Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a former paratrooper and Army Ranger and member of the House Armed Services Committee, helped introduce the Women Add Resourcefulness and Resilience to Improve Operational Readiness (WARRIOR) Act. This bill ensures that women in combat are evaluated on their skills, performance, and the gender-neutral standards that female servicemembers are already meeting and exceeding. As Pete Hegseth and the Trump administration malign women in our military, this bill prevents the exclusion of women in our Armed Forces.
Crow introduced the bill with Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-01), Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31), Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), and Derek Tran (D-CA-45).
“When I deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, I served alongside badass women who risked their lives to protect our nation,”said Congressman Crow. “Anyone willing to put on the uniform and defend this country deserves our support. Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump constantly undermine our women in uniform and question their service. This bill would ensure that people like them can’t prevent qualified and patriotic women from serving our country.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)
“Like nine months ago, I came away with the reaction that this facility is inhumane, that the way the detainees are housed is cruel and unnecessary, that ICE is hiding behind Florida state agencies to avoid any obligation to treat people humanely, and that the cost of the facility itself is being hidden behind the state of Florida,” said Wasserman Schultz. “On many of the questions that I had about how decisions are made about, they said that I had to talk to someone from ICE – who was on the premises – but refused to talk to me following the tour.”
Ochopee, FL – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) made an unannounced visit to conduct an oversight inspection of the Everglades Detention Center. Last summer, Democratic Members of Florida’s Congressional Delegation were given a sanitized tour of the site by Florida’s Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and federal officials. Members promised to conduct an unannounced review of the site at a future date.
For B-Roll of the press conference, click here. For audio from the press call, click here.
“Like nine months ago, I came away with the reaction that this facility is inhumane, that the way the detainees are housed is cruel and unnecessary, that ICE is hiding behind Florida state agencies to avoid any obligation to treat people humanely, and that the cost of the facility itself is being hidden behind the state of Florida,” said Wasserman Schultz. “On many of the questions that I had about how decisions are made about, they said that I had to talk to someone from ICE – who was on the premises – but refused to talk to me following the tour.”
While in the facility, Wasserman Schultz saw an area with just under 1,500 detainees housed in cages. That area smelled of urine, was humid, and “wall-to-wall men.” Toilets and sinks were stained and dirty, and not private. Food marked as ‘fresh’ was nearly two weeks old and served in small portions.
Despite arguments in court that the facility is solely state-run and thus not subject to Federal humane detention standards, Wasserman Schultz was told ICE maintained an active daily presence at the facility. FDEM staff repeatedly deferred questions regarding day-to-day detention operations to ICE. Wasserman Schultz was also denied access to meet with detained people who had filled out privacy waivers in advance or to hear from them directly.
Wasserman Schultz has championed a provision in the Department of Homeland Security funding law that prohibits any Administration from using funds to prevent a Member of Congress from entering any facility where immigrants are detained. Detainees have reported being treated inhumanely, denied access to medication and medical treatment, being sent to a punishment cell, and more to Wasserman Schultz’s office. Wasserman Schultz previously visited the facility in July with fellow Members of Congress and state elected officials, but it was a state government-run tour that she described as “sanitized” and “whitewashed.”
The Everglades Detention Center has cost Florida taxpayers at least $640 million in state funding, and analysts have estimated that its operations cost $1.2 million per day and roughly $1.1 billion per year. Sixty-five percent of detainees do not have a criminal history and only 27 percent are categorized as ‘high threat’ by ICE.
Wasserman Schultz is the lead sponsor of legislation that would prohibit the use of federal funds to construct, reimburse, or operate any detention facility in the Everglades. The No Cages in the Everglades Act would also permanently codify the appropriations provision barring any Administration from preventing Members of Congress or their staff from conducting oversight visits at detention facilities, with no exceptions for facilities operated by State or local governments or by private contractors.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)
Washington, D.C. – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) authored and introduced the bipartisanStop Global Tariffs Act, which eliminates President Donald Trump’s most recent tariffs while providing retroactive relief to importers harmed by his trade policies. This bill, which is being co-led by Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) and House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda Sánchez (CA-38), will refund 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 theTrade 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.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
President Trump’s most recent tariffs were improperly imposed under Section 122 of theTrade Act of 1974. Section 122 allows for the President to impose a 15% 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 theInternational Emergency Economic Powers Act(IEEPA) to levy tariffs, the Trump Administration has imposed a 10% 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.
This bill builds off Rep. Panetta’sReclaim Trade Powers Act, which would strike Section 122 of theTrade Act of 1974.
