Beyer, Don RSS Articles

As Inflation Surges, Republicans in Congress Are Looking the Other Way

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and as Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, today released the following statement after the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)’ Consumer Price Index report showed inflation rising 4.2 percent over the past year and 0.5 percent in May alone, the highest annual inflation rate since 2023:

“Americans are paying more to drive to work, more to keep the lights on, more for rent, and more to feed their families. Today's inflation report is yet another painful reminder that American families are paying the price for President Trump’s disastrous policies while the Republican-controlled Congress continues to enable him.

“Any real wage gains have been swallowed up by higher prices. Families are working just as hard and finding that they can afford no more than they could months ago – and these higher prices are the direct result of President Trump’s choices. He imposed sweeping tariffs that economists repeatedly warned would raise costs for American consumers and forced our country into a reckless war in Iran that continues to drive up energy prices.

“And yet, my Republican colleagues in Congress seem far more interested in advancing the President's agenda than in lowering costs for the families they were elected to serve. Just yesterday, Congress approved another $70 billion for DHS while refusing to fund critical tax credits that would lower healthcare costs for American families. At the same time, Republicans remain unwilling to stop President Trump from restoring a nearly $2 billion slush fund or from pursuing tax immunity that shields himself, his family, and his businesses from being prosecuted for future financial crimes. Families watching their paychecks buy less every month have every right to ask why Congress has endless enthusiasm for funding the administration’s political priorities but cannot find the urgency to lower costs.

“Republicans in Congress should be ashamed of themselves. As working families struggle with rising costs and the President openly abuses the powers of his office for personal benefit, congressional Republicans have stood by in silence. Their abdication of responsibility is a stain on this institution, a betrayal of the American people, and a failure that will be remembered long after today's inflation report is forgotten.”

Rep. Beyer, Sen. Markey Reintroduce AI Environmental Impacts Act

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Representative Don Beyer (VA-08), co-chair of the House Artificial Intelligence Caucus, and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today reintroduced the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Environmental Impacts Act of 2026. The legislation would require artificial intelligence (AI) data centers to report on their environmental and energy-related impacts, with fines levied for those that fail to comply. In order to develop the framework for corporate reporting, the AI Environmental Impacts Act would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology to convene a consortium of experts responsible for establishing measurement standards. The legislation would also require the Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with other relevant federal agencies, to compile and publish a comprehensive study on the environmental and energy-related lifecycle impacts of AI and related infrastructure.

Communities around the country are currently experiencing effects from the build-out of AI-related infrastructure—including on energy costs, air quality, water quality, noise and light pollution, and land use—and those impacts are only projected to grow. However, there is no comprehensive federal study or reporting requirement to assess the full scope of these impacts. The AI Environmental Impacts Act will help close this information gap and empower policy makers to enact common sense protections for communities across the United States.

This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt), and Representative Nanette Barragán (CA-44).

“As artificial intelligence advances at an extraordinary pace, and as the data centers and energy infrastructure that power it continue to expand, we have a responsibility to fully understand its environmental impacts,” said Congressman Beyer. “Our legislation would ensure that we have better data, coordination, and transparency to identify risks and develop solutions that ensure AI development does not compromise our environment and serves the American people as it brings us into a new age of technology.”

“Data centers are literally changing the landscape for families across the country—from the air they breathe to the electricity bills hitting their inboxes every month,” said Senator Markey. “Understanding the environmental and energy impacts of AI data centers and requiring transparency from the companies that operate them is the first step toward protecting communities and working to tackle this rapidly growing crisis.”

This legislation is endorsed by the Center for AI and Digital Policy, Public Citizen, Center for Biological Diversity, Union of Concerned Scientists, GreenLatinos, Food and Water Watch, Moms’ Clean Air Force, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“Compelling data centers to report to the environmental and energy impacts of their operations to the EPA provides essential public transparency,” said Tyson Slocum, Director of Public Citizen’s Energy Program. “Communities can't evaluate whether proposed data centers are appropriate when the developers lock all the detail behind non-disclosures. Requiring the federal government to collect and publish energy and environmental data of data center operations is an essential part of the ongoing public debate on the role of AI in our economy and society, and will enhance our ability to ensure that any data centers comply with the public interest.”

