MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

CHICAGO, IL – Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) stood along with local elected officials, union leaders from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), disability advocates from Access Living, and national partners at a bilingual press conference to denounce the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to thousands of Social Security Administration (SSA) employees. The administration’s plan would eliminate thousands of SSA jobs and drastically reduce Spanish-language services—posing a serious threat to millions of Americans, especially seniors, people with disabilities, and Spanish-speaking immigrants in Illinois’ 4th Congressional District.

For pictures of the event, click here. 

For a full livestream of the event, click here.

“Social Security isn’t a gift — it’s something paid into and earned. But right now, the Trump administration is slashing jobs, shutting down services, and targeting immigrant communities. This is not about saving Americans money — it’s about making the rich even richer. We’re here to say clearly: Hands off Social Security. Eliminating services in Spanish is more than bad policy — it’s a civil rights crisis. We won’t let it be dismantled without a fight,” said Congressman García.

“We’re facing an unprecedented staffing crisis—at a 50-year low while serving a record number of beneficiaries—with threats of layoffs and a reckless plan to cut 7,000 more workers. This understaffing is creating a public service crisis. Without adequate staff to run Social Security offices, we’re witnessing a backdoor cut to Americans’ earned benefits,” said Jessica LaPointe, AFGE Council 220 President, and Cheryl Bellamy-Bonner, AFGE Local 1395 representing Social Security field workers.

“Social Security is a critical lifeline for people with disabilities, many of whom live in poverty because of their disability. There are more than 11 million disabled Americans under the age of 65 who rely on benefits from the Social Security Administration. When a local field office is closed, the number of people receiving disability benefits nearby drops by 16 percent. This cuts families from lifesaving financial support,” said Michelle Garcia, Manager of Organizing and Community Development at Access Living.

“For our seniors, Social Security isn’t extra money. It’s how they pay the rent, buy food, cover prescriptions, and keep the lights on. A delayed check or a lost claim can throw their entire life into crisis. We have a responsibility to protect the dignity of our elders. We’re not going to wait for this crisis to get worse. We’re raising our voices now, because our seniors can’t afford to be ignored,” added Richard Juarez, Executive Director of Solutions for Care.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

CHICAGO — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis: 

“Today Catholics, and the world have lost a leader who defined his papacy by his humility and humanity. Pope Francis’ progressive legacy expands past the Church, being an advocate for peace for every person and community across the world. His perspective on interfaith dialogue and social justice paved the way for positive reforms in the Catholic community. He consistently drew attention to the plight of the poor and warned against a ‘culture of indifference’ towards marginalized populations. He condemned the criminalization and deportation of  immigrants and approved several measures that made the Catholic church more accepting of LGBTQ+ people. He condemned the bombing of civilians in Gaza.  In 2015, he called for the world to take action against global warming and environmental degradation in his second encyclical Laudato Si’. Through his sympathy and social consciousness, he emphasized the importance of humanitarianism and revitalized the hope of many. He was particularly loved in the Latino Catholic community as the first Pope of Latin American origin. 

“My social values have and will always be tied to my upbringing as a Catholic, and I will remember Pope Francis as a leader deeply committed to faith and justice. May he rest in peace.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today sent a letter to President Donald Trump highlighting the unfair trade practices and regulatory disparity Canada uses to benefit its lobster industry at the expense of American lobstermen. Golden’s letter follows yesterday’s executive order directing the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to address regulatory mismanagement informed by scientific uncertainty — a task Golden requested of the administration in a letter just last week and praised last night.

“Throughout my time in the Maine State Legislature and Congress, I have heard from Maine’s seafood harvesters, processors, and those involved in the ocean economy that they cannot make the necessary investments to grow due to overregulation, arbitrary and capricious management, inconsistent policies from various federal agencies, and unfair trade action from Canada,” Golden wrote in his letter today. “Without your intervention, projections indicate that many commercial fishing operations in New England will become economically unviable within the next 30 years. This would lead to the collapse of a historic food production industry, the loss of thousands of jobs, the devastation of coastal communities that have shaped American maritime heritage for centuries, and an increased reliance on foreign food.”

Discussing the unequal regulatory burden between the U.S. and Canada, Golden explained that Canadian lobstermen are not required to follow the same conservation measures, like releasing lobsters over a maximum size, that American lobstermen must. He also cited extensive regulations on American fishing gear and environmental practices that are absent in Canada; this burden is especially visible in the Gray Zone — 277 square miles fished by both Mainers and Canadians that remains one of America’s only contested maritime borders.

