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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) released the following statement on the Republican Government Shutdown: 

“Republicans own this shutdown. They control the House, the Senate, and the White House and yet they chose to shut down the government rather than protect affordable health care for millions of Americans. After forcing through a partisan spending bill that failed in the Senate, Republicans then blocked House Democrats from bringing up a commonsense bill that would have kept the government open, canceled health care cuts, lowered out-of-pocket costs, and protected the affordable care that working families rely on.

“This shutdown makes Donald Trump and Republicans’ priorities clear. First, they passed their Big Ugly Law, which ripped $1.5 trillion out of our health care system, kicked 15 million Americans off their insurance, slashed Medicare and Medicaid, and weakened the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—all to fund massive tax cuts for billionaires. Now, with 24 million Americans facing premium hikes of up to 114 percent, Republicans left town and shut down the government. This is a failure of leadership and a despicable betrayal of working Americans who depend on ACA tax credits to afford health care. 

“In my district alone, more than 61,000 people will see their premiums skyrocket if these tax credits expire, and nearly 40,000 people will lose coverage altogether because of Republicans’ combined cuts to Medicaid and the ACA. People are already paying higher prices because of Trump’s reckless tariffs, and this assault on their health care only makes this crisis worse. 

“This is a sad day for America. My Democratic colleagues and I remain ready to work across the aisle to reopen the government, lower health costs, and protect families. But we will not enable more chaos, destruction, and giveaways to the wealthy at the expense of the American people.

“During this unsettled time, I urge constituents to visit my website chu.house.gov/shutdown for resources and updates. My office is here to help answer questions and provide assistance.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

PASADENA, CA — Yesterday, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) sent a letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in advance of its motion to adopt the recommendations of the Independent After-Action Review of the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades Fires, raising serious concerns about the report’s findings.

The report confirmed that while residents east of Lake Avenue in Altadena were told to evacuate as early as 7:26 p.m., residents west of Lake Avenue — where 18 of the 19 deaths occurred — did not receive an evacuation alert until 3:25 a.m., hours after the first 911 calls from the area.

In her letter, Rep. Chu expressed support for the report’s recommendations to clarify evacuation authority, improve interagency training and coordination, modernize communication and alert systems, and address staffing and equipment shortages. She also raised concerns about unanswered questions, particularly why West Altadena residents, who suffered the greatest losses, did not receive the timely warnings and response they so desperately needed and deserved. Her letter emphasized that the 19 lives lost must be placed at the center of this process, and requested regular updates on the County’s progress implementing these reforms.

“I strongly urge the County to fully implement the recommendations outlined in this report, but also address the unresolved questions,” wrote Rep. Chu. “The County must clarify evacuation authority and documentation, strengthen training and coordination across agencies, and address resource shortfalls by filling vacancies, updating equipment, and ensuring adequate staffing. It must also modernize situational awareness and interoperability so all agencies share real-time data, and improve public communication so warnings are immediate, automatic, and accessible without opt-ins or extra steps during an emergency. These are lifesaving measures that must be implemented with urgency and accountability. Should the Board adopt this report, I request that the County provide regular updates on its progress in implementing these recommendations so that the public can have confidence that these systemic failures are being addressed in a timely and transparent manner. We owe it to the victims, survivors, and their families to ensure that these evacuation delays and failures are never repeated.

The Eaton Fire was the second most destructive wildfire in California’s history, killing 19 residents, destroying 9,500 structures, and displacing more than 20,000 people across Altadena and Pasadena.

To view the full letter click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

PASADENA, C.A. – Today, Los Angeles County officials released an independent after-action review of alerts and evacuations issued during January’s devastating Eaton and Palisades Fires. The report, ordered by the County Board of Supervisors, investigates the severely delayed evacuation alerts for residents in the path of the Eaton Fire. Rep. Chu, who previously called for an independent investigation into these delayed evacuation orders, released the following statement:

“The Independent After-Action Report on the Eaton Fire evacuation delays is disturbing, raising more questions than it answers. For example, the report still does not explain why critical evacuation orders for west Altadena were delayed for hours, even after 911 calls confirmed fire in the area. Without alerts, many residents either went to bed or waited too long to make plans for someone to come help them if they were physically unable to leave on their own. Perhaps most troubling, the report only once mentions the nineteen lives lost in the Eaton Fire. We need a full accounting of how each of these deaths was allowed to happen, and what specific actions officials could have been taken the night of the fire to prevent their deaths.

“The report makes clear that serious changes are needed. I strongly urge the County to act on the recommendations outlined in this report, including clarifying who has authority over evacuation orders, strengthening staffing and training at the Office of Emergency Management, unifying agency communications into a single real-time platform, and ensuring alerts are immediate, automatic, and complete.

