U.S. Congress
Here's a look at documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate
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Chairman Palmer Delivers Opening Statement at Subcommittee on Environment Hearing to Discuss the Potential of America's Brownfields Sites
WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Alabama, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, issued the following opening statement on March 4, 2026, issued the following opening statement on March 4, 2026, at a hearing entitled "Ready for Reuse: Legislative Proposals to Unleash the Potential of America's Brownfields Sites":
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"Our country is facing a novel set of challenges, and the global economic and security landscape is shifting. Having to rely on adversaries such as China for critical materials jeopardizes our national security and economy. In order to address
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WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Alabama, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, issued the following opening statement on March 4, 2026, issued the following opening statement on March 4, 2026, at a hearing entitled "Ready for Reuse: Legislative Proposals to Unleash the Potential of America's Brownfields Sites":
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"Our country is facing a novel set of challenges, and the global economic and security landscape is shifting. Having to rely on adversaries such as China for critical materials jeopardizes our national security and economy. In order to addressthese challenges, strengthen our economy, and deliver jobs to communities back home, we need to increase our domestic capacity to manufacture crucial products, produce a reliable supply of energy, and secure our position in the global artificial infrastructure race.
"As we heard at a Subcommittee hearing a year ago, our country is home to thousands of sites known as brownfields, which are underutilized, idled, or abandoned property where redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. These sites can be environmental hazards and a nuisance to local communities, but they can also be opportunities.
"While not All Brownfields Sites are appropriate for ALL uses, we should be looking for opportunities to accomplish the compatible goals of siting crucial infrastructure that is a good fit for a particular location, and encouraging remediation and reuse of idle or underutilized properties.
"To that end, we plan to discuss four bills.
"The Brownfields Revitalization for a Better Tomorrow Act reauthorizes both the EPA Brownfields Grants Program and the state response program through Fiscal Year 2031. It also builds on a previous discussion draft of reauthorization legislation considered at a hearing last Congress. This draft again includes expanding eligibility for brownfields grants to certain private entities, as well as a program to assist rural communities with developing competitive grant applications. It incorporates requests from brownfields stakeholders, such as increased award amount limits and expanded eligible uses for funding. It also updates the criteria EPA shall consider when ranking applications to support reuse for nationally significant infrastructure projects, such as critical mineral and semiconductor facilities, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and energy generation from all power resources. The existing criteria only supports renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
"The second bill, the Brownfields Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, creates a new loan program, similar to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act 'WIFIA' and Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act 'TIFIA' programs used to finance water and transportation infrastructure projects.
"The third bill is the Brownfields Inventory and Permitting Efficiency Act, which directs the EPA and states to work together to compile a list of sites suitable for nationally significant infrastructure projects. It also streamlines permitting for projects on certain brownfields sites, and requires EPA to provide guidance to other federal agencies on how to conduct more efficient reviews of these previously disturbed and often previously studied sites. Finally, it directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a review of impediments to timely and efficient removal of Superfund sites from the National Priorities List.
"Lastly, we have the Brownfields Reauthorization for an Affordable and Revitalized America Act offered by the minority. While this bill increases some grant award limits and directs the EPA to waive cost share requirements in certain circumstances, it also significantly increases the authorization of appropriations for both the Brownfields Grant Program and the state response programs.
"We have four witnesses here today to help us analyze these proposals.
"First, we have Mr. Chris Wells, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, and the current President of the Environmental Council of the States to provide the state perspective.
"We also welcome Mr. Gerald Pouncey, Jr., Senior Counsel at Taft Stettinius & Hollister. Mr. Pouncey has led numerous efforts to permit and finance redevelopment of industrial sites, ports, and former military facilities.
"Also joining us is the Honorable Alan Tomson, Mayor of Davis, West Virginia, and representing the National Brownfields Coalition, who will speak to the impact of the Brownfields Program in local communities.
"Finally, we have Mr. David Robinson, Executive Vice President of Strategic Development, for Aligned Data Centers, whose testimony will address his company's work on brownfields sites.
"I'd like to reiterate that these bills are all discussion drafts, so I look forward to hearing robust discussion on these proposals, both today and on future occasions.
"Thank you."
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Original text here: https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/chairman-palmer-delivers-opening-statement-at-subcommittee-on-environment-hearing-to-discuss-the-potential-of-america-s-brownfields-sites
Chairman Moran Leads Final Two Joint Hearings of the House & Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs
WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news on March 4, 2026:
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Chairman Moran Leads Final Two Joint Hearings of the House & Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs
Moran welcomes witness from Kansas, American Legion Commander Dan Wiley
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U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) - chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs - led the final two annual joint hearings of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs to receive the legislative presentations of 16 different veteran service organizations
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WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news on March 4, 2026:
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Chairman Moran Leads Final Two Joint Hearings of the House & Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs
Moran welcomes witness from Kansas, American Legion Commander Dan Wiley
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U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) - chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs - led the final two annual joint hearings of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs to receive the legislative presentations of 16 different veteran service organizations(VSOs).
