Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)
Defense Appropriations Ranking Member calls the bill ‘incomplete,’ says it attacks service members and their families
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday morning, the House of Representatives passed the Defense Appropriations Act by a vote of 221-209. Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, voted no on the bill.
For fiscal year 2026, the Defense Appropriations Act provides $831.5 billion, which is equal to current funding levels and $1.3 billion above the Administration’s fiscal year 2026 request.
The legislation:
Weakens Ukraine and empowers Russia by eliminating support for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
Undermines democracy at home and abroad by allowing disinformation and extremist views to flourish.
Limits women’s access to abortion by preventing service personnel from traveling to seek reproductive health care.
Harms our military readiness with divisive provisions that undermine morale and fail to support our service personnel, by continuing DOGE and the Administration’s cuts to vital civilian positions, attacking the LGBTQ+ community with hateful policies, and banning funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
“For the first time in modern history, the Defense Appropriations Act was written without the submission of the President’s budget request – that makes this bill an incomplete product” said Congresswoman McCollum. “The Subcommittee had little insight into significant Administration priorities, such as Golden Dome, when this bill was written. Golden Dome is a concept of a plan – a vague idea that Congress must better understand if it is to become a realized strategic capability.”
“The bill also contains several poison pill provisions that undermine our military’s readiness, including a policy rider that would make it difficult for service women and families to receive reproductive healthcare,” added Congresswoman McCollum. “It contains provisions that disenfranchise lesbian, gay, and transgender service members. These provisions will not go unnoticed by our service members, and I fear they will harm recruitment and retention should they become law.”
A summary of House Republicans’ 2026 Defense bill is here. A fact sheet on the bill is here. The text and accompanying report of the legislation, before action on the House Floor, is available here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, delivered the following remarks on the House floor during debate over the Fiscal Year 2026 defense spending bill:
“Thank you, Mr. Chair.
“I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
“I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026. But I do want to begin by recognizing the work of the staff. Jennifer Chartrand, Jason Gray, and Ed Etzkorn on the minority side. Ben Peterson and my Defense Fellow, Lisa Lawrence, in my personal office. Adam Sullivan, and the majority staff, thank you for your hard work. I also want to thank Chairman Calvert for his leadership of the Subcommittee – and his friendship. You had to write a bill without a full budget request. Those are unprecedented circumstances – and I know this process was difficult.
“Turning to the bill. The Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act totals $831.5 billion. That is the same level that DoD is currently operating at under the full year Continuing Resolution. As I said, this bill was written without having the full Fiscal Year 2026 budget request in front of us. That is a huge problem – let me explain why.
“The Defense Appropriations Act is this Committee’s largest discretionary funding bill. It is a complex piece of legislation – dealing with a wide range of national security issues – such as: The construction of ships and submarines, the launch of technologically advanced satellites, the development of hypersonic weapons; and most importantly – supporting our servicemembers and their families who so bravely serve our nation.
“It is in the best interests of our nation for the Defense bill to be written the right way – with thoughtful analysis. And DoD’s programs require a detailed annual review – because these programs naturally ebb and flow over time. The only way for our Subcommittee to analyze this information and write a thoughtful and informed bill is to review a full budget request.
“I want to take a moment to illustrate that. These two poster boards represent a single DoD program that we fund. The Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft. This is an advanced helicopter for the Army. This poster shows the 9-page Congressional Budget Justification documents for this program from last year’s budget request. These documents represent the critical granular details that the Subcommittee needs to properly evaluate DoD programs. It shows us not only what the request is for the coming fiscal year – but also what is expected to be spent over the next five years.
“That detail – the next five years – is how we can see if the program is still on target compared to the previous year’s information. And because we don’t have clean audits from DoD, except from the Marines, these documents are the only way we can track the money. The submission of these documents is part of the normal budget process that every Administration and Congress have operated under. So, this year, because the Trump administration failed to submit a full budget request – what did we have to write this bill? I call your attention to the second poster board.
