MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the bipartisan Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act, introduced by Representatives Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Blake Moore (R-UT-01), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Rudy Yakym (R-IN-02), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), passed the House Ways and Means Committee by a bipartisan vote of 38-3. The bill will expand access to breakthrough medical devices for Medicare patients and create a streamlined pathway for FDA-designated breakthrough devices to receive transitional Medicare coverage while CMS conducts a review for a permanent coverage determination.

“When the FDA determines a breakthrough medical device is safe and effective, patients shouldn’t have to wait years to benefit from it,” Congresswoman Trahan said. “Too often, seniors are left in limbo after FDA approval while Medicare coverage catches up. The Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act fixes that gap – ensuring that the most innovative, lifesaving devices get to the people who need them most, when they need them most.”

“There is no reason that Medicare patients should have to wait to access breakthrough medical devices already cleared by the FDA. This legislation ensures patients receive the most advanced treatments on the market as soon as possible,” Congressman Moore said. “Easing the pathway for Medicare approval has been a priority of recent administrations, and I am proud that my colleagues and I were able to work together to help open the door for enhanced access to medical innovations.”

“Too often, outdated policies stand between patients and the treatments they need,” Congresswoman DelBene said. “The Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act will modernize Medicare coverage so that when the FDA approves a safe and effective device, seniors can benefit without unnecessary delays. This legislation strengthens access to care, supports American innovation, & helps ensure Medicare keeps pace with today’s medical advances.”

“When a medical device is proven safe and effective, patients shouldn’t have to wait years to access it,” Congressman Yakym said. “This bill ensures that seniors on Medicare can benefit from FDA-designated breakthrough devices right away, while creating a clear path for continued coverage. It’s about cutting red tape, speeding access, and giving hope to those facing serious illnesses. Seniors deserve timely access to the best treatments available, especially when no other options exist.”

“This legislation will help millions of seniors on Medicare by ensuring more timely access to the treatments they need,” Congressman Bilirakis said. “Additionally, there are more than 600 medical device companies in our state working to develop innovative and effective products. I’ve heard from many of these businesses about how these lengthy and unnecessary Medicare coverage delays create a significant barrier in bringing new products to market. This bill is about connecting patients with important devices and technologies quicker. Additionally, it is about encouraging innovation rather than stifling it. Government has to get out of the way and streamline the payment process for effective new devices that can ultimately help improve and save lives.”

Despite receiving FDA breakthrough designation, innovative medical devices face a significant hurdle in gaining Medicare coverage. This delay, often referred to by innovators as the “valley of death,” can last up to five years, hindering patient access to crucial treatments.

The Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act addresses this issue by establishing a clear, expedited pathway. Upon a manufacturer’s application, the bill provides four years of transitional Medicare coverage for breakthrough devices. During this temporary period, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is mandated to make a permanent coverage determination. This legislative measure aims to encourage the market entry of more innovative medical devices and ensure quicker access to these treatments for Medicare patients.

The text of the legislation can be found HERE.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Judy Chu (CA-28) and André Carson (IN-07) today introduced a resolution recognizing the tragedy of the September 11th attacks, and the hatred, xenophobia, and racism that have plagued Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities across America since the attack.

“On September 11th, 2001, we lost thousands of lives to the worst terrorist attack to ever happen on American soil. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost in the attack and more than 4,500 others have died since from related illnesses – this day irrevocably changed our country and its impact is still felt. As we mark this tragic day, we must also reflect on the lasting damages faced by Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities in the aftermath,” said Jayapal. “The murders of Balbir Singh Sodhi, Waqar Hassan, and Adel Karas in the days following the attack were shocking displays of hatred. Xenophobia and racism have no place in this country, and today we recognize the shared trauma that these communities faced as they experienced stigma, discrimination, and losses of liberty.”

“Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities have carried the double burden of mourning the horrific 9/11 attacks and subsequently being treated with suspicion and hostility in its aftermath,” said Omar. “They were spied on, harassed, and painted as threats by their own government, all while facing hate and violence in their daily lives. That pain continues today. This resolution is about finally acknowledging those injustices and committing to ending the discriminatory policies that made them possible. No one should ever be targeted by their government because of who they are, how they pray, or where their family comes from.”

