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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

WASHINGTON – Today, during National Police Week, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) and David Valadao(CA-21) introduced bipartisan legislation to tackle high early retirement rates in law enforcement by increasing benefits for officers. The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act expands child care benefits and invests in new child care facilities to hire and retain more working parents in law enforcement.

Child care shortages hit law enforcement hard:

“This is a no-brainer – keeping our families safe starts by recruiting and retaining top-tier police officers,” said Rep. Harder. “Making sure our officers have access to quality, affordable child care means we increase the pool of talented, diverse recruits and keeps officers on the streets protecting our communities.”

How this legislation hires and retains more working parents in law enforcement:

• Expands child care benefits to new and existing officers through a $24 million pilot program to supply grants to law enforcement agencies.
• Builds new child care facilities by authorizing local agencies to construct or operate new centers for police departments’ exclusive use.
• Prioritizes small agencies by setting aside 20% of the total grant funding for police departments employing fewer than 200 officers. 

“Our Central Valley police departments continue to face staffing shortages, and we need real solutions to support the people who put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” said Rep. Valadao. “By making child care more accessible for officers working long, irregular hours, this bipartisan bill reduces a major barrier for working parents in law enforcement and helps improve public safety in our communities.”

“Access to quality, reliable childcare is essential to recruitment and retention of the best, most representative police force we can have,” said Rep. Peters. “Our officers go out every day and ensure our children are safe — the least we can do is make sure there is someone to watch their kids when they are on duty. San Diego is leading the way to expand childcare opportunities for police officers, and I am working to support those efforts at the federal level.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and Senator Maggie Hassan in sending a letter to Education Secretary Linda E. McMahon and the Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought demanding the Administration deliver the federal funding allocated to New Hampshire’s TRIO programs. 

TRIO programs provide support to individuals from low-income backgrounds, students who would be the first person in their families to earn a college degree, students with disabilities, and other students to attend college. From personalized tutoring to personal mentoring and advising, to assistance applying for and identifying funding options, TRIO programs make a real difference in a student’s ability to attend and complete college. 

“The TRIO Programs are a cornerstone of our nation’s commitment to educational access and upward mobility,” the delegation wrote.“The ongoing delay in issuing GANs is already having real-world consequences in our home state of New Hampshire. We are particularly concerned about the damage being caused by the Department’s delayed notification to the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) Upward Bound program. UNH’s program is slated to begin June 1. They only have enough carryover funding for roughly one month before they would need to lay off staff and shutter a program that has had such a significant positive impact on the lives of so many Granite Staters. We urge you to act without further delay to ensure that TRIO programs can operate on schedule and provide the services that New Hampshire’s students and those across the country are counting on.” 

“TRIO programs provide academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance, summer academies, and other supports necessary to help economically disadvantaged students enter college and graduate,” said Joshua Gagnon, President, NH Educational Opportunity Association. “We know that TRIO works – students who participate in Upward Bound are more than twice as likely to earn a bachelor’s degree by age 24 than their peers. If grant notices are not received by June 1, over 14,000 students nationally – including 114 students in NH – could miss out on this life-changing educational opportunity.”

Read the delegation’s full letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

**The bipartisan bill would model proven programs like Manchester’s ACERT to allow local entities to receive grant funding to address adverse childhood experiences associated with exposure to trauma**

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Following Congressman Chris Pappas’s (NH-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Maple Caucus, call for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reinstate grants delivered by the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer), funding for the Acer program has been released.

“Acer provides important resources for strengthening the domestic maple syrup industry. I’m pleased that the Acer grants have been unfrozen, but our producers worked tirelessly this season. They should not have been left uncertain about whether they would receive funds that they were promised,” said Congressman Pappas. “We can’t ignore this recurring theme from the current administration in freezing or revoking funds for our communities that will have lasting negative impacts. We can work responsibly to reduce government waste and fraud without holding back the resources New Hampshire small businesses need.”

Acer provides essential support to the maple syrup industry in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, and freezing these grants as the administration places tariffs on Canada, one of the U.S.’s closest allies, put the livelihoods of maple producers at risk. Much of the equipment used to produce syrup and other maple products is manufactured in Canada, and tariffs will raise prices in an unsustainable manner for New Hampshire’s maple producers. 

Background: 

Congressman Pappas leads the Fighting Budget Waste Act, which was the first bill he introduced in the 119th Congress. This bipartisan bill will save taxpayer dollars by requiring the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to consider the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) annual report on federal programs with fragmented, overlapping, or duplicative goals from the prior year to address problems with those programs and reduce costs.

