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LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON HOUSE VOTE REBUKING DONALD TRUMP’S RECKLESS TARIFFS

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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Garamendi Joins Jayapal, Begich To Demand FAA to Prioritize Air Traffic Controller Working Conditions

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (CA-08), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Nick Begich (AK-AL) demanded that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prioritize the health and well-being of air traffic controllers as they work to reach full staffing at all U.S. airports. 

“Nationwide, controllers ensure the safe and efficient movement of roughly 45,000 daily flights serving nearly 3 million passengers and cargo operations 24 hours per day, every day of the year,” wrote the members. “For too long, controllers have struggled to use the paid time off that they earned and have experienced scheduling practices that rely too much on overtime to overcome staffing shortages. These talented professionals have dedicated their lives to aviation safety, and the FAA must prioritize their health and safety as they work to reach full staffing.” 

In the last decade, the number of certified air traffic controllers has decreased by 6 percent, even as there has been a 10 percent increase in the number of flights relying on their guidance. 

The 2024 FAA Reauthorization law included many provisions aimed at growing the air traffic controller workforce and reducing their strain and fatigue. In the meantime, as the FAA implements these provisions, many air traffic control facilities remain critically understaffed. 

“In order to maintain the safest, most efficient aviation system in the world, it is vital that the FAA prioritize the health and well-being of air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals,” the Members continued. 

The full text of the letter can be read here. 

The letter was also signed by Representatives Becca Balint (VT-AL), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Herbert Conaway (NJ-03), Angie Craig (MN-02), Madeline Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Jesús G. “Chuy”  García (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Nick LaLota (NY-01), Greg Landsman (OH-01), John Larson (CT-01), Summer Lee (PA-12), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Dave Min (CA-47), Seth Moulton (MA-06), James Moylan (GU-AL), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Thomas Suozzi (NY-03), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24). 

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Foster Votes Against Republicans’ Latest Attempt to Disenfranchise Americans

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued a statement following his vote against the SAVE America Act.

“Today, I voted against Republicans’ latest attempt to disenfranchise millions of Americans. Republicans claim this bill is about election security, but federal law already prohibits non-citizens from voting. Instead, the SAVE America Act creates unnecessary barriers by requiring passports or birth certificates to register to vote, rather than driver’s licenses, state IDs, or military IDs.

“This would create a logistical nightmare for millions of eligible voters, including roughly 69 million women who changed their name after marriage and could no longer use a birth certificate alone to prove citizenship—forcing them to either pay $130 for a passport or submit additional burdensome paperwork to register to vote.

“The bill would also effectively gut mail and online voter registration, requiring Americans to present documents in person to an election official. This disproportionately burdens servicemembers stationed overseas, rural Americans, and seniors. 

“Perhaps most alarming, the SAVE America Act would force states to hand over voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security, unnecessarily injecting federal law enforcement into states’ voting processes and intimidating lawful voters.

“To maintain fair and secure elections, we need to protect voting rights—not create additional barriers for eligible U.S. citizens. I will continue to fight against these attacks on our democracy and work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure equal access to the ballot box.”

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Higgins’, Kennedy’s Legislation to End Government Payments to Deceased People Signed into Law by President Trump 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) witnessed President Trump sign their legislation, the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, into law in the Oval Office yesterday. 

This bill allows the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to share its Death Master File, a list of deceased individuals, with the U.S. Department of Treasury to avoid taxpayer dollars being paid to deceased people.

Rep. Higgins said, “This legislation will save taxpayers billions of dollars every year and does not increase the size of the federal government. Fiscal Conservatives have been clear… waste, fraud, abuse, and theft of hard-earned taxpayer dollars must end. I’d like to thank President Trump for pushing this critical bill across the finish line.”

Sen. Kennedy said, “Using dead Americans to rip off taxpayers is as low as it gets. Many Americans have seen these scams play out across the country and are tired of watching these fraudsters game the system—so am I. That’s why I wrote this common-sense bill to end this outrageous abuse permanently, and I’m grateful President Trump signed it into law so we can ensure taxpayer dollars go to living Americans who actually need our help.”

