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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

To my colleagues in Congress, I urge you to stand with America’s consumers, America’s farmers, and America’s energy future by making nationwide, year-round E15 a reality. Together, we can finally deliver the certainty, affordability, and energy independence the American people deserve.  

Today, Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), co-chair of the Biofuels Caucus, took to the House Floor to urge his colleagues to cement America’s energy independence by passing his Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.  
 
During his remarks, Smith highlighted how a vote for nationwide, year-round E15 is a vote for America’s consumers, America’s farmers, and America’s energy future. By making nationwide, year-round E15 a reality, Congress would provide immediate relief for consumers at the pump, deliver much-needed market certainty for farmers, and achieve President Trump’s goal of American energy independence.

Click the image above to watch a video of Smith’s remarks
Click here to download audio
Click here to download video

Following is a transcript of Smith’s remarks as prepared for delivery:  
 
M. Speaker,    
 
I rise today to urge my colleagues to move toward America’s energy independence and pass my Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.   
 
With global tensions, volatile fuel prices, and persistent uncertainty in the energy sector, energy independence is no longer a theoretical goal but a vital part of America’s national security and economic survival.   
  
Fortunately, E15 is the winning solution—it is a reliable, clean, and affordable homegrown fuel that strengthens every link in our domestic energy supply chain.   
  
Nationwide, year-round E15 would provide immediate relief to consumers—lowering costs at the pump in my district up to 52 cents per gallon—at a time when families need it most.
 
It would increase demand for corn by over 2 billion bushels a year, delivering the certainty, opportunity, and market development America’s farmers have unequivocally called for.   
  
E15 is compatible with 97% of vehicles on the road today and can be delivered through existing infrastructure—as the past five years of summertime waivers have already demonstrated.  
  
The question is no longer whether E15 makes sense; it does. The question is whether Congress will allow consumers to have this access.   
  
To my colleagues in Congress, I urge you to stand with America’s consumers, America’s farmers, and America’s energy future by making nationwide, year-round E15 a reality.   
  
Together, we can finally deliver the certainty, affordability, and energy independence the American people deserve. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Don Beyer (D-VA), and U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the Charity Parity Act, which would allow taxpayers to make direct qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from their employer sponsored retirement plans.

Currently, retirement savers can exclude up to $110,000 in QCDs from their gross income annually. However, QCDs must be made directly from an individual’s IRA to eligible charitable organizations. Distributions from employer-sponsored plans, such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s, are not eligible for QCD treatment. Individuals who wish to make charitable contributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans are required to first roll over the funds to an IRA, creating unnecessary costs and additional steps for retirement savers.

The Charity Parity Act would allow direct QCDs from employer-sponsored retirement plans. By doing so, it would ensure retirement savers are treated equitably regardless of the type of retirement plan holding their assets. Eliminating rollover-related fees, financial burdens, and the administrative complexity for savers who would otherwise need to transfer assets from employer plans to IRAs before making a charitable contribution would make it easier to give to charity and in higher amounts.

“Our laws should encourage charitable giving and seek to make such generosity as easy to carry out as possible. Giving to others in need is a hallmark of the American character and part of what makes our country great,” said Rep. Kelly. “This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is a practical step toward ensuring Americans can contribute and donate to the causes of their choice without issue.”

“Charities provide a critical range of services across the country and have been facing mounting pressures in recent years, both from rising demand and higher prices. While progress has been made in Congress to support the generosity of the American people, further work is needed to put the charitable sector on more stable footing,” said Rep. Beyer. “The Charity Parity Act would reinforce recent bipartisan successes and encourage additional giving by providing equal treatment for savers wishing to donate to charity regardless of the type of retirement plan holding their assets. I want to thank Rep. Kelly, and Sens. Cramer and Coons for their leadership on this important piece of legislation, and hope to see it enacted into law as soon as possible.” 

