MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 25, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswomen Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) reintroduced a bill that would create a federal program to build clean energy microgrids to power critical infrastructure for communities in the aftermath of an extreme weather event or power shut-off.

The Energy Resilient Communities Act takes a significant step forward in energy equity and environmental justice, by prioritizing grant applications from low-income communities and communities of color for clean energy microgrid grants. These grants will help combat power outages and rolling blackouts, reduce pollution, create green jobs, and fight the climate crisis.

“As communities in every corner of our nation continue to face extreme weather events and other natural disasters brought on by the climate crisis, the need to fortify their climate resiliency and bridge long standing environmental disparities remains abundantly clear. Congress cannot and must not leave vulnerable Americans to fend for themselves in the face of this existential emergency, and that’s why I’m proud to stand with Congresswoman Barragán to reintroduce the Energy Resilient Communities Act,” said Rep. Clarke. “This critical legislation will empower at-risk communities with the resources they need to develop clean energy microgrids, ensuring they’ll keep power through whatever challenges this crisis may bring.”

“As wildfires, hurricanes and other climate disasters become more frequent and severe, we must ensure that communities—especially those historically overburdened by pollution and energy shortages—have access to reliable, clean power,” said Rep. Barragán. “The Energy Resilient Communities Act invests in clean energy microgrids, ensuring hospitals, fire stations, and essential services stay online when disaster strikes. This bill will create good-paying jobs, lower energy costs, and strengthen our clean energy future.”

Energy Resilient Communities Act Highlights:

• Authorizes $50 million in annual grants for technical assistance and $1.5 billion in annual grants for clean energy microgrids to support the critical infrastructure needed in the aftermath of an extreme weather event. 
• A minimum of $150 million of annual authorized funding is reserved for grants supporting the construction of community-owned energy systems. 
• State and local governments, territories, political subdivisions of the state, tribal agencies, utilities, and non-profits can apply for grants. 
• Grants are prioritized for applications from environmental justice communities. 
• Examples of critical infrastructure include hospitals, grocery stores, community centers, public safety facilities, water systems, public or affordable housing, medical baseline customers, and senior housing. 
• Projects are additionally prioritized based on several criteria, including how effectively they reduce pollution and improve public health, whether they are built on previously disturbed land, whether they provide contracts for women and minority owned businesses, their utilization of apprenticeships, and whether the proposed project will be a community-owned energy system. 
• The maximum federal cost share of 60%, except for environmental justice communities, where the maximum federal cost share is 90%. 
• Includes Buy American provisions to maximize the creation of American manufacturing jobs in the production of materials and technology for microgrids. 
• There are worker hiring targets for each project to maximize the number of local and economically disadvantaged workers, including those who live in environmental justice communities or were displaced from a previous job in the energy sector.

The bill can be found here.

Reps. Clarke and Barragán were joined by 30 original cosponsors of the Energy Resilient Communities Act: Hank Johnson, Emmanuel Cleaver, Andre Carson, Troy Carter, Suzanne Bonamici, Ro Khanna, Rashida Tlaib, Steve Cohen, Paul Tonko, Kevin Mullin, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jerrold Nadler, Melanie Stansbury, Pramila Jayapal, Mary Gay Scanlon, Raul Grijalva, Ed Case, Jared Huffman, Jared Moskowitz, Jill Tokuda, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mike Quigley, Shri Thanedar, Andrea Salinas, Chellie Pingree, Johnny Olszewski, Kathy Castor, Yassamin Ansari, Doris Matsui.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 21, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, D.C. — Today, House Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswomen Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) issued the following statement condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.

“With Haiti continuing to grapple with unspeakable violence and a horrific humanitarian, political, and economic crisis, this is a shameful decision that could be a death sentence for more than 500,000 Haitian nationals living in the United States,” said Reps. Clarke, Pressley, and Cherfilus-McCormick, Co-Chairs of the House Haiti Caucus. “Haitians who have lived in the United States for up to 15 years, raised children, started businesses, and contributed to their communities are at risk of deportation for no reason other than being Haitian. We should be doing everything possible to save lives and bring stability and safety to Haiti—not throwing vulnerable people in harm’s way. We urge the Trump Administration to immediately reverse this cruel and callous decision.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Federal Funding Delivered by Pressley Will Help Address Gaps in Workforce Development Programs and Help Workers Succeed

Video (YouTube) | Photos (Dropbox)

BOSTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07),in partnership with Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston leaders, announced a $1 million investment to expand the Digital Literacy (DigLit) Initiative, a critical program that helps workforce development programs address digital literacy gaps. The federal community project funding, which was delivered by Rep. Pressley through a previous federal spending bill, will equip 20 Boston-based job readiness and occupational training programs with the infrastructure and capacity to deliver the digital skills necessary for Boston residents to succeed in today’s evolving job market.

