MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today released the following statement marking three years since the start of the civil war in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces:

“For three years, the Sudanese people have suffered unimaginable atrocities, including genocide, ethnic cleansing, forced disappearances, rape, and starvation. Women, children, and the elderly bear the brunt of these hardships. Nearly 34 million people are in need of life-saving assistance—more than any country in the world.

“The United States must do more to end this war. Today, I have joined Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Rep. Sara Jacobs in introducing a resolution denouncing the conflict, and Rep. Jonathan Jackson and Rep. Sara Jacobs in introducing a bill requiring a determination on designating the Rapid Support Forces as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization. Congress should quickly advance these measures, which call on the Trump administration to take clear, decisive action to stop this senseless violence and secure an agreement to end this brutal conflict.

“I also reiterate my call for the House Foreign Affairs Committee to mark up my U.S. Engagement in Sudanese Peace Act, which bans U.S. arms sales to any country supplying the warring parties, holds perpetrators of atrocities accountable, and mandates a comprehensive U.S. strategy to end this horrific conflict. Another year of pain and suffering for the people of Sudan is not inevitable. There is a better path forward with concentrated U.S. action.”

A PDF of the resolution introduced by Representative Jayapal, Ranking Member Meeks, and Africa Subcommittee Ranking Member Sara Jacobs can be found here.

A PDF of the bill introduced by Representative Jonathan Jackson, Ranking Member Meeks, and Africa Subcommittee Ranking Member Sara Jacobs, requiring a determination on designating the RSF as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization, can be found here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Last year, Republicans enacted the Working Families Tax Cuts, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), to prevent the largest tax increase in history, delivering life-changing tax relief for hardworking American families, seniors, small business, rural communities, and more. Republicans simplified the tax code and made these historic tax cuts permanent – for the first time since 1986. Now, Americans are on average seeing 11% higher tax refunds according to the IRS, thanks to Republicans’ tax provisions like No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and tax relief for seniors.

“It is a great day because this filing season, three things are happening: lower taxes, bigger refunds, and more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans,” Speaker Johnson said at a Tax Day press conference. “We did that intentionally, and that’s exactly what’s happening. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, Americans in all 50 states are benefiting from taxes that are lower and simpler and fairer for their families.”

On Tax Day, accountants across Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District shared how the Working Families Tax Cuts are positively impacting Louisianians.

WHAT LOUISIANA ACCOUNTANTS SAY:

“I’ve just finished a married couple’s tax return for 2025; he works in industry and accumulates a great portion of overtime. Their combined wages increased 31% from 2024 to 2025. Even with this increase in wages, their ability to deduct $25,000 of his overtime premium kept them in the same 24% tax bracket and their effective/average income tax rate only increased by .87%, yielding a refund that was 6x as much as 2024. This is very much the norm for the 2025 tax season. Waiters and waitresses with tips, employees from industrial plants with overtime – all are experiencing a much lower tax burden, which is allowing their hard-earned dollars to flow back to them. The OBBBA and its tax provisions are delivering as promised!” – Randy, CPA, Beauregard Parish

“Recent federal tax changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) are having a meaningful impact on many of our clients, particularly here in our local community. We are seeing tangible benefits from provisions such as the senior deduction, the overtime deduction, and the tips deduction. For example, one retired couple realized over $1,500 in tax savings from the senior deduction alone, while another client in the oil and gas industry saw nearly $6,000 in savings due to the overtime deduction. Across our client base, these changes are resulting in noticeable tax relief, allowing individuals and families to retain more of their income and reinvest those dollars back into their households and the local economy.”  – Andrew, CPA, Beauregard Parish

“This tax season, we’ve seen many positive results following the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill. The new overtime and senior deduction alone have led to higher refunds and increased client satisfaction.” – Brandon, CPA, Beauregard Parish

“Senior taxpayers I work with have been benefiting from the senior tax credit and are often pleasantly surprised by the tax savings it provides. Does it make a noticeable difference? Yes, it does!” – Melissa, CPA, Beauregard Parish

“I have witnessed a significant difference between this tax filing season and last year particularly with regards to my clientele that are small business owners. My clientele that own small businesses are being greatly rewarded for investing in and growing their businesses through the acquisition of assets and hiring additional employees. Please let Speaker Johnson know they are grateful for his assisting with getting the One Big Beautiful Bill passed through Congress!” – Hardy, CPA, Caddo Parish

“Recent federal and Louisiana tax law changes have introduced meaningful planning opportunities for businesses and individuals across our region. Increased clarity and competitive rates have driven thoughtful conversations with clients focused on growth, reinvestment, and long‑term decision‑making. From a practitioner’s perspective, stability and predictability in tax policy remain essential to supporting economic momentum. The effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill have been positive for taxpayers.” – Roy, CPA, Caddo Parish

Working Families Tax Cuts, by the Numbers:

• In households across America, over 53 million filers claimed at least one of Republicans’ signature new tax cuts.

• The average refund this filing season is over $3,400, an increase of 11 percent compared to last filing season.

• The average tax cut for filers benefitting from one of Republicans’ tax cuts is over $800.

• Over 6 million filers have claimed No Tax on Tips, with an average deduction of over $7,100.