TheStop Global Tariffs Actis cosponsored by: Representatives Don Beyer (VA-08), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Terri Sewell (AL-07), and Tom Suozzi (NY-03).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke at the National Action Network’s National Convention, emphasizing that as the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have continued to unleash extremism on the American people and caused the cost of living to skyrocket, Democrats remain committed to defending our democracy, protecting civil rights, lowering prices and affirming that diversity, equity and inclusion are American values.
LEADER JEFFRIES: What an honor and a privilege to be back at NAN, as Reverend Sharpton has indicated, year after year after year. I’m proud to be a card-carrying member of the National Action Network, the preeminent civil rights organization here in the United States of America.And I’m certainly so thankful for Reverend Sharpton, for all that he represents, for his leadership, for his friendship, his mentorship and his partnership. We know that Reverend Sharpton is a civil rights champion, a powerful voice for the voiceless, a defender of democracy and the disenfranchised. And Reverend Sharpton has been on this journey consistently year after year, decade after decade. He started out wearing tracksuits and now he’s rocking business suits. But over the years, while the outfit may have changed, the mission remains the same: no justice.
AUDIENCE: No peace.
LEADER JEFFRIES: And we’re so appreciative of Reverend Sharpton. And certainly his voice, and your voice, is needed for such a time as this. Reverend Sharpton mentioned that I now have the honor and privilege of serving as the House Democratic Leader. It was interesting, when I made that transition, representing a district back in Brooklyn, of course, that the late, great Shirley Chisholm once represented. And so I’m proud to stand on her shoulders, a mentor of Reverend Sharpton.
I came back home after the transition had been made. I was on Fulton Street and ran into one of my constituents who appeared to recognize me. He said, ‘Congressman, come over here for a moment.’ I said, ‘sure, good to see you.’ He said, ‘now aren’t you the Congressman who a few years ago on the Floor of the Senate during the Trump impeachment trial quoted The Notorious B.I.G.?’ I said, ‘yeah, that was me.’ And he said, ‘now, Congressman, as I understand it, you’re the House Democratic Leader, the highest-ranking Democrat in the United States Congress.’ I said, ‘yeah, God is good.’ And then without missing a beat, he responded, Rev., by saying, ‘how the Hell does that happen?’ So I had to think quickly on my feet, as Reverend Sharpton has taught us to do, and then it came to me. I said, well, ‘you never thought that hip-hop would take it this far.’
But for us, in this challenging moment, it’s all about the power of imagination. Imagining how we can get from where we are, challenging times, to where we need to go to make this country, in the midst of all the extremism, the best version of herself. That’s what we have to do because these are challenging times. We got a hater in the White House. Haters in the Congress. And haters throughout the Cabinet. But we’re working on this. Watch this. Kristi Noem is gone. Pam Bondi is gone. And Pete Hegseth is next up.
Challenging times, haters all around us, but we’ve got to continue to press our case. Now, this President has failed the American people in so many different ways. Refuses to spend a dime to make life more affordable for you, but is spending billions of dollars to drop bombs in a reckless war choice in the Middle East. Failing the American people. He promised that he would lower the high cost of living on day one. We know costs haven’t gone down in this country, costs have gone up. Housing costs, out of control. Healthcare costs, out of control. Utility bills, out of control. Gas prices skyrocketing because of this reckless war of choice. Food prices, out control. Cost of living is out of control here in the United States of America.
And we’re committed to bringing about the type of country that when you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to live a comfortable life, a good life, an affordable life—good paying job, good housing, good healthcare, good education for your children and, when it’s all said and done, a good retirement. That’s what we’re working hard to bring about. And by the way, that good retirement means making sure that these extremists keep their hands off your Social Security and your Medicare at all times. Work hard, play by the rules, live the good life.
Challenging times as we approach our 250th birthday. Reasonable for all of us to ask the question, ‘what makes America, America?’ It’s an important question that we need to ask because the extremists have a very different vision as to where they’re trying to take this country at this time. We want to move the country forward. The extremists are trying to turn back the clock. We’re working hard to bring people together. The extremists are doing everything they can to tear us apart. We believe in truth and reconciliation. The extremists want to erase our history. But let’s be clear, Black history is American history. We will never let them erase it.
We’ve been here since 1619. That’s before America was America. And we’re not going anywhere. Not now, not ever. No matter what these extremists are trying to do with their all-out assault on civil rights, on voting rights, certainly on diversity, equity and inclusion. And we won’t let these extremists get away with lying to the American people. They want to suggest that diversity, equality and inclusion are foreign values. They’re not foreign values, they’re American values.
