MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, announced the introduction of the Uniform Standards for Federal Law Enforcement Act, a bill that would place into law a clear use of force policy for federal law enforcement. 

This legislation would codify the Justice Department’s own Deadly Force policy, found in the Department’s Policy on Use of Force which was updated in May 2022 and adopted by law enforcement agencies across the federal government. This bill would set equally high standards and ensure accountability for federal law enforcement officers, including immigration officers, any time they used force that led to the loss of human life.  

“Department of Homeland Security agents are terrorizing schools and small businesses, racially profiling people, tearing children from their parents, and killing Americans. Congress cannot allow them to continue to operate this way without real oversight or accountability, and Democrats have come to the table with proposals that both safeguard everyone’s constitutional rights and protect public safety,” said Congresswoman Meng. “The tragic shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, along with the lack of transparency and dishonesty from both DHS and DOJ, have shown that politically motivated agency leaders cannot be trusted and that Congress must set clear guardrails. As the top Democrat of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Department of Justice, the bill I am introducing supports these reasonable proposals by turning the DOJ’s existing deadly force policy into law. This should not be controversial. I am prepared to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that this commonsense reform becomes law.”

This legislation would help address use-of-force standards that House and Senate Democratic Leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer highlighted in their letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, which outlined Democrats’ demands in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill currently under negotiation.

The House Appropriation Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and related agencies oversees funding for several federal agencies, including the Department of Justice.

A copy can be viewed here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

 Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) and Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL) introduced the New Good Neighbor Act, calling for the annulment of the Monroe Doctrine and the establishment of a “New Good Neighbor” policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean. The resolution comes in direct response to the Trump administration’s aggressive interventionism across the hemisphere under what they’ve dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine.”

“This administration’s aggressive stance toward Latin America makes this resolution critical,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez. “Their ‘Donroe Doctrine’ is simply a more grotesque version of the interventionist policies that have failed us for two centuries. The United States and Latin America face shared challenges in drug trafficking, migration, and climate change. We can only solve these through real partnership, not coercion. We need to finally leave the Monroe Doctrine behind and pursue a foreign policy grounded in mutual respect and shared prosperity.”

“For more than 200 years, the United States has used the Monroe Doctrine to justify a paternalistic, damaging approach to relations with Latin America and the Caribbean. As a result, the legacy of our nation’s foreign policy in those regions is political instability, deep poverty, extreme migration, and colonialism. It is well past time we change our approach,” said Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez. “We must recognize our interconnectedness and admit that the Monroe Doctrine undermines the partnership needed to confront the complex challenges of this century. We must become better neighbors. That is why I am proud to join Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez to develop an approach to foreign policy that advances our collective interests and builds a stronger coalition throughout the Americas and the rest of the world.”

The resolution responds to recent Trump administration actions including the illegal military operation in Venezuela, President Trump’s claims over Venezuelan oil reserves, and the pardon of convicted drug trafficker and former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández.

In addition to Velázquez and Ramirez, the resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Summer Lee (D-PA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Greg Casar (D-TX), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Sylvia García (D-TX), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Lateefah Simon (D-CA).
 
From the invasion of Puerto Rico in 1898 to U.S. support for coups and dictatorships in Latin America throughout the 20th century, the resolution details the harmful effects of the policy over the past 200 years. 
 
The resolution calls for:

1. The Department of State to formally confirm that the Monroe Doctrine is no longer a part of United States policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean.
2. The Federal Government to develop a ‘‘New Good Neighbor’’ policy in place of the Monroe Doctrine.
3. Developing a new approach to promoting economic development.
4. The termination of all unilateral economic sanctions imposed through Executive orders, and working with Congress to terminate all unilateral sanctions, such as the Cuba embargo, mandated by law.
5. New legislation to trigger the suspension of assistance to a government whenever there is an extraconstitutional transfer of power.
6. Prompt declassification of all United States Government archives that relate to past coups d’états, dictatorships, and periods in the history of Latin American and Caribbean countries characterized by a high rate of human rights crimes perpetrated by security forces.
7. Collaboration with Latin American and Caribbean governments on a far-reaching reform to the Organization of American States.
8. Supporting democratic reforms to the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and other international financial institutions.