"I am grateful for the work that VSOs do every day to support veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors and to advocate for the timely, high-quality health care and benefits that they have earned and deserve," said Sen. Moran. "The work we do in our committees would not be possible without the tireless work and dedication of organizations like the ones we will hear from this morning."
In today's hearing with The American Legion, Sen. Moran introduced The American Legion National Commander and resident of Leavenworth, Kansas, Dan Wiley.
"I saw how my classmates at home in Kansas were treated upon their return to the U.S. following their honorable service in Vietnam," continued Sen. Moran. "I told myself as a 16-year-old kid that I will do everything I can to pay my respects and honor those who served. To my fellow Kansans, I never expected to be a member of Congress, to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, to serve in the U.S. Senate, and with that responsibility of service came something more than just saying 'thank you' and 'I respect you'... Members of this committee, members of the Senate & House of Representatives, Republicans and Democrats take it seriously to try and make certain we do the things that keep our promises to those who served in Vietnam, around the globe and in the U.S."
Throughout the three annual joint hearings, members of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs heard from 24 different VSOs about issues that are affecting veterans from across the country and how Congress can help alleviate some of these issues.
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Original text here: https://www.veterans.senate.gov/2026/3/chairman-moran-leads-final-two-joint-hearings-of-the-house-senate-committees-on-veterans-affairs
Cantwell-Led Bipartisan Legislation to Modernize Weather Forecasting & Research Unanimously Passes Committee
WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on March 4, 2026:
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Cantwell-Led Bipartisan Legislation to Modernize Weather Forecasting & Research Unanimously Passes Committee
Act would establish an atmospheric river forecast improvement program, strengthen landslide preparedness, establish an official Fire Weather Services Program, and deploy new technology and tools to forecast droughts and heat waves that harm crops
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Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce,
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WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on March 4, 2026:
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Cantwell-Led Bipartisan Legislation to Modernize Weather Forecasting & Research Unanimously Passes Committee
Act would establish an atmospheric river forecast improvement program, strengthen landslide preparedness, establish an official Fire Weather Services Program, and deploy new technology and tools to forecast droughts and heat waves that harm crops
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Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce,Science and Transportation passed the bipartisan Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 which authorizes programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that will strengthen weather research and forecasting to save lives and better prepare our nation against dangerous weather disasters. The legislation is led by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee and Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and co-sponsored by Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).
"In the State of Washington, we know firsthand how extreme weather has become costly and dangerous," said Sen. Cantwell, who first introduced the Weather Act in 2024, as Chair. "In December, Western Washington endured back-to-back atmospheric rivers that dumped nearly 5 trillion gallons of rain causing massive, devastating floods. Over 70 landslides were reported, blocking major transportation routes, disrupting communities, threatening lives and livelihoods. The devastating floods in Kerrville and Asheville, the fires in Palisades and Lahaina and too many other natural disasters have shown us that providing Americans with more timely and accurate weather information can avoid billions of dollars in property losses and save lives. In 2025 alone, weather disasters cost the United States $115 billion. That is why this bill matters."
"It establishes an atmospheric river forecast improvement program, modernizes hazardous weather alerts, [weather] radio infrastructure..., strengthens landslide preparedness and helps rural farmers plan for drought and bring new tools to better forecast wildfires, hurricanes and heat waves," Sen. Cantwell added before the committee voted to approve the bill. "This legislation advances many of the recommendations in a Five-Point Plan I outlined last year to the President and to NOAA. That plan, we need to continue to make more progress on, but the Weather Act will ensure that America's weather enterprise is nimble, innovative and equipped to meet the evolving challenges of the 21st Century."
The Weather Act would:
Enhance Federal Weather Forecasting and Innovation
* Addresses NOAA's aging radar network by directing the agency to design and deploy the next generation of weather radar technology by 2040. It also authorizes NOAA to manage existing gaps in the current radar network by supplementing weather radar coverage with data, services, and technologies from third parties.
* Establishes an atmospheric river forecast improvement program to develop tools and improved forecast models to address the increasingly frequent and powerful atmospheric rivers impacting the United States, especially across the West coast.
* Directs the National Weather Service to include turbulence events and icing conditions in its forecasting capabilities and establishes an airborne observation program to acquire atmospheric data from commercial aircraft.
* Directs NOAA to improve accuracy and timeliness of weather, water, and space weather forecasts and effective dissemination of critical information using artificial intelligence.
* Creates a project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog with the goal of enhancing vessel safety and reducing the economic impact of coastal marine fog events.
Strengthen Emergency Preparedness by Improving Communication
* Requires NOAA to maintain and improve the system that communicates potential hazardous weather or water events to the public.
* Requires upgrades to outdated weather radio technology to provide reliable and continuous weather and emergency alerts and expands radio coverage to rural areas that do not currently have access to the National Weather Radio alert system.
Modernize Critical Research Programs
* Updates the Tsunami Forecasting and Warning Program to evaluate tsunami alert levels, maintain fail-safe warning capabilities, and align the analytic techniques and methodologies of the two existing tsunami warning centers in Hawaii and Alaska.
* Builds on the progress of the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project by establishing it as a long-term program that will incorporate social, behavioral, risk, and communication science into modeling, forecasting, and response guidance.
