Issues / Issue · Sep 8 – Oct 7, 2026
Government Spending
Democrats criticized Trump administration spending policies, including $1.8 billion in vanity projects, $1 billion in withheld congressionally approved funding, and $78 million in impounded health research funds. One Republican called for a bipartisan fiscal commission to address the $40 trillion national debt. Democrats also advanced proposals including a data center tax, public jobs program, and tax loophole closure.
AI summary of the releases below · Oct 8, 2026
How the conversation moved
Democrat Republican · one dot = one action| Action type | Wk ofSep 818 | Wk ofSep 1528 | Wk ofSep 2223 | Wk ofSep 2929 | Wk ofOct 67 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Requested actionDeclarations, investigations, decisions | 1 | |||||
| Sent lettersTo agencies, companies, officials | 17 | |||||
| HearingsHeld, testified or questioned | 4 | |||||
| StatementsResponses to news | 14 | |||||
| CriticizedA policy, decision or person | +1 | +4 | 38 | |||
| PraisedCredit for a decision or person | 4 | |||||
| Visits and eventsTours, town halls, site visits | 3 | |||||
| Filed or pushed billsNew, reintroduced or passed | 17 | |||||
| Other | 7 |
Where they stand
Support · 10
- DDavids KSSupports bipartisan agenda to cut red tape and streamline energy, housing, infrastructure approvals
- RCassidy LAIntroduced salary cap legislation for federal political appointees
- RBoebert COBacked White House rescission eliminating spending on criminal aliens and foreign aid
- RHageman WYIntroduced CLEAR Act to require transparency in federal settlement payments
- RErnst IAPraised bipartisan bill to expose overbudget federal projects
- DVindman VACo-sponsored bill to eliminate data center tax breaks
- RCurtis UTPraises capitalism as driver of prosperity and human flourishing
- RMcClain MIPassed bill ending penny production to reduce federal waste
- RThune SDPraised Republican policies addressing inflation and immigration
- DPeters CAUrged inclusion of fiscal reforms in upcoming legislation
Oppose · 40
- DHickenlooper COOpposed SNAP cuts and supply-chain disruptions raising costs
- DDeGette COOpposed illegal impoundment of $78 million in health research funds
- DRosen NVCriticizes Trump tariffs and policies hurting Latino families
- DHassan NHCriticized Trump's vanity projects as wasteful spending
- DHoyer MDOpposes Trump administration economic policies failing working Americans
- DVasquez NMOpposed administration's illegal withholding of approved congressional funding
- DGillibrand NYAttacked Trump vanity projects as wasteful taxpayer spending
- DBrown OHOpposed SNAP administrative funding cuts in Republican reconciliation law
- DChu CAIntroduced bill to end tax breaks for dark money political donations
- DShaheen NHOpposed illegal cancellation of $800 million in appropriated funding
- DMurray WAIntroduced bill to nullify and prevent future pocket rescissions
- DWalkinshaw VAQuestioned DHS use of CBP funding for partisan political advertising
- DJeffries NYAttacked Republican policies for worsening housing, energy and healthcare costs
- DMerkley OROpposed Trump administration's illegal rescission of $1 billion in authorized funds
- RTuberville ALOpposes Democratic spending policies causing inflation
- DReed RIOpposes Trump's pocket rescission scheme as unconstitutional
- DMurphy CTDemanded DHS cease illegal use of taxpayer funds for political advertising
- DMorelle NYDemanded Trump stop airing government-funded political advertisements
- DMcCollum MNOpposed illegal rescission of health care and housing funds
- DDurbin ILOpposes Trump's $810 million pocket rescission as unconstitutional
- IKing MEOpposes unilateral rescission of congressionally approved funds
- DBaldwin WICriticized Trump's illegal $810 million impoundment of health and education funds
- DLuján NMOpposes illegal pocket rescissions cutting $1 billion in family assistance
- RDiaz-Balart FLOpposes blank-check foreign aid and UN spending without accountability
- DDuckworth ILCriticized Trump's Medicaid cuts, tariffs and policies for raising costs on families
- DSchatz HIOpposed Trump administration's impoundment of nearly $1 billion in foreign aid
- DCohen TNCondemned politicization of NIH grant decisions by White House
- DBlumenthal CTIntroduced Anti-Corruption Tax Act to penalize official self-dealing
- DWatson Coleman NJOpposes politicized cuts to NIH research funding
- DWarner VAUrged rejection of federal pay freeze and enactment of 4.1 percent raise
- DSchiff CADemanded accounting of Iran war costs and criticized Pentagon budget secrecy
- DHeinrich NMDemanded clarity on Interior's costly deferred resignation program
- DClark MACriticized Republicans for breaking promises on costs and wars
- DHimes CTCriticized administration's market interventions and government ownership stakes
- DPressley MACriticized Trump administration's economic policies harming Black workers
- DWarnock GAOpposed cloture motion due to president's financial conflicts of interest
- DCourtney CTUrged support for bill protecting Air Force aircraft from presidential transfer
- DPettersen COIntroduced legislation to review federal workforce reduction impacts on services.
