Press Releases

Progressive Caucus Leaders Applaud Release of Drones Memo

June 23, 2014

WASHINGTON—Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) joined CPC Whip Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) in applauding the release of a White House memo outlining the government’s authority for using drones to kill U.S. citizens overseas.

“With the release of this memo, the American people have a glimpse into decisions made in our name where lives hang in the balance,” said Rep. Grijalva. “The fact that American lives are on the line too should give all of us pause. It’s time to end the secrecy surrounding our drone policies, and I applaud the administration’s move to release this memo. It’s a far cry from outright transparency, but it is a good first step.”

“The American people have a right to know their government’s justification for the use of force abroad,” Rep. Ellison said. “We need to restrict the use of drones in Yemen, Pakistan and elsewhere. The American people can now learn more about a program that has claimed the lives of innocents and damaged our reputation abroad. The release of this secret memo is a victory for transparency. But more must be done to inform the public and have accountable policies.”

“The release of this secret memo is a good step toward transparency but we have a long way to go,” Rep. Lee said. “Congress must repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), which has allowed endless war with little Congressional debate, input or oversight.”

The Congressional Progressive Caucus has led the way on transparency in the U.S. drone program, holding an ad-hoc hearing last summer and endorsing legislation to bring the legal reasoning behind the drone program into the light. 

CPC: No Combat Operations in Iraq

June 20, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC—The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) introduced an amendment today to require that no funds in the Department of Defense FY2015 Appropriations bill go towards combat operations inIraq. The amendment was introduced by CPC Peace and Security Task Force Chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and supported on the floor by CPC Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Reps. Rick Nolan (D-MN) and Janice Hahn (D-CA). The amendment failed on a 165—250 vote.

“We must not let history repeat itself in Iraq,” Rep. Lee said. “Because the reality is there is no military solution in Iraq.  This is a sectarian war with long standing roots that were flamed when we invaded Iraq in 2003.  Any lasting solution must be political and take into account respect for the entire Iraqi population.”

"Too many lives have already been lost in the quagmire that is Iraq,” Rep. Grijalva said. “There is no 'part way' when it comes to military involvement - what starts as a surefire military success in the eyes of politicians ends in prolonged conflict when reality sets in. We all want peace for the region, but it cannot be achieved through more American bloodshed."

“Airstrikes and sending combat troops to Iraq is not the way forward,” Rep. Ellison said. “The current crisis threatens to push Iraq and the region into a wider sectarian war and can only be solved when Iraq’s minorities are given the political representation they deserve. The United States should exercise all the leverage we have with the Iraqi government and regional powers to press President Maliki into a more equitable power-sharing agreement.”

"We’ve given Iraq a chance. Now they need to stand on their own. U.S. military re-intervention would be a terrible mistake – exacerbating the conflict and drawing us back into a war that has already cost our nation trillions of dollars and thousands of precious lives,” Rep. Nolan said. “This is a 1,400-year-old conflict, and unless we are prepared to bankrupt ourselves spending another 1,400 years policing it, we need to stay out. It is the leaders and people of Iraq who must step forward now.”

“I strongly oppose any further U.S. military intervention in Iraq. It was misguided 11 years ago, and it would be misguided now. Let us not repeat history. Prime Minister Maliki has failed, and it is now time for the people of Iraq to determine the future of their nation, and lead Iraq forward without the involvement of the United States. I support providing support and safe passage for Americans at our embassy or in Iraq, but no more combat troops should be sent to Iraq. We have no place trying to solve a modern day civil war,” said Rep. Janice Hahn.

House of Representatives Moves to Protect Workers

June 10, 2014

WASHINGTON—Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed an amendment introduced by the CPC to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act to disqualify certain federal contracts to any corporation that committed wage theft or other violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

“The House of Representatives stood up for federal contract workers today, protecting them from wage theft and ensuring the federal government will lead the way to fairer labor standards for all Americans. No working American should ever worry that her employer might steal a part of her paycheck, especially if she works for a contractor paid by the federal government.

“Sometimes employers ask workers to show up 30 minutes before their shift starts, while others pay workers with debit cards that charge fees for every use. It doesn’t matter which form it takes—wage theft is wrong and it needs to stop.

“We’re glad our Republican colleagues joined the Progressive Caucus in this step to protect Americans working for federal contractors.”

Progressive Caucus Sends Letter to HHS Secretary on Voter Registration in Insurance Exchanges

June 5, 2014

WASHINGTON—Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) and CPC member Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell today about voter registration for millions of Americans through the federal exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) requires the federal government to provide Americans with the opportunity to register to vote when it delivers public assistance. Evidence from the recent ACA open enrollment indicates that the federal exchanges may not be in compliance with the NVRA.

