Rep. Kelly condemns President Trump’s plan to deploy National Guard to Chicago

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following statement condemning President Donald Trump’s plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago. During a briefing in the Oval Office today, President Trump said the National Guard is going to Chicago, but did not specify a timeline.

“President Trump is wasting over $1 million every day for the National Guard to pick up trash on the National Mall in DC. Now, he plans to further misuse taxpayer dollars to send the National Guard to Chicago. We could use that money to fund community violence intervention initiatives, hire and train local police officers, and invest in mental health professionals — all real solutions to crime and gun violence.

“I have successfully fought for and passed CVI funding, but President Trump froze $66 million for the Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative. He closed the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention on Day One of his second term. He, and his Congressional Republicans, have made it easier for people to buy, build, and rig guns with more dangerous features, like forced reset triggers. Let’s call it what it is: President Trump and his deployment of the National Guard is not a plan to reduce crime – it’s a gross abuse of power.”

Rep. Kelly: ‘President Trump has blood on his hands’

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, released the following statement after a gunman killed two children and injured 14 children and three adults at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis:

“I am devastated by the horrific school shooting in Minneapolis. It was the first week of school and 30 minutes into mass service when tragedy struck. My heart is with the families who lost their beautiful children, the injured and traumatized survivors, and the entire grieving community. No parent should drop off their kid at school, wondering if it’s the last time they’ll see them.

“Gun violence in our country is all too common, and it takes many forms. Just this weekend in a Chicago neighborhood, a five-year-old boy unintentionally shot himself when he found an unsecured gun at home. These tragedies, including mass shootings, are preventable – but only if our country’s leaders reject the gun lobby and offer action instead of empty thoughts and prayers. President Trump and his Congressional Republicans have blood on their hands. They’ve made it easier for dangerous people to access guns and made those guns even deadlier by repealing regulation on features like bump stocks and forced reset triggers. Americans need stronger federal gun safety laws right now.”

Golden leads effort to extend ACA marketplace tax credits

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) is leading a bipartisan effort to protect Maine families, seniors and small business owners from massive health care premium price spikes by extending tax credits that help individuals afford health insurance plans on the state’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, CoverME.gov

“Letting the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits expire would raise costs on Maine families. That’s simply not an option,” Golden said. “Mainers who buy private insurance on the ACA marketplace are staring down an average $180 monthly premium increase in January if Congress doesn’t extend these credits, with rural Mainers aged 60-64 facing the steepest increase. Many are likely to lose coverage in the face of this price spike.”

Golden is an original cosponsor of the Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act, introduced last night by Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02). Under current law, the enhanced Premium Tax Credit — established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanded during COVID under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and later extended through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) — is set to expire at the end of this year. The bill would extend the credit through 2026. 

“I’ve always said I’ll work with anyone — Democrat or Republican — to serve my constituents. I’m proud to join Congresswoman Kiggans and this bipartisan coalition to protect Mainers from increased health care costs,” Golden said. 

Because of this income-based premium tax credit, a record 24.2 million people signed up for coverage during open enrollment in 2025. In fact, middle-income enrollees increased from 140,000 in 2021 to 900,000 in 2024. Without this extension, millions of self-employed workers and small business owners will see their premiums increase by more than $11,000 a year. 

According to CoverME.gov, 85 percent of people purchasing plans through Maine’s ACA marketplace receive financial savings through the ACA Premium Tax Credits, and “nearly all CoverME.gov consumers will likely see higher monthly premiums if Congress does not take action to extend, or make permanent, the enhanced tax credits.”

Other original cosponsors include: Democratic Reps. Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Don Davis (NC-01) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), and Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), David Valadao (CA-22), Young Kim (CA-40), Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Thomas Kean (NJ-07), Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27). The group spans members of the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, the Republican Main Street Caucus, and the Bipartisan Problem Solvers’ Caucus — all of which are dedicated to pragmatic legislating and bipartisanship.

Full bill text is available here.

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Congresswoman Maxine Waters Introduces Legislation to Prevent the Spread of HIV in Honor of the U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

Two-Bill Package Funds HIV Prevention Efforts and Improves Access to HIV Prevention Drugs

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, as part of her ongoing HIV/AIDS policy advocacy, introduced the HIV Prevention Now Act (H.R. 5126) and the PrEP and PEP are Prevention Act (H.R. 5127) in the House of Representatives today, in honor of the U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS, which is being held in Washington, DC beginning today, through Sunday, September 7, 2025.

