U.S. Congress
Here's a look at documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate
Featured Stories
AG Rayfield to Join Bonamici Town Hall Meeting During State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release:
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AG Rayfield to Join Bonamici Town Hall Meeting During State of the Union Address
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WASHINGTON, DC [2/11/26] - Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced that Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield will join the telephone town hall meeting she is hosting during the upcoming State of the Union address.
Bonamici and Rayfield will provide brief opening remarks before answering questions from constituents. The telephone town hall meeting will be held during Donald Trump's State of the Union,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release:
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AG Rayfield to Join Bonamici Town Hall Meeting During State of the Union Address
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WASHINGTON, DC [2/11/26] - Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced that Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield will join the telephone town hall meeting she is hosting during the upcoming State of the Union address.
Bonamici and Rayfield will provide brief opening remarks before answering questions from constituents. The telephone town hall meeting will be held during Donald Trump's State of the Union,which is expected to take place at 6 p.m. on Feb. 24.
"I will not sit at the State of the Union and listen to Donald Trump as he lies, demonizes immigrants, and threatens democracy," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "I'm holding a telephone town hall meeting so people in NW Oregon can discuss the many policies that are affecting their lives and threatening democracy. I am grateful for Attorney Rayfield's tireless dedication to protecting the rights of Oregonians and am honored that he will join this town hall meeting to help address the concerns of the people we serve."
"Instead of more lies from the president, this counterprogramming is a chance to hear directly from Oregonians about the issues impacting their lives," said Attorney General Dan Rayfield. "We thank Congresswoman Bonamici for the opportunity to answer questions, cut through the rhetoric, and focus on the facts, the law, and what we are doing to protect Oregon."
Constituents can sign up to receive a call at Bonamici.house.gov/live. Audio of the telephone town hall meeting will also be available via livestream at Bonamici.house.gov/live.
***
Original text here: https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/ag-rayfield-join-bonamici-town-hall-meeting-during-state-union-address
Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing on Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following news release on Feb. 10, 2026:
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Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing on Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda
Today, House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith delivered opening remarks at a subcommittee hearing titled "Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda through President Trump's Washington Accords -- Part II".
-Remarks as prepared-
My engagement in supporting peace between Rwanda and DRC--like
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following news release on Feb. 10, 2026:
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Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing on Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda
Today, House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith delivered opening remarks at a subcommittee hearing titled "Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda through President Trump's Washington Accords -- Part II".
-Remarks as prepared-
My engagement in supporting peace between Rwanda and DRC--likemy good friend and former colleague Ambassador Tony Hall who will testify today--spans more than three decades, from a focus on the 1994 Rwandan Genocide to the current "Washington Accords".
This skillfully and brilliantly brokered peace deal signified a new era in the region, one where peace through strength is brought to bear to end the lengthy, bloody, and costly conflict.
Bringing both parties to negotiate at the same table was historic in itself--the first time in modern history where such progress has been made on this conflict. Yet the deals that have been agreed to, and the economic and security benefits they will unleash for DRC, Rwanda, and the United States, are extraordinary.
Ensuring that all sides follow through on the commitments made at the signing in December is not only in the U.S. national interest but above all for the millions of people who have suffered and continue to suffer in the war. This is for the present and future generations of Congolese and Rwandan children, and for the memory of the six million dead from this decades-long conflict, a human toll that is both staggering and intolerable.
The urgency of this mission was brought home to us with devastating clarity just days ago. The cowardly attack in Kisangani serves as a grim reminder that peace has enemies. This violence, targeting a city that has long yearned for stability, was a calculated attempt by spoilers to shatter the hope generated by these Accords. It underscores exactly why this hearing is necessary. We cannot allow the progress we have made to be hijacked by those who profit from chaos.
Regrettably, past hearings have revealed that the international and U.S. response has often been half-hearted and indifferent, especially in the face of such violence. Today, things are changing; under President Trump and his cabinet's leadership, the response is strong, sustained, and durable.
I have called this hearing today because there continue to be spoilers to the peace process. The Kisangani attack is a symptom of this lingering rot. Our goal today is to ensure that all parties and all people understand the benefits of the Washington Accords and that the governments of Rwanda and DRC are clear on the steps that must be taken to get there.
The incentives are spelled out clearly in the Regional Economic Integration Framework, mandating that DRC and Rwanda develop a structured roadmap for economic integration--covering mineral supply chains, infrastructure, energy, and tourism.