“GreenLatinos is wholeheartedly endorses Sen. Markey's Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act. Data centers powering AI are being built in our backyards, consuming shocking amounts of energy and water while driving up emissions in the communities that already bear the heaviest environmental burdens. In Latino communities, we cannot afford to have the AI boom accelerate unchecked. This legislation will create key tools for measuring AI's true environmental footprint and creating a public reporting framework, which are crucially needed to protect communities from further AI-related environmental harms,” said Andrea Marpillero-Colomina, PhD., Sustainable Communities Policy Advisor at GreenLatinos.

“We know that the recent surge in buildout of data centers and associated infrastructure is already having enormous consequences for people, their pocketbooks, and the environment. However, the tech industry has repeatedly worked to hide the full magnitude of these harms from decisionmakers and the general public to duck accountability and maximize profits. This Act rightly confronts the issue head-on, demanding urgently needed transparency across a wide range of impacts to enable accountability and inform the development of rigorous industry requirements,” said Julie McNamara, Director at Federal Energy Policy, Union of Concerned Scientists.

“The Southern Environmental Law Center welcomes Senator Markey’s bill requiring the EPA and other agencies to take a closer look at the environmental impacts of AI data centers. It is past time to dig deeper. Every day we see communities terrified of what will happen to their clean water, clean air, local landscapes, and electric bills when data centers move in. These are often communities that have long grappled with the impacts of other polluting industries and bad siting and zoning decisions. Communities need and deserve the transparency that the Markey bill will provide,” said Amanda Garcia, Senior Attorney at Southern Environmental Law Center.

“We must build AI infrastructure with the public rules around it, with community input, and mitigating environmental impacts. The AI Environmental Impacts Act sets common sense transparency and accountability guardrails. It charts the path for incentivizing data and energy efficient AI models to ensure that a singular focus on scale doesn’t compromise American’s pocketbooks and well-being,” said Christabel Randolph, Associate Director at CAIDP.

“Data centers are polluting our air and water and driving up electricity costs, yet Big Tech continues to operate with zero accountability,” said Camden Weber, climate and energy policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “This unchecked growth is causing real environmental harm. Sen. Markey’s bill is a critical first step in understanding the full scope of the damage so that Congress can take aggressive action to address it.”

Full text of the AI Environmental Impacts Act is available here.

Beyer Introduces Legislative Package to Modernize Rail Infrastructure

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Don Beyer (VA-08) introduced a three-bill legislative package to prepare America's rail system for the next generation of passenger and freight transportation by supporting the deployment of clean technologies, identifying electrification opportunities, and strengthening rail network planning.

“Rail remains one of the most efficient ways to move people and goods, and new technologies are creating opportunities to improve efficiency and reliability,” said Congressman Beyer. “We should be evaluating where it makes sense to implement these technologies, what barriers stand in the way, and how we can further support innovation to strengthen our transportation systems and improve operational flexibility. I am particularly invested in eliminating barriers between our Southeastern U.S. rail corridors and the Northeast Corridor to create a seamless connection, which my Rail Motive Power Source Integration Act and Southeastern Rail Technologies Mapping Act would both address. This slate of bills will help provide the data and assessments needed to guide those decisions and to make smarter investments in our rail corridors across the country.”

The three-bill legislative package includes:

The American Electric Rail Mapping Act, co-led with Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA), to direct the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to assess rail electrification opportunities across the U.S. The study would identify rail corridors where electrification may be feasible and evaluate opportunities to deploy clean rail technologies throughout our national rail network.