Congresswoman Pressley visited the East Boston YMCA last week for a panel discussion with local leaders to celebrate the funding. Video of the speaking program is available here and photos from the event are available here.

“I am proud to deliver $1 million in direct federal funds that we secured for Boston’s adult digital literacy initiative, which will expand access to digital skills, close gaps in our workforce development programs, and open doors for our workers to grow and thrive,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “I’m grateful to Mayor Wu and our local leaders for theirpartnership in bringing much-deserved digital literacy opportunities to our city.”

“Closing the digital literacy gap is critical in our work to make Boston a city for everyone,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Every resident across our neighborhoods deserves to be equipped with the digital skills they need to access resources, secure good jobs in an evolving economy and be connected to more opportunities. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Pressley for securing this vital funding and look forward to coordinating with all of our partners to advance this important work forward.”

This announcement expands residents’ opportunities for job training and educational opportunities while working to close digital literacy gaps. In 2022, the City of Boston’s Office of Workforce Development, led by the Worker Empowerment Cabinet, piloted the Digital Literacy Initiative (“DigLit”) in partnership with World Education to address digital access gaps identified through extensive community-engaged research. The pilot, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, supported 25 Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs that collectively serve 3,500 students annually. The pilot also yielded successful results for the participating programs, including the increased use of digital tools, instructional software, communication tools, and technology used for instruction. A pivotal outcome of this initiative was the Boston EdTech Routine Library, a repository that contains 70+ remedial education instructional routines that integrate digital skills. 

“We believe that all residents need intentional and comprehensive access to quality education, and skills and job training to thrive in Boston,” said Chief of Worker Empowerment Trinh Nguyen. “This expansion reflects our commitment to increasing these opportunities and our collaborative approach to meeting employer demand while tapping into Boston’s talent pool. Digital literacy is no longer optional—it is critical to accessing job opportunities and economic mobility. Ensuring access to digital skills training is essential to building an inclusive economy where everyone has a fair shot at success. We are incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley whose leadership and advocacy made this investment possible. Thank you to the participating organizations whose commitment to enhancing their programming will undoubtedly result in lasting positive outcomes for our residents.”

Last week’s launch event featured a panel featuring employers from Eversource, Boston Medical Center, Dana-Farber, and life sciences alongside training providers from Just-A-Start, FCIT, and YMCA of Greater Boston. The panel was moderated by Priyanka Sharma, Director of World Education, and brought together voices from across Boston’s workforce ecosystem to explore how technology is transforming middle-skill roles, shifting skill demands, and how partnerships can better align training programs with employer needs, especially amid rapid technological shifts driven by AI.

“The YMCA of Greater Boston is deeply grateful for the City of Boston’s continued investment in digital literacy through its DigLit funding,” said David Shapiro, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Boston. “We are also grateful for the national leadership of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who garnered federal investment in this effort. It is an honor to host the DigLit 2.0 Launch event at the East Boston Y, the site of our very own culinary training program with the New England Center for Arts and Training. The event is a powerful reflection of the multi-sector commitment necessary to foster job preparation, skills, and supported career pathways. It also reflects the powerful efforts to advance digital literacy skills while strengthening the very foundation of our community – its people. Together, we will continue to uplift each other with the knowledge, skills, and pathways critical to a more inclusive, competitive, and dynamic economy and City.” 

“At World Education, we recognize that digital skills are essential for unlocking opportunities in today’s tech-driven workforce,” said Priyanka Sharma, Director of World Education. “We are proud to collaborate with the City of Boston and our partners to advance a shared vision for a stronger, more resilient workforce—one where every adult has the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving economy. Through the DigLit project, we are activating digital skills programming into training programs, expanding career pathways, and empowering Boston’s communities with greater economic mobility.” 

“Digital Literacy has become an important skill and ever more necessary in today’s workforce, it is not just the access to technology but the reliance on so many different systems and platforms,” said Macy Reed, Director of Workforce Development at Boston Medical Center (BMC). “As an employer, BMC continues to offer various skills-based classes to employees to help improve performance and career growth.”

