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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Support Youth Leadership Organizations

Washington – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) along Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Don Davis (D-NC-01), Monica De La Cruz (R-TX-15), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19),  Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), and David Valadao (R-CA-22) last week introduced the bipartisan Youth Lead Act.

This bill allows the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants to support the operations of Future Farmers of America (FFA), 4-H, and the Scouts. These are preeminent youth leadership organizations in the United States with approximately eight million youth taking part. Participation in these organizations helps children make lifelong friendships and learn leadership and life skills. The grant program authorizes $5 million annually from 2024 to 2028. 

“Every year I meet with youth involved in FFA, 4-H, and Scouts,” said Rep. Bacon. “They are always impressive and possess a strong work ethic, valuable life skills, and a commitment to teamwork. Ensuring our youth can participate in these great organizations helps to secure our country’s future leadership in agriculture and numerous other industries.”

“As an Eagle Scout, I know firsthand the transformative impact youth organizations have—instilling discipline, purpose, and a deep commitment to service. The Youth Lead Act strengthens that impact by expanding access to proven programs like the Scouts, 4-H, and FFA. When we equip young people with these lifelong values and leadership skills, we’re not just preparing them for success—we’re preparing our nation for a stronger future,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.

“In the Hudson Valley, youth organizations like the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, and FFA have long helped shape the next generation of leaders,  teaching kids the value of service, responsibility, and community. The Youth Lead Act will ensure that young people in rural towns and small communities get the opportunity to grow and thrive. I’m proud to support the effort to expand access to these formative youth programs in New York state and nationwide,” said Rep. Lawler. 

“Youth organizations like FFA, 4-H Council, and Scouting play a vital role in developing the leaders and citizens of tomorrow,” said Rep. Panetta.  “By expanding federal investments in these programs, we can support their critical work in equipping young people with the skills they need to succeed in their careers and contribute to their communities.  Congress must continue to invest in the next generation, and I’m proud to co-lead this effort to shape a brighter future.”

“Growing up, I learned how important it is to work hard, be part of a team, and help others—and that’s exactly what programs like FFA, 4-H, and the Scouts teach,” said Rep. Sorensen. “The Youth Lead Act helps support these awesome groups so more kids in our community can build confidence, learn new skills, and become great leaders. When we believe in our young people, we believe in a brighter future for everyone.” 

“As someone who grew up in a rural town, I know firsthand the positive impact youth organizations can have on our community,” said Rep. Valadao. “From teaching leadership skills to providing volunteer opportunities, programs like Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, and FFA are an important outlet for young people in rural America. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to ensure our youth can participate in these programs no matter where they live.”  

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

State Dept memo reportedly reveals contradictions in Trump Administration’s rationale for revocation of Öztürk’s visa, detention

Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON – After a recent report indicated that an internal State Department memo concluded that the key premise underlying Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk’s arrest and detention was false, Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately release the memo and any other relevant documentation. Last month, Pressley, Markey, and Warren led over 30 lawmakers in writing to Trump Administration officials demanding information about Rümeysa’s arrest and detention, and similar incidents across the country.

“Ms. Öztürk’s case demands transparency. The circumstances of her arrest and detention raise serious concerns about civil liberties, academic freedom, and free speech, as well as the Trump administration’s truthfulness. Congress, universities, legal experts, and other members of the public have a strong and compelling interest in the matter,” wrote the lawmakers.

On March 25th, plainclothes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehended Rümeysa Öztürk outside her home in Somerville, Massachusetts. Ms. Öztürk, a Tufts University graduate student, was informed that her student visa had been revoked. She was taken into custody and transferred to an immigration detention facility in Louisiana, where she has now been held for three weeks.

Publicly, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has claimed that Ms. Öztürk “engaged in activities in support of Hamas” and recommended revoking her visa under a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that permits the deportation of noncitizens who pose “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.” The State Department has suggested that Öztürk’s visa was revoked on foreign-policy grounds because of alleged participation in activities linked to terrorism.

Reporting from the Washington Post revealed that, days before Öztürk’s arrest, an internal State Department memorandum concluded that the Trump administration lacked “any evidence showing that she engaged in antisemitic activities or made public statements supporting a terrorist organization.” The memo appears to contradict the federal government’s publicly

stated rationale for revoking Ms. Öztürk’s visa — and has not been made available to members of Congress or the American public.

The lawmakers requested a copy of the memo, along with any other documentation regarding the basis for Öztürk’s visa revocation and arrest, no later than April 30, 2025.

Rep. Pressley, along with Sens. Warren and Markey, have pushed for answers and action since Öztürk’s March arrest. Last month, they led over 30 lawmakers in writing to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Acting Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons, demanding information about Öztürk’s arrest and detention as well as similar incidents across the country. The lawmakers also sounded the alarm on Öztürk’s medical neglect in DHS custody and renewed urgent calls for her release.

