Congress
U.S. Congress
Here's a look at documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate
Featured Stories
Peters and Blumenthal Press Department of Labor Inspector General D'Esposito Over Potential Hatch Act Violations
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:* * *
Peters and Blumenthal Press Department of Labor Inspector General D'Esposito Over Potential Hatch Act Violations
Federal Election Commission Filings Show D'Esposito Campaign Continued to Accept Donations Despite Denials During Confirmation Process
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U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 11, 2026: * * * Peters and Blumenthal Press Department of Labor Inspector General D'Esposito Over Potential Hatch Act Violations Federal Election Commission Filings Show D'Esposito Campaign Continued to Accept Donations Despite Denials During Confirmation Process * U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Memberof the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, are demanding answers from Department of Labor Inspector General (DOL IG) Anthony D'Esposito regarding concerns about potential Hatch Act violations following public reports that he is preparing to resign from his position and run for New York's Fourth Congressional District.
The senators' letter follows recent reporting on March 4th, 2026, that D'Esposito was intending to launch his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives and resign from his role as DOL IG, a job he has held for just over two months. Committee staff also identified Federal Election Commission filings showing that D'Esposito continued reporting campaign receipts and disbursements to the Federal Election Commission as late as December 31, 2025, well after his initial confirmation to the role on December 18, 2025. In his confirmation hearing before the Committee, D'Esposito denied that he was actively campaigning or receiving contributions.
"Congress enacted the Hatch Act to ensure that government employees do not allow partisan politics to interfere with serving the American people. Further, an Inspector General is expected to maintain an even greater level of non-partisan independence than other federal employees. You have a responsibility to be transparent with Congress and with the public regarding any political activity you have undertaken since taking office as Inspector General," wrote the senators.
The Hatch Act, a federal law enacted in 1939, prevents federal employees from engaging in certain political activities to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan manner. D'Esposito's knowledgeable acceptance of campaign donations presents a clear violation of the Hatch Act, which explicitly prohibits any federal employee from running for political office, including undertaking exploratory activities, and accepting political campaign contributions. Further, Peters and Blumenthal expressed concern regarding D'Esposito's role as Inspector General, an explicitly nonpartisan role which further restricts participation in partisan political campaigns.
In their letter,Peters and Blumenthal ask for Inspector General D'Esposito to disclose whether his former campaign committee has received any contributions since he took office in January and to detail any preparatory or exploratory activities related to a future campaign in New York's Fourth Congressional District.
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March 10, 2026
To: The Honorable Anthony D'Esposito, Inspector General, U.S Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington D.C. 20210
Dear Inspector General D'Esposito:
We are concerned by recent reports that suggest you may be engaging in political activity in violation of the Hatch Act. According to a March 4, 2026 article, you are taking steps to launch a campaign for New York's Fourth Congressional District.1
As you know, the Hatch Act prohibits federal government employees from certain political activities, including running for a partisan office or "soliciting, accepting, or receiving political campaign contributions."2 Additionally, as Inspector General, you are further restricted from taking an active part in any partisan political campaigns.3 While you reportedly intend to resign as Inspector General in order to formally declare your candidacy, the Hatch Act prohibits any preparatory or exploratory actions even prior to the official launch of a campaign.4 Any such political activity would also be inconsistent with the testimony you provided during your confirmation hearing, raising questions about the veracity of your sworn statements.5
Your congressional campaign committee, "D'Esposito for New York," continued to receive donations through at least December 31, 2025-- even after you were confirmed by the Senate to be the Inspector General for the Department of Labor.6 Continuing to accept campaign contributions or engage in partisan political campaign activity after you took office as Inspector General on January 5, 2026, would be a clear violation of the Hatch Act. While you appear to have now removed public access to your campaign website, it was publicly accessible as recently as February 7, 2026.7
Congress enacted the Hatch Act to ensure that government employees do not allow partisan politics to interfere with serving the American people. Further, an Inspector General is expected to maintain an even greater level of non-partisan independence than other federal employees. You have a responsibility to be transparent with Congress and with the public regarding any political activity you have undertaken since taking office as Inspector General.
As such, please provide answers to the following questions by March 17, 2026.
1. Has the campaign committee "D'Esposito for New York" received any contributions from any source since January 5, 2026? Please list the dates, sources, and amounts of all contributions.
2. Has the campaign committee "D'Esposito for New York" continued to operate or update your campaign website, despositoforcongress.com, since January 5, 2026?
3. Has any group or individual published advertisements in support of your candidacy since January 5, 2026?
a. If so, please provide any communications between yourself and the group or individual concerning the advertisement.
4. Please list any activities related to planning your congressional campaign since January 5, 2026, including:
a. Any meetings, calls, or other communications with individuals affiliated with D'Esposito for New York or any other committee associated with your campaign;
b. Any meetings, calls, or other communications with consultants or advisors relating to your campaign; and
c. Any meetings, calls, or other communications with campaign donors or political action committees.
5. Have you undertaken any other preliminary or exploratory activities since January 5, 2026?
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Gary C. Peters, United States Senator, Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Richard Blumenthal, United States Senator, Ranking Member, Permanent, Subcommittee on Investigations
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1 Billy House, "Anthony D'Esposito to vie for congressional seat he lost to Laura Gillen, sources say," Newsday (Mar. 4, 2026) (www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/elections/anthony-desposito-congress-jovm7l96).
2 5 U.S.C. Sec. 7323(a)(2).
3 Department of Labor, "Political Activities and the Hatch Act," (Last updated Jan. 2025) (www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/SOL/files/2025%20-%20Political%20Activities%20Guidance.pdf).
4 Office of Special Counsel, Advisory Opinion (June 17, 2009) (osc.gov/Documents/Hatch%20Act/Advisory%20Opinions/Federal/When%20Candidacy%20Begins.pdf).
5 See Letter from Sen. Richard Blumenthal to The Hon. Jamieson Greer, Acting Special Counsel, U.S. Office of Special Counsel (Feb. 10, 2026) (www.blumenthal.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2026-0210_letter_to_greer_desposito.pdf).
6 Federal Election Commission - DESPOSITO FOR NEW YORK (www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00809426/?tab=summary) (accessed Mar. 9, 2026).
7 D'Esposito for Congress (despositoforcongress.com/).
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Original text here: https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/dems/peters-and-blumenthal-press-department-of-labor-inspector-general-desposito-over-potential-hatch-act-violations/
New GAO Report Finds Trump's Dismantling of the Education Department Leaves 43 Million Borrowers Without Support
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, ranking minority member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news on March 11, 2026:* * *
New GAO Report Finds Trump's Dismantling of the Education Department Leaves 43 Million Borrowers Without Support
The Department of Education is Refusing to Hold Student Loan Servicers Accountable for Giving Borrowers Bad Information
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According to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the Trump administration's efforts to fire hundreds of workers at the Department of Education have undermined ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, ranking minority member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news on March 11, 2026: * * * New GAO Report Finds Trump's Dismantling of the Education Department Leaves 43 Million Borrowers Without Support The Department of Education is Refusing to Hold Student Loan Servicers Accountable for Giving Borrowers Bad Information * According to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the Trump administration's efforts to fire hundreds of workers at the Department of Education have underminedthe accuracy of student loan borrower records and have failed to hold servicers accountable for providing high-quality customer service to America's 43 million student loan borrowers.
Commissioned by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-Va.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, and released today by the GAO, the report finds that Trump's layoffs of nearly half the workers at the Federal Student Aid office have effectively ended its oversight of student loan servicers. As a result, student loan servicers could be making egregious errors like sending Americans bills that do not match what they actually owe, placing borrowers in the wrong repayment plan and not answering borrowers' phone calls.
"Instead of providing relief to 43 million Americans who are drowning in student debt, the Trump administration has made it harder for them to understand how much they owe and how long it will take to pay back by illegally firing nearly half the staff at the Federal Student Aid Office," Sanders said. "That is unacceptable. But sadly, it is not surprising. Last year, the Trump administration made the largest cut to higher education in American history to help pay for a $1 trillion tax break to the top 1%. Now, President Trump is driving up the cost of a college education and student loan costs for tens of millions of Americans struggling with student debt when they can least afford it. That has got to change."
"The Education Department (ED), in its oversight of the $1.6 billion student loan portfolio, is required by law to ensure that student loan servicers provide borrowers with accurate information about their loans. When they do not, borrowers can either overpay or be placed in the wrong student loan repayment program. ED's refusal to conduct oversight of student loan servicers is a dereliction of duty. Especially because, when ED conducted oversight under the Biden administration, it issued penalties to servicers when it found four out of five failed to meet basic accuracy standards. Moreover, I am gravely concerned that ED incorrectly believes it can replace real oversight of servicers with untested automation or artificial intelligence. These findings should serve as a flashing red warning sign for Congress about what is to come as ED ramps up to implement the Republicans' overhaul of the student loan program in the 'Big Ugly Bill' and the havoc it will cause for borrowers. Lastly, if you are a borrower in need of assistance with your student loans, there is no one at ED to help you," Scott said.
The GAO report documents how Trump's Education Department has turned its back on America's student loan borrowers and left them on their own:
* In its first month, the Trump administration laid off nearly half of the workers at the Federal Student Aid office, the agency responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs.
* According to agency officials, these layoffs effectively ended their ability to hold student loan servicers accountable for the accuracy of their student loan records and for providing customer service to borrowers.
* While previous administrations penalized servicers for hundreds of thousands of dollars when they failed to meet basic quality standards, the Trump administration is not working to ensure servicers send accurate bills or respond to borrowers' calls.
* Despite assurances in September 2025 that the department would implement some oversight, the department still has not put in place basic oversight, as of December, and has refused to accept GAO's straightforward recommendation to protect student loan borrowers.
Read the report here (https://watchdog.gao.gov/distribution/8qrb).
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Original text here: https://www.help.senate.gov/dem/newsroom/press/news-new-gao-report-finds-trumps-dismantling-of-the-education-department-leaves-43-million-borrowers-without-support
Ernst Works to Grow the Small Business Pet Economy
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, posted the following news release on March 11, 2026:* * *
Ernst Works to Grow the Small Business Pet Economy
Today, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) highlighted how Congress can support pet small businesses and their paws-itive impact on the economy by passing her bipartisan Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act.
Ernst noted that spending on pets reached a record high last year and called on the Senate to pass her legislation ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, posted the following news release on March 11, 2026: * * * Ernst Works to Grow the Small Business Pet Economy Today, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) highlighted how Congress can support pet small businesses and their paws-itive impact on the economy by passing her bipartisan Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act. Ernst noted that spending on pets reached a record high last year and called on the Senate to pass her legislationthat would double the 7(a) and 504 loan limits from $5 million to $10 million for small manufacturers, so businesses like Blue-9 Pet Products in Maquoketa, Iowa can continue to modernize, grow, and train a new generation of American workers.
Ernst's full remarks:
"Today folks, we are talking about our beloved pets and the entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports the ever-growing pet industry.
"Pets have a very special place in our lives, in our families, and even here in the Senate - and you can always ask Senator Justice who often travel with his dog, Babydog. They are there to greet us, support those with disabilities, and help our veterans regain their independence.
"Pets are abundant in Americans' lives, with around 57% of households owning at least one. In rural areas, this number is even higher: 71% of households have pets, and 47% report owning more than one animal.
"As more Americans have welcomed pets into their homes, businesses supporting our animals thrived. This growth has continued in our current Golden Age, where spending on pets is estimated to have reached $157 billion in 2025, a record high, and a 75% increase since 2018.
"As the pet economy continues to grow, the number and variety of small businesses who support our pets continues to increase.
"Local vets, community trainers, and neighborhood pet stores are some of the first places people go to get support for their animals.
"Some of the small businesses we will hear from today participate in franchises throughout the country, serve on Main Street, and provide quality medical care when our pets need it most. They do all of this while investing in their employees and giving back to their communities.
"However, the difficulties pet small businesses face are no different to those who participate in any other sector of the economy.
"Accessing capital, navigating regulations, and recruiting qualified employees are just some of the many challenges these entrepreneurs encounter.
