MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)

Goodyear, Arizona — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09) issued the following statement announcing that Arizona’s bipartisan congressional delegation has submitted 250 copper pennies for inclusion in the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“Our submission reflects the story of both Arizona and America.  Copper is one of Arizona’s historic Five C’s and helped build our state just as it helped build our Nation.  It powers our homes, strengthens our economy, supports our national defense, and remains one of America’s most important strategic minerals. These 250 copper pennies honor the generations of Americans whose hard work, sacrifice, and ingenuity made the United States the greatest force for freedom and opportunity in human history.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, brave patriots pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to establish a nation founded on liberty and self-government. These pennies serve as a simple but powerful reminder that America’s prosperity was built one citizen, one community, and one generation at a time. As we look toward the next 250 years, we remain committed to preserving the principles that made our Republic exceptional,” stated Congressman Paul Gosar.

As Dean of the Arizona Delegation, Congressman Gosar coordinated the effort and thanked every member of Arizona’s congressional delegation for supporting the submission.

“I am grateful to my colleagues in both parties for recognizing the significance of this historic milestone and supporting Arizona’s submission to the congressional time capsule. America’s 250th birthday belongs to every citizen, regardless of politics. I thank each member of Arizona’s delegation for helping ensure our state is represented in this once-in-a-generation celebration of American independence. Together, these 250 copper pennies honor our shared history, Arizona’s proud legacy as the Copper State, and the enduring promise of the American Dream,” Gosar concluded.

“There are few resources more ingrained in the foundation of our great state than copper. Arizona produces roughly seventy percent of the country’s copper output per year, which contributes substantially to our national economy and infrastructure with this cherished element. I cannot think of a better item to represent Arizona for years to come than a copper penny and am pleased to join the State Delegation in submitting it to the time capsule. It just makes cents,” added Representative Andy Biggs.

“The Semiquincentennial Time Capsule gives each state the opportunity to showcase what makes it great. It’s fitting that our delegation is contributing copper pennies, given Arizona’s strong and storied mining history. With new projects underway, Arizona will continue to lead our nation in extracting this critical resource,” stated Representative Eli Crane.

“Everyone who has the honor of growing up in Arizona knows the Five C’s: Copper, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus, and Climate. Copper isn’t just one of them; it built our state. It powered our economy, shaped our history, and still runs through the very heart of Arizona. What better way to honor State 48 on our nation’s 250^th birthday than to place a piece of that proud copper legacy into this time capsule,” noted Representative Abe Hamadeh.

“Copper is part of Arizona’s story and America’s story. This contribution honors our state’s mining heritage and the generations of Arizonans whose work helped build and power the nation,” stated Representative David Schweikert.

“As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, we have a responsibility to preserve the rich heritage of our beautiful state and the natural resources that have helped shape Arizona’s story. Copper is more than a resource, it is a symbol of Arizona’s history and a proud part of our Five C’s that have helped build our communities, fuel our economy, and define generations of Arizonans. I’m proud to join my Arizona colleagues in commemorating this historic milestone by contributing pennies made from Arizona copper to the congressional time capsule. This capsule will serve as a snapshot of our nation at this moment in history and will be opened on America’s 500th anniversary on July 4, 2276. It is a reminder that the legacy we build today will be carried forward for generations to come,” added Representative Juan Ciscomani.

“America’s 250th birthday is a celebration of the generations of Americans who served, built this country, and keep this democracy strong. Arizona has led the nation in copper production, powering our economy and strengthening our country. From the penny to advanced microelectronics, copper is central to Arizona’s past and future,” stated Senator Mark Kelly.  

Background:

Authorized by Congress and administered by the Architect of the Capitol, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule will be sealed and preserved in the United States Capitol until July 4, 2276, when Americans celebrating the Nation’s 500th birthday will open it and reflect on the people, values, and achievements that shaped our era.

As Arizona’s official contribution, the delegation selected 250 copper pennies—one for each year of American independence. The pennies symbolize both the enduring strength of the American people and Arizona’s unique place in the American story. Copper is one of Arizona’s historic “Five C’s”—copper, cattle, cotton, citrus, and climate—which helped shape the state’s economy, culture, and development. Arizona remains one of the nation’s leading copper-producing states, supplying a mineral essential to modern infrastructure, manufacturing, energy production, and national defense.

