MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7147, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026. With the passage of this bill, along with H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, the House completed its work on government funding for the fiscal year. Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Mark Amodei issued the following statement after its passage in the House of Representatives:

“When we look back to a year ago and the disaster at the border the Trump Administration inherited, it’s clear the voices of the American people were taken seriously when they went to the ballot box with the hope of more secure borders, streets free of drugs and violent criminals, and the peace of mind that comes with safer communities,” said Chairman Mark Amodei. 

“This funding addresses every aspect of our national security where the United States could be vulnerable. It strengthens protections across air, land, maritime, and emerging cyber domains, while supporting innovation, training, and modern technologies needed to stay ahead of bad actors and adversaries.

“It’s also fiscally responsible, saving taxpayer dollars by cutting programs and offices that pursue missions unrelated to security of the homeland and refocusing resources on initiatives that truly keep Americans safe.

“The road to restoring regular order was not an easy one, but Chairman Cole’s leadership and commitment to the process brought us to this point. I want to thank my colleagues on the committee and the subcommittee staff for their partnership and hard work in getting this across the finish line.”

Key Takeaways:

• Enhances resources to detect and counter the spread of deadly drugs, like fentanyl, that poison our communities. 
• Supports security preparation and planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, America250, the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, and other National Special Security Events. 
• Funds the 2026 pay raise and avoids a Coast Guard recruiting pause.
• Sustains funding for 22,000 Border Patrol agents. 
• Counters China by increasing the Coast Guard’s Indo-Pacific footprint. 
• Bolsters custody operations to detain and deport all criminal and removable aliens. 
• Improves baggage screening equipment at airports.
• Invests in unmanned systems to improve maritime domain awareness.
• Enables the staffing of critical positions at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to counter the threat from China. 
• Eliminates handouts to non-governmental organizations that facilitated the Biden border crisis.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement on her ‘no’ vote on the fiscal year 2026 Homeland Security funding bill.

“The President promised the American people his deportation policy would remove violent criminals from the country, a goal I support– but that is not what is happening. Instead, Americans are being blatantly stripped of their rights – ripped from their homes without warrants, illegally detained and deported, and in cases like Renee Good’s, killed. The Homeland Security funding bill fails to meet the urgency of this moment. Over the past months, we’ve all seen how ICE’s enforcement practices are tearing families and communities apart, endangering American citizens, and undermining community trust in law enforcement. People deserve to feel safe on our streets, and no one should fear the federal agents that are meant to protect us. Instead of addressing the urgent need for transparency and accountability through measures like enhanced training or required body cameras, this bill makes no serious effort to reform ICE. 

“While this bill has not earned my vote, I want to be clear that it contains other provisions important to me, such as funding for FEMA, the Coast Guard, and the TSA agents who keep us safe. In fact, I offered an amendment in an attempt to strengthen its support for TSA employees by ensuring they are paid during government shutdowns by redirecting funding from ICE. I speak to TSA agents every week when I’m commuting back and forth from Michigan. Their work is often thankless, and it’s our duty to recognize the sacrifices and commitments they make to ensure our airports are safe and secure. TSA agents should never have to choose between doing their jobs and paying their bills.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today voted to pass the fiscal year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies funding bill, which includes several of her key health care priorities, including extended telehealth flexibilities for two years, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, National Institute of Health (NIH) funding protections, and increased funding for cancer research and training.

“I voted to pass the Labor HHS funding bill, which was not perfect, but has a number of critical legislative priorities I have worked hard on. This bill will institute bipartisan PBM reforms to cut out the middle man and lower prescription drug prices, extended telehealth flexibilities for two years under Medicare, protect essential funding for medical research, and invest in critical priorities, including support for the caregiving workforce, home heating assistance, early childhood education, efforts to combat violence against women, and essential funding for emergency medical services. It also included two bills that I lead – the Give Kids A Chance Act to expand research into childhood cancer and the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act to prevent suicide and reduce burnout among health care professionals. I also fought against efforts to rollback the progress we have made in ending drunk and impaired driving by opposing an amendment that would repeal my HALT Drunk Driving Act, that was signed into law in 2021 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).”

