Lateefah Simon

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (CA-12) introduced two bills to reduce voting barriers by improving accessibility for voters, especially older Americans and people with disabilities, and bolster election security. She joined Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) in introducing The Accessible Voting Act; and she joined Reps. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) in introducing The Dropbox Access Act. The Accessible Voting Act would establish the Office of Accessibility within the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to oversee state and local elections to ensure that voter accessibility needs are adequately met, by expanding the number of options to fairly cast ballots. The bill would also establish a website for National Voter Accessibility and fund a National Resource Center to further train election officials and poll workers on accessibility. The Dropbox Access Act, would require states to provide in-person, secure, and clearly labeled ballot drop boxes in every county for federal elections. The bill would require counties to provide a minimum of one drop box per 20,000 voting-age residents and require that drop boxes are accessible 24 hours a day starting from 45 days before the election until polls close. As the first congenitally blind Member of Congress, Congresswoman Simon is committed to defending the civil rights of Americans with disabilities and has continuously opposed rollbacks of disability protections. She has introduced numerous pieces of legislation aimed at expanding accessibility in small businesses and public transportation, and she has pressed the Trump Administration on their failure to protect workers with disabilities. “Our elders fought for our voting rights with blood, sweat, and tears – and yet too many people, particularly older Americans and Americans with disabilities, still face barriers to voting such as inaccessible polling locations or access to voter information. Both the Accessible Voting Act and Dropbox Access Act will improve voter accessibility for requesting mail-in ballots, accessing voter registration info, and when showing up to the ballot box,” said Rep. Simon. “As the first congenitally blind Member of Congress, improving accessibility to ensure that all Americans can equally access resources and participate in society is a top priority of mine. I am proud to lead on these bills with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon to ensure ALL individuals can equally participate in local and federal elections to make their rightful voices heard.” “Our democracy thrives when every eligible voter is able to participate, and these bills will remove barriers that all too often make it more difficult for Americans to cast their ballots. I’ve seen how expanding accessibility and access to ballot boxes has improved voter turnout and engagement in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Scanlon. “I’m proud to introduce these bills to advance more equitable and just voting policies for all Americans.” “American democracy works best when all citizens can participate and vote, no matter where they’re from, what language they speak or whether they live with a disability,” said Rep. Raskin. “Our Accessible Voting Act strengthens access to the ballot box and addresses a wide range of systemic deficiencies, so no eligible voter is left alone to overcome barriers to casting a ballot.” “The ability for everyone to have their voice heard is central to our American ideals—yet too often people with disabilities face unnecessary barriers in both registering to vote and casting their ballots, preventing them from fully participating in our democracy,” said Rep. Dean. “This legislation will help improve registration processes and eliminate barriers to voting, including by reauthorizing grants to improve voting accessibility for older Americans and those with disabilities. By breaking down these barriers, our communities can be better represented by every voice. I'm thankful to partner with Congresswoman Scanlon and Congressman Raskin to pass these essential bills.” “We should be making it more accessible for Americans to vote, not harder,” said Rep. Garcia. “But the Trump administration and its Republican allies continue to attack voting rights and put up new barriers to the ballot box. That is why I am proud to once again co-lead the Dropbox Access Act, a practical bill to make sure voters have fair, accessible options to return their ballots. We should be protecting the right to vote, not suppressing it.” Find the full text for the Accessible Voting Act here. Find the full text for the Dropbox Access Act here. ###

OAKLAND, CA – This week, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) hosted, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA-05), the highest-ranking woman in the House of Representatives, in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood. They visited the Unity Council’s Head Start and Early Head Start Preschool facilities and La Clínica de La Raza, a federally qualified health center, to meet with families, frontline health care staff, and care workers who have been impacted by Republicans’ devastating federal aid cuts. President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ “One Big, Cruel, Ugly Bill” has made deep cuts to federal funding for healthcare, childcare, education, and food assistance programs. In California’s 12th Congressional District, it is estimated that 31,000 people are experiencing rising healthcare costs and 35, 595 people will lose health coverage because of Republican cuts to Medi-Cal and decision to end enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits. In Congress, Congresswoman Simon has consistently fought against cuts to Medicaid/Medi-CAL and SNAP and attempts to gut Head Start. “My daughter was a Head Start child, and I know intimately that federally supported childcare and healthcare is a lifeline for many families. It allows children to learn safely and be healthy while their parents attend school or work in our local businesses,” said Congresswoman Simon. “Whip Clark and I are taking everything we heard from our visit back to D.C., where we are hell bent on fighting this Administration and reversing their harmful policies so our Head Starts, our community health centers, our care workers, our families have everything they need to continue growing and being brilliant.” "Congresswoman Lateefah Simon is an unrivaled champion for working families," said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. "It was a privilege to join her in Oakland to see firsthand what communities need from the federal government: investments in healthcare, childcare, and the wellbeing of regular people, not giveaways to the ultra-rich. While the Republican Party continues to bend its knee to the billionaire class, Democrats are ready to take back the People's House and get to work for the working class.” “We are honored to welcome Congresswoman Simon and Democratic Whip Clark to Fruitvale and share firsthand the impact of The Unity Council’s work,” said CEO of The Unity Council, Chris Iglesias. “From giving our youngest learners, a strong foundation at our De Colores Head Start, to bringing La Catrina de Oakland to Fruitvale as a powerful celebration of culture and community, our work is rooted in creating opportunities and strengthening families. Their visit underscores the importance of continued investment in the people, programs, and places that allow communities like Fruitvale to thrive." “At our De Colores Head Start Center, we see every day how a strong start can shape not only a child’s future, but an entire families’,” said Chief Early Learning Officer of The Unity Council, Luis Arenas. “Head Start creates opportunities for children to learn and grow while giving parents the support and resources they need to move their families forward. We were proud to welcome Congresswoman Simon and Democratic Whip Clark into our classrooms and share the real, lasting impact this work has on families throughout our community.” “We are deeply grateful to Whip Katherine Clark and Congresswoman Lateefah Simon for visiting La Clínica and for their tireless advocacy on behalf of the communities we serve. Their visit shows what federal investment looks like on the ground, and highlights what is at risk when coverage and resources for community health centers are reduced,” said La Clínica CEO, Jane García. “What’s at stake is whether parents can get their children to the doctor, whether patients can access dental and behavioral health care along with primary care, whether families can afford their medications, and whether community health centers have the resources to keep the staff who provide this care. La Clínica thanks Whip Clark and Congresswoman Simon for listening to our patients and staff and for bringing their voices back to Washington. The decisions made there have very real impacts here in the Bay Area.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Simon (CA-12) alongside Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), and Tom Kean (R-NJ-07) introduced a bipartisan resolution commemorating the 27th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision, Olmstead v. L.C.. The Olmstead decision prohibits the unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities and ensures Americans with disabilities can live full, independent lives and categorized the unjustified institutionalization of people with disabilities as discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As the Olmstead decision comes under attack from the Trump Administration, this bipartisan resolution reaffirms the right that people with disabilities have to live, work, and participate in their own homes and communities with independence and dignity. As the first congenitally blind Member of Congress, Congresswoman Simon is committed to defending the disability community from attacks by the Trump Administration and advancing policies that expand accessibility. Congresswoman Simon recently condemned the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services’ move to dispute the Olmstead integration mandate and undermine the key protections outlined by the Olmstead decision. "Community-based services and supports work. They are more cost-effective, produce better health and quality-of-life outcomes, and honor people with disabilities’ autonomy and self-determination. The consequences of weakening the integration mandate would be profound and impact millions of Americans’ ability to access home and community-based services that allow them to remain among their families, maintain employment, pursue education, and participate in civic life," said Congresswoman Simon. "That's why as the first congenitally blind Member to serve in Congress, I am proud to join my colleagues to reaffirm our bipartisan commitment to the Olmstead decision and fight any attempts to diminish the civil rights of the disability community." "It is essential that people with disabilities continue to have the right to live, work, and thrive in their own communities with dignity," said Congresswoman Dingell. "This bipartisan resolution reaffirms that we will not allow hard won progress to be rolled back, and that we will continue to protect and support the rights enshrined by the Olmstead decision for every person whose lives it has changed for the better." "Although the Olmstead decision was issued more than twenty‑five years ago, its significance remains just as strong today. I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution, reaffirming our commitment to ending discrimination based on disability," said Congressman Kean. "For 27 years, the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C. has informed the advancement of policies to empower individuals with disabilities to live and work independently in our communities," said Congresswoman Scanlon. "Recent attempts to undermine the Olmstead integration mandate and roll back those policies raises new opportunities for discrimination against our friends and neighbors with disabilities, and harms the larger community. I’m proud to join my House colleagues in recognizing Olmstead’s anniversary and recommitting ourselves to protecting community integration for the good of all." "Olmstead affirmed a fundamental principle: every American deserves the freedom and opportunity to build a full life in the community they call home. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, that principle has always been at the heart of my work to break down barriers, strengthen independence, and ensure all Americans with disabilities have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. Twenty-seven years later, our responsibility is not simply to recognize the progress Olmstead made possible, but to protect it, build upon it, and ensure that progress is never reversed," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. The resolution is endorsed by the Caring Across Generations, United Spinal, ANCOR, Autism Self Advocacy Network, National Council on Independent Living, American Association of People with Disabilities, and the National Disability Rights Network. A copy of the resolution can be found HERE. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswomen Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) recently announced that Congresswomen Lateefah Simon (CA-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), and Shontel Brown (OH-11) will take up the mantle as the new Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls (CCBWG) in the 120th Congress. Despite more than 430 registered Congressional caucuses and Member organizations in 2016, until the creation of the CCBWG, no group on Capitol Hill had sought to make Black women and girls a priority in policy debates. Inspired by the #SheWoke Committee, a collective of seven women leaders with a shared vision of advocacy, equity, and sisterhood; Reps. Clarke, Kelly, and Watson Coleman created the Caucus to advance policies that eliminate barriers and disparities experienced by Black women. With Congresswomen Kelly and Watson Coleman departing at the conclusion of the 119th Congress, Congresswomen Simon, McIver, and Brown will take their place alongside Rep. Clarke. "I am deeply honored to join the Caucus on Black Women and Girls as a Co-Chair next Congress and pick up the mantle from Congresswomen Bonnie Watson Coleman, Yvette Clarke, and Robin Kelly," said Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. "I started my career working with young girls who were impacted by the criminal justice system, and I know intimately that in every aspect of life from school to the workplace — Black women and girls face unique opportunities and challenges. Congress can and should do more to ensure that our federal policies see and serve Black women and girls equally, and I look forward to working with my Co-Chairs on this caucus to advance these efforts. Thank you to Congresswomen Watson Coleman, Clarke, and Kelly for the pioneering work you have done to advocate for our girls in Congress — the fight continues.” “I’m incredibly appreciative of the work Congresswomen Clarke and Kelly and I have accomplished over the last decade,” said Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman. “It has truly been an honor and a privilege having them as partners as we did our best to help further cultivate a sisterhood here in Congress. Forming this caucus was already critical at the time, but its work and impact is exponentially more important today. And while we’ve made great strides in representation over the years, there is much more to do in order to make our voices heard in every facet of our society and to ensure policies don’t have an unintended negative impact on our communities. It feels like the last ten years have flown by, but it is indeed time. I am proud to pass the baton to Congresswomen LaMonica McIver, Lateefah Simon, and Shontel Brown – three outstanding women who have already demonstrated leadership by fighting for the right things and making sure Black women’s voices are heard. I’ll miss the Caucus, but I’m fully confident that we’re leaving it in great hands and that they will take it to the next level. America is primed for a better future when everyone has a seat at the table. Instead of waiting for a spot to open up, my sisters have brought their own chair.” "Over the last ten years, my co-chairs and I, Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman and Yvette Clarke, have put our hearts into building this Caucus from the ground up to highlight both the extraordinary successes and the ongoing plight of Black women across America, ensuring our voices are heard and represented in Congress," said Representative Robin Kelly. "It has been a true honor to lead alongside them. While leaving this leadership legacy is bittersweet, I am thrilled to welcome Reps. Shontel Brown, LaMonica McIver, and Lateefah Simon as the new co-chairs, alongside Representative Yvette Clarke. They each bring their own powerful vision, passion, and lived experiences to this work, and I know that the mantle we built together is in wonderful hands as they lead our Caucus into its next decade of progress." "Words cannot fully express my gratitude to my fellow Black Women & Girls Caucus Co-Chairs, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Robin Kelly, for their years of hard work, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to bringing greater attention to the systemic challenges facing Black women and girls and ensuring their voices are heard and represented in Congress," said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. "While I am saddened to see my sisters depart, I am excited to welcome Reps. Shontel Brown, LaMonica McIver, and Lateefah Simon as the new Co-Chairs. I look forward to working alongside them as we pick up the mantle and continue fighting for the equity, opportunity, and justice our Black women and girls deserve, especially as this administration continues to target Black women in the workplace, threaten equitable access to healthcare, and undermine the support systems our communities rely on. The work continues, and I look forward to advancing this important mission with our new Co-Chairs." "Black women and girls play a vital role in shaping politics and policy, bringing invaluable perspectives and experience to the table,” said Representative Lamonica McIver. “Too often, that contribution is undervalued and overlooked. We face barriers to entry, and barriers to success. Under the leadership of Reps. Watson Coleman, Kelly, and Clarke, this caucus has done the important work of amplifying our voices and confronting the systemic inequalities that silence us. I am humbled and excited to carry that legacy forward, and deeply grateful to the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls for what they have built. I am also grateful beyond words to Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, who has been a light to me personally; my co-chairs and I will do all we can to carry on what she has built." “I am honored to become the new Co-Chair of the Black Women and Girls Caucus,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown. “As a Black woman and a Black lawmaker, it is incredibly frustrating to watch the current administration weaponize policies designed to help the very communities they have locked out of the conversation.” “This Caucus has been critical in countering those efforts by shining a national spotlight on the issues that disproportionately impact our community. But our work has to be about more than defense. We have an opportunity to set a forward-looking agenda that expands opportunity, protects the rights of Black women and girls, and makes sure they have a real voice in shaping the policies that affect their lives. I am so grateful for the leadership of Reps. Clarke, Kelly and Watson Coleman in this Caucus, which has led to the advancement of long overdue legislation that supports Black women. From the Crown Act to the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act, the Members have shown that they are fighters for meaningful change for our women and girls. The legacy that they leave behind is one that I am proud to carry forward." ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (CA-12) and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) introduced the Confronting and Correcting Historical Injustices Act, legislation that would establish a “Commission for Review and Correction of Historical Injustices” to identify, investigate, and remedy instances of historical injustice and discrimination carried out by federal agencies. “For far too long, communities – particularly Black and brown communities - have been subjected to discriminatory practices at the hands of our own government without proper accountability or acknowledgement. This current moment in history, when the Trump Administration is killing American citizens and terrorizing immigrant communities, demonstrates that the legacy of horrific violence and racial inequality towards immigrant communities by the federal government continues,” said Congresswoman Simon. “This legislation establishes a path to address these injustices and demand the accountability communities deserve. “I am proud to reintroduce this legislation with my colleague Congressman DeSaulnier and carry forward the torch lit by Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. “In order to realize the founding ideals of our country, we must recognize and address the darker chapters in its history marked by discrimination and hate,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier. “I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Simon, who has been a strong leader on this issue, in introducing this legislation that will bring us closer to the promise of equality and justice for all.” The independent Commission established by this legislation would: Review cases of discrimination where individuals or groups have not received compensation for the actions of the federal agency; Recommend further legislative or executive action to address and resolve discriminatory instances; Establish a procedure for the public to submit discrimination cases for review; Hold the authority to issue a subpoena to any federal agency that the Commission deems necessary. This bill was partially inspired by the case of the Port Chicago 50; and the legislation was previously introduced by then-Congresswoman, now Mayor of Oakland, Barbara Lee, and Congressman DeSaulnier in the 118th Congress. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (CA-12) and Congressman Mark Alford (MO-4) introduced the 504 Program Level Flexibility Act, a bill that would allow the Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase the 504 loan program’s annual lending limit by up to 15 percent once per fiscal year. The SBA’s 504 loan program grants long-term, fixed-rate loans of up to $5.5 million to support investments in assets such as buildings, land, machinery, and equipment. This program is a critical tool for helping entrepreneurs start, grow, and invest in their businesses by making major fixed-asset investments more affordable. In July 2021, the SBA alerted Congress that the 504 loan program was projected to reach its Fiscal Year 2021 program level limit, which would have forced the program to shut down lending until the next fiscal year. The 504 Program Level Flexibility Act would help prevent future program shutdowns by providing flexibility to prevent the program from being exhausted during periods of heightened loan demands, such as pandemics or recessions, authorizing the SBA to increase the program level by up to 15 percent with at least 30 days’ notice to Congress. “When the cost of doing business rises, the impacts fall hardest on our small businesses. Ensuring that the Small Business Administration can adapt to loan demand when the need for financing is high ensures that entrepreneurs are never turned away when they need help the most,” said Congresswoman Simon. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleague Congressman Mark Alford to provide loan limit flexibility and make the 504 loan program more resilient.