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LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON TERROR ATTACK IN KASHMIR

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

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Evans, Markey introduce legislation to support victims of gun violence

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dwight Evans (2nd District of Pennsylvania)

Bill would help the 100,000 new U.S. victims & survivors each year better navigate & use available resources

WASHINGTON (April 17, 2025) – U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd) and Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) have introduced the Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act to help all victims of gun violence – from survivors to their loved ones, coworkers, and classmates – identify and access the resources available to them to help meet medical, legal, financial, and other needs.

The bill would establish a federal interagency advisory council to help victims navigate and use these resources, streamlining what can be a complex process in a nation of gun violence survivors. Every year in America, about 100,000 people survive gun-related injuries. An estimated 10,000,000 people in the U.S. have been shot and injured in their lifetimes. 

Congressman Evans said, “While gun violence is down in Philadelphia and many other communities, it’s still far too common – more than 1,000 people were injured by gunfire just in Philadelphia in 2024.  So the list of victims and survivors who need well-coordinated help continues to grow, and our bill would make a difference for many of them,” Evans said. “I appreciate Senator Markey’s leadership in the Senate on this bill that would help so many victims and survivors across America.”

“For communities across the country, gun violence is an all too familiar tragedy. It is impossible to imagine the trauma that gun violence causes to victims, survivors, and their loved ones,” said Senator Markey. “I am proud to join Congressman Evans in introducing the Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act, which would establish an advisory council to gather information about programs to aid victims of gun violence and their families. These efforts can help heal the harm that gun violence inflicts on our society.

Evans and then-Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) first introduced the bill in 2019 after reading a Philadelphia Inquirer article about difficulties faced by victims of gun violence, titled “Shot and Forgotten.”

A PDF of the bill (H.R. 2837/S. 1466) is available here. 

The bill has 11 Senate co-sponsors: Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Richard Durbin (both D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). 

The bill has 30 House co-sponsors, including Reps. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and Seth Moulton (D-MA) – the full list is available here.  

The legislation has been referred to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees for consideration.

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Evans, Larson, DeLauro, Frankel to Introduce ‘Claws Off Social Security’ Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dwight Evans (2nd District of Pennsylvania)

Democrats push to protect struggling seniors from Trump’s drastic ‘clawbacks’

WASHINGTON (April 15, 2025) – U.S. Reps. Dwight Evans (D-PA), John Larson (D-CT), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Lois Frankel (D-FL) announced they will introduce the “Claws Off Social Security” Act, aimed at protecting struggling seniors from drastic “clawback” payments ordered by the Trump administration.

“Under a new Trump administration policy, seniors who received an overpayment because of someone else’s mistake are seeing up to their entire checks withheld, forcing some to choose between basics like food, rent and medicine. Our bill would cap these ‘clawbacks’ at a reasonable 10 percent of monthly benefits, restoring a policy the Biden administration put in place last year,” said Evans, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees Social Security.

“I’m proud to have three Social Security champions — Representatives John Larson, Rosa DeLauro and Lois Frankel – as co-lead sponsors on this bill. We are telling the Trump administration ‘Claws Off’ people’s earned benefits!”

The two-page bill would:

  • cap the Social Security Administration’s overpayment withholding rate at 10 percent of a Social Security benefit on a monthly basis;
  • allow beneficiaries the option to repay overpayment in larger amounts if they choose; and
  • allow for an exception in cases of fraud.

“Elon Musk and Donald Trump will not lose a minute of sleep over their new policy that will mean seniors may lose their entire Social Security check through no fault of their own,” said Larson, ranking member of the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee. “Social Security is an earned benefit that our seniors rely on to put food on the table, afford their medications, and keep a roof over their heads. Make no mistake about it – these ‘claw backs’ are about ripping checks out of seniors’ hands to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Our Claws Off Social Security Act is a common-sense bill to restore the Social Security Administration’s policy protecting beneficiaries from being excessively penalized for accidental overpayments. Congress must act to defend our seniors’ hard-earned benefits from this cruel policy.”

