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			<title>Congressman Andy Barr</title>
			<link>https://barr.house.gov/</link>
			<description>A collection of the latest records posted to Congressman Andy Barr.</description>
			

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			<pubDate>Sat, 129 May 2026 00:00:01 GMT</pubDate>
			<lastBuildDate>Sat, 129 May 2026 00:00:01 GMT</lastBuildDate>
			
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/4/barr-delivers-for-rural-america-with-2026-farm-bill</guid>
				<title>Barr Delivers for Rural America with 2026 Farm Bill</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/4/barr-delivers-for-rural-america-with-2026-farm-bill</link>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;WASHINGTON, D.C.&amp;mdash;&lt;/b&gt;Today, U.S.&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) stood with Kentucky farmers and voted to pass H.R. 7567&amp;mdash;&lt;i&gt;the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026&amp;mdash;&lt;/i&gt;a comprehensive, five-year reauthorization of critical food and agriculture programs that provides long-term certainty for America&amp;rsquo;s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This legislation delivers stability and predictability for producers navigating rising input costs, global competition, and market volatility. The bill strengthens the farm safety net, expands access to credit, and enhances risk management tools to help America&amp;rsquo;s agricultural community plan, invest, and grow.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Under President Trump's leadership, the Big Beautiful Bill ended the death tax on almost two million family farms, expanded crop insurance for farmers, and provided the largest investment ever in rural America,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Congressman Barr. &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&amp;ldquo;The Farm Bill expands on the largest tax cut in American history by delivering the tools, certainty, and support that our farmers need to thrive.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Additionally, the farm bill builds on prior reforms by improving accountability within nutrition programs, including stronger safeguards to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in SNAP while encouraging workforce participation and responsible spending of taxpayer dollars.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The bill further promotes active forest management to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and increase domestic timber production, helping address construction costs and strengthen supply chains.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This legislation marks a significant step forward in strengthening America&amp;rsquo;s agricultural economy and rural communities. The Farm Bill passage will ensure Kentucky remains a national leader in agricultural innovation, production, and opportunity for future generations.&lt;/p&gt;
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				<category>Press Releases</category>
				<pubDate>Thu, 120 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/4/barr-urges-passage-of-the-major-richard-star-act-to-support-combat-wounded-veterans</guid>
				<title>Barr Urges Passage of the Major Richard Star Act to Support Combat-Wounded Veterans</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/4/barr-urges-passage-of-the-major-richard-star-act-to-support-combat-wounded-veterans</link>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Washington, D.C.&amp;mdash;&lt;/b&gt;Today, U.S.&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) is calling on House leadership to pass the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102), a bipartisan bill to correct a longstanding injustice impacting combat-wounded veterans.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Major Richard Star Act seeks to eliminate what is widely known as the &amp;ldquo;wounded veteran tax,&amp;rdquo; a policy that forces medically retired, combat-injured veterans to forfeit a portion of their earned military retirement pay to receive disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In a letter to house leadership, the Congressman emphasized the urgent need to pass this legislation&amp;mdash;either as a standalone bill or as part of a broader legislative package, such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Retirement pay is earned through their years of honorable service and disability compensation is intended to address the lasting physical and mental costs of that service. These are essential benefits our veterans should never be forced to choose between,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Congressman Barr&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. &amp;ldquo;This is a matter of fairness, dignity, and taking care of our soldiers that have faced combat. Action is long overdue&amp;mdash;and we must deliver for our veterans now.&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;On behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Kentucky, we commend Andy Barr for urging House leadership to pass the Major Richard Star Act. This long-overdue legislation would correct an unfair offset and ensure combat-injured veterans receive both the retirement pay and disability benefits they have rightfully earned. We strongly encourage swift passage to honor the sacrifices made by those who have served,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Nicole Horseman, KY VFW Department of Kentucky Commander.