Critically, the Washington Accords include a four-phase "concept of operations" that both parties agreed to. This is essential for Rwanda agreeing to pull its troops back, but only if the DRC follows a synchronized schedule to eliminate the FDLR militia. While the FDLR's genocidal ideology continues to be Rwanda's primary national security concern, we also expect M23 and Rwanda to take measures to demobilize combatants under their control.
Durable peace cannot be built by governments alone. It requires the moral authority and ground-level engagement of civil society, particularly faith-based groups as I described in my House Resolution 586. Their networks provide the truth-telling we need to ensure that the benefits of peace reach the poorest, rather than just enriching the powerful.
As such, we must recognize the indispensable role of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), together with the African Union. Time and again, when political solutions faltered, CENCO and ECC stepped in. We remember their pivotal leadership in brokering the Saint-Sylvestre Agreement on New Year's Eve 2016, which prevented the total collapse of the state, and the 2025 Social Pact for Peace and Living Together to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis and violence in the region.
Today, as we implement the Washington Accords, groups like CENCO and ECC are not just observers, they are key at facilitating an inclusive national dialogue in DRC-- that includes all the actors of civil society movements, religious confessions, political parties, and armed groups--to promote social cohesion, national unity, and principles of good governance.
In fact, I just met with their leadership this morning--and hope that this national dialogue will start this month with the assistance of the Chair of the African Union and President of the Republic of Angola, President Lorenzo. It would demonstrate a commitment to peace.
It is critical that voices are heard and respected and that the personal security of civil society actors are protected.
As we implement these agreements, the United States is also breaking its dependence on minerals that finance the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)--often extracted through forced labor including the exploitation of children--and stopping indirectly supporting the CCP's efforts to fuel instability and regional conflict in Africa.
President Trump's Executive Order for 'Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production' was a crucial step toward strengthening our domestic supply chains as is the Washington Accords.
In 2023 and 2025, I held hearings highlighting that the greatest beneficiaries of the conflict and critical minerals system--China's state-owned mining companies--remain silent, refusing to confront an undeniable reality: from dirt to battery, from cobalt to cars, the entire supply chain is built on violence, exploitation, and corruption. This must change--and the time for change is now.
In response to these challenges, I reintroduced H.R.2310, the COBALT Supply Chain Act, which ensures that goods made using or containing cobalt refined in the People's Republic of China do not enter the United States market under the presumption that the cobalt is extracted or processed with the use of child and forced labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Washington Accords is a culminating event designed to end suffering and war.
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Original text here: https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/news/press-releases/africa-subcommittee-chairman-chris-smith-delivers-opening-remarks-at-hearing-on-advancing-peace-in-drc-and-rwanda-0
Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda Through President Trump's Washington Accords - Part II
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 10, 2026:
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Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda through President Trump's Washington Accords - Part II
Opening statement of Chairman Smith at DRC-Rwanda hearing
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The following are excerpts of Chairman Chris Smith's (R-NJ) opening statement at the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee's February 10th hearing--his fifteenth hearing chaired exclusively on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda--entitled "Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda through President Trump's Washington Accords
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 10, 2026:
* * *
Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda through President Trump's Washington Accords - Part II
Opening statement of Chairman Smith at DRC-Rwanda hearing
*
The following are excerpts of Chairman Chris Smith's (R-NJ) opening statement at the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee's February 10th hearing--his fifteenth hearing chaired exclusively on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda--entitled "Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda through President Trump's Washington Accords- Part II":
My engagement in supporting peace between Rwanda and the DRC--like my good friend and former colleague, Ambassador Tony Hall, who will testify today--spans more than three decades, from a focus on the 1994 Rwandan Genocide to the current "Washington Accords."
This skillfully and brilliantly brokered peace deal signified a new era in the region, one where peace through strength is brought to bear to end the lengthy, bloody, and costly conflict.
Bringing both parties to negotiate at the same table was historic in itself--the first time in modern history where such progress has been made on this conflict. Yet, the deals that have been agreed to, and the economic and security benefits they will unleash for the DRC, Rwanda, and the United States, are extraordinary.
Ensuring that all sides follow through on the commitments made at the signing in December is not only in the U.S. national interest, but above all, for the millions of people who have suffered and continue to suffer in the war. This is for the present and future generations of Congolese and Rwandan children, and for the memories of the six million dead from this decades-long conflict, a human toll that is both staggering and intolerable.
