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Heinrich Demands Transparency on Hundreds of Millions in Taxpayer Dollars Spent Paying Employees Not to Work
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release:
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September 18, 2026
Heinrich Demands Transparency on Hundreds of Millions in Taxpayer Dollars Spent Paying Employees Not to Work
Recent reporting from POLITICO states that the Interior spent more than $150 million on administrative leave for employees in 2025
WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter to the Department of
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release:
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September 18, 2026
Heinrich Demands Transparency on Hundreds of Millions in Taxpayer Dollars Spent Paying Employees Not to Work
Recent reporting from POLITICO states that the Interior spent more than $150 million on administrative leave for employees in 2025
WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter to the Department ofthe Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum demanding more information on why the Interior spent more than $150 million in paid administrative leave last year, according to recent reporting.
"I write to request detailed information regarding the Department of the Interior's (Department or DOI) misguided reductions in workforce under the deferred resignation program (DRP). It is clear from recent reporting that the Department's downsizing was executed poorly and costly to taxpayers, to say nothing of its impact to the Department's mission," Heinrich began.
In his letter, Heinrich demanded clarity on the Interior's use of its deferred resignation program, and the total amount the Interior spent on employees placed on paid administrative leave due to the deferred resignation program since the start of the administration.
"More than one year has passed since the Trump administration introduced the DRP, but Congress and the American people still do not know the full extent of its impact," Heinrich continued.
Heinrich specifically requested that the Interior disclose the number of employees placed on paid administrative leave since the start of the Trump administration, the total amount spent on employees placed on paid administrative leave due to the program, and a breakdown on the employees who were offered and accepted the program's benefits and early retirement.
Read the full text of the letter here and below.
Secretary Burgum:
I write to request detailed information regarding the Department of the Interior's (Department or DOI) misguided reductions in workforce under the deferred resignation program (DRP). It is clear from recent reporting that the Department's downsizing was executed poorly and costly to taxpayers, to say nothing of its impact to the Department's mission.
According to a recent report, the Department paid employees more than $150 million in paid administrative leave to stay at home from the start of the administration through December 31, 2025. Of the 1,764 employees put on administrative leave, more than two-thirds - 1,468 - participated in the DRP and mostly worked in locations outside of the Beltway--from New Mexico to Ohio to North Carolina. Additionally, it appears the Department continues to utilize the DRP. In April 2026, the Department announced a new round of DRPs and voluntary early retirement offers to employees.
More than one year has passed since the Trump administration introduced the DRP , but Congress and the American people still do not know the full extent of its impact. To understand the Department's use of the DRP and the total cost shouldered by taxpayers as a result, I request the following data and information by October 1, 2026:
1. The number of employees placed on paid administrative leave since the start of the administration. In responding to this question, please provide the office, agency, or bureau the employee works or worked in; reason for placing the person on administrative leave (e.g., DRP); their grade or level; position title; salary or pay rate; duty station; and the number of days of leave.
2. The total amount the Department spent (salaries and benefits) on employees placed on paid administrative leave due to the deferred resignation program, since the start of the administration.
3. Provide the following information related to the Department's April 2026 announcement of DRPs and voluntary early retirement offers:
4. A detailed breakdown of employees offered the deferred resignation program and early retirement. Please provide the following as part of your response: which office, agency, or bureau the employee works in; their grade or level; position title; salary or pay rate; and duty station.
5. The number of employees that have accepted the deferred resignation program and early retirement and are now or have been previously on paid administrative leave. Please provide the following as part of your response: which office, agency, or bureau the employee works in; their grade or level; position title; salary or pay rate; and duty station.
Thank you for your attention to this request. Should you have any questions, please contact my staff at (202) 224-4971.
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Original text here: https://www.energy.senate.gov/press/dem/heinrich-demands-transparency-on-hundreds-of-millions-in-taxpayer-dollars-spent-paying-employees-not-to-work/
Gottheimer Announces New Bipartisan Legislation on AI Safety to Protect Jersey Families, National Security
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release:
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Gottheimer Announces New Bipartisan Legislation on AI Safety to Protect Jersey Families, National Security
Gottheimer Introduces the American AI Security Act and China FIREWALL Act; Presses the White House on its AI Cybersecurity Plan
Sep 18, 2026
TEANECK, NJ -- Today, Friday, September 18, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House AI Commission and a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, announced a new bipartisan agenda to put real guardrails on AI
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release:
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Gottheimer Announces New Bipartisan Legislation on AI Safety to Protect Jersey Families, National Security
Gottheimer Introduces the American AI Security Act and China FIREWALL Act; Presses the White House on its AI Cybersecurity Plan
Sep 18, 2026
TEANECK, NJ -- Today, Friday, September 18, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House AI Commission and a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, announced a new bipartisan agenda to put real guardrails on AIdevelopment to ensure the U.S. can win the global AI race in the right way.