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Combat-injured veterans have sacrificed so much for our nation -- they should not be forced to sacrifice their retirement pay to receive disability compensation," &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Lieutenant General Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), president and CEO, Military Officers Association of America&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;. "The Major Richard Star Act would end this unjust offset. We thank Rep. Barr for his leadership on this bill and for standing up for the fairness and dignity these servicemembers have clearly earned."&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Our country&amp;rsquo;s current policy forces combat-wounded veterans who were medically retired to forfeit retirement pay, offset dollar-for-dollar by their disability compensation. &amp;nbsp;This is unjust. &amp;nbsp;It affects more than 59,000 veterans today and will impact many more in the future.&amp;nbsp; We owe our Service members and veterans more than words &amp;ndash; we owe them full, earned benefits. &amp;nbsp;They should not be penalized financially for injuries sustained in defending our country.&amp;nbsp;The Major Richard Star Act corrects this long-standing wrong. &amp;nbsp;It ensures wounded warriors receive both their retirement and disability pay, as they should.&amp;nbsp; Wounded Warrior Project stands with Rep. Barr in calling on House leadership to pass this bill without delay," &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;said Charles Choi, Deputy Director of Government Relations at the Wounded Warrior Project.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Today, over 59,000 combat-wounded veterans stand to benefit from this over-due reform that will ease the burdens of a bureaucratic penalty that diminished the benefits they have earned. There is a clear opportunity to fulfil the obligation we owe to the veterans of the United States. H.R. 2102 must be enacted.&lt;/p&gt;
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				<category>Press Releases</category>
				<pubDate>Thu, 113 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-questions-on-operation-epic-fury-in-hfac-3-26-26</guid>
				<title>Barr Questions on Operation Epic Fury in HFAC 3.26.26</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-questions-on-operation-epic-fury-in-hfac-3-26-26</link>
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				<category>Videos</category>
				<pubDate>Thu, 85 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-introduces-e-tag-act-to-protect-bank-depositors-during-financial-crises</guid>
				<title>Barr Introduces E-TAG Act to Protect Bank Depositors During Financial Crises</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-introduces-e-tag-act-to-protect-bank-depositors-during-financial-crises</link>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Washington, D.C.&amp;mdash;&lt;/b&gt; Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06), Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions, introduced the Emergency Transaction Account Guarantee (E-TAG) Act. Barr&amp;rsquo;s proposal establishes an emergency program allowing the U.S. Department of the Treasury to temporarily provide unlimited deposit insurance on transaction accounts during periods of severe financial stress.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Under the legislation, the Treasury Secretary would have the authority to quickly invoke expanded deposit insurance coverage when necessary to stabilize the financial system and prevent bank runs during times of economic uncertainty.&amp;nbsp;This will be accomplished by the Treasury Sec. working in coordination with the FDIC and NCUA.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;We need the American people to have the utmost confidence in our banking system, especially during times of crisis,&amp;rdquo; said Chairman Barr. &amp;ldquo;The E-TAG Act gives Treasury the ability to act quickly in a crisis to guarantee the security of bank accounts, prevent bank runs, and stabilize financial institutions before a crisis spreads. This is a smart, targeted tool that strengthens the safety and soundness of our financial system and protects American workers, small businesses, and local banks.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;During the Great Financial Crisis of 2008, a similar Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) program was deployed and proved crucial in bolstering confidence in the banking sector at the height of the financial panic. Barr&amp;rsquo;s legislation ensures federal regulators have the tools and flexibility needed to respond quickly to future financial emergencies.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The E-TAG Act allows the Treasury Secretary to determine when emergency coverage is necessary and streamlines the process so regulators can respond faster in times of financial stress. The legislation is designed to ensure businesses can continue making payroll and meeting financial obligations even during periods of financial market disruption.&lt;/p&gt;
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				<category>Press Releases</category>
				<pubDate>Wed, 84 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-military-doing-remarkable-job-in-operation-epic-freedom</guid>
				<title>Barr: Military Doing Remarkable Job in Operation Epic Freedom</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-military-doing-remarkable-job-in-operation-epic-freedom</link>
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				<category>Videos</category>
				<pubDate>Tue, 83 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-talks-operation-epic-freedom-dhs-save-america-act-and-no-tax-on-drill-pay-on-fox-business</guid>
				<title>Barr Talks Operation Epic Freedom, DHS, Save America Act, and No Tax on Drill Pay on Fox Business</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-talks-operation-epic-freedom-dhs-save-america-act-and-no-tax-on-drill-pay-on-fox-business</link>
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				<category>Videos</category>
