Disaster aid divide, NFA fight, and farm-state pressure dominate Friday recess traffic

The Rhode Island delegation's statement was the sharpest piece of political writing in Friday's release set. Sens. Reed and Whitehouse and two House members accused the Trump administration of ignoring every federal benchmark in denying aid for a storm that caused two fatalities, tens of thousands of power outages, and more than $19 million in documented damages eligible for federal reimbursement.

"The denial of disaster aid is unfair and unjust, but this isn't over," the delegation wrote. "We will continue to pursue a fair outcome and are putting the Trump White House and FEMA officials on notice that they should preserve all records and electronic communications surrounding this matter."

The statement drew a direct line between the denial and partisan politics. "Rhode Island and other so-called 'Blue' states didn't fail to meet federal requirements. Instead, President Trump simply ignored every federal benchmark and threshold and is trying to unfairly punish people who didn't vote for him," the delegation continued. "This isn't just about a reimbursement, it's about whether the future of U.S. disaster aid shifts from a merit-based process to a partisan political one."

The delegation called the FEMA appeal denial the end of an administrative process, not the end of the matter.

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., welcomed a federal Major Disaster Declaration for Pueblo, Custer, Ouray, and Dolores counties Friday, following wildfires that burned more than 140,000 acres this summer. But his statement carried a clear condition.

"The President must now approve the Governor's request for individual assistance and hazard mitigation funding as well as the overdue federal assistance for the Lee and Elk Fires and extreme flooding in Southwest Colorado that occurred last year," said Bennet. The release did not include the dollar amount of the approved public assistance funding.

Thirteen Senate Democrats, led by Sens. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Peter Welch, D-Vt., sent a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche condemning the Justice Department's decision not to seek immediate appellate relief after a Texas federal district court struck down key regulatory requirements of the National Firearms Act of 1934.

"For months, DOJ has defended the NFA in court against legal challenges brought by the firearms industry, certain state attorneys general, and the gun lobby. But less than one week after you were confirmed as Attorney General, the Department appears to have reversed course," the senators wrote.

The senators argued that DOJ's inaction created an immediate public safety gap. "As a result of DOJ's refusal to seek a stay of the District Court's order, some of the most dangerous concealable weapons in the country — including those that have been used in several mass shootings — can now be (and have been) bought and sold outside the NFA's heightened regulatory framework for the first time in nearly 100 years," they concluded. The senators also linked the reversal to pressure from gun rights lobbyists and Republican lawmakers, and demanded written justification from Blanche.

Sen. Raphael G. Warnock, D-Ga., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., opened a formal Senate Finance inquiry Friday into reports that senior Treasury officials are developing plans to use IRS enforcement authority against left-leaning tax-exempt organizations ahead of the 2026 midterms.

"Americans of every political persuasion must be able to trust that the IRS applies the tax code objectively under one set of rules," Warnock and Wyden wrote to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS CEO Frank Bisignano. The senators cited a New York Post report from August 27 naming the Open Society Foundations, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations as organizations under review.

The letter demanded disclosure of any directives targeting nonprofits for political reasons, any communications instructing IRS employees to conduct prohibited enforcement actions, and preservation of all related documents. "Rather than targeting actual violence, these directives explicitly conflate terrorism with subjective political viewpoints — such as 'anti-capitalism,' 'anti-Christianity,' and views on race, migration, and gender," the senators wrote.

Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., joined Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and a bicameral group of more than 40 lawmakers in a letter pressing President Trump to prioritize policies that provide long-term certainty for American cattle producers.

"American ranchers work diligently to do more with less, weather volatile markets, and provide a safe food supply," the lawmakers wrote. "Any intervention in the natural system, especially at a time when producers are making marketing decisions, threatens to pick winners and losers and undermine the long-term viability of family-owned cattle operations throughout the supply chain."

The letter, also signed by Sens. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., Bill Cassidy, R-La., Jim Justice, R-W.Va., and Steve Daines, R-Mont., urged close consultation with industry stakeholders before any policy changes affecting livestock markets. The push fits within Hoeven's broader Farm Bill 2.0 effort, which separately secured mandatory country of origin labeling for beef.

