MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Republican bill greenlights Trump’s inflationary, market-crashing tariffs

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) urged his colleagues to stand up to President Trump and his continued disregard for the separation of powers.

“The Constitution explicitly gives Congress the “power of the purse” – the responsibility to decide taxes and spending. In President Trump’s first 50 days, he has repeatedly and unlawfully ordered the administration to withhold funds Congress appropriated. Imagine how Republicans would react if Barack Obama or Joe Biden withheld farm subsidies from states that did not support them in the election. Republicans would state that the President was trying to usurp their Constitutional authority. That is exactly what President Trump is doing across the federal government, with Congressional Republicans hooting and hollering in support.

“Not only are House Republicans refusing to stand up to President Trump on his spending cuts, but they are also ceding Congress’s power to review his tariffs. At the last second, Speaker Johnson slipped in a provision to strip Congress of its ability to cancel Trump’s tariffs, which will cost consumers thousands of dollars on home products, electricity, gas, housing, and groceries. Congressional Republicans own any move Trump makes in his costly trade war against our allies.

“President Trump and Elon Musk have cited “massive fraud,” without evidence, as their reason for stopping funds. In case after case, what they have actually “uncovered” are programs they do not support. It is their right to disagree with what we spend on, but they have no right to unilaterally cut off funding approved by Congress. If they want to cut spending, they have the opportunity to present their budget to Congress right now and negotiate. The Republican bill does not prevent a shutdown. It lets President Trump and Elon Musk shut down whichever part of the government they want, whenever they want.

“President Trump is in the White House and Republicans control the House and Senate — if there is a shutdown, it falls squarely on their shoulders. Democrats stand ready to work with Republicans to fund the government and avoid a disastrous shutdown, but House Republicans have decided to go it alone. We do not work for the President, we work with him. We were elected independently from the President and answer to our constituents, not him.”

You can find more information about the Republican Continuing Resolution here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Committee on Education & Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA), Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), and Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) led 236 colleagues in a letter to President Donald Trump in response to his unprecedented and unlawful dismissal of Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) Commissioners Charlotte Burrows and Jocelyn Samuels.

“We write to express our outrage at your unprecedented dismissal of Commissioners Charlotte Burrows and Jocelyn Samuels of the bipartisan U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,” the Members wrote. “This unlawful abuse of presidential power undermines the EEOC’s historic independence, harms U.S. workers, and unduly politicizes the Commission’s work. It also impedes the Commission’s ability to fully carry out its critical mission on behalf of the American people. We urge you to swiftly reinstate Commissioners Burrows and Samuels.”

The EEOC was established in 1964 with strong bipartisan support to serve as an independent, multi-member body tasked with preventing and addressing employment discrimination. It is the primary federal law enforcement agency responsible for ensuring that workers are protected against discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, and genetic information. Workers rely on the EEOC to be a fair and independent body—not one subject to the shifting political whims of the executive branch.

Both Commissioner Burrows and Commissioner Samuels had been confirmed by bipartisan votes of the Senate prior to the start of their terms, with Commissioner Burrows’ term not set to expire until July 2028 and Commissioner Samuels term not set to expire until July 2026.

The Members highlighted the massive return on investment the EEOC delivers for the American people, stating, “From 2014-2024, the EEOC recovered $5.6 billion for workers who were discriminated against under these laws, significantly more than the agency’s appropriations during that time period. For FY 2024, the EEOC secured a record $700 million for workers who experienced discrimination. The EEOC’s role in enforcing these protections is essential to ensuring that all workers have a fair chance to obtain employment, provide for their families, and contribute to our economy.”

The Members made clear the illegal firing by President Trump is an intrusion into Congress’ constitutional authority, stating, “The Administration’s firing of Commissioner Burrows and Commissioner Samuels is unprecedented and an intrusion into Congress’ Article I constitutional authority. The appointment of EEOC Commissioners is governed by statute and is designed to ensure the agency’s independence from the executive.  The President appoints Commissioners and the Senate confirms them. That is the beginning and end of the executive’s role in determining who can sit on the Commission and for how long. The law not only expressly requires the Commission to be bipartisan, but it also sets out five-year terms, a design that ensures that Commissioners’ terms run between presidential terms, another purposeful action by Congress to ensure the Commission’s independence.”

