Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13)

Michigan’s 12th Congressional District is a beautifully diverse place where Black folks make up the largest plurality, several different ethnicities comprise its population, many languages are spoken, and much of its population is foreign-born. Our residents may have different needs and priorities, but at the most basic level, we must protect civil rights and voting rights and ensure a quality education for all. It is also imperative that we work to help create a better pathway toward citizenship for our immigrant communities. Justice for All Civil Rights Act Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) re-introduced the Justice for All (JFA) Act of 2023, historic legislation that pushes back against decades of conservative court rulings to restore the original intent of our civil rights laws by reaffirming the availability of discrimination claims based on disparate impact. The JFA Act includes a private right of action and a prohibition on forced arbitration, both essential to allowing victims of discrimination, actual or perceived, to vindicate their rights, enjoin discriminatory behavior, and/or receive an award of damages and attorneys’ fees. Specifically, Justice For All restores and expands protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act of 1968, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. America’s most critical civil rights laws have been significantly undermined by conservative court rulings over the years, including the elimination of the availability of civil rights claims based on disparate impact rather than the more difficult to prove discriminatory intent. Tlaib’s bill would result in expanded protections, stronger civil rights, and a more inclusive America by, in part: Amending the aforementioned civil rights laws to prohibit actions which have a discriminatory effect, regardless of any discriminatory intent, and providing tools – including a private right of action – to combat intentional and unintentional discrimination against people based on (actual or perceived) race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, or national origin. Protecting people from discrimination in all aspects of life, including housing, schooling, public accommodations, employment, government facilities, privatized government functions, federally funded programs, and any commercial establishment (online or physical). Prohibiting the use of compelled arbitration clauses, which are frequently used to extinguish consumer and employee rights. Eliminating qualified immunity for government employees, which allows them to escape responsibility for their actions, and establishing that units of government are liable for the acts of their officials, including, most importantly, police officers who violate people’s civil rights. The bill also prohibits racial and gender profiling in police investigations and activity. Holding all employers accountable for the actions of all employees and eliminating court-created defenses that allow employers to escape liability for creating hostile work environments. Giving victims of disparate impact discrimination the compensation they deserve and the attorney’s fees necessary to allow civil rights lawyers to take up their cases. Clarifying the definition of “sex” for purposes of civil rights to include sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity, sex stereotypes, or any sex-related traits. No matter how you identify, our civil rights laws must protect you. A summary of the Justice For All Act can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13)

Michigan’s 12th Congressional District is a beautifully diverse place where Black folks make up the largest plurality, several different ethnicities comprise its population, many languages are spoken, and much of its population is foreign-born. Our residents may have different needs and priorities, but at the most basic level, we must protect civil rights and voting rights and ensure a quality education for all. It is also imperative that we work to help create a better pathway toward citizenship for our immigrant communities. Justice for All Civil Rights Act Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) re-introduced the Justice for All (JFA) Act of 2023, historic legislation that pushes back against decades of conservative court rulings to restore the original intent of our civil rights laws by reaffirming the availability of discrimination claims based on disparate impact. The JFA Act includes a private right of action and a prohibition on forced arbitration, both essential to allowing victims of discrimination, actual or perceived, to vindicate their rights, enjoin discriminatory behavior, and/or receive an award of damages and attorneys’ fees. Specifically, Justice For All restores and expands protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act of 1968, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. America’s most critical civil rights laws have been significantly undermined by conservative court rulings over the years, including the elimination of the availability of civil rights claims based on disparate impact rather than the more difficult to prove discriminatory intent. Tlaib’s bill would result in expanded protections, stronger civil rights, and a more inclusive America by, in part: Amending the aforementioned civil rights laws to prohibit actions which have a discriminatory effect, regardless of any discriminatory intent, and providing tools – including a private right of action – to combat intentional and unintentional discrimination against people based on (actual or perceived) race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, or national origin. Protecting people from discrimination in all aspects of life, including housing, schooling, public accommodations, employment, government facilities, privatized government functions, federally funded programs, and any commercial establishment (online or physical). Prohibiting the use of compelled arbitration clauses, which are frequently used to extinguish consumer and employee rights. Eliminating qualified immunity for government employees, which allows them to escape responsibility for their actions, and establishing that units of government are liable for the acts of their officials, including, most importantly, police officers who violate people’s civil rights. The bill also prohibits racial and gender profiling in police investigations and activity. Holding all employers accountable for the actions of all employees and eliminating court-created defenses that allow employers to escape liability for creating hostile work environments. Giving victims of disparate impact discrimination the compensation they deserve and the attorney’s fees necessary to allow civil rights lawyers to take up their cases. Clarifying the definition of “sex” for purposes of civil rights to include sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity, sex stereotypes, or any sex-related traits. No matter how you identify, our civil rights laws must protect you. A summary of the Justice For All Act can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, DC — Responding to reporting today in the Wall Street Journal that the Trump administration is moving to freeze tens of millions of dollars in Title X federal family-planning grants, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus’s Contraception, Family Planning, and Education Task Force, released the following statement: 