Alex Main, Director of International Policy at the Center for Economic and Policy Research: “President Trump is waging a new offensive against Latin America and the Caribbean— conducting illegal and unprovoked military attacks and extrajudicial killings and brazenly intervening in other countries’ domestic affairs in an undisguised effort to exert control over the region’s resources and politics. But while Trump’s actions are especially egregious, they are just the latest chapter of a centuries-old story of US military political and economic interference that has subverted democracy and fueled instability and human rights crimes across the hemisphere. It is in the interest of the US to reject this doctrine of unilateral domination and chart a new course for US-Latin American relations — to treat our Latin American siblings as vecinos, not vassals.”

Colleen Moore, Director of Peace With Justice at The United Methodist Church — General Board of Church and Society: “The Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church (UMC) rejects the use of war as an instrument of foreign policy and repents for the Church’s involvement in colonialism and neocolonialism. As followers of Jesus Christ and our official UMC Social Principles, we unequivocally reject any militarized ideology that deepens political instability anywhere in the world. Church and Society welcomes the reintroduction of this resolution from Congresswoman Velázquez that outlines a U.S. foreign policy towards Latin America based in diplomacy, rule of law, and cooperation.”

Cavan Kharrazian, Senior Policy Advisor at Demand Progress: “President Trump’s recent unauthorized military interventions and continued threats in the Western Hemisphere make clear that the legacy of the Monroe Doctrine still shapes U.S. foreign policy in harmful ways. We commend the cosponsors of this resolution for confronting that history and advancing a new framework for U.S. engagement in the region grounded in mutual respect, sovereignty, and cooperation rather than coercion or threats.”

George Escobar, Executive Director of We are CASA: “For many of our community, the long history of US intervention is a deeply personal experience. Our members have family, loved ones, and roots in the region that continues to be a target of military intervention and forced regime change. The US’s foreign policy in Latin America continues to undermine sovereignty, self-determination, and the rule of law, while placing lives at serious risk. As people are forcibly displaced from their homes due to violence and instability, they come to the US seeking safety for themselves and their families. They now face the risk of being sent back to the very same dangerous conditions created by the US, as the current administration attacks humanitarian programs, such as the cancellation of Temporary Protected Status. It is well beyond the moment for the US to turn away from the doctrine of violence and look towards building a better future together with Latin America.” 

Text of the resolution can be found here.

A recording of the press conference announcing the resolution can be found here.

 
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Congresistas Velázquez y Ramírez encabezan a un grupo de legisladores en la presentación de una resolución que llama a poner fin a la Doctrina Monroe

Washington, D.C. – Hoy, la congresista Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) y la congresista Delia Ramírez (D-IL) presentaron la New Good Neighbor Act, que exige la anulación de la Doctrina Monroe y el establecimiento de una “Nueva política del Buen Vecino” hacia América Latina y el Caribe. La resolución nace como una respuesta directa al agresivo intervencionismo de la Administración Trump en todo el hemisferio, bajo lo que han denominado la “Doctrina Donroe”.
 
“La postura agresiva de esta Administración hacia América Latina hace que esta resolución sea fundamental”, afirmó la congresista Nydia M. Velázquez. “Su ‘Doctrina Donroe’ no es más que una versión aún más grotesca de las políticas intervencionistas que han fallado durante dos siglos. Estados Unidos y América Latina enfrentan desafíos compartidos en materia de narcotráfico, migración y cambio climático. Solo podemos resolverlos mediante una verdadera cooperación, no mediante la coerción. Debemos dejar atrás de una vez por todas la Doctrina Monroe y avanzar hacia una política exterior basada en el respeto mutuo y la prosperidad compartida”.