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Scalise: SAVE America Act Strengthens American Democracy

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

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) spoke on the House floor to highlight the SAVE America Act and how it will protect the integrity of American elections and prevent voter fraud.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 
Highlights from Leader Scalise’s remarks:“This is a bill that’s critically important to one of the most precious franchises in America, and that is that sacred right to vote, the right that so many gave their lives to preserve, to allow, to pass on to our next generation. And the importance of that vote is even more underscored when you recognize that, yes, there have been times where people have stolen your vote, Mr. Speaker… They’re stealing everybody’s vote if we allow people that aren’t legally eligible to vote to participate in elections. And so how can you best preserve that? One way is that when you’re registering to vote, you have to prove citizenship. It’s in this bill. Another is when you go vote, you just have to show your ID. This is not some convoluted idea, Mr. Speaker, but you hear the other side talking about it’s the end of the world.“[Democrats’] own leaders have referred to it as Jim Crow. It’s not the first time that they’ve used that phrase. They use that when the state of Georgia put an ID requirement on voting. They said it was going to be horrible, it was going to take away people’s rights, it was going to disenfranchise minority voters, Mr. Speaker, that’s what they said. But then what happened? We actually got history to go look at: After Georgia passed that law that was called every ridiculous name in the book, what we saw was record participation in elections. You actually had the University of Georgia that went and asked voters after that election, and a whooping, 0%, Mr. Speaker, of Black voters said that they had a poor experience going to the ballot. Over 72% said they had an excellent experience at the ballot.“[Democrats] would tell you if you actually increase the integrity of elections by requiring a picture ID, that somehow it’s going to suppress votes. The opposite happens, Mr. Speaker. Because what really does happen is voters now have confidence in the sanctity of elections. More people will participate because they know that somebody’s not going to be stealing their vote by showing up when they’re not supposed to be there, just by requiring a picture ID.“Americans have been asked about this: An overwhelming 83% of Americans are in favor of requiring a photo ID to vote. 83, that’s not Republicans, that’s all across the spectrum. Over 70% of Democrats support picture ID. 82% of Hispanic Americans support picture ID to vote. 76% of Black Americans support a picture ID to vote… If you want to ensure the sanctity of the vote, the Save America Act does that. You will see higher participation because Americans across all spectrums, Black, White, Hispanic, Republican, Democrat, Independent, will know that there is a higher likelihood that nobody there is showing up illegally to steal your vote if you’ve got the right to vote. One person, one vote: That’s the mantra that we all ought to embrace. The Save America Act gets us back to that great franchise of American democracy, and that is the right to vote. I would urge everybody to pass this bill over the Senate and then the Senate to get it to President Trump’s desk so we can strengthen American democracy.”

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Rep Veasey Calls Out Trump Administration for Drug Discount Scam

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Rep Veasey Calls Out Trump Administration for Drug Discount Scam

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) called out Donald Trump and his administration’s fraudulent attempt to swindle the American public through the online drug “discount” initiative, TrumpRx. Rep. Veasey underscored the urgent need to address the high cost of prescription drugs in the United States and raised serious concerns about the marketing and claims surrounding the scam known as TrumpRx.

“The President loves to take existing programs and institutions or ideas and slap his name on them. First, it was the US Institute of Peace, then the Kennedy Center, and now it’s this TrumpRX,” said Congressman Veasey. “Americans pay far more for medications than any other country in the world. That is a real problem that requires real solutions—not rebranding existing programs and claiming credit for them.”

Republicans have stolen $1 trillion healthcare dollars from Americans, created chaos at the FDA, and cut millions of dollars in cancer research. Meanwhile, Trump is scamming hardworking Americans and taking credit for existing programs while taking zero steps to materially reduce the cost of drugs for hardworking Americans.

