EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment, there is a 20-year need of $464 billion for capital improvements to America’s public water system infrastructure. This total includes the needs of the approximately 52,000 community water systems; 21,400 not-for-profit non-community water systems; American Indian and Alaska Native village water systems; and the costs associated with proposed and recent regulations. We look forward to working with Senator Shaheen to enact this important legislation,” said RCAP Chief Executive Officer Olga Morales Pate.
As a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee that oversees funding for USDA, Senator Shaheen is leading efforts to ensure Granite Staters who live in rural areas have access to the services they need. Shaheen has supported more than 230 New Hampshire small businesses who have received over $25 million to lower energy bills and cut costs through USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program. She has also consistently fought for increased funding and improved support for rural development programs. In the FY24 Agriculture Appropriations bill, Shaheen helped secure pilot authority and seed funding to begin issuing one percent water and wastewater loans, which will help distressed communities build critical infrastructure for clean and safe drinking water.
Shaheen has also championed efforts to ensure every Granite Staters has access to clean water. As a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Shaheen spearheaded the water infrastructure provisions with former Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), securing record funding to upgrade drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, address PFAS contamination and replace lead pipes.
Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
NEWARK, NJ – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement in response to the imminent reopening of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.
“In June of last year, I sent a letter to then DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and ICE Acting Director Patrick Lechleitner expressing my dismay and firm opposition to proposed plans to open a new ICE detention center in Newark. Today, those plans became a reality with the announced reopening of the Delaney Hall Facility.
“Not only am I opposed to the premise of mass warehousing thousands of people, I am concerned that GEO Group, a private, for-profit prison company, will continue to run the facility. This 15-year, $1 billion contract, announced the very same day that GEO Group released its fourth-quarter earnings, is not about making New Jerseyans safer or fixing our broken immigration system. Instead, it demonstrates this administration’s driving motive to enrich its favored corporations while wasting taxpayer dollars. GEO Group has a documented history of gross neglect, including malnourishment, inhumane living conditions, forced labor, and the physical and sexual abuse of people detained at its facilities. Yet this administration is cutting them a $1 billion check. Put plainly, the reopening of the Delaney Hall Facility is an insult to immigrant communities and advocates in New Jersey, New York, and around the country who have fought tirelessly to document the human rights abuses at private detention centers and repeatedly pushed administration after administration to ensure the humane treatment of detained people. Geo Group’s presence in our community will yield chronic insecurity among the communities I represent, and all communities across the state will be less safe because of it.”
To read the full text of the June 2024 letter, click here.
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
Welch Demands Explanation from Secretary Rubio
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding an urgent response to the baseless mass-firings of over 5,500 federal employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In the letter, Senator Welch demanded answers from the State Department on Elon Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency,” or DOGE’s, actions that directly violate funds appropriated by Congress through the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act.
Senator Welch released the following statement:
“I’m deeply distressed by the Trump Administration and Secretary Rubio’s reckless and illegal actions terminating thousands of experienced, dedicated USAID employees without cause or credible justification. These public servants, many of whom have spent decades serving their country and protecting U.S. interests around the world, were given less than 15 minutes to clear out their desks. It’s immoral and illegal.
“I’m also appalled by how Secretary Rubio and Elon Musk’s DOGE have unlawfully cut off funding appropriated by Congress for vital international assistance programs that protect U.S. security interests around the world. In recent weeks, Secretary Rubio has terminated billions of dollars in U.S. foreign assistance programs on which hundreds of millions of people depend for their health, safety, and well-being, in direct contravention of the law. These funds were provided on a bipartisan basis in prior appropriations acts which included many pages of provisions requiring the Administration to obligate the funds for explicit purposes. While DOGE’s mission might be to ‘save money,’ it cannot do so in ways that plainly violate federal law and the Constitution. And it should not do so if the result would undermine U.S. national interests and damage our international credibility.
“As the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, I’ll state what every American knows and DOGE needs to learn: the Constitution does not allow the President to ignore the law. Trump’s blatant disregard for the Constitution and the destruction of hard-earned goodwill around the world is beyond distressing and requires immediate action. Congress and the American people deserve answers from Secretary Rubio regarding how he intends to ensure that the State Department complies with the law.”
Under the Trump Administration, hundreds of millions of dollars in State Department programs have been illegally terminated under categories and programs explicitly required by the FY24 Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act. By law, funds appropriated by Congress are to be spent as specified for each of the countries, programs, projects, and activities.
By way of example, the FY24 Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act provides no less than:
$960,000,000 for food security and agricultural development programs to carry out the purposes of the Global Food Security Act of 2016, including for the Feed the Future Innovation Labs.
$451,000,000 for water supply and sanitation projects.
$365,750,000 for biodiversity conservation programs.
$300,000,000 to carry out the purposes of the Countering Russian Influence Fund, as authorized by the Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017.
$250,000,000 to implement a multi-year strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, including efforts to combat a variety of forms of violence against women and girls.
$225,500,000 for programs in sub-Saharan Africa.
$117,040,000 to the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor for programs that support good governance, credible and competitive elections, freedom of expression, association, assembly, and religion, human rights, labor rights, independent media, and the rule of law.
$111,000,000 for activities to combat trafficking in persons internationally, including for the Program to End Modern Slavery.
Read the full letter and watch a video of Senator Welch’s remarks on DOGE’s Unlawful USAID Firings and Termination of Billions of Dollars of in Aid.
Source: The White House
Today, President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance made clear to the world that the United States will not be taken advantage of — a sentiment echoed by the cabinet and members of Congress from across the country.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!”
Sen. Lindsey Graham: “I’ve never been more proud of President Trump for showing the American people — and the world — you don’t trifle with this man … He wanted to get a ceasefire. He wants to end the war and Zelenskyy felt like he needed to bait Trump in the Oval Office.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem: “I am so proud of our Commander-in-Chief. Thank you President @RealDonaldTrump and @VP for standing up for America. We will not tolerate the political games and disrespect of America. America is back.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: “Amen, Mr. President.”
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent: “Thank you, President Trump, for standing up for the American people and our nation on the global stage.”
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum: “Thank you @POTUS for standing strong for America while working to end the killing abroad.”
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins: “American leadership is back — in the Oval Office — and on the world stage. FEARLESS. BOLD. RELENTLESS. We will save America.”
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy: “Thank you @POTUS for standing up for the United States. The American people will not stand for disrespect of our President, Oval Office, or our generous taxpayers. Peace is only accomplished through strength and our allies need to understand that.”
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner: “President Trump is standing up for forgotten Americans, not endless foreign wars. Biden’s legacy — increased homelessness, record high interest rates, all-time highs to buy a house, and Americans footing the bill. That ended January 20th. The American people are behind @POTUS.”
Sen. Jim Banks: “Thank you President Trump for standing up for America!”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn: “Thank you President Trump and VP Vance or standing up for America.”
Sen. Bill Hagerty: “The United States of America will no longer be taken for granted. The contrast between the last four years and now could not be more clear. Thank you, Mr. President.”
Sen. Josh Hawley: “Remember: the U.S. Senate has repeatedly and for years voted BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars to Ukraine with no strings attached and with no true oversight. It’s time for some ACCOUNTABILITY.”
Sen. Jim Justice: “Glad to have a @POTUS and @VP in charge that absolutely put America FIRST.”
Sen. Mike Lee: “Thank you for standing up for OUR COUNTRY and putting America first, President Trump and Vice President Vance!”
Sen. Bernie Moreno: “Finally we have a President who will speak the TRUTH and stand up against Washington’s endless wars. American taxpayers have been funding this war, it’s time to stop the killing and stop risking World War 3!”
Sen. Markwayne Mullin: “Under this President— the greatest, freest, and most generous nation on Earth is putting America First. I’d encourage anyone who has a problem with that to reevaluate their priorities.”
Sen. Rick Scott: “Thank you President Trump for standing up for America.”
Sen. Eric Schmitt: “It’s about time we have leaders who say what the American people are really thinking and prioritize the core national interests of America. The American taxpayer is tapped out, and President Trump and VP Vance are spot on.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville: “Thank you Mr. President and Vice President Vance for putting America first”
Majority Leader Steve Scalise: “President Trump is fighting for PEACE around the world and is putting America First as our best negotiator—he’s the only one to get Russia to the table to consider a serious and lasting peace agreement with Ukraine.”
