U.S. Congress
Here's a look at documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate
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Grassley, Blackburn, Hawley Demand Answers on Meta's Emotional Targeting of Children, Repeated Alleged Failures to Comply With Child Privacy Law
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Grassley, Blackburn, Hawley Demand Answers on Meta's Emotional Targeting of Children, Repeated Alleged Failures to Comply with Child Privacy Law
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and committee members Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) are demanding answers from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg following new disclosures outlining the company's efforts to target teenagers based on their emotional state
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Grassley, Blackburn, Hawley Demand Answers on Meta's Emotional Targeting of Children, Repeated Alleged Failures to Comply with Child Privacy Law
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and committee members Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) are demanding answers from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg following new disclosures outlining the company's efforts to target teenagers based on their emotional stateand Meta's reported failure to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
In April, Grassley sent a letter to Zuckerberg on the company's alleged emotional targeting, and he also made public text messages between then-Facebook employees regarding those allegations.
"To date, Meta has failed to fully and completely respond to Senator Grassley's letter, but it has not questioned the accuracy of the records he made public ... Meta's failures to protect teens from exploitation on its platforms is not isolated to targeted advertisements," the senators said.
In their letter, the senators cite a draft presentation that describes a 2014 Facebook study analyzing the emotional behavior of 13- to 24-year-olds on social media, including what emotional triggers drive the spread of brand-based content.
The senators expressed additional concerns regarding Meta's failure to protect children online, including failure to comply with COPPA. According to a Federal Trade Commission complaint against Meta, the company allegedly allowed children under the age of 13 to register with adult accounts for the Horizon Worlds VR platform. Then, Meta allegedly chose to move forward with plans to expand the platform to children as young as 10 without instituting appropriate safety measures to ensure child accounts required parental consent for data collection. It also alleges Meta has collected "vast amounts of personal information from children under 13 without parental consent," which is in violation of COPPA.
"The complaint alleges that, as a result, Meta has unlawfully collected data on children and exposed children to 'racism, sexual harassment, bullying, and child endangerment.' If Meta disagrees with these publicly filed assertions, we welcome an explanation," the senators continued.
Text of the letter can be found HERE or below:
September 2, 2025
VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION
To: Mr. Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Meta Platforms, Inc.
Dear Mr. Zuckerberg:
On April 16, 2025, Chairman Grassley sent a letter to Meta regarding its alleged use of targeted advertisements to children based on their emotional state.1 Chairman Grassley also made text messages between then-Facebook employees public regarding those allegations. In that letter, Chairman Grassley asked about the veracity of the text messages and for records relating to targeted advertisements towards children, among other items.2 To date, Meta has failed to fully and completely respond to Chairman Grassley's letter, but it has not questioned the accuracy of the records he made public.
As part of his office's follow up, his staff requested responsive records.3 On July 11, 2025, Meta provided publicly available "Research Decks" about Instagram's effects on teenage girls; however, this was not responsive to his questions, as Chairman Grassley asked for all research Meta, then-Facebook, conducted regarding targeting ads and teenage emotional states.4 Additionally, Meta directed his staff to its updated policy regarding "new targeting segment requests," that came in response to a 2017 Australian article, which Chairman Grassley referenced in his April 16, 2025, letter.5
Although Meta failed to comply with Chairman Grassley's oversight requests, his office has nonetheless obtained additional documents from other sources. These documents are responsive to the issues at the heart of his April 16 letter regarding targeted ads, so it is puzzling why Meta could not simply transmit these records to Chairman Grassley.
Specifically, Chairman Grassley's office has obtained a draft PowerPoint that describes a 2014 study conducted by Facebook entitled Global Youth Study - Overview of Findings. In the study, Facebook analyzed the emotional behavior of 1,000 respondents aged 13 to 24 years old to determine how they respond to social media, whether they share branded material with peers, and what emotional triggers drive the spread of brand-based content.6 According to slide 170, the audience of the Global Youth Study is "influencers, agencies, brands, sales, other industry, and customers."7 This new information appears to contradict Facebook's 2017 statement that it "does not offer tools to target people based on their emotional state." 8
However, Meta's failures to protect teens from exploitation on its platforms is not isolated to targeted advertisements. According to reporting from 2021, consultant Arturo Bejar emailed you, Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Product Officer Chris Cox, and Instagram lead Adam Mosseri, highlighting the research he conducted on how teens and children were treated on Instagram.9 According to Bejar, "51% of Instagram users say they've had a 'bad or harmful experience' on the app within the previous week. And of those users who report harmful posts, only 2% have that content taken down. For teens, 21% said they'd been the target of bullying and 24% received unwanted sexual advances."10
Further, according to an April 10, 2025, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint filed against Meta, the company allegedly allowed children under the age of 13 to register with adult accounts for the Horizon Worlds VR platform and failed to take appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).11 Specifically, the FTC complaint alleges that Meta has collected "vast amounts of personal information from children under 13 without parental consent," in violation of COPPA.12 Even more concerning, Meta allegedly chose to move forward with plans to expand the Horizon Worlds platform to children as young as 10 without instituting appropriate safety measures to ensure child accounts required parental consent for data collection.13 The complaint alleges that, as a result, Meta has unlawfully collected data on children and exposed children to "racism, sexual harassment, bullying, and child endangerment."14 If Meta disagrees with these publicly filed assertions, we welcome an explanation.
