Congressman García Defends Job Corps at Chicago City Council Hearing 

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

CHICAGO — Today, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) appeared before the Chicago City Council’s Committee on Workforce Development to deliver testimony against the Trump administration’s attempt to illegally shut down Job Corps programs nationwide—including Paul Simon Job Corps Center, located in his district and serving youth across the Chicagoland region. 

The Paul Simon Job Corps Center provides critical career and technical education to youth ages 16 to 24, offering training in high-demand industries including carpentry, pharmacy tech, protective services, and many more. Many students come from underserved communities.

“I fully support the continued federal, state, and local funding for the Paul Simon Job Corps Center and all Job Corps programs,” said Congressman García. “We must do everything in our power to protect these vital programs nationwide. They make the difference between putting food on the table, a stable home, and living with uncertainty. Simply put, these job opportunities are a lifeline.”

“Whether it’s the Bricklayers, Carpenters, or Teamsters—my union brothers and sisters also know we need a strong workforce and we’ve all got to do our part,” said the Congressman. “Our youth deserve an opportunity. And our community demands it. And all of us—public servants, workforce partners, and community members—must come together to defend these life-changing programs. 

“If we are serious about being a competitive global leader, we need a diverse workforce, and that starts with investing in our youth,” added Congressman García. 

Congressman García, a champion of youth workforce development, recently joined 198  colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer demanding the administration follow the law and continue funding Job Corps as already authorized and funded by Congress. He also submitted a letter to members of the Committee expressing his strong support for Job Corps. The letter can be found here.  

A video of the Congressman’s testimony can be found here, starting at 45:40. 

Background
On May 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) abruptly announced the suspension of operations at all contractor-operated Job Corps centers nationwide. The shutdown–scheduled for June 30–would have impacted 99 programs. 

The DOL cited “serious incident reports” and cost concerns, referencing an “in-depth fiscal analysis,” relying on outdated COVID-era figures, while ignoring current need and demand.

The National Job Corps Association sued to block closures. A U.S. district judge in Manhattan ruled in favor of the Association, finding that the abrupt shuttering of the 60-year-old Job Corps program without authorization from Congress was likely illegal. The judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing DOL from ending the program pending the outcome of the lawsuit. It is unclear how the recent Supreme Court case Trump v. Casa, Inc., which banned nationwide injunctions, will impact this case. 

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Congressman García Votes No on Trump’s Cruel Spending Bill

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement after voting against H.R.1, the “One Big, Ugly Bill”:

“I cannot support a bill that strips health care from working families while writing checks to billionaires and ICE.

“Trump’s ‘Big, Ugly Bill’ includes the largest Medicaid cuts in American history, leaving 17 million people with no health care. In my district, 278,000 people are enrolled in Medicaid, and thousands will lose their coverage under this bill. It raises costs, eliminates care, and punishes everyday families. 

“It jeopardizes nutrition benefits for more than 40 million people, taking food off the table for children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.

“If that was not enough, this bill will pour $100 billion into ICE, building it into the largest police force in the country—even bigger than the FBI—and with more detention capacity than the entire federal prison system. All to supercharge Trump and Stephen Miller’s deportation agenda, which means more raids, more kidnappings, more people taken from the streets with no regard for due process, and more families separated. 

“My vote is for working families—not for billionaires, not for fear, and not for cruelty.”

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Rep. Norcross Delivers $500,000 to Restore U.S. Revolution Historical Site in Camden

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

CHERRY HILL, NJ —Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) was joined by Camden City and County leaders to deliver $500,000 in Community Project Funding to the Camden County Historical Society. The funding Congressman Norcross secured was the catalyst for the additional funding raised for the project, totaling $4 million, and will be used to turn the Benjamin Cooper Tavern into the American Revolution Museum of Southern New Jersey. The new museum aims to be open in time for the United States Semiquincentennial, which will be celebrated on July 4, 2026, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“I fought to deliver $500,000 in federal funding to restore the Benjamin Cooper Tavern and turn it into a historical site that will help future generations learn more about our nation’s history,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “Opening in time for the Semiquincentennial, this museum will honor the values we fought for during the Revolutionary War of democracy, freedom, and justice. Learning from history is essential to protecting the ideals that shaped our nation.” 