Let’s just check the record. The motto of this great country, E Pluribus Unum. That’s the motto of this great country. Out of many, one. That’s diversity. One of the most important constitutional amendments in this country, a Reconstruction Amendment, the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, contains the Equal Protection Clause. And the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th Amendment promises equal protection under the law. That’s equity. And all across this country, from sea to shining sea, in the land of the free and the home of the brave, when people say the Pledge of Allegiance, they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. That’s inclusion. So diversity, equity and inclusion, we’re teaching the extremists something. These aren’t foreign values. These are American values. And when you attack diversity, equity and inclusion, you attack the United States of America.
We have the high ground on this issue, which is why I’m so thankful that Reverend Sharpton and the National Action Network continues to lead it. And here’s the other thing that we know that this effort, attacking DEI is not a serious effort. It’s not about celebrating merit. That’s what they tell you. They’re not trying to celebrate merit, they’re trying to elevate mediocrity. Not trying to celebrate merit, they’re trying to elevate mediocrity. Here’s how we know that’s the case. Just look at who they put in charge of the attack on DEI. Pete Hegseth, the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in American history. You don’t have the standing to lecture anyone. This guy can’t organize a two-car funeral. He was a Fox News host and now he’s the Secretary of Defense. No wonder things are turning out so horrifically over in the Middle East. Pete Hegseth leading the attack on diversity, equity and inclusion. Those are American values.
Let me close with this observation. This is a John Lewis moment in terms of what we’re dealing with right now. I’ll never forget when I was a first-term Member of Congress, I got to the House Floor. Amazing all the people I got to serve with. Of course, Jim Clyburn, I know he’ll be with all of you, and Maxine Waters of course was there, and Elijah Cummings, Charlie Rangel. So many legends. I got to see John Lewis. He called me over and first thing he said to me on the Floor, one of my first days in the House, he said, ‘are you the new guy?’ I said, ‘Yes, Sir, Mr. Lewis, that’s me.’ He said, ‘No, Hakeem, you don’t have to call me Mr. Lewis. You’re a colleague of mine. Just call me John.’ I said, ‘Yes, Sir, Mr. Lewis. I understand.’ And then he said, ‘You from Brooklyn, right?’ Rev., I was tempted to say Brooklyn is always in the house, but this was John Lewis, so I said ‘Yes, sir, I’m from Brooklyn.’
Then he said something, I’ve never forgotten. He said, ‘Well, Washington, D.C. can be a tough place. So I don’t want you to get into any trouble here, unless it’s good trouble.’ This is a John Lewis Good Trouble moment for all of us as we push back against these extremists.
And our promise to you, as House Democrats, is that we’re going to work as hard as we can to lower the high cost of living, to fix our broken healthcare system, to clean up corruption, to get ICE under control, to end this failed, reckless, costly war of choice in Iran and to make sure that we protect the things that our heroes have worked so hard to ensure would be possible for generation after generation, which means one of the first things that we’ll do on the other side of this midterm election is to pass the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act so we can end the era of voter suppression in the United States of America once and for all. Good Trouble Moment for all of us.
So let’s continue to show up and stand up and speak up for what we know is right. And we’re going to stand up for civil rights. Stand up for voting rights. Stand up for reproductive rights. Stand up for immigration rights. Stand up for women’s rights. Stand up for racial justice. Stand up for social justice. Stand up for economic justice. Stand up for liberty and justice for all. Stand up for freedom. Stand up for our democracy.
Let’s continue to win the day, and win the week, and win the month, and win the year, win the hearts and minds of the American people. And together, in November, win back control of the United States House of Representatives, end this national nightmare and continue our march toward a more perfect union.
God bless you. God bless Reverend Sharpton. God bless NAN. God bless the United States of America.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW’s Morning Joe, where he emphasized that Democrats will continue pushing for a War Powers Resolution, including at 11:30 a.m. today, to end the Trump administration’s reckless war in Iran that is costing taxpayers billions of dollars and raising the already high cost of living.
KATTY KAY: Let’s bring in House Minority Leader, Democratic Congressman of New York. Leader Jeffries, thank you very much for joining us. So House Democrats are going to demand the passage of a War Powers Resolution at 11:30 a.m this morning. It doesn’t have really very much chance of passing at all, so is this just performative on your part?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, good morning. We’re going to make sure that we provide our Republican colleagues with every single opportunity to do the right thing on behalf of the American people, which means bringing an immediate end to Donald Trump’s reckless and costly failed war of choice against Iran. So we’re going to proceed at 11:30 today through what’s called the pro forma session and demand that the legislation that has been previously introduced by Representative Greg Meeks that would end the hostilities immediately in the Middle East in the absence of course of congressional authorization which was never obtained and we’ll see what happens later on today. If that is not successful today, we’re back in session next week and upon our return, it’s our expectation again to continue the effort to advance a War Powers Resolution to put an end to the madness that Donald Trump has created over in the Middle East.
