Maxine Waters
DToday is Reverend Jesse Jackson’s birthday. Jesse Jackson is a civil rights icon who blessed us with his presence and his extraordinary fight for justice and equality for everyone. We are going to miss the Reverend Jesse Jackson for many years to come. Rest well, Jesse, and thank you for your contributions to all of us.
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“In the face of the Trump Administration’s continued attacks toward people experiencing homelessness, I am glad to see Judge Carter demonstrate some humanity. Los Angeles is on the front lines of America’s homelessness crisis and continues to confront it head on, with nearly 73,000 people experiencing homelessness on any night across Los Angeles County. Instead of working side by side to address this crisis, the Trump Administration’s response was to jeopardize hundreds of millions of dollars and cut off critical services for more than 11,000 people in dire need of assistance, with no real plan for what would happen to them next. Of course, none of this should surprise us. Time and time again, Donald Trump has made it painfully clear that he doesn’t give a damn about solving America’s affordable housing and homelessness crisis. Since returning to office, he wasted no time attacking the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the programs millions of Americans depend on. And more recently, when Democrats and Republicans in Congress handed him the most significant housing legislation in decades—and frankly an easy win—he threw a tantrum and refused to sign it. Thankfully, we did not need him. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law anyway. While I commend this decision, a judge should never have to stop the President of the United States from making our nation’s homelessness crisis worse. This ruling is a reprieve, not a solution. Americans need affordable homes, stable housing, and a federal government that actually cares whether they have a roof over their heads.
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He’s lied again but that’s typical of this lying President. He promised the American people he would not go to war for regime change. We’ve got to stop this crazy deranged disturbed man.
Not only is this war with Iran illegal and costly, the lives of innocent young men and women will be lost because Donald Trump doesn’t give a damn.
The Constitution is clear - the president cannot go to war without approval from Congress. Enough is enough! Americans do not want this war.
A Statement from Congresswoman Maxine Waters The very Reverend Jesse Jackson, presidential candidate and civil rights leader, was not only my close friend and confidant, he was my longtime political ally and mentor. Rev. Jesse Jacskson was my idol and spiritual and political leader. He was a brilliant, gifted and courageous civil rights leader who inspired millions. He registered millions to vote and challenged and changed Democratic Party politics. Rev. Jackson was one of the youngest followers and supporters of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and spent his life continuing to protect and save the gains that were made during the civil rights movement. I became a dedicated and committed follower of Jesse Jackson. I worked with Rev. Jackson in both the 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns. I was a top advisor on the national campaign and was appointed by Rev. Jackson to Chair and lead the California campaign. I was a closeup witness to Rev. Jackson's brilliant campaign strategies and developments. He used his voice and his organizing skills to create the beautiful Rainbow Coalition. Long before there was any understanding or appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion, for all intents and purposes, Rev. Jackson created diversity, equity, and inclusion in his campaign. His campaign included Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, Whites, women, LGBTQ, organized labor and others. He brought together pastors, preachers, and multi-faith leaders from all over the country. I recall his work and his outreach to small farmers in rural areas and to Native Americans on reservations. He was responsible for cracking open the doors of America's corporate community and those in Silicon Valley. Rev. Jackson was also an international ambassador for peace. He used his tremendous influence to champion human rights. I worked with him in the Free South Africa movement where we helped free Nelson Mandela and bring an end to apartheid in South Africa. We had a wonderful experience of attending the inauguration when Nelson Mandela became president of South Africa. And of course, Rev. Jackson helped to secure the release of U.S. hostages around the world, but the one that stands out to me is when he went to Syria and negotiated the release of U.S. Navy Lt. Robert. Goodman Jr. Rev. Jackson has more than earned his place in history and rightfully so. His work will never be forgotten and will be taught in communities all over the world, in places low and high, in our schools and universities. I will live the rest of my life with the memories I cherish for the time, the effort, and the phenomenal work that I experienced with The Reverend Jesse Jackson, presidential candidate and civil rights leader. ###
