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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

Lofgren and Booker Reiterate the Call to Bring Mahmood Habibi Home

SAN JOSE, CA – Today, ahead of the 3^rd anniversary of Mahmood Habibi’s arrest, U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued a statement on their intent to reintroduce a bicameral resolution to reiterate the call to bring Mahmood Habibi home. 

“It is horrendous that Mahmood Habibi is still unlawfully being held by the Taliban. I condemn the Taliban’s actions in capturing and holding Mahmood, and I stand with his family in calling for his immediate release and will continue to do so until he is safely home. I ask anyone with information to come forward to aid in Mahmood’s safe return,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren.

“This Sunday marks three years since Mahmood Habibi, a United States citizen and loving husband and father, was unlawfully arrested by the Taliban,” said Senator Booker. “President Trump and the executive branch must keep working to secure his release and reunite him with his family. I am committed to bringing Mahmood home, and will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to demand the immediate release of every single American wrongfully detained abroad.”

Mahmood’s wife, Zulhija Khan, lives in Soledad, CA – in California’s 18^th Congressional District. His father, Ahmadullah Habibi attended the 2024 State of the Union address as Rep. Lofgren’s guest. In March 2024, Rep. Lofgren introduced a House Resolution demanding Mahmood Habibi’s immediate and unconditional release.

“We are grateful to Rep. Lofgren and Sen. Booker for standing with our family in fighting for my brother’s freedom. He is an innocent U.S. citizen and the Taliban’s denials they arrested him are directly contradicted by witness statements and technical evidence in the possession of the US government,” said Ahmad Habibi, Mahmood’s brother and a resident of New Jersey.

The U.S. State Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation recently announced a $5 million reward for the location, recovery, and return of Mahmood Habibi under the Rewards for Justice program.

Background

Mahmood Habibi, a U.S. citizen, was arrested in Kabul, Afghanistan by the Taliban’s security service, the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) because the Taliban believed he was involved in the U.S. drone strike that killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri on July 31, 2022. Prior to his abduction, Mahmood worked for a U.S.-based telecommunications company in charge of operating Afghanistan’s civilian airport infrastructure, such as radar and air traffic control. On August 10, 2022, Mahmood and 30 of his colleagues were arrested by the GDI. All those arrested by the GDI were subsequently released, except for Mahmood and one of his colleagues. According to Mahmood’s family, the Taliban continues to make unsubstantiated claims that they are not holding him that are easily contradicted by numerous witness statements and technical evidence in the possession of the US government. His family is confident that Mahmood is alive and remains in Taliban custody.

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

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, and Congressman Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee, launched a formal investigation into Flock Group Inc. over its role in enabling invasive surveillance practices that threaten the privacy, safety, and civil liberties of women, immigrants, and other vulnerable Americans. The investigation follows alarming reports that Flock’s automatic license plate reader (ALPR) system, marketed as a public safety tool, has been exploited by law enforcement to track women across state lines, including into Illinois, following abortion care and to conduct unauthorized immigration enforcement in jurisdictions with sanctuary protections.

“Flock Group Inc. cannot claim to protect public safety while enabling surveillance that undermines reproductive freedom and civil rights,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “When ALPR is used to undermine local public safety laws, it erodes trust and violates the very policies meant to protect our communities. This investigation is about ensuring Americans are not tracked, targeted, or prosecuted simply for exercising their rights.”

The joint letter from Congressmen Krishnamoorthi and Garcia highlights a disturbing case in which a Texas sheriff’s office used Flock’s “National Lookup” tool to search for a woman who accessed reproductive care by entering “had an abortion, search for female.” The search reportedly spanned over 6,800 networks and pulled data from more than 83,000 cameras, including in Illinois and Washington, states where abortion remains legal. One jurisdiction whose data was accessed, the Mount Prospect Police Department in Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s home state of Illinois, later withdrew from the program, calling the search a “misuse” of its systems.

The letter also raises serious concerns about the use of Flock data for immigration enforcement. Recently, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) analyst reportedly accessed Richmond, Virginia’s Flock network to conduct immigration-related queries, despite the city’s explicit policy barring such cooperation with federal agencies. Richmond has since blocked federal access to its Flock data.

Ranking Members Krishnamoorthi and Garcia wrote that these actions represent “a gross misuse and abuse of surveillance technology.” They went on to warn that “individuals cannot choose whether their license plate data is collected and scanned by Flock,” and that this information “becomes accessible to local officials from unrelated jurisdictions across the country.”

