U.S. Congress
Here's a look at documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate
Featured Stories
Bennet and Curtis Lead Bipartisan Letter to Secretary Rubio Reaffirming U.S. Commitments to Taiwan
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. Michael F. Bennet, D-Colorado, issued the following news release:
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Bennet and Curtis Lead Bipartisan Letter to Secretary Rubio Reaffirming U.S. Commitments to Taiwan
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Washington, D.C. -Ahead of President Donald Trump's summit with China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator John Curtis (R-Utah), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led 10 colleagues on a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirming congressional support for the
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. Michael F. Bennet, D-Colorado, issued the following news release:
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Bennet and Curtis Lead Bipartisan Letter to Secretary Rubio Reaffirming U.S. Commitments to Taiwan
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Washington, D.C. -Ahead of President Donald Trump's summit with China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator John Curtis (R-Utah), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led 10 colleagues on a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirming congressional support for theTaiwan Relations Act (TRA) and underscoring their belief that there should be no unilateral changes to this policy nor any new U.S. declaratory policy on Taiwan.
Senators Bennet and Curtis were joined on this letter by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mitch McConnell (R-K.Y.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md).
"For nearly five decades, the TRA has been the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan ties, enabling a strong and mutually beneficial relationship. This bipartisan law requires the United States to provide Taiwan - a critical economic and technological partner, and a thriving democracy - defense articles and services necessary to maintain the island's self-defense capability. The TRA further states that the United States would consider any attempt to determine Taiwan's future by non-peaceful means to be 'a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific,' and of 'grave concern,'" wrote the senators.
"Our commitment to this legislation has long helped ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait -which is essential to U.S. interests there and across the Indo-Pacific. Maintaining this commitment is necessary to ensure the credibility of U.S. security commitments to allies and partners in the region and beyond," continued the senators.
"In the spirit of longstanding bipartisan support for the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, we stand ready to work with your administration to further strengthen this partnership," concluded the senators.
The text of the letter is available HERE and below.
D ear Secretary Rubio,
We write to reaffirm congressional support for the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and our firm belief that there should be no unilateral changes to this policy nor any new declaratory policy on Taiwan, consistent with longstanding U.S. commitments including the Six Assurances President Reagan articulated.
For nearly five decades, the TRA has been the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan ties, enabling a strong and mutually beneficial relationship. This bipartisan law requires the United States to provide Taiwan - a critical economic and technological partner, and a thriving democracy -defense articles and services necessary to maintain the island's self-defense capability. The TRA further states that the United States would consider any attempt to determine Taiwan's future by non- peaceful means to be "a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific," and of "grave Concern."
Our commitment to this legislation has long helped ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait - which is essential to U.S. interests there and across the Indo-Pacific. Maintaining this commitment is necessary to ensure the credibility of U.S. security commitments to allies and partners in the region and beyond.
During your tenure in the U.S. Senate, you consistently demonstrated strong support for U.S.- Taiwan relations and for the TRA. In 2017, you joined a bipartisan letter to President Trump stating that the "One China policy, based on the [Taiwan Relations] Act, the Three Joint Communiques and the Six Assurances [...] provides the basis for our enduring relationship with Taiwan." You further emphasized the "bipartisan commitment that we must not waver in providing necessary support for Taiwan to defend itself in the face of China's ongoing military aggression and the cross-Strait military imbalance."
These principles remain true and necessary today. In the spirit of longstanding bipartisan support for the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, we stand ready to work with your administration to further strengthen this partnership.
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Original text here: https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/05/13/bennet-and-curtis-lead-bipartisan-letter-to-secretary-rubio-reaffirming-u-s-commitments-to-taiwan/
Beatty's Bill to Boost Small Financial Institutions Nationwide Passes Unanimously
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, issued the following news release:
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Beatty's Bill to Boost Small Financial Institutions Nationwide Passes Unanimously
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Beatty's bill, H.R. 3709 the 'Advancing the Mentor Protege Program for Small Financial Institutions' Act unanimously passed the House of Representatives and now awaits Senate passage. This legislation was included in the House-passed bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act, which aims to increase housing supply, prioritize affordability, and advance housing equity.