“I strongly condemn the Trump Administration’s plans to illegally freeze millions of dollars in Title X family planning funds—critical support that millions of people rely on for birth control, STI treatment, cancer screenings, and more. This move isn’t about oversight—it’s about control. The Trump-Vance-Musk administration is targeting organizations such as Planned Parenthood that provide legal abortion care and ripping away other health care in the process under an “anti-DEI” guise. Republicans should just admit their real goals: continue to advance this country to one of forced birth. My colleagues on the Reproductive Freedom Caucus and I will continue using every lever of power we have to fight back in Congress, courts, and the streets.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

The bill would prevent and address intentional misuse of subgrant funds under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Danny K. Davis (IL-07) – along with their colleagues Gwen Moore (WI-04), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Bennie Thompson (MS-02) – introduced H.R. 2108, the TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act, which would give the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the statutory authority it needs to prevent, monitor, and penalize the intentional misuse of federal funds by contractors and other subrecipient grantees of the $16.5 billion TANF block grant. 

“Public TANF dollars are meant to support low-income families, not be funneled to wealthy individuals and their pet projects—exactly what NFL star Brett Favre did when he conspired with Mississippi officials to direct millions of TANF dollars to build a new volleyball stadium at his daughter’s college,” said Rep. Chu. “Rep. Davis and I are introducing the TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act to address what happened in Mississippi by finally giving the federal government the authority to oversee states’ use of non-cash assistance TANF funds, which is about 80% of all TANF spending. Our legislation would also require states to recover misused funds and reinvest them in low-income families. As our Republican colleagues regularly decry the fraud, waste, and abuse of public funds, I would think that joining us on this legislation would be a no-brainer.”

“Democrats are committed to increasing stability and reducing adversity for low-income children and families. When used correctly, cash assistance is a critical tool in lifting families out of poverty,” said Rep. Davis. “The TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act will prevent and address intentional misuse of federal cash assistance by contractors to ensure children and families – and not fraudsters – benefit from this critical federal investment.” 

HHS is prohibited by law from issuing regulations to monitor TANF contractors and subgrant recipients and ensure that they are penalized, even for egregious misuse like what occurred recently in Mississippi.

The TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act gives the HHS Secretary the ability to establish a formal system to closely monitor the use of TANF funds, ensures consistent data reporting to identify misuse, and creates a TANF Program Integrity Unit to carry out grantee monitoring. The bill would also impose a new penalty for intentional misuse of funds where the state must spend at least an equivalent amount of the misused funds in the form of cash assistance directly to families who are very low income. 

“When designing TANF, Republicans neglected to include proper accountability measures to prevent states misuse of TANF funds. As a result, TANF is failing the vulnerable individuals it was supposedly meant to help.  When federal dollars are intentionally diverted from beneficiaries into the hands of bad actors, it hurts the women, children, and families who are struggling with poverty.  These new tools will help ensure that the federal government can take action against bad actor contractors or others who prey on TANF for their own benefit while increasing accountability for states,” said Rep. Moore.

“I thank Ranking Member Davis for his leadership on this issue,” said Rep. Evans. “This bill would bring much-needed accountability to help ensure that these lifeline benefits reach those in need. Most TANF recipients are children. About half of the families receiving TANF income support include a child under age 5, and a quarter of TANF households include infants.”

“Federal assistance should help working parents and kids who need it, not the ultra-wealthy who exploit the system for their own benefit,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “Our TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act will ensure these funds are used as intended—not wasted on luxury projects for the rich and famous.”

“I have witnessed the ongoing mismanagement of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds in my home state of Mississippi, particularly by greedy ineligible individuals,” said Rep. Thompson. “H.R. 2108 is essential to correcting the misuse of federal resources meant to assist our families in need. It is time we put a stop to wealthy individuals benefiting from TANF funding meant to help needy families.”

Click here for a summary of the bill.