The FY2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies funding bill includes the following priorities championed by Rep. Dingell:

• $7.4 billion for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), an increase of $128 million above the 2025 level
• $106 million for the Office of Research on Women’s Health, an increase of $30 million above the 2025 level
• $13.5 million for grants to EMS agencies 
• Medicare telehealth flexibilities extended for nearly two years
• The Give Kids a Chance Act, which accelerates drug development for pediatric rare diseases
• The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals
• $3 million for grants that support family caregivers 
• Pharmacy Benefit Manager reforms
• $12.4 billion for Head Start
• $4 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• A $5 million increase for Family Violence and Prevention Services

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, and U.S. Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced the Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection (HEMP) Act. This new measure is intended to create the pathway for federal regulation of cannabidiol (CBD) products. The bill creates a first-of-its-kind federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived (or CBD) products intended for human use within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Currently, hemp-derived businesses operate with no federal guidance, causing states to adopt differing regulations of hemp-derived products. This has created a patchwork of state laws, essentially allowing for a wild west market for these products and raising serious public health concerns. 

Congressman Griffith’s HEMP Act is designed to create a future for American hemp products. By creating this pathway, it will bring regulatory certainty and allow for safer products to be sold in the United States.  

This bill only regulates hemp-derived products and not cannabis. In fact, cannabis is explicitly prohibited from being regulated through this pathway in the draft. 

Following bill introduction, Chairman Griffith issued the following statement:

“Despite raising repeated concerns about the ongoing confusion regarding the safety, consumption and sale of CBD-containing products until a discussion draft of this bill was circulated, I believe we have yet to see meaningful progress at the federal level. 

“I am proud to lead the effort in the House along with Representative Veasey to present a path forward for the federal regulation of CBD products. After discussions with stakeholders, federal officials and other relevant authorities, I believe the HEMP Act is a positive step forward to deliver federal clarity to the American hemp landscape, protecting consumers and providing a stable marketplace for legitimate producers.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues, the Trump Administration and the FDA to perfect this bill.”

BACKGROUND

Congressman Griffith’s measure follows months of circulating a discussion draft to receive input from industry leaders, stakeholders and agencies.

Under the HEMP Act, the FDA must initiate a rulemaking process to set milligram limits of CBD products. If the FDA fails to release a final rule within three years of the measure’s enactment, federal law will automatically establish CBD intoxicating limits of 5 milligrams per serving and 30 milligrams per package.

Congressman Griffith is also a co-sponsor to H.R. 7024, the Hemp Planting Predictability Act. Federal policy related to the hemp industry was impacted by the November 2025 government funding package, which included a provision that virtually bans intoxicating hemp products. This provision is set to take effect in November 2026. The Hemp Planting Predictability Act is designed to protect American hemp farmers from what is virtually a ban on hemp products by providing a two-year extension.

Since the 116^th Congress, Congressman Griffith has worked to encourage the FDA to regulate hemp-derived products.

In fact, in September 2022, Congressman Griffith helped lead a letter with then-Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie to express frustration over President Biden’s FDA and their inaction in regulating CBD products.

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

$14.7 Million in Memphis Community Projects, including $3.1 Million in funding for restoration of Clayborn Temple

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

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today voted against the annual appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security that contains funding for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

As outlined by House Democratic leadership, Democrats have been pushing House Republicans to adopt strong guardrails and accountability measures, including a judicial warrant requirement, prohibition on the detention and deportation of American citizens, use of excessive force restriction, enhanced training, a body camera mandate and a mask ban. None were included in this funding bill. 

The vote was 220 to 207.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“I voted against funding a bloated and lawless ICE operation and have, in fact, called for the agency’s abolition. What is happening in Minneapolis and Memphis and across the country by masked ICE agents is unacceptable. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said ICE was going to get ‘the worst of the worst’ – murderers, rapists, sex offenders and drug dealers – but in fact the majority of people are law-abiding and contribute to our community. Unfortunately, ‘the worst of the worst’ applies more to ICE agents who harass and brutalize people. I continue to call for ICE to leave Memphis, which does not have an immigration problem. This funding bill had the opportunity to address a litany of issues raised by me, my colleagues, and the American people, including agent training, but fell short due to House Republicans’ refusal.  ICE’s lawlessness must be adequately and immediately addressed. Until then, I’ll continue to be a no.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Pressley Has Also Championed Legislation to End Qualified Immunity for ICE Agents, Federal Law Enforcement

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley issued the following statement after voting NO on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill, which included an additional $28 billion for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with no accountability. Congresswoman Pressley continues to call for abolishing ICE and ending qualified immunity for ICE agents. 

