Tim Sheehy

Sheehy, Coons Introduce Bill to Expose Chinese Forced Labor and Environmental Abuses in Africa

Position: Senators Sheehy and Coons introduced legislation to require the State Department to publicly identify Chinese entities mining critical minerals in Africa using forced labor, child labor, or causing environmental harm, aiming to expose abusive practices and reduce U.S. reliance on Chinese supply chains.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2025 Sheehy, Coons Introduce Bill to Expose Chinese Forced Labor and Environmental Abuses in Africa U.S. SENATE – Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced the China-Africa Mining Transparency Act of 2026 to unmask China’s use of forced labor, child labor, and environmental abuse to mine critical minerals in Africa. The bill underscores the cost of reliance on rogue states like China to supply the minerals necessary for national security and economic prosperity. “As we restore American energy dominance and onshore critical mineral production, it is imperative that we expose the reality behind China’s grip on critical minerals: forced labor, child exploitation, and environmental destruction. The United States cannot afford to rely on opaque and abusive supply chains for the resources that power our national security, and this bipartisan bill will bring long-overdue transparency and accountability,” said Senator Sheehy. “Chinese companies should not be profiting off forced labor and environmental destruction in other countries. This bipartisan bill will make it harder for them to do just that, protecting children and the environment across the globe and our future here at home,” said Senator Coons Reports have documented China operating their mines in violation of labor standards and in a manner that causes environmental harm in Africa. This legislation pulls back the curtain on Chinese mining by directing the Secretary of State, in consultation with other agencies and their foreign counterparts, to develop a publicly available annual list of each People’s Republic of China (PRC) entity that is mining critical minerals in Africa using forced labor, child labor, or in a manner that causes environmental harm. Statements of Support: “When it comes to protecting workers and the environment while responsibly producing the minerals we all need, the American mining industry does it best. Documenting the practices of overseas operations that are owned or controlled by Chinese Communist Party entities highlights the urgent need to secure our supply chains by emphasizing domestic mineral production.” – Mark Compton, Executive Director, American Exploration & Mining Association “The International Conservation Caucus Foundation wishes to thank Senators Sheehy and Coons for their efforts to reinforce American leadership in the global mining sector, particularly in Africa, where critical mineral development intersects directly with national security, economic stability, and environmental stewardship. The United States has a strategic interest and a moral responsibility to promote lawful, environmentally responsible mining practices that uphold labor standards and protect vulnerable ecosystems. Countering the influence of the CCP and its exploitative practices in mineral supply chains is essential to securing the materials that power our modern economy and ensure that resource development does not fuel instability, corruption, or environmental degradation." – International Conservation Caucus Foundation Background: People’s Republic of China (PRC) firms are some of the largest investors in the mining industry in Africa. The Chinese government finances or outright owns many of these firms. Since 2006, China has invested more than $39 billion in mining operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Guinea, Zambia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. China is involved in the traditional large-scale mining (LSM) sector and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector – a more rudimentary, labor intensive and generally unregulated or illegal mining which poses a significant risk for employing child labor. Reports have documented China operating their mines in violation of labor standards and in a manner that causes environmental harm in Africa. A 2021 report noted that employees for Chinese mining firms in the DRC were subjected to physical violence and withholding of wages. A 2023 study found that 78 percent of employed cobalt workers in the DRC experience forced labor and indicated the use of child labor at LSM and ASM sites. In February of 2025, a Chinese firm in Zambia dumped approximately 50 million liters of mining waste into the Kafue River when a tailings dam failed, threatening protected areas in the country. The China-Africa Mining Transparency Act directs the Secretary of State – in consultation with other heads of Federal departments and agencies, and the foreign country counterparts of such individuals, as applicable – to develop a publicly available annual list of each PRC entity that the Secretary reasonably assesses is carrying out mining of critical minerals, gold, or iron in the DRC, Nigeria, Guinea, Zambia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe using forced labor or forced child labor, or in a manner that causes environmental harm to a protected area in the country concerned. The Secretary is also directed to identify each mine, mining zone, or concession at which such mining is carried out. Read more on the bill HERE. Read the full text of the bill HERE.