“Countries around the world are racing ahead with modern rail systems while America risks standing still,” said Congressman Seth Moulton. “This bill takes a practical step by directing the Federal Railroad Administration to identify where rail electrification makes economic sense for passenger and freight service. If we want a more efficient, competitive, and reliable rail network, we need the data to make smart investments and bring our infrastructure into the 21st century.”

The Rail Motive Power Source Integration Act to establish a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) research and development pilot program to support the integration of multiple power sources into a locomotive, including clean rail technologies such as electrification, batteries, and hydrogen. The legislation would support research into interoperability challenges, evaluate the feasibility of integrating multiple power sources, and develop railcar designs that facilitate transitions between power sources. Flexible power source designs would enable railcars to seamlessly pass through corridors where they otherwise would be restricted by their power source and the track’s infrastructure, such as the passenger rail transfer between Virginia and the Northeast Corridor.

The Southeastern Rail Technologies Mapping Act to direct the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to evaluate opportunities for rail electrification and other advanced rail technologies along the rail corridor connecting Florida and Washington, D.C. The study would identify suitable segments for deployment of new and clean rail technologies, assess implementation challenges, and recommend infrastructure improvements to enable adoption of cleaner rail technologies.

Full text of the American Electric Rail Mapping Act, Rail Motive Power Source Integration Act, and Southeastern Rail Technologies Mapping Act is available at the links provided.

AI Caucus Co-Chair Beyer Response to Trump’s Latest AI Executive Order

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus, today issued the following statement on President Trump’s executive order asking artificial intelligence companies to provide the federal government with early access to models on a voluntary basis:

“The risks posed by frontier AI models and their advanced cyber capabilities are real and demand serious attention, but this executive order falls short of providing a credible framework to manage those risks. As it is written, this order continues to allow companies to release powerful models to the public without undergoing meaningful evaluation or review. This largely voluntary and classified approach is simply not sufficient.

“Equally concerning is absence of clear guidance on how identified threats would be addressed. While this order creates channels to surface potential risks, it fails to define procedures for responding to them once identified. It also opens the door to redirecting existing federal grant funding toward AI vulnerability efforts without clear safeguards or accountability.

“This is underwhelming policy that mirrors the Trump Administration’s broader pattern of creating a wild west environment for AI development, rather than ensuring safe and responsible governance to protect the American public.”

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) serves as co-Chair of the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus. He was one of a handful of members selected to serve on the bipartisan Task Force On Artificial Intelligence, convened by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Speaker Mike Johnson. He is the author of the AI Foundation Model Transparency Act and a lead cosponsor of the CREATE AI Act, the Federal Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Act, and the Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act.

Beyer previously served for eight years on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and is currently attending George Mason University as a part time student pursuing a master’s degree in machine learning, in part to help inform his work on AI in Congress.

ICYMI: Beyer Targets Trump’s “Triumphal” Arch

Fri, 29 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Rep. Don Beyer today introduced the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, legislation that would prohibit President Trump’s proposed arch project, along with co-lead Rep. Dina Titus and 31 additional cosponsors. Beyer also pressed Trump Administration officials for details and studies on potential traffic impacts if construction proceeds.

Trump’s arch proposal relies on illegal manipulations of funding without congressional authorization and violates the Commemorative Works Act. As the Trump Administration makes spurious, absurd arguments to support proceeding with construction, Beyer’s legislation would explicitly prohibit and defund this and any similar projects. Rep. Beyer represents a Northern Virginia district in the U.S. House that includes Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), and his parents, grandparents, and sister are buried there.