The text of the letter is below and a signed version can be found here.

Dear Secretary Burwell:

Congratulations on your confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). We know you will continue to build on the first Affordable Care Act open enrollment period and work to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable health care coverage.

We write to request a meeting with you to discuss bringing the federally-facilitated Health Benefits Exchanges (FFEs) into compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).   

As you know, a healthy democracy demands the highest possible rate of voter participation.  The National Voter Registration Act makes voter registration easier and more accessible by requiring voter registration services to be provided where government delivers public services to its citizens.  Since 1995, states have offered citizens the opportunity to register to vote whenever they obtain a driver’s license or apply for Medicaid, and in some states, at public libraries. 

FFEs are subject to the NVRA, which requires all “offices in the state that provide public assistance” to provide specified voter registration services.[1]  The NVRA specifies that “providing public assistance” includes administration of the application process for public assistance.  The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires Exchanges to provide a “single streamlined application” for enrollment in insurance affordability programs and other health care programs like CHIP and Medicaid, which means they provide public assistance under the NVRA.[2]  In fact, the Exchange application process is the only way to apply for Medicaid in several states.  FFE processes, therefore, must comply with the requirements of the NVRA like all other public assistance offices.

It has been brought to our attention that the health care enrollment process of the FFEs may not be providing adequate access to voter registration applications. The State of California has committed to making its Exchange fully compliant with NVRA; avoter registration mailing went to the almost 5 million people who applied for benefits since October 1, 2013. We hope that the federal exchanges can follow the example of California in reaching full compliance with NVRA.

We request that you meet with Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) to discuss updating the FFEs so that they comply with the NVRA.  Michael Darner, Executive Director of the CPC at michael.darner@mail.house.gov will contact your office to set up the meeting.  We look forward to working with you on this important issue of improving access to voter registration.

 

#   #   #


[1]42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(2)(A)

[2]45 C.F.R. § 155.405(a)

House Republicans Vote to Continue Wage Theft

May 30, 2014

WASHINGTON—Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after House Republicans voted down an amendment introduced by the CPC to disqualify certain federal contracts for any corporation that committed wage theft or other violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

“Contractors pocket taxpayer money and then commit wage theft by denying workers overtime pay or forcing them to work off the clock. A recent National Employment Law Project (NELP) survey found that 21 percent of federal contract workers surveyed were not paid overtime and 11% have been forced to work ‘off the clock.’ The federal government could lead the way by disqualifying contractors who practice wage theft, but House Republicans voted today against an amendment to do exactly that.

“The failure of this amendment illustrates who Republicans defend. Speaker Boehner refuses to allow a vote to raise the federal minimum wage or renew unemployment insurance. House Republicans have focused relentlessly on taking away affordable health care and investigating Benghazi because they believe that is how they will win November. Unfortunately, working families have been left out of the Republican political strategy.

“Taxpayer money must be spent wisely. As the largest purchaser of goods and services in the nation, the federal government must find a way to make sure funds are going to companies that treat their workers fairly and give American families a chance to succeed.” 

CPC, CBC, CHC and CAPAC Chairs Applaud Amendment to End Racial Profiling

May 30, 2014

WASHINGTON— Co-Chairs of the Progressive Caucus (CPC) Reps. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Reps. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-Ohio), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Rubén Hinojosa (D-Texas) and Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Judy Chu (D-Calif.) applauded the passage by voice vote through the House of Representatives an amendment to prevent the Department of Justice, the FBI and local law enforcement from using money in the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to engage in profiling based on race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender and sexual orientation.

“My home state has witnessed firsthand what profiling can do to a community,” said Rep. Grijalva, “Judging a person based on their skin tone or appearance isn’t only damaging to that person, the impacts of distrust and disdain ripple through that community. Federal dollars should never be spent on programs that endorse these actions.”

“Diversity is at the core of our nation’s strength,” Rep. Ellison said. “Discrimination and profiling of minority communities by law enforcement undermines that strength. We stand together today to say no more. The amendment passed by the House of Representatives will protect Americans from counterproductive and unconstitutional racial profiling.”

"I applaud the passage of the Quad Caucus amendment that addresses racial profiling,” said Rep. Marcia L. Fudge. “This nation stands on the principles of liberty and justice for all. Thus, we must ensure policies are in place to prevent discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender and sexual orientation. This amendment is an example of what is necessary to move this nation forward.”

