MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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.

###

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.

###

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.”

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

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) joined with Reps. Deborah Ross (D-NC), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Maria Salazar (R-FL), Ami Bera (D-CA), and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) introduced their bipartisan America’s CHILDREN Act, legislation that will protect children of long-term visa holders, known as Documented Dreamers, from having to self-deport upon turning 21 years old.  Under the current system, Documented Dreamers age-out upon turning 21 and must self-deport to their country of birth, even if they have grown up in the United States. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Over 250,000 children and young adults are living in the United States as dependents of long-term nonimmigrant visa holders (including H-1B, L-1, E-1, and E-2 workers). These individuals grow up in the United States, attend American schools, and graduate from American universities. Because they have maintained legal status, Documented Dreamers are not eligible for protection under DACA or the work authorization that comes with it.

“For many Documented Dreamers, the United States is the only country they’ve ever known,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “They’ve grown up here, went to school here, and are ready to start their careers here. By forcing these young people to self-deport at age 21, we’re not only robbing our country of their talents, we’re also denying the next generation their chance at the American Dream they deserve. It’s time to fix our broken immigration system, and that starts with protecting our neighbors who grew up here.”

“Documented Dreamers are members of our communities – they study at our schools, learn alongside our children, and attend our houses of worship in North Carolina and nationwide,” Congresswoman Ross said. “Despite these deep ties, many of them are at risk of deportation from the country they love and call home. It’s time to finally fix our broken immigration system and give these inspiring young people a chance to pursue their dreams and give back to their communities. I’m proud to join my colleagues in both chambers to introduce bipartisan legislation to ensure Documented Dreamers can remain in this country and use their talents and skills to make America stronger.”

“These Documented Dreamers are Americans in every way except one: their parent’s green card is tied up in red tape,” Senator Padilla said. “This long overdue change is about more than just immigration reform — it’s about righting a wrong that’s a byproduct of our outdated immigration system. Our bipartisan bill would prevent these hardworking young members of our communities and economy from ‘aging out’ of their parents’ visa status when they turn 21, and create additional green card opportunities for Documented Dreamers. I appreciate the partnership of my colleagues across the aisle and urge others to stand up and do the right thing for these young Americans.”

“These children who have legally called the United States home for many years and even decades, are contributing members in our communities and to our economy. They shouldn’t be penalized by the government’s failures in addressing green card backlogs,” Senator Paul said. “The America’s Children Act provides targeted relief for these children of merit-based immigrants who are at risk of ‘aging out’ of their lawful immigration status, and I’m pleased to join Sen. Padilla in introducing this bill.”

“Sacramento County is the proud home of Documented Dreamers who contribute to our community as neighbors, friends, educators, scientists, and doctors,” Congressman Bera said. “Yet more than 250,000 children of nonimmigrant visa holders—who grew up here, followed the rules, and know no other home—face the threat of self-deportation because of our broken immigration system. These young people are part of the fabric of our country, and it is our moral responsibility to provide them a clear pathway to permanent residency. I’m proud to join Representative Ross and Senator Padilla in introducing the America’s CHILDREN Act to safeguard their futures and give them the peace of mind they deserve.”

“Far too many young people who have grown up in the United States legally, studying in our schools, and contributing to our economy, are at risk of ‘aging out’ of legal status through no fault of their own”, Congresswoman Salazar said. “I am proud to co-lead the America’s Children Act, which protects the children of long-term visa holders and ensures their skills and talents stay here to build America’s future.”

“Documented Dreamers are young people with legal status that grew up in the United States, studied here, and have contributed to our communities. However, at 21 years old they face the prospect of being forced to leave the only home they know. We must ensure an outdated immigration system does not punish these young people from pursuing their own American Dream,” Congressman Ciscomani said. “The bipartisan America’s Children Act provides stability for families, strengthens our workforce, and reaffirms our nation’s commitment to fairness and opportunity. I’m proud to join colleagues from both parties in supporting these young men and women as they pursue a future in our country where they grew up.”

“We are deeply grateful to the bipartisan leaders reintroducing America’s Children Act. Fixing this loophole puts in place a policy most Americans assume already exists and ensures that America reaps the benefits of the contributions from the children it raised and educated. Allowing children of long-term visa holders to stay will empower people to tap into their talents and ambitions, helping us and our country reach our fullest potential. We urge Congress to act swiftly and pass the America’s Children Act,” Dip Patel, Founder of Improve The Dream, said.

The America’s CHILDREN Act would:

• Allow individuals to obtain permanent residency if they were brought to the United States as dependent children of workers admitted under employment visas, have maintained status in the United States for 10 years (including eight years as dependents), and have graduated from an institution of higher education;
• Protect any child who has been in the United States for an aggregate of eight years before the age of 21 as a dependent of an employment-based nonimmigrant by allowing them to remain a dependent on their parent’s nonimmigrant visa until they can find another status;
• Establish age-out protections that lock in a child’s age on the date on which their parents file for a green card;
• Provide work authorization for individuals qualifying for age-out protection.
  A full copy of the bill is available here.

The bill is endorsed by organizations including Improve the Dream, Americans For Prosperity, Niskanen Center, The Libre Initiative, National Immigration Forum, and Council on National Security and Immigration.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026, to fund the government through November 21^st.