This critical
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, issued the following news release:
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Beatty's Bill to Boost Small Financial Institutions Nationwide Passes Unanimously
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Beatty's bill, H.R. 3709 the 'Advancing the Mentor Protege Program for Small Financial Institutions' Act unanimously passed the House of Representatives and now awaits Senate passage. This legislation was included in the House-passed bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act, which aims to increase housing supply, prioritize affordability, and advance housing equity.
This criticallegislation will codify the Financial Agent Mentor-Protege Program at the U.S. Department of the Treasury; a program that pairs up small and rural financial institutions with large banks and credit unions, providing resources, training, and technical assistance to help them better serve their communities and become Financial Agents to Treasury.
Small financial institutions, including Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), play a critical role in their communities, yet there are only 151 MDI banks left in the United States, and the number of minority-owned banks has dropped more than 30% since its peak in 2008. Although their numbers have largely stabilized in recent years, MDIs generally have much higher expenses and are often forced to merge with other minority-owned banks to survive.
"Small financial institutions serve as the backbone of local economies nationwide, delivering essential resources like mortgage credit, small business capital, and trusted banking services that help neighborhoods thrive," said Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. "These institutions know the people they serve best and they are uniquely positioned to understand and respond to local financial needs. Formally establishing the Department of Treasury's Mentor-Protege Program will strengthen economic opportunity in communities across the country and move us closer to a more equitable and inclusive financial system for all Americans."
The Advancing the Mentor Protege Program for Small Financial Institutions Act has garnered support from multiple banking organizations, including the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), American Bankers Association (ABA), America's Credit Unions (ACU), and National Bankers Association (NBA).
The full bill text can be found HERE.
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Original text here: https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/beatty-s-bill-to-boost-small-financial-institutions-nationwide-passes-unanimously
Auchincloss, Warren, Harshbarger, Hawley Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Rein in Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), Cut Drug Costs
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release:
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RELEASE: Auchincloss, Warren, Harshbarger, Hawley Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Rein in Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), Cut Drug Costs
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), alongside Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), reintroduced the Patients Before Monopolies (PBM) Act with expanded bipartisan support to rein in drug pricing middlemen, known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), from enriching themselves
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release:
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RELEASE: Auchincloss, Warren, Harshbarger, Hawley Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Rein in Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), Cut Drug Costs
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), alongside Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), reintroduced the Patients Before Monopolies (PBM) Act with expanded bipartisan support to rein in drug pricing middlemen, known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), from enriching themselvesand crushing competition at the expense of patients and independent pharmacies.
In the 119th Congress, new original cosponsors include Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS), alongside Representatives Greg Landsman (D-OH) and Buddy Carter (R-GA) of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Troy Nehls (R-TX) of the Judiciary Committee.
Since the PBM Act was first introduced in 2024, states across the country have sought to break up these giant conglomerates. In early 2025, Arkansas passed a law to prevent the joint ownership of PBMs and pharmacies. Later that year, 39 state attorneys general wrote a letter urging Congress to "pass[] an act prohibiting PBMs, their parent companies, or affiliates from owning or operating pharmacies." In April, Tennessee lawmakers passed a law to ban joint ownership of PBMs and pharmacies, and the Tennessee Governor is expected to sign the bill into law as soon as this week. This growing bipartisan momentum in support of the goals of the PBM Act from across the nation sends an important signal to Congress that the work to rein in PBMs is not yet finished.
Over the past decade, PBMs have morphed into large health care conglomerates that exercise control over nearly every link of the prescription drug delivery chain. Today, the largest health care conglomerates each own a PBM -which pays for pharmacy services -as well as the pharmacy chains that provide those services. This inherent conflict of interest results in higher drug costs for patients and fewer independent pharmacies, but bigger profits for the corporate health care giants.
The Patients Before Monopolies (PBM) Act will address this by:
* Prohibiting a parent company of a PBM or an insurer from owning a pharmacy business;
* Requiring that a parent company in violation of the PBM Act divest its pharmacy business within one year of the bill's enactment;
* Creating automatic penalties if a company fails to divest in a timely manner, including disgorgement of profits and forced sales of assets in the event of noncompliance;
* Enabling the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ), and state attorneys general to bring lawsuits requiring violators of the PBM Act to divest their pharmacy business and disgorge any revenue received during the period of such violation;
* Enabling private parties, including independent pharmacists, to bring lawsuits against violators of the bill, and secure treble damages in successful lawsuits;
* Directing the FTC to distribute any revenue raised by penalties to harmed communities, including consumers overcharged at vertically integrated pharmacies; and
* Allowing the FTC and DOJ to review and block future actions that would recreate the anticompetitive conditions addressed by the bill or harm the public interest.
