The DeSaulnier Digest: No Funding for ICE
In the days since I voted against any funding for ICE, agents from the rogue agency executed another American citizen in broad daylight, abducted and detained a 5-year-old child, and continue to terrorize Minneapolis. The lawlessness must end and ICE must be reined in now. I have called on all U.S. Senators to reject funding for ICE when it comes up for a vote this week, and I continue to demand an independent investigation of the ICE agents involved in these killings to ensure they are held accountable to the full extent of the law.
In light of the ongoing crises, I will be hosting an in-person town hall in Pleasant Hill on Saturday, February 7th at 12:30 p.m. to share updates with you on House Democrats’ efforts to push back against the dangerous policies of the Trump Administration and to protect our nation and democracy.
To reserve your spot and receive additional information including the event address, please click here or on the flyer below. The town hall will also be livestreamed for virtual participants.
These are dark days for our country, but I am encouraged by the continued civic participation by so many. I hope to see you at the town hall on February 7th.
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Mark Opposes ICE Funding and Funding for Other Dangerous Initiatives
Last week, the House of Representatives considered a bill that would fund five cabinet agencies through September. The bill would give billions more to ICE and increase wasteful defense spending without imposing guardrails on the President's ability to engage in reckless military action in Greenland and Venezuela. Despite theCongressman's opposition, the bill passed the House and now awaits further consideration in the U.S. Senate.
Congressman DeSaulnier Votes Against Anti-Abortion Bills
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, 13 states have banned abortion, and severe limits have been imposed on women's health in an additional ten states. Last week, the House of Representatives considered two bills which would further hinder women's ability to make their own health care decisions. One bill (H.R 6945) would allow states to direct federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds towards anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers, which shame and misinform pregnant people to discourage them from receiving the abortion services they request. The second bill (H.R. 6359) would require colleges and universities to limit the set of resources and information provided to pregnant students to exclude information on contraception, abortion, pregnancy loss, and other reproductive and sexual health resources in an attempt to pressure students to carry their pregnancy to term even if that is not in the student's best interest. Both bills passed the House despite Congressman DeSaulnier's strong opposition, and they now head to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.
Congressman DeSaulnier Supports Limiting Military Operations in Venezuela
Following months of escalating aggression towards Venezuela, the Trump Administration conducted a military operation on January 3 resulting in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to the United States. That operation violated domestic and international law, and it was conducted without Congressional authorization. While President Maduro was a cruel and despotic leader, Congressman DeSaulnier opposes President Trump's plan to further increase U.S. involvement in thedomestic affairs of Venezuela, which would not be in the interest of either the American or Venezuelan people. Last week, the House of Representatives considered a resolution (H.Con.Res. 68) that would direct President Trump to remove U.S. armed forces from unauthorized activities in Venezuela. Despite Mark's strong support, H.Con.Res. 68 failed to pass the House.
Mark Votes to Protect Public Lands
Last week, Congressman DeSaulnier voted against a Republican resolution, H.J.Res.140, that would roll back land protections and limit the federal government's ability to responsibly manage public lands. H.J.Res. 140 would overturn a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule that withdrew certain federal lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties in Minnesota from mineral leasing and development. The BLM rule was intended to protect sensitive public lands and natural resources while allowing for further environmental review. Despite his opposition, H.J.Res.140 passed the House and now awaits further consideration in the Senate.
ON THE FLOOR
Mark Condemns Big Money in Politics on the House Floor
Sixteen years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC opened the floodgates for the ultra-wealthy and corporations to pour unlimited amounts of money into our electoral system, giving them undue influence in our politics. Since then, spending by billionaires on elections has skyrocketed from a total of $16 million in 2008 to $2.6 billion in 2024. During the same period, House Republicans have passed legislation that overwhelmingly benefits those same wealthy individuals and mega corporations like the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and last year's Big Ugly Bill. It is past time that we course correct and work to reduce inequality in America by decreasing theinfluence of money in our elections, and last week, Congressman DeSaulnier spoke on the floor to urge Congress to do just that. To see his remarks, click here or on theimage below.
POST OF THE WEEK
BY THE NUMBERS