Congressman Pappas is a small business owner and a former member of the House Small Business Committee.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

This morning at 1:45 AM, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) delivered the following remarks on the House floor before voting against Republicans’ reconciliation bill: 

“I rise tonight because health care is on the line, and so is the well-being and the dignity of the people I serve in New Hampshire. 

The phones in my office won’t stop ringing because people I represent are beyond angry about the proposal to slash Medicaid. 

Last week, I sat down with a constituent, Donka Facciolo of Laconia. She lives with a disability, and thanks to Medicaid, she receives skilled nursing, transportation, and employment support. Because of that help, she can live on her own. And another constituent that I met, Kevin Brett, told me the same. Without Medicaid, he’s not sure where he’d go. Parents of individuals with disabilities have told me that they could lose in-home care for their kids, and in doing so they’d be forced to quit their jobs. What kind of choice is that for these parents?

Slashing Medicaid is cruel. It would take away Granite Staters’ ability to receive care, their chance to work, it would rob them of their independence. And we know that it’s all being ripped away in order to give big tax breaks to billionaires and the biggest corporations.

So I’m a no on this reckless scheme. I urge my colleagues to vote no as well.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, and Mark Takano (CA-39), Ranking Member of HVAC, held a press conference with National Fair Housing Alliance Vice President Public Policy and Senior Counsel for Fair Lending, Maureen Yap and Senior Attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, Alys Cohen to call attention to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ending of the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program – the only VA program that guaranteed foreclosure avoidance for veterans experiencing severe financial hardship, helping them stay in their homes. 

“It’s important to understand that 80,000 veterans at risk have been put at risk by the abrupt ending of the VASP program… I’ve heard from veterans directly that are concerned about their future,” said Congressman Pappas. “This isn’t about statistics, it’s not about hypothetical situations, it’s about real people. It’s about real veterans that swore an oath to give everything up to and including their lives for the United States of America who deserve our unwavering commitment to be able to provide them a roof over their head and to make sure they won’t get foreclosed on. So this shouldn’t be a partisan issue. This is a moral issue, and something that we will continue to call VA on to address and to make sure that they are providing the kind of support that our veterans need, whether that’s in the form of a foreclosure moratorium or reimplementing VASP while we work on this partial claims program. We need a solution today so that veterans like Daniel in my district get the help and support that they deserve.”

Watch Congressman Pappas’s remarks here or the full press conference here. 

The VASP program was created as a “last-resort” option for veterans and their family members facing foreclosure on VA-backed loans following the expiration of pandemic programs, which when coupled with rising interest rates, increased the risk of default for thousands of veterans. Before its termination, VASP was the only program of last resort that existed for veterans facing immediate foreclosure, and helped over 17,000 veterans since the program launched in 2024. By abruptly ending this program on May 1 with no alternative in place, 80,000 veterans and their families now face the prospect of losing their homes with no relief mechanism in place.

Background: 

In April, Pappas spoke out forcefully against the administration abruptly ending the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase Program (VASP) during a House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity markup. He joined a bicameral letter pressing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to immediately reverse his decision to abruptly end VASP. Earlier this month, in a HVAC markup, Pappas spoke out against the decision to end VASP, and in a HVAC hearing with VA Secretary Collins, Pappas rebuked the Secretary for ending the program. 

In January, Pappas joined a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Acting Secretary Todd Hunter demanding answers about how VA is implementing President Trump’s Inaugural Executive Order to freeze hiring across the executive branch and how it is hurting veterans’ access to the health care and benefits they earned. In March, Pappas condemned reports that the Trump administration is planning to cut 80,000 staff from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which could have catastrophic consequences for America’s veterans and cause significant delays and disruptions for those seeking medical treatment, as well as support for housing, addiction, mental health, and other lifesaving services. These firings would also result in job losses for thousands of veterans, who make up 25% of VA’s workforce.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

San Francisco – Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi hosted an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month roundtable with San Francisco’s Asian Pacific Islander Council, bringing together community leaders to address the devastating impacts of the Trump Administration’s budget cuts on AAPI communities.

