Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) was joined by Rep. Linda Sánchez (CA-38), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10), a member of the House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, to demand that Acting IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem cease their illegal efforts to abuse taxpayers’ private data to target immigrant families who are not suspected of crimes.

The firing of Treasury officials who resisted DOGE attempts to access sensitive payment systems – and subsequent DHS requests for taxpayers addresses and other information – suggest a dangerous and alarming politicization of the IRS and a blatant violation of legal protections. Wasserman Schultz, Goldman, and Sanchez were joined by 62 Democratic Members of Congress in denouncing these efforts to exploit taxpayer information to facilitate the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate anti-immigrant crackdown, which has swept up U.S. citizens, veterans, and children.

“The IRS has long maintained that tax compliance must be encouraged through confidentiality protections.  Any deviation from this guiding principle risks eroding public trust and discouraging taxpayers from fulfilling their obligations,” the Members said in the letter, “If immigrants fear that filing taxes could expose them to deportation, many will choose not to file, reducing Federal revenues that contribute to funding public schools, health care, and disaster relief for Americans while shifting resources to the informal economy.”

In addition to Wasserman Schultz, Sánchez, and Goldman, signers include Reps. Becca Balint, Nanette Barragán, Joyce Beatty, Donald Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Julia Brownley, Salud Carbajal, André Carson, Greg Casar, Joaquin Castro, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Judy Chu, Yvette Clarke, Steve Cohen, Luis Correa, Jim Costa, Joe Courtney, Jasmine Crockett, Danny Davis, Diana DeGette, Maxine Dexter, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, John Garamendi, Jesús “Chuy” García, Sylvia Garcia, Jimmy Gomez, Jared Huffman, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Henry Johnson, Ro Khanna, John Larson, Sam Liccardo, Betty McCollum, James McGovern, LaMonica McIver, Gwen Moore, Seth Moulton, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jimmy Panetta, Chellie Pingree, Delia Ramirez, Janice Schakowsky, Bradley Schneider, Adam Smith, Darren Soto, Melanie Stansbury, Greg Stanton, Eric Swalwell, Shri Thanedar, Bennie Thompson, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Norma Torres, Juan Vargas, and Frederica Wilson.

Read the signed letter here, or below:

Dear Ms. Krause and Secretary Noem,

We write to express our grave concern regarding reports that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is considering disclosing taxpayer information, including Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) and address information, to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration enforcement purposes. Such actions would undermine taxpayer confidentiality, erode trust in our nation’s tax system, and have a chilling effect on compliance, particularly among immigrant communities who contribute billions in tax revenue annually.

Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code establishes strong protections for taxpayer information, ensuring that personal data remains confidential except under strictly defined circumstances. While Section 6103(i) provides narrow exceptions for sharing tax information with federal law enforcement agencies investigating certain non-tax crimes, it does not grant authority for using tax records to facilitate civil immigration enforcement. For decades, the IRS has resisted calls to weaponize taxpayer data for immigration crackdowns, recognizing that doing so would jeopardize the integrity of our voluntary tax compliance system.

The IRS itself has previously stated that “[a]ny sharing of confidential taxpayer information, directly or indirectly, with immigration authorities would have a chilling effect on efforts to bring ITIN holders, and potential ITIN holders, into the U.S. tax system.”^[1] The National Taxpayer Advocate has similarly warned that any disruption to the balance between tax law and immigration enforcement “will undermine voluntary compliance.”^[2]

The IRS has long maintained that tax compliance must be encouraged through confidentiality protections.^[3] Any deviation from this guiding principle risks eroding public trust and discouraging taxpayers from fulfilling their obligations. If immigrants fear that filing taxes could expose them to deportation, many will choose not to file, reducing Federal revenues that contribute to funding public schools, health care, and disaster relief for Americans while shifting resources to the informal economy. This would increase deficits and shift a higher proportion of the tax burden onto American citizens.