“Longstanding Supreme Court precedent also confirms that multi-member independent commissions such as the EEOC enjoy protection from “coercive influence” of the executive. In Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, 295 U.S. 602 (1935), the Supreme Court made clear that members of independent commissions like the EEOC cannot be removed at will by the President. Prior Presidents have agreed; no Commissioner of the EEOC has ever been removed prior to the expiration of their term in the Commission’s 60-year history.”

“Workers deserve to earn a living free from discrimination and feel confident that when they are harmed, they can count on an independent EEOC, not a politicized body, to protect their rights,” the Members concluded. “We urge you to reinstate Commissioner Burrows and Commissioner Samuels, and we look forward to your urgent response.”

The full letter can be read here.

The letter was also signed by: In addition to Representative Nadler, Senator Murray, Ranking Member Scott, Representative Stansbury, and Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Fernández the letter is signed by Rep. Alma Adams, Rep. Pete Aguilar, Sen. Angela D. Alsobrooks, Rep. Gabe Amo, Rep. Yassamin Ansari, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Becca Balint, Rep. Nanette Barragán, Rep. Joyce Beatty, Rep. Wesley Bell, Sen. Michael Bennet, Rep. Ami Bera, Rep. Donald Beyer, Rep. Sanford Bishop, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. Shontel Brown, Rep. Julia Brownley, Rep. Nikki Budzinski, Rep. Janelle Bynum, Sen. Maria Cantwell, Rep. Salud Carbajal, Rep. André Carson, Rep. Troy Carter, Rep. Greg Casar, Rep. Ed Case, Rep. Sean Casten, Rep. Kathy Castor, Rep. Joaquin Castro, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Gilbert Cisneros, Rep. Katherine Clark, Rep. Yvette Clarke, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, Rep. James E. Clyburn, Rep. Steve Cohen, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rep. Herbert Conaway, Rep. Gerald Connolly, Sen. Christopher Coons, Rep. J. Correa, Rep. Jim Costa, Rep. Joe Courtney, Rep. Angie Craig, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Rep. Jason Crow, Rep. Danny Davis, Rep. Madeleine Dean, Rep. Diana DeGette, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. Suzan DelBene, Rep. Christopher Deluzio, Rep. Maxine Dexter, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Sen. Richard Durbin, Rep. Sarah Elfreth, Rep. Veronica Escobar, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Rep. Dwight Evans, Rep. Cleo Fields, Rep. Shomari Figures, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, Rep. Bill Foster, Rep. Valerie Foushee, Rep. Lois Frankel, Rep. Laura Friedman, Rep. Maxwell Frost, Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. John Garamendi, Rep. Jesús García, Rep. Robert Garcia, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Daniel Goldman, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, Rep. Maggie Goodlander, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Rep. Al Green, Sen. Maggie Hassan, Rep. Jahana Hayes, Sen. Martin Heinrich, Sen. John W. Hickenlooper, Rep. James Himes, Sen. Mazie Hirono, Rep. Steven Horsford, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, Rep. Steny Hoyer, Rep. Val Hoyle, Rep. Jared Huffman, Rep. Glenn Ivey, Rep. Jonathan Jackson, Rep. Sara Jacobs, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Henry Johnson, Rep. Julie Johnson, Sen. Timothy Kaine, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Rep. William Keating, Sen. Mark Kelly, Rep. Robin Kelly, Rep. Timothy Kennedy, Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Andy Kim, Sen. Angus King, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Rep. Greg Landsman, Rep. John Larson, Rep. George Latimer, Rep. Summer Lee, Rep. Susie Lee, Rep. Mike Levin, Rep. Ted Lieu, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Rep. Stephen Lynch, Rep. Seth Magaziner, Rep. John Mannion, Sen. Edward J. Markey, Rep. Doris Matsui, Rep. Lucy McBath, Rep. Sarah McBride, Rep. Jennifer McClellan, Rep. Betty McCollum, Rep. Morgan McGarvey, Rep. James McGovern, Rep. LaMonica McIver, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Sen. Robert Menendez, Rep. Grace Meng, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Rep. Kweisi Mfume, Rep. Dave Min, Rep. Gwen Moore, Rep. Joseph Morelle, Rep. Kelly Morrison, Rep. Jared Moskowitz, Rep. Seth Moulton, Rep. Frank Mrvan, Rep. Kevin Mullin, Rep. Richard Neal, Rep. Joe Neguse, Rep. Donald Norcross, Rep. Eleanor Norton, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Johnny Olszewski, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Jimmy Panetta, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Gary Peters, Rep. Scott Peters, Rep. Brittany Pettersen, Rep. Chellie Pingree, Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. Nellie Pou, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Mike Quigley, Rep. Delia Ramirez, Rep. Emily Randall, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Sen. Jack Reed, Rep. Luz Rivas, Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, Rep. Jacklyn Rosen, Rep. Deborah Ross, Rep. Raul Ruiz, Rep. Patrick Ryan, Rep. Andrea Salinas, Sen. Bernard Sanders, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, Rep. Janice Schakowsky, Sen. Brian Schatz, Rep. Adam B. Schiff, Rep. Bradley Schneider, Rep. Hillary Scholten, Rep. Kim Schrier, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sen. Charles Schumer, Rep. David Scott, Rep. Terri Sewell, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Rep. Brad Sherman, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, Rep. Lateefah Simon, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, Rep. Adam Smith, Sen. Tina Smith, Rep. Eric Sorensen, Rep. Darren Soto, Rep. Greg Stanton, Rep. Haley Stevens, Rep. Marilyn Strickland, Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, Rep. Thomas Suozzi, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Rep. Emilia Sykes, Rep. Linda Sánchez, Rep. Mark Takano, Rep. Shri Thanedar, Rep. Bennie Thompson, Rep. Mike Thompson, Rep. Dina Titus, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Jill Tokuda, Rep. Paul Tonko, Rep. Norma Torres, Rep. Ritchie Torres, Rep. Lori Trahan, Rep. Derek Tran, Rep. Lauren Underwood, Rep. Juan Vargas, Rep. Marc Veasey, Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Rep. Eugene Vindman, Sen. Mark R. Warner, Sen. Raphael G. Warnock, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Peter Welch, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rep. George Whitesides, Rep. Nikema Williams, Rep. Frederica Wilson, and Sen. Ron Wyden.