“The number you see here – on one line – represents all we received on the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft to write this bill. Nine pages of background on the one hand – one number on the other. This Administration gave us almost no information to make decisions. It’s completely unacceptable. I wonder what the Majority’s reaction would be if the Biden administration had failed to submit a budget request.
“The fact is – we did not have the President’s plan for his Defense priorities when this bill was written. That makes this bill an incomplete product. For example, Golden Dome at this point is merely a concept – not a plan. None of us have been briefed on how the Administration intends to spend $175 billion or deliver it in three years, because the analysis by DoD is incomplete. We don’t know how money for Golden Dome will impact future defense bills.
“Another example is the cost to deploy the National Guard around the country to do Homeland Security’s job. In June, we found out what the cost is to deploy 4,000 California National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to Los Angeles. It is $134 million. But now, Secretary Hegseth is reviewing a request from the Department of Homeland Security to deploy more than 20,000 National Guard troops across the country.
“And what is the end goal? To turn the National Guard into the National Police? I don’t agree with that. The National Guard is intended to be used for specific purposes. They are used in their states when natural disasters occur, or yes, in times of civil unrest – when their Governors call them up. And then federal Title 10 missions when they are deployed overseas, or in times of national emergency like on September 11th. Deploying troops of that magnitude has a serious budgetary impact.
“But Secretary Hegseth did not give us a complete budget, so we don’t know what thought went into the duration of these deployments, how much they will cost, or where the funding will be pulled from to pay for them.
“The President proposes, Congress disposes – that’s the way our system works. There are consequences to not following this process. We may end up buying too many of one platform, wasting precious taxpayer dollars. We may end up buying too little of another – leaving a gap in our defense capabilities. When we write this bill without seeing the full budget request, we fail to maximize the buying power for the taxpayer. So, it is deeply unfortunate that the Trump administration, and OMB in particular, has put the Committee in this position.
“This bill also includes many of the same poison pill riders that were in previous House versions of the Defense bill. These partisan social policy riders should never become law. But they lead us down a road that may once again result in a full year CR. Last year’s CR was bad enough – a second would be a catastrophe. Our national security cannot afford another lost year.
“Once again, the bill limits the ability of Service personnel and their families to receive the reproductive health care they deserve. Women make up almost 20% of the military services, and many women service members live in a state that has limited or banned access to reproductive health care. Once again, there are provisions that disenfranchise lesbian, gay, and transgender service members. These poison pill riders will not go unnoticed by our troops – they will impact recruitment and retention.
“As I told Secretary Hegseth last month, we have witnessed a deliberate effort by the Trump administration to silence and diminish the achievements of minorities and women in the military. Their dedication, heroism, and sacrifices, on behalf of our nation deserve recognition – not erasure. As a former history teacher, I know that acknowledging uncomfortable truths about our own history is the only way we move forward together.
“Since World War II, the Department of Defense has made great strides in building a military that is more reflective of the population of the nation it defends. That should be celebrated – not reversed. That is how we build a more perfect union – together.
“M. Chair, regrettably at this time, I will be unable to vote for passage of this bill. I cannot recommend to my colleagues that they support it.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)
Lawmakers emphasize importance of emergency broadcasting funding to keep Americans safe amid natural disasters and emergencies
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) led a letter of 46 Members of Congress to President Trump urging him to reconsider his decision to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The CPB supports America’s children with educational programming and ensures that emergency broadcasting keeps Americans safe amid natural disasters and emergencies. The proposed rescission to the CPB will force small stations around the country to close, leaving significant gaps in coverage for Americans who rely on these vital services for noncommercial, high-quality, localized content and telecommunications.
The letter comes amid Congressional Republicans’ attempt to pass President Trump’s proposal to rescind $10 billion in federal funding that Congress approved four months ago on a bipartisan basis. Despite bipartisan opposition to the bill, the U.S. Senate voted to move forward to debating and amending the legislation on Wednesday by the slimmest possible margin following a tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President JD Vance.
