U.S. Congress
Here's a look at documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate
Featured Stories
McIver Leads Democrats in Field Hearing and Visit to Delaney Hall
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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McIver Leads Democrats in Field Hearing and Visit to Delaney Hall
Today, Representative LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), and Democratic members of the House Committee on Homeland Security held a field hearing in Newark, New Jersey, to examine the conditions at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center. Following the hearing, members traveled to the facility to conduct an oversight visit at Delaney Hall.
The oversight inspection provided members
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WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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McIver Leads Democrats in Field Hearing and Visit to Delaney Hall
Today, Representative LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), and Democratic members of the House Committee on Homeland Security held a field hearing in Newark, New Jersey, to examine the conditions at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center. Following the hearing, members traveled to the facility to conduct an oversight visit at Delaney Hall.
The oversight inspection provided membersan opportunity to assess conditions firsthand. McIver noted, after the visit, that ICE and GEO Group employees at Delaney Hall did not allow the members of Congress to actually speak with detainees--this was the first time that piece of their oversight had been limited. McIver also noted that last night ICE transferred over 30 people out of Delaney Hall and had transferred many more in the preceding weeks.
In a press conference following the visit, McIver made brief comments. Footage of that press conference is available here.
"Today, the GEO Group, along with ICE, used their administrative policy to tell us that we are not allowed, as members of Congress, to speak to detainees who are here, which is some B.S. I want to let them know that we're going to be fighting that decision, and we're going to make sure we take them right back to court," said McIver.
"From day one of coming to this facility with both my colleagues, Rob Menendez and Bonnie Watson Coleman, we have been demanding that this place be shut down. It should not be open. Folks in here are being denied due process. They are being served food that is not good, that is moldy. They are not getting the medical attention that they deserve. They are being retaliated against for speaking out and speaking to their members of Congress," McIver continued. "[ICE] has transferred over 30 people from [Delaney] last night. When we came here just a week and a half ago, there were close to 700 detainees, and now they tell us today that they have 481 people here. These people have been retaliating against and transferring [detainees], and we will not stand for it."
At the hearing, titled "The Human Cost of Immigration Enforcement and Detention: Conditions and Oversight at Delaney Hall," the members of Congress heard from expert witnesses, local leaders, and an American citizen veteran who was detained by ICE at Delaney Hall. Witnesses testified on the conditions at the facility and major concerns regarding transparency.
In recent weeks, reports of a detainee hunger strike and protests outside of the facility have made Delaney Hall a focal point for concerns about the treatment of detained individuals under the Trump administration. And since a congressional oversight visit conducted by McIver and colleagues in May 2025, Delaney Hall has faced concerns about the ability of members of Congress to conduct meaningful oversight on behalf of their constituents. (Delaney Hall is the detention center where the incident, now at the center of the Trump administration's case against McIver, occurred. That case is ongoing.)
"I am glad my Democratic colleagues and I came to Delaney Hall today to continue to expose the dangerous conditions inside - and the complete lack of oversight," said Rep. Thompson. "What we heard - and saw - describes a system collapsing under secrecy, neglect, profiteering, and disregard for human life. It is clear Delaney Hall must be closed. I thank Congresswoman McIver for hosting us today and for leading the fight on not allowing these abuses to go unchallenged."
"What we have seen with our own eyes at Delaney Hall is a clear example of the Trump administration's intent to ignore the humanity of detainees, stonewall legal oversight, and quell any dissent from his opposition," said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). "Considering the free reign ICE has been given to blatantly attack demonstrators outside in front of cameras, hiding what's really happening inside the facility from public view raises serious concerns about the deplorable conditions experienced by detainees. I'm grateful to Ranking Member Bennie Thompson and members of the Homeland Security Committee for engaging with our delegation in our oversight responsibilities."
"We are committed to telling the stories of those inside Delaney Hall, no matter how much the Trump Administration tries to hide them from Congress and the public," said Rep. Rob Menendez (NJ-08). "Today's shadow hearing and visit were a critical opportunity to provide critical oversight and attention to what those held at Delaney face every single day. We will continue fighting to expose the unacceptable practices at Delaney Hall and to close this facility once and for all."