Golden equally criticized market manipulation by Canadian seafood processors and expansive subsidies from the Canadian government to undercut the cost of competing American labor. 

What they’re saying

“The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) commends Congressman Jared Golden for highlighting the significant disparities faced by American lobstermen compared to their Canadian counterparts in his recent letter to the President. NEFSA has made it a top priority to raise awareness of the longstanding territorial dispute in the Gray Zone and the resulting economic and environmental consequences. Unbalanced regulatory frameworks between the United States and Canada continue to place American fishermen at a disadvantage—both in terms of access to seafood stocks and financial sustainability. We are encouraged by Congressman Golden’s advocacy and remain committed to working collaboratively with him, the White House, and NOAA to address these challenges and secure a fair and equitable future for American fishing communities,” saidDustin Delano, former lobstermen and chief operating officer of the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association.

“The Maine Lobstering Union is thrilled President Trump is looking into imbalances in the US fisheries. Maine fishermen have been supporting Maine’s economy for generations. We continue to raise concerns that Canadian trade practices, unequal conservation, and regulations are hurting Maine families, and it is rewarding to see some of that noise is making its way to President Trump. We commend Representative Golden for working across the aisle. Representative Golden continues to deliver on his promise to put Mainers first. Families in Maine are struggling, and putting our state’s needs above all else is very refreshing,” said Virginia Olsen, lobstermen and director of the Maine Lobstering Union.

“The Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) is grateful to President Trump for his commitment to making U.S. fisheries great again by allowing us to do what we do best — go fishing! The MLA has been fighting government over-regulation for years and won a historic court case that challenged draconian whale rules taking a big step forward in ending this abuse of power. The President’s executive order recognizes the challenges our fishing families and communities face and we appreciate the commitment to reduce burdensome regulations and strengthen the competitiveness of American seafood. We especially appreciate the Administration’s commitment to protecting the Maine lobster industry which is vital to the economy of our state and our coastal economies,” saidPatrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association.

BACKGROUND

Golden, who recently secured a seat on the House Natural Resources Committee, has fought fiercely on behalf of Maine’s fishing industry throughout his career as a lawmaker. In addition to his letter last week, he has pressed multiple administrations on the unequal regulations and unfair trade practices harming Maine lobstermen.

Over the last year he has been the only representative from New England to join the effort to overturn a U.S.-only increase to the minimum catchable size of lobster, and helped pass a 6-year pause on new gear regulations in 2022.  His bipartisan Northern Fisheries Heritage Protection Act would also prohibit commercial offshore wind energy development in the critical, highly productive Maine fishing grounds of Lobster Management Area 1 — an issue he has been consistently outspoken on. 

Golden’s letter can be found here and is included below in full:

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April 18, 2025

The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Trump,

In your executive order on “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness,” you directed the Secretary of Commerce to consider suspending, revising, or rescinding regulations that overly burden America’s commercial fishing industries and the United States Trade Representative to examine other nations’ trade practices. As part of those investigations, I write in support of swift and decisive action to address the unequal regulatory burden between Maine and Canadian lobstermen and the unfair trade practices used by Canada and its lobster industry at the expense of the American lobster industry. 

Throughout my time in the Maine State Legislature and Congress, I have heard from Maine’s seafood harvesters, processors, and those involved in the ocean economy that they cannot make the necessary investments to grow due to overregulation, arbitrary and capricious management, inconsistent policies from various federal agencies, and unfair trade action from Canada. Action to address the unequal regulatory burden between American and Canadian lobstermen and end Canada’s unfair trade practices in the lobster industry is squarely in line with your fisheries executive order and your administration’s “America First Trade Policy.” Any ensuing changes should be made in consultation with those who know the industry best, the harvesters themselves. 

The American lobster fishery extends from Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. In 2022, commercial landings of American lobster totaled 119 million pounds, valued at $515 million, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries. Maine has been at the forefront of American lobster landings for over three decades, and 93 percent of the coast-wide landings come from the Gulf of Maine lobster stock. 