The Ranking Members are requesting a full briefing and production of documents from Flock by late July. Specific requests include:

• A full accounting of all National Lookup searches involving the terms “abortion,” “ICE,” or “CBP”
• Contracts or communications between Flock and Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• Internal policies governing data access, justification requirements, and enforcement protocols
• Documentation of any action taken to address misuse or violations of Flock’s “Ethical Creed”

This investigation builds on Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi’s longstanding oversight of data privacy, civil liberties, and post-Roe v. Wade surveillance concerns, and reflects a growing effort to hold technology companies accountable for the real-world consequences of their tools.

The full letter is available here.

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

ROSEMONT, IL – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) joined American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 members, retirees, and community leaders in Rosemont to condemn the Republican budget reconciliation package recently signed into law by President Donald Trump. The event, part of AFSCME’s national August recess tour, highlighted the devastating consequences of the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which enacted the largest rollback of health coverage in modern U.S. history. Speaking alongside long-term care workers, Medicaid eligibility and SNAP caseworkers, public health employees, and retired public sector workers, Congressman Krishnamoorthi underscored how the new law will strip coverage from millions, destabilize health infrastructure, and threaten the jobs of frontline caregivers—all while giving permanent tax breaks to billionaires.

“This law doesn’t just kick people off their insurance; it kicks them when they’re down,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “It punishes working parents, seniors, and caregivers to reward the ultra-wealthy. I voted no because health care should be a right, not a bargaining chip for billionaires. I’m proud to stand with AFSCME, a union that never stops fighting for working people and the care they deserve.”

Up to 17 million Americans, including as many as 714,000 Illinoisans, could lose health insurance under the law’s provisions, according to nonpartisan estimates. Harsh new Medicaid work requirements are expected to cause coverage loss even among those who are already working or qualify for exemptions, due to bureaucratic barriers and administrative red tape. Meanwhile, the bill’s changes will increase Medicare out-of-pocket costs for low-income seniors and jeopardize public health services, especially in rural and underserved communities.

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

ST. CHARLES, IL — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) issued the following statement condemning the bomb threat targeting members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus staying in St. Charles, Illinois—located in his congressional district:

“A threat of violence against public officials is an attack on the very foundations of our democracy. I’m grateful no one was harmed and thank law enforcement and Governor Pritzker for their swift response to keep everyone safe. I stand with the Texas lawmakers who are bravely defending free and fair elections in the face of intimidation. In a democracy, we resolve our differences with votes—not violence.”

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced a resolution declaring that Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted sex trafficker and longtime co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, must not receive a presidential pardon, commutation, or any other form of clemency. The legislation follows recent revelations that Maxwell is seeking clemency in exchange for testimony about Epstein. In a recent letter to the House Oversight Committee, Maxwell’s attorney stated that she would be “willing and eager to testify openly and honestly…if she were to receive clemency,” but otherwise would remain silent.

“Ghislaine Maxwell enabled one of the most appalling child exploitation networks in modern history. Her conviction was not only just, it was necessary,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “The idea that she could now bargain for clemency insults every survivor and undermines our justice system. The message must be clear: no one gets to traffic children and then negotiate their way out of accountability.”

The resolution comes amid continued efforts by the Trump administration to block the public release of the Epstein files, raising broader concerns about transparency, accountability, and potential political interference. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on multiple charges, including sex trafficking of minors, for her role in grooming and transporting girls to be abused by Epstein and others. Currently, she is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi was joined in introducing the resolution by Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Lou Correa (D-CA), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Dina Titus (D-NV), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), and Eric Swalwell (D-CA).

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) partnered with his bipartisan colleagues to reintroduce the Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act, landmark bipartisan legislation to prohibit Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading individual stocks, securities, commodities, or futures. Joining the congressman in introducing the bill were Reps. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Josh Riley (D-NY), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA).

“When Members of Congress hold financial assets that stand to be affected by their own policy decisions, it creates not just the appearance, but often the reality, of a conflict of interest,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “The ETHICS Act is the most comprehensive reform ever proposed to eliminate those conflicts and restore Americans’ trust that their elected representatives are working for the public good, not personal gain.”

“The American people need to know that when their elected officials are making decisions, they’re doing so based on what’s best for the country, not what’s best for their own stock portfolios,” Congressman Cloud said. “The ETHICS Act brings long-overdue reform that bans Members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks. Reforms like this help shift the focus back to where it belongs—the American people.”