Here are some of the local and national news stories on Beyer’s efforts:

Washington Post: House Democrats Announce Bill To Block Construction Of Trump’s Arch

CNN: Rep. Beyer Joins Jake Tapper on The Lead To Discuss His Legislation

MS Now: Coverage From Nicole Wallace At Deadline: White House

Washington Post: Trump’s 250-Foot Arch Could Snarl D.C. Region’s Traffic, Lawmaker Says

Washington Examiner: Don Beyer Says Trump’s Triumphal Arch Could Cause Traffic Jam At Key Entrance To DC

Time Magazine: House Democrats to Introduce Bill to Block Trump’s Triumphal Arch Amid Backlash Over ‘Vanity' Projects

ARLnow: Beyer To Introduce Bill Blocking Trump’s Proposed ‘Triumphal Arch’ Near Arlington Nat’l Cemetery

WTOP: Virginia Congressman Introduces Bill To Block President Trump’s Arch In Arlington

Fox5 DC: Rep. Beyer Introduces Bill To Block Trump Arch Project

WUSA9: Democrats Introduce Bill To Block Triumphal Arch

Alexandria Living: Beyer Introduces Legislation to Block Triumphal Arch

Associated Press: House Dems Introduce Bill To Block Trump’s Proposed Arch

Scripps News: Democrats Introduce Bill To Block Construction Of Trump's DC Arch

Alexandria Brief: Beyer To Introduce Bill Blocking Trump's Proposed Arlington Arch

Washington Business Journal: Virginia Congressman Moves To Block Trump's 250-Foot Arch Near Arlington Cemetery

The Hill: House Democrats Introducing Bill In Bid To Block Trump Arch Project

WJLA7: Virginia Rep. Beyer, Other House Dems Introduce Bill To Block Trump’s Proposed Arch

Beyer Presses Administration On Regional Traffic Impacts Of Trump’s Proposed Arch

Wed, 27 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Rep. Beyer, who represents a Northern Virginia district in the U.S. House that includes Arlington National Cemetery, today urged Trump Administration officials to provide greater transparency to the public about potential traffic impacts of President Trump’s proposed “triumphal arch.” Trump appointees on the Commission of Fine Arts recently voted to approve designs for the proposed 250-foot structure, which the President is seeking to build on a traffic circle between Arlington National Cemetery and Arlington Memorial Bridge.

Beyer asked Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Acting Director of the National Park Service Jessica Bowron to share “copies of traffic studies and any other documentation available regarding plans that the Department of the Interior and National Park Service have undertaken with respect to transportation impacts from President Trump’s arch proposal.”

He wrote:

“On May 21, the Commission of Fine Arts voted to approve designs for a 250-foot arch to be built near Arlington National Cemetery, in the circle on Lady Bird Johnson Park. I write to express my grave concerns about the impacts on traffic that this project will have on my Northern Virginia constituents, and to request copies of your plans and studies for coping with the transportation disruption generated by the proposed construction.

“With the size of the project and the site’s location between Arlington Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery, the proposed construction would have significant traffic impacts on my Northern Virginia constituents.

…

“I write, therefore, to request copies of traffic studies and any other documentation available regarding plans that the Department of the Interior and National Park Service have undertaken with respect to transportation impacts from President Trump’s arch proposal. If no such studies or documentation exist, I urge you in the strongest possible terms to immediately address potential traffic impacts arising from this project.

“I request that you respond with the information requested and any relevant details before any further work on this project proceeds. Failure to produce plans for traffic impacts from this arch could, I fear, be widely interpreted as a sign of apathy or disorganization on the part of the Administration regarding the outsized local impacts of its decision-making. The public deserves transparency in this matter from their government.”

Text of Beyer’s letter follows below, and a signed copy is available here.

***

Dear Secretary Burgum and Acting Director Bowron:

On May 21, the Commission of Fine Arts voted to approve designs for a 250-foot arch to be built near Arlington National Cemetery, in the circle on Lady Bird Johnson Park. I write to express my grave concerns about the impacts on traffic that this project will have on my Northern Virginia constituents, and to request copies of your plans and studies for coping with the transportation disruption generated by the proposed construction.