				<pubDate>Tue, 83 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-applauds-president-trump-and-fhfa-director-bill-pulte-for-ending-biden-era-regulations-to-help-rural-homeowners</guid>
				<title>Barr Applauds President Trump and FHFA Director Bill Pulte for Ending Biden-era Regulations to Help Rural Homeowners</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-applauds-president-trump-and-fhfa-director-bill-pulte-for-ending-biden-era-regulations-to-help-rural-homeowners</link>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Washington, D.C.&amp;mdash;&lt;/b&gt; U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) applauded President Donald Trump and Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte for taking action to restore consumer choice in homeowners insurance policies&amp;mdash;an important step that will provide better access and affordability for homeowners, particularly in rural communities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The move addresses a Biden-era policy that required federally backed mortgages to carry full replacement cost value (RCV) insurance, effectively banning actual cash value (ACV) policies for roofs that many homeowners rely on to keep premiums affordable. Reform of ACV for roofs has been a priority of the Kentucky Farm Bureau.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;President Trump and Director Bill Pulte are delivering real relief for homeowners, especially in rural communities where families are already dealing with rising housing and insurance costs,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Congressman Barr.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; &amp;ldquo;The Biden-era mandate forced homeowners into more expensive replacement cost policies instead of more affordable options that made sense. Restoring the ability to use actual cash value coverage for roofs will help keep insurance premiums manageable and protect access to homeownership.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Kentucky Farm Bureau applauds the Administration and FHFA Director Pulte for addressing this important issue that impacts Kentucky homeowners and future home buyers. We appreciate Congressman Barr&amp;rsquo;s tireless efforts to advocate for one of KFB&amp;rsquo;s key priorities. Allowing for the use of ACV on roofs in Kentucky will allow for more&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;consumer choice in addressing their insurance needs,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;the Kentucky Farm Bureau said in a statement.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Barr has been a leading advocate for fixing the policy. Last year, Barr sent a letter with House Financial Services Housing and Insurance Subcommittee Chairman Mike Flood to FHFA leadership raising concerns that the mandate would restrict consumer choice and impose unnecessary costs on homeowners.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;We write to express serious concerns about the Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) prohibiting the acceptance of actual cash value (ACV) homeowners insurance policies for federally backed mortgages, something highlighted in guidance issued in February 2024,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Barr wrote last year in his letter to Director Pulte. &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&amp;ldquo;Mandating RCV policies not only restricts consumer choice but also imposes significant cost burdens on families already facing steep affordability challenges in the housing market.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Barr also noted that insurance policies&amp;mdash;including those with ACV components&amp;mdash;are already regulated and approved by state insurance departments, ensuring homeowners have access to quality coverage options.&lt;/p&gt;
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				<category>Press Releases</category>
				<pubDate>Wed, 77 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-introduces-no-tax-on-drill-pay-act-to-support-national-guardsmen-and-reservists</guid>
				<title>Barr Introduces “No Tax on Drill Pay” Act to Support National Guardsmen and Reservists</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-introduces-no-tax-on-drill-pay-act-to-support-national-guardsmen-and-reservists</link>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Washington, D.C.&amp;mdash;&lt;/b&gt; Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced the No Tax on Drill Pay Act, legislation to exempt federal income taxes on Inactive Duty Training (IDT) pay earned by members of the National Guard and Reserve during their drill weekends. U.S. Congressman Max Miller (R-OH) and U.S. Congressman Zach Nunn (R-IA) are original cosponsors of the bill. Congressman Miller served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and Congressman Nunn is currently serving in the Iowa Air National Guard.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Barr&amp;rsquo;s bill recognizes the service and sacrifice of citizen-military members by ensuring the pay they receive for monthly drill weekends and required training is not subject to federal income tax. Barr also strongly supported the Warrior Dividend of $1,776 ahead of Christmas announced by President Trump that some National Guardsmen and Reservists received. Barr also voted to exempt federal taxes on tips, overtime, and social security last year in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;More than 800,000 Americans serve in the Guard and Reserve, and of that, over 15,000 Guardsmen and Reservists are deployed overseas each year. Guardsmen and Reservists play a critical role in U.S. national defense while also responding to emergencies at home&amp;mdash;including natural disasters, border security missions, and domestic crises.