U.S. Congress
Here's a look at documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate
Congress
Featured Stories
Chairman Cassidy Sounds Alarm on the University of Minnesota Indoctrinating Toddlers With Dangerous Gender Ideology
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news:
* * *
Chairman Cassidy Sounds Alarm on the University of Minnesota Indoctrinating Toddlers with Dangerous Gender Ideology
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, demanded answers from the University of Minnesota's Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health for using Americans' tax dollars to promote gender ideology with MyGender Dolls among children as young ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news: * * * Chairman Cassidy Sounds Alarm on the University of Minnesota Indoctrinating Toddlers with Dangerous Gender Ideology U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, demanded answers from the University of Minnesota's Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health for using Americans' tax dollars to promote gender ideology with MyGender Dolls among children as youngas four years old.
"Americans expect taxpayer-supported institutions to prioritize rigorous medical research and evidence-based care, not projects that encourage children as young as four to question the reality of biological sex," wrote Dr. Cassidy. "The use of dolls featuring interchangeable genitalia and reproductive organs with children as young as four, particularly to encourage discussions about chemical and surgical interventions to their bodies, is extremely concerning and is inconsistent with federal directives."
Reports indicate that a postdoctoral fellow at the Eli Coleman Institute and a therapist used MyGender Dolls to show children that their gender identity is fluid and they can change their own external genitalia and internal organs like they do with the dolls. Cassidy is investigating the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health to determine if it is in violation of President Trump's executive order which prohibits the use of federal funds to promote gender ideology among young and developing children. There are also concerns surrounding the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) which protects parents' rights.
As the first physician to chair the HELP Committee, Cassidy is leading efforts to stop the gender mutilation of children and hold medical groups accountable. Recently, Cassidy led a committee hearing and launched an investigation into alarming reports of federally funded health entities performing irreversible gender mutilation on children and vulnerable individuals.
Read the full letter here or below:
Dear Director Mark,
Americans expect taxpayer-supported institutions to prioritize rigorous medical research and evidence-based care, not projects that encourage children as young as four to question the reality of biological sex. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) and as a physician, I write to express my deep concern regarding the development, funding, and promotion of the MyGender Dolls, a recent project affiliated with the University of Minnesota Medical School's Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health.1
According to the Institute's 2024 Annual Report, the project was developed in six years with "generous grant and donation support."2 The report states that the project is now being expanded into broader clinical settings. The MyGender Dolls website describes the dolls as "grounded in gender-affirming clinical practices" intended as a "therapeutic" resource for "gender diverse children ages 4-10."3 The website further states that they are designed for use by mental health providers, school counselors, educators, pediatricians, and allied health professionals.4
The University of Minnesota previously maintained a webpage describing the MyGender Dolls project, although that page has since been removed. According to the archived webpage, the dolls are modeled after "classic paper dolls," allowing children to "select bodies, genitals, clothes, and other accessories as a way to visualize their anatomy and genders."5 Children can also choose external genitalia and internal reproductive organs to demonstrate "that their gender identity is valid no matter what parts they have."6
Although the MyGender Dolls website indicates the dolls will launch in 2026, prototype versions have already been used with children in clinical settings.7 In a March 2020 article published by the University of Minnesota's Discovery Magazine, therapist Elizabeth Panetta, MSW, described the dolls as a valuable tool in her work with children, stating: "We were able to explore and brainstorm not just what our bodies are able to do now but what we want our bodies to do and look like in the future."8
The use of dolls featuring interchangeable genitalia and reproductive organs with children as young as four, particularly to encourage discussions about chemical and surgical interventions to their bodies, is extremely concerning and is inconsistent with federal directives.
Specifically, the University of Minnesota's development and promotion of the MyGender Dolls conflicts with President Trump's Executive Order (EO) 14190, Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling,9 which prohibits the use of federal funds to promote gender ideology among young and developing children. Although University officials have stated that the dolls were "solely funded by private donations," the Institute acknowledges receiving millions of dollars in state and federal funding for its research.10 Moreover, the project later received awards through university commercialization programs with federal connections, raising additional questions about whether federal resources directly or indirectly supported its development.
In 2024, the project received a cash prize through the University's MIN-Corps program, which provides awards of up to $3,000 and operates as part of the Great Lakes I-Corps Hub, supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF).11 According to the NSF, the I-Corps program has received approximately $16 million in federal funding.12 The project also received funding from the University's Early Innovation Fund, which provides grants of up to $10,000 to help advance early-stage innovations, including supporting the development of prototypes.13
The promotion of the MyGender Dolls for use by school counselors and educators also raises potential concerns under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).14 The PPRA protects parents' rights in federally funded educational programs involving sensitive matters, such as "sex behavior and attitudes."15 To the extent these dolls are used in educational settings by teachers, counselors, or other school personnel to facilitate discussions about physically changing children's bodies, gender identity, or related topics, their use may raise questions regarding compliance with the PPRA's parental rights protections.
Taken together, these facts raise substantial questions regarding whether federally supported resources directly or indirectly benefited the development, promotion, or commercialization of the MyGender Dolls project and whether the University complied with applicable federal requirements. The possibility that federal funding was used to promote gender ideology among children as young as four is alarming and demands full transparency. Accordingly, please respond to the following questions, on a question-by-question basis, no later than August 25, 2026.
1. Please identify all sources of funding, financial support, or in-kind contributions received in connection with the MyGender Dolls project from its inception through the present, including but not limited to federal grants, state appropriations, University funds, private donations, foundation grants, crowdfunding, and any other financial support.
- Please provide this information in Excel spreadsheet format identifying the funding source, amount received, date received, funding mechanism (grant, donation, prize, contract, etc.) and intended purpose.
- Please identify all University personnel, facilities, offices, equipment, technology, administrative support, legal services or any other institutional resources used in connection with the MyGender Dolls project, whether funded directly or indirectly by the University.
2. Please provide a chronological timeline identifying and describing the research, University approvals, testing, commercialization activities (e.g., intellectual property filings), promotional materials, and public announcements during the project's six-year development.
3. Please provide all records relating to MyGender Dolls' participation in MIN-Corps, the Technology Commercialization Office, the Early Innovation Fund, the Great Lakes I-Corps Hub, or any other University commercialization initiative.
- Please also provide all applications, awards, and supporting documents submitted in connection with these programs.
4. Please describe all research conducted in connection with the MyGender Dolls project, including pilot studies, surveys, interviews, and any other research activities.
- Identify the project's original research objectives.
- Please describe the methodology used to evaluate the effectiveness of the project and its goals.
- Please identify all published or unpublished research resulting from the project and identify the funding source(s) supporting each research activity and resulting publication.
5. Please describe the University's review of the MyGender Dolls project for compliance with applicable federal laws, federal grant requirements, executive branch directives, and University policies governing federally funded research and educational programming.
- Please provide all legal, compliance, ethics, or policy reviews conducted in connection with this project.
6. Please provide all communications between the University or any project personnel and any federal agency concerning the MyGender Dolls project, including but not limited to communications regarding funding, grants, research, commercialization, and regulatory compliance.
Sincerely,
* * *
Original text here: https://www.help.senate.gov/rep/newsroom/press/chairman-cassidy-sounds-alarm-on-the-university-of-minnesota-indoctrinating-toddlers-with-dangerous-gender-ideology
* * *
Chairman Cassidy Sounds Alarm on the University of Minnesota Indoctrinating Toddlers with Dangerous Gender Ideology
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, demanded answers from the University of Minnesota's Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health for using Americans' tax dollars to promote gender ideology with MyGender Dolls among children as young ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news: * * * Chairman Cassidy Sounds Alarm on the University of Minnesota Indoctrinating Toddlers with Dangerous Gender Ideology U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, demanded answers from the University of Minnesota's Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health for using Americans' tax dollars to promote gender ideology with MyGender Dolls among children as youngas four years old.
"Americans expect taxpayer-supported institutions to prioritize rigorous medical research and evidence-based care, not projects that encourage children as young as four to question the reality of biological sex," wrote Dr. Cassidy. "The use of dolls featuring interchangeable genitalia and reproductive organs with children as young as four, particularly to encourage discussions about chemical and surgical interventions to their bodies, is extremely concerning and is inconsistent with federal directives."
Reports indicate that a postdoctoral fellow at the Eli Coleman Institute and a therapist used MyGender Dolls to show children that their gender identity is fluid and they can change their own external genitalia and internal organs like they do with the dolls. Cassidy is investigating the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health to determine if it is in violation of President Trump's executive order which prohibits the use of federal funds to promote gender ideology among young and developing children. There are also concerns surrounding the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) which protects parents' rights.
As the first physician to chair the HELP Committee, Cassidy is leading efforts to stop the gender mutilation of children and hold medical groups accountable. Recently, Cassidy led a committee hearing and launched an investigation into alarming reports of federally funded health entities performing irreversible gender mutilation on children and vulnerable individuals.