With the size of the project and the site’s location between Arlington Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery, the proposed construction would have significant traffic impacts on my Northern Virginia constituents. Major thoroughfares impacted include the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Washington Boulevard, Arlington Boulevard, as well as traffic to Arlington National Cemetery along Memorial Avenue and traffic on Arlington Memorial Bridge. Nearly 70,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day, most of which are from Virginia, and many more pass through the environs on their way through Northern Virginia.[1] These areas also have major pedestrian and bike pathways, including Mount Vernon Trail, one of the most heavily used multi-use trails in the country, in addition to vehicular traffic.[2]

Previous construction projects in this area, including the Arlington Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation from 2018-2020, caused significant traffic disruptions. One key difference between that renovation work and the proposed arch is that the former was undertaken by your agencies to protect the public from potentially fatal accidents or deterioration of this heavily used bridge, whereas the proposed arch is being built, according to President Trump, for himself personally.[3] My constituents and the residents and visitors who would be impacted by this project deserve consideration in this matter, and they deserve answers about how the actions of your departments would affect their lives.

I write, therefore, to request copies of traffic studies and any other documentation available regarding plans that the Department of the Interior and National Park Service have undertaken with respect to transportation impacts from President Trump’s arch proposal. If no such studies or documentation exist, I urge you in the strongest possible terms to immediately address potential traffic impacts arising from this project.

I request that you respond with the information requested and any relevant details before any further work on this project proceeds. Failure to produce plans for traffic impacts from this arch could, I fear, be widely interpreted as a sign of apathy or disorganization on the part of the Administration regarding the outsized local impacts of its decision-making. The public deserves transparency in this matter from their government.

Sincerely,

Beyer, Titus, To Lead Introduction Of Bill To Block Trump’s Proposed Arch

Wed, 27 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Dina Titus (D-NV) today announced that they will introduce the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act this week to explicitly prohibit construction of President Trump’s proposed “triumphal arch” outside Arlington National Cemetery. Their bill comes in the wake of a vote by Trump appointees on the Commission of Fine Arts to approve designs for the project.

Rep. Beyer who represents a Northern Virginia district in the U.S. House that includes Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), and whose parents, grandparents, and sister are buried at ANC, said:

“Arlington National Cemetery is sacred ground, the resting place for some of our nation’s greatest heroes. It is unthinkable that we would desecrate this hallowed space to build a monument to Donald Trump’s ego.

“Trump’s vanity project would waste taxpayer money, brazenly violate existing law, and become yet another vehicle for his corruption. The Administration has also given no consideration to potential harmful effects on the region including impacts on air safety and traffic on major roadways.

“Worst of all, Trump is not trying to build this arch to commemorate national heroes, servicemembers who lie in Arlington National Cemetery, or to celebrate freedom. He did not dedicate it to the American people or our country’s greatness. Asked who this arch is for, Trump said, simply: ‘me.’ Congress must draw the line at dishonoring our fallen with such naked displays of narcissism, and I therefore call on all members of both parties to join our efforts to block this arch.”

Rep. Dina Titus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Humanities Caucus, who previously led challenges to the Trump Administration’s illegal schemes to fund the arch using the National Endowment for the Humanities budget, said:

“As President Trump strips away the necessary safety nets from Americans who are struggling to afford their basic needs like groceries and healthcare, he builds his unauthorized, grandiose Triumphal Arch. While destroying historical monuments and artifacts important to our American identity, he is erecting monuments to honor himself.

“I am fighting this abuse of taxpayer dollars with Congressman Beyer by introducing legislation that would clearly prohibit President Trump from using federal funds for pet projects like this one. The American people deserve a leader who is responsibly using federal funding for critical government services, not for self-promotion.”

Trump’s proposed arch is plainly illegal under the Commemorative Works Act, which requires congressional approval for memorials on federal land in or near D.C. Underlining that the Arch is not approved by Congress as required by law, the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act would:

Explicitly prohibit construction of a triumphal arch within Lady Bird Johnson Park, the small island between Arlington Memorial Cemetery and the Potomac River;
Permanently prohibit the use of federal funds for such an arch; and
Prohibit the construction of such an arch or similarly-disruptive and non-Congressionally approved structures on any National Park Service lands within the National Capital Region.