• Over 25 million filers have claimed No Tax on Overtime, with an average deduction of over $3,100.

• Over 30 million seniors have claimed the Enhanced Deduction for Seniors, with an average deduction of over $7,500.

• Over 1 million filers have deducted No Tax on Car Loan Interest on their new American vehicles, with an average deduction of over $1,800.

• Five million Trump Accounts have been opened, with 1.2 million eligible for the $1,000 pilot program contribution.

• Over 34 million families have claimed the enhanced Child Tax Credit, which is permanently doubled and expanded by the Working Families Tax Cuts.

• Over 105 million filers have claimed the permanently doubled standard deduction, simplifying tax filing for millions across America.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01) joined Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), and Don Bacon (NE-02) in introducing the bipartisan Stop Global Tariffs Act, legislation that would eliminate President Trump’s most recent tariffs while providing retroactive relief to importers harmed by his trade policies. This bill will refund tariffs to importers who paid duties and prevent the President from reissuing similar tariffs.

This bill strikes down the 10% tariffs issued by President Trump under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. It requires that importers are reimbursed and prohibits the issuance of successive similar tariffs. By doing so, the bill provides relief to importers from blanket global tariffs and prevents the Administration from illegally issuing similar tariffs.

Section 122 allows for the President to impose a 15 percent tariff for balance of payments, which was created when the U.S. dollar was on the gold standard. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in February negating his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to levy tariffs, the Trump administration has imposed a 10 percent tariff on all imports to address “balance of payments.” Since the U.S. no longer operates on the Gold Standard, there is no legal justification for using this authority.

“Families and businesses have suffered the brunt of the consequences of President Trump’s reckless tariff policy,” said Rep. DelBene. “Despite a clear ruling from the Supreme Court, the president has continued to implement his misguided tariffs, raising prices for consumers and businesses. Congress cannot sit on the sidelines any longer, which is why I’m supporting this bipartisan bill to put a stop to these harmful tariffs and assert Congress’s authority over trade.”

“American consumers and businesses have shouldered the consequences of President Trump’s illegal and incoherent tariff policy,” said Rep. Panetta. “My legislation would lift the most recent across-the-board tariffs under Section 122 and make whole those who have been harmed. Although Congress abdicated its Constitutional obligations for trade policy over the past few decades, it’s past time for us to reclaim our authority from the executive branch not just with lawsuits, but with legislation.”

“President Trump’s new 10% global tariffs are a clear attempt to sidestep Congress and reimpose his failed tariffs after the Supreme Court struck them down,” said Rep. Sánchez. “I am proud to co-lead the Stopping Global Tariffs Act to strike down these new tariffs and give needed relief to the American families who have suffered from higher prices as a result of Trump’s tariff regime.”

“Article One, Section Eight, Clause One of the Constitution gives Congress authority over tariffs and trade, and it’s time Congress stands on its own two feet and does its job,” said Rep. Bacon. “I’m pleased to co-lead the Stopping Global Tariffs Act as a step toward restoring Congress’s role, providing relief to American businesses and consumers, and preventing the misuse of outdated authorities to impose sweeping tariffs. Across-the-board tariffs like these raise costs for families and create unnecessary economic uncertainty.”

Representatives Donald Beyer (VA-08), Teri Sewell (AL-07), and Bradley Schneider (IL-10) also joined the bill as original co-sponsors.

Full text of the bill is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – CONGRESSMAN JIM HIMES (4th District of Connecticut)

Ranking Member Himes Offers Amendment to FISA Section 702 | Press Releases | Congressman Jim Himes

Washington, DC— Ranking Member Jim Himes today offered an amendment to the FISA 702 Reauthorization Bill to require the Department of Justice to seek a court order before the FBI can access the results of queries involving US persons, political organizations, and non-profit organizations, with limited exceptions to enable the FBI to address significant and time-sensitive national security threats.

“FISA 702 is our nation’s most critical national security tool and the failure to renew it would make all Americans less safe. I have long supported reforms to FISA 702 to further increase protections for Americans’ privacy and civil liberties and to improve oversight of this powerful tool, including the more than 50 reforms that were instituted as a part of the 2024 reauthorization. In offering this amendment to the Rules Committee, I hope to show there is a path to build on those reforms to require court approval before the FBI can access the results of any query involving a US person, political organization, or nonprofit— with targeted exceptions to ensure the FBI can address significant national security threats. FISA 702 is too critical to allow it to expire, but the legitimate concerns about the possibility of abuse also demand that we consider additional reforms, exactly what my amendment seeks to accomplish.”

 

 

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 released the following statement on Tax Day, April 15, 2026:

“Each year, Americans dutifully file their taxes on April 15 and, in so doing, ensure our troops are paid and protected, homeless veterans can find shelter, hungry children receive nutritious meals, criminals are brought to justice, and we can invest in infrastructure and economic opportunities that grow jobs and ensure economic prosperity. Former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. said that ‘taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.’ Today, however, thanks to President Trump’s misguided policies, Americans are paying more to get less.