“If the government makes a mistake & overpays your monthly Social Security, the government can freeze your benefits,” said DeLauro, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee. “I led the charge to fix overpayment errors without complete clawbacks, but now, President Trump is moving policies that will rollback that progress while driving up costs for seniors. Americans rely on these benefits—they shouldn’t be punished for government errors.”

“For so many seniors, their Social Security check isn’t extra – it’s everything,” said Frankel, who serves on the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for the Social Security Administration. “It puts food on the table, keeps the lights on, and pays for the medicine they need. But under Donald Trump’s cruel new rule, seniors who’ve done nothing wrong could suddenly lose all of their income overnight – forcing them to go months or even years without a dime to live on. That’s just wrong. Our bill will restore fairness and common sense by capping repayments at 10 percent, just like it was under President Biden – because no senior should be punished into poverty for a government mistake.”

Also co-sponsoring the bill are Reps. Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Danny Davis (D-IL), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Lloyd Doggett and Sylvia Garcia (both D-TX), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib and Shri Thanedar (both D-MI), and Paul Tonko (D-NY).

Organizations endorsing the bill include the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, Justice in Aging, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and Social Security Works. 

The bill is expected to be referred to the Ways and Means Committee, on which Evans, Larson, Boyle, Davis, Doggett, Moore, Sánchez, Sewell and Suozzi serve.

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Rep. Baird Meets with Monrovia Middle School Social Studies Class to Share Insights on Legislative Process

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Rep. Baird Meets with Monrovia Middle School Social Studies Class to Share Insights on Legislative Process

Monrovia, IN, April 23, 2025

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) joined Monrovia Middle School to meet with sixth-grade students in their social studies class to share his insights into the legislative process, the importance of civic engagement, and the responsibilities of elected officials. The students asked thoughtful questions and learned about how laws are made, how Congress operates, and the role citizens play in a healthy democracy. 

“It’s always encouraging to see young Hoosiers taking an interest in how our government works, and I hope that this can inspire the next generation of leaders,” said Congressman Baird. “These students are the future of our country, and it’s important they understand that their voices matter and that they can make a difference in their communities. It was an honor to meet with these bright young students, share stories of my time serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, and discuss the importance of public service, integrity, and leadership.” 

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Rep. Mike Levin Reintroduces Legislation to Ban Drilling Off of Southern California

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

April 22, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) reintroduced the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act, which would prohibit offshore drilling along the Southern California coast, as a part of a larger initiative to ban offshore drilling in sensitive areas and protect our vibrant coastal communities.

Rep. Levin’s bill, The Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act, would prevent new leasing for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas along the Southern California coast, from San Diego to the northern border of San Luis Obispo County.

Rep. Levin introduced this bill along with:

  • Rep. Huffman’s (D-CA) West Coast Ocean Protection Act
  • Rep. Pallone’s (D-NJ) Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism (COAST) Anti-Drilling Act
  • Rep. Castor’s (D-FL) Florida Coast Protection Act
  • Rep. Carbajal’s (D-CA) California Clean Coast Act
  • Rep. Panetta’s (D-CA) Central Coast of California Conservation Act of 2025
  • Rep. Magaziner’s (D-RI) New England Coastal Protection Act of 2025
  • Rep. Ross’ (D-NC) Defend our Coast Act

These bills would prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any oil and gas lease leases or any other authorizations along the entire coast of California and in other coastal areas across the country. Together, these bills will protect valuable ecosystems and the economic viability of communities concerned about oil spills.

“I’m joining my colleagues to permanently protect our beautiful coasts and put a stop to offshore drilling in sensitive areas,” said Rep. Mike Levin. “These bills take a vitally important step in protecting our communities from the consequences of offshore drilling, especially as the Trump Administration attempts to unleash drilling on our coastline in San Diego and Orange County. The Administration wants to risk disastrous environmental impacts on our beaches, threatening our coastal economy and way of life to line the pockets of oil executives. I’m proud to join my colleagues in the California Delegation and across the country in taking a stand against offshore drilling nationwide.”