The Office of Chief Counsel at the IRS has also affirmed the limits on disclosing taxpayer information. A 2010 IRS memorandum clarified that while the agency may disclose tax information for certain criminal violations, Section 6103 generally prohibits employees of the IRS’s Taxpayer Advocate Service from sharing taxpayer return information, including ITIN-related data, with immigration enforcement agencies.^[4] This legal framework reinforces that any attempt to repurpose tax data for immigration enforcement would be a clear violation of the Internal Revenue Code.

Recent reports indicate that DHS has requested taxpayer data from the IRS to facilitate large-scale immigration enforcement operations.^[5] This request follows concerning reports regarding the removal of Treasury officials who resisted attempts by DOGE to access sensitive payment systems, including the acting IRS Chief Counsel.^[6],[7] These actions suggest an alarming politicization of taxpayer information and a potential violation of legal protections afforded to all individuals, regardless of immigration status.

A complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colombia last week accurately underscores the legal and ethical ramifications of these actions.^[8] The plaintiffs rightfully argue that any IRS cooperation with DHS in using taxpayer data for civil immigration enforcement would contravene federal law, including Section 6103, which strictly limits the disclosure of tax information.

Legal precedent supports the principle of strict tax confidentiality. In Church of Scientology of Cal. v. IRS, 484 U.S. 9 (1987), the Supreme Court reaffirmed that Section 6103 strictly limits the disclosure of tax return information.^[9]

We urge the IRS and DHS to categorically reject any effort to misuse tax data for immigration enforcement. We request a formal clarification of your agencies’ policies on this matter, including any communications regarding DHS requests for taxpayer information. Furthermore, we call upon the IRS to reaffirm its longstanding commitment to taxpayer privacy and to take all necessary steps to prevent any erosion of these critical protections.

We look forward to your prompt response and stand ready to work with your agencies to uphold the integrity of our tax system and the privacy rights of all taxpayers.

Sincerely,

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Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Joe Wilson (SC-02), and Brad Schneider (IL-10) announced the reintroduction of the BIRD Energy and U.S.-Israel Energy Center Reauthorization Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation extends and expands the successful U.S.-Israel energy partnership through 2034, ensuring continued collaboration on clean energy innovation, energy security, and economic growth in both nations.

Since its inception, the BIRD Energy program has provided funding for projects driving advancements in cutting-edge clean energy technologies such as energy storage, renewable energy, and cybersecurity for energy infrastructure. The program has facilitated groundbreaking collaborations between U.S. and Israeli companies, resulting in innovations like flexible solar panels for wireless electronics and solar energy production systems that operate over water reservoirs.

By reauthorizing this vital program, the legislation will strengthen U.S.-Israel cooperation in clean energy technology and research, expand investments in hydrogen, fusion energy, and modernized energy infrastructure, and enhance energy security through advancements in smart grid systems and efficiency programs. It will also support economic innovation and job creation in both countries.

“For over a decade, the BIRD Energy program has demonstrated the power of collaboration between the U.S. and Israel in advancing clean energy solutions. By reauthorizing and expanding this successful initiative, we are doubling down on our commitment to innovation, energy security, and economic growth,” said Wasserman Schultz. “This bill will help develop cutting-edge technologies like hydrogen and fusion energy while strengthening our shared energy infrastructure. Investing in this partnership is an investment in a cleaner, more resilient future for both nations.

“Israel is one of the United States’ strongest allies. By expanding the mutually beneficial U.S.- Israel Energy Cooperation program, we will continue to grow our strategic partnership, increase our joint energy security, and ensure both nations have access to cutting-edge technology,” said Carter.

The U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation program, established in 2009, has played a key role in advancing commercialization of clean energy technologies and improving energy resilience. The BIRD Energy program has proven that international collaboration leads to meaningful technological breakthroughs, strengthening economic and energy security for both nations.

“In the wake of Hamas’s barbaric October 7 attacks and amidst Israel’s ongoing existential struggle, reaffirming the U.S.-Israel partnership through the BIRD Energy program takes on special urgency,” said Schneider. “This bipartisan effort underscores America’s steadfast support for Israel by advancing crucial cooperation on clean energy, strengthening Israeli resilience, and securing a prosperous future for both our nations.”

