Castro, Van Hollen Lead 40+ Lawmakers in Demanding Transparency on U.S. Enforcement of Laws Regarding Aid to Israel

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

June 12, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Intelligence Committee, and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led 42 lawmakers in demanding that the State Department comply with U.S. law to provide transparency on how much Israel is spending on settlement activity.

For over twenty years, U.S. law has required conditions on loan guarantees to Israel, limiting this assistance to within Israel’s pre-1967 borders, and reducing amounts made available for loan guarantees by the amount of Israel’s public expenditures on illegal settlements in the West Bank, which the State Department is required to report to the Congress.

The lawmakers wrote, “To enforce the prohibition of the use of the loan guarantees for settlement activity, the statute further provides that the amount of guarantees available ‘shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount extended or is estimated to have extended by the Government of Israel during the previous year for activities which the President determines are inconsistent with the objectives of this section or understandings reached between the United States Government and the Government of Israel regarding the implementation of the loan program.’”

The lawmakers highlighted the State Department’s failure to comply with reporting requirements, noting, “The annual reports submitted by the Department of State under this provision have not, for at least a decade, provided the specific calculated figure the statute requires…The substitution of a categorical assertion for a specific figure has deprived Congress of information it is legally entitled to receive and rendered the deduction mechanism opaque for over a decade.”

The lawmakers also raised concerns about the Trump Administration’s possible extension of the loan guarantee program without making necessary reductions from settlements, writing, “If the administration is considering issuing new sovereign loan guarantees, including to Israel, it is essential that existing provisions in law, including the requirement to report on Israeli expenditures on settlements in the West Bank and the requirement to deduct those amounts from the loan guarantee authorities made available to Israel be followed.”

Members who signed the letter include: Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Becca Balint (D-VT), André Carson (D-IN), Greg Casar (D-TX), Sean Casten (D-IL), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Danny Davis (D-IL), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James McGovern (D-MA), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Sen. Bernard Sanders (D-VT), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Derek Tran (D-CA), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)

Read the full letter here.


Rep. Mike Levin and Colleagues Demand ICE Reverse New Restrictions on Oversight Visits to Detention Facilities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

June 12, 2026

In New Letter, Rep. Levin Leads 77 House Democrats in Fight Against ICE’s New Policies to Limit Interactions with Detainees

Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) led 77 House colleagues in a letter to ICE’s Acting Director David Venturella demanding ICE reverse new policies that would restrict congressional oversight visits and interactions with detainees.

On May 11, Reps. Levin and Sara Jacobs (CA-51) made an unannounced oversight visit to the Otay Mesa Detention Center where they were handed ICE’s new internal policy memorandum, “Restoring Order and Integrity to Congressional Visits to Detention Facilities.” It outlines new policies that require members of Congress to give ICE two business days of advance notice to meet with detainees. It also requires members of Congress to have detainees’ signed consent to meet with them. These new requirements are designed to hinder members from conducting comprehensive oversight.

The letter raises serious concerns with the new restrictions on congressional oversight visits and demands that members of Congress have the option to speak with detainees without providing advance notice.

Read the letter here and below:

Dear Acting Director Venturella,

We write to express our concern with the changes outlined under the recent internal policy memorandum, “Restoring Order and Integrity to Congressional Visits to Detention Facilities,” which limits meetings between members of Congress and individuals in detention.

The memorandum outlines that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has “provided a historic level of access to its facilities,” with over 350 congressional visits coordinated since the beginning of the Trump Administration in January 2025. The need for historic levels of access to facilities is a direct product of historic levels of reports regarding the mistreatment of detainees, deaths in custody, inadequate conditions within facilities, and limited or inconsistent resources for detainees.

It is clear Congress must conduct constant oversight. The right to inspect these detention facilities without advance notice was recently reaffirmed in Neguse et al. v. U.S. Immigration

and Customs Enforcement et al. Yet, this Administration has enabled a revolving door of arbitrary policies, directives, and guidance on member access to facilities or on communication with detainees designed to hinder any productive oversight.

Requiring two business days of advance notice and valid proof of a detainee’s consent to the meeting raises serious concerns in three main ways.

  1. The new policy assumes that detainees have timely access not only to obtaining an ICE Form 60-001 or similar form, but also to returning it to the appropriate entity within two business days. We have witnessed firsthand how difficult it can be for detainees to access this form because it was unavailable at the law library or because facility staff did not know how to help detainees access the form.

  1. The new policy in effect severely reduces the ability for members of Congress to conduct unannounced oversight visits by requiring members to announce a visit if seeking to meet with a detainee(s). Again, this contradicts the recent court ruling affirming the right for members of Congress to conduct oversight visits without advance notice.