“Last year, Republicans promised their tax law would provide working families more than $1,000 back in their refunds. Now, we’ve seen that figure is less than $350. Moreover, because of this Administration’s reckless decisions, including tariffs and a war of choice, Americans are paying more for gas at the pump, fertilizer for their farms, electricity to power their homes and businesses, groceries to feed their families, and clothes for their children. The President and Congressional Republicans promised the American people that their tax law would lead to higher take-home pay – instead, both the federal budget and Americans’ wallets are under even greater pressure.

“Consistently, Republicans have gutted the budget for the Internal Revenue Service, limiting its ability to meet its mission of enforcing the tax laws that Congress passes. The result is a reduced capacity to hold those with complex filings accountable – the wealthy, partnerships, and corporations. Rather than make it easier to file, President Trump, Elon Musk, and this Administration killed Direct File, developed by the IRS to make filing free, easy, and secure. 

“The American people expect high customer service, privacy protections, and the ability to meet their legal obligations accurately with ease – which this Administration is not delivering. Now, the President’s FY 2027 budget request proposes even deeper cuts to its enforcement operations, which will inevitably lead to lost revenues through increased tax evasion and avoidance. Those revenues, instead, could have been used to deliver the benefits and services American taxpayers expect from their government.  

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, along with Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) as an original cosponsor, are today introducing a resolution to condemn the attacks on civilians in Sudan and call for a negotiated end to the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia as it enters its fourth year. 

“The ongoing civil war in Sudan is one of the worst humanitarian crises the world has ever seen,” said Jayapal. “50 million people are caught in the crossfire as two military forces have waged a war with absolutely shocking atrocities against civilians. And that suffering has only been exacerbated by rampant malnutrition and famine. Congress must act urgently to condemn the attacks on civilians and call for our government to use its leverage to bring an end to this war that has gone on for far too long.”

“Today marks three devastating years of the Sudan war, which has created the biggest humanitarian and displacement crisis in the world. Every day, the Sudanese people fear more terror, sexual violence, and destruction. The health care system across the country has largely collapsed, millions of people are hungry, and millions have been forced to abandon their homes. The United States has leverage with the external actors who are fueling this horrific war, and it’s long past time that we use it,” said Jacobs. 

More than 400,000 people have been killed and over 14 million displaced since the start of the war. It has been determined by the State Department that both the SAF and RSF have committed war crimes, and that the RSF has committed crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and genocide. 

It is estimated that 20 million Sudanese people are facing acute levels of food insecurity, and nearly 34 million people require urgent humanitarian assistance. 

Jayapal’s resolution formally denounces this crisis and calls for safety and security for the Sudanese people, an end to external, material support to the SAF and RSF from outside actors and calls on the Trump administration to take clear steps to help negotiate an end to the war. 

The full text of the resolution can be read here.

The resolution is also sponsored by Representatives Gabe Amo (RI-01), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and Johnny “Johnny O” Olszewski, Jr. (MD-02).

Issues: Foreign Affairs & National Security

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke on the House Floor, where he emphasized that while Republicans are celebrating legislation that harms their own constituents, Democrats are focused on the health, safety and economic well-being of the American people.

LEADER JEFFRIES: We’re here on the House Floor debating this resolution that Republicans have introduced on Tax Day to celebrate themselves. This is an extraordinary thing. I’ve seen a lot during my time here in the United States Congress for more than 10 years. I have never seen a resolution introduced by Members of Congress, let alone a party, the Republican Party, to celebrate yourselves for a bill that has damaged the American people. But if you’re around this town long enough, I guess you see it all. So I’m confused with H. Res 1156 because the first clause says, “Whereas on July 4, 2025, the President signed Public Law 119-21, commonly known as the Working Families Tax Cuts.” Commonly known to who? Let’s be clear with the American people, Republicans have made up that name. Why? Because the bill, the actual name of the bill in Public Law 119-21 is the One Big Beautiful Bill. It is deeply unpopular with the American people, who know it’s been a disaster.

Now, I have respect for the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He recently just called it the One Big Beautiful Bill. I’m not sure you’re allowed to do that, sir. Because Donald Trump has made clear, walk away from that name that he gave [to the bill himself]. Why? Because the American people understand it’s been a disaster. And the American people know that this resolution is not worth the paper that it is written on. It does nothing. It doesn’t have the force of law and does nothing to keep the promises that Donald Trump made to the American people that on day one of his presidency, he was going to lower costs. But here in America, Mr. Speaker, costs haven’t gone down. Costs have gone up because of decisions that Donald Trump and Republicans have made to hurt the American people. The Trump tariffs have cost everyday Americans thousands of dollars in additional expense per year. That’s an affirmative decision to hurt the American people.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. And as a result of that very decision, more than 20 million Americans are experiencing dramatically increased health insurance premiums, in some cases, costs having increased by over $1,000 per month. That’s an affirmative decision that Republicans have made to increase costs. And now, there’s a reckless war of choice that has been raging in the Middle East. More than a dozen brave American heroes have already lost their lives. Hundreds have been seriously injured. Billions of taxpayer dollars are being spent per day to drop bombs in the Middle East, and yet, Republicans are unwilling to spend a dime to make life more affordable for the American people. In fact, this reckless war of choice, this Trump-Republican war over in the Middle East has skyrocketed gas prices all across America. More than four dollars a gallon, largest increase in gas prices on a monthly basis in more than 60 years. Republicans have done that to the American people. And so, in the face of such policy failure and the One Big Ugly Bill being such a disaster, we have this resolution in front of us, not worth the paper that it’s written on. Doesn’t even reference the name of the bill that was passed. Why is that? Because Republicans are trying to hide what has been done to the American people. Let me just briefly talk about five different things that are in the One Big Ugly Bill that have caused real harm.