“I will be seeking more information from County leaders on how they will implement these reforms, and press for transparency into how west Altadena was left without timely warnings, who was responsible for those delays, and how these failures will be addressed. I will continue pushing for regular public updates and concrete timelines to ensure reforms are implemented before the next disaster strikes.  I will work to ensure that Congress helps our local agencies have the staffing, technology and training they need to keep people safe, such as fully funding FEMA and emergency management grants, supporting wildfire prevention and mitigation programs and investing in modern communications systems so warnings are never delayed again.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

While the Trump administration cuts funding for Minority Serving Institutions, Members of Congress recognize the importance of AANAPISIs in expanding access to higher education for all

Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Emerita Judy Chu (CA-28), First Vice Chair Mark Takano (CA-41), and Chair Grace Meng (NY-06) introduced a bipartisan resolutionrecognizing Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Week, from September 22 – September 28, 2025. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

This week honors the vital role of AANAPISIs in expanding access to quality higher education for American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students. Since its authorization under the 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the AANAPISI program has provided grants to institutions serving AANHPI undergraduate students to help expand their capacity to serve all students. These institutions have played a crucial role in opening the door to higher education for minority students, especially those who are low-income or first-generation. Today, AANAPISIs enroll 46 percent of all AANHPI undergraduate students in the United States, and award over 50 percent of the associate degrees and nearly 45 percent of the bachelor’s degrees attained by all AANHPI college students across the country.

This resolution comes in the wake of the Trump administration’s reckless decision to rescind $350 million in Congressionally-approved funds from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) including AANAPISIs, Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Predominantly Black Institutions. AANAPISIs alone have had over $18 million in grant funding terminated, which will force many to gut support services for students and lay off staff. These cuts will destabilize the education of thousands of students and ultimately harm our nation’s economic future.

“As a former community college educator, I have seen how a quality college education can unlock our students’ full potential. I’ve also seen how so many students of color and low-income students face enormous barriers to pursuing their degrees. AANAPISIs provide critical support to these students, ensuring an equitable access to higher education” said CAPAC Chair Emerita Rep. Judy Chu(CA-28). “President Trump’s slashing of MSI funding will rob millions of their shot at the American Dream. This will hurt not only students of color, but also every single student at these higher education institutions, since all students are able to benefit from these programs. This AANAPISI week and always, I will never stop fighting to ensure MSIs and all students, regardless of background, receive the education they deserve.”

“During AANAPISI week, we celebrate Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions nationwide and the important work they do for our communities,” said Senator Hirono. “As this administration actively works to strip hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding from these important institutions, it is more critical than ever that we reaffirm our commitment to supporting them. I am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this resolution to recognize the importance of AANAPISIs and the role they play in supporting students—expanding opportunities for our youth, while uplifting and connecting students from diverse backgrounds in Hawaii and across the country” said Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI).  

“As a former public school teacher and current member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, I’m glad to be recognizing AANAPISI Week. Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) bridge the gaps in educational opportunities and give underserved communities a fighting chance to succeed – and it is essential that we continue to support and uplift them. Investments in AANAPISIs are investments in the future of our nation and I will continue to fight the Trump administrations illegal attempts to rob AANPI students of the opportunities they deserve. Education is a hallmark of the American Dream that everyone should have equal access to” said CAPAC First Vice Chair, Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41).

“Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions are essential for our communities to access higher education, good jobs and economic opportunities,” said CAPAC Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06). “They enroll nearly half of all AANHPI undergraduate students—the majority of whom are low-income, first generation college students—yet the administration is determined to strip millions of dollars in funding for these institutions. It is a betrayal to our communities and will shut millions of families out of the American Dream. As CAPAC Chair, I will continue fighting to ensure every child has the resources they need to succeed.” 

“I am honored to join our CAPAC colleagues in commemorating Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).  I’ve witnessed how AANAPISI programs are transformative for low-income, first-generation AANHPI students across colleges and universities.  These programs don’t just close equity gaps; they build empowered leaders rooted in community, culture, and purpose.  Investing in AANAPISI strengthens our national economy and workforce, ensuring a more just and prosperous future for all.” said Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng the President of Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE).

The bipartisan resolution text is available here.

The resolution has 38 original cosponsors.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement marking two years since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023:

“Two years ago, Hamas terrorists launched a brutal attack on Israel. They murdered nearly 1,200 men, women, children, and infants, and abducted more than 250 others. The terrorists brutally gunned down young people at a music festival, burned families alive in their homes, slaughtered parents before their children and children before their parents, desecrated the dead, and dragged hundreds of hostages back to Gaza.

“Today we mark two years since the darkest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. We remember every innocent life stolen that day, and we stand with the families who continue to grieve unimaginable loss.

