MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 28, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s attack on federal unions:

“There is no room for debate – our president is a proud and unrepentant union buster. Through Donald Trump’s recent executive order, his administration has committed one of the most significant and severe attacks on the labor movement in America’s history. Tragically, it stands as only the latest assault against our civil servants who have been ceaselessly insulted, threatened, and harmed by the Trump Administration since the day it came to power. And let’s be clear: the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Health and Human Services, Justice, State and Veterans Affairs, USAID, and the EPA will each be immeasurably weakened by this order, significantly impacting the agency services millions of Americans rely on.

“Honest people recognize that collective bargaining is the best, most effective way for workers and employers to reach a fair and mutually beneficial labor agreement. That is why America’s federal workers deserve the right to collectively bargain their conditions of employment, and why, at his core, Donald Trump fears the strength and resilience of unions – because unions will always stand as one of the last lines of defense against his illegal war on the federal workforce. 

“I have no doubt he and his administration will not rest, yield, or back down an inch until they have broken every law and every institution necessary to steal this necessary tool from federal workers and ensure their control over every element of our government is absolute. All of Congress should condemn Donald Trump’s overreach and defend the labor movement from his disgusting attempt to dismantle their power. I stand with our federal unions when I say: we’ll see this scab president in court.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) released the following statement:

“Workers deserve the right to collectively bargain, full stop.  Late last night, Donald Trump signed an Executive Order stripping hundreds of thousands of Americans of these fundamental rights. Today, I stand with working families in condemning this blatant overreach by President Trump. The Federal workers directly targeted by this action have always operated under collective bargaining as they serve the nation.  I will continue to oppose this extremist agenda that targets working-class Americans. 

Donald Trump is the most anti-labor president since Rutherford B. Hayes.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Barr – (Kentucky 6th District)

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

Pressley Amendment to Ban Segregationist Policies Was Opposed by Republicans

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – Today, in a House Oversight Committee markup, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) blasted Republicans for advancing the Reorganizing Government Act, legislation that would, among other things, allow the president to eliminate and reorganize agencies into “executive departments” and enable those executive departments to roll back civil rights protections.

Congresswoman Pressley introduced an amendment to the bill that would explicitly ban those executive departments from enacting segregationist policies, which Republicans opposed. The Congresswoman’s amendment follows the Trump Administration’s reversal of a decades-old policy that prohibited federal contractors from having segregated facilities.

A transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks in support of her amendment to the Reorganizing Government Act is available below and the video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Blasts Republicans for Advancing Bill to Enable Segregation, Dismantle Government

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

March 25, 2025

REP. PRESSLEY: This should be a simple and unanimous addition to this bill. It reads, ”rule of construction, nothing in this Act may be construed to allow an executive department to enact a policy that supports racial segregation.” There should be no debate about whether our government should be able to implement segregationist policies. But without this amendment, nothing stops an administration from using reorganization powers to roll back civil rights. 

Now I represent a diverse and beautiful district, the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District, where people at town halls in my district, this last in district work period, genuinely expressed concern that our country is moving backwards. 

Trump’s slogan, Make America Great Again. Begs the question, when exactly is he talking about? What year does Donald Trump want to return to? I’d like to know. 

I can venture a guess based on many actions, which I’ll enumerate shortly. But let’s take a moment to revisit Donald Trump’s origins and his track record. 

Donald Trump was born in the 1940s and raised under Jim Crow, a time when laws were codified to give him an advantage with the segregation of schools, businesses and public spaces, and when he started taking control of his dad’s real estate businesses a few years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Trump made front page news when he was sued for discriminating against Black families who applied for housing. 

60 years later, he is still making front page news for racial discrimination. Just last week, the Trump Administration revoked a decades-old policy that prohibited federal contractors from having segregated facilities. 

Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record this New York Times article from March 21, 2025 titled “Trump administration dropped policy prohibiting contractors from having segregated facilities.”

CHAIR COMER: Without objection so ordered. 

REP. PRESSLEY:  All right, y’all now, let that sink in. This administration, this administration just made it easier for businesses to reintroduce white only waiting rooms, white only bathrooms and white only water fountains in the year 2025.

But this isn’t just about one policy change. It’s about a broader coordinated assault on civil rights to take America back to Jim Crow. 

