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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

Watch Rep. Jimmy Gomez’s speech HERE.

WASHINGTON, DC – During today’s House Ways and Means Committee markup, Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) — Chair of the first-ever Congressional Renters Caucus — introduced an amendment that would have delivered direct down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers and incentivized the construction of affordable starter homes. Despite the growing housing affordability crisis, House Republicans blocked the amendment from even receiving a vote.

“This markup should be focused on the needs of the working and middle class–not giving tax breaks to billionaires and fortune 500s paid for by slashing essential programs for workers and families like Medicaid and SNAP,” said Rep. Gomez. “If we can find the money to give tax breaks for massive corporations and billionaires, we should find the money to help average Americans own their home.”

Rep. Gomez sharply criticized the Republican provision to create a so-called “MAGA” savings account for kids: “Republicans have done almost nothing in this massive tax giveaway to actually help Americans buy a home. Creating $1,000 tax-free investment accounts for kids is too little, far too late—especially for Millennials and Gen Z Americans trying to buy a house for their families right now. That’s why I proposed an amendment that would use our tax code to boost homeownership.”

Gomez’s amendment, named the Affordable Homeownership for All (AHOA) Act, would have:

• Provided first-time homebuyers with a tax credit of up to $65,000 to cover down payments or closing costs—paid directly at the time they buy their home.
• Created a new tax credit for developers to build reasonably sized, affordable starter homes—15% of qualified construction costs, rising to 30% if sold to a first-time homebuyer.

A recent national survey found that 67% of Americans now believe homeownership is an unrealistic goal for younger generations. In LA, the median home price has now surpassed $1 million, putting homeownership even further out of reach for families in Gomez’s district and across the country.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

Watch Rep. Jimmy Gomez’s remarks HERE.

WASHINGTON, DC — During a House Ways and Means Committee hearing today, Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Chair of the Congressional Dads Caucus, introduced an amendment to improve the federal tax credit for businesses that offer paid family and medical leave. The amendment would have made the existing credit — originally passed in the Republican 2017 tax law — work better for working families. But House Republicans blocked it.

“Paid family leave is also about being there when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer or a terminal illness,” said Rep. Gomez. “It’s about being there during the most vulnerable and emotional times in someone’s life. If you want to be pro-family, support this amendment. Show people that you’re thinking about them.”

Rep. Gomez’s amendment would have tripled the credit for small businesses to 75%; increased the credit for larger businesses to 50%; protected workers by requiring job security, continued health benefits, and banning retaliation; and reimbursed states that already run paid leave programs. Today, fewer than 1,000 businesses claim the existing paid leave tax credit—showing how limited it’s been since Republicans first passed it in 2017.

As Dads Caucus Chairman, Rep. Gomez is leading a growing coalition of more than 45 members—including three senators: Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Adam Schiff (D-CA)—in advocating for family-friendly policies that help working families afford their mortgages, rent, child care, and everyday essentials. Learn more about the Dads Caucus here and read the Dads Caucus 118th Congress report here.

For more updates from Congressman Gomez, follow @RepJimmyGomez on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – During today’s House Energy and Commerce Committee markup on reconciliation legislation, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) forcefully opposed proposed House Republicans’ Medicaid cuts by highlighting the devastating impact they would have on people with disabilities. She shared the story of Philip, a Haverhill resident whose independence and daily care depend on Medicaid-funded programs.
“Philip and millions of Americans across our country like him are not fat to be trimmed or waste to be rooted out by politicians in Washington. They’re hardworking Americans trying to live their lives with dignity and make their communities better,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “They’re our constituents. They need you to vote no on this bill. They need you to stand up to Donald Trump and protect Medicaid. Protect the independence of Americans with disabilities. And if you can’t do that – at least have the courage to look at the American people, people like Philip, in the eyes while you take it all away.”
CLICK HERE or the image below to view Trahan’s remarks during the Committee’s consideration of reconciliation legislation. A transcript is embedded below.