“We write to express our deep concern regarding the $1.1 billion claw back of funds to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) included in the proposed recissions you sent to Congress on May 28, 2025,” said the lawmakers in their letter to the White House. “The package was passed through the House of Representatives on June 12, over the objections of all Democratic and four Republican Members. The cuts to CPB in the recission package undermine the public media that Americans rely on for unfettered access to information, educational programming for kids, cultural programming, and nationwide emergency alerting.
“Public media has received bipartisan support for the past 50 years because Congress has continuously recognized that access to public media is in the public’s best interest. The Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS) is the backbone of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Amber Alerts and plays a critical role in keeping Americans informed and safe during emergencies. As key local news providers, public radio stations leverage their reporting resources to offer live news and information on disasters and other emergencies, providing real-time information on where local audiences can access resources and safe locations.
“As our nation experiences increased instances of severe weather and climate shocks, this service is more important than ever. In Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) delivers programming and services across the state, and in some areas is the only local source for news and updates during an emergency. When the power goes out, and cell networks or the internet go down, MPR is the most reliable form of communication in an emergency and provides essential backstopping for all other emergency alerting services and activities across the public media system. This is true across all 50 states, and losing this important service in the middle of hurricane, flood, and tornado season will prove devastating nationwide.
“Of the $1.1 billion included in the rescission proposal, 70% of these funds will be pulled out of local stations that are independently owned and operated in our communities. For many smaller stations in rural communities across the country, these cuts will prove utterly devastating, because they provide local, state, and regional news that is no longer provided through other outlets. These small stations will not survive, resulting in news deserts for these communities and putting thousands of American lives at risk.
“We ask your administration to withdraw this rescission proposal and protect the vital services that CPB provides. If the rescissions go ahead as planned, we will be requesting a report to Congress as to how your administration plans to fill the void left behind, particularly in the areas of emergency alerting and local news reporting.
The letter is co-signed by Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and 45 Democratic Representatives: Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Ami Bera (D-CA), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), André Carson (D-IN), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Danny Davis (D-IL), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Laura Friedman (D-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), William Keating (D-MA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), James McGovern (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Dave Min (D-CA), Kelly Morrison (D-MN), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Richard Neal (D-MA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Emily Randall (D-WA), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Nikema Williams (D-GA).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)
BOLTON, MS – Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) announced the Delta Regional Authority has awarded $1,656,000 in grants to recipients within the Second Congressional District through the Delta Workforce Grant Program (DWP). These investments will support projects and initiatives that address the employment and training needs of the local and regional workforce.
Mississippi Second District Recipients:
City of Natchez was awarded $300,000 to support ready-to-work programming in computer coding and technology and construction trades in five Southwest Mississippi counties and one adjacent Louisiana parish.
Write Your Own Story wasawarded $300,000 for a medical scribe training program that will address the critical need for skilled medical documentation professionals in five rural communities of Coahoma County, MS.
The University of Memphis, in partnership with Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Mississippi, wasawarded $300,000 to build institutional capacity for workforce development in Coahoma County, MS, and surrounding areas by investing in state-of-the-art training equipment for a newly renovated workforce development center that will deliver targeted, industry-aligned programs for regional employers.
Holmes County Consolidated School District wasawarded approximately $156,000 for a comprehensive CDL training program that will address critical work shortages and regional workforce needs in Holmes County, MS.
Base Camp Coding Academy was awarded $300,000 to provide software development training to new entrants and incumbent workers from North Mississippi for placement in high-paying jobs.
