Emily Randall

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06), and Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (D, WA-08), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Jared Huffman (D, CA-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Adriano Espaillat (D, NY-13), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Andrea Salinas (D, OR-06), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), Val Hoyle (D, OR-04), Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10), Suzanne Bonamici (D, OR-01), and Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07) sent a letter to U.S. Forest Chief Tom Schultz demanding transparency regarding immigration enforcement activities on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands. This letter comes after a shocking incident over Labor Day Weekend where U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) coordinated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrest five men who were camping with their families in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. As of October 5, 2026, four of the five men arrested remain in detention at the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center. “As Members of Congress representing the Pacific Northwest and Democratic leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Agriculture Committee, we are concerned that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is misusing taxpayer dollars by neglecting their mission and directing career staff to prioritize immigration enforcement on federal public lands. Particularly during a difficult wildfire season, we want to express our gratitude to the Forest Service for fighting wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and across the country,” wrote the members. The U.S. Forest Service has undergone significant funding cuts and reorganizations efforts since the start of Trump’s second term. Since 2025, the USFS has lost nearly 6,000 workers through DOGE cuts and other factors, raising concerns about wildfire preparedness, forest health research, and public land management. Earlier this year, USFS announced consolidation efforts to shutter research and development facilities nationwide. USFS backtracked on their original proposal to close 57 out of 77 research labs after public outcry. In September 2026, USFS announced they will be closing 23 labs. The 2026 wildfire season is still underway, and Washington state has recorded one of the worst wildfire seasons to date with almost 900,000 acres being burned as of early September. The members conclude the letter by demanding answers to the following questions by October 15, 2026: Questions for the U.S. Forest Service: Which agency first identified those arrested as targets for investigation, when were they identified, and what information about the targets was used to justify the raid? Can you confirm that the law enforcement officers that first approached the families were employees of the USFS? To what extent did USFS participate in the raid, and under what authority? Please provide any agreement or memorandum that governs cooperation between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS. Please provide any agreement or memorandum between the U.S. Forest Service and DHS that governs the collection and sharing of visitors' identification and reservation data with DHS or ICE. What other immigration raids has the U.S. Forest Service participated in since January 21, 2025? What appropriations account(s) has the USFS used to fund its participation in immigration enforcement operations since January 21, 2025, and how much funding has been obligated or expended for this purpose? Has any USFS law enforcement personnel time, budget, or resources been reallocated from other law enforcement priorities (e.g., resource protection, search and rescue, wildfire-adjacent enforcement) to support immigration enforcement operations? If so, how much of this reallocation has been disclosed to Congress since these funds were appropriated for land management and resource protection purposes rather than immigration enforcement? Given limited agency resources, why is it a priority of the USFS to use employees in the targeting of families on public land? The full text of the letter is available HERE. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley introduced a resolution recognizing September 20, 2026, as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day. National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day falls on the anniversary of the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in 2011 and recognizes the courage and contributions of LGBTQ+ Americans who have served our nation. It is estimated that more than 100,000 servicemembers were discharged from the Armed Forces on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity between World War II and 2011. “Service members and Veterans who’ve proudly served our country deserve respect and care no matter who they are or who they love. But this Administration continues to push out trans and queer service members using discriminatory policies that don’t make our military more prepared or our nation more secure. Unacceptable,” said Rep. Randall. “Today, on the 15-year anniversary of the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ – the long-standing policy that kept LGBTQ+ service members in the closet – we honor all LGBTQ+ Americans who have bravely served our country. Today we recommit to fighting for every veteran to receive the dignity, support, and benefits they’ve earned.” “America’s servicemembers and veterans come from all walks of life, but they all share a common commitment to serve our nation,” said Sen. Merkley. “These heroes put on their uniform knowing their country would likely ask them to hide who they are, deny who they love, or punish them simply for living openly. For generations, LGBTQ+ Americans have answered the call to serve, and we should honor their service and acknowledge the discrimination they endured.” The resolution calls for greater awareness of