Sheehy’s Bipartisan VA Home Loan Awareness Act Passes Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 12, 2026 Sheehy’s Bipartisan VA Home Loan Awareness Act Passes Senate U.S. SENATE – Today the U.S. Senate passed Senator Sheehy’s bipartisan VA Home Loan Awareness Act as part of a larger package of housing legislation, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. “As a combat veteran who is married to a combat veteran, ensuring our nation’s warfighters have the information and resources they need to live out the American dream when they return home is among my top priorities. The VA Home Loan Awareness Act will ensure our veterans can take full advantage of programs designed to help them achieve home ownership, and I’m proud to see it pass the Senate in a strong, bipartisan vote,” said Senator Sheehy. Background: The VA Home Loan Awareness Act is the first piece of legislation Senator Sheehy introduced as a senator. The bill, co-led by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), aims to help more veterans take advantage of the VA Home Loan program by providing more information on the program and potential eligibility. The VA Home Loan program is a key tool for helping veterans and their spouses achieve the American Dream. It offers veterans no down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and interest rates that are often lower than rates for conventional FHA loans. Despite these benefits, only 13 percent of veterans access the VA Home Loan program. Among veterans who don’t use the VA Home Loan program, 33 percent say they are not aware of the program. The VA Home Loan Awareness Act will help better inform veterans of opportunities provided by the VA Home Loan program by adding a disclosure to the Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA) informing veterans they may be eligible for a VA Home Loan, directing applicants to consult their lender for more information about the VA Home Loan program, and instructing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review and report to Congress on lenders’ adoption of these URLA updates. Contact: Tate Mitchell, Jack O'Brien

Sheehy, Slotkin Introduce Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act

Position: Senators Sheehy and Slotkin introduce legislation to expand GI Bill housing allowance access for veterans pursuing apprenticeships and on-the-job training by removing semiannual reductions and work-hour requirements.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 5, 2026 Sheehy, Slotkin Introduce Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act U.S. SENATE – Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) today introduced the pro-veteran, bipartisan Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act to increase access to GI Bill benefits for veterans pursuing apprenticeships. “Veterans deserve our support in successfully transitioning to civilian life, and I appreciate my colleagues joining this bipartisan, commonsense effort to increase access to apprenticeships. The Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act will connect more veterans with in-demand jobs that pay six figures, feed their families, and jumpstart good-paying careers,” said Senator Sheehy. “The GI Bill has been a successful engine toward bringing our veterans into the middle class after they serve our nation. And now, it's time for an update. Our bipartisan bill will knock down barriers that penalize veterans who choose to use these benefits for apprenticeships in the skilled trades, letting veterans choose the career pathway that makes the most sense for them," said Senator Slotkin. This bill would allow Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries pursuing On-the-Job Training (OJT) or Apprenticeship (APP) programs to have access to the full monthly housing allowance (MHA) amount without a semiannual reduction and without a monthly work hour requirement. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) are cosponsoring the bill. “It’s a perverse incentive to financially discourage veterans from choosing skilled trades, especially at a time when they are in such high demand. The Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeships Act corrects this distortion, ensuring veterans across North Dakota can pursue whichever education or job training path best fits their goals and sets them up for success,” said Senator Cramer. “When our Veterans hang up their uniform, they deserve our full support as they transition back into civilian life, and that includes cutting unnecessary red tape that makes it harder for them to access the benefits they’ve earned. Our bipartisan legislation would support Veterans’ employment by making Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits more widely accessible to Veterans pursuing apprenticeship or on-the-job training, encouraging broader participation in these life-changing programs,” said Senator Duckworth. Background: In FY2022, more than 97,000 veterans began using their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. However, only two percent of beneficiaries use their benefits to pursue an OJT or APP program. While there may be several factors contributing to veterans opting to use their benefits for something else, extraneous requirements and lack of access to full GI Bill benefits for OJT and APP programs make these options cost-prohibitive for many veterans. Unlike veterans pursuing a traditional four-year university, veterans pursuing an APP program have their MHA reduced by 20 percent every six months. With most APP programs taking about two years, veterans in these programs will finish their program, receiving just 20 percent of the MHA that other GI Bill beneficiaries receive, while also not receiving any kind of tuition payment. Further, those pursuing APP programs must complete at least 120 hours of work per month, or their MHA will be further prorated. These 120 hours do not include any classroom training completed by the veteran, which can average 16-30 hours depending on the program. In some programs, 120 hours every month is not feasible, such as trade work that is seasonal in nature, or if construction work is slow in that geographical area. This is a grossly unfair system that makes APP/OJT programs cost prohibitive for many veterans. A 2021 review by the Urban Institute found that the average cost of a veteran using GI Bill Benefits to attend a four-year college in DC was $189,320, while the cost of a veteran pursuing an APP/OJT program was just$54,804. There could be substantial cost savings if more veterans can pursue these programs. Read the full text of the bill HERE. Contact: Tate Mitchell, Jack O'Brien