Washington, D.C. – Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, introduced the Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act (H.R.7565) in the House of Representatives today. “The children and families of Gaza have been devastated by the war, and the food assistance being provided is far from sufficient,” said Congresswoman Waters. “The children of Gaza deserve three meals a day to begin to recover from the war and to grow up healthy and strong. My bill requires the State Department to ensure this minimum standard for children and families in Gaza.” According to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, 1.6 million people in Gaza – more than 75 percent of the population – “are projected to face extreme levels of acute food insecurity and critical malnutrition risks[1].” Furthermore, nearly 101,000 children aged 6 to 59 months are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition through mid-October of 2026, and that is expected to include more than 31,000 severe cases[2]. “More than three-quarters of the people of Gaza are facing acute hunger and malnutrition, and this is clearly unacceptable,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Children and families in Gaza deserve better.” While food assistance has begun to enter Gaza since the October 10th ceasefire, it is far from sufficient to meet the tremendous needs of the people. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that as of January 4th, their partners were able to resume distribution of monthly food rations for the first time since October of 2023, but these rations were only able to reach 100,000 people[3]. “I introduced the Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act to require the State Department to certify that policies, processes, and procedures have been established and are in use to ensure that sufficient food assistance is being provided to ensure that all children in Gaza are able to eat at least three nutritious meals a day, and all other civilians in Gaza are able to eat at least two nutritious meals a day,” said Congresswoman Waters. The policies, processes, and procedures required by the bill must be developed in coordination with the World Food Program (WFP), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and other appropriate United Nations agencies, other bilateral, multilateral, and independent donors, the Government of Israel, and representatives of the Palestinian people. The bill will also require the State Department to report to Congress on how much food assistance is being distributed in Gaza and promptly inform Congress of instances in which food assistance that is made available for the people of Gaza has been denied entry into Gaza or has been diverted or misused in Gaza along with a description of each incident and the parties involved. Congresswoman Waters' bill is endorsed by the Center for International Policy Advocacy, Foreign Policy For America (FP4A), Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), J Street, New Israel Fund, New Jewish Narrative, Partners for Progressive Israel, T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, and Win Without War. Congresswoman Waters' bill is cosponsored by Representatives André Carson (IN-07), Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James P. McGovern (MA-02), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC). ###
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a day set aside to increase HIV awareness and enhance prevention, testing, and treatment among African Americans. It is a day to commemorate the impact of HIV/AIDS on Black Americans and encourage continued efforts to reduce the incidence of HIV, eliminate health disparities, improve access to care and treatment, and show support for all those who are living with HIV/AIDS.
The removal of the brochure that honors Medgar Evers and the identification of the racist, Byron De La Beckwith, who killed him, is but another attempt by racist Trump to deny the history of Black people in this country. It adds to his pattern of erasing the history and the contributions of Black people from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, other Smithsonian museums, other Federal buildings and websites, and the National Park Service. Trump, you are not fit to run this country. And no matter your dirty deeds, we are going to fight you, and we are going to win!