“The Benjamin Cooper Tavern is one of Camden City’s most significant historic sites, so it is imperative that we preserve it for generations to come,” said Commissioner Jeffrey Nash. “This project will keep an important piece of regional history alive and will allow residents and visitors to learn more about the history that surrounds them on a daily basis. We are thrilled to see this project move forward and cannot wait to visit the museum once it is completed.”  

“The Benjamin Cooper Tavern built in 1734 is Camden’s most historic surviving building and played a significant role during the American Revolutionary War during the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777–1778. Recognized for its national importance, the site is listed on both the Congressional List of Revolutionary War Battlefields and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places,” said Executive Director of the Camden County Historical Society, Jack O’Byrne. “In preparation for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the building is being restored and will open as the American Revolution Museum of Southern New Jersey. We applaud Congressman Norcross for his early and enthusiastic support for the project which will bring an important new historical, educational, and cultural attraction to the region for visitors to enjoy for decades to come.” 

The American Revolution Museum of Southern New Jersey will have museum exhibits, a community room for events, and provide public facilities for those using the 33-mile Camden County Circuit Trail. The museum will feature exhibits on the Battle of Gloucester, as well as displays on the impact African Americans, Latino Americans, and Native Americans had on the American Revolution. 

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Wasserman Schultz, DeLauro Slam Trump Plan to Cut 30,000 Veterans Affairs Employees

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

Wasserman Schultz, DeLauro Slam Trump Plan to Cut 30,000 Veterans Affairs Employees

Washington, July 7, 2025

“President Trump and the VA refuse to answer simple questions and share information on what positions are not being filled and what the impact will be of this massive reduction in force. We need answers. The American people need answers. Our veterans deserve answers.”

If slashing the workforce by 30,000 employees is not a “large-scale reduction in force,” what is?

WASHINGTON — House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Ranking Member Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) released the following statement on President Trump’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plan to reduce VA staff by 30,000 employees:

“Our veterans make significant sacrifices in service of our country, but those sacrifices do not seem to matter to President Trump. The men and women who bravely served our country need additional services, shorter wait times, and more support, not less. Make no mistake, reducing the VA workforce by 30,000 employees is a large-scale reduction in force that will eliminate job opportunities for veterans and hinder the VA’s ability to serve our veterans.

“President Trump and the VA refuse to answer simple questions and share information on what positions are not being filled and what the impact will be of this massive reduction in force. We need answers. The American people need answers. Our veterans deserve answers.”

Pocan Corrects the Record on Van Orden’s Billion-Dollar Claims

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)

MADISON, WI – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement fact-checking Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) after a weekend of nonsense tweets, eight in total, claiming credit for earmarking Wisconsin’s hospitals $1 billion.

“It’s rich that Rep. Van Orden is claiming credit for $1 billion coming to Wisconsin hospitals. I didn’t realize he was serving in the State Legislature and Congress simultaneously. It was a bipartisan majority in the State Assembly and the State Senate, as well as Governor Evers, that helped Wisconsin secure $1 billion by finally expanding the provider tax rate from one of the lowest in the country to the highest level possible. The State Legislature voted to expand Medicaid’s reimbursements to the states before Derrick, Congressional Republicans, and Trump could force through their devastating reconciliation bill that will cut $1 trillion from healthcare nationwide and could shutter rural hospitals across the state.”

“I applaud both Governor Evers and the State Legislature for working together to get this done and help our rural hospitals.”

“It’s clear that Derrick doesn’t understand the bill or legislative procedure when he claimed that he also helped secure an additional $500 million for rural hospitals. This provision came from a Senate amendment he had nothing to do with and was only included because Republicans felt pressure to put a band-aid over the bullet wound they are inflicting on rural hospitals by this bill. Moreover, there is no guarantee that Wisconsin will receive any or all of these funds, as award amounts have yet to be determined.”

“You can’t create a problem and then claim credit for someone else’s help in making it slightly less horrific. He and his Republican colleagues are the reason this legislative fix was so necessary in the first place. The legislature’s actions will help lessen some of the impact, but certainly not all of the bill.”

