U.S. Congress
Here's a look at documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate
Featured Stories
Hill and Davidson Urge FinCEN to Modernize AML Rules and Prioritize High-Risk Financial Crimes
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following news release:
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Hill and Davidson Urge FinCEN to Modernize AML Rules and Prioritize High-Risk Financial Crimes
House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (AR-02) and Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Chairman Warren Davidson (OH-08) recently sent a letter to Andrea Gacki, Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
In the letter, Hill and Davidson urge FinCEN to finalize
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WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following news release:
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Hill and Davidson Urge FinCEN to Modernize AML Rules and Prioritize High-Risk Financial Crimes
House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (AR-02) and Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Chairman Warren Davidson (OH-08) recently sent a letter to Andrea Gacki, Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
In the letter, Hill and Davidson urge FinCEN to finalizeits Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) rule to reduce unnecessary compliance burdens, raise outdated reporting thresholds, encourage AI-driven risk monitoring, and refocus the Bank Secrecy Act on producing actionable intelligence for law enforcement.
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June 9, 2026
The Honorable Andrea Gacki
Director
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20220
Dear Director Gacki:
We write to offer our views on the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's (FinCEN) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Programs (hereinafter "the NPRM"). We believe the NPRM is a critical opportunity to prioritize risk in Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) implementation.
As you know, compliance is a regulatory burden for financial institutions that has grown untethered from AML/CFT outcomes, even as it imposes an estimated $59 billion in costs annually across the sector.1 Furthermore, antiquated filing thresholds and the manner in which the BSA is currently enforced drive compliance resources into the production of tens of millions of low-value filings. The NPRM aims to shift this focus, empowering financial institutions to evaluate risk and provide actionable intelligence rather than defensive reporting.
In order to deliver on this promise, we request FinCEN take into account the following considerations as it develops the final rule.
Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) Enforcement
BSA enforcement emphasizes process over outcomes in both form and practice. By taking enforcement actions for failures that are irrelevant or low-value to law enforcement, and by regularly using enforcement powers to penalize them, supervisory agencies drive compliance resources into liability mitigation rather than the identification of AML/CFT risk. The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AMLA) requires a shift away from this enforcement paradigm. For too long, however, BSA implementation has neglected the direction Congress set under AMLA, undermining the credibility of our AML/CFT regime. The final rule should deliver on the principles AMLA laid out.
Suspicious Activity Reports (SAR)/Currency Transaction Report (CTR) Thresholds and Streamlined Requirements
The emphasis on low-value reporting is also baked into the BSA's outdated filing thresholds. Given the NPRM's stated goal of focusing compliance on risk, we are deeply disappointed that FinCEN failed to address BSA filing thresholds.
At present, financial institutions must file a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) at $10,000, with Suspicious Activity Reports (SAR) typically filed for transactions involving or aggregating $5,000 or more. The former requirement has not been updated since the BSA was enacted over fifty years ago, while the latter was set in the 1990s. These thresholds lead to tens of millions of unused reports. In 2025, approximately 21.5 million CTRs were filed with FinCEN.2 In 2024, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that only 5.4% of CTRs were even accessed by law enforcement and recommended that FinCEN adjust the threshold, a recommendation FinCEN agreed with.3 Likewise, financial institutions filed approximately 4.8 million SARs in 2025,4 four percent of which lead to law-enforcement follow-up inquiries according to available information.5
Given the number of unused reports, earlier this year the Committee advanced H.R. 1799, the Financial Reporting Threshold Modernization Act, sponsored by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, to increase these thresholds and index them for inflation. AMLA, as you know, required FinCEN to assess these thresholds on its own with an eye to raising them.6 As FinCEN develops a final rule, it must prioritize the threshold increase.
FinCEN should also take the opportunity to streamline and tailor requirements around BSA filings. For instance, as GAO recommended, CTR content requirements should be simplified.7 FinCEN should also take the opportunity to better clarify what SARs it does not need in order to assist financial institutions in better designing their AML/CFT programs. At a minimum, FinCEN's October 2025 Frequently Asked Questions on SAR requirements should be incorporated into the final rule. Further, the expectation to file SARs for classes of transactions that rarely lead to law enforcement action should be tailored to focus on truly high-risk behavior.8
AI promises to revolutionize financial institutions' ability to identify risk and streamline reporting. Yet, all too often regulators have inhibited adoption, either requiring parallel processes that undermine its commercial rationale or otherwise discouraging its use. Encouragingly, the NPRM seeks to drive the adoption of new AML/CFT tools in line with AMLA's intent. We believe the final rule should seek to fully empower financial institutions to adopt AI throughout their AML/CFT programs. As money launderers and scammers adopt the latest tools of digitized finance, it is imperative that financial institutions are empowered to respond.
We are encouraged by the NPRM's aim to fundamentally shift BSA compliance from a pattern of box checking and low-value reporting to one that provides law enforcement with the information it needs to identify and stop financial crime. We look forward to continuing to work with you to develop a final rule that follows through on AMLA's mandates and meets the objectives set out in the NPRM.
Sincerely,
French Hill, Chairman
Warren Davidson, Chairman, Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions
CC: The Honorable Maxine Waters, Ranking Member
The Honorable Joyce Beatty, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions
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Footnotes:
1 Forrester Consulting, True Cost of Financial Crime Compliance Study, 2023: United States and Canada, LEXISNEXIS RISK SOLUTIONS, (2023).
2 FinCEN Year In Review, https://www.fincen.gov/about-fincen/fincen-year-review (last visited May 7, 2026).
3 GOV'T ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE, GAO-25-106500, CURRENCY TRANSACTION REPORTS: IMPROVEMENTS COULD REDUCE FILER BURDEN WHILE STILL PROVIDING USEFUL INFORMATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT (2024).
