U.S. Congress
Here's a look at documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate
Featured Stories
Smith, Author of TICK Act, Thanks Sec. Kennedy, Pres. Trump for Spearheading New Lyme Disease Initiatives at HHS
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026:
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Smith, author of TICK Act, thanks Sec. Kennedy, Pres. Trump for spearheading new Lyme disease initiatives at HHS
HHS launches new Lyme Clinician Locator
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Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Caucus, applauded Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s announcement today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a variety of new initiatives to improve patient care, enable earlier diagnoses, and accelerate ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026: * * * Smith, author of TICK Act, thanks Sec. Kennedy, Pres. Trump for spearheading new Lyme disease initiatives at HHS HHS launches new Lyme Clinician Locator - Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Caucus, applauded Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s announcement today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a variety of new initiatives to improve patient care, enable earlier diagnoses, and accelerateresearch for Lyme disease.
"Under President Trump and Secretary Kennedy's bold leadership, the HHS is taking important steps towards addressing and mitigating the national public health emergency caused by Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses over the past several decades," said Smith, whose legislation (HR 4348) to provide $150 million over five years in continued funding for Lyme disease research at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives just last month.
"I am grateful to Secretary Kennedy and President Trump for their efforts to improve the lives and outcomes of the millions of Lyme patients throughout the country, and I am glad to see that tick-borne illnesses are no longer taking the back seat in the public health space.
"Critically, the HHS is prioritizing early and accurate diagnoses for Lyme disease, ensuring that often-misdiagnosed patients can receive the correct treatments they need in a timely and efficient manner," Smith continued.
"The HHS's new Lyme Clinician Locator, made possible through their partnership with the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS), will help to significantly streamline this process, enabling patients to easily search for Lyme-literate clinicians in their area with a mere click.
"As Secretary Kennedy also announced, patients can use their voices and experiences to drive science and research further by utilizing CURE ID to share which treatments have worked for them, which have not, and what is needed for the future--all directly with NIH and FDA," stated Smith.
Smith also highlighted and praised the work of the LymeX Innovation Accelerator Program (LymeX)--a public-private partnership between the HHS and the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, which funds prize competitions to advance innovation in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Lyme disease--in developing two new FDA-approved Lyme diagnostic tools over the past two years.
"LymeX plays a vital role in improving diagnostic criteria and patient outcomes for Lyme disease, which is why I have introduced legislation (HR 7482) to finally codify this groundbreaking program. In addition to permanentizing this critical initiative, my LymeX Authorization Act allocates $5 million to the HHS Secretary to carry out prize competitions to incentivize Lyme disease research," noted Smith.
For over three decades, Smith has authored numerous amendments and legislation to enhance and expand federal tick-borne disease research, awareness, and collaboration.
Smith's HR 4348--which passed the House with broad bipartisan backing in late July--reauthorizes the TICK Act (PL 116-94) that Smith and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) spearheaded in 2019. Smith's new bill will allocate federal monies to the CDC's regional Centers of Excellence and provide funding for states in regions that have an elevated risk of Lyme or other tick-borne disease outbreaks, enabling them to work in tandem with the federal government to quickly identify and address such outbreaks.
As passed by the House, HR 4348 authorizes--over the course of five years--$50 million for the regional Centers of Excellence and $100 million for cooperative agreement funding between states and localities, respectively.
Furthermore, in December of last year, Smith's amendment to probe whether the Cold War-era Department of War bioweapons program ever used ticks as hosts or delivery mechanisms for biological warfare agents was included within the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was later signed into law (PL 119-60) by President Trump.
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Original text here: https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415793
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Smith, author of TICK Act, thanks Sec. Kennedy, Pres. Trump for spearheading new Lyme disease initiatives at HHS
HHS launches new Lyme Clinician Locator
-
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Caucus, applauded Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s announcement today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a variety of new initiatives to improve patient care, enable earlier diagnoses, and accelerate ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026: * * * Smith, author of TICK Act, thanks Sec. Kennedy, Pres. Trump for spearheading new Lyme disease initiatives at HHS HHS launches new Lyme Clinician Locator - Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Caucus, applauded Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s announcement today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a variety of new initiatives to improve patient care, enable earlier diagnoses, and accelerateresearch for Lyme disease.
"Under President Trump and Secretary Kennedy's bold leadership, the HHS is taking important steps towards addressing and mitigating the national public health emergency caused by Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses over the past several decades," said Smith, whose legislation (HR 4348) to provide $150 million over five years in continued funding for Lyme disease research at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives just last month.
"I am grateful to Secretary Kennedy and President Trump for their efforts to improve the lives and outcomes of the millions of Lyme patients throughout the country, and I am glad to see that tick-borne illnesses are no longer taking the back seat in the public health space.
"Critically, the HHS is prioritizing early and accurate diagnoses for Lyme disease, ensuring that often-misdiagnosed patients can receive the correct treatments they need in a timely and efficient manner," Smith continued.
"The HHS's new Lyme Clinician Locator, made possible through their partnership with the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS), will help to significantly streamline this process, enabling patients to easily search for Lyme-literate clinicians in their area with a mere click.
"As Secretary Kennedy also announced, patients can use their voices and experiences to drive science and research further by utilizing CURE ID to share which treatments have worked for them, which have not, and what is needed for the future--all directly with NIH and FDA," stated Smith.
Smith also highlighted and praised the work of the LymeX Innovation Accelerator Program (LymeX)--a public-private partnership between the HHS and the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, which funds prize competitions to advance innovation in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Lyme disease--in developing two new FDA-approved Lyme diagnostic tools over the past two years.
"LymeX plays a vital role in improving diagnostic criteria and patient outcomes for Lyme disease, which is why I have introduced legislation (HR 7482) to finally codify this groundbreaking program. In addition to permanentizing this critical initiative, my LymeX Authorization Act allocates $5 million to the HHS Secretary to carry out prize competitions to incentivize Lyme disease research," noted Smith.
For over three decades, Smith has authored numerous amendments and legislation to enhance and expand federal tick-borne disease research, awareness, and collaboration.
Smith's HR 4348--which passed the House with broad bipartisan backing in late July--reauthorizes the TICK Act (PL 116-94) that Smith and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) spearheaded in 2019. Smith's new bill will allocate federal monies to the CDC's regional Centers of Excellence and provide funding for states in regions that have an elevated risk of Lyme or other tick-borne disease outbreaks, enabling them to work in tandem with the federal government to quickly identify and address such outbreaks.
As passed by the House, HR 4348 authorizes--over the course of five years--$50 million for the regional Centers of Excellence and $100 million for cooperative agreement funding between states and localities, respectively.
Furthermore, in December of last year, Smith's amendment to probe whether the Cold War-era Department of War bioweapons program ever used ticks as hosts or delivery mechanisms for biological warfare agents was included within the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was later signed into law (PL 119-60) by President Trump.
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Original text here: https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415793
Sens. Warner, Kaine Announce $68 Million in Federal Funding to Modernize Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release:
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Warner, Kaine Announce $68 million in Federal Funding to Modernize Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $68,000,000 in federal grant funding to replace the Surry ferry, part of the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry fleet. This funding comes from the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program for Fiscal Year 2026, which is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that the senators helped negotiate and pass.
"The ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Warner, Kaine Announce $68 million in Federal Funding to Modernize Jamestown-Scotland Ferry U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $68,000,000 in federal grant funding to replace the Surry ferry, part of the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry fleet. This funding comes from the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program for Fiscal Year 2026, which is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that the senators helped negotiate and pass. "TheSurry ferry has been carrying passengers and connecting communities across the James River for almost 50 years," said the senators. "We're proud to announce that this funding will help modernize the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry fleet and help make Virginia's transit system better for our environment."
Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to fund lower emission transportation vehicles. Last year, the senators announced over $70 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Low- or No-Emission Program to improve Virginia's bus systems and reduce their emissions. In 2023, they secured more than$171 million in funding to invest in American-built, low-emission buses and bus facilities.
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Original text here: https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-68-million-in-federal-funding-to-modernize-jamestown-scotland-ferry/
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Warner, Kaine Announce $68 million in Federal Funding to Modernize Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $68,000,000 in federal grant funding to replace the Surry ferry, part of the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry fleet. This funding comes from the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program for Fiscal Year 2026, which is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that the senators helped negotiate and pass.
"The ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Warner, Kaine Announce $68 million in Federal Funding to Modernize Jamestown-Scotland Ferry U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $68,000,000 in federal grant funding to replace the Surry ferry, part of the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry fleet. This funding comes from the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program for Fiscal Year 2026, which is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that the senators helped negotiate and pass. "TheSurry ferry has been carrying passengers and connecting communities across the James River for almost 50 years," said the senators. "We're proud to announce that this funding will help modernize the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry fleet and help make Virginia's transit system better for our environment."
Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to fund lower emission transportation vehicles. Last year, the senators announced over $70 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Low- or No-Emission Program to improve Virginia's bus systems and reduce their emissions. In 2023, they secured more than$171 million in funding to invest in American-built, low-emission buses and bus facilities.
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Original text here: https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-68-million-in-federal-funding-to-modernize-jamestown-scotland-ferry/
Senate Foreign Relations Ranking Member Shaheen, Colleagues Urge Secretary Rubio to Restore Funding to Protect American Livestock From New World Screwworm
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026:
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Ranking Member Shaheen, Colleagues Urge Secretary Rubio to Restore Funding to Protect American Livestock from New World Screwworm
Last week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Lujan (D-NM), Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the State Department to ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026: * * * Ranking Member Shaheen, Colleagues Urge Secretary Rubio to Restore Funding to Protect American Livestock from New World Screwworm Last week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Lujan (D-NM), Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the State Department torestore funding that helps safeguard American livestock at risk from the ongoing spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) and other pests or highly contagious and transmissible diseases.