Patients using TrumpRx are at risk of spending hundreds of dollars more for critical medications. Congressman Veasey encourages constituents to check other discount programs and use their insurance, when possible, to purchase their drugs. Everyday Americans deserve real care and coverage. 

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McCaul, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Cripple Russian Oil Revenue

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

The DROP Act targets foreign entities dealing in Russian oil to dry up the Kremlin’s primary war revenue stream

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee — introduced the Decreasing Russian Oil Profits (DROP) Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation requires targeted sanctions on any foreign person or entity involved in the purchase, importation, or facilitation of Russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products.

Representatives Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa; Bill Keating (D-Mass.), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe; Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus; Mike Quigley (D-Ill.); and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) joined McCaul in introducing the legislation.

“Russian energy is the lifeblood of the Kremlin’s war machine, and the DROP Act would drain this primary source of revenue,” said McCaul. “Putin has made clear he has no intention of seeking peace until the cost of his continued bloodshed is too high. This bill will give the president more tools with which to place leverage on Putin, while ensuring our allies and partners around the world play their part. It’s time for every nation and individual to choose between doing business with the free world or continuing to bankroll Putin’s brutality.”

“Sanctions only work if they’re enforced. By giving the Administration authorities to target those enabling the Russian oil trade, we can strengthen our existing sanctions regime and cut off a key funding for Putin’s war machine. This has gone on long enough, and it’s time to use the full strength of American economic power to squeeze out the Kremlin,” said Lawler. 

“Congress and the President must do more to ensure Putin and his war machine feel the consequences for their illegal actions. This legislation requires the imposition of sanctions on countries unless they can meet specific criteria to demonstrate their support for Ukraine,” said Keating. “Importantly, as we reach the 4th anniversary of this illegal war, this legislation shows continued bipartisan support for Ukraine as brave Ukrainian men and women defend their territory from Kremlin aggression.”

“If you traffic in Russian oil, you are funding Putin’s illegal war and full scale invasion of Ukraine,” said Kaptur. “As we approach the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the full scale invasion, we must take every step necessary to force Dictator Putin to end this bloody war. Russia’s brutal campaign to freeze Ukrainian civilians in their homes this winter, to erase Ukrainian culture, and to abduct Ukrainian children must be stopped once and for all. This new bipartisan legislation is a long overdue step to help cut off Russia’s oil revenue and strengthen the chances of securing a just and durable end to this conflict.”

“As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, I’m proud to introduce the DROP Act to crack down on the Russian oil economy and curb Putin’s ability to attack Ukraine,” said Quigley. “Since Putin launched his full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has weaponized the global oil ecosystem to fund its violent assault. This bipartisan bill will mandate sanctions on Russian petroleum products and close the price gap loophole—cutting off a major source of funding for Russia’s army.”

“It’s long past time that we tighten the screws on Russia’s oil exports bankrolling Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine. The bipartisan DROP Act closes these loopholes, cracks down on anyone purchasing Russian oil above the price cap, and ensures there are real consequences for helping fund Russia’s war of aggression,” said Gottheimer. “At the same time, it creates stronger incentives to support Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction. As this war continues, we must continue to stand firmly with the Ukrainian people.”

The legislation was also introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-Penn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Jon Husted (R-Ohio). 

Background: 

The Russian Federation’s economy runs on oil exports, which fund the vast majority of its federal budget and military spending. While the U.S. has implemented various sanctions and restrictions, Russia increasingly circumvents those designations by using a “shadow fleet” of tankers and third-party intermediaries to move oil — often at prices that exceed international caps.

The DROP Act addresses this entire ecosystem by:

  • Strengthening the Trump administration’s existing designations on the two Russian oil companies;
  • Mandating sanctions on any foreign person or entity responsible for or complicit in the purchase of Russian petroleum products; and
  • Closing loopholes that have allowed entities to charge above the international limit on the price for a barrel of Russian oil.

