Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California
Walnut Creek, CA – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced he will host a virtual town hall with special guest California Attorney General Rob Bonta on defending constitutional rights and protecting Californians from the Trump Administration’s harmful policies on Tuesday, August 5that 5:45 p.m. PT.
Since President Trump was inaugurated in January, Attorney General Bonta has filed more than 30 lawsuits on behalf of Californians against the Administration’s illegal and unconstitutional policies. Congressman DeSaulnier and Attorney General Bonta will discuss recent successes in the courts and in Congress and the path ahead to check the President’s abuses of power. They will also take audience questions live.
Virtual Town Hall Tuesday, August 5th 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. PT Hosted on Zoom Streamed to YouTube
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro202-225-6165
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after former Oklahoma Governor and longtime politician George Nigh passed away at the age of 98:
“It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of an Oklahoma political legend, former Governor George Nigh. Nigh served as Governor of Oklahoma on four separate occasions, two short stints when others left the office early followed by two full terms from 1979-1987. He also served four complete terms as Oklahoma’s Lieutenant Governor, several terms in the state House of Representatives, and five years as President of the University of Central Oklahoma in the 1990’s.
“A talented public speaker, Nigh was a gifted politician, a gregarious and tireless campaigner, and an upbeat and optimistic leader. It was impossible not to like George Nigh and respect him as a person. Indeed, he may well have been the most personally popular political figure in Oklahoma history. He did not win every race he ran, but he was always a gracious loser and, more often, a magnanimous winner — two qualities that Oklahoma voters and political opponents appreciated.
“Nigh had a quick and easy wit. When I told him on one occasion that he had been the speaker at both my high school graduation in 1967 and the ceremony where I was awarded my Ph.D in 1984, he immediately quipped, ‘I hope I didn’t use the same jokes twice!’ Then, when I reminded him that I had been his opponent’s deputy campaign manager in 1982 — an election in which my candidate became the only Republican gubernatorial nominee in Oklahoma history to lose all 77 counties — Nigh had a quick retort. ‘At least I helped you set a record that no one can break,’ he said with a grin.
“George Nigh and I belonged to different political parties and had some sharp political disagreements over the years. However, I always respected his personal decency, his sunny disposition, his commitment to public service, and his deep love for the people and the state of Oklahoma. I join his many friends and admirers in mourning the passing of a good man and a great Oklahoman,”said Congressman Cole.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)
PHILADELPHIA, PA–Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) joined Caring for Friends today in Northeast Philadelphia to spotlight $1 million in federal funding he secured for the organization and to highlight the devastating food assistance cuts enacted under Republicans’ Big Ugly Law.
“Caring for Friends has always been a lifeline for our community, and that work is even more essential now,” said Boyle. “At a time when families are struggling with rising grocery prices, Republicans chose to slash food assistance just to hand billionaires another round of tax breaks. I’m proud to support organizations like Caring for Friends that step up when Washington Republicans let working families down.”
Vincent Schiavone, CEO of Caring for Friends, thanked Congressman Boyle for his leadership and support, noting that the new facility will dramatically expand the organization’s ability to serve vulnerable communities.
“At Caring for Friends, our mission is simple — to ensure that no one is hungry or alone,” said Schiavone. “Every week, over 10,000 volunteers and 200 pantry partners come together to serve more than 300,000 neighbors across Greater Philadelphia. Thanks to the generosity of donors, including local farms, manufacturers and distributors, we receive over eight million pounds of food each year. And yet, due to limited cold storage, we’re forced to turn away fresh and frozen food that could nourish families in need.
That’s why a new cold storage facility, championed by Congressman Boyle, is a true game changer,” continued Schiavone. “It will allow us to accept an additional tractor trailer of food every day, helping us take a giant step forward in providing food and friendship to more Philadelphians in need.”
The funding secured by Boyle through the Community Project Funding process is supporting construction of a new cold storage facility that will allow Caring for Friends to rescue and distribute up to 200,000 pounds of food each week — more than 10 million pounds annually — to families, seniors, veterans, and others in need across the region.
