Castor Stands Firmly Against the Trump Administration’s ICE and CBP Brutality

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

Today, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement after voting ‘no’ on an extension of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): 

“This is a moral moment for America. After the brutal murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and the widespread abuse of power by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), I cannot support one penny more for the lawless actions of the DHS.”

“Trump and Republicans in Congress ripped away Medicaid, health care and support for students in the Big Ugly Bill to pay for massive tax breaks for billionaires.  The Big Ugly Bill also ballooned ICE’s budget with no additional accountability or oversight.  Trump is expanding ICE into an unchecked paramilitary force, and its budget now exceeds all federal law enforcement agencies combined. Meanwhile DHS is building huge new detention camps and using technology to spy on and intimidate Americans.  More people have died in DHS custody than ever before and children are being ripped away from parents and communities.  DHS is routinely violating constitutional rights to free speech, freedom the press, due process and the right to be secure from unreasonable search and seizures.  I am going to do everything I can to claw back the $191B that Republicans sent to DHS in the Big Ugly Bill, and redirect those resources to address the high cost of living.

“Last month, I voted in support of our service members, MacDill AFB, and to address high energy costs and build safer communities, but I cannot vote for a package that includes funding for DHS without policies and safeguards to protect American citizens and immigrant families from ongoing abuse. The Trump Administration continues to misuse taxpayer dollars to brutalize U.S. citizens and immigrant families, so I voted no.”

“Democrats are committed to protecting our neighbors’ rights to peacefully protest and uphold all Americans’ constitutional rights. I am thankful for my neighbors’ countless calls to hold the Administration accountable for their lawless actions.”

“America needs real pathways to citizenship for people willing to work hard, pay taxes and play by the rules, and strong laws that keep our border secure from violent criminals and dangerous drugs. A path forward must include the following priorities:

  • Make body cameras mandatory and disapprove of masking, so agents are identifiable and not roving our streets like a paramilitary organization.
  • Require Judicial warrants according to due process and constitutional guarantees instead of ICE agents breaking into homes or ripping people out of cars. Reform to unlawful administrative warrants used to harass and intimidate innocent Americans.
  • Complete, independent investigations conducted to hold agents accountable who break the law or violate our rights.
  • Transparent guidelines instituted for the use of force by ICE, CBP, or other immigration enforcement officers.

Rep. Gregory W. Meeks Statement Condemning the Administration’s Push to End TPS for Haitians

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) issued the following statement condemning the Trump administration’s efforts to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians:  

“The Trump Administration’s reckless and immoral decision to end TPS for Haitians at a moment when Haiti is facing historic levels of gang violence, mass displacement, and food insecurity is unconscionable. 

“This cruel policy will have devastating consequences, including on the children of TPS holders. Without their parent’s income, half of these 50,000 children – who are U.S. citizens – would be immediately pushed into poverty. This decision will also impact American farmers who’ve already been devastated by Trump’s tariffs, forcing them to lose the 15,000 Haitian TPS holders that harvest 5,000 acres daily. And New York City will lose the $1.1 billion that Haitian TPS holders contribute to the economy and the $281 million they pay in annual federal, state and local taxes. 

“While a federal judge has postponed implementation of the administration’s decision to terminate TPS for Haitians, the Trump administration must immediately reverse course on this cruel policy and extend their status. Congress must also act, which is why I am proud to have signed Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s discharge petition to hold a vote on legislation that would extend TPS for Haitians until 2029.

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Rep. Craig Introduces Legislation to Establish Standards of Care for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) in introducing legislation to establish standards of care for individuals held in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act would require ICE and CBP to conduct timely, in-person medical screenings and ensure basic humanitarian standards for individuals in ICE and CBP custody. 

In 2025 alone, 53 people died in ICE and CBP custody. In fact, 2025 was ICE’s deadliest year in more than two decades.

“President Trump and Kristi Noem can lie all they want, but we know from our constituents being held in ICE and CBP custody that the conditions inside these federal detention facilities are unlivable,” said Rep. Craig. “This administration has repeatedly ignored due process and treated our immigrant communities as subhuman, and we aren’t going to let them get away with it. That’s why I’m leading legislation to put common sense standards in place to ensure folks in ICE and CBP custody get the care they need.”