KATTY KAY: But the truth is there really isn’t very much you can do, is there? Because these resolutions are not passing, they’re not going to pass, even if you introduce them every day they’re going to not pass because you’re not gonna get the Republican votes to have them pass. So what else?
LEADER JEFFRIES: I disagree with that. I disagree with that. We’ve seen repeatedly Democratic efforts in the House be successful. We’ve successfully [passed an extension of] the Affordable Care Act tax credits. We’ve successfully advanced Epstein legislation in order to force transparency, so far the disclosure of three million documents. We’re working on the other three million. We’ve successfully passed legislation to overturn the Trump tariffs as it relates to Canada. And we’re going to successfully move a War Powers Resolution. All we need are a handful of Republicans. Two have already joined us. We just need one or two more. And if we get that, when we get that, we’re going to be able to successfully move this in the House. Simultaneously, we know that Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats are advancing a War Powers Resolution in the Senate. And the American people are with us. They don’t want to see billions of dollars being spent dropping bombs in Iran from an administration that’s not willing to spend a dime to actually make life more affordable for the American people. So we have to continue to press our case. Public sentiment is on our side and one way or the other, we’re going to prevail.
KATTY KAY: I’m sure you have conversations with your Republican colleagues. Have you heard anything from them behind closed doors, a nod and a wink, anything to suggest disquiet amongst your Republican colleagues about the Tweets that the President sent out on Easter Sunday and then again on Tuesday morning threatening a whole civilization with destruction?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, unfortunately, what we’ve seen from Republicans in the House is that instead of functioning like a separate and coequal branch of government and standing up to a President and an administration that’s completely and totally out of control—and, of course, over the last few days that’s been on full display—they continue to behave like a reckless rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda. A handful of them will suggest from time to time, privately, that they know the President is out of pocket as it relates to some of the things that he says or does. But we haven’t seen significantly and overwhelmingly a willingness to push back against him publicly.
MIKE BARNICLE: You know, Congressman, I’d like to follow up on what she just asked you, and it is this. Everything you do and everything you say, including right now, is sort of a definition of who you are. Your behavior defines who you are. So the Sunday morning Tweet that the President of the United States issued on Easter Sunday, what kind of a definition of him did you think that was?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Unhinged, unpresidential and an unconscionable action from a President on Easter Sunday morning of all days. And then, of course, to follow that up with this statement threatening to eradicate an entire civilization. But Mike, this is not a behavior that is inconsistent with who this President has shown us who he is for the last 10 years. And I think the American people clearly have had enough. That will be reflected in the midterm elections. We’re going to have to do everything we can to end this national nightmare, but it’s the moment that we’re in.
MIKE BARNICLE: So do you think he’s stable?
LEADER JEFFRIES: No, I don’t think he’s stable. I don’t think he has been stable for 10 years. And we’ve seen repeated evidence of that on full display in the way in which he conducted himself. Listen, I think—he’s lied regularly to the American people on things that matter to the American people. This is a President who promised that he was going to lower costs on day one. Costs haven’t gone down. Costs have gone up as a direct result of his behavior. The Trump tariffs have increased costs on everyday Americans by thousands of dollars per year. He lied about what he was going to do for the American people. Their unwillingness to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits has increased health insurance costs on more than tens of millions of Americans. And now, of course, because of this reckless, costly war of choice in the Middle East, gas prices are skyrocketing. So that’s just one of many examples of this President being willing to say one thing directly to the American people and do the exact opposite.
MARA GAY: Congressman, do you see the President’s rhetoric on ending a civilization in Iran and also his actions in the Middle East as impeachable? And also, do you think that they are worthy of invoking the 25th Amendment?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, in terms of, you know, impeachment and things of that matter, we’ve said we’ve ruled nothing out and we’ve rule nothing in, but we’re going to deal with what’s in front of us. And so, what’s been in front of us is we’ve successfully run out of town some of his Cabinet Secretaries, and the overwhelming majority of them are woefully unqualified, in fact dangerous. So now we’re in a situation where Kristi Noem is gone, Pam Bondi is gone. And I believe Pete Hegseth is next, and we’re going to keep our foot on the gas pedal to push this guy out, the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in American history. Now tomorrow, under the leadership of Jamie Raskin, Judiciary Committee Democrats are going to brief the entire Caucus about the different accountability mechanisms that are available to us, including, or available to the country I should say, including, but not limited to, the 25th Amendment.