Nearly 200,000 residents in Pennsylvania’s Second Congressional District rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help put food on the table. The cuts enacted under the Big Ugly Law are expected to reduce or eliminate food aid for at least 143,000 Pennsylvanians. As the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, Congressman Boyle led the fight against this law in Washington and continues to push back against its most harmful impacts.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)
Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) underscored the dramatic harm of President Trump’s megabill on Washington families’ access to health coverage during a roundtable with patients, providers, advocates, and state officials. The law, which passed Congress with only Republican votes, will result in a 65 percent increase in health insurance premiums next year for WA Health Benefits Exchange enrollees who received enhanced federal tax credits.
The average Washingtonian saves $1,330 a year because of the credits. Over 216,000 people in Washington currently receive them. 80,000 are expected to drop their coverage because of the premium increases starting in January. Including the cuts to Medicaid, over 330,000 Washingtonians are expected to lose their health coverage because of the law.
“Rising health care costs are one of the biggest concerns I hear about from our community. They are some of the fastest-rising prices in America right now. Trump’s megabill is going to rip health coverage away from 80,000 people in our state by raising premiums on their coverage to unaffordable levels,” said DelBene. “Today, I heard directly from the patients and providers who will be most impacted by this law. I remain committed to driving down health care costs and protecting Washingtonians who benefit from these successful programs.”
“As the only community health center in Bothell, our goal is to reduce barriers to ensure our patients can access the care they need. One of the barriers many of our patients face is the lack of medical insurance due to the high cost of premiums. Affordable Care Act subsidies are a vital support that can make insurance coverage affordable to more folks in our community. Without subsidies, health insurance coverage will remain out of reach for many in our community who will consequently have more barriers to their care with less access to those additional resources,” said Antonio Diaz-Carrera Business Director, HealthPoint Bothell. “We know that patients without coverage often forgo necessary care, waiting until they are very ill to seek care, often needing to choose between paying for medical care or for other essentials like housing, transportation, or food.”
“Everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable health coverage. But without support from the White House and Congressional Republicans to extend the enhanced premium tax credits, thousands of Washingtonians will find the coverage they purchase for themselves on the Exchange too expensive to afford and will be forced to spend more of their household income on health care rather than groceries, rent and other essentials,” said Hiroshi Nakano, Board Member, Washington Health Benefit Exchange. “Middle-class families are already struggling. Congress must act now to extend these essential tax credits.”
The enhanced premium tax credits were established under the American Rescue Plan in 2021 and extended through 2025 in the Inflation Reduction Act. They helped more than double enrollment in Affordable Care Act health insurance exchanges to over 24 million nationally in 2025. The enhanced credits are set to expire this year unless they are extended by Congress. Republicans and President Trump have shown little interest in extending them.
During the roundtable, DelBene was joined by WA Health Benefits Exchange enrollees from Woodinville and Kirkland, providers from HealthPoint and Overlake Medical Center & Clinics, and leaders from the Community Health Plan of Washington, the WA Health Benefit Exchange, and Governor Ferguson’s office.
More information about the impact of the health insurance subsidies in Washington can be found here.
More information about Trump’s megabill can be found here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: As a part of her “Hire Dr. Schrier” program, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) volunteered at the Granite Falls Library, working as a library programmer alongside staff. Additionally, Congresswoman Schrier led storytime with elementary school students from the local Boys and Girls Club. In previous editions of “Hire. Dr. Schrier,” the Congresswoman has worked shifts at a number of local businesses, includingTwede’s Cafe,Village Theatre, andTrail Youth Coffee.
“I love stepping into others’ shoes through my office’s “Hire Dr. Schrier” program. Not only does it allow me to directly connect with and serve my constituents, it helps me to see the unique challenges that employees, small businesses, and institutions like libraries in the Eighth District face,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Libraries play an important role in every town, and, as a result of the Trump Administration’s senseless cuts, are struggling to continue to provide vital resources for members of our community. I’ll continue working in Congress to fight against these cuts and support our libraries.”
