Titus, Dina RSS Articles

Rep. Titus Calls for Wild Horse Slaughter Investigation

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) and 17 of her colleagues today sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting a review of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program following reports that wild horses have been slaughtered. Supporters of the letter include Congressional Wild Horse Caucus Co-Chairs Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Mark Pocan (WI-02) as well as Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). The letter is also endorsed by American Wild Horse Conservation and Rewilding America Now.

“We now know what we have long suspected — that the BLM has been selling off wild horses that end up in slaughterhouses,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus. “This practice must end now. I am leading my Congressional colleagues in demanding an investigation of the Wild Horse and Burro Sale Program to ensure wild horses and burros received the protections they are guaranteed by federal law."

“It’s long past time to fix the ongoing failures in how America’s wild horses are managed. For years, across both Republican and Democrat administrations, we’ve seen alarming reports of hostility toward these animals and serious questions about how the Bureau of Land Management is carrying out its responsibilities. This cannot be a partisan issue. It’s a stewardship issue. I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to demand accountability, protect our wild horses, and push for real solutions that address the problem head-on.” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani

"The Administration knows what it is doing. They are circumventing the law to benefit landowners who want to get rid of all the wild horses, which are American heritage that we should value. More oversight is needed,” said Congressman Steve Cohen.

“Our laws demand that we protect wild horses, not send them to slaughter. Congress has always worked in a bipartisan manner to protect these animals, and we need accountability and oversight at the Bureau of Land Management immediately. We hope this request will force the Administration to do the right thing,” said Congressman Mark Pocan.

“Wild horses are a national treasure. Year after year, Congress has barred the Bureau of Land Management from slaughtering them. Yet now there is a concerning report that Trump’s agency is recklessly selling wild horses to buyers who slaughter them. I am calling on GAO to investigate,” said Senator Cory Booker.

“The GAO investigation is a critical step toward uncovering and eliminating abuses within the Sale Authority Program, abuses documented through AWHC’s longstanding investigation and recently brought to national attention by The New York Times. No federal program should allow America’s treasured and legally protected wild horses and burros to be funneled into the slaughter pipeline”, said Patricia Miller, Chair, Board of Directors & Executive Director, American Wild Horse Conservation. “We are deeply grateful to Representative Dina Titus and her fellow Congressional Wild Horse Caucus co-chairs, Representatives Ciscomani, Cohen, and Pocan, for leading this essential oversight effort and advancing the agency accountability and lasting reform necessary to ensure these animals receive the protections promised to them under federal law.”

"America’s wild horses are an irreplaceable part of our nation’s heritage and belong to the American people. Slaughter is not a management tool, and Congress has made clear these iconic animals are to be protected, not destroyed with taxpayer dollars. We are grateful to Congresswoman Dina Titus for her leadership, and to her colleagues for requesting a GAO audit of the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. This review will help bring greater transparency and accountability to the Sale Authority Program and move us toward humane, effective solutions. Slaughter is never the answer, and we must work together to find a better path forward," said Manda Kalimian, Founder and President of Rewilding America Now.

The letter states: “This request is particularly urgent in light of recent reporting by The New York Times detailing how changes in the BLM’s management of wild horses and burros could exploit a legal loophole to facilitate their movement into the slaughter pipeline. The reporting raises renewed concerns about whether BLM's Sale Program is being used to circumvent longstanding congressional protections intended to prevent federally protected wild horses and burros from being sold or otherwise funneled into slaughter.

“A comprehensive GAO review would provide Congress with an independent assessment of whether BLM's current practices adequately protect federally managed wild horses and burros, comply with congressional directives, and appropriately safeguard taxpayer resources. It would also build upon GAO's prior examination of BLM's wild horse management and sales practices, allowing Congress to determine whether safeguards remain effective nearly two decades later.

“Most importantly, this review would help Congress determine whether the Sale Program is functioning as a legitimate placement mechanism or has become a pathway through which federally protected wild horses and burros can predictably enter the slaughter pipeline after title transfers. The recent reporting in The New York Times, together with BLM's expanded reliance on removals and sales, makes an independent examination especially timely.