Click here for a section-by-section of the bill.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) released an updated resource guide to help residents and businesses affected by the Eaton Fire access available support. This revised guide builds on the original version she released in January, ensuring those impacted have the latest information on the resources available to them as they recover and rebuild.

Residents affected by the Eaton Fire are reminded that the deadline to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance is Monday, March 31st. Relief may include up to 14 days of displacement assistance for hotel costs, $770 for essential items, and larger grants for medical bills, vehicle replacement, and other critical needs. The SBA also offers low-interest loans for impacted small business owners, homeowners, and renters. The individual assistance deadline was extended to March 31^st at Rep. Chu’s and urging. Additionally, residents must decide by March 31st whether to opt into the government-run debris removal program led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“Federal disaster assistance has been crucial for the communities I represent following the devastation and destruction caused by Eaton Fire. For those who lost everything, this assistance has allowed them to secure temporary housing, cover the costs of essentials, and start the process of clearing their properties so that they can begin to rebuild the homes, businesses, and community institutions we lost. The road ahead is long, and we must ensure that all of our neighbors in Altadena and Pasadena have the resources they need to recover,” said Rep. Chu. “That is why I am incredibly grateful that FEMA responded to my request to extend its application deadline to March 31st, ensuring that all survivors have enough time to apply for federal disaster assistance as they rebuild their homes, businesses, and lives. I also want to remind those impacted by the fire that the deadline to participate in the debris removal program led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which comes at no out-of-pocket cost for survivors after insurance, is also on March 31st. This decision is an important step in the recovery process, and I encourage everyone affected to evaluate their options and choose the path that best supports their rebuilding efforts.”

Deadlines to remember:

FEMA Individual Assistance: by March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time)

• Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app.
• Apply in-person at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at 540 West Woodbury Rd., Altadena, CA 91001. Visit the DRC Locator to find alternate locations.

SBA Disaster Loan: by March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time)

• Apply for a Small Business Administration Disaster Loan online at lending.sba.gov or call SBA at 800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339. 

Debris Removal Program Right of Entry form: by March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time)

• To Apply, either:
• If anyone has questions about debris removal on their properties, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has established a Debris Call Center to help answer questions. Their hours of operation are from 6am to 6:30pm and their phone number is 213-308-8305.

“This is the very least we can do for those who have lost so much. I urge anyone impacted to apply for the available resources—help is out there, and no one should have to navigate this recovery alone,” said Rep. Chu. “My office and I will continue assisting in whatever way we can in response and recovery efforts.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) hosted a town hall to discuss defending Medicaid from draconian cuts proposed by President Trump and congression Republicans. She was joined by speakers from the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County and Via Care Los Angeles. The event saw a significant turnout, with over 110+ attendees, predominantly seniors. Due to the high level of interest, the venue reached standing-room-only capacity. Many participants expressed deep concerns regarding actions taken by President Trump and Elon Musk, including the firing of tens of thousands of federal workers without cause, granting DOGE unlimited access to the Treasury payment system which contains private taxpayer data, and Republicans’ threats to slash Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

This town hall was part of a nationwide Day of Action led by Democrats to highlight the looming threat of severe cuts to Medicaid, the state-federal program that provides health care to more than 70 million Americans—including over 14 million Californians. Republican proposals call for the largest Medicaid cuts in U.S. history, slashing $880 billion from the program to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. These drastic reductions would have devastating consequences for children, families, people with disabilities, seniors, and women, impacting communities across the country.

Rep. Chu also highlighted her role on the Ways and Means Committee and outlined key legislative efforts to combat these proposed cuts. She emphasized ongoing initiatives to protect Medicaid and ensure continued access to vital health care services for millions of Americans.
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) voted against House Republicans’ full-year appropriations bill, which passed on a 217-213 vote.

“On the day our president purchases a car from Elon Musk on the White House grounds, Republicans have passed a funding bill with massive cuts for families that is completely subservient to the whims and whimsy of the unelected billionaire – providing him a slush fund of our tax dollars to direct as he wants, including to his own companies. Republicans in Washington are falling over themselves to deliver tax cuts for Musk and billionaires, rather than focus on cost-of-living issues facing Americans,” said Rep. Chu. “In typical spending bills, Congress includes directives and instructions to ensure taxpayer dollars are distributed as our branch of government intended. Without any directives in this continuing resolution or any constraints on Musk and DOGE’s illegal cuts, Republicans have given the Trump administration the green light to continue taking a wrecking ball to the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, Department of Education, National Nuclear Security Administration, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, IRS and so many other essential programs. The bill also cuts Veterans’ health care benefits Republicans have previously supported, evicts low-income renters – including survivors of domestic abuse and Veterans – from their homes, and fails to fund disaster relief programs districts around the country like mine need.” 