Click here to read a copy of the bipartisan letter submitted by Congressman Gosar on behalf of the Arizona Congressional Delegation.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)

Washington, D.C. – June 4, 2026 – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) and Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39) held a press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol calling on House Members to sign the discharge petition for the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102) – an effort to force House Leadership to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. This bill would end the so-called “wounded veteran tax,” an unjust financial penalty stripping combat-wounded veterans of benefits they need, deserve, and earned.

Under current law, veterans who were medically retired from service due to combat-related injuries, known as Chapter 61 disability retirees, face a dollar-for-dollar penalty: every dollar they receive in VA disability compensation is deducted from their military retired pay. More than 54,000 veterans are affected and losing an average of $1,200 per month. The Major Richard Star Act would eliminate this, allowing these combat-wounded servicemembers to receive both benefits in full.

The Major Richard Star Act commands overwhelming bipartisan support, with more than 330 House cosponsors spanning both parties. Despite this broad majority, the legislation has not received a floor vote – prompting Ruiz and Takano to take the rare step of filing a discharge petition to force House Leadership to act.

It is an outrage that our wounded warriors are experiencing a gross injustice. Veterans who were forced to medically retire are penalized and unable to receive both their disability and retirement benefits. The Major Richard Star Act is the solution. The discharge petition will force a vote and with 330 cosponsors it will pass. Our veterans can’t wait, sign the petition now. – Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25), Lead Democratic Author, Major Richard Star Act

“Despite fulfilling their commitment and fighting for our protection, fifty-nine thousand medically retired veterans who were injured in combat are losing their benefits. Veterans have waited years for Congress to step up. The time is now. That is why I filed a discharge petition with Congressman Ruiz to finally force a vote on the House floor. No more delays. No more excuses.”– Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Ranking Member, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee

“Taking care of our veterans should be unanimous, and correcting the gross injustice faced by thousands of combat-injured veterans who are seeing their benefits drastically reduced should be simple. We are fighting relentlessly to get the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act brought to the floor for a vote and to deliver this win to veterans in New Hampshire and across the country. I joined my colleagues, veterans, and veterans service organizations today to say it loud and clear: We will use every tool possible to ensure our nation’s heroes receive the full benefits they earned, and we will not give up.”– Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-1)

“Retirement pay reflects years of service. Disability compensation reflects injury. These benefits serve different purposes and should not cancel one another. Combat-injured retirees fulfilled their obligations to this nation. Congress now has the opportunity to fulfill its obligation to them.”– Dr. Jerry Turner, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Beaumont, California

Background

The Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102) was introduced on March 14, 2025, by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) with 185 original cosponsors. It has since grown to more than 330 cosponsors – a sweeping bipartisan majority of the House.

The legislation eliminates the dollar-for-dollar offset against retired pay for Chapter 61 disability retirees with combat-related disabilities. It is endorsed by all leading Veteran Service Organizations throughout the country.

The bill is named in honor of Major Richard A. Star – a father, husband, and decorated Army combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Medically retired due to his combat-related injuries, Major Star was later diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. Before he lost his battle on February 13, 2021, he made his wife Tonya promise to continue fighting alongside Members of Congress to get this bill passed and help the more than 50,000 families who would benefit from it. This legislation is a tribute to his courage and his enduring commitment to his fellow veterans.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) led nine Members of Congress in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) Tuesday urging the Senate to reject President Trump’s nomination of Todd Blanche to serve as Attorney General, citing serious concerns regarding Blanche’s handling of matters related to Jeffrey Epstein and his network, his independence, and his fitness to lead the Department of Justice. The letter was signed by Representatives Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Dan Goldman (NY-10).

In the letter, the Members write:

“For months, senior Trump Administration officials promised transparency regarding the Epstein files. Instead, under Mr. Blanche’s watch, the Department’s handling of those records became emblematic of dysfunction and secrecy. Vast numbers of records remained unavailable to the public. Documents were subjected to sweeping and often inexplicable redactions. Survivors and advocates were repeatedly denied answers they had long been promised. Most disturbingly, the Department’s release of records reportedly exposed victims’ names and identifying information, inflicting fresh harm on survivors who had already endured unimaginable abuse.”