Read the full letter here or below:
Dear Director Mark,
Americans expect taxpayer-supported institutions to prioritize rigorous medical research and evidence-based care, not projects that encourage children as young as four to question the reality of biological sex. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) and as a physician, I write to express my deep concern regarding the development, funding, and promotion of the MyGender Dolls, a recent project affiliated with the University of Minnesota Medical School's Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health.1
According to the Institute's 2024 Annual Report, the project was developed in six years with "generous grant and donation support."2 The report states that the project is now being expanded into broader clinical settings. The MyGender Dolls website describes the dolls as "grounded in gender-affirming clinical practices" intended as a "therapeutic" resource for "gender diverse children ages 4-10."3 The website further states that they are designed for use by mental health providers, school counselors, educators, pediatricians, and allied health professionals.4
The University of Minnesota previously maintained a webpage describing the MyGender Dolls project, although that page has since been removed. According to the archived webpage, the dolls are modeled after "classic paper dolls," allowing children to "select bodies, genitals, clothes, and other accessories as a way to visualize their anatomy and genders."5 Children can also choose external genitalia and internal reproductive organs to demonstrate "that their gender identity is valid no matter what parts they have."6
Although the MyGender Dolls website indicates the dolls will launch in 2026, prototype versions have already been used with children in clinical settings.7 In a March 2020 article published by the University of Minnesota's Discovery Magazine, therapist Elizabeth Panetta, MSW, described the dolls as a valuable tool in her work with children, stating: "We were able to explore and brainstorm not just what our bodies are able to do now but what we want our bodies to do and look like in the future."8
The use of dolls featuring interchangeable genitalia and reproductive organs with children as young as four, particularly to encourage discussions about chemical and surgical interventions to their bodies, is extremely concerning and is inconsistent with federal directives.
Specifically, the University of Minnesota's development and promotion of the MyGender Dolls conflicts with President Trump's Executive Order (EO) 14190, Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling,9 which prohibits the use of federal funds to promote gender ideology among young and developing children. Although University officials have stated that the dolls were "solely funded by private donations," the Institute acknowledges receiving millions of dollars in state and federal funding for its research.10 Moreover, the project later received awards through university commercialization programs with federal connections, raising additional questions about whether federal resources directly or indirectly supported its development.
In 2024, the project received a cash prize through the University's MIN-Corps program, which provides awards of up to $3,000 and operates as part of the Great Lakes I-Corps Hub, supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF).11 According to the NSF, the I-Corps program has received approximately $16 million in federal funding.12 The project also received funding from the University's Early Innovation Fund, which provides grants of up to $10,000 to help advance early-stage innovations, including supporting the development of prototypes.13
The promotion of the MyGender Dolls for use by school counselors and educators also raises potential concerns under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).14 The PPRA protects parents' rights in federally funded educational programs involving sensitive matters, such as "sex behavior and attitudes."15 To the extent these dolls are used in educational settings by teachers, counselors, or other school personnel to facilitate discussions about physically changing children's bodies, gender identity, or related topics, their use may raise questions regarding compliance with the PPRA's parental rights protections.
Taken together, these facts raise substantial questions regarding whether federally supported resources directly or indirectly benefited the development, promotion, or commercialization of the MyGender Dolls project and whether the University complied with applicable federal requirements. The possibility that federal funding was used to promote gender ideology among children as young as four is alarming and demands full transparency. Accordingly, please respond to the following questions, on a question-by-question basis, no later than August 25, 2026.
1. Please identify all sources of funding, financial support, or in-kind contributions received in connection with the MyGender Dolls project from its inception through the present, including but not limited to federal grants, state appropriations, University funds, private donations, foundation grants, crowdfunding, and any other financial support.
- Please provide this information in Excel spreadsheet format identifying the funding source, amount received, date received, funding mechanism (grant, donation, prize, contract, etc.) and intended purpose.
- Please identify all University personnel, facilities, offices, equipment, technology, administrative support, legal services or any other institutional resources used in connection with the MyGender Dolls project, whether funded directly or indirectly by the University.
2. Please provide a chronological timeline identifying and describing the research, University approvals, testing, commercialization activities (e.g., intellectual property filings), promotional materials, and public announcements during the project's six-year development.
3. Please provide all records relating to MyGender Dolls' participation in MIN-Corps, the Technology Commercialization Office, the Early Innovation Fund, the Great Lakes I-Corps Hub, or any other University commercialization initiative.
- Please also provide all applications, awards, and supporting documents submitted in connection with these programs.
4. Please describe all research conducted in connection with the MyGender Dolls project, including pilot studies, surveys, interviews, and any other research activities.
- Identify the project's original research objectives.
- Please describe the methodology used to evaluate the effectiveness of the project and its goals.
- Please identify all published or unpublished research resulting from the project and identify the funding source(s) supporting each research activity and resulting publication.
5. Please describe the University's review of the MyGender Dolls project for compliance with applicable federal laws, federal grant requirements, executive branch directives, and University policies governing federally funded research and educational programming.
- Please provide all legal, compliance, ethics, or policy reviews conducted in connection with this project.
6. Please provide all communications between the University or any project personnel and any federal agency concerning the MyGender Dolls project, including but not limited to communications regarding funding, grants, research, commercialization, and regulatory compliance.
Sincerely,
* * *
Original text here: https://www.help.senate.gov/rep/newsroom/press/chairman-cassidy-sounds-alarm-on-the-university-of-minnesota-indoctrinating-toddlers-with-dangerous-gender-ideology
Barrasso for the Washington Examiner: Democrats are controlled by dangerous, left-wing extremists
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, issued the following news release:
* * *
Barrasso for the Washington Examiner: Democrats are controlled by dangerous, left-wing extremists
*
Washington Examiner
Democrats are controlled by dangerous, left-wing extremists
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)
August 12, 2026
The driving force in today's Democratic Party is an extreme organization. It's called the Democratic Socialists of America. Its membership is growing. Its radical candidates are winning. Its left-wing vision is spreading into the U.S. Senate.
The Democratic ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, issued the following news release: * * * Barrasso for the Washington Examiner: Democrats are controlled by dangerous, left-wing extremists * Washington Examiner Democrats are controlled by dangerous, left-wing extremists Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) August 12, 2026 The driving force in today's Democratic Party is an extreme organization. It's called the Democratic Socialists of America. Its membership is growing. Its radical candidates are winning. Its left-wing vision is spreading into the U.S. Senate. The Democraticnominee for Senate in Minnesota, Peggy Flanagan, made her radical views well known on the campaign trail. She often claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is evil. In her victory speech, Flanagan even vowed to "rip ICE apart."
The Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan, Abdul el Sayed, also calls for abolishing ICE and opening our borders. He has called for defunding the police. He has demanded the release of dangerous criminals from our jails into our communities...
Extreme Democrats have a manifesto. This manifesto is a road map to destroy America by people who hate this country. Under the extreme Democratic manifesto, the people would be forced to pay more, earn less, and be less safe and secure.
Extreme Democrats want to abolish the presidency. They want to abolish the Supreme Court. They want to abolish the Electoral College.
Extreme Democrats want to abolish the Senate. The Senate is what gives representation to states with low populations, including my home state of Wyoming. Democrats want to erase the voice of the people we represent. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) recently said it's "really problematic" for Wyoming to have equal representation in the Senate...
In Washington, D.C., these radical policies are finding an eager home among Senate Democrats. After socialists swept Democratic primaries across the country this summer, one sitting Democratic senator said we are seeing "the future of the Democrat Party."
That is why Senate Democrats voted repeatedly for defunding ICE, for defunding the U.S. Border Patrol, and against commonsense voter ID laws.
From the campaign trail to Congress, the left wing is determined to tear down our country and tear up the Constitution.
The people reject the Democrats' radical policies. They demand and deserve better.
The Constitution, secure borders, law and order, military strength, and freedom are not optional. They are the foundations of our society. Without them, there is no safety, no security, no prosperity, and no United States of America.
Republicans are going to continue to fight for freedom, prosperity, and American greatness. We will not stop working to ensure that America remains safe, secure, strong, and free.
Read Senator Barrasso's piece online here.
***
Original text here: https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-for-the-washington-examiner-democrats-are-controlled-by-dangerous-left-wing-extremists/
* * *
Barrasso for the Washington Examiner: Democrats are controlled by dangerous, left-wing extremists
*
Washington Examiner
Democrats are controlled by dangerous, left-wing extremists
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)
August 12, 2026
The driving force in today's Democratic Party is an extreme organization. It's called the Democratic Socialists of America. Its membership is growing. Its radical candidates are winning. Its left-wing vision is spreading into the U.S. Senate.
The Democratic ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, issued the following news release: * * * Barrasso for the Washington Examiner: Democrats are controlled by dangerous, left-wing extremists * Washington Examiner Democrats are controlled by dangerous, left-wing extremists Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) August 12, 2026 The driving force in today's Democratic Party is an extreme organization. It's called the Democratic Socialists of America. Its membership is growing. Its radical candidates are winning. Its left-wing vision is spreading into the U.S. Senate. The Democraticnominee for Senate in Minnesota, Peggy Flanagan, made her radical views well known on the campaign trail. She often claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is evil. In her victory speech, Flanagan even vowed to "rip ICE apart."
The Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan, Abdul el Sayed, also calls for abolishing ICE and opening our borders. He has called for defunding the police. He has demanded the release of dangerous criminals from our jails into our communities...