"Right now, there are no mandatory requirements for pre-deployment testing of frontier AI models," said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). "That doesn't work in banking, it doesn't work in food safety, it doesn't work in medicine, and it sure as hell shouldn't work with the technology that experts say could help build a bioweapon or take down our power grid. This isn't about stopping AI or stifling innovation, it is about making sure -- with warning signs flashing red -- that we can safely deploy AI, and win the race the right way.
"Artificial intelligence is one of the most consequential technologies of our time, and we have a responsibility to make sure it strengthens our national security rather than becoming a tool for those who seek to harm Americans. The American AI Security Act takes a commonsense approach: before the most powerful AI models are deployed, we should know whether they could be used to launch devastating cyberattacks or facilitate the development of chemical, biological, or radiological weapons," said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).
Gottheimer's AI safety agenda includes two new bipartisan pieces of federal legislation and an inquiry into the Administration's new cybersecurity plan, including:
* The American AI Security Act, co-led by Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), establishes a mandatory, pre-deployment national security review for the most powerful AI models. Before releasing a covered model, developers would be required to give the National Security Agency full access to evaluate whether it could be used to launch a serious cyberattack or help build a chemical, biological, or radiological weapon. The review operates on a firm clock -- 30 days, with a single 30-day extension if needed -- so it functions as a serious national security check rather than either a rubber stamp or endless bureaucracy. Companies would be able to provide technical support for the reviews, and appeal decisions through an expedited process modeled on the courts already used for national security cases.
* The China FIREWALL Act, co-led by Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-1), keeps Chinese-developed AI off of U.S. government systems. The bill would ban all Chinese-developed open-weight AI models from government-issued devices and prohibit federal agencies from procuring software that relies on those models. The legislation builds on Gottheimer's No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act, which became law as part of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act and blocked the Chinese AI model DeepSeek from federal devices. The China FIREWALL Act closes the loophole that still allows other Chinese open-weight models to be used at federal agencies.
* And finally, Gottheimer announced he is sending a letter to Sean Cairncross, the President's Cyber Director, about the Administration's new AI cybersecurity clearinghouse and how it can help the government respond to growing fears of autonomous cyberattacks.
The announcement was made at Fairleigh Dickinson University, which is launching a new state-of-the-art Health Humanics Innovation Hub, that's designed to train the next generation of healthcare workers to use AI tools without losing the human being in front of them.
Gottheimer was joined by New Jersey State Senator Gordon Johnson, Teaneck Mayor Mark Schwartz, FDU Senior VP of Government Affairs, Robert Pignatello, Engineer Lab Director, Reggie Joseph, and students from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Gottheimer's remarks as prepared for delivery.
Thank you all for having me here today, and thank you to Fairleigh Dickinson University for opening up your campus for a discussion on this critical topic.
Now, I've been to a lot of events at a lot of great institutions across the Fifth District, but I want to take a second to recognize FDU, because this school has a story worth telling.
It started in 1942, right down the road in Rutherford, as a little two-year junior college founded by Peter and Sally Sammartino. Today, it's the largest private university in the entire state of New Jersey, with 12,000 students, more than 100 degree programs, and students coming here from all over the world. It's a great American story of true leadership.
Speaking of leadership, President Avaltroni and his team have built something they call "Humanics." The idea is simple: as AI gets built into everything, especially health care, you don't throw out empathy, ethics, and equity.
You build them in from day one. They're standing up a Health Humanics Innovation Hub right here on the Metropolitan Campus, which Senator Johnson helped secure funding for, that brings together a healthcare humanity lab, a storytelling data lab, and partnerships with Epic Systems to make sure the doctors and nurses of tomorrow know how to use these tools without losing sight of the human being in front of them. That's exactly the mindset we need to bring to the AI policy debate right now - as the AI race accelerates, we have to remember that the benefits of innovation are boundless in the new opportunities they offer, but can be equally boundless in the new threats they pose.