The Members also point to Blanche’s conduct amid scrutiny surrounding the Department’s handling of the Epstein matter, writing:

“The concerns did not end there. Amid mounting scrutiny over the Department’s handling of the Epstein matter, Mr. Blanche personally met with Ghislaine Maxwell despite her conviction for sex trafficking and documented history of alleged perjury. Maxwell was later transferred to a minimum-security federal prison camp in Texas. At a time when reports continue to circulate regarding potential clemency or favorable treatment, these events raise serious and unavoidable questions about the Department’s judgment, priorities, and commitment to equal justice under the law.”

The Members conclude that Blanche lacks the independence, integrity, and judgment necessary to serve as Attorney General and urge the Senate to reject his nomination, writing that “the Senate has a constitutional responsibility to evaluate whether nominees possess the independence, integrity, and judgment necessary to faithfully execute the law.”

The full letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance, released the following statement after the announcement of an agreement between the House of Representatives and the Senate to finalize the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The U.S. Senate is expected to pass the legislation this week, paving the way for consideration in the House of Representatives.

“As American families struggle with our national housing affordability crisis, I am thrilled that the House and the Senate, Republicans and Democrats, have come together to reach a compromise that will enable the passage of historic and desperately needed housing reforms. 

“The 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act has been years in the making. It modernizes federal housing programs like the Rural Housing Service and the HOME program; cuts through harmful red tape that has limited the development of innovative and manufactured housing; and incentivizes public-private partnerships that will lead to the construction of affordable housing in communities nationwide.

“Not only is this legislation important in our work to lower housing costs for working-class families, but it should be an example of what lawmakers can accomplish when we make the conscious decision to work together, rather than tear each other apart. As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing, I am proud of the final product we have today—which includes solutions provided by Republicans, Democrats, and lawmakers from every end of the political spectrum.

“As Congress prepares to send this historic housing package to the president’s desk, it is my hope that the collaborative process that got us to this point will be a blueprint to solving other challenges facing the country today.”

The 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes numerous provisions sponsored by Ranking Member Cleaver, including:

• Innovation Fund: The innovation fund is a section first proposed in the American Housingand Economic Mobility Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA). This section authorizes a seven-year $200 million annual competitive grant program for jurisdictions pursuing innovative policies, interventions, or programs for increasing housing supply. 
• HOME Reform Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Chairman Flood (R-NE), the legislation is the most significant reform to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program since authorization in 1990. The legislation includes provisions introduced by Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH) and would modernize and update the federal government’s largest block grant program dedicated exclusively to creating and preserving affordable housing for low-income households. 
• Rural Housing Service Program Improvements: The legislation includes sections of the Rural Housing Service Reform Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), representing the most significant US Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service reforms in decades. The included sections would allow for greater use of the Rural Housing Service Section 504 Home Repair Program, ensure continued rental assistance for tenants in properties with expiring protections, and make it easier for nonprofits to buy and preserve housing.
• Choice in Affordable Housing Act: The legislation includes sections of the Choice in Affordable Housing Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY), representing a major reform to HUD’s Section 8 program. The included sections would streamline inspections, increase access to housing for voucher holders, and encourage private landlord participation. 
• Manufactured Housing Innovations: The legislation includes the Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Cleaver and Rep. Rose (R-TN), which would update the federal definition of manufactured housing and allow for more efficient and cost-effective designs.
• HUD Accountability Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Rep. Lawler (R-NY), the HUD Accountability Act requires the Secretary of HUD to testify on an annual basis before Congress.

 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14)  introduced H.R. 9325, the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act, legislation to establish the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area on the Upper Texas Gulf Coast. The measure would expand outdoor recreation opportunities, support conservation and coastal resilience, and help preserve the natural, cultural, and economic resources that make the Upper Texas Gulf Coast unique.

The proposed recreation area would span portions of Jefferson, Chambers, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties along the Upper Texas Gulf Coast. Home to more than five million Texans, the region includes some of the nation’s most treasured coastal resources and recreation areas.

“The Texas Gulf Coast is unlike anywhere else in America,” said Congressman Weber. “Whether it’s fishing in our bays, watching wildlife along the coast, or simply spending time outdoors with family, generations of Texans have made memories here. The Upper Texas Coast is one of God’s greatest blessings to our state, and we have a responsibility to be good stewards of it. This legislation helps ensure future generations can experience and enjoy everything this special part of Texas has to offer while keeping decisions in the hands of local landowners who know this coast best.”

The Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act would:

• Establish the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area along the Upper Texas Gulf Coast.
• Keep local leadership, voluntary participation, while avoiding new federal regulatory authority.
• Expand opportunities for outdoor recreation, public access, tourism, and heritage-based economic development.
• Support conservation, coastal resilience, and stewardship of the region’s nationally significant natural and cultural resources.
• Encourage coordination among local governments, land owners, conservation organizations, and other regional partners.

“As a Congressman representing the Houston area, I proudly co-sponsored the Lone Star Coastal Recreation Area Act,” said Congressman Hunt (TX-38). “I commend Rep. Weber and local partners for their unwavering commitment to ensuring Texas’s Gulf Coast is equipped with the resources necessary for thriving fishing, coastal communities, and energy infrastructure. Legislation like this secures Texas’s position as the leading state in national economic development.”

“The great State of Texas is home to one of the country’s most important coastal landscapes,” said Congressman Nehls (TX-22). “I’m proud to cosponsor my friend, Congressman Weber’s, legislation to strengthen and expand public access to the Upper Texas Coast for outdoor recreation and tourism on our waterfronts. I will always support enhancing our local economies and recreational resources in our communities.”

“For more than fifteen years, communities across the Upper Texas Coast including my home county of Brazoria, have worked together to build a shared vision for the future of this extraordinary region,” said J.P. Bryan, Chair, Lone Star Coastal Alliance. “By establishing the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area, this legislation creates a framework to elevate the coast’s extraordinary natural, cultural, and recreational assets while supporting jobs, tourism, outdoor recreation, and economic opportunity across the five-county region. This legislation reflects the best of Texas, local leadership, strong partnerships, and a commitment to leaving something meaningful for future generations.”

“The Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area is a locally driven initiative that brings together communities, land managers, businesses, and conservation partners around a shared vision for the Upper Texas Coast,” said County Judge Jeff Branick, Jefferson County. “The legislation respects private property rights, maintains local control, and creates new opportunities to expand public access, support outdoor recreation, and strengthen coastal economies. We are pleased to support this important milestone and look forward to continued collaboration as the effort moves forward.”

“The Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area represents a unique opportunity to protect and celebrate one of America’s most important coastal landscapes while maintaining local leadership and voluntary participation,” said Bill Balboa, Executive Director, Matagorda Bay Foundation. “By connecting existing public lands, communities, and conservation partners, this legislation will strengthen stewardship, expand public access, and support the long-term health of the Upper Texas Coast. The Matagorda Bay Foundation is proud to support this collaborative effort and its vision for future generations.”

“The Upper Texas Gulf Coast’s marshes, wetlands, and barrier islands provide essential natural infrastructure that helps reduce storm impacts and complements the significant investments being made in coastal protection and flood risk reduction,” said Coalter Baker, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Protection District. “The Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area advances a common-sense, Texas-led approach that strengthens and sustains these natural systems while supporting recreation, tourism, conservation, and resilient coastal communities.”

“As a 5th generation landowner and rancher on the Upper Texas Gulf Coast, I appreciate that the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area is built on voluntary participation, local leadership, and respect for private property rights,” said Loy Sneary, Sneary Cattle, LLC. “This initiative recognizes that working lands, conservation, recreation, and economic opportunity can all coexist and strengthen one another. It offers a practical, collaborative approach to preserving the character and heritage of the Texas coast while creating new opportunities for future generations.”

Original Co-sponsors: Reps. Brian Babin (TX-36), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), and Troy Nehls (TX-22).

This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) today applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for awarding $2,715,203 to Salisbury-based AKYSO Therapeutics LLC to continue research on a new treatment for opioid use disorder.

Statement from Congressman Harris:

“As a physician, I’ve seen how difficult opioid addiction is to overcome and the impact it has on patients, families, and loved ones. This research could help more patients stay in treatment, giving them a better chance at recovery. I thank the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse for supporting this research, and I’m proud to see it taking place in Maryland’s First District.”

For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) successfully secured the inclusion of a provision providing technical assistance for stillbirth prevention in the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

The provision secures $1,000,000 for Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to provide ongoing assistance to support states’ stillbirth prevention activities, such as the dissemination of stillbirth screening resources and educational prevention tools.