  1. The new policy limits the ability for members of Congress to speak broadly with detainees, particularly if members wanted to communicate with vulnerable communities such as elderly individuals or women. ICE’s previous policy allowed detainees to use a sign-up sheet to meet with representatives, allowing members of Congress to hear directly from individuals who were interested in sharing their experience.

The Trump Administration has shut down or dramatically reduced staffing at the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) – both critical components responsible for conducting independent and impartial investigations. For Fiscal Year 2027, the President requested additional cuts to funding the Department’s Office of the Inspector General. These actions, coupled with the constant changes to policies surrounding member access to facilities, reveal a clear attack on the levers that ensure government transparency at every level.

We call on you to reverse the new policy restricting access for members of Congress to speak with detainees and implement an updated policy that grants detainees the option to speak with members to share their experiences, particularly during unannounced visits.

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Read More (Rep. Steube and Sen. Tuberville Introduce Student Athlete Act of 2026)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

June 12, 2026 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) introduced the Student Athlete Act of 2026, legislation to establish uniform eligibility standards for college athletics and restore the educational mission of college sports.
“College athletics should be about earning a degree and competing on the field, not navigating a confusing patchwork of eligibility rules,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “The current system is unsustainable. High school athletes are losing opportunities to older transfers, and student-athletes are being encouraged to pursue short-term deals rather than focusing on their education. The Student Athlete Act puts the focus back where it belongs: in the classroom and in competition.”
“College athletics used to be about education, now it’s sadly all about making money,” said Sen. Tuberville. “We can’t be having 25-year-old ‘students’ who graduated three years ago still competing in the NCAA. With my bill, a student-athlete gets five years to get their education, compete, and then move on. We also have to make sure students are getting a good education, which won’t happen if they are transferring every year. I’m all for student-athletes making money, but we have to create some national guidelines as the current system is broken. I’m thankful for Rep. Steube’s support on this bill and look forward to getting it across the finish line in both the House and the Senate.”
The Student Athlete Act would establish a uniform eligibility standard providing student-athletes with five consecutive years of eligibility to compete in intercollegiate athletics and create guardrails around the transfer portal. Under the legislation, student-athletes would be permitted one transfer without penalty. Any subsequent transfer would require the athlete to sit out a season.
The legislation also protects scholarship commitments by requiring institutions to honor grant-in-aid agreements, establishes a uniform national framework for eligibility and transfer rules, and preempts conflicting state laws that have created a patchwork of standards across college athletics.
Background: College athletics has undergone significant changes in recent years as courts have repeatedly challenged NCAA eligibility rules and athletes have increasingly relied on waivers and litigation to extend their playing careers. As well, the transfer portal has transformed recruiting and roster management, with many athletes transferring multiple times during their collegiate careers.
These developments have created uncertainty for student-athletes, coaches, and institutions while reducing opportunities for incoming high school recruits. In response, the NCAA recently proposed a “5-for-5” eligibility framework that would allow student-athletes to compete for five seasons over five years and create greater consistency across college sports.
Read the bill text here. 

LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON OHIO FBI HARASSMENT

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Congressman Cohen Applauds TDOT Decision to Accelerate Repairs to Elvis Presley Boulevard

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today applauded the decision of the Tennessee Department of Transportation, announced Thursday, to expedite repairs to Elvis Presley Boulevard. He also thanked Daily Memphian columnist Geoff Calkins and state Senator Raumesh Akbari for calling attention to the long-delayed project in a story published Friday.

Congressman Cohen wrote to Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Will Reid on April 1 urging him to prioritize the long-overdue completion of repairs to the thoroughfare. “The roadway should reflect the importance of the community it serves, not undermine it,” he wrote.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“I greatly appreciate the work of Senator Akbari and Whitehaven community groups on pushing for Elvis Presley Boulevard repairs. After I met with the Whitehaven Garden & Social Club about their frustration over this issue, I sent the attached letter to TDOT. Later that month, my staff got an update from TDOT that they planned to add a portion of Elvis Presley Boulevard repairs to their 10-year plan. I believe my letter lit a fire under TDOT to get moving on this. I am pleased to see this important project receive increased attention.”

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Congressman Baird Votes to End Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Federal Programs

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Congressman Baird Votes to End Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Federal Programs

Washington, June 11, 2026

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464), the Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act (H.R. 8312), and the No Aid for Ghost Students Act (H.R. 7892), which passed the U.S. House this week:

“Hoosiers’ tax dollars should be spent wisely, and our federal resources should go to those who truly need assistance the most. I am working with my colleagues to end the waste, fraud, and abuse in our federal programs across the country. From Minnesota’s child care centers to fraud in our federal food and education programs, we are stopping illegal immigrants and criminal fraudsters from exploiting federal funds, robbing billions of dollars from taxpayers and American citizens who rely on these programs. I was proud to pass these bills out of the U.S. House to implement further guardrails, provide more oversight of our federal programs, and hold fraudsters accountable. I will continue to work with my colleagues to protect the integrity of Hoosiers’ tax dollars and ensure such widespread fraud never happens again.”

