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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today reintroduced her bill to permanently remove the statue of Confederate General Albert Pike near Judiciary Square and authorize the Secretary of the Interior to donate it to a museum or a similar entity.  Norton said that Pike, a Confederate general who served dishonorably and was forced to resign in disgrace, represents the worst of the Confederacy and has no claim to be memorialized in the nation’s capital. Norton’s bill was passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources in the 116^th Congress.

“This Administration’s decision to restore and reinstall the Albert Pike statue is morally objectionable and an affront to the mostly black and brown residents of the District of Columbia,” Norton said. “Pike served dishonorably. He took up arms against the United States, misappropriated funds, and was ultimately captured and imprisoned by his own troops. He resigned in disgrace after committing a war crime and dishonoring even his own Confederate military service. I’ve long believed Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks and locations that imply honor.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

On the Introduction of the Albert Pike Statue Removal Act

August 8, 2025

Today, I introduce the Albert Pike Statue Removal Act, which would require the removal of the statue of Confederate General Albert Pike from federal land near Judiciary Square in the District of Columbia. This week, the National Park Service announced that the statue, which was illegally torn down in 2020, is scheduled to be reinstalled this year.  This bill would also authorize the Secretary of the Interior to donate the statue to a museum or similar entity.  In the 116th Congress, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed this bill by voice vote.   

Pike, a Confederate general who served dishonorably and was forced to resign in disgrace, represents the worst of the Confederacy.  Soldiers under his command were found to have mutilated the bodies of Union soldiers and he was ultimately imprisoned after his fellow Confederate officers reported that he had been misappropriating funds.  Adding to the dishonor of taking up arms against the United States, Pike dishonored even his Confederate military service.  He has absolutely no claim to be memorialized on federal land in the nation’s capital.   

Even those who do not want Confederate statues removed will have to justify affording Pike any honor considering his dishonorable history. 

However, I oppose destroying Confederate statues because I believe they should be moved to more appropriate settings, like museums, to avoid erasing an important part of history from which Americans must continue to learn. 

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

President Trump also suggested that Congress “look into” repealing the Home Rule Act.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to make “blue envelope” programs, which improve interactions between police officers and drivers with difficulty communicating through speech during traffic stops, eligible for federal transportation safety funding. The programs, which allow drivers to receive a blue envelope that explains the driver’s limitations on the front and hold documents that an officer might request during a traffic stop inside, exist in many parts of the country but currently aren’t eligible for federal transportation funding. The first blue envelope program, instituted by Connecticut in 2020, was designed to aid drivers on the autism spectrum. The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has endorsed the bill.

“Blue envelope programs are an effective way to smooth interactions between police officers and drivers with disabilities and help prevent miscommunications that may escalate tensions and discourage able drivers from exercising a skill necessary for independence in many parts of the country,” Norton said. “Police officers in jurisdictions with the programs praise them for giving the officers a tool to quickly identify what’s going on, leading to fewer negative outcomes for both police and drivers. These programs have typically passed on the state level with bipartisan support. This simple, low-cost and compassionate solution should be eligible for transportation safety funding on the federal level.”

“For far too many disabled Americans, traffic stops and encounters with law enforcement can be deadly,” said AAPD President and CEO Maria Town. “This is especially true for people who may have language and communication barriers. The Blue Envelope Act would help mitigate the harm people with communication disabilities face during traffic stops and educate the officials who interact with them, working across language and information barriers. AAPD calls on all Members of Congress to support this bill and protect disabled drivers from danger and even death.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– After the National Park Service announced today that it will restore and reinstall the bronze statue of Confederate General Albert Pike on federal land near Judiciary Square, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she will reintroduce her bill to permanently remove the statue and authorize the Secretary of the Interior to donate it to a museum or a similar entity. Although the statue was taken down by a crowd during a demonstration in June of 2020, Norton’s bill was later passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources.

“I’ve long believed Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks and locations that imply honor,” Norton said. “The decision to honor Albert Pike by reinstalling the Pike statue is as odd and indefensible as it is morally objectionable. Pike served dishonorably. He took up arms against the United States, misappropriated funds, and was ultimately captured and imprisoned by his own troops. He resigned in disgrace after committing a war crime and dishonoring even his own Confederate military service. Even those who want Confederate statues to remain standing would have to justify awarding Pike any honor, considering his history.