4 FinCEN Year In Review.
5 BANK POLICY INSTITUTE, GETTING TO EFFECTIVENESS - REPORT ON U.S. FINANCIAL INSTITUTION RESOURCES DEVOTED TO BSA/AML & SANCTIONS COMPLIANCE (2018).
6 Pub. L. No. 116-283 (2020), Sec. 6205.
7 GAO-25-106500.
8 BSA Modernization Hearing (written testimony of John Court).
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Original text here: https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=411165
Heinrich, Kim, Senate Democrats Host Roundtable on How Trump's War With Iran is Raising Gas Prices & Hurting Working Families
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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Heinrich, Kim, Senate Democrats Host Roundtable on How Trump's War with Iran is Raising Gas Prices & Hurting Working Families
Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) hosted a roundtable to discuss how the Trump administration's policies, including the war with Iran, have driven up energy costs for families,
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WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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Heinrich, Kim, Senate Democrats Host Roundtable on How Trump's War with Iran is Raising Gas Prices & Hurting Working Families
Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) hosted a roundtable to discuss how the Trump administration's policies, including the war with Iran, have driven up energy costs for families,consumers, communities, and small businesses.
The roundtable comes as President Trump's war with Iran, which has resulted in the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, has caused gas prices to reach their highest level in four years. The national average for gas is $4.04. On average, American households have paid an additional $450 more in gas prices since the war began.
Heinrich and Kim's roundtable was joined by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), energy experts, economic experts, a non-profit leader from New Mexico, and an agriculture leader from New Jersey.
"Since the war in Iran began, gas prices have surged by more than 50 percent, and hardworking Americans are paying the price every time they pull up to the pump," said Heinrich. "Most Americans are now paying well over $4 a gallon for gas, and since February, this has cost American households and businesses more than $54 billion. Today's roundtable made clear that rising gasoline and diesel prices are driving up the cost of everything from transportation to packaging, forcing families to make tough choices about how they will afford groceries, make rent, and keep the lights on. I will keep calling attention to the real costs of these rising prices on working families and pushing for solutions that bring down costs and provide meaningful relief."
"For over 100 days, the Trump administration has waged war in Iran in our name, without our say, and on our dime. As Trump and Republicans try to keep us in the dark about the damage done and what's to come, I'm working with my Democratic colleagues to talk about the true cost of this war and how we can stand up for working families who have been footing the bill," said Kim.
"From gas prices to groceries and everything in between, Oregonians are getting clobbered by high costs as a result of Trump's illegal war and tariffs," said Wyden. "Trump's agenda of economic sabotage and suffering will have ripple effects on working families for years to come."
"Now that inflation is surging, purchasing power is taking a real hit, and those inflation-adjusted wages on a year-over-year basis have been falling in the past two months," said Claudia Sahm, Chief Economist, New Century Advisors. "People's frustration with affordability is real. It's not just the vibes."
"A small town in Oklahoma, single mother, no support, very poor family. That's how I grew up. Children who grow up in poverty never forget," said Matt Randolph, Energy Expert, Forbes Contributor, and Host of The American Power Podcast. "When I think about energy policy, I think about people who are paying $1,000 to keep their lights on and who are paying $5 a gallon for gas. We are making it harder for people to achieve the American dream to further enrich those that are already experiencing it 1,000 times over. I believe a strong energy policy is one that is draped in humanity and not profits. That's why I'm here today."
"Meals on Wheels is not just a meal delivery service -- we are a lifeline for homebound seniors who often have few people they can rely on," said Shauna M. Frost, CEO of Meals on Wheels New Mexico. "When gas prices increase, it threatens services so many have come to depend on. Rising fuel costs affect nearly every part of our operations. It increases the cost of purchasing food, delivering meals, and retaining volunteers. As demand continues to rise, increasing gas and energy prices threaten our ability to keep pace. Without action, the gap between the need in our community and our ability to meet it will continue to widen. I urge Congress to ensure that older Americans continue to receive that dignity, independence, and connection for years to come."
"Recent increases in the cost of inputs like fuel and fertilizer threaten the viability of our farms. A stable domestic food supply is central to food security, open space preservation and the strength of our rural economy. Food security is national security," said Liz Thompson, Executive Director, New Jersey Farm Bureau (NJFB).
"Small Business Majority's research found that 74% of small business owners say rising fuel and transportation costs have had an impact on their business. But unlike past challenges, such as the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, the problems caused for small business owners by high fuel prices resulted entirely from government policies. Fortunately, these harmful decisions can be reversed overnight - and even though that wouldn't fix all the damage immediately, it's a necessary start to restoring a level playing field for small businesses. But lawmakers must do more, because it's simply not sustainable for entrepreneurs to get by only if they accept an ever shrinking bottom line or if they're willing to raise prices on customers who are also stretched thin by high gas prices, inflation and other challenges. If federal policymakers don't act soon to address broad cost of living challenges, it will be too late for Main Street," said John Arensmeyer, President & CEO, Small Business Majority (SBM).
"It's no secret that Americans are exhausted by rising prices, from gas to groceries to utilities to health care. It's far more than the rent that's too high. It's the cost of everything that makes a secure, fulfilling, middle-class life in America possible," said Angela Hanks, Chief of Policy Programs at The Century Foundation. "Our research at The Century Foundation shows the extraordinary lengths to which working-class Americans are being squeezed. We did a recent poll that showed nearly a quarter of Americans had skipped a meal in the last year in order to make ends meet, and one in five have delayed or foregone medical care because it was too expensive. The thing about rising energy costs is that it makes everything else more expensive. No one is immune from the President's campaign to jack up energy prices on working families -- he said it himself."
As Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Heinrich has repeatedly pressed the Trump administration to reverse policies that raise energy costs for working families, including through hearings, oversight letters, roundtables, and direct engagement with Trump administration officials:
Last month, Heinrich hosted a roundtable with local small business owners, Roadrunner Food Bank, and Women's Economic Self-Sufficiency Team, Corp. (WESST) to discuss how President Trump's global tariffs and war with Iran are making gas, groceries, and everyday essentials more expensive for New Mexico families and businesses.
Heinrich also wrote to the CEOs of the six biggest U.S. airlines seeking information on the current economic conditions of the airline industry as President Trump's war in Iran continues, requesting that the airlines detail their plan to address rising jet fuel costs, and whether companies will cap or reduce executive compensation to help offset rising costs.
For more information on Heinrich's actions to hold President Trump accountable for his illegal, costly, and reckless war on Iran, click here (https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-trump-and-senate-republicans-own-affordability-crisis-after-repeatedly-blocking-war-powers-resolution-on-iran).
For more information on Heinrich's work to lower energy costs for New Mexico families, click here (https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/-trumps-war-in-iran-is-increasing-costs-for-new-mexicans).
For more information on Heinrich's work to combat President Trump's tariffs and lower the cost of groceries and everyday essentials, click here (https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-leads-legislation-to-refund-working-families-for-trumps-unlawful-tariffs).
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Original text here: https://www.energy.senate.gov/2026/6/video-heinrich-kim-senate-democrats-host-roundtable-on-how-trump-s-war-with-iran-is-raising-gas-prices-hurting-working-families
Durbin Speaks Out Against Trump Administration's Dismantling Of Legal Immigration System
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on June 16, 2026:
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Durbin Speaks Out Against Trump Administration's Dismantling Of Legal Immigration System
Durbin spoke on the Senate floor in support of his resolution with Senator Kaine that would overturn an interim final rule by DOJ that would prevent immigrants from appealing their immigration court cases before the Board of Immigration Appeals
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Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary
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WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on June 16, 2026:
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Durbin Speaks Out Against Trump Administration's Dismantling Of Legal Immigration System
Durbin spoke on the Senate floor in support of his resolution with Senator Kaine that would overturn an interim final rule by DOJ that would prevent immigrants from appealing their immigration court cases before the Board of Immigration Appeals
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Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate JudiciaryCommittee and author of the Dream Act, delivered remarks ahead of the Senate's vote on his and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine's (D-VA) Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn an interim final rule by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that would prevent any meaningful opportunity to appeal an immigration court case to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), essentially stripping immigrants of due process for their requests to obtain release from detention or to establish eligibility for relief from deportation. Additionally, the rule would eliminate meaningful review of life-and-death decisions by immigration judges and overload already-saturated Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals with a deluge of immigration cases with undeveloped records. Asylum seekers fleeing persecution, families fighting separation, Afghan allies who supported the U.S. military, and individuals with limited or no access to legal representation would be particularly harmed by this new rule.
Kaine and Durbin introduced this privileged resolution on May 1, 2026, and called it for a vote within the 60-day timeframe for privileged CRAs. This legislation, which required a simple majority to pass the Senate, failed a vote on the motion to proceed.
"I rise in support of S.J. Res. 190 to disapprove of an interim final rule entitled 'Appellate Procedures for the Board of Immigration Appeals'--a regulation from the Justice Department that would greatly limit opportunities for appeal in immigration courts," Durbin began.
"This new regulation is just the latest in a series of actions by the Trump Administration to end judicial independence in our immigration court system. Last year, the Trump Administration fired hundreds of immigration judges. There is a huge backlog [of immigration cases] that needs to be decided by our immigration courts. The response of the Trump Administration was to eliminate immigration judges. Make sense? Of course not," Durbin said.
Durbin recalled meeting with Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jennifer Peyton in Chicago last year. Shortly after their meeting, Judge Peyton was abruptly fired despite nearly ten years working at the Chicago Immigration Court. Similarly, the Trump Administration has removed 13 judges from the BIA.
"One of those who was eliminated was Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jennifer Payton. She worked for nearly ten years at the Chicago Immigration Court through Democratic and Republican administrations. What was the cause for the dismissal of this woman who spent almost ten years before the court? I can tell you because I witnessed it personally. You know what she had the nerve to do? When I called the immigration court and said 'Can I sit in the audience and listen to an immigration hearing?' She said, 'I'll meet you at the front door and escort you to the courtroom.' She met me, introduced herself, took me to the courtroom, and left. I didn't see her again that day. That was grounds for dismissal by the Trump Administration," Durbin said. "She was dismissed and fired without any stated cause."
"The Administration is taking the same approach with the Board of Immigration Appeals, firing 13 judges appointed during the Biden Administration, and decreasing the number of Board judges from 28 to 15. These firings paved the way for the Administration to hire what they are calling 'deportation judges,'" Durbin continued.
Durbin underscored that these attacks on the infrastructure of immigration courts is a core tenet of the Trump Administration's mass deportation campaign. The Trump Administration has attacked DACA protections through the dismantled and politicized BIA, threatening the ability of Dreamers to remain in the country they call home.
"These changes are not about efficiency. They are about finality, the end of the road for people who have been following the law every step of the way. They are about dismantling due process and destroying any means by which an immigrant might have a fair chance at making their case," Durbin said.
"Just take the Board of Immigration Appeals' recent decision in Matter of Santiago Santiago. It confirmed what we already knew--even though DACA is supposed to protect Dreamers from immigration enforcement, this Administration wants to find a way to deport Dreamers," Durbin said.
"DACA is about kids, children, infants, brought to the United States, living their whole life in the United States, who go through a background check, which includes serious efforts to determine whether there's any criminal activity in their background. Then they pay a $600 filing fee, and then they are protected for two years to work in the United States without fear of deportation. Does that sound like the 'worst of the worst' criminals? They're teachers. They're nurses. They're doctors, the police. They're members of our military, but they've got to be gone in the world of Stephen Miller," Durbin said. "The decision [in Matter of Santiago Santiago] paved the way for Immigration Judges to issue deportation orders to DACA recipients who grew up in this country and are legally protected from deportation."
