{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=663", "Rep. Balint to Speak at the \u201cPeople\u2019s State of the Union\u201d and stand with Americans Impacted by Trump Instead of President\u2019s Address", "2026-02-24", "2026", "2026-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) today announced that she will join Democratic colleagues, community leaders, and Americans directly impacted by the Trump Administration\u2019s policies at the People\u2019s State of the Union on the National Mall, rather than attend President Trump\u2019s State of the Union address.\n\nHosted by MoveOn, the People\u2019s State of the Union will feature members of Congress alongside constituents and storytellers speaking about the real-world impacts of the Trump administration\u2019s decisions \u2014 including health care cuts, rising costs, attacks on Constitutional rights and ICE\u2019s violent immigration enforcement actions.\n\n\u201cThe State of the Union is meant to be a serious reflection of our nation\u2019s progress, our shortfalls, and the path forward,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cInstead of sitting through what has become President Trump\u2019s annual self-congratulation, misinformation, and division speech, I look forward to a night of standing with colleagues, organizers, advocates, and everyday Americans who are committed to doing the real and honest work of protecting our rights, strengthening our communities, and holding those in power accountable.\u201d\n\nRep. Balint will be joined by Mohsen Mahdawi, a Vermont constituent, student leader, and advocate for Palestinian human rights whose life has been directly affected by Trump\u2019s attack on Americans\u2019 First Amendment rights.\n\n\u201cVermont and the United States have become home to me not only by residence, but through the love, safety and solidarity I have experienced in this community,\u201d said Mr. Mahdawi. \u201cThat is why being imprisoned on the very day I sought citizenship was not only devastating but also a profound betrayal of the principles on which this country was founded. I remain steadfast in my commitment to this country\u2019s ideals, my recognition of the power of our voices, and my belief in the principles of democracy. Palestinians and Americans are fighting the same fight, a fight for dignity and rights without conditions. When we stand together across movements, across borders, across every line they use to divide us, we make it impossible to ignore that love is stronger than fear, hope is more powerful than despair, and freedom will always outlast oppression.\u201d\n\nThe event begins at 8:00 PM ET on the National Mall and will be livestreamed. Press interested in covering this event in person should register their interest here.\n\nAbout Mohsen Mahdawi\n\nBorn and raised in Al-Far\u2019a refugee camp in the West Bank of Palestine, Mohsen Mahdawi's early years were defined by Israeli military occupation. At twenty-four, he moved to the United States and experienced freedom and safety for the first time in his life, finding in Vermont a true home rooted in belonging and the strength of a supportive community. At Columbia University, he became a leading voice for Palestinian rights through dialogue and coalition-building, including with Jewish and Israeli communities.\n\nIn April 2025 when Mohsen walked into an immigration office for his citizenship interview and was handcuffed and detained by ICE in retaliation for his pro-Palestinian activism. Mohsen continues his graduate studies in Diplomacy while defending his rights in courts and building an organization dedicated to human rights and nonviolent conflict resolution.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:03:58Z"]], "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"], "primary_key_values": ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=663"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.792067963629961, "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"}