Even more recent, on August 14, 2025, reports surfaced stating that Meta's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots "engage[ed] a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual."15 Reports also indicate that "Meta's AI chatbots flirt or engage in sexual roleplay with teenagers."16
So that Congress may conduct objective and independent oversight of Meta's use of targeted ads and children's safety on its platforms, please provide answers to the following no later than September 16, 2025:
1. Provide a full and complete response, including all responsive records, to Chairman Grassley's April 16, 2025, letter.17
2. Is the 2014 Global Youth Study slide deck accurate? Please provide a final version if the draft provided to my office isn't a final version.
3. What steps has Meta taken to ensure compliance with COPPA's requirements for data collection on children? Provide all records.
4. How many users under the age of 18 use the Horizon World's platform?
5. What safeguards does Meta have in place to ensure that teenagers, and those who are younger, are not being bullied, sexually harassed, or providing personal information to adults?
6. What age restrictions does Meta currently have in place on its Horizon World's platform?
7. What steps has Meta taken to protect children who use Horizon World or its other virtual reality platforms from sexual exploitation?
8. Provide all records related to Meta's deployment of generative AI, including all internal policies, standards, and protections governing the use of these models.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley, Chairman, Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Josh Hawley, Chairman, Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism
Marsha Blackburn, Chairman, Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law
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Original text here: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-blackburn-hawley-demand-answers-on-metas-emotional-targeting-of-children-repeated-alleged-failures-to-comply-with-child-privacy-law
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rogers: President Trump Is Right - SPACECOM Moving to Alabama Is a Win for National Security
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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President Trump Is Right - SPACECOM Moving to Alabama Is a Win for National Security
Today, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) issued the following statement praising President Trump's announcement to move the United States Space Command Headquarters to Alabama:
"Space Command is finally coming home to Alabama. This announcement by President Trump is yet another in a long line of strong decisions that benefit America's
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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President Trump Is Right - SPACECOM Moving to Alabama Is a Win for National Security
Today, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) issued the following statement praising President Trump's announcement to move the United States Space Command Headquarters to Alabama:
"Space Command is finally coming home to Alabama. This announcement by President Trump is yet another in a long line of strong decisions that benefit America'snational security.
"Alabama was chosen in 2021 because it was the absolute best location for the Space Command headquarters. Today, in 2025, it remains the best location for our national security and for the taxpayer. This basing decision has been affirmed and reaffirmed by multiple agencies and multiple officials throughout both the Trump and Biden administrations. Biden was content to have Space Command located in the fourth-best location because it served him politically. The differences between him and President Trump have never been clearer.
"On this historic day, I am extremely proud to be an American, proud to be an Alabamian, and proud to support the Administration that made this possible."
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Original text here: https://armedservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6333
Chairmen Guthrie, Smith, and Arrington Issue Joint Statement on CBO Confirmation of Democrat-led Cover-up of Widespread Fraud and Abuse in Federal Health Programs
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Chairmen Guthrie, Smith, and Arrington Issue Joint Statement on CBO Confirmation of Democrat-led Cover-up of Widespread Fraud and Abuse in Federal Health Programs
Recent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) confirms that Democrats conducted a years-long, massive cover-up to defraud American taxpayers in order to subsidize waste, fraud, and abuse in federal health programs, including using loopholes to provide free health
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Chairmen Guthrie, Smith, and Arrington Issue Joint Statement on CBO Confirmation of Democrat-led Cover-up of Widespread Fraud and Abuse in Federal Health Programs
Recent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) confirms that Democrats conducted a years-long, massive cover-up to defraud American taxpayers in order to subsidize waste, fraud, and abuse in federal health programs, including using loopholes to provide free healthcare to illegal immigrants. Republicans put an end to these generous unjustified subsidies and instead lowered premiums for those properly enrolled in the program and provided a massive tax cut to the middle class in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, signed into law on July 4th.