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The letter is endorsed by: A Better Balance, American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Employment Law Project, National Partnership for Women & Families, and the National Women’s Law Center.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:  

“Since its establishment 60 years ago as part of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, the EEOC has protected the rights of workers to earn a living free from discrimination. President Trump’s illegal and unprecedented dismissal of Commissioners Charlotte Burrows and Jocelyn Samuels critically impairs the EEOC’s ability to ensure that individuals aren’t denied jobs and opportunities because of who they are.  We condemn the administration’s flagrant politicization of an independent, nonpartisan civil rights agency and join members of Congress calling for the reinstatement of the commissioners without delay,” said Mike Zamore, National Director of Policy and Government Affairs of the American Civil Liberties Union.

“People rely on the EEOC to be an independent, fair body that will protect their right to be free from discrimination in their workplace,” said Gaylynn Burroughs, Vice President for Education and Workplace Justice at the National Women’s Law Center. “President Trump’s removal of EEOC Commissioners Burrows and Samuels is just another extension of his authoritarian power grab that will ultimately harm workers. His actions are a clear abuse of power intended to bend the Commission to his will, but the Commission works for all working people, not for President Trump. The EEOC was born out of the civil rights movement to help ensure equal employment opportunity for all workers. We will continue to fight to preserve the integrity of the Commission, for equal opportunity, and for the right of all workers to be free from discrimination.”