It will also direct HRSA to provide the Appropriations Committee with a report on what steps the agency is taking to assist states with stillbirth prevention efforts and what the agency needs to provide that support. 

“Despite advances in medical technology and federal recognition around this issue, the rate of stillbirth is still high in the United States, and the risk doubles for Black women,” said Congresswoman Adams. “I am proud to see continued progress being made in Congress to combat stillbirth and the Black maternal health crisis. While stillbirth prevention remains under-funded and under-researched, every step forward is a victory for mothers and children in North Carolina and across the country.”

“My stillbirth prevention bill becoming law in 2024 was a major step forward, but our work is far from finished,” said Congresswoman Hinson. “That’s why I fought to secure targeted funding in this year’s Labor-HHS funding bill to help support states’ stillbirth prevention efforts and provide additional resources to prevent these heartbreaking losses. Every family deserves the chance to bring home a healthy baby, and I will continue fighting for policies that strengthen families, save lives, and support all women.”

Two years ago, Congresswomen Adams and Hinson, alongside Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), passed the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act into law under President Biden. The act clarifies that current funding through the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant can be used for stillbirth prevention activities, expanding what resources state health departments and community programs were able to access. The new provision in the 2027 appropriations package builds on that foundation by explicitly directing dedicated federal funding and technical assistance in support of stillbirth prevention efforts.

Still, an average of 58 babies are stillborn in the United States every day, and a predicted 25 percent of stillbirths are preventable, underscoring the need for greater national attention, federal support, and evolving standards of care for expectant mothers.

The stillbirth prevention provision can be found on page 49 of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill Report for 2027.

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

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

June 16, 2026 | Press Releases

NORTH PORT, FL — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new North Port VA Clinic today, formally marking the start of construction on a facility that will expand healthcare access for veterans across Sarasota, Charlotte, and surrounding counties.
Once completed, the new clinic is expected to serve more than 10,000 veterans annually, allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand services and better accommodate Southwest Florida’s growing veteran population.
“I’m honored to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new North Port VA Clinic,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “Our veterans have sacrificed in service to our nation, and they deserve access to high-quality healthcare close to home. I look forward to seeing this project completed and ensuring our veterans receive the care and support they have earned through their service to our country.”

Click here to learn more about Rep. Steube’s work behalf of veterans in Florida’s 17th District.

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

Pressley Has Stood in Vigorous Defense of Immigrant Communities in MA 7^th and Nationwide, Fought to Bring Detained Neighbors Home

Photos (Dropbox)

BOSTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) led a closed-door listening session with unjustly deported and formerly detained constituents, emphasizing her commitment to abolish ICE in light of the harrowing, inhumane experiences endured by her constituents and their families. Joined by La Colaborativa partners, local leaders, attorneys, and advocates, Rep. Pressley held the listening session days after Republicans in Congress authorized $70 billion in funding for ICE to continue its rogue and violent operations with no accountability or reform.

In Congress, Congresswoman Pressley has been a champion in pushing back against Trump, defending our immigrant neighbors, and calling for ICE to be abolished. Rep. Pressley leads legislation to bring accountability to families whose loved ones have been murdered and harmed by ICE agents, including the DHS Use of Force Transparency Act and the Qualified Immunity Abolition Act.

“The testimonies I heard from families who have faced the violence and trauma of Trump’s mass deportation agenda were harrowing,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. “The Trump Administration has weaponized immigration courts, separated families, jailed babies, and killed protestors and people in detention. The violence, separation, and trauma that this lawless agency is perpetuating cannot continue. ICE cannot be reformed—it must be abolished. I applaud the advocates, attorneys, and other legal representatives who have met this moment with unparalleled might and resolve. Their partnership is essential to protecting our neighbors and for the public good.”

Joining Rep. Pressley and constituents for the listening session were Gladys Vega with La Colaborativa, Caitlyn Burgess with MacMurray & Associates, Andrew Lattarulo with Georges Cote Law, Todd Pomerleau with MA Deportation Defense, Gloribel Rivas with LUCE Chelsea, Jillian Nelson with Lawyers for Civil Rights, and Justin Fyten with Kids In Need of Defense.