"Like so many small business owners in America, independent pharmacists are working hard and playing by the rules but getting ripped off by monopolies," said Rep. Auchincloss. "The PBM industry is rife with self-dealing and price gouging. Congress made modest but meaningful reforms earlier this year, and now the next step is banning PBMs from owning pharmacies. It's an unacceptable conflict of interest and yet another example of the vertical integration in health care that is raising prices for patients."
"Our PBM Act is gaining momentum because people are realizing that you can't lower health care costs without tackling corporate greed in the health care system," said Senator Warren. "It's time we finally rein in the health care middlemen that are jacking up drug costs and driving small pharmacies out of business."
"Americans are paying more and more for healthcare while seeing less in return. PBMs are at the center of a broken system that rewards middlemen while driving up costs for patients and pushing out independent pharmacies," said Senator Hawley. "Working Americans deserve better. This legislation is a major step toward restoring transparency and making healthcare more affordable for every American."
"As a lifelong pharmacist, I've seen firsthand how PBMs game the system. When the same corporate giant that sets reimbursement rates also owns the pharmacy collecting them, that's not a free market-it's a rigged one," said Rep. Diana Harshbarger. "We have antitrust laws for a reason. When monopolies squeeze out independent pharmacies, raise costs for patients, and reduce consumer choice, Congress has a duty to restore fair competition. The Patients Before Monopolies Act ends this blatant conflict of interest once and for all."
"Pharmacy Benefit Managers drive prices up for patients and run independent pharmacies out of business," said Rep. Jerry Nadler. "These greedy corporations have dodged regulation at the cost of American patients and small businesses for far too long. For my entire career, I have fought to make healthcare accessible for all Americans, and I am proud to support this bill reining in PBMs and enforcing fair business practices."
"We're taking on these giant healthcare companies to get prescription drug prices down, and to protect our family-owned pharmacies," said Rep. Greg Landsman. "These companies make billions in part because they control so much of the market, but our bill will change that and put patients first."
"Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have been stealing hope and health from the American people for decades, inflating prescription drug costs, forcing pharmacy closures, and blocking access to medications." As a pharmacist from coastal Georgia, I came to Congress with the goal of building a health care system that puts patients before profits," said Congressman Buddy Carter. "I proudly support the Patients Before Monopolies Act, which builds on my previous PBM legislation signed into law last January, to continue cracking down on PBMs' anti-competitive practices."
"Americans are sick and tired of giant corporations putting profits over patients," said Congressman Troy Nehls. "For too long, the largest Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have manipulated the prescription drug market supply chain, crushed independent pharmacies, and have driven up costs for patients. I'm proud to be an original cosponsor on this bipartisan legislation to restore accountability, protect local pharmacies, and lower costs for American families."
"PBM vertical integration with retail, mail-order, and specialty pharmacies has led to reduced patient choice and higher drug prices for patients and payers. The Patients Before Monopolies Act cuts out PBM conflicts of interest at their root by breaking up PBM ownership of and affiliation with pharmacies. APCI commends Senators Warren and Hawley, and Representatives Harshbarger and Auchincloss on fighting against PBM anticompetitive practices and advancing policies that will restore competition to the prescription drug marketplace," said Greg Reybold, Vice President of Public Policy, American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc.
"With the reintroduction of the Patients Before Monopolies Act (PBM Act), we are grateful to Senators Warren and Hawley and Representatives Harshbarger and Auchincloss for standing up for patients and pharmacies. For too long, the largest health insurers have resorted to fear and intimidation tactics, expending substantial resources in order to scare and confuse the public into thinking PBM reform will be bad for them. With this new legislation, PBMs will finally be held accountable for years of abusing their role as 'benefits administrators' to undercut pharmacy providers while also profiteering off the backs of unsuspecting employers, patients and taxpayers," said Monique Whitney, Executive Director, Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency.
"Divesting PBMs from owning pharmacies will stop the conflict of interest that drives patients into PBM-owned specialty pharmacies where specialty generic drug prices are kept artificially high. The Patients Before Monopolies Act levels the playing field for community pharmacists and finally puts patients ahead of PBM profits," said Madelaine Feldman, MD, FACR; Rheumatologist; Vice President, Advocacy & Government Affairs; Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations; New Orleans, Louisiana.
