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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS — Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) submitted written testimony to both the Texas Senate and Texas House Redistricting Committees demanding that both bodies host an in-person redistricting field hearing in South Texas.  

Congressman Gonzalez is fighting to ensure that South Texas voices are heard as the committees hear from Texans in other parts of the state as part of the ongoing redistricting process.  

The full testimony is as follows: 

Chairman King and Chairman Vasut:  

As the United States Congressman proudly serving the 34th Congressional District of Texas, I write to convey my written testimony to this committee. First and foremost, I would like to assure that the record reflects the following: never in the history of our country have we seen the Governor of Texas bow down to a New Yorker. Gone are the days of tenacious and fiercely independent leadership in the Lone Star State.    

I am ashamed to see such a blatant attempt to sell out Texans and shut out key communities – like my own in the Rio Grande Valley – from the process. Our community is strong, and we deserve to be properly represented during both this process and in Congress. I wrote to you all just a few days ago urging you to schedule a field hearing – in-person, not virtual – in the Rio Grande Valley, where all of our citizens have the opportunity to participate if they so choose.  

My district is a hardworking and rapidly growing community of over 778,000 South Texans. It is home to SpaceX’s Starbase, two liquefied natural gas facilities, and the Port of Brownsville, the only deepwater port on the United States – Mexico Border, not to mention a multitude of land ports of entry that are economic drivers on not just the state scale, but on the international scale. 

 With all that we have to offer, our region finds it wholly unacceptable and disgusting that metropolitan areas such as Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth (Arlington), and Austin  are afforded hearings for their populations, but the Rio Grande Valley, an entire region of the state, won’t have a physical hearing before our legislature decides to cheat the system and silence our voice. I am not asking for you to move heaven and earth, we are only asking for the Rio Grande Valley have the same opportunity as people in other parts of Texas – not have to travel hundreds of miles to do so.  

Therefore, I urge the Texas House and/or Senate Select Committees on Congressional Redistricting to hold an official and in-person field hearing in the Rio Grande Valley that is accessible to all voters in our region. I remind the committees that the voters of Texas are watching closely, and they will remember this on election day. We will not be silenced. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) and Congresswomen Judy Chu (CA-28), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-38), and Veronica Escobar (TX-16), introduced the Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025. This bill would require immigration enforcement officers to clearly display visible identification during public enforcement actions. 

As the Trump Administration continues to carry out its mass deportation agenda, there have been an increase in civil enforcement action involving officers wearing unmarked tactical gear, concealing clothing, and face coverings that obscure both agency affiliation and personal identity. Without visible badges, names, or insignia, the general public often has no way to confirm whether they are interacting with legitimate government officials. 

By requiring immigration enforcement officers to clearly display identification, it will reduce widespread fear and confusion caused by unmarked and armed personnel detaining people during enforcement actions. The bill will also build trust between the public and immigration enforcement personnel, reduce miscommunication, and increase officer safety and credibility.  

“We’re living through a time when Americans cannot confirm whether armed and masked individuals are law enforcement officers or criminals taking advantage of this lack of transparency,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “This is a common sense fix to an issue that must be corrected to increase the safety of both the general public and our immigration enforcement personnel.”  

“In Trump’s America, immigrants are being snatched off the streets by ICE agents wearing plain clothes, face masks, and no proper identification. This isn’t about officer safety—it’s an authoritarian tactic meant to sow fear and distrust within our communities,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “Regardless of where you were born, every single person in this country has the fundamental right to know who is detaining them and why. ICE’s lawlessness must end now—the VISIBLE Act is a commonsense measure to increase transparency and trust between immigration enforcement and the communities they serve.” 

“Americans across the country have witnessed masked, armed, and unidentified individuals apprehending people, sometimes violently,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Lack of any meaningful credentials by ICE agents has even inspired criminals to easily impersonate law enforcement in an effort to deceive their victims and the public. The VISIBLE Act is common-sense legislation to help ensure both officer and public safety.” 

“Donald Trump’s mass ICE raids have indiscriminately targeted entire communities, undermined every person’s right to due process, and greenlighted ICE agents and immigration enforcement to act with impunity. We saw this happen in front of our eyes in my district in Pasadena, California where masked ICE agents targeted community members, including those on the way to assist in Eaton Fire recovery, brandished guns at innocent bystanders, and refused to identify themselves. That is why I am proud to join Representatives Gonzalez, Kamlager Dove, and Escobar in introducing the VISIBLE Act, which would prohibit all immigration enforcement officers from wearing non-medical face coverings, require them to display their name or badge number and the agency they represent, and require DHS to implement disciplinary procedures for agents’ violations of the law. All Americans deserve to know who is exercising federal immigration authority in their communities. Immigrant communities and their rights deserve to be upheld and protected, not decimated,” said Congresswoman Chu. 