“I am grateful to co-sponsor this important bipartisan bill that will further critical U.S.-Israel cooperation on the energies of the future like hydrogen and fusion, as well as the technologies to modernize and protect our energy infrastructure. U.S.-Israel energy cooperation brings together the best of both nations’ capabilities to advance our joint energy goals,” said Wilson. “It is imperative that we deepen and expand our cooperation with our valued ally Israel across all sectors to ensure we can meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

This legislation has been endorsed by AIPAC. To see the bill, click here.

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Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), co-chair of the Venezuela Democracy Caucus, joined Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY-5), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in a letter demanding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio explain the Trump Administration’s stunning betrayal of Venezuelan residents with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Wasserman Schultz and Meeks were joined by 37 Democratic Members of Congress – including every Democratic Member of the Florida Delegation – in denouncing the Administration’s baseless assertion that Venezuela is now safe enough for Venezuelan TPS holders to be forcefully returned despite Rubio’s acknowledgement that Maduro is a criminal dictator. 

“The Trump Administration’s decision to revoke TPS for 348,000 Venezuelans is not just dangerous, it is a betrayal of the Venezuelan-American community,” the Members said in the letter, “It defies logic that the United States would deport individuals to a country you yourself have described as an ‘enemy of humanity,’ one that has driven 8 million people to flee, imprisons dissidents, and tortures innocent civilians,”

In addition to Wasserman Schultz and Meeks, signers include Reps. Barragán, Beyer, Boyle, Castor, Castro, Cherfilus-McCormick, Chu, Cisneros, Clarke, Connolly, Correa, Espaillat, Frankel, Frost, Goldman, Gottheimer, Jackson, Johnson, Kamlager-Dove, Keating, Lieu, Lofgren, McBride, McGovern, Menendez, Meng, Moulton, Moskowitz, Norton, Pingree, Scanlon, Schakowsky, Smith, Soto, Titus, Waters, and Wilson.

Read the signed letter here, or below:

Dear Secretary Rubio,

            We write to express our dismay over the Trump Administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans. As Venezuelans continue to suffer under the Maduro regime, we are deeply troubled by the disconnect between the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) claims of “notable improvements” in Venezuela and your own repeated characterizations of the Maduro regime as a grave threat to its people and the world. 
 
            On February 5th, DHS justified terminating TPS for Venezuelans by citing “notable improvements in several areas such as the economy, public health, and crime” claiming conditions now allow for safe returns. Yet just one day later, on February 6th, you contradicted this assessment, stating, “I do not know how else to talk about a regime that has forced about 8 million citizens to leave Venezuela. They imprison, they torture innocent individuals.” You have previously referred to the Maduro regime as an “enemy of humanity,” and on February 26th, in an official transcript from the Department of State, you reaffirmed that Maduro remains a horrible dictator and the “same threat today that he was two years ago, three years ago, four years ago.” 
 
            Venezuelans fleeing horrific, inhumane conditions have received refuge in the United States since the start of the humanitarian crisis through TPS, a program that has enjoyed bipartisan support. The Trump Administration’s decision to revoke TPS for 348,000 Venezuelans is not just dangerous, it is a betrayal of the Venezuelan-American community. It defies logic that the United States would deport individuals to a country you yourself have described as an “enemy of humanity,” one that has driven 8 million people to flee, imprisons dissidents, and tortures innocent civilians. We therefore request an explanation of what drastic change occurred in Venezuela between February 5th, when DHS declared Venezuela safe for return, and February 6th when you reaffirmed the brutal reality of Maduro’s dictatorship. We look forward to your prompt response. 
 
Sincerely, 

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Wasserman Schultz y Meeks lideran a los demócratas para criticar la hipocresía de Rubio sobre el TPS en Venezuela

Washington, DC – Hoy, la representante estadounidense Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), copresidenta de la Asamblea “Democracia en Venezuela”, se unió al representante Gregory Meeks (NY-5), miembro de mayor rango del Comité de Asuntos Exteriores de la Cámara de Representantes, para enviar una carta exigiendo que el Secretario de Estado, Marco Rubio, explique la sorprendente traición de la Administración Trump a los residentes venezolanos con Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS).