"We are here today to talk about how to support these business owners.
"We can start by passing my Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act, which will raise the Small Business Administration's 7(a) and 504 limits from $5 million to $10 million for small manufacturers, like Blue-9 Pet Products, that manufactures pet training products in Maquoketa, Iowa.
"I am grateful to my colleagues, including Senators Coons, Young, Hickenlooper, and Husted for their bi-paw-tisan support.
"This bill has already passed the House, and I will continue to work to pass it through our Senate chamber.
"As small businesses and their employees navigate tax season, they will be able to invest more of their profits in their employees and business growth, thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts that are now law.
"From pet groomers benefiting from the 'no tax on tips' provision to small business owners taking advantage of the qualified business income deduction, more of folks' hard-earned money is staying in their own pockets.
"Today, we will also have a chance to examine the challenges businesses in rural areas face and the effective ways small business owners everywhere can recruit and retain employees.
"The pet economy is just as wide and diverse as the small businesses who participate in it. They care for our animals as their own, and it is important that we support them as they pursue growth and expansion of their businesses.
"I want to thank our witnesses for being with us today. We look forward to your testimony and hearing about your important work and the valuable services you provide to our communities."
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Original text here: https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=AC9DB677-33FD-42FD-965A-DBE56DCCF5E2
Crapo, Wyden, Colleagues Call on Trump to Prioritize Opening Japanese Market Access to U.S. Potato Industry
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release:* * *
Crapo, Wyden, Colleagues Call on Trump to Prioritize Opening Japanese Market Access to U.S. Potato Industry
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) led House and Senate colleagues in asking President Trump to prioritize gaining market access for U.S. fresh potatoes during Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's upcoming visit to the United States. Ending Japan's restrictions on U.S. fresh potatoes would ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Crapo, Wyden, Colleagues Call on Trump to Prioritize Opening Japanese Market Access to U.S. Potato Industry U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) led House and Senate colleagues in asking President Trump to prioritize gaining market access for U.S. fresh potatoes during Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's upcoming visit to the United States. Ending Japan's restrictions on U.S. fresh potatoes wouldresult in an estimated $150 million a year in new American exports, benefitting farming communities in states across the country.
"U.S. potato growers produce the best potatoes in the world. International trade and foreign export markets are critical to the U.S. potato industry," wrote the legislators.
"With low commodity prices and increased input costs this year, the potato sector, and specialty crops more broadly, are facing a major economic crisis. Japan represents a massive market with significant export opportunities for American potato growers," continued the legislators. "Securing this long-delayed market access petition and unlocking the critical Japanese export market would make a meaningful difference for potato growers in our states and across the country."
Senators Crapo and Wyden have long pushed to lower this trade barrier. In Idaho, the potato industry accounts for roughly a third of all U.S. production and supports more than 28,000 jobs.
The letter was joined by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Steve Daines (R-Montana), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado), Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Gary Peters (D-Michigan), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) and Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) and Representatives Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), Jeff Hurd (R-Colorado), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Michigan), Suzan DelBene (D-Washington), Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin), Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon), Julie Fedorchak (R-North Dakota), Dan Newhouse (R-Washington), Jack Bergman (R-Michigan), Shri Thanedar (D-Michigan), Tony Wied (R-Wisconsin), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Jeff Crank (R-Colorado), Glenn Grothman (R-Wisconsin), Marilyn Strickland (D-Washington), Cliff Bentz (R-Oregon), Gabe Evans (R-Colorado), Dan Meuser (R-Pennsylvania), Michael Baumgartner (R-Washington), Tom Tiffany (R-Wisconsin), Adrian Smith (R-Nebraska), Val Hoyle (D-Oregon), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colorado), Robert Bresnahan (R-Pennsylvania), Kim Schrier (D-Washington), Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisconsin), Rick Larsen (D-Washington), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pennsylvania), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Washington), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wisconsin), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minnesota), Joe Neguse (D-Colorado), John Moolenaar (R-Michigan), Jason Crow (D-Colorado), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon), Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado), Adam Smith (D-Washington), Jared Golden (D-Maine), Hillary Scholten (D-Michigan), John James (R-Michigan), Brad Finstad (R-Minnesota), Janelle Bynum (D-Oregon), Bill Huizenga (R-Michigan) and Diana DeGette (D-Colorado).
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March 11, 2026
To: The Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Trump:
We write to you ahead of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's visit to request that you urge the Prime Minister to open Japan's market to U.S. fresh (table stock) potatoes. Gaining fresh access to Japan would result in an estimated $150 million a year in new American potato exports. Put in perspective, new market access would make Japan the largest export market for U.S. fresh potatoes outside of North America and bring tremendous benefits for farming communities in our states.
U.S. potato growers produce the best potatoes in the world. International trade and foreign export markets are critical to the U.S. potato industry. About 20 percent of American-grown potatoes are exported around the world, contributing nearly $4.8 billion in economic growth and supporting nearly 34,000 jobs in the United States. U.S. growers have a long history of exporting fresh potatoes to markets across the Indo-Pacific, including South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. These exports occur safely and on a routine basis, providing mutual benefits for consumers abroad and growers here at home.
Japan, however, continues to shut U.S. potatoes out of its market with no scientific basis. The United States first requested fresh potato access in Japan over thirty years ago; the market access petition was elevated to a top priority in U.S.-Japan plant health negotiations in September 2019. But since then--despite the efforts of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Office of the United States Trade Representative--Japan continues to delay substantive technical discussions on table stock potato access. There is no valid phytosanitary justification for these delays.
With low commodity prices and increased input costs this year, the potato sector, and specialty crops more broadly, are facing a major economic crisis. Japan represents a massive market with significant export opportunities for American potato growers. Securing this long-delayed market access petition and unlocking the critical Japanese export market would make a meaningful difference for potato growers in our states and across the country.
Technical discussions have not made meaningful progress. We urge you to prioritize this issue in your discussions with the Prime Minister and find a lasting solution for U.S. potato growers. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We stand ready to assist as needed.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Crapo, United States Senator, Chairman, Committee on Finance
Ron Wyden, United States Senator, Ranking Member, Committee on Finance
Michael K. Simpson, Member of Congress
Jeff Hurd, Member of Congress
Kristen McDonald Rivet, Member of Congress
James E. Risch, United States Senator
Angus S. King, Jr., United States Senator
Suzan K. DelBene, Member of Congress
Bryan Steil, Member of Congress
Andrea Salinas, Member of Congress
Steve Daines, United States Senator
Julie Fedorchak, Member of Congress
Dan Newhouse, Member of Congress
Susan M. Collins, United States Senator
Jack Bergman, Member of Congress
Shri Thanedar, Member of Congress
Michael F. Bennet, United States Senator
Tony Wied, Member of Congress
Russ Fulcher, Member of Congress
Jeff Crank, Member of Congress
Glenn Grothman, Member of Congress
Kevin Cramer, United States Senator
Marilyn Strickland, Member of Congress
Cliff Bentz, Member of Congress
Tammy Baldwin, United States Senator
Gabe Evans, Member of Congress
Dan Meuser, Member of Congress
Michael Baumgartner, Member of Congress
Maria Cantwell, United States Senator
Patty Murray, United States Senator
Tom Tiffany, Member of Congress
Tim Sheehy, United States Senator
John Hickenlooper, United States
Senator Elissa Slotkin, United States Senator
Adrian Smith, Member of Congress
Pete Ricketts, United States Senator
Gary C. Peters, United States Senator
Val Hoyle, Member of Congress
Amy Klobuchar, United States Senator
Brittany Pettersen, Member of Congress
Rob Bresnahan, Jr., Member of Congress
Jeffrey A. Merkley, United States Senator
Kim Schrier, M.D., Member of Congress
Derrick Van Orden, Member of Congress
Rick Larsen, Member of Congress
Chellie Pingree, Member of Congress
Ryan Mackenzie, Member of Congress
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Member of Congress
Scott Fitzgerald, Member of Congress
Michelle Fischbach, Member of Congress
Joe Neguse, Member of Congress
John R. Moolenaar, Member of Congress
Jason Crow, Member of Congress
Suzanne Bonamici, Member of Congress
Thom Tillis, United States Senator
Tina Smith, United States Senator
Lauren Boebert, Member of Congress
Adam Smith, Member of Congress
Jared Golden, Member of Congress
Hillary J. Scholten, Member of Congress
John James, Member of Congress
Brad Finstad, Member of Congress
Ted Budd, United States Senator
Janelle S. Bynum, Member of Congress
Bill Huizenga, Member of Congress
Diana DeGette, Member of Congress
John Hoeven, United States Senator
Ron Johnson, United States Senator
cc: Ambassador Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative
The Honorable Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture
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Original text here: https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/crapo-wyden-colleagues-call-on-trump-to-prioritize-opening-japanese-market-access-to-us-potato-industry
Chairman Rick Scott Exposes Communist China's Dangerous Grip on America's Medicine Supply; Highlights CLEAR LABELS Act to Increase Transparency
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:* * *
Chairman Rick Scott Exposes Communist China's Dangerous Grip on America's Medicine Supply; Highlights CLEAR LABELS Act to Increase Transparency
Today, Chairman Rick Scott led a hearing entitled "Foreign Dependence: How China Captured America's Drug Supply" to examine how Communist China has pursued global dominance in pharmaceutical manufacturing and how America's trade, regulatory, and procurement decisions have contributed to the ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, issued the following news release on March 11, 2026: * * * Chairman Rick Scott Exposes Communist China's Dangerous Grip on America's Medicine Supply; Highlights CLEAR LABELS Act to Increase Transparency Today, Chairman Rick Scott led a hearing entitled "Foreign Dependence: How China Captured America's Drug Supply" to examine how Communist China has pursued global dominance in pharmaceutical manufacturing and how America's trade, regulatory, and procurement decisions have contributed to thedecline of America's domestic production capacity.
This hearing builds on the Committee's bipartisan efforts under Chairman Scott's leadership to identify policy failures that have deepened America's dangerous overreliance on foreign suppliers and to advance reforms that restore domestic control over the production of essential medicines. As part of this effort, Chairman Scott also highlighted the importance of the bipartisan, bicameral CLEAR LABELS Act, which would improve transparency by requiring clear, upfront disclosure of where the medicines Americans rely on are manufactured.
Witnesses for today's hearing included The Honorable Ted Yoho, former Florida Congressman and senior advisor to the Kyle House Group; Gordon G. Chang, author of "Plan Red: China's Project to Destroy America"; and Rosemary Gibson, author of "China Rx." These expert witnesses discussed how China now controls critical aspects of the global drug supply chain -- from active pharmaceutical ingredients to finished generics -- creating a dangerous overreliance for the United States, particularly for America's seniors who rely on these essential medications to live happy, healthy lives.
Read his remarks as prepared for delivery below:
"The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging will now come to order.
What if I told you that Communist China, an adversary of the United States, has sole control of the building blocks of many of the medicines seniors and Americans rely on?
I'm not just talking about a few medicines. I'm talking about our antibiotics. Our diabetes drugs. Our blood pressure medications. Essential life-saving medicines found in every hospital, every pharmacy, and every medicine cabinet in this country.
This isn't speculation. It's our reality.
Xi Jinping and his thugs in the CCP are our enemies, and they're controlling the very medications our families rely on to live happy, healthy lives.
Today's hearing is about getting to the bottom of why this is the case.
And I want to be very clear - it didn't happen because Communist China was clever or lucky.
This happened because Washington was negligent, lobbyists are powerful, and politicians in both parties chose cheap over safe.
For 30 years, we watched Communist China's government and its leaders execute a deliberate, documented, publicly stated plan to capture the global drug supply chain.
They weren't trying to hide it. The signs were obvious - and our government did absolutely nothing to stop it.
As a matter of fact - Washington politicians created regulatory barriers and enacted policies that pushed manufacturing overseas and right into the CCP's hands.
This Committee has spent the last six months exposing this threat and building this case, piece by piece, hearing by hearing.
In September, we exposed how our dependence on foreign generics is threatening drug safety and availability for American patients.