Chairwoman Lisa McClain: “President Trump inherited this war. He has said from the beginning he wants to bring peace. @POTUS is a strong leader, and I know his negotiations will bring a deal together.”
Rep. Andy Biggs: “Gone are the days of foreign leaders walking all over us and snubbing their noses at America’s generosity. There’s a new President and Vice President in town. World leaders would be wise to humble themselves.”
Rep. Tim Burchett: “Job well done by @realDonaldTrump and our VP @JDVance. Give respect to get respect.”
Rep. Mike Collins: “Thank God we finally have a @POTUS who is willing to put America FIRST. Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Rep. Eli Crane: “America First. Thank you, President Trump and Vice President Vance.”
Rep. Dan Crenshaw: “If you are the leader of a country in a dire situation with no path to peace without American support, do not come into the Oval Office and argue with the President of the United States in public. Just a word of advice.”
Rep. Andrew Clyde: “President Trump and Vice President Vance are standing up for the AMERICAN PEOPLE. Our great country will NOT be taken advantage of or disrespected.”
Rep. Byron Donalds: “This is what putting the AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST looks like. Thank you @realdonaldtrump and @JDVance for standing up for our nation.”
Rep. Brandon Gill: “America First in action. Thank you, @realdonaldtrump and @JDVance, for prioritizing our people and for promoting peace!”
Rep. Lance Gooden: “President @realdonaldtrump and Vice President @JDVance will never allow the United States to be disrespected or taken advantage of. America First, always!”
Rep. Paul Gosar: “Thank you, Mr. President and Vice President. The days of the USA getting pushed around are clearly over.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: “President Trump and Vice President Vance will put America First every single time. Putting Zelensky in his place while he disrespects the U.S. in the Oval Office is exactly what American leadership should look like. This is what We The People want to see!”
Rep. Pat Harrigan: “America’s priorities come first. @POTUS and @VP made it clear—Ukraine’s interests are not America’s interests. We’ve spent hundreds of billions with no accountability, no clear objectives, and no plan for peace. It’s time to put America first and end this war.”
Rep. Mark Harris: “Thank you, President Trump and Vice President Vance, for boldly defending America’s interests. This is PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH”
Rep. Diana Harshbarger: “The act displayed by Zelenskyy in the Oval Office was nothing short of a massive show of disrespect for the Trump Administration and the American people. Despite this, President Trump and Vice President Vance are holding the line and trying to end this conflict peacefully. God bless them both.”
Rep. Wesley Hunt: “You do NOT blame the people fighting to save your country! America leads—no more excuses!”
Rep. Nancy Mace: “Peace through strength live from the Oval”
Rep. Thomas Massie: “Is this the end of Zelensky’s presidency? He hitched his wagon to Biden and the deep state. They lost and now he doesn’t seem to be playing his cards well.”
Rep. Brian Mast: “American won’t be taken advantage of and America won’t be taken for granted. Thank you, President Trump and Vice President Vance for standing up for America.”
Rep. Addison McDowell: “AMERICA AND THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER ALWAYS COME FIRST”
Rep. Mary Miller: “What has happened in Ukraine is a travesty. Joe Biden threw “gas on the fire.” Ukraine lost an entire generation, and Americans hundreds of billions in tax dollars. We thank God for giving us strong leadership. Thank you @POTUS and @VP for putting America’s interests first, and working to end this terrible war.”
Rep. Riley Moore: “It is amazing to have a President and VP who put America First! Thank you President Trump and VP Vance for fighting for our country and our people!”
Rep. Troy Nehls: “President Trump and Vice President Vance are standing up for the American people. This is America First leadership on display. Thank you POTUS and VP!”
Rep. Ralph Norman: “THIS is strong leadership that is ensuring we put the American people FIRST. Thank you @realDonaldTrump and @JDVance for standing up for our nation.”
Rep. Andy Ogles: “This is what it looks like to stand up for America.”
Rep. Mike Rulli: “You don’t have the cards!”
Rep. Keith Self: “TOUGH and FAIR. The world is witnessing American leadership back in the White House. Thank you President Trump and Vice President Vance.”
Rep. Victoria Spartz: “Zelensky is doing a serious disservice to the Ukrainian people insulting the American President and the American people – just to appease Europeans and increase his low polling in Ukraine after he failed miserably to defend his country. This is not a theater act but a real war!”
Rep. Greg Steube: “Ridiculous grandstanding by Zelensky in the Oval Office. The United States has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to defend Ukraine. And this is the thanks the American people get? It’s time to end this war.”
Rep. Marlin Stutzman: “TRUMP IS THE GREATEST NEGOTIATOR AMERICA HAS EVER HAD! AMERICA IS BEING MADE GREAT BEFORE OUR VERY EYES!”
Rep. Andy Weber: “America FIRST. Strong, unapologetic leadership on the world stage is BACK!”
Rep. Joe Wilson: “I agree with President Trump that Ukrainian soldiers have been unbelievably brave! Critical Minerals Deal a major step forward toward ending the war responsibly. More sanctions on Russia & arms for Ukraine create maximum leverage for FULL land swap Art of the Deal!”
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
February 28, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ)—founding co-chairs of the Senate’s first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus—along with U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester urged EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to reopen the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR), which Duckworth and Booker led the charge to create, so the office can continue helping our most disadvantaged communities in rural, urban and tribal areas by improving access to clean drinking water, addressing legacy pollution that has led to higher cancer, asthma and death rates and more. Additionally, the Senators are demanding a more detailed explanation behind why the Trump Administration decided to abolish such a critical office and how the Administration is planning to ensure victims of environmental harm receive the attention, resources and protections they deserve.
“The closure of this office which assisted underserved communities across the country leaves us seriously questioning your commitment to adhere to the Congressional appropriations process of the agency and address the impacts of pollution on communities in urban, suburban, and rural America,” wrote the lawmakers. “The 168 EPA staff placed on administrative leave were dedicated, trusted in their community, and worked to help Americans overcome the public health and economic effects of pollution. We strongly urge you to reinstate this workforce and to provide Congress and the American people a reasonable strategy to make their communities healthier and cleaner.”
In addition to Duckworth, Booker and Blunt Rochester, the letter is co-signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
The full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website and below:
Dear Administrator Zeldin,
We write to you today to express our deep concern regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent decision to shut down the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR). In the United States, communities across the country lack access to safe and reliable drinking water and sewer systems, and remain exposed to pollution that causes cancer and respiratory illnesses. These issues impact every state and community type from cities to rural and farming communities, to tribal lands. Many of these areas were deliberately targeted due to their demographics for the siting of polluting activities.
The closure of this office which assisted underserved communities across the country leaves us seriously questioning your commitment to adhere to the Congressional appropriations process of the agency and address the impacts of pollution on communities in urban, suburban, and rural America. The 168 EPA staff placed on administrative leave were dedicated, trusted in their community, and worked to help Americans overcome the public health and economic effects of pollution. We strongly urge you to reinstate this workforce and to provide Congress and the American people a reasonable strategy to make their communities healthier and cleaner. Established in 1992 under a different name by President George H.W. Bush, OEJECR has played a pivotal role in ensuring that these communities, often marginalized and ignored, receive the attention, resources, and protections they deserve.
This office and its staff ensure the EPA prioritizes its work to lend a hand for these communities in their fight to reduce environmental disparities and promote health outcomes. This office ensured the EPA centered its work on the experiences and concerns of Americans. Its closure, especially without an adequate replacement, suggests that EPA’s posture will be one that ignores the concerns of families experiencing the health and economic effects of a polluted environment.
We are seriously concerned that the closure of this successful office comes with no alternative vision or strategy to help Americans overcome the public health issues pollution poses to their communities. For example, in February 2023, the EPA worked with the U.S. Department of Justice to file a suit against Denka Performance Elastomer for emitting cancerous air pollutants 14 times the recommended level 450 feet from a majority Black elementary school. Also, in June of 2023, a settlement agreement with the City of Houston was announced because of illegal dumping taking place in a majority Black and Latino neighborhood. Lastly, in July 2024, the EPA announced a settlement agreement with Marathon Oil arising out of the company’s violation of air emission regulations and permit laws at nearly 90 oil and natural gas production facilities on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. These are only a few legal actions initiated by the EPA that displays the need of a dedicated office tasked with engaging and providing resources to communities who are the victims of environmental harm.