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20 Members of Congress Release Joint Statement Affirming Colombia’s Sovereignty & Rejecting U.S. Election Interference

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)

WASHINGTON—Today, 20 Members of Congress led by Representative Jim McGovern (MA-02) released the following statement condemning efforts by U.S. elected officials to interfere in Colombia’s presidential election and reaffirming that Colombia’s future must be decided by the Colombian people alone:

“We strongly support the sovereignty of the people of Colombia and their right to determine the future of their country. The peoples of the United States and Colombia have enjoyed two centuries of friendship and partnership, with democracy as a core shared value. We wholeheartedly support the right of the Colombian people to exercise their democratic freedoms.

“Colombia is in the middle of national elections that will determine the country’s next president. The right to select that president belongs to the people of Colombia, and to the people of Colombia alone.

“We see actions by U.S. President Donald Trump and other Members of Congress to endorse, advocate for, or otherwise tip the scales to a particular candidate as detrimental to the democratic rights of the Colombian people, an insult to their sovereignty and integrity, and wholly inconsistent with long-standing U.S. principles of non-interference in foreign elections. The future of Colombia must be decided by the Colombian people—not American politicians with their own agenda.

“We look forward to working with whomever is democratically elected to advance relations between Colombia and the United States.”
McGovern was joined by Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Greg Casar (TX-35), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).

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Spanish translation below:

WASHINGTONHoy, 20 Miembros del Congreso, liderados por el representante Jim McGovern (MA-02), emitieron la siguiente declaración condenando los esfuerzos de funcionarios electos estadounidenses por interferir en las elecciones presidenciales de Colombia y reafirmando que el futuro de Colombia debe ser decidido únicamente por el pueblo colombiano:

“Apoyamos firmemente la soberanía del pueblo de Colombia y su derecho a determinar el futuro de su país. Los pueblos de Estados Unidos y Colombia han disfrutado de dos siglos de amistad y asociación, con la democracia como valor común central. Apoyamos de todo corazón el derecho del pueblo colombiano a ejercer sus libertades democráticas.

“Colombia está en medio de elecciones nacionales que determinarán al próximo presidente del país. El derecho a elegir a ese presidente pertenece al pueblo de Colombia, y solo al pueblo de Colombia.

“Consideramos las acciones del presidente de los Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, y otros miembros del Congreso para respaldar, abogar o inclinar la balanza a favor de un candidato en particular como perjudicial para los derechos democráticos del pueblo colombiano, un insulto a su soberanía e integridad y totalmente inconsistente con los principios estadounidenses de larga data de no injerencia en las elecciones extranjeras. El futuro de Colombia debe ser decidido por el pueblo colombiano, no por los políticos estadounidenses con su propia agenda.

“Trabajaremos con quien sea elegido democráticamente para avanzar relaciones entre Colombia y los Estados Unidos”

A McGovern se unieron los representantes Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Greg Casar (TX-35), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) y Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).

Amata: Rose Atoll Should Be Off Limits

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Welcomes Rest of President’s Proclamation Opening Fishing Waters

Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata remains convinced that Rose Atoll should be off limits, her longstanding position, especially as she respects the cultural rights of the people of Manu’a. She also emphasized she is happy for the fishermen and supports the rest of the announced change, which will strongly benefit the U.S. fishing fleet. 

Amata’s position is that the 50-mile to shore limit for Rose Atoll should remain in place, but otherwise she hails the larger facts of restoring 490,000 square miles of fishing waters to the U.S. fleet.

“With our heads we can welcome good news for our economy, while our hearts treasure Rose Atoll and stand with our people in Manu’a,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Thursday’s proclamation by President Trump is incredible, positive news for our fishing and economy overall. I want to be clear that elsewhere throughout U.S. waters, I support the change and thank the President – but Rose Atoll has special significance.”

“I respect the fisheries council process that Congress put in place, which is better than having any one person make fishing decisions,” Amata noted. “I do not have a vote on the council, and though I am in disagreement in this one point, I respect the process and their expertise.”

“The big picture is that this is an important order that strengthens U.S. food security, relies on science and analysis, reduces U.S. need for imported fish, and by strengthening U.S. presence in our waters, helps prevent I.U.U. fishing. All of this boosts our local island economy and honors our law-abiding U.S. fleet, and I appreciate that President Trump was willing to listen to our fishermen,” Amata concluded. “When it comes to Rose Atoll, that’s an exception and we rely on our hearts and culture.”