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Under current law, National Guardsmen and Reservists must pay federal income taxes on compensation received for Inactive Duty Training, which typically includes one weekend of training per month and additional readiness activities throughout the year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Members of the National Guard and Reserve answer the call to serve our country while balancing civilian careers and family responsibilities,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Congressman Barr, a past recipient of the Charles Dick Medal of Merit, the highest honor given to elected officials for advocacy of the National Guard. &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&amp;ldquo;Ending federal taxes on a portion of their military pay will reward these patriots for their service to our country. The No Tax on Drill Pay Act will boost recruitment and retention, strengthen military readiness, and continue our commitment to treating our military better than any in the world.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;If we truly value the service of our Guardsmen and Reservists,&amp;nbsp;the least we can do is&amp;nbsp;let&amp;nbsp;them keep every dollar they earn while preparing to defend our country,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Congressman Miller.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; &amp;ldquo;I am proud to cosponsor the No Tax on Drill Pay Act&amp;nbsp;to&amp;nbsp;ensure&amp;nbsp;the pay they earn during drill weekends stays in their pockets, not Washington&amp;rsquo;s.&amp;nbsp;This bill affirms our commitment to those who boldly defend our nation both at home and abroad.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Our Guard members and Reservists serve on drill days, training deployments, and stand at the ready for our communities. Time away from families, jobs, and home. Under current law, they pay federal income taxes on every dollar they earn doing it. I hear from Iowa Guardsmen and their families about the financial strain that comes with that commitment, and this bill is a straightforward fix: exempt drill pay from federal income taxes so more of that money stays with the families who earned it,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Congressman Nunn. &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Drill pay is not a bonus &amp;ndash; it is compensation for time spent training to respond to emergencies, deploy overseas, and protect the homeland,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn (Ret.), president of the National Guard Association of the United States. &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&amp;ldquo;Exempting inactive-duty training pay from federal income taxes recognizes that service, helps recruit and retain the force, and ensures Guardsmen are not financially penalized for answering the call. NGAUS strongly supports this legislation and thanks Reps. Barr, Miller, and Nunn for introducing a bill that provides meaningful support to the citizen-soldiers and airmen who stand ready every day.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Thank you, Congressman Barr, for your leadership and recognition of the sacrifices by the brave men and women serving in all reserve components,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Joe Gardner, Executive Director of the Kentucky National Guard&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Association. &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"I strongly support this measure to provide federal tax relief to our reserve and guardsman during drill," &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Kentucky State Senator Matthew Deneen (R-SD-10), Chairman of the Kentucky State Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee. &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&amp;ldquo;These dedicated men and women providing service to their communities and country both at home and overseas, and they play a vital role in our national security, disaster response efforts and the strength of our armed services. Supporting those who step forward to serve is not only the right thing to do, it&amp;rsquo;s essential to maintaining a strong and ready military."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;The Guard and Reserve are essential to both our national defense and the safety of our communities,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Kentucky State Senator Matt Nunn (R-SD-17), a champion of veterans in Frankfort.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&amp;ldquo;As a former guardsman, I know full well the sacrifices our guardsmen and their families make. Whether responding to emergencies here in our Commonwealth or supporting missions overseas, they serve with professionalism and dedication. I want to thank Congressman Barr for supporting our Guard and Reserve with a proposal that will help them invest in their American Dream while protecting all of ours.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Kentucky has a long tradition of service, and our Guard and Reserve members are a big part of that legacy,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Kentucky State Representative Bobby McCool (R-HD-14), Chairman of the House Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; &amp;ldquo;As a former Air National Guardsmen myself, I know the impact the No Tax on Drill Pay will have on Guard and Reserve families. I commend Congressman Barr for his leadership on this bill and I fully support it.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Guardsmen and Reservists are always ready to answer the call from Kentucky and the nation,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Kentucky State Representative Stephen Bratcher (R-HD-25), Vice Chair of the House Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; &amp;ldquo;Their service often takes place quietly on weekends and during training periods that many people never see. I couldn&amp;rsquo;t think of a better way to reward this patriotic service.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