Durbin concluded his remarks by calling on his colleagues to support his joint resolution to protect the legal immigration process. He further called out Senate Republicans for claiming that they are not against legal immigration while they allow the Trump Administration to dismantle critical legal immigration policies.
"I urge my colleagues to reject this attempt to gut due process in our immigration court system and vote in support of this resolution," Durbin said.
"How many times have I heard my Republican colleagues say, 'I'm not against immigration. I'm against illegal immigration.' Really? If you eliminate the legal process where an individual seeking status in America can assert their rights under the law, it seems to me you already pre-judged the case," Durbin concluded his remarks.
Specifically, the interim final rule would slash time to file an appeal from 30 days to 10; vastly expand the BIA's authority to summarily dismiss appears without reviewing the cases' merits; prevent most cases from even briefed, thereby limiting meaningful review; and leave individuals with only one remaining option for recourse--a federal court review--which will overwhelm the federal court of appeals with unreviewed immigration cases.
Full text of Durbin and Kaine's resolution is available here (https://www.kaine.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/kaine-durbin_cra.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/dem/releases/durbin-speaks-out-against-trump-administrations-dismantling-of-legal-immigration-system
Cruz, Cantwell, Wicker, Blunt-Rochester, Budd, and Padilla Introduce Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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Cruz, Cantwell, Wicker, Blunt-Rochester, Budd, and Padilla Introduce Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act
Legislation modernizes NOAA's Hurricane Hunter fleet, strengthens hurricane forecasting, and protects Gulf Coast communities
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Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tedd Budd (R-NC), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.),
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WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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Cruz, Cantwell, Wicker, Blunt-Rochester, Budd, and Padilla Introduce Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act
Legislation modernizes NOAA's Hurricane Hunter fleet, strengthens hurricane forecasting, and protects Gulf Coast communities
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Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tedd Budd (R-NC), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.),and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) today introduced the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act, bipartisan legislation that would codify the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Hurricane Hunter mission and authorize NOAA to acquire up to nine Hurricane Hunter aircraft.
The bill would directly help improve the forecasts that Gulf Coast communities rely on to make evacuation decisions, protect critical infrastructure, and reduce costly disruptions to ports, energy production, and commerce. The significance of the planes is particularly evident today, during hurricane season, as NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft are actively flying off the coast of Texas, monitoring a developing storm system.
Upon introduction, Chairman Cruz said: "Hurricane Hunter aircraft are one of NOAA's most important tools for protecting Americans along the coast during hurricane season, particularly in my home state of Texas. By flying directly into storms, they collect critical data that produces more accurate forecasts and earlier warnings. These forecasts help save lives, safeguard critical infrastructure, and reduce costly disruptions to ports, commerce, and supply chains. The Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization bill will ensure NOAA has the modern fleet and capabilities needed to continue delivering the reliable, accurate forecasts Americans depend on."
Ranking Member Cantwell said: "As atmospheric rivers become more frequent and severe across the Pacific Northwest, our communities increasingly depend on accurate forecasts to prepare for flooding and other extreme weather. NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft collect critical data that improves those forecasts, but much of the fleet is more than 50 years old. This bipartisan legislation will modernize and expand the fleet, strengthening NOAA's ability to provide the timely, accurate warnings that help keep families, businesses, and communities safe."
Senator Wicker said: "The NOAA Hurricane Hunters save lives and protect infrastructure along the Gulf Coast. They provide the most up-to-date storm tracking information, which is critical for first responders and local officials. The more Hurricane Hunters we have available, the safer our communities are."
Senator Blunt Rochester said: "As extreme weather events increase in frequency, we must ensure we have the resources in place to protect our communities. I'm proud to support the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act to sustain the mission of NOAA's Hurricane Hunters and ensure they continue to collect the information needed to keep us safe."
Senator Budd said: "NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft play a pivotal role in gathering the data that helps inform our forecasts of potentially dangerous storms. Continuing to invest in this fleet of aircraft will allow us to have more accurate information that will help federal, state, and, and local leaders make informed decisions to keep our communities safe."
Senator Padilla said: "The better our forecasts, the more time families, first responders, and local officials have to prepare and save lives before disaster strikes. In California, we've seen how accurate forecasts can make all the difference as communities face dangerous atmospheric rivers, flooding, and landslides. NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft are essential to that effort, but an aging fleet is putting this lifesaving capability at risk. This bipartisan bill makes the investments needed to ensure NOAA can continue delivering the data and warnings that help keep Californians and communities across the country safe."
Background
Texas faces more hurricane-related economic exposure than any other state. NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft fly directly into storms to collect real-time data on a hurricane's location, intensity, structure, and surrounding environment--observations that cannot be obtained from satellites. The data collected improves National Hurricane Center forecasts by up to 20 percent. As parts of NOAA's 50-year-old Hurricane Hunter fleet face growing maintenance challenges, recapitalization is critical to ensuring these life-saving observations remain available when Gulf Coast communities need them most. The Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act would:
* Codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission, establishing a permanent statutory foundation for airborne weather reconnaissance and research.
* Increase the authorized number of Hurricane Hunter aircraft from not more than six aircraft to not fewer than six and not more than nine aircraft.
* Require NOAA to ensure continuity of Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance capability, including by maintaining backup aircraft so operations can continue if aircraft are grounded, preventing a single point of failure in the Nation's airborne forecasting enterprise.
* Preserve and modernize airborne radar and remote-sensing capabilities.
* Authorize multi-year contracting authority for aircraft acquisition and support.