"No one in our country should ever be singled out and targeted unfairly,” Rep. Hinojosa said. “Profiling someone based on their race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender or sexual orientation is simply wrong and does nothing to prevent crime. This amendment to the 2015 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is a solid mechanism that will help local law enforcement, the FBI, and the Department of Justice uphold our American ideal of equal protection for all."

 “When law enforcement uses profiling against a group, it replaces trust with fear and makes communities less safe,” Rep. Chu said. “We must ensure that communities and law enforcement are partners in preventing crimes, and that means ending profiling based on race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, and sexual orientation once and for all.”

The CPC, CBC, CHC and CAPAC leaders recently sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder on the Department of Justice’s guidelines on racial profiling.

Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs: Mr. President, End This War

May 27, 2014

WASHINGTON—Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after President Obama announced he will keep a residual force of 9,800 troops in Afghanistan after 2014.

“It’s time to end the longest war in American history. It’s time for our servicemembers in Afghanistan to safely come home to their families. We cannot afford to spend trillions of dollars on wars, while working families here at home are forced to get by without unemployment insurance and nutrition assistance. A troop presence in Afghanistan could last indefinitely, which would mean fewer resources for investments in infrastructure, education, and sustainable jobs for the middle class here at home. 

“No decisions should be made on a lasting troop presence in Afghanistan until Congress weighs in. Last week, Republicans denied the House of Representatives an up-or-down vote to end the war. We urge the Congressional Leadership in the House and Senate to schedule a vote on the war in Afghanistan as soon as possible. 

“President Obama promised he would end the war in Afghanistan. We are glad the original combat mission in Afghanistan is coming to a close, but keeping a residual force of over 9,800 in the country after 2014 is not ending the war.”

The CPC has long opposed unlimited involvement in Afghanistan. Our men and women in uniform deserve to come home, and the Afghan people deserve a new approach to our relationship that emphasizes humanitarian aid and capacity-building rather than focusing, as we have done in the past, almost exclusively on military objectives

Progressive Caucus Sends Letter to FCC Chairman Demanding Net Neutrality

May 14, 2014

WASHINGTON – Ahead of tomorrow’s Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) meeting to propose new Internet speed and pricing policies, Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) sent FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler a letter today urging strong consumer protections that will prevent anti-competitive behavior that could impact consumer access to online content. The letter, co-signed by 34 House Democratic colleagues, calls on Wheeler to “adopt strong and enforceable open Internet rules that proactively protect Internet users from unfair practices, including the blockage of lawful traffic or discrimination among content providers[.]”

The letter supports Net Neutrality, which would preserve high-speed Internet service for the entire country and prevent Internet service providers (ISP) from enacting pricing schemes, where web companies would have to pay higher fees to gain access to an internet “fast lane.” Net Neutrality also prevents Internet service providers from favoring some sites over others at customers’ expense.

As the letter says, “Recognizing our nation’s communications providers as common carriers under the law is common sense. Reclassification would also complement the Commission’s efforts to promote innovation, competition and investment in universally available, reliable and affordable broadband infrastructure. Over one million people have already gone on the record in support of reclassification.”

The FCC will meet tomorrow amid widespread public demand for the preservation of Net Neutrality and continued government support for equal access to the Internet.

In addition to Grijalva and Ellison, signatories include Reps. Barbara Lee, Conyers, John Lewis, McGovern, Grayson, Huffman, Takano, Edwards, Pocan, Honda, Cicilline, Nadler, Norton, Lowenthal, Kaptur, Holt, Defazio, Capuano, Serrano, Schakowsky, Carson, Blumenauer, Tierney, Shea-Porter,  Farr, Rangel, McCollum, McDermott, Lofgren, O’Rourke, Tim Ryan, Bobby Scott, Sarbanes, Michaud and Visclosky. The letter is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union, National Hispanic Media Coalition, Free Press, Democracy for America, Moveon.org, CREDO Action, Demand Progress, Daily Kos, The Other 98%, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Color of Change and Presente.org.

The text of the letter is below. A PDF with signatures is available at http://1.usa.gov/T7os3E

Dear Chairman Wheeler,

As you develop a proposal to oversee access to the Internet, we urge you to adopt strong and enforceable open Internet rules that proactively protect Internet users from unfair practices, including the blockage of lawful traffic or discrimination among content providers by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The rules must preserve the Internet as the open platform that it is today by recognizing our nation’s communications providers as common carriers. Without strong protections, the Internet could devolve into a closed platform in which those who pay the most can overwhelm other views and ideas.

