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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Today, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) released the following statement in response to the New York Times article detailing allegations of sexual assault against César Chávez.

“I’m deeply shocked and saddened to learn of these disturbing allegations. I stand firmly with the victims and their loved ones as investigations move forward. I believe we cannot celebrate a man, regardless of his accomplishments, if he harmed women and children in such evil ways. This March 31, I urge our community to unite around celebrating the contributions and essential work of farmworkers, rather than celebrating César Chávez. In addition, we must continue to move forward in our shared opposition to ICE’s violations of civil rights and demand an end to their brutal immigration enforcement.”

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 Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

Washington, DC — In response to reports detailing sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez, Rep. Jim Costa (CA-21), Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus, issued the following statement:
“The recent reports regarding Cesar Chavez are deeply disturbing. While he played an important role in advancing farmworker rights, the actions described by survivors are unacceptable and cannot be ignored.
I want to express my support for those who have come forward. Speaking out about these experiences after decades of silence takes immense courage, and I commend these women for sharing their stories. The trauma they endured is something they will continue to carry for the rest of their lives, and they deserve to have their voices heard and supported. Accountability must apply to anyone who causes harm, no matter their accomplishments or office they hold.
I am especially moved by the courage of Dolores Huerta in sharing her experience after so many years. The abuse she describes, and the lifelong pain she endured, came at the cost of keeping silent to protect the farmworker movement she had devoted her life to. Her decision to speak out now reflects extraordinary strength and underscores the sacrifices many women made while advocating for justice and workers’ rights.
The farmworker movement was built through the dedication of countless men, women, and children whose work has shaped our communities and put food on America’s dinner table. As we confront these revelations, it is essential to continue honoring the contributions of farmworkers themselves while addressing this misconduct openly.
This movement is bigger than any one person, and its progress endures because of the collective effort and courage of the community. I support efforts to reevaluate and rename public spaces that honor Cesar Chavez so that they instead reflect the values and people who truly represent this movement and I remain committed to advancing the rights, dignity, and well-being of farmworkers and their families.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott DesJarlais (4th District of Tennessee)

(WASHINGTON, DC) –Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) authored a letter to the U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins expressing concern over yesterday’s announcement that the McMinnville, TN VA Clinic will be closing. 

Rep. DesJarlais, a physician who formerly worked in a VA hospital, wrote to Collins, noting that over 46,000 veterans live in his district and many will be forced to drive over an hour to receive healthcare services with the closing of the McMinnville clinic. 

DesJarlais wrote to Collins that he and his staff were not consulted about the impending closure of the rural outpatient VA healthcare facility. 

“My office received no notice prior to the public disclosure that this facility was facing staffing shortages or that these shortages would lead to the shuttering of this important VA Outpatient Clinic in my district. Leaders at the VA Clinic in McMinnville did not consult with or inform my staff or myself about the issues facing this Clinic, and the answers they gave as to why this was happening and the information they have provided to the community have been woefully inadequate. Had we been given prior notice and involved in these discussions, our office could have assisted in finding appropriate solutions and resources for those who rely on the VA and the care provided to them by the McMinnville VA clinic,” DesJarlais said in his letter. 

The Tennessee congressman posed the following questions to Collins and requested a response by Wednesday, March 11, 2026: 

• When did discussions surrounding the closure of the McMinnville VA Outpatient first begin? 
• Were any local, state, or federally elected leaders involved in the discussion surrounding the closure of the McMinnville VA clinic? If no, why not? 
• What is the official closure date of the clinic? 
• What is the plan to provide healthcare to those who utilize the clinic without requiring them to drive long distances to receive services from the VA? 

DesJarlais ended his letter to Secretary Collins stating that he wants to work together to come up with an adequate solution that will not impact the quality of care the veterans in his district receive. 

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Congressman DesJarlais’ full letter to Secretary Collins can be found here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a former Army Ranger and Ranking Member of the the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, questioned Trump Administration officials over decisions within the Department of Defense to fire personnel and defund offices responsible for mitigating civilian harm in combat. This comes as President Trump’s war in Iran has reportedly led to more than 1,000 civilian casualties, including 175 people, mostly young girls, at an elementary school that was allegedly struck by a U.S. tomahawk missile.

At the congressional hearing, Crow questioned Admiral Frank M. Bradley of the U.S. Navy, and Assistant and Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict Derrick Anderson.

“Nothing sets back years of trust building and relationship building more than an errant strike, than killing civilians,” Congressman Crow said at the hearing. “I learned [in combat] that you can actually accomplish the tactical aspect of a mission, but lose the end game if the people you’re fighting with and working with don’t trust you and support you.”

