Sherman & Labor Caucus Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), along with a bipartisan group of House and Senate Members, reintroduced H.R. 20, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, a comprehensive proposal to protect workers’ right to come together and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces.

I am proud to once again help introduce the Protecting the Right to Organize Act with Congressman Bobby Scott and my House Labor Caucus colleagues,” said Congressman Sherman. “We must pass the PRO Act – and my Nationwide Right to Unionize Act – to strengthen labor rights across the country and afford every worker the opportunity to join a good-paying union job.”

The House bill was introduced by the Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01). The Senate companion was introduced by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

The PRO Act protects the basic right to join a union by:

-Holds employers accountable for violating workers’ rights by authorizing meaningful penalties, facilitating initial collective bargaining agreements, and closing loopholes that allow employers to misclassify their employees as supervisors and independent contractors.

-Empowers workers to exercise their right to organize by strengthening support for workers who suffer retaliation for exercising their rights, protecting workers’ right to support secondary boycotts, ensuring workers’ unions can collect “fair share” fees, and authorizing a private right of action for violation of workers’ rights.

-Secures free, fair, and safe union elections by preventing employers from interfering in union elections, prohibiting captive audience meetings, and requiring employers to be transparent with their workers.

For the bill text of the PRO Act, click here.

For a fact sheet on the PRO Act, click here.

For a section-by-section summary of the PRO Act, click here.

In the House of Representatives, the PRO Act is supported by 210 Representatives, including: Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-00), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Ami Bera (CA-06), Donald S Beyer (VA-08), Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Shontel M. Brown (OH-11), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Janelle S. Bynum (OR-05), Salud O. Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Troy A. Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Ed Case (HI-01), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr. (CA-31), Katherine M. Clark (MA-05), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Herbert Conaway Jr. (NJ-03), Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Donald G. Davis (NC-01), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Christopher R. Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Brian K. Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Bill Foster (IL-11), Valerie P. Foushee (NC-04), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Jared Golden (ME-02), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Adam Gray (CA-13), Al Green (TX-09), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Josh Harder (CA-09), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Jim Himes (CT-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Val T. Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hakeem S. Jeffries (NY-08), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Bill Keating (MA-09), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Timothy M. Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), John B. Larson (CT-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Susie Lee (NV-03), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), John W. Mannion (NY-22) , Doris O. Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Sarah McBride (DE-At Large), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Joseph D. Morelle (NY-25), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Richard E. Neal (MA-01), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Johnny Olszewski Jr. (MD-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Scott H. Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Stacey E. Plaskett (VI-At Large), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Josh Riley (NY-19), Luz M. Rivas (CA-29), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Bradley Scott  Schneider (IL-10), Hillary J. Scholten (MI-03), Kim Schrier (WA-08), David Scott (GA-13), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Chris H. Smith (NJ-04), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie A. Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley M. Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Marc A. Veasey (TX-33), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Eugene Simon Vindman (VA-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24). 

The PRO Act is supported by:AFL-CIO, American Federation of Musicians (AFM), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Communications Workers of America (CWA), Department of Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC), International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA), National Nurses United (NNU), National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO (TWU), United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), and United Steelworkers (USW). 

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Wasserman Schultz, Sánchez, Goldman Lead Democrats in Demanding IRS Stop Illegal Abuse of Taxpayers’ Data

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

If immigrants fear that filing taxes could expose them to deportation, many will choose not to file, reducing Federal revenues that contribute to funding public schools, health care, and disaster relief for Americans while shifting resources to the informal economy.