Prior to volunteering at Granite Falls Library, Congresswoman Schrier participated in a roundtable discussion with library leaders from across the Eighth District to hear their concerns about the impact of the Trump Administration’s cuts to vital resources like the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which support local libraries.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Last week, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) led 30 of their Democratic colleagues in demanding answers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the treatment of individuals with disabilities in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The lawmakers raised alarm over troubling reports of systemic neglect, inadequate accommodations, and apparent violations of federal disability rights laws that call into question DHS’s compliance with its legal obligations and the adequacy of oversight within ICE facilities.
The letter was prompted by a series of recent incidents in which individuals with disabilities were reportedly denied access to interpreters, medical care, or basic communication tools while in ICE custody.
“Reports of ICE and its contractors failing to provide necessary accommodations, neglecting medical needs, and violating disability rights laws are deeply alarming,” wrote the lawmakers. “It is unacceptable that detainees with disabilities are routinely denied access to medications, assistive devices, and means of communication until emergencies arise. This pattern of neglect demands immediate federal oversight, accountability, and enforcement of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and DHS’s own regulations.”
In the letter, the lawmakers cite multiple cases that reflect systemic failures in ICE detention facilities, including the widely publicized cases of Javier Diaz Santana and Bayartulga Avirmed, as well as recent reports detailing the inhumane treatment of individuals with disabilities at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California.
“The abuse and mistreatment of individuals with disabilities who are detained by DHS must end now,” the lawmakers continued. “Repeatedly, individuals with disabilities have been mistreated by ICE, CBP, and contractors from detainment to detention. We demand that action be taken to rectify these horrible actions taken by your agents and ensure nothing of this nature ever occurs again.”
In addition to Congresswoman Brownley and Congresswoman Chu, the letter was also signed by Representatives Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Danny Davis (IL-07), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Dorris Matsui (CA-07), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Ami Bera (CA-06), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Eleanor Norton (DC), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Jesús García (IL-04), Juan Vargas (CA-52), and Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03).
The Honorable Kristi Noem Secretary Department of Homeland Security 2707 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, SE Washington, DC 20528-0525
Dear Secretary Noem,
We write with deep concerns regarding the treatment of individuals with disabilities in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. Reports of ICE and its contractors failing to provide necessary accommodations, neglecting medical needs, and violating disability rights laws are deeply alarming. It is unacceptable that detainees with disabilities are routinely denied access to medications, assistive devices, and means of communication until emergencies arise. This pattern of neglect demands immediate federal oversight, accountability, and enforcement of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and DHS’s own regulations.
For example, in June 2025, Mr. Javier Diaz Santana, a deaf and mute DACA recipient, was arrested in Temple City, California, and taken into ICE custody. Despite repeated attempts to communicate his disability, Mr. Diaz was stripped of his wallet and phone, handcuffed, and transported with no means of communication. For weeks, he was held at a detention facility in El Paso, denied access to his attorney and family, and given paperwork in Spanish, a language he cannot read. The facility lacked text telephone devices (TTY), which are critical for individuals with hearing or speech disabilities. Even after ICE was informed of Mr. Diaz’s disability by a coworker, no interpreter was provided. This is an egregious violation of his rights and a blatant failure to ensure due process.
Not only does Mr. Diaz not have any criminal background, but he also has legal protections as a DACA recipient whose case was administratively closed during the Obama Administration. At his bond hearing, it became clear that the judge was puzzled by this fact. “I never have had that before, where I have a bond request on an admin closed case,” the judge said. “This is the first time.” This further implicates ICE in creating unprecedented instances in immigration enforcement and showcases the cruelty in uprooting the lives of individuals with disabilities who went through the legal processes and are protected by law.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Mr. Bayartulga Avirmed, a deaf immigrant who fled Mongolia due to discrimination and physical attacks because of his disability, only understands and can communicate in Mongolian Sign Language. He applied for asylum upon arrival in February 2025. During his initial deportation hearings, including a mental health evaluation, he claims the government provided him with an American Sign Language interpreter, who couldn’t understand or interpret his Mongolian Sign Language. It is completely unacceptable that ICE failed to provide Mr. Avirmed with a proper interpreter, which violated his rights and prevented him from participating in legal proceedings. ICE’s negligence in providing appropriate language and disability accommodations is a fundamental violation of due process.
