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Congressman Raul Ruiz Statement on the Passing of Raúl Grijalva

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)

Washington D.C. –Today, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) released the following statement about the passing of his friend Congressman Raúl Grijalva.

“My heart is broken for the passing of my friend Congressman Raúl Grijalva. I found wisdom in his counsel and comfort in his friendship. He was a fighter, an artist, and a man with a sharp sense of humor. His loss will be deeply felt.

“Beyond his warmth and wit, he was a tireless champion for the environment, civil rights, and tribal nations. His leadership in Congress helped protect public lands, advance environmental justice, and uphold Indigenous rights. His dedication to justice and equity leaves a lasting impact. He will be greatly missed. Rest in power, my friend.”

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Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz announces Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez, Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner and Mayor Pro-Tempore for the City of Imperial in Imperial County, as his guest for President Trump’s Joint Address

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) announced that Mayor Pro-Tempore for the City of Imperial and Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez, will be his guest for President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress.

Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez is a lifelong resident of the Imperial County and is a dedicated Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner at the Imperial Cardiac Center. Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez began her journey at Imperial High School, where she earned her high school diploma. She then pursued her passion for nursing, earning an Associate’s in Nursing from Imperial Valley College, a Bachelor’s in Nursing from the University of Phoenix, and ultimately a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Arizona. Committed to giving back, Dr. Obeso-Martinez returned to Imperial Valley dedicated to serving our communities.

She dedicated her life’s work to health promotion and community education. On any given day, Dr. Obeso-Martinez cares for more than 35 patients, most of whom rely on Medicaid. She has seen firsthand, the need for these essential programs in underserved communities like Imperial County. 

President Donald Trump and House Republicans have recently threatened to move forward with Medicaid cuts while handing big tax breaks to billionaires. This is a betrayal of hardworking American taxpayers, like the patients Dr. Obeso-Martinez cares for every day in the Imperial Valley. Medicaid provides health coverage to 10.4 million Californians, including 420,206 people or 42.1% of the constituents in California’s 25th Congressional District. This includes 177,096 children under the age of 19 and 41,000 seniors over 65 in our communities.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz for the opportunity to attend the Joint Session of Congress,” said Imperial Mayor Pro-Tempore Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez. “His leadership and unwavering dedication have brought critical federal resources to support health care, infrastructure, and economic development in our communities. As a lifelong advocate for expanding health care access in the Imperial Valley, I am here to stand against Medicaid cuts that would limit the care our health facilities can provide to patients. I appreciate Congressman Ruiz’s continued advocacy and the privilege of experiencing this historic moment alongside him.”

Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) expressed his enthusiasm for Dr. Obeso-Martinez’s attendance at the Joint Session, stating, “I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez, Mayor Pro-Tempore and Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner, to the Joint Address to Congress. As a lifelong Imperial Valley resident, she understands firsthand the vital role Medicaid plays in caring for her patients. Yet, President Trump and extreme House Republicans are pushing a budget that includes billions in Medicaid cuts, harming patients and constituents across the Imperial Valley, all while giving billionaires massive tax breaks. We must stand up and protect the care our communities and patients rely on.”

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Norton Releases Statement on President Trump’s Anti-Home Rule D.C. Executive Order

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement tonight after President Trump signed an anti-D.C. home rule executive order (EO) establishing a task force to combat crime by surging law enforcement officers in public areas, increasing immigration enforcement, changing D.C. pre-trial detention policies, expediting concealed carry licenses, and working on fare enforcement on the Metro system. The EO also created a program to allegedly “beautify” D.C. by restoring federal buildings, monuments and roadways, removing graffiti, and ensuring cleanliness of public spaces and parks. Additionally, the EO directed the National Park Service to clear homeless encampments and graffiti on federal lands.

“President Trump’s thoroughly anti-home rule EO is insulting to the 700,000 D.C. residents who live in close proximity to a federal government, which continues to deny them the same rights afforded to other Americans. The task force created by the EO would not include a single D.C. official to represent the interests of the people who reside within the District,” Norton said. “The Revolutionary War was fought to give consent to the governed and to end taxation without representation. President Trump’s rhetoric runs counter to this history. D.C.’s population is larger than that of two states. D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and pays more federal taxes than 21 states. D.C.’s gross domestic product is larger than that of 15 states. D.C. residents have fought and died in all this nation’s wars. We deserve statehood.

