{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"CA\" and year = 2018 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/pelosi-updates/one-week-and-counting", "One Week And Counting", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Frequently Asked Questions on the Trump Government Shutdown\n\t\t\t\tWill my mail still arrive during the shutdown?\n\t\t\t\t\tYes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a government shutdown. The U.S. Postal Service is an independent entity that is funded through the sale of its products and services, and not by tax dollars.Will I continue to receive my Social Security checks?\n\t\t\t\t\tYes. During a government shutdown, recipients continue to receive their Social Security checks.Will Medicare and Medicaid be interrupted?\n\t\t\t\t\tNo. The operations of Medicare and Medicaid will operate normally during the shutdown.Can I get taxpayer assistance from IRS personnel during the shutdown?\n\t\t\t\t\tIt will likely be difficult. If the Trump Shutdown goes into January, it will have a significant impact on the IRS.While the shutdown continues, 90 percent of the IRS staff is furloughed.IRS's tax filing season is January-April. Beginning in January, some Americans will start thinking about filing their 2018 taxes, due April 15, 2019. This will be the first year when Americans are filing their taxes under the new GOP tax law, and many will have numerous questions. If the Trump Shutdown continues, the limited IRS staff will be unable to keep up with the questions coming in from taxpayers using the IRS customer service hotline.Can I get a passport during the shutdown?\n\t\t\t\t\tPerhaps, with it depending on where you live. The U.S. Passport Agency remains open during the shutdown and continues to issue passports. However, depending on where you live, the State Department could curtail issuing passports where those passport services are offered in buildings run by another agency that is shut down. Will I be able to continue visiting the national parks during the shutdown?The Trump Administration claims that the vast majority of national parks are open during the shutdown (on the grounds that barriers have not been put up at the parks to prevent entry.) However, the fact is that there arenoservices for visitors to National Park Service sites during the shutdown. Services such as restrooms, visitors' centers, campgrounds, information kiosks, trash removal, and interpretative programs areall closedduring the shutdown. The vast majority of National Park Service employees are furloughed. Also, law enforcement staffing is sharply curtailed, so visitors' safety will be put at risk.Which federal departments are affected by the Trump Shutdown?\n\t\t\t\t\tThere are nine federal departments affected by the Trump Shutdown: Homeland Security, Treasury, Agriculture, Interior, HUD, Justice, Commerce, Transportation, and State. In addition, numerous critical smaller independent agencies, including EPA, the Small Business Administration, and NASA, are affected. (The six federal departments that are already fully funded for FY 2019 and arenotaffected by the Trump Shutdown are: Defense, Veterans Affairs, HHS, Education, Labor, and Energy.)  How many federal employees have to work without pay during the Trump Shutdown?There are approximately 420,000 federal employees, deemed essential, including FBI agents, DEA agents, Secret Service agents, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, who are being required to work without pay during the Trump Shutdown. None of them will receive a paycheck until the shutdown is over and the government re-opens. The longer the Trump Shutdown lasts, the longer they are working without a paycheck, increasing their families' financial difficulties.How many federal employees have been put on unpaid furlough during the Trump Shutdown?There are also approximately 380,000 federal employees who have been placed on unpaid furlough during the Trump Shutdown. They are also not receiving any pay during the Trump Shutdown.Will the 420,000 federal employees forced to work without pay during the shutdown receive the pay for their work when the shutdown is over?\n\t\t\t\t\tYes. Under federal law, those federal employees forced to work without pay in the shutdownare guaranteedthe pay they have earned when the government re-opens.Will the 380,000 federal employees who were placed on unpaid furlough during the shutdown receive back pay when the shutdown is over?\n\t\t\t\t\tThat will be up to the Congress and the White House. Legislation would have to be enacted. The precedent has been that furloughed employeesarelater paid, through legislation. Indeed, after every previous shutdown, Congress has passed legislation mandating that furloughed workers get paid.What is the impact of the Trump Shutdown on small businesses?\n\t\t\t\t\tA shutdown halts federal loans to small businesses. During a shutdown, the Small Business Administration stops approving applications for small businesses to obtain loans and guarantees, typically $1 billion per month. Indeed, on Dec. 22, SBA put a notice on Facebook simply stating, Due to the lapse in government funding, SBA will remain inactive until further notice.What is the impact on home mortgage applications?\n\t\t\t\t\tDuring the shutdown, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will see significant delays in loan processing and approvals, due to the furloughing of most employees. Thousands of people trying to buy a new home or refinance a FHA-insured mortgage will likely be put on standby.What is the impact on FDA's food safety activities?\n\t\t\t\t\tDuring the Trump Shutdown, the FDA will be unable to support a number of its food safety activities. FDA has furloughed 40 percent of its employees. As a result, it will have to reduce its routine inspections of domestic food facilities. For example, in the 16-day GOP shutdown in 2013, the FDA had to delay nearly 360 food safety inspections.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bass.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-bass-statement-appointment-cheryl-johnson-next-house-clerk", "Rep. Bass Statement on Appointment of Cheryl Johnson as Next House Clerk", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Los Angeles, CA Office  \n\t\t4929 Wilshire Blvd  \n\t\tSuite 650  Los Angeles,CA 90010  \n\t\tPhone: (323) 965-1422  \n\t\tFax: (323) 965-1113\n\tWashington, DC Office  \n\t\t2059 Rayburn HOB  Washington, DC 20515  \n\t\tPhone: (202) 225-7084  \n\t\tFax: (202) 225-2422", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A562073E-498D-44A3-A299-81676BFF6B58", "Feinstein: Trump Attacks on Northern Triangle Nations Cover for Bad Border Wall Idea", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today responded to President Trump's call to end funding for Northern Triangle nations:\r\nPresident Trump this morning once again attacked Mexico and Central America, raising the specter of another so-called caravan to stoke fears of his political base and justify his ill-conceived border wall. His actions continue to be incredibly irresponsible and threaten to further destabilize the region.\r\nThe only person who doesn't understand why people are leaving El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras is President Trump. The violence and intense poverty in those countries are forcing families to flee for their lives. A humanitarian crisis deserves a humanitarian response, not a heartless attack.\r\nWe'll never help improve living conditions in those countries if we further isolate them, a fact that President Trump refuses to acknowledge. Even members of Trump's own administration say economic development in Central America is key to solving this crisis, but still the president refuses to listen.\r\nIt's clear that President Trump is prolonging his government shutdown for political reasons. I'm hopeful that congressional leaders can come together and end this wasteful stalemate without squandering billions of taxpayer dollars on the president's absurd border wall.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F17C1D0F-654E-4A4E-AB09-3730CD41587D", "Feinstein Calls for Judiciary Committee Hearing on CBP Treatment of Immigrant Children", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today called on incoming Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to hold a hearing on the treatment of immigrant children by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The request comes after two young children died this month while in Border Patrol custody.\r\n These heartbreaking incidents are sadly consistent with previous reports of widespread abuse of children in immigration custody and the judgement of medical and mental health organizations that Border Patrol facilities are not adequately staffed or equipped to properly care for children, Senator Feinstein wrote. Our committee is uniquely situated to examine these issues and I hope we can schedule a hearing immediately in the new year.\r\n Full text of the letter follows:\r\nDecember 27, 2018\r\nThe Honorable Lindsey Graham  Committee on the Judiciary  United States Senate  290 Russell Senate Office Building  Washington, DC 20510\r\nDear Senator Graham,\r\n In light of the deaths of two young children in Border Patrol custody this month, I write to request that the Committee hold a hearing upon our return on the care and treatment of children in the custody of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).\r\n This December alone, two young children have died in Border Patrol custody, and an infant has been hospitalized shortly after release. Most recently, on Christmas Eve, 8-year-old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez died after suffering flu-like symptoms in Border Patrol custody. Before his death, Felipe was detained for well over the permitted 72-hour period. It appears that Felipe was released from the hospital with a fever of 103, and no EMT was on duty to help him.\r\n Sadly, Felipe's death was not an isolated incident. Earlier this month, Jakelin Caal Maquin, a 7-year old girl from Guatemala, died after she and her father turned themselves into Border Patrol. Border Patrol initially reported that Jakelin had not eaten or drank for several days, despite having access to food and water while in custody. However, Jakelin's father disputes the government's account. He stated that the family was not given water by Border Patrol and that his daughter was healthy before being detained. On December 19, according to reports, a 5-month-old girl was hospitalized with pneumonia after spending five days inside freezing CBP cells in California and being denied medication and medical care.\r\n I sent letters to CBP Commissioner McAleenan on December 17 and 26, but have not received answers to explain why these deaths occurred. I am also concerned Jakelin's death was not raised at our previous Committee hearing on December 11. Finally, I was troubled to hear about the murders of two unaccompanied children in Tijuana, who were part of the caravan. CBP is not allowing unaccompanied children into the United States at the San Ysidro port-of-entry because, according to Border Patrol, the port is full. However, unaccompanied children are also not being allowed on the list of asylum seekers waiting in line for months in Mexico to enter the U.S. The result is that these children are not able to access the asylum process at all, and they are at a high risk of falling victim to violence and exploitation in Mexico.\r\n These heartbreaking incidents are sadly consistent with previous reports of widespread abuse of children in immigration custody and the judgement of medical and mental health organizations that Border Patrol facilities are not adequately staffed or equipped to properly care for children.\r\n Our committee is uniquely situated to examine these issues and I hope we can schedule a hearing immediately in the new year.\r\nThank you for your consideration.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\nDianne Feinstein  United States Senator\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lees-statement-on-the-death-of-7-year-old-felipe-alonzo-gomez", "Congresswoman Lee\u2019s Statement on the Death of 7 Year Old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez", "2018-12-26", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.26.18\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee's Statement on the Death of 7 Year Old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez \n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the death of seven-year-old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez in CBP custody:\r\n\r\nI am deeply saddened by the passing of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez on Christmas Day. My heart is with Felipe's family and loved ones in the wake of this unimaginable loss. This is the second death of a child in CBP custody this month  a stunning, horrifying and unacceptable track record for the agency.\r\n\r\nAlong with my colleagues, I urge an immediate investigation from the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General into these senseless deaths of two innocent children under CBP supervision. Children don't belong in jail. We must end this inhumane zero tolerance policy immediately.\r\n\r\n### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-death-of-felipe-alonzo-gomez-at-the-border-on-christmas", "Pelosi Statement on Death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez at the Border on Christmas", "2018-12-26", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616\nSan Francisco  Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement after reports that an eight-year-old boy died on Christmas in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, following the death of seven-year-old Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin earlier this month:  \n\t  \n\t\"The tragic death of an innocent child on Christmas Day breaks the hearts of all.\n  \n\t\"We all have a moral responsibility to ensure all children of God are treated with compassion and decency. The death now of two children in U.S. custody is unconscionable.\n  \n\t\"Democrats call on Homeland Security's Inspector General to immediately open an investigation into Felipe Alzono-Gomez's death. The Congress will also investigate this tragedy and the heartbreaking death of Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin, to seek justice and ensure that no other child is left to such a fate.  \n\t\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=758234DD-7C16-440D-BFB3-3742214858A6", "Feinstein to CBP: Revise Protocol  for Treatment of Immigrant Children", "2018-12-26", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today called on Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan to provide a detailed accounting of the death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez and revise CBP rules concerning treatment of immigrant children.\r\n Senator Feinstein called on CBP to ensure that children are released from detention within 72 hours as required by law. She also demanded the agency account for the need to communicate with detainees in their native languages and develop standards of care in consultation with pediatricians and child welfare experts.\r\n I am writing to voice my strong concern about the recent deaths and illnesses of children detained in Border Patrol custody, and to request a full accounting and a revised protocol to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future, Senator Feinstein wrote.\r\n Full text of the letter follows:\r\nDecember 26, 2018\r\n\r\nCommissioner Kevin K. McAleenan  U.S. Customs and Border Protection  1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW  Washington, DC 20229\r\nDear Commissioner,\r\n I am writing to voice my strong concern about the recent deaths and illnesses of children detained in Border Patrol custody, and to request a full accounting and a revised protocol to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.\r\n December has been a devastating month for children in Border Patrol custody:\r\n \r\nOn December 8, 7-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin died of dehydration and shock after 36 hours in Border Patrol detention. Jakelin's father reports that she did not receive water and agents did not speak to him in his native language during this time.\r\nOn December 19, a five-month-old infant was hospitalized with pneumonia shortly after her release from Border Patrol custody. The baby's mother reports that the baby was held in a freezing cell and deprived of her prescribed antibiotics.\r\nFinally, on Christmas Eve, 8-year-old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez died after suffering flu-like symptoms in Border patrol custody. Before his death, Felipe was detained for well over the permitted 72-hour period. It appears that Felipe was released from the hospital with a fever of 103, and no EMT was on duty to help him.\r\n \r\n The deaths of Jakelin and Felipe and the denial of basic medicine to an infant are simply unacceptable. As the American Academy of Pediatrics has noted, it is long past time to re-evaluate immigration agencies' policies and procedures for the care and treatment of children.\r\n To that end, I am requesting a full and transparent account of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez's case, as well as a comprehensive revision of Border Patrol rules to ensure adequate protection for children.\r\n Within 15 days, please provide a response explaining how Border Patrol's rules going forward will ensure adherence to the requirement of the Flores settlement agreement, which requires that children be released from Border Patrol detention within 72 hours. Please also ensure that pediatricians and experts in child welfare are involved in drafting these new rules, and please account for the need to communicate with detainees in their native languages.\r\n I look forward to your prompt response.\r\nSincerely,\r\nDianne Feinstein  United States Senator\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/pelosi-updates/trumpshutdown-0", "#TrumpShutdown", "2018-12-24", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Trump Temper Tantrum\nOn Thursday night, House Republicans voted to shut down government  refusing to vote on a bill to keep government open that was unanimously passed by the Senate, and choosing instead to push a radical border wall bill that is dead on arrival. Now  knowing that he doesn't have the votes in the Senate to fund his immoral, ineffective and expensive wall  President Trump is throwing a tantrum, threatening a very long shutdown.\nOver and over, President Trump has declared that he'd be proud to shut down the government, even saying I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down if he cannot force American taxpayers to spend billions of dollars on an immoral, ineffective and expensive wall.\nCongresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer held a press conference this week after President Trump announced that he would not keep government open if it did not include funding for a border wall.\nDemocrats have offered three options to keep government open  but President Trump and House Republicans are deciding to drive our nation into a pointless, destructive shutdown over the holidays. If they steer our nation into a Trump Shutdown, in early January, the new House Democratic Majority will swiftly pass the appropriation bills with a CR for Homeland Security to re-open government.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMy office was able to advocate for an emergency disability benefit check for an unhoused constituent. My constituent opened a new bank account and closed his old account prior to changing his direct deposit information with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Because of this, my constituent had not received his benefits necessary to support himself. SSA dispersed an emergency check within 24 hours of our request.\n\t\t\t\tCaseworkers in my San Francisco office work to address any problems or concerns you may have with a federal government agency. To submit a Casework Authorization Form, pleasevisitmy website.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/desaulnier-digest/special-edition-passage-republican-tax-plan", "Special Edition: Passage of the Republican Tax Plan", "2018-12-22", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mark DeSaulnier", "D000623", "desaulnier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Contra Costa Residents:\nThis week, two major pieces of legislation were considered in Congress that will have a significant impact on every household and the country as a whole. In order to help keep our community informed, we wanted to take the time to send out a special edition of our weekly newsletter that focuses on the Republican tax bill and efforts to fund the government, both of which passed the House and Senate this week and were signed into law today.\n  REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN\nRepublicans rushed through the biggest tax overhaul since 1986 in just over one month. The partisan process included only one hearing in the House, two in the Senate, and none of the hundreds of amendments Democrats offered.\nThe bill is one-sided, worsens inequality, and leaves the middle class to foot the bill for the lavish gifts given to corporations and the rich. For this reason, not a single Democrat supported it, myself included. Below are some of the troubling provisions included in the bill:\n- Huge tax breaks to the top 5% in perpetuity, with the biggest gains going to the top 1% and corporations;  \n\t- Many middle class families will pay more in taxes by 2027;  \n\t- Undercutting the State and Local Tax deduction (SALT) by capping it at $10,000  double-taxing on average $13,000 of annual income for Californians;  \n\t- Adds $2.2 trillion to the national debt over ten years, and leading to future cuts to programs middle class families rely on like Social Security; and  \n\t- Causes 13 million people to lose health coverage by dramatically undermining the Affordable Care Act.\nDespite my strong opposition, the bill passed the House by a vote of 224-to-201, and was signed into law by President Trump today. Below you will find my statement on the passage of this bill.\nCongressman DeSaulnier's Statement on Passage of the Republican Tax Scam:\nThe long-term effects of this plan, which adds $2.2 trillion to the national debt and causes 13 million to lose health coverage, will be devastating to the American public and will lead to future cuts to programs middle class families depend on, like Medicare and Social Security. In the interim, families in California will lose the ability to fully deduct their state and local taxes (SALT), double-taxing on average $13,000 of annual income - a change that will impact many families in my district. There have been very few times in my career that I have been as discouraged as I have been watching Republicans pull this fast-one on the American people.\n  SPENDING PACKAGE\nSince September 30th, the country has been operating on a budget that has been patched together without a comprehensive plan to move us forward. This week, in a last minute attempt to avoid a shutdown, Republicans again passed a short-term spending bill to keep the government running. Operating from one short-term fix to the next is an irresponsible way to govern, putting critical social programs at risk and depriving us of the opportunity to address issues important to many American families. Among my concerns with the spending bill that passed this week are:\n- Inadequate funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program  neglecting to reauthorize this program could result in nearly 9 million children and pregnant women losing health insurance;  \n\t- Increased defense spending  adding funding on top of an already bloated budget at the Pentagon without providing increases in funding for non-defense programs;  \n\t- Did not address DREAMers  by ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, President Trump left 800,000 young people in limbo; and  \n\t- Failed to help thousands of retirees whose pensions are at risk.\nThe American people deserve better than this piecemeal approach that puts the country at the brink of shutdown every two to four weeks. Despite my opposition, the bill passed by a vote of 231-to-188 and set up the next manufactured crisis for January 19th. By the time we pass another bill, we will have gone through 25% of the fiscal year without a real budget.\n  MARK IN THE NEWS\nMark's Effort to Ensure Passenger Safety and Preserve Cockpit Voice Recorders:\nThe airport close-calls over SFO and Atlanta are troubling. In order to learn from our mistakes, prevent future accidents, and ensure passenger safety, Mark called on the Federal Aviation Administration to look into ways we can best preserve cockpit voice recorders and has called on the Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to hold a hearing into this matter.\nBelow are a few of the articles on the issue:\n- East Bay Times: Editorial: NTSB's approach to SFO near-disasters troubling  \n\t- East Bay Times: DeSaulnier calls for congressional hearing over SFO close-calls, disappearing cockpit discussions\nKQED: California Lawmakers Call for Better Conditions at Immigration Detention Facilities\nLast month Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) called for an investigation of ICE detention conditions at the Contra Costa West County Detention Facility in Richmond. DeSaulnier toured the facility after allegations surfaced that immigrant detainees there were being confined to their cells for 23 hours a day, and in some cases prevented from using the restroom.\nMark and Senator Feinstein Continue Efforts to Move Forward on a Second Southern Crossing\nMark and Senator Feinstein are continuing work to improve transportation in the Bay Area. The lawmakers believe taxpayers and toll payers should receive more for their money, that innovative ways to move traffic and transit more efficiently should be explored, and that a southern crossing will reduce congestion and speed up commute times.\nBelow are a few of the articles on the issue:\n- KQED: You Say You Want a New Bridge or 2nd BART Tube? Here's How You Might Pay for It  - San Francisco Chronicle: New bridge across SF Bay? Transit planners happy' to take a look  - East Bay Times: A multi-billion-dollar mega measure' to fix Bay Area traffic for good heading your way", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-desaulnier-s-statement-government-shutdown", "Congressman DeSaulniers Statement on Government Shutdown", "2018-12-22", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mark DeSaulnier", "D000623", "desaulnier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) issued the following statement on the government shutdown. This government shutdown was entirely avoidable and is the responsibility of President Trump, who boasted that he was proud to shut down the government.' He put far right radio and TV pundits ahead of the American people and created uncertainty and instability for more than 420,000 federal workers who are furloughed or will be forced to work without pay this holiday season. House Democrats were poised to vote in favor of a clean plan to temporarily fund the government and were denied. Republicans have the ability to reopen the government at any time. If they don't, Democrats will take control of the House in January and govern responsibly. I stand ready to work with my colleagues to reopen the government at the earliest possible date.\n\n#", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-desaulniers-statement-government-shutdown", "Congressman DeSaulnier\u2019s Statement on Government Shutdown", "2018-12-22", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mark DeSaulnier", "D000623", "desaulnier.house.gov", "desaulnier", "https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) issued the following statement on the government shutdown.\n\n\"This government shutdown was entirely avoidable and is the responsibility of President Trump, who boasted that he was \u2018proud to shut down the government.' He put far right radio and TV pundits ahead of the American people and created uncertainty and instability for more than 420,000 federal workers who are furloughed or will be forced to work without pay this holiday season.\n\nHouse Democrats were poised to vote in favor of a clean plan to temporarily fund the government and were denied. Republicans have the ability to reopen the government at any time. If they don't, Democrats will take control of the House in January and govern responsibly. I stand ready to work with my colleagues to reopen the government at the earliest possible date.\"\n\n#", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://khanna.house.gov/media/editorials/trump-was-right-to-pull-out-of-syria-afghanistan", "Trump was right to pull out of Syria and Afghanistan. This is what he should do next.", "2018-12-22", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ro Khanna", "K000389", "khanna.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Washington Post\nRo Khanna (D-Calif.) is on the Armed Services Committee and represents Silicon Valley.\nPresident Trump is receiving an onslaught of criticism for his decision to withdraw troops from Syria and Afghanistan. Congressional Democrats should not pile on without offering an alternative vision. We should applaud the president's desire to put an end to these interventions, but should challenge him to assemble a team that does so with better planning and diplomacy. We should articulate a foreign policy doctrine of responsible withdrawal that prioritizes restraint and human rights.\nLet's start with a fact that the mainstream media has glossed over when criticizing Trump's Syria decision: His decision is in compliance with U.S. and international law. The presence of U.S. troops in the Syrian civil war was never authorized by Congress. We are also violating international law by invading Syria without the approval of the United Nations. Before any administration official can advocate keeping troops in Syria to fight the Islamic State, Congress needs to offer authorization.\nTrump also deserves credit for standing up to the war hawks within his own administration who started inventing rationales for remaining in the country: countering Iran and seeing an end to the Assad regime. That is the definition of mission creep. While Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a brutal dictator and should be tried at the Hague for international war crimes, the United States should not militarily overthrow him.\nThere is no doubt Trump should have articulated a more prudent withdrawal strategy. He could have consulted beforehand with our allies and regional partners. One alternative to an immediate withdrawal in Syria is announcing a full withdrawal over the next few months. That would give us time to prepare local forces and to deploy intelligence platforms and networks that address potential terrorist threats.\nWe also cannot just leave without some consideration of our moral obligations to the Syrians that come from having engaged in war. We need to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians and accept our fair share of refugees. Trump should have used his leverage with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to ensure a cease-fire and guarantee protection for the Kurds. We should not sell Turkey Patriot missiles until we get that commitment.\nIn the case of Afghanistan, Trump announced that we will be reducing our troop levelby 7,000. This is, fortunately, a reversal of his deployment of3,000 troopsthere in September 2017. His instincts as a candidate of ending the war and bringing our troops home were spot-on.\nWe have spent more money in Afghanistan than we did in the Marshall Plan and continue to spendmore than $40 billioneach year. Our military approach has not worked. After the 2008 surge, the Taliban now exerts influence or maintains control over 70 percent of Afghan territory instead of just 40 percent.\nThere should be a short timeline for bringing home our troops to allow for a smooth transition. We should engage in direct talks with the Taliban and seek a negotiated settlement, involving regional actors such as Pakistan, Iran, Russia, China and India. The task calls for the talent of a negotiator with the skill of a Bill Perry, George Shultz, or George Mitchell. We should also retain the right to strike terrorist cells that directly threaten our homeland, while taking precautions to avoid harm to civilians that can create new conditions for hate.\nMost urgently, the president should apply his newfound commitment to anti-interventionism to Yemen's devastating civil war. The United States should stop taking Saudi Arabia's side in Yemen, especially in light of the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi. After pressure from a bicameral War Powers Resolution that Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and I led, the administration decided to stop refueling Saudi-led coalition jets. In January, we will pass the War Powers Resolution, which would remove U.S. forces from hostilities in Yemen except to fight terrorism as allowed by the 2001 war authorization. The president should sign it and demand that Saudi Arabia stop bombing ports and allow Yemenis to access food and medicine.\nIn an Independence Day speech in 1821, then-U.S. Secretary of State John Quincy Adams said America should offer her heart, her benedictions and her prayers.  But she goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy. Almost 200 years later, the world is a very different place. But Adam's wisdom still applies as we seek to lead in the 21st century.\nA few days ago, I was with Trump as he signed one of my bills. I said, Mr. President, China has not been in a war since 1979. If we want to win the race against them, we should not get bogged down in war. He nodded and then observed that they have enriched themselves without firing a shot.\nI am not pollyannaish about the deep partisan battles that divide us. But when it comes to ensuring that America remains the global leader, with all that implies for freedom and democracy, let us take inspiration from Adams and find common ground in a foreign policy of greater restraint, one that would entail responsibly extricating ourselves from bad wars. Let us focus on developing our capabilities and talents here at home to be a model for the world", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-panetta-statement-president-trump-s-government-shutdown", "Congressman Panetta Statement on President Trumps Government Shutdown", "2018-12-22", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Panetta", "P000613", "panetta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DCToday, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) released the following statement after the latest government shutdown.\nDisappointingly, the federal government has partially shut down as of this morning. Disturbingly, President Donald Trump called for this shutdown more than 25 times and now has gotten what he wanted. Decisively, Congressional Democrats offered multiple proposals to keep the government open, including one that passed the Senate unanimously, and all of which included funding for strong, sensible, and effective border security, not an ineffective and expensive wall.\n\"Despite the President's rejection of those proposals and his call for this shutdown, Democrats will continue to work with Republicans to come to an agreement to reopen our government. It is imperative thatthe President stop threatening the stability and prosperity of our country over an ill-conceived campaign promise and that Congress come together to responsibly identify a long-term budget solution to fund our government.\nDue to the shutdown, over 39,000 employees in California will be forced to go without pay over the holidays. Nationwide, 380,000 federal workers will be furloughed, and 420,000 employees will work without pay. Nearly one-third of all federal employees are veterans. Impacted employees with critical safety, security, and emergency management missions include FBI agents, U.S. Marshals, TSA employees, Coast Guard employees, and Forest Service firefighters.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-pete-aguilar-will-have-key-role-next-year-s-democratic-house", "Rep. Pete Aguilar will have a key role in next years Democratic House", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Pete Aguilar", "A000371", "aguilar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The 31st District Congressman ushered in new laws, held numerous resource and job fairs, helped constituents sort out issues with federal agencies and, in November,won re-election.\nAs Aguilar heads into the next session, which starts Jan. 3, he will be part of a Democratic majority that will control the House of Representatives for the first time in his four-year tenure in congress. Aguilar also is expected to be Chief Deputy Whip, giving him  and residents of the 31st District  a seat at the leadership table.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bass.