Sheehy, Blunt Rochester Introduce AI Fraud Accountability Act

Position: The release introduces legislation to modernize federal law to protect consumers from AI-enabled fraud, including voice cloning and deepfake scams, while preserving legitimate speech and innovation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 4, 2026 Sheehy, Blunt Rochester Introduce AI Fraud Accountability Act U.S. SENATE – Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) today introduced the bipartisan, bicameral AI Fraud Accountability Act with Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) to protect Americans from AI scams and hold fraudsters accountable. “Artificial intelligence will help unleash innovation, opportunity, and prosperity in the 21st century economy, but we must ensure it is not a tool for fraud. The AI Fraud Accountability Act modernizes federal law to crack down on AI fraudsters targeting American families, seniors, and businesses while safeguarding technological innovation and First Amendment rights,” said Senator Sheehy. “With more Americans using AI every day, we need to do all we can to cut down on AI-related fraud. Our AI Fraud Accountability Act would ensure our statutes are updated to meet this current moment. Thank you to Senator Sheehy for his partnership, and I look forward to working together on this urgent issue,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. Americans are increasingly being targeted by AI-enabled voice and video scams, and the AI Fraud Accountability Act would modernize federal law to ensure consumers are protected from emerging digital impersonation fraud while safeguarding legitimate speech and innovation. The House of Representatives version of the AI Fraud Accountability Act was introduced by Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) and Darren Soto (D-Fla.). “As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, criminals are exploiting it to scam hardworking Americans. We are seeing a disturbing rise in AI-generated voice clones and deepfake videos that convincingly impersonate loved ones, business executives, government officials and trusted institutions to steal money. Congress must act to stay ahead of these threats by modernizing federal law to keep up with emerging technology. The AI Fraud Accountability Act makes clear that if you use AI to defraud Americans, you will be prosecuted,” said Congressman Vern Buchanan. “As AI rapidly evolves, it is critical for us to ensure that the technology isn’t being misused to cause harm. We’ve unfortunately seen cases where it is used to create realistic impersonations of real people. I’m proud to join this bipartisan legislation to set guardrails and prevent these deceptive practices from taking place,” said Congressman Darren Soto. “The threat of AI generated scams and deepfake fraud call for urgent, bipartisan action. The AI Fraud Accountability Act provides legal tools to protect consumers and hold bad actors accountable. Thank you, Senators Sheehy and Blunt Rochester and Representatives Buchanan and Soto for leading this effort to combat fraud. We strongly support this legislation and look forward to continuing to work across Congress to help build a safer digital ecosystem for everyone.” – Brad Smith, President, Microsoft The AI Fraud Accountability Act is supported by Microsoft; National Consumers League; AARP; 60 Plus Association; Center for AI Safety; Bank Policy Institute; Business Software Alliance; Global Anti-Scam Alliance, North America Chapter; and the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship. This bill would create a new offense under the Communications Act to prohibit falsely posing as a real or imaginary individual through a highly realistic digital impersonation with intent to defraud a person of money or other things of value. This prohibition would apply to AI-generated or technologically manipulated audio or visual depictions that are indistinguishable from an authentic audio or visual depiction to a reasonable person. Criminal penalties would include imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of proceeds. For civil enforcement, violations would be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act and enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. This bill would also: Read the full text of the bill HERE. Contact: Tate Mitchell, Jack O'Brien