In addition to Beyer and Titus, the bill will be cosponsored by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) and U.S. Representatives Robert Garcia (CA), Suhas Subramanyam (VA), Bobby Scott (VA), Dan Goldman (NY), Pramila Jayapal (WA), Steve Cohen (TN), Jasmine Crockett (TX), Danny Davis (IL), Dianna DeGette (CO), Lois Frankel (FL), John Larson (CT), Stephen Lynch (MA), Betty McCollum (MN), Morgan McGarvey (KY), Kevin Mullin (CA), Mike Quigley (IL), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA), Mark Takano (CA), Jill Tokuda (HI), Paul Tonko (NY), Rashida Tlaib (MI), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ).

The bill will be introduced during this Friday’s pro forma session of the House; draft text is available here.

Beyer Introduces Legislation to Protect Streams and Lands Impacted by Mining

Tue, 26 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Don Beyer today introduced the CLEAN UP Mines Act to strengthen key environmental protections for streams and lands impacted by mining. The bill is inspired by the Department of Interior’s Stream Protection Rule that established clear requirements for responsible surface coal mining while meeting the nation’s energy needs.

“Reducing water pollution and other detrimental effects of toxic mining disposal is commonsense,” said Rep. Beyer. “The provisions included in my bill to safeguard our waters and lands from toxic waste are necessary to protect our critical and fragile ecosystems, as well as the health and livelihood of nearby citizens and communities who depend on clean water.”

“Congress acted in 1977 to eliminate the scourge of abandoned mines from coal communities. Now, nearly 50 years later, Congress needs to respond to the coal industry’s pattern of avoiding its reclamation responsibilities,” said Appalachian Voices Government Affairs Specialist Kevin Zedack. “Introducing these three bills is an important step to protect the health, safety and economies of coal communities across the country as the Trump administration attempts to artificially increase demand for coal.”

The CLEAN UP Mines Act would require timely reclamation by setting enforceable deadlines for reclamation milestones and improve inspections and monitoring protocols for surface water and ground water during mining and reclamation.

The CLEAN UP Mines Act is being introduced as a part of a larger package, including Congressman Chris DeLuzio’s Bond Improvement and Reclamation Assurance Act and Congresswoman Summer Lee’s Coal Cleanup Taxpayer Protection Act, to reclaim abandoned coal mines throughout the Appalachian region.

Text of the CLEAN UP Mines Act is available here.

Beyer Introduces Legislation to Reverse Unprecedented Attack on Endangered Species in the Gulf

Thu, 21 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today introduced the Protect Gulf Life Act to nullify the March 31 decision by the Endangered Species Committee – also known colloquially as the “God Squad” or the “Extinction Committee” – to broadly exempt all oil and gas operations across the Gulf from complying with Endangered Species Act protections.

“Congress did not establish the Endangered Species Committee to give out sweeping exemptions to special interests, and this abuse of power is another corrupt handout to benefit industry at the expense of threatened species,” said Rep. Beyer. “If Trump wants to address the energy crisis and outrageous price spikes he caused, he should simply end his illegal war against Iran. This unprecedented decision bypassed legally-required procedures, blocked my attendance at a public meeting, and put some of the Gulf’s most vulnerable wildlife at even greater risk of extinction. This is a particular threat to the Rice’s whale, the only whale species found exclusively in U.S. waters, of which only about 50 remain. The consequences of weakening these protections extend far beyond a single species, and my Protect Gulf Life Act would restore these protections to ensure a healthy Gulf ecosystem that supports thriving fisheries, tourism, recreation, and coastal economies across the region.”

