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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement in response to the closure of the United States Postal Service (USPS) Contract Postal Unit (CPU) at Surrey Center Pharmacy in Augusta.

“The closing of the USPS CPU at Surrey Center Pharmacy is extremely disappointing to me and many others in our community. Since 1979, this USPS location has been a meaningful resource for residents and businesses, with lifelong relationships forged between staff and customers,” said Congressman Allen. “Though a renewal was offered, our months-long effort in coordination with the pharmacy and USPS did not result in agreeable terms. I will continue working to ensure this does not happen to another beloved small business again. Simply put, this was the wrong decision from USPS, and while this CPU may be closing, I have every confidence that Surrey Center Pharmacy will continue to be a vibrant pillar of this community.”

“We are extremely disappointed to not be able to come to agreeable terms with the United States Postal Service to save our CPU at Surrey Center Pharmacy. I cannot thank Congressman Rick Allen and his staff enough for all of the hard work and effort they have put into this process. They left no stone unturned and were faithful in their commitment to help our business, customers, and their constituents. We look forward to continuing to serve our community in new ways and appreciate the support and love from all of our customers,” said Courtnee Russ, Pharmacist and Owner of Surrey Center Pharmacy.

BACKGROUND: Since the announced termination of the USPS contract with Surrey Center Pharmacy in June 2025, Congressman Allen has met with Postmaster General David Steiner and had several discussions with congressional liaisons demanding answers on what information and data were used to justify the potential cancellation of this contract.

The USPS has consistently ignored requests for hard data and transparency regarding this decision. On September 16, 2025, Congressman Allen introduced the bipartisan Contract Postal Unit Transparency Act, legislation designed to require USPS to provide reports to Congress on how the closure of CPUs will impact residents and allow for public hearings before any closure takes place.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) is raising concerns about reports that attorneys have been prohibited from accompanying their clients during routine check-ins at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities in Maine. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Pingree stressed that preventing legal counsel from attending such visits undermines constitutional protections and erodes public confidence in DHS’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“Blocking access to legal counsel is incompatible with our values as a nation—as well as DHS’s stated commitments to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law,” Pingree wrote. “If DHS or ICE maintain such a stance, I ask that you provide in writing the policy that allows for legal counsel to be turned away from your facilities. Further, should this policy exist, it raises significant questions about transparency and the right to representation. I strongly urge you to repeal any policy that would deprive individuals of their constitutional right to due process.”

Pingree also formally requested a tour of the ICE field office in Scarborough, Maine, citing concerns raised by local town officials who have sought to engage with the facility but have been denied entry.

“Clear and consistent communication with community leaders, advocacy organizations, and local officials fosters greater transparency and ensures that enforcement operations are implemented fairly and humanely,” Pingree wrote. “Without these relationships, DHS risks deepening mistrust and eroding the very public confidence it requires to operate effectively.”

The Congresswoman reiterated that robust constituent services and agency oversight are core congressional responsibilities, and said she will continue to monitor DHS’s responsiveness.

The full letter is available here and copied below. 

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Dear Secretary Noem,

As you know from your time in the U.S. House of Representatives, providing casework and acting as an intermediary to executive agencies is one of the most fundamental services we provide for our constituents, ensuring that the government serves the people it represents. My office frequently assists constituents with immigration petitions pending with your agency—including adjustments of status, naturalization, and non-immigrant visa petitions—that have been delayed or lost. I take immense pride in my ability to serve the thousands of Mainers who have sought assistance from my office.

Moreover, robust casework functions to directly support Congress’s oversight responsibilities. Elevating constituent concerns provides valuable insights into how federal programs are being implemented on the ground. It can also reveal systemic inefficiencies, inequities, and gaps in service that may warrant legislative or administrative attention.

It is within this oversight capacity that I raise alarm about several reports from my district that attorneys have not been permitted to accompany their clients to routine check-in visits at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. Blocking access to legal counsel is incompatible with our values as a nation—as well as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s stated commitments to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. If DHS or ICE maintain such a stance, I ask that you provide in writing the policy that allows for legal counsel to be turned away from your facilities. Further, should this policy exist, it raises significant questions about transparency and the right to representation. I strongly urge you to repeal any policy that would deprive individuals of their constitutional right to due process.

In service of my oversight responsibilities, I request your assistance in scheduling a tour in the coming weeks of the ICE field office within my district in Scarborough, Maine. In accordance with this request, I wish to stress the importance of the Department’s responsibility to engage with and be responsive to the local communities in which ICE facilities operate. It has been brought to my attention that officials from the Town of Scarborough have made efforts to engage with the ICE facility in the Town, but have yet to be allowed entry. Clear and consistent communication with community leaders, advocacy organizations, and local officials fosters greater transparency and ensures that enforcement operations are implemented fairly and humanely. Without these relationships, DHS risks deepening mistrust and eroding the very public confidence it requires to operate effectively.