The urgency of this mission was brought home to us with devastating clarity just days ago. The cowardly attack in Kisangani serves as a grim reminder that peace has enemies. This violence, targeting a city that has long yearned for stability, was a calculated attempt by spoilers to shatter the hope generated by these Accords. It underscores exactly why this hearing is necessary. We cannot allow the progress we have made to be hijacked by those who profit from chaos.
Regrettably, past hearings have revealed that the international and U.S. response has often been half-hearted and indifferent, especially in the face of such violence. Today, things are changing; under President Trump and his cabinet's leadership, the response is strong, sustained, and durable.
I have called this hearing today because there continue to be spoilers to the peace process. The Kisangani attack is a symptom of this lingering rot. Our goal today is to ensure that all parties and all people understand the benefits of the Washington Accords, and that the governments of Rwanda and the DRC are clear on the steps that must be taken to get there.
The incentives are spelled out clearly in the Regional Economic Integration Framework, mandating that the DRC and Rwanda develop a structured roadmap for economic integration--covering mineral supply chains, infrastructure, energy, and tourism.
Critically, the Washington Accords include a four-phase "concept of operations" that both parties agreed to. This is essential for Rwanda agreeing to pull its troops back, but only if the DRC follows a synchronized schedule to eliminate the FDLR militia. While the FDLR's genocidal ideology continues to be Rwanda's primary national security concern, we also expect M23 and Rwanda to take measures to demobilize combatants under their control.
Durable peace cannot be built by governments alone. It requires the moral authority and ground-level engagement of civil society, particularly faith-based groups, as I described in my House Resolution 586. Their networks provide the truth-telling we need to ensure that the benefits of peace reach the poorest, rather than just enriching the powerful.
As such, we must recognize the indispensable role of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), together with the African Union. Time and again, when political solutions faltered, CENCO and ECC stepped in. We remember their pivotal leadership in brokering the Saint-Sylvestre Agreement on New Year's Eve 2016, which prevented the total collapse of the state, and the 2025 Social Pact for Peace and Living Together to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis and violence in the region.
Today, as we implement the Washington Accords, groups like CENCO and ECC are not just observers, they are the key to facilitating an inclusive national dialogue in the DRC--which includes all the actors of civil society movements, religious confessions, political parties, and armed groups--to promote social cohesion, national unity, and principles of good governance.
In fact, I just met with their leadership this morning--and hope that this national dialogue will start this month, with the assistance of the Chair of the African Union and President of the Republic of Angola, President Lorenzo. It would demonstrate a commitment to peace.
It is critical that voices are heard and respected and that the personal security of civil society actors are protected.
As we implement these agreements, the United States is also breaking its dependence on minerals that finance the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)--often extracted through forced labor, including the exploitation of children--and stopping the indirect support of the CCP's efforts to fuel instability and regional conflicts in Africa.
President Trump's Executive Order for "Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production" was a crucial step toward strengthening our domestic supply chains, as is the Washington Accords.
In 2023 and 2025, I held hearings that highlighted that the greatest beneficiaries of the conflict and critical minerals system--China's state-owned mining companies--remain silent, refusing to confront an undeniable reality: from dirt to battery, from cobalt to cars, the entire supply chain is built on violence, exploitation, and corruption. This must change--and the time for change is now.
In response to these challenges, I reintroduced HR 2310, the COBALT Supply Chain Act, which ensures that goods made using or containing cobalt refined in the People's Republic of China do not enter the United States market, under the presumption that the cobalt is extracted or processed with the use of child and forced labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Washington Accords is a culminating event designed to end suffering and war.
* * *
Original text here: https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415335
"Public Trust and Public Safety Go Hand in Hand": Chairman Garbarino Opens Hearing With ICE, CBP, USCIS
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-New York, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news on Feb. 10, 2026:
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"Public Trust and Public Safety Go Hand in Hand": Chairman Garbarino Opens Hearing With ICE, CBP, USCIS
Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) delivered the following opening statement in a Committee hearing featuring testimony from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director Todd Lyons, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-New York, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news on Feb. 10, 2026:
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"Public Trust and Public Safety Go Hand in Hand": Chairman Garbarino Opens Hearing With ICE, CBP, USCIS
Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) delivered the following opening statement in a Committee hearing featuring testimony from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director Todd Lyons, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) CommissionerRodney Scott, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow.