AI can change the world. It can make our businesses more productive, help Americans develop new skills, strengthen our national security, and keep the United States at the forefront of technological innovation, especially in the competition with China. It can make incredible discoveries in medicine; it can personalize education, make government more efficient and accessible, and help workers focus more on key decisions.
But, as we learned in the last weeks with Hugging Face, and yesterday, with more disclosures from OpenAI of rogue agents with basically a mind of their own, the downsides of this transformative technology, if not controlled, are real.
In these cases, agents deceived their developers, coordinated amongst themselves, and escaped from what were supposed to be secure sandboxes. If this technology gets into the wrong hands, you can imagine the potential for destruction - cybersecurity, biosecurity, our national security. Used maliciously, the government of China or Iran or a non-state actor could wreak havoc on the world. Two weeks ago, an engineer from Anthropic quit his job, declaring that this technology "could kill us all by the end of the decade." As Bill Gates recently put it, "AI models could begin to act against our interests, and we could lose control."
As I just mentioned, last month, a swarm of AI agents broke out of a locked-down sandbox test, found a security hole nobody even knew existed, and used it to hack straight into Hugging Face -- one of the biggest and most important AI platforms on the planet. Hundreds of AI agents were coordinating with each other on a hidden message board, running for days all on their own, and they even lied to their programmers about what they did. That incident was one of the most alarming AI-driven cybersecurity failures on record -- and it was conducted without any human oversight. That might sound like a movie plot or an unreleased Terminator sequel, but unfortunately it's not.
And that's not the only warning sign. Two weeks ago, a researcher who worked at both OpenAI and Anthropic made headlines when he quit his job at Anthropic and posted publicly that the industry is racing toward superintelligence and, in his words, gambling with our lives. That single post got 150 million views in just a day and a half. That should tell you something about how many Americans are scared of AI's risks, and how few of them think anyone in Washington has their back. And in response, several of the leading AI CEOs acknowledged the technology's dangers.
The runaway agents are just one of many new challenges AI poses -- there are issues related to energy, water, and data centers; deepfakes, disinformation, and discrimination; chip policy and the need to protect our children; effects on the workforce. The list goes on.
And, when you're in a race like this one, there is a great deal of pressure to go faster, both between our leading frontier labs -- including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and Meta -- and between nations, particularly our competition with the Chinese Communist Party.
Ultimately, like in the Cold War, it will decide who has the military and economic might, which countries ally with others, and who will lead the world in areas like science, health care, and the humanities. While I believe deeply that we can't afford to lose this race, we must win in the right way, or we like during the nuclear arms race, ultimately, we will all lose. I don't mean to sound dark, but, as a member of the Intelligence Committee and Co-Chair of the House AI Commission, I have seen the briefings.
This is not a hypothetical threat. I've concluded that we are at a critical crossroads ... on the precipice of changes that none of us can even imagine ... and either we are going to get it right, or the ramifications will be unimaginable. This is happening now, and Congress needs to act like it.
This morning, I want to focus on one area of that race that is central to how we protect our children, our families, and our national security -- and that is how we test the latest AI frontier models before they are let out into the wild ... before the public is able to utilize them.
Right now, there are no mandatory requirements for pre-deployment testing. We are solely reliant on the Trump Administration's voluntary cybersecurity review process based on a June 2026 Executive Order. It's caused mass confusion in the AI world - nobody really knows who's covered, what the rules actually are, or what happens if you don't play along. It seems nuts to me that we wouldn't want to require testing from the best and brightest in our government before these models are released -- to protect our cybersecurity, biosecurity, critical infrastructure -- our families and our national security.
But, that's where we are here. And why? Because there are many who believe that the AI labs can handle it themselves - or, as some of the founders suggested this past week, that they rely on third-party testers or auditors to handle it. My problem with that is multi-fold: one, there are very few of these outside testers; they have limited people, compute, and access to the labs; they lack national security clearances; they don't have broad enough expertise on the threats posed, and they rely, in part, on the labs themselves for funding. In short, it's like having the fox guard the hen house.
It doesn't work in banking, it doesn't work in food safety, it doesn't work in medicine, and it sure as hell shouldn't work with technology that experts say could help build a bioweapon or take down our power grid. The answer isn't, like some have suggested, to just shut it all down. That's not tenable. Like it or not, AI is here. We can't just cede the race to China. If we panic or stop AI development, we won't actually stop AI -- that's not a safeguard. China is not slowing down for anybody. We will just hand the future to Beijing. It will put us right in the bullseye of our adversary. We will just get someone else's AI.