“GAO's findings would provide Congress with the factual basis necessary to strengthen safeguards, improve reporting requirements, ensure compliance with appropriations restrictions and the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, and consider additional statutory changes where necessary.”

The letter asks the GAO to address the following issues:

Implementation of Sale Authority

· How has BLM implemented its Sale Authority, including "sales without limitation," since enactment of the 2004 amendments to the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act?

· How many horses and burros have been sold annually under Sale Authority since 2004, and what trends have emerged over time?

· How has BLM's reliance on sales changed following the substantial increase in congressional funding
for removals in Fiscal Year 2018 and onwards?

· To what extent do current group and individual sales operate differently from the historical "sales without limitation" that Congress sought to restrict through appropriations language?

Purchaser Screening and Internal Controls

· What policies, procedures, and internal controls govern purchaser screening, approval, monitoring, and post-sale oversight?

· How does BLM identify and manage high-risk or repeat purchasers?

· Does BLM maintain records of individuals or entities that have purchased large numbers of horses or burros over time, including purchases made through related individuals or entities?

· What mechanisms exist to identify purchasers with connections to livestock auctions, kill buyers, brokers, slaughter facilities, or other high-risk entities?

· How frequently has BLM investigated allegations that sold animals entered slaughter channels, and what enforcement actions, including repossessions, purchaser suspensions, or debarments, have resulted?

Post-Sale Outcomes and Enforcement

· What information does BLM collect regarding the disposition of horses and burros after title transfers?

· To what extent can BLM determine whether sold animals ultimately enter commercial slaughter channels?

· Under what circumstances does BLM have authority to repossess or otherwise recover an animal after a sale?

· What criteria does BLM use to determine whether to intervene when a sold horse or burro is subsequently identified at an auction, kill pen, or other slaughter-related facility?

· How many horses and burros has BLM repossessed following a sale during the past ten years, and what circumstances led to those actions?

· How many purchasers have been suspended, debarred, or otherwise restricted during the same period?

· Does BLM distinguish between adoption and sale outcomes when reporting placement success to Congress and the public?

Compliance with Congressional Direction

· Is BLM administering the Sale Program in a manner consistent with annual appropriations language prohibiting the destruction of healthy wild horses and burros or their sale for processing into commercial products?

· Are BLM's current sales practices consistent with the purpose and intent of congressional restrictions on "sales without limitation"?

· Does BLM have adequate safeguards to prevent sales that it knows, or reasonably should know, are likely to result in animals entering the slaughter pipeline?

· To what extent could current Sale Authority practices undermine congressional prohibitions by transferring animals to purchasers who subsequently resell them for slaughter?

· Are current policies and oversight mechanisms sufficient to ensure that federally protected animals are not predictably diverted into slaughter?

Program Management and Congressional Oversight

· What relationship exists between BLM's removal targets, off-range holding population, adoption rates, and reliance on sales?

· Has BLM evaluated whether its current removal and sale strategies create incentives to prioritize rapid disposal over durable placement outcomes?

· What statutory, regulatory, administrative, or reporting changes would strengthen congressional oversight and accountability?

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Rep. Dina Titus Fix for Gambling Loss Deduction Passes Out of Committee

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Today Congresswoman Dina Titus’s provision restoring the 100 percent tax deduction on gambling losses passed out of committee. She is now urging House leadership to expeditiously bring her fix to the floor.

“After 14 months of fighting to get this commonsense, bipartisan fix through committee, we must now encourage the House to approve this measure before Jan. 1, 2027. This would stop the reduction to 90 percent from taking effect and ensure gamblers across the nation do not pay this tax on phantom money they never won,” Congresswoman Titus said. “Altering the tax code was a ruse in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill at the expense of recreational and professional gamblers. As I have said many times, it must be fixed.”

Congresswoman Titus was the first member of Congress to recognize the injustice of ending the full deduction and introduced her bipartisan FAIR BET Act on July 7, 2025, to correct it. Since then, other measures have been introduced mirroring the language in her bill. The House Ways and Means Committee included one of those measures today in approving H.R. 10357, the Digital Asset Tax Certainty Act.