“For individuals like my son Philip, Medicaid is a lifeline. If funding is cut, it will devastate his life and the lives of many others who depend on these essential services. Medicaid funds the programs that allow Philip to engage in meaningful activities, such as volunteering with Meals on Wheels, helping to train service dogs, or caring for guinea pigs at the Guinea Pig Sanctuary. These programs give him the chance to contribute to society in ways that are vital for his sense of purpose and independence. Without Medicaid, these programs could disappear, and Philip would lose the opportunity to continue making a difference,” said Philip’s mother, Anne. “If Medicaid cuts happen, it won’t just impact Philip. Organizations like The Arc, which offer vital extracurricular activities such as dances, bowling, and other community events, would face significant cuts. These programs are essential for people with disabilities, providing opportunities for social interaction, independence, and personal growth – opportunities they could lose if Medicaid funding is reduced. I urge you not to dismiss this as a non-issue, because no one can guarantee that the disability community will be unaffected by Medicaid cuts. The reality is that these cuts will harm people with disabilities – including my son.”
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is currently marking up House Republicans’ reconciliation package that, according to the Congressional Budget Office, would cut $715 billion from Medicaid and eliminate health coverage for at least 13.7 million Americans. The bill would also implement burdensome paperwork requirements that jeopardize Medicaid coverage for 954,000 Massachusetts residents, nearly half of all MassHealth enrollees in the Commonwealth, and impact another 392,790 individuals who receive coverage thanks to the expansion of the Affordable Care Act.
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Congresswoman Lori Trahan
Remarks As Delivered
House Energy and Commerce Committee Reconciliation Markup
May 13, 2025
It may be easy to sit here in Washington without having to face the people who will feel the impact of a bill that will strip millions of Americans of their health coverage – easy because you don’t have to look them in the eyes or hear their stories.
Let’s open the doors and allow the American people who have stood in line fill the open seats, first and foremost. In the meantime, let me share just one story from my district. 
This is a photo of Philip, a resident of Haverhill, Massachusetts. Philip has a disability, but that hasn’t stopped him from giving back – whether volunteering with Meals on Wheels, training service dogs, or caring for animals at a sanctuary. He does all this because of Medicaid. 
Medicaid funds the programs that help Philip gain skills, stay engaged, and remain independent. Medicaid isn’t just a health care program – it’s a foundation for independence for people with disabilities like Philip, who want to live their lives with dignity.
In Philip’s case, Medicaid funds Opportunity Works and Community Works, a program that helps folks build job skills, engage in volunteer work, and participate meaningfully in society. These initiatives don’t just keep Philip busy – they give him purpose. They help him grow, contribute to, and connect with his community.
But here’s why I’m telling Philip’s story. This bill – this “big, beautiful bill” as Donald Trump has described it – will slash the federal Medicaid funding that Philip’s program depends on.
And I know my Republican colleagues will say that states should make up for it – but they know that’s not possible. They know that when funds are cut, it’s initiatives like these that are always first on the chopping block.
So what then happens to Philip? He loses a lot more than a routine. He loses access to his community, his sense of contribution, his independence.
Mr. Chairman, Philip and millions of Americans across our country like him are not fat to be trimmed or waste to be rooted out by disingenuous politicians in Washington. They’re hardworking Americans trying to live their lives with dignity and make their communities better. They’re our constituents. They need you to vote no on this bill. They need you to protect Medicaid.
Protect the independence of Americans with disabilities. And if you can’t do that – at least have the courage to look at the American people, people like Philip, in the eyes while you take it all away.
I yield back.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) requested the immediate reversal of the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) decision to revoke federal grant funding for the Lowell Festival Foundation, which organizes the Lowell Folk Festival, and the Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT).
“Together, the Lowell Folk Festival and MRT represent the heart of the arts in the Third District. They showcase local musicians, actors, and artists while providing residents with meaningful opportunities to engage with culture and creativity. Their loss would be a profound setback for our community,” said Congresswoman Trahan.
Last week, the NEA notified local arts and culture organizations across the nation that their federal grants had been withdrawn. The Lowell Folk Foundation and MRT were both impacted, losing $20,000 in federal grant funding each. In her letter sent to Mary Anne Carter, who currently serves as Senior Advisor and was recently nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the vacant Chair position, Trahan pointed to the importance of both the festival and the theatre to local residents, the art community, and the region’s economy.
“The Lowell Folk Festival, organized by the Lowell Festival Foundation, is the longest-running and second largest free folk festival in the nation. For more than 40 years, with the exception of a pause during the COVID- 19 pandemic, it has been a cornerstone of the region’s cultural and economic vitality. Drawing over 150,000 attendees annually from across the country, the festival generates approximately $7 million in local economic activity each year, boosting patronage at restaurants, hotels, and institutions such as the Lowell National Historical Park,” Congresswoman Trahan wrote in the letter.