“In the years since 9/11, our Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities have endured persistent racism, xenophobia, and discrimination. It’s long past time for our government to acknowledge the trauma it has and continues to inflict on our communities through the harmful policies, racial profiling, and unjust targeting of so many of our neighbors,” said Congresswoman Tlaib. “The road to truth and reconciliation is long, but this resolution is the first step towards the justice and healing that our communities deserve.”

“September 11th was a day of unspeakable tragedy. But in the aftermath of this tragedy, too many channeled that pain and anger into hate directed at Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities. Twenty-four years later, these communities still face suspicion, violence, and government overreach that betray our nation’s core promises of justice and equality. As we honor the lives lost on that day, we must also confront the discrimination that followed and ensure that no community is ever treated as suspect because of who they are or where they come from,” said Rep. Judy Chu.

“Each year, the anniversary of 9/11 is a chance to reflect, especially for our first responders, their families, and all who witnessed that fateful day,” said Congressman Carson. “We must also heal from the painful aftermath for the Muslim American community, who experienced a rise in hate crimes and discrimination – including hate against Muslim American first responders. This resolution calls for a community-based approach to reduce acts of hate, support Muslim Americans, and help our entire country continue to move forward.”

The resolution puts forward a series of recommendations to support those affected by the hateful profiling and targeting that has occurred during the 20 years since the September 11 attack, including:

• Calling for the creation of an independent commission to work with community-based organizations to review government policies, investigate and document their impact, and provide recommendations to dismantle those policies that continue to profile and unfairly target these communities;
• Calling for hearings by congressional and civil rights bodies to explore the findings and recommendations of this independent commission in consultation with and centering community-based organizations;
• Supporting allocating resources to community-based organizations outside and independent of law enforcement that center the experiences and demands of Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities to both support hate crime prevention and the needs of victims of hate and State violence, including language support, mental health, comprehensive support, system navigation, and crisis response and recovery; and create alternatives to law enforcement and transformative justice programs that are culturally and linguistically accessible and focus on vulnerable populations within these communities; and
• Calling on the National Institute of Health and the National Science Foundation to work together to study the impact of hate, government targeting, political rhetoric, and profiling on physical and mental health.

Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities have long experienced discrimination and violence in the U.S., which intensified after the attacks. Just during the first month after the attack, community organizations documented 945 incidents of bias and hate against Americans perceived to be of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent. This climate of hate also led to bullying and violence in their everyday lives and in their workplaces, businesses, community centers, and houses of worship.

The government also targeted Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities with overreaching policing, surveillance, and criminalization policies that resulted in wrongful interrogation, coercion, detention, deportation, arrest, and incarceration. Principles like due process, presumption of innocence, and evidence of wrongdoing were replaced with humiliation, mob mentality, and guilt by association. Border officials and government authorities also cast aside constitutional rights and engaged in discriminatory searches and seizures. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and immigration authorities arrested and detained as many as 1,200 Muslims immediately after the September 11 attack, and none of these “special interest” detained people were ultimately indicted for terrorist activity. This hate and government targeting impacted the ability of these communities to exercise their constitutionally protected rights, including to organize, speak, travel, and worship freely.

The resolution is needed now more than ever, as Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities continue to experience rising discrimination and violence as a result of the Trump Administration’s immigration policies and in the aftermath of the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

In addition to the co-leads, this resolution is sponsored by Jim Costa (CA-21), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), and Lateefah Simon (CA-12).

It is endorsed by AAPI Equity Alliance; American Humanist Association; Arab American Institute; Alliance of South Asians Taking Action (ASATA); Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF); Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC; Asian Law Alliance; Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA); Asian Pacific Islanders Civic Action Network of Massachusetts (APIs CAN); AFL-CIO; Chinese for Affirmative Action; Coalition for Civil Freedoms (CCF); Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR); Defending Rights & Dissent; Friends Committee on National Legislation; Hindus for Human Rights; Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), Legacies of War; Muslim Civic Coalition; Muslim Advocates; Muslim Justice League; Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC); Muslims for Just Futures; National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA); National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD); National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC); National Iranian American Council (NIAC); OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates; Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus; Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign; Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF); South Asian Network; Stop AAPI Hate; Tending Futures; The Sikh Coalition; and United Church of Christ.

Issues: Civil Rights, Foreign Affairs & National Security

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

This week, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) is fighting for legislation that drastically lowers health care costs for working families in Northwest Washington state.