“Durante más de 200 años, Estados Unidos ha invocado la Doctrina Monroe para justificar un enfoque paternalista y profundamente perjudicial en sus relaciones con América Latina y el Caribe. El resultado ha sido un legado de inestabilidad política, pobreza estructural, migración forzada y colonialismo. Ya es hora de cambiar de rumbo”, afirmó la congresista Delia C. Ramírez. “Debemos reconocer nuestra interdependencia y admitir que la Doctrina Monroe socava la alianza que necesitamos para enfrentar los complejos desafíos de este siglo. Es momento de convertirnos en mejores vecinos. Por eso me enorgullece unirme a la congresista Nydia Velázquez para impulsar una política exterior que avance nuestros intereses colectivos y fortalezca una coalición más sólida en las Américas y en el resto del mundo”.

La resolución surge como respuesta a una serie de acciones recientes de la Administración Trump, entre ellas una operación militar ilegal en Venezuela, las declaraciones del presidente Trump reclamando las reservas petroleras venezolanas y el indulto otorgado al expresidente hondureño Juan Orlando Hernández, condenado por narcotráfico.

Además de Velázquez y Ramírez, la resolución cuenta con el copatrocinio de los representantes Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Summer Lee (D-PA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Greg Casar (D-TX), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Sylvia García (D-TX), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN) y Lateefah Simon (D-CA).

Desde la invasión de Puerto Rico en 1898 hasta el respaldo de Estados Unidos a golpes de Estado y dictaduras en América Latina a lo largo del siglo XX, la resolución documenta de manera detallada los efectos profundamente nocivos de esta política a lo largo de más de 200 años.

La resolución exige:

1. Que el Departamento de Estado confirme formalmente que la Doctrina Monroe ya no forma parte de la política de Estados Unidos hacia América Latina y el Caribe.
2. Que el Gobierno Federal desarrolle una “Nueva política del Buen Vecino” en reemplazo de la Doctrina Monroe.
3. El desarrollo de un nuevo enfoque para promover el desarrollo económico.
4. El fin de todas las sanciones económicas unilaterales impuestas mediante órdenes ejecutivas y el trabajo conjunto con el Congreso para poner fin a todas las sanciones unilaterales establecidas por ley, como el embargo a Cuba.
5. Una nueva legislación que active la suspensión de la asistencia a un gobierno cada vez que se produzca una transferencia de poder extraconstitucional.
6. La pronta desclasificación de todos los archivos del Gobierno de Estados Unidos relacionados con golpes de Estado, dictaduras y períodos de la historia de países de América Latina y el Caribe caracterizados por altos niveles de violaciones a los derechos humanos perpetradas por fuerzas de seguridad.
7. La colaboración con los gobiernos de América Latina y el Caribe en una reforma profunda de la Organización de los Estados Americanos.
8. El apoyo a reformas democráticas en el Fondo Monetario Internacional, el Banco Mundial, el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo y otras instituciones financieras internacionales.

Alex Main, Director de Política Internacional del Center for Economic and Policy Research:
“El presidente Trump está librando una nueva ofensiva en contra de América Latina y el Caribe: llevando a cabo ataques militares ilegales y no provocados, ejecuciones extrajudiciales e interviniendo de forma descarada en los asuntos internos de otros países en un intento explícito de ejercer control sobre los recursos y la política de la región. Pero aunque las acciones de Trump son especialmente graves, no son más que el capítulo más reciente de una historia de siglos de injerencia militar, política y económica de Estados Unidos que ha socavado la democracia y alimentado la inestabilidad y los crímenes contra los derechos humanos en todo el hemisferio. Es en interés de Estados Unidos el rechazar esta doctrina de dominación unilateral y trazar un nuevo rumbo para las relaciones entre Washington y América Latina: tratar a nuestros hermanos y hermanas latinoamericanos como vecinos, no como vasallos”.

Colleen Moore, Directora de Peace With Justice en la Iglesia Metodista Unida — Junta General de Iglesia y Sociedad:
“La Junta de Iglesia y Sociedad de la Iglesia Metodista Unida (UMC) rechaza el uso de la guerra como instrumento de política exterior y se arrepiente de la participación de la Iglesia en el colonialismo y el neocolonialismo. Como seguidores de Jesucristo y de acuerdo con nuestros Principios Sociales oficiales de la UMC, rechazamos de manera inequívoca cualquier ideología militarizada que profundice la inestabilidad política en cualquier parte del mundo. Iglesia y Sociedad celebra la reintroducción de esta resolución por parte de la congresista Velázquez, que plantea una política exterior de Estados Unidos hacia América Latina basada en la diplomacia, el Estado de derecho y la cooperación”.