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

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

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

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

Read the signed letter here, or below:

Dear Ms. Krause and Secretary Noem,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

####

 

Bipartisan Legislation Reintroduced to Strengthen U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

This bill will help develop cutting-edge technologies like hydrogen and fusion energy while strengthening our shared energy infrastructure. Investing in this partnership is an investment in a cleaner, more resilient future for both nations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Wasserman Schultz, Meeks Lead Democrats to Slam Rubio’s Venezuela TPS Hypocrisy

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

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

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

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

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

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

Read the signed letter here, or below:

Dear Secretary Rubio,

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

#### 


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

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

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

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

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

Lea la carta firmada aquí o abajo:

Estimado Secretary Rubio,

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

Atentamente, 

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Every Florida Congressional Democrat Warns Trump to Avoid Cuts to Hurricane Forecasting as House Republicans Stay Uniformly Silent

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

“Investments in weather forecasting and emergency preparedness are essential to our national security and economic stability, and we strongly oppose any actions that weaken our ability to protect lives and property from natural disasters,” their letter to Office of Management & Budget Director Russell Vought said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the signed letter here, or below:

Dear Director Vought:  

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

####

Congressional Jewish Caucus Calls on Google to Restore Holocaust Remembrance, JAHM Messages

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Sundar Pichai:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We respectfully request Google swiftly take the following actions:

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

####

House Republican Leadership Statement on Committee Passage of Budget Reconciliation Resolution

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) issued the following statement after the House Budget Committee completed a successful markup and passed the FY25 budget resolution out of committee:“The budget resolution has passed through committee and House Republicans have now cleared a critical hurdle to delivering on the major priorities of President Trump’s America First agenda. From the outset of this process, we sought to ensure participation from every member of our conference and make clear that this resolution reflects our collective commitment to enacting the President’s full agenda – not just a part of it. “This is the start of the process, and we remain laser-focused on ultimately sending a bill to President Trump’s desk which, among other things, secures the border, keeps taxes low for families and job creators, restores American energy dominance, and makes government work better for all Americans.”

Scalise Statement on Release of Budget Resolution

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) issued the following statement on the release of the reconciliation budget resolution:“Today, the House Budget Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Jodey Arrington, released a budget resolution to pave the way for passage of major priorities of President Trump’s agenda. I applaud Chairman Arrington’s hard work and diligence to put together a budget resolution that will unify our conference and provide the foundation necessary to begin delivering on the mandate the American people gave us and President Trump to secure the border, produce more American energy, extend the Trump tax cuts for families and small businesses, and bring common sense to Washington rules and regulations.  “Now is the time for House Republicans to come together and start the budget reconciliation process, first in the Budget Committee and then on the House Floor, to unite behind President Trump, and make good on our promises to the American people. Let’s pass this resolution and start delivering for those hard-working families who have been struggling for too long!”