“I am disappointed it took the House committee so long to take action,” Congresswoman Titus said. “I spoke at a Ways and Means Committee field hearing in Las Vegas in July 2025 to bring the consequences of reducing the deduction to their attention. Over the next several months, I wrote letters to the committee urging it to include the fix in an upcoming package. Nothing happened until now, when the House will be out of session until after the election. The Republican House leadership must bring this provision to the floor, and the Senate must also expeditiously pass it if we are to prevent the tax from taking effect and harming gamblers nationwide.”

The FAIR BET Act, which has bipartisan support from 25 co-sponsors, also has backing from the

American Gaming Association, MGM, Draft Kings, FanDuel, Caesars, Wynn, the Nevada Resort Association, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. In addition, there has been an outpouring of support for the legislation by gamblers on social media.

Rep. Dina Titus Introduces Legislation for More Transparency and Environmental Review of Data Centers on Federal Land

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Titus today introduced the Public Lands Accountability Act to ensure the public has a say in the federal permitting process for data centers on public lands and environmental effects are thoroughly evaluated.

“Data centers are proliferating in Nevada and other states having large expanses of federal land,” Congresswoman Titus said. “We need to make sure the public’s voice is heard and that the effects on the environment, water resources and the electric grid are thoroughly assessed and made public.”

A data center has been proposed in Boulder City, Nevada, and would be the first data center in the nation built on BLM land.

“How this project is handled will have immense consequences for data center development in Nevada and beyond,” Congresswoman Titus said, noting there are currently 76 data center projects in Nevada in place or being proposed. “The public should be involved and the environment should be protected.”

Congresswoman Titus’s legislation prevents a federal agency from amending any existing right-of-way permits on BLM land to allow the construction of a data center without going through a new environmental permitting process. As part of the environmental permitting process for proposed data centers on BLM land, the bill requires that the BLM consider the impact of the project on regional water supply. It also requires a data center developer to submit a workforce plan detailing how many local jobs the project will create and whether these jobs will pay prevailing wages.

The bill explicitly prohibits data center projects on public lands from being eligible for categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Permitting Act (NEPA) process, closing potential loopholes that could allow the federal administration to skirt environmental review. The Trump administration is aggressively pushing for the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers through executive actions.

On June 26, 2026, BLM’s Las Vegas Field Office quietly approved an application to amend an existing Right-of-Way (ROW) grant held by Townsite Solar 2, LLC. The original ROW grant authorized Townsite Solar 2, LLC to construct a 19 MW solar photovoltaic power generating facility with battery storage on an 80-acre parcel. The revised ROW grant that BLM approved allows Townsite Solar 2 to construct and operate a data center on the BLM parcel. BLM approved the application for the data center project without conducting a new environmental review or gathering community input, despite the fact the project scope had significantly changed.

Boulder City residents raised concerns about the potential impact of the project on dwindling water resources, extreme heat, and grid resilience, among other environmental concerns and filed an appeal with the BLM. On Sept. 1, 2026, Administrative Judge David Gunter granted a stay halting the data enter development, saying in his ruling, "Appellants have made a persuasive showing that BLM violated NEPA and acted arbitrarily or capriciously when it determined that the data center project is 'substantially the same' as the solar plant project for purposes of its NEPA analysis."

Congresswoman Dina Titus Secures Several Water Wins in the Water Resources Development Act of 2026

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 to fund the Army Corps of Engineers for the next two years. Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) helped craft this package as a senior member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. The bill includes provisions proposed by Rep. Dina Titus to strengthen water conservation efforts. It now faces consideration in the Senate.

“The prolonged drought and the shrinking Colorado River make it imperative that we think outside the box and use every tool possible to mitigate our water supply crisis,” Congresswoman Titus said. “This legislation strengthens the ability of the Army Corps of Engineers to protect dwindling water supplies. It includes provisions I championed to create an Office of Water Supply, Water Conservation, and Drought Resilience that would promote water conservation and drought resiliency measures at federal water projects such as those to optimize reservoir storage, support aquifer storage and recharge, and institute nature-based solutions in drought-prone areas.”