Sheehy Introduces Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act

Position: Senator Sheehy supports legislation to equip air traffic controllers with modern situational awareness technology and training to enhance aviation safety, particularly at regional and rural airports.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  February 26, 2026 Sheehy Introduces Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act U.S. SENATE – Senator Tim Sheehy (R – Mont.) introduced the bipartisan Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act with Senator Jeff Merkley (D – Ore.) to provide Air Traffic Controllers more tools and training to keep American airspace safe. “America is the birthplace of aviation, and our hardworking air traffic controllers deserve the tools and support to do their jobs safely and effectively. As our airspace grows more congested and complex, far too many controllers do not have access to critical, 21st century technology. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to close that gap, protect American families, and keep our airspace the safest in the world,” said Senator Sheehy. “Oregon’s small and regional airports are an important partner in keeping the flying public safe. Our simple bipartisan bill unlocks resources for these airports to make critical safety upgrades if they need it, something we should all get behind,” said Senator Merkley. The bill aims to improve controllers’ situational awareness by: Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) joined Sheehy and Merkley in introducing the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act. The bill is supported by the Regional Airline Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Airlines for America, and National Business Aviation Association. Statements of Support: "Horizon Air applauds Senators Sheehy and Merkley for their leadership in advancing legislation that strengthens aviation safety, particularly for many regional and rural airports that do not have access to radar. It’s essential we equip our air traffic controllers with the modern situational awareness tools they need to safely manage flights. Airborne position reference tools represent a practical, safety-enhancing capability that can improve operational awareness and reduce safety risk, and it is our sincere hope to see APRTs deployed at as many airports as needed.” – Andy Schneider, President and CEO of Horizon Air "As we work to modernize America’s air traffic control system, ensuring federal contract towers are equipped with proper situational awareness technology and surveillance tools is a no brainer. These tools better ingratiate controllers as to the full picture of their airspace and the surrounding areas, improving safety for those on the ground and in the sky. We thank Senators Sheehy and Merkley for taking action on this issue.” – Airlines for America "This off-the-shelf technology will have a huge and immediate impact at many contract tower facilities across the country that currently manage a significant amount of mixed operations without any digital assistance. APRT is critical to reducing risk and maintaining operational safety. We are pleased to see this important safety legislation introduced in the Senate and urge its swift passage."– National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen "AOPA appreciates Senators Sheehy, Merkley, Daines, and Wyden for their leadership in introducing this important aviation safety bill. Federal contract towers are a vital part of our national airspace system—representing roughly half of all towered airports—and this legislation closes a longstanding gap. Installing Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRTs) at towers that currently lack them will give controllers greater situational awareness and enhance safety for pilots across the country.” – Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association “The U.S. Contract Tower Association commends Senators Sheehy, Merkley, Daines, and Wyden for introducing bipartisan legislation that calls on the FAA to equip contract towers with technology that will improve airborne situational awareness for air traffic controllers. Their common-sense and cost-effective proposal will enhance aviation safety at smaller commercial service and general aviation airports around the county, and we urge Congress to adopt it as soon as possible.”  – U.S. Contract Tower Association Executive Director Brad Van Dam "The Regional Airline Association strongly supports the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act and applauds Senators Sheehy and Merkley for their leadership in advancing this critical legislation and for working closely with RAA on this important safety priority. Traffic complexity has increased at many smaller and mixed-use airports, yet some contract tower facilities do not yet have access to the real-time situational awareness tools that are standard at larger airports and that enhance controllers’ visibility of aircraft operations. Closing this gap in risk mitigation is a practical, data-driven step that will equip controllers and pilots serving smaller communities with the appropriate tools to further strengthen safety margins and help ensure that safety advancements reach passengers and communities large and small.” – Faye Malarkey Black, RAA President and CEO Background: Many airports, particularly smaller and rural ones under the Federal Contract Tower (FCT) program, still lack modern situational awareness technology such as Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS) or other radar-integrated displays. Of the 266 Federal Contract Towers, more than 90 lack any surveillance tools. In towers at these airports, controllers rely on visual observation and radio calls, tools that can become strained during periods of high traffic, complex mixed operations, or reduced visibility. This technology gap can contribute to missed traffic conflicts or delayed recognition of emerging hazards. As part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, Congress directed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to approve technology to improve operational situational awareness at FCTs, after years of requests from airports asking for assistance in addressing this technological gap. Last summer, the FAA approved the first Airborne Position Reference Tool (APRT), which uses ADS-B data to present controllers with a real-time display of local airspace. Since then, APRTs have already been deployed at several airports around the country, and controllers and operators report that APRTs significantly enhance situational awareness and improve controller confidence, bolstering safety. Read the full text of the bill HERE. Contact: Tate Mitchell, Jack O'Brien