“And this Republican shutdown bill strips out all Community Project Funding for Fiscal Year 2025, including 15 important projects that I selected in my district. As a result, law enforcement agencies and first responders are losing out on new equipment and infrastructure, San Gabriel Valley cities are losing out on new affordable housing, and residents are losing out on new community centers and safer streets,” Rep. Chu continued. “I am strongly opposed, and urge my Senate colleagues to be as well. Democrats are ready to pass a short-term stopgap funding bill to provide more time to negotiate a bipartisan solution that will ensure that the programs that our constituents receive the funding that Congress provides, without being illegally intercepted by Musk and DOGE.”

Among other provisions, this funding bill:

• Fails to lower the cost of housing and instead cuts rent subsidies for low-income and working Americans by more than $700 million, leaving landlords to foot the bill for or evict more than 32,000 households including Veterans, survivors of domestic violence, seniors, and families with disabilities.
• Would allow Elon Musk and President Trump to continue their plans to fire thousands of employees at the Social Security Administration and close down SSA field and hearing offices around the country, which will result in increased wait times and unacceptable backlogs for Americans trying to access their earned benefits.
• Fails to fund the Disaster Relief Fund through the remainder of the fiscal year, which means uncertainty for victims of the Eaton Fire and potential victims of the approaching tornado and hurricane seasons.
• Enables Elon Musk to direct contracts to his companies while his unvetted employees have burrowed in the FAA, with no requirement for public transparency, fair competition, or Congressional approval – all while mission-critical jobs have been cut at the FAA.
• Cuts Army Corps of Engineers construction projects that keep commerce safely flowing on our waterways, manage flood risk, and restore ecosystems by $1.4 billion, or 44 percent, and Elon Musk and President Trump, not Congress, will determine all project funding levels.
• Reneges on Veterans’ medical care and creates future uncertainty. More Veterans are enrolled in VA care than ever. While the bill includes $6 billion in mandatory funds to address an immediate funding shortfall, it fails to include $22.8 billion in fiscal year 2026 advanced funding for the Toxic Exposures Fund to care for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances that House Republicans included in their own funding bill last year. It also enables Elon Musk and President Trump to redirect funding meant for homelessness assistance grants, mental health care, rural health, opioid and substance abuse programs, some oncology programs, and caregivers support, however they see fit.
• Gives Elon Musk and President Trump broad discretion to eliminate individual programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a critical agency that our communities rely on for reliable information and forecasts related to weather patterns, climate change, ocean conditions, and natural disaster preparedness. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

DENVER, CO — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02), Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) released the following statement after reports that Jeanette Vizguerra, an immigration rights activist, was ordered to be removed without due process.

“The Trump administration’s shredding of the Constitution and disregard for the law is outrageous. Due process is foundational to our democracy, and the abrupt nature of Ms. Vizguerra’s detention, without transparent justification, exemplifies a troubling pattern of civil rights violations and disregard for due process under this administration. This will only further erode the essential legal protections that ensure fairness and justice for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.  

“Furthermore, news of Ms. Vizguerra’s removal order shows a continuation of the administration’s reckless and bigoted immigration policy. They claim they are targeting violent criminals, but instead they are going after mothers with U.S.-born children and immigrant advocates, like Ms. Vizguerra. 

“This is wrong, and the administration must stop these hateful and unjust actions immediately.” 

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement after voting against House Republicans’ extreme year-long government funding bill.

“I voted no on the government funding bill because it will only enable Elon and Trump to further their chaos and confusion while ceding Congressional authority to the executive branch. They want to slash Medicaid and VA benefits to give tax cuts to billionaires, and now Elon is talking about cutting entitlements like Social Security. I refuse to vote for a bill that will allow Trump, Elon, and DOGE to cut benefits for millions of Americans, fire federal workers at the Forest Service and VA, and further damage our government.” 

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement after Trump’s Address to the Joint Session of Congress.

“Tonight, Donald Trump spent over an hour spewing lies, insulting the American people, and bullying anyone who is opposed to him.

“It’s because of him that costs are skyrocketing, the stock market is crashing, and our adversaries are laughing. His actions are dangerous and shameful, and I will fight to oppose his disgraceful agenda every step of the way.” 

###