* Require NOAA to maintain qualified NOAA Corps aviators and aircrews.
* Authorize $2.5 billion in federal appropriations to purchase Hurricane Hunter aircraft and $45 million per year for NOAA aircraft operations and maintenance.
Chairman Cruz has led several bipartisan efforts to strengthen the nation's weather forecasting enterprise and improve public safety. Earlier this year, the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation led by Chairman Cruz to advance weather research, forecasting, and warning capabilities. Chairman Cruz has also championed the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act and is a cosponsor of the bipartisan TORNADO Act and Fire Ready Nation Act, legislation designed to improve forecasting, preparedness, and warning systems for tornadoes, wildfires, floods, and other hazardous weather threats.
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Original text here: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/press/rep/release/cruz-cantwell-wicker-blunt-rochester-budd-and-padilla-introduce-hurricane-hunter-aircraft-recapitalization-act/
Committee Advances America the Beautiful Act
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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Committee Advances America the Beautiful Act
Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources approved by voice vote S. 1547, the America the Beautiful Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Angus King (I-Maine) to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. The Committee also adopted a bipartisan amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Chairman
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WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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Committee Advances America the Beautiful Act
Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources approved by voice vote S. 1547, the America the Beautiful Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Angus King (I-Maine) to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. The Committee also adopted a bipartisan amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by ChairmanMike Lee (R-Utah) and Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).
"America's national parks and public lands are a source of national pride, and Congress has a responsibility to ensure they are maintained for future generations," said Chairman Lee. "This legislation preserves the core mission of addressing deferred maintenance while incorporating meaningful reforms to improve transparency, accountability, and project execution. The substitute amendment demonstrates what can be accomplished when members work through legitimate concerns and engage in good-faith negotiations."
"The bipartisan advancement of the America the Beautiful Act is a reminder that when we work together, we can deliver real results for the American people. Our public lands are where families make memories, support local economies, and connect with the outdoors -- which is why reinvesting in them is so important," said Senator Heinrich. "I'm grateful to Chairman Lee, Senators Daines and King, and our bipartisan cosponsors for helping reach this agreement and moving this long-overdue legislation forward to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund and continue investing in the parks, forests, and refuges that people rely on every day, while helping address longstanding needs in Tribal communities."
"As we near our nation's 250th anniversary, reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund is a powerful opportunity to deliver lasting results for all Americans and our public lands," said Secretary Burgum."Grateful for the leadership of Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, Sen. Daines and Sen. King for crafting targeted reforms that will strengthen the Fund's impact and improve how projects are delivered. We encourage broad support as this effort advances in the Senate and look forward to partnering with Chairman Westerman and the House to move a final bill to President Trump."
The legislation reauthorizes the Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2031 and includes a series of reforms aimed at improving project selection, increasing transparency, streamlining permitting and contracting, and ensuring funds are directed toward the highest-priority deferred maintenance projects across the National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Indian Education.
The substitute amendment reflects months of negotiations among committee members and the Administration to strengthen the program's accountability while continuing investments in the maintenance of America's public lands and national parks.
Among other reforms, the legislation:
* Establishes clearer definitions and reporting requirements for deferred maintenance projects;
* Prioritizes projects that address public safety risks, prevent further asset deterioration, and maximize reductions in maintenance backlogs;
* Expands transparency and accountability standards across participating agencies;
* Streamlines environmental and historical review and contracting procedures to accelerate project completion;
* Prohibits Legacy Restoration Fund dollars from being used for new land acquisition; and
* Creates a surcharge on foreign visitors to national parks, directing the proceeds toward deferred maintenance projects.
Bill text (https://www.energy.senate.gov/services/files/82BED4E5-E0B9-4418-B518-9FE903B71D18)
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Original text here: https://www.energy.senate.gov/2026/6/committee-advances-america-the-beautiful-act
Comer, Timmons Further Investigate National Security Risks in Science and Technology Research Sharing With China
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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Comer, Timmons Further Investigate National Security Risks in Science and Technology Research Sharing with China
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs Chairman William Timmons (R-S.C.) are continuing their investigation into the significant gaps in the federal government's ability to monitor and track Science and Technology Agreements
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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Comer, Timmons Further Investigate National Security Risks in Science and Technology Research Sharing with China
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs Chairman William Timmons (R-S.C.) are continuing their investigation into the significant gaps in the federal government's ability to monitor and track Science and Technology Agreements(STAs) between federal agencies and foreign governments, particularly China. In letters to the U.S. Department of State Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Chairman Comer and Subcommittee Chairman Timmons request comprehensive assessments of the State Department's current capabilities and future needs to establish an effective process for tracking STA sub-agreements.
"While STAs serve as established instruments of diplomatic cooperation and scientific exchange, entering into such agreements with adversarial nations poses acute risks to U.S. economic competitiveness and national security due to intellectual property theft and information access manipulation," wrote the lawmakers. "In a response to a previous letter, the State Department acknowledged that there is a tracking mechanism for sub-agreements; however, the determinations of which sub-agreements are reported is at the discretion of the agency that enters into the sub-agreement. This process can result in underreporting sub-agreements to the Department of State if an agency incorrectly determines the significance of a sub-agreement."
On April 24, 2026, Chairman Comer and Subcommittee Chairman Timmons sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre requesting written answers on the extent to which the Bureau for East Asian and Pacific Affairs is tracking STAs with China and any sub-agreements made between China and other federal agencies. Due to the lack of information sharing and ability to monitor STAs, the United States is unable to effectively track China's intentional exploitation of cooperative agreements and the national security risks this poses. China has frequently abused STAs between cooperating nations to violate intellectual property rights and patent agreements.