Congresswoman Waters has been spearheading initiatives to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, screening, and treatment since the 1980s. In 1989, she worked with the Clinton administration to establish the Minority AIDS Initiative, which significantly expanded HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts for minority communities that are severely and disproportionately impacted by HIV. Because of her advocacy, the funding for this initiative has increased from the initial appropriation of $156 million in Fiscal Year 1999 to more than $400 million per year today.

“I am deeply concerned by the continuing spread of HIV in communities across the United States,” said Congresswoman Waters. “I am introducing these important HIV prevention bills to ensure that we can prevent new HIV infections, save lives, and stop the spread of HIV.”

The HIV Prevention Now Act (H.R. 5126) will appropriate $2.165 billion in Fiscal Year 2026 for the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This bill would restore HIV prevention funding that was eliminated in President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026.

“Eliminating HIV prevention funding could result in thousands of new HIV infections and would be devastating for our nation’s efforts to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS,” said Congresswoman Waters. “This bill will ensure that CDC’s vital disease prevention efforts will continue to save lives.”

The PrEP and PEP are Prevention Act (H.R. 5127) will require health insurance plans to cover Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) as preventive services, without out-of-pocket costs. PrEP is prescribed for people who are at risk of HIV. It reduces the risk of infection from sex by approximately 99 percent and from injection drug use by at least 74 percent. PEP is prescribed soon after a possible exposure to prevent HIV infection for people who may have been exposed (for example by unprotected sex, sexual assault, sharing needles, or an accidental needle stick).

“PrEP and PEP are extremely effective at preventing HIV infections,” said Congresswoman Waters. “My bill will save lives by requiring health plans to cover these essential drugs for people who need them.”

The PrEP and PEP are Prevention Act (H.R. 5127) was endorsed by NMAC (formerly the National Minority AIDS Council), AIDS United, The AIDS Institute, National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), National Coalition of STD Directors, PrEP4All, and the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute.

The HIV Prevention Now Act (H.R. 5126) was also endorsed by the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute.

“Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ leadership in introducing the PrEP and PEP Prevention Act could not come at a more critical time. With the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations, communities most impacted by HIV cannot afford to lose access to these lifesaving tools. PrEP is not optional—it is an essential component of our nation’s mission to end the HIV epidemic. This bill ensures that prevention remains a priority, and I applaud Congresswoman Waters for standing with the communities most at risk and moving us closer to a future free from HIV,” said Paul Kawata, Executive Director, NMAC.
 
“Legislation like the PrEP and PEP Prevention Act has never been more essential and more needed than it is in this moment. Rep. Maxine Waters understands that we are on the cusp on ending the HIV epidemic in the United States and that we cannot achieve that goal without widespread accessibility to PrEP and PEP. This bill centers the vital importance of HIV prevention efforts and works to increase access to these lifesaving tools without any significant barriers for communities impacted by and vulnerable to HIV,” said Carl Baloney, Jr., AIDS United President & CEO.

“Ending the HIV epidemic has been priority for our nation for over forty years. We are now closer to achieving that goal than ever before, thanks to highly effective HIV prevention medications. The ‘PrEP and PEP Prevention Act’ is necessary to remove barriers to these medications and ensure that the communities and individuals most vulnerable to HIV can protect themselves. The AIDS Institute strongly supports Congresswoman Waters’ introduction of this bill and its enactment,” said Michael Ruppal, Executive Director, The AIDS Institute.

“Congresswoman Maxine Waters has long been a champion for people living with and vulnerable to HIV, and she continues her leadership with the introduction of the PrEP and PEP Prevention Act. This legislation would ensure that communities most impacted by HIV would maintain access to PrEP and PEP – a necessary step if we are to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. We applaud Congresswoman Waters for continuing to prioritize these communities and working tirelessly to end the HIV epidemic once and for all,” said Stephen Lee, Executive Director, NASTAD.

“Access to PrEP is vital for our nation’s health—not just for HIV prevention, but STI prevention as well. Given our ongoing STI epidemic in this country, bills like this are needed ensure this access is protected and individuals received the HIV prevention medication and sexual health testing they need to stay healthy,” said Elizabeth Finely, Interim Executive Director, National Coalition of STD Directors.