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-bass-talks-possible-shutdown-tmz", "Rep. Bass Talks Possible Shutdown On TMZ", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Los Angeles, CA Office  \n\t\t4929 Wilshire Blvd  \n\t\tSuite 650  Los Angeles,CA 90010  \n\t\tPhone: (323) 965-1422  \n\t\tFax: (323) 965-1113\n\tWashington, DC Office  \n\t\t2059 Rayburn HOB  Washington, DC 20515  \n\t\tPhone: (202) 225-7084  \n\t\tFax: (202) 225-2422", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=443", "Rep. Carbajal Statement on Partial Government Shutdown", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Salud Carbajal", "C001112", "carbajal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24) released the following statement ahead of a possible partial government shutdown tonight at midnight: \r\nEarlier this week, the Senate passed a bipartisan spending bill, following an agreement with President Trump, which funded the government through February. Instead of bringing the Senate's clean spending bill to a vote, lame duck House Republicans conspired with the President to add $5.7 billion in wasteful spending for an ineffective border wall leading us straight toward a partial government shutdown.\r\nThe President's senseless border wall is nothing more than an archaic solution to a 21st century problem and fails to meet our security needs at the border. I voted against funding for the wall and remain hopeful that Congress and the President can work together on a bipartisan basis to bring forward a clean spending bill to fund the government responsibly before tonight's shutdown.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cardenas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressmen-c-rdenas-passage-historic-first-step-act", "Congressmen Crdenas on the passage of the historic First Step Act", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Tony C\u00e1rdenas", "C001097", "cardenas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I am proud to announce the passage of The First Step Act, one of my top priorities this Congress and the most meaningful overhaul of the criminal justice system in decades.\nThis law will change lives immediately upon its passage. It will make our communities safer and it will drastically reduce tax-payer dollars being wasted on inappropriate sentencing. It pulls back severe sentencing laws that up until now have sent many Americans to jail for the rest of their life for minor drug offenses. This law is the first legislation to roll back some of the restrictions that disproportionally jailed men and women of color and created a system where minorities fill our prisons while white collar criminals go free. This law works to end the cruel practice of solitary confinement for juveniles, and includes provisions from the Protecting Youth from Solitary Confinement Act, a bill which I have introduced for the last three sessions of Congress. It is long past time we signed these protections into law.\nNow this law isn't perfect, but it's title is. This is a first step, and we have an obligation to finish the job for the thousands of men and women who have paid their debt to society, yet remain in prison. There is more work to do if we are going to create a justice system that prioritizes safety, prevention, and redemption.\nI have fought for justice reform for more than 20 years, and I am ready to fight for 20 more. I would like to thank my colleagues in Congress for taking this first step with me. Now let's finish the job.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cardenas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-c-rdenas-kinzinger-cohen-and-wagner-praise-final-passage", "Representatives Crdenas, Kinzinger, Cohen and Wagner Praise Final Passage of SOAR Act", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Tony C\u00e1rdenas", "C001097", "cardenas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representatives Crdenas, Kinzinger, Cohen and Wagner Praise Final Passage of SOAR Act  Grants would provide training for health professionals to spot signs of human trafficking\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Tony Crdenas (D-CA), Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), , and Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) praised final passage of the Stop, Observe, Ask and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Training Program (H.R. 767) today on a 386 to 6 vote, a measure to provide training to health care professionals on identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking.\nCongressman Crdenas said:\nWhen I wasa Los Angeles City Councilman, I saw first-hand the danger and heartbreak of human trafficking taking place in our own communities, right under our noses. We need to give healthcare professionals the necessary tools to recognize human trafficking victims amongst their patients, give them the support that they need, and help bring the perpetrators to justice. Though Los Angeles is making progress in eradicating this despicablecrime, we still have so much work to do. I am grateful to my colleagues in the House and the Senate for supporting the SOAR Act, and hope that the President can sign it into law soon so we can save more lives. I would like to thank Representatives Ann Wagner, Steve Cohen and Adam Kinzinger for their work on these issues, and for showing that even with today's politics we can still come together to help the most vulnerable among us.\nCongressman Cohen said:\nI am grateful to my colleagues for helping get this important bill through Congress. I especially want to thank Representatives Ann Wagner, Tony Cardenas andAdam Kinzinger for their tireless efforts. This bill is the result of an event held at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis in 2016 to discuss and promote human trafficking awareness training, attended by first responders, health care workers, faith-based groups, educators and state and local government officials. The energy, encouragement and support of those present inspired me to pursue this legislation. The SOAR Act encourages those on the front lines, our health care professionals, to be alert to possible instances of human trafficking when victims appear in clinics or doctors' offices for needed care. The measure's $4 million a year in training grants for health professionals to identify indicators of tell-tale signs of those who have been or are in captivity could end horrors for thousands of victims.\nCongresswoman Wagner said:\nAs the lead Republican sponsor on H.R. 767, I worked closely with Congressman Cohen to draft this legislation so that services are better tailored to the needs of trafficking victims and put survivors on the road to recovery. I also worked hand in hand with healthcare providers across the St. Louis region who are leading the effort to assist trafficking victims in local clinics and hospitals. I am so proud of their leadership in establishing trainings and policies to identify and treat victims, and I am delighted that Congress is coming alongside them by passing the SOAR to Health and Wellness Act.\nCongressman Kinzinger said:\nHard to imagine, but human trafficking is happening here in the United States, within our communities, and it affects all of us. I'm proud to be a co-lead on H.R. 767, the SOAR Health and Wellness Act, and glad to see it pass the House today. By raising awareness and training our healthcare workers to identify and better care for victims, we can combat this heinous crime and help our most vulnerable. Thank you to my colleagues for their support, especially Representative Cohen, as we work to end human trafficking.\nThe bill passed the Senate early Thursday morning by voice vote.\n__\nContact: Bryan Doyle  \n\t(202) 225-6131  \n\tbryan.doyle@mail.house.gov", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cardenas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-congressman-c-rdenas-possible-government-shutdown", "Statement from Congressman Crdenas on a Possible Government Shutdown:", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Tony C\u00e1rdenas", "C001097", "cardenas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This week, I reported to the floor of the House of Representatives and voted to respect the U.S. economy and keep the U.S. government open.\nOur president is willing to hurt working families for his own vanity. He promised a wall and he promised the American people that they will not have to pay for it, and now he is trying to shut down the U.S. government if he doesn't get to spend five billion American tax-payer dollars to build it.\nWe deserve better from the President than to hold American families and the economy hostage for political gain, especially this time of year. For my part, I will keep fighting to protect American families in the days to come.\nContact: Bryan Doyle  (202) 225-6131  bryan.doyle@mail.house.gov", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-statement-house-vote-wall-funding-and-government-shutdown", "Rep. Chu Statement on House Vote for Wall Funding and a Government Shutdown", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  On Thursday night, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed a funding bill to keep the government open until February 8, 2019 that also included $5.7 billion in new appropriations for President Trump's border wall, something Senate leaders have said does not stand a chance of passing through their chamber. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) released the following statement:\nLast night, Republicans voted to bring us closer to a government shutdown. That means thousands of Americans may not receive their hard-earned paychecks right before Christmas because this president refuses to stop campaigning and start governing. Republicans cannot even be honest with the American people about why they're shutting down the government. This is not about border security  the claim that ten terrorists a day approach our border is fiction. And it's not about the opioid epidemic  the vast majority of drugs come through our country's legal ports of entry. This is 100% about stoking the fires of xenophobia that fuel this presidency. And we will not play along. Trump said this is a shutdown he would be proud to own. Now that he sees how unpopular it is, he is attempting to shift the blame. There is one way for him to get out of this crisis of his own making, and that is to drop the ridiculous demand for an ineffective and expensive border wall which will have no impact on our security or drug trade, but will instead stand as a government-built monument to bigotry.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://khanna.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/2018-year-review", "2018 Year in Review", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ro Khanna", "K000389", "khanna.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Happy holidays, Silicon Valley!\nAs we close out an eventful 2018, I want to reflect on the privilege it has been to represent you in Congress. I am grateful for each of who took the time to make your voice heard by contacting me with your views and concerns. My Santa Clara and Washington, DC offices received 33,230 calls, e-mails, and letters from CA-17 residents who care deeply about their how the government works for their families and communities. Your passion is inspiring and helps me be a more informed and effective representative.\nI would like to highlight some of our work and accomplishments in Washington, DC and here in the Bay Area over the past year that has contributed to progress made towards improving the lives of the people in our region and across the country.\nConstituent Service Award Nomination\nIn January, our district office was informed that we qualified for the semifinals of the Congressional Management Foundation's Constituent Services award, which is an honor for any first-term member of Congress. With more than 80 percent of our case work related to immigration, our constituents and their families face serious challenges. We are proud of the level to which we have been able to help them solve problems and make government work for them. This year we have completed more than 750 cases for Silicon Valley residents who needed help navigating the federal bureaucracy.\nFighting Airplane Noise in the South Bay\nIn September, I wrote a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) asking for the disruptive Bay Side Visual flight path to be eliminated. The FAA responded a month later, confirming that our request has been granted, and the route into the San Carlos Airport has been canceled. This is a big victory for all residents in the area who have had to deal with disruptive airplane noise.\nSteve Kerr Joins Student Town Hall on Gun Violence\nThis past March, Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr joined me at Newark Memorial High School for a discussion with Matt Deitsch, a Stoneman Douglas High School graduate and the Community Outreach Director for March for Our Lives. Coach Kerr, Matt, and I talked with students about what we can do to reduce gun violence and prevent further tragedies. That same month, more than 800 marches from San Jose to Washington, DC showed that America's youth are driving this conversation and that it is long past time for Congress to respond.\nAddressing Milpitas Landfill Odor\nFor years, residents of Milpitas have endured an unpleasant odor generated by incoming yard trimmings mixed with food waste waiting to be put on to composting piles at the Newby Island facility. My office worked with Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty to write to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, asking for a regional odor study to verify the main sources conclusively, and to pay for sensors to be distributed around Milpitas to help with that verification. Our office is also working with state Assemblymember Kansen Chu's office to pressure the Local Enforcement Authority and CalRecycle to enforce odor standards.\nPushing to End U.S. Military Involvement in the War in Yemen\nI have been working for nearly two years to end U.S. military involvement in the Saudi-coalition-led war in Yemen, which has left more than 14 million Yemeni civilians, many of which are children, at risk of famine and a cholera epidemic. In a major victory, the Senate recently passed its version of the War Powers Resolution that I am leading in the House, yet outgoing Speaker Ryan has refused to allow my resolution to come to the floor for a vote.\nI am heartened by the recently-negotiated ceasefire in this Saudi-Iran proxy war that will allow humanitarian aid and supplies to enter the country through the port of Hodeida. Additionally, the Administration recently announced an end to U.S. support for the refueling of Saudi-coalition bombers that has contributed to casualties and widespread suffering of millions of innocent Yemenis. I will continue pushing for peace in 2019 and am pleased that Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi has assured me personally that the House will vote on my War Powers Resolution after I reintroduce it in January in order to take back the Constitutional authority granted to Congress for military intervention overseas.\nModernizing Government Websites\nI introduced the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA), which passed both the House and Senate and has been signed by the President. This legislation, which brings government websites into the 21st Century, is the second bill I have introduced that has become law  the most among first-term Democrats. This common-sense solution will help improve how every American interacts with their government online while saving time and taxpayer money by modernizing and streamlining federal forms and the government process.\nRaising Wages for 350,000 Amazon Employees\nIn September, Senator Bernie Sanders and I introduced the Stop BEZOS Act, legislation taking on corporate welfare and the big companies that rake in massive profits for their shareholders and executives on the backs of severely underpaid workers. A few weeks later, Amazon bowed to pressure that our legislation had created and was compelled to announce that wages for all employees, including part-time and seasonal workers, will go up to at least $15.00 an hour. It is the responsibility of all corporations, especially those making billions of dollars, to ensure that those who work hard for them are justly compensated and can afford to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.\nProtecting Americans Online with the Internet Bill of Rights\nOnline privacy and the protection of personal data is now a critical priority for American consumers. The government's response to the Equifax breach, Cambridge Analytica scandal and other serious violations exposed an information gap among members of Congress. I was proud that House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi tasked me, as one of Silicon Valley's representatives, to outline ten principles which we can use to guide legislation defining clear and concise online protections.\nI am hopeful that my principles will form the basis of an Internet Bill of Rights to protect consumer data privacy. In consultation with the founder of the world wide web, Tim Berners-Lee, and other technologists, I proposed these guidelines as explained in a piece in TIME Magazine. As we continue to live more of our lives online, and as technology continues to rapidly advance, it is vital that we establish reasonable and robust protections, just as our forefathers did when laying the foundation of our nation. I am hopeful that the Internet Bill of Rights will be considered next year and will work toward passing it.\nTaking on Big Pharma and Excessive Prescription Drug Prices\nIn November, Sen. Sanders and I announced our bill that will take on Big Pharma's price-gouging of sick and aging Americans. Big Pharma upcharges us because we don't have any patient protections, but this bill changes that: If a drug company decides to sell their product for higher than the median price that they sell that same drug to our friends in Canada, Japan, and Europe, then the company loses its government-granted market monopoly, and generic drug producers can enter the market and bring the price down through competition.\nOne in four Americans reports difficulty paying for their prescription drugs and, overall, Americans pay 40 percent or more for pharmaceuticals than similar countries. That's just not right. Medicine should not condemn a person to a lifetime of debt. Sick and elderly Americans should not be forced to choose between food and life-saving prescriptions. It is past time for Congress to stand up to the powerful Pharma lobbyists, and Sen. Sanders and I will be leading that fight.\nPutting Americans Back to Work\nIn July, I introduced the Job Opportunities for All Act, which invests in putting Americans back to work. There are eight million Americans who want to work but cannot find jobs, and another 4.7 million who want full-time jobs but can only find part-time work. In response, my bill builds on the legacy of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Economic Bill of Rights by directing federal funds to grants and programs providing Americans with private and public-sector job opportunities with a focus on economically distressed communities. No one should be denied the opportunity to earn a living in the richest country on Earth.\nMonthly Town Hall Meetings\nIn keeping with my promise to the people of CA-17 when you first sent me to Congress, I have held at least one town hall meeting every month, continuing through 2018. This year, we held two town halls each in Milpitas, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and San Jose District 4, and one each in Cupertino, Fremont, San Jose District 1, and Newark. An average of 150 constituents have attended this year, and I have been able to answer most of your questions at each town hall.\nThank you for the privilege of representing you in Congress. I vow to spend 2019 the same way I spent 2018: Fighting for a just economy that benefits all people, a foreign policy that does not rely on war, and a government that listens and works for you.\nMoving forward, it is important for me to hear from my constituents. Whether it's a quick phone call, writing our office, or asking a question at one of my monthly town halls, I always appreciate hearing from you. Let's keep up the energy in 2019!\n\nRo\n\nHealth Care Open Enrollment\nThere is less than a month left for Californians to get health care coverage for 2019. The ACA open enrollment period ends on January 15. Visit www.CoveredCA.com to be sure that you're covered. Most people can find plans for between $50 and $100 per month. Even if you were covered before, take a few minutes to look around  you might end up saving money.\nConstituent Services\nCase workers in my Santa Clara office are available to help CA-17 residents navigate the bureaucracy of federal agencies. My staff can assist with immigration or visa issues, Social Security payments, and VA paperwork among other areas. Visit my website for more information.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-rep-khanna-statement-support-reported-us-troop-pullout-afghanistan", "STATEMENT: Rep. Khanna statement of support on reported U.S. troop pullout from Afghanistan", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ro Khanna", "K000389", "khanna.house.gov", "khanna", "https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 In light of possible plans to withdraw up to half of the 14,000 American troops serving in Afghanistan, U.S. officials said yesterday, Rep. Khanna, member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the below statement.\n\n\"I support a responsible withdrawal of American military forces in Afghanistan. If we hope to end the security challenge posed by terrorism, the answer is not an indefinite deployment of U.S. troops in the region. Instead, we must have a robust, multilateral, and inclusive diplomatic initiative to encourage national reconciliation, local peacebuilding efforts, and the engagement of regional actors such as Pakistan, Iran, Russia, China, and India. The State Department needs a strategy to secure an inclusive and lasting peace settlement, a plan for the full withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country, and sustained support for nonmilitary peacebuilding solutions to secure any political settlement reached by the Afghan people.\n\nWe also need a short timeline for withdrawal so there can be a smooth transition, a sense of the intelligence platforms and networks that can replace them to guard against terrorist threats, and a plan on how we would act on actionable intelligence if terrorists posed a threat to our homeland.\n\nThe current approach of engaging in direct talks with the Afghan Taliban as a means to achieving a political solution to the conflict is a good one. After 17 years of war, we need a negotiated political settlement to the war that is acceptable to the Afghan people and allows the United States to end our involvement in war as soon as possible. Over $43 billion dollars are currently being spent on Afghanistan each year and the Taliban now exerts influence or maintains control over 50 percent of Afghan territory. This shows our military-first strategy and the surge is not working.\n\nIn sum, Trump's instincts to withdraw are correct. But the tactical implementation matters. He needs to surround himself with people like George Shultz, Bill Perry, Larry Korb, or Ben Rhodes who can help him carry it out.\"\n\n###\n\nAbout the Office\n\nCongressman Khanna represents the 17th District of California, which covers communities in Silicon Valley. Visit his website at khanna.house.gov. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter @RepRoKhanna.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-lieu-and-calvert-urge-defense-sec-use-california-aerospace-assets", "REPS LIEU AND CALVERT URGE DEFENSE SEC TO USE CALIFORNIA AEROSPACE ASSETS FOR SPACE FORCE", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ted Lieu", "L000582", "lieu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON -Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA), co-chairs of the California Aerospace Caucus, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis urging him to utilize California's existing aerospace assets including the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center when building out a Space Force.\nIn the letter, the Members write:\n We support DoD's renewed focus on space and effort to conduct a thoughtful, strategic reorganization. Given our nation's dependence on space-based technology for everything from communications to navigation and the rapid gains by our adversaries to threaten those assets, it is critical that we have the best structure in place to ensure continued U.S. superiority. As we design that structure, however, we must avoid inadvertent setbacks by dismantling what is already working.\n\tAs Co-Chairs of the California Aerospace Caucus, we are immensely proud of our state's space-focused organizations, innovators, researchers and workforce. It is no coincidence that the Air Force's Space and Missile System Center (SMC), which executes 85 percent of the Department's military space procurement budget, calls California home. SMC is part of a unique, symbiotic aerospace hub in California that includes the two federally-funded research and development centers (FFRDC) most dedicated to space, Aerospace Corporation and NASA's Jet-Propulsion Laboratory; installations with important space-related missions at Vandenberg AFB, Edwards AFB, and Ames Research Center; top university programs in aerospace engineering; leading space companies like United Launch Alliance, SpaceX, and Aerojet Rocketdyne; the nation's only aerospace startup accelerator, Starburst; and the highly-educated, specialized workforce that makes it all possible. California's aerospace industry makes up 10 percent of the global market and includes 25 percent of all U.S. jobs in space vehicles and guided missiles.\n\tAn aerospace hub like California's takes decades to develop and cannot be easily replicated. Aerospace Corporation, for example, has been the FFRDC for military space going back to the earliest days of military space activities and its workforce is a unique and major asset to our national security. We strongly believe that whatever final form the national security space structure takes, it would be wise to leverage our existing assets in California, including the critical role of SMC in space acquisition and the rich aerospace ecosystem that supports it. Standing up new, redundant organizations risks disrupting current space acquisition efforts at an immense cost to the taxpayer and, potentially, national security.\n READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER HERE\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-votes-no-on-border-wall-calls-it-trump-s-wasteful-monument-to", "Rep. Peters Votes No on Border Wall, Calls it Trumps Wasteful Monument to Himself", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) opposed Congressional Republicans' vote to spend more than $5 billion on a senseless border wall, jeopardizing government funding and operations. This reckless move could force 420,000 federal employees, including 54,000 Customs and Border Patrol Agents, 53,000 TSA employees, 42,000 Coast Guard employees, and as many as 6,000 Forest Service Firefighters, to work without pay during the holidays. The Senate is expected to consider this funding package tomorrow.\nTonight's vote proves the spinelessness of Congressional Republicans, unwilling to say no to the President. President Trump is jeopardizing government funding over the construction of a wasteful monument to himself. \nLast fiscal year, congressional Republicans brought five short-term spending bills to a vote, which failed to provide certainty to our military, research institutions, and federal agenciesand we still had a government shutdown in January. \nToday, we find ourselves on the brink of disaster again. This President and his lemmings in Congress want to shut down the government and force 420,000 federal employees to go without pay during the holidays, all because Rush Limbaugh said so.\nEvery day I come to work ready to work with my colleagues to forge consensus and make government work. Today, I am horribly disappointed in my GOP colleagues who knew this was wrong but caved to this ridiculous President,said Rep. Peters.\nLast year, Rep. Peters penned an op-ed in Pomerado News on how continued short-term funding bills of the federal government hurt San Diego, especially its military and defense sectors.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-sherman-comments-on-release-of-santa-susana-field-laboratory", "Congressman Sherman Comments on Release of Santa Susana Field Laboratory Report", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  The U.S. Department of Energy has released its Final Environmental Impact Statement for cleanup of its portion of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) site, located in Ventura County, California. The report recommends a lesser soil cleanup standard than established in the 2010 Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) that was entered into with the State of California.\nIn response, Congressman Brad Sherman said, The AOC is a binding agreement between the federal government and the state of CA. Under the AOC, those who live near the Santa Susana Field Laboratory are entitled to a full cleanup of the contaminated site. It is unacceptable that the U.S. Department of Energy would propose anything less and walk away from previously agreed upon standards. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control should require the full cleanup called for in the AOC.\nToday's statement from Congressman Sherman echoes his prior statement. On April 12, 2017, Congressman Sherman commented in writing on the U.S. Department of Energy's Draft Environmental Impact Statement, The U.S. Department of Energy should not consider alternatives that do not provide for a complete cleanup of the facility.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-sherman-and-yoho-introduce-legislation-to-stand-up-for", "Representatives Sherman and Yoho Introduce Legislation to Stand Up for Human Rights in Xinjiang, China", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the Asia Subcommittee, and Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL), the Chairman of the Asia Subcommittee introduced the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response (UIGHUR) Act. The legislation is cosponsored by Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), and Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA).\nCurrently, in the Chinese region of Xinjiang, as many as one million Uighurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities are being detained in so-called political re-education camps. Meanwhile, Uighurs living outside of China are being harassed and silenced  including here in the United States.\nThe bipartisan legislation will prevent advanced technologies from being exported to China to facilitate human rights violations in Xinjiang, ensure the federal government does not procure from companies that help Beijing unjustly detain Turkic Muslims, and create new mechanisms for reporting Chinese government surveillance in the United States.\nBeijing thinks we will turn a blind eye as it targets Turkic Muslims around the world. We must prove them wrong, said Congressman Sherman. By preventing companies from profiting off of human rights violations and mandating increased transparency, this legislation will send more than a powerful message. It will also create meaningful tools for the United States to hold China accountable.\nI am happy to introduce this important legislation with Ranking Member Sherman. Cutting-edge technologies should be used to lift up, not oppress humanity. The existence of mass detention centers -renamed political re-education' camps - in China, is unacceptable. We must hold the perpetrators of these gross human rights violations accountable. said Congressman Yoho.\nAmong other provisions, the bill also calls for Global Magnitsky sanctions on those who orchestrate political re-education camps, establishes new human rights disclosure requirements for sensitive exports to China, and instructs American diplomats to protest the deportation of Turkic Muslims to China and increase their outreach to the Uighur community.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://speier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-speier-statement-trump-shutdown-0", "Rep Speier Statement on Trump Shutdown", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14) issued the following statement in response to President Trump's shutdown of the federal government.\n\"This is a Trump Shutdown and a political stunt designed to appeal to the President's extreme base, creating convenient confusion and chaos given his impending legal calamities. The President has yet to spend the $1.3 billion Congress has already approved for border security, and instead is obsessed with wasting $5.7 billion for an ineffective border wall that would be a waste of taxpayer dollars. Trump created this crisis and he owns this shutdown, which will hit the Justice Department and Homeland Security the hardest. So much for those border security concerns.\nIn the waning days of this year and this Congress, this is my message to Republican leaders and to the President: Governing in a democracy requires negotiation and a willingness to put your country above yourself. The President tweets and rants often based on what the last person has whispered in his ear or a talking head has proclaimed on a cable TV show. But that does not absolve him of his duty to lead. The Senate passed a bipartisan spending bill that Leader Pelosi was stopped from introducing in the House. Many of my Republican colleagues sought the President's Twitter advice before casting their vote on the House floor and ran cowering when his mood and opinions shifted. That isn't how democracy works, this isn't how to govern or lead a great nation. For the benefit of our country, we must put to rest the notion that this border wall boondoggle is anything but a Trump reality TV show rerun. And we must immediately fund and reopen the government.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://takano.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-takano-statement-on-third-trump-shutdown", "Rep. Takano Statement on Third Trump Shutdown", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mark Takano", "T000472", "takano.house.gov", "takano", "https://takano.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement after Congressional Republicans and President Trump caused a third government shutdown this year:\n\n\u201cPresident Trump, who lauds himself as a master negotiator, just led our government into the third government shutdown in one year \u2013 all because he is demanding billions of dollars in funding for a wall that a majority of Americans do not support.\n\n\u201cAs the President continues to hold our government hostage over funding for his useless, wasteful, racist wall, hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be forced to work without pay during the holiday season. This is truly a nightmare before Christmas that President Trump has orchestrated to appease his own ego and pretend to deliver on a xenophobic campaign promise.\n\n\u201cRepublicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House, but as these past two years have shown us, they clearly do not know how to govern. I am ready to vote for a clean funding bill that will keep our government open and ensure that federal workers are paid. It\u2019s time for my Republican colleagues to stop letting President Trump strong-arm them into making radical decisions that harm our nation and that a majority of Americans unequivocally oppose.\u201d\n\n###\n\nPress Contact\n\nDayanara Ramirez (202) 225-2305", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/torres-introduces-bill-increase-transparency-and-ensure-safety-children", "Torres Introduces Bill to Increase Transparency and Ensure Safety of Children in CBP and ICE Custody", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Norma J. Torres", "T000474", "torres.house.gov", "torres", "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "The bill follows the recent deaths of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal, who died while in U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody, and toddler Mariee Juarez, who died shortly after being released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) introduced the Border Security and Child Safety Act to require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a review of all policies and procedures impacting the safety and health of children in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The bill would also require the DHS Secretary to develop a strategy to implement policies that will ensure the safety of children in CBP and ICE custody, and to prioritize the hiring of medical personnel to provide prompt and adequate medical care to all children in DHS custody.\n\n\"Jakelin Caal's tragedy was not an isolated incident. From family separations, to the deaths of immigrant children in their care, to the turning away of asylum seekers at our border, there is a pattern of abuse and cruelty against immigrant families by this administration,\" said Torres. \"My bill would help break this pattern, and ensure that the proper policies and procedures are in place to safeguard the health and well-being of children in CBP and ICE custody.