Last month, Rep. Craig attempted to conduct a Congressional oversight visit of the ICE detention facility at the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. She and her colleagues Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and Kelly Morrison (MN-03) were illegally turned away by ICE officials.

She helped lead articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in the House and voted against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill providing funding for ICE. 

Today, Rep. Craig joined her colleagues in a press conference outside the ICE headquarters in Washington, DC demanding Kristi Noem step down as Secretary of Homeland Security.

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Foster Statement on Funding Package Vote, DHS Reforms

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

Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on his vote in favor of the funding package that reopens the government, locks in Democratic wins in the budget, and provides a two-week window to negotiate meaningful changes to ICE:

“Today’s vote is a win for Democrats and for the people we represent. This bill rejects the Trump Administration’s proposed $163 billion in cuts to public services, protects hard-won Democratic priorities, and funds an additional seven of my FY 2026 Community Project Funding selections—delivering $8.8 million for my district.

“Importantly, this agreement limits Homeland Security funding to a two-week continuing resolution, giving Democrats critical time and leverage to demand serious reforms and accountability at DHS. Right now, the vast majority of ICE’s funding comes from the One Big ‘Beautiful’ Bill, so prolonging a shutdown would not meaningfully reduce their budget or impact their operations. Passing this bill allows Congress to focus on enacting meaningful reforms to ICE without jeopardizing federal workers’ livelihoods or essential government programs.”

Democratic wins in the package include:

  • Public health & research: increased NIH funding and stronger support for mental health and opioid response.
  • Education & families: increased funding for child care and Head Start.
  • Housing & homelessness: strengthened rental assistance and homelessness prevention programs.
  • Infrastructure & security: investments in FAA modernization and air traffic controller staffing.
  • Reasserts Congress’ power of the purse: reins in the Trump Administration and reasserts Congress’ power over government spending through increased requirements on the use of funds. 

More details on these legislative highlights can be found here.

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Guthrie, McConnell, Meredith Secure Nearly $30 Million for Improvements for Edmonson County Water District

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Washington, D.C. – Following the final passage of H.R. 7178, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Senator Mitch McConnell (KY) announced that they have helped to secure more than $23.25 million in federal funding to support much-needed upgrades for the Edmonson County Water District. This federal funding is in addition to the $6.5 million state funding secured by State Representative Michael Meredith (HD-19) as part of House Bill 1 in the 2024 Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.

“I am proud to have been able to help secure over $23 million in federal funding towards these important projects,” said Congressman Guthrie. “For years, my team and I have worked to provide reliable and practical solutions to the water quality issues facing Edmonson County Water District. Today’s milestone could not have been possible without the collaboration with Senator McConnell, Kentucky Senator Givens, State Representative Meredith, and all other local stakeholders involved in this project. I look forward to seeing this funding directly benefitting the lives of hardworking Kentuckians well into the future.”

“This critical federal investment for Edmonson County’s water and wastewater infrastructure will protect public health and ensure the community can continue to grow. Investing accordingly is among the core responsibilities of the Congress, and I’m proud to join Congressman Guthrie and local leaders to support essential federal funding that will help strengthen the quality of life for Kentuckians,” said Senator McConnell.

“This is truly wonderful news for our community! Thanks to federal funding, along with the state resources we were able to secure, Edmonson County’s water system will finally receive the long-overdue upgrades it needs. This achievement reflects years of dedicated collaboration among state, federal, and local officials and stands as a testament to the commitment that Congressman Guthrie and Senator McConnell have consistently shown for our community. Kentuckians rightly expect their elected leaders to work together—and to ensure taxpayer resources are invested in ways that will improve the quality of life for generations to come,” said Representative Meredith.

“There are no words that can say what this will mean to the customers of Edmonson County. After many years of limited system improvements, we will be able to upgrade our water treatment plant with the technology needed in today’s world of new regulations,” said Edmonson County Water District General Manager Kevin Shaw. “A very large portion of these funds will be used toward upgrading the water intake in Green River after the flow of the river was changed during the recent removal of the lock and dam below the current intake. My hat goes off to everyone who worked to make this funding available to the County Water System. These funds will greatly reduce the loan amount needed to complete these projects for the community,” said Edmonson County Water District General Manager Kevin Shaw.