Specifically, the VISIBLE Act: 

· Requires immigration enforcement officers — including DHS personnel such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), federal agents detailed to immigration operations, and deputized state or local officers — to display clearly legible identification, including their agency name or initials and either their name or badge number, in a manner that remains visible and unobscured by tactical gear or clothing; 

· Prohibits non-medical face coverings (such as masks or balaclavas) that obscure identity or facial visibility, with exceptions for environmental hazards or covert operations; and 

· Requires DHS to establish disciplinary procedures for violations, report annually to Congress on compliance, and investigate complaints through its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. 

The bill does not apply to covert or non-public facing operations, nor does it prohibit face coverings when necessary for officer safety. It also does not apply to enforcement actions conducted solely under criminal authority.  

The Senate version of the bill was introduced by Senator Alex Padilla (CA) and Senator Cory Booker (NJ).  

Read the full bill text here. 

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC), is a cosponsor of H.R. 740, the Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act, led by Chairman Mike Bost, who introduced it in January with a companion bill led by Senator Jerry Moran. The Committee voted through this bill, one of the Chairman’s top priorities, which is now eligible for consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives, as part of a considerable slate of 25 Veterans’ bills reported out last week.

“It was good to see 25 bills advanced last week by our Committee to deal with numerous Veterans’ concerns,” said Vice Chairman Amata. “Congratulations to Chairman Bost on this bill. Our Veterans nationwide want more choices and reduced wait times, including the option of seeing community providers. The bottom line is the importance of getting services to our Veterans promptly.”

H.R. 740 builds on both the MISSION Act and the CHOICE Act – two major Veterans reforms of recent years – with the goal of improving veterans’ access to care through community providers under the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA MISSION Act, officially the Modernizing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Infrastructure in Communities Act, was signed into law in June 2018 to allow broader access to community providers. 

The Veterans’ ACCESS Act would establish existing community care access standards as the baseline standard of care for veterans seeking care in the community, increase access to life-saving care, strengthen wait time standards, and create an online patient self-service scheduling system.  

The bill is supported by numerous Veteran service organizations, representing millions of Veterans, including Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Elizabeth Dole Foundation, AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Mission Roll Call (MRC), IAVA, Veteran Action, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Concerned Veterans for America, and Americans for Prosperity (AFP).

Chairman Bost said, “The Veterans’ ACCESS Act strengthens and promotes the Veterans Community Care Program. It picks up where the MISSION Act and the Choice Act started. Many of us remember the waitlist scandals of 2014. It is as clear now as then: veterans deserve healthcare choice.” He continued, “This bill would take key steps toward better care for veterans. But this is not the end of the road. We wanted to require that VA’s referral standards prioritized veterans’ preference for care. We also wanted to increase access to Residential Rehabilitation Treatment programs.”

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC), was an original cosponsor upon introduction in April of the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act, known as the SAVES Act. This week, the full Committee passed the bill, which will proceed to future consideration by the House.

“This bill substantially expands on our prior efforts to provide Veterans with trained service dogs, and builds on those successful outcomes,” said Vice Chairman Amata. “I cosponsored other good bills in previous Congresses, such as the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, and the results have been encouraging. Service Dogs are a blessing to many Veterans’ lives, and we can make this wonderful possibility available to thousands more Veterans to benefit from this aid and companionship.”

Under this legislation, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs would award grants to nonprofit organizations supporting programs providing service dogs to eligible veterans. This includes training for the service dogs, and extending the availability of this program to veteran disabilities, such as blind, deaf, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), military sexual trauma, paralysis, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

At introduction by Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) with Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), the bill was supported by a bipartisan group of 24 Members of Congress, which continues to expand. 

The previous PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, signed into law in 2021 after four years of congressional efforts, focused on Veterans learning to train their own or others’ dogs, and this new bill takes into account that successful pilot program.

Some 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more than 450,000 service members have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury over the past two decades. These veterans suffer from higher rates of depression, anxiety, joblessness, homelessness, substance use, and suicide. 

This bipartisan bill creates a VA grant program to fund nonprofit organizations providing trained service dogs to eligible veterans at no cost. The nonprofits must meet requirements, including training standards and aftercare services, and be accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or a similar organization. The program will support veterans with disabilities like PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, and more.