“We condemn the administration’s unlawful attempt to fire sitting EEOC commissioners. This reckless decision is already having devastating consequences for workers waiting for the agency to take legal action against employers engaged in discrimination and severe ramifications for the agency’s ability to function effectively and enforce labor and civil rights protections,” said Jocelyn C. Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families. “Workers who are depending on the EEOC to do its job should not have to endure discrimination because of political stunts intended to undermine civil rights enforcement. By making it virtually impossible for the Commission to take important actions, because it lacks a quorum, the administration is effectively circumventing robust enforcement of statutory anti-discrimination protections that workers depend on every day. President Trump must reinstate the commissioners he fired to rectify this situation. We commend Congressman Jerry Nadler and Senator Patty Murray, and all the members of Congress who join us in this fight, for standing up to safeguard the rights and the freedoms of all workers so that they are treated fairly in workplaces that are free of discrimination.”

“The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s role in ensuring equitable workplaces and enforcing our nation’s laws against discrimination is vital. It is an outrage that the Trump Administration has gutted the agency by illegally firing key EEOC Commissioners who have tirelessly championed robust enforcement of important workplace laws like the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Title VII of the Civil Right Act. This is an overstep of the President’s authority that will hamstring the agency’s ability to carry out its mission. We thank Congressman Nadler, Senator Murray, Ranking Member Scott, Congresswoman Stansbury, and Congresswoman Leger Fernández for their leadership in defending the EEOC,” said Inimai Chettiar, President of A Better Balance. 

“President Trump’s removal of Commissioners Burrows and Samuels was an outrageous attack on civil rights and the rule of law – one of many actions taken by the president in pursuit of his goal to further entrench inequality and occupational segregation. The EEOC’s independence and bipartisan structure was established by Congress in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and is essential to its mission to promote equal opportunity in the workplace. This lawlessness and disregard for our Constitution cannot stand,” said Josh Boxerman, Government Affairs Manager, National Employment Law Project.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Today, Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY-12) issued the following statement: 

“If the evidence initially presented by Jeffrey Goldberg weren’t damning enough, the latest tranche of messages revealed today make it clear that the Trump Administration has been lying—and continues to lie—about the confidential war plans shared by Secretary Hegseth in an unsecured Signal chat.

“The latest text messages confirm that in yesterday’s Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe lied under oath in their testimony. Perjury is a crime, and they should be prosecuted.

“Any other military officer who demonstrated such disregard for security protocols would likely face dismissal from service and even a court-martial.

“The Trump Administration appears to believe that cabinet secretaries and senior officials are immune from the law. They are not.

“Even today, official Administration X accounts continue to lie about the timeline and sensitive nature of these plans. These lies, along with Secretary Hegseth’s careless attitude, cannot go unpunished. The Trump Administration must be held accountable. I renew my calls for Secretary Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz to resign; and now call for every member of the signal chat to resign, and for DNI Gabbard and Director Ratcliffe to face prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S House Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), John Garamendi (D-CA), and Kathy Castor (D-FL) reintroduced the Children’s Health Protection Act of 2025, legislation to codify into law the only office within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dedicated to children’s health, the Office of Children’s Health Protection (OCHP). This office would be responsible for rulemaking, policy, enforcement actions, research and applications of science that focuses on prenatal and childhood vulnerabilities, safe chemicals management; and coordination of community-based programs to eliminate threats to children’s health where they live, learn and play. 

Similarly, the legislation would also make the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee a permanent advisory committee. This advisory committee will advise the EPA Administrator in regards to the activities of the Office of Children’s Health Protection, all relevant information regarding regulations, research, and communications related to children’s health, and continue to serve the EPA in protecting children from environmental harm. 
The Children’s Health Protection Act of 2025 aims to ensure that no President will be able to remove these safeguards that help shield children from environmental harms to their health. 

“Today, I am proud to reintroduce the Children’s Health Protection Act which confronts the urgent need to address the unique health risks children face from environmental factors,” said Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY). “By codifying the 1997 Executive Order that created the EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection—the only office within the EPA dedicated to protecting children’s health—this bill makes certain that the Office will remain a critical resource for our children, especially as the EPA’s critical functions are threatened.”