While I have written to your administration and previous administrations extensively about each issue, I want to highlight the following issues: 

Unequal Regulatory Burden Between the U.S. and Canada:  

Regulations are frustratingly inconsistent between the U.S. and Canada, significantly benefiting Canadian fishermen and actively harming U.S. fishermen. While the long-term viability of lobster stocks is essential for the economic success of American and Canadian harvesters, it is American fishermen and lobstermen who are required to adhere to the strictest conservation standards, whereas Canadian fishermen are not. Below is a list of the top issues causing an uneven regulatory playing field:  

Maximum Size Limit: American lobstermen are required to follow a maximum size limit for harvesting lobster, and Canadian lobstermen do not.

Whale Regulations: Since 2001, U.S. lobstermen have been required to comply with whale regulations, including new requirements for gear marking, breakaways, weak ropes, and inserts, as well as changes to trawl length due to the NOAA Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan. This plan was developed and implemented in response to the Marine Mammal Protection Act despite limited evidence linking Maine fishermen to whale deaths.

These requirements increased costs and safety risks for U.S. fishermen. Canadian lobstermen do not face these same restrictions. For instance, U.S. fishermen must use whale-safe gear, which incurs additional costs, to protect whales that frequently transit through Canadian and American waters. Meanwhile, Canadian fishermen continue to fish with floating rope, which costs nearly 50% less than traditional methods. 

If pending federal rules regulating even more restrictive gear requirements are implemented, American fishermen will face an even more significant competitive disadvantage. They would be forced to use untested, less efficient, more expensive equipment, while Canada’s gear would be untouched. 

Gray Zone: The 277 square miles of ocean between the U.S. and Canada – commonly referred to as the Gray Zone – have been claimed by both countries since the Revolutionary War. For centuries, the lobstermen and fishermen of Downeast Maine have relied on the Gray Zone to harvest lobster, scallop, and halibut, often competing with their Canadian counterparts who utilize these same fishing grounds. 

The disparity between the United States and Canadian fishing regulations in the Gray Zone not only escalates tensions among fishermen but also poses a serious threat to the future of an industry that has supported Maine families for generations. These concerning trends would only worsen if our federal regulators approved a new minimum allowable catch size for lobster starting in July 2025, without comparable restrictions for Canadian lobstermen enforced by their government. 

Maine’s seafood harvesters have been waiting too long for a resolution to the Gray Zone, with significant consequences for their safety, businesses, and the natural resources they depend on. 

A 2023 Department of State Report written for Congress titled “Progress Toward an Agreement with Canadian Officials Addressing Territorial Disputes and Collecting Fisheries Management Measures in the Gulf of Maine” incorrectly states:

“The status quo benefits the United States by keeping the Gray Zone aligned with the more favorable measures applicable to the broader U.S. lobster management area within which it sits. Current cooperation has proved effective in managing the area. Negotiations to resolve the dispute would require significant dedicated resources. In the absence of a resolution of the territorial dispute, an agreement to resolve differing fisheries management measures in the Gray Zone could impact U.S. claims to sovereignty by creating regulations that differ from those applicable to the broader Gulf of Maine jurisdiction in which the Gray Zone lies.”

The truth is that, as management currently exists, there is no cooperation in managing this area. This report is misleading, and American fishermen fishing in the Gray Zone will tell you that the uneven regulatory burden in the area does not benefit American fishermen; it hurts them. 

Environmental Regulations: Canada has considerably fewer environmental regulations compared to U.S. processors. For example, Canadian processors can directly discharge wastewater into the ocean and spread shells in fields. In the U.S., processors must pay thousands of dollars to local municipalities for wastewater user fees and waste disposal.

Unfair Trade Practices Utilized by the Canadian Lobster Industry at the Expense of the American Lobster Industry: 

Canadian Subsidies:The Canadian Government uses labor and business subsidies to boost their lobster industry at the expense of the American lobster industry.    

Since 1984, the Canada Health Act (CHA) gives all Canadians publicly funded single-payer healthcare insurance. This program gives all Canadian residents reasonable access to medically necessary hospital and physician services without paying out-of-pocket. To highlight the disparity, U.S. fishermen who buy a health insurance plan on HealthCare.gov would pay, on average, $456 per month more for insurance premiums, which is $5,472 per year more than Canadian fishermen.

Canadian single-payer healthcare insurance also creates an impact on unemployment premiums. Under the Canadian system, workers’ compensation largely drives costs through lost earnings and wage-loss benefits. This causes U.S. fishermen to pay higher unemployment premiums. This distinction comes from their healthcare system, which incurs fewer administrative expenses and lower healthcare costs that affect an employer’s experience rating. 