I respectfully request a written response to this letter no later than 30 days from receipt. Please provide confirmation of whether a policy exists prohibiting legal counsel from attending routine ICE appointments, and if so, its legal justification. My office will also follow up on scheduling a visit to the Scarborough, Maine facility as soon as possible.

Thank you for your prompt attention to these matters. Congress will continue to closely monitor the Department’s responsiveness, and I fully expect your office will take the necessary actions to address these concerns. Please reach out to my office at (202) 225-6116 should you have any questions.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a longtime farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, led 15 Members of Congress in calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately disburse nearly $50 million in funding for farmers that has been inexplicably delayed. If the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program funding for fiscal year 2025 is not released to regional partners by September 30th, farmers and ranchers across the country will lose out on the only producer-led program that supports research, demonstration, and education projects across a wide range of topics related to sustainable agriculture.

“At a time when farmers and ranchers are facing increased costs and significant uncertainty, it is unacceptable for the Department to be withholding funding approved by Congress that delivers both short-term financial support and strategies for long-term viability,” Pingree and her colleagues said in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Rollins.

Joining Pingree in sending the letter are: Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee; Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii); John Larson (D-Conn.); Robin Kelly (D-Ill.); Gabe Vasquez (D-Texas); Sharice Davids (D-Kan.); Terri Sewell (D-Ala.); Alma Adams (D-N.C.); Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.); Josh Harder (D-Calif.); Gabe Amo (D-R.I.); Joe Courtney (D-Conn.); Jim Costa (D-Calif.); Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.); and Jim McGovern (D-Mass.).

The letter is available here and copied below. 

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Dear Secretary Rollins,

We write to express our urgent concern over the delays in distributing nearly $50 million in Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program funding for fiscal year 2025. Without immediate action from the Department, American farmers and ranchers will lose access to yet another critical source of federal support.

The SARE program supports research, demonstration, and education projects across a wide range of topics related to sustainable agriculture. It is the only such program that is farmer- and rancher-led – ensuring that outcomes are focused on what producers really need in order to sustain their livelihoods and protect their land and operations. From new farmer training in Maine, to milk quality research in Pennsylvania, to studies on tomato cultivation in Texas and Oklahoma, the SARE program is a vital pathway for farmers – especially small and mid-sized — to take the lead in addressing the challenges that impact them most.

At a time when farmers and ranchers are facing increased costs and significant uncertainty, it is unacceptable for the Department to be withholding funding approved by Congress that delivers both short-term financial support and strategies for long-term viability. We urge you to disburse SARE program funding for fiscal year 2025 by September 30th, or else risk producers losing out entirely on meaningful opportunities.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

“It is difficult to imagine any circumstance that could justify staging enforcement activity when children are arriving to learn,” Pingree said. “Beyond the harm it causes the community at-large, these actions have caused irreparable damage to the family, who is already dealing with difficult circumstances.”

She said the agents’ actions “caused confusion among local law enforcement who were not informed of the activity,” and said, “Above all, no person should be swept up off the streets by masked and unidentifiable members of law enforcement.”

Pingree demanded a full accounting of ICE’s operation, including which agencies were involved, what coordination occurred between those agencies, and the justification for selecting the school as a location for enforcement activity. She also requested a written explanation of any review or retraining that occurs from this incident; a description of the guidance used to determine whether enforcement activity at schools is absolutely necessary; and a list of protocols adapted to minimize harm done to the community while practicing said enforcement activity.

The full letter is available here and copied below. 

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I write to express grave concern and outrage over recent actions by federal law enforcement agents detaining a parent during the student drop-off period for Gerald E. Talbot Community School in Portland, Maine. According to reports, this occurred just before 8 a.m. on the school’s access road. This road is located immediately next to the school, and the school is the only location accessible by the road. 

The proximity of the enforcement activity to the school raises serious questions about its justification, its impact on the school community, and whether appropriate oversight and approvals were secured. It is difficult to imagine any circumstance that could justify staging enforcement activity when children are arriving to learn. Beyond the harm it causes the community at-large, these actions have caused irreparable damage to the family, who is already dealing with difficult circumstances. 

Studies show that immigration enforcement near schools triggers measurable harm: lower attendance, diminished academic performance, increased anxiety and depression, and lasting trauma for students and families – including those not directly targeted. Children who witness or even hear of immigration arrests near their schools experience fear that undermines their ability to learn and thrive. These findings are exactly why the sensitive locations guidance and policies have repeatedly emphasized the need to shield schools from immigration enforcement activity. Portland Public School officials have already reported a decrease in attendance to my office.