One, the One Big Ugly Bill contained the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, almost a trillion-dollar cut to Medicaid, and as a result of that, almost 14 million Americans at risk of losing [their] health insurance because of the bill that Republicans are celebrating on the Floor here today. And as a result of that Medicaid cut, the largest in history, hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health centers are at risk of closing all across the country, including in rural America as a result of the legislation that Republicans are celebrating here on the Floor today, though they’re running away from the name of the bill because it’s such a disaster.

Second problem with the legislation that Republicans are celebrating on the Floor today is in that One Big Ugly Bill, they cut $186 billion, Mr. Speaker, Republicans cut $186 billion in nutritional assistance, the largest cut to SNAP in American history, literally ripping food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors and veterans in this One Big Ugly Bill. And now my Republican colleagues have the nerve to come on the Floor today with this resolution and celebrate that?

Third problem with the bill, amongst many, is that after cutting Medicaid, ripping healthcare away from the American people, stealing food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors and veterans, $75 billion in taxpayer money was set aside in a slush fund so that ICE can brutalize and, in some cases, kill American citizens. $75-billion slush fund for ICE in this One Big Ugly Bill that Republicans are on the Floor celebrating today. Active harm being done to the American people, including resulting in the deaths, the cold-blooded killing of two American citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.

Fourth problem with this bill, on Tax Day, is that the beneficiaries of this legislation—every economist who [has] studied this legislation knows that it overwhelmingly and disproportionately benefits the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected. In fact, the American people know it, which is why this resolution doesn’t even make mention of the official name of the bill because Republicans are running away from it. But the bottom line is Medicaid was cut, nutritional assistance was cut, ICE was given this slush fund of $75 billion and billionaire donors to the Republican Party were given massive tax breaks that they did not need and do not deserve, in an environment where working families, everyday Americans, middle class Americans, working class Americans are struggling to make ends meet, can’t thrive and can barely survive. And yet what was done in this One Big Ugly Bill that Republicans are celebrating on the Floor today? Massive tax breaks to Republican billionaire donors. Not making life more affordable to the American people, because the American people know that life has become more expensive, not less, under Donald Trump’s presidency and failed Republican policies.

Fifth problem, amongst many, is that for years, Republicans have portrayed themselves, Mr. Speaker, as the party of fiscal responsibility. This is one of the most fiscally irresponsible bills—being celebrated on the Floor today—by Republicans ever to pass the United States Congress, going all the way back to 1789. Legislation that increased the debt by more than $4 trillion to give ICE a $75-billion slush fund, to cut Medicaid, to rip food from the mouths of children and to subsidize the lifestyles of the rich and shameless. This is nothing to celebrate here on the Floor today.

And so, I’m thankful to Mike Thompson, my colleague, distinguished Members of the Ways and Means Committee for communicating to the American people the truth. We will be opposing this resolution, a resolution not worth the paper that it’s written on, something that doesn’t even have the force of law, because as Democrats, we’re committed to actually solving problems for the American people, for making life more affordable for the American people, for ending this reckless war of choice in the Middle East that has skyrocketed gas prices, to fix our broken healthcare system, reverse these Medicaid cuts that are part of this One Big Ugly Bill, extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits and actually commit to doing things—legislating, not pontificating—legislating in ways that make life better for the American people. I yield back.

Full Floor speech can be watched here.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) led 30 of his colleagues in a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon and current Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Student Loan Ombudsman Geoffrey Gradler demanding transparency regarding recent findings that a federally required student loan oversight report was substantially altered prior to publication. 

According to the findings, the report was originally drafted by former CFPB Student Loan Ombudsman Julia Barnard, but the version ultimately released to the public was significantly shortened and edited by Trump-appointed CFPB leadership prior to publication. If accurate, these alterations raise serious concerns that Congress and the public may have been deprived of critical information regarding borrower harm, loan servicing failures, and risks within the federal student loan system.

“Millions of Americans rely on federal student loans to have access to a college education, and Congress needs accurate reports to conduct oversight of this process,” said Congressman García. “Intentionally editing the annual report to hide information of how Trump’s decimation of the Department of Education personnel has impacted borrowers is unacceptable and raises serious concerns about transparency and integrity in the system as well as borrower protection.”

The Members’ letter also raises concerns about whether the Office of the Student Loan Ombudsman was provided with access to information and stakeholder engagement necessary to fulfill its statutory responsibilities. Any limitations on the Ombudsman’s ability to independently gather information would undermine the integrity of the report and Congress’ ability to conduct oversight. 

“Statutory law required me to write an independent annual report. I wrote it and covered everything from college price-fixing to pathways out of default status to widespread and basic servicer errors, but the Trump administration hid it,” said Julia Barnard, former Student Loan Ombudsman at CFPB. “Student debtors and their families desperately trying to stay financially afloat deserve corrupt actors being held accountable. Congress must leave no stone unturned to expose what the Trump administration concealed.”