The Canadian lobster industry also has access to unlimited foreign labor and, as a result, low-wage workers. They provide salary subsidies covering up to 60% of the salary for immigrants or visible minority hires, up to a maximum equivalent to the current minimum wage of 40 hours per week. The Canadian government also makes major investments in training programs for the workforce and worker subsidy initiatives. For instance, their Summer Jobs wage subsidy offers financial support for summer employment and visas for foreign workers through the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) allows Canadian processors to bring unlimited overseas workers during peak seasons to fill labor shortages.

Canada also utilizes infrastructure, innovation, and business operation subsidies to boost their lobster industry at the expense of the American industry. Through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) and Quebec Fisheries Fund (QFF), Canadian fisheries receive substantial subsidies to support their infrastructure, innovation, and businessoperations. The AFF and QFF are financed 70% by the federal government and 30% by the provincial governments. They are managed by the Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), which aims to enhance opportunities and market value for sustainably sourced, high-quality fish and seafood products from Atlantic Canada. A recent announcement from the Canadian DFO indicated that it will invest over $400 million over seven years to support Canada’s fish and seafood sector. In the US, industry-based and driven science partnerships are limited and frequently funded by the industry.

Market manipulation: Canadian processors are engaging in currency arbitrage and exploiting market conditions. For instance, in the U.S., we pay roughly $20 per hour at our processing plants. Canada pays the same $20 per hour. Canadian processors factor the hourly wage into the production of processed lobster. They produce the product in Canada and then sell it back to the U.S. The exchange rate does not favor U.S. processors because of the strength of the U.S. dollar, which makes imports to the U.S. cheaper and exports more expensive.

Without your intervention, projections indicate that many commercial fishing operations in New England will become economically unviable within the next 30 years. This would lead to the collapse of a historic food production industry, the loss of thousands of jobs, the devastation of coastal communities that have shaped American maritime heritage for centuries, and an increased reliance on foreign food. Addressing the unequal regulatory burden and unfair Canadian fishing and trade practices aligns strongly with your executive order on restoring America’s seafood competitiveness and America First Trade Policy and would ensure that American workers and businesses can compete on a level playing field.

The United States should take all necessary steps to ensure that our fishermen and processors do not face a competitive disadvantage or miss out on economic opportunities because of unequal regulatory burden and unfair fishing and trade practices by Canada. I urge you to investigate Canada’s unfair trade and fishing practices and work with the American lobster industry to intervene with solutions to level the playing field.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

This week, Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) announced the reintroduction of the California Clean Coast Act. The California Clean Coast Act was the first bill Congressman Carbajal introduced as a Member of Congress, demonstrating his longstanding commitment to protecting California’s coast from offshore drilling and the devastating impact of oil spills.

The California Clean Coast Act would permanently ban future offshore oil and gas leasing in areas of the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California. 

“Santa Barbara knows firsthand how devastating oil spills can be on our marine ecosystems and coastline,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I’m proud to lead this bill to ban future offshore oil drilling in our state and ensure California’s world-famous coastline is protected for future generations to enjoy.”

“California’s spectacular marine life — including complex kelp forests and charismatic sea otters — and vibrant coastal economies rely on healthy ecosystems. This legislation could, once and for all, block offshore drilling activities along the continental shelf, and protect critical marine habitats along California’s iconic Pacific Coast,” said Pamela Flick, Defenders of Wildlife California Program Director.

“The California Clean Coast Act is critical to protecting our coast and climate from the threats of offshore oil drilling,” said Linda Krop, Chief Counsel of the Environmental Defense Center, which was founded in the aftermath of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill.  “From the 1969 blowout at Platform A to the 2015 pipeline spill along the Gaviota Coast, the California Coast has suffered the devastating effects of offshore oil development on communities who live, play, and work here. We know that when it comes to offshore oil drilling, it is not a question of if – but when – another spill will devastate our beaches, our ocean, our wildlife, and our economy. The California Clean Coast Act will preserve our precious coast from the threats of future oil spills and climate change.”

Rep. Carbajal has been a staunch advocate to ban future offshore drilling off the Central Coast. At the end of the Biden Administration, Carbajal’s 8-year push to ban future offshore oil drilling came to fruition when President Biden invoked his authority to protect over 625 million acres of federal waters —including the entire East Coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, and parts of the Northern Bering Sea— from oil and gas exploration. Congressman Carbajal was one of 12 members of Congress who wrote to President Biden requesting this action before the end of his term.