In the letter, the Senators warn that NWS has already been confirmed in 45 cases in the United States and could cost the Texas cattle industry alone an estimated $1.8 billion. They point to the dissolution of USAID, which terminated $250 million for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) transboundary animal disease work and $72 million for 16 Feed the Future Innovation Labs. These programs, in addition to cuts in funding for international transboundary animal disease prevention programs, strengthened disease surveillance and outbreak response in partner countries, including the Central American nations that are the source of NWS cases now entering the United States. Noting that American farmers already face inflation and rising costs, the Senators call on Rubio to urgently restore U.S. funding for international animal disease surveillance, prevention and response.
"We urge you to safeguard American livestock at risk from the ongoing spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) and other pests or highly contagious and transmissible diseases by immediately reversing foreign assistance cuts for international transboundary animal disease prevention programs. The reemergence of NWS, with 45 confirmed cases in the United States, poses a costly agricultural biosecurity threat, imperiling America's food security," wrote the Senators.
"The dissolution of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) terminated $250 million in funding for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)'s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) and $72 million for 16 Feed the Future Innovation Labs, including labs that supported improvements to livestock management in countries vulnerable to transboundary animal diseases. As NWS spreads, this Administration's cuts to foreign assistance puts the welfare of American livestock, wildlife and agricultural businesses at risk and could cost the Texas cattle industry $1.8 billion annually," continued the Senators.
"American farmers are already struggling with inflation, as well as rising costs for fuel and fertilizer, cannot afford the financial and operational devastation of NWS. These foreign assistance investments are critical to America's national economic and food security and without these tools, American agriculture is left vulnerable and exposed to biosecurity challenges like New World Screwworm," concluded the Senators.
Full text of the letter is available HERE (https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/08142026%20Dem%20Letter%20to%20Sec.%20Rubio%20re%20New%20World%20Screwworm_5jopxnszgr.pdf) and provided below.
Dear Secretary Rubio:
We urge you to safeguard American livestock at risk from the ongoing spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) and other pests or highly contagious and transmissible diseases by immediately reversing foreign assistance cuts for international transboundary animal disease prevention programs. The reemergence of NWS, with 45 confirmed cases in the United States, poses a costly agricultural biosecurity threat, imperiling America's food security.
Investment in measures that prevent additional NWS from reaching our borders is necessary to ensure that recent investments in sterile fly production and dispersal are effective. The dissolution of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) terminated $250 million in funding for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)'s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) and $72 million for 16 Feed the Future Innovation Labs, including labs that supported improvements to livestock management in countries vulnerable to transboundary animal diseases. As NWS spreads, this Administration's cuts to foreign assistance puts the welfare of American livestock, wildlife and agricultural businesses at risk and could cost the Texas cattle industry $1.8 billion annually.
FAO's transboundary animal disease work focused on strengthening developing countries' laboratory capacity, establishing early warning and disease surveillance systems in more than 130 countries, assisting in more than 250 outbreak responses of avian influenza, African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease and more. Prior to this outbreak, ECTAD provided trainings to veterinarians, identified resource gaps and improved outbreak action response plans for NWS in Central America - the source of NWS cases currently entering the United States. The loss of the United States' support significantly reduced international capacity to respond timely to outbreaks. We welcome additional multilateral efforts to renew this work and urge you to quickly mobilize and distribute funding for these purposes, which we understand remains unobligated despite the ongoing outbreak.
Another critically important global surveillance capability is FAO's Emergency Prevention System Global Animal Disease Information System (EMPRES-i+), a global early warning surveillance system that monitors disease outbreaks and provides long-term risk management across animal and food chains. FAO works with a global network to provide real-time digital surveillance data, horizon scanning and global intelligence, which includes mapping hundreds of thousands of animal diseases across 190 countries. We urge you to ensure this critical tool remains available for continued use.
Feed the Future Innovation Labs, specifically at the Washington State University and the University of Florida, also reduced food security risks by supporting improvements to veterinary health and livestock systems, in countries vulnerable to transboundary animal diseases. Despite Congress's renewed support for the Innovation Labs in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill, the Administration has been slow to restart and identify new university partnerships to continue the scientific progress we were making in monitoring transboundary animal diseases.
American farmers are already struggling with inflation, as well as rising costs for fuel and fertilizer, cannot afford the financial and operational devastation of NWS. These foreign assistance investments are critical to America's economic and food security and without these tools, American agriculture is left vulnerable and exposed to biosecurity challenges like New World Screwworm.
We urge you to restore U.S. funding for international animal disease surveillance, prevention and response capabilities that protect our food supply.
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Original text here: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/ranking-member-shaheen-colleagues-urge-secretary-rubio-to-restore-funding-to-protect-american-livestock-from-new-world-screwworm
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Ranking Member Shaheen, Colleagues Urge Secretary Rubio to Restore Funding to Protect American Livestock from New World Screwworm
Last week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Lujan (D-NM), Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the State Department to ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026: * * * Ranking Member Shaheen, Colleagues Urge Secretary Rubio to Restore Funding to Protect American Livestock from New World Screwworm Last week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Lujan (D-NM), Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the State Department torestore funding that helps safeguard American livestock at risk from the ongoing spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) and other pests or highly contagious and transmissible diseases.
In the letter, the Senators warn that NWS has already been confirmed in 45 cases in the United States and could cost the Texas cattle industry alone an estimated $1.8 billion. They point to the dissolution of USAID, which terminated $250 million for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) transboundary animal disease work and $72 million for 16 Feed the Future Innovation Labs. These programs, in addition to cuts in funding for international transboundary animal disease prevention programs, strengthened disease surveillance and outbreak response in partner countries, including the Central American nations that are the source of NWS cases now entering the United States. Noting that American farmers already face inflation and rising costs, the Senators call on Rubio to urgently restore U.S. funding for international animal disease surveillance, prevention and response.
"We urge you to safeguard American livestock at risk from the ongoing spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) and other pests or highly contagious and transmissible diseases by immediately reversing foreign assistance cuts for international transboundary animal disease prevention programs. The reemergence of NWS, with 45 confirmed cases in the United States, poses a costly agricultural biosecurity threat, imperiling America's food security," wrote the Senators.
"The dissolution of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) terminated $250 million in funding for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)'s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) and $72 million for 16 Feed the Future Innovation Labs, including labs that supported improvements to livestock management in countries vulnerable to transboundary animal diseases. As NWS spreads, this Administration's cuts to foreign assistance puts the welfare of American livestock, wildlife and agricultural businesses at risk and could cost the Texas cattle industry $1.8 billion annually," continued the Senators.
"American farmers are already struggling with inflation, as well as rising costs for fuel and fertilizer, cannot afford the financial and operational devastation of NWS. These foreign assistance investments are critical to America's national economic and food security and without these tools, American agriculture is left vulnerable and exposed to biosecurity challenges like New World Screwworm," concluded the Senators.
Full text of the letter is available HERE (https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/08142026%20Dem%20Letter%20to%20Sec.%20Rubio%20re%20New%20World%20Screwworm_5jopxnszgr.pdf) and provided below.
Dear Secretary Rubio:
We urge you to safeguard American livestock at risk from the ongoing spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) and other pests or highly contagious and transmissible diseases by immediately reversing foreign assistance cuts for international transboundary animal disease prevention programs. The reemergence of NWS, with 45 confirmed cases in the United States, poses a costly agricultural biosecurity threat, imperiling America's food security.
Investment in measures that prevent additional NWS from reaching our borders is necessary to ensure that recent investments in sterile fly production and dispersal are effective. The dissolution of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) terminated $250 million in funding for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)'s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) and $72 million for 16 Feed the Future Innovation Labs, including labs that supported improvements to livestock management in countries vulnerable to transboundary animal diseases. As NWS spreads, this Administration's cuts to foreign assistance puts the welfare of American livestock, wildlife and agricultural businesses at risk and could cost the Texas cattle industry $1.8 billion annually.
FAO's transboundary animal disease work focused on strengthening developing countries' laboratory capacity, establishing early warning and disease surveillance systems in more than 130 countries, assisting in more than 250 outbreak responses of avian influenza, African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease and more. Prior to this outbreak, ECTAD provided trainings to veterinarians, identified resource gaps and improved outbreak action response plans for NWS in Central America - the source of NWS cases currently entering the United States. The loss of the United States' support significantly reduced international capacity to respond timely to outbreaks. We welcome additional multilateral efforts to renew this work and urge you to quickly mobilize and distribute funding for these purposes, which we understand remains unobligated despite the ongoing outbreak.
Another critically important global surveillance capability is FAO's Emergency Prevention System Global Animal Disease Information System (EMPRES-i+), a global early warning surveillance system that monitors disease outbreaks and provides long-term risk management across animal and food chains. FAO works with a global network to provide real-time digital surveillance data, horizon scanning and global intelligence, which includes mapping hundreds of thousands of animal diseases across 190 countries. We urge you to ensure this critical tool remains available for continued use.
Feed the Future Innovation Labs, specifically at the Washington State University and the University of Florida, also reduced food security risks by supporting improvements to veterinary health and livestock systems, in countries vulnerable to transboundary animal diseases. Despite Congress's renewed support for the Innovation Labs in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill, the Administration has been slow to restart and identify new university partnerships to continue the scientific progress we were making in monitoring transboundary animal diseases.