Congressman Crow’s time in Iraq and Afghanistan informs much of his work aimed at increasing civilian protection in combat in Congress, where he is a founding member and co-chair of the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Caucus. Last week he led 120 colleagues demanding detailed information from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about recent strikes on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school. He  helped pass legislation codifying the creation of the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, and has passed major portions of his Protection of Civilians in Military Operations Act and Department of Defense Civilian Harm Transparency Act.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) released the following statement: 
“I’m absolutely horrified and disgusted by the revelations and evidence that César Chávez groomed, abused, and assaulted underage girls and women. The New York Times’ thorough, years-long investigation outlines a clear pattern of sexual misconduct Chavez perpetuated over years and must be condemned by everyone in the strongest possible terms.
“I stand with and applaud the survivors, including co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union, Dolores Huerta, who have bravely come forward to share their painful experiences of abuse at the hands of Chávez. 
“It’s important we remember that this movement is not made up of one man, but rather the workers it represents. I support the decision of the United Farm Workers to halt any participation in days of tribute later this month. I will instead be joining the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in recognizing and honoring the contributions of farmworkers and supporting the survivors. 
“Our nation is stronger when we hold those in power accountable and this case is no exception.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter, Taylor celebrate House Passage of bill to deport aliens responsible for defrauding American taxpayers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today celebrated House passage of the Deporting Fraudsters Act, introduced by Rep. Dave Taylor (R-OH), which he co-sponsors. This bill would render aliens, or non-U.S. nationals, inadmissible and deportable from the United States if they admit to, or are convicted of, defrauding the United States government.

This bill further makes aliens inadmissible and deportable from the U.S. if they unlawfully receive a federal, state, or local public benefit.

“Illegal alien fraudsters are draining taxpayer dollars and taking benefits from American citizens,” said Rep. Carter. “I proudly co-sponsored the Deporting Fraudsters Act because it’s common sense: if you steal from the United States and the most vulnerable in our society, you have no right to be here. I applaud the leadership of Rep. Taylor for working to protect American citizens against waste, fraud, and abuse.”

“It’s a no-brainer – if an illegal alien defrauds the United States or steals benefits from our nation’s most vulnerable, they should be permanently removed from our country,” said Rep. Taylor. “Americans work too hard to have their tax dollars and benefits stolen by illegal aliens who shouldn’t be here in the first place. My Deporting Fraudsters Act will bolster the Trump Administration’s efforts to do just that, and today I’m proud to see it take a major step toward becoming law.”

Read bill text here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon Joins Over 100 members of Congress Calling for Renewed Investment in NASA science

Washington – Rep. Don Bacon joined 102 members of the U.S. House of Representatives in signing a bipartisan letter calling for $9 billion for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) in the fiscal year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

The letter, led by Congressional Planetary Science Caucus Co-Chairs Don Bacon (R-NE) and Judy Chu (D-CA), is another sign of the breadth of congressional support for NASA’s science activities ahead of the impending release of the administration’s fiscal year 2027 budget request.

“From the Apollo missions that first took us to the Moon to today’s Artemis program that will return us there and push even farther, America’s pioneering spirit has long defined our leadership in both manned and unmanned space exploration,” said Caucus Co-Chair Don Bacon. “To sustain that leadership, I’m pleased to join 102 of my House colleagues in requesting $9 billion for NASA Science in the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. This investment will ensure NASA’s groundbreaking missions continue, support the highly skilled workforce that makes them possible, and keep the United States at the forefront of scientific discovery and space exploration.”

“Space exploration is vital to understanding the universe around us,” said Caucus Co-Chair Judy Chu. “Investment in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) programs drives scientific discovery, strengthens our country’s world-class workforce — including in my district in Southern California — and secures American leadership in space for generations to come. I’m thrilled to lead my colleagues in requesting $9 billion in funding for NASA’s SMD in Fiscal Year 2027.”

The requested $9 billion would restore the buying power of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate to approximately its 2020 level, enabling a rapid pursuit of breakthrough scientific exploration projects identified by the National Academies and the nation’s scientific and innovation workforce. 

Jennifer Vaughn, CEO of The Planetary Society, added:

“Congress proved with the FY 2026 budget that bipartisan support for space science is alive and well. This letter, signed by 103 Members of Congress and led by Congresswoman Chu and Congressman Bacon, shows that bipartisan congressional support is only growing stronger.

The Planetary Society thanks the Planetary Science Caucus Co-Chairs and their colleagues for reaffirming that the scientific exploration of space remains a defining American priority. This is a significant early signal in the FY 2027 budget process, and we remain committed to supporting Congress in its efforts to deliver the funding NASA needs to advance its pioneering program of Earth and space sciences.”

Letter to Appropriators led by the Planetary Science Caucus Co-Chairs, with co-signers

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon, Carbajal Reintroduce Bill to Expand Benefits for Veteran Survivors of Sexual Assault

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand benefits for veterans who experienced sexual trauma during their service.

The Moral Injury Recognition and Restitution Act would change the effective date of a veteran’s claim to allow veterans who experience sexual trauma during their service to receive retroactive disability benefits, starting from the date after their discharge from service rather than the claim file date.