Additionally, the Members highlight reporting that the Administration may move forward with plans to transfer responsibility for defaulted federal student loans from the Department of Education to the Department of Treasury, raising further concerns about transparency and borrower protections. 

In the letter, the Members demand “access to complete and accurate information in order to ensure federal student aid programs are functioning as intended,” given the scale of the federal student loan portfolio and the millions of Americans, particularly first-generation college students, students of color and low-income borrowers who rely on it.  

The letter is co-signed by Representatives Alma Adams (NC-12), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Danny Davis (IL-07), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Greg Landsman (OH-01), John Larson (CT-01), Summer Lee (PA-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Scott Peters (CA-50), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Dina Titus (NV-01) Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

A full copy of the letter is available here. 

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

Watch Pressley Manage Floor Debate on Her Bipartisan Discharge Petition

Final Passage Set for Thursday Afternoon

Pressley Floor Debate | Pressley Press Conference

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Co-Chair of the House Haiti Caucus, won a key procedural vote on her bipartisan discharge petition to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haiti. The House of Representatives agreed to Congresswoman Pressley’s motion to discharge by a vote of 219-209, and final passage is set for Thursday afternoon.

“This is a critical step forward in our fight for immigrant justice and delivering our Haitian neighbors the protections they deserve—and it’s a testament to the strength of our broad, diverse, and bipartisan coalition,” said Congresswoman Pressley in a statement. “I am grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who supported our discharge petition, to my staff who power this work, and our movement partners who’ve helped us get this far. The House must move with urgency and pass this legislation without delay.”

Earlier today, Rep. Pressley and Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) held a press conference alongside colleagues and advocates calling for the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians. Following the press conference, Congresswoman Pressley went to the House floor to advance her discharge petition on Rep. Gillen’s bill and trigger the first procedural House vote on extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti until April 2029.

For footage of Rep. Pressley managing floor debate on her discharge petition, click here. A transcript of her remarks on the floor are below.

Transcript: Rep. Pressley Manages Floor Debate on Her Haiti TPS Discharge Petition
April 15, 2026
House of Representatives

Opening Remarks:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in unequivocal support of this vote.

I am immensely grateful to the members who supported my discharge petition on both sides of the aisle.

The broad, intergenerational and multiracial coalition of justice-seekers throughout the country who power this movement and my indefatigable staff, my A-Team, who power this work.

I’m grateful for labor unions like SEIU, business industry like ABIC, faith leaders like the Conference of Catholic Bishops, civil rights groups like Black Lives Matter Grassroots, IFSI, and so many more have joined the movement to extend TPS for Haiti.

Now this issue, Mr. Speaker, is not the most glamorous, and I don’t fault anyone at home who perhaps has never heard of this. But for those who know those three letters, T-P-S, they know it is life changing.

Temporary Protected Status is a legal status for 1.3 million immigrants in the United States. The application process is arduous, requiring piles of paperwork, undergoing a background check, spending hundreds of dollars and coming from one of the few countries on the list, like Haiti or Venezuela.

Technically, the deadline for maintaining Haiti TPS has already passed. That is why this vote is so urgent.

That is why I filed the discharge petition. And that is why Democrats, Republicans, and an Independent have come together to take action.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote yes to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians who are living in the United States and building a future that will help all of us.

Haitians like Rebeca in my district, the Massachusetts 7th, who shared her personal story with me. Rebeca moved to the United States in 2010 not by choice, but out of necessity following the catastrophic earthquake that killed more people than any other earthquake in the history of the Western Hemisphere. She witnessed the rise in gangs and saw her beautiful country overtaken by political violence and instability

After surviving multiple kidnapping attempts, out of desperation, Rebeca made the same decision that any of us would make in her position, she immigrated to the United States. She quickly enrolled in school to learn English. She obtained a job to support herself and her family. Now in 2026, thanks to her legal status under TPS, Rebeca is a certified nursing assistant. She told me that she cares for her patients with great joy, pride, and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, let the record reflect that 20% of Haitians in the United States, that’s one in five, work in healthcare bridging the critical workforce gaps that define our caregiving crisis.

Rebeca is not our enemy. She should not have to live with shame nor fear of being deported solely because of where she was born. She told me that she cannot return to Haiti and she has no other place to go, Mr. Speaker, Rebeca’s letter ended with two words that no person wishes they’d ever need to use. “Please help.”

Today, Congress has the ability to do just that — for Rebeca in Massachusetts, for the teacher in Ohio, for the entrepreneur in Florida, and the more than 350,000 Haitian TPS holders whose lives hang in the balance.

Congress can help. Congress can do the right thing. There is nothing stopping us. Congress, right now and right here, can vote to save lives.

I urge my colleagues to vote yes.”

Closing Remarks:

“Mr. Speaker, I am preparing to close.

A vote against this resolution is a vote against our country’s best interest, plain and simple.

But don’t just take my word for it, Mr. Speaker. Republicans in the executive branch agree.