“PrEP4All is extremely grateful for Congresswoman Waters’ leadership to protect no-cost access to PrEP and PEP from ongoing threats to preventive health services. American investment in groundbreaking HIV prevention research has provided us with an opportunity to end this terrible epidemic, but innovation means nothing if we can’t get it to the people who need it the most. As one of our greatest long-time HIV champions, Rep. Waters is working to safeguard coverage protections for rigorously evaluated, evidence-based HIV prevention, ensuring that hard working Americans continue to have free access to the medications they need to keep themselves and their communities healthy,” said Jeremiah Johnson, Executive Director, PrEP4All.

“While we strongly support the legislation that requires payers to cover PrEP for people who have insurance, ensuring sufficient and stable funding for the CDC so that health departments, community-based organizations and other grantees can implement HIV and hepatitis prevention programs nationwide is also vitally important,” said Carl Schmid, Executive Director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute. “We commend Congresswoman Waters and her colleagues for introducing these bills and urge the Congress to support them so that we can eventually end HIV and hepatitis in the United States.”

The HIV Prevention Now Act (H.R. 5126) is cosponsored by Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Andre’ Carson (IN-07), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

The PrEP and PEP are Prevention Act (H.R. 5127) is cosponsored by Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Andre’ Carson (IN-07), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

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Colorado Delegation Statement on Decision to Move Space Command HQ

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

WASHINGTON — Today, the full bipartisan, bicameral Colorado Congressional delegation sent out a joint statement on the decision to move Space Command HQ out of Colorado Springs, Colorado to Huntsville, Alabama.

In a statement, the Congressional delegation said:

“Today’s decision to move U.S Space Command’s headquarters out of Colorado and to Alabama will directly harm our state and the nation. We are united in fighting to reverse this decision. Bottom line—moving Space Command headquarters weakens our national security at the worst possible time. 

“Moving Space Command sets our space defense apparatus back years, wastes billions of taxpayer dollars, and hands the advantage to the converging threats of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The Department of Defense Inspector General’s office has reported multiple times that moving the Command will impede our military’s operational capability for years.  

“Space Command’s long-term presence in Colorado Springs has also created a large number of civilian businesses and workers on which the Command now relies. Those people will not simply move with the Command at the military’s whim. Many of them will leave the industry altogether, creating a disruption in the workforce that will take our national defense systems decades to recreate. 

“Being prepared for any threats should be the nation’s top priority; a crucial part of that is keeping in place what is already fully operational. Moving Space Command would not result in any additional operational capabilities than what we have up and running in Colorado Springs now. Colorado Springs is the appropriate home for U.S. Space Command, and we will take the necessary action to keep it there.”

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Congressman Crow Meets Directly with Thousands of Coloradans at 18 Community Events During District Work Period

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

AURORA – This week, Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) capped off a month of successful events, hosting or attending 18 different community visits, town halls, and meet-and-greets, where he connected with thousands of Coloradans to listen to their concerns and learn how he can best serve them in Congress. 

“The most important part of my job is listening directly to Coloradans and understanding how I can best serve them in Congress,” said Congressman Crow. “Throughout the month of August, I’ve met directly with thousands of Coloradan at 18 different events in order to better understand their needs and how I can best fight for them. Nearly everywhere I went, I heard about the need to lower costs, fight for our veterans, and stand up to the Trump Administration. These conversations will continue to guide my work in Washington.”

Congressman Crow’s events included: a town hall in Aurora with Senator Bennet; a press conference with Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood to discuss access to reproductive health services; meeting with union workers to discuss issues impacting labor; and several town halls with important community employers including Comcast, Arapahoe Community College, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Northup Grumman, and COBank. 

Congressman Crow is dedicated to hearing directly from his constituents on the issues that matter to them. These events are part of Congressman Crow’s commitment to host town halls, and add to his total of more than 16 town halls hosted in 2025. He regularly hosts in-person and telephone town halls, as well as student town halls to hear from youth in the community. 

Crow, Colorado Dem Delegation Demands Answers from Trump Admin After Oversight Visit at Immigration Detention Facility in Aurora

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

AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) is leading Colorado’s Democratic congressional delegation, including Representatives Diana DeGette (CO-01), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), in sending a new letter to the Trump administration seeking answers to questions related to the operations of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) federal detention facility in Aurora.

