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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After voting to release the long-blocked Epstein Files, Congresswoman Haley Stevens joined Senator Elissa Slotkin’s calls to “push Democrats to abolish [the] Presidential Pardon.” With Trump considering pardons for Ghislaine Maxwell and others involved in Epstein’s child sex trafficking ring, Congresswoman Haley Stevens also released a new video outlining why the abuse of power must end, and the presidential pardon must go.

Here’s what Michiganders are seeing and reading about Haley standing up to Donald Trump’s abuses of power:

WLNS: Slotkin, Stevens push Democrats to abolish presidential pardon

Brad LaPlante

November 19, 2025

For the last two months, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin has been leading an effort to curb President Donald Trump’s use of executive power. During a town hall in August, the Democrat from Holly called it a “quirk of history that does not make sense in America for either party any longer.” She said lawmakers should revoke the power.

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) joined Slotkin Tuesday in her calls to end the presidential pardon, criticizing Trump for weighing a decision to pardon Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, who is reportedly planning to seek a commutation of her federal prison sentence, according to the Independent.

A judge sentenced Maxwell to 20 years in prison for enabling sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in the sexual exploitation of more than 250 underage girls.

“It’s time to stop protecting Donald Trump and to start protecting survivors,” Stevens posted to social media platform X on Tuesday. “The presidential pardon power has been used to reward political allies. Trump has done it again, and again, and again. And now he could even pardon a person who helped run a child sex trafficking ring with Jeffrey Epstein. That’s unacceptable.”

In a video posted to social media this week, Slotkin said the presidential pardon “doesn’t make sense in the modern world.” She said she doesn’t support it for either political party.

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On Nov. 9, Trump issued a pardon for 16 individuals accused of scheming to certify Michigan’s electoral votes for Trump in the 2020 election. While charges against 15 of those individuals were dismissed in September, the 16th reached a cooperation agreement with the Michigan attorney general’s office. His charges were dropped.

Trump has also issued blanket pardons for those involved in the events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He pardoned Ross William Ulbricht, who had been serving a life sentence in prison for running a website that acted as a marketplace to trade narcotics.

In Trump’s first term, he pardoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was charged with crimes related to selling former President Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat, among other “pay to play” schemes. The Illinois House voted 114-1 to impeach him, and he was removed from office and prohibited from ever holding office in the state again by two separate unanimous votes in the Illinois Senate. Blagojevich was released from prison at least four years early in 2020 after Trump commuted his sentence. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been eligible for early release until at least March 2024.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

LOS ANGELES – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D–Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after a community project he advocated for was included in the government funding bill signed into law last week. The goal of the funded project is to improve stormwater infrastructure in and around Rolling Hills Estates following years of unprecedented rainfall and flooding. Southern California has been heavily impacted by recent severe storms that have stressed critical infrastructure designed to mitigate flooding in the area. This project will help Rolling Hills Estates repair storm drains and install a dry-well system to divert stormwater from entering the Los Angeles Harbor. 

“Southern California has been getting hammered by severe rainstorms, which is stress testing our region’s critical infrastructure,” said Rep. Lieu “Heavy rains in communities like Rolling Hills Estates can lead to dangerous and destructive flooding and land movement. This is why I fought for and secured the federal funding for Rolling Hills Estates to improve their storm water infrastructure. By repairing old storm drains and installing a new system to divert storm water, we can curb the harmful impacts of the unprecedented rainfall and flooding we’ve seen in the last few years.”

“This project reflects the City’s commitment to both public safety and environmental stewardship,” said Mayor Debby Stegura. “By investing in our stormwater infrastructure, we are reducing flood risks, preventing system failures, and protecting waterways from storm-driven pollution. We are proud to advance this work with strong federal partnership and are grateful to Congressman Ted Lieu for his leadership in securing funding for this project in Rolling Hills Estates.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement on the House Republicans’ resolution denouncing socialism:

“House Republicans just returned from a seven-week taxpayer-funded recess, and instead of doing anything to lower costs, they are wasting time and money on this pointless resolution. 

“My colleagues on the other side are more focused on performative political stunts like this while families in Denver are seeing health care and groceries get more expensive. This is a precursor to their plan to gut Social Security and Medicare, and I will always fight tooth and nail to protect these essential programs.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) led a bipartisan letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought urging him to enact full funding for the Office of Space Commerce (OSC). Recent reporting indicates that OMB notified OSC that it was only entitled to an annual budget of $37 million, which representants a 40 percent cut from its $65 million Congressionally authorized budget. The Members argue that the cut could impact space traffic coordination and jeopardize critical defense missions and commercial space operations. In addition to Reps. Lieu and Bacon, this letter was signed by Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Valerie Foushee (D-NC) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA).