Sheehy Introduces Bipartisan Wildfire and Forest Management Bill

Position: Senator Sheehy introduced bipartisan legislation to expand the 45Q carbon capture tax credit to include technologies that capture carbon in solid or liquid form, in addition to gaseous form, to incentivize forest management and reduce wildfire risk.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 5, 2025 Sheehy Introduces Bipartisan Wildfire and Forest Management Bill U.S. SENATE – Senator Tim Sheehy introduced the Carbon Resource Innovation Act, a bill making innovative, private sector technology to capture carbon eligible for the 45Q carbon capture tax credit. This legislation will make it easier for companies to engage in responsible forest management, reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) joined Senator Sheehy in introducing the bill. “As we continue to enact commonsense reforms to make our forests and communities more resilient against the growing threat of wildfire, it is critical we use the innovative technology and tools at our disposal to ensure proper fuels management. I’m proud to lead yet another bipartisan bill to achieve that goal and keep our treasured landscapes, homes, and businesses safe from the threat of wildfire,” said Senator Sheehy. Background: The 45Q carbon capture tax credit incentivizes companies to capture gaseous CO2 from industrial emitters or directly from the atmosphere to utilize or geologically store it. Originally signed into law by President Bush, 45Q has been revised by Republicans and Democrats, but retains dated limitations, including the requirement that carbon be captured solely in gaseous form. This means 45Q does not recognize technologies that capture carbon in a liquid or solid form, even though they mitigate CO2 emissions and can help drive innovative uses of natural gas or accelerate wildfire fuels reduction from forestry residues. The Carbon Resource Innovation Act makes these innovative technologies that capture carbon in a solid or liquid form eligible for 45Q, as long as they prevent the emission of CO2 and adhere to the same rigorous verification requirements as current technologies. This levels the playing field for carbon management companies and allows innovative technologies to drive additional public interest benefits and catalyze economic opportunities throughout the country. The bill aligns with previous modifications to 45Q that adapted to new opportunities for carbon sequestration but has the added benefit of being inclusive of technologies being deployed today and in the future. By providing a clear innovation pathway, the Carbon Resource Innovation Act eliminates the need for each new technology to come back to Congress for inclusion and instead provides certainty to innovators seeking to scale. Examples of technologies that meet the spirit of 45Q by capturing carbon in transparent and highly verifiable ways, but are currently excluded, include: Read the full text of the Carbon Resource Innovation Act HERE. Contact: Tate Mitchell, Jack O'Brien

ICYMI: SEN TIM SHEEHY: Gold Star families deserve justice. This $15B from Iran is a start