* Expands the goals of the Tornado Warning Improvement and Extension Program to improve the effectiveness and timeliness of tornado forecasts, predictions, and warnings by increasing lead times, improving forecasting, and updating the system to rate the severity of tornadoes in collaboration with local communities and emergency managers.
* Provides funding for weather laboratories; tornado, severe storm, and next generation radar research; and transitioning the latest scientific and technological advances into operations.
Support Farmers and Ranchers with Better Tools for Agriculture and Water Management
* Directs the National Integrated Drought Information System to advance and deploy next-generation drought monitoring technologies and transition existing drought products to probabilistic forecasts, as well as use observations from State or regional hydrological monitoring projects.
* Reauthorizes the National Weather Service's work to provide agricultural and silvicultural weather and climate information and directs NOAA to establish at least two pilot projects to support improved subseasonal to seasonal extended range precipitation forecasts for agriculture and water management.
* Codifies and authorizes the National Mesonet Program, a network of automated weather stations that are used to monitor and observe weather events and microclimates. The program is directed to obtain observations to improve understanding of and forecast capabilities for atmospheric, drought, fire, and water events and increase the quantity and density of environmental observations.
Expand Commercial Data Partnerships
* Increases NOAA's access to critical forecasting data by expanding its authority to contract with the private sector to acquire commercial weather data.
* Codifies the Commercial Data Program to coordinate and acquire a variety of weather and environmental data and services from the private sector for operational use.
* Modifies the existing commercial data pilot program to be a testing program within the Commercial Data Program, and authorizes the program to test and evaluate all sources and types of observation services, imagery, products, and data from private sector entities.
Prepare for Disasters
* Establishes within NOAA an interagency committee to coordinate agencies' activities and ensure a united Federal approach to reducing health risks from heat, as well as a NOAA system to improve the delivery of data, information, forecasts, warnings, prediction, and projections related to temperature and extreme heat.
* Improves the monitoring, forecasting, prevention, and mitigation of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia that threaten aquatic ecosystems, hurt local economies, and endanger public health by reauthorizing and amending the National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program. Establishes a national harmful algal bloom observing network and a national incubator program and increases the avenues of assistance NOAA can provide to affected communities.
* Requires the national landslide strategy to include an assessment of risks from atmospheric river flooding and extreme precipitation events and expands the National Landslide Hazards Database to cover areas needing further risk assessment due to factors such as hydrological changes and atmospheric river flooding
Sen. Cantwell's bipartisan Tsunami Warning, Research and Education Act also passed as part of the Weather Act.
"Western Governors have long advocated for the improvement of forecasting abilities for weather and natural disasters, as evidenced by their efforts that led to the creation of the National Integrated Drought Information System. Western Governors are encouraged by several provisions within the Weather Act which enhance and reauthorize drought monitoring, fire weather and disaster forecasting, water quality maintenance, and soil moisture sensing. These programs are critical to enhancing the security and prosperity of the West's communities and economies. WGA applauds the efforts of Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to advance the Weather Act through Congress and encourages the full Senate to swiftly consider the legislation." - Jack Waldorf, Executive Director, Western Governors' Association.
"Communities across the country are already experiencing more extreme storms, flooding, drought, and heat--and the costs of inaction continue to rise. The Weather Act Reauthorization Act strengthens the nation's weather enterprise so scientific advances move more quickly from the lab to forecasts, helping emergency managers, farmers, and families make informed decisions when it matters most. AGU strongly supports this bipartisan effort to ensure science continues to protect public safety, support economic stability, and build national resilience." - Janice Lachance, Executive Director/CEO, American Geophysical Union.
"The American Meteorological Society strongly supports all efforts intended to improve the ability to save lives, protect property, and enhance economic opportunities. Investments in observing systems and the forecasting of environmental phenomena will further grow the value of weather and climate information to the U.S. economy, already exceeding $100 billion annually. A strong weather enterprise is essential to U.S. economic leadership." - Alan Sealls, President, American Meteorological Society.
"This bill has the potential to greatly improve people's lives on an everyday basis, as it will lead to advances in many areas-- from observations and modeling to warnings and decision support-- to reduce loss of life and property from extreme weather. It also will accelerate innovations in uncrewed observations and artificial intelligence/machine learning-enabled forecasting by directing NOAA to coordinate across federal, academic, and private partners as well as prioritize measurable forecast improvements for high-impact hazards, including atmospheric rivers, coastal flooding and storm surge, and extreme heat." - Shuyi Chen, Professor of Meteorology at the University of Washington.
The Weather Act is an important component of Sen. Cantwell's 5 Point Plan to bolster U.S. weather readiness, which she outlined in a letter to President Donald Trump in July, 2025. Earlier this year, she introduced legislation to establish the Radar Next Program which will carry out deployment of the nation's next generation weather radar system. Last August, she introduced legislation to modernize the nation's weather communication and radio service as the country faces increasingly powerful floods, fires, and hurricanes. Both of these bills also passed as part of today's vote.