“In my district, and all across the state, immigrants are being subjected to a life filled with fear and anxiety like never before – they are scared to attend their healthcare appointments, go to work, go grocery shopping, go to school and to seek justice in our court systems or police departments,” said Senator Sal N. DiDomenico. “This is not how you create a vibrant and prosperous state, and I am proud to work alongside Congresswoman Pressley and our Chelsea leaders to restore faith in government and peace in our communities. I want to thank Congresswoman Pressley and La Colaborativa for hosting this essential community forum to give voice and space to our neighbors who have had their rights stripped away by the federal government. We are fortunate to have Congresswoman Pressley push forward each day and continue fighting against the hatred and division that is coming from the White House.”

“When families come to us facing some of the most difficult immigration challenges, they need more than sympathy. They need action. Congresswoman Pressley and her team have consistently been there to help resolve complex cases and deliver answers for families when they matter most.” – State Representative Judith Garcia

“We hold deep gratitude for the community members, comrades, Congresswoman Pressley, and her team for creating space to share stories, lessons, and strategies. We are especially grateful to our comrades at Delaney Hall who organized the recent hunger strike. At a time when many feel discouraged, they chose to organize, resist, and make their voices heard. The lesson from Delaney Hall is bigger than any single facility. There is no such thing as a humane detention center. From Delaney Hall to Pike County Jail, Wyatt Detention Center, Eloy Detention Center, and Plymouth County Correctional Facility, the call must be the same: close them all. Our communities have power. We do not have to accept injustice in silence. When people come together, organize, and take collective action, we are at our strongest.” – LUCE Immigrant Justice Network

“Every day, we witness hardworking members of our communities being taken from their families, workplaces, and support systems and placed into immigration detention, often despite having little or no criminal history and posing no threat to public safety. We continue to see troubling failures throughout the immigration system, including a lack of meaningful due process, inconsistent application of the law, inadequate consideration of the facts and equities of individual cases, and a persistent lack of accountability when government agencies make mistakes or unlawfully deprive individuals of their liberty. These failures do not occur in a vacuum; they are occurring against the backdrop of policies and enforcement actions that have disproportionately targeted immigrant communities and communities of color, fueling fear and uncertainty among people who have long been valued members of our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and places of worship. Our clients are not case numbers—they are parents, children, workers, caregivers, business owners, and neighbors who deserve dignity, fairness, and the opportunity to be heard. While the challenges facing immigrant communities have never been greater, our commitment as advocates must remain unwavering.” – Caitlyn Burgess, Senior Lead Attorney with MacMurray & Associates

“Thank you Representative Pressley for highlighting these abuses of power by the Trump Administration’s ruthless immigration campaign. The cases we’ve fought include the raids at the Allston Car Wash, the arrests and attempted deportations of crime and trafficking victims before their visa applications were processed, and the detention of working parents and children.  Massachusetts has experienced firsthand the wholesale trampling of due process rights of our noncitizen friends and neighbors. One such victim, Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, deserved better. She was shackled like a violent offender, detained without warning, and deported in violation of a federal court order. Rather than spending her time fighting an appeal from Honduras, she should be on campus at Babson College with her classmates—living her American Dream.  We stand ready to fight these injustices.” – Todd Pomerleau with MA Deportation Defense

“Congresswoman Pressley’s important convening underscored the urgency of holding ICE accountable for its illegal and inhumane enforcement tactics. We are grateful to the brave community members who shared their stories. Lawyers for Civil Rights will continue to harness all available tools to fight to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of immigrant families and communities.” – Jillian Nelson, Senior Attorney with Lawyers for Civil Rights

Photos from the event are available here.

As immigrant communities have been under siege by the Trump administration, Rep. Pressley has been a leading voice in pushing back and defending our immigrant neighbors.

Rep. Pressley has shone light on the inhumane attacks by ICE on immigrant communities and pushed back against the reckless agency. During Oversight Democrats’ bicameral shadow hearing on the use of violence by ICE, Rep. Pressley highlighted the urgency of the moment by uplifting stories of traumatized community members she met with during her trip to Minnesota with Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and invoking the horrifying detention case of five-year-old Liam Ramos. In the Massachusetts 7^th, Rep. Pressley has recognized and supported the many families torn apart and children suffering from the detention of a loved one—including harrowing attacks on Massachusetts families in their daily lives, abductions of dedicated workers at the Allston car wash, visiting Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk during her unlawful detention and pushing to bring her home, and more.