“The Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) is equally essential to the cultural fabric of the Merrimack Valley. Over the past four decades, MRT has served more than two million residents, producing seven plays annually – many of them original or world premieres. Beyond its artistic achievements, MRT is a champion for arts education, providing thousands of young people with access to theater, whether through discounted matinees or immersive youth productions with professional-level staging,” Congresswoman Trahan continued.
Trahan has long been a supporter of both the festival and MRT. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she secured $416,949 for the Lowell Festival Foundation and $544,686 for MRT to ensure they were able to resume operations. The funding came from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, which was created when Trahan voted to pass the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and supplemented later by the American Rescue Plan Act.
A copy of the letter sent today can be accessed HERE.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representatives Lori Trahan (MA-03) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the Caring for Our Seniors Act, bipartisan legislation designed to tackle two urgent challenges: the skyrocketing cost of senior care and the growing shortage of long-term care workers.
“For millions of seniors, assisted living isn’t a luxury – it’s a lifeline. But rising costs are putting that care out of reach, leaving families with nowhere to turn and caregivers stretched to their limits,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “The bipartisan Caring for Our Seniors Act will help keep these doors open, protect access to care, and ensure our seniors can age with the dignity they deserve.”
America’s senior population is on track to outnumber children within the next decade—but our long-term care system is dangerously out of sync with that reality. The cost of assisted living is rising beyond reach, the care workforce is shrinking, and families across the country are being left with fewer and fewer options.
The Caring for Our Seniors Act offers a responsible, bipartisan solution—fully funded by reallocating unspent and recovered federal COVID-era relief dollars. It creates no new burden on taxpayers and adds nothing to the national debt, while delivering targeted, lasting reforms to strengthen care for our aging population.
The Caring for Our Seniors Act takes a two-pronged approach:
•           Establishes a Senior Care Cost Reduction Program that provides eligible low-income seniors with a monthly $1,000 benefit to help cover assisted living expenses—an affordable, community-based alternative to nursing homes.
•           Expands federal workforce training programs through the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services to recruit, train, and retain the next generation of direct care professionals.
By lowering costs, strengthening the workforce, and easing long-term pressure on Medicaid, the Caring for Our Seniors Act delivers a sustainable path forward for aging in America.
“Caring for our seniors is one of our most fundamental responsibilities—and right now, we’re falling short,” said Rep Fitzpatrick. “Families are struggling to afford care, providers are facing a historic workforce shortage, and the current system is putting unsustainable pressure on taxpayers. The Caring for Our Seniors Act delivers real, practical solutions: lowering out-of-pocket costs for families, investing in training programs to grow our care workforce, and supporting more affordable care models that reduce the long-term burden on Medicaid and taxpayers. This is how we protect our seniors and build a smarter, more sustainable system for the future.”
“The Caring for Seniors Act represents a critical step forward in addressing the workforce challenges facing assisted living communities while expanding access to care for older adults in Massachusetts and beyond,” said Brian Doherty, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association. “By investing in innovative and dedicated workforce training as well as affordability and accessibility measures, this legislation strengthens our ability to meet the needs of an aging population with dignity, independence, and choice. We thank Congresswoman Trahan for her continued leadership and urge the timely passage of this bill.”
“The Caring for Seniors Act is a two-fold answer to our nation’s long-term care challenges. It both makes critical investments in our workforce and also helps to make care more affordable to more Americans,” said Maggie Elehwany, Argentum Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. “Our nation faces a steep task to recruit and retain more than 20 million workers by the year 2040. Every effort must be made to meet this need, and the Caring for Seniors Act advances common-sense and no-cost solutions to meet this objective. And as our nation grows older and more seniors will need care, the cost-reduction program will help to make access to care that much more achievable. We applaud Representatives Trahan and Fitzpatrick for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Caring for Seniors Act and look forward to working with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to advance this important bill this year.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Congressman Fitzpatrick for his leadership in introducing the bipartisan Caring for Seniors Act alongside Congresswoman Trahan,” said Susan Saxinger, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association (PALA). “This important legislation recognizes the urgent need to make assisted living more affordable for seniors and to invest in the workforce that supports them. By expanding access to care and strengthening workforce training, this bill is a meaningful step forward for our aging population and the providers who serve them.”
Key Findings Driving the Legislation:
•           Nearly 80% of older Americans cannot afford four years in assisted living or two years in a nursing home.
•           Assisted living—offering 24/7 personal care, disease management, and housing—costs half as much as skilled nursing and a third the cost of round-the-clock home care.
•           The senior living industry must fill over 20 million jobs by 2040 to meet demand.
Trahan and Fitzpatrick—both long-standing advocates for bipartisan health and aging policy—are calling on Congress to unite behind this effort to protect seniors, support caregivers, and build a long-term care system that’s ready for the future.
Read full bill text HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

