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Rep. Smith Statement on Trump’s First 100 Days

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

Today, Rep. Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement as President Trump reaches the end of his first 100 days in his second presidency.

“The first 100 days of Trump’s second presidency have been marked with illegal firings of federal employees, chaotic tariff policies, unconstitutional deportations without due process, and mindless cuts to essential federal programs.

“As Commander-in-Chief, President Trump should be bringing the country together to face our current economic and global challenges. Instead, he has used the last 100 days in office to further divide the American people, commit retribution, cause more economic uncertainty, and threaten global stability. From firing nuclear safety employees to cutting cancer research funding, his choices have left Americans less safe.

“As this Administration continues down this incompetent and unlawful path, it is incredibly important for citizens to remain engaged and involved in their communities. It will be equally important for Congress to stand against his policies and to build a coalition that fights for the working people. We must advocate for a better path forward and provide a reasonable alternative.”

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BACKGROUND

  • More than 280,000 United States federal civil services layoffs have been announced by the Trump Administration across 27 agencies.
    • 99 percent of USAID employees have been let go, reducing American investment in famine prevention, disease prevention, and global development and humanitarian initiatives.
    • More than 2,400 workers were fired from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including staff at the Seattle Veterans Affairs office.
    • The Trump Administration fired the employees who help make sure there are affordable, safe child care options across Washington State.
  • The Trump Administration disrupted $430 billion in federal funds from disease research to child care to veterans’ assistance.
    • Additionally, the Administration froze all disbursements of Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding with an executive order. This funding was going to projects to build new roads, fix bridges, replace lead pipes, expand broadband access, strengthen infrastructure against natural disasters.
    • The Trump Administration cut funds to the Head Start program, which provides early child care for more than 15,000 low-income children and their families.
  • President Trump boasted he would end the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine on day one, but both conflicts continue to rage on.
  • The Trump Administration has defied an order from the Supreme Court of the United States ordering that the Administration facilitate the release of a Maryland man from a mega-prison in El Salvador.
  • The Trump Administration faces more than 150 of lawsuits from state and local governments over their illegal firings, removal of promised funds, and illegal deportations.
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Bilirakis Shepherds Bipartisan Bill to Protect Victims of Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery through House

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

Washington, DC:  This week, the House passed the TAKE IT DOWN ACT, a bill Congressman Gus Bilirakis has helped shepherd through the legislative process in the House.  This bill would criminalize the publication of non-consensual, sexually exploitative images—including AI-generated deepfakes—and require platforms to remove images within 48 hours of notice.  To see Congressman Bilirakis speaking on the House Floor in support of this important bill, click here.  This bill will also help address a problem that recently occurred in Pasco County.  The Pasco Sheriff’s Office acted quickly to investigate and arrest an elementary school teacher on child pornography charges.  However, during its investigation, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office discovered that the teacher was using yearbook photos of his students to create AI-generated child erotica. While the individual was able to be charged for some of the images, there were many more images in his possession that the police were unable to charge him for. The TAKE IT DOWN Act will help to close this loophole.   The TAKE IT DOWN Act will protect and empower victims of real and deepfake NCII while respecting speech by:

  1. Criminalizing the publication of NCII in interstate commerce. The bill makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly publish NCII on social media and other online platforms. NCII is defined to include realistic, computer-generated pornographic images and videos that depict identifiable, real people. The bill also clarifies that a victim consenting to the creation of an authentic image does not mean that the victim has consented to its publication.
  2. Protecting good faith efforts to assist victims. The bill permits the good faith disclosure of NCII, such as to law enforcement, in narrow cases.
  3. Requiring websites to take down NCII upon notice from the victim. Social media and other websites would be required to have in place procedures to remove NCII, pursuant to a valid request from a victim, within 48 hours. Websites must also make reasonable efforts to remove copies of the images. The FTC is charged with enforcement of this section.
  4. Protecting lawful speech. The bill is narrowly tailored to criminalize knowingly publishing NCII without chilling lawful speech. The bill conforms to current First Amendment jurisprudence by requiring that computer-generated NCII meet a “reasonable person” test for appearing indistinguishable from an authentic image.