"Giant PBMs and insurers owning their own pharmacies has driven independent pharmacies out of business and reduced patient access to quality care. The Patients Before Monopolies Act addresses the root cause of this problem -consolidated market power -by eliminating the inherent conflicts of interest within the 'Big Three' PBM business model," said Morgan Harper, Director of Policy and Advocacy, American Economic Liberties Project. "We are thrilled to see Sen. Warren and Sen. Hawley and Reps. Harshbarger and Auchincloss lead this bipartisan effort to lower drug costs, protect independent retail pharmacies, improve patient access to care, and break up Big Medicine."
"The Patients Before Monopolies Act takes an important step toward restoring integrity and competition in healthcare by ending the deeply flawed model where PBMs and insurers can own the very providers they oversee and reimburse," said Robert Levin, MD, President, Alliance for Transparent & Affordable Prescriptions. "When the same corporations control the financing, administration, and delivery of care, patients and independent providers are put at a disadvantage. Healthcare decisions should be driven by what is best for patients, not by vertically integrated corporations maximizing profits through self-preferencing and consolidation."
"American Pharmacies strongly supports the Patients Before Monopolies Act. When PBMs own pharmacies, the resulting self-dealing and conflicts of interest distort the marketplace and too often undermine affordable, accessible, patient-centered care. American Pharmacies and our 700 independent pharmacy members across the country thank the bill's sponsors for their leadership in confronting one of the root causes of rising costs and barriers to care," said Steve Hoffart, R.Ph., Chairman, American Pharmacies.
"PBMs have a choice -operate as a PBM or operate as a pharmacy, but you can't have it both ways," said B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist, MBA, CEO, National Community Pharmacists Association. "Having both functions under one roof is a huge conflict of interest and drives up prescription drug prices. The Patients Before Monopolies Act is critical in supporting patients and independent pharmacies and restoring a free market. NCPA is proud to support it and thanks Reps. Harshbarger, Auchincloss, Carter, Nadler, and Nehls, and Sens. Warren, Hawley, Marshall and Fetterman for their leadership."
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Original text here: https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-auchincloss-warren-harshbarger-hawley-reintroduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-rein-in-pharmacy-benefit-managers-pbms-cut-drug-costs
As Trump's Illegal War with Iran Drives up Costs at Every Turn, Lujan Fights to Tackle Affordability Crisis Hitting New Mexicans and the Agricultural Industry
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release:
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As Trump's Illegal War with Iran Drives up Costs at Every Turn, Lujan Fights to Tackle Affordability Crisis Hitting New Mexicans and the Agricultural Industry
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Lujan Concludes Weeklong Tour Across New Mexico Meeting with Industry Experts and New Mexicans to Address President Trump's Affordability Crisis
Las Cruces, N.M. - As President Trump's illegal war with Iran continues to drive up costs across industries, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) brought together experts and representatives from
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release:
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As Trump's Illegal War with Iran Drives up Costs at Every Turn, Lujan Fights to Tackle Affordability Crisis Hitting New Mexicans and the Agricultural Industry
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Lujan Concludes Weeklong Tour Across New Mexico Meeting with Industry Experts and New Mexicans to Address President Trump's Affordability Crisis
Las Cruces, N.M. - As President Trump's illegal war with Iran continues to drive up costs across industries, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) brought together experts and representatives frombusiness, health care, housing, family services, and agriculture sectors to address the administration's policies that are increasing operational expenses and hitting pocketbooks across Southern New Mexico.
At the Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico, Senator Lujan brought together representatives from various sectors, including housing, health care, family and economic support, and business, to address the growing affordability crisis facing New Mexicans. Senator Lujan and participants underscored how rising costs are straining families at every level -from housing and health care to groceries and childcare -and discussed his legislative efforts to lower costs, strengthen economic security, and deliver meaningful relief for families across New Mexico.
"New Mexicans are paying the price for the Trump administration's costly and chaotic policies," said Senator Lujan. "From higher everyday expenses to growing uncertainty across local industries, families and workers in Southern New Mexico and across our state are feeling the impact. I'm continuing to push back against policies that are driving up costs and hurting working families, while fighting for solutions that lower costs, strengthen local economies, and help our families."
