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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced the Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act, bipartisan legislation with the goal of aiding schools in connecting students with the mental health services needed to succeed and thrive. Students and young people continue to face unprecedented mental health challenges inside and outside of school, with pressure and stress impacting Americans across the country. Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s legislation seeks to ensure all students, particularly those in underserved communities and under-resourced school districts, have access to appropriate and timely care. Joining Congressman Krishnamoorthi in introducing this bipartisan bill are Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH), Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (D-OR).

“Our school systems are lifelines of support when young people need mental health care and don’t know where to turn,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “Currently, most American school districts are unequipped to support our children, but our Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act will fill in the gaps and connect young people with the mental health services they need. By investing in the mental health of America’s future generations, we are setting all students up for success, regardless of their background or where they live.”

“The youth mental health crisis is one of the defining challenges of our time, and schools cannot tackle it without real support,” Congressman Fitzpatrick said. “The Connecting Students to Mental Health Services Act delivers targeted, high-impact resources—especially for underserved communities—to ensure students get the care they need. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, my priority is to advance solutions like this that strengthen our system and ensure every student has a clear path to support, stability, and success.”

“Getting students better access to mental health resources is so important,” Congressman Landsman said. “As a former teacher and the son of teachers, I’ve seen firsthand what’s happening in our classrooms – and know how much more we can do. Expanding access to care in our schools, especially through telehealth, will give our students what they need to be stronger and healthier. And when it’s easier to connect with professionals to work through what they’re facing, they’re in a much better position to succeed in school and life.”

“Students across the country are facing a growing mental health crisis, and we have a responsibility to ensure they’re not navigating it alone. The Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act will help break down barriers to care, especially for students in rural and underserved communities, by expanding access to telehealth in our schools. I’m proud to join Rep. Krishnamoorthi and our colleagues in delivering resources for our students and schools,” Congressman Lawler said.

“As a mom of four, I know how essential providing mental health services to students is to their success. We need to make sure we are investing in America’s youth, and that starts with making sure they can succeed in the classroom,” Congresswoman Bynum said. “That’s why I’m so proud to introduce the Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act which takes important steps towards providing this vital care to our students in rural and high-poverty areas, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive now and for generations to come.”

The legislation would support partnerships between public schools and community-based mental health providers by:

• Establishing a grant program through the Department of Education to fund school-based mental health coordination initiatives;
• Supporting the hiring and training of school mental health professionals and liaisons;
• Helping schools create referral pathways to community providers and expand access to tele-mental health options.

The legislation has been endorsed by leading mental health and education organizations, including the School Superintendents Association (AASA), National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and National Association of Social Workers.

The full text of the bill is available here.

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

WASHINGTON – Today, during a House Oversight Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services hearing, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) sharply criticized the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate the dedicated LGBTQ+ youth crisis hotline within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In a powerful line of questioning, Congressman Krishnamoorthi warned that removing this lifesaving service, under the banner of eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, was not just misguided; it was cruel. 

Early today, Congressman Krishnamoorthi also led a bipartisan letter calling on Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reverse the decision to discontinue specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth within the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

“In the name of expunging DEI, the Trump administration is not only rewriting history, it is actively putting lives at risk,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “There is no more tragic example than the decision to end the LGBTQ+ crisis hotline, which has fielded over 1.3 million calls, texts, and chats since becoming fully operational.”

Citing data from the Trump-era Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Congressman noted that LGBTQ+ youth face suicide risks at rates four times higher than their peers.

When questioned, Republican witnesses claimed to be unaware of both the CDC’s findings and bipartisan support for the hotline.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi also referenced a 2018 statement from Republican Senator Orrin Hatch highlighting the vulnerability of LGBTQ+ youth, as well as a May 2025 bipartisan letter from Republican Representatives Mike Lawler and Young Kim urging the Trump administration to preserve the LGBTQ+ lifeline.

“You don’t dispute that my Republican colleagues said this, do you?” he asked one witness.