American farmers are already struggling with inflation, as well as rising costs for fuel and fertilizer, cannot afford the financial and operational devastation of NWS. These foreign assistance investments are critical to America's economic and food security and without these tools, American agriculture is left vulnerable and exposed to biosecurity challenges like New World Screwworm.
We urge you to restore U.S. funding for international animal disease surveillance, prevention and response capabilities that protect our food supply.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/ranking-member-shaheen-colleagues-urge-secretary-rubio-to-restore-funding-to-protect-american-livestock-from-new-world-screwworm
Sanders to Introduce Bill to Stop Trump From Garnishing Social Security Checks of Seniors With Student Debt
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, issued the following news release:
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Sanders to Introduce Bill to Stop Trump from Garnishing Social Security Checks of Seniors with Student Debt
BURLINGTON, Vt., - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, announced he will introduce the Stop Social Security Garnishment Act -- legislation to prevent seniors from having their Social Security payments withheld by the government to pay back decades-old student loan debt.
Joining Sanders as cosponsors on this legislation ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, issued the following news release: * * * Sanders to Introduce Bill to Stop Trump from Garnishing Social Security Checks of Seniors with Student Debt BURLINGTON, Vt., - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, announced he will introduce the Stop Social Security Garnishment Act -- legislation to prevent seniors from having their Social Security payments withheld by the government to pay back decades-old student loan debt. Joining Sanders as cosponsors on this legislationare Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).
"As a result of Trump's disastrous cuts to education, an increasing number of seniors are in danger of having their Social Security checks garnished to pay back student loans they took out decades ago. That is beyond unacceptable," Sanders said. "In the richest country in the history of the world, no senior should have their Social Security payments taken away from them to pay back student debt. This is especially true when seniors throughout the country already cannot afford the skyrocketing price of healthcare, prescription drugs, groceries and housing. Congress must pass this legislation."
The Stop Social Security Garnishment Act comes amid a record-breaking student loan default crisis that has been made worse by Trump's so-called "Big Beautiful Bill," which made the largest cuts to education in history. Over nine million Americans are now in default on their student loans. This means nearly 1 in 4 student loan borrowers cannot pay back their loans and are at risk of having their wages or Social Security payments seized to pay back their outstanding student debt.
More than 1 in 3 Social Security recipients with student loans are reliant on their Social Security payments to make ends meet. Half of Social Security recipients that had a Social Security check garnished because of a defaulted student loan reported skipping a doctor's visit or reported being unable to obtain a prescription they needed, due to cost.
The Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 will put an end to this absurdity and ensure no Social Security payments are taken away from older adults or individuals with disabilities due to student loan debt. The bill:
* Prohibits the federal government from garnishing any Social Security payments, including Social Security Disability Insurance, from older adults and individuals with disabilities to pay back student load debt,
* Protects older adults against unnecessary forced collections, and
* Ensures older adults retain access to their Social Security payments to access vital healthcare, medicine, and groceries without fear of having access to those basic needs disrupted due to a student loan in default.
This legislation is endorsed by organizations including the American Federation of Teachers, Protect Borrowers, Student Debt Crisis Center, American Association of University Women, Debt Collective, Social Security Works, and the Alliance for Retired Americans.
Read the bill here (https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=SenSanders&crop=21299QQQ192872546QQQ14757672QQQ732707675&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.sanders.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2fStop-Social-Security-Garnishment.pdf&redir_log=845277277672605).
Read a summary here (https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=SenSanders&crop=21299QQQ192872546QQQ14757672QQQ732707675&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.sanders.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2fSTOP-SOCIAL-SECURITY-GARNISHMENT-ACT-OF-2026_final31.pdf&redir_log=457805367536672).
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Original text here: https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-to-introduce-bill-to-stop-trump-from-garnishing-social-security-checks-of-seniors-with-student-debt/
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Sanders to Introduce Bill to Stop Trump from Garnishing Social Security Checks of Seniors with Student Debt
BURLINGTON, Vt., - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, announced he will introduce the Stop Social Security Garnishment Act -- legislation to prevent seniors from having their Social Security payments withheld by the government to pay back decades-old student loan debt.
Joining Sanders as cosponsors on this legislation ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, issued the following news release: * * * Sanders to Introduce Bill to Stop Trump from Garnishing Social Security Checks of Seniors with Student Debt BURLINGTON, Vt., - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, announced he will introduce the Stop Social Security Garnishment Act -- legislation to prevent seniors from having their Social Security payments withheld by the government to pay back decades-old student loan debt. Joining Sanders as cosponsors on this legislationare Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).
"As a result of Trump's disastrous cuts to education, an increasing number of seniors are in danger of having their Social Security checks garnished to pay back student loans they took out decades ago. That is beyond unacceptable," Sanders said. "In the richest country in the history of the world, no senior should have their Social Security payments taken away from them to pay back student debt. This is especially true when seniors throughout the country already cannot afford the skyrocketing price of healthcare, prescription drugs, groceries and housing. Congress must pass this legislation."
The Stop Social Security Garnishment Act comes amid a record-breaking student loan default crisis that has been made worse by Trump's so-called "Big Beautiful Bill," which made the largest cuts to education in history. Over nine million Americans are now in default on their student loans. This means nearly 1 in 4 student loan borrowers cannot pay back their loans and are at risk of having their wages or Social Security payments seized to pay back their outstanding student debt.
More than 1 in 3 Social Security recipients with student loans are reliant on their Social Security payments to make ends meet. Half of Social Security recipients that had a Social Security check garnished because of a defaulted student loan reported skipping a doctor's visit or reported being unable to obtain a prescription they needed, due to cost.
The Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 will put an end to this absurdity and ensure no Social Security payments are taken away from older adults or individuals with disabilities due to student loan debt. The bill:
* Prohibits the federal government from garnishing any Social Security payments, including Social Security Disability Insurance, from older adults and individuals with disabilities to pay back student load debt,
* Protects older adults against unnecessary forced collections, and
* Ensures older adults retain access to their Social Security payments to access vital healthcare, medicine, and groceries without fear of having access to those basic needs disrupted due to a student loan in default.
This legislation is endorsed by organizations including the American Federation of Teachers, Protect Borrowers, Student Debt Crisis Center, American Association of University Women, Debt Collective, Social Security Works, and the Alliance for Retired Americans.
Read the bill here (https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=SenSanders&crop=21299QQQ192872546QQQ14757672QQQ732707675&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.sanders.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2fStop-Social-Security-Garnishment.pdf&redir_log=845277277672605).
Read a summary here (https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=SenSanders&crop=21299QQQ192872546QQQ14757672QQQ732707675&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.sanders.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2fSTOP-SOCIAL-SECURITY-GARNISHMENT-ACT-OF-2026_final31.pdf&redir_log=457805367536672).
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Original text here: https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-to-introduce-bill-to-stop-trump-from-garnishing-social-security-checks-of-seniors-with-student-debt/
Gill Investigates McKinsey for Promotion of Discriminatory Hiring Practices in the Workplace That Cost U.S. Billions
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses, issued the following news release:
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Gill Investigates McKinsey for Promotion of Discriminatory Hiring Practices in the Workplace that Cost U.S. Billions
Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses Chairman Brandon Gill (R-Texas) is investigating prominent consulting group McKinsey & Company for its heavy-handed promotion of discriminatory diversity, equity, and ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses, issued the following news release: * * * Gill Investigates McKinsey for Promotion of Discriminatory Hiring Practices in the Workplace that Cost U.S. Billions Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses Chairman Brandon Gill (R-Texas) is investigating prominent consulting group McKinsey & Company for its heavy-handed promotion of discriminatory diversity, equity, andinclusion (DEI) practices in American companies. McKinsey published several pro-DEI reports that proactively influence American companies and fiduciaries to make hiring and investment decisions based on "diversity," asserting that companies that hire more "diverse" candidates into management positions are more likely to see improved financial performance and productivity. In a letter to McKinsey Global Managing Partner Robert Sternfels, Task Force Chairman Gill requests McKinsey provide to the Task Force all documents and communications relating to the underlying datasets, processes and procedures, and academic review of the four DEI reports.
"McKinsey published four reports titled Why Diversity Matters (2015), Delivering Through Diversity (2018), Diversity Wins (2020),and Diversity Matters Even More (2023). These reports allege strong links between companies with increased levels of racial and gender 'diversity,' emphasizing that increased diversity in companies causes a greater likelihood of improved financial performance," wrote Task Force Chairman Gill. "These McKinsey reports have been highly influential, being cited by publicly traded companies, asset managers, proxy advisory firms, and banking institutions, among others, as cause for embedding illegal racial and sex-based targets into hiring, promotion, executive compensation, and asset manager proxy voting policies."
Researchers assessing McKinsey's DEI reports have been unable to replicate the results, and suggest that McKinsey likely swapped the cause and effect in its DEI conclusions. The broad implementation of discriminatory DEI hiring and promotion practices has cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars in foregone revenue, including roughly $94 billion in just 2023 alone. McKinsey continues to stand by its findings, even though no such correlation between a company's racial and gender diversity and its financial performance exists. While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based upon race and sex, McKinsey's DEI reports encourage companies to discriminate in that way, and are ultimately based upon unverified and questionable data. This letter is part of the Task Force's larger investigation into harmful DEI practices and its commitment to rooting them out of American industries and institutions.