For the full bill text click here.

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

Following the Abduction and Detention of Rümeysa Öztürk, Pressley, Markey, and Warren Sound the Alarm on the Trump Administration’s Unjust Deportation Agenda

Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) wrote today to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons demanding answers about the Trump administration’s concerning pattern of ripping individuals from their communities and shipping them to jurisdictions more favorable to the Trump administration’s deportation agenda.

Last month, six plainclothes ICE agents apprehended Rümeysa Öztürk, a Turkish national and fifth-year doctoral student at Tufts University, in broad daylight in Somerville, Massachusetts. ICE then moved Öztürk in a circuitous route through various states before placing her on a flight to Louisiana, miles away from her friends, lawyers, and community. The available evidence suggests that ICE did not transfer Öztürk to a Louisiana detention facility due to a lack of bed space in New England—as the government has claimed—but instead in an attempt to hand-pick the courts that will decide her case. These actions raise serious questions about the fairness and integrity of our immigration enforcement system.

In the letter, the lawmakers write, “In court filings, immigration lawyers described ICE’s treatment of Öztürk as irregular, declaring they had never seen or heard of an ICE detainee arrested in Massachusetts be so quickly shuttled out of Massachusetts and to multiple separate locations. This quick movement—coupled with the government’s delayed notice regarding a detainee’s whereabouts—risks frustrating the filing of habeas petitions.”

The lawmakers continue, “The government has since argued that Öztürk’s legal challenge must be heard in Louisiana, within the Fifth Circuit, where she is currently detained—a jurisdiction known for its strict immigration rulings. According to Mary Yanik, a clinical associate professor of law at Tulane University, in Louisiana the majority of ICE detention centers are within the jurisdiction of Louisiana’s Western District, which is the ‘slowest moving’ of the district courts in the state, very conservative, and whose release of detainees by formal order is ‘exceedingly rare.’ Decisions from federal district courts and immigration courts in Louisiana can eventually be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which the Center for American Progress has described as ‘arguably the most right-wing federal appellate court in the country.’ Legal experts and immigrant rights advocates have noted a troubling pattern in which ICE transfers detainees to jurisdictions with stricter immigration enforcement—such as Louisiana—thereby increasing the likelihood of deportation and limiting detainees’ access to legal representation and family support.”

The lawmakers request answers to the following questions by May 6, 2025:

• What specific criteria led ICE to determine that no bed space was available for Öztürk in New England?
• Why was Öztürk transported to New Hampshire and Vermont before being flown to Louisiana, rather than being placed in a nearby facility in Massachusetts? Why was Öztürk transported to three separate locations in three different states before being flown to Louisiana?
• When was the decision made to transport Öztürk to Louisiana? Who made this decision? What steps and protocols were undertaken in this decision-making process?
• What is the total cost incurred by the government for Öztürk’s transportation from her arrest to her arrival in Louisiana, including flights and other logistical expenses?
• Did the jurisdictional implications of placing Öztürk in Louisiana, within a federal judicial circuit known for its pro-government immigration rulings, factor into ICE’s decision to transfer her there?
• What policies and procedures are in place to prevent forum shopping by ICE in detainee transfers?
• Given the documented history of abuse and inadequate legal access at ICE detention facilities in Louisiana, what justifications does ICE have for continuing to send detainees there?

Congresswoman Pressley, along with Sens. Warren and Markey, have pushed for answers and action since Öztürk’s March arrest.

On April 18^th, 2025, after a recent report indicated that an internal State Department memo concluded that the key premise underlying Rümeysa Öztürk’s arrest and detention was false, Congresswoman Pressley and Senators Warren and Markey sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding the release of the department’s memo and other relevant documentation.

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. The lawmakers also sounded the alarm on Öztürk’s medical neglect in DHS custody and renewed urgent calls for her release.

Last month, Congresswoman Pressley issued a statement condemning reports that ICE arrested and detained Rümeysa Öztürk. Earlier that week, Congresswoman Pressley issued a statement following reports of ICE activity in Boston and other municipalities in Massachusetts.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Thousand Oaks, CA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) held a press conference outside the Thousand Oaks Social Security office to denounce the dangerous and ongoing attacks on Social Security by Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trying to dismantle Social Security from the inside out — and they are using their so-called ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ to do it,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “They have already fired 7,000 Social Security workers – the biggest single cut in the program’s history. They are shutting down offices and crashing the Social Security website. And when seniors and people with disabilities face issues with their benefits, they’re telling them to just go online. But let me be crystal clear: When you make it harder to access earned benefits, that’s a cut. And we won’t stand for it.”