I want to start by thanking our witnesses for appearing before the Committee today. Today's hearing provides the American people the ability to hear directly from the leaders that enforce our nation's immigration laws. It is our imperative, as representatives of the people, to be a voice for the people. Transparency, communication, and accountability are the keys to good government. This is why oversight is important. Informing Congress and the public is not casting accusations, nor is it a punishment. Congress has a duty to hear directly from the executive branch--a duty I take seriously--and the executive branch has a duty to keep us informed.
While this hearing was long planned, we sit here today at an inflection point--an opportunity to assess and reinforce the integrity of immigration enforcement, and to strengthen public trust. An opportunity to emphasize and underscore the Department of Homeland Security's no-fail mission as a whole. My top priority as Chairman is, and will always be, protecting America while ensuring the safety of law enforcement. This is further important in the context of another potential shutdown of the Department. Let me be clear, shutting down DHS makes Americans less safe and negatively impacts thousands of federal employees, like those at TSA and CISA.
The Department of Homeland Security is the nation's largest federal law enforcement agency. It is this Committee's duty, regardless of administration, to conduct oversight. We need to examine how DHS components are enforcing the law, and ensure they have the resources in place to do this work safely, effectively, and properly.
Last year, we provided historic resources through reconciliation to strengthen public safety and support the Trump administration's unprecedented efforts to secure the border. This was the single largest investment in the domestic homeland security mission. To succeed, we all need to work together seamlessly--and this Committee is a partner in that effort.
It is important to remember how we got here. For years, we witnessed a blanket refusal to enforce the law, wide-open borders, catch-and-release policies, and uncontrolled mass migration. These policies undermined the rule of law and endangered all Americans. Enforcing immigration law is not optional.
The Trump Administration's record on border security is irrefutable. Nationwide border encounters last December decreased 91 percent compared to 2023. Apprehensions between ports of entry last December decreased 86 percent compared to 2024. And we ended last year with eight consecutive months of zero parole releases by Border Patrol. Further, thousands of criminal illegal aliens have been detained and deported. These actions make America safer and more secure. The credibility of these successes is on the line. We must take the temperature down and look at the record of enforcement actions through rational eyes.
We have seen a significant increase in violent rhetoric and agitation. We have seen a significant increase in attacks on federal law enforcement, and in the number of threats facing them and their families. This Committee highlighted the threat increases to law enforcement at an earlier hearing. We have seen state and local jurisdictions refuse to protect federal law enforcement officers. And, obviously, we have now seen the deaths of two American citizens in Minnesota. This is all unacceptable and preventable. The safety of law enforcement and the communities they serve and protect must always come first.
When officials or elected leaders rush to conclusions about law enforcement or their fellow Americans--public trust suffers. There must be a complete and impartial investigation. I expect each of our witnesses to keep this Committee fully informed as the investigations run their course. And I will ensure this happens.
While these investigations are ongoing, officials and elected leaders cannot rush to judgment. I cannot put myself in the shoes of law enforcement, nor can I imagine what the families of Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti are enduring today. Public trust and public safety go hand in hand--we cannot have one without the other.
I am encouraged to see that President Trump sent Border Czar Tom Homan and Commissioner Scott to Minnesota to work with Governor Walz, Mayor Frey, and other local leaders. I sincerely hope this dialogue continues. This should stand as an example of cooperation to anyone who continues to incentivize reckless behavior in our streets, unlawfully impede law enforcement operations, or disparage their fellow citizens. State and local officials should be partners, not obstacles, when it comes to public safety. And federal officials should keep in mind that this kind of partnership is a two-way street. Everyone should have the same goal of keeping Americans safe.
Transparency and communication are needed now more than ever--the Department's no-fail mission hangs in the balance. A rule-based order is not one sided. Enforcing immigration law and defending all Americans' Constitutional rights--including the rights to peacefully protest, bear arms, and privacy--are not mutually exclusive.
I want to thank Secretary Noem for making these witnesses rapidly available and again thank the three of you for appearing here today. As Border Czar Homan recently said, "you can't fix problems if you don't have discussions."
I hope we can have a positive, civil and productive discussion today. Only together can we make our communities stronger and the homeland safer for the future of all Americans.