As President Trump's illegal war with Iran continues to drive up costs for the agricultural industry, Senator Lujan led a coalition of farmers and agricultural representatives to examine and address the financial strain facing agricultural operations and its impact on New Mexicans. Senator Lujan and agricultural experts highlighted how the war with Iran has driven up the costs of inputs -including fuel, fertilizer, and equipment -and is squeezing thin margins and threatening the industry. Senator Lujan also outlined policy priorities aimed at lowering costs for producers and consumers, while underscoring his push to reverse SNAP cuts made by Congressional Republicans.
"Across New Mexico, our farmers, ranchers, dairy producers, and entire agriculture industry work tirelessly to provide for our communities. But because of actions taken by this administration, the industry is being hit with higher costs and tremendous uncertainty," said Senator Lujan. "To the folks that were able to join me at NMSU: thank you for your time and insight. These conversations will help me fight back against policies that hurt our state's agricultural industry."
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Original text here: https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/as-trumps-illegal-war-with-iran-drives-up-costs-at-every-turn-lujan-fights-to-tackle-affordability-crisis-hitting-new-mexicans-and-the-agricultural-industry/
Arrington Leads Effort to Eliminate China's Tariff on American Cotton
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, issued the following news release:
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Arrington Leads Effort to Eliminate China's Tariff on American Cotton
House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) led a group of lawmakers representing districts with significant cotton production in sending a letter to the Trump Administration calling for elimination of China's 10 percent tariff on American cotton as part of the ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations.
The letter thanks Ambassador Greer for his continued efforts to eliminate foreign trade barriers and open new market access for American
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, issued the following news release:
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Arrington Leads Effort to Eliminate China's Tariff on American Cotton
House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) led a group of lawmakers representing districts with significant cotton production in sending a letter to the Trump Administration calling for elimination of China's 10 percent tariff on American cotton as part of the ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations.
The letter thanks Ambassador Greer for his continued efforts to eliminate foreign trade barriers and open new market access for Americanfarmers and ranchers while highlighting the critical importance of China as an export market for U.S. cotton.
"As you continue efforts to achieve reciprocal and balanced trade with China, we write in advance of the upcoming meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi to underscore the critical importance of China as a market for U.S. cotton," the letter reads, in part. "Excluding India, China is as large as the combined textile industries in the next seven importers - Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico, and Egypt. We are grateful for the Trump Administration's efforts to open markets for U.S. agriculture and look forward to supporting your efforts as the negotiations progress."
Click HERE (https://arrington.house.gov/uploadedfiles/letter_to_ustr_on_china_cotton_trade.pdf) to read the full letter.
"The National Cotton Council applauds Congressman Arrington for leading this effort to address the barriers limiting U.S. cotton exports to China," said Gary Adams, President and CEO, National Cotton Council. "At a time of significant challenges across the Cotton Belt, restoring access to this critical market is essential to strengthening demand for our producers and supporting the broader industry."
"Congressman Jodey Arrington understands the critical nature of exporting raw U.S. cotton into the Chinese market, the largest textile industry in the world," s aid Buddy Allen, President and CEO, American Cotton Shippers Association. "The actions outlined by Mr. Arrington in his letter to Ambassador Greer will put the U.S. cotton industry back in a position of strength and support the rural economies that depend on it."
Arrington was joined by Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (GA-01), Earl A. "Rick" Crawford (AR-01), Vince Fong (CA-20), David Kustoff (TN-08), Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), August Pfluger (TX-11), David Rouzer (NC-07), Austin Scott (GA-08), and Ronny L. Jackson (TX-13).
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Original text here: https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4528
Alford Proudly Supports Year-Round E-15: Delivering Lower Gas Prices, Stronger Rural Economies, and American Energy Dominance
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Mark Alford, R-Missouri, issued the following news release:
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Alford Proudly Supports Year-Round E-15: Delivering Lower Gas Prices, Stronger Rural Economies, and American Energy Dominance
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Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) released the following statement after he voted in favor of legislation for year-round E-15 sales through H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act:
"As a proud Member of the House GOP Rural Domestic Energy Council, I'm fighting to put Missouri farmers, rural communities, and American drivers first," said Congressman
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Mark Alford, R-Missouri, issued the following news release:
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Alford Proudly Supports Year-Round E-15: Delivering Lower Gas Prices, Stronger Rural Economies, and American Energy Dominance
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Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) released the following statement after he voted in favor of legislation for year-round E-15 sales through H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act:
"As a proud Member of the House GOP Rural Domestic Energy Council, I'm fighting to put Missouri farmers, rural communities, and American drivers first," said CongressmanMark Alford. "I've heard from many hardworking Missouri families about how the pain at the pump is making everyday activities unaffordable. Allowing the nationwide, year round sale of E15 blends would address the supply crunch that is driving up gas prices while creating new markets for Missouri farmers-a real win-win. That's why I was proud to support the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to do just that."