KATTY KAY: Okay, let’s broaden this out. President Trump, meanwhile, is criticizing NATO following a private meeting with the Secretary General of the Alliance, Mark Rutte. The White House confirmed yesterday that the President has been considering a possible U.S. exit from the Alliance and that he planned to raise the issue during that sit-down. Rutte called their conversation very frank as the President long criticized NATO allies for defense spending and support, warning that their commitment is lacking. After the meeting, Trump posted only renewed complaints on Truth Social, writing, ‘NATO wasn’t there when we needed them and they won’t be there if we need them again. Remember Greenland.’ Meanwhile, officials in the Trump administration say the President is also considering repositioning U.S. troops in Europe, potentially punishing members he says failed to support the U.S. and Israel during the Iran war. This according to the Wall Street Journal. While it stopped short of actually withdrawing from NATO, the move still in early stages reflects growing tensions between Trump and key European partners. Officials say the proposal would shift forces out of countries like Spain and Germany and into more so-called cooperative nations in Eastern Europe, including Poland and Romania. The U.S. currently has about 84,000 troops stationed across Europe, many in strategic hubs critical to global operations. Ari, I mean actually I think NATO might be quite happy if there were more troops up against the Russian border. I’m not sure the Russians would love it, but anyway that would be a weird strategic move. But the President can’t actually pull America out of NATO because of a law that Marco Rubio helped get passed. But he can defang NATO, can’t he? I mean, he can be—it can be a de facto exit of the Alliance, and you might argue that’s kind of already happened.
ARI MELBER: Well, he’s certainly the most anti-NATO President we’ve ever had since the history of the organization and he certainly has fixated on what most people see as tertiary issues like the funding and the other questions and not whether we have an alliance to deal with Russia and other threats. NATO was there for the United States after 9-11, so his claims aren’t really true when you think about the big ones. And it, you know, Leader Jeffries, it sort of speaks to how so much of our foreign policy is upside down. You’ve been very clear, and your party’s been pretty clear, with the American public behind you against this war. The harder part, even if it is true that it is the President’s fault is, what do you think is acceptable for leaving now? Is it acceptable for the United States to leave with Iran in the position it’s in, with the Strait in the position it’s in right now? Certainly it’s not the level of status quo or control that the President’s suggested. Knowing that you’re against the war, what do you look at as the conditions to get out of this?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we have to restore the situation in the Strait, of course, and we can do it through aggressive diplomacy, which will have to involve NATO and our allies all across the world so that there is access through the Strait that brings down gas prices for the American people and folks all across the world. In other words, Donald Trump has gotten us into this reckless war of choice and made life more expensive. And clearly, the administration failed to anticipate the types of countermeasures that Iran was going to take. Presumably, he just thought that the Iranian regime was going to collapse. And of course, that hasn’t happened. Now, in terms of NATO, this is the most successful military and diplomatic alliance in the history of the world. And the President, in real time, is trying to dismantle it. It was put together in the aftermath of World War II to help keep the world safe and free of the type of global conflicts that devastated tens of millions of people in both World War I and World War II. In fact, we know, as it relates to NATO, that the only time the collective defense provision, Article 5, was activated was in defense of the United States of America. And over a thousand NATO allied troops lost their lives or were seriously injured fighting for us in Afghanistan. So once again, of course, President Donald Trump has zero idea what he’s talking about or he’s just chosen to lie to the American people.
KATTY KAY: Yeah, and just remember it was one Senator Rubio who managed to sneak in a provision while Donald Trump was out of office, making it very hard for any American President to unilaterally pull out of NATO. So that’s not going to happen immediately. Okay, Speaker Jeffries, while we—Hakeem Jeffries, Congressman Jeffries, Leader Jeffries, while we have you here, we’re going to throw another topic at you. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is no longer expected to appear for a deposition with the House Oversight Committee next week as part of the panel’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. According to a spokesperson for the Committee, the Justice Department is arguing Bondi was subpoenaed in her official capacity as Attorney General, a job she no longer has after President Trump fired her last week. But Members of the Committee are still pushing for Bondi’s testimony. Democrats stand firm that she is legally bound to testify, regardless of her current title. And Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace said in a statement to MS NOW, the subpoena is still valid because it requested Bondi’s testimony by name, not by title. She went on to say Americans, quote, ‘deserve answers and that the Committee expects her to appear as soon as a new date is set.’ Leader Jeffries, are you going to manage to get around what the obstruction is here from the DOJ and get Pam Bondi to testify, even if it’s not in an official capacity?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, we’re absolutely going to make sure that Pam Bondi testifies. And of course, she’ll be testifying as it relates to her official capacity as the former Attorney General and someone who’s been in direct defiance of a law that was passed overwhelmingly in the House and the Senate, led by Democrats, and, of course, signed into law by Donald Trump, requiring the disclosure of the Epstein files so that we can actually bring to life the type of transparency and accountability that the Epstein survivors have so bravely and courageously fought to achieve. And so our view remains the same. In fact, the subpoena is valid until it’s officially withdrawn. That can only happen by a vote of the committee. And I’m confident that every single Democrat in the House is going to oppose the withdrawal of that subpoena. And we’re going to just have to find a few Republicans like Nancy Mace, who apparently indicates she’s willing to be one, to join us and we can successfully get this done. We’ve repeatedly, on the House Oversight Committee, overcome the objection of James Comer. All of this is being done without his support and so we just have to continue to press the case.