A host of veterans organizations have endorsed this legislation. Thousands of service dogs already help veterans with disabilities across the United States. Service dogs successfully assist with conditions like blindness, mobility impairments, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury. 

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata extends heartfelt condolences to the family and fans of George “Fiji” Veikoso, who passed away recently at age 55 in his homeland of Fiji, surrounded by loved ones. 

“We’ve lost a true ambassador of Pacific music,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Fiji’s music was more than entertainment—it was a cultural bridge that brought people together across oceans and generations. May his legacy continue with the music and his influence on the Pacific music industry live on.”

Born in Tailevu, Fiji, he began performing professionally at a young age and rose to become one of the most celebrated voices in Pacific reggae and island soul. His accolades include the 1998 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year and Favorite Entertainer of the Year, a Grammy nomination for the Island Warriors compilation, and a 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific Music Awards. He co-wrote the theme song for Baywatch Hawaii, appeared in the film Blue Crush, and released multiple beloved albums, including Evolution and Born and Raised. His song “Lia” and over 500 million global streams reflect his widespread impact.

In 2024, Fiji hosted a two-day Homecoming concert in Nadi that drew major Pacific artists and boosted the local economy by over FJD $1 million. He was supported by Fiji’s government as a cultural leader and continued to uplift the Pacific through music until his passing. 

“His spirit, rooted in love and truth, will continue to live on in every note of his music,” concluded Congresswoman Amata. “I extend my deepest condolences to his family and all who loved him. May he rest in peace.”

Ia manuia lau malaga, Fiji. Moce mada, turaga vinaka.

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming Natural Resources Committee passage of a bipartisan bill she cosponsored, the World War II Women’s Memorial Location Act, H.R. 2290, introduced by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI).

The bill authorizes the location of the World War II Women’s Memorial on or closely adjacent to the National Mall, consistent with other national memorials in the nation’s capital. 

“In World War II, when the nation was in need, millions of women stepped into key roles that strengthened the victorious Allied war effort,” said Aumua Amata. “In the near future, millions of visitors to Washington, D.C., will learn more of their efforts and hear their stories as they are honored in a new national memorial and historical repository.”

This memorial honors the more than 18 million women who served the enormous war effort across every sector of American society. The legislation is compatible with the goals of President Trump’s Executive Order 14252, “Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced it will release $5.5 billion in education funding it had illegally withheld from states, including $162 million owed to New Jersey schools:

“The Trump Administration’s decision to finally release this funding is not an act of leadership. It is a direct result of sustained public pressure, legal challenges, and bipartisan outrage. We said this freeze was illegal. We demanded action. And we made clear the consequences of playing political games with public education.

“In New Jersey alone, $162 million was withheld — funding already appropriated by Congress — and needed for afterschool programs, STEM education, and teacher training. That disruption hurt our schools and threatened the stability of the upcoming school year.

“The President’s excuse that some of these funds supported programs he disagreed with politically was a blatant overreach and a violation of the Constitution. Congress controls the purse strings, not the White House.

“This episode is a reminder that when we fight back and raise our voices, it works. I’m glad we were able to protect New Jersey’s public schools from this deeply misguided attack, but it should have never happened in the first place.”

Earlier this month, Pallone sent a letter to Trump Budget Director Russell Vought demanding the immediate release of New Jersey’s share of the frozen funding and warning the action violated Article I of the Constitution. The full letter is available here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

July 26, 2025

ICYMI This Week: Rep. Meeks Calls Out Republicans for Hiding the Epstein Files

Republicans are Lying to the American People

Trump and the Republicans have a pattern of deceiving the American people. They promised to release the Epstein files, they’re now refusing to do so and hiding them from the public. Speaker Johnson has gone so far as to adjourn the House early to avoid dealing with their self-inflicted crisis. Republicans promised transparency but have instead prioritized protecting their billionaire friends. We just saw this episode play out earlier this month with the Big Ugly Law – cutting Medicaid and SNAP to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.  Meanwhile, Democrats are leading the fight to hold them accountable and demand real answers. The American public deserves the truth—not more lies and political games from Trump and his allies.

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I’d like to hear from my constituents about how the Trump administration’s actions have affected you and your loved ones. Over the past few months, we’ve witnessed mass layoffs across government agencies, executive orders impacting various issues, threats against immigrants, potential tariffs on neighboring countries, and much more. My office is working with state and local officials to learn more about how these actions could affect our district and provide resources for people who have been affected.  Please complete the form here to explain how these actions are affecting you and the organizations, nonprofits and businesses you support.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

QUEENS, N.Y. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) and New York City Council Member Shekar Krishnan (D-Queens) unveiled the completion of an accessibility ramp at the main entrance of the Jackson Heights Post Office in Queens. 