The new effort follows an oversight visit by Crow and other Members of Congress to the GEO-operated facility on August 11, where ICE and U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials were unable to answer many of the Members of Congress’ basic questions regarding the facility, including the number of individuals being held at the facility, how many detainees entered the facility in the week preceding the visit, and what percentage of detainees in the facility have a conviction for a violent crime.

In the letter, Crow, DeGette, Neguse, and Pettersen said: “In making our intent to visit known, we also requested that ICE personnel attend the visit in order to receive and respond to our questions in a fulsome manner. Despite the Department ‘vetting’ this request and sending multiple staff from ICE to this visit, they failed to have staff present who could answer the majority of the questions and repeatedly encouraged us to instead email ICE’s Office of Congressional Relations (OCR). The inevitable delays caused by routing our questions through OCR, rather than the ICE employee leading the oversight visit, prevent meaningful oversight from taking place in a timely manner.”

The Members Continued: “Whether an oversight visit is announced or unannounced, ICE is seemingly more prepared to ensure the spaces we see are mopped – in our case by detainees themselves – than they are with answering members’ questions regarding the treatment of individuals held in detention. We expect your prompt and thorough reply no later than September 5, 2025.”

Since being elected to Congress, Crow has conducted critical oversight of federal facilities to ensure proper use of taxpayer dollars and promote transparency, including Veterans Affairs’ facilities, military bases, and immigration detention centers. Crow has regularly conducted oversight of the GEO ICE detention facility in Aurora. Since 2019, he’s successfully visited the facility 10 times, and his staff have visited over 70 times. Crow also publishes public reports on his website of oversight visits and conditions at the facility.

Crow recently sued the Trump Administration after DHS unlawfully denied him access for an unannounced visit to the same facility in July, violating a federal law. Members of Congress have the right to conduct unannounced or announced oversight visits of federal facilities. Crow and the Colorado Democratic delegation’s visit to the GEO ICE detention facility this month, in August, was an announced visit.

Congressman Crow introduced the Public Oversight of Detention Centers (POD) Act, which would codify existing protections for Members of Congress and designated staff to conduct critical oversight visits to oversee facility operations, including any concerns related to public health and the humane treatment of detained individuals. He also led the push for these existing protections through the FY2020 appropriations process, and though included in annual appropriations legislation, the POD Act would formally codify these protections into law. 

A PDF of the letter can be found here, with full text appearing below: 

Dear Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons:

On August 11, 2025, we conducted a congressional oversight visit of the Denver Contract Detention Facility located in Aurora, Colorado. Although the right of Members of Congress to conduct immediate, unannounced oversight visits of facilities operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is established in U.S. law, we provided advance notice of this visit.[1] Despite the advance notice of this visit, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel were unable to answer many of our questions, and we request answers to those and additional questions outlined in this letter no later than September 5, 2025.

In the Department’s denials to Members of Congress who have attempted unannounced oversight of immigration detention facilities in recent months, the Department has stated that advanced notice is required to “vet visit requests to ensure they are for legitimate purposes.” In making our intent to visit known, we also requested that ICE personnel attend the visit in order to receive and respond to our questions in a fulsome manner. Despite the Department “vetting” this request and sending multiple staff from ICE to this visit, they failed to answer many of our questions and repeatedly encouraged us to instead email ICE’s Office of Congressional Relations (OCR). The inevitable delays caused by routing our questions through OCR, rather than the ICE employee leading the oversight visit, prevent meaningful oversight from taking place in a timely manner. 

We request that you address the following:

  1. What are the top five countries of origin for individuals currently detained at the facility?
  2. Please confirm the total population of detainees detained at the facility disaggregated by gender.
  3. How many detainees entered the facility in the week preceding our visit?
  4. How many detainees left the facility in the week preceding our visit? Of those, how many were deported and how many were released into the community?
  5. Detainees in the facility are classified using a color-coded system that is, in part, based on an individual’s criminal record. Please confirm the number of detainees belonging to each classification at this facility, including high, medium/high, medium/low, and low.
    1. Please describe the system the Department uses to award points and whether the classification system has changed in the last year.
  6. Of the individuals detained at this facility, what percentage do not have a record that includes conviction(s) for a violent crime?
  7. The air conditioning in at least one of the housing pods was not functioning for a period of time in July. How long was the air conditioning not in operation?
    1. When was the decision made to move detainees out of the B2 housing pod as a result, and what other steps were taken to manage the temperature in the facility during that time?
    2. What other housing pods were impacted by this outage?
    3. Did ICE require that GEO staff track the temperature in the housing pods while the air conditioning was not functioning properly? If so, please provide that information.
  8. We have received reports on several occasions of water outages in the facility, including in July and August of this year. On each occasion, how long was the water system not in operation and what was determined to be the cause of the outage?
    1. What efforts were made to provide potable water to impacted detainees?
    2. Was the water provided safe for drinking and personal hygiene?
  9. We understand from GEO staff that counts are occurring in the facility four times per day and that the timing recently changed. During these counts, detainees are in lockdown and may lack access to legal assistance and other resources. Was ICE involved in the decision to change when these counts are conducted and does ICE track how long counts take?
    1. How many counts are contract facilities required to conduct per day?
    2. Has the number of counts completed at this facility increased in recent months? If so, for what reasons?
    3. Why did the timing of these counts change?
  10. Detention standards require that detainees in ICE facilities be able to make calls for free to a specific list of free legal service providers, but otherwise the cost per minute of each call varies by facility. What is the cost, per minute, of domestic and international calls made from this facility?
    1. Is this rate determined by ICE, the GEO Group, or the phone company contracted to provide service at this facility?
    2. Which phone company is contracted to provide service at this facility?
    3. Are detainees provided notice in advance when their access to phones will be limited and under what circumstances is access to phones limited?
  11. Upon entering the facility, detainees are provided with a detention handbook and view a video about their right to legal counsel. In recent months, local legal organizations have been prohibited from conducting regular legal orientation programs that they were previously permitted to hold in this facility. For what reason has ICE prevented the resumption of these programs?
    1. Have previously approved local legal organizations been prohibited from conducting such legal orientation programs at other facilities elsewhere in the U.S.?
    2. If so, please list the facilities and the previously approved local legal organizations.
  12. Posted in multiple places in this facility is a sign reading, “Do You want to Return Home? . . . Requesting to return home now may give you the opportunity to legally enter the United States in the future.” These posters include a phone number to call or the option to speak with an ICE officer. If detainees choose to speak with an ICE officer at this facility, is there a script that the officer follows or a document that outlines the self-deportation process?
    1. If the detainee calls that number, are they connected with an ICE officer?
    2. If so, does the ICE officer on that phone line follow a script or document to explain the self-deportation process, including a potential 3 to 10-year bar from reentry, abandonment of pending adjustment of status applications, and the impact on future visa petitions?
    3. What languages is this service available in?
  13. We have received numerous reports from detainees that they are being pressured to self-deport, including repeat visits by ICE staff – some during the early morning or late-night hours. Are ICE employees directed to initiate conversations with detainees about self-deportation?
    1. If so, please provide the ICE policy guidance that outlines when and how often these conversations are to occur and what information is to be provided to detainees.
  14. An ICE employee confirmed reporting that the former Hudson Correctional Facility in Weld County, Colorado, is under contract with ICE for the purpose of immigration detention. Congressional staff submitted an inquiry to DHS OCR about the status of this facility over two weeks ago and have not received a response. Please confirm when this facility will begin operations.
    1. Will the facility be operated by ICE or by a contract company?
    2. If it is privately operated, which contract company will operate this facility?
    3. What is the contracted capacity and what is the maximum detainee capacity at this facility?
    4. What is the annual value of this contract, and what is the source of funds that will be used to fund this facility’s operations?  
  15. Are there any other facilities in Colorado that are under contract, or under consideration for contract, with ICE for the purpose of immigration detention?
    1. Recent reporting by The Washington Post includes the potential use of both the former Huerfano County Correctional Center in Walsenburg, owned by CoreCivic, and the Southern Ute Indian Adult Detention Center in Ignacio as additional potential immigration detention centers in Colorado.
      1. Will these facilities be operated by ICE or by a contract company?
      2. If they are privately operated, which contract company will operate each new facility?
      3. What is the contracted capacity and what is the maximum detainee capacity at these facilities?
      4. What is the annual value of such contracts, and what is the source of funds that will be used to fund such contracts?
  16. Under the same reported expansion plans, the Denver Contract Detention Facility would see an expansion of beds from 1,360 to a maximum capacity of 1,530. Is this true, and if so, when would this expansion take effect?
    1. How many total beds would these expansion plans bring to the state of Colorado?
  17. In order for our offices to complete casework and help detained individuals communicate with a federal agency, they must sign ICE Form 60-001, commonly referred to as a privacy release form. In recent weeks, ICE officials have prevented Congressional staff from completing privacy release forms during regular oversight visits, stating that “requests for and completion of privacy waivers must be accomplished of the detainee’s own volitation [sic].” Information provided to our staff has been conflicting and has impeded our ability to complete congressional casework. Is it now ICE policy that congressional staff be prohibited from getting completed Form 60-001’s during the course of an oversight visit?
    1. Is it ICE policy that, in order to complete this form prior to a visit from congressional staff, a detainee must either access the form during their time in the legal library and remit it to a congressional office, or have a congressional office mail them the form?
    2. Does ICE policy permit congressional offices to schedule a visitation, or legal visitation, with a detainee in order for our offices to complete Form 60-001? If so, how many days’ notice is required for these visits? If not, why not?
    3. In the absence of an in-person meeting with congressional staff or Members of Congress for the purpose of obtaining signed privacy waivers, who is expected to complete the witness signature section?
  18. On average, how often are detainees being transferred between different facilities and for what purposes are those transfers conducted?
    1. Are transfers conducted on a regular schedule?
    2. If a detainee is going to be transferred, how much notice are they provided before being moved to a new facility?
    3. When detainees are transferred from Aurora to another facility by bus, what is the average length of that journey? Under what length of journey are detainees provided with food, water, or access to a restroom?
  19. Please confirm the current number of medical and mental health staff assigned to the facility, broken down by role (i.e. physician, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, dentist, psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, etc.)?
    1. What is the average wait time for detainees to access medical and mental health care after submitting the request?
    2. How many detainees have been taken by ambulance for emergency treatment over the past six months?
    3. If a detainee has been prescribed medication prior to entering the facility, what steps are taken to ensure continuity of care?
    4. If a detainee presents with a mental health condition upon entry, what services are required to be provided while they are detained at this facility?
  20. How many detainees are currently in segregation/housed in the Restricted Housing Unit, for what stated reasons, and what is the average duration of their stay in segregation?
    1. Please provide that data for the last six months.
  21. What is the current number of ICE and contract staff at the facility assigned to legal visitation coordination, case management, and detainee intake/release?
  22. In the written statement attributed to the ICE Assistant Director of Public Affairs Emily Covington sent to CBS News Colorado on Tuesday, August 12, two local constituents being held at the facility were publicly named. Is this a violation of The Privacy Act of 1974 and/or ICE policy?