“One sexual assault in the military is one too many. Sexual assault in the military leaves behind a wake of trauma, anxiety, and depression,” said Rep. Bacon. “As Wing Commander at Ramstein, I established the best sexual assault prevention program in the Air Force because I recognize the importance of keeping our service members safe from this kind of violence. For those service members who do, tragically, experience sexual assault, we should ensure that they receive payment for treatments to help them recover. Changing the effective date from when veterans receive payments is the right thing to do.”

“Sexual assault in our military is a grave injustice, and it is long past time for the VA to expand benefits for those who carried this trauma back home,” said Rep. Carbajal. “The Moral Injury Recognition and Restitution Act was inspired by a Central Coast veteran who faced the same inexcusable hurdles that far too many survivors encounter when seeking help from the VA. I’m proud to join my friend and fellow veteran, Congressman Bacon, in introducing this bill to close the gaps in our system and finally deliver the justice our veterans deserve.”

Currently, most benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are calculated using the day the claim was filed.

But with survivors of military sexual traumas (including unwanted sexual contact or advances), there is a historical trend of stigma and underreporting, meaning veterans may wait years before filing a VA claim.

Congressman Carbajal and his team worked with one such case: a female veteran from the Central Coast of California who was granted benefits related to PTSD caused by a sexual trauma during her service but filed a claim more than 25 years after the injury, diminishing the total benefit that she qualified to receive.

The bill has earned the endorsement of Veterans of Foreign Wars, the largest and oldest war veterans service organization in the U.S.

The VA estimates that 1 in 3 female veterans and 1 in 50 male veterans experienced sexual trauma in some form during their service.

In certain cases, like exposure to Agent Orange or other toxic chemicals, the VA has granted retroactive benefits. But no such retroactivity exists for claims related to sexual trauma, despite the enduring effects these injuries can have on a veteran.

The full text of the Moral Injury Recognition and Restitution Act can be found here.

Congressman Bacon served in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 30 years, retiring as a Brigadier General in 2014.

Congressman Carbajal served eight years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, including active duty service during the Gulf War in 1992, where he was mobilized to Jacksonville, North Carolina.

The two lawmakers are part of the For Country Caucus, a non-partisan group of military veterans serving in Congress who are dedicated to working together in a nonpartisan way to create a more productive government.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

On Monday, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and over 120 Members sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert Kennedy urging him to extend Title X grants that provide critical family planning funding to health care centers across the country after HHS failed to provide guidance for months. Title X-funded health centers are lifelines in their communities, providing high-quality family planning and sexual health care, including cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, HIV testing, contraceptive services and supplies, pregnancy testing, and other essential health care services.

In their letter, the members demand that HHS immediately award a one-year full funding extension to all current Title X grantees. This extension is critical because HHS failed to release the funding guidelines for months, only to release them late last Friday and give applicants only one week to submit their materials. HHS’s rushed approach could delay critical funding to grantees.

In their letter, the Members explained that Title X funding is critical to providing high-quality family planning and sexual health care: “The bipartisan Title X program, championed by then-Congressman George H.W. Bush and signed into law by President Nixon, served 2.8 million people in 2023. For many of those patients, especially in rural and underserved communities, Title X health centers are their only source of health care. In 2023 alone, Title X supported 3,853 health centers across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories and performed 461,085 cervical cancer screenings. These screenings have helped lower cervical cancer rates by more than half since the mid-1970s. Without timely access to the Year 5 funding of grants they have already been awarded, Title X clinics will be left without the needed support to continue to provide these screenings, contraceptive supplies, and other critical services.”

The Members also detailed how the failure to extend Title X funding is yet another example of Republicans attacking essential reproductive health care: “The failure to release guidance and open applications on time is yet another example of this administration’s ongoing assault on the Title X program, birth control, and reproductive health care access more broadly. In March 2025, HHS illegally withheld $65.8 million in Congressionally appropriated funding for the Title X program from 16 grantees with grants in 23 states, threatening essential health care access for an estimated 842,000 people, or 30 percent of all Title X patients. Many of these affected grantees still struggle to sustain the financial burden caused by that extended delay in funding. The attacks on reproductive health care from this administration and congressional Republicans continued with an estimated 15 million Americans poised to lose health insurance under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Republicans’ failure to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, and a budget proposal and partisan spending bill for FY2026 that sought to eliminate the Title X program entirely.”

The Members closed by urging HHS to extend funding to protect essential health care: “Undermining Title X will unquestionably result in the loss of health care for patients who depend on it. Title X grantees were already awarded these funds. Those who rely on these services should not be punished by HHS’s inadequate planning. We urge you to award all Title X grantees a full funding extension for the next year before April 1. Do not stifle the life-saving work of Title X-funded centers that have helped women and families across our country for decades.”

Read the full letter here.