Trump has appointed judges that don’t support the Brown v. Board of Education decision, an obvious opening for a return to segregated schools. 

Trump is dismantling the Department of Education as we speak, to prevent access to equal education and upend more than 300 active civil rights cases in my district alone.

Trump has overturned executive orders from the 1960s including one signed in 1965 that mandated equal opportunity for people of color in the recruitment, hiring, and training of federal contractors. 

Trump has even removed Black history from government websites, including the Department of Defense. 

He is literally trying to prevent people from learning about Black veterans and their contributions and sacrifices in this country. 

I could go on, but we would be here until tomorrow. 

And listen, I will be the first to acknowledge Democrats, Republicans alike, have a bad history on this issue, but today, only one party is acknowledging that shameful legacy, while the Republicans remain silent, deafeningly so. 

So I will give everyone here a chance to clarify. This vote is simple. 

Are you against racial segregation? This is your chance to go on the record if you are in fact, opposed to racial segregation, let’s ensure that no administration, present or future, can support policies of segregation. 

Clearly, Donald Trump, your president, or perhaps your king, does support segregation because Donald Trump was born in, benefited from, and wants to return to a segregated society. 

I urge passage of my amendment.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), and Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), members of the House Financial Services Committee,  led 50 House Democrats in sending a letter to Travis Hill, the Acting Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), opposing the Trump Administration’s effort to undermine the agency’s critical role of ensuring financial stability and protecting consumers from financial harm.

This letter follows ongoing reports that the Trump Administration and Elon Musk are planning to move forward with a proposed merger of the FDIC with other key banking regulators, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Federal Reserve’s supervisory division. In recent weeks the Administration fired hundreds of bank examiners, failed to put forward Acting Director Hill’s nomination to officially lead the agency before the U.S. Senate, and reportedly asked the Treasury Department to draft recommendations streamlining the role of other banking regulators in order to excerpt more control over them.

“The notion that the President would consider merging or consolidating the FDIC is an outrageous, reckless, and profoundly irresponsible attack on the financial security of millions of Americans,” said Congressman David Scott (GA-13). “The FDIC has been the backbone of our banking system for nearly a century, ensuring that depositors’ money is safe and protected against bank failures. To dismantle the institution by firing the very people tasked with overseeing bank soundness and safety, is to invite chaos, economic instability, and financial ruin for working families and small businesses across Georgia and the nation. Acting Chair Travis Hill must immediately rebuff any attempt to blunt or politicize the mission of the FDIC, oppose the mass layoff of key examiners and reaffirm his commitment to the agency’s independence.”

“Since the Great Depression, the FDIC has played a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of American families and the economy, promoting stability and confidence in the banking system and guaranteeing that hard-earned deposits are protected,” said Congressman Cleaver (MO-05). “Having been in Congress during the 2008 financial crisis, I’ve seen the horrible consequences that follow reckless deregulation and inadequate oversight of America’s financial system. While I pray to never see such an economic collapse again, the Trump Administration’s efforts to put special interests over the interests of everyday Americans by gutting the FDIC and those responsible for ensuring our financial system is sound leave me properly petrified. It’s imperative that the Acting FDIC Chair protect the mission and integrity of the independent agency before another tragedy occurs.”

“Once again, President Trump is showing his laughable ignorance of our financial system,” said Congresswoman Williams (GA-05). “The FDIC’s independence is essential to protecting confidence and stability in our banking system. Chairman Hill’s willingness to entertain consolidating the FDIC with other banking regulators, while it is already understaffed, is a direct threat to that stability. Dismantling this agency is another thinly veiled attempt to attack working families, many who look like my constituents in Atlanta, and a deliberate attempt to widen the racial wealth gap.”

“The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), representing the employees at FDIC, OCC and CFPB, is grateful for Representatives Scott, Cleaver, Williams and others for their letter to Acting Chair Hill.  The current Administration is playing reckless games with the bank deposits of hard-working Americans.  Firing hundreds of experienced bank examiners puts every American’s bank accounts at risk.” Doreen Greenwald, National President, National Treasury Employees Union.