Rep. Pressley has stridently condemned the trauma that Trump’s terror ICE campaign is forcing upon children. Rep. Pressley’s advocacy to protect children from abuse and trauma dates back to her days as a Boston City Councilor. In her first term in Congress, she partnered with the late Chairman Elijah Cummings to hold the first Congressional hearing on childhood trauma on the Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Rep. Pressley leads the STRONG Support for Children Act, which would support communities in addressing childhood trauma through healing-centered, neighborhood-based, gender-responsive, culturally specific, and trauma-informed approaches that acknowledge the impact of systemic racism and inequities over generations.

• In May 2026, Rep. Pressley pushed for the closure of the Dilley Detention Center and other detention facilities committing human rights abuses. In a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley emphasized the state-inflicted trauma imposed on children by detention centers.
• In April 2026, the House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Pressley’s bipartisan discharge petition by a vote of 220-207 to extend Haiti TPS for three years. Congresswoman Pressley won a key procedural vote on the discharge petition and managed debate on the House floor prior to the successful final passage vote. Last month, Rep. Pressley’s discharge petition successfully met the 218-signature threshold to move forward with bipartisan support—only the 15^th discharge petition to do so in the last 40 years.
• In March 2026, Rep. Pressley visited the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Boston Field Office in Burlington, to conduct oversight of the operations and conditions of the facility.  Rep. Pressley engaged with ICE staff and leadership in a closed-door tour and discussion in the facility.
• In March 2026, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Dave Min (CA-47) introduced the DHS Use of Force Transparency Act of 2026 to ​​increase transparency and government oversight regarding injuries and deaths caused by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity.
• In February 2026, during Oversight Democrats’ bicameral shadow hearing on the use of violence by ICE, Rep. Pressley demanded Congress end qualified immunity to ensure federal law enforcement officers are held accountable for breaking the law and murdering civilians. Rep. Pressley called on her colleagues not to settle for bare minimum reforms in funding negotiations for the Department of Homeland Security, instead urging them to fight to rebalance power and restore accountability.
• In February 2026, Rep. Pressley convened immigrant entrepreneurs and small business owners, community advocates, and municipal leaders to hear of the essential role that immigrant-owned small businesses play in Massachusetts’ economy and communities and how they are suffering under Trump’s attacks.

• In January 2026, Rep. Pressley and Senator Markey held a field hearing with members of the Haitian community on the importance of extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. Testimony was documented in the Congressional Record.
• In January 2026, at the invitation of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Congresswoman Pressley went to Minneapolis to meet with organizers and community members impacted by ICE’s violent operation in Minnesota, where they have murdered bystanders, terrorized schools and small businesses, and abducted children and parents.
• Following the ICE murder of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the Qualified Immunity Abolition Act of 2026, which builds on the lawmakers’ prior work by granting victims the right to sue federal law enforcement officers—not just state and local—for civil rights violations and abolishing the defense of qualified immunity in these suits. The expanded legislation would help deliver accountability for families abused by law enforcement, including ICE agents.
• Congresswoman Pressley delivered a floor speech on the need to end qualified immunity for federal law enforcement, including immigration officers. Watch the floor speech here.
• In January 2026, Congresswoman Pressley condemned the ICE murder of Renee Good in Minnesota and motioned to subpoena all records and footage related to the shooting, but Republicans obstructed it. Footage of Congresswoman Pressley’s motion to subpoena is here.
• In December 2025, Rep. Pressley convened and welcomed home the workers and families impacted by the cruel and unlawful ICE raid at an Allston car wash in November. Rep. Pressley delivered a powerful speech on the House floor condemning the Allston ICE raid and defended the vibrant immigrant communities who are being maliciously stolen from their homes, ripped from their families, and unlawfully detained and deported by the Trump Administration and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• In June 2025, Congresswoman Pressley convened immigrant justice advocates, local leaders, and impacted families to tell Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Hands off our immigrant neighbors. 
• Rep. Pressley has also been an outspoken critic against the unlawful detention of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts PhD student, Somerville resident, and constituent of the Congresswoman’s who was unlawfully detained for weeks in retaliation for her protected speech. After weeks of advocacy and Congressional oversight, including a visit to detention centers in Louisiana, Rep. Pressley and Senator Ed Markey welcomed Ms. Öztürk to Massachusetts following her arrival from ICE detention in Louisiana.

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