“More than 70 million Americans – including over 136,000 right here in Ventura County and the Conejo Valley – rely on Social Security every single day. It’s how people pay rent. It’s how they buy groceries. It’s how they get their prescriptions and stay afloat. Without Social Security, one in three Americans would be pushed into poverty.”

“This program is not a handout. It’s a lifeline. And it works. So why are they trying to destroy it? Because they don’t believe in the promise. They don’t believe in the people. And they don’t believe in our democracy. But we do. We’re fighting for what’s right. We’re fighting for the people who built this country. We’re fighting for our democracy – and we’re fighting for the promise of Social Security.”

Congresswoman Brownley’s prepared remarks can be found here.

Photos from the press conference can be found here.

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Issues: 119th Congress, Seniors’ Issues

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Rep. Carbajal Hosts Post Office Dedication Ceremony in Honor of Mayor Larry Lavagnino

Carbajal was joined by Lavagnino and local officials to celebrate the legacy of the longtime Santa Maria champion

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

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) toured Tutor Time in Canton, and held a roundtable with child care providers and parents to discuss the impact of the rising cost of care on Michigan families.

“Caregiving is the foundation of our economy – it allows for all other work to be possible. No one can do their job if their children aren’t cared for. But quality, affordable child care remains an expense that many American families cannot afford,” Dingell said. “It’s time to make investing in our country’s care infrastructure and workforce a priority to bring down costs and expand access to care. Today, we spoke to both parents and providers about the challenges they face finding and providing care, and what Congress can do to solve these problems.”

“We were honored to host U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell at our Tutor Time location in Canton, MI, to discuss our commitment to helping families access quality and affordable childcare,” said Joanna Cline, Learning Care Group Executive and Michigan District 6 Constituent. “Partnering with Government leaders who advocate for family-focused policies is an important part of the work we do to support our communities, and I was proud to speak with Rep. Dingell about this issue today.”

According to Bridge Michigan, the child care crisis costs Michigan $2.9 billion annually in turnover and lost taxes. 

The cost of childcare has risen more than 30% in the last six years. In more than half of the states in America, the average annual cost of full-time child care is more than the average annual cost of in-state college tuition.

The Department of Health and Human Services reported that a $52.5 billion investment in child care during the COVID-19 pandemic:

1. provided stabilization grants to 220,000 providers associated with up to 10 million children;
2. lowered child care costs for more than 700,000 children;
3. increased compensation for more than 650,000 child care workers; and
4. created 300,000 new child care slots. 

View photos from the event here.

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

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today released the following statement on the news of the death of Pope Francis.

“The world has lost a leader who gave so many of us hope. Pope Francis was widely respected for his compassion, realness, and inspiration, which made him a global figure of belief, faith, optimism, and social justice. He had a remarkable ability to connect with people on a personal level and advocate for the marginalized, inspiring action on issues like poverty, inequality, and environmental protection. His genuine humility and open-mindedness resonated with a broad audience, making him a symbol of faith and social change. 

Pope Francis consistently demonstrated a deep empathy for the suffering of others, particularly the poor and marginalized. He has called for the Church to be a home of mercy and to go out to meet the needs of those on the margins. He taught all of us how important forgiveness and understanding is. He had an authentic and relatable demeanor, where he often spoke directly to the needs and concerns of ordinary people. He avoided excessive formality and embraced a more down-to-earth approach, making him accessible to a wider audience. I loved him for this. 

Pope Francis’s leadership has inspired people across the globe to embrace a more just and compassionate world. His message of hope and his commitment to social change have encouraged individuals and communities to take action and make a difference in their own lives. 

Meeting him in 2015 when he spoke to Congress is a memory that I hold in my heart. His words and teachings reinforce the responsibility I have to the people I represent. May he rest in peace.”

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

April 22, 2025

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced the Climate Change Financial Risk Act, legislation that directs the Federal Reserve to conduct stress tests on large financial institutions to measure their resilience to climate-related financial risks.