Building on this initiative’s success, DigLit is expanding to support 20 additional Boston-based organizations:

• Asian American Civic Association
• Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center
• Breaktime United, Inc.
• Bridge Over Troubled Waters
• Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston, Inc.; El Centro Adult Education Program
• Community Work Services
• Digital Ready
• Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation
• Immigrant Family Services Institute, Inc.
• International Institute of New England
• Jamaica Plain Community Centers Adult Learning Program
• Julie’s Family Learning Program
• The Loop Lab
• Maverick Landing Community Services 
• Mothers for Justice and Equality
• New England Center for Arts & Technology
• Operation ABLE of Greater Boston, Inc.
• Somali Development Center
• St. Stephen’s Youth Programs
• The YMCA of Greater Boston

These programs will receive technical assistance provided by World Education and funds to address their digital literacy needs, allowing them to deliver effective digital literacy training and help bridge the digital equity gaps faced by their training participants. 

“Digital literacy will equip our graduates with the ability to learn more quickly and adapt to new technologies, a crucial trait for career advancement,” said Christopher Hope, Executive Director of the Loop Lab. “Their enhanced proficiency in digital tools will likely lead to greater efficiency and productivity, making them much more valuable members to their employers.”

“The DigLit Initiative will help to directly address these barriers, enhancing participants’ employability, job retention, and opportunities for career advancement,” said Ben Hires, CEO of Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center. “For many, the job search process, application submissions, and interviews have moved online, making basic computer skills a necessity.”

Footage from the launch event can be found here, and photos are here.

Rep. Pressley secured the federal funding as part of a previous spending bill for Fiscal Year 2023. Rep. Pressley has secured approximately $35 million in federal community project funding for the Massachusetts 7^th since Fiscal Year 2022.

• On October 18, 2024, Rep. Pressley visited Randolph for the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Turner Free Mobile Library, a bookmobile carrying books, movies, Wi-Fi, and other resources for community members, made possible by the $524,000 she delivered in funding for the library and STEM programming.
• On October 10, 2024, Rep. Pressley joined Just A Start, elected officials and community advocates and members for the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the Economic Mobility Hub at Rindge Commons, a 70,000-square-foot facility designed to address the evolving needs of the community.
• On June 18, 2024, Rep. Pressley visited Boston Medical Center (BMC) to celebrate $370,000 in federal community project funding she secured to support BMC’s Violence Intervention Advocacy Program.
• On June 18, 2024, Rep. Pressley visited Chelsea HealthCare Center to celebrate $1,150,000 in federal community project funding she secured to support Massachusetts General Hospital’s (MGH) efforts to address the statewide shortage of bilingual, culturally diverse mental health providers for immigrant and limited English proficiency communities.
• On April 22, 2204, Rep. Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) visited Nubian Square in Roxbury for a roundtable discussion to celebrate the $1,000,000 million in federal funding they secured for the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA).
• On March 28, 2024, Rep. Pressley visited Roxbury to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal funding she secured to provide emergency childcare support for families experiencing homelessness in the City of Boston.
• In February 2024, Rep. Pressley visited Chelsea City Hall for a roundtable and press conference to celebrate the $750,000 in federal funding she secured for the City of Chelsea’s and City of Everett’s Island End River Coastal Flood Resilience Project.
• In January 2024, Rep. Pressley visited Somerville to celebrate the $2.4 million in federal funding she secured to support the community-led transformation of the Clarendon Hill housing community, an ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse neighborhood.
• In December 2023, Rep. Pressley visited Brighton to celebrate $400,000 she delivered for Amplify Latinx’s ALX Small Business Program.
• In November 2023, Rep. Pressley visited Roxbury Community College (RCC) to celebrate $1 million in federal community project funding she secured for Northeastern University’s Roxbury Associate’s to Master’s Workforce Accelerator (RA2MWA).
• In June 2023, Rep. Pressley visited Chelsea to celebrate $2,000,000 in federal community project funding she secured to improve the Broadway Corridor—home to an array of BIPOC-owned small businesses, vibrant public spaces, high frequency public transit routes, and dense residential housing.
• In April 2023, Rep. Pressley visited Randolph to celebrate $524,000 she secured for Randolph Public Schools to support a mobile library and STEM programming.
• In March 2023, Rep. Pressley visited Dorchester to celebrate $250,000 in new Community Project Funding she secured for Big Sister Association of Greater Boston’s one-to-one mentoring and enrichment programs for girls.
• In February 2023, Rep. Pressley visited the African Community Economic Development of New England (ACEDONE) to celebrate the $643,003 in community project funding she secured for ACEDONE to support small businesses in predominately Black, brown and African immigrant communities.
• In October 2022, Rep. Pressley visited The Dimock Center in Roxbury to celebrate $1 million in federal community project funding she secured to support substance use treatment and programming at the health center. 
• In August 2022, Rep. Pressley visited Randolph to deliver $275,000 in federal community project funding for culturally responsive resources and digital literacy tools for Randolph Public Schools.
• In June 2022, Rep. Pressley visited the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology to deliver $300,000 in direct federal funding for the development of a Clean Energy Building Automation Systems certificate and associate degree program.
• In May 2022, she visited Bunker Hill Community College to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal community project funding she secured to expand the City of Boston’s Tuition-Free Community College program.
• In April 2022, she visited Randolph to deliver $1,000,000 in federal community project funding for a new school-based community health center at Randolph High School. 
• In March 2022, she visited La Colaborativa in Chelsea to celebrate the $300,000 in federal community project funding that she delivered for La Colaborativa’s COVID Employment Recovery Program.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