"In corporate stewardship, the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) Investment Office cited two of the McKinsey DEI reports in its explanation for voting against three board members of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. who had failed to satisfy its board diversity demands. [This is one of] a few examples of the compelling influences of the McKinsey DEI reports and reflect the importance of establishing the reports' integrity. While McKinsey has claimed the DEI studies only found a correlative link between DEI and financial outperformance, McKinsey spokeswoman and the author of four of the DEI reports Vivian Hunt publicly asserted that 'the leading companies in our datasets are pursuing diversity because it's a business imperative and driving real business results.' Further, McKinsey has not publicly released its underlying datasets used to produce its DEI reports," concluded Task Force Chairman Gill.
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INFODOC: https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Letter-Request-to-McKinsey-and-Company-re-DEI-Reports-8.17.26.pdf
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Original text here: https://oversight.house.gov/release/gill-investigates-mckinsey-for-promotion-of-discriminatory-hiring-practices-in-the-workplace-that-cost-u-s-billions/
* * *
Gill Investigates McKinsey for Promotion of Discriminatory Hiring Practices in the Workplace that Cost U.S. Billions
Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses Chairman Brandon Gill (R-Texas) is investigating prominent consulting group McKinsey & Company for its heavy-handed promotion of discriminatory diversity, equity, and ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses, issued the following news release: * * * Gill Investigates McKinsey for Promotion of Discriminatory Hiring Practices in the Workplace that Cost U.S. Billions Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses Chairman Brandon Gill (R-Texas) is investigating prominent consulting group McKinsey & Company for its heavy-handed promotion of discriminatory diversity, equity, andinclusion (DEI) practices in American companies. McKinsey published several pro-DEI reports that proactively influence American companies and fiduciaries to make hiring and investment decisions based on "diversity," asserting that companies that hire more "diverse" candidates into management positions are more likely to see improved financial performance and productivity. In a letter to McKinsey Global Managing Partner Robert Sternfels, Task Force Chairman Gill requests McKinsey provide to the Task Force all documents and communications relating to the underlying datasets, processes and procedures, and academic review of the four DEI reports.
"McKinsey published four reports titled Why Diversity Matters (2015), Delivering Through Diversity (2018), Diversity Wins (2020),and Diversity Matters Even More (2023). These reports allege strong links between companies with increased levels of racial and gender 'diversity,' emphasizing that increased diversity in companies causes a greater likelihood of improved financial performance," wrote Task Force Chairman Gill. "These McKinsey reports have been highly influential, being cited by publicly traded companies, asset managers, proxy advisory firms, and banking institutions, among others, as cause for embedding illegal racial and sex-based targets into hiring, promotion, executive compensation, and asset manager proxy voting policies."
Researchers assessing McKinsey's DEI reports have been unable to replicate the results, and suggest that McKinsey likely swapped the cause and effect in its DEI conclusions. The broad implementation of discriminatory DEI hiring and promotion practices has cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars in foregone revenue, including roughly $94 billion in just 2023 alone. McKinsey continues to stand by its findings, even though no such correlation between a company's racial and gender diversity and its financial performance exists. While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based upon race and sex, McKinsey's DEI reports encourage companies to discriminate in that way, and are ultimately based upon unverified and questionable data. This letter is part of the Task Force's larger investigation into harmful DEI practices and its commitment to rooting them out of American industries and institutions.
"In corporate stewardship, the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) Investment Office cited two of the McKinsey DEI reports in its explanation for voting against three board members of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. who had failed to satisfy its board diversity demands. [This is one of] a few examples of the compelling influences of the McKinsey DEI reports and reflect the importance of establishing the reports' integrity. While McKinsey has claimed the DEI studies only found a correlative link between DEI and financial outperformance, McKinsey spokeswoman and the author of four of the DEI reports Vivian Hunt publicly asserted that 'the leading companies in our datasets are pursuing diversity because it's a business imperative and driving real business results.' Further, McKinsey has not publicly released its underlying datasets used to produce its DEI reports," concluded Task Force Chairman Gill.
* * *
INFODOC: https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Letter-Request-to-McKinsey-and-Company-re-DEI-Reports-8.17.26.pdf
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Original text here: https://oversight.house.gov/release/gill-investigates-mckinsey-for-promotion-of-discriminatory-hiring-practices-in-the-workplace-that-cost-u-s-billions/
CBO Issues Cost Estimate for Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act (H.R. 2302).
* * *
Summary of Legislation
On May 20, 2026, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs ordered eight pieces of legislation to be reported, all related to tribal land and its uses. This document provides estimates for six of those pieces of legislation.
Estimated Federal Cost
The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 450 (community and regional development).
Basis of Estimate
For this estimate, CBO assumes that ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act (H.R. 2302). * * * Summary of Legislation On May 20, 2026, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs ordered eight pieces of legislation to be reported, all related to tribal land and its uses. This document provides estimates for six of those pieces of legislation. Estimated Federal Cost The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 450 (community and regional development). Basis of Estimate For this estimate, CBO assumes thatfor each of the three companion pieces of legislation one of each pair will be enacted near the end of fiscal year 2026 and that sufficient amounts will be available each year to implement the legislation. This cost estimate does not include any effects of interactions among the pieces of legislation. If all were combined and enacted as a single piece of legislation, the effects could be different from the sum of the separate estimates, but CBO expects those effects would be small.
H.R. 681, an act, and S. 236, a bill, to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the "Long Term Leasing Act"), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes, would allow the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to lease their land that is held in trust for a term of up to 99 years with approval from the Department of the Interior (DOI). Under current law, the tribes cannot lease such land for more than 25 years, with an option to renew the lease once for another 25 years. Any proceeds from leases would accrue to the tribes.
Using information from DOI, CBO estimates that the administrative costs to implement either piece of legislation would be less than $500,000 over the 2026-2031 period.
H.R. 2302 and S. 2735, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025, would transfer approximately 200 acres of land in El Dorado County, California, from the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to the Department of the Interior. DOI would hold title to that land for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. Both pieces of legislation also would revoke Public Land Order 3309, which granted the Forest Service a parcel of land for research.1 Additionally, both pieces of legislation would prohibit certain types of gaming on the land.
1. Public Land Order 3309, "Withdrawal for Forest Service Experiment Station," 29 Fed. Reg. 609 (January 24, 1964), https://tinyurl.com/y9dxh6x3 (accessed August 4, 2026).
Using information from DOI, CBO estimates that the administrative costs to implement either piece of legislation would be less than $500,000 over the 2026-2031 period.
H.R. 2388 and S. 1513, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act, would transfer approximately 1,100 acres of land in the state of Washington from the National Park Service to the Department of the Interior. DOI would hold title to that land for the benefit of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Both pieces of legislation also would prohibit certain types of gaming on that land.
Using information from DOI, CBO estimates that the administrative costs to implement either piece of legislation would be less than $500,000 over the 2026-2031 period.
Pay-As-You-Go Considerations
None of the legislation would affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
Increase in Long-Term Net Direct Spending and Deficits
CBO estimates that none of the pieces of legislation would increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2037.
Mandates
H.R. 2302 and S. 2735 would impose an intergovernmental mandate as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) by prohibiting state and local governments from taxing land that would be taken into trust by DOI for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. Information from El Dorado County, California, about tax collections associated with the land indicates that the forgone revenues would total less than $100,000 each year, well below the annual intergovernmental threshold established in UMRA ($107 million in 2026, adjusted annually for inflation).
H.R. 2388 and S. 1513 would impose an intergovernmental mandate as defined in UMRA by prohibiting gaming on tribal land that would be placed into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The parcel that would be transferred is contiguous to existing reservation land. Because federal law currently allows gaming on that land, the ban would impose a mandate. (The tribe has no stated plan to conduct gaming on that land.) CBO estimates that the cost of the mandate would be small and would not exceed the annual threshold established in UMRA.
None of the pieces of legislation contain private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
On October 1, 2025, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 2388, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act, as reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on September 15, 2025. That piece of legislation is similar to the version of H.R. 2388 in this estimate and to its companion bill, S. 1513. CBO's estimates of the budgetary effects for all three pieces of legislation are the same.
Although the pieces of legislation are similar, CBO's prior and current mandate statements are different. The October 2025 estimate for H.R. 2388 did not account for the fact that the land that would be placed into trust under that legislation is contiguous to existing reservation land and is therefore exempt from gaming prohibitions under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Estimate Prepared By
Federal Costs: Julia Aman
Mandates: Rachel Austin
Estimate Reviewed By
Justin Humphrey Chief, Finance, Housing, and Education Cost Estimates Unit
Kathleen FitzGerald Chief, Public and Private Mandates Unit
H. Samuel Papenfuss Deputy Director of Budget Analysis
Estimate Approved By
Phillip L. Swagel Director, Congressional Budget Office
* * *
Original text here: https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2026-08/hr2302_SIA.pdf
* * *
Summary of Legislation
On May 20, 2026, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs ordered eight pieces of legislation to be reported, all related to tribal land and its uses. This document provides estimates for six of those pieces of legislation.
Estimated Federal Cost
The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 450 (community and regional development).
Basis of Estimate
For this estimate, CBO assumes that ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act (H.R. 2302). * * * Summary of Legislation On May 20, 2026, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs ordered eight pieces of legislation to be reported, all related to tribal land and its uses. This document provides estimates for six of those pieces of legislation. Estimated Federal Cost The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 450 (community and regional development). Basis of Estimate For this estimate, CBO assumes thatfor each of the three companion pieces of legislation one of each pair will be enacted near the end of fiscal year 2026 and that sufficient amounts will be available each year to implement the legislation. This cost estimate does not include any effects of interactions among the pieces of legislation. If all were combined and enacted as a single piece of legislation, the effects could be different from the sum of the separate estimates, but CBO expects those effects would be small.