Delta Compass – Washington County Economic Alliance was awarded $300,000 in support of a workforce funding collaborative that was established to meet the skilled labor needs of over 280 employee partners that have clustered in Washington, Sunflower and Coahoma counties around energy usage and advanced manufacturing.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) has joined 150 House Democrats in demanding the Trump administration release nearly $7 billion in congressionally-mandated federal funding dedicated to education-related programs nationwide, including after school programs, teacher training, and adult education. In a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Rep. Cleaver, House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), and 149 other House Democrats underline the impact this action is having on local schools, students, and teachers in communities across the country.
“We write to request more information about your decision to illegally withhold nearly $7 billion dollars of funding for K-12 schools and adult education from states and local school districts around the country and to insist that this funding be immediately released,” the lawmakers wrote. “Without these funds, schools are facing difficult and unnecessary decisions on programs for students and teachers.”
“This unnecessary delay of education funding, which accounts for at least 10 percent of federal K-12 funding in every state, is alarming parents, local elected officials, and education agencies,” the lawmakers continued. “It is disrupting school and district planning, jeopardizing the education of millions of students, and is already resulting in layoffs as well as program delays and cancellations.”
“There is no legitimate reason why any review of these programs should prevent the Administration from fulfilling its responsibility to the American people on time. No more excuses – follow the law and release the funding meant for our schools, teachers, and families,” the lawmakers concluded.
The illegally withheld funding represents at least 10% of federal K-12 funding in every state. Missouri’s schools are unable to access nearly $84 million in federal funding because of the Trump Administration’s actions, including $1.3 million from Lee’s Summit R-7 School District and nearly $5 million from Kansas City Public Schools. The failure to release this funding on time is disrupting school and district planning, jeopardizing the education of millions of students, and could result in layoffs, program delays, and cancellations for students and their families.
The official letter from lawmakers is availablehere.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) introduced the Protect Our Treatment for Enamel, Erosion, and Tooth Health (TEETH) Act. The legislation would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consult and publish a rapid response evidence review by independent and nonpartisan experts at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) when proposing new water fluoridation guidance, safeguarding public health from politicization.
“When making policy decisions that impact the health and safety of Americans across the country, not to mention the expenses that come with a potential rise in additional dental care, it is essential that the federal government utilize nonpartisan, independent experts who are following the most rigorous scientific protocols to obtain their information,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Unfortunately, as we’ve seen with the undermining of life-saving vaccines under the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), we’re witnessing the politicization of public health, and we cannot allow this infection to spread in the same way that cavities can. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Protect Our TEETH Act to ensure the EPA is using the best evidence available when updating public health guidance regarding fluoridation.
“As the nation’s leading voice for oral health, the American Dental Association commends Rep. Cleaver for introducing the ‘Protect Our Treatment for Enamel, Erosion, and Tooth Health’ (or TEETH Act). This critical legislation will help ensure policy decisions around fluoride are driven by clear evidence, scientific rigor, and generally accepted data,” said Dr. Brett Kessler, D.D.S., President of the American Dental Association. “By leveraging the expertise of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, considered the gold standard for reviewing complex scientific issues, it will reinforce the integrity of our public health criteria and ensure that fluoride recommendations remain rooted in the best available evidence. It can reliably dispel misinformation on community water fluoridation programs throughout the country, which reduces tooth decay by 25 percent in the population. We urge every member of Congress to cosponsor this impactful legislation.”
Since 1945, fluoridated community water systems have protected millions of Americans from tooth decay, with 72.7% of the American population utilizing them in 2020.
Fluoride continues to be a low-cost solution to common dental conditions. In fact, the CDC estimates that fluoridated water reduces cavities by about 25% in children and adults. With the estimated return on investment being $20 for every $1 spent, water fluoridation saves the U.S. an estimated $6 billion annually on dental care. Communities served by fluoridated water save an average of $32 per person a year by avoiding treatment for cavities.
The Protect Our TEETH Act is endorsed by the American Dental Association.
The Protect Our TEETH Act is cosponsored by Reps. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Cleo Fields (D-LA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Don Davis (D-NC), Emilia Sykes (D-OH), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).