Additionally, Disability Rights California released a report detailing the inhumane treatment of individuals with disabilities were experiencing at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. The report gives numerous examples of mistreatment, like with one individual using a prosthetic eye who was unable to clean the prosthesis to prevent infection, and after requesting medical attention, never received it. Other individuals needed specific accommodation for a disability, which ICE failed to provide, including an individual with an acute spinal condition who only received a damaged mattress that caused significant pain and another individual whose hearing aid broke and never was repaired. Detainees with diabetes were also unable to properly manage their blood sugar due to uncertainty with meal distribution. These conditions are not only cruel but also clear violations of federal law.
The abuse and mistreatment of individuals with disabilities who are detained by DHS must end now.
Repeatedly, individuals with disabilities have been mistreated by ICE, CBP, and contractors from detainment to detention. We demand that action be taken to rectify these horrible actions taken by your agents and ensure nothing of this nature ever occurs again. We request a response to the following questions within two weeks of receipt:
What concrete and immediate steps will this administration take to protect the rights, health, and lives of individuals with disabilities in detention?
How will you ensure transparency, accountability, and oversight across bodies responsible for detainees’ care?
What training is required of agents in the field, those running detention centers, and officers handling cases to appropriately care for and protect the rights of individuals with disabilities?
How many people with disabilities are currently detained and what specific accommodations are being provided to each of them?
What is being done to ensure all detainees, including individuals with disabilities who require accommodations, can communicate with their legal representatives and their families?
We ask that you provide written responses to the above questions no later than August 22, 2025.
BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), a member of the House Oversight Committee and a survivor of sexual abuse,issued the following statement after Chairman James Comer issued a subpoena to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release files relating to child sex trafficker and Trump’s longtime friend Jeffrey Epstein. This action comes after Rep. Pressley successfully helped pass a motion by Congresswoman Summer Lee and Ranking Member Robert Garcia to force the Committee to subpoena the Epstein files.
In a recent interview on MSNBC, Rep. Pressley described why her work to subpoena the Epstein files is deeply personal to her.
“This is an important step toward the healing, transparency, and accountability that our survivors and the American public demand and deserve,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “The subpoena is clear and airtight: the DOJ must release the Epstein Files. Abusers should not be protected by institutions more concerned with shielding predators than centering survivors. As a survivor who knows the pain and trauma survivors carry, I continue to call on the Trump Administration to release these files immediately, without delay, and with the privacy of survivors respected.”
In July 2024, Rep. Pressley reintroduced the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act of 2024. In June 2024, Rep. Pressley renewed her calls for accountability and survivor-focused solutions following the damning reports of a toxic work environment at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In June 2024, Rep. Pressley also sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) requesting information about the botched closure of FCI Dublin, abuse of women while they were being transferred to other facilities, and BOP’s management of investigations into the staff sexual misconduct and abuse at FCI Dublin and other federal BOP facilities.
Rep. Pressley is also a lead co-sponsor of H.R. 5388, legislation that would prevent the Secretary of Education from rolling back Title IX protections for survivors, as well as H.Res. 560, a resolution calling for an impeachment inquiry into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, following reporting on new allegations of sexual misconduct committed by the Associate Justice.
In April 2019, following the passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, Rep. Pressley issued a statement honoring her mother, Sandra Pressley, a survivor of domestic violence. Rep. Pressley is also the lead co-sponsor of an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that would establish the first-ever grant program dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, which passed the House of Representatives in March 2021.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)
PERTH AMBOY, N.J. — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) joined Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06), Planned Parenthood Action Fund President Alexis McGill Johnson, and New Jersey healthcare providers to stand up against Donald Trump’s latest bill that defunds Planned Parenthood, stripping access to reproductive health care from millions of Americans.
In 2024 alone, New Jersey’s Planned Parenthood affiliates served more than 123,000 visits at 23 health centers across the state. The visits included more than 140,000 cycles of birth control, 170,000 STI and HIV tests and treatments, and 13,000 cancer screenings. For these services, more than one-third of all patients used Medicaid to cover the cost of their care.