“For millions of seniors, restrictive rules on retirement accounts limit their ability to use their hard-earned money to support charitable giving,” said Sen. Cramer. “Three years ago, we passed the Legacy IRA Act, opening new possibilities for seniors to make charitable contributions. Our Charity Parity Act builds on this success by making other retirement funds eligible to make sure every senior can make donations, regardless of how they saved for retirement.”

“Delawareans have always risen to the occasion to support our neighbors and communities,” said Sen. Coons. “Government should encourage that generosity, not tie it down in bureaucratic red tape. This bipartisan bill will make sure every American who wants to give charitably receives the same tax benefits, giving more people the opportunity to help those in need.”

Text of the Charity Parity Act is available here.

The legislation is endorsed by a broad coalition of charities and other nonprofits, including: American Heart Association; Association of Fundraising Principles; American Retirement Association; Mental Health America; Salvation Army; National Council of Nonprofits; Independent Sector; The Nonprofit Alliance; National Association of Charitable Gift Planners; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; United Way Worldwide; Infant Crisis Services; Mountain Area Health Education Center; The Church Alliance; Mountain Aging Partners, Inc.; Association of Art Museum Directors. 

“The Charity Parity Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that empowers seniors to support the causes they care about while strengthening the charitable organizations that help people live longer, healthier lives. By building on the Legacy IRA Act and expanding Qualified Charitable Distributions to include 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, this legislation makes charitable giving more accessible and equitable for retirees. We are grateful to Representatives Don Beyer and Mike Kelly and Senators Chris Coons and Kevin Cramer for their leadership in helping nonprofit organizations including the American Heart Association advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere,” said Mark Schoeberl, Executive Vice President of Advocacy for the American Heart Association.

“Nonprofits are America’s backbone, delivering critical services effectively, driving economic growth, and strengthening communities,” stated Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. “Despite this vital role, nonprofits today are facing significant, unprecedented financial challenges that have forced many local organizations to cut back on the services they provide, reduce staff, or even close their doors. I applaud Representatives Beyer and Kelly and Senators Coons and Cramer for introducing bipartisan legislation to make it even easier for Americans to support nonprofits that provide essential services to their neighbors.”

“We thank Representatives Beyer and Kelly and Senators Cramer and Coons for introducing this important bipartisan bill to expand charitable giving opportunities for retirement-age Americans,” said Michael Kenyon, President & CEO of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners. “QCDs from IRAs have long been a valuable tool for donors to support causes they believe in, and extending this option to employer-sponsored plans is a commonsense step that will unlock greater philanthropic support. As gift planners, we support policies that reduce friction in giving and empower donors to act on their generosity and leave their legacy. This proposal would do just that.” 

“American retirement savers should not have to jump through unnecessary hoops to support charitable causes simply because their savings are held in a 401(k), 403(b), or other employer-sponsored retirement plan instead of an IRA,” said Brian Graff, CEO of the American Retirement Association. “The Charity Parity Act builds on the success of SECURE 2.0 by ensuring retirement savers are treated fairly regardless of where they hold their assets, while making it easier for Americans to give back to the organizations and communities they care about most. By reducing administrative burdens, this legislation can help encourage greater charitable giving while strengthening retirement security.”

“The Nonprofit Alliance welcomes the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Charity Parity Act. This legislation will allow seniors to make qualified charitable distributions from 401(k) and 403(b) accounts and is an important step toward increasing participation in charitable giving by expanding options to do so. We sincerely thank Representatives Beyer and Kelly and Senators Coons and Cramer for their introduction of this timely legislation,” said Shannon McCracken, President and CEO of the Nonprofit Alliance.

“Since its creation in 2006, the IRA Charitable Rollover has helped older Americans use their retirement accounts to make a difference and support the causes they care about. Representatives Don Beyer and Mike Kelly and Senators Chris Coons and Kevin Cramer each have a long history of working to advance charitable giving, and Independent Sector applauds them for their continued leadership. By reducing unnecessary paperwork and fees, this commonsense legislation will help more charitable dollars reach their intended target: American communities and our neighbors in need,” said Dr. Akilah Watkins, President and CEO of Independent Sector.