H.R. 681, an act, and S. 236, a bill, to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the "Long Term Leasing Act"), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes, would allow the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to lease their land that is held in trust for a term of up to 99 years with approval from the Department of the Interior (DOI). Under current law, the tribes cannot lease such land for more than 25 years, with an option to renew the lease once for another 25 years. Any proceeds from leases would accrue to the tribes.
Using information from DOI, CBO estimates that the administrative costs to implement either piece of legislation would be less than $500,000 over the 2026-2031 period.
H.R. 2302 and S. 2735, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025, would transfer approximately 200 acres of land in El Dorado County, California, from the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to the Department of the Interior. DOI would hold title to that land for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. Both pieces of legislation also would revoke Public Land Order 3309, which granted the Forest Service a parcel of land for research.1 Additionally, both pieces of legislation would prohibit certain types of gaming on the land.
1. Public Land Order 3309, "Withdrawal for Forest Service Experiment Station," 29 Fed. Reg. 609 (January 24, 1964), https://tinyurl.com/y9dxh6x3 (accessed August 4, 2026).
Using information from DOI, CBO estimates that the administrative costs to implement either piece of legislation would be less than $500,000 over the 2026-2031 period.
H.R. 2388 and S. 1513, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act, would transfer approximately 1,100 acres of land in the state of Washington from the National Park Service to the Department of the Interior. DOI would hold title to that land for the benefit of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Both pieces of legislation also would prohibit certain types of gaming on that land.
Using information from DOI, CBO estimates that the administrative costs to implement either piece of legislation would be less than $500,000 over the 2026-2031 period.
Pay-As-You-Go Considerations
None of the legislation would affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
Increase in Long-Term Net Direct Spending and Deficits
CBO estimates that none of the pieces of legislation would increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2037.
Mandates
H.R. 2302 and S. 2735 would impose an intergovernmental mandate as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) by prohibiting state and local governments from taxing land that would be taken into trust by DOI for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. Information from El Dorado County, California, about tax collections associated with the land indicates that the forgone revenues would total less than $100,000 each year, well below the annual intergovernmental threshold established in UMRA ($107 million in 2026, adjusted annually for inflation).
H.R. 2388 and S. 1513 would impose an intergovernmental mandate as defined in UMRA by prohibiting gaming on tribal land that would be placed into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The parcel that would be transferred is contiguous to existing reservation land. Because federal law currently allows gaming on that land, the ban would impose a mandate. (The tribe has no stated plan to conduct gaming on that land.) CBO estimates that the cost of the mandate would be small and would not exceed the annual threshold established in UMRA.
None of the pieces of legislation contain private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
On October 1, 2025, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 2388, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act, as reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on September 15, 2025. That piece of legislation is similar to the version of H.R. 2388 in this estimate and to its companion bill, S. 1513. CBO's estimates of the budgetary effects for all three pieces of legislation are the same.
Although the pieces of legislation are similar, CBO's prior and current mandate statements are different. The October 2025 estimate for H.R. 2388 did not account for the fact that the land that would be placed into trust under that legislation is contiguous to existing reservation land and is therefore exempt from gaming prohibitions under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Estimate Prepared By
Federal Costs: Julia Aman
Mandates: Rachel Austin
Estimate Reviewed By
Justin Humphrey Chief, Finance, Housing, and Education Cost Estimates Unit
Kathleen FitzGerald Chief, Public and Private Mandates Unit
H. Samuel Papenfuss Deputy Director of Budget Analysis
Estimate Approved By
Phillip L. Swagel Director, Congressional Budget Office
* * *
Original text here: https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2026-08/hr2302_SIA.pdf
Amid Ongoing Conflict, Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Sudanese Nationals
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release:
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Amid Ongoing Conflict, Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Sudanese Nationals
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) led their colleagues in urging the Trump administration to extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan as ongoing violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis continue to put citizens at grave risk.
In a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Secretary of State ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Amid Ongoing Conflict, Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Sudanese Nationals U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) led their colleagues in urging the Trump administration to extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan as ongoing violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis continue to put citizens at grave risk. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Secretary of StateMarco Rubio, the senators wrote, "After war erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), DHS extended and redesignated Sudan for TPS, citing ongoing armed conflict, widespread violence, severe humanitarian conditions, mass displacement, and serious human rights abuses. DHS again extended Sudan's TPS designation in 2025 after determining that these conditions continued to prevent the safe return of Sudanese nationals."
TPS is a temporary, legal immigration status granted to foreign citizens in the U.S. who are endangered by conditions in their home country resulting from extraordinary events such as ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or epidemic. TPS status is granted for set periods ranging from six to 18 months, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to extend a country's status on a recurring basis. Each time a country is recertified, recipients must reapply and pass a thorough background check. Sudan's current TPS designation is set to expire October 19, 2026. An extension and redesignation would protect current Sudanese TPS holders from returning to the country amid its ongoing conflict and would offer protected status to Sudanese nationals who arrived in the United States after August 16, 2023.
The senators highlighted the mounting crisis in Sudan, adding, "The armed conflict between the SAF and the RSF has intensified and expanded, causing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Fighting has spread across much of the country, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions of people, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, severe food insecurity, and credible reports of war crimes and other serious human rights violations. The U.S. government has determined that the RSF and SAF have committed war crimes and that the RSF is responsible for crimes against humanity and genocide. Secretary Rubio has further recognized the genocide in Sudan and joined G7 countries in warning against further atrocities in El Obeid in July 2026."
"Humanitarian access remains severely restricted, and large areas of Sudan continue to be unsafe for civilians, making the return of Sudanese nationals unsafe under current conditions. Sudan continues to face catastrophic humanitarian conditions - including the risk of famine in several areas - that have been compounded by climate shocks, widespread food insecurity, and the destruction of critical infrastructure. Since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, hospitals, schools, water systems, roads, and electrical infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed, severely limiting access to basic services and humanitarian assistance," the senators continued.
The senators also noted that the Trump administration has already acknowledged the dangers posed by the war and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The State Department maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for the entire country, citing risks including armed conflict, civil unrest, and terrorism. Furthermore, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum has suspended operations since April 2023, leaving the U.S. government unable to provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Sudan.
In addition to Sens. Warner and Kaine, the letter was signed by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA).
Since the conflict erupted, Sens. Warner and Kaine have been outspoken voices in the Senate on the need for increased diplomatic and humanitarian support for Sudan. In June 2025, the senators sponsored the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency (SECURE) Act, legislation to provide qualified TPS and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients a path to legal permanent residency. In January 2025, Sens. Warner and Kaine urged then-President Biden to extend or redesignate TPS for all 17 TPS-eligible countries, including Sudan. The senators have fought to strengthen the U.S. response to the Sudan crisis, introducing the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act to bolster and coordinate the U.S. response to the war in Sudan by codifying the Special Envoy for Sudan position at the U.S. Department of State. In December 2024, Sen. Warner urged the Biden administration to take more decisive action against foreign entities fueling the ongoing civil war in Sudan. In May 2023, Sens. Warner and Kaine led a group of colleagues in urging the administration to offer all available support for humanitarian efforts in the region - and to be forward-leaning on prioritizing local and community-based response efforts - as well as appoint a Special Envoy to Sudan tasked with coordinating and leading U.S. diplomatic efforts to address the crisis. That same year, the senators also successfully called on the Biden administration to redesignate TPS for Sudan.
Read the full letter here (https://www.warner.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026.08.17-TPS-for-Sudan-FINAL.pdf) and below.
Dear Secretary Mullin and Secretary Rubio:
We write to urge you to issue an 18-month extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan. The ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Sudan continue to place its citizens at severe risk. An extension would protect current Sudanese TPS holders from returning to Sudan amid ongoing violence, and a redesignation would offer protected status to Sudanese nationals who arrived after August 16, 2023.
After war erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), DHS extended and redesignated Sudan for TPS, citing ongoing armed conflict, widespread violence, severe humanitarian conditions, mass displacement, and serious human rights abuses. DHS again extended Sudan's TPS designation in 2025 after determining that these conditions continued to prevent the safe return of Sudanese nationals.
The armed conflict between the SAF and the RSF has intensified and expanded, causing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Fighting has spread across much of the country, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions of people, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, severe food insecurity, and credible reports of war crimes and other serious human rights violations. The U.S. government has determined that the RSF and SAF have committed war crimes and that the RSF is responsible for crimes against humanity and genocide. Secretary Rubio has further recognized the genocide in Sudan and joined G7 countries in warning against further atrocities in El Obeid in July 2026.
Humanitarian access remains severely restricted, and large areas of Sudan continue to be unsafe for civilians, making the return of Sudanese nationals unsafe under current conditions. Sudan continues to face catastrophic humanitarian conditions - including the risk of famine in several areas - that have been compounded by climate shocks, widespread food insecurity, and the destruction of critical infrastructure. Since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, hospitals, schools, water systems, roads, and electrical infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed, severely limiting access to basic services and humanitarian assistance.
More than 30 million people - two-thirds of Sudan's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance, including 15 million children. More than 8 million people are internally displaced, making Sudan the world's largest internal displacement crisis. Millions more have fled to neighboring countries as refugees. Humanitarian organizations continue to warn that funding shortfalls, ongoing insecurity, and restrictions on aid delivery are preventing life-saving assistance from reaching millions of people in need. These overlapping crises - ongoing armed conflict, mass displacement, widespread hunger, disease outbreaks, climate-related disasters, and the collapse of essential services - have significantly worsened since Sudan's most recent TPS designation and continue to make the safe return of Sudanese nationals impossible.