The Endangered Species Committee was created by Congress to address extraordinarily rare situations in which a proposed federal project conflicts with endangered species protections and no reasonable alternatives exist. This was only the fourth time the Endangered Species Committee met since its creation in 1978 and the first time it has been convened on national security rather than economic grounds. Unlike prior Endangered Species Committee decisions, which focused on narrowly defined projects affecting a specific threatened or endangered species, the March 31 exemption applies broadly to all oil and gas operations across more than 600,000 square miles of the Gulf and affects 20 threatened and endangered species. The Endangered Species Committee also failed to comply with multiple procedural requirements established under the Endangered Species Act, including public notice and transparency requirements.

Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Shomari Figures (D-AL), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Darren Soto (D-FL) are original co-sponsors of the Protect Gulf Life Act.

This legislation is also supported by organizations including the Animal Welfare Institute, the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice Action, the Endangered Species Coalition, Oceana, Save the Manatee Club, Sea Turtle Conservancy, Sierra Club, and the Turtle Island Restoration Network.

“We commend Congressman Beyer for standing up to the God Squad and speaking out at a time when our nation's endangered wildlife are at greatest risk from an antagonistic administration. This important legislation to rescind the God Squad's illegal and unprecedented action is as critical as protecting the last remaining 50 Rice's whales. Without this legislative action, our cherished marine wildlife, from the Rice’s whale to manatees and sea turtles, will suffer from this brazen abuse of the God Squad process,” said Andrew Bowman, President and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife.

“The Trump Administration’s so-called God Squad’s vote to let the oil-and-gas industry wipe endangered species off the face of the planet is not only illegal, but also the opposite of what Gulf communities want,” said Earthjustice Action Legislative Representative Kristin Butler. “This egregious free-pass to kill Gulf wildlife won't lower gas prices, which are skyrocketing due to a self-made crisis by the White House. But it will erase beloved species like manatees, sea turtles, and whales. The proposed “Protect Gulf Life Act," which would reverse the widely unpopular God Squad decision, could be the difference between thriving Gulf wildlife and the ecosystems they support, and permanent extinction.”

“The Protect Gulf Life Act is the kind of courage our most endangered species need right now,” said Oceana Campaign Manager Julia Singer. “This bill would put a stop to the reckless move by the Trump administration to put short-term profits over entire species' survival. When a species is gone, it's gone. The Endangered Species Act is the safeguard against that calamitous and entirely avoidable outcome. With this act, we can ensure species like the Rice's whale live to see another day. We commend Representatives Beyer for his leadership on this issue and urge Congress to join in the overwhelming public support for these protections by passing this bill.”

Full text of the legislation is available here, with a one-pager available here.

Beyer Hails Passage Of Major Housing Legislation

Wed, 20 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), who serves as Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee and as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, today hailed the U.S. House’s passage of landmark housing legislation. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act passed the House with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 396-13. The bill, which now returns to the Senate, would improve federal housing programs, remove unnecessary barriers to development, and expand financing options to spur home construction and make housing more affordable.

“This bill is a big win for everyone who wants to make housing more affordable,” said Rep. Beyer, a leader on housing policy in the House Ways and Means Committee. “Amid the national affordability crisis, Congress should be doing everything possible to lower prices and address kitchen table issues for American families. Housing costs in particular are high on the list of the most important challenges affecting my Northern Virginia constituents, and I’m thrilled to see this bill advance. The strong bipartisan vote should help ensure that this version of the bill passes in the Senate and gets signed into law.”

Beyer is a major proponent of policies to make housing more affordable on the House Ways and Means Committee, as a long time lead cosponsor of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, portions of which were enacted last year. He previously secured federal funding for significant local affordable housing projects in Northern Virginia.

Rep. Beyer Hosts Global Entry Enrollment Event

Sat, 17 May 2025 14:30:00 GMT

I’m hosting a Global Entry Enrollment Event for applicants who have been conditionally approved to complete the interview portion on Saturday, May 17 at the Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library in Alexandria. The event will run from 10:30 AM until 3:40 PM.