Wasserman Schultz y Meeks, junto con 37 miembros demócratas del Congreso, incluidos todos los miembros de la delegación demócrata de Florida, se unieron para denunciar la afirmación infundada de la Administración de que Venezuela es ahora lo suficientemente segura como para que los titulares venezolanos del TPS sean devueltos por la fuerza, a pesar de que Rubio reconoce que Maduro es un dictador criminal.

“La decisión de la Administración Trump de revocar el TPS a 348.000 venezolanos no solo es peligrosa, sino una traición a la comunidad venezolana-estadounidense,” expresaron los miembros en la carta. “Desafía la lógica que Estados Unidos deporte a personas a un país que usted mismo ha descrito como un ‘enemigo de la humanidad’, uno que ha obligado a 8 millones de personas a huir, encarcela a opositores del régimen y tortura a civiles inocentes.”

Además de Wasserman Schultz y Meeks, los firmantes incluyen a los representantes Barragán, Beyer, Boyle, Castor, Castro, Cherfilus-McCormick, Chu, Cisneros, Clarke, Connolly, Correa, Espaillat, Frankel, Frost, Goldman, Gottheimer, Jackson, Johnson, Kamlager-Dove, Keating, Lieu, Lofgren, McBride, McGovern, Menéndez, Meng, Moulton, Moskowitz, Norton, Pingree, Scanlon, Schakowsky, Smith, Soto, Titus, Waters y Wilson.

Lea la carta firmada aquí o abajo:

Estimado Secretary Rubio,

Le escribimos para expresar nuestra consternación por la decisión de la Administración Trump de cancelar el Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS) para los venezolanos. Mientras los venezolanos siguen sufriendo bajo el régimen de Maduro, nos preocupa profundamente la discrepancia entre las afirmaciones del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) sobre “mejoras notables” en Venezuela y sus reiteradas descripciones del régimen de Maduro como una grave amenaza para su pueblo y el mundo.
 
El 5 de febrero, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) justificó la cancelación del TPS para los venezolanos citando “mejoras notables en diversas áreas como la economía, la salud pública y la delincuencia”, alegando que las condiciones ahora permiten retornos seguros. Sin embargo, tan solo un día después, el 6 de febrero, usted contradijo esta evaluación, afirmando: “No sé de qué otra manera hablar de un régimen que ha obligado a cerca de 8 millones de ciudadanos a abandonar Venezuela. Encarcelan y torturan a personas inocentes”. Anteriormente, se había referido al régimen de Maduro como un “enemigo de la humanidad”, y el 26 de febrero, en una transcripción oficial del Departamento de Estado, reafirmó que Maduro sigue siendo un dictador terrible y la “misma amenaza hoy que hace dos, tres o cuatro años”.
 
Los venezolanos que huyen de condiciones terribles e inhumanas han recibido refugio en Estados Unidos desde el inicio de la crisis humanitaria a través del TPS, un programa que ha gozado de apoyo bipartidista. La decisión del gobierno de Trump de revocar el TPS a 348.000 venezolanos no solo es peligrosa, sino también una traición a la comunidad venezolano-estadounidense. Resulta inconcebible que Estados Unidos deporte a personas a un país que usted mismo ha descrito como un “enemigo de la humanidad”, que ha obligado a 8 millones de personas a huir, encarcela a disidentes y tortura a civiles inocentes. Por lo tanto, solicitamos una explicación sobre el drástico cambio ocurrido en Venezuela entre el 5 de febrero, cuando el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) declaró a Venezuela como un país seguro para el retorno, y el 6 de febrero, cuando usted reafirmó la brutal realidad de la dictadura de Maduro. Esperamos su pronta respuesta.

Atentamente, 

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Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) announced that every Florida Congressional Democrat wrote the Trump Administration to warn that cuts to meteorologists and weather forecasting resources pose an immediate threat to hurricane preparedness and extreme weather response efforts in Florida and across the nation.

“Investments in weather forecasting and emergency preparedness are essential to our national security and economic stability, and we strongly oppose any actions that weaken our ability to protect lives and property from natural disasters,” their letter to Office of Management & Budget Director Russell Vought said. Those who signed it include Reps.: Kathy Castor, Frederica Wilson, Lois Frankel, Darren Soto, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Maxwell Frost and Jared Moskowitz.