“Given the NPS announcement that it will reinstall the statue, I plan to reintroduce my bill to remove the Pike statue and authorize the Secretary of the Interior to donate the statue to a museum or a similar entity. A statue honoring a racist and a traitor has no place on the streets of D.C.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

Full Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families, sent a letter, alongside Representatives Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) and Robin Kelly (IL-02), to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calling for the reinstatement of Regional Administrators at the Administration for Community Living (ACL).  

“Millions of Americans rely on the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to stay healthy and thrive in their homes and communities, but the Trump Administration recently fired hundreds of employees at the ACL, including the ACL’s regional staff, who help make sure programs run smoothly at the state and local level. The ACL’s dedicated workforce plays a crucial role in ensuring that seniors and people with disabilities can access life-saving services like Meals on Wheels, transportation, and caregiving support. It is unacceptable that this Administration is willing to play with the lives of the American people,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “This is why I’m joining my colleagues in urging Secretary Kennedy to reinstate the ACL workforce and ensure that those in need receive services in a timely, affordable manner.” 

“Regional Administrators help seniors and Americans with disabilities live longer, healthier lives,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. “Millions of seniors and Americans with disabilities are already at risk of losing their healthcare coverage and nutrition assistance because of the President’s cruel budget bill, making these programs all the more essential.” 

“President Trump just gutted Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP — and now, the administration unjustifiably fired federal workers whose mission was to serve older Americans and people with disabilities. The Administration for Community Living is needed now more than ever,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. “As President Trump’s and Republicans’ attacks against our healthcare grow bolder, House Democrats and I are meeting them head on to protect our public health. Our seniors deserve to live with dignity with reliable, affordable care.” 

ACL was formed 13 years ago to support the needs of aging Americans and those with disabilities. This year, Secretary Kennedy announced the restructuring of HHS, including the total dismantlement of ACL. 

Through support systems, inclusive transportation, abuse prevention, resources for caregivers, and mental health tools, ACL helps older Americans and those with disabilities remain healthier longer and to live independently. 

Additional co-signers include: Rep. Donald Beyer (VA-08), Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Rep. Ed Case (HI-01), Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06), Rep. Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-03), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02), Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Rep. Julie Johnson (TX-32), Rep. Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Rep. Seth Moulton (MA-06), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01), Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20), Rep. Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NY-07)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

Full Text of Resolution (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25), and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) introduced the Dr. Paul Farmer Memorial Resolution, to honor Dr. Farmer’s staggering life and legacy and lay out his extraordinary vision for realizing global health equity. This resolution lays out a 21st century global health strategy that proposes spending $125 billion annually on global health aid, reforming aid to focus on building national health systems, and putting an end to the exploitation of impoverished countries to increase their domestic tax base and health spending. This resolution seeks to save over 100 million lives per decade by increasing the flow of money in the global economy. 

“Dr. Paul Farmer is responsible for transforming the lives of millions and millions of poor and marginalized people around the world, bringing them health care, dignity, and justice. A true visionary, Paul insisted that all people have a right to excellent health care, and he developed the systems to deliver it in places people had written off. Gleaming world class hospitals and locally trained doctors, nurses, and community workers now exist in places like Haiti and Rwanda. Paul was not only a world-renowned leader in global health, but also a precious friend and a tireless organizer, inspiring thousands of people to actively participate in his work. All of us owe him a debt that can only be paid by carrying on his mission and legacy,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “That is why I am introducing the Dr. Paul Farmer Memorial Resolution alongside my colleagues Senator Markey and Representatives Ruiz and Jayapal. This resolution lays out a 21st Century Global Health Strategy that enshrines Paul’s vision to achieve global universal health care and end unnecessary and preventable deaths. We are the richest country in the world at the richest time in the world. As the Trump Administration rips away lifesaving aid from millions of people, it is more important than ever for those of us who care about global health and justice to rededicate ourselves to building and fully funding a robust global health strategy. Paul called on us to understand global health inequity as an injustice—a result of centuries of violence and exploitation inflicted on the global poor. We can make the choice to end global health inequity, and with Paul’s vision guiding us, we will.” 