Dear Director Vought:

We write to express our deep concern regarding reported cuts to the Office of Space Commerce’s (OSC) budget. It is essential that the United States maintains its world-leading commercial space industry – and a thriving, well-resourced OSC is critical to that aim.

Recent reporting indicates that the Office of Management and Budget notified OSC it was only entitled to an annual budget of $37 million, a 40 percent cut from its $65 million Congressionally authorized budget based on the Fiscal Year 2024 enacted level and extended by the March 14 Continuing Resolution. The Administration’s cut is clearly below what both House and Senate appropriators have called for in Fiscal Year 2026. The risk of reduced funding for OSC recently compelled leading commercial and defense space associations to request $65 million in FY26 funding and warn that inadequate funding for space traffic coordination – a key responsibility of OSC – risks “putting critical missions in harm’s way, raising the cost of doing business, and potentially driving U.S. industry to relocate overseas.”

Among several important responsibilities, OSC is developing the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), which will provide basic space situational awareness to civil and private space entities, supporting space traffic coordination and minimizing the risk of collisions. OSC’s efforts to ensure a safe, well-coordinated space environment will protect space-based services such as GPS, broadband, and resource management, among other important functions. Reduced funding risks degrading OSC’s TraCSS efforts, which would lead to greater uncertainty and a more dangerous orbital environment.

For years, OSC has been an essential partner to the U.S. space industry, a key pillar of the American innovation economy. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, in 2023, the space economy accounted for $142.5 billion of total U.S. GDP in 2023, created $240.9 billion in gross output, and supported 373,000 private sector jobs. While the global space economy has continued to grow, the U.S. has been the clear driver of that growth: in 2024, global satellite manufacturing revenues grew to $20 billion, and American firms earned nearly 70 percent of that market share. But at the same time, our competition is increasing as China and other global competitors ramp up investment in their own commercial space industries.

We must ensure our government agencies are equipped to continue partnering with our space industry. To that end, we request the Administration maintain OSC’s previously enacted funding level of $65 million.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important issue. We look forward to receiving your response.

READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER HERE

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

 Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and David Valadao (R-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Asthma and Allergy Caucus, along with Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) reintroduced the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act, legislation that would expand federal, state, and local efforts to improve care for individuals with asthma.
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 25 million people, including over 4 million children, live with asthma in the United States. Asthma disproportionately impacts women and minority communities who bear the brunt of the disease. Individuals living in poverty, as measured by the federal poverty line, are also more likely to suffer from asthma. Additionally, asthma imposes significant economic burdens, costing the United States over $81 billion in medical and indirect costs in the form of missed days of school and work.
 
The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act expands the CDC’s National Asthma Control Program to all 50 states. The National Asthma Control Program helps health departments across the country ensure the availability of and access to guidelines-based medical management and pharmacotherapy for all people with asthma to address the public health burden of the disease. The legislation also directs the CDC to collaborate with state and local health departments to provide information and education to the public regarding asthma. Additionally, the legislation requires the development of state plans around public health responses to asthma, particularly for disproportionately affected populations, and mandates the collection and coordination of data on the impact of asthma.
 
“Michigan has one of the highest prevalence rates of asthma in the country, and action is needed to reduce the burden of this disease in my home state and across the country,” said Rep. Dingell. “The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act will strengthen the public health response to this disease and help all Americans with this disease live healthier lives, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure this legislation becomes law.”

“The Central Valley suffers from some of the worst air quality in the nation, and as a result, over half a million people have been diagnosed with asthma,” said Rep.Valadao. “The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act is a bipartisan step toward expanding access to care and improving the quality of life for people living with this difficult and life-altering disease. As co-chair of the Congressional Asthma and Allergy Caucus, I’m proud to reintroduce this bill and remain committed to ensuring Central Valley families have access to the care they need to live happy, healthy lives.” 

“Asthma remains one of the most common—and most costly—chronic diseases in America, yet our public-health response varies dramatically from state to state. The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act closes that gap,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “By expanding a proven national program to all 50 states, we equip local health departments with the tools to reduce attacks, prevent hospitalizations, and deliver better outcomes for the families in our PA-1 community, and nationwide, who shoulder this burden every day.” 

“Asthma continues to be a chronic illness affecting millions of Americans each year and disproportionately impacting Black and Brown people and women,” said Rep. Clarke. “This bill will expand access to essential asthma services, support prevention, and equip families with the tools they need to manage this chronic disease. By addressing the health disparities and providing much-needed care in our underserved communities, we are decreasing the number of hospitalizations and emergency room visits and improving the overall management of asthma across this nation.” 