Year-round E-15 will deliver real results for Missouri and America:
* Saves drivers an average of 15-40 cents per gallon
* Creates a permanent market for American corn growers
* Supports more than 120,000 new jobs and adds $66 billion to the U.S. economy
* Reduces dependence on foreign oil by using homegrown energy
* Keeps energy dollars in rural communities instead of sending them overseas
* Provides fuel retailers the stability they need to invest in E-15 pumps
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Original text here: https://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1604
After Pappas Calls for U.S. House to Subpoena Prediction Markets, Comer Confirms Investigation in Progress, Subpoenas May Follow
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Chris Pappas, D-New Hampshire, issued the following news release:
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After Pappas Calls for U.S. House to Subpoena Prediction Markets, Comer Confirms Investigation in Progress, Subpoenas May Follow
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Earlier this week, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) called on Congressman James Comer (KY-01), the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight, to formally open an investigation into corruption and insider trading occurring in online prediction markets by subpoenaing internal records from these markets. On Wednesday morning, during an appearance on Mornings with Maria,
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Chris Pappas, D-New Hampshire, issued the following news release:
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After Pappas Calls for U.S. House to Subpoena Prediction Markets, Comer Confirms Investigation in Progress, Subpoenas May Follow
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Earlier this week, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) called on Congressman James Comer (KY-01), the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight, to formally open an investigation into corruption and insider trading occurring in online prediction markets by subpoenaing internal records from these markets. On Wednesday morning, during an appearance on Mornings with Maria,Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo pressed Comer on the issue and asked what Comer expects to do next.
Maria Bartiromo: "Seven House Democrats sent you a letter requesting subpoenas for an investigation into suspicious prediction market trades times tied to the Iran conflict. What can you tell us about this?"
Chairman Comer: "Well, this is a problem. We've all seen those big trades go through hours before something big happens in Iran. We saw the same thing happen in Venezuela. I think that someone's been identified in the military as being part of the trade with respect to Venezuela. At the end of the day, it's suspicious. So it's something that we're concerned about. I know there are other committees of the House and Senate that are looking into that as well, so it's something that I would like to know the answer. And if someone's using their knowledge and influence as a government employee or part of our military or part of the administration to profit from that in a prediction market, and then they should be held accountable. I don't know what the law is, but if we need to make a law and change a law with respect to that, we will certainly do it. But at the end of the day, it's very unethical, and it doesn't need to happen."
Maria Bartiromo: " Yeah. I mean, I don't know how that's possible, really. I mean, somebody in our military who may very well have access to sensitive information about whether or not we're going to go into Venezuela, go into Iran, makes a bet on it, on prediction markets, and makes hundreds of 1000s of dollars on it. How is that? How does that happen? I mean, so I'd like you to get more information on it. Where are you in that investigation? "
Chairman Comer: " Well, we're starting to request information. That's the process. That's how it begins. We'll request information, and if we have trouble getting it, then a subpoena will follow. My subpoenas hold up in court, so if someone gets a letter from me requesting information or a document, they turn it over 99% of the time, because if they don't, we'll subpoena them and win in court and eventually get the document and make it even harder on them as we move forward with the investigation. These prediction markets are new, Maria, so we're in uncharted territory. No one would have thought about this two years ago, someone having knowledge about an upcoming invasion of a country and making an enormous bet on a prediction market."
Online prediction markets allow individuals to gamble on the outcomes of a wide variety of real-life events, including sports games, election outcomes, daily stock and commodity price changes, whether certain legislation being considered by Congress will be signed into law, and even geopolitical events such as the likelihood of the United States taking military action against another country or the outcome of diplomatic negotiations.
