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

Pressley, Markey, McGovern Join Ranking Member Thompson, Rep. Carter to Conduct Oversight, Demand Accountability

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LOUISIANA – Today, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) visited the ICE detention facilities in Basile and Jena with her colleagues, where Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil are being unlawfully detained, respectively. Joined by House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Congressman Troy Carter (LA-02), Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02), the Congresswoman’s visit included direct meetings with Ms. Öztürk and Mr. Khalil, two students who have been unlawfully detained by ICE and transported to Louisiana from their homes in retaliation for their protected speech. They also met with Wendy Brito, an asylum-seeker from El Salvador and New Orleans-area resident who never returned from a regular check-in last month with ICE.

“Rümeysa Öztürk is my constituent, an accomplished scholar, and a valued member of our Massachusetts community. Like Rümeysa, Mahmoud Kahlil has committed no crime and is being punished by Donald Trump simply for exercising his right to free speech. Both are being unlawfully detained in ICE facilities a thousands miles away from home, and denied the dignity, medical care, and due process they deserve,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “We’re in Louisiana to demand answers, shine a light on this damning violation of their constitutional rights, and call for their immediate release. Our destinies are tied, and we will not allow these abuses of power to go unchecked.”

Rep. Pressley, along with Sens. Warren and Markey, have pushed for answers and action since Öztürk’s March arrest. Last month, they led over 30 lawmakers in writing to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Acting Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons, demanding information about Öztürk’s arrest and detention as well as similar incidents across the country.

Earlier this month, the lawmakers sounded the alarm on Öztürk’s medical neglect in DHS custody and renewed urgent calls for her release. Last week, Pressley, Warren and Markey demanded Secretary of State Rubio released any documents related to her arrest after a recent report indicated that an internal State Department memo concluded that the key premise underlying Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk’s arrest and detention was false. Last month, Congresswoman Pressley issued a statement condemning reports that ICE arrested and detained Rumeysa Ozturk, an international student with legal status in a graduate program at Tufts University. Earlier in the week, Rep. Pressley issued a statement following reports of ICE activity in Boston and other municipalities in Massachusetts.

During her time in Congress, Congresswoman Pressley has been a leading advocate for a just and humane criminal legal system, and has visited prisons in Texas, California, and Massachusetts to hear from detainees, advocate for them, and conduct oversight on the conditions in which they are being detained. Rep. Pressley’s visit to Louisiana is a continuation of her advocacy for a People’s Justice Guarantee, her comprehensive, decarceration-focused resolution that outlines a framework for a fair, equitable and just legal system.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) opened nominations this week for the 2025 Angels in Adoption Award for Nebraska’s Third District. Angels in Adoption, a project of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, provides Members of Congress the opportunity to honor an individual or entity from their districts for extraordinary contributions on behalf of children in need of homes. 
To make a nomination, please visit AdrianSmith.house.gov/AngelsinAdoption. Nominations must be received by May, 16th.

For more information on Angels in Adoption, please contact Smith’s Grand Island office at (308) 384-3900. 
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Honolulu, HI) — U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawai‘i – First District) announced the winners of his 2025 Congressional Art Competition at Bishop Museum, where entries were on public display.

Twenty-three art pieces were entered this year from eight schools throughout his district.

“All of this year’s contestants earned our respect for participating in a contest that featured so many quality art pieces and made it so difficult for our judges to select the winners.”

“The quantity, quality and diversity of the artwork presented was inspiring and truly showcased the range of artistic talent across my district. I’ll be very proud to highlight the winners’ work in the U.S. Capitol and my congressional offices. 

Each spring since 1982, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual arts competition to recognize and encourage artistic talents in each Congressional district. Most Members of Congress participate in sponsoring the competitions.

The winners for Case’s event this year are:

1^st Place

May Shiraishi

Grade 9

Hawai‘i Baptist Academy

Title: “Beauty Amidst the Debris”

Medium: soft pastel, plastic debris, acrylic paint

She and a guest will receive a round trip for two on Southwest Airlines to attend the National Awards Competition in Washington, D.C., among other prizes. Her image representing Hawai‘i’s 1^st Congressional District will also be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year along with those of the winners in other districts.

2^nd Place

Rai Angelo Santos

Grade 10

Farrington High School

Title: “Mother of Three”

Medium: photography

His image will be displayed in the Washington, D.C. Office of Congressman Case for one year, along with a certificate.

3^rd Place

Deinalyn Theodore

Grade 11

Farrington High School

Title: “Woven in Me”

Medium: photography

Her image will be displayed in the District Office of Congressman Case in downtown Honolulu for one year, along with a certificate.

