Washington, D.C., Aug. 21, 2025 — Rep. Adams Statement on President Trump’s Attacks on the Smithsonian
“President Trump fundamentally misunderstands the role museums play in telling the story of America,” said U.S. Rep. Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D – North Carolina 12th Congressional District), a former art professor of 40 years and practicing professional artist who released a statement on President Donald Trump’s recent attacks on Truth Social on Smithsonian museums.
Adams continued:
Museums are centers of preservation, of culture, of speaking unapologetically to the history of our country—its greatest achievements and its darkest moments. The eras of slavery, segregation, and internment cannot be whitewashed because they make some people uncomfortable. Museums were never built for comfort. They’re built for learning, understanding, and chronicling the truth of our past.
The president can try to remove our history from museums but make no mistake, that will not silence the American people. We will keep acknowledging it, discussing it, and learning from it as we build for the future.
Washington, D.C., Aug. 15, 2025 — Hirono, Tokuda Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation To Strengthen Social Security ProgramÂ
Today, on the 90th anniversary of Social Security, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI) reintroduced the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act, legislation that would strengthen Social Security’s financial state and ensure that seniors continue to benefit from the programs they have paid into throughout their lives.
‘For 90 years, Social Security has provided critical support to millions of kupuna, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable communities in Hawaii and across the country,’ said Senator Hirono. ‘Amidst this administration’s attacks on federal programs, I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to help strengthen the Social Security program and ensure that it remains accessible for the millions of Americans who rely on it.’
‘Social Security is an earned benefit—not a handout—and a promise that brings peace of mind to following a lifetime of hard work. In Hawaii, nearly 300,000 workers, kupuna, and families depend on it to make ends meet,’ said Representative Tokuda. ‘That’s why I’m proud to reintroduce the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act with Senator Hirono. Our bill strengthens benefits, accounts for the true cost of living, ends unjust practices like reclaiming final checks, and—most importantly—makes the wealthiest finally pay their fair share, securing this promise for generations to come.’
This bill will make significant progress toward extending the Social Security lifeline. According to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Chief Actuary, the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act is expected to extend the ability of the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program to pay scheduled benefits in full and on time for an additional 11 years, from 2034 to 2045.
The reintroduction of this legislation follows Trump’s recent attacks on Social Security, including a hiring freeze, efforts to force out workers, and efforts to close field offices, which has led to longer wait times for seniors. It also follows new analysis that shows Trump’s Big Ugly Bill could accelerate the depletion of Social Security trust funds. Earlier this year, Senator Hirono offered a budget amendment that would have prevented DOGE cuts to customer service. However, all but two Senate Republicans opposed the amendment, which was not agreed to.
The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act aims to improve the Social Security system’s fairness, solvency, and benefits. Specifically, the bill:
- Ensures the appropriate weight is given to the real costs in seniors’ budgets by using the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) to calculate the relevant cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), rather than the more generic Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W); and
- Requires the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share by phasing out the cap on Social Security contributions, gradually over the next seven years.
In addition to Senator Hirono, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tina Smith (D-MN) in the Senate.
In addition to Representative Tokuda, the bill is cosponsored by Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Paul Tonko (D-NY) in the House.
The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act is endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM); Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA); and Social Security Works (SSW).
[Read the full text of the bill here.]
Kansas City, Miss., Aug. 20, 2025 — Rep. Cleaver Joins Lawmakers in Demanding Trump Administration Release $300 Million in CDC Grant Funding
U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) has joined a number of House Democrats in demanding the Trump administration release nearly $300 million in congressionally obligated funds for core public health programs. In a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Susan Monarez, Rep. Cleaver, Congressman Timothy Kennedy (D-NY), and other House Democrats underline the impact this action has on state and local health departments and public health organizations in communities across the country.
‘As you know, the CDC is responsible for executing the federal government’s response for disease prevention and improved public health outcomes through scientific research,’ the lawmakers wrote. ‘Through annual discretionary and mandatory appropriations, CDC funding critical research and development initiatives for disease surveillance, cancer prevention, health education, and public emergency readiness, among others. Many of these funding streams go directly to state, local, territorial, and tribal governments as well as external stakeholders with CDC’s shared goals.’
‘These federal funds have been congressionally obligated and are depended upon by the local health departments that execute lifesaving initiatives,’ the lawmakers continued. ‘Funding delays directly harm our constituents who depend on these services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.’
‘As Members of Congress, we have constituents and local organizations impacted by these irresponsible funding freezes and have received urgent outreach expressing deep concern about the impact of this administration’s actions. Without reliable, regular, and renewed public health investments from the federal government, this administration risks undoing decades of advancements in disease prevention. We demand that OMB immediately release obligated CDC funds and continue much-needed investments in our communities,’ the lawmakers concluded.
The official letter from lawmakers is available here.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.
Washington, D.C., Aug. 12, 2025, — Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Trump Seizing Control of D.C. Police, Deploying National Guard
Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:
‘President Trump does not care about keeping Washington, D.C., or any of our communities safe. His claims about crime in the District — where violent crime is now at a 30-year low — are patently false. On his first day in office, Trump granted pardons to nearly 1,500 individuals convicted of or charged in connection with the deadly January 6th Capitol attack, eliminating any credibility he has on the issue of public safety. Taking over local control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police and deploying the National Guard under the guise of public safety puts residents in danger. This unprecedented attack on D.C. home rule is a blatantly racist and despicable power grab, and it won’t stop in Washington, D.C.
‘While we don’t yet know the full impact this decision will have on D.C. and the Black and minority communities Trump has suggested he may target next, we do know this: militarized over-policing will inevitably lead to increased fear and mistrust among communities that have too often been treated as occupied populations, rather than as citizens who deserve to be served and protected.
‘It is clear that President Trump will do anything to distract from the crises plaguing his administration — from the Epstein files to the disastrous jobs report — including putting the residents of D.C. and the American people in harm’s way. Any and all failures that result from this dangerous overreach of power will fall squarely on his shoulders.
‘The CBC will continue fighting to protect D.C.’s right to self-governance and we urge all Americans to recognize this for what it is: a test run for broader authoritarian overreach. The stakes are high not just for Washington, D.C., but for the future of democracy in every corner of this country.’