In October, we brought in experts to examine solutions and discuss ideas like procurement reform and supply chain transparency.
In November, we had American manufacturers testify what a rebuilt domestic industry could actually look like.
And in January, I, along with Ranking Member Gillibrand and several members of this Committee, introduced the CLEAR LABELS Act, to inject transparency into our drug supply system.
Because the American people have a right to know where their drugs and the medicines keeping their mothers, fathers, and children alive come from.
We have written to the FDA and the Secretary of HHS. We have written to drug distributors and group purchasing organizations, demanding answers about their foreign sourcing.
We have written to Secretary Hegseth about what dependence on Communist China means for the health and readiness of our own troops.
We even published an investigative report that documents, in plain terms, what decades of offshoring has done to the American drug manufacturing industry.
Over the last 24 years, domestic production has COLLAPSED - dropping from 84% of the U.S. market in 2002 to just 37% today.
80% of APIs used in these essential medicines have no U.S. source whatsoever.
Let that sink in. 80%.
During COVID-19, the Chinese government nationalized its own medical supply production, turned off the exports, and decided which countries got lifesaving drugs based on politics.
37 Chinese factories that made ingredients for American drugs shut down during the pandemic. U.S. hospitals and health care workers fighting to keep Americans alive ran out of sedatives, antibiotics, and cancer drugs.
That was a taste of what it looks like when you let an adversary control your supply of essential medicines.
And it should serve as a warning for us all. If we just sit here, hold this hearing, thank our witnesses and go home without acting - it will happen again, but worse.
I didn't come here today to preside over another Washington exercise where all we do is identify a problem and then pat ourselves on the back because we named it.
This Committee has been working since DAY ONE to sound the alarm, talk to experts, and present REAL solutions to fix the problem.
I hope today will be the moment that alarm becomes impossible to ignore.
To all the members of this Committee and all our Congressional colleagues, let's continue to work together to fix this problem.
Let's find a path forward that will protect American patients and American lives - the lives of OUR CONSTITUENTS."
See below to read more about the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging's bipartisan work:
* 03/04/26: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Press America's Pharmacies on U.S. Drug Supply Chain and Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foreign-Made Drugs
* 02/19/26: Chairman Scott Sends Letter to Secretary Hegseth on Securing Generic Drug Supply for Service Members and Veterans
* 01/29/26: Chairman Scott Calls for Transparency of Foreign-Made Generic Drugs, Announces CLEAR LABELS Act to Require Country-of-Origin Labeling
* 11/20/25: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Send Letter to VA Secretary on Protecting Veterans' Pharmaceutical Supply Chains
* 11/19/25: Chairman Scott Leads Aging Hearing on Navigating Path to Restoring U.S. Leadership in Essential Drug Manufacturing
* 11/11/25: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Send Letter to Major U.S. Pharmacies on Foreign Drug Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
* 10/30/25: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Send Letter to Pharmaceutical Distributor Executives on Regulatory Oversight of Foreign-Manufactured Generic Drugs
* 10/29/25: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Send Letter to Group Purchasing Organization Executives on Regulatory Oversight of Foreign-Manufactured Generic Drugs
* 10/24/25: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Pen Letter to HHS on Dangers of Overreliance on Foreign-Manufactured Generic Drugs and Request Information on HHS's Efforts to Combat Vulnerabilities
* 10/20/25: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Release Investigative Report Exposing America's Dangerous Overreliance on Foreign-Made Generic Drugs, Proposing Bipartisan Policy Recommendations
* 10/08/25: Chairman Scott Leads Aging Committee Hearing on Closing Deadly Generic Drug Loopholes and Rebuilding America's Essential Medicine Supply
* 09/18/25: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Pen Bipartisan Letter to FDA Commissioner on Oversight and Safety of Foreign-Manufactured Generic Drugs, Requests Answers on Ties to Forced Labor in China
* 09/17/25: Chairman Scott: U.S. Overdependence on Foreign-Manufactured Generic Drugs Threatens Lives of America's Seniors & National Security
* 04/01/25: Chairman Scott, Sens. Moody and Justice Ask FDA to Prioritize Foreign & Domestic Drug Quality and Protect Seniors
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Original text here: https://www.aging.senate.gov/press-releases/chairman-rick-scott-exposes-communist-chinas-dangerous-grip-on-americas-medicine-supply-highlights-clear-labels-act-to-increase-transparency
Chairman Cassidy, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Ditch Democrat Heat Rule Proposal
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news on March 11, 2026:* * *
Chairman Cassidy, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Ditch Democrat Heat Rule Proposal
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), led 15 Republican Senators urging the U.S. Department of Labor to protect American workers from the Biden administration's disastrous proposed heat rule. The Biden-era proposed rule would mandate that ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news on March 11, 2026: * * * Chairman Cassidy, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Ditch Democrat Heat Rule Proposal U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), led 15 Republican Senators urging the U.S. Department of Labor to protect American workers from the Biden administration's disastrous proposed heat rule. The Biden-era proposed rule would mandate thatall businesses, no matter their safety record, size, location, or industry, comply with onerous requirements on safety staffing, recordkeeping and mandatory breaks at high-heat triggers that can create dangerous hazards for some workers. The one size fits all proposal is inefficient, dangerous, threatens job opportunities, and hurts local businesses.
"We represent the states of Louisiana, Idaho, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Texas, and Montana which have experience with high temperatures and whose workplaces have already developed strategies for protecting workers," wrote the senators. "Protecting workers from a common and easily understandable workplace hazard does not require a prescriptive rule that will cause confusion and, in several circumstances, may even undermine worker safety. Workers and businesses thrive when there are clear standards that are flexible, understandable, and pragmatic."
Cassidy was joined by U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Jim Banks (R-IN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Katie Britt (R-AL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), and Steve Daines (R-MT).
Read the full letter here (https://www.help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/chairman_cassidy_colleagues_urge_trump_administration_to_ditch_democrat_heat_rule_proposal.pdf) or below:
Dear Secretary Chavez-DeRemer,
Nothing is more critical than our shared goal of protecting workers from workplace hazards, including heat, so they can return home from work safely.
The Department's continued prioritization of heat-related hazards through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) National Emphasis Program (NEP) has spurred more than 7,000 Heat NEP Federal inspections resulting in more than 1,300 Hazard Alert Letters and 60 General Duty Clause citations under the General Duty Clause.1 This enforcement is possible because OSHA recognizes heat as a hazard. Currently, if OSHA finds that an employer has violated their duty to protect workers from heat-related workplace hazards, it can issue a citation under the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act. This allows OSHA to evaluate the circumstances of each individual workplace safety incident and use its discretion.
In 2024, the Biden administration issued a one-size-fits-all proposed rule, Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings, mandating that all businesses, no matter their safety record, size, location, or industry, comply with proposed requirements that include heat triggers, new mandatory safety staffing requirements, safety plans, rigid acclimatization schedules, and burdensome record-keeping requirements, among other mandates.2 Businesses already comply with several workplace safety requirements relating to water, medical care and first aid for specialized industries, such as construction.
We represent the states of Louisiana, Idaho, Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Texas, and Montana which have experience with high temperatures and whose workplaces have already developed strategies for protecting workers. Protecting workers from a common and easily understandable workplace hazard does not require a prescriptive rule that will cause confusion and, in several circumstances, may even undermine worker safety. Workers and businesses thrive when there are clear standards that are flexible, understandable, and pragmatic.
The Biden administration's proposed rule fails to meet these criteria. As rulemaking continues, we ask the Department to consider the below concerns with the Biden administration proposed rule regarding issues that would negatively impact our constituents.
Heat Triggers
The proposed rule's heat triggers at 80 and 90 degrees create two different levels of compliance for workers, mandating a 15-minute rest break every two hours and active monitoring of employees once the temperature hits 90 degrees. Its practical effects could force workers to make choices that endanger them, violate the law, or increase their workload.
The proposed rule's mandatory break at 90 degrees can create dangerous hazards for some workers. For example, forcing roofers to climb down from roofs at two-hour intervals may create a heightened fall risk. In localities with noise ordinances prohibiting work before daylight hours, businesses that work in outdoor settings, such as construction and landscape contractors, may find it difficult to shift their work to accommodate both the proposed rule and local noise ordinances and potentially limiting work hours to impractical levels.
Employees who are part of a mobile workforce, such as delivery drivers, could face challenges finding where to park, locating a break area, and cooling off in addition to where and how to store suitably cool water. Time-sensitive work that is easily ruined, such as pouring concrete, may have to stop based on temperature fluctuations. This may then force workers to work longer hours in the heat or result in quality issues. The proposed rule also fails to take into consideration the restoration of critical infrastructure, such as the delivery of electricity, rebuilding roadways and highways, and other utilities, resulting from natural disasters.
Businesses are also required to follow different monitoring schemes for indoor or outdoor work settings, although, as written, it is unclear when a work setting - such as an equipment shed or house under construction - becomes indoor or outdoor.
Heat Safety Coordinator
The proposed rule also mandates that businesses designate staff members to oversee the regulation's numerous requirements without providing sufficient guidance as to who can fill that role, where the heat safety coordinator's duties end, and what happens if a heat safety coordinator is unavailable. Each business must install a heat safety coordinator charged with keeping employees free of heat-related illness or injury. The proposed rule states some of the duties of a heat safety coordinator include overseeing the implementation of the heat injury and illness prevention plan (HIIPP) compliance, heat hazard mitigation, and other examples - but, as written, the proposed rule does not indicate where the heat safety coordinator's duties end. As currently written, the proposed rule also dictates the number of heat safety coordinators that an employers must designate given the current proposed cap of twenty employees per coordinator.
Although a heat safety coordinator can be an employee with the requisite training, this broad grant of responsibility may force businesses to create a position or multiple positions solely to comply with this requirement, potentially forcing small businesses to raise prices due to increased costs or hamstringing companies that could otherwise grow by creating roles that increase productivity.
Acclimatization Rules
The proposed rule requires acclimatization procedures for new employees or re-acclimatization for employees who have been away from work for more than 14 days to exposure to heat they experience on the jobsite over the course of three or four days. These proposed acclimatization procedures do not account for workers who are naturally acclimatized and accustomed to performing the same type of work. This disadvantages workers who are already acclimatized to the area and the type of work but have been out of work for 15 days or longer from getting jobs. It may also encourage some businesses to forgo creating a new job. For some types of businesses, like metal casting, implementing this proposed rule may make it impossible to hire people who are not already fully acclimatized.
The proposed rule's uniform acclimatization standard may also make it difficult for workers to continue schedules and flexibility on which they rely. For example, it would hamper any deviation in the common energy sector practice of "14 on, 14 off," in which workers work for two weeks and take the following two weeks off, creating challenges if workers were required to acclimatize every time they returned to work.
Written Safety Plan
The proposed rule requires that businesses with more than ten employees to create a HIIPP with highly detailed and site-specific information, including how to transport a worker to a location where they can be picked up and directions to a worksite, among other details. This level of complexity can cause well-meaning businesses, especially smaller businesses with frequently changing jobsites like construction sites, to violate this rule due to the specificity required in the HIIPP. The proposed rule also imposes superfluous requirements, like requiring businesses to spend additional time revisiting HIIPPs even when a plan addressed a problem before it could become more severe.
Many businesses already have plans that are tailored to their workplace's needs. Forcing them to conform to an OSHA-specific rubric would impose additional costs while potentially losing key details in a current, business-developed plan. The proposed rule also requires that a HIIPP be available at worksites in a language each employee understands. This requirement could discourage businesses from hiring workers who speak a less common language.
Other Requirements
The proposed heat rule also augments the current legal parameters around training and recordkeeping processes, requires hazard alerts, and dictates how and when businesses must provide water. Its training requirements would require businesses, including small businesses, to explain medical concepts and symptoms to their workforce frequently. The proposed rule includes additional requirements related to temperature monitoring but lacks clarity around when some areas - like boat manufacturing facilities exposed to open air - become indoor or outdoor settings and imposes new monitoring and data storage costs on businesses.