"The Trump administration keeps finding ways to block Congress's oversight of Delaney Hall, but as our hearing today demonstrated, we will not be intimidated. I thank the witnesses for their testimony and commend the courage, bravery, and resilience of detainees collectively raising their voices, demanding humane conditions, and respect for their rights at Delaney Hall. This facility should be closed. No more tax dollars flowing to a for-profit company profiting on the misery and suffering of our neighbors. Enough is enough," said Rep. Nellie Pou (NJ-09).
"What's happening at Delaney Hall is nothing short of medical abuse," said Rep. Analilia Mejia (NJ-11). "As lawmakers, we must continue shining a light on the conditions inside those walls and serve as the eyes and ears of families whose loved ones are being detained there. I'm grateful to join several of my colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee in conducting needed oversight at Delaney Hall. It is long past time to shut down Delaney Hall and claw back the taxpayer dollars being handed to ICE and DHS to fuel the active destruction of our fellow human beings."
"Oversight is not optional; it is a constitutional responsibility. Today's Democratic Forum was necessary because the allegations regarding Delaney Hall Detention Facility cannot be ignored," said Rep. Al Green (TX-09). "It is our duty to seek the truth when serious questions are raised about the treatment of persons in the care, custody, and control of the federal government. Congress has a responsibility to investigate these concerns firsthand. Human dignity and safety are not contingent upon immigration status. Every person in government custody deserves humane treatment. No human detention facility should be beyond decency, humanity, transparency, and accountability."
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Original text here: https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/mciver-leads-democrats-in-field-hearing-and-visit-to-delaney-hall
Judiciary Committee Advances Bipartisan Legislation to Shine Light on Federal Court Proceedings
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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Judiciary Committee Advances Bipartisan Legislation to Shine Light on Federal Court Proceedings
The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced two bipartisan bills by voice vote to allow television cameras in federal courtrooms. The bills are led by Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).
"The judicial branch has a massive impact on Americans' daily lives, yet few of us get the chance
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WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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Judiciary Committee Advances Bipartisan Legislation to Shine Light on Federal Court Proceedings
The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced two bipartisan bills by voice vote to allow television cameras in federal courtrooms. The bills are led by Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).
"The judicial branch has a massive impact on Americans' daily lives, yet few of us get the chanceto see the wheels of justice in motion," Grassley said. "Allowing cameras in federal courtrooms would help foster civic engagement and increase confidence in our legal system. I'm glad to see these bipartisan bills pass the Judiciary Committee with strong bipartisan support, and I urge Republicans and Democrats alike to back this pro-transparency measure as it heads to the full Senate."
"It's time to put cameras in the Supreme Court and other federal courts so more Americans can finally see arguments and decisions in cases that will affect them for generations to come. Our bipartisan bills shine a light into the judicial branch of government, and I urge our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support these transparency measures," Durbin said.
The Sunshine in the Courtroom Act, authored by Grassley and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), would grant all federal courts the discretion to allow television cameras in the courtroom, while protecting the identities of witnesses and jurors. Additional cosponsors include Durbin and Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas).
Bill text of the Sunshine in the Courtroom Act is available HERE. A fact sheet is available HERE.
The Cameras in the Courtroom Act, led by Durbin and Grassley, would instruct the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of open sessions, unless a majority of the Justices decide that doing so would violate due process. Additional cosponsors include Klobuchar and Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
Bill text of the Cameras in the Courtroom Act is available HERE (https://www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/cameras_in_the_courtroom_act_text.pdf).
The Judiciary Committee also advanced by voice vote the bipartisan Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act to protect Americans from unauthorized deepfakes, and favorably reported the following nominees:
* Benjamin M. Flowers, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, by a vote of 12-10.
* Matthew A. Schwartz, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit, by a vote of 12-10.
* Michael J. Hendershot, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio, by a vote of 12-10.
* Arthur Roberts Jones, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, by a vote of 12-10.
* Jeffrey T. Kuntz, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, by a vote of 12-10.
* John George Edward Marck, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, by a vote of 12-10.
* Don Richard Berthiaume, Jr., to be Inspector General for the Department of Justice, by a vote of 14-8.
* Sean Costello, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, by a vote of 17-5.