the historical and ongoing injustices faced by LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans, including discriminatory military policies, unjust discharges, and bans on transgender military service and health care. It also urges the federal government to support LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans and ensure they receive the recognition and benefits they have earned through their service. The Trump Administration continues to pursue policies restricting transgender Americans’ ability to serve openly in the military. The ban on transgender military service and additional restrictions on gender-affirming care continue to be litigated in federal court, with the Trump Administration asking the Supreme Court to uphold the ban on transgender troops, threatening the careers of thousands of servicemembers who serve in critical national security roles. Randall and Merkley have led the charge in Congress to support our military readiness and national security by prohibiting discrimination against our servicemembers. Previously, Merkley wrote the No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act, which would ensure that Trump’s hateful anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders, including the ban on transgender servicemembers, have no force or effect, and that no federal funds are used to implement, administer, enforce, or carry out those executive orders. In addition to Randall and Merkley, this resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and U.S. Representatives Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08). This resolution is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, Minority Veterans of America, Modern Military Association of America, Advocates for Transgender Equality, Out in National Security, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Black Veterans Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and SPARTA Pride. “For generations, LGBTQ+ Americans have felt called to service in the U.S. Armed Forces, even as they were prevented from serving openly until recent years. The dire predictions – lately resurrected by anti-equality figures – that claimed that recognizing LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans would somehow harm military readiness or effectiveness, have been conclusively and forever debunked. At a time when transgender servicemembers are seeing their service cut short for no good reason, it’s good to remember we all owe a debt of gratitude to our LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans, and we thank Sen. Merkley and Rep. Randall for this resolution to honor them,” said Jennifer Pike Bailey, Human Rights Campaign Senior Director of Government Affairs. “LGBTQ+ Americans have answered the call to serve this country for generations, often at extraordinary cost to themselves, their families, and their futures,” said Lindsay Church, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Minority Veterans of America. “They put on the uniform knowing their country would likely ask them to hide who they were, deny who they loved, or punish them simply for living openly. LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day is our declaration that our service will not be erased and our sacrifices will not be forgotten. We honor those who served, we reckon with what has been done to them in the name of national defense, and we demand a country worthy of the people who have always been willing to defend it.” “Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) is proud to endorse the National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day Resolution. LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans have defended our nation with courage and distinction in every generation, often while confronting discrimination and barriers simply because of who they are. Even when our nation did not always afford them the dignity or recognition they deserved, they continued to serve and sacrifice. Their service, sacrifice, and stories are an essential part of American military history. We also recognize the families who have supported them and the importance of ensuring servicemembers, veterans, and their families have access to the care they need, including gender-affirming care. This resolution provides an important opportunity to recognize their contributions, acknowledge the harm caused by discriminatory policies, and honor and preserve their legacy for generations to come. MMAA is proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ military and veteran community in honoring their service, sacrifice, and enduring contributions to our nation,” said Hale Allegretti, Modern Military Chair of the Board of Directors, U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. (ret.). “LGBTQ+ Americans have served our country from the founding of the Republic, including during decades when their government asked for their service while denying them equal treatment. National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day honors that service and sacrifice, recognizes the costs of exclusion, and affirms that everyone who raises their hand to serve deserves dignity, respect, and the benefits they have earned. We are grateful to Senator Merkley and Representative Randall for recognizing the generations of LGBTQ+ Americans who have worn the uniform,” said Lucas F. Schleusener, CEO of Out in National Security. “At a time of immense national security challenges, tens of thousands of LGBTQIA+ people are answering the call and proudly serving our nation through military service,” said Brian Dittmeier, Director of LGBTQI+ Equality at the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund. “Their selfless service is undermined by the ongoing attacks by the Trump administration, which is forcing trans people out of military careers and ripping away the benefits they’ve earned through their service. LGBTQIA+ service members and veterans have had to overcome a long legacy of discrimination and exclusion in the military, but despite these challenges, they have continued to excel and rise through the ranks. Now, more than ever, we need leaders in Congress who are willing to stand with our service members and veterans as the administration senselessly undermines our military’s recruitment and readiness. This resolution, led by Sen. Merkley and Rep. Randall, is an important step in ensuring that anyone can put themselves forth to serve this country, regardless of who they are or who they love.” Full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C — Today, U.S. Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06) and Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (D, OR-03) sent a letter to ICE Acting Director, David Venturella, DHS Inspector General, Dr. Joseph Cuffari, and CEO of the GEO Group, George Zoley, calling out the inhumane conditions inside the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center. In their letter, Randall and Dexter call out ICE, GEO, and DHS for failing to meet their obligation to provide access to timely medical services, adequate food, visitation, and other basic services. “We remain deeply concerned about reports of inadequate and delayed access to medical care. Since our first visits in early 2025, numerous constituents have reported having medical issues dismissed and access to care delayed or denied, and this was echoed again during our visit,” wrote Randall and Dexter. “Additionally, we were alarmed to hear about alleged sexual assault occurring within the facility. We were also unable to exercise our congressional oversight authority to inspect the medical area of the facility because no Public Health Service staff were available. In addition, we were informed that access continues to be denied to state health inspectors of Washington’s Department of Health.” In their letter, Randall and Dexter demand answers from ICE, DHS, and the GEO Group on clarifying standards for meal times, medical care, and visiting procedures. The full text of the letter is available HERE. In response to reports of 140+ individuals participating in a hunger strike at the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center, Reps. Randall and Dexter made an unannounced oversight visit on August 15th. While inside, Randall and Dexter met with a hunger striker and heard firsthand about the delayed meal times, inedible food, and lack of timely medical care being provided to detainees. Photos and a video recording of the members’ Q&A following their visit is available HERE. Following the members’ visit, the hunger strike ended on August 20th and ICE and GEO agreed to make some changes to improve conditions inside the facility. During the unannounced visit, Rep. Dexter, who practiced as a critical care and lung physician for more than 20 years, raised serious concerns about reports that people detained at the facility have gone on a hunger strike over food and poor living conditions. Dexter explained that inadequate nutrition and prolonged hunger can cause serious health risks, particularly for people with underlying medical conditions.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06),sent a letterto Acting Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Robert Fenton, demanding answers to why FEMA continues to delay funds that were awarded to the Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project, and why the funding will be $12.35 million less than what was originally approved for the project. Randall also calls attention to concerning reports that the Trump administration has been diverting FEMA funds to the Department of Homeland Security. “FEMA Region 10 approved their request at $47 million, but headquarters denied that amount and replaced it with $34.65 million of grant funding. To make matters worse, FEMA intends to disburse funds [in] September 2026, one year later than FEMA previously committed. This community has waited long enough. This is unacceptable and it is dangerous,” wrote Randall. “It is equally concerning to see a new published report by the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management and his staff of July 2026 where it details FEMA, instructed by the Department of Homeland Security, diverted agency resources for immigration enforcement and not for its intended purpose of our country’s disaster readiness,” Randall continued in the letter. The Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project was allocated $87 million in BRIC grants when FEMA abruptly cancelled the program in April 2025, putting the funds on hold. Rep. Randall immediately sent a letter to then DHS Secretary Kristi Noem demanding answers regarding the status of the funding. In December 2025, Judge Richard G. Sterns of the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully ended the BRIC grant program. Rep. Randall sent another letter to Noem in January 2026 urging FEMA to release the funding. FEMA announced they would relaunch the BRIC Grant program on March 18, 2026 only after a federal judge issued a court order on March 6, 2026, giving FEMA two weeks to comply with the ruling and reinstate the funding. Congresswoman Randall is requesting answers to three questions from Acting Administrator Fenton by July 31st, 2026; An updated timeline on the disbursement of the FEMA BRIC funding for the North Shore Levee Project; A recommitment by FEMA to immediately unfreeze and disburse the money originally approved by FEMA Region 10 for the City of Hoquiam and the City of Aberdeen; A third request for a meeting to discuss how FEMA intends to prevent further economic harm in Washington’s 6th District.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2027 by a vote of 216-212. Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06) ultimately voted NO on the overall package, but worked to secure multiple wins for Washington state communities in the bill, including her bipartisan DCIP Tribal Eligibility Act to expand funding opportunities for Tribes that neighbor military installations, and her amendment to extend the annual cyber resiliency assessment requirement for the nuclear command and control system until December 31, 2035. "In Washington’s 6th district, collaboration and partnerships between local military installations and Tribal Nations are vital for military readiness,” said Rep. Randall when the bill was introduced earlier this year. “Tribal Nations do critical work to support Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Naval Base Kitsap, and other military installations. This legislation would correct a long-standing inequity and open up new funding opportunities for Tribal governments to continue these key partnerships." The Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) Tribal Eligibility Act would change program eligibility requirements to allow Tribal governments to apply for grants under DCIP. Currently, Tribal governments are ineligible to apply for funding under DCIP’s grant authority, despite their role in supporting military installations and defense communities nationwide. Randall introduced the bill alongside Rep. Rob Wittman (R, VA-01) in February. “Tribal Nations are proud partners in our nation's defense. By ensuring tribal governments are eligible for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, Congress is strengthening military readiness and reinforcing the government-to-government relationship between Tribal Nations and the United States. The Suquamish Tribe strongly supports this legislation. The Tribe has long partnered with the three installations that comprise Naval Base Kitsap, located within our aboriginal homelands, and looks forward to continued collaboration to advance critical infrastructure, regional stability, and mission success. We would like to thank Representative Randall and Representative Wittman for their leadership,” said Josh Bagley, Vice Chair of the Suquamish Tribe when the bill was introduced. Historically, the DCIP provides grants to state and local governments for off-base infrastructure that supports military installations. These investments strengthen military readiness and benefit service members and their families by improving transportation, schools, utilities, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure. Tribal nations who neighbor military bases are often already doing this work to support critical infrastructure projects that support military communities. This bill would amend the current language to include Tribal governments as eligible, “state and local,” entities in order to apply for DCIP grants. Randall ultimately voted no on the overall NDAA package: “I’m voting no on the NDAA. As someone who represents so many military-connected families at Naval Base Kitsap and Joint Base Lewis-McChord — it's not something I'm excited about. “I worked hard to make this bill as good as possible; to ensure that we're offering support for military families, wages and benefits support, infrastructure investments, and including my bill to ensure that Tribal nations are eligible entities for DCIP or [the] Defense Community Infrastructure Program to invest in the needs of communities surrounding naval installations and military installations. “But I can't vote for this bill because it gives Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump unchecked power to continue pointless wars in Iran, to ban trans kids from getting gender-affirming care [through] TRICARE – even mental health care, bans [trans] kids [from] playing sports [on military bases], and it doesn't meet the needs of our communities.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Last night, U.S. Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06), co-chair of the new Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force, spoke on the House floor alongside her fellow task force members to call attention to President Trump and Stephen Miller’s persistent attacks on birthright citizenship. The Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force will engage experts and convene Members to defend the Constitution, coordinate oversight and public education campaigns, and respond to actions by the Trump Administration that undermine the rights and protections guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. “Donald Trump and Stephen Miller attempted to rewrite the Constitution through an executive order banning birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants — the same legal arguments that were first used when a white supremacist wanted to deny U.S. citizenship to Chinese Americans,” said Rep. Randall on the House floor. “This is all part of a larger agenda to dehumanize Black and Brown people in this country, to strip away their rights, and to normalize questioning who belongs here, who is American enough.” On January 20, 2025, the first day of President Trump’s second term in office, he signed Executive Order 14160, aimed at stripping birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants. Trump’s EO was immediately challenged, and the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear oral arguments on April 1, 2026. On June 30, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to strike down Trump’s Executive Order and upheld birthright citizenship. The Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force was launched shortly thereafter, with members voicing serious concern that four Justices ruled in favor of abolishing our constitutional amendment. “Last week's decision affirmed the actual words in the constitution — that if you are born in this country, you are a citizen of this country — but the fact the 4 justices dissented shows that we’re not safe from these continuous attacks from Donald Trump, his administration, and what is an activist and extremist conservative Supreme Court. We have to continue fighting to ensure that the citizens of the United States are protected and that nothing erodes that constitutional protection,” said Representative Emily Randall (D, WA-06). Congresswoman Randall will be co-chairing the task force alongside Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (D, MO-05), Analilia Mejia (D, NJ-11), Lateefah Simon (D, CA-12), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10).