Oversight of these federal institutions is a fundamental responsibility for each of us as members of Congress, and immigration detention facilities demand oversight and accountability to ensure that detainees are treated with dignity and respect. However, the administration is creating greater bureaucratic hurdles for our office when attempting to complete casework on behalf of individuals detained at these facilities. Detainees may have legitimate claims for protection and efforts to create lags in the time it takes for members, and our staff, to gain access to this facility or to mail privacy release forms back and forth between detainees and congressional offices, solely serves to delay this process until an individual has inevitably been transferred to another facility or been discouraged from seeking assistance they have every right to.

Whether an oversight visit is announced or unannounced, ICE is seemingly more prepared to ensure the spaces we see are mopped – in our case by detainees themselves – than they are with answering Members’ questions regarding the treatment of individuals held in detention. We expect your prompt and thorough reply no later than September 5, 2025.

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Crow, Bennet Hold Town Hall in Aurora

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

AURORA – More than 500 Coloradans showed up for a town hall Thursday hosted by Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO). During the town hall at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Crow and Bennet answered questions regarding Colorado’s economy, the recent Republican budget bill (H.R.1) that slashes Medicaid and has created a $1 billion deficit in Colorado’s budget this year, and their work in Congress to hold the Trump administration accountable.

“One of the most important parts of my job is speaking directly with Coloradans,” said Congressman Crow. “It was great to speak with hundreds of constituents about my work to lower costs, support our servicemembers and veterans, and hold President Trump accountable. I appreciate everyone who came out to make their voice heard, and thank Senator Bennet for joining me.”

“Tonight’s town hall marks my 14th this year, where I’ve had the opportunity to speak directly with thousands of Coloradans,” said Senator Bennet. “This is my favorite part of the job, and it’s even better to get to do it with my colleague Congressman Jason Crow. Thank you to everyone who came out to make your voices heard.”