Another provision Congresswoman Titus led in the package would direct the Army Corps to consider the impact of data centers on water supply and conservation projects.

“We need to better understand the effects data centers will have on water supplies, particularly in desert areas like Southern Nevada prone to drought,” she said. “Two-thirds of proposed data centers are in drought-prone regions, and over 70 of those are in Nevada. WRDA 2026 will help strengthen transparency about how this influx of data centers will impact the water supply.”

The WRDA 2026 bill also includes provisions championed by Congresswoman Titus to create a pilot program to use natural infrastructure in dryland streams in arid and desert regions.

This program will be beneficial in Nevada, where 88 percent of streams are ephemeral, including the Amargosa River which has been labeled one of the most endangered rivers in the United States.

Provisions led by Congresswoman Titus in the legislation are:

· Strengthening the Army Corp’s Focus on Water Supply: Builds upon the provisions in WRDA 2024 intended to elevate water supply issues at the Corps of Engineers by establishing a new Office of Water Supply, Water Conservation, and Drought Resilience. The purpose of the office is to promote water supply, water conservation, and drought resiliency at water resource development projects.

· Drought Resiliency Projects: Establishes two new continuing authorities programs to carry out small-scale projects for drought resiliency and for flood control structure enhancement.

· Dryland Streams Pilot Program: Directs the Army Corp to research and test the effectiveness of natural infrastructure in dryland streams in arid, semi-arid, and drought-prone areas. This will be beneficial in Nevada, where 88 percent of streams are ephemeral, including the Amargosa River which was recently labeled one of America’s most endangered rivers.

· Dam Safety: Reauthorizes the dam safety program through 2031 and includes key changes to give states the flexibility they need to protect communities. This is based on the DAMS Act (H.R.5414), a bill Rep Titus co-lead with Rep Van Drew.

· Truckee River Flood Control Project: Provides needed deauthorizations to ensure continued implementation of the Truckee River Flood Management Project (TRMA). Through this project, the cities of Reno and Sparks, Washoe County, and numerous other stakeholders are working together to reduce the devastating impacts of flooding along the Truckee River in Washoe County, Nevada.

· Invasive Species: Adds “aquatic invasive species identification, containment, mitigation, and eradication” to the list of authorized projects under the Tahoe Section 108 program.

Rep. Dina Titus Introduces Legislation to Enhance Southern Nevada’s Water Security

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Today Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01), senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, introduced her Southern Nevada Wastewater Infrastructure Lands Act. This legislation would enhance water security for Southern Nevada by conveying approximately 250 acres of federal land underlying the Flamingo Water Resource and Desert Breeze Centers to the Clark County Water Reclamation District.

“By giving the Clark County Water Reclamation District flexibility to adapt the sites of the Flamingo Water Resource and Desert Breeze Centers, I am ensuring they are able to continue providing reliable wastewater services to the more than 265,000 customers and 40 million annual visitors who depend on them,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus. “I have always been a strong champion for keeping our infrastructure strong and resilient. Just this year, I helped secure over $1.1 million for the Flamingo Water Resource Center to manage power outages and avoid incursions of wastewater.”

The bill would direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to convey approximately 250 acres of federal land to the District for public purposes. This land underlies two of the District’s core wastewater facilities. This legislation is necessary to remove restrictions in the District’s current federal land tenure that limit how these facilities can be operated, modernized, and repurposed to meet the community’s evolving wastewater and infrastructure needs.

"We thank Congresswoman Dina Titus for championing this important legislation. The Southern Nevada Wastewater Infrastructure Lands Act allows the District to secure resources that ensure the continued and uninterrupted operations of some of Nevada’s most critical infrastructure. This legislation helps enhance reliability of the operations at our facilities and enables us to responsibly plan for the future while continuing to provide essential wastewater services to the residents, businesses, and visitors who depend on them every day. This is a practical, forward-looking solution that supports the long-term reliability of Southern Nevada's infrastructure," said Tom Minwegen, General Manager of Clark County Water Reclamation District.