All conditionally approved Global Entry applicants can schedule this event from their Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) account, using the location “Alexandria (IAD GE/Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library)”.

Ninth Annual Women's Conference: The Ripple Effects of Resilience

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 23:30:00 GMT

After postponing my Annual Women’s Conference due to the government shutdown in October, I’m pleased to share that we have confirmed a new date and look forward to gathering with you.

Please join me as I host my Ninth Annual Women's Conference: The Ripple Effects of Resilience on Thursday, January 15 at George Mason University’s new Fuse building at Mason Square. This event is free to the public but capacity is limited, so attendees are encouraged to register online here.

This year's event will bring together women leaders to share stories of perseverance, strength, and resilience in the face of the challenges confronting our country and community in these unprecedented times.

The discussion will feature Brooke Sydnor Curran, founder of Move2Learn; Lisa Jacobs, Executive Director of the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium; and Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, Executive Director of Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR). The discussion will be moderated by Nyree Wright, Executive Vice President of Crisis & Risk Communications at Edelman. I will also present this year's Clara Mortenson Beyer Women and Children First Award.

Congressman Beyer Hosts Constituent Services Event For Former And Current Federal Workers And Contractors

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Please join me for a constituent services event for former and current federal workers and contractors on Saturday, September 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Paragon Theaters in Falls Church.

This event, held in partnership with City of Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi and the wellfed Team (former federal employees), will provide practical financial guidance alongside community and wellness support. Experts will lead a Financial Triage Workshop, sharing clear strategies for budgeting, expense tracking, and planning at every career stage, with time for Q&A.

There will also be space for connection and mental well-being, recognizing that resilience is built through both financial clarity and a supportive community. Refreshments and lunch will also be provided.

Please click here to RSVP.

POSTPONED: Ninth Annual Women's Conference: The Ripple Effects of Resilience

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Please join me as I host my Ninth Annual Women's Conference: The Ripple Effects of Resilience on Monday, October 6 at George Mason University’s new Fuse building at Mason Square. This event is free to the public but capacity is limited, so attendees are encouraged to register online here.

Alexandria Town Hall with NAACP

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 18:00:00 GMT

The NAACP Virginia District 8 proudly announces an engaging Town Hall Meeting scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 606 S Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. This vital community conversation will feature distinguished guest speakers including Congressman Don Beyer, Alexandria City Councilman John Taylor Chapman, Arlington County Board Member Julius "JD" Spain, Jr., and Virginia Delegate Marcus B. Simon.

October No Kings Rally

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 18:30:00 GMT

No Kings rally in Market Square, Alexandria, featuring Mayor Gaskins, Olivia Troye, and other local leaders.

No Kings: Alexandria

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 19:00:00 GMT

No Kings rally at Market Square in Old Town, Saturday, June 14th.

Rep. Beyer's Telephone Town Hall

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 22:00:00 GMT

I'm hosting my next telephone town hall tomorrow night, Wednesday, June 4 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the latest in Congress, the federal government, and Northern Virginia. To participate, sign up here: https://beyer.house.gov/forms/form/?ID=89

Rep. Beyer Holds Telephone Town Hall As Shutdown Looms

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:30:00 GMT

I'm holding a telephone town hall on Monday 9/29 at 5:30pm. I will discuss the impending lapse in federal appropriations and possibility of a shutdown, and take questions on the latest in Congress, Northern Virginia and more.

To participate, you can sign up here: https://beyer.house.gov/forms/form/?ID=90

Protect Our Medicaid Panel

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 17:30:00 GMT

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08), Virginia House of Delegates Majority Leader Charniele Herring, Chair of the Virginia House of Delegates’ Health and Human Services Committee Mark Sickles, and state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), join a coalition of Virginia home care workers, doctors, and reproductive freedom advocates for a panel discussion to raise the alarm about how threatened Medicaid cuts would impact Northern Virginians.