Roybal-Allard RSS Articles

REP. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD’S CHILD TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT (CTVPA) APPROVED BY SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard expressed her gratitude to Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii for offering the congresswoman’s bill, the Child Trafficking Victims Protection Act (CTVPA), as an amendment to S. 744, the Senate’s comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The measure was approved by voice vote.

The CTVPA will place child welfare professionals at Customs and Border Patrol stations to provide basic humanitarian assistance to unaccompanied children in federal custody. These trained experts will screen children to identify victims of persecution and trafficking and help to ensure that they are treated appropriately.

“Today, thanks to Senator Hirono’s exceptional leadership, the Senate Judiciary Committee took a critical step to help protect some of the youngest and most vulnerable victims of our broken immigration system,” said Rep. Roybal-Allard. “By accepting legislation I offered in the House, the Child Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the Committee sent a strong signal that all children, regardless of their immigration status, deserve to be treated with care and compassion. I appreciate Senator Hirono efforts and look forward to working with her to expand protections for children and families as the immigration debate continues to unfold.”

The CTVPA responds to numerous documented cases of children apprehended alone along our southern border suffering egregious abuses at the hands of federal immigration officials.

Rep. Roybal-Allard first introduced The Child Trafficking Victims Protection Act as part of The Immigration Oversight and Protection Act in 2008. CTVPA is part of the congresswoman’s Immigration Fairness Agenda.

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REP. ROYBAL-ALLARD BLASTS REPUBLICANS ON 37th REPEAL OF OBAMACARE

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today, House Republican leadership called its 37th vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as “Obamacare.” After voting against the repeal for the 37th time, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard released the following statement:

The House Republican leadership is stuck on repeat. Despite the Supreme Court’s upholding of the law’s constitutionality, the reelection of President Obama, and the Speaker himself declaring Obamacare the, “law of the land,” Republicans forced yet another vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act. This is a blatant waste of both time and taxpayer money.

We need to be talking about creating jobs, getting people back to work and our economy back on track. This is not the time for messaging games, it’s time for us to step up and do the work the American people sent us to Congress to do.

The Affordable Care Act is already helping Americans. Children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied health insurance, seniors formerly in the donut hole are now saving on prescription drugs, young adults can now stay on their family insurance until 26, and no one can have their insurance taken away from them if they get “too sick.”

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REP. ROYBAL-ALLARD: FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL POLICE UNDERMINE PUBLIC SAFETY, SHOULD BE SUSPENDED

Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard reacted to the deeply troubling findings of a new survey of Latino attitudes towards law enforcement in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Phoenix. In a poll conducted by Lake Research Partners, 44% of respondents said they would now be unlikely to contact police if they were victims of a crime because of concerns about officers questioning their immigration status or the status of people they know. The figure rises to 70% among those Latinos who are undocumented. Congresswoman Roybal-Allard said the results highlight the negative impact on public safety of the 287(g) and Secure Communities immigration enforcement programs.

“The results of this scientific survey clearly show that local police shouldn’t be in the business of enforcing our immigration laws,” said Rep. Roybal-Allard. “As the Los Angeles Police Department has said repeatedly, when immigrant and minority communities fear the cops who patrol their streets, fewer witnesses come forward and more victims choose to suffer in silence. That makes all of us less safe. We should end federal partnerships with local law enforcement, like the deeply flawed 287(g) and Secure Communities programs, while Congress works to overhaul our broken immigration system.”

In December, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard led the Congressional Hispanic, Black, Asian American and Progressive Caucuses in sending a letter to the Department of Homeland Security urging Secretary Janet Napolitano to end the 287(g) program.

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REP. ROYBAL-ALLARD HAILS INTRODUCTION OF SENATE IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION: “A GOOD FIRST STEP”

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard released the following statement regarding the introduction of S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act:

The legislation being introduced in the Senate is a good first step toward comprehensive immigration reform. I am thrilled to see that this bill includes a strong DREAM Act provision, which would allow those who were brought to the U.S. as children to be eligible for citizenship after five years. I have been fighting for DREAMers for many years and today marks a great step forward for these young people.

I am also encouraged to see part of the Help Separated Families Act included in the bill. This legislation allows for children with parents in detention or deportation proceedings to be placed with eligible relatives regardless of their documentation, instead of unnecessarily being placed in the foster care system. I introduced the Help Separated Families Act to protect parental rights, and I am very glad to see this important issue included in the Senate bill.

As we move forward with comprehensive immigration reform, I will continue to advocate for families and our youngest immigrants, and I am pleased that we have taken an important first step.

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REP. ROYBAL-ALLARD SPEAKS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR ABOUT EQUAL PAY DAY

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Last night, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives in recognition of Equal Pay Day:

36 Members of Congress to Congressional Leadership: Immigration Reform Must Include Strong Civil Rights and Due Process Protections

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representatives John Lewis, Judy Chu, Joe Garcia and Lucille Roybal-Allard led 32 of their colleagues in sending a letter to the leadership of the House and Senate urging them to ensure that legislation to reform our broken immigration system includes strong civil rights and due process protections. Specifically, the letter states that any immigration reform bill considered by Congress should require that those detained by our immigration authorities are allowed a fair hearing before a judge and access to counsel. In addition, the letter asserts that federal immigration authorities should explicitly reject racial, religious and ethnic profiling and operate with greater transparency and accountability.