“Continuing resolutions are a lousy way to run a government, and we shouldn’t be using them to keep Democratic priorities on life support. This short-term extension is only a stopgap to keep the government functioning while we finish the appropriations process. Bills are finally moving through committee after years of gridlock, and this keeps that momentum alive.”

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

###

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

Federal Funding Delivered by Pressley Would Support Equitable Design and Construction of Infrastructure Improvements in Roxbury

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s unjust cancellation of a $20 million federal grant for the City of Boston’s Roxbury Resiliency Corridors Project. The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grants program, would support the construction of safety improvements at several intersections and provide enhanced mobility for all along sections of Melnea Cass Boulevard, Malcolm X Boulevard, and Warren Street in Roxbury.

“These funds are a critical investment in the Roxbury community, and they have already been authorized and approved,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “The inexplicable cancellation of this competitively awarded grant money, allocated by Congress, to projects that would improve the daily lives of commuters, enhance the climate resilience of communities at risk, and strengthen our communities, is evidence of this Administration’s inability or unwillingness to govern. I am not letting up and I will be working with our state and local partners to push back and attempt to undo this utterly ridiculous attempt from the White House to cancel these funds.”

Rep. Pressley has been advocating for federal funding to support the Roxbury Resiliency Corridors Project and submitted a letter of support for the project to DOT in April 2022.  

More information about the Roxbury Resiliency Corridors Project and the benefits it would bring is available here.  

In March 2021, Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Markey re-introduced the Freedom to Move Act, their legislation to support state and local efforts to establish public transportation as a public good through fare-free services. Last week, Rep. Pressley and Sen. Markey urged the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to make the entire T fare-free for the duration of the Orange Line’s shutdown. 

In October 2019, Rep. Pressley founded the Future of Transportation Caucus, a Congressional caucus focused on centering equity, access, and sustainability in our transportation systems. Rep. Pressley also co-chairs the Congressional Bike Caucus. 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement after voting in support of the 9-week Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open while the House and Senate continue their work on passing appropriations bills. 

“Government shutdowns are unproductive, cost billions, and disrupt the services Americans depend on,” said Congressman Valadao. “Today I voted in support of a short-term Continuing Resolution to keep the government open while Congress continues work on long-term funding bills. As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, I’ll keep working to ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.” 

The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026:

• Funds the government at current levels through November 21, 2025.
• Extends expiring health care programs through the duration of the CR, including community health centers and other public health programs, payments to rural and underserved hospitals, and Medicare telehealth flexibilities.
• Allows the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue providing food assistance to low-income women, infants, and children for the duration of the CR.

Background:

The House and Senate each must pass 12 appropriations bills before September 30th or a Continuing Resolution (CR) to buy more time to find an agreement between the House, Senate, and White House on various funding levels to keep the government open. The House Appropriations Committee passed all 12 bills out of Committee and passed 3 off the House Floor. The Senate has passed 2 of its 12 appropriations bills. Congress now has until November 21, 2025 to find agreement on full-year appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2026. 

###

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

Headline: Following tireless advocacy, Carter celebrates FDA approval for Barth syndrome treatment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today celebrated the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) announcement that it has granted an accelerated approval for Stealth Biotherapeutics’ Barth syndrome treatment, Forzinity (elamipretide HC1).

This landmark decision comes after tireless advocacy from Rep. Carter, who sent a letter to FDA calling on it to approve the drug, which is saving lives in his home state of Georgia. Barth syndrome is an exceedingly rare disease, impacting 150 known individuals in the United States and at least six individuals in the state of Georgia.

“Lives will be saved because of the FDA’s decision today. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are providing a lifeline to patients with Barth syndrome and their families, who have waited long enough for the hope and relief that Forzinity provides. Today’s approval should encourage other makers of treatments for rare diseases to continue to fight to bring their drugs to market, as there is a successful pathway to do so,” said Rep. Carter.

“Our family is deeply grateful for Congressman Carter’s leadership and unwavering advocacy for the approval of elamipretide. His genuine care for the rare disease community, along with his ability to bring both sides of the aisle together for the common good, has been extraordinary. We are equally thankful for the Congressman and his incredible staff, whose support has meant so much to us,” said Haley Bower, aunt of Hope Filchak who currently takes elamipretide through expanded access program. 

###

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

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley released the following statement on his vote against H.Res. 719:

“Political violence has no place in our nation. I have said this before, and I will continue to say it until this scourge has been eliminated from our politics.

“If Republicans proposed a resolution simply condemning political violence and Kirk’s murder, I would have supported it without hesitation, as I have with Representatives Veasey and Pettersen’s resolution. Republicans’ resolution explicitly honored the ‘life and legacy of Charlie Kirk.’ I cannot in good conscience vote to honor a legacy that includes support for the Great Replacement Theory, says that Black women lack brain processing power, calls the Civil Rights Act a mistake, rejects feminism, calls trans people an abomination, and more.

“I will not be party to the Right’s efforts to turn a terrible murder into a cudgel against their opponents. All leaders across the political spectrum must immediately lower the temperature of our political discourse through real action, instead of fanning the flames.”