We agree with your previous statements and those from President Obama that expressed similar concerns. ISPs will continue to explore ways to boost revenue by imposing discriminatory charges that will decrease the openness of the Internet. There is ample evidence that protecting the open Internet against such threats is critical for users and businesses alike. However, reports indicate that the current FCC proposal creates an Internet fast lane that would prioritize some Internet traffic and allow ISPs to discriminate against everyone else. The FCC cannot protect the open Internet by allowing discrimination. 

We urge the FCC to use its clear authority under Title II of the Communications Act to reclassify the transmission component of broadband Internet access as a telecommunications service.  Recognizing our nation’s communications providers as common carriers under the law is common sense. Reclassification would also complement the Commission’s efforts to promote innovation, competition and investment in universally available, reliable and affordable broadband infrastructure.

Over one million people have already gone on the record in support of reclassification.  We urge the FCC to consider this support for strong, enforceable open Internet rules as it moves forward with the rulemaking process.

Sincerely,

CC:      Mignon Clyburn, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission

            Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission

            Ajit Pai, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission

            Michael O’Reilly, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission

CPC, CBC, CAPAC, CHC Send Letter to Attorney General Holder on Racial Profiling

May 11, 2014

Leaders from the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus sent a letter to Attorney General Holder yesterday asking for a meeting on new guidelines for racial profiling. The quad-caucus letter was signed by Reps. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) and Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) for the Progressive Caucus, Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) for the Black Caucus, Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas) for the Hispanic Caucus and Judy Chu (D-Calif.) for the Asian Pacific American Caucus. The text of the letter is below and a .pdf version can be found here.

May 7,2014

As leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and as the representatives of millions of Americans who will be affected by the Department of Justice’s revisions to its 2003 guidance on racial profiling, we write to respectfully request a meeting with you before the new guidance is finalized.

We appreciate the difficult job the Department of Justice and other law enforcement agencies do to pursue justice for Americans and keep our country safe. Recent news reports indicate that the Department of Justice plans to strengthen anti-profiling provisions, but that federal law enforcement agencies would still be able to engage in profiling that could violate the constitutional rights of American citizens. It is critical that the revised guidance prohibit profiling based on race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation and gender identity. It must also eliminate loopholes for border and national security, apply to state and local law enforcement agencies that partner with the federal government or receive federal finding, and cover surveillance activities.

These improvements will help ensure that the rights of our nation’s increasingly diverse citizens are protected from the inappropriate use of profiling by law enforcement officials. The revised guidance should reduce instances of Customs and Border Protection agents routinely stopping law-abiding Latino-Americans on suspected immigration violations, and the FBI’s practice of mapping entire ethnic communities without any basis for individualized suspicion, including African-Americans, Russian-Americans, Chinese-Americans, Arab-Americans and Muslim-Americans. The revised guidance

must mitigate the invasive searches Sikh-Americans endure at airport security simply because of their appearance, and the interrogations Muslim-Americans sometimes experience regarding their constitutionally protected religious beliefs and political activities.

We appreciate your commitment to ending racial profiling in all its forms and look forward to meeting with you to discuss how law enforcement agencies can do their job while upholding their obligation to treat all Americans fairly and equally under the law.

Sincerely,

 

CPC Co-Chair Statement on National Climate Assessment

May 6, 2014

Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement this afternoon on the new U.S. National Climate Assessment.

“The report released today makes it clear the United States is not living within its ecological means. If we refuse to change course, we undermine our economy, our climate and our way of life. The worst effects of global heating can be avoidedonly with swift action. Congress must create jobs by putting a price on carbon and investing in clean energy, modern transportation systems and a twenty-first century energy grid.

“The damage caused by climate change is already disproportionately affecting communities of color and low-income communities. The lessons of Hurricane Katrina have not reached the halls of Congress. We can create jobs and protect our environment at the same time. If we don’t, severe storms and hurricanes will continue to destroy homes, shortages of clean water will become more acute in resource-poor areas, and extreme heat will cause food supply shortages and price spikesfor years to come. Those and other hardships will hit communities of color and low-income communities hardest. Waiting for more disasters to strike will only make the transition to a warmer world more difficult and more expensive.

“Doing what we’ve always done benefits the wealthy few at the expense of everyone else. Congress should take action now – action that we know is in our own best interest. Taxpayer subsidies for oil companies making record profits are not in our best interest. Building the Keystone XL pipeline to allow a Canadian company to export dirty tar sands to China is not in our best interest. Weand the American peoplebelieve we must do better. We stand with the president in supporting strong limits on climate pollution from power plants, rejecting the ‘carbon bomb’ known as tar sands oil and the pipelines that transport it like Keystone XL, and calling on Congress to pass meaningful, job-creating climate legislation.”

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