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Original text here: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/judiciary-committee-advances-bipartisan-legislation-to-shine-light-on-federal-court-proceedings
JEC Chairman Schweikert to Hold Hearing on Healthcare Fraud and Leakage
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. David Schweikert, R-Arizona, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, issued the following news on June 18, 2026:
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JEC Chairman Schweikert to Hold Hearing on Healthcare Fraud and Leakage
Joint Economic Committee Chairman David Schweikert will hold a hearing entitled "Protecting Patients and Taxpayers: Combating Healthcare Fraud and Leakage to Strengthen Program Integrity" to address both explicit fraud such as home health fraud as well as "leakage" in which healthcare programs are not being used as intended for example Medicare Advantage overpayments.
The hearing
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WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. David Schweikert, R-Arizona, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, issued the following news on June 18, 2026:
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JEC Chairman Schweikert to Hold Hearing on Healthcare Fraud and Leakage
Joint Economic Committee Chairman David Schweikert will hold a hearing entitled "Protecting Patients and Taxpayers: Combating Healthcare Fraud and Leakage to Strengthen Program Integrity" to address both explicit fraud such as home health fraud as well as "leakage" in which healthcare programs are not being used as intended for example Medicare Advantage overpayments.
The hearingwill be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET in room G-50 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
Hearing: "Protecting Patients and Taxpayers: Combating Healthcare Fraud and Leakage to Strengthen Program Integrity"
Witnesses:
Dr. Brian Blase, Founder and President, Paragon Health Institute, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Dr. David Meyers, Associate Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Associate Director of the Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research, Vice Department Chair, Brown University, Providence, RI
Dr. Chris Pope, Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute, New York, NY
Jessica Tillipman, J.D., Associate Dean for Government Procurement Law Studies, Government Contracts Advisory Council Distinguished Professorial Lecturer in Law, George Washington University Law School, Washington, DC
Date: 2:00 p.m. ET, Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Location: G-50 Dirksen Senate Office Building
For more information visit: https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings-calendar?id=A6B9649E-E1DD-4B84-A892-CCF26BDD044B
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Original text here: https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/republicans/newsroom?id=355D5181-91FC-4AF4-AA1C-EC4851B6639E
House Science, Space & Technology Subcommittee Sets June 24 Hearing on Safeguarding Federal Research Funds
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- The House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight issued the following information for a hearing entitled "Safeguarding Federal Research Funds: The False Claims Act's Role in Combating Grant Fraud" at 10 a.m. on June 24, 2026, at 2318 Rayburn House Office Building:
Witnesses:
* Robert Steinau, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Inspector General, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of the Inspector General
* Jennifer Springmann, Special Agent in Charge, National Science Foundation Office of the Inspector General
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WASHINGTON, June 19 -- The House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight issued the following information for a hearing entitled "Safeguarding Federal Research Funds: The False Claims Act's Role in Combating Grant Fraud" at 10 a.m. on June 24, 2026, at 2318 Rayburn House Office Building:
Witnesses:
* Robert Steinau, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Inspector General, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of the Inspector General
* Jennifer Springmann, Special Agent in Charge, National Science Foundation Office of the Inspector General
*Brenna Jenny, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Commercial Litigation Branch, Department of Justice
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Original text here: https://science.house.gov/2026/6/investigations-and-oversight-subcommittee-hearing-safeguarding-federal-research-false-claims
House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Sets June 25 Hearing on Implementing America First Approach in East Asia, Pacific Region
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific issued the following information for a hearing entitled "Implementing an America First Approach in the East Asia and Pacific Region" at 10 a.m. on June 25, 2026, at 2172 Rayburn House Office Building:
Witnesses
* The Honorable Michael G. DeSombre, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State
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Original text here: https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/committee-activity/hearings/implementing-an-america-first-approach-in-the-east-asia-and-pacific-region
House Appropriations Subcommittee Sets June 25 Oversight Hearing on Department of Homeland Security
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security issued the following information for an oversight hearing for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at 10 a.m. on June 25, 2026, at 2358-C Rayburn House Office Building:
Witnesses
* The Honorable Markwayne Mullin, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
* The Honorable Troy Edgar, Deputy Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
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Original text here: https://appropriations.house.gov/schedule/hearings/oversight-hearing-department-homeland-security-0
House Administration Chairman Steil Introduces the Voter ID Act
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wisconsin, chairman of the House Administration Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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Chairman Steil Introduces the Voter ID Act
Today, Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01) introduced the Voter ID Act. This commonsense legislation requires voters to show a photo ID when casting a ballot in an election for federal office. The bill also creates a new fund administered by the Election Assistance Commission to reimburse states who provide free IDs to voters who cannot afford one.