Sen. Cantwell helped secure $3.3 billion in NOAA investments in the Inflation Reduction Act to help communities prepare for and adapt to climate change, boost science needed to understand changing weather and climate patterns, and invest in advanced computer technologies that are critical for extreme weather prediction and emergency response. Her Fire Ready Nation Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen NOAA's ability to help forecast, prevent, and fight wildfires, passed the Senate in September of last year.
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Original text here: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2026/3/cantwell-led-bipartisan-legislation-to-modernize-weather-forecasting-research-unanimously-passes-committee
Assistant Secretary of Army for Civil Works Telle Testifies Before House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, March 5 -- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment released the following written testimony by Adam R. Telle, assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, from a Feb. 24, 2026, hearing entitled "Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2026 - Administration Priorities":
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Chairman Collins, Ranking Member Wilson, and distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to be here today to discuss the development of the proposed Water Resources Development Act of 2026. I am eager to share with you
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WASHINGTON, March 5 -- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment released the following written testimony by Adam R. Telle, assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, from a Feb. 24, 2026, hearing entitled "Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2026 - Administration Priorities":
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Chairman Collins, Ranking Member Wilson, and distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to be here today to discuss the development of the proposed Water Resources Development Act of 2026. I am eager to share with youmy perspective after six months as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, including what the Corps of Engineers is doing well and where significant reform is warranted. I hope my perspective is valuable to you as you develop proposals for WRDA 2026.
I also wish to share an update on the implementation of past WRDAs, which remains a topic of critical interest to members of this committee. Since my last appearance before this committee, the Army Civil Works Program has finalized implementation guidance for the remaining provisions of WRDA 2020 and 2022 that warranted such guidance, with the exception of provisions from WRDA 2020 that were modified in WRDA 2024. WRDA is the law, and we are implementing the law. Of the 552 provisions included in those three laws, we are developing additional guidance for 19 provisions to ensure consistent implementation across the Corps. I remain committed to completing the implementation guidance as soon as practicable and look forward to working with this committee to identify opportunities to improve the processes for implementing future WRDAs.
One thing I've observed in my short tenure is that the Army Corps of Engineers is at its very best when responding to emergencies, where it is unburdened by red tape, and enters Army mode. Specific examples that come to mind include the Corps' execution of Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) assignments to clear and remove debris after Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina and throughout Appalachia and after the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Last August, the Corps successfully supplemented state and local efforts under PL 84-99 in anticipation of glacial outburst flooding in Juneau, Alaska. Finally, just last month, the Corps executed FEMA assignments in response to winter storm Fern.
But when it comes to our primary missions, for decades, the Army Civil Works Program hasn't really had a plan. The status quo has been to execute everything all at once, moving each project down the yellow brick road of red tape one inch at a time, resulting in inexplicable delays, including projects that are of strategic national importance. Meanwhile, reaching paperwork milestones is elevated as evidence of achievement.
This is simply unacceptable for an agency that is so important to the safety and prosperity of the American people. Stacks of important government paperwork have never saved an American life or community, except perhaps in very cold weather when no other fuel is available. We have to change the way the Army Civil Works Program conducts business, or the next decades will be more of the same.
We have in hand $45 billion that the Congress has previously appropriated, but the Corps has not yet delivered.
Shockingly, $15 billion of this funding is more than six years old. We also have many ongoing projects, which the Congress has authorized and the Corps is building, which will require significant additional funding to complete. The status quo approach is insufficient, meaning we will never deliver on what you expect of us without fundamentally changing our behavior.
To meet this challenge, we have unveiled a plan comprised of approximately 27 individual but complementary initiatives to reimagine and rejuvenate the Army Civil Works program. This will be the most significant transformation of the program since at least 1986, which was a watershed year for the authorities of the Program.
Through this suite of strategic initiatives, it is my goal to harmonize the Army Civil Works Program and to realign and right-size the incentive structures of the Corps of Engineers, with an emphasis on building infrastructure, not paperwork.
This new plan is driven by a sense of urgency. Our strategy is centered on a fundamental cultural transformation to enhance our effectiveness and restore discipline. We are sharpening our focus on core missions that serve the national interest under a strategic plan that will deliver on the mandate you've given us.
To accelerate project delivery, we are implementing smarter contracting practices, upholding higher design standards, and reforming our partnership pipeline to build what America needs, faster and more cost-effectively.
A key component of this transformation is overhauling our internal processes. As President Trump has directed, and bipartisan members of this committee have called for, we are cutting bureaucratic red tape by reforming the entire regulatory and permitting system to provide fast, clear, and consistent decisions. This will eliminate costly delays and accelerate our economy at a time that we find ourselves in a global competition that will determine whether the United States of America remains the greatest nation in the history of the world.
Internally, we are making the organization leaner and more effective by optimizing our assets, modernizing operations, and ensuring all messaging aligns with our primary missions.
Finally, we are instilling a new culture of fiscal discipline and operational excellence by fundamentally overhauling our financial and operational practices to attack waste and inefficiency. We are committed to executing our mission with a higher standard of integrity, ensuring every dollar is spent with purpose to achieve clear, measurable results for the American people.
President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, and Secretary Driscoll want to deliver infrastructure now, and our partners in Congress are tired of decades-long delays and cost overruns. The time is right for this change, and we have a unique opportunity to transform the way the Corps of Engineers conducts its business to meet this moment in history.