Official text of the Protect Our TEETH Act is availablehere.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Know Your Immigration Rights
If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.
Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.
Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.
Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.
The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) joined Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), and Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-CA) in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons expressing serious concern about large scale immigration raids conducted across multiple counties in California during the week of July 8-12:
“According to multiple reports, ICE agents conducted large-scale, coordinated raids—many targeting agricultural sites—resulting in the detention of hundreds of individuals, most of whom are long-time community members and workers, including U.S. citizens. These operations appear to have involved aggressive tactics, including warrantless intrusions, racial profiling, and denial of access to counsel. Such actions raise significant constitutional, legal, and humanitarian concerns,” wrote the lawmakers.
In their letter, the Members requested detailed information about the enforcement operations in question, including how many individuals were detained and are being held, and whether ICE is adhering to humanitarian and legal detention standards.
The lawmakers also requested information on how ICE will adhere to the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by a federal judge in Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem, which bans ICE officials from detaining individuals based on their appearance or ethnicity; speaking Spanish or speaking English with an accent; their presence at a particular location; or the work they do.
The TRO further requires ICE to only detain individuals based on a reasonable suspicion that they are in violation of immigration law — a reasonable suspicion not based on any of the factors listed above — and to provide adequate access to legal assistance to individuals who are detained.
“My district, which encompasses most of Ventura County, was recently the site of one of the largest ICE operations in the country, resulting in more than 360 detentions in a single day. The troubling way these raids have been carried out throughout California raises serious concerns about the tactics used by federal agents and their disregard for due process and the rule of law,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “This is not about public safety — it’s about instilling fear. These actions lack transparency, accountability, and basic respect for the legal rights of every person in this country. My Democratic colleagues and I are continuing to work to hold this administration accountable and to ensure that our immigration policies reflect our values and our commitment to justice.”
“The Trump administration’s zeal to reach a million deportations in a year — a meaningless, arbitrary number — is pushing ICE agents to trample basic constitutional and human rights,” said Congressman Espaillat. “It’s also putting the federal government at odds with the social and economic well-being of our communities. The Trump administration needlessly changed the rules of the game overnight and everyone is paying the price, starting with the irreplaceable skilled laborers who grow our food.”
“The Trump administration is using immigration enforcement as a political weapon, targeting working families to score political points,” said Congressman Carbajal. “This is not how you keep people safe. In fact, this kind of chaos only makes communities more insecure. I’ll continue working with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to push back on ICE and the Trump administration’s cruel and inhumane immigration enforcement tactics.”
The Honorable Kristi Noem Secretary U.S. Department of Homeland Security 2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE Washington, DC 20528-0525
Mr. Todd M. Lyons Acting Director U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 500 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20536-5010
Dear Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons,
We write to express serious concern regarding the recent series of enforcement actions reportedly carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across multiple counties in California, including Ventura, Santa Barbara, Monterey, and Kern, among others, during the week of July 8–12, 2025.
According to multiple reports, ICE agents conducted large-scale, coordinated raids—many targeting agricultural sites—resulting in the detention of hundreds of individuals, most of whom are long-time community members and workers, including U.S. citizens. These operations appear to have involved aggressive tactics, including warrantless intrusions, racial profiling, and denial of access to counsel. Such actions raise significant constitutional, legal, and humanitarian concerns.
These enforcement actions also target individuals who are essential to local and state economies. The immigrant workers detained during these raids are overwhelmingly hard-working individuals who contribute daily to California’s agricultural industry and food supply chain. Many have lived in the United States for decades, raising families and building deep ties in their communities. Targeting these essential workers not only harms families but disrupts vital economic sectors that depend on their labor and dedication.
In light of these events, and in view of the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued on July 11, 2025, in Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem, we respectfully request the following detailed information about these enforcement operations:
How many individuals were detained during ICE operations in California from July 8 to July 12, 2025?
Where are those individuals currently being held? Please provide facility names and addresses.
