Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 3/6/2026-3/13/2026

Condemning Trump's Unconscionable War in Iran

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) continued to call out the Trump Administration's war of choice in Iran that endangers the lives of innocent civilians and American servicemembers in the region and highlighted the need for transparency and accountability from the Administration.

On Monday, Blumenthal joined MS NOW to discuss how the Trump Administration is threatening lives with its reckless decision making and careless handling of the war in Iran.

"This Administration owes answers to the American people. And I will tell you from my experience, including the first briefing we had on this war, there is nothing-and I say nothing-that the American people shouldn't hear and couldn't hear, consistent with our national security in that briefing," said Blumenthal.

"Who is deciding on the targets, who is compiling that list of thousands of Tomahawk missiles and drones and other bombs hitting potentially civilian targets in Iran? You know, we're talking a lot about the economic consequences-price of gas rising, very unfortunate, costs of a lot of other goods-but there is a human cost here to this war of choice. And sad to say, Hegseth saying that there are these silly rules of engagement. These are laws of international decency and humanity, and they just have utter contempt for them. That's the tone and the culture he is setting personally, and it goes down the line as a message to the commanders in the field and to the people who are picking those targets," continued Blumenthal on MS NOW.

Blumenthal also joined CNN on Tuesday to discuss how President Trump must be held accountable and provide an explanation for his war of choice in Iran.

"The American people deserve to hear everything that I was told in that briefing. The American people deserve for a hearing before the Armed Services Committee, which conducted that briefing in a classified setting, because they would be alarmed not just by the continued incoherence of the Administration's explanation of its supposed objectives, which are often contradictory as you just observed, but also because war is unpredictable, and the enemy has a vote. So, we seem to be on a path without any clear estimate on cost conveyed to us in that briefing, without answers on Russia's involvement, which further widens the war, without any prediction on the timing. And the President himself has talked about using Special Operation Forces to disperse or secure the enriched uranium. He's talked about regime change. It can't be done at 30,000 feet. It requires a presence in the country," said Blumenthal on CNN.

Blumenthal further slammed President Trump's lack of explanation for the escalating war, highlighting Russia's role in aiding Iran and calling for answers for the American public.

"Take Russia at its word? That's what Trump's chief negotiator says we should do. Maybe that's why Trump failed to confront Putin in his recent phone call-as Russia provides intelligence to Iran, targeting our troops & bases. Shameful," wrote Blumenthal with an accompanying video on Twitter/X.

"Trump is still far from achieving any of his military goals, even narrower goals of destroying Iran's missiles & production capacity. Meanwhile, widening war will have escalating economic impacts, especially as China & Russia enter more actively. Even as Russia aids Iran to target & kill our troops, Trump continues to play footsy with Putin. In that hour long phone call, just days ago, apparently no warning, nothing about 'Cut It Out, Vladimir.' Just acquiescence-more appeasement," wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

"U.S. responsibility for this tragedy is sickening & should prompt immediate release of the report, even if it's preliminary. The American people need & deserve to know what happened & who's accountable-including a public hearing," wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Slamming Binance for Dodging Questions About Money Laundering with Criminal Actors

Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), issued the following statement slamming Binance for dodging his questions about recent reporting that the company appears to have helped prop up Iranian-linked terrorist organizations and illicit Russian oil sales:

"This evasive response completely dodges my questions and does little to ease my concerns that sanctioned entities, terrorist organizations, and other criminal actors have been surreptitiously laundering nearly $2 billion using its cryptocurrency exchange since its 2023 consent order. Critical questions about Binance's firing of internal investigators and its compliance with American sanctions and banking laws remain unanswered. I will continue to demand answers and accountability from Binance for having helped prop up Iranian-linked terrorist organizations and illicit Russian oil sales. Silence on key facts speaks volumes about Binance's suspected complicity."

Last month, Blumenthal opened a preliminary inquiry into the illicit use of cryptocurrencies by sanctioned entities, writing to Richard Teng, chief executive officer of Binance, to seek information and records on why the exchange chose to suspend, and in some cases, terminate compliance personnel who discovered illicit Iranian and Russian use of the platform. The full text of Blumenthal's letter to Teng is available here.

Blumenthal further highlighted his investigation into Binance on Twitter/X.

