Throughout all of Northwest Indiana, and today in Gary, I’ve witnessed something truly powerful – faith communities, nonprofits, and local businesses standing shoulder to shoulder to ensure no one in our community goes hungry. This is who we are. This is how we recover – together.

Thank you to Governor Braun, local Mayors, and city and town employees for your collaboration to assist our community after severe storms yesterday.  Now what’s next is recovery, making sure people are safe, streets are cleared, and that we all come together to help the most vulnerable populations.

Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons poses a serious threat to the United States, our allies, and stability in the Middle East, but under our Constitution, the authority to declare war rests solely with Congress, not the President acting alone. This Administration’s unilateral declaration of war has placed our brave servicemembers in harm’s way without Congressional authorization. I am praying for their safety and remain steadfast in my commitment to bring them home. I supported today’s War Powers Resolution because I believe the Administration’s actions raise serious constitutional concerns. Their justification for military action has shifted repeatedly, and they have admittedly acknowledged that the United States was not facing an imminent threat. The American people deserve transparency, clearly defined objectives, and a coalition of supportive international partners. There is an immediate need for Congress to reassert its constitutional responsibility, provide oversight, and develop a clear strategy that protects our national security while preventing an open-ended military engagement. As the Fiscal Year 2027 budget is submitted and the appropriations process begins, I will continue working with my Congressional colleagues to ensure accountability, support our servicemembers and their families, and uphold the constitutional balance of powers that defines our democracy.

As we approach tonight’s State of the Union address, I remain focused on confronting this Administration’s actions that undermine our constitutional liberties, obstruct the implementation of federal funding laws, and are devastating the budgets of Northwest Indiana families with skyrocketing grocery and utility costs. The House Appropriations Committee and the legislative branch has demonstrated our ability to work in a bicameral and bipartisan fashion to solve problems, conduct oversight, and provide funds and direction to federal agencies. The Supreme Court and judicial branch has also demonstrated its ability to reign in certain tariffs that are causing groceries and expenses for farmers to remain high. The co-equal legislative and judicial branches have taken appropriate and reasoned actions to provide direction and hold this Administration accountable, but more must be done. I am steadfast in my opposition to open borders and believe that we must move without delay to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security with commonsense guardrails, including mandating body cameras for federal agents, requiring agents to be clearly identifiable, and guaranteeing constitutionally protected due process for all individuals in custody. I look forward to then beginning the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process and continuing my efforts to bring federal investments to Northwest Indiana that strengthen public safety, support economic development, and alleviate cost concerns for working families in Northwest Indiana.