It also provides the administration with strategic flexibility allowing it to apply specific exception frameworks for countries that significantly reduce their Russian oil imports or provide substantial military and economic aid to Ukraine. 

Click here to read full text of the DROP Act.

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WATCH: Pressley Joins Epstein Survivors to Demand Transparency, Accountability, Slams Trump DOJ for Protecting Abusers

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

“You were failed by so many powerful people that could have protected your childhood. You were failed by a government that ignored your cries for decades, truly an institutional betrayal.”

“These powerful abusers have been protected by institutions that are more concerned with the wealthy and well-connected than centering survivors.”

As a Survivor of Sexual Abuse, Pressley Has Led Efforts in Congress to Center Survivors

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley joined survivors of Epstein’s abuse and members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus to demand transparency, accountability, and healing for survivors. Rep. Pressley condemned the botched, partial release of the Epstein files by Trump’s Department of Justice that exposed the identities of survivors while redacting alleged abusers’ names.

A transcript of Congresswoman Pressley’s remarks at the press conference is available below, and the video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Joins Epstein Survivors to Demand Transparency, Accountability, Slams Trump DOJ for Protecting Abusers
U.S. Capitol
February 11, 2026

Who were just before us are grown women. But it’s not hard for me when I look at them to see a 17-year-old, a 16-year-old, a 15-year-old, a 14-year-old, a 12-year-old, a 9-year-old.

We’re talking about children who were groomed, preyed upon, exploited, raped, trafficked.

Dreams permanently deferred, bodies violated, and spirits permanently bruised. 

In Virginia’s book, Nobody’s Girl, it’s titled that because she felt she belonged to no one, that no one cared. These survivors have been used, abused, and discarded. 

Jeffrey Epstein can rot in hell, and Ghislaine Maxwell can follow suit. 

And all of those co-conspirators and accomplices deserve to be named and shamed. Because, as Virginia once said, “If we don’t know who they are, the monsters are still out there, harming people.” 

So I thank you for being here today. This is a season of calling a thing a thing, so I have to be direct.

Survivors gathered here today. I’m so grateful for their courage and leadership, and equally devastated and furious about what they have endured.

You were failed by so many powerful people that could have protected your childhood. You were failed by a government that ignored your cries for decades, truly an institutional betrayal.

We are fighting with every bone in our bodies for you. 

The files that have been released have further detailed a vivid picture of depraved behavior and dehumanization, violent violations, hurt and harm no person – no person, no child – should ever endure. 

It is an abuse and harm that changes you on a cellular level for the rest of your life. It is a lifetime sentence.

And together, we are fighting for every survivor, carrying visible and invisible scars, burdened by shame. 

Let me be clear, the shame is not yours to carry. Shame on the people that abuse you. Shame on the government that failed you. The shame is not yours to carry.

And we must meet your courage with real action. 

And again, although I know our survivors have left to take their seats at the Judiciary hearing, I’m speaking to all the Epstein survivors, but to all survivors for whom the Epstein survivors are a proxy for.

This moment requires that we meet their courage with real action. 

These powerful abusers have been protected by institutions that are more concerned with the wealthy and well-connected than centering survivors. 

The Department of Justice must continue to release files, and they must correct course.

As we’ve demanded from the beginning, the identities of survivors in these files must be redacted and protected, and this can’t end with the release of the files. 

We must see thorough investigations followed by swift accountability for all that enabled and incited this abuse. 

Words are important, but actions are what matter now, and that’s why we will not yield. 

Thank you for being here today and our work continues.

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Sánchez delivers remarks on House floor before Canada tariffs vote

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives encouraging her colleagues to support a resolution terminating the Trump administration’s tariffs against Canada.

Video of her remarks is available HERE and the text follows:

“I rise today in support of this resolution rejecting President Trump’s illegal tariffs on Canada – our friend, our neighbor and our ally.