That brings me to what we're actually doing about it.
First, I'm announcing the American AI Security Act -- new bipartisan federal legislation that I'm introducing with Congressman Mike Lawler of New York. This bill ensures that before any company releases one of the most powerful AI models in the world, they have to give the government full access to evaluate it first -- to check whether that model could be used to launch a serious cyberattack, attack our critical infrastructure, or help build a chemical, biological, or radiological weapon.
It's a real, time-bounded review that other frontier developers can help coordinate. Not endless bureaucracy, but also not a rubber stamp. A serious national security check, with a deadline, with industry input, and a proper appeals process modeled on the courts we already use for national security cases. This isn't about stopping AI or stifling innovation; it is about making sure -- with warning signs flashing red -- that we can safely deploy AI, and win the race the right way.
Second, I'm announcing the China FIREWALL Act to stop Chinese AI on all government systems.
Right now, DeepSeek is blocked on most federal devices -- because I fought to put that block in place, through my No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act. It became law through last year's defense spending bill. But, here's the problem: other Chinese open-weight models, like Moonshot's Kimi K3 and Alibaba's Qwen, are still walking right through the front door of our federal agencies, and they can still buy software with these models baked in without anyone even knowing it.
So, alongside Congressman Nick LaLota of New York, I'm introducing this new bipartisan legislation to close that loophole for good -- banning Chinese-developed open-weight models from government devices, and blocking agencies from procuring software that relies on them. If we can't trust Beijing with our data, we shouldn't allow our government to use their AI systems.
Third, I'm sending a letter to the President's Cyber Director about the Administration's new AI cybersecurity clearinghouse. Look, the idea behind it is the right one. But right now, it's only built to catch known vulnerabilities. That is, the stuff we already know to look for.
It does nothing about what happens when you've got swarms of AI agents operating at machine speed, coordinating attacks faster than any human can respond. My letter asks the hard question: is this clearinghouse actually built for the threat we're facing in 2026, or the threat we were facing two years ago? And it raises whether the AI supply chain itself should be treated as critical infrastructure, the same way we treat our power grid and our water systems. If AI breaks, everything built on top of it breaks with it.
This Congress alone, I've led more than a dozen bipartisan bills that put up immediate guardrails to keep pace with the rapid rise of AI.
There is nothing partisan about protecting our country. That's why I've repeatedly teamed up with Republican and Democratic colleagues alike - and why I'm co-chairing the new AI Problem Solvers Task Force. My bills tackle critical issues from rogue AI agents and cybersecurity to commonsense consumer and child protections to AI digital literacy. These bills would both protect our families and national security, and ensure we can seize upon the opportunities ahead of us.
Unfortunately, Republican leadership has refused to directly bring any of these critical pieces of legislation to the floor for a vote. And they sent us home from Washington without acting. I think that's a huge mistake -- and, right now, every week matters for America's safety. I strongly urge the Speaker to bring us back before the election to pass AI safety legislation like the bills I'm proposing today.
Finally, let me ask this question: How did another generation handle a technology terrifying enough to end the world, without either burying their heads in the sand or torching the relationship with their biggest rival? Go back to the Cold War.
The United States and the Soviet Union were racing each other on nuclear weapons -- real enemies, real stakes, real distrust. And yet, at the height of that rivalry, President Kennedy stood up and said something that still holds up today. He said, "Among the traits the peoples of our two countries have in common, none is stronger than our mutual abhorrence of war." Soon after, we signed a nuclear test ban treaty with the Soviets. We never stopped competing with them, but we understood that some risks are big enough that even fierce rivals have to keep the guardrails up.
That is exactly the balance we need with AI: compete like hell to win, and put real safety rails in place so winning doesn't destroy us in the process.
Our country has never been a country that waits around scared of the future -- we go out, and we build it, safely, and better than anyone else on Earth. The choice is not between innovation and responsibility. We need both. We need Americans to know that as AI becomes more powerful, there are commonsense guardrails in place.
I believe that if we keep working together across the aisle for our future, in the greatest country in the world, our best days will always be ahead of us.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.