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Original text here: https://homeland.house.gov/2026/02/10/public-trust-and-public-safety-go-hand-in-hand-chairman-garbarino-opens-hearing-with-ice-cbp-uscis/
Allen Votes to Bolster Election Integrity in America
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Rick W. Allen, R-Georgia, issued the following news release:
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Allen Votes to Bolster Election Integrity in America
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Today, the House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act, a revised and improved version of the widely supported SAVE Act. The SAVE America Act adds a voter ID requirement for voting in federal elections while maintaining the original bill's proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration. After offering his support for the bill on the House floor, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement:
"The American
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Rick W. Allen, R-Georgia, issued the following news release:
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Allen Votes to Bolster Election Integrity in America
*
Today, the House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act, a revised and improved version of the widely supported SAVE Act. The SAVE America Act adds a voter ID requirement for voting in federal elections while maintaining the original bill's proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration. After offering his support for the bill on the House floor, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement:
"The Americanpeople are overwhelmingly supportive of requiring a photo ID to vote in federal elections. While Georgia law already requires a photo ID to vote, and federal law states that it is illegal for foreign nationals and noncitizens to vote, we continue to see noncitizens unlawfully register in some states. This is unacceptable and threatens the integrity of our elections.
"The SAVE America Act is a commonsense effort to ensure American citizens decide American elections by requiring a valid ID to vote. It's that simple. While Democrats continue to fearmonger and spread outright falsehoods about this bill - I will continue to fight for hardworking Americans who want free, fair, and secure elections," said Congressman Allen.
Polling has consistently shown strong majorities support voter ID requirements:
* Pew Research Center: 83% of Americans favor requiring all voters to show government-issued photo ID to vote, including 95% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats. Just 16% of Americans are in opposition.
* Gallup: 84% of Americans support requiring photo ID to vote, including 98% of Republicans, 84% of independents, and 67% of Democrats. Separately, 83% support requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote for the first time.
* Additional surveys, including from Napolitan News Service and The Center Square, consistently show extraordinary support for voter ID.
To read the bill click here.
***
Original text here: https://allen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7098
Allen Votes to Bolster Election Integrity in America
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Rick W. Allen, R-Georgia, issued the following news release:
* * *
Allen Votes to Bolster Election Integrity in America
*
Today, the House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act, a revised and improved version of the widely supported SAVE Act. The SAVE America Act adds a voter ID requirement for voting in federal elections while maintaining the original bill's proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration. After offering his support for the bill on the House floor, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement:
"The American
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Rick W. Allen, R-Georgia, issued the following news release:
* * *
Allen Votes to Bolster Election Integrity in America
*
Today, the House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act, a revised and improved version of the widely supported SAVE Act. The SAVE America Act adds a voter ID requirement for voting in federal elections while maintaining the original bill's proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration. After offering his support for the bill on the House floor, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement:
"The Americanpeople are overwhelmingly supportive of requiring a photo ID to vote in federal elections. While Georgia law already requires a photo ID to vote, and federal law states that it is illegal for foreign nationals and noncitizens to vote, we continue to see noncitizens unlawfully register in some states. This is unacceptable and threatens the integrity of our elections.
"The SAVE America Act is a commonsense effort to ensure American citizens decide American elections by requiring a valid ID to vote. It's that simple. While Democrats continue to fearmonger and spread outright falsehoods about this bill - I will continue to fight for hardworking Americans who want free, fair, and secure elections," said Congressman Allen.
Polling has consistently shown strong majorities support voter ID requirements:
* Pew Research Center: 83% of Americans favor requiring all voters to show government-issued photo ID to vote, including 95% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats. Just 16% of Americans are in opposition.
* Gallup: 84% of Americans support requiring photo ID to vote, including 98% of Republicans, 84% of independents, and 67% of Democrats. Separately, 83% support requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote for the first time.
* Additional surveys, including from Napolitan News Service and The Center Square, consistently show extraordinary support for voter ID.
To read the bill click here.
***
Original text here: https://allen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7098
Ahead of 17th Anniversary of Flight 3407 Crash, Kennedy and Langworthy Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Airline Safety
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-New York, issued the following news release:
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Ahead of 17th Anniversary of Flight 3407 Crash, Kennedy and Langworthy Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Airline Safety
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representatives Tim Kennedy (NY-26) and Nick Langworthy (NY-23) today introduced the Safe Flights for Passengers and Flight Crews Act, bipartisan legislation designed to close a federal loophole that allows some airlines to operate scheduled passenger flights without meeting the same safety standards required of major commercial carriers.
"This common-sense
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-New York, issued the following news release:
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Ahead of 17th Anniversary of Flight 3407 Crash, Kennedy and Langworthy Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Airline Safety
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representatives Tim Kennedy (NY-26) and Nick Langworthy (NY-23) today introduced the Safe Flights for Passengers and Flight Crews Act, bipartisan legislation designed to close a federal loophole that allows some airlines to operate scheduled passenger flights without meeting the same safety standards required of major commercial carriers.