The roundtable featured key speakers, including Cally Wong, Executive Director of the API Council; Lance Toma, CEO of the San Francisco Community Health Center; Dr. Jian Zhang, CEO of Chinese Hospital; Jon Osaki, Executive Director of JCYC; Judy Young, Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Development Center; Luisa Antonio, Executive Director of the Bayanihan Equity Center; and Tammy Hung, Deputy Director of Programs at the Chinatown Community Development Center.

The event highlighted how Republican attacks on health care, housing and educational resources have compounded the challenges facing AAPI communities—particularly in San Francisco. Participants shared firsthand accounts of the real-world consequences of these policy decisions and emphasized the urgency of standing united to defend the health, dignity and opportunity of AAPI families.

Watch the full roundtable here. View photos from today’s event here.

Read excerpts of Speaker Emerita Pelosi’s remarks as delivered below:

Speaker Emerita Pelosi. Good afternoon. It is my privilege to join this distinguished group of AAPI leaders for this important roundtable discussion.

Thank you for your leadership in so many ways. And to each of you—thank you. We’ve had our interactions at your places of leadership and service. Thank you for what you all do.

To the AAPI leaders who are gathered here for this roundtable discussion: I salute Cally Wong for her tireless leadership at the API Council, an unyielding voice for equity and justice in the Bay Area and well beyond that.

It’s a thrill to be here at the Japanese Community Youth Council. Thank you, Jon, for your leadership as a model of culture and diversity in the Bay Area.
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How special it is that we gather during AAPI Heritage Month.
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Asian Pacific Americans’ entrepreneurial spirit, courage and patriotism has strengthened the foundation of our nation and made America more American.
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We take great pride in our vibrant, diverse—very diverse—community, as we can see here. And the Bay Area has been so enriched by the community. And you know that. We’ll hear more about that.

Now then, I want to just say that—you know, we’re in a situation right now where the Republicans have said, ‘Whatever you want to do for your communities, it cannot have anything to do with health, education, the arts, museums, libraries, diversity…’ I mean, they’re just undermining the culture that is America. Because diversity, of course, is our strength.

But I was able to get the Southeast Asian Development Center to help purchase a new building with $1 million, and $850,000 for AsianWeek Foundation. But what they’re doing is such an insult.

It’s because the cuts that are in the budget already—and I say already because I’ll get to another point—help older Asian American adults learn to use digital technology. They’re cutting that. Combat anti-Asian hate? They’re cutting that. Advise low-income tenants facing eviction? They’re cutting that.

Here at the JCYC, President Trump’s budget cuts $2.6 million in funding, which provides college advising and preparation services for thousands of low-income youth in San Francisco. They’re cutting that.

Republicans are hurting our most vulnerable communities to provide tax cuts for the richest people in the country.

At the same time, they’re pushing a bill through Congress that slashes $300 billion from SNAP. Food out of the mouths of babies to give billionaires a tax cut. $700 billion from Medicaid. That means $1 trillion in cuts just from those two things.

Now, the Congressional Budget Office—the CBO, which we’re supposed to obey (but they have said they’re not necessarily going to do that)—has said with those cuts, it generates $500 billion in cuts to Medicare. Medicaid: $700 billion. Medicare: $500 billion. SNAP: $300 billion.

In meeting the needs of people—and you know what they call it? ‘Waste, fraud, and abuse.’ We say back to them: Our seniors, our children—they are not waste, fraud, and abuse! You’ve got a claim? Show us what it is. But we haven’t seen that yet.

In any event—it’s Robin Hood in reverse. Take from the needy and give to the rich. That’s the Republican Robin Hood in reverse.
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And when they say ‘waste, fraud, and abuse’—show us. What is it? We don’t want any waste, fraud and abuse. But we don’t consider feeding our children waste, fraud and abuse. Or helping our people with disabilities. Or our seniors who need long-term health care and the rest of that. We don’t consider that waste, fraud and abuse.

If you do—because you want to give tax cuts to billionaires—that’s your waste, fraud, and abuse. Because that’s not what our—A budget should be a statement of values.

What is important to us as a nation should be reflected in our budget. For our children, their health, their education, the economic security of their families, safe, clean neighborhoods in which they can thrive—including from gun violence—and a world at peace in which they can thrive.

That’s not what this budget is about. It’s about tax cuts for the wealthiest people.

Now, you may recall that when—what’s his name—was in office before, and the Republicans had the majority for two years until we, with your help, defeated them—they had one bill that Republicans only passed.

It was their tax bill. And it gave 83% of the benefits to the top 1%. Eighty-three percent of the benefits to the top 1%. And added $2 trillion to the national debt.