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, U.S. Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06) joined 103 members of the House Democratic Caucus in voting YES on an amendment that would cut $3.3 billion in annual funding for military aid to Israel. The amendment ultimately failed 104-313. Randall released this statement immediately after the vote: “My neighbors have been clear – they don’t want to see more of their taxpayer dollars go towards subsidizing Netanyahu’s endless violence and destabilization of Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and the region at large – especially not without any accountability or oversight for how American weapons are being used. “While I’m concerned about how the broad language in this amendment will affect the flow of humanitarian assistance, the risk of approving more offensive military aid without any guardrails is too great and will continue to put innocent civilians in harm's way. “My vote reflects the need for a fundamental change in our approach to the far-right Netanyahu government – one that is long overdue. That means no more additional funding for offensive weapons. I remain committed to protecting the flow of humanitarian aid while ending unconditional and unchecked military support.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, joined U.S. Representative Al Green (D, TX-09), a longtime leader in Congress on LGBTQIA+ equality and lead sponsor of the Pride Month Resolution, in introducing the Original Pride Month Resolution of 2026. As LGBTQIA+ communities across the county continue to face unprecedented attacks on their rights and freedoms, this resolution reaffirms Congress’s commitment to equality, dignity, and inclusion for all people. “The Trump administration has repeatedly targeted the rights of LGBTQIA+ people, especially transgender people,” reads the resolution text. “The American Civil Liberties Union is currently tracking more than 525 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills that have been introduced in State legislatures across the United States thus far in 2026. Many of these bills disproportionately target transgender individuals, including by restricting access to health care, education, public accommodations, legal recognition, and other aspects of public life.” Immediately after the resolution was introduced, Rep. Randall spoke on the House floor and pushed back on several anti-LGBTQ+ amendments that are being considered in this years’ National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). A video of Randall’s remarks is available HERE, and full transcript HERE. Not even 6 months into 2026, 529 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country and at the federal level. These measures seek to restrict transgender individuals' access to restrooms and participation in sports, limit discussion of LGBTQIA+ topics in school curriculum, and expand religious exemptions that allow for discrimination of LGBTQIA+ people. The resolution text continues: “Despite these attacks, the inclusion and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ persons in the United States continues to expand, with an understanding that Americans will remain steadfast in pursuing the goal of complete equality and respect for all, regardless of whom they love or who they are...the United States must continue to strive to ensure that the promise of equality is realized for all people of the United States.” The Original Pride Month Resolution of 2026; Recognizes that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) rights are human rights and are protected by the Constitution; Recognizes that all United States citizens should be treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, sex characteristics, or gender identity and that LGBTQIA+ history plays an integral role in the history of the United States; Acknowledges the struggle of the Stonewall Inn and Gene Compton’s Cafeteria protesters and countless other lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people for equality; Encourages the celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month to provide a continuing opportunity for all people in the United States to learn about the discrimination and inequality that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people have faced, and continue to face, in tandem with triumphs over tragedy and victories in spite of barriers; and Agrees that the United States must continue to strive to ensure that the promise of equality is realized for all people of the United States.