Extreme Democrats have a manifesto. This manifesto is a road map to destroy America by people who hate this country. Under the extreme Democratic manifesto, the people would be forced to pay more, earn less, and be less safe and secure.
Extreme Democrats want to abolish the presidency. They want to abolish the Supreme Court. They want to abolish the Electoral College.
Extreme Democrats want to abolish the Senate. The Senate is what gives representation to states with low populations, including my home state of Wyoming. Democrats want to erase the voice of the people we represent. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) recently said it's "really problematic" for Wyoming to have equal representation in the Senate...
In Washington, D.C., these radical policies are finding an eager home among Senate Democrats. After socialists swept Democratic primaries across the country this summer, one sitting Democratic senator said we are seeing "the future of the Democrat Party."
That is why Senate Democrats voted repeatedly for defunding ICE, for defunding the U.S. Border Patrol, and against commonsense voter ID laws.
From the campaign trail to Congress, the left wing is determined to tear down our country and tear up the Constitution.
The people reject the Democrats' radical policies. They demand and deserve better.
The Constitution, secure borders, law and order, military strength, and freedom are not optional. They are the foundations of our society. Without them, there is no safety, no security, no prosperity, and no United States of America.
Republicans are going to continue to fight for freedom, prosperity, and American greatness. We will not stop working to ensure that America remains safe, secure, strong, and free.
Read Senator Barrasso's piece online here.
***
Original text here: https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-for-the-washington-examiner-democrats-are-controlled-by-dangerous-left-wing-extremists/
Cornyn Cosponsors Bill to Reform the Permitting Process, Unleash American Energy
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news:
* * *
Cornyn Cosponsors Bill to Reform the Permitting Process, Unleash American Energy
*
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) cosponsored the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, legislation from Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK) that would streamline the federal permitting process to support domestic energy and mineral infrastructure projects:
"As energy use rises, we must remove unnecessary barriers holding us back from building reliable infrastructure that can keep up with demand," said Sen. Cornyn. ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Cornyn Cosponsors Bill to Reform the Permitting Process, Unleash American Energy * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) cosponsored the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, legislation from Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK) that would streamline the federal permitting process to support domestic energy and mineral infrastructure projects: "As energy use rises, we must remove unnecessary barriers holding us back from building reliable infrastructure that can keep up with demand," said Sen. Cornyn."I am proud to join Senator Armstrong as a cosponsor of the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, which would help streamline the process for federal permitting and construction and allow Texas to continue fueling the nation."
Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), David McCormick (R-PA), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), John Kennedy (R-LA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jon Husted (R-OH), Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Rick Scott (R-FL), Katie Britt (R-AL), and James Lankford (R-OK) are also cosponsors of the legislation.
Background:
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to coordinate and conduct a review of an energy infrastructure project's environmental effects and publish a detailed description known as an environmental impact statement and environmental assessments before issuing a permit to construct the project. However, the process is increasingly bogged down by unnecessary litigation and plaintiffs alleging that agencies are failing to properly prepare NEPA documentation, accurately assess an energy project's environmental impact, or sufficiently evaluate relevant information. Lawsuits challenging a federal agency's NEPA review can delay a critical energy infrastructure project for years. Appeals often further delay the timeline by a minimum of four years, which can cause developers to waste funds and abandon the project. As a result of the litigation hurdles and permitting delays, more than 4,000 miles of pipeline projects to expand capacity and support energy demand are on hold.
The American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act would:
* Strengthen the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) role as the lead agency for interstate natural gas pipelines and liquified natural gas (LNG) facilities, ensuring that no single state can unilaterally block federally authorized projects and reduce delays caused by duplicative or overlapping reviews;
* Ensure consistent evidence-based environmental decision-making and include targeted reforms to the Clean Water Act 401 review process for all types of infrastructure;
* Provide certainty with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) general permits and nationwide permits by eliminating duplicative review, extending permit terms, and incorporating meaningful judicial reforms to avoid baseless lawsuits;
* Provide statutory clarification necessary to re-enable essential mining activities on federal lands;
* And clarify NEPA by codifying a targeted scope of review, preventing overly expansive environmental analyses, reaffirming the statute's procedural nature, and establishing meaningful judicial review standards to ensure NEPA cannot be misused to stall critical infrastructure projects.
This legislation is endorsed by the American Petroleum Institute (API), American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC), Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), GPA Midstream Association, Liquid Energy Pipeline Association (LEPA), ClearPath Action, American Public Power Association (APPA), National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), America First Policy Institute, Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA), Energy Infrastructure Council, American Gas Association (AGA), National Hydropower Association (NHA), Woodside Energy, National Mining Association (NMA), American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF), NextEra Energy, ONE Gas, EQT Corporation, ACORE, Center for LNG (CLNG), Shell, United Association of Journeymen, TC Energy, Texas Pipeline Association, and Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA).
More information on the legislation is available here.
***
Original text here: https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-cosponsors-bill-to-reform-the-permitting-process-unleash-american-energy/
* * *
Cornyn Cosponsors Bill to Reform the Permitting Process, Unleash American Energy
*
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) cosponsored the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, legislation from Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK) that would streamline the federal permitting process to support domestic energy and mineral infrastructure projects:
"As energy use rises, we must remove unnecessary barriers holding us back from building reliable infrastructure that can keep up with demand," said Sen. Cornyn. ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Cornyn Cosponsors Bill to Reform the Permitting Process, Unleash American Energy * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) cosponsored the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, legislation from Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK) that would streamline the federal permitting process to support domestic energy and mineral infrastructure projects: "As energy use rises, we must remove unnecessary barriers holding us back from building reliable infrastructure that can keep up with demand," said Sen. Cornyn."I am proud to join Senator Armstrong as a cosponsor of the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, which would help streamline the process for federal permitting and construction and allow Texas to continue fueling the nation."
Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), David McCormick (R-PA), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), John Kennedy (R-LA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jon Husted (R-OH), Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Rick Scott (R-FL), Katie Britt (R-AL), and James Lankford (R-OK) are also cosponsors of the legislation.
Background:
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to coordinate and conduct a review of an energy infrastructure project's environmental effects and publish a detailed description known as an environmental impact statement and environmental assessments before issuing a permit to construct the project. However, the process is increasingly bogged down by unnecessary litigation and plaintiffs alleging that agencies are failing to properly prepare NEPA documentation, accurately assess an energy project's environmental impact, or sufficiently evaluate relevant information. Lawsuits challenging a federal agency's NEPA review can delay a critical energy infrastructure project for years. Appeals often further delay the timeline by a minimum of four years, which can cause developers to waste funds and abandon the project. As a result of the litigation hurdles and permitting delays, more than 4,000 miles of pipeline projects to expand capacity and support energy demand are on hold.
The American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act would:
* Strengthen the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) role as the lead agency for interstate natural gas pipelines and liquified natural gas (LNG) facilities, ensuring that no single state can unilaterally block federally authorized projects and reduce delays caused by duplicative or overlapping reviews;
* Ensure consistent evidence-based environmental decision-making and include targeted reforms to the Clean Water Act 401 review process for all types of infrastructure;
* Provide certainty with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) general permits and nationwide permits by eliminating duplicative review, extending permit terms, and incorporating meaningful judicial reforms to avoid baseless lawsuits;
* Provide statutory clarification necessary to re-enable essential mining activities on federal lands;
* And clarify NEPA by codifying a targeted scope of review, preventing overly expansive environmental analyses, reaffirming the statute's procedural nature, and establishing meaningful judicial review standards to ensure NEPA cannot be misused to stall critical infrastructure projects.
This legislation is endorsed by the American Petroleum Institute (API), American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC), Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), GPA Midstream Association, Liquid Energy Pipeline Association (LEPA), ClearPath Action, American Public Power Association (APPA), National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), America First Policy Institute, Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA), Energy Infrastructure Council, American Gas Association (AGA), National Hydropower Association (NHA), Woodside Energy, National Mining Association (NMA), American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF), NextEra Energy, ONE Gas, EQT Corporation, ACORE, Center for LNG (CLNG), Shell, United Association of Journeymen, TC Energy, Texas Pipeline Association, and Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA).
More information on the legislation is available here.
***
Original text here: https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-cosponsors-bill-to-reform-the-permitting-process-unleash-american-energy/
Baldwin Introduces Comprehensive Bill to Combat Maternal Health Crisis, Support Mothers and Babies
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, issued the following news release:
* * *
Baldwin Introduces Comprehensive Bill to Combat Maternal Health Crisis, Support Mothers and Babies
*
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined her colleagues to reintroduce the Momnibus Act, a comprehensive legislative package designed to end the nation's maternal health crisis and directly confront the devastating disparities that continue to claim the lives of Black mothers at alarming rates. The package includes Senator Baldwin's Perinatal Workforce Act, legislation to help ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, issued the following news release: * * * Baldwin Introduces Comprehensive Bill to Combat Maternal Health Crisis, Support Mothers and Babies * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined her colleagues to reintroduce the Momnibus Act, a comprehensive legislative package designed to end the nation's maternal health crisis and directly confront the devastating disparities that continue to claim the lives of Black mothers at alarming rates. The package includes Senator Baldwin's Perinatal Workforce Act, legislation to helpgrow the perinatal workforce by creating grant programs to increase the number of maternity care providers and workers who provide care during and after pregnancy.
"Comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care shouldn't be a luxury, but right now cost, workforce shortages, and decades of underinvestment in women's health are putting moms and babies at risk. And, these roadblocks are even worse for Black women in our communities. If we want to give every child and their family a fair shot, we need to start before these kids are born and really invest in the support new and expecting moms need," said Senator Baldwin. "I'm proud to join my colleagues in making this overdue investment in our kids, mothers, and the workforce who cares for them to help every child get the strong start they deserve."
For years, the United States has had the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries, with stark racial disparities. In 2024, Black women faced a pregnancy-related mortality ratio more than three times higher than White women-even though more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
The Momnibus Act makes targeted, high-impact investments to address the drivers of the Black maternal health crisis, including social determinants of health, access to culturally congruent care, maternal mental health, community-based supports, and the effects of climate change and public health emergencies on Black mothers and babies.
The Momnibus Act is composed of 14 bills that will:
* Grow and diversify the perinatal workforce to ensure Black mothers receive care from providers who understand their lived experiences.
* Invest in social determinants of health-including housing, transportation, and nutrition-to reduce preventable risks disproportionately affecting Black moms.
* Extend WIC eligibility during postpartum and breastfeeding periods.
* Fund community-based organizations trusted by Black families and rooted in the communities they serve.
* Increase maternal health care funding for veterans, including Black women veterans who face unique barriers.
* Improve maternal health data collection to identify and eliminate disparities.
* Expand maternal mental health and substance use disorder support, with attention to the needs of Black moms.
* Improve care for incarcerated mothers, who are disproportionately Black.
* Invest in digital tools to expand access to care in underserved communities.
* Promote innovative payment models that incentivize high-quality, culturally congruent care.
* Strengthen federal programs addressing maternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies.
* Support climate resilience initiatives for moms and babies, including Black families disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards.
* Invest in research to eliminate racial disparities and prevent maternal deaths.
* Promote maternal vaccinations to protect moms and infants.
The Momnibus Act is endorsed by more than 250 organizations. View the full list of endorsers here.
To read the full text of the one-pager, click here.
To read the full text of the bill, click here.
***
Original text here: https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-introduces-comprehensive-bill-to-combat-maternal-health-crisis-support-mothers-and-babies
* * *
Baldwin Introduces Comprehensive Bill to Combat Maternal Health Crisis, Support Mothers and Babies
*
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined her colleagues to reintroduce the Momnibus Act, a comprehensive legislative package designed to end the nation's maternal health crisis and directly confront the devastating disparities that continue to claim the lives of Black mothers at alarming rates. The package includes Senator Baldwin's Perinatal Workforce Act, legislation to help ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, issued the following news release: * * * Baldwin Introduces Comprehensive Bill to Combat Maternal Health Crisis, Support Mothers and Babies * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined her colleagues to reintroduce the Momnibus Act, a comprehensive legislative package designed to end the nation's maternal health crisis and directly confront the devastating disparities that continue to claim the lives of Black mothers at alarming rates. The package includes Senator Baldwin's Perinatal Workforce Act, legislation to helpgrow the perinatal workforce by creating grant programs to increase the number of maternity care providers and workers who provide care during and after pregnancy.
"Comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care shouldn't be a luxury, but right now cost, workforce shortages, and decades of underinvestment in women's health are putting moms and babies at risk. And, these roadblocks are even worse for Black women in our communities. If we want to give every child and their family a fair shot, we need to start before these kids are born and really invest in the support new and expecting moms need," said Senator Baldwin. "I'm proud to join my colleagues in making this overdue investment in our kids, mothers, and the workforce who cares for them to help every child get the strong start they deserve."
For years, the United States has had the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries, with stark racial disparities. In 2024, Black women faced a pregnancy-related mortality ratio more than three times higher than White women-even though more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
The Momnibus Act makes targeted, high-impact investments to address the drivers of the Black maternal health crisis, including social determinants of health, access to culturally congruent care, maternal mental health, community-based supports, and the effects of climate change and public health emergencies on Black mothers and babies.
The Momnibus Act is composed of 14 bills that will:
* Grow and diversify the perinatal workforce to ensure Black mothers receive care from providers who understand their lived experiences.
* Invest in social determinants of health-including housing, transportation, and nutrition-to reduce preventable risks disproportionately affecting Black moms.
* Extend WIC eligibility during postpartum and breastfeeding periods.
* Fund community-based organizations trusted by Black families and rooted in the communities they serve.
* Increase maternal health care funding for veterans, including Black women veterans who face unique barriers.
* Improve maternal health data collection to identify and eliminate disparities.
* Expand maternal mental health and substance use disorder support, with attention to the needs of Black moms.
* Improve care for incarcerated mothers, who are disproportionately Black.
* Invest in digital tools to expand access to care in underserved communities.
* Promote innovative payment models that incentivize high-quality, culturally congruent care.
* Strengthen federal programs addressing maternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies.
* Support climate resilience initiatives for moms and babies, including Black families disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards.
* Invest in research to eliminate racial disparities and prevent maternal deaths.
* Promote maternal vaccinations to protect moms and infants.
The Momnibus Act is endorsed by more than 250 organizations. View the full list of endorsers here.
To read the full text of the one-pager, click here.
To read the full text of the bill, click here.
***
Original text here: https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-introduces-comprehensive-bill-to-combat-maternal-health-crisis-support-mothers-and-babies
After Attacks in Jersey, Gottheimer Announces Bipartisan Federal Actions to Protect Water, Electric Systems, Families From Cyber Attacks
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Aug. 12, 2026:
* * *
After Attacks in Jersey, Gottheimer Announces Bipartisan Federal Actions to Protect Water, Electric Systems, and Families from Cyber Attacks
Critical Infrastructure Security Plan Will Give Infrastructure Entities Access to Cutting-Edge AI Defenses, Create a Dedicated Cyber Rapid-Response Service, Help Restore Utilities Hit by Attacks
PARK RIDGE, NJ -- Today, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced his bipartisan Critical Infrastructure Security ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Aug. 12, 2026: * * * After Attacks in Jersey, Gottheimer Announces Bipartisan Federal Actions to Protect Water, Electric Systems, and Families from Cyber Attacks Critical Infrastructure Security Plan Will Give Infrastructure Entities Access to Cutting-Edge AI Defenses, Create a Dedicated Cyber Rapid-Response Service, Help Restore Utilities Hit by Attacks PARK RIDGE, NJ -- Today, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced his bipartisan Critical Infrastructure SecurityPlan, a package of federal actions to bolster American critical infrastructure following a wave of attacks that targeted New Jersey municipal water systems and others in at least a dozen states across the country.
Watch Gottheimer's full remarks here.
"Every morning, folks in this town wake up, turn on the faucet, and clean water comes out. You flip a switch and your lights come on. Nobody thinks twice about it. Nobody should have to," said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). "I'm standing here because in towns just like this one, all over the country, that deal we have with our utility companies has been put in real jeopardy, and if we don't get out ahead of it, it could mean a disaster."
Over the past two weeks, hackers have targeted water systems in New Jersey and at least a dozen other states. In Cape May County, two municipal systems were hit, forcing operators to manually turn valves and run pumps after the digital controls they rely on every day were wrenched away from them. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating incidents in at least seven states, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the FBI issued a joint advisory urging the entire water sector to immediately lock down its systems. Investigators have pointed to Iranian-affiliated actors, while examining whether other adversaries are copying the same playbook.
There are roughly 150,000 public water systems in the country, and 97 percent of them serve small communities such as Park Ridge, often with just a handful of employees and no full-time cybersecurity team. Many were built decades ago for reliability, not for cybersecurity, leaving older controllers and outdated software exposed to anyone who knows where to look.
Gottheimer announced three federal actions to close that gap:
* The bipartisan AI Cyber Defense Act, which he is introducing with Rep. Don Bacon (NE-2), Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-3), Rep. Hilary Scholten (MI-3), and Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-1) would give America's critical infrastructure operators free access to the most powerful, cyber-capable AI models. Today those tools are mostly used by the people trying to break in, not the people trying to keep them out. The bill would let a small water utility in New Jersey use the same caliber of AI a foreign intelligence agency might deploy against it, and turn it around to find the open door before an adversary does and patch the vulnerability before it becomes a headline.
* The bipartisan Securing Our Critical Infrastructure Act, which he is introducing with Rep. Don Bacon (NE-2), Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-3), Rep. Hilary Scholten (MI-3), and Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-1) would create a dedicated rapid-response and threat notification service at CISA, built specifically for small and medium water and electric utilities. It would establish one clear point of contact to notify utilities the moment there is an active threat and give real support for the most resource-constrained systems.
* Gottheimer is also sending a letter to CISA, the EPA, and the FBI demanding they immediately surge incident response teams and technical assistance to every water and wastewater utility hit by this campaign, especially the small and rural systems that can least afford to go dark. The letter also calls on the agencies to build lasting protection for the water sector, including guidance specific to water systems and a standing rapid-response framework, before the next campaign hits.