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Original text here: https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-announces-new-bipartisan-legislation-on-ai-safety-to-protect-jersey-families-national-security
During Suicide Prevention Month, Peters Speaks on Senate Floor to Highlight Importance of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release:
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09.18.2026
During Suicide Prevention Month, Peters Speaks on Senate Floor to Highlight Importance of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Peters' Speech Comes as Peters Leads Resolution Recognizing Sept. 8th as "988 Day"
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) took to the Senate floor to highlight the importance of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides free and confidential mental health counseling to every American. The speech comes after Peters joined his colleagues in introducing
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release:
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09.18.2026
During Suicide Prevention Month, Peters Speaks on Senate Floor to Highlight Importance of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Peters' Speech Comes as Peters Leads Resolution Recognizing Sept. 8th as "988 Day"
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) took to the Senate floor to highlight the importance of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides free and confidential mental health counseling to every American. The speech comes after Peters joined his colleagues in introducinga resolution recognizing September 8th as "988 Day" to raise awareness of this essential resource.
"According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Perhaps even more heartbreaking, it is the second-leading cause of death for our young people," said Peters during his remarks. "Too many people across our country - parents, spouses, children, and friends - are dealing with the unimaginable loss of a loved one."
Peters' speech acknowledged that too often, individuals who die by suicide are struggling alone, or did not receive proper treatment for their condition. Research shows that timely intervention is among the best ways to prevent someone from taking their own life, and Peters emphasized the critical role that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline plays in delivering that essential support.
"As a society, we have an obligation to provide that lifesaving crisis support to every American in every community, and that's exactly what the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline does. Across our country, Americans facing mental health struggles can access free and confidential support 24/7, 365 days a year," said Peters.
Peters went on to thank crisis support counselors and highlighted the important role they play in providing mental health support to prevent individuals from making the decision to take their own life.
"I want to commend the crisis support counselors across America who answer these calls and help deliver this vital support to every citizen, day and night. Your compassion, dedication, and willingness to be there for others during an incredibly difficult moment literally saves lives," said Peters.
Peters concluded the speech by recognizing Michigander Bob Goble, an Air Force veteran and veteran suicide prevention advocate who has led the charge to ensure the 988 Lifeline also provides specialized counseling for all veterans in need of support.
"He [Bob] has worked tirelessly to ensure 988 connects his fellow veterans with qualified Veterans Affairs counselors who can provide the specialized mental health support they deserve, and have certainly earned."
Peters concluded, "No one should have to suffer alone. So, if you or someone you know is in need of support, please call, text, or chat 988. Caring counselors are there to help."
You can read more about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline here (https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/veterans-service-members/).
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Original text here: https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/video-during-suicide-prevention-month-peters-speaks-on-senate-floor-to-highlight-importance-of-988-suicide-and-crisis-lifeline
Crapo Announces Finance Committee Staff Updates
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release:
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September 18,2026
Crapo Announces Finance Committee Staff Updates
Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today announced the following staff updates:
Kennedy Cummins, Professional Staff Member
Kennedy joins the Committee from Chairman Crapo's personal office, where she worked on international trade issues as a legislative correspondent. She previously interned at JRC Land and Legal Services in Twin Falls, Idaho. She holds
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release:
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September 18,2026
Crapo Announces Finance Committee Staff Updates
Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today announced the following staff updates:
Kennedy Cummins, Professional Staff Member
Kennedy joins the Committee from Chairman Crapo's personal office, where she worked on international trade issues as a legislative correspondent. She previously interned at JRC Land and Legal Services in Twin Falls, Idaho. She holdsa B.S. in Political Science from Boise State University.
Ashlyn Herring, Professional Staff Member
Ashlyn joins the Committee from Todd Strategy Group, where she worked as senior associate for health policy and government affairs. She previously interned for the Port of Virginia and for Jen Kiggans for Congress. She earned her B.A. in Public Policy and Leadership and Government from the University of Virginia.
Pat Lichtenstein, Tax Counsel
Pat joins the Committee from the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee under Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri), where he served as senior oversight counsel. He previously worked as an assistant director at the National Collegiate Athletic Association, as counsel for the U.S. House Budget Committee under then-Ranking Member Jason Smith and as counsel for the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. He received a J.D. and a M.B.A. from American University and his B.A. from Bard College.
Click HERE (https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/republican_staff_list_september_2026.pdf) for a full list of Crapo Finance Committee staff.