- RBuchanan FLOpposes current spending levels and national debt trajectory
- DHoyle ORCriticized Republican inaction on inflation and working families
What each party did · Democrats 81 · Republicans 24
- 1Requested action0
- 16Sent letters1
- 2Hearings2
- 9Statements5
- 35Criticized3
- 0Praised4
- 3Visits and events0
- 11Filed or pushed bills6
- 4Other3
Most active
By state
+28 more with fewer actions
Every action
105 actions · 112 releases- Oct 7, 2026
- Statement
Released sweeping economic policy plan including data center tax, public jobs program, and $20 minimum wage.
- Criticism
Criticized Trump administration policies increasing food and energy costs for Coloradans.
- Criticism
DDeGette CO $78M
Criticized administration for illegally impounding $78 million in health research funding.
- Statement
- Statement
- Oct 6, 2026
- Statement
Announced support for bipartisan Build America Agenda to streamline approvals and lower costs.
- Criticism
- Statement
Discussed need for bipartisan fiscal commission to address $40 trillion national debt.
- Statement
- Oct 5, 2026
- Criticism
DHassan NH $1.8B
Criticized Trump's $1.8 billion in vanity projects while household costs rose $4,200.
- Statement
DHassan NH $10M
Announced Trump backed down from taxpayer-funded political ads after Hassan's pressure.
- Criticism
- Oct 2, 2026
- Criticism
Criticized Trump administration's economic policies following weak September jobs report.
- Criticism
- Oct 1, 2026
- Criticism
DVasquez NM $1B
Criticized administration's withholding of nearly $1 billion in congressionally approved funding.
- Criticism
DGillibrand NY $1.8B
Criticized Trump's $1.8 billion in vanity projects as wasteful spending.
- Criticism
- Bill
- Criticism
- Sep 30, 2026
- Criticism
DShaheen NH $800M
Criticized Trump administration for illegally canceling $800 million in federal funding.
- Bill
Introduced bill capping federal appointee salaries at congressional member pay levels.
- Bill
Sought to pass bill blocking Trump's illegal pocket rescissions of appropriated funds.
- Letter
DWalkinshaw VA $200M
Demanded answers from DHS Secretary on use of taxpayer funds for pro-Trump political advertisements.
- Criticism
Criticized Trump administration and Republicans for failing to address affordability crisis.
- Criticism
DMerkley OR $1B
Criticized Trump administration for illegally clawing back nearly $1 billion in congressionally authorized funds.
- Statement
- Criticism
- Criticism
- Sep 29, 2026
- Criticism
Criticized Democrats for blocking Republican legislation on energy costs, taxes and fraud.
- Letter
Murray and Murphy demanded DHS stop using taxpayer funds for Trump campaign ads.
- Letter
Murphy and Murray pressed DHS for details on taxpayer-funded Trump campaign ads.
- Criticism
DMerkley OR $1B
Criticized Trump's pocket rescissions as illegal withholding of congressionally appropriated funding.
- Request
Called for investigation into Trump's use of DHS funds for political TV ads.
- Statement
- Criticism
Murray criticized Republicans for failing to oppose Trump's illegal pocket rescission scheme.
- Letter
Demanded Trump administration stop using taxpayer dollars for political advertising.
- Bill
DHassan NH $20M
Introduced Senate resolution opposing Trump's taxpayer-funded political ads.
- Criticism
- Criticism
Murray criticized Trump's pocket rescission as illegal after GAO concluded it violates law.
- Letter
- Bill
Celebrated Congress passage of her Common Cents Act to end penny production and save taxpayer money.
- Statement
Called for decisive congressional action to make life more affordable for Americans.
- Criticism
- Sep 28, 2026
- Letter
Sent letter to SSA and IRS leaders opposing cuts to employee paid leave benefits.
- Criticism
DMcCollum MN, DDurbin IL $810M
Condemned Trump administration's $810 million rescission of health care and housing funds.
- Statement
Criticized Republican economic policies and promoted Democratic commitment to affordable living.
- Praise
RBoebert CO $810M
Praised White House rescission cutting $810 million in spending on criminal aliens and foreign aid.
- Letter
- Sep 26, 2026
- Criticism
DDurbin IL $1B
Criticized Trump's $1 billion rescission of congressionally approved funds for education, health, and other programs.
- Criticism
- Criticism
- Sep 25, 2026
- Criticism
DBaldwin WI, DMurray WA $810M
Criticized Trump's $810 million impoundment of congressionally mandated health and education funding.
- Criticism
DMerkley OR, DLuján NM $1B
Condemned Trump administration's illegal pocket rescissions clawing back nearly $1 billion in appropriated funding.
- Criticism
DGillibrand NY $1.8B
Criticized Trump vanity projects estimated to cost $1.8 billion, citing alternative uses for funds.
- Criticism
- Sep 24, 2026
- Bill
- Statement
Hosted podcast discussion on America's $40 trillion national debt and fiscal sustainability.