If you go to the State Department’s website, you will see the Trump Administration has designated Haiti as a Level 4, Code Red, Do Not Travel because of the multi-layered humanitarian crises of natural disasters, gang violence, and political instability impacting the island.

That’s why TPS is warranted in this moment, and Secretary Rubio knows that. In fact, when he was in the Senate, it was Rubio who authored the very legislation we are voting on today, and it’s not just him who agrees.

The US. Ambassador the United Nations, Mike Waltz has repeatedly discussed the dire conditions of Haiti and its strategic importance to our national security. Ambassador Waltz, who was recently a Republican in this very body, believes we should be working to stabilize Haiti. He knows that the international effort to restore order in Port-au-Prince would be undermined if we deport hundreds of thousands of Haitians to the island.

But this isn’t just about foreign policy. Secretary Kennedy of the Department of Health and Human Services said something families across the country already know too well: that America is facing a caregiver crisis.

But Mr. Speaker, if we were to deport Haitians, we would lose even more nurses, aides and caregivers that we desperately need. Those jobs can’t be replaced by AI.

So the solution is clear. I urge my colleagues to vote yes to extend TPS because it’s the economic thing to do, it’s the strategic thing to do, it’s the humane thing to do. But most of all, it is the right thing to do.

I yield back the balance of my time and move the previous question on the resolution.

—

Last month, Rep. Pressley’s discharge petition successfully met the 218-signature threshold to move forward with bipartisan support.

Congresswoman Pressley serves as Co-Chair for the House Haiti Caucus and represents one of the largest Haitian diaspora communities in the country. She has stood in vigorous defense for Haitian communities and all immigrant neighbors amid Trump and ICE’s attacks against immigrant communities.

Congresswoman Pressley has been a leading voice in Congress pushing back against Trump’s threats to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Haitians.

This week, Rep. Pressley, alongside Rep. Wasserman Schultz and Senators Ed Markey and Chris Van Hollen, led 26 Senators and 157 Representatives in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Miot v. Trump, a consolidated case challenging the Trump administration’s unlawful termination of Haiti and Syria Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

On March 28, 2026, Rep. Pressley’s discharge petition to force a House vote on extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti successfully met the 218-signature threshold to move forward with bipartisan support.

In March 2026, Rep. Pressley joined Haitian faith leaders and advocates to urge the Supreme Court to affirm the lower courts’ rulings that deemed Trump’s push to terminate Haiti TPS unlawful.

In February 2026, Rep. Pressley applauded a federal judge’s ruling to temporarily block Trump’s move to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians. Ending TPS for Haitians would leave over 350,000 Haitian nationals at risk of deportation, many of whom reside in the Massachusetts 7th congressional district.

In January 2026, Congresswoman Pressley, alongside Senator Markey, held a field hearing on the importance of extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. She documented this testimony in the legislative record. Footage from the hearing is available here and photos here.

In January 2026, Rep. Pressley also organized a press conference in D.C. in January to sound the alarm on the harm of terminating TPS for Haiti on seniors and the U.S. care economy.