“Fundraisers work every day to connect generosity with community needs, and the Charity Parity Act removes unnecessary barriers that stand in the way of that generosity. By allowing seniors to give directly from employer-sponsored retirement plans, this bipartisan legislation modernizes charitable giving and puts donors—not paperwork—at the center of the process. The Association of Fundraising Professionals strongly supports policies that make it easier for people to give and strengthen the nonprofit sector’s ability to serve their communities,” said H. Art Taylor, President & CEO of the Association of Fundraising Principles.

“With art museums typically depending on gifts for a third of their revenue, donations are what enable free and reduced admission, educational programs, and a host of community services.” said Christine Anagnos, Executive Director of the Association of Art Museum Directors. “AAMD offers its thanks to Reps. Beyer and Kelly and Sens. Cramer and Coons for their leadership on the Charity Parity Act.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Yesterday, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-7), led a bipartisan letter to National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross. Along with 33 of their colleagues, the letter urged the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) to develop a federal-industry plan in preparation for a large increase in vulnerability disclosures discovered by advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems. 

The letter follows Anthropic’s recently announced Claude Mythos Preview. According to Anthropic, Mythos identified thousands of high-severity zero-day vulnerabilities in every major operating system and every major web browser, including vulnerabilities that had survived years of human review and automated testing. As of Anthropic’s April 7 announcement, more than 99 percent of those vulnerabilities remained unpatched. 

Latta and Matsui warned that these new advanced AI systems could help defenders uncover serious software flaws more quickly than existing disclosure, patching, and deployment systems can keep pace. 

“America’s adversaries are not waiting for us to figure this out,” said Latta. “If AI can find serious vulnerabilities in widely used software, China and other bad actors will look for ways to use similar tools against us. We need to make sure trusted American defenders have the coordination, access, and support required to stay ahead. This bipartisan letter urges ONCD to convene the agencies, software providers, and security providers who can make that happen.” 

“Advanced AI is rapidly changing the cybersecurity landscape,” said Matsui. “These tools have enormous potential to help us find and fix dangerous software vulnerabilities before our adversaries use them against us, but we must prepare now. We need a coordinated strategy that brings the federal government, industry and trusted defenders together to manage disclosures, speed up patching and protect the systems Americans rely on every day, from hospitals and banks to utilities, schools and basic communications.” 

Background: 

The letter asks ONCD to coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA),the Department of Commerce, through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), acting through the Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer (OFCIO), supporting federal coordination and implementation, to convene government and industry for a coordinated response. They request that the plan assess existing efforts to identify critical software vulnerabilities; support defenders and critical infrastructure operators in finding, fixing, deploying, and verifying patches; establish a framework to handle sensitive and risky AI-generated findings; and monitor sudden increases in the capabilities of advanced AI models. 

The letter requests a staff-level briefing from ONCD within 30 days; a written response within 45; and a review of any barriers demanding congressional action, such as antitrust, liability, or other statutory barriers. 

Read the full letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the Monitor Accountability Act set to come to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this week, Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) shared several letters of support for his legislation from law enforcement organizations:

“Court-appointed monitors play an important role in ensuring compliance with federal court orders, and we support efforts to ensure that these monitorships are structured, transparent, and focused on measurable progress. We are encouraged by provisions that increase public accountability, including transparency in monitor activities and costs, public input, and clearer expectations around structure and duration.”– Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse, President of the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association

“Recent data, including PORAC’s March 2026 research brief, Evaluating Police Consent Decrees: From Compliance to Results, which examined decades of federal monitorships, shows that federal monitorships divert resources from communities, cost over $10 million per year on average, and often last more than a decade. While imposing these steep burdens on communities, the process operates behind closed doors, obstructs departments’ good-faith efforts to achieve compliance, and threatens public safety. In fact, monitors have a financial disincentive to find agencies in compliance and have repeatedly moved the goal posts in some cases. This legislation advances the targeted, transparent, and outcome-driven reforms we have long advocated.”– Brian R. Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California