“This Administration continues to make history for all the wrong reasons. This is beyond the pale. The disregard for human life. The disregard for national security.”

“Under this Administration, the United States’ foreign policy is a failure. Decades of diplomatic efforts to build good will and keep the American people safe have been upended. We have an unelected billionaire gutting life-saving programs like USAID’s essential work to feed newborns and to get medicine to war zones.”

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – Today, in a speech on the House floor, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) slammed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Trump Administration officials for their blatant disregard of national security after it was revealed they shared war plans on a group chat using a phone messaging app that included aa journalist. In her remarks, Rep. Pressley demanded Hegseth’s resignation and called for everyone involved to be investigated by Congress.

A full transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks, as delivered, is available below and the full video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Calls for Pete Hegseth Resignation, Rails Against DoD for Disregarding National Security, Human Life
U.S. House of Representatives
March 26, 2025

Madam Chair, I rise today to call out the recklessness of those in this Administration entrusted with our national security.

I did not think I would see a day where someone with the highest security clearance is using a phone messaging app to treat matters of national security with such blatant disregard.

Celebrating with emojis in a group chat as they unlawfully authorize military actions.

I struggle to find a reference point.

This Administration continues to make history for all the wrong reasons.

This is beyond the pale.

The disregard for human life. The disregard for national security.

Let me just make this abundantly clear to the American people – secure channels of communication do exist to discuss classified military action. They sure as hell are not a signal group chat.

Information like this – it is imperative that it be handled with sensitivity.

Under this Administration, the United States’ foreign policy is a failure.

Decades of diplomatic efforts to build good will and keep the American people safe have been upended.

We have an unelected billionaire gutting life-saving programs like USAID’s essential work to feed newborns and to get medicine to war zones.

And meanwhile, you have a cast of characters in these roles having nothing to do with merit, but simply their fealty and loyalty to Donald Trump.

A cast of characters ordering military strikes in a group chat with a random journalist in it.

This is nothing to be cavalier about.

This is not a drill, it is not a joke, and every person involved should be investigated by Congress.

In particular, Pete Hegseth is proving himself to be grossly unqualified to lead the Department of Defense and should have never been confirmed by the Senate.

This national security failure is proof that he cannot serve this country’s best interest and I call for Pete Hegseth to resign. 

I yield.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement on reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested and detained Rumeysa Ozturk, an international student with legal status in a graduate program at Tufts University. 

“This is a horrifying violation of Rumeysa’s constitutional rights to due process and free speech. She must be immediately released,” said Rep. Pressley. “And we won’t stand by while the Trump Administration continues to abduct students with legal status and attack our fundamental freedoms.”

Yesterday, Rep. Pressley issued a statement following reports of ICE activity in Boston and other municipalities in Massachusetts.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

With the 38-State Threshold for Ratification Met, Resolution Takes Critical Step Toward Enshrining Gender Equality in Constitution

Resolution Text

WASHINGTON – Today on Equal Pay Day, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), along with Congresswomen Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), reintroduced their bicameral resolution to overcome a significant obstacle to the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). This resolution would remove an arbitrary deadline set by Congress in 1972, affirming the ERA as the 28th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex.