"Americans should
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WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wisconsin, chairman of the House Administration Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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Chairman Steil Introduces the Voter ID Act
Today, Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01) introduced the Voter ID Act. This commonsense legislation requires voters to show a photo ID when casting a ballot in an election for federal office. The bill also creates a new fund administered by the Election Assistance Commission to reimburse states who provide free IDs to voters who cannot afford one.
"Americans shouldbe confident their elections are run with integrity - voter ID is a commonsense measure to restore trust in our elections," said Chairman Steil. "This legislation will help improve voter confidence and strengthen election integrity nationwide."
The Voter ID Act:
* Requires voters to show a photo ID when they cast a ballot for an election for federal office. Absentee and mail-in voters can attach a copy of their ID to their mail-in ballot. Eligible IDs include Driver's Licenses, Passports, and Military IDs.
* Creates a new grant program administered by the Election Assistance Commission to reimburse state and tribal governments that provide IDs at no cost to those unable to afford one.
* Allows otherwise eligible voters to cast a provisional ballot if they forget to bring their ID on Election Day.
Read the full bill here (https://cha.house.gov/_cache/files/6/a/6a1a5e85-a10e-45e9-9ac6-7d337a57b7f2/19F77F1812C7BB41D5FD418EC87098E54FCE355A975A174782F3A056F913A2FB.steiwi-051-xml.pdf).
Background:
The Committee on House Administration has jurisdiction over federal election policy.
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Original text here: https://cha.house.gov/press-releases?ID=451A8A14-EF7A-4E22-856E-A38AA53546F0
House Administration Chairman Steil Introduces the Stop Lawmakers From Predicting Act
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wisconsin, chairman of the House Administration Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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Chairman Steil Introduces the Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act
Today, Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01) introduced the Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act. This legislation prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from wagering on public policy issues and political outcomes.
"The American people deserve to know their Member of Congress is not profiting off insider information.
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WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wisconsin, chairman of the House Administration Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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Chairman Steil Introduces the Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act
Today, Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01) introduced the Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act. This legislation prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from wagering on public policy issues and political outcomes.
"The American people deserve to know their Member of Congress is not profiting off insider information.The Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act ensures that cannot happen," said Chairman Steil. "This legislation is critical to restoring the public's trust in their elected officials. Lawmakers should be writing policy, not wagering on its outcome."
The Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act:
* Bans Members, their spouses, and their dependent children from utilizing prediction markets to wager on a specific government policy, government action, or political outcome.
* Violators must pay a fee equal to $2,000 or ten percent of the value of the prohibited transaction (whichever is greater), and the net gain realized from the transaction.
* Members cannot use their Members' Representational Allowance, Senate personnel and office expense account, or political contributions or donations to pay the fine.
* Members who resign or retire without paying the fine can be referred to DOJ for civil enforcement.
Read the full bill here (https://cha.house.gov/_cache/files/3/3/33e9a690-c8c1-47c7-baf7-d1e8c808d67d/2C4282E8173F446CDDE3FDEA2EE681B9625A592945D46BCEC0390AB959545FB4.predictmarketban-xml.pdf).
Background:
Recently, news outlets have highlighted concerns about the use of nonpublic information in prediction markets, including candidates wagering on their own elections.
Under current law, lawmakers are not explicitly prohibited from using prediction markets to wager on public policy issues or election outcomes.
Many Americans believe that stronger measures are necessary to ensure lawmakers are not profiting off insider information.
This legislation builds on the Stop Insider Trading Act, which was advanced by the Committee on House Administration on January 14, 2026.
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Original text here: https://cha.house.gov/press-releases?ID=FDF46BE4-2EB2-4D69-863F-BDCAC3AEDCB0
Crapo Announces International Trade Commission Nominations Hearing
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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Crapo Announces International Trade Commission Nominations Hearing
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) announced the Committee will hold a nomination hearing on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET to consider Brett Doyle, David Foley, Jr., Samuel Negatu, Peter-Anthony Pappas and Bartholomew Thanhauser to be members of the United States International Trade Commission.