“It is gravely misguided and dangerous to undermine the independence of the FDIC which has tirelessly and capably protected depositors and the economy for almost a century. People rely on the FDIC seal of approval and communities across the country rely on the FDIC to preserve the safety and soundness of local banks.” Patrick Woodall, Managing Director of Policy, Americans for Financial Reform.

The letter was endorsed by: Americans for Financial Reform (AFR), the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) and Public Citizen.

Full list of signers include: David Scott (GA), Emanuel Cleaver (MO), Nikema Williams (GA), Balint, Beatty, Boyle, Brown (OH), Carson, Carter (LA), Casar, Casten, Cisneros, Conaway, Davis (IL), Evans (PA), Fields, Foster, Garcia (TX), Goldman (NY), Green (TX), Ivey, Jackson (IL), Jayapal, Hank Johnson (GA), Julie Johnson (TX), Kelly (IL), Khanna, Latimer, Lynch, McBath, McGovern, Meeks (NY), Nadler, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Pettersen, Pressley, Quigley, Ramirez, Ross, Schakowsky, Sewell, Bennie Thompson (MS), Mike Thompson (CA), Tlaib, Tokuda, Vargas, Velázquez, Wilson (FL)

The text of the letter can be found HERE.

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

Student seemingly arrested for her political views, lawmakers demand due process and answers

Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) 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 the arrest and detention of Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk and similar incidents across the country.

“The Administration should not summarily detain and deport legal residents of this country merely for expressing their political views. Absent compelling evidence justifying her detention and the revocation of her status, we call for Ozturk’s release and the restoration of her visa,” wrote the lawmakers. 

A total of 34 lawmakers signed the letter. In addition to Rep. Pressley and Sens. Warren and Markey, the following members joined in signing: Representatives Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Don Beyer (D-Va.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), along with Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.).

On March 25, 2025, Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested on her way to a Ramadan dinner event by masked, plainclothes officers. Surveillance video shows officers loading Ozturk into an SUV and departing in three unmarked vehicles. Bystanders observed that the incident “looked like a kidnapping.”

For almost 24 hours, Ozturk’s location was unknown and her lawyer could not locate her. On the afternoon of March 26, more than twelve hours after a district court judge ordered the federal government not to remove Ozturk from Massachusetts without at least 48 hours’ notice, ICE’s locator system was updated to show that she was being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center.

This arrest appears to be one of the latest examples in a string of ICE arrests of university students with valid green cards and visas, seemingly on the basis of their political views. Ozturk was one of four authors of a 2024 op-ed in the Tufts student paper, which called for the university to “engage with and actualize” Israel- and Palestine-related resolutions passed by the university’s Student Senate.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the Administration will deny visas to those who “participate in that sort of activity,” referring to protest movements on campuses. Following Ozturk’s arrest, Tufts was informed that her “visa ha[d] been terminated” — similar to other recent cases in which ICE agents have declared, without a judicial or administrative hearing, that they were “terminating” or “revoking” students’ green cards and visas.

The lawmakers asked the Departments of Homeland Security and State, along with ICE, to provide explanations for Ozturk’s arrest and visa revocation; her transportation to Louisiana despite a court order; officials’ use of unmarked vehicles, face coverings, and plain clothing; the federal government’s policies for terminating a student’s visa without a request from a university; and more.

This week, Congresswoman Pressley issued a statement condemning reports that ICE arrested and detained Rumeysa Ozturk, an international student with legal status in a graduate program at Tufts University. Earlier in the week, Rep. Pressley issued a statement following reports of ICE activity in Boston and other municipalities in Massachusetts.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement after across-the-board cuts were announced throughout the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Secretary Kennedy and DOGE’s illegal assault on public health is going to harm the American people, weaken American leadership, and destroy our ability to combat diseases and research groundbreaking cures and treatments. He is circumventing Congressional authority and putting culture wars over science. His actions are going to harm our national biosecurity, stop cures for cancer, and leave everyday Americans unable to access the care they need.

“Thanks to the world-class research conducted at and supported by the NIH, we have new treatments for sickle cell disease and spinal muscular atrophy. We are on the cusp of a breakthrough in type 1 diabetes that could cure the disease. Scientists have promising early results from an mRNA therapeutic vaccine that might revolutionize treatment for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest cancers. Already this administration has been slashing research that supports work like this. These cuts will devastate biomedical research and delay the cures that millions of patients are desperately waiting for.

