MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference about Donald Trump canceling a planned meeting to discuss government funding and how House Democrats are continuing to hold the line against the out-of-control Republican attack on the healthcare of the American people.

Leader Jeffries: Leader Schumer and I are ready to meet with anyone, anytime, at any place to discuss the issues that matter to the American people and avoid a painful Republican-caused government shutdown. Democrats do not support the partisan Republican spending bill because it continues to gut the healthcare of the American people. Our country is in the midst of an unprecedented Republican healthcare crisis. Republicans have enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Millions of people will lose access to care.

As a result of the Republican One Big Ugly Bill, hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics are closing all across the country, including in rural America. More than 20 million Americans are at risk of experiencing dramatically increased healthcare costs—premiums, copays and deductibles—because of the Republican refusal to extend the tax credits connected to the Affordable Care Act. Medicare is facing a $536 billion cut at the end of the year as a result of the One Big Ugly Bill that Republicans jammed down the throats of the American people. And at the same time, Republicans have effectively ended medical research in the United States of America, including research for children with cancer. And in the Republican appropriations spending bill, they continue the assault on the public health infrastructure in this country, vaccine availability, the National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.

Democrats are ready, willing, and able to sit down with anyone at any place, at any time, to avoid the Republican-caused government shutdown that we are on the brink of experiencing and in order to address the Republican healthcare crisis. It’s clear that Donald Trump and House Republicans and Senate Republicans are running scared, which is why they refuse to even sit down and have a conversation to discuss the Republican government shutdown and the healthcare crisis that is going to cause people in the United States of America to die because of the actions that Republicans have taken and want to continue to undertake in ways that hurt the people I represent here in Brooklyn and folks all across this country.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today introduced a new education package that includes the Community and Technical College Investment Act and the Career and Technical Education Access Act, two bills designed to expand opportunities for students to access affordable higher education, gain in-demand skills, and build stronger pathways into the workforce. 

“Too many students are being priced out of higher education or graduating high school without a clear path to a career,” said Congressman Smith. “This legislation is about breaking down those barriers, making community and technical college tuition-free, expanding wraparound support, and creating high schools that connect academics with real-world technical skills. Together, these bills invest in students, strengthen our workforce, and help more families achieve economic stability.” 

Community and Technical College Investment Act 

The Community and Technical College Investment Act creates a federal-state partnership to make community and technical colleges tuition-free while expanding wraparound support services to help students stay enrolled and graduate. 

• States can receive grants to cover tuition for eligible students, build stronger transfer and degree-completion pathways, and coordinate education and workforce systems.
• Subgrants will support community colleges in addressing students’ non-tuition needs such as housing, childcare, transportation, food, and digital access.
• An emergency aid fund will provide direct financial support to students facing unexpected crises like job loss, housing insecurity, or family emergencies. 

Community and technical colleges like Green River, Highline, and Renton Technical College play a central role in South King County, serving diverse, first-generation, and working-class students. These institutions are well positioned to benefit from the new supports, helping more local students enroll, persist, and graduate. 

Bill text here. Fact sheet here.

Endorsements: 

This bill is endorsed by The Institute for College Access and Success, The Center for Law and Social Policy, National Council for Community and Education Partnerships, Network for Public Education. National Association for College Admission Counseling, Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, Renton Technical College, Highline College, Seattle Colleges, and Green River Community College. 