Congressman Crow is dedicated to hearing directly from his constituents on the issues that matter most to them. He regularly hosts in-person and telephone town halls, as well as student town halls to hear from youth in the community. This week, Congressman Crow has also hosted town halls and local businesses including Northrop Grumman, CU Anschutz, and Comcast.

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Congressman Crow Works to Protect Reproductive Health Care for Coloradans

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

AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) held a meeting with Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains today in Aurora. He was joined at the roundtable by Jack Teter, Vice President of Government Affairs for PPRM. The conversation coincided with Colorado’s General Assembly holding a Special Session this week to address a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall after the passage of President Trump and Republican’s budget bill, H.R.1.

When the Republican budget bill went into effect, Planned Parenthood was immediately prohibited from serving over 11,000 Colorado Medicaid enrollees. Planned Parenthood provides a wide array of health care services to Coloradans, including contraception, pregnancy tests, cancer screenings, and STD testing. In some states, clinics have been forced to close due to Republican cuts to Medicaid. In addition to serving Colorado, PPRM serves New Mexico and Wyoming. Two-thirds of their health centers are in rural and underserved communities.

“Republican cuts to Medicaid are hurting Colorado and making life harder for working families,” said Congressman Crow. “Taking away access to health care means that tens of thousands of my constituents will lose their insurance or make it harder to receive care. I will continue to fight these cuts and stand with organizations like Planned Parenthood that are serving our community.”

“This law is a cruel and calculated attack on health equity, and it’s having real, devastating consequences for our patients across Colorado. In just the first nine days after the law took effect, nearly 1,000 patients across our region were denied essential care,” said Jack Teter, Vice President of Government Affairs for PPRM. “These are people who couldn’t pick up their birth control, missed time-sensitive abortion care services, or were turned away from cancer screenings and STI treatment. We are grateful for leaders like Congressman Crow, who continue to show bravery in speaking out against this heinous bill and using their platform to defend access to essential health care.” 

Congressman Crow has long worked to protect the critical work of Planned Parenthood, and has consistently supported access to reproductive health care. Earlier this year, he introduced legislation to ensure servicemembers and military families continue to have access to abortion and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments regardless of where they are stationed, including states with extreme abortion bans. Previously, he voted to support the Women’s Health Protection Act. Congressman Crow is committed to protecting health care for the over 5,000 people in his district who rely on Planned Parenthood each year.

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Reps. Garamendi and Whitesides Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Wildfire Response

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) joined Congressman George Whitesides (CA-27) in introducing a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the FireGuard program, which utilizes Department of Defense satellites to detect wildfires and distribute information to firefighting efforts on the ground.

“As California’s Insurance Commissioner, I saw firsthand how destructive wildfires are: lost family members, homes destroyed, and a lifetime of memories turned to ash. Every day, I hoped for new detection tools that would allow us to contain the fires before they got out of hand,” said Rep. Garamendi. “This commonsense bill ensures that firefighters will have every tool at their disposal to fight wildfires and keep our communities safe.”

“Regions like mine understand the existential threat of wildfires, and the need to use every tool at our disposal to detect, track, and prevent fires before they start,” said Rep. Whitesides. “Reauthorizing the FireGuard program will enhance our local, state, and federal wildfire response – especially on the first day a fire starts to spread – and help keep Americans safe.”

“As wildfires become more intense and frequent, we must give fire departments every tool possible to help combat blazes and protect communities,” said Rep. Carbajal. “The bipartisan FireGuard Reauthorization Act will further build on our previous work to leverage Department of Defense capabilities to quickly identify and respond to wildfires.” 

“Colorado is no stranger to wildfires,” said Rep. Crank. “The FireGuard Reauthorization Act will assure our federal, state, and local partners are equipped with detection tools to ensure wildfires are tracked and responded to properly to keep our communities safe.”

The FireGuard Reauthorization Act would:

  • Establish new pathways to review and integrate satellite and aerial data from private, nonprofit, and public sector sources to improve wildfire detection.
  • Require the Department of Defense to inform Congress about the efficacy of the program, including how accurate detections are compared to final fire perimeters, and how quickly alerts reach local responders.
  • Extend the program for five additional years.  

Rep. Garamendi and Whitesides are joined by Reps. Jeff Crank, Jason Crow and Salud Carbajal as original cosponsors.

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