Honorable Mention

Janelle De Castro

Grade 12

Farrington High School

Title: “Wants and Needs”

Medium: photography

“I want to especially thank our panel of judges who reviewed the works and made some very tough decisions”, said Case.

The judges included:

–      Meleanna Aluli Meyer

Meleanna Aluli Meyer is an acclaimed artist, educator, and cultural advocate known for her decades-long commitment to Hawaiian art, education, and social justice. Honored with awards like the MAMO Kumu Kukui Master Teaching Artist Award, she blends creative expression with healing and cultural preservation. Her work is deeply rooted in Hawaiian values and dedicated to empowering communities through art and culture.

–      Zoe Liu

Zoe Liu is a Hong Kong-born artist based in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, known for her evocative works exploring education, identity, and spiritual growth. A graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with top honors in Drawing and Digital Imaging, she is also the founder of Art Tent Studio and a dedicated teaching artist at institutions such as the Honolulu Museum of Art School and the Hawai‘i State Art Museum. Using ink, watercolor, and mixed media, her art delves into existential themes and reflects her meditative, teaching-informed practice.

–      Kahi Ching

Kahi Ching was born in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. He is a lifelong creative known for his versatility across painting, sculpture, bonsai, and public art. A child prodigy, he sold his first painting at age 11 and earned national recognition as a teen. With over 30 years of experience, Kahi has continually explored diverse media, valuing authenticity over convention. He is the founder of Kahi Gallery, a space dedicated to sharing his vision and supporting other artists. Today, he continues to create while balancing his artistic practice with family life

Attachments:

·        May Shiraishi with her 1^st place entry alongside Rep. Case

·        Rai Angelo Santos with his 2^nd place entry alongside Rep. Case

·        Deinalyn Theodore with her 3^rd place entry alongside Rep. Case

·        Janelle De Castro with her Honorable Mention entry alongside Rep. Case

·        Group photo with Rep. Case, art entrants and judges

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) Danny Davis (IL-07), and Linda Sánchez (CA-38) introduced the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act, legislation which would permanently expand the child and dependent care tax credit. The bill would raise the maximum credit from $1,050 to $4,000 for one child, and $2,100 to $8,000 for two or more children.

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) is the only tax credit that helps working parents offset the rising cost of child care. In 2021, Democrats successfully enhanced both the CDCTC and the Child Tax Credit because both credits are essential to support parents’ ability to provide for their families.

The current CDCTC fails to meet the needs of tens of millions of working families. Very few families receive meaningful benefit from the credit due to the extremely low phase-out level of $15,000, the low expense limits, the non-refundable nature, and the loss of benefit due to inflation. The Tax Policy Center estimates that only 13% of families with children claimed the CDCTC in 2022.

The bill increases the credit amount, expands eligibility to low-income families, makes the credit available to married couples who file separately due to high student loan debt, and retains the credit’s value over time by indexing it to inflation.

High-quality, affordable child care is essential to the economic well-being of families, businesses, and our country. Yet, child care places a major financial burden on American families. The price of child care can range from $5,357 to $17,171 per year depending on location and type of care. Astoundingly, the cost of center-based care for two children is more than the average mortgage in 41 states and more than the average annual rent in all 50 states plus DC.

“Access to affordable child care is one of the biggest barriers families face. Enhancing the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit will give parents the relief they need by supporting both families and care providers,” said DelBene. “This bill is a commonsense step toward making child care more accessible and affordable for every family.” 

“High-quality, affordable child care is essential to the economic well-being of families, businesses, and our country,” said Davis. “I am proud to lead the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act that would restore the 2021 credit so that families can receive up to $4,000 for child care for one child or up to $8,000 for two or more children, much better than the almost $600 that the typical family receives currently. This bill would strengthen the financial well-being of families and grow our economy. It is critical that Congress acts now to help working families.”

“Working parents shouldn’t have to choose between earning a paycheck and caring for their kids,” said Sánchez. “Expanding the child care tax credit will make child care more affordable and accessible, so parents can focus on their work knowing their kids are being cared for.”

“For families with young children, the cost of childcare is often unaffordable and impacts their economic opportunity—the cornerstone of child and family well-being. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) Enhancement Act of 2025 is an important effort to update the CDCTC to ensure that more families can offset their child care costs. We are grateful to Rep. Danny Davis and his longstanding efforts to support children and families in his district and across the country, and also extend that appreciation to Reps. Suzan DelBene and Linda Sanchez,” said Diana Rauner, President, Start Early.