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., highlighted a USDA decision to purchase up to $20 million in surplus wild-caught shrimp for schools and food banks through the Section 32 Program — the same mechanism she used to secure a $20 million catfish purchase earlier this summer.

"This $20 million purchase of domestic shrimp will offer some much-needed relief to our shrimp industry as it continues to fight through unfair and foreign competition," said Hyde-Smith. "Our shrimpers work hard every day to provide safe, nutritious shrimp to American tables. I'm glad this purchase will support food banks and school nutrition programs across the country."

Hyde-Smith's office noted the purchase was part of a broader $156 million Section 32 acquisition announced in late August. The senator also has pending legislation on multiple fronts: the LABEL Act, which passed the Senate Agriculture Committee as a Farm Bill amendment and would require country-of-origin labeling for all seafood; the Save Our Shrimpers Act, which would block international financial institutions from financing foreign shrimp operations; and the Safer Shrimp Imports Act, requiring overseas facility inspections.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., used a Fox Business appearance to renew his call for Congress to establish an investment vehicle separate from the Social Security Trust Fund — what he frames as a national 401(k) — to address a projected 22-to-28 percent benefit cut within six years.

"What I am suggesting is we set up an investment fund. You called it a sovereign wealth fund. You could call it the nation's 401k, and you set it up, separate from the Social Security Trust Fund, you put money in it, and you allow it to grow with the nation's economy," said Cassidy.

He was direct about congressional resistance. "We just need Congress to have the guts to step up and take action now and not continue to postpone until it's too late. And they can't even pass a bill to even discuss ideas. That's the big problem," Cassidy continued. The release notes he recently co-authored a Washington Examiner op-ed with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., on the bipartisan effort.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., announced $219.5 million in FEMA public assistance Friday for Louisiana communities recovering from seven named hurricanes — Barry, Delta, Francine, Ida, Isaac, Katrina, and Laura — as well as saltwater intrusion and Severe Winter Storm Fern.

The largest single allocation — $53 million — goes to Jefferson Parish Public School System's Fisher Middle School for permanent work following Hurricane Ida. The full disbursement spans school systems, levee districts, parish governments, electric cooperatives, and a Catholic diocese, with grants ranging from roughly $1.5 million to $53 million. "Louisiana has been through more than its fair share of natural disasters, but our people never stay down," said Kennedy. "This $219.5 million will help communities across our state repair schools and critical infrastructure, cover recovery costs and better protect Louisianians from future disasters."

Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., visited a VFW post in Orlando Friday to discuss the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act with more than 100 former servicemembers during National Suicide Prevention Month. The bipartisan bill would create a Department of Veterans Affairs grant program for states to develop outdoor recreation programs for veterans, authorizing $10 million annually with a minimum $200,000 floor per approved state.

"As Florida's newest U.S. Senator, I have crisscrossed the state to meet with thousands of our great veterans and have looked for ways to increase resources and improve outcomes," said Moody. "They risked their lives to protect our great nation and I will continue to fight in Washington to make sure we always honor their service."

Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., was involved in two separate delegation letters Friday — one pressing VA Secretary Doug Collins on the agency's planned restructuring of Veterans Integrated Services Networks, and one calling on the DOJ Inspector General to expand its fentanyl investigation review period.

On VA restructuring: the delegation warned that consolidating VISNs into five regional networks under the VA RISE Initiative could harm the state's more than 125,000 veterans, many in rural or geographically isolated areas with limited broadband and specialty care access. "While we appreciate the Department's efforts to modernize its healthcare delivery system, any restructuring must improve — not weaken — the quality, accessibility, and responsiveness of care for veterans living in rural communities," the delegation wrote to Collins. "The success of this reorganization should ultimately be measured not by administrative efficiencies alone, but by whether veterans experience faster access to care, improved health outcomes, and greater confidence in the VA healthcare system."

On fentanyl: the delegation cited whistleblower complaints alleging DEA agents allowed large quantities of fentanyl to reach New Mexico streets rather than seizing them. "One of the whistleblowers claims that the DEA surveilled a drug trafficker 'who made repeated deliveries of fentanyl from Phoenix to Albuquerque between 2022 and 2023,'" the lawmakers wrote. "The people of New Mexico deserve answers as to why the agency charged with seizing drugs instead allowed deadly pills to flood their streets."