Without the specialized expertise of this office and its 168 employees, the EPA will be ill equipped to achieve your stated outcome that “every American should have access to clean air, land, and water.” Instead, what we fear is an EPA that is devoid of the strategies necessary to confront the challenges faced by environmental justice communities disproportionately affected by the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change. Further, OEJECR managed the environmental justice mapping tool, EJScreen, which you have scrubbed from your website. EJScreen is a valuable tool, not only for EPA to ensure fully informed permitting, enforcement, outreach, and compliance decisions, but also for other federal agencies, state and local partners, industry, and communities across the country.
Absent strong leadership by the EPA and the resources to address these concerns, a dangerous precedent will be set, signaling that the federal government will no longer be a resource to all Americans, especially those in areas overburdened by pollution and the accompanying health burden. Congress has been clear that the EPA must prioritize combating pollution in marginalized communities around the country. It has directed appropriations toward offices like the OEJECR and programs that address environmental justice. For many years, the EPA has had an environmental justice line item under the agency’s enforcement unit. Congress explicitly directed the EPA to work on environmental justice in the explanatory statement to Public Law 117-103, going so far as to direct the EPA to provide to Congress a “comprehensive briefing” on how environmental justice work will be executed by the Agency and to create a proposal of a “national program office” centered on the work.
We strongly urge you to reinstate the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights and its workforce. Further, to better help us understand how and why you reached this decision and your strategies to combat these real public health concerns, please provide responses to the following requests for information by no later than March 17, 2025:
Please explain in detail the process by which this decision was made and how it was communicated to staff.
Please explain thoroughly how you will continue to execute programs such as the Environmental Justice Community Change Grants Program, Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, the Environmental Justice Small Collaborative Problem Solving Grants Program, the Environmental Justice Government to Government Grants Program, and the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers Program initiatives that help communities access grants to address water contamination, air pollution, and lead reduction. a. Will you continue to provide technical assistance so the most impacted communities can have a chance to compete for EPA’s national federal funding programs?
Please explain in detail how the agency will ensure fair access to grant programs and support economically and socially disadvantaged communities – including communities of color, rural and farm communities, and Tribal communities – in competing for funding and addressing critical issues in their community.
What is your strategy to combat pollution in marginalized communities across the country?
What plans do you have for continuing to engage with community organizations and local governments on environmental justice issues in the absence of the office?
How do you intend to work with local governments to expand access to clean water and improve air quality?
How will the agency assist local governments in developing and enforcing pollution reduction regulations?
Explain how you intend to support local leaders and officials in building capacity and expertise in environmental justice work at the community level?
How will EPA identify areas that may have higher environmental burdens without access to EJScreen, what agency personnel will be tasked with maintaining that information, and how will EPA proactive share that information with the public?
How will you ensure transparency and accountability in the agency’s environmental justice work after the closure of the office?
How will you rebuild trust with community-based organizations after the closure of this office and work to ensure they have the necessary resources to combat pollution?
How will you rebuild trust with local government, communities, Tribes and stakeholders who are now concerned about the lack of budget assurance for millions of dollars in projects funded through with Congressional allocated Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act resources?
You stated to the Environment and Public Works Committee that you believe “every American deserves access to clean air and water” and that you would “commit to working hard to meet the needs of all communities.” We trust that you will stand by your commitment to communities across the nation who rely on the EPA’s commitment to environmental justice and work to ensure that the agency continues to serve all Americans fairly and effectively.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
February 28, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee—joined her fellow SFRC Democratic colleagues Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) in issuing the following statement on the Trump Administration’s reckless termination of nearly all U.S. foreign assistance programs:
“It is clear that the Trump Administration’s foreign assistance ‘review’ was not a serious effort or attempt at reform but rather a pretext to dismantle decades of U.S. investment that makes America safer, stronger and more prosperous. There is no indication Secretary Rubio conducted a program-by-program review of the more than 9,000 awards or considered the dire national security implications of these rash actions. Ending programs first and asking questions later only jeopardizes millions of lives and creates a power vacuum for our adversaries like China and Russia to fill.
“While it’s easy to assume that these cuts will only affect people thousands of miles away, the fact is, the impact will be felt by American farmers who will no longer get top dollar for their crops to feed the hungry, churches who will no longer have the support of the U.S. government in their missions, American families who fall sick when diseases like Zika, Ebola and Malaria once again reach our shores and U.S. biotech companies who will no longer sell their drugs to treat the vulnerable overseas. Secretary Rubio should immediately come before our Committee. We expect him to not only consult with Congress but follow the law,” said the Senators in their statement.
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of World Teen Mental Wellness Day, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), along with Representatives August Pfluger (R-Texas-11), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.-8), John Joyce (R-Pa.-13), and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.-14), introduced bipartisan legislation to combat the growing youth mental health crisis in America. The Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth (EARLY) Minds Act would provide early intervention and prevention services to children struggling with mental health challenges.
The data is clear: more work needs to be done to protect children’s mental health. Over the past few decades, mental health disorders have steadily risen among children and adolescents, with nearly half of adolescents in the United States facing a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Nearly 20 percent of children ages 3-17 in the United States have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder. More than 40 percent of teens — including 57 percent of teenage girls — reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Research shows that intervening early with people who are experiencing mental health challenges can help prevent those challenges from turning more serious and becoming more costly to treat, while leading to improvements in symptoms, relationships, quality of life, and engagement with schoolwork.
The EARLY Minds Act seeks to empower states by allowing them to allocate up to five percent of their Mental Health Block Grant funding for prevention and early intervention activities. This strategic allocation of resources is critical to identify and support Americans before their mental health challenges escalate. The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is currently limited to funding services for those with severe, diagnosed mental illnesses. With this adjustment, states will have the opportunity to take full advantage of Mental Health Block Grants to intervene early and save lives.
“Young people deserve access to mental health services as soon as they need them. But our children are often forced to wait years for an official diagnosis, leaving them without vital mental health support,” said Senator Padilla. “Our bipartisan legislation would address the growing youth mental health crisis by equipping states to provide young people preventative treatment and early intervention services — because no child should have to suffer in silence.”
“Prevention and early intervention are key to addressing the mental health crisis,” said Senator Tillis. “The bipartisan EARLY Minds Act gives states the flexibility to invest in these critically-important services to ensure children and families get the support they need when it matters most – not years too late.”
“In recent years, we’ve seen an uptick in depression, anxiety, and other behavioral health conditions among young people, and we need to do more to support them,” said Senator Kaine. “That’s why I’m joining my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation that will help states expand prevention and early intervention mental health resources for young people.”
“As reports of severe mental health issues continue to rise across the country, it is imperative that we address this issue and help people in crisis receive the treatment they need,” said Representative Pfluger. “Research has consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of early intervention in mitigating the severity of mental health challenges among children and adults. By allowing states the flexibility to utilize MHBG funds for prevention and early intervention, the EARLY Minds Act presents a commonsense solution to address the worsening youth mental health crisis.”
“As a pediatrician, I understand the value of preventative care, including for mental health,” said Representative Schrier. “That is why Mental Health Block Grants should fund prevention and early intervention services. At a time when behavioral health challenges are on the rise, it is important to build support systems, resiliency, and coping mechanisms early. This bill will complement existing federal programs like Medicaid and CHIP, that provide critical behavioral health care to children and families across the country.”
“Prevention and early intervention are vital for reducing the severity of mental health challenges, particularly in children,” said Representative Castor. “As Co-Chair of the Children’s Health Care Caucus, I am committed to ensuring families have the support they need to keep their kids healthy at a time with so much uncertainty. Allowing Mental Health Block Grants to fund prevention and early intervention services is a sensible, bipartisan solution to an urgent need. This bill will connect more children with proven, effective care before their health escalates into crisis level. This bill will work best in tandem with strong, robust Medicaid and CHIP programs that provide lifesaving mental health services to children and their families. I look forward to working with Representatives Pfluger, Schrier, and Joyce to advance this critical legislation and protect health coverage for our nation’s kids.”