• On June 28, 2025, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement condemning the Trump Administration’s abominable termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti effective September 2nd, 2025.
• On June 5, 2025, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement on Donald Trump’s executive order that bans citizens of 12 countries, including Haiti, from traveling to the United States, and places partial restrictions on citizens of seven more nations.
• On March 18, 2025,  Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) led 62 of their colleagues in the House and 23 of their colleagues in the Senate in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding the Trump Administration redesignate and extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti, which the administration recently canceled on questionable legal authority:
• On February 20, 2025, Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Yvette Clarke (NY-12), and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) issued the following statement condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
• On April 23, 2024, Rep. Pressley, alongside Co-Chairs Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), led a group of 50 lawmakers urging the Biden Administration to redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), pause on deportations back to Haiti, extend humanitarian parole to any Haitians currently detained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detention centers, end detention of Haitian migrants intercepted at sea, and provide additional humanitarian assistance for Haiti.
• On April 18, 2024, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs led a letter to House Ways and Means Committee leadership emphasizing support for the early renewal of the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Acts, commonly known as HOPE/HELP.
• On April 12, 2024, Rep. Pressley joined Haitian-led activists, organizations, and a directly impacted person in Haiti for a press call urging federal action to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
• On March 27, 2024, Rep. Pressley joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and her colleagues on the Massachusetts congressional delegation in urging the Biden Administration to expedite visa processing for Haitians, particularly  for relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
• On March 12, 2024, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Cherfilus McCormick and Yvette Clarke issued a statement on the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
• On March 6, 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the recent jailbreak and State of Emergency in Haiti.
• On December 8, 2023, Rep. Pressley and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke urged the U.S. Department of State to withdraw U.S. support for an armed foreign intervention in Haiti and encourage negotiations for a Haitian-led democratic political transition.
• On December 6, 2022, Rep. Pressley issued a statement applauding the Biden Administration’s extension and re-designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
• On December 1, 2022, Rep. Pressley, Rep. Cori Bush, and Rep. Mondaire Jones led 14 of their colleagues on a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging the Department to extend and redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
• On August 17, 2022, Rep. Pressley, along with Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Val Demings, Yvette Clarke, and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), called on President Biden to appoint a new Special Envoy to Haiti, a position that has remained unfilled since September 2021.
• On May 31, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Reverend Dieufort Fleurissaint, chair of Haitian Americans United, published an op-ed in the Bay State Banner in which they called on the Biden administration to withdraw support for de facto ruler of Haiti, Ariel Henry, and instead support an inclusive, civil society-led process to restore stability and democracy on the island. 
• On May 26, 2022, Rep. Pressley, along with with Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Andy Levin (MI-09), Jim McGovern (MA-02), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24), led a letter to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Power urging her to act to ensure food security in Haiti.
• In February 2022, Reps. Pressley, Judy Chu (CA-27), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) led 33 other House Democrats on a letter to CDC Director Walensky demanding answers about the agency’s justification for treating asylum seekers as a unique public health threat, how these expulsions are being coordinated, how asylum seekers being returned to dangerous situations are being cared for, and more. Days later, Rep. Pressley once again called on the Biden Administration to reverse the Title 42 Order and other anti-Black immigration policies.
• On March 16, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Mondaire Jones called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky to fully end Title 42, cease deportations of people to Haiti and affirm their legal and fundamental human right to seek asylum.
• On February 16, 2022, Rep. Pressley joined Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and 100 House and Senate colleagues in urging President Biden to reverse inhumane immigration policies – such as Title 42, originally introduced under the Trump Administration – that continue to disproportionately harm Black migrants.
• On February 14, 2022, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), alongside Representatives Judy Chu (CA-27) and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), led 33 other House Democrats on a letter to Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, demanding answers about the agency’s justification for treating asylum seekers as a unique public health threat, how these expulsions are being coordinated, how asylum seekers being returned to dangerous situations are being cared for, and more.
• In April 2022, she joined her colleagues at a press conference reaffirming her support for President Biden’s decision to end Title 42. Full video of her remarks at the press conference is available here. Rep. Pressley applauded the Biden Administration’s end of Title 42 in a statement in April 2022.
• In September 2022, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Velázquez led 54 of their colleagues on a letter calling on the Biden Administration to immediately halt deportations to Haiti and provide humanitarian parole protections for those seeking asylum. The lawmakers’ letter followed the Administration’s resumption of deportation flights to Haiti as thousands of Haitian migrants continue to await an opportunity to make an asylum claim at the border. 
• In September 2022, Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues on the House Oversight Committee in demanding answers regarding the inhumane treatment of migrants in Del Rio, Texas, by Border Patrol agents on horseback and pushing to Biden Administration to end the ongoing use and weaponization of Title 42.
• On July 7, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Andy Levin (MI-09), Val Demings (FL-10) and Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released a statement marking the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.
• On November 21, 2021, Rep. Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren led the Massachusetts congressional delegation on a letter to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) calling on them to coordinate with the government agencies of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to assist newly arrived families from Haiti. 
• On October 18, 2021, Rep. Pressley, and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Val Demings (FL-10), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Andy Levin (MI-09) issued a statement following the kidnapping of American and Canadian missionaries in Haiti.
• On October 18, 2021, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the civil rights complaint filed by Haitian families demanding a federal investigation into the heinous actions perpetrated by federal officials at the border.
• On October 22, 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), sent a letter to Troy A. Miller, the Acting Administrator of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), demanding a briefing and answers regarding press reports of the inhumane treatment of migrants in Del Rio, Texas, by Border Patrol agents on horseback. 
• On September 17, 2021, Rep. Pressley and Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07) led 52 of their colleagues calling on the Biden Administration to immediately halt deportations to Haiti and take urgent action to address the concerns of the Haitian Diaspora after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti.
• On August 14, 2021, Rep. Pressley Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Andy Levin (MI-09) and Val Demings (FL-10) and Mondaire Jones (NY-17) released a statement regarding the recent earthquake in Haiti.
• On July 14, 2021, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Andy Levin (MI-09) and Val Demings (FL-10) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calling on him to take a series of steps to support the Haitian diaspora amid ongoing political turmoil in Haiti.
• In July 2021, the Reps. Pressley, Clarke, Demings and Levin issued a statement condemning the assassination of President Moïse and calling for swift and decisive action to bring political stability and peace to Haiti and the Haitian people.
• In May 2021, on Haitian Flag Day, Reps. Pressley, Levin, Clarke and Demings announced the formation of the House Haiti Caucus, a Congressional caucus dedicated to pursuing a just foreign policy that puts the needs and aspirations of the Haitian people first.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), André Carson (IN-07), Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and Judy Chu (CA-28), CAPAC Chair Emerita, are introducing legislation recognizing five years since a tragic mass shooting took the lives of eight employees at a FedEx Ground facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. The facility’s workforce was nearly 90 percent of Sikh descent.

“I got my start in organizing in the wake of 9/11, standing up for our Sikh, Muslim, Arab, and South Asian neighbors who were experiencing increased racism and hate,” said Jayapal. “Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic and Trump’s return to power stoked these all too familiar flames of hatred. In 2021, at the height of this wave, eight workers, half of whom were members of the Sikh community, were killed in Indiana. Today we remember and honor their lives, and recommit ourselves to a world that is more just and safe for all communities.”