“Dr. Paul Farmer was a health care visionary and revolutionary who understood compassion and care went hand in hand. At a time when global health and well-being are strained, I am proud to introduce this resolution honoring Dr. Farmer and the transformational work he did to deliver health care to people and communities around the world. Health is the first wealth, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that people around the world are healthy, safe, and have access to the resources they need to live and thrive,” said Senator Edward Markey. 

“Dr. Paul Farmer was more than a global health leader, he was my mentor, professor, and dear friend,” said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz. “From my early years at Harvard Medical School to our work together in Boston, Chiapas, Guatemala, and post-earthquake Haiti, he showed me what it means to fight for underserved communities with unwavering dedication. I am honored to help reintroduce this resolution in his memory, as a testament to his extraordinary impact on humanity.” 

“Dr. Paul Farmer changed global health for the better with his work in impoverished countries, treating infectious diseases and providing high quality care to those who needed it most. He also fundamentally altered the way we think about international aid, and his organizing and movement building has led to millions of people worldwide living healthier and longer lives. As a lifelong organizer and someone who worked in global health for years before coming to Congress, I know the importance of this work and know how devastating Trump and Republicans’ cuts to USAID and other international aid programs are. This resolution outlines a vision for a world in which we tackle the injustice of global health inequities and treat health care as a true human right. It also recognizes that to achieve these goals, we need to democratize the global financial system, including cancelling predatory debt that has often crushed low- and middle-income countries. I’m proud to co-lead it with Representatives Schakowsky and Ruiz,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. 

The proposals in the resolution are as follows: 

• Increase global health aid to $125 billion per year
  • Close the essential universal health care financing gap for low-income countries
  • Allow the U.S. to meet the U.N. aid target of 0.7% GNI for the first time ever
• Reform global health aid
  • Focus on building national health systems and direct funding to local partners, not the development industry
  • Develop new medical technologies for diseases of poverty and ensure their availability as global public goods
• Make the global economy more fair, just, and democratic
  • Democratizing the IMF, World Bank, and World Trade Organization, so that poor countries have greater say over decisions that affect their economies and their ability to finance health systems
  • Global debt cancelation for all developing countries that need it
  • Ending harmful licit and illicit financial flows from poor countries—ending global tax havens and illegal practices like trade misinvoicing
  • Supporting global labor rights, such as a global minimum wage 

“In this moment of crisis, we need Paul’s vision for global health justice more than ever. Thankfully, that vision is captured in this resolution. It provides us with a much-needed roadmap for global cooperation based on solidarity and justice by getting to the root causes of unnecessary suffering and death, or what Paul called ‘structural violence’. This includes greatly improving development assistance for health, but also going well beyond aid to address ongoing extractive colonial arrangements, which preclude local investments in health systems,” said Sheila Davis, CEO of Partners in Health.    

As an infectious disease physician, Dr. Farmer earned accolades for treating patients in impoverished countries with high quality care, including those suffering from HIV and cancer. As a medical anthropologist, he was known for popularizing and deepening understandings of “structural violence,” the idea that social systems are designed to impoverish, sicken, and sideline select groups. As chief strategist of Partners in Health, he garnered plaudits for pioneering community-based treatment strategies, building teaching hospitals, and more. Dr. Farmer called on us to understand global health inequity as an injustice—an effect of centuries of violence and exploitation inflicted on the global poor. This resolution embodies that and will serve as a North Star that will guide the movement for global health equity for years to come. 

In addition to Reps. Schakowsky, Ruiz, and Jayapal, this resolution is cosponsored in the House of Representatives by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Juan Vargas (CA-52). 

In addition to Sen. Markey, this resolution is cosponsored in the Senate by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART ENERGY FACILITY WAS PARTIALLY FUNDED THROUGH THOMPSON’S GREEN ENERGY TAX CREDITS

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Davis, CA – Thursday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and members of UAW Local 4811 held a listening session on campus at UC Davis to discuss the impacts federal funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies will have on critical health research conducted across the University of California (UC) system. 