In addition to my concerns regarding the proximity to a school are the deeply unsettling reports that the arresting officers were unidentifiable, driving unmarked cars, and refused to state which agency they represented when asked by the school district administrator. Not only did these present challenges for the school administrators and the family members, but it caused confusion among local law enforcement who were not informed of the activity. Above all, no person should be swept up off the streets by masked and unidentifiable members of law enforcement. 

I demand a full accounting of this operation, including which agencies were involved, what coordination occurred between those agencies, and the justification for selecting the school as a location for enforcement activity. In particular, I request a written explanation of any review or retraining that occurs from this incident; a description of the guidance used to determine whether enforcement activity at schools is absolutely necessary; and a list of protocols adapted to minimize harm done to the community while practicing said enforcement activity.

Families entrust their children to schools expecting that the federal government will not bring political theater to the schoolhouse gate, especially if such activity could conceivably happen elsewhere. I expect your prompt and complete response as well as your assurances that Portland’s students, and students across the country, will be protected from similar exposure in the future.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Last Friday, Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02) and U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) filed an Amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the cases State of West Virginia v. B.P.J and Little v. Hecox. The brief supports both West Virginia and Idaho in their defense of state laws that ensure Title IX protections continue to keep men from playing and participating in women’s sports. 

 “West Virginia passed a law making it clear that men shouldn’t play in women’s sports. This is just common sense – men and women are biologically different. Men cannot become women and they certainly shouldn’t be forced to compete together. We have a duty to protect our children and ensure that no more girls are injured by transgender athletes pretending to be women. I’m proud to lead this bicameral amicus brief with Sen Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in defense of protecting women’s sports at the Supreme Court,” Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02) said.

“Life isn’t fair, but sports should be. Idaho passed a strong law to uphold Title IX’s intended purpose and prevent biological men from competing in women’s sports,” said Risch. “This amicus brief demonstrates that any attempt by the courts to rewrite Title IX protections throws away decades of progress made by women and jeopardizes their right to fair, equal athletics. Our daughters and granddaughters deserve an even playing field, and Idaho’s law does just that,” Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) said.

“Women’s sports should remain just that – women’s sports,” Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) said. “West Virginia has a proud tradition of female athletes who deserve a level playing field, and I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in defending that principle—something I’ve long-championed. Allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports undermines the very fairness and protections Title IX was designed to provide. This amicus brief makes clear that protecting women’s sports is not only common sense, but also the law and I’m confident the Court will come to the same conclusion.”

“When Congress passed Title IX over fifty years ago, the People’s representatives made a commitment to future generations of women and girls that they would have fairness in athletics and equal treatment in education. This common-sense provision is based on a stable understanding of an individual’s biological sex. Since then, Idaho has become the first state in the nation to ban biological males who identify as female from competing against women and girls in sports. This is aligned with federal law, and I am confident the court will see it as such,” Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID-01) said. 

“Title IX has advanced and protected educational opportunities for students for more than fifty years. Unfortunately, radical policies and far-left woke ideology are trying to undo all the progress we have made when it comes to protecting women’s sports. Female athletes should not have to worry about losing scholarships or Olympic medals by having to compete against men. Now more than ever, we need to stand united against this insanity and uphold our promise for the next generation of young girls. Americans are grateful to leaders like Governor Little, as Idaho was the first state in the nation to ban biological males from competing in female athletics. Idaho has set a common-sense standard — one that should now be met across the country,” Congressman Mike Simpson (ID-02) said. 

” As the father of two girls, I’m proud to join Rep. Moore in these efforts to show support for the young women fighting for a level playing field. Young women in America need to know that their competition is protected and their safety will not be endangered,” Congressman Addison McDowell (NC-06) said. 

“Title IX was meant to give women a fair shot in education and athletics — a promise that’s lifted generations of female athletes. But that promise is now under attack by policies forcing women to compete against biological men. It’s unfair, unsafe, and dismantles the foundation of women’s sports. That’s why Florida passed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act in 2021, and why I’ll keep fighting to defend the principle of fairness Title IX was built on,” Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) said. 

“Title IX was designed to protect women and girls, not allow men to take over their sports and their scholarships. But the Democrats’ woke policies are not only erasing women’s opportunities – they’re also poisoning our classrooms with radical ideology that puts politics ahead of education. The American people are tired of seeing fairness tossed aside in sports and common sense thrown out the window in schools. I’ll keep fighting to protect our daughters, restore integrity to education, and make sure Washington gets out of the business of indoctrination and back to the business of teaching. This is why I am proud to stand with my colleagues and defend Title IX by signing on to this amicus brief,” Congressman Barry Moore (AL-01) said. 