“The ‘Fact Sheet’ about the EO currently on the White House’s website states that crime in D.C. is ‘near historic highs.’ This simply isn’t true. It is contradicted by the Department of Justice, which noted on January 3 that violent crime was down 35% in 2024 and overall violent crime in D.C. is at a 30-year low.

“Like states, cities, and counties across the country, D.C. has passed laws to support and protect the safety of all its residents, regardless of immigration status. In passing these laws, D.C. followed its values and was convinced of the benefits for the entire city. Anyone watching can see plainly that the immigration provisions in the EO were motivated by President Trump’s longstanding antipathy for immigrants, not concern about law and order in the nation’s capital.

“Finally, the recently enacted CR omitted a longstanding provision to allow D.C. to continue spending under its local fiscal year 2025 budget, and instead forces the District to revert to spending at fiscal year 2024 levels for the remainder of the year. The CR will result in projected cuts of approximately $1 billion in its own locally raised funds through the end of September, which will force dramatic reductions in essential services the city provides, including those related to public safety. House Republicans did this intentionally and had time to correct the issue. If Republicans are concerned about public safety in the nation’s capital, they should not have passed a CR that cut D.C.’s funding, including for public safety purposes, halfway through the fiscal year.”

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Norton Highlights CBO Score on D.C. Budget Fix Bill and Calls on Speaker Johnson to Bring the Bill to the Floor for a House Vote

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

The CBO analysis showed the bill would have no impact on the federal budget because D.C.’s budget consists of locally-raised funds.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today highlighted the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) score on a Senate-passed bill to fix the D.C. budget issue caused by the recent continuing resolution (CR). As expected, the CBO found that the bill would have no effect on the federal budget. The CBO released its analysis yesterday. 

 “For any who had remaining doubts, the CBO score definitively shows that it would cost the federal government nothing to enact the Senate-passed bill to fix an issue in the CR aimed at constraining D.C.’s ability to spend its own local funds for the rest of the fiscal year,” Norton said. “The treatment of D.C. in the CR is a radical departure from decades of congressional practice and could have devastating consequences for the District. I’m calling on Speaker Johnson to bring the bill to the House floor for a vote at the earliest opportunity.”

The House-passed CR omitted a longstanding provision that would allow D.C. to continue spending under its local fiscal year 2025 budget.

The following table is sourced from the CBO. 

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Norton Ranked in Top 10 Most Effective House Democrats of 118th Congress by the Center for Effective Lawmaking

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

Norton has the longest streak of “exceeding expectations” in the Center’s report over consecutive Congresses in the entire House, after qualifying every term she has served.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) was ranked the 10th most effective House Democrat in the 118th Congress, according to the biannual report released yesterday by the Center for Effective Lawmaking. Despite lacking the ability to vote on the House floor, Norton is consistently ranked in the top 10 Most Effective House Democrats. She has the longest streak of “exceeding expectations” over consecutive terms in the entire House, after qualifying for every term she’s served since she was first elected in 1991, whether Democrats were the minority or the majority party.

The Center for Effective Lawmaking, which is led by professors at the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, defines legislative effectiveness as the “proven ability to advance a member’s agenda items through the legislative process and into law.”

“That Congresswoman Norton has kept this streak going for more than 30 years, while both in the majority or minority party, as well as serving as a rank-and-file lawmaker and as a chair at the committee or subcommittee level is truly remarkable,” the Center said. “Delegate Norton’s career offers lessons to those legislators who seek to become more effective lawmakers.”

Also noteworthy is that the ranking only accounts for a member’s own legislation, not for their ability to stop legislation, which Norton spends much of her time doing because of Republican attempts to block or overturn local District of Columbia laws.