• “This legislation has the power to remove critical barriers that prevent students—especially those from historically marginalized communities—from completing their education at institutions like Renton Technical College. By investing in access and supporting completion, we’re not only transforming lives—we’re fueling Washington’s workforce and ensuring our industries have the skilled professionals they need for sustained economic growth.” — Yoshiko Harden, President, Renton Technical College
• “Community and technical colleges can only be true engines of economic mobility if resources to support access, retention and completion are present for all community members. This legislation will provide those resources as it addresses financial barriers students face in paying tuition, accessing support services and covering the true cost of their education. Prospective students need to know that their pathway to economically mobility and social equity is through their local community and technical college.”  — Dr. John R. Mosby, President, Highline College
• “By providing access to higher education for all individuals, regardless of their financial situation, we are investing in our collective future and giving everyone the opportunity to succeed. Community colleges, like Green River College, are a crucial stepping stone for many students on their path to higher education and a career. Making Green River tuition-free would remove the #1 student identified barrier to access and help ensure that all students have the opportunity to prepare for a successful future.” — Dr. Suzanne Johnson, President, Green River College
• “Congressman Smith’s proposal to make community and technical colleges tuition free would be a huge boost to the over 307,000 students who come to our colleges, their families, and Washington’s economy. For people of all ages and backgrounds, Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges are proud to serve students right in their own communities as they start their educational journey, train for well-paying jobs, and learn skills they need for everyday life. With Congressman Smith’s bill, students can graduate without tuition debt, putting them on the path to success right away, an investment that would pay off many times over for our state and our country.” — Nate Humphrey, Executive Director, Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges (SBCTC)
• “The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) believes that postsecondary education is a public good, delivering benefits to both individuals and society. NACAC is proud to endorse the Community and Technical College Investment Act, which strengthens equitable pathways to higher education and meets students where they are. By making community and technical colleges tuition-free, expanding wraparound supports, and providing emergency aid, this legislation addresses the barriers that prevent too many students from completing their education. It ensures that more students can access education and earn the credentials and degrees that lead to meaningful careers, while strengthening the workforce and building more resilient communities.” — Sean Robins, Director of Advocacy, The National Association for College Admission Counseling
• “The Network for Public Education is proud to support the Community and Technical College Investment Act. Community and technical colleges serve as a vital bridge, connecting K–12 learning to the world of work and higher education. This legislation will swing open the doors of opportunity for young people across our nation—especially those with limited means—by giving them the chance to gain the skills they need to launch meaningful careers and lead productive lives.” — Carol Burris, Executive Director, The Network for Public Education
• “TICAS strongly supports the Community and Technical College Investment Act. By recognizing and addressing the ongoing and significant barrier of college costs for low-income students, including food, housing, childcare and transportation- this bill will improve college access, completion rates, and basic needs security for future students. As the need for a more educated workforce continues to grow, investments like this are how we can meet that demand and ensure all students, no matter their background, can complete their educational journey.”— Jessica Thompson, Senior Vice President at The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS)
• “Community and technical colleges are a vital resource for the American economy because they help meet the high demand for workforce training. With 37 percent of Hispanic, 26 percent of Asian, and 33 percent of Black undergraduates enrolled at public community colleges, these institutions are also valuable opportunities for underrepresented students entering higher education. Despite their importance for communities and the national economy, community and technical colleges have faced decades of consistent underfunding at the federal level, which has created a cost barrier preventing millions of students from earning credentials and entering the middle class. By allowing states to make these institutions tuition-free and increase offerings of wraparound supportive services, the Community and Technical College Investment Act is an important step toward increasing the ability for everyone to pursue and complete educational opportunities and job training programs.” — Lorena Roque, interim director of Education, Labor & Worker Justice at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) 

Career and Technical Education Access Act 

The Career and Technical Education Access Act provides federal funding to enable states to expand and strengthen high school career and technical education programs, giving students an early start on postsecondary success and workforce training. 

• Creates a voluntary federal grant program to help states establish, expand, or improve career and technical education programs tailored to workforce needs.
• Provides flexibility for states to launch programs through standalone technical high schools, regional career centers, or hybrid models.
• Mandates workforce alignment assessments every three years to ensure programs match in-demand jobs.
• Requires automatic transfer credit recognition for students completing CTE programs.
• Permits funding for online and hybrid programs to expand access for rural and underserved areas.
• Establishes a CTE Pell Grant to allow high school students to access financial support for credentialing, apprenticeships, and dual-enrollment coursework. 

These provisions are especially significant for South King County, where students face steep barriers to higher education and employers in aerospace, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing are seeking more skilled workers. By expanding career-connected learning in high school, this legislation will help local students move into good-paying jobs or further education with stronger preparation. 

Bill text here. Fact sheet here.

Endorsements: 

This bill is endorsed by LiUNA Local 242, Northwest Education Access, Machinists Institute, and Southeast Seattle Education Coalition. 