Position: Senator Sheehy advocates for maintaining strict sanctions and military pressure against Iran, supporting the seizure of Iranian cryptocurrency assets to compensate Gold Star families harmed by Iranian-sponsored terrorism.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  April 20, 2025 ICYMI: SEN TIM SHEEHY: Gold Star families deserve justice. This $15B from Iran is a start Senator Tim Sheehy penned an opinion piece for FOX News highlighting the need to deliver justice for Gold Star families and hold the Iranian regime accountable for its systematic targeting and murder of Americans for decades. SEN TIM SHEEHY: Gold Star families deserve justice. This $15B from Iran is a start During my time serving in the Middle East, I witnessed firsthand Iran’s role in the systematic targeting and murder of Americans. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has deliberately and systematically killed thousands of American service members and civilians, including good friends of mine, by funding and directing a network of proxy terrorist organizations that have directly benefited adversary states like China and Russia with cheap oil, rocket and drone technology and regional instability. This proxy warfare against America isn’t cheap. Iran spends billions of dollars every year in support of foreign terrorism around the world. It is therefore critical that the United States maintain the integrity of its sanctions and military pressure against this rogue regime, especially in light of Iran’s attacks on civilian shipping and energy infrastructure in the Gulf. Our sanctions starve the Iranian regime of the funds it needs to carry out violence and are a crucial financial tool to combating terrorism worldwide. That is why I was glad to see President Donald Trump’s signing in February 2025 of a National Security Presidential Memorandum directing the Secretary of the Treasury to impose maximum economic pressure on Iran. Congress has also acted in its authority to enlist the power of U.S. courts to contain Iran’s influence. Specifically, these laws empower U.S. courts to order the turnover of illicit Iranian assets to the countless victims of Iranian terrorism. Under these laws, U.S. terrorism victims have scoured the globe for hidden Iranian assets, degrading Iran’s commercial cover activities and money laundering networks. In creating this program, Congress not only provided a pathway to justice for American families but also deprived Iran of billions of dollars that could otherwise be spent on more terror against innocent Americans and our brave servicemembers. Right now, a group of victims of Iranian terrorism, led by the mother of 1st Lt. Jacob Fritz — who was abducted in 2007 from a U.S. compound in Iraq by an Iranian hit squad and summarily handcuffed, beaten and executed — are fighting to seize billions of dollars of Iranian cryptocurrency in federal court. These Gold Star families submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York hundreds of pages of expert reports and exhibits demonstrating how approximately $15 billion in Bitcoin was allegedly mined and held by the Iran and China Investment Development Group to help Iran evade sanctions. They have asked the court to turn over the funds to thousands of victims of Iranian terrorism with outstanding court judgments against Iran. Given Congress’ and Trump’s clear directive to bend all elements of national power to the containment of Iran, I was appalled to see the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella Jr., decide to stand against these Gold Star families. In public filings, Nocella argues — without any evidence that contradicts the Gold Star families’ expert reports and despite admitting in his own filings that some of the Bitcoin were mined in Iran — that the Bitcoin in question are not Iran-owned but are actually the proceeds of Southeast Asian scam centers run by Chen Zhi, a Cambodian citizen. He is seeking for the court to turn over the Bitcoin to the United States government, pursuant to a civil forfeiture proceeding related to Chen’s alleged crimes, rather than to the victims of Iranian terrorism. After decades of brutal Iranian terror targeting, torturing and killing our warfighters and innocent civilians, there is no question these funds would be better used to provide justice to families who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country instead of padding the federal budget. But the biggest problem with Nocella’s aggressive denial of Iranian involvement is that it risks the return of billions of dollars to Iran and its terrorist allies. If Nocella succeeds in convincing the court that the Bitcoin are not Iranian, it would mean they are not subject to U.S. sanctions against Iran. If he then proceeds to lose his forfeiture case, the return of the Bitcoin to Iran would be seemingly inevitable. This isn’t abstract; Nocella’s case is quite frankly an embarrassment to the justice system and a slap in the face to the families of those who put their lives on the line for this country. By the terms of Nocella’s own forfeiture complaint, the Bitcoin was already outside of Chen’s control at the time of his alleged criminal fraud activity, and the complaint contains no evidence linking Chen’s alleged conduct in the United States to the Bitcoin. The criminal indictment against Chen contains photos allegedly depicting victims tortured by Chen’s criminal organization. As independent journalists have noted, rather than providing evidence of Chen’s bad acts, these photos appear to actually be, among other things, a viral social media photo of a man who had a serious accident six years ago and a man who got in an unrelated bar fight in 2015. You can’t make this up. As was recently announced by the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York worked cooperatively for years with victims of Iranian terrorism to dismantle an Iranian money laundering facility in Manhattan. Given Congress’ and Trump’s clear directive to bend all elements of national power to the containment of Iran, I was appalled to see the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella Jr., decide to stand against these Gold Star families. But in the Eastern District, what should be a straightforward process to obtain justice for our warfighters is careening toward becoming a national embarrassment. Nocella should stop fighting the Gold Star families and let them continue with their better-researched and -written case against Iran. At a time when the U.S. is the closest it has been to eliminating this evil regime and negotiations are ongoing to establish peace in the region, we should do everything we can to keep this money out of the hands of terrorists instead of looking for ways to pad the government’s pockets. Contact: Tate Mitchell, Jack O'Brien