“Assisting children in crisis so that they can receive the care and support that they need is vital to fixing the youth mental health epidemic in our country,” said Representative Joyce. “As a physician, I know the importance of prevention and early intervention, and I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation to ensure SAMHSA’s Community Mental Health Services Block Grant can be used to effectively reach and assist our nation’s youth in need.”
“Proactive early intervention and prevention can dramatically change the trajectory of a child’s life by addressing mental health issues before they escalate,” said Matthew Cook, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA). “The EARLY Minds Act gives states greater flexibility to make resources available for early detection and prevention services like mental health screenings, educational support for parents, and evidence-based interventions for children facing behavioral health challenges. CHA applauds this bipartisan legislation that will help combat the escalating youth mental health crisis.”
On average, there is an 11-year delay between when someone starts experiencing a mental health condition and when they receive treatment. For a young person, that means suffering without help throughout the majority of their childhood before receiving treatment.
The EARLY Minds Act also requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide reports to Congress detailing states’ efforts to promote early intervention. HHS would report to Congress every two years regarding states’ efforts to promote early intervention, including comprehensive information on their activities and outcomes.
The EARLY Minds Act has garnered widespread support from leading mental health advocacy organizations, including American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Mental Health Counselors Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Association of Children’s Residential & Community Services (ACRC), Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Children’s Hospital Association, Committee for Children, Crisis Text Line, Family Voices, First Focus Campaign for Children, Global Alliance for Behavioral Health & Social Justice, International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses (ISPN), Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, Mental Health America, Mental Health Counselors Association, MomsRising, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of School Psychologists, National Board for Certified Counselors, National Children’s Alliance, National Federation of Families, National League for Nursing, Nemours Children’s Health, Sandy Hook Promise, School Social Work Association of America, Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, The Jed Foundation, The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health, Trust for America’s Health, Western Youth Services, and Youth Villages.
“Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 10-19. Preventing youth suicide begins with early intervention,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “By allowing states to use a portion of their Mental Health Block Grant funding to identify and treat behavioral health conditions among children and youth, the EARLY Minds Act takes an upstream approach to mental health that will help support youth at risk for suicide. We commend Representative Pfluger, Representative Schrier, Representative Joyce, Representative Castor, Senator Padilla, Senator Murkowski, Senator Tillis, Senator Kaine, and Senator Murkowski for their leadership on this important issue.”
“Pediatricians know prevention and early intervention is critical to keeping our patients healthy – including their mental health. The EARLY Minds Act would provide states with more options for funding key services that help young people get the care they need before a mental health condition is diagnosed or gets worse. The American Academy of Pediatrics applauds the EARLY Minds Act sponsors for their leadership on this bipartisan bill and calls on lawmakers to swiftly advance it,” said Susan Kressly, MD, FAAP, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“The American Psychological Association applauds Senators Padilla, Tillis, Murkowski, and Kaine for introducing the bipartisan EARLY Minds Act, which will help expand quality, evidence-based mental health prevention and early intervention services to all communities,” said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD. “Intervening before the onset of mental illness is a cornerstone of a population health approach to treatment. Allowing the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant to be used for prevention and early intervention is critical for ensuring that more people, including the very youngest, do not develop mental health conditions and can lead healthy, productive and fulfilled lives.”
“The Early Minds Act adds critical intervention and preventive programs for children and can greatly benefit families in the under-resourced communicates served by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles,” said Paul Viviano, President and Chief Executive Officer of CHLA. “Allowing states the flexibility of supporting these services can help identify troubled children in the early stages of a mental health crisis before conditions worsen, creating hope and building healthier futures for children.”
“Federal data shows us that our nation’s youth are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis that demands immediate action from us all. As many as 4 out of 10 high school students experience persistent feelings of hopelessness, and 1 in 5 have seriously considered suicide. The sooner we, as Trusted Adults, can intervene and connect young people with help, the more opportunities we have to avert tragedies, self-harm, or suicide. This legislation provides a pathway to act sooner, and lives will not only be saved but will also be transformed, as a result,” said Mark Barden, co-founder and co-CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.
“There’s no question that youth are struggling right now. At Crisis Text Line, young people reaching out for help have told us that they need more in-person programs to support their mental health. That is why we are thrilled to support the EARLY Minds Act, which would allow states the flexibility to invest in critical prevention and early intervention programming,” said Courtney Gallo Hunter, VP, Public Policy, Crisis Text Line.
Senator Padilla is a leading advocate for expanding mental health care access, especially for underserved communities. In 2023, Padilla, Tillis, and Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) launched the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus to serve as a forum for Senators to collaborate on and promote bipartisan legislation and solutions, hold events to raise awareness of critical mental health issues, and destigmatize mental health. Last year, Padilla and Tillis passed a Senate resolution to raise the alarm about the mental health care crisis American children face and highlight the urgent need to increase our investment in mental health care for children and adolescents. Padilla and Tillis applauded the Federal Communications Commission for making critical improvements to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to help callers access localized, lifesaving behavioral health resources and mirrored the main provision of the Senators’ Local 9-8-8 Response Act of 2023. Padilla previously introduced a trio of bills to address the unique mental health needs of military children, Latinos, and farm workers.
A one-pager on the bill is available here.
Full text of the bill is available here.
Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis
Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis, John Barrasso, and Representative Harriet Hageman (all R-WY) introduced legislation to rename the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper the “Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center.”
“Wyoming, the Equality State, has produced remarkable trailblazers who shaped the path forward for American women, and Barbara Cubin stands firmly among them,” said Lummis.“As a founding member of the Congressional Western Caucus, Barbara was a powerful voice for our western values. Now, as chair of the Senate counterpart, I’m proud to carry on her legacy as a fierce champion for the Wyoming way of life. This legislation not only commemorates Barbara’s extraordinary decades of public service but also acknowledges the indelible mark she has left on our state and nation.”
“As the first woman to represent Wyoming in the U.S. Congress, Barbara Cubin demonstrated incredible leadership and strength. Her dedication to the people of Wyoming will never be forgotten,” said Barrasso. “Our legislation provides a wonderful opportunity to recognize Barbara’s legacy and record of public service.”
“Barbara Cubin set a standard for public service that continues to inspire us all,” said Hageman. “Her work to establish the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center preserved the rich history of our state and the West. I’m honored to join the Wyoming Delegation in supporting this legislation to recognize her remarkable contributions to Wyoming and our nation.”
In 1998, Rep. Barbara Cubin successfully passed her legislation establishing the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper to tell the stories of westward migration in the U.S. The center is owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is run through a public-private partnership with the BLM, the National Historic Trails Center Foundation and the City of Casper.
Rep. Cubin was the first woman to win an election for federal office in the state of Wyoming and served as a founding member of the Congressional Western Caucus. She represented Wyoming in the U.S. House from 1995-2009.
Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
Continuing Defense of Georgia Consumers, Senator Reverend Warnock Questions Nominee to Lead CFPB
Senator Reverend Warnock questioned Jonathan McKernan, the Trump Administration’s nominee to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
In partnership with Senator Reverend Warnock, the CFPB addressed 266,560 complaints from Georgians, including 20,168 from servicemembers in the state
The hearing followed the recent news of the dissolution of CFPB, one of multiple federal agencies gutted by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
Senator Reverend Warnock is a member of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection, which he chaired last Congress, and which oversees the CFPB
Senator Reverend Warnock during the hearing: “You’ve [Jonathan McKernan] raised your hand to run the agency. I think you ought to know whether you think it’s a good thing to get rid of”
Watch Senator Reverend Warnock at Thursday’s hearing HERE
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a member and former chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection, which oversees the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), questioned Jonathan McKernan and William Pulte, the Trump Administration’s nominees to lead the CFPB and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, respectively.
Last Congress, Senator Warnock worked extensively with the CFPB to return funds and protect Georgians from future financial hardship, helping to address 266,560 complaints from Georgians, including 20,168 from servicemembers in the state. Additionally, Senator Warnock spearheaded several efforts to return dollars to hardworking Americans, including: remove medical debt from credit reports, rule ending an overdraft loophole, highlighting harmful practices in the private student lending market, safeguard Americans from ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ debts, and much more.