Gottheimer was joined by New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) Director Michael Geraghty, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, Bergen County Chief of Detectives Jeff Angermeyer, Senator Holly Schepisi (R-District 39), Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna, Park Ridge Councilman Will Fenwick, and Park Ridge Councilman Bruce Goldsmith.
Gottheimer's remarks as prepared for delivery:
Thank you to everyone here with us. I'm grateful for all of your work on the ground to protect our essential services.
Thank you all for being here in Park Ridge, right in front of the tanks that serve drinking water to Park Ridge and nearby Woodcliff Lake.
I've stood right here before when we announced steps the Park Ridge Water Department was taking to get lead and PFAS out of their drinking water. Today, we are here to discuss a different, looming, and potent threat to this critical infrastructure system, and ones like it across our state and country -- cyber terrorism. I'm talking about cyber attacks like the ones in South Jersey two weeks ago and those who attempt to infiltrate our water, electric, and other essential systems -- what we call our critical infrastructure -- every day in America.
With the explosion and advancement of AI, those threats have become even more common and deadly, and, unfortunately, far too easy to access for those who seek to do us harm. Enemies like Iran, Russia, and China.
I'm not here to scare you. As a Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Security Agency and Cyber, I want us all to be aware of, and prepared for, this reality that we are facing here at home.
Today, I am proud to announce my Critical Infrastructure Security Plan -- to give towns, counties, and states the tools they need to protect our families and the water, electric, and other critical infrastructure systems that they rely on from cyber attacks.
Every morning, folks in this town wake up, turn on the faucet, and clean water comes out. You flip a switch and your lights come on. Nobody thinks twice about it. Nobody should have to. That's the deal. You pay your water bill, the water shows up. You pay your electric bill, your power works.
Unfortunately, those bills are too expensive these days, but that's a separate issue. I'm standing here because in towns just like this one, all over the country, that deal we have with our utility companies has been put in real jeopardy, and if we don't get out ahead of it, it could mean a disaster.
Picture this: you wake up tomorrow, you go to make the coffee or take a shower before work, and nothing comes out of the tap. Or, you flip on the lights, and the power just isn't there. Imagine that across a major city. No power to hospitals, businesses, schools, or our homes.
That's not some doomsday scenario I'm cooking up. That is what almost happened to Jersey families just two weeks ago.
Here's what's actually going on. For the past two weeks, water systems across this country have been under attack. Not "could happen someday." It's happening right now, as we're standing here.
It started in Minnesota in late July, when hackers hit roughly thirty water systems in a single 48-hour window. Then it spread to Michigan, New Jersey, Minnesota, Georgia, South Dakota, and five other states.
The FBI is investigating these incidents right now, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, the FBI, and the EPA had to put out a joint advisory telling the entire water sector to immediately lock down its systems.
In the same campaign, two municipal water systems in Cape May County, the City of Cape May and the Borough of Woodbine, got hit. The attack limited their operators' ability to monitor and manage their own equipment. Real people, Jersey families, could have lost water service -- which could mean no clean drinking water or fire hydrants running dry in an emergency.
Staff had to run out into the field and turn valves and run pumps manually because the digital controls they rely on every single day had been hacked -- their control had been wrenched away from them. Although our power systems weren't impacted in this attack, many of our energy and power grid sectors utilize the same hardware and remote management protocols that were compromised.
Thankfully, both Jersey towns got things hardened and back under control fast, working with the state's cyber team and our federal partners, and service was not interrupted this time.
But let's not kid ourselves and call that luck. That was a warning for us all, and we can't just sit here and wait for the next attack. Because, by the way, Minnesota wasn't so lucky -- the city of Braham [BRAM] had to shut down its well and water treatment plant for several hours.
In 2023, a Chinese state-sponsored actor named Volt Typhoon hacked into a small municipal utility in Massachusetts that serves 15,000 people and infiltrated its systems for nine months, waiting for the right time to sabotage it. In 2015, Russia hit an electric utility in Ukraine, cutting power to 225,000 consumers.
A 2023 cyberattack in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania targeted the same systemsthat were attacked this summer and resulted in the operators needing to temporarily halt pumping. And a 2024 Muleshoe, Texas attack saw the pumps turned on -- out of the operators control -- and caused the tank water level to overflow.
Let's be straight about who led this latest twelve state attack on our country. Reporting and government advisories have linked the cyber attacks to Iranian-affiliated actors, though officials are also looking into whether our other enemies are involved. This isn't some kid in a basement messing around.
According to public reporting, this is potentially an enemy of our country, using state-backed hackers, testing whether they can reach out and shut off the water and power to American families, hospitals, farmers, and emergency services.
This also isn't an isolated incident. Over the last few years, attackers have targeted -- albeit unsuccessfully -- water systems and other critical infrastructure in California, Florida, Maine, Nevada, Kansas, and right here in New Jersey, where an undisclosed water system detected ransomware in its systems in 2020.
And, they'll keep trying, especially with the latest AI frontier models -- they make it even easier to launch cyber attacks.
Foreign governments now have access to powerful AI tools that can scan the internet, find potentially weaker utility systems, hand adversaries a target list, and help them exploit the vulnerabilities in our systems. The same technology that can help a small town's IT guy find and patch a gap in security can help a hostile government find a hundred more it hasn't even discovered yet. AI didn't create this threat, but it is accelerating it, and our defenses have to keep up. And it's only getting easier for them.
In these latest attacks in our state and across the country, the hackers found pumps and treatment equipment plugged directly into the internet; they logged in, and locked the real operators out. It worked because a lot of our water systems, especially the smaller ones, were built decades ago and not exactly with the most sophisticated systems to protect against cybersecurity. Many of these controllers have little to no built-in protections and run on outdated software. In other words, they're sitting wide open, vulnerable to anybody who knows where to look.
Now, systems like Park Ridge aren't sitting on the internet - they operate offline, on their own closed system, making them less vulnerable to these types of cyber attacks. But, many of our smaller systems are sitting right in the bullseye. And, we have a lot of critical infrastructure systems out there.
There are roughly 150,000 public water systems in this country, and 97 percent of them serve small and mid-sized communities, just like here in Park Ridge. New Jersey itself has more than 600 community water systems that provide drinking water to approximately 87 percent of the state's population.
Nationwide, there are more than 900 rural electric cooperatives and 2,000 publicly owned utilities that deliver electricity to almost 100 million Americans. These are systems with a handful of employees, limited cybersecurity resources, and vulnerable systems.
Believe it or not, CISA found that more than 1 in 10 water systems have a critical cybersecurity vulnerability, and more than 80 percent of those vulnerabilities included software flaws discovered before 2017.
CISA's work is absolutely critical to identifying and combating these threats, but the Trump administration has been slashing it to the bone. Since Trump took office, it's lost almost a third of its workforce, had their budget cut by $134 million, and the Administration has announced plans to cut another $700 million in the coming year and an additional 860 staff.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has identified similar weaknesses -- the number of vulnerabilities hackers could exploit is rising by roughly 60 per day. If this isn't a screeching red alarm, I don't know what is.
I should add, when I say critical infrastructure, I'm not just talking about water or energy systems. In 2023, a ransomware attack forced two New Jersey hospitals -- Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center -- to temporarily divert ambulances and reschedule elective procedures.
The systems took weeks to restore and affected thousands of patients.
Here's the part that should worry you the most: this isn't just a big-city problem with big-city budgets and full-time cybersecurity teams standing guard. Right now, federal funding for critical infrastructure cybersecurity has an uncertain future, and it has to compete for scraps against other infrastructure priorities. That's not fair to the people running these systems on a shoestring budget, and it's definitely not safe for the families here in Jersey depending on them.
That's why today, as part of my Critical Infrastructure Security Plan, I'm announcing three bipartisan federal actions with Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska, Congressman Zach Nunn of Iowa, and Congressman Greg Landsman of Ohio.
First, I'm introducing the bipartisan AI Cyber Defense Act. This new bipartisan legislation will give America's critical infrastructure operators free access to their most powerful, cyber-capable AI models to secure their systems. Right now, those tools exist. They're being used, but they're often way too expensive for these small towns and facilities to afford what they really need.
This bill will provide that funding, allowing a small water utility or power station, like ones right here in Bergen County, to use the same caliber of AI a foreign intelligence agency might use against them. With those resources, the facilities can take this cutting-edge technology and turn it around to secure their own systems first. They'll find the open door and lock it before someone tries to break in. They'll patch the vulnerability before it ever becomes a headline. This is about getting our defense to catch up to their offense, and making it free for the towns that need it most.
A resource-constrained public works department in rural New Jersey should never have to outbid a nation-state just to protect itself. This bill will support the efforts of companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google to get these powerful tools in the hands of those who need it most.
Second, I'm introducing the bipartisan Securing Our Critical Infrastructure Act. This new bipartisan bill will create a dedicated rapid response and threat notification service at CISA, specifically for small and medium-sized water and electric utilities.