Are individuals in your custody being provided with reliable access to basic needs? Please include when they are being provided water, food, sanitation, and hygiene.
What was the legal basis for the initial stops, arrests, and detentions, particularly in light of the court’s prohibition on reliance upon race, ethnicity, language, or occupation as justification?
Were administrative warrants obtained and presented prior to entering any private areas, including worker housing or vehicles? Please include a copy of the warrant.
Did ICE coordinate or communicate with any local or state law enforcement agencies during the planning or execution of these operations? If so, please detail the nature and scope of that cooperation.
How will ICE adjust its operational practices in California in light of the court’s TRO, which restricts stops lacking individualized suspicion and mandates access to legal counsel?
We also request confirmation that individuals currently detained, as a result of these raids, are being granted regular and confidential access to legal representation, in accordance with the court’s ruling.
Furthermore, we want to reiterate that Members of Congress have both the constitutional authority and the responsibility to conduct oversight of federal agencies, including ICE. This includes the right to observe enforcement operations and inspect detention facilities without prior notice, as affirmed by federal law and agency policy. Any attempt to obstruct congressional access during enforcement activities or to withhold information from elected representatives will be regarded as a serious violation of that duty and rights.
These raids have caused widespread fear and disruption across communities, and they raise deeply troubling questions about ICE’s commitment to due process and constitutional norms. As Members of Congress, we will be closely monitoring any future enforcement actions to ensure they comply with federal court orders, respect individual rights, and uphold the rule of law.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We respectfully request a response by July 25, 2025.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rutherford (4th District of Florida)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05) released the following statement on the House passage of President Trump’s rescissions package:
“The House just passed legislation to slash over $9 BILLION in waste, fraud, and abuse AND end taxpayer funding for NPR, PBS, and USAID. Americans’ hard-earned money shouldn’t be used to bankroll leftist propaganda and organizations that act contrary to U.S. interests at home and abroad. That’s why I was proud to vote YES on President Trump’s rescissions package today to cut overseas and domestic spending to help get our country back on track.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Ranking Member of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, spoke out against Republicans’ funding bill for the 2026 fiscal year during the Appropriations Committee’s markup today. In her opening remarks, Pingree called the entire appropriations process into question as the Trump Administration continues to undermine previous funding bills with cuts and rescissions.
“Now, as we Democrats are in the minority, we don’t expect to have a lot of power. But for all of us on this Appropriations Committee, why are we here and what is our role now as appropriators?Last week, the majority passed the Rescissions …and that bill eliminated spending that we had negotiated over the prior years,” Pingree said. “The hard work that we do every day in this committee, the hard work you’re doing right now—that is all gone when we pass the Rescissions bill. And how will it be any different once we pass this bill, or the other bills we intend to pass this week?”
Watch Pingree’s full remarks here; Watch the Appropriations Committee markup here.
Pingree also called out the reckless cuts this bill makes to the EPA, National Parks, and the arts and humanities, as well as 72 riders that undermine climate policies and add to the deficit.
A transcript of Pingree’s opening remarks is copied below.
+++
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for yielding me the time.
First, I want to thank the Chair, Mr. Simpson, for the great working relationship we have on this committee. And thank you to Chairman Cole as well. Also, Rosa DeLauro, the Ranking Member of the full committee, for her amazing hard work on this committee, and to the staff on both sides of the aisle who work so hard to put together this legislation, and in particular the minority staff of this committee, Rita Culp, Jocelyn Hunn, and Michael Schmeltz. Thank you so much for all the work to get us here today.
But I guess the first question I’d have to ask of the appropriators on this committee is, why are we actually here today? What is our role now as appropriators? In the last six months, we’ve seen President Trump propose a dramatic diminishment in the power of this committee and of the Congress.
