1. Overview
2. White House News
3. Truth Social Posts
4. Government Department News
5. Selected Democratic Officials
6. AI & Tech Company News
7. Congressional Watch
The White House announced President Donald J. Trump signed a security agreement with Denmark and Greenland to modernize the Pituffik Space Base and restrict non-partner control of sensitive sectors. Separately, First Lady Melania Trump convened the Fostering the Future Together coalition at the United Nations, announcing new technology partnerships with companies including Amazon, Google, and Intel. President Trump also addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly, stating American strength is “back” and pledging to defend sovereignty.
On Truth Social, President Trump highlighted a report alleging an agent in the Jack Smith case was unaware that subpoenaed phone data belonged to Congress. Regarding national defense, he asserted the United States is not low on munitions and is increasing production. Additionally, Trump expressed support for Johnny Damon, describing him as a “total winner.”
The State Department announced Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker pledged $31 million in aid to Nepal for flood recovery. The Department also asserted that leaders of warring factions in Sudan are ineligible to govern and announced intentions to “raise the cost of continued conflict.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Shield of the Americas leaders to discuss countering “narco-terrorist” groups. The Department of War announced ten contract awards, including a $400 million cyber electromagnetic activities contract for Trideum Corp. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced an EPA partnership for glyphosate review and $3.5 million in IHS tribal nutrition grants. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Francis Brooke stated the administration has repurchased nearly $500 billion in securities to support market resilience.
Governor Gavin Newsom launched California’s participation in Climate Week NYC and announced $886 million in utility bill relief. He also signed legislation regarding data center regulations. Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced $110.6 million in state tax capture support for the Arbor South mixed-use project in Ann Arbor. Governor Wes Moore announced SBA loan approval for Anne Arundel County businesses, outlined an AI protection framework, and attended the opening of a Microsoft Discovery Center. Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2026-07 to create the Illinois AI Cabinet to assess state-level risks.
OpenAI published its priorities for third-party AI safety assessments, stating these evaluations are “a critical part of balancing” the responsibilities of deployment. Anthropic released its Claude Opus 5.5 model, which the company claims performs at the level of Claude Fable 5.1 while costing 40% less. The company stated access to this model for biology and cybersecurity research is restricted to vetted organizations.
According to Congressional Watch records for September 21, 2026, the Senate was not in session. The House of Representatives held a pro forma session where members introduced 20 bills and 7 resolutions. The Speaker announced the certification of a criminal referral for Leon D. Black for his refusal to comply with a congressional subpoena.
President Donald J. Trump signed a security agreement with Denmark and Greenland, which the White House describes as an “unprecedented agreement” granting the U.S. lasting security control. The pact guarantees permanent basing rights and bars adversaries from establishing a military presence or sensitive investments without approval. Proponents, including various lawmakers and commentators, characterize the deal as a “decisive victory” and “historic,” noting it strengthens NATO’s Arctic position. Conversely, officials emphasized the agreement respects the sovereignty of Denmark and the self-determination of the Greenlandic people.
Reference: Original White House release
First Lady Melania Trump reconvened the Fostering the Future Together coalition during the 81st United Nations General Assembly, expanding the initiative to fifty-seven nations. The White House announced new private-sector technology partnerships with Adobe, Amazon, Intel, Starlink, Google, and Zoom. Stating, “the future of our world will be determined by what we do for our children today,” the First Lady unveiled 2026 events, including a G20 meeting in Miami. She urged leaders to empower youth to “bend the boundaries of imagination” through technology and education.
Reference: Original White House release
At the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald J. Trump stated that “American strength and resolve is back.” The White House reported that President Trump declared America is now “stronger than ever” under his leadership. He pledged to utilize this strength to “confront our enemies, protect our interests, forbid communism, reject global control, and always defend our sovereignty.”
Reference: Original White House release
The United States, Denmark, and Greenland signed an agreement to amend their 1951 Defense Agreement. The White House states this pact facilitates necessary measures to “defend the North Atlantic Treaty area, Greenland, and the American continent,” including modernizing Pituffik Space Base and establishing new defense areas. The Parties support increased NATO engagement in the Arctic to address security challenges. Furthermore, the agreement restricts non-NATO, non-EU, or non-partner states from controlling sensitive sectors and mandates prioritizing Greenlandic sources for defense-related contracts to ensure economic benefits.
Reference: Original White House release
Trump highlighted a report stating that an agent in the Jack Smith case alleged he was kept in the dark regarding the fact that subpoenaed phone data belonged to Congress.
Regarding national defense, Trump asserted that “cowards and traitors” would like to claim the United States is low on munitions, maintaining that “it’s not true.” He stated that the country has more munitions than it could ever use and is currently increasing production to “levels we have never seen before.”
In a separate post, Trump thanked Johnny Damon, calling him a “total winner,” in response to a report that the former MLB player refused to apologize for his stated opinion on the president.