Rep. Levin has advocated extensively for a ban on offshore drilling. In November 2024, Rep. Levin sent a letter to the Biden Administration that resulted in the withdrawal of future oil and natural gas leasing in sensitive coastal areas across the country, including in Southern California. In January 2025, the Trump Administration once again opened these areas to drilling and has taken measures to expand offshore drilling and roll back environmental regulations
                          

“The Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act will protect our environment, economy, climate, and way of life from the harmful effects of offshore oil and gas development. The 2021 Amplify Energy Oil Spill off Orange County showed the damage that offshore drilling can inflict on coastal ecosystems and marine wildlife and triggered beach and fishery closures that disrupted southern California’s tourism-based economy. The Surfrider Foundation urges members of Congress to support these and other bills to permanently prohibit new offshore drilling in U.S. waters,” said Pete Stauffer, Ocean Protection Manager, Surfrider Foundation.

“Southern California’s coastal communities depend on thriving oceans and wildlife, and they know all too well the devastating costs of offshore spills, busted pipelines, and oil-covered beaches,” said Joseph Gordon, Oceana Campaign Director. “Oceana commends Congressman Levin for reintroducing this important legislation that would permanently protect the Golden State’s beloved southern coast from the dangers of oil and gas drilling and spilling. This bill is part of a state and national movement to safeguard our multi-billion-dollar coastal economies from dirty and dangerous offshore drilling.” 

“The Surf Industry Members Association is proud to support the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act. Our coastline is not just a vital economic engine—it’s the heart of our culture and way of life for millions across the region. Prohibiting new offshore oil and gas leasing in Southern California is a critical step to protect our waves, our marine ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them. We urge Congress to pass it to ensure a clean, thriving ocean for generations to come,” said Vipe Desai, Executive Director, Surf Industry Members Association

“This administration is determined to sell off our oceans to pad Big Oil pockets. Permanently protecting the waters off southern California puts coastal communities and wildlife above polluters and brings us closer to a world where our waters are free from oil spills, endangered whale populations are free from seismic blasting, and ecosystems have a chance to thrive,” said Taryn Kiekow Heimer, Director of Ocean Energy at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).  “Now more than ever, we need leadership from Congress to set us back on track to tackle climate change and protect our ocean from an industry that only cares about its bottom line.”

This legislation is endorsed by organizations including: Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Earthjustice, Oceana, Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, League of Conservation Voters, Futureswell, Ocean Conservancy, Environment America, WILDCOAST, Surf Industry Members Association, Food & Water Watch, Peace Boat US, Defenders of Wildlife, Ocean Defense Initiative, Center for Biological Diversity, The Ocean Project, Business Alliance to Protect the Pacific Coast, Animal Welfare Institute, U.S. Climate Action Network, American Bird Conservancy, Hispanic Access Foundation

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Smith, Bipartisan Colleagues Call for E15 Waiver to Provide Fuel Price Relief

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

Washington, DC — Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE), Angie Craig (D-MN), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), and Mark Pocan (D-WI) led 25 members of Congress urging the administration to lower prices at the gas pump by allowing the nationwide sale of E-15 this summer. The bipartisan letter asked President Donald Trump to extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver to permit the sale of ethanol blends up to 15 percent from June 1 through September 15, 2025 and engage directly with requests from eight Midwestern states, including Nebraska, to maintain uniform access to ethanol blends.

In the letter the members wrote:

“To safeguard our energy supply, we must preserve the home-grown, affordable option higher ethanol blends provide. The administration’s efforts to unleash American energy independence is a long-term goal but can begin in the short term with preserving flexibility in our domestic energy production and supply through this emergency waiver.”  

“Extending the nationwide sale of E15 can again bolster our nation’s energy resilience by adding billions of gallons of ethanol to the nation’s fuel supply, lowering the cost of gas for American families at a time when prices are already too high. As affirmed when you first allowed for year-round E15 in 2019, and those approved for the summers afterward, the sale of higher blends of biofuels during the summer months supports the domestic fuel supply, reduces consumer costs, and promotes American biofuels and agriculture feedstocks.”