“ICE is a rogue, violent agency that has operated with callous disregard for human life. They have terrorized our communities, kidnapped our neighbors, and killed people on the street with impunity—which is why I voted HELL NO to giving them a single penny,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “There is no reforming this lawless agency and Congress should not be funding their campaign of cruelty. We must abolish ICE, end qualified immunity for ICE agents, and dismantle the systems of oppression that have gotten us to this point.”

Last week, following the ICE murder of Renee Good, Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the Qualified Immunity Abolition Act of 2026, which builds on the lawmakers’ prior work by granting victims the right to sue federal law enforcement officers—not just state and local—for civil rights violations and abolishing the defense of qualified immunity in these suits. The expanded legislation would help deliver accountability for families abused by law enforcement, including ICE agents.

Congresswoman Pressley delivered a floor speech on the need to end qualified immunity for federal law enforcement, including immigration officers. Watch the floor speech here.

Earlier this month, Congresswoman Pressley condemned the ICE murder of Renee Good in Minnesota and motioned to subpoena all records and footage related to the shooting, but Republicans obstructed it. Footage of Congresswoman Pressley’s motion to subpoena is here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Temporary Protected Status for Over 350,000 Haitian Nationals Set to Expire February 3^rd

Haitian TPS Holders Well-Represented in Key Service Industries, Including Healthcare and Elder Care

Bill Text | Press Conference Footage

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Co-Chair of the House Haiti Caucus, announced a “discharge petition” that could compel the House vote on a bill to require the Trump Administration to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti for three years. The discharge petition will need 218 signatures in the House to move forward. TPS for Haitians is set to expire on February 3, 2026, which would leave over 350,000 Haitian nationals at risk of deportation, many of whom make up key service industries including healthcare and elder care.

“Extending TPS for Haiti isn’t just the moral, humanitarian thing to do—it is also good policy, ensuring that our TPS holders, many of whom work in healthcare and elder care sectors, can continue their essential work and contributions to our communities,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce this measure to force a vote on extending TPS for Haitians, because if the President won’t act to protect Haitian lives, then Congress must. I’m grateful to our advocates for joining us in this effort and for the broad coalition behind this important priority.”

At a press conference this morning organized by Rep. Pressley and joined by Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10) and Haiti Caucus Co-Chair Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), a coalition of advocates sounded the alarm on the harm of terminating TPS for Haiti on seniors and the U.S. care economy. Speakers at that press conference included: Luis Zaldivar of the American Business Immigration Coalition, Arnoldo Diaz of the National TPS Alliance, Katia Guillaume of SEIU, Ronald Claude of Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Teofila Liriano of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Katie Smith Sloan of LeadingAge, Monica Vargas of Haitian Bridge Alliance, and Rob Leibreich and Irma Canan of Goodwin Living.

Immigrants comprise 1 in 4 long-term care workers and over 30% of nursing home support roles. TPS holders, while a small part of the total population, represent 15% of all noncitizen healthcare workers—for instance, over 20% of Haitians nationwide work in healthcare. By 2050, the U.S. population aged 65+ will grow by 50%, yet the U.S. is currently facing a projected shortage of 3.5 million healthcare workers by 2030.

Footage from the press conference is available here and text of the bill is available here.

“The compounding political, economic, and gang violence crises Haiti faces today are not matters of debate. This is the lived reality for the Haitian people, and one that will only grow more grave if TPS for Haiti is allowed to expire on February 3rd. The Trump Administration knows this truth full well, but is still marching ahead towards its terrible goal of exposing 350,000 Haitian TPS holders to deportation, and all the terrible consequences that will follow. There is only one moral and humanitarian path forward, and that is to extend TPS for Haiti. While the president has ignored our pleas thus far, he should know that the longer our calls go unanswered, the louder they will become,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, Co-Chair of the House Haiti Caucus.