- Bill
Introduced bill to increase transparency in federal settlement payments and Judgment Fund spending.
- Letter
Demanded White House remove taxpayer-funded Trump political ad from the air.
- Sep 23, 2026
- Criticism
Criticized UN spending and called for accountability in foreign aid and international programs.
- Hearing
- Statement
Stated Democrats are focused on reducing costs and healthcare affordability before midterm elections.
- Criticism
Criticized Trump administration plan to empower Russ Vought to veto NIH research awards.
- Visit
Hosted telephone town hall discussing impact of Trump administration policies on Illinois families' costs.
- Criticism
- Criticism
- Sep 22, 2026
- Criticism
Criticized Trump administration for impounding or redirecting billions in foreign assistance funding.
- Bill
Announced bipartisan bill signed into law increasing transparency of government spending.
- Criticism
- Bill
Introduced bill imposing 100 percent surtax on income from government-favored companies.
- Criticism
- Sep 21, 2026
- Criticism
Criticized Trump plan to give political appointees veto power over NIH research funding.
- Statement
- Letter
Led bipartisan coalition of 110 lawmakers urging Congress to reject federal employee pay freeze.
- Criticism
Condemned Trump administration attempts to cut NIH research grants based on political agenda.
- Letter
- Criticism
- Sep 18, 2026
- Letter
Joined 44 Senate Democrats in demanding Defense Secretary Hegseth provide full accounting of Iran war costs.
- Letter
- Letter
DHeinrich NM $150M
Demanded Interior Department explain $150 million spent on administrative leave.
- Letter
Demanded Trump administration accounting of Iran war costs and Pentagon budget transparency.
- Letter
- Sep 17, 2026
- Bill
Introduced bipartisan resolution to prohibit members of Congress from profiting off earmarks.
- Statement
- Criticism
Criticized Trump administration and Republican economy ahead of midterm elections.
- Bill
- Sep 16, 2026
- Criticism
Criticized Federal Reserve interest rate increase, calling for Congress to address fiscal deficits.
- Praise
- Bill
Co-sponsored bill to eliminate tax breaks for data centers and make them pay their fair share.
- Criticism
Criticized President Trump for corruption and cost-of-living crisis affecting working families.
- Hearing
- Visit
Held press event emphasizing House Democrats' commitment to fighting for affordable America.
- Praise
Recognized by National Taxpayers Union for combating waste, fraud and proposing budget amendments.
- Bill
Passed Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act requiring disclosure of federal projects over budget or behind schedule.
- Criticism
DGillibrand NY $168M
Criticized Trump administration's shift of SNAP funding costs to states, affecting New York by $168 million annually.
- Criticism
- Sep 15, 2026
- Hearing
Questioned Treasury Secretary on Black unemployment and economic impacts of Trump policies.
- Bill
Announced signing of bipartisan bill requiring disclosure of previously hidden government spending.
- Statement
- Statement
Voted against Clarity Act cloture, opposing crypto legislation while president has financial conflicts.
- Bill
- Hearing
- Criticism
DMurray WA $9.5B
Criticized Trump administration GAO report showing $9.5 billion spent paying federal workers not to work.
- Hearing
- Sep 14, 2026
- Criticism
Delivered opening statement at forum criticizing Trump family corruption and self-enrichment.
- Letter
Demanded Freedom 250 disclose corporate donations and address pay-to-play concerns.
- Statement
Authored opinion piece praising capitalism and free enterprise for human progress.
- Bill
House passed McClain's Common Cents Act to end penny production and reduce government waste.
- Statement
Criticized Trump administration and Republicans for failing to lower cost of living.
- Statement
Called on House colleagues to support bill safeguarding taxpayer investment in Air Force One aircraft.
- Bill
Introduced bill prohibiting use of Qatari-gifted Air Force One plane for presidential private use.
- Praise
- Statement
Criticized Republicans for failing to address the affordability crisis facing Americans.
- Criticism
- Sep 11, 2026
- Bill
Introduced bill to examine impacts of federal workforce cuts on constituent services.
- Letter
Pressed HHS Secretary Kennedy on diverting taxpayer funds to personal brand projects.
- Bill
- Sep 10, 2026
- Statement
Voted to keep government open; survey shows 84% of Virginia constituents support keeping government funded.
- Letter
Pressed HHS Secretary Kennedy on diverting public health funding to personal projects.
- Criticism
Criticized Trump administration policies on Medicaid, SNAP, healthcare, ICE and voting rights.
- Statement
- Sep 9, 2026
- Statement
RBuchanan FL $40000B
Warned of national debt crisis and called for balanced budget amendment.
- Criticism
- Statement
- Sep 8, 2026
- Visit
- Letter
Urged House leadership to adopt bipartisan fiscal reforms as national debt exceeds $40 trillion.
Summaries, action types, amounts and positions are read from each press release by AI and can be wrong. Joint releases (same day, same action, matching title or amount) count once. How it works