Background:

Medicaid provider taxes are state-imposed taxes on healthcare providers, like hospitals. Wisconsin utilizes provider taxes to help fund its Medicaid program. The federal government matches that provider tax rate, which again helps fund the state Medicaid program.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) freezes certain provider tax rates, singling out Wisconsin and a few other states that had very low rates compared to the rest of the country. In response, the state rushed to increase that tax rate to ensure that they could be grandfathered into the reconciliation bill at the maximum level, thus enabling the state to receive approximately $1 billion in additional federal funding.

Even with this fix, this legislation is still estimated to cause over 275,000 Wisconsinites to lose their healthcare.

Additional Van Orden Tweets Claiming Credit:







Pocan Votes Against Cutting Healthcare, Food Aid for Millions

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement after he voted against President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ scheme to rip healthcare away from 17 million Americans and take food away from millions of hungry people, all to pay for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit millionaires and billionaires, which passed the House.

“Today, Congressional Republicans put their billionaire donors ahead of their constituents. And now, millions of Americans across the country will suffer just so the richest Americans can get even richer. The numbers don’t lie: this cruel legislation will rip healthcare away from 17 million people, threaten food assistance for millions of Americans, increase household energy costs, and add trillions to the national debt, all to give a massive tax break to the wealthy. In Wisconsin alone, this bill could terminate the healthcare of over 270,000 people, reduce or eliminate food assistance for at least 49,000 Wisconsinites, threaten to close rural hospitals, and cause as many as one in four nursing homes to shut down. There’s a reason why this bill is polling badly. Congressional Republicans are having a hard time convincing everyday people that it will help them, because it won’t.”

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Castro Statement on the Recent Devastating Floods in Texas

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

July 07, 2025

San Antonio, TX — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement on the recent devastating floods in Texas:

“As rescue missions continue, San Antonians continue to grieve the tragic loss of life from the catastrophic flooding in Kerr County and Central Texas. I am deeply grateful to the first responders and volunteers working tirelessly to locate survivors and missing people.

“Flash flood emergencies are happening more frequently than ever. Just last month, a devastating flash flood event in San Antonio caused 13 deaths.

“Once the search and rescue mission is completed, leaders at all levels of government—local, state, and federal—must work together to identify meaningful solutions that prevent this type of tragedy from happening again.”


Jayapal Statement on Termination of TPS for Honduras, Nicaragua

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

SEATTLE, WA — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Hondurans and Nicaraguans:

“The purpose of the TPS program is to offer legal status to people whose home countries are too dangerous to return to. The revocation of TPS is out of touch with the reality of conditions in Honduras and Nicaragua — and even the State Department’s own analyses of these countries. These are legal designations that have existed under Presidents of both parties – this is just another attack on our legal system that will affect thousands of lives.

“ The people whose legal status will be terminated are not the ‘worst of the worst’ as Trump promised he would focus on. They are people who have been in the United States for decades — working, raising families, and contributing to our economy and communities. 

“Forcing these people to leave the lives they’ve built to return to dangerous conditions is outrageous. And let me be clear — TPS is legal immigration. We must work to protect this program and other means of legal immigration from Trump’s continued attacks on our legal system.”

TPS is a designation that temporarily allows foreign nationals who are already in the United States to remain lawfully during periods that would prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely. Since coming to office, Trump has moved to end TPS status for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

Issues:

Rep. Dina Titus Introduces Bill to Restore Gaming Loss Deduction

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

Rep. Dina Titus Introduces Bill to Restore Gaming Loss Deduction

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01), co-chair of the Congressional Gaming Caucus, today introduced the Fair Accounting for Income Realized from Betting Earnings Taxation (FAIR BET) Act that would restore the 100% deduction for gambling losses.

“The recently passed budget bill included a provision inserted by Senate Republicans without consent of the House that imposed a tax increase on Americans who gamble by reducing from 100 percent to 90 percent the amount of losses they can deduct from gambling winnings for their income taxes,” Congresswoman Titus said. “My FAIR BET Act would rightfully restore the full deduction for losses so gamblers don’t pay taxes on money they haven’t won.