“I am glad we are one step closer to protecting victims of online sexual exploitation. Giving victims rights to flag non-consensual images and requiring social media companies to remove that content quickly is a pivotal and necessary change to the online landscape,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), who serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. “And by ensuring that AI-generated deep-fake content is included in these protections, Congress is showing its commitment to fighting 21st Century harms that are plaguing our children and grandchildren.  I applaud Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), August Pfluger (R-TX), and Stacey Plaskett (D-VI)  for their tireless work on this issue, as well as our entire Subcommittee for their efforts to ensure final passage in the House.  I encourage my Senate colleagues to expedite passage so it can be signed into law by President Trump.”

While nearly every state has a law protecting people from non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including 30 states with laws explicitly covering sexual deepfakes, these state laws vary in classification of crime and penalty and have uneven criminal prosecution. Further, victims struggle to have images depicting them removed from websites, increasing the likelihood the images are continuously spread and victims are retraumatized.   In 2022, Congress passed legislation creating a civil cause of action for victims to sue individuals responsible for publishing NCII. However, bringing a civil action can be incredibly impractical. It is time-consuming, expensive, and may force victims to relive trauma. Further exacerbating the problem, it is not always clear who is responsible for publishing the NCII.  The TAKE IT DOWN Act has received widespread support from over 100 organizations, including victim advocacy groups, law enforcement, and tech industry leaders.  Leaders from both large and small social media platforms, dating apps, and tech organizations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Internet Works, are rallying behind the bipartisan legislation. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, spearheaded a letter with 23 additional groups calling for the swift passage of this bill. The National Fraternal Order of Police has also sent a letter to Senate leadership endorsing the legislation. In November 2024, the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, Microsoft, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) sent a letter to Senate and House leadership urging the passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act.

 

 

 

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Rep. Castro Introduces Resolution of Inquiry Compelling the Administration to Release Records to Justify Deportation of Individuals

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

April 29, 2025

The Resolution of Inquiry (ROI) comes amidst the deportations of individuals without due process to El Salvadoran gulags

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced a Resolution of Inquiry (ROI), a procedural tool that directs the Trump Administration to provide Congress with all records – created on or after January 20th, 2025 – relating to the removal of United States individuals to El Salvador. The President is requested, and the Secretary of State is directed, to transmit these records, including agreements, funding and legal justifications, to the U.S. House of Representatives no later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution.

“The Trump Administration has provided no legal and legitimate justification for the unfounded deportation of individuals to El Salvador’s most brutal gulags. Kilmar Abrego Garcia and others are rotting in the bowels of these barbaric prisons despite irrefutable court orders – from the Supreme Court down – that have instructed the return of Mr. Abrego Garcia and other individuals. Now, they are setting in motion the deportation of U.S. citizens without cause.

“Every government official who serves our country makes a commitment to uphold the rule of law. Donald Trump and his Administration have disgraced our Constitution – slashing due process and every legal tenet that holds our democracy together. Each day they go unchecked is another day our democracy and our rights are assaulted.

“Any government official propagating this disaster is breaking the law. I am demanding that the President, the Secretary of State, and other officials involved transmit all records – from agreements made with the Government of El Salvador, to funding provided by the United States, to salient documents and communications – that justify these unconstitutional actions. We will not stop until the Administration is held accountable and Mr. Abrego Garcia and others are brought home.”

Background:

A resolution of inquiry (ROI) is a simple resolution that makes a direct request or demand of the President or the head of an executive department to furnish the House with specific information and documentation in the Administration’s possession to justify any action taken by the Administration.