Right now, if you're a small town utility and something looks wrong on your network, you might not have anyone to call, or you might not even know who to call in the first place. This commonsense legislation creates one clear point of contact within the federal government that will notify these utilities the moment there's an active threat or a sign that someone's already inside their systems, with extra support built in for the utilities that are stretched the thinnest. It will also give them a clear point of contact, so they're not running around trying to figure out who to call.
Third and finally, I'm sending a letter to CISA, the EPA, and the FBI demanding they immediately surge incident response teams and technical assistance to every water and wastewater utility hit by this campaign, including here in Jersey, especially the small and rural systems that can least afford to go dark. But, I'm not just asking for a band-aid. I am also urging these agencies to build real, lasting protection for the water and energy sectors, including guidance specific to water and electric systems and a standing rapid-response framework, so that before the next campaign hits -- because there will be a next one -- our utilities are prepared.
My cybersecurity package works together to protect our towns and families. The legislation gives our utilities the tools to find their own weaknesses before an adversary does. The rapid response service makes sure small towns aren't fighting this alone. And, the federal surge makes sure the agencies whose job this is actually show up when it matters. There is nothing partisan about it. It's about as red, white, and blue as it gets.
We also need to make sure our states have the resources to support our local systems. That's why I'm calling on the Senate to pass the PILLAR Act, which I was proud to have helped pass through the House. This critical piece of legislation will reauthorize the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program through 2033. These are dollars that towns can request and receive to build out and strengthen their existing cybersecurity systems. Unfortunately, this critical program has not received new funding in more than a year, and it's putting our local utilities at risk.
I'm also supporting efforts in the Senate to pass legislation to reauthorize the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity program, which I also helped pass through the House, which directly helps rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. I'm also proud to have helped move the SECURE Grid Act through the House, which would ensure states are fully prepared to prevent and respond to the risks posed to the electric grid by cyberattacks, extreme weather, natural disasters, and other threats.
We can't afford to leave our state and local governments out to dry -- we must instead empower our local leaders, like the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, to help operators harden their systems.
Finally, the cyber attacks over the last weeks must be a wake up call to every utility - water, power, or otherwise -- that's part of our critical infrastructure. Park Ridge's systems weren't hit in this attack. But, in a rare move, the town hasn't waited around to get lucky. Over the past year, on their own initiative, they've been upgrading their systems to put in place stronger protections and give better oversight.
Water and power systems across the country need to follow suit and implement tamper-resistant controls, update and patch systems as soon as they are able, build end-to-end encryption, use secure networks, create authentication and access control procedures, test their systems regularly, and train their employees. But, I recognize that it's not easy -- it's expensive -- and they need our help. That's what the actions I'm taking today are all about. They need the federal support behind them to actually make it happen.
Again, keeping the water running and the lights on isn't a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It's the most basic American obligation we have to the people we serve, and it should never, ever be partisan. When a parent in Park Ridge turns on their kitchen faucet, she doesn't care which party controls Congress. They just want clean water to come out.
We caught this attack. And, I know that if we take the right action, we can get ahead of this. But, if we sit on our hands, we might not be so lucky next time. But, I'm confident that when we invest in the people protecting our infrastructure, and give them modern tools instead of asking them to fight modern threats with yesterday's equipment, we will win.
If we keep working together to protect our friends and neighbors, in the greatest country in the world, I know that our best days will always be ahead of us. Thank you, God bless you, and may God continue to watch over and bless the United States of America.
* * *
Original text here: https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-after-attacks-in-jersey-gottheimer-announces-bipartisan-federal-actions-to-protect-water-electric-systems-and-families-from-cyber-attacks
* * *
After Attacks in Jersey, Gottheimer Announces Bipartisan Federal Actions to Protect Water, Electric Systems, and Families from Cyber Attacks
Critical Infrastructure Security Plan Will Give Infrastructure Entities Access to Cutting-Edge AI Defenses, Create a Dedicated Cyber Rapid-Response Service, Help Restore Utilities Hit by Attacks
PARK RIDGE, NJ -- Today, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced his bipartisan Critical Infrastructure Security ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Aug. 12, 2026: * * * After Attacks in Jersey, Gottheimer Announces Bipartisan Federal Actions to Protect Water, Electric Systems, and Families from Cyber Attacks Critical Infrastructure Security Plan Will Give Infrastructure Entities Access to Cutting-Edge AI Defenses, Create a Dedicated Cyber Rapid-Response Service, Help Restore Utilities Hit by Attacks PARK RIDGE, NJ -- Today, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced his bipartisan Critical Infrastructure SecurityPlan, a package of federal actions to bolster American critical infrastructure following a wave of attacks that targeted New Jersey municipal water systems and others in at least a dozen states across the country.
Watch Gottheimer's full remarks here.
"Every morning, folks in this town wake up, turn on the faucet, and clean water comes out. You flip a switch and your lights come on. Nobody thinks twice about it. Nobody should have to," said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). "I'm standing here because in towns just like this one, all over the country, that deal we have with our utility companies has been put in real jeopardy, and if we don't get out ahead of it, it could mean a disaster."
Over the past two weeks, hackers have targeted water systems in New Jersey and at least a dozen other states. In Cape May County, two municipal systems were hit, forcing operators to manually turn valves and run pumps after the digital controls they rely on every day were wrenched away from them. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating incidents in at least seven states, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the FBI issued a joint advisory urging the entire water sector to immediately lock down its systems. Investigators have pointed to Iranian-affiliated actors, while examining whether other adversaries are copying the same playbook.
There are roughly 150,000 public water systems in the country, and 97 percent of them serve small communities such as Park Ridge, often with just a handful of employees and no full-time cybersecurity team. Many were built decades ago for reliability, not for cybersecurity, leaving older controllers and outdated software exposed to anyone who knows where to look.
Gottheimer announced three federal actions to close that gap:
* The bipartisan AI Cyber Defense Act, which he is introducing with Rep. Don Bacon (NE-2), Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-3), Rep. Hilary Scholten (MI-3), and Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-1) would give America's critical infrastructure operators free access to the most powerful, cyber-capable AI models. Today those tools are mostly used by the people trying to break in, not the people trying to keep them out. The bill would let a small water utility in New Jersey use the same caliber of AI a foreign intelligence agency might deploy against it, and turn it around to find the open door before an adversary does and patch the vulnerability before it becomes a headline.
* The bipartisan Securing Our Critical Infrastructure Act, which he is introducing with Rep. Don Bacon (NE-2), Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-3), Rep. Hilary Scholten (MI-3), and Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-1) would create a dedicated rapid-response and threat notification service at CISA, built specifically for small and medium water and electric utilities. It would establish one clear point of contact to notify utilities the moment there is an active threat and give real support for the most resource-constrained systems.
* Gottheimer is also sending a letter to CISA, the EPA, and the FBI demanding they immediately surge incident response teams and technical assistance to every water and wastewater utility hit by this campaign, especially the small and rural systems that can least afford to go dark. The letter also calls on the agencies to build lasting protection for the water sector, including guidance specific to water systems and a standing rapid-response framework, before the next campaign hits.
Gottheimer was joined by New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) Director Michael Geraghty, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, Bergen County Chief of Detectives Jeff Angermeyer, Senator Holly Schepisi (R-District 39), Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna, Park Ridge Councilman Will Fenwick, and Park Ridge Councilman Bruce Goldsmith.
Gottheimer's remarks as prepared for delivery:
Thank you to everyone here with us. I'm grateful for all of your work on the ground to protect our essential services.
Thank you all for being here in Park Ridge, right in front of the tanks that serve drinking water to Park Ridge and nearby Woodcliff Lake.
I've stood right here before when we announced steps the Park Ridge Water Department was taking to get lead and PFAS out of their drinking water. Today, we are here to discuss a different, looming, and potent threat to this critical infrastructure system, and ones like it across our state and country -- cyber terrorism. I'm talking about cyber attacks like the ones in South Jersey two weeks ago and those who attempt to infiltrate our water, electric, and other essential systems -- what we call our critical infrastructure -- every day in America.
With the explosion and advancement of AI, those threats have become even more common and deadly, and, unfortunately, far too easy to access for those who seek to do us harm. Enemies like Iran, Russia, and China.
I'm not here to scare you. As a Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Security Agency and Cyber, I want us all to be aware of, and prepared for, this reality that we are facing here at home.
Today, I am proud to announce my Critical Infrastructure Security Plan -- to give towns, counties, and states the tools they need to protect our families and the water, electric, and other critical infrastructure systems that they rely on from cyber attacks.
Every morning, folks in this town wake up, turn on the faucet, and clean water comes out. You flip a switch and your lights come on. Nobody thinks twice about it. Nobody should have to. That's the deal. You pay your water bill, the water shows up. You pay your electric bill, your power works.
Unfortunately, those bills are too expensive these days, but that's a separate issue. I'm standing here because in towns just like this one, all over the country, that deal we have with our utility companies has been put in real jeopardy, and if we don't get out ahead of it, it could mean a disaster.
Picture this: you wake up tomorrow, you go to make the coffee or take a shower before work, and nothing comes out of the tap. Or, you flip on the lights, and the power just isn't there. Imagine that across a major city. No power to hospitals, businesses, schools, or our homes.
That's not some doomsday scenario I'm cooking up. That is what almost happened to Jersey families just two weeks ago.