Sheehy Statement on Boundary Waters CRA

Position: Senator Sheehy supports House Joint Resolution 140, which rescinds a 2023 mineral withdrawal from the Boundary Waters. He argues the withdrawal was an overreach by the Biden administration that did not reflect local community support, and contends that any future mining project would still require rigorous environmental review and permitting.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  April 16, 2025 Sheehy Statement on Boundary Waters CRA U.S. SENATE – Senator Tim Sheehy issued the following statement on his support for House Joint Resolution 140, nullifying Public Land Order 7917: “Today I voted for H.J. Res. 140, which rescinds the excessive mineral withdrawal that was enacted in 2023. I have engaged in deep consultation with environmental experts, activist groups, community members, and elected leaders on both sides of this issue. But most importantly, I have spent time speaking directly to residents who live full time near Ely. As with all votes, I do not take this one lightly. “As someone who grew up canoeing the Boundary Waters and is an avid public lands user, advocate, and defender, I spent ample time engaging with all sides of this issue. Let’s be clear: this resolution does NOT approve mining in the Boundary Waters. It removes the irresponsible withdrawal of mineral rights that was enacted under the Biden administration in an extremely aggressive use of a Public Land Order that contrasted with the will of local elected officials and most community members who support the mining industry in their town. This Public Land Order was not done with the arc of conservation in mind, nor was it done with the unanimous buy-in of community leaders as has been advertised. It was issued from Washington, D.C., with the express purpose of killing a potential mining project. “A potential mine will still have to go through the incredibly rigorous permitting process, NEPA, public comment, and environmental review that any mine must comply with before mining can commence. The opposition to this potential mine has been fierce from many corners, and much of that resistance is rooted in genuine concern for the watershed and the incredible ecosystem which is the Boundary Waters. However, a large volume of the opposition is also not based locally, fundamentally uninformed on the project, and is being organized and funded by people thousands of miles away who have never put a paddle in the Boundary Waters or set foot in Northern Minnesota. “As an ardent defender of our public lands, I will work in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues to closely monitor the permitting and environmental review of this proposed project and ensure it complies with all applicable best practices and statutes. “For decades, the United States has systematically eradicated the mining industry from America, sending these projects to Africa, South America, Asia, and other areas around the world where environmental oversight is zero, child labor is rampant, and regulation is lax. America mines better and cleaner than anyone else in the world, and we should proudly support responsible mining projects.”