Democrats cautioned that workforce reductions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service (NWS) would “leave our state more vulnerable to extreme weather, potentially increasing the cost of disaster response and recovery while putting lives at greater risk.” No Florida Republican House member signed on to the warning letter. 

“Florida is ground zero for climate change-driven extreme storms, and I’m appalled President Trump is weakening our nation’s weather forecasting resources and inviting needless added risk to property and lives,” said Wasserman Schultz. “I crafted this letter to protect NOAA and the NWS without partisan rhetoric, so my Republican colleagues could comfortably join forces with us. Sadly, they refused to unite around our residents’ safety. I hope they speak privately with the President to head off this reckless effort. If they don’t, I pray that none of them have reason to regret not speaking up.”

“Slashing the workforces at NWS and NOAA cripples their ability to warn and protect the public, endangering millions of Americans—especially those in coastal and storm-prone regions like the Tampa Bay area,” said Castor. “These cuts are not just irresponsible; they are deathly dangerous and will leave us vulnerable to hurricanes and other disasters.” 

“Florida has been battered by hurricanes and tornadoes year after year, and we’ve seen firsthand how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration saves lives—tracking storms, issuing life-or-death forecasts, and helping communities prepare before disaster strikes,” said Frankel. “Slashing hundreds of NOAA jobs isn’t just reckless—it’s a catastrophe waiting to happen. When the next storm barrels toward us, who will sound the alarm and keep our families safe? These are cuts we can’t afford.”

“Here in South Florida, families have been hit hard by severe hurricanes, catastrophic flooding, and other natural disasters,” said Cherfilus-McCormick. “Abrupt workforce cuts at NOAA and NWS will only make it more difficult for our communities to get ahead before the next storm arrives.” 

Read the signed letter here, or below:

Dear Director Vought:  

We write to express our deep concern over the recent workforce reductions at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) as part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. These cuts, particularly those affecting meteorologists and weather forecasters, pose an immediate and severe threat to hurricane preparedness and response in Florida and across the nation.

Florida is no stranger to the devastating impacts of hurricanes, and our communities depend on NOAA’s accurate and timely forecasting to make life-saving decisions. Last year, NOAA achieved record accuracy in hurricane tracking, which enabled emergency responders and residents to take appropriate precautions, saving lives and mitigating economic losses. The reduction of approximately 10% of NOAA’s workforce, including critical forecasters, raises serious concerns about the agency’s ability to provide reliable forecasts, particularly as we head into another hurricane season.

These cuts are not just numbers on a balance sheet—they directly impact public safety, emergency preparedness, and our ability to protect the people of Florida. Reducing NOAA’s capacity to track and forecast severe weather events will leave our state more vulnerable to extreme weather, potentially increasing the cost of disaster response and recovery while putting lives at greater risk.

We urge you to reconsider these reductions and ensure that NOAA and the National Weather Service maintain the staffing and resources necessary to fulfill their vital mission. Investments in weather forecasting and emergency preparedness are essential to our national security and economic stability, and we strongly oppose any actions that weaken our ability to protect lives and property from natural disasters.

We appreciate your attention to this critical issue and look forward to your response on how the Administration plans to maintain the integrity of hurricane forecasting and public safety efforts.

Sincerely,

####

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) announced that she and members of the Congressional Jewish Caucus (CJC) sent a letter to Google urging the company to reverse its decision to remove International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) from its default calendar display. The letter requesting that Google reverse this decision marks the first initiative to be endorsed by the newly formed CJC.

Google Calendar recently removed references to International Holocaust Remembrance Day and JAHM from its default display, according to various press reports. The timing of the removal comes as the Trump Administration ramps up attacks on a broader array of public and private diversity efforts.

“Reversing Google’s decision will not stop hate or antisemitism in its tracks, but it will serve as an effective and necessary tool to combat this most ancient hatred and uplift the Jewish American community,” the CJC members wrote Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and parent company Alphabet. “Choosing to remain silent in the face of these ageless animosities, however, is a conscious decision to aid them.”