“For centuries, women – particularly women of color and LGBTQ+ folks – have been treated as less than – less deserving of pay, less protected by law, less free to show up as our authentic selves in a world that constantly pushes us down,” said Rep. Pressley. “By enshrining the ERA into law, we are taking the necessary step to center our most vulnerable and marginalized communities, close the gender wage gap, combat sex discrimination, reduce gender-based violence, ensure freedom over our bodies, and more. The time is now to affirm gender equality once and for all.”

“The state of Alaska ratified the ERA and amended the State Constitution in 1972, and that is a legacy I am proud to continue advocating for at the federal level,” said Senator Murkowski. “It is past time for the equal rights of women to be guaranteed in the United States Constitution, and I will continue to advocate for the passage of this resolution until that is achieved.”

“I am proud that Hawaii was the first state to ratify the ERA, but we must finally amend the Constitution to ensure that the next generation of women are guaranteed equal rights,” said Senator Hirono. “With the reintroduction of this resolution, we reaffirm our commitment to fighting for equal opportunity and equal rights for all. It has been over a century-long fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, and we won’t stop until gender equity is enshrined in the Constitution.”

“Women throughout history have fought tirelessly against sexism and inequality, refusing to accept a world that denied them their full rights. Their courage paved the way for progress—but the fight is far from over. We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Mazie Hirono, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley in reintroducing this important resolution, recognizing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. This Women’s History Month we renew our commitment to the pursuit of true gender equality. The women who came before us didn’t give up, neither will we,” said Zakiya Thomas, President & CEO, ERA Coalition.

“The Equal Rights Amendment is a short yet powerful declaration — ‘Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex,’” Congresswoman Dean said. “Words matter—and we must be explicit in our Constitution to ensure that equality is a reality for every person in our nation. I’m grateful for Congresswoman Pressley’s leadership in this century-long fight and in the enduring legacy of Congresswoman Shirley Chislom and others before us. We must expand the mission of the 19th Amendment and fulfill the promise of the ERA.”

“When I was 27, I represented my state at the National Women’s Conference in Houston—and I still have the ERA pin I wore that day. I’ve kept it all these years because the fight isn’t over. Two years ago, I went to Seneca Falls and met with the next generation of activists. Let me tell you—they are just as committed, just as fearless, as I was back then. And like me, they’re still waiting for this country to guarantee women the same constitutional protections as men,” said Congresswoman Garcia. “Those fighting against the ERA are the same ones who fear powerful women—the ones who pay us less, promote us less, and try to silence us. It’s long overdue to make the ERA the 28th Amendment of the Constitution. I stand today for justice, for fairness, and for future generations of women and girls who deserve fairness, justice, and equality of opportunities.”

“There is no deadline for equal rights,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “The United States Congress and the required number of states have ratified the Equal Rights Amendment, which is over 100 years in the making. An arbitrary deadline will not stop progress on equal rights. Now is the time for Congress to pass this resolution to ensure that we enshrine equal protections for our mothers, sisters, daughters, and grandmothers who have championed this cause.”

“Generations of women, especially women of color, have relentlessly fought for equal rights in a system that has long denied them fairness under the law — and that fight is far from over,” said Rep. McClellan. “I led the fight in Virginia to make our Commonwealth the final state needed to ratify the ERA, taking a stand on the right side of history. Now, we must finish the job by enshrining gender equality in the Constitution once and for all.”

The Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced 100 years ago to codify gender equality. Since 1923, the constitutional amendment was introduced in every session of Congress until it passed in 1972 in both the House and Senate. Congress then placed an arbitrary seven-year deadline on the ratification process before extending the deadline to 1982, but only 35 ratified the ERA before the arbitrary deadline.  However, with the recent ratifications of the ERA by Nevada in 2017, Illinois in 2018 and Virginia in 2020, the 38 states needed for certification of the ERA to be become the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has now been reached.

Ratifying the ERA, which states, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex”, would affirm women’s equality in our Constitution, enshrining the principle of women’s equality and an explicit prohibition against sex discrimination in the nation’s foundational document.

As the 28th Amendment, the ERA would serve as a new tool—for Congress, for federal agencies, and in the courts—to advance equality in the fields of workforce and pay, pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment and violence, reproductive autonomy, and protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Enshrining this protection in our Constitution also ensures enduring protections for all Americans across the country.

It would also signal to the courts that they should apply a more rigorous level of review to laws and government policies that discriminate on the basis of sex, making it more likely for them to be struck down.