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee and a congressional leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, introduced H.Res.1039 in honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is observed every year on February 7. Her resolution is cosponsored by 29 of her congressional colleagues and endorsed by several HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations. Congresswoman Waters has been spearheading initiatives to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, screening, and treatment since the 1980s. In 1998, she worked with the Clinton administration to establish the Minority AIDS Initiative, which significantly expanded HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts for minority communities that are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Because of her advocacy, the funding for this initiative has increased from the initial appropriation of $156 million in Fiscal Year 1999 to more than $400 million per year today. Last year, she introduced the HIV Prevention Now Act (H.R. 5126), to provide robust appropriations for prevention efforts, and the PrEP and PEP are Prevention Act (H.R. 5127), to require health insurance plans to cover Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) as preventive services. “National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a day set aside to increase HIV awareness and enhance prevention, testing and treatment among African Americans,” said Congresswoman Waters. “It is a day to commemorate the impact of HIV/AIDS on Black Americans and encourage continued efforts to reduce the incidence of HIV, eliminate health disparities, improve access to care and treatment, and show support for all those who are living with HIV/AIDS.”Black Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. While Black Americans represent only 12 percent of America’s population, they account for 39 percent of new HIV diagnoses, 40 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS, and 43 percent of deaths among people with HIV/AIDS.[1] Furthermore, Black women account for about half of new HIV diagnoses among women, and Black young people account for about half of new HIV diagnoses among young people ages 13 to 24. [2] The rate of new HIV diagnoses among Black Americans is about 8 times that of whites.[3]“On National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we must recommit our nation to eliminate health disparities, promote HIV prevention, testing and treatment throughout the United States, and end the HIV/AIDS epidemic once and for all,” said Congresswoman Waters. Congresswoman Waters’ resolution in honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is endorsed by AIDS Foundation Chicago, AIDS United, AMAAD Institute (Arming Minorities Against Addiction and Disease), LA Pride, NAESM Inc., NMAC (formerly the National Minority AIDS Council), and PFLAG National.Her resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Nanette Barrag?n (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Andr? Carson (IN-07), Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-9), Danny K. Davis (IL07), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-7), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24). ###
Donald Trump is a brazen, cruel, and deplorable racist. Everyone knows who and what Donald Trump is, even the people who vote for him. Trump's most recent social media display of President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama is a deranged demonstration of in-your-face racism. Recently, Trump, in his racist attempt to erase the history and the contributions of Black people, ordered the National Park Service to remove visitor brochures from the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument because they called the Klansman murderer of Medgar Evers, a racist. Exploitation of racism has always been a long-term plan of Steve Bannon and Trump. In 2018, Bannon said, "Let them call you racist. Let them call you xenophobes. Let them call you nativists. Wear it as a badge of honor. Because every day, we get stronger and they get weaker."
February is Black History Month! 100 years ago, Carter G. Woodson founded Black History Week. 50 years ago, President Gerald Ford extended it to Black History Month. The contributions, the sacrifices, and the history of Black people in this country should never be forgotten, ignored, or disrespected. Trump is working aggressively to remove the history of slavery and the contributions of Black people from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, other Smithsonian museums, other Federal buildings and websites, and the National Park Service. Trump, you can keep pushing your white supremacist agenda, but that will never wipe out our contributions! We take this month to celebrate our history, memorialize our ancestors, and rejoice in who we are. We will never be forgotten, no matter what you try to do.
The murder of Alex Pretti is stunning and heartbreaking. This murder, following the murder of Renée Good, is shattering the rule of law and the reputation of our democracy. The people of our country must continue to organize, protest, speak up, demand, and not allow Trump and his armed ICE and Border Patrol killers to continue this murderous attack on the people. Deportation efforts should never include the murderous attacks we are witnessing in Minnesota, as well as the assaults and abuse we are witnessing in other states in this country. The leadership of Minnesota is demanding that Trump shut down the ICE and Border Patrol operations in Minnesota and have them all leave immediately. The Governor and the Mayor have called out the National Guard, which is now in Minneapolis. Thank you to the National Guard of Minnesota for the support they are giving to the protesters. The National Guard has been issued yellow vests to distinguish itself from ICE and other federal agents, such as the Border Patrol. I am told ICE and Border Patrol are now wearing the same-colored yellow vests to confuse protestors and continue their murderous rampage. Trump, you need to stop this now. You need to honor the request of the Governor and pull ICE and Border Patrol out of Minnesota before you create what you have alluded to, a civil war. Trump, have you no decency, have you no morality, have you no shame for what you are doing? Stop it now, get ICE and Border Patrol out of Minneapolis and Minnesota!