Building the ramp has long been a priority to Jackson Heights residents, and Meng, Krishnan, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Queens), and other local lawmakers pushed for it to be installed. The new ramp will make it easier for many in the area to use the Post Office including disabled individuals, seniors, and those with strollers.

The construction of the ramp began at the end of May and the project also includes an expanded garden space. Meng and Krishnan commemorating the ramp’s completion also coincides with the same week as the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Postal Service long held that it could not build the ramp due to the historic preservation status of the Post Office. The agency also said that since the building predates the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, which requires federal facilities to be accessible to people with disabilities, it was exempt from accessibility upgrade requirements. But thanks to advocacy from members of the community and with the help of the United States Access Board, the ramp was approved after alterations were made to the stairs at the side entrance of the building.

“Installing this ramp has been a long time coming and it will allow more people in the community to have equal access to their local post office, something to which everybody is entitled,” said Congresswoman Meng. “I am proud to have fought for this needed addition to the building, and I’m thrilled that it is finally happening. It was unacceptable that the lack of a ramp created an unnecessary hurdle for many residents. Now, individuals with disabilities will have easier access to this facility. Now, seniors will be able to enter and exit the building with less difficulty. Now, those pushing strollers will no longer be forced to pick up and lug these carriages over steps. Now, it will be less hazardous for people carrying boxes or other items that they’re seeking to mail. It will make things safer and more convenient for all. It should not have taken this long to do. However, I’m grateful that we are finally here, and I am excited to see the ramp benefit those in the neighborhood for many years to come.”

“My office, in collaboration with Jackson Heights residents and local leaders, has long fought for USPS to make the neighborhood post office accessible to everyone, including people with mobility devices, seniors, and parents with strollers,” said Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez. “It took years to ensure that everyone in our community could simply send and receive their mail, but we never gave up. Thanks to the advocacy of constituents like Ms. Beverly Carroll and the enforcement efforts of the United States Access Board, we did it. Thank you to our village of community partners, allies and leaders.”

“For decades, the Jackson Heights Post Office has been inaccessible, wrongfully denying entrance to so many of our neighbors,” said Council Member Krishnan. “My office was proud to work with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Congresswoman Grace Meng, and constituents over the years to right that wrong. Now, Jackson Heights community residents, including neighbors with disabilities, parents with strollers, and individuals with heavy packages, can enter the Post Office using the same front doors as everyone else. They no longer have to visit accessible post offices in other neighborhoods or dodge trucks to get to the back entrance of ours. We’re especially thrilled that this project did not come at the cost of losing green space beloved by our community. We’ve been able to work with the Post Office to create a new, even bigger community garden maintained by residents. Today, Jackson Heights is a more accessible and greener neighborhood to live in.”

“Being part of a community means being able to access all spaces equally,” said Dr. Sachin Dev Pavithran, Executive Director of the U.S. Access Board. “When spaces are made accessible, they benefit everyone. This project is a testament to community advocacy, accessibility, and creating greener spaces that everyone can enjoy.”

“You have heard the story of how Jackson Heights waited nearly 100 years for full access,” said Beverly Carroll, a Jackson Heights resident who advocated for the ramp. “It was never for lack of trying. I consider myself fortunate to have a role in the process that brings us together today to celebrate.” 

“As a Jackson Heights resident, wheelchair user, and member of the disability community, I’m proud that the Jackson Heights Post office is finally accessible thanks to the work of Council Member Shekar Krishnan, Congresswoman Grace Meng, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,” said David Friedman,an advocate for accessible infrastructure and a teacher at P.S. 69. “For more than one decade, my only way to access my PO Box was to go up the rear loading dock ramp, ring a bell, and wait for someone to help me. Now, I, and other members of the disability community, can access the PO just like everyone else.” 

“The Jackson Heights Beautification Group has proudly been caring for and beautifying our shared public spaces for the past 38 years,” said Leslie Ellman, President of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group. “Over 10 years ago we spearheaded this garden transformation right here at the Post Office by planting native and pollinating plants and funding the installation of an irrigation system. We have also simultaneously advocated for a ramp to be installed here at the Post Office, and we are so excited to celebrate this vital improvement and to get back in the expanded garden and continue to lead in the creation of a pollinator pathway right here in Jackson Heights.” 

The Jackson Heights Post Office is located at 78-02 37^th Avenue. The ramp was unveiled this past Monday.