During Senator Warnock’s line of questioning for Mr. McKernan, he highlighted the recent news of the dissolution of CFPB, one of many federal agencies gutted by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and if Mr. McKernan shared President Trump’s disturbing view that the agency is “a very important thing to get rid of.”
“President Trump has said the CFPB is, quote, ‘A very important thing to get rid of.’ Yes or no. Do you agree with the President on that point?” asked Senator Warnock.
“Senator, I think our elected officials decide normative questions like that,” said Mr. McKernan.
“You’ve raised your hand to run the agency. I think you ought to know whether you think it’s a good thing to get rid of,” said Senator Warnock.
The nomination hearing followed a special hearing earlier in the week that was organized by Ranking Member of the Banking Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and aimed to highlight the repercussions of dismantling the CFPB.
Watch the Senator’s full remarks and line of questioning HERE.
See below transcript of the key exchange between Senator Warnock and CFPB Director nominee Jonathan McKernan:
Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “Congress created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – the CFPB – in the wake of the financial crisis, during which Americans saw Wall Street bankers get bailed out, while millions of working folks lost their jobs, their homes, their retirements, their life savings. That’s the situation out of which the CFPB emerged.”
“Mr. McKernan, thank you. I enjoyed our meeting yesterday. Good to meet you. And I want to follow up on our discussion about the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the CFPB, the agency you’ve been nominated to run. President Trump has said the CFPB is, quote, ‘A very important thing to get rid of.’ Yes or no. Do you agree with the President on that point?”
Jonathan McKernan (JM): “Senator as I’ve said, the CFPB is a product of statute. That is a question for our elected official. It’s…”
SRW: “Yes or no question, do you agree that it’s a very good thing to get rid of?”
JM: “Senator, I think our elected officials decide normative questions like that.”
SRW: “You’ve raised your hand to run the agency. I think you ought to know whether you think it’s a good thing to get rid of.”
JM: “Well, I will say this. I certainly think that consumer protection is a very good thing, it’s a critical thing. A federal consumer protection role is a very important thing. That’s a lesson I learned from my experience in the 2008 financial crisis. We need to have a regulatory system that works for everyday Americans, and that includes consumer protection.”
SRW: “I’ll take that as you agree with the President, that we don’t necessarily need the CFPB. We need consumer protection, but not the CFPB. Is that your answer?”
JM: “We need, we need to have a strong consumer protection function.”
SRW: “President Trump and Elon Musk have basically gotten rid of the CFPB, which is why the question is so urgent, and the bureau has seen dozens of key employees fired. They’ve been told not to engage in its core supervisory or examination duties required by the law, and has even had its physical headquarters closed and locked.”
“I think that’s a pretty clear message. If someone closes down the office that you’ve been nominated to run.”
“With the CFPB effectively eliminated. How on earth do you plan to lead a shell agency that’s been completely gutted?”
JM: “Senator, I’m not aware of the situation both this the staffing and resources at the CFPB. Well, what I will point to is just what the administration has said in its filings, and some of the litigation ongoing here, and they have said that we are going to have a CFPB that is streamlined and efficient. And quoting, I think, from the brief here, it says, ‘A predicate of that is there will be a CFPB’ again, though this is a question for our elected officials, my job is to follow the law and execute on my mandate.”
SRW: “In the last three months alone, the CFPB has received more than 80,000 complaints from Georgians, with the Bureau currently seeking resolution to more than 40,000 of those complaints with the CFPB shuttered by President Trump and Elon Musk, what’s your plan to ensure that the bureau resolves those 40,000 pending complaints from my constituents in Georgia?”
JM: “Senator like I said, the consumer complaint function is a statutorily required function that’s in 1021c and so my mandate, if I’m confirmed, is to fulfill faithfully, fully that statutory mandate.”
Source: The White House
In today’s USA TODAY, White House Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing Peter Navarro outlined why President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs on aluminum imports are about far more than just trade — they’re a fight for the survival of an essential American industry.
President Trump is now writing a new story for the United States. With one stroke of Trump’s pen, the Biden era of idled smelters and declining capacity utilization will come to an end as a golden age of American aluminum production regains its rightful place as a pillar of national security and economic strength.
This is far more than a trade battle. It’s a fight for the survival of an essential American industry.
Read the op-ed here.
Source: The White House
President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance will always stand up for the interests of the American people and those who respect the United States’ position in the world — and will never allow the American people to be taken advantage of.
President Trump: “Let me tell you, you don’t have the cards. With us, you have the cards — but without us, you don’t have any cards.”
More than half (52%) of Ukrainians want a quick end to the war and believe Ukraine “should be open to ceding some territory in exchange for peace,” according to a November Gallup poll.
Since martial law was declared in Ukraine, 1,000,050 Ukrainians have been drafted into military service. In October 2024, Ukraine announced it would be drafting another 160,000 — bringing the total number of conscripted Ukrainians to 1,160,050.
The average age of Ukrainian troops is 43 years old.
“Even if the West did come through with all the weapons they have pledged, ‘we don’t have the men to use them,’ one of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s close aides told Time’s Simon Shuster, revealing that the average age of a Ukrainian soldier has already reached 43.”
One of Zelenskyy’s closest aides told TIME in 2023 that he is “[deluding] himself … We’re out of options. We’re not winning. But try telling him that.”
The Ukrainian army is facing rising desertions as “ill-trained and exhausted soldiers [go] AWOL,” with the military further strained by struggles in recruiting and the “arrests of respected and popular combat officers.”
President Trump: “You’re gambling with World War III.”
Zelesnkyy himself has acknowledged that the situation in Ukraine could lead to WWIII, and that without U.S. aid, they would lose: “A third world war could start in Ukraine, continue in Israel, and move on from there to Asia, and then explode somewhere else.”
President Trump: “I gave you the javelins to take out all those tanks. Obama gave you sheets.”
President Trump gave anti-tank javelin missiles to Ukraine, while Obama gave non-lethal aid only, including blankets.
EURACTIV: “Poroshenko asks Obama for weapons, obtains blankets”
President Trump approved lethal weapons sales to Ukraine in 2017: “The new arms include American-made Javelin anti-tank missiles, U.S. officials said.”
President Trump approved a $39 million sale of defensive lethal weapons to Ukraine in 2019: “The new package will include Javelin anti-tank weapons, with one U.S. official saying it includes 150 missiles and two launchers.”
Vice President Vance: “You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October.”
Zelenskyy was called out for campaigning against President Trump in Pennsylvania.
“Zelenskyy was flown to Pennsylvania in an Air Force C-17 plane.”
Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
WASHINGTON — At yesterday’s nominations hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) highlighted the qualifications of President Trump’s nominees to top economic policy and financial regulator posts:
Dr. Stephen Miran, nominee to be Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, Executive Office of the President
Mr. Jeffrey Kessler, nominee to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, Department of Commerce
Mr. William Pulte, nominee to be Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency
Mr. Jonathan McKernan, nominee to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection
Senator Scott emphasized the importance of quickly advancing President Trump’s nominees to rebuild the economy, restore confidence in the financial system, and ensure American families have the tools to thrive.
Senator Scott’s opening remarks as delivered:
I want to take a second to congratulate each of our nominees before us today and thank you for your willingness to serve our country.
If confirmed, you will help put our nation back on the path to prosperity.
As we reflect on the past four years, we must acknowledge the severe damage created by the Biden administration’s reckless spending.
It’s hard for me to forget, as a kid and my brother growing up in poverty, single parent household, watching my mother trying to make every single dollar count. She did the best she could with what she had.
Inflation is especially cruel to the communities like the one I grew up in.
No one should have to make a choice between putting food on the table and keeping the lights on.
During Joe Biden’s time in office, overall prices rose by over 20 percent, energy by 34 percent, transportation 31 percent, groceries 22 percent.
I refuse to accept that the last four years will be the next four years.
Unlike his predecessor, President Trump understands what it takes to create a blue-collar comeback. And I’m excited about that.
Each of the nominees before us today will play a critical role in rebuilding the economy, restoring confidence in our financial system, and ensuring that American families can thrive once again.