“We are also holding on to hope that the comprehensive deal to bring the last 48 hostages home and end this terrible war can be reached in the coming days. Our European and Arab allies must put pressure on Hamas to agree to the 20-point peace proposal, to release all hostages, living and dead, and to allow desperately needed humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza. And may the world unite behind a shared vision for a more just, peaceful, and prosperous Middle East, building on the promise of the Abraham Accords. 

“May the memories of all who were murdered on October 7, and of all lost in the 732 days since, be a blessing. May the hostages be quickly returned to their families. And may the fighting finally end — so that lasting peace can take root for all people of the Middle East.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) issued a statement on the Republican shutdown that leaves millions of Americans with rising healthcare costs. 

“President Trump and Congressional Republicans just purposefully shut the government down – putting our economy, security, and critical government services at risk. They did so simply to protect their cruel healthcare cuts and make it harder for working people to afford their everyday needs. 

“Republicans have full control of the House, Senate, and White House. While Democrats stayed in Washington to seek a solution, Republicans took an extended vacation at home. This shutdown could have easily been averted, and the responsibility for it lies solely on President Trump and the Republicans’ shoulders.

“There is still a way out of this mess. I call on Congressional Republicans to come back to D.C., put the American people over their extreme agenda, and negotiate in good faith a bipartisan budget that lowers costs and prevents a full-blown healthcare crisis.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

LINCONSHIRE, IL – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair and co-founder of the Abraham Accords Caucus, and Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, were joined by 178 House Democratics in a new letter to Israeli leadership expressing opposition to  possible unilateral annexation of the West Bank.

“As long-standing supporters of the U.S.–Israel relationship, Israel’s security, and Israel’s future, we are deeply opposed to proposals for unilateral annexation of territory in the West Bank,” write the members. “Such a move would not only violate international law but undermine decades of bipartisan U.S. policy and threaten the progress of the Abraham Accords, which offer Israel and its neighbors the opportunity to build a more secure, cooperative, and prosperous regional future.”

The letter was sent to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and was delivered ahead of an anticipated speech by Prime Minister Netanyahu in which unilateral annexation, or steps towards unilateral annexation, might be announced.  Several Israeli Government ministers have been publicly calling for such steps. Prime Minister Netanyahu is also scheduled to meet with President Trump and discuss the matter in the White House on September 29th.

“We are particularly troubled by increasing public calls to unilaterally annex West Bank territory,” the letter continues. “Senior officials from the United Arab Emirates—core partners in the Abraham Accords—have made clear that annexation is a red line, warning it would jeopardize the promise of regional normalization and integration with Israel. Moves toward annexation would undermine Israel’s progress on normalization, prevent international cooperation to rebuild Gaza after this devastating war, risk instability in Jordan, and even further strain ties with key European partners.”

The letter builds on an effort led by House Democrats in 2020 expressing similar concerns over possible Israeli annexation of the West Bank at that time.

“We respectfully urge your government to refrain from steps toward unilateral annexation and to recommit to a negotiated outcome consistent with U.S. policy and the regional vision embodied in the Abraham Accords,” the letter concludes. “That path best safeguards Israel’s security and democratic ideals, advances regional cooperation against shared threats, and offers Israelis and Palestinians the possibility of living side by side in peace and dignity, freed from perpetual attacks on civilians and the threat of war.”  

The full letter is below and linked here.

Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz, and Foreign Minister Sa’ar:

As long-standing supporters of the U.S.–Israel relationship, Israel’s security, and Israel’s future, we are deeply opposed to proposals for unilateral annexation of territory in the West Bank. Such a move would not only violate international law but undermine decades of bipartisan U.S. policy and threaten the progress of the Abraham Accords, which offer Israel and its neighbors the opportunity to build a more secure, cooperative, and prosperous regional future. Unilateral annexation of the West Bank would plunge the region, already reeling from tens of thousands of deaths in the horrific Gaza war, into further chaos and violence.

Hamas’s barbaric October 7 attacks murdered more than a thousand people, including American citizens, and took hundreds of hostages. Israel has the right and obligation, within the requirements of international law, to defend its people and bring every hostage home.

At the same time, longstanding and overwhelmingly bipartisan U.S. policy, as enacted in the bipartisan Israel Relations Normalization Act, supports direct negotiations toward a two-state solution to ensure a future for two peoples living side by side in peace, security, and mutual recognition. We are convinced that unilateral steps by either side, including Israeli annexation of territory in the West Bank or Gaza, would move Israelis and Palestinians further away from negotiations and further away from a just, sustainable peace.