The proposed rule also requires businesses to issue hazard alerts to employees prior to work shifts or when employees are exposed to high-heat above the heat trigger, a more than daily occurrence in some parts of the country. In consistently hot climates, these hazard alerts may need to be issued frequently causing them to become "background noise" or to crowd out messages about other safety hazards that could cause employees greater harm. The proposed heat rule requires that businesses provide one quart of suitably cool water per employee per hour. While well-intentioned, the prescriptive nature of the mandate presents challenges for unique worksites and may inadvertently expose well-meaning businesses to multiple citations based on a formula.
We urge you to consider these challenges our constituents have raised with the proposed rule as you engage in further rulemaking and consider how to center worker safety in the ongoing discussion regarding pragmatic solutions for preventing heat-related hazards in the workplaces.
Sincerely,
* * *
Original text here: https://www.help.senate.gov/rep/newsroom/press/chairman-cassidy-colleagues-urge-trump-administration-to-ditch-democrat-heat-rule-proposal
CBO Issues Cost Estimate for FAA SMS Compliance Review Act of 2026
WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the FAA SMS Compliance Review Act (S. 3700).* * *
S. 3700 would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish an advisory committee that would evaluate and recommend FAA policies related to safety management systems.
The committee would consist of members from federal agencies, labor organizations, industry experts, and other related groups. The bill also would require the agency to report to the Congress on efforts to address recommendations from the advisory committee.
Based on ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the FAA SMS Compliance Review Act (S. 3700). * * * S. 3700 would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish an advisory committee that would evaluate and recommend FAA policies related to safety management systems. The committee would consist of members from federal agencies, labor organizations, industry experts, and other related groups. The bill also would require the agency to report to the Congress on efforts to address recommendations from the advisory committee. Based onthe cost of similar advisory groups and reports, CBO estimates that implementing S. 3700 would cost $1 million over the 2026-2031 period. Any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aaron Krupkin. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel, Director, Congressional Budget Office
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Original text here: https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2026-03/s3700.pdf
CBO Issues Cost Estimate for DIGITAL Applications Act
WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the DIGITAL Applications Act (H.R. 1665).* * *
H.R. 1665 would require the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and the Interior (DOI) to establish online portals to process requests to place and operate communications facilities on federal land. The bill also would require the Department of Commerce to publish links to those portals.
DOI already operates an online system that meets the bill's requirements. In 2024, USDA launched an online system that meets some of the bill's requirements but will need ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the DIGITAL Applications Act (H.R. 1665). * * * H.R. 1665 would require the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and the Interior (DOI) to establish online portals to process requests to place and operate communications facilities on federal land. The bill also would require the Department of Commerce to publish links to those portals. DOI already operates an online system that meets the bill's requirements. In 2024, USDA launched an online system that meets some of the bill's requirements but will needupgrades to meet all of them. Using information from the affected agencies, CBO estimates that upgrading, administering, and maintaining the systems to comply with provisions of the bill would cost $7 million over the 2026-2031 period. Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
On March 9, 2026, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 1665, the DIGITAL Applications Act, as reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on February 4, 2026. The two bills are identical, and CBO's estimates of their budgetary effects are the same.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Lilia Ledezma. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel, Director, Congressional Budget Office
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Original text here: https://www.cbo.gov/publication/62214
Budzinski, Bost, Bell, and Wagner Introduce Gateway Arch National Park Boundary Revision Act
WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on March 9, 2026:* * *
Budzinski, Bost, Bell, and Wagner Introduce Gateway Arch National Park Boundary Revision Act
This bipartisan legislation marks the first step to drive economic growth in the area.
*
SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Today, U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Mike Bost (IL-15), Wesley Bell (MO-01), and Ann Wagner (MO-02) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand the boundaries of Gateway Arch National Park.
Specifically, the legislation would expand the park's authorized boundary ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on March 9, 2026: * * * Budzinski, Bost, Bell, and Wagner Introduce Gateway Arch National Park Boundary Revision Act This bipartisan legislation marks the first step to drive economic growth in the area. * SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Today, U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Mike Bost (IL-15), Wesley Bell (MO-01), and Ann Wagner (MO-02) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand the boundaries of Gateway Arch National Park. Specifically, the legislation would expand the park's authorized boundaryto allow the National Park Service to extend the park into Malcolm Martin Park and neighboring vacant parcels in East St. Louis, Illinois.
"Since arriving in Congress, fighting for economic development opportunities across the Metro East has been a top priority. That includes doing whatever I can to keep the doors open at Granite City Works and reinvesting in the East St. Louis waterfront," said Congresswoman Budzinski. "This introduction today represents the first and most important step Congress can take to enable the expansion of Gateway Arch National Park and bring renewed opportunity and energy to our area. I'm grateful for the local leaders who set this vision, and I'm proud to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this effort as we come together to strengthen the region's future."
"As the Representative of Missouri's First District, I continue to fight for economic growth in the St. Louis region. Expanding the boundaries of Gateway National Park is an important step toward promoting this growth," said Congressman Bell. "I'm proud to partner with my neighboring Representatives on this effort and bring forward positive change in our community."
"This brings us one step closer to fulfilling Eero Saarinen's original vision of expanding Gateway Arch National Park to Illinois," said Ryan McClure, Executive Director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation. "We are grateful to this bi-partisan, bi-state congressional delegation for advancing us further toward achieving that dream. This is collaboration at its very best and the kind of partnership that moves our region forward."
Tomorrow, Budzinski and Bell alongside local leaders and the Gateway Arch Park Foundation will participate in a press conference in East St. Louis to celebrate this key first step.
The full text of the Gateway Arch National Park Boundary Revision Act can be found HERE (https://d12t4t5x3vyizu.cloudfront.net/budzinski.house.gov/uploads/2026/03/BUDZIN_033_xml.pdf).
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Original text here: https://budzinski.house.gov/posts/budzinski-bost-bell-and-wagner-introduce-gateway-arch-national-park-boundary-revision-act
Alsobrooks Introduces Bill to Repeal OBBBA Provision and Restore Federal Loan Availability for Graduate and Professional Students
WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Maryland, issued the following news release:* * *
Alsobrooks Introduces Bill to Repeal OBBBA Provision and Restore Federal Loan Availability for Graduate and Professional Students
As reported in Politico's Morning Education, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) introduced the Professional Degree Access Restoration Act, which reverses recent reductions in federal loan availability for graduate and professional students. The bill would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to restore the full loan limits that were narrowed under President Trump's ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: * * * Alsobrooks Introduces Bill to Repeal OBBBA Provision and Restore Federal Loan Availability for Graduate and Professional Students As reported in Politico's Morning Education, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) introduced the Professional Degree Access Restoration Act, which reverses recent reductions in federal loan availability for graduate and professional students. The bill would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to restore the full loan limits that were narrowed under President Trump'sOne Big Beautiful Bill Act, ensuring students pursuing advanced degrees can access the financial support they need. This bill expands access to advanced education for those seeking to pursue careers in nursing, teaching, social work, medicine, and more.
The Professional Degree Access Restoration Act is co-sponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Duckworth (D-Ill.), Wyden (D-Ore.), Kim (D-N.J.), Cantwell (D-Wash.), Smith (D-Minn.), and Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.-15) introduced this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
"Maryland needs more nurses, teachers, and social workers - and it shouldn't be the case that you have to be rich to pursue one of these professions. That's why I am proud, and why it is so necessary, that I introduce the Professional Degree Access Restoration Act - to restore federal loans for students looking to better themselves and our communities by pursuing graduate and professional degrees," said Senator Alsobrooks.
"Graduate and professional students deserve a fair chance to pursue their careers without being priced out by sudden reductions in federal aid," said Rep. Ritchie Torres. "Investing in advanced education strengthens our workforce, our economy, and the future of fields that communities rely on. I'm proud to partner with Sen. Alsobrooks to restore a critical tool for students striving to serve in high-demand professions."
"At the same time that our country is facing workforce shortages in fields like medicine and teaching, the Trump Administration and Republicans have slashed access to federal student loans for a range of needed professions. These actions have put important professional careers out of reach for more Americans. Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue a secondary education and that starts with undoing these backward policies and preserving lending options that offer students of all backgrounds the ability to launch fulfilling careers in these fields," said Senator Van Hollen.
"Buried in the Republicans' Big Ugly Bill was a provision to make it harder for students to pursue careers in industries that are in desperate need of expanded workforces, like social workers, nurses and educators. This legislation takes a much-needed step to ensure students pursuing their dream of entering the care workforce can do so without being hit with an even greater financial burden, and secure the next generation of providers for Americans that rely on them," said Senator Wyden.
"Donald Trump's Big Disastrous Bill made it harder for students looking to give back to our communities in critical healthcare and education fields by making their education less affordable. Let's right this wrong and support our country's success by uplifting people of all financial backgrounds' talent and continued growth," said Senator Kim.
"Sen. Alsobrooks' bill to restore the Grad PLUS loan program is a critical step toward ensuring that aspiring physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, dentists, lawyers, and educators can finance the full cost of their training without being pushed toward high-cost private loans. At the University of Maryland, Baltimore, we see every day how removing financial barriers allows talented students -- and tomorrow's leaders -- to pursue careers in essential fields in public health, medicine, law, and human services. As communities across the U.S. grapple with serious shortages in health care and other service professions, we must expand -- not restrict -- access to graduate and professional education. Sen. Alsobrooks' legislation will help ensure students are never forced to abandon their studies because affordable financing is out of reach," said Bruce E. Jarrell, M.D., FACS, President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Endorsing Organizations include: American Federation of Teachers, Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions, Oncology Nursing Society, American Institute of Architects, American Institute of Architecture Students, American Society of Landscape Architects, Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, National Architectural Accrediting Board, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, National Organization of Minority Architects, American Occupational Therapy Association, Clinical Social Work Association, American Federation of School Administrators, Commission on Independent Colleges & Universities, Joint National Committee for Languages, National Council for Languages and International Studies, National Education Association, National Association of Social Workers, AFSCME, Fordham University, University of Saint Vincent, Columbia University, and University of Maryland, Baltimore.
The full bill text is available here (https://www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BOM26173.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/alsobrooks-introduces-bill-to-repeal-obbba-provision-and-restore-federal-loan-availability-for-graduate-and-professional-students/
Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Set Hearing to Expose China's Control of America's Drug Supply
WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging issued the following news release on March 10, 2026:* * *
Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Set Hearing to Expose China's Control of America's Drug Supply
On Wednesday, March 11, Chairman Rick Scott and Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand will convene a hearing entitled "Foreign Dependence: How China Captured America's Drug Supply." This hearing will expose how China is deliberately pursuing global dominance in pharmaceutical manufacturing through state-directed industrial ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging issued the following news release on March 10, 2026: * * * Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Set Hearing to Expose China's Control of America's Drug Supply On Wednesday, March 11, Chairman Rick Scott and Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand will convene a hearing entitled "Foreign Dependence: How China Captured America's Drug Supply." This hearing will expose how China is deliberately pursuing global dominance in pharmaceutical manufacturing through state-directed industrialpolicy, and how U.S. trade, regulatory, and procurement decisions contribute to the erosion of America's domestic production capacity. Members and expert witnesses will discuss how China now controls critical aspects of the global drug supply chain -- from active pharmaceutical ingredients to finished generics -- creating a dangerous overreliance for the U.S., and particularly for America's aging community that relies on these essential medications to live happy, healthy lives.
This hearing builds on the Committee's bipartisan efforts under Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Gillibrand's leadership to identify the policy failures that have enabled America's foreign overreliance and advocate for advancing reforms that restore American control over these essential medicines. As part of this effort, members will highlight the importance of the bipartisan and bicameral CLEAR LABELS Act, which will improve transparency by requiring clear and upfront disclosure of where the medicines Americans rely on are coming from.