Key provisions of the legislation include:

Directed conveyance. The Secretary shall convey the land within 180 days of receiving a request from the District, notwithstanding the land-use planning requirements of Sections 202 and 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), and subject to valid existing rights.
Public-purpose use. The land is to be used for public purposes at District facilities, including the construction, operation, and management of infrastructure supporting critical wastewater services.
District pays costs. As a condition of conveyance, the District pays all costs of land surveys and other associated conveyance costs.
Maps and legal descriptions. The Secretary prepares the legal descriptions of the parcels, may correct minor errors, and keeps the maps and descriptions on file for public inspection.
Acquisition of reversionary interest. The District may request to acquire the federal reversionary interest; the Secretary would appraise that interest consistent with FLPMA, the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions, and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

Full bill text can be found at: https://titus.house.gov/uploadedfiles/titus_340_xml.pdf

Rep. Dina Titus Secures Victory on Boulder City Data Center

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Dina Titus today applauded a decision by the Interior Department’s Board of Land Appeals to halt development of a data center on federal land adjacent to Boulder City.

“The judge ruled for transparency and public accountability in granting a stay based on the BLM’s misuse of an environmental impact statement for a solar farm as justification for a data center. The two are vastly different.” Congresswoman Titus said. “I’ve said since day one that this was not only improper but illegal.”

Congresswoman Titus was the first public official to criticize BLM's rubber stamp of approval, sending a letter to the BLM in early July stating, “Residents of Boulder City and other communities in Southern Nevada have a right to know about any proposal to transfer federal land to data center developers. Data centers potentially can affect our scant water resources, energy usage, and the overall environment. The BLM allowed a private developer to switch from developing a solar farm on city-owned land in Boulder City to building a data center on adjacent federal land without any public review. This is unacceptable.”

Boulder City and several environmental groups filed an appeal with the Interior Department’s Board of Land Appeals. The proposed data center project would be the first data center built on BLM land, setting a precedent for how data center decisions will proceed across Nevada and the Western United States. There are currently 76 built or planned data centers in the Silver State.

Administrative Judge David Gunter wrote in granting the stay, "Appellants have made a persuasive showing that BLM violated NEPA and acted arbitrarily or capriciously when it determined that the data center project is 'substantially the same' as the solar plant project for purposes of its NEPA analysis."

Governor Lombardo Responds to Rep. Dina Titus Letter asking for Pause on Tax Abatements for Data Centers on Federal Land

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Dina Titus today released a letter she received from Governor Joe Lombardo responding to her request that the State halt state tax abatements for data center projects on federal land until the 2027 Nevada Legislature has had an opportunity to review the issue.

“Unfortunately, the Governor did not address my question of whether he would halt tax abatements for data center projects on federal land until the Nevada Legislature can consider the issue,” Congresswoman Titus said. “He doesn’t commit to halting abatements. Those abatements would set a precedent for future developments on public land. This is the first and more are planned across the West.”

In her letter, Congresswoman Titus cited the proposed data center on federal land adjacent to Boulder City and concerns raised by residents when the project was first proposed on city land about its effects on the region’s water supply and other environmental issues. The developers of the project then moved it to nearby Bureau of Land Management land where they previously had proposed a solar farm.

The Congresswoman asked Governor Lombardo in her letter: “As Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), will you commit to refraining from approving data center tax rebates for projects on BLM land until the State Legislature reconvenes and has an opportunity to reconsider this issue, given the community concern around the Boulder City project and the precedent this would set for other public lands?”

Governor Lombardo stated in his response: “The Renewable Tax Abatement (RETA) is clearly defined under NRS 701A, and as the name would suggest, has applicability limited to renewable energy projects meeting certain statutory criteria. Since the RETA in question, which was approved in 2024 by the Governor’s Office of Energy, is for a solar generation and storage project on land leased from Boulder City it would not be transferable to a data center regardless of its location on federal land or land leased from Boulder City.”

“The developers of the proposed data center could still apply for a tax abatement on federal land with a separate application under NRS 360.754 passed by the Legislature in 2015,” Congresswoman Titus noted.

The data center developer received approval from the BLM to construct the data center based on an earlier environmental impact statement approved for the solar site. The BLM gave the data center the green light, even though the projects are clearly not the same. Boulder City and environmental groups are appealing that decision.