In his letter, Pappas highlighted how recent wagers on political and international topics have raised suspicion of insider trading, writing: "As you know there have been a number of suspicious trades made in connection with U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran... a single trader made nearly $1 million with a 93 percent success rate on wagers predicting unannounced U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran, placing bets hours before strikes in October 2024, June 2025, and February 2026. A separate group of 38 accounts netted more than $2 million on the February 28 strikes alone, after being preloaded with funds the preceding week. At least 50 newly created accounts placed coordinated bets on a U.S.-Iran ceasefire on April 7, some opened minutes before the announcement."
He went on to highlight the vested interest of the American people in knowing whether government officials are using these markets in violation of the law and their oaths of office: "The American public has a legitimate interest in knowing whether individuals entrusted with classified national security information have used that access for personal financial gain. A committee investigation, enforced with subpoenas, will include internal records, which are the only means by which the individuals who conducted these trades can be identified and the question of whether these platforms are upholding their responsibilities can be answered. Congress has both the authority and the responsibility to determine whether existing ethics, classification, and financial disclosure laws have been violated, and whether legislative action is necessary to prevent recurrence."
Pappas concluded by re-emphasizing the importance of House Oversight's subpoena power, noting: "We cannot fulfill that responsibility without knowing who placed these trades."
Background:
Pappas supports the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026, which bans members of Congress and government employees from trading on political prediction markets when they have or could easily get inside information through their jobs, and has led the fight to ban Members of Congress from trading stocks and to strengthen ethical standards across all branches of government since entering Congress.
Pappas leads legislation to codify the Office of Congressional Ethics, now called the Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC), the only independent internal watchdog that probes ethical breaches in Congress.
Pappas has repeatedly broken with his own party in support of a stock trading ban. Following his advocacy in 2022, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi reversed course and announced legislation to ban stock trading by members of Congress would be considered by the House. Pappas has also fought to change House rules to include a ban on members of Congress trading stocks.
Over the course of the 119th Congress, Pappas has helped introduce the TRUST in Congress Act and the No Getting Rich in Congress Act and supports the bipartisan effort to force a vote on the Restore Trust in Congress Act. He is also a cosponsor of the Fighting Foreign Influence Act.
Read Pappas's letter from earlier this week here and below:
Dear Chairman Comer:
We write to request that the Committee issue subpoenas and open an investigation into apparent corruption and insider trading occurring in online prediction markets. As you know there have been a number of suspicious trades made in connection with U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran.
We are deeply concerned that individuals with access to sensitive government information have used that access for personal financial gain. For example, a single trader made nearly $1 million with a 93 percent success rate on wagers predicting unannounced U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran, placing bets hours before strikes in October 2024, June 2025, and February 2026.1
A separate group of 38 accounts netted more than $2 million on the February 28 strikes alone, after being preloaded with funds the preceding week.2 At least 50 newly created accounts placed coordinated bets on a U.S.-Iran ceasefire on April 7, some opened minutes before the announcement.3 Israeli authorities have separately indicted two individuals, including a military reservist, for placing Iran-related bets on Polymarket using classified information.4
Some of the suspicious trades were reportedly placed on Polymarket Global, the platform's offshore site, which U.S. persons are barred from accessing under the terms of Polymarket's 2022 settlement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.5 The platform's failure to implement meaningful identity verification or enforce restrictions on U.S. persons raises serious questions about its broader compliance with federal law. A recent case illustrates the seriousness of the issue. In that case a U.S. Army special forces soldier was charged with using classified information to bet on the raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to win $400,000 on the platform, Polymarket identified him and referred the matter to federal authorities, leading to his arrest and criminal charges.
The American public has a legitimate interest in knowing whether individuals entrusted with classified national security information have used that access for personal financial gain. A committee investigation, enforced with subpoenas, will include internal records, which are the only means by which the individuals who conducted these trades can be identified and the question of whether these platforms are upholding their responsibilities can be answered. Congress has both the authority and the responsibility to determine whether existing ethics, classification, and financial disclosure laws have been violated, and whether legislative action is necessary to prevent recurrence. We cannot fulfill that responsibility without knowing who placed these trades.
Given the important national security implications and possible corruption occurring in these markets, we respectfully request a response to this letter outlining the Committee's planned approach to this issue no later than May 22, 2026.
Sincerely,
***
Original text here: https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases/after-pappas-calls-for-us-house-to-subpoena-prediction-markets-comer-confirms-investigation-in-progress-subpoenas-may-follow