“This legislation introduces necessary accountability by establishing clear standards, enhanced oversight, and greater public visibility into a process that has too often lacked meaningful checks and balances. Notably, the language in this bill reflects principles outlined in a 2021 memorandum issued by then–Attorney General Merrick Garland under the administration of former President Joe Biden, underscoring a bipartisan foundation for these reforms.”– Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, President of the Major County Sheriffs of America

“The current court monitor system exercises substantial authority over local law enforcement agencies while operating with limited oversight and transparency. Given the significant financial and operational impact monitors can have on departments and the communities they serve, greater accountability within this process is both appropriate and necessary. H.R. 8365 provides important reforms by creating clearer standards for monitor appointments, compensation, reporting requirements, and overall oversight.”– Darrell Kriplean, President of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association

“By placing reasonable limits on fees, terms, and appointments, while requiring public reporting and opportunities for input, this bill helps ensure that monitorships remain focused, efficient, and results-driven. These reforms will help prevent unnecessarily prolonged and costly consent decrees and court orders that place a heavy burden on local agencies and the taxpayers who fund them. At the same time, the legislation preserves the core purpose of monitoring—achieving constitutional and sustainable compliance.” – Joe Clure, Executive Director of the Arizona Police Association

If enacted into law, the Monitor Accountability Act would require federal district courts to follow common-sense rules when appointing monitors to oversee state or local government agencies. This legislation includes the following terms:

• Term limits: Monitors may serve no more than five years and cannot be reappointed under the same court order, preventing long‑term control by any single individual.
   
• No revolving door: Successive monitors cannot come from the same law firm or employer, ensuring independence.
   
• Fee caps & transparency: Monitor compensation is capped and courts encouraged to require pro bono or reduced-cost work to control costs and ensure transparency.
   
• Public input: Courts must announce the proposed monitor and allow public comment before appointment.
   
• Off-ramp for states / localities: A monitorship may only be extended if the state or locality has not achieved substantial and sustained compliance, preventing open‑ended oversight.
   
• Judicial transfer: After six years, the case must be reassigned to a different judge to avoid prolonged control by a single court.
   
• Retroactive fix: Immediately covers monitorships older than six years, including Maricopa County, triggering required replacement of both monitor and judge.

Read the letter from the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association here.

Read the letter from the Peace Officers Research Association of California here.

Read the letter from the Major County Sheriffs of America here.

Read the letter from the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association here.

Read the letter from the Arizona Police Association here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC — Representative John Garamendi (CA-08) joined Rep. Sam Liccardo’s (CA-16) effort in leading a coalition of Bay Area Members of Congress, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Reps. Jared Huffman (CA-02), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Mike Thompson (CA-04), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) in urging the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to prioritize and strengthen federal funding for active transportation infrastructure for walking and cycling.

“The Bay Area’s transportation network increasingly relies on non-motorized options like the San Francisco Bay Trail, which connects communities, parks, schools, and transit across more than 350 miles in nine counties and is planned to expand to 500 miles,” the Members wrote.

The delegation called for robust support for the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside, and the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program, which help communities build safer pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, trails, and connections to transit.

Currently, insufficient funding threatens access to green and active modes of transportation. The Members urged Committee leaders to increase dedicated funding to make active transportation infrastructure a priority in this year’s surface transportation reauthorization bill.

“Programs and funding dedicated to active transportation routes will help expand safe, reliable access to jobs, schools, and essential services,” the Members wrote.

“These federal funding programs are critical to complete the Bay Trail and other trail networks around the region,” said Save The Bay Executive Director David Lewis. “We need to invest in healthy transportation options that connect more communities with nature, jobs, and critical services.”  

