International Democracy Watchdog Reports Trump Administration Dismantling US Democracy at Unprecedented Rate

• The US national debt exceeded $39 trillion on Wednesday, a record milestone reached just weeks into the US-Israeli war in Iran, driven by competing priorities including tax cuts, defense spending, and immigration enforcement. • White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett estimated the Iran war has cost more than $12 billion so far, with the federal debt having grown from $37 trillion two months ago to $38 trillion five months ago, now reaching $39 trillion. • The Government Accountability Office warns rising debt increases borrowing costs for mortgages and cars, reduces business investment and wages, and makes goods and services more expensive for Americans.

• Intelligence officials testified before Congress on March 18 regarding Iran war threats and national security, with National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard deflecting questions about pre-war intelligence she offered Trump, while facing Democratic accusations of misusing national security powers for domestic political interference. • FBI Director Kash Patel made his first Capitol Hill appearance since a viral video showed him celebrating with the U.S. men's hockey team at the Winter Olympics; Patel has fired dozens of FBI agents in his first year, raising concerns about loss of national security expertise during elevated terrorism threats. • Multiple terrorism-related incidents occurred this month, including a gunman inspired by Iranian ideology killing two at a Texas bar, suspects arrested for explosives near New York City, a shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia, and a car attack on a Michigan synagogue.

• The State Department announced on March 18 that effective April 2, 2026, citizens from 12 additional countries—Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia—must post bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for U.S. visas. • After April 2, the total number of countries subject to the visa bond requirement will expand to 50, primarily targeting nations with high overstay rates, particularly in Africa; visa applicants must post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on their circumstances and consular officer discretion. • The Trump administration program, rolled out last year to combat visa overstays and illegal migration, has demonstrated effectiveness, with the State Department reporting that nearly 97% of almost 1,000 bond-posting applicants have not overstayed their visas.

• Markwayne Mullin appeared before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on March 18 for his confirmation hearing as Trump's DHS nominee, replacing fired Secretary Kristi Noem, and pledged to secure funding for the department amid a Democratic standoff over immigration enforcement constraints. • Mullin defended Trump's mass deportation agenda against Democratic concerns about aggressive enforcement operations, while Republican Sen. Rand Paul challenged Democrats' criticism and Mullin stated "We just don't get along" with Paul during heated exchanges. • Democrats, led by Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, expressed reservations about Mullin's readiness, citing reports that DHS officers have been accused of smashing car windows, roughing up bystanders recording activities, and detaining immigrants in poor conditions.

• House Committee on Appropriations convenes multiple subcommittees on March 26, 2026, covering agriculture, homeland security, financial services, labor, health, and commerce. • Hearings include Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration at 10:00 AM in Rayburn HOB 2362-A. • Sessions address critical budget areas amid ongoing fiscal deliberations for federal agencies.

• Congress passed landmark PBM reforms within the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, reshaping pharmacy benefit manager operations and introducing new compliance requirements for PBMs and group health plans. • The legislation coincides with proposed Department of Labor rules on PBM fee disclosures and increased FTC enforcement on drug pricing initiatives. • These changes aim to address compliance risks and evolving regulations in the pharmaceutical supply chain, impacting industry stakeholders significantly.

• Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced legislation to accelerate federal funding for next generation 9-1-1 systems nationwide. • The bill supports states and localities in deploying digital, interoperable 9-1-1 infrastructure to enhance public safety and first responder capabilities. • Industry leaders like Intrado and National Association of State 911 Administrators praised it as vital for protecting against cyberattacks and saving lives.

• The bipartisan Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act seeks to prohibit law enforcement and intelligence agencies from buying sensitive data like geolocation from third-party brokers. • Current privacy laws fail to cover data brokers, allowing circumvention of Electronic Communications Privacy Act restrictions via middlemen. • Similar provisions in Government Surveillance Reform Act and Security and Freedom Enhancement Act would limit purchases, with exceptions for emergencies and warrants.

• The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act of 2025 on March 16, with the bill now awaiting President Trump's signature to become law. • The legislation eliminates procedural legal defenses in Nazi-era art recovery claims, including acquisitive prescription, the act of state doctrine, and international comity, allowing foreign states to be subject to U.S. court jurisdiction for Nazi-looted art claims. • Representative Laurel Lee stated the new version ensures claims "are evaluated on their merits—not dismissed because of technical legal barriers," expanding upon the 2016 predecessor legislation.

• Both Republicans and Democrats signaled strong opposition to cutting National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding in the 2027 budget request expected within two weeks, following President Trump's failed 40 percent cut request for the prior year. • Last month Congress approved a $415 million increase for the NIH, allocating $48.7 billion to the agency for biomedical research, with bipartisan lawmakers encouraging NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya to distribute funding to their districts and projects improving American health. • Appropriations ranking member Rosa DeLauro stated lawmakers would "continue to reject cuts to NIH research, because what you do is life-saving," underscoring commitment to maintaining research support.

• The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (S. 3971), extending the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs for five years. • SBIR and STTR provide critical federal funding helping small businesses translate research discoveries into commercial technologies, often in partnership with universities. • The bill now moves to the House for consideration, with the earliest possible vote expected after March 16, 2026.