\"\n\nThe legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Juan Vargas (D-CA).\n\nEarlier this week, Torres and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus traveled to New Mexico to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Jakelin Caal. Additionally, Torres and Representative Ted W. Lieu (D-CA) led a group of fifty-four members of Congress in a letter urging DHS to end the administration's policy of deterring migrants from applying for asylum at U.S. ports of entry.\n\nThe text of the bill may be viewed HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-waters-applauds-passage-bold-infrastructure-alzheimers-act", "Rep. Waters Applauds the Passage of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", "waters", "https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON -- Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), the Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease, applauded the passage of S. 2076, the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act. The bill passed the House of Representatives on December 19th by an overwhelming vote of 361 to 3, after passing the Senate by a voice vote on December 12th, and is expected to be signed into law.\n\n\"I am delighted that Congress passed the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act. We introduced this innovative bill to promote early detection and diagnosis, support caregivers, and reduce health disparities related to the care and treatment of Alzheimer's patients. The passage of this bill marks a historic victory in the fight against Alzheimer's. I will continue to advocate for this and other legislative efforts that improve the lives of the more than 5 million Americans who are living with this devastating disease,\" said Congresswoman Maxine Waters.\n\nAs a congressional leader of Alzheimer's disease response efforts, Congresswoman Maxine Waters joined together with her colleagues, Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), and Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ-4), to introduce the House version of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act (H.R. 4256), while the Senate version (S. 2076) was introduced by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). The bill establishes Alzheimer's Centers of Excellence around the country to expand and promote innovative and effective Alzheimer's interventions, which will support early detection, reduce the risk of hospitalizations and cognitive decline, support caregivers, and reduce health disparities. The bill is a priority of Alzheimer's advocates in the 115th Congress.\n\n\"We are thankful to Rep. Waters for her continued, steadfast work to address Alzheimer's for millions of Californians and other Americans,\" said Alzheimer's Association Chief Public Policy Officer, Robert Egge. \"When signed into law, the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act will build and strengthen our nation's Alzheimer's public health response resulting in improved outcomes and quality of life for millions of Americans.\"\n\nAlzheimer's disease affects more than 5 million Americans, and it is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. There is no effective treatment, no means of prevention, and no method for slowing the progression of the disease. Most Alzheimer's patients require constant care and attention, especially when they are in the final stages of the disease. The Alzheimer's Association calculated that caregivers provided more than 18 billion hours of unpaid care for people with dementia in 2016, at an estimated value of over $230 billion.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-waters-statement-passage-first-step-act", "Rep. Waters Statement on the Passage of the First Step Act", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", "waters", "https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Applauds Progress of Efforts to End Mandatory Minimum Sentencing\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) issued a statement on the First Step Act of 2018, which passed both the House and the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and is now the law of the land.\n\n\"I applaud the overwhelmingly bipartisan support for, and passage of, the First Step Act by the U.S. Congress. As a lifelong civil rights advocate and a leader in the fight for criminal justice reform, I believe that this bill is one step in a journey of many miles to enacting the comprehensive reforms our country, communities, and citizens \u2013 particularly people of color -- so desperately need and deserve.\n\n\"Earlier this year, I shared the concerns of almost every criminal justice organization in the country regarding the First Step Act: the bill, as originally drafted, did next to nothing to reform our criminal justice system's draconian sentencing practices and processes. While I applaud my colleagues' efforts to amend the bill, there are still provisions within this law that are deeply troubling to me. The First Step Act only applies to the federal system, which imprisons only a small fraction\u2014about 180,000\u2014of the 2.1 million people currently incarcerated in the United States. The bill also fails to end life without parole and other extreme sentences for children in the federal criminal justice system \u2013 a step that a majority of states, including California, have already taken. The bill also includes a \u2018risk assessment system' tool that may rely on algorithms to determine which inmates are eligible for \u2018earned time credits' that can be used for early release. I am concerned that such a tool and algorithm, if created without a strong understanding of the racial inequities in our criminal justice system, could have a discriminatory effect on people of color.\n\n\"However, I am pleased that the amended bill includes a wide range of sentencing reforms that are much needed if we are ever to fix our broken criminal justice system. The new version would retroactively apply the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which reduced the disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentences from a ratio of 100-to-1 to 18-to-1. More than 2,600 people will now have the opportunity to have their sentences reduced because of this provision.\n\n\"I am especially thrilled that the amended version of the First Step Act also makes initial strides towards ending mandatory minimum sentencing \u2013 an issue that I have championed for more than 20 years. The bill increases judges' discretion to both reject and/or reduce mandatory minimums for people convicted of certain drug offenses, which will impact more than 2,000 people annually. The new bill also reforms the unfair two- and three-strike laws by reducing the mandatory life sentence for a third drug felony to 25 years, and the mandatory sentence for a second drug felony from 20 to 15 years.\n\n\"I have worked for decades to end mass incarceration and reverse the effects of mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenses -- policies that originated from Congress' ill-conceived response to the 1980s crack cocaine epidemic and the public outcry following the death of college athlete Len Bias in 1986. Bias' death from a cocaine overdose generated significant media coverage and led to the enactment of so-called \u2018tough on crime' policies at the state and federal levels, which have disproportionately incarcerated African Americans and Latinos. For many years, as a member or former member of the House Judiciary Committee, I introduced legislation such as the Major Drug Trafficking Prosecution Act and the Mandatory Minimum Reform Act, which would restore judicial discretion and greatly reduce the use of cruel mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenses. For the past 20 years, I have also hosted annual forums on mandatory minimum sentences and criminal justice reform during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference. These forums have featured an esteemed panel of advocates -- including Kemba Smith Pradia -- who are my partners and allies in this fight. Kemba Smith Pradia was sentenced to serve a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 24.5 years for a first-time, non-violent offense. Her sentence was commuted under the Clinton Administration, and she has since become known as the poster child for sentencing reform. I have also partnered with organizations such as Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), the Open Society Institute, the Drug Policy Alliance, and the Sentencing Project during my annual forum, which continues to be one of the most well-attended events during the conference.\n\n\"The First Step Act is far from perfect, but I join my colleagues and criminal justice advocates who are pleased with the amended provisions of the bill. I remain committed to my career-long effort to reform our criminal justice system and eradicate mandatory minimum drug sentences, which we know have destroyed the lives of millions of Americans and have had devastating effects on people of color \u2013 particularly African Americans. These reforms are a small, but nonetheless important, step toward a more equitable and just judicial system.\"\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3303C156-58CB-482C-BEF5-AD1129808729", "Feinstein: President Trumps Last-Minute Demands Will Force Government Shutdown", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today issued the following statement on President Trump's potential government shutdown:\r\nPresident Trump and congressional leaders agreed on a short-term funding bill to keep the government open through February, and the Senate voted unanimously to approve that bill on Wednesday. We expect the president to honor his agreement.\r\nInstead, he's now holding major portions of the government hostage unless we meet his last-minute demand for $5 billion for a border wall. Why is this funding necessary? The president still hasn't spent the $1.3 billion we approved last year, only requested $1.6 billion in his budget this year and has consistently bragged that our borders are now secure under his watch.\r\nHeading into Christmas, the president's shutdown would deny hundreds of thousands of federal workers their paychecks and create unnecessary chaos as millions of Americans worry when their government will reopen.\r\nPresident Trump boasted last week that he would be solely responsible if the government shutdown. Well, that's one promise it appears he'll keep.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=68D8D50C-DD59-453C-B53B-CDA00ABB5A28", "Feinstein Requests Answers from Barr, Rosenstein on Barr Memo Against Mueller Investigation", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today requested that William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein answer key questions about Barr's 19-page memorandum against Special Counsel Mueller's investigation.\r\nThe letter to Barr is available here and the letter to Rosenstein is available here.\r\nFull text of the letter to Barr follows:\r\nDecember 21, 2018\r\nWilliam P. Barr  Kirkland & Ellis LLP  655 15th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005\r\nDear Mr. Barr:\r\nBefore the hearing on your nomination to be Attorney General, as the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I am writing to request additional information about a June 8, 2018, memorandum that you wrote to Department of Justice officials regarding Special Robert Counsel Mueller's obstruction of justice investigation.\r\nI read your memorandum with great surprise. In my twenty-five years reviewing nominations as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I have never seen a nominee write such an in-depth legal memorandum for no reason. Your memorandum is not an informal opinion piece or casual commentary; rather, it is a lengthy, detailed legal argument with pointed conclusions.\r\nYour decision to write this memorandum raises several questions, and I ask that you respond in writing no later than December 27, 2018:\r\n \r\nDid anyone request that you write the memorandum? If so, who and why?\r\nIf the memorandum was not requested, why did you write it?\r\nNews repm1s indicate that you also shared the memorandum with the President's personal lawyers. Is that accurate? Who received a copy of the memo?\r\nDid you write the memorandum yourself or were others involved? If so, who?\r\nHave you spoken to President Trump, anyone associated with the White House, or the President's legal team about the memorandum or its contents? If so, with whom did you speak and why?\r\nHave you spoken with anyone at the Department of Justice about the memorandum or its contents?\r\nWas there any follow up from anyone regarding your memorandum?\r\n \r\n  I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to these questions.\r\nSincerely,  Dianne Feinstein\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8105C074-03D6-4070-85F2-C7A0A7C8A72C", "Feinstein: Secretary Mattis Sudden Resignation is Alarming", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today issued the following statement on the resignation of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis\r\nI'm alarmed by Secretary Mattis' sudden resignation. His letter makes clear the president's rash decision to withdraw troops from Syria and reduce our forces in Afghanistan endangers our allies and threatens our own national security.\r\nSecretary Mattis is a respected leader with a clear-eyed understanding of international affairs. His counsel and steady hand will be sorely missed at a time when the president's decision making is becoming increasingly erratic.\r\nI thank Secretary Mattis for his lifetime of service to our country, both as a military officer and as the secretary of defense.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398532", "Rep. Roybal-Allard Floor Speech Opposing Funds for a Border Wall in the Continuing Resolution", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Lucille Roybal-Allard", "R000486", "roybal-allard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Thursday, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks in the House of Representatives as Republicans attempted to force $5.7 billion for a border wall into the Continuing Resolution to extend government funding through February 8, 2019:Mr. Speaker, Democrats understand the critical responsibility we have: to keep our government funded and serve the needs of the American people. But, House Republicans are driving our nation to the brink of another disastrous government shutdown. Republicans, who control the House, the Senate and the White House, have the responsibility and the power to keep our government open. Yet, at a time of great economic uncertainty, and right in the middle of the holiday season, Republicans are refusing to stand up to the president, who has made it clear he'd be proud to shut down the government, if he cannot force American taxpayers to spend billions of dollars on an immoral, ineffective and expensive wall.\r\n\r\nThe fact is that there are serious homeland security vulnerabilities that will not be addressed if the president is allowed to squander $5.7 billion on a border wall. This includes not being able to hire more law enforcement agents to focus on opioid, gang, trade, and child exploitation investigations. No funding to recapitalize the Coast Guard's air and sea fleets, including the procurement of our first heavy icebreaker since the 1970s. As the Arctic ice recedes, Russia, China and other countries are winning the race to lay claim to the vast resources of that region, where at times there is no U.S. presence. There will be no funding to hire additional customs officers to intercept illicit drugs and other contraband, almost all of which comes into our country through the ports of entry. And, Mr. Chairman there will no increased funding for first responder grants to help states and localities better prepare and respond to terrorism and disasters of every kind. All of these funding needs have strong bipartisan support, yet, these critical national security needs simply cannot be met if we waste $5.7 billion on an overly expensive and unnecessary border wall. On Election Day, the American people sent a message that they want a government that works for them. Unfortunately, House Republicans continue to ignore them and are steering our nation into a Trump Shutdown. The Senate passed a clean, bipartisan CR extension to keep the government open. It's time for House Republicans to do the same on behalf of the American people. Video of the Congresswoman's speech can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjuMf1B6oH8  \r\n  \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bass.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bass-grills-sec-nielsen-family-separation-practices", "Bass Grills Sec. Nielsen On Family Separation Practices", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Los Angeles, CA Office  \n\t\t4929 Wilshire Blvd  \n\t\tSuite 650  Los Angeles,CA 90010  \n\t\tPhone: (323) 965-1422  \n\t\tFax: (323) 965-1113\n\tWashington, DC Office  \n\t\t2059 Rayburn HOB  Washington, DC 20515  \n\t\tPhone: (202) 225-7084  \n\t\tFax: (202) 225-2422", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bass.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-bass-urges-passage-first-step-act", "Rep. Bass Urges Passage Of FIRST STEP Act", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Transcript:\nRep. Bass: I rise in support of the FIRST STEP Act. For 40 years, our failure to adequately reform our criminal justice system has resulted in punitive mandatory minimum sentences and mass incarceration. African Americans, Latino, and Native Americans have born the brunt of this legacy.  \n\t  \n\tBetween 1980 and 2014, there was a 700% increase in the number of women in custody. This was nearly twice the rate of male imprisonment. Woman are often held for nonviolent, low-level drug offenses. Unfortunately, they are entering a male-centered penal system not defined to meet their physical or mental health needs.  \n\t  \n\tWhat is needed is criminal justice reform that understands that women in the system have unique needs. This is the first step toward addressing the needs of women. Improving the health outcomes of pregnant women in custody is in the first step act. My language would restrict the use of restraints on pregnant women, which increases the risk of complications during childbirth.\nSome of the stories shared by women who were restrained by pregnancy are horrific:  \n\t  \n\tOne woman was shackled in labor and dislocated her hip. She experienced stomach muscle tears and an umbilical hernia.  \n\t  \n\tAnother woman tripped over her shackles, fell to the ground, and miscarried at 20 weeks.  \n\t  \n\tThe idea that a woman needs to be shackled in labor and delivery as though she is going to escape while delivering a child is ridiculous, brutal, and a human rights abuse.  \n\t  \n\tOne mother recounted being shackled after having an emergency caesarean section. She stated: with the weight of the shackles, it felt like they were ripping over my c-section.  \n\t  \n\tMr. Speaker, do we have no shame? This egregious abuse of human rights in federal prisons must end. I hope Congress continues to address this issue in the 116th Congress. We will continue to move the needle forward by developing comprehensive criminal justice reform that specifically looks at the needs of women in the system.  \n\t  \n\tI want to thank the members who supported this legislation and I want to thank Representative Jefferies, Sheila Jackson Lee, Representative Collins, and Nadler for introducing and passing the FIRST STEP Act.  \n\t  \n\tI yield.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-returning-border-chu-and-merkley-introduce-legislation-shut-down", "After Returning from Border, Chu and Merkley Introduce Legislation to Shut Down Tornillo Child Prison", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Following a Congressional trip to the southern border this weekend where they saw the child prison in Tornillo, Texas, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (OR) have introduced the Shut Down Child Prison Camps Act. This bill prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from maintaining or operating any temporary emergency shelter, including the shelters in Tornillo, Texas and in Homestead, Florida. A temporary emergency shelter is defined as any unlicensed care provider facility that provides temporary emergency shelter and services for unaccompanied alien children when licensed facilities are near or at capacity. Being unlicensed means the facility at Tornillo has not been certified by state authorities responsible for regulating facilities that house children. Nor does the facility have to comply with the Flores Settlement, which requires acting in the best interest of the child. Rep. Chu and Sen. Merkley issued the following statements:\nWhat I saw and learned in Tornillo was shocking and outrageous. Thousands of children who fled horrors and endured a difficult journey are being housed in a tent city in the desert, watched over by staff who have not had to go through a background check, and forbidden from even walking from tent to tent without adult supervision. This makes children vulnerable to abuse, poses serious developmental challenges, and risks retraumatizing them, both of which will have long-term consequences, said Chu. Worst of all, this is a choice that was made by this administration. Unaccompanied children have been and can be released to loved ones or family who will look after their safety and well-being. Instead, Trump is fomenting xenophobia and keeping them in the desert in the hands of people not trained to care for children. Children should not have to suffer a lifetime of damage because of a political choice Donald Trump is making. Simply put, this facility and the one in Homestead, Florida should not exist and must be shut down immediately.\nIt was absolutely chilling to see children locked up in a desolate, isolated tent prison in the desert, said Merkley. Children belong in homes, schools, and parksnot behind barbed wire. Our taxpayer dollars are being used to traumatize children by keeping them in a child prison camp instead of in the arms of their families. This is evil. We need to shut down Tornillo and end Trump's war on children.\nCurrently, approximately 2,800 children are incarcerated at Tornillo. Of those, more than 2,000 have been in detention at Tornillo for longer than the 20 days required by the Flores settlement. The vast majority of the long-term child detainees have sponsors who have stepped forward to host them in the U.S.most of whom are family members of the childrenand approximately 1,300 of those sponsors have already cleared a background check.\nThe Trump Administration had created a months-long administrative backlog by requiring every adult in a sponsor household to undergo a FBI fingerprint background check before a child could be transferred to their care. This week, following pressure created by the delegation over the weekend, the Trump Administration reversed course on the fingerprinting policy that has created long delays in the release of children.\nAt their visit to Tornillo on Saturday, Chu and Merkley, along with Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX-16), requested to speak with some of the children who have been living at Tornillo, to hear directly from them about their experiences of being incarcerated there. The request was denied by the Trump Administration Department of Health and Human Services.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congress-passes-legislation-critical-valley-survivors-child-abuse", "Congress Passes Legislation Critical for Valley Survivors of Child Abuse", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives updated and reauthorized funding for programs in the Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA) today, including Children's Advocacy Centers and support organizations. These programs are vital for providing Valley survivors of child abuse the services and justice they need to heal and live healthy, productive, and full lives.\nThis is an important step to support some of the most vulnerable in our communities: victims of child abuse, said Valley Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16), lead Democrat on the House's version of the bill and co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus. Addressing these cases can be very difficult, but we know that Children's Advocacy Centers are effective at bringing together community and government resources to support victims. We have seen the power of these Centers and this approach in the Valley, across California, and throughout the country. Our goal with this legislation is to ensure that all of our children  especially victims of these horrendous crimes  have the support they need to grow up healthy and safe and pursue their fullest potential.\nThere are currently five Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) located in Fresno, Merced, and Madera counties providing services for thousands of children in the Central Valley. For example, VOCAA funds support the Family Healing Center in Fresno, which provides trauma-informed forensic interviews and therapy to 300 children every year. The Valley Children's Hospital clinic sees another 1000 cases per year. To better address the unmet need, this reauthorization includes resources to create, train, and support new CACs in underserved areas.\nChildren's Advocacy Centers of California (CACC) fully supports the reauthorization of the Victims of Child Abuse Act, said Erin Harper, Executive Director of CACC. With over 58 counties in California, we have seen the incredible impact Children's Advocacy Centers have in helping abused children heal from abuse, and helping communities hold offenders accountable. VOCAA funding makes communities safer, children healthier, and investigations more efficient.We very much appreciate Rep. Costa's commitmentto achieving justice and healing for abused children in California.He is a leader in the mission to ensure that all children are safe, healthy, and whole.\nOver the past twenty years, CACs have been proven successful at effectively and compassionately serving victims of child abuse. In recent years, the number of child abuse victims served by CACs has tripled, reaching nearly 335,000 children in 2017 alone.\nAs the national association and accrediting body for Children's Advocacy Centers, National Children's Alliance not only thanks Representatives Jim Costa and Ted Poe, as well as Senator Roy Blunt, Senator Chris Coons, and other CAC champions for their leadership in introducing the Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2018, but also in championing the cause of children on Capitol Hill, said Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of the National Children's Alliance. This crucial bill is something our nation's CACs and our children rely on, and is the only federal program solely dedicated to developing CACs and improving the services they provide to kids that have been abused. With Congress in our corner, CACs now serve more than 330,000 abused children every year, and have provided healing mental health services to more than a million children over the past decade.\nEvery day, children suffer from a heinous crime at the hands of evildoers  child abuse, said Congressman Ted Poe (TX-2), lead Republican on the House's version of the bill and Rep. Costa's fellow co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus. The passing of the Victims of Child Abuse Act ensures that Children Advocacy Centers across the country are able to continue to expedite the prosecution of offenders, reduce violent encounters, improve safety in communities across the country, and most importantly, protect our children.\nThe legislation updating and reauthorizing VOCAA programs passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate and by a vote of 388 to 2 in the House of Representatives. It will be sent to the President to sign into law.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gomez.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=432", "Rep. Jimmy Gomez, Incoming Future Forum Leadership Call for Automatic Voter Registration Provision in H.R. 1", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Gomez", "G000585", "gomez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, incoming leaders of the Future Forum sent a letter to House Speaker-Designate Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Leader-Designate Steny Hoyer calling for the inclusion of a provision expanding automatic voter registration (AVR) in H.R. 1  democracy reform legislation that is set to be a top priority in the 116th Congress.In the letter, Vice-Chair Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), along with Chair Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Chair Emeritus Eric Swalwell (CA-15), and Vice-Chairs Antonio Delgado (NY-19) and Abby Finkenauer (IA-01), said automatic voter registration can empower young voters and increase voter participation rates among all age groups.  \r\n  \r\nIn the aftermath of events like the Parkland shooting and the #MeToo movement, the millennial and post-millennial generations mobilized to vote in record numbers, wrote the incoming Future Forum leaders. Nevertheless, young voters still had the lowest turnout rate of any age group in 2018, just as they have in every previous national election. Automatic voter registration is an innovative solution that can increase voter participation rates among all age groups, especially among young people.  \r\n  \r\nAVR is a simple, commonsense reform to our voter registration process that could meaningfully increase participation in our elections, stated the letter. On behalf of Future Forum, we thank you for your leadership on this critical issue and appreciate your continued support of our mission to bridge the divide between young Americans and their government.  \r\n  \r\nIn November, Democratic leaders announced H.R. 1, a legislative package of democracy reforms that will be prioritized for passage in the coming Congress. The sweeping legislation is slated to include provisions that improve voter access to the polls, ensure the security of our elections, and promote integrity in our democratic process.  \r\n  \r\nThe full text of the letter is below.  \r\n  \r\n****  \r\n  \r\nDecember 20, 2018  \r\n  \r\nDear Speaker-Designate Pelosi and Democratic Leader-Designate Hoyer:  \r\n  \r\nAs the incoming leadership slate for Future Forum, an organization comprised of the youngest Democratic members of the House, we thank you for your intention to advance comprehensive legislation in the 116th Congress that would make our democracy more secure, transparent, and accessible to the American people. We write to express our support for efforts to empower younger voters by creating a system enabling citizens in every U.S. state and territory to automatically register to vote, and we respectfully request that a provision to this effect be included in the comprehensive legislation.  \r\n  \r\nIn the aftermath of events like the Parkland shooting and the #MeToo movement, the millennial and post-millennial generations mobilized to vote in record numbers. According to estimates from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University, 31 percent of citizens ages 18-29 voted in the 2018 midterm elections, a 10 percent increase from 2014. Nevertheless, young voters still had the lowest turnout rate of any age group in 2018, just as they have in every previous national election.  \r\n  \r\nAutomatic voter registration (AVR) is an innovative solution that can increase voter participation rates among all age groups, and especially among young people. AVR would streamline the voter registration process by making it opt-out rather than opt-in. This would allow eligible voters to conveniently register to vote when interacting with a government agency unless they take affirmative steps to decline. AVR would also ensure voter rolls remain up-to-date by enabling voters to easily amend their registration information. To date, AVR has shown positive outcomes in states where it has been implemented. For example, Oregon's AVR law led to a notable uptick in registration rates among young people ages 18-29 in 2016.  \r\n  \r\nAVR is a simple, commonsense reform to our voter registration process that could meaningfully increase participation in our elections. On behalf of Future Forum, we thank you for your leadership on this critical issue and appreciate your continued support of our mission to bridge the divide between young Americans and their government.  \r\n  \r\nSincerely,  \r\n  \r\nStephanie Murphy  \r\nChair  \r\nMember of Congress  \r\n  \r\nEric Swalwell  \r\nChair Emeritus  \r\nMember of Congress  \r\n  \r\nJimmy Gomez  \r\nVice-Chair  \r\nMember of Congress Antonio Delgado  \r\nVice-Chair  \r\nMember-Elect  \r\n  \r\nAbby Finkenauer  \r\nVice-Chair  \r\nMember-Elect  \r\n  \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-statement-on-santa-susana-field-laboratory/", "Brownley Statement on Santa Susana Field Laboratory", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", "juliabrownley", "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2014 In response to the U.S. Department of Energy\u2019s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the clean-up of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL), Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cI am deeply disappointed with the Department of Energy\u2019s proposed clean-up decision, which breaks the department\u2019s prior commitments under the Administrative Orders on Consent (AOCs). Clean-up of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory is a high public health and safety priority, and my involvement with the clean-up goes back to my time in the California Assembly as a principal co-author of SB990, state legislation to require the full clean-up. I urge the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to ensure that the AOCs are upheld.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-rep-khanna-attends-white-house-signing-ceremony-his-second-bill", "RELEASE: Rep. Khanna attends White House signing ceremony for his second bill becoming law", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ro Khanna", "K000389", "khanna.house.gov", "khanna", "https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Khanna attended the signing ceremony for his second bill signed into law, H.R. 5759 \u2013 The 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience (IDEA) Act, at 4:15pm ET at the White House.\n\n\"The 21st Century IDEA will modernize the technology of government agencies. It's time our government agencies adopt the innovative technologies of the 21st Century,\" Rep. Khanna said. \"I want to thank President Trump for signing the bill into law, Sen. Portman and Rep. Ratcliffe for their partnership, as well as Matt Lira from the White House's Office of American Innovation, and Geo Saba of my staff for their efforts to pass this bill for the American public.\"\n\nThe bill, which digitizes and modernizes government services, is now the law of the land. The 21st Century IDEA, cosponsored by Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) and Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), requires federal agencies to modernize their websites and services by closing the tech gap between government and the private sector. The bill promotes the option for digital forms, the use of e-signatures, improved security standards and greater access to government websites for people with disabilities.\n\nThe freshman Democrat's first major legislative achievement benefits veterans. The Veteran Apprenticeship and Labor Opportunity Reform (VALOR) Act was signed into law by the President in November of 2017. Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) were the leading cosponsors of this bill making it easier for employers to offer apprenticeships to veterans.\n\n###\n\nAbout the Office", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lieu-torres-lead-54-members-urging-dhs-end-policy-deterring-asylum", "LIEU, TORRES LEAD 54 MEMBERS IN URGING DHS TO END POLICY OF DETERRING ASYLUM SEEKERS AT U.S. PORTS OF ENTRY", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ted Lieu", "L000582", "lieu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Ted W. Lieu (D-CA) have led a group of fifty-four members of Congress in a letter urging U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to immediately end the policy of deterring migrants from applying for asylum at U.S. ports of entry. The letter comes after reports that two Honduran children were killed in Tijuana over the weekend, highlighting the dangers facing the growing numbers of Central Americans are stranded in Mexican border towns. The Department's expanded practice of metering has limited the number of asylum seekers who can present their claims at ports of entry, in addition to transferring resources away from the asylum process. This manufactured crisis at the border may lead to even more unnecessary deaths in the weeks and months to come as asylum seekers attempt to cross between ports of entry. In the letter, the federal lawmakers also call on Customs and Border Protection to explain future plans to facilitate access to asylum at ports of entry.