“America is a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants,” said Rep. Chu (CA-27). “Our founding principles commit us to the ideal that all people – regardless of their background – are created equal and deserve the same protection under our laws. It is vital that any immigration reform package recognize that fact by including strong civil rights and due process protections.”

“Immigration reform is one of the great civil rights causes of our time,” said Rep. Roybal-Allard (CA-40). “Far too many detained immigrants, including children and the mentally disabled, continue to face the devastating prospect of deportation without the assistance of counsel. Moreover, according to data obtained by Syracuse University, over the past four years our immigration authorities have mistakenly issued more than 800 orders to lock up U.S. citizens, blatantly violating their constitutional rights. Now is the time for real reform that ends these abuses and finally brings our broken immigration system into line with our most basic American values.”

Please see the text of the letter below:

The Honorable Harry Reid The Honorable John Boehner
Majority Leader Speaker of the House
United States Senate U.S. House of Representatives
S-221 The Capitol H-232 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Mitch McConnell The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Republican Leader Democratic Leader
United States Senate U.S. House of Representatives
S-230 The Capitol H-204 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515

Dear House and Senate Leaders,

As the 113th Congress begins, the need to enact comprehensive immigration reform has never been more pressing. As part of this discussion, we believe the bill must protect the civil rights and civil liberties of all people as promised in our Constitution. America is a nation of values, founded on the idea that all people are created equal under - the law, no matter what they look like or where they came from. Our immigration laws should reflect our commitment to these American values. They should be grounded in civil and human rights and ensure due process, equal treatment, and fairness.

Current immigration enforcement practices tear families apart and hurt people who know America as their only home. More than one in every five individuals deported are parents of U.S. citizens. Thousands, including those seeking asylum, are unnecessarily detained at great expense to taxpayers even though they pose no threat to public safety. Our laws mandate detention or deportation for many people, denying them access to a hearing before a judge, in a system that does not guarantee legal counsel for those who cannot afford it. Immigration enforcement measures frequently target minority and immigrant communities through impermissible racial, religious and ethnic profiling that instills fear and distrust of law enforcement and makes communities less safe. Our system is not fair. It is unnecessarily punitive.

Today, America is at a crossroads. The question we face is not only how much enforcement we need, but how we will ensure that enforcement is consistent with our nation’s values. We renew our commitment to fight for principled immigration reform that does the following:

1. Provides an enforcement process that matches our values. To the greatest extent possible, we should strive for a process that includes a fair hearing before a judge, a bond hearing, federal court review, and access to counsel.

2. Provides for the humane treatment of everyone detained by immigration authorities.

3. Reduces the impact of enforcement on children and families.

4. Clarifies that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that it should be administered uniformly across the country.

5. Explicitly rejects discrimination and racial, religious and ethnic profiling.

6. Ensures that all agencies charged with enforcement operate with accountability and transparency.

In this immigration reform effort, we must not lose sight of the imperative to create an immigration system that is consistent with our nation’s values, including the protection of civil and human rights, and our Constitution.

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REP. ROYBAL-ALLARD & REP. SIMPSON INTRODUCE THE NEWBORN SCREENING SAVES LIVES REAUTHORIZATION ACT

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) and Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID) have introduced the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act, which reauthorizes critical federal activities that assist states in improving and expanding their newborn screening programs, supporting parent and provider newborn screening education, and ensuring laboratory quality and surveillance.

“Newborn screening not only transforms and saves lives – it saves money,” said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. “In my home state of California, newborns are screened for more than 40 preventable and treatable conditions – and for every one dollar California spends on screening, it yields a benefit of over $9 as we prevent disease in children who are diagnosed with these treatable conditions. We must work together to quickly pass this important bipartisan reauthorization so that state newborn screening programs can keep up with the latest science and technological advances.”

“I am proud to introduce legislation to reauthorize the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act,” said Congressman Simpson. “The Reauthorization Act provides critical federal support for states to develop and expand newborn screening programs. The bill reflects the realities of reduced budgets Washington, but continues and strengthens the well established system of monitoring and evaluating infant conditions soon after birth. Just one small blood sample from the newborn’s foot identifies infants with genetic or other conditions that can be treated quickly and effectively, saving and improving thousands of lives.”

“Congress must reauthorize the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2008 because no baby should die or suffer the devastating health consequences of a condition that could have been treated or prevented if identified through newborn screening,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, President of the March of Dimes. “The Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act will continue federal initiatives that provide vital guidance and assistance to state newborn screening programs.”