“I’m not aware of anything to do with the suicide hotline,” the witness replied.

“And that’s the problem,” the congressman responded. “A lack of awareness. The fact that we are expunging an LGBTQ+ youth suicide hotline in the name of expunging DEI is precisely why this crusade is so dangerous.”

While also addressing Medicaid and SNAP cuts elsewhere in the hearing, Congressman Krishnamoorthi emphasized that eliminating support programs for vulnerable populations, especially under the false pretense of advancing “equality for everybody,” only makes life harder for working families and marginalized communities.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s question line is available in full here.

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) joined Congressmen Mike Lawler (R-NY), Seth Moulton (D-MA), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) in calling on Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reverse the decision to discontinue specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth within the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In the bipartisan letter, the congressmen expressed alarm and concern over the plan to terminate the service within the next 30 days, pointing to its proven impact in the form of an average of roughly 2,100 contacts each day as of February 2025. Following the adoption of 24/7 availability in March 2023, there have been over 1.3 million calls, texts, and chats, providing LGBTQ+ youth in need with a safe, reliable, and secure outlet during a moment of crisis.

“To a young person feeling alone and scared, 988 is truly a lifeline,” the congressmen wrote in their letter. “Discontinuing this service would be a dangerous step backward and would send a devastating message to LGBTQ+ young people across the country that their needs are not seen, their lives are not valued, and that support will not be there in their darkest hour. We cannot allow that to happen.”

“Cutting this crisis line is not just a policy decision; it’s a moral failure,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “We have a duty to protect every young person in crisis, and ending this service would abandon LGBTQ+ youth at the exact moment they need us most.”

The bipartisan group concluded their letter by urging HHS to maintain the staffing, infrastructure, and funding necessary to continue this lifesaving service.

The full letter is available here.

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

CHICAGO, IL – Just days after their attempt to conduct oversight at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the South Loop of Chicago was denied, Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) have sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding immediate access to the facility and full transparency around recent detentions and conditions inside.

 

“We were denied the ability to perform congressional oversight – as is our duty as members of the United States House of Representatives,” the lawmakers wrote. “During the visit to this facility, the ICE officer who refused to identify himself called the Chicago Police Department to evict us for ‘trespassing.’”

The visit by Congressmen Krishnamoorthi and Jackson came after disturbing reports that on June 4, ICE officials detained at least 10 individuals after sending them text messages instructing them to appear at the facility for a “routine appointment.” 

“It is unclear exactly how many people were taken, where they were taken to, and if they were given access to counsel,” the lawmakers wrote of the incident. “We were denied those answers.”

The congressmen emphasized the urgency of their request amid a broader immigration crackdown. Last week, President Donald Trump announced he was instructing ICE to target Democratic cities, including Chicago, as part of the “single largest mass deportation program in history.”

“The President’s politically motivated actions are deeply troubling, particularly for communities like ours in Illinois that have already seen intensified enforcement activity in recent weeks,” Congressmen Krishnamoorthi and Jackson wrote.

The letter concludes with an urgent call to action by Congressmen Krishnamoorthi and Jackson: “Given the serious and potentially illegal nature of the activity in these reports, we request that the Department of Homeland Security allow Members of Congress to access the South Loop facility for the purpose of investigating their activity further. Please issue a response by Friday, June 27.”

The full letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

WASHINGTON – Congressman French Hill (AR-02) praised President Trump’s decision to revoke several executive orders related to Syria, effective July 1, 2025, calling it a step that will give a post-Assad Syria the opportunity to forge a new future based on peace and pluralism.

Rep. Hill says, “I commend President Trump’s decision to provide sanctions relief to Syria. This move is a significant step forward and will remove barriers for a post-Assad government, allowing it to engage in activities that will enable Syria to secure the resources needed to rebuild, while ensuring that any ongoing actions or penalties from previous sanctions remain in place.