“More than 25,000 people in Northwest Washington state will see their health care costs skyrocket in 2026 and health care costs for everyone will go up unless Congress takes action,” said Rep. Larsen. “Republicans creating a health care crisis is unacceptable.”

In Northwest Washington state, more than 25,000 residents receive tax credits averaging $1,325 per person per year to be able to afford insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If Congress does not extend those tax credits before December 31, 2025, those residents will see their average net premium costs increase by sixty percent. It will cause an estimated 80,000 people across Washington state to lose their health insurance, further straining the health care system and increasing costs for all.

Last month, Rep. Larsen met with Kathryn Sutton, a Bellingham resident who owns a small business with her husband and relies on the ACA tax credit to afford health insurance. “This year, with the premium tax credit, [my husband and I] are paying about $30,000 for our insurance for our family,” said Mrs. Sutton. “Next year we anticipate without the credits that we’re looking at anywhere from $50-55,000 a year for insurance… We have been fiscally conservative all our life, we don’t have any debt, we are working hard to get our kids through college, and to be in a position I can’t even afford basic insurance… it’s frustrating.”

A recording of Mrs. Sutton’s full story is available here.

Other Northwest Washington state residents shared their stories about the importance of the ACA tax credit anonymously:

Snohomish County: “My husband’s kidneys failed the week we were moving to Washington. I’m now the sole earner, and with autoimmune conditions of my own I cannot work full time. I’m the sole earner and my husband is now on Medicare at 52 as he does dialysis for 4.5 hours 3 days/week. It leaves him weak and dizzy. I sincerely don’t know how we’d make it without subsidies. I really don’t. I’m trying not to dwell on what that would mean for us. Please don’t allow these lawmakers to stop this support, it will be detrimental for millions of people, including most that are worse off than we are.”

Island County: “I work as a Pizza Delivery Driver or I used to at a papa johns, but they have since changed me to an instore and cut my hours back as of the last few weeks my last paycheck was about 400 USD, so yea my monthly bills are currently 800 USD(rent, food, gas, health insurance), if this credit is removed then my monthly bills will jump to 1300 USD, if this happens I will go broke, & I don’t know what I’ll do. I am very scared now.”

Whatcom County: “I would not have been able to become the successful small business owner I am without subsidized health care. As a female in my 50s the rates for healthcare were prohibitive, and I didn’t have the capital to spend that much while launching my business. Each year, as my business becomes more successful, the subsidy reduces.”

“Sixty-one percent of Americans oppose the Big Ugly Law because it takes health care away from 17 million people and shuts down rural hospitals,” said Rep. Larsen. “Now, Republicans are doubling down on taking health care away from hard-working people in their government funding bill. I will continue to fight to lower the cost of health care and the cost of living for the families I represent.”

Families in Northwest Washington state are already feeling the impact of the Big Ugly Law as health care providers brace for the impact of funding cuts.

• Providence Swedish laid off more than 100 nursing assistants in Everett, citing cuts to Medicaid and Medicare in the Big Ugly Law as part of the reason for the decision.
• Seattle Children’s Hospital laid off staff in Everett because of federal funding cuts in the Big Ugly Law.
• Island Health in Anacortes expects Big Ugly Law funding cuts to cost millions, threatening its long-term sustainability. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) reintroduced their Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2025 to help prevent bullying and harassment at colleges and universities around the country. The bill would require colleges and universities receiving federal funds to establish anti-harassment policies to prohibit harassment based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or religion, and it would require schools to recognize cyberbullying as a form of harassment.

September 22nd marks the anniversary of the death of Tyler Clementi, a freshman at Rutgers University, who tragically lost his life to suicide in 2010 after his roommate and another student invaded his privacy and harassed him over his sexual orientation. Senator Murray has long led the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, introducing it over many successive Congresses. 

“No one should be bullied or harassed simply because of who they are or who they love,” said Representative Pocan. “It’s been 15 years since we lost Tyler, and today we honor his life by reintroducing the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act to ensure that every student can learn in peace, free from harmful harassment and discrimination just for being themselves.”