"Binance thinks its crypto connections to Trump's family will get it a pass, just as its former CEO got a Presidential pardon. In fact, we can't trust this DOJ to hold Binance accountable. That why I'll continue investigating through PSI," wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Cracking Down on Abuse, Insider Trading, & Fraud in Prediction Markets

Blumenthal introduced new legislation to prevent abuse and fraud in prediction markets. Prediction markets have grown into a multi-billion-dollar unregulated industry, ignoring state gambling laws while operating businesses identical to traditional sportsbooks by letting people bet on real-world events. In the absence of federal or state safeguards, prediction markets have harbored insider trading, market manipulation, underage gambling, and leaks of national security information. The Prediction Markets Security and Integrity Act addresses these issues by establishing federal consumer protections and returning regulatory authority to the states. The Prediction Markets Security and Integrity Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ).

"Prediction markets have become a haven for insider trading, market manipulation, and underage gambling. These billion-dollar businesses are turning war into a casino game, and creating a market for national security leaks," said Blumenthal. "My measure-the Prediction Markets Security and Integrity Act-puts guardrails on this out-of-control industry. It bans dangerous and unethical bets and protects consumers from fraud and other predatory practices."

Blumenthal previously introduced legislation to create nationwide consumer protections and standards for the mobile sports gambling industry. Last year, Blumenthal reintroduced the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet (SAFE Bet) Act alongside U.S. Representative Paul D. Tonko (D-NY). The SAFE Bet Act requires states offering sports betting to meet minimum federal standards in the categories of marketing, affordability and Artificial Intelligence to create a safer, less addictive product. Blumenthal also reintroduced the Gambling addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment (GRIT) Act, with U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (D-OR). The GRIT Act dedicates federal funds to studying, preventing, and treating gambling addiction in America.

The full text of the Prediction Markets Security and Integrity Act is available here. A one-pager is available here.

Blumenthal joined MS NOW's Morning Joe today to discuss the need for his legislation regulating prediction markets.

"There is a tie to the Iran war because literally on the eve of the Iran war, there was a surge of betting. These prediction markets are a form of gambling and betting and wagering that, in effect, said this war is going to begin. And people made hundreds of thousands of dollars on those bets. There's every indication, every sign, of insider information and trading. In other words, market manipulation based on national security information being leaked, which is only one additional sign of the need for some kind of regulation-which is what I have proposed on these prediction markets," said Blumenthal. "So, we would ban bets on war deaths, military action, and we would require regulation by the same standards that apply to online gambling and strengthen those standards to make the criteria protect people who are vulnerable, and our society."

Blumenthal's full interview with Morning Joe can be found here.

Calling for More Affordable Housing

Blumenthal joined housing advocates in Hartford on Monday to urge Congress to pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan housing reform package that will expand affordable housing, increase housing supply, and modernize federal housing programs. The legislation combines elements of the original ROAD to Housing Bill introduced in the Senate last year and the House's 21^st Century Housing Bill which passed in the House last week. This is the first major housing reform bill to advance since the 2008 financial crisis and includes over 40 provisions designed to lower housing costs and increase access to affordable homes. Yesterday, the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act passed the Senate.

"This measure is absolutely historic in its investment, its impetus to flexibility in providing more funds, but also the kind of flexible approach to the federal government's support for housing-and reining in corporate investment. No longer should corporate institutions exploit single family housing, raising the price of housing for everyone. This historic measure will increase supply for all kinds of housing-whether it's single family or multiple dwellings. Investment is key, and so, the federal government has to provide more funding, but also, not just funds but flexibility. All of the federal programs need to be made more flexible," said Blumenthal at the press conference.

Blumenthal further highlighted his 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act on Twitter/X.

"This historic new law will provide more housing & make it more affordable. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act has reforms to boost housing supply, bring down costs, & protect tenants & home buyers from corporate greed," wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Blumenthal Bulletin

Blumenthal slammed Republican leadership for blocking the Major Richard Star Act.

Blumenthal spoke with George Retes to discuss his story of being detained by ICE and how he is working to hold the Trump Administration accountable.

Blumenthal demanded President Trump reinstate protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.

Blumenthal introduced a bill to immediately lower gas prices at the pump.

Blumenthal joined a bill to cut taxes for millions of working Americans.

Blumenthal demanded the Social Security Administration immediately implement support and assistance for consumers with account issues.

Blumenthal joined over 40 Senators in pressing the Department of Defense for answers on the school bombing and civilian casualties in Iran.

Blumenthal joined the annual Ramadan Interfaith Iftar Dinner, organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Blumenthal attended the annual Melissa Marottoli Hogan Foundation Gala for a Cure with Yale Smilow Cancer Center research scientists and care providers.

Blumenthal celebrated Saint Patrick's Day with parades in Hartford, Norwich, and Waterbury.

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