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On June 18, 2026, the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an opinion memo undermining key protections established by the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Olmstead v. L.C. which prohibits the unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities and ensures Americans with disabilities can live full, independent lives. In response, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) and disability leaders in Congress led 100 of their colleagues to call on the Department of Justice to rescind the opinion memo. This week, on August 31, 2026, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in coordination with Texas, Florida, and Alaska, filed a proposed resolution in Texas v. Kennedy, a lawsuit challenging the legality and constitutionality of a Section 504 rule published by HHS in 2024 that expanded the integration mandate. The proposed resolution formally asks the court to enter an order vacating references to community integration throughout the 2024 HHS Section 504 rule, including the entirety of the integration provision. The proposed resolution is alarming because it doubles down on the June 2026 DOJ opinion memo to undermine longstanding legal precedent and interpretation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ultimately paving a path to allow Americans with disabilities to be forced into institutions against their will. In response, Congresswoman Simon, who serves as the first congenitally blind Member of Congress, released the following statement: “I am horrified and furious at this Administration's continued attempts to roll back the rights of the disability community and abandon its duty to protect and enforce basic civil rights. From devastating cuts to Medicaid that severely impacted home and community-based services, to the DOJ opinion memo undermining Olmstead, to now challenging protections against discrimination on the basis of disability – the Trump Administration is hell-bent on sending the disability community back in time. “Community-based services and supports work. They are more cost-effective, produce better health and quality-of-life outcomes, and honor people with disabilities’ autonomy and self-determination. The consequences of weakening the integration mandate would be profound and impact millions of Americans’ ability to access home and community-based services that allow them to remain among their families, maintain employment, pursue education, and participate in civic life. As states adjust their budgets to account for Medicaid cuts, the Administration is paving the way for reductions in these support programs and increased reliance on institutional care. “I want to be clear: Neither the DOJ opinion memo nor the proposed resolution can or does change the interpretation of the requirements under Section 504 of the ADA. Only Congress can change the law, and I will fight with every ounce of my being against any attempts to diminish the civil rights of the disability community.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressmembers Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Al Green (D-TX-09), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-11), sent a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, raising serious concerns about recent actions that threaten the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and the local fair housing organizations that serve communities across the nation. The lawmakers expressed concern that HUD’s proposed funding changes threaten local fair housing organizations, which handle more than 74 percent of housing discrimination complaints nationwide. Following a federal district court order blocking the changes, the lawmakers are calling on Secretary Turner to comply with the court’s order, rescind HUD’s FY 2025 and FY 2026 FHIP funding notices, and ensure nonprofit fair housing organizations remain eligible for funding. You can find the full letter here. "The Fair Housing Initiatives Program was created by Congress to protect Americans from housing discrimination and ensure that vulnerable communities have access to safe, stable, and equitable housing. The Administration’s repeated attempts to circumvent Congress and dismantle basic civil rights protections are unacceptable," said Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. "I am proud to help lead this effort alongside Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman to hold this administration accountable for its unlawful implementation of this program and to stand firmly with the organizations and nonprofits doing the essential, on-the-groundwork to combat housing discrimination in communities across the country." “From day one, the Trump administration has tried to reshape HUD from an agency that makes housing fairer and more accessible into one that benefits wealthy developers and landlords,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. “Housing costs are skyrocketing, yet HUD is being weaponized to go after municipalities, siphon funding from non-profit organizations seeking to give people opportunities to put a roof over their heads, and gift Trump’s friends instead. Considering Trump's history of housing discrimination as a developer and his eventual refusal to sign the largest bipartisan housing bill in a generation into law, an overarching theme of disregarding the needs of the working-class comes into focus." Congressman Al Green stated, “I thank Congresswoman Lateefah Simon andCongresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman for joining me in co-leading this important effort to protect fair housing. Discrimination does not disappear simply because we stop enforcing the laws designed to confront it. Fair housing protections exist because people have been denied homes and opportunities because of their race, disability, family status, and other forms of unlawful discrimination. We cannot allow those protections to be quietly dismantled. HUD must follow the law, comply with the court, and uphold its obligation to protect the people it was created to serve.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, the House Oversight Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses held a hearing on “Protecting American Citizenship: Confronting Birth Tourism.” As the top Democrat on the Task Force, Congresswoman Simon highlighted how birth tourism is already illegal and pointed out Republicans’ more sinister goal to conflate visa fraud and birthright citizenship to undermine the 14th Amendment and who is defined as “American” in the United States. In case you missed it, Congresswoman Simon’s opening remarks can be found below. “Today's hearing is being presented as a conversation about birth tourism, which is already illegal. It is illegal, and it is rare for someone to obtain a Visa to come to the United States for the primary purpose of giving birth so that their child receives citizenship. It is illegal and rare for businesses to market birth tourism services to expectant parents abroad. Accordingly, one of our witnesses here today is already under criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida. “The Republicans have a much bigger and more sinister goal for this hearing today. Our Chairman [Brandon Gill] is asserting and conflating Visa fraud and birthright citizenship so that our President and Stephen Miller can continue their campaign to rewrite the constitution and change the ethnic makeup of this country to one that they prefer. The Chairman has introduced H.R. 9854, ‘The Citizenship Act of 2026,' legislation that would gut the constitutional right to citizenship for children born here in the United States. Additionally, he has argued that the 14th amendment was written for formerly enslaved people and their children – and nothing more. “Well, Mr. Chairman, as a direct descendant of enslaved Africans who is now serving in the United States Congress, I would like to correct your history. It was in the mid-1860s that Senator Lyman Trumbull of Illinois first drafted citizenship language that would later form the basis of the 14th amendment. His initial version applies specifically to people of African descent; then a day later he replaced that language with a guarantee for all persons born in the United States. That was not an accident.In July of this year, the Supreme Court of the United States reiterated that. And it is settled law. I have to wonder if your team [Republicans] studied that history, because the Members of the United States Congress who wrote the guarantee made a deliberate decision to not limit American citizenship by race, by ancestry, or the circumstance of a child's parents. “160 years later, Chairman [Gill's] legislation would gut the intentional and inclusive guarantee [of the 14th Amendment], by labeling by people as ‘invaders.’ Mr. Chairman, your bill attempts to apply the concept [of invader] to a volunteer firefighter, a pastor who provided shelter and food and clothing for those in need, a beloved daycare teacher, a nurse who cares for dialysis patients, a five-year-old in a bunny hat [Liam Conejo Ramos]. These are our neighbors, not a foreign army. “The real threat is our President's decision to pull more than 25,000 members of law enforcement away from their jobs across the country, fighting drugs and child exploitation and human trafficking and terrorism, so that they can instead go after peaceful mothers and fathers and children. Mr. Chairman's bill [H.R. 9854] and this hearing today are a clear attempt to formally create a caste system here in the United States of America. Their [Republican] vision would bar American-born children from the American dream and from fully participating in American life. It is decidedly un-American. These are babies, children born in the United States. “This task force, which purports to be about defending constitutional rights, has no place in potently attempting to dictate American born children who deserve citizenship and who doesn't – especially when the same politicians calling these children ‘a burden’ have voted to cut food assistance for millions of Americans in Texas alone. More than 344,000 babies have lost their SNAP benefits in the last year. Now, if we care about children, let's care about children. “The 14th amendment was written in the aftermath of slavery, because this country had learned at an extraordinary cost what happens when the government gets to decide which people born on American soil fully belong. We should not reopen that door. We must not reopen that door. And for anyone watching this hearing today who believes that citizenship should not depend on the politics of your parents, call your representative. Tell them to oppose H.R. 9854 and tell them that this bill should never get a markup.” Oversight Democrats on the Task Force, led by Congresswoman Simon, will examine systemic barriers and unlawful discrimination in employment, education, housing, and healthcare; fight for the protection of essential services and programs; fight for guaranteed access to critical goods despite political pushbacks; and ensure the right of all Americans in having a fair shot to contribute to their nation. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) voted against H.R. 6500, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 and released the following statement: “Today I voted against H.R. 6500, the continuing resolution which would continue to fund President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ deeply harmful and authoritarian agenda. “I thank House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro for her work to improve House Republicans’ initial continuing resolution, specifically for securing provisions to prohibit immigration enforcement funding and to temporarily block the proposed Office of Management and Budget rule that would empower Trump Administration officials to discriminate against Federal grant recipients based solely on their political viewpoints. “However, at a time when Republicans are carrying out an illegal war in Iran, lawlessly attacking immigrant communities, and undermining the democratic electoral process – I cannot vote to give a single cent to the Trump Administration. I will not keep the machinery moving at the expense of the dignity, justice, and people we were elected to serve.” ###