MARA GAY: Ari, can you give us some legal framework here and insight? There is precedent for former officials, of course, testifying before Congress and answering subpoenas even after they leave, including in the case of Bill Clinton. Can you please just help us understand what the Republicans don’t want the American people to know in this particular case?
ARI MELBER: Well, it’s really striking because a subpoena is a subpoena and there isn’t a legal limit on how important the person you subpoena is. The only question usually is tradition. There was a tradition of going to former presidents as a last resort and there might be good reasons for that because on many issues, you could try to haul in a president and so that had been a tradition. Republicans broke down and said no, they want former President Clinton in there and they went in as everyone saw. And so, Bondi losing her job is not a defense to a lawful subpoena, obviously. And I think second, the larger question is why Donald Trump and many of his aides, including Pam Bondi, now a former official, are so hell-bent on avoiding answering questions under oath and telling the truth about Jeffrey Epstein. And we’ve reported on this channel, on this show and others, there are Epstein ties to people in both parties and people in this country and other parties, in other countries. So, you want to get to the bottom of that period. But the idea that Donald Trump has—this has haunted him this whole second term. It’s really striking. And I’m curious what you think about where the Congress lands on accountability because if you guys win the midterms, you will presumably be elected then by your party as Speaker. They’ve elected you now as Leader. That’s a big, powerful job. You have a lot of stuff to work on. You guys have not said what you want to do on impeachment, which is a leadership question, right? There’s no handbook. But it’s on everyone’s mind, as you know Leader Jeffries, because I will just say, legally, the Constitution’s reasons for impeachment have been legally met on more than one issue for this President, on questions around corruption and bribery, on obviously the President or the Attorney General breaking the Epstein law. I mean, they literally broke that law as you know for weeks. So, how do you look at Epstein and the other issues as impeachable? Is it something voters should be thinking about that you will have accountability? Is it something you’re taking off the table?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, again, we haven’t ruled anything in and haven’t ruled anything out. So we’re certainly not going to take any accountability measures off the table as it relates to this administration or this President. By the way, the most corrupt administration in American history, clearly and definitively. And Donald Trump makes Richard Nixon look like a choir boy. Now, at the end of the day, right, we’ve got to win the majority. In order to do that, of course, we have to convince the American people that we’re going to do the types of things that will make their lives better. So, one, we are committed to driving down the high cost of living in an environment where far too many Americans are struggling to live paycheck to paycheck here in New York City, as the Mayor has thoughtfully articulated, and across the country. That’s the reality of the situation. And we’ve got to make life more affordable for the American people in terms of housing and health care and child care and gas prices and food prices and utility bills. So that’s the affordability side of the agenda. At the same period of time, we’ve been very clear that there has to be accountability for all of the corruption, the chaos, the norm-breaking and the law-breaking that has taken place. It’s the reason why we’ve continued to press for consequences even while in the minority. We drove Pam Bondi out of office. We drove Kristi Noem out of office. The President insisted he was going to make no changes, particularly when Democrats started to demand those changes. And we’re going to continue to press our case on the accountability side of the equation particularly if the American people give us the honor of governing with the gavels.
MIKE BARNICLE: So, Congressman, last question, we promise. What do you do? What’s your play if Pam Bondi takes the Fifth all day long?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I think, listen, we’ll move to hold her in criminal contempt. By the way, as Ari pointed out, the Republicans have already set this precedent. They moved to hold Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton in contempt before the negotiation, as it related to their testimony, was even completed. And now you have the Attorney General, former Attorney General, saying that she’s not testifying. She’s got nothing to say when there’s a lawful subpoena, bipartisan, passed. They’ve set the precedent, we’re going to follow it, and we’ll press to hold her in criminal contempt if she fails to show up to a lawful congressional subpoena.
KATTY KAY: Okay, we will follow that story. House Minority Leader, Democratic Congressman, Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Thank you so much for joining the program this morning.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) joined Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and 72 of their colleagues in demanding the rejection of President Trump’s budget proposal to eliminate the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The members wrote, “Nearly six million low-income households rely on this program to heat and cool their homes. At a time when energy and gas prices are skyrocketing, and total utility debt has climbed to its highest since 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, to propose this elimination is unfathomable. We urge you to reject this program’s elimination, and fund LIHEAP at the highest level possible for FY 2027.”