Gomez: “Raise your hand if you think billionaires shouldn’t get another tax break… I think we’re missing a few hands from the other side.”

WASHINGTON, DC — In a House Ways and Means Committee markup today, Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) introduced an amendment to create a new 39.5% tax bracket on annual income over $1 billion. The proposal came after House Republicans blocked a series of Democratic amendments aimed at limiting tax breaks for those earning $400,000, $10 million, and $100 million. Rep. Gomez’s amendment was also rejected. 

“We just witnessed that the Republicans in this committee voted down amendments to stop tax breaks for those making $10 million. And we said, how about 100 million? We voted on […] $1 billion, and you still voted that down. So I don’t know what’s the limit for you guys?” said Rep. Gomez.

Gomez directly challenged Republican members who, behind closed doors and in press interviews, claimed they were open to taxing the rich: “Raise your hand if you think billionaires shouldn’t get another tax break… I think we’re missing a few hands from the other side.”

The amendment would have created a new tax bracket for ultra-high-income individuals: a 39.5% tax on income over $1 billion. Rep. Gomez concluded by saying, “There is no reason why the billionaire establishment pays a lower effective tax rate than a teacher or a firefighter or a nurse. …You want to make sure you’re not the Grand Oligarchy Party, well here’s your chance. I’m asking you to vote aye on an amendment that increases taxes on [billionaires].”

Recent reporting from ProPublica revealed that the 25 richest Americans paid an average effective federal income tax rate of just 3.4% between 2014 and 2018—far lower than many working-class families. Though some Republican lawmakers have anonymously floated support for taxing billionaires, none voted for Gomez’s amendment when given the opportunity.

For more updates from Congressman Gomez, follow @RepJimmyGomez on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

Watch Rep. Gomez’s remarks HERE.

WASHINGTON, DC — During a House Ways and Means Committee markup, Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) called out House Republicans for proposing a tax bill that raises federal taxes on Americans earning less than $30,000 a year — while giving massive tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations. Citing data from the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation, Gomez highlighted that by 2031, individuals making less than $15,000 a year would see their federal taxes increase by 74.3%, and those earning between $15,000 and $30,000 would see an increase of 20.6%.

Gomez condemned his Republican colleagues for pushing a bill that hurts the very people they claim to protect: “You have no shame when it comes to hurting working men and women in this country. I was someone who was never supposed to go to college. I worked at Subway. I worked at Target. I made $700 a week — not from 9 to 5, but from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. the next day. And I had zero health care. And you expect people in that position to believe you’re helping them? That billionaires deserve more help than they do? That’s your logic.”

Data from the Joint Committee on Taxation’s analysis of the Republican tax bill.

Gomez also called out the hypocrisy of cutting Medicaid and raising taxes on low-income parents while promoting family growth: “You want to tout a tax plan that increases taxes on people making under $30,000 a year, cuts their Medicaid, and then turns around and tells them to have more babies. That is the most insulting thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”

For more updates from Congressman Gomez, follow @RepJimmyGomez on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today as the Ways and Means Committee begins consideration of the Republican Budget Reconciliation Bill, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) issued the following statement condemning the proposal:

“Once again, Republicans are showing us exactly who they work for, and it’s not working families. Their bill doesn’t lower costs, expand care, or help the middle class. Instead, it doubles down on Trump’s tax scam: handing trillions to the ultra-rich while making the largest cuts to Medicaid in our nation’s history. 