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				<category>Press Releases</category>
				<pubDate>Fri, 72 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-congratulates-judge-greg-van-tatenhove-on-appointment-as-dean-of-the-rosenberg-college-of-law-at-uk</guid>
				<title>Barr Congratulates Judge Greg Van Tatenhove on Appointment as Dean of the Rosenberg College of Law at UK</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-congratulates-judge-greg-van-tatenhove-on-appointment-as-dean-of-the-rosenberg-college-of-law-at-uk</link>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Lexington, KY&amp;mdash;&lt;/b&gt;Today, Greg Van Tatenhove, U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, was named the new Dean of the Rosenberg College of Law at the University of Kentucky. U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-Ky) released the following statement:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;&amp;ldquo;I want to congratulate my friend, Judge Greg Van Tatenhove on his appointment as the new Dean of the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law. As an alumnus of the College, I am thrilled that Judge Van Tatenhove will be stepping into this role. He has been an outstanding Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and he will no doubt leverage his substantial experience in government, private practice and the federal judiciary to lead the law school into the future and cultivate the next generation of attorneys, judges, lawmakers and business leaders for the Commonwealth.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
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				<category>Press Releases</category>
				<pubDate>Fri, 65 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-champions-community-banks-delivers-for-kentucky-s-families-and-small-businesses-with-the-main-street-act</guid>
				<title>Barr Champions Community Banks, Delivers for Kentucky’s Families and Small Businesses with the Main Street Act</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-champions-community-banks-delivers-for-kentucky-s-families-and-small-businesses-with-the-main-street-act</link>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;WASHINGTON, D.C.&amp;mdash;&lt;/b&gt;Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions, celebrated passage of the Main Street Capital Access Act in the House Financial Services Committee. The vote paves the way for the full House of Representatives to bring this bill up that will reduce red tape and expand access to credit in communities throughout the Commonwealth. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The legislation targets regulatory framework aimed at modernizing outdated rules, removing barriers that limit growth of small and mid-sized banks. Restoring common-sense bank regulation helps prevent the consolidation of power into a handful of large institutions, preserves a diverse and competitive banking system, and safeguards depositors and the broader economy.&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Community banks are the heartbeat of Kentucky&amp;rsquo;s economy. They power our small businesses, support our farmers, and help families achieve the American Dream. That&amp;rsquo;s why we must advance a regulatory framework that encourages growth and fuels economic activity on Main Street. I thank Chairman French Hill for his leadership and look forward to pushing this package across the finish line,&amp;rdquo;&amp;nbsp;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Subcommittee Chairman Congressman Barr. &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;As a former community banker, I know and have seen firsthand the important role they serve to drive the economic engine of America and help Main Street grow and thrive. Over the past year, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions under Chair Barr&amp;rsquo;s leadership has worked tirelessly to examine outdated regulations, listen directly to small businesses, and confront barriers to access capital for small and mid-sized banks. I am proud to introduce the Main Street Capital Access Act with Chair Barr to reinvigorate our community banks and return commonsense back to Main Street,&amp;rdquo;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt; said Chairman Hill at the time of the Main Street Act&amp;rsquo;s &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href="https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=410974"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;introduction&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Kentucky banks have weathered storms, both literal and figurative, while continuing to serve their communities&amp;rsquo; needs.&amp;nbsp; The Act will put economic growth and resiliency at the forefront in allowing Kentucky&amp;rsquo;s community banks to focus on serving Kentucky&amp;rsquo;s businesses and consumers rather than focusing on overburdensome regulation and artificial barriers to service. We sincerely appreciate your continuous support of Kentucky&amp;rsquo;s community banks and for all of your hard work on the Act.