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House Judiciary Ranking Member Raskin Demands DOJ Probe Into Alleged Pretextual Title VI University Investigations Under Trump
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on Aug. 19, 2026:
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Ranking Member Raskin Demands Answers Following DOJ Whistleblower Reports that Trump Officials Abused Title VI Investigations to Attack Universities, Using Antisemitic Discrimination as a Pretext and a "Ruse"
Whistleblowers Allege Trump Officials Advanced Bogus Civil Rights Investigations with "Predetermined" Outcomes to Coerce Schools into Settlements and Justify Cancellation of Federal Funds, Despite Finding No Evidence of Violations
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Today,
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on Aug. 19, 2026:
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Ranking Member Raskin Demands Answers Following DOJ Whistleblower Reports that Trump Officials Abused Title VI Investigations to Attack Universities, Using Antisemitic Discrimination as a Pretext and a "Ruse"
Whistleblowers Allege Trump Officials Advanced Bogus Civil Rights Investigations with "Predetermined" Outcomes to Coerce Schools into Settlements and Justify Cancellation of Federal Funds, Despite Finding No Evidence of Violations
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Today,Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, launched an investigation into explosive whistleblower allegations that Trump Administration political appointees grossly manipulated federal antisemitism investigations to target certain American universities, punish protected speech and force schools into settlements despite government investigators' finding insufficient evidence to establish any Title VI violations.
The investigation follows a protected disclosure received by the Committee from a veteran Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney and several other federal employees assigned to the Trump Administration's Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which includes representatives from DOJ, Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The whistleblowers describe political appointees overruling career investigators, pursuing investigations with "predetermined" outcomes and findings unsupported by the evidence, targeting professors based on religion and ethnicity without allegations of wrongdoing, and threatening to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to pressure universities into politically driven settlements.
"From the start of the Trump Administration's ferocious attack on universities, it has been apparent that its investigations have been structured deliberately to harass and intimidate rather than protect anyone from discrimination. These credible new disclosures, although limited to the experience of several professionals involved, allows the world to look under the hood and see just how far the Trump Administration strayed from any notion of professional responsibility, public ethics, or legal candor in its attacks on perceived political enemies in academia," wrote Ranking Member Raskin.
The whistleblowers provided detailed allegations concerning investigations of Brown, Columbia and Harvard Universities:
* The Trump Administration cut off funds to Brown and forced the university to settle despite investigating attorneys informing officials there was no Title VI violation. According to investigators, DOJ cut funding from Brown due to antisemitism "violations" before any investigation could begin in earnest, let alone be completed. Even when the investigation was completed, investigators found there was no civil rights violation. Brown had quickly and forcefully addressed any reports of antisemitism on campus, and "one Jewish witness even stated that the campus was a great place to be Jewish." A Trump official further admitted that there was "not a Title VI violation" at Brown but that "there's no way we're going to get a letter of no violation cleared," indicating that the government was merely using antisemitism as a pretext to claw back funds and punish universities deemed politically incorrect by the Administration.
* Trump officials disregarded significant factual and constitutional concerns raised by DOJ investigators. At Columbia, investigators identified false statements and protected First Amendment activity improperly cited as evidence of Title VI violations. At Harvard, an attorney warned that proposed settlement demands were unrelated to remedying antisemitism and likely violated the First Amendment.
* Trump officials acted in bad faith, drafting a settlement agreement for the first school to capitulate to its coercive demands. Investigators were informed by Trump Administration officials about an initial plan for Harvard to be made the first example of its campaign to subdue academic institutions, but when negotiations broke down, Trump officials opted to instead try to make Columbia the example. These statements indicated that the goal of these investigations was not to protect students by investigating antisemitic discrimination or uncover Title VI violations, but to punish schools disfavored by the Administration and secure their preemptive and costly compliance with the Trump Administration's coercive demands.
* Trump officials targeted Muslim professors without evidence of wrongdoing.Investigators were instructed to interview Middle East Studies professors, particularly Muslim faculty. At Brown, one Muslim professor was singled out despite no allegation of antisemitic conduct, with an official explaining that the interview was not to "get information," but to see "what he will say."
The disclosure further alleges that senior officials intended to use federal funding as leverage against universities regardless of investigative findings. HHS Acting General Counsel Sean Keveney sought to force schools to "disgorge money received by HHS," while HHS official Daniel Shieh stated that "the goal is compliance, but pulling money is the tool."