Lawmakers requested CBO provide critical context behind their topline coverage estimates resulting from the health reforms in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. CBO's latest analysis makes clear that the One, Big, Beautiful Bill is not taking coverage away from hardworking Americans but is ending billions in subsidies for illegal immigrants, cracking down on fraud, and restoring integrity to health care programs. CBO estimates that the policies in the new law dealing with health insurance marketplace premium tax credit eligibility would reduce those who should not be getting taxpayer subsidies by 2.1 million in 2034.
Additionally, CBO confirms Republicans' concerns with massive improper enrollment in Obamacare. The agency not only finds that Democrat policies have led to at least 2.3 million fraudulent enrollees in Obamacare, but also that common sense Republican program integrity reforms in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill will lower premiums for those truly eligible for the program while putting an end to these abuses.
The request was made by the chairmen of the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Budget: Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08), and Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19).
Chairmen Guthrie, Smith, and Arrington Issued the Following Joint Statement:
"CBO found Democrats' policies to be responsible for massive waste, fraud, and abuse in federal health programs, even forcing taxpayers to pay for the health care of illegal immigrants, including some of the worst criminal offenders. Thanks to the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, Republicans are protecting taxpayers and delivering pro-growth tax cuts for Americans. In fact, CBO confirmed that because of our reforms, premiums will go down for Obamacare enrollees. It's no surprise Democrats failed to hold government bureaucrats accountable and continue to side with illegal immigrants."
Key Details:
The only populations impacted by Republican safeguards in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill are ineligible groups including:
* 1.2 million illegal immigrants or non-citizens made eligible for taxpayer-funded subsidies via Democrat-created loopholes, who will no longer receive Obamacare subsidies after years of Biden-Harris abuse of "lawful presence" definitions.
* 700,000 individuals who refuse to comply with common-sense income and other verification requirements designed to stop waste, fraud, and abuse.
* 400,000 individuals abusing a Biden-era special enrollment period that CBO itself confirms encouraged fraud and improper enrollment.
CBO Confirms Widespread Fraud and Abuse:
CBO analysis finds massive Obamacare fraud and confirms Republican-led reforms will protect federal health programs from waste, fraud, and abuse and will ensure that these resources are protected for the most vulnerable.
* 2.3 million Obamacare enrollees in 2025 improperly claimed premium tax credits, often by misreporting income to qualify for subsidies for which they were not eligible. CBO analysis confirms that expanded credits under Biden-Harris fueled this abuse at American taxpayers' expense.
* $185 billion in savings to taxpayers due to Republican reforms in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill that reverse Obamacare fraud and protect those truly eligible, according to CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation.
* CBO projects premiums will go down by 0.6 percent, thanks to the One, Big, Beautiful Bill - proof that program integrity and accountability put downward pressure on costs.
* Additionally, the new program integrity rules by the Trump Administration will block improper enrollments and prevent as many as 500,000 fraudulent subsidies in a single year, according to CBO.
The Bottom Line: Democrats' expansion of Obamacare subsidies prioritized illegal immigrants and fraudulent enrollees over hardworking Americans. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill ends these taxpayer-funded handouts and restores fairness, accountability, and the rule of law in our health care system.
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Original text here: https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/chairmen-guthrie-smith-and-arrington-issue-joint-statement-on-cbo-confirmation-of-democrat-led-cover-up-of-widespread-fraud-and-abuse-in-federal-health-programs
Chairmen Guthrie and Latta Announce Hearing to Examine How Onerous Building and Energy Efficiency Standards Raise Housing Costs and Harm Grid Reliability
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Chairmen Guthrie and Latta Announce Hearing to Examine How Onerous Building and Energy Efficiency Standards Raise Housing Costs and Harm Grid Reliability
Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, announced a hearing titled Building the American Dream: Examining Affordability, Choice, and Security in Appliance
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Chairmen Guthrie and Latta Announce Hearing to Examine How Onerous Building and Energy Efficiency Standards Raise Housing Costs and Harm Grid Reliability
Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, announced a hearing titled Building the American Dream: Examining Affordability, Choice, and Security in Applianceand Buildings Policies.