Cavan Kharrazian, asesor principal de políticas en Demand Progress:
“Las recientes intervenciones militares no autorizadas del presidente Trump y sus amenazas continuas en el hemisferio occidental dejan claro que el legado de la Doctrina Monroe sigue moldeando de formas dañinas la política exterior de Estados Unidos. Felicitamos a los copatrocinadores de esta resolución por enfrentar esa historia y promover un nuevo marco para la relación de Estados Unidos con la región, basado en el respeto mutuo, la soberanía y la cooperación, en lugar de la coerción o las amenazas”.

George Escobar, director ejecutivo de We Are CASA:
“Para muchas personas de nuestras comunidades, la larga historia de intervención de Estados Unidos es una experiencia profundamente personal. Nuestros miembros tienen familiares, seres queridos y raíces en una región que sigue siendo objeto de intervención militar y de cambios de régimen forzados. La política exterior de Estados Unidos en América Latina continúa socavando la soberanía, la autodeterminación y el Estado de derecho, al tiempo que pone vidas en grave riesgo. A medida que las personas son desplazadas por la fuerza de sus hogares debido a la violencia y la inestabilidad, llegan a Estados Unidos buscando seguridad para sí mismas y sus familias. Hoy enfrentan el riesgo de ser devueltas a las mismas condiciones peligrosas creadas por Estados Unidos, mientras la actual Administración ataca programas humanitarios, como la cancelación del Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS, por sus siglas en inglés). Hace ya mucho que Estados Unidos debería apartarse de esta doctrina de violencia y mirar hacia la construcción de un futuro mejor junto a América Latina”.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Joe Wilson (2nd District of South Carolina)

Washington, DC – Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Pat Fallon (R-TX), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Maria Salazar (R-FL), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Zach Nunn (R-IA) introduced the Holding Accountable Russian Mercenaries Act 2.0, or HARM Act 2.0.

     This legislation builds on the original HARM Act from the 118th Congress, which required the Secretary of State to designate the Wagner Group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). 

     The 2026 version addresses the Wagner Group’s integration into the Russian Ministry of Defense and directs the U.S. government to designate its successor entities, including Africa Corps, Redut PMC, and Patriot PMC, as FTOs and impose sanctions.

     “Putin’s Russia is attacking countries all over the world with many forms of sabotage, terrorism, and blackmail. Its state-run “mercenary” outfits are the tip of the spear, generating chaos and misery everywhere they go. This is a major threat to U.S. national security—these organizations must be disabled. This bill provides President Trump the tools he needs to do so.”

     The full text of the bill is available here.  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

Washington, D.C. -Earlier today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Vern Buchanan (FL-16) celebrated their introduction of the USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act, legislation aimed at strengthening the travel and tourism sector during the upcoming joint review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) and positioning the United States to maximize global travel opportunities ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.  As the United States prepares to commemorate America 250, an initiative expected to drive historic levels of domestic and international travel, the legislation ensures that the travel and tourism industry has a formal voice in North American trade discussions. The bill directs the U.S. Trade Representative to advocate for the establishment of a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group as part of the USMCA Joint Review. While the agreement includes joint working groups for other key industries, travel and tourism – one of the largest contributors to the U.S. economy – remains unrepresented.  With America 250 expected to draw millions of international visitors, ensuring seamless cross-border travel and cooperation with Canada and Mexico – our two largest trading partners – is critical to fully realizing the economic benefits of this milestone celebration.

“Travel and tourism are major drivers of the U.S. economy, supporting millions of jobs, generating significant export revenue, and strengthening communities across the country,”said Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Co-Chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus. “As we prepare to welcome the world for America’s 250th anniversary, establishing a dedicated Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group will provide a focused forum to address trade barriers, expand market access, and enhance cooperation, ensuring this critical sector continues to contribute to economic growth, competitiveness, and resilience.”