“Women and girls deserve the advancements and protections provided by Title IX, yet the so-called party of feminism has tried to pervert the meaning of “women” to include biological men. I am proud to sign on to this commonsense amicus brief led by Congressman Riley Moore and Senator James Risch, stating the obvious: only biological women should be allowed in women’s spaces,” Congressman Brandon Gill (TX-26) said. 

 “Title IX opened doors for generations of women and girls and its promise was simple: equal opportunity, fair competition, and a level playing field. That promise is undermined when female athletes are forced to compete against biological men. Upholding the rule of law means enforcing Title IX as written: women’s sports are for women. It’s common-sense that biological men shouldn’t be competing in women’s sports and I expect the Court will agree with that view,” Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) said.  

“As Chairman of the House Values Action Team, I strongly support the original intent of Title IX, which was enacted to ensure equal athletic opportunity for women and girls. For over 50 years, this law has guaranteed that female athletes have a fair playing field. Permitting biological males to compete in women’s sports undermines that purpose and creates disadvantages that Title IX was designed to prevent. This amicus brief makes it clear that protecting women’s sports is not just a matter of fairness, it is the law. I am proud to stand with my colleagues and defend the principle of Title IX, one that must be preserved for future generations of female athletes who rely on its protections to compete, succeed, and excel,” Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) said. 

“Title IX was a promise of fairness in athletics and education for women and girls, opening doors for generations of female athletes. Today, that progress is under attack by radical policies forcing women to compete against biological men. It’s unfair, unsafe, and dismantles the foundation of women’s sports. In the Ohio Senate, I fought to pass the Save Women’s Sports Act, and I will keep fighting to ensure every young woman has a fair shot at her dreams,” Congressman Michael Rulli (OH-06) said. 

“It is beyond clear to Americans that girls’ sports must be protected out of fairness and safety for our young women. I’m proud to sign on to this brief and I commend Rep. Moore for leading this effort to show support for the protection of our young girls who simply want to play sports without fear of harm or an uneven playing field,” Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) said. 

“Men should not be allowed to endanger female athletes. Congress enacted commonsense protections for girls and women from inequality – that means our laws, state and federal, should consistently enforce Title IX. Period,” Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01) said.

The amicus brief can be read here.​

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

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) announced that his office will host two informational meetings for students and families from Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District regarding the U.S. Military Service Academy nomination and appointment process.

Elyria Academy Night: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Transportation and Community Center

40 East Avenue, Elyria, Ohio 44035 at 7:00 p.m.

Findlay Academy Night: Thursday, October 2, 2025

Owens Community College, Findlay-area Campus

3200 Bright Road, Education Center, Conference Room 111, at 7:00 p.m. 

These meetings serve as opportunities for potential student candidates to be advised of the congressional nomination process and meet with representatives of the:

• U.S. Military Academy at West Point,

• U.S. Navy Academy at Annapolis,

• U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs,

• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Points, and

• U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London.

Application process:

Potential candidates may also obtain an application for a military service academy nomination by attending one of the informational meetings or on Congressman Latta’s website at latta.house.gov.

For questions, Congressman Latta’s office may be contacted at 419-422-7791.

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

WASHINGTON — A transcript of Congressman Jason Crow’s (D-CO-06) full speech from the House floor.

Almost seven years ago, I came to Congress to serve my community, my state, my fellow veterans, and the country I love – in a different way than I served it on the battlefield. When I put the uniform on as a teenager, I swore an oath to the Constitution. I stand here today to uphold that oath.

I came here to represent a state that has been wracked with trauma: Columbine, Aurora Theater, Club Q, Boulder, and most recently Evergreen High. 

I came here because like so many of my fellow veterans I harbor deep resentment for our wars that cost thousands of lives, trillions of dollars, and decades of lost opportunity.

I came here because the American working class has been gutted, left behind, and excluded from the American dream while the elites grow wealthier than ever. 

I came to Congress assuming that, together with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle, we could solve these problems together. And we could have open and safe debates in a free society.

Instead, I’ve seen two impeachments, an insurrection, a pandemic, cyber attacks, social unrest, political assassination, mass shooting after mass shooting, wars, tumultuous elections, and a rapid collapse of our social fabric.

In the last nine months, the Republican majority has given up the power and the responsibility of Congress to serve the American people and has turned this Congress into nothing more than a rubber stamp for Donald Trump. 

We should be doing what we were sent here to do: making people’s lives better. But the Republican majority has stopped that. 

The lives of average Americans everywhere are getting much worse.

Prices are skyrocketing. 

Homes are unaffordable. 

Consumer debt is surging. 

Unemployment is rising. 

Credit scores are plummeting. 

Family farms are going under. 

And gun violence continues to devastate our schools and our towns.

While Americans struggle, Donald Trump and his family are cashing in at our expense. 