Thank you, and I look forward to your questions.
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Original text here: https://transportation.house.gov/uploadedfiles/02-24-2026_wre_hearing_-_hon._adam_telle_-_testimony.pdf
'Completely Avoidable': Chairman Garbarino Condemns Democrats' Obstruction of Essential DHS Funding, Urges Final Passage
WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-New York, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news on March 4, 2026:
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"Completely Avoidable": Chairman Garbarino Condemns Democrats' Obstruction of Essential DHS Funding, Urges Final Passage
Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) delivered remarks on the House floor in support of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 7744, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been shut down since February
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WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-New York, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news on March 4, 2026:
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"Completely Avoidable": Chairman Garbarino Condemns Democrats' Obstruction of Essential DHS Funding, Urges Final Passage
Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) delivered remarks on the House floor in support of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 7744, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been shut down since February14 due to Senate Democrats' refusal to advance the House-passed, bipartisan full-year DHS funding bill, unnecessarily putting American communities at risk and placing a strain on frontline DHS personnel.
Read his remarks below and watch here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYAXjjvVwow&t=4s).
"As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I rise today in support of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 7744. As America faces heightened threats on U.S. soil and abroad, DHS is in the midst of its second major shutdown in six months because of Democrats' political games. This lapse in appropriations means a disruption in our nation's disaster preparedness, transportation security, and critical infrastructure resilience when we need it most.
"As a lifelong New Yorker, I find it outrageous that DHS continues to be undermined by Washington's dysfunction. Twenty-five years after the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, I urge my Democrat colleagues to not forget why this Department was established in the first place.
"As we speak, the vast majority of DHS personnel are once again continuing their essential missions to protect the American people without knowing when their next paycheck will be, while others have been furloughed, further undermining our preparedness.
"The frustrating reality is this was completely avoidable. House Republicans sent this bipartisan, bicameral deal on full-year DHS funding to the Senate nearly two months ago. This bill includes funding for body cameras, support for the DHS Office of Inspector General, additional resources for training, and new transparency and oversight requirements for ICE.
"By holding this bill up in the Senate, Democrats are blocking funding for FEMA's preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across the country. They are blocking funding for TSA ahead of major events like the World Cup. Democrats are blocking the Coast Guard operations that we use to counter our adversaries. They are blocking funding for our cybersecurity workforce, while Iran is attacking us daily in our cyber terrain.
"The security of our homeland is not a partisan talking point--it is an American imperative. Holding DHS hostage when lives and livelihoods are on the line is reckless. I urge Democrats to show their Senate counterparts to support this bill and do the right thing."
BACKGROUND:
In January, the House passed six final appropriations bills, including a bipartisan agreement to fund DHS for a full fiscal year. The legislation provided funding for body cameras, deescalation training, and resources for DHS's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to enhance transparency. Additionally, the House-passed version included vital funding to support the personnel and missions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Coast Guard, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and more.
During a shutdown, many of the Department's more than 250,000 employees, who dedicate their lives to keeping the American people safe, are forced to work without pay. House Homeland Security Committee and Appropriations Committee Republicans issued statements condemning Senate Democrats' actions, warning that the funding lapse puts the safety and security of Americans at risk.
In the Committee's oversight hearing, leaders from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) all testified that a DHS shutdown would undermine interagency coordination and hinder the department's ability to effectively carry out its core mission. The Committee also held a hearing with FIFA host city and law enforcement stakeholders who raised concerns about the potential impacts of the ongoing shutdown and federal funding delays on security preparations for these events. The House Appropriations Committee's Homeland Security Subcommittee also held a hearing in February on the impacts of a shutdown for DHS, where leaders from FEMA, TSA, CISA, and the U.S. Coast Guard emphasized similar concerns about the operational and security risks caused by a lapse in funding.
Numerous publications and outlets also highlighted the impacts on different DHS components:
* The shutdown may disrupt several ongoing investigations being led by the agency's Office of Inspector General, affecting the ability to conduct thorough oversight of DHS and its components.
* The shutdown is also the second time in the past six months that TSA workers are expected to work without pay, with more than 90 percent of the agency's employees considered essential. During the last shutdown, TSA saw "increased rates of unscheduled absences and localized spikes in wait times," which are expected again during this shutdown as spring travel begins to rise.
* CISA leaders told House appropriators that just one-third of the agency's employees would remain on the job under a shutdown, significantly impairing CISA's ability to conduct "cyber incident response, security assessments, stakeholder engagements, training exercises, and special event planning."
* During the last shutdown, "nearly 85 percent of FEMA employees" continued to work without pay, which is expected to recur with the current funding lapse. Emergency response efforts could be strained and disaster relief reimbursements may be delayed, potentially slowing recovery efforts for affected communities.