Oh, big talk: ‘Oh, we’re fiscally responsible.’ $2 trillion in national debt. Not creating jobs or anything—just a tax cut.

This time, they’re going beyond that. They’ll probably add closer to $4 trillion to the national debt to give a bigger tax cut to the high end—while they cut SNAP. Food—taking food from the mouths of babies—to give a tax cut to the richest people.

So this is about their lack of values.

And you know, I’ve been in Congress a long time—thanks to all of you—and we’ve had our disagreements [with Republicans] about policy and the rest, and that’s legitimate, to have disagreement.

But this is criminal.

It’s not only criminal. It’s illegal in terms of what the law requires them to do.

So again—we don’t agonize. We organize. And that’s what we’re going to talk about today.
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And we can only do so much inside maneuvering. The outside mobilization—know your power in all of this.

And that’s why I want to hear freshly what you have to say. Every day it makes a difference.
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But again, Jon, thank you for your hospitality. It’s great to be here. It looks good. Place looks good. And the JCYC—just so remarkable.

But so are all of you here.

Now, Cally Wong has been the Executive Director of the API Council. Some of us have been together when we’ve had these meetings before. And she has led the way—as she will today.

Cally, thank you. Cally, thank you for your leadership.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), who serves on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade and chairs the New Democrat Coalition’s Trade Task Force, issued the following statement on a ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade vacating and permanently enjoining Donald Trump’s across-the-board tariffs on nearly every country in the world, including his “Liberation Day” tariffs and separate tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China:

“This ruling is a major victory for the American people, who have spent months under threat of a stupid, self-imposed economic disaster thanks to Donald Trump’s trade war. Trump’s tariffs have already raised costs on Americans, strained our alliances, hurt our credibility, and threatened the global economy. They’ve driven uncertainty to a peak, hurt our small businesses, and greatly raised the danger of a recession.

“The U.S. Court of International Trade agreed with what I and others have said for months: Trump was clearly abusing emergency authorities in ways not authorized by Congress to impose damaging tariffs on other countries, with obviously pretextual excuses. Abuse of power has been the most consistent theme of Trump’s presidency, including power grabs on immigration, elections, and the structure of the government itself, which are clearly illegal and unconstitutional. Such is the case here.

“It is important to note that while Trump’s broadest tariffs, which he imposed using authorities under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, were just blocked by the Court, but his sector-based tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos, and auto parts are not affected by this ruling and remain in place. Trump has threatened additional tariffs under this authority, known as Section 232, on semiconductor chips, copper, and pharmaceuticals, and he clearly is intent on abusing this power as well. My bill, the Congressional Trade Authority Act, would prevent Trump from abusing this provision, return trade authority to Congress, where it belongs, and stop Trump’s trade war from doing further harm to the United States and the world. Congress should pass it.”

Beyer is the sponsor of the Congressional Trade Authority Act, which would rein in presidential abuses of authorities under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, and the co-lead, with Rep. Suzan DelBene, of legislation to end abuses of International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff authorities.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

DelBene Statement on Federal Court Striking Down Trump Tariffs

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

Los Angeles, CA — Today, Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) hosted a roundtable with the Korean business community in LA to hear firsthand how Trump’s tariffs is disrupting trade, delaying shipments, and raising the cost of essential goods. He also shared his push to end Trump’s tariffs, prevent him from punishing allies, and put Congress back in charge of trade.

“Today I met with Korean American business owners in Koreatown who are being hit hard by Trump’s reckless tariffs — prices are up, shipments are delayed, and it’s getting harder to plan for tomorrow,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet, they’re family-run shops, local jobs, and people trying to build a future. I’m fighting to end Trump’s damaging tariffs and stop him from punishing our allies because our community needs trade policies that help them thrive, not ones that drive up costs for customers or threaten their businesses.”

During the discussion, Korean American businesses discussed how these tariffs and tax policies have driven up container fees and import duties, while causing uncertainty that makes it hard to grow or plan. Many also stressed the need for better workforce development support and a business environment that works for small businesses in LA.

Rep. Jimmy Gomez — a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees trade — has been holding the administration accountable in committee and led the Congressional Dads Caucus in calling out the harm to working families, and fighting to pass legislation to shut down Trump’s global tariffs. He recently visited the Port of LA to hear directly from port staff and highlight the real-world consequences of President Trump’s tariffs on imported goods — including a projected 35% drop in cargo volume next week. 

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