Congressman Castro’s ROI demands that the President transmit to the U.S. House of Representatives no later than 14 days after the adoption of this resolution, copies of all:

  • Documents, charts, or tables, including notes from meetings, audio recordings, all email and telephone records, correspondence, and AI large language model conversation transcripts related to the deportation of individuals to El Salvador;
  • Agreements or arrangements made with the Government of El Salvador regarding the removal of individuals from the United States to El Salvador and the detention of those individuals by the Government of El Salvador, including on behalf of the United States;
  • Funding provided by the United States to the Government of El Salvador to support the detention of individuals;
  • And legal justification for such agreements.
A PDF of the resolution can be found here.
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Griffith Statement on National Fentanyl Awareness Day

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The United States of America recognizes April 29, 2025, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Families in Virginia’s Ninth District are far too familiar with the devastating impacts of illicit fentanyl on our communities. I will continue to push for federal policies that help the country tackle the fentanyl epidemic, such as my HALT Fentanyl Act. I would like to thank all local law enforcement officials and first responders who work to protect Virginia communities from the scourge of illicit fentanyl.”

BACKGROUND

Rep. Griffith is a chief sponsor of H.R. 27, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act. The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently classify lethal fentanyl-related substances, also known as analogues, as Schedule I substances, closing a dangerous loophole traffickers are exploiting.

The bill also enables a streamlined registration process for medical research into fentanyl-related substances.

H.R. 27 passed the U.S. House of Representatives on February 6, 2025.

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Congresswoman Norma Torres Urges Immediate Action to Protect U.S. Citizen Children Wrongfully Deported by Trump Administration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

April 29, 2025

Sends Letter to Honduran President Castro Calling for Swift Assistance for American Children in Need of Urgent Medical Care and Repatriation

Washington, D.C. –  Congresswoman Norma J. Torres sent a letter to President Xiomara Castro of Honduras today, urging immediate action to protect U.S. citizen children who were unlawfully removed from the United States by the Trump Administration. The letter follows recent reports that several American children were forcibly removed from the country, in violation of their constitutional rights.

The Congresswoman expressed grave concern over the illegal actions that saw these U.S. citizen children, some of whom are in desperate need of medical care, being removed from the United States without due process. One child, a 4-year-old with stage 4 cancer, is among those affected.

“It is unconstitutional and immoral to cast out American children from the United States. These children must be allowed to return to the U.S. immediately, and their well-being must be prioritized,” said Congresswoman Torres. “I urgently seek your help to ensure they receive the care and protection they deserve.”

The letter emphasizes the need for immediate support in reuniting the children with their families and ensuring their safety, especially for those in critical health conditions. She reminded President Castro of the successful cooperation between the U.S. and Honduras under the Central America Women and Children Protection Act, which Torres championed, and urged her to continue that partnership to protect vulnerable children.

The Congresswoman is committed to safeguarding all children, regardless of their immigration status, and underscoring that the Trump Administration’s actions represent a direct violation of the law and the values that the United States was founded on.

Full letter 

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Congressman Allen Celebrates President Trump’s 100th Day in Office

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Congressman Allen Celebrates President Trump’s 100th Day in Office

Washington, April 29, 2025

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement celebrating President Donald J. Trump’s 100th day in office:

“President Trump’s first 100 days back in the White House can be defined with four words: promises made, promises kept. At a rapid pace, the Trump Administration has delivered a secure border, lower costs for daily essentials like gas and eggs, energy independence, job growth, and the list goes on. 77 million people voted for change, and that’s exactly what President Trump has brought to Washington, D.C. In just 100 days, America is stronger, safer, and more secure, and I look forward to our continued work on behalf of American families.”

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Rep. Jimmy Gomez Calls on SBA to Step Up and Support Content Creators and the Digital Creator Economy

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

Rep. Gomez is calling for more tailored small business resources for digital entrepreneurs fueling a $250 billion industry

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) is calling on the Small Business Administration (SBA) to step up support for content creators—an increasingly powerful part of the small business economy. In a letter to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, Rep. Gomez urged the agency to provide more services and resources tailored to the unique needs of digital entrepreneurs who are building businesses on social platforms.

“The content creator economy is a robust economic and social infrastructure which has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. This growth has driven a major shift in our social and economic ecosystem as online social platforms have become an epicenter for ideas and commerce,” wrote Rep. Gomez. “I write to urge the Small Business Administration to support this fast-growing industry by providing services and programs that will help content creator small businesses continue to thrive and contribute to our economy.”

