Congresspeople standing up and building for the future!
Washington D.C., July 22, 2025 — ‘Why are we here?’ | Ranking Member Pingree Slams Sham Appropriations Process as Republicans Allow Trump to Usurp Power of the Purse
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Ranking Member of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, spoke out against Republicans’ funding bill for the 2026 fiscal year during the Appropriations Committee’s markup today. In her opening remarks, Pingree called the entire appropriations process into question as the Trump Administration continues to undermine previous funding bills with cuts and rescissions.
‘Now, as we Democrats are in the minority, we don’t expect to have a lot of power. But for all of us on this Appropriations Committee, why are we here and what is our role now as appropriators? Last week, the majority passed the Rescissions …and that bill eliminated spending that we had negotiated over the prior years,’ Pingree said. ‘The hard work that we do every day in this committee, the hard work you’re doing right now—that is all gone when we pass the Rescissions bill. And how will it be any different once we pass this bill, or the other bills we intend to pass this week?’
Pingree also called out the reckless cuts this bill makes to the EPA, National Parks, and the arts and humanities, as well as 72 riders that undermine climate policies and add to the deficit.
[Read Pingree’s opening remarks here.]
Washington D.C., July 22, 2025 — DeGette, Raskin, Auchincloss Introduce Resolution Recognizing U.S. Leadership in Biomedical Research
Today, Reps. Diana DeGette (CO-01), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), and Jake Auchincloss (MA-04) introduced a Congressional resolution recognizing the importance of U.S. leadership in biomedical research and the federal government’s responsibility to protect and expand that leadership in the years to come.
The resolution highlights the historic role the United States has played in advancing medicine and science—from breakthroughs in cancer and HIV treatment to the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines—and lays out a clear roadmap for how the federal government must act to strengthen biomedical innovation, insulate science from political interference, and improve public health outcomes for all Americans.
‘Under the Trump administration, American leadership in biomedical research—which has saved countless lives through groundbreaking cures—has been under assault,’ said DeGette. ‘NIH has long been the gold standard in biomedical research, and from the cure for hepatitis C to cutting-edge gene therapies, we’ve seen what’s possible when our scientists are empowered to pursue bold ideas and answer urgent medical challenges. But that progress is at risk of catastrophe. If we want to remain the global leader in innovation, the Trump administration must end its anti-science agenda, focus on empowering scientists, and ensure scientific inquiry is protected from political meddling.’
‘Our resolution puts America back in position to lead in the biomedical research field and to protect this critical work from political interference,’ said Raskin. ‘For the health and wellbeing of our people, the Trump Administration must stop its brutal onslaught against science, research, public health and the federal workforce.’
‘America has led the world in biomedical research and innovation because it funds curiosity-driven basic science, elevates peer review over politics, and protects intellectual property,’ said Auchincloss. ‘Congress either renews these commitments — or hands over biomedical leadership to China.[‘]
‘As a nation, we have led the world in biomedical advancement for decades. This did not happen by accident–it happened through the unified support of presidents, congress, and the American public. By creating a publicly funded ecosystem where our best and brightest could pursue answers to problems that have followed humanity since our beginning, we have saved millions of lives. We cannot separate the benefits of this ecosystem from our committed investment in it,’ said Stand Up for Science Founder and Executive Director Collete Delawalla.
‘From working to find cures for rare diseases, cancers, and Alzheimer’s to conducting basic research that will form the basis of future biomedical breakthroughs, UAW members at the NIH and at academic research institutions across the country do lifesaving research every day,’ said Rajiv Sicora, Legislative Director for the UAW. ‘But their work is under attack by the Trump administration’s attempts to gut the federal government’s role in scientific research, undermine scientific integrity and academic freedom, and decimate workers’ rights. We thank Congresswoman DeGette, Congressman Raskin, and Congressman Auchincloss for their clear-eyed attention to this crisis and their efforts to protect federal investments in biomedical research.’
The resolution emphasizes the indispensable role of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research, and calls for a doubling of federal biomedical investment over the next decade. It also urges Congress to prioritize workforce development, scientific independence, and translational research that brings lab discoveries directly into patient care.
The resolution also warns of recent political interference in scientific processes, including during the Trump administration, which has undermined grantmaking, delayed clinical trials, and politicized agency leadership—threatening long-term public health and global competitiveness.
The full resolution can be found here.
Washington, D.C., July 16, 2025 — Ramirez Blasts Outrageous Probe, Subpoenas Border Czar Homan, Governor DeSantis, Secretary Rubio for their Unlawful Anti-Immigrant Campaign
Today, during a House Homeland Security Committee Hearing, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) blasted Republicans’ reckless and ill-intentioned probe into non-profit service organizations, which persecute organizations that have provided duly authorized, law-abiding services in an effort to intimidate organizations and suppress dissent.
While Republicans seek to drag nonprofit organizations for their lawful work, Ramirez and her colleagues demanded that Administration officials come to the committee and account for their complicity in unlawful activities, including:
- enabling racial profiling by ICE,
- misusing federal funding for the construction of a mega prison,
- and back-door deals with third-party countries for deportations.
To that end, Congresswoman Ramirez moved to subpoena Border Czar Thomas Douglas Homan, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Department of State Secretary Marco Rubio.
‘Today, Republicans will lie and gaslight us to help their fascist boss suppress dissent. Who drags the reputations of essential non-profits in our communities? I’ll tell you who – authoritarians, bullies, weak wanna be kings who are scared of civil society,’ said Congresswoman Ramirez. ‘Today’s hearing is unserious, especially since the illegal and unlawful activities are actually being perpetrated by the people in the White House, Cabinet, and Republican leadership. Enough is enough. We demand that Border Czar Homan, Governor DeSantis, and Secretary Rubio come and testify before this committee.’
Watch her full remarks HERE.
Washington, D.C., July 15, 2025 — DeLauro Statement on Supreme Court Clearing Path for Destruction of Public Education
Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement in response to the Supreme Court allowing for mass layoffs at the Department of Education, clearing the path for President Trump’s plan to end public education in the United States:
‘President Trump has made clear that he is not on the side of the middle and working-class. From massive tax breaks for billionaires while raising health insurance costs for everyday Americans; from protecting the inheritance of the wealthy by stripping nutrition assistance away from families in need – his administration has consistently attacked the very people they claim to fight for.
‘Now, with the blessing of the conservative activists on the Supreme Court, President Trump and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon are moving forward with their dangerous plan to end public education as we know it. This is a full-scale assault on our nation’s children – turning education from a basic right into a privilege for the wealthy few.
‘I will not stand for this. We must defend public education in America. Our children – and our nation’s future – depend on it.’