The Council of Economic Advisers serves as the White House’s chief advisors, think tank so to speak, providing the President with data-driven guidance on policy decisions.
Dr. Stephen Miran is an accomplished economist with a strong record of advocating for fiscal responsibility and pro-growth policies.
He will play an instrumental role in helping President Trump rebuild America’s economy.
Turning to Mr. Kessler, the Department of Commerce’s mission is to create an environment for economic growth and opportunity for all communities.
Unfortunately, under President Biden, we saw China rapidly advance in developing advanced technologies that support its military capabilities, distort global markets, and erode competitiveness of U.S. companies.
Mr. Kessler’s experience in trade and national security policy will be critical in strengthening our supply chains and ensuring the U.S. leads in the next generation technologies.
Now, let’s talk about housing. Under President Biden, the dream of homeownership became unaffordable for millions and millions of Americans. The FHFA plays a crucial role in overseeing Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Bank – entities that significantly influence the U.S. housing finance market.
These institutions not only impact mortgage rates and housing affordability, but also provide essential liquidity to the mortgage market, ensuring a stable supply of funds for home loans.
William Pulte is a businessman with a deep understanding of the housing market. His insight and passion for people will serve him well in leading the FHFA’s efforts to address our broken housing system.
And finally, the CFPB was allegedly created to protect American consumers, but under the Biden administration, it overstepped its authority, burdened businesses with excessive politically driven regulation, and drove up costs for consumers.
The CFPB has become a tool for progressive overreach, making it harder for small banks and lenders to serve their communities.
Jonathan McKernan has the expertise needed to rein in the CFPB’s excesses and ensure that the agency works for consumers – not against them.
Today’s hearing is not just about these four nominees – it is about the future of our economy and the direction of our country.
We have an opportunity to undo the failures of the past four years and usher in a golden era of American prosperity.
That begins by confirming these well-qualified individuals who will stand up for the American families, American workers, and for small businesses.
Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) reintroduced the bipartisan Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act. The legislation would allow State Medicaid programs to provide comprehensive and coordinated care to patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) through a health home model.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that disproportionately impacts people of African descent. Among the most notable symptoms of SCD is debilitating pain, but those with SCD also experience complications like stroke, acute chest syndrome, and organ damage. Furthermore, individuals with SCD have a significantly lower life expectancy than the overall population.
While there have been some advancements in the treatment of SCD, many with the disease are not receiving the level of care needed to adequately manage SCD. The Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act directs CMS to establish a SCD Health Home to improve access to comprehensive, high-quality, outpatient care, which will be available to Medicaid beneficiaries with SCD in states that submit a state plan amendment (SPA). Further, this program shows promise in saving money, as it aims to reduce patients’ reliance on costly emergency room care.
“Nearly 100,000 Americans have sickle cell disease—many of whom are left without access to consistent care,”said Senator Scott.“I am glad to work on this bipartisan legislation to help treat this disease that affects thousands of Americans from minority communities. Creating access to high-quality comprehensive care to avoid costly emergency room visits continues to be a top priority of mine for folks facing diseases like SCD.”
“Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in our country, and is a disease that primarily affects those of African ancestry,”said Senator Booker.“Despite the prevalence and the severe health consequences of the disease, Americans battling sickle cell continue to face barriers to accessing the care they need. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to support this bipartisan legislation to increase access to comprehensive, high-quality care and invest in quality treatments for patients fighting SCD.”
Throughout his time in the Senate, Senator Scott has raised awareness for sickle cell disease and advocated for equitable funding, increased attention, and better access to treatments and care for people with SCD. The Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act builds upon this work, including his bipartisan Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act that he introduced with Senator Booker and which passed and was signed into law in 2018.
The legislation is endorsed by: Sickle Cell Disease Partnership; American Society of Hematology; Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc.
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine and U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott, Gerry Connolly, Don Beyer, Jennifer McClellan, Suhas Subramanyam and Eugene Vindman (all D-VA) urged President Trump to halt any proposal that would alter the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) without congressional consultation and approval.
“We write to express our great concern regarding reports that you intend to dissolve the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) bipartisan Board of Governors and move the independent agency under the control of the Department of Commerce. The Postal Service plays a crucial role in keeping our communities, especially in our rural areas, connected to each other and to the wider world. From delivering prescription medications and household goods, to election ballots, paychecks, and critical bills, USPS continues to be an essential part of Americans’ everyday lives. However, press reports indicate you are planning to upend over 50 years of Congressionally-mandated independence at USPS with no clear strategy for continuing essential mail delivery services or achieving financial sustainability,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to President Trump. “We urge you to cease the advancement of any proposal that would alter the USPS without congressional consultation and approval.”
Since Congress passed the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, USPS has operated as an independent agency run by a bipartisan Board of Governors who are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. However, press reports have recently suggested that President Trump intends to sign an executive order to dissolve the Board and move the independent agency under the control of Secretary Howard Lutnick at the Department of Commerce. Last Friday, the president confirmed these reports when he said he was considering a “form of a merger” for the Postal Service. The letter rejects this vague and unconstitutional plan.
Wrote the lawmakers, “Throughout our nation’s history, the Postal Service has been an integral function of the U.S. government, particularly in rural areas. While 63% of post offices in rural areas do not generate enough revenue to cover their costs, Congress continues to ensure changes do not disadvantage rural areas because all Americans deserve the same mail delivery service regardless of where they live. Given your reported interest in privatizing the Postal Service, the universal service obligation that binds the Postal Service to deliver to all Americans could be scrapped for a plan that risks cutting off rural delivery and worsening service for all.”
The letter also references Virginia’s mail delivery issues, raising concerns that the president’s plans could upend recent improvements in mail service.
“Virginians are unfortunately familiar with the impacts of mail delivery falling short in the Commonwealth. In late 2023, USPS chose Richmond, Virginia as the first location to implement sweeping reforms under the ‘Delivering for America’ plan, including opening the Richmond Regional Processing and Distribution Center (RPDC). Shortly after, Virginia’s on-time service performance became the worst in the country. Last year, we met with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on three occasions to push USPS to do everything in its power to improve mail service in Virginia. Throughout the year, we saw steady improvements in USPS’s mail service as we continued to press for increased transparency, greater engagement with the public, and a higher standard of service,” they wrote.
Continued the members, “While some communities in Virginia still experience service performance issues, we were pleased to see a USPS Inspector General report in January 2025 that found USPS had stabilized service at the Richmond RPDC, achieved most of the expected savings for fiscal year 2024, and returned statewide mail service to match nationwide averages. We fear such a significant upheaval of USPS’s governing structure and operations, as has been reported in the press, could reverse the improvement in mail service we have seen across Virginia.”
Lastly, the Virginia lawmakers noted dismantling or privatizing the Postal Service would jeopardize its critical facilitation of the nation’s vote by mail system.
“We are also disturbed by the notion that a USPS merger with the Department of Commerce will insert an intense partisan agenda into the distribution of millions of mail-in ballots as we approach election season. In the 2024 election, USPS processed 99.22 million ballots, with 99.88% of ballots delivered from voters to election officials within seven days and only one day on average to deliver ballots from voters to election officials. With over 2.3 million Virginians voting absentee in the 2024 general election, it is imperative that no changes are made to USPS that would undermine its ability to facilitate free and fair elections,” they wrote.
Concluded the lawmakers, “Any effort to ignore federal law and fire all members of the USPS’s Board of Governors – Republicans and Democrats who have been appointed by presidents and confirmed by the U.S. Senate – and move this independent agency under your control, will be met with fierce opposition. Furthermore, we request that you provide a full accounting of any changes that is being explored to alter USPS service, leadership, and personnel.”
A copy of the letter is available here.
Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
WASHINGTON – In January 2025, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) reintroduced the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, or S.9, to save women’s sports and preserve Title IX protections for female athletes. Over the past four years, the Biden administration took a sledgehammer to Title IX – resulting in more than 900 women losing trophies to men competing in women’s sports. These policies are wildly unpopular as 79% of Americans agree that men should not compete against women.