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Amata Cosponsors the Great America Outdoors Act 250

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is an original cosponsor of the Great America Outdoors Act 250, or the GAOA 250 – named in honor of both the sesquicentennial of the United States and the landmark Great America Outdoors Act enacted in 2020.

The Great American Outdoors Act 250, H.R. 9250, is a newly introduced bipartisan bill to modernize and maintain the National Park Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Indian Education in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Led by Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR), the only forester in Congress, and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA), with Congresswoman Amata and others, the bill has deep support in the Committee, and already has the backing of over 100 supporting organizations.

“I’m delighted when we can advance truly bipartisan legislation, especially on substantial policy,” said Congresswoman Amata. “This five-year investment in America’s beautiful places focuses on areas of the most need, and is a fitting celebration of our 250th anniversary.”

The GAOA250 invests $1.9 billion annually in America’s national parks, public lands, and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) facilities over each of the next five years, with the parks marked for the largest subset of the overall funding. Funded by private donations, onshore energy revenue, and foreign visitor to parks fees, GAOA250 enhances access, invests in some of our nation’s most treasured assets, creates jobs, and revitalizes adjacent local economies.

The effort focuses on high-priority deferred maintenance projects, in part by establishing the America’s Legacy Restoration Fund, and emphasizes restoring campgrounds, trails, boat ramps, hunting/fishing sites and other recreational infrastructure. It also supports 72,500 jobs across the country and $26 billion in revenue for rural gateway communities that are neighbors to our national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, and public lands. It provides an economic boost to the $1.3 trillion outdoor economy, and in specific related instances to these goals, allows transfers to the Federal Highway Administration for transportation projects.

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Amata Highlights Three House-Passed Bills on Her Priorities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Combating IUU Fishing, Supporting Religious Freedom & Pacific Partnerships

Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting several House-passed bills, each originating in the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), on priority issues within Amata’s legislative track record.

Pacific Partnerships: Amata is a cosponsor of the US-Japan-ROK Trilateral Cooperation Act, H.R. 3429, a bipartisan effort led by Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), passed by the House. This bill creates a regular inter-parliamentary dialogue to facilitate closer cooperation between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea on shared interests and values, especially important in the Pacific region. The bill directs the U.S. Department of State to negotiate regular trilateral meetings (referred to as the US-Japan-ROK Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue) to facilitate closer cooperation. It also determines the membership requirements for the group representing the United States, composed of up to eight Members of Congress appointed for two years at a time, and guides other factors of the meetings, group leadership, and the reports they will generate. “Japan and South Korea are two of our key allies in the region, part of all U.S. considerations for peace and prosperity in the Pacific,” Amata said.

Combating IUU Fishing: The House passed the Stop Illegal Fishing Act, H.R. 6338, a bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and Rep. Young Kim (R-CA). The bill directs the President to impose sanctions on foreign vessels and persons engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Further, regarding those involved in IUU fishing, the bill directs the President to block and prohibit transactions in the U.S. involving a covered foreign vessel, and deny or revoke their visa, along with civil and criminal penalties for violations. The bill allows waivers that are essential to U.S. security, or to provide life-saving assistance to a vessel in distress, and provides for a periodic report to Congress on these enforcement efforts.

Congresswoman Amata has a track record of backing and cosponsoring bills that pursue these legislative and enforcement efforts, including just in 2026, cosponsorships of the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests (FISH) Act, H.R. 3756, and the bipartisan Standards for Understanding Source and Habitat Identification (SUSHI) Act, H.R. 3706, recent bills that also contain some of these same enforcement provisions and policies, as well as the broader bill Amata led and sponsored, the South Pacific Tuna Treaty Actpassed in December 2025 as part of other major legislation and now law. 

“I strongly support recent legislative efforts to toughen up our national enforcement against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and I appreciate several colleagues who’ve led on this critical issue,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Our committee has advanced bills that had similar goals, and I’m pleased this bipartisan bill has passed the full House.”

Defending Religious Freedom: The House has passed the USCIRF Reauthorization Act, HR 1744, which renews the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. In the fall of 2024, Congresswoman Amata served as floor manager for the House vote that successfully passed and reauthorized USCIRF for two years, and Amata gave a speech in the House in support of worldwide religious freedom efforts. Now, reauthorization is due again soon, and the House-passed bill awaits Senate passage to become law. This year’s bill is sponsored by Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ). 

“My good friend Chairman Smith is the foremost champion in Congress for human rights and religious freedom, a tireless and outspoken advocate for these important causes, and has served an amazing 45 years in the U.S. House of Representatives,” concluded Amata.  “It’s a delight to serve with him as the nation benefits from his experience at the helm of our Subcommittee’s work for human rights and religious freedom.” 

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