Scalise: Reconciliation Bill Looks Out for American Families

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) appeared on Fox Business Network’s Kudlow to discuss the House Republican reconciliation bill heading to committee this week. Leader Scalise highlighted the critical tax cut extensions in the bill as well as the increased work requirements and integrity measures to protect social safety net programs.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full interview. 
On promises delivered through the House’s reconciliation bill:“Larry, as you and I have talked about a number of times, you and I are both strong advocates of one big, beautiful bill for a number of reasons. You just had Russ Vought on. Russ is a great friend. Russ, we were actually talking to earlier today about some of this process. But ultimately, if you look at the various bills out there and the Senate’s doing their own thing, there’s only one bill that actually addresses all of the priorities and needs of President Trump and that’s the House bill because it doesn’t just deal with the border. We deal with the whole $175 billion that Russ Vought talked about to build the wall, to get the night vision goggles, the other technology like drones to our border agents, it deals with defense spending that we need to address. But it especially deals with making sure that we renew the Trump tax cuts and add those items like no tax on tips that President Trump talked about at every rally. This is not just a campaign platitude he laid out. He really believes in it because it’s important, and it’s something that a lot of people are counting on.“So we’re going to do all of those things in our bill. It starts with the budget. We’re finalizing the details with the Budget Committee. They’re looking to go on Thursday to actually move the budget out of committee. We still have a couple of final pieces we’re tweaking, but ultimately, Larry, I feel confident we’ll get there. Then we start the process. In the entire month of March – circle your calendar – you will see 11 different committees in the House taking action in the month of March to deliver on all of these promises. On top of that, one I didn’t even mention that will be in this one big, beautiful bill, American energy production, Larry. Finally, opening up from the Gulf of America in my district all the way up to ANWR and Alaska and every point in between. America is ready to produce more energy. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris shut it down. President Trump is going to open it back up again. It’s in our bill.”On the House’s timeline and need to achieve fair tax treatment for small businesses:“[A Thursday vote in the Budget Committee is] the plan right now. One or two little details that are important need to be worked out. We’re having conversations almost by the hour to resolve that. But we had a lot more things that needed to be worked out that we did work out, including last week when President Trump had us over to the White House, and we spent about five hours hammering out most of those details. And look, President Trump is very engaged in this. He cares about this a lot because it’s not just the campaign promises. He knows this is going to help get the economy moving again. And most important, Larry, this will put more money in the pockets of hardworking families.”If you don’t renew those tax cuts, for example, about 80% of all individual rates on American families will go up. The AMT, the alternative minimum tax, comes back and kicks middle-class families in the gut. Something known as 199A, which might not sound familiar to many people. Every small business in America knows what that means. That expires at the end of this year. That is the ability for a small business to get the same fair tax treatment that a large multinational corporation gets. You take that away from small business owners; they see about a doubling in their tax rate when a multinational corporation they compete with keeps a low 21% rate. That would crush many small businesses. We need to keep all those tax rates where they are. What Trump did in 2017 to lower those rates made America competitive, created millions of jobs, and put more money in the pockets of hardworking families. We don’t want that to go away. We want that growth and success to continue.”On stabilizing the economy by implementing work requirements and integrity measures: “You get this economy moving again like we did in 2017, you see economic growth like we’ve never seen before. And you see individual wealth, wealth for families at every income level. If you were lower middle income, you were struggling barely to get by that tax cut plan, put more money in the pockets of families, a lot of them to take a family vacation. Brett Baier asked the President in that clip you just ran, ‘How are you going to pay for it?’ Of course, nobody asked, if taxes go up on people, how do you pay for that? That would crush our economy. It would kick people who are already struggling, low and middle-income families, especially in the gut when they’re already down. Nobody seems to care about them except President Trump, which is why he got elected. But by the way, when you keep these good tax policies in place, you get that growth.”We’re also cutting waste; look at what DOGE is identifying. We’re also identifying similar waste, improper payments to people here illegally who are getting things like social security benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, programs that good hard-working Americans paid into, illegals are coming and helping bankrupt. Why don’t we protect those programs by putting those integrity measures in place? That saves real money. Put work requirements on some of these welfare programs. There are a lot of people that are turning down work: 40-year-olds, able-bodied, sitting at home, maybe living in their mom’s basement, and they are turning down work. Why should you and I have to pay them to sit at home? They can sit at home. They shouldn’t be paid by taxpayers to do that when they can work in the real world and help contribute to society. By the way, when they go work, they can get out of their mom’s basement and go get their own place. We’re going to do those things, too. That helps pay for it, plus the economic growth that absolutely will come.”On the Congressional Budget Office:“So far, Congressional Budget Office, which we fight with a lot, but unfortunately, they are the designated ‘referee’ that we have to work with. They will not give you a score right now on what DOGE is doing, even though it could well be a trillion dollars, as Elon pointed out. What you’re seeing happen over on the other side, too. I mean, all of those things will yield significant money. Nobody really knows what the tariffs, reciprocal tariffs, however you want to lay them out, yielding President Trump says, trillions of dollars, even if it’s hundreds of billions of dollars, CBO won’t score it, but it will all go to deficit reduction to actually reduce our deficit, which is good for the overall economy, for the bond markets, and for inflation. Let’s go get it. One big bill, Larry.“They’re not going to write our bill. We are. Look, you’ve got a lot more understanding of what’s going to happen than they do. But ultimately, we’ve got to get moving, and we are. We’re going to deliver for President Trump and the American people.”