“Often conflated with the child tax credit, the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit is one of the only tax incentives that helps working families with their child care expenses. As the cost of care increases, many families must contend with whether their current job pays enough to justify their child care expenses,” said Radha Mohan, Executive Director, Early Care & Education Consortium. “For families where one parent must leave the workforce because they cannot afford the cost of care, this often hurts the family from an economic standpoint in the long run. The CDCTC Enhancement Act helps ensure that families do not have to make this choice by providing a credit to offset the cost of care. When paired with programs such as the Child Care and Development Block Grant, this bill will ensure that many families will have reduced their child care costs by over 50%.”

“As almost any working family with young children will tell you, the cost of child care is a major source of financial stress, putting immense pressure on already tight budgets,” First Five Years Fund Executive Director Sarah Rittling. “The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement would make essential updates to the CDCTC to ensure more parents are able to keep more of what they earn to offset the high cost of care. We are grateful to Reps. Danny Davis, Suzan DelBene, and Linda Sanchez for their leadership and commitment to supporting families with young children.”

“Affordable child care isn’t a luxury—it’s the backbone of our economy,” said Yelena Tsilker, Senior Government Relations and Advocacy Director at ZERO TO THREE. “Parents of infants now face child care bills that top $16,000 a year—higher than in-state college tuition in many states. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act tackles that crisis head-on by making the CDCTC fully refundable and increasing the maximum credit, so families of every income can choose the high-quality care their babies need. This relief will keep parents in the workforce and help millions of children thrive. We applaud Representatives Davis, DelBene, and Sánchez for championing legislation that hard-working families have long awaited.” 

The bill has been endorsed by the Center for Law and Social Policy; Child Care Aware of America; Early Care and Education Consortium; First Five Years Fund; First Focus Campaign for Children; MomsRising; National Association for the Education of Young Children; National Women’s Law Center Action Fund; Save the Children; Start Early; Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM); and ZERO TO THREE.

This bill is led by Tina Smith (MN), Ron Wyden (OR), and Patty Murray (WA) in the Senate.

A copy of the bill can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Lois Frankel (FL-22), Ranking Member of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee; Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Co-Chairs of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus (RFC); and Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of the RFC International Women’s Rights Task Force sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemning the Trump Administration’s actions to terminate all international family planning programs.

The Trump Administration’s decision to terminate all international family planning programs represents a reckless and dangerous assault on reproductive health care access worldwide. These programs have long been a cornerstone of U.S. global health efforts—providing life-saving care, supporting maternal and child health, and empowering individuals with the tools to make informed reproductive choices. For decades, U.S.-funded international family planning initiatives have helped expand access to contraceptives, HIV prevention, safe childbirth, and reproductive health services across dozens of countries.

“We write to express alarm at the reckless reported cancellation of international family planning and reproductive health programs, which in Fiscal Year 2024 alone were estimated to save the lives of 34,000 women and girls, prevent 5.2 million unsafe abortions, and serve 47.6 million women and couples around the world with modern contraceptive care… The consequences of halting these programs are not hypothetical,” the Members said. “What is the Administration’s assessment of how many women and girls will be impacted by the cancellation of family planning and reproductive health programs?”

The Members also expressed their outrage that the decision to eliminate these programs jeopardizes the health and futures of millions in low- and middle-income countries, while undermining global public health progress and U.S. diplomatic credibility.

“For more than six decades, the United States has led the world in supporting voluntary international family planning and reproductive health programs… These efforts are proven to reduce unintended pregnancies, prevent maternal and child deaths, promote women’s empowerment and the ability to safely and freely grow their families, and lift families out of poverty,” the Members continued. “They also advance U.S. national interests and make our nation safer, stronger, and more prosperous by contributing to global health, stability, and economic growth.”

For full text of the letter, click here.

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)

In contrast to GOP effort to slash child care funding, this bill increases the maximum child care credit from $1,200 to $4,000 for one child or from $2,100 to $8,000 for two or more children.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Leads Legislation to Increase Market Access for Local Breweries, Wineries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the bipartisan USPS Shipping Equity Act alongside Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) to allow the United States Postal Service (USPS) to ship alcoholic beverages to consumers. 

“The wine, beer, and spirits industries are at a real disadvantage in delivering their high-quality products across the country,” said Rep. Newhouse. “While other carriers deliver alcohol, current law prohibits the United States Postal Service from doing so. This legislation supports small craft breweries and wineries in rural areas like Central Washington and offers new opportunities for market access through the USPS. I thank Rep. Subramanyam for joining me in introducing this bipartisan legislation as we work to unlock the USPS for our local producers.” 