Ranking Member Raskin is seeking to determine the extent of misconduct of other DOJ officials, including Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, noting:
"The full extent of your misconduct remains unclear. At the very least, you have shown gross negligence in supervising the activities of your office. It is also a distinct possibility that you deliberately orchestrated a scheme to attack universities, their faculties, and their administrators for political purposes while defrauding the American people and the courts."
Ranking Member Raskin is demanding that Assistant Attorney General Dhillon appear before the Judiciary Committee for a transcribed interview and provide records concerning the Administration's investigations and settlements involving Harvard, Brown, Cornell and Columbia Universities. The Committee is also seeking communications involving senior officials overseeing the investigations; records concerning efforts to single out Muslim professors; and communications with the White House and other agencies concerning the cancellation of university grants, contracts and federal funding.
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INFODOC: https://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-judiciary.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2026-08-18-raskin-to-dhillon-doj-re-title-vi-investigation.pdf
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Original text here: https://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ranking-member-raskin-demands-answers-following-doj-whistleblower-reports-that-trump-officials-abused-title-vi-investigations-to-attack-universities-using-antisemitic-discrimination-as-a-pretext-and-a-ruse
Heinrich, Wyden Demand Accountability From DOI Following Report That Agency Officials Destroyed Official Records
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release on Aug. 19, 2026:
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Heinrich, Wyden Demand Accountability From DOI Following Report that Agency Officials Destroyed Official Records
Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sent a letter to the Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum demanding answers on whether DOI complies with federal records retention
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release on Aug. 19, 2026:
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Heinrich, Wyden Demand Accountability From DOI Following Report that Agency Officials Destroyed Official Records
Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sent a letter to the Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum demanding answers on whether DOI complies with federal records retentionrequirements, calling for accountability and transparency regarding the agency's records preservation processes.
The letter follows reporting that DOI officials have destroyed official documents and used encrypted mobile applications with disappearing message configurations to avoid preserving records. These actions would violate the Federal Records Act, which requires the head of each federal agency to properly preserve all records documenting the organization, policies, and functions of the agency.
"We write to request information regarding the Department of the Interior's compliance with federal records retention requirements. We are deeply concerned by recent reports that officials at the Department have reportedly engaged in actions in violation of the Federal Records Act,"the Senators began.
"It is imperative that all employees at the Department - regardless of title or position - understand and comply with federal records retention requirements. Government must be transparent and accountable to the American people," the Senators continued.
The Senators concluded the letter by demanding Burgum provide clarity on DOI's record retention policies and procedures, how these procedures relate to encrypted mobile devices and mobile applications on government devices, and whether he has ever directed, ordered, or been aware of any DOI official destroying or concealing federal records.
Read the full text of the letter here (https://www.energy.senate.gov/services/files/5EFAE6F8-7110-453A-938A-D282D8192011) and below.
Secretary Burgum:
We write to request information regarding the Department of the Interior's compliance with federal records retention requirements. We are deeply concerned by recent reports that officials at the Department have reportedly engaged in actions in violation of the Federal Records Act.
According to a recent report in Politico, officials at the Department have reportedly destroyed official documents and used encrypted mobile applications equipped with disappearing message configurations to avoid preserving records. One employee quoted in the article stated, "[t]hey're [Department officials] terrified of written records."
Under the Federal Records Act, the head of each federal agency is required to "make and preserve records containing adequate and proper documentation of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, and essential transactions of the agency...." The Federal Records Act broadly defines "record" and includes "all recorded information, regardless of form or characteristics, made or received by a Federal agency under Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation by that agency." Any employee that conceals or destroys a federal record may be subject to fine or imprisonment.
It is imperative that all employees at the Department - regardless of title or position - understand and comply with federal records retention requirements. Government must be transparent and accountable to the American people. We therefore request that you clearly communicate to all employees their legal obligation to comply with the Federal Records Act. Additionally, in light of the serious nature of this matter, we request you provide responses to the following questions by September 2, 2026:
1. Please describe the Department's record retention policies and procedures. Since the start of this Administration, please provide all guidance the Department has shared with employees regarding their obligation to comply with federal records retention requirements.
2. Please describe the Department's policies and procedures related to encrypted mobile applications, including whether the Department permits the use of such applications on government devices. Since the start of this Administration, please provide all guidance the Department has shared with employees regarding their obligation to comply with federal records retention requirements when using encrypted mobile applications.
3. Please provide responses to the following questions:
a. Have you directed or ordered any Department employee to destroy or conceal a federal record?
b. Are you aware of any Department official destroying or concealing a federal record?