&amp;nbsp; We expressly support the Act,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Ballard Cassady, President and CEO of the Kentucky Bankers Association, in a letter to Congressman Barr supporting the bill. &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;We applaud Chairman French Hill and Subcommittee Chairman Andy Barr for their leadership in advancing the Main Street Capital Access Act, which will strengthen community banks by spurring new bank formation, promoting common-sense tailoring, improving supervision and more. We look forward to working with Congress and the administration on additional policies that will help community banks support local businesses, families and the broader economy,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Rob Nichols, President and CEO of the American Bankers Association.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Thank you to Chairman French Hill and Subcommittee Chairman Andy Barr for your leadership in introducing the Main Street Capital Access (&amp;ldquo;Main Street&amp;rdquo;) Act. This bill will strengthen regulatory supervision, accountability and transparency, and promote a healthy and more competitive banking industry. We appreciate your recognition of the important role that retail banks of all sizes play in driving the economic engine of America and helping Main Street thrive,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Lindsey Johnson, President and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association when the bill was first introduced.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;On behalf of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and the nearly 45,000 community bank locations we represent, I write to thank you for scheduling a markup of the Main Street Capital Access Act (H.R. 6955). We urge all committee members to vote YES on this important community bank regulatory relief legislation. ICBA looks forward to working with the Financial Services Committee to advance H.R. 6955,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Rebecca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) in a letter supporting the Main Street Act.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Main Street Capital Access Act includes several key reforms to strengthen community banks and encourage de novo bank formation. Barr has long championed policies to make de novo bank formation easier to strengthen access to capital, especially in rural communities. Since the 2008 financial crisis, de novo formation has slowed significantly. There were 181 charters granted in 2007; but between 2010 and 2019, fewer than ten new banks opened, on average, per year. A total of 794 rural counties lost a combined 1,553 bank branches between 2012-2017, a 14% decline.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This bill strengthens de novo bank formation by:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul type="disc"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Establishing a three-year phase-in period for capital requirements, giving newly chartered banks time to grow deposits and build lending portfolios before meeting full regulatory thresholds.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Reducing regulatory barriers that discourage new bank formation by requiring federal regulators to provide clearer guidance and more transparency in the chartering and supervisory process for new banks.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Tailoring federal banking regulations to bank size and risk profile, ensuring community banks are not forced to comply with the same rules designed for the largest Wall Street institutions.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Simplifying regulatory reporting requirements for small and mid-sized banks, reducing costly compliance burdens that divert resources away from lending to local businesses and families.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Improving the bank examination process by requiring regulators to apply clearer and more consistent supervisory standards, including reforms to how banks are evaluated under the CAMELS rating system.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Supports credit unions serving local communities&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;by modernizing regulatory requirements and reducing unnecessary administrative burdens that limit their ability to provide affordable financial services.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Expands flexibility for credit unions to serve underserved and rural communities&lt;/strong&gt;, helping ensure families and small businesses have access to affordable loans and financial services.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Encourages competition in the financial system&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;by strengthening local lenders&amp;mdash;both community banks and credit unions&amp;mdash;so they can better compete with large national financial institutions.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;###&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
				<category>Press Releases</category>
				<pubDate>Thu, 64 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-defends-trump-s-iran-strike-slams-war-powers-resolution-as-dangerous-gift-to-our-enemies</guid>
				<title>Barr Defends Trump’s Iran Strike, Slams War Powers Resolution as “Dangerous Gift to Our Enemies”</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-defends-trump-s-iran-strike-slams-war-powers-resolution-as-dangerous-gift-to-our-enemies</link>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Washington, D.C. &amp;mdash; &lt;/b&gt;Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY), a senior member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, voted against the dangerous War Powers Resolution proposed by Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) and radical Democrats. Barr spoke on the House Floor against this provision on Wednesday. The full text of his speech is below:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in strong opposition to this dangerous and misguided war powers resolution that would weaken our country and serve as a gift to our enemies. The radical terrorist regime in Tehran, the world&amp;rsquo;s leading state sponsor of terrorism has targeted and killed thousands of Americans since 1979.