Accepting endless gifts from businesses and foreign nations, including a $400 million dollar jet.

Charging $500,000 to join a private club for access to Trump officials.

Turning Mar-a-Lago and the White House Rose Garden into a pay-to-play destination for the wealthy and the well connected.

And issuing meme coins so investors and foreign individuals can buy influence and personally enrich the President and his family.

All of this has added billions of dollars to Trump’s wealth since becoming president.  

But while Americans get poorer, Trump gets richer, something darker is happening.   

The walls of our democracy are being disassembled, brick by brick. 

Federal troops are patrolling our streets to intimidate and instill fear.

Senators and Members of Congress are thrown to the ground, handcuffed, arrested, and intimidated.

They’re firing our most experienced generals and admirals who may disagree with the President. 

Purging military officials who find themselves on the wrong side of the President’s cronies. 

Threatening American cities with war and violence.

Attacking civil society, journalists, and public servants who show independence or speak freely.

Censoring media because someone dares to question or make a joke about the President. 

Snatching people off the streets with masked agents in unmarked vehicles.

Forcing American troops to get on their knees and roll out a red carpet for a brutal dictator. 

And now, using a terrible tragedy to pit Americans against one another and grab power. 

Political violence in every form is abhorrent. I condemn every single act of political violence regardless of its source or its motivation. 

I went to war three times for this country to defend the Constitution and the rights of people to say things I may disagree with.  

The right of every American to speak freely, peacefully organize and protest is fundamental to who we are. 

Afterall, what is more American than the ability to question authority? Questioning authority is, in fact, how we came to be as a nation. 

We all lose when free and open debate is replaced with violence or threats. We must not lose our right and our responsibility to speak up against abuses of authority. 

Power in America has always been cyclical. At one time one party is in power and the next moment another. That’s why we must all protect it all of the time, not just when it’s convenient for you. Everyone must defend the ability of a minority, Republican or Democrat, to question and protest because at some point you will need that right. 

That’s why an attack on one person’s freedom is an attack on all of us. 

And that is exactly what Donald Trump is doing – attacking all of our rights. Donald Trump and his cronies are now labeling those who disagree with them “terrorists,” “scum,” and “enemies of the state.”

And only they will decide what is hateful, only they will decide what poses a threat, only they will decide who can speak and who will be silenced. 

If anyone thinks they are safe just because it’s happening to someone else this time, they are not paying attention to history. 

Donald Trump and his cronies have attacked anyone, including right wing media and politicians, simply for questioning them. 

Because the point for Trump is not to advance an ideology, it’s to silence dissent and anyone who would dare speak up. 

Because when dissent is silenced they can turn our government and weaponize it into an institution that serves only Donald Trump and enriches those who are loyal to him. 

In a system where the rule-of-law is replaced with raw power and governed by grievance, greed, cruelty, and impunity: nobody is safe. 

But this is not just a story of a presidential power grab because that was envisioned by the Constitution. That’s why it was written the way it was; to prevent power grabs. 

There are people with power, right now, allowing this to happen.

As Trump tramples on the Constitution, some of our most elite and powerful individuals and institutions are failing to defend our democracy. 

Some of our nation’s most powerful law firms have bent the knee.  

Some of our finest universities are buckling. 

Some of the most powerful CEOs have capitulated.

And some of the largest media companies are simply surrendering. 

If those with power and influence want to sell off our rights and freedoms to enrich themselves then Americans should make it clear that cowardice and greed will fail them. 

We will not shop at your stores. We will not tune into your TV and radio stations. We will not send our kids and our money to your universities, or use your services if you are going to enable our slide to authoritarianism.  

What makes their cowardice and greed so stark, is the courage we’ve seen from everyday citizens. 

When ICE agents started interrogating kids on a baseball diamond in Harlem, Coach Youman Wilder was the only thing that stood between those agents and his young players. Despite threats, he stood up and told the agents that they had no right to speak to those kids. The agents left. In the moment, Wilder told himself he was willing to die to make sure those kids got home. 

In Twisp, Washington, a small rural town that Trump won last November, hundreds of residents gather every Saturday, to protest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Cuts that will devastate their community. One resident, a school teacher of over 30 years, said they protest because “Democracy only works if we work it.”

In April, millions took to the streets to peacefully protest. We saw massive demonstrations nationwide, in cities big and small. In Cortez, Colorado, a population 9,000, 600 people showed up. In Gardiner, Montana, population 800, 75 people made their voices heard. And in Daleville, Alabama, home to 5,000, 100 members of the community showed up and spoke out. 

Here in Washington, D.C., as the National Guard is patrolling, and ICE agents are dramatically ramping up raids across the city, citizens are starting Instagram pages and Facebook groups to inform fellow citizens of their rights. Parents are patrolling schoolyards to protect the rights of students and other parents. 