"During the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department of Energy imposed energy efficiency standards for appliances and buildings that are inefficient, ineffective, and harmful to consumers," said Chairmen Guthrie and Latta. "These standards have initiated cascading effects, leading to rising prices for families, builders, and manufacturers across the country. Heavy-handed, burdensome regulations have contributed to rising housing prices that continue to climb out of reach for would-be buyers, limiting consumer choice and exacerbating housing issues. This hearing will offer our Committee a chance to examine the impact of onerous building and appliance policies on housing affordability, energy costs, and, ultimately, grid reliability for American families."
Subcommittee on Energy hearing titled Building the American Dream: Examining Affordability, Choice, and Security in Appliance and Buildings Policies
WHAT: Subcommittee on Energy hearing to discuss the impact of appliance and building regulations on affordability, consumer choice, and grid reliability.
DATE: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
TIME: 2:00 PM ET
LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building
This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. This hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed at energycommerce.house.gov. If you have any questions about this hearing, please contact Calvin Huggins at Calvin.Huggins1@mail.house.gov. If you have any press related questions, please contact Ben Mullany at Ben.Mullany@mail.house.gov.
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Original text here: https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/chairmen-guthrie-and-latta-announce-hearing-to-examine-how-onerous-building-and-energy-efficiency-standards-raise-housing-costs-and-harm-grid-reliability
Chairmen Guthrie and Hudson Announce Hearing on Public Safety Communications
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Chairmen Guthrie and Hudson Announce Hearing on Public Safety Communications
Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, announced a hearing titled Public Safety Communications in the United States.
"One of the primary functions of a nation is to ensure the safety of its people.
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Chairmen Guthrie and Hudson Announce Hearing on Public Safety Communications
Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, announced a hearing titled Public Safety Communications in the United States.
"One of the primary functions of a nation is to ensure the safety of its people.Our public safety community requires reliable communications to respond adequately during an emergency," said Chairmen Guthrie and Hudson. "We look forward to considering ways to strengthen our public safety communications to better serve Americans in their moments of crisis."
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing titled Public Safety Communications in the United States.
WHAT: Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on FirstNet and public safety communications.
DATE: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
TIME: 10:15 AM ET
LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building
This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at energycommerce.house.gov. If you have any questions concerning this hearing, please contact Noah Jackson at Noah.Jackson@mail.house.gov. If you have any press-related questions, please contact Daniel Kelly at Daniel.Kelly@mail.house.gov.
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Original text here: https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/chairmen-guthrie-and-hudson-announce-hearing-on-public-safety-communications-1
Cantwell, Congressional Colleagues File Amicus Brief Defending Bipartisan, Independent CPSC
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Cantwell, Congressional Colleagues File Amicus Brief Defending Bipartisan, Independent CPSC
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) to lead 23 additional members of Congress in filing an amicus brief defending
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Cantwell, Congressional Colleagues File Amicus Brief Defending Bipartisan, Independent CPSC
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) to lead 23 additional members of Congress in filing an amicus brief defendingthe independence of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and supporting Congress's authority to allow removal of CPSC Commissioners only for cause.
"For 53 years, the bipartisan, independent CPSC has put consumer safety first," said Sen. Cantwell. "Now, President Trump has put politics first by illegally firing the three Democratic CPSC Commissioners. By injecting politics where it doesn't belong, the President is undermining the safety of children, seniors, and everyone else. I'm proud to stand with Congressional Democrats in pushing back against this illegal and partisan power grab."
The amicus brief makes four key arguments in support of an independent CPSC and placing restrictions on the President's authority to remove CPSC Commissioners. First, since the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, Congress has exercised its power to condition the President's removal authority, and the courts have affirmed the power on numerous occasions. Second, in the 90 years since Humphrey's Executor held that for-cause removal protection for multimember commissioners is constitutional, Congress has created over 30 multimember independent agencies with no controversy from the president or the courts.
Third, precedent and practice fully support Congress's power to create multimember commissioners with removal protections in reliance on Humphrey's Executor. Fourth, the independence of the CPSC from political pressure is critical to its ability to fulfill its mission and protect consumers from harm. As the brief states, this independence reflects "Congress's intent to ensure the integrity and vigilance of the CPSC by safeguarding the CPSC's independence through removal protections for its members."
Sen. Cantwell has been a leading voice in denouncing the attacks on the CPSC and defending the agency. On May 22, 2025, she demanded answers from CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman on plans to eliminate the Commission and move its functions to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). On May 9, 2025, along with Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), she called on President Trump to immediately reverse the firing of the CPSC's three Democratic Commissioners, Commissioner Hoehn-Saric, Commissioner Trumka, and Commissioner Boyle.