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Original text here: https://homeland.house.gov/2026/03/04/completely-avoidable-chairman-garbarino-condemns-democrats-obstruction-of-essential-dhs-funding-urges-final-passage/
Comer and Fallon Lead Investigation Into Efforts to Obstruct Federal Law Enforcement in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Comer and Fallon Lead Investigation into Efforts to Obstruct Federal Law Enforcement in Minnesota
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas), and Committee Republicans are examining the sources of funding for efforts to create social unrest and obstruct federal law enforcement operations, including organized efforts to impede actions by U.S. Immigration and
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WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Comer and Fallon Lead Investigation into Efforts to Obstruct Federal Law Enforcement in Minnesota
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas), and Committee Republicans are examining the sources of funding for efforts to create social unrest and obstruct federal law enforcement operations, including organized efforts to impede actions by U.S. Immigration andCustoms Enforcement (ICE). In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the lawmakers request a briefing from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on its efforts to track and assess possible connections among organized efforts to obstruct law enforcement with criminal activities and foreign influences.
"Recent Congressional oversight activity has documented extensive fraud in Minnesota involving federal nutrition programs and social services programs, with estimated losses totaling several billions of dollars over multiple years," wrote the lawmakers. "The scale and duration of these schemes have raised concerns regarding whether fraud proceeds are being laundered or otherwise routed through nonprofit or organizational entities in ways that evade oversight. As much of this fraud has disproportionally involved Minnesota's immigrant community, targeted enforcement operations by ICE play a key role in stopping this systemic corruption."
The House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into the extensive fraud and money laundering in Minnesota's social services and programs in December 2025. The Committee seeks to understand the extent to which DOJ has been made aware of patterns in major fraud cases that suggest coordinated or systemic activity and whether DOJ is evaluating whether large-scale financial crimes involving federal funds may contribute to broader public safety or civil order challenges. This investigation is part of the House Oversight Committee's ongoing commitment to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in state and federal programs and procedures.
"In response to federal response and enforcement actions, Minnesota has experienced repeated episodes of civil unrest, including incidents of property damage, assaults on law enforcement, and disruptions to public institutions. While peaceful protest is a protected feature of American society, recurring unrest places measurable strain on local communities and public safety resources. The Committee believes it is imperative to assess whether foreign-sourced funding and/or proceeds of financial crimes, particularly those involving federal funds, may be contributing to, or otherwise exacerbating unrest and efforts to obstruct law enforcement," concluded the lawmakers.
Members who signed the letter include Representatives Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), William Timmons (R-S.C.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.), Brian Jack (R-Ga.), and John McGuire (R-Va.).
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March 2, 2026
To: The Honorable Pam Bondi, Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
Dear Attorney General Bondi:
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is examining the sources of funding for efforts to create social unrest and obstruct federal law enforcement operations, including organized efforts to impede actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) which are highlighted in a recent Department of State report that links far-left nonprofits to Chinese influence operations.1 In particular, the Committee seeks to understand Department of Justice (DOJ) efforts to track or assess possible connections among organized efforts to obstruct law enforcement with foreign influences and criminal activities, including fraud. Accordingly, the Committee requests a briefing to provide insight into these issues.
Recent Congressional oversight activity has documented extensive fraud in Minnesota involving federal nutrition programs and social services programs, with estimated losses totaling several billions of dollars over multiple years.2 The scale and duration of these schemes have raised concerns regarding whether fraud proceeds are being laundered or otherwise routed through nonprofit or organizational entities in ways that evade oversight. As much of this fraud has disproportionally involved Minnesota's immigrant community, targeted enforcement operations by ICE play a key role in stopping this systemic corruption.
In response to federal response and enforcement actions, Minnesota has experienced repeated episodes of civil unrest, including incidents of property damage, assaults on law enforcement, and disruptions to public institutions. While peaceful protest is a protected feature of American society, recurring unrest places measurable strain on local communities and public safety resources. The Committee believes it is imperative to assess whether foreign-sourced funding and/or proceeds of financial crimes, particularly those involving federal funds, may be contributing to, or otherwise exacerbating unrest and efforts to obstruct law enforcement.
Former Soviet defector Yuri Bezmenov articulated one such framework, describing how systemic corruption and degradation of institutions can precede broader social destabilization.3 The Committee seeks to understand how the Justice Department in monitoring both widespread fraud and social unrest for signs of interference by foreign actors or obstruction of justice by criminals.
Accordingly, the Committee seeks a briefing to be provided by March 9, 2026, addressing the following topics:
1. The extent to which DOJ has identified or been made aware of patterns in major fraud cases suggesting coordinated or systemic activity beyond isolated criminal enterprises;
2. The extent to which DOJ is assessing the routing of fraud schemes through nonprofit, community-based, or organizational entities; and,
3. Whether DOJ is evaluating whether large-scale financial crimes involving federal funds may contribute to broader public safety or civil order challenges in certain jurisdictions.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate "any matter" at "any time" under House Rule X. To schedule the briefing or to ask any related followup questions, please contact the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority staff at (202) 225-5074. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
James Comer, Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Pat Fallon, Member of Congress
Glenn Grothman, Chairman, Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services
Clay Higgins, Chairman, Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement
Pete Sessions, Chairman, Subcommittee on Government Operations
Nancy Mace, Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation
William R. Timmons, IV, Chairman, Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs
Tim Burchett, Chairman, Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency
Anna Paulina Luna, Chairwoman, Taskforce on the Declassification of Federal Secrets
Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S., Member of Congress
Virginia Foxx, Member of Congress
Michael Cloud, Member of Congress
Andy Biggs, Member of Congress
Byron Donalds, Member of Congress
Scott Perry, Member of Congress
Lauren Boebert, Member of Congress
Nick Langworthy, Member of Congress
Brian Jack, Member of Congress
John McGuire, Member of Congress
cc: The Honorable Robert Garcia, Ranking Member, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
The Honorable Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services
The Honorable Summer Lee, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement
The Honorable Kweisi Mfume, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Government Operations
The Honorable Shontel Brown, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation
The Honorable Suhas Subramanyam, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs
The Honorable Melanie Stansbury, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency
The Honorable Jasmine Crockett, Ranking Member, Taskforce on the Declassification of Federal Secrets
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1 Victoria Nava, State Department identifies Code Pink and other far-left groups as vectors of Chinese influence operations, N EW Y ORK P OST (Feb. 10, 2026).