And around the country, journalists are investigating and relentlessly searching for and reporting the truth, despite threats to them and their family. 

There is courage everywhere we look. We have not yet lost our power. 

So many Americans have been sounding the alarm bell for a long time, and they have been right. 

We have now reached the inflection point. Now is the time to stand firm. And for us to stand with them. And for us to stand with all those defending democracy. 

Defending free speech.

Defending freedom of religion.

Defending due process.

Defending the rule of law.

Defending the right of schoolchildren to learn without fear of being shot.

Defending government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

I have taken many oaths to protect and defend our country and our Constitution, first as a soldier and now as a member of Congress. 

I often think back to the start of my service to this nation. As a young paratrooper, leading an infantry platoon in the invasion of Iraq. I think about the faces of those young men I was responsible for. Black, White, Asian, Hispanic. From the North, from the South, East, and West. From farms and from cities. Rich and poor. 

When I think of America, I still think of those young paratroopers. How we came together, despite our differences, we served together, we fought together, we found great strength in one another. 

That is America.

There’s a tradition in the paratroopers, that the leader of the unit jumps out of the plane first and then the others follow.

I’m ready to jump.

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

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MSNBC’s PoliticsNation where he made clear that House Democrats will continue to fight back against Republican efforts to rip away healthcare from the American people.

AL SHARPTON: Here with me in the studio is Democratic Leader of the House, New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. Mr. Minority Leader, great to have you on PoliticsNation again and great to have you in studio. I want to start with this bipartisan resolution honoring Charlie Kirk that divided your Caucus this week. You voted in favor along with a hundred Democrats, but 58 of your colleagues voted against it, most of them members of the Congressional Black Caucus who criticized the measure as, quote, an attempt to legitimize Kirk’s worldview that includes ideas many Americans find racist, harmful and fundamentally un-American. As a CBC member yourself, what’s your reaction to this critique?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I understand fully the CBC critique and participated in a variety of different CBC conversations that we had particularly toward the end of the week in advance of the resolution. One thing I can say is that every single House Democrat does not endorse the views espoused by Charlie Kirk in any way, shape or form. And every single House Democrat does not endorse political violence against any person, at any time, for any reason. And this probably was an attempt by some on the right to try to divide the Congressional Black Caucus or divide House Democrats. And we will continue to be as unified as ever in pushing back against Donald Trump and his extremism. The other thing I’d say from my perspective is that I look at it as a two-page resolution that doesn’t even have the force of law. It certainly wasn’t about a Congressional Gold Medal, wasn’t about a national holiday, wasn’t about a statue. It was a two-page resolution. And, you know, we’re not going to let Republicans divide us or distract us from the mission of protecting the healthcare of the American people, pushing back against the effort to shut down the government and trying to actually create an America that turns back the clock, which is what Republicans are doing, as opposed to what we want to do as Democrats—move the country forward.

AL SHARPTON: And I certainly denounce what happened to him, pray for his family—said this on the show. But I also disagree, as most of the civil rights community does, with many of the issues he purported and said, including attacks on some of us personally, me included.

LEADER JEFFRIES: You and I.

AL SHARPTON: And you, he attacked. But at the same time, some of the resolution seemed to sanitize some of what he stood for. It’s one thing to say about the political violence, it’s another thing to embrace the mission.

LEADER JEFFRIES: That’s exactly right. And I think that’s why the CBC members came out with such a strong position, and why those of us who voted yes also made it clear we do not endorse any of the views that were espoused by Charlie Kirk in any way, shape or form. And I think everyone is committed—making sure, as we move forward, that we actually address the broader problem of political violence in America, the broader problem of extremism in America and the broader problem that there are too many assault weapons and weapons of war in America that can be used in an instant to engage in tragic killings or mass shootings, which we’ve seen over and over and over again. And if Congress was really trying to be responsible under Republican leadership in the House and in the Senate, these are the issues that we’ll begin to deal with once we get through this government shutdown showdown over the next few days.

AL SHARPTON: Now staying with that, Congressman. The last two weeks following Kirk’s murder have seen our vertical divisions deepen, as many Republicans continue to blame the left exclusively for political violence in the U.S., despite data showing that most of the violence has come from the right wing. Of course, the President has fanned those flames every chance he’s gotten. So how do we cool tensions with that kind of rhetoric coming from the White House?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, this is a big problem in America. We’ve seen Democratic presidents and Republican presidents, including Ronald Reagan in the aftermath of an assassination attempt against him, try to bring the country together, as opposed to blaming one side of the aisle or the other side of the aisle, or one ideological part of this country. And that’s what we need from the White House right now, actually—an effort to try to unify the country around our core values, the things that bring us together, take the temperature down in the immediate aftermath of this most recent political assassination, and similar calls were made in the aftermath of the assassination against Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman in Minnesota, that everyone needs to come together, regardless of whether you’re a Democratic leader or a Republican leader, as Americans, to try to maintain our integrity related to the real disagreements that we have on policy, but not inflame tensions such that political violence in America is exacerbated.