Rep. Pressley, along with Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), led H.J.Res.25 in the 118^th Congress, a joint resolution to affirm the ratification of the ERA and take a critical step toward enshrining gender equality in the United States Constitution.

Text of the resolution is available here.

• In January 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement commending President Biden for declaring that the ERA is the law of the land and urging the Archivist of the United States to publish the ERA as the 28^th Amendment to the Constitution.
• In December 2024, Rep. Pressley Rep. Pressley and former Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) led over 120 colleagues on a letter urging the President to Publish the ERA.
• In January 2024, Rep. Pressley and her colleagues issued a statement on the one-year anniversary of the Equal Rights Amendment’s introduction.
• In December 2023, ahead of the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the Equal Rights Amendment in the Senate, Rep. Pressley (MA-07) and Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01) hosted a Centennial Reception Exhibit at the Library of Congress. 
• In July 2023, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Cori Bush commemorated July 21, 2023 as the 100th anniversary of when the Equal Rights Amendment was first unveiled.
• In July 2023, Rep. Pressley led her colleagues in filing a “discharge petition” that could compel the House to hold a vote on H.J. Res. 25, her joint resolution to affirm the ratification of the ERA and enshrine it as the 28^th Amendment.
• In July 2023, Rep. Pressley joined Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in unveiling a resolution recognizing the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28^th Amendment to the Constitution.
• In June 2023, during Pride Month, a coalition of LGBTQ+ grassroots organizations expressed support for H.J.Res. 25, a bicameral joint resolution to affirm the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and enshrine gender equality in the U.S. Constitution.
• In April 2023, Rep. Pressley and the Congressional Caucus on the Equal Rights Amendment rallied behind the Senate’s efforts to bring the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to a vote. Later that day, Rep. Pressley responded to the failed passage on the House Floor.
• In March 2023, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01) led their colleagues in launching the first-ever Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment.
• In March 2023 ahead of the ERA Caucus launch, Rep. Pressley delivered a powerful House floor speech commemorating the legacy and contributions of Black women at the forefront of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.
• In March 2023, on the House floor, Rep. Pressley honored the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and her contributions as a legislator, including her advocacy to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.
• In February 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Chairwoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) and the Democratic Women’s Caucus, issued a statement applauding the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
• In January 2023, Rep. Pressley and Sen. Cardin led their colleagues in introducing a bicameral, joint resolution to remove the arbitrary deadline for ratification of the ERA and recognize the amendment as a valid part of the Constitution.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement on reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Boston and other municipalities in Massachusetts.

“Boston is a safe and welcoming city. In sharp contrast, the scare tactics, fear, and division coming from this Trump Administration are causing harm and terrorizing elders, children, and families in our community,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. “ICE and CBP should immediately share information on any residents detained. This agency’s rogue behavior, performative stunts, and lack of transparency are endangering our neighbors and raises grave concerns that they aren’t operating lawfully or with any accountability. As the Congresswoman for Boston and the Massachusetts 7th, I will always work with our state and local leadership to protect the rights of our immigrant neighbors.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), the only former Division I woman athlete in Congress, released her bracket for the 2025 March Madness Women’s Basketball Championship.
“Women’s college basketball is growing at an incredible pace, inspiring the next generation of athletes to pick up a ball and chase their dreams – just like stars such as JuJu Watkins, Paige Bueckers, and so many others,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I see it firsthand with my daughters, who helped me fill out this year’s bracket. We’re all in for the Trojans and can’t wait to watch the action unfold.”
CLICK HERE or the image below to view Trahan’s 2025 March Madness Bracket