Here's what's actually going on. For the past two weeks, water systems across this country have been under attack. Not "could happen someday." It's happening right now, as we're standing here.
It started in Minnesota in late July, when hackers hit roughly thirty water systems in a single 48-hour window. Then it spread to Michigan, New Jersey, Minnesota, Georgia, South Dakota, and five other states.
The FBI is investigating these incidents right now, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, the FBI, and the EPA had to put out a joint advisory telling the entire water sector to immediately lock down its systems.
In the same campaign, two municipal water systems in Cape May County, the City of Cape May and the Borough of Woodbine, got hit. The attack limited their operators' ability to monitor and manage their own equipment. Real people, Jersey families, could have lost water service -- which could mean no clean drinking water or fire hydrants running dry in an emergency.
Staff had to run out into the field and turn valves and run pumps manually because the digital controls they rely on every single day had been hacked -- their control had been wrenched away from them. Although our power systems weren't impacted in this attack, many of our energy and power grid sectors utilize the same hardware and remote management protocols that were compromised.
Thankfully, both Jersey towns got things hardened and back under control fast, working with the state's cyber team and our federal partners, and service was not interrupted this time.
But let's not kid ourselves and call that luck. That was a warning for us all, and we can't just sit here and wait for the next attack. Because, by the way, Minnesota wasn't so lucky -- the city of Braham [BRAM] had to shut down its well and water treatment plant for several hours.
In 2023, a Chinese state-sponsored actor named Volt Typhoon hacked into a small municipal utility in Massachusetts that serves 15,000 people and infiltrated its systems for nine months, waiting for the right time to sabotage it. In 2015, Russia hit an electric utility in Ukraine, cutting power to 225,000 consumers.
A 2023 cyberattack in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania targeted the same systemsthat were attacked this summer and resulted in the operators needing to temporarily halt pumping. And a 2024 Muleshoe, Texas attack saw the pumps turned on -- out of the operators control -- and caused the tank water level to overflow.
Let's be straight about who led this latest twelve state attack on our country. Reporting and government advisories have linked the cyber attacks to Iranian-affiliated actors, though officials are also looking into whether our other enemies are involved. This isn't some kid in a basement messing around.
According to public reporting, this is potentially an enemy of our country, using state-backed hackers, testing whether they can reach out and shut off the water and power to American families, hospitals, farmers, and emergency services.
This also isn't an isolated incident. Over the last few years, attackers have targeted -- albeit unsuccessfully -- water systems and other critical infrastructure in California, Florida, Maine, Nevada, Kansas, and right here in New Jersey, where an undisclosed water system detected ransomware in its systems in 2020.
And, they'll keep trying, especially with the latest AI frontier models -- they make it even easier to launch cyber attacks.
Foreign governments now have access to powerful AI tools that can scan the internet, find potentially weaker utility systems, hand adversaries a target list, and help them exploit the vulnerabilities in our systems. The same technology that can help a small town's IT guy find and patch a gap in security can help a hostile government find a hundred more it hasn't even discovered yet. AI didn't create this threat, but it is accelerating it, and our defenses have to keep up. And it's only getting easier for them.
In these latest attacks in our state and across the country, the hackers found pumps and treatment equipment plugged directly into the internet; they logged in, and locked the real operators out. It worked because a lot of our water systems, especially the smaller ones, were built decades ago and not exactly with the most sophisticated systems to protect against cybersecurity. Many of these controllers have little to no built-in protections and run on outdated software. In other words, they're sitting wide open, vulnerable to anybody who knows where to look.
Now, systems like Park Ridge aren't sitting on the internet - they operate offline, on their own closed system, making them less vulnerable to these types of cyber attacks. But, many of our smaller systems are sitting right in the bullseye. And, we have a lot of critical infrastructure systems out there.
There are roughly 150,000 public water systems in this country, and 97 percent of them serve small and mid-sized communities, just like here in Park Ridge. New Jersey itself has more than 600 community water systems that provide drinking water to approximately 87 percent of the state's population.
Nationwide, there are more than 900 rural electric cooperatives and 2,000 publicly owned utilities that deliver electricity to almost 100 million Americans. These are systems with a handful of employees, limited cybersecurity resources, and vulnerable systems.
Believe it or not, CISA found that more than 1 in 10 water systems have a critical cybersecurity vulnerability, and more than 80 percent of those vulnerabilities included software flaws discovered before 2017.
CISA's work is absolutely critical to identifying and combating these threats, but the Trump administration has been slashing it to the bone. Since Trump took office, it's lost almost a third of its workforce, had their budget cut by $134 million, and the Administration has announced plans to cut another $700 million in the coming year and an additional 860 staff.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has identified similar weaknesses -- the number of vulnerabilities hackers could exploit is rising by roughly 60 per day. If this isn't a screeching red alarm, I don't know what is.
I should add, when I say critical infrastructure, I'm not just talking about water or energy systems. In 2023, a ransomware attack forced two New Jersey hospitals -- Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center -- to temporarily divert ambulances and reschedule elective procedures.
The systems took weeks to restore and affected thousands of patients.
Here's the part that should worry you the most: this isn't just a big-city problem with big-city budgets and full-time cybersecurity teams standing guard. Right now, federal funding for critical infrastructure cybersecurity has an uncertain future, and it has to compete for scraps against other infrastructure priorities. That's not fair to the people running these systems on a shoestring budget, and it's definitely not safe for the families here in Jersey depending on them.
That's why today, as part of my Critical Infrastructure Security Plan, I'm announcing three bipartisan federal actions with Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska, Congressman Zach Nunn of Iowa, and Congressman Greg Landsman of Ohio.
First, I'm introducing the bipartisan AI Cyber Defense Act. This new bipartisan legislation will give America's critical infrastructure operators free access to their most powerful, cyber-capable AI models to secure their systems. Right now, those tools exist. They're being used, but they're often way too expensive for these small towns and facilities to afford what they really need.
This bill will provide that funding, allowing a small water utility or power station, like ones right here in Bergen County, to use the same caliber of AI a foreign intelligence agency might use against them. With those resources, the facilities can take this cutting-edge technology and turn it around to secure their own systems first. They'll find the open door and lock it before someone tries to break in. They'll patch the vulnerability before it ever becomes a headline. This is about getting our defense to catch up to their offense, and making it free for the towns that need it most.
A resource-constrained public works department in rural New Jersey should never have to outbid a nation-state just to protect itself. This bill will support the efforts of companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google to get these powerful tools in the hands of those who need it most.
Second, I'm introducing the bipartisan Securing Our Critical Infrastructure Act. This new bipartisan bill will create a dedicated rapid response and threat notification service at CISA, specifically for small and medium-sized water and electric utilities.
Right now, if you're a small town utility and something looks wrong on your network, you might not have anyone to call, or you might not even know who to call in the first place. This commonsense legislation creates one clear point of contact within the federal government that will notify these utilities the moment there's an active threat or a sign that someone's already inside their systems, with extra support built in for the utilities that are stretched the thinnest. It will also give them a clear point of contact, so they're not running around trying to figure out who to call.
Third and finally, I'm sending a letter to CISA, the EPA, and the FBI demanding they immediately surge incident response teams and technical assistance to every water and wastewater utility hit by this campaign, including here in Jersey, especially the small and rural systems that can least afford to go dark. But, I'm not just asking for a band-aid. I am also urging these agencies to build real, lasting protection for the water and energy sectors, including guidance specific to water and electric systems and a standing rapid-response framework, so that before the next campaign hits -- because there will be a next one -- our utilities are prepared.
My cybersecurity package works together to protect our towns and families. The legislation gives our utilities the tools to find their own weaknesses before an adversary does. The rapid response service makes sure small towns aren't fighting this alone. And, the federal surge makes sure the agencies whose job this is actually show up when it matters. There is nothing partisan about it. It's about as red, white, and blue as it gets.
We also need to make sure our states have the resources to support our local systems. That's why I'm calling on the Senate to pass the PILLAR Act, which I was proud to have helped pass through the House. This critical piece of legislation will reauthorize the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program through 2033. These are dollars that towns can request and receive to build out and strengthen their existing cybersecurity systems. Unfortunately, this critical program has not received new funding in more than a year, and it's putting our local utilities at risk.
I'm also supporting efforts in the Senate to pass legislation to reauthorize the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity program, which I also helped pass through the House, which directly helps rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. I'm also proud to have helped move the SECURE Grid Act through the House, which would ensure states are fully prepared to prevent and respond to the risks posed to the electric grid by cyberattacks, extreme weather, natural disasters, and other threats.
We can't afford to leave our state and local governments out to dry -- we must instead empower our local leaders, like the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, to help operators harden their systems.
Finally, the cyber attacks over the last weeks must be a wake up call to every utility - water, power, or otherwise -- that's part of our critical infrastructure. Park Ridge's systems weren't hit in this attack. But, in a rare move, the town hasn't waited around to get lucky. Over the past year, on their own initiative, they've been upgrading their systems to put in place stronger protections and give better oversight.