AL SHARPTON: And I think that’s a responsibility all of us have, whether in elected office or not. We’ve certainly seen that with the civil rights community, National Action Network, which you’re a member of. Let me say this. In the midst of the turmoil, it looks like we’re also marching toward a partial government shutdown after two bills to keep it open past September 30 failed to pass the Senate this week. That includes the GOP-backed bill that passed the House yesterday, and Democrats’ bill addressing their concerns on healthcare and federal spending. The Senate won’t reconvene until September 29, just ahead of the deadline. In the meantime, you and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have demanded a meeting with Trump to try to work things out. Have you gotten a response?

LEADER JEFFRIES: We haven’t gotten a response yet, but our position has been clear. We will work together with the other side of the aisle, including the White House, to try to arrive at an agreement on spending that actually meets the needs of the American people, particularly as it relates to health, to the safety of the American people and to driving down the high cost of living. But wewill not support a partisan Republican spending bill, and the one that was most recently put before the House and the Senate, because it continues to gut the healthcare of the American people. Like, Rev., this is the most extraordinary attack that Republicans have launched on the healthcare of everyday Americans ever in our history. Largest cut to Medicaid ever. $536 billion cut to Medicare triggered by this One Big Ugly Bill. Hospitals, nursing homes, community-based health clinics closing. Millions of Americans are about to face dramatic increases in their healthcare premiums, co-pays and deductibles. And they’ve effectively ended research into cancer and medical research generally across the United States of America. And so, in the face of this ongoing attack on the healthcare of the American people, on the well-being of the American people, there is no circumstance where we can support a continuing resolution related to spending that continues the Republican attack on healthcare.

AL SHARPTON: Now, midterm elections are a little over a year away, and Republicans have, nationwide, taken up redistricting to hold the majority in the House. You’ve encouraged Democratic state lawmakers to do the same, but while some have signed on, others have either declined the messy political fight or they’re hampered by state laws against gerrymandering, which is the case here in New York. So, how do you take back the majority in the House if Republicans are redrawing red state maps and Democrats won’t? Or can’t there be a respond to that?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, there’s definitely gonna be a forceful Democratic response as we—as we’ve seen in California. And it’s going to be very important that we pass that referendum on the first Tuesday in November, Prop 50. Yes on Prop 50 to stop Trump from stealing the election, and we’re all in to make sure that happens. And that will eliminate any advantage that Republicans think they may gain in Texas. Now in Texas, we’re still going to fight the political battle, and I don’t believe that they’re going to win those five seats that they think they’re taking away from us. And we’re in court, and that trial starts on October 1. And then we go to other states. In Missouri, it was a rush job that probably came from the White House. And as a result of that, they put a thousand—

AL SHARPTON: This is Emanuel Cleaver.

LEADER JEFFRIES: This is Emanuel Cleaver.

AL SHARPTON: He was on the show last week.

LEADER JEFFRIES: First of all, why would you go after a man of God? In all likelihood, that’s not working out. And everybody loves Emanuel Cleaver. But these people were in such a rush that they took a thousand people who were in Kansas City, and they put them in two different districts at the same time. So we don’t even think that that map right now is constitutional, and we have an ability in Missouri to go back to the voters to get them to reverse this gerrymandered map. And we intend to do so. And in state after state after state on the Republican side, we’re going to continue to battle them in court, politically or where we have the ability to go to referendum, we’re going to make sure we do that to reverse the damage that they’re trying to do. And blue states, Rev., are going to respond. I’ll let the governors speak for themselves. But we’ve heard Governor Pritzker in Illinois be very clear, and we’ve heard Governor Wes Moore in Maryland be very clear. So I would stay tuned for action in those two states.

AL SHARPTON: This week, the President wanted to fire a U.S. attorney for not charging New York Attorney General Tish James with mortgage fraud, after the prosecutor’s office says it didn’t find sufficient evidence for an indictment. Apparently, that didn’t work for the President, who claimed that this prosecutor’s past endorsements by Democrats justified firing him. The prosecutor reportedly resigned yesterday, while Trump insists that he fired him. Well, what are your thoughts on all of this, Congressman?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, Donald Trump—this is another example of the administration being completely and totally out of control and just breaking norm after norm, violating the law wherever they can, trying to actually weaponize the federal government to go after targets like Tish James. Attorney General James is a highly talented, dignified public official with great integrity. There is no basis to this investigation. It was simply launched as a part of a vengeance campaign that we’ve seen directed by the President, including at Senator Adam Schiff, at Governor Cook of the Federal Reserve Board and others. Same thing when, by the way Rev., we’ve got multiple members of the Trump administration that have egregious violations of the law, apparently, as it relates to mortgage fraud, but nothing in terms of investigation—

AL SHARPTON: And in Cook’s case, they found out that it wasn’t even stated the way they stated, claiming that what she’d put on the application.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Oh, they’re lying. They’re lying across the board. They’re lying about Tish. They’re lying about Adam Schiff. And they’re lying about Governor Cook.