The truth of the matter is the arguments on the other side of the aisle are to distract. The vast majority of fentanyl that comes into the United States comes from China and comes in via boats in our ports of entry.

They want to distract to take away from the real issue which is the Constitution is very clear: the power to levy tariffs and regulate trade belongs to the Congress – not the president. And yet too many in this body are willing to give up that authority because President Trump demands blind loyalty from them.

The fact is, we already have a trade agreement with Canada. President Trump negotiated it and this body ratified it. And there is a lawful review process that goes into effect [this] year to find ways to improve it.

That is how responsible governments handle trade disputes: by following the law. Not through weird social media tantrums about bridges and hockey trophies or through childish threats to annex a sovereign nation and make it the 51st state.

His daily barrage against Canada does not make him look tough. It’s certainly not strategic. It‘s just reckless. And frankly, it’s bizarre.

But we’re now seeing the consequences of allowing the president’s unhinged behavior to go unchecked. American families, small businesses and farmers are paying the price for these endless trade wars. Trump’s tariff tantrums have cost households more than $1,600 a year in higher prices. Families in the United States are paying more for groceries, cars, housing, utilities – the basic necessities. What about the deaths from families that are struggling from food insecurity? Do those not matter?

And it’s pushing our allies closer to our adversaries. Last month, Canada announced it was lowering its 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Those tariffs were imposed in coordination with the United States during the leadership of the Biden administration. That cooperation strengthened our position against China.

And now, because of this administration’s chaotic trade policies, that progress is unraveling. Rather than target the real bad actors, the president is picking fights with our friends. 

And instead of standing up for their constituents and defending Congress’s constitutional authority over trade, most Republicans in this chamber are surrendering it to the president. Choosing blind allegiance to him over the people that they are supposed to represent.

I commend the few Republicans who have the courage to break with the president and join with Democrats to force this vote. Reasserting our constitutional authority over trade should never have been a partisan issue.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Let’s restore sanity and stability to our American trade policy.”

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Norton Calls Senate Passage of Disapproval Resolution to Overturn Local D.C. Tax Law “Both Unprecedented and Unsurprising”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

The Senate passed the resolution today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After Senate passage of a disapproval resolution to repeal a local D.C. law that recently restored D.C.’s child tax credit, increased an existing earned income tax credit, and decoupled D.C.’s tax code from certain provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) called the measure “deliberate, yet unsurprising, administrative and fiscal sabotage of the nation’s capital.” The Senate resolution was introduced by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL). 

When the resolution is signed into law by the president, it will repeal a local D.C. law that recently restored D.C.’s child tax credit, increased an existing earned income tax credit, and decoupled D.C.’s tax code from certain provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The D.C. law’s decoupling provisions are projected to generate approximately $600 million in local revenue over the next four years and D.C.’s child tax credit is projected to reduce child poverty by 20%.

“This resolution is both unprecedented and unsurprising in the current Congress, which has attacked D.C. and home rule more frequently than any time since the 1990s,” Norton said. “This is deliberate administrative and fiscal sabotage of the nation’s capital. D.C. is hardly an outlier in decoupling parts of its local tax code from the federal tax code. Several states, red and blue, have decoupled parts of their tax codes from the OBBBA. Moreover, Congress has never overturned a revenue-raising law for D.C., and doing so now threatens D.C.’s credit rating and will inject chaos in the middle of tax filing season. The District’s Chief Financial Officer said it will force the District to halt filings while scrambling to rewrite forms and guidance. 

“What Congress has done is not governance or oversight. It is sabotage, and the damage will be severe and intentional.

“More than 700,000 residents of Washington, D.C., the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are worthy and capable of governing themselves. If D.C. residents disagree with the decisions of their elected council, D.C. residents can vote them out. That’s how democracy works. Members of Congress from distant states, who don’t live or pay taxes in D.C. and are not accountable to D.C. voters – and who often don’t even understand how D.C. functions – have no business overriding local laws and stripping District residents of their right to self-government. Free D.C.”

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