Now, as we Democrats are in the minority, we don’t expect to have a lot of power. But for all of us on this Appropriations Committee, why are we here and what is our role now as appropriators? You know, everyone is so fond of saying they’re Republicans and Democrats and appropriators, but really, are there appropriators anymore? Do we actually have a role in this Congress? Do we have any more power? Last week, the majority passed the Rescissions package to the House, the Senate, back to the House again.
And that bill eliminated spending that we had negotiated over the prior years. The hard work that we do every day in this committee, the hard work you’re doing right now—the snacks that you eat, the candy that’s going into your mouth, the amount of time that we take—that is all gone when we pass the Rescissions bill. And how will it be any different once we pass this bill, or the other bills we intend to pass this week?
I truly appreciate Chairman Cole’s efforts to have this committee work through these bills and pass these bills. But the question is, what are we doing? And do we have any power left anymore? Now, this bill, like so many others, will continue the damage and the cuts that this President has done over the first six months of his presidency.
I believe what he has done is illegal. These funding freezes and rescissions—and the compound damage he has done to our agencies and our states and communities—is something we will be dealing with for years. This bill—in particular at the EPA—cuts the funding to the states for water infrastructure by 62%. Cuts grant programs that fund our state environmental programs, and slashes the EPA by 23%.
Nobody benefits when we make those levels of cuts. Our states still have to do the work—on water infrastructure, on permitting. But the cuts in this bill, coupled with the rescissions in the Big Ugly bill, will debilitate America’s ability to address the climate crisis or to address our infrastructure needs, or to make sure our vital needs in our states of permitting will be enacted.
This presidency, this administration, is no longer just in denial. It is actively dismissing the government’s climate work and our vital environmental work. And this is work that needs to be done if we want to make sure we have a planet to hand over to our children and grandchildren.
Now, at the National Park Service, this bill cuts $213 million. And this is in addition to what happened in the Big Ugly bill, where nearly half a billion was rescinded from our national parks and our public lands. This is money that’s meant to go to conservation projects and habitat restoration, habitat restoration and critical staffing at our national parks. This is our vital season for national parks. And Americans want to be there.
And it is all compounded because we have not reauthorized the Great American Outdoors Act, which is another $1.3 billion that should be going for the maintenance backlog. This bill also funds the arts, but what a mess this administration has made of that. It was appalling to watch this administration illegally terminate thousands of grants at the NEA and the NEH.
They fired nearly 80% of the NEH staff, and they revoked funding for our State Humanities Council. This is money that’s meant to go to our communities, to our artists and workers, to kids in rural schools, to local economies that rely on cultural institutions and a don’t have a lot of other sources for funding. They’ve cut the Smithsonian by 12%, the National Gallery by 11%.
[They’re] gutting these funds, by cutting these funds and sidelining anything that they deem artistically and culturally offensive. They are gutting our arts and cultural institutions. I am relieved—and I’m grateful to the chair of the subcommittee and the full committee—that funding for tribal programs didn’t suffer the same cuts. And I appreciate that bipartisan cooperation and understanding of our treaty and trust obligation.
This bill also has 72 poison pill riders going after environmental protection, undermining our climate policies, and adding to our deficit. And overall, these cuts will only contribute to our struggling agencies. At the same time, this administration is redirecting funds to tax cuts and increasing our deficit by $3.4 trillion.
So I just want to go back to ending as I started this opening, OMB Director Vought has promised to send us more rescission packages. Each time we pass a rescission package, we undo—we wipe out—all the hard work we do negotiating in this committee. He said he’s looking to change the paradigm in appropriations, and that appropriations has to be less bipartisan.
When’s the last time one of your constituents came up to you and said, you people should be less bipartisan. You people should fight more, bicker more, and do less of what we ask you to do. How often do you hear that?
Now we’re appropriators, and we’re all proud to get to this moment when we actually get to serve on this committee. So let’s do our job. Let’s be appropriators, and let’s fight back for the power that goes to this committee and to our Congress. I encourage you to oppose this bill, unfortunately, and I yield back my time.