Title: Hearing to consider nominees for International
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WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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Crapo Announces International Trade Commission Nominations Hearing
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) announced the Committee will hold a nomination hearing on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET to consider Brett Doyle, David Foley, Jr., Samuel Negatu, Peter-Anthony Pappas and Bartholomew Thanhauser to be members of the United States International Trade Commission.
Title: Hearing to consider nominees for InternationalTrade Commission
Witnesses: Brett Doyle; David Foley, Jr.; Samuel Negatu; Peter-Anthony Pappas; Bartholomew Thanhauser
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM ET
Location: 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Witness testimony, opening statements and a live video of the hearing will be available on www.finance.senate.gov. An additional live video will be streamed on https://x.com/MikeCrapo.
Members of the press interested in covering this hearing in person should RSVP to the appropriate Senate press gallery.
Senate Daily Press: 202-224-0241 or senate_press_gallery@saa.senate.gov
Senate Periodical Press: 202-224-0265 or periodicals@saa.senate.gov
Senate Photographers: 202-224-6548 or press_photo@saa.senate.gov
Senate Radio/TV: 202-224-6421
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Original text here: https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/crapo-announces-international-trade-commission-nominations-hearing
Bipartisan Protect College Sports Act Advances to Full Senate
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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Bipartisan Protect College Sports Act Advances to Full Senate
Senate Commerce Committee passed Cantwell-led bill with bipartisan 19-9 vote
Bill bars major colleges from dropping women's and Olympic sports teams; U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee endorsed it on Tuesday.
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Today, the Protect College Sports Act of 2026 passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation with strong
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WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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Bipartisan Protect College Sports Act Advances to Full Senate
Senate Commerce Committee passed Cantwell-led bill with bipartisan 19-9 vote
Bill bars major colleges from dropping women's and Olympic sports teams; U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee endorsed it on Tuesday.
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Today, the Protect College Sports Act of 2026 passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation with strongbipartisan support (19-9), sending the legislation to the full Senate for consideration. The landmark bill sets new rules and provides new tools to stabilize college sports, including codifying athletes' rights to earn compensation for their NIL, enshrining scholarship, scholarship and healthcare protections in law, reining in predatory agents and preserving and protecting the future of women's and Olympic sports.
"A lot of people in Washington--my Washington--and around the country think that bipartisanship is dead," said Sen. Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member. "But on behalf of 500,000 athletes who are seeing their future opportunities dimmed, we decided to work together to try to address this problem. This bill stands tall on behalf of athletes. This is landmark in the protections that it gives student athletes."
The updated bill passed today includes additional protections for women's and Olympic athletes and America's Olympic medal pipeline. The bill bars major colleges from cutting the number of women's and Olympic sports programs, roster spots, and scholarship opportunities they support. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee endorsed the bill on Tuesday.
The Protect College Sports Act was introduced by Sen. Cantwell and committee chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas), along with U.S. Senators Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.).
"College sports are in crisis," said Sen. Coons. "We can't sit back and watch as they - and the incredible opportunities and communities they create - collapse. This bipartisan bill will protect student athletes and the programs they're a part of - no matter how big or small the school or sport. I'm glad my colleagues on the Commerce Committee on both sides of the aisle saw the urgency of this legislation. I urge the full Senate to pass it soon so we can get back to cheering on our favorite teams and the amazing athletes that make them possible."
Under the bill, all Division I schools have to maintain a minimum number of sports teams and roster spots. And any college athletic department with more than $80 million in revenue - 74 major universities, including Notre Dame plus the schools of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big Ten, Big 12 and Southeastern Athletic Conference (SEC) - may not reduce the number of women's and Olympic teams they field below 2024-25 levels for nine years.
As of today, 24 collegiate athletic conferences, 267 colleges and universities across 49 states and Washington, D.C., including historically black colleges, have publicly supported the legislation. Additional endorsements include the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Team USA Athletes' Commission (Team USA AC), and National Governing Body Council (NGBC) the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Basketball Coaches Association, American Football Coaches Association and the Seattle Seahawks.
To view the full list of supporters, click HERE (https://www.commerce.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/NIL-Support-Letters-For-Press_FINAL-Updated-6.18-1.pdf).
Last week, the Washington Post published an op-ed by Sen. Cantwell: An arms race in college sports could sideline 500,000 athletes.