Congresswoman Titus said in her letter to the Governor: “I am concerned that BLM approved Townsite Solar 2, LLC’s application to amend its ROW grant without community input or adequate environmental analysis. This is despite the fact that when the data center was proposed on an adjacent parcel owned by Boulder City, residents raised significant concerns about the potential impact of the project on our already dwindling water resources, extreme heat, and grid resilience, among other environmental concerns.”

Governor Lombardo responded: “As you are aware, processes at the state and local levels have a high degree of transparency and offer significant opportunities for public participation and feedback. We also understand that Townsite Solar II is making an effort to address concerns regarding water, power noise and heat. Additionally, the proponents have stated that the plans for the data center on land are leased from Boulder City are on hold, pending the results of a November ballot initiative regarding data center development in the city.”

Congresswoman Titus had asked the governor in her July 23 letter to answer the following questions:

Have you or anyone in your Administration had conversations with Townsite Solar 2, LLC about their proposed project in Boulder City qualifying for the State data center tax abatement?
Since the ROW grant has been revised to allow the construction of a data center, is it your position that Townsite Solar, LLC is still eligible for the State renewable tax abatements that your Administration previously approved?
As Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), will you commit to refraining from approving data center tax rebates for projects on BLM land until the State Legislature reconvenes and has an opportunity to reconsider this issue, given the community concern around the Boulder City project and the precedent this would set for other public lands?
Do you agree that the regulatory approval process for any proposed projects to build data centers on public lands will be transparent and subject to robust public input?

U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, RTC and Boulder City officials highlight Nevada Way improvements

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Dina Titus, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) and Boulder City officials held a news conference today to provide details about the upcoming Phase II Nevada Way Reconstruction Project to upgrade this key roadway in Boulder City, including safety improvements for vulnerable roadway users.

The project is being made possible by an $850,000 federal grant secured by Congresswoman Titus.

“Nevada Way is a main thoroughfare through Boulder City, providing a gateway to Lake Mead National Recreation Area and other tourist destinations around Boulder City,” Congresswoman Titus said. “This project will contribute to Boulder City’s economic vitality while providing additional pedestrian safety measures for its residents.”

“RTC is proud to partner with Boulder City and Congresswoman Titus to advance improvements that make Nevada Way safer and more welcoming for residents, businesses, and the customers they serve,” said Andrew Kjellman, RTC Deputy CEO. “We are grateful for Congresswoman Titus’ leadership and commitment to bringing resources back to Southern Nevada.”

The project will rehabilitate Nevada Way from Colorado Street to Park Street through the historic downtown area of Boulder City and reconstruct Colorado Street from Nevada Way to Utah Street, and Park Street from Nevada Way to Utah Street. The project will repave, restripe, and replace deteriorating asphalt on the roadway. The improvements include raised crosswalks with pedestrian-activated flashing beacons. The project also includes upgrades to ADA and pedestrian access, especially where sidewalks and ramps are currently limited.

The news conference was held at The Coffee Cup Café on Nevada Way and featured speakers were Andrew Kjellman, Deputy CEO, RTC, Boulder City Mayor Joe Hardy, Gary Poindexter, Public Works Director, Boulder City, and Congresswoman Titus.

Rep. Dina Titus Introduces Legislation to Improve Visa Process

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) and Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) today reintroduced the Visa Improvement, Streamlined Investment, and Tourism Optimization Reform (VISITOR) Act to improve visa processing capabilities at U.S. consular posts and stimulate international tourism to the United States.

“Southern Nevada is the home of one of the world’s leading tourism economies and is a destination for thousands of international travelers each year,” said Rep. Titus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus. “Unfortunately, excessive wait times for visas at high-volume consular posts around the world deter tourists from visiting the United States. With the Trump tariffs already causing a downturn in international tourism, we need to make it easier for tourists to come to the U.S., not harder.”