“I’ve spent years in Congress fighting for the Syrian people, and the relatively positive developments in the first few months under the interim government give me some hope. For a free Syria to reintegrate into the international community, it must have the resources to rebuild its infrastructure, grow its economy, and establish a government that respects the rights of all Syrians. Lifting these executive sanctions provides an opportunity for this progress to occur.

“However, significant challenges remain, including ongoing threats from extremist groups and the need to navigate regional tensions to establish effective governance and promote national reconciliation. Success is not guaranteed, and it is imperative for the United States to continue monitoring the situation to ensure the new government remains committed to reform, stability, and pluralism.

“Yesterday’s executive order is a positive step forward. It offers the Syrian people a chance to move beyond the brutal and devastating war and the horrific suffering endured over decades at the hands of the Assad regime.”

Background on Rep. French Hill’s Work on Syria

Rep. French Hill has been deeply involved in shaping U.S. policy toward Syria, particularly in holding the Assad regime accountable for its war crimes and human rights abuses. The following are among his most significant contributions:

1.     Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act: Co-sponsored by Rep. Hill and signed into law in 2019, this act imposes broad sanctions on individuals and entities supporting the Assad regime’s human rights violations.

2.     Combating Captagon Trafficking: Rep. Hill has been a leading voice in addressing the illicit production and trafficking of Captagon, a drug that funded the Assad regime’s operations. He introduced two key pieces of legislation targeting this issue: the Illicit Captagon Trafficking Suppression Act, signed into law on April 24, 2024, imposing sanctions on Captagon traffickers, and the Countering Assad’s Proliferation, Trafficking, and Garnering of Narcotics (CAPTAGON) Act, incorporated into the FY 2023 NDAA, which requires a U.S. interagency strategy to disrupt Assad-linked narcotics trafficking.

3.     Syria Caucus Leadership: Rep. Hill serves as co-chair of the ‘Friends of a Free, Stable, and Democratic Syria Caucus,’ a bipartisan congressional group that advocates for freedom, human rights, accountability, the rule of law, and secular democracy for the Syrian people, making him one of the leading voices on Syria policy in Congress.

4.     Anti-normalization Legislation: In 2023, Rep. Hill co-sponsored legislation that would prohibit the U.S. government from recognizing or normalizing relations with any Syrian government led by Assad, expanding on the Caesar Act in response to efforts by Arab League countries to readmit Syria.

5.     Historic Syria Visit: In August 2023, Rep. Hill was part of the first congressional delegation to visit Syria in six years, meeting with the teachers and students at the Wisdom House School for Syrian orphans and with the White Helmets.

6.     Humanitarian Advocacy: Beyond legislation, Rep. Hill has worked to support the Syrian people and raise awareness of the ongoing atrocities. He also met with “Caesar,” the Syrian defector whose photographs documenting the regime’s violence and atrocities became a key part of the international body of evidence against Assad’s regime.

Background on Executive Order: “Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions”

An executive order signed by President Trump on June 30, 2025, lifts comprehensive U.S. sanctions on Syria effective July 1, 2025, citing the “positive actions taken by the new Syrian government.” The order revokes multiple executive orders dating back to 1979, acknowledging that circumstances have been “transformed by developments over the past 6 months”

The Executive Order can be found by clicking HERE.

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.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Today, President Donald J. Trump signed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, into law. Following the signing ceremony held at the White House, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the statement below:

“Last November, the American people overwhelmingly elected President Donald Trump and gave Republicans control of the House and Senate. They did so—not for more of the same tired D.C. rhetoric—but for bold change and a renewed sense of confidence in what makes our nation great. H.R. 1 is more than a fulfilled promise—it is a return to policies that put American households, workers, job creators, businesses, veterans, and farmers first.