Community Project Funding Details

  • $14,000,000 – Edmonson County Water District Green River Intake Structures
    • This project will provide for the replacement and upgrade of intake structures and tower at the Edmonson County Water District’s Brownsville facility, ensuring more reliable access to the Green River, a primary source of potable water for residents in Edmonson, Hart, and Grayson Counties.
    • This project was requested and secured by Congressman Guthrie as a part of H. R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act.
  • $9,256,000 – Edmonson County Water District for Water Treatment Plant Modernization
    • This project will modernize the water district’s aging water treatment plant in Brownsville to meet future demand and improve long-term reliability.
    • This project was requested and secured by Senator McConnell as a part of H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act.
  • An additional $6.5 million in state funding towards improvements for projects within the Edmonson County Water District was secured by Representative Meredith as a part of House Bill 1 in 2024. This funding was shepherded through the appropriations process by Kentucky Senate President pro tempore David Givens (SD-09). Funding included:
    • $1,000,000 for the installation of a water line and booster pumping station.
    • $2,000,000 distributed to the Edmonson County Fiscal Court to provide an emergency infrastructure grant to the Edmonson County Water District. This funding required a $1,000,000 local match.
    • $3,500,000 to support operations and federal matching dollars towards the completion of upgrades at the Green River Water Intake if federal funds become available.

Hoyer Statement on FY 2026 Appropriations Package

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement today after voting to pass the FY 2026 appropriations package to end the partial government shutdown:

“I voted yes on the bill to fund more than 75% of our government through the end of the fiscal year and the Department of Homeland Security for only ten days.

“The bill ensures two things. First, it prevents a shutdown of the Health and Human Services Department, the Treasury Department, the Department of Education, the State Department, the Department of Defense, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, and most other government services. Second, it does not provide any funding for the Department of Homeland Security beyond February 13.

“I will continue to vote against funding for the Department of Homeland Security until we adopt legislation to curb federal immigration agents’ unconstitutional, unlawful, and unaccountable conduct. We must stop the violence inflicted on Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and others. That means adopting strong, substantive reforms that ensure federal agents abide by the Constitution, the law, and the standards we set for local law enforcement.”

Hoyer Floor Remarks in Support of the FY 2026 Appropriations Package

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered remarks on the House Floor in support of the FY 2026 appropriations package to end the partial government shutdown. Below are a video and transcript of his remarks:

                                                                                                                                  Click here to watch a video of his remarks.

“I thank the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee for yielding, and I thank the Speaker. There are five of these bills who are not controversial, or, I suppose, which are not controversial. I urge my colleagues to vote for them to keep the government operating, to make sure that our federal employees come to work and do their job for the American people and get paid for it. There is one bill in this package that is very controversial. There is one bill in this package that the overwhelming majority of our side thinks should not be in the bill. But I remind my colleagues, that bill is funded for the next ten days or six legislative days. And during that period of time, we intend to raise very substantial concerns about the operations that are being carried out not only in Minneapolis but in other parts of our country by the Immigration, Customs, and Border Patrol agents.

“The Constitution calls upon us to establish justice and ensure domestic tranquility. Many of my colleagues I know believe that voting against this bill will make a strong statement about the conduct that we see being carried out by the agencies I just mentioned. Let me suggest to them we need to have focus on that issue, because the other five issues that we face, the five appropriation bills [that] have yet to been signed by the President of the United States and will fund about 76% of the government are things that we have agreed upon. After they pass, after they’re signed by the President, there will be a lot of time to debate the operations of Homeland Security and, in my view, the laws that they are breaking, the Constitution that they are not respecting, and the human rights that they are undermining. There will be time for that debate. There will be time for that action. Today is a time to fund the majority of government for the American people.

“Minneapolis has shocked the conscience of America. We ought to be shocked, angry, and disgusted by the taking of [the] life of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. We the People want to end this violent occupation of our cities. We the People deserve answers. The Congress needs to rein in the Department of Homeland Security. That’s why I voted and so many of my colleagues voted against funding the Department of Homeland Security. Not because we don’t need homeland security, we do, but we need it done within the context of the Constitution and the laws of this country and of our states.

