On the Hill News on Federal Newswire

U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.), along with Representatives Young Kim (R-Calif.-40) and Ami Bera (D-Calif.-06), have led a bipartisan letter to Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan leadership, urging the...

Senators urge halt on unified wildland fire service over staffing cuts

By R. C. Jamison | Feb 18, 2026

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, Amy Klobuchar, Jeff Merkley, and others have sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum urging him to stop the creation of a new U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS).

Thompson supports executive order securing supply of glyphosate-based herbicides

By R. C. Jamison | Feb 18, 2026

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson has expressed support for President Trump's Executive Order that emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sufficient supply of glyphosate-based herbicides for national security.

Arches National Park drops timed-entry reservations after criticism from Utah leaders

By T. P. Broyles | Feb 18, 2026

Senator Mike Lee, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, has expressed support for the Department of the Interior and National Park Service’s decision to discontinue advanced timed-entry reservations at Arches National...

Senators question Department of Energy's redirection of clean energy funds toward coal plants

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) have raised concerns over the Department of Energy's (DOE) recent decision to redirect nearly $625 million in congressionally-appropriated funds intended for clean energy and carbon...

Blumenthal criticizes VA rule change affecting veteran disability ratings

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal has voiced concern over a new interim final rule from the Trump Administration at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that changes how disability ratings for veterans are...

Chairman Garbarino warns DHS shutdown poses risks ahead of major events

House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) has raised concerns about the potential risks to public safety following a lapse in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding.

Senator Moran supports VA decision ending automatic firearm restrictions for some veterans

By R. C. Jamison | Feb 18, 2026

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, responded to a recent announcement by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding veterans' Second Amendment rights.

House committee leaders seek GAO review of current AI regulations

By T. P. Broyles | Feb 18, 2026

House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin and Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Jay Obernolte have asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a thorough review of current federal and state...

Senate HELP Committee schedules hearing for Surgeon General nominee Casey Means

By T. P. Broyles | Feb 18, 2026

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Dr. Casey Means, who has been nominated to serve as Surgeon General.

Heart ‘n Home named Small Business of the Week by Chair Joni Ernst

Chair Joni Ernst has recognized Heart ‘n Home as the Small Business of the Week for Pocahontas County, Iowa.

Senator Durbin issues statement on death of Reverend Jesse Jackson

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued a statement on the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson. “Reverend Jesse Jackson committed his life to the fight for civil rights.

Heinrich highlights call from Roosevelt descendants to protect Boundary Waters

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has highlighted a recent New York Times article in which descendants of President Teddy Roosevelt urged lawmakers to oppose a resolution that...

Cassidy leads GOP lawmakers backing lawsuit on abortion drug safeguards

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) have led 58 Republican lawmakers in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Western...

House subcommittee schedules hearing on U.S. drinking water challenges

Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Gary Palmer, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, have announced an upcoming hearing to discuss the state of drinking water infrastructure...

USDA proposes new rules for faster meat processing lines; agriculture leaders respond

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman have expressed support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed rules aimed at updating...

Blumenthal criticizes administration for ending gun purchase restrictions for at-risk veterans

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal has criticized the Trump Administration’s decision to end a policy that prevented certain at-risk veterans from purchasing firearms.

Boozman and Thompson support USDA proposal on meat processing line speed rules

U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman and House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson have expressed support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed updates to federal...

Murkowski leads hearing emphasizing importance of SBA Native 8(a) Program for native communities

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, recently led an oversight hearing focused on the Small Business Administration Native 8(a) Program.