As a former coach and educator for 40 years, Senator Tuberville has been a champion in the fight to protect women’s sports during his entire time in Congress. Last year, he forced a vote on an amendment that would protect female athletes by keeping men out of women’s sports – all 51 Democrats voted against it. Thankfully, President Trump signed a historic Executive Order earlier in February banning men from competing in women’s sports and protecting Title IX. Unfortunately, Executive Orders can be reversed. Senator Tuberville’s bill would make President Trump’s Executive Order permanent.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed similar legislation on a bipartisan basis in January. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) announced earlier this week that S.9 will get a vote on Monday, March 3. Ahead of the vote, a bipartisan coalition of former and current female athletes, coaches, parents, lawmakers, and advocates are voicing their support for Sen. Tuberville’s legislation.
What They Are Saying:
“Congress established Title IX to ensure that women and girls have equal and fair opportunities based on biological reality, and it has protected their safety for decades. After watching the Biden administration claw away at the integrity of Title IX for four years, I am proud to stand with my colleagues and President Trump in fighting to restore the protections that Title IX was always meant to provide to girls and women in sports,” said Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS).
“Since the start of his administration, President Trump has kept his promise to protect female athletes by preventing biological males from competing in their sports. With the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act vote approaching, it’s up to Congress to safeguard competitive opportunities for female athletes for generations to come. This is the women’s rights issue of our time, and I am proud to join my colleagues in ensuring young girls across America can compete on a level playing field,” said Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY).
“Protecting our daughters’ and granddaughters’ right to safe and fair competition is non-negotiable. We cannot allow biological men to compete in women’s sports and undermine the hard-fought victories of generations of American women and girls. I’m proud to stand up for Title IX alongside Senator Tuberville, President Trump, and my Republican colleagues,” said Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID).
“Men have no place competing in women’s athletics, this shouldn’t be controversial. Title IX was created to ensure fairness and equal opportunities for female athletes, yet the radical left is working to dismantle those protections. The House has already passed my legislation to restore common sense and protect the integrity of women’s sports. Now, the Senate must act. I urge my colleagues to stand with women and pass this critical bill without delay. Thank you to Senator Tuberville for his leadership in this fight,” said Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL-17).
“The American people spoke loud and clear in November that they do not want men in women’s sports or locker rooms. We cannot allow Democrats to erase Title IX, endangering our girls and undermining years of hard work. I applaud Coach Tuberville for his leadership, and I’m glad that the Senate is following through on the mandate given to us,” said Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL-15).
“The American people have made it clear: there is a national mandate to stand up for objective truth and to support women — safeguarding our privacy, safety, and equal opportunities. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Tuberville, advancing critical legislation to protect women’s rights has become a legislative priority. With the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act now being heard on the Senate floor, we’re one step closer to ensuring that women no longer lose trophies, roster spots, playing time, scholarships, or fair competition to men in their own sport. On Monday, the nation will see which members of the US Senate choose to stand for truth and fairness — answering the call of Americans nationwide,” said Riley Gaines, former 12x All-American swimmer at the University of Kentucky.
“I hope SB9 passes with bipartisan support. Eighty percent of Americans agree that men do not belong in women’s sports, and I urge all senators to vote in the best interests of their constituents. Having been forced to compete against and undress alongside a male athlete, I never want another girl to experience the same. This bill would help ensure that,” said Paula Scanlan, former teammate of Lia Thomas at the University of Pennsylvania.
“It’s time for the senate to do the right thing — stand up for women and girls and pass the Protect Women and Girls in Sports Act. This is not a political or partisan issue. It’s about basic biological truth and fairness for women and girls,” said Jennifer Sey, former 7x National Team Member for USA Gymnastics, 1986 Women’s National Gymnastics Champion, CEO XX-XY Athletics.
“Protecting women and girls in sports should not be a partisan issue. It’s about fairness, safety, and common sense. I know firsthand what it’s like to race against a male and be forced to change in a locker room with one. No woman should have to sacrifice her dignity or opportunities in the name of politics. This vote is a chance for leaders on both sides of the aisle to do what’s right, stand up for women, defend the integrity of sports, and uphold the very protections Title IX was meant to guarantee. I urge every senator to put politics aside and vote YES on SB9. Anything less is a betrayal of the women and girls who are counting on them,” said Kaitlynn Wheeler, former women’s swim team member at the University of Kentucky.
“I am urging every Senator to stand with women and vote YES on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act! 80% of Americans agree—no males in girls’ or women’s sports! I’ve been a lacrosse coach for 29 years, inducted into three halls of fame for my contributions to the game. Yet, I was removed from my position as Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Oberlin College. Thanks to Senator Tuberville, the Senate has an opportunity to be heroes and codify the executive order into law! Vote YES—for the young girls already competing in sports, and for those who need your vote to have a chance to play tomorrow!” said Kim Russell, former women’s lacrosse coach at Oberlin College.
“As someone who spent decades as a broadcaster covering women’s sports, I am heartbroken by the misguided attempts to destroy Title IX. I have seen firsthand the doors that can be opened in a young woman’s life through scholarships and sports. This isn’t about excluding anyone, it is about protecting the rights of women and girls to fair, safe competition. You can’t call yourself a feminist and not support preserving Title IX for women and girls everywhere. I was so proud to be at the White House to witness President Trump signing a historic Executive Order protecting women’s sports and preserving Title IX. Unfortunately, Executive Orders can be reversed. Congress needs to act on this. I was glad to see the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act pass the House on a bipartisan basis and urge every Senator to think about their daughters, nieces, and granddaughters and vote yes on this critical legislation,” said Sage Steele, former SportsCenter host.
“The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act is a critical next step to meaningful, lasting Title IX protections for female student athletes. It provides the clarity schools and governing bodies need to affirm the dignity of women and girls. I’m proud to link arms with fellow female athletes to support S.9. Our support of this legislation championed by Senator Tuberville has nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with our lived experiences. We’ve been betrayed by regressive policies compromising the assurances for equal protection on the basis of sex women won over 50 years ago. S.9 will reaffirm our rights and ensure future generations of female athletes will never have to face the injustice of men taking our places in women’s sports again,” said Macy Petty, former volleyball player at Lee University.
“Despite constant roadblocks and years of battling the system, women have fought hard, and continue to fight to be seen as equal in their athletic capabilities. Until the passage of title IX in 1972, there were fewer than 30,000 female collegiate athletes in the US. The number is in 100s of thousands today. But even to this day, females have never had equal opportunity in sports against their male counterparts. And now with males entering female sports, it feels like we have lost decades of advancement. Watching the females on my team suffer this injustice was just too much for me to ignore. Females have worked way too hard and far too long to be sidelined by males who are generally bigger, faster, and stronger. That’s why I support the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act led by Senator Tuberville. We are asking all members of Congress to support this bill and stand together for the protection and fairness of female sports now and into the future,” said Coach Melissa Batie-Smoose, former San Jose State University assistant volleyball coach.
“Senator Tuberville is taking a stand to protect women in sports, and it’s long overdue. As someone who has experienced the harm firsthand, I would never want another young woman to go through what I did at San Jose State or be left traumatized. The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act will ensure that no one has to endure what Riley Gaines or Peyton McNabb experienced. This act safeguards young female athletes from the physical and mental trauma of competing against men in a sport that should be their safe space. I urge every senator to consider: if this were your daughter, how would you feel watching her lose opportunities, face unfair competition, and be put at risk all while knowing you had the power to stop it? Senator Tuberville is doing what any responsible leader should—fighting for our safety. He must be heard and taken seriously,” said Brooke Slusser, former volleyball team captain at San Jose State University.
“Women’s sports and spaces deserve the protection that has been stripped away from so many women including myself in recent years. SB9, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, would restore that protection. It is crucial that senators listen to their constituents instead of continuing to support an agenda that undermines female success. Nearly 80% of Americans believe gender ideology has no place in our locker rooms, on our podiums, or on our rosters. This Senate vote should reflect that statistic. We are on the brink of ending the suffering that women across the country have endured. Thank you, Senator Tuberville, for your leadership and for taking the initiative to truly preserve the rights of women,” said Lily Mullens, Roanoke College swim team captain.
“SB9, The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act is about ensuring female athletes have fair, safe, and equal opportunities. This is more than just about sports—it’s about protecting women’s rights and integrity. On Monday, the Senate can choose to stand up for truth, common sense, and women,” said Payton McNabb, former North Carolina high school volleyball player.