“America should be the easiest choice for legitimate travelers who want to visit, spend, and experience everything our country has to offer,” said Rep. Salazar. “In South Florida, we know what international visitors mean for our restaurants, hotels, small businesses, and local economy. I’m proud to co-lead the VISITOR Act, which modernizes visa processing, reduces delays, and helps ensure timely interviews for qualified applicants, because a system that works better means more people choosing America and more opportunity here at home.”

"The 2026 World Cup demonstrated that when America invests in the travel experience, the benefits extend far beyond a single event. Congress should build on that momentum,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO, U.S. Travel. “The VISITOR Act will help reduce visa wait times, modernize processing and make it easier for legitimate international visitors to choose the United States. By reinvesting existing visa fees into the systems that support travel, this legislation will boost America’s competitiveness, grow our economy and strengthen our position as the world’s premier travel destination. We thank Representatives Titus and Salazar for their bipartisan leadership and urge Congress to advance this important legislation.”

The VISITOR Act is supported by the U.S. Travel Association.

Background

The Visa Improvement, Streamlined Investment, and Tourism Optimization Reform (VISITOR) Act will allow greater flexibility for the Consular Affairs Bureau at the U.S. State Department to use the money collected from passport and visa fees to address the massive backlog in processing tourist visas at various consular posts overseas.

In some nations, such as Canada, Colombia and India, wait times often are 6-12 months and can be as long as two years.

With funds collected from passport and visa fees in the VISITOR Act, Consular Affairs will be able to make needed technological upgrades at posts, hire more personnel to conduct visa adjudications, and build out visa processing infrastructure at high-volume sites.

Rep. Dina Titus introduces legislation to compel reforms in Turkey

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Dina Titus has introduced the Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2026 to institute accountability measures to compel Turkey to adhere to democratic values, respect human rights, and release political prisoners.

The legislation would block U.S. security assistance to and cooperation with Turkey unless the Secretary of State certifies that the Turkish government has made appreciable improvements in human rights, rule of law, and adherence to judgments from the European Court of Human Rights. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts.

“Turkey is a NATO ally, but that alliance carries obligations such as adherence to democratic norms and respect for human rights that Turkey is not meeting. For nearly a decade, the Erdogan government has moved further away from those responsibilities, not closer,” Congresswoman Titus said. “Thousands of political prisoners and journalists have been jailed simply for doing their jobs; lawyers have been prosecuted for representing their clients; religious and ethnic minorities are routinely targeted through vague anti-terrorism laws; and a transnational repression campaign has reached into our own communities here in the United States. Erdogan should not be granted greater U.S. security assistance unless there is clear, demonstrated improvements in each of these categories. I am proud to lead this bicameral bill with Senator Markey.”

“President Erdogan’s authoritarian rule must end,” Senator Markey said. “While the Turkish government continues to lock up journalists, political participants, and minority communities, the Trump White House is rewarding them by lifting sanctions and flaunting a ‘friendship’ with Erdogan. This legislation makes clear that the United States is committed to supporting peace and civil liberties in Turkey, and that the U.S. does not maintain friendships with dictators.”

The legislation would:

• Establish as U.S. policy pressing Turkey on NATO democratic obligations and human rights compliance.

• Commit the U.S. to advocating for the unconditional release of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.

• Call on Turkey to protect press freedom, restore internet freedom, stop prosecuting lawyers/judges, and support European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) compliance, with corresponding State Department pressure campaigns on each front.

• Block Foreign Military Financing/Sales to Turkey unless the Secretary of State certifies progress on political prisoners, counterterrorism law misuse, ECHR compliance, and transnational repression with a national security waiver option.

• Require consideration of Global Magnitsky sanctions, Khashoggi Ban visa restrictions (including on family members), and scrutiny of Arms Export Control Act/Foreign Assistance Act human rights conditions.

• Mandate an annual report on political prisoners, censorship, transnational repression incidents, misuse of U.S.-origin surveillance tech, and sanctions/visa actions taken under the Act.

The Erdogan regime in Turkey has dismissed or suspended more than 60,000 police and military personnel, 125,000 civil servants, and one-third of the judiciary; arrested or imprisoned more than 95,000 citizens; and closed more than 1,500 nongovernmental organizations on trumped up charges. Today, nearly 43,000 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Turkish prisons.