Sen. Raphael G. Warnock, D-Ga., met last week with Gullah Geechee community members at the Historic Harrington School on St. Simons Island to discuss environmental health impacts, land ownership pressures, and cultural preservation — issuing a release about the visit Friday.

Research from Emory University cited in the release found that Brunswick Superfund sites have contributed to elevated levels of toxic chemicals in the blood of Glynn County residents. Rising property taxes have compounded pressure on families, pushing some off ancestral land. "Coastal Georgia families should not have to choose between their history or their health," said Warnock. He has requested $233,000 in congressionally directed spending for rehabilitation of the Harrington School, which was built in 1924 and is the last remaining African American schoolhouse on St. Simons Island.

Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., issued a statement Friday attributing record Labor Day gas and diesel prices to what she described as the administration's military posture in Iran. AAA data cited in the release puts the national average at $4.15 per gallon — $4.30 in New York — compared with $3.20 a year ago.

"Because of Donald Trump, New York families, small businesses, and farmers will be paying record high prices this Labor Day weekend," said Gillibrand. "Every time New Yorkers go to the grocery store, take a trip, or buy something, they will be paying more because of Trump's reckless war in Iran. Americans need relief, but all this administration is focused on is bombs, ballrooms, and billionaires."

Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, both D-Va., joined three House members Friday in welcoming the Arlington County Police Department's formal investigation into an August 11 ICE encounter that left José Mejía Hernandez hospitalized with internal bleeding and a brain injury.

"It is unfortunate that the Trump Administration has abandoned its responsibilities to hold federal agents under their command accountable, leaving state and local jurisdictions to do the job the Administration refuses to do to maintain law and order and protect the public," the delegation said. "If this investigation finds that ICE agents' misconduct caused Mr. Mejía Hernandez' injuries or impeded his medical treatment, they must face consequences."

Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., issued a statement Friday praising the EPA's proposal to approve North Dakota's full State Implementation Plan for managing regional haze — reversing a partial denial issued by the Biden administration in 2022.

"This is tremendous news for our coal industry in North Dakota, which has consistently achieved its air quality targets without the need for costly, burdensome federal rules," said Hoeven. "We have proven time and again that state-led regulation gets the job done more cost-effectively, which helps ensure access to the reliable and affordable electricity produced by coal." The approved SIP would return primary emissions oversight for the state's coal-fired power plants to state regulators.

Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, both D-Va., announced $3 million in Economic Development Administration grant funding Friday to upgrade the Town of Altavista's wastewater treatment plant in Campbell County. The project is projected to create 273 jobs and improve operational reliability and energy efficiency.

"High-quality water infrastructure is critical to the health and well-being of all Virginians," the senators said. "We're thrilled to have helped deliver this federal funding to Altavista to help the town create jobs while modernizing its wastewater treatment plant, ensuring local residents and businesses have a quality water system they can depend on."

Signals

• volumeFriday's release count of 21 runs 57.3% below the Friday average of 49.1 — consistent with the August state work period recess, which continues through the weekend.
• recessThe Senate remains in its August state work period recess; no floor votes are scheduled and no releases originated from floor statements.
• coordinatedThe New Mexico delegation — both senators and all three House members — filed two separate coordinated letters on the same day, one on VA restructuring and one on DEA fentanyl practices, a double-barrel delegation action unusual even by recess standards.
• silent breaksSen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, has now gone 52 days without a public release — the longest silence in the tracked silent roster — followed by Sen. Alan Armstrong, R-OK at 50 days and Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-MS at 44 days.
• coordinatedThirteen Senate Democrats signed the Padilla-Welch NFA letter in a single day, including the Democratic Whip and members of the Judiciary Committee, representing one of the larger same-day Senate letter coalitions in recent weeks.

Quiet desks

Senators with no release in two weeks or more.

• Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC52d
• Sen. Alan Armstrong, R-OK50d
• Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-MS44d
• Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-MT30d
• Sen. Cynthia M. Lummis, R-WY29d
• Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY28d
• Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-CT25d
• Sen. John Barrasso, R-WY22d
• Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-TN22d
• Sen. Ron Johnson, R-WI19d