\nTestimonies from asylum seekers and family unit apprehension statistics from 2018 strongly suggest that the bottleneck at ports of entry are leading to a growing number of asylum seekers attempting to cross between ports of entry. If this policy did not contribute to the death of Jakelin Caal, it will lead to other deaths of innocent children. Furthermore, metering puts our national security at risk by forcing Border Patrol to use limited resources to apprehend asylum seekers, rather than focusing on criminals or terrorists who represent a real security risk to the United States, the federal lawmakers wrote.\nTo ensure compliance with U.S. law, prevent further deaths, and secure our borders, CBP must explain how it plans to facilitate access to asylum at ports of entry. If additional resources are required to comply with the law, CBP must come before Congress with a detailed request.Continuing with the status quo is simply unacceptable.\nIn addition to Torres and Lieu, the letter was also signed by Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Filemon Vela (D-TX), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-NY), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Darren Soto (D-FL), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), John Lewis (D-GA), Nydia M. Velzquez (D-NY), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Henry C. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), John Garamendi (D-CA), Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), James P. McGovern (D-MA), John Yarmuth (D-KY), Karen Bass (D-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Andr Carson (D-IN), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Tony Crdenas (D-CA), J. Luis Correa (D-CA), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Linda T. Snchez (D-CA), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Jos E. Serrano (D-NY), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Judy Chu (D-CA), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-VA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Anthony G. Brown (D-MD), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).\nThe full text of the letter is below:\nDear Secretary Nielsen,\nWe continue to mourn the death of Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin, the seven-year old Guatemalan girl who died in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody. We are aware that the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General will investigate this horrific incident. However, this is not enough. We call on you to take immediate steps to end the policy of deterring migrants from applying for asylum at ports of entry, which is leading asylum seekers to attempt crossings in dangerous areas. This policy is likely illegal, and it is certainly irresponsible and dangerous.\nIn an attempt to deter asylum seekers from presenting claims at the U.S.-Mexico border, the Department has begun to limit its capacity to process asylum requestsat ports of entry. The Department has also expanded the use of a practice known as metering, wherein CBP officials only allow a certain number of asylum seekers to present claims each day.\nThis practice thwarts the intent of multiple provisions of U.S. law. The Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225 and 1158) clearly states that asylum seekers at ports of entry must be allowed to present claims. Furthermore, in 2017, after Non-Governmental Organizations documented a pattern of asylum seekers being turned away at ports of entry, Congress approved an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2018 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, explicitly prohibiting the use of funds in contravention of 8 U.S.C. 1225. The Department's policy of intentional deterrence is likely a violation of both the Immigration and Nationality Act and the prohibition included in the Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations bill.\n\nThe policy of deterring asylum seekers is creating an unsustainable situation in Mexican border towns, where the number of asylum seekers awaiting entry is growing by the day. In many cases, asylum seekers are being forced to stay in emergency shelters, where conditions are unsanitary and or unsafe. In fact, it was the desperation caused by metering that led asylum seekers in San Ysidro to lead a protest at the U.S. port of entry, to which CBP responded by firing tear gas across the border.\nTestimonies from asylum seekers and family unit apprehension statistics from 2018 strongly suggest that the bottleneck at ports of entry are leading to a growing number of asylum seekers attempting to cross between ports of entry. If this policy did not contribute to the death of Jakelin Caal, it will lead to other deaths of innocent children. Furthermore, metering puts our national security at risk by forcing Border Patrol to use limited resources to apprehend asylum seekers, rather than focusing on criminals or terrorists who represent a real security risk to the United States.\nTo ensure compliance with U.S. law, prevent further deaths, and secure our borders, CBP must explain how it plans to facilitate access to asylum at ports of entry. If additional resources are required to comply with the law, CBP must come before Congress with a detailed request. Continuing with the status quo is simply unacceptable.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lieu-s-hack-dhs-bill-passes-congress-heads-president-s-desk", "REP LIEUS HACK DHS BILL PASSES CONGRESS, HEADS TO PRESIDENTS DESK", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ted Lieu", "L000582", "lieu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after the Senate passed H.R. 7327, a bill package that includes the Hack the Department of Homeland Security Act. The bill would establish a bug bounty pilot program  modeled off of similar programs at the Department of Defense and major tech companies. The program will strengthen cyber defenses at DHS by utilizing white-hat or ethical hackers to help identify unique and undiscovered vulnerabilities in the DHS networks and data systems. Reps. Lieu and Scott Taylor (R-VA) introduced the House version, which passed in September. The bill will now travel to the President's desk to be signed into law.\nAs a computer science major, I am thrilled the Senate has passed their version of the Hack DHS Act that I introduced with Rep. Taylor in 2017. By sending this bill to the President's desk, Congress is signaling that it takes our government's cybersecurity seriously. Bug bounty programs have proven to be critical to enhancing cybersecurity protections in the private sector and at the Pentagon. Expanding this program to DHS will fortify our nation's defenses against cyber security attacks. In the 21st Century, we need to utilize all the tools available to fight cyber threats.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-floor-remarks-offering-privileged-resolution-to-keep-government-open", "Pelosi Floor Remarks Offering Privileged Resolution to Keep Government Open", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C  Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi offered a privileged resolution on the Floor of the House of Representatives to keep government open. The resolution was tabled by a 187-170 vote. Below are the Speaker-designate's remarks:\nSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Mr. Speaker, the House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans of the Appropriations Committee worked hard and long to come up with bipartisan legislation to meet the needs of the American people. Right now we're in the midst of Congress delaying, the market's down almost 500 points for this and other reasons. This is not the time for us to shut down government.\nWe have a product developed in a bipartisan way for the reasons described by the Clerk who read it, and it is privileged because of the time of the year, because of the extent of the concern that the American people have, and because of the harm that will be done to them if government shuts down.\nIt would be totally irresponsible and that's why I consider it a privilege to rise to say, let's keep government open by passing this bipartisan legislation first introduced by Congresswoman [Nita] Lowey, our distinguished Democratic leader on the Appropriations Committee.\n[Applause]\nSpeaker Pro Tempore. The Chair is prepared to rule. The text presented proposes legislation to continue funding for certain elements of the U.S. Government. The proposed text by seeking the proposed legislation does not qualify as a question of the privileges of the House.\nFor what purpose does the gentlelady from California seek recognition?\nSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Mr. Speaker, I appeal the ruling of the Chair.\nSpeaker Pro Tempore. For what purpose does the gentlelady appeal the decision of the chair to stand as the judgment of the Chair. For what purpose does the gentleman from California rise?\nMajority Leader McCarthy. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.\nSpeaker Pro Tempore. The clerk will report the motion.\nClerk. Mr. McCarthy of California moves to lay the appeal on the table.\nSpeaker Pro Tempore. The question is on the motion to table. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.\nSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Mr. Speaker. On that I demand a recorded vote. To keep government open, I demand a recorded vote.\nSpeaker Pro Tempore. A recorded vote has been requested.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-remarks-at-media-stakeout-ahead-of-gop-vote-for-trump-shutdown", "Pelosi Remarks at Media Stakeout Ahead of GOP Vote for Trump Shutdown", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C  Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer ahead of House Republicans' planned vote to have a Trump Shutdown of the federal government. Below are the Speaker-designate's remarks:  \n\t  \n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Good evening. For a number of weeks now, House and Senate Democrats and Republicans have worked together to put together an appropriations bill to meet the needs of the American people and now to keep government open. Somehow or other, and I don't know what the answer to the question is, the President of the United States prefers to shut government down and will resist any opportunity to keep government open.  \n\t  \n\tAgain, we are completely ready, as we have been for a while, with bipartisan, bicameral legislation to pass six appropriations bill and have a continuing resolution for the seventh bill if we cannot come to terms on that. We've offered that to the President. We've with also offered him seven  one continuing resolution with seven bills in it.  \n\t  \n\tYesterday the United States Senate passed legislation overwhelmingly, and I'll yield to the distinguished Leader in the Senate to talk about that. The President is doing everything that he can to shut the government down. We have to ask the question, why does he not believe in governance? Does he not care about the American people? Doesn't he know that the economy is uncertain? Hasn't he followed the stock market that he likes to brag about sometimes? There is something wrong with this picture.  \n\t  \n\tEspecially in the holiday season, and so if they make the bill bad enough, if they're able to get maybe enough votes on the House side for a shameful bill that is unworthy of this House of Representatives and certainly of the American people, but I yield to the distinguished Leader from the Senate.  \n\tSenator Schumer. Well, thank you, Leader Pelosi. Now, today's events have made one thing clear, President Trump is plunging the country into chaos. The stock market's down another 500 points. General Mattis is stepping down, and we know he has real disagreements with the President on Syria and on the wall. And now, President Trump is throwing a temper tantrum and creating the Trump Shutdown of the government.  \n\t  \n\tLast night, the Senate passed, by voice, unanimously, a bill proposed by Leader McConnell. All Speaker Ryan has to do is put it on the Floor of the House. It'll get a majority of votes, and the President can sign it and avoid a shutdown, but unfortunately, President Trump was attacked this morning and last night by the hard right. And, fearful, he backed off his commitment to sign this bill.  \n\t  \n\tRepublican leaders told us yesterday that he was ready to sign the bipartisan bill that passed the Senate unanimously. Every Democrat and every Republican voted to avoid a government shutdown. The bill contained neither Democratic demands nor Republican demands. It said to the American people: we have a way to keep the government open. And Leader Pelosi, Leader McConnell and myself have done everything we can to avoid a shutdown, but President Trump wants one. He's asked for one 25 times, and he said in front of us he'd be proud to shut down the government. It is nothing to be proud of.  \n\t  \n\tThe bottom line is simple: the Trump temper tantrum will  he said in front of us he'd be proud to shut down the government. It is nothing to be proud of. The bottom line is simple: the Trump temper tantrum will shut down the government, but it will not get him his wall. The bill that's on the Floor of the House, everyone knows will not pass the Senate.  \n\t  \n\tSpeaker Ryan, Leader McCarthy have cynically put it on the Floor of the House knowing it can't pass the Senate. Everyone knows it can't pass the Senate  it's a cynical attempt, a cynical attempt to just hurt innocent people and do just what President Trump wants even though they probably know it's bad for the country.  \n\t  \n\tSo, bottom line is very simple: there's still hope. Leader Pelosi and I have put two proposals on the table  we have not taken them off  that would avoid a government shutdown and get a majority of votes in the House and Senate. Leader McConnell put on the Floor last night a proposal that would avoid shutting down the government. It is a shame that this President, who is plunging the nation into chaos, is throwing another temper tantrum and going to hurt lots of innocent people. The Trump temper tantrum may produce a government shutdown, it will not get him his wall.  \n\t  \n\tQ: Mr. Leader, what happens next in the Senate if this bill does pass the House tonight?  \n\t  \n\tSenator Schumer. Well, Leader McConnell has said he would schedule a vote. It clearly will not come close to getting the 60 votes that it needs and then Leader Pelosi and I, and probably Senator McConnell, would hope that the House would then consider passing the bipartisan, unanimously-passed bill that the Senate would pass. Whether they'll do that or not, your guess is as good as mine.  \n\t  \n\tDonald Trump wants a shutdown, and they seem to be so afraid that they're going to go along. We'll see.  \n\t  \n\tQ: Leader Pelosi, a couple of minutes ago you told some of us that you were shaken by the news of Jim Mattis' resignation, why are you shaken by the news?  \n\t  \n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Well, I'm shaken by the news because of the patriot General, Secretary Mattis is. I think everyone in the country should read his letter of resignation. It's a letter of great patriotism, respect for the President, but also a statement of his values where he talks about the strength of our nation is intrinsically linked, the strength of a unique and comprehensive system of alliances that we have.  \n\t  \n\tThat he talks about that we must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose countries whose interests are increasingly in tensions with ours. The list  it's a beautiful letter about, again, our values as a nation in terms of our national security written by a patriotic American who was a comfort to many of us as a voice of stability in the Trump Administration.  \n\t  \n\tSo just look at this week: the President taking troops out of Syria without really full consultation with his  with national security leaders of own Administration. The President taking actions that encourage his Secretary of Defense to issue a letter of resignation, his reversing his position about signing a bill.  \n\t  \n\tMaybe he thinks if government's shut down, he can golf more comfortably. That's not how it works. Government must work even if you're golfing for two weeks. So there's something very wrong with this picture and this resignation is one. We were just briefed a weak ago, by Secretary Mattis and Secretary Pompeo, and that was last Thursday, so it was one week ago. Our troops look to Secretary Mattis as a leader, and now he is going to be leaving them. This is very serious for our country, I yield.  \n\t  \n\tSenator Schumer. Yeah, Secretary Mattis was one of the few symbols, the few icons of strength and stability in this Administration, everything that indicates stability, everything that indicates strength, everything that indicates knowledge is leaving this Administration. General Kelly, General Mattis, so many others, General McMaster, exactly. There is chaos now in this Administration. This week was one of the most chaotic weeks we've ever seen in American government, and amazingly, they want to close the week, President Trump does, by shutting down the government. Shutting down the government.  \n\t  \n\tNow, we all know that Secretary Mattis had real disagreements with the President. On Syria and on the wall. Some have speculated that the President was going to demand that he start building a wall, which he knows he can't do by law, and maybe that's one of the reasons he stepped down.  \n\t  \n\tQ: Leaders, do you think there's any reasonable prospect that if there is a shutdown, you could override President Trump's veto of a CR in the next week or so?  \n\t  \n\tSenator Schumer. You'd have to ask our Republican friends.   \n\t  \n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. It's strange about how our Republican friends, the worse he gets, the more they rally around him. And this, just to refer back to what Leader Schumer was saying about the voice of stability in this Administration and the people who have left: you have leaders, great leaders who have left the Administration in dismay, and the rest of them have left in disgrace. That's what this Administration has been about. We don't want to be fearmongers in terms of our country. This great country can withstand just about anything, but it shouldn't have to. It shouldn't have to.  \n\t  \n\tSo, yes, I am shaken by the resignation of General Mattis for what it means to our country, for the message it sends to our troops and for the indication of what his view is of the Commander-in-Chief.  \n\t  \n\tQ: Are Americans less safe without General Mattis, should people be fearful?  \n\t  \n\tSenator Schumer. Look, our military soldiers, the 2.15 million of them, our civilian employees and defense looked up to General Mattis, I'm sure they feel it's a great loss. I'm sure most Americans feel it's a great loss and everything like that happens, the resignation of a strong leader, gives the American people less and less faith in President Trump and the way he governs.  \n\t  \n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. It's just all the more reason for us to pray for our country. Our country has been blessed in so many ways by leaders throughout the centuries, decades, and some of them, one of them, General Mattis. This is a very sad day for our country. Read his letter  have you read his letter? Read his letter. And examine the activities that have led up to it and what it means. Because of his leadership, we are safe, yes. And we have to pray that we're safe, and we have to continue to make sure that means people are assured we're safe. That's the oath of office we take, to protect and defend, and we will. We shouldn't have to do so because of the temper tantrums of the Commander-in-Chief.  \n\t  \n\tSenator Schumer. Last question.  \n\t  \n\tQ: Now that the Senate is going to have a number of key cabinet posts that they're going to be forced to confirm here in a very short period of time, is your caucus able to work with the Administration with this new round of appointments?  \n\t  \n\tSenator Schumer. Well, you know, unlike previous presidents, Democratic and Republican, there's no consultation. They don't call us and say: what do you think of this person, what do you think of that person? And most of the nominations have been so below par in their ethical standards, in their ability to govern, in their ideology which is so far over, and I hoped there'd be a change, but given the past group of nominees, I don't. So they're going to get very, very thorough examinations. They're going to get serious, serious questions, and in the past, almost all of them have not passed muster. Thank you.  \n\t  \n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Thank you, all. Read the letter.  \n\t\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-house-passage-of-criminal-justice-reform-bill", "Pelosi Statement on House Passage of Criminal Justice Reform Bill", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C.  Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi issued this statement after the House passed a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill:\nThe bipartisan First Step Act will bring hope, healing and renewal to thousands of lives.\nMembers of Congress came together to write a bill that reduces the impact of draconian mandatory minimums, and makes progress to address discriminatory sentencing laws. Its positive prison reforms for pregnant prisoners, juvenile prisoners, prisoners with substance abuse disorders and other low-risk inmates respect the spark of divinity within us all that makes us all worthy of respect.\nOn behalf of House Democrats, I am grateful to Members on both sides of the aisle for their tireless, persistent work to pass this much-needed bill. This legislation is a meaningful start, and House Democrats will continue to seek additional criminal justice reforms.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-trump-administration-attack-on-hungry-americans", "Pelosi Statement on Trump Administration Attack on Hungry Americans", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C.  Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi issued this statement after the Trump Administration announced a proposed rule that could take food assistance away from hundreds of thousands of hungry Americans:  \n\t  \n\tPresident Trump's cruel action this morning seeks to buck the bipartisan will of the Congress in the Farm Bill, which overwhelmingly rejected these callous efforts to take food from the neediest Americans.  \n\t  \n\tPeople who rely on food stamps are already working hard. Right before the holidays, President Trump is attacking the most vulnerable people in the country, plain and simple.  \n\t  \n\tWhen Democrats take the gavel, we will ensure that Secretary Perdue and the Trump Administration implement the Farm Bill as Congress intended. We will put an end to the bitter Republican attacks on working Americans, and will deliver a strong, positive and forward-looking agenda For The People: lower health costs, increase paychecks by rebuilding America and clean up corruption to make Washington work for all.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/transcript-of-pelosi-weekly-press-conference-today-25", "Transcript of Pelosi Weekly Press Conference Today", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi held her weekly press conference today in the Capitol Visitor Center. Below are the Speaker-designate's remarks:  \n\t\t  \n\t\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. I'm watching the House, as I'm sure you are as well, postponing business until later.\n\tDonald's right. I agree with him.' Putin. Donald's right. I agree with him.' Putin.\n\tImagine. That is the comment of Vladimir Putin on the actions taken by the President of the United States in relationship to Syria. An action that was taken without the benefit of the thinking of our national security establishment and our intelligence community included in that. A decision made in a cavalier fashion in terms of our allies in the fight against terrorism. A decision that is dangerous. And a decision that is a Christmas present to Vladimir Putin, to give him license in Syria.\n\tIt comes at the expense of the Kurds, who are fighting with us there against terrorism, and with several very serious questions.\n\tThe good news is, and the bad news is, that perhaps the President will forget about it by the weekend  or maybe he won't. But whatever it is, it's frivolous, unworthy of our men and women in uniform.\n\tAt the same time, the Administration is now deciding they will make an assault on poor people in America. It's one of their regular themes. It's our understanding that they'll shortly, by executive order, undo the bipartisan agreement that was reached, House and Senate, in the Farm Bill in terms of nutrition for people in America. They will undo that. Why? Why, at Christmas, would you take food out of the mouths of the American people?  \n\t\t  \n\t\tAt the same time, as you see, the GOP lawsuit on the Affordable Care Act had its day in court. It's a day in court that they may rue, because certainly we will fight the decision of that court.\n\tBut what's interesting about it is, since that decision the number of enrollments went up. Maybe 10 days ago we thought that there would be a drastic reduction in enrollment in this week. Four million, since that time, four million  more than four million people enrolled.\n\tIt's still down, because they have stopped their outreach and the rest, but it went down from what we anticipated might be ten million, a 10 percent reduction, but four million more people signing up.\n\tEverybody knows the name Jakelin now. A little girl, started her journey at 6 years old, now 7, died with an over 105 degree temperature in the custody of the Border Patrol. The President wants to build walls, physical walls, at the same time he's building walls around the hearts of some people in our country.\n\tIt's interesting because the evangelical community, which had been champions of welcoming people to our country, have testified in public that the U.S. refugee resettlement program is the crown jewel of American humanitarianism'  the crown jewel of American humanitarianism.' And yet this President, either not knowing the law of the land or not caring about it, has policies implemented that do not meet a standard.\n\tI mean, I keep asking people to read Ronald Reagan's last speech as President of the United States. I've said it to you a number of times. I won't go through the whole thing again except to say how much he appreciated the value that newcomers bring to America.\n\tSo here we are. Republicans are in a state of disarray. We don't know what will happen next. Later, after some things happen, I'll come back and talk to you about the continuing resolution and where we will go from here. But for now, I'll take questions on these other subjects.\n\tYes, ma'am?\n\t* * *\n\tQ: Madam Leader, is there any circumstance  there seem to be some discussions ongoing on the floor of the House right now among Republicans around trying to pass this short term funding bill. They're discussing adding wall funding. They're also potentially adding disaster funding. Is there any situation you think Democrats could support beyond a clean continuing resolution?\n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Depends on what they have to say, but not wall funding. I think we've made that clear. It was not clear? Yeah. No, I mean, we'll see what they come up with in terms of disaster assistance. We'll see. But in terms of wall funding, that's a nonstarter. I think they know that.\n\tYes, ma'am?\n\tQ: Have you gotten any assurances from the White House or the President, himself, that he will sign this spending resolution?\n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. I don't know that anybody ever has any assurances from the White House on any subject, including this one.\n\tYes?\n\tQ: Thank you, Madam Leader. Is your side prepared to deliver the votes if they say, like they did on some of these other major pieces of legislation  Sandy  if they say, Well, hey, we can only get 50 people to vote for this, can your side carry the rest of the freight even if you're in the minority?' Has that question been asked?\n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Are you talking about the current continuing resolution?\n\tQ: Yes, or any variation of this, you know, morphs in the next few hours.\n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. It depends on what you're talking about. Yes, on the current version. We're prepared to not only support the resolution, but to support the rule, because that's what they'll try to do, is bring down the rule.\n\tBy the way, they have a lot of people who are missing, who are absent here. So they never did have the votes for their wall, but they now don't even have a full complement of Members here.\n\tYes, ma'am?\n\tQ: Leader Pelosi, Donald Trump just tweeted that if he doesn't get any sort of wall funding this time around he may look at the infrastructure bill going into the next Congress. What are your thoughts on that?\n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Well, I believe the President wants to do an infrastructure bill. I don't know that he'll throw a tantrum over it when he sees what the bill might be. We've talked in a very positive way. Almost every conversation I've had with him since he's been President has  almost every, not every  but almost every one has included how we can work together on infrastructure.\n\tIt's something the country wants very much. It's something he promised in the campaign. So if he's keeping campaign promises to the letter, he probably would want to get to work on an infrastructure bill.\n\tAgain, this is, I think, whimsical on the President's part. He has a whim that he might not sign it. Let's get the bill first and then have a discussion as to what happens to it next.\n\tYes? Yes, ma'am?\n\tQ: Can you describe a little bit of what this negotiation has been like? Speaker Ryan cancelled his press conference. He gets called by the President, has to step out of a meeting. Are you under the impression that this is a negotiation? Is this a momentary blip, and then you'll head to the floor and pass a bill? I mean, what do you think is happening here?\n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Well, I don't really want to make any characterizations because we're right in the middle of a sort of a meltdown on the part of the Republicans. You just really have to ask them.\n\tFrom our standpoint, we had bipartisan support for six bills. Working together, House and Senate negotiated six bills that could come to the floor, and then the seventh bill would be a continuing resolution of the funding for last year. We had that opportunity. We offered it.\n\tLeader Schumer presented that when we were in the Oval Office to the President and said: Let's just go down this path. If you don't want to go down that path, we can pass all seven bills, under continuing resolution, until the end of the fiscal year, in both cases.\n\tThe President rejected that. We said it is unthinkable that we would have a shutdown. So we agreed to this February date that Senator Shelby worked on, and others.\n\tAnd so this is a path. Now they're having a breakdown over this. But we're not in the negotiations on what they're doing right now. That's how we got to where we are.\n\tYes, ma'am?\n\tQ: Madam Leader, you're the first female Speaker, and you're about to work with the largest incoming class of women freshmen.\n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Isn't that exciting?\n\tQ: And my question is, what can they learn from you, and what can you learn from them?\n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Well, we all learn from them, because they're the new class. And every time a new class comes, we always say: Here they come. Who among them will lead in this body? Who among them will run for other office? Who among them could be President of the United States?'\n\tThey bring the fresh from the trenches energy that is so useful to the Congress. They learn from us how Congress works. They have an impact on it, to make change, as to how Congress works.\n\tBut it's a pretty exciting engagement, even more so now when we have such a large class that is transformative. We have 64 Democrats in our class, 43 who are  it may be 65, we'll see but 43 new Democrats who replaced Republicans in the Congress. And many of them are women. We'll have up to 95 women on the Democratic side in the House.\n\tIt's a decision we made a long time ago to grow that number. When I came, we were at 12 women on the Democratic side, 11 on the Republican side. And we said: This can't be, out of 435 people.'\n\tSo we went each year to add more and more and more. Going into this election, we had 65 women. They had, maybe, 20. We made a decision to grow. And now this election, women marched, women ran, women voted, women won, 95, pretty exciting, on the House Democratic side alone. Over 100 between us and 120 or 130 when you include the United States Senate.\n\tSo, again, over 95, about 40 percent, at least 40 percent of our Caucus, House Democratic Caucus, are women. Over 60 percent are women, people of color, and LGBTQ community members.\n\tSo that beautiful diversity is our strength. Our unity is our power. And we'll learn how we will work together with the constant reinvigoration of a new class.\n\tBut what I've always wanted them to know, and they teach us back, is that women are essential in decision-making in our country and that they should have confidence that what they bring to the table it's pretty exciting.\n\tIt'll be the Congress where we will observe the 100th anniversary of women having the right to vote. How appropriate that we have so many women Members to celebrate here for that. Thank you.\n\tYes, ma'am?\n\tQ: Speaker Ryan gave his farewell address yesterday. I wondered what you made of what he said in his message.\n\tSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Well, this may come as a shock to you, but I was busy doing other things at the time.\n\tI wish him well as he goes forward. I did not really have a chance to go to the speech and hear what he had to say. But I wish him and his family season's greetings and best wishes for a wonderful future.\n\tThank you all very much.\n\t# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ruiz-feinstein-secure-millions-potential-new-funding-salton-sea", "Ruiz, Feinstein Secure Millions in Potential New Funding for Salton Sea", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Raul Ruiz", "R000599", "ruiz.house.gov", "ruiz", "https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, President Trump signed into law H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act, otherwise known as the 2018 Farm Bill, which changed critical agricultural conservation programs to make the Salton Sea eligible for millions in new federal funding. The changes were championed by Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and Sen. Kamala Harris who wrote to Farm Bill negotiators in support of the changes earlier this year. For the first time, the Salton Sea now has access to guaranteed federal funding that is intended to help rectify environmental and public health issues caused by agricultural activity.\n\nH.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act, otherwise known as the 2018 Farm Bill, passed the Senate on December 11 by a 87-13 vote. It passed the House the next day on December 12 369-47.\n\nCombined with a recent Imperial Irrigation District vote to make additional Colorado River water conservation conditional on federal matching of State funding at the Sea, these developments have created a viable pathway for significant federal involvement at the Sea.\n\n\"We're making progress because we're working together and tackling this issue from multiple angles at the same time -- we simply can't afford to wait,\" said Dr. Ruiz. \"This new funding has the potential to be a game-changer for mitigation activities at the Sea by more than doubling our current resources. I am proud to have worked with Senator Feinstein and other California Members of Congress to achieve this critical outcome for the Sea.\"\n\n\"While the Farm Bill required bipartisan effort from numerous members in Congress, we are especially appreciative of Senator Feinstein and Representative Ruiz for championing the Salton Sea,\" said Salton Sea Authority Executive Director Phil Rosentrater. \"The Farm Bill is just one example of their steadfast work to protect the public health, economic security and environmental quality of the Imperial and Coachella valleys.\"\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-trump-administration-breaking-promises-to-veterans", "Rep. Peters: Trump Administration Breaking Promises to Veterans", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) demanded answers from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on why nearly $5 million budgeted for suicide prevention outreach was left unspent in Fiscal Year 2018, according to a new Government Accountability Office report. \nThe VA left millions of dollars on the table for suicide prevention outreach when 20 veterans die by suicide every day. How many lives might have been saved had they done what they were supposed to do with this money Congress provided?