Trahan, who was recruited to play volleyball at Georgetown University, is the author of the College Athlete Economic Freedom Act, the most pro-athlete NIL legislation introduced at the federal level. She also introduced the Fair Play for Women Act to close Title IX loopholes that colleges use to overcount the number of women athletes in their programs. On the House Energy and Commerce Committee, she has been a vocal advocate for protecting the rights athletes have secured in recent years, including in a recent hearing where she raised concerns about schools’ plans to adopt a revenue-sharing model that would shortchange women athletes and violate Title IX. Last year, she invited University of California, Los Angeles Quarterback Chase Griffin to testify before Congress in opposition to legislation that would curtail athletes’ rights.
In November, Trahan led members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus in requesting that the U.S. Department of Education issue guidance on how Title IX applies to college athlete pay. Following the lawmakers’ request, the Department issued a fact sheet clarifying colleges’ obligation under Title IX to offer equal opportunity to college athletes with respect to publicity, support services, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offerings, and direct payments. In February, the Trump Administration rescinded the guidance, arguing that it lacked “a credible legal justification.”
Prior to the 2022 March Madness tournaments, Trahan partnered with Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) to host a virtual summit on inequities in college athletics. She hosted a panel with women athletes and advocates, including former Oregon Women’s Basketball player Sedona Prince, former Cornell Women’s Volleyball player Sydney Moore, and Former Division I athlete and award-winning author Katie Lever.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of House Democratic Leadership, announced her effort to reform the Privacy Act of 1974, a 51-year-old law regulating how the federal government collects, maintains, utilizes, and disseminates Americans’ personally identifiable information. In a Request for Information issued today, Trahan is requesting input from civil society groups, privacy experts, current and recently terminated government technologists, and concerned members of the public.
“Americans’ right to privacy, enshrined in our Constitution, is being fundamentally challenged. Unaccountable billionaires, inexperienced programmers, and unvetted political appointees are perpetrating the biggest government privacy scandal since Watergate, when President Nixon weaponized his access to people’s personal information to target political opponents ranging from companies to politicians to everyday Americans,” Trahan wrote.
The Privacy Act of 1974 was enacted in response to growing concerns about government surveillance and the misuse of personal information, particularly following the Watergate scandal. The law establishes safeguards for how federal agencies collect, maintain, and disclose personal records. It also grants individuals the right to access and amend their records held by federal agencies and restricts unauthorized disclosure of personal information. The Privacy Act has not been updated since its initial passage more than a half-century ago.
Over the past two months, the Trump administration has allowed Elon Musk and “Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)” staff to access Americans’ most sensitive data, including through the Treasury Department’s payment system, federal employee personnel records, student loan borrowers’ information, and disaster victims’ claims for emergency assistance. DOGE staff have even requested access to personal taxpayer data through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These data breaches have sparked at least eight lawsuits under the Privacy Act, but the Trump administration is actively trying to defeat those lawsuits and continue DOGE’s access to Americans’ personally identifiable information.
“The combination of challenges stemming from unchecked government officials and significant technological advances warrant a reevaluation of the Privacy Act of 1974 and related laws governing privacy and federal information technology,” Trahan concluded.
Answers to Trahan’s Request for Information will inform legislation to update the nation’s privacy laws, starting with the Privacy Act. Responses can be emailed to PrivacyActRFI@mail.house.gov by April 30th.
Trahan’s effort is supported by a number of former government technologists, civil liberty groups, and privacy experts.
“Reforming the Privacy Act of 1974 is essential. The government collects an incredible amount of personal and sensitive data about Americans, and while agencies can choose to adopt best practices around privacy and security, the federal enterprise lacks appropriate safeguards. The Privacy Act lacks necessary provisions to address modern challenges presented by national-scale data breaches, widespread adoption of AI, and the need for secure cross-agency information sharing. Additionally, it lacks sufficient transparency and accountability mechanisms for how agencies use emerging technologies to collect, store, and analyze personal information. Updating the Privacy Act is crucial to ensuring that it remains effective in safeguarding citizens’ data while enabling responsible and efficient governance,” said Ann Lewis, former Director of Technology Transformation Services at the General Services Administration (GSA). “I thank Rep. Trahan for her leadership in taking an important first step with this RFI.” 
“The federal government collects and stores vast quantities of personal data, much of which is sensitive and which can cause severe harm to people if wrongfully disclosed, improperly accessed, or misused. The Privacy Act serves an essential function – to protect people from these harms. The Act, however, is in desperate need of reform. It is a very old law, passed about 50 years ago, and it must be strengthened to deal with the challenges we face today. Through some misguided interpretations, the Supreme Court has unfortunately weakened the enforcement of the Privacy Act, and the Act also has many soft spots and other problems,” said Daniel J. Solove, Eugene L. and Barbara A. Bernard Professor of Intellectual Property and Technology Law at George Washington University Law School. “Given the enormity of the privacy threats we face today, the need for a stronger Privacy Act is essential.”