“This Congress needs to ensure the federal government can continue to provide vital services to the American people. Voting for this bill does that, and voting for this bill also gives us the opportunity to constrain six months, – six days, essentially, of funding [the] Department of Homeland Security. Unfortunately, out of the regular order, they’re funded for the balance of the year in many recessions. So, this compromise bill serves the interest of funding our government for the American people and giving us the opportunity to constrain and to ensure that there are meaningful, substantive, substantial reforms and restraints placed upon the operations of the Department of Homeland Security, as it must be. It is essential that we unmask Trump’s federal immigration agents, forcing them to abide by the local law enforcement standards for use of force and use [of] warrants.

“Throughout this year’s appropriations process, we have seen Donald Trump and Russell Vought trample on this Congress’s power of the purse. Some won’t admit that, some will say it soundly. If there were ever a time for this Congress to exercise that power, it is now. So, let us pass five bills on which we have [an] agreement, and substantially restrain and stop the funding of DHS a week from this Friday, and then come to an agreement on honoring the Constitution, the laws of this country and the conduct of law enforcement. Let’s pass this bill and then focus on that which the country wants us to focus on, like a laser for them, for the people. I yield back my time.”

U.S. Rep. McCollum Statement on Funding for the Department of Homeland Security

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. Congresswoman McCollum voted no on the legislation. Following the vote, Congresswoman McCollum issued the following statement:

“Three thousand masked federal agents continue to bring fear and chaos to the Twin Cities and across Minnesota. Federal agents have killed two American citizens. People have been rounded up during roaming street raids. Because of this, many of my neighbors now live in fear. People are afraid to leave their homes. Children are not going to school. When legal immigrants and citizens go about their lives, they now bring their passport or legal documents with them to prove their legal status. This is the stark reality of what the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policy looks like in Minnesota.

“I cannot in good conscience support additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security at a time when ICE and Border Patrol agents are routinely violating Minnesotans’ constitutional rights. I will not vote for additional DHS funding until it includes transparent oversight, including joint investigations with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehensions, and puts constraints on the use of force by ICE and Border Patrol agents. 

“Last Thursday, White House border Czar Tom Homan announced that there would be a drawdown of federal immigration agents in Minnesota. When asked by a reporter that same day whether a drawdown would occur, President Trump stated: ‘No, no, not at all.’ Considering that President Trump has rejected his own Border Czar’s intentions to reduce the presence of federal agents in Minnesota, I have no reason to believe that the Trump Administration will implement the reforms necessary to protect the safety of the people of Minnesota.”

Click here to watch Rep. McCollum’s remarks on the legislation from the floor of the House of Representatives.

CASTRO, CASAR OPPOSE NEW ICE FACILITIES IN SAN ANTONIO

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

February 03, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to acquire a warehouse on the East side of San Antonio and turn it into a 1,500 bed ‘processing center,’ Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35) released the following statement:

“We should be closing down the facilities where children and families are being held in inhumane conditions—not building more of them. These warehouses that are being branded as ‘processing centers’ are just another way for the administration to indiscriminately lock people up and give the profits to its cronies. We strongly oppose any expansion of ICE’s presence in San Antonio, and we will fight with every tool available to prevent it.”

 


Cole Re-Votes in Favor of Five Full-Year Funding Bills to Restore Government Stability

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACTOlivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) voted in favor of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. This bill, which enacts five full-year Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills previously passed by the House, is now on its way to President Trump’s desk for a signature. Additionally, the package also includes a two-week continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security in order to give Congress and the White House more time to continue to negotiate on a final spending bill.

After voting in favor of this legislation and ensuring the government functions, Congressman Cole released the following statement: 

“Months of bipartisan, bicameral work produced a final funding agreement, and the House stood by it. When that deal was altered at the last minute in the Senate and the government was disrupted, we didn’t walk away. Instead, we stepped up again. That is what responsible governance looks like,” said Congressman Cole.

“Therefore, today, we have once again strengthened national defense, supported education and health systems, modernized our transportation and infrastructure, supported small businesses, and reasserted diplomacy on the world stage. These are real outcomes for the American people – progress that keeps the nation moving and the government working,” said Congressman Cole.

“We have also ensured continuity for critical Homeland Security services, including support for the Coast Guard, FEMA, TSA, cybersecurity, and more. This path forward will allow the White House to continue good faith negotiations with Democrats – without jeopardizing the continuity of government operations,” said Congressman Cole.

“With President Trump’s signature, more than 95 percent of the federal government will officially be funded through full-year appropriations. That is Article I responsibility put into action,” said Congressman Cole.

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