“In Haiti, women and girls are not merely caught up in this ongoing crisis, they are hunted by it. Every day, they face rape, trafficking, and violence. They deserve to be protected,” said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick, Co-Chair of the House Haiti Caucus. “Revoking TPS for Haitians during this crisis is a malicious and inhumane act that benefits no one. Haitian TPS holders are contributing more than $35 billion a year to the U.S. economy, working in critical sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and caregiving. We are not just deporting individuals, but deporting billions of dollars from our economy while leaving essential jobs vacant.”

“The administration’s decision to pull TPS for Haiti is a dangerous step that puts thousands of families at immediate risk. Haiti is facing extraordinary instability, and forcing people back into crisis is indefensible. That is why, alongside Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, we are filing a discharge petition to force a vote. This petition focuses on protecting people who have built their lives here and contribute in meaningful ways to our communities, and I hope our Republican colleagues who speak often about public safety choose to support it,” said Congressman Maxwell Frost.

“With Haiti’s TPS termination set for February 3, 2026, we’re warning of a humanitarian and economic crisis. Congress must act now to protect TPS families and provide a permanent solution. Our lives are not temporary; we’re parents, workers, and caregivers who’ve built our lives here. We urge everyone to work together to look for a legislative solution: act now, don’t wait. Protect our families, our communities, and the economy that relies on us.” – Arnoldo Diaz, National TPS Alliance 

“Foreign-born workers are essential to the nation’s aging services sector, and recent immigration policy changes, such as the coming termination of Haitian TPS, are exacerbating the aging services’ sector’s well-documented and increasing workforce needs. America’s population is rapidly aging. Demand for care is growing. And now, providers across the country are losing longtime, legally authorized caregivers, breaking trusted relationships and widening staffing gaps that directly threaten older adults’ access to needed care. Some of our nonprofit, mission-driven provider members face losing in one day 8% or more of their entire workforce, from nursing assistants to housekeeping and maintenance teams. These are losses that cannot be quickly replaced in today’s competitive labor market. Current policies are unsustainable for a sector that already navigates staffing challenges. We urge Congress and the Trump administration to reverse their approach and adopt immigration policies that strengthen, rather than destabilize, the caregiving workforce older adults and families depend on.” – Katie Smith Sloan, President and CEO, LeadingAge

This week in Boston, Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) held a field hearing on the importance of extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.

As Representative for the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District, Congresswoman Pressley serves as Co-Chair for the House Haiti Caucus and represents one of the largest Haitian diaspora communities in the country.