“Every student deserves to feel safe at school, end of story—and no one should ever be harassed for who they are or who they love. But too many students on college campuses today still face bullying and persistent harassment that can stop them from reaching their full potential. Right now, federal law doesn’t require schools to adopt comprehensive anti-harassment policies, and that needs to change,” said Senator Murray. “Our legislation will help make sure every student can pursue a higher education, free from bullying and discrimination—and that schools have the resources they need to prevent harassment. I’m proud to honor Tyler Clementi’s life by renewing our bicameral push to pass this critical legislation.”

“Every student deserves the freedom to be safe at school, regardless of who they are,” said Senator Baldwin. “We need to honor Tyler’s life and legacy and take this step to prevent other young people from suffering the same fate. No young person should have to deal with discrimination, harassment, or bullying on campuses, and our bill will help make that a reality.”  

Students across the country continue to face widespread bullying and harassment on college campuses, and studies have consistently found that LGBTQ+ students are more likely to experience harassment in higher education than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. A report published in 2022 found that one-third of LGBTQ+ students at four-year colleges were bullied, harassed, or assaulted, and 19% of their non-LGBTQ+ peers were similarly mistreated. This widespread harassment has detrimental effects on students’ well-being and educational opportunities. The same 2022 report found that 35% of LGBTQ+ students said their mental health was not good all or most of the time they were in college. According to the Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, LGBTQ+ youth continue to experience a significantly higher risk of suicide—with 39 percent of LGBTQ youth seriously considering attempting suicide in 2024.

The Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act would help protect students from campus bullying and harassment and address this widespread issue by:

• Requiring colleges and universities that receive federal funds to adopt anti-harassment policies, which includes harassment that occurs over electronic communication or is based on a student’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, and a sex stereotype), disability, or religion.
• Requiring schools to distribute their anti-harassment policy to all students and employees, including prospective students and employees, upon request.
• Requiring schools to recognize cyberbullying as a form of harassment; and
• Creating a competitive grant program to help colleges and universities start or expand programs to prevent harassment and provide counseling services to students who have experienced harassment.

“The Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act is a much needed piece of legislation to end online and offline bullying, harassment, and intimidation at colleges and universities.  We are grateful to Congressperson Pocan, and Senators Murray and Baldwin for their continued leadership in championing the care and safety of all our youths,” said Jane Clementi, she/her/hers, CEO and Co-Founder of the Tyler Clementi Foundation and Tyler’s mom. “Bullying and harassment is still a very real problem, and we fully support this bill. Every student deserves a positive educational experience in a safe environment free of harassment, bullying or humiliation where they can learn, study and thrive regardless of their actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion; and every parent’s mind should be at peace that their children will be protected and free of harm while in the school’s care.”

“All LGBTQI+ college students deserve the right to learn in a safe and supportive environment,” said Shiwali Patel, senior director of education justice at the National Women’s Law Center. “At a time when attacks on the community are rising and the Trump administration is weakening civil rights protections, it is more critical than ever to enact policies that explicitly prohibit all forms of harassment at colleges. We are grateful to Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) for reintroducing the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, which is a needed step toward ensuring all students can learn free from fear and discrimination.”

“Harassment and bullying in any form can have detrimental impacts on the lives of young people. More than ever, our youth and young adults require support and protection against all forms of harassment, bullying, and hatred,” said Allen Morris, Director of Policy at the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund. “The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund is honored to support the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, which aims to combat harassment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. With the rise in suicide rates and the fear so many parents hold when our children are away learning, there’s no time like the present for action. We are proud of Senator Murray for valuing Tyler’s life and championing this meaningful legislation. Tyler’s untimely passing underscores the need for accountability and oversight. We urge bipartisan support for protecting students by passing legislation that creates measures to reduce harm, build trust, and ensure a moral imperative of dignity for current and future generations.” 

21 Senators joined Senators Murray and Baldwin in introducing the legislation today, including: Senators Blumenthal, Booker, Duckworth, Fetterman, Gillibrand, Hassan, Hirono, Kaine, Klobuchar, Lujan, Markey, Merkley, Padilla, Sanders, Schatz, Shaheen, Smith, Van Hollen, Warren, Whitehouse, Wyden. 