Along with Senators Cantwell, Klobuchar, Blumenthal and Rep. Wasserman Schultz, the brief was filed by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Representatives Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-Ga.), Robin K. Kelly (D-Ill.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) and Norma Torres (D-Calif.).
The full amicus brief is available HERE (https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/17C7E4FC-D493-4036-9B0B-DCD314ADBAD9).
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Original text here: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/9/cantwell-congressional-colleagues-file-amicus-brief-defending-bipartisan-independent-cpsc
Cantwell Statement on Trump Illegal Firing of Dem STB Member as Scrutiny of Massive Rail Merger Proposal Set to Begin
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Cantwell Statement on Trump Illegal Firing of Dem STB Member as Scrutiny of Massive Rail Merger Proposal Set to Begin
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the below statement regarding President Trump's August 27 illegal firing of Robert Primus, one of two Democratic members of the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Cantwell Statement on Trump Illegal Firing of Dem STB Member as Scrutiny of Massive Rail Merger Proposal Set to Begin
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the below statement regarding President Trump's August 27 illegal firing of Robert Primus, one of two Democratic members of the Surface Transportation Board (STB).Primus had been confirmed unanimously by the Senate and his sudden firing comes as the STB is set to consider the controversial proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads, that, if approved, would be the largest rail merger in the Nation's history. If not reversed, the Board would be left with two Republicans and one Democrat with two vacancies.
"The Surface Transportation Board plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient movement of American made and grown goods across our nation's rail network," Sen. Cantwell stated. "The largest rail merger ever proposed was just announced, and rather than call for robust review, the Trump Administration decided to illegally fire Robert Primus, a Democratic Board Member who would scrutinize this transaction. Farmers, manufacturers, rail workers, and the public deserve a Board that will do their job to ensure a competitive environment that won't increase freight rates and costs to consumers."
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Original text here: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/9/cantwell-statement-on-trump-illegal-firing-of-dem-stb-member-as-scrutiny-of-massive-rail-merger-proposal-set-to-begin
Blumenthal, Takano & Colleagues Demand Trump VA Rescind Dangerous New Proposed Rule to Ban Life-Saving Abortions for Veterans
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Blumenthal, Takano & Colleagues Demand Trump VA Rescind Dangerous New Proposed Rule to Ban Life-Saving Abortions for Veterans
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and House Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) today led a group of their colleagues to demand the Trump Administration's Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rescind their dangerous new proposed rule
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Blumenthal, Takano & Colleagues Demand Trump VA Rescind Dangerous New Proposed Rule to Ban Life-Saving Abortions for Veterans
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and House Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) today led a group of their colleagues to demand the Trump Administration's Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rescind their dangerous new proposed ruleto reinstate a near-total ban on abortions and abortion counseling, including for veterans who have been raped or whose pregnancy is threatening their health.
"This incredibly dangerous and reckless rule change will take away essential health care for veterans and beneficiaries of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)," the lawmakers wrote in a public comment letter responding to the proposed rule. "For the past three years, these patients have been able to obtain comprehensive pregnancy counseling, including information about abortion services, and abortion care in cases of rape, incest, or life or health endangerment. This proposed rule seriously calls into question whether the Department is putting political allegiances and culture wars ahead of its sacred obligation to deliver quality, life-saving health care to veterans, including the more than 462,000 women veterans of reproductive age enrolled in VA health care."
In September 2022, VA began to offer abortion counseling to all pregnant veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries, and abortion in cases of rape, incest, or if the life or health of the veteran or CHAMPVA beneficiary was at risk. This was in response to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling creating urgent risks to the lives and health of pregnant veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries in states that have banned or otherwise severely restricted access to abortion.
The lawmakers slammed VA's rule for stripping the Department's ability to provide essential health care in harrowing situations: "Evidence has shown that extreme abortion bans, like the ban this rule would create, cause chaos and confusion for providers, putting them in the impossible position of navigating laws that don't allow them to deliver the appropriate standard of care to ailing patients. Worse, such a ban would also be extremely dangerous to the health and wellbeing of veterans. As we have seen in states with extreme abortion bans, even those with 'life exceptions' in place, patients have faced severe health complications and even death in cases when providers did not know if the patient's life was endangered enough to be covered under this exception."