• On June 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley condemned the Trump Administration’s abominable termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
• On June 5, 2025, Rep. Pressley and Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) condemned Donald Trump’s executive order that bans citizens of 12 countries, including Haiti, from traveling to the United States, and places partial restrictions on citizens of seven more nations.
• On March 18, 2025, Rep. Pressley, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) led 62 of their colleagues in the House and 23 of their colleagues in the Senate in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding the Trump Administration redesignate and extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti, which the administration recently canceled on questionable legal authority:
• On February 20, 2025, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
• On November 14, 2024, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs issued a statement condemning violence in Haiti and calling on the Biden Administration to halt all deportations to Haiti.
• On September 25, 2024, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs issued a statement condemning the false and dangerous lies about Haitian, Latino, and Asian immigrants.
• On September 20, 2024, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs joined colleagues and advocates at a press conference to stand in solidarity with Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio and across America, and to demand accountability for the harmful and false narratives perpetuated by Republicans.
• On June 28, 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement applauding the Biden-Harris Administration’s extension and redesignation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). 
• On April 23, 2024, Rep. Pressley, alongside Co-Chairs Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), led a group of 50 lawmakers urging the Biden Administration to redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), pause on deportations back to Haiti, extend humanitarian parole to any Haitians currently detained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detention centers, end detention of Haitian migrants intercepted at sea, and provide additional humanitarian assistance for Haiti.
• On April 18, 2024, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs led a letter to House Ways and Means Committee leadership emphasizing support for the early renewal of the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Acts, commonly known as HOPE/HELP. 
• On April 12, 2024, Rep. Pressley joined Haitian-led activists, organizations, and a directly impacted person in Haiti for a press call urging federal action to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
• On March 27, 2024, Rep. Pressley joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and her colleagues on the Massachusetts congressional delegation in urging the Biden Administration to expedite visa processing for Haitians, particularly  for relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
• On March 18, Rep. Pressley, Senator Markey, and the House Haiti Caucus led 67 lawmakers on a letter urging the Biden Administration to extend TPS for Haiti and halt deportations.
• On March 12, 2024, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Cherfilus McCormick and Yvette Clarke issued a statement on the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
• On March 6, 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the recent jailbreak and State of Emergency in Haiti.
• On December 8, 2023, Rep. Pressley and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke urged the U.S. Department of State to withdraw U.S. support for an armed foreign intervention in Haiti and encourage negotiations for a Haitian-led democratic political transition.
• On December 6, 2022, Rep. Pressley issued a statement applauding the Biden Administration’s extension and re-designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
• On December 1, 2022, Rep. Pressley, Rep. Cori Bush, and Rep. Mondaire Jones led 14 of their colleagues on a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging the Department to extend and redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
• In September 2022, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Velázquez led 54 of their colleagues on a letter calling on the Biden Administration to immediately halt deportations to Haiti and provide humanitarian parole protections for those seeking asylum. The lawmakers’ letter followed the Administration’s resumption of deportation flights to Haiti as thousands of Haitian migrants continue to await an opportunity to make an asylum claim at the border. 
• In September 2022, Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues on the House Oversight Committee in demanding answers regarding the inhumane treatment of migrants in Del Rio, Texas, by Border Patrol agents on horseback and pushing to Biden Administration to end the ongoing use and weaponization of Title 42.
• On August 17, 2022, Rep. Pressley, along with Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Val Demings, Yvette Clarke, and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), called on President Biden to appoint a new Special Envoy to Haiti, a position that has remained unfilled since September 2021.
• On July 7, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Andy Levin (MI-09), Val Demings (FL-10) and Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released a statement marking the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.
• On May 31, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Reverend Dieufort Fleurissaint, chair of Haitian Americans United, published an op-ed in the Bay State Banner in which they called on the Biden administration to withdraw support for de facto ruler of Haiti, Ariel Henry, and instead support an inclusive, civil society-led process to restore stability and democracy on the island. 
• In April 2022, she joined her colleagues at a press conference reaffirming her support for President Biden’s decision to end Title 42. Full video of her remarks at the press conference is available here. Rep. Pressley applauded the Biden Administration’s end of Title 42 in a statement in April 2022.
• On May 26, 2022, Rep. Pressley, along with Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Andy Levin (MI-09), Jim McGovern (MA-02), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24), led a letter to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Power urging her to act to ensure food security in Haiti.
• On March 16, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Mondaire Jones called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky to fully end Title 42, cease deportations of people to Haiti and affirm their legal and fundamental human right to seek asylum.
• On February 16, 2022, Rep. Pressley joined Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and 100 House and Senate colleagues in urging President Biden to reverse inhumane immigration policies – such as Title 42, originally introduced under the Trump Administration – that continue to disproportionately harm Black migrants.
• On February 14, 2022, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), alongside Representatives Judy Chu (CA-27) and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), led 33 other House Democrats on a letter to Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, demanding answers about the agency’s justification for treating asylum seekers as a unique public health threat, how these expulsions are being coordinated, how asylum seekers being returned to dangerous situations are being cared for, and more.
• On February 14, 2022, Reps. Pressley, Judy Chu (CA-27), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) led 33 other House Democrats on a letter to CDC Director Walensky demanding answers about the agency’s justification for treating asylum seekers as a unique public health threat, how these expulsions are being coordinated, how asylum seekers being returned to dangerous situations are being cared for, and more. Days later, Rep. Pressley once again called on the Biden Administration to reverse the Title 42 Order and other anti-Black immigration policies.
• On January 12, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Andy Levin (MI-09), and Val Demings (FL-10) released a statement on the 12-year anniversary of the catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010.
• On November 21, 2021, Rep. Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren led the Massachusetts congressional delegation on a letter to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) calling on them to coordinate with the government agencies of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to assist newly arrived families from Haiti. 
• On October 18, 2021, Rep. Pressley, and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Val Demings (FL-10), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Andy Levin (MI-09) issued a statement following the kidnapping of American and Canadian missionaries in Haiti.
• On October 18, 2021, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the civil rights complaint filed by Haitian families demanding a federal investigation into the heinous actions perpetrated by federal officials at the border.
• On October 22, 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), sent a letter to Troy A. Miller, the Acting Administrator of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), demanding a briefing and answers regarding press reports of the inhumane treatment of migrants in Del Rio, Texas, by Border Patrol agents on horseback. 
• On September 17, 2021, Rep. Pressley and Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07) led 52 of their colleagues calling on the Biden Administration to immediately halt deportations to Haiti and take urgent action to address the concerns of the Haitian Diaspora after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti.
• On August 14, 2021, Rep. Pressley Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Andy Levin (MI-09) and Val Demings (FL-10) and Mondaire Jones (NY-17) released a statement regarding the recent earthquake in Haiti.
• On July 14, 2021, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Andy Levin (MI-09) and Val Demings (FL-10) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calling on him to take a series of steps to support the Haitian diaspora amid ongoing political turmoil in Haiti.
• In July 2021, the Reps. Pressley, Clarke, Demings and Levin issued a statement condemning the assassination of President Moïse and calling for swift and decisive action to bring political stability and peace to Haiti and the Haitian people.
• In May 2021, on Haitian Flag Day, Reps. Pressley, Levin, Clarke and Demings announced the formation of the House Haiti Caucus, a Congressional caucus dedicated to pursuing a just foreign policy that puts the needs and aspirations of the Haitian people first.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) released the following statement on her vote against the Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations Act.