The posture of the State Department demonstrates the dangers of the war in Sudan. The U.S. Department of State currently maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for all of Sudan, warning U.S. citizens not to travel to the country due to ongoing armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, and serious health and security risks. The State Department also notes that the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum has suspended operations since April 2023 and that the U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Sudan. These conditions underscore the continued instability throughout the country and further demonstrate that Sudan remains unsafe for the return of Sudanese nationals.
At the beginning of this administration, approximately 1.2 million foreign nationals were protected under TPS, including 1,790 individuals from Sudan. These individuals make significant contributions to the U.S. economy and the communities they call home. They are taxpayers, consumers, entrepreneurs, and essential members of the workforce. According to the American Immigration Council, TPS holders collectively generated more than $10.3 billion in household income, held nearly $8 billion in spending power, and contributed over $2.2 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2021 alone. Beyond these measurable economic contributions, TPS holders strengthen local economies by purchasing homes, renting apartments, starting businesses, and filling critical labor shortages across a range of industries. Although Sudanese TPS beneficiaries represent only a portion of the overall TPS population, they likewise contribute to the U.S. workforce and economy while lawfully employed under TPS.
In light of these circumstances, we strongly urge you to extend and redesignate Sudan for TPS. The ongoing armed conflict, catastrophic humanitarian crisis, and widespread human rights abuses make the safe return of Sudanese nationals impossible at this time, meeting the legal standard for extension and redesignation of TPS under Sec. 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. TPS for Sudanese nationals in the United States remains both a humanitarian necessity and a prudent policy to ensure that individuals are not forced to return to conditions that continue to threaten their safety and well-being.
We thank you for your consideration of this request.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/amid-ongoing-conflict-warner-kaine-colleagues-urge-trump-administration-to-extend-temporary-protected-status-for-sudanese-nationals/
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Amid Ongoing Conflict, Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Sudanese Nationals
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) led their colleagues in urging the Trump administration to extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan as ongoing violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis continue to put citizens at grave risk.
In a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Secretary of State ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Amid Ongoing Conflict, Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Sudanese Nationals U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) led their colleagues in urging the Trump administration to extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan as ongoing violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis continue to put citizens at grave risk. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Secretary of StateMarco Rubio, the senators wrote, "After war erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), DHS extended and redesignated Sudan for TPS, citing ongoing armed conflict, widespread violence, severe humanitarian conditions, mass displacement, and serious human rights abuses. DHS again extended Sudan's TPS designation in 2025 after determining that these conditions continued to prevent the safe return of Sudanese nationals."
TPS is a temporary, legal immigration status granted to foreign citizens in the U.S. who are endangered by conditions in their home country resulting from extraordinary events such as ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or epidemic. TPS status is granted for set periods ranging from six to 18 months, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to extend a country's status on a recurring basis. Each time a country is recertified, recipients must reapply and pass a thorough background check. Sudan's current TPS designation is set to expire October 19, 2026. An extension and redesignation would protect current Sudanese TPS holders from returning to the country amid its ongoing conflict and would offer protected status to Sudanese nationals who arrived in the United States after August 16, 2023.
The senators highlighted the mounting crisis in Sudan, adding, "The armed conflict between the SAF and the RSF has intensified and expanded, causing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Fighting has spread across much of the country, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions of people, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, severe food insecurity, and credible reports of war crimes and other serious human rights violations. The U.S. government has determined that the RSF and SAF have committed war crimes and that the RSF is responsible for crimes against humanity and genocide. Secretary Rubio has further recognized the genocide in Sudan and joined G7 countries in warning against further atrocities in El Obeid in July 2026."
"Humanitarian access remains severely restricted, and large areas of Sudan continue to be unsafe for civilians, making the return of Sudanese nationals unsafe under current conditions. Sudan continues to face catastrophic humanitarian conditions - including the risk of famine in several areas - that have been compounded by climate shocks, widespread food insecurity, and the destruction of critical infrastructure. Since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, hospitals, schools, water systems, roads, and electrical infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed, severely limiting access to basic services and humanitarian assistance," the senators continued.
The senators also noted that the Trump administration has already acknowledged the dangers posed by the war and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The State Department maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for the entire country, citing risks including armed conflict, civil unrest, and terrorism. Furthermore, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum has suspended operations since April 2023, leaving the U.S. government unable to provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Sudan.
In addition to Sens. Warner and Kaine, the letter was signed by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA).
Since the conflict erupted, Sens. Warner and Kaine have been outspoken voices in the Senate on the need for increased diplomatic and humanitarian support for Sudan. In June 2025, the senators sponsored the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency (SECURE) Act, legislation to provide qualified TPS and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients a path to legal permanent residency. In January 2025, Sens. Warner and Kaine urged then-President Biden to extend or redesignate TPS for all 17 TPS-eligible countries, including Sudan. The senators have fought to strengthen the U.S. response to the Sudan crisis, introducing the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act to bolster and coordinate the U.S. response to the war in Sudan by codifying the Special Envoy for Sudan position at the U.S. Department of State. In December 2024, Sen. Warner urged the Biden administration to take more decisive action against foreign entities fueling the ongoing civil war in Sudan. In May 2023, Sens. Warner and Kaine led a group of colleagues in urging the administration to offer all available support for humanitarian efforts in the region - and to be forward-leaning on prioritizing local and community-based response efforts - as well as appoint a Special Envoy to Sudan tasked with coordinating and leading U.S. diplomatic efforts to address the crisis. That same year, the senators also successfully called on the Biden administration to redesignate TPS for Sudan.
Read the full letter here (https://www.warner.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026.08.17-TPS-for-Sudan-FINAL.pdf) and below.
Dear Secretary Mullin and Secretary Rubio:
We write to urge you to issue an 18-month extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan. The ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Sudan continue to place its citizens at severe risk. An extension would protect current Sudanese TPS holders from returning to Sudan amid ongoing violence, and a redesignation would offer protected status to Sudanese nationals who arrived after August 16, 2023.
After war erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), DHS extended and redesignated Sudan for TPS, citing ongoing armed conflict, widespread violence, severe humanitarian conditions, mass displacement, and serious human rights abuses. DHS again extended Sudan's TPS designation in 2025 after determining that these conditions continued to prevent the safe return of Sudanese nationals.
The armed conflict between the SAF and the RSF has intensified and expanded, causing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Fighting has spread across much of the country, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions of people, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, severe food insecurity, and credible reports of war crimes and other serious human rights violations. The U.S. government has determined that the RSF and SAF have committed war crimes and that the RSF is responsible for crimes against humanity and genocide. Secretary Rubio has further recognized the genocide in Sudan and joined G7 countries in warning against further atrocities in El Obeid in July 2026.
Humanitarian access remains severely restricted, and large areas of Sudan continue to be unsafe for civilians, making the return of Sudanese nationals unsafe under current conditions. Sudan continues to face catastrophic humanitarian conditions - including the risk of famine in several areas - that have been compounded by climate shocks, widespread food insecurity, and the destruction of critical infrastructure. Since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, hospitals, schools, water systems, roads, and electrical infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed, severely limiting access to basic services and humanitarian assistance.
More than 30 million people - two-thirds of Sudan's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance, including 15 million children. More than 8 million people are internally displaced, making Sudan the world's largest internal displacement crisis. Millions more have fled to neighboring countries as refugees. Humanitarian organizations continue to warn that funding shortfalls, ongoing insecurity, and restrictions on aid delivery are preventing life-saving assistance from reaching millions of people in need. These overlapping crises - ongoing armed conflict, mass displacement, widespread hunger, disease outbreaks, climate-related disasters, and the collapse of essential services - have significantly worsened since Sudan's most recent TPS designation and continue to make the safe return of Sudanese nationals impossible.
The posture of the State Department demonstrates the dangers of the war in Sudan. The U.S. Department of State currently maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for all of Sudan, warning U.S. citizens not to travel to the country due to ongoing armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, and serious health and security risks. The State Department also notes that the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum has suspended operations since April 2023 and that the U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Sudan. These conditions underscore the continued instability throughout the country and further demonstrate that Sudan remains unsafe for the return of Sudanese nationals.
At the beginning of this administration, approximately 1.2 million foreign nationals were protected under TPS, including 1,790 individuals from Sudan. These individuals make significant contributions to the U.S. economy and the communities they call home. They are taxpayers, consumers, entrepreneurs, and essential members of the workforce. According to the American Immigration Council, TPS holders collectively generated more than $10.3 billion in household income, held nearly $8 billion in spending power, and contributed over $2.2 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2021 alone. Beyond these measurable economic contributions, TPS holders strengthen local economies by purchasing homes, renting apartments, starting businesses, and filling critical labor shortages across a range of industries. Although Sudanese TPS beneficiaries represent only a portion of the overall TPS population, they likewise contribute to the U.S. workforce and economy while lawfully employed under TPS.
In light of these circumstances, we strongly urge you to extend and redesignate Sudan for TPS. The ongoing armed conflict, catastrophic humanitarian crisis, and widespread human rights abuses make the safe return of Sudanese nationals impossible at this time, meeting the legal standard for extension and redesignation of TPS under Sec. 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. TPS for Sudanese nationals in the United States remains both a humanitarian necessity and a prudent policy to ensure that individuals are not forced to return to conditions that continue to threaten their safety and well-being.