“For districts like ours that welcome millions of visitors each year, tourism isn’t just an industry, it’s a driver of jobs and economic growth,” said Buchanan. “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, ensuring seamless, efficient travel between the United States, Canada and Mexico is essential to keeping our tourism industry strong. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act to ensure travel and tourism are fully represented during the upcoming USMCA joint review and to keep our economy open for business.”

The USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act reflects Congress’s commitment to leveraging the America 250 initiative to promote economic opportunity, cultural exchange, and international engagement across North America.

 

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) and Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-NC) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve federal coordination of methane monitoring technologies and methane emission data-sharing, to better support the methane mitigation industry and prevent revenue loss due to leaks.

“Identifying methane leaks is critical for the success of the American energy and methane mitigation industry,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “Innovative technologies are available to capture methane leakage, but a primary challenge is finding and tracking those leaks. Our legislation would coordinate monitoring systems and technologies to identify leaks more quickly and effectively than they can now.”

“American energy competes in global markets where credibility matters. Right now, methane data is scattered across different systems, which makes it harder for U.S. producers to clearly show how they operate,” said Rep. Pat Harrigan. “This bill directs NASA to use the satellites and data infrastructure it already runs to deliver more accurate methane measurements, without adding new regulations or expanding enforcement authority. When measurement is solid, American energy is stronger, exports are more competitive, and our national security is better protected.”

The Methane Monitoring Science Act would direct the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop a science-based strategy to assess our present and future methane monitoring and detection capabilities. This strategy would include:

• Assessments of various methane monitoring technologies in use including ground-based, airborne, and space-based sensors, and technologies that monitor at the source- and site-level,
• The integration of methane monitoring data from other indicators, ranging across large and small methane emission events, and
• Ensuring data and tools can be operationalized for federal research and development purposes and by non-Federal entities to support rapid mitigation of methane leaks.

Full text of the Methane Monitoring Science Act is available here. This bill was included through an amendment in the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026, which was reported out of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on February 4, 2026.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

U.S.  Representative Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), with U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), led over 55 of their colleagues in pressing Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the impacts of ICE’s violence on children, including lasting physical and psychological trauma. 

“ICE and CBP operations that treat children like collateral damage threaten their physical and mental health and wellbeing… This disregard for child welfare undermines the government’s core child-protection obligations,” wrote the lawmakers. “Yet your agency does not appear to be taking any action to speak out against or investigate the impacts of the Trump Administration’s immigration agenda on children.”

Under the Trump administration, children have been exposed to increasingly violent and intense immigration enforcement operations. ICE has carried out raids at schools, daycare centers, and even a child’s birthday party. Here in Chicago, ICE agents forcibly detained a daycare teacher in front of her students and deployed tear gas near an elementary school, sending children running and teachers scrambling for cover. Even when children are not the direct target, their exposure to this violence creates lasting trauma.