BERKELEY, CA – Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) recently secured $850,000 in federal Community Project Funding (CPF) for the City of Berkeley to design new public open spaces along Adeline Street, including a new main plaza adjacent to the future transit-oriented development on the west parking lot of the Ashby Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station. The federal funding will support the design of a vibrant community plaza and other public open spaces for South Berkeley that will complement new housing, including affordable housing, as well as new commercial and community spaces. The project will also improve access to the BART station, including pedestrian and ADA access. Last week, the Congresswoman announced the funding alongside Mayor of Berkeley Adena Ishii, Berkeley City Councilmember Ben Bartlett, BART General Manager Bob Powers, BART Board Director Barnali Ghosh, and community partners. As a disability and transit justice advocate, Congresswoman Simon has long to create vibrant communities where there is equitable housing development near affordable and accessible transit. Additionally, during her time as BART Board President, she led on redeveloping the Ashby BART station. In Congress, Congresswoman Simon has also introduced the Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act, which would make permanent and expand the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning to support housing projects near new or existing transit corridors. “I helped jumpstart and plan the Ashby BART station transit-oriented development project when I served as BART Board President – and I am extremely proud to now secure nearly a million in federal funding to further the process on a new plaza that will complement the Ashby BART transit-oriented development,” said Congresswoman Simon. “Transforming this public space along Adeline Street into a plaza where people can live, work, and play near affordable and accessible transit will be game changing and create more vibrant, connected communities that succeed both economically and culturally.” “I'm proud to join Congresswoman Simon in announcing this $850,000 investment in South Berkeley. It's one of our most diverse communities, and it's been underinvested in and underserved for too long. Now, we're changing that,” said Mayor of Berkeley, Adena Ishii. “This project looks to create a future of greater economic opportunity and better access for people with disabilities, complementing the new housing already planned for Adeline Street.” This Community Project Funding (CPF) is a part of the $11.2 million dollars that Congresswoman Simon secured for 15 projects across the East Bay in Fiscal Year 2026. Each fiscal year, members of Congress can submit Community Project Funding requests for consideration with the House Committee on Appropriations.You can read about the 15 projects that Congresswoman Simon secured funding for in her first year here. ###

ALAMEDA, CA – Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) recently secured $850,000 in federal Community Project Funding (CPF) for the Lincoln Avenue / Marshall Way / Pacific Avenue Corridor Improvement Project. This federal funding will support the creation of bike lanes, a roundabout, modernized traffic and pedestrian and bicycle signals, lighting and signage improvements, and more. These updates will improve safety and efficiency, across a major, three-mile stretch between Alameda Point and the East End of Alameda. On Monday, the Congresswoman announced the funding alongside Mayor of Alameda Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft and viewed a section of the project. As a member of the House Small Business Committee and a transit and disability justice advocate, Congresswoman Simon is committed to ensuring the cities in her district are safe and accessible. This Community Project Funding (CPF) is a part of the $11.2 million dollars that Congresswoman Simon secured for 15 projects across the East Bay in Fiscal Year 2026. Each fiscal year, members of Congress can submit Community Project Funding requests for consideration with the House Committee on Appropriations.You can read about the 15 projects that Congresswoman Simon secured funding for in her first year here. “Our families and neighbors deserve to safely and reliably reach work, school, and childcare whether they are on foot, on bike, or public transportation, that’s why I am proud to announce $850,000 in federal funding for the City of Alameda to continue to upgrade and improve a major part of the city.” said Congresswoman Simon. “Modernizing our streets not only keeps people safe by reducing traffic incidents, it also supports small businesses by increasing customer access and improves usage for seniors and members of the disability community by increasing mobility. I look forward to seeing the impact of this federal funding in Alameda.” “The Lincoln Avenue/Marshall Way/Pacific Avenue Corridor is one of Alameda’s most important thoroughfares — connecting the West and East Ends of Alameda, lined with schools, parks, neighborhoods, and businesses, and served by public transit — but also one of Alameda’s highest injury networks. We are thrilled that the $850,000 in Community Project Funding secured by Congresswoman Lateefah Simon will make this corridor safer, more accessible, and welcoming for all users,” said Mayor Ashcraft. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) joined Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), and Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Ro Khanna (D-CA-17) to call on the Government Accountability Office to investigate the Trump Administration’s use of emergency national defense authorities and taxpayer funds to subsidize commercial coal infrastructure, including the proposed coal export terminal in West Oakland. Since President Trump’s June 4th announcement of $75 million in funding for the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal, Congresswoman Simon has unequivocally opposed and worked to stop the proposed coal terminal. She filed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Appropriations bill that would have prohibited funding for the proposed Oakland coal export terminal project; however, House Republicans blocked the amendment. Last week, in a letter to the GAO Acting Comptroller General Orice Williams Brown, Congresswoman Simon and her colleagues questioned the Department of Energy’s plan to use up to $425 million in Defense Production Act (DPA) funds to support coal-fired power plants and construct the West Gateway Terminal Project in Oakland, California. This terminal project would primarily serve foreign commercial markets, rather than meet national emergency needs. “The Defense Production Act was intended to scale up domestic industrial capabilities to meet urgent military or national emergency needs; therefore, its invocation to construct a commercial, civilian export facility intended primarily to serve foreign commercial markets raises profound statutory, legal, and fiscal questions,” wrote the lawmakers. “We do not believe this satisfies the statutory definition of ‘national defense’ or ‘critical infrastructure protection’ under the DPA and that there is no legally sufficient, data-driven nexus between civilian coal exports and immediate U.S. military readiness or critical infrastructure defense.” DPA funds are intended for U.S. national security and defense readiness. The Trump Administration is instead diverting these funds to support a commercial export project that primarily benefits private industries and foreign markets in East Asia. “Congress has never appropriated funds to the DOE’s DPA account with the intent of propping up a dying industry or financing a purely commercial project,” continued the lawmakers. “We are deeply concerned that DOE has improperly diverted funds from accounts intended by Congress for the critical modernization and resilience support of our nation’s grid to instead finance a commercial fossil fuel export project.” Congresswoman Simon and colleagues also raised concerns that the Trump Administration has improperly diverted funds designated for critical grid modernization and may be using emergency authorities to circumvent local environmental protections. “With no clear national security nexus, we question whether the DOE utilized emergency DPA authorities with the intent of preempting or subverting valid local health ordinances and environmental regulations. If so, this would be a gross departure from the intent of the DPA,” concluded the lawmakers. The lawmakers requested the GAO review the Trump Administration’s use of DPA funds to support coal projects and whether the Department acted within the authority Congress provided under the law. Full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Acting Comptroller Williams Brown, We write to request that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examine the Department of Energy’s (DOE) efforts to use up to $425 million in Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III funds to support coal-fired power plants and the construction of the West Gateway Terminal Project (also referred to as the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal) in Oakland, California. On June 4, 2026, the Administration announced it would utilize emergency authorities under Title III of the DPA (50 U.S.C. § 4533) as part of a broader effort to subsidize commercial coal infrastructure. The DPA was intended to scale up domestic industrial capabilities to meet urgent military or national emergency needs; therefore, its invocation to construct a commercial, civilian export facility intended primarily to serve foreign commercial markets raises profound statutory, legal, and fiscal questions. We do not believe this satisfies the statutory definition of “national defense” or “critical infrastructure protection” under the DPA and that there is no legally sufficient, data driven nexus between civilian coal exports and immediate U.S. military readiness or critical infrastructure defense. Under the DPA, the President’s authority to create, maintain, or expand domestic industrial capacity is strictly bound to actions that support the “national defense.” Section 702(14) of the Act defines national defense as “programs for military and space production or construction, military assistance to any foreign nation, stockpiling, space, and critical infrastructure protection and restoration.” However, the DOE’s stated justification for this award is to expand West Coast capacity to ship American coal to commercial markets in the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, Title III of the DPA dictates that the President cannot obligate funds to expand industrial capacity unless the President formally determines that the material or service is critical to the national defense, that U.S. industry cannot reasonably provide the capability in a timely manner, or that this action is the most cost-effective method of meeting the need. Additionally, the Purpose Statute (31 U.S.C. § 1301) dictates that “appropriations shall be applied only to the objects for which the appropriations were made.” Congress has consistently appropriated funds to the DOE’s DPA account with the legislative intent of strengthening advanced manufacturing, grid components (such as large power transformers), and critical mineral supply chains. Congress has never appropriated funds to the DOE’s DPA account with the intent of propping up a dying industry or financing a purely commercial project. We are deeply concerned that DOE has improperly diverted funds from accounts intended by Congress for the critical modernization and resilience support of our nation’s grid to instead finance a commercial fossil fuel export project Lastly, the West Gateway Terminal project has been the subject of intensive, decade long environmental and health litigation, driven by municipal bans on coal handling enacted to protect local communities from severe particulate pollution. With no clear national security nexus, we question whether the DOE utilized emergency DPA authorities with the intent of preempting or subverting valid local health ordinances and environmental regulations. If so, this would be a gross departure from the intent of the DPA. Therefore, we request that you review the DOE’s use of DPA to support coal, including: How the DOE utilized DPA authorities to support the production, use, and export of coal, and The extent to which the DOE followed policies and procedures and utilized quality information and analysis in making determinations and selections with respect to supported DPA coal projects. As part of the review, we ask that you consider internal communications, economic assessments, and legal memoranda generated by the DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains and the White House regarding this project selection. Sincerely, ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) voted against H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027, and she released the following statement afterwards: “I voted HELL NO on the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. Our national security depends on more than military strength. It depends on whether families can afford housing, access healthcare, send their children to good schools, and live with dignity and opportunity. “Real security means investing in people. We owe our servicemembers the resources they need to do their jobs safely, but we should never use an annual defense bill to advance a divisive political agenda that undermines civil rights, attacks vulnerable communities, or erodes the freedoms we are sworn to protect.