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;The United States, Israel, and all of our allies are safer because the Ayatollah is dead. Since the taking of our hostages from our Embassy in 1979 to the infamous 1983 Beirut barracks bombing that killed 241 U.S. Marines to the attack on the USS Cole that left 37 Navy sailors dead to the maiming and killing of thousands of U.S. military members during the global war on terrorism, the Iranian terrorist regime has always posed a grievous threat to the United States. Operation Epic Fury is neutralizing that threat, and it has been a tremendous success.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;President Trump promised that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon. He is acting on that promise to make the world a safer place, and he is complying with the law. In doing so, the President is complying with the notification requirements of the war powers resolution, not only through the consultation provisions and not only with the routinely updating the Congress, but also under the commander-in-chief powers as a legal matter.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;The President of the United States doesn&amp;rsquo;t need the permission of Congress to engage in hostilities to protect the American people. The Commander-in-Chief clause gives the President the exclusive power to command the military and operations approved by Congress. And it also gives the President substantial independent power to direct miliary operations so long as the President does not infringe on the exclusive powers of the Congress.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;What are the exclusive powers of Congress? The declaration power. We have been silent on that. Another is Appropriations, or the power of the purse. This Congress has appropriated funds to defend the country, and we increased appropriations through the reconciliation bill this year. The NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) that is the policy of this Congress which identifies Iran as a threat to our country. The Constitution was clear that the Congress has the sole authority to declare war which changes the legal status of the country.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;But the framers did not think that the language meant that the President and Congress have to work together all the time to turn on the keys of war powers. The founders were practical men. They understood that Congress is slow to act. Alexander Hamilton argued in Federalist 70 that energy in the Executive is essential for national security, unity, secrecy, dispatch, and decision. And he contended that a single president is vital for defending the country.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;So, Congress&amp;rsquo;s real power is not just the declaration power, it&amp;rsquo;s the power of the purse. If my friends want to constrain the President, they have the authority to do it through the appropriations process. They do not have the constitutional authority to constrain the President from defending this country and defending our national security, advancing our national security, and ridding the world of this mess. I yield back.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
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				<category>Press Releases</category>
				<pubDate>Thu, 64 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-supports-bill-to-put-american-shrimpers-first-in-fsc</guid>
				<title>Barr Supports Bill to Put American Shrimpers First in FSC</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-supports-bill-to-put-american-shrimpers-first-in-fsc</link>
				<description/>
				<category>Videos</category>
				<pubDate>Wed, 63 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-speaks-in-support-of-main-street-capital-access-act-in-fsc</guid>
				<title>Barr Speaks in Support of Main Street Capital Access Act in FSC</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-speaks-in-support-of-main-street-capital-access-act-in-fsc</link>
				<description/>
				<category>Videos</category>
				<pubDate>Wed, 63 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-speaks-in-support-of-seed-act-to-promote-american-entrepreneurship</guid>
				<title>Barr Speaks in Support of SEED Act to Promote American Entrepreneurship</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-speaks-in-support-of-seed-act-to-promote-american-entrepreneurship</link>
				<description/>
				<category>Videos</category>
				<pubDate>Wed, 63 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-touts-trump-s-operation-epic-fury-rejects-attempt-to-limit-presidential-war-powers</guid>
				<title> Barr Touts Trump’s Operation Epic Fury, Rejects Attempt to Limit Presidential War Powers</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-touts-trump-s-operation-epic-fury-rejects-attempt-to-limit-presidential-war-powers</link>
				<description/>
				<category>Videos</category>
				<pubDate>Wed, 63 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-offers-amendment-to-strengthen-coal-industry-in-fsc-3-4-26</guid>
				<title>Barr Offers Amendment to Strengthen Coal Industry in FSC 3.4.26</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-offers-amendment-to-strengthen-coal-industry-in-fsc-3-4-26</link>
				<description/>
				<category>Videos</category>
				<pubDate>Wed, 63 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-coal-can-power-ai-technologies-of-the-future</guid>
				<title>Barr: Coal can Power AI, Technologies of the Future</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/barr-coal-can-power-ai-technologies-of-the-future</link>
				<description/>
				<category>Videos</category>