“My district is still recovering from the devastation of the Eaton Fire, which claimed 18 lives, destroyed more than 9,400 structures, and forced 20,000 people out of their homes. In a moment when our communities need robust federal disaster assistance, affordable health coverage, housing assistance, and infrastructure investment, President Trump and Republicans are giving trillions of dollars in tax giveaways to the ultra-wealthy and corporations who need it the least. .And they’re paying for it by taking this money from those who need it the most,  pushing a plan that explodes the deficit while slashing the basic programs working families depend on to survive and rebuild. 

“If you’re angry, you should be. Call your Republican Representatives and demand they put people over profits. While they hand billions to the wealthy and gut Medicaid, Democrats are fighting to protect health care and ensure no family is left behind.”

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

Legislation would raise awareness of the importance of mental health and help increase access to culturally-competent mental health care in AANHPI communities 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) and U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) reintroduced a package of bills focused on mental health awareness for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities in observance of May as National Mental Health Awareness Month and AANHPI Heritage Month. The package included a resolution recognizing May 10^th as National AANHPI Mental Health Day, as well as the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act of 2025 to increase awareness and access to mental health care throughout the AANHPI community.

“This AANHPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, I’m honored to join Senator Hirono to reintroduce this legislative package to confront the unique mental health challenges faced by AANHPI communities,” said Rep. Chu. “The AANHPI community is the least likely of any racial or ethnic group to seek out mental health services. This disparity is largely driven by language barriers, taboos around shame, a lack of access to culturally competent care, and insufficient disaggregated data within research. As the only psychologist in Congress, I know how important it is to break down these barriers, challenge harmful misconceptions about seeking help, and ensure every community can access the mental health care they need. Recognizing May 10th as National AANHPI Mental Health Day brings long-overdue attention to the unique challenges our communities face and helps break the silence and stigma that too often surround mental health. But awareness must be matched with action, which is why the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act would invest in culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach, education, and disaggregated data collection, so we can deliver care that truly reflects and serves the full diversity of the AANHPI community.”

“As we recognize AANHPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, I am proud to lead the introduction of this legislation to bring attention to the importance of mental health well-being in the AANHPI community,” said Senator Hirono. “Too many members of our communities face economic, cultural, and language barriers preventing them from accessing critical mental health care and these bills reaffirm our commitment to breaking down those barriers. Every person deserves access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health care, and I’m glad to partner with Representative Chu as we work to invest in mental health resources, combat the stigma surrounding mental health, and ensure that every member of our communities can access the care they need and deserve.” 

According to data collected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), members of the AANHPI community have the lowest rates of mental health service utilization of any racial/ethnic group, with only 35 percent of Asian adults with a mental health problem receiving treatment in 2023. In 2023, an estimated 65 percent of the AANHPI community, who met criteria for a mental health problem, did not receive necessary treatment. And, even though suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death in the United States, it is the leading cause of death for AANHPI youth ages 10 to 24, and they are the only racial or ethnic group in this age category whose leading cause of death is suicide. In Hawaii, the suicide rate is greater than national average and the rate of suicide for Native Hawaiians is nearly double the national rate.

The National AANHPI Mental Health Day resolution recognizes the importance of mental health to the well-being of AANHPI families and communities and acknowledges the importance of raising awareness around mental health care. It also encourages health agencies to adopt policies to improve utilization of mental health services for the AANHPI community, as well as other marginalized communities.

Rep. Chu and Senator Hirono also reintroduced the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act of 2025, bicameral legislation to curb mental health stigma and help increase access to mental health care in AANHPI communities. 

Specifically, the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act would instruct SAMHSA to:

• Establish a national outreach and education mental health and substance misuse strategy for the AANHPI community by partnering with advocacy and behavioral health organizations that have an established record of serving AANHPI communities; and
• Conduct research and collect disaggregated data on the state of behavioral health among AANHPI youth and on the shortage of AANHPIs in the behavioral health workforce.

“The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association welcomes the 5th introduction of the National AANHPI Mental Health Day resolution and strongly supports the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities act,” said Dr. Pata Suyemoto, Executive Director of the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA). “This bill is critical as it provides necessary investments to reduce stigma within Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. Stigma is a driving force that keeps AANHPI individuals from seeking mental health services when they need them. This bill hopefully will improve mental health outcomes through culturally and linguistically relevant services, increased culturally trained workforce, as well as increased research on AANHPI communities.” 