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House Oversight Committee’s Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses held a hearing focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in law school admissions and the law school accreditation process. In her opening remarks, Ranking Member Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) questioned why Republicans are focused on diversity policies in law school admissions that impact only 0.02% of the American population, while neglecting the millions of people who are struggling to afford healthcare and basic needs as a result of Republican policies like the “Big, Ugly, Cruel Bill.” In case you missed it, Congresswoman Simon’s opening remarks can be found below. “I want to talk to this room about what you're going to hear in the next hour, because the script is not new. We'll hear that a private, independent association of attorneys [The American Bar Association (ABA)] is the “great racial menace” of our age. We will hear the word merit spoken as if opportunity has ever truly been distributed by merit in this country. And we will hear that a diversity standard, already suspended and repealed somehow still threatens the republic. The majority has convened the machinery of the United States congress to prosecute a rule that no longer is in question, at an institution that has already capitulated to the President of the United States, and they call this exercise “oversight.” It's not oversight, it's theater. “I ask is this conversation helping Americans? Last year, fewer than 1 in 10,000 Americans applied to an ABA accredited law school. That's 0.02% of the population. Yet this is what the majority chooses to investigate today. “While 10 million Americans will lose their health insurance because of the law [The Big, Cruel, Ugly Bill] that the majority wrote just last year, which made the deepest cuts to Medicaid in our country's history, the American Bar Association cast no vote on that bill, but 209 Republicans did. “4 million people have already lost their food assistance, faster than the Congressional Budget Office predicted. This Congress ordered a 64-year-old woman to prove her work hours before she could keep groceries on the table. It ended exemptions for our veterans, people experiencing homelessness and children aging out of foster care. No bar association wrote a word of it, but the Republicans did. “5,843 National Institutes of Health research grants have been terminated or frozen. 383 clinical trials, with more than 74,000 people enrolled. Those are folks fighting cancer. Children with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are struggling and waiting for another call of a possible clinical trial, only again to be turned away because of this Administration's actions. And the Trump Administration decided that these 74,000 people [in clinical trials], that their lives weren't worth it. “More than 100 schoolgirls are buried beneath the rubble from American munitions in a war that no Americans asked for, but no lawyers association put those babies in the ground. My colleagues, however, financed it. “So, if the American Bar Association did none of those things, why is the American Bar Association on deck? I will tell you why. Because they sued the President when lawyers were stripped of their security clearances for representing his critics. When law firms were pressured into nearly $1 billion in tribute to our President, the ABA went to federal court and judge after judge ruled that the Administration's actions were unconstitutional. The government’s lawyers argued only that no one had standing to sue. So, the hearing that you're in today is an answer to that lawsuit, a task force with the word ‘constitutional’ in its title, has been assembled to collect a political debt for the President, a President that the courts keep ruling against. “And since the majority insists on talking about racism, let's consult the record. In 1912, the ABA expelled three black lawyers it had admitted by mistake, including William H. Lewis, then the Assistant General Attorney of the United States. Because of its settled practice to only admit white men after public outrage, the ABA reinstated them. Then it amended its application process so that every future applicant had to declare their race. It knowingly admitted no other black lawyers for another three decades. So, the diversity standard on trial today was a part of the ABA’s effort to reckon with that history. The majority arrives a century late, silent about the discrimination, yet furious about its repair. The Constitution is not endangered because more Americans entered the legal profession. It is endangered when power is used to punish those who challenge it. When oversight becomes retaliation, and when congress mistakes grievance for governance, history will remember which side that choice we stood on. And I yield back. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Oversight Democrats on the Task Force, led by Congresswoman Simon, will examine systemic barriers and unlawful discrimination in employment, education, housing, and healthcare; fight for the protection of essential services and programs; and fight for guaranteed access to critical goods despite political pushbacks. Oversight Democrats will also utilize the Task Force to address broader matters related to civil rights, democratic governance, and equal justice under law to ensure all Americans can be supported and contribute to their nation. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House Oversight Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses held a hearing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in public institutions. As the top Democrat on the Task Force, Congresswoman Simon highlighted Republicans’ true purpose behind attacking equity policies – to divide, distract, and entrench power. She highlighted systemic inequities and the need for policies that mitigate centuries of inequitable circumstances. In case you missed it, Congresswoman Simon’s opening remarks can be found below. “Before I begin my opening statement, in thinking about this hearing and thinking about the recent passing of one of my core mentors, I have been thinking about Dr. Clarence Jones, who was the attorney and speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King. Mr. Jones, for many folks who have followed the Civil Rights Movement, has been a seminal and clear voice of what is in front of us as a nation. I think of him. I think of his words and his teachings as we move through today's conversation. “I'm so thankful that we are all here to have the conversation. And I do also think that it's extremely appropriate that we're meeting today, just two weeks after the Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump's effort to redefine what it means to be an American, because that's the real issue at stake today. That's what we're talking about today. Who counts, who belongs and who deserves a seat at the table. “The question before us is simple. Will we welcome Americans who look and pray and love or think differently? Or will we turn our backs on the diversity that has always made this country stronger? “Mr. Chairman, these questions, we know, are not new. Throughout our history in this country, these arguments have been made by people convinced that they were defending America. “When Strom Thurmond held the floor on this campus for 24 hours against the Civil Rights Bill, he insisted that he hated no one and that he was only ‘defending the Constitution.’ George Wallace claimed he was ‘preserving order’ when he said segregation now, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever. “In 1956, 101 members of [the House of Representatives] stood and signed the Southern Manifesto, insisting that school desegregation was unconstitutional. Yes, school desegregation was unconstitutional. And let me just say that one more time -- it was 101 members of the United States Congress who stood firmly with the ideals listed out in the Southern Manifesto. “They believed that they were on the right side of history. And that's not ancient history. That's the world that my own mother was born and raised in, in the deep rural South. I raised this history, Mr. Chairman, because the arguments before us today, this morning, are from a mirrored pattern. “Now, let me say something about the three letters [DEI] at the center of today's hearing. Our Chairman cited those three letters as a pretext for discrimination. That's not been the experience and the institutions that I've served and some that I've run. Those three letters meant ensuring that a veteran had the desk that they needed, that they could use. That disabled veteran rallied for accommodations, and they got it. It means a first- generation student who needed a mentor, and a worker who knew how to report the abuse that they had received, and they were heard. “None of that is quota. None of that takes a seat for anyone. The law forbids discrimination, and it forbids it for all of us, every single one of us in this room today. The majority will speak about fairness, but fairness means recognizing that for most of our history, there was one group of Americans who had been ushered to the front of the line. That is not hyperbole. That is fact. “After generations, that head start began to feel something like an inheritance and sharing that opportunity feels like loss. But acknowledging that head start, removing those barriers and expanding opportunity -- it's not discrimination. When someone sees a few more chairs at the table and calls it a takeover, we hear discomfort. That opportunity is no longer reserved for those who have always, and already, had it, but the opportunity belongs to every American. “Wealthy and powerful people want to weaponize that discomfort, to divide us, to divide you, to distract you, and to entrench the power that they still hold behind the scenes. But justice does not diminish anyone. It simply makes room for everyone. “If my colleagues truly cared about the thumb on the scale, the record is waiting. Black workers with the same credentials are still hired, this is fact, and paid less, with the same credentials [as] their white counterparts. Students from the wealthiest 1% of families in this country are more than twice as likely to attend top colleges than their middle-class counterparts with similar test scores. That is fact. “At Harvard, a study found that three out of four legacies, donors, staff, recruited athletes, those admits would not have been admitted without those preferences. That's a thumb on the scale, the heavy thumb on that scale has always been pressed for folks who needed it the least. “So, I have a question, as I close, for every single witness that has come here today and the ones that will follow: if fairness is truly your principle, are you prepared to challenge every unfair advantage? Or only the efforts designed to expand opportunity for those folks who have too often been left out? “Now, I love this country enough to tell the truth about it. “The signers of the 1956 Southern Manifesto against school desegregation were lawyers, and they were statesmen and electeds as well, sure of their footing, and the record kept their names. The record kept their names to place a count on what they chose. There will be a record of this morning as well, read one day by people who will never, never meet our faces. And they'll know, exactly what side we chose to defend. I've chosen mine. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.” Oversight Democrats on the Task Force, led by Congresswoman Simon, will examine systemic barriers and unlawful discrimination in employment, education, housing, and healthcare; fight for the protection of essential services and programs; fight for guaranteed access to critical goods despite political pushbacks; and ensure the right of all Americans in having a fair shot to contribute to their nation. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) voted against H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 and released the following statement: “Today I voted against H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027. “A year after abruptly shuttering USAID and gutting the State Department - Republicans continue to make devastating and deadly cuts to foreign aid and diplomatic programs. This bill includes steep cuts to global health and diplomatic programs, which will undoubtedly lead to even higher rates of poverty, malnutrition, and death. “The President says he is interested in making our nation ‘stronger, safer, and more prosperous,’ yet everything he has done in the past year runs counter to this promise. Starting an illegal and unwanted war in Iran does not make us safer. Ceding America's voice at international institutions like the United Nations and cutting off resources for diplomacy does not make us stronger. Prohibiting funding for worldwide climate initiatives does not make us more prosperous. “I also voted for an amendment to block $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing for Israel. We cannot continue to give military and financial assistance to a government that is not following the Leahy Laws and violating international law. “I refuse to support a foreign policy that abandons the institutions we helped build, that leads to preventable deaths, and that chooses destruction over diplomacy and peace.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In recognition of the 250th anniversary of American independence and the work still to be done to create a nation that lives up to the founding ideals of liberty and justice for all, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) and Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Sydney Kamlager-Dove introduced the America 250 Reproductive Justice Resolution. This resolution affirms reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right and supports policies that advance reproductive justice, including universal healthcare, maternal healthcare, paid family leave, comprehensive sex education, and protections against pregnancy-related criminalization. “While Republicans are spending the 250th anniversary attacking our fundamental freedom, we have to name what the future can and should look like for women and families. The reproductive justice movement was started by Black women in the 1990s, and I am honored to join my colleagues and reproductive justice leaders Congresswomen Pressley and Kamlager-Dove to introduce this resolution,” said Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. “As the Supreme Court and the Trump Administration rollback reproductive healthcare protections, wage a war on Medicaid and education, and drive prices ever upward, they are putting women, children, low-income people, and families in impossible situations. This resolution is our blueprint for what the reproductive justice movement needs to look like going forward, and we will fight until every person has the dignity, resources, and access to care that they deserve.” "As we mark America's 250th anniversary, we must also acknowledge that the fundamental freedoms this nation was founded on are not enjoyed by all its people—especially the right to one’s own body and reproductive freedom," said Rep. Pressley, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. "As Trump and his co-conspirators attempt to deny essential reproductive health care, it's more important now than ever that we affirm and fight for every person's freedom to access reproductive care and make their own health care decisions. I'm proud to introduce this critical resolution with Congresswomen Lateefah Simon and Sydney Kamlager-Dove and work to build a world where bodily autonomy is enshrined as a right, not treated as a privilege." "Trump and Republicans are using America's 250th birthday to push a dystopian, warped definition of freedom that actually restricts our freedoms, especially for women," said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. "As we celebrate America at 250, we must reaffirm that our founding ideal of freedom includes not just reproductive freedom, but reproductive justice. Every woman should be free to access the full spectrum of reproductive health care—including abortion—and to decide when, if, and how to have children. Reproductive justice is a fundamental human right.” Read the full text of the resolution here and find more information on the legislation below. This resolution is endorsed by: All Above All, Women's March, UltraViolet Action, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, New Jersey Black Women Physicians Association, Oshun Family Center, SIECUS, Women with a Vision, Doula Alliance of Maryland, SisterReach Illinois and SisterReach, Inc., Women's Law Project, IBBG, SiX Action, Avow, Working Families Party, Birth In Color, Women's Health & Evolutionary Wellness, Planned Parenthood of Maryland, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, Guttmacher Institute, Black Muva Convos, Ibis Reproductive Health, ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, National Health Law Program, Baltimore City Women's Commission, Equality Federation, Forward Together, Reproductive Justice Maryland, Gender Justice, Cobalt, Ipas US, Pro-Choice Minnesota, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Women's Health Specialists, Abortion Action Missouri, Men4Choice, MomsRising, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, Medical Students for Choice, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, Catholics for Choice, Power to Decide, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. "America was founded on the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—a promise that has too often been denied to women, people of color, immigrants, low-income communities, and gender-expansive people. As we mark this country's 250th anniversary, we have a responsibility to reflect honestly on where America has fallen short and to push it toward the best version of itself,” said All Above All President Nourbese Flint. “At a moment when those in power are rolling back our rights—banning abortion, attacking trans people, targeting immigrant families—the For All Our Futures resolution insists on something bigger: a future where reproductive freedom, bodily autonomy, and the freedom to build our families are central to the American promise.” As co-lead of the Democratic Women’s Caucus’ Caregiving Task Force, Congresswoman Simon is committed to advocating for policies that protect healthcare and education and provide opportunities for families to thrive. She is the cosponsor of a number of bills that advance reproductive justice ideals and promote safe, healthy, and supportive communities including the EACH Act of 2025, Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025, WIC Benefits Protection Act, Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act of 2025, Child Care for Every Community Act, Every Child Deserves a Head Start Act of 2025, the FAMILY Act, and more. ###

BERKELEY, CA – Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) recently secured $850,000 in Community Project Funding (CPF) for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). This funding will be used to install LED lighting in nine BART Stations throughout the district including: Coliseum, Downtown Berkeley, Fruitvale, Lake Merritt, MacArthur, Rockridge, San Leandro, North Berkeley and West Oakland. These lighting upgrades will not only improve rider experience and strengthen public safety at stations - they will also increase energy efficiency and light quality. Today, the Congresswoman announced the funding with BART General Manager Robert “Bob” Powers and members of the BART Board of Directors at the Downtown Berkeley BART station. She also toured a number of the stations slated for lighting upgrades to discuss the planned work and upcoming lighting improvements. This Community Project Funding (CPF) is a part of the $11.2 million dollars that Congresswoman Simon secured for 15 projects across the East Bay in Fiscal Year 2026. Each fiscal year, members of Congress can submit Community Project Funding requests for consideration with the House Committee on Appropriations.You can read about the 15 projects that Congresswoman Simon secured funding for in her first year here. “As someone who was born congenitally blind and has been dependent on public transit my entire life – I know that accessible, reliable public transportation is non-negotiable,” said Congresswoman Simon. “During my time on the BART Board, I fought to make our public transit systems safer and improve the rider experience. Now in Congress, I am fighting hard to expand on that work and deliver for us. Every neighborhood deserves to have safe, bright stations, and I look forward to seeing the impact these lighting upgrades will have on both safety and energy efficiency across the East Bay.” “The recent improvements at the Downtown Berkeley Station are examples of how we are relentlessly putting the needs of our riders first. Upgraded lighting makes our stations safer and more welcoming,” said BART General Manager Bob Powers. “We are so grateful for the efforts of Congressmember Simon who has been an incredible advocate in the nation’s capital for Bay Area transit.” “BART completed a major lighting upgrade last spring here at Downtown Berkeley Station, replacing more than 2,200 aging fluorescent bulbs with brighter, more energy-efficient LED lighting,” said BART District 3 Director Barnali Ghosh, whose district includes Downtown Berkeley Station. “The new lighting makes our stations more welcoming, increases safety, and saves us money on energy and maintenance costs. Once completed this program will reduce energy use from station lighting by half.” ###

OAKLAND, CA – Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) recently secured $250,000 in Community Project Funding (CPF) for the Peralta Community College District, specifically the Manufacturing and Fabrication Pathway Lab (FabLab) facilities at Laney College and the College of Alameda. The FabLabs serve as essential experiential learning spaces where students, local entrepreneurs, and makers utilize advanced technologies—such as 3D printers, CNC routers, laser cutters, and robotics tools—to bring their designs to life. This federal funding will be used to purchase new equipment and implement structured training programs for students to enhance their digital fabrication skills and prepare for high-demand careers in fields like manufacturing, construction, biomedical, and healthcare. The federal funding will expand educational and job training opportunities for Oakland’s young people as they enter the local workforce and prepare to give back to their communities and the local economy. Today, the Congresswoman announced the funding at Laney College alongside Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson, Laney College President Rebecca Opsata, and College of Alameda President Melanie Dixon. She also toured the FabLab facilities at both colleges to discuss the planned facilities upgrades. This Community Project Funding (CPF) is a part of the $11.2 million dollars that Congresswoman Simon secured for 15 projects across the East Bay in Fiscal Year 2026. Each fiscal year, members of Congress can submit Community Project Funding requests for consideration with the House Committee on Appropriations.You can read about the 15 projects that Congresswoman Simon secured funding for in her first year here. “Education is one of the most important tools we can give our young people to set them on a path to success.” said Congresswoman Simon. “It is critical our local colleges have adequate resources to provide students with the education they deserve. This funding will help prepare the next generation of Oaklanders for successful careers so they can continue to support themselves and their families and thrive in the city. I look forward to seeing the facilities and program upgrades this funding will support, and all the doors it will open for our students.” "We are incredibly thrilled about this investment in our students, faculty, and programs," said PCCD Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson. "Congresswoman Simon's advocacy and support directly strengthen our ability to provide top-tier, accessible technical education. This funding underscores a shared commitment to building strong, equitable pathways to career success right here in our communities, and we are deeply grateful for her partnership." "Laney College is honored to welcome Representative Simon to our campus to witness firsthand the innovative spirit of our students," said Laney College President Dr. Becky Opsata. "The Fab Lab is a cornerstone of our career technical education, allowing students to put their classroom learning to use by making things in the lab. This vital federal funding ensures our facility remains state-of-the-art and fully equipped to prepare students for the modern workforce." "This funding represents a major boost for student access and technological literacy at the College of Alameda," said College of Alameda President Melanie Dixon. "By investing in our Fab Lab, Congresswoman Simon is helping us break down barriers to STEM and advanced manufacturing fields. We look forward to showing her how these resources will directly uplift our diverse student body and fuel economic mobility in the region." ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in a letter to the Department of Labor (DOL) Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) demanded answers regarding the DOL’s continued failure to carry out enforcement responsibilities, including ensuring protections for workers with disabilities. Within the Department of Labor, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is responsible for enforcing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating against workers with disabilities. In September 2025, Congresswoman Simon expressed concern about OFCCP's suspension of disability discrimination investigations and the agency's diminished capacity to enforce Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act following staff reductions and field office closures. Since that initial letter, additional concerns have emerged regarding whether OFCCP is carrying out its remaining enforcement responsibilities. This follow-up letter seeks answers regarding OFCCP's current enforcement activities, complaint-processing timelines, and public reporting practices. It also reiterates the Congresswoman’s request for transparency regarding the agency's efforts to protect workers with disabilities. In the letter to the DOL, Congresswoman Simon wrote: “These issues add to existing concerns noted in our September 3, 2025, letter. Our letter raised concerns that the agency suspended investigations and complaint processing for nearly six months, abandoned compliance reviews for more than 2,000 federal contractors, and stopped affirmative action plan monitoring via annual certification. We requested a response to our questions about the impact on workers by October 1, 2025, but have yet to receive a reply.” “We are deeply concerned that workers with disabilities working for federal contractors are being left without recourse as OFCCP’s enforcement capacity continues to erode. Workers with disabilities waiting for accountability deserve better.” Congresswoman Simon requested answers to the following questions by July 31, 2026. You can read the full letter text here. Please provide a copy of the OFCCP’s reorganization plan. What are the agency’s plans to increase the percentage of complaints processed in the standard time frame? Please explain how the OFCCP’s reorganization plan is designed to help ensure that workers with disabilities employed by federal contractors have their rights enforced, including having their complaints processed in the standard time frame. Please provide the total number of OFCCP investigators as of May 1, 2026. Please provide a list of open OFCCP field offices as of May 1, 2026. Please provide copies of the conciliation agreements the agency has entered into since January 2025. Please explain why the agency has not posted conciliation agreements to its website in more than a year. How many audits has the agency conducted from January 20, 2025 to May 1, 2026? Congresswoman Simon is the first congenitally blind member to serve in Congress and a leader in the disability policy space. In October 2025, Representatives Simon, McBath and DeSaulnier led their colleagues in a letter to the Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget condemning layoffs in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Congresswoman Simon has also introduced a number of bills in the disability policy space including: the Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act, the See the Board Act, and the Same Day Paratransit Innovation Act. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11), and Congressman Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15) successfully secured the inclusion of report language in the Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to force the Trump Administration to provide answers regarding the cancellation of two Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) projects in the Bay Area. The appropriations bill passed the House of Representatives today and now heads to the Senate for consideration, where Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla are championing this language to hold VA accountable. The Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill includes report language directing VA to provide answers on the cancellation of the Alameda Point Community Based Outpatient Clinic and columbarium project and the Building 40 at the San Francisco VA Medical Center project. VA would be required to submit a report to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees within 60 days of enactment of the bill that includes a detailed analysis of what funding has been obligated, how much funding remains, and rationale for why the projects were cancelled. The Alameda Point VA project was years in the making across multiple Administrations and had already received over $395 million in Congressionally approved federal funding before VA abruptly cancelled the project in August 2025. “My district is home to more than 28,000 veterans, a former Army Base, a proud Coast Guard city, and former Navy city. VA’s cancellation of the Alameda Point Project is unacceptable for veterans in our region who deserve quality health care and families looking to provide a close, accessible final resting place for their loved ones. We must do right by our veterans and ensure they are not left without care OR answers,” said Congresswoman Simon. “Thank you to House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro and Subcommittee Ranking Member Debbie Wasserman Schultz for their leadership and advocacy for the Alameda and SF VA projects throughout the appropriations process. We look forward to continuing to advocate for proper services for the 270,000 veterans in the Bay Area.” "Bay Area Veterans deserve answers from VA on these long-overdue expansion projects that are now indefinitely paused in San Francisco and Alameda,” said Speaker Emerita Pelosi. “Ensuring VA is transparent with Congress is a bipartisan matter and I will continue to hold this Administration to account in ensuring Veterans get access to the care, burial and disability benefits and world-class research that they have earned and deserve. I am proud to join my colleagues and the Committee in fighting for the truth so that these projects get back on track.” "Veterans sacrifice so much in service of our country, and in return they deserve to be treated with dignity and receive quality care. We must defend and improve services for veterans and service members across America. I was honored to join my colleagues Congresswoman Simon, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, and Senators Schiff and Padilla in advocating for the Alameda Point Veterans project and much needed improvements at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. This represents an important step toward honoring our debt to Bay Area veterans and those across the country," said Congressman Mullin. Congresswoman Simon, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, and Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla previously demanded answers from the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the cancellation of the VA clinic and columbarium at Alameda Point. ###

SAN LEANDRO, CA – Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) recently secured a $1,092,000 Community Project Funding (CPF) Grant for the City of San Leandro’s Shoreline Development Project. The funding will contribute to the ongoing shoreline development project that will transform the San Leandro shoreline into a recreational and community hub for East Bay constituents. The funding will specifically support clean water infrastructure, mitigation for sea level rise and nutrient runoff, and new recreation opportunities for San Leandro and East Bay residents. Today, the Congresswoman announced the funding with the Mayor of San Leandro and visited the shoreline to discuss how the planned improvements will benefit residents of San Leandro in the near term and long term. This Community Project Funding (CPF) is a part of the $11.2 million dollars that Congresswoman Simon secured for 15 projects across the East Bay in Fiscal Year 2026.Each fiscal year, members of Congress can submit Community Project Funding requests for consideration with the House Committee on Appropriations.You can read about the 15 projects that Congresswoman Simon secured funding for in her first year here. “There is great potential for the San Leandro Shoreline to be a community hub where residents of the East Bay can enjoy greater access to recreational opportunities” said Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. “That’s why I am incredibly excited to secure over $1,000,000 in Community Project Funding to invest in the development of the shoreline and clean water infrastructure to protect public health and the environment. clean water.” “We are grateful to Congresswoman Simon for visiting the San Leandro shoreline today and for securing this important federal investment in our community,” said Mayor Juan González. “This funding will help strengthen shoreline infrastructure, protect bay waters, and enhance open space opportunities for residents and visitors alike.” ###

BERKELEY, CA – Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) recently secured $500,000 in Community Project Funding (CPF) for the construction of the East Bay Regional Fire Training Facility. This funding will go to the Cities of Berkeley and Albany to support the construction of a new facility that will serve Northern Alameda and Western Contra Costa counties and help establish a well-trained and resourced emergency-responder workforce. The East Bay Regional Fire Training Facility will be a central hub for the recruitment and training of first responders who will work to mitigate the impacts of both acute emergencies and fire disasters across the East Bay. Yesterday, she announced the funding with the mayors and fire chiefs of Berkeley and Albany and toured an existing fire training facility in Berkeley to highlight how this federal funding will help shape and level up the future of fire preparedness, workforce training, and emergency response in the East Bay. This Community Project Funding (CPF) is a part of the $11.2 million dollars that Congresswoman Simon secured for 15 projects across the East Bay. Each fiscal year, members of Congress can submit Community Project Funding requests for consideration with the House Committee on Appropriations.You can read about the 15 projects that Congresswoman Simon secured funding for in her first year here. “Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those who call the East Bay home, which is why I fought to secure funding for the East Bay Regional Fire Training Facility,” said Congresswoman Simon. “I look forward to working with the Cities of Berkeley and Albany to ensure our region can ramp up emergency responder training and that our communities are equipped and supported to handle fires and other emergencies.” “This investment ensures that Berkeley and the East Bay can modernize our emergency response infrastructure to meet the full scope of challenges we face today.” said Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii. “Our firefighters respond not only to fires, but to medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, earthquakes, and more, yet the training systems they rely on have not kept pace. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Simon for her leadership and advocacy in securing this critical funding, which will strengthen our preparedness and better protect our communities.” “Emergencies do not stop at city borders, which makes teamwork essential to both preparedness and response. The culture of collaboration built by Albany, Berkeley, and our regional partners has made every city stronger and safer.” said Albany Mayor Peggy McQuaid. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Simon for her leadership in recognizing the importance of regional partnerships and advocating for this funding. This investment in expanded permanent regional training capacity strengthens our ability to deliver a coordinated, effective response—something our communities expect and deserve.” “This investment helps us begin building that capability locally and regionally,” said Berkeley Fire Chief David Sprague. “It gives us the opportunity to train firefighters the way they actually work: side by side, across agencies, under pressure, and with the equipment they use in the field.” "Training is how we prepare for the call we hope never comes: the major earthquake, the fast-moving wildfire, the complex rescue, or the human-caused emergency that tests every part of the system. It is also how we prepare for the calls that come every day, including medical emergencies, fires, vehicle accidents, and rescues.” said Albany Fire Chief Timothy Smyser. "For too long, East Bay firefighters have relied on mobile props, shared resources, and long travel to other facilities to get essential training. This funding helps us train together locally, the same way we respond together in the field. It strengthens coordination, improves safety, and helps ensure our firefighters are ready before the emergency happens.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) joined Congressmembers Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), and Analilia Mejia (D-NJ-11) to introduce The Living Wage for All Act. To announce the legislation, the Congressmembers stood with labor, civil rights, and economic justice leaders from across the country to demand a fair wage. You can watch the full press conference here. The Living Wage for All Act would raise the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour through a phased approach that reflects both the cost of living and the structure of the modern economy. The bill establishes a two-track phase-in, requiring large, highly profitable corporations to lead the transition. Large employers would reach $25 by 2031, while smaller employers would phase in more gradually, reaching $25 by 2038. The Living Wage for All Act also ensures wages do not fall behind again by establishing a standard that keeps the minimum wage aligned with typical wages across the economy. As the economy grows and wages rise, the minimum wage would rise with it. The legislation also eliminates all subminimum wages, including for tipped workers, youth workers, and workers with disabilities — ensuring that every worker is guaranteed a full wage from their employer, with no exceptions. "For too long, our economy has relied on underpaying the very workers who keep this country running. That harm has fallen hardest on women, workers with disabilities, tipped workers, Black and brown workers, and working families already struggling to afford basic necessities," said Congresswoman Simon. "I am proud to join Congresswoman Ramirez, Congressman Garcia, and Congresswoman Mejia in introducing the Living Wage for All Act because a living wage is the absolute floor. We're leading this effort to ensure every worker from Oakland to Chicago to Detroit to New Jersey gets the fair wage and dignity they deserve.” “Growing up, I saw my immigrant parents and my neighbors working multiple minimum wage jobs just to survive. Today, companies are reporting record-high earnings while working people struggle to survive. Minimum wage is not a living wage. That’s not right. If we want to address the affordability crisis, we must also address the wage crisis,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “Congress must stop entertaining Kings and the whims of wannabe kings and start working for working people. I am proud to stand with Congressmembers García and Mejia and the Living Wage For All Coalition to ensure that working people have every single thing they need to thrive.” “The need for a living wage couldn’t be clearer. The gap between the wealthy and everyone else keeps widening. Corporate profits are at a record high and bosses are actively cutting their workforces, undermining organizing efforts, and trying to replace labor entirely,” said Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García. “Meanwhile, working families are struggling to pay their rent, buy groceries, and go to the doctor. It’s past time that workers are paid what they deserve.” “Housing, gas, and grocery costs have all surged, yet the federal minimum wage hasn’t been raised since 2009. This is unacceptable. No one working full time should be struggling to survive. We need an economy that reflects the realities of 2026, not one stuck over a decade ago. That’s why I led the fight to raise New Jersey’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. And it’s why I’m proud to partner with Congresswoman Delia Ramirez on the Living Wage for All Act to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour. This bill would transform millions of lives, ensuring working people earn a true living wage instead of being forced to choose between putting food on the table and taking care of their health. Americans deserve an economy that works for all, not just the billionaire class,” said Congresswoman Mejia. “This is a worker-led movement that has grown from the groundbreaking Fight for $15 into a nationwide push for a true living wage. Across the country — from California to the Midwest to the East Coast — workers are organizing for $25 and $30 because that is what it takes to live. The polling shows this is not just popular, it is necessary. And ‘for all’ means exactly that: no worker left behind. This is what it looks like when politics begins to catch up to reality — and when democracy delivers real improvements in people’s lives, it becomes tangible. A living wage is how we make that promise real,” said Saru Jayaraman, President, One Fair Wage The legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar (TX-35), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Christian Menefee (TX-17), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24). The legislation is endorsed by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), RWDSU, NEA, AFT, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, PolicyLink, One Fair Wage, Popular Democracy, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), National Urban League (NUL), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Alliance for a Just Society, Black Women’s Roundtable, National Coalition for Black Civic Participation, Patriotic Millionaires, Our Revolution, Common Cause, Voices for Progress (V4P), National Organization for Women (NOW), Chicago Education Advocacy Cooperative, ACLU of Hawai’i, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, Trabajadores Unidos Workers United (CA), La Colmena NY, Community Labor United, Pennsylvania Policy Center, The New York Progressive Action Network, New Disabled South, Rights & Democracy Vermont, Survivors Know, The Able Baker, Churches United for Fair Housing (CUFFH), Keystone Progress Education Fund (PA), San Francisco Living Wage Coalition, Make the Road NV, Las Doñas, Construyamos Otro Acuerdo (Puerto Rico), La Tejedora (Puerto Rico), Fuck You I Quit, and a growing List of Small Businesses: Beauty by Teal, Elysium Aesthetics Lounge LLC, Conscious Life Resources, Undermine, Black Remote She LLC, SEPA Mujer, Inc. Additional endorsement quotes below: “The introduction of the Living Wage for All Act is a powerful testament to the worker-led movement that is forcing a new baseline for livable wages. While the affordability crisis continues to squeeze working families, SEIU members are organizing and pushing for even higher standards across the country. We applaud Rep. Ramirez for this bold $25-an-hour proposal—an important step forward that's driven by workers demanding the money, power, and respect that they’ve earned,” said April Verrett, President of SEIU. "For 17 years, Washington has left the federal minimum wage at $7.25 while working people have fallen further behind. Our communities don’t need lip service or slogans — they're demanding real solutions that match the reality of this economy. A living wage is about dignity, but it is also about who holds power in this country. It is tied to every other fight for civil rights — from racial justice, to voting rights, to economic opportunity. When people are denied fair wages, they are denied the ability to fully participate in our democracy. The NAACP stands with this coalition because civil rights, racial justice, and economic justice are inseparable,” said Derrick Johnson, President & CEO of NAACP. “We cannot talk about affordability without talking about what people are paid. This bill is about holding corporate America accountable and not letting billionaires, corporations like Amazon, and CEOs get away with blaming everything else for an affordability crisis they are helping drive. While prices rise and profits grow, workers are still being paid poverty wages instead of a true living wage. That has to change if we are serious about dignity and fairness in this economy,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of RWDSU. “As the Trump administration rips more and more resources away from the classrooms and communities that need them most, all while handing more power and privilege to the wealthy and well-connected, workers across our country need this legislation now more than ever,” said Kimberly Johnson Trinca, Government Relations Director for the National Education Association. “By paying educators and education support professionals a living wage, they will earn the respect, competitive wages, and support they deserve to provide their students with the skills needed to fulfill their dreams. At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, the National Education Association is proud to stand up for the working class and support the Living Wage for All Act. An investment in workers is an investment in the future of public schools and our nation,” said Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association. “A living wage is about the kind of society we want - one where one job is enough; where if you work hard you will have a pathway to a life you and you r family can live on or one of constant struggle this also hugely impacts education When educators, paraprofessionals, school staff, and the families that make up our communities are paid less than what it takes to live, it destabilizes classrooms and weakens the foundation students rely on. When educators must work 2 and 4 jobs to make ends meet, how can they focus on their students. A true living wage is essential — and long overdue — to restoring dignity for workers, supporting families, and ensuring people can fully participate in their communities and in our democracy. That is how we build the thriving, stable environments every student deserves,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers. "As business leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors, Voices for Progress members appreciate that The Living Wage for All Act supports employers like them who are not engaged in a race to the bottom on staff pay, and who recognize that putting money in the pockets of everyday Americans helps support local businesses. This moment reflects a growing recognition that affordability is not just about lowering prices — it’s about ensuring people are paid enough to live on, so we can build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top," said Sandra Fluke, President of Voices for Progress. "While 86% of Americans worry about the price of food, our billionaire president calls the affordability crisis a 'con job.' Wake up and smell the exploitation. There is one way to raise wages for American workers: Change the law,” said Ritchie Tabachnick, Member of Patriotic Millionaires. “Jeff Bezos thanked Amazon workers after his joyride into space for a reason: They paid for it—one grossly underpaid hour at a time. Smart businesspeople know that an economy based on consumer demand requires customers with money to spend. Unfortunately for everyone, including many rich people like us, it’s the opportunists and self-dealers, not the smart businesspeople, who are in the driver's seat. Buckle up, America, they’ll drive us over the cliff if we don’t stop them.” ###