“Upstate New York knows what it’s like to be sold out by greed on Wall Street and corruption in our politics,” Congressman Riley said. “That’s why I want to ban corporate PAC money from influencing our elections, impose term limits, and crack down on self-dealing in Congress. I’m proud to introduce the ETHICS Act alongside a bipartisan group of colleagues to ban Members from trading stocks. If you’re in Congress, you should focus on serving the people, not yourself.”

“When it comes to owning and trading stocks, Members of Congress must be above reproach,” Congresswoman Kiggans said. “The ETHICS Act will ensure no Member of Congress can use their power and position to enrich themselves. When more and more Americans are losing trust in our institutions, including Congress, this bipartisan bill is one way we can begin to restore that trust.”

According to the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center, before the stock market was shaken by the onset of the global pandemic, dozens of House and Senate members made over a thousand financial transactions after receiving closed-door briefings. In 2022, Members of Congress made more than 12,700 individual trades, with dozens of members making above-average gains as Wall Street saw its worst year since 2008. A 2022 New York Times investigation reported a fifth of all lawmakers trading in companies directly related to their work on a congressional committee. Even in a divided political climate, polling consistently shows that 70 percent of voters support banning members of Congress from holding individual stocks, including majorities of Democratic, Independent, and Republican voters.

The ETHICS Act would bar members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading individual stocks, securities, commodities, or futures. Lawmakers often have advance notice of investigations, hearings, and legislation that can impact stock prices or can move markets by supporting or enacting policy changes that affect specific companies or industries. The legislation gives several options to members of Congress who own covered assets, including divesting, diversifying into allowable assets, such as mutual funds, or placing assets into a Qualified Blind Trust (QBT). The ETHICS Act addresses concerns about Qualified Blind Trusts not being truly blind with new, enhanced provisions requiring divestiture of assets that go into the Qualified Blind Trust. The ETHICS Act strengthens congressional ethics, bans conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest, and increases transparency in Congress.

The ETHICS Act includes strong penalties with enforcement by respective Congressional Ethics Offices. If Members or their covered family members continue to hold or trade in violation of the Act, the fine will be at least the value of the Members’ monthly pay. The ETHICS Act also expands on disclosure requirements under 2012’s Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

COLUMBUS, OH – Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) hosted “Medicaid & Medicare Matter: From Coverage to Crisis,” a roundtable discussion with Central Ohio health policy advocates, county health officials, and community leaders to examine the real-life consequences of historic Medicaid cuts enacted by Republicans’ H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

Marking the 60th anniversary of the enactment of Medicaid and Medicare, the event spotlighted the critical role these programs play in ensuring access to health care for millions of Americans and the implications OBBBA’s devastating cuts will have on individuals, families, and health systems in Ohio and across the country.

For Congresswoman Beatty, a long-time health equity advocate, “This isn’t policy—it’s personal. These cuts will strip coverage, bankrupt families, and shut down vital care facilities across Ohio,” Beatty said. 

“Just weeks ago, President Trump signed into law what he calls the One Big Beautiful Bill. But there is nothing beautiful about stripping health care from millions of Americans. That’s why House Democrats and I call it what it truly is: the One Big Ugly Law,” said Beatty.

Featured panelists included:

• Joy Bivens – Franklin County Deputy County Administrator of Department of Health and Human Services
• Fran Ryan – Former Columbus City Councilmember and Community Leader
• Anthony Trotman – Public Sector Executive; Medicaid Policy Advisor; and former Director of the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services
• Katie White  – Administrator of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
• State Senator Beth Liston, MD, PhD – Virtual Appearance – A physician, educator and Assistant Minority Whip of the Ohio Senate who serves as the Ranking Member of the Medicaid Committee, the Health Committee, and the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee. 

In addition to discussing OBBBA’s Medicaid cuts, participants also addressed the importance of protecting Medicare from future threats and how the two programs often work together to ensure health care access for seniors. Taken together, OBBBA’s policies will have significant consequences for health care delivery across Ohio at both the state and county levels. Following a moderated panel discussion on these topics, Central Ohio community leaders had the opportunity to ask questions and share concerns about health care affordability, access to care, and local and state health care infrastructure.