\nPresident Trump has touted his administration's commitment to reducing veteran suicide. He must hold his administration accountable for this callous dismissal of their sacred duty to care for our veterans.\nAs a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I call on the president and his administration to answer for the irresponsible findings detailed in this report, said Rep. Peters.\nRep. Peters called for more outreach and resources to prevent veteran suicide in a Veterans' Affairs Committee meeting earlier this year, given the connection between veterans experiencing homelessness and suicide. Rep. Peters voted to provide the VA $206 million for suicide prevention outreach in Fiscal Year 2019.\nThe VA recently started a suicide prevention program for veterans who have less-than-honorable discharges. However, a report from KPBS earlier this fall found the program had low enrollment nationally. Some San Diego veteran service organizations blame the program's lack of exposure and promotion as a reason for low participation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/torres-lieu-lead-54-members-congress-urging-dhs-secretary-nielsen-end", "Torres, Lieu Lead 54 Members of Congress in Urging DHS Secretary Nielsen to End Policy of Deterring Asylum Seekers at U.S. Ports of Entry", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Norma J. Torres", "T000474", "torres.house.gov", "torres", "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Today's announcement that asylum seekers would be forced to wait in Mexico for the duration of their U.S. immigration proceedings raises additional concerns about the safety of migrants in Mexican border towns\n\nThe letter follows the tragic death of seven-year-old Jakelin Caal in Customs and Border Protection custody and reports of two Honduran children who were killed in Tijuana as they waited to present their asylum claims\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Ted W. Lieu (D-CA) have led a group of fifty-four members of Congress in a letter urging U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to immediately end the policy of deterring migrants from applying for asylum at U.S. ports of entry. The letter comes after reports that two Honduran children were killed in Tijuana over the weekend, highlighting the dangers facing the growing numbers of Central Americans are stranded in Mexican border towns. The Department's expanded practice of \"metering\" has limited the number of asylum seekers who can present their claims at ports of entry, in addition to transferring resources away from the asylum process. This manufactured crisis at the border may lead to even more unnecessary deaths in the weeks and months to come as asylum seekers attempt to cross between ports of entry. In the letter, the federal lawmakers also call on Customs and Border Protection to explain future plans to facilitate access to asylum at ports of entry.\n\n\"Testimonies from asylum seekers and family unit apprehension statistics from 2018 strongly suggest that the bottleneck at ports of entry are leading to a growing number of asylum seekers attempting to cross between ports of entry. If this policy did not contribute to the death of Jakelin Caal, it will lead to other deaths of innocent children. Furthermore, metering puts our national security at risk by forcing Border Patrol to use limited resources to apprehend asylum seekers, rather than focusing on criminals or terrorists who represent a real security risk to the United States,\" the federal lawmakers wrote.\n\n\"To ensure compliance with U.S. law, prevent further deaths, and secure our borders, CBP must explain how it plans to facilitate access to asylum at ports of entry. If additional resources are required to comply with the law, CBP must come before Congress with a detailed request. Continuing with the status quo is simply unacceptable.\"\n\nIn addition to Torres and Lieu, the letter was also signed by Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Filemon Vela (D-TX), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-NY), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Darren Soto (D-FL), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), John Lewis (D-GA), Nydia M. Vel\u00e1zquez (D-NY), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson (D-GA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), John Garamendi (D-CA), Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), James P. McGovern (D-MA), John Yarmuth (D-KY), Karen Bass (D-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Andr\u00e9 Carson (D-IN), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Tony C\u00e1rdenas (D-CA), J. Luis Correa (D-CA), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Linda T. S\u00e1nchez (D-CA), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Jos\u00e9 E. Serrano (D-NY), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Judy Chu (D-CA), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-VA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Anthony G. Brown (D-MD), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).\n\nThe full text of the letter is below:\n\nDear Secretary Nielsen,\n\nWe continue to mourn the death of Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin, the seven-year old Guatemalan girl who died in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody. We are aware that the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General will investigate this horrific incident. However, this is not enough. We call on you to take immediate steps to end the policy of deterring migrants from applying for asylum at ports of entry, which is leading asylum seekers to attempt crossings in dangerous areas. This policy is likely illegal, and it is certainly irresponsible and dangerous.\n\nIn an attempt to deter asylum seekers from presenting claims at the U.S.-Mexico border, the Department has begun to limit its capacity to process asylum requests at ports of entry. The Department has also expanded the use of a practice known as \"metering,\" wherein CBP officials only allow a certain number of asylum seekers to present claims each day.\n\nThis practice thwarts the intent of multiple provisions of U.S. law. The Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225 and 1158) clearly states that asylum seekers at ports of entry must be allowed to present claims. Furthermore, in 2017, after Non-Governmental Organizations documented a pattern of asylum seekers being turned away at ports of entry, Congress approved an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2018 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, explicitly prohibiting the use of funds in contravention of 8 U.S.C. 1225. The Department's policy of intentional deterrence is likely a violation of both the Immigration and Nationality Act and the prohibition included in the Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations bill.\n\nThe policy of deterring asylum seekers is creating an unsustainable situation in Mexican border towns, where the number of asylum seekers awaiting entry is growing by the day. In many cases, asylum seekers are being forced to stay in emergency shelters, where conditions are unsanitary and or unsafe. In fact, it was the desperation caused by metering that led asylum seekers in San Ysidro to lead a protest at the U.S. port of entry, to which CBP responded by firing tear gas across the border.\n\nTestimonies from asylum seekers and family unit apprehension statistics from 2018 strongly suggest that the bottleneck at ports of entry are leading to a growing number of asylum seekers attempting to cross between ports of entry. If this policy did not contribute to the death of Jakelin Caal, it will lead to other deaths of innocent children. Furthermore, metering puts our national security at risk by forcing Border Patrol to use limited resources to apprehend asylum seekers, rather than focusing on criminals or terrorists who represent a real security risk to the United States.\n\nTo ensure compliance with U.S. law, prevent further deaths, and secure our borders, CBP must explain how it plans to facilitate access to asylum at ports of entry. If additional resources are required to comply with the law, CBP must come before Congress with a detailed request. Continuing with the status quo is simply unacceptable.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8E13A199-EE3C-4B5C-BB50-43769D9AB0E4", "Feinstein Statement on Barr Memo", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today issued the following statement on William Barr's memo against the Mueller investigation:\r\nMr. Barr's memo to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, which we received late last night, is very troubling. The drafting of this memo was not undertaken lightly. The memo presents a thoroughly crafted legal argument against investigating the president, with pointed conclusions that the president is above the law. The president is not above the law.\r\nThis document was not written years agoit was written six months ago. We need answers as to why Barr proactively drafted this memo and then shared it with the deputy attorney general and President Trump's lawyers.\r\nThere's no reason for a lawyer in private practice to do this unless he was attempting to curry favor with President Trump and convey that he would protect the president.\r\nThe Justice Department has been under relentless attack by this president and it needs a leader who is independent and able to defend the rule of law. The attorney general is charged with protecting the people, not the president.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=AFE2EB2C-62A2-4839-AB2D-51DEBB60A911", "Senators Urge Trump Administration to Stop Pushing Health Plans That Weaken Pre-Existing Condition Protections", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington Today Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) along with a group of their Senate colleagues urged the Trump Administration to withdraw recent changes that makes it easier for states to promote junk plans. These health care plans typically lack protections for people with pre-existing conditions and would increase costs for millions of Americans. Under the Administration's new guidance, states can use federal subsidies to pay for these subpar plans by utilizing a section of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) intended to give states additional flexibility to implement targeted improvements that expand coverage, reduce costs and provide more comprehensive benefits. The Senators argue that the Administration is improperly using Section 1332 to allow states to do the exact opposite.\r\nWe have serious concerns they will increase health care costs for millions of consumers while weakening protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. In light of substantive concerns that we have with the impact on patients, and procedural concerns that we have with the manner in which these significant policy changes have been promulgated, we ask that you immediately withdraw this guidance and re-engage with stakeholders, states, and Congress, the senators wrote in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma, and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.\r\nThe senators made it clear these actions did not reflect Congress' intent in creating the 1332 waiver program, stating the Administration's recent guidance significantly changes enforcement of these four important guardrails, undermining Congressional intent and posing a significant risk to consumers that now have affordable and comprehensive health coverage.\r\nAdditionally the proposed changes, which were outlined in guidance provided by the administration and a discussion paper released a few months back, will allow states to increase out-of-pocket maximums and reduce the value of coverage, weaken essential health benefits, and implement changes that increase health care costs for the majority of beneficiaries if a state can demonstrate costs will be lower for some.\r\nWe ask that you immediately withdraw this guidance and work with us and other stakeholders on policies that maintain protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions and improve affordability, concluded the senators.\r\nIn October, Senators forced a vote in the Senate on a discharge petition that would have blocked the Trump Administration's rule to expand junk insurance plans. The measurewas supported by 50 Senators, including one Republican. Ultimately, the petition did not receive the simple majority needed to pass the Senate and send it to the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\nIn addition to Sens. Feinstein, Warner, Cardin, Shaheen and Baldwin, the letter was signed by Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Angus King (I-Maine), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).\r\nThe full text of the letter can be found here and below.\r\nThe Honorable Seema Verma  Secretary  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  200 Independence Avenue, SW  Washington, DC 20201\r\nThe Honorable Alex Azar  Secretary  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  200 Independence Avenue, SW  Washington, DC 20201\r\nThe Honorable Steven Mnuchin  Secretary  U.S. Department of the Treasury  1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW  Washington, DC 20220\r\nDear Secretary Azar, Administrator Verma and Secretary Mnuchin:\r\nWe write to express concern with the Administration's October 22 guidance and November 29 discussion paper on new options for states pursuing a Section 1332 waiver under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The new guidance and discussion paper promote health plans that lack protections for people with pre-existing conditions and low-income families enshrined in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance released in 2015 and adopt new principles that were not envisioned by Congress. We have serious concerns they will increase health care costs for millions of consumers while weakening protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. In light of substantive concerns that we have with the impact on patients, and procedural concerns that we have with the manner in which these significant policy changes have been promulgated, we ask that you immediately withdraw this guidance and re-engage with stakeholders, states, and Congress.\r\nSection 1332 of the ACA gives states additional flexibility to implement state-specific improvements that expand coverage, reduce costs and provide more comprehensive benefits. In fact, Congress enacted so-called guardrails that waiver proposals must meet in order for the Secretary to approve them. Specifically, waivers must ensure 1) health coverage is at least as comprehensive as it would be under the ACA, 2) cost-sharing and premiums are as affordable as they would be under the ACA, 3) the number of individuals with coverage remains comparable to the number of individuals covered under the ACA, and 4) the waiver does not increase the Federal deficit.\r\nThe Administration's recent guidance significantly changes enforcement of these four important guardrails, undermining Congressional intent and posing a significant risk to consumers that now have affordable and comprehensive health coverage. The waiver concepts, published after the release of the recent guidance, suggests that the Secretary will permit states to use Federal subsidies for the purchase of short-term, limited-duration (STLDI) junk plans that do not meet Federal patient protections. The new guidance will also allow states to count junk plans as health insurance when determining how many individuals are enrolled in coverage.\r\nThis change will allow states to enroll more individuals in subpar plans that do not offer essential health benefits such as mental health care, maternity care, prescription drug coverage or substance use disorder treatment. Additionally, these subpar plans can discriminate against individuals with pre-existing conditions, older Americans and women by excluding these essential benefits. These plans may also charge certain customers more for their coverage, deny coverage entirely, impose annual and lifetime limits on care, and other anti-consumer practices. This use of federal tax dollars for subpar, often deceptively-marketed insurance that barely provides coverage at all is completely unacceptable.\r\nIt is important to note that hospitals, insurers, patient groups and independent health experts have all agreed that the increased use of these junk plans will increase the cost of health care coverage for many Americans, undercut protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions and erode stability in the health insurance markets.\r\nIn addition to the increased use of junk plans, the discussion paper makes clear that the Secretary will also give states more flexibility to increase out-of-pocket maximums and reduce the value of coverage, weaken essential health benefits, and implement changes that increase health care costs for those who need it most if a state can demonstrate costs will be lower in the aggregate. We have serious concerns about how these changes will impact the quality and affordability of coverage, especially for vulnerable sub-populations.\r\nFurthermore, we are concerned that this guidance may exceed the Secretary's legal authority by not requiring Congressional approval to changeexisting law and by subverting the full notice and comment rule-making process. The guidance violates the statute by allowing states to provide access to instead of provision of affordable and comprehensive coverage to at least the same number of residents. It also redefines health insurance to include plans that lack the ACA's consumer protections. In addition, by forgoing Congressional approval and the rule-making process the Administration has excluded an opportunity for public comment from millions of Americans and other stakeholders that will be impacted by these changes. In contrast, the Department finalized the 2015 guidance only after taking into account feedback from stakeholders and experts. The Department finalized this new guidance immediately, without getting any vital input from affected stakeholders.\r\nFor these reasons, we ask that you immediately withdraw this guidance and work with us and other stakeholders on policies that maintain protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions and improve affordability. Thank you for your consideration of our letter and we look forward to your response. \r\nSincerely,\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C563FA18-8336-4496-9C2F-CC52947045DE", "Feinstein Statement on Whitaker Failure to Recuse", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today issued the following statement on Matthew Whitaker's refusal to follow Justice Department recommendations that he recuse himself from supervising Special Counsel Mueller's investigation:\r\nPress reports indicate that Matt Whitaker did not seek a formal opinion from career Justice Department ethics officials and chose to ignore their informal advice to recuse himself from supervising Special Counsel Mueller's investigation. These reports are deeply disturbing, if true.\r\nMaking matters worse, reports indicate that Whitaker convened a team of four advisors who stated he did not need to recuse himself. An issue of this significance should be addressed with a formal ethics opinionnot by handpicked political advisorsand advice of career attorneys should be followed.\r\nRecusal is important to ensure confidence in the independence of an investigation. Whitaker's repeated statements against the special counsel's investigation, at a minimum, create the appearance of a conflict.\r\nIt's also not true that an attorney general has never recused due to an appearance of conflict. Attorney General John Ashcroft recused from the Valerie Plame investigation, with then Deputy Attorney General James Comey explaining, The issue surrounding the attorney general's recusal is not one of actual conflict of interest that arises normally when someone has a financial interest or something. The issue that he was concerned about was one of appearance'\r\nWhitaker's refusal to follow the recommendation of ethics officials further indicates that he views his role as serving the president, not the American people.\r\nIn November, I urged Chairman Grassley to hold an oversight hearing so that we could assess whether Whitaker's appointment puts the Mueller investigation at risk. Today's reports that Whitaker disregarded ethics officials creates even more reason for him to appear before the committee.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E8F4317F-787C-40A2-A8DD-893B9AE9C743", "Senate Passes Feinstein-Grassley Bill to Combat Human Trafficking", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington The Senate this week unanimously passed a bipartisan bill to aid in the fight against human trafficking. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017, authored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and cosponsored by Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), would renew existing programs that make federal resources available to human trafficking survivors and establish new prevention, prosecution and collaboration initiatives to help bring the perpetrators to justice. The bill was unanimously passed in the House of Representatives earlier this year and now must be signed by President Trump before becoming law.\r\nSex trafficking is one of the most reprehensible crimes, and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act builds on our bipartisan efforts to combat trafficking and help victims. The key to reducing demand is addressing the exploitation of young girls on the Internet.The bill provides the Justice Department with civil injunction authority to get court orders forcing traffickers to remove their ads for underage girls,Feinstein said.\r\nWe need a united approach to taking down human traffickers and bringing victims the justice they deserve. This bill takes meaningful steps to shed light on this terrible abuse of human rights by improving awareness and streamlining federal law enforcement's response. I'm grateful for the Senate's sweeping support of this bill to assist victims, and look forward to House action so we can get it to the President's desk and on the books, Grassley said.\r\nEducation and public information is a critical first line of defense against human trafficking. This bill promotes the screening of human trafficking victims by ensuring that school resource officers and other school personnel receive training on how to identify and respond to victims. It also calls for advanced training of federal investigators who pursue human traffickers.\r\nThe legislation also allows prosecutors to enjoin conduct that violates human trafficking statutes, and allows the U.S. Secret Service to offer investigative and forensic assistance to other law enforcement agencies to combat human trafficking.\r\nThe legislation improves coordination among federal agencies through consolidation of federal agency data reporting at the FBI and by requiring the Homeland Security Department to submit annual assessments of the human trafficking investigations.\r\nIn additiont to Feinstein and Grassley, the bill is cosponsored by John Cornyn (R-Texas) Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).\r\nA fact sheet on the legislation can be found here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.harris.senate.gov/news/press-releases/harris-introduces-legislative-package-to-increase-access-to-mental-health-services", "Harris Introduces Legislative Package to Increase Access to Mental Health Services", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Kamala Harris", "H001075", "www.harris.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2018\n\t\t\t Harris Introduces Legislative Package to Increase Access to Mental Health Services \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) introduced two bills, theMental Health Telemedicine Expansion Actand theMental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act, to expand access to mental health services for millions of Americans experiencing mental illness, especially those in rural and medically underserved areas. Currently, more than 123 million Americans live in an area with a shortage of mental health professionals.\r\n\r\nTheMental Health Telemedicine Expansion Actis the Senate companion to legislation introduced by Rep. DelBene (WA-01) and Rep. Reed (NY-23). TheMental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Actis the Senate companion to legislation introduced by Rep. Katko (NY-24) and Rep. Napolitano (CA-32).\r\n\r\nMillions of Americans live with mental illness, yet far too few receive the treatment they need due to lack of access or stigma surrounding their struggles. Our country is facing a mental health crisis, and we must take bold steps to address it,said Harris.It is absolutely vital that we increase the number of mental health professionals working in underserved areas and expand the use of innovative treatment delivery techniques such as telemedicine.\r\n\r\nTheMental Health Telemedicine Expansion Actwould:\r\n\r\n \r\nAllow Medicare beneficiaries to access certain mental health services through telemedicine regardless of where they live, as opposed to only geographic regions with provider shortages.\r\nAllow Medicare beneficiaries to access these mental health services through telemedicine in their own home, as opposed to only at a qualified originating site such as a doctor's office.\r\n \r\n\r\nTheMental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Actwould:\r\n\r\n \r\nAuthorize a new loan repayment program for mental health professionals who agree to practice in an area with a shortage of mental health professionals.\r\nRepay one-sixth of a professional's educational debt for each year of serviceup to $250,000 over six years.\r\n \r\n\r\nSupporters of theMental Health Telemedicine Expansion Actinclude American Art Therapy Association, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, American Psychological Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice, Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice, International OCD Foundation, Jewish Federations of North America, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, National Association for Children's Behavioral Health, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National Eating Disorders Association, National Register of Health Service Psychologists, Treatment Communities of America, and 2020 Mom.\r\n\r\nSupporters of theMental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repaymentinclude American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Counseling Association, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, Center for Clinical Social Work, Council on Social Work Education, International OCD Foundation, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Association for Rural Mental Health, National Association of Social Workers, Psychotherapy Action Network, The Kennedy Forum, The Trevor Project, and Treatment Communities of America.\r\nA full list of supporters can be foundhere.\r\n\r\nText of theMental Health Telemedicine Expansion Actcan be foundhere.\r\n\r\nText of theMental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Actcan be foundhere.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398531", "Rep. Roybal-Allard Statement on Continuing Resolution", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Lucille Roybal-Allard", "R000486", "roybal-allard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) issued the following statement on the continuing resolution to extend government funding through February 8, 2019:Republican leadership has failed to govern. By choosing to pursue a second CR instead of passing appropriations bills that truly meet our nation's needs, Republicans have failed to provide government agencies with the certainty they need to serve the American people. This is not how the Appropriations process should be run. As the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I will keep fighting for policies that keep our country safe. We cannot afford to waste money on Donald Trump's immoral, ineffective, and expensive border wall, especially when there are so many genuine Homeland Security needs that we must fund. When Democrats assume leadership of the House next month, we must fight to spend Homeland Security funds responsibly, limit funding for harmful Trump immigration policies, and conduct strict oversight of the Department of Homeland Security. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://barragan.house.gov/rep-barragan-travels-to-southern-border-to-meet-with-maria-meza-her-daughters-and-asylum-seekers/", "Rep. Barragn Travels to Southern Border to Meet with Maria Meza, Her Daughters and Asylum Seekers", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nanette Barrag\u00e1n", "B001300", "barragan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PRESS RELEASE  \nFor Immediate Release  \nDecember 18, 2018\nContact: Clarissa Rojas  \n202-225-8220  \nclarissa.rojas@mail.house.gov\n  \n Rep. Barragn Travels to Southern Border to Meet with Maria Meza, Her Daughters and Asylum Seekers \n\nLos Angeles, CA Yesterday, Rep.Nanette Diaz Barragn (CA-44)traveled to Tijuana to meet with asylum seekers at Enclave Caracol and the Otay Mesa Port of Entry  includingMaria Mezaand her children who were previously photographed fleeing tear gas at the border last month.\nAfter spending the morning with Meza and other asylum seekers, she joinedRep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)at the U.S-Mxico border to investigate reports that the Trump administration is rejecting asylum seekers at official ports of entry. They walked with a group of 15 migrants to the Otay Mesa Port of Entry where they observed the migrants present themselves for asylum. Officials from Customs and Border Protection denied entry to the group of 15. When CBP claimed they were at capacity, Reps. Barragn and Gomez requested to go inside the facility to see the capacity issues but officials refused. Members, staff, attorneys and the migrants, waited over six hours before eight of the unaccompanied minors were finally taken in for processing.\nReps. Barragn and Gomez waited another three hours in the cold before Maria Meza and her family were allowed to seek asylum. The remaining six migrants had to wait another eleven hours before they were admitted.\nTime and time again I have heard from Trump Administration officials that people are free to seek asylum by presenting themselves at any U.S. port of entry,said Rep. Barragn.Yesterday, I stood at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and saw migrants, families and unaccompanied minors who fear for their safety, be turned away despite being on U.S. soil. Migrants are told to follow the law but when migrants seeking asylum attempt to do so, they are turned away. It shouldn't have to take a Member of Congress to observe at the border so that CBP can process migrants like Maria Meza and her daughters.\n\nReps. Barragan and Gomez traveled with immigration groups including Al Otro Lado, Families Belong Together and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). During her trip, Rep. Barragan also visited her constituent Hector Barajas, a former veteran deported in 2002, who is leading a Deported Veterans Safe House in Tijuana. She also met with Yolanda Varona with Dreamers Moms USA-Tijuana.\n###  \nNanette Diaz Barragn is proud to represent California's 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, WillowbrookandWilmington.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bass.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-bass-discusses-us-involvement-syria-kcal9", "Rep. Bass Discusses U.S. Involvement In Syria On KCAL9", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Los Angeles, CA Office  \n\t\t4929 Wilshire Blvd  \n\t\tSuite 650  Los Angeles,CA 90010  \n\t\tPhone: (323) 965-1422  \n\t\tFax: (323) 965-1113\n\tWashington, DC Office  \n\t\t2059 Rayburn HOB  Washington, DC 20515  \n\t\tPhone: (202) 225-7084  \n\t\tFax: (202) 225-2422", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bass.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-bass-calls-trump-policy-syria-flippant", "Rep. Bass Calls Trump Policy In Syria \"Flippant\"", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Los Angeles, CA Office  \n\t\t4929 Wilshire Blvd  \n\t\tSuite 650  Los Angeles,CA 90010  \n\t\tPhone: (323) 965-1422  \n\t\tFax: (323) 965-1113\n\tWashington, DC Office  \n\t\t2059 Rayburn HOB  Washington, DC 20515  \n\t\tPhone: (202) 225-7084  \n\t\tFax: (202) 225-2422", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bass.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-bass-slams-shackling-pregnant-inmates", "Rep. Bass Slams Shackling Of Pregnant Inmates", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Los Angeles, CA Office  \n\t\t4929 Wilshire Blvd  \n\t\tSuite 650  Los Angeles,CA 90010  \n\t\tPhone: (323) 965-1422  \n\t\tFax: (323) 965-1113\n\tWashington, DC Office  \n\t\t2059 Rayburn HOB  Washington, DC 20515  \n\t\tPhone: (202) 225-7084  \n\t\tFax: (202) 225-2422", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lieu-statement-withdrawal-us-forces-syria", "REP LIEU STATEMENT ON WITHDRAWAL OF U.S. FORCES FROM SYRIA", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ted Lieu", "L000582", "lieu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON -Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after it was reported that the Trump Administration would be withdrawing troops from Syria.\n\"I strongly agree with the President's decision to withdraw US troops from Syria. Congress never authorized the US to go to war in Syria. While going after terrorists is authorized, both the Obama and Trump Administrations went far beyond the congressionally authorized use of force against terrorists.\nMoreover, neither Administration had a strategy for Syria. Neither Administration could articulate why American troops were fighting in Syria, what the desired end state should be, nor how we would achieve it.\nI repeatedly criticized both Administrations for not having a strategy and for taking war actions not authorized by Congress. I am pleased that this unauthorized and failed executive branch war in Syria will finally come to an end.\"\nRep Lieu's prior statements on Syria:\nIn June 2017, Rep. Lieu condemned President Trump for threatening President Bashar al-Assad and asserted that Congress must authorize any use of force in Syria.\nIn May 2017, Rep. Lieu spoke out against the U.S. military's airstrikes in Syria.\nIn April 2017, Rep. Lieu denounced President Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons attack, and criticized the Trump Administration's lack of coherent strategy in Syria and its unauthorized use of force.\nIn March 2017, Rep. Lieu sent aletterto Secretary of Defense James Mattis regarding recent reports of significant increases in civilian casualties from U.S. airstrikes in Syria and Iraq.\nIn March 2017, Rep. Lieu slammed the Trump Administration's decision to deploy U.S. ground troops in Syria.\nIn October 2015, Rep. Lieu commended the Obama Administration for ending the Syrian rebel training program, and called again for an end to U.S. airstrikes.\nIn September 2015, Rep. Lieu expressed deep concern over U.S. airstrikes in Syria, citing his prior record of opposing U.S. military force in Syria.\nIn August 2015, Rep. Lieu urged the Obama Administration to put forward a comprehensive strategy for the conflict in Syria.\nIn February 2015, Rep. Lieu announced his opposition to the Obama Administration's new AUMF proposal, arguing it had to potential to authorize the deployment of unlimited ground troops in Iraq and Syria (and anywhere else in the Middle East) by Obama and subsequent administrations, while at the same time restricting the actions of those ground troops.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://napolitano.house.gov/media/press-releases/napolitano-s-water-infrastructure-improvement-act-passes-house", "Napolitanos Water Infrastructure Improvement Act Passes House", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Grace Napolitano", "N000179", "napolitano.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, DC) Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed with large bipartisan support H.R. 7279, the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, a bill coauthored by Reps. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA-32) and Bob Gibbs (R-OH-7). This is incredibly important to cities in my Congressional district as they meet the challenges of the Los Angeles County MS4 Stormwater permit,said Congresswoman Grace Napolitano. Our legislation will greatly assist them and communities nationwide by providing them with flexibility to address these permits, while ensuring the protection of our nation's rivers, lakes, and streams. I thank the House leadership for bringing our bill to the floor and Congressman Gibbs for his willingness to work with us to reach an agreement on this important issue. Many of our nation's cities, towns, and municipalities are faced with EPA mandates, aging water infrastructure, and rising repair or construction costs,said Congressman Bob Gibbs. These problems, and the price to fix them, ultimately fall on residents. Integrated Planning can help bridge the gaps between these issues, encourage innovative solutions, and prevent undue financial burdens on ratepayers. Access to clean and affordable water utilities is important to everyone, and the municipalities tasked with delivering it should have every tool at their disposal. I want to thank Congresswoman Napolitano and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for coming together to find solutions to the water infrastructure problems our communities face. H.R. 7279 codifies a concept from the Obama administration known as Integrated Planning, which can assist communities with meeting their requirements under the Clean Water Act while maintaining their obligation to achieve improvements in local water quality. EPA's Integrated Planning framework provides communities with a voluntary opportunity to prioritize local clean water investments with the greatest benefit to human health and the environment. The legislation builds on a recent provision Napolitano included in the America's Water Infrastructure Act that authorized $450 million in stormwater municipal grants to plan, design, and construct stormwater, water recycling, and sewer overflow projects. Napolitano encouraged swift passage and enactment of H.R. 7279, which now awaits consideration by the U.S. Senate, and pledged to do more in the next Congress. The sad reality is that until the federal government increases its investment under the Clean Water Act, communities will still struggle with affordability challenges; we can do better,Napolitano continued. We must first reauthorize the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and I am hopeful that this is one of the first things we can accomplish next year on a bipartisan basis. Second, we need to address the cost of water and sewer services to those households with the least ability to pay. No hard-working American families should be forced go without water and wastewater services simply because their local rates are too high. Clean water should be a basic human right. Yes, utilities should be able to recover the costs necessary to upgrade their local systems, but when those costs disproportionately affect individual households, we must do more to help struggling families afford these basic services. Congresswoman Napolitano has been a champion throughout her career to help ensure that communities across California have the tools they need to better address many of the clean water challenges they face each day,said Adam Krantz, NACWA's Chief Executive Officer. Her strong bipartisan legislation to codify Integrated Planning will provide these communities with another important tool to help provide safer and more reliable and affordable public clean water services.NACWA thanks Congresswoman Napolitano for her dedicated leadership on this important legislation. Napolitano is the top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.  \n\t\n  \n\t# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-continuing-resolution", "Pelosi Statement on Continuing Resolution", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C.  Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi issued this statement on Republicans' continuing resolution proposal:  \n\t  \n\tDemocrats offered President Trump a clear path forward to pass six bipartisan appropriations bills along with a one-year continuing resolution for the Homeland Security bill. Democratic and Republican Appropriators have been ready to pass these bills in a bipartisan way, and we are grateful for their leadership to meet the needs of the American people.\nThis is a missed opportunity to pass full-year funding bills now. However, Democrats will be ready to fully, responsibly fund our government in January, and we will support this continuing resolution.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-continuing-resolution-0", "Pelosi Statement on Continuing Resolution", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616\n  Washington, D.C.  Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi issued this statement on Republicans' continuing resolution proposal:  \n\t  \n\tDemocrats offered President Trump a clear path forward to pass six bipartisan appropriations bills along with a one-year continuing resolution for the Homeland Security bill. Democratic and Republican Appropriators have been ready to pass these bills in a bipartisan way, and we are grateful for their leadership to meet the needs of the American people.\nThis is a missed opportunity to pass full-year funding bills now. However, Democrats will be ready to fully, responsibly fund our government in January, and we will support this continuing resolution.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-withdrawal-of-troops-from-syria", "Pelosi Statement on Withdrawal of Troops from Syria", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C.  Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi released this statement on the President's announcement that the U.S. will move troops out of Syria:  \n\t  \n\tIt is premature for the President to declare a sweeping victory against ISIS when, just a few weeks ago, our military led more than 250 coalition-conducted airstrikes against targets in Iraq and Syria. All Americans should be concerned that this hasty announcement was made on the day after sentencing in criminal proceedings began against the President's former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, who admitted that he was a registered foreign agent for a country with clear interests in the Syrian conflict.  \n\t  \n\tWe must also ask why the President did not make this decision in the context of advancing peace negotiations. The deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Syria remains a stain on the conscience of the world. Syrian families caught in the middle of this conflict continue to endure heartbreaking horrors every day.  \n\t  \n\tWhen we take the gavel, our Democratic Majority will uphold the Congress' constitutional oversight responsibilities to ensure that the President's decisions advance our national security interests, not his personal or political objectives. The American people deserve a smart, strong and strategic Syria policy that keeps America safe, protects our interests and advances peace in the region.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dr-ruiz-mountain-communities-fire-safe-council-announce-200000-grant", "Dr. Ruiz, Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council Announce $200,000 Grant for Wildfire Prevention", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Raul Ruiz", "R000599", "ruiz.house.gov", "ruiz", "https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) and the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council announced a $200,000 grant to improve wildfire prevention and fire safety education in communities throughout the San Jacinto Mountains. Over the next two years, the grant will fund a program to remove hazardous fuels from private property and educate local residents about fire safety.\n\n\"I have seen houses and property saved during the Cranston Fire as a result of Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council's educational outreach and fuel reduction projects. I am proud to have helped the MCFSC earn this grant award,\" said Dr. Ruiz. \"The Cranston Fire demonstrated how quickly wildfires can spread, and groups like MCFSC are helping our communities prevent wildfires before they endanger local residents. As these fires grow in size and frequency, I will continue to work with MCFSC to bring home necessary resources to help prevent fires and keep my constituents safe.\"\n\n\"Many of the people coming to live in the mountains know very little of the forest environment and its relationship with wildland fire. The protection of life and property in a rural community as it relates to wildland fire depends largely on continuous forest fuels reduction done by the local property owners,\" said Pete Coy, Field Supervisor for the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council. \"The grant funding that we receive is used to help educate these property owners and to give them incentive to make their homes and their community as fire safe as possible.\"\n\nBackground\n\nEarlier this month, the Mountain Communities Fire Safety Council was awarded a grant from the California Fire Safe Council, which allocates federal funds from the U.S. Forest Service for fire prevention and response. The $200,000 grant will help fund a new program that educates residents of Idyllwild and the surrounding communities about fire safety, in addition to funding the removal of dead trees, brush, and overgrowth from private property. These services will be publicly available and entirely free to local homeowners.\n\nThe Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council was formed in 2001 to improve responsible forest management, provide firewood to the needy, and educate residents about fire safety. MCFSC largely consists of volunteers \u2013 including former firefighters \u2013 who help local communities prevent and manage wildfires threatening densely forested areas in the San Jacinto mountains.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/senators-markey-and-rubio-and-reps-sherman-and-messer-introduce", "Senators Markey and Rubio, and Reps. Sherman and Messer Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Thwart Saudi Arabias Nuclear Weapons Ambitions", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-30), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Luke Messer (IN-06) today introduced legislation that increases Congressional oversight over any civil nuclear cooperation agreement  or123agreement  between the United States andSaudiArabia. Since 2017, there have been reports of negotiations between the Trump administration andSaudiArabia on a potential123agreement, with Energy Secretary Rick Perry recently returning from the region after meeting with leaders about a potential deal.\nSpecifically, theNo Nuclear Weapons forSaudiArabia Actwould require Congress to affirmatively approve any 123 agreement with Saudi Arabia. Typically, 123 agreementswhich authorize U.S. companies to sell nuclear technology abroadgo into effect unless veto-proof majorities of Congress pass joint resolutions of disapproval. The legislation also makes clear that Congress believes that no 123 agreement with Saudi Arabia should be approved unless and until the Kingdom is truthful and transparent about the death of U.S. journalist Jamal Khashoggi, unless it commits to forego any uranium enrichment or spent fuel reprocessing activities  the so-called gold standard  within its territory, and until it agrees to implement the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Additional Protocol. The legislation also urges Saudi Arabia to make substantial progress on protecting human rights, including through the release of political prisoners.\nSaudi Arabia's recent turn toward authoritarianism is evident in its flagrant and growing disregard for international laws and fundamental human rights, and it must be held to account, said Senator Markey. Crown Prince Mohamad bin Salman has made it perfectly clear that he is more interested in harnessing nuclear energy in Saudi Arabia for geopolitical power than for electrical power and has even publicly declared his willingness to pursue nuclear weapons at his discretion. These disturbing facts make it crucial that the United States does not compromise on nonproliferation standards in any 123 agreement it negotiates with Saudi Arabia. This legislation would ensure that we put key checks in place to ensure that Saudi Arabia never ends up with the U.S. technology or materials to make a nuclear bomb and that Congress is the final say before approval of any agreement. I thank Senator Rubio and Congressman Sherman for their partnership on this important legislation that will help stop a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.\nThe United States should suspend all talks related to a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia until the Saudi government agrees to the Gold Standard' requirements and proves they are willing to be responsible partners that respect the basic rights of their citizens, said Senator Rubio. This important bill will ensure Congress has oversight over and the right to affirmatively approve any nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia and also continues to press the Saudis for accountability in Jamal Khashoggi's murder.\nA government that cannot be trusted with a bone saw, should not be trusted with a nuclear weapon, said Rep. Sherman. Saudi Arabia's plan to build a nuclear plant makes no economic sense as a means of generating electricity but makes perfect sense if the goal is to provide a pretext for a nuclear weapons program. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, has indicated that he believes Iran is seeking a nuclear weapon and that Saudi Arabia should keep pace. This outcome that would severely threaten the security of the United States and close allies like Israel. This bill empowers Congress to carry out its constitutional oversight role to prevent an agreement that only contains the plastic' or fool's gold' standard.\nThe constitution is quite clear: any international agreement that requires major undertakings on the part of the United States  such as any proposed Saudi nuclear deal  must be sent to Congress for advice and consent, said Rep. Messer. Frankly, it was wrong when the Obama Administration circumvented these requirements with the Iran nuclear deal, and it would be wrong to allow any deal with the Saudis without ensuring that Congress -- acting as the voice of American people -- has a say.\nA copy of theNo Nuclear Weapons forSaudiArabia Actcan be foundHERE.\nThe bipartisan group of lawmakers have long-expressed serious concerns withSaudiArabia's unwillingness to commit to the gold standard for civil nuclear cooperation agreements, raising concerns that the Kingdom's commitment to use nuclear energy isn't solely for peaceful purposes. A commitment to the gold standard is one way the United States ensures that nations with which we engage in civil nuclear cooperation are living up to the highest nuclear nonproliferation standards. In March 2018SaudiCrown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman stated in an interview that his country would develop nuclear weapons without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb. Just a few months later,SaudiArabia's Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir echoed these disturbing comments.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=E8781EFA-9921-4B43-ABCD-25F248B7B2CA", "Dont celebrate the Trump administrations bump stock ban too quickly - The Washington Post", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Dianne Feinstein\r\nOriginally published in The Washington Post.\r\nThe Justice Department issued a regulation Tuesday banning bump-fire stocks, devices that can essentially transform semiautomatic weapons, such as an AR-15, into automatic rifles that fire at a rate of between 400 and 800 rounds per minute. These devices can inflict absolute carnage, as they did in October 2017, when a gunman killed 58 people at a concert in Las Vegas.\r\nSupport for banning bump stocks is widespread, and it's encouraging to see the Trump administration take action on gun safety.\r\nBut let's not celebrate too quickly. Presidents can rescind regulations just as easily as they create them, and in this case, the bump stock ban will likely be tied up in court for years. Only hours after the Trump administration released its final regulation, Gun Owners of America announced it would file a lawsuit.\r\nTo ensure a ban is implemented and protected from legal challenges, Congress must still pass a law banning bump stocks and other similar devices, such as trigger cranks.\r\nThe sale and manufacture of automatic weapons have been illegal since the National Firearms Act was updated in 1986. The law  even though it eased restrictions on most guns by allowing interstate sales of long guns and removing requirements to record ammunition sales  made clear that civilians should not have such weapons.\r\nAutomatic weapons produced before 1986 are highly regulated, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives tracks them. Despite this, the agency has consistently stated that bump stocks could not be regulated under the current law. That was because they do not fit the legal definition of an automatic weapon under the National Firearms Act.\r\nAutomatic weapons are defined by their ability to fire a continuous number of rounds by holding down the trigger. Bump stocks and other accessories have made this definition largely obsolete, creating a loophole that circumvents Congress's intent to bar civilians from achieving automatic rates of fire. That's because the recoil of the stock bumps the finger against the trigger, allowing the weapon to achieve automatic fire. Because of this technicality, bump stocks have not run afoul of the law.\r\nATF initially concluded that it could not ban these devices through regulation in 2008. And after the 2012 shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., ATF further explained in a 2013 letter to Congress that it could not take unilateral action because stocks of this type are not subject to the provisions of federal firearms statutes. In addition, internal ATF documents made public through Freedom of Information Act requests by Giffords Law Center and Democracy Forward show that the agency had reiterated its lack of authority to ban bump stocks unilaterally and that it had approved similar devices as recently as April 2017  under the Trump administration.\r\nIn March 2018, the Justice Department did an about-face, claiming that bump stocks do, in fact, fall under the legal definition of a machine gun and therefore can be banned through regulations. The administration's position hinges on a dubious analysis claiming that bumping the trigger is not the same as pulling it.\r\nReversing the agency's statutory interpretation leaves this new regulation especially vulnerable to legal challenges, particularly given that it held the same position under the Trump administration as the Obama administration. Further, the Justice Department laid out potential legal and constitutional challenges to the regulation in a 157-page report, providing a road map for the gun lobby to challenge it.\r\nEven ATF Director Thomas Brandon acknowledged in a Judiciary Committee hearing earlier this year that banning bump stocks through regulation would likely be challenged in court, and the best way to achieve a ban on bump stocks would be to pass a law. He said that the optimum answer for public safety, as a career guy [for] 30 years, the law is clearly the best route.\r\nBoth Justice Department and ATF lawyers know that legislation is the only way to ban bump stocks in a way that will not be tied up in court for years. The National Firearms Act has not changed since 1986, and it must be amended to cover bump stocks and other dangerous devices like trigger cranks.\r\nLegislation would achieve the goals both Democrats and Republicans say they want to achieve  getting these dangerous devices off the streets. Members of Congress should not rest until our communities are safer and we no longer have to worry about a single gunman having the power to kill more people in a matter of minutes than assault weapons used to kill in an entire year.\r\nDianne Feinstein, a Democrat, represents California in the U.S. Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0A38EEDD-B2B0-427F-A270-3BEC6FB00A8E", "Senators to Trump Administration: Protect Rights of  Transgender Federal Employees", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and 28 Senate colleagues called on the Trump administration to restore guidelines for protecting the privacy and rights of transgender federal employees.\r\nLast month, the Office of Personnel Management replaced information on its website that provided supervisors with guidelines regarding transgender federal employees with new guidance that omits essential information, including any reference to transgender individuals.\r\nThe original guidance addressed common questions that agency managers and federal employees had raised with OPM, identifying issues and core concepts specific to understanding rights and fair treatment of transgender employees, the senators wrote. The new guidance that replaced it omits essential information, including any reference to transgender individuals, greatly diminishing OPM's ability to educate federal agencies on anti-discrimination policies and retain a productive federal workforce as diverse as the people it serves.\r\nFull text of the letter follows:\r\nDecember 18, 2018\r\nThe Honorable Margaret Weichert  Acting Director  U.S. Office of Personnel Management  1900 E Street, NW  Washington, DC 20415\r\nDear Acting Director Weichert:\r\nWe write to express our serious concern that guidance meant to ensure transgender federal employees are treated with dignity and respect has been removed from the website of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We request that you immediately make the guidance available online, so that managers, supervisors, and employees are equipped with accurate information and fully understand their responsibilities in the federal workplace.\r\nThe original guidance addressed common questions that agency managers and federal employees had raised with OPM, identifying issues and core concepts specific to understanding rights and fair treatment of transgender employees. The new guidance that replaced it omits essential information, including any reference to transgender individuals, greatly diminishing OPM's ability to educate federal agencies on anti-discrimination policies and retain a productive federal workforce as diverse as the people it serves.\r\nIn a statement last month, 178 companies, including Microsoft, IBM, Google, and many others, affirmed that diversity and inclusion are good for business, while discrimination significantly harms transgender people and imposes enormous productivity costs. In the Business Statement on Transgender Equality, business leaders noted the importance of guidance and other resources to support their transgender employees, citing that more than 80 percent of the Fortune 500 have clear gender identity protections; two-thirds have transgender-inclusive healthcare coverage; hundreds have LGBTQ+ and Allies business resource groups and internal training efforts.\r\nOn June 25, 2018, the OPM Director's Blog issued a statement celebrating LGBT Pride Month 2018, which committed OPM to human capital management strategies that attract, develop and retain a high performing, engaged and diverse Federal workforce where each employee feels valued and respected as a member of the Federal family. The statement also encouraged all Federal employees to further commit themselves to the progress we've made in creating a culture that is aware, accepting, inclusive, and respectful of our diversity.\r\nWe hope that you will continue this commitment by making the original guidance supporting transgender employees available online in order to promote safe and positive workplace conditions across the federal government. We also request information on what further actions OPM will take under your leadership to ensure the privacy and rights of transgender federal employees.\r\nWe appreciate your consideration and look forward to receiving your prompt response on this important issue.\r\nSincerely,\r\nDianne Feinstein  United States Senator\r\nTammy Baldwin  United States Senator\r\nPatty Murray  United States Senator     \r\nRichard Blumenthal  United States Senator\r\nMaria Cantwell  United States Senator\r\nMazie K. Hirono  United States Senator\r\nKirsten Gillibrand  United States Senator\r\nEdward J. Markey  United States Senator\r\nChristopher A. Coons  United States Senator\r\nPatrick Leahy  United States Senator\r\nAmy Klobuchar  United States Senator\r\nSheldon Whitehouse  United States Senator\r\nChris Van Hollen  United States Senator\r\nMargaret Wood Hassan  United States Senator\r\nJack Reed  United States Senator\r\nRichard J. Durbin  United States Senator\r\nTina Smith  United States Senator\r\nBenjamin L. Cardin  United States Senator\r\nKamala D. Harris  United States Senator\r\nTammy Duckworth  United States Senator\r\nCatherine Cortez Masto  United States Senator\r\nChristopher S. Murphy  United States Senator\r\nRobert Menendez  United States Senator\r\nBernard Sanders  United States Senator\r\nJeffrey A. Merkley  United States Senator\r\nElizabeth Warren  United States Senator\r\nTim Kaine  United States Senator\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.  United States Senator\r\nThomas R. Carper  United States Senator\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.harris.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-harris-and-booker-lead-historic-passage-of-federal-anti-lynching-legislation", "Senators Harris and Booker Lead Historic Passage of Federal Anti-Lynching Legislation", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Kamala Harris", "H001075", "www.harris.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2018\n\t\t\t Senators Harris and Booker Lead Historic Passage of Federal Anti-Lynching Legislation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tVideo\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) took to the Senate floor to ask for unanimous consent to pass the bipartisanJustice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2018, historic legislation that would criminalize lynching, attempts to lynch, and conspiracy to lynch for the first time in American history. The motion passed, marking the first time in American history that federal anti-lynching legislation has been passed by the Senate.\r\nLynchings were needless and horrendous acts of violence that were motivated by racism. And we must acknowledge that fact, lest we repeat it, said Senator Harris. From 1882 to 1986, Congress failed to pass anti-lynching legislation when it had an opportunity 200 times. Today, by passing this bill we have offered some long overdue justice and recognition to the victims of lynching crimes.\"\r\nToday is an emotional and historic day. For over a century, members of Congress have attempted to pass some version of a bill that would recognize lynching for what it is: a bias-motivated act of terror. And for more than a century, and more than 200 attempts, this body has failed. Today, we have righted that wrong and taken corrective action that recognizes this stain on our country's history, said Senator Booker. This bill will not undo the damage, the terror, and the violence that has been already done, nor will it bring back the lives that have been brutally taken. It will not reverse the irrevocable harm that lynching as a tool of oppression and suppression has caused. But it will acknowledge the wrongs in our history. It will honor the memories of those so brutally killed. And it will leave a legacy that future generations can look back on  that on this day, in this time, we did the right thing.\r\nThe Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2018 amends the United States Code to specify that lynching is a crime under existing federal civil rights statutes. The legislation was originally introduced inJune 2018by U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Tim Scott (R-SC), and unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in October 2018.\r\nLynching was used as an instrument of terror and intimidation 4,084 times during the late 19th and 20th centuries, according to data from the Equal Justice Initiative.\r\nTheJustice for Victims of Lynching Actis supported by the NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Equal Justice Initiative, and has companion legislation in the House of Representatives.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398529", "Reps. Roybal-Allard & DeLauro Call for Enforcement of Child Labor Laws", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Lucille Roybal-Allard", "R000486", "roybal-allard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) sent a letter to Department of Labor (DOL) Acting Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division Bryan Jarrett calling for a comprehensive DOL strategy to enforce child labor laws. Their letter follows a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) study  commissioned at their request  which found that child labor accounts for a devastatingly high amount of work-related fatalities in the United States, especially in the agricultural sector.More than 75 years after the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which strengthened protections for America's most vulnerable children, serious violations persist for child laborers working on farms in the United States, wrote the Members.Despite employing a small percentage of working children, the data concludes that the agriculture sector is responsible for over half of the 452 work-related fatalities among children during the duration of the study. Moreover, the study conducted by GAO revealed that although the agricultural sector surpasses all industries for most work-related fatalities, it ranks just fifth for most Wage and Hour violations. We are therefore concerned that your agency lacks strategic enforcement to ensure there is proper accountability for violations, as logic dictates that the sector responsible for the most deaths by far would also commit the most violations, continued the Members.Oversight provided by the Department of Labor is necessary to protect the welfare of children in the workforce, especially in the agriculture sector where a disproportionate number of children are being killed. We request a comprehensive strategy to address this gap in enforcement no later than April 2019. Rep. Roybal-Allard serves as a member of the House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee, which is responsible for funding the DOL, and Rep. DeLauro serves as the subcommittee's lead Democrat. A copy of the signed letter can be found here. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aguilar.house.gov/2018/12/18/aguilar-issues-115th-congress-report-constituents/", "Aguilar Issues 115th Congress Report to Constituents", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Pete Aguilar", "A000371", "aguilar.house.gov", "aguilar", "https://aguilar.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/", "scraper", "Press Releases\n\nAguilar Issues 115th Congress Report to Constituents\n\nRep. Aguilar issued a report to residents of California\u2019s 31st Congressional District to review his work on behalf of Inland Empire families during the 115th Congress. Reflecting on his service in the 115th Congress, Aguilar issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cThroughout my time in Congress, I\u2019ve dedicated myself to making life better for families in the Inland Empire, the community my family has called home for four generations. From protecting access to health care and expanding job opportunities for our residents, to leading efforts to reach a bipartisan immigration compromise in the House of Representatives, I\u2019ve worked every day to deliver on the priorities that matter most to the Inland Empire. I look forward to continuing that work in the 116th Congress.\u201d\n\nIn the 115th Congress, Rep. Aguilar:\n\nHelped 784 constituents resolve issues with federal agencies such as Social Security, Medicare and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\n\nHelped return nearly $2 million that the federal government owed to residents of the 31st Congressional District.\n\nAnnounced over $80 million in federal funding for the Inland Empire, including over $1 million in terrorism preparedness funding and over $1 million for local fire departments.\n\nHosted 10 community grants workshops and webinars to help connect local government agencies and non-profits with federal funding opportunities.\n\nHosted two Inland Empire Jobs Fairs, resulting in over 60 Inland Empire residents getting hired.\n\nHosted two Senior Fairs to provide Inland Empire seniors with free health screenings and help them obtain information on local food programs, health services, and Medicare, Social Security and veterans benefits.\n\nHosted two Veterans Resource Fairs to connect Inland Empire veterans with local resources on health care, housing, employment and assistance with VA claims.\n\nHosted seven town hall meetings, including a Seniors Town Hall, an Immigration Town Hall and two Telephone Town Halls.\n\nParticipated in over 330 constituent meetings, tours and events.\n\nWorked nine different jobs as part of his \u201cJob for a Day\u201d tour of the Inland Empire.\n\nLaunched a \u201cTaco Tuesday\u201d tour of Inland Empire restaurants to hear from small-business owners, employees and residents throughout the community.\n\nFounded the bipartisan E-Commerce Caucus, which provides a forum for Congress to discuss one of the Inland Empire\u2019s largest industries.\n\nAuthored three bills that passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and were signed into law:\n\nThe ADVANCE Act, a bill that provides military service members with employment opportunities upon returning to civilian life.\n\nThe OPPORTUNITY Act, a bill to help connect under-represented communities with the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program.\n\nA bill to honor the life and legacy of Stater Bros. Chairman Jack Brown by renaming the post office at 390 West 5th Street in San Bernardino the \u201cJack H. Brown Post Office Building.\u201d\n\nPassed an additional bill through the House of Representatives:\n\nThe REPORT Act, a bill to require the federal government to find the cause of future domestic terrorist attacks to help prevent future attacks.\n\nIntroduced seven other bills:\n\nThe GPA Act, a bill to ease the burden of student loan debt on recent graduates.\n\nThe On-the-Job Training Tax Credit Act, a bill that gives employers a tax credit to reduce the skills gap and connect Inland Empire employers with job seekers.\n\nThe PROTECT Act, a bill to increase preparedness and improve responses to active shooter and mass casualty incidents.\n\nThe PREVENT Act, a bill to provide local law enforcement with additional resources to identify and respond to extremist threats.\n\nThe JETS Act, a bill to hold Trump Administration officials accountable for the misuse of taxpayer funds.\n\nThe Recent Grads in Start-Ups and Innovation Act, a bill to spur innovation in the Inland Empire economy by helping recent college graduates start businesses.\n\nThe JOBS Act, a bill to connect Inland Empire Job seekers with local employment resources.\n\nWorked with Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) to negotiate a bipartisan immigration compromise and introduce the Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act, a bill to provide a path to citizenship for DREAMers and make commonsense improvements to security at the southern border.\n\nPassed seven amendments to major legislation, including measures to increase cyber workforce development, provide additional funding to local law enforcement, and prevent the deportation of DACA recipients who serve in the US Military and the federal government.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-issues-115th-congress-report-constituents", "Aguilar Issues 115th Congress Report to Constituents", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Pete Aguilar", "A000371", "aguilar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Aguilar issued a report to residents of California's 31st Congressional District to review his work on behalf of Inland Empire families during the 115th Congress. Reflecting on his service in the 115th Congress, Aguilar issued the following statement:\nThroughout my time in Congress, I've dedicated myself to making life better for families in the Inland Empire, the community my family has called home for four generations. From protecting access to health care and expanding job opportunities for our residents, to leading efforts to reach a bipartisan immigration compromise in the House of Representatives, I've worked every day to deliver on the priorities that matter most to the Inland Empire. I look forward to continuing that work in the 116th Congress.\nIn the 115th Congress, Rep. Aguilar:\n \nHelped over 1,200 constituents resolve issues with federal agencies such as Social Security, Medicare and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\n\tHelped return nearly $2 million that the federal government owed to residents of the 31st Congressional District.\n\tAnnounced over $80 million in federal funding for the Inland Empire, including over $1 million in terrorism preparedness funding and over $1 million for local fire departments. \n\tHosted 10 community grants workshops and webinars to help connect local government agencies and non-profits with federal funding opportunities.\n\tHosted two Inland Empire Jobs Fairs, resulting in over 60 Inland Empire residents getting hired. \n\tHosted two Senior Fairs to provide Inland Empire seniors with free health screenings and help them obtain information on local food programs, health services, and Medicare, Social Security and veterans benefits.