“Indianapolis cannot forget the violent attack against our community on April 15, 2021,” said Carson. “Eight Hoosiers were murdered at their jobs, including four members of the Sikh community.  I am honored to co-lead this resolution to commemorate these eight lives, and to fight against the hate and prejudice that caused this senseless loss of life.  No one should be targeted for violence or hateful harassment because of who they are — their race, their ethnicity, their faith or where they’re from.  As our community continues to heal, I urge all my colleagues to cosponsor this resolution and pass it in the House.”

“Five years ago today, a gunman murdered eight innocent people, including four members of the Sikh community, at a FedEx warehouse in Indianapolis. This horrific tragedy shocked our nation and remains a painful reminder of the hate and violence that Sikhs continue to experience to this day. As we mourn those we lost, we must honor their memories by taking action to protect South Asian communities and end gun violence. That includes enacting commonsense gun safety legislation and standing up to the Trump administration’s actions to defund hate crime prevention services,” said Rep. Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

“The April 2021 mass shooting in Indianapolis was a striking act of violence, deeply affecting Sikhs and the broader AANHPI community,” said Rep. Judy Chu, Chair Emerita of CAPAC. “On this anniversary, and especially in the face of rising racial targeting in our country, it is critical that we strengthen our commitment to ensuring all immigrants receive protection against discrimination and bigotry. This includes continued federal investment in the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act programs to ensure that local communities have the resources they need to combat hate and violence. We can honor the victims’ memories by taking action to ensure that such an act of violence never happens again.”

Matthew Alexander, Samaria Blackwell, Amarjeet Johal, Jasvinder Kaur, Amarjit Sekhon, Jaswinder Singh, Karli Smith, and John Weisert were killed, and seven other workers in the facility were injured.  

This resolution marks the fifth anniversary of the April 15, 2021, tragedy by:

• Condemning the heinous act of gun violence on that day;
• Honoring the memory of the eight victims and offering heartfelt condolences to their loved ones; 
• Condemning acts of discrimination and bigotry, white supremacist rhetoric, and the Trump Administration’s crackdown on immigrant communities; 
• Calling for the restoration and expansion of hate crime prevention programs in the Department of Justice; 
• Calling on the Trump Administration to reverse its anti-immigrant policies; and
• Reaffirming the commitment of the federal government to protect civil and human rights.  

U.S.-based Sikhs have often been stigmatized and targeted because of their visible articles of faith and other aspects of their intersectional identities. Sikh immigrant truck drivers have been scapegoated for “stealing” American jobs and posing a risk to road safety despite a lack of evidence for such claims.

“Five years ago today, a gunman attacked a FedEx facility in Indianapolis and killed eight individuals, four of whom were members of the local Sikh community. There was a complex and frustrating aftermath for this tragedy; local and federal law enforcement officials investigated the shooting, but ultimately declined to categorize it as a hate crime. While this question of motive still remains unsettled for many in the local and national Sikh community, the importance of commemoration remains. We remain grateful to all those who stand with the Indianapolis sangat on this day, and to all those who work to prevent acts of mass violence against any community,” said Harman Singh, Executive Director, The Sikh Coalition. 

“We thank Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal for introducing this resolution honoring the memory of the victims of the Indianapolis FedEx mass shooting on April 15, 2021—Jasvinder Kaur, Jaswinder Singh, Amarjit Sekhon, Amarjeet Johal, Karli Smith, John Weisert, Samaria Blackwell, and Matthew Alexander—and for condemning the heinous act of gun violence that took these eight precious lives. We deeply appreciate her recognition of the profound impact this tragedy had on the Indianapolis community, as well as on the Sikh American community both locally and nationally,” Kiran Kaur Gil, Executive Director, SALDEF. 

“This resolution is about remembrance, dignity, and accountability. When people use political rhetoric to target immigrants and Muslim, Sikh, and South Asian communities, the harm becomes real—it shows up in violence, in policy, in daily fear. Honoring those we lost means standing against the forces that continue to endanger our communities today,” said Sim J. Singh Attariwala, Director of Anti-Hate Program, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC.

“Five years ago, a horrific shooting in Indianapolis claimed the lives of eight people, including four Sikh Americans. On this painful anniversary, Stop AAPI Hate stands with their families and surrounding communities to honor their memory. And we extend our gratitude to Rep. Jayapal and other leaders for  their leadership on this resolution and on the fight against anti-Asian hate. Today, the rising tide of racist rhetoric and anti-immigrant policies continues to target Sikh and South Asian communities. Our research shows that South Asian people are pulling back from social and civic life — and even making plans to leave the United States — out of fear for their safety. In this context, the anniversary of the Indianapolis shooting is not just a moment of remembrance but a call to action to keep standing up for civil rights and public safety. Because AAPI communities deserve nothing less,” said Manjusha Kulkarni, co-director and co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate.

The resolution is also sponsored by Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Darren Soto (FL-09), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Mike Thompson (CA-04). 

It is endorsed by Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), Sikh Coalition, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Stop AAPI Hate, Asian Law Alliance, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC), Indian American Impact, Indian American Muslim Council, Jakara Movement, National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD), and South Asian Impact Foundation, South Asian Network.

Issues: Civil Rights, Public Safety & Criminal Justice