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Original text here: https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/crapo-announces-finance-committee-staff-updates4
Budzinski Brings Home $22 Million in Federal Funding for Central and Southern Illinois Airports
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Illinois, issued the following news release:
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Budzinski Brings Home $22 Million in Federal Funding for Central and Southern Illinois Airports
Sep 17, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced $22,928,305 in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding for St. Louis Downtown Airport and Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. The federal grants will go towards several construction and safety-related upgrades at both airports.
"St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia Heights and Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Illinois, issued the following news release:
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Budzinski Brings Home $22 Million in Federal Funding for Central and Southern Illinois Airports
Sep 17, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced $22,928,305 in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding for St. Louis Downtown Airport and Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. The federal grants will go towards several construction and safety-related upgrades at both airports.
"St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia Heights and Abraham Lincoln Capital Airportin Springfield play a critical role in providing regional air service for our district, but they're in need of modernization to help better serve travelers and businesses," said Congresswoman Budzinski. "I'm excited to announce more than $22 million in federal funding that will modernize infrastructure and implement necessary safety and infrastructure upgrades at these airports. These grants ensure our regional airports can continue to serve travelers and support local economic growth."
The following projects will receive funding under the grants:
* $11,839,322 for Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI): The funding will support the rehabilitation of 7,400 feet of Runway 13/31 to maintain its structural integrity, reduce foreign object debris, and extend the runway's useful life. This grant will fund Phase 1 of the project, including lighting installation along 2,470 feet of runway.
* $11,020,583 for St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS): The funding will support improvements to Taxiway B to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. This grant will fund Phase 7 of the project, shifting 3,200 feet of Taxiway B between Taxiways B1 and B5 by 25 feet.
* $68,400 for St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS): The funding will be used to acquire 18 new vehicle movement area transponders, helping bring the airport into conformity with current safety standards.
"This is a critical community transportation infrastructure asset, and we are grateful for Representative Budzinski's and the FAA's continued support of this important project." said Mark Hanna, Executive Director of the Springfield Airport Authority. "These discretionary awards are highly competitive, and this year's award represents nearly ten times the Springfield Airport Authority's typical annual allocation from the program. This extraordinary level of federal investment of airport improvement funds reflects the importance of maintaining the airport's infrastructure and ensuring Runway 13-31 remains a safe and reliable air transportation asset for our community and the region."
"St. Louis Downtown Airport is grateful for Representative Budzinski's continued support of the airport as an important transportation asset serving the region and contributing to our economy. The funding announced will support our ongoing Taxiway Bravo project, which is essential to maintaining a safe and efficient operating environment while also helping to drive the airport's continued growth," said Sandra Shore, Airport Director of St. Louis Downtown Airport. "The additional grant for the acquisition of Vehicle Movement Area Transponders will further enhance operational safety by increasing the visibility of vehicles on the airport to Air Traffic Control and providing controllers with greater situational awareness. We appreciate Representative Budzinski's continued commitment, as well as the support of the FAA for strengthening airport infrastructure and safety at St. Louis Downtown Airport."
The grants are provided through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Program, established through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program provides $14.5 billion over five years for investments in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, terminals, airport transit connections and roadway projects.
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Original text here: https://budzinski.house.gov/posts/budzinski-brings-home-22-million-in-federal-funding-for-central-and-southern-illinois-airports
ICYMI: Chairman Cruz Joins Families of Flight 5342 to Call for Aviation Safety Legislation
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: Chairman Cruz Joins Families of Flight 5342 to Call for Aviation Safety Legislation
September 18, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined the Families of Flight 5342 in a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday as they reiterated calls for Congress to pass aviation safety legislation following the January 29 2025 collision between an American Airlines flight and a U.S.
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: Chairman Cruz Joins Families of Flight 5342 to Call for Aviation Safety Legislation
September 18, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined the Families of Flight 5342 in a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday as they reiterated calls for Congress to pass aviation safety legislation following the January 29 2025 collision between an American Airlines flight and a U.S.Army Black Hawk helicopter that killed 67 people.
As Chairman Cruz stated in his remarks: "I don't want to be standing here in a year with another 67 families, with another accident of people's lives that were taken because Congress couldn't get the job done. I commend the families. Losing your loved ones the way you did, you carry that weight and that pain for the rest of your life. I commend you for taking that pain and saying, 'Let's use it to try to force change, to protect some other family, some other little girl, some other little boy, some husband, some wife, some mom, some dad.' We can do this. We will do this. We are going to pass bipartisan legislation that mandates ADS-B In for aircraft, that prevents another one of these accidents from happening, and that also ensures real accountability."