“Slashing research investments is a race to the bottom,” said Thompson. “Our UC system is top notch, with some of the best researchers in the world. That’s why last year, UC received over $4 billion in federal research funding. Cutting this funding means researchers lose jobs, our economy suffers, and we save fewer lives. Our country has long been a leader in biomedical research, and we shouldn’t be taking our foot off the gas right now. If we do, we’ll lose talented researchers and we’ll lose our standing on the world stage.” 

“Academic workers at UC perform indispensable research in the public interest every day. At UC Davis, UAW 4811 members work on everything from cancer treatment to genetic disease to the future of the world’s food system. The Trump Administration’s proposed cuts to federal research funding would decimate years of progress in all these areas. We will do everything we can to stop those cuts, and we’re thankful that more and more of our elected representatives are joining workers in the fight to fully fund public research, said Dr. Ximena Anleu Gil, Postdoc, UC Davis Genome Center and Vice President, UAW Local 4811. 

“Defunding research at UC Davis and at universities nationwide has very real impacts – on the lives of individuals, their communities and the country,” said Mary Croughan, provost and executive vice chancellor at UC Davis. “Research is one part of the work that universities engage in that drives economic growth while significantly improving and enhancing the lives of Americans. Advances in health care, agriculture, energy and technology are happening because of federal investments in research at our colleges and universities across the country.”

BACKGROUND

Since January, the Trump Administration has slashed federal research funding, particularly NIH funding. NIH grants make up the majority of federal research funding to our UC system. To date, the Trump Administration has cut NIH funding by $4 billion by capping indirect costs at 15 percent, which is below the congressionally appropriated minimum. Research funding from the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation has also been capped. 

These caps, if applied across all federally funded research, will cost UC Davis alone more than $114 million in grants, as indirect costs fund facilities, administrative support, and protection for human subjects in clinical trials. If these caps are made permanent, universities across the UC system will have to pause or cancel research across the board. Cancer research, Alzheimer’s research, and spina bifida research at UC Davis are among the research areas that could be impacted.

These funding cuts will reverberate through our local economy, as well. Every dollar of NIH research funding in our country creates $2.46 in economic activity. When that funding is lost, so is the economic benefit it creates. 

In his Presidential Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026, President Trump has also proposed a 40 percent cut to NIH funding. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that just a 10 percent cut to NIH funding would result in two fewer drugs coming to market every year. The impacts of an even larger 40 percent cut are yet to be assessed.  

Rep. Thompson signed a bipartisan appropriations letter in May alongside 165 other members requesting NIH funding be increased to $51.3 billion annually.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) is pushing the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 to provide a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for at least seven years.  Costa is an original co-sponsor of the bill. “The last time Congress updated the registry process, Ronald Reagan was president. That was nearly 40 years ago. I’ve worked across the aisle for years to deliver practical solutions, and this bill is one of them,” said Congressman Costa. “It’s time to modernize our immigration laws and provide long-overdue stability and fairness for immigrant families who have called this country home for decades.”BACKGROUNDThe Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 introduced by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), would modernize an outdated section of immigration law known as the Registry, codified in Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This provision gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the discretion to grant lawful permanent resident status (a green card) to individuals who have lived in the U.S. continuously since a certain date and meet all other eligibility requirements, including a clean criminal record.Originally enacted in 1929, the Registry has only been updated four times to reflect changing migration trends and national priorities. The last update was in 1986 under the Reagan Administration, setting the cutoff date to January 1, 1972. That means current law excludes millions of long-term residents, many of whom have lived in the U.S. for over 50 years.This bill would modernize the outdated Registry provision in two keyways:

Allow immigrants to apply for permanent residency if they have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least seven years and meet other legal requirements, including passing background checks. 
Establish a rolling eligibility date, so the law remains responsive over time and does not require further congressional updates.

This long-overdue reform would provide a pathway to a green card for more than 8 million immigrants, including Dreamers, TPS holders, children of long-term visa holders, essential workers, and highly skilled professionals like H-1B visa holders who have been stuck in backlog limbo. According to estimates from FWD.us, if the individuals eligible under this bill eventually gained citizenship, they would contribute an estimated $121 billion to the U.S. economy annually, including $35 billion in tax revenue.