• “At NW Education Access, we have seen the power of career-connected learning to transform lives. This bill will help ensure more students, especially those from low-income and first-generation backgrounds, can access high-quality CTE opportunities.” — Jeff Corey Deputy Director, Northwest Education Access
• “We are excited to endorse a bill that supports the livelihoods of young people while meeting the real needs of our economy. By allowing states to shape CTE pathways that reflect local industries and communities, this legislation creates access to meaningful careers for youth in places like Southeast Seattle, where early opportunity can change lives.” — Liz Huizar, Executive Director of Southeast Seattle Education Coalition
• “IAM District 751 supports the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Access Act because it puts students and workers at the center of our nation’s economic future. This legislation responds to the growing demand for skilled workers in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and IT by creating a federal grant program that allows states to establish, expand, or improve CTE programs through high schools, regional centers, and hybrid models. It delivers modern training, builds industry partnerships, and ensures fair access to education that prepares young people for stable, well-paying union careers. By expanding CTE opportunities to every community and establishing a CTE Pell Grant to help cover costs, this bill gives the next generation the skills and support they need to succeed. Training students today is how we build a strong workforce and secure the future that working people deserve.” – IAM District 751 President Jon Holden
• “The Machinists Institute, a 501c3 offering education and registered apprenticeship pathways to aerospace and industrial trades strongly endorses the Career and Technical Education Access Act. This legislation will expand high-quality career and technical education opportunities, foster strong industry partnerships, and provide critical support for students and employers nationwide. By establishing flexible grant programs, incentivizing employer participation, and introducing CTE Pell Grants for secondary students, the Act ensures equitable access to hands-on learning, college credit, and in-demand career pathways. This Act clearly outlines a strategy and resources to strengthen our workforce and empower the next generation of skilled professionals.” — The Machinists Institute 

A Pathway to Opportunity 

Together, these bills address the affordability and accessibility crisis in education at every stage. By investing in both secondary and postsecondary education, the package creates a pipeline for students to move from high school into community college, career training, or a four-year degree without being weighed down by debt. 

“From Renton to Kent to Bellevue, students in our district deserve the chance to graduate with less debt and more opportunity,” Smith said. “This package invests in young people and families here at home, while also strengthening our economy and workforce nationally.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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

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

In 2023, Rep. Aguilar secured $1.5 million in funding for the program to purchase heavy-duty zero-emission trucks, charging stations and state-of-the-art equipment 
Rep. Pete Aguilar recently visited the Clean Energy Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (EV) Technician Program at San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC), where he toured the facility that teaches students about zero-emission vehicles through hands-on training that will prepare them for careers in clean energy and technology.
“Programs like SBVC’s Clean Energy Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (EV) Technician Program help prepare our students for good-paying jobs right here in the Inland Empire, while also improving our air quality,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “I was proud to have secured $1.5 million in federal funding for Valley College to expand and improve its facility. It was great to stop by the campus and see firsthand how this funding is making a difference for students in our community and moving our region towards a clean energy future.”
“Thanks to Congressman Aguilar for bringing these federal dollars home, Valley College students are getting hands-on training with the clean-energy trucks that represent the future of transportation and goods movement,” said San Bernardino Community College District Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez. “This prepares local talent for local jobs and helps Inland Empire businesses stay competitive as the industry changes.”

Rep. Aguilar serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

Griffith Statement on Conviction of Ryan Routh

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Brownley joined 153 Members of Congress in a public comment letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin in opposition to the EPA’s proposal to rescind the landmark 2009 Endangerment Finding that greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare. The Members called on Administrator Zeldin to stop his attacks on pollution protections for the American people.

As an addendum to the public comment letter, the Members of Congress shared on-the-ground stories from their districts, highlighting the myriad of ways climate change is already impacting Americans in every corner of the nation. Given the scientific consensus surrounding climate change and its impacts already being felt around the nation, the EPA must provide answers to these lived experiences. Administrator Zeldin and his EPA must explain how rolling back the Endangerment Finding will protect Americans from the multitude of health and financial impacts of the climate crisis. 

“Rescinding the 2009 Endangerment Finding—despite overwhelming scientific and firsthand evidence that greenhouse gas pollutants are a danger to human health and welfare—is not only an egregious escalation in climate denialism but also an obvious denial of the reality that millions of Americans now face,” wrote the Members. “In addition to billions of dollars in damages, hundreds of lives lost, extensive peer-reviewed research, and overwhelming scientific consensus regarding these pollutants’ impacts, we are sharing the attached stories that we as Members of Congress have collected that reflect the impacts of climate change on our constituents. These are clear examples from our Congressional districts of how climate pollution ‘may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare.’ We request that you respond to each and every one of these stories through the public comment process.”

“For generations, families have chosen Ventura County and the Conejo Valley as home because of its picturesque landscapes, resilient economy, and superior quality of life,” wrote Congresswoman Brownley. “From the Oxnard coastline to the inland hills of Simi Valley, residents of this vibrant region face growing risks from climate change that threaten their health, safety, and livelihoods.