Last month, Congresswoman Pressley issued a statement condemning reports that ICE arrested and detained Rümeysa Öztürk. Earlier that week, 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 – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Representatives Mike Quigley (IL-05) and Rob Menendez (NJ-08) led a letter signed by 39 House Democrats to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem condemning the fear and confusion inflicted on Ukrainians living in the U.S. legally who received an erroneous email falsely revoking their protections under the Uniting for Ukraine (“U4U”) program. In light of this error, the letter demands answers from the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) as to the future of the U4U program. 

“Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians have been displaced. In the face of Russia’s horrific violence, many Ukrainians have found safety and stability on American shores,” said Congressional Ukraine Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Mike Quigley. “The Trump administration’s capitulation to Putin has already caused fear in this community which was compounded by this unacceptable error. With their homeland still under assault, Ukrainian refugees deserve certainty about their future. The administration owes Ukrainians an explanation and clarity about the Uniting for Ukraine program.” 

“Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes because of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of their country, and the Uniting for Ukraine program has served as a lifeline for so many of those families,” said Rep. Rob Menendez. “After years of suffering and anxiety in the Ukrainian community, made worse by President Trump’s recent cooperation with Russia, this email was a terrifying shock to Ukrainians in my district and across the country. DHS must make clear what caused this error and what their plans are for the future of the U4U program.” 

The April 4 email followed the Trump Administration’s misguided decision to pause all applications, petitions, and benefit decisions under the U4U program in January. It not only directed recipients to immediately leave the United States, but also threatened law enforcement actions, criminal prosecution, civil fines, and additional penalties for failure to self deport within seven days. It also notified recipients of the rescission of benefits associated with parole such as work authorization. Immediately following this notification, Members of Congress received concerned inquiries from Ukrainians across the country who were under the impression that they must leave the country. The notice was retracted later that day.

For full text of the letter, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Brad Sherman (CA-32) introduced the Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act, which would provide homeowners in presidentially declared disaster areas who have a federally backed mortgage with 180 days of mortgage forbearance, with the option of extending for an additional 180 days and without any interest, penalties, or fees accruing. 

While present law allows for a significant amount of variance across federal mortgage providers to provide relief, this legislation would standardize a baseline of mortgage relief for survivors of any federally declared disaster all across the country. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bipartisan CARES Act, which was signed into law by President Trump in 2020 and which received near unanimous support in both the House and Senate, provided 180 days of mortgage forbearance, with the option of extending for an additional 180 days, for all homeowners with federally backed mortgages. The Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act is modeled after the mortgage forbearance provisions of that bipartisan law. 

“Disaster survivors – like thousands of my constituents still reeling from the devastating Eaton Fire – should not have to worrying about missing a mortgage payment in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters,” said Rep. Chu. “Our legislation was drafted after countless conversations with constituents who reached out in the days after the fire worried about making their next mortgage payment. Congress has already worked with President Trump during the coronavirus crisis to provide bipartisan and near unanimous support for such relief for pandemic victims, and the Los Angeles wildfires have made clear to us that all natural disaster victims should receive that relief as well.” 

“I’m proud to join Congresswoman Chu in working to ensure wildfire victims have the financial relief and stability they need to rebuild,” said Congressman Brad Sherman. “The devastating January wildfires in Los Angeles caused widespread economic harm, and just as we acted with urgency and compassion during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must now adapt the forbearance rules to meet the scale of this disaster.”

Reps. Chu and Sherman are joined as cosponsors by: Reps. Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Lou Correa (CA-46), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29).

Click here for the bill text.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

Members slam President Trump’s decision to target language accessibility: “There is no data that supports the assertion made by your administration that linguistical diversity threatens the integrity of the nation…  [by] withdrawing guidance that helps to provide meaningful language accessibility, your administration risks disconnecting millions of limited English proficient people across the United States from government services.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As reported in NOTUS yesterday, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), led 54 other House Democratic colleagues in condemning President Trump’s recent decision to weaken language accessibility protections within the federal government. In a letter sent to the President and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Members requested swift answers from the administration regarding the impacts this decision will have on limited English proficient communities and what steps are being taken to ensure essential services meant for every taxpayer, no matter what primary language they speak, are not disrupted. 

On March 1, 2025, President Trump announced an Executive Order (EO) that declared English as the official language of the United States and rescinded EO 13166, a Clinton-era policy that had been in place for the past 25 years, requiring agencies and recipients of federal funding to provide meaningful language accessibility. Under EO 13166, all federal agencies and institutions, from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to health care services to universities to the legal system, were required to provide language translation, interpretation, and accessibility services. President Trump’s decision to revoke this EO threatens the federal government’s compliance and enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and needlessly jeopardizes millions of Americans’ access government services, resources, and programs.