The lawmakers also criticized the Department's assertion that abortion is an unnecessary service for veterans, detailing the unique service-connected conditions veterans may have that increase the risks associated with pregnancy: "...[W]e find the Department's claim that 'abortion is not a 'needed' service for veterans' to be insulting and ignorant. Veterans of reproductive age have high rates of chronic health conditions - many of which may be service connected, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe hypertension, and renal disease - that can increase the risks associated with a pregnancy. If a provider determines these conditions or others make an abortion necessary to preserve a veteran or CHAMPVA beneficiary's health, access to abortion should be considered essential health care. In addition, veterans who are forced to carry to term pregnancies resulting from rape or incest are at risk of long-lasting psychological conditions and traumatic stress, making abortion access for these veterans needed for protecting their health."
The Senators concluded their letter by demanding VA reverse this rule on behalf of veterans and their families: "The concerns we raise about this cruel proposal to roll back essential health care for veterans are not ours alone - they are shared by veterans and their families nationwide...Since the Dobbs decision, more than half of women veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries of reproductive age live in states that have enacted abortion bans or restrictions. Should their health be in jeopardy due to a pregnancy, or if they are raped, this rule will leave them with nowhere to turn. To finalize this rule will be a failure for our veterans, and we urge the Department to reconsider."
The letter was signed by 231 lawmakers, including 42 Senators and 189 Representatives.
The full text of the lawmakers' letter is available here and below.
Dear Dr. Lieberman,
We write today to comment on the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) proposed rule, RIN: 2900-AS31, published in the Federal Register on August 4, 2025, to reinstate a near-total ban on abortions and abortion counseling from VA's medical benefits package. This incredibly dangerous and reckless rule change will take away essential health care for veterans and beneficiaries of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). For the past three years, these patients have been able to obtain comprehensive pregnancy counseling, including information about abortion services, and abortion care in cases of rape, incest, or life or health endangerment. This proposed rule seriously calls into question whether the Department is putting political allegiances and culture wars ahead of its sacred obligation to deliver quality, life-saving health care to veterans, including the more than 462,000 women veterans of reproductive age enrolled in VA health care.
We reject this rule's premise that only providing a carveout for abortions in cases of life endangerment is adequate for providing "needed" health care for veterans. Evidence has shown that extreme abortion bans, like the ban this rule would create, cause chaos and confusion for providers, putting them in the impossible position of navigating laws that don't allow them to deliver the appropriate standard of care to ailing patients. Worse, such a ban would also be extremely dangerous to the health and wellbeing of veterans. As we have seen in states with extreme abortion bans, even those with "life exceptions" in place, patients have faced severe health complications and even death in cases when providers did not know if the patient's life was endangered enough to be covered under this exception.
Additionally, though this proposed rule claims "[n]o State law prohibits treatment for ectopic pregnancies or miscarriages to save the life of a mother," there are numerous cases of providers nationwide being unable to provide care for women with ectopic pregnancies or experiencing miscarriages, due to restrictive, ambiguous laws. As such, this rule will now require VA providers to make the impossible determination of whether a veteran is close enough to death to be covered under the "threat to life" exception before providing an abortion. VA's proposed rule presupposes that a blanket prohibition and a narrow, undefined exception will be sufficient to ensure VA can provide "needed" care to veterans and that "the lives of pregnant women will continue to be protected..." instead of trusting veterans and their providers to decide on a path forward that actually meets patients' needs and protects their lives. This is no way to treat our veterans, or VA providers.
Beyond the ban on abortion care, the prohibition on abortion counseling in this proposed rule also endangers VA's ability to provide appropriate care to veterans. Regardless of the reason a veteran chooses or needs to seek abortion care, they must be allowed to discuss all their health care options openly and honestly with their provider. In removing VA providers' ability to provide comprehensive, evidence-based pregnancy counseling, including information about abortion services, in this proposed rule, the Department is unnecessarily and detrimentally allowing the government to interfere with health care decisions that should be between a veteran and their provider. In putting forth this proposed rule, VA has decided that its political judgement and legal analysis should supplant medical care decisions that are best made by providers and the patients in their care, even in life and death situations.
Further, despite VA's argument that previous eligibility requirements for abortion care and counseling at the Department - as put in place under the Biden Administration's September 9, 2022, interim final rule - were contradictory to "decades of Federal policy against forced taxpayer funding for abortion," the Biden-era rule brought VA more in line with abortion coverage in other federal programs. Most federally funded health programs - including those covered under the Hyde Amendment - have carveouts for abortions in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment. VA's rule will lead to an inequity for veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries when compared to their civilian counterparts, making their access to abortion care more limited than those who use almost any other federally funded health care program.