“D.C. residents should be encouraged by this ranking of effectiveness, especially in a time of increased attacks on home rule, our local laws, budget and regulations,” Norton said. “I hope this recognition prompts residents of the nation’s capital to believe statehood is within reach.”

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Norton Releases Statement from Oversight Committee Markup of Anti-D.C. Immigration Bill

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

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability marked up and passed the bill yesterday.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her statement from yesterday’s House Oversight and Accountability Committee markup of a bill that would nullify locally-enacted D.C. laws, policies and practices regarding D.C. exchanging information about the citizenship and immigration status of individuals, and would require D.C. to comply with requests by the Department of Homeland Security regarding immigration detainers.

“Consistent with federal law, D.C., like states, cities and counties across the country, has passed laws to support and protect the safety of all its residents, regardless of immigration status,” Norton said. “In passing such laws, D.C. followed its values and the evidence on the benefits of such laws for the entire city.

“H.R. 2056 contains an exception for victims of and witness to crimes. This exception is a fig leaf.  If enacted, this bill will deter immigrants from seeking assistance from or cooperating with the D.C. government, including its police department.”

The bill passed out of committee. 

Norton’s full markup statement follows, as prepared for delivery.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Markup of H.R. 2056, the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act

March 25, 2025

I strongly oppose this undemocratic, anti-immigrant bill, which would nullify duly enacted laws, policies and practices of the District of Columbia.  Before I address the details of this bill, I want to discuss democracy, and the lack of democracy in D.C.

The Revolutionary War was fought to give consent to the governed and to end taxation without representation.  Yet, the more than 700,000 D.C. residents are denied voting representation in Congress and full local self-government, even though D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and more total federal taxes than 19 states.

Last Congress, Republicans introduced more than 100 bills and amendments to repeal or block D.C. laws and policies.  This Congress, Republicans have already introduced 17 such bills and amendments.  Two weeks ago, Congress passed a bill, drafted by Republicans, that cut more than $1 billion from the D.C. local budget, which consists entirely of locally raised revenue.

Although Congress has plenary authority over D.C., legislating on D.C. local matters is a choice.  In 1953, the Supreme Court held that “there is no constitutional barrier to the delegation by Congress to the District of Columbia of full legislative power.”

D.C. has a local legislature.  The members are elected by D.C. residents.  If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, they can vote them out of office.  That is called democracy.

The voting members of Congress are elected by residents of states.  If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote on D.C. local matters, they cannot vote them out of office.  That is the antithesis of democracy.

Congress has the authority to grant D.C. residents full democratic rights.  It simply needs to pass my Washington, D.C. Admission Act, which would make the residential and commercial areas of D.C. a state.

The merits of D.C. local laws and H.R. 2056 are irrelevant, since there is never justification for Congress interfering in D.C. local matters, but I will briefly discuss them.  Consistent with federal law, D.C., like states, cities and counties across the country, has passed laws to support and protect the safety of all its residents, regardless of immigration status.  In passing such laws, D.C. followed its values and the evidence on the benefits of such laws for the entire city.

H.R. 2056 contains an exception for victims of and witness to crimes.  This exception is a fig leaf.  If enacted, this bill will deter immigrants from seeking assistance from or cooperating with the D.C. government, including the police department.

I urge members to vote NO on this bill.

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Ahead of Equal Pay Day, Norton Introduces Bill to Prohibit Employers from Asking for Job Applicant Salary Histories

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of Equal Pay Day on March 25th, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, introduced a bill to prohibit employers from asking for a job applicant’s salary history before making a job or salary offer.

Equal Pay Day marks the number of additional days women must work to earn what men earned the prior year. Workers from historically disadvantaged groups, including women, often start their careers with lower pay than their white male counterparts and can never catch up. While employers may not intend to discriminate, asking for prior pay information can have a discriminatory effect and reinforce the pay gap. This bill passed the House in the 116th and 117th Congresses.