“For years, Republicans have been chipping away at women’s reproductive rights, with one clear goal: to ban abortion and restrict access to essential care. This bill is just another dangerous step toward that goal,” said Rep. Sherrill.“This legislation blocks Medicaid patients from getting care at Planned Parenthood. It cuts off access to birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing, and abortion. It punishes people for where they get their care, putting politics between patients and their doctors. This care is essential. It’s how people plan their futures. It’s how they protect their health.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)
WESLACO, TEXAS — Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced a $36,357,958 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Hidalgo County Head Start Program, Inc., for Fiscal Year 2025.
Since 1965, the Head Start Program, housed within the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, promotes school readiness for children aged three to five from low-income households. The program will focus on enhancing cognitive, social, and emotional development with an emphasis on building familial relationships. It is one of the nation’s most effective tools in breaking the cycle of poverty and helping South Texans achieve their American Dream.
“Head Start is crucial for setting our children, regardless of their background, on the path to success,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Early childhood education programs like Head Start provide the foundation to achieve their potential in school and in life. Thank you to Hildago County Head Start for their tremendous work in helping our future. I am committed to protecting this vital program so that South Texas children can continue to benefit and thrive.”
This program serves 3,060 children in Hidalgo County and is one of the largest Head Start programs in Texas. For over four decades, Hidalgo County Head Start Program, Inc. has been delivering comprehensive child development services to advance the economic and social well-being of children and families in South Texas.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)
WASHINGTON –Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22), a member of the Congressional Community Health Center Caucus, joined Reps. Troy Balderson (OH-12), Danny Davis (IL-07), and Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), to introduce a bipartisan resolution designating the week of August 3, 2025 as National Health Center Week. This resolution recognizes the important partnership between health centers and the communities they serve.
“As a member of the Congressional Community Health Center Caucus, I’m honored to introduce this resolution recognizing National Health Center Week and the critical role Community Health Centers (CHCs) play in communities like CA-22,”said Congressman Valadao.“My district is home to seven federally funded health center organizations which serve over 765,000 patients, and these centers are often the only source of care for families in rural and underserved areas. This week is an important reminder of the life-saving work CHCs do every day, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in celebrating their impact.”
“For nearly one million Ohioans, community health centers are indispensable sources of affordable, quality care close to home,”said Rep. Balderson.“Rural Americans across the country rely on these centers for everything from primary care to behavioral health services. During National Health Center Week, we celebrate their incredible impact and thank the dedicated professionals who make this care possible.”
“Community Health Centers are community-based healthcare providers that provide and expand access to care for millions of medically underserved Americans who receive primary, preventive, behavioral health, dental care, substance use treatment, and other services,”said Rep. Davis.“I join my colleagues in celebrating 60 years of improving our nation’s health.”
“Community health centers treat one in ten Americans while spending only 1% of U.S. health dollars,”said Rep. Auchincloss.“That 10X value is a rare bargain in our expensive health system.”
“For nearly 6 decades community health centers have played an instrumental role in providing essential healthcare services in rural and urban communities across the country,”said Jason Vega, CEO Central Valley Health Network. “The bipartisan support and leadership in bringing forth a House resolution recognizing National Health Center Week highlights congress’ continuing appreciation of the critical function health centers play in providing over 30 million Americans with access to quality care.”
“Family HealthCare Network appreciates the Congressman’s continued recognition of the importance of community health centers,”said Kerry Hydash, MPA, President and CEO of Family HealthCare Network. “His support of the vital services provided by community health centers underscores his support of the needs of the Central Valley. Such support is vital for continued access to primary care in underserved areas in California.”
“NACHC welcomes the introduction of the resolution recognizing National Health Center Week by Reps. Valadao (R-CA), Balderson (R-OH), Auchincloss (D-MA), and Davis (D-IL),” said Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, President and CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). “This annual event celebrates Community Health Centers (CHC), which form the nation’s largest primary care network. Today, CHCs deliver primary care to more than one in 10 Americans, while accounting for only 1% of overall healthcare spending. Thanks to decades of bipartisan Congressional support, CHCs have continued to provide comprehensive, integrated health services at 17,000 locations for all patients. With a workforce of 326,000, CHCs prevent and treat chronic diseases, reduce overall healthcare costs, and generate jobs in their communities.”