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 220 to 207 to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats lost that vote. 206 Democrats and 1 Republican voted against the funding; 213 Republicans and 7 Democrats voted for it. The bill now goes to the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Schumer is working to deny ICE funding from the Homeland Security funding bill. I am hoping and praying that the Senate Democrats and at least some compassionate Senate Republicans will vote to kill the ICE funding or end it in some other way. The trauma that Trump is causing, the loss of life that he is directing, moves me not only to support the impeachment of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem but also to impeach Trump. Our country is at a critical moment, with a deranged President, a weak and incompetent cabinet, off-and-on threats of increased tariffs against our allies, growing anger from members of NATO regarding his threat to take over Greenland, and Trump’s outrageous firings and cuts in his domestic agenda, are creating harm and devastation to far too many American families!
The outrageous and blatant threat made to Greenland and Denmark by Trump, threatening to take over the ownership of Greenland, claiming that Greenland was in a position that threatened the security of our country, cannot be tolerated. Trump boldly said to Greenland, “If you don’t let the US purchase Greenland, I’m going to take Greenland anyway.” Trump’s threat of invasion is a blatant violation of the principles of NATO. His threat is an embarrassment to our country, and to add insult to injury, he literally sent a letter to Norway, saying, “Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 wars, I no longer feel I have an obligation to think purely of peace.” What an outrageous, childish, ridiculous, scatterbrained, irresponsible action by someone holding the highest office of the United States of America. You don’t deserve the Nobel Peace Prize; you will never get the Nobel Peace Prize, and you need to return that prize to María Corina Machado, because the Nobel Prize can never be transferred or given to anyone other than the person to whom it was awarded. Trump must stop these unhinged threats to other sovereign nations and discontinue his threats of increased tariffs and an invasion by our country. Trump, you will be fought and disowned by the majority of citizens in the United States, because the majority does not support you in these actions!
Trump, I understand that you think that you are now the acting President of Venezuela, but you are out of your mind. Everyone knows you have invaded Venezuela to steal their oil. And you want to annex Greenland to the United States because you and the billionaires who support you are trying to steal Greenland’s minerals. Your brazen, imperialistic, deceitful, and criminal activities are causing us to lose support from our allies and to see you for what you really are: a gangster criminal with no conscience, morals, or dedication to freedom, justice, and equality. You are causing the world to turn against you and our country. Again, stop your bullshit now!
Today is the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This day has been declared a national holiday, and we memorialize the great accomplishments of MLK. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize, as well as many other awards and recognitions. Dr. King was an unusual and gifted individual who used his talent in support of civil rights, human rights, and “peace on earth and goodwill towards all.” He changed America with his leadership on voting rights, his advocacy for jobs, peace, and prosperity for everyone, and he was assassinated while visiting Memphis, Tennessee, in support of garbage workers. The world will never forget Dr. King and all of his contributions. Because of Dr. King’s dedication and leadership, many are inspired and motivated to fight for justice and equality for everyone. Let’s all try hard to be the best that we can possibly be!
A message to President Trump. Trump, no matter who you think you are, yes, unfortunately, you are the President of the United States of America, but you are abusing the privileges and power of that great office. You are redefining who we are in America, our values, our constitution, and what we stand for. You were not elected to invade other countries, to take revenge on others who were carrying out their duties and responsibilities that you disagree with, you were not elected to use deportation to abuse and kill American citizens or anyone else. Now you are threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, and you are attempting to foment a civil war to prove you are more powerful than the people you are supposed to represent. You'd better back up! The people of this country will not stand for you and your dictatorship's goals to undermine our democracy. Stop your bullshit now!