This event was part of a national effort by House Democrats during the August District Work Period to spotlight the human cost of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, uplift community voices, and affirm their commitment to defend and strengthen access to health care for all Americans, especially the most vulnerable. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN), Mark Alford (R-MO), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI) and Mark Messmer (R-IN) reintroduced the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act to strengthen the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) BioPreferred Program.

This bipartisan legislation will increase market access for bio-based products and help ensure that the United States remains the world’s leader in biomanufacturing. 

Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Increasing market access for biomanufacturers benefits the environment, strengthens our economy, creates good-paying jobs and opens ups opportunities for Minnesota’s family farmers,” said Rep. Craig. “I’m proud to be introducing this bipartisan bill to stabilize markets for bio-based products and ensure America remains the world leader in biomanufacturing.”

“The USDA’s Bio Preferred Program is a game-changer for industries worldwide — and it starts with America’s farmers and ranchers,” said Rep. Alford. “Through this program, they turn homegrown agricultural feedstocks into biobased products that power our economy. This legislation safeguards and strengthens their access to these critical markets. I’m proud to team up with Reps. Craig, McDonald Rivet, and Messmer to champion this vital effort for our producers and our future!”

“We need to find innovative ways to support growers and help our economy thrive. This bill will help strengthen markets for farmers, fortify American biomanufacturing jobs, and stand up to foreign competitors,” said Rep. McDonald Rivet. “Our coalition of Democrats and Republicans is standing together to support Michigan’s hardworking farmers and ensure we continue producing here at home, not overseas.”

“American farm goods don’t just reach the dinner table. They fill fuel tanks, stock supply closets, and even fight fires,” said Rep. Messmer. “By encouraging the expansion of our biobased supply chain, this legislation invests in the rural innovator and the American farmer. I am proud to support the biobased industry in Indiana’s Eighth District through the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act.“

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), along with  Representative Norma Torres (CA-35), and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) and the entire California Democratic Congressional Delegation secured the release of nearly $7 billion, congressionally-appropriated funding for K-12 schools and adult education. The funds included $928 million owed to California public schools.

Trump reversed course and released the funds after pressure from Democrats, including from a letter that was sent to the Department of Education (ED) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) demanding the funds be released.

“With the new school year fast approaching, it’s essential that schools have the complete information they need to plan their budgets effectively,” said Congressman Garamendi. “I’m glad this crucial funding has been reinstated for the 5.8 million K-12 students in California who depend on federal funds to ensure teachers remain in the classroom and students receive the high-quality education they deserve. Democrats will continue to stand against the chaos created by the Trump administration and fight to ensure every California student has access to a strong public education.”

Background:

With the start of the new school year approaching in California, on June 30, 2025, the Trump Administration gave states just one day’s notice that these critical funds would be indefinitely frozen past their typical release on July 1.  

As a result, California schools would have been forced to roll back programs, lay off staff, and cut services that help students thrive. Last week, the Trump administration relented, ultimately restoring the $928 million owed to California, and $7 billion owed to schools across the country after Democrats’ pressure.

With nearly 5.8 million K-12 students in California, the illegal freezing of these Congressionally appropriated funds is already hurting our schools and students. Many school districts had already budgeted for these federal dollars, leaving them scrambling to fill massive funding gaps just weeks before the school year begins. The withheld funding included vital investments in:

• Reducing class sizes and teacher recruitment and retention, especially in underserved areas.
• After-school, before-school, and summer learning programs in low-income communities.
• School-based mental health services, accelerated learning courses, STEM education, and college and career counseling.
• Academic Support for English learners and children of migrant workers.
• Adult education and workforce readiness programs.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9) and Robert Aderholt (AL-4), both Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, released the following statements on a possible peaceful settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia:

Co-Chairman Cohen said:

“I have many Armenian friends and I’m very happy to see these two nations and their people come together in peace, for they are good people. Having been a Co-Chair of the Azerbaijan Caucus for years, I know how much Azerbaijan has been supportive of the United States.” 

Co-Chairman Aderholt said:

“I welcome the announcement of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, brokered through the leadership of President Donald J. Trump. As a Co-Chair of the Azerbaijan Caucus, I have consistently supported efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to this longstanding conflict.

“This agreement is a significant step forward and yet another powerful example of what strong American diplomacy can achieve. I commend President Trump and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff for their leadership in helping to bring both sides together and for working toward a more stable and secure future for the Armenian and Azerbaijani people. This is a moment of hope, and I pray it leads to lasting peace in the region.”

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