"The lack of proper oversight and tracking of STA sub-agreements between federal agencies and foreign governments poses a grave risk to U.S. economic and national security, underscoring the need for a centralized tracking and management system for said sub-agreements," concluded the lawmakers. "An independent review by [OIG] would provide Congress and the public with a clear understanding of how the Department can manage this process going forward as well as identify the risks associated with a continuation of the status quo. This request complements the Committee's request to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which is positioned to perform a multi-agency review."
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INFODOC: https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/STA-State-OIG-Letter.pdf
INFODOC: https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/STA-GAO-Letter.pdf
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Original text here: https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-timmons-further-investigate-national-security-risks-in-science-and-technology-research-sharing-with-china/
Cantwell, Cruz, Blunt Rochester, Wicker, Padilla, Budd Introduce Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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Cantwell, Cruz, Blunt Rochester, Wicker, Padilla, Budd Introduce Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act
Aging aircraft & technology threaten NOAA's airborne weather reconnaissance mission
Bill would codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission in federal law, authorize $2.5 billion for aircraft acquisition
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U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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Cantwell, Cruz, Blunt Rochester, Wicker, Padilla, Budd Introduce Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act
Aging aircraft & technology threaten NOAA's airborne weather reconnaissance mission
Bill would codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission in federal law, authorize $2.5 billion for aircraft acquisition
-
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce,Science and Transportation and Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), along with Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime and Fisheries, Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Alex Padilla (D-Cal.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) today introduced the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act. The legislation will, for the first time, codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission in federal law and authorize up to nine Hurricane Hunter aircraft. It also includes provisions to better prepare the nation's first line of defense against stronger and more frequent hurricanes, atmospheric rivers and winter storms.
"As atmospheric rivers become more frequent and severe across the Pacific Northwest, our communities increasingly depend on accurate forecasts to prepare for flooding and other extreme weather," said Sen. Cantwell. "NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft collect critical data that improves those forecasts, but much of the fleet is more than 50 years old. This bipartisan legislation will modernize and expand the fleet, strengthening NOAA's ability to provide the timely, accurate warnings that help keep families, businesses, and communities safe."
"Hurricane Hunter aircraft are one of NOAA's most important tools for protecting Americans along the coast during hurricane season, particularly in my home state of Texas," said Sen. Cruz. "By flying directly into storms, they collect critical data that produces more accurate forecasts and earlier warnings. These forecasts help save lives, safeguard critical infrastructure, and reduce costly disruptions to ports, commerce, and supply chains. The Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization bill will ensure NOAA has the modern fleet and capabilities needed to continue delivering the reliable, accurate forecasts Americans depend on."
"As extreme weather events increase in frequency, we must ensure we have the resources in place to protect our communities," said Sen. Blunt Rochester. "I'm proud to support the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act, to sustain the mission of NOAA's Hurricane Hunters and ensure they continue to collect the information needed to keep us safe."
"The NOAA Hurricane Hunters save lives and protect infrastructure along the Gulf Coast," said Sen. Wicker. "They provide the most up-to-date storm tracking information, which is critical for first responders and local officials. The more Hurricane Hunters we have available, the safer our communities are."
"The better our forecasts, the more time families, first responders, and local officials have to prepare and save lives before disaster strikes," said Sen. Padilla. "In California, we've seen how accurate forecasts can make all the difference as communities face dangerous atmospheric rivers, flooding, and landslides. NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft are essential to that effort, but an aging fleet is putting this lifesaving capability at risk. This bipartisan bill makes the investments needed to ensure NOAA can continue delivering the data and warnings that help keep Californians and communities across the country safe."
"NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft play a pivotal role in gathering the data that helps inform our forecasts of potentially dangerous storms," said Sen. Budd. "Continuing to invest in this fleet of aircraft will allow us to have more accurate information that will help federal, state and local leaders make informed decisions to keep our communities safe."
NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft conduct airborne weather reconnaissance missions that are essential to accurate storm track and intensity forecasts, giving coastal communities critical lead time to evacuate and prepare. The aircraft also carry out atmospheric river reconnaissance, providing data that improves forecasting of the extreme precipitation events that drive flooding and landslides across the western United States. The existing fleet is aging, and without investment in replacement aircraft and modernized radar and remote sensing capabilities, the continuity of these life-saving missions is at risk. For example, NOAA's two WP-3D aircraft that fly through hurricanes, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, will reach the end of their service life in 2030. While two C-130J aircraft are currently being built to replace them, with increasing severe storms and atmospheric rivers, NOAA needs additional aircraft to meet their mission requirements.
The Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act would:
1. Authorize $2.5 billion in appropriations to purchase more Hurricane Hunter aircraft and $45 million per year for NOAA aircraft operations and maintenance.
2. Codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission in federal law, establishing a permanent statutory foundation for airborne weather reconnaissance and research.
3. Increase the authorized number of C-130J aircraft from a maximum of six, to at least six and up to nine, to meet increasing storm demands across the country.
4. Direct NOAA to acquire aircraft to meet its airborne weather reconnaissance mission, including atmospheric river reconnaissance that supports flood forecasting in the West and across the country.
5. Require NOAA to maintain backup aircraft to ensure continuity of operations if aircraft are grounded due to maintenance or mechanical issues.
6. Modernize airborne radar and remote sensing capabilities to ensure Hurricane Hunter aircraft are equipped with the most up to technology available.
7. Authorize multi-year contracting authority for future aircraft acquisition and support, enabling more efficient and cost-effective procurement needed to speed up aircraft purchases and save taxpayer dollars.
8. Codify the requirement that NOAA maintain a sufficient number of qualified NOAA Corps pilots, preserving the specialized expertise these Hurricane Hunter flights demand.
Sen. Cantwell is leading the effort to improve the nation's weather forecasting capabilities. Earlier this year, she led a letter to Senate appropriators along with Sens. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) requesting robust funding for NOAA aircraft operations, including $11 million to finalize acquisition of a second G550, and $357 million to purchase an additional C-130J aircraft.