LOS ANGELES, CA - Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, was honored with the Watts Area Ministers Legacy Award during the Annual Watts Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, held Saturday in the Watts community of South Los Angeles.The award was presented by the Watts Area Ministers, a longstanding coalition of faith leaders serving South Los Angeles, in recognition of Congresswoman Waters’ decades-long commitment to civil rights, economic justice, housing equity, and advocacy for historically underserved communities. The award was presented under the leadership of Pastor Robert Taylor, President of the Watts Area Ministers.In accepting the honor, Congresswoman Waters reflected on Dr. King’s legacy and stressed that the fight for justice requires action, particularly in the areas of housing, economic opportunity, and voting rights.“Dr. King didn’t march so we could celebrate once a year and go back to business as usual,” said Congresswoman Waters. “He marched so Black folks could live with dignity, afford a decent home, earn a fair wage, and vote without interference. In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, I am fully committed to the proposition that freedom is not voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. I will keep fighting for equal rights, no matter who tries to roll them back.”During her remarks, Congresswoman Waters emphasized that Dr. King understood housing and economic security as civil rights issues, noting that stable and affordable housing is foundational to strong families and thriving communities. She tied that legacy to her work as the leading Democrat on the Financial Services Committee, where she has fought to expand affordable housing, strengthen fair lending protections, protect consumers, and hold financial institutions accountable.She also warned that the right to vote, won through sacrifice and struggle, is once again under attack, and urged communities to remain vigilant and engaged in protecting democracy. “The right to vote was paid for with blood,” Congresswoman Waters said. “John Lewis proved that on the bridge in Selma. We cannot allow anyone, courts, politicians, or even the President of the United States, to take away what our ancestors fought and bled for.”The Annual Watts Dr. King Day Celebration brought together clergy, community leaders, elders, families, and elected officials under the theme “Keeping the Dream Alive.” The program featured prayers, musical selections, civic presentations, and a moment of commemoration honoring Dr. King’s enduring impact.Congresswoman Waters thanked the Watts Area Ministers for the recognition and reaffirmed her commitment to continuing Dr. King’s unfinished work through legislative leadership and deep partnership with the community.
The people won a bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives last night! That was a vote to extend the Obamacare subsidies created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Much credit to Leader Hakeem Jeffries for providing strong leadership and strategy to help educate the public about the increase in health premiums that they would experience without these subsidies. Hakeem Jeffries held the Democrats together, initiated a discharge petition, and was dedicated to not getting diverted from the healthcare issue. Because of Hakeem’s leadership, we were able to get people in Republican districts to become advocates and to lobby their elected officials. 4 Republicans supported the discharge petition, and 17 Republicans voted for the bill. Millions can be thankful their premiums will not increase or double. This is hard work because Trump is firing federal employees, cutting social service programs, and dismantling support for American citizens while he is destroying the East Wing of the White House to create a ballroom. But when the people learn and understand how destructive he is, we will have more wins, and that is what some of us are fighting for!
Justice for Keith Porter! An off-duty ICE agent shot and killed Keith Porter from Los Angeles, who was celebrating the coming of the new year by discharging their firearms on New Year’s Eve. The off-duty ICE agent who lived in the same neighborhood as Keith Porter said Porter threatened him, even though Porter, along with his neighbors, was celebrating the new year as is customary all across the country. According to neighbors, the ICE agent never identified themselves, and ignored the fact that many of the neighbors were also discharging their firearms in celebration on New Year’s Eve, and that there was no real threat to the unidentified ICE agent. But of course, we are hearing from the Trump Administration the same old lies and excuses in defense of ICE that we have heard before. Another example of Trump empowering ICE to feel free to shoot to kill at the slightest hint of suspicion, dislike, or annoyance, knowing that Trump would defend them and even pardon them if they are convicted.
Justice for Renee! Trump’s deportation efforts have caused yet another killing. Trump has lied again and called Renee Nicole Good a domestic terrorist; she was not. That’s a lie he cannot prove! Renee was an American citizen, a 37-year-old white woman, a mother of 3 children, a poet, and a guitarist. Trump has empowered ICE to feel free to shoot to kill at the slightest hint of suspicion, dislike, or annoyance, knowing that Trump would defend them and even pardon them if they are convicted. Everyone is at risk in our own country. Everyone should be joining us in opposition to the mayhem and death this President is causing in this country.