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
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Original text here: https://www.energy.senate.gov/2026/8/heinrich-wyden-demand-accountability-from-doi-following-report-that-agency-officials-destroyed-official-records
Gallego, Colleagues Set to Introduce Legislation Following Approval of Trump Crypto Company Bank Application
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, issued the following news release:
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Gallego, Colleagues Set to Introduce Legislation Following Approval of Trump Crypto Company Bank Application
U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and eight senators will introduce the Ending Presidential Corruption in Banking Act following the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's (OCC) approval of the Trump crypto company bank charter. The bill would ensure that no President, Vice President, their
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, issued the following news release:
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Gallego, Colleagues Set to Introduce Legislation Following Approval of Trump Crypto Company Bank Application
U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and eight senators will introduce the Ending Presidential Corruption in Banking Act following the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's (OCC) approval of the Trump crypto company bank charter. The bill would ensure that no President, Vice President, theirimmediate families, or other senior government officials can exploit their positions to own or control a bank, which could serve as a major vehicle for corrupt dealings.
On January 5, 2026, the Trump Family crypto company World Liberty Financial (WLF) applied to the OCC for a national bank charter. President Trump, through EO 14215, had previously asserted control of the OCC.
Along with Gallego and Warren, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) signed the bill.
"Trump has proven time and time again his desire to enrich himself while serving as President of the United States. At a time when costs continue to rise and families must make tough financial decisions, this president looks out for himself, not working Americans. This bill makes clear no public officials, including the president, nor their families, should be able to enrich themselves by owning and controlling banks," said Senator Gallego.
"President Trump is now the first President in history to approve, operate, and supervise his own bank," said Senator Warren. "This is the most brazen act of self-dealing our financial system has ever seen -- and Congress cannot allow it to stand. The Ending Presidential Corruption in Banking Act will close the door on this kind of unprecedented corruption."
The Ending Presidential Corruption in Banking Act would:
* Prohibit the Federal Reserve Board, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from approving a range of banking applications, including charters, deposit insurance, and master accounts if the applicant is owned or controlled by the President, Vice President, a spouse or child of the President or Vice President, a Member of Congress, a presidentially appointed executive branch official, or a special government employee.
* Require the agencies, no later than 60 days after enactment, to review all banking applications granted after January 20, 2025, and terminate those that were approved while a covered person owned or controlled the applicant.
* Prohibit the President, Vice President, and a child or spouse of the President or Vice President from owning or controlling a bank.
In February, Senator Gallego grilled Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould on how the OCC vets bank charter applicants, including Trump family venture World Liberty Financial.
Click here (https://us.list-manage.com/15qagN_cJby?e=db8bdd2d43&c2id=794ac04d8d4a93ed22886c823543b9b3) to read the full bill.
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Original text here: https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallego-colleagues-set-to-introduce-legislation-following-approval-of-trump-crypto-company-bank-application/
Comer Confronts Former Biden HHS Secretary Over Concealing Dr. Fauci's Diary and Phone From Congress
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following news release on Aug. 19, 2026:
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Comer Confronts Former Biden HHS Secretary Over Concealing Dr. Fauci's Diary and Phone from Congress
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) today is pressing former Biden Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra on why he withheld Dr. Anthony Fauci's diary and phone from the Committee's Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic last Congress,
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following news release on Aug. 19, 2026:
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Comer Confronts Former Biden HHS Secretary Over Concealing Dr. Fauci's Diary and Phone from Congress
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) today is pressing former Biden Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra on why he withheld Dr. Anthony Fauci's diary and phone from the Committee's Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic last Congress,despite the Committee's requests for records that would have required their production.
"The COVID-19 pandemic and decisions made by Dr. Fauci caused the American people irreparable harm. The House Oversight Committee's Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic investigated the origins of COVID-19, prolonged school closures, and U.S. funding of risky research at the Wuhan lab to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable. Yet the Biden Administration repeatedly concealed information and stonewalled our investigation. It is unacceptable that former HHS Secretary Becerra withheld Dr. Fauci's phone and diary from the Committee last Congress, despite those records being clearly responsive to our request. We are demanding answers and accountability from former Secretary Becerra," said Chairman Comer.
In November 2023, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic requested all documents and communications from Dr. Fauci that included such search terms as "COVID-19," "gain-of-function," and "Wuhan." These terms, among others outlined in the document request, appear throughout Dr. Fauci's diary, which was composed on government-issued computers between 2019 and 2022. Despite the existence of this relevant and responsive information, former Secretary Becerra failed to include any portion of Dr. Fauci's diary in his response, let alone even acknowledge its existence.