 “While the Trump Administration is stripping EPA regulations that protect children’s health, I’m thrilled that Congressman Nadler and Castor are leading the way to improve indoor air quality in our nation’s schools,” said Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA). “Our bill will ensure that the EPA prioritizes children’s health, allowing them to grow up and live happy, healthy lives. In 2018, the Trump Administration attempted to eliminate the EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection, which ensures that federal regulations for chemicals and other toxic substances account for children’s unique health needs. In 2025, Congressman Nadler, Castor and I are fighting to prevent the Trump Administration and any future administration from making such a reckless decision.” 

“The physical and mental health of children in America is paramount.  Children face greater health risks from dirty air and water pollution, and are at greater risk of developing chronic health conditions like asthma and diabetes.  Young people also are vulnerable to stress and trauma from extreme events and climate-related disasters. This bill will ensure that the EPA’s critical work to protect children’s environmental health continues with strong congressional support,” said Congresswoman Kathy Castor. 

In addition to Representatives Nadler, Garamendi, and Castor, the bill is also cosponsored by Representatives Carson, Chu, Cohen, Dexter, Evans, Hayes, Holmes Norton, Johnson (GA), Lee (PA), Magaziner, Ocasio Cortez, Sorenson, Thanedar, Tlaib, and Tokuda. 

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BACKGROUND:
 
Since its creation in 1997 through Executive Order, the EPA’s OCHP has been crucial in protecting children, who are uniquely vulnerable, from environmental hazards. It has done so through policy, research focusing on their unique prenatal and childhood health vulnerabilities, safe chemicals management, and coordination of community-based programs to eliminate threats to children’s health.
 
The OCHP also studies how natural disasters affect children’s health, not only through exposure to hazards like mold and water-borne pathogens but also by analyzing the mental toll of displacement and loss. 
 
The Children’s Health Protection Act will ensure this vital work continues by strengthening and securing the OCHP and the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee.
 
The Children’s Health Protection Act of 2025 is endorsed by a wide range of health advocacy groups and environmental justice organizations, including: Allergy & Asthma Network, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Lung Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, California Brain Tumor Association, Children’s Environmental Health Network,  Climate Mental Health Network, Climate Psychiatry Alliance, Endocrine Society, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, Health Care Without Harm, Healthy Schools Network, International Society for Environmental Epidemiology: North America Chapter, Medical Students for a Sustainable Future, Moms Clean Air Force, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Center for Healthy Housing, National Environmental Health Association, Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition, OneGreenThing, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility,  Pediatric Endocrine Society, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Physicians for Social Responsibility Maine, Physicians for Social Responsibility of Pennsylvania, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Texas, Prevention Institute, Rachel Carson Council, Rachel’s Network, San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sears-Swetland Family Foundation, Society for Public Health Education, Toxics Information Project (TIP), and 350 Bay Area Action.

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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:

“Nearly 5 million children in the United States have asthma, and asthma causes more missed school days than any other chronic disease,” said Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). “Environmental factors such as poor indoor air quality and outdoor air pollution play a role in making asthma symptoms worse. That’s why we need the EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection – to focus attention on steps to reduce asthma triggers. We thank Representatives Nadler, Garamendi, Castor for introducing this legislation to make this office permanent and ensure the health concerns of children are at the forefront of the EPA’s work.”

“Children are the brightest part of our future,” said Deb Brown, Chief Mission Officer of the American Lung Association. “That’s why it’s critical to do everything we can to protect them. With lungs and other organs that are still developing, children are more vulnerable to the health harms from air pollution. Ensuring there will continue to be an office and a team dedicated to protecting the health of children from environmental hazards is a small step that will reap large benefits for our future.”

“There are big gaps in our understanding of the long-term health outcomes resulting from exposure to the great number of toxins we’ve dumped into the environment over the last 50+ years,” said Sydney R. Sewall, MD, MPH, Pediatrician and President of Physicians for Social Responsibility (Maine Chapter). “We do know that children are at greatest risk, and more EPA policies need to be directed at reducing this risk.”