“The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 is of utmost importance because it ensures no female athlete is put in harms way on the court or field, forced into vulnerable spaces like our locker rooms where men are currently allowed, and gives us the power to champion our sports without the unfair biological advantages men have when competing. Female athletes throughout history have worked too hard for us to revert back to letting men invade our sports taking away opportunities, accolades, and ultimately our mark in the history of sports. As a female athlete that has been directly impacted by the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports, I ask you to end this now. Please protect the future generations of female athletes from the mental, emotional, and physical warfare my teammates and I went through. My question to those who vote against this bill is how many more female athletes are going to have to get hurt, forfeit matches, lose out on scholarships, undress in front of men in their locker rooms, and even see full male genitalia involuntarily before you do something? What about your daughters, nieces, and even future grandchildren, is this something you’re okay with happening to them?” said Sia Liilii, University of Nevada Reno volleyball co-captain.
“More than 50 years ago, Congress enacted Title IX to ensure women had fair and equal opportunities in athletics. But radical gender ideology has tried to erase that hard-fought victory by insisting that men can be women. Women have been forced to share their private locker rooms with men and female athletes have lost out on scholarships, roster spots, and titles simply because they are not as strong and fast as their male counterparts. This injustice needs to end. President Trump’s Executive Order is the blueprint for strong stance on this issue, and now we need Congress to permanently codify the obvious and historical intention of Title IX into law to guard against future attacks from radical activists. It is simple: women’s sports must be for women only. We thank Sen. Tuberville for his tireless leadership on this issue!” said Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.
Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
CORE Act would protect over 420,000 acres of Colorado public land
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Joe Neguse reintroduced the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act to protect approximately 420,000 acres of public land in Colorado, establish new wilderness areas, and safeguard existing outdoor recreation opportunities.
“The CORE Act is a model for how legislation should be done,” said Hickenlooper. “Ranchers, hunters, hikers, and local officials all came together to protect our most sacred lands and invest in our outdoor recreation.”
“Colorado’s public lands do more than fuel our economy – they are a cornerstone of our way of life. The CORE Act is the result of years of conversation and compromise to boost our economy and protect our public lands for future generations,” said Bennet. “We have secured major victories for Colorado’s public lands with the establishment of Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument and a 20-year mineral withdrawal in the Thompson Divide. But our work is not done. It’s time to pass the CORE Act into law.”
“The CORE Act came to fruition through an expansive, collaborative effort among state leaders, counties, businesses, recreation groups, outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, and other stakeholders. It represents key initiatives that protect our treasured public spaces and safeguard outdoor recreation opportunities to boost the economy for future generations,”said Neguse. “During my time in Congress, I’ve been proud to usher components of this bill across the finish line, including successfully advocating for the establishment of the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument. But our fight continues. And I am proud to join Senator Bennet once again in introducing the CORE Act, continuing our work to protect these lands for all Coloradans.”
In 2022, Hickenlooper, Bennet, and Neguse led the push to establish the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument and secure a proposed administrative mineral withdrawal for the Thompson Divide – critical provisions of the original CORE Act, first introduced in 2019. In 2024, the Department of the Interior also approved a 20-year mineral withdrawal in the Thompson Divide.
The CORE Act combines four previously introduced Colorado public land bills, which have been in development over the past decade. Of the land protected by the bill, 71,000 acres are designated as new wilderness, and nearly 80,000 acres are designated as new recreation and conservation management areas that preserve existing outdoor uses, such as hiking and mountain biking. The bill also designates the Sandy Treat Overlook and Ten Mile Wilderness in the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument and establishes a permanent mineral withdrawal in areas important to ranchers and sportsmen in the Thompson Divide.
Statements of Support:
“Gunnison County has worked for years on the Curecanti and Thompson Divide elements of the CORE Act. We have fought long and hard for the CORE Act because our constituents believe in these sensible public lands protections that are vital to our economy, our values and the enduring opportunity these lands will provide for future generations,” said Jonathan Houck, Gunnison County Commissioner. “For many years, we have worked with diverse stakeholders to develop sensible landscape scale protective measures that match the values of our communities and our desire to see these productive and pristine landscapes thoughtfully protected. We are thankful to Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and Congressman Neguse for their leadership and persistence on the CORE Act.”
“Delta County recognizes the importance of responsible energy development and environmental stewardship. The provisions in the CORE Act that support coal mine methane capture align with our commitment to balancing economic opportunity with sustainability. We appreciate Senator Bennet’s leadership in reintroducing this legislation and look forward to the benefits it can bring to our community,” said Wendell Koontz, Delta County Commissioner.
“Summit County fully supports the reintroduction of the CORE Act and protection of the wild and rural character of Colorado and its recreation and agricultural industries. The broad coalition of support across Colorado businesses and communities is a testament to the critical need for this legislation. We’re grateful to our Congressional delegation for their tireless work to protect our economic livelihoods and public lands on the Western Slope,” said Eric Mamula, Chair, Board of Summit County Commissioners.
“Colorado’s most valuable assets are its intact ecosystems, thriving watersheds, and rich biodiversity—resources that are truly priceless,” said Galena Gleason, San Miguel County Commissioner. “The CORE Act exemplifies how legislation can safeguard public lands, keeping them accessible to all. By passing the CORE Act, we can ensure the permanent protection of our most vulnerable landscapes, preserving them for future generations to explore and cherish. San Miguel County proudly supports Senator Bennet and Senator Hickenlooper in their efforts to reintroduce this vital legislation. The fate of our most iconic landscapes and fragile habitats depends on the passage of the CORE Act.”
“I am grateful to see the CORE Act will be reintroduced by Senator Bennet, Senator Hickenlooper, and Congressman Neguse,” said Greg Poschman, Pitkin County Commissioner. “The CORE Act is critical for our economy, our ranching community at Thompson Divide and for the benefit of the growing number of Americans who seek outdoor recreation. Our western United States water supply comes from natural mountainous “Water Towers” like these high country lands in the CORE Act. American prosperity and quality of life depends on protecting our water supplies. This is our time to ensure these public lands are protected for future generations of Americans. We need to get the full CORE Act done to provide permanent legislative protection for Thompson Divide.”
“Eagle County continues to fully endorse the CORE Act and urges its adoption by the United States Senate,” said Tom Boyd, Eagle County Commissioner. “This thorough, thoughtful legislation aligns perfectly with our local strategic goal of protecting our mountain ecosystem. It balances the needs of wildlife and watershed protections and other uses of the forest. It is a striking example of a collaborative legislative process involving water providers, conservation and recreational groups, and businesses that rely on recreation. Of particular pride to Eagle County is the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument which was an outgrowth of work on the CORE Act, and this treasured landscape helps to preserve and highlight an incredible piece of history and the legacy of the Tenth Mountain Division right in our backyard. We thank our Congressional representatives for their stewardship of public lands to protect hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in Colorado, ensuring that future generations can always enjoy our state’s mountains, rivers, and wildlife.”
“After all these years, we certainly hope the CORE Act can finally pass Congress and be signed into law,” said Scott Fetchenier, San Juan County Commissioner. “This type of legislation is just what we need to protect our public lands, bolster our recreation based economy, and help prevent climate change.”
“As a rancher who relies on the Thompson Divide for our summer grazing, I am hoping for the passage of the CORE Act. It will bring needed protection to this area which is so critical to my family and fellow ranchers and also for the entire community, who utilizes these amazing lands for hunting and year-round recreation,” said Bill Fales, Cold Mountain Ranch, rancher in the Thompson Divide. “Protection is even more vital today to safeguard the unprecedented levels of use of these USFS lands by the public. Senator Bennet, Senator Hickenlooper and Congressman Neguse have been fantastic in advancing this bill and while we have secured additional administrative protections for the Thompson Divide, we need to continue to work to get permanent legislative protection through the CORE Act.”
“The CORE Act is the best example of grassroots stakeholders working together, building consensus, and protecting private property rights I have ever experienced in a public lands bill. Expanding Sneffels Wilderness to protect one of Colorado’s most sensitive and iconic wild places needs to happen now,” said Lynn Padgett, Ouray County Commissioner.
More details about the CORE Act are available HERE.
Full text of the bill is available HERE.