Read full text of the letter here.

BACKGROUND:
Congressman Smith first introduced a bill to approve year-round sale of E15 in 2015.

On February 6, 2025, Smith and Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) led nearly 30 colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to EPA  Administrator Lee Zeldin. The letter emphasized the important role of the American biofuels industry in maximizing energy abundance and affordability while encouraging the EPA to issue timely and science-driven guidance to fulfill the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

On February 13, Smith and Craig introduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to enable the year-round, nationwide sale of E15. Read more about the bipartisan, bicameral legislation here.

On March 11, Smith led a bipartisan press conference highlighting grassroots support for eliminating restrictions on E15 sales.

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MENG STATEMENT ON CUTS TO SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

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

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS), released the following statement on the Administration’s decision to cut more than 400 grants funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF):

“I am deeply concerned by the Trump Administration’s decision to once again slash National Science Foundation (NSF) support for science, this time terminating more than 400 research and STEM education grants. The NSF has spent decades working to diversify our STEM workforce and support cutting-edge research that ultimately improves the lives of Americans. Its efforts to broaden participation in science have empowered our nation to become the global leader in research and innovation, leading to major discoveries and advancements in health care, manufacturing, national security, and other fields.

Under this administration, our scientific research community has already faced illegal funding freezes and staffing cuts, with detrimental consequences. Terminating federal grants supporting this work will cause even more chaos and confusion at the NSF and research institutions across the country. Opportunities are being ripped away from our most promising young minds, and the uncertainty of federal support for research and development means we will lose our top talent to other countries or careers, stunting American research and innovation for generations to come. 

Experts, not political agendas, should guide scientific research. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, I expect the NSF to meet its statutory obligations, restore this federal funding, and allow valuable research and STEM education projects to continue without political pressure.”

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Casten Statement on Senator Durbin’s Retirement

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

April 23, 2025

Downers Grove, Illinois — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding Senator Dick Durbin’s announcement that he will not seek re-election:

“Senator Dick Durbin’s career of public service is a gold standard for anyone who holds or aspires to hold public office. He has been a model and a mentor. A model in his actions, where he has always led with intellect and humility. And a mentor to all of us learning how to do the job he has done so well.   

“When I was first running in 2018, he told me that I should never judge how politicians behave if they don’t have any political capital to spend – but that I could learn a lot about politicians by how they choose to spend the political capital they have. It’s always struck me as quintessentially Durbin. Humble, in its insistence that we not rush to judgment. But insightful for understanding how others will – and should – judge us. It’s the kind of advice that makes you better at your job, just as it pushes you to be better still. May we all live up to that standard. 

“The Congress, Illinois, and the country are a better place because of his service. Thank you, Senator Durbin.”

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Huffman, Bergman Announced as Co-Chairs of Congressional National Marine Sanctuary Caucus

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

April 22, 2025

Silver Spring, MD – Today, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation announced that Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Rep. Jack Bergman (MI-01) will co-chair the bipartisan Congressional National Marine Sanctuary Caucus in the 119th Congress. 

Members of the bipartisan National Marine Sanctuary Caucus are champions of a network of underwater parks in the ocean and Great Lakes, and the coastal communities that steward and rely on them. The caucus serves as a strong voice among their peers in Congress –working to raise awareness and strengthen commitment to the National Marine Sanctuary System. The caucus will highlight the National Marine Sanctuary System’s importance to local economies and jobs, and public private partnerships in conservation, maritime heritage, outdoor tourism and recreation, and education across the country.

The caucus supports and promotes public policy that conserves our nation’s most iconic natural and cultural marine resources for all Americans; raises awareness and understanding of national marine sanctuaries and shares their successes as models for marine conservation worldwide; supports continued and robust funding for marine sanctuaries; and builds a coalition of champions for our national marine sanctuaries and our coastal communities.