This proposed rule also claims the Biden-era rule was an act of overreach, "creating a purported Federal entitlement to abortion for veterans where none had existed before and without regard to State law." In reality, the Department has previously issued a regulation (38 CFR 17.419) confirming the ability of VA providers to practice their health care profession consistent with the scope of their VA employment, regardless of any State license, registration, certification, or other requirements that unduly interfere with their practice. Additionally, the Justice Department issued an opinion after the release of the Biden-era rule, citing the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution and its applicability to the Biden rule: "[s]tates may not impose criminal or civil liability on VA employees...who provide or facilitate abortions or related services in a manner authorized by federal law, including VA's rule." Given the applicability of VA's own regulations and the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, we fail to see how the Department can reject the Biden-era rule on the premise of "overreach."
Finally, we find the Department's claim that "abortion is not a 'needed' service for veterans" to be insulting and ignorant. Veterans of reproductive age have high rates of chronic health conditions - many of which may be service connected, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe hypertension, and renal disease - that can increase the risks associated with a pregnancy. If a provider determines these conditions or others make an abortion necessary to preserve a veteran or CHAMPVA beneficiary's health, access to abortion should be considered essential health care. In addition, veterans who are forced to carry to term pregnancies resulting from rape or incest are at risk of long-lasting psychological conditions and traumatic stress, making abortion access for these veterans needed for protecting their health. It is also vital given the high incidence of military sexual trauma in the Armed Forces, and the number of veterans who already suffer from PTSD or other mental health conditions.
The concerns we raise about this cruel proposal to roll back essential health care for veterans are not ours alone - they are shared by veterans and their families nationwide. A survey conducted by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America after the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision found more than two-thirds of their members surveyed supported both VA and the Department of Defense stepping in to ensure veterans, servicemembers, and their families have access to the reproductive care they need. Since the Dobbs decision, more than half of women veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries of reproductive age live in states that have enacted abortion bans or restrictions. Should their health be in jeopardy due to a pregnancy, or if they are raped, this rule will leave them with nowhere to turn. To finalize this rule will be a failure for our veterans, and we urge the Department to reconsider.
Thank you for your consideration of this comment.
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Original text here: https://www.veterans.senate.gov/2025/9/blumenthal-takano-colleagues-demand-trump-va-rescind-dangerous-new-proposed-rule-to-ban-life-saving-abortions-for-veterans
At Subcommittee Markup, Republicans Hollow Out Our Health Care System and Destroy Public Education
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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At Subcommittee Markup, Republicans Hollow Out Our Health Care System and Destroy Public Education
Today, House Republicans advanced their extreme 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies funding bill that is an assault on education and job training, slashes medical research, abandons ongoing public health crises, and eliminates funding for reproductive health.
This bill:
* Decimates support
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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At Subcommittee Markup, Republicans Hollow Out Our Health Care System and Destroy Public Education
Today, House Republicans advanced their extreme 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies funding bill that is an assault on education and job training, slashes medical research, abandons ongoing public health crises, and eliminates funding for reproductive health.
This bill:
* Decimates supportfor children in K-12 elementary schools by slashing funding for low-income students, eliminating funding for teacher training, and eliminating funding for community schools.
* Slashes research into lifesaving cures by cutting funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)--including the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)--and eliminating funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
* Harms women's health by cutting programs that support maternal and child health, eliminating programs that provide access to health services and contraception, and adding numerous partisan and poison pill riders related to abortion and reproductive health.
* Abandons college students and low-income workers trying to improve their lives through postsecondary education by eliminating funding for need-based financial aid, adult job training, and adult education.
* Surrenders to ongoing health crises by cutting funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), including major cuts to State and local health departments, tobacco prevention programs, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, substance use prevention and treatment, and mental health services.
From Appropriations Committee and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro's (D-CT-03) opening remarks, as delivered:
"The actions of this malicious and vindictive administration are hurting the middle class, the working class, and the vulnerable across every single one of our districts and taking us back decades. Americans are struggling with rising costs of everyday necessities. They are living paycheck to paycheck. But the President, and House Republicans, are not laser-focused on the cost-of-living crisis. They are making it worse. Right now, the Trump administration and House Republicans are working to dismantle our health care and public education systems... I would urge my Republican colleagues to say: enough. Stop supporting anti-vaccine lies. Stop cutting Medicaid. Stop destroying public education. Stop hollowing out our health care and public school systems."