“These illegal attacks on Americans’ public health must stop. As the top Democrat on the Health Subcommittee, I reiterate my demand for a meeting with Secretary Kennedy to address my immense concerns with these actions.”

Following Secretary Kennedy’s confirmation, Ranking Member DeGette led the Health Subcommittee Democrats in calling for a meeting with Secretary Kennedy. He never responded to that request.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

Sherman Oaks, CA – On March 26th, over 7,000 residents joined Congressman Brad Sherman’s (CA-32) Telephone Town Hall to hear updates from Sherman and his key guests, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Senior Advisor for Democracy Forward Nikki McKinney, on collective efforts to challenge the Trump-Musk dismantling of our government and critical services.

“This is a distressing time for our country – but the overwhelming participation we saw in last night’s Town Hall is a testament to our community’s engagement and resilience,” said Congressman Sherman. “Together, we are standing up against actions that undermine our democracy.”

In a detailed address to open the event, Congressman Sherman spoke on the community’s concerns regarding the brazen and destructive actions by Donald Trump and Elon Musk and highlighted the key legal battles and other substantial efforts that are being deployed to stop them.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta detailed ongoing legal efforts against the current administration’s overreaches: “Our legal actions are not just about opposition; they’re about protection, defending our state’s values, rights, and freedoms under the law,” Bonta stated.

Nikki McKinney from Democracy Forward, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing and protecting the fundamentals of democracy, discussed the organization’s role in challenging the Trump-Musk actions through strategic litigation. “We’re on the front lines in the courts, fighting to preserve the integrity of our democratic institutions against unprecedented challenges,” McKinney highlighted.

As the Representative of Pacific Palisades, Congressman Sherman also provided updates on our recovery from the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. “As we navigate these challenging times, it’s crucial to address the immediate needs of our community, especially those affected by recent wildfires,” Sherman explained. He stressed the importance of applying for Federal wildfire disaster assistance before the upcoming deadline on March 31. “While I’ve fought and continue to push for more time, another extension is unlikely. Apply now to receive the assistance you need,” Sherman urged.

During the Telephone Town Hall, Sherman requested input from residents by asking a series of survey questions about their thoughts and concerns. The results of the survey questions are as follows:
 

Do you approve of President Trump’s performance as President so far?

-Approve: 6%

-Disapprove: 93%

-Unsure: 1%

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The Trump tax law limited deduction of State and Local Taxes (“SALT”) like property taxes on federal income tax returns to $10,000 per filer. That provision is set to expire this year. As Congress considers revising our tax laws, do you support eliminating the SALT deduction, keeping it at $10,000, or removing the $10,000 limit on the deductibility as was the case before 2017?

1.    SALT with no limit on deductibility of state and property taxes: 56%

2.    SALT with $10,000 limit on deductibility of state and property taxes: 14%

3.    Eliminate SALT deduction: 2%

4.    Unsure: 27%

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Should your Member of Congress vote for legislation that he thinks is good for the county, or should he vote NO on everything that Republican Speaker Johnson is willing to propose, and President Trump is willing to sign?

1.    Obstruction and Resistance: Vote NO on all of Speaker Johnson and President Trump’s legislation: 51%

2.    Negotiate with Republicans but only vote for a bill Democrats think is good: 44%

3.    Vote with the Republicans: 1%

4.    Unsure: 3%

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

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump’s address at the Joint Session of Congress.

“Tonight, as President Trump stood before Congress, I walked out of the chamber because I could not, in good conscience, dignify a speech so detached from reality and so disrespectful to the American people. Once again, President Trump demeaned the dignity of his office and embarrassed our nation with his ignorance of real-world problems and his open contempt for the democracy he swore to protect.

“Rather than offering a vision to unite our country or solutions to the very real challenges facing working families, President Trump instead demonstrated – yet again – that he is unfit to lead the free world. He has neither the capacity nor the desire to meet the pressing needs of families across our nation. He spent more time boasting about his self-serving agenda than addressing the crushing costs keeping families up at night – costs that are rising because of his administration’s disastrous economic policies.