“National Marine Sanctuaries are not only treasured areas that protect natural, historical, and cultural places across our oceans and lakes, but they also are essential to our coastal economies,” said Rep. Huffman. “Sanctuaries can take on any number of breathtaking natural features, from kelp forests to rocky and coral reefs and so much more – and I am honored to have not one, but two national marine sanctuaries in my district. Our spectacular underwater parks, Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank, protect critical ocean ecosystems and conserve wildlife. So I am proud to welcome my colleague, Congressman Bergman, to join me in relaunching this bipartisan caucus to raise awareness of sanctuaries and prioritize sanctuary issues on behalf of coastal communities and our nation.”

“From the freshwater shores of the Great Lakes to our Nation’s saltwater coastlines, productive maritime economies rely on fishing, tourism, recreation, and scientific research,” said Rep. Bergman. “In Michigan’s First District, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary stands as a strong example of how conservation and education can go hand-in-hand to support these industries. This caucus builds on that foundation—promoting opportunities to experience and appreciate our unique marine environments. By engaging both lawmakers and constituents in the importance of protecting these habitats, we’re helping to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from the natural resources that define our way of life.”

“We welcome Rep. Jack Bergman and returning co-chair Rep. Jared Huffman to their leadership of the House National Marine Sanctuary Caucus, and we thank the entire caucus for their commitment to these special waters valued by all Americans. We look forward to working with the caucus leaders to protect and restore our most treasured habitat and heritage in our ocean and Great Lakes and catalyzing more opportunities for the coastal communities who rely on national marine sanctuaries,” said Joel Johnson, president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

Alongside the co-chairs, the current membership of the Congressional National Marine Sanctuary Caucus includes Representatives Nanette Barragan (D-CA);  Don Beyer (D-VA); Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR); Julia Brownley (D-CA); Salud Carbajal (D-CA); Buddy Carter (R-GA); Ed Case (D-HI); Danny K. Davis (D-IL); Suzan DelBene (D-WA); Debbie Dingell (D-MI); Jimmy Gomez (D-CA); James A. Himes (D-CT); Sara Jacobs (D-CA); Pramila Jayapal (D-WA); Nick LaLota (R-NY); John B. Larson (D-CT); Nancy Mace (R-SC); Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY); Doris O. Matsui (D-CA); Joseph Morelle (D-NY); Jerrold Nadler (D-NY); Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC); Jimmy Panetta (D-CA); Chris Pappas (D-NH); John Rutherford (R-FL); Maria Salazar (R-FL); Linda Sanchez (D-CA); Adam Smith (D-WA); Darren Soto (D-FL); Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL); Jill Tokuda (D-HI);  and Robert J. Wittman (R-VA).

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Casten, Moore, Beyer, Hayes Demand Department of Education Restore Office for Civil Rights

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

April 23, 2025

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Don Beyer (VA-08), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) led 39 House Democrats in a letter to Department of Education (DOE) Secretary Lisa McMahon demanding DOE immediately restore shuttered Office for Civil Rights (OCR) hubs and fulfill its statutory civil rights mandate.

“While slashing the Department’s workforce has impacted every aspect of the Department’s role, OCR was particularly hard hit,” the lawmakers wrote. “At the time of these terminations, OCR had 550 employees, at least 243 of whom have reportedly been put on administrative leave or terminated. These terminations, and the shuttering of offices across the country, will make the Department less able to protect vulnerable students against harassment and civil rights violations.”

The OCR is the core federal body that protects students’ right to equal access to education. OCR lawyers and staff are responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination brought by students when they are discriminated against by schools based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age. They also develop regulations and policy guidance to support these protections and provide technical assistance to schools attempting to protect their students’ rights. OCR administers the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), a biennial survey of early education and K-12 local education agencies and schools on enforcing civil rights protections in their districts.

In March, reports indicate DOE enacted significant staffing cuts to OCR, and closed OCR hubs in Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

In addition to Reps. Casten, Moore, Beyer, and Hayes, the letter was signed by Barragan, Cherfilus-McCormick, Chu, Clarke, Danny Davis, Espaillat, Evans, Friedman, Goldman, Huffman, Ivey, Jonathan Jackson, Julie Johnson, Keating, Krishnamoorthi, Landsman, Lynch, Mannion, McCollum, Meng, Moulton, Nadler, Panetta, Peters, Pocan, Ramirez, Ruiz, Sanchez,  Schakowsky, Simon, Tlaib, Torres, Vargas, Veasey, and Williams.