DeLauro also reiterated her call for RFK Jr. to be fired: "And now, Republicans are eviscerating our public health system and promoting Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vaccine ideology. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used to be the crown jewel of public health information and guidance on vaccines that saved so many lives. Now it is being taken hostage by liars and conspiracy theorists. On August 8th, the CDC--still reeling from mass layoffs--was horrifically attacked by a shooter whose mind had been twisted by misinformation about Covid vaccines. He murdered a police officer -- Officer David Rose, a Marine veteran... How has RFK Jr. responded? Last week, at a news conference in Texas, he doubled down on vaccine conspiracies and faulted CDC for listing vaccines among the top 10 advances in medical science. RFK Jr. has no scientific or medical expertise. He pushes deadly conspiracies and spreads lies and misinformation... RFK Jr. was never qualified to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. He should be fired immediately."
A summary of House Republicans' 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies funding bill is here. The text of the bill is here.
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The middle class, the working class, and the vulnerable are facing a cost-of-living crisis. They need affordable health care, access to reproductive health, and good public schools. Republicans abandoned them. House Republicans are leaving working families out to dry by attacking education at all levels, decimating access to job training, cutting funding for reproductive health, and abandoning ongoing health crises. With an 11 percent cut below 2025, Republicans' funding bill kicks teachers out of classrooms, harms women and children, and leaves Americans on their own to cope with inflation and the rising cost of living. While Democrats help families make ends meet, keep people safe, and invest in our children, Republicans aim to eliminate services that keep families afloat. The Republican bill: Furthers Republicans' Goal of Eliminating Public Education
* Decimates support for children in K-12 elementary schools by slashing Department of Education resources by $12 billion, 15 percent, below 2025, including cutting Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies by nearly $5 billion.
* Eliminates funding for teacher training opportunities, a cut of more than $2 billion below 2025, as school districts work to improve literacy rates nationwide.
* Eliminates funding for community schools and English Language Acquisition programs.
Slashes Research Into Lifesaving Cures and Surrenders to Ongoing Health Crises
* Cuts funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and State and local health departments, while many across the country are struggling to tackle multiple, severe public health crises.
* Eliminates funding for programs that address health crises, including the HIV epidemic, Tobacco Prevention, and Firearm Injury and Mortality Prevention Research.
* Cuts funding for substance use prevention and treatment services, as well as mental health services.
Continues Republicans' Assault on Women's Health
* Eliminates funding for Title X Family Planning and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program.
* Blocks funding for Planned Parenthood health centers and access to abortion and reproductive health services.
* Cuts programs that support maternal and child health and eliminates Healthy Start.
Abandons College Students and Hardworking Americans
* Leaves behind working people by cutting the Department of Labor by 30 percent, eviscerating job training programs by more than 50 percent, and eliminating funding for WIOA Adult Job Training, Youth Job Training, and the Job Corps program.
* Slashes funding for need-based financial aid--making it harder for students to access a college education.
* Fails to protect workers' wages, health, and safety by slashing worker protection agencies.
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Original text here: https://democrats-appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/subcommittee-markup-republicans-hollow-out-our-health-care-system-and-destroy
Aderholt, Cole at FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Markup
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Aderholt, Cole at FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Markup
Today, the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee met to consider its Fiscal Year 2026 bill. The measure was approved by the Subcommittee.
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) said, "The bill before
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 2, 2025:
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Aderholt, Cole at FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Markup
Today, the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee met to consider its Fiscal Year 2026 bill. The measure was approved by the Subcommittee.
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) said, "The bill beforeyou today balances the need for responsible fiscal stewardship while maintaining key investments in biomedical research, schools, and public health...The bill also makes sure that taxpayer dollars are not used to circumvent state laws which restrict access to abortion and ensures that American tax dollars don't support research using fetal tissue from an abortion. The bill supports American businesses, farmers, and entrepreneurs by including provisions protecting the rights of independent contractors and ending forced wage rates for agricultural workers."
Full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available here.
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, "The legislation maintains funding for important education programs, such as TRIO and GEAR UP and Pell Grants. It supports rural hospitals, public health programs, and robust funding for biomedical research. It invests in the nation's biodefense infrastructure and also maintains safeguards for vulnerable populations, such as Americans with disabilities and seniors. Importantly, the bill supports the Trump Administration's efforts to eliminate out-of-touch progressive policies, ends the weaponization of government, preserves parental rights, and upholds the right to life. Each dollar is directed toward initiatives that truly help our communities, students, families, and workforce."
Full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available here.
A summary of the bill is available here.
Bill text is available here.
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Original text here: https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/aderholt-cole-fy26-labor-health-and-human-services-education-and-related