Full text of the letter is available HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered remarks on the House Floor after the bipartisan discharge petition for H.R. 2913 – the Ukraine Support Act – received the final signature needed to compel a vote on the House Floor. Below are a video and transcript of his remarks:
 

Click here to watch a video of his remarks.
 

“Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the gentleman from California, Mr. Kiley, added the 218th signature to the discharge petition for the Ukraine Support Act. Soon, the House will have a long overdue vote on expressing its support for Ukraine and our opposition to the Russian invasion. The people of Ukraine have shown their mettle, their courage, even while a fifth of their country has been overrun and occupied while Russia’s drones targeted civilian neighborhoods. Amid outages of power and heat through bitter winters, the people of Ukraine have endured. Their spirit is undiminished. Their valor is unmatched.

“But Mr. Speaker, Vladimir Putin continues to believe that he can break their will to fight. He believes he can outlast the Ukrainians and [that] he can outlast us. He is wrong. This House has now voted on bipartisan bills to assist Ukraine 12 times since the full invasion in 2022. On average, [those] bills have passed 80% of the votes on this House Floor. We’ll have the opportunity to do it again, to stand for freedom, democracy, and our Ukrainian allies. I yield back the balance of my time.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Bryan Steil (WI-01), Josh Harder (CA-09), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Zach Nunn (IA-03), Jefferson Shreve (IN-06), and Gabe Amo (RI-01) this week introduced a resolution to designate May 14th as National Scam Survivor Day.

“Each year, scammers exploit millions of Americans and defraud them of their hard-earned savings,” said Steil. “I commend every American who speaks out to raise awareness after being victimized by scammers. By sharing their experiences, scam survivors help break the stigma scam victims can face while ensuring our communities have the tools to identify, disarm, and report emerging scams. I will continue working to prevent families and seniors from falling victim to scams.”

The National Scam Survivor Day resolution encourages scam survivors to tell their stories combat the stigma that may prevent individuals from seeking the guidance and assistance they deserve. Additionally, the legislation urges a collaborative approach to support scam survivors and prevent future scams among government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations.

“Scams are more than just an annoying robocall – these organized attacks rob working families of their hard-earned savings and financial stability,” said Harder. “Cracking down on these criminals starts with raising awareness of the nationwide scam crisis, and I’m proud to support designating May 14 as National Scam Survivor Day. Bringing our community together around prevention will lead to more arrests, fewer robocalls, and less financial theft, and I look forward to working across the aisle to get this bill signed into law.”

“As Subcommittee Chairman on Oversight and Investigations, I am working with the Trump Administration, law enforcement, and the private sector to stop financial fraud and scams before they start,” said Meuser. “Scammers stole more than $21 billion from hardworking Americans in 2025, targeting seniors, veterans, small business owners, and young adults. National Scam Survivor Day is about supporting victims, raising awareness, and educating consumers as scammers and fraudsters become increasingly sophisticated. Thank you to Rep. Steil for once again leading this important resolution.”

“Millions of Americans have lost hundreds of billions of dollars at the hands of hucksters, fraudsters and rip-off artists,” said Raskin. “By designating May 14, 2026, as National Scam Survivor Day, we remind our neighbors that there’s no shame in reporting these terrible crimes, and we put scammers everywhere on notice that we’ll never stop pursuing justice and accountability. I want to thank my constituent—Judith Boivin of Rockville—for bravely sharing her story with me and for working to help others avoid what she has endured at the hands of criminal scammers.”

“A central Iowa man spent months building what he believed was a genuine online relationship, only to lose $164,000 to fraud. A woman from Des Moines fell victim to a romance scam and lost $15,000. These are just two of the stories behind the $96 million Iowans lost to financial fraud in 2025,” said Nunn. “Iowans shouldn’t have to worry about scammers robbing them of their life savings through fake investment schemes and online fraud. On National Scam Survivor’s Day, I’m proud my bipartisan GUARD Act is moving forward to give law enforcement stronger tools to track down criminals, crack down on fraud, and protect Iowans’ hard-earned money.”