“More than 80 million Americans are struggling to pay their energy bills, and one in five households report forgoing basic necessities like food and medicine to pay an energy bill,” they continued. “Families need support now more than ever to afford the most basic household goods as rising energy costs and gasoline, food, and heating oil prices surge due to tariffs and President Trump’s war of choice in Iran. Eliminating LIHEAP will further exacerbate the energy affordability crisis and the nearly impossible choices households face every day due to rising costs.”
LIHEAP assists low-income individuals and families with the costs of heating and cooling their homes and helps to mitigate the impacts of rising energy costs and extreme weather events. Across the nation, LIHEAP helps nearly 6 million households afford their energy bills. Nearly 117,500 Californian households benefit from LIHEAP.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)
MICCOSUKEE RESERVATION, FL – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation, presented a $350,000 in federal funding to the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Police Department to upgrade five marked Sport Utility Vehicles for the Miccosukee Tribe Police Departments.
These vehicles will enhance public safety by improving law enforcement visibility and emergency response, increasing officer presence, and deterring crime in the community.
Congressman Díaz-Balart said, “I have always been proud to stand with the Miccosukee Tribe as a partner and advocate in Congress–from protecting sacred cultural sites and the way of life enjoyed by the tribes to supporting public safety–and this funding is a result of that partnership. These funds for the Miccosukee Tribe Police Department will strengthen tribal law enforcement capabilities and support the Tribes with real, tangible tools that improve community protection. I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Talbert Cypress and other members of the Miccosukee Tribe in these efforts.”
Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart represents Florida’s 26th Congressional District and serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. He is the Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation and has a proven track record of delivering critical funding to support Florida’s Tribes, enhance public safety, and improve the quality of life across South Florida.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)
KANSAS CITY, KS — Today, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a discussion with Wyandotte County small business owners and economic development leaders to talk about the successes and challenges facing local businesses, including the impact of reckless tariffs.
Davids recently announced her support for new legislationthat would provide automatic refunds to small businesses and families forced to pay President Trump’s tariffs. While large corporations can fight in court to reclaim their losses, most small businesses lack the resources to recover these payments — leaving them and their customers to bear the cost.
“During our conversation today, I heard directly from small business owners here in Wyandotte County who are dealing with higher costs and tighter margins because of these reckless tariffs,” said Davids. “They shouldn’t have to spend time and money fighting to get back what was taken from them. I’m pushing for bipartisan solutions that make that process simpler and more accessible, so local businesses aren’t left carrying the burden of policies they had no control over.”
Trump’s tariff policies have hit Kansas hard, driving up costs for families and threatening small businesses and farmers. According to estimates, average American households will pay roughly $2,500 more this yearbecause of these policies. Local industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and retail, have faced higher costs for imported goods, forcing some businesses to raise consumer prices, cut jobs, or close entirely.
The Supreme Court struck downthese tariffs, but the administration is still moving forwardwith others. Refunds are being discussed, but under the current system, small businesses often lack the resources to reclaim funds, while large corporations can pursue lengthy litigation to recover tariff payments.
TheRestoring Economic Lifelines for Independent Enterprises and Family Businesses (RELIEF) Actwould:
Require automatic refunds for certain tariffs collected since January 1, 2025 – so small businesses and families don’t have to wait years or hire lawyers to get back the money they were forced to pay.
Ensure refunds are processed within 90 days of enactment – giving immediate relief to businesses struggling with higher costs and helping keep prices lower for everyday consumers.
Eliminate the need for individual applications or formal protests – removing bureaucratic hurdles so small businesses and families can actually access the refunds without extra cost, confusion, or delay.
WATCH: Davids speaks on her support for the RELIEF Act
Davids has consistently pushed back on the President’s blanket tariffs and supported bipartisan approaches to trade that balance competitiveness with consumer protection. She spoke during a U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing on the trade disruptions Kansas agricultural producers will face due to these tariffs — a concern echoed by Kansas Farm Bureau President Joe Newland. She also visited a local toy store and manufacturer who are being hit hard by these unstable policies and hosted a press conference on her efforts to push back on tariffs. Most recently, she voted to end President Trump’s reckless tariffs on Canada, which are raising costs for Americans.