We are particularly troubled by increasing public calls to unilaterally annex West Bank territory. Senior officials from the United Arab Emirates—core partners in the Abraham Accords—have made clear that annexation is a red line, warning it would jeopardize the promise of regional normalization and integration with Israel. Moves toward annexation would undermine Israel’s progress on normalization, prevent international cooperation to rebuild Gaza after this devastating war, risk instability in Jordan, and even further strain ties with key European partners.

We are likewise troubled by statements from ministers within your government contemplating annexation of Gaza or parts of it. Such steps would not only violate international law but exacerbate humanitarian and diplomatic challenges at a moment when broad international support for Israel is at risk.

We respectfully urge your government to refrain from steps toward unilateral annexation and to recommit to a negotiated outcome consistent with U.S. policy and the regional vision embodied in the Abraham Accords. That path best safeguards Israel’s security and democratic ideals, advances regional cooperation against shared threats, and offers Israelis and Palestinians the possibility of living side by side in peace and dignity, freed from perpetual attacks on civilians and the threat of war.

Thank you for your consideration. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement after voting no on Republican proposal to cut healthcare:

“Congressional Republicans are hellbent on making life harder and more expensive for hardworking Americans and their families. They used their One Big Bad Bill to take healthcare from 15 million people, deny food assistance programs to millions of hungry families, and unnecessarily burden our children with $4 trillion plus in additional debt—all to fund more needless tax breaks for billionaires. Meanwhile, American families are paying President Trump’s tariff taxes on everything from groceries and school supplies to clothing, new cars, and new homes.

“Republicans have full control of the House, the Senate, and the White House. With today’s vote, House Republicans make clear that they would rather shut down the government than work with Democrats to lower costs and protect healthcare for millions of American families.

“I will not be complicit with the Republicans’ extreme agenda, nor will I provide a blank check for President Trump and Congressional Republicans to continue raising prices for working people and ripping health care from American families. Today I voted NO on making Americans pay more for groceries, housing, and health care.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-founder and co-chair of the House Abraham Accords Caucus, released the following statement in response to Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and six other countries formally recognizing the State of Palestine: 

“I am a lifelong believer in the legitimacy of the national aspirations of both the Israeli and the Palestinian people. That is why I must unequivocally condemn the premature, misguided, and unhelpful decisions this week by our allies Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and six other countries to formally recognize the State of Palestine. 

“We all want the war in Gaza to end, the hostages held by Hamas returned to their families, and humanitarian aid surged to the people of Gaza so they can finally begin to rebuild their lives and their communities, free from the reign of terror of Hamas and the threat of war with Israel. Extreme pressure must be placed on Hamas to release the hostages and on all parties to agree to stop the fighting and allow both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples to heal and move forward with their lives. 

“But, at this moment, as Hamas continues to hold 48 hostages and refuses to surrender control over Gaza, unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state is too easily seen as a reward for terrorism. Furthermore, unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, outside the context of direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis, offers little more than a political cudgel against Israel. 

“In addition, rather than encouraging Israel to accept a ceasefire, to develop a plan for the day after in Gaza, to suspend actions that undermine the status quo in the West Bank, and to engage with the Palestinians in seeking a path to a future peace, unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state has the unintended effect of legitimizing Israel’s unilateral moves. Extremists in Israel will use these actions to tell Israelis they are alone in the world, while increasing their demands for unilateral annexation of the West Bank and Gaza. 

“As much as our allies might wish otherwise, a secure and successful Palestinian state cannot be created by simple decree. As former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad used to say, Palestine must first be built before it can be recognized. Building strong Palestinian institutions of governance would both strengthen the Authority’s hand in direct negotiations and improve the material lives of Palestinians. 

“I remain firm in my conviction that peace is possible, though likely distant. It will take work. It will take time. And it will certainly require perseverance and resistance against those who prefer continued chaos and violence to real compromise and commitment to peace. 

“Unfortunately, peace will not be brought closer for either Palestinians or Israelis by the actions of our allies. The harsh reality is that meeting Israeli unilateralism with Palestinian unilateralism is not the answer to reckless leadership in Jerusalem, feckless leadership in Ramallah, and inconsistent leadership from the United States. And sadly, any positive role Britain, France, Canada, or Australia could have played to advance regional security has been diminished.

“Our allies, in concert with the U.S., would be more productive working together with the Palestinians towards building credible, incorruptible, and trusted institutions of governance. They should also work with our Arab allies in a unified effort to defeat the enemies of peace –including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the regime in Iran — and clear the path for Palestinians and Israelis to live together in mutual recognition, security, peace, and prosperity.”

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott, Bonamici Urge USDA to Minimize Disruptions to WIC Services for Pregnant Women and Infants During Government Shutdown

Roughly half a million pregnant women and nearly 40 percent of all infants in the United States rely on WIC.