Chairman Comer is calling on former Secretary Becerra to answer questions within two weeks about HHS's failure to produce Dr. Fauci's phone and diary to the Committee.
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INFODOC: https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/08.19.2026_OGR-Becerra-Letter.pdf
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Original text here: https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-confronts-former-biden-hhs-secretary-over-concealing-dr-faucis-diary-and-phone-from-congress/
CBO Issues Cost Estimate for Chiricahua National Park Act
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the Chiricahua National Park Act (S. 3715).
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S. 3715 would redesignate the Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona as the Chiricahua National Park. That designation would not change the ownership or management of the area. The bill also would direct the Department of the Interior to protect traditional cultural and religious sites within the park, to temporarily close specific areas of the park to protect traditional tribal activities, and to consult with Indian tribes in accordance with applicable
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the Chiricahua National Park Act (S. 3715).
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S. 3715 would redesignate the Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona as the Chiricahua National Park. That designation would not change the ownership or management of the area. The bill also would direct the Department of the Interior to protect traditional cultural and religious sites within the park, to temporarily close specific areas of the park to protect traditional tribal activities, and to consult with Indian tribes in accordance with applicablelaws.
Using information about the costs of similar requirements, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2026 2031 period. Any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
On February 23, 2026, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 6380, the Chiricahua National Park Act, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on February 11, 2026. On August 6, 2026, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 6380, the Chiricahua National Park Act, as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 29, 2026. The three pieces of legislation are similar, and CBO's estimates of their budgetary effects are the same.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is David Rafferty. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel Director, Congressional Budget Office
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Original text here: https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2026-08/s3715.pdf
CBO Estimates Renaming Virgin Islands Bandstand Would Cost Under $500,000
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for a bill (H.R. 8121) to designate the Christiansted Bandstand at the Christiansted National Historic Site, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, as the "Peter G. Thurland Sr., Bandstand":
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H.R. 8121 would designate the Christiansted Bandstand at the Christiansted National Historic Site, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, as the "Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand." The bill also would require federal agencies to update documents and maps to reflect the name change.
Based on the costs of similar activities, CBO estimates
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for a bill (H.R. 8121) to designate the Christiansted Bandstand at the Christiansted National Historic Site, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, as the "Peter G. Thurland Sr., Bandstand":
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H.R. 8121 would designate the Christiansted Bandstand at the Christiansted National Historic Site, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, as the "Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand." The bill also would require federal agencies to update documents and maps to reflect the name change.
Based on the costs of similar activities, CBO estimatesthat updating federal documents and maps would cost less than $500,000 over the 2026-2031 period. Any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is David Rafferty. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel Director, Congressional Budget Office
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Original text here: https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2026-08/hr8121.pdf
Husted, Senior Pentagon Official Visit GE Aerospace
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, issued the following news release:
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Husted, senior Pentagon official visit GE Aerospace
"Ohioans at GE Aerospace are doing cutting-edge work right here at home that is essential to the defense and security of our country."
CINCINNATI - Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joined Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey and GE Aerospace leadership at the company's Cincinnati headquarters to highlight GE Aerospace's work developing the next generation of engines for critical U.S. defense systems.
"Ohioans at GE Aerospace are
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, issued the following news release:
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Husted, senior Pentagon official visit GE Aerospace
"Ohioans at GE Aerospace are doing cutting-edge work right here at home that is essential to the defense and security of our country."
CINCINNATI - Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joined Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey and GE Aerospace leadership at the company's Cincinnati headquarters to highlight GE Aerospace's work developing the next generation of engines for critical U.S. defense systems.
"Ohioans at GE Aerospace aredoing cutting-edge work right here at home that is essential to the defense and security of our country. I'm grateful Under Secretary Duffey and I could see firsthand how GE Aerospace's engines--developed and tested by Ohio engineers--will be integrated into platforms like the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile. You can't do Made-in-America without Ohio and I'm proud of these Ohio-based professionals' hard work develop the next generation of engines that will power mission critical platforms. This contract is a significant achievement for GE Aerospace and our nation's military," said Husted.
GE Aerospace and Kratos' GEK800 engine, which received the U.S. military engine type designation F143, has been awarded an Engineering, Manufacturing and Development contract with the U.S. Air Force to be a second source propulsion system on the JASSM cruise missile, a munition that's been mission critical for our military.
The designation and contract mark significant achievements for the engine program, which is designed to provide small, low-cost, high-performance engines for use in cruise missiles and uncrewed aircraft.