Reference: https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump
United States to Provide Additional $31 Million to Support Nepal’s Flood Recovery Efforts
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker announced $31 million in additional U.S. assistance for Nepal following devastating floods. The package includes $10 million for U.S.-sourced bridges, $8 million for humanitarian relief, and $13 million in U.S.-made drones for disaster recovery. This funding increases total U.S. aid for Nepal’s flood response to over $36 million. The Department stated it will continue collaborating with the Nepalese government to identify further assistance needs.
Efforts to Achieve Peace in Sudan
The United States stated that President Trump is “committed to ending the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.” The Department asserted that the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces have failed to commit to a truce, instead escalating combat operations. The U.S. announced its intention to “raise the cost of continued conflict” for belligerents and their supporters. The Department declared that current leaders of the warring factions do not represent legitimate constitutional governance and are “ineligible to govern the country.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the Shield of the Americas initiative, describing it as an alliance of democratic leaders focused on countering transnational “narco-terrorist” groups. Secretary Rubio characterized these groups as sophisticated entities that often rival states in financial and military resources. He stated the alliance aims to foster cooperation on economic and diplomatic fronts, allowing member nations to act in unison. Secretary Rubio noted that two additional members have joined the alliance since its previous meeting.
Joint Statement on Defending Hemispheric Sovereignty
Participating nations of the Shield of the Americas announced a joint framework based on three pillars: economic cooperation, security, and multilateral coordination. The nations intend to pursue sanctions, asset freezes, and visa restrictions against 24 designated narco-terrorist organizations. The group plans to request a meeting of the Organization of American States Permanent Council to facilitate collective action under the Rio Treaty. Participants aim to strengthen resilience through intelligence sharing, critical minerals supply chain security, and the defense of democratic governance.
The Department of War announced ten contract awards. Trideum Corp. received a $400,000,000 cyber electromagnetic activities contract. Korte Construction Co. was awarded $52,361,853 for a nuclear command facility. General Dynamics Land Systems Inc. received a $49,295,084 vehicle modification. Strategic ACI Inc. was awarded $49,163,047 for technical services. Interdyne Corp. secured a $40,000,000 maintenance contract. Mike Hooks LLC received $22,146,860 for dredging. Manson Construction Co. was awarded $17,316,250 for dredging, AM General LLC $14,936,206 for vehicles, Gideon Contracting LLC $14,771,477 for renovations, and HGS LLC $12,268,037 for construction.
HHS and EPA Announce New Scientific Partnership to Strengthen Glyphosate Review
HHS and the EPA have entered a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance scientific coordination during the EPA’s registration review of glyphosate. The partnership establishes a joint technical working group to share information and address research gaps regarding human health effects. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stated the initiative advances the “Make America Healthy Again agenda.” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized the EPA retains sole decision-making authority, noting the agreement provides scientists access to HHS research capacity to strengthen the evidentiary record.
Indian Health Service Awards $3.5 Million for Tribal Food and Nutrition Initiatives
The Indian Health Service (IHS) awarded $3.5 million to 14 Tribal and urban Indian communities to implement Phase 2 of the Produce Prescription Pilot Program. The funding supports community-driven programs aimed at reducing food insecurity and improving nutrition through access to fruits, vegetables, and traditional foods. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. described the investment as a way to “fight chronic disease at its source.” IHS Director Mark Cruz stated the program builds on successful strategies to improve access to healthy, traditional first foods.
Remarks by Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Francis Brooke before the Treasury Market Conference
Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Francis Brooke stated that the Trump Administration is focused on ensuring the U.S. Treasury market remains “robust and resilient.” Brooke reported that the Treasury has repurchased nearly $500 billion in securities, utilizing liquidity support and cash management buybacks to improve market functionality. Additionally, the Department is supporting SEC efforts to expand central clearing in the Treasury market, which Brooke noted can “enhance market resilience, improve netting opportunities, and standardize risk management.”
Governor Newsom Builds Global Climate Partnerships at Climate Week NYC
Governor Newsom launched California’s participation in Climate Week NYC by establishing international partnerships, including a Memorandum of Understanding with Spain to cooperate on clean energy, electrification, and methane reduction. The Governor met with global leaders to discuss strengthening energy security and economic competitiveness amidst global instability. Additionally, California officials addressed efforts to improve grid resilience and extreme heat preparation, emphasizing that “cutting climate pollution and leading the clean energy transition is an economic growth strategy.”
Lawmakers and Leaders Applaud New California Data Center Legislation
Governor Newsom signed legislation intended to increase community control over the water, electricity, and land-use impacts of data centers. Supporters, including state senators and advocacy organizations like TURN and Net-Zero California, state these measures ensure data centers absorb infrastructure costs and protect ratepayers from utility bill increases. Assemblymembers noted that the laws aim to enhance transparency, enforce air and water standards, and support sustainable energy planning, with proponents asserting that the state has “met the moment with a robust set of protections.”