“This prohibition era restriction on the Postal Service is unnecessary and imposes on consumers and our small businesses,” said Rep. Subramanyam. “I’m thrilled to partner with Congressman Newhouse on a bipartisan fix to expand opportunities available to our local breweries, vineyards, and distilleries and provide a new source of revenue for USPS.” 

The legislation allows the USPS to ship directly from licensed producers and retailers to consumers over the age of 21, in accordance with state and local laws at the delivery location. It levels the playing field and increases consumer and manufacturer choice while bringing in millions of dollars in revenue per year.

The legislation is supported by industry partners including the American Craft Spirits Association and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association.  

Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO of the American Craft Spirits Association, said, “We thank Representatives Newhouse and Subramanyam for their bipartisan legislation. As our small, domestic businesses have grown over the past 15 years, allowing the USPS to ship craft spirits will provide access to another important delivery option for small distillers in the U.S.  Many of those distilleries are located in rural areas where support of their local Main Street matters. Access to the thirty-one thousand post offices in the U.S. would be a game changer, helping their small businesses to succeed and grow. We hope the Congress will act soon on this important small business initiative.” 

Don Matson, President of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, said, “The NRLCA thanks Congressman Newhouse and Congressman Subramanyam for introducing the USPS Shipping Equity Act, legislation that modernizes outdated regulations and allows the Postal Service to deliver products like wine, beer, and spirits. This act promotes fairness by allowing USPS to compete on equal footing with private carriers, creating new opportunities for rural communities and small businesses to expand through USPS’s reliable service. It also generates revenue that can be reinvested to improve customer service. It’s a commonsense reform that helps USPS meet the needs of modern society and drive economic growth across the country.” 

Full bill text here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Today, U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Young Kim (CA-40) are leading a bipartisan group of more than 100 Members of Congress urging the Trump Administration to reverse its decision to halt funding opportunities through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). This move by the Administration threatens the safety and well-being of survivors of domestic and sexual violence across the country.

“OVW administers critical grant programs that provide lifesaving support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The sudden withdrawal of these funding opportunities threatens to disrupt essential services, jeopardize the stability of victim assistance programs, and undermine the bipartisan commitment to combating these forms of violence,” the lawmakers wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We respectfully urge the Department of Justice to clarify the status of these grants as soon as possible and take swift action to ensure funding remains available to support survivors and the organizations that serve them.”

“A delay or reduction in OVW funding will have devastating consequences for the countless individuals who rely on these resources for safety, legal protection, and recovery. This abrupt withdrawal of funding has created severe uncertainty that threatens the well-being of survivors who cannot afford these delays. We ask that the Department clarify its plans to rectify this situation and ensure that OVW grant funding is fully restored without further delay to continue providing care to survivors of domestic violence,” the lawmakers continued.

The OVW, established through the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), administers critical grant programs that provide lifesaving support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. For decades, OVW grants have helped law enforcement agencies, legal service providers, crisis centers, and local organizations protect survivors and prevent abuse.

The full letter can be found here.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and (R-NY) today launched the American-Made Medicines Caucus, a group focused on promoting policies to onshore and friendshore pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthen economic and national security interests and reduce America’s reliance on adversarial countries for essential medications.  Currently, the United States imports 90% of all generic drugs and ran a $127 billion trade deficit in pharmaceuticals in 2024. 

“With our overwhelming reliance on Chinese pharmaceutical products and ingredients, it’s imperative that we find ways to increase domestic manufacturing capacity and preserve consumer access to these important and lifesaving products,” Congressman Bilirakis said. “Public health and wellness should not depend on our foreign adversaries and I look forward to finding ways to address this threat through the Caucus.”

“China determines whether we have the pharmaceutical products we need in the United States to keep our citizens healthy. That is a terrifying reality, one we must address before the next public health crisis. As a pharmacist, I’m launching the American-Made Medicines Caucus with the singular focus of bringing this critical supply chain home, so that we can strengthen our national security, create jobs, and Make America Healthy Again,” said Rep. Carter. 

“We must continue to support and encourage domestic pharmaceutical medicine production in our country, strengthen our supply chains, reduce our reliance on foreign suppliers, and reinforce our pharmaceutical security. I am eager to join Congressman Carter and Congressman Bilirakis in launching the American-Made Medicines Caucus to focus on creating legislative solutions to improve the domestic production of life-saving medications and antibiotics,” said Congresswoman Tenney.