“Risk is risk—we should not be treating some risks different from others just because they’re hard to quantify. Federal regulators are legally obligated to ensure a stable and efficient financial system, and that means reducing the risk of a climate-driven financial crisis,” said Senator Schatz. “Instead of taking steps to reduce the risks facing communities across the country from increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather and disasters—including significantly higher costs for homeowners insurance—the Trump administration is trying to roll back our progress in the climate fight and gut the programs that will make us safer.”

“Climate change poses a grave and imminent threat to the stability of our financial system. It is essential that our regulators establish parameters so that our financial institutions adequately prepare for and respond to these risks, and that they do so before the next extreme weather crisis strikes,” said Representative Casten. “Our bill will move us toward safeguarding our financial systems—from short-term climate impacts, such as direct uninsured losses from wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding events, as well as from long-term global shifts to a net-zero economy, which may require a reshaping of a bank’s lending and investment activities.”

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events like floods and wildfires. It is also changing long-term climate patterns in ways that will ultimately affect every sector of our economy. Financial institutions face the risk of direct losses from severe weather events and fundamental changes like drought and sea level rise—for example, lower property values from increased flooding. They also face risks from market instability, an erosion of investor confidence, and changes in carbon-intensive asset values resulting from government policies and consumer preferences. 

These risks to our financial system are critical for financial institutions to measure and manage, as recognized in the pilot climate scenario analysis exercise that the Federal Reserve conducted in 2023 and the Principles for Climate-Related Financial Risk Management for Large Financial Institutions published by agencies in 2023. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced in March 2025 that it was withdrawing from its participation in these principles. The Climate Change Financial Risk Act will make sure that financial institutions manage climate risks with stress tests that quantify and measure their resilience.

The Climate Change Financial Risk Act would require the Federal Reserve to create climate change scenarios for financial stress tests, with input from federal scientific agencies and an advisory group of climate scientists and climate economists. The Federal Reserve would then conduct stress tests every two years on the largest financial institutions. The biennial tests will require each covered institution to create and update a resolution plan, which will describe how the institution plans to evolve its capital planning, balance sheet and off-balance sheet exposures, and other business operations to respond to the most recent test results. Federal Reserve objections to a resolution plan would limit the institution’s ability to proceed with capital distributions until it improves its plan. The Federal Reserve will also partner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to design a survey to assess the ability of a broader set of financial institutions to withstand climate risks. 

Casten and Schatz’s legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J), and U.S. Representatives Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), and Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.).

“Those of us in the West are already experiencing the cost of climate inaction firsthand – from higher home insurance rates and utility bills for hardworking families to lower profits for producers. As the impacts of climate change intensify, we need to do everything we can to make our local economies more resilient for families, workers, and small businesses,” said Senator Heinrich. “This Earth Day, I’m proud to introduce the Climate Change Financial Risk Act with Senator Schatz to protect New Mexicans from the costly consequences of worsening climate change by strengthening the ability of our financial institutions to withstand extreme weather events like prolonged droughts and wildfires, which can trigger market instability and shake investor confidence.”

“Trump’s Dirty Energy First strategy is fanning the flames of climate chaos, and it’s essential to understand the risk that poses to our major financial institutions,” said Senator Merkley. “We must not ignore the danger climate change poses to the economic security of hardworking Americans.”

The Climate Change Financial Risk Act is supported by the League of Conservation Voters, Ceres, the Sierra Club, Public Citizen, and Americans for Financial Reform.

“US regulators must get back in the business of managing the systemic financial risks posed by increasing floods, fires, and storms,” said Steven M. Rothstein, Managing Director of the Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets, Ceres. “We commend Senator Schatz and Representative Casten for reintroducing this legislation and laying out a clear role for the Federal Reserve Board to address climate-related financial risks. This legislation will provide the clarity and analysis needed to ensure the financial industry makes informed decisions that protect individual institutions from climate-related shocks and insulate the financial system from widespread loss.”

“As financial regulators retreat under political pressure, this bill represents a much-needed step to ensure our financial system is better prepared for the growing risks of climate change. Investors need regulators to provide clear, forward-looking assessments of systemic risk — and to ensure that financial institutions aren’t throwing more fuel on the fire of the climate crisis. With climate disasters escalating and financial consequences mounting, leaders at all levels of government must act to build a more stable and sustainable financial system. We applaud Sen. Schatz and Rep. Casten for their continued leadership to make that happen,” said Ben Cushing, Sustainable Finance Campaign Director, the Sierra Club.

The full text of the bill is available here.

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