\n\tHosted two Veterans Resource Fairs to connect Inland Empire veterans with local resources on health care, housing, employment and assistance with VA claims.\n\tHosted seven town hall meetings, including a Seniors Town Hall, an Immigration Town Hall and two Telephone Town Halls.\n\tParticipated in over 330 constituent meetings, tours and events.\n\tWorked nine different jobs as part of his Job for a Day tour of the Inland Empire.\n\tLaunched a Taco Tuesday tour of Inland Empire restaurants to hear from small-business owners, employees and residents throughout the community.\n\tFounded the bipartisan E-Commerce Caucus, which provides a forum for Congress to discuss one of the Inland Empire's largest industries.\n\tAuthored three bills that passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and were signed into law:\n\t\t\nThe ADVANCE Act, a bill that provides military service members with employment opportunities upon returning to civilian life.\n\t\t\tThe OPPORTUNITY Act, a bill to help connect under-represented communities with the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program.\n\t\t\tA bill to honor the life and legacy of Stater Bros. Chairman Jack Brown by renaming the post office at 390 West 5th Street in San Bernardino the Jack H. Brown Post Office Building.\n\t\t\n\tPassed an additional bill through the House of Representatives:\n\t\t\nThe REPORT Act, a bill to require the federal government to find the cause of future domestic terrorist attacks to help prevent future attacks.\n\t\t\n\tIntroduced seven other bills:\n\t\t\nThe GPA Act, a bill to ease the burden of student loan debt on recent graduates.\n\t\t\tThe On-the-Job Training Tax Credit Act, a bill that gives employers a tax credit to reduce the skills gap and connect Inland Empire employers with job seekers.\n\t\t\tThe PROTECT Act, a bill to increase preparedness and improve responses to active shooter and mass casualty incidents.\n\t\t\tThe PREVENT Act, a bill to provide local law enforcement with additional resources to identify and respond to extremist threats.\n\t\t\tThe JETS Act, a bill to hold Trump Administration officials accountable for the misuse of taxpayer funds.\n\t\t\tThe Recent Grads in Start-Ups and Innovation Act, a bill to spur innovation in the Inland Empire economy by helping recent college graduates start businesses.\n\t\t\tThe JOBS Act, a bill to connect Inland Empire Job seekers with local employment resources.\n\t\t\n\tWorked with Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) to negotiate a bipartisan immigration compromise and introduce the Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act, a bill to provide a path to citizenship for DREAMers and make commonsense improvements to security at the southern border.\n\tPassed seven amendments to major legislation, including measures to increase cyber workforce development, provide additional funding to local law enforcement, and prevent the deportation of DACA recipients who serve in the US Military and the federal government.\n \nRep. Aguilar has represented California's 31st Congressional District since 2015. In the 115th Congress he served on the Appropriations Committee and held leadership roles as Whip of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and assistant whip for the House Democratic Caucus. A map highlighting some of his work across the Inland Empire throughout the 115th Congress can be viewed here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cardenas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-c-rdenas-van-nuys-airports-90th-anniversary", "Congressman Crdenas on Van Nuys Airport's 90th Anniversary", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Tony C\u00e1rdenas", "C001097", "cardenas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congratulations to Van Nuys Airport (VNY) as they celebrate 90 Years of Flight. Van Nuys Airport is the largest economic engine in the San Fernando Valley. It's also a cornerstone of the community  VNY served as a staging area for firefighters during one of the deadliest wildfire seasons in the history of this country, and pilots and firefighters based there worked long hours keepingCalifornians safe. A world leader in environmental responsibility as well as community safety, Van Nuys Airport is one of only five general aviation airports anywhere to gain a Carbon Emissions Reduction Accreditation. I would like to commend the owners, operators, tenants, airport staff, and every person in the San Fernando Valley community that has helped make the Van Nuys Airport a global leader in service, safety andresponsibility.\n###\nContact: Bryan Doyle  (202) 225-6131  bryan.doyle@mail.house.gov", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-stands-hispanic-caucus-ensure-humane-and-safe-treatment-all", "Costa Stands with Hispanic Caucus to Ensure Humane and Safe Treatment for All", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Fresno, CA Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) issued the following statement regarding the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC)  of which he is a member  visiting Lordsburg Station to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin while she was in U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody:\nI would like to thank CHC Chairman-elect Joaquin Castro and all CHC members who were able to travel to Lordsburg today for being leaders in the investigation of the circumstances surrounding thetragic death of Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin.\nAs a nation, we must ensure our facilities and policies support our American values. This includes treating all people humanely, justly, and with dignity. While I could not be with my fellow CHC members today, I stand in solidarity with them in their investigation. As Americans, we must ensure the health and safety of those seeking refuge at our borders.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gomez.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=431", "Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Nanette Barrag\u00e1n Travel to Southern Border to Investigate Conditions of Asylum Seekers", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Gomez", "G000585", "gomez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Los Angeles, CA Yesterday,Reps. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)andNanette Diaz Barragn (CA-44) traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border to investigate reports that the Trump administration is illegally rejecting asylum seekers at official ports of entry. The Members traveled with immigration groups including Al Otro Lado, Families Belong Together, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).\r\nReps. Gomez and Barragn observed a group of asylum seekers present themselves at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry where officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) denied entry to a group of migrants for several hours and claimed their facility was at capacity. After questioning CBP on their capacity issues, Reps. Gomez and Barragn requested to see the facility, but the officials refused to let the Members inside. While at the border, they were able to get a firsthand account of what was happening on the ground and escorted a group of asylum seekers who legally presented themselves on U.S. territory. Among them was Maria Meza and her children, who were previously seen fleeing tear gas at the border last month.\r\nAs a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I went down to the border to ensure the Trump administration was treating migrant families in a humane and lawful manner  but what I found was a manufactured crisis,said Rep. Jimmy Gomez.This administration is falsely telling the world that it is unable to handle the flow of migrants due to a lack of resources. In reality, their faulty policies are creating a bottleneck that is preventing families from lawfully seeking asylum. Thanks to pressure from myself, Representative Barragn, and a number of organizations, border authorities have finally allowed a number of families to enter the U.S. to be processed for asylum  including that of Maria Meza, who is now known across the world for the photos of her family fleeing a U.S. tear gas attack. As I return to Washington, I'll work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that every family at the border is treated in accordance with our values as well as United States law.\r\nTime and time again I have heard from Trump Administration officials that people are free to seek asylum legally by presenting themselves at any U.S. port of entry, said Rep. Barragn. Yesterday, I stood at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, on U.S. soil, and saw a group of migrants, including unaccompanied minors who fear for their safety, be turned away despite being on U.S. soil. People are told that they must follow the law but when migrants seeking asylum attempt to do so, they are turned away. It shouldn't have to take a Member of Congress to go to the border so that CBP can process migrants like Maria Meza and her daughters.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://khanna.house.gov/media/in-the-news/democratic-house-will-address-most-important-civil-rights-issue-half-century", "Democratic House will address most important civil rights issue in half century", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ro Khanna", "K000389", "khanna.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "n its first act next January, the new House is scheduled to take up the most important civil rights bill in half a century. The bill signals a profoundly comprehensive understanding of the flaws that have evolved within our democracy. That it is scheduled first screams a recognition that these flaws must be fixed first, if we're to have a Congress that is free to do the other critically important work that Congress must do. But that the bill is all but invisible to anyone outside the beltway signals the most important gap left in this most important fight to make representative democracy in America possible  if not again, then finally.\nThe bill  denominatedH.R. 1  is a radically comprehensive and practical fix to all but one of the critical failures of our evolved system of representative democracy. Crafted primarily by Representative John Sarbanes (D-MD), the bill recognizes that there are multiple flaws within our democracy and that these flaws must be addressed together.\nH.R. 1 would establish, for the first time in American history, a system to fund congressional campaigns throughsmall-dollar matching funds; thus would it liberate members of Congress from dependence on large private funders. The bill would brilliantly leverage Congress's constitutional authority to force states to end partisan gerrymandering by adopting nonpartisanredistricting commissions  an obviously better solution than anything the Supreme Court could ever craft. It would trigger the automatic registration of voters nationally. It wouldrestorethe Voting Rights Act, and secure critical protections to assure an equal freedom to vote, by encouraging early voting and modernization of voting technology. And the bill would imposestrict new regulationson Congress itself, slowing the revolving door and strengthening conflict of interest rules, to keep legislators focused on their constituents, not distracted by their own personal interest. (Left untouched is the fundamental distortion produced by the winner-take-all system for allocating electors in the electoral college, though until there is judicial recognition of the equal protection flaws within that system, Congress could well believe it lacks the power to step in.)\nYet more important than the substance is the primacy. By putting reform first, the Democrats have declared openly what so many have for so long denied  that we must fix Congress first if we're to have a Congress that is free to lead. H.R. 1 is a bill of impeachment against the old ways of Congress, and a practical plan to change those old ways. In his first campaign for President, Barack Obama had warned that if we don't take up that fight, then real change  change that will make a lasting difference in the lives of ordinary Americans  will keep getting blocked by the defenders of thestatus quo. In H.R. 1, the Democrats take up that fight  finally.\nYet as extraordinary as this bill is, it is all but invisible to most Americans. No doubt, given the anti-reformer who leads the Senate, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, H.R. 1 will not become law. But there is plenty that won't pass Congress that gets wildly more attention than this. And understanding just why the best idea in democratic reform merits so little public attention is critical if we're ever to achieve even part of this package of change.\nIt's not because America does not desperately want it: The frustration of Americans with their government is at an all-time high. As a massive study conducted at the University of Maryland found in the lead-up to the 2016 election, that frustration is tied directly to an overwhelming and cross-partisan sense that our Congress works forspecial interests, not America, and that citizens are second only to the lobbyists.\nReform needs a leader, but Trump won't do it\nNor is it because the new members of Congress don't see this issue as critical or primary. Ahundred and sevencandidates in the 2018 electionwrote soon-to-be-Speaker Pelosi, and demanded thatreformbe a priority of the new Congress. The most forceful and compelling new progressives, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have been disciplined to acknowledge that the changes they demand needreform first.And indeed, a leading progressive incumbent in Congress, Ro Khanna (D-CA),introducedlegislationlastweek that would reform the funding of congressional campaigns even more fundamentally than H.R. 1, by following examples like Seattle to give everyvoter vouchersthat they can use to help candidates fund campaigns.\nInstead, what the obscurity reveals is that fundamental reform needs a president  one who has made a credible commitment to enact reform and an election that shows that America agrees. No one expects President Trump to take up his pledge to drain the swamp. But what's striking about the Democrats now vying to be the next nominee is that none have made reform even significant, let alone a priority. Last month,Bernie Sanders listedaten-point agendato guide the first hundred days of the next administration. Not a single item on that list even hints at reform.\nObama told us we must take up that fight. He never did. His administration never even proposed anything close to the reforms now within the scope of H.R. 1.\nNext president must rally Congress on reform\nThat, in the end, may be the most important silence in this story. America has come to expect that its politicians will promise change, yet change nothing. So rather than playing Charlie Brown to Lucy's promise to hold the ball, we ignore reform talk, and fantasize instead about promises that could never be enacted so long as our Congress remains so deeply compromised  whether a Green New Deal, single-payer health care, or the antitrust legislation that could get us a growing economy again.\nThere is no more important priority for the next president than fixing our broken Congress  because nothing important (save tax cuts to the rich) can pass this compromised Congress until it is fixed. Speaker Pelosi deserves enormous credit for acknowledging that point so clearly.\nYet we will never rally the political force this change needs without the kind of presidential leadership that would make it all but impossible for Congress and the public to ignore. That leadership will come not from candidates who forget reform, or who make reform just one idea among many. It will come from candidates who make reform fundamental and believable, by making fixing this democracytheirfirst priority as well.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcnerney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mcnerney-statement-on-visa-waiver-granted-to-shaima-swileh", "Rep. McNerney Statement on Visa Waiver Granted to Shaima Swileh", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jerry McNerney", "M001166", "mcnerney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, the U.S. State Department announced that Shaima Swileh, a Yemeni national and the mother of a terminally ill two-year-old boy from Stockton, CA, has received the necessary waiver to obtain a visa and come to the United States. Leading up to this decision, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) led a letter urging the State Department to expedite its decision on Swileh's pending waiver under Presidential Proclamation 9645  which restricts travel to the United States for foreign nationals from seven countries, including Yemen.\nIn response to the State Department's decision, Congressman McNerney issued the following statement:\nNo mother should be left wondering whether she will be able to see her child again. Shaima Swileh's visa was held up because of the president's travel ban, wasting precious time she could have spent with her terminally ill son during his last days.\nAlthough Shaima's visa is moving forward, the president's travel ban  which discriminatorily targets individuals based on their religion and country of origin  remains. This is a sharp departure from our nation's history of welcoming immigrants, and we must continue to fight back against this administration's divisive policies.\n# # #\nRep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California's 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney's work,follow him on Facebookand on Twitter@RepMcNerney.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-task-force-urge-committees-to-hold-hearings-on-gun-violence", "Thompson, Task Force Urge Committees to Hold Hearings on Gun Violence Prevention", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington  Today Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that he and other Vice Chairs of the Task Force have asked each incoming committee chair to holding hearings on gun violence issues of jurisdiction to their committee.\nThe American people want Congress to do everything in its power to address gun violence and the new majority will take action. That's why the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force called on all the incoming committee chairs to hold hearings to address issues of gun violence pertinent to their committee work, from public health to funding for research to school safety. We can and we will work to keep our communities safe from gun violence.\nA summary of the request made to each incoming committee chair is below. The letters were signed by Chairman Thompson and Vice Chairs David N. Cicilline (RI-01), Val Demings (FL-10), Elizabeth Esty (CT-05), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), David Price (NC-04), Kathleen Rice (NY-04), and Bobby Scott (VA-03).\nCommittee on Agriculture:The Committee represents and serves the diverse agricultural sectors. You know as well as anyone that the tradition of responsible rural gun ownership is the story of our Nation. From safe storage to training and education, rural gun owners have been at the forefront. Hearing from responsible gun owners about their support for commonsense legislative reforms will be key to building our coalition.\nCommittee on Appropriations:Democrats on the Committee on Appropriations have long fought to provide resources to the Centers for Disease Control to study gun violence. As hearings are held on the Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bill, the critical CDC funding should be at the top of the list for consideration. The Committee on Appropriations should also conduct hearings to assess current funding needs for programs designed to address all different aspects of gun violence in the U.S., including community-based violence intervention programs to suicide prevention and education initiatives. \nCommittee on Armed Services: Mental health screenings before enlistment and at the end of service can be an effective tool to identify who are mentally fit to handle a firearm. Presently, these screenings are insufficient and resources scarce. Congress should look at ways that we can ensure that guns are kept out of the hands of people who should not have them.\nCommittee on Budget:Gun violence is estimated to cost the American economy at least $229 billion every year, including $8.6 billion in direct emergency and medical care. Congress must look at budget priorities and how funding can be made available to necessary programs and agencies. We can't come at this issue of gun violence piecemeal.We need an organized approach across all budget categories to identify where we can make smart investments to reduce gun violence that will save lives and offer long term cost savings. The Committee on Budget is uniquely situated to do so. \nCommittee on Education and Labor:In 2018, there have been at least 82 incidents of gunfire on school grounds. The Administration's response has been to propose arming teachers. Any consideration of gun violence must look at how we keep students, teachers, and staff safe. In addition, the Committee may also consider examining the role that therapists and mental health specialists in schools, as well as the shortage of mental health professionals nationwide, as part of its comprehensive look into the issue. \nCommittee on Energy and Commerce:Gun violence is a public health crisis. Health professionals are coming together to demand reform and to bring their unique perspective to confronting the trauma of gun violence every day. Hearing from these professionals about their daily interactions with survivors and victims would be invaluable. In addition, as part of its consumer safety agenda, the Committee might consider looking into Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations, including smart gun technologies. \nCommittee on Financial Service:Banks and companies across the country are cutting ties with the gun lobby and manufacturers. They have found that the gun lobby is not important to their bottom lines and that they can play a role in ending gun violence. In addition, corporate leaders are taking a stand and finding innovative ways to change the conversation and could be a valuable resource on the topic.\nCommittee on Foreign Affairs:This Administration is looking for any way it can to loosen gun regulations, including moving certain responsibilities from the Department of State to the Department of Commerce and other agencies. Overturning such longstanding policy is a gift to manufacturers and does nothing to make the world safer from gun violence. Any effort to weaken regulations on international sales and exports requires close Congressional attention and oversight.\nCommittee on Homeland Security:Public gatherings large and small have become a target of mass shooters and domestic terrorists. Sadly, ensuring that public events are secure against these threats is part of our way of life now. There are a number of methods to reduce the window of opportunity for a shooter and respond effectively. Unfortunately, gun violence is now a major homeland security issue and we ask the Committee to hold a hearing.\nCommittee on Judiciary:As the committee with the largest jurisdiction, we look forward to working with Chairman Nadler to address a wide range of issues, including universal background checks, gun violence restraining orders, trafficking, domestic violence, ATF reform, assault weapons and magazine size, and other issues important to our Task Force members.\nCommittee on Natural Resources:Incidents like the Bundy takeover show how extremists are using public lands to promote and grow anti-government movements. Bundy is not unique in this action; it is taking place on public lands across the country. Heavily armed militia do damage to public lands and prevent others from using them. This is just one issue of many the Committee might want to examine.\nCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform:Investigations have shown there are strong ties between the gun lobby and Russian agents who interfered in our elections. This partnership to undermine our democracy while also pushing an extremist gun agenda deserves a thorough investigation by your esteemed investigative team.\nCommittee on Science, Space and Technology:Firearm technology is advancing at a faster pace than policy. From 3-D printing to smart technology to online apps, technology is changing the way guns are sold and used. It is time Congress start more closely examining these trends and technologies and your Committee is uniquely positioned to do so.\nCommittee on Small Business:Gun violence is an economic issue. Studies have found that an increase in gun violence in neighborhoods can lower the number of businesses and jobs created. This factor is too often ignored, and small business owners and their employees will continue to suffer until this crisis is addressed. Your Committee is uniquely suited to take this issue on.\nCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure:Many states with the strongest gun laws still see high numbers of gun deaths. Criminals are using what is called the Iron Pipeline, to traffic guns from states with weak gun laws. Our transportation systems should not be used to undermine our gun laws and we ask that the Committee consider investigating how our infrastructure is being used to skirt state laws and traffic firearms. \nCommittee on Veterans Affairs:Every day, more than 20 veterans commit suicide, a majority of those do so with a gun. The intersection of gun-related suicides and the veterans' community urgently needs attention. There are successful programs and innovative proposals that could save the lives of our Nation's heroes.\nCommittee on Ways and Means:Though mental health is not the leading cause of gun violence we cannot afford to ignore the role it plays. Access to quality, affordable health care can help to reduce the more than 60 suicides by gun that happen every day in America. As part of a robust health care agenda, we ask the Committee to keep the crossroads of guns and mental health on the agenda, including debunking cultural stereotypes about mental health and gun violence.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-remarks-at-media-stakeout-following-meeting-with-senator-schumer", "Pelosi Remarks at Media Stakeout Following Meeting with Senator Schumer", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C  Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi offered these remarks at a media stakeout. Below are the Speaker-designate's remarks:  \n\t  \n\tQ: Are you close to a deal to avoid a shutdown?\nSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Well, we are not supporting what they proposed which is a billion dollar slush fund for the President to implement his immigration policies. What I said, what we put forward, what we brought to the White House before: the six bills plus a CR or seven bills under a CR.\nQ: Can you speak behind the microphone for a moment?\n[inaudible]\nSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Senator Schumer  Leader Schumer and I have said that we cannot accept the offer they made of a billion dollar slush fund for the President to implement his very wrong immigration policies, so that won't happen.\nQ: What's a way out of this?\nSpeaker-designate Pelosi. We've said before, very clearly, that we could possibly come together around a CR for all seven bills, better than that  six bills that have already passed the Senate committees and one bill that is a CR for Homeland Security. Six and one or all seven under a CR.\nQ: Leader Pelosi, do you take it as a good sign that the White House appears to be backing off its $5 billion demand?\nSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Yes, but the [1] billion as the slush fund in addition to the money that would be in the bill this year  is not acceptable.\nQ: What kind of communication needs happen now? Do you need to talk to the White House? Does the White House need to reach out to you?\nSpeaker-designate Pelosi. We'll just see. I think that the White House has backed off the wall and that terminology but what they might want to do with that billion dollars is problematic.\nQ: How do you see an idea of reprogramming if they try to do a reprogramming of money maybe under MilCon/VA without Congressional blessing?\nSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Well they have to have Congressional blessing for most reprogramming but right now what they offered, we have not accepted. I don't know what the path might be out but it might be a CR. A shorter term CR.\nQ: Is what happened at the border, is that having any more impact in these negotiations and money?\nSpeaker-designate Pelosi. Well what's happening at the border is shameful and goes against everything we stand for as a country and some of you have heard me say. I quoted Ronald Reagan more than any other President in the course of the campaign. Ronald Reagan in his last speech to Americans as President of the United States talked about the Statue of Liberty and what a beacon of hope it is to the world.\nWhat it means to Americans to see that statue that welcomed their ancestors and what it means to other people coming in. And basically he said, Ronald Reagan did, that our preeminence  America's preeminence in the world, springs from every new generation of immigrants who comes to our country.\nIf we fail to recognize that, we will fail to be preeminent in the world. We cannot close the door, he said.\nYou should see it, Ronald Reagan's last speech. That's who we are as a country. That's not who we are  our values are not reflected in what is happening on the border. What the slush fund could do is more of the same as is what is happening on the border.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-the-federal-school-safety-commission-report", "Pelosi Statement on the Federal School Safety Commission Report", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C.  Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement after the Trump Administration published its final report and recommendations from the Federal Commission in School Safety:  \n\t  \n\tToday, the tenure of Secretary DeVos and the Trump Administration has reached a new low. The Trump Administration's Federal Commission on School Safety report places special interests and the NRA ahead of our responsibility to protect our children and ensure a safe and welcoming school environment for students of all backgrounds.  \n\t  \n\tThe Trump Administration ignored students, teachers and families to roll back students' civil rights and fill our classrooms with deadly firearms. Not only are Republicans ignoring proven research and dismantling vital student anti-discrimination protections, they have blocked commonsense gun violence prevention measures and underfunded effective school climate practices, anti-bullying initiatives, after-school programs and school counselor supports.  \n\t  \n\tThe new Democratic Majority will act decisively against ill-conceived attacks that make our schools less safe and ensure all students are free from discrimination. We will take action to prevent gun violence, invest boldly in quality public education, and uphold the integrity of the Every Student Succeeds Act so that all students, regardless of their zip code, succeed.  \n\t\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://takano.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-takano-the-department-of-educations-federal-commission-on-school-safety-report-is-a-complete-sham", "Rep. Takano: \u201cThe Department of Education\u2019s Federal Commission on School Safety report is a complete sham.\u201d", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mark Takano", "T000472", "takano.house.gov", "takano", "https://takano.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Riverside, CA \u2013 Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement after the U.S. Department of Education released the finalreport from the Federal Commission on School Safety:\n\n\u201cThe Department of Education\u2019s Federal Commission on School Safety report is a complete sham. A better title for this report would be: A guide to trample students\u2019 civil rights, sell more guns, and blame everything on minority students.\n\n\u201cAs a public school teacher for 24 years, I find it insulting that Secretary DeVos would release a report that calls for rollbacks of protections from discriminatory practices used against students of color, incentivizes arming teachers and staff, and does not address the underlying causes of the epidemic of school shootings in America.\n\n\u201cIt says a lot about Secretary DeVos and this Administration\u2019s priorities that even reports that should solely be focused on improving the safety of our schools are plagued with partisan, biased provisions that undermine the safety and rights of the same students they should be in place to protect. The Department of Education and the Trump Administration must promote school safety and defend students against discriminatory practices, and Congress will hold them accountable to ensure that they are doing so.\u201d\n\n###\n\nPress Contact\n\nDayanara Ramirez (202) 225-2305", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/torres-reaction-state-department-announcement-mexico-and-northern", "Torres Reaction to State Department Announcement on Mexico and the Northern Triangle of Central America", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Norma J. Torres", "T000474", "torres.house.gov", "torres", "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the U.S. State Department's Strategy for Central America and Southern Mexico:\n\n\"Today's agreement with Mexico does not make sense. Is President Trump's master plan to get Mexico to build the wall with U.S. taxpayer dollars?\n\n\"We would see much better results if we focused on ensuring that the successor to the NAFTA agreement has strong and enforceable provisions to prevent labor abuses, increase wages, protect the environment, and address the infrastructure needs of both countries. These goals cannot be achieved through an immigration and development agreement.\n\n\"Weak judicial systems and rampant public corruption in the Northern Triangle, combined with the growing power of Latin American drug cartels, are having a devastating impact on our southern border. Today's announcement does not appear to include any actual new funding for the Northern Triangle. It is just a repackaging of current assistance. In any case, simply spending more American taxpayer money is not a realistic solution. We must demand more.\n\n\"We need to combine effective foreign assistance with the right kinds of pressure, including tough conditions on spending and targeted sanctions on corrupt and criminal government officials. Sadly, the Trump Administration has failed to stand up for the rule of law in the region, abandoning longstanding U.S. support for civil society and successful initiatives such as the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). That is why I have introduced the Guatemala Rule of Law Accountability Act, which will apply financial and visa sanctions to government officials that undermine the rule of law. If the Trump administration will not advance real proposals for Central America, then Congress must.\"\n\nTorres is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Rules Committee. On December 13, 2018, Rep. Torres introduced H.R. 7314, the Guatemala Rule of Law Accountability Act. If enacted, the bill would require visa and travel sanctions against Guatemalan government officials who engage in corruption and undermine the rule of law. Examples of covered offenses are disobeying rulings of Guatemala's highest court and interfering with the work of U.S.-supported institutions, including the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=563686D2-B0FB-4827-ACE7-879F92591997", "Feinstein: Ceasefire in Yemen Port City Hopefully Leads to Peace", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today issued the following statement on the ceasefire between Yemeni pro-government forces and Houthi rebels in the city of Hudaydah:\r\nThe humanitarian crisis that has unfolded in Yemen is heartbreaking. Today's ceasefire in Hudaydah will hopefully allow aid to finally reach the millions of Yemenis who face starvation and help build momentum toward a final peace agreement.\r\nThe Yemen civil war has directly killed more than 60,000 people. Unfortunately, that is only part of the story. More than 85,000 children have starved to death and millions more are on the brink of that same fatethe tragic result of targeted attacks on Yemen's infrastructure and blockade of the port in Hudaydah.\r\nI commend the United Nations for bringing both sides to the negotiating table, and I urge the Trump administration to continue working with our international partners to bring an end to this horrible war.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7359E37A-AF21-451E-991A-5C1FC8F6F73F", "Feinstein Statement on New Report on Trump Organization Foreign Deals", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on a report by Global Witness on the Trump Organization's foreign deals:\r\nA new report released yesterday on the Trump Organization's operations in the Dominican Republic shows the need for greater oversight of the president's business and financial dealings.