“With President Trump’s signature on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, families will keep more of their hard-earned money, our borders will remain secure, the U.S. economy will thrive, workers will see higher wages, businesses will grow, and programs intended for our most vulnerable communities will be sustained and strengthened for future generations. Despite the misinformation and fearmongering tactics employed by House and Senate Democrats throughout this process, I am proud that House Republicans and the administration stood firm and got the job done.

“As this legislation begins to take effect over the coming months and years, I look forward to the positive impact it will have on the 12th District, the state of Georgia, and the United States of America.”

BACKGROUND: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, otherwise known as the reconciliation bill, is a combination of individual bills advanced by 11 House committees as instructed by the Republican Budget Framework. Congressman Allen sits on two of the 11 committees, the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee, in which he played an integral role in crafting and advancing the language under each committee’s jurisdiction. On May 22, Congressman Allen supported the House version of the bill. On July 3, Congressman Allen supported the Senate-amended version of the bill, clearing the way for President Trump’s signature.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, DC — Following the release of the White House’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, Congressman Joe Neguse and Senator Michael Bennet issued the following joint statement condemning the proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its Cooperative Institutes (CIs).

“Our Cooperative Institutes here in Colorado are vital to not only our state, but our country. These institutes — the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) and the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) —employ hundreds of people in Colorado and protect millions across the nation through research on weather, drought, and fire events. These senseless proposed funding cuts would have devastating impacts felt nationwide and undermine the science our research communities rely on for generations to come.”

“The critical work that researchers are doing everyday at NOAA and its Cooperative Institutes cannot be overstated. Their work is imperative to the personal safety and daily lives of all Americans. To eliminate funding for NOAA and its CI’s would be reckless and short-sighted. We urge the Department of Commerce to reverse any plans to eliminate funding for these critical institutions that diminish the strength of our national labs, and we will strongly oppose these dangerous proposals in the House and Senate.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Representative Joe Neguse issued the following statement on the House of Representative’s passage of H.R. 1, the 2025 Republican Budget Reconciliation Bill. Rep. Neguse led opposition to the bill through multiple marathon hearings on the Rules Committee on which he serves, including a record 28-hour hearing. 

“During the House Rules Committee’s marathon 28-hour hearing, I saw firsthand just how out of touch the Trump Administration and House Republicans are with the American people. As we exposed during multiple hearings —which House Republicans intentionally scheduled during the dead of night — the budget reconciliation bill is reckless and cruel, and will have disastrous consequences for the American people. The bill will slash healthcare for millions of Americans while increasing the deficit by trillions of dollars. Put simply, it is indefensible. That is why I vehemently opposed the bill, and voted against the measure at every turn, including again earlier today.”

“The policies embedded in the reckless budget bill will harm many families across the Western Slope and Northern Colorado, whom will feel the strain of this bill, all while billionaires and big corporations enjoy hefty tax cuts made possible by Congressional Republicans. And because of these cuts, many Coloradans will be left without critical support programs, including food assistance and healthcare access, while rural hospitals across our state face the prospects of potential closure.” 

“Over the coming weeks, our office will be engaged in critical conversations with communities across the 12 counties I’m privileged to serve, along with state and local leaders, as we chart a path forward. We also encourage constituents to contact our office directly for assistance in navigating the impacts of the legislation, as our office stands ready to assist. Finally, I will continue to identify every opportunity possible to reverse the draconian cuts wrought by House Republicans’ reckless bill and work relentlessly to do the same, including through the upcoming appropriations process for FY 2026.” 

Below are most recent available estimates on the prospective impacts of the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill on the State of Colorado.

• 40,953 people across Colorado will lose health insurance.
• At least 55,000 people across Colorado could lose some or all food assistance.
• 10,000 manufacturing and energy jobs in Colorado would be eliminated.
• 55,769 students in Colorado could have their Pell grants cut or eliminated entirely.
• $490 average yearly increase in energy bills for Colorado families.

If you or someone you know in Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District will be impacted by the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill, please fill out this form and a member of our staff will be in touch with you.

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