California Delivers $886 Million in Utility Bill Relief
Governor Newsom announced that millions of California households are receiving automatic climate credits on their electricity bills during August and September, providing an average of $75 per household. Funded by the state’s Cap-and-Invest Program, the $886 million initiative targets relief during peak summer energy usage. The Governor stated that these credits ensure “polluters foot the bill, not ratepayers.” The program, managed by the California Air Resources Board, has historically supported climate investments and clean energy infrastructure, contributing to California’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2045.
Gov. Whitmer Announces MSF Support for Ann Arbor Mixed-Use Development, Business Growth
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) board approval for projects supporting housing and business growth. The Arbor South project in Ann Arbor received an Act 381 Work Plan with $110,699,520 in state tax capture. Developed by Eisenhower State Land Development Company, LLC, the $651 million project aims to revitalize over 2.2 million square feet, adding 1,069 housing units—including 200 permanently affordable units—alongside retail, hotel, and office space. Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the MEDC, stated the project reflects the state’s economic development strategy.
Governor Moore announced the Small Business Administration approved his request for Economic Injury Disaster Loans to support small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the Empire Towers structural emergency. According to the Governor, the assistance provides “critical resources” for those navigating the incident’s economic effects. The Maryland Department of Emergency Management will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Glen Burnie from September 24 to October 9, 2026, to assist eligible organizations with the application process.
Governor Moore Outlines AI Framework to Protect Marylanders
Governor Moore announced an artificial intelligence framework centered on three principles: protecting citizens’ rights and privacy, centering workers’ dignity and safety, and keeping children safe. The administration intends to mitigate risks in the absence of federal regulation. The Governor stated, “Marylanders deserve guardrails that safeguard their rights, privacy, and dignity.” The agenda builds on previous state legislation, including the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act of 2024, and includes a partnership with RAISE US to prepare the workforce for an AI-driven economy.
Governor Moore attended the opening of Microsoft’s Discovery Center, a hub for quantum technology research at the University of Maryland. This project is part of the “Capital of Quantum” initiative, a public-private partnership aiming to catalyze over $1 billion in investments. According to the Governor, the initiative “creates jobs, stimulates our economy, and drives innovation.” The state and university have reached over $500 million in pledged investments, attracting several quantum startups and firms to the university’s Discovery District.
Gov. Pritzker Establishes Illinois Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cabinet
Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2026-07 to create the Illinois AI Cabinet, a cross-sector group tasked with assessing AI-related risks to public safety, infrastructure, and state assets. The Cabinet will provide policy recommendations and strategic guidance to the state government. Governor Pritzker stated that while he believes AI has “enormous potential,” Illinois must act to establish “guardrails” due to a “lack of federal action.” Members, including representatives from various state agencies and academic experts, will be announced in the coming weeks.
[UPDATED] Daily Public Schedule: Tuesday, September 22, 2026](https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/daily-public-schedule-tuesday-september-22-2026) On September 22, 2026, Governor Pritzker is scheduled to participate in a fireside chat with Gina McCarthy at The Forum in New York City.
Priorities and principles for effective third party assessments
OpenAI announced its commitment to supporting independent, third-party technical safety assessments for frontier AI models. The organization states that such assessments are “a critical part of balancing” the responsibilities of training and deploying AI. OpenAI proposes four priority areas for deeper assessment, emphasizing that these evaluations must maintain “strong independence mechanisms, scientific rigor, robust security practices, and clear responsibilities.” These efforts are described as “longer-term and launch-agnostic,” intended to test safety claims and cases beyond pre-deployment work.
Anthropic released Claude Opus 5.5, which the company states performs at the level of Claude Fable 5.1 and costs 40% less to run than Opus 5. Tested by Frontier Design and METR, it is described as the “strongest-performing model” on the company’s automated behavioral audit. The model features improvements in coding, safety, and natural communication. Access for biology and cybersecurity research is limited to vetted organizations. Claude Sonnet 5.5 and Haiku 5.5 are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
Covers the 2026-09-21 session — the Congressional Record is published with a one-day delay.
The Senate was not in session on September 21, 2026. The chamber stands adjourned until September 22, 2026.
None — No actions taken [None]
The House met for a brief pro forma session, during which members introduced new legislation and resolutions. The Speaker also announced the certification of a criminal referral for Leon D. Black regarding a failure to comply with a congressional subpoena.
H.R. 10510–10529 and others — Introduction of 20 public bills and 7 resolutions [None]
Announcement by the Chair — The Speaker certified the refusal of Leon D. Black to comply with a subpoena to the U.S. Attorney [None]
None - None — No hearings or markups were held
The Senate is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, to resume consideration of the nomination of Angela Veronica Colmenero. The House of Representatives will meet in a pro forma session on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Reference: Congressional Daily Digest — 2026-09-21