Earlier this month, at a landmark hearing on the bill, the Commerce Committee heard powerful testimony on the worsening crisis facing college athletics, including the future of women's and Olympic sports, athletes' rights, and the financial sustainability of the entire collegiate sports system.
In March, Sen. Cantwell released a bipartisan discussion draft of the College Sports Competitive Act with Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) that would amend the Sports Broadcasting Act to allow colleges to pool their media rights in negotiations.
In December of last year, she introduced the Helping Undergraduate Students Thrive with Long-Term Earnings (HUSTLE Act) with Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) so that college athletes earning NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money can protect more of it for their post-playing lives. In October, Sen. Cantwell joined former college and professional athletes and Sens. Booker and Blumenthal in warning that the SCORE Act would roll-back hard fought NIL rights and health protections, leave athletes vulnerable to unscrupulous agents, short-change women's and Olympic sports and shut the door on collective bargaining rights.
Last September, Sen. Cantwell, joined by co-sponsors Sens. Booker and Blumenthal, introduced the Student Athlete Fairness and Enforcement (SAFE) Act to codify athletes' rights and protections in law, expand revenue for all schools, support women's and Olympic sports, and bring much-needed stability to the college sports system. Sen. Cantwell also released a report showing how skyrocketing media rights payments have exacerbated a massive financial gap between traditional power conferences, especially the new Power 2--the SEC and Big Ten--and everyone else.
Video of Sen. Cantwell's opening remarks is HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D61mtH_VFLw&feature=youtu.be), and the complete transcript is HERE (https://www.commerce.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Transcript-PCSA-Markup-Cantwell-Full-Remarks-6.18.26-.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/press/dem/release/bipartisan-protect-college-sports-act-advances-to-full-senate/
After Nearly Two Decades of Heinrich's Advocacy, SunZia Transmission Project is Going Fully Online
WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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After Nearly Two Decades of Heinrich's Advocacy, SunZia Transmission Project is Going Fully Online
SunZia is one of the largest energy infrastructure projects in the Western Hemisphere and will generate affordable, American-made energy and invest billions of dollars across New Mexico
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U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced
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WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026:
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After Nearly Two Decades of Heinrich's Advocacy, SunZia Transmission Project is Going Fully Online
SunZia is one of the largest energy infrastructure projects in the Western Hemisphere and will generate affordable, American-made energy and invest billions of dollars across New Mexico
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U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announcedthat after nearly two decades of his advocacy to complete one of the largest energy infrastructure projects in the Western Hemisphere, the SunZia Project has become fully operational.
SunZia is a milestone achievement for Heinrich, who has been working throughout his tenure in Congress toward this moment to help New Mexico generate affordable, American-made energy.
"SunZia becoming fully operational is a milestone more than 18 years in the making and one that I've been fighting for since I first came to Congress. Through a whole series of obstacles spanning over a decade and a half, we kept working to move it forward because we knew what it could mean for America's energy future and New Mexico's role in leading it. Now, New Mexico is home to one of the largest energy infrastructure projects in the Western Hemisphere.
"One of the reasons SunZia ultimately succeeded is that we brought people together. Local communities, private landowners, the Department of Defense, conservationists, labor unions, and developers all came to the table and worked through difficult challenges to make this project stronger. Along the way, we secured meaningful commitments to environmental stewardship and community benefits that will leave New Mexico better for generations.
"While today is a day to celebrate, it's also a reminder that it should not take 18 years to build critical energy infrastructure in America. If we want more projects like SunZia that lower costs, strengthen our energy security, and create good-paying jobs people can build their families around, we need a permitting system that gets to yes--or no--faster while maintaining strong environmental standards and meaningful community engagement."
SunZia includes a 550-mile transmission line spanning New Mexico's Torrance, Lincoln, and San Miguel Counties. It will deliver up to 3,650 megawatts (MW) of energy and generate an estimated $20.5 billion in economic benefits for New Mexico and the Southwest. The project supported more than 2,000 construction jobs and will create more than 100 permanent jobs as it begins full operations.
For a detailed timeline of Heinrich's actions to build and bring SunZia online, click here (https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ussenatormartinheinrichsworktodeliveronthepromiseofthesunziatransmissionproject.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.energy.senate.gov/2026/6/after-nearly-two-decades-of-heinrich-s-advocacy-sunzia-transmission-project-is-going-fully-online