“The Privacy Act was enacted before the advent of the personal computer industry, so it comes as no surprise that there are questions about whether this long standing guardrail should be updated to account for today’s uses of data and technology,” said Elizabeth Laird, Director, Equity in Civic Technology at the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT). “As the past six weeks have shown, existing privacy protections that oversee the federal government’s access to and use of Americans’ most sensitive data would benefit from additional scrutiny, so we support a public, transparent inquiry.”
“The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s systems store troves of information, including sensitive financial information, consumers’ complaints about shady businesses, and investigations into companies like X. To get access, I had to undergo rigorous cybersecurity and privacy trainings, document my requests for access, and have those requests approved by my supervisor,” said Erie Meyer, former Chief Technology Officer at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). “It isn’t clear that DOGE employees have had to do any of that, and yet they were granted a level of blanket access to systems that seemingly no employee in CFPB’s history has ever received. To me, it is abundantly clear that Americans‘ privacy rights are being violated. I applaud Rep. Trahan’s effort to take a hard look at the Privacy Act, and to address privacy abuses and account for the tremendous risks posed by technologies like artificial intelligence.”
“For fifty years, the Privacy Act has stood as a bulwark against the mishandling and political weaponization of personal information held by federal agencies. But decades of technological change and the current administration’s assault on privacy underscore the urgent need to strengthen those defenses,” said John Davisson, Director of Litigation at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). “Rep. Trahan’s inquiry into how the Privacy Act should be updated and fortified could not be timelier. EPIC strongly endorses this effort, and we look forward to working together with Rep. Trahan to restore privacy protections and the rule of law to the federal government’s safekeeping of personal information.”
“I’m delighted to see the effort by Congresswoman Lori Trahan and her staff to begin the process of revising the Privacy Act of 1974,” said Bob Gellman, former Congressional staffer on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and author of the report, From the Filing Cabinet to the Cloud: Updating the Privacy Act of 1974. “There’s been a longstanding need to bring the Act up to date to account for modern approaches to privacy protection, new information technologies, and current information sharing activities.”
“Part of the reason we started We the Builders is because we were so alarmed by incursions into previously well-guarded data systems across government. Our mission is informing our readers about how the current administration’s activities could affect them. We originally joined government to deliver human-centered programs and services while protecting the privacy of Americans,” said We the Builders, a coalition of current and former federal civil servants. “We believe there are short- and long-term means of addressing this problem. Right now, we are getting information out and collaborating across a wide coalition to fight back against the degradations of service delivery. Longer term, it’s critically important we support efforts like Rep Trahan’s to modernize laws like the Privacy Act.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee, partnered with Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA)  to reintroduce the bipartisan Terms-of-service Labeling, Design and Readability (TLDR) Act, legislation requiring that online companies make their terms-of-service contracts more accessible, transparent, and understandable for consumers.
“Consumers shouldn’t have to wade through pages of dense legal jargon just to use a website or app,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Right now, companies force users into an all-or-nothing choice: agree to everything or lose access entirely. No negotiation, no alternatives, no real choice. They exploit this imbalance by burying critical terms in confusing contracts, knowing most people don’t have the time to sift through them just to send a message or make a quick purchase. The TLDR Act puts power back in consumers’ hands by requiring companies to provide clear, transparent summaries of their terms – something the American people overwhelmingly support.”
“Americans deserve the ability to make informed decisions online without having to navigate confusing pages of legal jargon,” said Senator Luján. “Far too many companies take advantage of consumers by burying critical details about their data policies and shield themselves from legal liability in complicated terms-of-service agreements. The TLDR Act will end these harmful practices and help empower and protect consumers. Informing consumers is a bipartisan issue, and I’m proud to join my colleagues to provide real choice online.”
“Nobody is going to read pages of legal jargon. Companies should be required to provide terms of service that people without a law degree can understand,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Americans have the right to know how their data is collected and used.”
Terms of service agreements, sometimes referred to as “terms-of-use” or “end user license agreements,” outline how a consumer may use a website or application. These legal documents have increased in length and complexity, leading to fewer Americans reading the terms of service before agreeing. A 2012 study found that it would take 76 work days for the average American to read the agreements for the websites and platforms they routinely use, and a 2022 poll found that nearly 9 out of every 10 Americans have agreed to a company’s terms of service without reading the contract first.
To address the potential for abuse with long, complicated terms of service agreements, the TLDR Act requires that online companies, with the exception of small businesses, include a nutrition label-style summary table at the top of their terms of service and tag the full, long-form terms with XML tags, making the agreements more accessible and understandable for consumers and researchers alike. The bill also mandates that the summary inform consumers about how their data is collected and shared, including by requiring companies to produce a graphical representation of how their consumer data is shared with third parties.
A digital copy of the TLDR Act as reintroduced can be accessed HERE. A full list of endorsing organizations and quotes of support can be accessed HERE.

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