Water and power systems across the country need to follow suit and implement tamper-resistant controls, update and patch systems as soon as they are able, build end-to-end encryption, use secure networks, create authentication and access control procedures, test their systems regularly, and train their employees. But, I recognize that it's not easy -- it's expensive -- and they need our help. That's what the actions I'm taking today are all about. They need the federal support behind them to actually make it happen.
Again, keeping the water running and the lights on isn't a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It's the most basic American obligation we have to the people we serve, and it should never, ever be partisan. When a parent in Park Ridge turns on their kitchen faucet, she doesn't care which party controls Congress. They just want clean water to come out.
We caught this attack. And, I know that if we take the right action, we can get ahead of this. But, if we sit on our hands, we might not be so lucky next time. But, I'm confident that when we invest in the people protecting our infrastructure, and give them modern tools instead of asking them to fight modern threats with yesterday's equipment, we will win.
If we keep working together to protect our friends and neighbors, in the greatest country in the world, I know that our best days will always be ahead of us. Thank you, God bless you, and may God continue to watch over and bless the United States of America.
* * *
Original text here: https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-after-attacks-in-jersey-gottheimer-announces-bipartisan-federal-actions-to-protect-water-electric-systems-and-families-from-cyber-attacks
Consumer Price Index Up Slightly in July by 0.07%, In Line With Projections
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (TNSrep) -- Rep. David Schweikert, R-Arizona, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, issued the following news on Aug. 12, 2026:
* * *
Consumer Price Index Up Slightly in July by 0.07 Percent, In Line with Projections
Today, the Joint Economic Committee released its Monthly Inflation Update for July, showing that consumer prices continued to rise, in line with projections.
Headline Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) increased by 0.07 percent in July and rose to 3.36 percent over the past year. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.22 percent in July and rose ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (TNSrep) -- Rep. David Schweikert, R-Arizona, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, issued the following news on Aug. 12, 2026: * * * Consumer Price Index Up Slightly in July by 0.07 Percent, In Line with Projections Today, the Joint Economic Committee released its Monthly Inflation Update for July, showing that consumer prices continued to rise, in line with projections. Headline Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) increased by 0.07 percent in July and rose to 3.36 percent over the past year. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.22 percent in July and roseto 2.48 percent over the past year. Energy price inflation was down by 1.48 percent in July and was up 14.73 percent over the past year. Food price inflation rose 0.08 percent in July and was up 2.98 percent over the past year.
Inflation varied by region, with annual headline CPI inflation highest in the Northeast (4.1 percent), then the Midwest (3.5 percent), followed by the South (3.2 percent) and West (3.0 percent).
In July, month over month real earnings were mostly steady. Real average weekly earnings for all employees decreased 0.02 percent, while real average hourly earnings decreased 0.09 percent.
For the full update, visit: https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/republicans/inflation-update
* * *
Original text here: https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/republicans/newsroom?id=ABCF9A3F-7E22-4632-AD01-69C4A7F7BA75
* * *
Consumer Price Index Up Slightly in July by 0.07 Percent, In Line with Projections
Today, the Joint Economic Committee released its Monthly Inflation Update for July, showing that consumer prices continued to rise, in line with projections.
Headline Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) increased by 0.07 percent in July and rose to 3.36 percent over the past year. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.22 percent in July and rose ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (TNSrep) -- Rep. David Schweikert, R-Arizona, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, issued the following news on Aug. 12, 2026: * * * Consumer Price Index Up Slightly in July by 0.07 Percent, In Line with Projections Today, the Joint Economic Committee released its Monthly Inflation Update for July, showing that consumer prices continued to rise, in line with projections. Headline Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) increased by 0.07 percent in July and rose to 3.36 percent over the past year. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.22 percent in July and roseto 2.48 percent over the past year. Energy price inflation was down by 1.48 percent in July and was up 14.73 percent over the past year. Food price inflation rose 0.08 percent in July and was up 2.98 percent over the past year.
Inflation varied by region, with annual headline CPI inflation highest in the Northeast (4.1 percent), then the Midwest (3.5 percent), followed by the South (3.2 percent) and West (3.0 percent).
In July, month over month real earnings were mostly steady. Real average weekly earnings for all employees decreased 0.02 percent, while real average hourly earnings decreased 0.09 percent.
For the full update, visit: https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/republicans/inflation-update
* * *
Original text here: https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/republicans/newsroom?id=ABCF9A3F-7E22-4632-AD01-69C4A7F7BA75
Congresista Mario Diaz-Balart asiste a la ceremonia de nombramiento de una calle en honor de su hermano, el congresista Lincoln Diaz-Balart
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Florida, issued the following news release:
* * *
Congresista Mario Diaz-Balart asiste a la ceremonia de nombramiento de una calle en honor de su hermano, el congresista Lincoln Diaz-Balart
*
MIAMI, FL \- El congresista Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26), vicepresidente del Comite de Asignaciones de la Camara de Representantes y presidente del Subcomite de Seguridad Nacional, Departamento de Estado y Programas Relacionados, asistio a la ceremonia de nombramiento de una calle en honor de su hermano, el congresista Lincoln Diaz-Balart.
"Hoy es un dia muy ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Florida, issued the following news release: * * * Congresista Mario Diaz-Balart asiste a la ceremonia de nombramiento de una calle en honor de su hermano, el congresista Lincoln Diaz-Balart * MIAMI, FL \- El congresista Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26), vicepresidente del Comite de Asignaciones de la Camara de Representantes y presidente del Subcomite de Seguridad Nacional, Departamento de Estado y Programas Relacionados, asistio a la ceremonia de nombramiento de una calle en honor de su hermano, el congresista Lincoln Diaz-Balart. "Hoy es un dia muysignificativo para mi y mi familia al reunirnos en el que habria sido el cumpleanos de mi hermano Lincoln, para honrar su vida y su legado de servicio, asi como el vinculo tan profundo que mantuvo con nuestra comunidad.
En nombre de toda nuestra familia quiero expresar mi mas profundo agradecimiento a todos los que hicieron posible este homenaje. Estamos especialmente agradecidos con la senadora Ileana Garcia y con el comisionado de la Ciudad de Miami, Ralph Rosado. Nos conmueve saber que el nombre de Lincoln quedara para siempre a la vista a lo largo de una de las vias mas historicas de nuestra comunidad, y estamos profundamente agradecidos por el carino y el respeto que le han demostrado a Lincoln y a nuestra familia.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart dedico su vida al servicio publico, sirvio con integridad, conviccion y un inquebrantable compromiso con todos a los que represento. Su legado perdura en las vidas de aquellos a quienes sirvio y en las causas dignas que defendio.
Su mayor satisfaccion provenia de ser la voz de quienes le confiaron el honor de representarlos y de ser una voz para los silenciados y los oprimidos.
Gracias por continuar honrando el legado de Lincoln de una forma tan significativa y duradera."
***
Original text here: https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresista-mario-diaz-balart-asiste-la-ceremonia-de-nombramiento-de
* * *
Congresista Mario Diaz-Balart asiste a la ceremonia de nombramiento de una calle en honor de su hermano, el congresista Lincoln Diaz-Balart
*
MIAMI, FL \- El congresista Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26), vicepresidente del Comite de Asignaciones de la Camara de Representantes y presidente del Subcomite de Seguridad Nacional, Departamento de Estado y Programas Relacionados, asistio a la ceremonia de nombramiento de una calle en honor de su hermano, el congresista Lincoln Diaz-Balart.
"Hoy es un dia muy ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Florida, issued the following news release: * * * Congresista Mario Diaz-Balart asiste a la ceremonia de nombramiento de una calle en honor de su hermano, el congresista Lincoln Diaz-Balart * MIAMI, FL \- El congresista Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26), vicepresidente del Comite de Asignaciones de la Camara de Representantes y presidente del Subcomite de Seguridad Nacional, Departamento de Estado y Programas Relacionados, asistio a la ceremonia de nombramiento de una calle en honor de su hermano, el congresista Lincoln Diaz-Balart. "Hoy es un dia muysignificativo para mi y mi familia al reunirnos en el que habria sido el cumpleanos de mi hermano Lincoln, para honrar su vida y su legado de servicio, asi como el vinculo tan profundo que mantuvo con nuestra comunidad.
En nombre de toda nuestra familia quiero expresar mi mas profundo agradecimiento a todos los que hicieron posible este homenaje. Estamos especialmente agradecidos con la senadora Ileana Garcia y con el comisionado de la Ciudad de Miami, Ralph Rosado. Nos conmueve saber que el nombre de Lincoln quedara para siempre a la vista a lo largo de una de las vias mas historicas de nuestra comunidad, y estamos profundamente agradecidos por el carino y el respeto que le han demostrado a Lincoln y a nuestra familia.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart dedico su vida al servicio publico, sirvio con integridad, conviccion y un inquebrantable compromiso con todos a los que represento. Su legado perdura en las vidas de aquellos a quienes sirvio y en las causas dignas que defendio.
Su mayor satisfaccion provenia de ser la voz de quienes le confiaron el honor de representarlos y de ser una voz para los silenciados y los oprimidos.
Gracias por continuar honrando el legado de Lincoln de una forma tan significativa y duradera."
***
Original text here: https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresista-mario-diaz-balart-asiste-la-ceremonia-de-nombramiento-de