In February 2025, Chairman Cruz and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) introduced the ROTOR Act, which would enact a long-standing recommendation from the NTSB: that all aircraft be equipped to receive location signals through "ADS-B In," a capability widely used by many general aviation pilots but not currently mandated for any aircraft. At the press conference, National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy emphasized that ADS-B In technology would have prevented the January 29, 2025, crash, as Chairman Cruz has stated numerous times.
The ROTOR Act unanimously passed the Senate in December 2025 and was just one vote shy of receiving the two-thirds vote necessary to pass the House of Representatives and head to the President's desk.
Leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are actively working on a bicameral, bipartisan compromise between the ROTOR and ALERT Acts.
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Original text here: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/press/rep/release/icymi-chairman-cruz-joins-families-of-flight-5342-to-call-for-aviation-safety-legislation/
Bipartisan Resolution Calls for Release of Americans Wrongfully Detained By the CCP
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party, issued the following news release:
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Bipartisan Resolution Calls for Release of Americans Wrongfully Detained By the CCP
September 18, 2026
Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-MA), and Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA), alongside Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Curtis (R-UT), and Adam Schiff (D-CA), have introduced a resolution condemning the Chinese
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party, issued the following news release:
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Bipartisan Resolution Calls for Release of Americans Wrongfully Detained By the CCP
September 18, 2026
Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-MA), and Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA), alongside Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Curtis (R-UT), and Adam Schiff (D-CA), have introduced a resolution condemning the ChineseCommunist Party (CCP) for its arbitrary or wrongful detention of American academics on baseless charges. The resolution urges the United States government to prioritize the safe return of all American citizens unlawfully or wrongfully detained in China, including Dr. Youlin Chen and American scholar Min Zin, among other measures.
"The Chinese Communist Party has unjustly detained Americans for years, holding them as hostages to bully and coerce our government. The wrongful detentions of Youlin Chen and Min Zin are especially egregious as they were lured to China under the false pretense of academic research. American professors and researchers must realize the CCP is not interested in an open exchange of ideas. They should reconsider any collaborations with China as well as any travel to the country," said Chairman John Moolenaar.
"I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing a bipartisan and bicameral Resolution denouncing China's use of arbitrary and unlawful arrests of U.S. citizens. Dr. Youlin Chen, a good man and respected seismologist and geophysicist who has made Boston his home, was arbitrarily arrested on fabricated 'espionage' charges nearly two years ago. Similarly, Min Zin, a Myanmar scholar and executive director of the Myanmar Institute for Strategic and Policy Studies, has not been heard from his family since he was detained in June for 'espionage and endangering national security.' Ironically, these two men were in China to engage in academic exchanges that benefit both our countries. They were doing honest and noble work and should never have been detained.
"These men are being held under brutal and inhumane conditions, with no access to their families and limited access, if any, to legal counsel. There has yet to be any evidence presented to justify these charges, much less an opportunity to prove their innocence.
"My office has been communicating with the family of Dr. Chen and Min Zin, and we will continue to work with our Republican colleagues in the House and Senate to bring these men home to their families. President Trump must use his upcoming meeting with President Xi to demand that China release every unlawfully detained American. The reprehensible use of our citizens as diplomatic bargaining chips is not new for the Xi government, and Congress must continue to press for the release of every American that China is unlawfully detaining," said Congressman Stephen Lynch.
"No American should ever be used as a political bargaining chip. The Chinese Communist Party's ongoing pattern of arbitrarily detaining U.S. citizens, including scholars like Min Zin and Dr. Chen, is an egregious abuse of human rights and direct security threat," said Congresswoman Young Kim. "As Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, I'm proud to join this bipartisan, bicameral resolution to send an unmistakable message: Congress stands united against CCP repression, and we will not rest until every wrongfully detained American is brought safely home."
"The wrongful detainment of innocent civilians is never justifiable and should always be condemned in the strongest possible terms. We owe it to the American people to stand up and speak out when our citizens are wrongfully detained in foreign prisons. It is my hope that this bipartisan resolution from the United States Congress will bring increased attention to the unjust detention of Dr. Youlin Chen and Min Zin and force the Chinese government to do the right thing and release them immediately. I am praying for Dr. Chen, Mr. Zin, and their families today," said Senator Ed Markey.