“Wildfires are becoming more frequent and more destructive, fueled by hotter temperatures and prolonged droughts. In 2017, the Thomas Fire tore through over 280,000 acres, destroying homes and businesses and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. At the time, it was the largest wildfire in California’s history, a record that stood only briefly before being surpassed by even larger blazes. Many residents live along the wildland–urban interface, where dry hillsides and encroaching flames are a constant danger. Each fire season brings renewed anxiety, lasting trauma, and harmful smoke that threatens public health across the region.

“At the same time, water insecurity threatens Ventura County’s $2 billion agricultural economy, which produces specialty crops that help feed the nation. Repeated droughts have forced farmers into impossible choices about which fields to keep alive, costing jobs and raising food prices for working families already under strain.

“Along the coast, rising seas and stronger storms are eroding beaches and bluffs, placing homes, roads, and critical infrastructure at risk. The Port of Hueneme and the Channel Islands Harbor already see flooding during storms. Naval Base Ventura County, which is critical to both our national security and local economy, faces growing risks from sea level rise and coastal erosion. These changes not only endanger property but also strain local governments, first responders, and taxpayers who must manage the growing costs of climate-related damage and the soaring costs of insurance premiums.

“The impacts of climate change are being felt now, in our homes, our workplaces, and our everyday lives. Instead of eroding the federal response to climate change, we should be maintaining, enforcing, and strengthening the protections that preserve the quality of life that has defined our communities for generations,” added Brownley. 

Background

On July 29, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced his formal proposal to rescind the Endangerment Finding – the scientific determination that greenhouse gases endanger human health and must be regulated under the Clean Air Act. Threatening the 2009 Endangerment Finding and EPA’s explicit authority to regulate greenhouse gases began as part of the Trump Administration’s Day One Executive Actions. 

In response, SEEC sent a letter in January condemning the Trump Administration’s Day One Executive Actions that rolled back a multitude of critical pollution regulations and environmental protections, including the Endangerment Finding. In February, SEEC sent another letter condemning Administrator Zeldin’s reported recommendation to rescind the Endangerment Finding and urged him to follow the science and protect Americans from planet-warming pollution. 

Last week, members of SEEC held a press conference at the Capitol to oppose EPA’s proposed rollbacks of the Endangerment Finding and vehicle emissions standards that will make our air dirtier and our lives more expensive. 

Read the text of the letter, including the climate impact stories shared by Members, here.

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Issues: 119th Congress, Climate Crisis, Environment, Environmental Protection, Local Issues

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Calls on CMS to Ensure States with Democrat Governors are Treated Fairly in Roll Out of Rural Hospital Fund

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz advocating for fair distribution of funds from the Rural Health Transformation Fund to states with Democrat Governors. The Rural Transformation Fund is the largest ever investment in rural hospitals and was signed into law as part of the H.R. 1, the Working Families Tax Cut. 

Newhouse was joined by Reps. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), David Valadao (R-CA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Gabe Evans (R-CO) in penning the letter.  

“As Republican Members of Congress from states with a Democrat Governor, we believe it is imperative that the program be implemented fairly so that funding is allocated specifically to rural healthcare providers, rather than diverted to urban centers that do not face the same challenges,”the Members wrote. 

“During the approval process of state applications, we urge HHS and CMS to ensure funds are distributed to rural communities with the greatest need, making rural America healthy again regardless of political affiliation.” 

The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program was established by H.R. 1 and provides $10 billion per year over five years to empower states to strengthen and improve health care access in rural communities across America. 

• 50 percent to be distributed equally amongst all approved states.
• 50 percent will be allocated by CMS based on a variety of factors including rural population, the proportion of rural health facilities in the state, the situation of certain hospitals in the state, and other factors to be specified by CMS in the NOFO.

According to CMS, states must use RHT Program funds for three or more of the approved uses of funds: 

• Promoting evidence-based, measurable interventions to improve prevention and chronic disease management.
• Providing payments to health care providers for the provision of health care items or services, as specified by the Administrator.
• Promoting consumer-facing, technology-driven solutions for the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
• Providing training and technical assistance for the development and adoption of technology-enabled solutions that improve care delivery in rural hospitals, including remote monitoring, robotics, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies.
• Recruiting and retaining clinical workforce talent to rural areas, with commitments to serve rural communities for a minimum of 5 years.
• Providing technical assistance, software, and hardware for significant information technology advances designed to improve efficiency, enhance cybersecurity capability development, and improve patient health outcomes.
• Assisting rural communities to right size their health care delivery systems by identifying needed preventative, ambulatory, pre-hospital, emergency, acute inpatient care, outpatient care, and post-acute care service lines.
• Supporting access to opioid use disorder treatment services (as defined in section 1861(jjj) (1)), other substance use disorder treatment services, and mental health services.
• Developing projects that support innovative models of care that include value-based care arrangements and alternative payment models, as appropriate.
• Additional uses designed to promote sustainable access to high quality rural health care services, as determined by the Administrator.