AL SHARPTON: Before you go, I have to ask you, as a New Yorker, about the city’s Mayor’s race, headed into the last few weeks. Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani just got a big endorsement from Governor Kathy Hochul this week. We just had Mamdani and his Democratic rival—well, his Independent rival, Andrew Cuomo, on the show. Mayor Eric Adams was slated to join us tomorrow, but had to cancel. It seems like most New Yorkers, top politicians, have weighed in on this except you and Senator Chuck Schumer. When can we expect an announcement or endorsement, or can we expect one?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, certainly. I was looking forward to that interview tomorrow with Mayor Adams so I’m sorry that—

AL SHARPTON: So was I.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Sorry it’s not going to happen but I’m sure it’ll happen sometime soon. What I will say is, as you pointed out, you know, Governor Hochul endorsed last Sunday. Speaker Carl Heastie endorsed on Wednesday. He got a big endorsement today, you know, from a close friend of mine, the leader of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Clarke. I’ll have more to say about the Mayor’s race sometime soon.

AL SHARPTON: All right. We appreciate much for you being on PoliticsNation here in studio, Congressman and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Full interview can be watched here.

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

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) today demanded President Trump meet with them ahead of the September 30th government funding deadline to avert a government shutdown. After the Republican partisan continuing resolution failed yesterday, Democratic Leaders are demanding that Trump come to the table to negotiate, avert a devastating shutdown, and stave off the Republican healthcare crisis.

“Democrats have been clear and consistent in our position. We are ready to work toward a bipartisan spending agreement that improves the lives of American families and addresses the Republican healthcare crisis,” the Democratic Leaders wrote. “However, we will not support a dirty spending bill that continues the Republican assault on healthcare which includes devastating Medicaid and Medicare cuts; skyrocketing premiums, co-pays, and deductibles; the refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits; unprecedented attacks on medical research and the public health system; the suppression of vaccine availability; and the forced closure of hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics nationwide.”

The letter can seen here and below.

*** 
Dear President Trump:

We write to demand a meeting in connection with your decision to shut down the federal government because of the Republican desire to continue to gut the healthcare of the American people. 

At your direction, Republican congressional leaders have repeatedly and publicly refused to engage in bipartisan negotiations to keep the government open. Notwithstanding the fact that the partisan Republican spending bill has been defeated, the GOP majorities in the House and Senate have skipped town and abdicated their responsibility to fund the government. 

Democrats have been clear and consistent in our position. We are ready to work toward a bipartisan spending agreement that improves the lives of American families and addresses the Republican healthcare crisis. However, we will not support a dirty spending bill that continues the Republican assault on healthcare which includes devastating Medicaid and Medicare cuts; skyrocketing premiums, co-pays, and deductibles; the refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits; unprecedented attacks on medical research and the public health system; the suppression of vaccine availability; and the forced closure of hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics nationwide.

With the September 30th deadline fast approaching, Republicans will bear responsibility for another painful government shutdown because of the refusal of GOP congressional leadership to even talk with Democrats. As a result, it is now your obligation to meet with us directly to reach an agreement to keep the government open and address the Republican healthcare crisis. 

The cost of living in our country is way too high. Tens of millions of Americans are on the brink of their healthcare costs increasing by thousands of dollars per year, risking bankruptcy for many families. We do not understand why you prefer to shut down the government rather than protect the healthcare and quality of life of the American people.  

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

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

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on his vote against the Republican continuing resolution:

“Since Trump assumed office, he has unilaterally cut programs funded by Congress that my constituents in the Illinois Fifth District rely on. Programs to feed families, lower energy costs, provide mental health services to students, help people experiencing homelessness, find new treatments for diseases, and more. 

“My demands are clear: (1) Extend health care tax credits, without which millions of Americans will see their already expensive health care costs skyrocket; (2) Restore Medicaid funding to ensure 300,000 people in Illinois don’t lose health care coverage; and (3) Respect for the law that says elected Members of Congress – not a President-Turned-King – should decide how their tax dollars are spent. 

“This is a pivotal time in our history. We must stand up against this wannabe-king. Now, it is up to Senate Democrats to hold the line.”