70 Representatives joined Representative Pocan in introducing the legislation today: Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Becca Balint (D-VT), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Troy Carter (D-LA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Angie Craig (D-MN), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Danny Davis (D-IL), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Bill Foster (D-IL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Henry “Hank” Hankson, Jr. (D-GA), William Keating (D-MA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Tim Kennedy (D-NY), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Summer Lee (D-PA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), April McClain Delaney (D-MD), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Joe Morelle (D-NY), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Frank Mrvan (D-IN), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Patrick Ryan (D-NY), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Nikema Williams (D-GA), Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

The Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2025 is endorsed by: the Tyler Clementi Foundation, the National Women’s Law Center, the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, GLSEN, ADL, AFSP, the Human Rights Campaign, The Trevor Project, and the American College Health Association.

A one-pager on the legislation is available HERE.

Legislative text is available HERE.

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

Headline: Newhouse Commends DOE for Finalizing Approval of Hanford Waste Treatment Plant Operations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement upon the United States Department of Energy (DOE) approving the start of operations of the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) on October 15, 2025. 

“Despite unsubstantiated rumors and speculation, this morning’s signed approval from DOE is confirmation of what Secretary Wright told me multiple times over the past 10 days, that there will be no delays to the start of the Waste Treatment Plant. I have consistently championed funding for the DFLAW program, and I look forward to seeing Hanford achieve this milestone and enter its next chapter in the cleanup mission,” said Rep. Newhouse. 

Yesterday evening, Deputy Secretary James Danly signed the Critical Decision 4 (CD-4), which is the final approval needed to start the operations of the WTP at Hanford and begin vitrification of low-activity waste.

On Tuesday, September 9, DOE Secretary Chris Wright issued a statement countering inaccurate news reports that the WTP would be delayed past the October 15 deadline as required by the Washington v. Wright consent decree.  

To ease concerns of stakeholders and residents in the Tri-Cities, Rep. Newhouse requested Secretary Wright issue a new statement reaffirming that there would be no delays in operation, which the Secretary did on Thursday, September 11. 

Representative Newhouse has supported the Hanford mission, including the DFLAW program, for his entire tenure in Congress and will continue to provide the resources needed to continue the cleanup efforts. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom McClintock Representing the 4th District of California

Statement by Rep. Tom McClintock on the Ilhan Omar censure resolution:  Ilhan Omar’s comments regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk are vile and contemptible. They deserve the harshest criticism of every man and woman of good will. But this disgusting and hateful speech is still speech and is protected by our First Amendment. Censure is formal punishment by the House and we have already gone too far down this road.  Omar’s comments were not made in the House and even if they were, they broke no House rules. A free society depends on tolerating ALL speech — even hateful speech — confident that the best way to sort good from evil is to put the two side by side and trust the people to know the difference. Congress exists for this purpose. For this reason, I voted to table the censure resolution.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

The Congressman also joined environmental advocates and Senate and House climate leaders to forcefully push back against science denialism. Watch his remarks here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  As the Trump administration continues to flout federal law, Democratic members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), and Danny Davis (IL-04) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons demanding answers on the conditions, capacity, and basic services for immigrants held at the Broadview ICE Processing Center in Illinois. 

On June 18, after receiving reports of abuses and misuse of a processing center to detain people in inhumane conditions, the Members tried to conduct an oversight visit but were unlawfully denied access, even after documenting their identity. Members of Congress have the right to conduct oversight and enter any facility operated by or for DHS used to detain or house immigrants without previous notice. Since then, they continue to receive reports about community members detained in the facility in deplorable conditions that violate their human and legal rights as well as state laws that prohibit existence of detention centers

In the letter, the Members state “we sought access to the Broadview facility because of credible reports that the facility was being used to unlawfully detain immigrants, including our constituents. The reports suggested that people are being detained for prolonged periods of time without access to basic necessities and legal counsel. One person detained there detailed how she was one of approximately 30 women who were held in a room with no beds, no blankets and very little food. She and her fellow detainees had to sleep on the floor and had no access to showers or any hygiene products.”

The Members demand that DHS and ICE respond to questions including the facility’s total holding capacity, how many people they actually have in custody, how the center will be utilized in connection to Operation Midway Blitz, what medical care is provided at the facility, and what process exists for people to communicate with their lawyers and family members.  

“We take our responsibility to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States seriously, even if you do not. We continue to be deeply concerned about the conditions at the Broadview facility, and we will not be deterred by your refusal to comply with the law.”

A copy of the full letter can be found here.  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

Bills address child identity fraud, Social Security benefit clarity, and renewal of Hospital at Home program