Witnesses for the hearing will include:
* Hon. Ted Yoho, Former U.S. Congressman, Senior Advisor, Kyle House Group, Welaka, FL
* Gordon G. Chang, Author, Plan Red: China's Project to Destroy America, Bedminster, NJ
* Rosemary Gibson, Author, China Rx, McLean, VA
* Chan Harjivan, Visiting Fellow, Duke Margolis Institute for Health Policy, Washington D.C.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
3:30PM ET
WHERE: Hart Senate Office Building, SH-216
See below to read more about the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging's bipartisan work:
* 03/04/26: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Press America's Pharmacies on U.S. Drug Supply Chain and Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foreign-Made Drugs
* 02/19/26: Chairman Scott Sends Letter to Secretary Hegseth on Securing Generic Drug Supply for Service Members and Veterans
* 01/29/26: Chairman Scott Calls for Transparency of Foreign-Made Generic Drugs, Announces CLEAR LABELS Act to Require Country-of-Origin Labeling
* 11/19/25: Chairman Scott Leads Aging Hearing on Navigating Path to Restoring U.S. Leadership in Essential Drug Manufacturing
* 10/30/25: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Send Letter to Pharmaceutical Distributor Executives on Regulatory Oversight of Foreign-Manufactured Generic Drugs
* 10/29/25: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Send Letter to Group Purchasing Organization Executives on Regulatory Oversight of Foreign-Manufactured Generic Drugs
* 10/24/25: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Pen Letter to HHS on Dangers of Overreliance on Foreign-Manufactured Generic Drugs and Request Information on HHS's Efforts to Combat Vulnerabilities
* 10/20/25: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand Release Investigative Report Exposing America's Dangerous Overreliance on Foreign-Made Generic Drugs, Proposing Bipartisan Policy Recommendations
* 10/08/25: Chairman Scott Leads Aging Committee Hearing on Closing Deadly Generic Drug Loopholes and Rebuilding America's Essential Medicine Supply
* 09/17/25: Chairman Scott: U.S. Overdependence on Foreign-Manufactured Generic Drugs Threatens Lives of America's Seniors & National Security
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Original text here: https://www.aging.senate.gov/chairman-scott-ranking-member-gillibrand-set-hearing-to-expose-chinas-control-of-americas-drug-supply
Chairman Boozman Stresses Need to Boost Domestic Demand for Farm Products
WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, issued the following news release on March 10, 2026:* * *
Chairman Boozman Stresses Need to Boost Domestic Demand for Farm Products
U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) launched the first in a series of hearings to gather recommendations from agriculture industry leaders on policy improvements to help boost consumption of American-grown agricultural products.
The following is the Chairman's opening statement as prepared ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, issued the following news release on March 10, 2026: * * * Chairman Boozman Stresses Need to Boost Domestic Demand for Farm Products U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) launched the first in a series of hearings to gather recommendations from agriculture industry leaders on policy improvements to help boost consumption of American-grown agricultural products. The following is the Chairman's opening statement as preparedfor delivery:
"Good afternoon. It is my privilege to call this hearing to order. I thank my colleagues for joining us.
I also would like to thank our witnesses for being here. Many of you farm and we all know that this is an important time of year on the farm as you prepare to plant your next crop.
Today's hearing comes at a time of great financial stress for America's farmers. If you are putting something in the ground, you are losing money. It doesn't matter what you are planting or where you are planting it, no row crop is currently profitable. In my home state of Arkansas, the last three years have been absolutely punishing.
Arkansas now holds the unfortunate distinction of leading the nation in Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies--a sobering statistic.
I remain committed, with my colleague Senator Hoeven from North Dakota, to pursuing additional financial assistance for our farmers to lengthen and widen the Farmer Bridge Assistance program that President Trump announced in December.
The recent history of high input costs, high labor costs, and high interest rates coupled with low prices and significant trade headwinds for certain commodities should give us all good reason to think about what the future of agriculture in the United States should look like.
It is clear that China is not a dependable trading partner and that Brazil is doing everything it can to take over the agriculture markets that traditionally have been dominated by the United States.
I commend the administration for pursing new markets and holding our trading partners accountable. Agricultural trade must remain a high priority for the United States. Expanding market access and developing new trading partners is crucial to the success of American producers and our rural communities.
However, our recent experiences have made me think about how we can build more robust domestic markets that will not subject our producers to the whims of foreign governments. This hearing is intended to begin that conversation.
My hope for today is that we start exploring new domestic opportunities for our farmers. What are the impediments limiting domestic consumption? What incentives would be helpful? Are there legal, regulatory, or procedural obstacles at the federal, state, or local level that need to be addressed? Is the tax code structured in a way to make American grown commodities more attractive? Do we have the necessary processing infrastructure?
In the coming weeks and months, the committee will continue to explore this topic. I intend on discussing this topic with processors, manufacturers, and retailers as well. Domestic market development will remain my priority as Chairman.
Again, I thank my colleagues and our witnesses for being here today."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/rep/press/release/chairman-boozman-stresses-need-to-boost-domestic-demand-for-farm-products
Ahead of Senate Final Vote, Key Stakeholders Voice Support for 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act of 2026
WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 10, 2026:* * *
Ahead of Senate Final Vote, Key Stakeholders Voice Support for 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act of 2026
As the Senate moves towards final passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, key stakeholders are voicing support for the legislation and urging its quick adoption in the House. The bipartisan package, led by Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), includes ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 10, 2026: * * * Ahead of Senate Final Vote, Key Stakeholders Voice Support for 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act of 2026 As the Senate moves towards final passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, key stakeholders are voicing support for the legislation and urging its quick adoption in the House. The bipartisan package, led by Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), includesthe vast majority of both the Senate's original ROAD to Housing Act and housing provisions from the House's Housing for the 21st Century Act that together will help boost housing supply and bring down costs. The bill also takes a first step towards reining in corporate landlords and ensuring families, not corporations, can buy homes across the country - a goal that is overwhelmingly popular with the American people across party lines.
For a section-by-section of the bill, click here (https://www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/21%20ROAD%20to%20Housing%20Act%20Section-by-Section%20FINAL_1os4kxg8uk1et.pdf). For legislative text, click here (https://www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/MIR26311.pdf).
"(W)e applaud the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing package, a significant step toward strengthening housing supply, preservation, and affordability in rural communities across the country," said the Rural Housing Stakeholders on 21st Century Road to Housing Act in this letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/21st-century-road-rural-groupststatement-2026final) signed by the Housing Assistance Council, Council for Affordable and Rural Housing, Enterprise, Local Initiative Support Corporation, National Rural Housing Coalition, and the National Housing Law Project. "We commend leaders in both parties and both chambers for working across differences to advance a comprehensive housing package. The rural provisions of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act demonstrate a bipartisan understanding that where someone lives should not determine whether they have access to safe, affordable, and stable housing. For this reason, we encourage swift passage of this legislation."
"By combining new initiatives with commonsense reforms of existing programs, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act would help increase housing supply, lower costs, reduce unnecessary and burdensome regulation, give state and local governments new tools to address the housing challenges in their communities, and help accelerate further pro-housing action by other stakeholders," said Dennis Shea, Executive Vice President, Bipartisan Policy Center Chair, J.Ronals Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/03/09/2026/nar-letter-in-support-of-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-on-senate-floor), "BPC remains strongly supportive of your work and looks forward to seeing a final, bipartisan, comprehensive housing bill signed into law by the president as soon as possible."
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will expand housing supply and increase affordable options for families. We urge the Senate to quickly advance this legislation and Congress to swiftly enact bipartisan legislation," said Sarah Brundage, President & CEO of the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/naahl-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-support).
"Habitat for Humanity writes to express our strong support for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and to urge swift passage of this critical legislation," said Chris Vincent, Vice President for Government Relations and Advocacy, Habitat for Humanity International in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/habitat-for-humanity_-support-for-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-final-31026_), "Habitat for Humanity is grateful for your leadership and urge Congress to continue advancing this vital package and send it to the President's desk. We stand ready to work with you to ensure that families, whether in urban neighborhoods, small towns, or rural communities, have a fair opportunity to access safe, decent, and affordable housing."
"LISC strongly supports the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, since it is a comprehensive response to increasing our nation's housing supply, including rental housing and homeownership. This is urgently needed since our nation has a shortage of millions of units, which is driving up costs and placing increasing strain on hardworking families," said Matt Josephs, Senior Vice President of Policy, Local Initiatives Support Corporation in a letter.
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is an important, bipartisan bill to address America's housing crisis," said Bruce Dorpalen, Executive Director, National Housing Resource Center. "At a time of rising delinquencies, this legislation will help distressed homeowners with FHA, VA, and USDA loans get access to skilled housing counselors--providing critical support when they need it most. Housing counselors stand ready to help implement these solutions as soon as they become law."
"The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), on behalf of its low-income clients, supports the Senate's 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act legislative package and encourages its swift passage. The Act includes provisions that will help make homeownership more sustainable and to address challenges with housing supply and affordability," said The National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients) in a letter.
"At a time when communities across the country are confronting both a housing shortage and a growing homelessness crisis, we commend Congress for taking meaningful, bipartisan action. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents a comprehensive approach to expanding housing supply and improving affordability. The bill supports key priorities of our coalition by streamlining federal reviews for housing projects, modernizing housing programs, incentivizing local governments to address barriers to housing development, and increasing veterans' access to federal housing programs," said the Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment.
"By recognizing that there is no single solution to our housing challenges, this legislation takes aim at a central driver of the affordability crisis in the urgent need to increase supply, while also making vital investments in preserving our existing affordable housing stock and strengthening the federal programs that millions of families rely on. Critically, it would advance affordability and opportunity for renters and homeowners alike, a balance that reflects the full scope of our nation's housing needs," said Liz Osborn, Vice President of Policy, Enterprise Community Partner in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/enterprise_-21st-century-road-3_6_26).
"Grounded Solutions Network is encouraged by the progress made in Congress to advance the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. If enacted, the bill would strengthen the foundation for shared equity homeownership across the country by making overdue updates to the HOME Investment Partnerships program, which is a key resource for our membership. We thank the Senate for continuing to support housing with lasting affordability and look forward to seeing these reforms implemented," said Grounded Solutions Network.
"The bill is the most significant affordable housing legislation Congress has considered in decades. It would modernize and strengthen so many of the key affordable housing programs state housing finance agencies rely on to provide housing help to the people they serve," said Stockton Williams, Executive Director, National Council of State Housing Agencies.
"By confronting barriers to housing at all levels of government, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents the kind of comprehensive response needed to restore affordability and expand the dream of homeownership to more Americans," said Kevin Brown, 2026 President, National Association of REALTORS in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/nar-letter-in-support-of-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-on-senate-floor), "NAR is committed to working with leaders in both chambers to advance these solutions, which will reduce costs and expand housing supply, ensuring more Americans can achieve the dream of homeownership."
"For the first time in more than a decade, we are seeing strong, bipartisan action in Congress to address the housing crisis through pragmatic, locally informed policy solutions based on partnerships, not preemptions," said Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities. "The 21st Century Road to Housing Act is a comprehensive housing package that helps local governments boost housing supply through program improvements important to cities, towns and villages. The Act incentivizes private investment in local housing development. The National League of Cities deeply appreciates the leadership of the Senate Banking Committee, the House Financial Services Committee and the Administration for assembling a comprehensive housing package that encourages public-private partnerships to reduce housing costs and boost housing production. As the voice of more than 19,000 cities, towns and villages across America, the National League of Cities is pleased to endorse the 21st Century Road to Housing Act."
"According to the White House Council of Economic Advisers, rural incomes have not kept pace with rising rents. Between 2000 and 2023, real rents increased by 31.2 percent, while the median real income of rural renting households rose by only 5.5 percent," said the National Rural Housing Coalition. "It is for these reasons that NRHC supports bipartisan efforts to support and improve affordable housing for rural households in the Senate's 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which includes key provisions from both the Senate's ROAD to Housing Act and the House-passed 21st Century Housing Act."
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is an important step toward modernizing housing policy and expanding opportunity for American families. Ensuring veterans are informed about their VA Home Loan benefit helps those who served fully access the homeownership they have earned," said Son Nguyen, Founder & President, Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP).