“Stigma and persistent barriers have kept AANHPIs from the mental health care they deserve—leading to some of the lowest utilization rates nationwide. It’s time for change. We know that better health outcomes are attainable, but we must take legislative action to invest in a mental health care workforce and infrastructure that are culturally and linguistically appropriate,” said Juliet K. Choi, President & CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF). “The bicameral introductions of the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act and the AANHPI Mental Health Day Resolution mark vital steps toward closing the unacceptable disparities in mental health care and chronic disease treatment experienced in our communities.”

“The Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act and the establishment of a National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day are vital steps forward in addressing the unique cultural barriers that too often prevent people from seeking care,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “Together, these measures affirm that mental health is a fundamental part of public health and that every community deserves equal access to services. NAMI thanks Senator Hirono and Rep. Chu for their leadership and proudly supports this important legislation.”

The National AANHPI Mental Health Day resolution was co-led by Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10) and was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and U.S. Representatives Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA-01); Grace Meng (D-NY-06); Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15); Mark Takano (D-CA-39); Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13); Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12); Al Green (D-TX-09); Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12); Paul Tonko (D-NY-20); Derek Tran (D-CA-45); Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-CA-44); Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12); Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10); Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08); Scott H. Peters (D-CA-50); Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06); Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03); Dave Min (D-CA-47); and Robert Menendez (D-NJ-08). 

The Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and U.S. Representatives Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA-01); Grace Meng (D-NY-06); Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15); Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10); Mark Takano (D-CA-39); Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13); Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12); Al Green (D-TX-09); Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12); Paul Tonko (D-NY-20); Derek Tran (D-CA-45); and Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-CA-44). 

Both bills are endorsed by AAPI Youth Rising; Advancing Justice (AAJC); Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA); Asian Mental Health Collective; Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education; Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF); Asian Psychedelic Collective; Asian Youth Act; Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law; Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC); Japanese American Citizens League; LEAD Filipino; National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA); National Asian Pacific American Families Allied for Substance Awareness and Harm Reduction; National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA); National Partnership for New Americans; National Partnership for Women & Families; Prevention Institute; Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus; The Asian American Foundation; Thriving Asians; Thriving Twentysomethings; UCA WAVES; We Make It Matter; Wellness Ranch Equine Assisted Therapy; API Tennessee; Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders of New Jersey (AAPI NJ); Asian Counseling and Referral Service; Association for Infant Mental Health In Hawaii; Coalition for Asian American Children and Families; Hawai’i Health & Harm Reduction Center; Hawai‘i Office of Wellness and Resilience; Hep Free Hawai’i; Mental Health America of Hawaii; Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity; NAMI Hawaii (National Alliance on Mental Illness); Sakura Foundation; Yellow Chair Collective; Asian Americans for Community Involvement; Asian Mental Health Project; Centro de Ayuda y Esperanza Latina, Inc.; Filipino Mental Health Initiative of Hawaii; RAMS (Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc.); and SPEAK, a Supportive Place for Empowering Asian Americans and Kin. 

The full text of the resolution is available here. The full text of the legislation is available here.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Recently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) abruptly canceled hundreds of grants to community organizations and local governments, slashing critical funding for gun-violence prevention, addiction services, and crime-victim advocacy programs.“ As someone who has looked into the eyes of families who have just lost loved ones to gun violence, it’s deeply troubling to hear that efforts to prevent more deaths and tragedies are being dismissed as ‘wasteful spending’ by the Attorney General. This alarming justification ignores the devastating human toll of gun violence across our nation and unnecessarily risks more Americans’ lives,” said Rep. Judy Chu, whose congressional district includes Monterey Park, where 11 people died in Los Angeles County’s worst ever mass shooting in January 2023. “This is a crushing setback for our community and the rest of our country, but we will not waver.”

Since the shooting, Rep. Chu has introduced and co-led several bills to help prevent future mass shootings and gun violence in America, including the Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act, which would ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency can access gun violence prevention resources through in-language materials and culturally competent outreach. 

“I’m fighting to pass legislation that depends on the DOJ for proper implementation,” continued Rep. Chu. “By undermining these critical efforts, Republicans are endangering lives. They bear responsibility for future gun violence in America.” 

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