In March, Sen. Cantwell's Weather Act, which authorizes programs at NOAA that will strengthen weather research and forecasting to save lives and better prepare our nation against dangerous weather disasters, unanimously passed the Commerce Committee. The Weather Act is an important component of Sen. Cantwell's 5 Point Plan to bolster U.S. weather readiness, which she outlined in a letter to President Donald Trump in July, 2025. Earlier this year, she introduced legislation to establish the Radar Next Program which will carry out deployment of the nation's next generation weather radar system. Last August, she introduced legislation to modernize the nation's weather communication and radio service as the country faces increasingly powerful floods, fires, and hurricanes.
Sen. Cantwell's provision in the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022, which was passed into law through the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, directed NOAA to acquire adequate aircraft to meet its air reconnaissance and research mission and authorized six aircraft to replace the aging WP-3D aircraft, along with $800 million in funding. Sen. Cantwell helped secure $3.3 billion in NOAA investments in the Inflation Reduction Act to help communities prepare for and adapt to climate change, boost science needed to understand changing weather and climate patterns, and invest in advanced computer technologies that are critical for extreme weather prediction and emergency response. Her Fire Ready Nation Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen NOAA's ability to help forecast, prevent, and fight wildfires, passed the Senate in September of last year.
The text of the bill is HERE (https://www.commerce.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/WIL26316.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/press/dem/release/cantwell-cruz-blunt-rochester-wicker-padilla-budd-introduce-hurricane-hunter-aircraft-recapitalization-act/
Boyle Statement on June 2026 Fed Interest Rate Decision
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pennsylvania, ranking member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement on June 17, 2026:
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Boyle Statement on June 2026 Fed Interest Rate Decision
Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced it would be maintaining the current interest rate target range:
"From his tariff taxes to his health care cuts, President Trump has made life in America even more expensive. Thanks to his disastrous economic
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pennsylvania, ranking member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement on June 17, 2026:
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Boyle Statement on June 2026 Fed Interest Rate Decision
Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced it would be maintaining the current interest rate target range:
"From his tariff taxes to his health care cuts, President Trump has made life in America even more expensive. Thanks to his disastrous economicagenda, families are struggling to afford groceries, gas, and health care. To make matters worse, Americans are stuck paying the long-term costs of Trump's foolish Iran war.
Instead of taking responsibility for higher prices, President Trump keeps trying to influence the Federal Reserve. Chair Kevin Warsh must use his position to defend the Fed from Trump's interference. Our economy depends on a Fed that is free of partisan influence."
For more information on the Trump-Republican cost-of-living crisis in congressional districts across the United States, visit democrats-budget.house.gov/costofliving.
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Original text here: https://democrats-budget.house.gov/news/press-releases/boyle-statement-june-2026-fed-interest-rate-decision
Blunt Rochester, Cantwell, Cruz, Wicker, Padilla, Budd Introduce Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Delaware, issued the following news release:
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Blunt Rochester, Cantwell, Cruz, Wicker, Padilla, Budd Introduce Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act
Aging aircraft & technology threaten NOAA's airborne weather reconnaissance mission
Bill would codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission in federal law, authorize $2.5 billion for aircraft acquisition
-
U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime and Fisheries, joined Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Delaware, issued the following news release:
* * *
Blunt Rochester, Cantwell, Cruz, Wicker, Padilla, Budd Introduce Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act
Aging aircraft & technology threaten NOAA's airborne weather reconnaissance mission
Bill would codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission in federal law, authorize $2.5 billion for aircraft acquisition
-
U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime and Fisheries, joined Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of theSenate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to introduce the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act. The legislation will, for the first time, codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission in federal law and authorize up to nine Hurricane Hunter aircraft. It also includes provisions to better prepare the nation's first line of defense against stronger and more frequent hurricanes, atmospheric rivers and winter storms. The bill was introduced alongside Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Alex Padilla (D-Cal.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).
"As extreme weather events increase in frequency, we must ensure we have the resources in place to protect our communities," said Sen. Blunt Rochester. "I'm proud to support the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act, to sustain the mission of NOAA's Hurricane Hunters and ensure they continue to collect the information needed to keep us safe."
"As atmospheric rivers become more frequent and severe across the Pacific Northwest, our communities increasingly depend on accurate forecasts to prepare for flooding and other extreme weather," said Sen. Cantwell. "NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft collect critical data that improves those forecasts, but much of the fleet is more than 50 years old. This bipartisan legislation will modernize and expand the fleet, strengthening NOAA's ability to provide the timely, accurate warnings that help keep families, businesses, and communities safe."
"Hurricane Hunter aircraft are one of NOAA's most important tools for protecting Americans along the coast during hurricane season, particularly in my home state of Texas," said Sen. Cruz. "By flying directly into storms, they collect critical data that produces more accurate forecasts and earlier warnings. These forecasts help save lives, safeguard critical infrastructure, and reduce costly disruptions to ports, commerce, and supply chains. The Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization bill will ensure NOAA has the modern fleet and capabilities needed to continue delivering the reliable, accurate forecasts Americans depend on."
"The NOAA Hurricane Hunters save lives and protect infrastructure along the Gulf Coast," said Sen. Wicker. "They provide the most up-to-date storm tracking information, which is critical for first responders and local officials. The more Hurricane Hunters we have available, the safer our communities are."
"The better our forecasts, the more time families, first responders, and local officials have to prepare and save lives before disaster strikes," said Sen. Padilla. "In California, we've seen how accurate forecasts can make all the difference as communities face dangerous atmospheric rivers, flooding, and landslides. NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft are essential to that effort, but an aging fleet is putting this lifesaving capability at risk. This bipartisan bill makes the investments needed to ensure NOAA can continue delivering the data and warnings that help keep Californians and communities across the country safe."
"NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft play a pivotal role in gathering the data that helps inform our forecasts of potentially dangerous storms," said Sen. Budd. "Continuing to invest in this fleet of aircraft will allow us to have more accurate information that will help federal, state and local leaders make informed decisions to keep our communities safe."
NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft conduct airborne weather reconnaissance missions that are essential to accurate storm track and intensity forecasts, giving coastal communities critical lead time to evacuate and prepare. The aircraft also carry out atmospheric river reconnaissance, providing data that improves forecasting of the extreme precipitation events that drive flooding and landslides across the western United States. The existing fleet is aging, and without investment in replacement aircraft and modernized radar and remote sensing capabilities, the continuity of these life-saving missions is at risk. For example, NOAA's two WP-3D aircraft that fly through hurricanes, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, will reach the end of their service life in 2030. While two C-130J aircraft are currently being built to replace them, with increasing severe storms and atmospheric rivers, NOAA needs additional aircraft to meet their mission requirements.
The Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act would:
* Authorize $2.5 billion in appropriations to purchase more Hurricane Hunter aircraft and $45 million per year for NOAA aircraft operations and maintenance.
* Codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission in federal law, establishing a permanent statutory foundation for airborne weather reconnaissance and research.
* Increase the authorized number of C-130J aircraft from a maximum of six, to at least six and up to nine, to meet increasing storm demands across the country.
* Direct NOAA to acquire aircraft to meet its airborne weather reconnaissance mission, including atmospheric river reconnaissance that supports flood forecasting in the West and across the country.
* Require NOAA to maintain backup aircraft to ensure continuity of operations if aircraft are grounded due to maintenance or mechanical issues.
* Modernize airborne radar and remote sensing capabilities to ensure Hurricane Hunter aircraft are equipped with the most up to technology available.
* Authorize multi-year contracting authority for future aircraft acquisition and support, enabling more efficient and cost-effective procurement needed to speed up aircraft purchases and save taxpayer dollars.
* Codify the requirement that NOAA maintain a sufficient number of qualified NOAA Corps pilots, preserving the specialized expertise these Hurricane Hunter flights demand.
The text of the bill is HERE (https://www.commerce.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/WIL26316.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-blunt-rochester-cantwell-cruz-wicker-padilla-budd-introduce-hurricane-hunter-aircraft-recapitalization-act/
As Trump Requests $1.5 Trillion for Pentagon, Sens. Markey and Merkley Press for Details on "Golden Dome" $1.2 Trillion Price Tag, Mission
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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As Trump Requests $1.5 Trillion for Pentagon, Sens. Markey and Merkley Press for Details on "Golden Dome" $1.2 Trillion Price Tag, Mission
As Congress considers President Trump's $1.5 trillion request for Pentagon spending and SpaceX wins billions in Golden Dome contracts, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Representatives John Garamendi (CA-08) and Don Beyer (VA-08), co-chairs of the bicameral Nuclear Weapons
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following news release on June 17, 2026:
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As Trump Requests $1.5 Trillion for Pentagon, Sens. Markey and Merkley Press for Details on "Golden Dome" $1.2 Trillion Price Tag, Mission
As Congress considers President Trump's $1.5 trillion request for Pentagon spending and SpaceX wins billions in Golden Dome contracts, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Representatives John Garamendi (CA-08) and Don Beyer (VA-08), co-chairs of the bicameral Nuclear Weaponsand Arms Control Working Group, today led their colleagues in a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, demanding further information on the Trump administration's proposed Golden Dome missile interceptor system. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently estimated that Golden Dome could cost American taxpayers $1.2 trillion and deliver much less capability than advertised. Trump's Department of Defense (DOD) rejected the accuracy of CBO's estimate but has refused to share key information about Golden Dome with CBO, Congress, or the American people.
In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, "This is unacceptable. Before you spend one more taxpayer dollar on Golden Dome, DOD must share its plans and goals for the system. There is no reasonable justification for keeping the mission and number of interceptors for Golden Dome secret. It is one thing to withhold design details or performance specifications of certain systems, but it is quite another to withhold the entire system architecture that you expect Congress to approve and fund. Congress and the American public have a right to know what they are paying for."
The lawmakers continued, "Transparency is particularly important when it appears, as it does here, that the system's ultimate capability will fall far short of the original promises. On May 20, 2025, President Trump said that, with Golden Dome, 'we will truly be completing the job that President Reagan started 40 years ago, forever ending the missile threat to the American homeland.' According to CBO's calculations, even a system that would cost $3 trillion would not meet that ambitious goal, which would need to be able to engage hundreds of missiles. If the Administration has not scaled back its goals for the system, the current official price tag is woefully unrealistic."
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Representatives Jim McGovern (MA-02) and Bill Foster (IL-11) co-signed the letter.
The lawmakers requested answers by June 30, 2026, to questions including:
1. What is the intended purpose of Golden Dome? How many missiles (and of what types) is it being designed to intercept? What system architecture will be used?
2. How does the Administration plan to spend the proposed $185 billion on Golden Dome?
3. What is your 20-year estimated cost of Golden Dome?
4. Will the Administration propose a third missile defense interceptor site on the East Coast?
5. How does the Administration expect China and Russia to react to Golden Dome? How does the Administration plan to reconcile its arms control goals with these reactions?
6. What parts of your plans for Golden Dome do you expect to keep secret and what parts will you release to the public?
Letter Text (https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_to_secretary_hegseth_on_the_golden_dome_program.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.budget.senate.gov/ranking-member/newsroom/press/as-trump-requests-15-trillion-for-pentagon-sens-markey-and-merkley-press-for-details-on-golden-dome-12-trillion-price-tag-mission