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act takes meaningful steps toward restoring balance in the housing market by expanding supply, strengthening affordability tools, and ensuring communities have the resources they need to respond to growing demand. The housing challenges facing families across the country demand action, and this bill represents important progress. We applaud the bipartisan leadership that has advanced this legislation and urge its swift passage," said Lou Tisler, Executive Director, National NeighborWorks Association in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/21st-centruy-road-to-housing-act-support_-national-neighborworks-association).
"On behalf of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (the Alliance), I am writing today to endorse the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (ROAD). We thank Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Warren for this serious bipartisan effort to make housing more affordable, thereby making it easier for communities to reduce and prevent homelessness," said Ann Marie Oliva, Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance to End Homelessness in a letter. "The provisions included in ROAD will help streamline federal programs resulting in increased availability of and access to affordable housing. This will allow communities to both reduce the number of people becoming homeless and help those who are experiencing homelessness find stable and affordable homes."
"We are thankful for and greatly encouraged by the strong bipartisan statement this bill makes regarding the critical role that manufactured housing can play in helping to address the nation's housing supply and affordability challenges," said the Manufactured Housing Institute in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/mhi-statement-on-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-030706). "MHI and our member companies support Senate passage of this bipartisan legislation and look forward to continuing our work with lawmakers of both parties and the administration to ensure it delivers on its full promise to expand affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for American households."
"On behalf of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, I write to thank you for your leadership and offer NLIHC's endorsement of the "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act." If enacted into law, this bill would be the largest bipartisan housing supply bill in decades, helping streamline federal programs to ensure federal dollars reach communities more efficiently and effectively," said Renee M. Willis, President & CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/nlihc_unified-bill_support-letter_final).
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents a critical step forward in addressing a nationwide shortage of more than 4.5 million homes. NCST supports this bipartisan package, which, if enacted, would expand housing supply by cutting unnecessary red tape, strengthening housing programs, and empowering communities to build and preserve more homes that families can afford, said the National Community Stabilization Trust.
"Yesterday, Senators Warren and Scott announced the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a legislative package that combines recent historic, bipartisan housing policy achievements from both the House and the Senate. ROC USA strongly commends the act's inclusion of the PRICE Act, which would authorize the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) program," said Emily Thaden, President of ROC USA.
"Governors have been on the frontlines of housing affordability and are pleased that Congress is now working to deliver the bold, supply-side leadership that states have pioneered," said Govs. Evers and Gordon. "Governors welcome alignment at the federal level with the approach they have long championed and stand ready to be partners in implementation. America cannot achieve economic competitiveness, workforce mobility or intergenerational opportunity without adequate, affordable housing. Governors have built the case, and we welcome Congress answering the call."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/minority/ahead-of-senate-final-vote-key-stakeholders-voice-support-for-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-of-2026
Ahead of Senate Final Vote, Key Stakeholders Voice Support for 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act of 2026
WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 10, 2026:* * *
Ahead of Senate Final Vote, Key Stakeholders Voice Support for 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act of 2026
As the Senate moves towards final passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, key stakeholders are voicing support for the legislation and urging its quick adoption in the House. The bipartisan package, led by Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), includes ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 10, 2026: * * * Ahead of Senate Final Vote, Key Stakeholders Voice Support for 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act of 2026 As the Senate moves towards final passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, key stakeholders are voicing support for the legislation and urging its quick adoption in the House. The bipartisan package, led by Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), includesthe vast majority of both the Senate's original ROAD to Housing Act and housing provisions from the House's Housing for the 21st Century Act that together will help boost housing supply and bring down costs. The bill also takes a first step towards reining in corporate landlords and ensuring families, not corporations, can buy homes across the country - a goal that is overwhelmingly popular with the American people across party lines.
For a section-by-section of the bill, click here (https://www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/21%20ROAD%20to%20Housing%20Act%20Section-by-Section%20FINAL_1os4kxg8uk1et.pdf). For legislative text, click here (https://www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/MIR26311.pdf).
"(W)e applaud the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing package, a significant step toward strengthening housing supply, preservation, and affordability in rural communities across the country," said the Rural Housing Stakeholders on 21st Century Road to Housing Act in this letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/21st-century-road-rural-groupststatement-2026final) signed by the Housing Assistance Council, Council for Affordable and Rural Housing, Enterprise, Local Initiative Support Corporation, National Rural Housing Coalition, and the National Housing Law Project. "We commend leaders in both parties and both chambers for working across differences to advance a comprehensive housing package. The rural provisions of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act demonstrate a bipartisan understanding that where someone lives should not determine whether they have access to safe, affordable, and stable housing. For this reason, we encourage swift passage of this legislation."
"By combining new initiatives with commonsense reforms of existing programs, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act would help increase housing supply, lower costs, reduce unnecessary and burdensome regulation, give state and local governments new tools to address the housing challenges in their communities, and help accelerate further pro-housing action by other stakeholders," said Dennis Shea, Executive Vice President, Bipartisan Policy Center Chair, J.Ronals Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/03/09/2026/nar-letter-in-support-of-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-on-senate-floor), "BPC remains strongly supportive of your work and looks forward to seeing a final, bipartisan, comprehensive housing bill signed into law by the president as soon as possible."
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will expand housing supply and increase affordable options for families. We urge the Senate to quickly advance this legislation and Congress to swiftly enact bipartisan legislation," said Sarah Brundage, President & CEO of the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/naahl-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-support).
"Habitat for Humanity writes to express our strong support for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and to urge swift passage of this critical legislation," said Chris Vincent, Vice President for Government Relations and Advocacy, Habitat for Humanity International in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/habitat-for-humanity_-support-for-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-final-31026_), "Habitat for Humanity is grateful for your leadership and urge Congress to continue advancing this vital package and send it to the President's desk. We stand ready to work with you to ensure that families, whether in urban neighborhoods, small towns, or rural communities, have a fair opportunity to access safe, decent, and affordable housing."
"LISC strongly supports the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, since it is a comprehensive response to increasing our nation's housing supply, including rental housing and homeownership. This is urgently needed since our nation has a shortage of millions of units, which is driving up costs and placing increasing strain on hardworking families," said Matt Josephs, Senior Vice President of Policy, Local Initiatives Support Corporation in a letter.
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is an important, bipartisan bill to address America's housing crisis," said Bruce Dorpalen, Executive Director, National Housing Resource Center. "At a time of rising delinquencies, this legislation will help distressed homeowners with FHA, VA, and USDA loans get access to skilled housing counselors--providing critical support when they need it most. Housing counselors stand ready to help implement these solutions as soon as they become law."
"The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), on behalf of its low-income clients, supports the Senate's 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act legislative package and encourages its swift passage. The Act includes provisions that will help make homeownership more sustainable and to address challenges with housing supply and affordability," said The National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients) in a letter.
"At a time when communities across the country are confronting both a housing shortage and a growing homelessness crisis, we commend Congress for taking meaningful, bipartisan action. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents a comprehensive approach to expanding housing supply and improving affordability. The bill supports key priorities of our coalition by streamlining federal reviews for housing projects, modernizing housing programs, incentivizing local governments to address barriers to housing development, and increasing veterans' access to federal housing programs," said the Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment.
"By recognizing that there is no single solution to our housing challenges, this legislation takes aim at a central driver of the affordability crisis in the urgent need to increase supply, while also making vital investments in preserving our existing affordable housing stock and strengthening the federal programs that millions of families rely on. Critically, it would advance affordability and opportunity for renters and homeowners alike, a balance that reflects the full scope of our nation's housing needs," said Liz Osborn, Vice President of Policy, Enterprise Community Partner in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/enterprise_-21st-century-road-3_6_26).
"Grounded Solutions Network is encouraged by the progress made in Congress to advance the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. If enacted, the bill would strengthen the foundation for shared equity homeownership across the country by making overdue updates to the HOME Investment Partnerships program, which is a key resource for our membership. We thank the Senate for continuing to support housing with lasting affordability and look forward to seeing these reforms implemented," said Grounded Solutions Network.
"The bill is the most significant affordable housing legislation Congress has considered in decades. It would modernize and strengthen so many of the key affordable housing programs state housing finance agencies rely on to provide housing help to the people they serve," said Stockton Williams, Executive Director, National Council of State Housing Agencies.
"By confronting barriers to housing at all levels of government, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents the kind of comprehensive response needed to restore affordability and expand the dream of homeownership to more Americans," said Kevin Brown, 2026 President, National Association of REALTORS in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/nar-letter-in-support-of-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-on-senate-floor), "NAR is committed to working with leaders in both chambers to advance these solutions, which will reduce costs and expand housing supply, ensuring more Americans can achieve the dream of homeownership."
"For the first time in more than a decade, we are seeing strong, bipartisan action in Congress to address the housing crisis through pragmatic, locally informed policy solutions based on partnerships, not preemptions," said Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities. "The 21st Century Road to Housing Act is a comprehensive housing package that helps local governments boost housing supply through program improvements important to cities, towns and villages. The Act incentivizes private investment in local housing development. The National League of Cities deeply appreciates the leadership of the Senate Banking Committee, the House Financial Services Committee and the Administration for assembling a comprehensive housing package that encourages public-private partnerships to reduce housing costs and boost housing production. As the voice of more than 19,000 cities, towns and villages across America, the National League of Cities is pleased to endorse the 21st Century Road to Housing Act."
"According to the White House Council of Economic Advisers, rural incomes have not kept pace with rising rents. Between 2000 and 2023, real rents increased by 31.2 percent, while the median real income of rural renting households rose by only 5.5 percent," said the National Rural Housing Coalition. "It is for these reasons that NRHC supports bipartisan efforts to support and improve affordable housing for rural households in the Senate's 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which includes key provisions from both the Senate's ROAD to Housing Act and the House-passed 21st Century Housing Act."
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is an important step toward modernizing housing policy and expanding opportunity for American families. Ensuring veterans are informed about their VA Home Loan benefit helps those who served fully access the homeownership they have earned," said Son Nguyen, Founder & President, Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP).
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act takes meaningful steps toward restoring balance in the housing market by expanding supply, strengthening affordability tools, and ensuring communities have the resources they need to respond to growing demand. The housing challenges facing families across the country demand action, and this bill represents important progress. We applaud the bipartisan leadership that has advanced this legislation and urge its swift passage," said Lou Tisler, Executive Director, National NeighborWorks Association in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/21st-centruy-road-to-housing-act-support_-national-neighborworks-association).
"On behalf of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (the Alliance), I am writing today to endorse the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (ROAD). We thank Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Warren for this serious bipartisan effort to make housing more affordable, thereby making it easier for communities to reduce and prevent homelessness," said Ann Marie Oliva, Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance to End Homelessness in a letter. "The provisions included in ROAD will help streamline federal programs resulting in increased availability of and access to affordable housing. This will allow communities to both reduce the number of people becoming homeless and help those who are experiencing homelessness find stable and affordable homes."
"We are thankful for and greatly encouraged by the strong bipartisan statement this bill makes regarding the critical role that manufactured housing can play in helping to address the nation's housing supply and affordability challenges," said the Manufactured Housing Institute in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/mhi-statement-on-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-030706). "MHI and our member companies support Senate passage of this bipartisan legislation and look forward to continuing our work with lawmakers of both parties and the administration to ensure it delivers on its full promise to expand affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for American households."
"On behalf of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, I write to thank you for your leadership and offer NLIHC's endorsement of the "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act." If enacted into law, this bill would be the largest bipartisan housing supply bill in decades, helping streamline federal programs to ensure federal dollars reach communities more efficiently and effectively," said Renee M. Willis, President & CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition in a letter (https://www.banking.senate.gov/download/nlihc_unified-bill_support-letter_final).
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents a critical step forward in addressing a nationwide shortage of more than 4.5 million homes. NCST supports this bipartisan package, which, if enacted, would expand housing supply by cutting unnecessary red tape, strengthening housing programs, and empowering communities to build and preserve more homes that families can afford, said the National Community Stabilization Trust.