“[ICE and CBP’s] practices have triggered national outrage and risk traumatizing children and depriving them of access to education and basic services, with lasting consequences for their behavioral, physical, academic, and emotional well-being,” wrote the lawmakers.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and Congressman Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.) to discuss Democrats threatening to shut down the Department of Homeland Security, the SAVE America Act, and Democrats’ hypocrisy on voter ID.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 
Highlights from Leader Scalise’s remarks:On the consequences of Democrats shutting down the Department of Homeland Security:“Let’s just look at what would happen if the Democrats get their way. You can see from their leaders, they are clamoring for another government shutdown. If the Democrats shut down the Department of Homeland Security, they’re claiming it’s about defunding ICE. But as they know, and as you know, in the Working Families Tax Cut, we funded ICE through the rest of President Trump’s term. So ICE is funded. But what is not funded if the Democrats get their way? They will literally shut down funding for disaster relief in FEMA in the middle of a storm, that in New York City alone, you want to see what socialism gets you, 18 people now have frozen to death under the leadership of the socialist Mamdani. That’s what Democrat leadership gets you.“They want to shut down TSA. So just take [Hartsfield-Jackson], LaGuardia, those two airports alone, having been shut down, if the Democrats get their way, will wreak havoc with tens of millions of Americans who just want to go see their family members, want to travel for a wedding, or whatever the case may be.“Maybe they’re trying to start a small business and want to go to another city to try to create some jobs. They won’t be able to do that because Democrats want to have a tantrum – not to defund ICE, because, again, ICE is fully funded – but just because they want to cause chaos in America to get open borders. That’s part of their wishlist in their demand letter they sent to President Trump. And of course, the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard comes in and rescues people when disasters happen. They want to shut them down. They intercept boats that are bringing drugs into our country. That’s who the Democrats want to shut down this week.“Luckily, Republicans in the House have sent a bill over to the Senate to prevent this chaos from happening. We’ll see what happens in the Senate. The President is trying to negotiate with Democrats, but they’ve proven they really don’t care about the American people. They did it before with the longest shutdown in American history, wreaking havoc to tens of millions of people, and they’re willing to do it again.”On the SAVE America Act and Democrats’ hypocrisy on voter ID:“You can’t have anything more basic than protecting the right to vote. Because as we all fight to ensure that every person, ‘one person, one vote’ is the mantra. But if somebody is stealing your vote, then they’re nullifying your vote. Two basic requirements are in this bill, the SAVE America Act. One is to register to vote, you have to prove citizenship, real common sense legislation. Everybody understands what that means. They worked really hard to make sure that every state can still do the things that they do uniquely while allowing for that prevention of fraud measure. And then the other is when you vote, you have to show a picture ID.“As the Whip said, you look at some of the Democrats feigning outrage. As Chuck Schumer calls it, Jim Crow. Where was Chuck Schumer when you tried to get into the Democrat National Convention in 2024? Guess what? Chuck Schumer made you show a picture ID to get into his own convention that he’s calling Jim Crow. Is that what his new name is? You had Senator Ossoff just this weekend had a town hall meeting. Guess what you had to do to get into Senator Ossoff’s town hall meeting? You had to show a picture ID.“Americans get this. It’s common sense that you have to show a picture ID to vote. Anybody that’s against that is saying that they want rampant voter fraud.”

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

A Consistent Advocate for DEIA, Pressley Has Stridently Condemned Trump’s Anti-DEIA Measures, Fought for Equitable Policies Amid his Attacks

Text of Letter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Congressman Jonathan Jackson (IL-01) led 29 of their colleagues in demanding Donald Trump answer for his harmful executive actions attacking diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) across the federal government and private sector. In their letter, the lawmakers request a full accounting from the Trump administration on the implementation and impact of his executive orders, urging transparency for such reckless actions.

“One year ago, your administration launched an unprecedented assault on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) through Executive Orders 14151, 14168, 14170, and 14173,” wrote the lawmakers. “Altogether, these executive actions amount to a coordinated rollback of civil rights protections and a deliberate effort to intimidate the private sector into abandoning long-standing equity commitments.”

The lawmakers laid plain the critical impact of DEIA principles that improve the effectiveness of government and ensure support for vulnerable communities across all sectors.

“In practice, DEIA principles have guided decades of progress that strengthened civil rights protections, expanded access to opportunity, and improved federal services,” continued the lawmakers. “For example, NASA expanded accessibility across its facilities and educational programming, ensuring students with disabilities can better participate in STEM opportunities. The Small Business Administration launched targeted initiatives to strengthen veteran business outreach, advance Native American economic development, and combat anti-Semitism.”

Additionally, the lawmakers condemned Trump’s targeting of DEIA and his mass firing frenzy across the federal government, which resulted in the job loss of nearly 317,000 federal workers, as well as his intimidation tactics across the private sector to retreat from DEIA initiatives.

“Mentions of ‘DEI’ and its core principles have all but vanished from Fortune 500 reports,” the lawmakers said in their letter. “Furthermore, your administration has slashed billions of dollars in DEIA-related funding, as well as jeopardized nearly $1 billion in life-saving National Institutes of Health research on heart disease, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, and substance use – grants threatened not because they are unworthy of research, but because they promoted equity.”