A copy of the letter can be found here. Text of the letter can be found below.

Dear Secretary McMahon:

The staffing cuts to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Education and the closure of OCR hubs in Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, clearly compromise the Department’s ability to fulfill its statutory civil rights mandate. We demand an immediate restoration of these staff and offices to fulfill the Department’s congressionally directed responsibilities.

The Department of Education was established with the express purpose to strengthen the Federal commitment to ensuring access to equal educational opportunity for every individual, as well as to increase the accountability of Federal education programs to the President, the Congress, and the public. The Office for Civil rights was explicitly established within the Department to ensure that all schools receiving federal funds abide by federal civil rights laws.

The OCR, established by the Department of Education Organization Act in 1979, provides an invaluable service to students nationwide, protecting their equal access to education. OCR lawyers and staff are responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination brought by students, when they are discriminated against by schools based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age. They also develop regulations and policy guidance to support these protections and provide technical assistance to schools attempting to protect their students’ rights.

OCR also administers the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), a biennial survey of early education and K-12 local education agencies and schools on enforcing civil rights protections in their districts. The data collected through the CRDC informs the investigation and enforcement work OCR conducts when it receives specific complaints from students and the regulations and guidance that the Department of Education promulgates. This data is critical to help the Department of Education and lawmakers understand trends in discrimination and school climate.

No student should be unsafe in school and OCR is a key component of keeping our students safe. 

OCR provides a crucial safeguard when state and local education agencies are unable or unwilling to protect their students, and robust funding for their work is more critical than ever. In 2023 OCR received over 19,000 individual complaints from students who alleged discriminatory treatment by their publicly funded schools. 

This broke the 2022 record and is more than double the number of complaints received in 2021. Eliminating staffing and closing the hubs flies in that face of the transparently increasing demand.

Despite the increasing number of complaints, OCR was already underfunded and understaffed and closing these regional offices will worsen the situation and further jeopardize the office’s vital work. As of 2023, OCR had eighteen percent fewer staff than in 2016, and OCR was recently further diminished by the widespread layoffs that hit the Department in March 2025. While slashing the Department’s workforce has impacted every aspect of the Department’s role, OCR was particularly hard hit. At the time of these terminations, OCR had 550 employees, at least 243 of whom have reportedly been put on administrative leave or terminated. These terminations, and the shuttering of offices across the country, will make the Department less able to protect vulnerable students against harassment and civil rights violations.

After meeting with House Members who expressed concern with the unlawful dismantling of the Department of Education, you tweeted, “[our] collective goal should be to support students, not the broken bureaucracy.” OCR’s role is to do just that – guaranteeing students equal access to education, but firing these staff just contributes to broken bureaucracy. The legacy of Ruby Bridges demands that we have a successful and robustly staffed OCR.

To better understand the Trump Administration’s plans regarding the Department of Education, please respond to the following questions:

  1. Please describe in detail how the proposed OCR hub closures and staffing reductions will improve its authorized and funded activities, and how it will enhance the educational climate and well-being of students across the country.
  2. What impact, if any, does the Administration estimate these closures and terminations will have on the number, type, depth, or length of investigations at the Office of Civil Rights? How did you arrive at these estimates?
  3. How were the Office for Civil Rights offices in Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco chosen for closure? How did the Department assess the impact of these office closures on the work of the Office of Civil Rights prior to initiating these terminations?
  4. Please provide a justification for whether or not these closures include any reprogramming or transfer of funds.
  5. How will these office closures impact the process by which students, families, and teachers report allegations of civil rights violations in schools? How will any new processes be communicated to these groups?

We are deeply concerned that these actions are a de facto violation of the Department’s legislative mandate, urge you to reemploy OCR staff and reopen essential OCR regional offices nationwide. We look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

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