“Given the devastating environmental rollbacks we are witnessing each day, the time is now to formally protect the Office of Children’s Health Protection within EPA. We must continue to protect children from environmental harms like toxic air pollution, lead, tainted drinking water, and climate change. Rep. Nadler and Garmendi’s bill has never been more urgent,” said Heather White, OneGreenThing Founder & CEO

“Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) commends Representative Nadler for safeguarding the health of children by introducing legislation to make the EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection and the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee permanent fixtures,” said Paige Knappenberger, Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Environment and Health Program. “As physicians, PSR members know that children have unique vulnerabilities to environmental harms like climate change and air pollution and deserve special protections from these harms so they can have safe places to grow, play and learn.”

“The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments enthusiastically endorses Rep. Nadler’s bill introduced this week, the “Children’s Health Protection Act of 2024”, said Katie Huffling, DNP, RN, CNM, FAAN, Executive Director of the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. “This bill aims to make the EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection (OCHP) and the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee permanent. Established in 1997, OCHP is the only office within EPA dedicated to the health of children and as such, it safeguards our children from potential environmental harms to their health. We strongly urge members of Congress to support this bill to avoid any possibility of future administrations dismantling of this crucial office.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY-12) issued the following statement: 

“I am appalled by the Trump Administration’s repeated pattern of targeting students for exercising their fundamental First Amendment rights—targeting them for deportation on that basis. Once again, it is a Columbia student, this time Yunseo Chung, a legal permanent resident, who is being targeted to silence dissent and suppress free speech. Another student, Momodou Taal, who is enrolled at Cornell, has similarly been ordered to surrender to ICE. Regardless of any opinions on the content of the speech these students have exercised, their arrest is not a matter of genuine national security concerns, but rather a direct assault on the very freedoms that define our country.

“Yunseo, who has lived in this country since she was seven years old, is being targeted not for any legitimate criminal wrongdoing, but for her participation in a protest. No matter how anyone, including the President of the United States, feels about their speech, these actions are protected by the Constitution. Yet, the Trump administration has deployed immigration officials to detain and deport her solely for her political views. This is an abuse of power that mirrors the darkest chapters of our history, in which dissidents were persecuted for speaking out against the government.

“Let’s be clear: there is no credible legal justification for this. It is a transparent attempt to punish those whose exercise of free speech is contrary to the administration’s foreign policy agenda, and part of Trump’s greater attempt to control higher education in America, similar to his effort to strong-arm universities like Columbia to fall in line with the MAGA agenda—or face financial ruin.

“Deporting Yunseo will do nothing to make Jewish students safer on campus. Fully funding the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR)—the office charged with fighting antisemitism on college campuses—would make Jewish students safer. However, in his reckless attempt to close the Department of Education, Trump has shuttered the OCR’s New York office and six others, crippling the only enforcement mechanism available to Jewish students. Arresting students and chilling their free speech is no solution to the problem of the Trump administration’s making.

“I stand strongly in support of everyone’s right to free speech as protected in the Constitution. We cannot fall in line with Trump’s suppression of free speech.”

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), the most senior Jewish Member of the House of Representatives, issued the following statement ahead of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on former Gov. Mike Huckabee’s nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Israel:

“Governor Mike Huckabee is woefully unfit to serve as the United States’ ambassador to Israel. A vote by any Senator for Huckabee is a vote for enacting policies that are counter to American interests, Israel’s vital character as both a Jewish and democratic state, and Israel and the region’s long-term security. A vote for Huckabee is a vote to empower a Christian nationalist vision for American foreign policy.

“Huckabee, like President Trump, has a disturbing history of spreading dangerous, unfounded fantasies that not only jeopardize U.S. interests but also destabilize global relations, as evidenced by his brazen denial of the existence of the Palestinian people. During his 2008 presidential campaign, he said that there is “no such thing as a Palestinian.”[1] Huckabee has said the two-state solution is “unworkable” and that any Palestinian state needs to be “outside” of the Land of Israel. Also similar to Trump, Huckabee has spoken about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in terms of “real estate” and suggested that there is “plenty of land” for a Palestinian state in neighboring countries like Egypt, Syria, or Jordan. He has also peddled offensive Holocaust comparisons when, in 2015, he said the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) would “take the Israelis and march them to the door of the oven.”[2] In this moment of tumult in the region, we cannot afford a United States ambassador with such dangerous views.