We thank you for your consideration of this request.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/amid-ongoing-conflict-warner-kaine-colleagues-urge-trump-administration-to-extend-temporary-protected-status-for-sudanese-nationals/
54 House Democrats raise concerns over Trump administration's critical minerals agreements
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- Rep. Linda T. Sanchez, D-California, issued the following news release:
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54 House Democrats raise concerns over Trump administration's critical minerals agreements
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WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.) today led 51 of their House Democratic colleagues in calling on the Trump administration to address concerns about its recently announced critical minerals agreements.
The deals lack transparency and enforceable ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- Rep. Linda T. Sanchez, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * 54 House Democrats raise concerns over Trump administration's critical minerals agreements * WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.) today led 51 of their House Democratic colleagues in calling on the Trump administration to address concerns about its recently announced critical minerals agreements. The deals lack transparency and enforceableprotections for labor rights, human rights and the environment, while potentially enriching Trump administration insiders and placing financial risk onto American taxpayers without congressional oversight.
The New York Times has even reported that companies linked to the families of President Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick would profit from a U.S.-backed critical minerals agreement in Kazakhstan.
"In light of these concerns, we call for a transparent and accountable negotiation process, alongside a clear commitment to advancing high-road, sustainable critical minerals mining and processing," the members wrote. "The United States must also engage partner countries with respect for their sovereignty and support value-addition in critical minerals supply chains that strengthens emerging economies and ensures exploitative practices of the past are not repeated."
In addition to Sanchez, Huffman and Jackson, the letter was signed by Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Jesus Garcia (D-Ill.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Pablo Hernandez (D-Puerto Rico), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.).
Full text of the letter is available HERE and follows:
August 17, 2026
Ambassador Greer
U.S. Trade Representative
600 17th St. NW,
Washington, D.C. 20508
Secretary Rubio
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20520
Secretary Lutnick
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20230
Secretary Bessent
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20220
Dear Ambassador Greer, Secretary Rubio, Secretary Lutnick, and Secretary Bessent:
We write to raise serious concerns with the administration's recent international agreements related to critical minerals, including framework agreements, agreements on reciprocal trade, action plans, memoranda of understanding (MOU), and a potential Plurilateral Agreement on Trade in Critical Minerals. While we have long supported efforts to strengthen U.S. critical minerals supply chains to build our clean energy and technology industries and to reduce reliance on China, several of these "deals" raise concerns regarding transparency, labor and human rights, environmental protections, and insufficient congressional oversight.
As you know, poorly regulated mining and minerals processing has a well-documented record of environmental damage, displacement and harm to Indigenous communities, and widespread labor and human rights violations. Any agreement facilitating trade in critical minerals must directly address these harms and avoid reinforcing extractive models that prioritize mining profits over communities and workers.
All minerals-related trade negotiations must also allow for broad public participation and congressional review and approval, as required by Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. We were alarmed to hear about the administration's threats to use "trade-restricting measures" in negotiating critical minerals agreements which directly usurp Congressional prerogatives on trade.
Our scrutiny of executive overreach in critical minerals agreements is not new. Republican and Democratic congressional leaders alike sharply criticized the Biden administration's critical minerals trade deal with Japan for circumventing Congress's trade authority and lacking enforceable labor, human rights, and environmental standards.
Unfortunately, the Trump administration expanded this approach, announcing critical minerals deals and related provisions in the broader "reciprocal" trade deals without meaningful consultation with Congress nor the communities that would be most impacted. A letter sent to Secretary Rubio by more than 50 House members last August requesting basic information about the negotiations of a critical minerals deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) went unanswered.
We were alarmed to learn the Trump administration has since signed a "Strategic Partnership Agreement" (SPA) with the DRC which calls for sweeping changes to the DRC's constitution and grants U.S. companies a "right of first offer" on mining concessions. The SPA has paved the way for foreign mining companies to extract the DRC's mineral wealth amid a violent conflict, all while mass violence and human rights violations continue. In this context, reports the U.S. helped fund a paramilitary force to guard mining operations in the DRC and may lift Magnitsky Act sanctions on businessman Dan Gertler to facilitate a cobalt deal, are especially troubling.
We were further troubled to learn that U.S. development assistance is being used as leverage in critical minerals negotiations. It is callous and unacceptable that the State Department threatened to withhold HIV medicines and other lifesaving assistance for the Zambian people to pressure the Zambian government into signing a critical minerals agreement with the U.S. The Trump administration's cuts to foreign aid, particularly for healthcare assistance, have also threatened workforce stability, economic development, and broader U.S. strategic interests in partner countries.
We also note significant issues with the critical minerals provisions included in several Agreements on Reciprocal Trade (ART). The ART with Malaysia prevents export restrictions on critical minerals which some emerging economies rely on to promote value addition, increase government revenue, and support downstream development. ARTs with Argentina, Ecuador, Cambodia and Bangladesh explicitly require countries to facilitate U.S. mining investment in their countries without requiring any binding environmental, labor, or human rights commitments.
In addition, provisions within the MOU concluded with Malaysia establish an institutional channel for the United States to influence mining policy and governance in Malaysia while skirting Congressional involvement, international agreements, and public debate. The text explicitly encourages "streamlining permitting processes". Under the Trump administration "streamlining" policies for domestic mining has included dramatically limiting environmental review, eliminating opportunities for public input, and weakening or repealing environmental protections. This MOU, and others modeled on it, could therefore provide a channel for the Trump administration to push its deregulatory agenda onto partner countries without scrutiny.
Finally, we are deeply concerned these deals commit U.S. taxpayers to billions in direct loans and loan guarantees by the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Export-Import Bank and other federal equity investments in mining and processing. These structures shift risk onto U.S. taxpayers while encouraging companies to take on riskier projects. If projects succeed, companies keep the profits; if they fail, taxpayers help absorb losses.
Absent strong transparency and accountability measures, these investments and loan guarantees raise risks of conflicts of interest, self-dealing, preferential treatment, and weakened oversight. The Export-Import Bank inspector general position has remained vacant for months, and the recent DFC reauthorization expanded the agency's authorities while reducing congressional oversight, leaving hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. government-backed financing without credible safeguards against corruption or misuse of taxpayer funds. Recent reporting by the New York Times that members of the Trump and Lutnick families could be enriched through U.S.-financed critical minerals deals underscores this concern.
These risks are compounded by the Trump administration's pursuit of critical minerals agreements that include price floors. Depending on the goals and design of coordinated price support mechanisms, they could facilitate cartel-like behavior inconsistent with U.S. antitrust law and inadvertently benefit Chinese firms elsewhere in the critical minerals supply chain. Without rigorous safeguards, traceability requirements, and restrictions on participation by Chinese state-linked firms, these mechanisms could inadvertently reinforce China's dominance in global supply chains rather than reduce U.S. dependence on it.
In light of these concerns, we call for a transparent and accountable negotiation process, alongside a clear commitment to advancing high-road, sustainable critical minerals mining and processing. The United States must also engage partner countries with respect for their sovereignty and support value-addition in critical minerals supply chains that strengthens emerging economies and ensures exploitative practices of the past are not repeated.
In addition, we request answers to the following questions:
1. Will the Trump administration include binding standards and enforcement mechanisms in its critical minerals arrangements to protect the environment, communities, and the full range of internationally recognized labor rights, not only the prohibition of forced labor? How will compliance be measured, verified, and reported? And what penalties will apply when violations occur?
2. How will the administration ensure that the U.S.-backed paramilitary force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo respects human rights and does not interfere with the exercise of internationally recognized labor rights, including freedom of association?
3. What assessment, if any, has the administration conducted regarding the impact of recent reductions or disruptions in U.S. foreign assistance, particularly healthcare and HIV/AIDS programming, on U.S. mining companies operating abroad and the local workforce on which those companies rely?
4. Mineral circularity, the practice of minimizing waste and maximizing the lifespan of minerals, has the potential to create American jobs, improve supply chain resilience, and reduce unnecessary waste. Will the U.S. integrate circularity requirements or incentives into its critical minerals arrangements to ensure that minerals are reused, refurbished, and recycled as often as possible?
5. What specific safeguards are in place to ensure that U.S. taxpayer-financed DFC and Export-Import Bank-backed guarantees do not incentivize excessively risky overseas mining projects or unfairly benefit specific firms, investors, or political interests? How will the projects supported by this financing benefit workers in the United States and in the countries where the projects are located?
6. How will the administration ensure that the U.S. government's acquisition of equity stakes in critical minerals firms will not result in conflicts of interest, self-dealing, preferential treatment, or weakened regulatory oversight and enforcement?
7. What safeguards are in place to ensure that a proposed price floor for critical minerals does not enable coordination among firms or otherwise create antitrust risks associated with price-setting?
8. How will the administration ensure that any price floor arrangement does not allow Chinese firms or state-linked entities to benefit from third-country production, concentration of downstream processing and refining capacity, or transshipment?
9. The administration has worked to accelerate deep-sea mining of critical minerals including with the recent U.S.-Japan MOU on deep-sea mineral resource development, ordering agencies to commence mapping and expedite permitting despite a lack of scientific studies. Has the administration conducted environmental impact assessments of how these activities could affect fisheries, ocean carbon storage, and coastal economies? Does the administration have a plan to address potential harm and, if so, what has been proposed?
10. Strong, mutually beneficial trade partnerships are essential to securing U.S. critical minerals supply chains. How is the administration ensuring that its critical minerals strategy does not limit partner countries to extractive roles, but instead supports their ability to develop value-added processing and manufacturing capacity that promotes economic development rather than dependence?