"This common-senselegislation puts the safety of passengers, crew members, and the public first," said Congressman Tim Kennedy. "For Western New Yorkers, aviation safety is deeply personal, and our community has long led the fight to make our skies safer. Every American deserves the same high safety standards when they board a plane. We owe it to the families of Flight 3407, and to every traveler, to keep our skies safe and prevent future tragedies."
"The safety of the flying public depends on ensuring every pilot in the cockpit is fully trained and prepared, which is why I was proud to lead the fight to uphold the 1,500-hour rule in the FAA Reauthorization - standards born from the lessons of the tragic Colgan Flight 3407 disaster," said Congressman Nick Langworthy. "As Chairman of the Aviation Safety Caucus, I'm proud to introduce this legislation to build on that work by closing a loophole some carriers are using to sidestep these rigorous requirements. It reinforces a simple but critical principle that safety must always come first, and there can be no shortcuts for the airlines responsible for getting Americans to their destinations safely."
"PL111-216, "The Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010", has proven to be a landmark aviation safety law that addressed the two levels of safety that existed when Continental/ Colgan Flight 3407 crashed in Clarence, New York on February 12th, 2009. Over the past 15 years Charter airlines found a loophole in current FAA regulations that has permitted them to resume a second/ lesser level of aviation safety operations. Thankfully Congressmen Kennedy and Langworthy are proposing legislation to address the FAA loophole. On the 17th anniversary of our tragic accident the Families of 3407 sincerely appreciate their leadership and commitment to aviation safety so that another accident like ours will hopefully be prevented." - Families of Flight 3407
"ALPA is grateful to Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy for introducing the Safe Flights for Passengers and Flight Crews Act, which will finally close the public charter loophole that has allowed certain airlines to operate regularly scheduled commercial flights under lesser safety standards. No airline operator should be able to exploit a regulatory gap to avoid the standards that govern scheduled commercial service. Yet today, some carriers are running what amount to scheduled airline flights that operate in the same airspace, serve the same passengers, and fly from largely the same airports without meeting the highest level of aviation safety standards. This bill ensures a level playing field and, more importantly, ensures that every passenger can board a flight with confidence that the same rigorous safety standards apply, no matter the carrier or the destination." - Captain Jason Ambrosi, Air Line Pilots Association, International
"Charter carriers are exploiting loopholes to offer scheduled services with significantly lower safety standards, which is unacceptable. All scheduled commercial flights must meet the same rigorous safety requirements. The Safe Flights for Passengers and Flight Crews Act is essential for closing this regulatory gap and ensuring passenger safety." - Captain Jody Reven, President of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association
"Within the aviation ecosystem, we are only as strong as our weakest link. Therefore, it is critically important that there is one level of safety when it comes to scheduled passenger aviation. The Safe Flights for Passengers and Flight Crews Act aims to close a glaring loophole in the safety rules governing aviation. The traveling public deserves to know that, when they fly and no matter which airline they fly, each airline they board adheres to the same minimum federal safety standards," - Captain Dave Hunt, Vice President, Safety and Security, Southwest Airlines.
"As professional pilots, we are concerned that memories of the 9/11 terrorist attacks have grown short, and we cannot allow charter operators to lose focus on security for the sake of profit. There should be no more aviation security loopholes, period." - First Officer Nick Silva, President of the Allied Pilots Association
The Safe Flights for Passengers and Flight Crews Act ensures that any airline offering scheduled passenger service using larger aircraft is held to the same federal safety and operational standards as major commercial airlines. Current law allows certain charter airlines to sell tickets for regularly scheduled flights while operating under less rigorous safety rules than traditional commercial airlines. This legislation closes that loophole and restores a clear and consistent safety baseline across the aviation system, ensuring passengers aren't unknowingly exposed to different levels of risk.
On February 12, 2009, Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed while approaching Buffalo Niagara International Airport, killing all 49 passengers and crew on board and one resident on the ground. The tragedy forever changed Western New York and sparked national reforms aimed at strengthening aviation safety. Yet today, gaps remain in federal regulations that put passengers and flight crews at risk. The legislation builds on the legacy of families and advocates who turned unimaginable loss into lasting reform after Flight 3407, reaffirming a continued commitment to preventing future tragedies in Western New York and across the country.
***
Original text here: https://kennedy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2363