Husted has supported Ohio's defense manufacturing industry through legislation, including the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which strengthens America's military and supports Ohio's critical role in the nation's defense industrial base.
Husted also supported the Working Families Tax Cuts Act in July, which includes pro-growth policies that support investment in manufacturing states like Ohio:
* Full and immediate expensing for investments in machinery, equipment, technology and software through bonus depreciation
* Doubles small business expensing limits for new investments in machinery, equipment, technology and software
* Permanent and immediate expensing for research and development costs
* Full expensing for investments in new factories
* Permanently expands the interest write-off available to businesses and manufacturers
* Cuts taxes on tips and overtime, saving tipped and overtime workers up to $1,750 per year
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Original text here: https://www.husted.senate.gov/media/press-releases/husted-senior-pentagon-official-visit-ge-aerospace/
Huffman, Bennet, Colleagues Fight Against Rescission of Key Energy Leasing and Public Lands Protections
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Rep. Jared Huffman, D-California, ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release:
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Huffman, Bennet, Colleagues Fight Against Rescission of Key Energy Leasing and Public Lands Protections
U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet led 39 colleagues to oppose the recent rescission of two key Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oil and gas rules on leasing and waste prevention. Their rollback will harm public lands, reduce community input, increase pollution, and raise taxpayer costs.
In
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Rep. Jared Huffman, D-California, ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release:
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Huffman, Bennet, Colleagues Fight Against Rescission of Key Energy Leasing and Public Lands Protections
U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet led 39 colleagues to oppose the recent rescission of two key Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oil and gas rules on leasing and waste prevention. Their rollback will harm public lands, reduce community input, increase pollution, and raise taxpayer costs.
Inthe first letter, the lawmakers denounce the BLM's proposal to rescind the 2024 Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process rule (the 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule).
The 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule ensured that the concerns of states, Tribes, and local communities were included in decision-making and was a long-overdue correction to decades of BLM policies that favored oil and gas development over other uses and led to tens of thousands of dangerous abandoned wells that became the financial responsibility of taxpayers instead of the oil and gas companies. This rule had immense public support and established a balanced framework that saved taxpayer money, ensured multi-use management of public lands, and protected cultural resources and rural communities that depend on public lands. In this letter, the lawmakers ask that the administration specifically reconsider oil and gas bonding requirements; public participation, Tribal consultation, and landowner involvement; and leasing preference criteria.
"[...] BLM's newly proposed rule threatens to dismantle this common-sense progress. We are deeply concerned that the proposed changes shift cleanup liabilities back to the public, restrict community and private landowner participation, and distort the balance required to manage America's public lands responsibly," wrote the lawmakers.
In addition to Huffman and Bennet, Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), as well as Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IlI.)i, Susie Lee (D-Nev.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), and Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) signed this letter.
In the second letter, the lawmakers outline their strong opposition to BLM's proposal to overturn the 2024 Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation rule (the 2024 Waste Prevention Rule). The BLM's reversal of this commonsense rule will increase pollution on public lands, reduce domestic energy supply, expose nearby communities to avoidable health risks, and waste publicly owned natural gas, costing Americans tens of millions in foregone revenue.
"We strongly urge BLM to reject this proposed rescission and maintain the 2024 Waste Prevention rule. The oil and gas resources on these lands belong to the American public and Tribal nations, and they deserve to benefit from the full value and benefits of responsible resource stewardship," wrote the lawmakers.
In addition to Huffman and Bennet, Senators Lujan, Angus King (I-Maine), Whitehouse, Hickenlooper, Wyden, Heinrich, Markey, Booker, and Merkley as well as Representatives Ansari, Bonamici, Brownley, Carbajal, Sean Casten (D-IlI.), Cohen, Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), DeGette, Dexter, Dingell, Grijalva, Hoyle, Jacobs, Krishnamoorthi, Magaziner, McCollum, Min, Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Neguse, Pallone, Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Randall, Scanlon, Simon, and Vargas signed the letter.
The text of the letter opposing the rescission of the 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule is available HERE (https://democrats-naturalresources.house.gov/download/2026-08-19-letter-to-blm-re-onshore-leasing-rule-rollback). The text of the letter opposing the rescission of the 2024 Waste Prevention Rule is available HERE (https://democrats-naturalresources.house.gov/download/2026-08-19-letter-to-blm-re-waste-prevention-rule-rollback).
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Original text here: https://democrats-naturalresources.house.gov/media/press-releases/huffman-bennet-colleagues-fight-against-rescission-of-key-energy-leasing-and-public-lands-protections