In the letter addressed to President Trump and Attorney General Bondi, the Members detail the harms of rescinding EO 13166 and call attention to concerning reports that language accessibility services are already being affected: “More than 25.7 million individuals in the United States – over 8% of the population –are limited English proficient…Language barriers can pose a significant obstacle for individuals attempting to integrate into our society and access public services and institutions, including health care, emergency preparedness, the legal system, schools, and employment. All Americans deserve to access the services and resources their taxes are paying for without barriers based solely on language proficiency.”

Of the limited English proficient (LEP) population, 20% are residents of California, 14% of Texas, and 12% in Florida. With more than 350 languages spoken across the country, language barriers within government can pose insurmountable obstacles for individuals attempting to integrate and access public services and institutions, including health care, emergency preparedness, the legal system, schools, and employment.

“By [revoking EO 13166], your administration is no longer detailing the language accessibility regulations or policies that agencies must follow, risking systemic noncompliance with civil rights laws and jeopardizing the quality of language services or translated materials these agencies provide,” they continue. “Additionally, we have received reports that the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has cancelled at least ten contracts that provided federal agencies with language or translation services. This is including a contract that provided translation services to Americans or businesses calling the Department of Homeland Security about their employment status or benefits, leading to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services directing employees to discontinue any call when they are not fluent in the caller’s language.” 

Since the Lau v. Nichols decision in 1974, the Supreme Court has held that discrimination against people with limited English proficiency is a type of national origin discrimination. As a result, the Members demanded accountability and answers from the Trump Administration: “We have serious concerns that your decision to rescind EO 13166, and remove language accessibility guidance, will reduce the availability of language services and translated materials across the federal government. Consequently, we seek information to confirm that your administration is ensuring that language accessibility for Americans with LEP remains a priority and language translation services are not disrupted.”

Click here to access the full letter.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

PASADENA, CA — Today, President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reportedly sent a preliminary budget plan to NASA that proposes a 50% cut to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and to eliminate funding for the Mars Sample Return (MRS) mission led by Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which is owned by NASA and administered by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). 

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), whose district includes JPL and Caltech, released the following statement:

As a steadfast champion of Caltech and JPL and strong supporter of the Mars Sample Return program as our nation’s highest planetary science priority, I am horrified by the reports that the Trump White House wants to defund the MSR mission entirely. I can’t be clear enough: this decision would devastate our region, our workforce, and our future scientific discoveries. Completing this mission and bringing back these samples—which are already being collected on Mars’ surface—is essential to maintaining American leadership on Mars and paving the way for eventual human exploration of the planet. Ending funding now would completely undermine the decades of investments already made into our Mars program, devastate our nation’s Mars workforce at JPL and around the country, and threaten years of future scientific discovery and innovation to come. JPL has already lost hundreds of Mars experts last year due to shortsighted budget cuts, and our nation’s world-class space program cannot afford to lose more. I will work tirelessly with my colleagues in Congress of both parties to fully reject the Trump Administration’s plan and designate the robust and appropriate funding this year and beyond for MSR. I will never stop fighting to protect the workforce and bring these samples back so we can continue to pursue the kinds of groundbreaking scientific discovery and technological innovation that JPL, and the United States, have been on the frontlines of for decades.”

Rep. Chu and Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), who both co-Chair the bipartisan Congressional Planetary Science Caucus, released the following joint statement today in response:

“As Co-Chairs of the Planetary Science Caucus, we are extremely alarmed by reports of a preliminary White House budget that proposes cutting NASA Science funding by almost half and terminating dozens of programs already well underway, like the Mars Sample Return mission and the Roman Space Telescope. NASA Science is a cornerstone of our nation’s space program, supporting thousands of jobs nationwide and driving countless scientific discoveries and technological advancements. If enacted, these proposed cuts would demolish our space economy and workforce, threaten our national security and defense capabilities, and ultimately surrender the United States’ leadership in space, science, and technological innovation to our adversaries. The United States must be the first to land and return samples from Mars and return humans to the moon for the first time in more than half a century. We will work closely with our colleagues in Congress on a bipartisan basis to push back against these proposed cuts and program terminations and to ensure full and robust funding for NASA Science in Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations. Together, we must maintain America’s preeminence in space.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Flag Day Proclamation Supports American Samoa and U.S. Food Security 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following Easter statement:

“As Christians have proclaimed for 2,000 years: He is risen! It is a joy to celebrate Easter and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on this special Sunday. 

During this Holy Week, we can count our many blessings, from the happy moments of daily life to our most cherished beliefs that we share among Christians. 

Thank you to our pastors and congregations in American Samoa as you lead us in worship and growth in faith. 

May God bless our islands as we celebrate the Resurrection together in unity and peace. Have a blessed Easter Sunday!

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:6

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