The letter calls into question these executive orders and their compliance with federal civil rights, accessibility, and equal employment opportunity laws. As such, the lawmakers demand the following information on impact and implementation of the EOs:

• The total number of federal employees whose positions were eliminated, defunded, reassigned, placed on administrative leave, or otherwise altered as a result of Executive Orders 14151, 14168, 14170, and 14173;
• A comprehensive list of all DEIA-related programs, offices, initiatives, and advisory bodies that have been discontinued, downsized, renamed, defunded, or otherwise modified pursuant to these Executive Orders;
• All guidance, memoranda, directives, training materials, internal analyses, or communications issued to federal agencies regarding the interpretation or implementation of these Executive Orders;
• All convenings, meetings, e-mails, correspondence, statements, and additional communications between the administration and private-sector entities, contractors, or external organizations concerning the adoption of DEIA restrictions.

The full text of the letter can be accessed here.

Joining Rep. Pressley in this letter are Representatives Joyce Beatty, Shontel Brown, Andre Carson, Gil Cisneros, Yvette Clarke, Jasmine Crockett, Madeleine Dean, Diana DeGette, Dwight Evans, Cleo Fields, Maxwell Frost, Sylvia Garcia, Jonathan Jackson, Pramila Jayapal, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Robin Kelly, Tim Kennedy, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Summer Lee, Betty McCollum, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Delia Ramirez, Jamie Raskin, Lateefah Simon, Eric Swalwell, Shri Thanedar, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Tonko, and Bonnie Watson Coleman.

Rep. Pressley has consistently advocated for race-conscious policies to help close the racial wealth gap in America, uplift Black, brown, and other marginalized communities, and transform the criminal legal system to center the dignity, humanity, and equality of everyone who calls America home —especially during the second Trump Administration.

On January 22, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming the Trump Administration’s harmful executive actions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), including the placement of DEI employees on leave ahead of their eventual layoffs.

Throughout Trump’s first year in office, Rep. Pressley has fought for federal workers and the essential services they provide to communities who need it most.

In February 2025, during Black History Month, Rep. Pressley and Senator Cory Booker reintroduced H.R. 40, legislation to establish a federal commission to examine the lasting legacy of slavery and develop reparations proposals for African American descendants of enslaved people.

In May 2025, she and Congressman Paul Tonko led 69 of their colleagues on a letter to the Inspector General of the Smithsonian Institution demanding an investigation of the impact of Donald Trump’s harmful Executive Order attacking Smithsonian museums – namely, the American Art Museum, the American Women’s History Museum, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture – attempting to erase histories of marginalized communities.

Earlier this year, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech slamming Trump’s attack on Smithsonian museums and affirming that Black history is American history.

Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Booker are the lead co-sponsors of the American Opportunity Accounts Act—also known as Baby Bonds—legislation that would create a federally-funded savings account for every American child in order to make economic opportunity a birthright for every child and help close the racial wealth gap.

Congresswoman Pressley is the lead sponsor of the People’s Justice Guarantee (PJG) – her comprehensive, decarceration-focused resolution that outlines a framework for a fair, equitable and just legal system. 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Security, Integrity, and Enforcement, is leading 62 Members of Congress in demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rescind its July memo denying bond hearings to certain detained immigrants.

“ICE created a legal fiction on which to rely: that all immigrants who entered without inspection, regardless of the timing of their entry, are to be treated as if they are still seeking admission at the border, and therefore afforded fewer protections under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA),” wrote the Members.

Typically, immigrants in the U.S. have been afforded the right to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director, however, arbitrarily determined that immigrants who entered between ports of entry, even if they have been living in the United States for decades since that initial entry, are no longer eligible for bond hearings.

This policy has been rejected in court by judges from 35 different states, appointed by every single President since Ronald Reagan, including 33 appointed by President Trump himself. Despite hundreds of rulings that these individuals are entitled to bond hearings, immigrants across the country continue to be denied bond hearings due to ICE’s policy.

“This must end. As executive branch appointees, your job is to enforce the law. Over 300 judges have told you 1,600 times exactly what the law is. Now you must follow it. Rescind this absurd memo and allow detained immigrants the opportunity to obtain bond hearings,” concluded the Members.

The full letter can be read here.

The letter was signed by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Greg Casar (TX-35), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeline Dean (PA-04), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-7), Valerie Foushee (NC-4), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesus “Chuy” García (IL-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Henry “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).

Issues: Immigration