“The tariffs he announced this week threaten to ignite a devastating trade war, driving up prices on everything from groceries to gas, hurting small businesses, and leaving working families to pay the price. Meanwhile, the Republican budget passed last week handed out trillions in tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and big corporations, shifting the burden onto middle-class families – all while slashing critical programs like Medicaid and nutrition assistance that millions of families rely on just to get by. This President is dangerously out of touch with the reality of American life – and by reiterating his radical, self-serving agenda tonight, he made clear he has no intention of changing course.

“Even more disturbing than the President’s rhetoric is his relentless assault on the truth itself. His remarks tonight were riddled with falsehoods and deliberate misinformation – part of an ongoing effort to divide Americans against one another and erode public trust in our institutions. His crass language, misleading claims, and blatant disregard for facts are not just beneath the office he holds – they are an attack on the very foundation of our democracy.

“But this President’s reckless behavior does not exist in a vacuum. It is enabled every day by the silence and complicity of my Republican colleagues. As we stand on the brink of a government shutdown that could devastate our economy and hurt millions of Americans, House and Senate Republicans refuse to stand up to this President’s overreach and abuse of power. Instead of serving as a check on his reckless dismantling of vital government services, they applaud it – turning a blind eye to his unconstitutional schemes and the unchecked influence of an unelected, unvetted billionaire pulling the strings behind the scenes.

“Rather than providing the steady leadership our country desperately needs, Republicans in Congress have chosen to shield this President from accountability at every turn – even as he disgraces us on the global stage, undermines our democracy, and wages war on the very values that make America strong. Their refusal to confront the dangers posed by this administration is a profound betrayal of their oath and a direct threat to the future of our nation.

“Republicans have made their priorities clear: they are willing to sacrifice our nation’s future to cling to political power. With majorities in both chambers of Congress and control of the White House, they can no longer hide behind excuses for their failures. They own this chaos.

“The American people deserve better. They deserve leaders who put country over party – leaders with the courage to defend our democracy and fight for the hard-working families who built this nation. I urge my Republican colleagues to reflect on their responsibilities – not to their party, but to their constituents and to the Constitution itself. I urge the President to reflect on his own duty to our nation. 

“If and when they are ready to put the American people first, House Democrats stand ready to work together to lower costs, create good-paying jobs, and build safer, healthier communities. Until then, we will not waver in our fight to protect our democracy, defend working families, and stand up for the fundamental principles of fairness, justice, and equality for all.”

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Issues: 119th Congress

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

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced that Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner will be her guest at this year’s Joint Session of Congress, taking place on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 9:00 PM Eastern/6:00 PM Pacific. Chief Gardner leads the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD), an all-hazards department of 658 personnel dedicated to protecting Ventura County. Chief Gardner has served with VCFD since 1998.

“Chief Gardner has shown unwavering dedication in protecting Ventura County during some of the most devastating wildfires and emergencies we’ve faced,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “His leadership has been crucial not only in Ventura County, but also in coordinating firefighting efforts across Los Angeles County and throughout California.

“Chief Gardner’s expertise, steady leadership, and calm under pressure embody the bravery and selflessness of our first responders. As President Trump addresses Congress tonight, I am honored to have Chief Gardner as my guest to remind us that protecting communities from wildfires and natural disasters must remain a national priority. Federal support for our firefighters and emergency responders is essential – and disaster assistance should never be politicized. When disaster strikes, our communities deserve timely and effective federal support, regardless of politics.

“As wildfires continue to devastate our state and communities face unprecedented disasters, the bravery and commitment of firefighters like Chief Gardner are more important than ever,” Brownley continued. “Ensuring that our first responders, emergency personnel, and disaster recovery teams have the resources and support they need is essential to improving crisis response and safeguarding our communities.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to join Congresswoman Brownley at the Joint Session,” said Dustin Gardner, Ventura County Fire Chief. “The fires that destroyed thousands of homes in Southern California recently demonstrate the need for wildfire prevention efforts, coordinated responses and effective recovery measures. The federal government’s involvement and support in such efforts across the country is important, because no single agency is equipped to deal with disaster-level events alone.”

Congresswoman Brownley is pleased to welcome Chief Gardner as her guest as an important way to recognize him and the heroic first responders across the nation who risk their lives every day to protect our communities.

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Issues: 119th Congress, Disaster Relief, Local Issues