“This common-sense legislation will bring fairness back to gaming taxation, making sure that gamblers can fully deduct losses when they report their winnings. It gives everyone –from recreational gamblers to high-stakes gamblers — a fair shake. We should be encouraging players to properly report their winnings and wager using legal operators. The Senate change will only push people to not report their winnings and to use unregulated platforms.” 

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Pingree Unveils Bill to Protect Aid Workers in Global Conflict Zones

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) is leading an effort in Congress to protect humanitarian aid workers operating in conflict zones and ensure accountability for those who target them. Joined by U.S. Representatives Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Pingree today introduced the Commitment to Aid Workers Act—comprehensive legislation that reaffirms the United States’ commitment to safeguarding humanitarian principles and holding foreign militaries accountable for actions that endanger civilians and those delivering American, life-saving aid.

“Humanitarian aid workers put their lives on the line to deliver food, water, medicine, and shelter to civilians caught in the crossfire of conflict. Their work is guided by a basic principle: that even in war, human dignity must be preserved,” Pingree said. “Tragically, we are seeing aid workers targeted like never before. So far this year, 192 have been killed—and last year was the deadliest on record, with over 370 killed across the globe. These are attacks on the very foundation of humanitarian law. The United States cannot stand by while those delivering life-saving assistance are treated as collateral damage. The Commitment to Aid Workers Act ensures accountability, advocacy, and limits U.S. military assistance to countries found to be targeting aid workers deliberately. We must support those who serve on the frontlines of humanitarian crises.”

“Humanitarian workers are the globe’s first responders. They deserve to be protected for the essential role they play in saving lives,” McGovern said. “The Act ensures that the safety of humanitarian NGO workers and the viability of their work are institutionally supported by the State Department through the creation of a special envoy position and an interagency working group, and accountability measures including conditioning aid to countries who unlawfully kill aid workers.”

“Delivering humanitarian aid into conflict zones is one of the most honorable and dangerous jobs,” said Pocan. “Those workers put their lives at risk to help others get basic, life-saving aid, such as food, water, and medicine, and they deserve to be protected. Yet, as conflicts around the world are on the rise, far too many aid workers have been injured or even killed. We must protect these aid workers, and I’m honored to co-sponsor this legislation led by Congresswoman Pingree.”

“Aid workers in conflict zones are heroes, doing lifesaving work in devastating environments — yet humanitarian personnel are often targeted and attacked,” Dean said. “In times of major strife, we must protect those bringing desperately needed food, water, and medicine to innocent civilians. I am grateful to Congresswoman Pingree for her leadership on this crucial issue, and I hope that this bill will help preserve humanitarian aid programs, their employees, and the lifesaving help they provide.”

The Commitment to Aid Workers Act:

  • Establishes a Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers tasked with advocating for the safety of non-governmental organization (NGO) staff abroad, investigating the deaths of U.S. NGO aid workers, and reporting annually to Congress on threats and violence against aid missions.
  • Mandates the creation of an Aid Worker Independent Inquiry Group, an interagency body led by the Special Envoy that would investigate any incident in which an aid worker is killed by a foreign military. This group must provide Congress with a report within 90 days, detailing the circumstances of the death, including the use of U.S.-origin munitions and the intent behind the attack.
  • Strengthens accountability by amending the Foreign Assistance Act to prohibit military aid and arms sales to any country that repeatedly and intentionally targets humanitarian aid workers. Assistance can only resume if the Secretary of State certifies that sufficient safeguards have been implemented to protect aid missions.

The Commitment to Aid Workers Act is supported by Oxfam, a confederation of 21 independent non-governmental organizations that tackle poverty across the world. 

“Humanitarian work, especially in conflicts, is increasingly dangerous. Aid workers face skyrocketing rates of death and detention in the line of duty. Most often it is local staff, bravely serving their own communities in crisis, who face this targeted violence without attention or consequence,” Oxfam America’s Director of Peace and Security Scott Paul said“The Commitment to Aid Workers Act represents an important step toward preventing these egregious attacks and holding the perpetrators to account. Very simply, this bill would make it safer to save lives. Congress should pass it immediately to make it clear that aid workers can never be a target.”

Background:

So far this year, 192 aid workers have been killed globally. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more humanitarian aid workers died in 2024 than in any year previously reported.

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