				<pubDate>Wed, 63 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/following-trump-s-state-of-the-union-call-barr-introduces-house-dalilah-law-to-secure-our-roads-and-stop-illegals-from-getting-cdls</guid>
				<title>Following Trump’s State of the Union Call, Barr Introduces House Dalilah Law to Secure Our Roads and Stop Illegals from Getting CDLs</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/3/following-trump-s-state-of-the-union-call-barr-introduces-house-dalilah-law-to-secure-our-roads-and-stop-illegals-from-getting-cdls</link>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Washington, D.C. &amp;mdash; &lt;/b&gt;Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) announced he will introduce the House companion to the &amp;ldquo;Dalilah Law,&amp;rdquo; cracking down on left-wing states like New York, Illinois, and California giving out commercial driver&amp;rsquo;s licenses to illegals. Barr, one of the strongest members in the House on the border, has a perfect A+ &lt;a href="https://x.com/repandybarr/status/2026434479800332752?s=46"&gt;rating&lt;/a&gt; from NumbersUSA for his work on border security polices. Last week, an &lt;a href="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffys-audit-illinois-non-domiciled-cdls-finds"&gt;audit&lt;/a&gt; from the U.S. Department of Transportation found that 1 in 5 non-domiciled CDLs were issued illegally in the state of Illinois. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; The &amp;ldquo;Dalilah Law,&amp;rdquo; named for Dalilah Coleman &amp;mdash; who was critically injured in a 2024 collision involving a commercial truck &amp;mdash; was formally introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) following a call to action from President Donald J. Trump during the 2026 State of the Union address. The Dalilah Law would:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul type="disc"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Require that states limit commercial driver&amp;rsquo;s licenses to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain temporary work visa holders as a condition of receiving Department of Transportation funding.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Mandate English-only CDL testing to ensure that all commercial drivers possess the language skills necessary for safe operation on U.S. roads.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Require states to revoke CDLs issued to undocumented immigrants or individuals without qualifying legal status, even if they previously had work authorization.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Strengthen verification processes and recertification requirements to ensure ongoing compliance with eligibility and safety standards.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;If you are an illegal, you should be deported, not handed the keys to the most powerful vehicles on the road,&amp;rdquo; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;said Congressman Barr.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; &amp;ldquo;Dalilah Coleman is one of too many Americans who have been injured or killed by an illegal operating our most dangerous vehicles unlawfully. President Trump is 100% right than this needs to end, and I&amp;rsquo;ll lead the fight with Senator Banks to make sure this is done.&amp;rdquo; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; During his State of the Union address, President Trump underscored the urgency of the issue, calling on Congress to pass the Dalilah Law to improve safety on the nation&amp;rsquo;s highways. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;The President said in his State of the Union in-part,&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; &amp;ldquo;Many, if not most, illegal aliens do not speak English and cannot read even the most basic road signs as to direction, speed, danger, or location. That&amp;rsquo;s why tonight, I&amp;rsquo;m calling on Congress to pass what we will call the Dalilah Law, barring any state from granting commercial driver&amp;rsquo;s licenses to illegal aliens.&amp;rdquo;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also called for Dalilah&amp;rsquo;s Law to be passed,&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; &amp;ldquo;Under President Trump's leadership, we have worked to deliver justice for the families impacted by illegal alien crime, and have ensured that the tragedies they endured will no longer continue. What happened to Dalilah Coleman is a tragedy that could have been PREVENTED if California did not grant commercial driver&amp;rsquo;s licenses to illegal aliens who should have never been here in the first place. DHS is working every single day to remove dangerous criminal illegal aliens who are unlawfully in the U.S.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
###</description>
				<category>Press Releases</category>
				<pubDate>Tue, 62 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/2/barr-talks-dhs-shutdown-save-america-act-banning-cdls-for-illegals-on-maria</guid>
				<title>Barr Talks DHS Shutdown, Save America Act, Banning CDLs for Illegals on Maria</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/2/barr-talks-dhs-shutdown-save-america-act-banning-cdls-for-illegals-on-maria</link>
				<description/>
				<category>Videos</category>
				<pubDate>Fri, 58 Feb 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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				<guid>https://barr.house.gov/2026/2/barr-on-banning-cdls-for-illegals</guid>
				<title>Barr on Banning CDLs for Illegals</title>
				<link>https://barr.house.gov/2026/2/barr-on-banning-cdls-for-illegals</link>
				<description/>
				<category>Videos</category>
				<pubDate>Fri, 58 Feb 2026 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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