"The Chinese Communist Party's pattern of unjustly detaining innocent Americans on baseless allegations cannot carry on unchecked. It is long past time for the CCP to return American academics Dr. Youlin Chen and Mr. Min Zin home to their loved ones and end the targeting of American citizens. I am proud to stand with Senator Markey and my colleagues, as a bipartisan front, against these escalatory actions," said Senator Ted Budd.
"China's repeated and cruel pattern of wrongful detentions of American citizens, leaving some without access to legal counsel, is nothing short of an affront to the rule of law and infringes on their rights and freedoms. The U.S. government must redouble its efforts to ensure U.S. citizens unjustly detained abroad, like Min Zin and Dr. Chen, return safely back home to their loved ones," said Senator Adam Schiff.
Read the full resolution text here (https://files.constantcontact.com/f0eecb46901/179d48cd-1178-4ed7-aafe-23d51b88511e.pdf).
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Original text here: https://chinaselectcommittee.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-resolution-calls-for-release-of-americans-wrongfully-detained-by-the-ccp
Banks Applauds Newly Announced VA Grants to Indiana Organizations Serving Veterans
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, issued the following news release:
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September 18, 2026
Banks Applauds Newly Announced VA Grants to Indiana Organizations Serving Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Earlier this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a record level of grants to organizations that help veterans who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. The Grant Per Diem program and Supportive Services for Veteran Families program grants begin October 1, 2026 and will fund transitional housing, supportive services, eviction prevention, rehousing, and other
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, issued the following news release:
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September 18, 2026
Banks Applauds Newly Announced VA Grants to Indiana Organizations Serving Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Earlier this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a record level of grants to organizations that help veterans who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. The Grant Per Diem program and Supportive Services for Veteran Families program grants begin October 1, 2026 and will fund transitional housing, supportive services, eviction prevention, rehousing, and otherservices to house veterans. Thirteen Indiana-based organizations received grants.
Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): "Every veteran who has served our country deserves a safe place to call home and the support they need to get back on their feet. I'm grateful to Secretary Collins and President Trump for investing in Indiana organizations that are doing this important work every day, and I am proud to support their efforts to make sure no Hoosier veteran is left behind."
VA Secretary Doug Collins: "Under President Trump, VA is making historic progress getting our most vulnerable Veterans off the streets and back on the path to self-sufficiency. These grants underscore our commitment to expanding critical services that prevent Veteran homelessness, connecting those who have worn the uniform to permanent housing and providing the resources necessary for long term stability."
Barb Cox, Shepherd's House Executive Director: "This grant will allow us to expand services and provide case management, clinical counseling, assistance with job placement, and housing navigation to help our veterans find permanent housing and stability. We are so grateful for Senator Banks' commitment to homeless veterans, and we so appreciate his introducing us to the VA Secretary. For decades Senator Banks has given this ministry his personal time, not only as a senator, but as a veteran who understands what it costs when someone who served is left without a pace to land."
Ben Yee, Anchor House Director: "Anchor House has served homeless veterans for years, but this new funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs will enable us to connect the resources available with the veterans who could benefit. There are so many resources available for homeless veterans, but the hard work is connecting them to those resources in a way that can really help them rebuild. Anchor House's permanent housing exit rate is more than twice the state average, and we are excited to bring our efforts to an expanded network of homeless veterans across Southern Indiana."
Emmy Hildebrand, CEO of HVAF of Indiana: "We are grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for recently awarding several grants to HVAF of Indiana. We've made significant progress, reducing veteran homelessness in our community by over 50% in the last decade. This award is a vital investment to sustaining momentum in the fight against veteran homelessness."
Background:
Grant Per Diem Program Awards
* Anchor House
* Center for the Homeless
* HVAF of Indiana
* Life Treatment Centers
* Little Thinkers School of Early Learning
* Mishawaka Troop Town
* Shepherd's House
* Veterans Changing Services
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Grantee Awards
* Community Action of Northeast Indiana
* HVAF of Indiana
* Lafayette Transitional Housing Center
* InteCare
* Volunteers of America of Indiana
View the full list of awardees across the country here.
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Original text here: https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/banks-applauds-newly-announced-va-grants-to-indiana-organizations-serving-veterans/