The bill is supported by the American Lung Association, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and the Allergy & Asthma Network.

“Asthma is a chronic lung disease that impacts millions of children and adults in the U.S. We must ensure that every person, regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic status, has access to the high-quality asthma care they need to breathe easier and live healthier lives,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Thankfully, at a time when too many families are struggling to manage this condition, the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act offers real solutions. This legislation will strengthen asthma programs, expand care, increase awareness and reduce the burden of this chronic disease.”

“On behalf of the nearly 28 million people in the United States with asthma, we appreciate the leadership of Rep. Dingell and co-sponsors Reps. Clarke, Valadao, and Fitzpatrick on the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act,” said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). “The Act expands the successful National Asthma Control Program (NACP) to reach all of the United States. While the NACP expanded from 1999-2018 to support state-based asthma programs, asthma-related mortality decreased by 44%. NACP-funded programs in 29 states reduce missed days of school and work, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations by enabling people with asthma to better manage their condition. This bill will also address the $115 billion annual economic burden of asthma. Expanding the NACP is essential to making America healthier by reducing the burden of chronic disease and keeping families across the country healthy and productive.”
 
View the full bill text here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Reps. Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Yvette Clarke (NY-09) to reintroduce the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand federal, state, and local efforts to improve care for people with asthma.

“The Central Valley suffers from some of the worst air quality in the nation, and as a result, over half a million people have been diagnosed with asthma,” said Congressman Valadao. “The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act is a bipartisan step toward expanding access to care and improving the quality of life for people living with this difficult and life-altering disease. As co-chair of the Congressional Asthma and Allergy Caucus, I’m proud to reintroduce this bill and remain committed to ensuring Central Valley families have access to the care they need to live happy, healthy lives.” 

“Michigan has one of the highest prevalence rates of asthma in the country, and action is needed to reduce the burden of this disease in my home state and across the country,” said Rep. Dingell. “The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act will strengthen the public health response to this disease and help all Americans with this disease live healthier lives, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure this legislation becomes law.”

“Asthma remains one of the most common—and most costly—chronic diseases in America, yet our public-health response varies dramatically from state to state,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act closes that gap. By expanding a proven national program to all 50 states, we equip local health departments with the tools to reduce attacks, prevent hospitalizations, and deliver better outcomes for the families in our PA-1 community, and nationwide, who shoulder this burden every day.”

“Asthma continues to be a chronic illness affecting millions of Americans each year and disproportionately impacting Black and Brown people and women,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “This bill will expand access to essential asthma services, support prevention, and equip families with the tools they need to manage this chronic disease. By addressing the health disparities and providing much-needed care in our underserved communities, we are decreasing the number of hospitalizations and emergency room visits and improving the overall management of asthma across this nation.”

Supporting organizations include: the American Lung Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and the Allergy & Asthma Network.

“On behalf of the nearly 28 million people in the United States with asthma, we appreciate the leadership of Rep. Dingell and co-sponsors Reps. Clarke, Valadao, and Fitzpatrick on the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act,” said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). “The Act expands the successful National Asthma Control Program (NACP) to reach all of the United States. While the NACP expanded from 1999-2018 to support state-based asthma programs, asthma-related mortality decreased by 44%. NACP-funded programs in 29 states reduce missed days of school and work, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations by enabling people with asthma to better manage their condition. This bill will also address the $115 billion annual economic burden of asthma. Expanding the NACP is essential to making America healthier by reducing the burden of chronic disease and keeping families across the country healthy and productive.”

“Asthma is a chronic lung disease that impacts millions of children and adults in the U.S. We must ensure that every person, regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic status, has access to the high-quality asthma care they need to breathe easier and live healthier lives,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Thankfully, at a time when too many families are struggling to manage this condition, the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act offers real solutions. This legislation will strengthen asthma programs, expand care, increase awareness and reduce the burden of this chronic disease.”

The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act would:

• Expand the CDC’s National Asthma Control Program to all 50 states. This would help health departments across the country ensure the availability of and access to guidelines-based medical management and pharmacotherapy for all people with asthma to address the public health burden of this disease.
• Direct the CDC to collaborate with state and local health departments to provide information and education to the public regarding asthma.
• Require the development of state plans around public health responses to asthma, particularly for disproportionately affected populations.
• Mandate the collection and coordination of data on the impact of asthma.

Read the full bill here.

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