“In Ventura County and the Conejo Valley, and communities across the nation, ICE operations have been marked by alarming lawlessness, excessive use of force, and a disturbing disregard for human life.

“I could not in good conscience vote for a funding package that further empowers an agency of masked henchmen acting with impunity to terrorize our communities. Under Secretary Kristi Noem’s failed leadership, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has embraced chaos and fear over due process and civility, cruelty over the rule of law, and political theater over public safety. Instead of addressing systemic failures, Noem has allowed ICE to function as an unaccountable force, untethered from the basic standards that govern every other law enforcement agency in this country.

“House Democrats have been relentless in pushing for the urgent reforms needed to rein in ICE and restore the rule of law amid this very dark period in our nation’s history. These reforms include requiring judicial warrants, strengthening training and oversight, mandating body cameras, banning masked agents, and establishing clear accountability measures. Yet, House Republicans have rejected every one of these safeguards, choosing to enable abuse rather than protect the public.

“Our immigration system is undeniably broken, but it will not be fixed through fear, intimidation, or cruelty. We need a serious, bipartisan approach that creates an immigration system where those seeking employment, legitimate asylum seekers, and families who follow the law and pay taxes have a pathway to citizenship. 

“Further, it should never be normalized for unidentifiable individuals, who may or may not even be federal agents, to terrorize communities, violate due process, subject detainees to unsafe and unsanitary conditions, or tear families apart.

“The suffering and trauma inflicted by the Trump administration’s immigration agenda in just one year stands in direct opposition to America’s values and constitutional principles. House Democrats refuse to be complicit in this reckless misuse of power, and we will continue fighting for a future that upholds the foundation and values upon which this great nation was formed.”

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Issues: 119th Congress, Immigration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) released the following statement after the House failed to advance H.Con.Res. 68, a Concurrent War Powers Resolution directing the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.

“At a moment when Congress should assert its constitutional authority and act as a check on a lawless executive, the Republican majority instead chose blind loyalty to Donald Trump over their constitutional duty to the American people,” said Congresswoman Brownley. 

“The American people have been clear: they expect Congress to uphold the rule of law and prevent reckless, unauthorized military engagements. Yet, Republicans continue to abdicate their constitutional responsibilities, allowing this administration to operate without even the pretense of oversight or accountability. The result is a weakened Congress, a diminished Constitution, strained international alliances, and a United States that is increasingly viewed as unreliable and unserious on the world stage.

“As Donald Trump continues his authoritarian tactics, House Republicans have chosen to eliminate the rightful role of Congress as a co-equal branch of government. House Democrats, however, will not be silent. We will continue to call out abuses of power, demand transparency, and fight to restore Congress’s constitutional role. 

“Democrats remain ready to work across the aisle to uphold the U.S. Constitution, our laws, and the will of the American people. I urge the Republicans who voted against this resolution to reflect on the oath they swore and to start defending our democratic institutions instead of enabling a dangerous and unchecked presidency.”

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Issues: 119th Congress, Military