See the full letter here.  

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) released the following statement after Wabtec Corporation announced Monday a historic agreement with National Company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway of Kazakhstan, to deliver Evolution Series locomotives and provide long-term service support. The multi-year order, valued at $4.2 billion, marks the largest locomotive agreement in Wabtec’s history.

Wabtec Corp. operates plants in Erie and Grove City.

“This announcement from Wabtec reinforces the important role American businesses play in a global economy. It’s a game changer for Wabtec’s Erie and Grove City plants, where these locomotives will be produced,” said Rep. Kelly. “The deal is also a powerful example of how American innovation and global partnerships can drive economic growth and strengthen strategic partnerships. Most importantly, it supports thousands of good-paying jobs right here in Pennsylvania.”

Learn more about the agreement here.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced the Protect Adoptees and American Families Act, which would grant U.S. citizenship to international adoptees who were legally adopted in the U.S. as children but lack citizenship status due to a loophole in the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.

“As the father to two adopted children, I can’t imagine the uncertainty and anxiety faced by these adoptees who were legally adopted in our country, but are now being told they aren’t U.S. citizens,” said Rep. Bacon. “While this situation was rectified for newly adopted children when the law was passed in 2000, adoptees from before that year were left in limbo land. Imagine being allowed to vote, paying into social security and enjoying other rights as a citizen, and then being told you are not a citizen. It makes zero sense and this legislation corrects that egregious mistake.”

“For decades, thousands of people who were adopted into loving American families have lived in legal limbo through no fault of their own,” said Rep. Smith. “The Protect Adoptees and American Families Act will finally close this loophole and guarantee citizenship to adoptees who have spent their lives in the United States and deserve the same rights as any other American. This bipartisan legislation is about fairness, dignity, and ensuring that families remain whole.”

“Thousands of American families and their internationally-adopted children have been living in fear and uncertainty due to an oversight in the Child Citizenship Act, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation that would provide a long overdue solution to address this issue,” said Senator Hirono. “The Protect Adoptees and American Families Act will help keep families together, and ensure that international adoptees are afforded the rights they deserve as U.S. citizens.”

“It is simply not right that international adoptees who were legally adopted in the United States are being denied citizenship due to a loophole in current law,” said Senator Collins. “Our bipartisan bill would address this loophole and allow these individuals to finally achieve their rightful status as American citizens.”

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BACKGROUND
Families who adopted children from abroad were previously required to complete a lengthy, expensive naturalization process for their adopted children, on top of the adoption process itself. In some cases, the paperwork was not completed in full, leaving adoptees unaware they were living in the U.S. without citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA) streamlined this process by granting automatic citizenship to foreign-born children under 18 adopted by U.S. citizens. However, the law only applied to adoptees under age 18 at the time the CCA took effect in February 2001. Adoptees who had already reached adulthood were excluded, leaving tens of thousands of people without citizenship despite being raised in American families.
The Protect Adoptees and American Families Act fixes this gap by confirming U.S. citizenship for internationally adopted individuals, regardless of when they were adopted or their age. Specifically, the bill:

• Provides automatic citizenship to foreign-born children lawfully adopted by U.S. families who turned 18 before February 27, 200.
• Establishes a path to citizenship for adoptees living abroad who meet eligibility requirements but currently reside outside the U.S. This process includes background checks and the resolution of any outstanding legal matters before citizenship is granted.

This legislation will provide long-overdue certainty for adoptees who have faced barriers to higher education, employment, and financial services, and who in some cases have even faced deportation to countries where they have no family or community ties.

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BROAD SUPPORT
The legislation has been welcomed by adoptees, families, and advocates nationwide who have long fought for a permanent fix to the CCA loophole.

Endorsements for this bill come from: Adoptee Rights Campaign, Korean American Grassroots Conference, National Council For Adoption, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, NAKASEC, Niskanen Center, Center for Adoption Policy, National Immigration Forum, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Adoptees for Justice, Family Coalition for Adoptee Citizenship, National Alliance for Adoptee Equality, and Alliance for Adoptee Citizenship.