“Equal Pay Day is an annual reminder that American women earn less than men for performing the same work,” Norton said. “The disparity often takes root in the interview process, before a job is even offered. The single question of salary history frequently disadvantages women and minorities, whose disproportionately lower salaries carry through their entire careers simply because wages at their first job were set unfairly because of their race or sex.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the

Introduction of the Salary History Question Prohibition Act of 2025

March 18, 2025

Today, I introduce the Salary History Question Prohibition Act of 2025, which would help reduce the gender and racial pay gap by prohibiting employers from asking job applicants for their salary history before making a job or salary offer.  Even though many employers may not intentionally discriminate against applicants based on gender or race, setting pay based on salary history can reinforce the pay gap.  Members of historically disadvantaged groups often start their careers with unfair and artificially low pay compared to their white male counterparts, and these disparities compound throughout their careers.  The House passed this bill as part of the Paycheck Fairness Act in the 116th and 117th Congresses.

There is much work to do to end the pay gap.  This bill represents a crucial step toward that goal. 

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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Dr. Joyce Introduces Legislation to Protect Our Nation’s Communications Systems from Foreign Influence

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Joyce (PA-13)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) and Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-3), have introduced the Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act, to combat the influence of foreign-made technology in our nation’s high-speed internet system. 

“As we continue to expand connectivity for Americans in rural communities, we also need to ensure that our national security is protected,” said Rep. John Joyce, M.D.“Fighting to protect our communications systems from malign influences, like the Chinese Communist Party, must be at the forefront of our policy making. I am proud to lead this legislation that takes a common sense step towards securing our internet infrastructure and cutting our reliance on Chinese companies.”

“Our bipartisan legislation is a step toward strengthening America’s information and communications technology (ICT) supply chains to ensure that our economy is not reliant on untrusted vendors,” said Rep. Susie Lee. “Businesses of all sizes, as well as education and healthcare industries, rely heavily on ICT, so it’s critical that America remains competitive in the sector.”

Background:

  • The Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act authorizes a study by the U.S. Department of Commerce to investigate whether technologies from Chinese companies, like Huawei and ZTE, are part of our telecommunications network.
  • This legislation also requires the Department of Commerce to provide an update to Congress on the resources necessary to fully source our broadband infrastructure domestically or from our allies.
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Congressman Joyce Releases Statement on President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Joyce (PA-13)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump’s Joint Address to Congress: 

“For four long years, the American people suffered under the Biden Administration’s failed border policies. Who knew all it would take to fix the border was a new president?”  said Rep. John Joyce, M.D. “Tonight, President Trump shared a bold vision for the future of our nation. A vision that secures our border, restores the American dream, and allows us to drill baby drill. Under President Trump’s leadership, we will finally return to being a nation of prosperity and security again, and this is only the beginning.”

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Dr. Joyce Statement on Action to Overturn Harmful Biden Car Ban

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Joyce (PA-13)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) released the following statement regarding his intention to introduce legislation, pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, to overturn the Biden Administration’s December 2024 decision to allow California to ban the sale of all new internal combustion vehicles:

“The Biden Administration’s 11th hour decision to approve a de facto nationwide ban on the sale of gas-powered automobiles and hybrids is exactly why the Congressional Review Act exists,” said Congressman John Joyce, M.D.  “I have been fighting this battle to protect consumer freedom since 2022 – and I look forward to working with Chairman Guthrie and Chairman Capito to put an end to this impractical and unworkable mandate once and for all.”

Background:

  • In December of 2024, the Biden Administration provided a waiver approving California’s EV mandate. 
  • Due to California’s unique status in the Clean Air Act, sixteen other states, including Pennsylvania, have adopted California’s previous standards, affecting nearly 40% of the automobile market.
  • In the 117th Congress, Dr. Joyce led a letter to the Biden Administration with 168 cosigners relaying disapproval of California’s regulation.
  • In the 118th Congress, Dr. Joyce led H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, legislation to block electric vehicle mandates and protect consumer choice.
  • This Congress, Dr. Joyce reintroduced the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act to protect choice for American consumers.
  • This month, at an Energy and Commerce Committee Energy Subcommittee hearing, Dr. Joyce challenged the validity of California’s waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency for their sweeping Electric Vehicle mandate and raised concerns about the lack of Congressional review or oversight.

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