Participants in the roundtable included representatives from:
Bonner Springs Chamber of Commerce
CST Sweets
Dewey’s Pizza
Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce
Fancy Your Fanny
Fran Sutton Homes
Grill 32
Harvest & Hearts Juicing
Johnson County Community College (JCCC) Small Business Development Center
Kansas City, Kansas Chamber of Commerce
Kansas Small Business Development Center
Range 23 Brewing
Wyandotte County Economic Development Center
During her time in Congress, Davids has also worked across the aisle to support small businesses. As a former member of the House Small Business Committee, she pushed back against reckless tariffsthat raise costs for small business owners, called for strong oversightof pandemic relief programs to prevent fraud, and focused on strengthening domestic supply chainsto support small- and medium-sized manufacturers. She has also prioritized efforts to reduce excessive paperwork for small businesses and support individual workers, including veterans, women, and people in recovery.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)
Chicago, IL — Congressman Danny K. Davis today joined House Democrats in calling for immediate passage of a War Powers Resolution to reassert Congress’s constitutional authority and prevent further escalation of U.S. military involvement abroad.
Following a coordinated effort led by House Democrats to bring the resolution forward, Congressman Davis emphasized the urgent need for congressional oversight and accountability.
“Congress cannot sit idle while the United States is drawn deeper into a dangerous and costly conflict without clear authorization,” said Davis. “The Constitution is clear — the power to declare war rests with Congress. We must act now to uphold that responsibility and protect American lives.”
Davis warned that continued escalation risks further loss of life, economic instability, and broader regional conflict, while American families are already feeling the consequences.
“Families should not have to bear the burden of rising costs and uncertainty caused by decisions made without transparency or strategy,” Davis said. “We owe it to our service members, their families, and the American people to ensure that any military engagement is lawful, justified, and accountable.”
The resolution, introduced by Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, seeks to require congressional approval for continued military action and to bring an end to unauthorized hostilities.
Congressman Davis called on his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the measure.
“This is not a partisan issue — it is a constitutional duty,” Davis added. “Members of Congress must decide whether to stand for the rule of law and the authority of this institution, or allow unchecked executive action to continue.”
Davis also urged House leadership to allow a full vote on the resolution without delay.
“The American people deserve accountability. Congress must act immediately.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)
Chicago, IL — Congressman Danny K. Davis today commemorated the anniversary of the signing of the Second Chance Act, landmark bipartisan legislation he led in Congress to support individuals returning home from incarceration and strengthen communities through successful reentry.
Signed into law in 2008, the Second Chance Act fundamentally reshaped federal reentry policy by investing in job training, housing support, substance use treatment, mentoring, and community-based services designed to reduce recidivism and improve long-term outcomes.
“When we passed the Second Chance Act, we recognized that permanent punishment should not define a person’s future,” said Congressman Davis. “We made a commitment to redemption, accountability, and opportunity—and that work continues today.”
Nationally, approximately 70 million to 100 Americans—about one in three adults—have a criminal record, and nearly 2 million women are released from U.S. jails each year, underscoring the scale of reentry challenges.
In Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, an estimated 140,000 to 145,000 adults live with a criminal record—roughly one in four adults and nearly one in five households—representing a significant portion of the community directly impacted by reentry policies.
Since its passage, Congress has appropriated more than $1.2 billion for Second Chance Act programs, supporting state and local initiatives across the country that reduce recidivism, improve employment outcomes, and strengthen public safety.
“These investments have helped build a national reentry infrastructure, but the need remains urgent,” Davis said. “Too many returning citizens still face barriers to employment, housing, and healthcare that prevent full reintegration into society.”
Congressman Davis emphasized that reentry is not only a matter of justice, but also of economic stability and community safety.
“When individuals successfully reenter society, families are stronger, communities are safer, and our economy benefits,” Davis said. “The Second Chance Act has proven that smart investments in people lead to better outcomes for everyone.”
As Congress looks ahead, Davis called for expanding and modernizing reentry programs to meet the current scale of need.
“We must build on the foundation we created,” Davis added. “That means increasing funding, removing systemic barriers, and ensuring that every person returning home has a real opportunity to succeed.”
SUCCESS SUMMARY
The Second Chance Act has delivered measurable results by shifting federal policy toward evidence-based reentry.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance and program evaluations:
Second Chance Act programs have reduced recidivism, with some initiatives showing 10–20 percentage point declines in reoffending compared to similar populations.
Participants have seen improved employment outcomes, including higher job placement and retention rates after release.
The Act helped build a national reentry infrastructure, funding hundreds of state and local programs providing housing, workforce training, and behavioral health services.
Programs have expanded substance abuse and mental health treatment, addressing key drivers of incarceration.
Youth reentry initiatives have improved school re-enrollment and reduced juvenile recidivism.
Since its passage, Congress has invested over $1.2 billion in Second Chance Act programs, supporting efforts that strengthen public safety by helping individuals successfully return to their communities.