A key concern for the March of Dimes is the continuing operation of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children (SACHDNC). The SACHDNC’s charter will expire in April if the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act is not reauthorized or the Department of Health and Human Services fails to take action to extend its term. Allowing the committee to expire would eliminate a well-established and scientific process for evaluating newborn screening and providing guidance to states. More than 70 organizations wrote to Administrator Mary Wakefield urging the continuation of the SACHDNC.

Prior to passage of the 2008 legislation, the number and quality of screenings varied widely from state to state. In 2007, only 10 states and the District of Columbia required infants to be screened for all “core conditions” recommended by the SACHDNC. Those numbers prompted the March of Dimes to lead a nationwide campaign to urge all states to adopt a full newborn screening panel to help close the gaps that existed among states. Today, 44 states and the District of Columbia require screening of at least 29 of the 31 treatable core conditions.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of newborn screening. In the U.S., newborn screening is a state-run public health program that identifies infants who may have genetic, metabolic or hearing disorders that may not be apparent at birth. If left untreated, these conditions can cause serious illness, lifetime disabilities and even death. In many cases, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent or lessen the severity of these conditions. Approximately 1 in every 300 newborns in the U.S. has a condition that can be detected through screening.

Newborn screening began in 1963 when Massachusetts first screened for PKU (phenylketonuria) using a test developed by March of Dimes-funded researcher Robert Guthrie, M.D. More tests followed, including those for congenital adrenal hyperplasia and biotinidase deficiency, which also were developed with support from the March of Dimes.

“As we approach the 50th anniversary of newborn screening, I’m proud of the central role the March of Dimes has played in the development and adoption of this vital public health program,” said Dr. Howse. “We are saving infants’ lives and giving thousands each year a chance for healthy development.”

REP. ROYBAL-ALLARD RELEASES STATEMENT ON THE RYAN BUDGET

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard released the following statement on the Republican (Ryan) Budget:

This week we were faced with a series of votes on funding proposals to guide our federal budget priorities for the next 10 years. I supported proposals that were carefully crafted to protect our economic recovery; ensure the health and welfare of our most vulnerable; strengthen the middle class; and educate and train the next generation to meet the challenges of global economy. Unfortunately, Republicans defeated these proposals and passed the Republican (Ryan) Budget that does none of those things.

I cast my vote against the Ryan budget because it does nothing to stop the job losses associated with this year’s sequester, and according to the Economic Policy Institute, could cost an additional 2 million jobs in 2014. It is hard to understand why Republicans would jeopardize our recovery by throwing people out of work and starving investments in the physical and human capital of this nation, while lowering taxes by nearly $6 billion for wealthy tax payers.

There are so many ways in which the Ryan budget is wrong for our nation. But as we continue to mark Women’s History Month, I want to focus for a moment on why it is particularly wrong for women.

The Ryan Budget repeals the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, undoing the protections that eliminated gender bias with respect to preexisting conditions—in other words, once again, just being a woman could be a pre-existing condition. In addition, three million senior women will be subject to the prescription drug “donut hole,” and be forced to pay higher, unaffordable out of pocket costs for medications. Women on Medicaid, including seniors in nursing homes, would confront an uncertain health future as states block grant this essential safety net program. And the nation’s low-income mothers, struggling to feed their children, would face dramatic reductions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

These are only some of the reasons I voted against the Ryan budget and instead supported Democratic alternatives which would replace the harmful sequester with a balanced approach to deficit reduction, extend tax relief for the middleclass and emphasize job creation. My hope is that as we continue to deliberate on our budget, we move forward to deal with the nation’s spending and tax policies in a common sense, compassionate, and strategic manner.

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REP. ROYBAL-ALLARD RECEIVES AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP FROM THE CUBAN AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Last night, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard was presented with the Cuban American National Council’s (CNC) 2013 Leadership Award. The group also honored U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.

“Receiving this award for achievement in leadership is special because it is my first from a Cuban American organization. It is also very humbling because it comes from CNC, an organization with a proud and strong history of leadership,” said Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard. “From its original mission of meeting the needs of Cuban Americans, to its service to the greater Latino community today, CNC is a proven and highly valued leader in the national Hispanic movement,” Roybal-Allard added.

CNC is a non-profit organization providing human services to persons in need from all racial and ethnic groups. CNC assists individuals to become self-reliant and builds bridges among America’s diverse communities.

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REP.ROYBAL-ALLARD INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO AID VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard has introduced the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act, H.R 1229 to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking maintain employment and economic stability. This legislation helps victims gain the financial independence necessary to break free from their abusers.

“While we celebrate Women’s History Month, it is important to remember that there are still many women struggling in our nation. The physical and emotional harm suffered by victims of domestic and sexual violence abuse is compounded by the economic suffering they face. This bill protects women who are trying to leave their abusers from employer backlash or from being discriminated against when looking for a job,” said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard.

Among the protections under the SAFE Act, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking who are forced to leave a job because of the abuse would be eligible for unemployment benefits. They would also be able to take unpaid leave from work without the fear of being fired to address immediate needs such as obtaining legal assistance, medical care or finding a safe place to live.

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