\r\nPresident Trump promised that the Trump Organization would not pursue new foreign business deals during his presidency. He has not kept that promise, with his company pursuing luxury real-estate deals in the Dominican Republic and elsewhere.\r\nThe Trump Organization's pursuit of business abroad creates glaring conflicts of interest, with the president's foreign policy decisions potentially being influenced by his personal financial interests. Foreign governments may also make decisions affecting the Trump Organization with the goal of receiving favorable treatment from the Trump administration.\r\nOur founding fathers drafted the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution to prevent this situation. They did not want foreign governments to be able to put financial pressure on the president.\r\nThe report also raises questions about taxpayer dollars being used to support business trips taken by the president's children. For example, media reports indicate that Donald Trump Jr.'s trip to India in February cost taxpayers almost $100,000. Eric Trump's trip to Uruguay last year cost an additional $100,000. And the Trump brothers' 2017 trip to the United Arab Emirates to open a golf course cost more than $200,000.\r\nWe've asked the Government Accountability Office to determine the cost of these trips, and are working to ensure more transparency in Secret Service expense reports. The American people deserve to know how taxpayer dollars are supporting the president's personal business.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A8A811CC-3F01-45B2-9006-CFFA8B109124", "Feinstein Statement on Regulation  to Ban Bump Stocks", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today issued the following statement on the Justice Department's regulation banning bump stocks:\r\nBump stocks allow semi-automatic weapons to fire like automatic weapons, making guns like the AR-15 even more deadly. Banning bump stocks has widespread support and it's encouraging to see the Trump administration take action on this commonsense gun safety proposal.\r\nHowever, Congress must pass legislation to ensure a ban on bump stocks and other similar devices is protected from legal challenges.\r\nUntil March 2018, ATF maintained that bump stocks could not be banned through administrative action. Legislation is necessary to ensure a ban is implemented and regulations are not tied up in court.\r\nGun Owners of America has already announced its intent to sue to block the ban from taking effect. Congress simply must act to get these dangerous devices off the streets, and I will be reintroducing my bill to ban them early next year.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.harris.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-kamala-harris-visits-afghanistan", "Senator Kamala Harris Visits Afghanistan", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Kamala Harris", "H001075", "www.harris.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2018\n\t\t\t Senator Kamala Harris Visits Afghanistan \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, recently returned from Kabul, Afghanistan and other locations in the country where she met American servicemembers, diplomats, and national security professionals supporting the Afghan military in their fight against insurgent forces and terrorist organizations such as ISIS, Al Qaeda and the Taliban, toured numerous bases across the country, and received briefings on U.S. military operations in the region. Harris joined U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and James Lankford (R-OK) on the congressional delegation.\r\nDuring my time in Afghanistan, I was honored to meet with United States service members, including many from California, who make daily sacrifices on behalf of their country and who are away from home during this holiday season. I was grateful to receive on the ground briefings on the state of the region and discuss how best to keep our country and our allies safe from the threat posed by terrorism, said Harris. I remain eager to find a political solution to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan so we can bring U.S. servicemembers and national security professionals home.\r\nSince joining the U.S. Senate, Harris has also visited Iraq, where she met with troops to discuss the challenges they faced in the fight to defeat ISIS. Earlier this year, Harris visited Marines Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California, where she received briefings on the base's capabilities and met with servicemembers and spouses of active duty Marines and visited the U.S. Navy's submarine base in San Diego.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-asks-dhs-about-claims-terrorists-southern-border", "Rep. Chu Asks DHS About Claims of Terrorists at the Southern Border", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC With just days left before a government shutdown, Republican lawmakers continue to insist a border wall is necessary for national security, citing a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statistic that ten known terrorists a day are identified or captured at the southern border. However, a 2017 State Department report has stated that there is no credible information that any member of a terrorist group has traveled through Mexico to gain access to the United States. The claim has been repeated by President Donald Trump, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, and Republican lawmakers including House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. In response to this alarming statistic, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) has sent a letter to DHS for clarification on the need for a wall at the border to stop terrorists.\nThe letter can be found online here and below:\n  December 17, 2018\nThe Honorable Kirstjen M. Nielsen  \n\tSecretary of Homeland Security  \n\tWashington, D.C. 20528\n\nDear Secretary Nielsen:\nI write to express concern about a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statistic being repeated by Republican lawmakers that ten terrorists are apprehended at the United States' southern border each day. According to the New York Times, you made a statement on June 12 of this year that, On average, my department now blocks 10 known or suspected terrorists a day from traveling to or attempting to enter the United States.\"[1] On December 11, President Trump also said, We caught 10 terrorists over the last very short period of time. Ten.We need the wall.[2] The claim was repeated again by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy on December 13, who said, That on [the southern] border, they catch on average ten known terrorists a day.\nThis is an alarming statistic. If true, 3,600 terrorists are crossing or attempting to cross our southern border every year. This would represent a significant percentage of terrorists worldwide.\nThe President, Vice President, Department of Homeland Security officials, and members of Congress have cited this statistic as evidence of the urgent need of funding for a border wall. However, according to a July 2017 State Department report on terrorism, there is no credible information that any member of a terrorist group has traveled through Mexico to gain access to the United States.\nTherefore, I request that the Department of Homeland Security clarify in writing:\n How do you define known or suspected terrorist'?\n\tHow many terrorists has DHS identified trying to cross our southern border each day? For how many years has this flow of terrorists occurred?\n\tHow many terrorists are identified and stopped by border agents?\n\tFrom where do these terrorists originate? What are their affiliations? What are their goals?\n\tWhere are the terrorists being held? Are they in U.S. prisons or held by the U.S. military?\n\tHave any of these terrorists apprehended at the Southern border been prosecuted in federal court? If so, please provide their case number and citations.\n\tOf the terrorists that do not enter the U.S., are they monitored by the U.S. when they return to Mexico? How many have tried to reenter the U.S.?\n\tIs your agency working with other countries to curb the flow of terrorists reaching the southern border?\n   \n\tSincerely,\nJudy Chu, PhD.  \n\tMember of Congress\n\n\t  \n\t\t[1] https://www.dhs.gov/news/2018/06/12/secretary-nielsen-receives-operational-briefing-israeli-security-technology-delivers\n\t\n\t\n\t\t[2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-border/no-evidence-for-trump-claim-on-terrorists-government-sources-idUSKBN1OB05Y", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/newbury-park-high-schools-nathan-juan-wins-2018-congressional-app-challenge-for-californias-26th-congressional-district/", "Newbury Park High School\u2019s Nathan Juan Wins 2018 Congressional App Challenge for California\u2019s 26th Congressional District", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", "juliabrownley", "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) today announced that Nathan Juan, a junior at Newbury Park High School, won the 2018 Congressional App Challenge for California\u2019s 26th Congressional District. Nathan created FaStats, an app that helps youth sports teams track statistics for fast, easy, and up-to-date results.\n\n\u201cI want to congratulate Nathan on his great work developing this app,\u201d said Congresswoman Brownley. \u201cThe fields of science and technology can play a critical role in young people\u2019s lives and their educational success, and I want to commend all of the students who participated in the Congressional App Challenge this year. The talent and creativity of Ventura County high school students is exceptional.\u201d\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge is a competition organized by Members of Congress across the country for middle school and high school students to create their own software applications and gain experience with computer coding. Submissions from students across Ventura County were judged by a panel of experts, including Brian Ganley, Chief Information Officer for Ventura County; Rodrigo Cardenas, Industry Liaison for VC Innovates; and Catharine Reznicek, Educational Technology Specialist with the Ventura County Office of Education.\n\n\u201cThe process of making my app for the Congressional App Challenge has been a fulfilling journey because I have learned so many new computer science skills and expanded my knowledge in the field,\u201d said Nathan Juan. \u201cI am thankful for Congresswoman Julia Brownley for hosting this event that gives students an opportunity to apply themselves in the STEM field.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am very impressed with all the students and their entries,\u201d said Brian Ganley, Chief Information Officer for Ventura County. \u201cIt was great to see the different approaches, problems, and solutions created by the apps. All of the students did a great job, and I hope they all keep up the great work!\u201d\n\n\u201cI have been a judge for the Congressional App Challenge for the past three years and consistently I see amazing, innovative, and socially relevant work coming from students around the nation,\u201d said Catharine Reznicek, Educational Technology Specialist with the Ventura County Office of Education. \u201cIt is essential to continue supporting students to create, dream, and challenge themselves in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).\u201d\n\nAs the winning submission, Nathan\u2019s app will be featured in the U.S. Capitol Building and on the website of the U.S. House of Representatives. He will also receive $250 in Amazon Web Services credits to support his next technology project.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://khanna.house.gov/media/in-the-news/new-money-rules-democrats", "The New Money Rules for Democrats", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ro Khanna", "K000389", "khanna.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SEN. BERNIE SANDERS OFVermont would seek to raise gobs of money early, with designs on amassing north of $275 million for aprimary campaign.\nFor a significantly lesser known Midwest mayor, like 36-year-old Pete Buttigieg, a haul of just a few million dollars in a quarter would be notable.\nAs a fleet of potential Democratic presidential candidates calculate how much money they can  and will need to  raise for a prospective2020 run,they're also confronting a new reality that where their money comes from could factor almost as greatly as how much they collect.\nOne of the legacies of the 2018 midterm election is the definitive pall it cast on corporate political donations among progressives. More than half of the U.S. House candidates backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee swore off money from corporate political action committees.\nThe year saw high-wattage senators like Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York andKamala Harrisof California swear off corporate PACs as well.\nBeto O'Rourke, who came within 3 points of upsetting Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas, went even further, refusing funding from all types of PACs. He still raked in $80 million and became a national sensation.\nAs a newly Democratic-controlled House readies to move on several pieces of legislation in January aimed at reforming the campaign finance system, exposing \"dark money\" by anonymous donors and strengthening the requirements separating candidates and outside groups, there will be even more pressure to adhere to a fresh set of rules, regardless of whether they are law or not.\n\"We are changing the way campaigns are funded and that is true at all levels, including the presidential,\" says Tiffany Muller, the president of the End Citizens United Action Fund, which seeks to override the 2010 Supreme Court decision that opened the floodgates of unregulated, unlimited money in campaigns. \"We're going to elevate the issue and elevate the candidates who are taking leadership on the issue. We think that the penalty's going to be felt from the voters.\"\nCorporate dollars and PACs are clearly on the outs. For instance, Julian Castro, the former secretary of Housing and Urban Development who just announced a presidential exploratory committee, signaled through a spokesperson he would not accept any PAC donations.\nBut the calculus around super PACs  the outside groups that can accept unlimited sums of money  may be trickier.\nOfficially, candidates are not allowed to coordinate with these lucrative outside entities. But often times, a super PAC is run by a person close to the candidate, like a longtime political adviser or fundraiser, leaving little mystery around the motivations of each side.\nJeb Bush's super PAC, Right to Rise, launched in the first week of January 2015, ultimately raising $118 million for the unsuccessful endeavor. But Bush would regularly appear at \"special events\" for the super PAC, demonstrating how closely the two sides can work together and brush right up against the legal line for maximum advantage.\nA Democrat attempting to mirror that approach in 2020 would get flogged by the left.\n\"I do think that voters are not going to let candidates off the hook simply by saying, \"Well I think there's too much money in politics\" and then going out and collecting massive money from the outside without any disclosure and being unwilling to share any of that information,\" says Rep. Ted Deutch, a Florida Democrat and leading proponent of campaign finance reform. \"The candidates are going to have to answer the question: What are you going to do about it? How committed are you to actually doing something about it?\"\nRep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat who supported Sanders in 2016, says a super PAC in the primary will be an outright vulnerability for a Democratic contender this time.\n\"If there is any link between a candidate and if it looks like they're in any way currying favor or soliciting or facilitating that, I think that will be a big negative,\" Khanna says. \"They should say, 'We don't want any super PACs.'\"\nThe congressman says candidates should go even further and adopt O'Rourke's approach:\n\"Swear off all PAC money  not just corporate PAC money, all PAC money.\"\nBut that might be easier said than done for a candidate who lacks a national following at the starting gate. Marshalling enough resources, especially at the outset, could determine whether the campaign has a shot at catching fire later.\n\"If you're Mike Bloomberg, you can just write a check for your polling in Iowa. For the rest of us, you may see the peculiar phenomenon of exploratory committees used for the actual purpose of exploring,\" says Buttigieg, the South Bend, Indiana, mayor also contemplating a campaign. \"You literally just need the committee to raise money to do the public opinion research.\"\nButtigieg hasn't made any formal decisions about the types money he would refuse in a potential campaign, but in an interview he suggested that disarming in the current system might be foolish.\n\"We want to change the rules, but right now we're operating under a certain set of rules,\" he says.\nAnd Democrats may be hard pressed to keep such a purist pledge through a general election fight against President Donald Trump, a billionaire who has already collected more than $100 million for his re-election.\n\"In the general election ... as a party we'll have to look at not having perhaps unilateral disarmament,\" Khanna says. \"It would be foolish to rule it out against a Republican onslaught.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-statement-on-the-immigration-case-of-shaima-swileh", "Congresswoman Lee Statement on the Immigration Case of Shaima Swileh", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.18\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Statement on the Immigration Case of Shaima Swileh \n\t\t\tOakland, CA  Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement regarding the immigration case of Shaima Swileh:\r\nAs a mother myself, I am stunned by the cruelty of barring a mother from reuniting with her sick child. The case of Shaima Swileh shows clearly the damage wreaked on families across this country by the Trump administration's un-American travel ban. I am committed to doing all I can to fight it and to restore decency and humanity to our nation's immigration laws. I have written to the State Department to urge this administration to grant Swileh's request for a ban waiver and will work with her family and federal authorities to help reunite her with her son, Abdullah.\r\n### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lieu-joins-california-members-calling-additional-federal-wildfire", "REP LIEU JOINS CALIFORNIA MEMBERS CALLING FOR ADDITIONAL FEDERAL WILDFIRE FUNDING", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ted Lieu", "L000582", "lieu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) joined Members of Congress from California to urge leadership on the Appropriations and Ways and Means Committee to include$9.054 billion and tax relief for the communities impacted by the wildfires in a disaster supplemental funding package. The supplemental funding package will assist Californians who were devastated by a string of recent wildfires in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties.\nIn the letter, the Members write:\n As you know, last month California was devastated by the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in our state's history. We are writing to ask that you include $9.054 billion and tax relief for the communities impacted by the wildfires as requested by the State of California in a disaster supplemental funding package.\n\tOn November 12, President Trump granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of California as a result of the wildfires. In the previous week, the Camp, Hill, and Woolsey fires had begun, burning more than 247,000 acres and destroying more than 20,000 structures across Butte, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties. The Camp Fire became the most destructive and deadliest fire in the state's history taking the lives of more than 85 individuals, with a number of residents still unaccounted for. In Southern California, three were confirmed dead. Throughout the state thousands have been left homeless. To make matters worse, residents are now dealing with storms and resulting flooding and mudslides.\n\tWe appreciate your efforts to provide assistance to California and other areas affected by major disasters in past years. As you know, on November 28, the Director of California's Office of Emergency Services wrote to Speaker Ryan, Democratic Leader Pelosi, Chairman Frelinghuysen, and Ranking Member Lowey with an initial request of $9.054 billion in disaster funding as well as tax relief for impacted communities. We strongly support this request and urge you to include it as you develop a supplemental funding package.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-and-huffman-announce-federal-grant-for-sonoma-county-water-project", "Thompson and Huffman Announce Federal Grant for Sonoma County Water Project", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington  Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $2.9 million to the Sonoma County Water Agency for relocation of a portion of the water supply pipeline outside a hazard zone, providing for increased resiliency to future disasters.\nEnsuring our community is better prepared to withstand disasters is one of my highest priorities in Congress, which is why I am proud to announce this federal funding that will shore up our water transmission systems across Sonoma County, said Thompson. Our water infrastructure must be modernized and ready to continue serving the customers who rely on it, no matter the disaster scenario.\nIn aftermath of the catastrophic wildfires that rocked Northern California, we must do everything we can ensure our communities are as ready as possible for future disasters, said Huffman. I'm glad to announce that the Sonoma Counter Water Agency will receive this federal support to update their water infrastructure to be prepared in case of emergency. We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners to ensure that our districts have every resource needed during the long path to recovery and resiliency.\nWe are very grateful for this show of support from our federal partners. This project will increase the resiliency and reliability of our water transmission system, said James Gore, Chair of the Sonoma Water Board of Directors. This will help us maintain safe and reliable drinking water for our 600,000 customers in the event of an earthquake. Investing in our critical infrastructure is one of the most important services that government provides.\n###\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5thCongressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties.He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force as well as the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/pelosi-updates/trumpshutdown", "#TrumpShutdown", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Another Senseless Shutdown\nRepublicans stillcontrolthe House, the Senate and the White House. They have both the responsibility and the power to keep government open  instead of shutting down the government and hurting people in the middle of the holiday season and a time of greateconomic uncertainty.\nThis week, before the eyes of the American people, President Trump declared that he would be proud toshut down the governmentif he cannot force American taxpayers to spend billions of dollars on an immoral, ineffective and expensive wall.\nCongresswoman Pelosi and Senator Schumer leaving the White House after a meeting with President Donald Trump. Photo: Andrew Harnik, Associated Press\nDemocrats presented the President with two clear options to keep the government open: either pass the six bipartisan appropriations bills along with a one-year continuing resolution for Homeland Security bill, or pass a one-year continuing resolution for all seven remaining appropriations bills. It is President Trump's choice to accept one of those options or shut the government down.\nIf Republicans steer our nation into a Trump Shutdown, in January the House Democratic Majority will swiftly pass the appropriation bills with a CR for Homeland Security to re-open government.\nPassing of Bill Newsom\nPaul and I wereheartbrokento learn of the passing of our dear friend, Bill Newsom. All who were privileged to know Bill knew him as a gentleman of deep principles, great modesty and exceptional generosity. His cherished friendship, long public service and dedication to the arts leave a beautiful and lasting legacy for America.\nThe passing of Bill Newsom is a great personal and official loss for all who were fortunate enough to call him friend. May it be a comfort to Bill's children, Hilary and Governor-Elect Gavin Newsom, and his loved ones that so many grieve with and pray for them at this sad time.\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMy office was able to assist a constituent in advocating for his full backpay amount for a period of 3 years while he was awaiting approval of his disability benefits. Because of our advocacy, my constituent received $76,922 in addition to his monthly disability payments.Caseworkers in my San Francisco office work to address any problems or concerns you may have with a federal government agency. To submit a Casework Authorization Form, pleasevisitmy website.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://susandavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=393009", "Congresswoman Susan Davis Pushes President to Act on Climate Change", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Susan Davis", "D000598", "susandavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON (December 17, 2018) - Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) joined House colleagues in calling on President Trump to take action to address the warnings laid out in a federal report on climate change. Known as the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA), the report details serious and devastating consequences unless more is done to reduce pollution and carbon emissions. Despite the level of evidence provided in the report, Trump has dismissed the findings.\r\nWe ask that you heed the dire warning of the Fourth National Climate Assessment and work with us to protect the health of our planet, the Members wrote. It is the most comprehensive science-based evaluation of the consequences of climate change, the risks of inaction, and potential adaptation strategies for the United States to date. The NCA adds to the overwhelming research indicating that the consequences of inaction on climate change will be serious and swift.\r\nThe full letter can be read here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3AE9A166-0915-4AC3-A27E-F40E6AC4D28A", "Feinstein Requests Answers on Death of  Jakelin Caal Maquin", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today requested that Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Jakelin Caal Maquin and cooperate with an Inspector General investigation.\r\nFeinstein writes: The timeline and explanation provided by Border Patrol Friday evening provides no details as to what happened to the child on the bus, it does not clarify when Border Patrol was made aware of the girl's condition, nor does it explain why a helicopter was not called to take the girl directly to a hospital. Please provide a more detailed explanation of what happened, including the specific circumstances of her medical care while in Border Patrol custody and details of her initial medical screening. Please also preserve any and all evidence related to the death.\r\nFull text of the letter follows:\r\nDecember 17, 2018\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Kevin K. McAleenan\r\nCommissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection\r\n1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW\r\nWashington, DC 20229\r\n\r\nDear Commissioner McAleenan,\r\nI am writing to express my strong concern over the death of a 7-year-old girl, Jakelin Caal Maquin, in Customs and Border Protection custody. I am disappointed that you did not inform Congress about this tragedy, especially when I directly asked you about the treatment of children in custody at last week's oversight hearing. This death raises serious questions about the care of children by Border Patrol.\r\nAccording to the timeline provided by your agency, a group of 163 people, including this child, turned themselves in to Border Patrol at 9:15 PM on December 6, 2018. Reportedly, within 45 minutes, four Border Patrol Agents completed an initial screening of all 163 people. This screening was intended to identify health problems within the group. The Border Patrol timeline then indicates that agents started processing the group for transport to nearest Border Patrol station by 10:00 PM. Tragically, on arrival at the station, the young girl was not breathing and was twice revived by a Border Patrol Emergency Medical Technician. According to initial reports, Jakelin died early in the morning on December 8 of septic shock, fever and dehydration.\r\nBorder Patrol has an obligation to ensure the safety and security of everyone in their care, especially children. It is shocking that a child in the custody of Border Patrol for over eight hours could die of dehydration. Not ensuring that basic necessities are provided to young children who have made the long and arduous journey through the desert, violates legal requirements, national standards, and fundamental decency. I am also distressed about Border Patrol's statements that the child had not eaten or drank water for several days, given the statement issued by Jakelin's family that the child was fed and had sufficient water.\r\nI am deeply concerned that this child's serious medical condition was not discovered during the medical screening, especially because the screening appears to have been conducted in Spanish and documented on a form in English that Jakelin's father was asked to sign  despite the fact that he primarily speaks the Mayan Q'eqchi' language.\r\nI am also concerned about the child's care and treatment when she was in Border Patrol custody. The timeline and explanation provided by Border Patrol Friday evening provides no details as to what happened to the child on the bus, it does not clarify when Border Patrol was made aware of the girl's condition, nor does it explain why a helicopter was not called to take the girl directly to a hospital. Please provide a more detailed explanation of what happened, including the specific circumstances of her medical care while in Border Patrol custody and details of her initial medical screening. Please also preserve any and all evidence related to the death.\r\nI anticipate that you are cooperating with the Inspector General for a full investigation. I appreciate your attention to this serious issue, and I look forward to your prompt response.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\nDianne Feinstein\r\nUnited States Senator\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.harris.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-harris-statement-on-first-step-act", "Senator Harris Statement on FIRST STEP Act", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Kamala Harris", "H001075", "www.harris.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2018\n\t\t\t Senator Harris Statement on FIRST STEP Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) released the following statement today on the FIRST STEP Act:\r\nFor years, we've been offered a false choice on criminal justice policy. It's a choice that suggests we are either soft' on crime or tough' on crime instead of asking: Are we smart on crime?' Americans deserve a criminal justice system that is both fair and smart. By passing the FIRST STEP Act, we can make our criminal justice system smarter.\r\nFor too long, sentencing in our country has been overly severe and has disproportionately targeted communities of color  especially black men. Reforming some of the most draconian federal sentencing laws, including unfair mandatory minimum sentences under two- and three-strikes laws, will make our system more just. Retroactively applying the reduced sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine will make our system more fair. Additionally, allowing judges greater discretion to reduce unfair sentences for low-level, nonviolent drug offenders and eliminate unjust sentencing enhancements will make our system smarter. These reforms are long overdue and I'm proud to support them.\r\nSecond, we must embrace the age-old concept of redemption and offer a way back into society for offenders who are serving time. This bill does that by expanding the ability to use good time credits, and by providing people in prison with greater access to education, substance abuse treatment, and job training. It also eliminates the shackling of pregnant prisoners, requires healthcare products for incarcerated women, and ends federal juvenile solitary confinement. These are all good, smart changes that will provide dignity to those serving prison sentences and offer a path out.\r\nHowever, to be clear, the FIRST STEP Act is very much just that  a First Step. It is a compromise of a compromise, and we ultimately need to make far greater reforms if we are to right the wrongs that exist in our criminal justice system. All of the Act's sentencing reforms should be applied retroactively, and the Act should further expand application of earned good time credits, place more prohibitions on private prisons which profit from the incarceration of individuals, and further limit the use of electronic monitoring.\r\nDespite these concerns, overall, this measure takes positive steps to improve our justice system. I commend Senator Durbin for his steadfast commitment to the reform of our criminal justice system and his leadership on this bill. I also thank Senators Durbin and Booker, Representatives Sheila Jackson-Lee and John Lewis, and the civil rights organizations, for standing together with me to demand that meaningful sentencing reforms be included this past May, when the initial version of the FIRST STEP Act failed to include any sentencing reforms at all.\r\nI have fought to improve our criminal justice system for the better part of my career. This is another step in that direction.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://eshoo.house.gov/issues/environment/eshoo-statement-on-the-departure-of-interior-secretary-ryan-zinke/", "Eshoo Statement on the Departure of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke", "2018-12-16", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Anna Eshoo", "E000215", "eshoo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Eshoo Statement on the Departure of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke \r\n                    December 16th, 2018\r\n                        \r\n                        Palo Alto, CA  Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo released the following statement after Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced he will leave the administration at the end of the year:\nFew cabinet secretaries have violated the public trust and used their office for such undisguised personal gain as Secretary Zinke. During his toxic tenure at the Department of the Interior, he has ignored his responsibilities to act in the public interest and shown he is willing to sell out our nation's public lands and natural resources to the highest bidder.\nThe election of a democratic majority in the House sent a clear message to the Trump Administration that the business-as-usual dealings of the most corrupt cabinet in American history will no longer be tolerated.\nYesterday's announcement is welcome news for our environment and the principle of public accountability in government.\nGood riddance.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 3864, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "CA", "p2": "2018"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 3864, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=CA&year=2018", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 3864, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2018&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "CA", "label": "CA", "count": 3864, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2018", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "2018", "label": "2018", "count": 3864, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2018-12-16,https~3A~2F~2Feshoo~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fissues~2Fenvironment~2Feshoo-statement-on-the-departure-of-interior-secretary-ryan-zinke~2F", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2018&_next=2018-12-16%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Feshoo~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fissues~2Fenvironment~2Feshoo-statement-on-the-departure-of-interior-secretary-ryan-zinke~2F&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 1060.3821959812194, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}