Sheehy Introduces Bipartisan Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act

Position: Senator Sheehy and cosponsors support establishing an Office of Novel Therapeutics within the VA to enable the department to evaluate and implement emerging mental health therapies for veterans, including psychedelic treatments for PTSD and depression.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 27, 2026 Sheehy Introduces Bipartisan Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act U.S. SENATE – Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the pro-veteran, bipartisan Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act to increase veterans’ access to innovative health care and ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is prepared to better care for veterans with emerging mental health therapies. “After young Americans who signed up to fight for our nation and were willing to give up their own lives for others come home, we better make sure the VA is ready to care for them and that they have access to the best, most innovative care available. The VA’s core mission is to care for veterans, and this bipartisan bill will help the hardworking men and women at the VA fulfill that critical mission,” said Senator Sheehy. This bill would establish a dedicated Office of Novel Therapeutics within the VA and ensure the department is prepared to safely evaluate and implement emerging therapies by establishing centralized governance, workforce readiness planning, and clinical implementation infrastructure within the Veterans Health Administration. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and John Boozman (R-Ark.) joined Senator Sheehy in introducing the bill. “Veterans suffering from invisible wounds like PTSD and depression deserve the same level of care from their VA as those with physical wounds, and it’s past time we do more to ensure our VA is equipped and prepared to navigate these Veterans’ unique needs. Our bipartisan legislation recognizes that the VA is uniquely positioned to oversee and administer this care as our Veterans’ medical center home and would cut red tape and establish groundbreaking infrastructure to more quickly review and approve emerging therapeutics for our wounded warriors. Equally important, it would require annual reports to Congress on clinical outcomes, research and success from innovative therapies so we could evaluate what works and establish those best practices Department-wide. Our bill is about making our VA work better for our heroes, and that should always be a bipartisan matter,” said Senator Duckworth. “When I got back from Iraq, I saw fellow Marines struggle in ways we weren’t prepared to treat. There’s no one way to address veterans’ mental health, and for those who don’t respond to existing treatments, we need to look at new ones. Emerging therapies like psychedelic treatment may offer real hope for veterans with PTSD when nothing else has. This bill makes sure we’re exploring every option to support them,” said Senator Gallego. “We owe it to veterans to ensure the VA can effectively facilitate access to new therapies and care upon FDA approval. Doing so will give them more options to improve their health, including recovering from the invisible wounds that represent a unique challenge to their well-being. I am proud of this bipartisan, proactive effort to meet the needs of our former servicemembers who have earned this support for all they have given to defend our nation and freedoms,” said Senator Boozman. Statements of Support: “As innovation in alternative therapies accelerates and studies on their effectiveness show increasingly clear results, our healthcare system has not kept pace and veterans are the ones paying the price: physically, mentally, and too often, financially. After 20 years of war, the post-9/11 generation is still carrying invisible and visible wounds, and we owe them access to the most effective care available today, not years from now. We welcome Senator Sheehy’s VHA Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act, which lays the foundation needed to responsibly deliver breakthrough treatments to veterans effectively and efficiently. After two decades of war, we owe them more than promises—we owe them delivery. This legislation moves innovation into real access for veterans now and we applaud this meaningful action.” – Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America “Veterans suffering from PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, and other complex mental health conditions deserve access to the most promising emerging therapies—and they deserve a VA that is prepared to deliver them safely and effectively. This legislation takes a critical step by building the necessary infrastructure, workforce capacity, and clinical standards before these therapies arrive—not after. We thank Sens. Sheehy, Boozman, Duckworth, and Gallego for their leadership on this important legislation, which will help ensure veterans can access cutting-edge treatments when they need them most—especially as they transition from the battlefield, rather than decades later.” – Jim Marszalek, Executive Director, Disabled American Veterans Washington Headquarters Background: Emerging therapeutic interventions, including certain psychedelic-assisted therapies currently under FDA review, may significantly change how conditions such as PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, substance use disorders, traumatic brain injury, and chronic pain are treated. These therapies often require intensive clinical oversight, interdisciplinary care teams, and structured preparation and integration that differ from traditional outpatient care. The bill aims to ensure the VA is prepared to safely implement emerging mental health treatments as they become available; strengthen coordination between research, clinical operations, and workforce training within VA; position the VA to lead the responsible evaluation and implementation of innovative therapies for veterans with complex mental health and brain health conditions; and help ensure veterans can access emerging treatments within VA’s integrated healthcare system rather than relying on costly or fragmented care outside the Department. Read the full text of the bill HERE. Contact: Tate Mitchell, Jack O'Brien