Scalise: House GOP Moving Forward with One Reconciliation Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-Ariz.) to discuss House Republicans’ reconciliation bill, which will receive a markup on Thursday. Additionally, Leader Scalise highlighted the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, legislation on the floor this week focused on further preventing dangerous criminals from getting away with crime at the border.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 
On President Trump’s record pace upon returning to office:“We are just getting started, and it’s a new day, and you’re already seeing the benefits of President Trump’s aggressive approach towards turning Washington back to the people, standing up for the people of this country that have been beaten down that have been struggling under the failed policies of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for the last four years. It’s been at a rapid pace. If you compare Donald Trump’s first month in office in 2017 to what you’re seeing today, you’re watching a much more focused and aggressive president who came to Washington to finally stand up and fight for those families who have been struggling. He’s taking the lessons from his first term in delivering bigger results, faster results for the American people.”On the House’s reconciliation plan that helps secure our border:“If you look at some of the things we’re working on right now, obviously, the budget is something you may ask the Speaker about, I don’t know, maybe one or two questions, but it’s something we’ve been spending a lot of time on because it is the way that we’re going to be delivering some of the biggest commitments that were made during the election. Some of the biggest things that President Trump wants to accomplish are included in our reconciliation plan.“If you think about it, there are a lot of bills out there, a lot of ideas out there. There’s only one plan that delivers all of the commitments and priorities that President Trump has, and that’s the House plan. If you think about what we’re trying to do with first getting a budget, then getting a reconciliation bill. It’s going to be to deliver for border security, making sure that we can build the wall, making sure that we give our Border Patrol Agents the tools they need, night vision goggles, other technology like drones so that they can more safely and effectively protect and secure America’s border from the massive flow of illegals that we saw the last four years.”On House Republicans’ focus on championing American energy and preventing tax hikes:“We’re going to produce more American energy. Yes, in the Gulf of America, in ANWR, and every point in between, we’re going to deliver in that big, beautiful bill more American energy that was shut off by the Biden administration, who coddled foreign countries, made us more dependent on foreign energy, we’re going to reverse that and allow our country to deliver again. Not just creating more jobs, not just lowering costs for families at the pump and at the grocery store, which it will do, but allowing us to be energy independent again and help our allies around the world again. Exporting LNG, for example, when Biden said no to that, we’re going to be saying yes, which, again, lowers costs here at home.“Then we’re going to ensure that there are no Americans that see a tax increase. If Biden got his way, if Kamala Harris got her way, if the Democrats who are in the minority got their way, the American people would see a multi-trillion dollar tax increase. House Republicans are not going to let that happen. That’s part of our bill is to continue the tax cuts from 2017, keeping those rates stable, adding on the priorities that President Trump talked about in the campaign, like no tax on tips, and giving real certainty to our economy to create more jobs, to bring more investment into America. That’s what we’re fighting to do, and we’re going to deliver. The budget chairman indicated they may go as early as Thursday of this week in the Budget Committee to start this process. But we’re not going to stop working on this until it gets done. Failure is not an option.”On the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act:“We’re also going to continue bringing bills to the floor, and I think you heard [Chairwoman] Lisa McClain talk in detail about the bills we’re bringing. Look, when you think about this idea of illegals coming here, fleeing law enforcement and the harm it’s caused, deaths it’s caused to Border Patrol Agents and others, finally bringing a bill to make that a deportable offense. That’s a bill that got a lot of bipartisan votes last year when we brought it, but Chuck Schumer said he wasn’t going to even allow it to come up for a vote last year. Well, again, it’s a new day in the Senate, and Senator Thune and his majority are going to bring that bill to the floor when we send it over to him, and that will have a really good chance of getting to President Trump’s desk, like the Laken Riley Act, where the President will be able to sign more legislation just in his first weeks in office to deliver on those promises of securing America’s border.”