2 Oversight of Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota: Part 1: Hearing Before H. Comm. on Oversight & Gov't Reform, 119 th Cong. 2.
3 See "Unintended Consequences" available at https://unintendedconsequenc.es/bezmenovs-steps/ (accessed Feb. 4, 2026).
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Original text here: https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-and-fallon-lead-investigation-into-efforts-to-obstruct-federal-law-enforcement-in-minnesota/
Clyburn Statement on U.S. Strikes on Iran
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. James E. Clyburn, D-South Carolina, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Clyburn Statement on U.S. Strikes on Iran
COLUMBIA, SC - Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) released the following statement via X on U.S. strikes on Iran:
"The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war for a reason: to ensure that such a consequential decision is made only after full consideration by the people's representatives of the case for military action, the plan for success, the potential costs, and any alternative options. The Trump Administration,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. James E. Clyburn, D-South Carolina, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Clyburn Statement on U.S. Strikes on Iran
COLUMBIA, SC - Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) released the following statement via X on U.S. strikes on Iran:
"The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war for a reason: to ensure that such a consequential decision is made only after full consideration by the people's representatives of the case for military action, the plan for success, the potential costs, and any alternative options. The Trump Administration,in disregarding this constitutional requirement in attacking Iran, has put American lives at risk despite the apparent absence of an imminent threat to our country or a coherent strategy to achieve a successful outcome.
"George Santayana famously warned, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." In this case, we need only remember the recent past--events in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya--to expect that another major American military campaign in the Middle East will encounter significant challenges. Such challenges are more likely to be avoided, confronted, and overcome if the decision to engage in military action is made in a deliberative, transparent, and democratic manner consistent with the framers' intent.
"I urge the Trump Administration to make the adjustments necessary to align its actions with the Constitution, and I hope all of my colleagues of both political parties will join me in this demand. The lives of our service members and the security of our nation depend on it."
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Original text here: https://clyburn.house.gov/clyburn-statement-on-u-s-strikes-on-iran/
Chairman Smith: No Tax on Overtime Means Hourly Workers Keep More of What They Earn
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Chairman Smith: No Tax on Overtime Means Hourly Workers Keep More of What They Earn
Police officers, factory line workers, and other hourly wage earners are rewarded for their hard work thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts delivering on President Trump's promise of "No Tax on Overtime." Hourly workers can deduct up to $12,500, or $25,000 for married couples, of overtime premium payments for those earning up to $150,000, or $300,000
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Chairman Smith: No Tax on Overtime Means Hourly Workers Keep More of What They Earn
Police officers, factory line workers, and other hourly wage earners are rewarded for their hard work thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts delivering on President Trump's promise of "No Tax on Overtime." Hourly workers can deduct up to $12,500, or $25,000 for married couples, of overtime premium payments for those earning up to $150,000, or $300,000for married couples. The provision boosts income for the over 80 million hourly workers by up to $1,400.
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) said:
"President Trump's promise to help working families resonated with so many Americans exactly because it speaks to the core of our values as a nation. No Tax on Overtime is commonsense policy that rewards Americans who stay late, work hard and keep America running by helping them afford to take care of themselves and their families. Because of this provision, more than $600 billion in new tax relief goes to middle-class households, with the largest proportional tax benefits going to workers and families making less than $50,000. This is on top of the massive tax relief provided by extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts. There's no doubt about it; this is a tax cut for the working class."
During a Ways and Means Committee hearing in Las Vegas, Nevada, held mere days after enactment of the Working Families Tax Cuts, Eric Byington, a Nevada paint foreman, said:
"I wake up at 4 AM to come to this job that I love for this beautiful company. These are the things that make it worthwhile. This is actually a change for the working-class Americans. It's the incentive. That's what this country has been about since day one. The harder you work, the more you're rewarded, and that's what this bill does. You work overtime. You're working hard; you're staying late. Now you're rewarded. You're working weekends. You're rewarded...."