“Huckabee’s positions are not the words of a thoughtful diplomat—they are the words of a provocateur whose views are far outside international consensus and contrary to the core bipartisan principles of American diplomacy. In one of the most volatile and violent areas in the world today, there is no need for more extremism, and certainly not from the historic ambassador’s post and behind the powerful seal of the United States. All those committed to Israel’s future and a vision of a prosperous Middle East must band together to oppose Mike Huckabee’s nomination.

“I urge my colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee not to advance his nomination, and should his nomination come to the floor, I implore every Senator to vote a resounding no.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ02)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Van Drew slammed Atlantic City Electric’s (ACE) request to impose an 8% increase on utility bills for consumers in South Jersey to fund the installation of smart meters. This move comes on top of a 17% hike that New Jersey residents are already bracing for starting June 1st. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is expected to vote on this additional increase in April.

“South Jerseyans are not a piggy bank that ACE can raid whenever they feel like it,” said Congressman Van Drew. “These meters will only drive up costs, and there is no reason to force people to pay for something they do not want. I do not blame people for rejecting these meters and choosing to pay the $15 a month penalty instead. People who have had them installed are seeing their bills go up for no reason. Why should anyone pay more for something that makes things worse?

“These smart meters are just a way for ACE to increase their profits by replacing workers with machines. They want to make more money while doing less for customers. It is pure greed, and it is not right. The NJBPU needs to reject this increase, or they need to step down. If they are not working for the people of New Jersey, they should not be in those positions. South Jersey has had enough of these unfair rate hikes.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ02)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Van Drew released the following statement in response to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) accepting a report that includes a proposal for income-based electric rates.

“Once again, the NJBPU is taking direct aim at the hardworking middle class of New Jersey,” said Congressman Van Drew. “On top of the outrageous 17% rate hikes that will hit hardworking families and businesses beginning June 1st, they are now considering income-based fixed rates—a policy that will burden the very people who are already struggling to pay their bills. This is absolutely wrong.

“For the third time, I am calling on the leadership of the NJBPU to resign. Instead of standing up for the people they are supposed to serve, they are doubling down on ultra-leftist policies that will further burden the middle class and make life in NJ even more unaffordable. With utility companies raking in profits while families are pinching pennies to get by, it is clear the system is broken.

“The NJBPU’s leadership is out of touch with the people they are supposed to represent, and I will not stand by while they make our state less affordable and less competitive. This has to end. We need a new direction for New Jersey, and that starts with leadership that listens to the people. Our next Governor must take immediate action to reverse and put an end to the harmful policies being pushed by the NJBPU. I will continue to fight against these sky-high rate hikes and these disastrous policies at every turn.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ02)

Washington, DC – Today Congressman Van Drew released a tele-town hall, where he answered questions submitted from thousands of constituents across South Jersey. He addressed a wide variety of topics such as his vow to protect Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, the impact of the Trump tariffs, cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), key government funding bills, the rising cost of electricity, and more. 

To listen to the tele-town hall, click here. To listen to past tele-town halls, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ02)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Van Drew issued the following statement regarding the passage of the Continuing Resolution (CR), H.R. 1968, which ensures that the federal government remains operational by continuing current spending levels until September.

“Tonight, I voted in favor of the Continuing Resolution because it is a vital step in keeping our government open and maintaining essential services for the American people,” said Congressman Van Drew. “This bill simply extends current funding levels through September, preventing a government shutdown and providing time needed for President Trump and Congress to continue advancing their agenda to put Americans first. Right now, there is misinformation circulating around this resolution, and I will not stand by as false narratives spread. The CR includes no cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid. In fact, this bill ensures that these critical programs can continue uninterrupted and fully funded. 

“When it is time to vote on a full budget in September, I will not support any proposal that includes cuts to these programs, unless they target waste, fraud, and abuse. By passing this CR today, we are making sure the essential functions of the government stay funded, and that the government remains accountable to the American people.”