***
Original text here: https://lindasanchez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/54-house-democrats-raise-concerns-over-trump-administrations-critical
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54 House Democrats raise concerns over Trump administration's critical minerals agreements
*
WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.) today led 51 of their House Democratic colleagues in calling on the Trump administration to address concerns about its recently announced critical minerals agreements.
The deals lack transparency and enforceable ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- Rep. Linda T. Sanchez, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * 54 House Democrats raise concerns over Trump administration's critical minerals agreements * WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.) today led 51 of their House Democratic colleagues in calling on the Trump administration to address concerns about its recently announced critical minerals agreements. The deals lack transparency and enforceableprotections for labor rights, human rights and the environment, while potentially enriching Trump administration insiders and placing financial risk onto American taxpayers without congressional oversight.
The New York Times has even reported that companies linked to the families of President Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick would profit from a U.S.-backed critical minerals agreement in Kazakhstan.
"In light of these concerns, we call for a transparent and accountable negotiation process, alongside a clear commitment to advancing high-road, sustainable critical minerals mining and processing," the members wrote. "The United States must also engage partner countries with respect for their sovereignty and support value-addition in critical minerals supply chains that strengthens emerging economies and ensures exploitative practices of the past are not repeated."
In addition to Sanchez, Huffman and Jackson, the letter was signed by Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Jesus Garcia (D-Ill.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Pablo Hernandez (D-Puerto Rico), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.).
Full text of the letter is available HERE and follows:
August 17, 2026
Ambassador Greer
U.S. Trade Representative
600 17th St. NW,
Washington, D.C. 20508
Secretary Rubio
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20520
Secretary Lutnick
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20230
Secretary Bessent
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20220
Dear Ambassador Greer, Secretary Rubio, Secretary Lutnick, and Secretary Bessent:
We write to raise serious concerns with the administration's recent international agreements related to critical minerals, including framework agreements, agreements on reciprocal trade, action plans, memoranda of understanding (MOU), and a potential Plurilateral Agreement on Trade in Critical Minerals. While we have long supported efforts to strengthen U.S. critical minerals supply chains to build our clean energy and technology industries and to reduce reliance on China, several of these "deals" raise concerns regarding transparency, labor and human rights, environmental protections, and insufficient congressional oversight.
As you know, poorly regulated mining and minerals processing has a well-documented record of environmental damage, displacement and harm to Indigenous communities, and widespread labor and human rights violations. Any agreement facilitating trade in critical minerals must directly address these harms and avoid reinforcing extractive models that prioritize mining profits over communities and workers.
All minerals-related trade negotiations must also allow for broad public participation and congressional review and approval, as required by Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. We were alarmed to hear about the administration's threats to use "trade-restricting measures" in negotiating critical minerals agreements which directly usurp Congressional prerogatives on trade.
Our scrutiny of executive overreach in critical minerals agreements is not new. Republican and Democratic congressional leaders alike sharply criticized the Biden administration's critical minerals trade deal with Japan for circumventing Congress's trade authority and lacking enforceable labor, human rights, and environmental standards.
Unfortunately, the Trump administration expanded this approach, announcing critical minerals deals and related provisions in the broader "reciprocal" trade deals without meaningful consultation with Congress nor the communities that would be most impacted. A letter sent to Secretary Rubio by more than 50 House members last August requesting basic information about the negotiations of a critical minerals deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) went unanswered.
We were alarmed to learn the Trump administration has since signed a "Strategic Partnership Agreement" (SPA) with the DRC which calls for sweeping changes to the DRC's constitution and grants U.S. companies a "right of first offer" on mining concessions. The SPA has paved the way for foreign mining companies to extract the DRC's mineral wealth amid a violent conflict, all while mass violence and human rights violations continue. In this context, reports the U.S. helped fund a paramilitary force to guard mining operations in the DRC and may lift Magnitsky Act sanctions on businessman Dan Gertler to facilitate a cobalt deal, are especially troubling.
We were further troubled to learn that U.S. development assistance is being used as leverage in critical minerals negotiations. It is callous and unacceptable that the State Department threatened to withhold HIV medicines and other lifesaving assistance for the Zambian people to pressure the Zambian government into signing a critical minerals agreement with the U.S. The Trump administration's cuts to foreign aid, particularly for healthcare assistance, have also threatened workforce stability, economic development, and broader U.S. strategic interests in partner countries.
We also note significant issues with the critical minerals provisions included in several Agreements on Reciprocal Trade (ART). The ART with Malaysia prevents export restrictions on critical minerals which some emerging economies rely on to promote value addition, increase government revenue, and support downstream development. ARTs with Argentina, Ecuador, Cambodia and Bangladesh explicitly require countries to facilitate U.S. mining investment in their countries without requiring any binding environmental, labor, or human rights commitments.
In addition, provisions within the MOU concluded with Malaysia establish an institutional channel for the United States to influence mining policy and governance in Malaysia while skirting Congressional involvement, international agreements, and public debate. The text explicitly encourages "streamlining permitting processes". Under the Trump administration "streamlining" policies for domestic mining has included dramatically limiting environmental review, eliminating opportunities for public input, and weakening or repealing environmental protections. This MOU, and others modeled on it, could therefore provide a channel for the Trump administration to push its deregulatory agenda onto partner countries without scrutiny.
Finally, we are deeply concerned these deals commit U.S. taxpayers to billions in direct loans and loan guarantees by the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Export-Import Bank and other federal equity investments in mining and processing. These structures shift risk onto U.S. taxpayers while encouraging companies to take on riskier projects. If projects succeed, companies keep the profits; if they fail, taxpayers help absorb losses.
Absent strong transparency and accountability measures, these investments and loan guarantees raise risks of conflicts of interest, self-dealing, preferential treatment, and weakened oversight. The Export-Import Bank inspector general position has remained vacant for months, and the recent DFC reauthorization expanded the agency's authorities while reducing congressional oversight, leaving hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. government-backed financing without credible safeguards against corruption or misuse of taxpayer funds. Recent reporting by the New York Times that members of the Trump and Lutnick families could be enriched through U.S.-financed critical minerals deals underscores this concern.
These risks are compounded by the Trump administration's pursuit of critical minerals agreements that include price floors. Depending on the goals and design of coordinated price support mechanisms, they could facilitate cartel-like behavior inconsistent with U.S. antitrust law and inadvertently benefit Chinese firms elsewhere in the critical minerals supply chain. Without rigorous safeguards, traceability requirements, and restrictions on participation by Chinese state-linked firms, these mechanisms could inadvertently reinforce China's dominance in global supply chains rather than reduce U.S. dependence on it.
In light of these concerns, we call for a transparent and accountable negotiation process, alongside a clear commitment to advancing high-road, sustainable critical minerals mining and processing. The United States must also engage partner countries with respect for their sovereignty and support value-addition in critical minerals supply chains that strengthens emerging economies and ensures exploitative practices of the past are not repeated.
In addition, we request answers to the following questions:
1. Will the Trump administration include binding standards and enforcement mechanisms in its critical minerals arrangements to protect the environment, communities, and the full range of internationally recognized labor rights, not only the prohibition of forced labor? How will compliance be measured, verified, and reported? And what penalties will apply when violations occur?
2. How will the administration ensure that the U.S.-backed paramilitary force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo respects human rights and does not interfere with the exercise of internationally recognized labor rights, including freedom of association?
3. What assessment, if any, has the administration conducted regarding the impact of recent reductions or disruptions in U.S. foreign assistance, particularly healthcare and HIV/AIDS programming, on U.S. mining companies operating abroad and the local workforce on which those companies rely?
4. Mineral circularity, the practice of minimizing waste and maximizing the lifespan of minerals, has the potential to create American jobs, improve supply chain resilience, and reduce unnecessary waste. Will the U.S. integrate circularity requirements or incentives into its critical minerals arrangements to ensure that minerals are reused, refurbished, and recycled as often as possible?
5. What specific safeguards are in place to ensure that U.S. taxpayer-financed DFC and Export-Import Bank-backed guarantees do not incentivize excessively risky overseas mining projects or unfairly benefit specific firms, investors, or political interests? How will the projects supported by this financing benefit workers in the United States and in the countries where the projects are located?
6. How will the administration ensure that the U.S. government's acquisition of equity stakes in critical minerals firms will not result in conflicts of interest, self-dealing, preferential treatment, or weakened regulatory oversight and enforcement?
7. What safeguards are in place to ensure that a proposed price floor for critical minerals does not enable coordination among firms or otherwise create antitrust risks associated with price-setting?
8. How will the administration ensure that any price floor arrangement does not allow Chinese firms or state-linked entities to benefit from third-country production, concentration of downstream processing and refining capacity, or transshipment?
9. The administration has worked to accelerate deep-sea mining of critical minerals including with the recent U.S.-Japan MOU on deep-sea mineral resource development, ordering agencies to commence mapping and expedite permitting despite a lack of scientific studies. Has the administration conducted environmental impact assessments of how these activities could affect fisheries, ocean carbon storage, and coastal economies? Does the administration have a plan to address potential harm and, if so, what has been proposed?
10. Strong, mutually beneficial trade partnerships are essential to securing U.S. critical minerals supply chains. How is the administration ensuring that its critical minerals strategy does not limit partner countries to extractive roles, but instead supports their ability to develop value-added processing and manufacturing capacity that promotes economic development rather than dependence?
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Original text here: https://lindasanchez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/54-house-democrats-raise-concerns-over-trump-administrations-critical