“Content creators and influencers form the backbone of this thriving economic sector and represent a rapidly expanding segment of small business entrepreneurs across the country. Their innovative contributions fuel job creation, shape consumer spending habits, and spark growth in our economy,” continued Rep. Gomez. “My district in Los Angeles in particular serves as a global hub for content creation due to its deep roots in media and entertainment as well as a rich history as home to a thriving, diverse community of creative talent.”

Rep. Gomez is demanding the SBA to outline how it is helping creators with key challenges like taxes, intellectual property, business loans, and managing irregular income. His push comes as more Americans build careers through platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. According to Goldman Sachs, content creators and influencers collectively form an over $250 billion creator economy that is projected to grow to nearly $500 billion within the next four years. This effort builds on Rep. Gomez’s January listening session with leading social media influencers, held just days before a potential TikTok ban. There, he emphasized the need for better tax and legal support for creators, and reaffirmed his opposition to policies that would harm the digital creator economy.

You can read the full letter HERE.

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Latta, Dingell Statement on DOT Automated Vehicle Framework

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Latta, Dingell Statement on DOT Automated Vehicle Framework

Washington, April 25, 2025 | Ashley Juhn (202-225-6405)

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH-05) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), co-chairs of the Congressional Autonomous Vehicle Caucus, released the following statement on the Department of Transportation’s recently announced Automated Vehicle (AV) Framework:

“If we want to keep the United States at the forefront of innovation, manufacturing, and safety, it is critical we establish a federal regulatory framework for the deployment of Autonomous Vehicles (AV). The framework proposed by NHTSA is a step in the right direction, but Congress must still pass a federal regulatory framework into law. As this framework is created, we must ensure all the relevant voices are at the table, including industry partners, labor, safety groups, disability rights advocates, and others. We firmly believe in the promise of AV technology: improved safety, expanded mobility, and greater economic prosperity, and we will introduce a bill to establish a legislative framework that supports these goals. We are encouraged that the Administration is making this a top priority and look forward to working with the Department of Transportation.”

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House Passes Latta’s ROUTERS Act and NTIA Reauthorization Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

House Passes Latta’s ROUTERS Act and NTIA Reauthorization Act

Washington, April 28, 2026 | Ashley Juhn (202-225-6405)

Today, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Bob Latta’s (R-OH5) ROUTERS Act and the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) Reauthorization Act, two bipartisan pieces of legislation that will safeguard and increase American taxpayer access to connectivity.

The ROUTERS ACT will safeguard Americans’ communications networks from foreign-adversary controlled technology, including routers, modems, or devices that combine both. This legislation was previously passed by the House of Representatives in the last Congress.

TheNTIA Reauthorization Act will reauthorize the NTIA for the first time in 30 years and improve the management of spectrum as well as update the mission and functions of the agency. Similar legislation was previously passed by the House of Representatives in the last Congress.

“Routers and modems are critical components of our communications network—they serve as the gateway through which the public accesses the Internet. Today’s House passage of my bill, the ROUTERS Act, brings us one step closer to protecting American privacy by ensuring that bad actors cannot exploit vulnerabilities in routers to infect users’ computers, steal their information, or disrupt their networks,” Latta said. “The National Telecommunications and Information Administration plays a vital role in safeguarding and advancing our nation’s telecommunications infrastructure, and my resolution will reauthorize the NTIA for the first time in 30 years. I applaud my House colleagues for supporting this important resolution.”

“The NTIA Reauthorization Act and the ROUTERS Act are critical pieces of legislation for securing our communications infrastructure and improving America’s economic competitiveness. I thank Rep. Latta for his work pushing these bills across the finish line, as they will set our country up for continued success in the digital age,” said Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

To read the bill text of the ROUTERS Act, click HERE.

To read the bill text of the NTIA Resolution, click HERE.
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Stefanik on President Trump’s First 100 Days: Promises Made, Promises Kept

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (21st District of New York)

Stefanik on President Trump’s First 100 Days: Promises Made, Promises Kept | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

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