This resolution is supported by the International Better Business Bureau.

Original cosponsors of this resolution include Representatives Josh Harder (CA-09), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Zach Nunn (IA-03), Jefferson Shreve (IN-06), and Gabe Amo (RI-01)

CLICK HERE to read the resolution.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks on the House Floor honoring the life and legacy of San Francisco civic and interfaith leader Rita Semel, who passed away at the age of 104.

In her remarks, Pelosi praised Semel’s decades of leadership bringing together people of different faiths and backgrounds in pursuit of peace, dignity and mutual understanding, calling her “one of the great moral forces of our community.”

Watch Pelosi’s Floor remarks here.

Read Speaker Emerita Pelosi’s statement on the passing of Rita Semel below:

“The passing of Rita Semel is a profound loss for San Francisco and for all who believe in the power of dialogue, understanding and justice. For decades, Rita was one of the great moral voices of our community: bringing together people of different faiths, backgrounds and perspectives in pursuit of peace, dignity and respect for all God’s children.

“Through her extraordinary leadership with the San Francisco Interfaith Council and across countless civic and charitable causes, Rita helped make our city more compassionate, more united and more hopeful. She believed deeply that our diversity was a source of strength, and she dedicated her life to building bridges at moments when division would have been easier. I was privileged to know Rita and call her a dear friend for more than fifty years. Her wisdom, warmth and relentless commitment to justice touched generations of leaders and families throughout the Bay Area and beyond. She carried herself with grace and conviction, always guided by faith and by an unwavering belief in our shared humanity.

“Paul and I and our entire family, especially our daughter Christine, are grateful to Rita’s daughter Elizabeth for enabling her mother to be a force in our community for over 100 years. We join so many in mourning Rita’s passing and celebrating her remarkable life and legacy.

“May it be a comfort to Rita’s family, her loved ones and the communities she served so faithfully that so many are praying for them at this sad time. And may her memory continue to be a blessing and an inspiration to us all.”

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, was announced today as Ranking Member of the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee, which oversees the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, FBI intelligence operations, the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), the Treasury Department’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, and intelligence offices across the federal government.

“As Ranking Member of the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee, I will work to ensure our intelligence agencies are prepared to confront the growing threats posed by foreign adversaries, cyberattacks, espionage, terrorism, and transnational criminal organizations,” said Krishnamoorthi. “Congress has a responsibility to conduct rigorous oversight of the Trump Administration, strengthen our national security capabilities, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent effectively and responsibly. At the same time, we must safeguard the constitutional rights and civil liberties that define our democracy.”

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

Washington, D.C. (May 14, 2026) — Today, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, delivered opening remarks at a hearing on Republicans’ campaign to strong-arm states and localities into carrying out an impossible federal mass-deportation agenda, which undermines local law enforcement, diverts essential crime-fighting resources, and makes all of our communities less safe.   Below are Ranking Member Jayapal’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at today’s hearing.

WATCH Subcommittee Ranking Member Jayapal’s opening statement.

Let me start by offering my deepest condolences to you, Ms. Minter. As a mother myself, I cannot imagine what you are going through in losing a daughter far too soon. I am very sorry for your loss.   This hearing is, unfortunately, another in a series of hearings the Majority has held that consistently attack trust policies that have upheld the necessary and important division between the enforcement of federal civil immigration law and the enforcement of local criminal laws. This division has proven over and over again in documented research to be essential in keeping all communities safe and ensuring that people come forward to report crimes.  

Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. And last year, Republicans gave the Department of Homeland Security over $170 billion in their Big Bad Betrayal bill to meet the arbitrary immigrant arrest quotas of Stephen Miller and to carry out President Trump’s cruel mass deportation agenda.   Using this funding, ICE doubled in size. DHS officers killed two U.S. citizens in cold blood in Minnesota, beat and detained countless U.S. citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights, and broke down doors of U.S. citizens without a warrant in violation of the Fourth Amendment. We know of at least one U.S. citizen who has been arrested by ICE three times despite repeatedly informing agents he is a U.S. citizen. Another 18-year-old U.S. citizen with terminal cancer spent the last weeks of his life begging ICE to release his parents so he could see them before he died. They reunited one day before he died.  

And that is just what they have done to Americans. ICE is also subjecting hundreds of parents and children to months in immigration prisons, conducted senseless deportations of military veterans, separated families, massively increased immigration detention, resulting in a record 48 deaths in ICE detention since President Trump took office.  

A recent Politico analysis revealed that judges have ruled in at least 10,000 cases that the detention was illegal, with no due process, no opportunity for detainees to plead their case. 10,000 people, including a nursing mother who was separated from her one-year-old child, despite active legal refugee status and a 5-year-old boy detained by ICE on his way home from school. More than 425 judges have heard cases and reached the same conclusions about the illegality of Trump’s mass detention policies—including a majority of Trump-appointed judges. Three circuit courts have also now ruled the policy illegal.  

The impact of these illegal policies is not just being felt by immigrants, it is ripping apart entire communities across the country, creating fear and terror, and also negatively impacting opportunities for all Americans. A new study by the National Bureau of Economic Research just concluded that Trump’s immigration raids are now even weighing on the labor market, leading to fewer jobs for U.S. born men without a college degree.   Despite all of this, Republicans have refused to stop these illegal, unconstitutional and cruel policies. They have refused to address the fact that while their anti-immigrant strategies may have worked before, they don’t work anymore. Today, more than 60% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s immigration policies. Americans want Trump and Republicans to focus on lowering their gas prices and grocery prices. They want Republicans to stop giving tax breaks to billionaires while stripping healthcare from tens of millions of Americans.  

But Donald Trump said it himself just a few days ago. In his own words, Trump said, “I don’t think about the financial situation of Americans.” Really? That is exactly why Republicans are now planning to give ICE and Border Patrol an additional $70 billion with no oversight or accountability, yet having a hearing this morning to complain that Fairfax County will not do ICE’s job for them!  

Give me a break. DHS has plenty of money to hire all the new immigration enforcement agents they want. They don’t need to commandeer the local police officers who are hard at work maintaining Fairfax’s status as the safest county of its size in the United States. In one of the greatest ironies, here we are in the Immigration subcommittee having a hearing about the prosecutorial decisions of a County attorney and the jail policies of a County sheriff! Whatever happened to the Republican party that believed in local government?  

There are many reasons that states and localities choose not to or are unable to conduct immigration enforcement on behalf of the federal government. Numerous court orders have declared immigration detainers unlawful violations of the 4th amendment and state and local officials do not want to spend huge amounts of money on court cases. State constitutions often contain prohibitions. And local police departments want to prioritize their resources and encourage the trust of people to come forward and report crimes without worrying about their own immigration status.  

The Major Cities Chiefs Association has repeatedly reaffirmed that, cooperation with the immigrant community is essential to solve crime and prevent further criminal activity within the entire community, including ensuring protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.   In 2019, my home state of Washington passed the bipartisan Keep Washington Working Act for all these reasons as have many states across the country. Courts have ruled multiple times that states have the right to enact laws like the Keep Washington Working Act. These laws do allow information sharing with the federal government when necessary for an ongoing criminal investigation, or pursuant to a court order or judicial warrant.  

This committee should be holding hearings on the unconstitutionality of this Administration’s policies, on the killing of American citizens by ICE and CBP. But instead, we are doing yet another hearing designed to further this Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda and distract people from the real issues at hand. The American people deserve better.   I look forward to hearing from all our witnesses today and I yield back.