“One of the most effective tools for combating antisemitism and hate is education. We commit to ‘never again’ by ensuring that society learns from the horrors of unchecked antisemitism and to dedicate ourselves to remembering and bringing awareness of the Holocaust,” the letter notes. “It is alarming that globally, 1 in 5 adults have not heard of the Holocaust, with less than half recognizing the Holocaust’s historical accuracy. Given your controlling reach in global searches, decisions such as Google’s will only exacerbate this unacceptable ignorance and blindness to hate.”

Wasserman Schultz sponsored the original resolution that created JAHM in 2005. Since then, JAHM has been recognized annually by Presidents of both parties, including Presidents George W. Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden.

The full letter with Member signatures can be found here, or read the letter below:

Dear Sundar Pichai:

As Jewish Members of Congress, we are deeply concerned with Google’s decision to remove International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Jewish American Heritage Month from the default calendar display and urge you to reverse this highly disappointing decision.

On October 11, 2023, you wrote on X that it is “important to call out and stand against antisemitism at this terrible moment. It’s never acceptable.”[1] Regrettably, antisemitism is at a record high, with 77% of American Jews expressing they feel less safe, especially after Hamas’ terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023. In fact, for the first time ever, a majority of American Jews last year reported altering their behavior due to this escalating threat.[2] Google’s decision to remove Jewish references from its default calendar is tantamount to a gut punch for the American Jewish community and is a repudiation of your previously stated commitment.

One of the most effective tools for combating antisemitism and hate is education. We commit to “never again” by ensuring that society learns from the horrors of unchecked antisemitism and to dedicate ourselves to remembering and bringing awareness of the Holocaust. It is alarming that globally, 1 in 5 adults have not heard of the Holocaust, with less than half recognizing the Holocaust’s historical accuracy.[3] Given your controlling reach in global searches, decisions such as Google’s will only exacerbate this unacceptable ignorance and blindness to hate.

The United Nations designated International Holocaust Remembrance Day to coincide with the liberation of the German concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau to serve as an annual reminder that when left unchecked, hate can evolve into deadly actions of the worst kind. Each January 27, communities around the world come together to remember the six million Jews murdered by Nazi Germany.

However, supporting the Jewish community is not just honoring the more than six million Jews murdered during WWII but honoring the contributions of Jewish Americans throughout American history. Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is an effective educational tool to uplift Jewish voices and has been recognized annually since May 2006.

Since its creation, each American President has issued Presidential Proclamations to recognize JAHM, and it is now part of the rich culture of recognizing and celebrating heritage months, where we learn about one another, honor the wealth of the diversity of our nation, and strengthen the fabric of civil society in the United States.

As the world moves increasingly online, schools, communities, and governments use online resources to educate about the horrors of the Holocaust and to find tools to combat antisemitism. One of the most versatile ways to honor those lost lives and remind ourselves that the fight against antisemitism did not end with the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, is ensuring users of your calendar are aware when these commemorations are honored. We appreciate that Google has previously taken steps to support Holocaust remembrance and combat antisemitism, including through educational resources and search features. Reinstating these calendar entries would be a small but meaningful action that aligns with those commitments.

We respectfully request Google swiftly take the following actions:

1.       Restore International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Jewish American Heritage Month to Google Calendar’s default display.

2.       Clarify Google’s policy on commemorative events to ensure transparency and fairness in how historical and cultural observances are selected for inclusion.

3.       Engage with community stakeholders to ensure Google’s platforms continue to be a tool for public education and awareness, particularly at a time of rising antisemitism.

Digital platforms like Google have the ability to shape public awareness, and ensuring that key historical commemorations remain visible is an important step in strengthening collective memory and combating hate. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response. Reversing Google’s decision will not stop hate or antisemitism in its tracks, but it will serve as an effective and necessary tool to combat this most ancient hatred and uplift the Jewish American community. Choosing to remain silent in the face of these ageless animosities, however, is a conscious decision to aid them.

We look forward to your response to the urgency that necessitates International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Jewish American Heritage Month be given the platform both deserve with the restoration of these commemorations to Google’s default calendar.

Sincerely,

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