At the same hearing, Austin Robinson, a Nevada manufacturer, noted how the new overtime provision builds on the success of the 2017 tax cuts:
"Looking back to what happened in 2017, 2018 there was probably one of the largest growth of wages in the middle class in probably recent years. During that time, it generated a lot of people changing jobs, looking for more wages or benefits to improve their position financially. Currently with us, with the no tax on overtime, it's going to encourage more people to move into the manufacturing sector for better pay and better wages, but then also the overtime."
How No Tax on Overtime Works:
* This is a brand new deduction for workers who keep America running. Individuals can deduct qualified overtime compensation that is reported on income tax forms W-2, 1099, or another statement provided by the employer.
* The deduction is available for taxpayers whether they itemize or claim the standard deduction - meaning that people can benefit from this deduction in addition to the newly increased standard deduction, which about 90 percent of taxpayers claim.
How the Working Families Tax Cuts Deliver for Working-Class Americans:
* No tax on tips provides an average $1,300 tax cut.
* No tax on overtime delivers an average $1,400 tax cut.
* The standard deduction is increased by $1,500 per family to $31,500.
* Married seniors will get a $12,000 deduction for their Social Security benefits.
* The Child Tax Credit expands to $2,200 and is permanently indexed for inflation, so the credit never loses value.
* Raises annual real wages by $7,200 per worker.
* Increases annual take-home pay for a typical family with two children by $10,900.
* Family of four with two children earning $73,000 has zero federal income tax liability.
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Original text here: https://waysandmeans.house.gov/2026/03/02/chairman-smith-no-tax-on-overtime-means-hourly-workers-keep-more-of-what-they-earn/
Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Warren Release Bill Text Ahead of Senate Consideration of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Warren Release Bill Text Ahead of Senate Consideration of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
Ahead of Senate consideration of the most comprehensive, bipartisan housing affordability legislation in decades, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren have released updated bill text and section by section for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
The
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 2, 2026:
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Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Warren Release Bill Text Ahead of Senate Consideration of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
Ahead of Senate consideration of the most comprehensive, bipartisan housing affordability legislation in decades, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren have released updated bill text and section by section for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
Thehousing affordability crisis is real and urgent. For too many Americans, homeownership feels out of reach. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act focuses on the root cause of rising costs: not enough supply. The legislation reflects bipartisan, bicameral work that passed the Senate Banking Committee unanimously, 24-0, and incorporates almost all of the House's housing provisions into a unified package.
"2026 is the year of affordability. This week, the Senate is set to vote on housing affordability legislation, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, and my colleagues and I stand ready to deliver it to President Trump's desk, fulfilling the promise he made to Americans at the State of the Union. Not only is this bill about cutting regulatory red tape, lowering costs, and expanding housing supply while generating no new spending, but it's about making sure people like the single mom who raised me in North Charleston, South Carolina, have even greater access to economic opportunity and the American dream of homeownership," said Chairman Scott.
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will boost housing supply and bring down costs," said Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren. "The package includes the vast majority of the Senate's unanimously supported ROAD to Housing Act, incorporates bipartisan ideas from the House, and takes a good first step to rein in corporate landlords that are squeezing families out of homeownership. Congress should pass this package and continue working on further legislation to combat our nation's housing crisis."
To read the bill text, click here (https://www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ans.pdf).
To read the section-by-section, click here (https://www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/section_by_section_final.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/majority/chairman-scott-ranking-member-warren-release-bill-text-ahead-of-senate-consideration-of-the-21st-century-road-to-housing-act
CBO Issues Cost Estimate for Protect Infant Formula From Contamination Act
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act (S. 272).
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S. 272 would require manufacturers of infant formula to notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within one business day of discovering contamination, misbranding, or adulteration of infant formula. The bill would direct the FDA to respond to such notifications within one business day and to assess within 90 days whether the manufacturer has taken appropriate corrective action. The bill would require the FDA to report to the Congress
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 3 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act (S. 272).
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S. 272 would require manufacturers of infant formula to notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within one business day of discovering contamination, misbranding, or adulteration of infant formula. The bill would direct the FDA to respond to such notifications within one business day and to assess within 90 days whether the manufacturer has taken appropriate corrective action. The bill would require the FDA to report to the Congresseach quarter on the supply chain for infant formula and, within 180 days of enactment, on progress toward implementing a national strategy to ensure those products are safe and available.
The bill also would direct the FDA to engage with the Department of Agriculture, manufacturers, and others to develop evidence-based practices to maximize the supply and safety of infant formula and to describe those practices periodically in reports to the Congress.
Using information about the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates that implementing S. 272 would increase the FDA's administrative costs by $2 million over the 2026-2031 period; any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 550 (health).
S. 272 would impose private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). The bill would require manufacturers to notify the FDA more quickly and in more detail than under current law upon discovering contamination, misbranding, or adulteration of infant formula. The bill would impose additional responsibilities for responding to contamination involving Cronobacter or Salmonella bacteria. CBO estimates that the cost of the mandate would not exceed the annual private-sector threshold established in UMRA ($214 million in 2026, adjusted annually for inflation).
The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Ryan Greenfield (for federal costs) and Andrew Laughlin (for mandates). The estimate was reviewed by Chad Chirico, Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel, Director, Congressional Budget Office
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Original text here: https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2026-03/s272.pdf