"Yesterday, Senators Warren and Scott announced the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a legislative package that combines recent historic, bipartisan housing policy achievements from both the House and the Senate. ROC USA strongly commends the act's inclusion of the PRICE Act, which would authorize the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) program," said Emily Thaden, President of ROC USA.
"Governors have been on the frontlines of housing affordability and are pleased that Congress is now working to deliver the bold, supply-side leadership that states have pioneered," said Govs. Evers and Gordon. "Governors welcome alignment at the federal level with the approach they have long championed and stand ready to be partners in implementation. America cannot achieve economic competitiveness, workforce mobility or intergenerational opportunity without adequate, affordable housing. Governors have built the case, and we welcome Congress answering the call."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/minority/ahead-of-senate-final-vote-key-stakeholders-voice-support-for-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-of-2026
Sen. Banks Joins IndyCar, Penske at Freedom 250 Grand Prix Press Conference on the National Mall
WASHINGTON, March 10 -- Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, issued the following news release on March 9, 2026:* * *
Sen. Banks Joins IndyCar, Penske at Freedom 250 Grand Prix Press Conference on the National Mall
Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) attended a press conference on the National Mall announcing the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an upcoming race that will take place in Washington, D.C. in August as part of the celebration of America's 250th birthday.
The race will be August 22nd and 23rd, 2026 in Washington, D.C. The race will be free to the public and Secretary Duffy expects more than 1 million ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 10 -- Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, issued the following news release on March 9, 2026: * * * Sen. Banks Joins IndyCar, Penske at Freedom 250 Grand Prix Press Conference on the National Mall Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) attended a press conference on the National Mall announcing the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an upcoming race that will take place in Washington, D.C. in August as part of the celebration of America's 250th birthday. The race will be August 22nd and 23rd, 2026 in Washington, D.C. The race will be free to the public and Secretary Duffy expects more than 1 millionspectators to attend. The race path is a 1.7-mile, seven-turn layout through the city of Washington, D.C. The route includes a sweeping 0.4-mile frontstretch along Pennsylvania Avenue, framed by the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. The pit lane area will be on Pennsylvania Avenue, between Turns 1 and 2 on the circuit design.
See more details about the Freedom 250 Grand Prix here (https://monumentalsports.com/2026/03/freedom-250-grand-prix-unveils-historic-race-track-design-to-commemorate-americas-250th-anniversary-celebration/).
Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.): "The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is going to be a historic event for America! There is no better motor sport than IndyCar to celebrate our nation's 250th birthday. Thank you to President Trump and his administration for putting together a celebration we will cherish for years to come!"
In attendance were the following:
* Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
* Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
* Ambassador Monica Crowley, Chief of Protocol of the United States
* Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington, D.C.
* Bud Denker, President of Penske Corporation & Freedom 250 GP Chairman
* Ted Leonsis, Founder, Chairman, Managing Partner & CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment
* Eric Shanks, CEO of Fox Sports
* Josef Newgarden, INDYCAR and Indy 500 champion driver
See part of the press conference below or listen here (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ppzieruymaomrc2zvrabh/Newgarden-Audio.mp3?rlkey=6byym42jzk5rdbtuo6vpe6ydt&st=qfyftova&dl=0).
Josef Newgarden, INDYCAR and Indy 500 champion driver: "I want to thank Senator Banks from the great state of Indiana. Thank you for being here. Great to see you as always. I am a Tennessee guy. I live in Nashville, Tennessee, but the state of Indiana and Indianapolis is basically my second home. And I'm going to kind of wrap that into the point that I wanted to make today. What I find so great about this event and what I hope people take from it is the inspiration of automobile racing."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.banks.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-banks-joins-indycar-penske-at-freedom-250-grand-prix-press-conference-on-the-national-mall/
House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Guthrie Issues Commentary to Washington Post: Congress is Done Waiting for Big Tech to Protect Kids Online
WASHINGTON, March 10 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following commentary on March 9, 2026, to the Washington Post:* * *
Congress is Done Waiting for Big Tech to Protect Kids Online
The following op-ed by Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, appeared in the Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/09/congress-tech-online-safefy-social-media/) today.
"The most popular social media platforms are constantly changing and reinventing themselves, but one ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 10 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following commentary on March 9, 2026, to the Washington Post: * * * Congress is Done Waiting for Big Tech to Protect Kids Online The following op-ed by Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, appeared in the Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/09/congress-tech-online-safefy-social-media/) today. "The most popular social media platforms are constantly changing and reinventing themselves, but onechallenge has remained consistent over three decades: Kids are at risk when they go online.
"Anxiety, depression, loneliness and self-harm rates are sky-high among teens and children, demonstrating the dangerous effects of social media.
"So, who is responsible for protecting America's youth? Every adult should consider themselves on the hook for that, but those of us in Congress have a special obligation to hold tech companies accountable for the products they design.
"That is why congressional Republicans are advancing meaningful legislation to protect kids, empower parents and guardians, and address the harms children and teens face online.
"We can no longer stand by and wait for others to act.
"We know progress can be made because we have already enacted a major piece of online safety legislation this Congress. Working alongside first lady Melania Trump, we passed -- and President Donald Trump signed -- the Take It Down Act, which targets the spread of sexually exploitative, nonconsensual AI-generated images.
"While that is a good first step, it is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. As the internet continues to evolve, we know that no single action can address every challenge. What's needed is a comprehensive approach that puts kids' well-being and parental empowerment at the center of the digital world.
"Last week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, a legislative package that will protect children and teens from online harms, empower parents and hold Big Tech accountable.
"For starters, the Kids Act represents an improved version of the previously proposed Kids Online Safety Act, preserving the bill's best ideas while addressing concerns about its constitutionality. After pairing the original proposal with additional measures to strengthen privacy, transparency and accountability across the online ecosystem, this version of the bill is stronger and more capable of surviving court challenges.
"Second, the Kids Act limits access to online pornography for minors. For too long, online websites with adult content have relied on an honor system where every user is assumed to be an adult. We know that isn't true. Children should not be accessing pornographic content. The Kids Act requires all websites that contain adult content to uphold this basic standard through age-verification measures -- just as a brick-and-mortar storefront would.
"Additionally, the act targets new internet threats, like artificial intelligence chatbots or predators using video game chat functions, head-on. Republicans are working to give parents the power to limit those communications as they see fit and to impose strict disclosure requirements on AI chatbots to prevent deceptive messaging.
"Acknowledging that government alone cannot solve this problem, the Kids Act facilitates the development of partnerships among parents, experts and industry to address these challenges and others sure to develop. New educational efforts will help empower a generation of parents to diagnose and respond to digital threats.
"Nevertheless, the Kids Act is not the end of our work.
"The committee also advanced the App Store Accountability Act this week. Unfortunately, smartphones often operate as a hidden layer between children and parents, as kids download apps and buy digital goods without a parent's permission. Instead of relying on another honor system, the App Store Accountability Act creates a simple, private and secure process to verify users' ages and require kids to first obtain a parent's permission. It leverages modern technology to put apps on notice that they are dealing with children and teens and, thus, have heightened safety obligations.
"Another bill we are working on, known as COPPA 2.0, would modernize kids' privacy protections that are already on the books.
"Until now, 13 has been treated as the age of digital adulthood, a relic of the internet's early days when Congress enacted the original Children's Online Privacy Protection Act in 1998. Back then, we never could have imagined how things would develop. Extended privacy protections for teens and a ban on targeted advertising to kids are long overdue.
"Collectively, these bills form a commonsense, comprehensive package designed to make the internet safer for kids. But this is not an academic exercise.
"This work is personal. Some of the loudest, most courageous advocates for reform are parents who have lost children due to online harms. Every member of our committee represents families who have endured unimaginable grief. They deserve more than gestures and idle promises. They deserve laws that work.
"We cannot rely on Big Tech companies that refuse to take responsibility for the products they put into the world. They've had years to self-regulate, and they have failed. Now it's time for Congress to act.
"By advancing this package of bills, we are one step closer to putting American families back on solid footing to make the best decisions about their digital well-being."
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Original text here: https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/chairman-guthrie-op-ed-congress-is-done-waiting-for-big-tech-to-protect-kids-online
Chairman Cassidy to Host Roundtable With LSU Basketball Legend, Deputy Athletic Director on Fixing College Sports
WASHINGTON, March 10 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news:* * *
LIVESTREAM LINK: Chairman Cassidy to Host Roundtable with LSU Basketball Legend, Deputy Athletic Director on Fixing College Sports
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, will host a roundtable on reforming college athletics to protect students and ensure they have opportunities to succeed on March 10, 2026. The senators will hear from a variety of panelists ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 10 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news: * * * LIVESTREAM LINK: Chairman Cassidy to Host Roundtable with LSU Basketball Legend, Deputy Athletic Director on Fixing College Sports U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, will host a roundtable on reforming college athletics to protect students and ensure they have opportunities to succeed on March 10, 2026. The senators will hear from a variety of panelistsincluding former Louisiana State University (LSU) basketball legend Collis Temple and LSU deputy athletic director Julie Cromer.
As part of his efforts to fix college sports, Cassidy also is requesting information from stakeholders on how Congress can address issues affecting all student-athletes.
Please submit any responses to opportunitiesforathletes@help.senate.gov by April 10, 2026.
Roundtable Panelists:
Collis Temple, former professional basketball player, LSU Athletics Hall of Famer
Julie Cromer, Executive Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Operating Officer, LSU
Jim Carr, President & CEO, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
Emily Surcey, Former Division I Student-Athlete and Development Officer, Samford University Athletics
Bernard Dennis III, Principal, Jackson Lewis PC
Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM ET/ 9:00 AM CT
Location: 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Click here (https://www.youtube.com/live/EuXpsuA0j_g) to watch live
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If you are a member of the press and plan on attending in person, please RSVP to Stephen_Lewerenz@help.senate.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.help.senate.gov/rep/newsroom/press/livestream-link-chairman-cassidy-to-host-roundtable-with-lsu-basketball-legend-deputy-athletic-director-on-fixing-college-sports
Bergman, Golden, Bacon, Suozzi Introduce Bill to Formally Review Mental Health Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, issued the following news release:* * *
Bergman, Golden, Bacon, Suozzi Introduce Bill to Formally Review Mental Health Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
Reps. Jack Bergman (MI-01), Jared Golden (ME-02), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Don Bacon (NE-02) have introduced the bipartisan Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act, which would launch a formal review into the effectiveness of the federal government's mental health programs for Veterans and transitioning servicemembers in an effort to address longstanding ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * Bergman, Golden, Bacon, Suozzi Introduce Bill to Formally Review Mental Health Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans Reps. Jack Bergman (MI-01), Jared Golden (ME-02), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Don Bacon (NE-02) have introduced the bipartisan Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act, which would launch a formal review into the effectiveness of the federal government's mental health programs for Veterans and transitioning servicemembers in an effort to address longstandingaccessibility issues.
"I've seen firsthand how the transition from active duty to civilian life can be one of the most vulnerable periods in a servicemember's career. We owe our men and women in uniform more than gratitude - we owe them accountability and results," Bergman said. "The Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act ensures the Department of War and VA are working together effectively, eliminating gaps and duplication, and delivering real access to mental health care when it matters most. By requiring measurable standards, regular review, and transparency to Congress, this bill strengthens the transition process and helps ensure no Veteran falls through the cracks."
"When I came home from the Marines, I saw how important it is to have a strong support system in your corner. The VA is full of skilled public servants who do that work, but there's only so much an individual employee can do about the fundamental gaps in service created by an imperfect system," Golden said. "I'm grateful for the partnership of Congressmen Bergman, Bacon and Suozzi in the effort to show VA leaders just how lacking the agency's outreach, rural logistics, and staffing efforts have been."
"Too many veterans and service members fall through the cracks when transitioning from active duty to civilian life. We have to do better," Suozzi said. "It's our responsibility as lawmakers and Americans to make sure that everyone who serves our country receives the healthcare, including mental healthcare, they deserve," said Suozzi. "It's common sense to assess and improve veterans' health services of all kinds as time goes on. This bipartisan bill does just that, and I'm glad to join my colleagues, Congressmen Golden, Bergman, and Bacon, who I also thank for their service. Never forget the vet! "
"The transition to civilian life is one of the most vulnerable periods in a servicemember's career. We must ensure our mental health screening tools are validated, effective, and connecting people to care," Bacon said. "The Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act strengthens oversight, improves coordination between the Department of Defense and the VA, and helps ensure no servicemember falls through the cracks. I'm pleased to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Golden on this important effort to better support our servicemembers and veterans."
The Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act would require the Department of Defense-Veterans Affairs Joint Executive Committee (JEC) to assess the effectiveness of their programs and processes in facilitating access to mental health services for veterans returning to civilian life.
Included in JEC's review would be a complete inventory of the government's mental health programs, along with metrics, milestones and plans of actions to identify inefficiencies and gaps in programming. There would be a 180-day deadline to present the report to the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees.
The legislation would also require the JEC to update its existing Joint Separation Health Assessment (SHA) every two years. The SHA currently uses an outdated process to infrequently catalog veterans' generalized health needs -an issue that forces policymakers to contend with data that isn't specific nor timely enough.
" The American Legion is proud to support the Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act," Matthew Jabaut, chairman of the American Legion's National Legislative Commission said. "On behalf of our nearly 1.5 million members, we commend Representative Golden for advancing oversight-driven reforms that reinforce mental health support and help ensure no servicemember or veteran falls through the cracks."
" We are happy that Congressman Jared Golden continues to focus on mental health for our Service Members and Veterans," said Steve SanPedro, national legislative committee member and chief of staff for the Department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars. "These invisible injuries need to be addressed so these men and women can live a healthy life after service to their country."
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Original text here: https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1498
Barrett Applauds Trump Administration's Expansion of Faster VA Appointment Scheduling
WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Michigan, issued the following news release:* * *
Barrett Applauds Trump Administration's Expansion of Faster VA Appointment Scheduling
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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) today applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) announcement (link is external) that all VA facilities are now using a simplified scheduling interface to book appointments for veterans more quickly. The news aligns with the goal of legislation Barrett is leading, the Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act ( H.R. 3482 (link is external) ), which recently ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * Barrett Applauds Trump Administration's Expansion of Faster VA Appointment Scheduling * Washington, D.C. - Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) today applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) announcement (link is external) that all VA facilities are now using a simplified scheduling interface to book appointments for veterans more quickly. The news aligns with the goal of legislation Barrett is leading, the Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act ( H.R. 3482 (link is external) ), which recentlypassed out of committee.
"The VA's expansion of the streamlined scheduling system is welcome news for veterans," said Barrett. "Too often, veterans are left waiting while staff place lots of phone calls back and forth between veterans and providers to find available community care appointments. I personally experienced this frustration, which is why I introduced the Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act last year. I'm proud the VA is adopting the reforms from my bill, and I will continue pushing to get this bill signed into law to make sure these improvements are fully and permanently implemented for every veteran."
The External Provider Scheduling (link is external) (EPS) system is a single digital interface that enables VA staff to simultaneously view available appointments at participating community care providers -health care providers outside the VA. The unified system allows staff to find veterans the best, earliest available appointment at either the VA or a community care provider, reducing wait times. The VA also announced that it is getting more community care providers to share their appointment information for EPS.
Under the previous system, the process to book an appointment for a veteran could take days or weeks as a result of VA staffers only being able to book a handful of community care appointments each day. The EPS system will enable all VA employees to book as many as 25 appointments per day. The system has existed for several years, but it was previously not deployed at most VA facilities.
The Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act ( H.R. 3482 (link is external) ), which Barrett introduced last May, would permanently reduce health care wait times for veterans by mandating nationwide implementation of EPS.
Currently, 27,000 community care providers have already opted to share their scheduling information for EPS, and the VA is continuing to expand that list. Providers can learn more about how to participate by clicking here (link is external).
Click here for more information on Barrett's Community Care Scheduling Act.
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Original text here: https://barrett.house.gov/media/press-releases/barrett-applauds-trump-administrations-expansion-faster-va-appointment
Bacon, Larson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide Tax Relief and Lower College Costs for AmeriCorps Volunteers
WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Don Bacon, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release:* * *
Bacon, Larson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide Tax Relief and Lower College Costs for AmeriCorps Volunteers
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Washington - Kicking off AmeriCorps Week, Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02) and John B. Larson (CT-01) introduced the bipartisan Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act. Their legislation would provide tax relief for AmeriCorps members who earn Segal Education Awards through their service to help pay for higher education costs and reduce barriers for young people to access the financial assistance ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Don Bacon, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: * * * Bacon, Larson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide Tax Relief and Lower College Costs for AmeriCorps Volunteers * Washington - Kicking off AmeriCorps Week, Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02) and John B. Larson (CT-01) introduced the bipartisan Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act. Their legislation would provide tax relief for AmeriCorps members who earn Segal Education Awards through their service to help pay for higher education costs and reduce barriers for young people to access the financial assistancethey've earned.
"I'm pleased to join Rep. Larson in reintroducing the bipartisan Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act to ensure AmeriCorps volunteers receive the full value of the education benefit they earn through service," said Rep. Bacon. "These dedicated Americans shouldn't have to pay taxes on a benefit they receive while in turn providing valuable services for our country. We don't make Pell Grant recipients pay taxes on their grants, and neither should these individuals."
"AmeriCorps members serve our country on behalf of communities in need, and our nation has a responsibility to reward them with an education benefit that both shows our appreciation for their work and significantly reduces college costs," said Rep. Larson. "Unfortunately, the current federal tax on the Segal award diminishes its value and undermines the original intent of the program to help AmeriCorps alumni overcome financial barriers and afford a college education. I am proud to introduce this legislation, originally championed by my late friend and colleague, Rep. John Lewis, and work with my Republican colleague Rep. Don Bacon to correct this injustice, encourage more young people to pursue national service, and advance real solutions to lower higher education costs."
AmeriCorps members who complete a full term of national service can earn a Segal Education Award to help pay for current education expenses or repay student loans. The award is generally valued at the maximum Pell Grant amount ($7,395 for 2026-27) for that year and expires seven years after the AmeriCorps service term ends. However, unlike Pell Grants, Segal Education Awards are currently considered taxable income, creating a barrier that may discourage young people from taking advantage of the financial assistance they've earned.
This legislation would exclude Segal Education Awards from federal taxable income, honoring the intent of federal education awards, helping recipients pay for higher education, and removing this financial barrier.
The bipartisan Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act is endorsed by 64 organizations, including Voices for National Service, Habitat for Humanity International, the National Youth Leadership Council, Serve Connecticut, and Teach for America.
"The tax on the AmeriCorps education award creates an unexpected and unfair tax burden on the dedicated Americans who commit to serving their country through AmeriCorps. It's essentially a tax on service. We don't tax Pell Grants or GI Bill Benefits, and we shouldn't tax the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. We're grateful to Representatives Don Bacon and John Larson for leading the effort to make the award tax free so AmeriCorps members can receive the full value of the benefit they've earned, and we urge their colleagues to support the bill," said AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service.
Full text of the bill is available HERE.
A full list of endorsing organizations is available HERE.
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Original text here: https://bacon.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2874
As Trump's War Causes Gas Prices to Soar, Krishnamoorthi Calls for Tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, issued the following news release:* * *
As Trump's War Causes Gas Prices to Soar, Krishnamoorthi Calls for Tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
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WASHINGTON - Following this weekend's surge in oil prices -with the price per barrel climbing into triple digits, the highest level in four years -Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) called on President Trump to act immediately to lower costs at the pump:
"Because of President Trump's war in Iran, the average price per gallon in Illinois has soared by nearly fifty cents in just ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: * * * As Trump's War Causes Gas Prices to Soar, Krishnamoorthi Calls for Tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve * WASHINGTON - Following this weekend's surge in oil prices -with the price per barrel climbing into triple digits, the highest level in four years -Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) called on President Trump to act immediately to lower costs at the pump: "Because of President Trump's war in Iran, the average price per gallon in Illinois has soared by nearly fifty cents in justthe past month. President Trump might say this is a 'very small price to pay,' but families struggling to fill their tanks disagree. By now it's clear that the President started this war with no strategy, no plan to end it, and no concern for its impacts on hard-working Americans.
Today, I am calling on the White House to immediately tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to reduce the price of gas. President Trump's failure to tap the Reserve -which we did most recently when the war in Ukraine began -is inexplicable. It's simple: Illinois families did not want President Trump's war, and they certainly should not be forced to pay for President Trump's war."
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Original text here: https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/trumps-war-causes-gas-prices-soar-krishnamoorthi-calls-tapping-strategic
Arrington Secures Significant Wins for West Texas in the 2026 Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, issued the following news release:* * *
Arrington Secures Significant Wins for West Texas in the 2026 Farm Bill
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Washington, D.C. - House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement after the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, also known as the Farm Bill, advanced out of the House Agriculture Committee. The Farm Bill included Arrington's USDA Communication Regarding Oversight of Pesticides (CROP) Act of 2025 and a pilot program aimed at incentivizing cotton harvesting, which Arrington co-led with Rep. Ronny ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Arrington Secures Significant Wins for West Texas in the 2026 Farm Bill * Washington, D.C. - House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement after the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, also known as the Farm Bill, advanced out of the House Agriculture Committee. The Farm Bill included Arrington's USDA Communication Regarding Oversight of Pesticides (CROP) Act of 2025 and a pilot program aimed at incentivizing cotton harvesting, which Arrington co-led with Rep. RonnyJackson:
" Last year, I was proud to deliver historic wins for American agriculture through passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill -strengthening the farm safety net with a historic $66 billion investment, boosting reference prices and crop insurance, promoting trade, and securing long-overdue SNAP reforms.
"We're buildin g on that success with the 2026 Farm Bill.
" This year's Farm Bill authorizes the remaining agriculture programs not included in H.R. 1 and advances key provisions I've fought for -including my USDA CROP Act to give producers a stronger voice in pesticide decisions and a pilot crop insurance program that will incentivize farmers to bring their cotton to harvest. It strengthens trade promotion, supports new farmers, invests in conservation and precision agriculture, and continues holding states accountable for SNAP mismanagement.
" After years of Farm Bill inaction -with Democrats holding our farmers hostage to protect bloated and broken welfare programs -we changed the equation. By securing the core agriculture reforms last year, we removed the political leverage that had long blocked meaningful change and we delivered real results for Rural America.
" West Texas producers deserve certainty. The Farm Bill should be about farmers -and that's exactly what Republicans are delivering." - Chairman Arrington.
Background:
USDA Communication Regarding Oversight of Pesticides (CROP) Act of 2025:
* This Farm Bill includes Rep. Arrington's bill requiring the USDA Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP), which frequently communicates with producers, to have a meaningful voice in the regulation of crop protection products.
* Currently, the OPMP provides feedback to the EPA on the safe use of crop protection products, but EPA is not required to respond or consider OPMP's guidance, giving the EPA disproportionate input in regulation.
* The USDA CROP Act will create a more equitable balance of USDA and EPA input, ensuring that regulations reflect both producer and environmental considerations.
* U.S. farmers and ranchers are coping with record inflation and broken supply chains -the last thing they need is the severe limitation of traditional farming tools and methods. If these producers lose the ability to use certain crop protection products, farms will be forced to forgo conservation practices, like no-till farming, and revert to full tillage methods to control pests.
* It is vital that OPMP, which coordinates frequently with producers, has a role in this process to help EPA use the best science possible in conducting pesticide registrations and rulemakings to ensure users are not subjected to unnecessary, unscientific conditions.
Harvest Cost Endorsement:
* The Farm Bill includes a pilot program known as the Harvest Cost Endorsement which would advance a new risk-management proposal developed by cotton farmers with strong support throughout the cotton supply chain.
* This program would allow cotton producers to purchase additional coverage on existing policies and receive an indemnity payment if annual production falls significantly below their Actual Production History (APH).
* To receive an indemnity payment, producers would be required to bring their crop to harvest, providing ginners, shippers, and warehouses more certainty on available cotton in the marketplace.
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Original text here: https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4381