SUPPORTIVE QUOTES
“We recognize the challenges faced by adoptees who, though raised in American families and contributing fully to our communities, continue to live without the protections of citizenship. We applaud the leadership of Rep. Smith, Rep. Bacon, Sen. Hirono, and Sen. Collins in introducing the Protect Adoptees and American Families Act, a bipartisan measure that offers long-overdue relief and recognition to those who are American in every way except on paper. With Korean American adoptees among the most affected, KAGC is committed to working with partners to ensure this vital legislation is enacted and justice is delivered to all impacted.”  – Wonseok Song, Executive Director of the Korean American Grassroots Conference, the largest nationwide network of Korean American voters.

“NCFA supports the Protect Adoptees and American Families Act. Congress intended citizenship for children being internationally adopted by American citizens, but a complicated and confusing immigration and visa system resulted in some parents failing to complete the citizenship process on behalf of their minor children. The Protect Adoptees and American Families Act provides the citizenship that was initially intended for these individuals.” – Ryan Hanlon, National Council For Adoption.

“As a national network in five states, the NAKASEC network strongly urges the immediate passage of this legislation. Birth parents, adoptive parents, and sending countries partnered with the United States with the understanding that adoptees would be full members of their families – with all the rights, protections, and opportunities afforded to them. It’s important to note that citizenship for adoptees is an issue only in the United States. No other receiving country failed to confer citizenship for the children in their care. It’s time for the United States to fulfill their promises and secure citizenship for all intercountry adoptees.” – Becky Belcore, Co-Director of the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC).

“The Protect Adoptees and American Families Act fixes a 25-year loophole that has prevented internationally adopted Americans, raised by American families and fully integrated into American society, from achieving full United States citizenship. There is no excuse. Now is the time for Congress to get this commonsense bill over the finish line and provide a long-awaited solution for these families and for the betterment of our country.” – Kristie De Pena, Director of Immigration Policy at the Niskanen Center.

“We support this effort to strengthen American families by easing the citizenship process for international adoptees. The Protect Adoptees and American Families Act supports a core aspect of our national values, and we are glad to see Republicans and Democrats come together behind it. We look forward to seeing it passed and signed.” – National Immigration Forum

“Fundamental fairness demands that those children who were lawfully adopted and raised in the United States enjoy the full privileges and opportunities of American life. Yet for thousands of international adoptees, so many of whom arrived from Asian countries and through no fault of their own, that basic promise has been denied due to inadvertent missing paperwork. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) commends the sponsors for introducing the Protect Adoptees and American Families (PAAF) Act, a pivotal step to ensure that those impacted within the Asian Pacific American community can finally enjoy stability and pursue a livelihood without fear of removal.” – Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA

 “Adoptees and their families across the country are living in fear, shock, and with a sense of betrayal – often learning they are not citizens when they are well into adulthood and after lifetimes as Americans. More and more adoptees are reaching out when they are approaching or in their senior years. Their stories underscore the urgent need for immediate legislative repair. The introduction of this bill shows that our country’s leaders recognize this profound injustice and are committed to adoptees and American families.” – Rachel Koelzer, Co-Founder of Adoptees For Justice.

 “We’re thrilled at the introduction of this bill that will give aging adoptees the rights and protections that are rightfully theirs. Reintroducing this bill is an important step toward ensuring that no one is denied their rights or opportunities because of how they came to be a part of their families. This is the tenth year the bill has been introduced – let’s get it passed this session!” – Amanda Cho, Policy Manager with the Alliance for Adoptee Citizenship.

 “To be adopted into a family is to be chosen, loved, and embraced as one of their own. Adoption is a bond that transcends borders, making you not just a citizen of a country, but a citizen of a family, forever. Somehow, we as adoptees have been forgotten. We were lost in the shuffle and are being held accountable for the responsibilities of adults that were ignorant of the process. Our adoptive parents were under the impression that we were citizens through the adoption process. Many of us were born in the 60s and grew up living as citizens because we were told we were. Why would we believe any different when we grew up being told we were citizens? We were given our social security numbers and our driver’s licenses with no questions asked. Why didn’t the government inform us then? If they did, we would have been able to right the wrong. Now years later, we are in limbo, many of us deported. How is this fair or humane? How is it fair to send someone to a country where they know no one, they don’t know the language, and have no means to make a living? This bill needs to be law for those innocent adoptees who are victims of a faulty system.” – H, an adoptee without citizenship.